Mitchell Marsh lands Australia contract; Khawaja among six axed FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 PAGE 10 PSG AWARDED LIGUE 1 TITLE AFP The identity of the other Eu- PARIS ropean representatives depends on whether the finals of the two PARIS Saint-Germain were domestic cups are ever played. named as Ligue 1 champions on Large gatherings of people Thursday after France’s football remain banned in France until league declared the coronavi- September. rus-hit season over. However, if the French gov- PSG led the table by 12 ernment and UEFA accept, both points from Marseille when the finals could be staged in early season was suspended in mid- August with European places March because of the Covid-19 still up for grabs. The LFP then outbreak, which has gone on hopes to begin next season by to kill over 24,000 people in August 23 “at the latest”. France. PSG were due to play Lyon A woman walks past an image of Diego Maradona during the lock- The announcement by the in the League Cup final and down in Argentina. (AFP) LFP comes after Prime Min- Saint-Etienne in the French ister Edouard Philippe said Cup final. If the games are even- on Tuesday that “professional tually played, Lyon and Saint- sports leagues, notably foot- Etienne could qualify for the Maradona pleads ball, cannot restart” because of Europa League by winning. the pandemic. Otherwise, Nice and “There is no ambigu- Reims would qualify by virtue for ‘Hand of God’ ity about this declaration. We Paris Saint-Germain superstars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. PSG have been named French champions for of finishing in fifth and sixth needed to make a final decision the seventh time in eight years after the season was declared over on Thursday. (AFP) in the league. about this season. We acknowl- Lyon -- seventh in the table to end pandemic edge that the 2019-20 season is when the season was stopped over,” said LFP president Nath- -- would otherwise miss out on AFP the World Cup in Mexico by alie Boy de la Tour, in a confer- European qualification for the BUENOS AIRES saying “it was the Hand of ence call with reporters. first time in over two decades. God!” France becomes the biggest Ironically, they were still ARGENTINE football legend Argentina went on to European league yet to end its We wish to dedicate this title to involved in this season’s Diego Maradona has asked beat England 2-1 in the season, just as its neighbours Champions League when it the “Hand of God” to deliver quarter-final. in England, Germany, Italy and all health workers and other was suspended, leading Ju- the world from the coronavi- On being thrown a life- Spain consider ways of resum- everyday heroes whose ventus 1-0 after the first leg of rus pandemic and allow nor- line by the suspension of ing matches. their last-16 tie. mal life to resume. the season, he told Argen- Ruling out any possibility of commitment and self-sacrifice Lyon president Jean- The World Cup winner tine daily Clarin: “It’s not copying the Netherlands, who throughout these long weeks Michel Aulas had previously referred to his hand-assist- the ending we had wanted, voided their season without a stated his hope that the season ed goal in the 1986 World we were convinced we could champion, relegation or pro- deserve our admiration. could still be played to a con- Cup after Argentine foot- save ourselves on the pitch.” motion, the LFP arranged a fi- PSG president clusion in August. ball chiefs voted to end the Argentina has been in nal table on the basis of average Nasser al Khelaifi “Maybe there will be ap- current season as well as lockdown since March 20 points per game. peals, but the decisions taken... suspend relegation, saving against the coronavirus, Ten rounds of matches re- are solid,” said LFP director Maradona-managed bottom which by early Wednesday mained when the campaign was general Didier Quillot. club Gimnasia from the drop. had infected 4,114 people halted, although PSG and Stras- other everyday heroes whose France under strict lockdown. pions League, while fourth- Nevertheless, for all clubs, “Today this happened to with 207 deaths. bourg both had a game in hand. commitment and self-sacrifice “We understand, respect placed Lille will play in the the economic consequences of us and many people say it The 59-year-old Mara- As a result, PSG are cham- throughout these long weeks and support the decisions taken Europa League. ending the season now could is a new Hand of God,” said dona, appointed to manage pions with an average of 2.52 deserve our admiration,” by the French government to be dire. Maradona, alluding to his struggling Gimnasia in Sep- points per game, with An- said PSG president Nasser al stop the season. Health, as the ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES Resuming matches behind infamous goal against Eng- tember, said clubs in Ar- dre Villas-Boas’s Marseille Khelaifi in a statement. government has always said, Toulouse and Amiens, the closed doors would have safe- land. gentina are facing years of second with an average of 2 It is PSG’s ninth French must be everyone’s priority,” bottom two, are condemned guarded TV income, but the loss “But today I’m asking for financial difficulty. points and qualifying for the title, the seventh in eight sea- added Al-Khelaifi, whose club to relegation, with Lorient, as for clubs in the top two divisions that hand to end this pan- “Hopefully it is under- Champions League. sons for the Qatar-owned club still hope to be able to continue champions, and Lens coming of remaining payments from demic so people can go back stood that we have to face being awarded in unique cir- their Champions League cam- up from Ligue 2. broadcasters Canal Plus and to living their lives, healthy what’s coming together, for TITLE DEDICATED TO HEALTH cumstances and with many of paign having reached the quar- However, Toulouse have beIN Sports is believed to be as and happy.” the good of football. No-one WORKERS their foreign players -- includ- ter-finals before action stopped. kept open the possibil- high as €243 million ($266 mil- Then-Argentine captain is like Rambo in this war, “We wish to dedicate this ing Neymar -- having returned Rennes finish third and ity that they might now take lion), plus €35 million for inter- Maradona responded to the because even Rambo loses title to all health workers and to their home countries with also qualify for the Cham- legal action. national rights. controversy over his goal at against this.” Football’s return ‘good for Coronavirus could affect international everyone’, says Mourinho football for ‘two or three years’ TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK AFP complete the season despite be good for every one of us,” he DOHA LONDON the logistical difficulties. said. “It will be good for football, “I miss football,” Mourinho for the Premier League. LARS-CHRISTER Olsson, pres- TOTTENHAM manager Jose told Sky Sports from the Totten- “If we play football behind ident of the European Leagues, Mourinho believes bringing ham Hotspur stadium, which closed doors I’d like to think says that assessing the impact of football back, even behind has been transformed to house that football is never behind the pandemic, would be a case closed doors, would be a much- a testing centre, outpatient ser- closed doors. of “wait and see” including the needed morale boost for fans vices for a local hospital and a “With cameras, it means 2022 Qatar World Cup. starved of action during the food distribution hub. that millions and millions are The UEFA executive com- coronavirus crisis. “But I prefer to say I miss watching. So if one day we walk mittee member was speaking No Premier League games our world, like I think we all do. into this empty stadium, it will as a panelist at a Sport Integ- have been played since March Football is just part of my world. not be empty, not at all.” rity Global Alliance (SIGA) & 9 due to the pandemic, which But we have to be patient, this is Soccerex Webinar titled ‘Covid has claimed more than 26,000 a fight that we all have to fight.” KANE BACK? 360: Where does football go British lives. Even if matches can re- Prior to the shutdown, now’, moderated by CNN’s Dutch football chiefs have turn, they will be played behind Mourinho said he could not sport anchor Armanda Davies. Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) & Soccerex Webinar titled ‘Covid 360: Where does football go now’, called an end to the Eredivisie closed doors for the foreseeable wait for the season to end due to It included Michele Cen- moderated by CNN’s sport anchor Armanda Davies. season while French sports future to minimise the risk of a debilitating list of injuries. tenaro, board member of the minister Roxana Maracine- spreading the virus. Yet Spurs could make a European Club Association, affect the business. it has an effect on Qatar 2022 Qatar World Cup. “I think the anu on Thursday called for Mourinho, though, believes late run to finish in the top four Jonas Baer-Hoffman, Secre- “This is the biggest crisis World Cup or the European question of whether the format the French league to end the players will still be putting on should the campaign get back tary General of FIFPro and that has happened to football Championship, which are the of the calendar has worked in Ligue 1 season. a show for millions watching under way, with Harry Kane, Emanuel Macedo de Medei- since World War II. So it’s a to- two milestone events that we the past is still the most ap- England’s top-flight clubs around the world. Moussa Sissoko, Steven Berg- ros, CEO of SIGA. tally new situation for all of us. have to work around.” propriate way to get to the are due to meet on Friday “If we play the remaining wijn and Son Heung-min -- who Lars and the other industry We need to think how to rebuild He added the number of 2022 World Cup and beyond. I with “Project Restart” at the nine matches this season it will is completing a short period of experts were asked about the football after the crisis and to do years international football guess it’s not an unusual state- top of their agenda. They will national service -- now recov- impact of the pandemic follow- that we have to find solutions maybe affected shouldn’t be the ment to say the September discuss how they can ered from injury. ing the postponement of major which benefit the sport, not only only focus, “It’s not only how window for national teams is “They are recovered from international soccer competi- a few,” he added. many years so I think we should illegitimate risks and interna- their injuries, so Harry Kane is tions such as Euro 2020, Copa He stressed that the coro- not only focus on the when or tional travel between countries With cameras, it not injured, Moussa Sissoko is America, World Cup qualifi- navirus may have “two or three so the discussion about resum- seems rather unlikely.” means that millions not injured, Steven Bergwijn is ers and the European leagues. years” effect on the internation- ing but very much will depend The organisers of the 2022 and millions are not injured, but it is one thing Lars said: “If the virus is de- al football calendar. also on the how. That’s why I World Cup, Supreme Com- watching. So if one not to be injured, it’s another veloping in an even more se- Michele Centenaro, board am going back to the process. mittee for Delivery & Legacy thing to be ready to play foot- rious way as it has been for member of the European Club The question of how we going to have stressed that Qatar’s day we walk into ball,” Mourinho added. the time being there will defi- Association, said: “At the Euro- play determines the when.” project for the FIFA World this empty stadium, “For them it is many, many, nitely be a problem with the pean level we are trying with all With research for a vac- Cup is still on track. it will not be empty, many weeks of injury and when international calendar. the uncertainties and difficulties cine for the pandemic ongoing, “However, in the event that not at all. the injuries were almost at an “When some of the compe- to sort of rewrite the European Mitchell’s says maybe there the current COVID-19 pandem- end, we stopped training. titions are moved from one year calendar to adapt to this crisis. will be ways to have protection ic adversely affects our planned Jose Mourinho “I don’t know, they don’t to another. And then the Qatar I think the same is going for in- against the virus that allows you delivery timeline, we are confi- know, we have to wait for the World Cup is coming in the ternational football. FIFA will to play quicker and then has less dent that we will have sufficient official and right permission middle of the European season take the lead and see whether effect over the long term. time to deliver all tournament Tottenham manager for the players to train again and you have to squeeze in do- we need to rewrite the calendars Jonas Baer-Hoffman, Sec- infrastructure and planning Jose Mourinho thinks the in groups to see if they can mestic and international com- with some set rules. So at that retary General of FIFPro says a well ahead of the FIFA World return of football will be come back to a normal com- petitions. But I think we have to moment we would not be able revamped calendar is the ideal Cup Qatar beginning on Nov. petition level.” wait and see how that is going to to answer the question whether option with two years to the 21, 2022,” the statement said. 10 Friday, May 1, 2020 Sports ABDULLA AL KHELAIFI AMONG 25 DRIVERS FOR TCR EUROPE SIM RACING

e Qatari will ENTRY LIST (TCR EUROPE SIM RACING) # Driver Team Car face Spa test 7 Aurélien Comte (FRA) DG Sport Compétition Peugeot 308 TCR on May 2 8 Nicolas Baert (BEL) Comtoyou Racing Audi RS 3 LMS 10 Viktor Davidovski (MKD) PSS Racing Team Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 14 Niels Langeveld (NED) Comtoyou Racing Audi RS 3 LMS DOHA 16 Gilles Magnus (BEL) Comtoyou Racing Audi RS 3 LMS 17 Martin Ryba (SVK) Brutal Fish Racing Team Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR QATAR’S star car racer Ab- 19 Andreas Bäckman (SWE) Target Competition Hyundai i30 N TCR dulla al Khelaifi is ready to 20 Teddy Clairet (FRA) Team Clairet Sport Peugeot 308 TCR give his best shot to the TCR 21 Jimmy Clairet (FRA) Team Clairet Sport Peugeot 308 TCR Europe SIM Racing Series’ 23 Tamás Tenke (HUN) Tenke Motorsport CUPRA TCR opening round at the digital 24 Julien Briché (FRA) JSB Compétition Peugeot 308 TCR track of the Spa-Francor- 26 Jessica Bäckman (SWE) Target Competition Hyundai i30 N TCR champs Circuit on May 2. 31 Tom Coronel (NED) Tom Coronel EatMyDust Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR With the actual champion- 33 José Manuel Sapag (ARG) Target Competition Hyundai i30 N TCR ship being reduced and post- 38 Lewis Kent (GBR) Essex & Kent Motorsport Hyundai i30 N TCR poned to September due to the 45 Gianni Morbidelli (ITA) WestCoast Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR ongoing coronavirus pandem- 55 Bence Boldizs (HUN) Zeng Motorsport CUPRA TCR ic, all the TCR Europe Series 62 Jack Young (GBR) Vukovi Motorsport Renault Mégane RS TCR regulars are competing in the 65 Kevin Ceccon (ITA) Romeo Ferraris Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce virtual championship with 25 70 Mat’o Homola (SVK) BRC Racing Team Hyundai i30 N TCR drivers, including guests from 77 Andrej Studeni (SVK) Brutal Fish Racing Team Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR other TCR series like 2018 Eu- Qatar’s champion car racer Abdulla al Khelai during the 2019 TCR Europe season. 81 Stéphane Ventaja (FRA) Team Clairet Sport Peugeot 308 TCR ropean champion Mikel Azco- 96 Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi (QAT) QMMF Racing CUPRA TCR na, Niels Langeveld and Kevin 99 Dániel Nagy (HUN) BRC Racing Team Hyundai i30 N TCR Ceccon, on the grid. against the same TCR driv- Khelai to drive Seat Leon 996 Mikel Azcona (ESP) PCR Sport CUPRA TCR Reigning QTCC M240 ers. So it is not new thing to Cupra in the opening round of Class champion Khelaifi, who me and I know my level.This the TCR Europe SIM Racing won the three QTCC crowns season I feel more confident. Series on May 3. involved,” Khelaifi added and auto online events are tak- Facebook page, TCR Europe in a row also, will drive Seat I hope to be more competi- Talking about the QORC, ing place right now. I just hope Facebook page, TCR Youtube Leon Cupra and the Qatari tive after getting a bit of ex- Khelaifi, who finished seventh that the QMMF continues the channel, and delayed on TCR champion driver is delighted pereince in the past season. Of with 83 points, said, “Yeah, i online racing in the future.” Twitch channel. to be part of the digital cham- course, the SIM racing is quite had a very good experience The format of the series The scoring system will pionship, realised by TCR different than the track rac- of the SIM racing organised will see competitors sitting in follow that of the real champi- Euro Series Ltd. in partner- ing. On track, there are many by the QMMF. Though it was the simulator for a 20-minute onship, awarding points to the ship with DrivingItalia.net. G-forces acting on you which hosted at a short notice, it was Qualifying session and two top ten in the Qualifying (from He said, “The QORC was you will never expereince in a good fun and experience. I back-to-back races of 8 laps 10 to 1) and the top 15 in each raced on a different platform the virtual racing. That is the will be better prepared in the each. The grid of the second race (from 40 to 1). so I can’t really compare it key point. next event. race will be based on the final After Spa, the series will with the TCR Europe. But the “Many drivers use the G- “The world is facing a results of Race 1 with the top race at Red Bull Ring (May concept is the same so I can forces and the sensation of tough time due to COVID-19. 12 in reversed order. 13), Hungaroring (May 27), say that the QORC provided speed to measure the break- tual racing is quite difficult. It will be quite interesting to Everybody is staying home All action will be streamed Le Castellet (June 10), Zolder me good preparations. ing points, their entry and But on the other hand, there see the performance and the so the QMMF intitiative was live on Saturday (May 2) from (June 24), Monza (July 8) and “Last season, I raced exit from corners. So the ac- is no risk in the SIM racing. competitiveness of the drivers a good initiative. Many moto 19:00 (CET) on TCR TV, TCR Barcelona (July 22).

Lausanne Diamond India football legend Chuni Goswami passes away League organisers AFP will be the poorer for their departure to the seek ‘other options’ NEW DELHI Heavens. RIP.” Goswami, who is survived by his wife AFP INDIAN football legend Subimal ‘Chuni’ and a son, represented India on the football LAUSANNE Goswami, who led the country to an Asian field in 50 international matches -- 36 of Games gold in 1962, died on Thursday aged them official -- between 1956 to 1964. THE Lausanne Diamond 82, the All India Football Federation said. After retiring from football at the age League meeting will not take Goswami -- who also played first-class of 27, Goswami turned his focus to cricket. place on August 20 because of cricket for Bengal -- died in his hometown He represented Bengal in 46 first-class restrictions linked to the coro- Kolkata, according to the federation. games between 1962 and 1973. The all- navirus pandemic but organis- “Another legendary Indian footballer rounder captained the Bengal state team ers said on Thursday they were and a fine first class cricketer has left us to- Chuni Goswami (right) welcoming Pele on the in the 1971-72 season, leading them to the looking at “other options”. day,” the governing body’s president Praful latter’s visit to Kolkata. Ranji Trophy final. The meeting director told Patel wrote on Twitter. He was also a key part of the combined AFP he instead hoped to hold “Rest in eternal peace Shri Chuni Gos- “Today is a truly depressing day. First Central and East Zone team that inflicted an a joint Swiss event with the wami. My heartfelt condolences to his be- (Bollywood star) Rishi (Kapoor) and now innings defeat on Gary Sobers’ West Indies Zurich Weltklasse, one of the reaved family.” Batting great Sunil Gavaskar Chuni da have left us. Both champions and in 1966, taking eight wickets in the game Diamond League’s traditional Mitchell Marsh: Back to central contract. said his loss would be immense. legends in their craft,” he said. “The world with his medium-pace bowling. highlights that is scheduled to take place on September 11. “With a heavy heart we have Marsh lands Australia had to take the decision to not go ahead with the Athletissima on August 20,” organisers said contract; Khawaja COVID-19 delays Hundred until 2021 in a statement. AFP closed doors, the England stressed that an event with no English cricket have been op- They said it was “impossi- LONDON and Wales Cricket Board has fans “directly contradicts the posed to the competition from ble to allow a large number of among six axed decided to hold the Hundred competition’s goal to attract a the outset, arguing there is no people to gather in a restricted ENGLISH cricket’s controver- over until next year. broader audience.” space for a new format in an space before the end of August”. AFP when he was not offered a con- sial new Hundred competition “The situation we find our- Global travel restrictions already congested calendar. But they said they were SYDNEY tract last year but Hohns said has been delayed until 2021 selves in as a country means also mean it is not possible for They say many of the ECB’s looking at “which alternatives his form showed “he has a lot because of the coronavirus that delivery of the Hundred star players from other coun- aims could be achieved with and which formats could still be ALL-ROUNDER Mitchell of international cricket ahead pandemic, cricket chiefs an- will not be possible this sum- tries to take part. better support for the existing possible to give athletes the pos- Marsh returned to Cricket of him as a batting all-rounder”. nounced on Thursday. mer,” ECB chief executive Tom Twenty20 Blast. sibility of competition”. Australia’s list of 20 nationally Prolific middle-order bats- The new 100-balls-per- Harrison in a statement. NEW FANS Even before the pandemic, The meeting director, Pierre contracted players on Thurs- man Marnus Labuschagne was, side format, to be played by “Whilst we are naturally The ECB have long insist- the ECB had itself forecast the Tenger, said while he hoped to day, but there was no room for as expected, among the new eight franchises rather than disappointed that we won’t ed the Hundred, which they Hundred would make a loss in hold a meeting in cooperation his brother Shaun or struggling faces, along with Joe Burns, the established 18 first-class get to realise our ambitions hoped to launch off the back its first five seasons. with the Zurich event, the for- batsman Usman Khawaja. Ashton Agar, Kane Richardson counties, had been due to start this year, the Hundred will go of England’s success in win- Costs in the first year, mat “had not yet been decided”. The older Marsh sibling and Matthew Wade. in July. ahead in 2021 when we are ning last year’s World Cup on including the £1.3 million The Diamond League and Khawaja were among six “Marnus’s rise has been me- But with the English sea- safely able to deliver every- home soil, would attract a new ($1.6 million) paid to each season, which had been due players axed from a group that teoric and well documented,” son delayed until at least July thing we intended to help grow audience vital to safeguarding county, were estimated at to start in Doha on April 17, selectors loaded with limited- Hohns said. 1, with any matches after that the game.” cricket’s future. £58 million, against an in- has been heavily affected by overs talent to reflect Australia’s “Joe has been a good Test likely to be played behind The ECB’s statement But many voices within come of £51 million. the pandemic. upcoming schedule, particu- match player, Ashton Agar’s larly the Twenty20 World Cup form in T20 internationals has scheduled for October-Novem- been exceptional, while Kane ber. Richardson has been outstand- “With many of the squad ing in the T20 and one-day crossing into all three formats it games.” Retired Nowitzki still pursuing his goals gives us the benefit of being able Uncertainty hangs over the to add in specialists depending cricket calendar and the Twen- on the opposition and the con- ty20 World Cup because of the ditions,” chief selector Trevor coronavirus pandemic. DPA Nowitzki retired around a year ago but will Hohns said in a statement. Australia’s tour to England BERLIN remain in the United States with wife Jessica “The depth of this squad for three one-dayers and three and their three children. “The Mavericks are and the success of the past 12 Twenty20 matches in July is in FORMER NBA star Dirk Nowitzki has not lost naturally an option,” he said. months gives us that solid base.” jeopardy after the England and all of his sporting ambition despite retiring and Former teammate Maxi Kleber has previous- Others dropped from the Wales Cricket Board delayed continues to see his future in the sport of basket - ly said Nowitzki would make “the perfect coach” list -- which forms the core of the start of their season until at ball - though not necessarily as a coach. from his point of view. Australia’s international squads least July 1. “There are many possibilities, I am looking “I haven’t settled it yet but in the past I -- were Peter Handscomb, Mar- forward to what’s ahead and I will definitely have always said that I don’t see my self on the cus Stoinis, Nathan Coulter- Australia contracted players: need a new challenge, the competitive hunger bench,” Nowitzki said. “Not much has really Nile and Marcus Harris. Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Alex is simply too big,” the 41-year-old German told changed there. “As is always the case there Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron DPA in an interview. “The sport of basketball has made an awful are unlucky omissions but, Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Though settled in Dallas, where he played lot possible for me. however, because you are not Head, Marnus Labuschagne, his entire NBA career, Nowitzki also aims to I have seen the world and experienced things on the list does not mean you Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, help his native country. that I definitely wouldn’t have without the sport. cannot be selected to represent Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, “I can imagine to work with players but “Of course I also want to give something Australia,” Hohns said. James Pattinson, Jhye Richard- I would also support things in Germany,” he said. back in the future.” son, Kane Richardson, Steven STRONG FORM Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew 2018 Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas celebrates his victory. Mitchell Marsh endured his Wade, David Warner, Adam own period in the wilderness Zampa. Friday, May 1, 2020 11 FEATURE World economy working from home gets a glimpse of the virtual future

Already, some companies have an eye on how they’ll change operations even when the virus dissipates. Some are looking at cutting expensive travel and real estate budgets in favour of investing in better technology and home o ce set ups

An empty 405 freeway in Los Angeles. Gauging the exact size of the digital economy isn’t easy, but the lockdown gripping much of the world economy illustrates just how vital digital components will be going forward. (TNS)

ENDA CURRAN LLP in Washington DC. “It food and toilet paper,” wrote don’t have them at all. Families remote working can only do so TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE will change the way we build the president and chief invest- where parents have to leave much for those in due diligence, our cities, the way we move ment strategist of Yardeni Re- home for work and cannot su- sales or manufacturing. HE lockdown grip- around in those cities and that search Inc. pervise their child’s learning “Companies are pushing ping much of the world in turn changes our energy Perhaps no sector has been have had it tougher still. the envelope,” Wuttke said. economy has spurred a use. A whole series of knock as upended as education, “The longer children are out “But at the end of the day some- real-time stress test of on effects are coming.” with school closures af- of school and not learning, the one still has to get the coal and the long-heralded digi- Herlach — who fecting 90% of the increased likelihood they will oil out of the ground and put Ttal future. has had to steer ne- world’s students, never return to school,” said solar panels together.” Virtual brown bag lunches gotiations between or more than 1.5 Heather Simpson, chief pro- There have been other have replaced office gather- clients and government from billion people according to UN- gram officer of Room to Read. strains too. ings; schools have rushed out his home and has used video ESCO. That has forced teach- Surging web usage internet-based learning; the happy hours and dinner parties ers to scramble online courses TECH LIMITS prompted President Donald International Monetary Fund to stay in touch with colleagues with little warning, with knock Manufacturers have also Trump to hold talks with tel- will this week hold its spring and friends — is positive on the on consequences for the wider discovered the limitations of ecom giants to ensure the net- meetings online; and the US experience so far, but worries economy as parents are forced tech. One of them is Colin Ng, works could cope. In Europe, Supreme Court for the first about a lingering sense of isola- to adapt their working schedule who is co-founder of Hong Amazon.com Inc., Netflix time will hear arguments by tion if more opt to work remote- around their children’s needs. Kong-based Lincogn Technol- Inc. and YouTube had to re- telephone and allow live audio ly once the lockdowns ease. EExamxam timetables have ogy Co. that designs and makes duce the quality of their video broadcasts. Cheaper internet connec- been threatened as authori- smart home appliances such streams to ensure networks Virus lockdowns have seen tivity has enabled explosive ties grapple with cancelling or as facial recognition door locks can handle increased usage. millions lose their jobs as wait- growth in online tools, allow-- postponing critical final year and mobile phone controlled In China, mobile broad- ers, flight attendants, Pilates ing many white collar roles to exams, or basing grades on lights for the Hong Kong, Chi- band downloading speed instructors and other service be done at home and keeping past performance. na, US and European markets. slumped between mid-January providers are shuttered. That managers and business owners Wong Mo Yee, a primary Travel restrictions on the and early February before grad- means sustaining those sec- in touch with their staff. school teacher and a member border between Hong Kong ually recovering by mid-March, tors that can function online Users of Microsoft Teams of the Hong Kong Professional and mainland China have according to network speed has never been more important soared to a new daily record of Teachers’ Union executive disrupted the main artery be- testing platform Ookla. Down- for a global economy facing one 2.7 billion meeting minutes in have an eye on how they’ll home, Scandinavian nations committee where schools have tween Ng’s small R&D team in loading speed in India and Ma- of its darkest periods since the one day, a 200% increase from change operations even when score highly in terms of on- been shut for months, said the Hong Kong and the company’s laysia has started to dip since Great Depression. 900 million on March 16, the the virus dissipates. Some are line readiness. In tech rich crisis highlighted the need for manufacturing staff in neigh- early March as the pandemic Gauging the exact size of company said on April 9. Even looking at cutting expensive economies such as Japan and clear goals about what should bouring Guangdong. That’s outbreak spread. the digital economy isn’t easy: amid security concerns, Zoom travel and real estate budgets South Korea, the sectors most be taught at home instead of complicated the process for The shift online has been The United Nations Confer- has gone from being used by 10 in favour of investing in bet- impacted can’t readily switch rigidly sticking with the in-class when a product is meant to a crucial safety net for a col- ence on Trade and Develop- million office workers a day to ter technology and home office to a remote stance, according room curriculum. She also move from the R&D laboratory lapsing world economy and ment estimates a range of more than 200 million people. set ups, said Satish Shankar, to London based HSBC econo- flagged dangers of too much to the factory floor. will change how we study, 4.5% to 15.5% of global gross “ ‘Zooming’ has become a regional managing partner of mist James Pomeroy. screen time. “Video conferencing the work and play even when the domestic product. While that new verb,” said Michael Bow- Bain & Company Asia-Pacific. Ed Yardeni, who coined “Home learning is com- discussion is very difficult,” Ng virus passes, said Chua Hak varies by country, it’s clear the es, a barrister and joint head “We are poised for a dra- the term “bond vigilantes” in pletely different, the interac- said. “It is difficult to explain Bin, senior economist at May- companies and nations which of Outer Temple Chambers in matic wanton increase of the the 1980s, dedicated a recent tion is different, the dynamic a lot of the detail through the bank Kim Eng Research Pte. can migrate the most com- London. He and his colleagues digitalization of our econo- research note to clients on how in the so-called video classes is camera, the conversation be- in Singapore. merce online will go some way hold a ‘Virtual Tea Zoom Group’ mies,” he said. he has adjusted to a world of also different,” Wong said. “It’s comes very inefficient.” “Quarantines and lock- to cushioning the damage. at 4pm every Wednesday, where Viewed through metrics meetings and cocktails over not so easy to engage students Joerg Wuttke, president of downs for such long periods “The futurists are going to everyone brings their own tea such as online government video link during what he calls in video teaching.” the European Chamber of Com- would have been near impos- have a field day,” said Mark and cake for a general chat services, fiber internet con- the great virus crisis, or GVC. Poorer children have been merce in China and a veteran of sible to impose and bear with- Herlach an international law- about non-work issues. nection and the share of peo- “Technology has become a hardest hit, where families ei- doing business in the world’s out the tech devices available yer at Eversheds Sutherland Already, some companies ple who already work from GVC staple, right up there with ther have to share devices or second-biggest economy, said today,” he said.

DEBBY WU authorities are also doing their part TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE to sway manufacturers to stay. In Zhengzhou, home to the “iPhone THREE years ago, manufacturing City” mega-complex, the local gov- gadgets in China was a given. That’s NOT MADE IN CHINA ernment has appointed specially changed fundamentally in the era of designated officials to help Apple trade wars and coronavirus. Inc. partner Foxconn address lo- Under the new reality, the is global tech’s next big trend gistics and labour-shortage related world’s electronics makers are ac- to anger Beijing. issues brought about by the corona- tively seeking ways to diversify their speak But recently they openly provide virus spread. supply chains and reduce their de- openly of their exodus efforts. details of shift from China now seen Apple has also said it wasn’t pendence on any single country, no These days, more conversations as inevitable. No one wants to be looking to make any quick moves matter how attractive. with Taiwanese tech executives re- seen as lagging behind in hedging out of China because of virus-re- Never has there been so much volve around choosing the best lo- against risk. lated interruptions. “We’re talking angst among suppliers. And no cation outside mainland China for Simon Lin, chairman of iPhone about adjusting some knobs, not wonder, because by most reckon- manufacturing. They like Vietnam assembler Wistron Corp., was even some sort of wholesale, fundamen- ings, the world is facing some of the because of its proximity to China, bold enough to tell analysts last tal change,” Chief Executive Officer biggest shocks to production since though labour costs there are on the week that his company can have Tim Cook said in late February. Taiwanese manufacturers — re- rise. While Taiwan is home, it’s con- 50% capacity outside of China by Still, Foxconn begun churning sponsible for assembling the major- sidered too expensive, again mainly 2021. Two other Taiwanese assem- out older iPhones in India last year, ity of the world’s gadgets — began to due to relatively high wages. blers also announced further plans (File photo) Workers at a micro motor factory in Huaibei, China. Micro motor plays a move that appeared to signal Ap- decamp en masse to China 30 years On earnings calls, analysts are to bolster their non-China produc- an important role in the manufacturing of mobile phones. (TNS) ple’s growing interest to bolster its ago. increasingly asking companies how tion capacities in the past seven presence in the world’s largest mar- The latest trend started with they plan to shake up the geograph- days. major supply-chain decisions, wait- parture,” he said. ket for smartphones after China. the US-China tariff battle, which ic spread of facilities to avoid US COVID-19 is hastening such ing to see if there would be any last- It won’t be easy to replicate the Regardless whether they select In- reached a boiling point last year. tariffs on Chinese imports. At the moves. Eric Tseng, chief executive ing resolution to the Washington- intricate network of suppliers, com- dia, Vietnam or any other country — Now the onset of the COVID-19 pan- beginning of Donald Trump’s presi- officer of Taipei-based Isaiah Re- Beijing trade spat. “But coronavirus petent workers, efficient distribu- it’s clear that electronics makers are demic has rapidly accelerated those dency, executives shied away from search, said some companies had risks people’s lives. Now A lot of tion systems and large domestic past the point of no return in their plans and emboldened officials to such questions as they did not want been holding back from making any companies will accelerate their de- consumer that China offers, and gradual migration from China. 12 Friday, May 1, 2020 The Last Word Qatar Foundation website secures top international accolade

sign and user experience, The interactive and innovative website named QF’s website demonstrates Of cial Honouree at 24th Annual Webby Awards how the organisation’s work directly benefits people in TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Sciences, which nominates Qatar and beyond, and en- DOHA and selects winners and is courages participation in comprised of internet industry its events and activities. It QATAR Foundation’s (QF) experts including Instagram uses state-of-the-art design website has claimed a pres- co-founder Kevin Systrom and concepts, videography and tigious online accolade as it Mitchell Baker, chairwoman animation, and a human-fo- has been named an Official and CEO of Mozilla. Less than cused storytelling approach Honouree in the 24th Annual 15 percent of entries to the that mirror QF’s commit- Webby Awards that honour awards are named Official ment to innovation, interac- excellence on the internet. Honorees. tion, fostering dialogue and The achievement means “This accolade is testa- journey that showcases QF’s has been recognised at the building human capacity. www.qf.org.qa is ranked ment to the creativity, imagi- efforts, achievements, people, highest level of the global in- “Honourees like Qatar among the best websites in the nation and knowledge of what and message to the world, ternet industry, reflecting the Foundation are setting the world for the user experience audiences want from their and sparks engagement with tremendous work that has standard for innovation and it offers, having competed digital experience that has our organisation. When users gone into creating a website creativity on the internet,” against the sites of renowned been central to the evolution The achievement means www.qf.org.qa is ranked among the best enter www.qf.org.qa, they can that encourages visitors to said Claire Graves, executive global brands such as Apple of Qatar Foundation’s website, websites in the world for the user experience it offers, having competed feel they are truly stepping in- explore, discover and engage director of the Webby Awards. and BMW. the new look for which was un- against the sites of renowned global brands such as Apple and BMW. side QF, finding both informa- with QF, and to feel they are “It is an incredible achieve- The Webby Awards are veiled in March 2019,” said Ali tion and inspiration. truly part of our mission and ment to be selected among the presented by the International Sikandar, manager of Digital “Our focus has been – and a truly immersive, experien- “We are delighted and our story.” best from the 13,000 entries Academy of Digital Arts and and Social Media, QF. continues to be – on providing tial and user-friendly digital honoured that this approach Through its content, de- we received this year.” Researchers at QF’s partner Tanzania embassy receives university Tamuq join forces food consignment from QC to deal with COVID-19 crisis TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK QC has initiated the process of opening a branch in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania DOHA

CATHERINE W GICHUKI CODE design and modelling to DOHA improve testing, 3D printing of medical parts and devices, THE embassy of Tanzania and strategies to prevent the has received a consignment of spread of coronavirus are just food items from Qatar Char- a few of the projects that fac- ity (QC) to support Tanzanian ulty and researchers at Texas community members to meet A&M University at Qatar (Ta- their daily food needs as coro- muq), a Qatar Foundation navirus (COVID-19) pandemic (QF) partner university, are continues. investigating during the global The food packages, which pandemic. consist of rice, flour, pasta, A committee comprising cooking oil, sugar, salt, beans members from Texas A&M’s concentrated milk, will feed campuses in Education City about 200 households in the and in College Station, Texas community. (the US), selected the following The projects include code design and modelling to improve testing, The donation was received projects for funding: 3D printing of medical parts and devices, and forming strategies to by the Tanzanian Ambassador  Code Design and Model- prevent the spread of the coronavirus. to Qatar HE Fatma Moham- ling to Improve Testing — Dr med Rajab, who said the items Joseph Boutros and Dr Hus- in Texas. We are also working will be distributed to those in sein Alnuweiri, Electrical and with our partners in QF, Ham- need promptly. Computer Engineering ad Medical Corporation, and Leaders of the community The donation was received by the Tanzanian Ambassador to Qatar HE Fatma Mohammed Rajab, who said  Establishing Aerosol Vi- the Ministry of Public Health, were also present at the event. the items would be promptly distributed to those in need. rus Monitoring Capability in on different projects aimed at “The embassy is working Qatar for Mitigation of COV- combating the virus.” closely with the community educate the workers and ask ID-19 and Future Epidemics — Dr César Octavio Malavé, leaders to identity those in them to adhere to the rules Dr Bing Guo, dean of Tamuq, said the re- need of food at this particular and regulations that the gov-  3D Printing of Criti- sponse from faculty to the call time of the COVID-19 pan- ernment of Qatar in order to cal Need Medical Parts and for proposals and the breadth demic,” the envoy said. protect themselves and others Devices — Dr Bilal Mansoor tion and linguistic diversity in of projects submitted showcase Thanking Qatar Charity from COVID-19. and Dr Marwan Khraisheh, Qatar amidst the COVID-19 the depth of Tamuq’s expertise on behalf of the community, “We also provide leaflets in Mechanical Engineering pandemic — Dr Sara Hillman, and the innovation and creativ- the ambassador said, “I would our national language. There  Investigation of the fea- Liberal Arts ity of its faculty researchers. like to express my gratitude are approximately 3,000 Tan- sibility of large-scale sterilisa- The projects are part of “Faculty members at Ta- to Qatar Charity for its efforts zanian expatriates living and tion of medical, industrial and Tamuq’s COVID-19 Response muq are known for more than in providing food during this working in Qatar,” she said. food using electron beam tech- Programme that is funding just educating outstanding time of crisis. As the ambassa- The ambassador also com- nologies — Dr Othmane Bou- short-term, high-impact pro- engineers,” Malvé said. “Our dor of Tanzania, I am greatly mended Qatar for the way it hali, Science (physics) jects that support Qatar’s ef- faculty are renowned experts honoured to receive this sup- has been fighting the COV-  Tailored prevention of forts to combat the outbreak in their fields and known for port for my community.” ID-19 pandemic. coronavirus — Dr Konstanti- of the virus, said Dr Hassan S innovating solutions to real- According to her, Qatar “We highly commend the nos Kakosimos, Chemical En- Bazzi, associate dean for re- world challenges in Qatar and Charity has also initiated the government of Qatar for its gineering search and advancement. worldwide. The way our fac- process of opening its branch vide the food support through She reiterated that the continued efforts in ensur-  Investigation of the im- “The work to combat COV- ulty have risen to the occasion in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, its official link, https://www. workers have been communi- ing the health and safety of its pact of the COVID-19 pandem- ID-19 is an international en- to serve the State of Qatar by which will help strengthen the qcharity.org/en/qa/tafree- cating with the embassy and citizens and all nationalities in ic on the control of the process deavour that universities and lending their expertise in new country’s relationship with jkorba/helprequest which asking for help as they are not the country,” she said. safety risk in major hazards institutions around the world and creative ways — while con- Qatar Charity as well as the has been circulated to various able to go out because most Embassies such as Nigeria, industries in Qatar: Data col- are working to address, includ- tinuing to teach classes and government of Qatar. communities. of them live in the Industrial Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda lection, analysis and recom- ing our main campus,” Bazzi support our students online — Besides the food items The ambassador said there Area. have received the food rations mendations — Dr Luc Véchot, said. “We are all in this togeth- makes me proud to be a part of through the embassy, Qatar are many workers in need of Rajab said, as an embassy, from Qatar Charity for their Chemical Engineering er and any progress will benefit this community. We truly are Charity has continued to pro- support at this difficult time. they are trying their best to communities.  Public health informa- our communities in Qatar and engineering leaders in Qatar.”

EXPAT FAMILIES REVOLUTIONISE HOME GARDENING IN DESERT LAND

OME gardens are not ing got a big boost when my rare in Doha and many husband’s relative Zuhra and expatriates as well as na- family moved to the outhouse tionals are growing won- of our villa. Zuhra had long derfulH home gardens in their experience in gardening in the premises. But the home garden desert. Her full-time involve- of expatriate entrepreneur Dr ment has changed our home Abdurahiman Karnchola has garden in to an amazing vis- several unique features as it ual treat with ripened grapes, includes a number of special oranges, promegrenates and plants and vegetables. others.” Come to the villa of Dr Zuhra’s husband, Abdul Abdurahiman in Duhail area Majeed, and their son Shahir, and you’ll be surprised to see a also started supporting the number of ripened vegetables, Dr Abdurahiman and family in the home garden. Grapes grown in the home garden. Dr HAMZA’s wife with a mini carrot An orange tree in the garden. gardening project and they had fruits and plants. Apart from from their garden. hundreds of kilogrammes of the traditional plants that are ing, watering, manuring and ing is very easy in the desert. A most five years we have etc. The amazing growth of vegetables from their garden. usually seen in home gardens, protecting the plants. Earlier, wide range of plants and veg- been growing grapes, oranges Shareena’s interest in gar- these plants encouraged her Zuhra, an artist, enjoys not this garden grows grapes, or- my role was to buy her crops, etables grow in plenty if we take and pomegranate here.” dening goes back to her child- to experiment with various only gardening but also mak- anges, pomegranates, coconut, enjoy the beauty of the garden care of a few things. We need Shareena Rahman, the hood days when she used to other species of vegetables and ing designs with the harvest. banana, mulberry, papaya and and consume its fruits. But to buy some good soil and wa- architect the caretaker of the help her father in his vegetable leaves. She brought plants and Moved by the initiative of mango. now due to COVID-19, as I am ter it properly. “Fertiliser can garden feels that if people are farming. But when she came to seeds from India and other Dr Abdurahiman and fam- “We have more than 100 spending more time at home be made from the food waste. ready to spare a few minutes Doha 14 years ago, she had no places and added the number ily, their neighbour and family species of vegetables, leaves I could involve more in taking There are certain vegetables we every day they can convert the idea how to continue her hob- of items in her home garden. friend Dr Hamza and his family and fruits in our garden,” said care of this wonderful hobby. can grow in specific seasons. dry barren sandy areas into by in the Arabian desert. “We are using all our kitch- also started home gardening. A Abdurrahman. “Taking care Now I m communicating with “When I bought an orange beautiful home gardens. “A While visiting a friend in en waste for our garden and number of vegetables, includ- of garden not only gives joy, it every plant of my garden and plant and a grapevine from number of vegetables, leaves Doha she was attracted by her getting rich harvest without ing tomatoes, beans, carrots, also gives a cooling effect to the rejuvenating my mind and the Omani Souq in Doha, I and fruits can be grown inside home garden and sought her adding any artificial or chemi- chilies are being grown in the whole house.” body with fresh energies of na- never thought it would grow and outside home. If we have advice in making it in her villa. cal manure. We rarely buy home garden of Dr Hamza. “In fact, gardening is the ture,” said Abdulrahiman. like this. The Chinese orange space concerns, even the ter- Moved by her advice, Shareena vegetables from outside,” said hobby of my wife Shareena. He added, “Contrary to and Italian grape give us good race can be used for growing started growing a few plants in Shareena (By Dr Amanulla She used to spend time plant- popular belief, home garden- harvest in every season. For al- several crops.” plastic bags and wastebaskets, She added, “My garden- Vadakkangara)