THURSDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2021 JUMADA AL-AKHIRAH 29, 1442 VOL.14 NO. 5179 QR 2

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Cabinet extends AMIR RECEIVES MESSAGE FROM KUWAIT RULER duration of real MoPH gives nod for estate sector committee use of Moderna’s QNA COVID-19 vaccine DOHA THE Cabinet has approved the Moderna vaccine is safe & highly e ective decision to extend the duration of the committee on real estate QNA Qatar.” sector development strategy to DOHA Dr Al Khal, who is also the Head of six more months. Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medi- The committee is tasked THE Ministry of Public Health cal Corporation, said with high de- with recommending a strategy (MoPH) has issued an emergency use mand for COVID-19 vaccines around for developing the real estate authorisation of Moderna’s COVID-19 the world, Qatar will now benefit from sector in the country, as well as vaccine, the second COVID-19 vaccine the availability of two vaccines. the policies and the plans that to be approved for use in Qatar. He said both vaccines have shown must be implemented. His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday received a message from HH Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine was high levels of safety and efficacy in tri- The committee is also the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. The message pertains to the strong bilateral approved after als and that peo- tasked with recommending relations and means of enhancing them, in addition to the most prominent regional and international developments. The the Department ple should not be means of supporting and de- message was conveyed by Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait HE Marzouq Ali Al Ghanim during of Pharmacy and concerned about veloping the real estate sector, his meeting with HH the Amir at the Amiri Diwan. At the outset of the meeting, the Speaker of the Kuwaiti National As- Pharmaceutical which vaccine necessary controls for invest- sembly conveyed the greetings of HH the Amir of the State of Kuwait, wishing him success and the Qatari people further Control carried out they are offered. ment, and necessary incentives, progress and prosperity. For his part, HH the Amir entrusted the Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly to convey his an extensive re- Meanwhile, mechanisms and programmes greeting to HH the Amir of Kuwait, wishing him health and the Kuwaiti people further progress and development. The view of the vaccine Dr Aisha Ibrahim to encourage and attract invest- meeting was attended by Speaker of the Shura Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud. (QNA) and assessed the Al Ansari, Direc- ment in the real estate sector in results of clinical tor of Pharmacy the country. studies conducted and Drug Con- The Cabinet, chaired by on tens of thou- trol, the Chair Prime Minister and Minister of sands of volun- of the Vaccine Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin teers. We will soon receive the Procurement Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, The approval rst delivery of Moderna Task force, said, af rmed the continuation of by MoPH follows vaccine and while “Qatar’s proac- work with regard to the precau- Qatar working to reduce similar authorisa- this will be of a limited quantity tive approach to tionary measures that have tion of Moderna’s initially, this is an encouraging securing vaccine been taken to combat the coro- vaccine by health development and we can expect agreements has navirus (COVID-19) pandemic. agencies in the regular, larger deliveries of both proved highly ef- The Cabinet also approved US, Canada, the Moderna and P zer and BioNTech fective. We were Iran-US escalation: FM vaccines to arrive in Qatar in the a draft memorandum of under- European Union, clear from the standing (MoU) between Qatar’s Qatar seeks to increase FM thanks Spain for its support and contribution the United King- next days and weeks.” outset that we Ministry of Culture and Sports dom and Switzer- — Dr Aisha Ibrahim Al Ansari, Director only wanted to and the Minister of Culture in investments in Spain to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup projects land. of Pharmacy and Drug Control administer an the Portuguese Republic to co- Dr Abdullatif internationally- operate in the eld of culture. QNA Al Khal, Chair of approved, safe DOHA the National Health Strategic Group and effective vaccine to the people of on COVID-19, said, “The compre- Qatar.” QATAR is working on de-escalation hensive clinical trial process on Mod- “We will soon receive the first deliv- Blended learning between Iran and the US through erna’s COVID-19 vaccine has showed ery of Moderna vaccines and while this a political and diplomatic process it is safe and highly effective. The au- will be of a limited quantity initially, system to continue, to return to the nuclear agreement, thorisation from MoPH means we can this is an encouraging development and Deputy Prime Minister and Min- soon begin administering the Moder- we can expect regular, larger deliveries says edu ministry ister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh na vaccine along with the Pfizer and of both Moderna and Pfizer and BioN- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al BioNTech vaccine as we expand our Tech vaccines to arrive in Qatar in the DOHA Thani has said. national vaccination programme in next days and weeks,” she added. “These efforts were part of a wider THE Ministry of Education and international initiative carried by all Higher Education (MoEHE) has countries and not just Qatar. Qatar said the studies in schools will was more than ready to contribute continue as per the current to regaining stability in the region if Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed Age limit lowered to 50 for COVID vaccination blended learning system. “The any of the involved parties request bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and messages being circulated on so,” Sheikh Mohammed said during Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain Arancha Gonzalez Laya address a joint press CATHERINE W GICHUKI the campaign was 60 and above social media about distance a joint press conference with Minister conference in Doha on Wednesday. DOHA plus those with chronic complicated education are fake,” the ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union illnesses, and frontliners. Effec- said in a tweet. and Cooperation of the Kingdom was normal given Iran is a neighbour On relations with Spain, the FM THE age limit for COVID-19 vaccina- tive from today (February 10), the The MoEHE stressed its of Spain Arancha Gonzalez Laya in of Qatar and anything that happens said the bilateral relations between tion has been reduced to 50 for all age limit is now 50 and above for keenness to provide a safe and Doha on Wednesday. in the region would directly impact Qatar and Spain are special and the Qatar residents from Wednesday, non-Qataris and all age groups for healthy environment in schools On the phone calls received from Qatar,” he said, adding that the US is two countries are looking forward a senior Ministry of Public Health the Qatari population,” Dr Soha Al by sticking to the precautions US Special Representative for Iran a strategic ally of Qatar. to strengthen and develop these (MoPH) of cial has said. Bayat, Head of Vaccination at the prescribed in this regard. The and the US National Security Advi- It was important to avoid escala- relations in the future in various “The age limit has now been Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), ministry also called upon every- sor, the FM said communication, tions in the region, he said. As for the fields. brought down. Until February 9, said during an Instagram live Q&A one to take information from its whether with the American side or two calls, they were regarding consul- the age group that was covered by session. PAGE 2 of cial sources only. the Iranian side were ongoing. “This tations on Iran and other issues. Continued on page 2  Cargo movement through Abu Samra port to begin from Sunday

QNA lows: turn to Salwa port in Saudi ported goods are carried out to other locations within the DOHA Truck drivers coming Arabia immediately after the at the port in accordance with state, samples of the goods from Salwa border port in completion of the unload- the provisions of the Customs will be taken for examination THE commercial cargo move- Saudi Arabia must obtain a ing process at Abu Samra Law and its implementing and analysis by the competent ment between Qatar and Sau- certificate authenticated by port and that all importers regulations and the customs registration authorities in the di Arabia through the Abu the Saudi Ministry of Health, of goods through Abu Samra procedures guide. country, and it will be released Samra port will commence proving that they have been port are obligated to pre- The customs declaration after the importer undertakes from Sunday, February 14, tested for COVID-19 at least pare local trucks suitable for for the restricted goods is pre- that the restricted goods won’t the General Authority of Cus- 72 hours prior to the date of transporting the goods that sented to the competent au- be disposed until approval toms (GAC) has announced. entry into Abu Samra port. are received, and to notify thority through the electronic was given by the competent In a statement on Drivers and trucks Abu Samra port administra- customs clearance system (Al- authority, except the goods Wednesday, the GAC issued a transporting goods to Qatar The General Authority of Customs (GAC) has issued a set of regulatory tion of the dates and numbers nadeeb), to take the appropri- of a dangerous nature, will be set of regulatory and precau- via Abu Samra are not per- and precautionary controls and procedures related to commercial of the trucks in advance to ate decision regarding them. kept at the port until the re- tionary controls and proce- mitted to enter the country, shipments at the Abu Samra border port. facilitate the procedures for The statement said due to sults of the examination and dures related to commercial and the goods will be unload- entering the port. a prolonged shutdown at Abu laboratory analysis appear. shipments at the Abu Samra ed and re-loaded onto local representative in the port, ac- with the port administration. The GAC explained that Samra port, and the transfer border port, which are as fol- trucks by the importer or his cording to prior coordination Trucks and drivers re- customs procedures on im- of specialized laboratories Continued on page 16  02 Thursday, February 11, 2021

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Mahmoud, Kuwaiti counterpart review ties QNTC postpones jewellery QNA exhibition to May 24-29 DOHA IN light of the announcements re- SPEAKER of the Shura Council stricting public gatherings, Qatar Na- HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid tional Tourism Council (QNTC) has Al Mahmoud on Wednesday met announced new date for the 18th edi- with Speaker of the National As- tion of the Doha Jewellery and Watch- sembly of Kuwait Marzouq bin es Exhibition (DJWE) set to showcase Ali Al Ghanim and his accompa- more than 450 leading international nying delegation. brands. During the meeting, they According to QNTC, the exhibi- discussed the ways to develop tion will now be held from May 24 to cooperation between the Shura 29. The decision follows the recent the Cabinet. Having grown and Council and the Kuwaiti Na- announcement by the Cabinet to re- evolved over the year to become a tional Assembly, enhance joint impose restrictions to maintain the global leader in the luxury goods in- Gulf parliamentary work, coor- health and safety of all residents. dustry and the highlight of the events dinate positions between the two Secretary General of QNTC and calendar in Qatar, the Doha Jewellery councils in regional and interna- GCEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Al & Watches Exhibition is a must at- tional parliamentary activities, Baker said, “To ensure the safety and tend event for anyone with an appre- as well as reviewing a number of wellbeing of our guests and people, ciation for the finest craftsmanship issues related to parliamentary by Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council and Chairman of Qatar- raikhi and Ambassador of Kuwait we have decided to postpone DJWE and offers visitors the opportunity to work. Council HE Mohammed bin Ab- Arab Parliamentary Friendship to Qatar HE Hafeez Mohammed for three months following the an- enjoy a journey of elegance, heritage The meeting was attended dulla Al Sulaiti, Member of the Group HE Saqr bin Fahad Al Mu- Al Ajmi. nouncement of new measures from and luxury.” (TNN) ‘Qatar, Spain seek to expand investments’ Qatar lowers COVID-19 vaccine eligibility Continued from page 1  her visit to Qatar was the first since she assumed her position, age to 50 years for expatriate residents REGARDING the Qatari- praising the distinguished bi- Spanish relations in the invest- lateral ties, and noted that the ment field, the FM said Qatar two sides want to build on it to and frontliners. Effective from “Everybody who got COV- ID-19. has investments in Spain and overcome the COVID-19 pan- Qataris of all age- today (February 10), the age is ID-19 infection in the past Explaining the difference the country seeks to increase demic. now 50 and above for non-Qa- can register. At a later stage, between Pfizer-BioNTech its contributions and invest- She said the end of the pan- groups can take taris but all age groups for the they will be eligible to take the COVID-19 Vaccine and Mod- ments in Spain, and the latter, demic will see economic ties the vaccine now Qatari population and those erna COVID-19 Vaccine, Dr in turn, is looking to increase its between the two countries re- with complicated chronic ill- Bayat said, “The technol- investments in Qatar. The FM turning to normal, adding that CATHERINE W GICHUKI nesses. ‘Hopefully soon, the next ogy used to produce the vac- thanked Spain for its support there are a number of Spanish DOHA “Hopefully soon, the next phase will come and non- cine for both companies is and contribution to the Qatar companies operating in Qatar phase will come and non-Qa- the same, the concept is the 2022 World Cup projects. and contributing in infrastruc- QATAR has lowered the age taris will also have a lower age Qataris will also have a same. The minor difference He expressed Qatar’s aspi- ture projects, water treatment, limit for expatriates eligible to limit. Do register on the web- lower age limit. Do register between the two vaccines is ration to strengthen its coop- digitalisation and education. take the COVID-19 vaccine to site announced earlier so that on the website announced in regard to the storage and eration with Spain in the fu- She expressed her appre- 50, while all Qataris, irrespec- when there is a change in the earlier so that when there is handling. The storage tem- ture, adding that the two sides ciation of Qatari investments tive of their age groups, can criteria or the phase, you will a change in the criteria or perature for Pfizer-BioNTech exchanged views on various in Spain, noting the depth of take the vaccine. be contacted for an appoint- the phase, you will be con- COVID-19 vaccine is -70 de- regional issues. The FM hailed economic ties. The two coun- Speaking during the week- ment.” tacted for an appointment’ gree Celsius and for Moderna Spain’s role in various regional tries look forward to seizing ly question-answer session on Dr Bayat encouraged those COVID-19 Vaccine -20 de- issues, especially the Pales- opportunities to enhance ties Wednesday, Ministry of Pub- who are interested in receiv- gree Celsius.” tinian issue, and Spain’s firm further and incentivising trade lic Health (MoPH) Head of ing the vaccine to do so even Dr Soha Al Bayat vaccine and we highly recom- She also explained that for stance on the two-state solu- and economic partnerships be- Vaccination and the National if they are not covered in this mend that they do register Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 tion. He said the two sides dis- tween them, she said. Lead for the COVID-19 Track campaign. vaccine on TAWTHEEQ or because so far the natural im- vaccine, the lowest age that cussed various issues, related to The Spanish minister and Trace Dr Soha Al Bayat “If you haven’t registered National Authentication Sys- munity from getting the infec- has been approved to be ad- developments in the GCC, the touched on an agreement said, “The age has now been yet on the website, please go tem (NAS). tion hasn’t been stable within ministered the vaccine is 16 Iranian nuclear agreement and signed between the two sides brought down. Until Febru- ahead and register or book an Answering to question the population who got it,” she years so far and for Moderna other issues such as Afghani- in the culture and sports field. ary 9, the age group that was appointment with your local whether those who previously said. COVID-19 vaccine, it is 18 stan, Libya and Lebanon. She said Spain wants to be a covered by the campaign was health centre to receive your got COVID-19 can register for She added that those who years, stressing however that He praised the agreements major part of World Cup 2022 60 and above, people with vaccine,” she said. the vaccine, Dr Bayat said that previously got COVID-19 are both are equal in effectiveness signed in the cultural and in Qatar, adding that Spain has chronic complicated illnesses, One can to register for the they can. still at a risk of catching COV- and safety. sports fields between the two high expectations for its par- countries. The FM said he looks ticipation in the global sporting forward to continue consulta- event. She also noted that one tions and cooperation between of the stadiums was designed Qatar and Spain and that these by a Spanish architect. visits will lead to fruitful results She said Spain is ready to Health centres provide services to nearly for both countries. He affirmed play a part in helping regain Qatar’s confidence in the du- stability in the region. rability of the Spanish econo- On how the signed agree- 9,000 visitors on Qatar National Sport Day my, pointing out that Qatar is ments can enhance ties be- seeking to develop economic tween Qatar and Spain, she QNA general medicine and family that it also provided a number ceived and examined suspect- community call centre pro- partnerships between the two said the opportunity for en- DOHA medicine clinics, while dental of specialised clinic services, ed cases round the clock, add- vided 138 virtual medical con- countries after the end of the hancing bilateral cooperation clinics received 212 patients, including ENT and derma- ing that the Rawdat Al Khail sultations to the clients that coronavirus pandemic. was promising. She said the A total of 8,977 Qataris and in addition to all urgent cases tology clinics, in addition to and Umm Salal health centres contacted without prior ap- The FM said the two sides agreements will boost bilateral non-Qataris visited 18 out of units that were received in pharmaceutical, radiology and have been fully allocated to pointment through the service are working to exploit the in- partnerships, particularly after the 27 health centres across the Abu Baker Al Siddiq, Al laboratory services during Na- deal with these cases, in addi- line 16000, indicating that the vestment opportunities avail- the coronavirus pandemic. The the country during National Ruwais, Al Sheehaniya and Al tional Sport Day to meet the tion to providing a COVID-19 counselling provided services able to both sides. He praised two sides signed an agreement Sport Day on Tuesday, the Pri- Kaaban, Gharrafat Al Rayyan, needs of all patients. examination through vehicles for patients, whose cases are the Spanish companies operat- to expand cultural partnerships mary Health Care Corporation Rawdat Al Khail, Muaither Regarding the services service to all visitors who at- classified as urgent, to obtain ing in Qatar, affirming that this and promote Qatari history and (PHCC) announced. and Umm Salal health centres, provided by health centres tended with their own vehicles the necessary health care and partnership is welcomed and culture, stressing that Spain PHCC indicated that the where each case was dealt with as part of the efforts to com- without the need to enter the any prescriptions for drugs appreciated by Qatar. supports Qatar’s efforts in host- number included 3,293 pa- according to its necessity. bat the COVID-19 pandemic, health centre. they need through a special- The Spanish minister said ing the 2022 World Cup. tients who were received in The corporation stated PHCC indicated that it re- PHCC announced that the ised doctor. Works begin on QR544,540 mn Roads and Infrastructure Project in South Al Meshaf TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and the seventh package last Southern Area Section of the also include an emergency DOHA August. The project will develop a Roads Projects Department flood area with a total capac- Upon completion, the pro- 23km-long network of in Ashghal, said the project ity of 40,000 m3 to provide THE Public Works Authority ject will develop a 23-km long internal streets in the area serves 682 citizens’ subdi- proper protection for the en- (Ashghal) has announced the network of internal streets in visions in South Al Meshaf tire area against flooding and commencement of works on the area and a 9.5-km pedes- and a 9.5-km-pedestrian Area, providing upgraded in- excess rainfall. the QR544,540 million Roads trian and cycle track, equipped and cycle track frastructure services, includ- Package 9 of the Roads and Infrastructure Project in with road safety features and ing a 23.5-km-long foul sewer and Infrastructure in South South Al Meshaf (Package 9), street lighting, as well as road Part of Doha Express Highway network, 56 kilometres of sur- Al Meshaf Project is being im- which is part of Ashghal’s plan signs and marks, to regulate to the East. face and groundwater drain- plemented by the joint venture to implement infrastructure the traffic flow and enhance The upgrading works will age network, 9.5 kilometres of Development Company for projects for citizens’ subdivi- safety on the roads. be implemented in three geo- of Treated Sewerage Effluent Road Works and Qatar Build- sions in the southern regions This is in addition to up- graphical zones successively, (TSE) network and a 9-km- ing Engineering Company. It of the country. grading infrastructure facili- with each phase lasting for one long potable water network. is part of the New Subdivisions This announcement comes ties to respond to residents’ year. Full completion of the He added that the new Program which is carried out after having had recently an- needs and urban growth in the project is scheduled for fourth sewage pipelines will be pro- by the Public Works Author- nounced the start of the imple- future. quarter of 2023. vided and connected with Qa- ity and includes a number of mentation of the eighth pack- The project is located West Al Wakra while being the South, Al Wukair Road to Engineer Hamad Al Mae- tar’s main sewage network, development projects across age of the project in January South of Doha and South bordered by Rekayya Street to the North and by the Southern jeba, project engineer at the while construction works will Qatar. Nation Thursday, February 11, 2021 03

MURAIKHI MEETS SAUDI ACTING CHARGE D’AFFAIRES, DJIBOUTI NEW ENVOY AND RECEIVES CREDENTIALS OF CUBAN ENVOY

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi on Wednesday met with Acting Charge D’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Qatar HE Ali Saad Ali Al-Qahtani. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and other issues of mutual interest. Muraikhi also met with Ambassador of Djibouti to Qatar HE Tayeb Dbd Robleh. The minister also received on Wednesday a copy of the credentials of Ambassador of Cuba to Qatar HE Oscar Leon Gonzalez. He wished the ambassador success in his duties, assuring him of all support to upgrade the bilateral relations between the two countries to closer cooperation in various elds. (QNA) QU, Al-Salam Petroleum Services Company sign MoU for cooperation

Ministry shuts Safari Mall in Abu Hamour for overcrowding

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the entrance of the mall cited DOHA “overcrowding” as the reason. It did not say how long the THE Ministry of Com- mall will stay closed. merce and Industry (MoCI) In a digital statement, the on Wednesday temporarily Safari Mall said, “...It has been Dr Omar Al-Ansari, Vice President of Qatar University for Academic closed the Safari Mall in Abu advised by the ministry of- Affairs, and Mr Abdul Salam Abu Issa, CEO of Al-Salam International ship, facilitating the transfer of it will open the door for the MoU with Al-Salam Company Hamour for “overcrowding” ficials to temporarily halt the Investment, at the agreement-signing ceremony knowledge and technology to exchange of experiences and represents the beginning of a amid increasing COVID-19 service of Safari Mall, Abu serve the university and soci- information, in a way that en- strategic cooperation with Al- cases in Qatar. Hamour branch, due to over- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK partnership supports the col- ety, and deepening the relation- riches scientific research and Salam Company and explained The mall was closed on crowding and keeping in mind DOHA laboration between Qatar Uni- ship with the industrial sector research studies related to the the Center’s readiness to share Wednesday evening. A notice the health and safety of the versity and Al-Salam Petroleum towards more cooperation and field of oil and gas. its capabilities in research to from the ministry pasted on public until further notice.” QATAR University’s (QU) Col- Services Company and helps joint interaction in a way that Al-Salam Company will supporting Al-Salam Company lege of Engineering and Al- with the transition to a knowl- supports the educational and support one of the Gas Center in the field of drilling fluid tech- Salam Petroleum Services Com- edge-based economy, while research process.” research in the 13th cycle of the nologies and chemicals used in pany signed a Memorandum of opening the doors for compa- Abu Issa expressed his National Priorities Research oil and gas fields.” Understanding (MoU) for co- nies to benefit from the univer- happiness at the signing of the Program (NPRP) sponsored by Dr Saad also thanked the QRCS hands over operation in the field of drilling sity’s facilities. In addition, the MoU, saying, “The MoU will the Qatar National Research company for their confidence in fluids and oil fields chemicals. collaboration enriches partner- contribute to strengthening co- Fund (QNRF). Finally, I would the Gas Processing Center and Dr Omar Al Ansari, vice- ships with faculty members who operation between us in a way like to thank Qatar University their support for the research at donations to HMC president of QU for academic specialise in scientific research, that contributes to achieving for their cooperation with us, the centre. affairs, and Abdul Salam Abu and encourages organising vari- one of the goals of Qatar Na- and we look forward for further In his comment, Schlum- QATAR Red Crescent Society Issa, CEO of Al-Salam Inter- ous joint events and initiatives tional Vision 2030. cooperation with the univer- berger Overseas Well Construc- (QRCS) has delivered in-kind national Investment Limited, that serve all participants and “The aim is to find a balance sity.” tion Manager Aaron Haddon donations to Hamad Medical signed the MoU in the presence benefits Qatar and the Qatari between an oil-based economy Dr Muhammad Ali Saad, said, “I am very happy to be Corporation (HMC) in support of officials from both sides at a society. and a more knowledge-based head of the Gas Processing invited by Salam Petroleum to of the vulnerable patients. The ceremony held at the QU. “This MoU contributes to economy, in an effort to diver- Center at the College of En- support them in their collabora- donation consisted of wheel- Dr Al Ansari said, “This activating community partner- sify the Qatari economy, and gineering at QU, stated, “The tion with Qatar University.” chairs, beds and medical equip- ment. An official delegation from HMC visited QRCS headquar- ters, including Dr Soad Saidan QC distributes hygiene kits to orphans in Rawalpindi Al Hamad, executive manager of Social Service Department at TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK HMC, Abeer Al Hajri, officer at tions that include beds and DOHA HMC’s Social Service Depart- diverse equipment. These will ment, and Mohamed Othman, help to meet some of the needs QATAR Charity (QC) distrib- head of Social Service Section of sick children and older per- uted 100 personal hygiene at Hamad General Hospital sons. It is a kind support that kits to orphans in the Raw- (HGH). deserves appreciation.” alpindi district in Pakistan to They were received by Eng. Dr Al Obaidli commented, raise awareness of COVID-19 Ibrahim Abdullah Al Malki, “Social solidarity among insti- at schools. CEO of QRCS, Dr Lolwa Has- tutions and society members is The hygiene kits were san Al Obaidli, head of Com- a top priority for the continu- distributed at an event at- munity Care at the Volunteer- ity and elevation of work. We tended by the local officials ing and Local Development work with HMC as partners in Pakistan. This comes as Division, and Khalida Ali Mo- in social activities, in the best part of Qatar Charity’s efforts stafa, an empowerment spe- interest of society. We seek bi- to limit the outbreak of the Information, education alpindi district. cial Disaster Management ernment for a huge impact. cialist at the same division. lateral integration, which will coronavirus pandemic across and communication (IEC) “The personal hygiene Authority (PDMA) in Balu- Qatar Charity is an active “We at HMC Social Ser- ultimately translate into high the globe. materials were also distrib- items distributed by Qatar chistan. At the meeting focus- member of PHF at the federal vice Department would like to quality of supplies for service Each kit contained masks, uted to raise awareness about Charity are very compre- ing on the INGOs working in level as well as at the provin- thank the board of directors, seekers.” sanitisers and other hygiene the importance of handwash- hensive, covering maximum the provinces, Qatar Charity cial level. secretary-general, CEO and According to her, this is not items needed for daily usage. ing and maintaining social needed items,” said Imran, presented its interventions, In Pakistan, Qatar Char- staff of QRCS for their con- the first or last time that QRCS During the distribution distance to prevent COV- applauding the role of Qatar which received praise from ity had previously, in coor- stant cooperation,” said Dr Al has worked with HMC. She event, Qatar Charity’s staff ID-19 infection. Charity in orphan care. Deputy Director of PDMA dination with the provincial Hamad. promised that such contributions made the children and their Raja Imran, deputy dis- Besides, Qatar Charity at- Ghafoor Agha. governments, distributed “They spare no effort in as- would continue to benefit both mothers aware of the impor- trict officer at the Govern- tended a coordination meet- He also requested INGOs, 4,000 food baskets, benefit- sisting the patients, both indi- the nationals and residents of Qa- tance of personal hygiene, ment Social Welfare Depart- ing organised by the Pakistan including Qatar Charity, to ing nearly 24,000 people in vidually and collectively.” tar, with plans to expand mutual hand washing methods and ment, appreciated the efforts Humanitarian Forum (PHF) work in coordination with Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakh- She added, “We are here cooperation to involve more in- social distancing. of Qatar Charity in the Raw- in cooperation with Provin- each other and with the gov- tunkhwa and Baluchistan. to receive some in-kind dona- stitutions in the future. (TNN) Qatar Cancer Society marks sixth Gulf Cancer Awareness Week TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK media messages in the GCC. and educational videos was also DOHA QCS organised several pro- part of the programme. grammes and activities, includ- QCS used social media plat- QATAR Cancer Society (QCS) ing a motorbike event at the forms and even display boards marked the sixth Gulf Cancer Lusail drive-in cinema in coop- at public places to promote the Awareness Week, organised eration with Qatar Motorcycle message of the Gulf week. Ma- by the Gulf Union Against Center, Batabit and Mawater jor landmarks in the country Cancer in cooperation with the Centre, in addition to a virtual were also lit in pink to mark the Gulf Centre for Cancer Control walking challenge. occasion. and Prevention. The awareness week includ- Mona Ashkanani, gen- The first week of February ed the launch of an electronic eral manager of QCS, empha- is marked every year as the brochure in several languages sised the charity’s keenness Gulf Cancer Awareness Week as well as virtual awareness to participate in all events to raise awareness about can- workshops about cancer and to achieve its goals of rais- cer. to promote healthy lifestyles in ing awareness about cancer, The theme of the Gulf Can- be prevented by following a maintaining an ideal body appropriate treatment. mittee aimed to fight risk fac- the community. A competition supporting people living with cer Awareness Week this year healthy lifestyle, adopting cor- weight, while 40 types of can- The Gulf week that QCS tors to reduce infection rates, titled ‘I’m and I will’ for school- cancer and promoting profes- was ‘40/40’, which indicates rect dietary habits, practising cer can be cured if detected participated in as a member of encourage early detection to in- and university students com- sional development and sci- that 40 percent of cancers can regular physical activity and early and managed with the the Higher Coordination Com- crease recovery rates and unify prising drawing, short story entific research. 04 Thursday, February 11, 2021 Nation Ehsan broadcasts live to mark Qatar National Sport Day TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Al-Ashqar in an interesting er social tasks, given that sport DOHA conversation that included im- is part of a healthy lifestyle that Al-Hammadi explained the portant steps related to sport must be practiced on a daily THE Elderly Empowerment importance of organising and its significance in Al Ham- basis. He talked about his par- and Care Center (Ehsan), in time during the day madi’s life. ticipation in the ‘Samla’ Cham- coordination with specialists between practicing sports During the broadcast, Al- pionship, which is considered in the field, participated in the and performing other Hammadi provided important a challenging competition that activities of the National Sport social tasks, given that advice to the elderly on the requires fitness and endurance, Day, broadcast live on Insta- importance of sports. The aim as it takes place in difficult and gram. The aim was to highlight sport is part of a healthy was to encourage the elderly to remote desert locations, requir- the importance of exercise for lifestyle that must be prac- improve their health and psy- ing a high level of endurance the elderly due to its impact on ticed on a daily basis chological and social relations. and different skills from the improving their health and psy- Al-Hammadi explained the competitors. chological and social relations. importance of organising time He also talked about the CYCLIST and traveler Abdullah Al-Hammadi was interviewed during the day between practic- difficulties he had encountered Al Hammadi hosted the center. by journalist Abdul Rahman ing sports and performing oth- during the championship.

MoCI recalls Mowasalat encourages Lincoln Aviator staff to engage in sports model of 2020 THE Ministry of Commerce TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK of a safe and efficient transport and Industry (MoCI), in coop- DOHA system for all. Regular exercising eration with Almana Motors is an important pillar to maintain Company, Lincoln dealer in ON the National Sport Day, Mo- this. So far, we have built the in- Qatar, has announced the re- wasalat (Karwa) encouraged all its frastructure for a variety of dif- call of the 2020 Lincoln Avia- employees to honour the occasion ferent games, an indoor and out- tor model due to loose engine and practise various sports while door gym, and even board games mounting, which may cause adhering to the COVID-19 precau- like Carrom and Chess. We see noise and vibration in the car. tionary measures. this as a contribution to a bal- The recall campaign is part The company set an example anced lifestyle for our staff, the of the ongoing efforts of the in terms of providing face masks, bedrock of the company’s sus- Ministry to protect consumers maintaining social distancing, tainable development towards and ensure that car dealers fol- preventing gatherings, allowing serving our community in the low up on vehicle defects and only individual games and follow- Mowasalat CEO Fahad Al-Qahtani best way possible.” repairs. The ministry said that ing all other instructions issued it will coordinate the mainte- by the Sport Day organising com- nance and repair work with mittee and the Ministry of Public the dealer and will communi- Health (MoPH). cate with customers to ensure Speaking on the occasion, that they have completed the Mowasalat CEO Fahad Saad Al necessary repairs. Qahtani said, “This year, National The ministry urged all cus- Sport Day comes under exception- tomers to report any violations al circumstances, but we encour- to its Consumer Protection and age our staff not to be deterred by Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- the needed preventive measures. ment, which processes com- This day is an opportunity to see plaints, inquires and suggestions the value of physical activity and through the following channels: it should serve as a motivation for Call center: 16001 everyone to continue practising all Email: [email protected] year round.” Social media accounts: He added, “We understand Twitter: @MOCIQATAR that healthy drivers are the basis Instagram: MOCIQATAR Nation Thursday, February 11, 2021 05 BSI organises historic Khaleej Urdu HBKU’s College of Law Faculty member Conference and Poetry Symposium wins Innovative Legal A galaxy of Urdu writers and poets from the GCC countries keep the Urdu lovers entertained Teaching Award TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK (President BSI Qatar chapter), TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK phasises practical skills and DOHA graced the occasion as guests of DOHA requirements on how stake- honour. holders in Qatar, especially BAZME Sadaf International Masood Hassas (President DR Damilola Olawuyi, a fac- business enterprises, corpo- (BSI) organised the Khaleej BSI Kuwait chapter) compered ulty member at the College rate organisations, lawyers (Gulf) Urdu Conference and the mushaira in a unique style of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa and law firms can anticipate, Mushaira (poetry symposium) where he introduced every poet University (HBKU), has re- prevent and mitigate environ- on February 5 and 6. with self-composed verses. ceived the 2020 LexisNexis mental liability in their op- The online event was facili- Almost 30 distinguished po- Innovative Teaching Award. erations, especially through tated by the Kuwait Chapter of ets recited their selected poems The award was presented at a corporate social responsibil- BSI and was watched by thou- in the mushaira. They included recent virtual awards ceremo- ity, environmental due dili- sands via Facebook live. BSI Chairman Shahabuddin Shahjahan Jafri, Amir Kidwai, ny following the annual Qatar On the first day, an interna- Ahmad Badar Seemab, Faiyaz Warouq, Business Law Forum. tional seminar highlighted the Accomplished poet and BSI UAE and Shahjahan Jafri and Doha in November if the pan- Sabir Umar, Nasim Zahid, Ayub Celebrating excellence achievements of various organi- Programme Director Ahmad Badar Seemab from Kuwait. demic situation improves. Khan Nezah and Ibrahim Qasid in innovation across the le- sations in the GCC countries Ashfaque was the chief guest, Ayesha Sheikh Aashi of Day-2 of the event brought from Kuwait; Ahmad Ashfaque, gal sector, the Qatar Busi- in promoting Urdu language while Mahtab Qadar (KSA), Arif Dubai compered the pro- renowned Urdu poets of GCC Wasiul Haq Wasi and Waquar ness Law Awards select win- and literature, and recognised Anwarul Haq (Oman) and Ah- gramme. countries on a distinct virtual Ahmad from Qatar; Ehyaul Is- ners from a high caliber of a number of writers and poets mad Adil (Bahrain) were guests Prof Quadri hailed the con- stage. lam and Ayesha Sheikh Aashi, entrants. The Innovative from the GCC region. of honour. tribution of writers in the Gulf The poetry symposium was Syed Sarosh Asif, Shahbaz Teaching Award category BSI Chairman Shahabuddin Scholars who presented pa- region and hoped the event chaired by senior Abu Dhabi- Shamsi, Shadab Ulfat and Sa- recognises the achievements Ahmad, in his inaugural speech, pers included Dr Wasiul Haq would be a milestone in get- based poet Zahoorul Islam mia Naz Malik from the UAE; of legal educators in the ar- highlighted the need for col- Wasi and Waquar Ahmad from ting their work recognised in Jawaid. Arif Anwar ul Haq, Gauhar eas of designing and imple- laborations for the promotion Qatar, Athar Abbasi and Nay- the Urdu speaking world domi- Prof Safdar Imam Quadri Naqvi, Tufail Ahmad and Fa- menting innovative academic of Urdu language and literature. eem Jawaid from KSA, Gauhar nated by writers of the subcon- was the chief guest, and two teen Ashraf Siddiqi from Oman; legal training programmes gence, sustainability report- The symposium was pre- Naqvi and Tufail Ahmad from tinent. medical doctors who are also Mahtab Qadar, Athar Abbasi and for their overall strategic ing, green supply chains and sided over by renowned scholar Oman, Izaharul Haq and Riaz BSI Chairman Ahmad an- distinguished Urdu poets, Dr and Nayeem Jawaid from KSA; vision. procurements and strategic and critic Prof Safdar Imam Shahid from Bahrain, Ehyaul Is- nounced holding an in-person Sarwat Zahra (Dubai) and Dr and Ahmad Adil, Tahir Azeem Dr Olawuyi was recog- risk management.” Quadri, director BSI from India. lam and Shadab Ulfat from the Khaleej Urdu Conference in Nadeem Zafar Jilani Danish and Riaz Shahid from Bahrain. nised for his many accom- ASSELLMU, founded by plishments although two, the College of Law in coopera- in particular, stood out: the tion with the United Nations launch of his new course Environment Programme ‘Environmental Law’ and his (UNEP) in 2018, is a net- 13 schools attend ‘Virtual Fiesta 2021’ hosted by BPS Doha leadership in establishing the work of environmental law Association for Environmen- academics from the MENA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK representatives from the par- believes in a challenge-based tal Law Lecturers in Middle region that is dedicated to DOHA ticipating schools, teachers and learning and has always been East and North African Uni- the establishment of environ- parents. keen to provide opportuni- versities (ASSELLMU). mental law courses in law fac- THE Kindergarten section of Competitions for KG1 stu- ties for students to help them Dr Olawuyi said: “I am ulties in the MENA region and Birla Public School (BPS) Doha dents included ‘show and tell’, acquire dynamic 21st-century most delighted and hon- the development of best prac- hosted an inter-school competi- singing and apparel, while KG 2 skills to face challenges in life. oured to receive the Innova- tices as to the teaching of en- tion titled ‘Virtual Fiesta 2021’ students competed in storytell- Every opportunity given to tive Teaching Award. The vironmental law. Thanks to a on virtual platform with the par- ing, poem recitation and dance. children will help them develop Environmental Law course grant from the Qatar National ticipation of 13 Indian schools A rolling trophy was awarded to creative skills. It also boosts provides opportunities for Research Fund (QNRF), AS- from Qatar and Oman. the school that scored the high- their self-esteem, motivates our students to understand SELLMU has hosted two ma- The inaugural webinar was est points. Students who won the them to improve and makes the values, assumptions and jor international conferences, attended by Chairman Gope first three places in each compe- them mentally strong. This in- guiding principles that under- the first at HBKU in 2018 and Shahani, Principal A P Sharma, tition were also given prizes. ment to a task, cooperation and demonstrate their inherent tal- ter-school competition provid- lie the field of global environ- the second at Hassan the First vice-principals, Kindergarten “Through competitions, the respect for the opponent. Com- ents,” said A P Sharma, princi- ed an opportunity to improve mental law. Coming at a time University, Settat, Casablan- Headmistress Josephine Fer- students learn about the im- petitions help enhance valuable pal of BPS. inter-school partnerships and of real need, the course em- ca, Morocco in 2019. nandes, heads of departments, portance of teamwork, commit- skills and motivate students to “The Birla Public School relations,” he added.

HBKU College of Health highlights graduate programmes at virtual information session TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK dean of CHLS, and faculty members of those present, the HBKU admis- DOHA presented an in-depth overview of sions team highlighted the applica- the university’s research-intensive tion requirements and the relevant FACULTY members and staff of the Master of Science and PhD pro- deadlines. College of Health and Life Sciences grammes in biomedical sciences, The deadline for Qatari nation- (CHLS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- genomics, precision medicine and als and residents wishing to apply versity (HBKU) welcomed prospec- exercise science. for a wide range of HBKU pro- tive students to the Virtual Gradu- The session highlighted both grammes is 15 March 2021. ate Studies Information Session on the curriculum with its multidisci- to learn more about the pro- Monday. plinary approach to learning and grams at the College of Health and The event was open to the pub- the pathways for students to par- Life Sciences, please visit chls.hbku. lic and attracted participants from ticipate in high-impact research edu.qa and find the full schedule of Qatar, across the region and be- in important health-related fields information sessions for all HBKU yond. once enrolled in the CHLS gradu- colleges at https://www.hbku.edu. Dr. Edward Stuenkel, founding ate program. In the strong interest qa/en/IS202121. Your news, Your views |Read online 24X7.... visit views |Read online 24X7.... Your news, Your 06 Thursday, February 11, 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

How To End Surprise Medical Bills Young People, Biden A new law will protect patients from unexpected charges — but more And Climate Change must be done to make it work

NE gift tucked inside the $2.3 same services). But the law allows President Biden’s executive actions on climate change have given hope to young people trillion COVID-19 relief and arbitrators to agree to higher pric- Ogovernment spending bill Con- es in cases where providers show that something tangible can happen to mitigate the crisis gress passed during Christmas week evidence that higher payment is is a ban on virtually all surprise warranted by their training, the medical bills. No longer will insured quality of their work, or the com- patients be hit with enormous un- plexity of the case. expected invoices from emergency There’s a danger that this pro- room doctors, anesthesiologists, cess will be overwhelmed with dis- radiologists and other health care putes, and that arbitrators won’t providers who work outside health settle cases in line with good objec- insurance networks. Charges like tive criteria. The necessary admin- this have cost Americans with em- istrative regulations will be written ployer-sponsored health insurance by President Joe Biden’s health and some $40 billion a year, arousing labor agencies before the law takes universal outrage and bipartisan effect next year. These will need to promises to crack down. be carefully crafted to ensure that After long delays and despite the new system isn’t swamped and strenuous industry lobbying, law- will work as it’s meant to. makers finally agreed to act. Doc- Regulators should also ensure tors are now forbidden to charge that the rules on patient consent patients directly for out-of-net- are clear. People shouldn’t be work care administered without asked to sign confusing consent patients’ consent, which must be forms presented by doctors or given at least 72 hours in advance. blanket consent forms issued by Yet two crucial questions aren’t hospitals that result in their re- fully resolved: Who pays for the ceiving the kind of surprise bills procedures if not the patients con- the law is intended to stop. The cerned, and who sets the price? goal must be kept firmly in mind: Congress has set rules that call The law’s purpose is to forbid all for arbitration to decide whether unexpected charges to patients the doctor’s preferred price or and, at the same time, maintain that of the insurer will prevail. In downward pressure on the overall making this judgment, the arbi- cost of health care. trator is told to consider median The scandal of surprise bills VIRGINIA HE have submerged cities in water. We’ve been cannot address climate change without address- in-network prices. These are con- has been tolerated far too long. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE waiting for what seems like an eternity, yet with ing all of the other intertwined issues. siderably less than what many The new law is an important step minimal progress. For the longest time, I had doubted whether out-of-network providers had forward — but it’s too soon to de- OR me, it is still a vivid memory – sitting on That’s why on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, I the United States would deliver any meaningful been billing (though still higher clare it a success. First, it must be my living room couch in the summer of 2018, nearly cried tears of joy as President Joe Biden action on climate change. Now I feel as though than what Medicare pays for the made to work. taking in the news coverage of the California signed a multitude of executive actions to take on Biden has, at long last, pushed the nation in wildfires that ravaged the West Coast. climate change. For the first time, it felt like my that direction. FI watched as the bright orange conflagra- voice was being heard. For the first time, it felt like But even the aggressive action President tion scorched everything in its path. I watched we had won something tangible, something we Biden is taking does not address all aspects of as firefighters desperately tried to tame the fire. could count as a win and build on. the climate crisis, including the need to ban And I watched as terrified people ran from their These actions encompass three main things. fracking, shut down pipelines and declare a na- crumbling houses, covering their faces to avoid The first is the need to actively combat climate tional “climate emergency.” We cannot take on inhaling the smoke. change and avert the major catastrophes that climate change as a whole until we address the It’s a scene that I’ll never forget — a living could arise if no action is taken. crisis in all its aspects. image of how climate change is a real and pre - The second is to address the impact on la- The thought of what lies ahead — the turmoil, sent danger, and how we can’t keep denying bor and the economy. One of the biggest con- the tensions, the politics — can feel daunting. Yet I it anymore. cerns people have with transitioning away from hold on to the hope that, in the face of this daunt- The fact is, young people have been waiting for fossil fuel is the loss of jobs. The executive ac- ing task, our nation can move forward without decades for bold climate legislation that puts our tions counter this by creating a Civilian Climate looking back. Because for me, as a young climate future first. Corps that will produce jobs but also help build activist, the thought of a future filled with more cli- We’ve been waiting ever since 1990, when the a sustainable economy. mate disasters and economic chaos is unbearable. United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Cli- The third is addressing environmental justice. mate Change concluded in its First Assessment Climate change intersects with many other issues, (Virginia He is a youth climate activist Report that temperatures rose from 0.3 degrees including racial and social justice. Biden address- based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, who Celsius to 0.6 C over the last century. es this by committing to “make environmental works with the Sunrise Movement and We’ve been waiting since 2005, when Hur- justice a part of the mission of every agency,” fi- other environmental organizations. This ricane Katrina killed more than 1,800 people, nally placing it at the center of governmental cli- column was produced for the Progressive caused $81 billion in damage and rang up $160 mate measures. Media Project, which is run by The billion in costs. We’ve been waiting ever since We must acknowledge that marginalized com- Progressive magazine, and distributed (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE) as wildfires have ravaged California and floods munities are on the front lines of this crisis; we by Tribune News Service) The Attack On Black History Month

ANDREA K MCDANIELS taught. The school isn’t disclos- Want to disrupt the racial injus- whole race of people, but it is the TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE ing what all the hoopla was about tice in the prison system? You story of this country. so we can only guess. have to look at the role of slavery In an ideal world, Black OME parents at a Utah charter And that is not the only way in how it came to be. history would be a full part of school were so against their Black history is being attacked. What’s even scarier than those American history. Some African Skids learning about Black his- In another snub at Black roots that want to ignore history is Americans have written on social tory this month that the school in America, several states are those who have doctored it. Black media that they don’t celebrate recently offered an opt-out option also trying to stop teaching of the history has been so watered down Black History Month in February from such lessons. 1619 Project, a collection of sto- over the years, that it has tainted because they live it all year long. The Maria Montessori Acad- ries by The New York Times that some people’s thinking of what In concept, that is 1,000% the emy in North Ogden has since looks at U.S. history through the really was. White historians have truth. African Americans built reversed its decision to allow prism of the legacy of slavery and largely told the story of America’s this country, and we are its his- some children to skip Black His- contributions of African Ameri- past that is presented in the main- tory. Of course, we should be ac- tory Month lessons and festivities cans — a telling that turns the in - stream, while Black voices have knowledged every day of the year. as the school “works to change accurate, white-centered Ameri- been left out or downplayed. The In reality, that story isn’t told in hearts and minds with grace and can story on its head. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had a all parts of the country and in all courtesy,” school director Micah Bills recently introduced by dream, but he wasn’t assassinated history books. Or when it is told, Hirokawa wrote in a Facebook state legislators in Arkansas, Iowa simply because he wanted Black it doesn’t resonate. post addressing the issue. and Mississippi argue that the and white people to live together We need Black History Month. But why were these close- project misrepresents U.S. his- Deidre Matthews of Severn examines art of Greta Chaplin McGill’s “2020” (left) and in harmony. Hank Aaron was a The country is not at a place where minded parents ever allowed to tory and would take away partial David Cassidy’s “Screaming Out Loud” (oil on canvas) — with 8:46 on the hands of baseball legend, but let’s just not it shouldn’t exist. I embrace it and dismiss a vital learning moment? state funding to school districts the subject - eight minutes and forty-six seconds painted in red, the amount of time talk about his records, but also celebrate it as we all should. I Black history is as important as that choose to teach it, according that a Minneapolis police of cer knelt on the neck of George Floyd — on display at the racism and hardship he faced discover unsung heroes, support math, English or American his- to Education Week. Michael E Busch Center for the arts at Maryland Hall. (TNS) as he broke them. Black businesses and celebrate tory. It is not some throwaway Even as police brutality and So when critics of the 1619 our achievements. I don’t take it subject people can do without. COVID-19 have forced the country I understand that it’s not a the past. They can do without the (the year African slaves arrived for granted, because some people, What exactly were these parents to face structural racism and ineq- pretty history, that it’s one that reminders. But the ramifications to the Colony of Virginia) Project like a few parents in Utah, would so offended by that they needed uities built into the very fabric of some would probably rather not of the past are still very much say it is inaccurate and promotes be happy if we didn’t acknowledge to be handled with such sensitiv- the country, there is a backlash on relive. It may be hard to swallow alive in the present and so cannot divisiveness, they are mistaken. Black history at all. ity and felt the need to protect portraying an accurate depiction for some that their ancestors may be ignored, especially if the coun- It tells the truth — and not what their children? It’s unclear if the of American history and the ugly have contributed to the brutaliza- try really wants to undergo a ra- people want the truth to be. It is (Andrea K McDaniels is parents were against the events treatment of African Americans tion of a whole race, and many cial transformation beyond Black an uncomfortable truth that re- The Baltimore Sun’s deputy or the way the history was being over time. people may want to leave that in Lives Matters signs in windows. fuses to erase the experience of a editorial page editor)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Thursday, February 11, 2021 07 26 Afghans deported from Germany arrive in Kabul Death penalty for militants who killed Bangladeshi publisher

KABUL: Twenty-six men arrived in Kabul early on Wednesday after being deported from Ger- DHAKA: A Bangladeshi court has sentenced eight Islamist militants to death for killing a secularist News many, an of cial from the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said. The chartered publisher in Dhaka nearly six years ago, an of cial said on Wednesday. The judge of an anti-terror- ight landed at 6:35 am (0205 GMT), an airport of cial said. It marked the 36th deportation ism tribunal sentenced the defendants, all of whom are members of the outlawed Islamist group in brief ight from Germany to Afghanistan since December 2016. A total of 989 failed asylum seekers Ansar al-Islam, for killing Faisal Are n Deepan, prosecution lawyer Golam Sarwar Khan told report- have been sent back to Afghanistan since then. The deportations have been deeply controver- ers. Deepan, who owned publishing house Jagriti Prokashoni, was hacked to death at his of ce in sial, with critics saying the war-torn country is too dangerous to send asylum seekers back to. Dhaka on October 31, 2015, the same day assailants attacked Ahmedur Rashid Tutul in his of ce Almost daily attacks by Taliban militants are taking a toll on civilians in the country. (DPA) at the publishing house Shuddhaswar. Tutul survived the attack. (DPA) Plane catches re Tens of thousands rally in Saudi’s Abha airport after attack against Myanmar coup by Yemeni rebels

DPA CAIRO Key attack THE Saudi-led coalition fight- ing Yemen’s Houthi rebels said G The Houthis con rmed on Wednesday that a civilian the attack on the airport, plane had caught fire after an claiming the facility was attack by the rebel group on a used for military purposes Saudi airport. Saudi Arabia’s state broad- G The coalition said the re caster al-Ekhbariya, citing the had been brought under coalition, reported that the at- control but offered few tack targeted the Abha airport other details, including in south-western Saudi Arabia. whether anyone was on The coalition said the fire board the plane had been brought under con- trol but offered few other de- G Yemen has been roiled tails, including whether any- by a devastating power one was on board the plane. struggle between a “Terrorists in the [Houthi] Saudi-backed government militia will be held accountable in accordance with the hu- and the Iran-linked rebels manitarian international law,” since late 2014 it added. Al-Ekhbariya said that Arabia. the attack had not caused any Last week, the US adminis- casualties and that traffic at tration said it plans to revoke the airport had returned to the designation of the Houthis normal. as a terrorist movement, in a The Houthis confirmed the reversal of one of former presi- attack on the airport, claiming dent Donald Trump’s most Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay on Wednesday. (AFP) the facility was used for mili- criticized last-minute deci- tary purposes. sions. DPA Mandalay, however, dozens try’s Import and Export Law very peacefully and fashiona- finger salute of resistance Military spokesman for the Washington on Sunday BANGKOK of protesters were released on for walkie-talkies found in her bly than previous days!” Mratt borrowed from the “Hunger rebel group Yehia Serae said urged the Houthis to cease Wednesday, according to the home. Kyaw Thu, a local journalist, Games” series and adopted by four drones had been used in attacks targetting civilian ar- TENS of thousands of people Myanmar Times newspaper. wrote on Twitter. Thai protesters criticizing the the attack. eas of Saudi Arabia and to halt in Myanmar demonstrated From Mandalay to Yan- From Mandalay to Yangon, At another rally, images government last year. “They caused precise hits,” new military offensives inside against the military coup for gon, protesters found crea- shared on social media showed Curfews were imposed be- he said, without providing fur- Yemen. a fifth consecutive day on tive ways to show their op- protesters found creative bare-chested bodybuilders tween 8 pm and 4 am and gath- ther details, according to the Yemen has been roiled by Wednesday, with officials, position to the dictatorship ways to show their opposi- calling for an end to the dicta- erings of more than five people pro-rebel television channel a devastating power struggle doctors and Buddhist monks in rallies which were peaceful tion to the dictatorship in torship that seized power last are banned in areas where al-Masirah. between a Saudi-backed gov- swelling their ranks. on Wednesday. rallies which were peaceful Monday after arresting Suu there have been larger protests. “This hit comes in response ernment and the Iran-linked They turned out despite In Yangon, more than 100 on Wednesday Kyi and other top government US State Department to the continuation of the air rebels since late 2014. growing fears of a wider police women dressed up as Disney officials. spokesman Ned Price said bombardment and brutal siege US President Joe Biden crackdown after officials fired princesses in opulent evening In Myawaddy, health during a press briefing on of our country,” Serae added, has declared an end to US sup- live ammunition and rubber wear to demand the release of “We want to show that workers clad in green scrubs Tuesday that informal and referring to the Saudi-led mili- port for the military campaign bullets into a crowd on Tues- the country’s de facto leader young women are also par- took to the streets. formal attempts had been tary campaign in Yemen. in Yemen led by Saudi Arabia, day and used water cannon Aung San Suu Kyi. ticipating in the protests. We The police joined protests made to reach Suu Kyi in the Earlier on Wednesday, the a regional rival of Iran. and tear gas to violently crack The 75-year-old is said to thought these outfits would in many places, according hours and days after the coup. Riyadh-based coalition said it The conflict of more than down on the rallies. Dozens be under house arrest but has be the most obvious way to to observers on Twitter and “Those efforts were denied,” had destroyed two explosive six years in Yemen has pushed of people were detained and not been seen in public since do that,” one woman said, ac- spoke out against the junta, he said. drones launched by the Hou- the country, one of the poor- some injured. the coup. On Tuesday, security cording to the Frontier Myan- including in the eastern city Nonetheless, he added, “I this towards the southern re- est in the Arab world, to the A protester in Myanmar forces searched the headquar- mar website. of Loikaw. Some held posters can tell you the international gion of Saudi Arabia near the brink of famine and wrecked remained in critical condition ters of her National League for “It’s really strange today! saying, “we are on the side of community is attempting Yemeni border. its health facilities. after she was shot by police on Democracy party. No police forces blocked all the people.” Photos showed every avenue to ensure that In recent months, the Hou- The United Nations has de- Tuesday, according to reports. Suu Kyi has reportedly of the marching in Yangon. some members of the police democracy and civilian leader- this have intensified their mis- scribed Yemen as the world’s In the northern city of been charged under the coun- Young people are protesting force holding up the three- ship is restored in Burma.” sile and drone attacks on Saudi biggest humanitarian crisis. Twitter suspends 500 accounts Throttle problem caused Indonesia jet crash after India government’s request DPA showed anomalies,” Nurcahyo Nurcahyo said the air- Air crashed into the Java Sea, JAKARTA said at a news conference an- craft’s cockpit voice recorder, killing all 189 people on board. DPA Twitter also briefly suspend- nology, the statement said. nouncing a preliminary report which is still missing, could Indonesia, which is made NEW DELHI ed the profile of a well-known In- Twitter has now decided to AN Indonesian passenger jet on the accident. provide more answers on what up of thousands of islands, ex- dian magazine that has been cov- block some of the accounts re- that crashed into the sea last “We are still investigat- happened during the doomed perienced a boom in low-cost TWITTER on Wednesday sus- ering the farmers’ protests. The quested by the government, but month with 62 people on board ing what went wrong because flight. All but four of the 62 carriers following the liberali- pended more than 500 accounts only within India. had problems with its automat- there are 13 components con- victims have been identified, sation of the aviation industry linked to the ongoing farmers’ The platform said in the ic throttle system, investigators nected to the throttle.” the airline said. The crash is in the early 2000s. protests following a request to do The accounts were in clear statement they did not “believe said on Wednesday. Nurcahyo said pilots re- the third involving an Indone- In 2018, the European Un- so by the Indian government. violation of Twitter’s poli- that the actions we have been di- The Sriwijaya Air Boeing ported that the throttle system sian budget airline since 2014. ion lifted a ban on Indonesian The accounts were in clear cies, the social media giant rected to take are consistent with 737-500’s left engine throttle malfunctioned on January 3 An AirAsia Indonesia flight airlines, which was imposed violation of Twitter’s policies, the said in a statement Indian law.” lever trimmed back, resulting and 4 but the problems had carrying 162 people crashed in 2007 following a string of social media giant said in a state- None of the journalists, ac- in less engine power, while the been reported as successfully into the Java Sea off Borneo deadly air accidents. ment. tivists and politicians’ accounts right one jammed just before fixed. island shortly after take-off Several Indonesian air- The platform also said it had move was reversed several hours requested would therefore be the aircraft crashed on January The previous month, on 28 December 2014 with no lines, including flag carrier reduced the visibility of certain later, following public criticism. blocked. “To do so, we believe, 9, said Nurcahyo Utomo, an an airspeed indicator was survivors. Garuda, were taken off the hashtags with “harmful content,” Later, the platform received would violate their fundamental investigator at Indonesia’s Na- damaged but was replaced, he In October 2018, a Boeing EU’s ban list in 2009 after making it impossible for them to a warning from Ministry of Elec- right to free expression under In- tional Transportation Agency. said A full report on the crash 737 MAX belonging to Indone- steps were taken to improve trend. tronics and Information Tech- dian law,” it said. “Both throttle levers is expected early next year. sia’s largest budget carrier Lion safety.

Huge rally in Nepal against parliament dissolution Pakistan commutes death sentences DPA rocked Nepal since President Bidya Devi KATHMANDU Bhandari, acting on Oli’s recommenda- of three mentally ill prisoners tion, in December dissolved the parlia- A disgruntled faction of Nepal’s ruling ment and announced early general elec- DPA ties to make amendments in for Justice Project Pakistan, a party on Wednesday held a major dem- tions, to be conducted on April 30 and ISLAMABAD the relevant laws and rules charity that provided legal aid onstration in Kathmandu demanding the May 10. and said exemptions from to the prisoners. reinstatement of the parliament. Oli has said that he was forced to dis- PAKISTAN’S Supreme Court death sentence should be sub- “We hope the guidelines Tens of thousands of people peacefully solve parliament after being blocked from on Wednesday commuted the ject to certification by a medi- detailed in the judgement will rallied through the nation’s capital amid a carrying out his agenda by NCP members death sentences of three men- cal board. permeate to all levels of the tight security presence before gathering who don’t back him and who had tried to tally ill prisoners in a land- The three prisoners ex- judiciary and prison staff so in the city centre for a rally. oust him with a no-confidence vote. mark judgement that was wel- empted Wednesday are Kani- that mental illnesses can be Many of them were carrying flags His opponents have called the disso- comed by rights groups. zan Bibi, Ghulam Abbas and detected and treated instead bearing the image of the sun, the election lution unconstitutional. Several petitions “If a condemned prisoner, Imdad Ali. They have already of being ignored and denied,” symbol of the ruling Nepal Communist have been filed against the dissolution due to mental illness, is found spent 30, 14 and 18 years re- Habib said. Party (NCP). and a constitutional hearing is ongoing in to be unable to comprehend spectively on death row. Pakistan is a signatory of “We will win this battle. We must win the Supreme Court. the rationale and reason be- “We are stoked about this the Convention on the Rights this battle,” Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leader With the dissolution, the NCP has in- hind his/her punishment, then landmark judgement that will of Persons with Disabilities of the protesting faction, told the crowd, Wednesday’s action, which comes just formally split with two factions describing carrying out the death sen- hopefully set a precedent for (CPRD), an international con- warning Prime Minister Khadga Prasad days after a massive rally of Oli’s support- themselves as the legitimate faction and tence will not meet the ends of all courts while sentencing vention that guarantees the Sharma Oli to be ready to face waves of ers in Kathmandu, is the latest in a series asserting claims over the party’s election justice,” the court ruled. mentally ill prisoners,” said Ali dignity of individuals with dis- protest. of protests and counter protests that has symbol and its name. The court asked authori- Haider Habib, a spokesperson abilities. 08 Thursday, February 11, 2021 World WHO recommends use of AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine DPA was first detected in South country.” The WHO’s top ID-19 vaccines must keep Although there are indi- GENEVA Africa. immunization specialist, Kate following pandemic precau- cations that variants detected The WHO noted that O’Brien, said that all vaccines tions, including physical in Britain, South Africa and THE World Health Organi- the results of the study only tend to be less effectiveness distance and masks. Brazil are more infectious sation (WHO) recommends showed limited effective- against mild forms of disease. While the shots prevent than earlier ones, global using the AstraZeneca vaccine ness against mild forms of “There is a plausible ex- people from falling ill with COVID-19 case numbers against COVID-19 despite re- COVID-19, but that there was pectation that the vaccine will COVID-19, there is a risk that have been falling for the past cent reports that raised ques- no evidence that the vac- have efficacy against severe they can still transmit the four weeks, according to the tions about it effectiveness. cine does not protect against disease,” she said about the virus to others, she said. latest WHO update. The UN health agency is- severe disease. product that was developed The WHO said in its Numbers fell in all world sued its guidance on Wednes- Following the advice of an by the British-Swedish phar- recommendation that there regions last week. The down- day, days after the publication international panel of 26 vac- maceutical giant AstraZeneca is an “urgent need” for global ward trend includes Britain of a study showing that the cine experts, the WHO there- and the University of Oxford. monitoring of new virus and South Africa, thanks to vaccine offers less protection fore recommended the use O’Brien stressed that variants, which would allow strict public health measures against the 501Y.V2 variant of AstraZeneca shots “even people who have received scientists to draw conclusions in both countries, according A nurse prepares a dose of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine in Rio of the novel coronavirus that if variants are present in a any of the available COV- on vaccines. to the WHO. Negro, Brazil on Tuesday. (AFP)

Russia increases EU executive chief admits errors in nes after unauthorised Navalny protests bloc’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy DPA people were arrested during MOSCOW demonstrations for the release DPA mise when it comes to inject- of Navalny and in protest at BRUSSELS ing a biologically active sub- FOLLOWING recent mass President Vladimir Putin. stance into a healthy person,” arrests during unauthorised Several organizations led AFTER weeks of criticism she said. protests in support of Rus- by human rights group Me- and delivery setbacks, Euro- It was also the right for sian dissent Alexei Navalny, morial launched a campaign pean Commission President the European Commission the Russian parliament on against the demise of civil so- Ursula von der Leyen ac- to buy jabs on behalf of the Wednesday significantly in- ciety in Russia. The initiative knowledged mistakes in the member states, she added. creased penalties for partici- complains that politicians want bloc’s COVID-19 vaccination The members of the EU pating in and financing such to create conditions that make strategy in the European Par- legislature largely backed the demonstrations. public actions impossible. liament on Wednesday. shared approach, which saw Anyone who fails to follow The NGOs called for people “We were too late on the the 27 states order vaccines the instructions of the Rus- to sign a petition and to write approvals,” the top EU of- collectively, in Wednesday’s sian security forces in the fu- protest letters to lawmakers ficial told lawmakers. “And debate, but many were vocal ture will face fines of between and members of the govern- perhaps we were too sure that about the secrecy shrouding 10,000 and 200,000 roubles ment. what we ordered would actu- contracts with producers of ($135 to $2,700), according to After Navalny’s team called ally arrive on time.” the shots. a new law. on the US and the EU to im- The EU focussed too “These vaccines were de- On top of detention penal- pose sanctions on Russia, the much on development and veloped thanks to billions ties, 40 to 120 hours of com- parliament dominated by the underestimated how difficult of euros of public money,” pulsory labour can be imposed pro-Putin United Russia party it would be to scale up pro- French socialist lawmaker in the future. The penalties are is now discussing a law which duction of the vital shots, the Manon Aubry said, calling intended to stop people from would classify such demands German politician conceded. for greater transparency and taking part in demonstrations as treason against the home- “In a way, science sur- accusing von der Leyen of al- in the first place. land. passed industry.” With EU European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) and other MEPs attend a minute of silence lowing pharmaceutical firms The penalties for repeated In addition to a large num- states lagging behind the for the victims of the COVID-19 disease in Brussels on Wednesday. (AFP) to dictate the terms of sales. non-compliance with instruc- ber of lawmakers, Oleg De- front-runners in the race to Due to pressure from tions from state authorities ripaska, an oligarch with close inoculate their populations many EU parliamentarians have been significantly in- ties to the Kremlin who is af- against COVID-19, the bloc’s Aspen’s cancer drugs get cheaper in EU, avoiding nes and a showdown with Brit- creased. fected by sanctions, welcomed executive arm has fended off DPA serious forms of blood cancer,” she said in a ish-Swedish firm AstraZen- The Russian parliament such a law. accusations about the strat- BRUSSELS press release. eca over drastic last-minute has passed a number of laws According to the Kremlin egy it devised and grappled Aspen’s medicine is used for the treatment reductions to the size of de- that human rights organiza- there was a desire in society for with pharmaceutical firms CANCER medicines could become signi cantly of leukaemia and other haematological cancers, liveries, the commission pub- tions criticize as increasing such an approach. State media over delivery problems. cheaper in Europe after the European Commis- including medicine sold under the names of lished three heavily redacted repression of Russian civil so- repeatedly refer to Putin’s crit- However, von der Leyen sion accepted pharmaceutical giant Aspen’s Alkeran, Leukeran and Purnethol. contracts. ciety. ics as enemies of the Russian defended the bloc’s choice suggestion to drop prices for some products by The South African company proposed the But these omit the most In January, over 11,000 people. to opt for conditional mar- almost three-quarters to avoid nes. price cuts last year in a bid to avoid nes for crucial information, Aubry ket authorization rather than The commission opened an anti-trust inves- breaching the bloc’s competition rules. noted, including the prices emergency approval for vac- tigation in May 2017 over concerns that Aspen Aspen had been able to increase prices paid, the promised delivery cines, as neighbouring Brit- had abused its dominant position in Europe by by often several hundreds per cent “because timetable and details on li- ain did. charging excessive prices for critical off-patent patients and doctors had mostly no alternatives ability. The latter, though speed- cancer medicines. to using these particular cancer medicines,” ac- Von der Leyen also used ier, confers liability for drugs On Wednesday, it formally accepted the cording to the press release. her opening speech to ad- from producing companies to company’s proposal to reduce prices by 73 “When national authorities tried to resist As- dress a serious snafu involv- governments. percent on average for six off-patent products in pen’s requests for price increases, Aspen went ing a newly set up vaccine ex- The three to four weeks the bloc. as far as threatening to withdraw the medicines port register. of extra time needed for the Commission Vice President Margrethe from the national list of reimbursable medicines The commission briefly process was an essential in- Vestager said Aspen’s commitments would save and in some cases was ready to even withdraw invoked an emergency clause vestment to instil public con- EU health care systems a signi cant amount of from normal supply in the market,” the commis- in the Brexit deal, jeopardiz- fidence, according to the EU money. sion said. ing painstakingly negotiated executive chief, even if it has “As a result of today’s decision, Aspen has The company committed to keeping those arrangements at the sensitive now slowed Europe’s vaccine to radically reduce its prices across Europe for maximum prices for 10 years, according to the Irish border. The move was campaign down. six medicines that are essential to treat certain press release. quickly withdrawn after in- The penalties are intended to stop people from taking part in “There can be no compro- ternational outcry. demonstrations in the rst place. (TNS)

China sees drastic decline Brazil presents disputed nature conservation scheme for Amazon in number of newborns DPA sponsor a national park in the Brazil after the violent death of the Amazon Council, had RIO DE JANEIRO Amazon region for 50 reais (9 The scheme dubbed ‘Adopt of a black man in one of its Rio said at the World Economic DPA waiting to marry and starting dollars) per hectare per year, a Park” enables individu- de Janeiro supermarkets in Forum in Davos that the coun- BEIJING families later on. FOLLOWING fierce criticism according to a government als or companies to spon- November. try would have no funds left The abolition of the one- over its environmental and statement. sor a national park in the Greenpeace Brasil criti- for spending in the Amazon THE number of births in child policy that had been in climate policies, the Brazilian The size of the reserves cised the park initiative as an region after the pandemic. China last year has drastically place in China, the world’s government on Wednesday varies between 2,574 and Amazon region $9 per attempt to disguise reality, Greenpeace, however, re- declined. most populous country, since presented a controversial pro- 3,865,172 hectares. hectare per year accusing the government of ferred to the Amazon Fund, The number of registered 1976 only briefly led to an in- gramme for the preservation However, it is only possi- shifting its responsibility for a private fund which aims to newborns dropped by 15 per- crease in births in 2016. Since of nature reserves in the Ama- ble to “adopt” an entire park. “Reserva Extrativista do Lago financing part of the country’s fight against deforestation and cent in 2020 compared to the then, the number has steadily zon region. The French company do Cunia” in the northern environmental protection to for the preservation of the Am- previous year, China’s ministry fallen again. The scheme dubbed Carrefour was the first to de- state of Rondonia. corporations. azon rainforests, and which of public security reported. The true extent of the de- “Adopt a Park” enables in- clared it would sponsor the Carrefour is currently try- Brazil’s Vice President has been paralysed since disa- The figure dropped from cline will be revealed with dividuals or companies to 75,000-hectare nature reserve ing to improve its image in Hamilton Mourao, chairman greements over its use. 11.79 to 10.04 million. the release in April of the full Experts on Wednesday 2020 figures from the statisti- called it an alarming trend and cal authority. warned that China’s society ap- Experts say the reported pears to be ageing more quickly figure - which counts the num- China’s Tianwen-1 spacecraft successfully enters orbit of Mars than expected. ber of newly requested resi- The Global Times, a Com- dence registrations - does not DPA also carrying a helicopter drone devices to roam the planet. munist party-run news outlet, reflect all births as many babies BEIJING named Ingenuity, which could Beijing has steadily expand- said that numbers are “falling are not registered. become the first craft to fly on ed its space programme over below warning level.” “The low But the trend is clear: people CHINA’S Tianwen-1 space- another planet. the past few years and has mis- birth rate in China has reached do not want to have children, craft has successfully entered China’s Tianwen-1 is ex- sions planned for decades into an alarming degree, but it is family planning expert and re- the orbit of Mars, according to pected to orbit Mars for another the future. not a surprise,” Mu Guang- searcher at the University of state broadcaster CCTV, mak- two or three months before it In 2019, China became the zong, a professor from the In- Wisconsin Yi Fuxian told dpa. ing it the second of three mis- attempts its risky landing. first country to land an object stitute of Population Research The decades of one-child sions arriving at the red planet While the orbiter will re- on the far side of the moon. at Peking University, told the policy have “changed people’s this month. main “parked” in Mars’ orbit, The country’s space explo- Global Times. concept of fertility,” he says. The 5-ton spacecraft, whose relaying information to Earth, ration plans include building The annual birth rate al- “Affected by family plan- name translates as “Heavenly the lander will plunge into the a space station and sending a ready reached its lowest level ning, people are accustomed Questions,” consists of an or- atmosphere at 48,000 metres mission to Jupiter by 2029. in 2019 since the People’s to having only one child. The biter, a lander and a vehicle the per second amid temperatures China, the UAE and the US Republic of China was estab- concept has become deeply size of a golf cart that aims to ex- Technical personnel celebrate after China’s Tianwen-1 probe successfully of thousands of degrees Celsius. all launched their Mars mission lished in 1949, according to the rooted and difficult to change.” plore the Martian environment entered the orbit around Mars at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center in If successful, China could around the same time last July. statistical authority. He adds that the cost of rais- and search for hints of life on Beijing, capital of China, on Wednesday. (TNS) become the second country The reason was that Earth and High education and hous- ing children in China is higher Earth’s neighbour. to land and operate a rover on Mars align more closely every ing costs were cited as reasons. than in Taiwan or South Korea Several countries have their the UAE the first in the Arab mosphere. On February 18, NA- Mars after the United States. 26 months, providing a window The number of marriages and warns of the economic sights set on Mars. world to launch a successful in- SA’s latest Mars rover Persever- With its first Mars landing, of opportunity for more fuel- has also declined, while the di- consequences of an ageing The United Arab Emir- terplanetary mission and only ance is to descend through the the new space power wants to efficient journeys - and, inad- vorce rate in China is relatively society and the decline of the ates’ Hope space probe entered the fifth nation to achieve the Martian atmosphere to study catch up with the US, which has vertently, for an international high. Many couples are also working population. Mars’ orbit on Tuesday, making feat. It will study the planet’s at- the planet’s surface. The rover is already sent several research showdown in space. DMS announces sailing schedule PAGE 10

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

IQ balance sheet remains GECF set to unveil latest solid at QR9.8 bn: QNBFS edition of ‘Global Gas Outlook 2050’ on Feb 15 IQ generated operating cash ow of QR3.4 bn and free cash ow of QR2.8 bn in 2020 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK SATYENDRA PATHAK DOHA DOHA THE Gas Exporting Countries INDUSTRIES Qatar’s (IQ) Forum (GECF), the global balance sheet continues to platform of the leading gas- remain solid despite challeng- producing nations, will be ing conditions, QNB Financial launching the latest edition Services (QNBFS) has said in of its flagship GECF Global its company report released Gas Outlook 2050 (GGO) on on Wednesday. February 15 in the presence Despite paying $1 billion of energy stakeholders from net of cash acquired for the around the world. QAFCO deal, IQ’s balance As in previous years, the sheet continues to remain 2020 edition of the sought- solid with QR9.8 billion in after publication will encom- proportionate cash, bank bal- pass the full sweep of the gas ances and zero debt, QNBFS industry as it reinforces its said. reputation as the only outlook Due to the limitations natural gas demand forecasts “The company generated in the world on natural gas – imposed by COVID-19, the are derived from a set of sce- operating cash flow of QR3.4 a fuel that is projected to be 2021 event will be held virtu- nario assumptions, based on billion and free cash flow of the world’s primary source of ally for the first time. over 500 indicators, from QR2.8 billion in 2020, which energy by mid-century. Now in its fifth edition, energy price data to macro- highlights its operational ef- The launch will be attend- the GGO aims to be a global economic trends, such as the ficiency and ability to gener- ed by Gazprom Chairman reference for insights on nat- impact of COVID-19 on future ate significant positive cash Viktor Zubkov, who is also ural gas markets and offers gas market developments. flows despite challenging con- Industries Qatar’s better-than-anticipated performance in fertilisers and petchems offset weaker-than-expected the special representative of an impartial, facts-based, sci- The Global Gas Model and its ditions. Net-net, given IQ’s steel metrics in 2020. the Russian president for co- entifically-grounded view on pivotal publication Global Gas strong balance sheet, we ex- operation with the GECF and market drivers, evolution and Outlook 2050 are rigorously pect the company to withstand per share (DPS) of QR0.33 is Russian Deputy Prime Min- predictions to help envision managed by a versatile team difficult market conditions, in-line with our estimate of ister Alexander Novak. the world energy future over of energy economics and fore- while retaining dry powder to QSE gains 83.52 points QR0.35. The DPS declined The GGO’s introduction the 2050 forecast horizon. casting experts at the GECF. take advantage of potential ac- QATAR Stock Exchange (QSE) general index gained 83.52 points, 17.5 percent year-on-year from will be presented by GECF The Outlook is powered Sentyurin said, “The lat- quisition opportunities in the or 0.8 percent, when the bourse closed trading at 10,528.52 QR0.40 for 2019 and implies a Secretary General Yury Sen- by the GECF Global Gas est iteration of the Global Gas future,” the report said. points on Wednesday. The volume of shares traded increased to 3 percent yield. IQ plans to pay tyurin, who will also high- Model (GGM), a highly- Model is its most advanced “We maintain our accu- 202.643 million on Tuesday from 147.243 million on Monday out around 100 percent of its light its precise findings. granular econometric and rendering to date and allows mulate rating on IQ and will and the value of shares increased to QR570.484 million from 2020 EPS as dividends,” the The presentation will be fol- statistical tool designed and us to discover current and likely revise our QR11.50 price QR367.398 million in the previous session. Out of seven sector report said. lowed by a panel discussion developed in-house at the emerging trends. These find- target. In terms of longer- indices, six sectors closed in the positive territory, while one sec- “IQ’s bottom line increased with the participation of the GECF Secretariat. ings are being presented in term catalysts, similar to the tor ended in the red zone. The QSE Total Return Index increased 79.7 percent year-on-year Outlook’s co-authors, who Throughout 2020, the the GECF Global Gas Outlook QAFCO deal, IQ could look 0.80 percent to 20,313.80 points and QSE Al Rayan Islamic and 27.2 percent quarter-on- are GECF senior experts and GGM was revamped to be ev- 2050 in the form of in-depth to acquire Total’s 20 percent Index gained 0.92 percent to 4,297.50 points. (TNN) quarter in the fourth quarter a media briefing. er-more dynamic and is now insights. The fifth edition of stake in QAPCO, which could of 2020 on adjusted basis, Last year’s launch cer- capable of producing com- the Outlook is unique in that also be perceived positively by than-anticipated performance billion in the previous year. in-line with our estimate. IQ’s emony was held in Qatar prehensive energy balance it is being made available at a investors,” it said. in fertilisers and petchems IQ’s revenue, assuming pro- net profit rose 90.2 percent and chaired by the Minister forecasts for over 140 coun- time when the world is going Commenting on the annu- offset weaker-than-expected portionate consolidation, was year-on-year and 119.6 per- of State for Energy Affairs tries and 60 regions, span- through an extreme period al financial results announced steel metrics. For 2020, IQ QR11.4 billion against QR13.7 cent quarter-on-quarter to Qatar Petroleum President ning 35 fuels over 33 sectors, of uncertainty in light of the by IQ recently, the report said, recorded a net profit of QR2 billion for 2019.” QR1.023.6 billion in the fourth and CEO HE Saad Sherida up to the year 2050. COVID-19 pandemic and the “In terms of segments, better- billion as compared to QR2.6 “Recommended dividend quarter of 2020,” it said. Al Kaabi. The Model’s energy and global economic recovery.” CB enables payment through wearables in Qatar TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK already gaining traction, we have wit- DOHA nessed how the pandemic acted as a cata- lyst and dramatically increased consumer COMMERCIAL Bank (CB), the leading adoption in this market. Shoppers have digital bank in Qatar, on Wednesday, realised that touchless provides a much IQ announced the launch of a new digital faster, safer, convenient and hygienic feature that enables payment through way to pay. Hence we will continue to wearables, a new innovative payment work closely with our partners in Qatar to method provided through smartwatch- introduce new solutions that are aligned es and trackers. with their changing needs,” Nadia Through this new offering, Commer- Ghissassi, MasterCard Country Manager cial Bank is adding one more contactless for Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Oman, said. Vodafone partners with CB to payment solution that allows users to “We are excited to provide our Qatari make secure payments from the smart- The Commercial Bank Plaza in West Bay. customers and Commercial Bank card- watch or fitness trackers, without the holders with another way to pay while offer ‘buy now pay later’ plan need of a phone or cards. wearables made it essential for us to they are on the go,” said Tim Spurling, Commercial Bank cardholders will bring contactless payments to more pay- General Manager Middle East, North Af- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK products and services more Later’ by Commercial Bank. very soon enjoy this innovative payment ment devices. We are proud to partner rica and Central Asia at Garmin. DOHA accessible to people as part of We, at Commercial Bank, are tech by simply registering their CB Credit with Garmin and MasterCard to bring a “Having the ability to easily pay for our commitment to offering a devoted to proactively serv- or Debit card details into their wearable secure and convenient payment option purchases, without the need for a phone VODAFONE Qatar has part- leading customer experience. ing customers and offer tai- smartwatch or tracker using the devices’ for our customers. Commercial Bank or wallet is a feature that we are happy nered with Commercial Bank We’re delighted to partner lored products and services applications and then make contactless customers can stay tuned and expect to bring to users who live an active life- (CB) to offer its ‘Buy Now Pay with Commercial Bank to give that can simplify their day- payments by simply tapping their smart- to know more about this exciting prod- style,” Spurling said. Later’ instalment plan that lets many of our joint customers to-day banking transactions.” watch at any contactless supported pay- uct launch following the ongoing closed This offering is backed by an ad- customers purchase the latest the flexibility to purchase the Customers can avail the ment terminals. group pilot testing phase, through a big- vanced tokenisation platform, offering devices such as smartphones, best devices and accessories instalment plan at Vodafone Commercial Bank’s newly launched ger marketing announcement.” users higher transaction security and mobile Wi-Fi devices and ac- from Vodafone on the spot, stores located in Doha Festi- service fulfils the bank’s promise of “We are a big supporter of the gov- greater transparency while making pur- cessories and pay later with and pay later in affordable val City, Villaggio, Landmark, bringing payment solutions to match ernment’s vision of a cashless society, chases. The technology replaces sensi- easy monthly instalments. instalments.” City Centre, Mall of Qatar, the evolving lifestyle of its customers; therefore always trying to provide in- tive cardholder information with an al- Customers who hold a Commenting on the new The Pearl, Furrousiya, In- thus, becoming one of the first local novative, convenient, and secure pay- ternate card number or token that is used CB Credit Card will be able to partnership, Commercial dustrial area, Wakra, Lulu banks to offer athletes and sports en- ment solutions to both our customers by the payment device and merchant, purchase the device of their Bank AGM, Cards and Pay- D Ring, Lulu Gharaffa and thusiasts in Qatar a new way to pay for and merchants alike. Amidst the COV- reducing the possibility of fraud. Intro- choice with the option to pay ments Head Roya Khajeh Kharatiyat. their purchases with their watches and ID-19 pandemic, more people across duced recently, MasterCard’s MDES for back the Credit Card monthly said, “As we strive to meet our Should a CB customer keep moving. the region and the world are turning to Merchants (M4M) offering also protects instalments over three, six or customers’ needs and expec- not avail of the instalment Commercial Bank AGM, Cards contactless payments for safe, hygienic, the interests of merchants, as shopping twelve months at 0% interest tations, we are delighted to plan at the time of making a and Payments Head Roya Khajeh said, and fast purchases, and we are delight- goes increasingly digital and more busi- rate. Their purchase should join hands with Vodafone to purchase from Vodafone but “Commercial Bank has always been a ed to offer them additional touchless nesses tap into e-commerce potential. amount to a minimum of provide our cardholders with later wish to convert their market leader in introducing new pay- solutions and a seamless banking expe- In recognition of its leading innova- QR500 per product. attractive benefits on their transaction into monthly ment technologies and a key influencer rience,” Khajeh said. tive digital services in the regional mar- Vodafone Qatar Chief Op- favourite devices by spread- instalments can easily do so in setting new market trends in Qatar. “We are excited to extend our part- ket, Commercial Bank has been award- erating Officer Diego Camber- ing their repayments over a under the “CB Easy Pay” op- In recent years, we have seen a consider- nership with Commercial Bank for the ed The Banker’s award for ‘Innovation os said, “Vodafone is always number of months in easy in- tion accessed via the award- able growth of smartwatches and weara- launch of this new payment solution. in Digital Banking’ in the Middle East looking for ways to make our stalments with ‘Buy Now Pay winning CB mobile app. bles in the country. The adoption of these Contactless payment technologies were for 2020. 10 Thursday, February 11, 2021 Economy & Business DMS announces sailing schedule for its “Supply on Demand”

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK control their cargo movement The model optimises efficien- DOHA from booking to post-transit cy through better utilisation analysis. Customers receive of vessel space, improved DOHA Marine Services a dashboard where they can route planning and reduced (DMS), a leading offshore create bookings, track cargo fuel consumption, all in real- support vessel company, has and monitor or adapt routes time. seen a successful start to its to reduce costs, and crucially, “Transformative technol- “Supply on Demand” solu- they are only charged for the ogy, like Supply on Demand, tion and is now publishing its cargo they transport. is a crucial way for the off- twice weekly sailing sched- Customers can subscribe shore sector to adapt to the ule, with services sailing eve- to this service easily and may realities of the changing envi- ry Monday and Thursday. do so by contacting marine. ronment we operate in. Dig- Launched on January 10, [email protected] itisation and consolidation of 2021, Supply on Demand by DMS General Manager Gerben Gerben Nijboer, General services must be adopted by DMS provides marine so- Nijboer Manager, DMS said, “The the OSV industry at large to lutions on a pay-as-you-go Supply on Demand solu- weather economic volatili- basis, avoiding the need for offshore service providers. tion fills a gap in the market ties, create efficiencies, and customers to enter into re- The Supply on Demand which allows operators to provide value and oversight Launched on January 10, 2021, Supply on Demand by DMS provides marine solutions on a pay-as-you-go strictive contracts with their solution allows customers to pay for only what they need. to our customers.” basis, avoiding the need for customers to enter into restrictive contracts with their offshore service providers.

Wall St rally runs out of steam ahead APICORP’s $750 million bond of Fed chair’s talk AGENCIES weighted towards cyclical achieves lowest-ever spread sectors, rose 0.1%, while the THE S&P 500 and the Nas- growth index, which com- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Chief Financial Officer of API- daq slipped from record prises large tech companies, DOHA CORP, said, “This benchmark levels in volatile trading on was down 0.3%. issuance represents another Wednesday as Reddit forum “Valuations are THE Arab Petroleum Invest- important milestone for API- turned their focus to canna- stretched, we’re overbought ments Corporation (API- CORP, as it allows us, in line bis stocks while investors but there’s a lot of sectors CORP), a multilateral devel- with our long-term funding looked to a speech by Fed- that haven’t participate as opment financial institution, strategy, to further broaden eral Reserve Chair Jerome well ... and rotation into on Wednesday announced and diversify our funding Powell in the afternoon. these pockets always seems the successful issuance of sources and deepen the re- Tesla Inc’s 4.2% slide to keep this market float- a benchmark $750 million lationship with our investor and Amazon.com Inc’s 1.1% ing,” said Dennis Dick, a dollar-denominated five-year base. The ever-expanding drop weighed the most on proprietary trader at Bright bond aimed at further bolster- range and high calibre of the S&P 500 and the Nas- Trading LLC in Las Vegas. ing the Corporation’s business investors – including both daq. Shares of both the Twitter Inc added about operations and capital and li- regional and global central companies pulled the con- 7.6% after it forecast a quidity positions. banks and official institutions sumer discretionary index strong start to 2021 as ad The latest and final trans- – clearly reflects APICORP’s down 1.3%. spending rebounds from a action of APICORP’s $3 bil- status as a leading multilat- Shares in cannabis com- rock bottom. lion Global Medium-Term eral development bank at the panies surged, extending The social media plat- Note (GMTN) programme global level, and attests to a months-long rally due to form has thought about launched in 2020, the issu- the high-quality nature of its bets on decriminalization whether to hold bitcoin on ance was more than 2.5 times credit profile.” under the administration of its balance sheet, but it has oversubscribed, with around APICORP’s strong capi- President Joe Biden, as the not made any changes yet, 57 percent of the more than tal adequacy, robust asset Reddit community behind a Chief Financial Officer Ned $2 billion in orders coming quality, and resilient as- recent trading frenzy talked Segal told CNBC. from central banks, multi- set performance as well as up the stocks. At 11:58 a.m. ET, the lateral development banks strong liquidity and funding Wall Street’s fear gauge Dow Jones Industrial Av- (MDBs), and other sovereign, positions were key factors in spiked to a one-week high of erage rose 26.79 points, or supranational and agency Moody’s affirming the Corpo- 23.85 points. 0.09%, to 31,403.30, the (SSA) investors. Dr Ahmed Ali Attiga, APICORP’s Chief Executive Of cer ration’s credit rating at ‘Aa2’ “When you get a highly S&P 500 lost 3.50 points, The final spread was +69 and earning it an ‘AA’ rating speculative market things or 0.09%, to 3,907.61 and basis points with a 1.26 per- and at historical low pricing, from Fitch, both with a stable can turn, really off notice,” the Nasdaq Composite lost cent yield, both of which are Over 2.5 times oversubscribed especially amid these chal- outlook, the only financial in- said Rick Meckler, a partner 37.00 points, or 0.26%, to the lowest ever for an API- lenging times in the global stitution in MENA with these at Cherry Lane Investments 13,971.16. CORP bond issuance of this ● Bond issuance will further bolster APICORP’s capital and markets, speaks volumes of ratings. in New Vernon, New Jersey. Data on Wednesday type. The geographic distri- liquidity positions to continue executing its mandate for the the stature of APICORP in the The Global Coordinators, “Its a small correction in showed U.S. consumer bution of the deal was also sustainable development of the Arab energy sector global debt capital markets. In Joint Lead Managers and the sense that the dominat- prices rose moderately in the most well-diversified in further bolstering our already Bookrunners included Citi- ing feature to these markets January but underlying APICORP’s history, with 82 ● Bond issuance achieved APICORP’s lowest ever spread strong capital and liquidity bank, BofA Securities, Nomu- remain low interest rates, inflation remained benign percent of the 65 investors in and yield at +69 basis points and 1.26%, respectively positions, we can continue to ra, China Construction Bank the passage to Biden’s pack- amid a pandemic that has the transaction coming from forge ahead with our devel- (Asia), Maybank, Emirates age - whether it’s as big as fractured the labor market outside the MENA region. •Bond issuance was more than 2.5 times oversubscribed opment mandate in support- NBD Capital, and Standard they hoped or whether it’s and services industry. Dr Ahmed Ali Attiga, API- and attracted more than $2 billion in orders from over 65 ing projects that advance the Chartered Bank. APICORP’s a slightly scaled down ver- The Fed has signaled it CORP’s Chief Executive Of- investors worldwide, re ecting strong investor trust amid sustainable development of legal counsel on the deal was sion.” would tolerate higher prices ficer, said, “We are immensely uncertain times the energy sector, both in the Allen & Overy while the Joint Bets on more fiscal aid “for some time” as the econ- pleased with the success of region and beyond.” Lead Managers’ legal counsel and swift vaccine distri- omy climbs out of a coro- our latest US dollar bond issu- ance. The ability for APICORP to issue in benchmark size Dr Sherif Elsayed Ayoub, was Clifford Chance. bution have powered the navirus-driven recession. main U.S. stock indexes to Powell will be speaking a series of all-time peaks about the state of the U.S. recently. labor market in a webinar at Biden on Tuesday 2 p.m. ET (1900 GMT). agreed to a proposal by Fourth-quarter earnings Musk’s clean power goal and Tesla’s bitcoin dirty baggage Democratic lawmakers to have so far also exceeded limit or phase out stimulus expectations, supporting AGENCIES and Sri Lanka, according to a palatable to mainstream in- payments to higher-income sentiment. 2019 study in scientific journal vestors. individuals as part of his ad- Lyft Inc jumped 5.6% Joule. SJ Oh, a former bitcoin ministration’s $1.9 trillion after the ride-hailing firm TESLA boss Elon Musk is a The landmark inclusion of trader based in Hong Kong coronavirus relief bill. said it is chopping costs and poster child of low-carbon the cryptocurrency in Tesla’s and a self-professed “tree- The Russell 1000 val- now expects to be profitable technology. Yet the electric investment portfolio could hugger”, was aware that his ue index, which is heavily in the third quarter. carmaker’s backing of bitcoin complicate the company’s ze- passion for the environment this week could turbo-charge ro-emissions ethos, according was somewhat at odds with global use of a currency that’s to some investors, at a time his day job. So a year ago he estimated to cause more pollu- when ESG - environmental, co-founded Pow.re, a firm that tion than a small country every social and governance - con- runs green bitcoin mining op- year. siderations have become a ma- erations in the Canadian sub- Twitter thinking about holding Tesla Inc revealed on Mon- jor factor for global investors. arctic. day it had bought $1.5 billion “We are of course very Located in Labrador, Pow. bitcoin, but not decided yet of bitcoin and would soon ac- concerned about the level of re’s machines run on hydro- cept it as payment for cars, carbon dioxide emissions gen- power, with plans to repur- AGENCIES sending the cryptocurrency sending the price of the cryp- erated from bitcoin mining,” pose the heat generated by the shooting higher. tocurrency though the roof. said Ben Dear, CEO of Osmo- mining to serve local agricul- TWITTER Inc has thought Shares of Twitter were up So what’s the problem, you sis Investment Management, a Tesla Inc revealed on Monday it had bought $1.5 billion of bitcoin and ture, heating and other needs, about whether to hold bitcoin 8% after the company on Tues- may ask? Bitcoin’s virtual, so sustainable investor managing would soon accept it as payment for cars. he said. on its balance sheet, but it has day beat Wall Street targets for it’s not like it’s made from pa- around $2.2 billion in assets “Overwhelmingly, I do not made any changes yet, the quarterly sales and profit and per or plastic, or even metal. that holds Tesla stock in sev- lion for inventions that could ing to solve puzzles in the think there will be a concerted social media platform’s Chief followed its social media peers The digital currency is eral portfolios. pull carbon dioxide from the fastest time to win coin, using effort by the bitcoin industry to Financial Officer Ned Segal to forecast a strong start to created when high-powered “We hope that when Te- atmosphere or oceans. increasingly powerful comput- be environmentally friendly,” told CNBC on Wednesday. 2021 as ad spending rebounds computers compete against sla’s bitcoin ventures are over, The entrance of big corpo- ers that need more energy. said Oh, who believes Musk In an interview with CNBC, from a rock bottom. other machines to solve com- they will concentrate on meas- rations into the crypto market “It’s (bitcoin) not a sus- and his company can come up Segal said Twitter had consid- Twitter top boss Jack plex mathematical puzzles, an uring and disclosing to their could also boost incentives to tainable investment and it’s with better methods. ered how it might pay vendors Dorsey, who is also the chief energy-intensive process that market their full suite of envi- produce “green bitcoin” using hard to make it sustainable “Tesla is one of the green- or employees using bitcoin, executive of payments firm currently often relies on fos- ronmental factors, and if they renewable energy, some sus- with the kind of system it is est companies on the planet should they ask to transact us- Square Inc, is a known bitcoin sil fuels, particularly coal, the continue to buy or indeed start tainability experts say. They built on,” said Sanna Setter- so I’m sure they’ll figure it ing the virtual currency. enthusiast and has said he be- dirtiest of them all. mining bitcoin, that they in- add that companies could buy wall, a consultant at corporate out.” Other projects aimed “We might consider lieves the internet will have its At current rates, such bit- clude the relevant energy con- carbon credits to compensate sustainability advisory South at reducing bitcoin’s carbon whether we would be transfer- own native currency. coin “mining” devours about sumption data in these disclo- too. Pole. impact include that run by an ring dollars to bitcoin at the Square in October said it the same amount of energy sures.” Tesla did not respond Yet in the shorter term, Estimates on bitcoin’s reli- arm of Russian gas producer time of the transaction or if we had purchased about 4,709 annually as the Netherlands to a request for comment. Tesla’s disclosure of its bitcoin ance on fossil fuels versus re- Gazprom in the Khanty-Mansi wanted bitcoin on our balance bitcoins at an aggregate pur- did in 2019, the latest avail- Still, it’s not all eco-doom investment, made in a secu- newables vary, with detailed region of Siberia. sheet ready to complete that chase price of $50 million. able data from the University and gloom, and Tesla’s bet rities filing, could indirectly data on the bitcoin mining There, power generated by transaction,” Segal said. Bitcoin soared to a record of Cambridge and the Interna- on bitcoin comes amid grow- serve to exacerbate the envi- industry’s energy mix hard to flare gas - a by-product from Segal’s comments come a high after Tesla said in a filing tional Energy Agency shows. ing attempts in the cryptocur- ronmental costs of mining. come by. oil extraction usually burned couple of days after billionaire that it had invested $1.5 billion Bitcoin production is es- rency industry to mitigate the Other companies are likely Projects from Canada to off - is used for cryptocurrency entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Te- in the crypto asset. The $800 timated to generate between environmental harm of min- to follow its lead by buying into Siberia are striving for ways mining. The process leaves a sla Inc revealed it had bought billion electric company also 22 and 22.9 million metric ing. This movement could be the currency, investors and to wean bitcoin mining away lower carbon footprint than $1.5 billion of the cryptocur- said it would start accepting tons of carbon dioxide emis- advanced by billionaire entre- industry experts say. Greater from fossil fuels, or at least to coal power, said Gazprom rency and would soon accept it bitcoin as a form of payment sions a year, or between the preneur Musk, who this week demand, and higher prices, reduce its carbon footprint, Neft, the unit behind the as a form of payment for cars, soon. levels produced by Jordan separately offered $100 mil- lead to more miners compet- and make the currency more project. Economy & Business Thursday, February 11, 2021 11 Joe Biden’s budget nominee ‘absolutely Huawei CEO calls for easing backs minimum of US-China trade relations wage hike in US ‘Trade bene ts all sides’: Ren Zhengfei calls for more open US trade under the Biden administration AGENCIES TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK performance tests. The fact DOHA that consumers can now use NEERA Tanden, Demo- products like the iPhone 12 to cratic President Joe Biden’s HUAWEI founder and CEO its fullest potential on Huawei nominee to head the U.S. Ren Zhengfei has spoken out 5G networks in Europe is a fur- Office of Management and about the benefits to be gained ther testament to the quality of Budget, told U.S. senators by deeper cooperation between its networks. on Wednesday she would US and Chinese companies in “We’ll continue serving support raising the federal the technology field. Talking [our] customers well by creat- minimum wage, without with international media in a ing more value for them. We giving a target for a higher recent press conference, the want them to have lasting faith rate. executive advocated for the in us, and we hope that they “Absolutely,” she said easing of US-China trade re- won’t sway because of political at a confirmation hearing strictions, and more open US pressure,” noted Zhengfei. before the Senate Budget trade under the Biden admin- Responding to questions Committee after the panel’s Neera Tanden istration. about the future of Huawei’s chairman, Senator Bernie “Trade benefits all sides. device business, Zhengfei con- Sanders, asked her if she ent who caucuses with the Allowing US companies to firmed that Huawei is not just would help move to end Democrats, on Monday supply goods to Chinese cus- thinking about mobile phones. “starvation wages” in the said he disagreed with the tomers is conducive to their “Everything that connects peo- country “by raising the CBO report. But he said he own financial performance. If ple or things are devices. That minimum wage over a pe- viewed it as bolstering the Huawei’s production capacity includes things like laser and riod of several years.” case for using budget rec- is expanded, that would also ultrasonic radar, self-driving Tanden said recent onciliation rules to pass a mean US companies could sell vehicles, household gas me- studies had challenged the minimum wage hike as part more to Huawei. It’s a win-win ters, and so on. Mobile phones conventional view about of Biden’s $1.9 trillion coro- situation,” noted Zhengfei. are only one part of the de- the impact of minimum navirus relief package, with “We still hope to be able to buy vice category. So Huawei may wage increases on jobs and 50 Democratic votes in the a lot of US components, parts, transfer our 5G technologies to determined that job loss Senate plus a tie-breaking and machinery, so that US other [areas] in the future, but rates due to such raises vote by Democratic Vice companies can also develop will never sell our device busi- were “relatively low.” President Kamala Har- with the Chinese economy.” ness.” The Congressional ris, who presides over the In recent years, the US has Despite Huawei being Budget Office (CBO) this chamber. adopted stricter trade policies added to a US entity list ban week said Biden’s plan to Using reconciliation with China, particularly in the in recent years, the Huawei raise the minimum wage to would get around the re- technology domain. Zhengfei Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei founder remains optimistic $15 per hour from the cur- quirement for 60 votes to acknowledged that some US about the company’s future rent rate of $7.25 by 2025 win approval for major leg- politicians have concerns over production, and automotive and that of the global technol- would take 900,000 people islation, which is unlikely the potential impact of 5G and ‘Greater transparency’ and aircraft manufacturing. ogy industry. Zhengfei said he out of poverty that year, but given that Republicans hold the security of these networks. That is why Huawei has built is more confident than ever would also cut employment 50 Senate seats. Reiterating comments from ● Following restrictions imposed by the previous US joint labs to learn more about about Huawei’s survival, due by 1.4 million jobs. Biden had said in an in- last year, Zhengfei stressed administration, Huawei invites greater transparency and the needs of these industries. in part to the company hav- Asked if she believed terview with CBS on Friday that Huawei is open to working cooperation in global supply chains, bene tting companies Huawei now has more than ing more ways to overcome its the loss of 1.4 million jobs that he did not expect the with US companies to transfer worldwide 100 research centres and joint challenges. He also cited Hua- would be “relatively low,” minimum wage proposal knowledge around 5G and col- labs around the world, most of wei sales revenue and profits in Tanden said she did not, to be part of the coronavi- laborate on technology licens- ● Executive con rms that Huawei still hopes to be able to which specialize in areas like 2020 as being higher than the but believed recent studies rus package due to Senate ing. buy a lot of US components, parts, and machinery, so that mathematics, physics, chem- previous year. should also be considered. rules. “As long as the US asks US companies can also develop with the Chinese economy istry, biology, and aesthetics. “We rely on globalization. “I think the important thing But White House press for it, we would transfer eve- Some of these are applied re- As humanity keeps making pro- is to be guided by facts and secretary Jen Psaki told rything from the [5G] source ● “Allowing US companies to supply goods to Chinese search labs Huawei has built gress, no company can develop evidence,” she said. reporters on Monday that programs and source code to customers is conducive to their own nancial performance,” with its customers, such as joint a globalized industry alone. It Republicans in Con- Biden remained commit- hardware design. I meant what says the Huawei CEO labs with telecom operators. requires concerted efforts from gress have opposed the in- ted to the increase, and the I said, but no US company has “We are still winning trust around the world. We won’t give crease as an undue burden Senate’s parliamentarian come forward. If they want to from a large number of cus- up this ideal of globalization, on businesses that would had yet to decide whether talk, we’d be happy to talk,” gy to get involved in a “political there are many industries that tomers,” Zhengfei comment- and will continue doing busi- reduce employment. the proposal could be in- said Zhengfei. whirlpool” and prefers to focus Huawei is not directly familiar ed. He cited how Huawei’s ness this way, no matter how Sanders, an independ- cluded in the relief package. The executive added that on technology innovation. The with, such as airports, ports, networks in Europe are now harsh the sanctions or blocks Huawei doesn’t have the ener- executive elaborated on how coal mining, iron and steel among the top global network are,” concluded Zhengfei.

OBG REPORT COVID-19 and food security: Can emerging economies mitigate rising prices?

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK streaming, e-commerce and other DOHA digital methods that directly con- nected producers with consumers. AN increase in food prices follow- Blockchain solutions are also in- ing the coronavirus pandemic has creasingly deployed in the country, intensified concerns related to particularly when it comes to food global food security. For emerging traceability. markets, this has further under- Meanwhile, AI and IoT sensor lined the importance of regional technology are seeing widespread cooperation and innovative solu- uptake around the world in ar- tions to help overcome the chal- eas such as water management. lenges, according to the Oxford Powerful AI engines can be used in Business Group (OBG). conjunction with data feeds from The Food Price Index, es- satellites or drones to fine-tune tablished by the UN’s Food and irrigation systems, while deep- Agriculture Organisation (FAO) learning algorithms are becoming to track monthly changes in households to cut down on both roadmap to safeguard food secu- increasingly adept at interpreting a international food prices, rose for the quantity and the quality of the rity and create regional food self- range of data. the eighth consecutive month in food they consume. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS sufficiency. Elsewhere, the pan- In Kenya, for example, start-up January, primarily as a result of Threat to food security Covid- ● Global food prices rose to a seven-year high in January demic has sped up the adoption SunCulture provides farmers with Covid-19. 19-related supply chain disrup- of various measures associated solar-powered irrigation systems The index averaged 113.3 tions and falls in production have ● The FAO anticipates an imminent drop in cereal stocks with the African Continental Free that use IoT technology. These points in January, a 4.3% rise brought the question of food Trade Area (AfCFTA), among them have driven a 300% increase in against December and its highest security into sharp focus: the ● Many emerging markets are facing mounting food insecurity moves to establish more efficient crop yields. In Nigeria, mean- level since July 2014. UN’s World Food Program (WFP) and agile regional supply chains. while, the Risk Sharing System for The FAO Sugar Price Index saw recently announced it was expect- ● Increased regional integration and tech developments offer lasting Meanwhile, Latin America has Agricultural Lending helps farmers the steepest rise, at 8.1%. Behind ing to aid 138m people this year, solutions also focused on regional integra- achieve better outcomes through this came the Cereal Price Index, the highest number in its 60 years tion as a way to address food the Microsoft FarmBeats platform, at 7.1%. Notably, maize prices grew of operation. security issues. In April last year a a cloud-based system that aggre- 11.2% and are now 42.3% above The WFP estimates that by to low-quality rice products as a the world’s food supply chains. declaration was signed by 26 Latin gates agricultural data through the their January 2020 level. This the end of 2020 there were 272m cheaper alternative, driving up the From the outset, this galvanised American and Caribbean countries use of sensors and drones. can partly be attributed to high acutely food insecure people in 79 cost of such products and pricing governments in emerging econo- expressing their commitment to Elsewhere, August 2020 saw demand in China, which imported countries, up from 149m at the end many African countries – which mies to strengthen regional logis- safeguarding the agriculture sector the launch of the Smart Acres ver- record levels of crops last year. of 2019. have traditionally relied on them tics networks. in the region. tical farm in the UAE, which uses Meanwhile, the Vegetable Oil The FAO’s latest food price fig- as primary foodstuffs – out of the If such initiatives can be A turn to tech Alongside an IoT-based system to monitor Price Index rose by 5.8% to its ures will thus have served to inten- market. prolonged and expanded upon, increased regionalisation, the coro- humidity, temperature and nutri- highest level since May 2012. Dairy sify consternation among many of Notably, China, the world’s top such markets will be well placed to navirus pandemic has given rise to ents, and needs on average 90% and meat prices also saw increases the world’s emerging economies. rice producer, last month imported offset the worst effects of the short- the accelerated development and less water than traditional farming of 1.6% and 1%, respectively. In sub-Saharan Africa, for rice from India for the first time in ages documented by the FAO. uptake of new technological solu- techniques. The FAO also forecast an im- example, there are fears that an three decades. A leader in this regard has tions using artificial intelligence Just a few years ago, such minent decline in global cereal increase in rice prices could lead A further factor behind the been the Gulf Cooperation Council (AI), e-commerce, big data, block- technology was beyond the stocks, with cereal utilisation for to shortages, as the region imports increase in rice prices has been a (GCC), which in April 2020 imple- chain and Internet of Things (IoT). reach of most farmers around the 2020/21 period projected to some 40% of its rice supplies. This drought in South-east Asia, which mented an integrated food security While there are still connectiv- the world, but the pandemic has reach 2761m tonnes globally, an figure is even higher in Kenya, caused shipments from Thailand network, as well developing a ity hurdles to be overcome in many massively accelerated its adoption increase of 52m tonnes relative to which imports around 600,000 and Vietnam to drop by around strategic food reserve and making emerging markets, such technolo- and scaling. the previous season. tonnes of the 700,000 tonnes of 25% last year, relative to 2019. investments in local agriculture. gies hold great potential to make Alongside increased regional More broadly, the World Bank rice consumed in the country each As well as cereals, the FAO also In Africa, meanwhile, the pan- supply chains more efficient and integration, if global food insecu- recently reported that global food year. announced that it expected fisher- demic has called greater attention boost agricultural yields. rity results in a lasting boom in prices rose by nearly 20% in the 12 The increase in the cost of ies and aquaculture to continue to the benefits of regional intercon- In China, for instance, where innovative solutions to agricul- months from January 2020. rice is linked to a 25% rise in the experiencing disruption into 2021. nectedness. In June last year, for the agricultural industry is domi- tural supply chain management, The bank noted that food price of corn, which is widely used Regional solutions to food example, the African Development nated by small and medium-sized this would stand many emerging price inflation has combined with as animal feed. This has caused security The coronavirus pandemic Bank launched the Feed Africa operations, the pandemic prompt- economies in good stead to with- reduced incomes, forcing many Asian livestock producers to turn has exposed the vulnerability of Response to COVID-19, a strategic ed a massive uptake of video stand future economic shocks. QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Pride of place QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune for the World No.3 Dominic Thiem at Qatar ExonxonMobil Open 2021 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 PAGE 14

PRIME MINISTER MEETS FIFA PRESIDENT SHEIKH JOAAN RECEIVES PRINCE ABDULAZIZ

His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, met with His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, received His Royal Highness FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, reviewing the cooperation between football’s world governing body FIFA Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, upon his arrival and Qatar ahead of hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022. in Doha on Wednesday. HRH Prince Abdulaziz will be attending the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 matches on Thursday. Bayern eye super 6th as Tigres aim to shine bright at FIFA CWC nal

Tigres UANL forward Carlos Gonzalez (centre) wants his Mexican side to go beyond just making the FIFA Club World Cup The spotlight during the nal will be on Bayern Munich’s Polish star Robert Lewandowski who has netted 1.07 goals per game Qatar 2020 nal at the Education City Stadium on Thursday. “We came here hoping to lift the trophy,” he’s said. on average this season (29 in 27). Bayern Munich defender Boateng to miss the nal; Al Ahly to take on Palmeiras in play-o for third place TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK winning team, but not invinci- Pierre Gignac, one third of a DOHA The Tigres will make it difficult for us ble, for which they will seek to We will impose our style of play formidable attacking trident We have prepared as make a good match to defeat Statistically it (Bayern completed by Carlos Gonzalez IN line for a dream sixth title in them in the final. and Luis Quinones. one year, Bayern Munich will be intensively for Tigres as we “Statistically it is a winning Munich) is a winning team, sans defender Jerome Boateng would any other game. We team, but it does not mean that but it does not mean that Ahly-Palmeiras to when they take on Mexico’s Ti- hope we have drawn the they are invincible, they have they are invincible.We have clash for 3rd place gres UANL in the much-looked right conclusions from our lost like we have lost, they have the quality and we must Ahead of the exciting final, forward to FIFA Club World preparation. The Tigres play won like us, they are a solid unite, I hope my team gives providing a perfect curtain- Cup Qatar 2020 final at the team like us. raiser will be Al Ahly of Egypt Education City Stadium at 9pm with high intensity and have “Naturally we always think that great game that we and Brazil’s SE Palmeiras in the on Thursday night. lots of quality on the wings. we must do things well when want to give. play-off for third place. Boateng is out due to per- Bayern Munich we play against a great team, we Tigres UANL coach Both sides will be keen to sonal reasons. have the quality and we must make the podium, especially Coach Hansi Flick con- coach Hansi Flick unite, I hope my team gives Ricardo Ferretti the Brazilians, who came to firmed the news at the pre- that great game that we want to Doha targeting a final berth but match conference. added. Tigres beat Copa Liber- For Bayern Munich, it will give,” he stressed. Earlier, soon after the 19 European matches – the only will now have to settle for the Besides Boateng, midfield- tadores champion Palmeiras also be the first competitive Setting aside fears of play- semi-final, Tigres’ for- exception being the 1-1 draw at bronze medal at best on their ers Leon Goretzka and Javi of Brazil 1-0 to reach the final, match against a team from ing Bayern Munich, he said, ward Carlos Gonza- Atletico Madrid in the 2020/21 tournament debut. Martinez also won’t be available while Bayern won 2-0 over Al Central America in the club’s “We always know that lez had sounded Champions League group stage. Al Ahly will be aiming to for the game after both tested Ahly of Egypt. history – just as the Mexicans we are going to con- a warning say- They have also won their replicate their Japan 2006 feat positive for coronavirus and Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be playing a European front someone about the ing they have past seven competitive matches of finishing third at the Club didn’t travel to Qatar. repeated the motto of the past club in a competitive match strengths and weaknesses come here for on neutral ground. World Cup. Yet, Bayern Munich will days, saying the team is “really for the first time. of a team, we have talked, the trophy. Before the semi-final Having qualified as CAF have no less firepower and are excited” for the game. “We’re Bayern won the FIFA Club we have seen Bayern several “No other Mexi- against Al Ahly, these were two Champions League winners, still the favourites to prevail all really excited for the final World Cup back in 2013. Since times, we know what kind can team have gone DFB Cup finals in Berlin (2019, that Red Devils side, under over the Tigres. against Tigres. Everyone has that triumph, not a single Euro- of team it is, we are going to this far, but now we 2020), three games on the way Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, “We have prepared as in- played their part. It would be a pean team has been beaten in seek to counterattack what they want more. We came to the 2020 Champions League took third-place at the expense tensively for Tigres as we would great record,” Neuer said. the competition. want to do harm and then im- here hoping to lift the title in Lisbon and the 2020 of Mexico’s Club America after any other game. We hope we Bayern have won all three The last defeat for a UEFA pose our style of play.” trophy and now that UEFA Super Cup in Budapest. losing to SC Internacional in the have drawn the right conclu- of their previous FIFA Club representative came in 2012, we’re close, we’re en- Against Tigres UANL, semi-final. sions from our preparation,” World Cup outings, scoring at when Chelsea lost 1-0 to Corin- couraged and mo- Hansi Flick could win what will Al Ahly’s Hussein El- coach Flick said. least two goals per game and thians in the final. Today’s Action tivated that we can already be his sixth title in his Shahat and Mahmoud Kah- “I saw Tigres in the semi- conceding none. Tigres, on the other hand, At Education achieve our goal,” 68th competitive match as Bay- raba have been suspended for final (against Al Ahly) and was Should Neuer keep a clean pulled off a first by becoming City Stadium he stressed. ern head coach. Thursday’s match violating really impressed by how they sheet in the final, the men from the first CONCACAF team to 6pm: Al Ahly SC vs For the re- While the spotlight will be COVID-19 protocols by shak- played. They play with high in- Munich would also equal Bar- reach the final of the FIFA Club SE Palmeiras cord, Bayern on Polish star Rober Lewan- ing hands with fans after their tensity and have lots of quality celona’s record of four consecu- World Cup. 9pm: FC Bayern Munich have been vic- dowski for Bayern Munich, semi-final against Bayern Mu- on the wings. The will make it a tive clean sheets at the 2011 and Tigers coach Ricardo Fer- vs Tigres UANL torious in 18 the Mexican side will be count- nich at the Ahmad Bin Ali Sta- difficult game for all of us,” Flick 2015 championships. retti said Bayern Munich is a of their past ing on in-form striker Andre- dium on Monday. Sports Thursday, February 11, 2021 13 Qatar to play World Cup Euro qualifiers at Generali Arena in Vienna TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Earlier, Qatar coach Felix sides and improve our game,” DOHA Luxembourg, and Azerbaijan. Sanchez had said, “This will Sanchez said. Qatar will play their help us reach the 2022 FIFA “What I can say is all the QATAR will play their FIFA ‘home’ fixtures on European World Cup in the best possible teams in our group are strong. World Cup Qatar 2022 ™ Eu- soil in order to facilitate short- manner by playing in Europe- We have Portugal who are the ropean zone qualifying matches er travel times for their group an qualifiers. All these games Euro champions. Portugal will against Luxembourg and Azer- opponents. As the FIFA World will be exciting and interesting. be favourite in this group. It baijan at the Generali Arena in Cup 2022 host nation, Qatar “There’s every chance we will be a good game against the south of Vienna, Austria. has already qualified for the could be playing against Eu- them”. Qatar take on Luxembourg tournament. ropean sides at the World “We will play a team that on March 24 before facing Though Qatar automati- Cup in 2022. We are also is at the highest level. It will Azerbaijani team on the 27th cally qualify being the hosts playing Copa America and be good for us to play against of the same month. but are taking part in the qual- the CONCACAF Gold Cup them. It will be an excellent The European Football As- ifying to get match practice in next year. This is good plan- experience for us. We will have sociation (UEFA) invited the the lead up to the 2022 FIFA ning,” he said. the chance to play highly com- Qatar Football Association World Cup. “We are going to play petitive teams”. (QFA) to participate in the Eu- As well as playing World teams, not just from Asia “Ireland and Serbia will ropean qualifiers for the FIFA Cup qualifying matches in Eu- now. This will be good prepa- be great games as well. All World Cup Qatar 2022 ™. rope, Qatar will also partici- ration for us going into the these sides are ranked high. I The Asian champions will pate in the Copa America and World Cup. think it is a great opportunity join Group A – alongside UEFA CONCACAF Gold Cup next Qatar will play their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ™ European zone qualifying matches against Luxembourg “We have a fantastic op- to play against them soon,” Euro 2016 winners Portugal, summer. and Azerbaijan on March 24 and 27 respectively. portunity to play against top Sanchez said. Players and fans will love Qatar’s World Cup

Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the Italian Cup semi- nal second leg match plans, says Xavi against Inter Milan at the Juventus stadium in Turin late on Tuesday. (AFP)

SC against Tigres, who are the Juve oust Inter to qualify DOHA On WC 2022 first CONCACAF Champions League winners to reach the for Italian Cup nal QATAR’S hosting of the FIFA World Cups have historically showpiece match. World Cup™ in 2022 will been at the end of the Xavi said: “I would say it DPA hour and was twice denied by offer many advantages for season for most players – was a half-surprise to see Tigres ROME Handanovic. players and fans according to when they are tired both beat Palmeiras – but of course “We should have con- Spanish football legend Xavi mentally and physically. In anything can happen in foot- JUVENTUS drew 0-0 at home verted what we created,” Juve Hernandez. ball. Looking to the final, Bay- to Inter Milan on Tuesday and coach Antonio Conte said. “It The former midfield maes- 2022, they will be in the ern are the favourites. I actually advanced from the semi-finals was a pity as I think that both tro, who lifted the World best possible shape – and consider them to be the best of the Italian Cup thanks to a teams fought for 180 minutes Cup with Spain in 2010, was that’s a plus for everyone. team in the world right now. 2-1 win in last week’s first leg. and we paid for some gifts we speaking to www.qatar2022. “They have won all the A mostly tactical first half made (in the first leg). qa ahead of the FIFA Club titles and will be looking to at Turin’s Allianz Stadium saw “We tried to score until the World Cup™ final between On CWC Final make it six trophies tomorrow Juve’s veteran keeper Gianluigi end. Had we scored a goal Juve Tigres UANL and FC Bayern night. But Tigres will go into Buffon save a central drive from would have had more difficul- München, which will take Tigres (UANL) will go into the game with a positive atti- Marcelo Brozovic before Inter’s ties. We tried to bounce back but place at Qatar’s Education City the game with a positive tude and they have nothing to Samir Handanovic parried a we did not succeed. You must Stadium on Thursday night attitude and they have lose in the final. It will be inter- taut Cristiano Ronaldo effort. learn from mistakes and restart, (kick-off 21:00 local time). esting to see what happens.” The fast Nerazzurri wing- trying again.” Holders Napoli The current Al Sadd SC nothing to lose in the nal. Xavi also said he was er Achraf Hakimi fired high host Atalanta on Wednesday head coach, who has lived in It will be interesting to see pleased to see a limited num- after the break while Ronaldo in the other semi-final after a Qatar for more than five years, what happens. ber of fans attending matches also missed the target on the scoreless draw in Bergamo. said the country is well pre- during the Club World Cup, pared to host the next edition the season for most players – in line with Qatar’s COVID-19 of global football’s showpiece when they are tired both men- protocols. Anyone attending event. Xavi also believes the tally and physically. In 2022, tournament venues has been FA Cup timing of the tournament – they will be in the best possi- required to return a negative Manchester Utd make last eight yet again from 21 November to 18 De- ble shape – and that’s a plus Former Spain mid elder and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez. COVID-19 test, show evidence cember 2022 – means the ma- for everyone.” of taking the vaccine or prove LONDON: Scott McTominay scored in injury time on Tuesday to send jority of players will be in the Xavi continued: “Another Qatar’s compact nature we will have a historic World they contracted and recov- Manchester United through to the quarter- nals of the FA Cup with a 1-0 best possible shape to produce point is that Qatar is a small means fans will be able to at- Cup. I have no doubt that peo- ered from the virus in recent win over West Ham. McTominay found the net with a sharply-taken vol- outstanding performances on country, so players will hardly tend more than one match per ple are going to be pleasantly months. ley seven minutes into the rst period of extra time to end West Ham’s the field. need to travel. They will stay day during the early stages of surprised when they arrive in “Qatar is doing well in re- hopes. It’s the seventh season in a row that United have made the “I think (the timing of the in the same hotel throughout the tournament as the longest Qatar and experience what the lation to the COVID-19 situ- quarter- nals. “It’s just about nishing the game off but we’re through,” tournament) is a big advan- the tournament. It won’t be distance between stadiums is country has to offer.” ation. We don’t have a high United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “We’re in the hat and that’s tage – for players and fans,” like previous events – which just 75km. Looking forward to Thurs- number of cases and football what we wanted. “I think we got about 15 to 17 shots in the end but we said Xavi. I think is a big advantage for Xavi said: “You will be day’s Club World Cup final, is being played here with fans. need to be more clinical. We should’ve nished the game off earlier and “World Cups have his- players and – of course – the able to watch two matches on Xavi has the German gi- The country is building up to- nished in 90 minutes but sometimes it doesn’t happen.” (DPA) torically been at the end of fans as well.” the same day – which means ants down as firm favourites wards the World Cup.” Palmeiras praise Legends Kaka, Mascherano and Julio preview enticing final Qatar’s unwavering IFA Legends Kaka, Javier Mascherano and Julio Ce- commitment to Fsar spoke to the media in Qatar ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 final. health and safety Excerpts: On expectations from TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK undergone mandatory COV- Thursday’s final DOHA ID-19 testing on arrival in Qa- Javier Mascherano: I am tar and prior to every match, looking forward to it and hope it THE head coach and goal- while all tournament venues will be a great final for neutrals. keeper of SE Palmeiras have have been routinely deep- Tigres made history by qualify- praised Qatar’s stringent cleaned. Tournament capaci- ing for the final for the first time health and safety protocols ties have been limited, with as a Concacaf team. Bayern ahead of their third-place all fans required to return a Munich have been a European play-off against Al Ahly SC in negative COVID-19 test, show powerhouse in recent years; the FIFA Club World Cup™. evidence of receiving the vac- they’re having a great time. The Brazilian side are aim- cine or prove they contracted FIFA Legends – Kaka, Javier Mascherano and Julio Cesar – during a press conference at Qatar’s Education City Stadium on Tuesday. ing to sign-off with a win in and recovered from the virus About playing here at the the competition after losing in recent months. stadiums that will also be want Bayern to win, so that they best teams in the world at the this is one of the few competi- be done so this generation to CONCACAF Champions Ferreira said: “I would like used at the World Cup remain the only ones in history ) moment. We are going to have tions to have fans in the stadi- of future footballers is not League winners Tigres UANL to congratulate Qatar – they Julio Cesar: The stadiums to have won six titles in a year). the pleasure of having those ums, which is something that lost due to the pandemic? in the semi-finals. They will have provided all the facilities are extraordinary, with a fabu- two great coaches behind their touches us emotionally. This Kaka: I am still optimistic, I face Al Ahly at Education City and conditions for the teams lous infrastructure. The fans are What is your impression of two teams. gives us hope. try not to dwell so much on the Stadium tomorrow (kick-off to perform. You have to follow going to be positively surprised Tigres at this tournament? Mascherano: I am sure that Kaka: I cannot imagine bad things. We are not going to 18:00 local time) before the the rules and use your accredi- when they see the stadiums for Kaka: For me, they are very Tigres is going out there with what it is like to play without lose this generation because of final between Tigres UANL tation everywhere here. Qa- the World Cup! well coached, with a well-de- the mindset of playing the game supporters. I have been asking this gap. On the contrary, this and FC Bayern München tar is very organised and this fined game plan and strategy. with their own style and to im- other players about this feel- generation is going to come out takes place at the same venue tournament has been deliv- If Bayern win the final, Julio Cesar: I believe that pose themselves. They have al- ing, because it is completely of this stronger, because they straight afterwards (kick-off ered in a clean and safe way.” they will equal Barcelona’s the coach prepared them very ways tried to impress their own different. It’s really strange to will have gone through a com- 21:00 local time). Weverton added: “We have achievement (of winning well for the semi-final and I was identity on matches. score a goal and not to feel the pletely unprecedented situation. Ahead of the match, head felt very safe here. We’re in the six titles in a year) - who very surprised that they left so atmosphere of the stadium. It’s Mascherano: No one has a coach Abel Ferreira and goal- midst of a pandemic but ever will you be rooting for? few opportunities for Palmeiras! What is your view on playing really hard to imagine. It’s a re- magic wand to fix this. I am also keeper Weverton Pereira da since we arrived in Qatar we Mascherano: I wasn’t part of without fans in stadiums? ally good sign, however, to see optimistic. Yes, it’s true young- Silva were quizzed on Qatar’s have felt safe – whether it’s at that team, I arrived later. If Bay- What are their chances of Mascherano: The number 30 per cent of supporters in the sters have not been able to train, COVID-19 protocols – which the training facilities or in the ern win, we have to congratulate actually beating Bayern in one priority is obviously always stadium here. It’s a sign of hope but we are not going to lose an have been mandated by Qa- hotel. People are being tested them, they have been the best the final? people’s health. FIFA and Qatar for everybody. entire generation because of a tar and FIFA in order to safely all the time and it makes us team in Europe in the last two Kaka: It’s fundamental to have gone through a massive ef- year or a year and a half. At the host global football’s premier feel safe and relaxed. I would years and if they achieve this, have a great game plan if you fort to make sure that this com- You all have experience end of the day, things are going tournament. like to congratulate everyone they will go down in history. I are playing a team at this level. petition could still go ahead. working with children. to fall into place and adapt to Players and officials have for the organisation.” am sure that Barça fans don’t Bayern are obviously one of the You have to be reminded that What do you think should the new reality. 14 Thursday, February 11, 2021 Sports

Pakistan take on new-look SA in QOC SIGNS MOU WITH INDONESIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE Bologan, Rayyan rst T20I today LAHORE: After a resounding 2-0 victory in the Test series, top QCA’s Online Pakistan would be hoping to ride the winning momentum when they face off against Blitz chess on South Africa in a three-match T20I series, beginning in La- hore on Thursday. National Sport Day Pakistan are in top form at home. They showed both in TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Karachi and Rawalpindi that DOHA they are capable of dominating good teams with their batting as THE Qatar Chess Association well as their bowling. After two held the Blitz big victories, they will be riding Open 2021 high and be looking forward to Online Chess carrying their form in the short- Tournament est format as well. on the ocas- Considering the ICC Men’s sion of the T20 World Cup is just around National eight months away, the teams will Sports Day with great success. be hoping to get as much prac- The event, which has two Open winner Victor Bologan in tice as possible in the T20Is. categories Open and U-16, re- action during the Bltz event. The visitors will be without ceived a very good response most of their regular players with with as many as 80 players reg- wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich istering for the Open class and Klaasen leading the side. Only 160 in the Under-16 section. four players from the Test squad will be featuring in the T20I one. They have three uncapped players on their list – fast bowler Okuhle Cele, wicketkeeper- batsman Ryan Rickelton and batsman Jacques Snyman. The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Olympic Committee on Wednesday to boast the The series provides them a sports cooperation between the two parties. It also covers the exchange of technical and administrative expertise between the sports federations good opportunity to build a solid and Olympic committees of the two countries. The MoU was signed by First Vice-President of the QOC HE Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani and President bench keeping the T20 World of the Indonesian Olympic Committee Raja Sapta Oktohari. The signing ceremony was attended by the QOC Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Runner-up in Open class. Cup in mind. (ICC) Buenain and Secretary-General of the Indonesian Olympic Committee Ferry J Kono. Played under the Swiss system of 11 rounds (3+2 Rat- ed Blitz) with a break of 20sec- onds between each round in the Open category, and of 9 rounds for the Under-16, the online live action also had a large viewership. Serena in cruise mode, Djokovic The tournament action be- gan at 12 noon (Doha Time) on Tuesday with Qatar-based Moldovan GrandMaster Vic- tor Bologan emerging as the winner in the Open section U-16 winner Erfan Rayyan. made to sweat by Tiafoe scoring 9.5 points. FIDE Mas- ter Mauritanion Sidi Boydia DPA to the third round with a 6-4, finished a close second with a SYDNEY 6-0, 6-2 victory over Germa- tally of 9 points. ny’s Dominik Koepfer. A total of five winners were SERENA Williams’s chase for “Today was a good match, declared in both the categories. a record-equalling 24th Grand I think the best so far in Aus- In the Under-16 action, Slam continued on Wednes- tralia and a lot of good stuff to Malaysian Erfan Rayyan day after she steamrolled past build on,” Thiem said. topped with 8 points ahead of Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic into “Especially after the first Indian Abhyudit Singh. the third round of the Aus- set, kind of everything started to U-16 runner-up Abhyudit Singh. tralian Open, while two-time work. I found a super good tim- National Sports Day Blitz Open defending champion Novak ing. I think it got some degrees 2021 Online Chess Tournament Djamel Ferhi (ALG). Djokovic sweat his way past cooler, which was little bit more Winners: Open (11 rounds): 1. U-16 (9 rounds): 1. Erfan Rayyan Frances Tiafoe. comfortable to play,” he added. GM Victor Bologan (Moldova) (MYS) 8pts, 2. Abhyudit Singh Williams was helped by 27 Germany’s Alexander 9.5 points, 2. Sidi Boydia (Mau- (IND), 3. Yuri Evgeni Joya (PHI), winners to her 6-3, 6-0 win Zverev was patient to win 7-5, ritania) 9pts, 3. Marlon Tallayo 4. Arnav Srivastava (IND), 5. Pon- over Stojanovic, who two days 6-4, 6-3 over Maxime Cressy (PHI), 4. Ryan Mendoza (PHI), 5. nambalam Vallinayagam (IND). earlier had won her first match of the US. in the main draw of a major. Earlier at Rod Laver Arena “She pushed me very hard eighth seeded Andreescu, who and I think she played really Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Frances in 2019 defeated Williams West Indies eye well, honestly, throughout Tiafoe of the US after three-and-a-half in the US Open final, hit her the whole match. So I had to hours in their men’s singles match on day fifth double fault of the match really fight for all the games,” three of the Australian Open in Melbourne to lose 6-3, 6-2 to a resilient rare Test series win Williams said. on Wednesday. (AFP) Hsieh, who is ranked 71st in The 10th seed will next singles and first in doubles. AGENCIES regular captain and a host of face Anastasia Potapova in the Meanwhile next door at MIRPUR mainstays. The question now third round. “It’s always a fun, Halep admitted. “Mentally, I I’m in this kind of situation. I sovics finally defeated the Swiss Margaret Court Arena, seventh is whether Phil Simmons, the interesting match (against Po- think I was a little bit strong- know how to handle this kind of star 7-5, 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 (11-9). seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated AFTER managing among the coach, can condition the side tapova). I’m happy to be out er and I wanted to, I had the circumstance. I was fortunate to “Tough match of course, five Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 7-6 (7- great feats of escapology in to face the inevitable Bangla- here, and just to be playing in desire to win the match and I get through the third set today - sets, four hours. Always a diffi- 5), 6-3 to reach the third round Test cricket, West Indies will desh fightback that will follow. front of crowd again is really didn’t want to give up.” it was really anybody’s game. cult battle against my opponent of the Melbourne open for the go again against Bangladesh Bangladesh were dealt a cool. So every day is just fun,” Meanwhile in the men’s, “I want to give a hand to that we play fair few times in second time in her career. in the second Test in at Sher- blow towards that end in the Williams added. Novak Djokovic survived his Frances for a great fight. It was the past, always a really tough Andreescu was playing in E-Bangla National Stadium in lead-up to the series, when Naomi Osaka set the match encounter against Tiafoe to also a fantastic match,” he added. match,” Wawrinka said. her second match in 15 months Mirpur with the visitors hop- Shakib Al Hasan, their ace tone and secured a 6-2, 6-3 win secure a spot in the third round. In the third round Djoko- “He (Fucsovics) was fight- - having last played the New ing for a rare series win in Asia. all-rounder, was ruled out of against Caroline Garcia, while The top seed and two-time vic will face Taylor Fritz of the ing well, he’s a tough player, York final. She skipped the The last time West Indies the second Test after failing world number two Simona Ha- defending champion didn’t United States. he’s a good player and he de- whole 2020 season due to in- managed to win a series com- to recover from a groin injury. lep also advanced to the third have an easy match and need- The 2014 Australian Open served to win,” he added. jury and opted out when the prising more than one Test in Soumya Sarkar was named as round with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 vic- ed three-and-a-half hours to Singles champion Stan Waw- After the long marathon tour resumed after a break due Asia was in 2012, when they a replacement by the Bangla- tory over Ajla Tomljanovic. complete a 6-3, 6-7(3-7), 7-6 rinka was knocked out of the Fucsovics said the most im- to the coronavirus pandemic. beat Bangladesh 2-0. Their desh Cricket Board on Tuesday, “I expected that she was (7-2), 6-3 win. second round in a dramatic portant was that he “was very Hsieh, 35, will next face hopes of repeating that feat were and it remains to be seen if he going to play very hard and “Very tough match. Also five-set loss to Hungarian strong mentally.” “It was a Italy’s Sara Errani, who beat given a big boost by their perfor- makes the XI straightaway. very strong. I know that she’s difficult conditions. While we Marton Fucsovics. long match. Right now I feel seven-time Grand Slam win- mance in the first Test, when Sarkar last played a Test a very tough opponent and had sun on the court, it was The fifth set went to a tie- like I’m dying. I played two ner Venus Williams 6-1, 6-0. the Kyle Myers scored a debut in September 2019 against I expected it to be a difficult very, very warm. A lot of long break, with 17th-seeded Waw- five-setters, today’s very hot “It’s strange, I normally feel double-century to lead them to a Afghanistan, when he scored match, but it was more than I rallies,” said Djokovic, who is rinka holding three match but I’m very happy to be in the more excited playing a seeded historic, improbable win. 17 and 15. If he makes the XI thought,” Halep said. playing for a record-extending points at 9-6. third round,” the winner said. player because you know they It would have been a fine this time around, he will hope “I was not that positive ninth Australian Open title. After three hours and 59 Last year’s finalist Domi- are better than any of the other achievement for any team, to improve on those returns. when I was talking to myself,” “It’s not the first time that minutes in sweltering heat, Fuc- nic Thiem also worked his way girls,” Hsieh said. let alone one devoid of their Bangladesh will need him to. Thiem named top seed for Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK While second-seed Roger finalist at the 2008 event, and ning Qatar ExxonMobil Open. py to announce a very strong DOHA Federer, winner of an eye-pop- Borna Coric. Our commitment to organ- line-up for the oncoming Qatar ping 20 Grand Slam titles and Thiem who was unexpect- ize and host the best of tennis ExxonMobil Open 2021 ATP WITH less than a month to the the only three-time champion edly stopped in straight sets in remained unchanged, and all event. The line-up includes Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021, in Doha will doubtless be the the first round of the 2019 tour- hands are on the deck to en- three top-10 players; the high- the rank of superstars on the focus of attention, third-seed nament by world No. 84 Pierre sure all participants play and est ranked participant at num- cards for the annual Associa- and defending champion An- Hugues-Herbert of France will enjoy their favourite sport in ber 3 in the ATP World Rank- tion of Tennis Professionals drey Rublev, on the other hand, be hoping to have an impres- a very safe and healthy envi- ing, returning to Doha, is the (ATP) World Tour 250 series will also be yearning to add his sive outing this time around in ronment at this year’s event. 2020 US Open winner Dominic tournament has continued to name to the exclusive list of his third attempt in Doha. We look forward with great Thiem. We are extremely proud swell with the US Open de- multiple-time winners of the The 27-year-old Austrian eagerness to welcome all par- to welcome back to Doha on his fending champion and World award-winning tournament. had to withdraw from his semi- ticipants and fans to the home return to the Tour, currently as No.3 Dominic Thiem con- The three superstars are final clash against Gael Monfils of tennis next month.” world number 5, a player who firmed as the top seed. joined on the list of the top-ten of France in 2018 due to illness, A total of 32 singles players has achieved virtually every- The tournament, to be seeds by 2018 champion Gael and he was not available for last Austria’s Dominic Thiem serves against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer and 16 doubles team will feature thing there is to achieve in ten- held from March 8 to 13 at Monfils, world No. 12 Denis year’s tournament. during their men’s singles match on day three of the Australian Open in the six-day tournament with nis, Roger Federer. the Khalifa International Ten- Shapovalov, 2019 champion Thiem has been in a splen- in Melbourne on Wednesday. (AFP) 25 players directly in the main “And our next top-10 entry nis & Squash Complex, the Roberto Bautista Agut, world did form of recent. He became draw while three slots are allot- is our defending champion, traditional home of tennis in No. 15 David Goffin, and 2020 the first male tennis player men’s singles (other than the Tariq Zainal, QTF Secre- ted for wild card entrants and coming back to Doha after his Qatar, will feature three of the US Open semi-finalist Pablo born in the 1990s to win a Big Four), since Marin Cilic tary-General, said, “We are four for qualifiers in the singles. brilliant win in the 2020 edi- world’s top-ten players and Carreno Busta, two-time Grand major title and the first new won the 2014 US Open, with delighted to host the top stars Tournament Director Ka- tion of the Qatar ExxonMobil four former champions. Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, a Grand Slam champion in the his 2020 US Open victory. once again at the award-win- rim Alami said, “I am very hap- Open, Andrey Rublev.” Thursday, February 11, 2021 15 Reports by Ashraf Siddiqui For events and press releases email [email protected] or Ashraf Siddiqui Slice of the West Ashraf Siddiqui call (974) 4000 2222 Ashraf Siddiqui

Doha-based Qatari, American artists join brushes to add colour to ‘Qatar-USA Year Of Culture 2021’ celebrations Charge d’A aires of US Embassy Greta C. Holtz said the works of the artists are attracting and bringing together people of diversied backgrounds

UNA Al-Bader, cu- for joining hands to partici- She said she regards the walk through ART29 and dis- rator of the ‘What pate in ‘Qatar-USA Year Of artists as cultural ambas- cover the personal views and If’ exhibition by Art Culture 2021’. sadors as they participate experiences presented by 29, has thanked the Al-Bader said that joint in ‘Qatar-USA 2021 Year prominent local and Ameri- MDean and faculty of Virginia efforts and cooperation pro- Of Culture’. can artists.” Commonwealth University vides an opportunity to the Wassim Daaje, general As many as 20 inspiring School of the Arts (VCU), US participating artists to ex- manager of W Doha Hotel art works of 18 artists, in- embassy in Doha, W Doha press their feelings and views & Residences, said, “The cluding eight Qataris and 10 Hotel & Residence, and about the ever-changing ‘What If’ art exhibition is a Americans, were inaugurat- Qatar Museums for their world through their thought- testament to our collective ed on January 30 and the ex- support in organising the ful 20 pieces of art works. resilience and a celebration hibition will remain open for month-long event. Charge d’ Affaires of US of our outstanding ability as the public until February 28. Those present on the Embassy, Ambassador Greta a nation to overcome chal- Being held at the 29th occasion included Charge C. Holtz lauded the efforts lenges. ART29 has created an floor of W Doha Hotel and d’Affaires, US Embassy, of the organisers, artists and exclusive platform for artists Residences, the exhibition Ambassador Greta C. Holtz; the hotel on their contribu- to share their amazing talent is complying with all health Ahmad Al-Namla, Chief Ex- tions towards the Qatar-USA and engage with the commu- safety measures. (From left) Astrid Kensinger, Chair Graphic Design, VCU; Amir Berbic, Dean of VCU; HE Franck Gellet, ecutive Officer, Qatar Muse- 2021 Year of Culture. She nity, and we are very happy The participating artists Ambassador France; Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Ambassador Greta C. Holtz; Artist Muna Al-Bader, ums; Amir Berbic, Dean of said the works of artists at- to continue our journey this include Ali Hassan, Muna Curator of Exhibition; Wassim Daageh, Manager, Public Relations, W Doha Hotel & Residence, and VCU; and Wassim Daageh, tract and bring year and invite everyone to Al-Bader, Maryam Al-Attiya, former Qatar Ambassador Ali Zainal. PR Manager, W Doha Hotel together people Ebtisam Al-Saffar, Fatima & Residence. of diversified Al-Naimi, Eman Al-Sulaiti, “This exhibition allowed backgrounds Shahtha Al-Shamary, Mu- us as Qataris to cross the to discuss and hammad Al-Suwaidi, Artists boundaries between Qatar appreciate Astrid Kensinger, Michael and USA through visual the diversi- Hersrud, Michael Peronne, art,” said Muna Al-Bader, fied expres- Elizabeth Al-Habsi, Abdulla while thanking the sions. Al-Habsi, Gloria Garcia, Levi Doha-based Qa- Hammett, Rab McClure, tari and US na- Ryan Browning, and Emma tional artists Al-Saleh.

Muna Al- Bader Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Ambassador Greta C. Holtz

Happy People Doha: A group that supports its members to stay smiling and worry-free

HE present times are wit- got an offer to join for three ing, they created the ‘Hap- The chairperson of the nessing massive migrations months the British Chamber py People Doha’ Whatsapp ‘Happy People Doha’ Whatsapp Tall across the globe. Living of Commerce, Qatar Chapter, group. The group is now cele- group said she feels gratitude away from one’s motherland which gave her a chance to brating its second anniversary to all of them for facilitating an -- away from loved ones, one’s meet a number of important this month of February. evening at their superb venues. own atmosphere and culture -- personalities in Qatar. By the “The main objective to The group, said, Anne, has is not that easy. There is a ma- time her short contract was form a group of like-minded more than 100 members from jor cost that people have to in- getting over, she was invited friends on the Whatsapp 30 countries now. They come cur including emotional issues. to a meeting at the Swedish platform was to explore busi- from a wide range of sectors in- In Qatar, we see almost embassy in connection with ness group’s networking cluding chambers of commerce, all communities living and the forming of the Swedish meetings, forthcoming exhi- councils, diplomatic corps, involved in constructive and Chamber of Commerce, Qatar bitions, conferences in Qatar hospitality, media, medicine, positive contributions in Chapter. Later, she was made etc. In addition, the objective construction, consultants, and their spare time through so- Chairperson, Swedish Com- was to support each other in event management to name it. cial, cultural, educational, munity Qatar, a position she times when someone is look- “Our meetings are away sports, and learning activi- is still serving. At the embassy ing for medical specialists or from any formalities or busi- ties, thus providing oppor- meeting, she met her former technicians, any contacts or ness-oriented. It’s a very casual tunities to their nationals to boss who offered her a job even jobs,” she said. spending of time, getting to keep busy, active, and in self- which she accepted. At a later stage, some of the know each other, supporting developing programs. Two years ago, she con- members suggested meeting in each other, and away from any Qatar Tribune recently templated creating a What- Anne Jangsell Williams person as as to know about each business worries,” she noted. talked to Anne Jangsell Wil- sapp group for people she other as it was only Anne Wil- Meanwhile, to make the liams, a Swedish national, who knew in various sectors and Nevena Tabakova, Fabienne liams who perhaps knew all of group more meaningful and is presently working as Direc- from different countries with Hajjar, Catina Aghayan, Sam them. They decided to meet on lively, a seven-member board tor of Business Development a common attitude of cheer- Tfaily, Henning Zimmerman, a monthly basis and the venue was formed recently which in- with DRC Group in Doha and fulness. She discussed the David Bache, Gordana Popo- was not an issue since there cludes Ann Jangsell Williams, is also the Chairperson of the idea with some like-minded vic, Radhouane Elloumi and were a large number of mem- David Key, Sam Tfaily, Swedish Community Qatar. friends from different coun- Hilary Bainbridge. They all bers from the hospitality sector Malak Kanaan, Ashraf Sid- She came to Qatar to join her tries and professions includ- supported her and liked the on-board who generously start- diqui, Carolyn Collins, and life partner four years ago. She ing Stefan Lindberg-Jones, idea. After a short brainstorm- ed offering the venue. Quinten Veerman. 16 Thursday, February 11, 2021 The Last Word Sheikha AMIR MEETS SPANISH FM ‘Comply with Saudi New app makes Moza meets Customs instructions Spanish before exporting goods exploring Education minister through Abu Samra port’ City easier for all Continued from page 1  Saudi authorities at Salwa HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, port. AILYN AGONIA The app targets members Chairperson of Qatar Founda- THE Customs obligated all The controls and proce- DOHA and non-members of QF tion for Education, Science and exporters of goods through dures described above apply entities, those based in and Community Development and Abu Samra port to Salwa to the shipment of trans- EXPERIENCING Education outside Qatar, and general Education Above All, on Wednes- port to comply with the in- porting animals through City by booking events, enlist- day met with Minister for Foreign structions issued by Saudi Abu Samra port. ing in classes and public talks, public across ages with var- Affairs, European Union and Customs before proceed- Scheduled maintenance and knowing the latest activi- ied interests from sport and Cooperation of Spain Arancha ing to export or re-export work at Abu Samra port is ties across Qatar Foundation community classes to arts Gonzalez Laya and her accom- the goods, in order to avoid expected to start during the have been made easier and and cultural events and panying delegation. During the any delay or rejection of the second quarter of 2021 for a more accessible for the public public talks meeting, several topics of mutual The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met goods upon arrival at Salwa period of approximately 14 through the newly-launched interest related to education and with Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation port. months, with the continua- Education City (EC) App. gen Park, Recreation Centre, scienti c research were dis- of Spain Arancha Gonzalez Laya and her accompanying delegation, It also stated that goods tion of passenger and com- The digital platform, Football Pitch and meeting cussed, in addition to the ways at the Amiri Diwan of ce on Wednesday. The meeting discussed exported or re-exported mercial movement through which provides a centralised rooms and halls in any of the to enhance research coopera- bilateral relations between the two countries and reviewed aspects from Qatar are transport- the port in accordance location for all happenings in landmark buildings within the tion with Qatar Foundation and of strengthening them, in addition to discussing prominent region- ed by local trucks through with the requirements of Education City, is a product campus. Hamad Bin Khalifa University al and international developments. (QNA) Abu Samra port to Salwa the scheduled maintenance of years of hard work and vi- Through the English-and- (HBKU). (QNA) port, as determined by the work. sion of QF alumni-owned or- Arabic app, people can regis- ganisation AppLab. It targets ter for activities, book facilities members and non-members and make payments electroni- of QF entities, those based in cally in a single visit. and outside Qatar, and general The Education City App is public across ages with varied now available for download interests from sport and com- for free from Google Play and QNL helps ght against traf cking of munity classes to arts and cul- the Apple Store. Users are re- tural events and public talks. quired to create an account “There are always things before they can book a venue to do and places to visit in and create an event. artefacts and documentary heritage Education City throughout The platform offers user- the year. The EC App makes it friendly features that help TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and respect of their owners and part in shedding further light easier for everyone in and out- people find what they are DOHA custodians. on the trafficking of antiquities side Qatar, not only the mem- looking for within Education “The trafficking and smug- and in contributing to the sci- bers and staff of QF entities, City or discover more about QATAR National Library gling of antiquities is certainly entific and equitable solution to know what’s happening in the range of opportunities for (QNL), in its role as the IFLA not a new phenomenon and the of the topic. Cultural property Education City. When we say enjoyment that can be found Preservation and Conservation activity has been rising in recent is part of the common heritage Education City is for everyone, within QF before they happen. (PAC) Regional Center for Arab years. In the MENA and West of mankind and it is in every- we really mean it,” said Sara Al Mohannadi also empha- Countries and the Middle East, and Central Africa regions, traf- one’s interests that we develop a Mohannadi, Senior Projects & sised that the app is fully ac- brought organisations together ficking of such items is greater framework to preserve cultural Initiatives Planning Specialist cessible and MADA-accred- to counter the trafficking of cul- due to conflict and insecurity heritage in our region and fur- at QF’s Community Develop- ited, making it accessible for tural artefacts in the region, at a — notably in countries such as ther afield.” ment, during the introductory differently-abled persons. recent webinar. Chad, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Niger, Costarelli said, “This herit- session for the new App held She said, “We started The two-day webinar, titled Syria, Sudan and Yemen. It may age of the Arab region and the for media on Wednesday. working on the app in 2019. ‘What is Antiquities Traffick- often be linked to the activities number of impoverished and She said the app offers a We wanted to make sure that ing?’, discussed the structures of criminal and terrorist groups, conflict-affected nations has one-stop solution for those the app is for everyone - very of supply chains for the illicit who use it as a means to in- led to increased trafficking and who want to book suitable inclusive and accessible for all. trade of cultural items, identi- crease their income and launder smuggling of antiquities and venues for their events from We simplify our offerings to fied key stakeholders involved money.” artefacts in the region, threat- the wide selection of locations the public and makes Educa- in the criminal practice and He added, “Trafficking of ening its cultural heritage. Pro- across QF, including the Oxy- tion City accessible anytime.” explored the sources, transit The two-day webinar discussed the structures of supply chains for such items is a robbery of the fessionals must act to spread routes and market countries of the illicit trade of cultural items, key stakeholders, transit routes and rights of peoples, a falsification awareness about antiquities the illegal activity. market countries of the illegal activity. of the history of nations and a trafficking and help law en- The webinar was part of the removal of their heritage and forcement to counter this illegal Himaya Project Lecture Series, manager, Cross-Border Syrian and key features of antiquities identity. While criminals make activity.” an initiative QNL launched to Emergency Response with the trafficking and its transnational significant profits from this il- Dr Hardy said, “The inter- counter the trafficking and ille- UN’s International Organization nature. licit trafficking, humankind is national organisations in charge gal circulation of documentary for Migration and a post-crisis Speaking at the webinar HE denied access to archaeological of countering the trafficking of heritage in the MENA region antiquity trafficking researcher; Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Ka- information and artefacts of its artefacts have tended to focus and neighbouring countries. and Dr Samuel Andrew Hardy, wari, Qatar’s Minister of State shared heritage. on the illegal circulation of ar- Himaya engages international post-doctoral research fellow in and QNL president, said: “For “It is vital that the interna- chaeological and artistic items. agencies and regional organisa- cultural heritage and conflicts, centuries, the Arab and Middle tional community acts to cor- However, more also needs to tions to protect heritage arte- Norwegian Institute in Rome, East region has been a melting rect and restore rights to the be done with respect to docu- facts and thwart the trafficking University of Oslo. pot of civilisations that pro- owners. We believe that people mentary heritage, which is even of such items. The speakers analysed case duced many artefacts with his- everywhere in the world have more at risk because it is less The discussions were led studies from Iraq and Syria to torical, spiritual and aesthetic an ethical role in this issue and protected by national legislation by Veronica Costarelli, project illustrate the different aspects values, not to mention the pride I hope this seminar played a and is easier to move illegally.” A screen grab of the presentation on the EC App WCM-Q examines effectiveness of diet regimes for losing weight

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

RESEARCHERS at Weill Cor- nell Medicine–Qatar (WCM-Q) have conducted a systematic review of diets to attempt to as- certain which is the most effec- tive for reducing obesity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Drs Hadya Elshakh, Odette Chagoury, Shahrad Taheri, Hadeel The MENA region has one Zaghloul, Abdullah Elzafarany and Barbara McGowan QF inspires fans to be ‘students of the highest prevalence of obesity and associated diseases “With obesity, diabetes, unrestricted. Among the 272 – including type 2 diabetes – in heart disease and stroke having participants who stuck to the of change’ at FIFA Club WC 2020 the world. Very little is known, such a devastating impact upon diet, the mean weight loss was however, about the effective- the countries of the MENA 3.3 kg for the low-fat; 4.6 kg ness of dietary regimes in the region, it would be very use- for the Mediterranean, energy- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK aim of empowering people ucation City, while also shar- Committee for Delivery & region and how their efficacy ful for healthcare profession- restricted; and 5.5 kg for the DOHA from all walks of life to rec- ing useful words and phrases Legacy (SC) – also epito- may differ from the same diets als to know which diet is most low-carbohydrate, energy un- ognize that each of them can in Arabic to help fans learn mised the organization’s in the West. likely to result in weight loss, restricted. There were also pos- THE FIFA Club World Cup be a driver of positive change. the language, reflecting QF’s commitment to sustain- Led by Dr Shahrad Taheri, or which diet would be the best itive effects on blood lipids with Qatar 2020 is drawing to a A graffiti wall offered passing role in preserving and pro- ability and environmental- professor of medicine at WCM- choice for controlling blood the low-carbohydrate diet, and close, and throughout the fans the chance to share their moting the Arabic language. ly-friendly practices, being Q, the team -- Drs Hadeel sugar levels in diabetes.” on blood glucose levels with the cross-continental tourna- thoughts on the change they “Ever since I knew I would awarded Level 1 Eco-Event Zaghloul, Hadya Elshakh, Ab- However, Dr Taheri said Mediterranean diet. ment, Qatar Foundation (QF) would like to see in the world, be coming to Doha, I was en- status as part of a recent dullah Elzafarany, Odette Cha- that of the 29 randomised clini- Dr Taheri said: “Despite the has been educating and in- for others to read as they thralled by the charm of the program launched by Qatar goury and Barbara McGowan cal trials available, there was need for more research, gener- spiring fans about how the head to and from games at biggest sporting events,” said Green Building Council. This -- reviewed 29 randomised a general lack of information ally, there is good evidence that power to make change hap- the Education City Stadium. volunteer Nikhil Sangroula, award provides a framework clinical trials of a variety of about the weight loss interven- increasing consumption of fruit pen lies in their hands. Meanwhile, fans have also 21, from Nepal, a student at for hosting events that have a diets, which included 2,792 tions, and variations between and vegetables while reducing As supporters arrive for been given a musical accom- QF partner university George- low carbon footprint and can adults from five countries in the the studies meant they could consumption of high-fat, high- games at the Education City paniment to their matchday town University in Qatar. be a tool for educating and MENA region. The study par- not be accurately compared for sugar, processed food will have Stadium – which will host experience with groups of “I have a unique opportu- informing people, and en- ticipants were generally mid- efficacy, with the researchers positive affects for the vast ma- Thursday night’s final be- musicians from QF member nity to create a sense of wel- hancing social wellbeing and dle-aged women who achieved noting that high-quality studies jority of the population. If you tween German giants Bayern Qatar Philharmonic Orches- come for visitors and explain economic growth. average weight changes rang- are needed in the MENA region are overweight, then adopting Munich and Mexican chal- tra performing on the ap- the Education City communi- Ahead of the tournament, ing between - 0.7kg (weight to support clinical practice with a healthy diet and losing weight lengers Tigres – they have proach to the stadium, along- ty to them. It is a great learn- QF’s Oxygen Park was the gain) and 16kg (weight loss), evidence-based interventions are probably the single-most been given a QF welcome side community dance groups ing experience to see the man- venue for fashion experts with the average weight loss be- for obesity. important actions that people through activities that reflect representing the home coun- agement of such a huge event from Qatar, Egypt, and Mex- ing 4.8kg. But there were also some can take if they wish to avoid sport’s capacity to energise tries of the competing teams. in an unprecedented time, ico – all of whom are home Dr Taheri said: “The vast positive findings. One two-year diabetes, heart disease, stroke, people, and also allow them And specially-trained and, as a fan of football, it is to teams participating in the majority of randomised clini- trial involved 322 people who some cancers and a host of oth- to discover more about Edu- ‘educational’ volunteers from an experience of a lifetime to competition – identified by cal trials of diets have included were randomly assigned to one er non-communicable diseases, cation City. QF, as well as welcoming fans share the same spirit as fans the SC held a workshop for mainly Western cohorts but of three diets: low-fat (energy although it is always wise to On the way to the sta- and helping them to find their from around the world.” fashion students from QF there may be social, cultural or intake limited to 1,500 kcal consult your doctor first.” dium, fans have been invited way, have given supporters QF’s activations at the partner university Virginia physiological reasons which af- per day for women and 1,800 The full study can be read to engage with QF’s Stu- an insight into QF’s focus on FIFA Club World Cup Qatar Commonwealth University fect diet efficacy when translat- kcal per day for men); Medi- at https://onlinelibrary.wiley. dents of Change campaign, sustainability and the inclu- 2020 - organised through in Qatar, to enhance cross- ed to an Arab cohort in Middle terranean, energy restricted; com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/ launched this year with the sive activities available at Ed- working with the Supreme cultural understanding. Eastern countries. or low-carbohydrate, energy cob.12434.