Thursday March 25, 2021 Shaban 12, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5215 QR 2

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World 8 Business 9 Sports 13 EU tightens controls MPHC poised to Muntari strikes as on COVID-19 vaccine strengthen market Qatar beat Luxembourg exports position: Chairman in Hungary

Amir sends message to Iraq president Qatar seeks to invest in Iraq to create job opportunities: FM QNA Baghdad

Amir condoles Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs with Saudi king HE Sheikh Mohammed bin QNA Abdulrahman Al Thani has Doha affirmed that Qatar seeks to invest in projects in Iraq that His Highness the Amir provide job opportunities. of State of Qatar Sheikh In a joint press confer- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ence with Minister of Foreign has sent a cable of con- Affairs of Iraq Fuad Moham- dolences to the Custodian med Hussein on Wednes- of the Two Holy Mosques day, Sheikh Mohammed said King Salman bin Abdulaziz the meetings he had with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Al Saud of the Kingdom of Iraq President Dr Barham Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with Iraqi counterpart, Saudi Arabia on the death Salih and Iraq Prime Minis- addresses a press conference in Baghdad on Wednesday. of HH Prince Badr bin Fahd His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a written message ter Mustafa Al Kadhimi were bin Saud Al Kabeer Al Saud. to President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih. The message pertains to bilateral relations and the fruitful. The FM said he con- erly Iraqi people. announced the agreement to means to enhance and support them. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh veyed the greetings of HH the Sheikh Mohammed said he reactivate economic coopera- Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani delivered the message during a meeting with the Iraqi President Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh discussed ways to develop and tion between Qatar and Iraq. at the Republican Palace on Wednesday. (QNA) Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to strengthen economic relations  Amir condoles the leadership and the broth- between the two countries and Continued on page 2 with UAE Vice President QNA Doha Cabinet reimposes COVID-19 curbs His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim members residing in the same bin Hamad Al Thani on Restrictions will house when leaving and mov- Wednesday held a telephone Restrictions to ensure public health & safety ing in vehicles. call with HH Vice President come into effect The Cabinet also decided to and Prime Minister of the from Friday ● Attendance at meetings in ● Nurseries and childcare continue with the decision of United Arab Emirates and both govt and private sectors facilities to operate at reducing the number of people Ruler of Dubai Sheikh QNA restricted to five people 30% capacity transported by buses to half Mohammed bin Rashid Al Doha the capacity, while taking pre- Maktoum. During the phone ● Playgrounds and exercise ● Restaurants and cafes to serve cautionary measures. call, HH the Amir extended The Cabinet has reimposed a equipment in parks, beaches food and drinks at a maximum Metro services and public condolences on the death slew of restrictions to curb the and Corniche to remain closed capacity of 15% indoors and at transport will continue to op- of HH Deputy Ruler of Dubai spread of coronavirus (COV- 30% in open spaces erate at a maximum capacity and Minister of Finance ID-19) and ensure public health ● All weddings, both indoors and of 30 percent. However, the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid and safety. The decisions will outdoors, are prohibited ● Beauty and hair salons will operating capacity will be re- Al Maktoum, praying to come into effect from Friday ● Driving schools will remain continue to work at a maximum duced to 20 percent on Fridays Almighty Allah to have mercy (March 26) and will remain in ● Metro services and public closed until further notice capacity of 30% and Saturdays. Place desig- on his soul and to rest it in force until further notice. transport will operate at a nated for smoking will remain peace in paradise, and to The move came after the maximum 30% capacity ● Cinemas will operate at ● Traditional and wholesale closed, and consumption of inspire his family with pa- Cabinet, chaired by Prime Min- 20% capacity markets will operate at food and drink will be prohib- tience and solace. ister and Minister of Interior ● Swimming pools and water 30% capacity ited in the public transport. HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa parks will remain closed ● Mosques to remain open Driving schools will remain bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, on for daily prayers and Friday ● Amusement parks and all closed until further notice. Wednesday reviewed the report ● Private health facilities will prayers, while toilets and entertainment centres will Cinemas will operate at a re- End-of-semester of the Supreme Committee for operate at 70% capacity ablution facilities to remain shut remain closed duced capacity of 20 percent. exam schedules Crisis Management regarding People under 18 years will not announced the plan to reimpose restric- be allowed to enter cinemas. tions due to a rise in the COV- Meetings will be held with All the citizens and resi- in closed places such as homes Playgrounds and exercise Organisation of theatrical per- The Ministry of Education and ID-19 cases. the attendance of no more than dents must activate Ehteraz and majlis have been prohib- equipment in public parks, formances prohibited, except Higher Education announced the As per the decision, no 5 people for employees and application on smartphones ited. A maximum of five people beaches and the cornice have after obtaining the approval of 2020/21 schedules of end-of- more than 80 percent of the workers in the government when leaving the house for any are permitted to gather in open been closed, with gatherings the Ministry of Public Health. second semester 2 exams for total number of employees in and private sectors, while tak- reason. spaces. being restricted to family mem- Private educational and (Arts and Humanities tracks, Sci- both the government and pri- ing precautionary measures. Mosques will remain open Winter camps must allow in bers residing in the same house training centres are allowed to entific racks,T Parallel Track, and vates sector will be allowed to All citizens and residents for daily prayers and Friday only family members who live or two people as a maximum. provide their services through Technology Track). The ministry work from their workplace, must wear masks when leaving prayers, while toilets and ab- in the same house. A maximum of four peo- remote communication pro- announced all the schedules on while the remaining employ- the house for any reason, unless lution facilities will remain All weddings, both indoors ple are allowed in a vehicle, grammes only. its official website and the social ees work remotely from their the person is present by himself closed. and outdoors, are prohibited including the vehicle’s driver, media sites. (QNA) homes. while driving the vehicle. Social gatherings and visits until further notice. with the exception of family Continued on page 2  COVID-19 infections may surge in next 10-14 days: Dr Al Khal

Dr Al Khal attributed the spike in new Presence of South African infections to new strains, family visits and variant confirmed in Qatar failure to follow precautionary measures. “Despite the best efforts to prevent ‘Up to 200,000 vaccine doses Tribune News Network the introduction of new variants into the Doha country, we, like many countries in the re- gion and around the world, are now see- to be given per week soon’ Qatar is now witnessing a new wave of ing many cases in Qatar of the new vari- Qatar will soon administer between 180,000 Dr Al Khal said, “We have noticed a de- coronavirus infections that may surge in ant from the UK,” he added. and 200,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses per crease in infections among vaccinated people the next 10-14 days, a senior health offi- Dr Al Khal said the circulation of the week, a senior health official has said. compared to people who have not yet received cial has said. UK variant has contributed significantly “Until now, more than 650,000 doses of the vaccination. This observation is similar to “The number of COVID-19 cases is not to the spread of COVID-19 in Qatar and to the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines other countries.” decreasing, despite the measures in place the recent increase in cases as it is highly have been given. More than 200,000 people He said the effectiveness of vaccine has currently. Seven people died due to COV- Dr Abdullatif Al Khal addresses a press transmissible. Clinical evidence appears had so far received two vaccine doses. The exceeded 90 percent so far. ID-19 in the past seven days,” Dr Abdul- conference on Wednesday. to now show that the UK variant can vaccination is now taking place at an acceler- “In order to control the virus and reduce latif Al Khal, chair of the National Health cause more severe illness. ated pace,” Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the the daily cases significantly, we need the Strategic Group on COVID-19, said at past week the rate of daily cases has in- “In recent days, we have also identi- National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 population to take the vaccine. It is known press conference on Wednesday. creased, and it is clear that we are in the fied a number of cases of the South Afri- and head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad that in order to control viruses that transmit “Over the past two weeks, the COV- second wave of the virus. We are now see- can variant among returning travellers,” Medical Corporation (HMC), said. through the respiratory system, you need to ID-19 situation has become worse as more ing over 500 new cases every day and it is he added. “We expect to give up to 200,000 doses vaccinate at least 60 percent of the popula- people fall sick and need to be admitted to likely this number will increase over the of the vaccine per week soon,” he said. tion,” he added. (TNN) the hospitals with severe illnesses. In the next 10 to 14 days,” he said. Continued on page 2  02 Thursday, March 25, 2021

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Quick read FM MEETS KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER Qatar, Iraq to expand Amir sends written message to South Sudan’s president investment relations The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has Deputy Prime Min- Continued from page 1  sent a written message to President of South Sudan Salva Kiir ister and Minister of Mayardit, pertaining to the bilateral relations and the ways to Foreign Affairs HE The FM expressed his aspiration to expand enhance them. The message was delivered by Ambassador of Sheikh Mohammed the horizons of investment and economic co- Qatar to South Sudan HE Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Kubaisi during bin Abdulrahman operation with Iraq and indicated that there a meeting with the president on Wednesday. (QNA) Al Thani met with is an opportunity to support the stability of Leader of the Kurd- Iraq by providing projects and creating job Deputy Amir sends condolences to Saudi king istan Democratic opportunities. Party (KDP) Masoud He said these projects will be of benefit to The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Barzani in Erbil on the two countries and the people. Thani has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Wednesday. During Sheikh Mohammed stressed the existence Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi the meeting, they re- of consensus in viewpoints regarding the re- Arabia on the death of HH Prince Badr bin Fahd bin Saud Al viewed the bilateral gional situation, stressing that Iraq is an im- Kabeer Al Saud. (QNA) relations. (QNA) portant factor in supporting the stability of the region due to its pioneering role. Deputy Amir sends condolences to UAE VP For his part, the Iraqi FM said they will work to activate the agreements between the The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al two countries. Thani has sent a cable of condolences to Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the death of Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. (QNA) PM sends condolences to Saudi king QRCS unveils Ramadan drive to benefit Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Ab- over 2.5 million people in 22 countries dulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the death of HH Prince Badr bin Fahd bin Saud Al Kabeer Al Saud. (QNA) Tribune News Network dullah bin Thamer Al Thani. be another bunch of multi-sec- Albania, Iraq, Ethiopia, Paki- Doha “Ramadan is the month tor projects, including 30 local stan, Turkey, Mauritania, Ne- PM sends condolences to UAE VP of blessing, when the believ- social assistance and develop- pal and the Philippines”. Qatar The Red Crescent Soci- ers do their best in worship, ment projects for the benefit During Ramadan 1441 AH Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin ety (QRCS) has launched its 19th the benevolent people pay for of 53,414 people at a cost of only, QRCS distributed 51,123 Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent a cable of condolences to annual Ramadan campaign for charity and those in need find QR21,102,040 and 68 foreign food parcels to 253,615 benefi- Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates the year 1442 AH, involving var- support,” said Sheikh Abdul- projects worth QR95, 060,718, ciaries in 14 countries. and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mak- ious humanitarian projects to lah. “It is the time for QRCS reaching out to 2,081,753 ref- “Towards the Sustainable toum on the death of Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of benefit some 2,540,601people to launch its Ramadan Cam- ugees, displaced people and Development Goals (SDGs) Finance Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. (QNA) in Qatar and 21 other countries paign 1442 AH under which vulnerable groups in the target of the United Nations, QRCS under the theme ‘Race to All many charitable projects will countries. launched far-reaching devel- PM sends written message to Iraq’s That Is Good’. be implemented for the poor “Last year, our Ramadan opment projects. These fo- Kurdistan Region president To be implemented in in many countries.” QRCS President Sheikh Abdullah campaign raised QR55 million, cused on addressing poverty coordination with QRCS’s QRCS Secretary-General bin Thamer Al Thani which were used in humani- and hunger, deploying medi- Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin foreign missions/offices and Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi tarian operations that served cal convoys, digging water Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent a written message to Presi- fellow National Societies, the said, “With your generous jects. Hasten to good deeds over one million beneficiaries wells, establishing sewage dent of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, pertain- projects include Ramadan if- donations, we will be able and enjoy the spirituality in 23 countries,” Hammadi systems, ensuring food secu- ing to the bilateral relations and the ways of enhancing them. tar, Eid clothing, Zakat-ul-Fitr to provide food and clothing of giving in the Holy Month explained. “These countries rity and livelihoods, provid- The message was delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Min- and diverse relief and develop- for 405,434 beneficiaries, in- of Ramadan. Let the angels are Qatar, Palestine, Yemen, ing shelter, distributing food ister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman ment projects during and after cluding 61,865 in Qatar and pray ‘O Allah, give him more Sudan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, parcels, supporting educa- Al Thani during his meeting with the president of the Kurdistan the Holy Month of Ramadan. 343,569 outside Qatar. There who spends money for char- Mali, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, tion and responding to the Region of Iraq on Wednesday. (QNA) The launch was announced will be Ramadan iftar, Zakat- ity’.” Somalia, Bangladesh, Syria, COVID-19 pandemic,” Ham- by QRCS President Sheikh Ab- ul-Fitr and Eid clothing pro- After Ramadan, there will Lebanon, Jordan, Senegal, madi said. Cabinet rolls out new measures to curb COVID-19 spread New restrictions to help Continued from page 1  events. Commercial complexes yachts are obligated in the event further notice. schools and kindergartens at the are allowed to operate at a maxi- that they are used that no one but Private health facilities will current level, and the continua- block South African Nurseries and childcare facili- mum capacity of 30 percent. the family members residing in operate at a maximum capacity of tion of the current travel and re- ties will continue to operate at a All prayer areas and food the same house are on board. 70 percent. turn policy to Qatar. variant from Qatar maximum capacity of 30 percent. courts in these complexes will Traditional markets will op- The operational capacity of The Cabinet then listened to Public museums and libraries remain closed. Children under erate at a reduced capacity of 30 the services provided by cleaning the presentation made by Minis- Continued from page 1  Corporation and Acting will operate at a reduced capacity 12 years will not be allowed to percent and children under 12 and hospitality companies during ter of Municipality and Environ- Medical Director for Hazm of 30 percent. enter the commercial complexes. years will not be allowed entry. the working hours of the estab- ment on international indicators Dr Khal said the new re- Mebaireek General Hospi- Individual educational ses- Food courts and restaurants in- Wholesale markets will con- lishments contracted with them of the environmental perfor- strictions would help to tal Dr Ahmed Al Muham- sions are allowed to be held in side commercial complexes are, tinue to operate at a maximum has been reduced to 30 percent, mance of Qatar. ensure the South African mad said the UK variant centres designated for people however, allowed to make home capacity of 30 percent. However, allowing the provision of their The Cabinet approved a draft variant does not enter the of the virus, as well as lack with special needs. deliveries and provide pickup or- children under 12 years will not services with a full capacity out- law amending some provisions of community and become of commitment to precau- Training of sports teams, ders. be allowed to enter. side the working hours of those Law No 5 of 2015 on Commer- the dominant strain. tionary measures by some whether in closed or open spaces, Restaurants and cafes are al- Beauty and hair salons will facilities, and allowing the provi- cial, Industrial and Similar Public “The data and clinical members of the public, has been prohibited with the ex- lowed to serve food and drinks at continue to work at a maximum sion of their services at houses by Shops, and Street Vendors, and evidence is clear — unless contributed to the surge in ception of preparatory training a maximum capacity of 15 percent capacity of 30 percent. one person only. for referring it to the Shura Coun- we all do our part in follow- new cases. for local and international tour- indoors and at 30 percent in open Amusement parks and all en- The Ministry of Interior, the cil. ing these new restrictions However, he warned naments approved for teams spaces. However, restaurants and tertainment centres will remain Ministry of Public Health, the It also approved a draft mem- as well as all the preven- that the new strains of vi- within the bubble system. cafes that have a “Clean Qatar” closed until further notice. Ministry of Commerce and In- orandum of understanding for tive measures, we will con- rus detected in Qatar might Obtaining prior approval programme certificate can oper- Health clubs and physical dustry, and other governmental cooperation in the fields of fam- tinue to see the number of further increase the num- from the Ministry of Public ate at a maximum capacity of 50 training clubs, massage services, bodies are in charge of taking the ily affairs and social development new cases increase daily,” ber of daily infections. Health is now a must to organise percent. Rental services of boats, saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzi ser- necessary measures to ensure between Qatar and Jordan. he said. “If each and every “We are in the midst of local and international sporting tourist yachts and pleasure boats vices, and Moroccan and Turkish adherence to the precautionary The Cabinet also approved a one of us takes responsibil- the second wave and the events. will remain suspended, with the baths will remain closed until fur- measures, all within their powers draft agreement between Qatar ity and acts appropriately new strain is more severe Obtaining prior approval exception of rental services for ther notice, with the exception of and jurisdiction. and Estonia regarding the elimi- over the next two to three and this requires coopera- from the Ministry of Public family members residing in the using gyms in hotels for guests. The Cabinet noted the contin- nation of double taxation in rela- weeks, we can cut this virus tion, solidarity and com- Health is mandatory to hold exhi- same house. All swimming pools and wa- uation of the blended education tion to income taxes, prevention off and begin to see a big mitment to precautionary bitions, conferences and various Owners of boats and personal ter parks will remain closed until system in all public and private of evasion and tax avoidance. decline in cases. measures,” he added. Dr Khal said, “With There is an increase in the Holy Month of Rama- the number of critical cas- dan fast approaching in es and cases that require April, we must all do what admission to hospital as a Work on streets around Directorate of Passports building completed we can now so that we can result of infection with the control this virus quickly new strains, he said. Tribune News Network Engineer Hamad Al Bader, within the project included the and hopefully ease some He said in the past two Doha project engineer at Northern construction of 2.5 kilometres of the restrictions during weeks alone, Qatar saw an Areas Section in the Roads Pro- of streets with upgraded street Ramadan and be able to 82 percent jump in COV- The Public Works Author- jects Department in Ashghal, lighting systems as 60 lighting celebrate Eid.” ID-19 patients requiring ity (Ashghal) has announced said the project aims at facili- poles were installed as well as He added, “We all have intensive care treatment. the completion of construction tating access to the new build- the provision of one kilometre an individual responsibility Nearly 40 percent of the works of the streets and infra- ing of the General Directorate of foul sewer network lines and to play our part in getting COVID-19 cases brought in structure utilities’ lines serving of Passports and providing 2.5 kilometres of stormwater through this pandemic. to the ICUs during the cur- the Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) connection to the surrounding network lines. Although we are in a bet- rent wave are aged below General Directorate of Passports streets such as Al Tarfa Street About 85 percent of the ma- ter position this year than 50 years, especially in their building in Wadi Al Banat Area and Jasim Bin Hamad Street, terials used for the project were last year because of the 30s and 40s, he said. on Al Tarfa Street, as part of the in addition to providing infra- sourced from local manufac- vaccines, at least for now, “We have added a spe- Road Improvement Works in structure utilities’ services and turers. Materials such as gab- we must all work together cialised surgery centre to the Northern Areas, Phase 4. road safety elements such as bro, street light columns and and tighten the measures the coronavirus treatment The works of this project road signs and marks as well as lamps, sewage pipes, rainwater against COVID-19.” centres. An entire floor of are part of Ashghal’s efforts to in addition to upgrading the the country to cope with the na- dedicated pedestrians paths. drainage pipes, asphalt layers, Acting Head of the In- the centre will be converted improve the existing roads net- services of the infrastructure tional economic development Eng Bader added that the precast manholes, concrete and tensive Care Department into an intensive care unit,” work and raise its efficiency, utilities in different regions of and social growth in Qatar. scope of works implemented steel, were locally supplied. at the Hamad Medical he added. Nation Thursday, March 25, 2021 03

Qatar first in region to implement ATTIYAH MEETS IRAQI DEFENCE MINISTER CNA-Q honours high minimum wage: Envoy to Bulgaria QNA these directly. He underlined performing students Sofia that more than 400,000 work- ers will benefit directly from Tribune News Network lem Al Naemi said, “This cere- Qatar is the first country in the new law, as this increase Doha mony is not only a recognition the region to implement a non- in wages will also improve the of the students’ outstanding discriminatory minimum wage lives of a large number of family A total of 60 of the very best results. We are honouring as part of a series of historic members in the workers’ coun- and brightest College of the their studiousness and their reforms to its labour law, Am- tries of origin who rely on the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA- will to achieve even under the bassador of Qatar to Bulgaria remittances sent every month. Q) students were feted for most unusual circumstances. HE Rashid bin Ali Al Khater has He pointed out that to en- their 2019-2020 academic Today, we mark the 18th an- said. sure compliance with the mini- achievements during a hybrid niversary of ‘The Academic In an interview with the ‘24 mum wage, the government is ceremony. Awards’, an important college Hours’ newspaper, Khater said enhancing detection of viola- The students are recog- tradition and a much-awaited the minimum wage applies to tions, enacting swifter penalties nised based on six categories: event by CNA-Q students and all workers of all nationalities and strengthening the capacity Overall Highest Achiever faculty. I am confident these and in all sectors, including do- of labour inspectors. Scholarship, Highest Achiever award-winning students will mestic workers. He said that in Khater said the minimum Merit Award, Achievement have a bright future ahead of addition to the minimum basic wage law was adopted follow- Award, Distinction Award, In- them and will make Qatar very monthly salary of QR1,000, the ing a comprehensive analysis dustrial Trades Dean Award, proud.” law stipulates that employers carried out by Qatar, in consul- English as a Foundation Lan- Highest Achievers are must pay allowances of at least tation with national and inter- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah guage (EFL) Award. awarded with scholarships QR300 and QR500 for food national experts, workers and met with Iraqi Defence Minister Juma’a Anad on Wednesday. During the meeting, they reviewed bilat- The Highest Achiever and all winners receive a col- and housing respectively, if they employers from different sec- eral relations in the military fields between the two countries and the ways to enhance them.(QNA) Award was presented to Busi- lege certificate and the distinc- do not provide workers with tors of the economy. ness Management Accounting tion is noted on their official student Shana Parveen Ab- transcript. durahiman and Applied Busi- Since its inception in 2002, ness Administration Account- CNA-Q has grown to offer ing student Sara Fouad. more than 30 programmes in Merit Awards were pre- the fields ofE ngineering Tech- SOHOM group lauds EPR for helping to sented to the Highest Achiev- nology and Industrial Trades, ers from each of the college’s Business Management and In- schools: Business Manage- formation Technology, Health reduce waste papers through recycling ment and Information Tech- Sciences, Continuous Educa- nology - Almas Sami Ahmad tion, development and more. Ayubi, Mary Rose Tabilin Vil- The college is recognised CATHERINE W GICHUKI have put it on hold. The Eco recycling. lanueva, Patrick Gerald, Sidi for its student-centred learn- DOHA Dome was specially made for She added, “When you think Mohamed El Youssy; Health ing and state-of-the-art train- schools,” he said. of recycling, you should really Sciences - Jasmin Sami Zaid, ing facilities. CNA-Q gradu- Members of the Spouses of SOHOM President Anika think about the whole idea that Raniah Farooq; Engineering ated thousands of alumni who Heads of Missions (SOHOM) Moosa, the spouse of the South is it to reduce, reuse and recycle. Technology and Industrial are proudly contributing to group visited Elite Paper Recy- African Ambassador to Qatar, Since recycling saves energy, Trades - Mona Sami Abuhus- a knowledge-based economy cling (EPR) company on a famil- said: “On behalf of SOHOM and it also reduces greenhouse gas sin, Shuaib Muhammed Ali. and making the Qatar Nation- iarization tour on Wednesday. myself, we would like to thank emissions, which helps to tackle CNA-Q President Dr Sa- al Vision 2030 a reality. They praised the company for Abdallah Al Suwaidi and Catina climate change. Recycling can helping to reduce waste papers Aghayan and the entire team at benefit the community and the and save the planet’s scarce re- Elite Recycling for this tour and environment.” sources. for contributing towards the She added that through re- The group was given a tour papers. sources, we will lose our planet. change the world needs. cycling, sustainability and be- of the plant and shown the pro- He said they collect waste So, instead of exhausting our “With more initiatives like ing environmentally conscious, cess waste papers go through papers from supermarkets, hy- forests and plants now, we recy- this, we can have a better fu- there will be a better world for until they become a finished permarkets, ministries, more cle waste papers.” ture. Recycling is important in the future. product. The group also visited than 400 schools, neighbour- Suwaidi said the finished today’s world if we want to leave “The Eco Dome is a per- the Eco Dome, which highlights hoods and homes all over Qa- products from the company this planet for our future gen- fect awareness tool in this way the problems associated with tar. They have 2,500 dumpsters get exported to many countries erations. We should teach our not only children can learn but deforestation. which specialise in paper and such as Kuwait, Oman, Bangla- children that recycling begins at adults as well, as most people Speaking at the event, Chair- cartons. Encouraging people to desh, Sri Lanka, China, Tanza- home. If you are not throwing take our beautiful planet for man of Elite Paper Recycling consider recycling, he said, “You nia, Sudan, among many others. away any of your old products granted. This way, they can see Abdalla Al Suwaidi stressed the need to think of the future that “We usually have school and instead utilising it for some- what will happen if we don’t re- importance of recycling waste if we use all of our natural re- visits but due to COVID-19, we thing new, then you are actually cycle and look after our planet.” 04 Thursday, March 25, 2021 Nation Qatar Charity signs pact with Qilaa CCQ, Mada launch assistive tech station to support students with special needs Consulting for Qatari cadre training Tribune News Network Doha Tribune News Network ni, Chairman of Qalaa Consult- Doha ing, praised Qatar Charity’s ef- The Community College of forts in hiring Qatari youths for Qatar (CCQ) announced the Qatar Charity (QC) has signed administrative positions, noting launch of its Assistive Tech- the ‘Humanitarian Leader’s that their presence is a great as- nology Station in cooperation Determination Initiative’ agree- set to humanitarian action. with Qatar Assistive Technol- ment with Qalaa Consulting The “Leader’s Determina- ogy Centre (Mada). The station as part of its ongoing efforts to tion” initiative is expected to aims to support students with train and develop its young Qa- focus on field programmes and special needs and integrate tari leadership cadres’ adminis- the development of qualitative them in out-of-class learning trative and professional skills. projects for young people out- experiences and activities. Lo- Yusef bin Ahmed Al-Ku- side of the workplace through cated on CCQ’s Lusail campus, wari, CEO of Qatar Charity, and and discuss success and failure side Qatar Charity to develop training workshops and brain- the station was inaugurated in CCQ assistive technology station was inaugurated in the presence of HE Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ab- stories, as well as the causes their skills through this pro- storming sessions to present the presence of Dr Mohamed CCQ president and Mada shared services manager. dul Rahman Hassan Al Thani, of those failures, as well as the gramme. new creative initiatives for hu- Al-Naemi, CCQ president, and Chairman of Qalaa Consulting, importance of developing a hu- Youssef bin Ahmed Al- manitarian projects. Rashid Al Mannai, shared ser- launch the assistive technology nological solutions with the aim signed the agreement. manitarian leader by teaching Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity, Faisal bin Rashid Al-Fu- vices manager at Mada, as well station, we are even more proud to implement best practices and This initiative aims to build the science of leadership. To expressed Qatar Charity’s in- haida, CEO Assistant for the as a number of senior officials of creating awareness that will- international standards in the humanitarian and community complete the training process, terest in developing the skills of Programme and Community from both parties. power, diligence, and persever- field of inclusive digital educa- leaders by developing the skills the trainees will present a prac- Qatari youth leaders in the field Development Sector of Qatar The inauguration ceremony ance that a student needs to tion.” of young Qatari leaders in the tical project at the end. of charitable and humanitarian Charity, sad that this initiative included an introductory tour excel. The station affirms our He added, “In line with our field of charitable and humani- Qatar Charity’s Qatari cad- work. He said that Qatar Char- aims to continue qualifying around the station led by Mada commitment to creating equal mission and strategy which is tarian action. It aims to qualify res, including CEO assistants ity has Qatarised all leadership Qatari youth working in the ICT Accessibility Expert who opportunities to ensure the in- aligned with Qatar National Qatari cadres working in the hu- for various sectors, directors of positions, which are held by humanitarian field by develop- gave an overview of the avail- volvement of people with func- Vision 2030 and the sustain- manitarian field as humanitar- departments, heads of sections, competent and qualified Qatari ing their skills. He stressed that able assistive technology de- tional limitations in inclusive able development goals, Mada ian leaders. and a large number of employ- cadres, and that this initiative is this step is part of QC’s social vices and solutions. 53 in total, digital education. This comes Centre invested in building the Based on a solid scientific ees, will take part in this training intended to strengthen the trend responsibility, as it has been de- the devices vary from comput- as part of our contribution to- assistive technology station at foundation, the project will train program. begun by Qatar Charity some cided to allocate 30% of this ini- ers and tablets to augmentative wards Qatar National Vision CCQ’s Campus in Lusail. The 40 Qatari youth leaders in the Many Qataris working in time ago. tiative to the Qatari community and alternative communication 2030 and Qatar’s 2nd National station includes 53 assistive humanitarian field. humanitarian and development HE Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin and Qatari leaders working in programmes and solutions, as Development Strategy which technology devices and solu- The programme will present fields will be chosen from out- Abdul Rahman Hassan Al Tha- the humanitarian field. well as electronic amplifiers and stresses the importance of the tions to support the educational control panels to meet the edu- quality of education in promot- needs of people with disabili- cational requirements of people ing human development as a ties. We hope this station will with disabilities, such as mo- pillar of the strategy.” achieve our goal of promoting tor and sensory impairments, Rashid Al Mannai said, “In- inclusive education per best Qatar Airways to resume flights to Mykonos learning difficulties and com- clusive digital education is a pri- practices to provide students munication disorders. ority pillar in Mada strategy. We with disabilities with the ap- Tribune News Network and expanding upon our role Dr Mohamed Al-Naemi have been working proudly with propriate accessible technology DOHA in assisting the recovery of the welcomed the attendees and our maximum effort to leave devices and solutions, as well as commercial aviation industry.” expressed his pride in this our distinguished footprint in raising awareness about assis- Qatar Airways will resume its Greek Minister for Tour- partnership by saying, “We are this field. All grace to Allah, tive technology and accessible service to Mykonos, Greece for ism Harry Theoharis said, “I proud of our strategic partner- these efforts were crowned with solutions and their uses in edu- the summer season as the is- am proud to welcome Qatar ship and ongoing cooperation Qatar’s international achieve- cation among the administrative lands welcome visitors once Airways back to Mykonos. It is with Mada in the field of digital ment: obtaining first place in and academic staff. We also sup- again. The airline is planning very pleasing for us to have our accessibility to integrate people the Digital Accessibility Rights port designing the curriculum to to operate three flights a week lar with our customers. Due to ures put in place in view of the luxury destination included in with special needs in the educa- Evaluation Index. Since signing address assistive technology and using a modern A320 aircraft the global pandemic, we had to pandemic. Equally we will be the planning of the airline’s new tional process and to empower our strategic partnership with accessible solutions.” featuring 12 seats in Business suspend services last summer. maintaining our own very high summer programme. In this them academically. The Col- CCQ in 2019, many achieve- As part of the agreement, Class and 120 seats in Economy So, we are really delighted to standards. Qatar Airways was difficult time, this development lege’s various policies guarantee ments have been accomplished three CCQ employees received Class. be returning helping support the first global airline in the comes when all of our efforts have an equal right to education for that 96 percent of the agree- training on digital accessibil- The news has been wel- Greece’s efforts to restart tour- world to achieve the prestigious been put into the safe opening of all students, as well as providing ment goals have been achieved ity and assistive technology comed by Qatar Airways Group ism. “We know the authorities 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Greek tourism. ‘All you want is students with special needs with so far. This includes capacity through Mada’s Distinguished Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, in Greece are taking precau- Rating by Skytrax. We look for- Greece’ is our new motto and with the appropriate auxiliary ser- building and providing advisory Users of Assistive Technology who said: “We first started fly- tions to ensure public safety ward to continuing to provide this, we invite friends of Qatar vices and general educational services at the level of policies Programme, which is a training ing to Mykonos in May 2018 and visitors will be required to the safest possible experience Airways, from all over the world, adjustments.” and access to digital platforms, programme accredited by the and the route proved very popu- adhere to public health meas- for travellers across the world, to visit us.” He added, “Today, as we educational resources and tech- University of Dublin in Ireland. Nation Thursday, March 25, 2021 05 Daiso Japan opens new Doha Festival City invites retail store at Mirqab Mall residents to participate in Tribune News Network Doha raffle for exclusive prizes Daiso Japan, the renowned Tribune News Network QR200 and more, can regis- by Doha Festival City retail- retail store known for its Doha ter to participate in the raffle ers.” unique and practical value draw. The draw finale will be Doha Festival City’s open- products, expanded its pres- Doha Festival City (DFC), held on April 9, and the win- ing hours are Saturday to ence in Qatar by opening its ‘Qatar’s one and only choice ners will be announced online Wednesday from 10 am to 10 seventh store in Mirqab Mall. for shopping, dining and en- and, on the mall’s, large digi- pm, and Thursday to Friday HE Sunago Kazuo, Am- tertainment’, has invited all tal screen near Cup of Joe. from 10 am to 11 pm. In line bassador of Japan, Yukari shoppers to participate in A myriad of exciting with the preventative meas- Sunago, spouse of Ambas- its unique raffle draw for a homeware-inspired activi- ures set out by the authori- sador, Kenji Azumaya, First chance to win exclusive priz- ties across the Mall will run ties, Doha Festival City has Secretary of Ambassador of es. in parallel with Raffle Draw. introduced stringent health Japan, Nabil Barakat, General As part of its month-long Visitors can enjoy a series and safety measures through- Manager of Mirqab Mall, and Homeware Festival that will of mini-exhibitions showing out the mall for its staff and Ramesh Bulchandani, General run till April 8, 2021, the mall the latest collections from a visitors. Manager LTC International has partnered with the Qatar number of retailers. Butter- This includes a thorough Qatar, inaugurated the store. are defined as unique designs clever ways to dress up your addition to an upright and ex- National Tourism Council fly Design,A CE, Mothercare, mall disinfection treatment The most recent addition with clever solutions at an in- bedrooms with stylish storage tensive product range, excel- (QNTC) to run the first-ever MUJI, Pottery Barn, Pottery every week, robust cleaning to the value for money brand credible rate, with the belief solutions, decorative house- lent quality, and a welcoming 100 percent digital Spend & Barn Kids and West Elm will and sanitisation operations is located on the Mezzanine that products should offer hold items, gifts, makeup, sta- shopping environment. Win Raffle Draw. be showcased until March 26, during mall trading hours, Floor, which is a popular shop- more value than their price, tionery, toys, and much more. Daiso Japan is now a true Doha Festival City shop- the last day visitors can see 127 hand sanitising stations ping destination for all Qatari the statement added. Daiso touts a ‘value for money retail powerhouse, with over pers registering for the raffle their exclusive set-ups. installed in the areas that residents and expatriates. The brand’s product line deal’ with prices starting at 5,000 stores worldwide and draw have a chance to win The One, Antoine Karam, have commonly touched sur- “We thank everyone in- includes 70,000 lifestyle and QR7. annual sales exceeding USD one of 21 valuable prizes. A Home Centre, Pan Emirates, faces. volved for their ongoing sup- novelty gift items, with over In recent years, the store 4 billion. Over the past three Lotus Evora 2020, priced at IKEA, Villeroy & Boch, MAD- At the entrance to the port and contribution to the 900 new products introduced has established a superior rep- decades, it has established an QR439,000 will be offered AME COCO, Karaca, H&M, mall and all shops, visitors brand’s successful expansion,” to customers each month. The utation as a leading Japanese unrivaled position as a one- as the grand prize; the sec- Harvey Nichols, Marks & must show their green Eht- said a press statement. store has something for eve- one-stop-shopping destina- stop variety store, and every ond prize is sponsored by Spencer, Tavola, Zara Home eraz QR code, and should Daiso, a Japanese con- ryone, from practical kitchen tion in Qatar for both local and Daiso store adheres to the the world-acclaimed Swiss and W&B Home, also star- wear a face mask during their cept retail store, has become a utensils in funky designer international shoppers. Daiso company’s founding princi- watchmaker Frederique Con- ring in the Festival, will boast whole time in the mall. Physi- household name over the last colors like folding colanders is a comprehensive utility ples: value, quality, variety, stant offering a watch worth their homeware items across cal distancing stickers in three decades. Daiso products and silicon garlic peelers to store for your perfect home, in and uniqueness. QR30,000, while Pottery the Mall until April 8. common queuing areas, such Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Robert Hall, DFC general as ATMs, banks, telecommu- West Elm will gift QR12,000 manager, said: “As we thrive nication kiosks and branches vouchers each. The complete in creating memorable mo- and various retail shops were list of participating retail- ments, we see this exciting installed to help shoppers Bo’s Coffee opens fifth shop at Mall of Qatar ers along with the prizes are RaffleDraw as a way to en- keep the required physical available on the DFC website. gage with our customers, re- distance as set forth in the Tribune News Network more than 100 stores all over warding them for shopping guidelines by the authorities. Doha the Philippines. Bo’S Coffee All DFC shoppers who at their mall of choice and of- Stores will provide sanitizers opened its first international have purchased goods be- fering a unique chance to win on entry and at cash points After three years of success- door in April 2018 in Doha, tween March 8 and April 8, The Grand Prize or one of the to ensure the highest level of ful operation and setting the Qatar, in collaboration with Al for a cumulative spend of 21 valuable prizes sponsored hygiene. benchmark, the well-loved Majed Group. It celebrates and coffee house chain brand Bo’S supports coffee from the Phil- Coffee has opened its fifth ippines, putting the spotlight branch at Mall of Qatar. on the highlands of Sagada, Commenting on the open- Benguet, Matutum, Mt. Apo, ing event, Nasr Ahmed Al Ma- and Kitanglad. jed, development director, Al We also carry other blends Majed Group Holding, said: Bo’s Coffee officials at the opening ceremony of its fifth branch at the such as Barista, Espresso and “We are excited to expand our Mall of Qatar recently. Columbian decaf. 90% of our operations in Qatar, and set- beans are sourced locally from ting up an outlet at the biggest the Philippines. Each flavour shopping centre, Mall of Qatar. profile has a distinct taste and At Bo’S Coffee, we adhere to body that truly epitomises the the highest standards using the rich diversity of its geographic finest ingredients and state-of- origins. Bo’s Coffee prides itself the-art coffee machines and as an authentic Filipino coffee equipment. chain that offers homegrown Bo’S Coffee is the perfect coffee at its finest.O ur fresh place to meet-up with friends coffee beans are grown in dif- or business associates for a ferent parts of the Philippines quick coffee, a leisurely bite, and roasted to perfection. All or a break anytime in between. creating a welcoming and re- frantic pace. coffee lovers like you will truly The design aesthetics at the laxing ambience for people Bo’S Coffee is a homegrown enjoy the unique taste of Bo’s coffee strike the right note by seeking to escape the city is specialty coffee chain that has Coffee. ‘Fashion Runway’ campaign: Galeries Lafayette Doha celebrates creators Tribune News Network Doha

In the true Galeries Lafayette style, the French Department Store in Doha has launched the unique ‘Fashion Runway’ cam- paign to pay tribute to the behind the scenes of the fashion world. The campaign, launched in Feb- ruary and running until April 1, celebrates the backstage elements that shape and style the glamor- ous fashion world. Adding novel- ty to the store windows, every dis- play zone has come alive, proudly flaunting the features inspired by the world of fashion runways. From a hair and makeup cor- ner and backstage model styl- ing scenes to the runway set-up Speaking about the campaign, ments that come together to cre- ion Runway’ campaign is our where mannequins are the mod- General Manager of Galeries La- ate the glamour on stage. humble effort to pay tribute to the els, it is a perfect depiction of the fayette Doha Kevin Gerard Pen- “The Galeries Lafayette brand real creators of runway glamour hard work, efforts and sweat that der said, “We have always cel- stands for much more than fash- and a window to let our clients ex- go behind a successful runway ebrated fashion but this time we ion and style, we support crea- perience the fashion world’s real show. wanted to showcase the real ele- tions and the creators. The ‘Fash- backstage moments.” With Ooredoo Money and MoneyGram, you can now win cash prizes everyday

Tribune News Network will receive an incredible QR1, easily, with family members be- Doha 000. ing able to receive such transfers Prizes will be transferred di- as smoothly as possible, and our Ooredoo has announced an rectly to the winners’ Ooredoo partnership with MoneyGram exciting new promotion with its Money Wallets. means they can do exactly that. Ooredoo Money partner Money- Ooredoo Money app. Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, Offering generous cash prizes Gram, offering customers a cash Each day, all eligible transfers Director PR at Ooredoo, said: means our proposition is even prize fund of QR4,000 each day. will be entered into a raffle, and “We’re excited to launch this new better value; we wish all our cus- Customers of Ooredoo Money ten lucky winners will be chosen promotion aimed at our Ooredoo tomers the very best of luck in the can win up to QR1, 000 daily at random; five winners will re- Money customers. We know our draw!” by sending a MoneyGram Cash ceive QR100, three winners will customers prioritise being able to The rafflepromotion is valid Pick-up Transfer through their receive QR500, and two winners send transfers home quickly and until May 15, 2021. 06 Thursday, March 25, 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

Fund Robust Research Into US Gun Violence The Cruel Plot Twist In merica is playing catch-up be- hibited the Centers for Disease Con- cause of a long drought in federal trol and Prevention from using federal Asupport for CDC and NIH. funds intended for injury prevention to The Asian American Story You wouldn’t think a trip to a gro- advocate for gun control. cery store to buy strawberries could be a Yet he forged an unlikely friend- life-changing event. But this is America, ship with Rosenberg, president emeri- where gun violence is an epidemic. tus of the Task Force for Global Health The events in Atlanta make it impossible to deny that Asians in America — Sarah Moonshadow and her son in Atlanta whose 20-year career at the especially Asian women — are seen by some not as people with agency and were leaving King Soopers supermar- CDC included leading the agency’s ket in Boulder, Colo., on Monday when National Center for Injury Prevention inner lives, but as props, as dehumanized objects, as set decoration they heard gunshots. She told the Den- and Control and serving as assistant ver Post that she instructed her son to surgeon general. duck and then “we just ran.” What the two men realized, Rosen- Charles Yu As police converged on the store, berg told an editorial writer, is that Moonshadow and her son saw a body “there are ways that you can keep guns tell stories for a living, but I’m struggling in the parking lot. “I knew we couldn’t out of the hands of people who shouldn’t with this. I don’t know how to make this do anything for the guy,” she said. “We have them while you are protecting the into a story. Like others watching the re- had to go.” rights of gun owners and reducing gun cent rise in anti-Asian harassment and vio- Ten people were killed in the violence.” lence, I have been thinking of my parents, shooting spree, including a Boulder And in that spirit, in 2018 Congress myI in-laws and their friends. People who have police officer, and a 21-year-old from passed clarifying language that retained lived here for 50, 60, 70 years. Or, in some cas- the Denver suburb of Arvada was ar- the Dickey Amendment but said the es, their whole lives. There’s a term for these rested and charged. His motive, au- CDC could resume research on gun people: Americans. thorities said Tuesday, was not imme- violence as long as it wasn’t lobbying for My dad was an aerospace engineer in diately clear. The Colorado mayhem gun control — a key step that led to $25 Southern California for over 30 years, help- followed last week’s shootings that left million in new funding, split between ing to make airplanes safer. My mom worked eight people dead at three Atlanta-area the CDC and the National Institutes of two jobs, including one as a public school em- massage businesses. Again, the shoot- Health, in 2020 and 2021. ployee. Both of my wife’s grandfathers served er’s motivations there remain under Rosenberg said clarifying the in the United States armed forces during investigation. amendment, rather than repealing it, World War II. What is disturbingly clear is that was key to building bipartisan sup- I think about the stories they’ve shared the Colorado shooting is the nation’s port. The $50 million in federal funding with me, what they’ve seen and lived through seventh mass killing — defined as four is a start, he added, but it’s a piddling in this country: recessions and booms, wars or more people killed in one incident, amount compared with what the U.S. and social movements and protests and tech- not including the shooter — in 2021, has spent on lifesaving research into nological revolutions. Presidents from Tru- according to the Associated Press, USA issues such as car safety and heart dis- man to Biden. I think about the soccer practic- Today and Northeastern University. ease. The long drought in federal fund- es they’ve driven to, the money they’ve saved, So what now? The victims will be ing for gun violence research had left the taxes paid, the elections they’ve voted in, mourned. The police officer will be the nation looking for answers without the stresses and sleepless nights, the indigni- honored for his courage. Democrats adequate data. Rosenberg wants to see ties small and large endured, the pride and joy in Congress will demand action, while more research into four key areas: de- felt in what they’ve accomplished, the neigh- A crowd reacts to a speaker during a rally against anti-Asian hate and violence at Hing Hay Park in Seattle Republicans will push back. We’ve fining the scope of gun violence, analyz- bors and co-workers befriended and helped on March 13. watched this all play out before, and yet ing the causes, identifying strategies to and leaned on, the communities they belong the bloodshed continues. combat it and determining how to im- to, what it took for them to raise families and primarily as Asian — and nothing more. I’m not saying anything you probably don’t If only our current leaders would plement them. build lives here. I will admit I used to believe in a certain already know. I don’t have an answer — only follow the example of Mark Rosenberg House budget requests are due by And then I think about this: 3,795 inci- immigrant story, a story about assimilation the sickening feeling of realizing I’ve been and the late U.S. Rep. Jay Dickey, R- the end of April. With the victims of the dents reported from March 19, 2020, through and what it means to become an American. reading this story wrong all along. And maybe Ark. — two men on opposing sides of Atlanta and Boulder shootings freshly February 28. But the years since November 2016 — and the that’s part of the problem. That I have been the gun debate who eventually teamed in mind, Congress should support ad- 3,795 reminders that, for some people, it last few months in particular — have some- waiting for the plot to resolve itself. Hoping up to pursue a common goal: public ditional funding for research that can will never be enough. times felt like a late plot twist, a development for my chance to play some small role. Hoping safety. Dickey was well known for the save lives without threatening Second 3,795 lives disrupted, devalued or even so dramatic that it forces the reader to recon- things would improve. And now having to deal 1996 Dickey Amendment, which pro- Amendment rights. destroyed. 3,795 times when someone, out of sider everything up to this point, everything I with the fact that, on some level, I’ve always hatred or ignorance or fear, saw an Asian face, thought I’d understood. known it was a fantasy. an Asian body, and looked no further. Reduced It’s required me to reevaluate whether The events in Atlanta make it impossible to that person to a single dimension: foreigner. the story has the shape I’d assumed, whether deny that Asians in America — especially Asian Someone to spit on, curse at, shun, dehuman- I’ve been lying to myself or ignoring the clues women — are seen by some not as people with ize, attack. all along the way. The anxiety, the sense of agency and inner lives, but as props, as dehu- In doing so, they erase all of it: the years, dread underneath, the feeling of never being manized objects, as set decoration. decades of memories, love, work, service. They fully secure, that at any moment everything Dehumanization cuts across race, sex, gen- erase the stories of these Americans. They could change. der, religion. It has long affected Black and harm the victims of these attacks, of course, And then on Tuesday, seeing the news. The brown and Indigenous Americans, LGBTQ and and Asian American communities, but they killing of eight people in the Atlanta area. An- other marginalized communities. As Asians in harm everyone else, too. Because these attacks other mass shooting in America, with a gun America, we should not be satisfied with being are telling a different story. They’re perpetu- purchased on the day of the killing. Seeing a part of someone else’s story, some grand nar- ating the idea that Americans can only look a local law enforcement officer, Capt. Jay Baker, rative handed down to us. I hope we can strive certain way, sound a certain way. These attacks frame the story from the perspective of the to tell our own stories, and to use whatever invalidate American stories, individually and killer, ignoring the misogyny and fetishization platform or ability we have to also amplify the in the collective. that underlies this rampage. stories of other marginalized people who seek I’ve been thinking about my children. What These eight people were more than victims. the same thing. do I say to them about all of this? They were human beings, with lives and fami- What do I tell these kids, born in the US lies. Xiaojie Tan. Daoyou Feng. Delaina Ashley (Charles Yu is the author of “Interior Police at the scene outside a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, after a to parents also born in the US? That they are Yaun. Paul Andre Michels. Soon Chung Park. Chinatown,” winner of the 2020 gunman opened fire on Monday. now and always will be seen by some people Hyun Jung Grant. Suncha Kim. Yong Ae Yue. National Book Award for fiction.) What Are You Going To Do When Fully Vaccinated?

MARY SCHMICH 2. Would they go back to “normal”? Americans grow more optimistic that the 3. Would they stay mostly isolated be- pandemic will end within the year. Nearly o what are you going to do once you’re cause they’ve grown used to their cocoon? a third said they’ve already returned to in- fully vaccinated? It’s one of the great One respondent, noting that the jubilant person gatherings. Almost that many say Sexistential questions of our pandemic decade called the Roaring ‘20s followed the they will once they, or everyone in their cir- time, one that pops up lately whenever I see 1918 flu pandemic, predicted Americans cle, is vaccinated. A fifth of the respondents friends via Zoom, which is almost always would “party party partay!” No doubt some said they’ll wait until officials say it’s safe. how I see friends. will, especially the young ones. Photos from Another fifth said they don’t know. Air travel Will we get on a plane? Go back to the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Chicago sug- in the United States has risen to its highest gym? Go to the hairdresser, a ball game, a gest many of them have already chosen op- level since the pandemic began a year ago. restaurant, a party? Will we shake hands? tion 1. The wise person still proceeds with cau- Hug? Buy a ticket for Lady Gaga? But to Mark’s surprise, there was wide tion and carefully calibrated hope. I know a Or, given that life is mostly habit, will we support for choice number 3 — staying iso- man who recently bought a concert ticket, keep hanging out on the sofa watching Netf- lated. Several respondents happily referred fully aware he may not go. I know a woman lix? to themselves as hermits, and seemed glad who splurged on a plane ticket, but made I call these questions existential because to stay that way. sure it was refundable. doing is being, and for the past year, when “I’m a 3 for sure!!” said one respondent. For now, I’ve divided my post-vaccina- we’ve done almost everything differently, “Love my cocoon, I just don’t have to make tion “to do” list into three parts: Things I the question of what we’ll do next has hung excuses now!!” might do soon (return to the gym). Things in the misty distance. We could remember “Being in a cocoon ismy normal,” said I will do soon if the weather warms up (eat all the things we used to do, could dream one. outside at a restaurant). Things I won’t do, at of doing them again and wonder when we “It’s kinda fun not having to look for least not yet (eat inside a restaurant). might, but there was no pressure to decide. parking all the time,” said another. And every few days, I Google flights — Now, as more and more of us get vac- Call it “the other vaccine hesitancy,” the A volunteer administers a COVID-19 vaccine. Savannah, Ga., sounds nice in springtime cinated, the call to choose gets closer every reluctance many people will have even when — then I close my laptop and heed the voice day, while the answers remain as elusive as they’re vaccinated to return to crowds and is like opening a window on a warm day in Planning — the kind that involves travel, that says, “When in doubt, wait.” clouds. old habits. March: Yeah, that fresh air feels good, but theater, a wedding, a restaurant dinner — is My pal Mark recently put a version of For now, that hesitancy is smart. Fully it’s still winter, you fool. Don’t dream too big. a skill that’s atrophied during the pandemic. (Mary Theresa Schmich the question to his Twitter followers. What, vaccinated doesn’t equal fully liberated, or But it’s safe to guess that even the self- Some people are twitchy about planning be- is an American journalist. he wondered, would Americans do once the shouldn’t. The virus and its nasty cousins professed hermits will want to leave their co- cause they’ve made plans, only to have their She has been a columnist for the pandemic lifted? He proposed three options: — the dreaded “variants”— are still lurking, coons eventually and they, too, will face the dreams dashed when the virus flares again. Chicago Tribune since 1992, winning 1. Would they party hard to make up for ready to multiply at any opportunity. existential question: To do what? Still, we edge closer to a resemblance of the Pulitzer Prize in 2012) lost time? The liberation we feel from vaccination I know people who are afraid to plan. freedom. A recent Axios-Ipsos poll found

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Thursday, March 25, 2021 07

UAE finance More than 600 detained minister and Biden urges action on protesters released in Myanmar deputy Dubai dpa ruler dies at 75 Yangon gun control following The military now in control of Myanmar has released dpa more than 600 anti-coup protesters, according to state Dubai television and local media outlets on Wednesday. The protesters were mostly students who had been The United Arab Emirates’ detained at police stations and in prisons after protest- finance minister and deputy Colorado mass shooting ing against the coup, Eleven Myanmar and Myanmar ruler of Dubai, Hamdan bin Now reported. Rashid Al Maktoum, has died Thein Zaw, a journalist for news agency AP, was on Wednesday, the Dubai me- dpa also released after two court hearings, AP said. dia office said. Washington Demonstrators staged a so-called “silent strike” on He was the brother of Wednesday, with protesters staying home and many Mohammed bin Rashid Al US President Joe Biden called for action on businesses closing around the country. Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister gun control on Tuesday, a day after ten peo- Streets were empty and businesses closed in many and ruler of the emirate ple were shot dead in Boulder, Colorado. cities, and few vehicles were seen in Yangon, Myan- of Dubai. “While we’re still waiting for more in- mar’s largest city. Hamdan, who was 75 years formation regarding the shooter, his mo- “This is another way to fight [the military]. I can be old, had been finance minister tive, the weapons he used - the guns, the silent to show how we are rejecting them,” a protester since 1971, when the country magazines, the weapons, and the modifi- from Tamwe township in Yangon told dpa. was founded. cations that apparently have taken place The military has resorted to violence to quash UAE President Khalifa to those weapons that are involved here,” demonstrations against the February 1 coup and the bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered Biden said in Washington. ousting of the civilian government led by Aung San that flags be flown at half- “I don’t need to wait another minute ... Suu Kyi. mast across the country until to take commonsense steps that will save According to the non-profit prisoner’s assistance Saturday to mark three days the lives in the future and to urge my col- organization AAPP, at least 275 people have been of mourning, according to a leagues in the House and Senate to act.” killed and 2,812 people have been detained. statement by the official news “We can ban assault weapons and high- agency WAM. capacity magazines in this country once Meanwhile, Dubai an- again. I got that done when I was a senator. nounced a 10-day mourning It passed. period. It was law for the longest time, and Funeral prayers will be re- it brought down these mass killings. NOTICE stricted to family members due We should do it again,” the president told NAME: RITON MIAH to the coronavirus pandemic, reporters. US President Joe Biden speaks to the press before boarding Air Force One in Columbus, Ohio BANGLADESH PASSPORT:EG0669503 the Dubai media office added. Biden called on the US Senate to “im- on Tuesday. (AFP) QATAR ID NO: 27405008456 Hamdan had been unwell, mediately pass” two bills already green- his brother Mohammed wrote lighted by the lower house with bipartisan ons in the process.” A 21-year-old suspect by police about shots fired at a King Soop- EMPLOYEE OF: National Car Company on Twitter earlier this month, support “that close loopholes in the back- was taken into custody and charged with ers grocery store was one about a person Is Leaving Qatar for good. Anybody having any claim wishing him well. ground check system.” “This is not and 10 counts of murder after the attack in with a “patrol rifle.” CNN cited an un- against him should submit the same to us within 3 days He underwent surgery should not be a partisan issue ... It will Boulder. named senior law enforcement source as abroad last year, though further save lives ... and we have to act,” Biden Boulder Police chief Maris Herold on saying that the weapon used in the shoot- from the date of this notice. we will not be responsible details were not disclosed. said. “We should also ban assault weap- Monday said that among the calls received ing was an AR-15-style rifle. for any claim whatsoever after this date. Contact: 44321424 / 25 US reports 58,000 new COVID-19 cases, with 892 deaths dpa White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Washington said at a briefing aboard Air ForceO ne that in the 62 days since Joe Biden took office, With 58,764 new cases reporting on Tues- the country’s vaccine output more than tri- day, the number of people infected with the pled, from 8.6 million doses to 27 million novel coronavirus in the United States has doses. Psaki said that White House coro- risen to 29,922,391. navirus response coordinator Jeff Zients Additionally, 892 people died due to the announced in his weekly governors call that pandemic that day, taking the national total two-thirds of the 27 million doses will be go- to 543,843. The figure is less than the 7-day ing to states and jurisdictions. average of 1,001. “The rest will go to other channels, pri- Most of the deaths - 165 - occurred in marily the pharmacy program, which has California, while most cases - 6,801 - were been very successful and we’ve been in- reported in New York. creasing supply to,” she told reporters. President Joe Biden announced that An independent US safety board has ex- the special enrollment period to sign up pressed concern that AstraZeneca may have for Obamacare has been extended to run included outdated information in its latest through August 15. vaccine trial announcement. The website Healthcare.gov for special The World Health Organization (WHO) enrollment was opened on February 15. reported that a six-week decline in global “In the first two weeks alone, more COVID-19 deaths has stalled, while cases than 200,000 Americans gained coverage,” have continued to rise for the fourth consec- Biden said during his visit to the Arthur G utive week. The UN health agency has also James Cancer Hospital and Richard J So- reported a continued surge in COVID-19 love Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio. variants in various parts of the world. N Korea fired ballistic missiles over weekend, says report

dpa Seoul

North Korea fired multiple short- range missiles over the weekend, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Wednesday. Pyongyang fired two cruise missiles off its west coast on Sunday, Yonhap cited military sources in Seoul as saying. According to a senior US adminis- tration official the launches were part of “normal testing” not in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. “We’ve learned nothing much has changed,” US President Joe Biden told reporters in Columbus, Ohio, when he was asked about the launches. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (AFP) According to the US Defense De- partment, Biden added, “it’s business as lief and threatened to send a “Christ- usual. There’s no new wrinkle in what mas gift,” widely interpreted to mean a they did.” The test on Sunday came in weapons test, if demands were not met. the wake of joint military exercises by Washington’s negotiations with the armed forces of South Korea and the North Korea over its nuclear weapons US. The nine-day command exercise, programme have not made any progress which did not include field training, since former president Donald Trump’s ended on Thursday last week. failed summit with North Korean leader The influential sister of North Kore- Kim Jong Un in Vietnam in February an ruler Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong, had 2019. condemned the military exercises and Although Trump touted his friendly accused the new US administration of relationship with Kim, the two sides wanting to cause trouble as a first step. failed to agree on a roadmap for North The rogue nuclear nation is banned Korea’s disarmament and what Pyong- from testing ballistic missiles by UN reso- yang could receive in return. lutions, and has been slapped with tough Last week, North Korea’s first dep- international sanctions to deter it from uty foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, continuing to develop rockets that could vowed to ignore US attempts to estab- be equipped with nuclear warheads. lish contact until Washington has met The sanctions imposed as a result of Pyongyang’s conditions, indicating any the weapons programme are hampering movement on the debate about its nu- North Korea’s economic development. clear weapons programme remains a Global concerns about North Korea long way away. intensified late in 2019 after Pyong- According to media reports, the US yang imposed a year-end deadline for has been trying to contact North Korea the United States to offer sanctions re- since mid-February. 08 Thursday, March 25, 2021 World India curbs on Holi festivities amid virus surge Pak extends school closures

dpa Wednesday. India had seen a the cases. Health experts sug- amid rise in COVID-19 cases New Delhi Double mutant downward trend in infections gest that variants of the virus at the end of 2020, but the as well as laxity in observing dpa “The health of students, for the country’s response to Random COVID-19 tests virus variant numbers have risen sharply in safety measures could be be- Islamabad teachers and staff is our prima- the pandemic, as the country will be performed at airports, The Health Ministry said a recent weeks. hind the surge in cases. ry consideration,” Mahmood reported more than 3,000 daily train stations and bus stops in new double mutant variant of On Wednesday, India re- The Health Ministry said a Pakistan on Wednesday an- said. A two-week shutdown was cases for a straight week. New Delhi and Mumbai amid the coronavirus and 771 other corded 47,262 new infections new double mutant variant of nounced it would keep educa- initially announced on March On Wednesday, 3,301 new a surge in infections in India variants have been detected and 275 deaths in the past 24 the coronavirus and 771 other tional institutions closed for 15. Virus hotspots were put un- infections and 30 virus-related seen by experts as an emerg- in samples collected from 18 hours, its highest so far this variants have been detected in two more weeks in densely der lockdown, wearing a face deaths were reported by the ing second wave of the virus. year. The country, the third- samples collected from 18 In- populated areas to bring down mask was made mandatory, Health Ministry. Pakistan has Public gatherings and cele- Indian states worst hit after US and Brazil, dian states. However, the gov- steadily rising coronavirus in- schools were shut and markets so far recorded 637,042 cases brations during Holi, the pop- has reported more than 11.7 ernment said there was no link fections. and parks closed early. and 13,965 deaths in total. ular Hindu festival of colours, tory testing in busy areas ear- million cases and 160,000 between the spike in cases and “All educational institutions Later, flights from 12 coun- Last month, the Covid-19 which falls on March 29, have lier this week, the Delhi gov- deaths so far. these variants. will remain closed until April 11 tries including Brazil were also vaccination campaign started also been barred in both cities. ernment also issued directions Authorities have imposed The government is ex- in all districts where positiv- suspended. The decision was by inoculating front line health While authorities in the to test travellers coming from partial lockdowns and restric- panding its vaccination drive ity and infection rate is high,” taken by the National Com- workers, and now people aged financial hub of Mumbai, a other states where infections tions in half a dozen states by making it open to everyone Education Minister Shafqat mand and Operation Center 60 and above are being vacci- virus hotspot, ordered manda- are rising, officials said on contributing to the spike in aged 45 and up from April 1. Mahmood announced. (NCOC), the body responsible nated. SPAT WITH PHARMA GIANT Merkel apologises for Easter holiday EU tightens controls on lockdown U-turn

dpa mented, at least not in such COVID-19 vaccine exports Berlin a short time,” Merkel said. It was initially unclear German Chancellor whether was an alternative Angela Merkel suddenly plan in place to contain a scrapped plans on Wednes- severe third wave of infec- day for a stricter national tions, but Merkel later clari- lockdown over Easter, say- fied that the default plan ing the decision - reached was the full implementation after hours of negotiations of a so-called “emergency with state leaders - was a brake” to suspend all plan- “mistake.” ning reopenings. “The idea of an Easter Merkel and her grand shutdown was conceived coalition - made up of the with the best of intentions, conservative Christian because we absolutely have Democrats (CDU) and the to slow down and reverse centre-left Social Demo- the third wave of the pan- crats (SPD) - have come demic. Nevertheless, the under severe criticism over idea of the so-called ‘Easter what was perceived as a rest’ was a mistake,” she bungled coronavirus con- told journalists. tainment strategy. “I know that this entire The country’s slow vac- process will trigger addi- cine rollout has added fuel tional uncertainty. to the debate. I deeply regret this and I Several lawmakers and ask all citizens for their for- some of the country’s 16 giveness,” she said. state premiers praised Mer- Merkel explained that kel for taking responsibility Monday’s decision to tight- for the mistake. en an existing lockdown “In the end it is bet- over the Easter period ter to clear it up now if it is would have been too diffi- not legally viable,” Markus cult to enforce from a legal Soeder, the powerful pre- and a logistical standpoint. mier of the southern state of The plan had included Bavaria, was cited as saying. shutting down or vastly lim- Criticism of the agree- iting business activities on ment earlier this week had April 1 and 3 - a Thursday centred on the fact that de- and a Saturday. spite marathon talks, key “Far too many ques- elements of the plan re- A laboratory technician supervises capped vials of AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine in Rome. (File photo) (AFP) tions, from the continued mained unclear. payment of wages due to the Industry and business dpa introduces two new criteria sity of Oxford’s Our World in spokesperson said London re- lost working hours, to the leaders said they had been Brussels for deliveries worldwide: how Export curb Data project shows. So far, the mained confident that vaccine situation in the shops and left in the dark as to what far ahead the nation receiving EU has blocked only one de- supplies remained on track factories, have shown that the Easter closures meant in The European Union tight- the shots is in their vaccina- The new export rules livery of 250,000 AstraZeneca despite the announcement. the plan cannot be imple- practice. ened its controls on Covid-19 tion campaign; and whether come as news doses that was to be shipped “We are all fighting the vaccine exports on Wednes- vaccine-producing countries emerged that from Italy to Australia. same pandemic - vaccines are day, allowing shipments are exporting in a reciprocal AstraZeneca is storing The new rules technically an international operation; headed almost anywhere to be manner. 29 million doses in give the bloc the right to pro- they are produced by col- halted. “This is not a tit for tat,” Italy for export to hibit exports of any vaccines, laboration by great scientists Faced with major supply an EU official said, stressing not only of companies that around the world. And we will Netanyahu vows to difficulties, the bloc set up a that the controls were not a Britain were in breach of their con- continue to work with our Eu- system registering outward ban and only served to ensure tracts with the EU. However, ropean partners to deliver the shipments of the vital jabs in fair and secure supply of vac- Italian newspaper La Stampa. doing so was not in the interest vaccine rollout,” the spokes- build coalition despite January amid an ongoing spat cines in the bloc. “That does The commission, which of the bloc, an EU official said. person said in a statement. with British-Swedish pharma- not mean that one dose going negotiated vaccine supply “I think it jumps too short “Our plan to cautiously re- unclear election results ceutical giant AstraZeneca. out of the European Union has contracts on behalf of the 27 now to say a company that open society via our roadmap Up until now, exports to be replicated by one dose member states, has grown in- complies with the [contracts] also remains unchanged,” the dpa na party, but even with Bennett could only be blocked if a com- coming in.” The possibility of creasingly frustrated with the might still be blocked,” the EU spokesperson said. Tel Aviv he may have only 59 seats. pany is deemed to be failing export restrictions has pro- slow pace of deliveries - par- official said. There are differences of Opposition leader Yair in its contractual obligations voked tensions with EU mem- ticularly from AstraZeneca. “Theoretically possible, opinion among the members Israeli Prime Minister Ben- Lapid’s Yesh Atid party is set to the EU, and only exports to ber Britain, which is a major The EU is a major export- but I think the overall assess- states on how cautious to be in jamin Netanyahu early on to come in second with 18 certain countries are covered. recipient of EU-produced jabs. er of vaccine shots, having ment will show - and again the exercising the export ban tool, Wednesday vowed to build a seats. Lapid rejects a coalition On Wednesday, the Eu- The new export rules come shipped off some 43 million track record [that] we have - an EU diplomatic source said stable coalition after the coun- with Netanyahu. ropean Commission dropped as news emerged that Astra- doses so far. will show that we have no in- Wednesday. try’s fourth election in two these exemptions for vac- Zeneca is storing 29 million Only 9.5 per cent of EU terest at all in blocking per se, Belgium, where the phar- years, but partial results indi- cine deliveries headed to any doses in Italy for export to residents have had at least any exports.” he said. maceutical industry has a cate he may not have the nec- Netanyahu will need the neighbouring countries. Britain, EU sources confirmed one shot, compared to 41.7 Responding in diplomatic strong presence, has urged re- essary majority. The stricter system also to dpa following reports by per cent in Britain, the Univer- tones, a British government straint, for example. The country’s embattled support of his rival Naftali premier vowed there would Bennett from the pro-settler be no fifth election inI srael, Yamina party, but even with insisting he would rule out no Bennett he may have only one in his bid to form a coali- 59 seats tion backed by a majority of 61 Efforts under way to refloat grounded ship blocking Suez parliamentary seats. He initially described the The right-wing religious dpa reported later Wednesday, in 1869. result as a “huge victory for bloc around Netanyahu now Cairo citing SCA. The expansion allows the right and for the Likud un- appears to have 52 out of 120 Convoys and traffic are two-way traffic along the der my leadership,” in a tweet Knesset seats, while the bloc Tug boats are trying to re- expected to resume as soon previously one-way canal and shortly after Israel’s three that seeks to oust the long- float a huge container ship as the ship is towed to anoth- is designed to reduce the main television stations pre- time premier now counts 56 that ran aground in the Suez er position, the firm added. waiting time for vessels. dicted his conservative party instead of 57. Canal on Tuesday, disrupting There was no immediate The Suez Canal provides would win 31-33 seats in Is- With an expected seven traffic in one of the world’s confirmation from SCA. one of Egypt’s main sources rael’s 120-seat Knesset. seats, the Yamina party head- busiest trade routes. The vessel ran aground of income, alongside tourism Hours later, as partial re- ed by Bennett, could play a The state-run Suez Canal on Tuesday mainly due to and remittances from expa- sults indicated that the bloc of crucial role in deciding who Authority (SCA) said that poor visibility resulting from triates. right-wing and religious par- governs the country. eight tug boats were trying to a sandstorm in the area, SCA In 2015, Egyptian au- ties may not have the required The picture can still shift shift the Panamanian super- said in a statement. thorities forecast that majority of 61 seats, he no again as not all votes are tanker Ever Given, which The mishap reported- the new passage would longer spoke of a victory. counted. Final results are not ran aground while sailing ly blocked other vessels from increase the Suez Canal’s With more than 90 per- expected before Friday. through the waterway on a passing through the canal, A view of the Taiwan-owned MV Evergreen, a 400-metre long and annual revenue from 5 billion cent of the votes counted by A small Arab party, Ra’am Rotterdam-bound voyage sending oil prices higher on 59-metre wide vessel, lodged sideways and impeding all traffic across dollars to 13.2 billion dollars late Wednesday morning, the led by Mansour Abbas, mean- coming from China. Wednesday. the waterway of Egypt’s Suez Canal on Wednesday. (afp) by 2023. Likud remained the strongest while appears to have made it The 400-metre-long ves- However, SCA chief The artificial waterway parliamentary group, but with past the crucial 3.25 percent sel has been partially refloat- Osama Rabae said that traffic not spare efforts to ensure In 2015, Egypt opened a connects the Mediterranean only 30 seats. threshold to get seats in the ed and is now alongside the had returned to normal in the normal shipping and serving 35-kilometre extension run- and Red seas, providing the Netanyahu will need the Knesset. According to the par- canal bank, the Gulf Agency older part of the waterway. global trade,” Rabae added in ning parallel to the historical shortest shipping route be- support of his rival Naftali Ben- tial results, Ra’am could get Company, a shipping firm, “The Suez Canal does the statement. canal, which was inaugurated tween Asia and Europe. nett from the pro-settler Yami- five seats. Honda launches all-new CBR600RR in ME page 11

Thursday, march 25, 2021

32,512.64 10,213.13 49180.31 1,735.70 +89.49 pts +19.05 pts -871.13 pts Gold +0.47 % Massive cargo ship becomes Dow QE sensex wedged, blocks Suez Canal page 12 Price percentage Price percentage 25.16 Brent 64.18 +5.58 % WTI 60.89 +5.42 % Silver -0.27 %

Qatar Credit Bureau’s new MPHC poised to strengthen service to provide credit market position: Chairman reports online QNA Shareholders approve board of directors’ recommendation for a dividend payment of QR0.04 per share Doha Qatar Credit Bureau on Satyendra Pathak Wednesday announced the Doha launch of a new service that provides credit reports on- Mesaieed Petrochemical line. The new service coin- Holding Company (MPHC) cided with celebrating the is poised to strengthen its bureau’s 10-year anniver- market position and increase sary, in an event attended shareholder’s value as it fol- by Qatar Central Bank Gov- lows a strategy towards being ernor Sheikh Abdullah bin a petrochemicals producer Saoud Al Thani. known for operational excel- The new service is part of lence, high safety and en- larger efforts to develop Qa- vironmental standards, the tar Credit Bureau’s systems, company’s chairman said on which includes a host of new Wednesday. digital services that will not Addressing shareholders need paper processing. at the company’s annual gen- Commenting on the oc- eral assembly meeting, MPHC casion, Qatar Credit Bureau Chairman Ahmad Saif Al Su- CEO Sheikha Maryam bint laiti said, “The year 2020 was Khalifa Al Thani said, “The marked by global economic bureau plays an important uncertainties in form of sty- role in supporting financial mied demand and weaker stability in Qatar. The new global GDP growth since the services, which will be ef- start of the year. The macro- fective from Sunday, will environment further deterio- enhance the bureau’s role in rated due to an unprecedented supporting the financial sys- decline in the crude oil prices tem and providing accurate amid COVID-19 pandemic.” and comprehensive credit in- “All of this led to increased formation.” pressure on our product pric- She noted that the bu- es, which together with a de- reau’s credit information cline in sales volumes amid system was recognised by the periodic maintenance turna- International Organization rounds negatively affected MPHC continued to focus on operational excellence, growth and sustainability in a year marked by extremely challenging macroeconomic headwinds. for Standardization (ISO) in MPHC’s overall financial per- many fields such as cyberse- formance for this year to re- headwinds, he said. to optimize plant operating year 2020 was one of the most phasis on operational effi- flows via added efficiency in curity systems and business cord a net profit of RQ 532 mil- “Operational excellence rates, enhance the safety of challenging years for the com- ciency and cost competitive- operations and enhanced pro- continuity. lion,” he said. was mainly driven by con- operations and unlock future pany since its inception, un- ness to maintain its position duction levels,” he said. She added that the bu- “There have been some tinuous optimization of our growth potential.” derpinned by oil price turmoil, as a leading low-cost opera- Going forward, he said, reau is currently working on signs of gradual recovery noted processes and operating costs “Given current short- and global pandemic and customer tor. Given the current difficult “Our base case business strat- increasing the number of its in the global macroeconomic in a lower price environment, medium-term economic out- scepticism. Despite these chal- market dynamics and mac- egy for the next five years will members, as well as provid- climate, specifically in the lat- improved reliability and en- look and the related impact lenges, we successfully imple- roeconomic outlook, our cost continue to focus on market ing more data that would be ter part of 2020, with a re- hanced asset integrity. In sus- on our business, the board mented our planned turna- optimisation efforts acceler- development by accessing new useful given the growth of bound in the prices of crude oil tainability, we continued to of directors proposed to pay rounds within the defined ated in 2020,” he said. geographies and create prod- the local economy and the ex- and downstream products, ow- limit the environmental im- a total annual dividend dis- timelines and budget.” As part of the company’s uct and market arbitrages and pansion of a number of small ing to unprecedented stimulus pact of our business, while op- tribution for 2020 of QR503 Starting from the fourth latest initiatives, he said, bring logistical cost savings to and medium enterprises. announcements and lifting of timizing operating rates. One million, equivalent to QR0.04 quarter of 2020, he said, “We MPHC joint ventures reviewed the Group. We will also con- Qatar Credit Bureau is- lockdowns in major markets, of our core objectives during per share, with a pay-out ratio are noticing signs of recovery their respective operating ex- tinue to focus on productiv- sued around 370,000 reports along with optimism around the year was to execute the of 94 percent to the Group’s in the global markets, where penditures and identified ex- ity and efficiency gains via the to its member institutions that vaccine roll-out. Against such planned turnarounds for cer- net earnings. Given that this a rebound in our product pric- penses that are not critical in on-going cost optimization included 322,000 reports on a backdrop of positive devel- tain facilities safely, despite year’s payout ratio has been es were noticed, mainly due the current circumstances. programs. Additionally, we their transactions with indi- opments, we look forward to the challenges posed due to the highest since MPHC’s to stimulus announcements “Total capital expenditure will selectively invest in capi- viduals, and another 26,000 a further improved macro- the spread of the pandemic, incorporation, even with the from various sovereigns, while for the year, primarily related tal investment projects that we reports on their transactions economic environment, which all the facilities successfully extreme challenges faced by major markets coming out to maintenance expenditures believe will increase our com- with other companies. The would yield positive results completed their respective the Group during 2020, it is of lockdowns, along with op- across joint ventures amount- petitive position and add value bureau also issued 33,000 in terms of enhanced perfor- planned turnarounds within a testament to the Group’s timism around vaccine roll- ed to QR 331 million. The to our shareholders.” credit reports for individuals. mance for MPHC’s joint ven- the budgeted schedules,” the robust and resilient financial out. Against such a positive Group is expected to make During the meeting, the The digital assessment tures,” he said. chairman said. position,” he said. backdrop, we look forward to various projects over the next shareholders approved the called Credit Scoring issued MPHC continued to fo- Going forward, he said, Speaking on the occasion, an improved macroeconomic five years to enhance opera- board’s recommendation for a by Qatar Credit Bureau, is cus on operational excellence, “We will remain focused on Qatar Petroleum Privatized climate, which indeed would tions while ensuring greater dividend payment of QR0.04 a standard reference in the growth and sustainability in our five-year business plan Companies Affairs Depart- positively affect MPHC results plant reliability, integrity and per share for 2020, represent- field of credit as well as an a year marked by extremely of containing expenses while ment Manager Mohammed going forward.” maintenance. This will also ing 4 percent of the nominal objective tool to estimate the challenging macroeconomic making capital expenditures Jaber Al Sulaiti said, “The “MPHC places great em- help increase operational cash share value. risk of customers.

Barwa signs $92.85 million Tunisian minister, QC chairman visit AgriteQ 2021 financing deal QNA Tribune News Network Doha Doha

Barwa Real Estate Group Qatar Chamber organised a tour for has announced signing a the Tunisian Economy and Finance new financing agreement for Minister Ali Al Kaali and his accom- the amount of $92.85 mil- panying delegation to the venue of lion. The purpose of the new Qatar’s 8th International Agricultural facility is to finance a part of Exhibition (AgriteQ) which is cur- the budgeted capital expen- rently being held at the Doha Exhibi- ditures of the projects for tion and Convention Center. the year 2021. The delegation also included Tu- The term of the new fi- nisian Union of Industry and Com- nancing is up to five years. merce President Samir Majoul. The new financing is in QC Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin compliance with the provi- Jassim Al Thani and the Tunisian sions of Sharia. It should be delegation toured the pavilions of the noted that there is no con- exhibition where they were informed flict of interest between the on the displayed products. QC Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani and Tunisian Economy and Finance Minister Ali Al Kaali at the AgriteQ exhibition in Doha. contracting parties in this The Tunisian delegation showed agreement. keen interest in the exhibition and and learn about the investment op- country’s agricultural sector, Sheikh said, the Qatar Chamber will high- chamber’s support for the AgriteQ Barwa’s portfolio con- the Qatari agricultural products. portunities available in this sector Khalifa said, “Organising this inter- light the services it offers for the busi- 2021 confirms its keenness on sup- sists of developments as well In a statement issued on the oc- which is one of the most attractive national expo comes in this context. ness community, as well as the role it porting the agriculture sector and en- as income generating real casion, Sheikh Khalifa said, “The ex- sectors for investment.” It is noteworthy that Qatar Chamber performs to encourage Qatari busi- couraging businessmen to invest in estate investments that in- hibition offers an important platform Praising the active role played supports the exhibition as a silver nessmen to invest in agriculture and this vital sector which is considered clude residential units, retail that enables businessmen to explore by the Ministry of Municipality and sponsor.” food security projects. a key catalyst for achieving the food space, offices and mixed use the latest innovations in agriculture Environment in supporting the Through its booth in the expo, he Sheikh Khalifa also noted that the security in the country. developments. 10 Thursday, March 25, 2021 Economy & Business Dukhan Bank AGM approves 10% cash dividend for shareholders

Bank approves Unveiling the new iden- A strong performance in Customer deposits issuance of tity and digital trans- total asset standing at QR reached QR 54 bn Sukuk with a formation are among 86 billion, driven by a strong maximum the most prominent growth in the finance portfo- Shareholders’ equity limit of QR4.9 bn achievements of 2020 lio that exceeded QR 54 bn exceeded QR11.5 bn

Tribune News Network The annual rankings of the Doha safest banks in the world, taken from The American Global Fi- Dukhan Bank convened its nance magazine, has been a reli- ordinary and extraordinary an- able measure of financial security nual general meeting (AGM) for more than 25 years. The best on Wednesday virtually at the banks are selected based on the bank’s headquarters. The meet- evaluation of long-term ratings ing was chaired by Dukhan Bank from international credit rating Chairman and Managing Director agencies like Moody’s, Standard Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad & Poor’s, and Fitch; as well as the Bin Jassim Al Thani with 90 per- quality of the banks’ financial per- cent shareholder attendance. formance. During the AGM, all items on Sheikh Mohammed further the agenda were discussed includ- added that Moody’s had con- ing hearing and approval of the firmed the Dukhan Bank’s long- board’s report for 2020, endors- term credit rating at A2 / Prime-1, ing the bank’s proposals for future with a stable outlook, alongside business plans. The AGM also ap- Fitch’s affirmation at “A”. proved the board’s recommenda- “Both ratings reflect the tion to distribute cash dividends strength and robustness of the amounting to 10 percent of the Qatari economy as well as the nominal value of the shares at the bank’s independent credit, which rate of QR1 per share, along with exhibits a strong financial assets the validation of the external au- position and an ability to play a ditor’s report of the year for 2020 leading role in the Islamic banking and discussing the bank’s balance sector in Qatar,” he said. sheet for the year, including prof- In terms of future plans, its and losses. Sheikh Mohamed pointed to a The general assembly also ap- positive outlook stemming from proved the issuance of additional new economic opportunities pour- Tier1 capital Sukuk of the bank’s ing into the country. capital base that is not convertible “The bank will spare no effort into shares, with a maximum val- to gain the largest possible share ue of QR4.9 billion, or its equiva- of financing infrastructure pro- lent in other currencies. jects and provide all possible sup- The bank stated that Sukuk port to contribute to the growth of will be issued gradually within the country’s economy. The bank three years and authorised the will also continue, by all means, board of directors to determine to working towards increasing the amount, terms and condi- Dukhan Bank Chairman and Managing Director Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani and other senior officials at the bank’s ordinary and extraordinary shareholders returns through an tions and the currency of each is- annual general meeting held online on Wednesday. expansion of activity in Qatar,” sue. All of which will be followed he said. in accordance with the terms and urgent individual needs. to alleviate the financial pressure As for its staff and human instructions of Qatar Central Bank Strong financial results In view of the critical situation on private companies and small resources, the bank continues and concerned authorities. More- Dukhan Bank recorded strong growth in total revenues by imposed by the pandemic, Sheikh and medium-sized enterprises its Qatarisation plan by attract- over, the board will be responsible 15.7 percent which reached QR3.8 billion, while total Mohammed praised the bank’s (SMEs). ing young, qualified, scientifi- for getting the necessary approv- assets rose 12 percent to QR86 billion upported by outstanding performance, attrib- He also referred to other meas- cally, and practically qualified als of the regulatory authorities as uting success to the digital trans- ures are taken by the bank in a Qatari talent to assume their role well as Qatar Central Bank. financing assets that exceeded QR58 billion formation undertaken as a top pri- pragmatic and systematic man- in leading the bank to the first Presenting a detailed report ● The total customer deposits amounted to QR54 billion, recording a ority, which has been a champion ner within the framework of its ranks within Islamic financial on the bank’s activities and finan- growth of 12.5 percent. These positive financial results reflect the in providing seamless financial crisis management plan in terms institutions. cials on the occasion, the chair- bank’s strong performance, its leading position in the Qatari market and services to its customers towards of protecting its staff as well as its Dukhan Bank continues to im- man said, “The bank recorded the integrity of the risk management systems it follows. business continuity and uninter- customers. plement its extensive strategy in strong growth in total revenues rupted banking services. These measures included providing more advanced digital by 15.7 percent which reached “These factors acted as the transferring most of the daily services in 2021, with plans cen- QR3.8 billion, while total assets backbone in providing services banking transactions from the tred around the launch of more rose to QR86 billion (12 percent) ful launch of the new commercial In the context of its aspira- without delay during the crisis. branches to electronic platforms contactless payment products in supported by financing assets that identity of Dukhan Bank which tions to emerge as ‘Qatar’s Bank of Moreover, the bank enhanced its whilst ensuring smooth banking the coming period. exceeded QR58 billion. The total came a year and a half after the Choice’ and to confirm this posi- online banking services portfolio services, strengthening custom- The bank seeks to provide customer deposits amounted to completion of the first banking tion, he said, the new identity an- through developing the website ers’ confidence in online banking the best innovative services to its QR54 billion, recording a growth merger in Qatar, between Barwa nounced in October 2020 came in and mobile application, increas- services. This has been developed customers, and to give them the of 12.5 percent. These positive fi- Bank and International Bank light of a significant positive digi- ing the efficiency of the call center, through focused awareness cam- latest, most secure, and safe pay- nancial results reflect the bank’s of Qatar. tal transformation witnessed by and using Dukhan Bank’s contact- paigns via social media urging ment solutions that are available strong performance, its leading “In addition, it coincides with the bank, to provide operational less platform, D-Pay for making everyone to fully commit to the anytime anywhere, taking advan- position in the Qatari market and the economic and social challeng- efficiency, profitability and a safe payments,” he said. preventive instructions issued by tage of its vast portfolio of online the integrity of the risk manage- es imposed by the COVID-19 pan- and seamless banking experience In addition, the chairman concerned authorities. banking services. ment systems it follows. The posi- demic reaffirming the bank’s com- for its customers. highlighted the vital role Dukhan In the fourth quarter of 2020, The distribution of the divi- tive results have been reflected mitment to providing innovative This step is also reflected in an Bank played in responding proac- the aforementioned achievements dend cheques for the fiscal year clearly on the shareholders ’equity banking solutions in Qatar, and evolution in the bank’s methodol- tively to the economic impact of confirm Dukhan Bank’s standing 2020 will begin on March 28. For that exceeded QR11.5 billion.” contribution towards strengthen- ogy in terms of creating products the pandemic. This included the amongst the 10 safest banks in those listed on the Dukhan Bank He went on to state that the ing the local banking sector in line and services that are aimed at en- launch of the (COVID-19) Nation- the Middle East and the 10 safest shareholder register, dividends bank’s outstanding financial re- with the goals of Qatar National abling customers to carefully plan al Guarantee Program under the Islamic banks in the GCC for the will be deposited directly into sults are parallel to the success- Vision 2030,” he said. their financial present in line with directive of Qatar Central Bank year 2020. their shareholder accounts.

Digital spending in Qatar to jump to $3.2 billion in 2023: Jaida

Tribune News Network tal and sports are part of the Qatar Science & Technology beyond. This is creating long- sia will leverage the fantastic Doha QFC’s focus sectors, and our Park (QSTP), Ooredoo, Qa- term growth prospects in Qa- opportunities offered by Qa- strategy is aligned with Qa- tar Sportstech (QST), Aspire tar Free Zones’ focus sectors tar. QR Sports is here to sup- Qatar’s digital and sport tar’s existing positioning in Zone Foundation, Sponix, of emerging tech, logistics, port and navigate.” industries are projected to these fields. Our unique plat- Skolkovo Foundation and and advanced mobility.” The webinar was also ad- see rapid growth in the next form provides a gateway to Rosinfocominvest. Kirill Lata, Head of QR dressed by Andrey Egorov, few years, said QFC Authority lucrative markets, facilitating Qatar Free Zones Au- Sports, said, the sports in- Office ofK nowledge and Inno- Chief Executive Officer You- future growth,” he said. thority Deputy CEO Abdulla dustry was getting increas- vation Director, QRCC; Noor suf Mohamed Al Jaida. The webinar, ‘Emerg- Al-Misnad said Qatar was ingly bigger and more diverse Nedal Abu Khadija, TASMU By 2023, digital spending ing opportunities: Qatar and already making tremendous worldwide, expanding from Digital Valley Partnership in Qatar will increase to $3.2 Russia’, was hosted by Qatar progress in establishing the the traditional markets to the Lead, Ministry of Transport billion, while the sports sector Financial Centre (QFC), in enabling technological foun- new ones. Russia supports the and Communications; Yousef is expected to reach $20 bil- collaboration with Qatari- dations to support growth to trend. Al Salehi Executive Director, lion, he added, while address- Russian Center for Coopera- 2030 and beyond. “It is home to internation- QSTP; Kamel Badawy, Busi- ing a webinar to introduce tion (QRCC) & QR Sports. “Leading global technol- ally recognized sports compa- ness Management & Intelli- unique prospects in Qatar’s Comprising two themed ogy firms including Google nies and high potential sports gence Director, Aspire Zone digital and sports sectors to sessions, spanning digital Cloud, Yutong, Volkswagen tech startups. Qatar offers Foundation; Arkady Dvorko- large Russian corporations, and sports, the event was and Thales have already in- a unique infrastructure for vich Chairman, Skolkovo Qatar Financial Centre, in collaboration with Qatari-Russian Center SMEs and start-ups. held on March 3, 2021, and vested in Qatar Free Zones sports companies to grow and Foundation. Sheikh Nasser for Cooperation and QR Sports recently hosted a webinar, ‘Emerg- “This presents great po- supported by the Ministry of to establish clusters in cloud develop. bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Tha- ing opportunities: Qatar and Russia’, to introduce unique prospects tential for investment to a Transport and Communica- computing and advanced mo- “We expect that more and ni, Chief Commercial Officer, in Qatar’s digital and sports sectors to large Russian corporations, wide range of businesses in tions (MOTC), Qatar Free bility that will help in the de- more sports companies and Ooredoo, and George Mika- SMEs and start-ups. both sectors. Equally, digi- Zones Authority (QFZA), livery on the World Cup and sports tech startups from Rus- beridze of Rosinfocominvest. Economy & Business Thursday, March 25, 2021 11 QIG accelerates Double delight for QIB at Digital corporate social responsibility efforts Banker MEA Innovation Awards Tribune News Network The bank bags the ‘Best Mobile Initiative’ and the ‘Best Bank for Cash Management’ in Qatar awards Qatar Insurance Group, the leading insurer in Qatar Tribune News Network digitization of wages’ pay- and the MENA region, has Doha ments for all QIB’s corporate become the official insur- customers, and 93% now of ance sponsor of Katara’s Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), all transfers are performed World Beach Volleyball Qatar’s leading and glob- online. Championship and Com- ally recognised digital bank, QIB is also the first Islamic mercial Bank Qatar Masters has been awarded with two Bank in Qatar to launch an in- Golf Championship, for the prestigious titles at The Digi- tegrated Host-to-Host (H2H) year 2021. tal Banker Magazine’s Mid- Online Payment Management The continuous partici- dle East & Africa Innovation solution for large corporates, pation of Qatar Insurance Awards 2021 — the ‘Best Mo- in line with its endeavours Group as the official in- Senior vice-president of QIC bile Initiative in Qatar’ and the to automate and accelerate surance sponsor for these MENA Retail and Motor ‘Best Bank for Cash Manage- payment management expe- sporting events reaffirms Claims Ahmed Al Jarboey ment in Qatar’. riences of its corporate cus- its commitment to support- This latest recognition tomers. The Bank has also ing the wellbeing & devel- naments were held strictly for QIB comes following the introduced a Remote Deposit opment of the community in accordance with the pre- Bank’s outstanding perfor- Cheque (RDC) service as a which is an integral part of cautionary measures issued mance and excellence in pro- safe, fast and efficient solution its corporate social respon- by the Ministry of Public viding innovative banking for companies to remotely de- sibility mission. Health. solutions for corporate cus- posit Cheques from their own Katara World Beach Senior vice-president of tomers in Qatar. The Bank offices, in addition to a new Volleyball Championship QIC MENA Retail and Mo- was awarded the Best Mobile Corporate Deposit Only Card is the fourth edition of this tor Claims Ahmed Al Jarbo- Initiative based on the launch mote Deposit Cheque (RDC) able to provide the best and Mobile App also offers QIB’s that allows corporates to de- 4-Star category event, of ey expressed his excitement of the QIB Corporate Mobile service and the new Corporate most effective corporate bak- corporate customers full con- posit cash or cheques in their which Qatar Insurance on company’s keenness to App, and the structural & Deposit Only Card. ing products and services that trol of their accounts and in- accounts with zero human in- Group is a “Golden spon- provide support and spon- features updates of the QIB Commenting on this rec- respond to the business needs stant access to their relation- teraction. sor”. sorship for these important Corporate Internet Banking ognition, Bassel Gamal, QIB of our customers, and that ac- ship managers. The Digital Banker’s Mid- Qatar Insurance Group sporting championships, portal. Group CEO said: “We are company their growth plans in The Bank has also intro- dle East and Africa Innova- first became a sponsor of and wished success to all The Best Bank Cash Man- pleased to be recognised by Qatar and beyond.” duced a brand new version of tion Awards recognizes and this championship in 2007 participants. agement recognition also The Digital Banker Magazine QIB is the first Islamic its Corporate Internet Bank- celebrates the world’s leading and since then have been “The contribution and comes following QIB’s intro- for the innovative banking Bank in Qatar to launch a ing portal with new additional digitally driven banking insti- long standing and a strong participation in sponsoring duction of series of new digital solutions we offer to our cor- corporate mobile banking features related to payments, tutions. They are accolades of supporter of the event. The this championship is an ex- cash management solutions porate customers. QIB is com- application, offering corpo- transfers, cards management excellence, attributed to out- importance of this tourna- tension of our continuous for SMEs & large corporations, mitted to support the econom- rate customers a convenient, and trade finance. The intro- standing players, and aim to ment is characterised by be- efforts to contribute & sup- such as the digital Host-to- ic growth across all business trusted, and safe way to fulfil duction of the new portal has be the benchmarks for the in- ing one of the International port such sporting events, Host (H2H) Online Payment sectors in Qatar, and we are their financial requirements led among others, to achieving dustry, and the largest reposi- Volleyball Federation event which greatly contribute to Management solution, the Re- proud for continuously being remotely. The QIB Corporate a 100% local & International tory of wholesale banking. for the current season. The achieving Qatar National tournament was held at Al Vision 2030”. Gharafa beach grounds, He added: “We have en- from 8th -12th March, sured that the core values with over 100 participating of our business and oper- Japan’s Toyota, Isuzu, Hino join in truck technology tie up teams from 88 countries. ating principles align with Qatar Insurance Group our objectives for CSR. In Agencies is Toyota’s truck division and Earlier, Isuzu had a capital tie- “And so we just have to ama. also announced its official effect, being socially con- had been Isuzu’s rival. up with U.S. automaker Gen- give it a try, and then try again. Apart from their mutual insurance sponsorship of scious has allowed us to Japanese automakers The 39 million shares of eral Motors Co. It is through that process of stake holdings, Isuzu, Hino, the Commercial Bank Qa- respond, engage and solve Toyota, Isuzu and Hino said Isuzu common stock that Toy- The cooperation among repetition Toyota has achieved and Toyota are jointly setting tar Masters Golf Champi- the common concerns of Wednesday they are setting up ota is acquiring are worth 42.8 Toyota, Isuzu and Hino is de- what it has.” up a company called Com- onship, Edition No. (24) for the society along with the a partnership in commercial billion yen, or about $400 mil- signed to reduce emissions by The three companies plan mercial Japan Partnership the year 2021. The cham- cooperation of our custom- vehicles to work together in lion. Isuzu will acquire Toyota building hydrogen infrastruc- to develop electric vehicles, Technologies Corp. in Tokyo, pionship was held on the ers, business partners and electric, hydrogen, connected shares worth the same value, ture, and to help solve the na- fuel cell vehicles, autono- to promote their partnership grounds of the Education affiliates. and autonomous driving tech- they said. tion’s shortage of drivers by mous driving and electronic and plan technology and ser- City Golf Club, from 11th – “Contribution to and nologies. The three companies com- sharing information online platforms for trucks, allowing vices, the company presidents 14th March. Both of these participation of such sport- Under the deal, Toyota bined control 80% of the Japa- and making deliveries more them to cut costs, promote said, appearing together at an sporting events took place ing events demonstrates Motor Corp., Japan’s top au- nese truck market. efficient. ecological infrastructure and online news conference. in exceptional circumstanc- our persistent efforts in tomaker, and truckmaker Toyota, which makes the “These days, it is hard to boost traffic safety. Capitalized at 10 million es as the world still faces supporting an active and Isuzu Motors will each take Camry sedan, Prius hybrid discern what is the correct “Companies must take up yen ($93,000), the new com- an unprecedented global healthy living in the Qatari a 4.6% stake in each other, and Lexus luxury models, sold way,” Toyota President Akio innovation if we hope to build pany will be 80% owned by pandemic, and these tour- community.” the three companies said in a off in 2018 a 5.9% stake in Isu- Toyoda said in a news confer- a better society,” said Isuzu Toyota, 10% each by Isuzu and joint statement. Hino Motors zu that it had bought in 2006. ence that streamed online. President Masanori Katay- Hino.

drawing from winners Honda launches all-new CBR600RR in Middle East

Tribune News Network acceleration and braking as well as race scene is reflected in the entire the cowl area enables agile han- Doha increased accuracy of high-speed design. The front upper cowl has dling performance. steering. both improved wind-resistant The Honda Motor Company Inverted 43mm SHOWA Big performance and reduced running Selectable rider modes has launched the New 2021 Piston Forks have been extended resistance. The winglets are tuned The CBR600RR also features CBR600RR for the Middle East by 15mm to provide excellent to optimize the motion charac- riding modes that combine different region at a virtual launch event rigidity and balance This reduces teristics of the CBR600RR. This control levels of the Power Selector, held on its YouTube channel and hydraulic pressure under com- contributes to agile handling and HSTC, Wheelie Mitigation Control across its distributor’s social media pression and extension which improved vehicle stability when and Selectable Engine Braking. Rid- platforms. maximize tire contact with road ers can select a riding feel in accord- surface. ance with the riding conditions and ‘Total control’ This powerful brake system their preferences. 3 preset riders’ The all-new 2021 CBR600RR has continuously been equipped modes and 2 user modes give the has taken the 600 Super Sport with the opposed-piston 4-pot rider a variety of choices. class to a different level. Honda callipers and 310mm double has used their extensive experience disc rotor in the front as Full-colour liquid crystal and technology from Moto2 and well as the lightweight sin- metre MotoGP winning machines. We gle pot callipers and 220mm The all-new CBR600RR is have been able to deliver one of disc rotor in the rear. equipped with many electric our most advanced 600 machines components. The full-colour TFT with race inspired aerodynamics, Exterior liquid crystal metre has been Throttle By Wire (TBW) selectable For the all-new CBR- installed in order to provide clear rider modes, Honda Selectable 600RR, the knowledge has visibility of functional details on Torque Control (HSTC) levels and been acquired through the de- the meter for riders. The rider IMU (5 axis IMU) controlled 2 produces 119hp@14,000rpm and and torque at higher rpm. The velopment of the CBR1000RR- enter- modes with the selectable Power, channel cornering ABS to encap- 63 Nm of torque @ 11,500rpm. Ram air duct is equivalent in size R, which is infused with the ing a Torque control, wheelie control sulate “Total control” machine Various updates have been applied to the RC213V MotoGP race bike, aerodynamic performance tech- corner or and Engine braking is easy to see behaviour. to the engine, such as applica- similar to the new CBR1000RR nology used in the RC213V - a Mo- turning while so the rider knows exactly what “Our engineers have developed tion of different materials for the Fireblade recently launched in this toGP machine. This technology accelerating. he/she has selected. At the top of technology that assists in bringing camshaft, valve spring and crank- region. has been reflected in the optimal Full LED lights the meter, 5 white LEDs come on Joy to the rider and at the same shaft. The port of the cylinder head This configuration charges the form in the CBR600RR, equipped have been adopted as when you’re getting close to the time keeping you in safe hands. has been reshaped and the throttle cylinders by forcing the air at a with aerodynamic performance they are lightweight and compact RPM limit, encouraging you to Throttle by Wire (TBW) allows bore diameter has been expanded. higher speed thereby improving and functional excellence in order in size. The lighting devices are shift up. the function of Honda Selectable Also, the valve timing has been power and torque. Throttle body to win. Its appearance is designed located as close to the centre of the The all-new CBR600RR is Torque Control (HSTC) to suit readjusted and Throttle by Wire ports are also optimized to in- based upon the “mass centraliza- front cowl as possible contributing already available in respective riders experience and road condi- (TBW) has been added. crease intake of the air efficiency. tion form”. In terms of styling it to the “mass centralization”. country wise Honda Showrooms tions,” Honda said in a statement. The valve timing has been Assist and slipper clutch, incorporates thorough aerody- The fuel tank shelter is de- from end of February 2021. “The five-axis Internal Measure- changed to increase the power ensures smooth power delivery namic performance technology signed to support the rider with a Honda motorcycles are distrib- ment Unit (IMU) provides accurate output. The closing of the inlet on the road or track, and with an fed back from the race scene. The sense of unity between the rider uted in Qatar by Doha Marketing information such as lean angle, valve has been put back by 5° while option of a “quick shifter” you will front and side projection areas and the vehicle, arm fit during Services Company (DOMASCO), pitch and yaw to precisely control the opening of the exhaust has want to ride it everywhere. are optimized to improve wind- forward bending and hang-on, a leading multi-brand company the cornering, ABS, rear lift control been moved up by 5° as well. This resistant performance and realize vehicle holding and operability in Qatar and a member of the Al and wheelie control. The rider can improves the intake efficiency of Form follows function agile handling. when turning. The air outlet Futtaim group. It has a diversified select various riding modes and air-fuel mixture and exhaust of The frame that provides In addition, the winglets con- design of the middle and under portfolio of passenger cars, motor other functions from the clear TFT combustion gas. feedback to the rider has been tribute to improving the stability cowls on each side has been bikes, commercial vehicles, ma- colour metre assembly. The new engine power and developed from the racing technol- of the vehicle when entering a cor- optimized. Also air intake and rine and power products, watches torque curves are like the outgoing ogy. Twin tube structure made of ner or turning while accelerating. exhaust efficiency has been en- and electronics representing some Performance model. It’s perfect for the road and hollow die-cast aluminum im- The aerodynamic performance hanced, thus improving cooling of the world’s most visible and The Moto2 inspired engine the track with a bit more power proves high speed stability under technology cultivated from the performance and minimization of award-winning brands. 12 Thursday, March 25, 2021 Economy & Business Al-Faleh Educational Holding convenes constituent general assembly

Tribune News Network Stock Exchange and the Min- Doha Having obtained the nod to istry of Commerce and Indus- convert from being an LLC try to convert the company Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh to a Qatari public share- from a limited liability com- Al Thani, Founder and Chair- holding company, Al-Faleh pany to a Qatari public share- person of Al-Faleh Education- holding company, Al Faleh al Holding Company, chaired Educational Holding will Educational Holding will be the founding assembly meet- be the first company to the first company to enlist in ing that was held on Monday enlist in the Qatar the Qatar Exchange Venture (March 15) at 2 pm at the Exchange Venture Market Market. In the end, the report company’s headquarters in Al of the Constituent Assembly Waab. development in line with the meeting was approved, and all The meeting was attended Qatar National Vision 2030. attendees and everyone who by Sheikh Jassim bin Nawaf Sheikha Aisha also thanked contributed to this success Al Thani, Sheikha Anwar bint attendees and everyone who were thanked. Nawaf Al Thani, the founders, contributed to the achieve- Al Faleh Educational advisors and the representa- ment and transformation of Holding encompasses three tives from the Ministry of the company from a limited schools, including Doha Acad- Commerce and Industry. liability company to a Qatari The meeting was attended by Sheikh Jassim bin Nawaf Al Thani, emy and Doha International Sheikha Aisha thanked His Public shareholding company. Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani, Founder and Chairperson of Sheikha Anwar bint Nawaf Al Thani, the founders, advisors and the Kindergarten, in addition to a Highness the Amir of the State Al Faleh Educational Al-Faleh Educational Holding Company representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. top-ranked university that is of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Holding was able to overcome also the first UK University to Hamad Al Thani, for his ef- the challenges imposed since ers, consultants, ministries during the past three months Authority for the company’s After obtaining the ap- operate on a dedicated cam- forts and contributions to sup- the outbreak of COVID-19 and relevant departments, and to obtain the approval of assessment of QR240 million proval of the Qatar Financial pus in Qatar, AFG College with port the country’s growth and with the help of the found- allowing it to achieve its goal the Qatar Financial Markets as well. Markets Authority, Qatar the University of Aberdeen. Citi Group declares Massive cargo ship becomes ‘Zoom-Free’ Fridays amid work fatigue wedged, blocks Suez Canal Agencies on weekends (remember those?” Fraser said. Citi will institute “Zoom- “We are of course a Unclear when the Free Fridays” and estab- global company that oper- route, through lish an employee day-off in ates across time zones, but May as firms seek to restore when our work regularly which around 10% work-life balance amid the spills over into nights, very of world trade flows, pandemic, the bank’s new early mornings and week- chief executive announced ends, it can prevent us from would reopen Tuesday. recharging fully, and that Jane Fraser, who took isn’t good for you nor, ulti- over the top job at Citi mately, for Citi.” Agencies earlier this month, said in The first woman to a note to employees she lead a major Wall Street A skyscraper-sized contain- wants to “reset” life at work bank, Fraser also directed er ship has become wedged in light of complaints of employees to take their al- across Egypt’s Suez Canal non-stop work days dur- lotted vacation time and and blocked all traffic in the ing the pandemic when designated May 28 as a vital waterway, officials said employees labor at home firm-wide holiday. Wednesday, threatening to and participate in non-stop Citi’s announcements disrupt a global shipping sys- digital meetings. come in the wake of a Gold- tem already strained by the “After listening to col- man Sachs presentation coronavirus pandemic. leagues around the world, by junior employees com- The Ever Given, a Panama- it became apparent we plaining of excessively long flagged ship that carries cargo need to combat the ‘Zoom work days and bullying by between Asia and Europe, ran fatigue’ that many of us senior colleagues that have aground Tuesday in the nar- feel,” Fraser said of the Fri- damaged mental health. row, man-made canal dividing day ban on Zoom calls. “A year into Covid, continental Africa from the Si- The policy only pertains people are understandably nai Peninsula. Images showed to internal Citi meetings, quite stretched, and that’s the ship’s bow was touch- which should be done by why we are listening to ing the eastern wall, while its phone on Friday. Staff can their concerns and taking stern looked lodged against still Zoom with clients or multiple steps to address the western wall — an extraor- at other outside meetings if them,” Goldman said of dinary event that experts said needed, she added. the complaints, which gar- they had never heard of hap- Calls also should not be nered international atten- pening before in the canal’s The Ever Given, a Panama-flagged ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, ran aground Tuesday in the narrow Suez Canal dividing placed “outside of what had tion after the powerpoint 150-year history. continental Africa from the Sinai Peninsula been traditional working was published on social Tugboats strained Wednes- hours pre-pandemic and media. day to try to nudge the obstruc- management, which man- had sunk. of Hamburg. Authorities at the backhoe appeared to be dig- tion out of the way as ships ages the Ever Given, said all An Egyptian official, who time blamed strong wind for ging into the sand bank under hoping to enter the waterway 20 members of the crew were spoke to The Associated Press the collision, which severely its bow in an effort to free it. began lining up in the Medi- safe and that there had been on condition of anonymity damaged the ferry. The Egyptian official said terranean and Red Seas. But “no reports of injuries or pol- because he wasn’t authorized A pilot from Egypt’s canal tugboats hoped to refloat the it remained unclear when the lution.” It wasn’t immediately to brief journalists, simi- authority typically boards a ship and that the operation route, through which around clear what caused the ship to larly blamed a strong wind. ship to guide it through the wa- would take at least two days. 10% of world trade flows and become wedged on Tuesday Egyptian forecasters said terway, though the ship’s cap- The ship ran aground some 6 which is particularly crucial morning. GAC, a global ship- high winds and a sandstorm tain retains ultimate authority kilometers (3.7 miles) north for the transport of oil, would ping and logistics company, plagued the area Tuesday, with over the vessel, said Ranjith of the southernly mouth of the reopen. One official warned it said the ship had experienced a winds gusting as much as 50 Raja, a lead analyst at the data canal near the city of Suez, an could take at least two days. In blackout without elaborating. kph (30 mph). firm Refinitiv.T he vessel en- area of the canal that’s a single the meantime, there were con- Bernhard Schulte, how- However, it remained un- tered the canal some 45 min- lane. cerns that idling ships could ever, denied the ship ever lost clear how winds of that speed utes before it became stuck, That could have a ma- become targets for attacks. power. alone would have been able moving at 12.8 knots (about jor knock-on effect for global “The Suez Canal will not Evergreen Marine Corp., to push a fully laden vessel 24 kph, 15 mph) just before the shipping moving between spare any efforts to ensure the a major Taiwan-based ship- weighing some 220,000 tons. crash, he said. the Mediterranean Sea and restoration of navigation and ping company that operates Tuesday marked the sec- An image posted to Ins- the Red Sea, warned Salva- to serve the movement of glob- the ship, said in a statement ond major crash involving the tagram by a user on another tore R. Mercogliano, a former al trade,” vowed Lt. Gen. Os- that the Ever Given had been Ever Given in recent years. In waiting cargo ship appeared to merchant mariner and asso- Citi Chief Executive Jane Fraser urged employees to take their vaca- sama Rabei, head of the Suez overcome by strong winds as it 2019, the cargo ship ran into a show the Ever Given wedged ciate professor of history at tion time in response to worries about burnout during the pandemic. Canal Authority. entered the canal from the Red small ferry moored on the Elbe across the canal as shown in North Carolina’s Campbell Bernhard Schulte Ship- Sea but none of its containers river in the German port city satellite images and data. A University. Huawei hosts annual Middle East virtual partner summit 2021

Tribune News Network is dependent on the success of ered the welcome address to are committed to delivering Doha the ecosystem it operates in. the partners which revolved the best-in-class ICT solu- The company’s channel archi- around digital acceleration in tions that help them create Huawei held its Middle East tecture and channel policies the Middle East and implica- more value for their business- Virtual Partner Summit 2021 are based on four key meas- tions for ecosystem partners. es in a fully integrated ecosys- on Wednesday under the ures – profitability, simplic- He said: “Digital transforma- tem,” Shi added. theme of “Win Together”. ity, enablement, and ecosys- tion is the biggest trend at During the Virtual Sum- The annual event offered tem. present and will continue for mit, Huawei also conducted a collaborative platform for Huawei’s ecosystem part- the foreseeable future. In a virtual exhibition tour for Huawei’s Middle East part- ners grow from 500 to 28,000 fact, the COVID-19 pandemic Huawei and partners’ of- ners, fostering an exchange of worldwide, and particularly has only accelerated the pro- ferings. In the second half best practices and successes in the Middle East region, the cess. The ICT ecosystem has of the summit, on-demand from the past year. Huawei company has added 521 reg- never been more in the spot- technology breakout ses- announced its 2021 channel istered partners, 131 Huawei- light as a result of this, and at sions were held on enterprise strategy, policies, programs certified service partners and Huawei, we recognize that our networking, cloud & AI and and promotions for regional set up 93 Huawei ICT Acad- achievements are made possi- Datacenters. Gulf Applica- partners during the event. emies. More than half of the ble only by the hard work and tions (GAPP), Mindware and Outstanding partners Huawei held its Middle East Virtual Partner Summit 2021 on Wednes- global companies featured in dedication from ecosystem Redington were the diamond were also felicitated during day under the theme of “Win Together”. the Fortune 500 list have cho- partners across all industries sponsors of the Huawei Mid- the Partner Awards 2020. David Shi, President of Enterprise sen Huawei as their digital and domains.” dle East Virtual Partner Sum- During the summit, Huawei Business Group, Huawei Middle East The goal for Huawei’s new ers, system integrators and transformation partner. “In this era of rapid digi- mit, while Enterprise Sys- customers and partners also channel strategy embraces alliances. This new direction David Shi, President of talization, we aspire to create tems, G2K Group and 4Sight shared key insights of their through their collaboration a collaborative, win-win ap- stems from the belief that the Enterprise Business Group, the most value for our cus- Technologies were gold spon- business enablement success with Huawei. proach for distributors, resell- company’s long-term success Huawei Middle East, deliv- tomers and partners, and we sors. QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Longines Hathab QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune has achieved impressive success despite pandemic challenges: Hamad Al Attiyah page 15 THURSday, MARCH 25, 2021 Muntari strikes as Qatar ease past Luxembourg in Hungary

Tribune News Network Doha

FIFA World Cup 2022 host nation Qatar made an impres- sive start to their European Zone FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign defeating Luxembourg 1-0 at the Nagy- erdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, on Wednesday. The cool climes seemed no deterrent to Al Annabi as Mo- hamed Muntari’s 12th minute strike from close range earned coach Felix Sanchez’s men a much-deserved victory. The 2019 Asian champions had more chances but lacked in finishing in front of the goal. Qatar – invited by UEFA as a guest nation to take part in the European qualifiers as they fine tune their prepara- tions for the next year’s World Qatar’s Mohamed Muntari (left) celebrates scoring with a teammate, while his teammates (right) rejoice during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification friendly against Luxembourg in Debrecen, Hungary, on Tuesday.( AFP) Cup at home – will face Azer- baijan on Saturday before fin- ishing their European sojourn against the Republic of Ireland on March 30. Qatar will return in Sep- tember to take on European champions Portugal and Ser- bia – the two other teams in Group A. The Al Annabi started with a charge against the 98th- ranked Luxembourg. Qatar, ranked 58th, then made the most of a chance after a defen- sive error in the 12th minute. Lars Gerson took too long to clear the ball with Almoez Ali swooping in to steal the ball. The Qatari forward then passed it onto Muntari, who fired in from the box. Qatar should have doubled their advantage in the 15th minute but Almoez’s point blank shot was saved by Lux- embourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris, though the forward should have done better. Lux- embourg, though, tried to hit back immediately even as Qa- tar’s defence looked shaky. Qatar’s winger Pedro Miguel on the right flank had an outstanding game as the Luxembourg’s Aldin Skenderovic (right) and Qatar’s Ahmed Alaaeldin (centre) vie for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification 30-year-old was unlucky not friendly at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, on Wednesday. (AFP) to score, having hit the wood- work twice in the second half. Coach Sanchez praised his we adapted well. We created Almoez and Muntari in the The Qatar coach indicated Luxembourg had more of players after the match but ad- chances and were able to win front. They did well in all the he would rotate players for the ball in the second half but mitted there was room for im- even though Luxembourg had facets of the game both defen- the next two games “Now it’s failed to find the net as the Qa- provement. “I think the play- good offensive players,” the sively and forward. But more time to recover and analyse tar players were more organ- ers did well today. We played Spaniard said. than just two players, the team and then try to find the best ized. The 87th minute sending at a good rhythm, the game Sanchez was also im- as a group were very compact option against Azerbaijan. We off of Aldin Skenderovic did not was much faster than what pressed with Almoez and and worked well together. We have three days of rest. But help Luxembourg as Qatar held our players are used to back Muntari’s performance up- were able to combine and cre- will surely give some players Luxembourg’s Pinto and Qatar’s Pedro Miguel vie for the ball during on to make a winning start. in the Qatar Stars League. But front. “Today we started with ate good chances,” he added. opportunities,” Sanchez said. the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification friendly on Tuesday.( AFP) Turkey captain Yilmaz’s hat-trick stuns Netherlands Agencies free-kick into the top right cor- erlands captain Georginio The home side were gifted Berlin ner for the final 4-2 scoreline Wijnaldum told NOS TV. a chance to double their lead as Cakir saved a stoppage time “Our start to the second in the 34th minute, as wing- Captain Burak Yilmaz penalty from Memphis Depay half was also obviously inex- er Donyell Malen clumsily scored a hat-trick and goal- to complete an impressive cusable.” brought down Okay Yokuslu. keeper Ugurcan Cakir saved Turkish showing. It was Turkey’s second Yilmaz hammered the a penalty as Turkey beat two- The defeat is an early set- straight win over the Neth- spot-kick past the static Krul. time finalists Netherlands 4-2 back for the Dutch in Group erlands, after a 3-0 victory in Thoughts of a comeback on Wednesday in a bad start G as only the winners from 2015 which helped them qual- appeared to be snuffed out for the Dutch into qualifying the 10 groups qualify directly ify for the Euros ahead of the within 60 seconds of the re- for the 2022 World Cup. for next year’s finals in Qatar, Oranje. start, as Calhanoglu collected Veteran Yilmaz opened the with Turkey and the Dutch The Dutch have lost four Umut Meras’s pass and drilled scoring in Istanbul in the 15th considered favourites. of their last nine World Cup a low strike into the bottom with a shot deflected by Mat- Yilmaz’s wonderful free- qualifying matches, having corner from 20 yards out. thijs de Ligt, and converted a kick sealed Turkey a crucial been unbeaten in their previ- The night indeed belonged penalty in the 34th after Do- win, though, in a match be- ous 34 such games. to Turkey and Yilmaz, with nyell Malen brought down tween the two favourites to The visitors started bright- the veteran completing his Okay Yokuslu. qualify from Group G. ly but fell behind in the 15th hat-trick with a sweetly-struck AC Milan’s Hakan Calha- The defeat is a dreadful minute. Seconds after ref- free-kick into the top corner noglu made it 3-0 seconds af- start to the campaign for the eree Michael Oliver waved nine minutes from time. ter the restart in a meeting of Netherlands, who failed to away Dutch penalty appeals, The Netherlands kept two teams that failed to qualify qualify for either Euro 2016 or Yilmaz’s long-range strike took pushing and after two saves in for the 2018 tournament. the 2018 World Cup, but are a big deflection and spun past quick succession from Cakir, The Dutch pulled two back one of the favourites ahead of Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul. were awarded a penalty deep within two minutes from Davy the delayed Euro 2020 finals It was 35-year-old Lille into injury-time for a foul by Klaassen and Luuk de Jong in this year. striker Yilmaz’s 25th inter- Liverpool centre-back Ozan the 75th and 76th. “Soon after we were claim- national goal, making him Kabak. But Lille’s Yilmaz ended ing for a penalty after a corner Turkey’s forward Burak Yilmaz (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring his teams’s fourth goal the second Turk to reach that But Cakir had the final say, their comeback effort another and lost concentration, they during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group G match against The Netherlands at the Ataturk mark after record goalscorer diving to his right to keep out four minutes later by curling a countered and scored,” Neth- Olympic Stadium, in Istanbul, on Tuesday. Turkey beat The Netherlands 4-2. (AFP) Hakan Sukur. Depay’s spot-kick. 14 Thursday, March 25, 2021 Sports

Barwa Grand Pix of Qatar QWFF, Aspire Academy Man and machine ne of the most interesting aspects of pre-season testing is seeing what the different manufacturers have been Oworking hard on during the winter. New technology is being rolled out all the time in MotoGP™ and 2021 is no excep- sign agreement for FIE tion, as we saw plenty of new parts being put through their paces at the Official Qatar est.T Here’s a look at the significant parts each manufacturer brought to the table ahead of Round 1 under the lights.

DUCATI: The Grand Prix Doha 2021 innovation kings of MotoGP™. In recent years, Ducati have led the way in bring- ing new and before unseen additions to the track. 2021 has seen the Bologna factory unveil some more crea- tions, the most notable being their new front aero. This is quite a significant change and something e’w ve never seen before, it seems like it’s more than just a ‘winglet’. We don’t know for sure, but Ducati could possibly be look- ing at tidying up the airflow to increase top speed and create more grip in the corners. It’s a very interesting update and what we do know for sure is that Gigi Dall’Igna and Ducati are Qatar Weightlifting & Fencing Federation (QWFF) General-Secretary Khalid Issa Al Hamadi, Deputy Director-General at Aspire Academy Ali Salem Afifa, Khaled Sweid, and other continuing to flex their muscles in the aero department. officials during an agreement signing at the Aspire Academy on Wednesday. FIE Grand Prix Doha 2021, a Tokyo Olympics qualifying event, will be held from March 26 to 28. Elsewhere, the famous ‘salad box’ is a different shape. Then, as we’ve seen with Aprilia, Honda, KTM and Suzuki, a Tribune News Network an agreement signing ceremo- three days, with the grand fina- we are happy to partner with halls are ready at the main front holeshot device was heavily testing in Qatar. Doha ny was held on Wednesday be- le aired live on Al Kass Channel the federation in training and venue aside from 10 training tween the Qatar Weightlifting from 8 am to 6 pm on the day. developing the athletes and halls in addition to a special APRILIA: Long story Doha is once again set to be & Fencing Federation (QWFF) “The competition is gen- staff. We want to thank Mr hall for the final and the coro- short, the 2021 RS- the centre of focus for global and the Aspire Academy. erating huge interests from Mohammed Yousef Al-Mana, nation ceremonies,” he said. GP is completely sports as the world top fencers In attendance at the event around the world, and we are the federation president, for He added that the rooms new. The engine, descend on the sport-loving city were QWFF General-Secre- having a large number of del- his immeasurable support. for the referees, volunteers chassis, two aero for the FIE Grand Prix Doha tary Khalid Issa Al Hamadi, egations from the participat- We look forward to a great and the media committee are designs, exhausts 2021, a Tokyo Olympics qualify- the Deputy Director-General ing countries. The USA, Japan and very successful tourna- also well equipped. and ‘salad box’ have ing event, from March 26 to 28. at Aspire Academy Ali Salem and Russia are leading the ment.” “We have the VIP section changed, and Aprilia The expanded FOIL-only Afifa, Khaled Sweid, and other contingents with 35 represent- Afifa noted that Qatar’s and a fully equipped studio also have their first competition, the first of its officials from the federations atives each. At the same time, impressive performance in for live commentary, which carbon swingarm – kind to be hosted in Qatar, is and the Aspire Academy. from the Arab world, we have successfully hosting several have all been made ready in which means Suzuki set to attract about 500 del- high-profile tournamentsline with the health and safety are the only manufac- egations from 51 countries. amid the pandemic had en- guidelines stipulated by the turer that don’t have Included are 296 male and deared it to everyone, and authorities,” Suwied said. this feature. female players, who would be everybody is looking forward Muhammad Al-Sahli, competing for points that help to coming to Qatar. head of the Public Relations KTM: The Austrian manufacturer’s biggest visual change is the towards qualification for the “Since many athletes have and Transportation Commit- new seat unit. Dani Pedrosa tested it thoroughly in Qatar, while Tokyo Olympics at the ultra- not been able to compete for a tee, said, “Despite the diffi- the other riders tried out a new fairing. It’s slimmer at the top modern Aspire Dome in Doha. long time due to the pandemic, culties facing the world due with – seemingly – a few more ‘shark teeth’ carved in. The competition is one of all of them are looking forward to the coronavirus pandemic, the surest ways for fencers to to coming to Qatar to compete we have been able to over- secure their tickets for Tokyo and boost their chances of come these exceptional cir- as the top-16 athletes auto- Al Hamadi said, “We would a ten-member delegation from qualifying for Tokyo,” he said. cumstances by establishing a matically get a berth at the end like to appreciate the Aspire Egypt, three from Tunisia and Top stars expected in Doha smooth and flexible system. of the three-day event. Quali- Academy for their continuous one each from Morocco and include the world’s top-three Preventive measures have fication for the remaining ath- support to the federation and Algeria,” Al Hamadi added. in the women category - Inna been put in place by the au- letes will then have to depend the annual Qatar Grand Prix in Qatar is being represented Deriglazova of Russia, Italy’s thorities at the airport and the on the results from the subse- particular. Aspire is our main by eight athletes (four male Alice Volpi and her compatriot hotel in cooperation with the quent regional competitions. and strategic partner for this and four females), mainly Elisa Di Francisca. Rowad Center for Voluntary Participants will earn dou- tournament. We are working from the Aspire Academy, For the men, Italy’s Ales- Work, the Red Crescent Soci- ble points for their perfor- together to build a formidable namely - Ali Turki, Abdullah sio Foconi, Enzo Lefort from ety, and the health services in mance, which adds to their team that will proudly repre- Ismail, Khaled Aref, Hussein France and USA’s Gerek the country.” rankings, while a maximum sent Qatar at the Asian Games Al-Mutawa, and Faisal Al-Su- Meinhardt will be headlining HONDA: The Japanese giants brought three different chas- of 64-points is on the cards for in 2030, and this competition waidi (men). Amira Boujbara, the star casts, including the Fencing Grand Prix 2021 sis to the Qatar Test: one ‘standard 2020’, one with carbon the winners. will further help in this regard. Lina Al Buainain, Ghraiba world’s top-14. Doha Schedule bonded onto In line with the measures We are partners in progress Dhahi, and Rana Ibrahim are Meanwhile, Khalid Su- the frame and a put in place to ensure all par- towards the development of representing the women. wied, the competition’s head Day 1: March 26 (Friday) – Full completely new ticipants’ health and safety, fencing in Qatar, and we look Afifa said, “The coopera- of the venues committee, has Day Men Poules, T128 to T64 one – the one the mega-event will be held forward to a continued fruitful tion between QWFF and As- reiterated his committee’s Day 2: March 27 (Saturday) – seen in Jerez with strict adherence to the relationship.” pire Academy has been on for readiness for the competition. Full Day Women Poules, T128 with Stefan Bra- Qatari health authorities’ pro- The QWFF secretary-gen- a very long time, and we count “I can confirm that we are to T64 dl at the start of tocols and the guideline from eral noted that the competi- it a privilege to be associated ready for the tournament. The Day 3: March 28 (Sunday) – 2021. New aero FIE. The competition is closed tions would be broadcasted with the development of fenc- venues and equipment are T64 to Quarter Final – 6 PM – first seen at to the fans. on Al Kass Channel, Olympic ing in Qatar. Aspire Academy ready, and all is set to host the onwards- Men & Women Semi- the Misano Test Ahead of the competition, Channel and Eurosport on all is one of the best globally, and world. In total, 16 competition Finals & Finals last year – was tested by Bradl and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) in the first couple of days too.

SUZUKI: One of the main talking points from the World Morata urges Spain ahead of Greece clash Champions is that test rider Sylvain Guintoli, DPA Joan Mir and Alex Rins Barcelona gave a 2022 engine a run out. Guintoli and Alvaro Morata admitted the Rins both said that it’s current Spain team still lives a marked improvement. under the weight of what the A new chassis was be- previous generation achieved ing used too as well as but urged the nation to look a new swingarm, with ahead as they begin their World Mir’s crew chief Frankie Cup qualifying campaign. Carchedi explaining on Speaking on Wednesday Twitter that they’ve had at the Spanish team’s head- “many more new and quarters just outside of Ma- exciting” parts to try. drid, Morata said: “When I am inside the dressing room you YAMAHA: The Yamaha riders have been testing a new chas- can feel that it is difficult after sis, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) saying all that previous generations that he’s found a little bit more top speed with “many small achieved but we have to look parts” being tried. All four riders confirmed they’ve tried that to the future and think about new chassis, and by the sounds of it, it will be used – at what is ahead.” least to begin with – in 2021. In addition, a new mudguard Spain - World Cup winners was tested. This should help when racing in a pack, some- in 2010 between the European thing Yamaha struggled to do in 2020, so we will see if this triumphs of 2008 and 2012 - has any effect over the race weekend in Qatar. (MotoGP) kick-off their 2022 qualifiers on Thursday at home to Greece. They also face Sweden, Kosovo and Georgia in Group B. “In theory, we face inferior teams,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique. “Greece don’t have any one outstanding player but we have to be very atten- tive against them.” The future does look bright Spain’s midfielder Sergio Canales (left) controls the ball during a training session on the eve of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification for Spain with several emerging match against Greece on Thursday at the Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas de Madrid. (AFP) talents likely to make debuts. Pedri, the 18-year-old his own way learning as he him. From the first chat I had is here with us.” “I have not spoken to him Barcelona midfielder hasgoes. He is very humble,” said with him I realized how ma- Morata was also asked about it but I just hope he been called up. And Sevilla’s Luis Enrique of the player who ture he is. about the future of his Juven- stays with us,” he said. 20-year-old winger Bryan Gil, has been likened to a young “We have seen what he tus club team-mate Cristiano “I hope I’m there to see who is currently on loan at Andres Iniesta. can do in La Liga. It’s thanks Ronaldo who has been linked him continue. The main thing Eibar, could also get a debut. Asked about Gil Luis En- to the coach he has at Eibar by media in Spain to a move is that he is happy and does “We have to let Pedri make rique said: “I have always liked [Jose Luis Mendilibar] that he back to Real Madrid. what’s best for him.” Sports Thursday, March 25, 2021 15 Longines Hathab has been impressively successful despite pandemic challenges: Hamad Al Attiyah Qatar Equestrian Tour’s finale this weekend at Al Shaqab

Tribune News Network Doha

The countdown for the 12th and final round of the fourth edition of the Longines Qa- tar Equestrian Tour Hathab is well and truly on with the finale competitions set to be held at the Longines Indoor Arena of Al Shaqab on Friday and Saturday. Longines Hathab has very soon become a very popular domestic equestrian series with growing number of rid- ers and horses each season. The 4th Hathab (2020-21) season was launched on Oc- A rider in action during the Future Riders Tour competition during the 11th Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab round at Al Shaqab. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, Chairman, Organizing Committee tober 7, 2020, behind closed Longines Hathab, and President of Qatari and Asian Equestrian Fed- doors at the Qatar Equestrian erations, during one of Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab rounds. Federation and since then the We hope that we will activities have continued suc- contribute to achieving the hope that we will contribute to ship, its rounds, sponsors and cessfully till now amid strict achieving the desired goals as its laws, and converting any health and precautionary desired goals as every season every season has its own goals, negatives into positives, espe- measures against coronavirus has its own goals, and that the and that the organizing com- cially since the Qatar Eques- (COVID-19). organizing committee will mittee will review some of the trian Tour has benefited a lot Saturday, March 27th, review some of the rules of equestrian as an integral part rules of the tournament’s reg- from the support of The Social 2021, will see the conclu- the tournament’s regulations of Qatar’s history and ancient ulations in line with our needs & Sport Contribution Fund sion of the final round after in line with our needs and tradition,” he added. and requirements in the State (Daam), Longines, ExxonMo- which champions in all classes Omar Al Mannai has of Qatar,” he said. bil and Al Salam International. (Small, Medium and Big Tour, requirements in the State thanked all the committees of Al Mannai appreciated the The previous season, the and dressage) will be crowned. of Qatar. Longines Hathab for playing backing of the families and list of honour in the third sea- Cumulative scores of best a positive role and ensuring a friends of the participating rid- son included Hamad Nasser seven of the twelve rounds are Omar Al Mannai, successful championship. ers given the stressful time of Al Qadi, who won the Big Tour taken into consideration based Vice-Chairman Organizing He stressed that the efforts the global pandemic. The back- title, while Mohamed Khalifa on points in determining the Committee Longines Hathab of the organizers, riders and ing helped the riders keep up Al Baker was the Medium overall champions. referees ensured in delivering their enthusiasm to focus and Tour champion while Moham- The chairman and mem- continued success and that excel and to spread the eques- mad Al Ghazali won the Small bers of the Organizing Com- Hathab, and President of Qa- , and General-Secretary of Qa- faced given the spread of the the Qatar Equestrian Tour’s trian sport culture that has be- Tour title. Fahad Abdul Karim mittee from Qatar Equestrian tari and Asian Equestrian Fed- tar and Asian Equestrian Fed- global pandemic. success has led to an increase come widespread and desirable emerged best in the Future Federation and Al Shaqab erations, Omar bin Khaled Al erations. “This season’s champion- in the local market for horses by a large number of young Tours while Ghanem Nasser (Member, Qatar Foundation) Mannai, Vice-Chairman Or- Appreciating the success ship has played a vital role in as more and more riders and people, especially from the fu- Al Qadi won the Dressage will participate in the corona- ganizing Committee Longines of the fourth season of Lon- the equestrian community as a horse-owners are showing ture riders, whose number has competitions (Level 2) title, tion of the champions of the Hathab, Ali bin Yousef Al Ru- gines Hathab, Hamad bin Ab- series of local equestrian com- keenness to own horses. substantially increased. and Jessica Waldon (Level 1). season 2020-2021. maihi, Event Director and Or- dulrahman Al Attiyah, said, petitions that are very popular He also said that there will About the 12th and final The Team Championship In attendance will be ganizing Committee Member “Praise be to God, Longines in Qatar have inspired and en- be more demand as this mar- round, Al Mannai said there was won by ‘The Top’ team. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Longines Hathab, and Badr Al Hathab has achieved success couraged Qatari riders to be- ket will develop as more GCC will be a comprehensive tech- Keen contests are expected Attiyah, Chairman, Organ- Darwish, Organizing Commit- in a way that has impressed us come world champions, in ad- riders participate in upcom- nical and administrative in the 12th and final round this izing Committee Longines tee Member Longines Hathab all despite several challenges dition to raising awareness of ing new tournaments. “We evaluation of the champion- year too, this weekend. Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib shines in Fuweiret Cup victory

Tribune News Network Doha

Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib showed his versatility as the 7yo landed the Fuweiret Cup for Purebred Arabians in a thrilling finish in Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s (QREC) 41st Race Meeting at the dirt track of Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. Helmed by Alberto Sanna in the six furlong sprint, Le- khraib (AF AlBahar x Grace T), the two time C&D winner from this term, won for the fifth time overall this season when the Mohammed Ghazali ward edged out stablemate Fakhir (No Risk Al Maury x Chine Orientale) by a nose. Fakhir had JP Guillambert for company and they finished two lengths in front of third placed Mohammed bin Ahmed The winning group of Lekhraib with their trophies and prizes at Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s (QREC) Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. QREC’s Acting CEO Badr bin Mohammed Al Darwish hands the bin Mohammed Al Attiya’s owner’s trophy to Injaaz Stud’s representative. Ateej (AF AlBahar x Sahara Results Croixnoire), ridden by Anas Al when the 8yo bagged the Local ishes to win for the first time Seyabi by Gassim Ghazali. Winning Horse, Trainer, Jockey Thoroughbred Handicap (75 & in Qatar. In the earlier races of the FUWEIRET CUP: Lekhraib, Mohammed Ghazali, below) in fine fashion. The Deborah Amanda Alberto Sanna day, Al Azraq Stable’s Bint THOROUGHBRED CONDITIONS (Class 2): Bint Helmed by Qatari rider Clare Mountain-trained geld- Saffian (Arcano x Saffian) Saffian, Bader Al Balushi, Ronan Thomas Ali Khalid Al Mosallam, the ing had hit the frame on only bounced back from a forget- THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3): Khafooq, Owaida Salem Al Hajri trained a couple of occasions in Qa- table outing last time round Gassim Ghazali, JP Guillambert horse beat Tomas Lukasek tar. On this occasion, in the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4): Immoral, to win for the third time this Mohammed Ghazali, Ronan Thomas ridden Qawaafi by three quar- 1,900m Thoroughbred Nov- term. LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP: Numuthej, ters of a length. It was the bay ice Plate (Class 5) entered the Below her best in the Owaida Salem Al Hajri, Ali Khalid Al Mosallam horse’s third win in 14 outings. winner’s circle for the first Muaither Cup back in January, PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP: Stilvio, Abdullah bin Fahad Al At- time here after a dominant Mohammed Ghazali, Meteb Ali Al Marri the Bader Al Balushi trained THOROUGHBRED NOVICE PLATE (Class 5): Mount tiyah’s Stilvio (AF AlBahar x display with a massive 15 mare had Ronan Thomas for Fuji, Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain, Faleh Sylia Du Cayrou) registered length victory. company in the Thoroughbred Bughanaim his first career win when Me- Subaiya Awad Ibrahim’s PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE: Suka’ar, Conditions (Class 2), and the Khaled Mohamad Alahmad, Soufiane Saadi. teb Ali Al Marri guided the Suka’ar (Burning Sand x Ra- duo did well to put up a deter- 4yo to a close victory in the heel ASF) followed up his dou- mined run on the straight in Purebred Arabian Handicap ble runner up finishes with his the six furlong sprint to beat Uqda earlier this month, the (70 & below). maiden victory when the 5yo Anas Al Seyabi ridden X Force 5yo lined up in the 1100m The Mohamed Jassim landed the Purebred Arabian by a neck. sprint under JP Guillambert Ghazali-trained colt edged out Maiden Plate (4-6-Year-Old) Injaaz Stud’s Khafooq at Al Rayyan Park’s dirt track Abdulaziz Jaber Dharman rid- on Wednesday. (Kodiac x Al Manaal) com- and coasted home with a fan- Lekhraib edges stablemate Fakhir at the winning post to claim the Fuweiret Cup. den Ahzaab by a short head at The Khaled Mohamad pleted a double when the Gas- tastic seven lengths and three the post as the 4yo won for the Alahmad trained horse was sim Ghazali ward picked up quarters to spare. last year, and then a couple of gelding triumphed in a short by a short head at the post. first time in eight starts. partnered by Soufiane Saadi a dominant win in the Thor- Al Azraq Stable’s Immoral top three finishes since this duel in the 1900m Thorough- Ali Yousuf Al Kubaisi’s Hassan Ali Alabdulma- for the first time and the two oughbred Handicap (Class 3) (Helmet x Loose Julie) has season. This time, with Ro- bred Handicap (Class 4) (80 & Numuthej (Wootton Bassett lik’s Mount Fuji (Dark Angel put up a fantastic run over (75-95). impressed many having won nan Thomas in the saddle, the below) as the 5yo edged out JP x Encircle) won for the first x Shermeen) bounced back 1700m to win by three lengths. Handicap winner at Al on his Qatar debut in January Mohammed Ghazali schooled Guillambert ridden Message time since November 2019 from a string of forgettable fin- and three quarters. 16 Thursday, March 25, 2021 The Last Word QF’s Arab Innovation Academy set to host fourth edition virtually this year

the AIA. For students enrolled just like Grammarly in Eng- ment of more than 100 partic- come all aspiring innovators to receiving entries from tech QSTP announces opening of applications for at HBKU or cross registered lish, took the runner-up spot. ipants from Qatar and the re- who would like to take part in entrepreneurs in Qatar and at HBKU should follow the Third place was secured by Go gion. The second edition, held this year’s programme and are further afield for the fourth aspiring entrepreneurs in Qatar and MENA HBKU course registration Star, who created a platform in 2019 had more than 160 pleased to announce that ap- edition of the programme.” deadline for fall semester, for parents to create gamified participants, while last year’s plications are now open.” QSTP believes that the vir- Tribune News Network students and young entrepre- while the rest of the applicants daily life tasks for their chil- third edition saw almost 200 Dr. Richard O’Kennedy, tual setting for the latest edi- Doha neurs with the authentic ex- should apply to AIA 2021 be- dren such as cleaning their young entrepreneurs from vice-president, QF RDI and tion of the programme will not perience of developing and fore May 12. room or feeding a pet. over 10 countries in the region the vice-president for Re- detract from the many benefits The fourth edition of the launching new tech ventures Last year saw ‘Salamtak’, The AIA is a hands-on and taking part, demonstrating search at HBKU, added, “The it will bring to all participants. Arab Innovation Academy under the guidance of leading a company that developed an ground-breaking accelerator the rapid growth and popular- advanced ideas brought in Although the ever-popular (AIA) is set to take place over a global tech start-up mentors. online system for the manage- programme that was brought ity of the programme. by talented entrepreneurs to in-person networking will be 12-week period during the fall Additionally, the pro- ment of chronic diseases such to Qatar and the Middle East Hayfa Al Abdulla, innova- platforms that channel them unavailable, participants will semester 2021. In light of the gramme is now officially as diabetes and hypertension and North Africa (MENA) tion director at QSTP, said, towards developing impactful have a rich, immersive expe- health and safety restrictions accredited by Hamad Bin while providing both patients region through a collabora- “Everyone at QSTP is very products and services, remain rience that will prove to be in place due to the COVID-19 Khalifa University (HBKU) in and healthcare professionals tion between Qatar Science & much looking forward to the pivotal to Qatar’s aspirations beneficial to future plans and pandemic, this edition will be Qatar. This means that par- with a real-time interface to Technology Park (QSTP), part fourth edition of AIA. The fan- – namely, a forward-thinking aspirations. Expert support held virtually from August 31 ticipants who are students of monitor vital data, win first of Qatar Foundation Research, tastic, innovative ideas that and progressive nation right at and guidance will be available to November 23. Applications HBKU or are cross-registered place. Development and Innovation have been brought to us in the spearhead of trailblazing throughout the programme, are now open until May 12. HBKU are eligible to gain While, the company (QF RDI), and the European the past three editions clearly ideas and new technology that aiding participants every step AIA is the first and the credit once they complete ‘Hamza’, for their develop- Innovation Academy (EIA). show that extraordinarily tal- will benefit both the local and of the way. most extensive entrepre- both the AIA and HBKU re- ment of a special programme Beginning as an exclusive ented entrepreneurs are in international communities. To For more details of this neurship programme in the quirements. Regular partici- which assists with Arabic 10-day start-up boot-camp, great abundance here in Qatar, that end, AIA is a significant year’s programme and to ap- pan-Arab region and aims to pants will receive a certificate writing, automatically cor- AIA took place for the first as well as across the MENA platform, and we at QF RDI ply, visit www.inacademy.eu/ provide aspiring university of successful completion from recting grammatical errors, time in 2018 with the involve- region. We are eager to wel- are very much looking forward qatar Sidra Medicine Pathology identifies new WCM-Q Grand Rounds to focus mutation likely to affect COVID-19 testing on cancer therapies, Alzheimer’s Tribune News Network ing methods have played a central Doha role in mitigating the virus’s spread and data sharing in pandemics through early detection, tracing In a collaboration led by teams suspected cases and screening at- Tribune News Network from Pathology and the Genom- risk populations. Therefore, the Doha ics Core at Sidra Medicine, a study implications of inaccurate test re- has been published about a novel sults could cause health authorities The safe use of anti-cancer thera- point mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 to lose track of COVID-19 positive pies, the importance of sharing data genome that may affect COVID-19 individuals. during pandemics, and early treat- testing by an FDA-approved test. “Infected patients may unknow- ment of Alzheimer’s disease were The study calls to action for test- ingly spread the virus and the er- discussed by three expert speakers ing centres worldwide to monitor roneous test results could affect at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s mutations in the virus and ensure Dr Mohammad Rubayet Hasan infected individuals’ medical care. (WCM-Q) Grand Rounds. that testing methods are up to date Our study concludes that it is es- Dr Anas Hamad, director of and based on multiple gene targets person-to-person transmission of sential to ensure RT-qPCR meth- Pharmacy at the National Center for to avoid possible false-negative re- COVID-19 has led to many muta- ods used for COVID-19 testing are Cancer Care and Research of Ham- Dr Anas Hamad, Prof Takeshi Iwatsubo and Dr Patrick Tang sults. tional events, some of which may up-to-date and inclusive of such ad Medical Corporation (HMC), The findings, which have been affect the sensitivity and specificity variants in case further mutations discussed common causes of can- at WCM-Q, demonstrated the im- tions, not barriers, which means published in the Journal of Clini- of available PCR assays (tests).” make the virus undetectable by ex- cer-related medication errors and portance of data and sample sharing we have to be prepared to use the cal Microbiology, highlight Sidra In order to diagnose COVID-19, isting molecular tests.” outlined effective error prevention during outbreaks, epidemics and best solution we have available Medicine’s role in supporting global most laboratories test for multiple The specific mutation specified strategies in his presentation. pandemics, identified barriers that rather than waiting for the perfect efforts to tackle the pandemic and gene targets. in the study originated at a viral Dr Hamad, who also holds the hinder the effective management of solution.” finding efficient, robust and safe The Sidra Medicine team no- gene utilised by a WHO-recom- position of adjunct assistant pro- outbreaks and discussed the roles of A further Grand Rounds event testing methods for COVID-19. ticed samples from several unre- mended assay developed by the fessor in the College of Pharmacy individuals in identifying and stop- featured Professor Takeshi Iwat- Dr Mohammad Rubayet Hasan, lated patients were positive for only Centers for Disease Control and at Qatar University, also explained ping outbreaks. subo of the University of Tokyo dis- Clinical Molecular Microbiologist one viral gene target, which led Prevention (CDC) in the United the importance of multidisciplinary His talk drew upon his observa- cussing molecular neuropathy and from the Pathology Department at them to suspect that some of the vi- States. teams for safe and effective cancer tions of the 2002-2004 global SARS very early treatment of Alzheimer’s Sidra Medicine, who led the study, ruses circulating in Qatar may have Dr Patrick Tang, division chief treatment to the audience of physi- epidemic, the 2009-2010 swine flu disease. said: “Since the beginning of the this common mutation. of Microbiology at Sidra Medicine, cians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, epidemic and the current COVID-19 Prof Iwatsubo explained the ba- pandemic, worldwide laboratory By examining the genetic se- said: “This study is testament to allied health professionals, students, pandemic. sic characteristics of neuropathy in testing to detect COVID-19 by re- quence of these viruses, they identi- the excellence of our pathology and researchers and educators. Dr Tang said, “We have learned Alzheimer’s disease and outlined al-time reverse transcription PCR fied a new mutation in a commonly research expertise at Sidra Medi- In a separate Grand Rounds ses- from these three examples that current strategies to develop disease- (RT-qPCR) has played a central used gene target for COVID-19 cine. We remain committed to tack- sion, Dr Patrick Tang, division chief sharing of knowledge, information modifying therapies for use in the role in mitigating the spread of the detection and found that the same ling this pandemic. Our efforts are of Pathology Sciences at Sidra Medi- and samples is essential for out- very early stages of the condition. virus. mutation was present in viruses backed by ongoing innovation and cine, gave a talk titled ‘Breaking the break management. We have also All three lectures were accred- “Soon after the viral genome recovered from epidemiologically a drive to continually enhance cur- Cider House Rules: Tales from a learned that we have to be flex- ited locally by the Ministry of Public sequences were available, several unrelated individuals. They also rent methods. I am very proud our Global Epidemic and Two Pandem- ible, to keep adapting our methods Health’s Department of Healthcare RT-qPCR assays were developed noted that this particular mutation ground-breaking findings and re- ics’. based on what we have learned, Professions – Accreditation Section and made available by the World had not been reported by any other search that will help the population Dr Tang, who also holds the we have to be accepting new ideas and internationally by the Accredi- Health Organization for public use. country. in Qatar as well as the global com- position of associate professor of and new collaborations. Finally, we tation Council for Continuing Medi- However, the large-scale sustained Dr Hasan added, “Current test- munity. pathology and laboratory medicine have to act swiftly and offer solu- cal Education (ACCME).

QA official airline partner Hungary and Qatar have great of AgriteQ and EnviroteQ opportunities for cooperation Tribune News Network in agriculture, says ambassador Doha

Qatar Airways (QA) is the official Ashraf Siddiqui tar are historically good. “It is based airline partner of the 8th Qatar In- Doha on mutual respect, understanding ternational Agricultural Exhibition joint interests and refraining from (AgriteQ) and the 2nd Qatar Inter- There is great potential for co- interfering in the domestic affairs national Environmental Exhibition operation in agriculture sector of each other. The two countries (EnviroteQ) 2021. between Qatar and Hungary, Hun- have shown great commitment Being held under the patronage garian Ambassador to Qatar HE to opening up newer channels of of Prime Minister and Minister of In- Fodor Barnabas has said. cooperation. Political relations be- terior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa The ambassador lauded Qatar tween them serve as a good basis bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, from March for hosting the International Agri- for economic, investment, cultural 23 to 27, AgriteQ & EnviroteQ will national food security and promot- for rating green buildings and in- cultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) 2021 and scientific cooperation, and we highlight innovation in agricultural ing environmental sustainability”. frastructures. The terminal will also despite the current circumstances are exerting great efforts to give techniques and pinpoint the road In 2019, QA partnered with Qata- be a LEED Silver certified building, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. further impetus to them.” map to achieving food security and rat Agricultural Development Compa- featuring several innovative energy AgriteQ, he noted, can help HE Fodor Barnabas The ambassador also expressed sustainable development in Qatar. ny (QADCO) to supply Qatar Aircraft efficient measures. promote Hungarian agricultural his strong interest in developing a QA has always been at the fore- Catering Company (QACC) with fresh QA also has a zero-tolerance products and services in Qatar. nity to Hungary in the field of ag- partnership in LNG as “Qatar is front of the national efforts towards produce to be served onboard Qatar policy to the illegal transportation Talking to Qatar Tribune in an riculture, especially in the technol- the largest player in this field with achieving sustainability. The nation- Airways flights from Doha as well as of endangered wildlife. QA is proud exclusive interview, he said, “This ogy to boost agricultural output. extensive experience and is a very al carrier has demonstrated environ- across the lounges in Hamad Inter- to be an inaugural signatory to the is the first time we have partici- By taking part in this event, we are reliable supplier”. mental leadership through its global national Airport (HIA). The two-year United for Wildlife Transport Indus- pated in AgriteQ. The exhibition is able to see many agricultural prod- Barnabas said he is looking airline and airport operations, as well agreement demonstrates QA’s com- try Declaration and a partner in the an excellent opportunity for busi- ucts from various countries. Also, forward to solidifying the bilateral as through aviation and catering ser- mitment to contributing towards Qa- USAID Reducing Opportunities for ness professionals and companies this expo is an excellent platform relations by planning high-level vices, retail outlets and hotels. tar’s self-sufficiency goals in support of Unlawful Transport of Endangered to display their latest products for raising awareness of environ- visits between both countries as QA Group Chief Executive Ak- the Qatar National 2030 vision. Species (ROUTES) Partnership. and innovations in agriculture mental issues,” he said. soon as the COVID-19 situation bar Al Baker, commented: “We are QA’s focus on sustainability also As a further testament to the Qatar and farming. Besides, the expo The National Export Strategy improves. pleased to partner with AgriteQ and extends to its home and hub HIA, Airways Group’s commitment to helps professionals meet prospec- Programme (NEXT) of the Hun- “We are happy to welcome the EnviroteQ – an initiative that ena- which was recently voted ‘Third Best preserving wildlife and endangered tive partners and explore the large garian government offers support national football team of Qatar to bles local and international agricul- Airport in the World’ and ‘Best Air- animals, Qatar Airways Cargo an- market in Qatar.” to outstanding exporters to enter Hungary, where they play prepar- ture stakeholders to exchange exper- port in the Middle East’ for the sixth nounced in February 2021 Chapter He said a Memorandum of new markets. Eight well-estab- atory matches with their Euro- tise and seize business opportunities year in a row. The terminal building 2 of its sustainability programme Understanding (MoU) for coop- lished companies from Hungary pean counterparts. This makes a in this vital sector. Through these will be the first airport in the EM NA WeQare: Rewild the Planet, which eration in agriculture and environ- are represented in this expo,” the direct connection between Hun- exhibitions, we are proud to reaffirm region to achieve a 4-star Global includes a pledge to transport wild mental protection between the two ambassador informed. gary and Qatar as the host nation our commitment to supporting the Sustainability Assessment System animals back to their natural habitat, countries is in its final stage. On bilateral relations, the envoy of the FIFA 2022 World Cup,” he local agriculture sector, achieving (GSAS) rating, which was developed free of charge. “Qatar offers a great opportu- said ties between Hungary and Qa- said.