Wednesday May 26, 2021 Shawwal 14, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5268 QR 2

Fajr: 3:18 am Dhuhr: 11:31 am fine Asr: 2:56 pm Maghrib: 6:19 pm High : 38°C LOW : 32 °C Isha: 7:49 pm

World 5 Business 8 Sports 12 US pledges aid to Qatari stocks resume upward trend Barshim and Stefanidi to soar rebuild Gaza as major GCC markets gain in Florence in June

Amir sends message to Egyptian president

QNA good health and happiness to him, Cairo and for the Egyptian people con- tinued progress and prosperity. His Highness the Amir of State of For his part, Egyptian presi- Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad dent entrusted the FM with his Al Thani has sent a written mes- greetings to HH the Amir, wish- sage to President of the Arab Re- ing His Highness good health and public of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al happiness, and the Qatari people Sisi. The message pertains to bi- further progress and growth. The lateral relations and the means to meeting reviewed bilateral rela- enhance them. tions, in addition to developments The message was delivered by in Palestine and the region. Deputy Prime Minister and Min- The FM expressed appreciation ister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh for the pivotal role played by Egypt Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al in protecting the Arab national Thani during a meeting with the security and defending the Arab Egyptian president in Cairo on world’s causes, as well as its efforts Tuesday. in establishing security, stability, At the outset of the meeting, and development in the region. the FM conveyed the greetings of HH the Amir to the Egyptian pres- FM, Egyptian counterpart review ident, and His Highness’ wishes of bilateral ties page 16 

Over 1 mn fully vaccinated Qatar supports global efforts against COVID-19: MoPH

Tribune News Network getting vaccinated when it is to combat COVID-19: Minister Doha your turn,” the MoPH added. SC, QM sign The National COVID-19 More than one Vaccination MoU to support Qatar funded dozens of countries in fight against the pandemic: Dr Al Kuwari million people Programme is in Qatar are being delivered delivery of QNA health coverage, has put in place strong now fully vac- at more than 35 Qatar 2022 Doha emergency preparedness and resilient cinated against vaccination cen- plans, and responded to this challenge COVID-19, the tres across the The Supreme Committee for Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan with determination and commitment. De- Ministry of Public country, including Delivery & Legacy (SC) and Mohammad Al Kuwari has underlined spite facing very intense epidemic waves, Health (MoPH) Primary Health Qatar Museums (QM) have that Qatar, under the wise leadership of we have been able to keep death rate to said on Tuesday. Care Corporation’s signed a Memorandum of His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar lowest levels,” Dr Al Kuwari stated. As of May 25, 27 health centres, Understanding (MoU) in an Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has “Our National COVID-19 vaccination 1,004,136 peo- vaccination cen- effort to enhance the FIFA supported the efforts of countries and or- program which prioritized elderlies and ple have taken tres at Qatar Na- World Cup tournament expe- ganisations in combating the coronavirus other high-risk groups of population is both the doses tional Convention rience in 2022. The MoU will (COVID-19) pandemic. She said Qatar has ● Qatar has allocated $20 million to proceeding at an accelerated pace, and well of a COVID-19 Center and in the see the SC and QM form a funded dozens of countries in their fight the Global Alliance for Vaccines over 50% of Qatar’s adult population have vaccine in Qatar. Industrial Area, joint working group to sup- against the pandemic. received at least one dose of COVID-19 vac- “Play your and two drive- port the delivery of various Addressing the 74th Session of the and Immunization (GAVI) cine,” she added. part in enabling through centres, programmes, including exhi- World Health Assembly, Dr Al Kuwari ● Qatar signed a $10 million core “As new variants continue to emerge, life to return to normal by in Lusail and Al Wakra. bitions, digital collaborations, said Qatar has allocated $20 million to the contribution agreement with WHO vaccine and treatment developments as conferences and workshops. Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immuni- well scientific collaborations are essential. The groups mandate will be zation (GAVI). Recently Qatar signed a $10 to support WHO’s Thirteenth Throughout the course of the pandemic our to help shape the overall million core contribution agreement with General Programme of Work and response, our decisions and choices have tournament experience in WHO to support its Thirteenth General the initiative of accelerating the been guided by the science. On the basis of the lead-up to the FIFA World Program of Work (GPW13) and the initia- access to COVID-19 tools in the assessment of our doctors and scien- Cup Qatar 2022 and during tive of accelerating the access to COVID-19 countries most in need tists, in a number of cases we have applied the event. page 3 tools in countries most in need. innovative decisions in the control of the 120,000 key workers Dr Al Kuwari said that the pandemic epidemic in anticipation of international has clearly demonstrated that health secu- “Since the onset of the pandemic, we real- practices and protocols such as the duration rity is a joint responsibility, and is essential ized the need for adopting a cross-gov- of isolation for the affected cases, the time- vaccinated ahead of Work under way on South to achieving the goals of sustainable devel- ernment holistic approach, implementing based criteria for the release from isolation opment. robust national governance, depending and the use of the viral load to guide the Duhail, Umm Lekhba She noted that Qatar has developed on science and facts, and engaging the management of cases,” she stressed. lifting of COVID curbs road, infra project (PG 2 ) a comprehensive strategy to protect its general public. Our high-quality health- QNA nate them. population from the risk of the COVID-19. care system, which is based on universal Continued on page 2  Doha He added that they have provided support through the The Ministry of Public Health unit to the process of receiv- has announced that more ing vaccination by the working than 120,000 workers have group in all business sectors, received the COVID-19 vac- especially groups that mix di- Al Wakra, Ras Laffan hosps discharge last COVID patients cination in preparation to lift rectly with community mem- Tribune News Network fan and Al Wakra Hospitals of care to thousands of COV- the first phase of restrictions bers such as barbers, hair- Doha were designated as two of the ID-19 patients,” she added. related to the pandemic. dressers, restaurants, stores, seven COVID-19 facilities,” Dr During the visit, the min- During previous weeks, catering stores, hotels and Minister of Public Health Al Kuwari said. ister met with the senior lead- the National COVID-19 Vacci- hospitality services. HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al “With the number of new ership team at Al Wakra and nation Programme focused on Dr Abdulnoor noted that Kuwari on Tuesday visited Al COVID-19 cases falling con- Ras Laffan Hospitals and pre- giving priority to members of the teams of the COVID-19 Wakra Hospital as the facility, sistently in recent weeks, few- sented a plaque of apprecia- the basic working groups, re- vaccination appointment unit along with Ras Laffan Hospi- er people now require hospital tion to formally recognise the gardless of age, and support- work directly with the busi- tal, discharged their last COV- admission for their COVID-19 outstanding work of staff. She ing the process of booking ap- ness sectors to organise the ID-19 patients. symptoms. Discharging the also met with two recovered pointments, as a unit has been process of obtaining vaccina- In recent months, Al last COVID-19 patients from COVID-19 patients who had allocated to organise vaccina- tion appointments and ensure Wakra and Ras Laffan Hospi- Ras Laffan and Al Wakra been admitted to the hospital tion appointments. that employees receive the tals have been designated as Hospitals and recommenc- and successfully treated for Senior Consultant Emer- vaccines as soon as possible. COVID-19 facilities to help the ing normal services highlights their symptoms. gency Medicine at HMC and Vaccinations are easily ser- healthcare sector meet the in- how the combined efforts of HMC’s Chief Medical Of- lead of the COVID-19 vacci- viced, as tens of thousands of creasing demand for hospital the government restrictions, ficer Dr Abdulla Al Ansari said, nation appointment unit Dr workers have received vacci- admissions during the second roll-out of the vaccination pro- “Converting Al Wakra Hospi- Khalid Abdulnoor said that nations so far, he added. wave of the virus. Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari meets a gramme and the community’s tal to a COVID-19 facility was the ministry recently an- He emphasised that the During her visit to Al recovered COVID-19 patient at Al Wakra Hospital on Tuesday. adherence to preventive meas- a difficult but important deci- nounced its four stage plan business sectors, not individu- Wakra Hospital, Dr Al Kuwari ures have helped to tame the sion that needed to be taken for the gradual lifting of re- als, are the only groups that highlighted the important role earlier this year, the number To ensure the healthcare second wave. Congratulations to ensure our community was strictions, noting that in sup- can communicate with the that these two hospitals have of people requiring hospital sector was able to meet this to all the dedicated staff at Ras better cared for, at a time of port the safe implementation appointment planning unit played throughout the second admissions due to moderate demand, and provide high- Laffan and Al Wakra Hospitals uncertainty.” of the plan, it was important directly to book appointments wave of the virus. and severe COVID-19 symp- quality care to every patient who have worked tirelessly to to protect the working group for the vaccination of its em- “As COVID-19 cases rose toms increased significantly. requiring treatment, Ras Laf- deliver the very best standard Continued on page 2  on the front lines and vacci- ployees via email. 02 Wednesday, May 26, 2021

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Quick read ATTIYAH MEETS US COMMANDER OF CENTRAL COMMAND NAVAL FORCES Labour minister, Jordanian minister Amir sends condolences to Saudi king The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy discuss relations Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia Minister of Administrative Development, La- on the death of HRH Princess Al Jawhara bint Mohammed bin bour and Social Affairs HE Yousef bin Moham- Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. (QNA) med Al Othman Fakhroo met with Minister of Social Development of Jordan Ayman Riad Al Amir congratulates king of Jordan Mufleh and his accompanying delegation. The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on On the sidelines of the meeting, a memo- Tuesday sent a cable of congratulations to King Abdullah II bin randum of understanding (MoU) was signed to Al Hussein of Jordan on his country’s Independence Day. (QNA) enhance cooperation between the two sides in the fields of family affairs and social develop- Amir congratulates president of Argentina ment. The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on The memorandum of understanding includ- Tuesday sent a cable of congratulations to President of Argen- ed the exchange of experiences, information, tina Alberto Fernandez on his country’s national day. (QNA) studies and legislation in the fields of social af- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah met with Com- fairs. Deputy Amir sends condolences to Saudi king mander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command Vice-Admiral Brad Cooper and his accompanying delega- The cooperation comes in the context of fol- The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al tion in Doha on Tuesday. The meeting dealt with issues of mutual interest. The meeting was attended by a number of lowing up the implementation of joint projects Thani has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the high-ranking officers at the Qatari Armed Forces. (QNA) between the two countries and the means of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi strengthening them. (QNA) Arabia on the death of HRH Princess Al Jawhara bint Moham- med bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. (QNA) Deputy Amir congratulates king of Jordan The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday sent a cable of congratulations to HM King QC’s ‘Help Palestine’ campaign receives Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan on his country’s Independ- ence Day. (QNA) Deputy Amir congratulates president of Argentina strong response from businesses, retailers The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday sent a cable of congratulations to President of Tribune News Network Argentine Alberto Fernandez on his country’s national day. (QNA) Dkan Online, Flavors Café, Bye Shop, Doha Al Aseel for Oud, The Wellness Lab Qa- tar, FLAVORS CAFÉ, and Arsan Café, as PM sends condolences to Saudi king The ‘Help Palestine’ campaign launched well as ‘Al Hazm’ management, who dis- Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin by Qatar Charity (QC) to assist affected played the slogan ‘Help Palestine’ on ‘Al Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent a cable of condolences to the and displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Hazm’ screens. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Strip has received a massive response Qatar Charity hopes to focus on pro- Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the death of HRH Princess Al Jawhara from businesses, shops, small and medi- viding immediate food and health aid, bint Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. (QNA) um-sized enterprises, restaurants, cafes, distributing personal hygiene kits in light and others who donated a portion of their of the ongoing coronavirus, and rehabili- PM congratulates Jordanian counterpart sales profits or provided advertising ser- tating and equipping health centers and Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid vices for the campaign. hospitals to accommodate the greatest bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on Tuesday sent a cable of Qatar Charity thanked the companies Cajun Restaurant, Charger Café, Gran- Moment, Exit Coffee, Sugar & Spice, number of patients and injured as part of congratulations to Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of and shops that contributed to the drive dex Supermarket, HATTRICK, Social MSK, Athath Gate, Diner Cone, Flat the relief effort. Jordan Dr Bisher Hani Al Khasawneh on his country’s Inde- and urged others to join in order to help House Café, Sandwich Box, Frame Café, White, Anb Leaves, Pida Beauty, Cup- Donations can be made through Qa- pendence Day. (QNA) the greatest number of Palestinians af- Quick, The Avenue Doha, Spar Hyper- cake Queen, 83 Café, The Black Cup, tar Charity’s website, app, branches, and fected and displaced. market, 40 Square Meter Café, Damage Saj Boutique, Lulu’s bakery, Gohome, collection points throughout the country, PM congratulates president of Argentina Those who supported the drive in- Café, Essential Fashion, Sergio Barone, Classic Specialty, Anecdote Perfume, as well as by dialing 44667711. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin clude Karak-Marmi, Unlimited Coffee, QSS Trading- Al Khor, Nologystore, Sushinaa, Story Café, Shop, Sewar Jew- Donations can also be made by tex- Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on Tuesday sent a cable of con- Upside Down Café, EVE & Co, HORATII Kofta and Tarb, Pizzeria Napoli, Le’Gout, elry, Seklet Bicycle Shop, Myriad Beauty, ting a message. Please send an SMS with gratulations to President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez on his Tiramisu Lounge, Earth Organic Café, Waad Abayas, Otantik Trading, Top Per- and SPREAD are among others Al Aker the Palestinian flag symbol to 92632, country’s national day. (QNA) Moonlight Concept, Cup Of Joy Café, formance, Quick Burger, Black Darbar, sweets-Salwa, Baker St Café, DOHTNA 92642, and 92023 to donate QAR 50, T-Station, Marcheese Restaurant, Paws, and Seven Degree. car wash, Qiyorro, Pivoine, ALTHAIA, QAR 100, and QAR 250, respectively. Thousands of patients receive care at ‘Health systems must not be Ras Laffan and Al Wakra hospitals weakened or compromised’ Continued from page 1  for the remarkable achievement sectors overall response to COV- we look forward to returning to Continued from page 1  systems must not be weakened to prevent the next pandemic of returning Al Wakra Hospital ID-19. By boosting bed capacity normal service provision and or compromised. and manage it better than we He added, “Thousands of pa- to normal services in the short- across our system and delivering delivering high-quality medi- “Our scientists have contrib- She called on the WHO have done this time. tients have been cared for at est time possible, to care for the high-quality care without delay cal services to people living in uted extensively to a better and the international com- “Thus, Qatar welcomes Ras Laffan and Al Wakra Hos- community,” he added. to any patient in need of medical Al Wakra and the surrounding understanding of the pan- munity to support the health the decisions and recommen- pitals since their designation as Clinical Lead for Ras Laffan care, we have been able to have areas. demic at the international emergency in Palestine so that dations of the Independent COVID-19 facilities in this sec- Hospital Dr Khaled Al Jalham one of the lowest COVID-19 “Every week, our skilled and level. Thanks to our extensive Palestinians can receive the Panel for Pandemic Prepared- ond wave. The entire process of said, “Ras Laffan Hospital has mortality rates in the world. I am devoted teams provide care to database of electronic medical needed health services, and to ness and Response and looks transforming both these hospi- been one of the dedicated COV- enormously proud of the team at tens of thousands of patients records, several scientific re- provide them with the neces- forward to the process of fi- tals into COVID-19 facilities has ID-19 facilities in both the first Ras Laffan.” through a wide range of health- searches have been carried out sary aids and supplies. nalising its review, especially been delivered through the hard and second waves of the virus With the last COVID-19 pa- care services including outpa- and published in prestigious Dr Kuwari said, “COV- defining the roles and respon- work and commitment of hun- in Qatar. Since the start of the tients now discharged from Al tient, emergency, labor and international journals rang- ID-19 pandemic has posed sibilities of the different stake- dreds of healthcare staff includ- pandemic our healthcare teams Wakra Hospital, the facility will delivery, pediatrics, dentistry, ing, for example, from the ef- unprecedented challenge to holders to ensure that the nec- ing doctors, nurses, and a wide at Ras Laffan have cared for recommence normal services, as burns, dermatology, and spe- ficiency of the vaccine against countries worldwide. We all essary changes and measures range of support staff.” more than 8,000 patients with Acting CEO and Medical Direc- cialized and general surgery. As variants to the duration of have confronted the pandemic highlighted are implemented. “I would like to thank eve- COVID-19. tor of Al Wakra Hospital Dr Sa- of tomorrow, Wednesday (May the immunity,” the minister with commitment, making Together we have fought the ryone who has played their part “Each and every member bah Al Kadhi explained: “With 26), all services, including the added. choices, and learning along the pandemic, we will get out of it in caring for COVID-19 patients of staff has made an important Al Wakra Hospitals role as a Emergency Department, are She asserted that during way. It is our global responsi- and ensure preventing future throughout this pandemic and contribution to the healthcare COVID-19 facility now at an end, open as normal to patients.” these difficult times, health bilities to do everything we can crises.” Work under way on QR422 mn Duhail and Umm Lekhba roads, infrastructure project Tribune News Network provide connectivity with pub- well-developed roads and rais- drainage network, 5.2 kilome- executed successively to mini- Doha lic utilities in the area. ing the level of traffic safety on tres of the foul sewer network mise the adverse impacts of The project is located in them to cope with the popula- and approximately 1.4 kilome- construction works on the area The Public Works Authority South Duhail and Umm Le- tion growth in the area.” tres of the project’s overall TSE as much as possible, and to re- (Ashghal) has announced that khba areas to the east of Al The scope of works includes network have been successfully duce any inconvenience to lo- construction works on QR422 Shamal Road and west of Arab the construction of a new road completed. cal residents. All project works million Roads and Infrastruc- League Street. It is bordered by network, with a total length of “The works to be carried are planned to be completed in ture Project in South Duhail Al-Duhail Street to the north 21 kilometres, in addition to 44 out in the upcoming period Q1 of 2024. and Umm Lekhba (Package 1) and Al-Khafji Street to the kilometres of pedestrian foot- will focus on completing the The Authority plans to are currently under way. south. paths. Works also involve up- road works and the upgrading rely on local materials and This package, which started Engineer Rashed Al Zeyara, grading street lighting systems, of streets and the completion manufacturers in most of the in the first quarter of 2020, is project engineer in Ashghal’s installing 1,457 lighting poles, of the first phase works, which project’s works, with the local part of Ashghal’s plan to de- Roads Projects Department’s providing 2,600 dedicated cars are mainly paving works, land- component comprising 70 per- velop roads and infrastructure Doha City Section, said: “Upon parking slots and carrying out scaping and beautification on cent of the total materials used. to serve citizens’ subdivisions completion, this package will landscaping and beautification the main streets,” he added. The project is currently be- and plots in different areas na- serve 862 residential plots. It works. long foul sewer network and addition to other infrastructure The project works are di- ing implemented by Petroserv tionwide. It will provide full in- aims to provide wide improve- The project also features 20-kilometre-long stormwa- services. vided into five phases, in order Ltd. and Roadbridge Company frastructure for this area, with ments in South Duhail and infrastructure services devel- ter, groundwater and surface Speaking about the work to facilitate implementation. JV, under the supervision of well-developed services and Umm Lekhba by rehabilitating opment in the area. water drainage network as well progress, Eng Zeyara pointed Each phase covers a geographi- Gulf Engineering and Indus- internal streets network in or- the existing local and internal Upon completion of all as a 12.8-kilometre-long TSE out that 5.6 kilometres of the cal area within the project trial Consultancy, at a total cost der to improve traffic flow and roads and turning them into works, a 20.2-kilometre- network will be constructed, in stormwater and groundwater boundaries. Works are being of QR422 million. Nation Wednesday, May 26, 2021 03 QRCS, IFRC leaders discuss Gaza crisis, humanitarian cooperation

Tribune News Network it is not just the office of a National Society; it where,” he said. Doha was our office, because we are one body. I felt Both sides agreed to have mutual visits really sad for hearing that.” to Doha and Geneva, respectively, in order to President of Qatar Red Crescent Soci- He added, “I also want to use this occa- strengthen relations and upscale the ongoing ety (QRCS) Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer Al sion to reiterate my gratitude. Since many coordination on humanitarian issues with Thani held a Zoom meeting with President years, QRCS has been very close to Palestine IFRC’s MENA, Africa and other regional of- of the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Society (PRCS). They do a great fices. and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Francesco work and I know you support them a lot. I As agreed upon, Rocca will be updated Rocca and his assistant Emily Frank to dis- would like to thank you for giving interna- about the action plan of QRCS’s Fair Access cuss destruction of Gaza and collaboration tional support, not only in Palestine but also to COVID-19 Vaccination initiative, which efforts. in many countries of the world. is set to begin very soon. Another point of Other participants at the meeting in- “There also is your recent stand for concern was to address the negative socio- cluded Secretary-General of QRCS Ali bin providing vaccines for the vulnerable eve- economic impact of COVID-19, which, if not Hassan Al Hammadi, Head of International rywhere, under the patronage of the Amir eradicated, will affect the whole world. Relations and International Humanitarian Francesco Rocca, President of the International His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al On his part, Hammadi revealed prepara- Law Dr Fawzi Oussedik and Head of Interna- Federation of Red Cross Thani.” tions for deploying more aid shipments to tional Development Naglaa Al Hajj. Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer Al Thani ap- the people of Palestine. The meeting discussed the latest devel- unfortunately once again, the tragedy that preciated the position taken by IFRC regard- He looked forward to closer understand- opments in the global humanitarian arena, happened in Gaza,” said Rocca. “The violence ing the bombing of QRCS’s office in Gaza. ing with IFRC, as well as the Italian Red focusing particularly on the large-scale de- affected not only the most vulnerable people “We are committed to the fundamental Cross, which is chaired by Rocca. struction of Gaza. of Gaza, but this time also our premises. principles and will continue to do our hu- This, he asserted, builds on the good rela- “My heart was broken when I watched, When there is an office of a National Society, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer Al Thani manitarian job in Gaza, Al-Quds and every- tions between Qatar and Italy. Ministry recalls Dodge Ram 2020 model Qatar University female students Tribune News Network on vehicle defects and repairs. hold ‘Qataf’ awareness campaign Doha The Ministry said that it will work with the dealer to The Ministry of Commerce monitor the maintenance and Tribune News Network bachelor’s student, majoring in professional life. Islamic Studies and Industry, in collaboration repair work, as well as com- Doha doctrine and advocacy, who was at QU provides its students with with United Cars Almana, a municate with customers to responsible for publishing in a solid foundation in building a Dodge dealer in Qatar, has ensure that the necessary re- A group of female students at Twitter and compiling scholars’ successful career. Despite the announced the recall of the pairs were completed. Qatar University (QU) recently statements; Al-Anoud Andilah, efforts exerted by faculty mem- Dodge Ram model of 2020 The Ministry urged all organised a campaign titled a bachelor’s degree student, ma- bers, it is difficult to transfer full due to the possibility of the customers to report any ‘With Our Values We Learn’, joring in advocacy and media, work experience through the side view mirror glass falling violations to its Consumer which is also known as the who designed publication of the classroom only. Field experi- and the clip connecting the Protection and Anti-Com- ‘Qataf’ campaign. Qataf project; Afra Muhammad ence and practical experience master cylinder push rod to mercial Fraud Department, A field project was prepared Al-Mutawa, a bachelor’s student can be obtained only by spend- the brake pedal being miss- which processes complaints, as part of the campaign by fe- majoring in Islamic Studies, re- ing time for the purpose.” ing. inquires and suggestions male students from the Depart- sponsible for the weekly report The participants of the field The recall campaign is through the following chan- ment of Faith and Advocacy, un- of the Qataf team; and Sheikha work said they sought to im- part of the Ministry of Com- nels: Call center: 16001 der the supervision of Dr Fatima Dr Fatima Al-Zahraa, faculty member at the College of Sharia and Rashid Al-Maqareh, specialis- prove the image of science and merce and Industry’s ongoing Email: [email protected] Al-Zahraa, a faculty member at Islamic Studies ing in advocacy and media, who education in the Arab commu- efforts to protect consumers Social media accounts: the College of Sharia and Islam- prepared interviews and was nity by reaching 10,000 stu- and ensure dealers follow up Twitter: @MOCIQATAR ic Studies at QU. problems faced by students. lamic studies and two branches responsible for spreading mes- dents during the year 2021. This The campaign focused on The team participating in of media as content officer in the sages on Twitter. will be achieved through differ- the link between science and its the project included: Salma Qataf team; Rashida Hafez, a Dr Fatima Al-Zahra, said, ent communication platforms, value system. The campaign fo- Hassan, a bachelor’s student bachelor’s student, major in Is- “The College of Sharia and Is- and by linking science with cused on the educational goals specialising in advocacy and lamic Studies, who was respon- lamic Studies seeks to provide original values and clarifying the MoCI recalls Audi A8, and how it can be achieved. It media as team leader and design sible for posting on Twitter and high-quality education in all relationship between values and opened doors for discussion and officer;R azan Ashraf Al-Faqih, compiling verses and hadiths fields by teaching some of the science through the initiative, S8 2019-2020 models finding proper solutions to the a BA student majoring in Is- on the topic; Hanan Lamy, a basic skills a student needs in his they said.

Tribune News Network The Ministry said that it Doha will work with the dealer to monitor the maintenance and talabat announces initiative to support humanitarian needs in Palestine The Ministry of Commerce repair work, as well as com- and Industry, in collaboration municate with customers to Tribune News Network app across all talabat’s markets, people and as an organisation, bat Qatar Francisco Miguel de with Q-Auto, an Audi dealer in ensure that the necessary re- Doha will contribute towards human- to stand for humanity and lend Sousa said, “talabat Qatar has Qatar, has announced the re- pairs were completed. itarian relief efforts in Palestine. a helping hand to the Palestin- partnered with Qatar Charity to call of Audi A8, and S8 models The Ministry urged all cus- talabat, the region’s lead- In addition, through its em- ians in need of humanitarian offer urgent humanitarian as- from 2019 to 2020 due to cor- tomers to report any violations ing food and grocery delivery ployee giving back programme, support. sistance to the Palestinians. We rosion on the connector hous- to its Consumer Protection app, on Tuesday announced an talabat employees can choose “With support from our encourage our customers and ing of the engine control unit, and Anti-Commercial Fraud initiative, in collaboration with to voluntarily give up a portion long-standing regional partner, employees to contribute to this which will result in the Engine Department, which processes Qatar Charity, to raise aware- of their salaries, topped up by the World Food Programme fundraising campaign, which Warning Indication Lamp be- complaints, inquires and sug- ness and funds for humanitar- talabat. and local partner Qatar Charity, would provide food and health ing illuminated. gestions through the following ian needs in Palestine. Customers can also par- we are raising awareness and aid to those in need and help al- The recall campaign is part channels: On Thursday, May 27, the ticipate by donating directly together with our community leviate their suffering.” of the Ministry’s ongoing ef- Call center: 16001 organisation will use its plat- through the talabat app on any ficer Tomaso Rodriguez said, we are enabling financial sup- The talabat app can be forts to protect consumers and Email: [email protected] form as a vehicle for support date by searching for Qatar “The world has been witnessing port towards humanitarian re- downloaded from the App ensure dealers follow up on Social media accounts: to Palestine. Through its ini- Charity. the current humanitarian crisis lief efforts for Palestine.” Store, Google Play or from the vehicle defects and repairs. Twitter: @MOCIQATAR tiative, every order placed on its talabat Chief Executive Of- and we believe it is our duty, as Managing Director of tala- Huawei App Gallery. SC and QM sign MoU to support QNCECS secretary-general delivery of FIFA WC Qatar 2022 participates in UNESCO

The organisations will collborate on a variety of projects in the run-up to FIFA World Cup National Committees meet QNA the needs of children, women Tribune News Network Ahmad Musa Al-Namla, Doha The Education Above All and youth affected by poverty, Doha CEO of QM, said: “Our part- Foundation was highlighted conflict and disasters and ena- nership with the SC reiterates Secretary-General of as a global foundation bling them to become active The Supreme Committee our commitment to ensuring Qatar National Commission for founded in 2012 by HH members of their societies. for Delivery and Legacy (SC) our exhibitions and cultural Education, Culture and Science She said the foundation and Qatar Museums (QM) treasures reach as wide an (QNCECS) Dr Hamda Al Sulaiti Sheikha Moza bint Nasser is concerned with providing have signed a Memorandum audience as possible. We are participated in the meeting of to contribute to human, quality education to the most of Understanding (MoU) in delighted to partner with the the National Committees of UN- social, and economic devel- marginalised groups, as it con- an effort to enhance the FIFA SC and look forward to wel- ESCO on Africa’s priority and opment through quality sidered that partnership and World Cup tournament expe- coming international fans and the Africa Week preparations. education cooperation are the only way rience in 2022. extending an enriching and At the beginning of the to mobilise more interest, com- The MoU will see the SC memorable cultural experi- meeting, Chief of Section for mitment and investment from and QM forming a joint work- ence for Qatar 2022.” Relations with Member States, descendant Culture on January governments, the private sector, ing group to support the de- Areas of mutual collabo- Sector for Priority Africa and 24. institutions and individuals. livery of various programmes, ration between the SC and External Relations Dov Lynch Secretary-General of Qatar Dr Sulaiti added that the including exhibitions, digital Nasser Al Khater (left), CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, QM will include commu- explained the importance of National Commission for Edu- Education Above All Founda- collaborations, conferences with Ahmad Musa Al-Namla, CEO of QM, at the signing ceremony at nications support, sharing the meeting in highlighting the cation, Culture and Science Dr tion projects covered nearly 57 and workshops. The group’s Qatar Museums on Tuesday. knowledge and expertise, concerted efforts of UNESCO Sulaiti gave a presentation on countries, including African mandate will be to help shape research and capacity build- member states around the activities to support priority for countries, where more than 95 the overall tournament experi- ing. The parties will also col- world to support the priority Africa for a global model of part- projects have been implement- ence in the lead up to the FIFA laborate on content develop- for Africa. nership represented by the Edu- ed, pointing out that the num- World Cup Qatar 2022 and ment and curation, as well as He thanked the national cation Above All Foundation ber of projects currently under- during the event. programmes related to edu- committees and national insti- (EAA), indicating the relation- way is estimated at more than Nasser Al Khater, CEO cation, community outreach, tutions that have provided their ship between the foundation 27 projects in Africa, distributed of the FIFA World Cup Qa- sport and health-related work on the vital priority as an and the National Committee at over nine countries - Comoros tar 2022 LLC, said: “We are events. inspiration and as an approach the national level in presenting Islands, Ethiopia, Madagascar, very pleased to formalise our The partnership will also to raising the inter-regional ex- technical support and assistance Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, strong working relationship see the two organisations change for cooperation and fu- for projects, and the mobilisa- Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda with Qatar Museums. As we working closely on a range of ture initiatives. tion of resources for that. - with large financial invest- build towards Qatar 2022, Qatar 2022 initiatives, includ- For his part, Assistant Di- She highlighted the role of ments. it is imperative that we con- ing those related to culture and rector-General for Priority Af- the Education Above All Foun- At the end of the meeting, tinue to work closely with all entertainment. It will also in- rica and External relations at dation, a global foundation es- some questions and answers our key host country stake- clude collaboration on exhibits UNESCO Firmin Edouard Ma- tablished by HH Sheikha Moza were presented, and then the holders in order to deliver an at the 321 Qatar Olympic and toko hughlighted the recent ac- bint Nasser in 2012, which con- African Week programme was outstanding fan experience. supporting the development forward to working with Qatar Sports Museum, which is lo- tivities undertaken in support tributes to human, social and presented by Ambassador and Qatar Museums will contrib- of a uniquely Arab cultural ex- Museums on a host of impor- cated at Khalifa International of the priority for Africa, among economic development by pro- Permanent Representative of ute significantly in this area by perience, unmatched in FIFA tant milestones over the next Stadium, one of eight Qatar which was the recognition of viding quality education, in ad- Gabon to UNESCO Rachel An- providing fan attractions and World Cup history. We look 18 months.” 2022 tournament venues. World Day for African and Afro- dition to its contribution to meet nick Ogoula Akiko. 04 Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Nation

SHURA SPEAKER MEETS FRANCE-QATAR FRIENDSHIP GROUP PRESIDENT Wipro appoints BPG Dubai to lead media planning campaigns

Tribune News Network gic approach backed by data Doha and logic. We look forward to this partnership.” Wipro Yardley FZE, the BPG CEO Avi Bhojani Middle East arm of the con- said, “WIPRO is a well- sumer products business, a known brand with great significant player in personal products that deserve to care and home care consum- reach every household in er product segments in the the region. It is an innova- region, has appointed BPG tive company and we share a Dubai to lead media plan- similar DNA with our ideas- ning and buying for its Mid- such as BPG. “We felt the strong need driven approach. We believe dle East brand campaigns. Speaking about the ap- to bring in a fresh and dis- in simple yet impactful so- Wipro products have a pointment, Arun Giridhar, ruptive perspective. We lutions that work as a huge large consumer base across vice-president-MENA Wipro clearly felt that we had to multiplier for our clients’ ef- Arab and Asian communities Yardley FZE, said: “We have revisit various aspects of forts. in the region and navigating a very steep growth agenda in how we communicate with “Our strength lies in our Speaker of the Shura Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud met with President of the this complex space has al- the region with our uniquely consumers and sharpen the people at BPG, as well as our France-Qatar Friendship Group in the French National Assembly MP Pascal Brindeau and his accompa- ways been a challenge and an positioned brands in catego- way we reach them in an op- experience within multiple nying delegation in Doha on Tuesday. During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations between opportunity for growth. ries across body care, home timum and impactful man- product and consumer seg- Qatar and France and the ways to develop them, especially in the parliamentary field. Member of the The company also has and hygiene segments. With ner. We saw this appetite to ments. We are looking for- Qatar-France Parliamentary Friendship Group HE Mohamed bin Ali Al Maadid and Ambassador of Qatar ambitious expansion plans rapidly changing consumer challenge the status quo in ward to supporting Wipro to France HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani attended the meeting. (QNA) that required an agile, inno- trends in a prolonged disrup- the BPG team. What excited through this exciting and re- vative and disruptive partner tive phase. us the most was their strate- warding journey.” Mannai Corporation launches Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha dedicated unit to accelerate appoints new executive Qatar’s digital transformation chef, front office manager Tribune News Network The Microsoft Gold Partner’s move comes ahead of much-anticipated Doha Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha, launch of new Microsoft Cloud region in Qatar this year the first Hyatt Regency brand Tribune News Network in Qatar, has announced the Doha appointment of Mert Duran as Executive Chef and Alena Dmit- Mannai Corporation, a Mi- rienko as Front Office Manager. crosoft Gold partner, has an- Mert, a Turkish national, nounced it has established a carries more than two decades new division within its Informa- of culinary experience at Hyatt tion Systems business unit that Hotels in Middle and Central Executive Chef Mert Duran Front Office Manager Alena will be dedicated to Microsoft Asia, Europe and the UAE. He Dmitrienko solutions with the aim to ac- also has extensive knowledge making sure to provide guests celerate the adoption of cloud of banquet and outside cater- with memorable food experi- seamless and intuitive guests’ technologies across Qatar, in ing. His recent position was Ex- ences. experience making sure a stress line with the National Vision ecutive Chef at Hyatt Regency A Russian national, Alena free travel to all the hotel guests. 2030. Bishkek. Dmitrienko is a long-serving On the recent appoint- The move comes ahead of Mert will be responsible Hyatt hotelier with 10 years of ments, General Manager of Hy- the launch of Microsoft’s new for all culinary operations and experience in luxury hotel oper- att Regency Oryx Doha Julien Qatar cloud region, expected to concepts, overseeing five din- ations. Her last post was Front Gonzalvez said, “We are very be available this year. Accord- ing venues, the hotel In-Room OfficeM anager at the Luxury thrilled to welcome two of the ing to IDC, spending on public Dining as well as banquets and Five Star Hotel- Ararat Park key personnel to our Hyatt Re- cloud services in Qatar is ex- outside catering. He will be fo- Hyatt Moscow. gency Oryx Doha family. I am pected to rise nearly fourfold, cusing on creating and imple- Carrying a vast experience confident thatM ert and Alena from approximately $60.4 mentation of different menus on luxury hotel operations, Ale- would help us in taking Hyatt million in 2019 to $228.6 mil- in all the outlet venues as well na will be responsible for driv- Regency Oryx Doha to greater lion in 2024. The research as different banquet offerings ing Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha’s heights.” also cites that continuous in- vestments in cloud and digital transformation initiatives led by government and businesses in the country, are expected to Ooredoo launches new 5G mobile generate $3.14 billion in net new revenues over the next four years. Officials from Mannai Corporation at the launch of a dedicated unit to accelerate digitalisation across Qatar. broadband plans for business clients Mannai has migrated several organisations to the sources to security. ues while bringing in a passion tal and emerging technologies Tribune News Network Microsoft Cloud, including Mannai’s new division will for client success. We have the that will support the scalability Doha 30+ government entities in extend its efforts in delivering exclusive edge of having a dedi- and agility for organisations to Qatar. With enhanced capa- a holistic approach to digital cated team with the right blend build more resilience and drive Ooredoo, the region’s lead- bilities, the new division com- transformation in Qatar by of experienced certified techni- innovation while contributing ing communications-driven prises of more than 90 skilled empowering organisations in cal consultants, pre-sales and to growth. enabler of enterprise, has an- professionals who will work various areas; from infrastruc- customer after-sales support “The Microsoft cloud region nounced the launch of new with public and private sec- ture migration, to leveraging with advanced Microsoft Tech- will empower more custom- Aamali Mobile Broadband tors closely to accelerate their data analytics and AI tools, to nology Specialisations and lo- ers and partners to accelerate plans. These new plans mark move to the intelligent cloud modernising their operating cal on-site presence. We take their journeys and bring lasting Ooredoo’s first-ever launch of in a seamless manner. Share- models with intelligent busi- great pride and satisfaction in economic prosperity across Qa- a range of entirely business- Point migrations will be exclu- ness applications, as well as seeing our work bringing posi- tar and the region,” said Lana focused mobile broadband postpaid mobile broadband petitive pricing. sively onto Microsoft Azure, leveraging enhanced security tive changes and convenience Khalaf, country manager, Mi- plans, leveraging the power of plans for our B2B customers. The full list of SIM-based and customers will also see and protection across the en- to the lives of people all across crosoft Qatar. 5G and the successful Aamali We work tirelessly to ensure our allowances and pricing can be optimal app performance as tire spectrum of Microsoft’s the region. We are designed “Mannai’s dedicated Micro- brand. The new Aamali Mobile offerings match the developing found at ooredoo.qa. they run native in the cloud. innovations. The company has ‘to think and bring the best’ soft division that attract spe- Broadband plans will provide needs of our customers, and Because of its breadth and Microsoft’s Security Informa- also achieved Advanced Spe- from what Microsoft solutions cialised resources will further larger allowances at competi- strive to do all we can to sup- depth of talent, best fixed and tion and Event Management cialisation on Windows Server ought to offer,” says Mohd bolster our combined efforts tive prices, as requested by port our B2B customers as they mobile networks, broadest (SIEM) system, Azure Sentinel and SQL Server Migration. Negm, vice president, Mannai to accelerate digital transfor- business customers. in turn strive to develop their portfolio of ICT services and so- will watch over infrastructure, “Disruption is a critical ele- Microsoft Solutions Division. mation and our partnership to Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad businesses. These new postpaid lutions, and trusted partner for apps and workloads, enabling ment of technology innovation. With the advancement of enable organizations with the Bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief plans will allow B2B custom- 60 years, business customers Qatari enterprises to focus on And at Mannai Microsoft Solu- Qatar’s digital economy, the in- power of technology and cloud, Commercial Officer atO oredoo, ers to access all the potential of can leverage the Ooredoo Ad- their business, rather than de- tions Division, we are powered telligent cloud is the foundation in line with the aspirations of said: “We’re delighted to an- our incredible 5G network, with vantage, making Ooredoo ‘Best voting precious time and re- by intellect and driven by val- to enable the use of various digi- the National Vision 2030.” nounce the launch of these new generous allowances and com- for Business.’ Women India Qatar releases its official theme song Tribune News Network World Mohammed Rafi Welfare Women India Qatar is an singer, made the theme song Doha Foundation. melodious by her beautiful voice. While Thayyiba Arshad organisation that plays a Around 300 women at- Women India Qatar released gave a brief introduction of Mu- vital role in shaping the tended the event which was ad- its official theme song via You- hammed Rafi,N asreen spoke personality of women in dressed by Centre for Indian Tube recently. about her father with very emo- Qatar, discovering their tal- Community President KT Ab- Women India Qatar is an tional words. ents and developing their durahman, Jamaat-e-Islami organisation that plays a vital Chief guest Nasreen Miraj skills in the field of arts and Kerala Women’s President CV role in shaping the personality Ahmad described the women Jameela, Women India theme of women in Qatar, discover- who give their time for such a literature song singer Rafa Razik, lyricist ing their talents and develop- great goal as “God-chosen”. ShafiM oidu, music director ing their skills in the field of President of Women India Ayesha Abdul Basit, a teen- Amin Yasir and Tanima, Qatar arts and literature.The video, Nahiya Beevi chaired the ses- age singer with millions of view- Director Ahmed Shafi. which beautifully portrayed the sion and spoke on the need for ers on YouTube, inaugurated the The session commenced activities of the organisation, language, speech, words and event on the Zoom platform by with prayer by Babina Basheer. won the hearts of expatriate music to be a medium of resist- singing a melodious song. Women India Qatar PR women. ance, survival and solidarity, Amin Yasir composed the and Media Secretary Muhsina The theme song was re- declaring solidarity with the in- music for the Women India Qa- Salman proposed the vote of leased by Nasreen Miraj Ahmad, nocent children of Gaza, the tar theme song. The song was thanks while Shadia Sharif and daughter of legendary singer Palestinian people and the Quds Women India Qatar members perform their official theme song at an event attended by prominent com- written by Shafi Moidu. Rafa Sareena Basheer compered the Mohammed Rafi and director of liberation fighters. munity leaders. Razik, a social media famous session. World Wednesday, May 26, 2021 05

News US pledges aid to rebuild Gaza in brief Mass evacuations as Cyclone Yaas threatens India’s east coast New DELHI: Authorities in COVID-19-battered India conducted mass evacuations on Tuesday as a powerful cyclone headed toward the country’s east coast, days after another severe storm claimed over 150 lives on the west coast. Cyclone Yaas, hovering over the Bay of Bengal, was ex- pected to hit Odisha and West Bengal states on Wednesday afternoon, packing winds of up to 165 kilometres per hour, the Indian Meteorological Department said. According to disaster management officials, over 1.5 mil- lion people - 1 million in West Bengal and 500,000 in Odisha - were being moved to shelters from vulnerable areas. (dpa)

Fire spreading fast on ship off Sri Lanka

Colombo: The Indian government has sent an aircraft and vessel to control a fire spreading fast on a Singaporean con- tainer ship off the western coast of Sri Lanka, a navy spokes- man said Tuesday. The fire broke out five days ago on the X-Press Pearl, carry- ing chemicals and cosmetics, some 10 nautical miles off the port of Colombo, but has intensified since Tuesday morning. Earlier in the day, 25 crew members were rescued from the vessel after an explosion. Two crew members were injured. “The fire has been spreading fast since morning and has spread towards the control room, while some 20 of the con- tainers have fallen over board,” navy spokesman Indika Silva Palestinian volunteers and municipal workers clear the rubble of the Hanadi compound, recently destroyed by Israeli strikes, in Gaza City’s Rimal district, on Tuesday. (afp) said. (dpa)

dpa East Jerusalem also needed PA and to leave Hamas out Tel Aviv to be dialled down and advo- of the loop. This would re- Dozens freed from Six people critical cated renewing relations with duce the risk of abuse and Taliban prison in after trains collide US Secretary of State Antony the Palestinian Authority strengthen the PA vis-a-vis west Afghanistan in Kuala Lumpur Blinken pledged his country’s (PA). He is scheduled to meet Hamas. help in rebuilding the Gaza Israel and militants in Kabul: Afghan commandos Berlin: Six people are in Strip on Tuesday, though he A young Palestinian man Gaza have so far been keep- have released 41 people critical condition in hospi- stressed that the aid must not ing to an agreed ceasefire that from a Taliban prison in the tal after “driver negligence” benefit Hamas, which rules was shot and killed during went into effect early Friday country’s western province caused two trains to col- the area. a raid by Israeli security and came about after more of Herat, an official said on lide in Kuala Lumpur, Malay- The announcement is part forces in the West Bank in than a week of military esca- Tuesday. sia’s Transport Minister Wee of Blinken’s goal during his the early hours of Tuesday lation. In the wake of the re- The freed individuals Ka Siong said on Tuesday. trip to the Middle East - set cent conflict, there have been comprised 22 civilians and A ministry statement said to last through Thursday - to significantly more violent in- 19 members of the Afghan that out of 64 people who help support a ceasefire be- with Palestinian President Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and US Secretary of cidents in the West Bank. security forces, all of whom had been hospitalised late on tween Israel and the Palestin- Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah State Anthony Blinken in Jerusalem on Tuesday. (afp) A young Palestinian man had been detained in the Monday after the crash, 15 ian Territories that has been later on Tuesday. was shot and killed during a Pashtun Zarghoon district of others remain in a semi-criti- in place since Friday. He also plans to meet with between Israel and Hamas, aded coastal territory could raid by Israeli security forces the province, Herat provin- cal condition. Some 213 peo- He announced the US’ Egyptian President Abdel the de facto rulers of the Gaza be misused to arm Islamist in the West Bank in the early cial governor spokesperson ple were injured when two “significant contribution” to Fattah al-Sissi and Jordanian Strip. Hamas is considered a Hamas, as happened after the hours of Tuesday. Jillani Farhad said. light-rail transit (LRT) trains Gaza after a meeting with Is- King Abdullah II this week. terrorist organization by the last Gaza war in 2014. A knife attack in Jerusa- Commando forces killed collided on Monday evening raeli Prime Minister Benja- The US State Department US, European Union and oth- According to media re- lem, near the Sheikh Jarrah seven prison guards dur- close to the Petronas Towers, min Netanyahu. said before Blinken set off er countries. ports, a plan now calls for neighbourhood, on Monday ing the operation, Farhad once the world’s tallest build- Blinken also stressed that that the goal of the trip was Israel is concerned that reconstruction efforts to be left two Israelis injured, while added. (dpa) ing. (dpa) tensions in the West Bank and to help cement the ceasefire any aid deliveries to the block- conducted more through the the attacker was shot dead.

Moderates excluded from Iran presidential poll dpa Ahmadinejad, regime critic Mostafa 12 arch-conservative members, is Tehran Tajzadeh and all 40 female appli- responsible under Iran’s constitu- cants. tion for the ideological suitability Iran’s electoral body has excluded The election is scheduled for and loyalty of presidential candi- the top two moderate candidates June 18. dates. from participating in the country’s Of the seven remaining candi- The council has been criticized upcoming presidential election, the dates, the favourite is considered as an undemocratic body for years. Fars news agency reported on Tues- to be arch-conservative Judiciary Larijani and Jahangiri had day, citing official sources. Chief Ibrahim Raeissi, the hardlin- pledged to continue Rowhani’s The body, also known as the ers’ lead candidate and preferred moderate policies. Guardian Council, turned down choice of the establishment. Their rejection could spark pro- the candidacy of former parliament He is not classified by observ- tests in the country or even an elec- speaker Ali Larijani and current ers as a hardliner, but in their view tion boycott. A low turnout could Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. would not continue President Has- be interpreted as a vote of no confi- The council rejected more than san Rowhani’s moderate course on dence in the entire system. 98 percent of the 592 candidates, foreign and nuclear policy. After two terms in office,R ow- including ex-president Mahmoud The Guardian Council, with its hani is no longer allowed to run. Your news, Your views |Read online 24X7.... visit views |Read online 24X7.... Your news, Your 06 Wednesday, May 26, 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

One Year After George Floyd’s Murder, Has The Israel’s Disinformation ‘Reckoning’ Begun? War To Delegitimise T was a frightened and weary nation bel Chauvin’s killing “murder.” Mean- that headed into Memorial Day week- while, those of us in the sometimes ex- Iend 2020, having been drained by a cessively cautious news media described divisive impeachment trial, shocked by the same killing in self-consciously awk- Kobe Bryant’s death and traumatized ward and noncommittal terms, writing by a worldwide pandemic unlike any for example that Floyd “died under the The Palestinian Cause calamity in living memory. Americans knee” of a police officer. Only after the had grown tired of waiting in line for jury said it was murder, nearly a year groceries, hoarding toilet paper, argu- later, did the news consistently affirm ing over which workers are or are not the grisly reality we had all seen. Israel’s propaganda war, deployed during the recent violence, is a “essential,” managing schoolchildren Reporters, editors and commenta- without schools, missing baseball, bas- tors also searched for a term to sum fundamental plank of the settler-colonial project ketball, restaurants, amusement parks, up the protests, the violence, the re- movies and malls, being shut in and criminations, the racial inequities, the Marc Owen Jones honest, in order to remove sympathy for their locked down (or, at great risk to them- questioning of police powers, the wider- cause or to legitimise so-called retaliatory selves, serving those who were shut in than-ever use of words such as “struc- strikes against Gaza. One such piece of dis- and locked down). They were advised tural” and “institutional” racism. We ver the past two weeks as Israeli air information included a false message circu- to spend the summer’s annual three- called it “a national conversation” about strikes killed at least 243 Palestinians, lated on WhatsApp that claimed Palestinian day launch party at home, but many race, and indeed there were conversa- including 66 children, in Gaza, Israeli mobs were about to attack Jewish residents were having none tions of a depth and officials have been at the forefront of of Tel Aviv. of it and saw the breadth and inten- another war: sharing misleading and long weekend as sity not heard here deceptiveO content about Palestine, much of Weaponised lying a chance to finally in quite some time, it designed to portray Palestinians as violent, Why does Israel use disinformation so put the crazy first but we’ve been hav- dishonest and deceitful, or to legitimise Is- liberally? Disinformation becomes neces- part of the year in ing that conversa- raeli brutality. sary when it is no longer possible to provide a the rearview mir- tion in one form or Israeli attacks on Gaza have been ac- truthful account of matters without admitting ror. another through the companied by endemic disinformation and to breaches of universally accepted codes of The days were entire life of our na- misinformation. Disinformation, as distinct morality or, indeed, international law. Given long and getting tion, and it was re- from misinformation, is the deliberate use of the egregious nature of the aforementioned longer, and in newed in this gen- deception to mislead people. Disinformation propaganda, disinformation can seem like northern parts of eration even before is almost always propaganda - that is, the use a bit of a euphemism: a polite term used to the country such the killing of Tray- of information to persuade people about a describe a much bitterer truth. Weaponised as Minneapolis, von Martin in 2012 certain course of action. lying or dishonesty might be more suitable it remained light and Eric Garner Intent can be hard to prove, but it can be yahu’s spokesman, Ofir Gendelman, recently terms. Indeed, academic Michael Peters uses well into the eve- and Michael Brown realistically deduced. In the most egregious tweeted a video that appeared to show Ha- the phrase “government by lying” to describe nings. The sun in 2014. This time recent incident, Israeli army spokesman mas launching rockets towards Israel from the more recent mainstreaming of untruths. was still in the seemed different, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus mis- densely populated civilian areas. But the This is perhaps an apt term to describe sky shortly before perhaps because led numerous reputable international publi- video, which was retweeted and shared hun- the systemic misleading of the public for the 8pm on May 25, everything in 2020 cations into publishing false news. The New dreds of time across social media platforms, purposes of executing unpopular policy deci- Memorial Day, was different. In York Times, the Washington Post and the was not authentic. Indeed, the footage was sions, such as justifying an apartheid state, when George Floyd bought a pack of headlines, news stories, columns and Wall Street Journal were among the leading from 2018, and likely filmed in Syria or Libya. or ethnically cleansing Palestinians. Where cigarettes at Cup Foods in the Powder- editorials we called it a “reckoning,” and publications that incorrectly reported that A similar, widely shared video allegedly unethical and immoral positions are indefen- horn Park neighborhood, and a young used the word so often with insufficient the Israeli military was preparing a ground showed Hamas moving rockets down a dense- sible, lying is deployed. store clerk who believed Floyd had used examination that it became a cliche. invasion of Gaza. ly populated street, with a voiceover stating: It would have been tempting to say that a fake $20 bill called 911. The sun was But it just might be the correct term Soon after they published this, Israeli me- “Once again, we see Hamas using civilians as both sides use disinformation and deception. still up at 8:08 pm when Minneapolis after all. A reckoning is an acknowledg- dia outlets claimed that it was a deliberate de- a shield to murder Jews knowing … that Is- To make such a statement might be truth- Police Officers J Alexander Kueng and ment of a debt owed and still unpaid. ception designed to bring Hamas out into the rael will not retaliate due to the risk of hurt- ful in one way, but deceptive in another. To Thomas Lane approached Floyd in his It calls to mind the Rev. Martin Luther open for easier targeting. Of course, Conricus ing innocent people.” The video turned out to imply that both sides use the same amount SUV, at 8:17 pm when Officers Derek King Jr.’s accusation delivered nearly said it was an honest mistake. But then, he be from 2018 in the Israeli-controlled Galilee of disinformation is to falsely imply that the Chauvin and Tou Thao arrived, a few 60 years ago at the Lincoln Memorial would. region, and was clearly unrelated to Hamas. force of deception is equal on both sides. This minutes later when Chauvin began to that the nation refused to pay when As the leading spokesman for the Israeli Israeli propaganda has also tried to ac- false balance and parity negates the fact that kneel on Floyd’s neck, and through the Black people tried to cash the meta- regime, he cannot admit to news organisa- cuse Palestinians of exaggerating their own Israel, a state that attempts to portray itself next nine minutes and 29 seconds, as phorical check written by the founders tions that rely on him for the Israeli side of the civilian casualties. As they know all too well, as a civilising force, uses deception to further Floyd pleaded that he couldn’t breathe, in language promising that all men are story that he is feeding them disinformation. civilian casualties promote international sup- its occupation. called in agony for his mother, said he created equal and endowed by their cre- Despite this clear deception, news organisa- port for the Palestinian struggle and highlight Indeed, disinformation is a necessary part was dying and finally went limp and si- ator with unalienable rights. tions are still soliciting Conricus for com- the brutality of the Israeli occupation. of the ideological project to erase and displace lent. The evening sunlight illuminated “It is obvious today that America ments on the situation. Numerous people, including Natalia Palestinian discourses. Israel’s deception and the images caught by 17-year-old Dar- has defaulted on this promissory note Fadeev, an Israeli military police reservist disinformation is fundamental to the settler- nella Frazier on her cellphone and by insofar as her citizens of color are con- Smearing Hamas with almost one million followers, shared a colonial project, which seeks to negate Pal- the officers on their body-worn cam- cerned,” King said. Other disinformation has been designed video of a mock funeral that claimed Pales- estine by monopolising the representation of eras. It is a reminder of the compensation to smear Hamas as a dishonest entity that tinians were trying to fake a funeral to elicit Palestinians to the rest of the world. Many police leaders and criminal for forced labor — “40 acres and a mule” uses human shields, from behind which the public sympathy. The video, which has not prosecutors — officials who are gener- — that was promised to freed slaves but group can attack Israel. The Israeli military been removed by TikTok, was actually an un- (Marc Owen Jones is Assistant Pro- ally quick to condemn atrocities by civil- quickly revoked. frequently uses the argument of Hamas using related satirical video created by Jordanians. fessor of Middle East Studies and Digi- ians yet insistent on reserving judgment It is a reminder of the comparative human shields as a legal defence for its mass Much other disinformation is of unclear tal Humanities, College of Humanities when the assailant is a law enforcement puniness of the alleged forgery that led killing of Palestinian non-combatants. provenance, but the tropes are often the same and Social Sciences, Hamad bin Khal- officer — were shocked and quick to la- to Floyd’s murder. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- - portraying Palestinians as violent and dis- ifa University (HBKU).)

Blood Clots Aren’t The Only Vaccine Side Effects Worth Studying Post-jab symptoms — like changes in menstruation — can be considered mild and still cause anxiety Faye Flam systematic, where people tracked cine Adverse Events Reporting side effects. And vaccine hesitancy all sorts of physical changes in real System (VAERS). But the informa- is already causing trouble in nurs- time, including these peculiar men- tion there can be misleading. With ing homes, according to a recent NE can hardly blame peo- strual irregularities. half the U.S. population getting the story in the Boston Globe, reveal- ple for being worried about There’s ample evidence that sex shots at this point, it’s inevitable ing that a number of nursing home the new COVID-19 vaccines differences matter in responses to that some will develop severe dis- workers are refusing, and some when there are so many an- the vaccine and need more study. eases and even die for reasons that newer residents have not been able ecdotal reports of weird side Women are more likely to report have nothing to do with the vac- to obtain a vaccine. effectsO — including women experi- mild or moderate side effects, and cination campaign. On the other The public is worried because encing disturbing changes in their much more likely to suffer the se- hand, VAERS is going to miss any- these vaccines are new. But new menstrual cycles. vere ones. thing people don’t go to the trouble doesn’t have to mean poorly under- Reports of early and unusu- Twenty-two of the 28 people of reporting, and most people won’t stood. Because these shots are be- ally heavy periods or other irregu- who suffered blood clots possi- have the time or knowledge or in- ing distributed to so many millions larities were becoming so common bly associated with the Johnson terest to do this. of people, it’s possible to collect earlier this spring that University of & Johnson vaccine were women. up the fetus. and 48. Doctors are still discussing The right reason to be confi- huge amounts of safety and side ef- Illinois anthropologist Kate Clancy Women also make up nearly all of It’s not surprising that sex hor- whether women of reproductive dent in vaccines is that they pro- fect data, as well as data identifying started collecting them. People the small number who had a severe mones and the immune system can age should be advised to avoid it vide impressive protection against when and why a few people still get may wonder, rightly, why this isn’t allergic reaction — anaphylaxis — influence each other, says Johns in favor of the other approved vac- a deadly virus, and that the mate- infected after vaccination. being studied in a more systematic following injection with other vac- Hopkins University immunologist cines, but nobody, she says, is do- rials they introduce into the body That data will be useful as the way. If something this unexpected cines. Women are also much more Sabra Klein. She said she’s sub- ing studies on the question. quickly degrade or get destroyed world is likely to continue to update can happen, then what else? likely to suffer severe, extensive mitted a proposal to the National Some people have tried to dis- by the immune system. Unlike vaccines, and they are likely to be The original clinical trials were rashes after getting the COVID-19 Institutes of Health to study the miss the blood clot problem by the virus itself, they can’t replicate the most important part of the fight set up to get the minimum informa- vaccine — another uncommon but menstrual problems. I asked her noting that birth control pills are themselves, and any side effects against this pandemic long into the tion needed to win emergency use troubling side effect. whether there’s any understanding also associated with blood clot risk. should wane quickly. The wrong future. Public trust is critical, but approval, and follow-up study has As I learned researching COV- of whether the other side effects are But neither problem should be dis- reason would be blind trust of pub- the CDC, the doctors and public been less than systematic. Yet get- ID-19 vaccination during preg- more common only in women of missed. More work should be done lic health officials or Big Pharma. health experts and could do more ting a handle on these disturbing nancy, women and men often react reproductive age, or across all age to prevent women from getting A failure to systematically study to earn it. side effects wouldn’t be that hard. differently to infectious agents and groups. She said that hasn’t been blood clots associated with birth vaccine side effects could contrib- Several doctors I talked to men- vaccines because women’s immune studied yet, but should be. control pills too. ute to vaccine skepticism — and (Faye Flam is a Bloomberg tioned there’s a self-reporting sys- systems are adapted to protect a All the women who had blood Right now, the main source of while women have been quicker to Opinion columnist and host tem called V-Safe, but they’d like fetus from infection but also not to clots following the Johnson & public information on vaccine side get vaccinated, they are also more of the podcast “Follow the to see something bigger and more attack the foreign cells that make Johnson shot were between 18 effects is a website called the Vac- likely to express concern over the Science.”)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Wednesday, May 26, 2021 07

News UK govt accused of ‘stealth’ in brief Moderna to seek US nod to use its vaccine for those aged 12 and up New York: Moderna became the second pharmaceutical actions with local lockdowns company on Tuesday to request that its coronavirus vaccine be granted approval for use in people aged 12 and up. dpa ter and some other areas where The firms Pfizer and BioNTech already won approval for their London the new Covid-19 variant has vaccine, based on similar technology, for those age groups been identified as spreading,” earlier this month. The British government was he said. Moderna said its testing had shown that its jab did the accused on Tuesday of using “These officials confirmed job as well. “We are encouraged that mRNA-1273 was highly “stealth” measures to effec- there are no restrictions on effective at preventing Covid-19 in adolescents. It is particularly tively apply local lockdowns in travel in or out of each of our exciting to see that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine can prevent eight areas of England where areas and it was a mistake to SARS-CoV-2 infection,” said Stephane Bancel, Moderna’s chief the so-called Indian variant of suggest there was. executive. (dpa) coronavirus has been spread- There are no local lock- ing. downs and there is no justifica- On Friday, the British gov- tion for Leicester to be treated Eagerly awaited Biden-Putin summit set ernment quietly updated its differently to the rest of the for June 16 in Geneva guidance for the city of Leices- country,” he added. ter, the towns of Bedford, Opposition health spokes- Moscow/Washington Blackburn, Darwen and Burn- person Jon Ashworth, a Labour US President Joe Biden and ley, as well as the boroughs of lawmaker for a Leicester con- Russian President Vladimir Kirklees, North Tyneside and stituency, raised concerns with Putin will meet on June 16 London’s Hounslow. vaccine minister Nadhim Za- in Geneva for an eagerly Although not legally bind- hawi in parliament on Tuesday. anticipated face-to-face ses- ing, the new advice had said He originally planned to sion that comes at a time of people in those places should ask Health Secretary Matt worsening tensions between now socially distance from Hancock, but the minister did the rival powers. those they don’t live with, meet not appear. “Can [Zahawi] un- The White House and the people not in their household People leave from a COVID-19 vaccination centre in Blackburn, northwest England recently. (AFP) derstand how upsetting it is, Kremlin announced the date only outside, work from home how insulting it is, to have new on Tuesday. The idea was proposed by Biden in a phone call to and avoid travelling out of restrictions imposed upon us, Putin in April, but until now the Kremlin has been cagey about those areas. local lockdowns by stealth, by whether or not Putin would accept the invitation. Everyone else in England EU to donate 100 million vaccine doses the backdoor, and the secretary The Kremlin said the two would discuss bilateral relations, can hug close friends and fam- Brussels Amid rising vaccina- for itself instead of helping patent protections for Covid-19 of state for health doesn’t even strategic stability, settlement of regional conflicts and anti-pan- ily members, meet up to six tion rates across the European to distribute them across the vaccines - an idea that EU have the courtesy to come and demic cooperation, Russia’s TASS news agency reported. people indoors, go to work and Union, the 27 EU leaders on globe. World Health Organiza- leaders say they are open to tell us?” Ashworth asked Za- “The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, travel nationwide - while avoid- Tuesday committed to collec- tion chief Tedros Adhanom Ghe- discussing but that would not hawi. as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the US- ing the said areas. tively donate at least 100 mil- breyesus warned on Monday of help in the short term. Instead, “Why was this guidance Russia relationship,” read a White House statement. (dpa) The guidance was, unusu- lion doses of Covid-19 vaccine stark inequity between richer richer countries should export plonked on a website on Fri- ally, not announced by the Brit- to countries in need by the end and poorer countries. About 75 vaccines to those in need, the day night and not communi- ish government and instead of 2021. per cent of all vaccines admin- EU argues. cated to anyone? Why were Australia to close Kabul embassy in just updated on its website. The bloc, which described istered have been in just 10 The commission, mean- local directors of public health days as troops prepare withdrawal But after a heavy backlash itself in a joint statement countries, he said. while, expects 300 million and local authority leaders not leaders and health officials in signed off at summit in Brus- With their announcement, vaccine doses to have been consulted? Why weren’t MPs Sydney (dpa) - Australia will close its embassy in Kabul this seven of the eight boroughs said sels as “the largest exporter the EU leaders endorsed a distributed across the bloc informed? What does it mean week as the country’s troops prepare to leave in line with on Tuesday evening the local of Covid-19 vaccines to the promise by European Commis- by Sunday, and 245 million for our constituents?” Ash- the international withdrawal from Afghanistan, Canberra said lockdowns had been scrapped. world,” also said it would help sion President Ursula von der of those to have been admin- worth added. Tuesday. The boroughs posted state- step up production capacity Leyen, who had promised the istered. In June, the com- During the questioning, Australia’s embassy building will close on Friday, with of- ments saying there were “no outside the EU. same number of doses during mission expects 400 million Zahawi said the new rules were ficials in future visiting Afghanistan from a post elsewhere in local lockdowns in place” in the The pledge could be seen the World Health Summit last doses to have been delivered, “guidance” rather than restric- the region, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister areas after holding talks with as an effort to boost the Euro- week. The announcement also von der Leyen said at a press tions. Marise Payne said in a joint statement. government officials. pean Union’s image. It has been comes after the United States conference following the Work and Pensions Sec- The government said Australia would revert to diplomats No statements have yet accused of hoarding vaccines had argued in favour of waiving meeting. (dpa) retary Therese Coffey told re- using visiting accreditation for relations with Afghanistan, as been made by the council for porters the new guidance had was the case before the Kabul embassy opened in 2006. the borough of Kirklees, which Leicester’s Director of guidelines as before. today, after we became aware not come “out of the blue” after “It is Australia’s expectation that this measure will be tem- was also placed into local lock- Public Health, Professor Ivan “We had an urgent meet- that the Government had up- lawmakers for the local areas porary and that we will resume a permanent presence in Kabul down, however it is also be- Browne, said people were now ing with Government reps and dated its website to include claimed they were blindsided once circumstances permit,” the statement read. (dpa) lieved to no longer be affected. being asked to follow the same other affected local authorities specific advice aroundLeices - by the update. Detained Belarusian journalist was likely tortured in custody

dpa 29 fighter jet to be scrambled treated in accordance with the Protasevich’s arrest. down on freedom of expres- Moscow to accompany the plane, ac- law and confessed to having “They write to me that it’s sion and independent media,” cording to the state news organized riots. our turn next, that we won’t he said, adding that an urgent Fears grew on Tuesday that agency. Her son was forced to I am not a surgeon, but it is be kidnapped to Belarus but international investigation the Belarusian dissident jour- Authorities in Minsk then make the statement, Protase- certain that they hit his shot in Warsaw,” he told the was needed. nalist Roman Protasevich, detained Protasevich and his vich said. nose and may have broken Rzeczpospolita. Lufthansa, Air France and who was detained in Minsk girlfriend, who was also on “He either read it off the it, Protasevich’s mother said Nexta, the Belarusian op- Finnair are the latest airlines after his plane was forcibly board. page or was forced to memo- position’s main source of to announce that they would rerouted, has been subject to “I am not a surgeon, but it rize it.” of the video that was information during massive be avoiding flying over Bela- torture while in custody. is certain that they hit his nose Her son is a very strong circulated by the authorities protests against long-time rus for the time being. Natalia Protasevich, the and may have broken it,” Pro- person, said Protasevich, who ruler Lukashenko, is based in Some 339 flights pass over mother of the journalist, said tasevich’s mother said of the lives with her husband in ex- the regime’s impunity and Warsaw. Protasevich left Nex- Belarus per day to and from there was clear evidence that video that was circulated by ile in Poland. However, she the lack of a decisive response ta at the end of 2020. Europe, according to aviation her son had been subject to the authorities. said she feared the authorities from the international com- On Monday, the EU agreed authority Eurocontrol. violence, referring to footage She also said her son’s left might abuse his girlfriend in munity,” she added. to a package of sanctions, Belarus’ state-owned air- released a day earlier from the cheek was swollen and sag- order to break her son. Roman Protasevich (afp) On Tuesday, Russian including the sealing-off of line said on Tuesday that it Minsk pre-trial detention cen- ging. “Even under the make- Her fears were echoed by newspaper RBK said Sofia Sa- Belarusian airspace and a had suspended flights to Lon- tre where he is being held. up, you can see a yellowish opposition leader Svetlana in Lithuania, wrote on the Tel- pega, Protasevich’s girlfriend, landing ban on its airlines in don and Paris until the end of He was arrested on Sun- tinge - probably bruises were Tikhanovskaya, who said the egram messaging app. had been remanded in cus- response to the forced landing October in response to a land- day after Belarusian authori- covered with powder.” She international community The US should launch an tody for two months, citing a of the plane. ing ban by those countries, ties alerted the crew of his said she also saw signs of must act in concert to prevent investigation into the flight’s lawyer. NATO Secretary General saying it regretted the situa- Ryanair flight from Athens to strangulation on the neck of a repeat of Belarus’ weekend forced landing and Protase- Belarusian blogger Stepan Jens Stoltenberg welcomed tion. Vilnius of a possible security her son. gambit. vich’s detention, she said after Putilo, the founder of the Nex- the sanctions. Lukashenko was already threat and directed it to land “From the looks of it, they Now is the time to dis- a phone call with US National ta portal on Telegram along “This is a state hijacking an international pariah after at an airport near Minsk. choked him to beat evidence cuss joint steps “to bring the Security Adviser Jake Sulli- with Protasevich, told a Polish and demonstrates how the disputed elections last year President Alexander Lu- out of him.” In the video, Pro- perpetrators to justice,” Tikh- van. newspaper that he has been regime in Minsk attacks basic and a violent clampdown on kashenko also ordered a MiG- tasevich, 26, said he was being anovskaya, who lives in exile “All of this is a result of receiving death threats since democratic rights and cracks widespread protests. India records lowest virus cases in Mali’s vice president deposes weeks; concerns over farmer protest detained president and premier dpa where they plan to hold a New Delhi “Black Day” on Wednesday, dpa after issuing a decree appoint- marking six months of their Bamako ing a new cabinet. They were India’s coronavirus case- protests against contentious taken to a military camp in Kati, load neared 27 million with farm laws. Malian Vice President As- about 15 kilometres north-west 196,427 new infections re- Government leaders in- simi Goita announced on Tues- of the capital, Bamako. corded on Tuesday, the coun- Death toll cluding Punjab chief minister day that interim President Bah The military had filled key try’s lowest daily rise in cases Some 3,511 COVID-19 Amarinder Singh appealed to N’Daw and Prime Minister posts in the new cabinet but since mid-April. patients died in the past them to call off the protest, Moctar Ouane have been de- two senior military officers Some 3,511 COVID-19 saying it had the potential posed, after they were arrested from the military junta that patients died in the past 24 24 hours, taking the overall to become a “superspreader” the day before. ousted president Ibrahim Bou- hours, taking the overall death toll to 307,231, event. Goita, the former leader bacar Keita in August were ex- death toll to 307,231, health health ministry data Officials in Delhi’s nearby of a military coup in August cluded. ministry data showed. showed Haryana and Punjab states 2020, also promised new elec- The junta that had over- The South Asian country, have blamed the farmers, tions in 2022 while speaking to File photo of Assimi Goita (second left). (AFP) thrown Keita was only dis- which is battling a second who held mass protests radio broadcaster ORTM. solved in January. deadly wave of the pandem- and the actual numbers of through the winter, for the French President Emma- coup d’etat,” Le Drian said, region. Under pressure from ECO- ic, has been reporting over infections and deaths may be spread of infections in rural nuel Macron labelled the ar- adding it was a “serious situa- The United Nations, Afri- WAS, a transitional govern- 200,000 daily infections far higher. areas. rests a “coup” on Twitter and tion”. can Union, United States and ment was formed with former since April 14. Indian states are scram- For the past several threatened sanctions. The United Nations Secu- Germany were among those to defence minister N’Daw at its It logged the world’s bling to get vaccines amid months, farmers have been His Foreign Minister Jean- rity Council should also take also condemn the arrests. helm. highest daily tally of 414,188 shortages even as the infec- demanding a complete roll- Yves Le Drian told the National action, he said. The West African regional The new government was cases on May 7, after which tions have spread to rural ar- back of three agricultural Assembly, the lower house of France, once the colonial alliance ECOWAS has already supposed to strike a balance the pace of infections was eas in recent weeks. laws as well as a new law parliament, that the duo should ruler of Mali, still has signifi- sent a mediation team to Bam- between the interests of the slowing down, officials said. Thousands of farmers guaranteeing the govern- be immediately released. cant security interests there. ako. army and of civil society, re- Experts say the official were meanwhile converging ment’s minimum support “France condemns with Mali is battling Islamist ter- N’Daw and Ouane were ar- form the constitution and hold estimates are an undercount on the borders of New Delhi, price for their produce. the greatest determination this rorist groups in the vast Sahel rested late on Monday, shortly elections within 18 months. Global freight sails out of the digital dark ages page 11

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

34,318.03 10,608.92 50637.53 1,902.20 -75.95 pts +92.72 pts -14.37 pts Gold +0.82 % AAB launches offer for recent buyers Dow QE sensex of pre-owned Lexus page 9 Price percentage Price percentage 28.10 Brent 68.52 +0.09 % WTI 65.96 -0.14 % Silver +0.70 %

Kaabi holds talks with Moroccan minister Kuwari, France-Qatar Friendship Group chief discuss bilateral trade

Minister of State for Energy Affairs HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi on Tuesday held talks with Moroccan Minister of Energy, Mines, and Environment Aziz Rabbah. Discussions during the meeting dealt with various aspects of cooperation in the energy field between Qatar and Morocco, and means to enhance them. (TNN) Qatari stocks resume upward trend as major Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari holds talks with Pascal Brindeau, president of France-Qatar Friendship Group in the French National Assembly, in Doha.

Tribune News Network The meeting was attended Talks also focused on bi- GCC markets gain Doha by the Ambassador of Qatar to lateral trade policies and the France HE Sheikh Ali bin Jas- efforts exerted by both sides Tribune News Network Minister of Commerce and sim Al Thani. to confront the COVID-19 Doha Industry and Acting Min- Discussions touched on pandemic. ister of Finance HE Ali bin the bilateral relations between The volume of trade ex- Major stock markets in the Gulf region Ahmed Al Kuwari met with the two nations, and joint co- change between Qatar and ended higher on Tuesday, with the Qa- Pascal Brindeau, president operation in the trade, invest- France amounted to nearly tar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index of France-Qatar Friendship ment, and industrial fields, as $1.36 billion in 2020 and gaining 92.72 points, or 0.88 percent, to Group in the French National well as means to bolster and France ranks as Qatar’s 14th close at 10,608.92 points. Assembly. develop this cooperation. largest trade partner. The volume of shares traded de- creased to 152.038 million on Tuesday from 232.785 million in the previous ses- sion and the value of shares decreased to QR 409.419 million from QR567.39 mil- lion on Monday. Erdogan reshuffles central Indices of seven sectors closed in the positive territory. The industrial sector, which gained 2.4 percent on the back of bank again with new deputy 3.6 percent rise in its main constituent Industries Qatar, was the best performing Agencies ries about monetary policy sector index for the day. Istanbul and its impact on inflation, The QSE Total Return Index gained also replaced deputy governor 0.88 percent to 21,001.00 points and the Turkey’s President Recep Murat Cetinkaya in March. QSE Al Rayan Islamic Index added 1.06 Tayyip Erdogan appointed Tumen has worked in dif- percent to 4,570.93 points. The QSE All Indices of all seven sectors listed on QSE closed in the positive territory on Tuesday. a new deputy governor at ferent roles at the central bank Share Index was up 0.67 percent to reach the country’s central bank, for 16 years until 2018, leaving 3,372.06 points. cordance with the approved liquidity pro- percent, supported by a 0.7 percent in- tapping an economist and the monetary authority after The real estate sector, which gained visioning scheme. crease in telecoms firm Etisalat and a 2.9 long-serving member of serving as a director general over 1 percent, was the second-best per- The Group Securities will commence percent gain in Abu Dhabi Commercial the institution in his latest in charge of the structural eco- forming sector index for the day. All other the liquidity provisioning for Doha Bank Bank. leadership rejig. nomic research department. sector indices also made good gains. effective from May 31, the bank said in a The Muscat Stock Exchange general While Erdogan’s previous Since then, he’s been an advis- Industries Qatar was also the top statement posted on the Qatar Stock Ex- index lost 6.3 points, a decline by 0.16 sudden decisions to swap out Semih Tumen er at the Turkish presidency’s gainer for the day. Alkhaleej Takaful In- change (QSE) website. percent, to close at 3,837.91 points, com- senior positions at the cen- human resources office. surance (3.01 percent), Qatar Industrial Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s benchmark pared to the last session, which stood at tral bank jolted markets, this replacing Oguzhan Ozbas, ac- Four of seven members of Manufacturing (2.78 percent), Mesaieed index finished1.3 percent higher, buoyed 3,844.20 points. time the lira steadied to trade cording to a decree published Turkey’s rate-setting commit- Petrochemical Holding (2.2 percent) and by a 1.8 percent rise in Al Rajhi Bank and a The trading value stood at RO 0.1 percent stronger against in the official gazette. tee now have less than a year Barwa Real Estate (2.15 percent) were 5.7 percent jump in Riyad Bank. 2,732,665 comprising a drop by 27.5 per- the dollar, following only a The move comes two of experience at their jobs, in- among the top five gainers for the day. Dubai’s main share index closed 0.4 cent, compared to the last session, which brief drop. months after Erdogan fired cluding new Governor Sahap The day saw Doha Bank announce percent higher, with sharia-compliant stood at RO 2,383,751. Semih Tumen, a labor Naci Agbal, the bank’s third Kavcioglu. The decision to fire that it has entered into a liquidity provi- lender Dubai Islamic Bank gaining 1 per- The report released by Muscat Stock economist and professor of governor in less than two Agbal, who had sought to re- sion agreement with The Group Securities cent, despite its shares trading ex-divi- Exchange pointed out that the market economics at Ankara-based years, sending Turkish mar- store the central bank’s cred- after obtaining Qatar Financial Markets dend. value dropped by 0.058 percent to reach TED University, was named kets into a nosedive. Erdogan, ibility, had set off a swift re- Authority (QFMA) approval and in ac- In Abu Dhabi, the index added 0.3 about RO 21.15 billion. to the role early on Tuesday, who holds unorthodox theo- versal of investor enthusiasm.

QIA withdraws Lebanese banks’ losses may hit 134% of GDP: S&P Emadi from QNB board Agencies Lebanese banks could find it caretaker government with- therefore believe local curren- London difficult to sustain operations out authority to agree terms cy government debt will likely as deposit outflows continue with creditors.” be part of any debt restructur- Tribune News Network A government debt restruc- and foreign correspondent Although the Lebanese ing programme.” Doha turing in Lebanon involv- banks sever relationships,” pound is still officially pegged Under its most optimis- ing write-downs of its bonds S&P Credit Analyst Zahabia to the US dollar at a rate of tic scenario, the Lebanese Qatar National Bank (QNB) could trigger a “sovereign Gupta said. “Failure to re- 1,507.50, it has lost more than government would repay 50 said on Tuesday that Ali doom loop” that would prove structure the financial sys- 80 percent of its value on the per cent of its eurobonds and Sherif Al Emadi has been re- costly to the Lebanese banks tem could leave Lebanon black market and is currently 50 percent of local currency moved from the bank’s board holding these assets, S&P with banks unfit to support trading at just below 13,000 debt, as well as writing down of directors. Global Ratings warned. an economic recovery.” per dollar, according to the 10 per cent of its placements In a statement on the Qa- Although the true extent Lebanon is in the grip of lirarate.org website. with the Banque du Liban. tar Stock Exchange (QSE) of banks’ losses will only ma- the worst economic crisis in “We don’t think restruc- Restructuring costs website, QNB announced terialise once the government three decades. The govern- Although the Lebanese pound is still pegged to the US dollar at a rate turing foreign currency debt “could be even higher in the that the Qatar Investment restructures its liabilities, the ment defaulted on $1.2 bil- of 1,507.50, it has lost more than 80 percent of its value. alone would put the govern- event of a currency devalua- Authority (QIA) has decided cost of a default could surpass lion of eurobonds that were ment’s finances back on a tion”, the ratings agency said. to withdraw the board mem- 100 per cent of the country’s due on March 9 last year. It first proposed in April last leaving markets in the dark more stable footing, since that “The BdL’s governor has bership from Ali Shareef Al gross domestic product, the owes about $31 billion in dol- year by former Prime Min- about a potential resolution. debt comprised only 38 per said the Lebanese pound will Emadi as a representative of ratings agency warned in a lar-denominated eurobonds, ister Hasan Diab, which in- “Resolving the political cent of total sovereign debt at be devalued and that Lebanon QIA on the Board of Directors report titled Calculating The which are currently trading cluded a write-down of gov- deadlock in Lebanon is criti- year-end 2020,” the ratings is planning to launch a new for- of QNB. Cost of Lebanon’s Bank-Sov- at between 11 cents-15 cents ernment debt and a discount cal to starting the restructur- agency, said. eign exchange platform to curb The bank’s deputy chair- ereign Doom-Loop. on the dollar, the ratings of banks’ deposits held with ing process, and delays could “Even a write-off of all currency swings in the mean- man, Sheikh Fahad bin Faisal Under its most pessimis- agency said, meaning inves- the central bank, Banque complicate a recovery,” Gupta Eurobonds and official debt time. However, it is difficult to bin Thani Al Thani, will per- tic scenario, lenders face asset tors are pricing in an 85-89 du Liban. said. “The main stumbling would leave the government predict where the local curren- form the duties of the chair- write-downs equating to 134 percent write-down in the However, the country has block to restructuring ap- with debt amounting to 107 cy’s value will find its medium- man until a new one is elected per cent of the country’s GDP. face value of the debt. endured more than a year of pears to be that Lebanon is per cent of GDP, based on term anchor if the peg to the to the board, the largest lend- “Without a resolution, A restructuring plan was political infighting ever since, currently functioning with a year-end 2020 figures. We US dollar is removed,” it said. er in the Middle East and Af- rica said in the statement. Economy & Business Wednesday, May 26, 2021 09 Judge digs into Apple app store policies as Epic trial ends

Agencies sary, Epic Games, during the iPhone, the app store, its soft- 13 years ago. Precisely how Nintendo’s Switch. The judge final day of a three-week trial ware and other devices such profitable wasn’t revealed in also seemed to support Ap- The judge who will decide in Oakland, California. as the iPad and iPod. the trial, although an Apple ple’s right to maintain a rig- a case challenging Apple’s Gonzalez Rogers’ line of To loosen Apple’s tight- executive conceded the com- idly controlled ecosystem of stranglehold on its iPhone questioning suggested she fisted control, Epic wants pany had brought in at least products that has won over app store indicated on Mon- sides with much of the de- Gonzalez Rogers to issue an $20 billion as of June 2017. consumers around the world. day she would like to promote fense that Apple has mounted order that would require Ap- Gonzalez Rogers doesn’t “Your formulation seems more competition but with- to justify the 15% to 30% com- ple to open the iPhone and its seem to believe the fees are to ignore the reality that cus- out dismantling a commis- missions it collects for in-app other mobile products to rival unreasonable, let alone il- tomers choose an ecosystem,” sion system that reaps billions transactions on the iPhone to app stores. Those alternatives legal. That’s in part because Gonzalez Rogers told Epic of dollars for the technology help pay for the technology would include Epic’s still- because Apple’s commissions lawyer Gary Bornstein. “It powerhouse. powering its devices. unprofitable app store, which mirror those charged on in- is Apple’s business strategy U.S. District Judge Yvonne Epic Games, the maker of charges a commission of just app commissions by the app to create a particular type of Gonzalez Rogers isn’t likely to the popular videogame Fort- 12%. store feeding about 3 billion ecosystem that is incredibly issue a decision until this sum- nite, has been trying to prove Apple’s app store, in con- devices powered by Google’s attractive to purchasers, to its mer. But she opened a win- the fees are the price-gouging trast, has become far more Android software, as well as consumers. So if those con- dow into her thoughts during tool of a monopoly hatched profitable than its late co- those imposed by major video sumers choose to enter into a three-hour session with law- within the “walled garden” Legal workers carry documents for the Epic Games vs. Apple federal founder, Steve Jobs, ever en- game consoles — Sony’s Play- an ecosystem … that’s what yers for Apple and its adver- Apple has built around the court case into the Ronald V. Dellums building in Oakland, California. visioned when he opened it Station, Microsoft ’s Xbox and you know you’re buying into.”

US economists foresee best growth Social media stars wooed in 37 years: Survey for Pfizer smear campaign Agencies economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, Influencers offered The nation’s business to grow at an 8.5% annual economists have grown rate in the current April- potentially lucrative much more optimistic about June quarter, up sharply but hush-hush deal the U.S. economy this year, from a 5.2% forecast in with a majority predicting March. The government has to promote negative that increased vaccinations, estimated that the economy stronger job gains and fur- grew at a 6.4% annual rate fake stories ther government aid will ac- in the January-March quar- celerate growth to its fastest ter, a figure that it will likely pace in nearly four decades. revise up in a report to be Agencies A survey released Mon- released Thursday. day by the National Asso- As the economic recov- Social media influencers ciation for Business Eco- ery strengthens, concerns in France with hundreds of nomics found that its panel have been growing about thousands of followers say a expects the economy to ex- rising inflation pressures. mysterious advertising agen- pand 6.5% this year. That Last month, consumer cy offered to pay them if they would be the sharpest such prices surged by the larg- agreed to smear Pfizer’s COV- increase since 1984, when est amount in a decade. The ID-19 vaccine with negative the nation was also emerg- NABE’s respondents expect fake stories. ing from a deep recession. inflation of 2.8% this year French YouTuber Léo The NABE’s findings, and 2.3% next year. Last Grasset was among those con- based on the responses year, inflation amounted to tacted. He said Tuesday that of 49 forecasters earlier just 1.2%. he was offered a potentially this month, sketched a far But Holly Wade, chair of lucrative but also hush-hush brighter picture of the econ- the NABE’s survey commit- deal to make bogus claims that omy than its previous such tee, noted that the forecast- Pfizer’s vaccine poses a deadly survey, released in March, ers believe that any accel- risk and that regulators and did. In that survey, the eration in inflation will be mainstream media are cover- economists had collectively short-lived. ing up the supposed dangers. envisioned growth of just “Inflation expectations Grasset, who has 1.1 mil- 4.8% this year. moved up significantly lion subscribers on YouTube, The economy has been from those in the March says he refused. Other France- showing surprising strength survey, but panelists antici- based influencers with sizable and resilience in its recov- pate inflation easing in the audiences on Twitter, Insta- ery from the devastating second half of 2021,” Wade gram and other platforms also pandemic recession, the said. said they were contacted with worst since the Great De- More than half the pan- similar offers of payment for The smear effort against Pfizer drew a withering response from French Health Minister Olivier Veran. pression of the 1930s. Sig- elists — 56% — believe the posts. nificant government aid economy’s balance of risks The person who contacted purchases. but that had been scrubbed Pfizer. Grasset said in an interview is widely credited as a key are tilted to the positive Grasset identified himself as He refused in a follow-up from the site on Tuesday. A trainee doctor in south- with AP. “I decided not to do factor. Last year, Congress side. with the government’s Anton and said his agency has email to divulge who is fi- Companies House, where Brit- ern France with tens of thou- it.” “They wanted me to talk approved $4 trillion in sup- spending aid programs and a “quite considerable” budget nancing the disinformation ish firms are registered, has no sands of followers who was about the Pfizer vaccine in a port measures after the re- proposed infrastructure for what he described as an campaign, saying: “The client record of Fazze. also approached for the smear way that would be detrimental cession, which had cost tens measures now pending “information campaign” about prefers to remain incognito.” Anton’s emails included effort told French broad- to the Pfizer vaccine reputa- of millions of jobs. And in in Congress seen as likely “COVID-19 and the vaccines Grasset shared the email ex- a password-protected link to caster BFMTV that he was tion,” he said. March, President Joe Biden drivers of growth. offered to the European popu- changes with The Associated a set of instructions in error- offered more than 2,000 eu- He said the disinformation pushed through $1.9 tril- More than one-third of lation, notably AstraZeneca Press. strewn English for the would- ros ($3,000) for a 30-second effort drives home the need lion in additional support the survey panel — 35% — and Pfizer.” Specifically, An- The smear effort drew be campaign. video post. for people “to be super, super this year, a package that in- identified vaccine-resistant ton asked for a 45- to 60-sec- a withering response from It said influencers who Grasset said that given the cautious” about what they see cluded $1,400 payments to variants of COVID-19 as ond video on Instagram, Tik- French Health Minister Ol- agreed to take part shouldn’t large size of his YouTube fol- online. most individuals. the biggest risk to their up- Tok or YouTube to say that ivier Veran. say that they were being spon- lowing, he possibly might have “We creators on YouTube, With viral cases dwin- graded economic forecast. “the mortality rate of the Pfizer “It’s pathetic, it’s danger- sored and should instead earned tens of thousands of on internet, Instagram, et ce- dling, consumers increasing That factor was followed by vaccine is 3 times greater than ous, it’s irresponsible and it “present the material as your euros (dollars) had he agreed tera, we are at the center of spending and more busi- worries about a slowdown the AstraZeneca” and query- doesn’t work,” he said. own independent view.” Other to take part. something going on like an in- nesses reopening and hir- in the number of people ing why the European Union The person who contact- instructions were that influ- Instead, he wrote back that formation war,” he said. “We, ing, economists have been willing to be vaccinated and is buying it. ed Grasset said he works for encers should say “that main- “I can’t work for a client that as creators, need to set our upgrading their forecasts. concerns about stock mar- “This is a monopoly and an advertising agency called stream media ignores this won’t give its name and who standards really high because The NABE panel expects the ket volatility. is causing harm to public Fazze. A website for Fazze theme” and should ask why asks me to hide the partner- it’s, I think, just the begin- health,” Anton claimed of EU’s used to give a London address governments are purchasing ship.” “Too many red flags,” ning.” AAB launches offer for recent buyers of pre-owned Lexus German regulator probes

Tribune News Network vice centers? Google’s market position Doha The technicians at AAB are specialists who are trained Agencies competition across markets” Abdullah Abdulghani by Toyota. AAB have an ongo- from engaging in practices & Bros. Co. (AAB), the sole ing training program for the German regulators have deemed to be anti-competi- agents for Lexus vehicles in service staff including Service launched an investigation tive. Qatar, has started a special Managers, Service Advisors into Google’s position in the “Due to the large number promotion for those who have and technicians as well as market, and how the search of digital services offered by bought a pre-owned Lexus support staff. Service advisors engine and advertising giant Google, such as the Google vehicle. Any person or organi- know in detail about your ve- handles user data. search engine, YouTube, zation that has purchased a hicles to make recommenda- The Federal Cartel Office, Google Maps, the Android op- pre-owned Lexus vehicle from tions about maintenance or or Bundeskartellamt, said erating system or the Chrome anyone between April 24 and repairs that your car might Tuesday that it has started browser, the company could June 10, 2021, can enjoy AAB’s require. AAB service centers proceedings against Google be considered to be of para- “Lube Plus” service for QR33. uses only Genuine Spare Parts entities in Germany, Ireland mount significance for com- The Express Lube Plus and deliver Quality Service. and California based on new petition across markets,” the service includes oil and filter Abdullah Abdulghani & provisions in German compe- head of the regulatory body, change along with 25-point Customers can call their hot- even if the vehicle is old. Service Center, Al Khor Quick Bros. Co. W.L.L. was found- tition law that apply to large Andreas Mundt, said in a checkup. Customers can also line number 800-1-800 for AAB Service network has Service Center & Al Watania ed in the year 1958 by one of digital companies. Similar statement. get special prices on parts and taking appointments for their 10 facilities spread across Petrol Station Quick service Qatar’s pioneering business probes were launched into A second probe will exam- labour in case they do addi- servicing the vehicle. the country viz. Main Ser- center (Al Shammal Road). families and is the leading au- the activities of Facebook and ine Google’s data processing tional job. To avail this ben- AAB Lexus always be- vice Center in the Industrial Four (4) of our Service Cent- tomobile distributor in Qatar. Amazon in recent months. terms, which are often lengthy efit, the customer will have lieves in giving the best own- area, Madinat Khalifa Quick ers: Al Wakrah, Al Nayef, Abu The company’s constant com- Google denied that its and difficultfor users to un- to show the SMS from Met- ership experience to their Service Center, Abu Ham- Hamour and Aziz Service mitment to delivering a great practices breach German derstand. rash or Traffic Department or customers irrespective of the our Quick Service Center, Al Center are Express main- customer experience coupled competition rules. “A key question in this show the receipt from Traffic model year of the vehicle you Nayef Quick Service Center, tenance facility where your with the world class quality Under provisions which context is whether consum- Department. Customers can own. AAB believe in long term Airport Road Quick Service periodic maintenance will be and reliability of Toyota ve- came into force in January, ers wishing to use Google’s also enjoy body painting for relationship and would like to Center, Al Wakrah Quick Ser- completed in 1 hour. hicles has enabled the brand the Federal Cartel Office can services have sufficient choice any panel for only QR499 and help their customers to keep vice Center, Aziz Quick Ser- Why should you service to enjoy the highest market ban companies that are of as to how Google will use their full body polish for QR499. the vehicle in good condition vice Center, Shahania Quick your vehicle at AAB ser- share in the country. “paramount significance for data,” Mundt said. 10 Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Economy & Business Consumer confidence ticks down in May, but remains strong

Agencies month, the Commerce De- partment reported that re- US Consumer confidence tail sales in the U.S. flattened ticked down slightly in May out in April after soaring in but remains nearly as high as March, when many Ameri- its been since the pandemic cans received those govern- began. ment checks and boosted their The Conference Board re- spending. ported Tuesday that its con- Economists have said that sumer confidence index fell to rising confidence should bol- 117.2 from April’s 117.5 read- ster overall economic growth ing, the highest level since as consumers, who account February of 2020, just before for 70% of economic activity, the pandemic began. spend more as lockdown re- The present situation in- strictions are eased or aban- dex, based on consumers as- doned altogether in many sessment of current business places. and labor market conditions, Recent government data rose to 144.3 from 131.9. Al- shows that the nation’s gross though the percentage of domestic product — its total consumers surveyed claiming output of goods and services that business conditions are — is expected to continue to “good” fell slightly from 19.4% rise. Following a 4.3% gain in to 18.7%, those claiming con- the fourth quarter of 2020, the ditions are “bad” declined government’s first estimate of more, from 24.5% in April to the January-March quarter 21.8% in May. came in at a brisk 6.4% annual Consumers’ assessment rate. Some economists expect of the labor market also im- even bigger growth in the cur- proved as the percentage of rent April-June quarter — an consumers saying jobs are annual pace of 10% or more Investors, including individuals buying second houses and wealthy Wall Street firms, are also buying more homes, intensifying the competition in the US. “plentiful” climbed from — driven by a surge in people 36.3% to 46.8%. Those saying traveling, shopping, dining that jobs are hard to get fell to out and resuming their pre- 12.2% from 14.7%. Unemploy- pandemic spending habits. ment claims have fallen to That optimism is on full In a sizzling US market, demand pandemic lows each week for display in U.S. markets with the past the month. five of the six top gainers on The Conference Board’s the S&P 500 carrying the tick- expectations index, based on ers of airlines or cruise com- consumers’ short-term views panies. and prices for houses increase for income, business and the Shares in United Airlines job market, fell to 99.1 in May, rose more than 5% Tuesday homes in April, up from 10% last month, the NAR said, a re- from 107.9 in April. after the airline said ticketed New data further illuminate the red-hot na- a year earlier, according to cord high. Consumers’ expectations yields from casual travelers ture of the housing market: Prices rose in the National Association of Glenn Kelman, CEO of for the future may be less are near prepandemic lev- Realtors. The large millennial Redfin, said Tuesday on Twit- bright because the tailwind els. Shares in Delta Air Lines March at the fastest pace in over 7 years generation is also increasingly ter that one desperate home from Americans spending jumped 2% after the company turning toward home-buying. Driving factors buyer in Bethesda, Maryland, their $1,400 stimulus checks said bookings have been bet- Agencies year-over-year jump in Febru- Daryl Fairweather, chief offered — perhaps partly could be fading. Earlier this ter than expected. ary. economist at Redfin, said Several factors are driving the tongue-in-cheek — to name America’s housing market Several factors are driv- that demand had been out- seemingly relentless rise in her first-born child after the has grown so overheated as ing the seemingly relentless stripping supply even before home prices. The pandemic seller. (She still lost out to an- demand outpaces supply that rise in home prices. The pan- the pandemic as developers has encouraged more people other buyer.) prices keep hitting record demic has encouraged more struggled to build enough new to seek out the additional Kelman also noted that highs — and roughly half of people to seek out the ad- homes. Builders now say that space provided by a there are now more real estate all U.S. houses are now selling ditional space provided by a shortages of workers and lum- single-family home. Yet at the agents than there are homes above their list price. single-family home. Yet at the ber are limiting their ability to same time, COVID-19 listed for sale. According to the Two years ago, before same time, COVID-19 discour- build. Labor Department, 1.7 million the pandemic struck, just a aged many homeowners from New home construction discouraged many Americans were working in quarter of homes were selling selling and opening up their fell in April after reaching a homeowners from selling and real estate in April. above the sellers’ asking price, homes to would-be buyers, 15-year high a month earlier. opening up their homes to Some of the year-over-year according to data from the real thereby shrinking the number “All told, there is little, would-be buyers, thereby price gain likely reflects the estate brokerage Redfin. of homes for sale. if any, indication that home shrinking the number of slower sales and reduced de- On Tuesday, new data fur- And mortgage rates re- prices will slow their apprecia- homes for sale. mand a year ago at the onset ther illuminated the red-hot main at historically low levels, tion anytime soon,” said Mat- of the pandemic. All 20 cities nature of the housing market: with the average rate on a 30- thew Speakman, an economist in the Case-Shiller index re- Prices rose in March at the year fixed mortgage around at real estate website Zillow. buyers into a near-frenzy. ported faster price increases in fastest pace in more than sev- 3%. A year ago, the average The number of homes for Properties were on the mar- March than in February. en years. The S&P CoreLogic was nearly 3.25%. sale fell 21% in April compared ket for just 17 days in April, The largest increase was in Case-Shiller 20-city home Investors, including indi- with a year earlier, to just 1.16 and 88% of homes sold were Phoenix for the 22nd straight price index jumped 13.3% that viduals buying second houses million, near a record low in on the market for less than a month; prices there rose 20% month compared with a year and wealthy Wall Street firms, figures that date to 1982, ac- month, the NAR said. compared with a year ago. San earlier — the biggest such gain are also buying more homes, cording to the National Asso- The ensuing bidding wars Diego experienced the next- since December 2013. That intensifying the competi- ciation of Realtors. The plum- raised the price of the typical, largest gain, at 19.1%, followed US Consumer confidence goes down slightly in May but remains price surge followed a 12% tion. Investors bought 17% of meting supply has pushed or median, house to $341,600 by Seattle, with 18.3%. nearly as high as its been since the pandemic began. Germany’s GDP slumps but optimism up DC files antitrust case vs

my were shut down in the first months, Ifo said. Amazon over vendor woes Q1 GDP in Germany drops by 1.8% over quarter of 2021 as Germany “The finally accelerating grappled with rising coronavi- vaccination rollout, as well Agencies party sellers on its platform. Q4 of 2020 and by 3.4% over a year ago rus infection figures. The finally accelerating as first steps in the reopening It alleges these provisions and The country has recently vaccination rollout, as well of the economy, have clearly The District of Columbia has policies prevent sellers that of- Agencies my, dropped by 1.8% over the been gradually moving to open as first steps in the boosted optimism,” ING econ- sued Amazon, accusing the on- fer products on Amazon.com fourth quarter of 2020, ac- up more areas of public life, reopening of the economy, omist Carsten Brzeski said. line retail giant of anticompeti- from offering their products at Germany’s economy con- cording to figures adjusted for however, as the latest wave of He cautioned that new var- tive practices in its treatment of lower prices or on better terms tracted more than expected in price, seasonal and calendar virus infections subsides and have clearly boosted iants of the coronavirus could sellers on its platform. The prac- on any other online platform, the first quarter amid corona- factors. The office’s prelimi- its vaccination campaign gath- optimism. cause a setback, and that sup- tices have raised prices for con- including their own websites. virus lockdown measures, ac- nary estimate had been a drop ers pace. ply chain disruptions could sumers and stifled innovation “We filed this antitrust law- cording to statistics released of 1.7%. According to the closely- ING economist Carsten Brzeski harm the manufacturing sec- and choice in the online retail suit to put an end to Amazon’s Tuesday, but a leading indica- GDP was down 3.4% over watched monthly survey from tor, but that the “general out- market, the DC attorney general illegal control of prices across tor showed that businesses’ the same quarter last year, Munich’s Ifo institute, senti- in April, its highest value since look for the German economy alleges in an antitrust suit. the online retail market,” DC optimism is rising as the pace when the pandemic was just ment among German manag- May 2019. is improving.” The suit filed Tuesday Attorney General Karl Racine of vaccinations increases. starting to take hold, according ers has followed with a consid- According to its sub in- “We expect private con- in the District of Columbia said in a conference call with re- The Federal Statistical Of- to price adjusted figures, and erable improvement. dices, companies were more sumption and the construction court maintains that Amazon porters. Amazon is the world’s fice said that the first quarter 3.1% when adjusted for both The agency’s index of satisfied withtheir current sector to be the main drivers of has fixed online retail prices biggest online retailer, control- gross domestic product in Ger- price and calendar factors. business climate rose to 99.2 business situations as well as growth in the second quarter,” through contract provisions ling 50% to 70% of online mar- many, Europe’s largest econo- Many facets of the econo- points in May from 96.6 points more optimistic for the coming he said. and policies it applies to third- ket sales. Renault-Nissan workers in India to strike over COVID-19 fears Agencies over allegations from workers safe. The legal battle highlights It was not immediately that social distancing norms The union represents the challenges companies face clear how long the protest Workers at Renault-Ni- were being flouted and factory around 3,500 workers at the in India amid a huge wave of would continue and the extent ssan’s car plant in southern health policies did not suffi- plant. COVID-19 infections. of production disruption for India will go on strike on ciently address the risk to lives. Nissan, which owns a ma- Several Hyundai Motor Co Hyundai. Wednesday as their COVID-re- “Due to unsafe working jority stake in the plant, de- employees, fearing for their Tamil Nadu is one of the lated safety demands have not conditions and as the union clined to comment, saying the health, have halted work at worst hit states of India’s surge been met, a union representing demands have not been met... matter was in court. the automaker’s plant in Ta- in COVID-19 infections, with the workers told the company members of this union will Renault-Nissan told an In- mil Nadu state and are staging more than 30,000 cases a day. in a letter on Monday. not report to work from the dian court last week it rejected a sit-in protest, two sources at The state, an auto hub The strike threat at the first shift on Wednesday,” the claims that COVID-19 safety the Hyundai Motor India Em- known as India’s Detroit, has plant in Tamil Nadu, jointly union said in a letter dated protocols were being ignored ployees Union told Reuters. imposed a lockdown until May owned by Nissan Motor and May 24, reviewed by Reuters. at the factory, adding it needed Hyundai Motor India did 31 but has allowed some facto- alliance partner Renault, The letter added that workers to continue production to meet not immediately respond to a ries, including auto plants, to comes ahead of a court hearing would not return until they felt orders. request for comment. continue operating. Wednesday, May 26, 2021 11 Economy & Business Sea change: Global freight sails out of the digital dark ages COVID-19 and global supply chain snarls have prompted freight giants to hasten their transition to digital freight systems

Agencies Loadsmart has raised $150 mil- lion from investors and saw its rev- If suppliers in China fail to pick up enue jump 208% in the fourth quar- freight containers to fill an order for ter of 2020. MediaShop, Marcel Schneider gets “The switch to digital used to be an alert via a digital freight system, seen as a vitamin, now it’s a pain- allowing the retailer to reach out killer,” says Loadsmart CEO Ricardo and fix the problem swiftly. Salgado. “If you don’t do it, your Before July 2020, Austria-based competitors are going to run you MediaShop’s deputy supply chain di- over.” Ofload launched in Australia rector says he would discover prob- in March 2020 as the pandemic lems in his supply chain only when hit hard and has companies with containers failed to arrive in Ham- around 15,000 trucks combined us- burg as scheduled. ing its system. Maersk Australia - “It was like being in a tunnel also an investor - uses it to manage where you had only a limited view of all of its freight, not just the loads what was going on,” Schneider said. booked using Ofload. Lost containers means lost sales CEO Geoffroy Henry says Aus- for MediaShop, which sells consum- tralia’s trucking sector is highly er goods ranging from kitchen knives fragmented so around one in three to fitness equipment. A missing load trucks “is running empty at all times can mean the company pays penal- and we aim to tackle those empty ties to wholesale customers for late miles directly.” And Hong Kong- shipments. based digital freight startup Freigh- Global supply chain snarls, from tos saw a twentyfold increase in shortages of freight containers in bookings between freight companies China to a blockage in the Suez Ca- and airlines on its WebCargo plat- nal, have thrown a wrench into the form from March 2020 to March recovery from the COVID-19 pan- 2021 as the air cargo industry went demic. They have also accelerated online during the pandemic. the freight industry’s shift out of the Big traditional operators in the digital dark ages. That’s benefiting a global supply chain are also not fast-growing cluster of startup com- standing still. panies that had struggled to sell their U.S. logistics provider XPO, for software-powered freight tracking instance, said its own digital plat- technology, until now. form powered an 83% year-over- An analysis of digital freight year growth in truck brokerage rev- startups shows there are close to 250 enue in the first quarter. companies globally, including Uber’s Increased digitization also comes logistics arm Uber Freight, and some amid a wave of consolidation in the Chinese operators looking to go pub- sector, especially in China, sparked lic like Full Truck Alliance. by the e-commerce boom during the “Really, the pandemic gave us a COVID-19 pandemic. chance to shine, with capacity being Swiss logistics firm Kuehne & taken offline and demand surging in Nagel said on Monday it would buy unpredictable ways,” says Ryan Pe- Asian logistics provider Apex Inter- tersen, Chief Executive Officer of San national Corp from private equity Francisco-based Flexport, a freight firm MBK Partners, making it the forwarder whose revenue almost world’s largest air-freight forwarder. doubled to $1.27 billion last year and And last month DSV Panalpina which has raised $1.3 billion from in- Digitization in the freight industry has been under way for years, but the expense of grafting digital tracking systems onto legacy databases has discouraged many said it would acquire the logistics vestors. MediaShop is a client. companies. division of Kuwait’s Agility Pub- Digitization in the freight indus- lic Warehousing Co in an all-share try has been under way for years, but cause people have had to figure out Berlin-based digital freight forward- - including cumbersome customs The company tripled its business in deal worth $4.1 billion, creating the the expense of grafting digital track- how to operate remotely,” said Sune er Forto five years ago, he toured declarations - online, with custom- 2020. world’s third largest freight forward- ing systems onto legacy databases Stilling, former head of growth at the a traditional company’s offices in ers able to track containers as they Integration with transportation ing company. has discouraged many companies. venture capital arm of shipping giant Hamburg and was shocked by the are scanned at various points along management systems has also been After hosting a meeting with Now, a number of startups Maersk, which has invested in sev- antiquated operations. the way. key for Loadsmart, a U.S. digital Forto’s CEO Wax last month, Credit staffed by alumni of tech companies eral of these startups. “We saw a bunch of white males “We will orchestrate your en- truck brokerage and Ofload, an Aus- Suisse analysts wrote in a client note like Facebook, Amazon and Uber Deep-pocketed traditional there managing a lot of colored Post- tire supply chain for you,” Wax tralian equivalent. that the rise of digital forwarders have developed platforms that inte- freight giants are also beefing up It notes stuck around their computer said. “This is the future of logistics.” When U.S. customers, which in- means more deals are likely. grate with customers’ transportation their own systems to compete. But screens, and running around with Forto’s system integrates with trans- clude Home Depot, Coca-Cola and “The continued use of legacy sys- management systems, making them smaller companies may find it hard bits of paper,” Wax said. portation management systems de- Kraft Heinz, book an order on their tems and processes by incumbent easy to use from home. to fund the transition to digital, Forto has raised $53 million veloped by the likes of Oracle and own transportation management freight forwarders suggests market “We have seen a massive accel- which should drive consolidation, from investors, including Maersk SAP for major customers, making it systems, rather than having to reach share opportunities for new digital eration in products that normally especially in the freight forwarding Growth. Like Flexport, Forto built easier for them to use. out to a truck broker, they get an in- operators,” the analysts wrote. “It wouldn’t have been adopted for industry. a software platform to handle ship- It also sells software to shippers stant guaranteed quote from Load- may also provide consolidation op- three, four or five years from now be- Before Michael Wax founded ments from factory to warehouse as a standalone supply-chain tool. smart. portunities for the top tier.”

Saved by online lenders, businesses say they’ll borrow again

Agencies of these companies that’s built tion was quickly accepted and likely to have rates under 10%. on information in their own for speed,” says Carver, owner sent to the SBA. (This wasn’t an issue with the databases, payment histories Some small businesses of Atlanta-based Constellation Grimes is looking into on- PPP: Congress set the rate for being one example. forced to turn to online lend- Marketing. line banks that provide check- all loans through the program “They were deeply com- ers for pandemic relief are The recently ended Pay- ing and other services. Because at 1%.) mitted to the success and fu- making those niche players a check Protection Program gave he doesn’t handle cash in his Paying a higher interest ture of the small business seg- bigger part of their financial out more than 11 million loans business, all his transactions rate can make sense, Carver ment, so they leaned in,” Mills game plan, and are even con- worth over $788 billion. Banks can be carried out electroni- says. says. sidering dumping their tradi- were overwhelmed by more ap- cally. “Money is important, but When some small business tional banks altogether. plications than they were used “I believe that there is an time is also a big part,” he says. clients of Kruze Consulting ran Loans from online lenders to handling, and many larger online bank with the services There are varying esti- into roadblocks at their banks, saved thousands of small busi- applicants got their loans pro- that we need,” he says. mates of the size of the online the accounting firm recom- ness owners who were unable cessed ahead of smaller busi- Speed can be the difference lending market for businesses, mended they try online lend- to get COVID-19 relief loans nesses. maker for an owner in need of but it’s well into the dozens ers. All those clients got their from big traditional lenders. Some small companies a loan. A traditional bank loan of billions of dollars and is loans and had good service. Now, encouraged by getting with established banking re- can take weeks between the ap- expected to grow by double- “They would use those on- applications processed within lationships were rejected be- plication and the money arriv- digit percentages in the next line services again,” says Healy days rather than weeks, these cause they didn’t have the right When Ahmande Grimes, owner of Spartan Financial, a financial ser- ing. Online lenders don’t have few years. Investors and the Jones, a vice president at the owners are becoming repeat mix of accounts. Others never vices broker, applied for a relief loan through his two traditional banks to comply with federal govern- financial services industry rec- firmthat has offices in Califor- customers. heard back or were turned during COVID-19, the process seemed as complicated as applying for ment regulations as banks do, ognize the potential value of nia, New York and Texas. Patrick Carver was loyal to down without explanation. a mortgage. When he turned to an online lender, his application was so they can turn applications online lenders; PayPal, which The PPP was a teachable his big national bank but be- Many desperate for cash then quickly accepted and sent to the SBA. As a result, Grimes is consider- around faster, sometimes with- went public in 2015, has nearly moment for the accountants came disillusioned after apply- turned to small banks or online ing a complete move to online banking, not just for borrowing. in hours. doubled in price since before as they saw widely varying per- ing for a Paycheck Protection lenders whose target custom- A 2018 study by the Feder- the PPP began, compared to a formances from all the lenders. Program loan, not getting a ers are small businesses. only about 1% of the program’s 2020 was really an eye opener al Reserve and the Federal Re- 20% gain in the S&P 500 index “We are really seeing it as response for over a month and Online and other state-reg- money, but it was cash many regarding the differences be- serve Bank of Cleveland found over the same time frame. Last a weighing mechanism to see then having his application de- ulated lenders handled nearly businesses couldn’t get else- tween online banking and tra- owners want the relationship year, American Express bought which banks had the custom- nied. At the suggestion of a 251,000 PPP loans totaling where. ditional banking,” says Grimes, a traditional bank can offer Kabbage, which offers banking er service and organizational friend, Carver tried an online more than $6 billion in 2020, Ahmande Grimes is con- who owns Spartan Financial, — but they like the efficiency services in addition to loans. chops to help clients during lender — his application was according to the Small Busi- sidering a complete move to a financial services broker in offered by online lenders. But The PPP raised the profile the crisis,” Jones says. approved in four days and he ness Administration, which ap- online banking, not just for Nashville, Tennessee. When there’s a downside to the ease of online lenders like PayPal For Grimes, online banks had the money within a week. proved the loans. In the 2021 borrowing. He had consid- he applied for a relief loan and speed online lenders offer: and Square, says Karen Mills, are in the best position to give If he needs another loan, he’ll round of lending, which ended ered an online loan before the through his two traditional cost. who headed the SBA during him that kind of help because start with the internet. May 4, those companies made pandemic, but believed at that banks, the process seemed as Some online loans carry the Obama administration they once were startups. “Anything related to my more than 1 million loans total- point that traditional banks complicated as applying for a interest rates that top the 20% and now is a research fellow “They were a small busi- business that requires swift ing nearly $21 billion. Those were the best route. mortgage. When he turned to business credit cards can carry. at Harvard University. These ness. They understand me. action, I’ll likely go with one dollar amounts accounted for “My experience through an online lender, his applica- Traditional business loans are companies based their lending They are me,” he says. QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Mehidy Hasan QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune excels with the ball as Bangladesh secure maiden ODI series win over Sri Lanka WEDNESday, MAY 26, 2021 page 14 Teams arrive as Total CAF Super Cup tickets go on sale QNA Doha

The Total CAF Super Cup 2020 Local Organising Com- mittee (LOC) has announced that tickets for the match are on sale on the website of Qatar Football Association (QFA) for 30% of the capacity of the Jas- sim bin Hamad Stadium, the venue for the showdown. The Local Organizing Committee has set a unified ticket price of QR50 with a minimum of one ticket and a maximum of four allowed for each booking. Bookings can be made by following the ticket- ing process instructions and purchasing through the fol- lowing link: tickets.qfa.qa The Total CAF Super Cup 2020 match will be the 29th edition of the game, bring- ing together Egypt’s Al Ahly Members of the Moroccan club RS Berkane – the Total CAF Confederations Cup champions (left) and Egypt’s Al Ahly – the Total CAF Champions League winner (right) on their arrival at the Hamad International Airport – the Total CAF Champions in Doha on Tuesday and Monday respectively for the Total CAF Super Cup to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Friday. League winner, and the Mo- roccan club RS Berkane – the measures, the stadium’s ca- tendance, the LOC and MOPH in the last 9 months (after Au- tative measures outlined by were won by Egyptian team 2014 when they beat Tuni- Total CAF Confederations Cup pacity has been restricted to have stipulated that only two gust 28, 2020). The second cat- the MOPH. Zamalek SC and Moroccan sian side CS Sfaxien. Berkane, champions. 30% to prevent the spread of categories of fans (12 years or egory is the recovered individu- This is the third year in a side Raja Casablanca. meanwhile, are appearing in The match at Jassim Bin COVID-19. Only fully vacci- older) who can purchase tick- als who have recovered in the row that Doha has hosted the The runners-up on both their first Super Cup. Hamad Stadium on Friday nated people and those who ets to attend the event. last 9 months with last day of Total CAF Super Cup as part occasions were Tunisian side Al Ahly qualified for the (May 28) will kick-off at 7pm recovered from COVID-19 in The first category is the ful- recovery 21 days before match of a collaboration between the Esperance Sportive de Tunis. Super Cup after defeating (6pm Cairo and 5pm Casa- the last nine months will be ly vaccinated individuals given day (Recovery Period: August Qatar Football Association Al Ahly are the Total CAF Zamalek in the Champions blanca time). permitted to attend the match. that the second shot latest date 28, 2020 to May 7, 2021). and the Confederation of Afri- Super Cup record holders hav- League final, while Berkane In line with Qatar’s Minis- To ensure the safety and is May 14, 2021, and that the All spectators and organis- can Football (CAF). ing claimed the title six times, defeated Pyramids FC in the try of Public Health (MOPH) well being of everyone in at- vaccine must have been taken ers must adhere to the preven- The previous two editions the latest of which came in Confederations Cup. Barshim and Stefanidi to soar in Florence in June Hassan and QAF finalises Kipyegon in 1500m preparations for Worldathletics

Two-time world high jump Diamond League champion Mutaz Barshim and Olympic pole vault gold med- allist Katerina Stefanidi are Doha 2021 also among the latest athletes announced for the QNA Golden Gala Pietro Men- Doha nea, a Wanda Diamond League meeting, on 10th June. Preparations continue Double world champion at Qatar Athletics Federa- Sifan Hassan and Olympic Olympic pole vault gold medallist tion (QAF) to host the second gold medallist Faith Kipyegon Katerina Stefanidi. round of Wanda Diamond will go head-to-head over League Doha 2021 at the Su- 1500m as they look to fly high record-holder Roberta Bruni. haim Bin Hamad Stadium at in Florence, Italy. Athletes previously an- Qatar Sports Club on Friday. Hassan opened her season nounced for the meeting The event will see the par- with a 14:35.34 5000m and include Malaika Mihambo, ticipation of an elite of stars 2:01.54 800m in the USA ear- Twice high jump world champion and Olympic medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar. Ivana Spanovic, Maryna and legends, who will have lier this month and in Italy she Bekh-Romanchuk, Caterine fierce competitions to qualify will race over the distance at Kenya’s world 3000m steeple- Rome in 2014 and in Florence this year. Ibarguen, Khaddi Sagnia and for the upcoming Olympic which she set the meeting re- chase record-holder Beatrice he will take on local favourite The women’s pole vault Larissa Iapichino in the wom- Games in Tokyo. Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba will cord of 3:56.22 in 2017. Chepkoech, who improved the Gianmarco Tamberi, who set will see Stefanidi, who cleared en’s long jump. The men’s shot Manager of the Tourna- be seen in action in the men’s The Dutch world 1500m world 5km record in February, the Italian record of 2.39m 4.80m to win at the USATF put includes Tom Walsh, To- ment and Board Member of 400m hurdles. and 5000m gold medallist and Britain’s European 1500m in 2016, as well as European Golden Games earlier this mas Stanek, Leonardo Fabbri, the Qatar Athletics Federation will face Kenya’s 2017 world champion Laura Muir. indoor champion Maksim month, go up against world Michal Haratyk and Konrad Khalid Rashid Al Marri noted tional record holder in the 1500m champion Kipyegon, Barshim set the men’s pole Nedasekau and world bronze champion Anzhelika Sidorova, Bukowiecki. that the Qatari athletics team 3000m SC courtesy of her who claimed 2019 world silver vault meeting record of 2.41m medallist Ilya Ivanyuk, who European indoor champion A total of 1000 spectators will participate in eight races World Championships bronze behind Hassan in Doha, plus when the event was held in have both set PBs of 2.37m Angelica Moser and Italian will be able to attend the event. and two competitions. medal-winning performance He noted that the Qatari in 2019 (9:03.30). She raced team will participate in the extensively throughout the high jump with world cham- 2021 indoor season and pion Mutaz Essa Barshim, and opened her outdoor season Champions League final in Porto allowed to host 16,500 fans in hammer throw with Ashraf with a 2:05.76 800m in Ger- Amjad Al Saifi. many on 21 May. She will DPA final was supposed to take Among the most promi- compete in her first 3000m Berlin place in Istanbul, but was nent participations in Doha SC of the year in Doha as she moved to Porto, Portugal’s will be the participation of prepares for her third Olympic European football rul- port city due to coronavirus Kenyan runner Beatrice Chep- Games this summer. ing body UEFA has said that travel restrictions. koech, the world champion in Chepkoech, who finished 16,500 spectators will be al- Turkey was added to Brit- the 3000-meter hurdles and third over 3000m in the 2020 lowed into the Estadio do ain’s “red list” for travel be- world record holder, along Wanda Doha Diamond League, Dragao in Porto for the Cham- cause of the high coronavirus with the American Emma Co- said: “I’m looking forward to pions League final between infections numbers. burn and the German Gesa competing in Doha. It’s the Manchester City and Chelsea That means those return- Felicitas Krause, who finished place where I became World on Saturday. ing to the country must face second and third respectively Champion. 2021 is a special UEFA said on Tuesday a 10-day hotel quarantine pe- in the last World Champion- year with the Olympics coming that Portuguese authori- riod on their return. ship held in Qatar in 2019. up and I would like to start my ties have confirmed that 33 It’s the second consecu- Chepkoech has already en- outdoor season in a nice way.” per cent of the 50,033 seats tive year Istanbul has been joyed success this year, most The Doha Round enjoys a may be used to welcome fans unable to host the showpiece notably when achieving a 5k large participation of the stars in the final and still comply as planned due to the global (road) world record in Monaco the game and unprecedented with pandemic social-dis- health crisis, with Portugal (14:43) and an indoor person- global and local media cover- tancing guidelines. stepping in. al best for 3000m (8:31.72), age every year, due to the great Both City and Chelsea had Last season, Lisbon staged both in February. Her 3000m facilities provided by the organ- an allocation of 6,000 tick- a mini-tournament culminat- SC world record, also achieved izing committee of the tour- ets reserved for their fans, ing in a closed door final when in Monaco (2018), is an in- nament, and constant keen- UEFA said. Bayern Munich defeated Paris credible 8:44.32. ness on attracting more world The Champions League The Estadio do Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, which will host the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday. Saint-Germain. Krause is the German na- champions to come to Doha. Sports Wednesday, May 26, 2021 13

EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL Villarreal seek first trophy glory against veterans United DPA Berlin

The contrast in Wednesday’s Europa League final could hardly be greater when Man- chester United - three times continental kings - take on a Villarreal side looking to win the first major honour in their history. But Yellow Submarine (L to R) Manchester United’s Ivorian defender Eric Bailly, Uruguayan coach Unai Emery, who has forward Edinson Cavani and Swedish defender Victor Lindelof attend lifted the same trophy three a training session on the eve of the UEFA Europa League final agianst times already with Sevilla, Villarreal CF in Gdansk, Poland, on Tuesday. (AFP) knows all about winning the competition while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is yet to taste suc- cess as United manager. Maguire skips “It’s going to be special,” said Solskjaer of Wednes- day’s final in Gdansk, Poland. “You’ve got to be proud to training, set to be able to lead a Manchester United team out to a final. “This is just a step on the miss final road to bringing our Man- chester United back.” Solsk- DPA named in England’s provision- jaer famously grabbed the Gdansk (Poland) al 33-man squad for the Euro- last-gasp winner when United pean Championship earlier in defeated Bayern Munich in Harry Maguire sat out train- the day, headed to the dugout the 1999 Champions League ing on the eve of the Europa rather than the pitch as his final but time has moved on Villarreal’s players during a training session on the eve of the UEFA Europa League final Manchester United in Gdansk, Poland, on Tuesday.( AFP) League final as faint hopes team-mates started training. from that success-heavy era at of the Manchester United Solskjaer went over to Old Trafford. captain leading the side out him 15 minutes into the ses- United have not lifted any Manchester United have not won anything in Europa League finals since 2000 against Villarreal were all but sion, before the United boss silverware since Jose Mour- four years – Villarreal have not won anything, ever. List of Europa League/UEFA Cup finals, 2008: Zenit St Petersburg 2 Rangers 0 extinguished. returned to the main group as inho completed a League Who will triumph in the Europa League final? played on a home and away basis until 1997 2009: Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Werder Bremen 1 The 28-year-old centre- a forlorn Maguire watched on. Cup/Europa League double and as a single final from 1998 onwards. The after extra-time back sustained ankle ligament The decision on Maguire in 2017 and Solskjaer is just competition was renamed the Europa League 2010: Atletico Madrid 2 Fulham 1 after extra-time damage 16 days ago when may be taken out of Solskjaer’s the latest boss charged with pick Dean Hen- year history. at the start of the 2009/10 season. 2011: Porto 1 Braga 0 Aston Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi hands, but he has some other bringing back the glory days derson and usual “We deserve to 2012: Atletico Madrid 3 Athletic Bilbao 0 awkwardly landed on him. big decisions to mull over such 2000: Galatasaray 0 Arsenal 0 Galatasaray win 2013: Chelsea 2 Benfica 1 of Alex Ferguson. cup keeper David play this final and 4-1 on penalties 2014: Sevilla 0 Benfica 0 Sevilla win 4-2 on Manager Ole Gunnar Sol- as whether to start David De “This game’s important for de Gea. we will put on our 2001: Liverpool 5 Alaves 4 Golden Goal penalties skjaer had initially been up- Gea or Dean Henderson be- us,” said United striker Mar- United are al- best performance,” 2002: Feyenoord 3 Borussia Dortmund 2 2015: Sevilla 3 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 2 beat about Maguire returning tween the sticks. cus Rashford. “We’re so close ready in the Cham- said Emery, who 2003: Porto 3 Celtic 2 after extra-time 2016: Sevilla 3 Liverpool 1 to skipper the side in Wednes- “It’s always difficult to to being a team that can com- pions League next promised his team 2004: Valencia 2 Olympique Marseille 0 2017: Manchester United 2 Ajax 0 day’s final in Gdansk, only for leave players out but it’s pete and win trophies every season having fin- would “show we want 2005: CSKA Moscow 3 Sporting Lisbon 1 2018: Atletico Madrid 3 Olympique Marseille 0 that positivity to wane last throughout the whole season,” single season. ished second domesti- to fight against Man- 2006: Sevilla 4 Middlesbrough 0 2019: Chelsea 4 Arsenal 1 week despite the defender the United boss said. “Maybe winning this ti- cally but a spot in the chester United for this 2007: Sevilla 2 Espanyol 2 Sevilla win 3-1 on 2020: Sevilla 3 Inter Milan 2 coming off his crutches. “A final is a reward for tle, this Europa League, can elite competition is fur- title.” Veteran Raul Albi- penalties 2021: Villarreal v Manchester United. But the centre-back’s place what you’ve done the whole give us that little push that ther incentive for Villar- ol is key to their defence, in the 26-man squad travelling season, then if there’s a doubt we need.” Solskjaer has ad- real, who were seventh as is the younger Pau larreal, who only reached the Should they win the tro- to Poland provided renewed between a couple it’s the form mitted influential defender in Spain. Torres - who reportedly top-flight in 1998 and had phy, 2,000 of their fans will hope, so too Solskjaer’s sugges- in the latter stages, of course. Harry Maguire is unlikely to But that would has United among his never even reached a final be in Poland to see it amid tion he would make a late bid to “But we’ll enjoy the last recover from injury to part- very much be the many transfer suitors. before - losing five previous the coronavirus pandemic be involved against Villarreal. session and the players will get ner Victor Lindelof in defence cherry on the cake of Torres called the semi-finals in various compe- with capacity capped at less “Harry is just going to jog the team tomorrow.” Solskjaer while he also faces a dilemma winning a first major final “a historic op- titions before edging out Arse- than 10,000 in the Gdansk’s up and down the sideline, I is looking to lead United to in goals between recent first trophy in their 98- portunity” for Vil- nal over two legs this time. Stadion Miejski. reckon,” the United boss said glory 22 years to the day since in his pre-match press confer- he struck to complete the tre- ence on Tuesday. ble with a last-gasp winner “He’ll probably try to join in against Bayern Munich in the (training) a little, but apart from Champions League final. that we’re looking quite good.” Alex Ferguson was in the Man Utd are not the favourites, says Forlan Yet within an hour it was clear hotseat that night and trav- that Maguire would be taking no elled with the squad to Poland, DPA rating what Villarreal history beat Alaves 5-4 in the 2000-01 part in Tuesday’s session. while May 26 is also the birth- Gdansk (Poland) has. It is a team who always UEFA Cup - seeing the LaLiga The defender, who was day of the late Matt Busby. compete very well. They play side come out on top. Manchester United are very good football and they Emery was in charge for not favourites against Villarre- can hurt Manchester United.” one of those nine, overseeing al in a “50-50” Europa League Forlan left United for Vil- a Europa League final victory final, according to Diego For- larreal in 2004 and featured against Liverpool with Sevilla Ferguson joins Man Utd lan, who played for both clubs. against the Old Trafford outfit in 2015-16. United face the La Liga side when the sides met for the first “[Emery] is a very experi- in Gdansk on Wednesday as time in September 2005. enced coach,” Forlan added. squad on flight to Gdansk manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer He was absent for the re- “He has been coaching many ANI der Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. aims to get his hands on a first turn match two months later, years. He has won the Europa London Solskjaer has played under piece of silverware in the role. however, and had left before League and was also in the Alex Ferguson and in 1999, the This is United’s eighth ma- their most recent clashes in final with Arsenal when they Former Manchester United current manager had scored a jor European final but Villar- 2008-09. lost against Chelsea. manager Sir Alex Ferguson has famous goal against Barcelona real’s first. Uruguayan Diego Forlan, who has played for both clubs. All four games between the “It is a guy that knows this accompanied the current squad to hand United a victory in the Forlan feels this history sides have ended 0-0, making competition very well. I think it to the Europa League final Champions League final. has skewed perceptions of the United is the favourite,” For- counts is the present, the per- Villarreal the opponents Unit- is good for the team when you against Villarreal in Gdansk. Manchester United man- match, though, with Villarreal lan told Stats Perform. formance itself. ed have faced most in their have a coach with the experi- The squad departed for aged to win the Premier unbeaten in Europe this season “People say Manchester “That’s why players for history without ever scoring. ence, the support that he has. Gdansk on Monday afternoon. League title 13 times under Sir and led by Unai Emery, who United due to its history, what Manchester United are care- The Red Devils might also “It doesn’t give you every- Ferguson had then joined the Alex Ferguson, with the last is aiming to become the first it means, and for being such a ful, because they know they be wary of Spanish teams’ re- thing you need to win the final, travelling party on the flight, win coming in 2013. United coach to win the UEFA Cup or big club. No doubt it is. can win but also they can lose, cent records against English op- but it gives you a little bit of reported Goal.com. United is finished at the second spot in Europa League four times. “However, for the game, 50-50. position in finals, with the past support, which is good when just one game away from reg- the Premier League standings “I don’t think Manchester the past is useless, what “Maybe people are under- nine meetings - since Liverpool you go into a game like this.” istering their first title win un- for the 2020-21 season.

Millions of viewers await Europa and UEFA Champions League finals on beIN SPORTS Tribune News Network their manager Ole Gunnar Sol- most prestigious football club want to clinch their second ever DOHA skjaer will have his eyes set on Legends Arsene Wenger, competition on the planet, UEFA Champions League final the team’s 2nd UEFA Europa Mohammad Aboutrika, this year’s UEFA Champions after defeating Bayern Munich beIN SPORTS will broadcast League trophy and finish their Marcel Desailly, Ruud League sees English rivals in 2012. The West London club the UEFA Champions League season on a high. With play- Manchester City and Chelsea host a promising young team final and the UEFA Europa ers such as Bruno Fernandes, Gullit, and others to lead compete for Europe’s most who may be inexperienced but League final live and exclu- Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford beIN SPORTS’ coverage. coveted trophy. are hungry for glory. sively to its millions of viewers and Edinson Cavani all fit, the Pep Guardiola’s Manches- The UEFA Champions and subscribers across the 23 Red Devils have a great chance well as reaching the final with ter City will play their first League final on beIN SPORTS countries of the Middle East to lift the trophy. Arsenal in 2019. ever UEFA Champions League will host special guests and tal- and North Africa (MENA), It will be no easy task for The UEFA Europa League final, but with players such ent including French and Ar- from Morocco in the west to Manchester United as Vil- final on beIN SPORTS will as Raheem Sterling, Gabriel senal legend Arsene Wenger, Oman in the east – and every lareal, led by UEFA Europa host special guests and talent Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne and French and Chelsea legend country in between. League expert Unai Emery will including former Dutch and Riyad Mahrez in their ranks Marcel Desailly, Dutch legend Starting with the UEFA Eu- be determined to win their first Manchester City player Nigel – they have a strong chance Ruud Gullit as well as former ropa League, Wednesday’s final ever UEFA Europa League tro- de Jong, ex Paris Saint Ger- The UEFA Europa League lish. beIN SPORTS will also of winning this year’s compe- Manchester City star Nigel de will see two heavyweights from phy after reaching three semi- main and Espanyol defender final will be broadcast live and broadcast the UEFA Europa tition. Manchester City have Jong. beIN stars in the studio England and Spain go head-to- finals in 2004, 2011 and 2016. Didier Domi, Moroccan leg- exclusively this Wednesday 26 League final on their state-of- already won this year’s Eng- will also include Egyptian leg- head for the coveted trophy. Villareal’s manager Unai Em- end Yousef Chippo, Egyptian May starting at 21:00 Mec- the-art 4K channel. lish League Cup and English end Mohammad Aboutrika, ery is a specialist in this com- legend Haytham Farouk and ca Time (GMT +3) on beIN Premier League title. football specialist Tariq Al UEFA Europa League final petition having won it three former Iraqi player and man- SPORTS 1 Premium for Arabic UEFA Champions League final Chelsea, led by German Jalahma and Tunisian legend Manchester United, led by times in a row with Sevilla as ager Adnan Hamad. and beIN SPORTS 1 for Eng- Known worldwide as the manager Thomas Tuchel will Tariq Dhiab. 14 Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Sports Qatar 3x3 basketball team’s Olympics qualifiers from today Bangladesh secure maiden series win over Sri Lanka ANI Five overs later Sri Lanka Dhaka slipped to 106/6 and the re- quired rate kept climbing due Mushfiqur Rahim to visitors’ sluggish approach. smashed a gutsy ton before Sri Lanka needed 135 runs Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur from the last 17 overs and had Rahman picked three wick- four wickets in hand. Wanindu ets respectively to help Bang- Hasaranga, who had scored ladesh win the second ODI successive ODI fifties, failed against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. to get going as he was cleaned Bangladesh defeated Sri bowled by Mehidy. Lanka by 103 runs (DLS meth- When Bangladesh was one od) and took an unassailable wicket away from the win- 2-0 lead in the ODI series. ning match, rain interrupted With this win, Bangladesh also the play and the target was went on top of the World Cup reduced to 245 from 247 in super League table. This was 40 overs which brought down also the first time that Bang- the equation to 119 runs in 12 ladesh defeated Sri Lanka in a balls. bilateral series In the end, Sri Lanka were Mushfiqur’s resilient 125 only able to score 141/9 in the off 127 balls had helped Bang- 40 overs ladesh post 246 in the 50 overs Earlier, Mushfiqur’s excel- despite being seven down in lent knock had set Sri Lanka a the 39th over with just 184 target of 247 despite Bangla- The Qatar 3x3 basketball team will begin their FIBA qualifying matches for the Tokyo Olympics being played in Graz, Australia, from Wednesday. In their pool, Qatar will face the runs on board. In reply, Sri desh witnessing a horrific bat- Dominican Republic at 12:45pm Doha time on Wednesday, then face the Philippines in the second match at 2.45pm on the same day. Later on Friday, Qatar will meet Slovenia at Lanka fell 104 runs short of ting collapse. 12.15pm and later France at 3.30pm. The Qatar qualifiers will be broadcast AlKass channel. the target. Sri Lanka started the sec- Chasing 247, Sri Lanka got ond game on a strong note as off to a slow start scoring just Dushmantha Chameera struck 53 runs in the first 14 overs. twice to remove Tamim Iqbal The visitors also lost two wick- and Shakib Al Hasan in the ets which dented Sri Lanka’s second over. chances in the chase. However, Mushfiqur first Flick to replace Loew as Germany If Mustafizur dismissed brought up a fifty to rescue Danushka Gunathilaka, Bangladesh after a poor start Shoriful Islam sent skipper and then steered the hosts to Kusal Perera back to the hut. a respectable total. The wick- Sri Lanka kept losing wickets et-keeper batsman smashed at regular intervals and was a magnificent hundred, his team coach after Euro 2020 soon found reeling at 89/5 in eighth in ODIs to help Bangla- the 25th over. desh reach close to 250. DPA he asked to be released from Berlin Hansi Flick was immedi- his contract early. ately tapped as the pre- For Flick, this will be a Scoreboard Former Bayern Munich ferred candidate to comeback to the DFB as he Bangladesh Sri Lanka (D/L revised target 245 in 40 overs) coach Hansi Flick has signed replace current Germany worked alongside Loew as as- Tamim Iqbal lbw b Chameera 13 D. Gunathilaka c Shakib b Mustafizur 24 Liton Das c Hasaranga b Sandakan 25 Kusal Perera c Tamim b Shoriful 14 a contract to become Germa- coach Joachim Loew after sistant coach from 2006 until Shakib Al Hasan lbw b Chameera 0 Pathum Nissanka c Tamim b Shakib 20 ny national team coach once the latter said he would the World Cup title in Brazil in M. Rahim c A Bandara b Chameera 125 Kusal Mendis lbw b Mehidy 15 Joachim Loew departs after the step down following the 2014. Mosaddek Hossain c Perera b Sandakan 10 Dhananjaya de Silva lbw b Shakib 10 Euro 2020, the German Foot- His first game in charge Mahmudullah Riyad c Perera b Sandakan 41 A. Bandara c Mahmudullah b Mustafizur 15 Euro 2020. Afif Hossain c Nissanka b Udana 10 Dasun Shanaka c Mahmudullah b Mehidy 11 ball Federation (DFB) said on will be a World Cup qualifying Mehidy Hasan b Hasaranga 0 Wanindu Hasaranga b Mehidy 6 Tuesday. match at Liechtenstein on Sep- Mohammad Saifuddin run out 11 Isuru Udana not out 18 The agreement will be valid that clarity ahead of the Euros. tember 2, followed by his first Shoriful Islam c Perera b Udana 0 Lakshan Sandakan c Tamim b Mustafizur 4 until after the Euro 2024, set to We have one major common home game against Armenia on Mustafizur Rahman not out 0 Dushmantha Chameera not out 4 Extras: (b1, lb4, w3, nb3) 11 Total: (For 9 wickets; 40 overs) 141 take place in Germany. goal, which is to return to the September 5 and a clash with Total: (All out; 48.1 overs) 246 Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Perera), 2-53 (Gunathilaka), “Everything happened very top of the world rankings,” Bi- Iceland three days later. Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Tamim), 2-15 (Shakib), 3-49 3-71 (Nissanka), 4-77 (Mendis), 5-89 (de Silva), quickly, especially signing the erhoff said. But he won’t have much (Liton Das), 4-74 (Mosaddek), 5-161 (Mahmudullah), 6-104 (Shanaka) 7-114 (Hasaranga), 8-116 contract, but I’m really happy After a successful 18-month time to experiment as Germany 6-178 (Afif), 7-184 (Mehidy), 8-232 (Saifuddin), (Bandara), 9-122 (Sandakan). 9-246 (Shoriful), 10-246 (Mushfiqur). Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 10-0-28-3, Shoriful 6-0-30-1, to be the Germany head coach reign at German record cham- sit third in their Group J after Bowling: Udana 9-0-49-2 (w2, nb1), Chameera 9.1-2- Taskin 8-0-27-0, Mustafizur 6-1-16-3, Shakib 9-0-38- from autumn,” Flick said. pions Bayern Munich, where an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to 44-3 (w1), Hasaranga 10-1-33-1, Shanaka 7-0-38-0, 2, Mosaddek 1-0-2-0. “The season has just fin- he secured seven titles with the North Macedonia in March. Sandakan 10-0-54-3 (nb2), de Silva 3-0-23-0. Result: Bangladesh won by 103 runs (D/L method). ished and the last two years at team including the Champi- Only the group winner qual- FC Bayern have left their mark ons League in 2020, Flick had ifies for the 2022 World Cup in on me. The team spirit and at- reportedly been also an option Qatar, while the runner-up must titude of the players were excel- for Premier League side Tot- face two play-off rounds to reach lent and I will take plenty with tenham Hotspur and Spanish the tournament. me that will help my work in club Barcelona. Off the pitch, the DFB my new role.” “I’m really excited because also faces turbulence. Former Flick was immediately of the class of players we have president Fritz Keller resigned tapped as the preferred candi- in Germany, especially the last week after comparing vice date to replace current Germany youngsters. We’ve got every president Rainer Koch to Nazi coach Loew after the latter said reason to be optimistic about judge Roland Freisler at an in- in February he would step down future tournaments, including ternal meeting in April. following the Euro tournament, the home Euros in 2024,” Flick Further details of the inci- which starts next month. said. dent are not known. DFB director Oliver Bier- Flick was promoted from The DFB also recently ter- hoff led the negotiations with assistant to head coach when minated the contract of secre- Flick and said he’s “very proud” his predecessor Niko Kovac tary general Friedrich Curtius. to have signed the coach. was dismissed from Bayern but He faces investigations by the Bangladesh’s Mehedi Hasan (C) celebrates with teammates after dis- “He was top of my wish This file photo taken on May 28, 2010 shows Germany’s head coach his stint at the club ended over DFB sports court and lost a no- missing Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga during their second One-Day list right from the start. It was Joachim Loew (R) and then German assistant coach Hansi Flick taking part a major rift with board mem- confidence vote by the regional international at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka important for me that we have in a training session ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (AFP) ber Hasan Salihamidzic, and bosses. on Tuesday. (AFP) Southgate names England’s 33-man Giro d’Italia changes route provisional squad for Euro after cable car tragedy DPA of the weekend and made it DPA Southgate explained: “I think keen for his future to be sorted Rome clear that under these cir- London our situation is more compli- before the Euro begins in a cumstances it is not possible cated than any other country couple of weeks. Friday’s stage of the Giro for the German national track Ben White, Ben Godfrey and at the moment. But the England manager d’Italia will be rerouted out of cycling team to take part.” The Aaron Ramsdale received “We have known for a doesn’t expect any possible respect for the victims of the European Championships their first England call-ups while that we have of this 33, transfer of Kane, who is un- fatal cable car accident in the are scheduled for Minsk from as Gareth Southgate select- 12 players still to play in Eu- der contract for another three Piedmont region, organizers June 23-27 but the BDR said it ed Trent Alexander-Arnold ropean finals this week so we years at Tottenham to happen said on Tuesday. had urged the UEC “to find an among four right-backs in his were always going to need during the tournament. Italian Infrastructure Min- alternative solution”. provisional European Cham- some additional players for “I don’t feel I need to talk ister Enrico Giovannini had At a meeting in Lausanne pionship squad. the first part of the camp. to Harry Kane regarding focus asked for the route of the 19th on Thursday, the UEC will With the Three Lions deal- “Add to that a number of or professionalism. He has one stage to be changed. Originally discuss whether it should relo- ing with issues such as injuries injuries...so we felt that more goal with us and that’s to win riders would have climbed cate the championships, with and European final absentees, time is going to help us make the European Championship. Monte Mottarone, where 14 Minsk a controversial choice the Football Association con- better decisions.” Eric Dier misses out, but He knows how important that is people died in the cable car ac- German team withdraws even before the plane drama firmed a larger provisional There are first senior call- Alexander-Arnold returns to at this moment in time. What’s cident on Sunday. from Minsk Euros due to allegations long-time squad would be announced on ups for Brighton centre-back the group alongside fellow happening at his club is a matter The cause of the accident Meanwhile, the German ruler Alexander Lukashenko Tuesday rather than the de- White and Everton defender right-backs Reece James, Ki- for him and Tottenham. remains unknown. Thirteen track cycling team has with- rigged last year’s election. finitive group. Godfrey, while Sheffield Unit- eran Trippier and Kyle Walk- “It’s very unlikely that people died at the scene of the drawn from the European Belarus forced a Ryanair Southgate has named a 33- ed goalkeeper Ramsdale joins er. Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins transfer deals will be done crash. Two injured children Championships due to take plane flying from Athens to man party that will be trimmed uncapped Sam Johnstone in and 17-year-old Jude Belling- while we are away. It’s differ- were flown by helicopter to a place in Belarus after Minsk Vilnius to land in Minsk on down to 26 players on June 1, the squad as Nick Pope misses ham are among the others to ent when we meet up in Sep- hospital in Turin, where one forced an aircraft to land there Sunday and arrested govern- allowing him to include injury out through injury. get the nod. tember and I’m very realistic later died. and arrested a dissident. ment critic Roman Protase- doubts such as Harry Maguire, Manchester United teen- Southgate also talked that you can’t stop phones Giovannini also asked or- The German Cycling Fed- vich, who had been on board. Jordan Henderson and Kalvin ager Mason Greenwood has about Harry Kane situation. ringing, but most deals will be ganizers to have a moment of eration (BDR) said in a state- The European Union has Phillips. been recalled for the first time Tottenham’s star man report- done at the end of the tourna- reflection during the event to ment on Tuesday it had “con- imposed sanctions, including Speaking about his deci- since being sent home after his edly told the club he wants to ment or in the first week be- “remember the people who lost tacted the European Cycling a ban on Belarusian airlines sion to name a 33-man squad, debut in Iceland. leave this summer and was fore it starts. their lives in the tragic accident.” Union (UEC) after the events landing in the EU. Wednesday, May 26, 2021 15 Reports by L N Mallick For events and press releases email [email protected] or Pakistan Prism call (974) 4000 2222 Pakistan-Qatar relations strong and on the upswing: Pak envoy

HE Syed Ahsan Raza Shah says bilateral ties will continue to be enhanced in all fields as both countries overcome the COVID-19 challenge

atar and Pakistan en- joy very close and cor- dial bilateral relations which have deepened further in the recent Qtimes, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Syed Ahsan Raza Shah has said. The Pakistani envoy was talking to media persons at his office yes- terday (Tuesday). Pakistan’s trade, defence, political and diplomatic re- lations with Qatar have witnessed an up-swing trend during the past two- and-a-half years, said the ambassa- dor who arrived in Qatar in January 2019 just days before the maiden vis- Pakistan Ambassador HE Syed Ahsan it of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Raza Shah Khan to Qatar. While noting that bilateral rela- Bilateral relations will tions between Pakistan and Qatar are continue to be enhanced based on historical bonds of a shared in all fields as both countries faith, heritage and culture, the envoy noted that the visit by the Amir His overcome the challenge of the Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad global pandemic. In 2020-end, Al Thani to Pakistan and three visits there was jump in remittances by Prime Minister Imran Khan to Qa- tar have further strengthened ties be- from Qatar-based overseas tween the two fraternal nations. Pakistanis Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Syed Ahsan Raza Shah talks to media persons at his office on Tuesday. Foreign ministers of the two brotherly countries also remain in which was a big boost for Pakistan’s Al Thani for looking after the Paki- sources, it immediately contacted June 17, 2021. Hence, the current regular contact, he said, adding the help of my dedicated team members, economy. stani community so well during the all the stake holders. “We are genu- academic year 2020-21 will be the positive engagement at the leader- I arranged meetings of Pakistan’s Pakistan’s exports to Qatar, pandemic,” remarked the ambassa- inely concerned about the education last working session for the school,” ship level has led to a substantial premier with Qatar Investment Au- meanwhile, increased by 30 percent dor. of Pakistani children and for those stated the letter. boost in bilateral cooperation in all thority, Qatari Businessmen Asso- during that period, said the envoy. The embassy’s doors are open for teachers who might lose their jobs in “We would like to share with you fields. ciation and many others. He noted with pleasure that Pa- all Pakistanis irrespective of their po- the face of closure. We took cogni- that due to increasing inflation, the All the three services chiefs of “I consider 2019 as a shining kistani traders are eyeing Qatar for sition or background, he said. “When zance of the situation and met with school was struggling hard to meet Pakistan Armed Forces including year in our bilateral relations with their exports and now one can easily Pakistanis step into the embassy the officials of Ministry of Education its expenses for many years. There chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Prime Minister Imran Khan coming finda growing number of Pakistani premises, we want them to feel that and Higher Education who have as- has been no significant increase Committee visited Qatar recently, back in July and Pakistan Foreign products in Qatar. they have come to their own place sured us that the matter will be re- in the school fees so we have been the envoy noted while adding that Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi “I can only see further growth where they will be welcomed and solved soon,” said the ambassador, facing financial losses for the last trade and commercial ties with visiting here a number of times. in our bilateral economic relations. where their issues will be resolved in while assuring the parents that em- three years,” the letter added. In the Qatar have witnessed substantial Foreign ministers of both the coun- Our defence relations are on the the shortest possible time,” said the bassy will definitely safeguard the letter, the school also stated some growth. ties interact with each other regu- right path. Our political relations envoy. interests of community members options it had discussed with the “Besides giving credit to my gov- larly and the foundation was laid are excellent. Qatar and Pakistan He noted that the mission has and they need not worry. Ministry of Education and Higher ernment in this regard, I would par- for strong relations. Cooperation in enjoy commonality of views on re- taken a number of steps to further The BFIS had announced that it Education after student capacity ticularly like to thank the Amir His different sectors including defence gional and international issues,” improve the embassy and consular will close down its operations from was reduced to 700 from 1,500. Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad were enhanced substantially. Prime stressed the ambassador. services and would welcome any sug- June 17, 2021. The school requested “It is therefore due to the reduc- Al Thani for his government’s keen- Minister Imran Khan came to Qatar He thanked the Qatar govern- gestions in this regard. parents to ensure places for their tion in students’ capacity and huge ness to translate our bilateral rela- in February 2020 again but unfor- ment for assisting Pakistani expa- He observed that there is always children in other schools for the financial losses for the last three tions into tangible results. Our trade tunately due to the COVID-19, the triates when the pandemic broke a room for improvement and the em- 2021-2022 academic year. years, the school is compelled to and business ties with Qatar are not momentum was slowed down a bit,” out last year. Pakistan Embassy in bassy would like to get the feedback The school management posted close down its operations with for- proportionate to our political and remarked the envoy. Qatar, through assistance of Qatar from community members to see and a letter dated May 4 on its website mal approval of the ministry. We diplomatic relations. We need to Bilateral relations, he noted, will Airways and Pakistan International know how far successful they have to inform parents about the closure. extend our thanks to you for uncon- work on this in view of the trade op- continue to be enhanced in all fields Airlines, managed a highly success- been in their efforts and if there were The letter had cited financial ditional trust in the school during portunities that are available in Qa- as both countries overcome the ful repatriation operation, which still any shortcomings in the system. losses as the main reason behind all thick and thin. Moreover, we are tar,” remarked the ambassador. challenge of the global pandemic. is seen by community members as Answering a question about the the closure of the school. “We are grateful to the ministry for its sup- “When I came here, I witnessed In 2020-end, there was a jump of cost-effective and transparent. proposed closure of Bright Future constrained to inform you that due port for all these 25 years as BFIS that the goodwill between the two remittances from Qatar-based over- “I would like to express my International School (BFIS), the en- to unbearable financial losses, the would not have been able to deliver countries has not been translated seas Pakistanis. The remittances heartfelt gratitude to the Amir His voy said when the news reached the school management has decided well without the patronage of the into commercial activities. With the from Qatar increased by 91 percent Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad embassy through parents and other to shut down its operations from ministry,” said the letter. Sohni Dharti organises ‘Virtual Eid Celebration Party’ The online event aimed to keep the Eid Al-Fitr traditions alive and preserve the spirit of cheerfulness among the children even during the global pandemic

ohni Dharti, a socio-cul- Sohni Dharti Chairman Shahid tural organisation for Paki- Mahmood Bhatti stanis residing in Al Khor, organised an online event ti- Manan Rao and Shabbir Siddiqui Stled ‘Virtual Eid Celebration Par- was well-liked by the audience. ty’ to keep Eid Al-Fitr traditions The play reflected the miseries of alive and preserve the spirit of the vulnerable and daily wagers cheerfulness among the children during the pandemic. even during the global pandemic. RJ Mahwash Khan, popular The event went live on video presenter of Qatar Urdu Radio calling app Zoom and was broad- FM107, interacted with children. cast on various social media plat- Senior community members, forms to engross wider audience. guests, participants and children The event was open to all Paki- expressed their views and appre- stanis around the globe. Families ciated Sohni Dharti ExCom for linked from Qatar, Pakistan, the their efforts in arranging UAE, Kuwait and KSA. such an event during these The programme was hosted difficult times. by Sohni Dharti Future leaders Participants at the Sohni Dharti Virtual Eid Milan party. Sohni Dharti Chairman Sha- Fatima Riaz, Sadia Danish and hid Mehmood Bhatti expressed the members of executive com- puzzles, stories, chitchat and successfully managed it with his Khan. He showed his jaw-dropping ous voice, lifted the programme his gratitude to all the partici- mittee. much more. funniest comic acts providing talent by combining illusions and to the next level. He selected ev- pants, volunteers, guests, senior The event kicked off with the A live comedy show was also viewers, especially children, with mentalism together to show thrilling ergreen songs to lighten the mood community members and families recitation of Holy Quran by Hafiz presented by Pakistan’s famous amazing entertainment. and sophisticated magic of unprec- and lower stress levels. for sparing their valuable time for Abdullah Shaikh. This was fol- comedian Ghaffar Lehri. The The event also featured a magic edented proportions. A short play titled ‘Ghubaray the programme. He praised the lowed by a series of children’s audience needed laughter dur- show featuring Pakistani profession- Local singer Jamshed Wala’ (Balloon Man) featuring efforts of Sohni Dharti ExCom programmes like riddles, jokes, ing these testing times and Lehri al illusionist and magician Munawar Shahzad Bajwa, with his melodi- Sohni Dharti Future Leader Abdul and his future leader team. 16 Wednesday, May 26, 2021 The Last Word Foreign minister, Egyptian counterpart review ties

QNA Minister of Egypt Sameh Shokri in Cairo of building on this important step by taking The meeting also reviewed the ways ments related to the Ethiopian Renais- Cairo on Tuesday. further measures to enhance the positive to enhance mechanisms of joint Arab sance Dam. The meeting reviewed the positive de- momentum in the coming period, and seize work, given Qatar is presiding over the The Deputy Prime Minister and Min- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of velopments in bilateral ties following the the large economic and investment oppor- Arab League, in addition to discussing ister of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin signing of Al-Ula declaration in January. tunities available in the two countries, to the two countries’ positions regarding thanks to the Arab Republic of Egypt’s ef- Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Foreign The two sides also stressed the importance achieve their interests. regional issues, particularly develop- forts in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. EAA students in Palestine GU-Q, Teach for Qatar MoU opens up new avenues for narrate the disruption to collaboration in education Tribune News Network education due to attacks Doha QF partner Georgetown Uni- Tribune News Network versity in Qatar (GU-Q) and Doha Teach for Qatar (TFQ) re- cently signed a memorandum Bringing the voices and per- of understanding (MoU) to spectives of Palestinian and underscore their long-stand- Arab youth to global platforms, ing and diverse partnership Education Above All (EAA) and to further strengthen Foundation and its partners their cooperation in educa- held two interactive online ses- tion and research. sions in the wake of the recent The MoU was signed by attacks and severe disruption GU-Q Dean Dr Ahmad Dal- to life in Palestine. lal and CEO of TFQ Nasser The sessions were held in Yousef Al Jaber. collaboration with the Qatar Dean Dallal said the new Fund for Development (QFFD), MoU builds on GU-Q’s previ- the United Nations Develop- ous collaborative work with Dean of GU-Q Dr Ahmad Dallal and CEO of TFQ Nasser Yousef Al Jaber ment Programme (UNDP), TFQ, which includes organ- the United Nations Population ising workshops, facilitat- town values of academic ex- laborative activities, includ- Fund (UNFPA), MENA Youth Through a youth-centric approach to current developments in the region, the event highlighted the urgent need ing student internships and cellence and service to others ing the exchange of materials, Capacity building in Humani- to protect education from attack in ensuring every child’s right to safe, inclusive and equitable quality education. contributing to the education into practice.” publications and academic in- tarian Action (MYCHA) and labour force through highly On his part, Jaber said formation. Luminus Technical University right to education is preserved was my only opportunity to the right to education, Rajaee skilled alumni. the MoU would help elevate GU-Q and TFQ will also College (LTUC). and that all educational facili- pursue higher education.” Maswada from the West Bank “At GU-Q, we believe that the importance of the educa- focus on the facilitation of Youth speakers under ties be protected.” Mariam Al Sersawi, also a said, “Our youth are skilled higher education institutions tion sector and contribute to student engagement activi- EAA’s Qatar Scholarship pro- Protecting the right to edu- student from the programme, and all they need is an oppor- have a critical role to play in the Human Development Pil- ties and the development of gramme, UNDP and LTUC cation from attack is part of pointed to the need “to take tunity to apply their skills and contributing to a strong and lar of the Qatar National Vi- short-term programmes and took the virtual stage to dis- EAA’s global advocacy efforts care of our psychological be part of decision-making in sustainable educational land- sion 2030. courses. They also agree to cuss the impact of recent tragic under the #UniteToProtect wounds and traumas before their country.” scape in Qatar. This MoU ex- He said, “As an impor- hold regular meetings to dis- developments in Palestine on campaign, which calls for an being able to go back to school.” In line with ROTA’s Global pands on our commitments tant educational partner, cuss academic programmes their daily lives, education and end to the impunity for educa- EAA’s Reach Out To Asia Citizenship Education (GCED) in that effort and creates new Georgetown has helped tailored to TFQ and other co- their hope for the future. tion-related violations of inter- (ROTA) programme, in col- framework, a discussion was opportunities to prepare and Teach For Qatar positively operative activities as deemed During the moderated national law. laboration with UNFPA and held on Global Citizenship as train the next generation of impact academic learning appropriate. event titled ‘A Student is Just a The campaign recognises MYCHA, delivered another a tool of engagement for youth education professionals who for thousands of our stu- Founded by HH Sheikha Student and All Students Must that supporting the next gen- session on ‘Youth Global Citi- to actively participate in global can lead Qatar’s transforma- dents across Qatar. We look Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, be Protected’, Eman Tayeh, eration into education is the zenship in Action – Solidar- issues that affect their lives and tion towards a knowledge so- forward to building on that Teach For Qatar is a local a recent graduate from Gaza, single most effective means of ity for Protecting the Right to communities. ciety,” he said. successful collaboration and non-governmental organisa- said: “It is difficult to go back reducing poverty, generating Quality life in Palestine’. Through a youth-centric He noted that Nasser Al working even more closely in tion (NGO) working as part to class and have one of your economic growth and creating Featuring speakers from approach to current develop- Jaber is a 2010 graduate of the fields of teacher training of the solution to help solve classmates missing because peaceful and just societies. Palestine, Qatar, Yemen and ments in the region, the event GU-Q with a degree in Inter- and educational research.” some of the challenges Qa- they fell victim to the ongoing Speaking at the event, Badr Tunisia, the event highlighted highlighted and reinforced the national Politics. According to the MoU, tar’s students face. It is the war but even returning to the Al Zaharna, a Qatar Scholar- the importance of securing the urgent need to protect educa- Dr Dallal added, “We are both organisations will ex- 32nd member of the Teach classroom is not guaranteed ship Programme student from UN Sustainable Development tion from attack in ensuring particularly pleased to be plore meaningful ways to for All Network, recognised since schools have turned into Gaza, said: “Like many other Goals in support of the right to every child’s right to safe, in- working with a member of our promote their shared values in 2013 as one of the world’s shelters for families who lost students in the programme, a dignified life. clusive and equitable quality alumni community who has of education, research and 100 strongest NGOs by the their homes. We ask that our joining Al Fakhoora in 2016 On the impact on SDG4, education. so successfully put George- service through a host of col- Global Journal. WCM-Q workshop provides insights into mixed methods research

Tribune News Network care topics through integra- MMR captures deep insight, pants made over the three days Doha tion, for example, of patients’ meta-inferences or interpre- was very evident from their perceptions of their health tations of both qualitative poster presentations.” Healthcare profession- and biomedical findings. As and quantitative data, to gain This workshop was spon- als, trainees, students and such, MMR helps understand sored by WCM-Q’s Division academics from institutions both measurable outcomes a more holistic understand- of Continuing Professional in Qatar and the region con- and the lived experiences of ing of the studied phenome- Development (CPD) and was vened online for a virtual the participants. non that cannot be achieved a collaborative effort of CPD, workshop on mixed methods The three-day workshop, with a single method the Division of Medical Edu- research (MMR). titled ‘Getting started in mixed cation, and the Center for Cul- MMR entails integrating methods research: Training to tural Competence in Health quantitative and qualitative enhance care and education virtually engaged, busy learn- Care, part of the Institute for methods in the same study or in the diverse cultural context ing and applying the skills on Population Health at WCM-Q. series of studies and its use in of Qatar’, began by explaining their own projects, and refin- The scientific planning com- healthcare research is rapidly the fundamental features of the ing drafts of their research mittee of this activity includ- growing. This methodology methodology. The participants (From left) Dr Chihiro Tajima, Dr Sergi Fàbregues, Dr Ellen Moseholm Larsen, Prof Michael D Fetters, Prof proposals.” ed members from WCM-Q, captures deep insight, meta- then actively participated in John W Creswell and Dr Amal Khidir. Prof Fetters, co-editor in Hamad Medical Corporation inferences or interpretations a series of hands-on activities chief of the Journal of Mixed and the Primary Health Care of both qualitative and quan- applying MMR’s key concepts made poster presentations to scholar and research method- mark and Dr Sergi Fàbregues Methods Research and director Corporation. The workshop titative data, to gain a more and core skills for designing help crystallise their under- ologists Professors Michael D from Spain. of the Mixed Methods Program was accredited locally by the holistic understanding of the their own projects. They devel- standing of the topic, demon- Fetters and John W Creswell Course co-director Dr Amal at the University of Michigan, Ministry of Public Health’s studied phenomenon that oped their research project de- strate the application of the from the US, and a select Khidir, associate professor of said: “The participants were re- Department of Healthcare cannot be achieved with a sin- signs during the workshop with newly learned skills and knowl- team of highly regarded in- paediatrics and vice-chair of ally enthusiastic and engaged Professions – Accreditation gle method. guidance from leading mixed edge and receive feedback from ternational scholars of mixed the Institutional Review Board and interacted with the faculty Section and internationally by Researchers find MMR methods methodologists at- their mentors and peers. methods research: Dr Chihiro (IRB) at WCM-Q, said: “This extremely well to learn the fun- the Accreditation Council for approaches valuable for in- tending virtually. To conclude This workshop was pre- Tajima from Japan, Dr Ellen workshop was a real hands-on damentals of mixed methods Continuing Medical Educa- vestigating complex health- the workshop, participants sented by world-renowned Moseholm Larsen from Den- activity. The participants were research. The progress partici- tion (ACCME).