BUSINESS | Page 1 COMMENT | Page 14 Qatar fi ntech, Speaker food security al-Mahmoud sectors attracting highlights US foreign direct Shura Council’s investment accomplishments

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11762 December 14, 2020 Rabia II 29, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Superb experience and unmatched readiness favour Doha 2030 bid

O Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid Committee to open Qatar majlis in Muscat today O Doha 2030 file reflects region’s glorious civilisation: Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani

E Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani, First Vice President of the Qa- Htar Olympic Committee, has said that Doha’s 2030 Asian Games QCB off icials unveil the fifth series of currency regime with QR200 as a new member. bid fi le was prepared according to the highest standards and refl ects the glo- rious civilisation of the region. Sheikh Saud was speaking in the Omani capital Muscat yesterday, three days ahead of the decision on the venue 200-riyal note to join Qatar’s which will be announced at the Olym- pic Council of Asia’s General Assembly Suhail Khoury, a member of the OCA’s on Wednesday. Executive Committee. HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali al-Thani A high profi le Qatari delegation new currency regime comprising sports administrators and former and current athletes are in Muscat as part of the Doha 2030 By Santhosh V Perumal Bid Committee’s fi nal preparations to Business Reporter O QCB will put 5th series into circulation by end of Jan 2021 present its case to the OCA. O New bills will be introduced in phases beginning Dec 18 The Doha 2030 majlis in Muscat dedicated to reviewing the details of new denomination of QR200 O ‘Old’ notes will cease to be legal tender from March 19, 2021 the bid fi le will open today at 3pm at will join the new currency O QR500 notes to feature holographic security threads the JW Marriott Hotel in Muscat, the Aregime as the Qatar Central venue of the 39th General Assembly of Bank (QCB) introduces the fi fth series the OCA. Major General Jibril Rajoub, Chairman Brigadier General Mowafaq Jomaa, through which new notes worth up to Speaking ahead of the opening of the of the Supreme Council for Youth and Honorary President of the Syrian QR20bn will be put into circulation by date of the new off ering of the fifth is- cies incorporates themes refl ect- Doha 2030 team’s majlis in Muscat, Sports of Palestine. Olympic Committee. the end of January 2021. sue. The currency notes of the fourth ing Qatari tradition, Islamic history, Sheikh Saud said Qatar’s tremendous The new notes will come into the issue will cease to become legal tender culture, fl ora and fauna, and devel- experience of hosting top-class inter- He stressed that the availability of eff ects. It was able to control the situa- market in phases, beginning from De- from March 19, 2021. opment of education, sport and the national sporting events will stand its major sports facilities and the integra- tion, which contributed to the gradual cember 18, which coincides with the The public can change the old cur- economy. bid in good stead. tion of infrastructure in Qatar will en- and smooth return to normal life.” Qatar National Day. Importantly, the rencies with the commercial banks Outlining the features of the new “Qatar is about to host the most hance Qatar’s chances of winning the Sheikh Saud concluded his remarks QR500 note will have a “unique” en- for three months from the issue of currencies, he said the security and prominent football tournament, the right to host this great Asian festival of by extending his thanks and apprecia- hanced security feature, which is be- fi fth series, after which they will have technical characteristics of each cat- FIFA World Cup, in two years’ time and sports. tion to the Sultanate of Oman for the ing introduced for the fi rst time in the to approach QCB for changing the old egory according to their respective over the past it has organised several “We all have confi dence in the mem- warm reception and hospitality the Middle East. currencies within 10 years. value, start from 38 specifi cations up international sporting events,” he said. bers of the Olympic Council of Asia to Qatari delegation received in Muscat. The new issue contains seven cate- The fi rst stage of the new issu- to 64. Sheikh Saud, one of Qatar’s most ex- nominate the best and most important Major General Mowafaq Juma, Hon- gories of banknotes, QR1, QR5, QR10, ance includes putting into circulation Qatar is one of the fi rst countries perienced sports administrators, added fi le,” he said. orary President of the Syrian Olympic QR50, QR100, QR200, and QR500. QR8bn into banks, increasing it to to develop these technical specifi ca- that Doha’s bid would get good support On the extent of the impact of the Committee, Suhail Khoury, a member The introduction of QR200 “aims to QR16bn before the end of December, tions, numbering as many as 64 in- from Asian member states of the OCA. Covid-19 pandemic on major interna- of the OCA’s Executive Committee, bridge the gap between the QR100 to reach QR20bn by the end of Janu- ternational specifi cations, he said. “Our bid fi le was overseen by a tional events, the First Vice President Major General Jibril Rajoub, Chairman and QR500”, executive director of the ary 2021. Particularly on the QR500 notes, he number of renowned experts who of the Qatar Olympic Committee ex- of the Supreme Council for Youth and Public Debt, Banking Aff airs and Is- The front design of the currencies said: “It is also the fi rst in the Middle worked hard to integrate all require- plained that the eff ects of the pandem- Sports of Palestine and former Qatari suance at QCB Mohamed Jassim al- shares a common theme based on tra- East in terms of the holographic secu- ments within the fi le in order to meet ic have been signifi cant at all levels, athlete Talal Mansour have also spoken Kuwari, told reporters yesterday. ditional geometric patterns, the na- rity threads.” all responsibilities that come with be- including the sporting sector. about Qatar’s preparedness and readi- It has been decided to withdraw tional fl ag, Qatari fl ora and an ornate In conjunction with the fi fth issue, ing host of a major international sport- “However, the government of Qatar ness to host the Games if Doha is se- banknotes from the fourth series gate representing Qatari architecture. a new system had been put in place to ing event,” said Sheikh Saud. has worked to reduce these negative lected as the venue. Sport Page 1 within a period of 90 days from the The back design of the curren- track banknotes. To Page 6

Katara to launch First e-vehicles made in Qatar tested Arabian Horse Festival in Feb Wastewater disposal fee The Cultural Village Foundation – to be charged from Jan Katara has signed a co-operation agreement with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) to he Public Works Authority host the first edition of Katara’s (Ashghal), in co-operation with International Arabian Horse TQatar General Electricity and Festival, which will be held from Water Corporation (Kahramaa), is set February 2-6, 2021 at Katara Beach. to charge a wastewater disposal service General manager of Katara and fee beginning with the consumption head of the festival organising bill for January 2021. committee Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al- “The fee will be equivalent to 20% Sulaiti said the festival is inspired of the value of the monthly Kahramaa by Qatar’s heritage in equestrian water bill, issued from February 2021,” sports. Page 4 Ashghal said in statement yesterday. These procedures are part of im- plementing the Resolution (No 211) of Hundreds of students 2019, issued by the Ministry of Mu- kidnapped in Nigeria nicipality and Environment (MME) followed by Kahramaa. As for non- determining fees for various services Qatari residents and establishments of Parents converged on a provided by Ashghal to establishments any kind, service fees will be calculated secondary school in Nigeria’s and individuals as it was announced in at 20% of the value of the monthly wa- northwestern Katsina state January 2020. ter bill issued by Kaharamaa. For ex- yesterday, begging authorities The fee is introduced in a bid to ample, if the value of the water bill is to save hundreds of boys improve effi ciency and quality of in- QR300, the value of wastewater charg- abducted by gunmen. More than frastructure services provided by the es will be QR60. However, if the water 300 students from the all-boys government and to rationalise water bill is within the exemption for Qatari Government Science school in consumption and preserve water re- citizens, no additional fee for waste- Kankara taken on Friday night QTerminals has received the first advanced electric tractor (APM 75T HE), the locally assembled energy-eff icient sources of Qatar in the wake of in- water service will be added. remained missing. While 321 vehicle that ensures robust savings in operational costs for the Hamad Port. The electric vehicle was assembled at the creasing global water scarcity. Wastewater is transported through students were missing, state assembly line GAME (Gaussin Advanced Mobility Electric) in the Ras Bufontas Free Zone, to be used in transporting It may be noted that major drainage substations and major pumping sta- spokesman Abdul Labaran said containers at Hamad Port. The testing of the e-vehicles took place in front of Gaussin’s factory at the Ras Bufontas network services for people include tions to huge treatment plants where some could have gone home to Free Zone in the presence of HE the Minister of State and QFZA chairman Ahmad bin Mohamed al-Sayed, French disposal of drainage water from homes it undergoes complex cleaning and other states. All state schools in ambassador Franck Gellet, Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) CEO Captain Abdulla Mohamed and establishments of any type, con- sterilisation procedures. It can be re- Katsina were ordered to close al-Khanji, Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company chairman Abdul Aziz al-Attiya, Gaussin Company CEO Christophe nected to the drainage network. used for various purposes including ir- because officials did not know the Gaussin, and QTerminals CEO Neville Bissett. The vehicles will reduce Hamad Port’s carbon emissions and are capable Service fees for homes of Qatari citi- rigation of green areas, sand-washing, attackers’ motives. Page 10 of operating in hot weather conditions. Business Page 1 zens are subject to the exemption rules cooling and others. Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 14, 2020 QATAR

FM meets Syrian National Coalition offi cial Govt workers get training for strategic planning

QNA use indicators to measure the Amir in national development projects of other government Doha results achieved. and the strategic planning ap- agencies. Planning and implementa- proach based on results. The programme has been de- tion of this programme came to Then the programme dealt signed to largely cover the prac- he Ministry of Adminis- meet the needs of government with tools for analysing the in- tical side of strategic planning, trative Development, La- entities and to enable their em- ternal and external environment as the training method is based Tbour and Social Aff airs, ployees working in the plan- of government agencies, and on theoretical aspects and then represented by the Institute of ning and quality departments formulating the main results and practical applications and ap- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani Public Administration, conclud- to respond to the requirements objectives. plied cases from the reality of met yesterday with the President of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, Dr ed the “results-based strategic of implementing the second Na- Participants were also government entities, then give Nasr Musa al-Hariri, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral rela- planning” programme, with the tional Strategic Plans 2018-2022, trained to prepare the results- an opportunity for a day or two tions and discussed Syrian issues, in addition to issues of common concern. participation of employees of which emerged from Qatar Na- based strategic plan document in some training weeks so that the planning and quality depart- tional Vision 2030. and its projects and to focus on the trainee will return to his ments working in 14 government The programme is consistent the behavioural aspects relat- workplace or devote himself to entities. with the planning methodology ed to the results-based strate- preparing some forms and docu- Palestinian The six-week training pro- adopted in Qatar, which focuses gic planning process in a way ments and presenting them upon gramme focused on the par- on the main results that govern- that addresses the concepts of his return to the programme. president ticipants’ acquisition of the ca- ment agencies seek to achieve, as citizenship, loyalty, belonging The last two days saw discus- pabilities necessary to prepare it included ten sequential train- and security sense, building sion of the strategic plans and arrives in the results-based strategic plan ing modules that began with the partnerships and communi- projects documents related to document and project docu- general framework of results- cation between government the competencies of the trainees’ Doha ments for their work entities, based strategic planning and the agencies that are once ex- work bodies that were prepared enabling them to oversee the Qatar National Vision 2030, the ecutors and other times sup- during the programme. Palestinian President Mahmoud implementation process and directives of His Highness the portive parties to implement Abbas arrived in Doha yesterday, on a working visit to the country. Abbas and his accompanying delegation were greeted upon arrival at Doha International Airport by HE the Minister of IPU hails State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin EAA condemns armed Saad al-Muraikhi and Palestinian ambassador to Qatar Munir Shura Ghannam. raid on Nigeria school elections Qatar-Rwanda military talks ducation Above All (EAA) “The recent attack in Nigeria – 7,000 of which were deliber- decision Foundation strongly con- must act as a rallying cry to the ate. In total, 22,000 students, Edemned the armed raid on international community to pro- teachers, and education per- he President of the In- a secondary school in Katsina, tect education. No matter the sonnel were harmed. ter-Parliamentary Union Nigeria, on Friday evening, which scale of destruction, each attack It was on September 9 this T(IPU) Representative Du- left hundreds of students missing. reminds us of the importance year that EAA commemorated arte Pacheco welcomed the an- EAA called on the urgent that lies in protecting the next the inaugural UN International nouncement of His Highness the need for nations to unite to generation’s right to education as Day to Protect Education from Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad protect education from attack, the single most eff ective means Attack. Earlier this year, con- al-Thani to hold Shura Council to ensure that the fundamental of creating prosperous, peaceful tinuous eff orts from Her High- elections in October next year. human right of access to safe, and just societies.” ness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Pacheco described the decision quality education is secured, According to the Global Coa- chairperson of EAA and UN as courageous, innovative and HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem according to a statement issued lition to Protect Education from Sustainable Development Goals capable of encouraging citizens’ met in Doha yesterday with Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff Jean Bosco Kazura. During the meeting, in Doha yesterday. Attack, there were 11,000 re- Advocate, led to the adoption of political participation. He also re- they discussed military topics of joint interest between the two sides, as well as ways to enhance ties. The Mubarak al-Thani, head of ports of attacks on education UN General Assembly resolu- ferred to the economic and social meeting was attended by a number of senior off icers of Qatar Armed Forces. Advocacy at EAA, commented: worldwide in the last fi ve years tion to organise this day. development witnessed by Qatar.

Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 14, 2020 QATAR DHFC decked out for QND oha Festival City (DHFC) will hold this year’s Qatar National Day D(QND) festivities from December 14-18, between 2pm-10pm, with a range of family-friendly activities. Visitors to the mall will get the opportu- nity to participate in a series of festivities. A giant declaration of love for Qatar will be displayed at the Atrium Node, on the ground fl oor, through a 3D ‘I Love Qatar’ interactive display, available for guests to take pictures. Visitors are also invited to share their ap- preciation for Qatar by placing messages on the “Message Wall”, installed at the Market Corridor on the ground fl oor. To limit the touching of surfaces and provide a contactless and safe experience, the DHFC also invites Qatar residents to share their congratulatory messages and wishes on the mall’s website, via a QR code. The messages will then be printed and placed on the “Message Wall”. Submissions Mall visitors will have the opportunity to will be accepted until December 17. guests will also enjoy special décor lighting experience Qatari culture through the DHFC’s The DHFC will also feature an aug- and 3D animated projections on the mall’s one-of-a-kind celebratory atmosphere. mented reality “Selfi e Mirror”, placed at the entrance façade as well as oryx-shaped in- Centre Court on the fi rst fl oor, on Decem- stallations. Right: Doha Festival City will be decorated with ber 14, 15, and 16. All interactive gatherings, including the Qatar flags throughout the nodes, along with The installation comprises a photo booth “Message Wall” and the “Selfi e Mirror”, will hanging banners and special lighting, to mark with a sensor placed on top of the screen – be contactless and provide the safest expe- Qatar National Day. guests who would like to take pictures will rience to participants. be invited to stand in front of the booth that All customers will be required to show will automatically snap their photos, with their green Ehteraz app at the entrance to no touching involved and in line with the the mall and activation areas, and to wear safety measures implemented by the mall. masks during their visit to the DHFC, ex- Participants will also get to try on tra- cept while dining. QFFD, ditional Qatari attire for their photos, and For dining, visitors will be allowed to change the background virtually by waving sit in groups of no more than fi ve, except with their hand from afar. for families, at designated seating areas as Qatar Guest photos will be shared with them per the Ministry of Public Health’s current via e-mail, and the best picture would be guidelines. eligible to win an iPhone12 from the mall, to Social distancing stickers have been Charity be announced on the DHFC Instagram page placed throughout the mall and activation on December 18. areas. The DHFC will also distribute miniature All staff and event organisers will be sign deal Qatari National Flags to all visitors – fl ags wearing masks and gloves. can be collected at the mall’s entrances and Sanitisation of all activation areas will be customer service desks on the ground fl oor completed after each use, and no more than for Syria throughout the whole fi ve days of festivi- 100 people will be allowed in the areas at a ties. time. “We are delighted to celebrate the QND Parents or guardians must always ac- Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti: Katara relief with all our visitors, off ering them the op- company children. general manager and head of the festival portunity to experience Qatari culture DHFC opening hours are Saturday to organising committee. through our one-of-a-kind celebratory at- Wednesday from 10am-10pm, and Thurs- QNA mosphere,” DHFC general manager Robert day to Friday from 10am-11pm. Left: The Katara’s International Arabian Doha Hall said in a press statement. Children of all ages are now allowed to Horse Festival (KIAHF) is inspired by the “This is the perfect occasion to show- enter the mall. Qatari heritage in equestrian sports. case our loyalty and gratitude to our home, In line with the preventative measures atar Charity (QC) and the Qatar, that has generously supported us for set out by the authorities, the DHFC has Qatar Fund for Develop- the past four years, and we look forward to introduced stringent health and safety Qment (QFFD) have signed welcoming shoppers to join the festivities measures. a grant agreement to support ur- we have planned at the mall, whilst adher- This includes thorough weekly mall Katara to launch fi rst International gent relief in northern Syria as ing to the safest measures to protect our disinfection treatment, robust cleaning, part of the “Quest Health” ini- community.” sanitisation operations during mall trad- tiative. The mall will be decorated with Qatar ing hours, and 127 hand sanitising stations Arabian Horse Festival in February Under the agreement, the two fl ags throughout the nodes, along with installed in the areas that have commonly parties announced the allocation hanging banners and special lighting; touched surfaces. of $6,966,148. atara – the Cultural Village He said the idea of this festival is Dr al-Sulaiti explained that only Through the QFFD’s Quest has signed a co-operation mainly inspired by the cultural and the best international horse breeds initiative, Qatar Charity will Recall order for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 model Kagreement with the Qatar historical memory of Qatari society; will be eligible to participate in the implement a number of health Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Qataris have loved and appreciated annual event, with cash prizes to- projects. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry The MoCI urged all customers to report to host the fi rst edition of Katara’s this sport since ancient times, and talling QR13mn. The pact includes the imple- (MoCI), in co-operation with Nasser Bin any violations to its Consumer Protection International Arabian Horse Festi- have always been interested in an- “The hosting of this tournament mentation of specialised health Khaled Automobiles, has announced the and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, val, which will be held from Febru- cient Arab breeds of horses. in Katara refl ects our endeavour to projects in the governorates of recall of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907 model which processes complaints, inquires and ary 2-6, 2021 at Katara Beach. Katara has always organised and be present with our public in all fo- Idlib and Aleppo, and improv- of 2020, as the outer layer of the brake suggestions through the following channels: Katara general manager and fes- presented major international festi- rums,” he said, adding that he hopes ing access to life-saving primary connections in the front and rear axles may Call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected]. tival organising committee head Dr vals and exhibitions that symbolise the Katara International Arabian health services by operating six have been damaged during the production qa, Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said Qatari heritage, promoting a culture Horse Championship will be a glo- primary healthcare centres in process, possibly leading to leakage of brake MOCIQATAR, MoCI mobile app for android Qatar has a heritage in equestrian of modernisation in line with Qatar bal event that attracts all those in- northern Syria. fluid and weak braking force of the vehicle. and iOS: MOCIQATAR. sports. National Vision 2030. terested in the equestrian world. It will operate central ware- houses for medical supplies and a Qatar clinics complex in Afrin, in addition to an ambulance and referral system in northwestern Kahramaa continues Syria. Currently, a project is under- to train National way to strengthen specialised health services in both Idlib and Service recruits Aleppo, where the hospitals un- der the project are equipped. The training programme by the Qatar General Under this project, three hos- Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) for the pitals will receive support to of- recruits of the National Service Academy of the fer continued healthcare serv- Ministry of Defence continues. ices to the local population, and Lectures were delivered by Kahramaa off icials on 12 months of operating costs will various topics. be covered. Engineer Mohamed al-Sharshani from the Outpatient clinics and health Department of Conservation and Energy Eff iciency centres will receive a set of med- gave a lecture on conservation. ical equipment. In addition, obstetric and newborn care services will be off ered at the women’s and chil- dren’s hospital, which provides maternal and child healthcare services. UCL Qatar hosts fi nal graduation About 201,600 people are expected to benefi t from the healthcare services and medical ceremony alongside closing event consultations provided under the project aimed at improv- ing access to life-saving pri- CL Qatar, a partner universi- ready secured employment in lead- versity College London and the QF mary health services through ty of Qatar Foundation (QF), ing local and global organisations, to develop and operate a centre for six primary healthcare centres Uhosted its fi nal graduation including the Qatar National Li- the study of cultural heritage and and training health personnel in ceremony yesterday, graduating 108 brary, Qatar Museums, and the Na- knowledge management. northern Syria. students in doctoral programmes tional Museum of Australia. More than 300 masters and doc- Some 10 ambulances have and master degrees in Library and UCL Qatar director Dr Sam Evans toral students have graduated from been purchased, equipped, and Information Studies, and Museum addressed attendees, saying: “As we UCL Qatar since the launch of its sent to Syria. and Gallery Practice. bring to a close UCL Qatar’s opera- postgraduate and doctoral academ- The ambulances have been The virtual ceremony was held tions, your achievements and those ic programmes in Conservation, operational since early this alongside the university’s closing of our 331 former students will con- Museums and Gallery Practice, Ar- month under the ambulance and event. tinue to have huge impact in Qatar chaeology of the Arab and Islamic referral system project. This event celebrated UCL Qa- and in whichever place your life and World, Academic Research and The agreement covers 12 tar’s achievements over the last 10 career take you.” Methods, and Library and Informa- months of operating costs for years, marking the completion of its UCL alumni and senior UCL tion Studies. the 10 ambulances, crew and agreement with the QF. Qatar faculty members joined the UCL Qatar also worked closely employees to provide emergency The last cohort of graduates event. with Qatar Museums (QM) and patient transport services. joined the online ceremony from 12 Asmaa al-Maadheed, a Qatari the QF on a variety of research and These ambulances are opera- countries across Europe, Asia, and language teacher and library and community projects. tional over all regions of north- the Gulf. information professional who at- QM chief executive Ahmad Musa ern Syria according to the need In all, 29 diff erent nationalities tained an MA in Library and Infor- al-Namla said: “Over the past dec- and geographical areas. were represented, of which eight mation Studies this year, was the ade, we have enjoyed a remarkable The necessary support will were Qatari nationals, and 70% graduate speaker. relationship with UCL Qatar that be extended through the Qatar women. UCL Qatar was established in has seen us collaborate on numer- Clinics Complex project to pro- Over 80% of graduates have al- 2010 as a partnership between Uni- ous projects.” vide healthcare services in Afrin. Monday, December 14, 2020 5 QATAR Qatar Charity, QFFD enhance health services in northern Syria atar Charity (QC) specialized health projects in be offered at the women and and Qatar Fund the governorates of Idlib and children’s specialized hospital, for Development Aleppo, improving access to which provides maternal and child (QFFD) signed a grant life-saving primary health health care services, including Qagreement to support urgent services by operating 6 primary pediatrics and reproductive relief in northern Syria as part of health care centers in northern health. Some 111,600 persons the “Quest Health” initiative. Syria, and operating central are expected to benefit from this warehouses for medical supplies project. The move came in view of and a Qatar clinics complex in Approximately 201,600 people the problematic humanitarian Afrin, in addition to operating an situations of the displaced, ambulance and referral system in are expected to benefit from the the severe humanitarian northwestern Syria. needs, the damage to most medical facilities and other Currently, a project is under health services essential for implementation to strengthen daily life, the absence of many specialized health services in primary health services, the both Idlib and Aleppo where the scarcity of necessary medicines hospitals under the project were and vaccines, and the lack of equipped. equipped hospitals. Under this project, three Under this agreement, the two hospitals will receive support to parties announced the allocation offer continued health services of US $ 6,966,148, and through to the local population, and the QFFD’s ‘Quest’ initiative, 12-month operating costs will Qatar Charity will implement be provided. Besides, outpatient health care services and medical operating costs for the 10 established in Aleppo and Idlib, This project aims to achieve several health projects. clinics and health centers will receive a set of medical consultations provided under the ambulances, crews and and medical personnel are being drug sufficiency and reduce the Primary Health Care equipment. project aimed at improving access employees to provide emergency trained within Syria, in addition burden on the beneficiaries, to life-saving primary health patient transport services. These to providing health centers and in addition to providing other The pact includes the In addition, obstetric and services by operating 6 primary ambulances are operational hospitals with medical supplies. medical services. implementation of many newborn care services will health care centers and training over all regions of northern health personnel in northern Syria according to the need and Syria. geographical areas. Some 10,000 people are expected to benefit Ambulances from the project Some 10 ambulances, have The necessary support will been purchased, equipped with be extended through the Qatar medical equipment, and sent Clinics Complex project to into Syria. The ambulances have provide health services in Afrin been operational since early this where some 45,000 persons are month under the ambulance expected to benefit from the and referral system project by project every month. focusing on transporting patients As part of the plan for the in emergencies. central warehouse of medical The agreement covers the supplies project, two drug payment of the 12-month warehouses are currently being Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 14, 2020 QATAR QIB grants 18,000 Over 160,000 patients register Absher rewards for ‘MyHealth’ patient portal QNA become true partners in their healthcare. chronic or long-term medical conditions. Doha “MyHealth allows patients to share the These patients are better able to track their responsibility for their own health by pro- own health and it allows care teams at HMC points to mark QND viding secure access to their electronic and PHCC to work as a single team,” added ince its launch two years ago, more health data. Whether patients see a doctor Dr al-Musleh. than 160,000 patients at Hamad Med- at HMC or PHCC, receive care in the emer- “MyHealth” allows patients to review atar Islamic Bank (QIB) Sical Corporation (HMC) and Primary gency department, get lab work or medical their test results, view their visit history, is celebrating Qatar Na- Health Care Corporation (PHCC) have reg- imaging services, or are admitted to hospi- and access their preventative care immuni- Qtional Day by rewarding istered to access their medical records and tal, they now have all their health informa- sation record. The platform has the poten- customers with 18,000 Absher other health information using the “My- tion in a single electronic record,” said Dr tial to improve patients’ health knowledge, rewards points for opening a new Health” patient portal. al-Musleh reduce anxiety, and improve communica- deposit or a new MISK savings Deputy Chief Medical Offi cer and Clinical “We have found that giving patients the tions with their healthcare provider. account. Information Systems at HMC Dr AbdulWahab ability to access their records has an em- It also has the power to improve patients’ Running from December 13- al-Musleh says giving patients access to their powering eff ect. This type of access can be overall health by allowing them to be more 30, 2020, over 18 days, all cus- personal health information allows them to especially important for those living with involved in their care. tomers will be rewarded 18,000 Absher rewards points when they open a new Misk account with a minimum balance of QR10,000, or open a fi xed deposit, a Cer- tifi cate of Deposit or an Abso- With Absher points, benefi t from our exclusive Ab- MoPH reports 138,490 total Covid recoveries QR200 note lute Mudaraba for a minimum customers can choose sher rewards.” of QR100,000 for at least six to redeem their Absher QIB customers can open a months. loyalty programme Misk Account, a fi xed deposit or QNA to join new The Absher Rewards Pro- points to settle Ooredoo, a Certifi cate of Deposit instantly Doha gramme is a comprehensive re- Vodafone or Kahramaa through the QIB mobile App. In wards programme that allows utility bills, get less than two minutes, custom- currency QIB customers to earn points Vouchers for Al Meera ers can choose the features of he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) re- when transferring their sala- supermarkets, book fl ight the product and open an account ported yesterday 134 new confi rmed cas- regime ries for the fi rst time, open fi xed tickets with over 900 without the need to visit the Tes of coronavirus (Covid-19) during the deposit accounts, use their QIB airlines, book a room branch. last 24 hours, of which 92 are from community debit and credit cards, interna- from over 450,000 hotels The MISK Account is an inno- and 42 from travellers returning from abroad From Page 1 tional remittance and registra- vative savings account that is en- who are subject to quarantine. tion for QIB mobile App. regardless of their location in couraging savings by rewarding The MoPH also recorded 143 recoveries from This system is based on a da- With Absher points, cus- Qatar. positive fi nancial habits and off er the virus during the past 24 hours, bringing the tabase linked to trading and with tomers can choose to redeem QIB Personal Banking Group QR10mn as cash prizes over 805 total number of cases that recovered in Qatar to banks, he said, indicating that it their Absher loyalty programme general manager D Anand said: winners. Existing and new QIB 138,490. is a special database for the QCB points to settle Ooredoo, Voda- “QIB is pleased to reward the customers interested in opening All new cases have been introduced that would facilitate the process fone or Kahramaa utility bills, Qatar community on this very a MISK Account can do so easily, to isolation and are receiving necessary of tracking banknotes with their get Vouchers for Al Meera super- special occasion, off ering an ex- from anywhere and at any time, healthcare. serial numbers, as well as help- markets, book fl ight tickets with clusive limited time rewards on a through the QIB mobile App. ing to know their validity and over 900 airlines, book a room range of our most popular MISK When opening a MISK Ac- spoilage cycle, and their conti- from over 450,000 hotels or rent and deposit products. Qatar Na- count, customers will receive a 55 face prosecution for nuity in the markets and making a car from more than 150,000 car tional Day is the ideal opportu- free debit card, become eligible not wearing masks future statistics for printing new rental offi ces in more than 150 nity for us to show our gratitude to request a free for the fi rst year ones. cities worldwide. towards the people of Qatar and credit card backed by the ac- The designated authorities yesterday referred 55 The fi fth issue will be circu- Customers will also have ac- thank them for continuously count balance, receive profi ts on people to the Public Prosecution for not wearing lated fi rst through ATMs, start- cess to the online shopping store choosing to bank with QIB. their savings and have the chance masks in places where they are mandatory. The ing from December 18, he said, specialized in redeeming points “QIB remains committed to to frequently win cash prizes. All measure is in line with the Cabinet decision, affi rming that the QCB has taken with thousands of products providing its customers with Qatari citizens and residents are Decree Law No 17 of 1990 on infectious diseases, all necessary measures with re- across diff erent categories, rang- suitable saving solutions while eligible to open an MISK Savings and the precautionary measures in force in the gard to security marks and high- ing from electronic items, per- rewarding them with great re- Account for themselves or their country to contain the spread of coronavirus tech specifi cations, in addition sonal and household items from turns. We invite all prospective children. (Covid-19). The authorities called on the public to to including, for the fi rst time, leading brands. Products are customers to open their MISK For more information, visit adhere to the precautionary measures for their the fl ag of Qatar and the date of delivered to customers’ homes and deposit accounts now to www.qib.com.qa. safety and the safety of others. issuance of the banknote. Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 7 QATAR

Envoy says Morocco-Qatar relations historical and deep-rooted

QNA His Highness the Amir Sheikh the embassy and the Moroccan ic, social and other fields. The rate from the virus, and with the Doha Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and community, I extend congratu- ambassador pointed out that highest recovery rate, said the King Mohamed VI. This is owing lations to His Highness the Amir 2020 was a difficult and excep- ambassador recalling the Amir’s to the solid ground embodied in Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- tional year for everyone due to speech before the Shura Coun- orocco’s ambassador to the rapprochement between the Thani, praying to the Almighty the catastrophic repercussions cil when His Highness affi rmed Qatar Mohamed Setri two brotherly nations, he noted. for happy returns and further of the Covid-19 pandemic, that Qatar opted for carefully Mhas affi rmed the excel- The ambassador said these progress to the brotherly Qatari noting that Qatar was able considered partial and interim lent relations between Qatar and relations, which cover several people”. to overcome the challenges, lockdowns while stressing pre- Morocco, stressing that they are aspects are also characterised by He affirmed that the celebra- thanks to the insight, proac- cautionary measures and maxi- historic, solid and deep-rooted active solidarity, continuous co- tion of the day is an occasion to tive approach, and the suc- mum readiness to isolate and relations. ordination and mutual support commend the achievements cessful choices of the Amir, and treat those infected after the In a statement to Qatar News at the bilateral and multilateral made by Qatar, under the wise praised the steps that have been assessment of cases. In addition Agency (QNA) ahead of the Qa- levels, reiterating the embassy’s leadership of His Highness the taken, considering them to be measures were taken to support tar National Day, the ambassa- keenness to push these relations Amir, who continues with wis- effective and distinct steps that the private sector and maintain dor said that the two countries’ to broader horizons, especially dom and professionalism in his have proven successful in ad- the integrity of the fi nancial, bilateral ties are dynamic and ce- in the economic and investment fruitful efforts and construc- dressing the epidemic. banking markets and the Qatari mented with the steady fraternal sectors to serve the interests of On the occasion of Qatar said: “On my own behalf, and tive initiatives to achieve more Qatar is one of the countries in riyal, and to maintain the general bonds between the two leaders; the two brotherly countries. National Day, the ambassador on behalf of all the members of gains in the political, econom- the world with the lowest death state’s budget. Qatar’s labour India and Qatar ‘enjoy reforms earn praise from friendly bilateral ties’ Netherlands envoy QNA ening cross border invest- the past few months, during Doha ments, diversification of the challenging times of the bilateral trade, extending Covid-19 pandemic, the steps QNA partnership in healthcare, taken by the Qatar authori- Doha mbassador of India to building synergies in educa- ties to contain and control the Qatar Dr Deepak Mittal tion and technology, expand- spread of the disease in the Aaffi rmed that Qatar and ing co-operation in technolo- country and in ensuring the he Netherlands ambassa- India enjoy traditionally close gy and fintech, and promoting welfare and well-being of all dor to Qatar Marjan Kam- and friendly relations and that more people to people and the residents are remarkable. Tstra has hailed the excel- the leadership in both countries cultural contacts. The am- He expressed gratitude to lent bilateral relations between have excellent chemistry, with bassador noted that bilateral the leadership and the Gov- Qatar and the Netherlands and regular engagement, pointing co-operation has ensured in ernment of Qatar for their the co-operation in various out that a strong Indian com- promoting peace and stabil- patronage, care and support fi elds, including humanitarian munity in Qatar forms an im- ity in the region and the larger to the Indian community over aid, the fi ght against terrorism, portant pillar. world. the years. and strengthening of the inter- In an exclusive statement Ambassador Mittal stated He added that on behalf of national rules-based order. to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Qatar, under the wise and the government and the peo- In her statement to Qatar ahead of the National Day, the able leadership, has accom- ple of India, he is conveying News Agency (QNA) ahead of ambassador explained that In- plished great achievements the warmest greetings and the Qatar National Day, she said Netherlands ambassador dia and Qatar have deep-rooted and made impressive strides in felicitations to His Highness that Qatar has made notable Marjan Kamstra. historical ties and strong multi- Indian ambassador to Qatar Dr Deepak Mittal. many areas, including educa- the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin progress on multiple fronts, and faceted co-operation between tion, industry, infrastructure, Hamad al-Thani, His High- one example is Qatar’s compre- ty and solidarity, she added. the two countries in the areas facing the planet, from com- there is a belief that there is a energy, business, tourism and ness the Father Amir Sheikh hensive labour reforms, adding She stressed that the Dutch of energy, trade, investment, bating climate change to ter- vast potential in Qatari-Indi- healthcare, explaining that Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, that Netherlands is commit- government echoes Qatar’s education and culture. He rorism, from public health to an relations yet to be realised, Qatar is on the path to realis- other members of the ruling ted to continue its collaboration commitment to an international added that the two countries Internet governance and food which includes developing a ing the objectives identified family, representatives of the with Qatar and the International rules-based order, pointing out are working together on some suffi ciency. comprehensive partnership in under Qatar National Vision Government of Qatar and the Labour Organisation (ILO) to that Netherlands at all times of the most pressing challenges The ambassador added that the areas of energy, strength- 2030. He pointed out that over friendly people of Qatar. ensure the full implementation promotes the crucial importance of labour reforms. of multilateral co-operation in She also noted His Highness the order to realise peace, justice and Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad sustainable development. al-Thani’s announcement that Qatar shares the conviction Spanish ambassador says Qatar plans to hold its fi rst Shura that international co-operation Austrian envoy stresses role of Council elections in October 2021. within the multilateral frame- agreements in various “The Shura Council election of- work is key to addressing shared fers great possibilities to enhance global challenges, she noted. mutual visits in strengthening ties parliamentary diversifi cation and She also spoke about the eff orts fi elds will develop ties citizen participation for the ben- of Qatar and the Netherlands to efi t of the people of Qatar. contain the coronavirus pan- QNA QNA Qatar was able to deal with The Netherlands welcomes demic, saying that the pandemic Doha Doha the pandemic at its peak this announcement and ex- illustrates the importance of during the summer months pressed our readiness to share collective eff ort and solidar- through correct measures, our expertise with the Election ity in order to contain the virus, pain’s ambassador to ustria’s ambassador to and said the success of Qatar Committee,” she said. adding that Qatar and the Neth- Qatar Belen Alfaro has Qatar Karin Fichting- in curbing the spread of the She pointed out that her em- erlands both aim to strike a bal- Saffi rmed that the bilat- Aer-Grohe described virus and dealing with it pro- bassy is active in both the po- ance in safeguarding people’s eral relations between Qatar and her country’s relations with fessionally allowed it to hold litical and economic realm, and health, while simultaneously Spain are fi rm and strong, prais- Spanish ambassador Belen Qatar as friendly and close, its National Day celebrations working closely with the Ministry limiting the adverse impact the ing the deep and developed rela- Alfaro. stressing that she sees a lot in a cheerful atmosphere, but of Administrative Development, virus has on the economy. tions between the two countries of potential to increase the also in a reasonable way. Labour and Social Aff airs on vari- She stated that the “virus does as many agreements in diff erent to the success of Qatari eff orts bilateral co-operation, in cul- The Austrian ambassador ous projects in light of the techni- not respect national borders, fi elds are due in the future. to organise a unique edition of ture, tourism, business, sus- extended congratulations and cal agreement with the ILO. which makes it all the more im- In a statement to Qatar News the World Cup. She noted that tainability, to name just a few. blessings to His Highness the She added that at the same portant to maintain global soli- Agency (QNA) ahead of the Spain is an attractive destina- In a statement to Qatar Amir, the wise government time, many Dutch companies are darity in our eff orts to tackle it.” Qatar National Day, she hailed tion for investments, since it is News Agency (QNA) ahead and the Qatari people on the contributing to Qatar National She pointed out that the Nether- the measures adopted by Qatar the natural gateway to Europe, of the Qatar National Day, occasion of the National Day, Vision 2030 in energy, food se- lands attaches great importance to protect the community and the Mediterranean and Latin the ambassador emphasised which represents the best op- curity, healthcare and sports, to humanitarian aid and inter- to fi ght against the Covid-19 America, and the Spanish Arab the importance of mutual Austria ambassador Karin portunity to review the his- pointing out that major events national co-operation, and it is pandemic, adding that Qatar heritage creates many natural visits in deepening relations, Fichtinger-Grohe. tory of the state, its achieve- such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup encouraging to see that Qatar is one of the world’s least af- bonds between the two coun- converging views, building ments, its development and and Horticulture Expo 2023 pro- has remained committed in its fected countries, thanks to tries. In this fi eld, the fascinat- positions and increasing op- the precautionary measures future vision. vide opportunities to broaden support to multilateral organisa- the robust health sector and ing exhibition, “Spanish artists portunities for co-operation imposed by governments to She added that the Na- and deepen economic ties. tions throughout the pandemic the solid health measures that in Doha” was held at the Katara in all fi elds, pointing to the avoid the spread of the pan- tional Day always has two She congratulated His High- with generous humanitarian have been implemented in Qa- Cultural Village in 2020. important visit of His High- demic led to the postpone- dimensions: the fi rst is the ness the Amir and all Qatari contributions, adding that both tar to fi ght against this disease. Concluding her statement, ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ment of many plans that were signifi cance of the day for the people on the occasion of the Qatar and the Netherlands have The ambassador added that she extended congratulations bin Hamad al-Thani to Aus- to be established between the own citizen, the importance National Day, saying it is a day supported international eff orts huge work has been made in and warmest greetings to His tria last year. two sides. for the Qataris; the second to celebrate the Qatari people’s to accelerate the development of the preparations and infra- Highness the Amir Sheikh She added that the sched- She added that each coun- message is addressed to the determination, resilience and a vaccine. structure works for the 2022 Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, ule of visits between the two try has a specifi c path that it world. To host high level ne- innovative spirit. She clarifi ed that even during FIFA World Cup, pointing out the government and the people countries was busy during has set for itself and its own gotiations and important It is also a day to refl ect on the the coronavirus pandemic, the that many Spaniards work- of Qatar on the occasion of Qa- this year, but the situation measures to avoid the spread sports events certainly con- eff orts of previous generations Netherlands and Qatar continue ing in Qatar are contributing tar National Day. caused by the coronavirus of the pandemic and to pro- tributes to the vision Qatar and to look forward to a future their co-operation in new and (Covid-19) pandemic and tect its citizens, noting that has chosen for itself. characterised by prosperity, uni- innovative ways. Vietnamese envoy affi rms plan to enhance Qatar co-operation

QNA oped in various fi elds. pecially in the fi eld of commerce, successfully accomplish Qatar age in the world. Moreover, he At the international level, Qa- Doha In 2018, Vietnam and Qatar he said, adding that a lot of Vi- National Vision 2030.” praised the rapid and success- tar has actively shared respon- celebrated the 25th anniversary etnamese products are on sale in The Vietnamese ambassador ful response of Qatar in dealing sibility and co-operation with of the diplomatic relations be- the Qatar market. noted that Qatar’s rapid devel- with the Covid-19 pandemic other countries to face global ietnam ambassador to tween the two countries with so He also hailed the role played opment and increasingly impor- through the co-operation of all crises, through operating urgent Qatar Nguyen Dinh Thao many signifi cant activities, he by the relevant bodies during the tant role in the region and the concerned bodies in the country air bridges to transport medical Vhas hailed the signifi - added. Covid-19 outbreak to organise world as well, adding the fact and the co-operation and soli- aid from Qatar to many coun- cant development in relations The ambassador pointed out the fl ight to repatriate hundreds that Qatar is going to host World darity of citizens, as Qatar was tries in need and to ensure that between his country and Qatar that the year 2019 witnessed the of Vietnamese citizens to their Cup in 2022, one of the greatest managed to strengthen the ca- the people stuck in the aff ected in various fi elds, with a sincere visits of many Vietnamese offi - country. sporting events of the planet for pacity of the health sector, taken areas and the United Nations desire to enhance co-operation cials to Doha, to attend interna- He expressed the belief that the fi rst time in the region. He all necessary measures in the personnel are returned to their between the two countries at all tional conferences or as part of the relations between Vietnam said it reveals about Qatar’s role urgent and long term to counter countries, the ambassador said. levels. mutual visits. and Qatar will be more developed and prestige on the regional and the eff ects of the pandemic, giv- Ambassador Nguyen Dinh In a statement to Qatar News On the occasion of Qatar’s and strengthened in the coming international arena. en priority to ensure the health Thao said that in the context of Agency (QNA) ahead of the Na- National Day, the ambassador years. “I am absolutely confi dent He said that Qatar is making of all residents, including foreign limited fl ights globally, the Qatar tional Day, the Vietnamese am- extended wholehearted con- that under the wise leadership every eff ort to prepare for the labourers. is still facilitating the continu- bassador said that in the past gratulations to His Highness the Nguyen Dinh Thao of His Highness the Amir Sheikh 2022 FIFA World Cup with so As a result, Qatar has success- ation of the operation of Qatar years, though Qatar has faced Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qa- many giant projects being com- fully contained the pandemic to Airways to support humanitari- many diffi culties under the al-Thani, His Highness the Fa- ment and the Qatari people. tar will overcome every diffi culty pleted, adding that the event protect the lives of its people in- an cases, stressing that what Qa- blockade, Vietnam-Qatar rela- ther Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Vietnam and Qatar has main- and challenge, record further will be a great success and will cluding hundreds of thousands tar has done during the pandem- tions have continued to devel- Khalifa al-Thani, the govern- tained fruitful co-operation, es- progress and development, and further enhance Qatar’s im- of expatriates, he added. ic really impresses the world. Gulf Times 8 Monday, December 14, 2020 QATAR National Day ‘is an occasion to mark nation’s historical moments’

ing, scientifi c research, student QNA tions that unite the people of this ibility and the ability to adapt life and human resources, as it Doha country. He also stressed that to changes is one of the factors Qatar has become today a model of distinction in the teaching moved to apply remote educa- for the young state, committed and learning strategy within tion methods through vari- he president of Qatar to comprehensive growth and the strategy of Qatar University ous electronic platforms, and University (QU) Dr Has- development in accordance with 2022, indicating that the uni- adopted the best international Tsan bin Rashid al-Derham an ambitious national vision and versity has sought to increase practices to evaluate students has said that the National Day of clear strategies that guide all the fl exibility of educational and to ensure the smooth fl ow of the Qatar, celebrated on Dec 18, is a sectors of the state so that it is a training opportunities through educational process at the uni- precious occasion to recall the source of pride for everyone who online courses and programs, versity and to preserve stand- glorious historical stages of the belongs to the generous nation. as well as educational models ards. country’s history and its great He noted that Qatar, with its that mix the Internet and the The president of Qatar Uni- men who have written glories wise leadership, has demon- classroom, through the develop- versity pointed out that the that the people of the country strated sophistication and wis- ment and introduction of some pandemic did not aff ect the uni- are proud of, generation after dom in transforming all current Dr Hassan bin Rashid al-Derham courses designed specifi cally for versity’s endeavour to raise its generation, and an opportunity challenges into great opportuni- this type of education according annual ranking as one of the best to celebrate the achievements ties and achievements. tional academic accreditation to the latest international stand- universities at the global and re- and comprehensive develop- Dr al-Derham said that thanks for most of its programmes, and ards. gional level, as it ranked among ment that the country is wit- to the wise leadership, Qatar was moved from being a university Dr al-Derham stated that the so that it is in line with Qatar Na- guidelines for research, graduate the most important 350 inter- nessing today led by His High- able to deal with all challenges, centred on teaching and learning university is now working to tional Vision 2030 and responds studies and developing a number national universities, according ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin and indeed it provided a model for the fi rst university level, to a provide a new generation of aca- to the major economic and social of specialised programs, for ex- to the Times Higher Education Hamad al-Thani. for the world in patience, per- comprehensive university con- demic certifi cates and degrees challenges facing the state. ample (Covid-19 research) and (THE) World University Rank- The QU president said in a sistence and defying diffi culties, cerned with teaching, research that depend on the competency Dr al-Derham also added that inter-programmes, as well as ings for the year 2021, achieving statement to Qatar News Agency as it was able to transform these and community service, and framework of Qatar University, the university is working on a focusing on developing the re- progress by 90 rankings. (QNA) on the occasion of the challenges into opportunities postgraduate studies, as well as with a fl exible and diverse set of number of strategic initiatives search funding process. From last year’s edition of celebrations of the National Day, and achievements, which has its amazing progress in interna- majors and study tracks to pro- that would achieve excellence in He emphasised that Qatar Uni- the same classifi cation, the re- that this day is an occasion in made Qatar a global model, as tional rankings in recent years. vide diff erent groups in society scientifi c research, by focusing versity had succeeded in being the sults showed that the university which the Qatari people remem- all plans and strategies were not Dr al-Derham affi rmed the with various opportunities for on making the scientifi c research preferred option in education for jumped to between 301-350. ber the eff orts made by Sheikh aff ected by the challenges, and university’s keenness on the higher education. process an essential part of the many high school graduates, add- He also pointed out that the Jassim bin Mohammed bin Tha- the state continued its strong consistency of its programmes In the fi eld of scientifi c re- students’ learning process. ing that that 60% of high school university has achieved 52nd ni to lay the foundation of the growth and achievements in with the main national priorities search, he pointed out that Qatar The president of Qatar Uni- graduates prefer to join Qatar Uni- place in The Times Higher Edu- modern state, and to consolidate all fi elds. In his statement, the being in education, focusing on University has shown an increase versity revealed that the univer- versity, according to the results of cation (THE) ranking of univer- the values of unity and belonging president of Qatar University building national capacities in in its research productivity ac- sity’s research sector is working Spring 2020 survey. sities in the Asian continent for to this land, to be a starting point reviewed the most prominent the fi elds of science, technology, cording to national standards on establishing distinct research Regarding Qatar University’s the year 2020, for the third year to build a modern state, under achievements of the university engineering and mathematics, and some other comparative platforms, which will be an- eff orts to confront the coronavi- in a row, taking into account which the aspirations and hopes in light of its plans for imple- as well as enhancing access to measures of performance, with nounced soon. rus crisis this year, he explained the signifi cant increase in the of the Qatari people for progress, menting the National Develop- education for all Qatari citizens. research production being dis- These platforms are con- that the university had a sound number of competing universi- construction and progress are ment Strategy 2018-2022. He said that the university tinguished by diversity and not cerned with specifi c trends that and effi cient plan in accordance ties, which amounted to nearly fulfi lled. Dr al-Derham said Qa- has completed the development being limited to specialisation. are consistent with research pri- with the general strategy ap- 500 universities. He stressed that this occasion tar University realised during of the main framework, which He announced that the uni- orities and are based on Qatar proved by the state to deal with He added that QU has also also constitutes an opportunity the previous years signifi cant are considered one of the stra- versity has completed the de- University’s research capabili- the pandemic. ranked 601-700 in the world, ac- to recall historical moments in achievements that enabled it tegic foundations for making velopment of a comprehensive ties. He said that the university cording to the Academic Rank- which Qatar managed to thrive to implement a comprehensive the transition and the transfor- research priorities plan, detail- He pointed out that the uni- sought to mitigate the eff ects of ing of World Universities for the and achieve its hopes, consoli- administrative,academic reform mation process in teaching and ing its implementation mecha- versity has also worked dur- the disaster in accordance with Year 2020 (ARWU), announced date its identity, and promote the and development project, as it learning. nisms, in co-operation with the ing the last period on review- the best possible ways to contin- on Aug 15 by the Shanghai Rank- values, ideals, hopes and aspira- managed to achieve interna- He added that the fl ex- academic units at the university, ing and developing policies and ue its work in the fi elds of teach- ing. Tanzania envoy hails Qatar’s CMU-Q in virtual QND celebration are Qatari, and they, as well as all students at CMU- Q, have experienced a year of creativity and growth as they explore how they can use their education to help support on global stage Qatar overcome the challenges of the pandemic. Al- Qassabi, who has long been involved with the Qatar Scientifi c Club, helped to design and manufacture QNA demic, the ambassador stated stressed that all citizens and 7,000 reusable face shields for medical workers to use Doha that Qatar’s foreign policy has residents must do their part to stay safe. become the most effective to obey the rules and bring Fatima Mustafawi created a senior honours project and decisive under the wise awareness to their communi- that would improve the experience of workers in Qa- anzania ambassador to leadership of His Highness ties to protect themselves. tar by making it easier to stay in touch with their fami- Qatar Fatma Mohamed the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin She hailed the government lies in their home countries. TRajab affirmed that her Hamad al-Thani, which has of Qatar for its dedication in Mohamed al-Matwi, a 2015 graduate in business country highly values friendly helped the country not only ensuring all necessities for administration, turned to entrepreneurship, and in relations with Qatar in an at- to overcome the critical chal- its citizens and communi- tudents at Carnegie Mellon University in Qa- 2017 started The Perfume Factory, the fi rst fragrance mosphere of trust and mu- lenges and the pandemic that ties living in Qatar including tar (CMU-Q), a Qatar Foundation partner manufacturer in Qatar, shifting his production to per- tual understanding existing it has encountered in the re- the Tanzanian community, to Suniversity, organised a virtual Qatar National sonal sanitisers when Covid-19 hit. between the two countries, cent period, but also to secure have enough food and medi- Day celebration. The dean of CMU-Q, Michael Trick, refl ected on expressing her government’s and strengthen its position cal supply needed during the The CMU-Q Qatari Student Association held a Qatar National Day 2020: “This year has been chal- sincere gratitude to Qatar for around the world as a reliable pandemic. photo competition and online event for students to lenging, but it has also sparked the creativity and re- its stance and firm support for and trustworthy force, an im- Concluding her statement, connect and learn more about the rich Qatari culture, silience of our students. Carnegie Mellon is in Qatar Tanzania on the international portant partner and friend to she extended congratulations including traditional Qatari attire, the karak tea cus- for one reason: to contribute to the development of stage. many countries in the world. and warmest greetings to His tom, Qatari proverbs, and Arabic calligraphy. this nation. As the end of the pandemic comes into In her statement to Qatar In this context, the ambas- Highness the Amir Sheikh Mohamed al-Qassabi, president of the Qatari Stu- focus, I truly hope our students and alumni will take News Agency (QNA) ahead of Tanzanian ambassador Fatma sador commended Qatar for Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, dent Association and a third-year student at CMU- this spirit of community service and innovation for- the Qatar National Day, she Mohamed Rajab. its firm commitment to pro- His Highness the Father Amir Q, noted how diff erent this year’s Qatar National Day ward to help build a brighter future.” said that the two countries tecting the health and safety Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- will feel: “It will feel a little strange, since we can’t CMU-Q off ers undergraduate programmes have achieved a number of pressing her hope for further of the people living in Qa- Thani, and the people of Qatar celebrate in person. But at CMU-Q, we can show our in biological sciences, business administration, important goals in their bi- expansion of co-operation in tar, hailing Qatar policies for on the occasion of Qatar Na- love for our country through photos, and through a computer science, and information systems. The lateral relations on the politi- various fields. working tirelessly to tackle tional Day, wishing Qatar fur- virtual gathering and shared celebration of Qatar.” branch campus is home to more than 400 students cal and economic tracks, ex- Regarding Covid-19 pan- the spread of Covid-19, and ther progress and prosperity. More than 40% of CMU-Q’s students and alumni from 52 countries, 40% of whom are Qatari.

Qatari students bring GU-Q community together for QND celebration An interactive Qatar Na- VCUarts Qatar alumnus helps make tional Day (QND) online event organised by Qatari students at QF-partner Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), art auctions more accessible to public brought together Qatari artists, entrepreneurs, and public figures for a celebration of the diverse his year, Doha-based Al known for her bold painting accomplishments of the Qatari Bahie Auction House’s style, and Faraj Abbo, an Iraqi community. Teff orts to organise the modernist celebrated as one of The Al Liwan Qatari student club Modern and Contemporary Art the fi rst to develop a distinct organises GU-Q’s annual QND Auction 2020 is being spear- visual language and identity for festivities to promote commu- headed by a Virginia Common- Arab art, away from the tradi- nity connections and com- wealth University School of the tional painting that most Arab memorate the rich cultural and The interactive event in session. Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) artists at the time were taught social heritage of Qatar. Despite Class of 2016 alumnus, Habib in Europe. the pandemic, this year was no for Qatar Airways, discussed the community, and a chance to M Abu-Futtaim. According to the VCUarts Qa- diff erent. importance of family support in get to know each other. “We The auction will take place tar graduate – who studied a mi- GU-Q dean Dr Ahmad Dallal, her career journey. wanted to learn the stories of tomorrow (December 15) in nor in Art History while pursuing said: “While we weren’t able to Abdulrahman al-Lanjawi, a Qatari the individual members of the Building 22, at Katara – the his BFA in Painting+Printmaking celebrate Qatar National Day public figure who has played Qatari community who have Cultural Village. at VCUarts Qatar – art auctions in person, this engaging event a role in QND celebrations contributed positively to the Abu-Futtaim, who studied are a great way to introduce new organised by our dedicated Qa- throughout the years, credited development of Doha,” explained at VCUarts Qatar and at UCL Al Bahie auction will be held tomorrow. and young collectors to the fi eld tari student club brought us to- visionary leadership for Qatar’s Al Liwan student club president, Qatar – two Qatar Founda- of art collection. And in this case, gether virtually as a community, emergence on the international Dana Darwish, a senior student tion (QF) partner universities with Al Bahie Auction House experienced collectors can par- a reasonably priced one, too. and reminded us of the nation’s stage. And up and coming art- majoring in Culture and Politics – notes how auctions such as for close to four years now. ticipate in local auctions. We’ve “In addition to more cul- resilience in a time of crisis.” ists Ibrahim al-Baker and Saad and minoring in Arabic. these have helped Qatar lead “By doing so, we off er a relia- also streamlined our operations turally appropriate processes, The live session featured al-Mslmani, both of whom have For club vice president Hessa the region when it comes to ble platform for both artists and – we did this by choosing only customers regularly fi nd our Ghanim al-Sulaiti, the founder had art showcased in multiple al-Kubaisi, a senior majoring in making modern and contem- the public to participate in the those western auction practic- artwork a better bargain as they of Evergreen Organics, who exhibitions across Doha, exam- International Politics and minor- porary art more accessible to ‘art market’, which, while being es that work in our ambience, can avoid the customs, ship- shared the story of his role in ined Qatari identity, culture, and ing in Arabic and Theology, a cel- the public. an essential element of any art using them to develop a new ping and tax charges that they Qatar’s increasing love of vegan history through the medium of ebration of Qatar’s history would “As the only local auction landscape, is also intimidating model of auctioning that is in would have to shell out had they and healthy food, and how the creative arts. be incomplete without looking house in the region, and also for a lot of people, including tune with the local culture and attempted to buy an artwork that led to his other business In place of the in-person festivi- towards the future as well. “We one of the only places off ering artists. customs.” from abroad,” he says. “Besides, ventures focused on sustain- ties, the conversational format wanted to make sure to include auctions of this nature, we raise “In order to address this mis- This year’s auction will fea- being a local institution, we’ve ability. Representing one of only of the live online session off ered the youth figures of Qatar, since public awareness and set stand- conception, I worked with Al ture works by a range of artists steadily built a reputation of a few female Qatari airline pilots, a more intimate engagement the future of our nation is in the ards for art collecting practices, Bahie Auction House to create including El Seed, a renowned discerning customer prefer- Sheikha al-Moudadi, who works opportunity for the university hands of coming generations.” especially in Qatar,” says Abu- an easy-to-understand plat- Calligraffi ti artist, Baya Ma- ences and personalising our Futtaim who has been working form where both novice and hieddine, an Algerian artist services accordingly.” Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 9 QATAR Education ministry team visits Doha College’s new building

A delegation from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) made their first off icial visit to the new campus of Doha College, located in Al Wajba close to Education City Golf Club. The MoEHE delegation comprised Omar al-Naama, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Aff airs to the Off ice of the Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education; Hamad Alghali, Director of Private Schools Licensing Department; and Rashid Alamri, Acting Director for the Private Schools Aff airs Department to the Off ice of the Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education. They were received by Dr Steff en Sommer, principal of Doha College, who along with his colleagues took the off icials on a tour of the campus, according to The MoEHE off icials listen to a briefing from Doha College off icials as they visit the new campus. The MoEHE off icials tour the new campus of Doha College. a statement from the institution. “They were very impressed with spent some time viewing the Doha College and the ministry, co-operation which will continue MoEHE’s Omar al-Naama, said: 2030. It is a valuable addition College, which heralded a new the new facilities and with the sports halls and various other but also with Qatar as a country. to grow with the facilities we “It was our pleasure to visit and a helpful contribution to era of British international students at this period of time of facilities like the libraries. “Doha College has been in Qatar now have. the new Doha College school the national eff orts to achieve education in Qatar, was opened the pandemic,” Dr Sommer said. “I would like to think that our for 40 years, and this has been “We have many plans to support campus at Al Wajba, which quality education in the country in September. The campus “Our guests were able to guests from the Ministry of a close partnership from the our local community here in was a fruitful visit. The new and we will always provide features impressive sporting, view a number of classrooms, Education and Higher Education beginning, being one of the first Al Wajba, making facilities campus is definitely a great support to all private schools music and theatrical facilities, specialist areas such as Design had a very good impression of foreign schools founded in the accessible and I am very much achievement added to the in Qatar, to sustain the best as well as modern classrooms, and Technology, the Sciences the school, but what it certainly country. With this fantastic new looking forward to the next few many other achievements in educational environment for inspiring learning environments, and also some of Humanities, as symbolised is not only the long- campus, we have opened a new decades of partnership and the field of education in Qatar, school students”. fully-equipped science labs and well as Primary classes. We also standing friendship between chapter of the next 40 years of friendship with Qatar”. in line with our National Vision The new campus of Doha more.

WCM-Q researchers stress Qur’anic Botanic Garden eff ectiveness of face masks welcomes Swiss embassy team he Qur’anic Botanic Gar- den (QBG), a member of TQatar Foundation and the fi rst garden in the world in preventing Covid-19 to exhibit all 60 plant species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, Hadith, and Sunnah, recently esearchers from Weill Cornell Medi- welcomed a delegation from the cine – Qatar (WCM-Q) have demon- Switzerland embassy in Qatar to Rstrated the eff ectiveness of medical its premises. face masks in helping to prevent respiratory QBG staff walked the delegation infections like Covid-19 and strongly rec- through the garden, its facilities, ommend their use by the public along with and history, as well as its mock-up other preventive measures to help mitigate garden in Education City. the spread of the disease. The Swiss delegation of 15 The research, published in the Internation- members visited the garden as al Journal of Infectious Diseases, was con- part of a team-building activ- ducted by faculty from the college’s Institute ity and learned more about the for Population Health (IPH). They carried out rich variety of plants and trees in a meta-analysis of previous studies on the ef- Islamic culture, their relevance fi cacy of medical face mask use in community in the Holy Qur’an, Hadith, and settings for preventing fl u, fl u-like illnesses Dr Karima Chaabna, Dr Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy, Dr Ravinder Mamtani, and Sunnah. Swiss ambassador Edgar Doerig and others during the visit. and other respiratory infections such as Sars Dr Sohaila Cheema. In addition, the guests were and the novel coronavirus. shown around QBG’s Botani- over 40 years and QBG is hum- World Cup Qatar 2022. The research is authored by Dr Karima possible – whether there was hard evidence However, this does not mean that cloth cal Museum, which exhibits bled to make its contribution to Close to 2,000 trees have al- Chaabna, population health and commu- to support the use of face masks in prevent- face masks are not of use, rather that medi- plant modules and traditional these already strong ties. ready been planted, with the as- nications specialist in IPH and instructor in ing respiratory disease transmission.” cal-grade masks are more eff ective. tools made from plants, that il- “We look forward to renewed sistance of embassies, as well as population health sciences, Dr Sathyanaray- The research group evaluated 12 primary The authors suggest that the effi cacy of lustrates botanical terms in the visits from the Swiss embassy, the greater community. anan Doraiswamy, assistant director of IPH studies which had previously examined cloth face masks is likely to depend on the Holy Qur’an and immerses visi- as well as other embassies in Qa- Additionally, in a bid to sup- and instructor in population health sciences, medical face mask use and found that the number of layers they contain, and the ma- tors in authentic Arab and Is- tar and the general public to our port the Environmental Devel- Dr Ravinder Mamtani, vice dean for student incidence of transmission of respiratory terial used. lamic heritage and traditions. beautiful garden.” opment pillar of Qatar National aff airs-admissions, population health, and infections was lower if medical face masks Dr Mamtani said: “The evidence is quite The visit took place with strict A number of embassies Vision 2030, protect ecosystems, lifestyle medicine and professor of popula- were used early and used in conjunction with clear that medical face masks should be adherence to social distancing around the country have also and empower community mem- tion health sciences and Dr Sohaila Cheema, stringent hand hygiene. One study conduct- worn by both healthy and sick individuals in and Covid-19 preventive and recognised the important role bers to be active contributors assistant dean of IPH and assistant professor ed during the Covid-19 pandemic found that order to reduce virus transmission. The ef- precautionary safety measures. that QBG plays in environmen- to these eff orts, QBG recently of population health sciences. medical face masks were of particular use in fectiveness of medical face masks obviously Switzerland’s ambassador tal conservation and restoration, launched its free-of-charge Although transmission of Covid-19 infection control if worn before an individual depends on them being used correctly and Edgar Doerig said: “The Swiss taking an active part in QBG’s ‘Home Garden Phone Helpline’. through close contact with an infected per- displayed symptoms of infection. we cannot overstate enough that face masks embassy team and myself were Ghars tree-planting campaign The initiative enables the son or contact with a contaminated surface But the WCM-Q study – which is enti- alone should not be relied upon; we must all delighted to start our yearly ex- and other tree-planting ac- public to pose any home garden- is recognised, the effi cacy of face masks in tled ‘Face mask use in community settings continue to practice all preventive measures cursion at QBG. We were sur- tivities,. The embassies of UK, ing questions directly to QBG reducing transmission in household situa- to prevent respiratory infection transmis- including physical distancing and rigorous prised and happy to discover Russia, Turkey, India, as well as experts by calling +974 3091 tions and public settings like supermarkets sion: A rapid review and meta-analysis’ – hand hygiene to minimise the risk of both such a beautiful hidden treasure Mali, Djibouti, South Africa, and 8519 every Monday from 9am – has been contested, and recommendations was unable to fi nd any evidence that cloth spreading Covid-19 and contracting it. in Education City with plenty of Senegal are among the countries 12.30pm, and every Wednesday have been inconsistent. face masks were eff ective in reducing trans- “The evidence for the use of cloth face exotic plants as described in the that, earlier this year, helped from 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Dr Cheema said: “Globally, there has been mission in community settings. It should masks is inconclusive. Because of this, we Holy Qur’an.” launch QBG’s African Women’s More information on its up- a lack of consensus from the leadership and also be mentioned here that there was one would recommend the use of medical face QBG director Fatima al- Diplomatic Garden – a fi rst in coming events, competitions, health organisations to off er united recom- study – performed in a healthcare setting – masks, but if there is no alternative it would Khulaifi said: “We are delighted the country, in celebration of and activities can be found on mendations about face mask use to prevent which demonstrated that healthcare work- appear to be prudent to wear a cloth face that the Swiss embassy in Doha Qatar Environment Day. QBG’s social media channels Covid-19 transmission. In countries such as ers who wore a two-layer cloth face mask mask in community settings.” selected QBG as a venue for its A key initiative of QBG is the – Instagram: Quranic_Botan- the US, face masks have proved divisive and were 13 times more likely to be infected with The full study and its fi ndings can be read team-building activity. Swit- Ghars campaign with a goal of ic_Garden; Facebook: Qur’anic have even been politicised, so we wanted respiratory illnesses than those who wore at https://www.ijidonline.com/article/ zerland and Qatar have enjoyed planting and cultivating 2,022 Botanic Garden; and Twitter: @ to ascertain – with as much confi dence as medical face masks. S1201-9712(20)32150-0/fulltext excellent bilateral relations for trees in the lead-up to the FIFA QuranicGarden. DFI’s Drive-In Cinema at Lusail extends screenings throughout winter

ollowing an overwhelm- of all ages come together this mark Qatar National Day 2020. zad and Maryam al-Thani; Al ingly positive public re- winter to share in the magic of On December 17 at 6.30pm, Tabbab (Qatar/2017) by Kha- Fsponse, the Doha Film cinema in a safe space. the Drive-In features: Gub Gub lifa al-Mana; Khurshid (Qa- Institute’s (DFI) fi rst-ever “I would like to thank our (Qatar/2018) by Nouf al-Sulati; tar/2017) by Mazen Shafea and Drive-In Cinema experience in partners at QNTC for their con- Hope (Qatar, Indonesia/2020) Mohamed Elamin; and Emsa- Lusail, presented in partnership tinued support.” by Abdulla Mohammed al- har (Qatar/2020) by Hassan al- with Qatar National Tourism QNTC COO Berthold Trenkel Janahi; Under the Lemon Tree Jahni. Council (QNTC), will extend its said: “We are very pleased with (Qatar, Palestine/2020) by Capturing the holiday spirit public screenings into the month the response to the Drive-in Noor al-Asswad; Kashta (Qa- on the big screen, Lusail’s Drive- of April 2021. Cinema in Lusail. The Covid-19 tar/2016) by AJ al-Thani; Un- In Cinema will present Disney’s Featuring a selection of fi lms pandemic has prompted us all lucky Hamster (Qatar, Indonesia live-action adaptation of the from Disney classics to contem- to innovate and adapt our off er- / 2019) by Abdulaziz Khashabi; ETA Hoff mann’s 1816 holiday porary family favourites, audi- ings. At QNTC, we work closely Maha’mel (Qatar/2018) by classic, The Nutcracker and the ences of all ages are invited to with partners such as DFI, tra- Dhabya al-Muhannadi; Dana’s Four Realms (US/2018) by Lasse the open-air cinema experience, versing the public and private Kite (Qatar/2016) by Noor al- Hallström and Joe Johnston on which brings the community to- sectors, to develop products that Nasr; Treasures of the Past (Qa- December 24 at 6.30pm. gether at safe social distances in cater not only to visitors but also tar/2017) by Nada Bedair and Drive-In Cinema at Lusail has extended its public screenings until April 2021. Screening on December 25 line with government guidelines to residents. Rawan al-Nassiri; and Ya Hoota at the same time, Dr Seuss’ The and with the health of all guests “We look forward to bring- (Qatar/2019) by Abdulaziz (Qatar/2016) by Shouq Shaheen; Skin (Qatar, Algeria, France/2020) On December 19, a pro- Grinch (US/2018) will take the as top priority. ing back our vibrant calendar Yousif and Latifa al-Darwish. Fragile (Qatar/2019) by Khu- by Meriem Mesraoua winner of gramme of shorts for the whole viewers to the town of Whoville, In a press statement, DFI CEO of events, while continuing to Screening on December 18 at loud al-Ali; Stranger (Qatar, the Best Narrative Award 2020 family will screen at 6.30pm, where the Grinch threatens and festival director Fatma Has- maintain the strictest safety and 6.30pm is a special short fi lm France/2020) by Yasser Mustafa MIQ Competition; Embodiment including: Unlucky Hamster Christmas in this captivating san Alremaihi said: “We are de- hygiene standards. This drive-in programme, rated PG-13, fea- and Christophe Buff et- winner (Qatar/2017) by Khalifa al-Marri; (Qatar, Indonesia/2019) by animation fi lm. lighted that the Drive-In Cinema cinema delivers family friendly turing works by local talents and of the Special Jury Award at the Beyond Broken Walls (Qatar/2020) Abdulaziz Khashabi; Samha Rounding off the series on has met with an incredibly posi- entertainment, while showcas- Qatar-based fi lmmakers includ- 2020 MIQ Competition; Al-Sit by Hissa G. al-Mannai; Woman (Qatar/2018) by Noor Fawzi al- December 26 at 6.30pm is Chris tive public reception following ing Qatar’s culture through fi lm, ing winners of the 2020 Made in (Sudan, Qatar/2020) by Suzannah of Steel (Jordan, Qatar/2020) by Asswad; Sh’hab (Qatar/2018) Columbus’ beloved classic Home its debut at Ajyal Film Festival all within the smart city of Lu- Qatar and jury competition from Mirghani; 2020 MIQ Competition Obada Yousef Jarbi, Best Short by Amal al-Muftah; Where Are Alone (US/1990) about a young last month. It is a truly unique sail.” the recently concluded Ajyal Best Documentary Award winner Film -Bader Category ; and End of You Right Meow? (Qatar/2018) boy who is accidentally left be- community experience, and we A three-day programme of fam- Film Festival. Ander (Qatar, Kazakhstan/2020) the Road (Qatar/2019) by Ahmed by Maysam al-Ani; Al Gawasa hind when his family travels for look forward to seeing audiences ily-friendly, enthralling shorts will The programme includes: Daz by Alina Mustafi na; Under Her al-Sharif. (Qatar/2018) by Sheikha Bah- the holidays. Gulf Times 10 Monday, December 14, 2020 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA QPO resumes live concert Art initiatives create after seven months positive impact:

By Mudassir Raja Staff Reporter Qatar-based artist atar Philharmonic Or- chestra (QPO) resumed By Joey Aguilar Roads and Public Places, QRail, Qits on-stage perform- Staff Reporter Woqod, and the Doha Fire Sta- ance with familiar music com- tion: Artist in Residence, will positions that were well received see artists create artwork at by the audience who enjoyed the he opening of new mu- designated locations in Qatar. live concert fi rst time since the seums and art initia- Other artists can be seen cre- Covid-19 pandemic began. Ttives in Qatar such as the ating their pieces at Al Abraj Both the performers and the Doha Fire Station has created a Park, Al Asmakh area, Al Khor audience at Qatar National Con- positive impact on young and Interchange, Post Offi ce Park, vention Center (QNCC) on Sat- The QPO concert, a first in seven months, adhered to Covid-19 preventive and precautionary protocols. emerging artists in the country, 5/6 Park, 5/6 Flyover, Qatar urday adhered to the Covid-19 PICTURES: Jayan Orma Qatar-based artist Michael An- Michael Anthony Perrone National Library Metro Station, safety protocols. thony Perrone has said. and the Woqod Petrol Station in All the 40 orchestra musi- I, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The tra did during the lockdown “I’ve been living in Doha ies, which have been integral to Fereej Kulaib. cians wearing masks and stayed Nutcracker, Johann Strauss, Jr.’s months, the QPO executive di- since 2013, and have been able growing the local art scene. About the art scene in Doha at a distance from each other. On the Beautiful Blue Danube, rector said: “We remained very to both witness, and participate Perrone said that many of vis-à-vis the pandemic and Following the guidelines of the Karl Jenkins’s Palladio, Tchaiko- busy. We made videos for diff er- in, the growing art scene in the Virginia Commonwealth Uni- other challenges in the region, Ministry of Public Health only vsky’s The Nutcracker, Op. 71 - ent and interesting programmes. country. Qatar Museums (QM) versity School of the Arts in Perrone said Covid has had an 90 people were allowed in Au- Russian Dance, and Ludwig van Our video – Peter and Wolf – has been an integral part of this Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) students impact on the art scene, cur- ditorium-3 of QNCC that has Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in proved very popular among the creative growth in the commu- have participated in exhibitions tailing some exhibitions and 400-seat capacity. There were C Minor. children. We also created special nity,” the artist told Gulf Times at the Doha Fire Station and in making it more diffi cult to go two separate performances and “The hall was not full but we music for our Arab and Chinese on the sidelines of QM’s Jedari- the Artist in Residence pro- and view artworks in the past during the two-hour-long break were sold out,” Kurt Meister, residents here.” art initiative. gramme, which he described months. the auditorium was sanitised. executive director of QPO, told Expressing optimism about Perrone, currently in the US, as “an amazing incubator for “I am hopeful that as the For the fi rst time, the orches- Gulf Times. “We performed af- future performances, Kurt said is one of the 17 artists who will young local artists.” negative impacts of the pan- tra played without a conduc- QPO executive director Kurt ter seven months. This is the that the orchestra is going to “breathe life into designated The nine-month long resi- demic ease, these issues will tor because of the Covid-19 Meister. last concert by us this year. We perform in January to mark the walls across the city” as part of dency, under the visionary improve. As I have been away challenges, including a ban on decided to make the programme start of Qatar-US 2021 Year of the QM’s ongoing campaign, guidance of QM Chairperson from Doha since last Spring, I travel. French violinist Lyonel The show kicked off with Fe- including diff erent pieces and Culture. We also have lots of launched last month, to acti- HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint am less aware of the day to day Schmit led the orchestra dur- lix Mendelssohn’s Symphony something everybody likes. Last recording in January for a huge vate shared urban areas. He is Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, impacts of the pandemic... but ing the hour-long concert. The No. 4 in A Major. The orchestra quarter of the year we could not programme that will be live in being assisted by former and supports local artists by pro- I keep in touch with friends and music performance was packed further performed Edvard Grie’s do more concerts due to the pan- February nest year. I hope we current students in painting a viding them with a platform to colleagues, so I am aware of with classical and romantic Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Wolfgang demic. Hopefully, we will start will have more musicians on the mural at the Doha Festival In- develop their creative practice. some impacts,” said the artist, concert favourites from Mozart Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony the new year with many more stage in coming days as the Cov- terchange. Jedariart, organised in part- who is also an Assistant Pro- to Tchaikovsky to Beethoven, No. 25 in G Minor, Giuseppe Ver- concerts,” he added. id-19 situation is fast improving He noted that the Doha Fire nership with the Supreme fessor of Painting at VCUarts among others. di’s La Traviata -Prelude to Act Sharing what the orches- in Qatar.” Station houses several galler- Committee of Beautifi cation of Qatar.

Algeria president in first appearance since hospitalisation

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made his first appear- Sudan PM agrees to regional ance yesterday since being flown to a hospital in Germany 47 days ago after testing positive for coronavirus, saying he is recover- ing and will be back home soon. Tebboune, 75, appeared in a video posted on Twitter and meeting on Ethiopia confl ict broadcast on state television. He said he is expected to make AFP rican nations of Ethiopia, Su- port Abiy had previously ex- a complete recovery within Khartoum dan, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, tended to Sudan, it added. three weeks at the latest. “I’m South Sudan and Uganda. The Sudanese premier had recovering...I will recover my Thousands have been killed urged Abiy to engage in nego- physical capacities in a week, udan’s premier said yes- since the start of the confl ict in tiations with the TPLF when two weeks or three weeks,” he terday he had agreed with Tigray, according to the Inter- fi ghting broke out six weeks said. “We will soon be in the Shis counterpart in Addis national Crisis Group, and just ago, and encouraged African country to continue building a Ababa to hold an urgent meet- over 50,000 people have fl ed to mediation to resolve the con- new Algeria.” ing of a bloc of east African neighbouring Sudan since Abiy fl ict as it threatened to draw in Elected in December last year countries to resolve the crisis in ordered troops into the region the wider region. Abiy has re- to succeed Abdelaziz Bouteflika Ethiopia’s Tigray region. to confront its dissident ruling sisted international pressure who resigned after mass pro- Ethiopia did not immediately party. to end the fi ghting and accept tests, Tebboune has promised to confi rm Sudanese Prime Min- A Sudanese government of- mediation, saying TPLF leaders carry out political and economic ister Abdallah Hamdok’s an- fi cial said the meeting between needed to be disarmed and ap- reforms in the North African nouncement of an “emergency” Hamdok and Abiy had been prehended. On November 28 he country, an Opec member. meeting of the Intergovern- “fruitful, especially on the declared the confl ict over, say- Early last month, Algerians mental Authority on Develop- emergency meeting of IGAD” ing the army had captured the approved changes to the con- ment. and on reviving a committee regional capital Mekele. stitution aimed at giving more Hamdok travelled to Addis to work on delineating their He has dismissed reports of powers to the parliament and Ababa yesterday to discuss the shared border. ongoing clashes as “sporadic prime minister as well as boost- Tigray confl ict with his coun- Abiy, winner of last year’s gunfi re” not indicating major ing political freedoms, although terpart Prime Minister Abiy Nobel Peace Prize, said Hamdok combat. Over the weekend, AFP voter turnout was very low. Teb- Ahmed, the fi rst foreign leader expressed support for the of- journalists saw trucks of sol- boune said he had asked his staff to visit the Ethiopian capital fensive against the Tigray Peo- diers heading towards Tigray, at the presidency to coordinate since fi ghting broke out in the ple’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and ambulances remain a com- with the election authority to region on November 4, creating during face-to-face talks. mon sight in southern Tigray prepare for a new election law, a humanitarian crisis. “The Sudanese side reiter- and northern Amhara regions. Ethiopian refugee children who fled the Tigray conflict wait in a line for a food distribution by Muslim adding this law would pave the “The visit led to fruitful ne- ated their solidarity with the Tens of thousands of refu- Aid at the Um Raquba refugee camp in Sudan’s eastern Gedaref state. way for the post-constitution gotiations and it was agreed to government of Ethiopia in the gees have crossed the border period. hold an emergency IGAD meet- law enforcement operations it westward into one of the most litical transition since last year’s larly harsh on the eastern states on Saturday, according to the ing,” Hamdok’s offi ce said. has been undertaking,” said a impoverished regions of Sudan. ouster of president Omar al- where Tigray refugees have United Nations refugee agency IGAD was founded in 1996 statement from Abiy’s offi ce. They have arrived in a coun- Bashir, along with an economic arrived. Around 170 refugees UNHCR, compared to 1,100 on and brings together the east Af- Hamdok also recalled sup- try in the midst of a fragile po- crisis that has been particu- crossed into Sudan from Tigray December 3. After bushfires, Australia gets ready for floods Just days after bushfires Parents pray for threatened an Australian Khamenei awards military World Heritage site, thousands were bracing for floods on hundreds of the subtropical east coast, with beaches closed and the authorities urging people to medal to slain N-scientist kidnapped students sandbag their homes. With as much as 475 millimetres (18.7 inches) of rain in the AFP Reuters the attackers’ motives, the previous 24 hours, the Bureau Tehran Kankara education commissioner said. of Meteorology issued a “severe Abubakar Lawal came from weather warning” for the border Zaria, a city 120km south of area between New South Wales ran’s Supreme Leader arents converged on a Kanara. and Queensland states, a heavily Ayatollah Ali Khamenei secondary school in Ni- Two of his three sons at populated area that includes Iyesterday posthumously Pgeria’s northwestern the school were among the the Queensland state capital awarded a prestigious military Katsina state yesterday, begging missing. “From yesterday I Brisbane. A week earlier, nearby decoration to top nuclear scien- authorities to save hundreds of was here, praying that the al- Fraser Island was evacuated tist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who boys abducted by gunmen. mighty Allah should rescue due to bushfires, dashing hopes was assassinated last month, More than 300 students our people,” he said outside that wetter weather would make state television reported. from the all-boys Government the dusty school grounds. seasonal fires less catastrophic Fakhrizadeh was killed on a Science school in Kankara One of his missing sons, than last year. Scientists attribute major road outside Tehran in late taken Friday night remained 17-year-old Buhari, was named the erratic weather in the early November in a bomb and gun at- missing yesterday. after President Muhammadu Australian summer to a La Nina tack that the Islamic republic has “We will not rest until we Buhari, a native of Katsina state. pattern — which typically features blamed on its arch foe Israel. The see the end of this,” state Yahaya, 17, told Reuters he strong rain — combined with broadcaster said the fi rst class Or- spokesman Abdul Labaran escaped on Saturday. climate change. der of Nasr (“Victory” in Persian), told Reuters. He gave only one name for Fraser Island, the world’s largest bearing Khamenei’s signature, A handout picture provided by the off ice of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday Labaran said military and fear of reprisals. sand island, is now under the was handed to the scientist’s fami- shows Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohamed Bagheri decorating the wife intelligence chiefs were in He said he sneaked away flood warning, which includes ly by the armed forces chief of staff (centre-right) of assassinated nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (pictured) with a badge of merit Kankara to lead the rescue. while the kidnappers trans- urging drivers to avoid roads Major General Mohamed Bagheri. during a ceremony held in the capital Tehran. While 321 students were ferred students to diff erent lo- where waters were already rising. “This is a decoration meant missing, he said some could cations in the forest. “We met “These are dynamic weather for dear ones who defend the He added that it is the high- After Fakhrizadeh’s death, istry’s Organisation of Defen- have gone home to other someone with motorcycle who systems and you should always Islamic revolution and Iran’s est medal awarded in recogni- Defence Minister Amir Hatami sive Innovation and Research states. All state schools in brought us to a nearby village,” expect the unexpected,” bureau territorial integrity and inde- tion of logistics contribution referred to him as his deputy (SPND), focusing on the fi eld of Katsina were ordered to close He said. “From there someone senior flood hydrologist Justin pendence,” Bagheri said. and support of the troops. minister and head of the min- “nuclear defence.” because offi cials did not know bought us to Kankara.” Robinson told a news conference. Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 11 AMERICAS/BRITAIN

OBITUARY SETBACK PEOPLE POLITICS DECISION Country music singer Virgin Galactic spacecraft Basketball star hospitalised Venezuela opposition wraps UK police drop rape Charley Pride dies at 86 forced to abort test flight after on-court collapse up ‘popular consultation’ probe into lawmaker

US country music star Charley Pride, a pioneering Virgin Galactic’s passenger aircraft SpaceShipTwo University of Florida star forward Keyontae Johnson Venezuela’s opposition wrapped up a “popular British police yesterday said they had dropped an Black singer who racked up 29 number one hits, was forced to abort a test flight after a technical was in critical but stable condition in hospital after consultation”, in a symbolic poll hailed as “historic” investigation into a Conservative member of parlia- has died of Covid-19 complications. He was 86. malfunction, with the two pilots returning to Earth collapsing on court early in the Gators’ loss to Florida by organisers but which did not prompt the massive ment who was arrested in August on suspicion of Pride’s family confirmed his death in a statement, safely, the company said. Richard Branson’s space State in Tallahassee. Johnson, a third-year player who mobilisation seen during protests last year. The con- rape. The unidentified MP has been staying away saying he had passed away in Dallas, Texas. Born in tourism company, which is preparing for commer- was named the top pre-season men’s basketball sultation followed legislative elections in Venezuela from the House of Commons since he was ar- racially segregated Mississippi in 1934, Pride was the cial flights next year, was testing its customer cabin, player in the Southeastern Conference, had slammed on December 6 — boycotted by the opposition — rested and bailed, but the ruling Conservatives had first African American to be inducted into the Coun- horizontal stabilisers and flight controls. “The ignition home an alley-oup dunk and celebrated with team- which gave President Nicolas Maduro a total grip declined to suspend him, stressing it was right to try Music Hall of Fame. Signed to RCA Records, he sequence for the rocket motor did not complete. mates minutes into the contest and was heading into on power. According to organisers on Twitter, 6.4mn wait and see whether he was charged. “Following a became the label’s biggest-selling performer since Vehicle and crew are in great shape,” Virgin Galactic a huddle during a timeout when he fell to the court. people participated in the opposition consultation, thorough investigation, and based on all evidence Elvis Presley. Tributes poured in from country music said on Twitter. SpaceShipTwo took off from the Spa- As team medical staff attended him, teammates, which began Monday. They included 3.2mn in made available to off icers, the decision was taken luminaries in the wake of the news, with Dolly Par- ceport America base in New Mexico on Saturday some of them crying, gathered together in concern person in Venezuela, 844,728 abroad and another that the case did not meet the evidential test and ton saying she was “heartbroken”. “Charley, we will afternoon, but the two pilots had to turn around and along with coach Mike White. After Johnson was 2.4mn online. The “participation in the consultation no further action will be taken,” a Metropolitan always love you,” she wrote in a tweet. Singer Billy landed just over an hour later. “Pilots and vehicles stretchered off , play eventually resumed, host Florida far exceeded the fraud” mounted by the government Police spokeswoman said. “The complainant has Ray Cyrus hailed Pride’s role as a “true trailblazer.” back safe and sound,” the company said. State going on to a 83-71 victory. on December 6, said opposition leader Juan Guaido. been made aware of the decision.” California could allow mass evictions to begin

Guardian News and Media eviction courts shut down. Sacramento State lawmakers passed a more comprehensive measure in Au- gust, barring evictions if rent- illions of California ers fi le a declaration about their renters are at risk of fi nancial hardships, and if they Meviction as tenant pro- pay at least 25% of their debt by tections soon expire, raising fears the end of January. of a mass surge in homelessness Some local governments during the deadliest phase of the passed stronger rules, giving ten- pandemic so far. ants more time to pay owed rent. The state’s emergency rules Now, legislators have just six to pause evictions amid the weeks left to extend protections, Covid-19 crisis are scheduled to escalating anxiety for fami- terminate at the end of January, lies while the state continues to which could result in landlords record more than 25,000 new across California going to court Covid cases a day. to remove residents behind on “People are losing their jobs rent. again or they’re getting sick and But amid a new stay-at-home dying. They can’t pay rent,” said order and shutdowns due to rap- Latasha Williams, a 35-year- idly rising Covid infections, ten- old Inglewood resident who ant groups and some lawmakers has worked with the Alliance are pushing for an extension of of Californians for Community protections and broader meas- Empowerment (Acce), a housing ures to preserve housing. rights group. “So many of our families are The assembly member David Shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine are loaded into a UPS plane in Lansing, Michigan, yesterday. going to be swept up in that evic- Chiu has proposed a bill to ex- tion tsunami,” said Janine Nkosi, a tend the current state protec- California State University, Fresno tions through December 2021, sociologist, and housing advocate but the legislature won’t con- in the state’s Central Valley.“Many vene to discuss until next year. people are one unexpected life Failure to pass the bill would event away from an eviction, and have widespread fatal conse- everyone right now is experienc- quences, he said, citing a recent ing an unexpected life event.” study by University of California, First round of US Covid California’s housing crisis was Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers, already dire before Covid. who reviewed data in 27 states Despite being the world’s fi fth that lifted eviction moratoriums. largest economy and the home The removal of protections, of some of America’s richest the authors found, was linked to zip codes, the state’s aff ordable 433,700 additional Covid cases vaccinations to start today housing shortage has long forced and 10,700 additional fatalities. hundreds of thousands of house- It’s a disturbing illustration of holds to spend the vast majority a common rallying cry of activ- Reuters escorted by body armour-clad tion Warp Speed chief adviser most of the American people de- available in the spring and sum- of their income on rent. ists this year – that “eviction is New York security offi cers in a pickup Dr Moncef Slaoui said in an cide and accept to take the vac- mer. Last year, the state’s homeless death”. truck and a SUV. interview with Fox News yes- cine,” Slaoui said.”We are very Slaoui said the US hopes to population increased to 151,000. “This isn’t theoretical. Those The shots then were loaded terday. concerned by the hesitancy that have about 40mn doses of vac- That means the mass unem- are real lives that should’ve been he fi rst shipments of onto FedEx and United Parcel That would still leave the we see.” cine distributed by the end of ployment of 2020 has turned the saved and we can’t allow that to Covid-19 vaccine left on Service planes that will whisk the country far short of herd im- The massive logistical eff ort is December, which he said would state’s housing problem into a be California’s fate,” Chiu said, Ttrucks and planes early precious cargo across the coun- munity that would halt virus further complicated by the need include vaccines by both Pfi zer large-scale emergency. adding that California tenants yesterday, kicking off a historic try. transmission, so masks and so- to transport and store the Pfi zer/ and Moderna A US census survey in Novem- will owe an estimated $1.7bn in eff ort to stop a surging pandemic US hospitals are preparing for cial distancing will be needed for BioNTech vaccine at -70C (-94), An outside FDA advisory pan- ber found that more than 2mn rent by the end of the year. that is claiming more than 2,400 the fi rst shots to go into arms months to control the rampaging requiring enormous quantities of el is scheduled to consider the households in California have If no new protections are lives a day in the US. today, but it will take months outbreak. dry ice or specialised ultra-cold Moderna vaccine on Thursday, “little to no confi dence” they can adopted, the resulting illnesses Mask-wearing workers at before most Americans can get a Health offi cials will also have freezers. with emergency use expected to pay next month’s rent – a fi gure and deaths will spread far be- a Pfizer factory in Michigan Covid-19 vaccine. to overcome widespread hesitan- Workers clapped and whistled be granted shortly after. expected to increase with new yond people removed from their began packing the first ship- Healthcare workers and eld- cy about the new vaccines, with as the fi rst boxes headed to the Although the federal govern- shelter-in-place orders. homes, with families forced to ments of the vaccine devel- erly residents of long-term care many Americans concerned the trucks. ment is co-ordinating distribu- The state government’s re- crowd together and homeless oped with German partner homes are fi rst in line to receive record speed at which they were The long-awaited moment tion eff orts, states have the fi nal sponse so far has been a patch- shelters facing greater demand, BioNTech SE in dry ice shortly the inoculations of a two-dose developed may have compro- comes as the US death toll was say over who gets the fi rst shots. work of regulations that have had said Kathryn Leifheit, a UCLA after 6:30am ET (1130 GMT) regimen given about three weeks mised safety. approaching 300,000 and in- The federal government is mixed success. postdoctoral researcher and co- yesterday. apart. Only 61% of US respondents fections and hospitalisations set sending the fi rst shipments to In March, the California gov- author of the study.“Allowing Trucks carrying pallets of More than 100mn people, or said they are open to getting in- daily records. more than 600 locations, as mil- ernor, Gavin Newsom, adopted evictions to proceed increases boxed, refrigerated vaccine be- about 30% of the US popula- oculated, a Reuters/Ipsos poll Some models project that lions wait for the vaccine and a a temporary ordinance blocking the risk of Covid for everyone in gan rolling away from the Ka- tion, could be immunised by showed. deaths could reach 500,000 be- return to life free from the fear of the enforcement of evictions and the community.” lamazoo facility at 8.29am, the end of March, US Opera- “It is however critical that fore vaccines become widely the deadly illness.

Ivanka heads to Florida Britain, EU agree to to explore political future Speculation about the post- a harsh critic of Donald Trump White House career of Ivanka in the 2016 Republican nomina- Trump is now centred on tion race but later morphed extend Brexit talks Florida, where the soon to be into a loyal supporter of Trump ex-first daughter and senior once he had the won election. aide to her president father has “I think she’d be the immedi- Reuters “Despite the exhaustion after across Europe and beyond. reportedly bought an expen- ate frontrunner if she ran for Brussels/London almost a year of negotiations, “Every opportunity to reach a sive plot of land for a house and senate against Rubio, given despite the fact that deadlines deal is highly welcome,” German may be considering a run for her father’s popularity in the have been missed over and over Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Senate. sunshine state,” Adam C Smith, ondon and Brussels yester- we think it is responsible at this Berlin. Ivanka Trump is frequently former Tampa Bay Times politi- day agreed to “go the extra point to go the extra mile,” John- The two sides have struggled mentioned as desiring a politi- cal editor and now consultant Lmile” in coming days to try son and von der Leyen said in a to agree on fi shing rights in Brit- cal career of her own and dur- with Mercury Public Aff airs, told to reach an elusive trade agree- joint statement. ish waters and EU demands that ing her time working for Donald CNN. ment despite missing their latest Britain quit the EU in January Britain face consequences if in Trump has sought to position Supporting the speculation are deadline to avert a turbulent exit but remains an informal member the future it diverges from the herself as a more media-friend- news reports that Ivanka and for Britain from the European until December 31 — the end of bloc’s rules for fair competition ly version of her father. her husband Jared Kushner – Union’s orbit at the end of the a transition period during which — what it calls a level playing Now US media reports are who has also been a prominent month. it has remained in the EU single fi eld. focusing on Florida – where and influential member of the British Prime Minister Boris market and customs union. Ireland’s Foreign Minister, Si- Donald Trump owns the Mar- White House team for the last Johnson and the president of Johnson said the two sides mon Coveney, said that despite A-Lago resort – as a potential four years – are spending mil- the EU’s executive commission, would try to be as creative as recent comments from the Brit- base for his daughter to launch lions of dollars on a property in Ursula von der Leyen had given possible but Britain could not ish side, he understood that there a political career of her own. Florida that will serve as their negotiators a Sunday deadline to compromise on key “red lines” was largely agreement on main- “Ivanka definitely has political future home base. fi nd a way to resolve an impasse so the most likely option was no taining existing standards. ambitions, no question about it,” The New York Post reported on arrangements that would deal, with trade reverting to the “I think both sides do want a a source told CNN. “She wants to that the pair are spending more guarantee Britain zero-tariff and non-concessionary terms set by deal and they want a deal now,” run for something, but that still than $30mn on a land lot on zero-quota access to the EU’s the World Trade Organisation. Coveney told national broadcast- needs to be figured out.” Miami’s exclusive Indian Creek single market. A fi nal Brexit without a trade er RTE. “My view is that a deal Florida might off er one poten- Island, which has been dubbed Yesterday they mandated ne- deal would damage the econo- can be done, but it really needs to tial avenue in a senate race in the “Billionaire’s Bunker”. The gotiators to continue, although mies of Europe, send shockwaves be done within the next few days.” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen gives a 2022 when current Republican island reportedly boasts its own Johnson sounded a downbeat through fi nancial markets, snarl With a succession of dead- press statement following a phone call meeting with Britain’s incumbent Marco Rubio’s seat private police force for its hand- note on prospects for a break- borders and sow chaos through lines missed, time is now criti- Prime Minister Boris Johnson, at the European Commission in is up for re-election. Rubio was ful of ultra-wealthy residences. through. the delicate supply chains cally short. Brussels yesterday. Gulf Times 12 Monday, December 14, 2020 EUROPE

Armenia, Azerbaijan trade blame Navalny poisoning not enough More than over deadly post-ceasefi re clashes to open an investigation: Putin 130 held

Reuters and territory in Nagorno-Kara- menia’s defence ministry said: AFP “If a person nearly dies this that took place on Thursday. at Belarus Baku/Yerevan bakh previously controlled by “negotiations between Arme- Moscow does not mean that it’s neces- “What should we do?” ethnic Armenians was handed nian, Russian and Azerbaijani sary to open a criminal probe at “Show us where this ‘Novi- over to Azerbaijan. servicemen are underway to any given opportunity,” Putin chok’ is,” he added. “We will protests lashes in the Nagorno- It said the military operation resolve the situation in Hadrut ussian President Vladimir said at a meeting of rights ex- investigate this case with pleas- Karabakh region have on Friday and Saturday aimed and ensure the return of the Putin has said that his top perts, according to the Kremlin ure, and very thoroughly too.” Ckilled four Azeri serv- to destroy or drive out enemy parties to their former posi- Rcritic Alexei Navalny’s transcript released on Friday. Navalny, 44, has directly ac- Reuters/AFP icemen in recent weeks, Az- forces responsible for the dead- tions”. near-death poisoning is not a Prominent journalist Nikolai cused Putin of being behind his Moscow/Minsk erbaijan’s defence ministry said ly attacks on Azeri servicemen. Russian peacekeepers de- reason to open a criminal probe. Svanidze, who raised the issue poisoning and vowed to return yesterday, in the fi rst report of Yerevan said Armenian forces ployed in the confl ict area have Germany, France and Britain with Putin, said: “But the man to Russia to press on with his casualties since a Russian-bro- had repelled attempted intru- reported no major clashes but have accused Russian authori- nearly died.” opposition campaign. olice in Belarus detained kered ceasefi re accord. sions into territories supposed said at the weekend there had ties of “involvement and re- “I understand,” Putin replied. He is recovering in Germany 135 demonstrators at a Separately, authorities in Ar- to remain under the control of been one ceasefi re violation. sponsibility” in the poisoning Taking to Twitter, Navalny after treatment in a Berlin hos- Pmarch yesterday, the Be- menia said six of their service- the rebel province’s govern- Azerbaijan’s State Security of Kremlin critic Navalny with said: “Simply incredible.” pital. larusian rights group Viasna-96 men had been wounded in what ment, namely the Hin Tagher Service said that “unfounded Novichok, a Soviet-designed The Russian president said His case has increased ten- (Spring-96) said, as weekly pro- they described as an Azeri mili- and Khtsaberd villages. accusations against the Azeri nerve agent. Russian offi cials were looking sions between Moscow and tests demanding the resignation tary off ensive that took place on “The provocations of Az- side and the Russian peace- The Kremlin has repeatedly into the incident and reiterated European capitals, especially of veteran President Alexander Saturday. erbaijan continued today in keepers by some Armenian denied responsibility and some that the West refused to co-op- Berlin. Lukashenko continued. The Baku government said the direction of the villages of leaders and media” were unac- top offi cials suggested that the erate with Russia over the high- The EU has imposed entry Belarus, a country of 9.5mn the clashes, which also left two Mets Shen and Hin Shen in the ceptable. top Russian opposition leader profi le case, refusing again to bans and bank account freezes that Russia sees as a security Azeri servicemen wounded, Hadrut region,” Armenia’s for- The Armenian foreign minis- might have been poisoned in mention his critic Navalny by on six people suspected of being buff er against the North Atlantic had taken place in an area that eign ministry said in a state- try said Russian forces were not Germany where he was taken name. responsible, including the head Treaty Organisation (Nato), has fell under its control when the ment. deployed in the area where the for treatment after falling vio- “There are no offi cial materi- of Russia’s FSB intelligence been rocked by mass protests fi ghting ended on November 10 In another statement, Ar- clashes broke out. lently ill in Siberia in August. als,” Putin said at the meeting agency. since an August 9 presidential election that Lukashenko said he won. His opponents claim the polls were rigged and that political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who ran in place of her jailed husband was the true winner. More than 120 marches took place in the Belarus capital Minsk and other cities yesterday, Germany orders partial with numbers at each ranging from dozens to several hundred, according to local news outlet Nasha Niva. Police regularly arrest partici- pants, issuing numbers of de- tainees on Mondays. An AFP correspondent said lockdown to curb Covid that unlike previous weekend protests that spurred tens of AFP/Reuters thousands into the city centre, Berlin metro stations were open yes- terday and mobile Internet was working without interruptions. ermany will go into a More than 30,000 people have partial lockdown from been detained in Belarus since GWednesday, with non- the start of the protests in Au- essential shops and schools to gust, according to opposition close, as Europe’s biggest econ- leaders. omy battles to halt an “expo- Lukashenko has been in power nential growth” in coronavirus for 26 years. infections. Tikhanovskaya, who is in exile The coronavirus causes the in neighbouring Lithuania, has Covid-19 respiratory disease. hailed protesters who had gath- The new curbs will apply un- ered “despite repressions, vio- til January 10, with companies lence and cold”. also urged to allow employees “They resist Lukashenko’s re- to work from home or off er ex- gime because the people of Bela- tended company holidays, un- rus want to live in a democratic der the new measures agreed by and free country,” she wrote on Chancellor Angela Merkel with Twitter. regional leaders of Germany’s 16 People go about Via dei states yesterday. Condotti in central Rome for “That would help to imple- their Christmas shopping. Police arrest two ment the principle ‘we’re stay- ing at home’,” according to the Right: A demonstrator for selling drugs to policy paper agreed by Merkel challenges riot police during a finance race war and state premiers. demonstration in Tirana over Germans are urged to limit the death of Klodian Rasha, Two men were arrested for selling their social contacts to another who was shot dead during the drugs to buy weapons to plan a household, with a maximum of country’s overnight coronavirus future race war, Spanish police fi ve people excluding children curfew. said yesterday, following a more under 14 meeting at each time. than year-long investigation. From Christmas Eve to Boxing The men, who were not named, Day, the contacts would be eased intended to buy weapons to allow gatherings with another and create “isolated white four people excluding children, supremacist groups”, police said. but who should be limited to In a raid, police found a Nazi flag close relatives or partners. and other white supremacist Germany in November closed symbols. leisure and cultural facilities and “In messages on the Internet, banned indoor dining in restau- they expressed the intention rants. to get arms and prepare what The measures had helped to they called a race war with the halt rapid growth of infections intention to carry out some form after the autumn school holi- of attack,” a police statement days, but numbers had plateaued said. at a high rate. The men appeared in court Merkel had repeatedly pushed in Lleida in Catalonia to face for tougher curbs to break the charges of race hate crimes, chain of contagion, but imple- possession of arms and mentation of the rules is in the explosives, support for racist hands of individual states and terrorism and off ences against some were reluctant to impose public health. more curbs. They were released on bail. The mood however has The arrests were carried out changed in the last week after in Ronda in Andalusia and Germany recorded new daily A child dressed as Santa Claus takes part in a charity event in A person is seen at a vigil in Berlin organised by activist-group #wirgebendenToteneinGesicht (We give a Pamplona in northwestern Spain death tolls reaching close to Pristina to raise funds for families hard-hit by the pandemic. face to the dead) to commemorate those who died due to the coronavirus disease. on December 10, police said. 600 and as the country’s disease The investigation had begun in control agency RKI reported that The Federation of Retailers say, from fi ve to six months,” he “We do not restrict meetings, rich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, and jump from 18th to third worst- September, 2019, following two the infections trend had taken a HDE warned that the new re- told Publico newspaper. nor do we declare curfews,” In- Geneva said the pandemic was hit in the European Union in just other arrests made in Lleida in worrying turn. strictions could threaten almost Asked if this meant that Spain terfax reported, citing the mayor forcing them to postpone op- six weeks. Catalonia. “Today is not the day to look one in two jobs in the industry. would achieve herd immunity, Sergei Sobyanin. “Tightening erations for patients with other Leaving home will be per- back or to see what could have But Finance Minister Olaf Illa replied: “Yes. It is what the (anti-virus restrictions) is only life-threatening conditions, mitted only for work, essen- been, rather, today is the day to Scholz said the government will technicians call that, that people possible when the medical sys- while intensive care beds were tial shopping, caring for the Off icers charged do what is necessary,” said Mer- off er help of up to €11bn a month have immunity either because tem can no longer cope with the becoming scarce. sick, funerals and for people to kel, pointing to “very high num- to help companies weather the they are vaccinated or because fl ow of patients. More than 4,000 operations take walks in single household with assaulting bers of deaths” and stressing the storm. they have had the disease.” “There is no such situation in have been postponed at the fi ve groups, Prime Minister Ingrida asylum-seekers urgent need for action. Merkel’s government has re- Spain has been one of the Moscow. The safety margin is hospitals since October, the Simonyte announced. Germany recorded another peatedly said that new infections worst hit countries in Europe by still quite large,” he added. newspaper reported. All non-essential shops will Three Greek border patrol agents 20,200 new Covid-19 cases over must be brought down to 50 the coronavirus. Russian offi cials reported 488 Switzerland has been hard hit be closed and meetings between and one police off icer have been the past 24 hours, reaching a to- per 100,000 people, but the New cases rose by 10,519 to Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 by the epidemic, with around households banned. charged with beating asylum- tal of 1,320,716 cases, according rate is currently at 169.1 per 1,730,575 on Friday, according to hours, taking the country’s offi - 5,000 new Covid-19 cases every As of yesterday, Lithuania re- seekers outside the Kara Tepe to RKI data published yesterday. 100,000. health ministry data, while the cial death toll to 46,941. day recently. ported 1,178 coronavirus cases camp in Lesbos, police sources Another 321 patients died Spain should achieve herd number of deaths increased by Authorities also confi rmed Roughly 1.3% of the popula- per 100,000 people over the past said yesterday. from the disease from a day ear- immunity from Covid-19 by the 280, bringing the total to 47,624. 28,080 new cases of the novel tion has been infected in the last two weeks, three times more The four men, charged with lier, bringing the total death toll end of summer 2021 if enough In Russia, Moscow will not coronavirus in the previous 24 28 days. than the 340 cases per 100,000 inflicting bodily harm, torture and to 21,787. people are vaccinated by then, impose a curfew or curb sales of hours, including 6,425 in Mos- The directors said they feared when a lighter lockdown was an- breaking anti-racist laws, were “With increasing mobility and the health minister said in an in- beverages during the New Year cow, pushing the national tally a third wave of Covid-19 infec- nounced on November 4. brought before a prosecutor the resulting associated contacts terview published yesterday. holiday, despite a rise in coro- to 2,653,928 since the pandemic tions early next year could trig- By that measure, the country on Saturday night after an in the pre-Christmas period, Salvador Illa said a vaccina- navirus cases, the mayor of the began. ger a collapse in the health sys- now lags only Croatia and Lux- investigation that was led by Germany is now in exponential tion programme will start in Jan- Russian capital was quoted as The directors of fi ve of Swit- tem. emburg on the European Cen- Athens’ police internal aff airs growth of infections numbers,” uary, and by the end of the sum- saying by Interfax news agency zerland’s largest hospitals have A spokesman for the Swiss tre for Disease Prevention and unit. said the policy paper agreed by mer more than two-thirds of the yesterday. written to the health minister, Department of Public Health Control’s list of worst aff ected A video aired on social media regional leaders and Merkel. population of 47mn should be Russia, which began vacci- asking for urgent measures to declined to comment on the let- countries. shows four men beating two While hospitals in some re- vaccinated. nating exposed groups in Mos- reduce coronavirus infections, ter. “There is no safe place in asylum-seekers in the camp on gions are warning that their in- “In Europe, even if it is not the cow, a city of nearly 13mn, ear- the SonntagsZeitung newspaper Lithuania has asked citizens Lithuania,” Simonyte told re- the Aegean island as they were tensive care units are reaching fi nal end, we will be in a very dif- lier in December, has resisted reported yesterday. to stay at home for three weeks porters after announcing the returned from a super market on capacity, huge queues of shop- ferent stage. That is why I think imposing a strict lockdown as it In their letter to Health Min- from Wednesday as it seeks curbs at the fi rst meeting of her Friday. pers were building downtown we are at the beginning of the did early this year, relying on tar- ister Alain Berset, the directors to rein in a raging coronavirus government since being sworn The off icers kept beating them ahead of the festive period. end with this time horizon that I geted measures instead. of the university hospitals of Zu- spread that has seen the country in on Friday. even after handcuff ing. Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 13 INDIA

PROJECT ANGER DECISION PLEDGE OFFBEAT Modi to open renewable Workers at iPhone factory Karnataka road transport Telangana CM looks to Mum, daughter tie the knot energy generation park riot over ‘exploitation’ staff withdraw strike fill 50,000 vacancies at same wedding ceremony

India’s largest renewable energy generation park Authorities vowed to crack down on workers who Karnataka’s road transport employees yesterday Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao In a unique event, a 53-year-old mother and her will come up in Gujarat with a generation capacity went on a violent rampage at a Taiwanese-run called off their four-day strike after the state yesterday announced that notifications would 27-year-old daughter tied the knot at a mass of 30 gigawatts (GW). The foundation stone for iPhone factory in Bengaluru over allegations of government responded to some of their demands, be issued shortly to fill up vacancies of teachers, wedding ceremony held under Mukhyamantri the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park near Vighakot unpaid wages and exploitation, with 100 people enabling resumption of bus services across the police personnel and others. He directed chief Samuhik Vivah Yojna in Gorakhpur. The woman, village in Gujarat’s Kutch district will be laid by arrested so far. The workers rioted on Saturday state. “As we accepted some of their demands, secretary Somesh Kumar to collect the list of Beli Devi, whose husband Harihar died 25 years Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow, the at Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing’s facility, the road transport employees have agreed to number of vacancies in all the departments ago, married her husband’s younger brother PMO said. During his day-long visit to his home with videos of the violence showing glass panels withdraw the strike and resume bus services all over the state. “The primary information Jagdish, 55, at the ceremony where 63 couples tied state, the prime minister will also lay foundation smashed with rods and cars flipped on their from tonight,” state Deputy Chief Minister suggests that there are about 50,000 vacancies the knot. Beli Devi’s youngest daughter, Indu, also stone of a desalination plant and a fully automated side. CCTV cameras, fans and lights were torn Laxman Savadi told reporters. “Though the state in the state in several departments. We have got married in the same ceremony that took place milk processing and packing plant in Kutch, the down, while a car was set on fire, footage shared government agreed to off er health insurance to fill them up. Teachers and police have to be last week. Jagdish is a farmer and was unmarried statement added. The Renewable Energy Park on social media showed. Local media reported under the Arogya Sanjeevini scheme, wage recruited in thousands. Collect details about till now. “My two sons and two daughters are will be spread over 72,600 hectares, and have workers saying they had not been paid for up to revision and inter-corporation transfers, the the vacant posts in teachers, police and other already married so with the marriage of my dedicated zones for wind and solar energy storage four months and were being forced to do extra demand for government-employee status has departments. Calculate how many employees are youngest daughter, I decided to marry my brother- as well as an exclusive zone for wind park activities. shifts. been rejected,” asserted Savadi. needed for which departments,” Rao ordered. in-law. All my children are happy,” Beli Devi said.

BJP backs new ally to Kejriwal is take power in Bodoland council exploiting

IANS Guwahati/New Delhi

ssam’s ruling BJP will sup- port its new ally UPPL to farmers’ stir: Atake power in the Bod- oland Territorial Council (BTC) as results of the elections to the 40-member autonomous body threw up a fractured mandate even as the saff ron party made big gains. The Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab CM and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) had fought against each IANS side his city for the past 17 days to farmers, Singh stressed. other in the BTC polls despite Chandigarh seek justice, you and your party He warned the Delhi CM that ruling Assam together along are busy playing politics,” Singh his latest attempt to drive a with the Asom Gana Parishad. added. wedge between the Punjab gov- Accompanied by Finance and unjab Chief Minister Cap- Training his gun at AAP’s ernment and the farmers would Health Minister Himanta Biswa tain Amarinder Singh yes- Bhagwant Mann “for shooting not succeed. Sarma, Chief Minister Sarba- Pterday attacked his Delhi off his mouth without bothering Not only has the Punjab gov- nanda Sonowal yesterday an- counterpart Arvind Kejriwal for to verify facts of the power pur- ernment supported the farmers nounced that student leader- “exploiting” the ongoing agita- chase situation in Punjab”, the through the past three months of turned-politician Pramod Boro, tion of the farmers to “further chief minister said “he was just a their agitation, it has even passed president of UPPL, would be the his party’s petty electoral agenda comedian who nobody ever took amendment Bills in the Vidhan new BTC chief. with blatant lies and brazenly seriously”. Sabha to nullify the farm laws, Union Home Minister Amit false propaganda”. Pointing out that Punjab had he pointed out, challenging Ke- Shah and BJP president J P Nadda “In sharp contrast to the Kejri- been purchasing additional pow- jriwal to cite even one example of congratulated Sonowal, Sarma wal government in Delhi, which er to support farmers during the any welfare measure taken by his and Assam party chief Ranjit had been thriving on corporate sowing season for years, the chief government for the farmers. Kumar Das for the party’s suc- houses’ crumbs, the Punjab gov- minister said it was obvious that Meanwhile, tens of thousands cess in the BTC polls, which were ernment had neither signed any Kejriwal and his party neither of farmers yesterday intensifi ed held in two phases on December agreement with Adani Power nor knew nor cared about what goes their protests against the new 7 and 10 and result declared on was even aware of the private play- into sowing or what the needs of laws. Saturday and yesterday. ers bidding for power purchase in the farmers are. Angry farmers staged demon- The BJP, which heads Assam’s the state,” said the chief minister, All they are concerned about is strations near New Delhi after ruling coalition, has emerged as in a hard-hitting reaction to the taking advantage of the plight of rejecting Prime Minister Naren- the major winner as the party latest campaign by the Aam Aadmi the farmers for their vested po- dra Modi’s assurances that the has won in nine seats this time. Party (AAP) in Punjab. litical interests, he added. laws would double farmers’ in- It had managed just one seat in It was, in fact, the Kejriwal From backstabbing the farm- come. the last BTC polls in 2015. government that was shameless- ers by implementing one of the Six rounds of talks between The BPF, which has been ruled ly notifying one of the black farm black farm laws, to trying to government offi cials and farmer the BTC ever since 2005 after laws on November 23, at a time dump them in a corner of Delhi, union leaders have failed to re- the tribal autonomous body was when farmers were preparing to Kejriwal had proved time and solve the challenge faced by Mo- constituted in 2003 as a politi- march to Delhi to protest these again that he was no friend of the di’s government. cal solution to Bodo agitation for very farm laws, Singh said. a separate state, has won 17 seats “And now they’re indulging this time while UPPL got 12 seats. in theatrics by announcing that Uttarakhand farmers support government The opposition Congress and they’d be sitting on fast in sup- Gana Suraksha Parishad man- port of the farmers’ hunger strike A group of farmers from Agricultural Minister Narendra aged to get one seat each. today,” he added. Uttarakhand met Union Singh Tomar told media Shah, greeting the Assam Chief “Do you have no shame? At a Agriculture Minister Narendra after the meeting. Farmer Minister and BJP leaders, said: time when our farmers are brav- Singh Tomar yesterday and leaders fro Uttarakhand “The NDA secured a comfort- ing the winter cold on the roads supported the farm laws. “The told the minister that the able majority in Assam BTC elec- outside your city, and many of farmers from Uttarakhand three laws enacted by the tion. Congratulations to our ally them are dying fi ghting for their met today, understood the government are in the interest UPPL, CM Sarbananda Sonowal, rights, all you can think of is how agricultural reform bills and of the farmers. They said that state president Ranjit Kumar Das, to make the most of the oppor- gave their suggestions. I thank amendments can be made Himanta Biswa Sarma and state tunity to promote your political all of them on behalf of the but there is no need to repeal BJP unit. I thank people of Assam interests,” he said. government. The doors of them. They have appealed to for their continued faith in PM “Instead of doing anything the government are always the government not to come Narendra Modi’s resolve towards a Farmers and union leaders march along a highway on the Haryana-Rajasthan border to protest constructive to help the protest- open for the farmers,” Union under pressure on this issue. developed northeast.” against the central government’s recent agricultural reforms, in Rewari district yesterday. ing farmers, who are sitting out- BJP legislator forcibly Readying for kite festival Republic TV CEO in police custody takes baby from shelter IANS lynching case (April 2020), the Mumbai court granted two days custody. Soon after Khanchandani’s IANS her without any Covid-19 pre- ding claimed Mishra had intro- arrest, Republic TV initiated a Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) cautions and returned her to the duced the baby as his “adopted epublic TV CEO Vikas campaign demanding his release. centre a day later.” daughter.” Khanchandani was yester- The channel said: “Repub- Primrose further said: “No one Earlier, the legislator had said Rday arrested in connection lic TV issues national appeal for JP legislator Rajesh Mishra is allowed to take the baby away. on social media that he had taken with the ongoing probe into the courts to intervene to stop at- has landed in controversy Only parents registered with the the baby home and was bringing TRP (Television Rating Point ) tacks on an independent news Bafter he took away a baby Central Adoption Resource Au- her up as his own. scam, and sent to police custody organisation” with a hashtag, from a child shelter without any thority can adopt and then take Offi cials, however, pointed out till December 15, offi cials said. #FreeRepublicCEONow. paperwork or permission, at- the child. I was not in a position that the legislator had not legally Shortly after the remand order It said that Khanchandani has tended his son’s wedding and to say no when he took her be- adopted the baby. by the chief metropolitan mag- already been summoned in past returned the baby back the fol- cause of his political infl uence.” According to chairperson of the istrate’s court, the Republic TV and subject to interrogation of lowing day. The legislator said he only Uttar Pradesh State Commission - which has alleged since morn- over 100 hours by the Mumbai The incident took place last meant to take care of the baby. “I for Protection of Child Rights, Dr ing that the arrest was illegal - Police, and termed it as ‘target- week, but has now come to light have always been concerned about Vishesh Gupta, “By law, a baby asserted that the company will ing’ of the Republic TV. Last after a child shelter offi cial spoke her. She was sick that day. I got a cannot just be handed over to an- challenge the arrest in the Bom- month, the STI had fi led a 1,400- out. The child, in this case, is call that she was getting seizures. yone. The responsibility lies with bay High Court immediately. page charge-sheet against the 12 the ‘miracle baby’ who was res- So, I went to the hospital with the care centre. Here, the Warne Khanchandani was detained by accused arrested earlier, includ- cued after being buried alive in 20-25 men straight from my son’s Baby Fold staff are at fault. the special investigation team of ing certain senior executives of an earthen pot in the cremation wedding. I got her medicines and “They should have informed Mumbai Police, making him the the Republic TV. The charge- ground in October last year. then came back to the wedding.” the district administration or 13th person to be arrested till date. sheet followed the unearthing of Superintendent, Primrose Ed- Mishra had taken photos, the central working committee During the court hearing, the the TRP scam in mid-October mond, of the Warne Baby Fold, holding the baby at the wed- members if someone was pressu- police sought 14 days custody, in which at least three television a shelter in Bareilly, said, “Last ding, and neither the child nor he rising them. The baby was clearly saying the accused had the knowl- channels, including Republic TV, Sunday, BJP legislator Rajesh wore a mask. His son also posted put at risk of infection. I will take edge and was a benefi ciary of the besides Fakt Marathi and Box Cin- Mishra came and took the baby two photos of the one-year-old appropriate action and write to crime. However, as Khanchanda- ema, were named, along with the with him without any paperwork in which he was holding her up, the NCPCR (National Commis- Men coat strings for flying kites with coloured glass powder ni’s lawyers argued that the police offi cials of a market research com- or permission. He went to his and another in which his father is sion for the Protection of Child ahead of ‘Uttarayan’ or Kite festival, in Ahmedabad yesterday. were ‘hounding’ the TV channel pany, Hansa Research Group, for son’s wedding, took photos with carrying her. Those at the wed- Rights) in this regard.” after its coverage of the Palghar the said manipulations. Gulf Times 14 Monday, December 14, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shura Council Speaker: Qatar’s Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko accomplishments are evidence of P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), solid foundations of state’s pillars 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) QNA 44350474 Doha facebook.com/gulftimes E the Shura Council Speaker, twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, has Hunderlined that Qatar’s accomplishments in various fi elds under the wise leadership of His GULF TIMES Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and its prestigious status are evidence of the sound approach adopted by the late Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani; Discovery of genes the solid foundation upon which the pillars of the state were built; and the high values, morals and principles that the Founder instilled in this good land points to potential and guided by grandparents and fathers until they became a distinctive feature of this loyal people, a source of their pride and an incentive to give for the Covid-19 treatment sake of the homeland and its elevation and progress. In a statement to Qatar News Agency Genetic evidence is second only to clinical trials as a way (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar National to tell which treatments will be eff ective in a disease. The Day, HE the Shura Council Speaker said discovery of fi ve genes associated with the most severe form of that every year His Highness the Amir Covid-19 has led to the identifi cation of potential treatments, honours the Shura Council and directs, through the Council, his comprehensive according to a study published in the journal Nature. speech that clarifi es the achievements; Existing drugs that target the actions of the genes reveal defi nes the policies, internally and which ones should be repurposed to treat Covid-19 in clinical externally; confi rms the positions and trials, experts say. Genes involved in two molecular processes — draws the features of the next phase, antiviral immunity and lung infl ammation — were pinpointed. its requirements, tools, plans and the programmes necessary to implement its HE the Shura Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud The breakthrough will help doctors understand how Covid-19 objectives. damages lungs at a molecular level. At the forefront of the issues to it, which exceeded 20 draft laws Speaker noted many significant organisations and parliaments of a Researchers from the University of Edinburgh made the included in the Amir’s speech this year and decrees in the fields of economy, achievements, most importantly number of friendly countries, aiming discovery by studying the DNA of 2,700 patients in 208 was his announcement to hold Shura the provision of the legislative the election of Qatar, represented at promoting co-operation and intensive care units (ICUs) in the UK. Researchers from the Council elections in October next year, environment for internal and external by the Shura Council Speaker, as enhancing the role of parliamentary noting that the principle of Shura is a investment, and encouraging and President of the World Organisation diplomacy, he said. GenOMICC consortium — a global collaboration to study fundamental principle in the national improving the business environment, of Parliamentarians Against HE the Shura Council Speaker genetics in critical illness — compared the genetic information march, which the Founder had been especially the law organising the Corruption and the transfer of the said that the celebration this year of Covid-19 patients in ICU with samples provided by keen on since the establishment of partnership between the government organisation’s secretariat to Doha; comes while the state is confronting healthy volunteers from other studies, such as UK Biobank, the modern state and was one of the and the private sectors, in addition and the signing of an agreement the Covid-19 pandemic, praising in Generation Scotland and 100,000 Genomes. The team found basic pillars upon which the state was to other draft laws related to food between Qatar, represented by this regard the eff orts exerted by the established. security, health, transportation, the the Shura Council, and the United leadership and all concerned state key diff erences in fi ve genes of the ICU patients compared with HE al-Mahmoud highlighted some organisation of press and media work Nations, represented by the United agencies, especially the medical cadres, samples provided by healthy volunteers. The genes — IFNAR2, of the Shura Council’s achievements and others, as well as other issues of Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the pursuant of the most eff ective TYK2, OAS1, DPP9 and CCR2 — partially explain why some during its last session. concern to the citizens, some of which (UNOCT), to establish the UNOCT means to confront the pandemic and people become desperately sick with Covid-19, while others are He noted that the Shura Council, were discussed by the Council in the Programme Office which is concerned provide all necessary needs to mitigate not aff ected. in co-operation with the esteemed presence of a number of ministers with parliamentary engagement in its eff ects. government, completed all draft according to their competences. preventing and combating terrorism, He also noted the spirit of solidarity Having highlighted laws and decrees that were referred At the international level, HE the to be headquartered in Qatar and its that characterised the Qatari society in The breakthrough the genes, the experts activities cover the parliaments of the its response to the pandemic, which was were then able to predict world. based on the virtuous values and lofty will help doctors the eff ect of drug HE al-Mahmoud underlined morals that the Founder instilled in this treatments on patients, that these achievements refl ect country and passed down to generation understand the confi dence of the international after generation. because some genetic community in Qatar, and its On the slogan of the National Day how Covid-19 variants respond in a appreciation for the eff orts exerted by this year “We praise you, the Lord of similar way to particular His Highness the Amir in combating the Throne”, HE the Speaker said that damages lungs at a drugs. For example, terrorism and addressing its roots and it contains expressive words with deep they showed that a causes. connotations that refl ect the lofty molecular level reduction in the activity Among other international morals and the fi rm principles of the accomplishments, the Inter- leadership and people of Qatar. of the TYK2 gene protects against Covid-19. A class of anti- Parliamentary Union (IPU) recently In conclusion, HE al-Mahmoud infl ammatory drugs called JAK inhibitors, which includes the chose the Shura Council as a venue called for continued adherence to the drug baricitinib, produces this eff ect. to launch a book marking its 130th principles, ideas, methodology and Experts also discovered that a boost in the activity of the gene anniversary. values of the Founder, which include INFAR2 is also likely to create protection, because it is likely In addition, the Shura Council willpower, sincerity of patriotism, signed many memorandums of clarity of vision, and the concern for to mimic the eff ect of treatment with interferon — proteins understanding with regional the homeland’s dignity, sovereignty and released by cells of the immune system to defend against and international parliamentary independence. viruses. However, experts caution that to be eff ective, patients might need the treatment early in disease. Based on the fi ndings published in Nature, the researchers say that clinical trials should focus on drugs that target these specifi c antiviral and anti-infl ammatory pathways. Dr Kenneth Baillie, the project’s chief investigator and Academic CMC chairman: National Day is time Consultant in Critical Care Medicine and Senior Research Fellow at University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, described it as a stunning realisation of the promise of human genetics to help understand critical illness. to refl ect on country’s achievements Just like in sepsis and infl uenza, in Covid-19, damage to the lungs is caused by our own immune system, rather than the virus itself. The genetic results provide a roadmap through the QNA its development and elevation. Doha Al-Shafi said that the Central complexity of immune signals, showing which drugs should be Municipal Council with all its members at the top of the list for clinical testing. Only a few drugs can be works in light of the terms of reference tested at a time, so making the right choices will save thousands entral Municipal Council set forth in the law, to present all the of lives. (CMC) Chairman HE proposals and demands of the people, As Dr Baillie said, vaccines should drastically decrease Mohamed bin Hamoud Shafi discuss them and issue appropriate al-Shafi has stressed that the recommendations regarding them and the numbers of Covid-19 cases, but it’s likely doctors will C National Day is a source of pride as it raise them to the concerned authorities, still be treating the disease in intensive care for a number presents an opportunity to refl ect on the and work on the development of years around the world, so there is an urgent need to fi nd country’s achievements under the wise and renaissance of all regions in new treatments. GenOMICC (Genetics of Susceptibility leadership’s directives. co-operation with the concerned and Mortality in Critical Care) started in 2015 as an open, Al-Shafi congratulated His Highness authorities, as a large number of the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad recommendations were issued during global consortium of intensive care clinicians dedicated to al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir the current year, and these eff orts understanding genetic factors that infl uence outcomes in Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, found all the co-operation, support intensive care from diseases such as Sars, infl uenza and sepsis. His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh and welcome from the concerned Throughout 2020 it has been focused on Covid-19 research in Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, the wise authorities. partnership with Genomics England. government, and the Qatari people on The CMC chairman affi rmed Qatar’s the advent of Qatar National Day. success in addressing the Covid-19 Speaking to Qatar News Agency pandemic, thanks to the directives from (QNA) on the occasion of the National HE Mohamed bin Hamoud Shafi al-Shafi, Chairman of the Central Municipal Council. the wise leadership, and the successful To Advertise Day, he said that Dec 18 will remain an plans of the rational government, noting important date for the Qatari people as fi eld of healthcare, as well as in terms unprecedented levels, in line with the that the Central Municipal Council [email protected] they refl ect on the country’s past since of helping poor families, infrastructure vision of the wise leadership and the works to follow up all developments it was founded by Sheikh Jassim bin projects, and energy projects, until plans of the government. and continuous co-ordination with the Display Mohamed bin Thani. Qatar occupies an advanced position He added that the Central Municipal ministries and institutions to ensure 44466621 44418811 He said that the Qatari citizen is the among the countries of the world. Council, whose members were elected that the council’s role continues in a main focus of developmental eff orts since Al-Shafi said that Qatar National Day to the sixth session, refl ects the normal manner. Classified the founding of the State, as the citizens is an opportunity to seek inspiration democracy enjoyed by Qatar, and that He also highlighted the leadership’s 44466609 44418811 remain the main pillar of the State. from the thoughts of the founder of the the distinguished participation of male success in overcoming diffi culties, As a result, the country’s wise state, adding that this acts as a driver for and female voters and candidates in this uniting the country, advancing the rule Subscription leadership focused on education by the CMC in its bid to co-operate with democratic event translates the sound of law, and overcoming the blockade. ensuring the establishment of schools, governmental and non-governmental approach taken by the wise leadership, He said that this occasion is an [email protected] universities, and diff erent educational bodies to implement the national in order to expand participation in opportunity to recall the march institutions, he added. development strategies. decision-making, consolidating the of dedication and giving, and is a He pointed out that the country He noted that the completion rates democratic experiment to serve the motivation to do our utmost in the © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved continued with achievements in the of projects in all areas has reached nation and the citizen, and contribute to process of building the future of Qatar. Gulf Times Monday, December 14, 2020 15 PAKISTAN

Scientist Abdus Salam’s residence turns heritage site The UK residence of the first Pakistani to be awarded the Nobel Prize for his contribution to the electroweak unification PDM announces plan for theory, Dr Abdus Salam, has been declared a national heritage site by the British government. Founder of the Theoretical Physics Department at Imperial College London, the scientist resided there from 1957 till 1996, when he passed away. long march to Islamabad Recently, the English Heritage unveiled a Blue Plaque which Internews lead-up to the gathering. was installed outside his former Lahore Maryam said she will never be home. able to repay the people for the “Abdus Salam 1926-1996, kindnesses shown to her in all Physicist, Nobel Laureate he Pakistan Democratic her life. and Champion of Science in Movement (PDM) has She also requested that the developing countries, lived here,” Tannounced a long march men present respect and take it read. to Islamabad, by late January or care of and protect the women in Professor Michael Duff , who early February. attendance. completed his PhD in 1972 under The announcement came “I have received word that the the supervision of Professor during a rally at Lahore’s Minar- media is being told to portray Salam, commented on the e-Pakistan yesterday, hosted by as if the rally failed. I know who acknowledgement, praising his the Pakistan Muslim League – is making these calls,” Maryam mentor whole-heartedly. Nawaz (PML-N). said, adding: “The people of “A blue plaque on the house in Even though the organisers of Lahore have thrown this anti- Putney, where he lived for 40 the jalsa had asked the attend- people government off from the years, is a fitting tribute to Nobel ees to reach the venue at 2pm, heights of Minar-e-Pakistan.” Laureate Abdus Salam, who hundreds of supports started The PML-N leader also played was not only one of the finest gathering there earlier despite two sets of videos, showing all of scientists of the 20th century, the cold weather, enthusiasti- the promises made by the prime having unified two of the four cally chanting slogans, carrying minister, when the PTI held a fundamental forces of nature, fl ags, and warming up the at- jalsa, right under Minar-e-Pa- but who also dedicated his life mosphere. kistan. to the betterment of science In her address, PML-N vice- “When a leader engages in and education in the developing president Maryam Nawaz urged corruption, it is the people who world,” he said. supporters to answer the call pay with infl ation. So who is the His son Ahmad Salam, said the for a march to Islamabad, while real thief?” she asked. words on the plaque would have Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Counting all of the premier’s made his father very happy. “For chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zard- promises made pre-election, him, above all else, that was the ari formally announced that the she asked whether all the hos- legacy he wanted to impart.” movement is now headed to Is- pitals and universities that were lamabad. promised ever came to fruition. PDM chief Maulana Fazlur “He used to say that Prime PM recommends Rehman said that the march will Minister House and Governor take place in late January or early House would be turned into a reading History February. university. But did it happen?” of the Pathans Rehman saluted the passion She lamented the misman- and enthusiasm of those gath- agement at Khyber Teaching Prime Minister Imran Khan has ered. Hospital, where six lives were recommended History of the “The resolve that you have Supporters of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of political opposition parties, wave flags as they listen to the speeches lost due to a lack of availability Pathans by Haroon Rashid as the shown will prove to be a mile- by their leaders during a protest rally yesterday in Lahore. of oxygen tanks. book of the month, sharing that stone in history,” he said. She urged the people: “Prom- he is currently reading it. “The country is currently the government, it is because he “Things are in a dismal state “In the city of lights there is “We have sacrifi ced our lives ise me, if you have to march Taking to Instagram, the ruled by an illegitimate govern- was brought here.” with today’s incompetent, ille- nothing but darkness,” he added. for this democracy. And we will towards Islamabad, you will premier said that the book is ment,” Rehman said. Rehman said that the PDM gal and unqualifi ed government. The PPP chairman said that defend this democracy and your march.” about Pathan tribes, akin to his The PDM chief vowed that the demands the rule of parliament. People have nothing but curses the PDM stands by the people of votes with our blood,” Bilawal Qaumi Watan Party chair- own, which migrated to India government “will be of the peo- “We will not allow parliament to in their hearts and on their lips.” Lahore. added. man Aftab Sherpao addressed from Afghanistan over the last ple”. “This system of rigging will be held hostage.” The PPP chairman said that He said that it is the plat- “Now there will be a long the gathering, saying that the millennium and settled in various no longer work.” He vowed that electoral re- these “fools have no clue or form’s demand to free Opposi- march! Islamabad, we are com- platform is of the view that do- parts of the subcontinent. Rehman said that people’s forms will be brought in for wisdom about history”, adding: tion Leader Shahbaz Sharif, who ing! When we reach Islamabad, mestic and foreign policies have “This month I recommend the emotions are now turning into free elections and that people’s “When have we ever feared dic- is the PML-N president, and the we will snatch the undeserving “failed”. book History of the Pathans anger and resentment. rights will be safeguarded, as tators? We have burned all our PPP’s Khurshid Shah. prime minister’s resignation. We “All institutions have become by Brigadier (retired) Haroon He said the entire movement well as those of the provinces. boats.” Bilawal said that when stu- are united,” he declared. paralysed. We do not accept the Rashid.” is aimed at securing stability for The PDM chief also promised He said that when the people dents demand their rights Maryam Nawaz, welcom- infl ation, the unemployment, “Volume Seven, which I am Pakistan. freedom of speech and protec- band together in a show of force, through student unions, there ing supporters to the gathering, and the country’s economic pol- reading, is about Pathan tribes “Let us all make a vow today. tion of media, and the eradica- “chains of oppression are bro- is “police gardi”; when doctors said: “Who would say … that the icies,” he said, adding that Paki- like mine, who came to India We must keep our land free,” he tion of terrorism. ken”. and nurses ask for their rights, PML-N should dare and fi ll the stan ranks among the countries from Afghanistan in the last one said to the crowd. “And like a “We will march towards Is- “Your victory is near,” he said, force is used against them; venue?” with the highest infl ation in the thousand years and settled in free nation, we have to forge our lamabad in late January or early to a roaring crowd. “Inshallah, and when farmers ask for their “To them I say: Come and be- region. various parts of India,” the prime own identity.” February,” he said, adding that this puppet government will be rights, they are “martyred”. hold this full venue. The entire Earlier in the afternoon, minister wrote on Twitter. “It He claimed that never in 73 all the opposition parties will sent home.” “But the night of the oppres- area surrounding the venue is the PML-N hosted a lunch for traces the role they played in years did India “dare such a “take our resignations with us”. He said that although stu- sion is about to end,” he said. full. Thousands could not fi nd PDM leaders at the residence shaping the history of India.” move” but today has “illegally “We will no longer allow dents, traders, doctors, and The PPP chairman said that all space here,” she said. of former National Assembly “The first volume of a occupied Kashmir and swal- the illegitimate government to shopkeepers are all in deep dis- the opposition parties have put Maryam also urged the sup- speaker Ayaz Sadiq, where a comprehensive and authentic lowed it whole”. rule. We will only rest after it is tress, the future of Pakistan is aside their political diff erences porters to give a warm welcome consultative pre-rally meeting book on the history of Pathans “Today the poor are unem- brought to an end.” bright. and are standing together on the to leaders of other provinces that was also held. is ready for unveiling, covering ployed, and infl ation has broken Bilawal began his address by “The government cannot feel platform of PDM. have arrived. Rehman, Maryam, Pervez its history from a pre-historic the backs of the people,” Reh- saying that the PPP’s founda- the pain of the people because He said this was done “so we She said that Lahore will be Rasheed, Mohamed Zubair, and period that also includes cultural man said, adding that the youth tions were laid in Lahore by par- they did not come through your can restore your rightfully cho- the binding force for all prov- Musadik Malik attended the heritage traditions and history to whom golden dreams were ty founder Zulfi kar Ali Bhutto. vote. This is not the choice of the sen leaders”. inces. gathering. of Pathan land, etc,” read the shown have no source of income He paid tribute to all those people.” “This isn’t a fi ght for rule. Lauding the people of Lahore They were joined by PPP chief description of the book on today. who had died in Lahore but nev- Bilawal said that the “big- This is a war to deliver roti, ka- for the welcome they had shown Bilawal, the National Party’s Dr Google books. Taking Prime Minister Imran er bowed to dictators. gest joke” was being pulled with pra and makaan (food, clothing her in the days leading up to the Abdul Malik Baloch, and Pa- Khan to task, he said: “When he Bilawal said that the PDM is Punjab, where the “fake govern- and shelter). This is a war for the rally, Maryam said that every shtunkhwa Milli Awami Party was staging sit-ins, he had ben- reaching out to every town and ment” has no concern for the youth, for the labourers and for nook and corner of the city had (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Khan: Pakistan efactors, and now that he is in village. people’s rights. all of you.” turned into a jalsa venue in the Achakzai. committed to climate measures Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan is Snowfall blocks roads in northwest committed to mitigate impacts of climate change by cleaning up the environment, local media Internews Chaterplan areas for over two lashed the plains on Saturday. reported yesterday. Islamabad hours after snowfall made the The new spell of snowfall He was virtually addressing the strategically-important artery starting on Friday night con- Climate Ambition Summit to slippery. tinued on Saturday, covering mark the fifth anniversary of the eavy snowfall in up- The Kaghan, Siren and Konsh the Shangla Top, Yakhtangay, signing of the landmark Paris per parts of Hazara valleys in Mansehra district and Ajmeer, Kapar Banda, Baha- Agreement. Hdivision and Shangla Kandia and Spat valleys in Up- dar Sar, Pir Abad, Jaba, Lilonai, In his address, the prime minister blocked roads, including the Ka- per Kohistan received snowfall, Kandaw and other areas with assured the world that Pakistan rakoram Highway, it was learnt blocking many link roads. white sheet. will be doing its best to make yesterday. The road linking the Manse- Heavy snowfall blocked the its contribution to mitigate the While the upper reaches of hra-Naran-Jalkhad Road with main Yakhtangay-Puran Road, eff ects of climate change. Mansehra, Torghar, Upper and the Shogran tourist hub was also and link roads in Kandaw and Khan vowed to scrap its coal- Lower Kohistan, and Kolai-Pal- blocked because of snowfall. Martung Chakesar areas, causing based power projects, produce as districts received snowfall, The snowfall and landslides problems to the commuters. 60% clean energy through rain continued to lash the plains blocked the Jabori-Nawaz Abad Bisham, Alpuri, Puran, Chake- renewable resources, and run throughout Saturday, starting on Road in Siren valley. sar, Shahpur, Karora and other 30% of its vehicles on electricity Friday evening. Meanwhile, heavy snow- areas received rain. by the year 2030. The Karakoram Highway fall blanketed the upper parts Power supply to several areas The prime minister said that Tourists push their mini bus on a street covered with snow in Murree, some 65km north of Islamabad. was blocked in Sharkool and of Shangla district, while rain also remained suspended. his government has decided to have nature-based solutions to mitigate the eff ects of climate change by planting 10bn trees in the next three years. 94% of smokers support health levy on cigarettes: survey Karachi has new administrator, Internews Studying Tobacco Users of Paki- were often short-lived and un- A health levy will raise rev- mand of Goods Prone to Smug- Organisation (WHO), cigarettes Islamabad stan has been jointly conduct- successful. enue which can be spent on pri- gling – Establishing the Volume are the world’s most widely- commissioner ed by local and international The study found that 98% orities such as the coronavirus of Smuggling in 2015, but later smuggled legal consumer prod- organisations, universities and were in support of tobacco pandemic. on termed it “strictly confi den- uct. The Sindh government has round 94% of smok- global health groups, in col- control measures, with at least In Pakistan, 19.1% of adults tial”. Cigarette smuggling causes appointed Laeeq Ahmed as the ers surveyed for a new laboration with the ministry of 94% indicating strong support consume tobacco, contributing This study found that Paki- immeasurable harm as interna- new administrator of the Karachi Astudy on tobacco us- health. for at least one of the proposed to around 160,000 deaths per stan is losing a $2.63bn worth tional brands become aff ordable Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). ers in Pakistan have urged the The Studying Tobacco Us- measures, including a ban on year. of revenue a year due to smug- to low-income consumers and Ahmed was a grade-20 off icer of government to impose a health ers of Pakistan (STOP) found smoking, taxation, smoke-free The tobacco industry con- gling of 11 goods, including ciga- to young people in developing the Secretariat Group. levy on cigarettes to discour- through the survey of 10 most cars, and increasing legal age to stantly interferes in policy rettes, that are making their way countries. Naveed Ahmed Shaikh, a grade-21 age their use, besides curbing populous cities in the coun- 21. making – a key reason for in- through porous borders. The WHO said that illegal off icer, is the new commissioner cigarettes smuggling which was try that 66% of the smokers It recommended the govern- eff ectual tobacco control, the It said that smuggled ciga- cigarettes evade legal restric- of the Karachi Division. making international brands reported a desire to quit, 28% ment to introduce a health levy study said. rettes were causing at least tions and health regulations, and Dr Syed Saif Ur Rehman has been aff ordable to low-income con- had attempted to quit at on cigarettes as it will be sup- The Federal Board of Revenue $27mn losses to the national ex- while the tobacco companies appointed as the new principal sumers. least once in the last twelve ported by the majority of smok- (FBR) commissioned a study chequer. reap their profi ts, governments secretary to the Sindh governor. The latest study called the months, but these attempts ers. titled Ascertain the Market De- According to the World Health lose tax revenue. Gulf Times 16 Monday, December 14, 2020 QATAR

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Beautiful illuminations have lit up Doha Corniche as part of the Qatar National Day celebrations. A drive or stroll through the majestic road is a visual treat. PICTURES: Thajudheen and Shaji Kayamkulam