QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Monday september 21, 2020 Safar 4, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5057 qR 2

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Nation 3 Business 8 Sports 12 Nepal Embassy marks ‘New products, Xavi predicts clash National Day on a exports to drive of styles as Al Sadd solemn note Baladna’s growth’ face Al Nassr

Qatar affirms full support FM meets GCC secretary General for Palestinian cause QNA legitimate rights at this defin- Doha ing moment in the history of the conflict. Qatar has affirmed its firm -po The statement said Qatar Amir to take part in sition on the Palestinian cause, will spare no effort in providing which stipulates ending the Is- whatever support it can to alle- 75th session of UN raeli occupation and establish- viate the sufferings of the Pal- ing the State of Palestine with estinians until they obtain their General Assembly Jerusalem as its capital within legitimate rights. the framework of international It is regrettable to see “It is regrettable to see some QNA legitimacy and relevant Security some misleading media misleading media campaigns Doha Council resolutions. that try to mix up issues and dis- Qatar has reiterated its campaigns that try to mix tort the image of Qatar at the ex- His Highness the Amir of State of Qa- position that all Palestinian up issues and distort the pense of the brotherly Palestin- tar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani refugees must have the right of image of Qatar at the ian people and their legitimate will take part in the meetings of the return, which is the sustainable expense of the brotherly rights at this defining moment 75th session of the United Nations solution to this conflict that has Palestinian people and in the history of the conflict. General Assembly and the high-level lasted for more than 70 years. their legitimate rights at Qatar will spare no effort in pro- meeting to commemorate the 75th In a statement on Sunday, this defining moment in viding what it can to alleviate anniversary of the United Nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the history of the conflict the suffering of the Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- which will be held at the UN headquar- (MoFA) said it is regrettable brothers and even achieve their rahman Al Thani on Sunday met with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council ters in New York, the United States, to see some misleading media legitimate rights,” HE Lolwah (GCC) Dr Nayef Falah Al Hajraf, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, via videoconference. campaigns that try to mix up of Qatar at the expense of the Al Khater, Assistant Minister of views were exchanged on the GCC march and issues of common concern. (QNA) HH the Amir will deliver a speech at issues and distort the image Palestinian people and their Foreign Affairs, said in a tweet. the high-level meeting on Monday, Sep- tember 21. HH the Amir will also deliver a speech at the opening of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, September 22. Hamad Port’s CT2 initial ops to begin in Dec Amir congratulates All materials used in infrastructure and construction works at CT2 are made in Qatar: Sulaiti Tribune News Network All materials used in the works president of Nepal Doha Announcing the initial operation of infrastructure, preparations and QNA of CT2 is a new achievement to be construction at CT2 are made in Doha The initial operation of Hamad added to Hamad Port’s series of Qatar with universal specifications, Port’s Container Terminal 2 (CT2) previous achievements, thus boosting its as well as the structures of the elec- His Highness the Amir of State of is set to begin in December for con- huge potential, advanced utilities and tric trailers that transport containers Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al tainer handling, according to the modern systems for increasing Qatar’s trade within the terminal/port, thus sup- Thani on Sunday sent a cable of con- Ministry of Transport and Com- with the world. This will improve the country’s porting the electric vehicles strategy gratulations to President of the Federal munications (MoTC). competitiveness by transforming it into a and legislations that aim to back the Democratic Republic of Nepal Bidhya CT2 development consists of country’s agenda for greener future. Devi Bhandari on the occasion of her four phases. Full operation of Phas- regional business hub with sustainable Sulaiti said MoTC, by backing country’s National Day. es 1 & 2 will start before the end of development for the coming generations. this kind of business, is signifi- 2022, taking the port’s capacity to —HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti cantly contributing to reinforcing 3 million TEUs per year. Phases 3 the localisation of manufacturing, & 4 will be developed later to raise expertise and global technologies. the port’s operational capacity ac- world, in addition to improving works on CT2 are nearing com- added. Besides it has plans for localising Qatar University, cording to local market needs. the country’s competitiveness by pletion confirms the continuity of “During developing CT2 and its the actual operational processes MME team up to “Announcing the initial opera- transforming it into a regional plans that aim to develop and in- associated building and construc- for several transportation and tion of CT2 is a new achievement to business hub with sustainable de- crease the port’s capacity. tion works, MoTC’s vision has been communication projects, thus en- develop country’s be added to Hamad Port’s series of velopment for the coming genera- The work is progressing in full implemented, which aims at sup- riching local companies’ invest- first solar agri previous achievements, thus boost- tions,” Minister of Transport and gear with no delay or slowdown porting the local manufacturing and ment ideology to achieve the Qatar greenhouse ing its huge potential, advanced Communications HE Jassim Saif despite the coronavirus COVID-19 deploying latest technologies that National Vision 2030. (PG 16 ) utilities and modern systems for Ahmed Al Sulaiti said. pandemic, which affected several are based on environmental sustain- increasing Qatar’s trade with the The minister said the fact that economies around the world, he ability and clean energy,” he said. Continued on page 2 

Qatar to host 2021 COVID-19 recoveries reach 120,303 ‘All schoolchildren to Asian Table Tennis Qatar on Sunday reported 230 coronavirus (COVID-19) cases -- 214 from community and 16 from travellers returning from abroad. undergo saliva test Also, 214 people recovered from the virus during the past 24 Championships hours, bringing the total number of recoveries in Qatar to 120,303. QNA Gulf country to succeed in Sadly, a 74-year-old patient succumbed to the virus, taking the to detect COVID-19’ Doha winning the honour of hosting death toll in the country to 210. In a statement, the Ministry of the Asian Championship for the Public Health (MoPH) said all the new cases have been introduced Tribune News Network The Asian Table Tennis Union second time after the 2000 edi- to isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare according to Doha (ATTU) has officially chosen Qatar tion, which confirms the great their health status. “Measures to tackle COVID-19 in Qatar have to host the 25th edition of the position that Doha enjoys in succeeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the Qatar will soon introduce in Asian Men’s and Women’s Table organising such major events. virus and the number of new daily cases and hospital admissions schools a non-invasive saliva Tennis Championships in Septem- Khalil Al Mohannadi, is continuing to decline each week,” the MoPH said. (TNN) test that avoids the need for ber 2021. President of the intrusive nasal swabs to test The Qatar Qatari and Arab coronavirus (COVID-19), a top The new saliva-based Table Tennis As- Table Tennis As- health official has said. test avoids the need for sociation said sociations, First “All schoolchildren will be intrusive nasal swabs the announce- Vice President tested,” Hamad General Hospi- to detect COVID-19 ment was made of the ATTU and 4 held for flouting home-quarantine rules tal Medical Director Dr Yousef on the sidelines International Four persons were arrested on Sunday for Al Rahman Ansari and Khalid Naji Abdul-Hafez Al Maslamani told Qatar Radio. pointed out. of the ATTU Table Tennis Fed- violating a home-quarantine pledge they under- Abdullah Al Ajji. The new saliva-based test Dr Al Maslamani said the Executive Office meeting held eration (ITTF), said the Qatari took as part of efforts to contain the spread of The authorities concerned have called on is a significant departure from decision to close some class- via videoconference. table tennis will benefit from coronavirus (COVID-19). citizens and residents under home quarantine to the standard and often painful rooms and schools should The Executive Office decided this historic hosting and gain The arrests were made in implementation fully adhere to the requirements set by the MoPH nasopharyngeal swab, which not raise parents’ concerns. to assign the organisation of experiences by playing with the of the precautionary measures approved by the to ensure their safety and the safety of others. remains the most common Instead, they should feel reas- the Asian Table Tennis Champi- best players in the game. health authorities represented by the Ministry of Anyone who violates these conditions will be method of detecting COVID-19. sured that strict measures are onship to Qatar 20 years after it Al Mohannadi stressed that Public Health (MoPH) and its supporting bodies subjected to the penalties stipulated in accord- Going to schools does not in place to prevent the spread hosted the tournament in 2000, Qatar will organise a tourna- to ensure public safety and prevent the spread of ance with the provisions of Article (253) of the expose the students or the of COVID-19 in schools, he following the withdrawal of ment of highest international the coronavirus. Penal Code No (11) of 2004, and the provisions staff to additional risks of con- added. The Ministry of Public China and India from the host- standards with its world-class The four persons being referred to pros- of Law No (17) of 1990 regarding the prevention tracting the virus because the Health (MoPH) introduced sa- ing competition race during the facilities, stadiums, and sports ecution are Mukhtar Ibrahim, Mohammed of infectious diseases, and Law No (17) of 2002 rate of COVID-19 infection liva-based COVID-19 tests for ATTU General Assembly. halls equipped with the latest Nabil Yousef Abdullah, Suhail Al Rahman Aziz regarding the protection of society. (QNA) in schools is lower than that children from Sunday as part of Qatar is the first Arab and technologies. among the general public, he a national testing programme. 02 Monday, September 21, 2020

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Quick read Proper planning is key to achieving Deputy Amir congratulates president of Nepal objectives: Minister of Environment The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday sent a cable of QNA opportunities, especially in light achieve this, the Qatari cadres ure the satisfaction of public by congratulations to President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Doha of the preparations for the 2022 must be built through education, launching customer satisfaction Bhandari on her country’s National Day. (QNA) World Cup. qualification, training and refin- questionnaires in various sec- Minister of Municipality and “This annual forum is the first ing of their skills, in addition to tors and internal questionnaires PM congratulates Nepalese Environment HE Engineer Ab- of its kind to build effective com- hiring Qataris for jobs with na- to measure the satisfaction of the counterpart dullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki munication channels between tional competencies, as this is one employees about the services pro- Al Subaie has affirmed that gov- the ministry’s leaders to discuss of the major priorities at the min- vided by various departments. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE ernmental institutions are facing their ambitions to enhance insti- istry, he said. Eng Yousef Ahmed Janahi, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani many challenges, particularly the tutional effectiveness, exchange Eng Subaie reviewed a num- director of Planning and Quality sent on Sunday a cable of congratulations to blockade imposed on the country, ideas and opinions to improve the ber of the ministry’s projects in Department and General Coordi- Prime Minister of Nepal K. P. Sharma Oli on his and the coronavirus (COVID-19) satisfaction of the internal and the fields of urban planning af- nator of the First Annual Planning country’s National Day. (QNA) pandemic, calling for a transfor- external public,” he said. fairs, municipalities, public ser- Forum, said the main objectives mation in the management of the He added, “In conformity vices, agriculture, fisheries, envi- behind the forum are to create a Indian embassy Open House business through good planning with the directives of Prime Min- ronment and shared services. common vision for the future of to achieve strategic goals and ob- ister and Minister of Interior HE HE Engineer Abdullah bin Abdulaziz He said the ministry is work- the ministry during the five-year Ambassador of India will hold Open House jectives for the future. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Ab- bin Turki Al Subaie ing on providing its over 450 ser- plan period in light of the ap- on Thursday, September 24, 2020, from 3pm In his speech during the open- dulaziz Al Thani in keeping pace vices for citizens and residents, as proved long-term vision and to to listen to and address any urgent labour ing of the first annual Planning with Qatar National Vision 2030, to develop its strategic plan in well as to the public and private provide the opportunity for senior and consular issues of the Indian nationals in Forum, which was launched via it was necessary to develop the cooperation with one of the inter- sectors through several access officials to present their plans for Qatar. The Open House will be held in online video conferencing, the minister strategic plan of the Ministry of national consultancy firms spe- points, adding that the ministry an open and honest discussion, mode. Indian nationals who want to participate said the governmental institu- Municipality and Environment.” cialised in the field of formulating will employ technology to imple- review and comment on them in may register themselves by sending email to tions are required to always be He said, the Ministry, with strategic plans. ment its strategy and achieve its the interest of the ministry, in ad- [email protected]. (QNA) prepared to work surmount the the help of experts and specialists Excellence in performance is mission, vision and goals dition to discussing related issues challenges and turn them into from various sectors, has begun the way to achieve goals and to He said the ministry will meas- and proffer solutions. QTerminals set to offer shipping Q-Lamp study to help understand impact sector all modern equipment of COVID-19 on mental health, says HMC

Continued from page 1  2021, taking the total to 26. operations at Hamad Port in People above 18 years of age, who can speak Arabic or English, are urged to take part in survey RTGs are used for handling summers, when temperatures The area of phases 1 and 2 of containers on the landside. are very high in Qatar. CATHERINE W GICHUKI services right from the early Hamad Port’s CT2 is 380,000 RTGs are of battery hybrid Terminal Tractors APM Doha days of the COVID-19 out- sqm. Its quay is 624-metre- type. This technology reduces 75T HE have high productiv- break,” he said. long. the environmental impact of ity and less maintenance cost. THE first Qatar-Longitudinal He added that follow- QTerminals, which man- RTG operations by reducing These are also easy to drive Assessment of Mental Health ing the outbreak of the ages and operates Phase 1 of fuel consumption. with a high level of safety, in Pandemics (Q-LAMP) study pandemic, HMC’s Mental Hamad Port, has completed Further, when a container/ eco-friendly and energy sav- will help understand the im- Health Service, in collabora- 2 million man-hours without load is lowered, there is a spike er. Being fully-electric makes pact of COVID-19 and how it tion with Ministry of Public LTI during the development of generated power which re- them clean and sustainable is affecting the mental health Health, created a helpline works of CT2. QTerminals with no polluting or carbon and well-being of Qatar’s pop- with mental health special- is set to offer the shipping emissions or noise. Their ulation, according to health ists, including psychologists sector all the modern equip- QTerminals, which CO2 emissions equal zero ton officials. and psychiatrists, to provide ment that uses latest and eco- manages and operates annually. They also have low The officials have invited an array of psycho-social in- friendly world technologies to Phase 1 of Hamad Port, operational cost. members of the public, who terventions in many differ- execute their business fast and has completed 2 mn Besides, CT2’s operation- are above 18 years of age and Dr Majid Al Abdallah Iain Tulley ent languages. smoothly. man-hours without LTI related and service buildings who can speak Arabic or Eng- He urged people to take Phase 1 of CT2 has been and infrastructure have been lish, to take part in the survey fully of the impact of the pan- hoping to collect from you, part in the study in order to equipped with thee STS quay during the development finalised, including the Die- as according to them, it will be demic on the mental health of will provide important infor- continue providing support in cranes with advanced technol- works of CT2 sel Generator House (DGH), beneficial not only for decision- the population, we introduced mation for launching aware- times of need. ogy, including semi-automa- Main Intake Substation (MIS), makers, but for people at large strategic changes in men- ness campaigns and equipping “This study aims to assess tion and remote-control oper- Admin Building (ADM), Reef- in Qatar. tal health services in recent mental health services to be the mental health and well- ations. STS cranes are known sults in a rapid charge event of er Stack Gantries (RSG), quay- The joint research study months in order to provide better prepared to face such being of Qatar’s population, for being so fast and extremely the batteries. side amenities (QAS), telecom, launched last month by HMC, emergency and non-emer- crises in the future.” including factors that impact efficient in container handling CT2 has 22 Terminal Trac- ELV & SSD networks and in conjunction with Qatar Uni- gency psychological support The CEO of HMC’s Mental people’s ability to cope with and capable of handling latest tor APM 75T HE for container stormwater networks, in ad- versity, aims at investigating and services to all residents in Health Service and Qatar Na- this crisis and to identify vul- types of vessels. Each crane transportation within the ter- dition to other relevant infra- the social and psychological Qatar to maintain the safety tional Health Strategy 2018- nerable segments of popula- can handle four 20’ contain- minal and the port. This type structure and establishments. impacts of the COVID-19 pan- of everyone during this pan- 2022 lead for Mental Health tion who may need more sup- ers or two 40’ containers at the of terminal tractors is capable All gates will be automatic demic on Qatar’s population. demic.” and Wellbeing Iain Tulley port,” he said. same time. Four more cranes of functioning very efficiently with seamless connection to Speaking in a video, HMC Dr Abdallah added, “This said that Qatar has adopted a One can register for the will be added during 2021, in high temperatures. It’s operation systems, electronic Chairman of Psychiatry Dr study will help us understand very strong approach to safe- study on http://q-lamp. taking the total number of equipped with advanced bat- data exchange and systems of Majid Al Abdallah said, “The the impact of this pandemic guard mental health since the com. To complete the survey, cranes to seven. teries, an entirely solid-state other bodies concerned, in ad- health sector in Qatar has and how it is affecting the outbreak of COVID-19 a few please type the survey link into CT2 has been also technology insensitive to tem- dition to integration with CT1, gone through major changes mental health and well-being months ago. “Mental health your browser: https://sesri. equipped with 12 RTGs and perature variations from -20 which started operation in De- as a result of the coronavirus of Qatar’s population over services have been provided eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ 14 more will be added during to 160°C. This supports its cember 2016. pandemic. Having been aware time. This data, which we are through community health SV_5hcCrkDWRpwbsQl

We have placed sports at the forefront of our nation’s future: Thawadi Tribune News Network the SC is using sport to drive Speaking about the pro- Following the launch of the Doha change through its football gramme’s impact on youth initiative, there will be a three- for development programme, in less privileged parts of the day International Expert Group Qatar has recognised the Generation Amazing, which world, Generation Amazing Meeting from September 21 to potential of sports as a cross- has already benefited more Programmes Director Nasser 23. A number of panel discus- cutting theme for attaining the than 500,000 people in Asia Al Khori said, “Generation sions will take place in the form sustainable development goals and the Middle East. Amazing has reached across of peer-to-peer sessions with and we have placed sports at “Generation Amazing’s four continents, built football the main aim of discussing the the forefront of our nation’s fu- work follows the ethos that pitches in 30 under-privileged development of advanced poli- ture, said Hassan Al Thawadi, brings us together today - pro- communities and positively cies to address violent extrem- secretary-general of the Su- moting tolerance and respect, impacted the lives of 500,000 ism through sport. preme Committee for Delivery empowering youth and wom- Hassan Al Thawadi Mourinho, head coach of Tot- placed sports at the forefront young people to date. We work On September 22, Khori & Legacy (SC). en and encouraging health, tenham Hotspur Football of our nation’s future. We together with our partners at will take part in a panel discus- Thawadi made the remarks education and social inclu- power and utilises that power Club. understand the precious re- the B4Development behav- sion called ‘Sport for prevent- while addressing a high-level sion,” Thawadi said in a video to its fullest potential.” Thawadi said, “I am a firm sponsibility we have of hosting ioural insights unit to make ing and countering violent meeting during the launch of speech to attendees at the The event saw the partici- believer that sports must be the world in 2022 and ensur- sure our impact is measured extremism conducive to ter- the UN Global Programme ini- event. “Each of these factors pation of high-level speakers recognised as a cross-cutting ing that the positive effects of and based on scientific in- rorism’. tiative on the Security of Major plays a significant role in the including HE Sheikha Alya theme for attaining the sus- bringing the world together sights. Since Qatar won the right Sporting Events recently. wider aim of preventing the Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, am- tainable development goals. must be harnessed for a better “By 2022, we aim to reach to host the next FIFA World The meeting comes within causes of violent extremism. bassador and permanent rep- The coalition of organisations future for our region and the one million youth globally, Cup, a number of legacy pro- the framework of the UN Glob- We all recognise that ethos and resentative of Qatar to the UN; and individuals from within globe.” empowering new generations grammes have been launched al Programme on the Security the potential within sports for Mohammed Hanzab, chair- the United Nations and from He praised the work of Gen- of young leaders across the to ensure that the tournament of Major Sporting Events, and achieving these goals. It is in- man of the International Cen- various other bodies and sec- eration Amazing, which aims region and the world to trans- leaves a positive impact on Promotion of Sport and Its cumbent upon us all to ensure tre for Sport Security (ICSS); tors is a very encouraging step to positively impact the lives of form their communities and communities in Qatar and be- Values as a Tool to Prevent that the United Nations and Dr Fadi Makki, director of towards that recognition. one million people by the time generate exciting social devel- yond. These include Genera- Violent Extremism. the global international com- B4Development and Founder “In Qatar, we have rec- the first ball is kicked at the opment opportunities over the tion Amazing, Workers Wel- Thawadi discussed how munity truly recognise sport’s of Nudge Lebanon; and José ognised that potential and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. coming decades.” fare and Challenge 22. Nation Monday, September 21, 2020 03 Nepal Embassy marks National Day on a solemn note tribune news network opment and social justice in being introduced by Qatar doha the country. “As envisioned Government for welfare of by the Constitution, the workers, including the lat- THE Embassy of Nepal in Qa- government of Nepal has est decisions on minimum tar celebrated Nepal’s Nation- pursued the path of peace, wages and non-requirement al Day and Constitution Day at progress and prosperity. of No Objection Certificates a brief ceremony held on em- The government is commit- (NOCs) for changing jobs. bassy premises with all the ted to realising its objective Dr Bharadwaj also preventive and precaution- of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy praised Qatar’s effective ary measures for COVID-19 Nepali’ by focusing on eco- and successful management in place. nomic growth.” of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was at- Dr Bharadwaj then While appreciating Qatar’s tended by the embassy staff, touched upon Nepal’s cor- support for Nepal and Nepa- their families and repre- dial ties with Qatar since the lese in view of the pandemic, sentatives of Nepalese com- establishment of diplomatic he urged the Nepalese com- munity organisations. relations in 1977. He ap- munity in Qatar to strictly The Ambassador of Ne- The Ambassador of Nepal to Qatar HE Dr Narad Nath Bhardwaj addresses compatriots at a ceremony attended by the embassy staff, their fami- preciated the way Qatar has comply with the preventive pal to Qatar HE Dr Narad lies and representatives of the Nepalese community organisations in Doha. continued to make phenom- and precautionary meas- Nath Bhardwaj inaugurated enal progress in recent years ures. the event by lighting the The ambassador also the National Day messages the importance of the Na- tution of Nepal on Septem- despite various obstacles. The ambassador also ex- traditional lamp. He then delivered the National Day of Nepal’s President Mrs tional Day and Constitution ber 20, 2015, by the Constit- He also expressed satis- pressed the willingness of hoisted the flag of Nepal, message, which was fol- Bidya Devi Bhandari and Day for Nepalese living in uent Assembly. faction over the presence of Nepal to continue to explore which was followed by pres- lowed by the cake-cutting Prime Minister K P Sharma different parts of the world. According to him, the a large number of Nepalese further avenues of coopera- entation of the national an- ceremony. In the message, Oli. He also recalled the historic Constitution has ensured workers in Qatar and hailed tion and collaboration with them. the ambassador summed up Dr Bhardwaj highlighted promulgation of the Consti- democracy, inclusion, devel- the series of labour reforms Qatar for mutual benefit. Falcon, Swiftmile sign partnership to offer goods & services in Qatar tions to cities and destina- Falcon will be testing the Swiftmile tions throughout MENA linked to other transporta- charging stations in Doha tion modes including buses, trains and cars. Tribune News Network mile connectivity, what we Qatar is Falcon’s test- Doha call micromobility, in cit- ing ground with the com- ies and destinations,” said pany planning to open many Falcon, a pioneering, safe, Hussain Abdulla, Falcon’s ‘Nests’ or docking stations sustainable and tech-enabled co-founder and managing for its e-fleet which people micromobility solutions in director. “Already operating can book via the Falcon app. Qatar, has signed an exclu- the biggest charging hubs It is hoped that eventually sive partnership for Qatar and docking stations in the the company’s sustainable, with Swiftmile, the US devel- US and Europe, Swiftmile battery-powered micromo- oper of light electric vehicle has the proven technology bility vehicles will dot the charging systems. to assist us in reaching our country’s streets provid- Under the deal, Falcon goal of becoming an inter- Hussain Abdulla, co-founder and John McGraw, co-founder of ing last-mile connectivity will act as exclusive partner national brand which solves Managing Director, Falcon. Swiftmile. to people who want a con- for Swiftmile to roll out app- major transport issues with venient transportation mode Ambassador of Qatar to Senegal HE Mohammed bin Kurdi Talib Al enabled solutions at trans- sustainable and health pro- out the region are eager to electric, both within Qatar without heavily polluting the Marri addresses Senegalese government officials. portation hubs later this motion solutions.” pursue more sustainable and the wider region.” atmosphere. year, testing Swiftmile elec- Swiftmile views the transport solutions as they Falcon, which has been Falcon is investing heav- tric vehicle charging stations agreement as furthering its look to provide their citi- established by three Qatari ily in renewable energy. Its in Qatar with Falcon’s fleet goal of enabling the adop- zens with optimum mobility investors, with strong man- vehicle charging options Qatar embassy in of e-bikes, e-scooters and e- tion of micromobility world- solutions while curbing car- agement supported by in- will include those powered mopeds, and other autono- wide. Swiftmile is pleased bon emissions,” explained ternational partners, with by solar technology while its mous vehicles. to expand in a region which John McGraw, co-founder entrepreneurial expertise Doha Falcon Hospital repair Senegal delivers “This deal represents a is increasingly focused on of Swiftmile. “In Falcon we in ride sharing schemes, ar- and storage facility, which key milestone of Falcon’s adopting electronic mobil- have found a like-minded tificial intelligence and ad- will also house the AI-driven plan to bring latest tech- ity and is poised for tremen- partner which is fully com- vanced technology. operations control centre, medical, food aid nologies and solutions to dous growth. mitted to creating the future The company plans to will run entirely on renew- the country to help the last “Governments through- of transportation, which is deliver micromobility solu- able energy. QNA would continue its coordina- Dakar tion and cooperation with QC to achieve partnership with it Qatar’s Embassy in Senegal in all fields. has delivered medical and pre- Al Marri affirmed that Qa- Qatar, Oman collaborate to enhance dementia care ventive aid as well as food bas- tar’s aid to Senegal seeks to kets provided by Qatar Charity support its efforts to combat Tribune News Network to connect carers in Oman ant old age psychiatrist and (QC) to the country, to assist the pandemic. Doha and Qatar to provide them chairman of Oman Alzhei- its efforts to combat the coro- He said that Qatar has with an ideal platform for mer’s Society. navirus (COVID-19). seen, since the beginning of Hamad Medical Corporation exchange of knowledge and Participation and sup- The ceremony was at- the COVID-19 outbreak, that (HMC) has collaborated with experiences. port also came from car- tended by Director General of containing and eliminating the Oman Alzheimer’s Society to The event was jointly egivers in each country who the High Authority of Waqf pandemic in the world needs host an educational webinar hosted by Dr Hanadi Al shared information about (HAW) of Senegal Halima cooperation and solidarity and for families and caregivers Hamad, Qatar’s National caring for people with Alz- Gob, a number of Senegalese that countries must support dealing with people living Lead for Healthy Ageing, heimer’s disease. For the government officials andA m- one another financially, mor- with Alzheimer’s disease or senior consultant geriatri- first time in Qatar, an elderly bassador of Qatar to Senegal ally and humanely. another form of dementia. cian and medical director of man shared his personal ex- HE Mohammed bin Kurdi He reiterated the strength Oman and Qatar share Rumailah Hospital and Qa- perience of living with Alz- Talib Al Marri. of the bilateral relations be- many cultural similarities, tar Rehabilitation Institute, heimer’s disease. Halima Gob thanked Qa- tween the two countries, and including a deep respect for Hamad Medical Corpora- The event was also sup- tar for its humanitarian initia- said the aid was a vivid exam- the elderly and a desire to to people living with Alzhei- The webinar was ar- tion, Qatar; and Dr Hamed ported by the Doha Chapter tive and confirmed that AH W ple of the distinctive relations. enhance the care provided mer’s disease. ranged as a virtual event Al Sinawi. Senior consult- of Alzheimer’s Indonesia. QEERI’s solar consortium emerges a global leader in R&D tribune news network ties from the solar energy field, flective coatings on PV modules doha to shape a common focus on thereby potentially degrading practical tests of solar-based their performance. Additional SINCE its launch in 2018, the devices and systems within Qa- concerns include the optimal Solar Consortium initiated by tar’s desert environment. We schedule for running the ma- Qatar Environment and Ener- are thrilled at how the industry chines. In response, the Solar gy Research Institute (QEERI) has involved us in their develop- Consortium has launched a re- at Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- ment projects and look forward search project at the OTF using sity (HBKU), has become a to building upon these partner- real-world modules, cleaning global leader in the research ships. Building a solid under- machines and operating condi- and development of solar tech- standing of the reliability and tions. The project will be one of nologies for desert climates. degradation pathways is a key the most realistic and decisive The Solar Consortium, current- component for the future eco- studies to date on these ques- ly comprising seven members, nomic competitiveness of solar tions. takes advantage of QEERI’s The PV Reliability Lab’s equipment and tools, including environmental percent, which can boost elec- proposed for Qatar’s 350 MW technologies, in particular for Dr Marc Vermeersch, ex- world-class solar testing facili- chambers, enable precise module testing and simulation of outdoor tricity production with bifacial Siraj-1 PV power plant, together Qatar and the MENA region.” ecutive director, QEERI, add- ties and expertise, including its degradation conditions. PV. Accordingly, research un- with such trackers, which are QEERI also provides me- ed: “Qatar is well on its way Outdoor Test Facility (OTF) dertaken by QEERI’s OTF and becoming frequently used for teorological, soiling and PV to diversifying its energy mix, and recently opened Photovol- simulation of outdoor degrada- 25 different PV module tech- Solar Consortium contributes large PV plants that still need performance data to Siraj part- which will in turn have a posi- taic (PV) Reliability Lab. tion conditions, which comple- nologies have been tested in the to a better understanding of to find optimal ways to arrange ners. In the future, QEERI’s tive impact on the country’s The OTF is a 35,000 m2 ments field results and contrib- OTF. As a result of the grow- boundary conditions leading to installed trackers and modules. facilities might also support the economy and willingness to ad- field station with state-of-the- utes to the development of ad ing international interest in PV the optimisation of technologies In this sense, data from the So- testing and qualification of PV dress climate change. QEERI is art solar technologies and sys- hoc solutions for Qatar and the power plants for the MENA used, as well as system configu- lar Consortium tracker research modules supplied for the pro- also committed to supporting tems allowing the optimisation region. region, the consortium has a ration for improved econom- project will be especially useful ject. These include soiling and Qatar in addressing its grand of PV performance in harsh cli- Members of the Solar Con- particular interest in bifacial PV ics and business models for PV for ongoing PV development in dust accumulation, one of the challenges relating to energy, mates and the development of sortium carry out shared and modules. Bifacial PV is capable power plants in Qatar and in Qatar. biggest challenges facing PV water, and environment. The solutions to mitigate solar con- private research projects in the of producing energy from both similar environments. Dr Veronica Bermudez, sen- power plants in Qatar and the Solar Consortium is one step version degradation over time fields of soiling mitigation, PV its front and back sides, taking As well as underpinning ior research director of QEERI’s region. To cope with soiling, towards bringing all the key due to outdoor exposure. modules cleaning, PV produc- advantage of the high reflectiv- the Solar Consortium, QEERI’s Energy Center, said: “Our aim many PV plants in the Middle players together to have a com- The PV Reliability Lab’s tion forecasting, and others. ity of Qatar’s ground (albedo). facilities support the planning with the Solar Consortium is East are starting to test, or use bined and unified approach to equipment and tools, including As part of the consortium’s Measurements at QEERI’s OTF and implementation of Qa- to bring together researchers, robotic cleaning machines. A tackling the challenges faced environmental chambers, en- work to increase the PV energy have established that albedo tar’s Siraj solar energy project. technology producers, project key question is whether such by solar energy research and able precise module testing and yield in desert conditions, over from Qatar’s ground is over 40 Bifacial modules have been developers and local authori- machines abrade the anti-re- development in the region.” 04 Monday, September 21, 2020 Nation MoCI recalls Honda Qatar’s Embassy in France participates Accord, City & Civic models of 2018-2019 in 37th European Heritage Days events The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in cooperation with Domasco-Doha Marketing Services Co, Honda dealer in Qatar, Tribune News Network ings as well as sculptures of famous Qatari Embassy’s participation has announced the recall of Honda Accord, Doha French and European artists. in the cultural event comes within City and Civic models of 2018-19 due to defec- On the occasion of the Embassy the framework of its keenness to tive fuel pumps that may fail to work, causing AS part of the Qatar-France Year of of Qatar’s participation in this cul- highlight the role of Qatar in pro- the engine to suddenly stop while driving, rais- Culture 2020, the Embassy of Qatar tural event this year, a number of moting interest in culture, especially ing the risk of accidents. in France participated, for the first French media outlets included the during the Qatar-France Year of The recall campaign is part of the ongo- time, in the 37th edition of the Euro- embassy building on the list of Pa- Culture, in accordance with the Qa- ing efforts of the ministry to protect custom- pean Heritage Days. risian buildings celebrating the Eu- tar National Vision 2030. ers and ensure that car dealers monitor vehicle The events were opened on Sat- ropean Heritage Days. Qatar’s participation in this defects and repairs. The ministry said it will urday at the embassy headquarters The list included the Elysee Pal- event reflectsthe country’s relentless coordinate with the dealer to follow up on in central Paris by the Ambassador ace, the Parliament House, Senate pursuit to keep its cultural heritage maintenance and repair works and will com- of Qatar to the French Republic HE The events were opened at the embassy headquarters in Paris by Ambassador building and Matignon Palace, in alive as well as the depth of friend- municate with customers to ensure that the Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani. of Qatar to France HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani. addition to a number of the most ship between Qatar and France. It necessary repairs are carried out. On this occasion, the embassy prominent museums, universities, also reflects the mutual understand- The ministry urged all customers to report opened its doors to the public as a other French regions arrived at its no Palace, which was built in 1868. historical libraries and archaeologi- ing and support between the two any violations to its Consumer Protection and number of visitors from Paris and headquarters at the Landolfo-Carca- The palace is full of murals, paint- cal sites in the capital Paris. countries and the two peoples. Anti-Commercial Fraud Department. (TNN) QF’s GU-Q provides well-rounded QU’s pharmacy students hold education that sets students for all their annual election virtually careers and courses, says alumnus Tribune News Network which I am sure will drive Doha QPhUS to a great path.” Ibrahim Al Derbasti reflects on how his education helped Bassant Elkattan has him deliver solutions for the blockade and the pandemic The College of Pharmacy been announced as the AY19 (CPH) of Qatar University QPHUS Executive of the year. Tribune News Network (QU) held its annual elec- Bassant, who has served as Doha tion for the Qatar Pharma- QPhUS Contact Person and cy Undergraduate Society Public Relations Officer for If you drive about an hour and (QPhUS) for the academic the past two years and recently a half north of the towering year 2020-2021. graduated from the BSc College skyline of Doha, you will find Election and voting cam- of Pharmacy programme, said: yourself in the quiet coastal paigns were held virtually “It is a great honor for my col- city of Ras Laffan, home to the on the basis of the measures leagues to be chosen as the Ex- Pearl GTL plant, a joint devel- to prevent COVID-19. There ecutive Officer of the Year. But opment by Qatar Petroleum were nine executive board po- this was only possible because and Shell and the largest Gas- sitions, and students from the of the amazing team that I had to-Liquids (GTL) energy plant general pharmacy year and the pleasure of working with in the world. The multi-billion all four professional pharma- this year. Being part of QPhUS dollar project has made Qatar cy years were encouraged to leadership for the past few the GTL capital of the world. nominate themselves and to years is the true blessing that It is also where Qatari na- participate in the election of I will be forever grateful for. tional Ibrahim Al Derbasti, their representatives. It helped me develop myself a graduate of QF partner Executives are members of through different opportunities Georgetown University in Qa- the CPH Graduate Student Ad- and prepared me for the pro- tar (GU-Q), has forged a suc- visory Committee, which is a fessional world. I hope that all cessful career and found the forum to discuss any strengths, of the elected QPHUS execu- representing the first batch of CPH students would take this opportunity to give back to his concerns or areas of improve- tive council for this year are males in CPH. opportunity to be active mem- community and to his country Ibrahim Al Derbasti ment in the academic and non- as follows: President: HendAl- The president of this bers In QPhUS”. The 12th An- in times of national crisis and academic experience of stu- Naimi, Vice President: Marwa year’s QPHUS Ms. Hend Al nual Potluck Food Festival was great adversity. energy and natural gas. So I lenging him to develop inno- dents. These members play an Elshazly, Contact Person and Naimi said: “Last year was my voted as the event of the year.” Ibrahim combined an in- decided that I wanted to join vative solutions. “We got hit by active role in leading student Public Relations Officer: Ru- first year being an executive CPH Assistant Dean for ternational affairs education the best gas company. At that the blockade and had to remap initiatives to host academic baSulaiman, Media and Mar- member and the president of Student Affairs Dr. Alla El- at GU-Q with business train- time and still true today, that’s and rechannel our entire sup- and non-academic outreach keting Director: Taimaa He- QPhUS, it was a great oppor- Awaisi, who oversaw the cam- ing through an MBA from Shell. ply chain because 90 percent and social events. Members jazi, Treasurer: Dana Mustafa, tunity to express my leader- paign, nominations and elec- Cambridge to become the “While an undergrad, I was from inland. We were a of the QPhUS Board may also General Secretary: Fatima ship skills and gain new expe- tions, congratulated the new Deputy General Manager for kept hearing over and again peninsula, but we had to oper- be selected to represent Qatar Nazar, and four Class Repre- rience with the team. I learned Executive Team and said: “We Contracts and Procurement at that I had to become a lifelong ate as an island.” regionally or internationally at sentatives: Hiba Mohammed, new skills that I will be using at the College of Pharmacy are Shell in Ras Laffan, where he is learner, which I just thought As a result of the com- conferences, scientific or edu- Laila Shafei, Lana Kattan and even beyond my university always keen to provide our in charge of all company Sup- was something they tell all stu- pany’s team-based efforts, he cational events. QPhUS is an Sondus Jawad. For this year, time. I highly encourage every students with opportunities ply Chain (SC) activities for the dents because it sounded good. explained, “There was zero active member of the Interna- two general pharmacy stu- student to try such experience to grow and develop a variety $20 billion Pearl GTL Plant in But it turns out they meant it.” disruption to our operations. tional Federation of Pharma- dents were included, Layan and I am glad to continue be- of skills, including leadership Ras Laffan. He oversees seven That realisation came To have that outcome makes ceutical Students (IPSF). Mohamed representing fe- ing the president for this year skills so that we can be an distinct SC units, including En- when he entered the workforce me really proud.” The names of the members males, and Ahmad Alshare with a new talented team agent for change in the future. gineering and Maintenance, and found himself a novice Ibrahim describes that Turnaround, Capital Projects, among coworkers with 30 success as one of the two Catalyst and Chemicals, Cor- years of experience. “There proudest moments of his ca- porate Services and Logistics, was this moment of shock, reer. The second happened Market Intelligence and Wells. where I had to really question with a different kind of crisis: When asked how a degree how I was going to catch up the COVID-19 pandemic. Us- Qatar Biobank Laboratory gets CAP accreditation in international affairs could with people who were so far ing his expertise in procure- lead to a career in the energy ahead of me professionally. ment, he helped secure 20 Tribune News Network Participant Recruitment Man- collection of biological test sector, he answers, “Studying I realised that part of being metric tonnes of the chemi- Doha ager at Qatar Biobank, said: samples and health informa- the liberal arts at GU-Q gives a lifelong learner meant you cals needed to run disinfec- “At Qatar Biobank, we are tion taking place within Qatar you this well-rounded educa- have to close your knowledge tion operations on Qatar’s Qatar Biobank Laborato- proud that our laboratories Biobank.” tion that sets you up for what- gaps, become proactive and roads. He proudly displays ries have recently gained ac- have been accredited by the Qatar Biobank and its ever career or education you enable yourself to accelerate the ‘thank you’ letter Ashghal creditation from the College College of American Patholo- laboratories, which are ac- want to pursue.” and excel in your organisa- sent to Shell for their efforts. of American Pathologists, the gists (CAP), which means that credited with these interna- That education included tion.” “When I graduated from world’s leading laboratory the highest quality standards tional certifications, ensure school sports, Model United As he rose through the Georgetown, I had this tre- quality assurance association, in the field of laboratory prac- the security of the privacy Nations (MUN), co-curricular ranks in Qatar Shell to his first mendous drive to do some- to be among the first laborato- by the British Standards Insti- tice are met. and confidentiality of biologi- activities and just the right de- team leadership role in con- thing, to contribute somehow, ries in the Middle East to earn tute Group Middle East (BSI) “The renewal of the ISO cal samples and health infor- gree programme for his future tracts and procurement for lo- but I was not sure where or this accreditation. for Quality Management Sys- 9001 and ISO 27001 cer- mation of contributors and plans. “At GU-Q, we realise gistics and corporate services, how. Now, I’ve gained this At the same time, Qatar tems Standards-ISO 9001 and tificates for Qatar Biobank is ensure the ability of Qatar most of our political drivers he experienced his first major great education and I’m part of Biobank has successfully re- Information Security Manage- also a further assurance and Biobank to fulfill its mission are hard wired on economics. professional crisis, testing his the oil and gas industry via this accredited the two Interna- ment Systems-ISO 27001. guarantee that the highest to allow research to discover In Qatar, the main driver is skills and knowledge and chal- international company.” tional Organization for Stand- Mohammed Hamad Al- levels of confidentiality and and develop new healthcare ardization ( ISO) certifications Dosari, Communications and quality are applied during the interventions.

Ooredoo cleans up Sealine Beach to promote environment protection

Tribune News Network Doha

Ooredoo has completed its third Beach Clean-up event in its sustainability campaign aimed at promoting protec- tion of the environment. A team of Ooredoo staff members attended Sealine Beach on Saturday, Septem- ber 19, 2020 to remove debris either left behind by visitors or washed ashore. Besides the sand cleanup, the third Besides the sand cleanup, the event included a cleanup of the seabed with the help of six scuba divers from Doha Divers Team for the benefit of the marine environment to which the seabed is home. event included a cleanup of the seabed with the help of Beach Clean-up campaign their wastes when they visit and Environment, the Pub- said: “We were delighted to it a challenge for our staff ted to the environmental ele- six scuba divers from Doha several weeks ago with the one of Qatar’s many beautiful lic Cleaning Department and leave yet another beautiful and everyone involved in the ment of our corporate respon- Divers Team for the benefit social media hashtag #Lea- beaches. Friends of The Environment beach with only sandcas- event, and we’re immensely sibility strategy as a matter of of the marine environment to veOnlySandcastles, aiming to The campaign is being Centre. tles after another successful proud of the efforts made to priority and look forward to which the seabed is home. encourage beachgoers to take run in collaboration with Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, clean-up event. We know the protect our wonderful natural continuing this important ini- Ooredoo launched its responsibility for cleaning up the Ministry of Municipality director of PR at Ooredoo, last of the summer heat makes environment. We’re commit- tiative.” World Monday, September 21, 2020 05 Yemen rebel attack on Saudi village wounds 5 Nigerian opposition governor wins re-election Fake white sand beach in Philippine RIYADH: A projectile fired by emen’sY Houthi rebels hit a village BENIN: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Nigeria’s main opposition party capital draws crowd, criticism in Saudi Arabia’s southern Jizan province, wounding five civilians, has won re-election in southern Edo state, officials said on Sunday af- MANILA: Hundreds of people on Sunday flocked to an artifi- News state media reported. ter the nation’s first poll since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. cial white sand beach along Manila Bay in the Philippines, The civilians had been rushed to hospital after suffering “minor Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 307,955 a project that has drawn criticism from environmental and in brief injuries” from flying shrapnel, the official Saudi Press Agency to beat his closest challenger, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of President Muham- activist groups. The crowd gathered at Roxas Boulevard reported late Saturday. madu Buhari’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled in Manila City, where a 500-metre stretch of the coastline Three cars were also damaged in the border village, it said, 223,619 votes in Saturday’s vote, the election commision said. was covered with 500 tonnes of crushed dolomite as part without naming the village. (AFP) A total of 17 political parties had fielded candidates. (AFP) of a clean-up and beautification project.(DPA)

Pakistani oppn demands US faces maximum isolation PM Khan’s resignation DPA sition parties planning a wave Islamabad of rallies and protests begin- ning early next month. Pakistani opposition parties Opposition lawmakers have on Sunday demanded Prime also threatened to resign to as global powers dismiss Minister Imran Khan’s imme- force fresh elections. diate resignation and pledged They are protesting the role to launch a nationwide protest of Pakistan’s powerful army in movement aimed at unseating the country’s politics. his government. “We demand that the estab- sanctions: Iran’s president “We demand Prime Min- lishment should not have any ister Imran Khan ... resign im- role in politics,” said Bilawal Pompeo, announcing the move, mediately,” hard line politician Bhutto Zardari, head of the cen- ‘Maximum pressure’ said Saturday that the US “wel- Maulana Fazalur Rehman told tre-left Pakistan Peoples Party. on Iran became comes the return of virtually a press conference following a Earlier, addressing the all previously terminated UN one-day multiparty meeting in conference via video link from ‘maximum isolation’ sanctions on the Islamic Re- Islamabad. London, former prime minis- public of Iran”. Rehman’s Sunni Jamiat Ul- ter Nawaz Sharif claimed the of US: Rouhani He said US authorities ema-e-Islam (F) party belongs military had ushered in Khan’s AFP were prepared to impose “con- to the Pakistan Democratic government by way of rigged Tehran sequences” against states who Movement, an alliance of oppo- elections. “fail to fulfil their obligations Iran said on Sunday its arch- to implement these sanctions”, foe the United States is fac- with measures to be announced ing “maximum isolation” after in the coming days. major powers dismissed a uni- With around six weeks to go lateral US declaration that UN until the US presidential elec- sanctions on Tehran were back tion, Trump could unveil those in force. measures in a speech at the UN Washington said the sanc- General Assembly on Tuesday. tions had been re-activated un- Iran’s foreign minister ac- der the “snapback” mechanism cused Pompeo of “threaten(ing) in a landmark 2015 nuclear to punish a world that refuses treaty -- despite Washington to live in his parallel universe”. having withdrawn from the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani chairing a cabinet meeting in the capital Tehran on Sunday. (AFP) “The world says NO Se- deal. curity Council sanctions were As other signatories cast restored,” Mohammad Javad Pakistan opposition leaders Mulana Fazal-ur-Rehman (right), Bilawal doubt on the move having any Zarif tweeted. Bhutto Zardari (centre), son of slain former Pakistan premier Benazir legal effect, Washington threat- Pompeo accuses Europe of inaction over Iran arms Iran’s foreign ministry said Bhutto and former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shahbaz ened to “impose consequences” WASHINGTON: US Secretary of “arms sales, tanks, air defence lifted a finger.” in a statement that Washing- Sharif (left) at the ‘All Parties Conference’ meeting in Islamabad on on states failing to comply. But State Mike Pompeo on Sunday systems, all of those, in a Pompeo added that “weap- ton, by leaving the nuclear deal, Sunday. (AFP) Iran’s President Hassan Rou- said European leaders “haven’t couple of weeks, would have ons that Iran will sell will end had “explicitly denied itself any hani said a concerted campaign lifted a finger” to halt arms been permitted to have been up in the hands of Hezbollah right” to use the “snapback” by Washington to pressure sales to Iran after they rejected sold. And the Europeans have and make life tragically worse mechanism. Tehran had backfired. a unilateral US declaration that not joined us in this. for the people of Lebanon,” It also warned that if the US At least two Pakistani soldiers “We can say that America’s UN sanctions on Tehran were “They tell us privately we which was rocked last month “acts on these threats, directly, ‘maximum pressure’ against back in force. don’t want the arms sales to by a massive port explosion in or with the cooperation of a killed near Afghan border Iran, in its political and legal as- Pompeo told Fox News that come back... but they haven’t Beirut. (AFP) handful of its puppets, it will DPA the military’s media wing, said pect, has turned into America’s face a serious response and be Islamabad in a statement. maximum isolation,” he said in decessor Barack Obama -- was ouette, and the UN body has tweeted that the US move was responsible for all the danger- North Waziristan was once a televised cabinet meeting. insufficient. not taken the measure any fur- “devoid of any legal, political or ous consequences”. At least two Pakistani soldiers the hideout of militants con- The sanctions in question He also stepped up Wash- ther. practical effect”, adding that it The US had already suffered were killed in the north-west- nected to Al Qaeda and the Af- had been lifted when Iran, the ington’s own sanctions as part On Sunday, France, Ger- was “time to end the political a resounding defeat at the Se- ern tribal region bordering Af- ghan Taliban-linked Haqqani UN Security Council’s five per- of a “maximum pressure” cam- many and Britain issued a joint drama by the US”. curity Council in mid-August, ghanistan on Sunday, as fears network. The Pakistani military manent members (Britain, Chi- paign against the Islamic re- statement saying Washington’s Rouhani thanked UNSC when it tried to extend an em- about militants regrouping in has pushed Islamist militants na, France, Russia and the US) public. “purported notification” was members who had “stood bargo on conventional weapons their former stronghold grow. back from their mountain hide- and Germany signed the 2015 The US insists it is still a “incapable of having any legal against America’s illegal re- deliveries to Tehran, which was The army said that the outs near the Afghan border in treaty on Iran’s nuclear pro- participant in the agreement effect”. quest” and said if remaining due to expire in October. security forces launched an a series of offensives since 2014. gramme, known as the Joint -- but only so it can activate the Russia also said Washing- signatories let Iran access the Pompeo responded with an “intelligence-based operation” Islamist militants have once Comprehensive Plan of Action. snapback option, which it an- ton’s “illegitimate initiative and deal’s economic benefits, Iran unusually vehement attack on against terrorists in the North again started regrouping in the But President Donald nounced on August 20. actions” could not have “inter- would reinstate nuclear com- Britain, France and Germany, Waziristan tribal district. region from their alleged bases Trump withdrew the US from Virtually every other UNSC national legal consequences” mitments it had dropped in accusing them of “siding with The soldiers were killed in in Afghanistan, and a spike in at- the JCPOA in 2018, saying the member disputes Washington’s for others. response to the US withdrawal. Iran’s ayatollahs”, before an- an exchange of fire, Inter-Ser- tacks on security forces has been deal -- negotiated by his pre- ability to execute this legal pir- China’s mission to the UN Secretary of State Mike nouncing the snapback. vices Public Relations (ISPR), witnessed in recent months.

India’s parliament session to be cut India passes controversial farm bills amid protests DPA northern states of Punjab and “For decades, the Indian short as COVID-19 cases surge New Delhi Haryana, fear losses if the farmer was bound by vari- government’s guaranteed pro- ous constraints and bullied by DPA The country recorded more The short session of par- India’s parliament on Sun- curement of farm produce at middlemen. The bills passed New Delhi than 1.3 million cases in liament from September 14 day passed a set of controver- a minimum price is removed by Parliament liberate the to October 1 had been called sial farm bills amid strident and they are forced to sell to farmers from such adversi- The current session of the the first two weeks of to enable the passing of cru- protests by opposition law- private companies. ties,” Prime Minister Nar- Indian parliament is to be cut September which is more cial legislation. makers and farmers’ groups. Farmers in Haryana endra Modi said in a Twitter short as Covid-19 cases con- than double the 557,657 At least 25 lawmakers The Bharatiya Janata Par- staged protest rallies and road post. tinue to surge, crossing 5.4 reported by the US were found to be positive ty (BJP) government says the blockades at several places as The Rajya Sabha saw dra- million on Sunday. for the coronavirus during new laws will make it easier the bills were discussed in par- matic scenes as a lawmaker Another 92,605 COV- million cases. mandatory testing before the for farmers to sell their pro- liament, NDTV news channel tore a document and others ID-19 cases were reported The decision to curtail opening of the session and duce to big institutional buy- Farmers shout slogans while reported. shouted slogans and rushed on Saturday, according to the the current 14-day session were quarantined, NDTV ers, fetch better prices and burning an effigy of Indian The government had no to the well of the house before Health Ministry, along with of parliament was taken at a news channel reported. free them from the monopoly Prime Minister Narendra Modi intention of doing away with the bills were passed by a voice 1,113 deaths, taking that total meeting of representatives of But three more lawmak- of traditional middlemen who and Union Agriculture Minister minimum support prices and vote. The bills were earlier to 86,752. the government and political ers, including two ministers, dominate the trade. Narendra Singh Tomar, following farmers were being misled, cleared by the lower house, the India is among the worst- parties in parliament on Sat- who had been attending par- Critics say the changes the passing of agriculture bills in federal Agriculture Minister Lok Sabha. hit countries, second only to urday, a parliamentary secre- liament, have tested positive could lead to the exploitation the Lok Sabha (lower house) of Narendra Singh Tomar said Agriculture is the primary the United States with 6.7 tariat official said. in the past week. of farmers by big corporations. representatives, on the outskirts in the Rajya Sabha, or upper source of livelihood for about 58 Farmers, especially in the of Amritsar on Sunday. (AFP) house of parliament. per cent of India’s population.

Lebanon hosts concert for Beirut blast victims at ravaged palace Lebanon reports record 1,006 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours AFP by famed Lebanese singer Maalouf offered “a prayer to- Beirut Fairouz. wards the sky so that Lebanon AFP termath of a massive explosion Portraits of those killed this time again can stand back Beirut at the Beirut port on August 4 Lebanon on Sunday held a in the blast were displayed in up, rebuild its walls, and dress that killed more than 190 peo- concert for the victims of last part of the heritage building’s its wounds”. Lebanon on Sunday said ple and overwhelmed the capi- month’s deadly Beirut blast in grounds, with a candle burn- Organisers asked Beirut it confirmed 1,006 new nov- tal’s health services with thou- the grounds of a 19th-century ing under each. residents to place a lit candle el coronavirus cases and 11 sands of wounded. palace wrecked by the massive The victims’ images and on their balconies or in their deaths from the disease in 24 Authorities on August 21 explosion. names were also broadcast windows in commemoration hours, in a new record for the declared a lockdown in all parts The August 4 blast at the on television, accompanied by of those killed. crisis-hit country. of the country except those rav- capital’s port killed more than the Muslim call to prayer and The event was initially to The figures from the health aged by the explosion, as well 190 people, wounded thou- Christian chants of “Amen” be held at the port, but was ministry brought Lebanon’s as a night-time curfew. sands and destroyed or dam- performed by an orchestra moved after the air quality total tally since February to But they eased the restric- aged buildings across swathes Choir singers perform at a concert for the victims of August’s deadly and some 250 choir singers around the site was deemed 29,303 COVID-19 cases, in- tions a week later following of the city. Beirut blast in the gardens of the damaged 19th-century Sursock from around the country. too poor after fires there ear- cluding 297 deaths. protest from the private sector, “To be able to mourn, to Palace in Achrafieh, Beirut on Sunday.(AFP) The concert included live lier this month. Outgoing health minister already reeling from the coun- take the time to really remem- performances as well as pre- On Saturday night, Leba- Hamad Hassan told televi- try’s worst economic downturn ber, it was important to have gardens of the Sursock Pal- have an audience on site, but recorded contributions, in- nese-born British singer-song- sion channel Al Jadeed he had in decades. this moment of music,” artis- ace, whose windows, red-tiled was instead broadcast on tel- cluding from Lebanese singer- writer Mika headlined another called for authorities to impose The head of a major public tic director Jean-Louis Main- roof, ceilings and furniture evision and streamed online, songwriter Tania Saleh. concert streamed online to a new two-week lockdown to hospital battling COVID-19, Fi- guy said. were ravaged in the blast. kicked off with a rendition of In a recording, Lebanese- fundraise for relief aid after combat the virus’ spread. rass Abiad, expressed his alarm The event was held in the The concert, which did not “Li Beirut”, an ode to the city born French author Amin the blast. Cases have spiked in the af- at the rising rates on Saturday. 06 Monday, September 21, 2020

Established September 3, 2006 hamad bin suhaim al thani chairman Opinion adel ali bin ali managing director dr hassan mohammed al ansari editor-in-chief

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Was An Exemplary Justice Why Are Filipinos Celebrating Justice Ginsburg dismantled the legally supported discrimination A Former Dictator? against women and worked hard for equal rights. As a true tribute to her, Republicans and Democrats should set aside their differences to protect the institutions that have come under threat The rehabilitation of Ferdinand Marcos is a sign of the public’s continuing discontent with the country’s governance HE loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a to lead. In this role, her dissents became double blow. It will be felt as a personal unusually potent — not just for the simple Tloss by millions of Americans, and it will language and straightforward reasoning Sebastian Strangio stress America’s politics at a moment when she preferred, but because by design they Tribune News Service its fabric is already threatening to come moved the climate of opinion on the court, apart. Consider this a measure of the coun- in Congress and among the public at large. ARLIER this month, the Philip- try’s current plight: What could be sadder She was among the minority in one note- pine House of Representatives than to fear that the death of a selfless and worthy case, decided 5-4, where the court passed a bill officially declaring extraordinary public servant is more likely rejected a claim of discrimination in pay September 11 a public holiday in in the coming weeks to divide the nation because the plaintiff had taken more than the northern province of Ilocos than unite it? 180 days to file her claim. In her dissent, Norte.E The occasion for the holiday? The Justice Ginsburg taught many lessons Ginsburg said this interpretation of the birthday of the Philippines’ former dic- over the course of her career in the law. law made no sense and called on Congress tator Ferdinand Marcos. One of the most important will be easy to to sort the matter out. Not long after, Con- The bill to establish ‘President Fer- overlook, even though it offers a correc- gress did as she had asked. dinand Edralin Marcos Day’ in the tive for the country’s current debility. She Justice Ginsburg was a liberal, to be dictator’s home province received the exemplified the power of calm intellectual sure, but not a stereotypical one. She often support of 197 members, and was op- force, patiently applied — and proved that favoured judicial restraint — and had res- posed by just nine. While the bill is yet deeply felt disagreement was compatible ervations about Roe vs Wade, for instance, to be approved by the Philippine Sen- with discourse and collegiality. despite believing ardently in a woman’s ate, it represents just the latest step in Building on the work of others (as right to choose. She feared that it had got the slow rehabilitation of Marcos in the she always insisted), she transformed too far ahead of public opinion, and might three decades since his fall from power. the country’s legal order even before tak- foreclose a debate that needed to take Marcos ruled the Philippines with a ing her place on the highest court, dis- place. In this sense, she recognised the mailed fist for two decades alongside his mantling piece by piece a system of le- limits of judge-made law. She could disa- wife Imelda, whose prodigious amassing gally supported discrimination against gree with the conservative judges without of luxury shoes became a global short- women. Her method was ingenious. She falling out. She was a pragmatic liberal hand for corruption. For 14 years, he fought cases that highlighted the absurd- incrementalist, not a revolutionary — and did so under Martial Law, during which ity of the prevailing rules in ways that she demonstrated just how powerful that his security services killed and tortured forced men, hitherto complacent in the approach could be. thousands and the Marcos family was face of unacknowledged injustice, to see She would have been the first to ad- accused of pilfering around $10 billion what they were accustomed to ignore. mit that her timing, at the end, fell short in state funds. distributions of wealth and power. In 1975, for instance, she successfully of her high standards. Her empty seat is Marcos was toppled amid mass public While the ‘President Ferdinand Edralin President Corazon Aquino, who re- challenged a Social Security rule that saw almost certain to mean a bitter fight over demonstrations in 1986, and died in exile Marcos Day’ bill is yet to be approved placed Marcos as President in 1986, was women as secondary earners and denied who succeeds her, starting weeks before in Hawaii three years later. But in recent by the Philippine Senate, it represents herself a representative of the country’s husbands survivor benefits on the death of a crucial election. There’s every prospect years, as memories of the depredations tiny economic elite, the daughter of the their wives. In this as in other cases, she that this battle will worsen the country’s of Martial Law have faded, a significant just the latest step in the slow wealthy sugar magnate Don José Co- represented the male victim of discrimi- crippling divisions, and further undermine number of Filipinos have begun to look rehabilitation of Marcos in the three juangco, who owned massive tracts of nation directed against women. Over the the court’s standing as an institution that back on the era as a lost “golden age.” decades since his fall from power land in the province of Tarlac. She was course of years, through successful advo- holds itself apart from prevailing partisan Far from facing accountability for also a cousin of the late Eduardo Co- cacy and deliberate selection of cases, this dysfunction. That is a prospect she would widespread corruption and human rights juangco, who had been so cozy with strategy built a new understanding of what have deplored. All who wish to honour violations, the Marcos family were al- the Heroes’ Cemetery in Manila. In 2017, Marcos that he was forced to accompany the law owed women: in a word, equality. her memory, Republicans and Democrats lowed to return to the Philippines after Duterte issued a presidential proclama- him into exile. (He, too, returned to the Once a member of the highest court, alike, should keep this in mind — and 1989, and quickly returned to political tion declaring that year’s anniversary country in 1989 and later regained his Ginsburg often found herself in the liberal strive, against the odds, to put the integrity prominence. Imelda, now 91, has served a one-off holiday in Ilocos Norte, say- respectability). Indeed, while claiming minority, which she in due course came of the institution first. several terms in the House of Represent- ing that the local community should be the mantle of democracy, none of the atives, while the couple’s eldest daughter free to commemorate Marcos’ “life and Philippines’ post-1986 governments has Imee was elected to the Senate last year, contributions to national development attempted any meaningful redistribution after nearly a decade as governor of the as World War II veteran, distinguished of wealth from the country’s reigning po- family stronghold in Ilocos Norte. Mar- legislator, and former president.” litical dynasties to the toiling poor. cos’s son Ferdinand, Jr, known popularly During the 2016 election campaign, This has been fuel for political back- as ‘Bongbong’, has also served terms as when Duterte first proposed his plan to lash. Over the last three decades, the Phil- senator and Governor of Ilocos Norte. In rebury Marcos with “official honours,” ippine economy has grown, but corrup- 2016, he came within a percentage point one opinion survey found that 59 per- tion remains deeply entrenched, as does of the vice presidency. cent of Filipinos supported the idea. the yawning divide between the rich and What explains this push to launder In the race for vice-president in 2016, the rest. Daily life for millions remains a the Marcos legacy? One factor is un- Bongbong Marcos won more than 14 grind of survival. Indeed, the reasons for doubtedly the dynamic of regional poli- million votes, falling short by less than Marcos’s rehabilitation are not altogether tics in the Philippines, in which most of a percentage point. different from those that prompted many the country’s 80 provinces remain the This points to probably the most im- to cast their votes for Duterte, who prom- bastions of rich land-owning families. portant reason for the rose-tinted reas- ised to employ extreme violence to fight The rehabilitation effort has also clearly sessment of the Marcos dictatorship: the country’s drug scourge. After so many benefited from the support of the cur- the chronic governance failures that empty promises, they probably figured rent President Rodrigo Duterte, who has have smudged the line between the Mar- they had nothing to lose. long-standing ties to the Marcos family. cos era and what came after. In 1986, The laundering of Marcos and his Since taking the presidency, Duterte Filipinos came together to reclaim their legacy stands as a reminder that a dem- has repeatedly expressed his admiration democracy after years of one-man rule. ocratic system cannot sustain itself only for Marcos, and kept a campaign prom- Yet the subsequent years saw little pro- by reference to abstract rights and free- (Tribune News Service) ise to allow his remains to be buried in gress on the country’s hugely lopsided doms. It also has to deliver. Anti-Mask Mob Is As Selfish As It Gets Amid Pandemic With the reopening of indoor dining, bars, schools and college campuses — it would be reckless not to wear face masks

Fabiola Santiago making national headlines. “Again?” stripe across his face. love the notoriety, which is what they’re Tribune News Service you want to say — and move on. It’s not Gomez’s first rodeo with an- really after, even if their uncaring be- But we can’t afford the disregard ti-mask activism. In a GoFundMe page, haviour costs people their lives. ON’T chalk up the misbehaviour to for safety measures in the middle of a she says she and her mother, Linda Or- I hate giving them any more public- youthful tomfoolery. The flash mob pandemic that, despite the happy talk tiz, were arrested in West Palm Beach ity, but their action is an opportunity to Dof young anti-maskers who aggres- of “waning” statistics, is still very much for refusing to wear a mask in a store. remind the rest of us who want to stay sively pranced through a Fort Lauderd- with us in Florida. People didn’t buy very much of their COVID-free not to let our guard down ale Target this week harassing mask- For the loved ones of the 13,000- plea. They only raised $245. when we leave home. wearing customers are selfish — and plus Floridians who have lost their lives Broward County officials weren’t Although there’s a downward trend dangerous to the public. to COVID-19 and the 674,456 known amused — and they did take action. The from the record-breaking surges of cas- “Take off your masks! Take it off! Floridians infected with the coronavi- county fined the Target at Coral Ridge es in June and July, Florida’s Depart- Take it off!” most of the dozen or so pro- rus, the actions of this group weren’t Mall for not enforcing the mask law, ment of Health on Thursday confirmed testers shouted, taunting customers as if funny at all. tracked down protesters, and mailed 3,255 additional cases of COVID-19. they were in a bar reacting to a bawdy They ought to be officially banned them citations for violating public That’s no small number, and it wet T-shirt contest. from Target — and charged with some- health regulations in a pandemic. was higher than earlier tallies during “Take your mask off, this is America!” thing, at least a civil citation, that forces Not about choice, but politics “It’s all the week. The stunt also didn’t go down well them to appear before a judge, whether about choice,” you can hear one of the And although there is “guarded op- with Twisted Sister lead singer Dee in juvenile court or otherwise. male protesters holler on a video. timism” among experts, they also say a Snider, who didn’t care for the group But neither Target nor police acted advertised their intentions on Facebook. No, it’s not. If it were, they wouldn’t severe resurgence in the fall could mate- blasting their hit song ‘We’re Not Gonna quickly enough to protect shoppers from One of the ring leaders, Cristina be bothering mask wearers who’ve made rialise quickly. Take It’ while ripping their masks off. the taunting and to apprehend protest- Gomez, posted an invite on the social their choice. With the reopening of indoor dining, He took to social media to condemn ers, which included adults who should media site and live-streamed the group’s It’s about politics — as the ‘Make bars, schools and college campuses — all the anti-maskers. know better. misguided idea of anti-mask activism. America Great Again’ T-shirt of one ring places where people congregate in close “These selfish do not have my per- By the time police showed up, they “We’re taking back our freedom,” leader makes it known. quarters — it would be foolish to not to mission or blessing to use my song for had fled, and that’s the excuse authori- she wrote, adding a picture of the na- They’re just following their maxi- wear a mask. All it takes to become in- their moronic cause,” Snider tweeted. ties used to not even make a house call to tion’s leading expert on infectious dis- mum leader. They’re boisterous, rude, fected with COVID-19 is being close to a Oh, Floriduh again, here you go again people who put the public at risk — and eases, Dr Anthony Fauci, with a cancel and ignorant, just like him. And they too carrier not wearing a mask.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Monday, September 21, 2020 07 US race heats up as Trump seeks quick SC justice replacement

AFP ing the court lastingly to the ting down government.” ● US President Donald on vexed issues including Washington right. The court vacancy has pro- abortion, healthcare, gun con- But with two Republican vided a welcome new theme Trump vowed to quickly trol and LGBTQ rights -- as of The race for the White House senators -- Lisa Murkowski for Trump -- who has strug- nominate a successor, utmost importance. heated up Sunday with both of Alaska and Susan Collins gled to play down the toll of likely a woman, to replace Conservatives now control sides galvanised by the battle of Maine -- now opposing a the coronavirus pandemic, late Supreme Court Justice fiveof the nine court seats, but to nominate a new Supreme rushed vote, the Senate may now nearing the grim total of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a Chief Justice John Roberts Court justice and Donald be more likely to act in the 200,000 deaths. day after the death of the sometimes sides with liberals. Trump vowing to soon name lame-duck session immediate- Pelosi seemed intent on liberal stalwart If confirmed quickly his choice. ly following the election. keeping the virus issue front enough, a new conservative The president said on Sat- Either way, politicians in and centre, returning to that ● Trump’s opponent in the justice would be part of a 6-3 urday that he expected to an- both parties are bracing for theme repeatedly during her election, former vice majority, and could play a cru- nounce his nominee in the a seismic battle in a year that ABC interview. president Joe Biden, has cial role -- in their first months coming week and that it “will has already seen an impeach- Democrats are decrying joined other Democrats in on the court -- if the November be a woman -- a very talented, ment vote, the COVID-19 pan- US Senator Elizabeth Warren waves to the crowd after speaking as what they say is the hypocrisy saying the choice of election face legal challenges. very brilliant woman.” demic and a bruising econom- people pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg near the US Su- of Republicans -- particularly Ginsburg’s replacement to Cruz, who was on a Trump He said he had not made ic collapse. preme Court in Washington on Satuday. (AFP) Senate leader Mitch McCo- a lifetime appointment list of potential court nomi- his final decision, however, on Trump’s opponent in the nnell -- who in 2016 blocked should be left to the next nees, insisted Sunday that a a replacement for liberal Jus- election, former vice president battle. speaker Nancy Pelosi, a senior Barack Obama’s attempt, full court was needed to avoid tice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who Joe Biden, has joined other Among the Democrats’ few Democrat, said on Sunday on much earlier in that election president a critical deadlock should a died Friday at 87. Democrats in saying the choice options: delaying tactics in the ABC’s “This Week.” year, to fill another Supreme battle over the election out- The prospect of a Senate of Ginsburg’s replacement to a Senate and efforts to mobilise But she rejected the notion Court vacancy. “The right thing is for the come reach the Supreme confirmationvote on a Trump lifetime appointment should public pressure on more mod- of using talks with the Trump But Republicans are now Senate to confirm beforeE lec- Court. nominee before the November be left to the next president. erate Republicans to split with administration over a new insisting that the situation this tion Day,” Republican Senator “An equally divided 4-4 3 election has sparked furi- With Republicans hold- their party. pandemic relief bill as leverage year is different, with the same Ted Cruz told ABC. court can’t decide anything,” ous pushback from Democrats ing 53 of the 100 Senate seats, “We have our options... to slow matters, saying, “None party controlling both Senate Both parties see the bal- Cruz said. “We need a full desperate to stop Trump mov- Democrats still face an uphill arrows in our quiver,” House of us has any interest in shut- and White House. ance of the court -- as it rules court on Election Day.”

News in brief England imposes up to Trump and new Japan PM Suga discuss ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’: US WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday spoke to Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, to congratulate him on taking office and to discuss a “free and open Indo- £10,000 fine for breaking Pacific” region, which is increasingly dominated by China. “The two leaders discussed the importance of pursuing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, continuing to strengthen the United States-Japan Alliance, and working together to strengthen the global economy,” the White House coronavirus restrictions said in a statement. China is locked in disputes with neighbours including AFP for repeat offences and the Japan and Vietnam over islands in the South China Sea. London worst breaches, including Beijing’s expanding military presence in the region has businesses that threaten self- worried several of its neighbors, and Washington has vowed to People in England who re- isolating staff with redundan- stand up against its territorial claims. (AFP) fuse to self-isolate to stop the cy, officials said. spread of coronavirus could In an incentive to get peo- Thousands march in Germany urging EU face fines of up to £10,000 ple to comply, those on low in- ($13,000, €11,000) under comes will be able to claim an to take in refugees from Greece tough new regulations an- extra lump sum of £500 if they BERLIN: Thousands of people demonstrated on Sunday in nounced on Saturday to tackle are unable to work from home Berlin and other German cities, urging the European Union to a surge in cases. during their isolation. take in migrants left without shelter after a fire destroyed their Prime Minister Boris John- “While most people are do- biggest camp in Greece. son said this week that Britain ing their absolute level best to The mask-clad protesters armed with “leave no one was seeing a second wave of comply with the rules, I don’t behind” posters were joined in the German capital by the aunt COVID-19, and introduced want to see a situation where of Alan Kurdi, the Syrian boy whose image became a tragic new restrictions for millions people don’t feel they are fi- symbol of the 2015 refugee crisis after his body was washed of people across northwest, nancially able to self-isolate,” up on a Turkish beach. northern and central England. Johnson said. Police said around 5,000 people turned up at the Berlin In a further measure an- Almost 42,000 people who rally. Similar gatherings were seen in Cologne, Munich and nounced late Saturday, he said have tested positive for Cov- Leipzig. Some 12,700 people were left homeless after a fero- that from September 28 peo- id-19 have died in Britain, the cious blaze laid waste to their Moria camp on the Greek island ple will be legally obliged to worst death toll from the pan- of Lesbos last week. (AFP) self-isolate if they test positive demic in Europe. or are told to by the National After a summer lull, cases Madrid braces for Three dead after Health Service (NHS) tracing are rising rapidly again and programme. Johnson warned on Friday of a partial lockdown severe storms hit second wave. as virus surges Greece Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives to attend a service marking the 80th anniversary of the Bat- “We are seeing it in France, MADRID: Nearly a million Ma- ATHENS: The severe storms From Sept 28 people will tle of Britain at Westminster Abbey in central London on Sunday. (AFP) in Spain, across Europe -- it drid residents were bracing on that hit Greece over the be legally obliged to self- has been absolutely, I’m afraid, Sunday for a partial lockdown weekend have claimed an- isolate if they test positive inevitable we were going to see as Spanish authorities seek to other victim. or are told to by the NHS it in this country,” he said. put a brake on a second wave On Sunday morning, the tracing programme Britain at Covid ‘tipping point’: Health chief New rules limiting social of COVID-19. fire brigade in the Thessaly gatherings to six people from The restrictions, which region near the city of Kardit- LONDON: Britain faces a “tipping point” in a second wave of coronavirus infections, forcing the different households came kick off Monday for two weeks, sa discovered a 62-year-old “The best way we can fight government to take tougher lockdown measures unless people obey social distancing rules, into effect this week, and lo- affect 850,000 people living in the rubble of his house. this virus is by everyone follow- Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Sunday. cal measures have been intro- mainly in densely-populated, The total number of dead ing the rules and self-isolating The country faces a “tipping point” after a surge of coronavirus infections this month, Hancock duced across the country. low-income neighbourhoods in is now three, but people are if they’re at risk of passing on told the BBC. But Johnson has expressed the south -- or 13 percent of still missing or locked in their coronavirus,” Johnson said in “If everybody follows the rules then we can avoid further national lockdown,” he said. his reluctance to introduce the population in and around homes, the fire brigade said. a statement. “It is absolutely critical at this moment that everybody stops, takes a step back, and realises another nationwide lockdown the capital. Mediterranean hurricane “And so nobody underesti- we’ve all got a part to play.” Prime Minister and some of his Conservative Like many countries in Eu- Ianos and another storm mates just how important this Britain reported more than 4,400 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing its total lawmakers are increasingly rope, Spain is battling a coro- low over the North Aegean is, new regulations will mean since March to 390,000. Its official death toll linked to COVID-19 is nearly 42,000, Europe’s high- vocal in condemning current navirus surge and, once again, Sea caused severe damage you are legally obliged to do est total. (DPA) restrictions. Madrid is the worst-hit region. in large parts of Greece on so if you have the virus or have In London on Saturday, an- On Sunday, people took to the Friday and Saturday. been asked to do so by NHS ti-vaccine and anti-lockdown streets in some of the affect- More than 600 people Test and Trace.” tive are asked to self-isolate for toms or tests positive must £1,000 -- in line with breaking protesters clashed with police ed districts in protest against were rescued from flats or Currently people who 10 days. Those who live with self-isolate for 14 days. quarantine after international in Trafalgar Square. Police said the new measures. (AFP) other locations. (DPA) have symptoms or test posi- someone who either has symp- The new fines will start at travel -- and rise to £10,000 32 people were arrested. Novichok scientist Tens of thousands defy police crackdown to protest in Belarus AFP tained in Minsk and 33 in oth- apologises to Navalny Minsk Several independent media er cities. AFP “I offer my profound apolo- outlets estimated numbers In the southwestern city Moscow gies to Navalny for the fact Tens of thousands of opposi- at tens of thousands, while of Brest, police said they used that I took part in this criminal tion supporters marched in the Nasha Niva opposition tear gas against protesters dur- A scientist involved in the se- business, developing this sub- Belarusian capital of Minsk ing tense street clashes and cret Soviet programme to cre- stance that he was poisoned on Sunday, defying a heavy newspaper put the figure one officerfired a stun grenade ate the Novichok nerve agent with,” said Mirzayanov, who security force presence that much higher at 150,000. into the air. has apologised to the Russian now lives in the United States included water cannons and Previous marches have The government ordered opposition politician Alexei and wrote the first articles on armoured vehicles. seen estimated turnouts of a reduction in mobile internet Navalny, who is recovering Novichok’s development in the The protest came a day at least 100,000 coverage during the protests, from poisoning in Berlin. early 1990s. after police officers detained while central Minsk metro sta- Vil Mirzayanov, a chem- His apology comes as an- hundreds of demonstrators at tions were closed. ist who was the first to reveal other scientist who worked on a women’s march in the capi- 60-year-old retired teacher Opposition leader Svetlana Novichok’s development, in the programme has denied that tal. said she came every week. Tikhanovskaya, who claimed an interview with Russia’s TV Navalny could have been poi- The opposition movement “Europe won’t help us get victory over Lukashenko in the Rain on Saturday evening said soned with Novichok. has kept up a wave of large- rid of Lukashenko, the people Thousands march during a demonstration called by opposition move- polls and has taken shelter in he wanted to apologise to Na- So far three scientists, now scale demonstrations every themselves have to remove ment for an end to the regime of the authoritarian leader Alexander Lithuania, praised demonstra- valny after Germany said it in their 70s, have made public Sunday since President Alex- him,” she said. Lukashenko in Minsk on Sunday. (AFP) tors for coming out “to bravely found “unequivocal evidence” statements after working on ander Lukashenko won a dis- Several independent media stand up for what they want.” he was poisoned with Novi- the top-secret Soviet project. puted victory in August 9 polls. outlets estimated numbers at such a breath of fresh air,” said and set up barbed wire. The mass protest came af- chok. Mirzayanov predicted that People holding red-and- tens of thousands, while Nasha another protester, 33-year-old In the evening, large num- ter riot police cracked down on The opposition politician Navalny would eventually re- white protest flagsgathered at Niva opposition newspaper Maxim Karpov. bers of helmeted riot police Saturday on peaceful women on Saturday described his se- cover. the “March of Justice” walked put the figure much higher at “This all gives us strength with shields faced off against demonstrators who wore shiny vere symptoms after falling ill “Navalny will just have to through central streets holding 150,000. Previous marches to fight on.” massed flag-waving protesters accessories for their so-called on a plane on August 20, in- be patient but in the end, he placards with slogans such as have seen estimated turnouts Police and internal troops after detaining small numbers “Sparkly March.” cluding inability to form words, should be healthy,” Mirzay- “Cowards beat up women” and of at least 100,000. moved military trucks, water at the start. They dragged protesters saying he still struggled to pour anov said, predicting recovery “Get out!”. “I hope this won’t die down. cannon and armoured person- The Viasna rights group into vans, lifting some women a glass of water or use a phone. would take “almost a year.” Natalya Chizhevich, a We come out every time, it’s nel carriers into the city centre said at least 30 had been de- off their feet to carry them. Volkswagen sales slump in August after July recovery page 11

monday, September 21, 2020

27,657.42 9,915.80 38,845.82 1,950.86 −244.56 pts -26.26 pts −134.03 pts Gold +0.33% Trump touts ‘fantastic’ TikTok deal Dow QE sensex with Walmart and Oracle page 10 Price percentage Price percentage 27.13 Brent 43.15 -0.35% WTI 41.11 +0.34% Silver +0.11% Kuwari meets GCC secretary general ‘New products, exports to drive Baladna’s growth’ Baladna shares have significantly outperformed the QE Index, rising 54.7% against QE Index’s 11.7% since May 31 this year

Satyendra Pathak Doha

Baladna has ample capacity for growth through upcoming new and value-added products as well as exports, QNB Finan- cial Services (QNBFS) has said in its latest report. Baladna, a key pillar of the Qatari National Food Security programme, is the undisput- ed leader in the Qatari dairy market. According to QNBFS, Baladna has spent QR2.7bn Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari met with Nayef bin Falah Al Hajraf, secretary-general of the Cooperation ($0.74 billion) over the last Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and the accompanying delegation currently visiting Doha. The meeting touched on issues of three years to expand its ca- mutual concern to GCC member states, particularly on the trade and industrial levels. Discussions focused on the efforts that GCC countries are pacity and production capa- undertaking to weather the economic and trade challenges arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, and mechanisms to promote joint cooperation bilities. amid the pandemic, which would reflect positively on GCC countries, their people and advance their common interests. The precautionary and Baladna recorded a 115.4 Baladna has spent QR2.7 billion over the last three years to expand preventive measures taken by GCC states were also reviewed in the framework of fighting the spread of the pandemic.(TNN) percent top-line growth in its capacity and production capabilities. 2019, which may be followed by an expected 95.2 percent cent,” the report said. form to accumulate. We main- in 2020 and 16.8 percent in “The strong first quarter tain our positive outlook on 2021 as the company plans to and second quarter results, Baladna and believe any weak- increase the number of Stock announcement of interim divi- ness in its share price repre- Keeping Units (SKUs) from dends of QR0.021 per share in sents a buying opportunity,” Nakilat transitions Al Rekayyat LNG 167 at the end of 2019 to 261 April and MSCI EM Small Cap the report said. by the end of 2020. Index inclusion in May were “Going forward, we are “While we have not yet the major catalysts for the sig- of the view that disruptions carrier to in-house management incorporated its potential im- nificant outperformance,” the in international flights could pact in our forecasts and valu- report said. support Baladna’s top-and- Tribune News Network ation, Baladna expects to col- Adding to this, the report bottom-lines in the third quar- Doha With a cargo carrying laborate with the Federal Land said, Qatar Stock Exchange ter of 2020 as Qatar’s seasonal capacity of 216,300 cubic Consolidation and Rehabili- also announced that Baladna population contraction dur- Nakilat has assumed full tation Authority of Malaysia will be included in its QE, QE ing summer months seems to ship management and opera- meters, Al Rekayyat is (FELCRA) to implement the Al Rayan Islamic and QE All be much less in 2020 against tions of Q-Flex LNG carrier wholly-owned by Nakilat ‘Baladna model’ in Malaysia,” Share Indices effective from 2018 and 2019. Al Rekayyat from Shell Inter- and chartered by the report said. October 1 this year. “Typically, Qatar’s popu- national Trading and Ship- Qatargas. The vessel built “This is an attempt to in- “Following better-than- lation contracts by 10 percent ping Company (Shell) with in South Korea by Hyundai crease Malaysia’s self-sufficien- expected results in the second in July against May due to in- effect from September 20, as Heavy Industries was cy in dairy products by doubling quarter, coupled with adjust- creased outbound tourism ac- part of the second phase of delivered in June, 2009 the volume of local fresh milk ments to our discounted cash tivity, coupled with expatriates its planned fleet management production with an increase of flow D( CF) model for lower visiting their home countries. transition programme. 50-55mnLt/pa,” it said. risk free rate, lower beta and However, in 2020, July-May With a cargo carrying vessel that will come under “Since our outperform rec- higher growth prospects, we population contraction re- capacity of 216,300 cubic the management of Nakilat ommendation dated May 31, increase our target price for mained at 2.1 percent, result- meters, Al Rekayyat is whol- Shipping Qatar (NSQL) this 2020 at QR1.2 per share price, Baladna to QR1.94,” QNBFS ing in an 11.1 percent popu- ly-owned by Nakilat and year, bringing the total num- Baladna shares have signifi- said in the report. lation growth year-on-year chartered by Qatargas. The ber of vessels managed by cantly outperformed the QE “Following its strong share (YoY) for Qatar in July and 2.6 vessel built in South Korea tries was delivered in June ever since. NSQL to 25, comprising of 21 Index, rising by 54.7 percent performance, we change our percent (YoY) in August,” the by Hyundai Heavy Indus- 2009 and has been in service Al Rekayyat is the sixth LNG and 4 LPG carriers. against QE Index’s 11.7 per- recommendation from outper- report said.

QDB, Kuwaiti fund hold virtual Stage set for Doha Trade Fair from Sept 24 session on Tribune News Network be varied in terms of participa- follow instructions to keep the Ammar Al Bunni said, “The tiques, gifts, women’s abayas, Doha tion of Qatari companies and event safe for participants and Doha Trade Fair 2020 is signifi- shoes, furnishings, carpets, food types of local and international visitors. This new version of the cant as it is being held after a gap products, honey, spices and var- support to SMEs The Qatari Marketers Company products. Doha Trade Fair is exceptional of more than six months due to ious other household items. in cooperation with the Seqlia Qatari Marketers Company as it will be the first exhibition the coronavirus pandemic. This Qatari Marketers Compa- QNA Company for Organizing Exhibi- CEO Hassan Jumaa said, “We in Qatar after a gap of more than exhibition will be vital in revital- ny Director General Anwar Al Doha tions and Conferences is all set extend our appreciation to all six months. Several changes will ising the local economy.” Sheikh called on the public to to organise the Doha Trade Fair who contributed to addressing be made in the way of present- The exhibition, which will be visit the exhibition. Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and the Na- from September 24 to October 3 the coronavirus (COVID-19) ing products and services for all held in an area of 5000 square “We will provide all precau- tional Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises at the Doha Exhibition and Con- pandemic and the National segments. The idea is to make meters, will see the participation tionary and safety measures for Development in Kuwait held a dialogue enti- vention Center. Crisis Management Commit- it an ideal platform that meets of more than 140 local compa- visitors. It will be a safe market tled ‘Small and medium enterprises stumbling The fair, which follows the tee in particular for its excel- everyone’s aspirations.” nies. These participating com- place for citizen and resident in light of the coronavirus pandemic’. government’s latest directive lent management of the crisis Sicily Company for Organiz- panies will offer many local and where they can find several QDB CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa to allow organisers to hold ex- since it began. We will take all ing Exhibitions and Conferences international products, includ- household products under one participated in the session that was held on hibitions in the country, will precautionary measures and General Manager Mohamed ing clothes, fabrics, leather, an- roof,” he said. social media platforms, referring to the expe- rience of Qatar in supporting and promoting small and medium enterprises. He also talked about QDB’s strategy in dealing with the pandemic, pointing out that the strategy is based on three foundations of resilience, advancement, and prosperity. It began with an attempt to overcome and with- stand the first phase of the pandemic, then helping the private sector recovery, and finally expand sales. The bank translated this strategy through training workshops and appropriate informa- tion for each case, he said. QDB launched several programmes and initiatives such as the National Guarantees Program, the Business Promotion Program, the COVID-19 Hackathon, and the Converting Challenges into Opportunities competition that contributed to creating a vibrant and effective eco system, preserving resilience of the private The Doha Trade Fair, which will be held in an area of 5,000 square meters, will see the participation of more than 140 local companies. sector, and pushing it towards new horizons. Economy & Business Monday, September 21, 2020 09

‘Chinese Strikes to economy Palantir listing may shine light hit German remains public sector resilient’ on the secretive Big Data firm next week Agencies DPA Potsdam China’s economy remains The Silicon Valley firm reportedly helped US locate Osama bin Laden and track weapons movements in ME resilient and there are ample German public sec- policy tools at Beijing’s dis- AFP “If you’re looking for a ter- tor workers are planning posal despite rising external Washington rorist in the world now, you’re warning strikes starting risks, President Xi Jinping probably using our govern- next week in some regions, said in remarks published on Perhaps the most secretive ment product and you’re the service workers’ union Saturday. firm to emerge from Silicon probably doing the operation Verdi said on Sunday. The world’s second-largest Valley, Palantir Technologies that takes out the person in Where and what sec- economy has steadily recov- is set for a stock market debut another product we build,” tors will take part in the ered from a virus-induced this month that may shed light chief executive Alex Karp told protest is to be announced slump, but analysts say poli- on the Big Data firm special- Axios this year. early next week, Verdi said cymakers face a tough job to izing in law enforcement and Karp also defended Pal- in a statement. maintain stable expansion national security. antir’s immigration work, The strikes are due to over the next several years to Created after the Septem- writing in the Washington start on Tuesday, and could turn China into a high-income ber 11, 2001 terror attacks Post that tech firms should not affect nursery schools. nation. with initial funding from a be making policy decisions. The labour protest fol- “The basic characteristics CIA venture-capital unit, Pal- “Immigration policy is not lows two rounds of nego- of China’s economy with suf- antir and its predictive analyt- a software challenge; it’s a po- tiations in which employ- ficient potential, great resil- ics platform reportedly have litical one,” said Karp, whom ers failed to budge, Verdi helped the US military locate the Wall Street Journal called boss Frank Werneke said, Osama bin Laden and track a “self-described socialist.” accusing employers of not weapons movements in the Palantir points out that it showing workers respect Middle East. created a privacy and civil lib- and recognition. Its platform has also been erties board in 2012, ahead of Employer representa- used in the controversial prac- most tech rivals. It also rejects tives said Werneke had tice of “predictive policing” to working with China as “incon- failed to produce an offer. help law enforcement, detect sistent with our culture and Labour representatives medical insurance fraud and Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir, defends the Big Data firm’s contracts with law enforcement and national secu- mission.” are calling for a 4.8-percent fight the coronavirus pan- rity agencies Chris Hoofnagle, faculty pay rise, saying workers demic. director of the Center for Law should receive a monthly Chinese President Xi Jinping While Palantir’s data prac- down from a private value as Human rights activists & Technology at the Univer- increase of at least 150 eu- tices and algorithms are se- high as $25 billion, according Mystical stone have staged protests against sity of California at Berkeley, ros ($177). ience, strong vitality, large cret, the company claims it to Renaissance Capital. Palantir after US agencies said Palantir may be a light- However, employers space for manoeuvre and follows a roadmap which is, if The company posted a loss ● Palantir, whose name used its technology to hunt ning rod for critics because of say that they lack the re- many policy instruments have anything, more ethical than its of $580 million last year on comes from the mystical, down illegal immigrants in Thiel’s politics and because it sources, due to the pan- not changed,” Xinhua news tech sector rivals. revenue of $743 million. But all-powerful seeing stone in the United States. operates differently from its demic. agency quoted Xi as saying. It moved its headquarters it sees prospects improving “Lord of the Rings,” is The immigration rights tech rivals. Negotiations are under China has strong manu- to Denver this year, partly as it offers solutions to what it opting for a direct listing, activist group Mijente claims “Palantir does not have way for 2.3 million federal facturing capacity, very large in an effort to set itself apart calls “fractured healthcare sys- expected on September 29 Palantir technology is used in data. Palantir is software, like and city employees who are domestic markets and huge from its Silicon Valley rivals. tems, erosions of data privacy, operations to track and arrest the (Microsoft) Office suite,” included in collective bar- investment potentials, Xi said. “Our company was found- strained criminal justice sys- ● This will not raise capital thousands of people “just for Hoofnagle said. gaining agreements. When Xi reaffirmed a “dual cir- ed in Silicon Valley. But we tems and outmoded ways of but will allow shares to be being undocumented.” “Thus, many of the nar- completed, the agreement culation” strategy that would seem to share fewer and fewer fighting wars,” its regulatory traded on the NYSE Palantir is a major player ratives surrounding the idea will also apply to more than help steer the economy to- of the technology sector’s val- filing says. in “predictive policing,” a that one can ‘Palantir’ a per- 200,000 civil servants, say wards greater self-reliance, as ues and commitments,” Pal- Palantir’s biggest share- ● Palantir’s filing suggests a technology which critics say son are wrong.” union representatives. U.S. hostility and a global pan- antir says in its prospectus. holder is Peter Thiel, an early valuation of some $10 bn can amplify bias in law en- Critics argue that Palantir Government negotia- demic increase external risks. “From the start, we have Facebook investor and one of forcement. must do more than simply tors are seeking a longer- China still enjoyed “stra- repeatedly turned down op- the rare tech executives who A 2017 research paper by follow the law, and should be term solution and have tegic opportunities” in its portunities to sell, collect or backed Donald Trump’s cam- University of Texas sociolo- accountable for harmful con- said the wage demands are development, although the mine data.” paign in 2016. Security and ethics ques- gist Sarah Brayne found the sequences of its technology. too high with the German coronavirus pandemic has Palantir, whose name “We are in a deadly race tions Palantir platform can connect Palantir should consider economy struggling amid exacerbated global challenges comes from the mystical, all- between politics and technol- Activists argue that Pal- seemingly unrelated bits of the social impact of its ap- the coronavirus pandemic. as globalisation slows and powerful seeing stone in “Lord ogy,” Thiel wrote in a 2009 antir’s technology -- which data for investigators, but can plications, said Ryan Calo, The third round of ne- unilateralism and protection- of the Rings,” is opting for a essay for the libertarian Cato scoops up financial records, also lead to “a proliferation a University of Washington gotiations is scheduled for ism are rising, Xi was quoted direct listing, expected on Sep- Institute. social media posts, call re- of data from police” collected researcher affiliated withthe October 22 and 23. as saying at a meeting on the tember 29. This will not raise “The fate of our world may cords and internet records without a warrant. Stanford Center for Internet Warning strikes are a country’s 14th five-year plan capital but will allow shares depend on the effort of a single -- enables unprecedented and Society. typical tactic in German la- (2021-2025). to be traded on the New York person who builds or propa- opportunities for mass sur- No apologies “Palantir stands out as a bour negotiations and typi- “We must seek our devel- Stock Exchange. gates the machinery of free- veillance with little oversight Palantir does not apolo- company willing to work with cally last between several opment in a more unstable Palantir’s filing suggests a dom that makes the world safe on privacy and fundamental gize for its work in national groups that others have shied hours to a day or two. and uncertain world,” he said. valuation of some $10 billion, for capitalism.” rights. security and law enforcement. away from,” Calo said. Facebook tells Irish court probe threatens its operations in EU

Agencies Irish Data Protection Com- In an affidavit submitted book) how, in those circum- In a September 9 blog The Irish investigation mission, its lead EU regula- to the court to request that stances, it could continue to post that first confirmed the follows a ruling by the Court Facebook has told Ire- tor, had made a preliminary the order be frozen, Yvonne provide the Facebook and In- investigation by the Irish of Justice of the European land’s High Court it cannot decision that the mechanism Cunnane, Facebook Ireland’s stagram services in the EU,” regulator, Facebook said it Union in July on when SCCs see how its services could op- it uses to transfer data from head of data protection and the newspaper quoted the af- “relied on the mechanism in can be used legally. erate in the European Union the EU to the United States associate general counsel, fidavit as saying. question - under what are The ruling was in re- if regulators freeze its data “cannot in practice be used”. said it was not clear how the The affidavit has not been known as standard contrac- sponse to EU concerns that transfer mechanism, the Sun- Facebook requested and company could continue pro- made public, a High Court tual clauses (SCCs) - to trans- the surveillance regime in the day Business Post reported, secured a temporary freeze viding services in the EU if spokesman said, and a Fa- fer data to countries outside United States might not re- citing court documents seen on the order and a court re- the Irish order is enforced, cebook spokeswoman did the EU and that a ban would spect the privacy rights of EU by the paper. view in the Irish High Court, the Sunday Business Post re- not immediately respond to have “a far reaching effect citizens when their personal The U.S. social media gi- which is due to consider the ported. an emailed request for com- on businesses that rely on data is sent to the United ant last week said that the issue in November. “It is not clear to (Face- ment. SCCs”. States for commercial use.

China’s growing millionaires seek bodyguards schooled in digital dark arts

AFP a Credit Suisse 2019 report, of street crime, the modern 33-year-old army veteran Tianjin more than in the US. minder needs an up-to-date from northern Shanxi prov- The course fees are up to skillset, against state monitor- ince, hopes becoming a At the “Genghis Security $3,000 a student; and while ing or professional hackers. bodyguard could offset his Academy”, which bills itself as they had to cancel training “Chinese bosses don’t lack of professional skills or China’s only dedicated body- between February and June need you to fight,” Chen tells academic qualifications. guard school, students learn because of the coronavirus his students of a client base “And of course, it’s cool,” that the threats to the coun- pandemic, it has not damp- which includes the country’s he added. try’s newly-rich in the tech age ened demand. biggest real estate and tech But the alumni of the are more likely to emerge from Only the best make the firms.R epelling hacks on mo- Genghis Academy also pro- a hacker than a gunman. cut, says founder Chen Yong- bile phones, network security, vide humdrum services, like Each day students in qing, insisting his disciplinar- spotting eavesdroppers and accompanying children of matching black business suits ian standards are stricter than wiping data are all required the rich and famous to school toil from dawn until midnight in the army. tools in the bodyguard’s -- for a fee of 180,000 yuan at the school in the eastern “I’m quick-tempered and armoury. ($26,000) a year. city of Tianjin, where digital very demanding,” the army “What would you do if the That in itself is far more defences are given equal peg- veteran from China’s northern boss wants to destroy a video than the base salary in private ging to the traditional close- Inner Mongolia region told The guns at the Genghis Security Academy”, which bills itself as China’s only dedicated bodyguard file immediately?” Chen asks companies of around 53,000 protection skillset of combat, AFP. school, are fake because China outlaws possession of firearms.( AFP) a class. yuan. weapons training and high- “Only by being strict can Even so, old-school Students must also speed driving. we cultivate every good sword. in a classroom or gym, where the standard of Chinese body- two seconds are assigned 50 threats still exist in China -- navigate the quirks of their Around a thousand gradu- If you don’t forge it well, it will they box in matching red guards,” instructor Ji Pengfei push-ups. earlier this year billionaire He wealthy clients, says trainer Ji. ate each year, hoping to land break itself.” T-shirts. told AFP. The guns at the Tianjin Xiangjian, founder of Midea Some only trust bodyguards jobs as guards to China’s About half of the students Mobile phones are con- In one class, students in school are fake -- China out- and one of the country’s rich- whose Chinese zodiac sign burgeoning ranks of rich are ex-military, Chen says. fiscated throughout, while pairs work through a scenario laws possession of firearms. est men, was kidnapped at his matches theirs, he explains and famous, positions which They train in rows in a meals are taken in silence in protecting a “client” from an For live firearms training, home. -- while one, from a Fortune can be worth up to $70,000 large, shabby sports hall, hold- a large dining hall presided intruder. students are taken to Laos in According to Chinese 500 company, only wanted to -- several times more than an ing blue plastic guns ahead over by pictures of acclaimed “Danger!” shouts Ji, Southeast Asia. media, He’s son escaped by hire from his hometown. annual office wage. of them with a steady stare -- graduates, who have protected prompting the guard to quick- jumping into a river and was Another demanded a pro- But the school says it can’t before practising hustling their everyone from China’s second ly throw their “boss” behind Wiping data, blocking able to call the police, who spective bodyguard tell him meet demand as China’s rapid clients safely into a black Audi richest man Jack Ma to visit- them and pull out a gun in the hacks said they arrested five sus- what books he liked to read growth mints millionaires with smashed windows. ing French presidents. same move. But in a highly surveil- pects at the scene. -- he was hired after saying he -- 4.4 million according to Other sessions are held “We have been defining Those who fail to do it in led country with a low rate Student Zhu Peipei, a liked military novels. 10 Monday, September 21, 2020 Economy & Business US prosecutors indict six in Trump touts ‘fantastic’ TikTok scheme to bribe Amazon workers deal with Walmart and Oracle

AFP actors they were entwined Oracle could buy a 12.5 percent stake in TikTok before a future IPO, and Walmart a 7.5 percent stake Washington with to justice.” The accused consultants US prosecutors on Friday represented sellers of a wide said six people have been range of goods, and three of indicted on criminal charges the consultants were said for bribing Amazon workers to have been also offering to restock blocked goods or items for sale at Amazon help beat competitors in its Marketplace. online marketplace The three were identi- Those charged in the fied as HadisN uhanovic of case served as consultants Georgia and Joseph Nilsen for third-party sellers on and Kristen Leccese of New Amazon Marketplace, pay- York. ing employees and contrac- tors at the e-commerce giant for favours or intelligence in a scheme dating back to at least 2017, according to the Department of Justice. “Realising they could not compete on a level playing Cheating field, the subjects turned to Advantages gained by bribery and fraud in order paying bribes included extra to gain the upper hand,” FBI shelf space in distribution Seattle bureau special agent centres; inside data they in charge Raymond Duda could use against rivals; said in a release. and reinstatement of “What’s equally con- cerning, not only did they accounts blocked or attempt to increase sales suspended for rule of their own products, but breaking, according to the sought to damage and dis- indictment credit their competitors.” Advantages gained by paying bribes included extra shelf space in distribution centres; inside data they could use against rivals; and reinstatement of accounts A woman walks past the headquarters of ByteDance, the parent company of video sharing app TikTok in Beijing recently. (AFP) blocked or suspended for rule breaking, according to AFP shares. But since the Chinese rate cloud servers. ment, TikTok users will be the indictment. Washington company is 40 percent owned Job boost The deal will lead to the banned from installing up- Reinstated products in- by American investors, TikTok creation of a new company, dates starting September 27. cluded dietary supplements President Donald Trump would eventually be majority ● The deal, announced by headquartered in Texas, that In response, China’s Com- suspended because of safety said on Saturday he had ap- American-owned. the firms, also includes will have “nothing to do with merce Ministry on Saturday complaints; household elec- proved a deal allowing Silicon “We are pleased that the Walmart as a commercial China” but will still be called condemned what it called US tronics that had been flagged Valley giant Oracle to become proposal by TikTok, Oracle, partner and would create a TikTok, according to the presi- “bullying,” saying it violated as flammable, and consumer the data partner for TikTok to and Walmart will resolve the new US company that dent. international trade norms and goods removed for intel- avert a shutdown of the mas- security concerns of the US would generate some Trump also said that the that there was no evidence of lectual-property violations, In the scheme, bribes sively popular Chinese-owned Administration and settle 25,000 jobs companies involved will make any security threat, shortly be- prosecutors said. were paid to at least 10 dif- video app that Washington questions around TikTok’s a $5 billion contribution to- fore launching a mechanism “Corrupted” employees ferent people, including has called a security risk. future in the US,” a spokes- ● The deal will lead to the ward “the education of Ameri- that would allow it to sanction at Amazon did things such Amazon contractor Nishad The deal, announced by woman for TikTok, owned by creation of a new company, can youth.” He had previously foreign companies. as manually reinstate prod- Kunju of Hyderabad, India, the companies, also includes China’s ByteDance, told AFP. headquartered in Texas, said that the federal govern- China’s long-expected “un- uct listings and approve prosecutors said. Walmart as a commercial ByteDance also confirmed that will have “nothing to ment deserved a cut of the deal reliable entities list” is seen as baseless merchant appeals, Kunju went on to be- partner and would create a the deal on social media, say- for authorizing it. a weapon for Beijing to retali- according to the indictment. come an outside consultant new US company that would ing the three companies would do with China” but will still Oracle confirmed its part ate against the United States, Fraudulently reinstated himself, paying bribes to for- generate some 25,000 jobs. reach an agreement that was be called TikTok, according in the deal in a statement, which has used its own “entity products and merchants mer colleagues still working “I think it’s going to be a “in line with US and Chinese to the president saying TikTok’s decision was list” to shut Chinese telecom went on to generate more for Seattle-based Amazon, fantastic deal,” Trump said. “I law” as soon as possible. “heavily influenced by Zoom’s giant Huawei out of the US than $100 million in sales according to the indictment. have given the deal my blessing. If it comes to fruition, the recent success in moving a market, in addition to the re- in total revenue, prosecutors Also charged in the If they get it done that’s great, if deal could mark the deescala- to hand over TikTok’s US op- large portion of its video con- cent moves against TikTok said. indictment are Ephraim they don’t that’s okay too.” tion of a technology battle be- erations to an American com- ferencing capacity to the Ora- and WeChat. “Amazon has systems in Rosenburg of New York and Shortly after, TikTok, tween Washington and Beijing. pany. cle Public Cloud.” “While the US/China ten- place to detect suspicious Rohit Kadimisetty of south- owned by China’s ByteDance, It could also allow Ameri- And on Friday, the Trump Walmart also confirmed sions continue across all as- behaviour by sellers or em- ern California. confirmed the agreement, cans to continue using the administration ordered a ban its role in the deal, saying in a pects of the technology food ployees, and teams in place The defendants are to which came with compa- wildly popular app: the US on downloads of the video- statement that it would supply chain, resolving this TikTok to investigate and stop pro- appear in federal court in nies racing against a Sunday Department of Commerce an- sharing app, as well as Chi- its online sales, order manage- and ByteDance standoff and hibited activity,” the e-com- Seattle on October 15 to face deadline set by Trump’s ad- nounced it was postponing nese-owned messaging plat- ment and payment services. complex Rubik’s Cube politi- merce giant said in reply to conspiracy charges. ministration after which new the ban on TikTok downloads form WeChat. CEO Doug McMillon would cal backdrop is a relief for tech an AFP inquiry. “As the world moves downloads of the app would until September 27, citing “re- TikTok’s brand of short, become one of a five-member investors with Oracle in the “We are especially disap- increasingly to online com- be banned. cent positive developments.” quirky phone videos has be- board of directors. winners circle,” said Wedbush pointed by the actions of this merce, we must ensure that Oracle could buy a 12.5 Trump has claimed for come a global phenomenon, Under Friday’s US order analyst Dan Ives. limited group of now former the marketplace is not cor- percent stake in TikTok before weeks that TikTok is collecting especially among young peo- against the Chinese apps, Ten- According to the US Treas- employees, and appreciate rupted with unfair advan- a future IPO, and Walmart a user data for Beijing, without ple, with 100 million users in cent-owned WeChat would ury, the TikTok deal still needs the collaboration and sup- tages obtained by bribes and 7.5 percent stake. ever providing evidence for his the United States alone. lose functionality in the Unit- to be finalized by the involved port from law enforcement kickbacks,” said US Attorney According to a source allegations. Trump said the “security ed States from Sunday. companies and approved by a to bring them and the bad Brian Moran. close to the matter, ByteD- In early August, he gave will be 100 percent” and that Following the TikTok-Ora- federal national security com- ance would keep the rest of the ByteDance until September 20 the companies will use sepa- cle-Walmart deal’s announce- mittee.

GAMING CHALLENGE Could PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X be swan song for consoles? The Game Bakers. their subscribers so as not to give Sony has sold more than 110 mn PS4 consoles A teraflop refers to the capacity an opening to challengers” such as of a processor to calculate a trillion Google or Amazon, said Planade. over the past 7 years, more than double the operations, and both Sony and Mi- amount of its competitor the Xbox One crosoft have been vaunting the speed Cloud gaming and power of their new consoles. The two web giants are betting AFP And it will be a major upgrade Leprince said there haven’t been on cloud gaming which allows them Paris in terms of hardware as the cur- any major innovations with game to dispense with consoles. Games rent generation of machines were interfaces or with the games them- can run on a variety of devices such The upcoming release of a ninth released all the way back in 2013. selves. as smartphones and tablets. As it is generation of games consoles by Both new consoles will offer much But “the stone in the pond... is the servers in the cloud that do the Sony and Microsoft is set to be a more powerful central and graphics the shift to the subscription model” heavy lifting in terms of processing, sales slam dunk with consumers processors, support 4K televisions, which means the console makers are there is no need for powerful and seeking entertainment during pan- as well as offer ray tracing, which al- becoming a “Netflix of video games”, costly consoles. demic confinement, but could it lows for better rendition of how light she said. But both firms also have to take also be their swan song as the hab- behaves. All of this will all make for The subscriptions -- Game a step towards cloud gaming by its of gamers change? more fluid and vivid play. Pass for Microsoft and PlayStation offering lower priced versions of Both companies have been “When one looks at the techni- Plus for Sony “are going to com- their new consoles without drives. dripping out information for months cal specifications of the new con- File photo of the Sony PlayStation logo. (AFP) pletely revolutionise the industry as Games have to be downloaded from about the PlayStation 5 (PS5) and soles, there 10 times above the cur- was the case for films and music,” the web or streamed, and have ded- the Xbox Series X to build excite- rent generation. We’re going to have competitor the Xbox One. changes in the industry, which is al- said Leprince. icated xCloud and PlayStation Now ment, and now have announced the games that are more beautiful, more “For Microsoft, the challenge is ready beginning to move away from The Game Pass already oper- services. consoles will hit shelves -- and living realistic, more immersive. People to not to let Sony get too far ahead, big expensive machines to cloud ates much like a Netflix for video “We’re in a transition phase” rooms -- in mid-November. are going to be blown away,” said maybe even the game with it,” Pla- gaming, where the play is happening games by offering access to a cata- said Laurent Michaud, an analyst Pre-orders for the PS5 quickly Charles-Louis Planade, a video game nade told AFP. online. logue of titles, while PlayStation who specialises on the video game maxed out at several retailers, show- expert with Midcap Partners. Taking into account the growing “This generation could be the Plus offers other services that are industry, who expects consoles and ing many gamers are indeed raring Sony has the 110 million PS4 number of players, the analyst be- last physical consoles. It’ll be the attractive to gamers such as playing cloud gaming to coexist for a while. to upgrade and setting up a sales consoles it has sold over the past lieves it is possible they could match last time we’ll here talk of teraflops,” online with friends. The “trends indicate that this battle just in time for the holiday seven years as a gauge of success, their previous success. said Audrey Leprince, co-founder “The challenge for the con- won’t be the last generation of con- season. more than double the amount of its Others aren’t so sure given the of the independent game studio sole manufacturers is to hold onto soles”, he believes. Monday, September 21, 2020 11 Economy & Business Hackers aimed at manufacturing firms during pandemic: Report

Although some industries saw a spike in attacks directed at them, others such as airlines, hospitality and retail businesses saw a drop in hackers targeting them, mostly because the industries were the hardest hit by the pandemic and likely offered little potential for extracting ransoms, CrowdStrike said

Tribune news service new york

n the first six months of the year, as most of the world shut down because of COVID-19 and work- ers everywhere shifted to work- ing remotely, online criminals andI state-backed hackers got busy breaking into computer networks, especially those of manufacturing, technology and telecom companies. Indeed, hackers worked at a greater pace than they did all of last year, according to cybersecurity re- search firm CrowdStrike. Companies in as many as 27 dif- ferent industries fell victim to the hackers, nearly double the number of industries that were targeted in all of 2019, CrowdStrike said in a recent report. While technology, telecom and financial companies are routinely targeted, “the manufacturing in- dustry has experienced a dramatic increase in interactive intrusion activity compared to past years,” CrowdStrike said. Manufacturing companies saw an 11 percent in- crease in attacks and intrusions on their networks compared with all of 2019, the company said. The attacks on manufacturing companies observed by Crowd- Strike affected the business systems or front-office networks rather than computers involved in factory con- The attacks on trol systems, Jennifer Ayers, vice president at CrowdStrike, wrote in manufacturing firms af- an email to CQ Roll Call. The report is based on Crowd- fected the business systems Strike’s analysis of attacks on its clients’ networks around the globe. or front-office networks rather Both online criminals and state- sponsored hackers may have chosen than computers involved in to target industries already left vul- nerable because of large-scale dis- factory control systems, Jen- ruption in their global supply chain of materials, CrowdStrike said. nifer Ayers, vice president at Businesses experiencing trouble CrowdStrike, wrote getting materials and supplies led attackers to believe that the compa- in an email nies may be “more inclined to pay a ransom to prevent further disrup- tion,” CrowdStrike said. Criminal groups “are focused on monetary gain through ransom and extortion by theft of data, whereas state-sponsored attackers are fo- cused on a different agenda which Companies in as many as 27 different industries fell victim to the hackers, nearly double the number of industries that were targeted in all of 2019, CrowdStrike said in a recent report. can range from espionage to [intel- lectual property] theft as examples,” by many companies,” which may be an attack, it is a ‘when’ and that the report said. groups are targeting telecom com- for targeted attacks, the motiva- Ayers said. have led to more security gaps and statement applies to all companies In one case, a North Korean panies, a popular target for state- tions of which are likely associated For nation-state hackers, “inter- vulnerabilities being exploited, the regardless of size.” government-backed group code- backed hackers, CrowdStrike said. with espionage and data theft ob- national trade tensions, increased report said. Although some industries saw named Labyrinth Chollima targeted The United States has been wag- jectives,” CrowdStrike said. competition for essential goods, and Some companies made sure a spike in attacks directed at them, an unnamed agricultural company ing a campaign against Chinese tel- In another case involving an efforts by some firms to decrease to take the security of their cor- others such as airlines, hospitality by sending one of its employees ecom giant Huawei, alleging that attack on a health care company their reliance on offshore suppli- porate networks into account as and retail businesses saw a drop in an unsolicited job offer, which the the company’s attempts to establish in Asia, CrowdStrike found that ers could all have contributed to they made the transition to remote hackers targeting them, mostly be- victim then opened. The Microsoft a global leadership in 5G mobile Chinese hackers had penetrated increased foreign interest in the op- work, “while some have had to in- cause the industries were the hard- Word document attached to the phone technologies is a way for Bei- the company’s network using a erations of firms in these sectors,” vest heavily or change their security est hit by the COVID-19 pandemic email contained a malicious code jing to gain access to sensitive data remote-access tool that masquer- CrowdStrike said in the report. strategy to survive,” Ayers said. and likely offered little potential for that allowed the hacker to copy files from all over the world. Huawei aded as a genuine Microsoft Win- But in some cases the difference “If you had to move the majority extracting ransoms, CrowdStrike on the CrowdStrike client’s net- denies these allegations, but under dows process available on GitHub, in tactics used by the two kinds of of your business to an online pres- said. work. The attack was stopped after pressure from Washington, many an online platform that hosts attackers is blurred, with criminal ence rapidly but did not employ ba- For state-backed hackers, com- CrowdStrike identifiedthe attack US allies have declined to allow open-source software code used by groups willing to play the long game sic security, that is a ripe target for panies in agriculture, health care, and took steps to prevent any data Huawei access to their networks. programmers. in search of greater profits, the re- a criminal actor who could deploy media, tech and telecom appeared loss, the report said. An Iran-based hacking group Companies across the globe port said. ransomware and request several to be the most attractive, with more The attack could be a case of code-named Tracer Kitten used a need to step up investment and at- million dollars to recover,” Ayers than one hostile country targeting economic espionage targeting a sec- custom-designed backdoor to break tention on defending their comput- Working from home said. these sectors, CrowdStrike found. tor that North Korean leader Kim into a telecom company that had er networks, constantly watching The increase in attacks was also “That can decimate a business Jong-un has identified as key tothe operations in Europe, the Middle for attacks, CrowdStrike said. likely driven by the sudden shift to not just operationally but financial- Agri firms targeted country’s economic development, East, and Africa, CrowdStrike said. “In my opinion, defense can be remote working, and the “acceler- ly as well,” Ayers added. “This year, North Korea and China are both CrowdStrike said. The telecom “industry still re- less expensive” than trying to recov- ated set up of new infrastructure at this time, it is not an ‘if’ there will targeting agriculture companies, Six separate Chinese hacking mains firmly within the crosshairs er from an attack, Ayers said.

Volkswagen vehicle sales slump in August after July recovery

virus pandemic. nipulated results in diesel signed to hoodwink environ- Worldwide deliveries were down 6.6% Overall, sales have plum- emissions tests, prompting mental regulators. meted since the onset of the resignation of then chief Progress for customers in compared to the same month last year the pandemic. Across the executive Martin Winterkorn. other countries demanding VW group, deliveries have Five years on, a regional compensation has been slow, dpa pany said. been down by 21.5 percent court in Braunschweig, Ger- however. Berlin The year-on-year fall was since the beginning of the year many, approved fraud charges In a statement released in partially due to especially compared with the same pe- against Winterkorn earlier the early hours of Friday, Eu- German automobile manu- strong sales figures in August riod in 2019. The latest figures this month, paving the way ropean consumer association facturer Volkswagen said on 2019 ahead of the introduction came as consumer protection for the disgraced executive to Beuc accused VW of doing Friday that sales of its vehicles of stricter European emissions organisations marked five stand trial. everything it can to avoid pay- had fallen sharply once again test rules last September. years to the day since Volk- The company has since ing out further compensation. in August following a recovery The fall follows July figures swagen was engulfed in an agreed to pay out billions of “After a massive breach in July. showing sales just 0.2 percent emissions-cheating scandal. dollars in compensation to of the law, VW [has] ignored Worldwide deliveries were down on the same month last In September 2015, VW hundreds of thousands of justified complaints from down 6.6 percent compared year, suggesting demand had was forced to admit in closed- customers in both the United consumers,” said Beuc head to the same month last year begun to recover in the wake door talks with US environ- States and Germany who were Monique Goyens. “We will not to 792,200 vehicles, the com- of the fallout from the corona- mental regulators it had ma- sold cars with devices de- tolerate that.” Son Heung-min scores four goals to star in Tottenham’s rout of Southampton page 14 MONday, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Persepolis coach thanks Xavi predicts clash of styles Qatar, praises phenomenal as Al Sadd face Al Nassr facilities Tribune News Network Doha Tribune News Network DOHA In what would be a mouth- watering clash of the 2020 The head coach of Iranian AFC Champions League, football club Persepolis -- twice semi-finalists Al Sadd Yahya Golmohammadi on will meet leaders Al Nassr FC Sunday profusely thanked in Group D at the Jassim Bin the State of Qatar and Qa- Hamad Stadium on Monday. tar Football Association Al Nassr have already for hosting the 2020 AFC sealed qualification to the Champions League (West Round of 16 after collecting Zone). He also praised full points from their double Qatar for its phenomenal header against Sepahan FC in sports facilities. and the the previous two matchdays, Qatar Football Associa- while Al Sadd came out of tion for hosting the 2020 their own fixtures against Al AFC Champions League Ain with four points, meaning (West Zone). they are a win away from ad- Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez addresses the media ahead of his vancing to the next round. team’s AFC Champions League Group D match against Al Nassr. Coach Xavi Hernandez’s Al Sadd are the highest scoring team in the 2020 AFC Champi- ons League so far, having netted 12 goals in their past four games, while only Al Hilal (2) have con- Al Sadd had beaten Al Nassr on their way to the semi-finals in the AFC Champions League last year. In the ceded less than Al Nassr’s three 2020 edition, Al Nassr have already sealed qualification to the Round of 16 after collecting full points from goals in West Asia. their double header against Sepahan FC in the previous two matchdays, while Al Sadd came out of their Given the scenario, the Qa- own fixtures against Al Ain with four points, meaning they are a win away from advancing to the next round. tar club side will surely aim to go one up and seal their quali- standings players are in a good moment, “The game will be difficult fication in their penultimate physically and mentally. We because of the opposition’s group stage match. Group D are in our best conditions and quality. We have quality too, Speaking at the pre-match Club M W D L GF GA GD Pts we must use this opportunity.” so we can expect a good game. Finally, with regards to We are aware of their individ I would like to thank press conference, Xavi said: Al Nassr (KSA) 4 3 1 0 8 3 5 10 - “Al Nassr is one one of the best Al Sadd (QAT) 4 2 2 0 12 5 7 8 changes in Al Nassr’s gameplay ual and team attributes, so we the State of Qatar and teams in the competition. We Sepahan (IRN) 4 1 0 3 4 7 -3 3 compared to the previous year, will enjoy the game and hope- Qatar Football played them in the quarter- Al Ain (UAE) 4 0 1 3 4 13 -9 1 Xavi said: “Al-Nassr’s style has fully get a good result. Our Association for building finals last year and also in Feb- not changed from last year. philosophies do not change, these stadiums. I have ruary this year. But this time, They are a good team and score but we make minor tweaks to it will be different. They have We must be fully prepared: Nam Tae-hee The players are comfortable a lot of goals. We are speaking counter different opposition.” never ever seen or strengthened the team with with this way.” of a strong team that is capable “Both teams are big, both experienced such new players, and they have an Al Sadd’s South Korean midfielder Nam Tae-hee has stressed Xavi, however, added that of reaching the semifinal, and have some really good play- wonderful football excellent striker – Abderrazak on the importance of being fully prepared, ahead of the Al Nassr the team will have to excel both so we must be well prepared.” ers, and both have a winning arenas with advance Hamdallah.” match. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he said: in attack and defence. “The And while a place in the mentality. All my players are technology. I would like “Our goal is to win and “We will face a strong team. Al Nassr is better than last season challenge for us is to score and knock-out stage is already se- ready, and the line-up will be to qualify for the next round. and therefore we have to be more than 100% ready. If we play also take care of defence. This cured for head coach Rui Vito- decided as we see fit techni- to express my heartfelt We have to give our best, and with the same quality as in the previous match against Al Ain, is what happened in the second ria’s men, the Portuguese still cally,” said Vitoria. gratitude to every we cannot relax, especially we will be able to get the win and the three points.” game against Al Ain. The prob- relishes the challenge of test- The previous game be- single one of those against these kind of teams. It As for his readiness for the match, Nam said: “I know I need to lem is not with the defence, the ing his side against one of the tween the two sides ended in involved in bringing could be one of the best games make more effort for the team. Last season, I came back from responsibility of not conceding best teams in the competition. a 2-2 draw on Matchday Two. Asian club football in the competition. It will be an injury, but now I am completely ready for every match, and of lies with the entire team.” “We have sealed qualifica- Hamdallah’s early strike was fantastic for the fans and also course I want to improve in every match to help the team win.” He further added: “We tion, but Al Sadd still need a cancelled out by teammate back to us and made it for the competition and hope- made changes in the last two result here to qualify, though Abdulelah Al Amri’s own goal, possible for us to play fully, we can get three points.” games, rotating players. We both teams are in a somewhat before Hassan Al Haydos put here. I wish nothing but Asked about his side’s ap- ceded any goals here so far. “That is our way. They are have 4 or 5 players who have similar position. We want to Al Sadd ahead only to have success for the entire proach for the game, the coach But we have a good attack and good in defence, we are good played 90 minutes in both keep winning to prove our Abdulrahman Al Obaid score Qatari football family. said: “Al Nassr have a good de- our aim is to score more goals in attack. We want to domi- games. We can manage things quality and mentality,” said the equaliser for Al Nassr five fence and they have not con- than our opponents. nate, create chances to score. with the substitutions. The Vitoria. minutes later. Persepolis head coach Yahya Golmohammadi

“First of all, I would like to thank the State of Qatar and Qatar Football Asso- Persepolis wary of their former star ciation for building these stadiums. As a player and now coach I have travelled far and wide, but have never Rezaeian as they face Al Duhail ever seen or experienced such wonderful football are- nas with advance technol- AFC “We know this is a strong ogy,” said the former Iran Doha standings team which has just won the international, who played in Group C last two games in the group the 2006 FIFA World Cup Persepolis FC midfielder Club M W D L GF GA GD Pts stage,” said Al Duhail head Finals, ahead of his team’s Kamal Kamyabinia lauded the coach Walid Regragui, who Persepolis (IRN) 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7 match against Al Duhail. qualities of former teammate like Benatia, is a former Mo- Al Taawoun (KSA) 4 2 0 2 3 2 1 6 “These venues are not and current Al Duhail winger roccan international defender. only a credit to Qatar, Ramin Rezaeian ahead of the Al Duhail (QAT) 4 2 0 2 6 7 -1 6 “We are still unsure wheth- but to the whole Asian two sides’ Group C meeting Sharjah (UAE) 4 1 1 2 7 7 0 4 er Karim Boudiaf and Edmil- continent.” in the 2020 AFC Champions son will be available for selec- “No country apart from League at the Education City Today’s Matches tion, they are still recovering. Qatar was brave or ready Stadium on Monday. We know with them playing enough to stage the AFC A win for the Tehran-based Group D: (at Jassim Bin we are stronger because they Champions League (West side would mean a guaranteed Hamad Stadium) are really good players, but we Zone) competition. I would place in the knock-out stage 6pm: Al Sadd (QAT) vs played without them from the like to express my heartfelt for the third time in four years, start just like we played with- gratitude to every single while Al Duhail can overtake Al Nassr (KSA) out Asim Madibo and Bas- one of those involved in their opponents into the top 9pm: Sepahan (IRN) vs sam Al Rawi. It is a difficult bringing Asian club foot- spot should they beat them and Al Ain (UAE) competition and everyone has ball back to us and made it Al Taawoun fail to defeat Shar- to contribute.” possible for us to play here. jah in the other Monday fixture. Group A: (at Education City “We are happy because we I wish nothing but success Rezaeian represented Perse- Stadium) feel Dudu is improving. He for the entire Qatari foot- polis for two years between 2015 6pm: Persepolis (IRN) v did not play for six months, so ball family. and 2017, contributing to their Al Duhail (QAT) he needed match time to find “I hope that all Asian run to the 2017 AFC Champions his rhythm. Almoez Ali scored countries learn from Qa- League semi-final. He and Ka- 9pm: Al Taawoun (KSA) twice so he is more confident tar and duplicate their ef- myabinia lined-up side-by-side v Sharjah (UAE) now. Afif and Ramin as wing- forts to promote football in Persepolis’ midfield as they ers are doing so well but I also across our continent. It is defeated Al Duhail (then Lekh- Al Duhail winger Ramin Rezaeian has represented Persepolis for two years between 2015 and 2017, hope adding Junior Edmilson a huge task and difficult wiya) 1-0 on aggregate in the contributing to their run to the 2017 AFC Champions League semi-final. Rezaeian who scored a sub- we can add more technical to accomplish. But, we Round of 16. lime free-kick on his continen- skills into our game. across Asia can achieve this “I believe it is a really tough ing far in this competition. “Ramin (Rezaeian) is a Al Duhail. He is in form at the tal debut for Al Duhail against “In this competition you with meticulous planning group with all four teams com- They lost some star names in really good player and has moment, and we wish him Sharjah io Matchday Three, need to be strong in defence, as did the Qatari football peting for a place in the Round the summer, but still brought made great progress since his well, just not so well against they will be slightly relieved and we conceded five in the and state authorities,” said of 16,” said Kamyabinia. good new players. But we are time with us here. He was at us on Monday.” about the absence of suspend- past two games, so for me that Golmohammadi. “Al Duhail are a strong also a good team and are con- Al Shahania last season and And while Persepolis ed centre-back Medhi Benatia is an area of improvement,” team who are capable of go- fident of going through. did so well to earn a move to will be aware of the threat of from their opponents’ ranks. said Redragui. Sports Monday, September 21, 2020 13 Esteghlal, Al Shorta settle for draw in crucial clash AFC Doha

Group A’s second ticket to the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16 will have Action from the Al Hilal SFC and Shahr Khodro AFC Champions to be decided on Matchday League Group B match played at the Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday. Six after Iraq’s Al Shorta and The game ended in a goalless draw. Iran’s Esteghlal FC played out a 1-1 draw at Khalifa Interna- tional Stadium on Sunday. Both sides went into the Gritty Al Hilal SFC game needing a win to join group leaders Al Ahli into the next round, with Al Shorta seal knock-out holding a three-point lead, but having played a game more. The Iraqis, having played stage berth twice over the past week had momentum on their side in the opening minutes of the AFC game and had the bulk of pos- Doha standings session. Group B Following a Mohammed Reigning champions Al Hi- Club M W D L GF GA GD Pts Mezher corner, Mazin Fayyadh lal SFC confirmed their place Al Hilal (KSA) 5 3 2 0 6 2 4 11 climbed unmarked inside the in the 2020 AFC Champions Pakhtakor (UZB) 5 2 2 1 6 3 3 8 box, powering a header towards League Round of 16 with a Al Ahli (UAE) 5 2 1 2 4 4 0 7 goal, but Seyed Hossein Hos- 0-0 draw against Iran’s Shahr Shahr Khodro (IRN) 5 0 1 4 0 7 -7 1 seini made a quality reflex save Khodro FC in Group B at the to deny Al Shorta their opening Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday. goal inside the first 10 minutes. When the two teams met ended when Hatan Bahebri in- Fayyadh was the danger- earlier in the year, Andre Ca- telligently cut the ball back to man again five minutes later, rillo and Bafetimbi Gomis Al Bishi, who with the slightest the winger advanced through found the net in a 2-0 Al Hilal of touches put it over the net the heart of Esteghlal’s mid- win, and Shahr Khodro have from a few yards out. field and tried his luck with The AFC Champions League Group A second ticket to the Round of 16 will have to be decided on MatchDay Six after Iraq’s Al Shorta and Iran’s lost all their games since. Shahr Khodro almost got a left-footed effort from Esteghlal FC played out a 1-1 draw at Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday. A severely depleted Al Hi- their first ever AFC Champions outside the box. Marwan lal side with only three substi- League goal when Mohammad Hussein tried to pounce on standings head it in from an extremely tutes, two of whom were goal- Khalatbary received a short Hosseini’s spilled save, but tight angle, marginally miss- keepers, took to the pitch and corner and lifted a cross over defender Roozbeh Cheshmi Group A ing and hitting the side netting looked lively early on as they the penalty area which was was first to the ball and made Club M W D L GF GA GD Pts instead. created chances in the first 20 met by a rising Farshad Faraji, the clearance. Al Ahli (KSA) 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 6 Gerard Zaragoza’s men minutes without converting. but the latter headed high. Al Shorta’s number 14 fi- Al Shorta (IRQ) 4 1 2 1 4 4 0 5 came agonisingly close short- It took 38 minutes for Bahebri missed a golden nally got his goal in the 25th Esteghlal (IRN) 3 0 2 1 3 4 -1 2 ly after the hour mark, when the first big chance to come, chance to put his team ahead minute. Fayyadh lost his substitute Ahmed Al Attas which fell to Shahr Khodro but and add his second of the tour- marker once again and guided received the ball at the edge Madallah Al Olayan intercept- nament 20 minutes from time, his header from Ali Fayez’s came in the most awkward of of the area and attempted ed and headed away their shot when Carillo received a ball on corner kick into the bottom ways, when Ceran attempted a cheeky dink above keeper from the left flank, conceding the edge of the area and drib- far corner of Hosseini’s goal to a shot that flew high up and Eldorbek Suyonov, who just a corner. bled inside before tapping it open the scoring for Al Shorta. back down again, just scrap- about managed to tip it away Al Olayan was involved in gently for the Saudi interna- Esteghlal piled on the pres- ing the crossbar and requiring with his fingers. more action but at the other tional who lashed a stinging sure after the restart and near- keeper Majed Naser to inter- A few minutes later, sub- end of the pitch, when he re- shot at Mohammad Kia, but ly got an equaliser in the 58th vene and concede a corner. stitute Azizjon Ganiev almost ceived the ball and fired away the young keeper parried away. minute after a quick exchange The Tashkent-based side managed to score from a from range, his shot was mar- The result sees Al Hilal of passes at the edge of the Al threatened again close to the corner kick, though it took a ginally high. through to the Round of 16, Shorta box released Mehdi Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan kept their end of the first half, when a botched clearance to hit the Instantly after, Mansour while Shahr Khodro, already Ghaedi free inside the box, but Group B qualification hopes alive playing out a 0-0 draw at the series of passes between Ceran bar and back out into play. Al Bishi missed a sitter after eliminated on Matchday the youngster fired his effort Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday. and his teammates ended with The Dubai-based side’s Nasser Al Dawsari regained Three, took their first ever straight at goalkeeper Ahmed the Serbian passing it to team- keeper Naser was exceptional the ball high up the field and point in their AFC Champions Basil who pushed it away. while a 1-0 win for the Irani- two sides played out a 0-0 mate Khojiakbar Alijonov who throughout, but his late save a consequent string of passes League history. Al Shorta’s defences final- ans would mean they have an draw on Matchday Five of the fired at Shabab Al Ahli’s goal from Pakhtakor’s Ceran - a ly yielded under the Iranian identical goal-difference to 2020 AFC Champions League but his shot was wide. stinging shot to the 36-year- pressure as Farshid Esmeili Al Shorta and the two sides Group B on Sunday. Shabab Al Ahli’s biggest old’s right - was the highlight received the ball down the would have to be separated by The previous match be- chance of the first half came of his evening as he kept a right flank and drilled a pow- their disciplinary record. Al tween the two sides took through 2015 AFC Player of third clean sheet in a row. erful effort that was spilled by Shorta’s hopes of qualification place on Matchday One, the Year Ahmed Khalil, with The two sides will have Basil into the path of substi- now rely on Esteghlal losing when Pakhtakor edged the the Emirati forward taking on to wait till the final round tute Amir Arsalan Motahari their next game. UAE Pro League side thanks a direct free-kick from far out of matches to confirm ei- who applied the finish from to Dragan Ceran’s effort and hitting the crossbar. ther side’s qualification, with point blank to bring the game Shabab Al Ahli and 20 minutes from time in- Early in the second half, Shabab Al Ahli up against level in the 68th minute. Pakhtakor share points stantly after Pedro Conde 2015 Asian Young Player of group leaders Al Hilal SFC who The result means Esteghlal Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Pa- had cancelled out Jaloliddin the Year Dostonbek Kham- have already qualified, and need to defeat Al Ahli by two khtakor FC kept their quali- Masharipov’s early chip. damov received a lofted pass Pakhtakor facing the already clear goals on Matchday Six, fication hopes alive after the The first threatening shot into the area, where he rose to eliminated Shahr Khodro FC.

Brazilian Caio has appeared in four previous editions of the AFC Champions League, racking 23 appearances in the colours of Al Ain clash is Sepahan’s final AFC Kashima Antlers and Al Ain whom he had helped to the final in 2016. My AFC CL experience Champions League shot, says Toutouni can drive Sharjah past early elimination, head coach Pedro Emanuel believes his Al Taawoun, says Caio Al Ain side still have a point to prove in one of the toughest AFC matches” said the 26-year-old. groups of the competition. Doha “When I came in, we had a “Tomorrow’s match will lot of time without competitive be a new challenge for us be- Sharjah are looking to con- football, so the coaching staff cause we want to win,” said tinue their dramatic resurgence set up a strong programme the Portuguese. since the 2020 AFC Cham- aimed at improving our fitness “We respect Sepahan, they pions League restarted when and building confidence and did really well in the two pre- they take on Saudi Arabia’s Al understanding between the vious games against Al Nassr Taawoun at the Education City new signings and the players and the result in the last match Stadium on Monday night. already at the club.” was not fair on them based on The 2018-19 UAE Pro “I played in this competi- Sepahan Assistant Coach how things went during the League winners had collected tion multiple times and built Mojtaba Toutouni. match. They still have a chance just one point from their two great experience that I hope of progressing and need to win games in February, but have can help the team progress. AFC to keep that chance alive. We since added three more, nar- “For me, the secret to suc- Doha believe they are a good team, rowly losing to Al Duhail 2-1 cess in the competition is to but we also have something to then overpowering them 4-2 work really hard but also re- Iran Pro League side Sepa- prove ourselves. on Matchday Four of Group C, main fully focused and take it han FC have one last shot at “We have to play for Al leaving them two points behind one game at a time. You should qualifying for the Round of Ain’s pride, and we need to their Monday opponents and never get distracted and think 16 from Group D of the 2020 prove to our fans that we de- three off the top of the group. about the long term,” said Caio. AFC Champions League serve to represent them. We Cape Verde pair Ryan Men- While Sharjah’s trajec- when they face Al Ain FC at Iran’s Sepahan sit in third place, trailing 2nd-placed Al Sadd by five points and require a win along with are trying to strike a balance dez and Ricardo Gomes left the tory has headed upwards, Al the Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- group leaders Al Nassr doing them a favour when they face the Qatari side to stand any chance of where the best line-up plays team in the summer, and Bra- Taawoun failed to pick up any dium on Monday. qualification going into the final matchday. every three days, as well as zilian pair Welliton and Caio points in their last two fixtures, Sepahan sit in third place, avoiding incurring any inju- were brought in. The latter has having got full marks in the trailing second-placed Al Sadd Sepahan assistant coach Mo- Al Ain played against Al Sadd, the necessary experience to do ries,” said Emanuel. appeared in four previous edi- previous two, but newly signed SC by five points and require a jtaba Toutouni had no doubts their team was really good and so in this tournament.” The previous match be- tions of the AFC Champions head coach Patrice Carteron is win along with group leaders about the abundance of qual- we have a lot of respect for “Our players did well in the tween the two sides ended League, racking 23 appear- hopeful minor tweaks will help Al Nassr doing them a favour ity in the Emirati side’s ranks. them but we need to get the past two games and deserved in a resounding 4-0 victory ances in the colours of Kashima him arrest the downward spiral. when they face the Qatari side “The match against Al Ain three points in this match, and better results. We have to look for Sepahan on the opening Antlers and Al Ain whom he “It is physically very hard to stand any chance of quali- will be a difficult one, and it is we will do our absolute best to forward now, take what we can matchday, with Mohammed had helped to the final in 2016. to play every three days, but fication going into the final our final shot at qualification achieve that. Whoever plays in from the experience gained Mohebi, Kiros, Soroush Rafiei “The win against Al Duhail we have to play with heart and matchday. to the Round of 16 from this the AFC Champions League and think of the future,” said and Mohammed Tayyebi all was vital, we needed to win to try to give it our all against Despite Al Ain losing three group,” said Toutouni. must be ready to face all sorts Toutouni. getting on the scoresheet at be motivated again, and now very good opponents,” said the of their four games so far, “We watched both games of circumstances, and we have Playing for pride after Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. our focus is on the upcoming Frenchman. 14 Monday, September 21, 2020 Sports Mbappe inspires Paris Saint-Germain to victory in Nice AFP formance after only one train- surged into the box, the France despite throwing away a two- Paris ing session with the team,” forward picked himself up to goal lead to draw 2-2 at Nantes said coach Thomas Tuchel. blast the ball high into the net. and end their perfect start to Kylian Mbappe returned to “He always shows that he Four minutes later, Nice the new season. the starting line-up for Paris can do extraordinary things almost levelled when PSG Claude Puel’s side are level Saint-German on Sunday and and that he knows how to make goalie Keylor Navas had to get on 10 points with next week- scored the opener in a 3-0 win a difference. It helps us a lot.” down sharply to his left to beat end’s opponents Rennes after at Nice which marks another It was a second successive away a shot from Rony Lopes. goals from Moses Simon in the step on the road to recovery Ligue 1 win for PSG who be- Mbappe was back in the 71st minute and Renaud five for the French champions. gan the season still smarting thick of it as the game entered minutes from time cancelled out The 21-year-old, who test- from defeat in the Champions stoppage time at the end of the Adil Aouchiche and Yvann Ma- ed positive for coronavirus on League final. They lost their first half. Losing two defend- con’s strikes for the away side. September 7, was on target opening two games and the ers, Mbappe fired in a sharp Later Marseille look to from the penalty spot in the second ended in a mass brawl shot which Nice goalie Walter bounce back from their first 38th minute. against Marseille which led Benitez did well to parry but home defeat in 41 years to Angel di Maria added a sec- to the suspension of Brazilian only as far as the feet of Di Ma- 10-time league champions ond just before half-time and forward Neymar. ria, who tapped in for 2-0. Saint-Etienne last week Marquinhos headed the third With Marco Verratti also PSG continued to control when they host Lille at the after 66 minutes. Mbappe back, PSG rarely looked trou- the game after the break and Stade Velodrome. thought he had scored a fourth bled in the sunshine of the were rewarded with a third Striker Dario Benedetto is late on but it was ruled out for Mediterranean. when Marquinhos got in front available again after a suspen- offside. He was replaced by When 19-year-old Khe- of the defence to head home. sion for his role in the stop- Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French Pablo Sarabia shortly after. phren Thuram-Ulien clipped Saint-Etienne just about page-time brawl in the win at L1 match against OGC Nice at The Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, France, on Sunday. (AFP) “I’m impressed by his per- Mbappe’s ankle as the striker held onto top spot in the table PSG earlier this month.

Rome Masters Djokovic, Halep Liverpool’s Mane sinks 10-man progress to finals in front of fans Chelsea, Son hits 4 in Spurs rout DPA ATP and WTA sanctioned Rome events to be played in front of fans since the coronavirus World number one Novak pandemic halted both tours Djokovic advanced to his 10th in March. career final at the Rome Mas- “Thanks God I don’t play ters on Sunday following a 7-5, Svitolina. I’m not playing her 6-3 semi-final win over 21-year- so I have a plus,” Halep joked old Norwegian Casper Ruud. with a smile. The top two seeds in the “I really wish to win this ti- women’s event, Simona Ha- tle, but it’s always tough.” lep and defending champion Halep raced to the first set Karolina Pliskova will contest against Muguruza after she Monday’s final with Halep built a 4-1 lead with two breaks hoping to win her firstR ome but the Spaniard bounced trophy at the third attempt. back from 3-1 down in the sec- Halep defeated Spain’s ond set to level the match. Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 before Pliskova dispatched ‘Strange not facing Nadal,’ fellow Czech Marketa Vondrou- Nine-time Rome winner Nad- sova 6-2, 6-4. al Rafael Nadal crashed out in The 17-time Grand Slam the quarter-final on his return champion Djokovic will face from an enforced break. Diego Schwartzman, who beat “Of course, you know, with Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-5, who Nadal in the finals and with- Liverpool’s Senegalese striker Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English shocked Nadal, or Canadian out Nadal in the finals makes a Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London on Sunday. (AFP) Denis Shapovalov, the 12th big difference,” said Djokovic, seed, next. who has lost three to Nadal, AFP Kepa Arrizabalaga made a title for 30 years last season. If he wins on Monday, including last season. London hash of trying to play out from “Chelsea were the domi- Djokovic will claim a record- “Most of the finals thatI the back, allowing the Liver- nant side without goals but breaking 36th Masters trophy. reached in the big events on Sadio Mane tormented Chel- pool forward to intercept and then a massive game-changer “The 1,000 Masters events clay I played against Rafa,” sea as the Liverpool forward slot into the empty net. which was good for us,” Liver- Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean striker Son Heung-Min smiles as are as important as it gets on continued the Serb. struck twice after sparking An- It was the latest costly pool coach Jurgen Klopp said. he leaves with the match ball after scoring four of Tottenham’s five the tour,” said Djokovic. “So it’s going to be strange dreas Christensen’s dismissal blunder from Kepa, who was “After the red card, the goals after the English Premier League match against Southampton “These are the events not facing him, but at the same in the champions’ 2-0 win, dropped twice by Chelsea second half is a different at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England, on Sunday. (AFP) where I want to perform my time, I mean, Diego and Denis while Son Heung-min scored manager Frank Lampard last game. We kept the ball rolling, best other than grand slams have deservedly reached the four as Tottenham crushed season despite his status as let them run, scored the goals. ton ahead in the first half, but Graham Potter’s side raced and the World Tour Fi- semi-finals. Southampton 5-2 on Sunday. the world’s most expensive Everybody had a hand in the Son equalised before the break into a two-goal lead after just nals. Hopefully I can get an- “I won’t underestimate an- Mane was involved in the keeper. result.” and scored three more in the seven minutes at St James’ other big trophy.” ybody that steps on the court turning point at Stamford Lampard will be relieved While Chelsea have spent second half, with each of his Park thanks to the brace from All matches were the first against me tomorrow.” Bridge as the first clash be- that Chelsea are reportedly £200 million ($258 million) goals coming from Kane assists. French striker Maupay. tween Premier League title close to signing Rennes’ Sen- on new signings in a bid to Kane, who hit the back of Aaron Connolly grabbed contenders this season swung egal international Edouard close the gap on the champi- the net twice in the first half the third for Brighton, who Liverpool’s way. Mendy as he looks to replace ons, Liverpool remain streets only to have them ruled out for had Yves Bissouma sent off af- In first half stoppage-time, Kepa. ahead of the Blues at present. offside, capped a swaggering ter his raised boot caught Ja- Jordan Henderson picked out “It was a clear mistake and “The red card changes the display with his second goal of mal Lewis in the face. Mane’s run behind Christens- Kepa accepted that,” Lampard face of the game. I think it could the season. Results en and the Denmark defender said. be given or not,” Lampard said. “Son was on fire and for Arsenal 2 (Alexandre Lacazette responded by rugby-tackling Thiago Alcantara made his me Harry Kane was the man of 25’, Eddie Nketiah 85’) bt West the Senegal star to the ground. Liverpool debut at half-time Son shines the match, what he did for the ham 1 (Michail Antonio 45’) Referee Paul Tierney ini- after his move from Bayern At St Mary’s, Jose Mourinho team,” said Mourinho, whose Southampton 2 (Danny Ings tially booked Christensen, Munich, but the Spain mid- hailed Son and Harry Kane side had lost their league 32’, 90’) lost to Tottenham 5 but VAR told him to consult fielder conceded a 74th minute after the pair destroyed South- opener against Everton. “With (Son Heung-min 45+2’, 47’, the pitchside monitor and he penalty with a foul on Timo ampton. him dropping back and con- 64’, 73’; Harry Kane 82’) changed his decision to a red Werner. Just 24 hours after Totten- necting the game between the Newcastle 0 lost to Brighton card. Alisson Becker came to ham signed Gareth Bale, Son lines for Sonny to attack, the 3 (Neal Maupay 4’ (pen), 7’; Mane grabbed his first Thiago’s rescue as he saved delivered a virtuoso display that space they created was a prob- Aaron Connolly 83’) goal of the season in the 50th Jorginho’s spot-kick. showed Mourinho’s side already lem they couldn’t resolve.” Chelsea 0 lost to Liverpool 2 minute as he met Roberto Fir- After their chaotic 4-3 win have plenty of firepower. Neal Maupay’s quick-fire (Sadio Mane 50’, 54’) mino’s cross with a thumping over Leeds on the opening Bale has returned to Totten- double inspired Brighton’s Leicester City 4 (Harvey Barnes Novak Djokovic celebrates after Simona Halep celebrates after header after eluding Reece weekend, this was a return to ham on a season-long loan from 3-0 win against Newcastle 20’, Erik Pieters 50’ (OG), victory over Norway’s Casper Ruud victory over Garbine Muguruza in James’ slack marking. the kind of dominant display Real Madrid seven years after he as the Seagulls claimed their James Justin 61’, Dennis Praet at the Men’s Italian Open at Foro the Women’s Italian Open at Foro Mane was gifted his sec- Liverpool produced so often left the north London club. firstP remier League victory 79’) bt Burnley 2 (Chris Wood Italico in Rome on Sunday. (AFP) Italico in Rome on Sunday. (AFP) ond goal as Chelsea keeper en route to their first English Danny Ings put Southamp- of the season. 10’, Jimmy Dunne 73’). Maverick Vinales cruises away to win Emilia-Romagna MotoGP AFP but soon lost the lead to Franc- the rest of the season.” pargaro strayed onto the green 6. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/ Misano Adriatico (Italy) esco Bagnaia. Vinales was able to defend out-of-bounds paint several Honda-LCR) 11.139, 7. Alex The young Italian led by a the lead comfortably, finishing times, and having a warning Marquez (ESP/Honda) 11.929, Spaniard Maverick Vinales second and a half at one stage more than four seconds clear, on his dashboard received a 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) on a Yamaha won the Emilia- and was still on course for a because Espargaro and Quar- three-second penalty. 13.113, 9. Franco Morbidelli Romagna MotoGP on Sunday first victory for himself and tararo had tyre troubles which Furious, he returned to his (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 15.880, 10. to move up to within one point Ducati-Pramac when he leant allowed Mir to pass both. pit without making any com- Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) of the championship lead. a bit too far unto a corner with “I am really tired, because ments. 17.682 Joan Mir was second on a seven laps to go and slid off. I had to give everything today, The big disappointment of Championship standings Suzuki and another Spaniard Vinales grabbed his chance at each lap,” said Mir. “At the the day at the Italian track was 1. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) Pol Espargaro (KTM) pro- to become the sixth winner in end, I saw that I could see a local hero Valentino Rossi who 84, 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/ moted a place to third after seven MotoGP races this sea- highway to the podium.” crashed at the beginning of the SRT Yamaha) 83, 3. Maverick Frenchman Fabio Quartararo son. Espargaro said that after race and retired. Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 83, 4. of the Yamaha-SRT satellite “After he made the mistake racing on medium tyres the Results Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 80, 5. team crossed the line behind I tried not to make a mistake week before on the same track MotoGP: 1. Maverick Vina- Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha- Mir but was penalised for and take the points,” he said. he had opted for softs because les (ESP/Yamaha) 41 min SRT) 64, 6. Jack Miller (AUS/ straying off the track. “We had prepared really “I wanted to enjoy my race” 55.846sec, 2. Joan Mir (ESP/ Ducati-Pramac) 64, 7. Takaaki Andrea Dovizioso finished well, I was very fast, I pre- adding that he expected prob- Winner Monster Energy Yamaha’ Spanish rider Maverick Vinales (centre) Suzuki) at 2.425sec, 3. Pol Nakagami (JPN/Honda-LCR), 8. eighth to cling to the champi- served my tyres well at the lems near the end. celebrates next to second placed Suzuki Ecstar’s Spanish rider Joan Mir Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 4.528, Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM Tech- onship lead, one point ahead start and I was able to attack “It paid off, thanks also to (left) and third placed Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Spanish rider Pol 4. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/SRT 3) 59, 9. Valentino Rossi (ITA/ of Quartararo and Vinales. when I had to”, said Vinales. the penalty of Fabio.” Espargaro on the podium of the Emilia Romagna MotoGP Grand Prix Yamaha) 6.419, 5. Miguel Ol- Yamaha) 58, 10. Pol Espargaro Vinales started from pole “We have a big potential for Quartararo, battling Es- at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy on Sunday. (AFP) iveira (POR/KTM Tech-3) 7.368, (ESP/KTM) 57. Sports Monday, September 21, 2020 15 Wolff tees off in quest of Stoinis stars in Delhi’s super historic US Open debut win over IPL win AFP DeChambeau New Delhi grabs lead after Australia’s Marcus Stoinis Wolff scores smashed a whirlwind half- two bogeys century as Delhi Capitals The 21-year-old edged out Kings XI Punjab in Washington: American a super-over thriller after the American could Bryson DeChambeau second match of the Indian become first grabbed the lead during the Premier League ended in a tie final round of the 120th on Sunday. player to win his US Open after he sunk a Stoinis proved his worth long birdie putt and Mat- for Delhi, who brought the all- US Open debut thew Wolff scored two rounder in the December auc- since amateur bogeys. tion, with his 21-ball 53 to lift DeChambeau is four under the side to 157 for eight after Australia’s Marcus Stoinis hit a Francis Ouimet in par for the tournament, being put into bat in Dubai. 21-ball 53 as Delhi Capitals edged 1913, with Sunday with Wolff dropping to three Mayank Agarwal nearly out Kings XI Punjab in a super- under through five holes. trumped the batting blitz with over thriller in Dubai on Sunday. marking the 107th DeChambeau missed the his 89 off 60 balls as Punjab fairway for rough on the par closed in on their target but ing, getting 57 runs for the anniversary of that four fourth hole but he was Stoinis claimed two wickets batting side in the last 18 balls. historic feat. able to hit the green on his on successive balls in the final Stoinis punished England second shot, setting up the over to take the match into a paceman Chris Jordan, who over four-metre birdie putt. super over. gave away 30 runs from the Wolff missed the fairway “It’s a weird game, some- final over with theA ustralian green far left on the par times the luck goes your way, slamming a 20-ball half-centu- three third hole setting up but it’s easy to become the ry before being run out on the his bogey and then shot villain from the hero. So it’s penultimate ball of the innings. another bogey on the par important to enjoy the good Indian paceman Moham- five fifth. days,” said Stoinis. med Shami returned figures South Africa’s Louis Oost- “It’s nice that the IPL has of 3-15 from his four overs for huizen is in third spot at gotten going again, and tonight Punjab. Punjab were strug- one under par, followed by has been great entertainment.” gling when Delhi off-spinner Xander Schauffele at one Delhi’s South African quick Ravichandran Ashwin took Matthew Wolff of the United States reacts on the 14th green during the third round of the 120th U.S. Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf over par. Norwegian Viktor Kagiso Rabada struck twice in two wickets in his first and Club in Mamaroneck, New York, on Saturday. (Getty Images/AFP) Hovland and American Har- the super over to limit Punjab only over before retiring hurt ris English are tied for fifth to just two runs as the loss of with an injured shoulder. AFP win out here and win a ma- John Moscatello, who is bat- be the guy who’s hitting fair- at two over over par. two wickets in the over ended Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals New York jor,” Wolff said. tling stomach cancer. ways and greens.” The 21-year-old Wolff, a the team’s one-over innings. 157 for 8 (Stoinis 53, Iyer 39, Wolff would be the sec- “I’m putting things in Australia’s Jason Day, former US collegiate cham- Earlier, Delhi were reeling Pant 31, Shami 3-15, Cottrell Leader Matthew Wolff teed ond-youngest modern era perspective,” Wolff said. the 2015 PGA Champion- pion, is making his first at 87 for five after the depar- 2-24) beat Kings XI Punjab 157 off in Sunday’s final round of major winner, two months “It is important. It’s the US ship winner, added: “The US Open appearance and ture of captain Shreyas Iyer for 8 (Agarwal 89, Ashwin 2-2, the 120th US Open trying to older than 21-year-old Open. But it’s just golf.” greens are quick and they’ve is seeking his first major when Stoinis walked in to de- Rabada 2-28, Stoinis 2-29) via become the youngest major Woods when he captured his Together with 23-year- got some bounce to them. championship. molish the opposition bowl- the Super Over. champion since Tiger Woods first major at Augusta Na- old PGA Championship win- The wind is kind of switch- He would be the young- won the 1997 Masters. tional. ner Collin Morikawa, Wolff ing around a little bit... so it’s est US Open winner since The 21-year-old Ameri- Wolff has missed 30 of 42 could make this the first year really difficult to judge what Bobby Jones in 1923 and can fired a five-under par fairways over his first three with two major winners 23 the ball is going to do in the the first player to win the 65 Saturday at Winged Foot rounds but found success or under since 1932, when air. You’ve got to stay com- championship on a first at- Buttler to miss Rajasthan’s to stand on five-under 205 blasting out of Winged Foot’s Gene Sarazen and Bobby mitted.” tempt in 107 years. (DPA) after 54 holes with Bryson dense rough and tricky bun- Jones did it. DeChambeau, known for opening IPL game DeChambeau two strokes kers. Early final-round finish- his scientific approach to adrift. “I feel like my game sets ers warned of a course aver- golf, bulked-up his physique ish Open winner, was third England’s Jos Buttler will jasthan because I’m going to Wolff, the youngest 54- up for hard golf courses,” aging better than five-over during the coronavirus pan- on 209, four shots adrift miss the opening game for be doing my quarantine period hole US Open leader since Wolff said. “I have speed par and questioned how long demic that postponed the US but one stroke ahead of Ja- Rajasthan Royals in the Indian because I’m here with my fam- 1971, could become the first coming out of the rough Wolff could keep missing Open from June and led to a pan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Premier League due his quaran- ily,” the wicketkeeper-batsman golfer to win the event in when it’s deep. My putting fairways and stay in front. spectator ban at the Mamar- Americans Harris English tine after arriving in the United said on Instagram. his debut since 20-year-old feels like the best it has ever “There’s a lot of luck in- oneck, New York, layout. and Xander Schauffele. Arab Emirates. “It’ll be a huge help in amateur Francis Ouimet been. volved out there,” said Ire- Now DeChambeau leads Another group back were Buttler has to undergo a six- lockdown having my family here managed the feat exactly 107 “I feel like I have all the land’s Shane Lowry, the the PGA in driving distance multiple major winners Rory day isolation after joining Royals with me.” years ago. tools and the right mindset.” reigning British Open cham- and threatens to overpower McIlroy, the world number following the end of England’s Buttler, along with fellow In his major debut last While the 2019 US col- pion.. the course with distance four, and Zach Johnson, who limited overs series against Englishman Ben Stokes and month, Wolff shared fourth lege champion has dreamed “You can’t get good lies in and a strong putting perfor- will try to match the record Australia on September 16 in Jofra Archer, and Australia’s at the PGA Championship in of winning the US Open the rough. It’ll be interesting mance. last-day victory comeback Manchester. Steve Smith, is a key part of the San Francisco. since he began golfing, his to see if he keeps getting that South African Louis of seven strokes achieved by “I’m unfortunately going to Royals team, which has Shane “I feel like I’m ready to thoughts are also with agent luck... but I’d still prefer to Oosthuizen, the 2010 Brit- Arnold Palmer in 1960. miss the first match forR a- Warne as their mentor. (AFP)

England’s Reid rolls to Pogacar crowned champ as Bennett wins finale LPGA Portland lead tomorrow afternoon takes us,” added Reid, who shared seventh at the ANA Inspira- tion in Rancho Mirage, Cali- fornia, last week. “I felt like I hit it really good last week, so kind of took that momentum going into this week,” said Reid, who said she benefitted from the day off on Thursday after the tournament at Columbia Mel Reid of England hits her Edgewater was reduced to putt on the 14th hole dur- 54 holes because of poor air ing round two of the Cambia quality due to wildfires. Portland Classic at Columbia “I think it did me a favor Edgewater Country Club in having an extra day off,” she Team UAE Emirates rider Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the Portland, on Saturday. (AFP) said. “I was pretty tired from podium after winning the white jersey of best young of the 107th edition last week.” of the Tour de France cycling race, after the 21st and last stage of 122 AFP Australia’s Green, who km between Mantes-la-Jolie and Champs Elysees Paris, on Sunday. (AFP) Los Angeles shared the first-round lead with American Cydney Clan- Fans celebrate Tadej Pogacar’s win and Primoz Roglic’s second place at the Tour de France cycling race, in nuel Macron is credited with fending champion Egan Ber- Mel Reid fired seven bird- ton, followed her opening 66 Pogacar’s hometown Komenda, Slovenia, on Sunday. (Photo by Jure Makovec / AFP) giving the green light for a re- nal, but in spite of spending ies in a seven-under par 65 with a four-under par 68 for scheduled event heavy in virus a week in the white jersey, he on Saturday to take a two- a 10-under total of 134. AFP “I can’t find the words to all worth it, I still can’t believe protocols to go ahead. struggled to impose himself, stroke lead over defending She shook off a bogey at Paris thank everyone, but it’s been it,” said the big sprinter after But after 3,400km of in- lacking perhaps the wisdom champion Hannah Green in her opening hole, the 10th amazing this three weeks edging seven-time winner Pe- tense racing the 146 remaining and experience of Geraint the LPGA Portland Classic. and put herself alone in sec- Slovenian rookie Tadej where the fans cheered me all ter Sagan to the green jersey. riders embarked Sunday for a Thomas or Chris Froome. He England’s Reid, a six- ond with a birdie bomb at Pogacar won the Tour de the way,” said Pogacar. The Tour will forever be re- parade of the winners until the lost over seven minutes on time winner on the Ladies her final hole, the ninth. France on Sunday, riding tri- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo membered for a dramatic last- hotly-disputed sprint in Paris. stage 15 and dropped out the European Tour who is chas- “I got off to such a great umphantly into Paris in the stood alongside Slovenian gasp turnaround as Pogacar The race was a triumph following day. ing a first LPGA title, heads start, so it’s always hard to race leader’s yellow jersey at President Borut Pahor while grabbed the overall lead when of organisation after receiv- Team principal and expan- into Sunday’s final round on back up a low round,” said just 21 years old. Pogacar unfurled his national his rival Roglic suffered a ing belated clearance to stage sive thinker Dave Brailsford 12-under par 132. Green, whose two wins last Pogacar became the Tour’s flag and draped it over his mountainside meltdown on the event, although just 5,000 refocused the team, result- “Put myself in great po- year included her Portland youngest champion since 1904 shoulders. the penultimate day. fans lined Sunday’s finish due ing in a stage win for Michael sition, a position that eve- triumph and her first major as Ireland’s Sam Bennett won Long-time race leader This storied edition of the to the health protocol. Kwiatkowski in the Alps but ryone wants to be in, so I’m title at the Women’s PGA the 21st and final stage after the Primoz Roglic ended second century-old race packed with Dutch team Jumbo-Visma Ineos will be licking wounds excited for the opportunity Championship. “But I’m re- eight-lap dash around the icon- while Australia’s Richie Porte thrills and spills will be equal- dominated the 2020 race with as they leave France. tomorrow,” said Reid, who ally happy with my last putt ic Champs-Elysees to clinch the came third. ly recalled for outsprinting the their yellow and black jerseys When it came to climbers strung together four bird- – holed a long bomb there green sprint points jersey. Pogacar’s UAE Emirates dark shadow of Covid-19. always grouped at the head of though there was no touching ies in a row from the sixth so gives me positive momen- The champion mounted team pocketed 623,930 euros Starting two months late the race as they outpowered Pogacar who takes the polka through the ninth and rolled tum for tomorrow.” the podium as the sun set be- ($738,798) thanks to his victory. due to the global pandemic, everyone until the last and dot jersey as well. in her final birdie of the day South Korean Amy Yang hind the Arc de Triomphe to Dressed in green, Bennett the race set off under strict crucial day. There was a sudden fo- at the 18th. and American Amy Olson pick up the best climber’s jer- lifted his bike aloft after the health guidelines in Nice with Winners of the past five edi- cus on Slovenia, a nation of “Just keep doing the shared third on nine-under sey, the white top young rid- race, which provided his sec- doubts it would make it all the tions, Britain’s Team Ineos also just two million, as Roglic same thing and see where 135. er’s prize and finally the Tour ond stage win. way to Paris. had a Tour they may regret. and Pogacar contested the winner’s famous yellow jersey. “It was so hard but it was French President Emma- They put their faith in de- overall win. 16 Monday, September 21, 2020 The Last Word

Muraikhi receives credentials of new ambassadors

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi on Sunday received separately copies of credentials of Ambassador of Malaysia to Qatar HE Zamshari Shaharan, Ambassador of Austria to Qatar HE Karin Fichtinger-Grohe, Ambassa- dor of Bangladesh to Qatar HE Md. Jashim Uddin and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Qatar HE Arman Isagaliyev. The minister wished the new ambassadors success in their missions, assuring to provide all support to enhance relations between Qatar and each of their countries to higher levels in various fields. (QNA)

QU to develop Qatar’s first solar agriculture greenhouse QBiC study examines origin Tribune News Network Doha of diseases in newborns Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with the Depart- Conducted by QF’s Qatar Biobank, it is the first-of-its-kind mother-child cohort study in the Middle East ment of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Municipality and Tribune News Network Environment (MME), is work- Doha ing to develop Qatar’s first solar agriculture greenhouse under TOUTED as the first of its kind the ‘Solar Greenhouse’ project. in the Middle East region, the The Solar Greenhouse Qatari Birth Cohort (QBiC) project is funded by Qatar Na- study is currently being con- tional Research Fund (QNRF), sired heat gain. To overcome ducted by Qatar Biobank, part National Priority Research the first shortcoming, the entry of Qatar Foundation Research, Program (NPRP), Qatar. of sunlight to the greenhouse is Development and Innovation. During the past 15 years, only allowed through negative The uniqueness of this study Qatar witnessed rapid econom- linear Fresnel lenses that are comes from the environmen- ic and exponential population fitted in rows in its roof cor- tal protocols that have been growth. Thus, the research and responding to the plants grow set up to understand gene-en- development projects of Pro- lines underneath. The lenses vironment interactions associ- tected Agriculture is essential are placed directly above the ated with health impact. for healthy population and are plants grow rows. They act as A total of 216 pregnant key to enhance food security. Dr. Saud Ghani a roof mounted lighting sys- women have been observed Commenting on the so- tem, dispersing sunlight over as part of Qatar’s first moth- lar Greenhouse project, Dr house that allows the entry of the plants. The remaining walls er-childbirth cohort study to Saud Ghani, lead researcher of optimum solar radiation levels of the greenhouse are covered date. The study aims to ex- Greenhouse project and profes- through negative linear Fresnel with thermal insulation rolls, amine how factors such as the sor of Mechanical Engineering lenses located in its roof. The thus, overcoming the second environment, genetics, nutri- The QBiC study is now in its pilot phase, and has recruited 216 pregnant women and 76 fathers-to-be. The at College of Engineering, said: lenses distribute the solar radi- shortcoming. tion and social aspects may study aims to recruit 3,000 families – mothers, fathers, and children – and follow the journey of the child “Qatar has set food security as a ation over the plant rows. The Dr Saud added, “The green- affect their baby’s health. Pre- until they are five years old. priority for the country and set performance of the proposed house prototype is currently liminary findings reveal that out a commitment to sustain greenhouse in terms of provid- under field tests for yield as- 70 percent of the women are according to Dr Fthenou. about 70 percent self-sufficien- ing the required levels of solar sessments at the Nabati farm overweight; 37 percent have While the QBiC study was cy on greenhouse vegetables. radiation for plant growth and in Mekanees, south of Doha. gestational diabetes; 20 per- ready to move to the second “Achieving sustainable the reduction in cooling load For the last two summers 2018, cent have a thyroid dysfunc- phase, the COVID-19 situa- food security was further ascer- were assessed using ray trac- 2019, the field tests proven tion; 10 percent have reported tion has caused a delay. In tained by the ongoing geopo- ing simulations, cooling load very promising and the min- a psychological illness and the second phase, the team is litical tensions and the block- calculations and field trials in istry is looking forward to de- nine percent are diagnosed expected to collect data from ade imposed on the country. Nabati farm. velop Qatar’s first agriculture with hypertension. newborns and toddlers, with The blockade impeded food In comparison to a conven- greenhouse standards using “No one has done this be- mothers also being tracked imports by land and led stake- tional greenhouse, the monthly this prototype as a blue print.” fore in the region, specifically with their babies in the first holders, such as authorities, cooling load of the proposed Dr Ali Al Kharboutli, con- for birth cohort studies. There month after delivery. organisations and individuals greenhouse was about 80 per- sultant to the Agricultural have been smaller studies “We will get data such to focus on enhancing local cent less. Therefore, the pro- Research Department at the completed or ongoing in the as whether the mother is agricultural farming, propos- posed solar greenhouse can Ministry of Municipality and Middle East with a small num- research hypothesis, the QBiC or Australia, the Arab popu- breastfeeding and what type ing sustainable food security, achieve the benefitsof a closed Environment, said: “The re- ber of participants, but noth- study will provide an excellent lation is a minority in these of breastfeeding (exclusive various new systems, methods, greenhouse while overcoming search depends on the use of a ing that is as holistic as ours,” opportunity to address a broad studies. or predominant); we will practices and technologies.” the high cooling demand draw- number of technologies that are said Dr Eleni Fthenou, a scien- range of research questions Unfortunately, Arab genom- have the mother checked for Greenhouses provide an back, in subtropical and arid based on the Fourth Industrial tist at Qatar Biobank. using innovative approaches. es are severely under-represent- postpartum depression; and optimised and controlled regions. The design of the solar Revolution 4.0 and its trans- The QBiC study is now in The project aims in-depth in- ed in genomic studies globally follow-up on the baby at six growth environment for plants greenhouse aims to overcome formation into an integral part its pilot phase and has recruit- vestigation of the impact of but Qatar, through its various months, one year, two years to maximise yield. However, two identified shortcomings of of the agricultural community ed 216 pregnant women and genome-exposure synergy in initiatives, is putting Arab ge- and finally at four years,” Dr providing this environment is the conventional greenhouse by developing the greenhouse 76 fathers-to-be. The study the establishment of adverse nome on the map of genomic Fthenou said. energy intensive. In subtropi- during the hot season, its highly design, manufacturing, cooling aims to recruit 3,000 families birth outcomes and chronic research and science, and there- All the collected data will cal, hot and arid regions, most transparent and conductive and lighting systems. – mothers, fathers and chil- diseases development. And fore the QBiC study has a large be associated with multiple of this energy is to cater for structure. The highly transpar- “The research extends to dren – and follow the journey because of this, we can cover Arab population sample. health outcomes at differ- the required cooling. Sun light ent walls of a greenhouse are de- creating a sustainable growing of the child until they are five multiple outcomes,” said Dr “In the QBiC study, we ent time points. Dr Fthenou is necessary for healthy plant sired during the winter season medium suitable for the Qa- years old. Fthenou. The research team have 31 nationalities at the explained that it is a “unique growth. However, the sun light where the amount of available tari agricultural environment One of the main strengths at Qatar Biobank has devel- moment. We recruit Qataris epidemiological study that will utilisation in the greenhouses solar radiation is relatively low. from local organic degradable of the study will be the large oped well-designed protocols and long-term residents – allow us to assess how various is not optimised. The cooling However, excessive wastes with special specifica- number of participants. The for data collection with a focus those who have been living in types of environmental expo- demand is mainly attributed amounts of solar radiation tions for commercial produc- data collected from this large on getting harmonised data Qatar for 15 years or more. Qa- sures co-exist. Novel tools and to the admittance of excess enter the greenhouse during tion. It is expected that the new study sample will allow for re- for future collaborations with taris represent 28 percent of methods will be implemented solar radiation and heat gain the hot season due to its high growing medium environment search on multiple outcomes. other international birth co- the sample population, while to obtain estimates of individ- through the greenhouse walls. transparency while the con- will provide a viable substitute “Unlike other birth cohort horts. And although there are long-term Arab residents are ual environmental exposures, This project developed a ductive nature of the typical for the imported environments studies in the Middle East re- multiple birth cohort studies at 54 percent, and other na- including outdoor and indoor thermally insulated green- greenhouse walls causes unde- currently used in agriculture.” gion that are based on specific in Europe, the United States tionalities stand at 18 percent,” air pollution”.

QF partner VCUarts Qatar welcomes students, staff to new academic year

Tribune News Network munity this year. In addition peers and professors, and riculum to an online plat- Doha to that figure, the art and de- found the orientation week form, in a manner that is sign university also welcomed exceptionally well-organised as engaging and productive Virginia Commonwealth 14 new staff and faculty on and enjoyable. as possible. After weeks of University School of the Arts board. “It was fun to get to know preparation and anticipation in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a The new academic year my professors and peers on a we’re delighted to welcome Qatar Foundation (QF) part- kicked off with orientation personal level,” Dosari said. our growing community to ner university, welcomed new programmes for students, “Just being able to unleash our campus in Education and returning students, staff staff and faculty, during the our creativity during the ori- City, and to an exciting and and faculty to the 2020-2021 third and fourth weeks of Au- entation activities was a great unique fall semester.” academic year. gust. introduction to the VCUarts Keeping in mind the The first semester of the The student orientation Qatar community and a fan- safety and well-being of its year which will be conducted programme – which, under tastic way to kick off a semes- community, VCUarts Qatar in hybrid mode, with in- normal circumstances, would ter that will be mostly online.” redesigned the process of struction and classes taking have been a week-long activi- VCUarts Qatar Dean distributing course materials place online while access to ty-driven introduction to VC- Amir Berbic welcoming the to students. Stringent social- on-site resources such as the Uarts Qatar – was adapted for new joiners to the campus. distancing measures, grab- university’s Fabrication Lab, an online audience, but still He said, “An exceptional and-go packages, pre-allotted Materials Library and Media kept the students engaged year merits an exceptional pick-up schedules, one-way Innovation Centre will be pre- and involved. The programme response. And that’s exactly movement inside the build- arranged, with safety precau- was further augmented by a ing practical tips and guid- new students interacted with that the university has rigor- what we at VCUarts Qatar ing and low-touch adapta- tions in place. series of lighthearted ‘How to ance for the incoming cohort staff, faculty and their peers, ously implemented across its have done. tions ensured that over 300 A total of 84 new students Online’ videos filmed with the on how to make the most of as they learned more about campus to battle COVID-19. “Our staff and faculty students entered and exited drawn from 21 nationali- assistance of students who studying virtually. the facilities, resources, activ- Jabor Al Dosari, a VC- have worked for weeks to the university building with ties make up the 333-strong experienced online learning During their virtual in- ities and associations, and the Uarts Qatar freshman, said adapt the orientation pro- their respective resources and VCUarts Qatar student com- in the spring semester, offer- duction to university life, the health and safety precautions he was delighted to meet his gramme and teaching cur- equipment, safely.