Wednesday March 17, 2021 Shaban 4, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5208 QR 2

Fajr: 4:26 am Dhuhr: 11:42 am p artly cloudy Asr: 3:08 pm Maghrib: 5:44 pm High : 32°C LOW : 21 °C Isha: 7:14 pm

World 7 Business 8 Sports 12 EU regulator backs Huawei set to train Al Wakrah extend AstraZeneca jab, but 10,000 ICT professionals winning run with 2-0 win many still suspending use in , says V-P over Al Gharafa

Amir visits Milipol Qatar 2021

QNA Doha

His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh visited the 13th edition of international exhibition for homeland security and civil defence (Milipol Qa- tar 2021) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center on Tuesday. HH the Amir was briefed on the pavilions and sections of the exhibi- tion as well as the latest innovations and technologies exhibited by local and international companies in the fields of security, safety, cybersecu- rity and civil defence devices and equipment, and major event security management, in addition to a number of modern military armored vehicles, weapons and armored cars. HH the Amir was accompanied by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and senior of- ficials.p age 16

PM, Saudi Over 510K COVID-19 vaccine minister review ties doses given so far: MoPH Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid Since February, number of vaccine doses bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al More than 14,000 people getting Thani held a telephone call with COVID-19 vaccines daily : MoPH administered each week sees 270% jump HRH Minister of Interior in the Kingdom of Prince QNA of Qatar’s adult population, Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef Doha have now received at least bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. one vaccine dose. At the beginning of the call, The Ministry of Public Health Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, the PM conveyed the greetings of Milipol Qatar: MoI (MoPH) has announced that Chair of the National Health His Highness the Amir of State of 510,000 COVID-19 vaccine Strategic Group on COVID-19 Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad doses have been administered and Head of Infectious Dis- Al Thani to the Custodian of the signs 3 deals worth since the start of the National eases at HMC, explained that Two Holy Mosques King Salman Vaccination Programme. safety has always been priori- bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the The ministry said the re- tised in the COVID-19 Nation- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and QR172.287 million cent availability of greater al Vaccination Programme. HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy quantities of both the Mod- “We were clear from the Prime Minister, and Minister of QNA the ministry. erna and Pfizer and BioNTech outset that we only wanted Defense Prince Mohammed bin Doha Brig Al Shafi stated that vaccines has helped increase to administer internationally Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the MoI has signed a deal to the pace of the vaccina- approved, safe and effective wishing them good health and The Ministry of Inte- purchase some equipment tion programme, with over vaccines for the people of Qa- the Saudi people progress and rior (MoI) on Tuesday and traffic devices mainte- 100,000 doses being adminis- tar. Extensive clinical studies development. signed three deals worth nance at a value of QR3.586 tered each week, meaning that have showed the Moderna and The Saudi minister conveyed QR172.287 million with Qa- million. every day more than 14,000 Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines the greetings of the Custodian tari companies on the side- The MoI also signed of most vulnerable members to be safe, and it is reassuring of the Two Holy Mosques and lines of Milipol Qatar 2021. a contract with a Qatari of society and essential work- More than six out of every ten people aged 60 and above have now that with more than 500,000 the Saudi Crown Prince to HH In a press conference, company to purchase 57 ers are getting vaccinated and received at least their first dose of theCO VID-19 vaccine. vaccine doses administered the Amir, wishing His Highness Assistant Director-General fire-extinguishing vehicles becoming protected against in Qatar, no reported serious success and rectitude, and the of Logistics Department at a value of QR161.875 COVID-19. know that more than six out ceived the vaccine, the minis- side effects have been directly Qatari people further progress of the Ministry of Interior million, in addition to the The ministry said that as of every ten people aged 60 try added. associated with the vaccine, and prosperity. They reviewed and a member of Milipol third contract with another it continues to highlight the and above have now received Since the beginning of and I encourage everyone to fraternal relations between the Qatar Committee Brig Saud Qatari company for the importance of vaccination at least their first dose of the February, the number of take the vaccine when their two countries and the means Rashid Al Shafi said the maintenance of security ve- for the elderly, the number of vaccine, with 67 percent of doses administered each turn comes,” added Dr Al to enhance them, particularly in three deals were for the pur- hicles tracking system for older people receiving the vac- people over 70 years of age, week has increased by 270 Khal. the security field.A dditionally, chase of equipment serving QR6.826 million. cine is constantly rising. and 63 percent of people over percent and more than one they discussed a number of top- It is very reassuring to 60 years of age having re- in seven adults, 15 percent Continued on page 2  ics of mutual interest. (QNA) Deal signed to establish Qatar signs $10 mn core contribution pact with WHO QNA lighting the strong partnership velopment of COVID-19 tests, UNDP office in Doha Doha and commitment to work treatment and vaccination Qatar and the United Nations comes within the framework jointly ensuring the most vul- while ensuring fair access.” Development Program (UNDP) of increasing the effectiveness Qatar, represented by Qa- nerable communities around Dr Al Kuwari commended have signed an agreement of government-funded develop- tar Fund for Development the world receive immediate the pivotal role of WHO, es- to establish an office for the ment programs and strength- (QFFD), and the World Health and unhampered assistance pecially in the current difficult program in Doha. ening cooperation programs in Organization (WHO) have when it is most needed. time as the world is fighting Permanent Representative areas of common interest. signed a Core Contribution Minister of Public Health COVID-19. She affirmed Qatar’s of Qatar to the United Nations The office will focus on Agreement for $10 million to HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al keenness to enhance its part- in New York Ambassador HE strengthening cooperation support WHO’s Thirteenth Kuwari said, “Qatar’s contri- nership with the WHO. Dr Al Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif between the UNDP and Qatar, General Programme of Work bution to the WHO affirms Kuwari praised the outstanding Al Thani signed the agreement in order to promote sustain- (GPW 13) and for COVID-19 Qatar’s fulfillment of its ob- role of Qatar Fund for Develop- on behalf of Qatar, while UNDP able development goals at the response through the Access ligations and keenness to ment in supporting global effort Administrator Achim Steiner global level and other goals to COVID-19 Tools Accelera- support WHO’s Thirteenth people benefit from UHC, one It also supports the initiatives to alleviate human suffering and inked the agreement for the that the program seeks to tor (ACT-A). General Programme of Work billion more people get sup- of speeding up the access to support health, education, and UNDP. The agreement to es- achieve in the development This is the first Core Contri- (GPW 13) 2019-2023, to at- ported during emergencies the essential supplies needed economic empowerment. tablish the Doha-based office field.(QNA) bution Agreement signed be- tain the ‘triple billion’ target to and one billion more enjoy in the fight against COVID-19, tween Qatar and WHO, high- ensure that one billion more better health and well-being. to include accelerating the de- Continued on page 2  02 Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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Qatar pays attention to sustainable development A mir, Iraqi FM in all aspects, says Sulaiti discuss relations

Tribune News Network this year to express its support QNA Doha to the universal goals that aim Doha at benefiting from the potential Qatar, represented by the of ICT in accelerating the pace The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Ministry of Transport and of social and economic develop- with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Fuad Mohammed Hus- Communications (MoTC), par- ment. The ministry also works sein and his accompanying delegation at Sheikh Abdullah Bin ticipated in the World Sum- on monitoring achieving the Jassim Majlis at the Amiri Diwan on Tuesday. mit on Information Society Summit Action Lines for realis- At the outset of the meeting, the Iraqi minister conveyed the (WSIS2021) Virtual Exhibition. ing the globally defined sustain- greetings of Dr Barham Salih to HH the Amir, In remarks broadcast dur- able development goals through wishing him and the Qatari people continued success and pro- ing the inauguration of the ex- ICT, and which match with our gress and prosperity. hibition, Minister of Transport national endeavours to establish For his part, HH the Amir entrusted the minister with his and Communications HE Jas- a knowledge-based economy,” greetings to the Iraqi President, wishing him and the Iraqi peo- sim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti said, he added. ple good health and continued development. “Qatar, as part of the integrated Acting Assistant Undersec- During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between vision of its policy at the nation- retary of Government Infor- the two countries and the means of developing them, as well as mation Technology at MoTC other important regional and international developments. Mashael Ali Al Hammadi said Qatar realises the paramount role that the ICT sector plays in accelerating the pace of so- cial and economic development and creating a knowledge-based economy. QRCS signs agreement with JRCS, Accordingly, she added, the Qatar Digital Government Strat- egy 2026 will be an ambitious HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti one that complies with the UN IFRC to fight COVID-19 in Sustainable Development Goals al, regional and global levels, 2030, fostering values through Tribune News Network al Relations and International ceremony, the Coordinative pays great attention to sustain- ICT such as increased accessi- Doha Humanitarian Law (IHL); and Committee on the Auxiliary able development with all its bility, and focusing on the qual- Zahra Adnan Lafi, IHL coordi- Role of National Societies aspects -- social, economic and ity of education, health care and Qatar Red Crescent Society nator. met. environmental -- in line with the justice, while striving to make a (QRCS) has signed a tripartite They are accompanied by In his speech to the com- Sustainable Development Goals better environmental impact for agreement with Jordan Red Dr Nehal Said Hefny, head of mittee members, Dr Oussedik 2030. a more sustainable model and Crescent Society (JRCS) and QRCS’s Jordan Mission. emphasised the importance “Qatar understands that empowering all social elements the International Federation In his remarks, Dr Mo- of dialogue with various or- achieving sustainable develop- equally. of Red Cross and Red Crescent hamed Motlak Al Hadid, pres- ganisations and collaborative ment is a key challenge to coun- Qatar, which will participate Societies (IFRC) to collaborate ident of JRCS, emphasised the efforts to improve the Na- tries at the national level as well as a Gold Partner in the WSIS in the fight against COVID-19 organisation’s close collabora- tional Societies’ auxiliary role as a global challenge that the Forum 2021 slated for this May, in Jordan. tion with, and constant sup- to government bodies, par- international community must is looking forward to showcas- A high-profile delegation port for, QRCS’s humanitarian ticularly during emergencies. join forces to prioritise and ing some of Qatar’s milestones from QRCS, which is cur- operations in Jordan. Dr Mohamed Tarawneh, make a reality. Qatar is an active with relation to WSIS Action rently on an official visit to Dr Moftah Tuwailib, di- judge; Maamoun Tarawneh, and effective contributor with Lines, some projects carried out Jordan, attended the signing rector of the IFRC Office in head of the Jordanian Com- other nations on this front.” under the umbrella of the Qatar ceremony. Its members are Amman, Jordan, lauded the mittee for IHL; and Dr Omar “Qatar is participating in the Digital Government Strategy, as Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, successful collaboration with Saleh Al Akour from the Uni- World Summit on the Informa- well as highlights from the TAS- secretary-general; Dr Fawzi QRCS. versity of Jordan’s School of tion Society as a Gold Partner MU Smart Qatar Programme. Oussedik, head of Internation- Following the signing Law attended the session (UJ). Public Security director meets foreign officials Qatar fund to support WHO keep world safe Continued from page 1  GPW13 to enable WHO to ad- dress health emergencies, en- Director General of QFFD sure healthy lives and well-being Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari for all ages, achieve universal said, “In March 2020, COVID-19 health coverage, contribute to was declared a pandemic by the the achievement of the SDGs World Health Organization. The and support the world on pre- coronavirus knows no borders, vention, containment, treatment affecting people who are particu- and coordination of COVID-19 larly vulnerable the most. Effec- response efforts. tively addressing COVID-19 can- “The COVID-19 pandemic not be achieved in isolation as it is a powerful demonstration affects everyone. that health is not a luxury item “During such times, bold ac- or merely a product of strong QNA officials and police command- with Deputy Director-General the Tunisian National Security the State Control Department tions and strong collaboration and prosperous societies; it is a Doha ers from friendly countries of Public Security and Cen- Brigadier-General Zuhair Al of Bulgaria Alexander Ivanov. is needed for favourable results. fundamental human right and participating in the interna- tral Director of the Italian Seddik and Chief of Police of During the meetings, ways Therefore, Qatar, through Qatar the foundation of social, eco- Director of Public Security tional exhibition for home- Criminal Police Vittorio Rizzi, Hungary Lieutenant-Colonel to enhance cooperation be- Fund for Development, is pro- nomic and political stability,” Staff Major-General Saad bin land security and civil defence Director of the Public Secu- Rizanaini Attila. tween Qatar and these coun- viding its first flexible funding said WHO Director-General Dr Jassim Al Khulaifi onT uesday (Milipol Qatar 2021). rity Directorate of Al He also met with Chief tries in the security and police to WHO in support of the ef- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. met with a number of security Khulaifi met separately Zaitouni Al Hayel, Director of Commissioner and Director of fields were discussed. forts done by the agency to com- “I thank Qatar for its contribu- bat the pandemic and support tion, which will support WHO to WHO’s GPW 13.” achieve its mission to promote The contribution shall be health, keep the world safe and MoI units, Lekhwiya showcase modern devices at Milipol used for the implementation of serve the vulnerable.” Tribune News Network through Matarash2 that was and anxiety of those carrying PHCC centre at QNCC vaccinates Doha launched on Monday, while the contraband and detect drug us- General Directorate of Traffic ers. Brigadier Ibrahim Khalil Al more than 5,000 people daily The Ministry of Interior (MoI) displays various types of traffic Muhannadi said the participa- is participating in the 13th edi- patrols and latest radars, in- tion of Lekhwiya force in the Continued from page 1  ber of vaccines administered tion of Milipol Qatar 2021 with cluding dual side radars, exhibition features some secu- daily across our 27 centres.” a large pavilion comprising sev- The Internal Security Force rity innovations developed by The recent ramping up of the “Additionally, the PHCC eral departments, showcasing (Lekhwiya) is participating in Lekhwiya, which obtained in- vaccination programme has vaccination centre at the Qatar models of modern equipment the exhibition with a large pa- ternational certificates. been made possible by the in- National Convention Center they acquired and offering vilion comprising its various He added that a group creased availability of vaccines, (QNCC), which opened at the models of services provided to departments and multi-tasking called Lafdaviyya exhibits ad- but significant work has been start of February, now regu- the public and awareness ef- groups and specialisations, in- vanced and modern devices done to expand the options larly vaccinates more than forts. cluding the group for the pro- and weapons. Lieutenant- for people to access the vac- 5,000 people each day, includ- The stall of the General Di- tection of important personali- Colonel Dr Engineer Ali Al cines. Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, ing teachers, school adminis- rectorate of Civil Defence intro- ties and the Search and Rescue Rashed, commander of Secu- Managing Director of Primary tration staff and other prior- duces visitors to all procedures Aziz Al Ruwaili, assistant direc- ject, the traffic systems project Group. rity Technologies at Lekhwiya Health Care Corporation ex- ity groups. Additionally, the for issuing licences and build- tor of the Information Systems on tablet devices and the pro- The Lekhwiya pavilion Force, reviewed the important plained, said: “Since the start of recent opening of the Lusail ing certificates and how to pre- Department, said the depart- ject of coastal and border secu- showcases some innovations developments in the Lekhwiya the vaccination programme, we COVID-19 Drive-Through Vac- vent fires. ment is exhibiting through its rity services on tablet devices. for security devices that were force’s wing, especially the eye have focused on streamlining cination Center, run by Hamad Talking about the participa- pavilion five major projects, The General Directorate developed by Qataris and re- detection device that detects the vaccination process within Medical Corporation in part- tion of the Information Systems including maritime registration of Coasts and Borders Secu- ceived international certifi- tension and anxiety in those our primary health centres, nership with PHCC, has also Directorate of the Ministry of service, project of the security rity showcases the maritime cates, including the eye detec- carrying contraband or drug which has enabled us to achieve significantly boosted capacity,” Interior, Major Engineer Abdul bag, the security clearance pro- registration service for boats tion device to detect the stress users. a constant increase in the num- added Dr Abdulmalik. Nation Wednesday, March 17, 2021 03

MoCI recalls Mercedes-Benz E FM MEETS IRAQI COUNTERPART Class, CLS Class 2018-19 model

Tribune News Network pairs. Doha The ministry said that it will coordinate with the The Ministry of Commerce dealer to follow up on the and Industry (MoCI), in co- maintenance and repair operation with Nasser Bin works and will communicate Khaled Automobiles, dealer with customers to ensure of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, that they carried out the nec- has recalled Mercedes-Benz essary repairs. E Class and CLS Class mod- The ministry urged all els of 2018- 2019 because customers to report any Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence Doha’s ladies celebrates International the software of the belt- violations to its Consumer Women’s Day in the hotel premises recently. driven starter alternator Protection and Anti-Com- (BSA) control unit does not mercial Fraud Department, correspond to manufacturer which processes complaints, Holiday Villa Hotel marks specification. inquiries and suggestions The recall campaign through Call center: 16001, Women’s Day, organises comes within the framework email: [email protected], Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of the ministry’s efforts to Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, In- met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq in Doha on Tuesday. During the meeting, they blood donation function protect consumers and en- stagram: MOCIQATAR and reviewed bilateral relations and the means to stabilise the situation in the region. The deputy prime sure that dealers follow up mobile app for android and minister reaffirmed that Qatar stands by Iraq. (QNA) Tribune News Network on vehicle defects and re- IOS: MOCIQATAR. Doha

Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence Doha marked In- ternational Women’s Day 2021 (IWD2021) by showing Qatar Charity supports open-heart solidarity and appreciation of female employees as well as guests, in keeping with this year’s theme #ChooseToChal- surgeries for children in Kyrgyzstan lenge. “Each year, the celebra- Tribune News Network tion of Women’s Day is a Doha much-anticipated event in our hotel because our female Qatar Charity (QC) has commenced performing employees play important open-heart valve surgeries in Kyrgyzstan for children roles in our successes. We’d with congenital heart disease. As many as 21 surgeries like to highlight our ladies have been performed successfully, with an additional 81 from various departments A blood donation event was held surgeries scheduled for a total cost of more than QR1.3 who are truly amazing at what by the human resources depart- million. they do. The theme #Choos- ment of the hotel. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the eToChallenge provides a plat- Heart Hospital management, 60 surgeries will be per- form for women’s voices to be shey Salas, added, “This year’s formed over the next few months. In order to provide heard and their accomplish- Women’s Day celebration has the necessary support for these surgeries, Qatar Char- ments to be recognised,” said been especially humbling due ity has purchased the necessary equipment, provided This was revealed during a meeting at the Heart of the State of Qatar to the Kyrgyz Republic Abdullah Mary Naidu, Assistant Gen- to the current pandemic.” As a medical care to patients at the hospital, and handled Hospital in the Kyrgyz Republic following the surger- Al Sulaiti. He also indicated that open-heart surgeries eral Manager. community service, we organ- laboratory tests, in addition to undertaking to provide ies, which was attended by HE Ambassador of the State are among the most important health projects, because Holiday Villa Hotel & Resi- ised a blood donation drive.” the necessary medicines to the patients during their of Qatar to the Kyrgyz Republic Abdullah Al Sulaiti. they help save children’s lives. dence has organised a blood She also stated that the medical care. According to the deputy health minister, this type It is worth noting that, in addition to this project, donation drive in honour of blood drive is held at least The Deputy Minister of Kyrgyz Health expressed of surgery is very expensive, and it is difficult to provide Qatar Charity’s health projects for Kyrgyzstan include International Women’s Day. twice a year. his gratitude and thanks to the State of Qatar, the do- heart valve devices because they are not available in the the construction of health centers and the distribution The women’s employees came For more information of nors, and Qatar Charity for their support of all devel- country, so they must be purchased from abroad. of aid such as respirators provided during the corona- out in force for the blood dona- Holiday Villa Doha, please opment, educational, and health projects in the coun- “Qatar Charity and the Embassy of the State of Qa- virus pandemic and protective equipment for medical tion drive to demonstrate their call the hotel at +974 4408 try, as well as for carrying out high-quality projects tar in the Kyrgyz Republic are working on a permanent personnel, as well as other health and social projects dedication to and support of 4888 or browse through the such as open-heart surgeries, which were desperately collaboration to provide the necessary support for the such as the provision of wheelchairs for people with public health needs. The Hu- website at www.holidayvil- needed. brothers in the Kyrgyz Republic,” said HE Ambassador special needs. man Resources Manager, Her- ladoha.com.

Emerging filmmakers find their voice in cinema via DFI despite pandemic

Tribune News Network Doha

When the pandemic nearly shut down the global film industry, emerg- ing filmmakers in Qatar and the region received a rare opportunity to continue to move their projects forward, with the support of Qumra, the annual talent incubator for Arab cinema of the Doha Film Institute (DFI). Their journeys navigating the last year’s new format of virtual men- Qatari filmmaker Abdulla Al-Janahi Qatari filmmaker Abdulla Alhor torship sessions were shared at this year’s expanded edition, where par- ticipants were able to see these pro- jects continue to come to fruition. Presenting a diverse selection of stories, some inspired by the pan- demic, many other narratives that have evolved over years, the Qumra Projects shorts and TV/web series re- flect how emerging filmmakers view the medium of cinema. Yemeni filmmaker Shaima Al Tamimi Qatari filmmaker Maha Al-Jefairi Mohamed Berro, the director of ‘A Tarmac Year’ (Qatar/) about Abdulla Al Janahi, a Qatari they show added to my confidence.” two Lebanese cousins who hijack a filmmaker, who co-directs ‘Re- A Yemeni-Kenyan visual storyteller plane demanding the release of po- venge Knows Nothing’ (Qatar/Eng- based in the GCC, Shaima Al-Tami- litical prisoners, said he was inspired lish/2021) with Abdulaziz Khashabi, mi, presents her short documentary to make the dark comedy series after a Qatari engineer and filmmaker, ‘Don’t Get Too Comfortable’ (, “findingdark funny elements in the hi- combines two stories in a creative USA, The Netherlands, Qatar, UAE/ jackings. What started as a research for manner showcasing the horrific ef- Arabic, English, Swahili/2022), in a documentary became compiling a list fects of human injustice and selfish which she shares a heartfelt multime- of odd occurrences in these incidents actions on its victims - humans and dia letter addressed to her paternal and high-tension political events.” He otherwise. He said the approach in grandfather reflecting on her fam- said there is growing interest in the making the short film was to bring a ily’s journey of migration and reset- region in web series, which are also in- 3D Disney style: “We wanted to de- tlement. She described it as a deeply creasing in quality and number. liver a new experience that reminds personal project, which embodies all Meshaal Al Abdulla and Ibrahim viewers of classic Disney films,” while her feelings for her grandfather. Al Abdulla, Qatari entrepreneurs, telling a riveting tale. “That one of Qatari filmmaker Ali Alhajri’s aim to expand their web series ‘The the consequences of cruel actions of ‘Kinship’ s a short narrative in which Rise of the Mad Cat’ (Qatar/English) humans on others, the animal king- a shadow emerges with the birth of “into many seasons to reach various dom and the environment is revenge. his newborn and Khalid, the protago- media channels and penetrate the US While we do not promote revenge, we nist, must come face to face with his box office as a movie.” About the 3D believe it was important to present past to live his future. He said the film animation project, Ibrahim said: “We this very sensitive topic.” is a simple premise of parenthood but have been in the gaming and anima- Qatari filmmaker Abdulla Alhor explores deeper into the personal an- tion industry since our childhood. The brings ‘The Experiment’ (Qatar/Ara- guishes people store in their minds project is derived from a game we are bic), a short narrative about a bullied and how they find cathartic relief. working on, which will hopefully be 30-year-old researcher who must Aisha Al-Muhannadi, a Qatari released soon.” prove that his prisoner rehabilitation filmmaker, whose work is influenced Another key project in develop- experiment works, or risk being fired by cultural experiences, presents her ment in the genre of TV series is inde- and losing face to his nemesis. Hav- short ‘Al Fanar’ (Qatar/Arabic) about pendent filmmaker Ahmad Samara’s ing worked on other projects, mainly a young woman who is left alone in ‘Oddity Tales from a Strange Land’ in the cinematography, Alhor said her neighbourhood after her father (Jordan, Qatar/Arabic). The coming- his first film as director is a “comedy ventures to sea and finds her life sud- of-age story that follows a girl named of sorts set in an imaginary world. It denly takes a tragic turn. She said the Aya, who leads viewers through a col- presents serious social and universal film, with a bold topic on abuse, is im- lection of stories that present ancient concerns in a funny way. At Qumra, portant as the subject is regarded by historical tales and mythologies from it was great to have the feedback of many societies as a “taboo to discuss.” the Arab world, also shows the eclectic my mentors, which was a motiva- This is an ode to such victims, who go nature of filmmaking by young Arab tional boost for me, especially since through mental trauma through no talents. it was my first project. The support fault of their own. 04 Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Nation QU’s Center for Law & Development launches Jean Monnet Module Vodafone provides assistive Tribune News Network the field of education between operating to raise awareness smart watches to students Doha QU and the EU is very signifi- about the existing opportu- cant. The Center for Law and nities for academic, scien- of Al Noor Institute for Blind The Center for Law and De- Development has been award- tific and cultural cooperation velopment (CLD) at the Col- ed the EU Jean Monnet Mod- between both of us. We are Tribune News Network lege of Law (LAWC), Qatar ule funding to deliver courses happy to see that, as in other Doha University (QU) has officially on EU Law to students and fields, Qatar has shown re- launched the Jean Monnet professionals in Qatar. gional leadership. Vodafone Qatar showed its Module in (European Union) The ‘Doha Courses on Eu- “The experience through support for Al Noor Institute for EU Law. ropean Union Law’ will be the this module is a solid basis the Blind by presenting the in- The launching event was first Jean Monnet Module in upon which the Qatari aca- stitute’s students with assistive moderated by Dr Hamad Qatar and the GCC, and the demic community can build braille smartwatches made by of Activities and Programmes at Hamed A. M. Alhababi, assis- courses will be delivered for upon not only to get ac- Dot Incorporation. Al Noor Institute for the Blind, tant professor of Public Law three years. quainted with the EU legal This pioneering innova- thanked Vodafone for the sup- at the College of Law of Qatar In a funding competition, order but also to foster dia- tion for the blind and visually port provided to the students University. the CLD won a competitive logue between policy makers impaired instantly translates in an effort to connect with all The event featured sev- grant and was one of 360 and academics in universities messages received on the user’s communities. eral distinguished speakers awarded applications out of in the EU and partner coun- smartphone to braille and for- To make sure students don’t including Dr Cristian Tudor, the 1,447 eligible applica- tries.” wards it to their watch. This is run out of data on their smart- ambassador of the European tions for funding in 2020. The “I believe that Qatar Uni- in addition to a range of practi- phones, Vodafone Qatar also Union (EU) to and Module aims to create interest versity’s experience with the cal features needed throughout provided them with compli- Qatar; Dr Hassan Rashid Al in the European Union and to sations are better equipped to ternational organisations and Jean Monnet Module would each day such as time and date, mentary Unlimited plans under Derham, president of Qatar constitute the basis for future trade with EU companies and integration using the Euro- be highly interesting for the alarm clock and more. the company’s ‘Vodafone for University and Dr Jon Truby, poles of European knowledge deal with EU institutions. pean Union as a model, en- entire region. Therefore, I am Vodafone Qatar’s Chief Hu- All’ programme. director of CLD at the College and research in Qatar. The Module will deliver vironmental protection, and sure this will not be the last man Resources Officer Khames Launched in 2012 as part of of Law of Qatar University. The Module seeks to foster 40 teaching hours per aca- human rights, which are key time we work together,” he Al Mohammed Naimi said, “We Vodafone Qatar’s ongoing com- The distinguished speak- the publication and dissemi- demic year in EU Law, requir- pillars of Qatar National Vi- added. are humbled to partner with Al mitment to support the disa- ers highlighted the impor- nation of academic research in ing the academic input of sev- sion 2030. Dr Derham said, “Once Noor Institute for the Blind to bled community, ‘Vodafone for tance of the course as a first EU Law, and to create interest eral professors and experts. The Monnet Module will again, Qatar University high- improve the lives of their stu- All’ offers specialist services and course in EU Law in the Gulf in the EU amongst students The Module components fo- also promote the role of Qa- lights its importance as the dents using technology. Voda- rates for customers with dis- Cooperation Council (GCC). in Qatar. The Module will al- cus firstly on the introduction tar University as a source of main educational institute fone Qatar has always sought abilities. This course is another step- low the CLD to deliver tailor- to the European Union’s legal expertise to serve the nation’s of the country through this to utilise the power of technol- Customers holding a valid ping-stone in the EU-Qatar made courses on specificE U history and institutions, and needs, strengthening local, grant.” ogy in the service of society as Special Needs Card from the relations, this time from an Law topics relevant for gradu- secondly on legal areas where regional and international Dr Truby emphasised the part of the company’s expand- Qatar Society for Rehabilitation education perspective follow- ates in their professional life. the European Union plays a partnerships in strategic ar- significance of the centre hav- ing CSR and our commitment of Special Needs (QSRSN) are ing the recent agreements This will help Qatar-based leading role. eas and be a catalyst develop- ing the grant for the develop- to achieving inclusivity through offered a 50 percent discount signed between the EU and lawyers develop skills and The Module aims to pro- ment of Qatar. ment of research related to technology, especially for peo- on all Vodafone’s Unlimited 5G Qatar in various fields. knowledge in EU Law so that mote research skills and Dr Cristian Tudor said, EU Law and EU-Qatar rela- ple with disabilities.” Postpaid Plans and 10 percent The new cooperation in local businesses and organi- knowledge in the field of in- “The EU and Qatar are co- tions. Slah Ahmed Al Sindi, head discount on selected handsets. Al Khor International School, Al Arqam Academy lead in CMU-Q competition

Tribune News Network that oversees the Alice Middle ating a curriculum in Arabic Doha East programme. and English, and developing The winners were decided teaching resources. Carnegie Mellon Universi- by judges Noha Alomari, ICT In 2018, the Qatar Minis- QGBC launches program ty in Qatar (CMU-Q), a Qatar specialist at the Ministry of try of Education and Higher Foundation partner univer- Education and Higher Educa- Education incorporated Alice sity, has announced the win- tion, Tony Davis, lead produc- Middle East into the Informa- to establish recycling ners of the sixth annual Alice er at Mezan Studios, and Eman tion Communication Technol- Middle East Programming Fituri, director of educational ogy (ICT) curriculum for Qatar benchmark in Qatar Competition. initiatives at Qatar Computing government schools. Today, Teams from Al Khor Inter- Research Institute. Alice is taught to more than Tribune News Network1 ensure quality assurance of national School won the first Alice Middle East was orig- 5,000 students per year in ei- Doha solid waste recycling processes. and third places, while the inally developed by research- ther English or Arabic. The programme aligns with second and fourth place teams ers on Carnegie Mellon’s main Alice Middle East is now Qatar Green Building Council QGBC’s goal to educate stake- were from Al Arqam Acad- tivity and technical skills. This teachers, workers and em- campus to help children learn funded by the Hamad Bin Jas- (QGBC) has unveiled Al Tad- holders and the wider com- emy. A Doha College team year, the event was moved ployers, and friends and fam- the basic concepts of comput- sim Center for K-12 Computer weer – a Recycling Validation munity about best practices to rounded out the top five. online so that students could ily who are physically distant. ing using graphics and anima- Science Education, a partner- Scheme (RVS) that provides achieve a new low-carbon cul- The competition chal- participate safely. As the next generation looks tion. ship between CMU-Q and the scalable guidance for the recy- ture of waste management. lenges middle and high school There were 35 teams of ahead to their future studies In 2008, Her Highness Jassim and Hamad Bin Jas- cling industry in Qatar. QGBC Director Engineer students who are learning middle and high school stu- and careers, computing skills Sheikha Moza bint Nasser ex- sim Charitable Foundation. The programme, partly Meshal Al Shamari said, “QGBC computing through the Alice dents in the contest, with 13 will be necessary in nearly any pressed an interest in bring- Razak is building on the sponsored by HSBC Qatar, was is proud to further support sus- Middle East curriculum to teams advancing to the final field they choose,” said Saquib ing Alice to Qatar. Through Alice Middle East programme launched via a webinar attended tainability processes and green create animations or games round. Razak, associate teaching pro- a grant to CMU-Q from the to create a three-year pro- by key stakeholders who intro- initiatives through Al Tadweer, using their new programming “During this pandemic, fessor of computer science and Qatar National Research Fund gramming curriculum for duced the programme features, a programme that will ensure skills. The event brings to- we have seen how technol- the co-director of the Hamad (QNRF), Razak and a team of middle school students. His requirements and application further streamlining of the re- gether students from across ogy and innovation can build Bin Jassim Center for K-12 researchers localised Alice to research is funded through a processes. Al Tadweer ensures cycling industry in Qatar. Recy- Qatar to showcase their crea- bridges between children and Computer Science Education the Middle East context, cre- grant to CMU-Q by QNRF. confidence in recycled prod- cling is a key element of waste ucts from solid waste through reduction, which is a national a quality audit and certification priority as the country works to system. The programme offers reduce its solid waste genera- a validation pathway cover- tion. “The Recycling Validation Over 4,000 attend virtual Int’l biobanking meet ing the whole recycling lifecy- Scheme guarantees consumer cle: solid waste collections and confidence in the recycled solid Tribune News Network director, Qatar Biobank, and haulers to waste; sorting and waste product being fit for pur- Doha Rosita Kammler, ESBB presi- processing; and waste recycling pose and having the required dent, thanking the attendees into manufacturing. level of performance.” The second International for making the conference a Solid waste is one of Qatar’s Greta Madgwick, HSBC Biobanking Conference 2021, success and adding value to growing challenges that has Qatar head of Communica- organised by Qatar Biobank the discussions during the ses- emerged from rapid economic tions Qatar and International -- part of QF-RDI -- in partner- sions. growth and urban development. Markets, discussed the bank’s ship with European and Middle The conference was held The country has one of the high- support of the programme be- Eastern Society for Biopreser- for the first time in 2019, and est per capita waste generation fore handing over to Hamoda vation and Biobanking (ESBB) the agreement between ESBB, rates worldwide with 1.8 kg Youssef, QGBC’s head of Tech- and supported by BBMRI-ER- Dr Nahla Afifi, director Qatar Mohammed H Al Dosari Rosita Kammler, ESSB president Qatar biobank and Qatar Foun- per day. As a result, the Qatar nical Affairs, and Dr Khaled IC and ISBER, concluded after Biobank dation aims to host the confer- Second National Development Hassan, chair of QGBC’s Solid three days of discussions cen- ence included a virtual closing of the top three Abstract Oral ence once every two years in Strategy (NDS2) has set a tar- Waste Interest Group, pro- tred on the theme ‘Biobankng tries registered for the confer- ceremony where Mohammed Presentations, Flash Talk Pres- Qatar. Although held virtually get to recycle 15 percent of solid gramme advisor and subject- for precision care and lessons ence and attended the sessions, H Al Dosari, Qatar Biobank entations and E-poster Presen- this year due to the COVID-19 waste by 2022. matter expert, who provided learned from global crises’. which marked a great success communication and partici- tations. pandemic, the organisers ex- QGBC worked with experts a brief on the programme and During the three days, for the event held virtually pants recruitment manager, The closing speeches where pressed hope to host a regular to develop the programme to outlined the RVS processes. 4,372 attendees from 40 coun- for the first time. The confer- announced the nine winners presented by Dr Nahla Afifi, third edition in 2023 in Qatar. Doha British School inaugurates its annual IB Art Exhibit

Tribune News Network sented in the exhibit were nothing short of outstanding. Doha “I am proud of the work of our students. These pieces that we see here are not only a reflection of how excellent Doha British School (DBS) recently inaugurated the our students are but a testament of their character and much-anticipated IB Art Exhibit, an annual event curated resilience during these trying times. At DBS, we set high by IB Visual Art students from the school’s Sixth Form expectations and standards for our students. These pieces Centre. The exhibit highlights a wide selection of original of work are a result of hard work and commitment both fine art, photography, graphic arts, fashion and textile de- from the wonderful teaching staff at DBS and our dedicat- sign, and 3d movie animation. ed students. We can see how our students critically pro- The art exhibit showcases the students’ learnt tech- cess ideas and how these ideas are then translated practi- niques and skills and how they are able to translate these cally into these amazing works of art,” said Paul Sherlock, into wonderful pieces using varied media such as oil principal at Doha British School – Ain Khaled campus. paint, fabric, clay or digital platform. “All the students Doha British School’s Sixth Form Centre offers one of have an individual theme for their work, something Year 13 student, said: “My exhibition presents a journey country. “For my work, I combined the job that doctors the most diverse learning pathways available in any school that they decided themselves and are passionate about. through human emotion. I believe mental health is a top- and nurses do and the fact that superheroes save lives. I in Qatar – IB Diploma, BTEC and AS/A Level. This exhibit is an integral part of our two-year IB Visual ic that has to be talked about, especially in these current love how it turned out as it looked action-packed and had “Through the IB art course, I personally liked follow- Arts course and is worth 50 percent of the student’s final times. Due to the pandemic, many people are at their a good meaning behind it: doctors and nurses are out ing a set-out theme in making my artworks as it gave me grade,” Katie Dearden, subject leader of Art. breaking points. The journey that I am portraying fin- there saving lives during the time we are stuck inside,” a sense of direction throughout the journey. Although “The students have really tried to communicate their ishes with a happy ending to show people that there is Garv Kalera, a Year 8 student who participated in the meeting deadlines was tough, it helped me manage my ideas through their artwork and create an insightful ex- always hope and love that can guide you outside of your BSME Art competition. time when it came to submitting my artwork. Even with perience for the viewer. The standard of work improves negative space.” Without COVID-19 and all the restrictions, the annu- a high workload, I managed to complete it all because of every year and we are really proud of what our students Also joining this year’s exhibit are Year 11 GCSE Fine al IB Art Exhibit would have been celebrated with much this rigorous course,” Dina Fraihat, Year 13 student, com- have achieved,” added Dearden. Art & Textile Design students, some Year 12 students and fanfare, food and gathering. Needless to say, this year has menting on how her course has contributed positively on When asked about her piece, Haanin Shafeegue, a DBS’ representatives to various art competitions in the been exceptionally challenging and yet, the works pre- her art journey. World Wednesday, March 17, 2021 05

News Myanmar protesters setting up barricades as death toll spirals in brief dpa seen multiple deaths and daily Myanmar Now reported 20. clashes. dpa. Yangon protests, told dpa. According to the Assistance “Hlaing Thar Yar is really There were also reports of ’s new unity Large swathes of Myan- Association for Political Pris- a war zone now. More than a crackdown on a protest in govt officially As the death toll rises in Myan- mar’s population have turned oners (AAPP), the death toll 50 military trucks surrounded Dawbon, a township near Yan- takes power mar amid protests against last out to protest regularly since since March 15 stands at 183. our neighbourhoods and fired gon, with at least one death. month’s coup, demonstrators the February 1 coup by the More than 2,100 people have shots all the time, shouting the Protesters are demanding Tripoli: Libya’s new unity are trying to barricade them- military, which seemed not been detained, some tempo- abusing words to civilians. that the government of Aung government officially took selves inside their neighbour- to have expected such a mas- rarily. “We mostly hear the gun- Sang Suu Kyi be restored. Suu power on Tuesday, a day hoods in an attempt to keep sive turnout. The military had “We try to lock down our shots and it is hard for us to go Kyi has been kept under house after it was sworn in before security forces out, according only ceded full control of the township by building the out from home but we still try arrest since the coup and faces the parliament in the to interviews on Tuesday. government in the last decade barricades on the roads and to protest as scattered move- a series of charges, but outside eastern city of Tobruk. The “There is no other way. and retained a heavy decision- streets. If we can’t defend our- ments in Hlaing Thar Yar. analysts suspect the main rea- new administration, led by We have to continue to fight. making role up until the mo- selves first, they will come into Many migrant workers went son she is being detained is be- Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid We will win soon. They killed ment it reclaimed power. grows increasingly violent in our streets and kill our peo- back to their villages from cause the military was shocked Mohammed Dbeibeh, aims civilians because they don’t But across the country, its attempts to control the pro- ple.” Kyaw Kyaw, 33, a pro- Hlaing Thar Yar today as they by how poorly its candidates to lead Libya until long- have any good way to hold the people who had become used tests. tester in Thaketa township, lost [their] families, jobs and did in November’s election, delayed elections scheduled power. They must lose,” Wai to democracy seem deter- There were 25 deaths on told dpa. faced the brutal crackdown which Suu Kyi’s National for December 24. In a Phyo Min, a protester from mined to keep the military at Monday alone, according And that was not the by the military,” Htay Aung, League for Democracy (NLD) ceremony in Libya’s capital, the city of Monywa, which has bay now, even as the military to Radio Free Asia, though only site that had witnessed a protester and resident, told won in a landslide. Tripoli, Fayez Serraj, head of the outgoing UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), handed over power to Dbeibeh and Mo- Violence surges across hammed Menfi, who heads the three-member Presi- Japan and US ministers dency Council. (dpa) Afghanistan as peace talks gain new momentum Malaysia reports express concern about lowest daily virus dpa the security forces and wound- number this year Kabul ing one, officials said on Tues- day. A mortar shell landed Bangkok: Malaysia’s Health China’s coercive actions As peace talks gain new mo- in a civilian house and killed Ministry reported 1,063 new mentum in Afghanistan, at a small boy and wounded a coronavirus cases on Tues- least 21 people were killed young girl in the same prov- day, the lowest daily number in violent attacks across the ince on Monday. this year, “[T]he total number country in the last 24 hours, In the capital Kabul, four of Covid-19 cases reported officials confirmed on Tues- people were killed and 16 oth- today, March 16, is the low- day. ers wounded after a bomb hit a est,” Noor Hisham Abdullah, Another 35 people were minibus carrying government the ministry’s director- wounded in the attacks that employees on Monday. A general, said during a press happened in at least eight Af- 3-year-old child and his preg- conference. Of the roughly ghan provinces, according to nant mother were among the 326,000 cases reported figures from officials. victims of the incident. since the first in early 2020, In northern Baghlan prov- In neighbouring Badghis almost 310,000 are listed ince, two people were killed province, a former police of- by the ministry as “recov- and six others wounded after ficer was assassinated by the ered.” The ministry reported a minibus carrying students militants, local officials said. five virus-linked deaths on and university lecturers was In southern Zabul prov- Tuesday, taking the overall in attacked on the road be- ince, a magnetic bomb killed the 32-million-strong nation tween Pul-e-Khumri city and a municipality employee and to a relatively low 1,218. Baghlan on Tuesday. Provin- wounded two civilians on Ballooning case numbers cial officials blamed the Tali- Monday. around the turn of the year ban, but the insurgent group In addition, the militants prompted the government to denied their involvement. carried out separate attacks impose a second lockdown In western Herat province, on security force check- on January 11, one day militants attacked a check- points in Faryab, Helmand, before a state of emergency point overnight guarding a and Ghazni provinces, killing was declared. (dpa) dam that is under construc- at least nine and wounding tion, killing three members of nine others. Widodo launches mass vaccination campaign in Bali Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo launched a mass vaccination campaign in Bali on Tuesday amid hopes the resort island could reopen to foreign visi- tors soon. Bali has desig- nated three popular tourist US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (left) arm bumps with Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (second left) as US Secretary of State districts - Ubud, Gianyar Antony Blinken (second right) and Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi (right) look on, in Tokyo on Tuesday. (AFP) and Nusa Dua - as Covid-19 green zones in the first dpa Beijing and Tokyo. Ahead of the two-plus-two the world,” he said. Residents stand amid the debris of a damaged house after a car step towards reopening the Tokyo The Japanese-adminis- talks, Blinken held a one-to- “We’re also standing to- bomb blast in Herat recently. (AFP) island to the outside world. tered Senkaku Islands are also one meeting with Motegi. gether in support of our shared “We hope that these three Two secretaries from US claimed by China and Taiwan, “It is no accident that we values. We believe in democ- green zones can be fully President Joe Biden’s admin- where they are known as Di- chose Japan for the first cabi- racy, human rights, and rule of opened to tourists so that istration and their Japanese aoyu/Tiaoyutai. law,” Blinken continued. How- they will feel comfortable counterparts on Tuesday China’s Foreign Minis- ever, those values “are under Freed Ugandan opposition leader about staying in Bali,” Joko shared concerns about China’s ter Wang Yi said earlier this threat in many places, includ- Wine rejects talks with president said in a video released by increasing assertiveness in month the law does “not tar- ing in the region - whether it’s his office. “We hope that this the Indo-Pacific region during get any specific country.” “The For more than five decades in Burma or whether in differ- dpa the streets of Kampala. will be the start of the revival their first in-person meeting in and Japan re- our alliance has been a ent ways in China.” Blinken Kampala Wine alleges that the gov- of Bali’s tourism sector.” Bali Tokyo. main opposed to any unilater- cornerstone for our peace, and Motegi also discussed ernment abducted and de- aims to vaccinate 150,000 US Secretary of State An- al action that seeks to change security, and prosperity - not Iran, climate change, cyber- Ugandan opposition leader tained hundreds of his sup- people working in the tour- tony Blinken and Defence Sec- the status quo or to under- only for our two countries, security and countermeasures Bobi Wine on Tuesday reject- porters after the January 14 ism sector in the first phase retary Lloyd Austin held the mine Japan’s administration against the Covid-19 pandem- ed any form of political dia- election, which Wine lost of the inoculation campaign, so-called two-plus-two talks of these islands,” the four min- but for the region, and ic, according to the Japanese logue with President Yoweri with 35 percent to long-term Bali Governor Wayan Koster with Japanese Foreign Minis- isters said in a joint statement, indeed for the world Foreign Ministry. Museveni, whom he accuses of president Yoweri Museveni’s said last week. (dpa) ter Toshimitsu Motegi and De- referring to the islets. Antony Blinken During their separate kidnapping hundreds of oppo- 58 percent. fence Minister Nobuo Kishi. The ministers also ex- meeting, Kishi and Austin sition supporters. Museveni recently admit- Speaking at a joint news pressed “serious concerns” underscored the importance “I rule out any political ne- ted that government authori- Nepal welcomes conference, Motegi said the about the human rights situ- of peace and stability in the gotiations with ... Museveni. He ties are holding at least 51 first group of two countries expressed their ations in Hong Kong and Chi- net-level overseas travel of the Taiwan Strait amid a growing said he would talk to me with- people, arrested for “prepar- Everest climbers concern about a new Chinese na’s Xinjiang region, where Biden-Harris administration,” military threat from China. out mediators, but we have no ing to cause violence.” Human since 2019 law which allows Beijing’s the Muslim Uighur minority Blinken told a news confer- Austin met Nobuo “to intention to carry out any sepa- Rights Watch also demanded coastguard to use weapons on lives. ence. deepen the US-Japan defense rate dialogue,” Wine told jour- earlier this month that Ugan- Kathmandu: A team foreign ships. They also reaffirmed their “[For more than five dec- relationship; the cornerstone nalists in the capital Kampala. dan authorities “take immedi- of climbers belonging to Chinese coastguard vessels commitment to the denuclear- ades] our alliance has been of peace and security in a Wine addressed the media ate steps to end the ongoing ’s Royal Guard have are frequently spotted near ization of North Korea and a cornerstone for our peace, #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” a day after he was briefly ar- abductions by suspected state arrived in Nepal for the a group of uninhabited islets called on Pyongyang to abide security, and prosperity - not John Kirby, Assistant Secre- rested while leading a peace- agents and cease the unlawful spring expedition of Mount in the East China Sea, a source by its obligations under UN only for our two countries, but tary of Defence for Public Af- ful protest against the alleged detention without trial of op- Everest, authorities said on of diplomatic tension between Security Council resolutions. for the region, and indeed for fairs, wrote on Twitter. abduction of his supporters in position supporters.” Tuesday. No climber has climbed Mount Everest from the Nepal side since 2019 due to the Covid-19 out- break. The team, comprising 13 Bahraini and three British Protesters demanding services storm govt seat in southern Yemen nationals, landed at Kath- mandu airport in a special dpa Witnesses told dpa that source added. loyalists to President Abd Rabu Bahrain Defence Force Sana’a protesters passed through the The source told dpa that Mansour Hadi, who is backed aircraft late Monday, accord- gates of the Maashiq presiden- Prime Minister Maeen Abdul- by Saudi Arabia. ing to Chhang Dawa Sherpa Hundreds of protesters in tial palace compound without malik and several ministers The goal was to unite both from Seven Summit Treks. the southern Yemeni city of any resistance on the part of were inside the complex. sides in the fight against the They are currently in a week- Aden stormed a government guards. They managed to get Protesters have taken to the Houthis, who control the coun- long quarantine required for complex in the country’s pro- close to areas used by ministers. streets of Aden several times in try’s northern areas. tourists entering Nepal. The visional capital on Tuesday, Aden’s police chief, General recent weeks to protest against Both Saudi Arabia and the climbers, who climbed Mount witnesses and an official source Mutaher al-Shuaibi, went to the poor living conditions. UAE are key members in an Lobuche (6,119 metres) and said. scene and was able to defuse A new unity government alliance supporting the govern- Mount Manaslu (8,163 me- Crowds were protesting de- the situation, eventually getting was formed last year under a ment-allied forces in fighting tres) last year, will remain in teriorating living standards and them to leave, a government power-sharing deal brokered the Houthis. Nepal for 80 days attempting the collapse of services in Aden, source said. by Riyadh, in a bid to end the Saudi Arabia formed the ascent of the world’s highest which has been the country’s There were hundreds of power struggle between the military coalition in March peak, according to Nepal’s temporary capital since Houthi protesters inside and they left separatist Southern Transi- 2015, to stop the Iran-allied A protester argues with a member of security outside the interna- embassy in Bahrain. (dpa) rebels took over Sana’a in late after al-Shuaibi promised that tional Council (STC), backed by Houthis who were advancing tionally-recognised Yemeni government’s headquarters in Aden on 2014. their demands will be met, the the , and towards Aden. Tuesday. (AFP) 06 Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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

Oscar Nominations So-Not-White This Year Qatar Taken Many Steps n the past several years, the for “Nomadland” isn’t for a film To Eliminate Discrimination slates of Oscar nominees have about her Chinese roots, it’s for Ivaried from less white — as a film largely about poor white in 2017 when “Moonlight” was people. named best picture — to over- No one would declare that whelmingly white and male last Hollywood is transformed, not Against Women: Minister year. But the nominations an- in the way the rainy Oscar nomi- nounced on Monday are so dra- nations morning turned sunny. matically and historically diverse For one thing, there were still that in some categories people of disturbingly few Latinx nomina- Fakhroo affirms Qatari support for women’s issues, particularly the color outnumber white contend- tions. But this is certainly pro- Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action ers. gress in Hollywood, and that’s In the directing category, the the result of a number of factors. QNA change is breathtaking. The list The Academy of Motion Pic- Doha Minister of Administrative Development, includes two women — Emerald ture Arts and Sciences, which Labor and Social Affairs HE Yousef bin Fennell and Chloé Zhao, the first awards the Oscars, has substan- inister of Administrative Devel- Mohammed Al Othman Fakhroo said woman of colour (she is from Bei- tially increased and diversified opment, Labor and Social Affairs Qatar has ratified the Convention on the jing) to be nominated for direct- its ranks in the nine years since a HE Yousef bin Mohammed Al Oth- Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination ing — and Lee Isaac Chung, the Los Angeles Times investigation man Fakhroo has said that Qatar has against Women, international conventions first Asian American to receive a found the academy membership taken many legislative and executive related to social affairs, the most impor- directing nod. It’s also the first was overwhelmingly white, male measuresM to eliminate all forms of discrimina- time that the directing field has and old. Meanwhile, larger so- tion against women. tant of which is the International two female nominees. Round- cietal forces, most recently the In Qatar’s speech before the Fourth Confer- Convention on the Rights of the Child and ing out the category are David racial reckoning that began last ence on Women and the 23th session of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Fincher and Thomas Vinterberg, summer, are slowly changing the General Assembly, Fakhroo affirmed Qatari Disabilities putting these two support for all fair women’s issues, particularly white male direc- the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action small enterprises, facilitate the establishment tors in another cat- and the outcome of the 23th special session of of nurseries to provide the appropriate envi- egory they are rare- the General Assembly. ronment to receive and care for children, in ad- ly in: the minority. In order to enhance the role of women in dition to increasing work flexibility for women In the best actor community and ensure their participation and in government institutions and in the private category, there are representation in decision-making positions, sector and providing all protection, social and more men of col- Qatar has taken measures to eliminate all forms family care programs and services in accord- our — a Black man, of discrimination against women, he added. ance with the best international practices and an Asian American, The minister pointed out that the perma- experiences. and a British Paki- nent constitution of the State stipulates that Women, international conventions related to Fakhroo stressed that all this indicates Qa- stani Muslim — than “The Citizens of Qatar shall be equal in public social affairs, the most important of which is tar’s confident and determined steps to achieve white men. And rights and duties. All persons are equal before the International Convention on the Rights of its development vision, as necessary measures in the best actress the law and there shall be no discrimination the Child and Convention on the Rights of Per- have been taken to fill the gender gaps, rein- category, there are Actress Frances McDormand, left, and director Chloé whatsoever on grounds of sex, race, language, sons with Disabilities. forcing women’s participation in public life and two Black women. Zhao on the set of “Nomadland.” Both were nominat- or religion”. Fakhroo expressed Doha’s aspiration to empowering them economically, socially and Among the 10 nomi- ed for Oscars for their work on the film. Regarding international obligations, he said increase the effectiveness of the economic par- politically, especially in light of the State’s in- nees for supporting Qatar has ratified the Convention on the Elimi- ticipation of Qatari women by providing easy tention to hold the first elections for the Shura roles, four are people of color; in entire entertainment industry. nation of All Forms of Discrimination against lending programs for the establishment of Council in October 2021. fact, most of the supporting actor As film scholar Neil Lan- nominees are Black men. dau observes, the success of the There was such a plethora South Korean film“Parasite,” of well-received films that dealt which won best picture and with stories about Black people best director for Korean film- by Black people that, as many maker Bong Joon-Ho, has also as were nominated in vari- influenced Hollywood decision- Fakhroo ous categories, even more were makers. And the streaming ser- snubbed. That sort of wealth of vices that put many of these opportunity is beginning to look nominated films out for viewing like something approaching nor- have global audiences that may mal life in Hollywood for white demand more diverse films. filmmakers. And while it’s great Whatever the reasons, it’s to see people of color tell stories fantastic that the Oscar nomina- that come from their communi- tions ended up where they did. ties, it’s also thrilling to see them We’ll see next year whether it recognized for offering whatever was a pandemic-induced excep- compelling story they choose. tion or another step in the right Zhao’s nomination as a director direction.

(TCA) Vaccines Reduce Risk Of COVID-19 Spread: Research

Tara Copp and Michael Wilner (tca/dpa) Data has emerged sug- gesting the available eople who are vaccinated against COVID-19 vaccines — pro- COVID-19 not only protect them- duced by Pfizer, Moderna, Pselves, but are also likely reducing the risk of spreading the disease and infecting and Johnson & Johnson — others, according to new Army research. lower the risk of vaccinat- Vaccine research at the emerging ed individuals spreading infectious diseases branch of the Wal- the virus to others A recent ter Reed Army Institute of Research monitored the amount of virus that rep- study published by the licates in the noses, sinuses and throats University of Cambridge of monkeys after they are vaccinated. and Public Health England Monkeys, like humans, can still become found a statistically signifi- infected with COVID-19 after they are cant decrease in infection vaccinated, but the vaccine reduces the risk to others from individ- severity of the illness. The research found that for monkeys uals who were vaccinated. that were vaccinated and then infected, Another study focused on “there’s a rapid decline in the amount of A US Army Pharmacy Technician prepares a COVID-19 vaccine for use during opening day of the the Pfizer vaccine found virus that’s reproducing” in their noses FEMA vaccination site on Miami-Dade College’s North Campus on March 3. similar results and upper airways, said Dr. Kayvon Mod- jarrad, director of infectious disease re- vaccine clinical trials have shown, that decrease in infection risk to others from search at Walter Reed. vaccination can reduce the risk of trans- individuals who were vaccinated. An- cial distance in public, to avoid carrying nity,” Offit said. “When you get to the “That’s where the transmission oc- mission. other study focused on the Pfizer vaccine the virus and infecting others. point where there are far fewer cases, and curs, and the disease occurs down in the “We saw that in the animal studies. and conducted in Israel, published in The Paul Offit, a member of the Food and far fewer deaths, and you know there is lungs. But if you have lots of replicating So we expected that there would be prob- New England Journal of Medicine, found Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory much less virus in the community, then virus up in your nose, sinuses, pharynx, ably some reduction in transmission in similar results. board and director of the vaccine educa- you can feel better if you’re vaccinated.” that’s where you’re going to transmit,” humans. And now we’re starting to see The Centers for Disease Control and tion center at the Children’s Hospital of The CDC has said it will continue to Modjarrad said in an interview with Mc- that in these real-world studies,” Modjar- Prevention released preliminary guid- Philadelphia, said that vaccinated people update its guidance on safe practices for Clatchy. rad said. ance for vaccinated individuals last week. should continue taking precautions for vaccinated people as more scientific evi- The lab measured the amount of vi- Other data has emerged suggesting The agency said it is safe for vaccinated other reasons. dence emerges, and as more people get rus in the noses and upper airways of the available COVID-19 vaccines — pro- people to congregate indoors unmasked “I’m fully vaccinated, and I wear a the shots. monkeys during the trials of its own duced by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson with other vaccinated people, or to meet mask and social distance for selfish rea- “As more people get vaccinated and coronavirus vaccine. Modjarrad said the & Johnson — lower the risk of vaccinated indoors with unvaccinated people from sons,” he said. “I may be one of those 1 the science and evidence expands, and reduction in the amount of virus in the individuals spreading the virus to others. one other household if they are at low in 20 people who isn’t protected. I mean, as the disease dynamics of this country animals was a way to measure the vac- A recent study published by the Uni- risk of contracting severe COVID-19. it’s 95% effective. change, we will continue to update this cine’s effectiveness. versity of Cambridge and Public Health But the agency is still encouraging “It really all depends on the degree guidance,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the The research also found what other England found a statistically significant vaccinated people to wear masks and so- to which there is illness in the commu- CDC director, told reporters.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Wednesday, March 17, 2021 07

News EU regulator backs AstraZeneca in brief North Korea warns US against ‘causing a stink’ ahead of Seoul visit jab, but many still suspending use Seoul: Ahead of the new US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to South Korea, Pyongyang has issued a warning to the allied countries condemning their joint military exercises. In dpa er the vaccines might have made the right call “through a statement carried by state news agency KCNA on Tuesday, Kim Brussels caused the events, she said. thinking rather than using a Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong There had also been specu- herd instinct.” The EMA has Un, threatened to withdraw from a 2018 military agreement and Experts who argue that the lation as to whether specific launched an investigation into accused the new administration in Washington of causing trou- coronavirus vaccine developed batches of the vaccine pro- the vaccine, as have national ble. “We take this opportunity to warn the new US administration by AstraZeneca and Oxford duced might have caused the health authorities in several trying hard to give off powder smell in our land,” Kim Yo Jong was University is safe - and cer- blood clots. However, this countries. quoted as saying. “If it wants to sleep in peace for coming four tainly safer than getting Cov- seemed “unlikely,” Cooke said, The British vaccine regula- years, it had better refrain from causing a stink at its first step.” id-19 - circled their wagons on adding that the agency would tor also said the vaccine, which The armed forces of the US and South Korea began their spring Tuesday, but not before more present its findings on Thurs- AstraZeneca developed in military drills last week, which have been scaled back due to countries suspended the jab. day. partnership with Oxford Uni- the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing diplomacy disputes over The European Medicines “We are still firmly con- versity, is not responsible for North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme. (dpa) Agency (EMA) - which ap- vinced that the benefits of the blood clotting, based on avail- proved the vaccine in Janu- AstraZeneca vaccine in pre- able evidence. ary - remains convinced of the venting Covid-19 with its as- The suspension added yet Russia threatens to block Twitter safety of AstraZeneca’s prod- sociated risk of hospitalisation another concern European Moscow (dpa) - Russia has threatened to block Twitter for a uct, the organisation’s chief and death outweigh the risk of countries have about Astra- week, after it already reduced data speeds for the social media said on Tuesday. these side effects,” she said. Zeneca’s vaccine, as worries site, citing the platform’s failure to remove illegal content. “A situation like this is not Cyprus, Latvia, Luxem- about its safety have been If Twitter continues not to react to demands to take down illegal unexpected,” executive direc- bourg, Portugal, Sweden and circulating for weeks. At the content, it could be blocked within the next month, Vadim Sub- tor Emer Cooke said, referring Venezuela on Tuesday joined same time, EU officials have botin, deputy head of the Media oversight authority Roskomnad- to several cases of blood clots the list of countries suspend- been enraged at the company zor, said on Tuesday according to news agency TASS. Russia that had reportedly devel- ing the use of the AstraZen- for failing to deliver batches as accuses the US social media platform of ignoring around 3,100 oped following an injection. eca jab. Those announcements scheduled. requests filed since 2017 to remove illegal contents from its “When you vaccinate millions came on top of previous ones Experts sharply criticized site, including child pornography or posts influencing minors to of people, it’s inevitable that from Denmark, France, Ger- Lazio Region staff stick a placard reading AstraZeneca vaccinations the countries’ decision to sus- commit suicide. Critics however believe the move is an attempt you have rare or serious inci- many, Ireland, Italy, the Neth- have been suspended until a later date in Rome on Tuesday. (afp) pend the roll-out of the Astra- to encroach on the right to freedom of opinion on social media. dences of illnesses that occur erlands, Norway and Spain. Zeneca vaccine. “Somehow we suddenly find ourselves in a country in which the after vaccination.” Fear has A comparatively shorter “It is worth remembering “I think it is a disaster internet is being blocked,” said Kira Yarmish, spokesperson of been spreading about the jab list of countries stuck by As- that, apart from firms regis- for the vaccination uptake in jailed dissident Alexei Navalny, on Tuesday. (dpa) as more countries report inci- traZeneca’s jab on Tuesday. tered in the EU, Britain and Europe, which is already on dences of blood clots in people Lithuania was one. Thailand the US, there are other firms slightly unsteady ground in after receiving a vaccination. was another, and Prime Min- We are still firmly convinced that are striving to have their some countries,” Peter Open- Australian PM faces backlash after The fears have grown to ister Prayuth Chan-ocha made that the benefits of the vaccines used,” the official shaw, a professor of experi- ‘bullets’ for protesters comment the point where several Euro- a point of getting vaccinated AstraZeneca vaccine in said. mental medicine at London’s pean countries have shelved before the cameras on Tues- preventing Covid-19 with its To date, neither the Eu- Imperial College, told the BBC Melbourne: Australia’s Minister for Women Marise Payne the product, complicating al- day. associated risk of ropean Medicines Agency on Tuesday. was forced to defend comments from the prime minister on ready troubled vaccination “I think this will give peo- (EMA) nor domestic Polish The World Health Organi- Tuesday after he said it was a “triumph” that protesters attend- drives. ple confidence to receive the hospitalisation and death institutions responsible for zation (WHO) said it would ing nation-wide rallies against violence and sexual harassment The rate of reported blood government’s vaccines,” Pr- outweigh the risk of these medicines safety have recom- meet on Tuesday to review of women weren’t “met with bullets.” As thousands took to the clots amongst vaccinated peo- ayuth said after receiving the side effects mended suspending the use the available safety data on streets across the country for the “March 4 Justice” rallies ple seemed to broadly mirror injection. of the British-Swedish vac- the vaccine, though its chief, on Monday Scott Morrison stood up in parliament to declare the rate in the general popula- Countries that suspended EMA exec director Emer Cooke cine, he noted. Poland contin- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye- that it was a “triumph of democracy” that the campaigners tion, Cooke explained. vaccinations using the Astra- ues vaccinations with Astra- sus, said there was no evidence were able to demonstrate peacefully. “Not far from here, such The agency had also re- Zeneca shot may have fallen Zeneca. of a link so far. marches, even now, are being met with bullets, but not here in ceived similar numbers from victim to a media-induced “It is possible that we are Dworczyk also said he Meanwhile, German phar- this country,” the prime minister said. His remarks were met other vaccines from across the panic that could be a result of dealing here with a planned was “confident that many of maceutical company BioN- with jeers from the opposition and have since been widely world, she said. misinformation, a Polish gov- disinformation campaign these countries will soon re- Tech and its US partner Pfizer criticised. The rallies, which took place on Sunday and Monday, However, EMA had ernment official responsible and a brutal fight of medical turn” to using AstraZeneca agreed to accelerate the deliv- were spurred by recent allegations of sexual assault against a launched a “very rigorous for the country’s vaccination firms,” Michal Dworczyk told for vaccinations, which would ery of 10 million Covid-19 vac- staffer from within Morrison’s conservative government. (dpa) analysis” to determine wheth- campaign said. PAP agency on Tuesday. constitute proof that Poland cine doses.

Coronavirus cases plateau in US, but govt warns of complacency

dpa The US Centers for Disease Con- travellers passed through US air- Washington trol and Prevention’s (CDC) most ports Friday, which is the highest recent data show that cases continue number in a single day since last The United States reported 57,083 to fluctuate somewhere between March, before the World Health new coronavirus cases and 751 50,000 and 60,000 per day, with Organization (WHO) declared the deaths related to the disease on the most recent seven-day average global pandemic. Monday. approximately 52,500 cases per day. “We have seen footage of peo- With this, the national total The most recent seven-day aver- ple enjoying spring break festivities of coronavirus cases increased to age of hospital admissions has also maskless. This is all in the context of 29,495,420, according to latest data declined to just more than 4,700 still 50,000 cases per day. compiled by Johns Hopkins Univer- per day. The United States contin- Equally concerning are the re- sity. The Covid-19 death toll rose to ues to see decline in deaths, with surgences we are now seeing in 535,628. the latest seven-day average just some European countries. Each California and Texas, the two over 1,200 deaths per day, far better of these countries has had nadirs worst-affected states, reported than where the country was in early like we are having now, and each more than 100 Covid-19 deaths January. took an upward trend after they while New York had the most num- CDC director Rochelle Walen- disregarded known mitigation ber of daily new infections - 7,119. sky said that more than 1.3 million strategies. UK to increase nuke stockpile in the face of Russian threat

dpa according to news agency Interfax. London Britain will also try expand its influence within countries in the Russia remains the “most acute Indo-Pacific region due to China’s direct threat” to Britain, according global dominance, which has “major to a government report released on implications” for British values and Tuesday which outlines London’s interests, the report states. post-Brexit security policy, including The document reads: “China and an increase in the nuclear stockpile. the UK both benefit from bilateral In Boris Johnson’s “Integrated trade and investment, but China Review,” Britain’s biggest foreign also presents the biggest state- and defence policy review since the based threat to the UK’s economic end of the Cold War, the prime min- security.” In recent years, Britain ister vowed Britain would remain a has clashed with China over a new part of NATO and work with “allies security law in Hong Kong and its and partners” to address challenges treatment of the Uighur Muslims, a to security in the “physical world” Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson in minority who live in Xinjiang prov- and online. London on Tuesday. (afp) ince in China’s far west. “The UK respects the people, Britain’s relationship with Russia culture and history of Russia,” the curity, increasing the cap on nuclear has soured in recent years after cer- document states. “However, until re- warheads from 180 to 260. tain incidents, such as the poisoning lations with its government improve, The document, which does not of double agent Sergei Skripal and we will actively deter and defend make clear how many nuclear war- his daughter Yulia on British soil in against the full spectrum of threats heads the government currently has, March 2018. emanating from Russia. said the increase was “in recognition The pair nearly died after com- “We will continue to exceed of the evolving security environ- ing into contact with a poison, called the NATO guideline of spending 2 ment, including the developing Novichok, allegedly placed at their per cent of gross domestic product range of technological and doctrinal home in the town of Salisbury, ac- (GDP) on defence, and to declare threats.” Russia said the announce- cording to British authorities. our nuclear and offensive cyber ment only confirms Russian con- Britain also accused Russia capabilities to Allies’ defence.” The cerns about the increased potential of interfering in the 2015 British strategy also outlines a plan to of NATO as a nuclear power, Leonid general election after a cyberattack expand Britain’s nuclear stockpile Slutsky, head of the foreign policy hit lawmakers in parliament in the in an effort to protect homeland se- committee in the state duma, said election’s run-up. Will enable the blind to experience World Cup: Bonocle page 9

Wednesday, march 17, 2021

32,890.57 10,294.79 50363.96 1,730.00 -62.89 pts +53.32 pts -31.12 pts Gold +0.05 % Milaha’s AMG okays distribution of Dow QE sensex dividend of QR0.3 per share page 11 Price percentage Price percentage 25.99 Brent 68.34 -0.78% WTI 64.73 -1.01 % Silver -1.15 % Huawei set to train 10,000 ICT professionals in Qatar, says V-P The Chinese tech giant has partnered with three top universities in Qatar to impart training in 5G, AI and cloud computing

Satyendra Pathak and the Tasmu Laboratory of on local talent development and Doha Ministry of Transport and cultivate more qualified ICT talent Communications. for the local region.” Huawei is committed to train Providing an overview about “The talent ecosystem has last- and develop 10,000 Information Huawei Middle East Talent Eco- ed five years and has now covered and Communications Technology system, he said, “Huawei’s talent 440 universities in the region with (ICT) talents in Qatar in the next ecosystem consists of four parts: cooperation from more than 20 three years, a senior official of the Seeds for the Future, ICT com- ministries and commissions. In Chinese multinational technology petition (practice competition, 2020, the LearnOn online learning company has said. innovation competition, and de- platform was launched in the Mid- Talking to Qatar Tribune on veloper competition), Internship dle East. Based on the overall tal- the sidelines of the ongoing Milipol Programme, and ICT Academy. ent ecosystem strategy, more than Qatar 2021 exhibition, Huawei Vice Huawei works with local univer- 35,000 people have been trained, President Cyber Security & Privacy, sities, partners, and government of which more than 9,000 have Global Public Affairs Mika Lauhde and enterprise customers to focus been certified by Huawei,” he said. said, “Huawei has partnered with “We aim to benefit more uni- three top universities namely Qa- versity teachers and students in tar University (QU), Hamad Bin the digital world, enable more Kahlifa University (HBKU) and people to enjoy equal and high- Community College of Qatar (CCQ) quality education, enhance digi- in Qatar to set up ICT colleges and tal skills, and inject fresh impetus impart training in 5G technology, into the industry,” he said. artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud Since 2015, Huawei has part- computing technology to local nered with more than 600 inter- people.” national universities to set up Through the ICT college ini- Huawei ICT academies, tiative in Qatar, he said, Hua- helping the uni- wei plans to develop ICT profes- versities im- sionals and continuously update prove their its school-enterprise coopera- ICT teaching tion solutions in cutting-edge abilities and technologies. Visitors throng Huawei’s pavilion at the Milipol Qatar 2021 exhibition in Doha. train more “There is a huge focus in Qatar than 1,500 on developing ICT talents for the Huawei has partnered with three top universities namely Qatar teachers. future. As part of its long-term University (QU), Hamad Bin Kahlifa University (HBKU) and Community commitment to the Qatari market, College of Qatar (CCQ) in Qatar to set up ICT colleges and impart Huawei has been imparting train- ing in ICT for quite some time in training in 5G technology, Artificial intelligence (AI) and Cloud Qatar. We are planning to do it on computing technology to local people. As part of its long-term commitment to the a larger scale,” Lauhde said. Qatari market, Huawei has been imparting training in ICT for quite some time in “In 2017, we launched the Qatar. We are planning to do it on a larger scale.” seeds for the future programme Mika Lauhde in cooperation with the CRA Huawei Vice President Cyber Security & Privacy, Global Public Affairs Mika Lauhde Communications Management Agency. In the past four years, 73 outstanding college students the ICT competition. Over the results,” Lauhde said. were selected to participate in the past four years, 2,500 people and As part of our commitment program, and 30 of them were seven universities were involved. to the Qatari market, he said, given the opportunity to study at Twelve outstanding students from Huawei has also donated Huawei headquarters in China. four teams participated in the three labs in Qatar: the AI In 2017, we cooperated with the Middle East regional finals on be- Laboratory of QU, the AI Ministry of Education to launch half of Qatar and won outstanding Laboratory of HBKU, Airlines close to GCC banks to see slow recovery: S&P launch travel pass Tribune News Network “We expect muted lending growth Doha in all GCC countries except Qatar and Tribune News Network tificates with authorities and Saudi Arabia,” said Damak. Doha airlines to facilitate smoother Banking sector in the GCC coun- In Saudi, mortgage lending con- processing at airports. tries is expected to recover rather tinues to expand due to the authori- Around 80 to 90 countries The International Air slowly from last year’s sharp reces- ties’ objective of increasing home could offer a ‘digital passport’ Transport Association (IATA) sion triggered by the COVID-19 pan- ownership, while in Qatar govern- scheme being launched by an has engaged with authorities demic and low oil prices, rating agen- ment projects are boosting growth. aviation industry grouping in many countries to fast- cy Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has said Corporate demand for loans will along with airlines to speed up track this effort, seen as vital in its latest report. likely improve only slightly, with air travel recovery. to turnaround the sinking for- As the GCC banking sectors’ per- some deferred 2020 capital expendi- The ‘Travel Pass’ initiative tunes of the airline industry. formance is closely linked to the eco- ture and debt refinancing potentially will allow passengers to have The IATA-led initia- nomic recovery of these countries, occurring this year. a digital passport verified with tive has the potential to pull the rating agency sees long-lasting “We expect a deterioration of as- all their pre-travel test or vac- the entire aviation industry adverse effects from the 2020 shock set quality across the board, with cination details to meet the re- out of its crisis state by of- on GCC economies and banking nonperforming loans increasing. quirements at the end destina- fering a one-stop platform sectors. This will not be helped by the lifting tion. They will also be able to for all COVID-19-related “Saudi and Qatar’s banking sec- of regulatory forbearance measures, share test and vaccination cer- requirements. tors will be less impacted than those although we expect it to be progres- in the UAE, , and Bahrain, while sive,” said Damak. in Kuwait the story will depend on the S&P analysts said the measures evolution of the fiscal impasse,” said Qatar’s banking sector will be less impacted compared to other GCC countries. implemented by most central banks Mohamed Damak, a senior director in the region are supportive of liquid- in financial services at S&P. S&P expects, most GCC countries associate at S&P. ity but do not remove or reduce credit QSE jumps 53 points Real GDP across the GCC con- will not return to 2019 nominal GDP S&P expects banks’ asset-quality risk from the balance sheet of banks Tribune News Network increased to QR454.604 tracted sharply in 2020 because of before 2023, with an even longer road indicators will continue to deterio- (yet). Doha million from QR424.554 low oil prices and a significant COV- for Saudi Arabia. rate and cost of risk to remain high as Although vaccination programs on Monday. ID-19-related slump in the hospital- The rating agency expects a full they start recognizing the true impact are progressing, recovery of the avia- Continuing its gaining Indices of all the seven ity, commerce, and real estate sectors. recovery in the global aviation and of impairments in 2020 and forbear- tion and hospitality sectors will take trend for the third consecu- sectors closed in the positive “We expect oil prices will average tourism industries will take time and ance measures are lifted in second- time, with likely significant downside tive session this week, the territory. The insurance sec- $60 for 2021 and 2022 and contin- continued weak recovery of global air half 2021. risks from further waves and muta- Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) tor led the gainers with an in- ued progress on vaccine rollouts but travel in 2021-2022. In the real estate Given continued low interest tions of the virus. general index gained 53.32 crease of 3.39 percent. see downside risks from further virus sector too, analysts expect negative rates, banks’ profitability will remain GCC banks’ capitalisation will points, or 0.52 percent, when The QSE Total Return In- waves,” said Benjamin Young, a di- investment sentiment to persist and low in 2021 and beyond, with some continue to support their creditwor- the bourse closed trading at dex increased 0.60 percent rector at S&P. demand remain subdued. potentially showing losses in 2021. thiness in 2021. Banks stepped up 10,294.79 points on Tuesday. to 20,291.15 points and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, “Although we have seen a sig- GCC banks suffered a triple Additional Tier 1 issuances (both The volume of shares QSE Al Rayan Islamic In- Dubai Expo 2020 and the, as well nificant decline in new launches in shock to profitability in 2020 from conventional and Islamic) in 2020 to traded increased to 219.391 dex gained 0.01 percent to as hydrocarbon sector recovery, will Dubai, we still expect the supply over- lower lending growth, lower-for- benefit from supportive market con- million on Tuesday from 4,329.53 points. The QSE All boost economic growth but it will re- hang to limit any short-to-medium- longer interest rates, and higher ditions and this should continue in 178.225 million on Mon- Share Index added 0.55 per- main below historical levels. term recovery,” said Puneet Tuli, an cost of risk. 2021, the report said. day and the value of shares cent to 3,255.48 points. Economy & Business Wednesday, March 17, 2021 09 Asian shares rise Will enable the blind to experience after US stocks gain for fifth day World Cup in new ways: Bonocle Agencies eye the bond market, where yields pulled back a bit from Founders of the Braille entertainment platform says SC’s ‘Challenge 22’ helped them become better innovators Asian shares rose on Tues- Friday’s sharp increase. In- day, cheered by a rally to all- vestors are also focused on time highs on Wall Street. the recovery of the U.S. and Japan’s benchmark Nik- global economies from the kei 225 rose 0.5% to finish coronavirus pandemic. The at 29,921.09. South Ko- $1.9 trillion aid package for rea’s Kospi added 0.7% to the U.S. economy has lifted 3,068.21. Australia’s S&P/ investors’ confidence in a ASX 200 jumped 0.8% strong recovery from the to 6,827.10. Hong Kong’s pandemic in the second half Hang Seng gained 0.3% to of the year, but also raised 28,929.99, while the Shang- concerns about a potential hai Composite recouped ear- jump in inflation. lier losses and rose 0.5% to President Joe Biden’s 3,436.19. The slower rollouts of the coronavirus vaccine in Asia, compared to the U.S. and Europe, continues to put investors in the region in a cautionary mode, although South Korea, Taiwan, Japan Investors and other nations have had cautious fewer deaths. Weighing on sentiment The slower rollouts of the is news that the vaccine coronavirus vaccine in Asia, from AstraZeneca had had compared to the U.S. and reports “blood clots after us- Europe, continues to put age, whether or not a side- investors in the region in a effect, (that) have resulted cautionary mode, although in a ‘precautionary’ suspen- South Korea, Taiwan, Japan sion” in Europe,” said Ven- and other nations have had kateswaran Lavanya of Miz- uho Bank in Singapore. fewer deaths. “This has setback Eu- rope’s vaccination progress SC’s Challenge 22 programme was launched in 2015 as a competition for budding entrepreneurs, innovators and pioneers across the Arab world. even more starkly compared pledge to expand vaccine eli- to the U.S.,” Lavanya said in gibility to all Americans by Tribune News Network sia and the United Arab Emir- play games using Braille. Bono- amazing. They helped us with a report. May 1 should also translate Doha ates. Successful applicants Challenge 22? cle will continue to expand and funding and industry connec- The news is also bad for into faster economic growth. received financial grants and provide more uses and features tions, as well as being great Japan. Japan has started The Dow Jones Indus- Launched in 2015 to encour- access to businesses and indi- ● Challenge 22 is Supreme to the blind community world- publicity for our team, which vaccinations of medical pro- trial Average gained 0.5%, age entrepreneurs and innova- viduals in order to help deliver Committee for Delivery and wide. helped us with raising invest- fessionals with the product to 32,953.46. Both indexes tors from across the region to their products to market. For Legacy’s SC’s flagship ment, advancing our product from Pfizer, but was set to hit all-time highs, eclipsing play their part in supporting closer look at Challenge 22, the innovation programme. Why did you get involved and getting closer to launching use those from Moderna as records set on Friday. Qatar to deliver the first FIFA founders of Bonocle talk about with Challenge 22? in the market. well as AstraZeneca. The As- The tech-heavy Nasdaq World Cup in the Middle East the impact the programme has ● It seeks to support Challenge 22 called for in- traZeneca vaccines were due Composite added 1.1% to and Arab world, “Challenge had on their business. inventions and solutions novations in the region. It felt How will your business to be produced in Japan, un- 13,459.71, while the Russell 22” has played a key role in that can enhance the fan like it was our duty to partici- help enhance the fan expe- like the other two brands. 2000 index of smaller com- supporting new businesses. Say a few words about pate and show the world the rience during Qatar 2022? On Wall Street, the S&P panies rose 0.3% to 2,360.17. As the Supreme Commit- yourselves and Bonocle? experience and innovations that spark from Bonocle will enable the 500 rose 0.7% to 3,368.94 That gain was enough for an tee for Delivery and Legacy’s Our names are Ramy and accessibility at within Qatar itself. blind community all over the after having been down 0.5% all-time high. (SC) flagship innovation pro- Abdelrazek. We are the found- mega-events, and benefit world to experience the World in early trading, extending Bond yields ticked lower, gramme, Challenge 22 has ers of Bonocle. We started Bon- Qatar and the region. How has Challenge 22 Cup in 2022 in new ways that its winning streak to a fifth with the 10-year U.S. Treas- received more than 1,400 ap- ocle back in university when changed your start-up were never available before. day. Technology stocks, air- ury note falling to 1.59% plications to-date from entre- Abdelrazek broke his hand and business? It will improve their ability to lines, cruise operators and from 1.61% on Monday. The preneurs, innovators and start- had to join the special needs problem was clear and we had It has definitely helped us move around Doha with fewer other companies that rely on mild drop in yields has af- ups that were keen to support centre to receive support with to solve it. Hence, Bonocle was become better innovators. The restrictions, and more freedom consumer spending helped fected bank stocks, where Qatar 2022. The applications the completion of his academic born. What we developed was a training and pitching sessions to navigate and interact. It will lift the market. Banks and investors have placed big were submitted from busi- work. There, we interacted Braille entertainment platform we had were illuminating and remove the barriers that have energy stocks were the only bets that higher yields would nesses based in ten Arab coun- with blind students and were that works with applications encouraging in every possible kept blind people restricted laggards. translate into banks charg- tries, including Qatar, Bahrain, extremely shocked by the dif- on current smart devices to way. Since joining the pro- and open doors for them to Wall Street continues to ing borrowers higher rates. , Jordan, Kuwait, Moroc- ficulty they went through to ac- provide users with the ability gramme, the support from the explore new things and new co, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tuni- cess their study material. The to read Braille, learn Braille or Challenge 22 team has been places.

Cybersecurity, privacy protection to accelerate new social, business value creation: Huawei ble growth and supporting na- Company collaborates with governments, tional transformation agendas in a post-pandemic world.” customers and partners in ME to tackle “Similar to the way there cybersecurity challenges at Milipol Qatar was a race for COVID-19 vac- cines this past year, we saw a race for connectivity band- Tribune News Network width, and in turn strong cy- Doha that 5G has now been rolled bersecurity assurance for reli- out at scale, with connectivity, able communication. New social and business value cloud, AI, computing, and in- Both cases require global can be accelerated across the dustry applications now com- cooperation. In our new nor- Middle East this year through ing together to create unprec- mal, we must support inter- a more secure digital ecosys- edented opportunities for the national dialogue to create tem, experts at Huawei have region and empowering gov- the trusted ICT ecosystems said during this week’s Milipol ernments to achieve their stra- that are needed to advance the Qatar summit—an event dedi- tegic goals. Building and fully world’s economic recovery,” cated to homeland security in implementing an end-to-end added Lauhde. the Middle East. As a leading global cybersecurity assur- With the cybersecurity global provider of ICT infra- ance and privacy protection vacy at Huawei, was one of a systematic reference archi- “Our vision is to bring the approach to modern secu- sector in the Middle East and structure and smart devices, system is thus one of Huawei’s the keynote speakers at the tecture is proposed for the digital to every person, home, rity and privacy issues, ana- Africa expected to register Huawei already plays an active key initiatives. The company summit this year, providing intelligent upgrade of govern- and organization for a fully lyzing the directions in which a compound annual growth role in the digital transforma- has in turn reiterated its com- government and private sector ments and enterprises. Other connected, intelligent world. new technologies are head- rate (CAGR) of 7.92% between tion of industries throughout mitment to collaborating with attendees with an overview of intelligent infrastructure and The value of digitization has ing, and the future challenges 2021-2026, according to Mor- the region, while also ensuring governments, customers, and the modern cybersecurity and smart campus solutions were become even more clear dur- facing society. By enhancing dor Intelligence , this year’s that cybersecurity and privacy partners in the Middle East to threat landscape. also showcased across the ing the disruptions of the last our shared cybersecurity and Milipol expo has emphasized protection remain a top prior- tackle cybersecurity and pri- Visitors to Milipol Qatar cloud, network, edge, and de- year,” notes Liam Zhao, Presi- privacy frameworks, we can links between global manu- ity. vacy challenges. also saw a demonstration of vices, providing scenario-spe- dent of Huawei Gulf North. therefore accelerate the devel- facturers, security and safety At this year’s Milipol Qatar Mika Lauhde, Vice-Pres- Huawei’s Intelligent Twins cific applications for govern- “Together with our partners opment of the digital economy, experts, government, and en- summit, Huawei recognized ident of Cybersecurity & Pri- concept, which is the first time ments and enterprises. in the region, we are reviewing while contributing to sustaina- terprises. China industrial output, retail sales surge in bounceback Hong Kong’s jobless rate 7.2 Agencies COVID-19 -- which went on Data for January and Feb- to ravage the world economy ruary are released together to percent, highest since 2004 China’s industrial output and -- surfaced in central China eliminate the influence of un- retail sales surged in the first and spread rapidly around the certainties brought about by DPA ter period Tuesday’s figures tion. Secretary for Labour and two months of the year, official country. China’s Lunar New Year holi- Hong Kong reflect the continued hav- Welfare Law Chi-kwong said data showed Monday, under- But the world’s second- day, which typically falls within oc Covid-19 is having across the labour market remained scoring the country’s recovery largest economy also became this period. Hong Kong’s unemployment most of the city’s economic under pressure but had im- from the coronavirus pandem- the first to bounce back after Output in the first two rate rose to 7.2 per cent, the sectors. During a similar pan- proved along with the latest ic that forced activity to a halt. imposing strict lockdowns months this year, however, was highest since 2004, according demic - the severe acute res- local Covid-19 situation. “The Industrial production and virus control measures, also 16.9 percent higher than to the government’s latest fig- piratory syndrome (SARS) labour market will still face spiked more than expected at clocking a full-year economic Strict lockdowns and virus the corresponding period in ures released on Tuesday. pandemic of 2003 - the unem- challenges in the near term as 35.1 percent on-year, the big- growth of 2.3 percent. control measures helped China 2019 -- before the coronavirus The jobless rate for the ployment rate hit 8.5 per cent. the epidemic has yet to be fully gest bounce in decades, while The unemployment rate, bounce back from COVID-19. outbreak -- said authorities. three months ending February According to the statement, contained and inbound tour- retail sales did better than ex- however, rose to 5.5 percent in The NBS said Monday that reached 7.2 per cent, up from increases were seen in the fol- ism remains frozen,” Law said. pected as well, growing 33.8 February, up from 5.2 percent the real rate of unemployment the latest year-on-year surge 7 per cent in the November- lowing sectors: import and However, Law said he ex- percent. in December, said the National might be higher due to the high was in part due to distortions January period. The number export trade, postal and cou- pected that pressure would Both indicators plunged in Bureau of Statistics (NBS). number of workers in unoffi- from last year’s “low base in the of unemployed increased by rier activities, education, arts, ease on the labour market lat- the early months of 2020 after Experts have warned that cial employment. same period”. 8,300 to 261,000 in the lat- entertainment and recrea- er on in the year. 10 Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Economy & Business VW is going huge in batteries to Electric ambitions drive VW’s slash e-car prices market value towards $150 bn Agencies cells as it ramps up electric vehicle production. Volk- Volkswagen has un- swagen has started to gain The German company says it aims to more than double deliveries of electric vehicles this year veiled a massive expansion ground on Tesla in its bid to of battery production as it become the world’s biggest seeks to gain an edge in the producer of battery electric electric car race. vehicles. The company sold The German carmaker 231,600 battery electric ve- said Monday that it plans to hicles in 2020 — less than build six “gigafactories” in half the number of sales Te- Europe by 2030 with a total sla made, but an increase of production capacity of 240 214% on the previous year. gigawatt hours per year. “E-mobility has become That’s enough to power al- core business for us,” Diess most 4 million Volkswagen said. The company’s new ID.3 electric vehicles, ac- strategy would secure “a cording to a spokesperson. long-term pole position in The first two battery facto- the race for the best battery ries will operate in Skelleft- and best customer experi- eå, Sweden and Salzgitter, ence in the age of zero emis- Germany. sion mobility,” he added. Volkswagen is also add- The company’s battery ing a huge number of new offensive is being accompa- electric vehicle charging nied by a huge expansion of points to networks across the fast-charging network. Europe, the United States In partnership with BP and China, the company (BP), Spain’s Iberdrola (IB- announced at an event on DRY) and Italian energy Monday. company Enel (EDCFF), Volkswagen’s electric Volkswagen intends to op- vehicle strategy hinges on erate about 18,000 public driving down the cost of charging points in Europe battery systems through by 2025, up from about a new unified battery cell, 3,600 at present. The car- which will be launched in maker estimates that its 2023 and installed in up to network will cover about 80% of the group’s electric one third of the expected vehicles. The company also total demand on the conti- A Volkswagen ID.3 electric car that is being charged in Dresden, eastern Germany. Volkswagen says it is aiming to sell a million electrified vehicles in 2021. plans to recycle up to 95% of nent at that time. the raw materials involved Volkswagen is also ex- Agencies tion,” Chief Executive Herbert day gain since a famous short- upper end of a 5%-6.5% target in battery production. panding charging points Diess said in a statement. squeeze in 2008 during which corridor. “The one size fits almost in the United States and Volkswagen’s shares Asked about a closely- Target the carmaker briefly became For comparison, Stellan- all cell design will radically China. Electrify America, surged more than 9% on Tues- watched potential listing of ● Volkswagen, which the world’s most valuable tis, the world’s fourth-largest reduce battery costs ... by a subsidiary, is planning day, lifting its market value luxury division Porsche AG, delivered 422,100 electric company. carmaker created through the up to 50% compared to to- to have around 3,500 fast- towards $150 billion as the Diess said there was no need vehicles last year, also said Diess told Reuters he be- merger of Fiat Chrysler and day,” CEO Herbert Diess charging points in North world’s second-largest car- for immediate action given lieved Volkswagen, whose Peugeot maker PSA in Janu- said at Monday’s event. America by the end of the maker gave more details about Porsche’s importance to group it would apply a brands range from budget ary, is targeting an adjusted “Lower prices for batter- year. In China, Volkswa- its ambitious expansion in turnaround efforts. standardised platform Seats and Skodas to high-end operating profitmargin of ies means more affordable gen is targeting a total of electric driving. “That’s why you need to model introduced for Audis and Bentleys, was worth 5.5%-7.5% this year. cars, which makes electric 17,000 fast-charging points A day after unveiling plans think very, very hard about vehicle production years 200 billion euros - reflecting Volkswagen’s target will vehicles more attractive for by 2025. to build half a dozen battery every single step,” he said. ago to software, batteries his ambition to dethrone Tesla be achieved by lowering fixed customers.” Tesla, by comparison, cell plants in Europe, the Ger- Volkswagen’s preferred and charging. as the world’s leading electric costs by 2 billion euros by Battery costs, which currently has 20,000 fast- man company said it aimed to shares, traded on Germany’s carmaker. 2023 compared with 2020, a make up a large propor- charging points globally. more than double deliveries of DAX index, rose as much as ● The group confirmed it is Volkswagen, which deliv- decline of 5%, as well as a de- tion of the total cost of an From 2022,Volkswa- electric vehicles this year. 9.3% to their highest since July aiming for an operating ered 422,100 electric vehicles cline of 7% in materials costs electric car, will be reduced gen’s electric vehicles will At its annual press confer- 3, 2015, giving the carmaker a margin of 7%-8% by 2025, last year, also said it would over the same period, it said, gradually by up to 50% in also support technology ence, it also reiterated its con- market valuation of over 121 adding it would likely end apply a standardised platform without giving further details. entry level models and by that allows them to con- fidence that cost cuts would billion euros ($144 billion). 2021 at the upper end of a model introduced for vehicle To get a better handle on up to 30% in standard mod- nect to private, commercial help to raise profit margins in They are up more than a third 5%-6.5% target corridor. production years ago to soft- staff costs, Volkswagen on els, Volkswagen said in a and public energy systems. the coming years. year-to-date. ware, batteries and charging. Sunday offered early or partial statement. “Electric vehicles will be- “Our good performance in “Volkswagen is ahead of The group confirmed it is retirement to older employees The company also needs come mobile power banks,” 2020, a year dominated by cri- most of its rivals in terms of Volkswagen’s common aiming for an operating mar- in a move sources said could a secure supply of battery Diess said. sis, will give us momentum for electric mobility,” said Nor- stock, meanwhile, leapt by as gin of 7%-8% by 2025, adding cut up to 4,000 jobs at its accelerating our transforma- dLB analyst Frank Schwope. much as 29%, its biggest intra- it would likely end 2021 at the plants in Germany. Microsoft, Google openly feuding amid hacks, competition inquiries

Agencies for a while but the rivalry has In the first, the same al- on news, Microsoft President they’ve allowed tens of thou- Tuesday, after a similar move Apple Inc had said in No- become unusually public in legedly Russian hackers who Brad Smith was due to fire a sands of their customers — by rival Apple Inc last year. vember that it planned to Google and Microsoft are at recent days as executives from compromised the Texas soft- shot at Google, telling repre- including government agen- Both the companies have lower its commissions for de- knives drawn. both firms have been put on ware firm SolarWinds Corp sentatives that media organi- cies in the U.S., NATO allies, come under fire from large velopers who make $1 million Driven in part by pres- the defensive over competing also took advantage of Micro- zations are being forced to banks, nonprofits, telecom- firms such as Microsoft Corp, or less in proceeds each year sure from lawmakers and crises. soft’s cloud software to break “use Google’s tools, operate munications providers, public Spotify Technology SA, as from its app store. regulators over the extraor- Google faces bipartisan into some of the company’s on Google’s ad exchanges, utilities, police, fire and rescue well as startups and smaller Fortnite creator Epic dinary power the two tech- complaints - and journalistic clients. The second, disclosed contribute data to Google’s units, hospitals and, presum- companies, that allege the Games said in a statement to nology companies wield over ire - over its role in gutting the on March 2, saw allegedly Chi- operations, and pay Google ably, news organizations — to fees deprive consumers of Reuters that Google’s move American life, the California- media industry’s advertise- nese hackers abuse previously money,” according to excerpts be actively hacked via major choices and push up the price only alleviates some of the fi- based search engine giant and ment revenue, the subject of a unknown vulnerabilities to of his testimony published by Microsoft vulnerabilities.” of apps. nancial burden of developers. Washington-based software Congressional antitrust hear- vacuum up emails from Mi- Axios. Meanwhile, Google said it Google said in a blog post “Whether it’s 15% or 30%, firm are wrestling to throw ing on Friday. crosoft customers around the Google fired back, saying would cut the service fee that that the move would cut app for apps obtained through the each other under the bus. Microsoft, meanwhile, world. that Microsoft’s “newfound it charges developers on its store fees to 15% from 30% Google Play Store, developers Tensions between Micro- faces scrutiny for its role in Addressing lawmakers interest in attacking us comes app store by half for the first effective July 1 and would im- are forced to use Google’s in- soft Corp and Alphabet-owned back-to-back cybersecurity on Friday at a House Judici- on the heels of the SolarWinds $1 million in revenue they pact most of the developers app payment services,” Epic Google have been simmering breaches. ary antitrust subcommittee attack and at a moment when earn every year, it said on on its app store. said.

wearable, foldable, washable! A scarf that speaks? Scientists develop message display fabric Agencies he told AFP. cent composite, and a conductive tions, including a dynamic sleeve Wearable electronics have weft spun from a kind of gel. display that could, for example, At first glance, the fabric looks advanced significantly in recent The two materials were woven allow a driver to view a GPS map like a pretty if not especially origi- years, and clothing incorporat- with cotton into a piece of fabric on their arm as they move around. nal scarf, with turquoise, blue and ing electronic functions including six meters long and 25 centimeters But he is hopeful the material orange stripes in an open weave. super-thin displays is already wide. could also help people overcome But this fabric can communicate. available. Applying an electrical current difficulty communicating because It’s wearable, foldable and Another study published this caused the layer on the silver- of health problems or language washable, but it’s also a fully func- week, for example, describes a plated yarn to light up where it was barriers. tioning display -- capable of flash- wearable microgrid powered by in contact with the conductive gel In one experiment with the ing messages or images, or even the sweat of the wearer. fibre. fabric, they collected brainwaves being used with a keyboard. But there are limitations to The amount of power needed from volunteers who had either The fabric, described in a study most existing products. They are to light up the display material was been playing a race car game or in the journal Nature, is the work often made by attaching or weav- limited, producing no significant meditating -- simulating a person of a team led by Huisheng Peng, ing thin film light-emitting devices The wearable, foldable and washable fabric is capable of flashing messages or heating, the authors say, and the in a stressed or relaxed state. a professor in the department of to fabrics, resulting in a material images fabric survived a number of stress When paired with a processor, macromolecular engineering at that is not breathable or very flex- tests. the waves could then be translated Shanghai’s Fudan University. ible. formulated did not display well in ate minuscule points of light where It was left in the open air for into messages displayed on the He believes it could revolu- They are also often fragile and the dark, while another fibre they the fibers of a woven cloth meet. a month, put through 100 wash- fabric reading either “relaxed” or tionise communication and “help prone to damage, and in the past came up with did not perform To make these tiny dots of light, and-dry cycles and folded 10,000 “anxious”. individuals with voice, speech or were only able to display pre- when it was woven. they needed a luminescent warp times, all without losing bright- Peng said there were several language difficulties to express determined patterns. The breakthrough came after and a conductive weft that could ness. improvements to the fabric the themselves to others”. Peng and his colleagues have examining the structure of textiles be woven together with cotton or The study says the fabric can be team would now work on, includ- “We hope that woven-fibre ma- spent a decade thinking about and the way threads intersect with similar fibers. powered with batteries or even use ing making the display brighter, terials will shape next-generation ways to improve existing technol- each other in the warp and weft of After testing different combina- solar energy. the resolution clearer, and the electronics by changing the way we ogy, experimenting with differ- a woven piece. tions, they settled on a silver-plat- But what purpose might it luminescent points available in interact with electronic devices,” ent materials. One option they The team decided to try to cre- ed yarn warp coated with lumines- serve? Peng sees a variety of op- more colours. Economy & Business Wednesday, March 17, 2021 11 US Feb retail Xi renews sales fall 3% call for after rising the crackdown month before on tech firms Agencies Agencies Americans spent less last Chinese President Xi month, partly due to bad Jinping called on the weather in parts of the country country’s regulators this that kept shoppers away from week to step up their stores. crackdown on tech com- Retail sales fell a seasonally panies and extend scruti- adjusted 3% in February from ny to all areas of financial the month before, the U.S. activity. Commerce Department said Xi stressed the need to Tuesday. The decline comes regulate “platform” com- after retail sales soared in panies to maintain social January as people spent $600 stability during a meet- stimulus checks sent at the end ing of China’s leaders on of last year. In fact, the Com- Monday, according to merce Department revised its state-owned Xinhua News January number upwards to Agency. The phrase “plat- 7.6% from its previously re- form company” in China ported rise of 5.3%. typically refers to busi- Analysts at JPMorgan nesses that offer online Chase had expected retail services for customers. sales to dip in February after The Chinese president icy weather in Texas knocked added that it was neces- out power and forced some sary to strengthen regula- stores to temporarily close. The tion of the internet sector, bank said credit and debit card according to a summary of spending fell sharply after the his remarks published by storm in Texas, as well as near- Xinhua. The state media by states, such as Arkansas and outlet reported that “all fi- Mississippi. nancial activities must be Retail sales are expected to included in financial regu- rise again in March as many lations,” according to Xi. Americans get $1,400 direct The published com- payments, part of a $1.9 trillion ments mark Xi’s first COVID-19 relief package that words on the topic since was signed into law last week. December, when he de- “With healthier and warm- scribed antitrust supervi- er days nearing, and generous sion of the digital econ- stimulus checks on their way, consumers are poised to shake off the winter chills,” wrote economists at Oxford Econom- ics. Milaha’s AMG okays distribution Wider distribution of vac- cines is also expected to boost economic growth in the sec- ond half of this year as people become less fearful of catching of dividend of QR0.3 per share the virus. There’s already signs of that happening: Employers added a robust 379,000 jobs Chinese President Xi Jinping in February, helped by a sharp The general assembly also approves appointment of PwC as external auditors for 2021 increase of hiring at restau- omy one of China’s most rants and bars, suggesting that important priorities for Tribune News Network Saad Mohammad Saad Al Ro- Americans are going out again 2021. Doha QR QR QR maihi (independent), Hamad as states relax restrictions. While Xi didn’t sin- bin Mohammad Al Mana But the Commerce Depart- gle out any company by Milaha annual general as- (non-independent), Dr Mazen ment said Tuesday that Ameri- name, his decision to dou- sembly meeting held on Tues- Jassim Jaidah (independent), cans cut spending at nearly all ble down on regulatory day saw its shareholders ap- 341 mn 2.27 bn 59 mn Hitmi Ali Khalifa Al Hitmi types of stores in February. efforts could spell more proving the distribution of a The amount to be The operating reve- The net profit (representing Ali bin Khalifa The biggest drops were at de- trouble for big tech firms dividend of QR0.3 per share. distributed as cash nue recorded by recorded by Al-Hitmi & Partners Co- non- partment and sporting goods like Alibaba (BABA) and The general assembly also dividends by Milaha Milaha in 2020 Milaha in 2020 independent) and Mohammed stores, which fell 8.4% and its financial affiliateA nt approved the appointment Ebrahim Al Sulaiti (independ- 7.5%, respectively. Even online Group, which have al- of PricewaterhouseCoopers ent). sales, which have soared nearly ready been grappling with (PwC) as external auditors for Ali Hussain Al Sada (inde- 26% in the last year, fell more increased scrutiny. 2021. edented challenges Milaha has services to ensure Sharehold- bin Khalifa bin Jassim Fahad pendent), Fahad F S Buzwair than 5% last month. Ant, which owns the Addressing the meeting navigated due to the COVID-19 ers can efficiently collect and Al Thani (representing Qatar (representing Buzwair Real The only place where sales popular digital payments held virtually, Milaha’s Chair- and its impact on the global manage their earned divi- Petroleum- non-independ- Estate – independent) and Is- rose last month were gas sta- app Alipay and has huge man Sheikh Jassim bin Ham- markets. Despite these disrup- dends. ent), Sheikh Abdulrahman bin mail Ali Al Emadi (independ- tions, up 3.6% in February. interests in online invest- ad bin Jassim Jaber Al Thani tions, the company showed At the end of its meeting, Saud Al Thani (independent), ent) were elected as reserve Sales at grocery stores were ing, insurance and con- presented an overview of the resilience to adapt to critical the general assembly elected Sheikh Suhaim bin Khaled bin members of the board. essentially flat. Tuesday’s re- sumer lending, was forced company’s activities and finan- market conditions, he said. the following Board of Direc- Hamad Al Thani (independ- The elected board appoint- tail sales report covers about to shelve a big IPO last cial results. Milaha had report- Dividend distribution will tors for the next three-year ent), Sheikh Hamad bin Mo- ed Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad a third of overall consumer November and has since ed a net profit of QR59 million commence on Wednesday term from 2021 to 2023 — hamed bin Khaled Al Thani bin Jassim Al Thani as its spending. It doesn’t include been ordered to overhaul in 2020. (March 17) through all branch- Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad (independent), Adel Ali Bin Ali Chairman and Sheikh Khalid haircuts, hotel stays and other its business. In his speech, the Chair- es of Qatar National Bank. bin Jassim Al-Thani (non- (representing Ali bin Ali Estab- bin Khalifa Al Thani as the services, which have been bad- Beijing has long been man highlighted the unprec- QNB will provide full support independent), Sheikh Khalid lishment - non-independent), Vice Chairman. ly hurt by the pandemic. concerned that the influ- ence tech firms have over the financial sector makes that industry vulnerable — Ant, for example, now MADLSA organises awareness webinar for Qatari entrepreneurs commands more than half of the mobile payments QNA of employers and employees. would provide the right and have been provided, especially in the labor market, and to important laws, legislation market in China — and of- Doha In the webinar, the par- complete information to Qa- in the aspect of the procedures provide the opportunity for and procedures followed by ficials have been looking ticipants learned about the tari entrepreneurs, Labour followed, pointing out that the entrepreneurs’ inquiries in the State, in order to preserve for ways to rein them in. The Ministry of Administra- ministry’s role and compe- Relations Department Direc- MAIt supports the owners of this area to be answered by the rights of all parties, as fa- Regulators may soon tive Development, Labour tence in the field of labour and tor Abdullah Al Dossary said Qatari initiatives, as the Min- specialists. miliarity with these laws is require Ant to behave and Social Affairs (MADLSA), the most prominent services the platform facilitates com- istry worked to remove the He said that entrepre- considered a skill for success, more like a traditional in cooperation with Bedaya it provides. The webinar also munication with and help problems that occur to some neurs and project owners face which results in a distinctive Chinese bank than a tech Centre for Entrepreneurship reviewed the most important clarify many of the procedures procedures, while providing some difficulties indealing atmosphere for projects. company, suggesting and Career Development, has labour laws and legislation and laws followed in the coun- explanation and adequate in- with the affairs of their em- The webinar comes within strict curbs on its busi- organised a webinar on la- in the country, as well as the try. formation for everyone. ployees administratively, for the framework of the Minis- ness. The company is also bour sector services and pro- procedures adopted by the He said this would open For his part, Board Mem- several reasons, an therefore, try’s efforts to support owners dealing with a recent cor- cedures. relevant departments in the new horizons for entrepre- ber and General Manager of they have cooperated with of Qatari initiatives, and to re- porate shakeup: CEO Si- The webinar aims at edu- labour sector in the ministry neurs and correct some con- Bedaya Center Abdulla Faleh the Ministry of Administra- view the services they provide mon Hu resigned late last cating Qatari entrepreneurs that support Qatari entrepre- cepts, since all the information Al Saeed said that this webi- tive Development, Labour and to the labor sector, periodi- week for personal reasons. of labour laws and legislation neurs. and methods that would pave nar aims to shed light on the Social Affairs to inform the cally through a visual commu- that would preserve the rights Hailing the initiatives that the way for entrepreneurs laws and procedures followed participants about the most nication system. Ford partners with U-M on robotics research, new building Agencies On the top floor are Ford Ken Washington, Ford’s chief versity’s Ann Arbor campus Dearborn, Michigan-based researchers and engineers and technology officer. brings together researchers Ford and other automakers Digit marches on two legs the automaker’s first robotics “We are going to be work- from 23 buildings and 10 pro- are investing billions of dollars across the floor of the Univer- and mobility research lab on a ing on drone technology, walk- grams into one space. Those in autonomous vehicles. and sity of Michigan’s Ford Motor university campus. ing robots, roving robots, all working on two-legged disas- robotics is expected to play a Co. Robotics Building, while Together, they will work to types of robots in this facility ter response robots can test major role in their develop- Mini-Cheetah — staccato-like develop robots and roboticists and the ways in which they can them on a 30-mph (48-kph) ment. Ford announced in Feb- — does the same on four and that help make lives better, make people’s lives better,” treadmill studded with ob- ruary that it was autonomous the yellow-legged Cassie steps keep people safer and build Washington added. “And we’ll stacles or on a stair-stepped vehicle investment to $7 bil- deliberately side-to-side. a more equitable society, the do it in a way that addresses “robot playground” designed lion, from sensing systems to A grand opening was held school and automaker an- questions and fears around with the help of artificial intel- specific research into applica- Tuesday for the four-story, nounced Tuesday. safety and security. The more ligence. tions such as Digit, a spokes- $75 million, 134,000-square- “As we all drive and use people see how these robots Biomedical engineers are man said. foot (11,429-square-meter) our vehicles and go about our can interact with society and looking at developing lighter, In November, Ford re- complex. Three floors house day-to-day lives, I’m sure all interact with humans, the more stable prosthetic legs. vealed plans to transform classrooms and research labs of us have moments in our more comfortable they’ll get Ford engineers are exploring a long-vacant Detroit book for robots that fly, walk, roll day where we could use a little with them.” how upright Digit robots can warehouse into a hub for auto- Robots walk across the floor of the University of Michigan’s Ford Mo- and augment the human body. help or a little assistance,” said The building on the uni- work in human spaces. mobile innovation. tor Co. Robotics Building in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Jos Buttler guides England to easy T20I win over India page 14

WEDNESday, MARCH 17, 2021 Al Wakrah extend winning run with 2-0 win over Al Gharafa Tribune News Network Done

Much to their coach’s con- fidence and predictiom, Al Wakrah continued their good run on Tuesday as they up- staged Al Gharafa 2-0 in their Week 21 clash of QNB Stars League 2020-21 at the Al Du- Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane. hail Stadium on Tuesday. Mohamed Benyettou (46th minute) and Abdulrahman Sane gaining in Mohammed (62nd minute) scored the goals as Al Wakrah improved their points tally to confidence with 22 with their sixth victory. The win saw Al Wakrah stretch their unbeaten run to Bayern; Neuer a four matches, having drawn with Qatar SC goalless, beaten Al Sailiya 1-0 and held newly- doubt for Lazio crowned champions Al Sadd to a 1-1 draw in Weeks 17, 18 DPA and have good players. We’re and 19 respectively. Munich all highly motivated and want to pick up where we left off after Bayern Munich winger Leroy the first leg.” Sane feels he is beginning to Sane scored in that match Mohamed Benyettou (46th minute) and Abdulrahman Mohammed (62nd minute) scored for the Cheetahas against Al Gharafa in their QNB show his best form for the Eu- earlier this month and several Stars League match at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Tuesday. ropean champions as the sea- recent Bundesliga assists con- son enters its decisive phase. firm his belief he is “picking “I’m feeling better and bet- up” his form. ter, and have had time to get “For me at the beginning it to know the team and how we was generally a tick harder be- play,” the 25-year-old said on cause I didn’t have the match Tuesday. rhythm from before,” he said. “We get along very well off Coach Hansi Flick mean- the pitch as well. Everyone is while is anxious for victory to prepared to work hard, which extend Bayern’s four-game benefits us all.” winning streak with Bundes- Al Gharafa remained on Sane joined Bayern last liga title rivals RB Leipzig 30 points and missed another summer and needed time to waiting in their next but one chance to return to the top four. adapt following both his move domestic fixture on April 3. It was The Cheetahs’ from Manchester City and a “We want to win this game eighth defeat. They had lost torn cruciate ligament from as well,” said Flick. “We’re in 1-3 to Al Ahli in Week 19. August 2019. the midst of a good run and The match was originally Bayern host Lazio in the want to continue it. Especially scheduled for 6th April along second leg of the Champions since we’re at home, we really with other Week 21 games, League last 16 on Wednesday want to win to further build but was rescheduled in view of with progress seemingly inevi- our self-confidence.” Al Gharafa’s play-off with Uz- table after a crushing 4-1 vic- Goalkeeper captain Ma- bekistan’s FC AGMK in Doha tory in Rome. nuel Neuer trained indoors on April 7, 2021, for a berth Al Wakrah improved their points tally in the QNB Stars Should Bayern secure their on Friday due to a slight cold in the 2021 AFC Champions place in Friday’s quarter-final while winger Kinsley Coman League group stage. League to 22 with their sixth victory being placed 9th. draw, they will take sole pos- also did not train with the The first real chance of session of the record number squad due to “some muscle is- the match came Al Gharafa’s ond-half play by fielding Omar played a one-two with him be- of last eight appearances in sues,” according to Flick. way in the 18th minute, but Ali and Mohammed Emad, fore finding the target after out- the Champions League with “We will have to wait and a shot by Ahmed Al Janehi, and the move immediately playing rival defenders Homam 19. They currently share the see, but are hoping that both after he was put through by paid off as the former assisted and Yousef Muftah. record of 18 with already- will be able to feature tomor- Sofiane Hanni, was saved by Benyettou for the first goal Al Gharafa then effected eliminated Barcelona. row.” Should Neuer be pro- Al Wakrah goalkeeper Saoud with a cross from the right. a few substitutions, including Germany international tected, it would likely mean a Al Khater who exhibited good Al Wakrah were on the that of their spearhead Jona- Sane insisted despite holding third appearance for Bayern reflex. Homam was at it again in For Al Wakrah, Benyettou, surge and Benyettou headed than Kodjia, but failed to find a comfortable advantage, Bay- back-up keeper Alexander Three minutes later, Al the 24th minute, but this time, Abdulrahman Mohammed over a Murad Naji corner kick a breakthrough. ern would not ease up. Nuebel, who has so far only Gharafa’s young star Homam he hit wide of the far post from and Khalid Muneer made un- in the 50th minute. Al Gharafa had beaten Al “It’s a Champions League played in the first round of the Al Ameen came up with a the left. successful attempts at the goal Benyettou played a signifi- Wakrah 1-0 in the first leg of game,” he said. “Everyone German Cup and a dead rub- long-range grounder and Al Al Gharafa attacked mostly in the first half. cant role in the second goal too, 2020-21 season QNB Stars knows that anything can hap- ber in the Champions League Khater pouched it. through the wings. Al Wakrah came on for sec- as Abdulrahman Mohammed League. pen. “Lazio are a strong side group phase. He’s back: Sweden comeback for veteran Ibrahimovic

DPA Ibrahimovic - Sweden’s Stockholm First and foremost, he is a very good football all-time top goalscorer - stepped down from the na- Veteran forward Zla- player, the best we have had in Sweden. Of course tional squad after Euro 2016, tan Ibrahimovic has been re- it’s great that he wanted to return. having chalked up a record 62 called to the Sweden squad goals in 116 appearances. for the first time since retiring Sweden’s coach Janne Andersson “It’s great that Zlatan is from international football in back. He is a leader who will 2016. lift us all. After months of specula- Andersson said Sweden check his status: “He gave the Fantastic for Swedish tion, Sweden coach Janne An- will “focus on each upcoming go-ahead to be selected. I am football, in my eyes he is still dersson on Tuesday called up match, one at a time.” Ibrahi- happy about that.” Ibrahimov- one of the world’s best strik- the 39-year-old Ibrahimovic After months of movic could also be involved ic currently plays for AC Milan ers,” RB Leipzig midfielder for upcoming World Cup speculation, Sweden in Euro 2020, delayed to this in Italy’s Serie A, where he is Emil Forsberg told SVT. qualifiers against Georgia and coach Janne summer due to the coronavi- the club’s top scorer. Familiar names in the Kosovo, and a friendly against Andersson on Tuesday rus pandemic, where Sweden A return for Ibrahimovic Sweden squad include Ever- Estonia. called up the 39-year- meet Spain, Poland and Slo- has been on the cards, and ton goalkeeper Robin Olsen, “First and foremost, he is a old Ibrahimovic for vakia. speculation was fuelled after defender Mikael Lustig and very good football player, the Broadcaster SVT quoted he in November said that he midfielder Sebastian Lars- best we have had in Sweden,” upcoming World Andersson warning the Eu- missed playing for the nation- son of Swedish top-flight side Andersson told the Swedish Cup qualifiers against ros “are some months off. But al team in a newspaper inter- AIK, Manchester United de- Football Association’s website. Georgia and Kosovo, since he has said yes, that also view. fender Victor Lindelof, Ju- “Of course it’s great that he and a friendly against means the Euros.” However, Andersson met Ibrahi- ventus’s Dejan Kulusevski, wanted to return,” the coach Estonia. Sweden’s run to the quarter- movic in November in Milan and forwards Marcus Berg of added, noting that “in addi- finals of the 2018 World Cup a few days after the interview, Krasnodar and Real Socie- tion to what he can contribute in Russia - without their tal- and apparently cleared the air. dad’s Alexander Isak. on the pitch he has an incred- A file photo of Sweden’s forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action during the Euro 2016 group E match against isman - was their best perfor- “He will play forward in Andersson said compe- ible lot of experience.” Belgium at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, France. (AFP) mance since they reached the our national team. In recent tition was fierce among the In a post on Twitter, Ibra- last eight of Euro 2004 with years, he has adapted his players, which would make it himovic posted a photo of low wall of Swedish specta- Andersson announced his cation at home on March 25, Ibrahimovic on board. game to be higher up in the “even harder to select a team. himself in the national jersey tors, with the words “The re- 26-strong squad as Sweden hosting Georgia, and three Andersson said he talked pitch, taking his age into con- I’m glad we have so many against the backdrop of a yel- turn of the God.” open their World Cup qualifi- days later play Kosovo away. to Ibrahimovic on Monday to sideration,” Andersson said. players to choose from.” Sports Wednesday, March 17, 2021 13 Euro 2020 still planned in 12 Atletico out to do to Chelsea cities, says UEFA’s Koch DPA what they did to Liverpool Berlin

DPA European football govern- Barcelona ing body UEFA still intends to use 12 cities across the Atletico Madrid will try to continent for Euro 2020 this channel the same energy that summer despite the corona- saw them knock then-holders virus pandemic, according to Liverpool out of the Champi- executive committee member ons League last year when they Rainer Koch. face Chelsea on Wednesday. “The goal remains to be “We have to remember able to hold onto the mode of what we did against Liverpool the event,” Koch, a vice presi- last season,” said midfielder dent in the German federation Marcos Llorente on the club’s (DFB) told dpa. in-house media channel. The 62-year-old conceded “We showed we are capa- it was too early for “final state- ble of winning these games. ments” but “the time factor is We will really go for it and get one that makes me optimistic, the victory.” the effect of the vaccines will Atletico Madrid beat Liver- be much stronger in a couple pool 3-2 at Anfield, after extra- of weeks.” It is not clear when time, last March to reach the UEFA will make a final decision Champions League quarter-fi- almost exactly a year on from nals with a final 4-2 scoreline. the March 17, 2020, executive But this time it will be tougher committee meeting which de- because against Liverpool they layed the Euros 12 months to had beaten them 1-0 at home. June 11-July 11, 2021. In the home leg against UEFA said it would “most Chelsea (played in Bucharest probably” be in the next couple because of Spain’s ban on of weeks with president Alek- travellers entering the country sander Ceferin recently saying from the United Kingdom), a April 20 was the deadline. Atletico lost 1-0. Various reports, denied by “In the big games we have UEFA, have suggested some shown that when things take venues could be dropped or the a bad turn we can respond,” tournament hosted in one coun- added Llorente. try to limited the need to travel Atletico will need to be during the global health crisis. more positive than in the first But in Croatian media leg when coach Diego Simeone Ceferin spoke of “multiple sce- was criticized for his cautious narios” for the Euros which, approach. however, must include fans Atletico Madrid had six at games. “Every host has to across the back at times Atletico Madrid’s players take part in a training session at the club’s training ground in Majadahonda on Tuesday, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg guarantee that,” he said in a against Thomas Tuchel’s match against Chelsea. (AFP) quote confirmed by UEFA. team and strikers Luis Suarez Unlike a year ago, the de- and Joao Felix were isolated rasco and Kieran Trippier con- bled in the domestic competi- cision is not quite as clear cut in attack. tinue as wing-backs. Diego Simeone’s side were victorious at Anfield last season. They will tion dropping 11 points in their this time. The 21-year-old Portu- It will be a special night need another big performance at Stamford Bridge but the Spanish club’s last eight games and seeing their “With the halt of league guese striker started in the for Trippier, who is back on players believe they can knock Chelsea out despite a first-leg defeat. lead over second-placed Barce- competitions and European first leg and is likely to line- English soil having missed the lona reduced from 13 to just four club competitions early March up alongside Suarez again at first leg because of a 10-week points with 11 games left. 2020, it was immediately clear Stamford Bridge as Simeone ban imposed on him by the player for so long despite the the English club in Europe but interview published over the The Champions League to me that the existential dan- tries to find a way to get his Football Association (FA) for fact that he was not theirs when meant he did not miss a single weekend. His return should could distract from that title gers for clubs, leagues and na- team back in the tie. contravening their strict regu- he broke the FA betting rules. England match. steady Atletico Madrid who charge in La Liga but Simeone tional associations could only Llorente will start in mid- lations on betting. The ban was especially “It was really bad and I’ve failed to keep a clean sheet will not want to sacrifice the be avoided through acting field with Koke and Geoffrey Atletico Madrid were upset hard to take as it kept Trip- got no excuse,” Trippier told while he was out of the team. competition he is so desperate together and with solidarity,” Kondogbia while Yannick Car- that they had to be without their pier out of the game against The Times in England in an Simeone’s side have wob- to win after two losing finals. said Koch. Koch said the situation had changed compared to ear- ly 2020. “We are first and foremost ‘Stop reading’ - Tuchel pandemic-tested, today we Teen sensations Musiala, Wirtz have solutions in the form of rubbishes reports Werner tried and tested hygiene con- cepts for almost every situa- set for Germany call-ups; Hansi tion - which is not least thanks could leave Chelsea to the German task force of the DFB and DFL (German foot- DPA a situation like this, this can ball league, the first to resume Flick backs Streich as coach London affect his self-confidence of last May), he said. course, but what does it help? While Koch hopes to have Thomas Tuchel insists Timo “The clear advice from at least some fans in stadiums Werner has no cause for frus- us is don’t focus on the re- for the matches, he cautioned tration at Chelsea, dismissing sult, focus on the process, get the “prerequisite ... is that the claims the Blues striker could your decision-making right, pandemic situation allows it.” head back to Germany in the get your technique right, take Munich, Amsterdam, Baku, summer. good decisions and the ball Bilbao, Budapest, Bucharest, Werner has struck just two and the opponent’s goalkeeper Dublin, Glasgow, Copenhagen, goals in his last 26 Chelsea will do the rest. Rome, St Petersburg and Lon- appearances, with the 53-mil- “And then it’s either in or don, which has the semi-finals lion-pounds recruit struggling it’s an amazing save. and final are the host cities. with his finishing. “He can improve from But Chelsea boss Tuchel there, but there is simply no has told the 25-year-old to time to reflect on what is going stop worrying and “focus on to happen in the summer and the process” of rediscovering next year. There’s no time. Quick read his scoring touch. “In the moment I don’t see When quizzed on Tuesday why he should be frustrated. Sheffield and Bayern Munich’s German midfielder Jamal Musiala. whether there is any truth in We gave him a little time to Southampton fined rumours that Werner is un- breathe against Leeds. by FA after incident DPA Musiala had made his decision happy in west London, Tuchel “But right now, I don’t at Bramall Lane Munich without the promise of imme- replied: “Stop reading! Read see why he should be too diate selection. a book! “There is no book on frustrated. London: SheffieldU nited Teenage sensations Jamal Wirtz, a year younger, is Timo, so read a book! For “And honestly, nobody and Southampton have been Musiala of Bayern Munich more of a surprise but the Timo, I think he has no reason here is blaming the strikers. fined 20,000 pounds (27,800 and Florian Wirtz of Bayer midfielder was left out of now to be frustrated because This is a team effort to attack dollars) each by the Football As- Leverkusen could be handed the under-21 squad for the he played an amazing match and defend, but we expect our sociation following their flare-up senior call-ups to the Germa- group stage of the European against Liverpool, maybe his guys to create more chances, at Bramall Lane. ny squad for coming World Championships at the end of best match since I arrived. to be more decisive because The clubs were charged for Cup qualifiers, coach Joachim this month. “Then he had a good match we expect the defenders to a breach of FA rule E20 after Loew said on Tuesday. Bayern Munich boss Han- against Everton with a lot of play on the highest level and tempers boiled over late on in “I think you can already si Flick, himself a candidate chances to score, which he so we also expect that of our Saints’ 2-0 win on March 6. say that we are planning to replace Loew as Germany Leverkusen’s normally is clinical enough strikers. The incident came in the first of with them both,” Loew told coach, meanwhile backed German forward and strong enough. “And then maybe all the three minutes added on when RTL/ntv. Freiburg’s Christian Streich as Florian Wirtz. (AFP) “He did not score, okay, in stuff you read will disappear.” United midfielder John Fleck Looking ahead to Euro a potential successor to Loew fouled Southampton forward 2020 delayed to this sum- on the national bench. Che Adams. mer, Loew said it would be “I would trust Christian Fleck was shown a yellow card “good that I see them a couple with everything,” Flick told a for the challenge, checked by of days with us, how they do news conference. VAR, but Saints’ players sur- in our circle, that is perhaps “He has enormous qual- mented for the first time on in the Champions League on rounded referee Paul Tierney a good finger to point in the ity, he has an idea of how he Monday about the possibility Wednesday. demanding more, with Blades direction of the tournament.” wants to play football, from of losing the treble-winning “I have said everything striker Oli McBurnie and A call-up for 18-year-old mid- that I would trust him with Flick to Germany. I have to say, that’s why I want Southampton defender Jannik fielder Musiala for the quali- everything.” Streich, 55, has “We would be crazy if say any more on this subject.” Vestergaard booked for their fiers against Iceland (March been Freiburg boss since 2011 we let our coach go ahead of Flick had previously said he reactions. 25), Romania (March 28) and and established his side in the time,” he told dpa. wished to focus on Bayern but The FA said: “Both clubs admit- North Macedonia (March 31) Bundesliga despite a relega- Flick, a former assistant did not explicitly rule out re- ted failing to ensure that their has been expected since Loew tion in 2015. to Loew with Germany, did placing Loew, who will stand players conducted themselves convinced him to pick Germa- Bayern chairman Karl- not want to enter the debate down after the Euros, ending in an orderly fashion during the ny over England for his inter- Heinz Rummenigge, after on his future. “I’ve said every- a reign from 2006 which in- 90th minute and accepted the national future. talks with German federation thing on this topic,” he said as cluded the World Cup triumph Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner is fouled by Leeds United’s standard penalty.” (DPA) Loew, however, insisted president Fritz Keller, com- Bayern prepare to host Lazio of 2014. Macedonian midfielder Ezgjan Alioski (R) on Saturday.( AFP) 14 Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Sports

QFA President meets Morocco’s Ambassador to Qatar

Hungary’s Bence Majoros celebrate his Tokyo 2020 qualification at the World Singles Qualification Tournament at Lusail on Tuesday. Hungary’s Majoros joins list of Tokyo 2020 qualifiers with roaring win in Doha The President of Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani on Tuesday morning received in his office HE Mohamed Setri, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco. The meeting was attended by Ali Daoud, Executive Director of the Office of QFA President. The QFA president received the Moroccan ambassador seeking to ITTF no.10 seed Panagiotis Gionis strengthen the existing relations between the two sides. The cordial meeting included discussions of many common topics of interest. The visiting ambassador praised the important Doha in the knock-out 3 final. role of the State of Qatar at the sporting level, indicating that Doha has become one of the most popular cities on the world stage which confirms Qatar’s ability to organize a wonder- Gionis sensed a change in ful version of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. He expressed his happiness that the FIFA World Cup will be organized by an Arab country for the first time in 2022. The ambassador said Hungary’s Bence Majoros approach was necessary, up- his country extends full support to Qatar as it prepares to host the World Cup. The meeting also discussed strengthening means of cooperation between the two sides in various fields scored an important win over ping the pace a little in search in light of the fraternal relationship between the two countries. At the end of the meeting, the Moroccan ambassador was presented with a QFA shield as a souvenir. (QFA) Belgium’’s Florent Lambiet of an opening but Wang was (11-6, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8) at ready to deal with whatever the World Singles Qualifica- came his way and would not tion Tournament in Doha on be stopped from winning 3-11, Tuesday 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7. Meeting in the men’s sin- Majoros, Jancarik and gles knock-out 2 final, Majoros Yang have all done enough to and Lambiet, seeded 15th and seal qualification inD oha – as Buttler’s 83* guides 32nd respectively, needed no for the three defeated finalists, further inspiration with the they will have to go again in winner claiming their ticket to the second knock-out stage as the Japanese capital. the stakes rise further still. Off to a thunderous start, Majoros built momentum with every passing game and even England to easy win when signs of a Lambiet re- sponse did begin to emerge the ANI Hungarian refused to let up. Ahmedabad Arms in the air and a loud roar following the final point, Ma- Jos Buttler and Jonny joros can now rest easy know- Bairstow struck unbeaten ing his place on the Olympic knocks of 83 and 40 runs re- Games stage is assured. spectively as England secured “It’s a dream come true. a comfortable eight-wicket Before I came here, it was a win over India in the third difficult period, because I was Vladimir Sidorenko. T20I at the Narendra Modi injured and couldn’t practise a Stadium on Tuesday evening. lot and my start at the Middle Russian teen Sidorenko’s With this win, England East Hub and this event was run comes to an end have now gained a 2-1 lead in really in danger. But I was just Later, Russian teenager the five-match series. very happy that I was able to Vladimir Sidorenko’s impres- Both teams will now meet play and control my emotions. sive run at the World Singles in the fourth T20I on Thurs- I was just really focused,” said Qualification Tournament day which will be played at the Bnce Majoros. drew to an agonising halt as he same venue. Also making the grade was lost to Britain’s Liam Pitchford Chasing 157, England Lubomir Jancarik following 4-1 (11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4) openers Jason Roy and Jos another rousing performance in their men’s singles second Buttler put on 23 runs for the from the Czech player in the stage knock-out quarter-final. first wicket, but the introduc- knock-out 1 final. Claiming major scalps ear- tion of Yuzvendra Chahal paid Seeded 30th for the draw, lier in the tournament with off straight away when he dis- England’s Jos Buttler (right) is greeted by India’s Yuzvendra Chahal at the end of the third Twenty20 International at the Narendra Modi Stadium Jancarik came up against mighty performances against missed Roy (9) in the fourth in Motera on Tuesday. England lead the five-game series 2-1.( AFP) a man seeded 18 positions the likes of Nigeria’s Quadri over as the right-handed bats- higher in Ukraine’s Kou Lei Aruna and another British man was trying to play a re- with set Buttler ensured that with the score on 86/5 in 14.3 hit a single cross-batted shot for just four runs as he skied but wasn’t at all fazed by the hopeful in Paul Drinkhall, verse-sweep. England did not suffer from overs and what followed was and banked on his technique one behind the wicket and prospect. 18-year-old Sidorenko has This dismissal, however, more hiccups and in the end, nothing short of a master-class to send the English bowlers on Buttler made no mistake. Game two proved the most shown he is more than capable did not bring about a check the visitors crossed the line on power-hitting. Interest- a leather hunt. Kohli and Rishabh Pant tried dramatic of the tie as Kou suc- of competing with the world in the run-flow, as Buttler with eight balls to spare. But- ingly, it was Hardik who played Put into bat, the hosts once to rebuild the innings and cessfully saved five game points elite in the Qatari capital. went berserk and the visitors’ tler and Bairstow stitched an second-fiddle in their 70-run again had a poor start as they stitched a 40-run stand. Just before going on to hold one of Besting Pitchford, how- scored read 57/1 at the end of unbeaten stand of 77 runs for partnership off just 33 balls as lost three wickets inside the when things started to look his own which, if he had taken, ever, proved one step too far the powerplay. the third wicket. Kohli went on a hitting spree. powerplay. Openers KL Rahul good for the hosts, Pant got could have swung the advan- with the top seed from Ches- Dawid Malan and Buttler Earlier, skipper Virat Koh- This was India’s highest sixth- and Rohit Sharma were back run-out trying to steal a third tage in his favour. But Jancarik terfield restricting the young stitched together a stand of 58 li’s unbeaten knock of 77 runs wicket partnership in T20Is. in the hut inside the opening run. With India struggling at kept his cool, going on to res- Russian to under five points in runs for the second wicket, but off just 46 balls helped India India’s score read 87/5 go- five overs. While Rahul de- 86/4 in the 14th over, Wood cue the game and never looked all but one game. Malan’s (18) vigil at the crease post 156/6 in the allotted 20 ing into the last five with Kohli parted for his third duck of the was brought into the attack, back from that moment on (11- Next up for Pitchford is was finally cut short in the 10th overs. Down and out going into on 28 off 29 balls and Hardik series, Rohit playing his first and he removed Shreyas Iyer 5, 14-12, 11-9, 11-6). a semi-final play-off against over by Washington Sundar as the last five overs of the innings, yet to open his account. And at white-ball match for India as the hosts lost half the side. The third final of the Greek defender Panagiotis he had the left-handed bats- Kohli led from the front in all- the end of the innings, Kohli since February last year got Scores: India 156/6 (Virat morning session saw two of Gionis, who secured his spot man stumped, reducing Eng- rounder Hardik Pandya’s com- was standing unbeaten on 77 out after hitting two fours as Kohli 77*, Rishabh Pant 25, the European continent’s fin- in the final four with victory land to 81/2, still 76 runs away pany as the duo added 69 runs off 46 balls with eight bounda- Mark Wood picked his second Mark Wood 3-31) lost to Eng- est defenders go head-to-head over Romania’s Ovidiu Iones- from the target. from 30 balls to take the hosts’ ries and four sixes. wicket of the day. land 158/2 (Jos Buttler 83*, as Slovakia’s Wang Yang, no.6 cu (12-10, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 17- Bairstow came out to bat total past the 150-run mark. It was a complete class on Ishan Kishan, who had a Jonny Bairstow 40*, Washington seed, stood opposite Greek 19, 12-10). at number four and he along Hardik had joined Kohli batsmanship as Kohli didn’t dream debut on Sunday, fell Sundar 1-26) by 8 wkts. Indian Sports Centre kicks off golf week at Doha Golf Club

Tribune News Network Doha

Under the Patronage of the Embassy of India, the Indian Sports Centre (ISC) Head of Golf Rukkaiya Pachisa kicked off Matchday-1 of the 4th In- dia Cup Golf Week, where 36 golfers participated in a 4 Person Team Texas Scramble Event at the Doha Golf Club Indian Sports Centre India Cup kids’ coaching camp. over the weekend. The Team of Kunal Bha- Special Prizes went to (Ambassador of Croatia to Qa- Captain Clark White and QGL tia, Azfar Ali, Partho Saha, Akshay Randeva for ‘longest tar) and Guest of Honour Cap- President Manoj Megchiani, and Rakesh Wagh overcame drive’, Gatik Kher for ‘longest tain Mohan Atla (Defence At- ensured that the Tournament Indian Sports Centre India Cup Golf Tournament Matchday 1 winners’ group. stiff competition to emerge putt’, Rukkaiya Pachisa for tache at the Embassy of India) was conducted in fair and ef- victorious in the competi- ‘closest to rope’, and Navin gave away prizes to the win- ficient manner. R adio Olive Camp for School Children at sponsors- Land Royal Prop., Finale at the Doha Golf Club tion. The Team of Akshay Bajaj for ‘closest to pin’. ners in the presence of other Suno are the official media the Doha Golf Club over the Rusiya Group and ITI Group. Championship Course on 19th Randeva, Subash Randeva, ISC President Dr. Mohan Embassy and ISC Officials. partners of the Event. Weekend, jointly conducted The ISC India Cup Golf Week March for the Title of Inida Chandrashekar Angadi and Thomas hosted a prize distri- Tournament Director San- As part of its week-long by PGA Golf Pros Mike Elliott will culminate with Matchday Cup Singles Champion. Nagesh Shetty were declared bution dinner for all golfers. jay Jain, assisted by Qatar Na- celebration of Golf, ISC also and Reb Sotelo Bareng. 2, when 40 Golfers are expect- More details on www.isc- as the runners-up. Chief Guest H.E. Drago Lovric tional Coach Anwar Ali, QGL organized a Golf Coaching We thank our annual ed to participate in the Grand qatar.qa Wednesday, March 17, 2021 15 Reports by L N Mallick For events and press releases email [email protected] or L N Mallick Pakistan Prism L N Mallick call (974) 4000 2222 L N Mallick PEF Qatar hosts webinar on ‘Implications of Technological Evolution in Societies’

Pakistan Engineers Forum has invited Qatar-based engineers to come forward and use its platform to host webinars or presentations

akistan En- new inventions in the tech in- gineers Forum dustry in form of microchips (PEF) Qatar re- and hand-held devices to cently organised name a few. a webinar on ‘Im- The rapid technological Pplications of Technological evolution in the past few dec- Evolution in Societies’ in coor- ades, Dr Ahmad noted, has dination with Rana Anwar Ali. placed serious implications As a host, Rana welcomed on human societies. “Tech- the executive committee mem- nological advancements have bers of PEF and guest speaker brought ease and comfort in Dr Ahmad Javaid. our lives but these inventions Dr Ahmad is a cyber se- are rapidly eating up several curity strategist specialising common man jobs,” he said. in Digital Trust, Cyber Secu- The other topics dis- The webinar concluded rity, Data Privacy, Business cussed on the day were with a question and answer Resilience and Information whether technology changes session. Assurance. He has addressed people’s social behaviour and PEF is planning to hold its various regional conferences should downsizing technolo- next webinar on ‘Construction and local chapters of ISACA gy be recognised for improv- Industry and the COVID-19’ and BCI. He has held senior ing the quality of life. on March 24. Those interested positions in welfare and com- Dr Ahmad also discussed to seek membership details or munity organisations work- how secure it is to use tech- any other information can visit ing for social impact. nology for day-to-day life re- the PEF website: www.pefqatar. The webinar commenced quirements. com. with a brief introduction of The future of technology, PEF is a non-political and PEF by President Javed Iqbal. he pointed out, is based on A non-commercial group of Pa- He explained the challenges in (ArtificialI ntelligence), B (Big kistani engineers working in organising programmes dur- Data Analytics) and C (Cloud Qatar. It functions under the ing 2019-2020, initially due to Computing and Cyber Secu- patronage of the Pakistani em- some internal issues and later rity). He concluded the discus- bassy. It organises all Pakistani due to COVID-19 restrictions. sion with a message that eve- engineers working in Qatar on He said that PEF will be ryone should contribute their one platform and promotes holding a series of engineering role in better use of technol- professional contacts between webinars soon, and extended ogy. PEF executive committee the members. Besides organ- an invitation to Qatar-based members including PEF Pres- ising technical seminars and engineers to come forward and ident Javed Iqbal, Vice Presi- webinars, PEF also protects use the PEF platform to host dent Qaiser Anwar, General and promotes the interests of webinars or presentations. Secretary Ghaiyas Rao, Tahir the members and plays an im- On the request of the host, Jamil and Rana Anwar also portant role in promoting Pa- Dr Ahmad explained the pro- expressed their views on the kistani technical expertise. The cess of technological evolution current technological trends forum also highlights opportu- in the current society and the followed in societies. nities for its members.

akistan Overseas Community (POC), a the development of Pakistan,” said Qatar Chapter non-political, non-religious and non-profit President Ikram Butt. Porganisation with its central secretariat Under the leadership of POC chairman Mian Pakistan Overseas Community in London and Lahore, established its Qatar Tariq Javed, the forum is working on various is- Chapter recently. sues including representing and promoting the Besides Pakistan, POC has its members and interests of overseas Pakistanis and is working representative chapters all around the world. for the welfare of the overseas Pakistanis. establishes Qatar Chapter The names of Qatar chapter office- POC Global is currently working on bearers were announced at a function sociopolitical and welfare projects held recently. They include: Ikram that include providing voting rights Butt (President), Fahad Amin (Senior to overseas Pakistanis in general Vice President), Shafqat Bhatti (Vice and local body elections in Pakistan; President), Muhammad Muddasar to earn representation in Pakistan (Vice President), Tabinda Shafiq as qualified individuals in Senate, (President, Women Wing), Asif Is- National and Provincial Assemblies mail (President, Youth Wing), Ejaz In- of Pakistan, and to pursue govern- ayat (General Secretary), Imran Rashid ment to introduce a pension system in (Joint Secretary), Abdullah Tarar (Information Pakistan for overseas Pakistanis working in the Secretary), Khalid Mahmood (Finance Secre- Middle East in case of retirement, redundancy tary), Kashif Mirza (Secretary Member Affairs), or death, said Butt. Imtiaz Khawaja, Waqar Moghul, Ikram Khan Apart from this, office-bearers and members and Syed Faiz (Executive Members). will contribute to social activities in Qatar and Pa- “POC is a unique effort to connect over- kistan focused on supporting community mem- seas Pakistanis and to represent them in Paki- bers who are in need of medical facilities, proper stan. The purpose of the association is to cre- education, marriage issues and job and visa re- ate a platform where overseas Pakistanis can lated assistance. connect with each other and develop mutual links More information about the forum is available to better resolve local issues and to participate in on the website: www.poc.com.pk. 16 Wednesday, March 17, 2021 The Last Word

Amir visits Milipol Qatar 2021

he Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday visited Tthe 13th edition of international exhibi- tion for homeland security and civil defence (Milipol Qatar 2021) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. HH the Amir was briefed on the pavilions and sections of the exhibition as well as the lat- est innovations and technologies exhibited by local and international companies in the fields of security, safety, cybersecurity and civil de- fence devices and equipment, and major event security management, in addition to a number of modern military armoured vehicles, weap- ons and armoured cars. HH the Amir was accompanied by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and a number of senior officials. (QNA)

Prime Minister Meets Ministers of Interior

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on Tuesday met with a number of ministers of interior and senior officials of the countries participating in the 13th edition of international exhibition for homeland security and civil defence, Milipol Qatar 2021. The Prime Minister met separately with Minister of Interior of Ukraine Arsen Avakov, Minister of Interior of Kenya Fred Matiang’i, Minister of Interior of Belarus Major-General Ivan Vladimirovich Kubrakov, Minis- ter of Interior of Moldova Pavel Fico, Minister of Internal Security of the Republic of the Federal Reserve Hassan Handabi Jamaali, Minister of Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr Selmo Cikotic, and Director of General Directorate of Security of Turkey Mehmet Aktas. The meetings reviewed cooperation relations between Qatar and their countries and the prospects of developing them, especially in the security field, in addition to a number of topics of common concern.(QNA) Pakistan minister lauds Milipol Italy’s Leonardo explains C5I-based Tribune News Network the biggest issues in the world and all Doha these things are well on time and a lot of companies are taking security system at Milipol seminar Pakistani Minister of part from around the Interior Sheikh Ahmed world. Even the partici- Rasheed Ahmed has laud- pation of Qatari compa- Tribune News Network experience in guaranteeing the and international security,” said to process heterogeneous informa- ed the Milipol Qatar, say- nies is very impressive Doha physical and cyber security of critical Speretta. tion coming from several sources ing the exhibition is a very as they showcase the infrastructure, including hospitals, “To protect these connected including web and social media to successful, impressive latest instruments and As one of the major players in the airports and energy plants. networks, it’s not possible to fore- create valuable intelligence informa- and well-organised show. technologies. I give full global security sector, Italian aero- “The theme of security concerns see a single solution, but a matrix tion, and leveraging technologies for “I participated in this marks to the Qatari gov- space and defence giant Leonardo the whole of society, from govern- of technologies, processes and ac- a superior situational awareness, en- exhibition in my capacity ernment.” participated in a seminar on cyber ment and defence organisations to tivities which, together, can avoid or abling decision-makers to take the as the interior minister of Sheikh Ahmed Rasheed About the coopera- security and cyber threats at Milipol national industry and businesses mitigate the impact of an attack or a right actions,” explained Speretta. Pakistan and I appreci- Ahmed tion between Pakistan Qatar 2021. providing critical services such as failure.” “The company also supports ate meeting with Prime and Qatar, the minister With a talk dedicated to why hospitals, power plants, oil and gas “At Leonardo, we developed the individual nation states and large Minister Minister of Interior Sheikh said Pakistan is maintaining an ex- multi-domain situational awareness platforms, water facilities, transport ‘X-2030’ platform, an innovative corporations, including financial Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al cellent relationship with Qatar and is key to ensuring preparedness and and Telecom,” he said. control room system based on C5I institutions, with comprehensive Thani,” he said. it’s improving day by day on posi- cyber resilience of critical infrastruc- “All of these services are key ele- concept (Command, Control, Com- cyber solutions and training. This Answering a question about the tive side under the leadership of the tures, Giacomo Speretta, vice-presi- ments of our everyday life, and this munications, Computers, Cyber & greatly increases the cyber security importance of holding Milipol Qatar Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad dent, cyber security marketing, busi- means that any interruption would Intelligence) integrating operational and response capabilities of an or- in the current situation, the Pakistani Al Thani and Pakistani Prime Minis- ness development and sales strategy severely harm citizens and business- procedures, decision support pro- ganisation, improving its resilience,” minister said, “Security is the one of ter Imran Khan. at Leonardo, shared the company’s es, and even compromise national cesses, radio communications able concluded Speretta. New Turkish firefighting boats unveiled at Milipol Qatar

Tribune News Network support services. Doha Having delivered more than 150 state-of- the-art ships and boats to 22 countries on six New Turkish firefighting boatswere unveiled different continents, UZMAR is the partner for the first time at the Milipol Qatar 2021 Exhi- of choice in the sophisticated shipbuilding bition now under way in Doha, Qatar. domain. UZMAR, a leading Turkish Shipyard, de- The company’s strong presence and expe- veloped a new 24-metre long Aluminum High- rience in the world maritime industry are now Speed Fire Fighting Boat design in response to being preferred by governmental projects. the recent requirements for enhancing the fire UZMAR will be delivering two 32 metres fighting capabilities of the Qatari Coast Guard. LOA Emergency Response Tugboats to Turkish In cooperation with the most experienced Coastal Safety and a 60-metre LOA Multi-Pur- fireboat designer Robert Allan, Canada, Ranger pose Oil Spill Recovery Emergency Response J-2400 Fireboat is specially designed for Gulf Ship with fire fighting capability to Kuwait Oil Area to provide fast emergency response, search Company. and rescue, firefighting and diving operations. By doubling the capacity of its production UZMAR is investing in local presence and facilities during the pandemic last year, UZ- has already made an agreement with local MAR is expanding its product range by adding Qatari expertise company Strategic Technical more customised vessels, which will meet the Services (STS) in order to provide through-life requirements of the governmental projects.