Friday April 23, 2021 Ramadan 11, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5240 QR 2

Fajr: 3:43 am Dhuhr: 11:32 am fine Asr: 3:02 pm Maghrib: 6:03 pm High : 37°C LOW : 25 °C Isha: 7:33 pm

RAMADAN TIMING World 5 Business 6 Sports 9 Today Tomorrow Iftar imsak India records world’s al khaliji reports net Al Sadd start as favourites highest-ever daily COVID-19 profit of QR185 mn against Al Wehdat 6:03pm 3:42am cases amid oxygen shortage for Q1 2021 in key Group D clash

COVID-19 cases continue to COVID-recovered decline:H MoP Tribune News Network Doha people can take Th e coronavirus infections began to decline gradually in Qatar over the past two days, thanks to the strict imple- mentation of precautionary measures and the acceleration of the vaccination vaccine: Official programme. Qatar on Thursday recorded 800 new COVID-19 cases — 590 from People who took the first vaccine dose in their countries community and 210 among travellers returning from abroad. will be quarantined on arrival in Qatar: Dr Al Rumaihi On Wednesday, the Ministry of Tribune News Network and then come to Qatar,” he Public Health had recorded 819 cases, Doha added. and on Tuesday 885 cases. “Every country has pri- In a good news, the number of daily A person who has recovered orities, and currently there recoveries outstripped the new infec- from COVID-19 can take the is a shortage of COVID-19 tions. Qatar reported 976 recoveries vaccine, a senior health official vaccines in many countries. in the last 24 hours, bringing the total has said. Therefore people coming from number of recoveries to 177,164. “The recovered patient abroad will not be exempted In the last 24 hours, the virus has immunity for three from the hotel quarantine,” he claimed the lives of seven persons, Qrsata , Paki tan marine drill concludes months. Once the patient re- said, calling on everyone com- aged 23, 41, 48, 55, 60, 76 and 81 Qatar and Pakistan naval forces have concluded the marine exercise Sea Lion-2. covers from the infection, he/ ing to Qatar to complete their raising the total number of deaths so The exercise aimed to raise the level of cooperation and coordination in many as- she can take the vaccine after vaccination in their country. far to 407. pects between the two countries. (TNN) the end of the quarantine pe- If this person is residing in As many as 24,557 doses of riod, provided that he did not Once the Qatar, he can get the second COVID-19 vaccine were administered receive plasma treatment. patient dose in Qatar. But if he is a in the last 24 hours, bringing the total If the patient had received recovers from visitor, the priority is current- doses given out so far to 1,345,423. plasma treatment, he/she the infection, he/she can ly for citizens and residents of must wait for three months take the vaccine after the the country, he added. Suitable environment to deliver before getting the two doses end of the quarantine He said the past few weeks of vaccination,” Dr Hamad Al period, provided that he saw an increase in COVID-19 Rumaihi, Director of Health does not receive plasma infection among children proper content behind teachers Protection and Communica- along with the general popula- ble Diseases Control at the treatment. If the patient tion. Ministry of Public Health, had received plasma Dr Rumaihi attributed the attending schools, says official said. treatment, he/she must spike to several factors but He said some studies sug- wait for three months singled out family visits as the Tribune News Network findif the classes are given from home,” gested giving only one dose to before getting the two most prominent cause of in- Doha Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Under- the recovered patient. How- doses of vaccination. fection among children. secretary of the Ministry of Education ever, as per the current pro- —Dr Hamad Al Rumaihi He called on parents to The availability of the proper environ- and Higher Education, told Qatar TV. tocol of the Ministry of Public encourage children to wear ment to deliver appropriate content to He said the Cabinet gave the Minis- Health, two doses of the vac- masks outside their homes as students is the reason behind teachers try of Education and Higher Education cine are to be given to the re- countries and came to Qatar he reminded them that chil- attending schools, a senior Ministry of and all other ministries the right to com- covered patient, he added. will be quarantined. dren are not yet eligible to Education and Higher Education official pel some employees to work full-time if Dr Rumaihi said people “So, we recommend that receive COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar condemns has said. needed. who took the first dose in their they complete the vaccination Qatar. “50 percent attendance rate applies He said the ministry had reduced attack in Pakistan to many employees in the school whose the working hours of teachers and also Qatar has condemned the attack that nature of work does not require them cut down the duration of class timings targeted a hotel in Quetta city in Pakistan, to be present on a daily basis. However, which bring down the burdens of teach- which resulted in deaths and injuries. In the nature of the teacher’s work requires ers and help them provide excellent con- Draw held to lease shops of new camel market a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of his/her presence in the school. The rea- tent during the three hours they spend Th e Permanent Committee for Central Markets The number of commercial activities offered Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s firm position son for this is to ensure that all factors in school. Management of the Ministry of Commerce and in the market reached about seven diverse of rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless involved in imparting the lesson are ap- This came in response to a ques- Industry (MoCI), in coordination with the Aswaq activities. A total of 427 applications submitted of the motives and reasons. The statement propriately prepared. Such as a smart tion about the lack of commitment of for Food Facilities Management Company, a Has- for investment opportunities. However, only 205 offered Qatar’s condolences to the families board, prepared halls, and pure sound the Ministry of Education to reduce the sad subsidiary, and the Ministry of Municipality qualified to enter the draw.T he committee of the victims and to the government and for communicating with students cre- number of employees to 50 percent. and Environment, held a public draw for renting said Aswaq for Food Facilities Management people of Pakistan, wishing the wounded a ate a suitable environment for teaching the shops of the new camel market in Abu Nakhla will communicate with the draw winners to sign speedy recovery. (QNA) in an ideal manner, which are difficult to Continued on page 13  area. contracts. (QNA) page 13

Qatar stood by Lebanon in all Safe eco-friendly mode of transport ready historical milestones: Dr Diab for Qatar 2022 World Cup fans, says SC QNA Doha Tribune News Network Doha Caretaker Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic Dr Hassan Diab Qatar will provide safe, reliable has praised the talks he held in Doha and accessible transportation so- recently with His Highness the Amir lutions during the FIFA World of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Cup 2022. Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister To mark Earth Day 2021, the and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Supreme Committee for Delivery Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al & Legacy (SC) highlighted the Thani, which dealt with the situation projects which will help reduce in Lebanon. the country’s carbon footprint In an interview with Al-Sharq, Dr and achieve its goal of staging Diab expressed his confidence that the first carbon-neutral World Qatar, which stood by Lebanon in all Cup. Along with hosting the first historical milestones, will stand by its remedied, he stressed. World Cup in the Middle East tournament. in addition to tram and bus ser- of the buses are electric, with the people in the difficult social and living Regarding the way out of the and Arab world, Qatar will stage “Using our environmentally- vices, will help fans travel seam- remainder diesel fuelled with a conditions. political crisis, he said the formation the most compact edition of the friendly transportation systems, lessly between hotels, stadiums Euro 5 emissions standard, which He said the causes of the eco- of the government is the right way tournament in modern history. such as the Doha Metro, light rail and tourist attractions. emits much less pollution than nomic crisis in Lebanon are many, to get Lebanon out of its crisis. He Sixty-four matches over 28 days trams and fuel-efficient buses, The metro system is efficient, regular vehicles. some of which are related to the po- called for a government to be formed will take place in close proximity, will greatly reduce overall carbon electric and utilises regenerative Qatar is also stepping up its litical reality that Lebanon is currently as soon as possible. with the maximum travel distance emissions,” said Thani Al Zarraa, braking systems which help to re- plans to encourage people to use experiencing, and some of them are Dr Diab said Qatar has always between stadiums just 75km. One the SC’s Mobility Director. duce the carbon footprint. electric cars. Qatar has also in- due to accumulated factors. Today, taken the initiative to stand by of the major environmental ben- Mass public transport will A fleet of new buses are also troduced a large fleet of electric Lebanon faces an economic, living Lebanon and the Lebanese people in efits of Qatar 2022 is the elimina- help fans get around during the boosting Qatar’s public trans- scooters and bicycles which peo- and social catastrophe that must be difficult times.page 2 tion of domestic flights during the World Cup. The new Doha Metro, port infrastructure. About 20% ple can hire. page 13 02 Friday, April 23, 2021

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Caretaker PM: Qatar supports Lebanon at all historical junctures ficult social and living condi- stressed. quires the Lebanese parties maritime border with Syria, Holding a national conference tions. Regarding the way out to agree to open dialogue, the Foreign Minister has He referred to his meet- of the government forma- and that if Qatar gets their made contact with the Syr- requires the Lebanese parties to ings with Qatari officials, tion crisis, Dr Diab said that apprioval, it will immediately ians in order to resume con- which focused on areas of co- the formation of the govern- begin this process. sultations on the northern agree to open dialogue operation to assist Lebanon ment is the right way to get Concerning the demarca- borders, he added. QNA dulaziz Al Thani, which ad- in dealing with the country’s Lebanon out of its crisis. He tion of Lebanon’s maritime Dr Diab concluded his DOHA dressed the Lebanese situa- most difficult economic and called for a government to be borders with Israel, Dr Diab interview with Al-Sharq by tion in all aspects. living crisis in its history. formed as soon as possible. said that, in his position, he saying that, prior to taking HE Dr. Hassan Diab, Care- In an interview with Al- Dr Diab explained that He said that he had no prioritises Lebanon and re- the position, he had a distin- taker Prime Minister of the Sharq published on Thurs- the causes of the economic knowledge of the possibility fuses to give up any Lebanese guished relationship with Qa- Lebanese Republic, praised day, on the sidelines of his crisis in Lebanon are many, of holding a national confer- territory. He added that, ac- tar and that Qatar has always recent talks in Doha with The visit to Doha, Caretaker some of which are related to ence in Doha, but it is certain cording to International Law taken the initiative to stand Amir of Qatar HH Sheikh Prime Minister expressed his the political reality that Leba- that Qatar will not hesitate of the Sea, point 29 of the by Lebanon and the Leba- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani confidence that Qatar, which non is currently experiencing, HE Dr. Hassan Diab to provide any form of assis- maritime line between Leba- nese people in difficult times. and HE Prime Minister and has stood by Lebanon at all and some of them are due to tance to save Lebanon. He non and occupied Palestine is He thanked Qatar and stated Minister of Interior Sheikh historical milestones, will accumulated factors. Today, living and social catastrophe added, however, that host- the point Lebanon deserves. that its leadership and people Khalid bin Khalifa bin Ab- stand by its people in the dif- Lebanon faces an economic, that must be remedied, he ing a national conference re- Concerning the northern will live on in their hearts. Qatar Charity signs three Meeting reviews Kahramaa’s preparations for summer agreements to carry out Tribune News Network Doha

Minister of State for Energy projects in Kosovo Affairs HE Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, presided over the Tribune News Network Hammadi adding that signing annual coordination meeting Doha these agreements is an exten- between Qatar General Elec- sion of Qatar Charity’s work tricity and Water Corporation Qatar Charity (QC) has and duty to the people of Ko- (Kahramaa) and the electricity signed three agreements in sovo. and water producing compa- Kosovo to introduce quality Sheikh Naim Ternava, nies in Qatar, which aimed to programmes and provide so- Grand Mufti of the Republic of review plans and preparations The meeting, which was held remotely yesterday, was attended by cial assistance. Among the pro- Kosovo, praised Qatar Charity to meet expected demand, and President of Kahramaa Eng. Essa Hilal Al Kuwari; Managing Director jects are mosque construction, and the Islamic Sheikhdom face the expected challenges of Qatar Electricity and Water Company Mohammed Nasser Al Hajri well digging, and assistance to for their constructive coopera- for the summer season. and senior executives from producing companies. needy families. tion, particularly in the imple- The meeting, which was The agreements were mentation of mosque projects. held remotely yesterday, was the highest quality standards and coordination with produc- signed in the presence of HE He stated that the construc- attended by President of Kah- to all regions of the country. tion companies in the country, Ali bin Hamad Al-Marri, Am- tion of this mosque will im- ramaa Eng. Essa Hilal Al Ku- He added: “Last year, we has enabled Kahramaa to nav- bassador of the State of Qatar prove the quality of life and in- wari; Managing Director of faced many challenges posed igate through the difficulties of to Albania and Kosovo, Ilir Nawaf Al-Hammadi signed the first agreement with the General frastructure in this part of the Qatar Electricity and Water by the COVID-19 pandemic, the last summer season. Kapiti, Deputy Minister of Fi- Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo to build a mosque for QR 2,500,000. Ferizaj municipality. He also Company Mohammed Nasser which prompted all providers The Minister expressed nance and Labor, and Sheikh expressed his appreciation to Al Hajri and senior executives of water and electricity ser- confidence in the capabilities Naim Ternava, Grand Mufti of pality to drill 38 water wells. expressed hope for continued the Qatari people and govern- from producing companies. vices in the country to raise and competencies of all par- the Republic of Kosovo, Naim The Ambassador of the cooperation between the two ment, as well as Qatar Charity. The meeting dealt with ef- the level of their service in ties and their ability to over- Ismajli, mayor of Timlje, and State of Qatar to Albania and countries. The mayor of Timlje, Naim forts to ensure effective and a manner that ensures high come all challenges. During Nawaf al-Hammadi, CEO’s Kosovo, HE Ali bin Hamad Al- Ilir Kapiti, Deputy Minister Ismajli, who signed the well comprehensive plans and efficiency and service excel- the past year, performance assistant for International Op- Marri, emphasised Qatar and of Finance and Labor, thanked drilling agreement, praised the preparations, and to ensure lence. There is no doubt that indicators in the energy sec- erations and Programs sector Kosovo’s distinguished rela- the State of Qatar for its effec- State of Qatar for extending that the relevant networks are the coming summer season tor have shown remarkable at Qatar Charity. tions. His Excellency added tive humanitarian contribu- a helping hand to the people able to meet the increasing de- is one of these challenges. It progress in the quality and ef- Nawaf Al-Hammadi signed that we in the State of Qatar at- tions in Kosovo and expressed of Kosovo, praising the role of mand and the unprecedented comes with an ongoing pan- ficiency of networks, the speed the first agreement with the tach importance to strengthen- hope that this cooperation Qatar Charity in project im- growth, especially in light of demic and its effects on the of dealing with accidents and General Islamic Sheikhdom in ing relations with the Republic would continue in the future. plementation. He stated that the circumstances and chal- various aspects of our lives. It outages, the reserve capacity Kosovo to build a mosque for of Kosovo in various fields, im- The greetings of the people this agreement came at an op- lenges facing the whole world. also comes in the wake of a dry in the country, among other QR 2,500,000. The mosque plying that signing these agree- of Qatar were conveyed to the portune time, especially given In his opening remarks, winter season, which means factors that ensure security will have a capacity of 1,000 ments is a gift from the people people of Kosovo by Nawaf that we are in the midst of the Minister of State for Energy that we could expect a very hot and stability in this sector, and worshipers. He also signed a of Qatar to our brothers in Ko- al-Hammadi, the CEO’s assis- summer season, when the level Affairs emphasised the impor- summer season.” the achievement of strategic second agreement with KESCO sovo through Qatar Charity. tant for International Opera- of water in the municipality’s tance of collaboration among The Minister commended resource security. This is in worth more than QR2 million His Excellency praised the tions and Programs at Qatar villages drops dramatically. all concerned bodies to ensure the capabilities of Kahramaa addition to achieving sustain- to cover the electricity bills of State of Qatar’s long-term sup- Charity. “We at Qatar Charity He stated that by carrying out effective operations, continu- and the producing companies able growth and responsible 866 low-income families for port for the Republic of Kosovo are pleased with this partner- this well project, many poor ous network maintenance to and their ability to face vari- individual and corporate be- an entire year. He also signed a in areas such as health, educa- ship that has lasted more than families’ water problems will ensure reliability, and secure ous challenges and crises. He haviour towards the environ- third deal with Timlje Munici- tion, housing, and relief, and 21 years in Kosovo,” said al- be solved. access to basic services with said that effective cooperation ment. Kyrgyz envoy takes part Experts discuss climate change in tree-planting initiative issues at British Council event Tribune News Network Tribune News Network companies and people on the Doha Doha frontline of climate change to inspire action ahead of COP26. The Ministry of Municipality The British Council, in part- Events such as today are an and Environment (MME), rep- nership with the Ministry of excellent opportunity to work resented by the Public Parks De- Municipality and Environment across Qatari society on this cru- partment, in cooperation with (MME), the Arab Youth Climate cial issue.” the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Movement Qatar LLC (G) and On tackling Qatar’s work, Qatar, organised a diverse tree- the Qatar Green Building Coun- commitment and preparation planting event as part of the ini- cil (QGBC), hosted the ‘Climate for COP 26, Abdulhadi Almarri, tiative to plant one million trees. Change in Qatar Virtual Webi- director, Climate Change De- The event was attended by nar,’ as part of the Qatar–UK partment, Ministry of Munici- Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Alumni Talk series. pality and Environment, Qatar, Qatar HE Chyngyz Eshimbekov, The discussion was attended In November 2021, the UK Jon Wilks said, “We are at a said: “Qatar is affected both by in the presence of a number of by nearly 100 attendees from will co-host the UN Climate turning point for our planet. adverse effects of climate change officials and engineers of the various fields and organisations. Change Conference COP26, in As we recover from COVID-19, on ecology and human systems, Public Parks Department, where The webinar offered an op- partnership with Italy, bringing it is critical that we build back and the impact of the implemen- a number of tree seedlings were their positive repercussions on completely destroyed and 26 portunity for an engaging and together world leaders to tackle greener and more resilient. As tation of response measures by planted that suit the climatic human health and quality of life. livers, eight kidneys, four hearts informative dialogue with envi- climate change. This webinar COP26 hosts, the UK will lead other countries on our economy. conditions of Qatar. Meanwhile, since the be- were partially destroyed. ronmental experts, government was held as part of the ‘Together by example. Guided by science, “Currently, we are closely The Public Parks Depart- ginning of the Holy Month of The Al Sheehaniya Munici- officials, educators and youth for Our Planet’ campaign aimed we will invest in a green recov- monitoring various mitigation ment at the Ministry of Munici- Ramadan, the Sheehaniya Mu- pality invites the general public environment leaders in Qatar to work with partners in Qatar ery which creates sustainable and adaptation projects within pality and Environment invites nicipality, represented by the to take advantage of the services to share their views on climate and worldwide to support the jobs and addresses the urgent the process of developing an all entities, institutions and com- Meat Health Unit in the Health of the new central Sheehaniya change issues, discuss interna- success and legacy of COP26, and linked challenges of climate updated National Determined munity members to contribute Control Department, supervised slaughterhouse, as it operates tional and local efforts needed creating opportunities for cli- change, biodiversity loss and Contribution (NDC), aligned to the initiative to plant one mil- the central Sheehaniya slaugh- throughout the Holy Month of and to explore how education mate cooperation, dialogue and public health. with the requirements of Par- lion trees, because trees are of terhouse, where 592 sheep car- Ramadan from 5am until 4pm can play a vital role in empower- action. “The UK is committed to is Agreement, which will be special importance in preserving casses were examined, among to ease the burden on those who ing young people to make a dif- To mark the occasion, Brit- working with all countries and submitted to UNFCCC before the ecosystem and because of which seven carcasses were are fasting. ference. ish Ambassador to Qatar HE joining forces with civil society, COP26.” World Friday, April 23, 2021 03

News Decisive decade to tackle in brief 3,000 people to be evacuated after discovery of WWII bomb in Germany Mannheim, Germany During construction work at a former US climate change: Biden military barracks in the southern German city of Mannheim, workers discovered a 500-kilogramme World War II-era aerial bomb, police said on Thursday. former US president Barack The explosive device was to be defused on the same day, US president Obama, but gives the current Mannheim police said in a statement. administration five more years To this end, about 3,000 people in a radius of about 500 vows to halve US to meet its goal. metres around the site are to be evacuated from their homes. In 2015, the US had com- Initially, an adjacent school with 25 students was evacu- emissions by 2030 mitted to reducing greenhouse ated, police said. (dpa) gas emissions by 26 to 28 per- dpa cent by 2025, compared to France has passed peak of pandemic’s Washington 2005 levels, as a contribution third wave, says PM Jean Castex to the global Paris Agreement. US President Joe Biden kicked One of Biden’s first acts in Pa ris France has probably put the peak of the pandemic’s off a climate summit of 40 office was to return his coun- third wave behind it, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thurs- world leaders on Thursday by try to the 2015 climate accord, day at a press conference. promising to cut US green- which his predecessor, Donald “The peak of the third wave seems to be behind us,” he house gas emissions in half Trump, had pulled out of. said. The situation is slowly improving and the number of people by decade’s end, one of many The White House outlined in intensive care wards has reached a plateau over the past few pledges at the online meeting several paths to help meet the days, he said. Castex confirmed that some regulations would be to tackle global warming. 2030 goal, including cutting eased starting in May, and that schools for younger pupils would “Scientists tell us that this exhaust emissions, boosting open as of the end of April. Hundreds of thousands of tests are is the decisive decade. This is vehicle efficiency standards, to be made available to schools each week. (dpa) the decade we must make deci- US President Joe Biden addresses the climate summit via video conference on Thursday. (AFP) and investing in transporta- sions that will avoid the worst tion infrastructure and new NATO allies back Czech Republic in consequences of the climate technologies. row with Russia crisis,” Biden said, calling it a Greta Thunberg calls for halt to fossil fuel subsidies Another priority is to focus “moment of peril.” on heavy cuts to emissions of Brussels The NATO alliance expressed its solidarity on Thurs- The two-day meeting is Copenhagen Swedish climate activist Greta to end fossil fuel subsidies, stop new explora- methane, a major contribu- day with fellow member Czech Republic in that country’s dispute aimed at rallying major econo- Thunberg called for an end to government tion and extraction, completely divest from fossil tor to global warming. Biden with Russia about responsibility for an explosion in 2014. mies to set more ambitious subsidies for fossil fuels such as coal and oil fuels and keep the carbon in the ground - now, had previously announced the “Allies express deep concern over the destabilising actions carbon-slashing goals and is in a House of Representatives subcommittee especially the US, taken into account the fact goal of reaching “100 percent Russia continues to carry out across the Euro-Atlantic area, includ- seen as important preparation hearing in Washington on Thursday. that it is the biggest emitter in history.” The carbon-pollution-free electric- ing on alliance territory, and stand in full solidarity with the Czech ahead of the UN climate con- “It is the year 2021. The fact that we are hearing was to address “The Role of Fossil Fuel ity by 2035” and a net-zero US Republic,” a joint statement from the defence alliance said. ference in Glasgow in Novem- still having this discussion and even more that Subsidies in Preventing Action on the Climate emissions economy by no later Last week, Prague expelled 18 Russian embassy staff, ber. Biden said the US would we are still subsidizing fossil fuels directly or Crisis” to mark Earth Day. than 2050. following revelations from an investigation into the 2014 explo- do its part to help solve the indirectly, using taxpayer money, is a disgrace,” The fossil fuel industry spent 250 million German Chancellor An- sion at a Czech ammunition depot used by commercial defence “existential crisis” of modern Thunberg told the House Oversight Committee’s dollars on political grants and lobbying last gela Merkel welcomed the companies. (dpa) times by cutting emissions by environmental subcommittee. year, according to subcommittee Chairman Ro new US commitment, calling 50 percent by 2030 compared “It is a clear proof that we have not under- Khanna, a Democrat, who invited Thunberg to it an important signal to the Turkey to try 108 for taking part in to 2005 levels. stood the climate emergency at all,” said Thun- the hearing. global community that the US anti-government student protests The meeting brought to- berg, who attended online from Stockholm. In return, he said, companies in the sector was back at the negotiating gether a range of voices, some “If we are to live up to our promises and received more than 30 billion dollars in federal table when it came to climate Istanbul Turkish prosecutors are seeking jail terms for 108 peo- of them vocal critics of Wash- commitments in the Paris agreement, we have grants and pandemic support. (Agencies) change. She pointed out that ple who participated in anti-government protests sparked by the ington, from Chinese Presi- Germany had reduced its own president’s appointment of a new rector at an Istanbul university. dent Xi Jinping and Russian over the coming five years the cent. levels. At the summit, British greenhouse gas emissions by Lawyer Yagmur Kavak told dpa on Thursday that the de- President Vladimir Putin to country will hasten its reduc- Ahead of the summit, the Prime Minister Boris John- about 40 percent compared to fendants face sentences from 6 months to 3 years. Brazilian President Jair Bol- tion of coal consumption. European Union officiallyson said combatting climate 1990 levels, and it would con- They are accused of violating a ban on demonstrations dur- sonaro. Canadian Prime Minister committed to at least a 55 per- change was not about “bunny tinue on this course. ing the coronavirus pandemic and not dispersing despite police China, the world’s big- Justin Trudeau announced cent reduction in emissions by hugging” but about “growth She also mentioned Ger- warnings. Istanbul’s prestigious Bogazici University has been gest emitter of carbon dioxide that his country will reduce 2030 compared to 1990 levels. and jobs,” and urged other na- many’s newly introduced price in turmoil since January after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gases, will “strictly control” emissions by 40 to 45 percent Britain said it is aiming by tions to “do more.” put on carbon emissions, and a hand-picked a new rector, Melih Bulu, who is close to the ruling its coal-fired power projects, compared to 2005 levels, rais- 2035 to reduce emissions by Biden’s emissions pledge vow to phase out coal power by party. (dpa) President Xi said, adding that ing an earlier goal of 30 per- at least 78 percent below 1990 doubles the promise made by 2038 at the latest. 04 Friday, April 23, 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

The Lesson Of A Little Helicopter On Mars The Pandemic Will Be

he little helicopter weighs only 4 Module’s ladder to announce “a giant leap pounds, and its first flight lasted a for mankind.” Back on Earth, while peo- Tmere 30 seconds and reached an alti- ple across the globe were astonished that tude of only 10 feet. But it did so on Mars. Earthlings were walking on the moon, More Deadly This Year Stop and wonder about that for a many also wondered if those billions of moment. For the first time, humankind dollars should have been spent instead has achieved powered flight on another on what we would now term social jus- Consider the surging case count in India. A false sense of complacency is planet. A feat that would be nothing for tice. The 2018 movie “First Man,” a de- a 10-year-old child to accomplish with a cidedly unheroic look at the Apollo moon discouraging any course correction, and numbers could get worse still backyard drone takes on new meaning mission, captured that mood in using the when it happens 178 million miles away Gil Scott-Heron protest song as a sort of David Fickling on a planet with 1% of Earth’s atmos- soundtrack: “Was all that money I made phere. las’ year (for Whitey on the moon?) How OVID-19 is going to kill more people Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion come there ain’t no money here? (Hmm! in 2021 than it did last year. If you Laboratory in California didn’t know Whitey’s on the moon.)” The parallels to want to see why, look at what’s hap- the flight had succeeded until more than today are instructive, and we face some of pening in India. three hours after it was over; that’s how those same choices. So was it worth it? Is Cases have been surging in the long it took the burst of data to reach it now? countryC of 1.37 billion people. On Sunday Earth. Hold that thought in your mind On Thursday, an international crew alone, 261,500 new infections were record- for a second. rocketed towards the International Space ed. That’s as bad as the US during all but In a year in which a pandemic has Station aboard a commercial space- the worst five days of the pandemic in De- claimed more than 567,000 American craft called the SpaceX Crew Dragon. cember and early January. Case counts are lives and 3 million across the globe, in On board four astronauts — two from NASA, rising far more quickly, too. Average infec- which the promise of American justice one from Japan and one from France . tion numbers over the past seven days have and equity is on trial again — this time in The key word here is “international.” run at nearly three times the level two weeks a Minneapolis courtroom, it’s worthwhile Space has gone from a race for national ago, a pace of growth that the US last saw to look outside of ourselves for a second dominance to a largely cooperative scien- in the early days of the outbreak a year ago. to other worlds and remember what we tific and commercial enterprise. The real numbers may be yet higher. can accomplish as a species. From satellites that make GPS and The city of Bhopal used COVID-19 proto- Sixty years ago this month, human global communications possible to space cols to cremate or bury 84 people last Tues- spaceflight began. It wasn’t an American; probes and orbiting telescopes that en- day, according to the Hindustan Times, it was a Russian cosmonaut — Soviet, ac- rich our understanding of the universe while declaring only five Covid deaths. The tually — named Yuri Gagarin who made itself, space exploration is far different B.1.617 variant, which isn’t well understood one orbit of Earth and set in motion the than 60 years ago when it was a battle of yet, has features associated with higher in- Worryingly, the clear signs of a second ized parts of the country that are best able Space Race, which pitted the Americans international will. Today’s watchwords fection rates and lower antibody resistance. wave haven’t prompted much course correc- to cope with it, such as the southern states and the Soviets against each other in a are cooperation, not competition; won- It’s turning up in more than half of viral tion since. With elections underway in the of Kerala and Karnataka, the capital Delhi, kind of Cold War for preeminence in the der, not proxy war. samples taken in India. states of Assam and West Bengal, the Twit- and Maharashtra, home to Mumbai. If the actual heavens. That little helicopter on Mars will As caseloads push medical facilities to- ter feed of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Kumbh Mela seeds it in rural districts, In a stark bit of symbolism, some of make more flights, but it has no point ward capacity, the health system itself is has been interspersing updates about the where the majority of India’s population the same kinds of rockets that launched except to expand our sense of the possi- starting to crack. Vaccine stocks, hospital virus with Trump-style footage of him, un- lives, the death toll could be higher still. astronauts into space were secreted in ble. If we can fly on Mars, we are capable beds and even oxygen supplies are running masked, addressing mass rallies: There’s a lesson in this for the world. The missile silos topped with nuclear war- of so much else. If we don’t keep looking short, leading to bitter arguments between The other side isn’t necessarily doing 1.2 million people who’ve died from COV- heads, ready to fire in an instant on com- boldly to the far horizon and the future, the states and the federal government. In much better, either. West Bengal’s chief ID-19 so far this year already represent about mand of the president that would have where do we look instead? Down at our some places, the dead are being transported minister, an opponent of Modi’s BJP, only two-thirds of the 1.8 million fatalities in 2020. started a war that could only be lost. feet? So, yes, it is worth it, for reminding by truck because cities have run out of hears- got around to canceling her campaign rallies Yet people are behaving as if it’s already over. That Space Race effectively ended in us all what we can accomplish on Mars — es. Elsewhere, crematoria have started to Sunday. That’s removing the sense of unified urgency July 1969, when the late Neil Armstrong and back here on Earth — if we put our break down because of the sheer number of Worse may be to come. The Kumbh that led many nations to make such strides in jumped off the last rung of the Lunar minds to it. bodies being burned. Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage festival that’s nor- turning around the pandemic last year. If things don’t change soon, the country mally the largest mass gathering on earth, is Vaccine supplies for the richest (and, will be facing 3,000 deaths a day -- twice its now underway on the banks of the Ganges, thanks to global initiatives, poorest) coun- current level, and 10 times what was being attended by an estimated 3.5 million people. tries are relatively ample. Yet those for mid- seen through most of this year -- Bhramar That’s well down on the numbers in a nor- dle-income nations, where the majority of Mukherjee, a biostatistician at the University mal year, and even Modi, far too late, urged the planet’s population lives, are grossly in- of Michigan, wrote last week. over the weekend that the event be purely adequate, blocked by restrictive patent rules. As my colleague Mihir Sharma has “symbolic” rather than physical. Still, it’s far India, with one of the world’s largest pharma- written, arrogance, hyper-nationalism and above the mere thousands allowed to other ceutical industries, is far better placed than incompetence helped foster a fatal sense mass events like last year’s Hajj in Saudi most midsize economies to cope, but even it is of complacency amid India’s apparent suc- Arabia and Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq. crumbling under the strain. The more people cess against the outbreak earlier this year. Even held outdoors, such events carry infected in emerging countries while the rest Until a few weeks ago, lockdown restric- a profound risk of spreading the most in- of the world looks away, the more opportuni- tions had been progressively loosening for fectious variants to every corner of the ties COVID-19 will have to develop into fresh months. Cinemas were allowed to open to country. Close to 10% of people returning strains and prolong this death and misery. full capacity Feb. 1. Health Minister Harsh to Gujarat’s largest city, Ahmedabad, from We must do better. The globe is still under at- Vardhan declared the country “in the end- the festival tested positive for Covid over tack, but our defences are in disarray. game of the Covid-19 pandemic” in early the weekend, the Press Trust of India re- March, at almost precisely the point that ported Monday. Hitherto, the coronavirus (David Fickling is a Bloomberg cases started to surge again. has mostly hit the relatively affluent, urban- opinion columnist)

After Chauvin Verdict, What’s Next In US Movement For Racial Justice?

Kurtis Lee Attorney General Merrick Garland said. before voters — an effort spearheaded by a south Minneapolis corner store. TCA/DPA “The challenges we face are deeply woven coalition of liberal groups and young activ- “We need to have more humanity for into our history.” ists, which gained momentum after Floyd’s each other,” Cotton said. “Even before he screech of an electric screwdriver Such sentiments meant that despite the death — would also replace the Police De- George Floyd’s death, we all lacked hu- echoed off downtown skyscrapers as Chauvin verdict — he was guilty on all three partment with a newly created Department manity and empathy for each other.” a man peeled the plywood from the counts against him — this predominately of Public Safety. Overhead, a steady stream of people front entrance of a hotel. A Minnesota white city, where Midwestern progressive- All of this is being consider as three walked through a maze of indoor skyways National Guard troop — unarmed and ness collides with a troubled racial past, other officers are set to go on trial in Au- that dissect downtown, offering respite Trelaxed — stood nearby next to a Humvee. will remain a touchstone in the national gust for their involvement in Floyd’s death. from the brittle Minnesota air. At lunch- A day after jurors convicted former debate over policing and racial justice. The Cotton spent the morning after Chauvin time, restaurants were filled almost to ca- Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin parameters of that debate stretch near and was led away in handcuffs surveying her pacity as employees return to offices after of murdering George Floyd, this city, which, far, told in police bodycam footage and vid- city from the same spot - her shoe shop working from home for months. Along like the rest of the nation, spent weeks brac- eos of bystanders that go viral. on the ground level of a skyscraper. She Lake Street — where several businesses ing for a verdict that might ignite unrest, Ten days ago in the Minneapolis sub- spends most of her time here, and over the burned last spring after Floyd’s death — finally exhaled. Stores opened. Barricades urb of Brooklyn Center, an officer, who last year she has seen peaceful protests and people packed in at bus stops headed to were brought down. authorities say mistook her gun for her parts of her city burn. jobs all across the city. It felt — from south Minneapolis to the Taser, shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte “It’s a tragedy, there’s no other way to She has survived a pandemic and the A few blocks away from Cotton’s stand, banks of the Mississippi River — as if justice Wright, an unarmed Black man, during a say it,” interim Police Chief Mike Woods strange ways history doesn’t always stay in Brennan Roby sipped a coffee between had lived into another day. traffic stop. He will be laid to rest Thurs- said about the most recent shooting. “I sure the past. Cotton has owned her shoeshine bites of a ham and cheese croissant. The But the feeling was fleeting. Lisa Cot- day in a service expected to be attended as hell wish it hadn’t happened.” stand — two brown, elevated leather chairs 24-year-old graduated from the University ton, who has been shining shoes in the by members of Floyd’s family, relatives of But it happens a lot, making many in — for nearly three decades. She remembers of Minnesota last year. He’s seen the unrest lobby of a building here for years, put it other victims killed by police and the Rev. Minneapolis wonder whether, despite mu- the uprising in Los Angeles after police of- — the marches, the vandalism, the cries — this way: “My white clients often ask how Al Sharpton, who was already in town for rals of Floyd and flowers and wreaths laid ficers were acquitted in the 1991 beating of and on Wednesday morning, he said, he I am feeling, how I am holding up,” she the Chauvin trial. in his honour on the corner where he died, Rodney King, and her conversations with felt some relief. Justice had been served, he said about the past year of upheaval and Twenty minutes before that trial ended a verdict against one police officer, rare as clients now remind her of the same ones said, but much more needed to follow. marches to battle systemic racism and po- Tuesday, word came that a police officer in it may be, is enough to bring lasting change she had back then. “The verdict was good progress,” Roby lice brutality. “I often flip the question back Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed a Black to law enforcement. But on Wednesday, she said, the re- said. “I do see hope for Minneapolis and on them, ‘How are you feeling? What are teenager later identified by officials as Or will this city forever be synonymous sponse was muted as if the city and the the country.” you going to do to inflict change at this mo- 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. with the nine minutes, 29 seconds a Black people were trying to move ahead. “No one But, he said, the situation brought him ment?’” The Columbus Police Department man gasped and died facedown on the brought it up,” Cotton, gripping a thick no happiness. “This isn’t a time to cel- The answers to such questions are at quickly released body camera video that pavement? shoe brush, said. “I was waiting, but no one ebrate,” he said. “The whole situation is once fraught and complicated even as news showed Ma’Khia wielding a knife and Activists and politicians here spent said a word about the verdict.” tragic.” came Wednesday that the Department of threatening another teenager before the Wednesday raising awareness about a As it has for most anyone who watched Moments later, on a television screen Justice would investigate the training, tac- officer fired. But the department has been City Council-backed measure that could Floyd take his final breath under the knee inside the shop, the local news cut to a tics and discipline of a Minneapolis police under scrutiny after several shootings go before voters this fall calling for the city of Chauvin, images from the video have segment about the upcoming funeral for force that is under growing pressure to re- of Black residents by white officers in re- to create a Department of Public Safety, gnawed at her soul over the last 11 months. Wright. The rolling chyron at the bottom form. cent years, including the 2016 shooting of which would encompass a broader health But, Cotton said, this moment is about of the screen noted that at the time of the “Justice is sometimes slow, sometimes 13-year-old Tyre King during a robbery in- and social approach to fighting crime. much more than the two men whose lives service, National Guard troops would still elusive and sometimes never comes,” US vestigation. A similar ballot measure that could go brutally intersected that day outside a be deployed in the city.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Friday, April 23, 2021 05

COVID-19 SECOND WAVE SHATTERS INDIA News in brief India records world’s highest-ever daily Jordan releases 16 detained over destabilising plot Amman: Jordanian authori- COVID-19 cases amid oxygen shortage ties on Thursday released 16 people detained over their involvement in an al- leged plot to destabilise the The South Asian country sees 314,835 new infections and 2,104 COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours country that caused a rare dpa in the last few days,” a staffer, public split within the royal New Delhi Mahesh Yadav told the Indian family. Express newspaper, adding Eighteen people, includ- India on Thursday saw an that the hospital faced staff ing high-profile figures, were unprecedented surge in COV- shortage due to the outbreak. arrested nearly three weeks ID-19 infections, with 314,835 Some government hos- ago as authorities said they new infections, the world’s Poor healthcare pitals in the western state of were involved in activities biggest-ever daily spike in cas- The healthcare infrastructure Gujarat are seeing agents de- aimed at targeting the king- es, as the second wave of the manding payments of 9,000 dom’s stability and security. pandemic took the country’s has collapsed in several parts rupees (120 dollars) to secure State Security Prosecu- caseload to 15.9 million. of the country, with shortages hospital beds, news channels tion released 16 of them, The South Asian country of medical oxygen, beds and reported. the official etraP news posted another grim record as anti-viral drugs being reported India is the worst-affected agency reported. it registered 2,104 COVID-19 as more and more sick people country worldwide after the The move came soon deaths in the past 24 hours, overwhelm hospitals across US, which has logged 31.8 mil- after King Abdullah II urged data from the federal Health the country as people appeal lion cases. It is recording its concerned authorities to Ministry showed. Altogether, for help highest numbers of new COV- “follow the proper legal 184,000 people have died. ID-19 cases, in a second wave mechanism so that those The latest surge in cases that began in mid-February. who were misled or made surpasses the previous highest to find hospital beds, while Medical experts say the mistakes and followed the one-day spike in the world - of hearses were lining up outside situation is precarious as the sedition attempt, can re- around 300,300 cases in the crematoria coping with the in- second wave is yet to peak and turn to their families soon.” United States on January 2 - creasing number of bodies. they are not sure when the cas- Abdullah’s call came after according to the Johns Hop- Health workers help a COVID-19 patient waiting to get transferred to an intensive care unit at a recovery There was a shortage of es will decline. tribesmen from several kins University website. centre in Mumbai on Thursday. (AFP) hospital beds in Lucknow, The huge surge in infec- provinces signed a petition The health care infra- capital of the most populous tions comes amid a vaccina- invoking “the Hashemite structure has collapsed in plan on oxygen supply, essen- gen supply for hospitals. relieve the burden on hospi- state, Uttar Pradesh. Some tion drive beset with shortages values of tolerance and several parts of the country, tial drugs and vaccinations, Health Minister Harsh tals. facilities were denying admis- of doses. forgiveness” and presented with shortages of medical oxy- broadcaster NDTV reported. Vardhan sought to assure that Maharashtra has added sion to patients who were una- India with a population of it to him during a meeting gen, beds and anti-viral drugs The Delhi High Court on the government had increased new curbs to the ongoing ble to get their own oxygen cyl- 1.3 billion people, has admin- at the palace in Amman, being reported as more and Wednesday ordered the gov- the stocks of oxygen for seven curfew - including capping inders, spawning black market istered 132 million doses of the royal court said in a more sick people overwhelm ernment to divert oxygen from worst-hit areas, including New attendance at private and trade, reports said. the vaccine to front line work- statement. (dpa) hospitals across the country a industrial use to hospitals to Delhi and Mumbai, after the government offices not con- One of the medical facili- ers and those above 45 years as people appeal for help. save people’s lives. court slammed authorities for nected with COVID-19 man- ties, Govind Hospital, had to after beginning the innocula- Afghanistan: Child Later on Thursday, the Su- Expressing “shock and dis- the situation. agement, while New Delhi is close under the impact of the tion drive in January. The preme Court likened the situa- may” at the handling of the ox- Regional authorities have seeing a lockdown until Mon- second wave. government plans to widen carrying explosive tion to a “national emergency” ygen crisis” it asked the federal clamped down with restric- day. In familiar scenes across “We had to shut down as the programme and open vac- device loses legs and directed the federal gov- government to “beg, borrow or tions and lockdowns to break the country, people rushed most of our staff members cinations to all people above ernment to prepare a national steal” but ensure enough oxy- the chain of transmissions and from one hospital to another have tested COVID-positive 18 from May 1. Kabul: A 9-year-old boy was gravely wounded in Afghani- stan when an explosive device he was carrying on behalf of Islamist militants went off, officials said on Clock ticking to find missing Indonesian submarine Thursday. The blast in Kandahar dpa gen reserve is still available,” he said. search for the missing submarine, the rine search and rescue is very com- resulted in the child los- Jakarta Earlier in the day, naval spokesman Royal Malaysian Navy said on Thurs- plex,” Payne said. ing both of his legs, police Julius Widjojono said the submarine day. “Whatever we are able to do we spokesman Jamal Barakzai An Indonesian military submarine was designed to dive to depths of 250- The MV Bakti set sail from Kota have undertaken to do,” she added. and provincial councilor that went missing off Bali with 53 peo- 500 metres. Kinabalu on the Malaysian part of the Retired Rear Admiral Soleman Nematullah Shirdeli said. ple on board is expected to run out “Beyond that it’s dangerous,” he island of Borneo at 7 am local time, the Ponto said rescuers were racing It was unclear where of oxygen in two days, the Navy chief added. navy announced. The vessel is sched- against time to save the crew mem- the child was headed. The said on Thursday. The German-made Widjojono said the fuel tank might uled to reach the search area off the bers. detonation happened on an KRI Nanggala-402 lost contact about have been damaged by water pressure. coast of Bali by Sunday afternoon. “We have 72 hours maximum. empty road, police said. The 95 kilometres north of Bali in the early At least four naval ships and one Indonesian marine police prepare to Defence Minister Ismail Sabri There is oxygen on board for only 60- explosion took place around hours of Wednesday during a torpedo helicopter were involved in the search, take part in the search operation off Yaakob said he told his Indonesian 70 hours. Beyond that, all the people the same time Afghan attack exercise with 49 crew members, while rescue vessels from Singapore the coast of Bali on Thursday. (afp) counterpart Prabowo Subianto that will be dead,” he told dpa. President Ashraf Ghani was three gunners and a commander, of- and Malaysia were on their way. Malaysia would give its “full commit- “To save the people, we don’t have giving a speech some 15 ficials said. The defence ministry said late on Wednesday afternoon following a re- ment” to the search and rescue effort. the equipment, but Singapore has,” he kilometres away, Barakzai It is believed to be 600-700 metres Wednesday that aerial surveillance by quest from the Indonesian navy. The military said it had also sought added. said. Ghani was in Kanda- underwater, the Navy said. “In the a helicopter found an oil spill in the “The site for search operations, the help of Australia. The Indonesian military has five har on a one-day visit. No event of an electrical failure, the oxy- location where the submarine was last near Bali, is more than 1,500 km away Australian Foreign Minister submarines, including the missing group has claimed respon- gen can last approximately 72 hours,” detected. and waters are deep, which is why MV Marise Payne told Sky News her coun- one. Two of the submarines were out sibility for the incident as Navy chief of staff Admiral Yudo Singapore Defence Minister Ng Swift Rescue sailed off as soon as she try was moving to help, but said Aus- of service, the military said last year. of yet, but Kandahar police Margono said at a news conference. Eng Hen said the country’s submarine could,” he wrote in a Facebook post. tralia operates very different subma- Prabowo said the accident un- have blamed the Taliban for “It can last until Saturday 3 am. We rescue vessel, MV Swift Rescue, was A Malaysian rescue ship was on rines from the one that is missing. derscored the need for the country to the incident. (dpa) hope that we can find it while the oxy- dispatched with a medical team on its way to Indonesian waters to help “There is no question that subma- modernise its military. Taliban car bomb kills 4, Tehran cemetery builds four-storey injures 12 in Pakistan graves to bury dpa pital, medic Alam Khan said. Islamabad Some of them were in critical condi- tion, which means the death toll could rise, COVID-19 dead At least four people were killed when Khan said. dpa a bomb planted in a car went off in the The bomb was planted in a car that was Tehran parking lot of a luxury hotel in the vola- parked outside the hotel which is frequent- tile Pakistani city of Quetta on Wednes- ed by foreigners, politicians and bureau- Due to the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 day, police said. crats, Quetta’s police deputy chief Azhar dead in the Iranian capital, Tehran’s Behesh-e Several cars parked in front of the Ser- Akram said. Zahra central cemetery has built four-storey graves ena Hotel caught fire after the bombing, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid to bury them all, according to media reports. which occurred in the province of Balo- Ahmed said a Chinese delegation led by A picture of the new graves was published in the chistan, police official Mohamed Munir the country’s ambassador in Islamabad media on Thursday, but the Tehran city administra- told dpa. was the target, but they were not at the ho- tion and the cemetery itself have not yet commented Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a tel at the time of the bombing. on the reports. loose network of Pakistan’s home-grown For years, the TTP hosted militants An honourable burial is particularly important Islamist militants, claimed responsibility from the East Turkestan Islamic Move- to Iranians, so it is unclear how they will react to for the bombing which they said sought to ment (ETIM), a group once active in the being stacked on top of each other in four-storey target officials. The TTP, which has close Chinese province of Xinjiang, in their graves. links to al-Qaeda, has in the past targeted, stronghold on the Afghan border until On Tuesday Behesht-e Zahra - which means kidnapped and killed Chinese nationals in 2014. Paradise of the Shining One, a reference to Moham- Pakistan. The Pakistani militants were med’s daughter Fatima - witnessed a record number At least 12 people injured in the blast then chased out in a series of offensives by of deaths. were being treated at the city’s civilian hos- the military. “We had 350 deaths, including 150 coronavirus victims ... we have not had so many deaths in one day in the last 50 years,” the cemetery director told Ilna news agency. Moreover, the Tehran city ad- ministration announced that the central cemetery would soon run out of morgues to store the many COVID-19 dead. In the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health registered more than 450 COVID-19 deaths nation- wide, more than 100 of them in Tehran, a city of more than 1 million people. More than 24,000 new infections were recorded in the same period. This brings the total number of deaths in Iran since the outbreak of the pandemic in February 2020 to more than 68,000, and the number of peo- ple infected with the virus to more than 2.3 million. The vaccination campaign in Iran is off to a very slow start. The country of 83 million is in an eco- Volunteers carry an injured man on a stretcher at the explosion site in Quetta on Wednesday. (AFP) nomic crisis because of US sanctions. Tesla comes under growing China pressure page 8

Friday, April 23, 2021

33,874.01 10,844.92 48080.67 1,781.70 -263.30 pts +4.99 pts +374.87 pts Gold -0.64 % Vaccine rollout in Latin America: The Dow QE sensex countries setting the pace page 7 Price percentage Price percentage 26.16 Brent 65.53 +0.32 % WTI 61.62 +0.44 % Silver -1.68 % Qatar-Algeria trade ties strong, says minister

Tribune News Network he said, “It was a visit which He further added that Qatar investments map, he said. Doha has contributed to consoli- had sought to strengthen the The first meeting of the Qa- dating Qatari-Algerian coop- partnership between govern- tari-Algerian Business Council Minister of Commerce and eration at all levels, especially ment agencies and the private is an important event that will Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed Al economically and in terms of sector, due to its belief in the pri- positively affect the volume Kuwari and Algerian Minister investment.” vate sector’s pivotal role in im- of trade and investment ex- of Commerce Kamel Rezig par- The volume of trade ex- plementing programmes aimed change between the two coun- ticipated in the proceedings of change between the two at achieving economic recovery tries, he said. the Qatari-Algerian Business countries in 2020 amounted and supporting Qatar’s march Kuwari called on business- Council’s first meeting con- to about $36.13 million, the to meet the goals under its 2030 men from both sides to benefit vened virtually on Thursday. minister said. Qatar National Vision. from the investment oppor- The Qatari-Algerian Busi- He said that investment He indicated that the State tunities available in the two ness Council is co-chaired by cooperation between the two had moved forward in terms of countries and form new part- Qatari Businessmen Associa- countries has progressed very maintaining investment stim- nerships. The virtual meeting tion Chairman Sheikh Faisal well following the establish- ulation. To this end, he said, featured significant participa- bin Qassim Al Thani from the ment of the Algerian Qatari Qatar has developed the busi- tion from the two countries. Qatari side and Kamel Mola Steel Company in Algeria. ness environment and has put From the Qatari side, partici- from the Algerian side. With an investment cost in place legislative and regu- pants included Qatar’s Am- Delivering an opening exceeding $2 billion, the min- latory frameworks that allow bassador to Algeria HE Has- speech on the occasion, Ku- ister said, Algerian Qatari Steel foreign investors full owner- san bin Ibrahim Al Malki as wari highlighted the strength is one of the most significant ship in various sectors, as well well as a number of Qatari of- and durability of relations be- joint projects in the region. as in different economic and ficials and businessmen. tween the two countries. Qatar is one of the largest Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari takes part in the first meeting of Qatari- commercial activities. From the Algerian side, Referring to the historic investors in Algeria with Qa- Algerian Business Council held virtually on Thursday. Additionally, Qatar has participants included Alge- visit of His Highness the Amir tari investments comprising provided significant invest- rian Ambassador to Qatar HE of the State of Qatar Sheikh 74.31 percent of foreign in- the minister said, “Qatar has al economy by providing finan- providing various exemptions ment benefits and incentives Mustafa Boutoura and a num- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani vestments there, he said. devised a solid strategy to sup- cial and economic incentives to to protect entrepreneurship that have instilled Qatar’s ber of officials and representa- to Algeria in February 2020, About the Qatari economy, port the strength of the nation- the private sector, as well as by and SMEs.” leading position on the global tives of Algerian companies. Gulf economies al khaliji reports net profitseen rebounding of QR185 mn for Q1 2021 in 2021: Survey

Tribune News Network from the 2.2 per cent expected Net operating income rises 20 percent to reach QR379 million in the first quarter of 2021 Doha three months ago. Growth was forecast at 3.6 per cent in 2022 Tribune News Network The economies of the six-mem- and 3.3 per cent in 2023, up Doha ber Gulf Cooperation Council from 3.5 per cent and 3 per cent (GCC) are expected to return to projected in January. Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) growth this year, a quarterly Re- on Thursday announced that the bank uters survey showed on Thurs- registered a net profit of QR185 mil- day, but half are seen expanding Qatar stable lion in the first quarter of 2021, 4.6 less than previously forecast. percent higher compared to the same Economists in the April ● The forecast for Qatar’s period last year. 8-20 poll forecast a marked 2021 economic growth was Net operating income of the improvement in economic for- unchanged from the bank reached QR379 million in the tunes across the oil-rich region previous poll at 2.8 first quarter of 2021, up 20 percent after it was hammered by the percent, but edged up to compared to the first quarter of the COVID-19 pandemic. 3.6 percent for next year last year. The bank’s operating expens- Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani Al Thani But while median forecasts from 3.5 percent. The 3.1 es stood at QR90 million in the first for 2021 growth were raised for percent growth forecast for quarter of 2021, resulting in a cost to Bahrain and to a lesser extent income ratio of 23.8 percent. the UAE, they were scaled back 2023 was up a full While loans and deposits at the for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and percentage point from the bank increased by 11 percent and 10 Oman while the outlook for Qa- previous survey with a percent respectively year on year, the tar was unchanged. boost expected from its capital adequacy ratio at year-end The forecast for Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World stood at a healthy 19.5 percent. 2021 economic growth was un- Cup in late 2022. Commenting on the financial re- changed from the previous poll sults, Al Khalij Commercial Bank at 2.8 percent, but edged up to Chairman and Managing Director 3.6 percent for next year from The economists revised Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani 3.5 percent. The 3.1 percent down their expectations for Al Thani said, “al khaliji delivered a growth forecast for 2023 was Kuwait this year to 1.8 per cent strong set of results for the first quarter up a full percentage point from growth from 2.2 per cent pre- of 2021. These results demonstrate the The headquarters of Al Khalij Commercial Bank in Lusail City. Fahad Al Khalifa the previous survey with a boost viously. Oman’s economy was continued focus of our team in navi- expected from its hosting of the expected to grow at 1.9 per cent gating through a period of economic us that we are on course to creating one income. We tightly controlled operat- profit of QR 185 million, which is 4.6 FIFA World Cup in late 2022. this year, 3.2 per cent next year uncertainty with the continuing unpre- of the largest Shari’ah-compliant banks ing expenses, which including one-off percent higher compared to the first The economists expect Sau- and 2.4 per cent in 2023, com- dictability of the COVID-19 virus.” in Qatar, at the completion of the trans- items lead to an efficiency ratio of 23.8 quarter of last year.” di Arabia’s economy, the Middle pared to 2.1 per cent, 2.7 per “On January 7, 2021, we announced action,” Sheikh Hamad said. percent. We also continued to remain “Our balance sheet remains strong East’s largest, to grow 2.4 per cent and 2.5 per cent in the pre- a merger with Masraf Al Rayan. Regu- Al Khalij Commercial Bank Group prudent and cognizant of the continu- with a strong capital base, good li- cent this year, less than the 2.8 vious poll. latory approvals and integration plan- Chief Executive Officer Fahad Al ing challenges of uncertainty due to the quidity and provision coverage and per cent forecast in a similar poll Bahrain’s economy was seen ning for the successful completion of Khalifa said, “The first quarter of 2021 COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced our focus in the coming months is to three months ago. The UAE’s growing the most this year, at this transaction are currently in pro- ended for us with an expanded balance our provisions. Accounting for all of continue the positive momentum,” economy was seen growing by 2.9 per cent compared with 2.5 gress. Our results for the quarter assure sheet and strong growth in operating the above, the bank delivered a net Khalifa said. 2.3 per cent this year, up slightly per cent in the last poll.

IATA upbeat on aviation rebound in Mideast, cuts loss forecast Tribune News Network be facing combined losses of IATA also reduced its forecast East Kamil Al Awadhi noted bright spot for the Middle East Doha $47.7 billion in 2021 due to for passenger numbers and that government relief for air- carriers as cargo volumes only COVID-19. distance flown in 2021 to 43 lines avoided massive failures dropped 10 percent while that Middle Eastern carriers will IATA’s estimate of losses percent of 2019’s levels, down that would jeopardise a restart. was not enough to offset the benefit from relatively rapid for Middle Eastern carriers from a previous estimate of In 2020, Middle Eastern losses from the passenger side vaccination rates on home for this year has been reduced 51 percent. carriers lost $7.1 billion as of the business. markets, the International Air from 28.9 percent of revenues In an earlier report, IATA they recorded a 72 percent Connectivity in the region Transport Association (IATA) estimated in 2020, the third had warned that several drop in passenger demand fell by 60 per cent at the low has said. smallest regional loss. airlines in the Middle East compared to 66 per cent glob- point of the crisis. Before the The global airlines’ body, Former British Airways faced a heightened risk of ally and a 63 per cent drop in crisis there were 1060 unique which reduced by more than owner IAG boss Willie Walsh, bankruptcy despite the in- capacity compared to 57 per- international routes at the low half its estimate of the net who now heads IATA, said, dustry receiving $4.8 billion cent globally. point of the crisis there was losses faced by the regional “The crisis is longer and deep- in government aid in 2020. According to estimate, air- 440. And the density of those aviation sector in 2021, said er than anyone could have ex- Most of this support was dis- lines in the Middle East lost connections has become much the region’s carriers would pected. Losses will be reduced tributed through direct cash $68.47 for every passenger thinner. Job losses could grow incur losses of 13.8 per cent of from 2020, but the pain of the injections. they flew in 2020 compared to to 1.7 million in the Middle revenues as it warned that the crisis increases.” IATA Regional Vice-Presi- a loss globally of $66.04. East in aviation and related in- In 2020, Middle Eastern carriers lost $7.1 billion as they recorded a across the world airlines could The loss estimate came as dent for Africa and the Middle However, air cargo was a dustries, IATA said. 72 percent drop in passenger demand. Economy & Business Friday, April 23, 2021 07 US jobless claims Oxf ord Business Group Report fall to 547k, another Vaccine rollout in Latin America: pandemic low Agencies demic peak of nearly 15%. The number of avail- The countries setting the pace The number of Americans able jobs has also jumped applying for unemploy- in recent weeks, leading ment aid fell last week to many employers to com- In many ways the vaccine rollout reflects various divisions, inequalities and stages of development in the region 547,000, the lowest point plain that they can’t find since the pandemic struck enough workers despite and an encouraging sign still-high unemployment. that layoffs are slowing on Several factors may be the strength of an improv- keeping some of those out ing job market. of work from searching for The Labor Department jobs. They include fears of said Thursday that applica- contracting the virus, child tions declined 39,000 from care needs and the fact a revised 586,000 a week that a federal supplemen- earlier. Weekly jobless tal unemployment benefit claims are down sharply of $300 a week, on top of from a peak of 900,000 in state aid, means that some early January. At the same low-income workers can time, they’re still far above receive as much or more in- the roughly 230,000 level come from jobless benefits that prevailed before the vi- compared with their former ral outbreak ripped through job’s pay. the economy in March of The weekly data on ap- last year. plications for jobless aid is With the pandemic having a significant impact on Latin American countries in both economic and public health terms, a successful vaccine rollout is critically important to the “With 135 million generally seen as a rough region’s recovery. Americans having received measure of layoffs because at least one dose of a COV- only people who have lost s the global COVID-19 wide for per capita immu- comes to the vaccine rollout ID-19 vaccination and the their jobs through no fault vaccine rollout contin- nisations, alongside other Report highlights is that of logistical shortfalls, economy opening up more of their own are eligible. ues, Latin American global leaders like Israel, the an issue which has taken on A ● each day, the number of job But during the pandemic, governments have seen their UK and the UAE, with offi- The extent of vaccine rollouts has varied wildly across increased importance in light opportunities will continue the numbers have become a own vaccination strategies cials hoping to vaccinate 80% the region of the fact that countries do to rise,” said James Knight- less reliable barometer. meet with varying levels of of the 19m-strong population not have the capacity to pro- ley, chief international States have struggled success, according to the Ox- by the end of June. ● With more than 40% of the population inoculated, Chile duce their own doses. economist at ING, a Euro- to clear backlogs of unem- ford Business Group. While The country’s successful leads the way In a positive sign early on pean bank. ployment applications, and some countries are among programme has been attrib- in the rollout process, port About 17.4 million peo- suspected fraud has cloud- the world’s leaders in terms uted to a number of different ● Colombia, Peru and Ecuador are among those with lower officials responsible for the ple were continuing to col- ed the actual volume of job of per capita progress, others factors. As a wealthier Latin rates Panama Canal signed a deal lect unemployment benefits cuts. In addition, the sup- are struggling with the chal- American country, Chile has ● in January to expedite and in the week that ended April plemental federal jobless lenges presented by mass im- been able to rely on more ad- Logistical issues pose significant challenges to optimise supply routes for 3, up from 16.9 million in payment, on top of regular munisation. vanced logistics and health governments the distribution of COVID-19 the previous week. Most state unemployment aid, With the pandemic hav- care infrastructure. vaccines and supplies to Lat- of the increase occurred in might have encouraged ing a significant impact on To take an example, the tries in the region have strug- America meant that coun- in America. two states, California and more people to apply for Latin American countries in government has conducted gled to replicate Chile’s suc- tries often found themselves However, with govern- Texas, which process their benefits. both economic and public its programme using an up- cess. in a race against each other to ments being forced to deal claims every other week. For now, the economy health terms, a successful to-date digital database, In Colombia, Peru and secure doses. with a combination of rug- In California, recipients of is showing steady signs vaccine rollout is critically which has allowed officials Ecuador the percentage of As a result, many smaller, ged terrain and less-devel- a federal program for the of recovering. Sales at re- important to the region’s re- to effectively identify people the population who have re- lower-income or less-devel- oped transport infrastruc- long-term unemployed tail stores and restaurants covery. who are due for vaccinations ceived one dose of a vaccine oped countries fell behind, ture internally, authorities jumped nearly 50%, a sign soared 10% in March — In many ways the vac- and coordinate that with lo- stands at just 5.2%, 2.2% and as larger nations and blocs have in many cases found it that the state likely pro- the biggest increase since cine rollout has reflected the gistical considerations. 2.2%, respectively. pooled their resources and difficult to adequately trans- cessed a backlog of claims last May. Federal stimulus various divisions, inequalities In addition, Chile’s de- Meanwhile, even though purchasing power. port doses between cities that had been filed earlier. checks of $1,400 have been and stages of development in cision to host vaccine trials larger economies like Brazil Meanwhile, in Peru’s and regions. Still, the number of sent to most adults. And Latin America, with more ad- with major pharmaceutical (12%), Argentina (12%) and case, the vaccine rollout has This is a particular chal- ongoing recipients has de- Americans who have kept vanced countries holding a companies last year, along Mexico (8.9%) have propor- damaged the public’s trust in lenge for vaccines such as clined by about 2.3 million their jobs have accumulat- natural advantage over less- with signing agreements un- tionally higher vaccination the institutions responsible those from Pfizer, which need from early March, when ed additional savings, part developed nations. der the World Health Organi- rates, this has not been ac- for the process. to be transported and stored the figure was 19.7 million, of which they will likely sation’s Covax initiative, is companied by a fall in infec- In February a series of in ultra-cold temperatures. evidence that more people spend now that states and Chile leads the way also seen to have been a fac- tion rates, as the highly con- high-profile politicians and There are concerns that are being hired. Some long- cities have loosened busi- Chile is not only a re- tor behind its successful vac- tagious p.1 variant sweeps university officials resigned such challenges could lead to term unemployed may have ness restrictions and the gional leader but also a global cine deployment. through the region. after it was revealed that they a dramatic vaccine divide be- also exhausted all their virus wanes. standout when it comes to Despite this impressive While the initial slow roll- had received two doses of a tween urban and rural com- benefits. Economic growth is ac- administering vaccines. As of progress, Chile has neverthe- out in many Latin American vaccine being tested in the munities, further exacerbat- The overall job market celerating so fast that the April 15, 41% of the popula- less experienced a significant countries was largely due to country by Chinese state- ing existing inequalities. has been making steady principal concerns sur- tion had received at least one increase in coronavirus cases global shortages, there were owned pharmaceutical com- Given these obstacles gains. Last month, the na- rounding the economy have dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, over the past four or five a number of other contribut- pany Sinopharm – despite and the associated delays to tion’s employers added shifted from a high unem- while 29% had been fully vac- months, following the open- ing factors, including govern- not being enrolled as partici- vaccine deployment, some 916,000 jobs, the most ployment rate and anemic cinated, according to figures ing of international borders ance. pants in the trial. analysts fear that in many since August, in a sign that spending to bottlenecks in from Our World in Data, a and a loosening of local travel For example, while the Latin American countries the a sustained recovery is tak- company supply chains and research project based at the restrictions. African Union made signifi- Logistical challenges population will not be fully ing hold. The unemploy- the difficulty some busi- University of Oxford. cant pre-purchases of vac- front and centre immunised until 2023, fur- ment rate fell from 6.2% nesses say they are having The figures place Chile in Governmental hurdles cines in bulk, the lack of re- However, perhaps the ther delaying the economic to 6%, well below the pan- in finding enough workers. the top-10 countries world- A number of other coun- gional coordination in Latin principal challenge when it recovery.

US aid lifts Southwest to 1st quarter Japan, US plan to keep watch on profit, American loses $1.25 billion Rakuten after Tencent investment Agencies have lost $2.7 billion. Agencies necessary if taking a stake is Airlines have been offering solely intended to seek invest- With a strong push from tax- rock-bottom fares to attract The Japanese and U.S. gov- ment returns, not to influence payers, Southwest Airlines is passengers during the pan- ernments are planning to management. the first major U.S. airline to demic, but those prices appear jointly monitor e-commerce The Tencent group compa- report a profit since the pan- to be heading up. giant Rakuten Group Inc for ny, Image Frame Investment demic started, and airlines American’s chief revenue fear of customer data falling ‘No data abuse’ (HK) Ltd, needs to show to executives say that the worst officer, Vasu Raja, said fares into the hands of Chinese au- Rakuten said Tencent group Japanese authorities by mid- of the pandemic-caused crisis on a per-mile basis started the thorities, sources with knowl- company’s acquisition of its May that it has no plan to send for their industry appears to year at around half their 2019 edge of the matter said. stake is purely for investment anyone representing the Hong be over. levels, but summer flights are A group company of Chi- Kong-based firm to Rakuten’s Southwest Chairman and selling for about 90% of where nese tech giant Tencent Hold- purposes and rejected the board and meet other require- CEO Gary Kelly said Thurs- they stood two years ago. ings Ltd has become Rakuten’s possibility that shareholders ments. day that his airline has seen The reason: supply and de- major shareholder with a 3.65 would gain access to Concerns that Chinese steady improvement in U.S. mand. percent stake, apparently rais- customer data. Japan’s authorities will gain access to leisure-travel sales since mid- American has added about ing alarm among Japanese and foreign exchange and trade personal information prompt- February. He credited rising 25% to available seats for pop- U.S. authorities for national control law limits investments ed former U.S. President Don- vaccinations and falling new Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 passenger plane takes off from Fort ular leisure destinations such security reasons. by foreign companies and ald Trump to issue an execu- cases of COVID-19. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. as Las Vegas and Orlando, Based on a law on foreign foreign investors in Japanese tive order in January banning “While the pandemic is not Florida, but bookings are run- investment, the Japanese gov- companies in sensitive areas transactions with Chinese soft- over, we believe the worst is with about 1.4 million travel- Airlines Co. reported net in- ning about double their year- ernment is expected to con- due to security reasons. ware applications, including behind us, in terms of the se- ers going through airports come of $116 million in the ago levels, Raja said. He sug- duct interviews regularly with those provided by Ant Group verity of the negative impact each day this month. Still, that first quarter.H owever, South- gested that the airline is now Rakuten, and share the infor- Co and Tencent. on travel demand,” Kelly said. remains about 40% below the west received $1.45 billion in more concerned with maxi- mation with the U.S. govern- and trade control law limits Established in 1997 as an American Airlines posted pre-pandemic pace of 2019. federal aid to help cover labor mizing profit on each flight ment, the sources said. investments by foreign com- online shopping mall operator, another large loss, but its CEO Lucrative business travel and costs, and without that and rather than simply filling seats. Among check points for the panies and foreign investors in Rakuten has developed into a also sounded upbeat heading long-haul international fly- other temporary items, the American Airlines Group Japanese government would Japanese companies in sensi- major IT company whose busi- into the peak summer-travel ing remain much more deeply Dallas-based carrier would Inc. lost $4.32 per share after be Tencent’s involvement in tive areas such as telecommu- ness portfolio includes mobile season, when airlines usually depressed, down around 80% have lost $1 billion. The results subtracting federal aid and Rakuten management and the nications due to national secu- phone and financial services. earn most of their money. The from 2019. were 3 cents per share better other temporary items. That Japanese firm’s handling of rity reasons. To bolster its financial airline is aggressively expand- Southwest, the fourth- than Wall Street expectations. was 2 cents per share worse private information of its cus- In the face of China’s grow- base following massive invest- ing its schedule for summer largest U.S. airline, is benefit- Revenue fell 52% to $2.05 bil- than forecast by analysts sur- tomers in Japan and overseas, ing influence, a revision to the ments in mobile phone infra- and recalling employees from ting more from the pickup in lion. veyed by FactSet. Revenue according to the sources. law that took effect last year structure, Rakuten last month leave. U.S. leisure travel because it is American reported a loss of dropped 53% from a year ago, Rakuten told Kyodo News requires investors planning received a combined 242.35 “We are starting to see light less dependent than its biggest $1.25 billion, and that did not to $4.01 billion. that the Tencent group compa- to take a stake of 1 percent or billion yen ($2.2 billion) in in- at the end of this very dark tun- rivals — American, Delta and include $3.1 billion in taxpayer Alaska Airlines’ parent re- ny’s acquisition of the stake is higher in such areas to seek vestment from Image Frame nel,” Doug Parker, who is also United — on business travel- funds approved by Congress ported a loss of $131 million, purely for investment purpos- prior approval from the Japa- Investment, Japan Post Hold- American’s chairman, said on ers, and it doesn’t fly to Eu- and the Trump and Biden ad- or $3.51 per share, after ex- es and rejected the possibility nese government. The ratio ings Co and Walmart Inc. of a call with analysts. rope or Asia, which are mostly ministrations. Without that cluding federal relief and other that shareholders would gain was previously 10 percent or the United States. Some 65.7 Leisure travel within the closed to American visitors. help and other one-time gains temporary items. Revenue fell access to customer data. higher. billion yen came from the Ten- U.S. has picked up recently, Dallas-based Southwest and losses, American would 51% to $797 million. Japan’s foreign exchange Such prior approval is not cent subsidiary. 08 Friday, April 23, 2021 Economy & Business China tech stampede into electric cars sparks auto sector buzz

Agencies smartphone giants Huawei and most rapidly electrifying plans to invest $10 billion over Cars represent a fresh op- driving,” Chen said. and Xiaomi, e-commerce lead- auto market –- to lead the way the next decade in a smart EV portunity for companies like Even potential competi- Thought your smartphone er Alibaba, and even DJI, the into a post-pandemic future. subsidiary, and Huawei will in- Huawei, now rushing to devel- tors seem intrigued. “This is was taking over your life? Your world’s top drone manufactur- Sales in China contracted This sort of competition is a vest $1 billion this year. op its own tech ecosystem after very reassuring. (Tech com- car may be next as Chinese er, have thrown their hats into two percent to 25.1 million ve- good thing and will greatly Alibaba’s autonomous US sanctions banned it from panies) see there is an oppor- firms lead a Big Tech stampede the ring. hicles last year –- nearly one- accelerate innovation. driving unit AutoX has part- using Google’s Android. tunity in this industry, which into auto manufacturing in “This sort of competition third of the global total –- but nered with Japan’s Honda to Huawei has realized its means that this industry still their battle for more consum- is a good thing and will greatly are rapidly recovering thanks William Li, founder, chairman ramp up testing on Chinese current “market limitations”, has a very bright future,” said ers. accelerate innovation,” Wil- to the expanding popularity of and CEO of Chinese electric roads. said Chen Yusheng, chief tech- Antoine Barthes, managing di- Cars are the next major liam Li, founder, chairman and electric cars. vehicle (EV) producer NIO And tech giant Baidu said nology officer for procurement rector of the automaking joint prize in the battle for digital CEO of Chinese electric vehicle Just a tiny fraction of Chi- Monday its Apollo autono- analysis firm Shanghai Auto- venture Dongfeng Nissan. territory, industry insiders (EV) producer NIO, told AFP nese sales until recently, EVs mous navigation system would datas Co. Autonomous driving re- say, and the deep pockets and in an interview just ahead of accounted for around nine –- to comprise 25 percent of be installed on one million “(Huawei) will enter a new mains largely in the testing data muscle of big Chinese the Shanghai Auto Show. percent in March, according to car sales by 2025, and recent vehicles over the next three to track in the future, and with phase but China is widely ex- tech firms will fuel even faster The first major auto indus- official figures. announcements appear to five years. its own advantages, includ- pected to take the lead thanks growth in “smart-electric” ve- try gathering of the year opens China’s government ex- bode well. The moves will focus fresh ing combining software and to government encourage- hicles -- and possibly hasten to the public Wednesday with pects new-energy vehicles Xiaomi, which has rapidly attention on Apple’s secretive hardware, will help promote ment, modern infrastructure, the arrival of autonomous cars. the global sector looking to –- which integrate the most become one of the world’s big- project to develop a self-driv- lightning-fast development of and a head start in deploying In recent weeks, Chinese China -– the world’s biggest advanced driving technology gest smartphone suppliers, ing vehicle. smart cars and autonomous necessary 5G networks.

Swiss authority to Tesla comes under growing China probe Credit Suisse over trading losses pressure after customer complaint Agencies Two weeks ago, the bank The singling-out announced it was taking of Tesla in China Switzerland’s finan- a $4.7 bn charge linked cial markets authority said to a default on margin comes amid ongoing Thursday it is looking into possible penalties against calls by U.S.-based US-China tensions Credit Suisse after the top- Archegos Capital. Credit drawer bank announced Suisse did not identify Agencies “significant losses” linked to what it called only a a U.S.-based hedge fund. ‘US-based hedge fund’ Tesla Inc came under in- The authority, FINMA, — but the authority did. creased pressure in China on said it will require “various Wednesday from regulators risk-reducing measures” and state media after Mon- and investigate “possible insolvency issues linked to day’s protest by a disgruntled shortcomings in risk man- partner Greensill Capital. customer at the Shanghai auto agement” at Credit Suisse. FINMA’s announce- show went viral and forced the The authority said it is ap- ment came shortly after electric car maker into a rare pointing an outside agent to Credit Suisse reported a net apology. look into the issue. loss of 252 million francs The singling-out of Tesla Two weeks ago, the bank ($275 million) in the first in China, which accounts for announced it was taking a quarter, largely due to the 30% of the U.S. firm’s global 4.4 billion Swiss franc ($4.7 one-time charge. sales and where it makes cars billion) charge linked to a CEO Thomas Gottstein at its own factory in Shanghai, default on margin calls by said: “The loss we report in comes amid ongoing U.S.-Chi- U.S.-based Archegos Capi- this quarter, because of this na tensions and as other for- tal. Credit Suisse did not matter, is unacceptable.” eign firms have encountered identify what it called only He noted steps including an backlash. a “US-based hedge fund” — independent probe ordered On Monday, a disgruntled but the authority did. by the bank. The bank has customer clambered on top of The authority said such also said two top executives a Tesla at the auto show in pro- “enforcement proceedings” had left in the wake of the test over the company’s han- against financial institu- troubles. dling of her complaints about tions typically take months, The bank, in its quar- malfunctioning brakes, trig- depending on the complex- terly report, said the one- gering a social media storm, ity of the matter. FINMA time charge offset “positive with regulators and state me- does not have the power to performance across wealth dia also weighing-in. impose fines, but can order management and invest- Late on Wednesday, Chi- changes within financial in- ment banking.” na’s market regulator urged stitutions and set limits on Net revenues jumped Tesla to ensure product quality them. 31 percent to 7.57 billion in the country, while the offi- A margin call is trig- francs ($8.3 billion), while cial Xinhua news agency said Guards walk near a Tesla stand during the 19th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai. gered when investors bor- the pre-tax loss came in at that Tesla’s apology was “not row using their stock port- 757 million francs ($826 sincere”. world’s biggest auto market. no possibility Tesla will com- tiny in China when the military folio as collateral and have million)— compared to a 1.2 Tesla declined to com- However, the Xinhua news promise” and said the she sus- banned its cars from entering to make up the balance re- billion franc net gain in the ment, but said in a statement it agency said Tesla’s apology fell The incident pected that there was someone its complexes, citing security quired by banks when the quarter a year ago. would share data on the brake short. ● putting the customer up to the concerns over cameras in its share prices fall and the col- In its outlook, Credit Su- incident with regulators. “A big company should On Monday, a disgruntled protest. The interview prompt- vehicles, sources told Reuters. lateral is worth less. isse said it expects market In videos that went viral have the responsibility of be- customer clambered on top ed accusations of “arrogance” Earlier this month, Tesla said FINMA also confirmed volumes to return to “lower, from Monday’s car show, a ing a big company, no compa- of a Tesla at the Shanghai on Tesla’s part from state me- cameras in its cars are not acti- it opened in March pro- and more normal, levels in woman wearing a T-shirt em- ny can do whatever it wants,” auto show in protest over dia. vated outside of North America. ceedings against the bank the coming quarters” — and blazoned with the words “The it said in a commentary on the company’s handling of Meanwhile, the Global Chinese internet users in connection with its so- expects a residual charge of brakes don’t work” shouted Wednesday night. her complaints about Times, a tabloid run by the last month began calling for called “supply chain finance about 600 million francs similar accusations while staff “If a company does not rec- malfunctioning brakes. ruling Communist Party’s of- boycotts of brands including funds,” a financial instru- ($655 million) in the second and security struggled to re- tify when it has a problem, if it ficial People’s Daily, published H&M, Adidas, and Nike over ment that is reserved for quarter due to the hedge store calm. does not change a problematic ● In videos that went viral a story on a deadly accident re- past statements saying they do select clients. fund troubles. Tesla on Tuesday apolo- senior executive... it will even- from Monday’s car show, a portedly involving a Tesla that not use cotton from Xinjiang, The bank announced It said it has now exited gised to Chinese consumers tually make mistakes again,” it woman wearing a T-shirt “surfaced online on Wednes- where some researchers and a suspension in redemp- 97 percent of related posi- for not addressing the com- said. emblazoned with the day, raising more concerns foreign lawmakers say authori- tions and subscriptions in tions linked to the hedge plaint in a timely way, and On Monday, Grace Tao, a words “The brakes don’t over the quality control issues ties use coercive labour to meet the funds on March 1 over fund matter. said it would launch a review Tesla vice-president, told a lo- work” of the U.S. car maker.” Last seasonal needs, which China of its service operations in the cal media outlet that “there is month, Tesla came under scru- denies. JLR halts production US ends oil, gas lease sales from public land because of chip shortage Agencies Sales had been tentatively drilling occurred. scheduled in seven states and The leasing ban is only Agencies out being more specific. Manu- The U.S. Interior Department regions — Nevada, Colorado, temporary, although officials facturing at another plant in is cancelling oil and gas lease Montana, New Mexico, Utah, have declined to say how long Jaguar Land Rover said Solihull in central England will sales from public lands through Wyoming and the bureau’s it will last. And it’s unclear how Thursday it’s suspending pro- continue. June amid an ongoing review eastern region, spokesperson much legal authority the gov- duction at two U.K. factories, The Halewood factory of how the program contributes Jeffrey Krauss said. Top emitter ‘Harm economy’ ernment would have if it tried becoming the latest automaker makes Jaguar’s XE, XF and to climate change, officials said Officials had previously to stop drilling on about 23 mil- to fall victim to a global short- F-type models, and the Castle Wednesday. postponed or suspended lease The burning of oil, gas and The petroleum industry and its lion acres (9 million hectares) age of microchips. Bromwich plant produces the The action does not affect sales in the Gulf of Mexico, coal from government-owned Republican allies in Congress onshore and offshore that “Like other automotive Land Rover Discover Sport existing leases, and the agency Alaska’s Arctic National Wild- lands and waters is a top have said the oil and gas were previously leased to en- manufacturers, we are cur- and Range Rover Evoque. has continued to issue new life Refuge and many of the source of U.S. emissions, moratorium will harm the ergy companies. Thirteen states rently experiencing some The announcement is the drilling permits during the same states covered in Wednes- accounting for 24% of the economies of Western states sued in federal court in Louisi- COVID-19 supply chain dis- latest to highlight the challenge open-ended review ordered by day’s move. nation’s greenhouse gases. without putting a significant ana last month to try to force ruption, including the global the intensifying chip shortage the White House, said Nada Biden on Jan. 27 ordered Oil and gas account for the dent in climate change. There the resumption of sales, argu- availability of semiconduc- poses to the global auto indus- Culver, deputy director of Inte- Interior officials to review if the biggest chunk of human- is no end date for the review, ing the sales are required to tors,” the British luxury car try, which is building vehicles rior’s Bureau of Land Manage- leasing program unfairly ben- be held regularly under federal brand said in a statement. The that are starting to resemble ment. efits companies at the expense caused fossil fuel emissions but an interim report due this law. Wyoming officials filed a shortage “is having an impact computers on wheels. The petroleum industry of taxpayers and its impact on from federal lands following a summer could reveal the Biden separate suit in their state. on our production schedules General Motors and Ford and its Republican allies in climate change. Federal courts drilling surge under former administration’s long-term Another legal challenge and our ability to meet global said earlier this month they Congress have said the oil and have blocked prior leases in President Donald Trump. plans for lease sales. against the administration is demand for some of our vehi- were being forced to cut pro- gas moratorium will harm the several western states follow- pending from oil and gas indus- cles.” duction at their North Ameri- economies of Western states ing lawsuits from conservation of U.S. emissions, accounting The federal government try groups, also in federal court Production will be halted can factories because of tight- without putting a significant groups that said climate im- for 24% of the nation’s green- took in about $5 billion last in Wyoming. On Tuesday, a for a “limited period” starting ening chip supplies. Other dent in climate change. There is pacts and other environmental house gases. Oil and gas ac- year in royalties and other coalition of 21 conservation Monday at its Halewood fac- marques like Fiat Chrysler, no end date for the review, but problems from drilling were count for the biggest chunk of payments on oil and gas from and Native American advocacy tory near Liverpool and at its now Stellantis, Volkswagen, an interim report due this sum- ignored. human-caused fossil fuel emis- federal lands, according to the groups represented by the en- Castle Bromwich plant near Nissan and Honda have also mer could reveal the Biden ad- The burning of oil, gas and sions from federal lands follow- Office of NaturalR esources vironmental law firm Earthjus- Birmingham in central Eng- been hit hard by the semicon- ministration’s long-term plans coal from government-owned ing a drilling surge under for- Revenue. Much of that money tice sought to intervene in that land, the company said, with- ductor shortage. for lease sales. lands and waters is a top source mer President Donald Trump. goes back to the states where case in support of Biden. Najmul, Mominul QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune share record QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune stand as Bangladesh call the shots vs Sri Lanka in Kandy Test page 11 FRIday, APRIL 23, 2021 Al Duhail coach Lamouchi hails Olunga wonder show in AFC Champions League sizzler against Esteghlal

AFC Jeddah

Al Duhail SC head coach I can’t find the words to Sabri Lamouchi praised Ken- describe this exciting yan forward Michael Olunga match. (Michael) Olunga whose hat-trick steered the deserves, of course, to be Qatari side to an exciting 4-3 the man of the match. He’s win against Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal FC in the a special player and his 2021 AFC Champions League presence has helped us on Wednesday. have a lot of attacking Man-of-the-match Olunga options. struck in the 10th, 27th and 85th minutes in an absorbing Group Al Duhail coach C tie which saw both sides ex- Sabri Lamouchi changing leads at the King Ab- dullah Sports City Stadium. had only one chance and they It was a crucial win for Al scored from it. We made some Duhail as the win meant they individual mistakes in our de- leapfrogged Esteghlal into fence and we should try to fix top spot on seven points, one Michael Olunga celebrates one of his three goals against Esteghlal FC in the Group C AFC Champions Al Duhail coach Sabri Lamouchi applauds his team from the sidelines. these mistakes. ahead of the Iranians at the League fixture played at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah on Wednesday. “Al Duhail played with midway stage. the first half.” tactical and physical contest,” good balance in defence and An overjoyed Lamouchi match press conference. “I us have a lot of attacking op- three goals but we managed to Esteghlal FC head coach said Majidi. “I want to thank attack, and their coach im- paid tribute to Olunga’s want to thank the players for tions,” said Lamouchi of the get our heads together and re- Farhad Majidi said both teams the players for the good fight- plemented that very well. We masterclass. their excellent performance.” 2020 J1 League’s top scorer cover mentally. In the second had an excellent match but felt ing spirit they have and the were good up front but we “I can’t find the words to “Olunga deserves, of who now leads the 2021 AFC half, we tried our best to main- Al Duhail’s good balance tilted performance they showed to- made some mistakes which describe this exciting match course, to be the man of the Champions League scoring tain the strengths of the play- the tie in their favour. night.” cost us the three points.” and it is not easy to talk about match. He’s a special player charts with four goals. ers and that’s why we didn’t “The two sides had a very “We were the better team The two will square off it,” said Lamouchi in the post- and his presence has helped “Tonight we conceded have a similar performance to good match today and it was a in the first half while Al Duhail again on Saturday. Al Sadd start as favourites against Al Wehdat in key Group D clash

AFC Riyadh

The onus is on Al Wehdat to secure all three points when they face Al Sadd SC again on Matchday Four of the 2021 AFC Champions League Group D fixture at 9pm on Friday. Al Wehdat started their debut campaign with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, but that was followed by defeats to Islamic Repub- Al Rayyan players during a training session in Goa. lic of Iran’s Foolad Khouz- estan FC (1-0) and Qatar’s Al Sadd (3-1) and another defeat would dash the Jordan side’s Al Rayyan out to revive hopes of advancing. Al Sadd have also endured a mixed campaign, needing This is another important a late goal to salvage a point match for us, and we’re hopes against Al Wahda against Foolad before being treating this like the final. comprehensively beaten by Al AFC have control in the beginning Nassr 3-1 on Matchday Two. From my experience, it’s Goa and at the end of the game. At The Qatar champions, difficult to win against the the moment we need a little bit however, rediscovered their same team twice in a row. Al Rayyan of Qatar and UAE’s of confidence and luck to win.” best form against Al Wehdat But we’ve been doing Al Wahda FSCC will both be Al Wahda went two match- on Monday and will be aiming desperate for victory when the es without scoring but having for another three points. well, especially in the two sides meet on Matchday found their shooting boots, ten Al Wehdat found the go- last game. Four in Group E of the 2021 Cate will be expecting his play- ing tough against Al Sadd, AFC Champions League at the ers to seal another three points conceding three first half goals Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at against Al Rayyan. but gave a better account of 8pm on Friday. The Al Wahda head coach’s themselves in the second half, experience, it’s difficult to win Al Rayyan began their AFC gamble to experiment with tac- with Ahmed Saleh scoring Al Sadd players during their match against Al Wehdat on Monday. against the same team twice in Champions League campaign tics in the second half against their first-ever AFC Cham- a row. with a goalless draw against Al Rayyan paid dividends, pions League goal and head has played three matches. ing three matches will be in “But we’ve been doing debutants FC Goa of India be- with the Dutchman’s decision coach Abdullah Abu Zema will “Our only hope is to win better situation, and I have well, especially in the last fore going on to suffer defeats Al Rayyan coach Laurent Blanc. to field several young players expect them to reproduce that the match, and get the three substitutes who are equal to game, where we did excellent against Islamic Republic of paying off handsomely. spirit. points and this is what we the starting players.” in the first half, and not so well Iran’s Persepolis FC (3-1) and advantage at the tail end of the “We won our last game be- Al Sadd are the favourites want. The other match be- Al Sadd head coach Xavi in the second half,” said Xavi. Al Wahda (3-2) to lie bottom match against Al Wahda. cause it had to do with the de- but if Al Wehdat can take the tween Al Nassr and Foolad said consistency would be key “In the first match, we of the group. If they can plug the holes at termination and mentality of game to the Qatar side, Zema last time finished with a draw, if Al Sadd are to progress to played well in the first 60 Monday’s thrilling win over the back, Blanc will feel that Al the players,” said ten Cate. “It is will feel his side may get their which kept everything open in the Round of 16 and the Span- minutes, and in the second Al Rayyan reignited Al Wahda’s Rayyan can defeat Al Wahda always something that I want to reward against one of Asia’s the group.” ish legend will urge his players match, we played better in hopes after Henk ten Cate’s side for their first win of the cam- see in my players and the match top sides. “In the previous matches to show the intensity they did the second half, then we opened their campaign with a paign and reignite their hopes. isn’t over till it’s over. “In the last match against we were organised in defence, in the first half against Al We- played brilliantly in the first 1-0 defeat to Persepolis and 0-0 “I will not change my tac- “The one who scores the Al Sadd we shared control, Al but we were not courageous in hdat on Monday. half of the last match. Now, draw with FC Goa to sit second tics against Al Wahda and we most wins the game. We had Sadd controlled in the first half attack,” Zema admitted. “And Al Sadd had 14 shots from our target is to play well for in the standings. will play with the same phi- a one goal at first and I saw in terms of performance and generally, we’ve always been inside the box against Al We- all 90 minutes. Al Rayyan felt they deserved losophy as we did in our first the energy level in the play- result, and scored three goals, better in the second half, but hdat and if they can play at “I expect tomorrow to be more in the matches against match,” said Blanc. ers began to drop. The tank then in the second half we we promise our fans that we the same level and get a win difficult because Al Wehdat Persepolis and Al Wahda, hav- “I think we deserved to win was running on empty, I saw dominated but wasted several will show a different Al We- on Friday, they will approach played well in the second half, ing taken the lead in both ties (against Al Wahda) on Tues- us getting tired but we got chances and only managed to hdat side in the next three their final two matches against and they’ll be for sure playing only to end up losing. day. We were two goals up our second wind in the last score a goal,” Zema said. matches. Foolad and Al Nassr confident attack tomorrow. Against Persepolis, Al but we were beaten. We will 20 minutes with our counter- “The two teams knows “We will not lose hope of advancing to the Round of “But it’s okay, we have four Rayyan were leading 1-0 be- prepare in the same way even attack. They ( Al Rayyan) have each other now, and there are to qualify, and winning this 16 as the group winners. points, it all depends on our- fore conceding three goals in 15 though it’s a short recovery pe- a must win situation, where we no secrets between us, and I match will get us a step closer “This is another important selves, and our main target minutes while Laurent Blanc’s riod for the players. can be happy with a draw. The guess now the level of fitness to that. The team who have match for us, and we’re treat- is to qualify for the knockout side surrendered a two-goal “My vision of football is to pressure is on them.” will have an effect as each team better substitutes in the com- ing this like the final. From my rounds.” 10 Friday, April 23, 2021 Sports

BIG COMPETITION AWAITS ITS FANS Q&A: No Super League, and now? The consequences of a football disaster

DPA “They’re completely wrong,” he Berlin told SER radio about the critics who have declared the project Two wild days of football have dead. He doesn’t think the left their mark following the other football clubs have left attempt of 12 major European the Super League because “it’s elite clubs to create their own clear in the contract that you Super League. can’t leave.” The debate has shown how fragile the billion-dollar busi- How will the fans deal with ness can be and ruling body the twelve founder clubs in UEFA emerges strengthened future? for the time being. But the There are unlikely to be any economic problems of several major protests like fan dem- leaders of the football leaders onstrations in the streets of havent’t been solved. The top London for the time being. clubs will be looking for new Several bosses expressed answers. their remorse clearly. And in the final spurt of the season What was really behind the it’s all about titles. That’s Super League plans? probably what draws the sup- Real Madrid president Florn- porters in. But organised fan tino Perez and Juventus chief groups sense an opportunity Andrea Agnelli planned the to point out their interests project long in advance. even more forcefully. The official announcement, “The real battle begins now,” made the night before UEFA the Football Supporters Eu- executive committee meet- rope (FSE) network wrote. ing to approve a Champions Should the twelve found- League reform, was then a ers fear any punishment? It deliberate coup. doesn’t look like it at the mo- The trophy of the UEFA Euro 2020 football competition is pictured on Sant’Angelo bridge in Rome. Euro 2020 will kick-off as scheduled on June 11 in Rome after European The expected changes in the ment. The loss of influence at football’s governing body UEFA “fully confirmed” the Italian capital after receiving guarantees that fans would be present in the Stadio Olimpico.(AFP) top European competition UEFA and the European Club were not enough for them. Association is punishment However, they underestimated enough for now. the fan factor and the football And UEFA doesn’t want to culture. damage its current competi- In retrospect, it’s now clear tions such as the Champions UEFA looks to shun Super League what motivated them all - League and the Euros in sum- money. New markets are mer. The Champions League necessary to offer a solution semi-finals are coming up with to the billions in debts they Real Madrid playing Chelsea have amassed. English clubs and Manchester City playing followed, not out of conviction, Paris Saint-Germain. No super- clubs in Euro 2020 stadium options but as sympathizers. star will be suspended for the Euro 2020. DPA hire fee from UEFA and it is It is understood the pref- games, and none of St Peters- within the executive commit- Is the Super League off the London understood European foot- erence is to use existing ven- burg’s clash with Dublin’s fix- tee such as Karl-Heinz Rum- table once and for all? Will German and French ball’s governing body would be ues wherever possible, as any tures. menigge. The clear answer: No. The football get more influence in Stadiums belonging to Su- unwilling to line the pockets of new venue would need to be Budapest has been a go-to Nine of the original 12 cities massive rejection will certainly the future? per League clubs are set to be the rebel teams. “dressed” with Euro 2020 neutral venue for UEFA club have given minimum capacity be followed by a time out. German and French football shunned when UEFA consid- UEFA’s executive commit- branding and signage. competition matches amid guarantees to UEFA over the After a period of reorientation, are definitely crisis winners. ers contingency options for tee is set to make a final deci- The English Football As- coronavirus travel restrictions games they are hosting. the top clubs are likely to reas- Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz staging Euro 2020 this sum- sion on hosting for the finals at sociation has said it is ready to this year, and its federation Rome, which hosts the sert their influence, presum- Rummenigge returned into mer, the PA news agency un- a meeting on Friday morning. host extra games. president, Sandor Csanyi, is opening game between Turkey ably within the UEFA hierarchy UEFA executive committee, derstands. Bilbao and Dublin appear However, Wembley would highly thought of within UEFA and Italy on June 11, was the - or at least with the backing of while Paris Saint-Germain There had been reports to be almost certainly out, but be unable to take on at least and holds a vice-presidency. last of those to be confirmed, other stakeholders. boss Nasser Al Khelaifi was before the weekend that Tot- it is understood it would still one of Dublin’s matches - Swe- The Hungarian city has with the Stadio Olimpico set to The Champions League is appointed chairman at the Eu- tenham’s new stadium - one come as a surprise if Munich den v Slovakia on June 18 - be- also made the most ambitious be at least 25 per cent full. getting closer to the Super ropean Club Association. Both of the most impressive in Eu- dropped out even though cause it is hosting England v commitment in terms of sta- Wembley will be at a League idea from 2024 clubs had said they would rope - might be considered, they are also not guarantee- Scotland the same day. dium capacity, advising UEFA similar percentage for the anyway and FIFA is prepared not join the Super League. but any chance of that appears ing the presence of fans amid The venues cannot host that the Puskas Arena could be three group games and last to implement the global Club Whether and how this pays off to have been extinguished by the coronavirus. more than one match a day 100 per cent full. 16 match, but could go sig- World Cup. in everyday football remains to their involvement in the plans The Spanish federation because they will need to be Munich’s withdrawal nificantly higher for the semi- Perez isn’t giving up yet. be seen. to form a breakaway compe- seems intent on moving the disinfected between games. would be a surprise given finals and final. tition which have since been Bilbao matches to Seville, World Cup 2018 hosts Germany’s hosting of the next Hampden Park in Glasgow abandoned. but what happens to Dublin’s Russia have also expressed Euros in 2024, and the stand- is due to host four matches, Clubs receive a stadium matches is less clear-cut. an interest in taking on extra ing of senior Bayern officials again at 25 per cent capacity. La Liga not considering sanctions for clubs DPA sanctions at the moment, we competition,” he said. Real Madrid and Barcelo- European style,” Tebas said. Berlin shouldn’t rush into things. Reacting to Barcelona na are the only clubs who have Laporta had told Catalan These clubs have been sanc- president Joan Laporta quotes not officially said they would broadcasters TV3 that the Super La Liga is not considering tioned by their own fans. that the Super League is “nec- quit the project. League was “necessary” because sanctions against Real Madrid, They’ve shown they’re not essary,” Tebas said he thinks Tebas said he doesn’t “we the big clubs who provide a Barcelona and Atletico Madrid doing a favour to European “Barcelona have more seri- know what’s next for the Su- considerable part of the resourc- following their attempt along- football. Their reputation has ous problems” and Laporta per League, but since “English es also have a saying in the dis- side other nine major Euro- been damaged,” he said. “should focus more on their and German clubs are not tak- tribution of the income.” pean clubs to create their own Villarreal president Fernan- financial issues and and work ing part, they can’t create the Laporta said the plan re- Super League. do Roig said he’s “totally against so that their team can be com- competition as they wanted.” mained on the table but added “We’re not talking about banning them or sanctioning” petitive next season.” About the English clubs, he they were “open for an open sanctions. Everyone wants to the Spanish clubs involved. He said he hasn’t spoken to was surprised by some, but dialogue with UEFA” and that see heads roll, but we have pro- Instead, Tebas said La Liga Real Madrid president Floren- not so much by Manchester he was upbeat a solution can A fan kicks a ball in front of a banner reacting to the collapse of cedures,” the Spanish league’s is looking for protective meas- tino Perez for weeks, but was United, as they have American be found. the planned creation of a European Super League at Villa Park in president Javier Tebas told a ures for the future. warned by Laporta last week owners, who “have a different “We need more resources Birmingham, England, on Wednesday. (AFP) news conference on Thursday. “To be in a league, they Barcelona were signing up for concept of sports.” “But that’s that this [football] remains a “I’m not talking about [teams] have to respect the the new competition. the American style, not the great show,” Laporta said. Man Utd fans get into training ground in protest Schalke player is followed DPA United said in a statement: London “At approximately 9am this home by fan, police probe morning a group gained access Manchester United man- to the club training ground. DPA drive home. present when fans and team ager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “The manager and oth- Dusseldorf According to the police, met outside the stadium, with spoke to a group of fans who ers spoke to them. Buildings the team were welcomed by the spokesman saying the club took their protests against the were secure and the group has A Schalke player was followed 500 to 600 fans, who threw had declined an according offer. Glazers to the training ground now left the site.” The Red Is- home after the aggressive inci- eggs at players. There were Police officers intervened a on Thursday. sue Twitter account showed dents following Schalke rele- also allegedly physical aggres- few minutes later and, accord- The Old Trafford giants an image of fans on a train- gation from the Bundesliga on sion against them. ing to their own statements, have been under the American ing pitch with a banner read- Tuesday and along with others A Schalke player was later prevented a further escalation. family’s ownership since they ing ‘Glazers Out’ and another had to spend the night at a ho- followed as he drove home ac- The situation was then quickly completed their controversial saying ‘51% MUFC 20’ in ref- tel, according to news reports cording to media reports. Fans resolved. “We’re in the process takeover of the club in 2005. erence to the model of owner- on Thursday. were waiting for him in front of gathering everything,” the Their reputation managed Manchester United’s Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) ship used widely in Germany. Gelsenkirchen police are of his house and the player had spokesman said, not giving to sink to a new low in recent and English first-team coach Michael Carrick. Solskjaer spoke to a In another image, protes- meanwhile probing the “mas- to spend the night elsewhere, further detail. days after attempting to launch group of fans who took their protests against the Glazers to the tors are shown holding a banner sive agression” to fully clarify the broadcaster Sport1 reported. Schalke sporting director the European Super League, training ground on Thursday. reading ‘we decide when you incidents,” a spokesman said. He spent the night in a ho- Peter Knaebel said Wednesday with United co-chairman Joel play’ outside the entrance to the After Schalke relegation tel, and so did others, according he understands the criticism Glazer named vice-chairman executive vice-chairman Ed But anger understandably main training ground building. was sealed with a 1-0 defeat at to the WAZ paper. Bild said the as Schalke are last in a dismal of the breakaway competition. Woodward would leave by the remains and a group of around Solskjaer is due to speak Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday car of another player was dam- season but insisted it’s disas- But the proposed league end of the year and Glazer ad- 20 fans protested against the publicly on the Super League night, the team arrived at their aged. There were also punches trous “when you have to worry swiftly and spectacularly un- mitted “we got it wrong” in an owners at the club’s Carrington for the first time at his next home stadium after midnight and bottles were thrown. about the life and body of your ravelled. United announced open letter to fans. training base on Thursday. press conference on Friday. from where players were to The police wasn’t initially employees”. Sports Friday, April 23, 2021 11 Qatar stars Barshim and Samba to kick off Wanda Diamond League season in Doha

Tribune News Network pandemic and the associated Diamond League fixture which Doha restrictions, I didn’t feel I had has consistently delivered good reason to compete last world class performances, in- Mutaz Barshim and Ab- year,” said the 29-year-old who cluding two world leads and six derrahman Samba, Qatar’s has a best of 2.43m, the second meeting and national records reigning men’s high jump highest jump of all time. across the programme in 2020. world champion and World “All of my efforts have been, “Last year’s event was a Championship 400m hurdles and continue to be, focused on great success and it’s delivery bronze medallist respectively, this summer’s Olympic Games was testament to the commit- will return to Wanda Diamond and I believe I’ve used my time ment and passion of our peo- League action at the Doha Di- wisely to prepare and train well. ple,” said Qatar Athletics Fed- amond League on 28th May, Now it’s time to compete and eration President Dr. Thani Al the second meeting of the I’m looking forward to opening Kuwari. 2021 series. my Diamond League campaign “In spite of the continued After a truncated 2020 in Doha.” health and safety protocols we Wanda Diamond League sea- Similarly, Samba - whose must adhere to, we are excited son - which was reduced to World Championship bronze to welcome back another im- four events due to the impact came off the back of interrupt- pressive line-up of stars for of Covid-19 - it’s a welcome re- ed preparation due to injury the 23rd edition of the Doha turn for two of the host nation’s - also missed the 2020 season. meeting and we’re confident star athletes, both national re- He opened 2021 with a win in our ability to deliver an- cord holders and serious medal over 400m (45.43) in Potch- other world class - and safe - contenders for this summer’s efstroom, South Africa, on 31 athletics competition.” Olympic Games in Tokyo. March. “After some hamstring The 2021 Wanda Diamond Barshim, who was out- issues in the lead up to the League comprises 14 meetings standing winning the World Worlds, I decided that my focus - starting with Gateshead (re- Championship gold at the was to get back to being 100% placing Rabat as the first host Khalifa International Stadium healthy,” he said. city on this year’s circuit) on in October 2019, has competed “The Olympics is my priority Sunday 23 May - leading to a only once since that famous vic- and the onset of the pandemic single final across two days in tory. He jumped 2.25m to win gave me the opportunity to take Zurich at the end of the season. the Aspire Invitational in Doha my time and to get things right. Each meeting will be broad- on 15 March. I’m now back to where I want to cast globally in a live two-hour “Following the World be and I’m excited to race.” programme. The 2021 calendar Championships in Doha I was The Qatar Sports Club will Mutaz Barshim, Qatar’s reigning men’s high jump world champion (left), and Abderrahman Samba, World Championship 400m hurdles bronze is subject to change depending in very good shape, but with the once again host this prestigious medallist, will return to Wanda Diamond League action at the Doha Diamond League on May 28, 2021. on the global health situation.

Padikkal, Kohli combine sees 1st Test at Kandy: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh RCB demolish Rajasthan Royals Najmul, Mominul record stand puts Bangladesh in command ANI Mumbai ANI Kandy Devdutt Padikkal’s un- beaten 101 and skipper Vi- Brilliant batting display rat Kohli’s 72 not out helped from Najmul Hossain Shanto Royal Challengers Bangalore and skipper Mominul Haque (RCB) registered a thumping has put Bangladesh in com- 10-wicket win over Rajasthan mand on the second day of Royals in their Indian Pre- the firstT est against Sri Lanka mier League (IPL) match here here at the Pallekele Inter- at the Wankhede Stadium on national Cricket Stadium on Thursday evening. Thursday. Chasing 178, Padikkal and Bangladesh’s score read Kohli displayed an amazing 474/4 before play was called show with the bat as both the off due to bad light as only 65 openers took RCB across the overs were bowled on the sec- line in 16.3 overs. Padikkal ond day of the Test match. The scored his 101 runs in just 52 visitors resumed their innings balls with the help of 6 sixes on 302/2 with Najmul and and 11 fours while Kohli played Mominul at the crease. The the second fiddle and smashed duo stretched their overnight 3 sixes and 7 fours in his 47- third-wicket partnership to Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque (L) greets Najmul Hossain Shanto as he ball knock. The India captain Scores: Rajasthan Roy- 242. Meanwhile, Najmul also reaches his century on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka also became the first batsman als 177/9 in 20 overs touched the 150-run mark. at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on Thursday. (AFP) to complete 6,000 runs in the (Shivam Dube 46, Rahul He played a knock of 163 be- IPL. Tewatia 40; Siraj 3-27, fore he was removed by Lahiru Earlier, Shivam Dube and Harshal Patel 3-47) vs Kumara at a total of 394. Na- Scoreboard Rahul Tewatia played knocks of RCB 181/0 in 16.3 jmul’s knock was studded with Bangladesh 1st innings Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Saif Hassan), 2-152 46 and 40 runs respectively to overs (Devdutt Padikkal 17 fours and a six. (Overnight 302-2, Shanto 126, Haque 64) (Tamim Iqbal), 3-394 (Najmul Shanto), 4-424 steer Rajasthan Royals to 177/9 101*, Virat Kohli 72*). After Najmul’s dismissal, Tamim Iqbal c Thirimanne b V. Fernando 90 (Mominul Haque). in their allotted 20 overs. Mushfiqur Rahim joined Mo- Saif Hassan lbw b V. Fernando 0 To bat: Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed, Put in to bat first, Rajasthan minul at the crease. The duo Najmul Shanto c and b Kumara 163 Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain. Mominul Haque c Thirimanne b De Silva 127 Bowling: Lakmal 31-12-74-0 (n3), Fernando didn’t have a great start as they Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Devdutt Padikkal celebrates his century with skipper Virat Kohli during the had a brief stand of 30 runs for Mushfiqur Rahim not out 43 28-8-75-2, Kumara 28-4-88-1 (w10), Mathews lost both openers Jos Buttler Vivo Indian Premier League 2021 match against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai the fourth wickets before skip- Liton Das not out 25 7-1-14-0, De Silva 27-1-112-1 (nb2), (8) and Manan Vohra (7) with- on Thursday. (BCCI/IPL) per Mominul departed after Extras: (b5, lb6, nb5, w10) 26 Hasaranga 33-2-94-0, Karunaratne 1-0-6-0. in the first four overs. scoring 127 runs. He smashed Total: (For 4 wickets, 155 overs) 474 Toss: Bangladesh. The fall of wickets did not Kane Richardson removed bat at number seven and along off 23 including two sixes. 11 boundaries in his innings. stop as David Miller too de- Samson (21) and broke the with Dube added 24 runs to- In the last over, Rajasthan Liton Das came in to bat while Kumara and Dhanan- front of the stumps as Sri Lan- parted on a two-ball duck. partnership in the eighth over. gether before the latter was lost Morris (10) and Chetan at six. Rahim and Das played jaya de Silva bagged one ka drew first blood. Pacer Mohammed Siraj picked Riyan Parag then joined sent back to the pavillion by Sakariya (0) but Shreyas Gopal cautiously and took the side wicket each. But Tamim Iqbal stabi- his second scalp of the day as Dube and the duo added 66 Richardson in the 16th over. added seven runs off four balls. to the 450-run mark. The duo The opening day was dom- lised Bangladesh’s innings af- he caught Miller in front of the runs off 39 balls for the fifth He played a knock of 46 off 32 For RCB, Siraj and Har- made sure that the side did inated by the Bangladesh bats- ter the loss of the first wicket, wickets. wicket. Dube looked in great balls. shal Patel bagged three wickets not lose any more wickets in men. hitting his 29th half-century Skipper Sanju Samson and touch and Parag supported him Chris Morris and Tewatia each. the day. Rahim remained un- Opting to bat first, Bang- in Test. Tamim departed af- Dube tried to pull together the nicely in the partnership. Par- steered the side to the 150-run With the win, RCB have beaten on 45 while Das is not ladesh suffered an early jolt ter scoring an attacking 90 in innings and added some quick ag’s 25-run stint was ended by mark. Tewatia’s wicket was moved to the top of the points out on 25. as they lost opener Saif Has- the 39th over. There on, it has runs for the fourth wicket. Harshal Patel in the 14th over. bagged by Siraj in the 19th table with four wins in four For Sri Lanka, Vishwa Fer- san in the second over. Vishwa been all about the Bangladesh The duo added 25 runs before Rahul Tewatia came in to over. He played a knock of 40 games. nando scalped two wickets Fernando trapped Hassan in batsmen.

Looking Ahead Atletico Madrid retake La Liga lead with win over Huesca

Mason hopeful Kane will be fit to face Man City in League Cup final DPA nandez. Barcelona Atletico doubled their London: Tottenham interim head coach Ryan Mason is hopeful Harry Kane will be fit for the League lead in the 80th minute when Cup final on Sunday. Kane missed Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Southampton with an ankle injury suf- Atletico Madrid restored Marcos Llorente won the ball fered against Everton on Friday and is in a race to make the Wembley showpiece against Manchester their three point lead at the back and unselfishly squared City. Mason says Kane will be doing all he can to be fit for the final. top of La Liga on Thursday for Yannick Carrasco to blast “With Harry it is just about taking it each day as it comes,” Mason said. “We know he is doing abso- with a 2-0 win over relegation- home from six yards out. lutely everything he can to be back out on the football pitch. “On Wednesday he wasn’t but hopefully by battling Huesca. Diego Simeone’s side are the end of the week we will know about bit more about that.” A lot has happened since Kane hobbled Angel Correa struck his top with 73 points from 32 off at Goodison Park on Friday night. Spurs joined the ill-fated European Super League on Sunday, then third goal in two games in the games, while the visitors are sacked Jose Mourinho on Monday, appointed the 29-year-old Mason until the end of the season and 39th minute to send Atletico 18th with 27, one from safety. then pulled out of the breakaway league following widespread criticism on Tuesday. ahead and they held on to Mason, who joined his boyhood club as an eight-year-old and made 70 appearances for them, is keen their advantage to edge back Atletico Madrid’s Argentine to reunite the club with its fans, some of who protested outside the stadium before the match against in front of rivals Real Ma- forward Angel Correa (2ndR) Southampton. He made a good start by delivering a home win that ensures Spurs are somehow still drid, who beat Cadiz 3-0 on celebrates with teammates in the race for the top four. They fell behind to Danny Ings’ opener before a second-half comeback was Wednesday. after scoring during the Span- sealed by goals from Gareth Bale and Son Heung Min. Next up is the chance to send himself into club The Argentine forward ish League match against SD folklore by ending a 13-year trophy drought against City at Wembley and he hopes the Saints win will turned well in the box but had Huesca at the Wanda Metro- build momentum. (DPA) the help of a deflection to beat politano stadium in Madrid on Huesca goalkeeper Alvaro Fer- Thursday. (AFP) 12 Friday, April 23, 2021 Islam

Determining the Last-Third Merits of Fasting Part of the Night Question: Assalam Alaykum. When exactly is asting is one of blessings of Allah be upon the range of time regarded as the last-third period the greatest and him, said: of the night most prescribed and recommended for most glorious acts “Every deed of the son of prayer answering? of worship that Adam will be given a ten-fold Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of draws one closer reward, up to seven hundred. the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of wor- Fto Allah, The Almighty. It is the Allah says: ‘Except fasting, for ship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu practice of the righteous and it is (exclusively) meant for ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. pious people, which purifies Me, and I (alone) shall reward The method of determining the last-third part of the soul and edifies one’s mor- for it…...” [Al-Bukhari and the night is to know the beginning of the night and its al character. It is the school of Muslim] end, and then divide it into three parts. The third part piety and the house of guid- Thus, Allah The Almighty that is before Fajr is the last-third part of the night. ance. Whoever enters it with chose fasting, from among all The beginning of the night begins at sunset and ends a true intention, following the the deeds, for Himself, due to at dawn (Fajr). This varies according to different times example of the Prophet, peace its honour in His sight, and of the year, sometimes the night is long and some- and blessings of Allah be upon since it is a secret between the times it is short. him, will come out of Rama- servant and his Lord, which no Shaykh Ibn Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon dan with it testifying that he one knows except Allah, The him, was asked in Majmoo’ Al-Fataawa: is upon the straight path, and Almighty. “It is mentioned in a Hadeeth, “Allah descends to will be among those who will Fasting is a means to attain the first heaven (sky) every night during the last-third be saved in this world and in the happiness of both abodes. of the night.” When does the last third of the night the Hereafter. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be begin and when does it end? Little wonder then that one pleased with him, narrated He, may Allah have mercy upon him, answered: finds numerous texts in con- that the Prophet, peace and “There are many Mutawaatir narrations (Muta- nection with the merits of fast- blessings of Allah be upon waatir are Ahadeeth that are narrated by a group of ing, to clarify its impact and its him, said: “The fasting person narrators from a group of narrators, generation after great reward, and what is pre- rejoices twice: he rejoices at generation and so forth, and they are all trustworthy pared by Allah, The Almighty, the time of breaking his fast people and it is absolutely impossible for them to for those who observe it, to and he will rejoice when he agree on a lie) from the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi urge the Muslim to fast more meets his Lord.” [Al-Bukhari wa sallam, that confirm the descent of Allah, among often, and to make easy what- and Muslim] which is the saying of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi ever suffering and trouble he When he breaks his fast, wa salaam:” may endure in performing it. he rejoices in the favour con- “Our Lord descends to the first heaven every night It has been reported that ferred upon him by Allah, The at the last-third of the night and says: ‘Is there anyone fasting acts as a protective [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] except them will enter. It will est means to obtain forgive- Almighty, that He has enabled who is invoking Me so that I may respond to his shield that saves the servant It is also reported that fast- be said: Where are those who ness for sins and removal of him to do this act of worship invocation? Is there anyone who is asking of Me, that I from Hellfire. It is narrated on ing is one of the gateways to used to observe fasts? They misdeeds. Abu Hurayrah, may perfectly, and in what Allah, may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking for the authority of Jaabir ibn ‘Ab- Paradise. It is narrated on the will get up, and none except Allah be pleased with him, nar- The Almighty, has made per- My forgiveness, so I may forgive him.’” [Muslim] dullaah, may Allah be pleased authority of Abu Umaamah, them will enter through it. Af- rated that the Prophet, peace missible for him of food and The beginning and end of the third (of the night) with him, that he said, “The may Allah be pleased with ter their entry the gate will be and blessings of Allah be upon drink, which had been forbid- differ according to the season. If the night is nine-hour Messenger of Allah, peace and him, that he said, “O Messen- closed and nobody will enter him, said: “He who observes den to him during his fast. long then the time of descent begins at the onset of blessings of Allah be upon ger of Allah! Enjoin upon me through it.” [Al-Bukhari and the fasts of Ramadan, out of When he meets his Lord, The the seventh hour until dawn comes. If the night is 12- him, said: “Verily, fasting is something wherewith Allah Muslim] sincere faith and expecting the Almighty, he will rejoice in re- hour long, then the last third begins at the beginning a protective shield therewith may benefit me.” He, peace It is further reported that reward from Allah, his previ- ceiving the reward of his fast- of the ninth hour (from sunset) until dawn comes, and a servant saves himself from and blessings of Allah be fasting will intercede on the ous sins will be forgiven.” [Al- ing in full at a time he will be so on, depending on how long or short the night is in Hellfire.” [Ahmad] upon him, said: “I advise you Day of Judgment for the one Bukhari and Muslim] in the direst need of it. each place. And Allah is the One who grants guid- It also diminishes and dis- to stick to fasting, for there is who performs it. ‘Abdullah That is out of faith in the Among the merits of fast- ance.” [End of quote] ciplines the strength of sexual nothing like it.” [An-Nasaa’i] ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas, may Al- fact that Allah, The Almighty, ing is that the unpleasant Allah knows best. desire. That is why the Mes- Here, the Messenger of Allah, lah be pleased with him, nar- enjoined fasting upon him, breath coming from the mouth senger of Allah, peace and peace and blessings of Allah be rated that the Prophet, peace and expecting the reward for of the fasting person, as a re- blessings of Allah be upon upon him, clarifies that there and blessings of Allah be upon that fasting from Allah, The sult of the stomach being emp- him, guided the youth who is nothing like fasting to draw him, said: “Verily, fasting Almighty. ty, is sweeter in the sight of Al- Breast-feeding and Fasting could not afford marriage to the servant near his Lord, The and the Qur’an will intercede Huthayfah ibn Al-Yamaan, lah than the scent of musk. As fast in order to diminish their Exalted, The Almighty. for the servant on the Day of may Allah be pleased with detestable as this smell might Question: I have a seven-month-old baby who I sexual desires. It is narrated Furthermore, the Prophet, Judgment. Fasting will say: him, narrated that the Proph- seem to people, it is pleasant to breastfeed. Since I started fasting, the milk started on the authority of ‘Abdullah peace and blessings of Allah be ‘O Lord! I prevented him from et, peace and blessings of Al- Allah, The Almighty, because it to go and every time that I breastfeed I feel dizzy so ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be upon him, said that in Paradise, food, drink and sexual desires lah be upon him, said: “The ensues from worship and obe- I just stay in bed all day long. I would like to know pleased with him, that he said, there is a gate exclusive to the during the day. So, please, ac- man’s trial in his family, prop- dience, and is evidence of the if it is a good enough reason to stop fasting and to “The Messenger of Allah, peace fasting persons, through which cept my intercession for him.’ erty, children and neighbour great position of fasting in the return those missed days after I stop breastfeeding. and blessings of Allah be upon none save them will enter. The Noble Qu’ran will say: ‘O is removed by prayer, fasting sight of Allah, The Almighty. Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord him, said: “O young people! Sahl ibn Sa’d, may Allah Lord! I prevented him from and charity.” [Al-Bukhari and These are some of the of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of Whoever can marry should be pleased with him, narrated sleep at night. So, please, Muslim] merits and effects of fasting, worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, peace marry, as it helps to lower that the Prophet, peace and accept my intercession for The reward of fasting is and they, all together, bring and blessings of Allah be upon him, is His slave and one’s gaze and protects one’s blessings of Allah be upon him, him.’” He (the Prophet, peace unlimited, boundless; for the one to the very end for which Messenger. A breast-feeding woman, who fears for private parts, and whoever is said: “There is a gate in Para- and blessings of Allah be upon fasting person is given his it has been ordained, which herself or for her baby and herself, can break the not able to marry should fast, dise called Ar-Rayyaan and him) said: “Then, they will be reward without reckoning. is to obtain piety, thereby at- fast and she has to make up the missed days later. as this helps him to protect his those who observe fasts will permitted to intercede.” [Ah- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be taining the good pleasure of The Prophetpeace and blessings of Allah be upon private parts (from committing enter through it on the Day of mad] pleased with him, narrated Allah in this world and in the him, said: “Allah has relieved the travellers of fasting illegal sexual intercourse).” Judgment through which none Fasting is one of the great- that the Prophet, peace and Hereafter. and half of the prayer, and the pregnant and breast- feeding women of the fast.” [Ahmad, and others] Allah Says (what means): {…So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] then an equal number of days [are to be made up] …} [Qur’an 2:184] If such a woman fears only for the baby, then she I ngratitude Towards Parents has to pay an expiation (i.e. feeding a poor person) in addition to making up the missed days at later date. This rule is based on the narration of Ibn ‘Abbaas, ay not to them a word of “uff,” and do not repel them but speak hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not ing undutiful to them).” [Muslim] may Allah be pleased with him, who said concerning contempt nor repel them, to them a noble word. And lower to like those who are self-deluding and Acts of kindness we can do for the verse (which means): {… And upon those who are but address them in terms them the wing of humility out of mercy boastful.} [Qur’an 4:36] our parents after their death able [to fast, but with hardship] a ransom [as substi- of honor.” [Qur’an 17:23] and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon Since the Qur’an tells us to be good A man of the tribe of Salamah came tute] of feeding a poor person [each day]…} [Qur’an In Islam, it is obliga- them as they brought me up [when I to a stranger, then how can we even to Prophet Muhammad, peace and 2:184] tory“S for us to show kindness, respect was] small.” [Qur’an 17:23-24] think of disrespecting our parents? blessings of Allah be upon him, and This is a concession for the elderly as they can- and obedience to our parents. The Be grateful to parents but do not Evidence from the Hadeeth said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Is there not fast. They are to break the fast and feed one poor position of parents, and the mutual obey them if they strive to make you Let us now see what Prophet Mu- any kindness left that I can do to my person each day. Pregnant or breast-feeding women, obligations and responsibilities, have associate anything with Allah. hammad, may Allah exalt his mention, parents after their death?’ He replied: if they fear for their children can do likewise’. [Abu been addressed in Islam in great de- Allah also Says (what means): said about parents in the authentic ‘Yes, you can invoke blessings on Daawood] tail. In fact, kindness and obedience is “... Be grateful to Me and to your Ahadeeth (narrations). them, forgiveness for them, fulfil their Imaam Al-Khattaabi, may Allah have mercy upon so strongly emphasised that Allah has parents; to Me is the [final] destina- Anas, may Allah be pleased with promises and pledges (to do righteous him, said: “Pregnant and breast-feeding women linked showing gratitude to one’s par- tion. But if they endeavour to make him, narrated from Prophet Muham- deeds), maintain ties with kinfolk for have to feed a poor person along with making up the ents with showing gratitude to Allah. you associate with Me that of which mad, peace and blessings of Allah the mere reason of being dutiful to missed days because they break the fast due to oth- In the Noble Qur’an, Almighty Allah you have no knowledge, do not obey be upon him, what he said about the them (i.e. parents), and honour their ers; i.e. fear for their children.” Therefore, if you fear Says (what means): them but accompany them in [this] major sins. He (the Prophet) said: friends.’ [Abu Daawood] for yourself then you may break your fast and should “And We have enjoined on man (to world with appropriate kindness ‘Associating anyone (or anything) The High Status given to Mothers make it up later and you are not obliged to pay an be good) to his parents: in travail upon and follow the way of those who turn with Allah, undutifulness to parents, A man came to the Prophet, peace expiation for it. The ruling is the same if you fear for travail did his mother bear him, and in back to Me [in repentance]. Then to killing a person and false utterance.’ and blessings of Allah be upon him, yourself and for your child too as understood from years twain was his weaning: (hear the Me will be your return, and I will in- [Muslim] and asked him for permission to fight your question. But if you only fear for your child and command), “Show gratitude to Me and form you about what you used to do. One of the dearest deeds to Allah is in Jihaad. The Prophet, peace and you break the fast for that reason, then you should to your parents: to Me is (your final) [And Luqman said], “O my son, in- being good and dutiful to parents. blessings of Allah be upon him, asked make up the missed days afterwards and pay the return.” [Qur’an 31:14] deed if it [i.e. a wrong] should be the ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood, may Allah him if he had a mother, and when he expiation. Allah Knows best. Sadly, we are living at a time when weight of a mustard seed and should be pleased with him, narrated: I asked replied affirmatively, he, peace and children speak disrespectfully to their be within a rock or [anywhere] in the Prophet, peace and blessings of Al- blessings of Allah be upon him, said: parents and about their parents is the the heavens or in the earth, Allah lah be upon him, “Which deed is the “Stay with her, for Paradise is at her norm rather than the exception. How- will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is dearest to Allah?” He replied, “To offer feet (i.e. she is the way leading to it).” ever, Islam places great emphasis on Subtle and Acquainted.} [Qur’an the prayers at their early stated fixed [Ahmad] respectful and considerate behaviour 31:14-16] times.” I asked, “What is next (in good- Summary to even our enemies, so to not uphold These verses make it clear that we ness)?” He replied, “To be good and Sometimes we may take our par- the obligations laid down by Allah to must honour our parents, appreciate dutiful to your parents” [Al-Bukhari] ents for granted and overlook their “Beware of extravagance in the our parents is actually one of the ma- their sacrifices and efforts for us, and Being dutiful to parents is one of importance. As Muslims, we should jor sins. do our best for them. This is required the keys to enter Paradise. constantly be alert to guard ourselves Religion: It has caused the people Evidence from the Qur’an regardless of whether they are Mus- Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be from sins; however, are we guard- – [Al-Bukhari] There is evidence in the Qur’an lims or not. pleased with him, narrated that the ing ourselves from one of the biggest before you to perish.” that we have to treat parents with hon- Be good to parents and every- Prophet Muhammad, peace and bless- major sins. Are we honouring and re- our and speak to them graciously and one whom you meet ings of Allah be upon him, said: “Let specting our parents as per their right? with humility. Allah Says (what means): {Wor- him be humbled into dust; let him be Or are we neglecting one of the dearest Allah Says (what means): ship Allah and associate nothing with humbled into dust; let him be hum- deeds to Allah? “And your Lord has decreed that Him and to parents do good and to bled into dust. It was said: O Allah’s Right now the choice is ours! you not worship except Him, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the Messenger, who is he? He said: He We ask Allah the Most High, the parents, good treatment. Whether one near neighbour, the neighbour farther who accompanies either of his parents All-Powerful, to teach us that which or both of them reach old age [while] away, the companion at your side, the during their old age or one of them, will benefit us and to benefit us by that with you, say not to them [so much as], traveller and those whom your right but he does not enter Paradise (by be- which we learn. Nation Friday, April 23, 2021 13 Green transportation to help Qatar host first carbon-free World Cup 2022 By 2022, Kahramaa intends to install between 200 and 500 charging points for electric vehicles in strategic locations

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK tar 2022 being a compact tour- the transportation backbone system. Designed to provide DOHA nament, fans arriving in 2022 of Qatar 2022. It directly con- increased passenger capacity will only have one return plane nects the airport with five Qa- compared to traditional tran- To mark Earth Day 2021, journey, which will significant- tar 2022 stadiums, with the sit style buses, BRT is a rail- the Supreme Committee for ly reduce overall carbon emis- remaining tournament venues less system that is essentially Delivery & Legacy (SC) high- sions [compared to previous reachable via a combination a crossover between buses and lighted the projects which will tournaments].” of metro and bus services. The trams. help reduce the country’s car- metro system is efficient, elec- In addition, the Lusail Bus bon footprint and achieve its Hamad International tric and utilises regenerative Depot will become one of the goal of staging the first car- Airport braking systems which help to biggest in the world, where bon-neutral World Cup. More than 1 million fans reduce the carbon footprint. In electricity for bus charging will are expected to arrive at addition, all the metro stations be generated by solar panels. Qatar will provide safe, Hamad International Airport are designed and operated un- The electric buses charged by reliable and accessible trans- during the World Cup. The der green building certification solar energy will not emit any portation solutions during the airport is recognised as one of – ensuring their green creden- other emissions. After Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022™. In the most sustainable in the re- tials. 2022, this fleet will replace the addition, the country has im- gion after retaining its Level 3 The metro is supported by old buses, ensuring a legacy of plemented a host of sustain- Airport Carbon Accreditation tram systems in the vicinity of modern and green buses. able projects which will reduce (ACA). The ACA is the only in- two tournament venues: Lusail the environmental impact and stitutionally-endorsed, global Stadium, which will host ten Electric cars, scooters provide numerous legacy ben- carbon management certifica- matches during the tourna- and bicycles efits. tion programme for airports ment, including the final, and Qatar is also stepping up its worldwide. In addition, the Education City, which will host plans to encourage people to Compact tournament airport recently joined a lo- matches up to the quarter-fi- use electric cars. KAHRAMAA Along with hosting the first cal campaign called Tarsheed nals stage. These rapid transit is planning to set up between World Cup in the Middle East which led to increasing the air systems support Qatar’s sus- 200 and 500 charging points and Arab world, Qatar will conditioning temperature by tainability goals and ensure for electric cars by 2022. They stage the most compact edition 1C during the winter period both Lusail and Education City will be located at strategic loca- of the tournament in modern – an initiative which reduced are connected and accessible, tions, including malls, residen- history. Sixty-four matches carbon emissions by approxi- while offering a transport op- tial areas, stadiums, parks and over 28 days will take place in mately 1,000 tons. Run by tion that reduces vehicle use government offices. close proximity, with the maxi- the Qatar General Electricity and associated emissions. And while people get used mum travel distance between & Water Corporation (KAH- to electric cars, Qatar has also of environmentally-friendly Cup is of utmost importance globally-recognised sustain- stadiums just 75km. One of the RAMAA), Tarsheed promotes Fuel-efficient buses introduced a large fleet of transport systems featuring to us. We are working in close ability measures – to provide major environmental benefits the efficientuse of water and A fleet of new buses are also electric scooters and bicycles uninterrupted tracks for bicy- coordination with our national solutions for the 22nd host na- of Qatar 2022 is the elimina- electricity in Qatar. boosting Qatar’s public trans- which people can hire. These cles, electronic scooters and partners to deliver a system tion of the World Cup. tion of domestic flights during port infrastructure. About 20% are available at a number of buses, we will also contribute that will be a joy for all to use.” “The compact nature and the tournament. Public transport of the buses are electric, with walking locations, including to the legacy of this country, as One of those national part- clean transport solutions play “Using our environmental- Mass public transport will the remainder diesel fuelled the Doha Corniche, and will future generations of residents ners is Ashghal, Qatar’s public a key role in delivering on our ly-friendly transportation sys- help fans get around during with a Euro 5 emissions stand- allow fans to enjoy the mild and citizens make use of these works and infrastructure agen- promise of a carbon-neutral tems, such as the Doha Metro, the World Cup. The new Doha ard, which emits much less weather conditions expected systems long after the World cy, which was responsible for FIFA World Cup in 2022,” said light rail trams and fuel-effi- Metro, in addition to tram and pollution than regular vehicles. during the tournament. Cup.” delivering the modern trans- the SC’s Sustainability Direc- cient buses, will greatly reduce bus services, will help fans Qatar is also planning to intro- Al Zarraa continued: “Pro- portation design and construc- tor, Eng. Bodour Al Meer. “The overall carbon emissions,” said travel seamlessly between ho- duce an innovative, modern Legacy viding safe, efficient and clean tion. Ashghal used the latest green transportation plans will Thani Al Zarraa, the SC’s Mo- tels, stadiums and tourist at- and environmentally-friendly Al Zarraa said: “By devel- transport solutions for all visi- technology and coordination benefit the event and our na- bility Director. “And due to Qa- tractions. The metro will be electric bus rapid transit (BRT) oping a fully holistic network tors to Qatar during the World – along with compliance to tion for many years to come.”

80 percent of educational, admin Ministry conducts draw to lease shops personnel in schools vaccinated in Abu Nakhla’s new camel market QNA with the Aswaq for Food Facil- good investment by granting doha ities Management Company, a an appropriate rental price Hassad Food Company sub- while adhering to some con- The Ministry of Commerce sidiary, and in coordination ditions and considerations and Industry’s Permanent with the Ministry of Munici- that will maintain the conti- Committee for Central Markets pality and Environment. nuity and success of the mar- Management in collaboration There are 75 investment kets, while also allowing con- with the Aswaq for Food Facil- opportunities available in this sumers to obtain their basic ities Management Company, market, including camel pens, needs of services at competi- a Hassad subsidiary, and the fodder stores, and other stores tive prices. Ministry of Municipality and for various commercial activi- The ministry has also set Environment, held a public ties (veterinary clinic, trade in the operating and leasing cri- Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Undersecetetary of the Ministry of draw for renting the shops of veterinary supplies, a store for teria and requirements for the Education and Higher Education the new camel market in Abu selling animal supplies and lease period to be two years Nakhla area, and announced tools, a supermarket, and a and renewed for a similar pe- Continued from page 1  for a teacher with COVID-19, the names of the winning restaurant). riod. It also said that a guar- referring to the teacher’s ill- investor. The draw was con- The market also includes a antee check for one month of He said the ministry has ness period, which is consid- ducted using visual communi- camel slaughterhouse, which the lease and 24 checks in the spared no effort in provid- ered an exceptional sick leave cation technology. The MoCI confirmed that Central Markets Manage- will be run by the Widam name of Aswaq for Food Fa- ing vaccination to prevent the and no part of the teacher’s The number of commer- the public draw was based on ment, Aswaq for Food Facili- Food Company, as well as a cilities Management must be spread of the virus among salary is deducted even if he/ cial activities offered in the the principles of transparency ties Management will commu- room for pens and shops own- presented upon contracting teachers. He said almost 80 she misses a week or 14 days market reached about 7 di- and equal opportunities, and nicate with the draw winners ers and market visitors. All in order to be able to provide percent of the educational and or even more. verse activities, while the was carried out in accordance in order to sign contracts and dealers have access to a ser- products on a permanent ba- administrative staff in schools In the event that they are number of applications sub- with the previously approved inform them of the regulatory vice area. sis, as well as to ensure that the have been vaccinated. assigned to tasks during the mitted for investment op- controls and requirements, as list for the market’s operation. The Ministry confirmed commercial activity recorded in The school environment is leave, the headmaster of the portunities was 427, of which the names of the winners and Last March, the Commit- that it collaborated with As- the commercial register corre- comfortable and safe, and all school must address the hu- only 205 qualified to enter the substitutes for each activity tee announced investment op- waq to ensure great benefit sponds to the activity presented precautionary measures have man resources and the al- draw, while 222 applications were drawn. portunities to lease the stores for tenants and consumers in the case of merchants, and been applied, he added. lowances deducted will be were excluded for failing to According to the MoCI’s of the new camel market in the by establishing a mechanism that the trader has experience Dr Al Nuaimi said that no returned to the teacher, he meet the required conditions. Permanent Committee for Abu Nakhla, in cooperation that allows tenants to obtain with the activity. allowances will be deducted added 14 Friday, April 23, 2021 The Last Word QU promotes body positivity among female students

Tribune News Network professor of Public Health, were multi-faceted concept that en- inclusivity which is focused on to stick their photo, and write Doha supported by a QU Student Re- compasses body acceptance, rejecting the idealising or pa- three things they are grateful search Grant to evaluate the ac- body appreciation, and body thologising of specific weights, for about their body. They were Qatar University (QU) tivity using a mix of methods in- love, and adaptive approaches and to provide an alternative asked to place the postcard Public Health students re- cluding an online questionnaire protective of health and wellbe- outcome for a practice steeped somewhere they could see it cently conducted a promotion and interview. The evaluation ing.” in fear and anxiety for many each day. activity focused on ‘Health at demonstrated that body accept- The HAES is an example women.” The impact of the activ- Every Size (HAES)’ aimed at ance and appreciation increased of a weight-inclusive approach, At the second station, par- ity was profound for many of increasing body positivity and significantly after the event and which takes the focus away from ticipants were given a sticker 35 participants. At the 10 week reducing internalised weight- were sustained at the 10-week weight and towards health and with the same affirmation/s, follow up, one participant com- based oppression among fe- follow up. wellbeing. The HAES approach and asked to place it on their mented: “It made me reflect male students. The results Dr Lily explained, “Weight- supports processes that enhance chest or arm to reinforce and on what exactly I like about my have been published in the based oppression, including the health of all people, irrespec- extend the impact of the posi- body, and this reflection made prestigious journal ‘Body Im- negative attitudes about body tive of their body size or weight. weight. tions such as amazing, beautiful, tive affirmation, and to display me realize that I don’t appreci- age’, the highest-ranking jour- weight and harassment, stigma It does not contend that people Over 100 students partici- glorious, wonderful and awe- to other participants a wide ate my body enough and I need- nal in the field of body image. and discrimination based on are healthy at any size; instead pated in the activity, which in- some. Students could choose variety of complements. At the ed to do something about it.” Senior students from the body weight, is a widespread the approach contends that volved four stations. The first between English and Arabic ver- third station, participants had Another participant com- QU Department of Public phenomenon that leads to con- people at any size can be em- station involved participants sions, and many students chose their instant photo taken with mented, “I now appreciate my Health, Sana Elashie and Ha- siderable distress and poor powered to focus on improving stepping on a ‘Yay!Scale’ which both. Hanaa Ahmed explained: the sticker/s clearly visible. At body more than ever, and I naa Ahmed, under the supervi- health and wellbeing outcomes. their health by adopting behav- is a scale where the numbers are “We used the Yay!Scale to high- the fourth station, participants thank god for giving me this sion of Dr Lily O’Hara, associate Conversely, body positivity is a iors that are not focused on body replaced with positive affirma- light the principle of weight were given a postcard on which body.” ‘Ramadan in the time of Qatar University hosts webinar to strengthen children’s nutrition amid COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 wake-up call to Tribune News Network healthy eating habits, consum- Doha ing the correct diet and the de- velopment of a strong immune The Department of Hu- system that begins at a young reflect upon our purpose’ man Nutrition at the College age is crucial to deter health risks of Health Sciences, member related to various diseases and Dr Omar Suleiman encour- of the QU-Health at Qatar their causes, including viruses. ages young people to dedicate University (QU), organised Teaching assistants at the themselves to change that the Smart Start programme Department of Human Nutri- comes from the heart during throughout the spring semes- tion emphasised the importance special online edition of QF ter. Smart Start is a nutrition of including all food groups in dialogue platform education programme pro- the meal to boost immunity. The moting healthy lifestyle and webinar provided many tips to Tribune News Network targeting schoolchildren in schedule meals, prepare lunch Doha Qatar.The COVID-19 pandemic boxes, engage daily fun activities has shifted dietary and lifestyle and offered specialised strate- Against the backdrop of habits of many families. The gies designed to deal with picky COVID-19, Ramadan should Dr Omar Suleiman Moderator Shaymaa Ziara poor diet quality and sedentary eaters. Moreover, virtual fun be a time for people to think lifestyle acquired may affect the activities for kids were included deeply about “the life we want to to go to, what type of impact reservoir you can give to the rest immune system and the disease Children participate in the Smart Start programme. in the program such as my plate live” and “the impact we want to we want to leave behind, and of the world. Never neglect your- susceptibility. The programme activities, matching and guess- leave behind”, a leading Ameri- what type of deeds we want to self in pursuit of the betterment aimed to emphasise the impor- teachers and administrators port the immune system and ing games and solving a maze. can Muslim scholar, writer and see ahead of us. It’s an oppor- of society, because by bettering tance of kids’ nutrition and intro- in several public and private the importance of adopting a “The webinar was very in- civil rights leader has told a tunity for us to really take a step yourself, you better society.” duce the parents to the impor- schools in Qatar. In addition, healthy and active lifestyle to formative. It emphasized the special edition of Qatar Foun- back; a wake-up call to be more The Ramadan edition of the tance of applying healthy eating the kids enjoyed numerous ac- strengthen the immune system. importance of nutrition in dation’s (QF) Education City intentional. Education City Speaker Series habits and active lifestyle among tivities and watched an animat- Many factors can weaken the boosting the immunity during Speaker Series. “Don’t be unhappy about – a Qatar Foundation platform their children’s daily routine. It ed video about food groups and immune system such as an in- the pandemic and gave us new Dr Omar Suleiman, founder what you don’t have in this life for dialogue that brings together also explained strategies to boost healthy eating habits virtually complete diet, an unorganised ideas to incorporate healthy eat- and president of the Yaqeen In- – Ramadan should teach us experts and thought-leaders to children’s immunity and impor- with their schoolteachers. sleep pattern, exposure to pol- ing habits. Our kids enjoyed the stitute for Islamic Research and that. There are people in this discuss key themes and topics tance of staying active during the Many school staff, parents lution, and a lack of fresh air or activities with their schoolteach- professor of Islamic Studies at world who don’t have anything shaping the world – also saw pandemic, while introducing the and children from different sunlight. The immune system ers, learned about different food Southern Methodist University to break their fast with. So we Dr Suleiman encourage young kids to heathy eating. schools attended the webinar. protects the human body from groups and the importance of in the US, shared his thoughts should live a more purposeful people to commit themselves to The series of virtual webi- The symposium discussed sev- pathogenic microbes such as eating healthy and being active,” on how the reflection that the life, and COVID-19 has taught being drivers of change. He said: nars targeted parents, school- eral main areas: foods that sup- bacteria and viruses. Learning parents said. holy month enables can be a us to prioritize and think about “One thing you learn from peo- catalyst for lasting change based what our blessings actually are, ple who are productive is they on values. He was participating what we actually want to keep started young and kept going – in a virtual discussion that drew with us, and what will transpire when you are young, it is the per- more than 12,000 viewers from into something meaningful for fect chance to dedicate yourself; Qatar, the region and around us going forward.” don’t wait until you are older.” Indian Navy’s ‘INS Tarkash’ arrives in Qatar the world. Speaking about where And he told the online au- He described COVID-19 as change comes from, Dr Sulei- dience: “Your change should Tribune News Network “a wake-up call for us to take man said: “It starts not just with be sincere, and your desire for Doha a step back and reflect on the you, but with a very particular change should come from the meaning and purpose of life”, part of you – your heart. If your right place. With India and Qatar enjoy- while also explaining why the heart is good, the entire body be- “Too many times, we con- ing excellent bilateral relations, desire for change should come comes good, and the rest of your flate influence with impact. multi-faceted and growing co- from the heart, be sincere and actions follow suit. Make sure your desire for operation, Indian Navy’s West- be intended to create benefit and “You then bring this into change is not a desire to be seen ern Fleet Ship ‘INS Tarkash’ ar- impact rather than influence. your home, and then you have as a change-maker, because of- rived in Qatar on Thursday. “Anything that reminds us societal change – it comes from ten people package righteous- ‘Tarkash’, the second ship of the fragility of this world, or a family, because a community ness into the desire to be vali- of the Teg Class stealth frigates, our own vulnerability, is an op- is made of families and, if you dated by other people. Influence is commanded by Captain Hap- portunity to cling to that which think about the most transform- should come as a result of im- py Mohan and forms part of is permanent and meaningful,” ative communities in history, pact, but not be a cover for what the Western Naval Command. said Dr Suleiman, who is also that transformation was started is actually not impactful at all. With an overall length of 125 Indian Navy’s Western Fleet Ship ‘INS Tarkash’ the resident scholar of the Val- by just one or two families who “Make sure that, as you seek m, width of 15.5 m and a stand- ley Ranch Islamic Center and got together and started to build to go forward, anything you do ard displacement of over 3,300 interaction with the Gulf and bassy said. tion between India and Qatar is Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith For- something and impact and af- that is public is matched by an tonnes, the ship is capable of Qatar in particular. The Indian The Indian Navy has close demonstrated by the high-level ward Dallas at Thanks-Giving fect change in their society. increase in private devotion. speeds in excess of 31 knots. Navy has multi-dimensional and friendly ties with all navies visits, training of naval officers, Square, a multi-faith coalition “Change starts inward, then The more you teach, the more In a press statement, the capability comprising air- in the Gulf. The Indian Naval port visits by naval ships and for peace and justice, in a ses- goes outward – but never forget you need to be learning. The Embassy of India in Doha said craft carriers, modern ships, ships have been involved in joint exercises. sion titled Crafting a Lifetime the inward. You never get to a more you preach, the more you that it deeply appreciates the submarines, aircraft and ma- combating piracy off the coast “The visit of INS Tarkash of Change from a Month of point where you are no longer need to practice. The more you support of the Government of rine commandos. A notable of Somalia since October, 2008 would further strengthen the Reflection. developing yourself personally, are seen by other people do- Qatar and Qatar Amiri Navy feature of the Indian Navy’s and has also been supporting deep-rooted bonds of friend- “I think it’s a time for us to where you can preach but not ing good, the more you need to in arranging the visit of Indian force structure is the fact that safety and security of maritime ship between India and Qatar, be heightened in our awareness practice. You have to think of be seen only by Allah to be do- Naval ships. the overwhelming majority trade in the Gulf region under and defence cooperation be- of what type of life we want to your heart as your spiritual reser- ing good. Your devotion should “India has an ancient mar- of its ships are designed and operation ‘Sankalp’ since 2019. tween the two countries,” the live, what type of life we want voir that you feed, and with that match your growth.” itime tradition and maritime constructed in India,” the em- The growing naval coopera- embassy added. Sustainability to take centre stage at Education City Golf Club

Tribune News Network tal impact even more. The MSEM programme at Libi Newell, Tournament Doha Michael Braidwood, gen- HBKU is a collaboration with Support for GEO Foundation, eral manager, ECGC, a mem- the University of South Carolina; said: “We are delighted to see Sustainatbility is to be ber of Qatar Foundation (QF), it is the first master’s degree in the partnership between HBKU at the heart of the Commercial said: “Education City Golf sport and entertainment man- and the Commercial Bank Qa- Bank Qatar Masters. Club is committed to sustain- agement in Qatar and one of tar Masters, and look forward Golf tournaments are in- ability, ensuring it is a key only a few in the MENA region. to working with both as the creasingly focusing on best pillar in the organization. We Students in the programme are tournament’s sustainability practices for sustainability in strive to embrace sustain- trained and prepared for man- program develops.” order to reduce their carbon ability in all its forms – so- agement and leadership posi- To complete the study, the footprints. Efficiencies and cial, human, economical, and tions in the sports and entertain- HBKU students interviewed all waste reduction can be signifi- environmental. We now look ment industries. relevant suppliers, such as tem- cantly improved with effective to continue our commitment Several MSEM students, porary infrastructure, energy planning and close monitoring to sustainability with Hamad including three Qataris, con- and waste contractors, tourna- of branding, infrastructure and Bin Khalifa University.” ducted the research across ment organizers, and other rel- hospitality catering, not only as- For golf facility develop- golf’s three main sustainabil- evant stakeholders. On-site ob- sisting the tournament to oper- ment and operations, ECGC is ity themes – nature, resources, servations were also carried out ate and save costs, but also as- currently aligned with the GEO and community – in order to in accordance with strict social sisting from the start. Foundation for Sustainable able golf tournaments, with the ment, an audit was conducted in Sport and Entertainment Man- improve efficiencies.T he GEO distancing protocols. When fin- With next year’s event, Edu- Golf programs. Ultimately, the tournament becoming a GEO order to develop an action plan agement (MSEM) programme Foundation advised the stu- ished, the document will be used cation City Golf Club hopes to Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- certified tournament in the for the following year’s edition. at Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- dents to focus their research on to develop the 2022 tournament emphasise the tournament’s ters hopes to meet the inter- coming years. It was carried out by students sity (HBKU), which is also a the key areas of impact through- concept, with a focus on improv- positive social and environmen- national standard for sustain- During the 2021 tourna- from the Master of Science in member of QF. out the tournament. ing sustainable practices.