TUESDAY JANUARY 1, 2019 RABI AL-AKHIR 25, 1440 VOL.12 NO. 4501 QR 2

HAZY Fajr: 4:56 am Dhuhr: 11:38 am HIGH : 25°C Asr: 2:36 pm Maghrib: 4:56 pm LOW : 17°C Isha: 6:26 pm

Business 13 Sports 17 Woqod opens 82nd Verdasco makes a breezy petrol station start; Rublev gets rolling

AMIR EXCHANGES NEW YEAR MoI launches website GREETINGS WELCOME 2019 DOHA The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani for CMC elections exchanged cables of greet- ings on Monday with the leaders of friendly countries Voter registration for CMC polls to start on January 13 on the occasion of the advent of the New Year. The HISHAM ALJUNDI Amir expressed his wishes DOHA of good health and hap- piness for them and their THE Ministry of Interior (MoI) people further progress and has launched a website for prosperity. (QNA) Central Municipal Corporation (CMC) elections. Inaugurated by Superviso- ry Committee Chairman Major Amir greets people General Majid Ibrahim al Khu- on New Year laifi, the website will greatly facilitate the electoral process I congratulate the people that will help the candidates as Officials during the launch of website for CMC elections on Monday. of the world in the new well as the voters. year, and wish them The website includes a fea- for the launch of the electoral “The website displays the peace and prosperity. ture that enables candidates process for the CMC elections are electoral register, which enables I also hope that it will to check on their electoral dis- going on in full swing. The poll- candidates to make sure they be a year of good and tricts. The possibility of voting ing stations are ready to receive are registered in their electoral achievements for Qatar. through the website to guar- citizens on January 13, 2019, the districts. It is also a guide for I hope this year will bring antee smooth election process day scheduled for the start of vot- voters,” Brigadier Abdulrahman stability and prosperity Fireworks explode over the has also been incorporated. er registration, he added. al Malki, Head of the Technical to the Arab and Islamic QATAR TRIBUNE WISHES ITS Visitors to the website can He said voters can find the Committee of Elections, said. people. Sydney Harbour to welcome find all necessary information a electoral roll on the website and The website is https://por- the New Year 2019. (AFP) READERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR candidate and voter would need. ensure that they are registered tal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/ Khualifi said preparations in their electoral constituencies. electionsAr.

Qatar’s foreign reserves jump Huge drop in fuel prices for January DOHA In a welcome news for QP set the premium 31% to $48.41 billion in Nov motorists in the New Year, gasoline (91) price at QR1.50/ Qatar Petroleum (QP) has litre for January, compared to atar’s foreign reserves surged 31.07 percent to slashed the prices of premium QR 1.80/litre in December, a Vodafone first to QQR176.24 billion ($48.41 billion) in November, 2018 and super grade petrol and decline of about 16.6 percent. when compared with QR134.46 billion ($36.94 billion) in the diesel from January 2019. The diesel will cost go live with 5G same month of the previous year, according to data released Fuel prices fell by 16 percent QR1.75/litre in January, com- commercially (P 2 ) by Qatar Central Bank (QCB). It was the ninth monthly rise of for gasoline and 12.5 percent pared to QR2/litre in Decem- Qatar’s foreign reserves in a row and the highest in the last for diesel. ber, a decline by 12.5 percent. 28 months, since July 2016. The country’s foreign reserves The price of super gasoline In June 2016, the pre- also witnessed rise on month-on-month basis as it went up (95) was set at QR 1.55/litre mium petrol cost QR1.20 per Mahaseel festival 2.18 percent from QR172.48 billion in October. —SATYENDRA for January, 16.2 percent lower litre, super QR1.30 per litre kicks off (PG 20 ) PATHAK (PAGE 13) than the December price of QR and diesel QR1.40 per 1.85/litre. litre. (TNN) 02 Tuesday, January 1, 2019

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Quick read Shura reviews draft law on iron customs tariff

Deputy Amir exchanges The Council members stressed the importance of the draft law in protecting and supporting the national industry New Year greetings QNA THE Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad DOHA al Thani on Monday exchanged cables of greetings with Their Highnesses and Excellencies Deputy Heads of State of friendly THE Shura Council at a meet- countries on the advent of the New Year, wishing them and ing chaired by Speaker HE their peoples good health, happiness and further progress and Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid prosperity. (QNA) al Mahmoud on Monday dis- cussed a draft law to deter- Prime minister exchanges mine some customs tariff on New Year geetings types of iron similar to those produced by Qatar Steel Com- PRIME Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah pany (Qatar Steel). bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani on Monday exchanged cables The Council members of greetings with Their Highnesses and Excellencies Heads stressed the importance of the of Government of friendly countries on the advent of the New draft law in protecting and sup- Year, wishing them and their peoples good health, happiness porting the national industry and further progress and prosperity. (QNA) which contributes significantly and effectively to the develop- Hammadi meets Sudanese envoy ment process in the country. Committee for further study sia, during which the second necessary legislation. Committee discussed a They also stressed that the and to submit a report thereon Bali Declaration was issued Meanwhile, the Internal draft law amending some SECRETARY General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr draft law gives great impetus to the Council. on sustainable development and External Affairs Commit- provisions of Law No 7 of Ahmed bin Hassan al Hammadi met the Ambassador of the to the iron and steel industry, The Shura Council re- and included a commitment to tee of the Shura Council held a 2007 on the settlement of Republic of Sudan to Qatar HE Fatah al Rahman Ali Moham- which has proven its quality in viewed a report of its delega- raise the level of efforts among meeting of the 47th regular ses- administrative disputes. med in Doha on Monday. During the meeting, they discussed the country. tion which participated in the parliaments in all participating sion of the Council chaired by its At the end of the meeting, the bilateral relations and the ways of boosting them, in addi- The Council then decided Second World Parliamentary countries on the importance of Rapporteur Abdulla bin Fahad the Committee decided to com- tion to matters of mutual interest. (QNA) to refer the draft law to the Fi- Forum on Sustainable Devel- achieving sustainable develop- Ghorab al Marri on Monday. plete the study of the draft law nancial and Economic Affairs opment held in Bali, Indone- ment goals and setting up the During the meeting, the in its next meeting. ‘Take extra safety caution in foggy weather’ Vodafone 1st to offer TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK flow,” said Dr Consunji. defogging, use the air condi- 5G commercially DOHA According to Dr Consunji, tioner with the temperature set drivers should not drive if to hot. This will also clear con- VODAFONE Qatar on Mon- connection of its first trial DIRECTOR of Hamad Injury weather conditions prevent densation from your windows,” day received the spectrum enterprise customer -- Gulf Prevention Program (HIPP) at them from clearly seeing the he added. licence from the Communi- Bridge International (GBI) Hamad Medical Corporation’s road and their surroundings. Dr Consunji advised mo- cations Regulatory Author- --to its 5G network in Qa- (HMC) Hamad Trauma Center However, if individuals must torists to open the windows of ity (CRA) to operate 5G com- tar Science and Technology Dr Rafael Consunji has urged drive during times of low vis- their cars during times of very mercially in the country. The Park. Using a Vodafone 5G drivers to take extra precau- ibility, they should ensure that low visibility so they can hear spectrum licence replaces the router, GBI has been expe- tions during foggy weather and all adult passengers are wear- the oncoming vehicles. This is trial licence that allowed the riencing broadband access times of low visibility, to avert ing their seatbelts and all chil- particularly useful in rural areas company to conduct 5G trials. at speeds that exceed 1Gbps accidents. dren using age-appropriate or on side roads with less traffic. Vodafone has achieved with a real-time and uninter- HIPP is the community car seats. He also urged commuters to strong progress in building its rupted user experience. From outreach arm of HMC’s They must know how to cor- use radio to listen to important 5G network, after switching it January 1, 2019, GBI will be Trauma Center. rectly use fog lights, and before notifications from the Traffic on in August 2018. Vodafone the first entity to be com- The safety expert said that starting the engine, should turn Department, but keep the vol- has rolled out its 5G network mercially connected to Voda- to counter dense fog, many on the fog lights and keep them ume low; reduce speed if visibil- in key locations across the fone’s 5G network. Moreover, drivers switch on their hazard or are driving extremely slowly very slowly, when a vehicle has on until the fog has cleared. ity worsens to 10 to 20 kilome- country, including Al Waab, Vodafone Qatar will be the lights, a practice, he warned, (20 km/hour). If you use your broken down on the side of the They can turn off the fog lights tres per hour; maintain enough Abu Hamour, Al Aziziya, Al first to commercially connect can be very dangerous. hazard lights unnecessarily, road, a tyre is being changed or once the fog has dissipated. space with the car in front. Mamoura, Al Rayyan, Katara several consumer customers “Fog makes it difficult to you cannot signal your intent the vehicle is being towed. The motorists should also He said, “In extremely dense Cultural Village, to its 5G network judge the distance between to turn or change lane and you “Foggy weather is most ensure that the windows and fog where visibility is near zero, Salwa Road, Souq across Doha start- cars and a driver’s ability to an- increase the risk of another ve- common during early morn- mirrors of their vehicles are al- slow down, signal your intent to Waqif and Um ing January 1, ticipate dangers is limited. So, hicle crashing into yours,” said ings and evenings when cooler ways clean before driving, he turn using your indicator and Salal Muhummed. 2019. it’s very important for drivers Dr Consunji. weather prevails. Commuters recommends further. pull slowly off the road to a safe Commenting “We are proud to keep a safe distance, to use The hazard lights, Dr Con- need to be extra careful during “During foggy conditions, location. If you are a pedestrian on the develop- to have been the their headlights on low beam, sunji noted, should only be used these hours, especially in areas leave your windows partially or cyclist, wear reflectors or ment, Vodafone first company or fog lights and to avoid using to warn other road users when undergoing construction as this rolled down and use your de- high-visibility clothing during Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad to experience the power of hazard warning lights unless a vehicle is a temporary haz- can result in unexpected chang- froster and wipers to keep foggy weather conditions to get Abdulla Jassim al Thani said: Vodafone’s 5G network, and they have completely stopped ard, for example, when driving es to road layouts and traffic them clear and clean. For faster noticed by drivers.” “Today is a momentous day we now look forward to ben- for Vodafone and Qatar. We efit from it commercially to are proud to be one of the first enhance our operations. We operators in the world to be congratulate Vodafone on of- live with 5G commercially. We ficially receiving its 5G licence MoPH trains food inspectors on latest global systems thank the CRA for their sup- and extend our full support in port and dedication to ensur- the journey to accelerate the QNA which specialises in food safe- acquire expertise in food in- ing Qatar has a world class in- country towards becoming DOHA ty and biosecurity. spection and increases their frastructure that supports the one of the most technologi- The training courses are in knowledge of the risks related realisation of Qatar National cally advanced in the world,” THE Ministry of Public Health line with the strategy and ac- to food. Vision 2030. We are commit- said Abdulla al Ruwali, execu- (MoPH) trained the food in- tion plans of the MoPH and the The course focused on a ted to developing the digital tive director and managing spectors at the ministry on the Qatar National Vision 2030, number of issues, including system and infrastructure that director of GBI. inspection system, which is and contributes to increasing adoption of a mechanism for will contribute to Qatar’s con- 5G-enabled handsets are based on analysing the threats the competencies of food in- classification of food establish- tinued growth and prosperity predicted to be available in in the field of food safety and spectors to keep pace with the ments, determining the avail- in the coming years. We now 2019. Vodafone Qatar is in audit in different food enti- latest international systems in ability of control over these look forward to connecting discussions with global device ties, according to HACCP and food safety control. establishments and training in- customers to our 5G network manufactures to ensure cus- ISO 22000 standards. The training courses are spectors based on risk analysis to enhance the quality of peo- tomers in Qatar will be one The ministry recently or- aimed to develop the food con- through field visits. ple’s lives and to help drive the of the first in the world to be ganised the third phase of trol system and auditing of food The training also intro- economic growth and produc- able to purchase 5G-enabled theoretical and practical two- establishments in Qatar, in ad- duced HACCP and its most tivity in Qatar.” devices. Vodafone customers month training for food in- Participants at a training course for food safety. dition to increasing the compe- significant phases. Field visits Immediately following can register their interest now spectors as part of the signed tencies of the inspection staff in were also arranged for some of the 5G launch in August, by visiting their nearest Voda- agreement between the gov- Zealand in food safety. The Quality, part of the govern- the ministry. the food establishments apply- Vodafone Qatar marked the fone store. (TNN) ernments of Qatar and New training was held by Asure- ment sector of New Zealand, It helps food inspectors ing this system. Coast Guard carries out Dibel 2 maritime exercise QNA The drill was conducted sels and oil tankers, confront- DOHA by the General Directorate ing fishing and smuggling of Coasts and Borders Secu- in Qatari waters by non- THE Operations Depart- rity in cooperation with Qatar Qatari maritime vessels as ment of the General Direc- Amiri Air Force, General Di- well as the protection of gas torate of Coasts and Borders rectorate of Industrial Secu- and oil stations and other Security on Monday car- rity and Qatar Petroleum. maritime functions. ried out the ‘Dibel 2’ exer- Director General of the Assistant Director of cise in order to measure the General Directorate of Indus- Operations Department of readiness of the concerned trial Security Lt Col Khalifa the General Directorate of authorities to deal with ac- Mohammed al Attiyah said Coasts and Borders Security cidents at the sea, as well as that the Dibel 2 exercise was Captain Hassan Ahmed al to improve the coordination, a continuation of the joint Sulaiti, who supervises the training and efficiency of the efforts between the Directo- exercise, pointed out that the participating parties. rates of the Industrial Securi- exercise is being carried out The scenario was an op- ty and the Coasts and Borders for the second year in a row eration to contain a fire and Security and other parties The scenario was an operation to contain a fire and oil spill due to explosion of a maritime vessel (Dibel). A rescue operation for the injured and its goal is to measure the oil spill due to explosion of concerned. For his part, As- vessel crew was also part of the exercise. readiness of the concerned a maritime vessel (Dibel). A sistant Director General of authorities to deal with acci- rescue operation for the in- Coasts and Borders Security cess of the Dibel 2 exercise parties to confront various General Directorate of Coasts ous incidents occurring in dents as well as to rescue lift jured vessel crew was also Lt Col Abdulaziz Ali al Mo- in achieving its objectives by accidents and maritime tasks. and Borders Security is al- the maritime field, whether the drowned and injured at part of the exercise. hannadi affirmed the suc- training the participating He pointed out that the ways ready to tackle the vari- accidents of commercial ves- the sea. Nation Tuesday, January 1, 2019 03 QRCS launches emergency response to Syria floods Medical and relief aid worth $750,000 to be provided to 6,100 households in Aleppo, Idlib and Hama governorates; 3,190 blankets distributed; 200 tents set up

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Based on the needs as- DOHA sessment on the ground, a plan was developed to pro- QATAR Red Crescent Society vide $750,000 worth of (QRCS) has responded to the medical and relief aid for heavy rain and subsequent 6,100 households (30,500 floods in northern Syria, persons, basically chil- which affected thousands of dren) in Aleppo, Idlib, and internally displaced people Hama Governorates. (IDPs) in 22 camps across The plan will cover food five towns of Idlib and Aleppo and non-food items, water and Governorates. sanitation, makeshift shelters, The bad weather dam- first aid supplies, mobile clin- aged 2,214 tents inhabited by ics and medical equipment. 2,329 households in Atme, These provisions are aimed Sarmada, Deir Hassan, Al- at alleviating the suffering of Dana and Al-Bab. IDPs, reducing the morbid- In response, QRCS’ rep- ity and mortality rates, meet- resentation mission in Gazi- ing the basic needs of IDPs, antep, Turkey, activated its addressing the shortages in disaster information centre medical supplies at camp clin- Among the items to be distributed by Qatar Red Crescent Society are mattresses, blankets, medicines, surgical consumables and drinking water. to manage the emergency re- ics, and helping the munici- sponse. It coordinates with palities and health authorities UN agencies, as well as lo- to contain the situation. cal and international relief Among the items to be providers, to monitor the distributed are mattresses, movement of IDPs, evacu- blankets, medicines, surgi- ate the submerged camps, cal consumables and drink- and secure transportation ing water. Also, the plan and shelter. involves deploying multi- So far, they have dis- service mobile clinics, grav- tributed 3,190 blankets to elling roads and footpaths to the IDPs in Idlib country- prevent them from turning side, set up 200 tents at muddy, laying sewage pipe- Atme IDP camps, deployed lines, installing clean toilets, three mobile clinics to the opening catering hubs to IDP destinations and par- provide meals, and clearing ticipated in the UN cluster roads to allow rescue and coordination meetings. evacuation activities. QA’s Qatar Executive receives first two new QA flies high in 2018, looks Gulfstream G500 jets forward to 2019 with hope TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to continuing to help them DOHA build their Gulfstream fleet, TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the world by making their which already includes our DOHA in-flight experience even QATAR Executive, the private high-performing, class-lead- more fun and inspiring. jet charter division of Qatar ing flagship, the G650ER.” QATAR Airways (QA) cel- Furthermore, Qatar Air- Airways Group, has received The G500 is powered ebrates a successful year of ro- ways received a host of awards two of its brand-new Gulf- by the next generation Pratt bust network expansion, new in 2018, including being stream G500 executive jets, & Whitney Canada PW800 aircraft deliveries and ground- named ‘World’s Best Busi- which will provide passengers engines, optimised for high- breaking global sports spon- ness Class’ by the 2018 World with a unique and refined fly- altitude, fast and long-range sorship agreements as it looks Airline Awards, managed by ing experience. jets. In addition to being one with anticipation to 2019. international air transport rat- Entering service for the of the quietest and most effi- As the first airline in the ing organisation Skytrax. It first time in early 2019, the cient jets in the industry, the world to take delivery of the was also named ‘Best Business G500 jet is the most techno- aircraft’s remarkable range Airbus A350-1000 in Feb- Class Seat,’ ‘Best Airline in the logically advanced aircraft makes it capable of travel- ruary, 2018, Qatar Airways Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best in Qatar Executive’s fleet. ling non-stop from Istanbul proved once again that it leads First Class Airline Lounge.’ The state-of-the-art jet sets a to Cape Town; Los Angeles to where other airlines follow Qatar Airways’ revolution- new industry benchmark by London; and San Francisco in providing passengers with ary Qsuite was named ‘Best offering one of the quietest to Tokyo. the most technologically ad- Business Class’ in the Airline cabins, as well as having the The cabin contains the vanced aircraft available. As Ratings’ Airline Excellence best cabin altitude pressure, most advanced technology, well as receiving the first Air- Awards 2019. The airline’s re- allowing for unparalleled including satellite communi- bus A350-1000, the airline re- into full commercial service cluding: Cardiff, United King- and Canberra and Sydney. nowned dine-on-demand in passenger comfort. cations, high-speed internet, ceived 25 additional aircraft to on the airline’s Doha-London dom; Canberra, Australia; 2018 was a highly success- flight cuisine was also named Qatar Airways Group the Oryx One entertainment the fleet throughout the year, route, on which the A350-900, Mombasa; Kenya; Gothenburg, ful year for the airline’s Cargo ‘Best Catering’. Chief Executive Akbar al system, wireless local area increasing the total number in the A380, Boeing 777 and 787 Sweden; Da Nang, Vietnam; division as well, with cargo vol- The airline clinched the Baker said: “Welcoming the network and Gulfstream’s its fleet to 226. Dreamliner already operate, and Thessaloniki, Greece. The umes having increased by 10.6 ‘Best Inflight Service’ award at ultra-modern Gulfstream Cabin Management System, Qatar Airways Group offering six flights a day be- airline also launched seasonal percent in 2018 compared to the 29th Annual TTG Travel G500 executive jet into our which allows passengers to Chief Executive Akbar al tween Qatar and the United services to Mykonos, Greece; 2017. The highlight has been Awards 2018. The airline was fleet is a commitment to use their own personal elec- Baker said: “Our achieve- Kingdom’s capital to Heathrow Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; the launch of transpacific ser- also named the ‘Best Middle our Qatar Executive clients’ tronic devices to control ments in 2018 prove that Qa- Airport and 16 weekly flights to and Málaga, Spain vices, direct from Macau to Los Eastern/African Airline’ for the expectations. The truly ad- audio, video, lighting, tem- tar Airways has not wavered London Gatwick. It is the first The airline also added a Angeles and Mexico City. ninth consecutive year at the vanced jet enables us to offer perature, window shades and from its strategy and vision Airbus aircraft to be fitted with host of new frequencies to The airline signed a re- recent 2018 Business Traveller an unparalleled flying experi- other cabin functions. of constant growth and devel- Qatar Airways’ revolutionary several popular destinations cord-number of partnership Asia-Pacific Awards. ence to our global clientele, The brand-new executive opment, in order to provide Qsuite Business Class seat. In including Montreal, Mal- agreements with top-tier Qatar Airways also won who I am sure, will be thrilled jet was first unveiled by Qatar our passengers the finest on- October, the aircraft was added dives, Bangkok, Phuket, Ho teams in 2018, including Ger- 10 new international service when flying on board this all- Executive on the opening day board experience every time to the airline’s New York route. Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Am- man football team FC Bayern awards, including titles by new aircraft. of Farnborough International they travel. We have demon- In the same month, the air- man, Muscat, Helsinki, Ma- München AG; Italian football four separate global industry “We are proud of the Airshow, earlier this year. strated that we will not rest in line announced that it had up- drid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, club AS Roma; Argentinian leaders: Business Traveller, strong relationship we have Qatar Executive currently our determination to push the graded five of its current order Vienna, Oslo, Copenhagen, football club Boca Juniors; Kayak, Condé Nast Traveler with Gulfstream Aerospace operates a fleet of 15 state-of- boundaries in redefining the of A350-900s to the higher-ca- Manchester and Zurich. These Barclays Center in New York; and CJ Affiliate. Corporation and we look for- the-art private jets, including travel experience for each and pacity A350-1000. The airline additions provided even more South American Football Con- The airline also received a ward to receiving further jets five Gulfstream G650ERs, every one of our customers. has already taken delivery of flexibility for both business federation (CONMEBOL); High Commendation for the from them in the future.” two Gulfstream G500s, three “As we conclude 2018, we 35 A350 aircraft (29 A350-900 and leisure passengers. and FIFA 2018 World Cup ‘Global Excellence Award’ at President of Gulfstream Bombardier Challenger 605s, remain committed to setting and six A350-1000) from the In 2018, Qatar Airways Russia further establishing the 2018 CJ You Awards, in Mark Burns said: “Gulfstream four Global 5000s and one the highest standards of excel- total order of 76 A350 XWBs. added its award-winning, Qatar as the hub of sports. California, US, followed by is proud to make the first in- Global XRS. In 2019, Qatar lence and quality in the indus- One of the world’s fastest- patented Business Class seat, In March 2018, Qatar third place in the ‘Top Airlines ternational delivery of the Executive is set to receive an try, and look forward to wel- growing airlines, Qatar Airways Qsuite, to routes including Airways launched the Oryx – International’ category in Gulfstream G500 to Qatar Ex- additional five G500s and coming an exciting 2019.” also launched a host of exciting Shanghai, São Paulo, Chicago, Kids Club, designed to en- the Condé Nast Travelers 2018 ecutive and we look forward one G650ER. The new A350-1000 went new destinations in 2018, in- Houston, Mumbai, Bengaluru, courage children to explore Reader’s Choice Awards. Qatar residents set up volunteer group to promote climate change initiative

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK partnerships for cross-secto- DOHA ral and collaborative efforts. An agreement was TWO Qatar residents, In- reached on how to uniformly tiqab Rawoof and al Bandari count greenhouse gas emis- Sultan al Abdulla, have co- sions and if poorer countries founded a volunteer group feel they cannot meet the named My Climate Action standards set, they can ex- Qatar (MCAQ) to carry out plain why and present a plan activities related to Climate to build up their capacity in Change and Sustainable De- that regard. velopment for education us- On the question of financ- ing photography and art. ing from developed countries The initiative aims to in support of climate action work on universal call for in developing countries, the action on ‘Sustainable De- document sets a way to de- velopment Goals’ which cide on new, more ambitious is the United Nations targets from 2025 onwards, 2030 Agenda. from the current commit- Abdulla said, “On the ment to mobilise $100 bil- sidelines of the COP24 Unit- lion per year from 2020. ed Nations Climate Change The initiative is aimed at working on universal call for action on ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ which is the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Another notable achieve- Conference held in Poland, ment of the negotiations is we hosted the photogra- of Poland in Qatar and Cul- mittee selected 21 photos of After two weeks of ne- guidelines for the landmark member states on the Paris that nations agreed on how phy contest ‘My Climate tural Partner Katara the various authors and exhib- gotiations with almost 200 2015 Paris Agreement aimed guidelines, the hallways of to collectively assess the ef- Action Green City Photog- Cultural Village. ited them at the My Climate parties who gathered in Ka- at keeping global warming COP24 buzzed with close to fectiveness of climate action raphy Competition, which “There were approxi- Action Green City exhibition towice, Poland, for the Unit- well below 2°C compared to 28,000 participants having in 2023 and how to monitor was organised in Doha by mately 85 photo submissions which is took place at Katara ed Nations COP24 Climate pre-industrial levels. lively exchanges, sharing in- and report progress on the Earth Lanka with the part- from school students and the building 22 from December Change Conference, the par- In addition to the po- novative ideas, attending development and transfer of nership with the Embassy public. The organising com- 23 to December 30, 2018. ticipants adopted a set of litical negotiations among cultural events and building technology. 04 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Nation Over 500 Syrian orphans receive The planet with rings to ‘disappear’ behind winter clothes from Qatar Charity Sun from Wednesday The project was carried out as part of the ‘Below Zero’ campaign being implemented by the charity TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

QATAR Charity (QC) recently implemented the winter cloth- ing project in the Syrian town of Mare, benefiting 525 orphaned children. The project was carried out with the generous support of the people of Qatar and as part of QC’s ongoing ‘Below Zero’ campaign. The implementation of the project coincided with the in- creasingly cold weather, rain- An artist’s rendition of Saturn. storms and floods that engulfed several camps for the displaced TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK million Kilometres. Syrians and refugees on the DOHA “Qatar residents will be Syrian-Turkish borders. able to observe Saturn over Each bag of clothing includ- THE planet with beauti- eastern horizon by the end ed a coat, a winter clothing set ful rings, Saturn, will pass of January. The duration and shoes. very close by Sun during between the rise time of Sat- The ‘Below Zero’ campaign the astronomical phenom- urn and Sun will increase was launched last month under enon ‘Saturn in conjunction during next few weeks. the slogan ‘Share the warmth’ with Sun’ on Wednesday Moreover on Wednesday, at Al Bayli Camp for Syrian (January 2) at 8am Doha Saturn will rise over Qatar refugees on the Turkish-Syrian time, Qatar Calendar House sky at the same time of sun- border. (QCH) has announced. rise, and both of them will The campaign focuses on “‘The superior conjunc- set on the western horizon the displaced and refugees in tion of Saturn’ is a very at the same time. So, it will countries such as Syria, Pales- important astronomical be impossible to observe tine and Iraq. phenomenon, as it is an Saturn on Wednesday,” said It also considers the poor indicator of Saturn’s tran- Dr Marzouk. in Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, targeted people will be given tional, health and social servic- the poor in countries where through QC’s website (QCH. sition to disappear from Besides, on Wednesday, Albania and Bosnia and Herze- food baskets, winter clothes, es provided by the charity. temperatures go below zero de- QA/B0) and application. an evening sky over west- Saturn will be in the oppo- govina, where temperatures fall blankets, heaters, fuel and According to the weather grees Celsius. The donors can also request ern horizon after sunset site side of Earth, and at an below zero degrees Celsius. tents. forecasts, the winter in the Mid- This will exacerbate their for a ‘home collector’ service to appear in the morning angular distance of less than The campaign aims to raise QC, through its ‘Rofaqa’ dle East in 2018-19 would be suffering, especially if they do through QC’s app (QCH.QA/ sky over eastern horizon half degree from Sun’s cen- QR66mn to provide the neces- initiative, sponsors 157,000 harsh, accompanied by heavy not receive adequate support to APP) or dial the charity’s hot- before sunrise,” said Dr tre. Hence, it will be totally sary winter needs for 800,000 orphans worldwide, including rains and snow, bringing ad- cope with the bad weather. line 44667711 to make their Beshir Marzouk, Astrono- unobservable for the next people in three main areas -- 3,158 orphans in Syria, who ditional challenges to the dis- The donations in favour contributions. Mobile dona- mer at QCH. few weeks beginning on food, shelter and heating. The receive comprehensive educa- placed Syrians, refugees and of the campaign can be made tions can also be made. During the superior Wednesday, he added. conjunction of Saturn, the There are two types centres of Sun, Earth and of conjunctions occurring Saturn will be aligned in in our solar system – the straight line and Sun will be superior and inferior con- in between the other two. junctions. The superior Saturn will reach the conjunction occurs for all farthest point from Earth planets in the solar system, during its conjunction with while the inferior conjunc- Sun, where the distance be- tion occurs for Mercury tween Saturn and Earth will and Venus only, since their be 11.04 Astronomical Units orbits around Sun are in- (AU). 1 AU is equal to 1.49 side Earth’s orbit.

The full-day outdoor event featured a variety of entertainment activities designed for all age groups. BMW 8 Series Coupe recalled

THE Ministry of Commerce The MoCI said the recall RPQ celebrates annual Family Fiesta 2018 and Industry (MoCI), in col- campaign comes within the laboration with Al Fardan framework of its efforts to pro- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK organised its annual Family The star attraction of the day come the champion, and Jaipur on the beach with fun filled Automobiles, dealer of BMW tect consumers. The ministry DOHA Fiesta at Sealine Beach Resort was the second edition of ‘Ra- Royals emerged victorious in a games and many prizes. The vehicles in Qatar, has an- said it will coordinate with recently. jasthan Premier League’ (RPL) closely fought final. fiesta concluded with early nounced the recall of BMW 8 the dealer to follow up on the THE Rajasthan Pariwar Qatar The full-day outdoor event cricket tournament. Teams Did- Ladies tested their wit and New Year celebrations with Series Coupe model of 2018 maintenance works and com- (RPQ), associated to the Indian featured a variety of entertain- wana Panthers, Jodhpur Blast- fitness in the ‘Bold and Beau- Live DJ and dancing, on a day due to a fault in the colours of municate with customers to Cultural Centre (ICC) under ment activities designed for all ers, Jaipur Royals and Udaipur tiful’ contest and the children filled with fun, laughter and the warning light on the front ensure that the necessary re- the aegis of Embassy of India, age groups. Warriors competed hard to be- too enjoyed their day out delicious food. cluster of the vehicle. pairs are carried out. (TNN) Tuesday, January 1, 2019 05 CAMPUS CORNER Tamuq don named Birla Public School fills Al-Wakrah fellow of Royal Stadium with sport spirit and zeal Society of Chemistry 130 conference presentations. He has served the broad- er chemistry community — nationally and internation- ally — through the various conferences and workshops that he has helped organise over the years. His community service is perhaps most clearly shown in his extensive work on raising awareness of the im- Dr Hassan S Bazzi. portance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK math) in Qatar. DOHA He has played a leading role in establishing a Science DR Hassan S Bazzi, associ- and Engineering Road Show ate dean for research at Texas in Qatar, the first in the nation TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the students. by all the four houses - Mars, Harsha Jackson of X-A from Houses stood as individu- A&M University at Qatar that brings exciting learning DOHA He congratulated the win- Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn. Saturn House and in Su- al champions. All of them (Tamuq), has been named a experiences to Qatar’s young ners for their commendable The gathering also wit- per Senior Category Sind- bagged 15 points each. Fellow of the Royal Society of people. THE Al-Wakrah Stadium was performance in sports and nessed track and field events hu Nithyananda of XI-D The events filled the Chemistry (FRSC) in recog- Bazzi joined the Texas filled with zeal and excite- academics and urged them of 100 metres, 200 metres, from Mars House scored 13 participants’ hearts with nition of his global contribu- A&M at Qatar faculty in 2004 ment recently as Birla Public to equip themselves with ver- 400 metres and 4x100 metres points each. They were the the spirit of sportsman- tions to the field of chemistry. as assistant professor, was School celebrated its Annual satile talents to take on the inter-house relay. individual champions in ship and unity .The students In addition to his role as promoted to associate profes- Sports Day. challenges of life. In the Girls Category Girls category. displayed a wide array of associate dean for research, sor in 2009 and then to pro- Almost 700 students from The programme be- Junior 1, Minha Fathima of In the Boys Category Jun- colourful and reverber- Bazzi is a professor of chem- fessor in 2014. the school participated in the gan with a melodious Ara- V-N scored 11 points from ior 1, Bala Mohan Krishna of ant events. They mesmer- istry and executive director He was the first chair Sports Day events. bic Stick Dance followed by Jupiter House. V-J from Saturn House, in ised the audience with their of development, engagement of the Science Programme Chief Guest Samba em- thrilling pyramid formation, In Junior 2 Category, Junior Category 2 Adhishesh energetic performances. and outreach. (2006-2014) where he over- phasised the importance of which was an epitome of per- Andria Mary Shynu bagged Chitrakumar of VI-I from Mars House secured first He is also professor of saw the growth and expansion sports children’s life. fect equilibrium performed 15 points of VI-M from Mars House, in intermediate position with 252 points, Ju- materials science and engi- of the chemistry, physics and He expressed happiness amidst thunderous applause Jupiter House. category Azam Ahamed of piter House came second with neering at Texas A&M Uni- mathematics programmes. to observe the untiring ef- by the gathering. In the intermediate cat- VII K from Neptune House, 196 points, Neptune House versity in College Station, He has also served as forts invested by the school This was followed by flag egory, Nuha Zakiya scored in Senior and Super Senior won the third position with Texas (USA). interim chair of the Pe- to achieve excellence in all hoisting, singing of Qatar Na- 13 points of VII-M from Category Amil Rajesh and 172 points and Saturn House Achieving Royal Society troleum Engineering Pro- spheres of education and tional Anthem and National Saturn House. Ashvin Viju of X-D and XII- took the fourth position with Fellow status in the chemi- gramme (2014-2015) and personality development of Anthem of India, march past In the Senior Category, H from Neptune and Mars 164 points. cal profession denotes to the assistant dean for research wider community a high level (2014-2017). of accomplishment as a pro- In 2018, Bazzi was the fessional chemist, according founding chair of the Qa- to the organisation’s website. tar chapter of the American Each fellow must have Chemical Society and he was made an outstanding contri- recently elected as chair for bution to the advancement of 2018-2020. the chemical sciences or to the Bazzi received his bach- advancement of the chemi- elor’s degree in chemistry in cal sciences as a profession 1996 and master’s degree or- or have been distinguished in ganic chemistry in 1998, both the management of a chemi- from the American University cal sciences organisation. of Beirut (Lebanon), and his The distinction requires ac- Ph.D. in polymer chemistry ceptance and adherence to a with Dean’s Honor List from specific code of conduct and McGill University (Canada) an established set of high in 2003. standards of ethical and pro- He worked briefly with fessional behaviour. the United Nations as a By becoming a fellow of chemical weapons inspector the RSC, Bazzi joins a dis- in Iraq before doing a post- tinguished list of Texas A&M doctoral research fellowship chemists who have previ- at Université de Montréal. ously been bestowed with Bazzi has also completed the prestigious honour - Kim the Management Develop- Two DPS-MIS students bag 1st prize Dunbar (2018), Sarbajit Ba- ment Programme in June nerjee (2016), Hongcai Joe 2014 and the Institute for Zhou (2015), Marcetta Y Management and Leadership Darensbourg (2014), Kevin in Education in June 2018 at in senior category of science contest Burgess (2013), Abraham Harvard University Graduate Clearfield (2013), François P School of Education. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Gabbaï (2013) and James D “I am honoured to have DOHA Batteas (2012). been selected to be a Fellow “Dr Bazzi is an outstand- of the Royal Society of Chem- DPS-MIS students Manogna ing teacher, researcher and istry,” Bazzi said. “I believe Jayi and Adit Jude Babu leader,” said Dr César Octavio in the important roles that bagged first position in the Malavé, dean of Texas A&M professional societies play in senior category of Shas- at Qatar. “He is a great asset shaping our future, and I am trapradarshan 2018-19 con- to Tamuq and to our mission proud to be associated with test after the final round held here. We are proud of what he the RSC.” recently at Bhavans Pub- has accomplished in his ca- The Royal Society of lic School by Science India reer and on behalf of our uni- Chemistry is the world’s lead- Forum, Qatar. versity, and this prestigious ing chemistry community for Dr Brajesh Pandey (asso- recognition is just one more advancing excellence in the ciate professor, physics, Sym- example of his excellence, in- chemical sciences. With more biosis Institute of Technology) tegrity and leadership.” than 54,000 members and was the chief guest of the day. Bazzi’s research inter- a knowledge business that Altogether 85 teams from ests focus on metathesis spans the globe, the group is various Indian Schools in Qa- chemistry as a powerful tool the UK’s professional body tar took part in the competi- in small molecule and poly- for chemical scientists—a tion of which 32 were short- mer synthesis, in addition to not-for-profit organization listed for the final round on the polymer-supported catalysis, with 175 years of history and basis of the results of the three DNA-mimetic polymers, and an international vision of the review sessions conducted. Of fluorous analogs of rutheni- future that promotes, sup- these, 11 teams were from DPS um-based catalysts. ports and celebrates chem- MIS Doha. He has authored and co- istry while working to shape The winners will par- authored more than 80 peer- the future of the chemical sci- ticipate in the 26th National reviewed scientific publica- ences to benefit both science Children’s Science Con- tions, three US patents and and humanity. gress to be held in India in December, 2018. MES students attend 2nd Youth Research Forum

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

A TOTAL of 52 students of Class- es 7, 8 and 11 from MES Indian School recently attended the sec- ond Youth Research Forum at Qa- tar University under the topic ‘The role of youth in innovation and sustainable development in the State of Qatar’. The forum was organised by Qatar University in cooperation with the Qatar National Com- mission for Education, Culture and Science, and Qatar Youth Hostel Association. The Youth Forum included and economic growth, industry, presented their papers in their and inclusiveness of young minds several panel discussions and innovation and infrastructure, field of research which was then in the sustainable development of research papers on a number of sustainable cities and commu- open for questions from experts the nation. topics related to good health and nities, and peace, justice and and audience. MES Indian School teachers well-being for all, education for strong institutions. The forum proved to be an ed- Rajesh, Shrijith, Suchitra Kotian, all, gender equality, clean wa- Student researchers and ucative and informative one show- Renitha and Suresh accompanied ter and sanitation, decent work medical students and doctors ing Qatar’s openness to initiatives the students. 06 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 SPOTLIGHT YOUNG QATARI DESIGNERS RARING TO GLITTER AT DJWE 2019 WITH the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE 2019) round the corner, young Qatari designers are raring, once again, to glitter at the prestigious show of luxury and glamour. Slated to kick off on February 20, the six-day DJWE 2019 will see Young Qatari Designers (YQD) initiative throwing spotlight on more than a dozen budding designers, who’ll exhibit their latest creations alongside well-known international brands. Three such Qatari designers – Leila Abu Issa, Reem al Shamri and Sara al Hammadi – spoke to Qatar Tribune’s Satyendra Pathak on a range of topics concerning their work, their sources of inspiration, the materials they use, and the importance of YQD as a global platform to showcase their talents.

Leila Abu Issa of Leila Issam Fine Jewellery Reem al Shamari of WITR Jewelry Sara al Hammadi of Sarah & Co

We are in a time where The Young Qatari Designers is a promising YQD is an ideal platform to meet excessiveness is not very start to introduce young jewellery new clients and discover their attractive anymore designers in Qatar to the market impressions of my jewellery ‘Need to stay ahead ‘We’ve have designed ‘Islamic architecture of your time’ the first watch for and Mashrabiya art women in Qatar’ inspire me a lot’

Could you please give us a little Tell us about yourself and background about yourself and what led you to become a jew- what led you to become a jewel- ellery designer. lery designer? I have studied international tour- I am a Qatari entrepreneur and the ism management at Stenden Uni- proud owner of an internationally pat- versity. Since my childhood I have ented brand called WITR, which means always loved drawing. I always singular, or only one. had a passion for art and as I grew older I have been fascinated by What are you inspired by? jewellery, when watching women I am inspired by the beauty which is in weddings walk in their gleam- out there in nature; starting, of course, ing jewellery. This made me inter- with the beauty and uniqueness of the ested in drawing jewellery designs. human eye prints; the elegance of the I started practising by drawing my local flowers that is in the Qatari envi- mother’s jewellery. Afterwards, ronment, and ending with the beauty of I began to look at other types of Tell us about your back- the ancient empires and their charac- achievement and earned the first place jewellery designs and so I started What would you rate as your ground and what led you to teristics, some of which have perished for best business in Qatar. In 2018, practising by drawing them. This biggest achievement to date? become a jewellery designer. with their secrets, leaving behind only we designed the first high-end Qatari allowed me to create my own jew- My biggest achievement to date is My background was always in the ruins of magnificence yet to be dis- watch for men. And now we have de- ellery designs. I managed to cre- being able to witness my ideas draft- design. It has been my passion covered. signed the first watch for women in ate my own jewellery designs five ed in the form of designs on paper, ever since I could remember. I Qatar, which should be the star of the years ago. And this led me to open perfected through every stage, and first obtained a Baccalaureate So far I think my greatest Are there any particular design- upcoming show. up a jewellery shop of my own jew- selected to be made into a magnifi- in French Literature and Phi- achievement is progress. Being ers and brands that have influ- ellery designs. cent piece of jewelry, which is show- losophy. I then moved to Paris able to look back and see that we enced your style? Why did you get involved with the cased and sold at my shop. to study art and design where have kept evolving and learning, No, not really. I depend on the strength YQD in the first place? Where do you draw I experimented with different fine being able to see that we are doing of my imagination when it comes to The Young Qatari Designer is a suc- your inspiration from? Why did you get in- art techniques, as well as design in better every year. inspiration. I am inspired by the ac- cessful initiative as I see it as a prom- Nature inspires me the volved with the YQD? all its forms -- be it conceptual or tual history of emperors, as well as the ising start to introduce young jewellery most. Nature is bountiful! To gain brand image and interior. But it was after I moved to Why did you get involved with beauty of nature, or the human eye designers in Qatar to the market. The I take inspiration from know other young Qatari Florence did the Jewellery world the YQD in the first place? prints. initiative is not only about introducing nature to create some- designers. YQD is also an strike me from every angle, and When I first heard about The the Qatari designers to the thing of my own. In some ideal platform to meet new that is when I began exploring Young Qatari Designers initiative, I Could you take us through market, but also introduc- way or the other nature is clients and to discover their this field. Coming from a family felt a bit nervous. It was a real chal- your work, materi- ing the market to the reflected in my jewellery impression and opinions on of luxury retailers, I grew up with lenge to meet the requirements. als you like working Qatari designers. It’s designs. Islamic architecture my jewellery. a sense of the business. Although However, they really pushed me with, any particular an opportunity of fruit- and Mashrabiya art also in- prior to launching my own brand, I to go the extra mile and I am glad aesthetics you strive ful correspondence and spire me a lot. What is the most excit- started my career in the corporate I did. It’s a great opportunity to be for? communication with the ing thing about being world of gold and diamond trad- able to receive support like this. When I first started, I was real market of jewellery Are there any par- involved with the YQD ing where I was able to get a bet- very proud with the concept making. DJWE is an in- ticular designers and initiative, and the Doha ter understanding of the industry What is the most exciting we got the copyright for, which ternationally recognised brands that have influ- Jewellery and Watches pipeline. thing about being involved was the eye print. So I was into platform, which every sin- enced your style? Exhibition? with the YQD initiative, and the idea of creating that with gle designer could benefit American jeweller Joel Ar- The most exciting thing is to in- What are you inspired by? the Doha Jewellery and the most precious mate- from either by doing busi- thur Rosenthal, who works teract with clients and to discover I am inspired mainly by natural Watches Exhibition? rial which was the 24k gold, ness or learning. in Paris, has a lot of influence their ideas and suggestions to my phenomena and human moods. It is really exciting to be a part of but because of the nature of on my style. Better known by his jewellery designs. It’s always about capturing a feel- such a creative and diverse group the 24k, molding it into the What is the most exciting trade name JAR, he takes inspira- ing and translating it into jewellery. of designers. I look forward to see- most precisely detailed features of eye thing about being involved with tion from the flora and fauna for Tell us about your future ing all the new collections and see- prints was impossible. So the second the YQD initiative and what are his creations. plans. Which designers and brands ing how we have all respectively best to that was the 18k gold which be- your future aims, projects and My future aim is to create as many have influenced your style? evolved. All of us young designers came my favourite when it comes to eye plans? Could you take us through different designs as possible with Many! There are so many innova- being side by side with all the inter- print designs. I also love to work with My future aim is to go global. To be your work, materials you like my own taste and touch to allow tive and great designers out there. national brands is quite an achieve- the precious stones and semiprecious known in a wider range not only in working with, any particular women from all ages to be comfort- It’s very important to keep track ment as well. stones, namely, the vs1 clear and black Qatar and the Arabian Gulf but also in aesthetics you strive for? able with wearing my jewellery. My and stay within, or even ahead of diamonds, and colourful semi-precious Europe and elsewhere. But most im- My work is primarily concern- future plan for my benefit is to learn your time to be interesting enough What are your future aims, stones like the honey carnelian and Af- portantly the goal which we have been ing diamond jewellery. We work how to use the CAD programme to your clientele and industry. projects and plans? rican tourmaline, which are always at working hard for is letting everyone mostly in 18 KT white gold. Occa- for making diamond jewellery and I think 2019 will be mainly about the top of the list. But in the future I look known that WITR is not only a jewellery sionally, we also use platinum for at the same to take courses on dia- Could you take us through learning about retail, to be able to forward to work with a wider variety of making company, it is a jewellery com- important and large solitaire dia- monds and gemstones. This is to your work, materials you like position our jewellery and make stones as the company slowly grows, pany that design and manufacture jew- monds. Gem-stones are integral in allow my technique and knowledge working with, any particular them more accessible to our inter- because we have goals to becoming bet- ellery with love and precision that chal- adding a sense of character to my in designing jewellery to be en- aesthetics you strive for? ested clientele. ter in manufacturing high end watches lenge all international brands together. designs. Usually my work is limited hanced in the field that I’m in. It is always gold and diamonds. also, and not just jewellery. to sapphires, rubies and emeralds. However, I have a particular at- In terms of aesthetics, symmetry is tachment to working with coloured What would you rate as your big- a key element illustrated in my de- sapphires in all its forms and more gest achievement to date? signs. It’s the framework on which recently tourmalines. I aim to keep My biggest achievement in 2015 was the motifs are built. my jewellery wearable, practical earning an international patent for and stay accessible even when it our unique concept - the eye print. comes to high jewellery. We are in So WITR is the only manufacturing a time where excessiveness is not company for immortalising actual eye very attractive anymore. I believe prints on gold. In 2016, we were cho- in below-the-line-luxury that you sen to participate in the international are able to wear more often. show of Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition every year until today. In What is your biggest achieve- 2017, we were honoured by the Min- ment to date? ster of Economy and Commerce for our Tuesday, January 1, 2019 07 Reports by Catherine W Gichuki For events and press releases email African Panorama [email protected] or call (974) 4000 2222 Ethiopia beckons tourists from Qatar A unique country with its colourful festivals and fun-filled celebrations, natural beauty and World Heritage sites offers the visitors a rich experience to be cherished for life

HE Ethiopian Embassy in Doha recently held the first ‘Ethiopia Tourism Promo- tionT Forum’ to promote Ethi- opia as a tourist destination. The event themed ‘Ethio- pia: Land of Origin’ was at- tended by a number of travel agents and tour operators. The forum enlightened the attendees on Ethiopia’s 3000-year-old history, di- verse religions, languages, cultures and traditions as well as its magnificent landscape featuring contrasting facets -- from the rugged Simien Mountains to the Danakil Depression, which lies more than 100 kilometers below sea level and one of the low- est dry land points on earth. Favourite tourist destinations were also highlighted. The forum provided the necessary information about Officials and participants at the Ethiopia Tourism Promotion Forum, recently. Ethiopia in order to encour- age tour perators and tour- traditional ways of life. Oth- wild coffee varieties - active ists to include this African ers have embraced a modern volcanoes, hot springs, cool country in their list of tourist lifestyle enriched with art underground caverns, deep destinations as well as to dis- and craft, music and dance. and rugged gorges, spectacu- cuss how to organise a sub- A unique country with its old lar waterfalls, snaking riv- sidised familiarisation tour religious festivals, colourful ers and shimmering lakes. for tour operators to differ- celebrations and charming The largest Lake Tana is the ent sites in Ethiopia for first- customs like the Coffee source of the life-sustaining hand experience. Ceremony (coffee is Ethi- Blue Nile. Tour operators and travel opia’s gift to the world) of- Those with a penchant agencies which participated fers you a rich memorable for adventures can go trek- were Ethiopian Airlines, experience to be cherished king atop the peaks or across Regency Tours and Trav- for life. the plateaus of the Simien el, Acon, Ali Bin Ali, Orbit, Ethiopia boasts land- Mountains, walk amongst First Travel, Arabian Adven- scapes of stunning beauty gelada baboons or join ex- tures pects of Ethiopian tourism Ethiopia. In return, they will can see fossils tracing the ori- colourful and holy Islamic and dramatic contrasts-- pert guides to ascend the ac- Victoria Travels, Mosafer industry. be able to provide the infor- gin of humankind including city of Harar-- all World from the soaring pinnacles tive Erta Ale volcano. Hiking Tours and Travel, High Class The ambassador said that mation to their clients.” our oldest forebears – the 3.2 Heritage Sites representing of the Simien Mountains, the in the Bale Mountains or tak- Travel and Mannai Holidays. the Qatari people are known He added that many Qa- million years old ‘Lucy’. the extraordinary civiliza- Roof of Africa, to the plum- ing a horseback ride across Ethiopian Ambassador for their love of travel but taris travel to tourist spots This land of mysteries tional achievements of an- meting depths of the Danakil rolling grassland could be a to Qatar HE Metasebia Ta- only few Qataris know about around the world and it was and mythology is linked with cient times. Depression-- the lowest and huge delight for the adven- desse Woldegiorgis, Deputy the tourist destinations in high time they learnt about Biblical tales - the Queen of Ethiopia has a vibrant hottest place on Earth. ture-loving souls. Head of Mission Feisel Aliyi Africa in general and Ethio- Ethiopia. Sheba, the resting place of living culture. It is a brilliant The visitors can also en- Ethiopia is the fourth as well as Ethiopian Airlines pia in particular. Ethiopia’s history stretch- the Ark of the Covenant - and mosaic of people of diverse joy the haunting beauty of largest bio-diversity zone on Area Manager in Qatar Te- Aliyi said, “Our aim was es back to pre-recorded time is home to Aksum, the rock- ethnicity, culture traditions cloud forests such as those in earth where you can get to hetena Zelleke briefed the to give the participants first- when our first ancestors hewn churches of Lalibela, and faith—all living together the Kafa Biosphere Reserve see plants and animals not participants on different as- hand information about walked the earth. Here you the castles of Gondar, the in harmony. Some follow - the sole home of many seen anywhere else. IT Support Engineer Urgently looking for experienced IT Support Engineer Job Description: • Installing and configuring computer hardware operating systems (W7, W10, MAC) and applications. • Working knowledge on AD, DHCP, DNS, GP, File Servers and IIS. • Configurations and Troubleshooting skills on LAN, WAN, WLAN, and Security appliances & applications. • knowledge and Skill to Diagnose and resolve the Hardware/software faults or issues. • Provides users support for required applications and available services (Website/ Mobile). • Respond to calls and inquiries to provide support, including procedural docu- mentation and relevant reports. • Relocate & install PCs, printers & other peripherals including standard software and web applications. • Troubleshooting system and network problem and advance skill on TCP/IP Structure. • Monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks and other peripherals. • Maintain the inventory information lists regularly. • Communicate and resolve issue for Internal & external clients and escalate Sup- port and follow up with Vendors. African expats look forward with Experience and Skill Requirements: • Excellent knowledge in MSOFFICE, DTP, Email clients, Webmaster, hope and excitement to 2019 Social Media and Online portals. • Expert in MCSE, Linux, Firewall configuration and Storage configuration. LOT happened in 2018. Now, as the world rings in where we showcased our rich cul- The African expatriate the New Year, the Africans in ture. We hope that there is much • Excellent written and spoken communication skills & Interpersonal Skills. communities were in- Qatar like other communities more in store for us this year.” • At least 3 Years’ experience in the field. A volved in many activities anticipate that 2019 will James, an expatriate from • Good at communication and presentation. that added zing to their life in Kenya, said that this year, the Qatar. From taking part in the bring in even more exciting community participated in many Qatar National Day parade, to activities for them. events. “We are happy that we 4XDOLÀFDWLRQV &HUWLÀFDWLRQ community football matches, were part of the cheer squad dur- Strongest Man in Doha contest, Jonathan, a Ghanaian, told ing Doha Diamond League in May • Degree or Equal qualification. Diamond League, exhibitions “Qatar Tribune” that his com- when we cheered on our favourite • Professional qualifications on System, Network and Security is preferred and festivals, among others, munity members got involved athletes. In 2019, we were also were some of the exciting events in many activities in 2018. “Our able to showcase many cultural of- • Professional Certification such as MCSA, MCSE and CCNA is preferred. that formed part of their life in team took part in the Qatar Com- ferings from Kenya including food Qatar in the year gone by. munity Football League which and dressing,” he said. ‡ Job Type: Full-time. Now, as the world rings in the was really exciting for us. We were People from other communi- New Year, the Africans in Qatar happy to mingle with other com- ties such as Uganda and Nigeria ‡ Language: Fluent in Arabic/English speaking and writing is a must. like other communities anticipate munities and make new friends are also starting the New Year on that 2019 will bring in even more at these events during the year. an optimistic note hoping to have exciting activities for them. There were various other events a more exciting year in 2019. 6HQGXV\RXU&9WRFDUHHUV#TLPTDWDUFRP 08 Tuesday, January 1, 2019

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

Free Markets And US Energy Independence The Nature And

The US has travelled a long way from 1970s- when it was dependent on oil imports-to emerge as the Structure Of world’s largest petroleum producer, thanks to free enterprise and market forces

HE stunning turn of fortunes was reckless squandering of petroleum and other largely overlooked in a whirlwind of resources. Government agencies have encour- New Cold War other Washington news this month: aged and demanded conservation measures Nearly half a century of free-market across society. But the private sector supplied T initiatives and government encourage- most of the initiative and the resulting innova- US and China’s competition to fight for economic and military influence might ment has turned what long looked like an tions. American weakness into a strength. “We’re Customer demand for more efficient auto- start a new cold war. But the new cold war will be more complex than the previous becoming the dominant energy power in motive engines and other types of motors drove the world,” Michael Lynch, president of engineers and manufacturers to develop more one because of forces of globalisation Strategic Energy & Economic Research, efficient machines — many fuelled by electric- told Bloomberg. The United States is now ity, natural gas and hybrid combinations. The MIE OBA the world’s biggest petroleum producer, upshot: less reliance on petroleum fuels. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE ahead of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela Market forces and market freedoms and all the others. birthed fracking and related extraction tech- OME observers are now suggesting That’s remarkable news for Americans nologies that have vastly increased the poten- that the deepening confrontation be- with capacious memories. In the early 1970s, tial supply of oil and natural gas. tween the United States and China energy shortages pounded the American psy- These techniques create their own envi- marks the start of a new Cold War. che and drove several of the world’s supposed- ronmental risks, and we won’t diminish or SThe confrontation goes beyond trade ly robust industrial economies into recessions. ignore them. That said, no incentive has been issues to encompass security and high-tech Arab members of OPEC, the Organisation of as integral to US energy domination in recent hegemony. The antagonism between the two the Petroleum Exporting Countries, retaliated years as the ability of wildcat drillers and other powers over the South China Sea is a conflict for US support for Israel by placing an embar- entrepreneurs to win returns on their invest- over current international norms and rules, go on oil shipments to this country. ments. To see how industry employment has and a choice of international maritime or- Humbled by the sudden realisation that grown, visit three regions a modest distance ders between one that is free and open based fickle Mideast regimes held so much clout from metropolitan Chicago: the Marcellus on law, and something very different. over them, Americans sat in long lines to buy pumping fields of Pennsylvania, the Permian Meanwhile, the two countries are jostling increasingly expensive motor fuels. Basin of Texas and the Williston Basin, the for an edge in advanced technology, a new On November 7, 1973, Richard M Nixon rock formations that hold rich deposits of oil battleground in the power struggle to define became the first of several US presidents to and gas beneath 140,000 square miles of high the future world order. The current conflict declare the goal of US energy independence, plains and rumpled valleys in the two Dakotas, between the US and China is a struggle for a mission that at the time seemed almost as Montana, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. the US, the dominant power, and China, the crucial as the Manhattan Project — the quest In this country, governments let market challenger, to expand their spheres of influ- to develop atomic bombs before Germany did pricing drive refiners’ decisions on how to ence. This situation does indeed recall the — had been during World War II. align supplies with demands. The journal Na- divided world of the first Cold War, which Authors Rocks and Runyon, two of their tional Affairs has reported that of the world’s finally ended about three decades ago. generation’s most respected prophets of doom, key petroleum-producing countries, only the According to this line of reasoning, the warned Americans about the limited capaci- US allows private entities to control large-scale fierce debate between Vice President Mike ties of hydroelectric, nuclear, solar and wind oil and gas reserves. When the federal govern- Pence and Premier Li Keqiang over the generation to offset reductions in petroleum- ment has tried to pick energy winners and los- South China Sea at the East Asia Summit based energy: “Despite obvious drawbacks, ers via subsidies or taxation, its record is, as (EAS) and the failure to adopt a ministe- different political and economic systems, significant risks and costs. Does the move we can see that only coal holds prospects for you’d expect, mixed: Ethanol mandates have rial declaration at the Asia Pacific Economic partitioned by an iron curtain. to shut Huawei out of the next-generation saving the nation from an immediate energy done little more than prop up that industry, Cooperation (APEC) Summit for the first Because many countries must respond communications business by the US and shortage.” and tax breaks for the purchase of certain ve- time in history may suggest that a new Cold to this reality, it is in their interests to avoid other countries denote an attempt to build Such jeremiads seemed sensible at the hicles have won limited numbers of converts. War is tearing apart the multilayered and acting in a way that will escalate the divi- another iron curtain in a world dominated time. But the pessimism discounted four fac- So the move toward energy independence multilateral regional architecture of the siveness. Japan, the US and Australia are by globalisation? tors that have radically improved the US en- — with its enhancement of affluence at home Asia-Pacific, built during the era of liberal trying to unify the direction of the Free and The greatest difference between the last ergy picture and delivered the nation to the and US influence overseas — has come more internationalism after the Cold War. Open Indo-Pacific Strategy (FOIP) through Cold War and today is the absence of an role of net oil exporter. That distinction may despite than because of government interven- The confrontation between the US and joint infrastructure development projects. ideology to propagate. It appears that China be more temporary than enduring; the US tions. Not that Washington doesn’t benefit China may even make it impossible for Meanwhile, Japan is looking to stabilise intends to raise the degree of freedom for ac- is likely to be a minor net importer for some from the private sector’s risk-taking. America’s countries in the region to meet the mini- its relations with China through coopera- tion by increasing its economic and political time. Yet the net export of 211,000 barrels a energy strength is a bulwark to the nation’s for- mum requirements for keeping that archi- tion on infrastructure construction in third clout with the aim of building a new order, day of crude oil and refined products is a stark eign policy. The US is less hostage than before tecture, namely a willingness to cooperate countries. India is also trying to carefully but we do not see any norms and values that contrast to the reliance on other countries to geopolitical disputes or domestic unrest in and move forward together, with disagree- avoid conflict with China, even as it grows will provide the foundation for a new world at the peak of US dependency. That came in dangerous neighbourhoods of Africa, South ments over details. nervous about China’s growing influence in order for other countries to follow. 2005, when this country imported a net 12 America and, of course, the Middle East. But if this is a new Cold War, it differs the Indian Ocean. Under President Donald J Trump, the million barrels every day — 60 percent of the Producing goods the world wants to buy is in important ways from the first one, which ASEAN member countries, well aware US is pursuing an America-first policy, nation’s crude oil consumption. The fracking an expression of America’s economic strength. was based on antagonism between two dis- of the danger of an excessive dependence stressing its own national interests and criti- revolution’s bonanza of energy production Each barrel of American oil shipped overseas tinct camps in the US and the former Soviet on China and trying to avoid that risk, seek cizing its allies, even as it tries to assemble was mostly unanticipated. In 2008, the Inter- helps offset purchases here of foreign-made Union. Today, the work is connected by eco- to balance China’s influence by strengthen- a coalition to put pressure on China. To- national Energy Agency estimated that US oil electronics and other goods. And imagine how nomic and social interdependent networks, ing US and Japanese commitments, but day, the US faces its own serious internal and gas production would be flat to declining the notion of growing US independence from in an era of ever expanding globalization. they do accept assistance in infrastructure- divisions and is not what it used to be as a until about 2030. Instead, by 2013, US crude global oil markets frustrates the leaders of Enormous and diverse exchange cross na- construction and economic development as beacon of freedom and democracy or as a production had leaped by 49 percent. And Russia, Iran and other countries whose energy tional borders amid the building of global part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. leader of a Western bloc with a vision for a US production continues to surge. The Wall exports largely drive their economies. value chains, flows of international capital, These countries’ strategy of not defining new world order. Street Journal says America’s wells are ex- By contrast, the frustration for many movements of people, including tourists a rigid position is designed to protect their This new Cold War, if that is what it is, pected to produce 28 percent more crude in Americans is that the phrase “energy inde- and workers, the spread of traditional and national interests and maintain diplomatic involves an even more complicated struc- 2019 than they did in 2017. pendence” keeps the policy and production pop culture as well as civil communication independence amid the tensions between ture of conflict and cooperation, division The energy crisis of the 1970s awoke con- focus primarily on petroleum products — and via the Internet. the US and China. and unity than the last one. We have entered sumers and the breadth of American indus- on the two-thirds of those products used by Economies and societies within sov- They also recognise the reality that an age of extreme uncertainty. try — not just automakers — to the nation’s the transportation sector. ereign states are closely connected to the breaking up mutually dependent networks outside world and influence one another. in an age of globalisation and in a world (Mie Oba is a Professor at the (Tribune News Service) We no longer live in different worlds with dominated by a liberal world order entails Tokyo University of Science.) Japan Ranks Worst Among G-7 On Gender Gap Index Abe’s cabinet has one woman, as against five in 2014, which contradicts the govt’s ‘womenomics’ growth strategy designed to ‘ensure women shine in society’ THISANKA SIRIPALA nities, average life expectancy, literacy rate, greater economic independence, women TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE wage disparity, proportion of female parlia- tend to give up their positions prematurely in mentarians and ratio women in the work- exchange for full time motherhood leaving an HE World Economic Forum’s (WEF) lat- place. enormous pool of unused labour. est global gender gap index measuring the Japan achieved marginal gains in reduc- Japan’s declining representation of wom- degree of gender equality has placed Ja- ing wage disparities and in the number of en in politics is the main obstacle behind its Tpan at 110 out of 149 countries. Although women in technical and executive jobs. This overall ranking sluggishness ultimately off- the ranking improved four places from the is in part due to new initiatives in 2018 obli- setting the developments made in wage dis- previous year — mainly thanks to narrowing gating companies with 25 or more employees parity. When it comes to women in politics, gender wage disparity — Japan fared the low- to introduce the same wages for male and fe- Japan’s progress worsened from 124 to 125th est among G7 industrialised nations. male workers. place lagging behind the Philippines, Laos, Now questions are being raised over In 2010 a law was passed aimed at com- the Bahamas, Colombia and Jamaica. While the sluggish speed of improvement, par- panies with over 50 employees to ensure 40 countries such as Canada, France and Iceland ticularly in the ratio of women in the work- percent of managerial positions are filled have nearly gender-balanced cabinets, Abe’s place and declining political representa- by women. This was also followed up with new cabinet reshuffle in October failed to ap- tion of women. a law to promote women’s participation in point more than one women, contradicting For 10 consecutive years, Iceland retained the workplace in 2016 that is slowly having the administration’s “womenomics” growth first place as the most gender equal country its desired effect by encouraging businesses In the United States, while women make ap- The WEF’s evaluation of Japan’s gender strategy designed to “ensure women shine in while Yemen was ranked at the bottom with with more than 301 employees to set numeri- proximately 40 percent of workers in man- equality in education and literacy revealed society.” In 2014, there were five female cabi- the largest disparity between men and wom- cal targets for hiring female workers. None of agement roles, that number is merely 10 high scores in primary and secondary enroll- net ministers, a peak. en. Lower middle income countries such as these laws carry legal penalties for inaction, percent in Japan. The World Bank estimates ments recognising an essentially zero gender The government aims to raise female India — which was named the most danger- however. gender disparity in income contributes to the gap. In the overall field of education, Japan electoral candidates to 30 percent by 2020. ous in the world for women — performed In the five years since Prime Minister loss of $160 trillion dollars in wealth from 141 was ranked 65 out of 149 countries but in In the lead up, lawmakers unanimously better than Japan, coming in at 108th place. Shinzo Abe first promoted women’s active countries in total. In Japan’s case the hur- higher education Japan was evaluated poorly voted in May to enact legislation to balance China also narrowly came ahead of Japan, se- participation in the workplace, Japan’s rank- dles to making the workplace more attractive although the gender gap has been shrinking the male and female candidates at elections. curing 103rd place. ing in the labour market remains stagnant. to women are rigid working conditions for year by year. According to the Ministry of But at this rate the WEF estimates it will The WEF measures overall gender equal- Japan slipped from 114 to 117 in the field of mothers responsible for childcare and the ex- Education 2018 survey, girls made up 45.1 take 108 years to eliminate global gender ity from 14 categories within education, women’s economic advancement — unable pectation of unpaid overtime which has tradi- percent of the university undergraduate stu- inequality in politics, health and education health, economy, and politics. Key compo- to keep up with the progress made in other tionally been a key characteristic to the male dents — the highest to date. While women’s and 208 years to eliminate economic dispar- nents include gender educational opportu- countries, where disparities are narrowing. dominated Japanese work culture. entry into higher education should indicate ity between the sexes.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Tuesday, January 1, 2019 09 SPOTLIGHT ON POLITICS

RONCEVERT GANAN ALMOND and philosophy. Importantly, Section THE DIPLOMAT 301 actions involve specific procedures and enforceable timeframes, like a 12- to N his masterpiece The Master and 18-month timetable to seek a negotiated Margarita, the Ukrainian playwright resolution with the targeted country. Mikhail Bulgakov envisions a debate When Trump decides to pause US tariffs, on the streets of Moscow between Sa- he is tapping the breaks on a bureaucratic Itan and two intellectuals, an editor and machine that would otherwise roll for- young poet, who question the existence US-CHINA ward. Which brings us back to Meng. of God. The devil, masquerading as a for- eigner, asks: “If there is no God, then who, EXTRAORDINARY EXTRADITION one wonders, rules the life of man and When I sat down with CGTN’s Elaine keeps the world in order?” The young poet Reyes to discuss Meng’s detainment, she replies that, of course, man rules himself. asked whether Trump was aware that “I beg your pardon,” the devil retorts with TENSIONS ENTER the Huawei CFO was being arrested at a smirk, “but to rule one must have a pre- the time of his dinner date with the Chi- cise plan worked out for some reasonable nese president. I am inclined to take the period ahead.” word of John Bolton, Trump’s National As the geopolitical struggle between Security Advisor, that the president was the United States and China takes form, uninformed; however, the more reveal- one wonders what will keep the world ing fact is that Bolton admittedly knew in in order. What is the precise plan in US A NEW PHASE advance. It would be a mistake to believe President Donald J. Trump’s trade war? that top officials within the US govern- In the reasonable period ahead, what ment were ignorant of an extradition re- more can we expect? The conflict entered quest for a high-profile Chinese citizen – a a new phase on December 1 when Huawei well-connected C-suite executive of one of CFO Meng Wanzhou was detained by Ca- the world’s largest telecommunications nadian authorities, at the request of the firms – particularly given the potential U.S. government, while transferring at costs to ongoing U.S.-China diplomacy. Vancouver International Airport. As I noted in the Yale Journal of Regu- lation, from his first day in office, Trump TAKING A PAUSE has executed novel and aggressive meas- Meng was arrested the same day ures intended to downsize both the im- Trump and Chinese President Xi Jin- print and influence of federal executive ping – leaders of the world’s two largest agencies. Yet even amidst his declared economies – sat down for dinner on the war on the so-called Deep State, the presi- sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Buenos dent has relied on elite Washington insid- Aires. Much to the relief of those with a ers and old Beltway hands, such as Bolton vested interest in the global economy, and Lighthizer, who bring knowledge of with Washington poised to raise tariffs what it takes to move the levers of govern- from 10-15 percent on $200 billion worth ment to achieve their ends. of Chinese products and Beijing sure to Against this backdrop, an otherwise retaliate, Trump and Xi agreed to a tem- routine administrative request from the porary 90-day truce in the escalating United States to its principal extradition tariff battle. partner Canada takes on greater signifi- The current ceasefire is certainly timey partner of over 130 countries, a list that trade-related investigations. US. Trade dence that Section 301 was most widely cance. Extradition is an act under which with fresh signs of economic weakening includes the United States. China is cur- Representative Robert Lighthizer, now used during the Reagan era – 49 of the the executive of one state, the requested in Europe and China threatening to slow rently America’s largest merchandise Trump’s designated lead China negotia- 125 total investigations ever conducted state, surrenders a person within its terri- down the U.S. economy. When markets trading partner, its third-largest export tor, has shrewdly relied on arcane legal took place during this period. This was a tory to another state, the requesting state, closed on Friday, December 15, the Dow market, and its largest source of imports. tools – such as Section 301 of the Trade time prior to the Uruguay Round of multi- in order to face criminal proceedings Jones Industrial Average entered correc- American companies, such as technology Act of 1974 – to set the trade war in mo- lateral trade negotiations. in the latter state. Canada handles ap- tion territory for the first time in three leaders like Boeing and Apple, have ex- tion. Section 301 provides a means by With the establishment of the World proximately 100 extradition requests per years. Ironically, since Mr. Trump initi- tensive operations in China and sell their which the United States can enforce U.S. Trade Organization (WTO) in 1994, the year, the majority of which come across ated his aggressive trade policies, U.S. ex- products in China’s huge domestic mar- rights under trade agreements and ad- United States invoked this legal remedy the border from the United States. The ports have fallen and American trade defi- ket while taking advantage of lower-cost dresses “unfair” foreign barriers to US less often. The Peterson Institute for In- 1971 U.S.-Canada bilateral extradition cits have increased, which bears out the labor for export-oriented manufacturing. exports. ternational Economics reports that there treaty and Canadian 1999 Extradition reality that the US economy – and by ex- As a recent Congressional report notes, In the 1980s, while Donald Trump was has only been one new Section 301 inves- Act are the primary guideposts for the tension, White House strategy – does not these operations have helped some U.S. headlining the New York tabloids, Light- tigation since 2001. Starting in 2010, dur- process. exist within a vacuum. If you pull down a firms remain internationally competitive hizer was cutting his teeth in the trenches ing the Obama administration, the United Extradition in Canada is effectively pillar in the basement, the roof will shake. and supplied American consumers with of U.S. trade policy as part of the Reagan States brought all trade disputes involv- carried out in two stages: First, a judicial Rising fears of a US-China divorce, an a variety of low-cost goods. But Trump’s administration. It is not without coinci- ing WTO members directly to the WTO committal hearing and second, surren- outcome closer to reality than a year ago, tariffs threaten to disrupt this relation- for dispute resolution. In contrast, Ligh- der proceedings overseen by the minister owe to China’s importance in the global ship on the basis of Beijing’s “economic thizer is now seeking to effectively dis- of justice. There are deadlines and time- economy and the depth of the two coun- aggression”– forced technology transfer, mantle the WTO adjudication process by frames to consider in both. For exam- tries’ interdependence – important dis- intellectual property theft, unfair mar- blocking the appointment of new judges ple, within 60 days of Meng’s arrest, the tinguishing features from the US-Soviet ket access, and cyber-attacks. In fact, the As the geopolitical struggle be- to the organization’s appellate body. Sec- United States must provide an extradition rivalry during the Cold War. On the world president has threatened or implemented tion 301 provides a means by which the package including the underlying arrest stage, China ranks first in economic size tariffs totaling $517 billion worth of im- tween the United States and China United States can enforce US rights under warrant, evidence justifying the arrest, on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, ports from China, a sum equal to nearly takes form, one wonders what will trade agreements and addresses “unfair” identification of the detainee, and certifi- value-added manufacturing, merchan- all 2018 U.S. imports from China. keep the world in order. What is the foreign barriers to U.S. exports. Thus, the cation by a judicial authority or prosecu- dise trade, and foreign exchange reserves The need for a pause on the tariff front Trump administration use of Section 301, tor who attests that the evidence is avail- (including in US dollars). China also also exposes the underlying legal mechan- precise plan in US President Donald rather than utilizing the WTO for dispute able for trial and is sufficient to justify claims to be the larg- ics pushing U.S. policy. Early in Trump’s J. Trump’s trade war? In the reason- resolution, is a departure from past US prosecution. est trading tenure at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, his able period ahead, what more can practice, but consist- administration we expect? The conflict entered a ent with Ligh- initiated a thizer’s legal number of new phase on December 1 when background Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was detained by Canadian authorities, at the request of the US government, while transferring at Vancouver International Airport.

With Mattis Gone, What Ahead for US-China Military Ties in 2019?

ANKIT PANDA an August 2017 policy announcement. sonnel and the deployment of troops to allies was a defense mechanism of sorts TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE In Asia, Mattis’ departure will be met the US-Mexico border – he was seen to rationalize the fundamental chaos with trepidation – particularly among in Asia as a marker of continued allied that Trump represented as the president, S President Donald Trump’s first states partnered and allied with commitment. but the view of Mattis as a bulwark was appointed secretary of defense, the United States. For many of At the two most recent not entirely wrong. James Mattis, has resigned. De- these countries, the defense Shangri-La Dialogues in Sin- In his resignation letter, Mattis goes spite the president’s claim on secretary was seen as a sym- gapore, both of which Mat- to lengths to underline his strongly held UTwitter that Mattis was retiring, bol of continuity in Ameri- tis attended, I was struck by belief in the importance of U.S. alliances. his resignation letter makes clear that can foreign policy. Whatever how several attendees took In Asia, in particular, these represent a his departure is effectively one borne Trump might have tweeted comfort in his use of famil- massive asymmetric advantage for the of long-term ideological disagreements or uttered during summits, Mattis’ iar phrasings of American United States vis-à-vis a rising China. with Trump and his “America first” for- stewardship of the massive U.S. de- policy. Each year, Mattis spoke Mattis’ concerns suggest Trump does eign policy agenda. fense bureaucracy would result in as a “normal” U.S. secretary of de- not share this view. That has been a well- The proximal cause, while not predictability. fense might, pledging his commit- known fact from the president’s rhetoric, stated by Mattis himself, appears During several trips to US-allied ment to a rules-based order, free- dating back at least to the Republican to be the Trump’s sudden deci- and partnered states since Trump’s dom of navigation, and U.S. allies. primaries in early 2016. sion to withdraw U.S. forces from inauguration, I even heard half- All of this was naturally in tension Given all this, it might be easy to Syria. That decision may also joking comments from analysts with Trump’s own strongly held frame Mattis’ departure as a victory for be accompanied by a similar who confessed they prayed for Mat- beliefs about the nature of U.S. al- China. After all, Beijing was identified, drawdown order for U.S. tis’ health every night. Whatever Mattis liances as effective protection rackets along with Moscow, as one of the United troops in Afghanistan, might have done in practice – and he did designed to take advantage of the United States’ two great power rivals in the U.S. James Mattis where Trump initiated a work to implement uniquely Trumpian States. National Security Strategy and National moderate surge after policies, like a ban on transgender per- Perhaps the comfort Mattis gave U.S. defence Strategy. 10 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 South / Southeast Asia

NEWS B’desh PM Hasina declared landslide winner amid oppn demand for new vote IN BRIEF AFP was overshadowed by clashes over into voting day, even as DHAKA between rival supporters that Poll body chief rejects call for fresh election authorities imposed tight secu- killed at least 17 people and al- DHAKA: Bangladesh’s election chief on Monday rejected calls rity with 600,000 troops, police Pakistan’s Zardari BANGLADESH Prime Minis- legations of ballot box stuffing for a new election after widespread opposition claims of rigging and other security forces de- avoids arrest over ter Sheikh Hasina was declared and intimidation at polling sta- which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won by a landslide. Chief ployed across the country. ‘money laundering’ the landslide winner on Mon- tions. Hasina’s government had Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda said the polls were Thirteen people were killed day of an election marred by mounted a crackdown on the carried out “successfully” as 80 percent of the 104 million in clashes between Awami ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deadly violence that the opposi- opposition, an alliance led by voters turned out to cast ballots. “We are not going to hold a League and BNP support- Supreme Court on Monday tion slammed as “farcical” and the Bangladesh National Party new election. There is no scope to hold a fresh one,” Huda told ers, police said, while three ordered former president rigged. (BNP), which urged the coun- reporters. “If some isolated incidents took place at any (polling) men were shot by police who Asif Ali Zardari to respond Hasina’s ruling Awami try’s election commission to centres we have to probe it. We didn’t receive any complaint of said they were protecting poll- to money laundering allega- League party and its allies won void the results. irregularities yet. We will probe if any come,” he said. (AFP) ing booths. An auxiliary po- tions in one week, rejecting 288 seats in the 300-seat par- “We are demanding that a Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lice member was also killed by a commission’s suggestion liament, with the main oppo- fresh election is held under a armed opposition activists, ac- to arrest him. sition securing only six seats, neutral government as early as for boosting economic growth down in neighbouring Myan- val and BNP leader Khaleda Zia cording to officials. Chief Justice Saqib Election Commission secretary possible,” Kamal Hossain, who in the poor South Asian nation mar. who is serving 17 years in prison The opposition alliance ac- Nisar asked Zardari’s law- Helal Uddin Ahmed said. heads the alliance, told report- during her decade in power and But critics accuse her of au- on graft charges. cused Hasina’s party of using yers to submit the former Sunday’s vote, which hands ers. for welcoming Rohingya refu- thoritarianism and crippling the Deadly violence that blight- stuffed ballot boxes and other leader’s defence argument Hasina a record fourth term, Hasina, 71, has been lauded gees fleeing a military crack- opposition -- including arch-ri- ed the election campaign spilled illegal means to fix the result. to money laundering allega- tions he faces in an inves- tigation the Supreme Court had ordered earlier. Ex-Cong politician The government had earlier said the former Sajjan Kumar sent president was likely to be Cong accepts Jaitley challenge arrested in the case involv- to jail on surrender ing more than 170 people, including Zardari’s sister IANS and son. (DPA) for debate on Rafale jet deal NEW DELHI Pakistan national FORMER Congress leader Sa- airline fires pilots Modi govt rejects allegations of corruption over the deal, says a lie repeated endlessly won’t become truth jjan Kumar, sentenced to life over fake degrees imprisonment in a 1984 anti- IANS Sikh riots case, was on Mon- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s na- NEW DELHI day sent to jail after he surren- tional flag carrier has fired dered in a city court. 50 staffers including three THE Congress, which has been Kumar surrendered in the pilots for holding fake high demanding a Joint Parliamen- court of Metropolitan Mag- school degrees, an airline tary Probe (JPC) probe on the istrate Aditi Garg following official said Monday, in the Rafale fighter jet deal since the which he was taken into cus- latest embarrassing mishap beginning of the Winter Ses- tody and sent to Mandoli jail to hit the troubled airline. sion of Parliament, on Mon- in the national capital. Pakistan International day said that it was ready for a The court has also ordered Airlines (PIA), which was debate on Wednesday over the that a separate van would be considered a global leader controversial deal. provided for his movement in commercial aviation “Jaitley ji has thrown a due to security reasons. until the 1970s, has been challenge ... we accept it... we His surrender came in plagued by myriad contro- are ready for a debate on Jan- compliance with an order by versies in recent years and uary 2. Please decide a time,” the Delhi High Court, which saddled by billions of dol- Congress leader Mallikarjun lars in debt. (AFP) Kharge said in the Lok Sabha Former MLAs Kishan just as it was about to adjourn Governor calls for the day. Khokhar and Mahender 3-day session of He was responding to Fi- Yadav, who were also con- Goa assembly nance Minister Arun Jaitley, victed and sentenced to 10 who said that the Congress years imprisonment in the PANAJI: Goa Governor should begin the discussion on case, surrendered as well Mridula Sinha on Monday the issue immediately. summoned a three-day ses- The minister had alleged sion of the state Assembly that the Congress was “run- on December 17 sentenced from January 29 to 31, a ning away” from a discussion him to imprisonment for the government spokesperson and was spreading “lies” over “remainder of his natural life”. said on Monday. the deal. Alongwith Kumar, former The session will begin “If you have the courage, MLAs Kishan Khokhar and with the Governor’s address begin the debate immediate- Mahender Yadav, who were and the state budget for ly,” Jaitley said soon after the also convicted and sentenced 2019-20 is also likely to be House voted the Supplemen- to 10 years imprisonment in presented. tary Demands for Grants amid the case, surrendered in the The session is crucial din and slogan shouting by the court as well. in view of the prolonged Congress demanding a JPC National Congress Party workers during a protest against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, in Bangalore, India, recently. (AGENCIES) Sajjan Kumar was con- illness of Chief Minister probe on the Rafale deal. victed for the killing of Kehar Manohar Parrikar, who has During the debate, BJP’s Ni- and you (Congress) started de- The Congress again will not become a truth. Raising the issue, Kharge Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Raghu- not stepped into his office shikant Dubey too accused the manding JPC probe...you keep “The Congress should reiterated his party’s demand vender Singh, Narender Pal at the state Secretariat for Congress of making a hue and your challenges to yourself... should understand that a lie spoken for a Joint Parliamentary Com- Singh and Kuldeep Singh in several months, after he cry over the issue and charged don’t challenge me. When the understand that a lie many a time cannot turn into mittee (JPC) probe into the deal the Raj Nagar area of Delhi was diagnosed for advanced that the Congress was running debate will take place, I will spoken many a time truth. We have been ready for alleging that it was one of the cantonment by a mob. The five pancreatic cancer in Febru- away from a discussion. decide...you will decide,” Ma- a discussion from the very first biggest “scams” of the country. victims belonged to one family. ary 2018. (IANS) As Speaker Sumitra Mahah- hajan remarked and then ad- cannot turn into truth. day. But why is the opposition “We are demanding a JPC Kumar, who has also quit jan was about to adjourn the journed the House for the day. We have been ready for party running away (from a probe for three weeks. Allow as a Congress member, has House for the day, Kharge re- The government has been discussion),” Singh said. it,” he said, questioning the moved the Supreme Court minded her about Jaitley’s chal- saying that it was ready for a a discussion from the He was responding to government for not disclosing challenging his conviction and Sonia, Rahul never lenge and asked her to fix the discussion on the issue. very first day. But why is Kharge’s accusations on the the price of the aircraft. sentencing. meddled in defence time for a discussion on Jan 2. Earlier in the day, Home the opposition party issue during Zero Hour amid He claimed that the Rafale The 1984 riots took place deals, says Antony “I am not saying no...why Minister Rajnath Singh reject- protests and slogan-shouting fighter jets have been pur- in the wake of the assassina- should I say no...In fact the ed allegations of corruption in running away by opposition members includ- chased at a price three times tion of the then Prime Minis- NEW DELHI: Amid the politi- House was prepared for a de- the Rafale deal while asserting ing those of Congress, AIADMK higher than the UPA govern- ter Indira Gandhi by her two cal slugfest between the BJP bate but something happened that a lie repeated again and Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the TDP on different issues. ment’s deal. Sikh bodyguards. and the Congress over Agus- taWestland middleman Chris- tian Michel making apparent reference to UPA chairperson Philippine storm death toll surges to 68 Sonia Gandhi and Congress Two dead, 35 hurt in Philippine mall bombing president Rahul Gandhi, AFP Bicol civil defence director. AFP former Defence Minister AK ● The bomb had the signature of a local extremist group He said the military had MANILA The weather disturbance Antony on Monday asserted COTABATO some “leads” in the incident locally named “Usman” hit they never interfered in de- with links to the Islamic State but did not elaborate. THE death toll from a storm the country on Saturday. fence deals and accused the TWO people were killed and ● Many of the wounded were shoppers buying goods for The southern part of the that struck the Philippines While it did not have pow- BJP of using central agencies around 35 others wounded traditional New Year festivities largely Catholic Philippines shortly after Christmas rose erful winds it brought heavy to “manufacture lies”. Monday after a bomb went off has been rocked for decades to 68 with the number of rains that caused floods and “Lies lies and lies... they outside a shopping mall in the by violent Muslim separatist fatalities expected to climb loosened the soil, triggering (BJP) are trying to manu- southern Philippine city of Co- Three of the wounded were in bomb was used or name any insurgent groups including even higher, civil defence of- landslides in some areas. facture something out of tabato, police said. critical condition, officials said. suspects. However local army militants linked to IS. ficials said on Monday. Many people failed to nothing, they are misusing The explosion prompted Scattered debris including commander Major General Ci- More than 100,000 lives Fifty-seven people died take necessary precautions the agencies to manufacture officers to search the mall, items sold for New Year cel- rilito Sobejana told ABS-CBN have been claimed by the rebel- in the mountainous Bicol because Usman was not lies,” Antony told media. leading to the discovery of an- ebrations such as horns made television that an individual lion, according to a government region, southeast of Ma- strong enough to be rated as “I want to say categori- other suspected bomb which from cardboard and plastic, was seen carrying a box which count. nila, while 11 were killed in a typhoon under the govern- cally that Sonia Gandhi and they destroyed, said local po- gifts and a bloody slipper lay he left in front of the mall. It The region has also suffered the central island of Samar, ment’s storm alert system, Rahul Gandhi never inter- lice spokesman Chief Inspec- at the mall’s entrance where exploded a few seconds later. from banditry, bloody feuds be- mostly due to landslides and Yucot said. fered in defence deals. In tor Rowell Zafra. the bombing took place. Sobejana said the bomb tween powerful clans and com- drownings, the officials said. “People were overconfi- my entire period as the A female street vendor and Windows of surrounding had the signature of a “Daesh munist guerrilla activity. “I’m afraid this (death toll) dent because they were on defence minster, they never one man were killed, while buildings were shattered by group”, referring to local Is- In September and August, will still go up because there (Christmas) vacation mode interfered in defence deals,” many of the wounded were the blast, eyewitnesses said. lamist extremists who have bombs went off in Isulan town, are a lot of areas we still have and there was no tropical cy- added Antony. (IANS) shoppers buying goods for tra- Investigators could not im- declared allegiance to the Is- 77 kilometres south of Cotaba- to clear,” said Claudio Yucot, clone warning,” he told AFP. ditional New Year festivities. mediately say what kind of lamic State (IS) group. to, killing at least three people. Govt to mediate in Indonesia’s deadly volcano activity subsides Kerala church feud remains five kilometre radius Mount Anak Krakatau’s status remains around the crater. IANS the issues can be sorted out. Nugroho said authori- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Whether both the factions will at the second-highest level ties did not plan to increase be invited together or if it would the danger level to its highest BREAKING his silence, Kerala be one by one, is something that DPA Krakatau volcano has been less point, though the climate and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- we will decide,” said Vijayan. JAKARTA active over the past four days. meteorology agency did advise jayan said on Monday that the During this month, ten- “Seismograph data showed people to remain between 500 state government will do its sion prevailed at two promi- INDONESIAN authorities the volcano’s activity has been metres and 1 kilometre away best to end the ongoing row nent churches at Vaikom and said on Monday that the volca- decreasing since Friday, with from the beach in case of an- between the warring Orthodox Kothamangalam, when angry no whose eruptions triggered less intense eruptions,” Nu- other possible tsunami. and Jacobite church factions. supporters of the rival factions a deadly tsunami earlier this groho said. Nine days since the silent Replying to questions on took on each other. month on the coast of Java “But this is nature - we nev- tsunami that caught everyone the row between the two fac- After a court ruling hand- and Sumatra showed signs of er know if the decreased activ- off guard struck the coast of tions, which of late has led to ing over the control of these decreasing activity. ity will be permanent, or just a Banten province in Java and mass protests over the control churches to the Orthodox fac- Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, cooling-down period to gather Lampung province in Sumatra of the churches, Vijayan said tion, Jacobite faction members spokesman for Indonesia’s more energy,” he added. on the rim of Sunda Strait, the that they will do the needful. took out mass protests and disaster mitigation agency The volcano’s status re- death toll has reached 437, with Mount Anak Krakatau volcano spews hot ash during an eruption as “We will make necessary demonstrations to stop this ver- (BNPB), said in a press confer- mains at the second-highest 14,059 people injured, 15 miss- seen from Indonesian naval patrol boat, KRI Torani 860, at Sunda interventions to see how best dict from being implemented. ence on Monday that the Anak level, and the exclusion zone ing and 33,721 people displaced. Strait in Banten, Indonesia, recently. (REUTERS) Gulf / Middle East / World Tuesday, January 1, 2019 11 Trump agrees to slow down CCTV footage shows men transporting troops pullout from Syria ‘Khashoggi body parts’ The US president’s tweet confirming this comes a day after senior GOP senator said Trump had promised to stay in Syria to finish the job of destroying IS

thousands of the group’s fight- ers are thought to remain in Syria after the collapse of their “caliphate.” Military and se- curity experts said Trump was overstating the case, and warned against a hasty with- drawal. In Afghanistan, Trump also wants to bring home about half of the 14,000 soldiers locked in a war against Taliban guerrillas, but no formal announcement has been made on that move. A still image taken from CCTV video and obtained by A- Haber, claims to Trump’s troop drawdowns show a man that carries suitcases purportedly containing the remains triggered the resignation of his of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi into the residence of Saudi Arabia’s defense secretary, Jim Mattis, consul general in Istanbul, Turkey. (REUTERS) long one of the chaotic admin- istration’s steady hands. AFP Saudi insider turned critic was On Sunday, Republican ANKARA strangled before he was cut Senator Lindsey Graham, who up into pieces by a team of 15 had expressed concern about A Turkish television station Saudis sent to Istanbul for the Trump’s pullout, emerged has broadcast CCTV footage killing, according to Turkish from a two-hour lunch meet- showing men carrying cases officials, with media reports ing with the president to say and bags which it says con- suggesting the parts were dis- Trump “understands the need tained slain Saudi journalist solved in acid. to finish the job.” Jamal Khashoggi’s body parts. “I think the president is The images shown on A- committed to making sure Haber television late Sunday A-Haber said the when we leave Syria that ISIS feature three men carrying bags and suitcases is completely defeated,” Gra- five suitcases and two large were put into a mini- ham said. Another promi- black bags into the home of bus which travelled nent critic of the pullout the Saudi consul general in (File photo) A convoy of US military vehicles in Syria’s northern city of Manbij. was retired US army gen- Istanbul. the short distance eral Stanley McChrystal, the The residence lies a short from the consulate AFP after he shocked allies, and his US forces and other foreign former commander of US distance from the Saudi con- to a garage at WASHINGTON own military establishment, troops are in Syria to assist and international forces in sulate where Khashoggi was the residence by saying troops were coming local fighters battling IS, Afghanistan, who on Sun- murdered in October in a kill- PRESIDENT Donald Trump home. the militants who once con- day warned on ABC’s “This ing that has tested Riyadh’s appeared Monday to water “If anybody but Donald trolled a “caliphate” covering Week” that a US pullout relations with the West. There has been specula- down shock plans for an im- Trump did what I did in Syria, much of Iraq and Syria. would likely cause “greater Citing unnamed Turk- tion that Saudi Crown Prince mediate pullout of US troops which was an ISIS loaded mess The US-led coalition instability” in the region. ish sources, A-Haber said Mohammed Bin Salman or- from Syria, even as he defiantly when I became President, they launched its first raids against “I campaigned on getting Khashoggi’s dismembered dered the hit but Riyadh has claimed his achievements in would be a national hero,” IS in September, 2014, more out of Syria and other plac- body was inside the cases and absolved the de facto leader of the conflict should make him a Trump tweeted, using another than two years before Trump es. Now when I start getting bags. any blame. “national hero.” acronym for IS. won the US election. US- out the Fake News Media, Khashoggi, a contributor A-Haber said the bags and The tweeted comment “ISIS is mostly gone, backed forces seized the mili- or some failed Generals who to the Washington Post, was suitcases were put into a mini- came the day after a senior Re- we’re slowly sending our tants’ de facto capital of Raqa were unable to do the job killed on October 2 shortly bus which travelled the short publican senator said Trump troops back home to be with on October 17, 2017. before I arrived, like to com- after entering the kingdom’s distance from the consulate had promised to stay in Syria their families, while at the Trump announced his Syria plain about me & my tactics, consulate in what Riyadh to a garage at the residence. to finish the job of destroying same time fighting ISIS rem- pullout by saying “We’ve won which are working,” Trump called a “rogue” operation. The men are then seen taking the Islamic State group–days nants,” he said. About 2,000 President Donald Trump. against ISIS,” even though tweeted on Monday. The 59-year-old former them inside.

News Hamas arresting members Police fire tear gas as protesters rally in Sudan capital in brief in Gaza ahead of rally: Fatah AFP squares across the capital in the GAZA City: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah party said KHARTOUM early morning to prevent the Palestinian court Monday that its rival Hamas had carried out widespread arrests of march. Bashir has told police hands man life term its members in the Gaza Strip ahead of a rally marking the anniver- POLICE fired tear gas at pro- to abstain from using excessive over land sale sary of the movement’s founding. Hamas denied the accusation, testers in Sudan’s capital on force against the demonstra- with a spokesman for the enclave’s interior ministry saying 38 peo- Monday ahead of a planned tors after 19 people, including RAMALLAH: A Palestinian ple had been held for questioning over concerns that opposing Fatah march on President Omar al- two security personnel, were court sentenced a Palestinian- factions in Gaza would clash at the rally set for later in the day. All Bashir’s palace calling on him killed in clashes in the initial American man to life in prison had been released, said spokesman Iyad al-Bozum. to “step down” following deadly days of demonstrations that Monday over the sale of Fatah and Hamas remain deeply divided and Abbas, based in anti-government protests. erupted on December 19. Jerusalem property to Jewish the occupied West Bank, has sought to increase pressure on the Crowds of men and women Sudanese protesters run away from tear gas smokes during a Monday’s march was called Israelis, a court source said, Islamist movement in recent days. chanting “freedom, peace and demonstration in Khartoum, on Monday. (AFP) for by a group of professionals in a case that has drawn “More than 500 of our members and sons have been arrested justice” and “revolution is the including doctors, teachers and criticism from the US ambas- since last night by Hamas security forces in Gaza,” Atef Abu Saif, a people’s choice” gathered in were quickly confronted by Hundreds of policemen and engineers, after it organised a sador. Issam Akel, accused of spokesman for Fatah in the Gaza Strip, said in a statement. (AFP) downtown Khartoum, but they anti-riot police, witnesses said. security forces deployed to key similar rally on December 25. involvement in selling an east Jerusalem building to Jewish buyers, was arrested in Oc- tober and Israeli and US offi- cials have since called for his 10 troops killed in Niger release. Official Palestinian Nigerian army deploys for battle to news agency WAFA reported border clash with ‘bandits’ the sentence, while identifying the man only as IA. (AFP) reclaim key town from Boko Haram AFP dits,” Moutari also said, ac- NIAMEY cording to a TV report from Turkey detains more AFP a naval base, forcing person- preparation for an operation Maradi, where he went to at- than 75,000 over KANO, NIGERIA nel to flee across the lake to a to recapture Baga from Boko TEN troops have been killed tend the funeral of the dead ‘terror links’ village on the Chadian side of Haram terrorists,” said the on Niger’s border with Nigeria Nigerien troops. TROOPS are preparing to the border. first military officer. in a joint operation by the two Niger is one of several ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities launch an offensive in a bid re- Military assets have been Dozens of military trucks Monguno residents re- countries against “bandits”, Ni- countries in the impoverished detained 75,239 people this take a strategic town captured deployed to Monguno in and armoured vehicles from ported seeing 40 military gerien Defence Minister Kalla Sahel region to be hit by vio- year for alleged ties to terror- by Boko Haram militants in preparation for an operation Borno state capital Maiduguri trucks carrying troops on Sun- Moutari said on Monday. lence. ist organizations, the govern- northeast Nigeria, security to recapture Baga from arrived late Sunday at the gar- day evening. “Five Nigerien and five Officials often call Islamist ment said on Monday. Just and civilian sources said on Boko Haram terrorists rison town of Monguno, 135 “It is a marching order Nigerian” troops and 11 en- attackers “bandits” but a secu- over 52,000 were detained Monday. kilometres (84 miles) away, from the highest quarters to emy fighters were killed in the rity source said the joint opera- for their alleged links to US- Fighters from IS-affiliat- First military officer in readiness for the offensive, troops to get Baga back from operation, launched against tion targeted criminal gangs based Islamic cleric Fethullah ed Islamic State West Africa two military officers and mili- Boko Haram terrorists who gangs in the Maradi region at that plague the Niger-Nigeria Gulen, the Interior Ministry Province (ISWAP) took con- tia sources said on condition are now occupying the town,” the weekend, he said. border, holing up in dense for- said. The government ac- trol of Baga on the shores of The militants established of anonymity. a second military source said. “The Nigerian defence ests. The fighting “began on cuses Gulen of orchestrating Lake Chad on Thursday after full control over the fishing “Military assets have been “The offensive will start and security forces are iden- Saturday in the middle of the a failed coup by a faction in over-running military bases. town on Friday after sacking deployed to Monguno in anytime soon,” he added. tifying the bodies of the ban- morning,” the source said. the military in 2016. Gulen denies the charges, but Turkish authorities continue to detain alleged members of Gulen’s network on a near 2018 death toll in Syria war lowest at under 20,000: Monitor daily basis. (DPA)

Search for dozens AFP ment the war that broke out hadist bastions in and around close to collapsing. missing in deadly BEIRUT after the brutal repression of the capital Damascus. While fighting has ended Russia high-rise blast nationwide anti-regime pro- The bloodiest of them was or is winding down in sev- SYRIA’S nearly eight-year-old tests in 2011. an assault on Eastern Ghouta, eral parts of the country, 2019 MOSCOW: Rescuers hunted conflict saw its lowest annual The death toll for 2017 a densely-populated area east could see its share of military for survivors on Monday after death toll in 2018 as the re- stood at more than 33,000. of Damascus that remained flare-ups. a gas explosion tore through gime reasserted its authority The highest annual figure besieged for years. Besides the continued a high-rise residential build- over swathes of territory, a war was reached in 2014 -- the year The most active front of threat posed by IS sleeper cells ing in central Russia, killing monitor said on Monday. the Islamic State (IS) militant the past few months has been even after it loses its last pock- at least four people and leav- A total of 19,666 people group proclaimed a “cali- the battle against the rem- et in eastern Syria, two other ing dozens unaccounted for. were killed during the year as phate” over large parts of Syria nants of IS in eastern Syria. areas remain of concern. A large section of the building a result of the conflict, which and neighbouring Iraq -- when The Kurdish-led Syr- Turkey has threatened a collapsed after the explosion erupted in 2011, the Syr- 76,000 people were killed. ian Democratic Forces (SDF), major offensive against the around 6:00 am local time at ian Observatory for Human Among those killed in backed by a US-led coali- Kurdish militia that controls the high-rise in the industrial Rights monitoring group re- 2018 were 6,349 civilians, tion carrying out air strikes, regions along its border in city of Magnitogorsk, nearly ported. 1,437 of them children, Abdel launched an offensive on Sep- northeastern Syria. 1,700 kilometres east of “2018 was the lowest an- Rahman said. Displaced Syrians stand in puddles of water at the Deir al-Ballut refu- tember 10. Thousands of rebel fighters Moscow in the Ural moun- nual toll since the start of the ”Most of those killed dur- gee camp in Afrin’s countryside following heavy rain recently. (AFP) Militant fighters defend- also remain in Idlib, a north- tains. President Vladimir conflict,” Observatory chief ing the first part of the year ing the last rump of their ern province where many of Putin rushed to the city, Rami Abdel Rahman said. were killed in regime and Rus- “The majority of those killed The first months of 2018 once sprawling proto-state, them were transferred as a where the blast left hundreds The Britain-based moni- sian bombardment of opposi- in the second half of the year were marked by major Rus- near the Iraqi border along result of deals to end govern- of homeless. (AFP) tor relies on a vast network of tion areas, including Eastern were killed in coalition air sian-backed government op- the Euphrates River, have put ment assaults on other areas sources across Syria to docu- Ghouta,” Abdel Rahman said. strikes,” he added. erations to retake rebel and ji- up fierce resistance but seem across the country. 12 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Europe / Americas

NEWS NASA spaceship zooms towards farthest world ever photographed IN BRIEF AFP A guitar anthem recorded “It sounds like science fic- astronauts orbited the Moon TAMPA by legendary Queen guitarist tion, but it’s not,” Alan Stern, the aboard Apollo 8. “This week, Brian May -- who also holds an lead planetary scientist on the New Horizons will continue in Polish minister A NASA spaceship is zooming advanced degree in astrophys- New Horizons mission, wrote in that legacy,” Stern wrote. warns of dangers toward the farthest, and quite ics -- will be released just after The New York Times on Mon- “As you celebrate New Year’s of no-deal Brexit possibly the oldest, cosmic body midnight to accompany a video day. He described the New Ho- Day, cast an eye upward and ever photographed by human- simulation of the flyby, as NASA rizons spaceship as an “amazing think for a moment about the WARSAW: Poland’s foreign kind, a tiny, distant world called commentators describe the close piece of American workman- amazing things our country and minister has expressed Ultima Thule about four billion pass on www.nasa.gov/nasalive. ship, operating essentially flaw- our species can do when we set concern about the conse- miles (6.4 billion kilometers) Real-time video of the ac- lessly in space for well over a our minds to it.” quences of a no-deal Brexit away. tual flyby is impossible, since it decade.” What does it look like? Sci- for the EU and the fate of The US space agency will takes more than six hours for a Its destination, Ultima entists are not sure what Ultima Polish nationals living in ring in the New Year with a live signal sent from Earth to reach Thule, “is 17,000 times as far Thule (pronounced TOO-lee) Britain, Polish media reported online broadcast to mark the the spaceship, named New Ho- away as the ‘giant leap’ of Apol- looks like -- whether it is round on Monday. “That would not historic flyby of the mysterious rizons, and another six hours for lo’s lunar missions,” he added, or oblong or even if it is a single be good for the EU,” Jacek object in a dark and frigid region the response to arrive. recalling that December 1968 object or a cluster. It was discov- Czaputowicz said in com- of space known as the Kuiper But if all goes well, the first marks the 50th anniversary of ered in 2014 with the help of the ments carried by the PAP Belt at 12:33 am January 1 (0533 images should be in hand by the the first time humans ever ex- Hubble Space Telescope, and is news agency, referring to the GMT Tuesday). end of New Year’s Day. plored another world, when US believed to be 12-20 miles in size. This is an artist’s illustration of the New Horizons spacecraft. (AFP) possibility of Britain leaving the EU on March 29 without a deal. Such an outcome would effect hundreds of thousands of Polish people living in Democratic Britain, he added. (DPA) senator takes Cops on duty in Trump receptive to deal over Paris over ‘yellow step towards vest’ protests White House bid PARIS: Nearly 150,000 police are set to be on duty around France on New shutdown, says GOP senator Year’s Eve when “yellow vest” protesters have called for another round of anti- government demonstrations. There won’t be a govt spending deal sans money for the border wall: Lindsey Graham The French capital will be on high alert after repeated REUTERS clashes over the last month WASHINGTON between security forces and the protesters. President US Senator Lindsey Graham Emmanuel Macron is set to said on Sunday he was opti- make a televised address mistic that Republicans, Dem- Elizabeth Warren. to the country at 8:00 pm ocrats and President Donald (1900 GMT) -- at the same Trump could reach a deal to AFP time as protesters have end a government shutdown WASHINGTON been called to gather on the that includes border wall fund- Champs-Elysees avenue in ing and legal status for some il- DEMOCRATIC Senator Eliza- Paris. (AFP) legal immigrants. beth Warren -- a fierce critic of Graham, a Republican, told Donald Trump -- on Monday reporters after meeting Trump took a major step towards a for lunch at the White House likely run for president, seek- Malta rescues that Trump was receptive to ing to upset the incumbent Re- Graham’s idea of a deal that publican in 2020. 180 migrants might provide work permits The 69-year-old Warren, to so-called Dreamers, people who has represented Massa- AFP brought illegally to the United chusetts in the Senate since VALLETTA States as children, in exchange 2013, is a progressive Demo- for money for physical border crat. She said she was launch- MALTA on Monday pulled 180 barriers. ing an exploratory committee migrants to safety from two “The president was upbeat, for president, which would boats in distress, while 49 more he was in a very good mood, help her raise funds early in were stuck in limbo at sea as the and I think he’s receptive to the campaign cycle. weather worsened in the Medi- making a deal,” Graham said, “America’s middle class terranean. adding that Trump found the is under attack,” she said in a The Maltese military said potential Dreamer concession video message on Twitter. a patrol boat picked up 28 mi- “interesting.” “How did we get here? Bil- grants from a dinghy some 71 But the senator said there lionaires and big corporations nautical miles (130 kilometres) would never be a government decided they wanted more southwest of Malta before pluck- spending deal that did not in- of the pie, and they enlisted ing another 152 people from a clude money for a wall or other (File photo) US President Donald Trump with US Ambassador to UK Woody Johnson in London. (REUTERS) politicians to cut them a fatter wooden boat to the south. physical barriers on the US- slice.” The rescues followed the Mexico border. The wall was make sense,” he added. ‘The president was upbeat, shield Dreamers from depor- ative Hakeem Jeffries said the “Every person in America recovery by Malta Sunday of one of the central promises Trump later made clear on tation. But Trump’s DACA country needed comprehen- should be able to work hard, 69 migrants on a wooden boat of Trump’s presidential cam- Twitter that he regarded a wall he was in a very good mood, phase-out has been delayed by sive immigration reform and play by the same set of rules, which had run into trouble. paign. as necessary. and I think he’s receptive to court rulings against it. border security. & take care of themselves & Meanwhile, the UN’s refugee “I don’t see Democrats giv- “President and Mrs Obama making a deal,’ Graham With the partial govern- “We are not willing to pay the people they love,” Warren agency said time was “of the ing us more money unless they built/has a ten foot Wall around said, adding that Trump ment shutdown in its ninth day $2.5 billion or $5 billion and said. “That’s what I’m fighting essence” for 49 people rescued get something. So, the one their DC mansion/compound. I found the potential Dreamer on Sunday, some other law- wasting taxpayer dollars on a for, & that’s why I’m launch- by NGO boats but denied a safe thing we talked about is making agree, totally necessary for their makers were less upbeat about ransom note because Donald ing an exploratory committee port in Europe, some of whom deals,” Graham said. safety and security,” Trump concession ‘interesting’ prospects for a deal to restore Trump decided that he was go- for president. I need you with have been stranded at sea for “After lunch I’ve never been wrote. “The US needs the same spending authority. ing to shut down the govern- me.” over a week. The NGOs -- the more encouraged that if we can thing, slightly larger version!” for wall funding. Republican Senator Rich- ment and hold the American Warren has been a fre- German Sea-Eye and Dutch get people talking we can find Earlier, on CNN’s “State The Trump administra- ard Shelby warned on CBS’ people hostage,” Jeffries said quent sparring partner for Sea-Watch -- called for “an im- our way out of this mess and of the Union” program, Gra- tion in 2017 announced plans “Face the Nation” that nego- on ABC. Democrats take con- Trump, who has repeatedly mediate solution for those be- that would include around $5 ham floated the idea of giving to phase out the Deferred Ac- tiations were at an impasse trol of the US House of Rep- mocked her claim to have Na- ing held hostage by European billion for border security, slash Democrats a version of stalled tion for Childhood Arrivals and the shutdown “could last a resentatives this week, follow- tive American heritage by call- States, who are denying them a wall, slash fencing whatever legislation to protect Dreamers program, begun under former long, long time.” ing November’s congressional ing her “Pocahontas,” which safe port”. you want to call it in areas that from deportation in exchange President Barack Obama to Democratic US Represent- elections. has been taken as a slur. Britain needs UK, France agree action plan on migrant Channel crossings leadership, AFP of sea crossings in one of the criticism from the opposition people in English waters on says US envoy LONDON world’s busiest shipping lanes. 12 more migrants arrive in UK and from within his own party Christmas Day and December “The UK and France will LONDON: A group of 12 migrants, including a 10-year-old child, for responding too slowly. 26. AFP BRITAIN and France have build on our joint efforts to de- ARRIVED in Britain on Monday after crossing the English Chan- “More than 200 migrants On Thursday, British bor- LONDON agreed to boost bilateral co- ter illegal migration -- protect- nel from France, local media reported as the debate intensified have arrived on the Kent coast der officials found 23 Irani- operation over a spike in ing our borders and human around a recent spike in the number of migrants crossing the in small craft in the past two ans in three locations in Kent BRITAIN is “in need of lead- migrants trying to cross the life,” said Britain’s Home Of- channel. The migrants arrived on a beach in the county of Kent months. The scale of the prob- on England’s southeast coast, ership” as it tries to navigate Channel, the UK’s Home Of- fice minister Sajid Javid, after in a black dinghy on Monday morning, Britain’s Press Association lem is unprecedented,” Char- hours after French maritime a painless exit from the EU, fice said Sunday. speaking on the phone with reported, citing the Home Office. lie Elphicke, the MP for Dover authorities intercepted 11 mi- the US ambassador to London In the coming weeks, the French counterpart Chris- According to the BBC, more than 220 have tried to cross the on the southeast coast of Eng- grants in a small boat near said on Monday. two countries will increase tophe Castaner. channel in small boats since the start of November. (DPA) land, told the Daily Mail. Sangatte. Ambassador Woody John- surveillance patrols and fo- Attempts to cross the A particular increase in ar- And on Sunday, authori- son also played down the pos- cus on measures to dismantle English Channel have been rivals has been recorded over ties intercepted six Iranians sibility of London and Wash- trafficking gangs and improve increasing since October, struggling to stop them. said the rise is being treated as the Christmas period, with near Kingsdown beach in Do- ington quickly striking a new awareness about the dangers with authorities on both sides Javid, who has previously a “major incident”, has faced British authorities finding 43 ver. trade agreement once Brexit enters into force on March 29. The comments dealt a blow to Prime Minister The- resa May, who has argued that Britain will be able to strike Mattis bids farewell, urges Pentagon to ‘keep faith’ and ‘hold fast’ new and more advantageous trade accords without the EU. AFP side our allies, aligned against letter that laid bare his fun- “I’ve been all over Wales, WASHINGTON our foes.” Policy differences damental disagreements with I’ve been all over Ireland and Mattis, a scholar who fre- the president. Scotland and also England -- DEFENCE Secretary Jim Mat- quently backs his views with O Mattis resigned December In that letter, the 68-year- and I am feeling that the coun- tis bade farewell to the Pen- historical anecdotes, also 20, after Trump stunned the old Pentagon chief said his po- try is in need of leadership,” tagon on Monday, telling the quoted a telegram President US establishment by litical outlook, which cherish- Johnson told BBC radio. US military to “hold fast” after Abraham Lincoln sent to Gen- ordering a full troops es traditional alliances, could He added that some of the he quit over a series of funda- eral Ulysses Grant in Febru- withdrawal from Syria no longer be reconciled with blame rested with parliament, mental differences with Presi- ary 1865, near the end of the that of the president, who has which has balked at backing dent Donald Trump. American Civil War. O Mattis had initially been poured scorn on longstanding the draft withdrawal agree- Mattis resigned December “Let nothing which is tran- due to leave the Pentagon partnerships and repeatedly ment May has struck with 20, after Trump stunned the spiring, change, hinder, or de- at the end of February, but sought closer ties with Russia. Brussels. US establishment by ordering lay your military movements, Trump brought the date As of January 1, Patrick May was forced to abort a full troop withdrawal from or plans,” Mattis quoted Lin- Shanahan will become acting a December debate about the Syria. coln as saying. forward by two months. defense secretary, moving up arrangement after admitting it “Our Department is proven He added that he was con- from his current position of faced heavy defeat. to be at its best when the times fident military members are deputy. “You can see the frustra- are most difficult,” Mattis said “undistracted from our sworn at the end of February, but On Syria, Trump on Mon- tion in the members of par- in a brief memo to the Penta- mission to support and defend Trump brought the date for- day appeared to soften his liament in trying to navigate gon, an apparent reference to the Constitution while protect- ward by two months. stance, saying troops would what the people wanted when the turmoil in Washington. ing our way of life.” Trump was reportedly only be sent home “slowly” they voted on the referen- “So keep the faith in our Mattis had initially been angry over news coverage of while still fighting the Islamic US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis (second right) at the Pentagon in dum,” Johnson said. country and hold fast, along- due to leave the Pentagon Mattis’s stinging resignation State group. Washington recently. (AFP) Huawei’s annual www.facebook.com/QatarTribune smartphone shipments www.youtube.com/QatarTribuneChannel

exceed www.twitter.com/Qatar_Tribune 200 mn PAGE 14 TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2019

DOW23,248.52 QE 10,299.01 SENSEX 36,068.33 GOLD 1,283.70 China’s factory activity contracts +186.12 PTS +15.29 PTS -8.39 PTS +0.05% for 1st time since 2016 PAGE 16 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 15.53 BRENT 53.32 +0.21% WTI 45.28 -0.11% SILVER +0.61% AL AZIZIYAH GETS NEW FUEL STATION Qatar’s Nov foreign reserves jump 31% to $48.41 bn: QCB

SATYENDRA PATHAK Reserves also included banks in November also reg- DOHA QR1.93 billion in special istered an impressive rise drawing rights (SDR) depos- when compared with QR53.1 Woqod opens 82nd petrol station QATAR’S foreign reserves its, which is held by the In- billion in October. surged 31.07 percent to ternational Monetary Fund Qatar’s other liquid as- QR176.24 billion ($48.41 100% rise (IMF), bringing the total val- sets in foreign currency, a TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK residents and includes a Sidra network in the country to billion) in November, 2018 ue of official total reserves to major component of foreign DOHA convenience store, a facility meet the rising demand and when compared with foreign The QCB attributed the rise in QR107.13 billion. reserves, however declined that offers manual car wash, achieve the goal of provid- reserves of QR134.46 billion international reserves to an According to a state- to QR69.10 billion in No- QATAR Fuel (Woqod) on oil change and tyre repair, an ing customers with access to ($36.94 billion) in the same almost 100 percent increase ment by QCB, the official vember from QR82.8 billion Monday added yet another LPG cylinder outlet and a shop best-in-class products and month of the previous year, in credit held with foreign total reserves include SDRs, in the same month of the fuel station to its rapidly that sells gasoline and diesel services at their convenience according to a recent data re- banks to QR60.89 billion in the stake held with the IMF, previous year. widening network, taking the products for light vehicles. and comfort.” leased by Qatar Central Bank November 2018 from QR31.5 bonds, foreign treasury bills, When compared with total tally across Qatar to 82. Woqod is currently Woqod recently hastened (QCB). billion in the same month of credit held with foreign other liquid assets in foreign With the new facility at Al constructing 15 new petrol the construction of new It was the ninth monthly the previous year in addition banks and gold. currency of QR69.59 billion Aziziyah, Woqod has moved stations, a large number of petrol stations to meet the rise of Qatar’s foreign re- to a huge surge in the The QCB attributed the in October, it was a marginal a step closer to its objective which are expected to be- fuel and energy needs of the serves in a row and highest rise in international reserves decline in November. of having 130 fuel stations come operational during the country. in the last 28 months, since country’s bonds and treasury to an almost 100 percent in- The QCB’s special draw- by 2020. The new station at current year. Nine of them “Woqod team would like July 2016. bills to QR39.83 billion in crease in credit held with for- ing rights (SDRs) with the Al Aziziyah is spread over are in the bidding phase and to extend their gratitude to The country’s foreign re- November from QR14.1 billion eign banks to QR60.89 bil- International Monetary 10,000 square metres and 23 in the design phase. all governmental and private serves also witnessed rise on in the same month of the lion in November 2018 from Fund (IMF) also increased has four lanes with eight Woqod’s CEO Engineer entities that have contributed month-on-month basis as it previous year QR31.5 billion in the same substantially to QR1.93 bil- dispensers. Saad Rashid al Muhan- and still contributing to the went up 2.18 percent from month of the previous year lion in November from QR1.4 The new station offers nadi said, “Woqod strives completion of such projects,” QR172.48 billion in October. cluded QR4.48 billion in in addition to a huge surge billion in the same month of round-the-clock services to to expand its fuel station Muhannadi said. The reserves are a com- gold reserves, QR60.89 bil- in the country’s bonds and the previous year. bined total of official re- lion in credit held with for- treasury bills to QR39.83 Qatar’s gold reserves serves of QR107.18 billion eign banks and QR39.83 billion in November from increased marginally to and other liquid foreign as- billion in foreign bonds and QR14.1 billion in the same QR4.47 billion in November sets of QR69.10 billion treasury bills, the QCB’s data month of the previous year. from QR4.46 billion in the QP acquires UDC’s 20% The official reserves in- showed. The balance with foreign same month a year ago. stake in SEEF Limited Going strong O This was the ninth monthly rise of Qatar’s foreign TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Ibrahim Jassim al Oth- reserves in a row and highest in the last 28 months, DOHA man, president and CEO of since July 2016 UDC said, “This transaction QATAR Petroleum has ac- comes in line with our strat- O The official reserves included QR4.48 billion in gold quired United Development egy of focusing on core busi- reserves, QR60.89 billion in credit held with foreign Company’s (UDC) 20 per- Key products ness to deliver greater value banks and QR39.83 billion in foreign bonds and cent stake in SEEF Limited and enhanced returns to our treasury bills (SEEF), a petrochemical Currently, SEEF produces shareholders. We believe this company engaged in the 80,000 metric tonnes per transaction was necessary to O The balance with foreign banks in November also manufacturing of linear alkyl year of normal paraffin, eliminate our exposure to hy- registered an impressive rise when compared with benzene (LAB), the company 100,000 metric tonnes per drocarbon commodity price QR53.1 billion in October announced in a statement on year of LAB and 36,000 fluctuations.” Monday. SEEF was incorporated in Following this acquisi- metric tonnes per year of Qatar in July 2004 to manu- tion, SEEF will be fully owned benzene. facture LAB, the most widely by Qatar Petroleum. used surfactant in biodegrad- The transaction high- Limited into Qatar Petro- able household detergents. lights Qatar Petroleum’s pur- leum’s refinery operations at Currently, SEEF pro- suit of its strategy of consoli- Mesaieed Industrial city. We duces 80,000 metric tonnes dating its operations, as well believe that this will help us per year of normal paraf- as UDC’s strategy of exiting achieve greater synergy value fin, 100,000 metric tonnes non-core business, the state- and boost our efforts to en- per year of LAB and 36,000 ment said. hance and consolidate our metric tonnes per year of Minister of State for Ener- operations.” benzene. gy Affairs and President and Kaabi also thanked the SEEF’s plant is located CEO of Qatar Petroleum, HE management and staff of adjacent to Qatar Petroleum’s Saad Sherida al Kaabi, said, UDC for their valuable efforts refinery in the Industrial Area “This transaction allows for towards the successful com- of Mesaieed, about 40 kilom- the full integration of SEEF pletion of the transaction. eters south of Doha. German-Qatari Joint Task Force holds first meeting

ing of the Joint Task Force will The task force will help solve challenges be held in February 2019, on the sidelines of the Joint Eco- faced by investors from both sides nomic Committee in Berlin. Sheikh Saoud spoke about TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Khalifa bin Jassim al Thani, Qa- Genuine the importance of the agree- DOHA tar Chamber chairman; Sheikh ment in strengthening relations Nawaf bin Nasser al Thani, partnerships between the private sector in THE Qatari Businessmen As- QBA board member and the co- both countries, and also, the sociation (QBA) in coopera- chair of the Joint Task Force; Al Fardan stressed the need to focus on developing the tion with the German Industry Salah al Jaidah, QBA member; importance of establishing areas of cooperation specially and Commerce office in Qatar Omar al Fardan, president and genuine partnerships with the in the sectors mentioned in the (AHK), held the first meeting of CEO of Al Fardan Group and German counterparts, MoU such as infrastructure, the German-Qatari Joint Task Sarah Abdullah; QBA deputy whereby the German expertise trade, industry, information Force for trade and investment, GM. and experience will be technology and science. in Doha on Monday. From the German side, transferred to the Qatari side Al Fardan stressed the im- The task force was formed the meeting was co-chaired The meeting discussed the challenges of doing business in Qatar and Germany. portance of establishing genu- during an memorandum of by Volker Treier, deputy CEO ine partnerships with the Ger- understanding (MoU) sign- DIHK; Olaf Hoffmann, CEO, tar as a gateway through which tari investors are fully aware of freight services. man counterparts, whereby the ing that took place during the Dorsch Group; Mazen Jabri, they can access and invest not the great potential of Germany. He said reduced electric- Both teams also discussed German expertise and experi- Qatar-Germany Business and managing director at SAP only in the local market but also “We see Germany as a stra- ity prices and other privileges the importance of supporting ence will be transferred to the Investment Forum in Berlin on Qatar; Hans-Guenther Jae- in other regional and interna- tegic partner through which make Qatar an investment hub the signing of the double taxa- Qatari side and not limit this September 7, 2018. ger, project delivery director tional markets our cooperation would provide and a gateway to penetrate and tion treaty as well as the coop- cooperation in the traditional The first meeting of the at Deutsche Bahn Qatar and Volker praised the strong an added value to Qatar’s econ- serve other markets eration and investment in free methods such as agencies or joint task force was held in the Adrian Wood, CEO at Siemens German-Qatari relations and omy and benefit from its exper- The meeting discussed the zones. merchandise trade. presence of German Ambassa- Qatar. hailed the formation of task tise and the know-how transfer potential ways of collaboration They also agreed on the Jaidah spoke about the suc- dor to Doha HE Hans-Udo Mu- At the beginning of the force, which shows the devel- to the Qatari market,” he said. in the small and medium en- need to participate in confer- cessful experience of Deutsche zel, and Ambassador of of Qatar meeting, Sheikh Nawaf said he opment of bilateral relations Sheikh Faisal also high- terprises and the means to sup- ences and trade fairs in both Bank in Qatar and stressed that to Berlin HE Sheikh Saoud bin hopes the committee will serve and its direction to be more lighted on the readiness of the port its development. countries, the most important Qatar is a safe market for the Abdul Rahman al Thani. as a platform for exchanging dynamic. He stressed the im- Qatari market and its willing- They also discussed the of which is the Hannover Inter- foreign investor and that its in- From the Qatari side, ideas on how to enhance coop- portance of task force in solving ness to attract more investors challenges of doing business in national Fair, scheduled to be frastructure and legislation sys- the meeting was attended by eration between the two coun- challenges faced by investors through the advanced infra- Qatar as well as Germany and held in April 2019. tem make Qatar an example for Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al tries and create awareness for from both sides. structure, including the Hamad the potential cooperation be- The two sides also agreed in developing economic relations Thani, QBA chairman; Sheikh German companies about Qa- Sheikh Faisal said the Qa- International Airport and its air tween the ports. principle that the second meet- with its partners 14 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Economy & Business

Oil prices slip, set for first annual drop since 2015

REUTERS compared with $71.76 in HOUSTON 2018. Prices rose through OIL prices slipped 1 per- most of the year, continu- cent on the final day of the ing 2017’s recovery af- year, en route for their first ter several years of weak annual drop in three years pricing that sent oil-rich as fears of a slowing global economies into tailspins economy and emerging and forced hundreds of supply glut outweighed im- U.S. energy companies into pending production cuts bankruptcy. Renewed U.S. from OPEC nations. sanctions against major Both oil benchmarks producer Iran, as well as are down more than a third healthy economic growth this quarter, the steepest and concerns about crude decline since the fourth supplies, had elevated quarter of 2014. For the crude for most of the year. year, U.S. crude has lost more than 25 percent, while Brent is off by more than 21 percent. A tweet by U.S. Presi- dent Donald Trump claim- ing progress on a possi- ble U.S.-China trade deal pushed crude prices up more than 2 percent in early trading on Monday. But oil lost ground as trad- ers focused to data showing sluggish Chinese manufac- The 200 million shipments a year, including Honor devices, constitute a new record for Huawei. turing activity in Decem- ber, analysts said. “That’s raising con- cerns about demand growth,” said Phil Flynn, an oil markets analyst at For the year, U.S. crude has Huawei’s annual smartphone Price Futures Group in lost more than 25 percent, Chicago. “Everybody is while Brent is off by more than convinced the trade war is 21 percent. going to slow down global economic growth and de- But trading on Mon- shipments exceed 200 mn mand for oil.” day echoed a theme that Brent crude futures came to pervade the last were down 25 cents at few months of 2018: Fears particularly popu- protection,the most stringent privacy $52.96 a barrel by 11:02 over declining global trade, This is a new all-time high, lar with young users, technology framework in the world, a.m. EST but had risen to rising interest rate and ostensibly driven by thanks to its stunning as well as all requirements set forth a high of $54.82 in earlier sluggish economic growth appearance and inno- in the EU’s General Data Protection trade. clouded markets despite customer support and vative visual elements. Regulation (GDPR). Huawei also ap- U.S. West Texas Inter- the Organization of the Pe- As a result of the Hua- plies Privacy by Design principles mediate (WTI) crude fu- troleum Exporting Coun- quality products wei nova 3’s bold color throughout all of its product devel- tures were 33 cents lower tries’ (OPEC) pairing with scheme and innovative opment, design, verification, sales, at $44.99 a barrel. In ear- Russia and other producers selfie system, it became services, and procurement activities. lier trade, WTI was up at to slash output and support TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the most popular selfie Huawei has also built onto the open $46.53 a barrel. prices. DOHA phone of 2018. As of the ARM chip architecture and its under- Analysts are bearish on “It just doesn’t matter end of 2018, the uber- lying Google Android system to fur- 2019, according to a Reu- when the stock market is HUAWEI Consumer BG announced popular nova series has ther enhance security for both devices ters poll released on Mon- getting dinged 500 points today that its smartphone shipments sold a total of over 65 and users. day. A survey of 32 econo- a day,” said John Saucer, for the 2018 year have exceeded 200 million units, making it In the past eight years, Huawei’s mists and analysts forecast vice president of research million units, thanks to the enthusi- the leader of Huawei’s smartphone shipments have in- an average Brent price of and analysis at Mobius astic support of consumers and part- nascent line of mid- creased from 3 million units in 2010 $69.13 a barrel next year, Risk Group in Houston. ners around the world, as well as the range devices. to 200 million units in 2018, reflect- strength of the smartphone products, The Honor digital ing approximately a sixty-six-fold including the Huawei P20 andMate flagship series has con- growth. In the global smartphone 20 series and Honor 10. These 200 tinuously led the devel- market, Huawei has gone from be- million shipments, including Honor opment of the mobile ing dismissed as a statistical “Other” devices, constitute a new record for phone industry through to ranking among the top 3 players in Indian banks’ bad loans may Huawei. its revolutionary pro- the world. And in the second and third The Huawei P20 series is once cessing techniques and quarters of 2018, Huawei became the decline further by March again raising the bar for what smart unique design aesthetics. battery life, communication, world’s second largest smartphone mobile photography can do, prov- As one of its most beautiful 2018 and AI. This innovation has won the manufacturer, with a global market REUTERS Law that helped in faster ing that even thin and stylish mobile flagship smartphones, the Honor 10 favor of consumers around the world. share of 14.6%. resolution of some non-per- phones can provide a professional- is boldly innovative in both its ap- It’s important to remember that a At present, Huawei smartphones INDIA’S central bank on forming assets in the Indian level photography experience. pearance and interactive design. With smartphone serves as are being used by more than 500 Monday said the proportion banking system and the RBI Further, the outstanding cosmetic “Beauty in AI”, the Honor 10 has built the bridge between million consumers in more than 170 of commercial lenders’ non- carried out several asset qual- design of the Huawei P20 series has itself around the creation of fashion- the physical countries around the world. Accord- performing assets (NPAs) ity reviews that helped in bet- won over a large number of female us- able products that feature innova- and virtual ing to a report by IPSOS, one of the may fall slightly to 10.3 per- ers. Since its release in March, global tive technologies. The outstanding worlds, and industry’s leading third-party re- cent by March, thanks to shipments have exceeded 16 million performance of the Honor 10 to continue search institutions, the Huawei brand measures including the crea- In 2017 India passed the units, with female users accounting and V10 has helped the Honor to play that has already become associated with tion of a bankruptcy code. Insolvency and Bankruptcy for nearly half of that number. brand rank as China’s num- role, it must the idea that itkeeps on progressing, In June, the Reserve Bank The Huawei Mate 20 series fol- ber one brand in Internet- constantly and has strong innovation ability and of India (RBI) had said com- Law that helped in faster lows the advanced technological based smartphones. store and pro- trustworthiness in the eyes of its glob- mercial lenders’ ratio for resolution of some non- standards that the Mate series estab- In the past eight tect more and al consumer base. gross bad loans might even performing assets in the lished, and is equipped with the most years, Huawei Con- more information. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Con- increase to 12.2 percent by Indian banking system powerful and sophisticated chip in sumer BG has Therefore, Huaweibel- sumer BG, stated that: “Looking to March 2019, but they had Huawei history, the Kirin 980.The persisted in ieves that the privacy and the future, Huawei’s consumer busi- fallen to 10.8 percent by end- chipsetfeatures highly sophisticated the concept security of itsusers is just ness will focus on the core concept of September and now look to ter accounting of stressed as- 7nm processing and a more powerful of “consumer- as important as making out- ‘consumer-centric’, and will dare to dip lower still. sets. A76-based+G76 architecture. These centric” and standing and appealing prod- keep innovating, and make every ef- “Stress test results sug- In the past two years the components allow the Mate 20 series using innova- ucts; this is an issue of trust be- fort to become a pioneer and leader gest further improvement in RBI has penalised certain to offer improved energy efficiency tion to create tween us and our consumers around in the next wave of the smartphone the NPA ratio, though its cur- banks for under reporting and a new, extra-smooth experience, value for its cus- the world. revolution, as well as constantly cre- rent level remains still high their stressed portfolios and makingthis smartphone even smart- tomers. The compa- Huawei has thus put the issue ate new value for consumers, let our for comfort,” Shaktikanta enforced stricter guidelines. er. Within two months of the release ny has also led a num- b e r of privacy protection ahead of ba- consumers better enjoy their lives, Das, RBI governor, said in its Das on Monday said a of the Mate 20 series, it had already of the industry’s most popu- sic commercial interests, and com- and truly make Huawei a brand that financial stability report. time-bound resolution of shipped over 5 millionunits. lar, innovative, and competitive tech- plies with Generally Accepted Pri- is beloved by consumers the world In 2017 India passed the non-performing assets would Huawei’s nova series has been nological fields, such as photography, vacy Principles (GAPP) for privacy over.” Insolvency and Bankruptcy help improve credit flows.

‘Pooey Puitton’ purse said to irk US firms repatriate over half a trillion dollars in 2018, but pace slows REUTERS unless they repatriated the dled further in the last quar- cause the flows helped fund Louis Vuitton money. ter, it predicted. this year’s record $1 trillion REUTERS US companies have sent The change offered a Repatriation flows are in U.S. share buybacks. A Jef- home over half a trillion dol- powerful incentive to bring also evident from data re- feries analysis of a Federal A California toy company has lars of cash they held overseas home some of the $3 trillion leased by the U.S. Treasury Reserve paper looking at the sued Louis Vuitton to stop the in 2018 to take advantage of U.S. firms were believed to International Capital, or TIC. use of repatriated cash con- French luxury goods maker tax changes, but data suggest hold in jurisdictions ranging That shows Treasury bond cluded it had significantly en- from interfering with its sales the pace is slowing, potential- from Ireland to Switzerland, holdings falling in locations hanced buybacks, effectively of a slime-filled, poop-shaped ly removing a key source of either in cash or in securities that are well known as low- placing a floor under stock toy purse for children, Pooey support for Wall Street. such as U.S. Treasuries. tax jurisdictions or overseas markets. Puitton. Dollar repatriation in But investment bank JP- bases of U.S. companies or But U.S. equities have en- In a complaint filed on the July-September period Morgan said the flows were that host significant fund dured a dismal few months Friday in Los Angeles federal fell to $93 billion, around on “a rapidly decelerating management or custody as worries have grown for court, MGA Entertainment half of second-quarter vol- trajectory”. business. economic growth. The last Inc said no reasonable con- umes and less than a third The current account data Ireland, which hosts the quarter of 2018 has been the sumer would mistake Pooey of the $300 billion or so shows repatriation in all European hubs of U.S. tech- worst for the S&P500 index Puitton, which retails for sent home from January to sectors. Looking at just non- nology and pharmaceutical since the end of 2008 when $59.99, for costlier Louis March, U.S. current account financial companies, JP- companies such as Apple the Lehman Brothers crisis Vuitton handbags. data shows. Morgan calculates $60 bil- and Pfizer, saw Treasury erupted. MGA called Pooey Puitton The repatriation bonan- lion was repatriated in the holdings drop by $40 bil- Should flows dwindle protected parody “designed to za followed new regulations third quarter, versus $225 lion between end-2017 and further, “the extra boost that mock, criticize, and make fun that allowed the U.S. gov- billion in the first quarter end-October 2018, TIC data U.S. repatriation provided of that wealth and celebrity” ernment to tax profits ac- and $115 billion in the sec- released on Dec. 17 shows. to U.S. equity and bond associated with Louis Vuitton cumulated overseas, regard- ond quarter. The holdings fell by over a markets via share buybacks products and rejected what it less of where the money was Because companies had tenth in January-October to and corporate bond redemp- called Louis Vuitton’s claim held. Prior rules allowed probably already pre-booked $287.6 billion. tions would likely dissipate of trademark infringement to companies to “defer” U.S. a one-off tax hit for the year, Shrinking repatriation is next year,” JPMorgan told an MGA customer. Dollar repatriation in the July-September period fell to $93 billion. tax on worldwide profits repatriation will have dwin- likely to affect markets, be- clients. www.guide.com.qa  Tuesday January 1, 2019

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Air India Gold heads revival: Govt for its first on global annual hunt for top decline in professionals three years REUTERS REUTERS GOLD prices scaled a six- THE government is ac- month high on Monday but tively considering a global was poised for its first annual search to fill in top posi- decline since 2015 after previ- tions at the flag carrier Air ous declines on higher interest India, Civil Aviation Min- rates and dollar strength from ister Suresh Prabhu said the Sino-U.S. trade conflict. in an interview, according Spot gold rose 0.1 percent to a Press Trust of India to $1,282.62 an ounce at 0920 report carried by the Mint GMT, with a diup in the dollar daily. helping to lift the metal to its The government has highest since June 19. U.S. gold been working on a package futures were also up 0.1 percent for the beleaguered airline at $1,284. after plans to sell a major- U.S. President Donald ity stake in the state-owned Trump said on Sunday that a company failed earlier this possible trade deal between the year due to a lack of inter- United States and China was est from bidders. progressing well. The sale was key to U.S. Senator Lindsey Gra- Prime Minister Narendra ham said on Sunday that he was Modi’s plans to help keep Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US.(REUTERS/JEENAH MOON) optimistic that Republicans, the fiscal deficit at 3.3 per- Democrats and President Don- cent of GDP, a goal which ald Trump could reach a deal is already under pressure to end a government shutdown from giveaways to farmers and other welfare benefits Markets limp to the end of its ahead of the 2019 general elections. The airline, which has a debt of about 550 billion rupees ($7.87 billion) ac- worst year since financial crisis cording to the report, has been kept afloat for years using taxpayer funds. A lacklustre final session of a woeful 2018 confirmed the worst year for markets since the crisis

AFP that includes border wall fund- LONDON “The ECB also ended its Indian equity market makes gains finish at 6,728.13 points, mark- ing and legal status for some quantitative easing program ing a sharp annual loss of 12.5 undocumented immigrants. WORLD stock markets stag- and there has been discus- Despite heavy volatility, percent. “Looking at the equity gered Monday towards the end sion on ... normalising interest The Paris CAC 40 climbed markets, one can clearly see of their worst year since the rates.” coupled with foreign fund 1.1 percent to end at 4,730.69 that there is positive optimism global financial crisis a decade The Bank of England mean- outflows and a weak points -- which was drop of around this subject. However, ago, rocked by rising interest while hiked British interest rupee, the Indian equities nearly 11 percent for the year. gold traders aren’t willing to Air India has a debt of about rates, the global trade war and rates in August for the second market emerged as one Many investors were away pay too much attention to this,” $7.87 billion. Brexit, dealers said. time since the financial crisis of the best performers for Christmas and New Year said Naeem Aslam, chief mar- London and Paris wobbled to help tame inflation, despite globally in 2018, mainly holidays, while trading hubs ket analyst at Think Markets In the current financial in holiday-shortened trade on worries that Brexit could wreak on account of a rise in including Frankfurt, Rome, UK. year ending March 2019, New Year’s Eve -- but nursed havoc on the economy. the pace of economic Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul Gold prices jumped about the government will be dizzying double-digit annual expansion, lower inflation were shut. 5 percent in December, mostly spending nearly 107 billion falls after an exceptionally vola- ‘America First’ and a normal monsoon. because of wild swings in equi- rupees to keep the national tile 2018. Sentiment was also Return to recession? ties, but it has declined nearly carrier operational. Hong Kong rose Monday slammed by US President Don- The two key indices -- the S&P BSE Sensex and the Nifty50 -- “2018 has been charac- 1.6 percent for the year. Earlier this month, the after US President Donald ald Trump’s ‘America First’ closed higher by just 6 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. terised by a shift from low The dollar index was down government sought par- Trump hailed “big progress” on trade policy which has sparked The gains were capped as crude oil prices rose and fears volatility, high liquidity and 0.1 percent on Monday, having liament’s approval for an resolving Washington’s trade a damaging trade war with Chi- over a tariff war-induced global slowdown grew. Besides expectations of equity out- gained 4.6 percent this year as equity infusion of 23 bil- war with Beijing, but was down na and others. global factors, state elections, budgetary announcements on performance to high volatility, the U.S.-China trade conflict lion rupees and proposed almost 14 percent over the year. Wall Street did however equities and natural calamities roiled investor sentiments. low liquidity and the return of unfolded against a backdrop of pumping in 8 billion ru- Equities have been ham- mark the longest-ever “bull a bear market in equities,” said higher U.S. interest rates, dent- pees for a special purpose mered in 2018 by tighter mon- market” in August, a run that VTB Capital economist Neil ing gold demand. vehicle set up to privatise etary policy -- from both the US began amid extraordinary cri- MacKinnon. Gold has regained its safe- the ground handling trans- Federal Reserve and also the sis-era monetary policy -- but centre,” Oanda analyst Craig eat into profits and contributed “For 2019, a global eco- haven appeal because of tur- port business of Air India. European Central Bank, which for which Trump has claimed Erlam told AFP. to stock market plunges. nomic slowdown -- perhaps moil in financial markets, said The report did not say halted its quantitative easing credit after his tax cuts and “Tax reforms hugely boost- While investors remain recession -- looks increasingly Benjamin Lu Jiaxuan, com- which are the positions the stimulus policy this month. regulatory rollbacks. ed earnings, bringing an eco- concerned, relations have likely,” he warned. modities analyst at Singapore- government is looking to “Global stocks are set for Yet markets have since spi- nomic boost with it,” he said. thawed since Chinese Presi- Key Asian markets also based brokerage firm Phillip fill. The carrier currently their worst year since the finan- ralled lower on slowing global However, “the trade war dent Xi Jinping and Trump limped towards the end of the Futures, adding that political has nine members on its cial crisis, thanks to the tighten- growth, Italy’s fiscal woes, a with China and skirmishes agreed to a 90-day trade truce year in bear market territory -- and economic considerations board, with senior govern- ing monetary policies adopted US government shutdown and elsewhere have weighed heav- in early December while the meaning that they are 20 per- will support prices into the first ment officer Pradeep Singh by several central banks around Trump’s attacks on the Fed. ily on the relevant domestic two sides work to ease trade cent below their most recent quarter of 2019. Kharola as chairman and the globe -- especially the Fed- Investors also ran for cover markets which has dented in- tensions by March 1. peaks. Physical gold demand managing director. eral Reserve and the ECB,” said as the uncertain nature of Brit- vestor sentiment.” Chinese state news agency Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei lacked vigor in most Asian hubs Once a market leader ThinkMarkets analyst Naeem ain’s looming exit from the Eu- Washington and Beijing Xinhua quoted Xi as telling index had rounded out 2018 last week as limited safe haven in the country, Air India Aslam. ropean Union in March 2019 imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on Trump both leaders want “sta- on Friday with its first annual interest failed to lift activity into has been incurring losses “The Fed stopped printing casts a long shadow. more than $300 billion worth ble progress”. loss since 2011, and Shanghai the year end, while jewelers in over the years, weighed easy money a few years back “Stock markets have been of goods in total two-way trade In Europe on Monday, became the worst-performing India stepped up purchases, by competition, surging and increased interest rates on a wild ride this year and the earlier this year, locking them London’s benchmark FTSE major global stock market, hoping for a further leg to a fuel prices, and high cost four times this year. United States has been at the in a conflict that has begun to 100 index dipped 0.1 percent to dropping by nearly a quarter. rally in domestic rates. of debt servicing. Analysts have in the past sought for the government to com- pletely exit the carrier, saying any level of equity Chinese president pledges to continue reforms, open markets retention will deter inves- tors. AFP institutions”. Xi said on Monday that not change,” he said. cember 1 agreed to a 90-day The struggles of the BEIJING “The pace of our reform China had welcomed many “China’s sincerity and truce after Xi met with US airline come despite surg- will not stagnate, and the open “new and old friends” to the goodwill to maintain world President Donald Trump on ing travel demand in In- CHINA will continue market door will only grow bigger and country, hosting several inter- The pace of our reform will peace and promote common the sidelines of the G20 sum- dia. Air travel in Asia’s reforms and open its doors bigger,” he said in a speech national forums this year. not stagnate, and the open development will not change.” mit in Argentina. third-largest economy is to the world in the face of a broadcast by the state-run “My colleagues and I visit- door will only grow bigger China has been locked in 2019 will also see China growing at an annual pace challenging geopolitical land- CCTV. ed five continents... had exten- and bigger. a bruising trade war with the celebrating 70 years since its of more than 20%, spurred scape, President Xi Jinping China recently marked the sive exchanges with leaders of United States and is also facing founding as a nation. by rising incomes and the pledged Monday in a New anniversary of the momentous various countries, consolidated Chinese President Xi Jinping a slowing domestic economy. “Seventy years of challeng- advent of no-frills carriers. Year speech. policy shift agreed at a Com- friendship, enhanced trust, and Washington and Beijing es, 70 years of wind and rain,” India is already the largest Xi said that in 2018 -- 40 munist Party gathering on expanded our circle of friends,” century. have imposed tit-for-tat tar- Xi said. aviation market after the years since the transformation December 18, 1978 under late he said. “No matter how the inter- iffs on more than $300 billion “Along the way, the Chinese U.S. and China with do- led by Deng Xiaoping -- the paramount leader Deng, who Touching on geopolitics, national situation changes, worth of goods, and the trade people have become self-reli- mestic traffic of more than country had enacted “system- is considered the architect of Xi said the world is in an un- China’s confidence and deter- conflict has spooked markets ant and hard-working, creating 100 million passengers. atic, holistic and reconstructive the country’s opening up to the precedented situation under mination to safeguard national worldwide. a Chinese miracle that has at- reforms of the party and state world. the toughest conditions in a sovereignty and security will But both countries on De- tracted worldwide attention.” China’s manufacturing activity contracts for first time since 2016

REUTERS reading above 50 indicates a note on Monday. was progressing well. BEIJING expansion, while a reading Trade war Economic data from the Yet beyond the tariffs below that signals contrac- impact? world’s second-largest econ- battle, China’s economy has ACTIVITY in China’s manu- tion. omy is being closely watched been facing its own domestic facturing sector contracted for In particular, new export for signs of damage inflicted headwinds. Even before the the first time in more than two orders contracted for a sev- O The Chinese National by the ongoing trade war be- escalation in trade tensions years in the month of Decem- enth straight month, with that Bureau of Statistics said tween Washington and Bei- with the U.S. this year, Beijing ber amid a domestic economic measure falling to 46.6 from the country’s official jing. was already trying to manage slowdown and Beijing’s ongo- 47.0 in the previous month. manufacturing Purchasing At the beginning of De- a slowdown in its economy ing trade dispute with the U.S. Meanwhile, China’s offi- Managers’ Index (PMI) was cember, U.S. President Don- after three decades of break- The Chinese National Bu- cial non-manufacturing PMI ald Trump and Chinese Presi- neck growth. reau of Statistics said on Mon- came in at 53.8, which was 49.4 for December — low- dent Xi Jinping agreed to a China’s worse-than-ex- day official manufacturing higher than the reading of er than the 49.9 analysts 90-day ceasefire that delayed pected PMI reading on the Purchasing Managers’ Index 53.4 in November. expected in a Reuters poll the planned Jan. 1 U.S. in- last day of 2018 suggests a (PMI) was 49.4 — lower than The services sector ac- crease of tariffs on $200 bil- challenging start to 2019, said the 49.9 analysts expected in counts for more than half of OEconomic data from lion worth of Chinese goods Frederic Neumann, co-head a Reuters poll. The December the Chinese economy and the China is being closely while they negotiate a trade of Asian Economics Research reading was the weakest since “bright spot” of the improved watched for signs of deal. at HSBC. February 2016, according to on-month expansion in De- On Saturday, Trump said “China is a good gauge in Reuters’ record. cember points to a rebalanc- damage inflicted by the on Twitter that he had a “long terms of temperature about That was worse than No- ing of the Chinese economy ongoing trade war between and very good call” with Xi what’s going on in the global vember’s official manufactur- toward more consumption, Washington and Beijing and that a possible trade deal industrial cycle,” Neumann Employees work on a production line manufacturing light trucks at a ing PMI, which was 50.0. A Nomura economists wrote in between the two countries told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” JAC Motors plant in Weifang, Shandong province, China. (REUTERS) Mayweather dominates Japanese kickboxing star in exhibition fight PAGE 19 TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2019

India’s Mandhana crowned ICC’s women’s cricketer of the year PAGE 18 TENNIS QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN

2019 Qatar ExxonMobil Open Verdasco makes a breezy start, Rublev gets rolling Berdych wins RESULTS & ORDER OF PLAY SINGLES (1ST ROUND) Karen Khachanov (RUS) & Stan wawrinka (SUI) 7-5, on return; Big 8-Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Paulo Lorenzi (ITA) 6-3, 6-3. 6-4 stars to hit the 7-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt Matteo Berrettini (ITA) TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY 6-1, 6-4 First round (prefix denotes seeding) 5-Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Albert Ramos-Vinolas Centre Court 3:30 Pm: courts in singles (ESP) 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 (6) David Goffin vs (Q) Ricardas Berankis Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) Followed By: (3) Karen Khachanov vs Stan Wawrinka today 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) (1) Novak Djokovic vs Damir Dzumhur Nicolas Jarry (CHI) bt Robin Haase (NED) 6-7 (7-9), Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs (2) Dominic Thiem 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) Court 1 3:30PM VINAY NAYUDU Andrey Rublev (RUS) bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) 7-5, 6-1 Guido Pella vs (WC) Cem Ilkel DOHA Maximilian Marterer (GER) bt Peter Gojowczyk (GER) Followed By: (WC) Mubarak Shannan Zayid vs (Q) 6-1, 6-4 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez Marton Fucsovics vs Marius Copil EIGHTH-SEEDED Fer- DOUBLES Court 2 3:30PM nando Verdasco made a Damir Dzumhur (BIH) & Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt 1-Mate Sergiy Stakhovsky vs (4) Marco Cecchinato whirlwind start to his $1.4m Pavic (CRO) & Oliver Marach (AUT) 6-4, 1-6, 10-7 Followed By: Dusan Lajovic vs Adrian Mannarino Guido Pella (ARG) & Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Marco Cecchinato and Andreas Seppi vs Santiago Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2-Jamie Murray (GBR) & Bruno Soares (BRA) 6-3, 6-4 Gonzalez and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 2019 campaign register- 3-Alexander Peya (AUT) & Nikola Mektic (CRO) bt Court 3: 3:30 PM ing a straight sets win over Marius Copil & Horia Tecau (ROU) 6-4, 7-6 (4) 1st Rd: Robin Haase and Matwe Middelkoop vs (4) Italian Paulo Lorenzi at the Marco Djokovic & Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Mubarak Dominic Inglot and Franko Skugor Shannan Zayid (QAT) & Cem Ilkel (TUR) 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 Followed By: Maximo Gonzalez and Nicolas Jarry vs Khalifa International Tennis David Goffin (BEL) & Pierre-Hughes Herbert (FRA) bt Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Fernando Verdasco. & Squash Complex on Mon- day. The Spaniard, who is a his country having picked with two tie-breakers. The Doha resident, displayed two ATP Tour titles in 2018 23-year-old Jarry eventually good form as he unleashed besides a career-high rank- prevailed 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 7-6 nine aces, winning six ing. (7-4). games in a row to subdue The Georgian, however, The action will get more his unseeded opponent. The had a challenging start hav- thrilling on Tuesday when 35-year-old will next meet Fernando Verdasco of Spain returns the ball to Paolo Lorenzi of Italy during the ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha on Monday. ing dropped a set before the big guns get into the German Maximilian Mar- overcoming Spaniard Albert action. World No. 1 No- terer, who prevailed over his Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, 1-6, 6-1. vak Djokovic, second seed fancied opponent and com- Chilean Nicolas Jarry Among the other seeds Dominic Thiem, sixth seed patriot Peter Gojowczyk fought past Dutch man to move up was 7th placed david Goffin and three-time 6-1, 6-4. Robin Haase after being Roberto Bautista Agut of Grand Slam champion Stan- Also making a good taken the distance with Spain, who dismissed Ital- islas Wawrinka will be play- start to the tournament was ian Matteo Berrettini in ing their first rounds, but 21-year-old Russian and fi- two tie-breakers. The straight sets. expect some tough challenge nalist at last year’s Qatar 23-year-old Jarry eventu- Wild card entrant Tomas being thrown at them. ExxonMobil Open Andrey ally prevailed 6-7 (7-9), Berdych of Czech Republic Swiss, Wawrinka will Rublev. The 6’1” tall Rublev, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). served notice of his pres- surely face a big test against who was the last to qualify ence with a straight sets but Karen Khachanov. The for the tournament follow- a grinding win over German 22-year-old and world num- ing a withdrawal, showed and will now meet fifth- Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, ber 11 Russian is seen as both intent and intensity in seed Nikoloz Basilashvili of 7-6 (7-5). the ‘next big thing’ having overcoming Italian Andreas Georgia. In one of the absorbing ended Djokovic’s 22-match Sippi 7-5, 6-1. As tall as Rublev but contests of the day, Chilean streak in November and de- World-ranked 68, Rublev ranked much higher at No. Nicolas Jarry fought past feated three top 10 players had lost to Frenchman Gael 21, the 26-year-old Basilas- Dutch man Robin Haase af- on way to capturing the ATP Monfils in the final last year hvili is seen as the pride of Fans turn out to watch top players at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Monday. ter being taken the distance Masters 1000 Paris title. Novak Djokovic & bro end Qatar lose to Iran in friendly 2018 with doubles win VINAY NAYUDU it was a great learning curve for DOHA me. I really appreciate the pro- cess and I am very grateful that YEAR-ENDS and new years I have been through that.” can be delightful and strange at The 14-time Grand Slam times, given the situation one is champion will swing into the in. For World No.1 Novak Djok- singles action on Tuesday when ovic it was an end of a mixed yet he plays Bosnian Damir Dzum- memorable 2018 on the tennis hur in the opening round. court on Monday as he won the opening round of Qatar Exxon- Wawrinka ready for Mobil Open teaming with his singles after doubles loss younger brother Marko. While, Novak Djokovic got The Serbian duo prevailed lucky in the doubles, it wasn’t over Qatar’s Mubarak Shannan the case for three-time Grand Zayid and Cem Ilkel of Turkey Slam singles champion Stan- 6-3, 3-6, 10-6. islas Wawrinka of Switzerland. “I’m glad to end up 2018 Wawrinka and his Russian with a win with my brother. partner Karen Khachanov were That was a very special mo- beaten by David Goffin (BEL) ment. We’ve played four or five and Pierre-Hughes Herbert tournaments together in dou- (FRA) 7-5, 6-3. bles and we had never won a Interestingly, the Swiss- match! So today was a day we man, who’s back in Qatar after will remember together,” said a decade, will be playing the a smiling Novak addressing world number 11 Khachanov in the media at the Khalifa In- the singles. ternational Tennis & Squash “For sure it’s an interesting Complex. draw. We played against each Having endured a tough other last year. He’s a great start to 2018, Novak came back player. He played really well stronger winning two Grand Novak and Marko Djokovic during their doubles match against Qatar’s at the end of the year. He is in Slams before returning to Qatar Mubarak Shannan Zayid and Cem Ilkel of Turkey in the Qatar Exxon- top form. He played already a as world number one. Mobil Open on Monday. few matches in Abu Dhabi so Looking ahead, he said, it will be interesting. He is a “Just starting the new year with can really go with my career.” in February and it obviously good friend. We play doubles a good intention, good energy, Reflecting on the year gone required more time for me to together. Tomorrow we play trying to be present, be happy by, he further said, “There was get back on a desired level and against each other. It will be a with everything that I have that always a part of me that kind of I thought I was ready. tough match to start the year. is happening to me. believed that I can make that “But I wasn’t. I was ready in For me, most important is to be “You know, I’m obviously breakthrough and say if you terms of pain. I didn’t have pain fit, to be ready. I’m happy with very blessed to play the tennis. want to call it a comeback very so I could play. But in terms of a what I’m doing on the practice Qatar lost to Iran 1-2 in their last friendly match ahead of the AFC Asian Cup. The Maroons have had a I love this sport. And I keep on quickly and I think because of level of tennis, it took me sever- court, so I know that the year is series of friendlies as they prepare to take on Asia’s best in the UAE. Mehdi Taremi and Sadar Azmon striving in a way to accomplish that mindset I probably was a al months to get on that level on long and I look forward for it,” scored for the Iranians while Hassan al Haydos grabbed the hosts’ only goal. great things and see how far I bit impatient after my surgery which I am on right now. Yeah, said Wawrinka. 18 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Sports ExxonMobil Qatar, QTF celebrate Qatar ExxonMobil Open launch

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Nasser al Khelaifi, Presi- they are here for the business DOHA dent of the Qatar Tennis Fed- of tennis but at the same time, eration, and Alistair Routledge, we believe that all work and no EXXONMOBIL Qatar and President and General Man- play, as they say, makes Jack a the Qatar Tennis Federation ager for ExxonMobil Qatar, dull boy, hence the essence of (QTF) hosted a gala dinner welcomed the evening’s guests. an evening of relaxation, fun to celebrate the launch of the “It is an honour to welcome and enjoyment. I wish every- Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2019, guests to the tournament’s one a wonderful night as they which started on Monday and gala dinner that celebrates the enjoy the great hospitality of will conclude on January 5, launch of the Qatar ExxonMo- Qatar,” said Khelaifi. 2019. The event was attended bil Open 2019,” said Routledge. ExxonMobil Qatar is com- by Qatari officials, key busi- “This event marks the start mitted to supporting Qatar’s ness and community leaders of another exciting tourna- journey towards achieving sus- and several tennis stars com- ment and one more great year tainable development by help- peting in this year’s tourna- of partnership with the Qatar ing fulfil the goals of the Na- ment, including Novak Djok- Tennis Federation. The success tional Vision 2030. Through a ovic, Dominic Thiem, Stan of our tournament is made pos- variety of partnerships with lo- Wawrinka and David Goffin. sible through the hard work of cal organisations, ExxonMobil Each year, the gala features our combined teams of diverse Qatar invests in programs that a variety of unique activities and driven individuals who are focus on educational and pro- and performances by world- united by a common passion fessional development to build renowned entertainers. This for sport, and an enthusiasm the capacity of Qatar’s future year’s programme included a for Qatar and everything it leaders and workforce. thrilling dance performance stands for in terms of excel- QTF President Nasser al Khelaifi, ExxonMobil Qatar President & General Manager Alistair Routledge and other officials with players Novak Tickets for the six-day by the Gauchos, a funny act by lence, ambition and accom- Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and David Goffin at the gala dinner to launch the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2019 in Doha. event are available to the public Marc Métral and his talking dog plishment. online at www.qatartennis.org, Wendy, and a spectacular mag- “It is always a pleasure to world to experience Qatar’s and events – I hope everyone us,” Routledge added. welcome our tennis stars to as well as at various locations ic show by Imad the Magician. host guests from all over the hospitality, world-class venues has a fantastic few days with “It gives me great joy to Doha once again. I know that across Doha. Mandhana gets ICC City Exchange bag women’s cricketer QCA T20 Div A title CBQ down Tusker Club BRIEF SCORES DIVISION A FINAL in Premier Div thriller; CITY EXCHANGE BEAT SELEX BY FIVE WICKETS Selex: 96 all out in 16 overs (Shahid 14 in 12 balls; Nazim 3/10, Bukhari 2/18, Feroz Youngsters Nishad 2/20) of the year award City Exchange: 98 for five in 15.3 overs (Jackson 31 in 40 balls; Salim 2/27) triumph Man of the match: Nazim (City Exchange) PREMIER DIVISION TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK CBQ BEAT TUSKER CLUB BY 10 RUNS Bates, Harmanpreet named captains of ICC ODI & T20 teams CBQ: 185 for six in 20 overs (Dharmang Patel 48 in 27 balls, Qamar 24 in 24 balls; DOHA Mudasir 2/23 Bipin 2/24) AFP Tusker Club: 175 for seven in 20 overs (Shaqir 33 in 26 balls, Akash 39 not out in NEW DELHI 26 balls, Sanu 29 in 21 balls; Gayan 3/29, Zaheer 2/31) CITY Exchange claimed the QCA Twenty20 Man of the match: Qamar (CBQ) Cricket Tournament as they recorded a domi- INDIA’S Smriti Mandhana nant five-wicket triumph against Selex in the FEROZ YOUNGSTERS BEAT WARRIORS CLUB BY 49 RUNS was crowned women’s crick- Division A final. Feroz Youngsters: 168 for six in 20 overs (Inam-Ul-Haq 40 in 35 balls, Noman 36 not out in 19 balls, Tanveer 27 in 20 balls; Taimoor 2/20, Imraz 2/28) eter of the year on Monday The Qatar Cricket Association, under the Warriors Club: 119 all out in 19.1 overs (Taimoor 26 in 16 balls, Adnan 26 in 24 by the sport’s world govern- presidency of Yousef Jeham al Kuwari, is host- balls, Asad 22 in 23 balls; Nadeem 4/12, Tanveer 3/28) ing body, capping off a pro- ing the event to provide competitive atmos- Man of the match: Tanveer (Feroz Youngsters) lific run-scoring season for the phere to prepare the national team for future opener. challenges. The left-handed batswom- Man of the final Nazim’s three wicket in two an was also named ODI cricket- overs for just 10 runs sent Selex, asked to bat Man of the final Nazim’s three wicket in er of the year for accumulating first, crashing to 96 all out in 16 overs. Bukhari two overs for just 10 runs sent Selex, 669 runs off 12 one-day inter- (two for 18) and Nishad (two for 20) also main- asked to bat first, crashing to 96 all out nationals. She scored 622 runs tained pressure on the rivals throughout the in- in 16 overs. Bukhari (two for 18) and in 25 T20 matches this year. nings. Nishad (two for 20) also maintained Mandhana, 22, is only Jackson hit a six and a boundary to in his pressure on the rivals throughout the the second Indian woman to 31 off 40 balls to anchor City Exchange to the innings win an International Crick- victory. Salim picked two wickets for 27 but the et Council award after fast winners raced home in 15.3 overs. bowler Jhulan Goswami was A superb team effort set up a thrilling 10- Shaqir added 33 in 26 balls and Sanu contrib- named the women’s player of run victory for Commercial Bank Qatar against uted 29 with fou r boundaries in 21 balls. the year in 2007. Tusker Club in a Premier Division match. However, their efforts were spoilt by Gayan “The awards are pretty In another match of the same division, (three for 29) and Zaheer, who grabbed five special because as a player Feroz Youngsters scripted an easy 49-run tri- wickets between them. Man of the match Qamar when you score runs, you In this file picture, Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana plays a shot during the third cricket match of the umph against Warriors Club, riding Tanveer’s also picked a wicket and his all-round perfor- want the team to win, and women’s Twenty20 (T20) Tri-Series against England in Mumbai. She was crowned women’s cricketer of the fine all-round display. mance contained 24 runs and two catches. then when you get acknowl- year by the ICC on Monday. (AFP) Batting first, CBQ put up a healthy 185 for Feroz Youngsters, after making a big 168 edged for your performances six, little realising the rivals would up offer a for six, skittled Warriors Club out for just 119 through these awards, it moti- beat arch-rivals England in the ers Rankings for ODI Batters. ing two each from England stiff chase. Dharmang Patel was the mainstay of in 19.1 overs as Nadeem struck four blows and vates you to work harder and final. England’s teenage spinner Harmanpreet has been (Tammy Beaumont and So- the batting, along with Qamar. Patel smashed Tanveer snapped three wickets. do well for your team,” Mand- Sophie Ecclestone was named rewarded for spearheading phie Ecclestone), India (Sm- 48 off 27 balls with two sixes and two fours. Tanveer, who earlier made 27, was ad- hana was quoted as saying in emerging player of the year. her side to the semi-finals of riti Mandhana and Poonam Qamar’s run-a-ball 24 had two boundaries. judged the man of the match. Inam-Ul-Haq and the ICC release. the ICC Women’s World T20 Yadav), New Zealand (Suzie Mudasir and Bipin shared four wickets. Noman played well to place their team in strong “The century I scored in Bates, Harmanpreet 2018 in the Caribbean in No- Bates and Sophie Devine) and Tusker Club’s spirited chase was led by position. Haq cracked a six and three fours in South Africa (in Kimberley) named skippers vember. South Africa (Dane van Akash, who cracked an unbeaten 39. His 26- 40 off 36 balls and Noman hammered three was quite satisfying and then I The ICC also announced In that tournament, Har- Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp), ball knock included two sixes and three fours. sixes and a boundary in 19-ball 36. had good home series against the women’s ODI and Twen- manpreet scored 183 runs at and one player each from Aus- Australia and England. A lot of ty20 International teams of the a strike-rate of 160.5, while in tralia (Alyssa Healy), Pakistan people used to say I do not score year with New Zealands Suzie the 25 matches in the calendar (Sana Mir) and Deandra Dot- that much in India, so I had a Bates named as captain of the year, she accumulated 663 runs tin (the Windies). point to prove to myself.” 50-over side and Harmanpreet at a strike-rate of 126.2. She is The T20I side boasts play- ICC Chief Executive Da- Kaur of India appointed cap- ranked third in the MRF Tyres ers from five countries, includ- vid Richardson congratulated tain of the shortest format. ICC Women’s Player Rankings ing four players from the ICC Mandhana, saying she was Bates’ appointment as the for T20I Batters. Women’s World T20 2018 “a worthy winner” of the Ra- ODI captain is a recognition of The Indian batswoman was champions Australia (Alyssa chael Heyhoe Flint Award, her contribution in inspiring delighted to be appointed T20 Healy, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh named after the legendary her side to second position in captain, and said: “To be hon- Gardner and Megan Schutt), English player. the ICC Women’s Champion- est, it was really surprising for three players from losing final- Australia’s wicketkeeper- ship after three rounds, accord- me. The last two years we did ists India (Smriti Mandhana, batter Alyssa Healy was voted ing to an ICC’s statement. not get enough T20I matches Harmanpreet Kaur and Poon- T20 player of the year after In the seven ODIs this cal- to play and it was really tough am Yadav), two players from playing an important part in endar year, Bates has scored for me to build that confidence New Zealand (Suzie Bates and her team’s World T20 triumph 438 runs with two centuries in the team.” Leigh Kasperek) and one play- in the West Indies. and a half-century. Bates is The 11-member women’s er each from Bangladesh (Ru- She finished with 225 runs presently ranked seventh in the ODI side comprises players mana Ahmed) and England QCA T20 Tournament Division A winners City Exchange and runners-up Selex with QCA officials after the from six matches as Australia MRF Tyres ICC Women’s Play- from seven countries, includ- (Natalie Sciver). prize distribution in Doha.

POLICE ON TOP IN QVA LEAGUE AFTER FIRST PHASE Aussie cricket QSAA CHIEF HONOURED selection at its lowest: Ganguly IANS NEW DELHI

FORMER India skipper Sourav Ganguly rated the current Australian selection process as the “lowest ever,” while responding to ex-cap- tain Steve Waugh’s predicted playing XI for the fourth and Police, the last year’s runners-up, wrapped up final Test, starting on Thurs- the first phase of the QVA League, finishing on day at the Sydney Cricket the top with a straight-set 25-16, 25-22, 25-16 Ground. victory over Al Wakrah in Doha on Monday. This “Australian cricket selec- was the ninth win in a row for Police. In another tion at its lowest ever .. greats match, Qatar Sports Club beat Al Gharafa Club have to put teams in their Ins- 20-25, 29-27, 25-17, 25-21 for their fourth tagram posts to give direction victory. Police, who lead the standings with 26 ....,” Ganguly tweeted with a points, are followed by Al Rayyan (24), Al Arabi picture of Waugh’s selected XI Qatar Shooting and Archery Association President Ali Mohammed al (22) and Al Wakrah (16). Al Ahli are fifth with for the Sydney Test. Kuwari was presented a souvenir by Al Daayen Youth Centre’s Fawad four wins and five losses. QSC and Al Gharafa Earlier, Waugh had picked al Mudahka for promoting shooting and archery during the summer are placed sixth and seventh. In the eighth spot his side for the fourth Test ex- activities. The QSAA had organised shooting and archery training are Al Shamal (6), while Al Khor (5) are ninth cluding the off-colour opener camp earlier this year and a large number of young shooters and and Al Sadd have lost all the nine matches. Aaron Finch. archers took part. Sports Tuesday, January 1, 2019 19

No ambition to ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE become FIFA boss: Grindel DPA BERLIN

GERMAN football supremo Reinhard Grindel has no am- bitions to run for the presi- dency of the ruling body FIFA against Gianni Infantino. “That is out of the ques- tion, because I have my duties in the DFB [German football federation],” Grindel told the latest edition of the Sport Bild weekly, made available ahead of Wednesday’s publication. “I also don’t speak many languages which you probably should as FIFA president. And I don’t have enough interna- tional experience.” Infantino so far appears to have no can- didate running against him when he seeks re-election on June 5 at the FIFA Congress in Paris. Grindel, a member of the FIFA council and that of Eu- rope’s body UEFA, left it open whether the DFB would give Infantino their vote. UEFA is at odds with In- fantino, mainly over his plans around a 25-billion-dollar of- fer from yet to be named in- vestors around an expanded Club World Cup and a global Nations League, and report- edly also around the sale of major FIFA rights. “We must make it clear that there is a unified posi- tion among the UEFA mem- bers around the issues that are currently discussed,” Grindel said.

Koulibaly gets Maradona lift after racist row Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Maguire in action with Cardiff City’s Harry Arter during their Premier League match at King Power Stadium in Leicester City on Saturday. (REUTERS) AFP BUENOS AIRES

DIEGO Maradona has given his backing to Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly after the Top-of-the-table showdown Senegalese international was subjected to racist abuse by In- ter Milan supporters last week. Argentina great Marado- na, who won the Serie A title rings in new year fixtures with Napoli in 1987 and 1990, posted a picture of himself on social media holding up Kouli- baly’s No.26 shirt with a mes- A win against City on Thursday would make the Reds huge favourites for their first league title in 29 years sage of support for the player, who was targeted with monkey DPA/AFP fight and give it to them, and best football game we can play the season with two different ers.” “When you win and score £8,000 after he admitted an FA chants by Inter fans during LONDON we should be able to pull every- - 100 per cent.” City boss Pep knee injuries but sat out the lots of goals you want to play as improper conduct charge and Napoli’s 1-0 defeat at the San thing out of the locker for that Guardiola could be without one Southampton game with an soon as possible and I hope we accepted the standard penalty,” Siro on Wednesday. A titanic top-of-the-table clash game.” Both sides warmed up of his stars in midfielder Kevin undisclosed problem. perform on Wednesday against English football’s governing “I played for Napoli for helps ring in the new year for with victories at the weekend, De Bruyne. “Not a big issue - something Newcastle as we have today.” body announced said in a state- seven years and I also suffered the Premier League. with Liverpool thrashing Ar- The Belgian recently re- muscular - but it’s normal after Everton host Leicester, Fulham ment. from racist chants from some Champions Manchester senal 5-1 to open a nine-point turned after missing most of three or four months injured,” are at Arsenal and Tottenham The FA had announced on fans,” said Maradona, who is City welcome the side looking lead. Guardiola said. visit Cardiff on New Year’s Day Thursday that the Spaniard had coach of Mexican second divi- to take their crown when league City then cut into that with Fixtures “I cannot answer if he will to open the mid-week action. been charged over the incident sion outfit Dorados and adored leaders Liverpool visit the Eti- a 3-1 win at Southampton that be available for Thursday. We Then on Wednesday, Wat- -- which took place at full-time by Napoli fans. had Stadium on Thursday. ended a two-match losing run. Everton 15 : 30 Leicester City will see.” Manchester United ford visit Bournemouth, Chel- of the Gunners’ 1-1 draw on the The 58-year-old, currently The unbeaten Reds are Though his team looks to Arsenal 18 : 00 Fulham meanwhile look to continue sea face Southampton, Bright- south coast -- although Emery on holiday in Buenos Aires seven points clear of City, who have a comfortable advantage, Cardiff City 20: 30 Tottenham their rejuvenation with a trip to on are at West Ham, Wolves himself had initially hoped his as the Mexican league is on a sat top for most of the season Liverpool manager Juergen Newcastle. host Crystal Palace and Burnley apologising to the home sup- break, said he feels “even more before a recent slide knocked Klopp isn’t paying attention to Wed 02/01/19 The Red Devils have won visit Huddersfield. porter would have been enough Neapolitan today and that he them off their perch. the numbers. three straight games under to see him escape punishment. wants “to be close to” Koulibaly. A win would make the Reds “When we went to City last Bournemouth 22 : 45 Watford caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Emery fined £8,000 “I hope so, yes,” the former “I hope this incident signals a huge favourites for their first year, do you think I had the ta- Chelsea 22 : 45 outhampton Solskjaer and their attack has for kicking water bottle to- Paris Saint-Germain boss had turning point to eliminate, once league title in 29 years and ble in the dressing room and Huddersfield22 : 45 Burnley awaken with 12 goals during wards fans said when asked whether his and for all, racism from foot- City are ready to pull out all the said, ‘We are fourth, they are West Ham 22 : 45 Brighton the run after scoring 29 in their Arsenal manager Unai Em- apology should be the end of ball.” stops. “We want to win,” City first?’” he asked after the Arse- Wolves 22 : 45 Palace first 17 games. “We are in a ery was fined £8,000 ($10,000) the matter. Maradona’s gesture of soli- captain Vincent Kompany told nal game. good moment and everyone is on Monday for kicking a water “But I have to respect the darity comes after thousands Sky Sports. “It is one of those “It’s just not important, we Newcastle23 : 00 Man United playing very well,” midfielder bottle into the crowd during decision because it is a circum- of Napoli fans wore Koulibaly key games you live for. wanted to win the game. Ander Herrera told the BBC. his side’s Boxing Day draw at stance of my action but not an- masks in support of the 27-year- “Every living soul that “We go to City not with Thu 03/01/19 “Our attacking players are Brighton after admitting to a other intention from me with old during their side’s 3-2 win comes into the stadium on whatever-point distance, we Man City 23 : 00 Liverpool enjoying it and they are making football Association charge. the supporter. I say to them my over Bologna on Saturday. Thursday has to be ready to only go there to try to play the it easier for the rest of the play- “Unai Emery has been fined apology.”

Nasri joins West Ham on return Mayweather floors Japan’s Nasukawa in just two minutes from doping ban AFP of jabs and hooks to the head he aimed a kick at Mayweather. undefeated. I’m still undefeat- TOKYO of the 20-year-old Japanese There were no judges, with ed. This is just entertainment fighter, sending him to the can- for the people,” he added. AFP FLOYD “Money” Mayweather vas after just one minute with a - $9m for 9 minutes -The LONDON beat Japanese kickboxing phe- left hook. Windfall purse for the event was not nomenon Tenshin Nasukawa Sensing his opponent disclosed but “Money” hinted FORMER French international by a technical knockout Mon- was struggling, Mayweather O Mayweather has hinted on Instagram that he would be midfielder Samir Nasri returned day after just two minutes of stepped in for the kill, unleash- on social media he was making $1 million per minute. to football on Monday following a New Year’s Eve “exhibition” ing a flurry of punches that left pocketing $9 million for the “What if I told you I was a doping ban by joining English bout that brought the US box- Nasukawa reeling again within fight, meaning he earned making $9,000,000 for nine Premier League side West Ham. ing superstar out of retirement just two minutes of the bout around $4.5 million per minutes of sparring in Tokyo, Nasri will reunite with West for a big pay day. and facing his second standing minute for the spectacle. Japan,” he wrote on his official Ham manager Manuel Pel- In a mismatched contest, count after a huge right hook page. “Would you do the same legrini, with whom he won one Mayweather floored Nasu- to the head. With the Japanese O “I’m still retired. I don’t if you were me? I like to call it of his two Premier League titles kawa, a kickboxer less than half fighter clearly battling to stay look forward to coming a nine-minute walk thru,” the at Manchester City, after join- his age, three times in the first on his feet, the trainer rushed back to boxing but I did this post added. ing the Hammers on an initial round of the three-round con- in and stopped the fight with just to entertain the fans in Mayweather, a legend in contract until the end of the test before the Japanese fight- less than one minute of the first the boxing world, has a perfect 2018/19 season with an option er’s trainer rushed in to stop round remaining. Japan.” 50-0 record with 27 knockouts. to extend his stay. “Coming back the fight. “It was all about enter- He won world titles in five dif- to the most competitive league “Money” Mayweather tainment. We had fun,” May- ferent weight divisions and was in the world, with a team full of has hinted on social media he weather said in the ring after considered the best pound-for- ambition with a manager that I was pocketing $9 million for the event. only a knockout or technical pound boxer in the sport. know... I’m really excited about the fight, meaning he earned “I’m still retired. I don’t knockout considered a victory Virtually unknown outside it,” said Nasri. around $4.5 million per minute look forward to coming back in the bout, promoted as a pure the kickboxing ring in his own Nasri, 31, is free to play for the spectacle. to boxing but I did this just to exhibition match. country, Nasukawa from Chi- again from January 1 after be- The American boxer at first entertain the fans in Japan,” Crucially, the match did ba near Tokyo also boasts an ing suspended in February appeared not to be taking the added the 41-year-old. not feature on the record of ei- unbeaten record. He won the while playing for Turkish side fight seriously, grinning at his The rules were very strictly ther man, allowing them both world junior karate champi- Antalyaspor for taking a multi- opponent and aiming only soft defined: three, three minute to retain a cherished unbeaten onship, made his professional vitamin booster in contraven- punches at him. bouts and boxing only -- kick- record. “This won’t go on my kickboxing debut at the age of Floyd Mayweather knocks down Tenshin Nasukawa in the first round tion of World Anti-Doping But he then demonstrated boxer Nasukawa was report- record. This won’t go on Ten- 16 and has a 28-0 record with of their exhibition bout at Saitama Super Arena, in Tokyo, on Sunday. Agency (WADA) rules. his power, launching a series edly facing a $5 million fine if shin’s record. Tenshin is still 21 wins by knockout. (REUTERS) 20 Tuesday, January 1, 2019 The Last Word ‘Qatar makes big strides in health, accessibility technology’

realised that the expertise she used to describe software, portance of design in lifestyle Dr Dena has spent almost a decade conducting extensive had meticulously acquired equipment or a system that and healthcare,” she said. research on the interaction between humans and technology during her time abroad could allows people with disabilities Thani pointed out that be put to better use and would improved access to electronic this was a result of years of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to information and technol- of London, the UK, for a post- help her country further if or digital technology. collaboration between re- DOHA ogy, it is Thani. graduate programme in com- passed on to others, especially Her commitment led to search entities at HBKU such She has spent almost a puter science. students. her being made the director as Qatar Computing Research QATAR’S plans for the future decade conducting extensive A year later, when she With that goal in mind, of a new postgraduate pro- Institute and Qatar Biomedi- have always centred around research on the interaction completed her Master of Sci- Thani joined HBKU as a fac- gramme at HBKU –Master cal Research Institute, QF the understanding that tech- between humans and tech- ence course, she was awarded ulty member in 2016. of Data Analytics in Health members including Qatar Ge- nology is created for people nology – also referred to as a distinction and, subsequent- “I never thought that one Management. nome Programme and Qatar and not the other way round, ‘human-computer interac- ly, a scholarship to join the day I would teach students “The course will teach Biobank, and key government said Dr Dena Ahmed S al tion’ or ‘HCI’ - in relation to university’s PhD programme, in my own country, and in a students to design technolo- stakeholders, including the Thani, assistant professor at health and accessibility. as well as a chance to conduct field that I am so passionate gy to give nurses, physicians Ministry of Public Health and the College of Science and Her research papers have research into something close about,” she said. “As a Qatari, and researchers the feedback the Ministry of Transport and Engineering at Hamad Bin also been published by Ox- to her heart – HCI, with a fo- Dr Dena Ahmed S al Thani. to be able to work at a Qatar they need to provide better Communications. Khalifa University (HBKU), ford University Press. cus on methods to enhance Foundation university is a medical care,” said Thani, According to her, Qatar a member of Qatar Founda- The first time she heard accessibility of information In the first few months af- dream come true.” who was one of the experts has made considerable head- tion (QF). of HCI was during her un- for the visually impaired. ter she returned to Qatar, she Aside from still being in- who talked about design in way in improving access to “For the same reason, dergraduate studies at Qatar “There was clearly a need helped Mada Assistive Tech- volved in Mada’s projects, she healthcare at the World In- technology. every stage of development in University – when, in her for expertise in the field of nology Centre – a non-profit recently chaired the scientific novation Summit for Health “Given the fact that in- this country includes meas- own words, she “fell in love improving accessibility to organisation committed to committee in the Gulf Region (WISH), an initiative of QF, depth studies on human- ures to improve access to in- with it.” digital and electronic in- connecting persons with dis- Education Assistive Technol- recently. computer interaction focus- formation for its population, The possibility of actually formation for those with abilities to the world of in- ogy conference organised in “Last November, WISH ing on assistive technology including those with disabili- being able to improve interac- disabilities in my country,” formation and communica- Doha by Mada. chose Design in Health as one and health have been around ties,” Dr Dena noted. tion between people, especial- Thani said. “So, while study- tion technology – implement Thani currently teaches of its research topics. That for barely 40 years,” she said, If anyone can comment on ly those with disabilities and ing in the UK, I was eager to various projects and organise interactive design at HBKU and the new course at HBKU “the work that Qatar is doing Qatar’s efforts to ensure that technology, inspired Thani apply what I had learned at conferences. and guides PhD students in are significant developments to ensure that everyone has its people, especially those so much that she decided to university back home. The Thani’s mission, though, their research in HCI and for me as they clearly show access to information is re- with disabilities, have access join Queen Mary University question was – how?” was far from complete. She assistive technology, a term that Qatar recognises the im- markable.”

Be cautious of scam calls, Schoolchildren relish edutainment Ooredoo warns customers experience at Aspire Winter Camp TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK taken. According to the Federal DOHA Communications Commission (FCC), personal data can also be TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK WITH rise in identity theft cases sold illegally. DOHA involving fraudsters imperson- Manar Khalifa al Murai- ating Ooredoo as their caller ID khi, director PR and corporate CHILDREN from across Qa- and targeting Qatar residents, communications at Ooredoo, tar are flocking to Aspire Ooredoo has reminded its cus- said: “We recognise fraudsters Zone during the school win- tomers to take adequate pre- are employing ever more so- ter break to enjoy a fun-filled cautions and stay well informed phisticated techniques in their programme at Aspire’s first as well as to ensure their data attempts to defraud our valued Winter Camp for kids, which is safety. customers, and we are taking scheduled to run until Thurs- The company reiterated that every precaution to help them day, January 3. it would never contact a custom- keep their data safe and secure.” The first week of the Winter er using third-party apps. One of the classic frauds cur- Camp saw children enjoying Avoiding any request to rently seen is that of prize win- several entertaining activities, share personal information ning: the fraudster contacts the including plantation sessions, over the phone is crucial, said potential victim informing them where children were taught Ooredoo, reminding customers he has a won a prize, and that in about the fascinating world Aspire Zone Foundation has tailored the Winter Camp activities in ac- that the market-leading telecom order to receive this prize he has of plants through a range of cordance with children’s preferences company will never call them to to provide anything from per- fun experiments. The sessions collect personal information or sonal information to the ICC-ID were held in cooperation with marks also took place at the old. The programmes for each payment details over the phone. (Integrated Circuit Card - ID) Friends of the Environment camp. age group are carefully tai- Other means of communica- found at the back of the SIM Centre. The children also paid As the Camp concludes in lored to the respective ages. tion will always be used, should card. Ooredoo has stressed that a visit to Baladna Farm. the coming days, children will The Winter Camp was vis- payment details be absolutely in almost all cases, no prize ex- More recreational activi- visit the Angry Birds World ited by Thailand’s Royal Prin- necessary. ists and the scam is purely to ties took place where children theme park. cess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol Scammers are taking ad- obtain personal information for had the opportunity to cycle in Aspire Zone Foundation during her tour at Aspire Zone vantage of the modern-day de- dishonest purposes. Aspire Park’s cool weather and (AZF) has tailored the Winter Foundation earlier last week. pendence on mobile phones, Ooredoo has urged custom- learn taekwondo techniques. Camp activities in accordance The Camp is sponsored by so a frequent scam is stealing ers who are concerned about Basketball, aerobics, gymnas- with children’s preferences. Angry Birds World, Baladna, personal information via phone potential fraudulent activity to tics, face-painting and colour- Age categories are divided into Cage Sport, Friends of the operations with which credit report any such suspicions via ing, as well as excursions to three groups per gender - from Environment Centre and 7th cards can then be created and the 111 call centre or via email to some of Doha’s famous land- 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 14 years Heaven Arts Centre. used or personal bank loans [email protected]. Mahaseel festival offers a colourful treat for the eyes

AILYN AGONIA DOHA

A VARIETY of locally-grown fresh produce, mainly vegeta- bles, different kinds of flowers and ornamental plants, several activities for children and new attractions welcomed shop- pers at the opening of the third edition of Mahaseel Festival at the southern seaside of the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara on Monday. The event was inaugurated by Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al Su- laiti along with several officials from Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), Ka- tara and representatives of 35 food production companies. Also present were MME of- (PHOTOGRAPHS BY JALAL PATHIYOOR) ficials Yousef al Khulaifi, head of Agricultural Affairs Depart- ment, and Farhoud al Hajri, head of Livestock Department, who both assured the minis- try’s support to initiatives that assist local farmers to increase their production. The event, which cele- brates local farmers and home- grown products, is once again giving residents an opportu- nity to enjoy shopping quality food at reasonable prices while enjoying the fine weather in the country. The market festival is host- ing 22 local farms, flower nurs- eries and six national com- panies for dairies and meat products. The festival also we are glad to see it evolve into cumber (QR6 to QR10 per kg). a wide range of flowers and ple to plant in order to expand residents patronising locally- to eat good quality food. She features organic vegetables at a bigger and more diverse fes- The highlight of the veg- ornamental plants. Small pots the green space in the country. grown products as a way of said, “The display of vegeta- affordable rates. tival,” Sulaiti said. etable section, however, is the of flowering plants are avail- The festival is a perfect supporting our farmers and bles is very tempting here. It On the occasion, the Katara Among the products avail- wide variety of mushroom able for QR7 to QR15. Stems destination for families offer- the country in its efforts to pro- will encourage families to cook chief stressed the institution’s able at the festival are cauli- displayed there including shi- of flowers that can readily be ing fun rides and an activity vide for the needs of its people more at home. It is, in a way, commitment to support farm- flower priced from QR4 per take, king oyster, grey oyster, arranged on vases are priced at zone to children as well as a in terms of food,” Ali, one of encouraging a healthier life- ers and boost local production, kilo, eggplant and zucchini nameko, portobello, brown QR2 per piece. new kind of shopping experi- the vendors said. style which is what most of us adding that the festival reflects priced QR10/kg each, lettuce mushroom and white button Besides, the festival fea- ence to the adults. It also has One of the shoppers should aspire for as we wel- the importance of agriculture (QR2), tomatoes (QR7 to QR9 mushroom. Also available are tures new activities such as the stalls selling traditional food praised Katara for initiating come a new year.” in Qatar. per pack), green pepper (QR9 dairy products, local dates, ‘Home garden’, which displays and drinks, including coffee for such a platform that not only Mahaseel Festival will con- “This is the third edition of per kg), corn (QR6 per kg), meat and honey. some of the flowers and deco- refreshment. supports local entrepreneurs, tinue until January 5. It is open Mahaseel festival in Qatar and broccoli (QR5 per kg) and cu- The market also showcases ration plants to motivate peo- “We hope to see more but also encourages people from 9:00am until 9:00pm.