Thursday February 18, 2021 Rajab 6, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5185 qR 2

Fajr: 4:50 am Dhuhr: 11:48 am p artly cloudy Asr: 3:04 pm Maghrib: 5:30 pm High : 30°C LOW : 19 °C Isha: 7:00 pm

World 7 Business 8 Sports 12 British virus strain spreading Pvt firms vital to speed up Qatar Cup: Al Sadd start favourites rapidly in Germany: Minister economic recovery: QICCA in semi-finals of the big four today

Cabinet affirms continuation PM meets Dorna Sports CEO of COVID-19 Over 100K received precautionary measures COVID-19 vaccine QNA Doha The Cabinet has affirmed sor far: Dr Al Bayat the continuation of the pre- cautionary measures to com- ‘Plan to exempt those taking vaccine ‘75% of population needs to get the bat COVID-19 pandemic. from quarantine under study’ vaccine for returning to normal life’ The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister and Minister CATHERINE W GICHUKI the priority. Therefore, the of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid DOHA number is not from the entire bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al population but for the targeted Thani, on Wednesday took More than 100,000 people groups. the decision after listening have received the COVID-19 Dr Al Bayat said the COV- to the explanation provided vaccine so far, a senior Min- ID-19 vaccination campaign is by HE Minister of Public istry of Public Health (MoPH) being carried out in phases. Health on the latest develop- official has said. “If you are healthy and well ments to limit the spread of “There is a high demand and have no illnesses, then coronavirus. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani met CEO of for the vaccine. In the com- you will soon be eligible. If After that, the Cabi- Dorna Sport, the organiser of MotoGP Championship, Carmelo Ezpeleta, in Doha on Wednesday. (QNA) ing days, we will see more and you notice, we have phases for net approved a sample more people getting vaccinat- the campaign and it is based draft of a memorandum of ed. We have reached at least 50 on the arrival of the (vaccine) understanding on coopera- percent of the target groups,” shipments. So every time we tion in combating narcotic Dr Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vac- get a new shipment we widen drugs, psychotropic sub- cination at the MoPH and the the circle. However, the prior- stances and their precursors National Lead for the COV- In the coming ity will always be for the elder- in civil aviation between the Qatar aims to be LNG king for ID-19 Track and Trace, said days, we will ly, those with severe chronic government of Qatar and during the weekly Q&A session see more and illnesses and the frontliners. the government of any other on Wednesday. more people getting Hopefully soon, we will widen country. next two decades: Al Kaabi Dr Al Bayat said the pro- vaccinated. We have the circle and drop the age It also approved a draft posal to exempt those who reached at least 50 groups until we reach all age memorandum of under- Qatar supplied 23% of the world’s LNG in 2020 have taken the two doses of percent of the target groups.” standing for cooperation Expansion project the COVID-19 vaccine from groups.” She urged all those inter- in the field of exchanging quarantine is under study. ested in getting inoculated for financial investigations re- viable even if oil falls She said at least 75 per- — Dr Soha Al Bayat, Head of COVID-19 to register includ- lated to combating money to $20: Minister cent of the population needs Vaccination at the MoPH ing those who are not covered laundering and financing to be vaccinated against the in the current phase. One can of terrorism between Qatar Tribune News Network virus for returning to a nor- register for the vaccine on Financial Information Unit Doha mal life. ling in a car with more than TAWTHEEQ or National Au- (QFIU), the Anti-Money Dr Al Bayat said it is pref- one person. thentication System (NAS). Laundering Council, and the Qatar aims to be the world’s erable to postpone getting the The COVID-19 vaccina- “Please register and put Financial Intelligence Unit biggest producer of liquefied vaccine for anyone who sus- tion campaign started on De- all your details and as soon (FIU) in the Republic of the natural gas (LNG) for at least pects that he/she has the virus cember 23, 2020 in Qatar and as you are eligible, you will be Philippines. the next two decades. or has had contact with an in- is being done in phases with contacted to book an appoint- The Cabinet also re- Qatar will spend billions fected person. the elderly, those with severe ment,” said Dr Al Bayat. viewed the draft decision of of dollars expanding its LNG She said the mask must be chronic illnesses and health- the Minister of Municipality capacity more than 50 percent worn all the time while travel- care frontliners being given Continued on page 3  and Environment amending to 126 million tonnes a year. some provisions of Resolu- That’s a level other countries competitive, projects on the new supply from other coun- tion No 37 of 2010 regarding will struggle to match, Minis- planet,” he said. tries will benefit Qatar, said Al the preservation of turtles ter of State for Energy Affairs Oil prices collapsed last Kaabi. and seabirds from extinction HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi said year, but have soared more “With less projects coming Action against 447 for flouting COVID norms and took the appropriate de- in an interview with Bloomb- than 60 percent since the start online, our expansion is very cision in this regard. erg Television. of November to around $64 a timely,” he said. QNA referred to the Public Prosecu- are in line with the Cabinet Qatar will be able to pro- barrel with the roll-out of coro- Al Kaabi said energy com- Doha tion for not wearing masks in decision, Decree Law No 17 of duce LNG from the first phase navirus vaccines. panies looking to produce more places where they are manda- 1990 on infectious diseases, of the expansion so cheaply Qatar Petroleum took a fi- renewable energy will still need The designated authorities tory, 34 were found violating and the precautionary meas- that it will be viable even if oil nal investment decision on the gas to offset the intermittency referred 447 people to the rule of maximum four people in ures in force in the country to Qatar, Nepal share prices fall below $20 a bar- North Field East Project last of green power, he said. Public Prosecution for violating a vehicle and three for failing contain the spread of COVID-19. rel, said Al Kaabi, who is also week. It’s likely to be the only “Renewables will defi- the preventive and precaution- to comply with quarantine rule. The designated authorities have excellent relations: president and CEO of Qatar project in the world to pass this nitely happen — we’re do- ary measures enforced by the Four people were also referred called on the public to adhere to (PG 2) Petroleum. milestone in 2021, after just ing a lot ourselves — but country to contain the spread of to the Public Prosecution for not the precautionary measures in Qatari envoy “This is one of the most one was sanctioned to move you need gas to complement the coronavirus. installing Ehteraz app on their place to ensure their safety and competitive, if not the most ahead last year. The lack of that,” he said. While 406 people were mobile phones. The measures the safety of others.

Second semester midterm 47 companies face action for New Metrolink route added exams to begin on Feb 24 violating COVID-19 protocol to Doha Metro network Tribune News Network A new Metrolink route -- M316 Doha -- has been added to the Doha Metro network. The new route The Ministry of Administra- serves HIA Midfield area con- tive Development, Labor and necting it to Ras Bu Abboud Social Affairs (MADLSA) has Station on the Gold Line. Five referred 47 companies to com- Metrolink bus stops are avail- petent authorities for necessary able within HIA Midfield: Qatar action for violating COVID-19 Duty Free Warehouse, Aircraft network providing first and last precautionary measures. Maintenance Hangar West, mile connectivity to Qatar Rail The violations were de- Aircraft Maintenance Hangar customers within 2 to 5-kilom- tected during inspections East, QACC/Cargo/QROC and eter radius of the Doha Metro QNA The exams will continue until conducted by ministry’s La- FMF. Metrolink is a feeder bus stations. (TNN) Doha Thursday (March 11). bor Inspection Department The exam schedules were on work sites and workers ’ The second semester’s mid- announced by the Ministry of housing. The erring compa- term exams for the academic Education and Higher Educa- nies are working in the field of year 2020-2021 for grades tion on Wednesday. construction in Lusail and the to half their seating capacities. all companies must adhere to About 25,000 FIFA Club (1-11) in public schools (day- All exam schedules will Industrial Area. They also failed to ensure the procedures in force in the time and adult education) and be attached and published on In a statement, the minis- that workers maintain a safe country in order to avoid legal World Cup spectators private schools that follow the website of the Ministry of try said the companies did not distance from one another actions and called on compa- national standards will start Education and Higher Educa- comply with a rule requiring while getting in and out of bus- nies and workers to comply screened for COVID-19, on Wednesday, February 24. tion www.edu.gov.qa. them to limiting the number of es and wore masks properly. with precautionary measures says PHCC (PG 2) workers transported on buses The ministry stressed that to ensure the safety of all. 02 Thursday, February 18, 2021

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Qatar, Nepal share excellent bilateral ties: Qatari envoy FM MEETS LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE QNA He pointed to the memo- istries of labour in the two impact. Deputy Prime Minister and Min- Kathmandu randa of understanding be- countries. He also pointed to Hail stressed the impor- ister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh tween the two countries in Qatar’s amendments to its tance of exchange of high- Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Ambassador of Qatar to various fields such as the se- labour law, cancellation of level visits in strengthening Thani met with Lebanon’s Prime Nepal HE Yousuf Mohamed curity sector, exemption of vi- the sponsorship system and relations between the two Minister-designate Saad Al Hariri Al Hail has stressed the dis- sas for holders of diplomatic implementation of the mini- countries and peoples. in Doha on Wednesday. During tinctive bilateral relations and official passports, avoid- mum wage system. On the blockade of Qatar, the meeting, they reviewed the between Qatar and Nepal, de- ance of double taxation, foot- The ambassador indicat- he said Qatar has always en- bilateral cooperation, especially scribing them as excellent. ball, and chambers of com- ed that Qatar’s preparations couraged dialogue between in the economic affairs, and In an interview with Ne- merce. for hosting the 2022 FIFA the brotherly Gulf states. other issues of mutual concern. pal Press, the ambassador Qatar is looking forward World Cup are progressing He stressed that relations The foreign minister affirmed pointed out that there is close to more bilateral agreements, as planned, expressing opti- between the Gulf states are Qatar’s continued support to the coordination between the two he said, noting the existence mism that the COVID-19 pan- of great importance to Qatar, people in Lebanon to achieve countries in international fo- of an understanding between demic will not have an impact adding, Qatar belongs to the development and prosperity. For rums. The agriculture and the two countries to update on the tournament, and that region and the peoples of the his part, the Lebanese Prime food security agreement be- the agreement for the em- the current medical and sci- six countries are a large fam- Minister-designate congratulated tween the two countries has ployment of Nepalese work- entific efforts in terms of vac- ily, so cooperation relations Qatar on the Gulf reconciliation. contributed to improving bi- force, and the existence of a cines, medicines and people’s and open borders are very im- (QNA) lateral trade, he said. joint committee of the min- awareness will have a positive portant. 25,000 FIFA Club World Cup spectators Shura speaker praises UN, IPU discussion on ways to screened for coronavirus, says PHCC combat global corruption Tribune News Network beforehand and every risk and un- QNA 2021 and 2022, pointing out that Doha foreseen situation anticipated and Doha it is at the forefront of its interest to ensured it was mitigated. Each team strengthen cooperation with the UN, The Primary Health Care Corpora- member roles and responsibilities Speaker of the Shura Council and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and tion (PHCC) team, under the guid- were defined both for planning and Chairman of the Global Organiza- regional and international organisa- ance of its Managing Director Dr operations. Timely communication tion of Parliamentarians Against tions in order to combat corruption Mariam Ali Abdul Malik, successful and constant reviewing of the pro- Corruption (GOPAC) HE Ahmed bin and spare societies its dangerous ef- screened around 25,000 specta- cesses during the implementation Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud par- fects on development, stability and tors of the recently held FIFA Club was very important for work suc- ticipated in the annual joint hearing the future generations. World Cup at Qatar National Con- cess.” between the United Nations (UN) The annual joint session be- vention Centre (QNCC), the corpo- “We sometimes needed contin- and the Inter-Parliamentary Union tween the UN and the Inter-Parlia- ration has said. gency plans, more than one plan, (IPU). The programme was held vir- mentary Union will discuss, over PHCC was tasked with screen- when something did not go as an- tually on Wednesday. two days, several issues related to ing the spectators to minimise the ticipated. The project team, Medical In his speech in the opening ses- combating corruption, especially risk of COVID-19 spread, taking Operations Team and other sup- sion, Mahmoud praised the devotion the impact of the 2005 UN Con- into consideration the latest public porting team (IPAC, OHS, IT) all of the hearing this year to discuss the vention against Corruption, how to health measures, including risk as- were very adaptive and flexible in issue of corruption and the ways to make its implementation more ef- sessment, social distancing, specific PHCC played a major role by managing all the related activities for conducting the response to agile nature of this combat it, as it constitutes an obstacle fective, ensure that emergencies, in- hygiene regimes and resource plan- COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing for spectators within 72 hours before each match. project and changing some of these to development and a factor of insta- cluding pandemics, do not impede ning. plans,” Dr Yasmine said. “I would bility in countries and societies that anti-corruption efforts. It will also PHCC, in partnership with sincerely express my heartfelt grati- suffer from its destructive effects. discuss a proposal to establish an Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) tude to our MD, Dr Mariam Ali Ab- He stressed that GOPAC will have international anti-corruption court and Hamad Medical Corporation dulmalik for her supervision and an effective and distinguished con- or another mechanism to prosecute (HMC), supported Supreme Com- support for all and continuous guid- tribution to the special session to be the corrupt who may flee from jus- mittee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) ance for the mission to succeed.” held by the United Nations General tice in their countries. in hosting the tournament asper the She added, “Overall, this has Assembly in June to discuss anti-cor- The hearing will be attended by new sports protocols, which were been a very collaborative and cross- ruption efforts. President of the 75th session of the suited to the world’s COVID-19 cur- sectoral effort between PHCC, The Shura speaker said this spe- United Nations General Assembly rent phase. MoPH, HMC and SC to protect the cial session will provide parliamen- Volkan Bozkir, President of Inter Par- PHCC played a major role by health of the community of Qatar tarians with an opportunity to pre- liamentary Union Duarte Pacheco, managing all the related activities for those who had attended this sent their opinions and proposals to Chair of Transparency International’s for conducting COVID-19 Rapid PHCC’s Planning and Management ness (EDP) in collaboration with sporting event following unprec- combat corruption and shed light on Board of Trustees Delia Ferreira Ru- Antigen Testing for the spectators of screening spectators for FIFA operations and other internal and edented health measures. their essential role in this field by en- bio, Executive Director of the United within 72 hours before each match. Club World Cup Qatar 2020. Since external stakeholders.” “We owe a huge credit to differ- acting laws that prevent corruption Nations Officeto Combat Terrorism, As per the health regulations we had been through the learning Dr. Yasmine added, “As we got ent services and sectors who worked and punish its perpetrators, as well as Drugs and Crime Ghada Fathy Wali, and protocols in Qatar, the stadia curve for the HH Amir Cup Finals, involved in planning and manage- so hard to ensure how safe our ac- through parliamentary oversight of in addition to prominent parliamen- spectator’s capacity allowed for the we continued to enhance the robust ment of testing for HH Amir Cup Fi- tivities and facilities are, to achieve the actions of governments and their tarians and political, diplomatic and FIFA Club World Cup was 25 per- system we built, its processes, work- nal, AFC Finals 2020 and FIFA Club our primal goal, which was the senior officials. human rights figures from various cent for each game, including the flows etc to fit the purpose. World Cup 2020, we can see a strik- safety of spectators and everyone He reviewed the organisation’s countries and members of the Shura final. “We have set up our Project Core ing similarity between projects and involved, all under the guidance of activities at the regional and inter- Council HE Khalid bin Abdullah Al PHCC Project Director Dr Team – Corporate Project Manage- portfolio management and football Dr Abdulwahab Al Musleh, senior national levels since he took office Buainain, HE Abdul Latif bin Mo- Yasmin Ali said, “I am grateful to ment Office(CP MO) together with game. We carefully and strategi- advisor to Minister of Public Health in December 2019, its programmes hammed Al Sada and HE Reem bint be entrusted to lead the Project - Emergency and Disaster Prepared- cally planned, every move in detail for Sports and Emergency Affairs.” in the next phase and its strategy in Mohammed Al Mansouri. QRCS provides aid to 27,000 Ethiopian refugees in Sudan

Tribune News Network parcels, to be shipped from received relief items. Doha Qatar later this month, mak- Over the last few months, ing the total number of food Ethiopian refugees have The representative office of parcels to 3,500. been displaced by violence the Qatar Red Crescent Soci- In the coming period, in the Tigray region of Ethi- ety (QRCS) in Sudan has com- phase 2 will begin the distribu- opia. The latest estimates pleted phase 1 of the emer- tion of 2,180 relief kits (kitch- issued by the United Na- gency response to the recent enware, blankets, soap, jerry tions High Commissioner influx of Ethiopian refugees canes, water storage contain- for Refugees (UNHCR) show from the war-torn Tigray re- ers, tarpaulins and wash pow- 61,209 registered refugees. Moldova ambassador takes gion of Ethiopia. ders). In relation to water and Up to $157 million is need- Food and non-food aid has sanitation, 300 permanent ed to respond to the urgent part in tree-plantation drive been distributed at the Tunay- toilets will be supplied and needs of up to 115,000 refu- dbah refugee camp in Gadarif installed. In partnership with gees and 22,000 host com- The Ministry of Municipal- Public Parks Department. State to thousands of refugees the Sudanese Red Crescent munities in Sudan and Dji- ity and Environment (MME), A number of tree seedlings facing severe conditions. Society (SRCS), the camp’s bouti by June 2021. represented by the Public Parks that are compatible with the The distributions in- health centre will be furnished Gaps remain in all sectors, Department, in cooperation climatic conditions of Qatar’s cluded 2,500 food parcels, and operated to provide ser- with SRCS on large-scale Eng Abdulmoneim Oth- from water, sanitation and hy- with the Embassy of Moldova environment were planted. each containing 44 kg of vices. health and development pro- man, the camp’s manager giene to health facilities, food, in Qatar, organised an event The Public Parks Depart- food items such as flour, rice, Dr Awadallah Hamdan, jects in Darfur and many other from Sudan’s Commission shelter, protection response, to plant a variety of trees in the ment at the Ministry of Munici- lentils, tea, salt and vegeta- head of the QRCS office in countries. of Refugees (COR), praised in particular youth protection New Salata Park as part of the pality and Environment invites ble oil, as well as 2,000 hy- Sudan, said that the organi- Al Sayed Abdulazeem, QRCS’s efforts and interven- activities, and psycho-social initiative to plant one million all entities, institutions and giene kits. A total of 4,500 sation would always be there SRCS manager of the Tunay- tions and promised to offer all support. Fuel shortages, lim- trees. community members to con- refugee families, an average for Sudan. Qatar, he said, will dbah refugee camp, praised possible support to facilitate ited number of vehicles and The event was attended tribute to the initiative to plant of 27,000 beneficiaries, re- continue to support the Ethio- the diversity and size of food their work. limited road access are also by Ambassador of Moldova to one million trees, because trees ceived these provisions. pian refugees in Sudan with a parcels provided by QRCS to The Ethiopian refugees at challenging the relocation of Qatar HE Victor Tefferkin, As- are of particular importance in These were part of Phase 1 variety of relief efforts. Ethiopian refugees compared the camp were appreciative of new arrivals and the provision sistant Director of the Public preserving the ecosystem and of the project, involving mul- QRCS has already re- to other humanitarian provid- the ongoing relief assistance of supplies to the various sites. Parks Department Mohamed because of their positive impli- tiple sectors, at a total cost of sponded to many of the coun- ers. He described the aid as from the QRCS, which reflect- There is a serious need for Ibrahim Al Sada and a number cations for human health and QR6,681,818. QRCS plans to try’s disasters, including flash “timely to alleviate the suffer- ed on their smiling faces and energy, especially alternative of officials and engineers of the quality of life. (TNN) distribute another 1,000 food floods and COVID-19. It works ing of the beneficiaries.” grateful words as they happily cooking energy. Nation Thursday, February 18, 2021 03 CMU-Q marks Int’l Day for Women and Girls in Science traditionally open to them Borbala Mifsud, assistant of mentorship seemed to CMU-Q’s virtual event brings together when they started. These professor at Hamad Bin resonate with the audience. women in science to share career journeys stories of resilience and per- Khalifa University’s College Science is fundamentally a severance are important for of Health and Life Sciences, collaborative field, and as all prospective scientists as and Adviti Naik Jana, post- students embark on their Tribune News Network is a Qatar Foundation (QF) they follow their passion for doctoral researcher from careers, established scien- Doha partner university. knowledge,” Vincent said. Qatar Biomedical Research tists can really help to in- Annette Vincent, associ- The panel included CMU- Institute. spire and guide them.” In celebration of the Inter- ate dean for diversity and Q’s Selma Limam Mansar, The panel was moder- In 2015, the United Na- national Day for Women and climate and an associate senior associate dean for ated by Cecile Le Roux, as- tions General Assembly de- Girls in Science, the Carne- teaching professor of bio- education, and Angela Ng, sistant teaching professor of clared February 11 as the In- gie Mellon University in Qa- logical sciences at CMU-Q, programme director of stu- organisation and behaviour ternational Day of Women tar (CMU-Q) hosted a panel organised the panel as an in- dent engagement. at CMU-Q. and Girls in Science in order of experts to share their ca- spiration to young scientists. Rounding out the panel After the event, Vincent to promote full and equal reer journeys with students, “Many women in science was Maya Abi Akl, physics reflected on the discussion: access to and participation faculty and staff from across have been trailblasers, pur- lab coordinator from Texas “Of all the topics that were in science for women and Education City (EC). CMU-Q suing careers that were not A&M University at Qatar, discussed, the importance girls. QF varsities’ students VCUarts Qatar’s faculty and attend virtual career networking event students lead fan activations Tribune News Network have held such a large-scale vir- Doha tual career event across five uni- versities,” said Texas A&M at for FIFA Club World Cup 2020 Students from Qatar Foun- Qatar’s Sarah Aboulhosn, man- dation (QF) partner universities ager of industry engagement recently networked virtually and alumni affairs, who helped QF partner-university helps spread the spirit of goodwill, hope and cultural appreciation with representatives from more organise the event. “It went re- than 40 local companies and or- ally well and we are thrilled that among attendees from the participating countries during the football tournament ganisations to find internships we were able to get our em- and job opportunities during ployers, students and alumni Tribune News Network the first EducationC ity-wide together for such a meaningful Doha Career Connect. event.” The event was held online Mohammed Fakhroo, exec- Faculty and students from over several days and was open utive director of Outreach and Virginia Commonwealth to current students and gradu- Institutional Advancement at University School of the Arts ates of Carnegie Mellon Uni- QF, said: “This first-of-its-kind in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) versity in Qatar, Georgetown digital career fair was of great brought a splash of creativ- University in Qatar, Hamad Bin benefit to our students and ity, goodwill – and colour – Khalifa University, Northwest- graduates in enabling them to to the FIFA Club World Cup ern University in Qatar, Texas connect with potential employ- 2020 activations held across A&M University at Qatar and ers and helping them define Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Virginia Commonwealth Uni- their future paths. Education City (EC), re- versity in Qatar. “At QF, the support we pro- cently. The activations were Company representatives vide our students, both present conducted in the run-up who attended the event gave and past, extends to looking to, and during, the tourna- presentations about their or- beyond their time in academia, ment matches held at the EC ganisations and outlined po- as we open up opportunities stadium. tential internship and job op- for them to explore ways of fur- Sonali Raman, adjunct portunities, while others held ther developing their skills and faculty, Fashion Design, VC- question-and-answer sessions enhancing their employment Uarts Qatar, was the mod- with students and alumni to prospects. Events such as this erator for a panel discussion answer questions about future digital career fair are also of on ‘Traditional Fashion’, opportunities or company in- value to employers, as they al- organised by the Supreme formation. low them to interact with QF’s Committee for Delivery and Organisers said that about highly skilled current students Legacy (SC) on February 1, at 120 students attended each day and graduates, and to identify the Quranic Garden at QF’s of the week’s events. the talent that matches their Oxygen Park, while students “This is the first time we needs and goals.” from the university’s Graphic Design department – Nai- ma Almajdobah, Asmaa Al Mannai, Sara Raessi, Nadia Influencer Abdulla Al-Ghamdi Activation Final artworks Jabari and Maryam Al Muf- Qatar plans for sufficient vaccine tah – captured the messages fluencer, social activist and harmoniously and learning wishes of hope, inspiration, canvas. It was definitely a spe- doses to cover the entire population shared by football fans on former model; Elham Al An- much from each other,” the pride and goodwill with the cial moment for me. He took a their way to matches held at sari, a popular Qatari fashion VCUarts Qatar faculty mem- VCUarts Qatar’s graphic de- video of the mural and shared Continued from page 1  tered into an agreement with the EC stadium. and contemporary designer; ber noted. sign students stationed near it on his personal Instagram the two companies to have The panel discussion was Shaima Sherif, an ethno-ar- “In this regard, the coun- the periphery of the match and Snapchat accounts, so She said if one has allergies sufficient amounts of doses to part of SC’s efforts to promote chaeologist who has special- try truly is a microcosm of the venue. The students collated that those unable to attend the from medication or food, they cover the entire population. So cultural exchange among na- ised in Arabian archaeology; world. these messages into giant event, could see what we were can still take the vaccine. everybody who wishes to take tions competing in the FIFA Mariana Araujo, a 19 year-old “Sporting events like the murals of brilliantly coloured creating.” “I would recommend that the vaccine will be able to take Club World Cup Qatar 2020, Brazilian journalism student FIFA Club World Cup Qatar stylised fonts, onto white And she added, “The air of if you are waiting after receiv- it,” Dr Al Bayat. with a focus on enhancing at Northwestern University 2020 bring together differ- boards placed there specifi- bonhomie and comradery re- ing the vaccination, stay for 30 She reiterated that if you understanding and apprecia- in Qatar with an interest in ent cultures of the world on cally for the purpose. minded me of our lives before minutes instead of 15 minutes take the first dose from one of tion of culture and heritage fashion; and Abla Sebak from a grand scale and throw the Naima Almajdobah, a the COVID-19 pandemic, with just to be on the safer side,” she them, you have to take the sec- of the host and participating Egypt, the CEO of the Noire spotlight on all the diversity Class of 2022 junior, and one people walking around and said, adding that there are peo- ond dose from the same com- nations. With this in mind, Group and fashion entrepre- that exists in Qatar, giving us of the VCUarts Qatar students cheering for their teams – the ple with food and medication al- pany. SC invited spokespeople rep- neur. all a chance to get a deeper who was on site, shared the atmosphere was pulsing with lergies who have taken the vac- Dr Al Bayat said that the resenting the nations in the According to Raman, the insight about them. Such experience – and her own ex- laughter and positivity. cine and they are fine. COVID-19 vaccine is free of cost tournament – Brazil, Ger- event was an opportunity evenings of intercultural ex- citement. “Art helps capture such Regarding availability of in Qatar. many, Egypt, Mexico, South to explore and understand change help us all to share “We were quite lucky to moments of happiness and COVID-19 vaccine, she said, She encouraged the public Korea and Qatar – to present the cultures and traditions and embrace other cultures meet Abdulla Alghafri, a fa- hope; this knowledge, I be- “Until this stage what we are to continue observing all the the traditional and folklore that defined the costumes of including local Qatari tradi- mous social media influencer, lieve, is what motivated fans using is Pfizer- BioNTech COV- COVID-19 precautionary meas- outfits from their respective the countries the ladies rep- tions.” who shared with us one of his to come forward and share ID-19 vaccine. We are expecting ures such as social distancing, countries. resented, including Qatar’s Football fans on their way messages and hope for a better their personal feelings with Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to frequent washing of hands and Participants in the panel fashion heritage. to the EC stadium to watch world,” she said. “He person- us, allowing us to make those arrive in Qatar soon and we will wearing of masks even if they discussion were Yezenia Na- “Qatar’s cosmopolitan the matches on February 4, ally took part in the artwork, sentiments a part of an art- have the two.” have received the COVID-19 varro a well-known Qatar- outlook translates into a mo- 7 and 11 were seen enthu- writing the message ‘Invest in work that will mark the occa- “MoPH and Qatar have en- vaccination. based Mexican actress, in- saic of many cultures living siastically sharing personal yourself’ in Arabic on to the sion for eternity.” ICC hosts virtual meeting of associate organisations

Tribune News Network more than 100 participants. olent Forum (ICBF) Coordi- Thomas and ICBF President Doha ICC General Secretary nating Officer SRH Fahmi and Ziad Usman expressed their Krishna Kumar welcomed the Indian Sports Centre (ISC) happiness over the close coop- The new Management Com- gathering. ICC President Babu Coordinating Officer Capt eration among the apex bod- mittee of the Indian Cultural Rajan presided over the meet- Mohan Atla spoke about co- ies. Centre (ICC) organised its first ing, which was steered by S ordinating all apex bodies and Ambassador of India to Associate Organisation (AO) Xavier Dhanaraj, First Secre- ensuring their participation in Qatar HE Dr Deepak Mittal dor led a brainstorming ses- programmes will be coordinat- 2021, the ambassador said. virtual meeting recently. The tary, Indian Embassy, and Co- all events. joined the meeting to address sion on organising the celebra- ed from AO teams to showcase ICC Vice-President Sub- response to the meeting was ordinating Officer, CCI . ICC President Babu Ra- all apex bodies and associate tion of the 75th anniversary of India for next 75 weeks starting ramanya Hebbagelu proposed overwhelming as it gathered Indian Community Benev- jan, ISC President Dr Mohan organisations. The ambassa- India’s Independence. Weekly from the first week of March the vote of thanks. 04 Thursday, February 18, 2021 Nation QC receives in-kind donations from football organisation QFA Sports equipment and clothing were included in donations, which are part of the social responsibility of QFA

Tribune News Network the noble humanitarian ob- Doha jectives. This donation is part of a strong and continuous Qatar Charity has received partnership between Qatar in-kind donations from the Charity and QFA for commu- Qatar Football Association nity service. Pop star Kim Wilde (QFA) for the benefit of work- Qatar Charity receives do- ers. In addition, Qatar Charity nations in kind from individu- (QC) has recently distributed als and institutions, including launches new radio winter bags to workers. clothing, shoes, toys, furniture The in-kind donations, and electronic appliances, for which are part of QFA’s so- the benefit of low-income show on QBS Radio cial responsibility, included workers and families. Tribune News Network Show is a joint production sports equipment and cloth- Qatar Charity distributed Doha between Radio Express and ing of varying sizes. winter bags to workers to help the award-winning British Ali Al Salat Al Salat, Head Representatives of Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar Charity (QC) during a meeting in Doha on Wednesday. meet their basic winter needs. Kim is best known around union company Blue Revo- of Media at QFA, welcomed The bags included in the Qatar the world as an 80’s pop icon lution. the efforts of Qatar Charity resources is essential and contribution to Qatar Char- positive change in society. Charity’s “Warmth and Peace” and a contemporary record- Paul Hollins, CEO of Ra- to implement humanitarian positive. ity’s humanitarian efforts. Qatar Charity looks for- campaign included clothing, ing artist, but most recently dio Express, told QBS, “Kim and charitable projects in Qa- Al Salat added that such He also affirmed the desire of ward to working together jackets, shoes and other win- hosted her own weekly inter- has a proven track record on tar and around the world. He donations contribute to the QFA to participate in commu- and cooperating with all or- ter items. During this winter, national radio show. radio and we’re very delight- said that QFA made dona- support of Qatar Charity for nity activities with relevant ganisations and individuals Qatar Charity is expected to Kim says, “As long as I ed to be able to bring her pas- tions in kind, believing that workers and low-income fam- bodies, including Qatar Char- across the country to con- distribute winter bags in other can remember, I’ve always sion to QBS. The Kim Wilde the investment of redundant ilies, noting QFA’s previous ity, in order to bring about a tribute to the achievement of parts of the country. loved music – singing, play- 80s Show underscores our ing, writing, listening – and commitment to bring world- I’ve always loved radio. I’m class radio to listeners world- absolutely thrilled to be pre- wide.” senting the Kim Wilde 80s Ivan Laskov, Radio Ex- QTTSC announces winners of ambassadors programme 2020 Show.” press Head of Content says, QBS will broadcast The “The Kim Wilde 80s Show is Tribune News Network The first place went to school students to be a part Kim Wilde 80s Show every a modern, highly-produced Doha Qatar Science and Technolo- of the traffic safety awareness Saturday at 4.00 p.m. in an programme. It is perfect for gy Secondary School for Boys programme to play a vital effort to boost its new pro- any station that wants to ‘own Qatar Transportation while the second place went role in spreading this culture gramme grid with a range of the 80s’ in a unique, 21st- and Traffic Safety Center to Ahmed Bin Hanbal School within the community, and world-class radio products century way. We are thrilled (QTTSC) has named the win- for Boys. schools to find solutions to and to satisfy a large portion to be launching in Qatar.” ners of Traffic SafetyA mbas- In the girls’ category, traffic safety challenges.” of its listenership. Kim adds, “I am really sadors Programme which Dukhan School for Girls won Dr Qaradawi said, This one-hour show is looking forward to work- was run in coordination with the first place, while Aisha “QTTSC team is pleased to- a great way to allow QBS ing with QBS. I really hope I the Ministry of Interior and Bent Abi Baker School came day to involve secondary audiences to remember the get the chance not just be on the National Committee for second. school students in this ini- soundtrack of their lives and air, but also to visit Qatar as Traffic Safety recently. The ambassadors were tiative that is jointly run in to bring back the dearest soon as travel becomes pos- The initiative, which is guided on road safety and coordination with the centre memories of the good old sible again and to join in with supported by Qatar Petro- awareness campaigns by Media and TrafficA ware- faculty, staff and Students partners for the benefit of all days. the station’s concerts and chemical Company (Qapco), Qatar University (QU) and ness Department at General and their mentors. stakeholders who are com- Kim Wilde had 19 Top 40 events.” aimed at raising the school General Directorate of Traf- Directorate of TrafficColonel Commenting on the mitted to support QTTSC UK hits; won the American The Kim Wilde 80s show students and community fic staff members. The event Mohammed Radi Al Hajri, event, Colonel Hajri said, events targeting community #1; toured Europe and also will be launched on Saturday awareness of the importance was attended by QTTSC Di- National Committee of Traf- “Through this initiative, Gen- and schools through cam- featured top-notch TV shows. 20 February at 4 p.m. on QBS of traffic safety to spread safe rector Dr Mohammed Yousef fic Safety representatives and eral Directorate of Traffic is paigns, initiatives and public The Kim Wilde 80s Radio 97.5. driving behaviours. Al Qaradawi, Director of QU College of Engineering encouraging the secondary events.” World Thursday, February 18, 2021 05

Gunmen kidnap POSITIVE MOVE News 44 people, in brief mostly children, Iran to cooperate with IAEA Gaza receives its in Nigeria first batch of COVID vaccines dpa Lagos despite inspection curbs Gaza City: The Gaza Strip received its first batch of At least 44 people, most of vaccines against Covid-19 them children, have been on Wednesday, health abducted from a school in Rowhani said he would convey this to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during his planned visit to Tehran officials in Gaza said.T wo west-central Nigeria, a local thousand doses - or enough government official said on dpa pressure, he wanted to per- to vaccinate 1,000 people Wednesday. Tehran suade the leadership in Teh- - of the Sputnik V vaccine, One pupil was killed when ran to negotiate an agreement donated by Russia, were unknown gunmen attacked Iran wants to continue coop- with stronger and longer-term transferred by the Palestin- a school near the community eration with the UN’s Interna- conditions. ian Authority in the West of Kagara in Niger State on tional Atomic Energy Agency In response, Iran has been Bank to the Islamist Hamas Wednesday morning, a local (IAEA), according to President violating key aspects of the movement in Gaza, with government spokesperson told Hassan Rowhani. deal, including limits on en- Israel’s approval, an Israeli dpa on condition of anonymity. “We continue to be a mem- riching uranium, the amount security official confirmed. Among the kidnapped were ber of the IAEA, we will con- of uranium stored and the The transfer was made via 26 pupils, three staff members tinue to abide by the Nuclear making of uranium metal - the Kerem Shalom crossing and 12 family members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and technologies that can be used between the south-eastern school staff, the spokesperson we will continue to cooper- for making reactor fuel as well Gaza Strip and Israel. (dpa) said. ate with the IAEA within this as nuclear warheads. President Muhammadu framework,” Rowhani said on The new US administra- Buhari on Wednesday dis- Wednesday. tion wants to come back to the Syria to exchange patched a rescue mission made Rowhani said he would treaty if Iran adheres to its ob- lost Israeli for up of armed forces and police also convey this to IAEA Di- ligations again. prisoners’ release to the area to hunt down the rector General Rafael Grossi Tehran wants Washing- kidnappers and free the pupils. during his planned visit to ton to take the first step by Damascus: Syria is secur- The exact number of ab- Tehran. lifting sanctions, which have ing the release of two of its ductees still needed to be as- Grossi is set to travel to led to the worst economic nationals detained in Israeli certained, presidential spokes- Tehran on Saturday for tech- crisis in Iran’s history, in jails in exchange for an Is- man Garba Shehu said in a nical discussions with the particular sanctions on vital raeli woman who entered statement. Atomic Energy Organization oil exports. the Arab country by mis- The security forces would of Iran on how to continue co- German nuclear prolif- take, state media said on work in collaboration with lo- operation in light of the coun- eration expert Oliver Meier Wednesday. “The exchange cal government officials, com- try’s announcement. warned that Iran’s plans to process is currently taking munity leaders, the school and Iran had informed the limit access to IAEA inspec- place through Russian me- the parents to secure the safe IAEA on Tuesday that the tors would damage the foun- diation,” the state-run Syrian return of those kidnapped, country would no longer im- dation of the 2015 nuclear news agency SANA report- Shehu said. plement the voluntary trans- agreement, by reducing the ed, citing sources.It said The abduction comes three parency measures under the transparency of the nuclear two Syrian prisoners - Nihal days after unknown gunmen so-called Additional Protocol programme. al-Maqt and Diyab Qahmouz, kidnapped some 20 people on as of next Tuesday. “Suspicions about secret natives of the Israeli- their way home from a wed- The unlimited access of activities may arise, which annexed Golan Heights - will ding in the same state. inspectors to Iranian nuclear President Hassan Rowhani speaking during a cabinet meeting in the capital Tehran on Wednesday. (afp) would poison the political be released in exchange Mass abductions are com- facilities on the basis of the climate even further,” said for an Israeli woman who mon in the West African na- IAEA Additional Protocol is recent years. lift sanctions. parties. “Everything else is ir- Meier, who works at Hamburg entered the Queintra region tion. They are sometimes con- part of the 2015 Vienna nu- For this reason, he said, “As soon as this happens, relevant,” he added. University’s Institute for Peace of the Syrian territories by ducted by Islamist terrorist clear agreement, which was Iran has also decided not to we too will return to the tem- Supreme Leader Ayatol- Research and Security Policy. mistake. (dpa) group Boko Haram, which uses supposed to prevent Iran from abide by the Additional Pro- plates in the deal within hours lah Ali Khamenei also said Tehran’s latest steps were young girls as suicide bombers building a nuclear bomb. tocol as of February 23. “We ... and if not, fine, we’ll go our that there had so far been motivated by domestic poli- or marries them off to their Without this access, there don’t want to defy ... as we own way.” Foreign Minister only empty promises. “Now tics, he told dpa. 3 killed as fire fighters, while boys are used as would be de facto nothing left have said several times, we Mohammad Javad Zarif re- we only want to see action,” “The government is under breaks out at Iraq child soldiers. of the agreement. will fully return to our com- jected criticism from the US he added. immense pressure,” Meier refugee camp At other times, kidnap- Rowhani said that from mitments as soon as the others and Europe on Iran’s decision Former US president Don- said. He warned that time for pings are conducted by crimi- Iran’s point of view, the agree- do the same,” Rowhani said on to scale back its cooperation ald Trump withdrew from the diplomacy to salvage the 2015 Erbil: Fire broke out at a nal gangs for ransom. ment had not been imple- state television. and echoed Rowhani in that international nuclear treaty in nuclear pact was running short refugee camp in northern In December, Boko Haram mented in accordance with the He said the US must re- the agreement “simply has to May 2018. With tough sanc- as Iran’s presidential elections Iraq, killing three people in abducted more than 300 boys treaty by the six partners in turn to the nuclear deal and be implemented” by the other tions and a policy of maximum loom in June. the early hours of Wednes- from a school in north-western day, an official said. Fire Katsina State, saying they had broke out at the Bersive carried it out because Western camp, located in Zakho education runs counter to Is- area, in Dohuk province. A lam. The children were how- Russia, Turkey, Iran call to end foreign interference in Syria father, his son and daughter ever released shortly after the died when the tent they live kidnapping. in caught fire,Z akho’s health For years Boko Haram has dpa In a joint declaration on Israel regularly conducts Regarding Syria’s con- The constitutional com- department spokesman been fighting to install strict Moscow Wednesday, the representa- strikes against targets in its stitution, the trio said work mittee, made up of rep- Amir Ali told dpa. At least Islamic rule in Nigeria. The tives meeting in the Russian war-torn neighbour in an at- should be guided “by the de- resentatives of govern- five other refugees were group was responsible for the Representatives from resort city of Sochi called on tempt to push back Iran’s mil- sire for compromise and con- ment, the opposition and injured. Bersive camp is one 2014 abduction of 276 female Russia, Turkey and Iran end- Israel, Iran’s arch-rival, to itary influence there. structive talks, and without civil society, started its work of several in the northern students from their dormitory ed a two-day meeting on ways stop its attacks in Syria, which Israeli missile strikes this deadlines set from the out- in late 2019 and aims to pave Kurdistan region that mainly at a school in Chibok, an at- to re-invigorate stalled talks they said were a threat to re- week targeting posts manned side.” Only then could agree- a way for a political solution to hosts members of Iraq’s tack that shocked the world. At on a new constitution for Syria gional security and stability by Syrian government forces ment be found by all members the conflict. Yezidi minority, who fled least 100 of those girls are still by calling for a stop to foreign and a violation of internation- and allied Iranian-backed mi- of the war-torn country’s con- However, so far, little pro- Islamic State violence. (dpa) missing. interference. al law. litias left nine dead. stitutional committee. gress has been made. Former Indian minister loses 2 Chinese online #MeToo defamation case producers go missing after It can’t be ignored that most times sexual harassment is committed they mocked Xi behind closed doors ... Most of the women who suffer abuse can’t often ANI speak up due to stigma and attack on Beijing their character, the court said Two Chinese online video producers known for poking fun at Chinese President Xi Jinping have dis- appeared on the eve of Lunar New Year, Asia News Ramani’s tweet was followed by simi- reported. lar allegations against Akbar by several The two have reported missing by the head of the women. Qiang Guo Wa Ha, one of several YouTube channels Akbar subsequently resigned from the specialised in Ru Bao, a Mandarin term used to de- post of junior foreign minister saying he scribe mocking the Chinese president. According to File photo of Indian journalist MJ Akbar. (afp) needed to fight the smearing of his reputa- the Apple Daily newspaper and Radio Free Asia, the tion in court. chairperson and a manager of the Ru Mo Xin Lian dpa He filed a criminal defamation case She YouTube channel disappeared last Tuesday. New Delhi against Ramani, the first woman among Online, several channels have been referring to more than a dozen to name him. Xi as Bao Zi, a steamed bun in Mandarin, ever since A former minister in Narendra Modi’s “Right of reputation can’t be protected he visited a chain restaurant in Beijing and ordered government MJ Akbar on Wednesday lost at the cost of right to dignity,” the court buns in December 2013. a defamation suit against a female journal- said in its order according to legal report- Ru Bao channels also depict the Chinese leader ist who accused him of sexual harassment ing website Bar&Bench. as Winnie the Pooh, the animated bear made famous as part of the #MeToo movement in 2018. The court also observed that even a by Disney. YouTube has removed several videos The journalist Priya Ramani has been man with social status can be a sexual har- posted from channels mocking Xi, ostensibly for vio- acquitted of all charges by a Delhi court, asser. lating the copyrights of Shanghai Hode Information her lawyer Rebecca John said. The court noted that there were lack Technology Co Ltd. Ramani wrote an article in 2017 in of mechanisms to raise sexual harassment The Chinese Communist Party has long been ac- which she recounted her first experience complaints at the time of the incident and cused to suppress the idea that could undermine the of workplace harassment but did not name that women cannot be punished for rais- sweeping authority. In just the past few years, the her harasser. ing such instances, legal website LiveLaw government has attempted to muzzle critics by mak- In 2018 during the worldwide #Me- reported. ing them disappear without a trace, ordering people Too movement, Ramani identified him in “It can’t be ignored that most times to physically barge into their houses, or locking up a tweet as Akbar, a prominent newspaper sexual harassment is committed behind those close to critics as a kind of blackmail. editor turned politician. closed doors ... Most of the women who In late December, a Chinese activist, who She alleged that he had called her to his suffer abuse can’t often speak up due to retweeted a video of ‘ink girl’ Dong Yaoqiang, has hotel bedroom for a job interview 20 years stigma and attack on their character,” the been charged with “inciting subversion of state pow- ago and behaved inappropriately. court said. er”, an offence punishable by life imprisonment. 06 Thursday, February 18, 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

Biden Is Making A Big Push Against Child Poverty. Coronavirus May Not But For How Long? resident Joe Biden wants Con- is almost $110 billion, by the Joint Be Able To Mutate gress to take an open-the-spigots Tax Committee’s estimates. And as Papproach to the COVID-19 pan- the Tax Policy Center notes, the IRS demic, spending almost $1.9 trillion doesn’t have a system in place today on a slew of efforts to beat the disease, to pay monthly benefits, unlike, say, help desperate households and busi- the Social Security Administration or nesses, fill yawning gaps in state and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Beyond Control local budgets and pump up the econ- But the potential payoff is a sharp de- omy. The COVID relief bill advanc- crease in poverty, and particularly in ing through the House would also child poverty, according to an analy- provide targeted help to low-income sis by the Niskanen Center, a moder- New research suggests that there may be limits to how many tricks the coronavirus Americans and families with chil- ate-to-libertarian think tank. has up its sleeve — and that may make it easier for vaccines to keep up dren, potentially making a big dent in The bill would also extend and poverty in this country. improve the earned income tax cred- The attention to those at the it, which Congress created in 1975 Faye Flam bottom of the economic ladder is to give low-wage earners a bigger fi- Tribune News Service welcome, given that the miseries of nancial reward for working. In addi- the pandemic were felt more deeply tion to making the credit available to t’s been about a year since the early coro- by poor Americans than prosper- more low-income people — particu- navirus alarms were raised, and despite a ous ones. COVID-19 reversed years larly single, childless teens and young decline in infections, new fears are rising of slow but steady progress against adults — it would raise the maximum up. New COVID-19 variants are making pes- poverty in the United States; accord- benefit for single, childless workers simists worry that an even bigger next wave ing to researchers at Columbia Uni- from about $500 to a little more than Imay be coming. versity, the poverty rate rose from $1,500. That provision is expected to It’s true that the virus is mutating in ways 15% in February 2020 to almost 17% cost more than $26 billion. more profound than biologists anticipated last in September. But there’s one impor- These are sensible steps that tar- summer. But new research also suggests that tant caveat about the Biden plan and get aid to where it’s needed most, and there may be limits to how many tricks the coro- the House bill implementing it: Most they would make a real difference in navirus has up its sleeve — and that may make it of the anti-poverty provisions would millions of Americans’ lives even if easier for vaccines to keep up. expire after one year. the aid expires after one year. But en- If scientists have been somewhat blindsided The exception is the proposal to trenched, intergenerational poverty by the variants, it’s because they hadn’t fully re- more than double the federal mini- will still plague this country after the alized the way the coronavirus tends to mutate mum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, pandemic is gone. Congress should — in a way that’s distinct from influenza or HIV. which the Congressional Budget start work now on a permanent This virus has a talent for shape-shifting by drop- Office projects would lift 900,000 version of the poverty-fighting tax ping pieces of its genetic code. An image from a microscope shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (TNS) people’s incomes above the poverty changes in the Biden plan. Early on, a few scientists observed these line. It’s long past time for Congress Lawmakers have floated a num- so-called deletion mutations by studying virus the early fall when he was asked about some of ing vaccinated. When were they exposed, and to raise the federal minimum, which ber of potential ways to do that. samples from patients with compromised im- the deletions found in a patient. “I started look- did they have high or low levels of the virus in has languished at $7.25 an hour for One example: Republican Sen. Mitt mune systems. Such patients can be crucibles ing at all these genomic sequences of SARS- their bodies? This fight requires that all scien- more than a decade. (California’s Romney of Utah has proposed con- for viral evolution, because the virus survives CoV-2 that had been deposited from all over tists working to understand the virus have all minimum is $13 and will rise to $15 solidating several anti-poverty pro- in their cells for months, making copies of it- the world in a public database,” he said. “And I the data they need. in 2023.) But that proposal could die grams into larger tax credits for low- self all the while. started finding additional examples.” But from what they’ve learned so far, it in the Senate, where Republicans and income workers and families with The mutations that scientists were observing The deletions can allow viral proteins to doesn’t appear that the new variants mean the a handful of moderate Democrats children. By also eliminating the fed- in individual patients were essentially the same change their shapes in ways that could evade pandemic will never end. McCarthy thinks SARS- argue that such a large increase in eral tax deduction for state and local as those now seen in the new variants. Molecu- both the proofreading mechanism and the hu- CoV-2 may not be able to mutate itself in infinite the minimum wage would cause too taxes, Romney’s proposal would be lar biologist Kevin McCarthy of the University of man immune system. That’s what people are ways that make it better at infecting people and many entry-level jobs to be lost. deficit neutral. And by the Niskanen Pittsburgh, who analyzed mutations in immune- worried about, McCarthy explained. The first evading antibodies. So far, scientists have been By contrast, there’s bipartisan Center’s estimates, it would lift even compromised patients, found this eye-opening. new variant that made big news — the B.1.1.7 seeing the same deletions cropping up again and support for modifying the tax code more people out of poverty than “Evolution in that patient, in some ways, fore- variant that spread so fast in the U.K. — has two again. “The virus was telling us that it was evolv- and child welfare programs to do Biden’s proposal. shadowed what the virus was going to do all over of these deletions. ing in a certain way for a certain reason,” he said. more to combat poverty. The budget Although lawmakers may not the world,” he said. B.1.1.7’s big advantage seems to be an in- At this point, new changes are appearing reconciliation bill approved by the want to make the specific trade-offs McCarthy’s group published its findings ear- creased ability to transmit between people. It’s independently in different places — so-called House Ways and Means Committee Romney proposes, he’s on the right lier this month in Science. Another group of re- also a basic principle of evolution that the more convergent evolution — and it could be that the last week, which implements the tax- track in terms of making anti-pov- searchers published a similar comparison in De- that humans produce antibodies to a virus — be- number of possible changes is limited. related parts of Biden’s COVID relief erty programs sustainable as well as cember in the New England Journal of Medicine. cause they’ve been infected before or because A year ago, some people thought the course plan, would do both in worthwhile simpler, easier to administer, more Last spring and summer, scientists had they’ve been vaccinated — the greater will be of the pandemic could be foretold according to and at times novel ways. widely available and more effective. considered SARS-CoV-2 to be somewhat mu- the advantage for any new variant that can elude simple formulas. As the complexities of the coro- The tax code currently includes a It’s also important to shift away from tation-averse, because it contains a molecular those antibodies. navirus have become apparent, scientists have child tax credit of up to $2,000, but multiple programs targeted to dif- proofreading mechanism. When a mutated vi- Penn State University evolutionary biologist grown less confident in their predictions. But only a portion of that is “refundable,” ferent needs — child care, housing, rus replicates, this mechanism corrects it. Hu- Andrew Read likens this to the introduction of that also means there’s no reason to assume the or available even if you pay less than health care, etc. — to broader cash man cells and those of other animals have vari- new predators on an island. The animals already pandemic will never go away. that amount in taxes. So the full ben- benefits that let low-income Ameri- ous such proofreading systems to allow them there either die or adapt — by growing shells, by efit doesn’t go to the people who need cans spend the aid where it’s most to replicate without too many errors. Influenza climbing or burrowing, or by acquiring the ability (Faye Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion it the most. The House bill would fix useful to them. viruses and HIV do not — which is one reason to fight back. If the coronavirus develops an anti- columnist and host of the podcast that, making the credit fully refund- Congress is moving fast on those viruses continue to evolve too fast for a vaccine strategy, we will need a counter strategy. “Follow the Science.” She has written for able, raising it significantly and, po- Biden’s plan to address COVID-19. single vaccine. That could mean upgrading the existing vac- the Economist, the New York Times, the tentially most helpfully, advancing But after that work is done, it needs to However, it turns out that the coronavirus’s cines so that they induce a broader range of anti- Washington Post, Psychology Today, it to eligible families in the form of keep its focus on poverty to make sure proofreader lets one type of mutation through: bodies. It also might help to give people different Science and other publications. Listen to monthly payments. the lifelines offered this year aren’t a section of missing genetic code. So the virus is vaccines for their first and second doses — an ap- Flam’s “Follow the Science” podcast on It’s not cheap — the price tag yanked away in 2022. able to eject sections of code and still replicate — proach that needs to be tested in clinical trials. coronavirus shape-shifting, available on and still get transmitted to other people. McCarthy would like to see more data on the Spotify, iTunes or wherever (Tribune News service) McCarthy says he came to appreciate this in patients who have gotten COVID-19 despite be- you get your podcasts) Was Myanmar’s Coup Legal? And Does It Matter? For most of Myanmar’s modern history, the law has been shaped by the army’s power and interests rather than the other way around

Sebastian Strangio executive, and judicial power was lurch back to military rule. the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Tribune News Service transferred to Commander-in- To a great extent, the legality Procedure, and proposed a new cy- Chief Min Aung Hlaing for a period of the coup is beside the point. For ber security law that will tighten its hortly after Myanmar’s of one year, so that the claims of most of Myanmar’s modern his- control over the internet. military, or Tatmadaw, seized voter fraud could be properly in- tory, the law has been shaped by the However, the legality of the coup Spower in a coup at the start of vestigated. “Unless this problem military’s power and interests rather is relevant in one important respect: the month, there was much discus- is resolved,” the military said in a than the other way around. The Con- the prospect that it could affect the sion about the legality of the army’s statement shortly after the takeo- stitution, after all, was drafted by an outside world’s perceptions of the seizure of power and abrogation of ver, “it will obstruct the path to de- unelected military junta and forced coup. Could a mirage of constitu- the result of national elections held mocracy and it must therefore be through a deeply flawed referendum tionality offer Western governments in November. The question seemed resolved according to the law.” in 2008, and preserves for the Tat- a legalistic pretext for re-engage- pertinent insofar as the new junta The coup was thus rendered as madaw a central place in Myanmar’s ment, on the grounds that a return and its leader, Sen. Gen. Min Aung a necessary interregnum that would politics – including the power to take to the status quo ante is possible and Hlaing, claimed that the military ultimately help preserve the con- charge during states of emergency. desirable? At this stage, it seems that takeover was carried out in con- stitutional order within which the It is therefore a document that few Western governments have ac- formity with – indeed, in defense of limited political opening of the past reflects the preferences of the mili- cepted the military’s tortured legal – the country’s 2008 Constitution. decade has taken place. In order to the Constitution requires. was declared unlawfully. tary, rather than limiting them. As arguments, but in time, if economic The junta’s argument ran as safeguard Myanmar’s democracy, it Furthermore, the decision to It’s reasonable to ask whether Melissa Crouch of the University of sanctions and other diplomatic follows: the election of November was necessary to suspend it. declare a state of emergency was any of this matters. One can easily New South Wales, an expert on My- measures fail to weaken the army’s 8 was stained by large-scale voter As many observers quickly made not by President Win Myint, imagine a scenario in which the con- anmar’s Constitution, put it, “The hold on power, it could conceivably fraud, which the Union Election pointed out, this argument was as required under Articles 417 and stitution was written in such a way Constitution matters, except when it play into the equation. Commission was unwilling to inves- faulty on several grounds. The mili- 418, but by a newly appointed vice that the current actions of the Tat- applies to the military.” For now, the most pressing le- tigate, or actively colluded in. This tary provided no evidence of voter president, retired general Myint madaw were technically legal. That Recent history shows that when gal question is whether we will see threatened to destabilize the nation, fraud, undercutting its claim that Swe, after Win Myint had been would do little to convince most the military’s interests change, the amendments to the Constitution necessitating the acting president to the country was threatened by “cir- detained and forced to relinquish international observers of the legiti- law tends to follow suit. This has aimed at the retroactive confirma- declare a state of emergency pursu- cumstances which may cause loss his office. Thus, even if there had macy of the coup, nor the millions been borne out by the tweaking and tion of the military’s new position ant to Article 417 of the Constitution. of sovereignty or disintegration of been legal grounds for the decla- of people who have poured into reshaping of laws since the coup. The of control, if and when it stages a re- Under Article 418, legislative, national solidarity,” as Article 417 of ration of a state of emergency, it the streets to protest Myanmar’s new junta has introduced changes to turn to electoral politics.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Thursday, February 18, 2021 07 NATO chief asks defense ministers to dig deep for deterrence

dpa ideas Stoltenberg is present- “As Germany, we have be beefed up, while the latter President Joe Biden reviews Brussels ing to ministers for initial de- a major interest in driving is awaiting an official decision the policy course set out by his bate at Wednesday’s meeting, forward this process in the about whether to withdraw in- predecessor Donald Trump. NATO Secretary Gener- the first gathering since the coming weeks and months,” ternational troops by the end But for Kramp-Karrenbau- al Jens Stoltenberg is asking change of administrations in she said. of April as per an agreement er - whose country provides the alliance’s defence minis- the United States. If the proposals go down with the Taliban. 1,100 of the roughly 10,000 ters on Wednesday to throw The investment drive well, they could be adopted by Due to persistent high lev- NATO and partner-country more cash into the pot for would also help balance costs the NATO leaders at a summit els of violence, the alliance troops in Afghanistan - it is shared deterrence and defense among the allies, according to this year, though a date has not seems poised to stay put in clear what allies should do. activities as part of a long-term Stoltenberg, a frequent bone yet been set. Afghanistan, with Stoltenberg “We can already say reform plan. of contention between the big- Kramp-Karrenbauer also arguing that the Taliban has that we’re not in a position The boost would support spending US and other allies, welcomed the first meeting failed to stick to their side of to talk about the planned allied deployments in the Rus- notably Germany. The thorny with her new US counter- the peace deal. withdrawal of international sian-facing eastern flank of the topic of burden-sharing is also part, Secretary of Defense This risks confrontation forces in Afghanistan on 30 30-member bloc, air policing, on the agenda at the meeting. Lloyd Austin: “We all see a big with the radical Islamist group, April,” she said. marine deployments and joint Briefly before the start of chance for a new start in trans- which has already threatened Peace talks are under manoeuvres, according to the talks, Berlin’s Defence Minister atlantic relations.” On Thurs- reprisals if the withdrawal way but are not so advanced alliance head. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer day, discussions are to turn to doesn’t go ahead. as to allow for the departure The proposal is part of a said she welcomed the ideas NATO’s Iraq and Afghanistan A formal decision is not of troops, Kramp-Karren- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels recently. (afp) broader package of reform without going into closer detail. missions. The former is due to expected this week, as US bauer said. European Court of Human Rights British virus strain orders Russia to release Navalny

dpa spreading rapidly in Strasbourg, France Russia must release dissident Alexei Navalny immediately, ordered the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday, though initial re- Germany, warns minister sponses indicate Moscow is un- likely to comply. dpa The court said it had con- Berlin sidered the danger to Navalny’s life when it made its decision A more infectious strain of the to grant the request, which was coronavirus first discovered in made by the Kremlin critic’s Britain is spreading rapidly in lawyer. These are granted only Germany, Health Minister Jens rarely, and in cases of imminent Spahn warned in Berlin on danger or irreparable harm. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny looking from inside a glass Wednesday. However, according to cell during a court hearing in Moscow on Tuesday. (afp) The variant, known by the Russia’s Interfax news agency, scientific name B117, now ac- the vice chairman of the Du- The ECHR, based in Stras- agent poisoning and receiving counts for over 22 per cent of ma’s legal committee, Mikhail bourg, is part of the Council treatment in Germany, Nav- infections in the country, as Emelianov, said Russia was of Europe, which together alny returned to Russia in mid- opposed to almost 6 per cent unlikely to comply, referring work to protect human rights January and was immediately less than two weeks ago, Spahn to the country’s new constitu- in their 47 member states, in- arrested. He has since been said, citing data from the na- tion, which puts the country’s cluding Russia. It is not linked sentenced to a multi-year pris- tion’s agency for disease con- national interests above inter- to the European Union. on term on charges of violating trol, the Robert Koch Institute national law. After surviving a nerve parole for a fraud conviction. (RKI). “We must assume that the variant could soon become dominant here too,” the minis- ter told reporters. Britain to intentionally infect people The percentage of cases re- sulting from that strain is said with coronavirus in first such study to be doubling every week. The variant is reportedly 35 percent dpa in which healthy people are ex- tem responds to the virus and more contagious than earlier London posed to a pathogen, have been identify factors that influence coronavirus forms. used in the past, for example, in how an infected person trans- Another 1.5 percent of cases A walker passes by chairs and tables put together in front of a cafe in Munich, southern Germany, on In order to gain a better un- the development of flu or ma- mits the virus. are caused by the South African Wednesday. (AFP) derstanding of the coronavirus, laria vaccines. The results will play a key mutation, Spahn added. a British study will intention- The ministry particularly role in the development of vac- According to the RKI, 4,071 tested positive in connection more dangerous coronavirus are believed to be widespread. ally infect participants with the encouraged young and healthy cines, the statement said, add- suspected cases of the Brit- with the outbreak, of which mutations. Those include Britain, Por- pathogen, the Department for people to sign up for the pro- ing that in follow-up studies, ish variant have been reported three are said to have caught The way out of the lock- tugal, Brazil and South Africa, Business, Energy and Indus- ject, which is set to start in the participants could be exposed to since the start of the year until the more contagious British down must be forged “with par- as well as neighbouring Czech trial Strategy announced on coming weeks, after it received the virus after being vaccinated February 15, while 347 suspect- variant. ticular care,” Spahn said. Republic and the Austrian re- Wednesday. approval from Britain’s clinical with a new substance. ed cases of the South African The people in isolation were The closure of restaurants, gion of Tyrol. The study would be the trials ethics body. This approach to testing variant have been recorded so employees at the factory and high-street retailers and other These rules amount to an world’s first “human challenge” “The safety of volunteers is vaccines has the advantage far. their relatives, a city spokesper- facilities deemed non-essential entry ban for the vast major- study on the novel coronavirus, paramount, which means this that efficacy can be tested com- The German government son said. was recently extended in large ity of people from those places, it said. virus characterisation study will paratively efficiently. The usual recently boosted resources to Production at the factory part until March 7, although with exceptions for German na- Up to 90 volunteers be- initially use the version of the vi- procedure, on the other hand, laboratories for sequencing has been suspended until at state administrations have tionals and foreign residents in tween the ages of 18 and 30 rus that has been circulating in involves vaccinating tens of work in order to get a clearer least February 26. been given the go-ahead to send Germany, as well as some key “will be exposed to COVID-19 in the UK since March 2020 and thousands of people and com- picture of the spread of corona- Germany is currently under children back to school sooner. workers and hauliers. a safe and controlled environ- has been shown to be of low risk pare infection rates with an un- virus variants in the country. a months-long lockdown that Spahn said this meant that the The restrictions were also ment to increase understanding in young healthy adults,” the vaccinated control group. On Wednesday, around has brought down infection situation would be closely mon- extended this week until at least of how the virus affects people,” statement said. However, “human chal- 1,000 people were placed in rates considerably this year. itored on a daily basis. March 3. it said in a statement. Participants would be mon- lenge” studies are controversial. quarantine after a mass corona- However, Chancellor An- Meanwhile, Germany has So far, 2.3 million people The participants would itored by doctors and research- The German Association of Re- virus outbreak at an ice cream gela Merkel and other top gov- introduced tough border re- are known to have caught the not be vaccinated beforehand, ers 24 hours a day and receive a search-Based Pharmaceutical factory in the German city of ernment officials have said it is strictions targeting over a doz- coronavirus in Germany, of a ministry spokesperson said compensation. Companies (vfa), for example, Osnabrueck. too early to ease restrictions, en countries and regions where whom 66,164 died, according upon request. The aim of the study is to had rejected such tests as un- Until now, 210 people have pointing to the threat posed by dangerous variants of the virus to the latest RKI tallies. “Human challenge” trials, find out how the immune sys- ethical in the fall.

Britain’s 99-year-old Prince Symbol of failure Trump Plaza implodes in Atlantic City Philip admitted to hospital dpa balloon. City, masquerading as progress. dpa Atlantic City And so it was that the Donald The casino itself has been closed London Trump era, at least in Atlantic City, since September 16, 2014, when it The congregation gathered early on where it remains an endlessly debated became the fourth casino to close in one Britain’s Prince Philip, Wednesday at the Ducktown Tavern reign of brass and celebrity, boxing and year in Atlantic City. the 99-year-old husband of to deliver last rites for Trump Plaza, bankruptcy, a dubious domination of a The crowd on Wednesday wasn’t Queen Elizabeth II, was ad- the once gilded, later decrepit former town that bloated to four casinos, then quite what local officials originally mitted to hospital after “feel- casino built by former President Donald shrank to none, was finally put to rest, imagined when they dreamed up a ing unwell,” according to a Trump. 39 stories of rubble, a definitive demise. high-profile auction to ceremonially statement from Buckingham In its final incarnation, 19 seconds The old guard turned out to watch, “push the button” to start the implosion, Palace on Wednesday. of deliberate destruction, Trump Plaza like the Dougherty’s, who watched from originally scheduled to cheekily follow Philip was taken to took its place alongside Atlantic City’s the roof of their Dock’s Oyster House, a the inauguration by about a week. London’s King Edward VII most iconic symbols of failure, imploded century-old classic on Atlantic Avenue Bids rose to 175,000 dollars, to Hospital on Tuesday evening during an Ash on Wednesday breakfast that has outlasted many an Atlantic City benefit the city’s Boys & Girls Club. as “a precautionary measure” hour, followed by the after party. The former Trump Plaza hotel and casino casino and hotel, including two prior People joked about who could come to and is expected to remain there From the beach, where several hun- is seen before been imploded in Atlantic implosions: the Traymore in 1972 and town to bear witness: Stormy Daniels? “for a few days of observation dred gathered, the Plaza’s 9:07 am final City, New Jersey on Wednesday. (afp) the Sands in 2007. Hillary Clinton? But Carl Icahn, the bil- and rest,” the palace said. File photo of Britain’s Prince death rattle thudded against the sand Over at Caesars, high rollers were of- lionaire who took control of the Plaza out Philip, who is also known Philip. (AFP) until the main tower, already stripped into itself. It looked like a melting slot fered champagne in 299 dollars a night of bankruptcy in 2015, objected to any as the duke of Edinburgh, is the of its parts and exterior walls, a house of machine. rooms. implosion spectacle, and instead made a oldest and the longest-serving health, though in 2007 it was cards draped in black netting, begging The Atlantic Ocean took no notice. People gathered on the beach, on personal donation of 175,000 dollars to consort in British history, de- revealed he had been suffering for years to be put out of its misery, dis- Tony Andaloro, a day one food cap- parking garage rooftops, and at One the Boys and Girls Club. The date of the scribed by the 94-year-old from a heart condition for 15 appeared from the Boardwalk skyline. tain, pointed out where he had worked: Atlantic, a nearby wedding venue that implosion, executed by Haines & Kibble- queen as her “constant strength years. In 2011-12, he was ad- About a dozen interior blasts the nouveau French restaurant named juts out into the ocean on a pier, where house Inc., was moved to the less-than- and guide.” He has attended mitted to hospital three times, silenced the crowd - which had pass- for Trump’s first wife, Ivana, a view people who had successfully bid (about spectacle hour of 9 am, on a seemingly few engagements with the once for his heart condition ing the time reminiscing about sex in quickly replaced by a cloud of dust. 600 dollars) on ten pairs of VIP seats sat random Wednesday in February. queen since announcing his re- and twice for a recurrent blad- Plaza bathrooms among other memo- “It was the best job I ever had in at little tables behind glass. The city tried to convince people tirement from most public du- der infection. ries - followed by a low rumble out over A.C.,” said Andaloro, who watched from But in the end, whatever anyone’s to pay 10 dollars to park at Bader Field ties in May 2017. Downing Street said British the Boardwalk, and then the collapse: behind police fencing on the beach at feeling about Trump or the Plaza, and watch from cars, across the water. For most of his life the Prime Boris Johnson sends his the rear first, and then the front pent- Georgia Avenue. Nearby, Larry Kang, impeachment or implosion, it was what About a hundred cars took them up on prince has enjoyed good “best wishes” to the prince. house levels finally falling backwards of Queens, held a small baby Trump it was: another new empty lot in Atlantic their offer. Global energy demand to go up 24% by 2050: Sentyurin page 10

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Pvt firms vital to speed up economic recovery: QICCA QICCA webinar aims to raise corporate awareness of firms that supports economic growth Tribune News Network Doha

Arab economies attach spe- cial importance to compa- nies of the private sector as The headquarters of QLM in Doha. they play a pivotal role in advancing economic growth, Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitra- QLM’s net profit tion (QICCA) Board Member for International Relations Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali Al rises 12.8% to Thani has said. Speaking during a webinar entitled ‘Business Recovery & QR98 mn in 2020 Resilience for Qatari Enter- prises’ held by QICCA in coop- Tribune News Network eration with Badael Business Doha Solutions on Tuesday, Sheikh Thani said that the speed of QLM Life Medical Insurance economic recovery depends Company (QLM) on Wednes- mainly on the ability of com- day announced its financial panies to resume their usual results for the year 2020. activities and to establish The Gross Written Premium programmes to enhance pro- for the year remains stable at ductivity and promote com- QR1 bn compared to 1.02 bn petitiveness and involve them for 2019. QLM reported a net in the development plans profit of QR98.05 million for of the state. 2020 as compared to QR86.87 Companies and business million for 2019, achieving a QLM CEO Fahad Mohammed Al institutions faced a sharp Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration Board Member for International Relations Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali Al Thani and other digni- growth of 12.8 percent. Suwaidi decline in revenues and ac- taries take part in a webinar entitled ‘Business Recovery & Resilience for Qatari Enterprises’ recently. The earnings per share tivities during the crisis of (EPS) amounted to QR0.28 automate processes and de- COVID-19 pandemic, he said Sheikh Thani stressed that the state, affirming that it would covery and resilience. as against QR0.25 per share liver a seamless experience to adding out that this prompt- pandemic has caused great Badael in cooperation be beneficial for all institu- Fahad Al Zumai, associ- in 2019. our insured members.” ed governments to take meas- difficulties for companies to with QICCA would tions, especially SMEs. ate professor at College of The financial results were “The company is well-posi- ures to help companies over- implement their contractual introduce the ‘Business The panelists included Law, Kuwait University and approved by the board of tioned and has a robust capi- come the negative impacts obligations as a case of force Resilience Index’ to Minas Khatchadourian, Legal adviser to the World Bank, directors in a meeting pre- tal base and recently has been of the crisis. majeure or an emergency. Counsel of the Qatar Interna- spoke about laws resulting sided over by QLM Chairman rated ‘A negative’ with a stable “In view of the interest of To solve these legal dif- concerned entities in tional Center for Conciliation from COVID-19 regulation Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid bin outlook by Standard &Poor’s, countries to monitor the activ- ficulties, he said, it is neces- the state that would be and Arbitration (QICCA), who and its impact on Kuwaiti Hamad Al Thani. based on its stand-alone fi- ity of emerging companies as a sary to establish mechanisms beneficial for all outlined avoiding commercial companies, while Abdullah Commenting on the fi- nancial strength. We have a key driver of sustainable eco- that allow contractors to ne- institutions disputes by using alternative Al Suwaidi, associate pro- nancial results, QLM CEO well carved out strategy and nomic diversification, many gotiate and review contract means, while Khalid Al-Mana, fessor at College of Busi- Fahad Mohammed Al Suwaidi are confident of exceeding the companies sought to survive terms or suspend the imple- executive director of business ness and Economics, Qatar stated, “QLM benefits from its expectation of all the stake- during the crisis by provid- mentation of obligations for a Alfaqeeh noted that the finance of at Qatar Develop- University and an expert in indigenous expertise in pro- holders,” Suwaidi said. ing fast e-commerce solu- specific period. webinar aims to raise corpo- ment Bank (QDB), delivered operations management and viding end to end health and To pursue its objectives of tions or setting up quick com- Badeal for Business So- rate awareness of companies a presentation on ‘Current supply chain, highlighted life insurance solutions with providing valuable and afford- munication platforms with lutions Executive Director that may contribute to recov- Business Models and the Fu- the strategic transformation unmatched in-house capabili- able insurance protection to their customers, but some Ahmed Alfaqeeh said that the ery, stability, and sustain- ture of SMEs’. for the supply chain ties and an unrivalled provid- residents and citizens as well as of them stumbled as a result webinar is an extension of the ability of businesses. Gamar Leadership Group management. er network which provides a to generate new channels of rev- of changing circumstances guideline that was launched Alfaqeeh also noted that CEO and Teacher of Adaptive Pemandu Associates Man- strong base for the company enue, the company has planned and inability to fulfill of their in October 2020, which dealt Badael in cooperation with Leadership at Harvard Adel aging Directors and Partner to offer best in class services. to enter the retail segment and obligations,” he said. with the most important is- QICCA would introduce the Gamar explored the role of Larvin Rengasamy spoke QLM is continuously innovat- shall soon be launching individ- Highlighting the legal sues related to recovery and ‘Business Resilience Index’ adaptive leadership and ca- about managing business ing to leverage technology to ual life and medical products. challenges facing companies, resilience of businesses. to concerned entities in the pacity building in business re- during and after the crisis.

Emerging markets at risk of cyberattacks as COVID-19 drives digital growth

Tribune News Network tacks, the report said. In May it was reported that In a sign of growing concern, 55 Doha One sector to have experienced Tokopedia, Indonesia’s largest percent said they would increase a sharp increase in cyberthreats e-commerce platform, had been their cyber budget moving forward, The coronavirus pandemic has is education, due to the uptick hacked, with the details of 91m us- while 51 percent said they would helped drive the rapid growth of in remote learning over the past ers leaked online. Shortly after this, add dedicated, full-time cybersecu- digital solutions. While this has 12 months. Bhinneka, one of Tokopedia’s e- rity staff, even though nearly two- enabled a number of positive devel- According to research from cy- commerce rivals, announced it had thirds thought revenues were set opments, it has also exposed many bersecurity provider Kaspersky, in also been the victim of a cyberat- to decline. Meanwhile, one half of sectors to a heightened threat of cy- the second half of last year the num- tack, with hackers gaining access to respondents said that cybersecurity berattacks, Oxford Business Group ber of threats disguised as popular 1.2 million accounts. or privacy measures were now in- (OBG) has said in its latest report. learning platforms increased by 60 In a sign of the how widespread corporated into every business de- As lockdowns and curfews were percent relative to the first half of cyberthreats are in the region, a re- cision or plan, up from 25 percent introduced around the world to the year. port from data security company just a year ago. stop the spread of COVID-19, vari- There have also been a num- Trend Micro found that 80 percent On top of business-level solu- ous aspects of daily life shifted on- ber of high-profile hacks in remote of Asia-Pacific organisations had tions, a number of governments line, the report said. management systems over the past suffered a cyberattack last year. have also sought to bolster online In many countries, digital edu- year. In the US state of Florida, for Meanwhile, in the Middle East, security. In light of the sharp rise cation platforms were introduced instance, officials in the town of the UAE experienced a 250 percent in attacks in Indonesia, the govern- to ensure that students could con- Oldsmar reported in early Febru- increase in attacks, according to ment worked on a Personal Data tinue their studies while adher- ary that a hacker had gained ac- government officials, with financial Protection Bill in 2020. ing to social distancing guidelines. cess to the city’s water system and services firms and hospitals among Based on the EU’s General Data Similarly, there was a boom in attempted to mix the dangerous The exponential growth in digital solutions has opened up more industries to the the most targeted. Protection Regulation, the bill that telemedicine solutions, with in- chemical sodium hydroxide into threat of cyberattacks. The scale and high-profile na- has yet to be ratified into law in- novations that allow doctors to re- the water flow. ture of many cyberattacks, com- cludes proposals that would make motely assess patients becoming Meanwhile, in December the While it ultimately did not delay or mobile money market – accounting bined with an increased reliance it illegal to collect consumer data increasingly popular. European Medicines Agency, the compromise the vaccine-approval for around half of all cyberattacks on digital technology, has ulti- without permission, and requires Perhaps more dramatic was EU body that assesses and regu- process, this attack nevertheless on the continent. mately led to a rise in cybersecurity companies to inform consumers if the exponential growth in digital lates medicines, announced that it raised concerns about the poten- Similarly, Indonesia – South- awareness. their details have been hacked. payments, as consumers sought had been targeted in a cyberattack. tially catastrophic effects of cyber- east Asia’s largest digital economy, In fact, PwC’s Global Digital Elsewhere, in late January, the to avoid person-to-person con- During the hack, documents from security breaches. worth an estimated $44 billion– Trust Insights 2021, a survey of state-owned Saudi Telecom Com- tact when paying for many goods US pharmaceutical company Pfizer While cybersecurity is a truly has been a major target for hackers. more than 3000 business, tech- pany announced the creation of a and services. and its German counterpart BioN- global concern, such attacks pose a Between January and October last nology and security executives new firm dedicated to providing While these developments have Tech, the producers of a leading particularly grave threat in emerg- year, the country experienced a six- based around the world, found advanced cybersecurity services. been key to maintaining some form COVID-19 vaccine, were accessed. ing markets. In Kenya, cyberattacks fold increase in cyberattacks, with that 96 percent of respondents The 1.5-TB platform will aim to of continuity during the pandemic, The hack came just weeks be- rose by 125 percent year-on-year in some of its leading e-commerce had changed or were intending to prevent cyberattacks, while also they have also opened up more in- fore the vaccine was ultimately the second half of 2020, with the firms finding themselves in the change their cybersecurity strate- providing services to protect public dustries to the threat of cyberat- approved by the regulatory body. country – home to Africa’s largest firing line. gies due to COVID-19. and private sector companies. Thursday, February 18, 2021 09 Economy & Business Despite odds, Qatar’s real estate sales market remained buoyant in Q4 October and November saw an increase in the number of real estate transactions by 42 percent compared to the same months in 2019

Tribune News Network timely boost to Qatar’s hospitality Doha sector – although COVID-19 restric- tions will delay the return of visi- Despite unusual market con- tors. Before the introduction of the ditions, Qatar’s real estate sales blockade, tourism from within the market remained buoyant in the GCC contributed almost 50 percent fourth quarters of 2020, according of all arrivals to Qatar. to Cushman and Wakefield Qatar (CWQ). Retail Market October and November saw an Retailers benefitted from the full increase in the number of real estate re-opening of retail malls in Q4 fol- transactions by 42 percent com- lowing six months of restrictions. pared to the same months in 2019, While social distancing and other the report said, citing Planning and safety measures remained in place, Statistics Authority (PSA). footfall increased significantly to- As Qatar entered the fourth wards the end of the year. phase of the lifting of COVID-19 re- Demand for retail space in Qa- lated restrictions in Q4, most busi- tar is dominated by food and bever- ness activity started to return, albeit age operators, and small businesses with strict social distancing and pre- looking for kiosk space. Traditional ventative measures, such as mask- fashion retailers have generally wearing, in place. been reluctant to lease additional Restrictions on travel into Qatar accommodation throughout 2020, remain tight, with those arriving ob- as the COVID-19 pandemic reduced ligated to quarantine either in des- footfall in malls and has accelerated ignated ‘Quarantine Hotels’, or at the global trend towards on-line home. shopping. Real estate development contin- While some retail malls contin- ued at a fast pace in Q4, the report ue to perform well, the significant said, adding that notable develop- increase in supply since 2015 has ment projects, including Commer- resulted in an increase in vacancy cial Boulevard and Katara Twin in some malls as the market reached Towers in Lusail are now substan- saturation point. tially complete ahead of the FIFA In early 2020 occupancy rates in World Cup, which kicks off in less Qatar’s main retail malls had fallen than two years. to an average of 83 percent. The Cabinet Resolution No(28) of enforced closure of retail malls due 2020 officially confirmed the -in to the COVID-19 pandemic has in- troduction of new zones where creased vacancy rates further in Q4 non-Qataris can own real estate. In as retailers struggled to deal with response to the increasing demand Notable development projects, including Commercial Boulevard and Katara Twin Towers in Lusail (pictures) are now substantially complete ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the interruption to their businesses. for real estate ownership from non- which kicks off in less than two years. Overall organised retail space Qataris, the Ministry of Justice and in Qatar amounts to approximately Ministry of Interior set up a desig- and travel. As we move beyond the residential sales market in recent Monthly rents for two-bedroom The most recently released sta- 1.5 million sq m. There is currently nated office in The Pearl-Qatar in pandemic, the establishment of the months. This has been most notable apartments on the Pearl-Qatar are tistics from the NTC show that COV- about 1.3 million sq m of gross leas- October that registers non-Qatari Qatar Free Zone Authority is expect- in Lusail where apartments in the Al now typically between QR9,500 ID-19 lockdown measures severely able retail space in Doha’s 18 larg- real estate ownership ed to help attract inward investment Erkyah and Yasmeen districts have and QR12,000, while rents for two- impacted hotel performance from est destination malls. The proposed and boost demand for office space. seen an increasing volume of sales. bedroom units in Al Sadd typically March of 2020, after a promising opening of new developments in Office market The combination of new supply, Demand for real estate sales has range from QR5,000 to QR6,500. start to the year. Despite an increase 2020, including Doha Mall, has Cushman and Wakefield esti- and a lack of new demand continued been boosted by expatriate purchas- rents for two-bedroom apartments in year-on-year tourist arrivals by been delayed due to the COVID-19 mates that overall office supply in to put downward pressure on office ers, who can take advantage of the in Fox Hills, Lusail now range from 32 percent in January and February, pandemic. We expect supply to in- Doha is approaching 5 million sq m, rents in 2020. new ownership laws. QR6,000 to QR7,500 per month. year-to-date arrivals had fallen by crease considerably in 2021. Ap- of which almost 50 percent is situ- Prime office accommodation, The laws provide owners with The increase in new supply has 63 percent by the end of September. proximately 575,000 sq m of new ated in the prime districts of Lusail, such as ‘CAT A’ and ‘fitted’ office the permanent residency card privi- resulted in additional choice for ten- Overall, Qatar’s hotel occupancy retail space is currently at various West Bay, and Msheireb. space in West Bay is typically avail- leges for property investment above ants. Professionally managed apart- rates reached 69 percent in Febru- stages of construction and fit-out. The most significant increase able for between QR100 and QR40 QR3,650,000 and the benefit of a ment buildings with onsite facilities ary 2020, underscoring the improv- Outside of the main organised in new office supply over the past per sqm per month exclusive of ser- residency permit without a spon- management are usually favoured ing performance in the tourism retail malls, outdoor destinations year has been in Lusail, both in the vice charges. sor for those spending more than ahead of individually owned units. sector; however, the introduction including Souq Waqif, Katara Cul- Marina District and in Energy City. Prime office suites in Lusail re- QR730,000. Qatar’s residential real estate of lockdown measures resulted in tural Village, Medina Centrale, and Office supply in Lusail now tops main available at lower rents that The release of apartments in Lu- market will be influenced by host- an immediate drop to 55 percent in La Croisette provide more than 600,000 sq m. their equivalent in West Bay, al- sail for prices between QR800,000 ing the FIFA World Cup in 2022. March. While the government uti- 230,000 sq m of leasable space. There has been a noticeable shift though as absorption in Lusail in- and QR1,800,000 are typically The Supreme Committee for Deliv- lised several hotels for quarantine Al Furjan markets continued to be in corporate office demand towards creases, we expect this gap to close. available with flexible payment ery and Legacy is expected to lease purposes throughout the year, the rolled out in 2020. The markets are Lusail over the past year, as more Shell-and-core offices are now plans, providing an opportunity to thousands of apartments on Eskan occupancy rates for available hotels a government-led initiative to pro- buildings are being completed and available to lease for between QR70 invest in property that had not been leases of between one and five years fell to between 44 percent and 46 vide local retail conveniences within the area matures. The migration of and QR90 per sq m per month in available to the same degree before from late 2021. The absorption of percent during the summer months. residential communities, offering government entities and ‘Q-compa- West Bay. Shelland-core offices in 2019. these apartments is likely to offset Overall Average Daily Rates discounted rents to small business- nies’ to the new district and the rela- secondary locations can be leased According to the Planning and the increasing supply and support fell to below QR297 in May but re- es. tively competitive rental levels on for as little as QR60 per sq m per Statistics Authority, there was a 25 rental levels in the short to medium- covered to QR437 in August. Aver- Rents for typical ‘line’ retail offer has also helped attract private- month. percent increase in residential sales term. age Daily Rates had dropped just 2 stores in Doha main organised sector companies to high-quality The reduced rents for ‘shell- transactions in October and No- percent on 2019 figures for the nine malls typically range from QR200 multi-let buildings in the Marina and-core’ space reflect the fact that vember 2020 compared to the same Hospitality Market months to the end of September. to QR350 per sq m month, with District. Lusail’s Marina district can companies want to avoid the capital months in 2019. According to National Tourism The approval of a COVID-19 lower rates available for larger out- now offer tenants highspecification expenditure required for an office The COVID-19 related restric- Council Statistics, the supply of ho- vaccine for use in Q4 was welcome lets. Retail malls have traditionally office buildings, with greater access fit-out.P rivate sector demand for tions to international travel have tel keys increased to 28,249, by Sep- news to the hospitality sector. De- offered 5-year lease terms; however, to parking than is currently avail- offices is almost exclusively concen- stifled recruitment in Qatar, result- tember 2020, a 5 percent increase in spite this positive development, ho- tenants now seek greater flexibility able in West Bay. trated on CAT A or fitted offices. ing in a drop in new demand for res- 12 months. tel performance metrics are unlikely given the challenging market condi- Lease expiries have generated idential rental properties in 2020. More than 20,000 additional to improve significantly for several tions. most of the office market activ- Residential Market The increasing supply, and the hotel keys are currently under con- months as governments take a cau- While headline rents have not ity throughout 2020, as companies New real estate ownership laws interruption in demand, has seen struction and will complete before tious approach to re-opening and significantly decreased in many of relocate within the market. New boost demand for apartments in rents stagnate in recent months. The the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The travel until vaccinations have been the main malls throughout 2020, demand from outside Qatar was Lusail Recent amendments to real increase in affordability over recent COVID-19 pandemic delayed the widely rolled out. many retailers have been offered subdued in 2020; however, this has estate ownership laws allowing non- years has helped to drive leasing ac- delivery of new hotels in 2020, The lifting of the blockade of temporary discounts or rent holi- been down, in part, to the impact of Qataris to purchase real estate in 10 tivity as residents increasingly look which is likely to result in a sharp Qatar by the Saudi-led coalition in days this year to help deal with the COVID-19 on the global economy zones have significantly boosted the to upgrade their accommodation. increase in supply in 2021. January is expected to provide a impact of the COVID-19 impact.

Walmart investors eye push into advertising, healthcare after pandemic boom

Agencies time, the retailer also heavily ner and taking the business merchant services, health invested in advertising and in-house as Walmart Media services and digital pay- Walmart Inc’s investors health services. Group and now renamed Growth ments,” Telsey Advisory ana- and analysts are likely to “They are thinking broad- Walmart Connect, with an- ● Walmart’s online sales lyst Joseph Feldman said in look past the retail giant’s er picture about their cus- nual advertising revenue ex- nearly doubled and a note. slowest same-store sales tomers, so it’s not so much pected to be nearly $1 billion comparable sales growth “These new elements of growth since the start of the each transaction, but how do in 2020. the ecosystem are more prof- coronavirus crisis, when it we think more holistically,” Bentonville, Arkansas- touched high single digits itable than traditional retail reports quarterly results on said Chad Oviatt, director of based Walmart has also each quarter in 2020. and collectively should help Thursday and instead focus investment management at bolstered its presence in ● Walmart is starting to strengthen its relationship on the company’s ambitions Huntington Private Bank. healthcare with its own in- with customers and gener- to diversify beyond retail. Walmart is starting to surance business and an merge other parts of its ate profitable market share Walmart’s online sales merge other parts of its busi- expansion of its healthcare business with its main gains,” he said. nearly doubled and compa- ness with its main retail and centers in the United States retail and e-commerce Walmart will report rable sales growth touched e-commerce business, he that provide low-priced business fourth-quarter results on high single digits each quar- added. medical services such as Thursday, with analysts ex- ter in 2020 as Americans The company started to dental care and counseling sion beyond retail and e- pecting same-store sales of bought groceries and other change its media strategy in for customers. commerce, with a focus on 5.80%, according to Refini- Walmart will report fourth-quarter results on Thursday, with analysts essentials during the corona- 2019 by cutting ties with its “We are encouraged to building a powerful ecosys- tiv estimates, the slowest for expecting same-store sales of 5.80 percent. virus pandemic. During that external advertising part- see Walmart expand its vi- tem, including advertising, the year. 10 Thursday, February 18, 2021 Economy & Business BNP Paribas appoints Amine Soulami as head of MEA Oil up due to supply disruptions in Texas Tribune News Network rope, Middle East and Africa. transition to the region.” London & Tokyo. Doha Yannick Jung said “I’m He added, “I would like Prior to becoming Head Agencies increase after it ended the pre- pleased to announce the ap- to thank Jacques Michel for of BNP Paribas Middle East vious session at $60.05 a bar- BNP Paribas has appointed pointment of Amine Bel Hadj his dedication and contribu- & Africa, Amine was a Sen- Oil prices recorded limited rel. Supporting higher oil pric- Amine Bel Hadj Soulami as Soulami as Head of BNP tion. Under his tenure, BNP ior Advisor to BNP Paribas gains on Wednesday as weath- es, severe weather conditions Head of BNP Paribas, Mid- Paribas in the Middle East Paribas reinforced its posi- Global Markets. His previ- er-related supply disruptions in Texas, the biggest crude dle East & Africa, succeed- and Africa. With more than tion as one of the leading ous roles also include Global in the southern US countered producing state in the US, led ing Jacques Michel, who 30 years of banking experi- foreign banks in the Middle Head of Sustainable Finance the rising value of the dollar. to the shutdown of several oil becomes Chairman for the ence and an extensive record East & Africa.” in Global Markets and Glob- International benchmark wells and refineries, curbing region. of accomplishment in Global Amine Bel Hadj Soulami al Head of Research and Sus- Brent crude was trading at more than 2 million barrels Jacques reports to Alain Markets and Sustainable oversees the jurisdiction’s tainable Investments within $63.51 per barrel at 0704 per day (bpd) of US shale oil. Papiasse, Chairman of BNP Finance, Amine is perfectly seven geographies and over Corporate Institutional GMT for a 0.25% rise after Oil prices were also buoyed Paribas Corporate and Insti- suited to uphold our status 600 staff. He joined the Mid- Banking. Amine also served closing Wednesday at $63.35 with more positive news about tutional Banking (CIB) and as a leading bank in the Mid- dle East & Africa region with as Global Head of Commod- a barrel. vaccine developments. Amine Bel Hadj Soulami re- dle East and Africa. He will a 32-year career with the ity Derivatives, and Head of American benchmark Crude oil prices, which are ports to Yannick Jung, Head also bring the full spectrum bank having held leadership Equity & Derivatives for the West Texas Intermediate indexed to the US dollar, came of Global Banking for Eu- Amine Bel Hadj Soulami of our expertise in energy positions in Paris, New York, Americas. (WTI) was at $60.14 per barrel under pressure with the rising at the same time for a 0.15% value of the greenback. Japan exports and Additional fiscal stimulus machine orders pick up in Jan as global helps fuel US retail sales demand recovers Retail sales surged Agencies than expected, as a fast-re- by a seasonally covering Chinese economy adjusted 5.3% last helped boost exports and Japan’s exports acceler- capital expenditure. month, ending three ated in January, led by a Ministry of Finance jump in Chinese demand, data showed on Wednes- months of declines and manufacturers’ senti- day exports rose 6.4 per ment turned positive for cent in January from a year Agencies the first time since 2019 earlier, roughly in line with signalling a gradual recov- a 6.6 per cent increase seen U.S. retail sales rebounded ery from last year’s deep by economists in a Reuters sharply in January after coronavirus slump, reports poll and following a 2.0 per households received addi- showed on Wednesday cent gain in December. tional pandemic relief money (Feb 17). By region, exports to from the government, sug- Core machinery orders, China, Japan’s largest trad- gesting a pick-up in economic a volatile but leading indi- ing partner, jumped 37.5 activity after being restrained cator of capital spending, per cent in the year to Jan- by a fresh wave of COVID-19 unexpectedly rose in De- uary, the biggest gain since infections late last year. cember, an encouraging April 2010, led by chip- The surge in sales reported sign for a private sector-led making equipment, plas- by the Commerce Department recovery, even as renewed tics and nonferrous metal. on Wednesday was across curbs to contain the pan- The big gain is partly due to the board and ended three demic weighed on business the base effect of the large straight months of declines. activity. decline seen a year before Other data showed inflation Despite the upbeat in- when the Lunar New Year pressures building up at the dicators, however, analysts holidays, which weighs on factory gate, with producer warn the recovery momen- trade activity, fell in Janu- prices posting their biggest tum in the world’s third- ary, a ministry official said. gain since 2009 in January. largest economy could stall US-bound shipments Retail sales surged by a as policymakers struggle to fell 4.8 per cent, dragged seasonally adjusted 5.3% last balance the need to contain down by airplanes, motors month, the Commerce De- the virus against the need and car parts. partment said on Wednesday. A man stands in front of a Modell’s store that is closed as retail sales suffer record drop during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COV- to revive growth and fix Ja- Reflecting soft domes- Data for December was re- ID-19) in New York City, US. pan’s dire finances. tic demand, imports fell vised down to show sales de- “The economy’s recov- 9.5 per cent in the year to creasing 1.0% instead of 0.7% There were also hefty increas- another coronavirus rescue Some of the sharp rebound and hospitalizations in the ery is pausing in the cur- January, versus the median as previously reported. Econ- es in sales at sporting goods, package worth nearly $900 was technical. The model used United States are also declin- rent quarter, although de- estimate for a 6.0 per cent omists polled by Reuters had hobby, musical instrument billion at the end of Decem- by the government to strip out ing, and the distribution of velopment of coronavirus drop, swinging a trade bal- forecast retail sales increasing and book stores. ber, which included $600 seasonal fluctuations from vaccines has improved. That vaccines may reduce risks ance to a deficit of 323.9 1.1% in January. Receipts at food and bev- checks to mostly low-income the data typically anticipates should allow more restaurants ahead,” said Hiroshi Mi- billion yen (S$4.06 billion). Retail sales increased erage stores rose solidly, as and some middle-income a bigger post-holiday season and other consumer-facing yazaki, senior economist Analysts expect Japan’s 7.4% from a year ago. Sales did those at building mate- Americans. The bulk of the drop in retail sales in January. businesses to reopen in the at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan economy to contract in the last month were led by mo- rial stores. Online retail sales money was disbursed in early The drop in unadjusted sales spring. Stanley Securities. “Un- current quarter, as service tor vehicles, with receipts at jumped 11.0% after dropping January, which supported was smaller than in previous Employed Americans have certainty remains high for consumption is hit hard by auto dealerships accelerating 7.3% in December. discretionary spending last years, contributing to the big boosted savings, which stood both exports and machin- renewed state of emergen- 3.1% after increasing 2.0% in Excluding automobiles, month. rise in the seasonally adjusted at $2.38 trillion in December. ery orders, as delays in vac- cy curbs issued last month December. Sales at clothing gasoline, building materials The package also extended retail sales. That could unleash pent-up cinations or resumption of and set to last until March. stores soared 5.0%. and food services, retail sales a government-funded weekly Further gains in sales are demand for services like air activity among the public Separate data by the Consumers also stepped jumped 6.0% last month after unemployment subsidy as expected in the months ahead. travel and hotel accommoda- on expectations for vac- Cabinet Office showed core up spending at restaurants decreasing by a revised 2.4% well as benefits for millions The U.S. Congress is consider- tion, which have been hardest cines could heighten risks machinery orders, consid- and bars, boosting receipts in December. of people who do not qualify ing President Joe Biden’s $1.9 hit by the pandemic. of another wave of virus re- ered an indicator of capi- 6.9%. Still, sales at restau- These so-called core retail for state unemployment pro- trillion recovery plan, which The economy is forecast surgence.” tal spending for the next rants and bars were down sales correspond most closely grams as well as those who will include an additional growing by as much as 4.8% The indicators followed six to nine months, rose 16.6% compared to January with the consumer spending have exhausted their six $1,400 check to households. this year after contracting fourth-quarter gross do- 5.2 per cent in December 2020. component of gross domestic months of eligibility. The massive fiscal stimulus is 3.5% in 2020, the biggest mestic product data on from the previous month, Receipts at electronics product. They were previously US stocks opened lower. expected to power consumer drop in gross domestic prod- Monday that showed Ja- versus a 6.2 per cent drop and appliance stores powered estimated to have dropped The dollar rose against a bas- spending this quarter and uct since 1946. pan’s economy grew more expected. ahead 14.7% and sales at fur- 1.9% in December. ket of currencies. U.S. Treas- drive faster economic growth. Firming economic activity niture stores surged 12.0%. The government approved ury prices were higher. COVID-19 infection rates is starting to boost inflation. Singapore exports up in Jan News Corp signs news partnership deal with Google in latest sign of recovery Agencies secured payments from Apple only brought to the table kick- DPA Inc and Facebook Inc for their ing and screaming due to sig- Bangkok Govt aims to spend the News Corp struck a global Apple News and Facebook nificant antitrust reports and equivalent of around $8 news deal with Alphabet Inc’s News products. leading policymakers in Eu- Singapore on Wednesday billion to combat the Google, the Rupert Murdoch- The company declined to rope and Australia defending reported that its exports grew impact of the pandemic. controlled media company said comment on financial details the importance of a strong, 12.8 per cent year-on-year and on Wednesday, in one of the of the deal, which it said in- independent press for society 7 per cent month-on-month in estimates for 2019 put Singa- most extensive deals of its kind volved “significant payments” only underscores the impor- January, the latest indication pore’s trade-to-GDP ratio at with big tech. by Google. tance of [Australian] Parlia- that its economy is recovering around 300 per cent. The companies will develop In Australia, the country’s ment’s new law and markets from heavy losses inflicted by Lockdowns at home and a subscription platform, share two largest free-to-air televi- like the U.S. waking up to their coronavirus lockdowns. abroad during the second advertising revenue through sion broadcasters have struck harms to democracy,” said Ja- Data published by govern- quarter of 2020 caused Singa- Google’s ad technology servic- deals with Google collectively son Kint, chief executive of me- ment agency Enterprise Singa- pore’s gross domestic product es, build out audio journalism worth A$60 million ($47 mil- dia industry trade association pore suggested the surge was (GDP) to shrink by over 13 per and develop video journalism lion) a year, according to media Digital Content Next. down to increased demand for cent. by YouTube. The deal comes reports. The impact of News Corp’s electronics and petrochemi- While growth returned after years of public feuding The Australian deals come deal with Google on the news cals in Asia, offsetting small during the second half of the between Murdoch and Goog- days before the government publishing environment re- contractions in exports to year, it was not enough to le, most recently in Australia, plans to pass laws that would mains a big question. Western markets. stave off a record 5.4-per-cent where Google has threatened allow it to appoint an arbitrator Rupert Murdoch, Chairman of Fox News Channel In the United States, where “The largest contributors GDP contraction for the year, to shut down its search engine to set Google’s content fees if it smaller publishers in particu- were South Korea (+49.7 per according to estimates pub- to avoid “unworkable” content cannot strike a deal privately, eficiary of Google leaving the group of 121 French news pub- lar have lost ad revenue to the cent), Thailand (+51.5 per lished by the Trade Ministry laws. a factor that government and Australian market, has publicly lishers to end a more than year- platforms, the news media cent) and Hong Kong (+42.7 on Monday. It is a capstone for the media figures held up as a endorsed the proposed Aus- long copyright spat, documents trade group News Media Alli- per cent),” Enterprise Singa- The government an- 89-year-old media mogul, his turning point for negotiations tralian law and recently urged seen by Reuters show. ance is planning to reintroduce pore said. nounced its 2021 budget on son Lachlan and News Corp which stalled a year earlier. the U.S. government to copy it. Google has also moved to to Congress a bill that would A city-state of 5.7 million Tuesday, saying it aims to Chief Executive Robert Thom- News Corp owns two- The company’s deal with secure deals with major pub- allow publishers to collectively people, Singapore depends spend the equivalent of around son to seek compensation for thirds of Australia’s major city Google also comes after the lishers in the U.K., Germany, negotiate with Facebook and heavily on foreign investment, 8 billion dollars to combat the premium content from plat- newspapers. tech giant agreed to pay $76 Brazil and Argentina. Google without violating anti- trade and travel. World Bank impact of the pandemic. forms. Murdoch previously Microsoft Corp , a big ben- million over three years to a “The fact that Google was trust laws. Economy & Business Thursday, February 18, 2021 11 Spain may convert Nissan plant into Global primary energy demand a battery factory to go up 24% by 2050: Sentyurin Agencies Finding a solution for the plants is in the interests Spain is considering con- of both the Japanese car- Too early to write off hydrocarbons, they will dominate energy mix for foreseeable future, says GECF secy-gen verting Nissan’s main car maker, which had received plant in Barcelona, which state aid and faced intense Tribune News Network is due to close in December, local opposition over its Doha into a battery production decision to shut them, and facility for electric cars as the national and regional Despite the pandemic, the one option to preserve thou- governments hoping to pre- Gas Exporting Countries Fo- sands of jobs, a source fa- serve jobs. rum (GECF) Members have miliar with the matter said. Asked whether the Bat- displayed outstanding dis- The European Union tery Hub could find a home cipline and resilience in the is aggressively pushing for at Nissan’s plants, Pere uninterrupted fulfilment of new battery production in Aragones, Catalonia’s act- their obligations towards all Europe to reduce reliance ing head of government, contracting parties, Yury Sen- on Chinese imports as car- told Reuters: “That’s one of tyurin, Forum’s Secretary Gen- makers ramp up production eral on Wednesday said at the of electric vehicles to meet annual IEA-IEF-OPEC Sym- tough European emissions posium on Energy Outlooks. regulations. The 11th IEA-IEF-OPEC Nissan has three plants Symposium was hosted by the in the Barcelona area, em- International Energy Agency ploying around 3,000 peo- Three plants (IEA), the International En- ple directly and 20,000 in- ergy Forum (IEF) and the Or- directly. It had planned to Nissan has three plants in ganisation of the Petroleum shut them down by the end the Barcelona area, Exporting Countries (OPEC) of last year but postponed employing around 3,000 – with participation of the the closures by a year to give people directly and 20,000 GECF as a programme partner more time for authorities to indirectly. It had planned to and examined the shock of the find another company inter- shut them down by the end COVID-19 pandemic on en- ested in the units. of last year but postponed ergy markets and the outlook Its main plant stands on the closures by a year to for global energy security and publicly owned land. give more time for market stability. The regional govern- authorities to find another “It is too early to write off ment of Catalonia, where company interested in the hydrocarbons. They will re- Barcelona is located, is main the dominating source backing a project to build a units. Its main plant stands in the global energy mix for battery production and re- on publicly owned land. the foreseeable future. Natu- Secretary General Moham- Presidency last year as well cycling plant in the region. ral gas will even increase its mad Sanusi Barkindo; IRENA as hosted the 11th IEF-IEA- The so-called Battery Hub the options that has been share from 23% today to 28% Director-General Francesco India calls on OPEC to OPEC Symposium, urged en- project is seeking 6.8 billion placed on the table but it’s in 2050,” said Sentyurin. La Camera, Vicki Hollub, CEO ease oil output cuts ergy stakeholders to remain euros ($8.25 billion) from not the only one.” Citing the GECF’s Global Occidental Petroleum; Felipe vigilant in the face of unpre- Spain’s 140 billion euro He declined to elabo- Gas Outlook 2050, the lat- Bayon, CEO Ecopetrol; and Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called on the main dictability. share of the EU’s COVID-19 rate, but said Catalonia est edition of which will be Spencer Dale, Group Chief oil producers in the world, within the framework of the OPEC “We are in a much better pandemic aid and will only was an “excellent location” launched soon, the spokesper- Economist at BP. group, to ease production cuts. Pradhan said addressing an place than a year ago, but I go ahead if it secures the for a battery factory given son of the leading gas produc- Hosted by the IEF, the International Energy Forum summit that the increase in oil must warn, once again, against funding. the presence of carmakers, ers in the world said that the symposium reviewed the prices is hurting the economic recovery and demand in complacency. The uncertainty Although Spain is yet such as Volkswagen’s Span- GECF forecasts global primary IEA’s, OPEC’s, and GECF’s is very high and we have to be to decide on the use of the ish unit SEAT. energy demand to expand by short-, medium- and long- developing countries. He added that the recovery in demand extremely cautious. The scars funds, one of the options be- The regional govern- 24% by 2050. This is based on term outlooks, which are ana- should take priority over oil prices, at least during the next from the events of last year ing considered by authori- ment has said the battery the revised GDP growth expec- lysed in the newly released few months. It is noteworthy that the International Energy should teach us caution,” said ties is to locate the Battery project is backed by compa- tations related to COVID-19 IEF-RFF Outlooks Com- Forum, which opened its 11th session today, discusses with Al Saud. Hub project at Nissan’s nies from the mobility and economic contractions. parison Report. Produced by stakeholders, including the International Energy Agency and The Symposium is part main Barcelona plant, said technology sectors, without “GECF underscores the the IEF and Resources For the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of a wider joint programme a source with direct knowl- naming them. importance of fair value for the Future (RFF), the report the energy situation in light of the repercussions of the of work by the three organi- edge of the process. The source, as well as natural gas to ensure sufficient highlights a reset in energy Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (QNA) sations originating from the The source said “many Joaquin Cano, CGT union investments through the entire outlooks after the biggest de- 12th International Energy Fo- companies” had shown in- leader at Nissan, said the gas value-chain and the neces- mand shock in history. rum held in Cancun, Mexico terest in Nissan’s plants and EU funds, if granted, would sity for equitable risk-sharing “The pandemic’s impact on efforts have helped absorb the rational economic growth tra- in March 2010, as part of the authorities will take into ac- help to convince investors among all gas market stake- energy demand is unparalleled severe shock that COVID-19 jectory not just in India but in Cancún Declaration. The Sym- count how many jobs can interested in the facilities. holders to sustain the secu- in the history of energy mar- dealt to the global energy sec- other developing countries as posium was live-streamed and be preserved when deciding France’s Schneider rity of demand and natural gas kets,” said IEF Secretary Gen- tor and have strengthened the well,” he said while noting that open to the public. who can set up shop there. Electric and South Korea’s supply.” eral Joseph McMonigle. “The producer-consumer dialogue. he had supported the joint de- The GECF works closely A task force on the LG Energy Solution are Featured speakers at the symposium explored what Pradhan shone the light on cision by major oil producing with all three organisations. plants’ future formed by Ni- among companies that have Symposium included Prince government policies and in- the view of the consumers and countries to cut oil production It first participated in the 9th ssan, government and un- shown potential interest Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, dustry responses are necessary urged both the producing and in April last year after a sharp IEA-IEF-OPEC Symposium ion representatives has set in Nissan’s plants, another Minister of Energy of Saudi to safeguard the long-term sta- consuming countries to adopt fall in demand due to the COV- on Energy Outlooks in 2019, a March 31 deadline for sub- source said. Arabia; Dharmendra Pradhan, bility of energy markets.” a balance approach at this ID-19 pandemic. after becoming the fourth of- mission of formal proposals Catalan public channel Minister of Petroleum, Natural The speakers also com- juncture. “Time has come once again ficial organisation to join the for use of the facilities. It has TV3 has said LG’s plan is to Gas and Steel of India, Timipre mended the G20 energy minis- “The price-sensitive In- for allowing the collective in- dialogue on energy outlooks. said other possible options provide batteries for SEAT, Sylva, Minister of State for Pe- ters as well as the heads of the dian consumers are affected terest of both producing and The Forum is expected to include an electric vehicle which eyes electric car pro- troleum Resources of Nigeria; international energy entities by rising petroleum product consuming countries to be launch the latest version of its plant or another electric duction at its main Barcelo- IEF Secretary General Joseph for their swift actions to stabi- prices. It also affects demand promoted.” outlook, the 5th GECF Global mobility-related project. na-area plant in 2025. McMonigle; IEA Executive lise the energy markets glob- growth, which could poten- Earlier, Prince Al Saud, Gas Outlook 2050, next week Director Fatih Birol; OPEC ally. To them, these historic tially impact the delicate aspi- whose country hosted the G20 from Doha, Qatar.

Overhaul How McLaren aims to rebuild supercars to roar into electric era

Agencies cars around private tracks, where posite chassis, or “tub”, in min- sold out, according to founder the combination of raw speed and utes at a 50 million pound site in Mate Rimac. There’s nothing quite like the precise handling separate McLa- Rotherham, England. He said the market for these roar of a revving McLaren engine rens and Ferraris from cars that “If McLaren are going to take vehicles was limited and would to set a petrolhead’s pulse pound- cost a tenth as much. the electrified route to a supercar, probably hit a ceiling of around ing, or the full-throated scream as Glynn just bought his fourth they’ll need to maintain the light 100 vehicles per year, worth sev- it tears across the tarmac. McLaren, a black 620R, in Janu- weighting as much as possible,” eral hundred million euros. Yet new gas-fuelled engines ary. He declined to say what he said Andy Abbosh, who owns a But where he sees a far greater like McLaren’s could be illegal paid for it, but the 620R starts pearl white McLaren 650S Spider. business opportunity is to oper- in many countries by 2030. The at around 250,000 pounds McLaren’s new chassis will be ate as an auto supplier, where it supercar maker, like all automak- ($346,000). used in the Artura, and by 2026 licenses, develops and manufac- ers, has to go electric - but that’s “I’m a petrolhead through and all its cars will be hybrids using tures systems and components easier said than done for a niche through, but I think we have to this chassis, Nic Aoidh said. The for other carmakers, as it does player that can’t compromise the accept the future of electrifica- carmaker aims to have fully elec- already for Aston Martin and a performance, and racing experi- tion beckons everyone,” he said tric models on the road towards number of others. ence, that supports its rarefied at his home in Headley Down, a the end of this decade, she added. “We want to showcase with pricing and exclusivity. village in southern England less The process has brought mass our cars what’s possible, then McLaren could probably than hour’s drive from McLaren’s production of carbon composite help carmakers build exciting produce a fully-electric vehicle Woking headquarters. parts a step closer and McLaren electric cars and make the tran- tomorrow, said Ruth Nic Aoidh, “But an electrified McLaren is talking to other carmakers and sition to electric faster,” Rimac the British carmaker’s executive would still have to put that same manufacturers in other sectors on added. director for purchasing. But the smile on your face.” how to monetize the technology, But it remains to be seen weight of today’s batteries “would Even for deep-pocketed according to Nic Aoidh. whether supercar makers like kill all of the attributes that make behemoths like Volkswagen AG, “The way companies like ours McLaren, with reputations forged a McLaren a McLaren”. developing electric vehicles is an will find our way to electrification on gas-guzzling race tracks, can So instead, Nic Aoidh says expensive proposition that is tax- New gas-fuelled engines like McLaren’s could be illegal in many countries by 2030. is through innovation,” she said. successfully reinvent themselves McLaren is taking more time to ing their capital resources. “That will potentially open up for an electric era. rethink the way it builds vehicles Other smaller premium jobs more than a quarter of its McLaren will reveal some of doors for return on investments.” Pietro Frigerio, dealer prin- from the wheels up. It is also carmakers like Volkswagen unit workforce - as it dealt with fallout its progress toward it electric McLaren will also develop its cipal at McLaren Newport Beach looking to overhaul its business Bentley or Tata Motors Ltd’s Jag- from the COVID-19 pandemic. ambitions with the Artura, a own batteries, which could also in southern California, worries a model, to generate revenue from uar Land Rover, which both plan McLaren’s cars start at around hybrid model, launching on Feb. generate fresh revenue streams, McLaren electric car without the selling some of its new technology to electrify their model lineups 120,000 pounds and range up to 17. she added. famous throaty growl of a com- to other automakers. by 2030, can rely on their own- 750,000 pounds. It sold 4,662 Weight is of paramount im- Electric hypercar maker bustion engine could get lost in a The people it ultimately has to ers’ financial backing to make the vehicles in 2019, but thanks to portance to customers. Rimac, which aims to bring its crowd. keep happy are affluent enthusi- switch. pandemic shutdowns the com- To cut cost and help reduce C-Two model to market later this “What we’re selling here is asts like Steve Glynn, who make But for niche manufactur- pany said in November its 2020 its vehicles’ weight 15% in order year, plans something similar. emotion,” Frigerio said. “When up McLaren’s base. ers like McLaren, lack of scale sales would hit around 1,700 cars to carry heavy batteries, McLaren The company plans to build you come to spend $300,000- A racing driver, Glynn teaches is a major challenge. Last year and its revenue could fall by up has developed a new in-house four of the cars per month and plus on a car, you want it to look others how to drive their super- McLaren said it would cut 1,200 to half. process to make a carbon com- has its first year of production different and feel different.” QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Tsitsipas rallies from two sets down to shock Nadal at AO page 14 THURSday, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 Qatar Cup: Al Sadd start favourites in semi-finals of the big four today

“We want to win all tournaments this season and if we play at the “I can confidently say that my team will work hard to achieve victory same level as we’ve done in the (QNB Stars) League, it’ll be difficult to over Al Sadd. Either you win and continue the journey, or you lose and beat Al Sadd in the 2021 Qatar Cup semi-final”: Al Sadd coach Xavi exit the competition”: Al Rayyan head coach Laurent Blanc on thei Hernandez at the pre-match conference on Wednesday. Qatar Cup semi-final match against Al Sadd.

Tribune News Network the title. Xavi Hernandez’s the best way to lose form or fit- Doha men currently lead the league ness,” the Spaniard added. table by a whopping 13 points Xavi praised Baghdad The four top clubs of the last over rivals Al Duhail. Bounedjah, singling out the season (Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al On the eve of the match, Algerian striker for his work Rayyan, Al Gharafa) will be Xavi admitted his side were ethic. “Baghdad Bounedjah, seen in action at the the Qatar clear favourites but urged his for example, is doing an amaz- Cup semi-finals on Thursday. players not to take any game ing job and he’s one of the best Al Sadd take on Al Rayy- lightly and called on them to attackers in Asia, not only in an in a blockbuster first last win all the tournaments. Qatar. He attacks, passes, de- four clash at the Abdullah bin “Al Sadd are going through fends as well and enjoys the Khalifa Stadium while reign- very special moments in the game. He has scored 18 goals “It will be a difficult match against Al Gharafa. This is our first cup “We must be careful and double our efforts in order to achieve victory”: ing QNB Stars League cham- league and we are close to win- this season and he always competition after our participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. We’re Al Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic on his team facing Al Duhail. pions Al Duhail will take on Al ning the title. We want to win works with humility,” he said expected to do well and reach the final of the Qatar Cup”: Al Duhail Gharafa at the same venue. all tournaments this season “Though the players are coach Sabri Lamouchi. ing beaten Rayyan in the to be on top of our game and Al Rayyan and Al Sadd and if we play at the same level working for the team and league last week after they had focus,” he said. are the strong contenders and as we’ve done in the league, we’re on the right path, the Blanc acknowledged the huge Al Sadd and Al Duhail are finishedfifth in the FIFA Club Al Gharafa coach Slavisa traditional rivals. The match it’ll be difficult to beat Al Sadd truth is that I’m very lucky task on hand. the only two teams that World Cup held in Qatar. Jokanovic said: “Facing Al brings together the second (Al in the Qatar Cup semi-final. to have these players. Such “I can confidently say that can be deemed to be bet- The Red Knights’ coach Duhail will be exciting. It’s Rayyan) and third-placed (Al But we must show humility players give the coach an op- my team will work hard to ter than others. Personally, Sabri Lamouchi said the Qatar an opportunity to reach the Sadd) teams in the 2019-20 because Al Rayyan have de- portunity to push them more. achieve victory over Al Sadd. I would’ve liked to face Al Cup was an important tourna- final of the tournament and season QNB Stars League. veloped a lot under coach Lau- The Qatar league isn’t easy I hope that the team will be at Sadd and Al Duhail but not ment and his team was look- be crowned the champions. The matches between Al rent Blanc,” the former Barce- at all. Our ambition is to win its best in this difficult match. now, but rather later because ing forward to winning it. Al Duhail have made a strong Rayyan and Al Sadd, be it lona midfielder said yesterday. the AFC Champions League, Qatar Cup matches are always we still have to work a lot “It will be a difficult match comeback recently, therefore in the league or cup tourna- “The match won’t be easy but there is the Amir Cup and full of excitement and there’s until the desired results are against Al Gharafa. This is our playing against them won’t ments, always evoke keen in- and I see it as a final before the Qatar Cup before that and no room for complacency. Ei- achieved,” Blanc added. first cup competition after our be easy at all. Although we terest on and off the field. Both actual final. Qatar Cup match- we’ll fight to win all of them,” ther you win and continue the The Al Duhail and Al participation in the FIFA Club weren’t at our best level in the teams have star-studded line- es are always different from added Xavi. journey, or you lose and exit Gharafa face-off promises to World Cup. We’re expected to last match against Al Sailiya in ups as well as large and loyal the league. I’m very proud of Meanwhile, Rayyan, who the competition,” the French- be an exciting contest. do well and reach the final of the league, this match is a good fan bases. our teamwork this season and lost to Al Duhail in QNB Stars man said. Al Duhail are currently the Qatar Cup. This is an im- opportunity to compensate for But undoubtedly Al Sadd I’m always keen on motivating League last week, will be keen “We aren’t a weak team, placed second in the league ta- portant assignment and we’re that poor show and provide will go into the match as the the players to constantly give to make amends against Al but we won’t claim that we’re ble, while Gharafa are fourth. looking forward to winning it. better results and qualify for overwhelming favourite for their best because relaxation is Sadd. However, coach Laurent better than other teams as Duhail are in good form hav- In order to achieve this, we’ve the final.” Mbappe shows he can be the next football great Frenchman scores hat-trick in PSG’s 4-1 win over Barcelona I’ve always wanted to give my best for PSG, it’s a club DPA “I’ve always wanted to give Berlin my best for PSG, it’s a club that means a lot to me. The that means a lot to me. I’ve not (PSG) jersey touches my Seasons change but the fact always been successful and I heart. Today my hard work that Paris Saint-Germain are know I’ve had bad games, but I is worth it. yet to fully be able to rely on never tried to hide myself, not Neymar doesn’t. even when I made mistakes,” Kylian And now the most expen- he added. Mbappe sive player in football history In the absence of Neymar, is slowly getting overshad- who already missed 46 games owed by team-mate Kylian due to injury or illness since Mbappe. joining PSG in 2017 accord- On Tuesday evening, the ing to ESPN Brasil, Mbappe France forward led PSG with has stepped up as the leading a hat-trick in a stunning 4-1 character on the pitch. victory at Barcelona in the With his hat-trick against Champions League round of Barcelona he became PSG’s 16 first leg. third best scorer in history Mbappe has recently faced with 111 goals, behind Edinson a wave of criticism in his home Cavani (200) and Zlatan Ibra- country. himovic (156). His performances have re- His performance also Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe scores his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA ceived bad reviews from the raised questions if he can be- Champions League round of 16 first leg match against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium in media and the lack of goals in come a football great on the Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday. (AFP) important games, such as the same level of Lionel Messi and a move to Bayern this week the job done.” 2-1 win against Olympique Cristiano Ronaldo. cessful phase of his career and I’ve always said I’m happy Champions League having - fluffed a 58th minute clear- Liverpool, riddled with de- Marseille in the French Super Barcelona’s Antoine Griez- consolidated himself as one of here. After this kind of battle, won 2-0 away to RB Leipzig. ance, Mane showed no mercy. fensive problems and injuries Cup, didn’t help his case. mann and Mbappe’s team- the best players in the world, I’m even happier,” he said. Liverpool slowly took con- “It was an important all season, are out of conten- But the Barcelona game mate at France has no doubts. have reportedly been watching Former Real Madrid star trol and had already threat- game for us, a tough game tion to retain their Premier could be a turning point “Kylian had a great even- Mbappe for a while. Jorge Valdano believes that ened several times before and we’re really happy League title but at least one for him. ing. PSG have a big star for the But the young striker, who “after this game, Mbappe is Leipzig imploded with two overall,” Liverpool captain more round in the Champions “Every player is criticised, future, which will be on the has a contract with the French further away than ever from horrific errors early in the sec- Jordan Henderson told BT League looks likely. I don’t have problems with same level of Lionel Messi and side until June 2022, assured Real Madrid.” ond half. Sport “From start to fin- “In the second half we ac- that. I don’t play to shut peo- Cristiano Ronaldo,” Griez- his focus is on PSG right now. Marcel Sabitzer’s pass in- ish, defensively throughout tually had a super game but ple up, but because I like to mann predicted. “The (PSG) jersey touches Liverpool win at Leipzig advertently released Salah to the team we pressed really made two massive mistakes,” play,” Mbappe said after his Real Madrid, where Ron- my heart. Today my hard work Liverpool are also on course finish well and when Dayot well and won the ball back. said Nagelsmann. “They are gala evening. aldo enjoyed the most suc- is worth it. for the quarter-finals of the Upamecano - who confirmed A good win but it’s only half punished at this level.” Sports Thursday, February 18, 2021 13 Thrilling action on cards as HH The Amir Sword Festival kicks off QNB official sponsor Tribune News Network of HH The Amir Doha Sword Festival The prestigious HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Tribune News Network ued support of QREC and the Al Thani Sword Festival will Doha Festival, and their keenness to swing into action at Qatar be the official sponsor for the Racing & Equestrian Club’s The Qatar Racing and Eques- second year in a row at these (QREC) Al Rayyan Park with trian Club and QNB, the larg- difficult times which the whole top notch Europeans in the est financial institution in the world is going through. In fact, mix with Qatar’s finest for the Middle East and Africa, have such support and proactivity races on Thursday. signed an agreement to spon- from QNB management’s side The position draw for the sor the HH The Amir Sword is natural given their leading HH The Amir Trophy and the Festival, which will be held role in supporting sports in HH The Amir Sword races at Al Rayyan Racecourse be- general and sports closely as- were be held at Qatar National tween 18th and 20th February. sociated with Qatar’s culture Museum on Wednesday. The remarkable Festival and heritage. We expect more The three-day Festival will witness widespread lo- cooperation between QREC (February 18-20) will be held cal and international partici- and QNB in future and in a in coordination with the Min- pation from highly qualified way that contributes to pro- istry of Public Health ensuring trainers along with their in- ducing a very special edition of all precautionary measures for ternationally and domestically the H.H. The Amir Sword Fes- the prevention of new corona- outstanding racehorses. tival, which promises to be full virus (COVID-19) in accord- As a sponsor of this mas- of excitement and top-quality ance with the measures being sive event for the second year racing this year.” followed in the country. in a row, QNB and QREC em- On the cooperation be- The Festival on each day phasize Qatar’s significance tween QREC and QNB, Al Mo- will have a full card of quality towards the enhancement of hannadi added: “QREC will races over different distances the international standing spare no effort in maximising and for different categories value of Qatari racehorses, es- this cooperation with QNB, and age ranges. pecially during the COVID-19 especially as the association The finale will be the focus world pandemic. of QNB’s name with the Fes- of attention as it will see some Following the outstanding tival will be in favour of both of the biggest races, topped by success of last year’s renewal parties. This cooperation and the HH The Amir Sword (Gr The position draw for His Highness The Amir Trophy (QA Group 1) and His Highness Amir Sword (Group 1 PA) were held at National Museum of of Qatar’s flagship horseracing partnership will boost the 1 QA) for Purebred Arabians Qatar on Wednesday. The draw held behind closed doors was broadcast live. event, the partnership between profile of the Festival interna- and the HH The Amir Trophy QNB and QREC continues. tionally and will grow over the (Gr 1 QA) for Thoroughbreds. would be on the Arabian fea- foreigner among a 15-runner Commenting on the signing years. It also confirms QNB’s The other coveted titles in- ture – HH The Amir Sword field headed by the three-time of this agreement and QNB’s keenness in focusing on tradi- clude the HH The Amir Silver (Group 1 PA) which will see Group 2 scorer, Al Naama support, Issa bin Mohammed tional sports and their role in Sword for Purebred Arabians, jockey and trainer Alban de (Soufiane Saadi). Al Mohannadi, QREC Chair- promoting an invaluable event the HH The Amir Shalfa for Mieulle and Julian Smart The $200,000 Irish Thor- man, said: “The H.H. The of the calibre of the H.H. The Thoroughbreds, the Qatar In- combine yet again with the oughbred Marketing Cup Amir Sword Festival is taking Amir Sword Festival”. ternational Cup (Gr1 QA) for latter having won last five takes place 24 hours before place in completely different Salem Al Naimi, Assistant Purebred Arabians, the Al Bid- editions with HH Sheikh Mo- the Festival’s other five inter- conditions this year compared General Manager, QNB Public dah Mile (Gr 2 QA) for Thor- hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s national contests on Friday. to any previous edition due to Relations, said: “QNB’s spon- oughbreds, the Dukhan Sprint Gazwan (in 2016 and 2018) This one mile (1600m) affair the Covid-19 pandemic, which sorship of the HH The Amir (Gr 3 QA) for Thoroughbreds, and Doha Triple Crown win- will see an Irish challenger, has left its mark on almost all Sword Festival is aimed to and Al Rayyan Breeders Cup ner Ebraz (2017, 2019, 2020). Bowerman, the mount of Ro- fields worldwide. QREC and further enhance our partner- for local Thoroughbreds. In this 2021 editon, Ebraz nan Whelan, go up against 13 QNB will continue their col- ship with the Qatar Racing and The USD 4.34mn Festival would be chasing a hat-trick. two renewals of this prestig- Saturday’s final interna- locals. laboration to add to the suc- Equestrian Club, and it also re- will kick into big action with Up for the challenge will be the ious event, getting the better tional event, the Qatar Inter- Trained by Ado McGuin- cess of the H.H. The Amir flects the Group’s keenness to an eight-race card with the fea- De Mieulle-trained Tayf. This of Tayf on both occasions, but national Cup (Sponsored by ness, Bowerman has not been Sword Festival, being the most support this deep-rooted tra- ture race being the 2,000m Al duel would provide the finale Tayf took revenge in October Daam), is a $250,000 one on a racecourse since landing prestigious event throughout ditional sport. We are keen to Zubara Trophy for local Arabi- on Saturday, the final day of when beating his old rival into mile (1600m) race for pure- a Group 3 over an extended the QREC’s season. I take this deliver an exceptional edition of ans scheduled for 5.45pm. the Festival. third in the Group 1 Qatar Ara- bred Arabians. Amaar, a visi- mile and a quarter at Dundalk opportunity to thank the lead- this event despite the COVID-19 Overall, the big focus Ebraz has landed the last bian World Cup in France. tor from Oman, is the only in September. ership of QNB for their contin- pandemic-related challenges.” Al Hazm partner for HH The Amir Sword Race Future Riders’ events to kick-start HH Tribune News Network val and will continue to do so Doha during its three days. Howev- er, such circumstances make Amir Sword Equestrian Festival at QEF The partnership between the us only more determined to Qatar Racing and Equestrian overcome any challenges and, Club (QREC) and Al Hazm, of eventually, produce a special Al Emadi Enterprises, a model edition of the HH The Amir example of the optimum coop- Sword Festival. The collabo- eration between sports entities ration of sponsors and their and domestic companies, who support of the Festival will be, support prestigious sports therefore, key to the success of events. The collaboration be- Mohammed Abdulkarim Al Ema- invaluable event.” tween QREC and Al Emadi di, CEO, Al Emadi Enterprises. Mohammed Abdul Karim Al Enterprises has been running Emadi, CEO of Al Emadi Enter- for 11 years now, making the lauded the extended collabo- prises Group, said: It is a great company a major and ac- ration between the two organ- honour for us to be once again tive partner in the top racing isations. “I would like to thank partners in this race. We do events associated with QREC Mr Mohammed Abdulkarim not have any economic consid- both in Qatar and overseas. Al Emadi, CEO of Al Emadi erations in terms of the return While the 2021 renewal of Enterprises, for his constant of the sponsorship. Our highest the HH The Amir Sword Fes- keenness to participate in the honour is to shake hands with tival is scheduled to kick off in sponsorship of the HH The HH the Amir as this is the most a few hours, a new agreement Amir Sword Festival”, he said. precious award awaited by all between QREC and Al Hazm “QREC and Al Emadi Enter- who are involved with the HH Tribune News Network the Qatar and Equestrian Rac- was announced earlier to- prises have been teaming up The Amir Sword race. Our sup- Doha ing Club (QREC. day. Under the agreement, Al for a successful partnership port is our gain as we aim to pro- The three-day event will Hazm will be a partner of the over 11 years. The COVID-19 vide more community service HH The Amir Sword Eques- be held in accordance with the HH The Amir Sword Race, the pandemic has caused unprec- despite the economic conditions trian Festival will kick off rules and regulations of the finale of the Festival. edented circumstances world- that our domestic companies with the Future Riders’ action International Federation for QREC Chairman Issa bin wide and, naturally, affected are going through due to the with the Table A, Two Phases Equestrian Sports (FEI). Mohammed Al Mohannadi the preparations for the Festi- COVID-19 pandemic.” (70/85 and 85/100cm) events Strict COVID-19 preven- at Qatar Equestrian Federa- tion protocols will be fol- tion’s (QEF) outdoor arena on lowed with only 10 percent of Thursday from 5.45pm. fan attendance being allowed The opening day of the at the venue. Qatar Airways proud to be the Official Airline three-day Festival (Feb 18- 20) will have the mandatory Partner of HH the Amir Sword Festival 2021 veterinary checks and famil- iarization session from 3pm Tribune News Network participants will present spec- reflecting our firm belief in onwards on Thursday. Doha tacular performances, thrill- the unifying power of sport Friday and Saturday ing races and sheer adrenaline and the pivotal role it plays in will see the Dressage, and Qatar Airways is delighted to while competing for the coveted bringing people together. Small, Medium and Big be the Official Airline Sponsor of HH the Amir Sword title. In 2019, Qatar Airways re- Tours showjumping compe- the HH the Amir Sword Festival Qatar Airways Group Chief newed its partnership with the tition where over 100 rid- 2021 and support one more year Executive, Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Racing and Equestrian ers will combine with their this prestigious event which said, “Qatar Airways is proud Club (QREC) for a further favourite horses to put up promotes Qatar as a world hub to sponsor the HH the Amir’s three years. The partnership their best showjumping for for equestrian racing. Sword Festival, a significant enabled the airline to con- HH The Amir’s sword at The three-day event will event on the global horse rac- tinue its sponsorship of in- the QR500,000 prize-money take place from 18 to 20 Feb- ing calendar, and pleased to ternational prestigious horse Festival. ruary at the Qatar Racing and showcase worldwide our coun- racing events, including Qa- The winner of the Amir Equestrian Club and will bring try’s equestrian heritage and tar Goodwood Festival in the Sword will also be awarded a together some of the world’s culture. As an airline, we have United Kingdom and the Qa- brand new car. The top three best horses, both pure Arabians, a long tradition of supporting tar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe riders in the Amir Sword com- thoroughbreds. The top-class major global sporting events in France. petition will be honoured at 14 Thursday, February 18, 2021 Sports Rising like a Phoenix: Tsitsipas rallies from the brink to shock Nadal DPA I flew like a bird, says Stefanos Sydney tefanos Tsitsipas struggled to explain how he pulled off a re- Stefanos Tsitsipas came Smarkable turnaround against Rafael Nadal to reach the last four from two sets down to shock of the Australian Open on Wednesday. erratic world number two Ra- The fifth seed had only once before beatenN adal and was fac- fael Nadal in the men’s singles ing a seventh career defeat to the 20-time Grand Slam champion as quarter-finals at the Austral- he fell two sets behind on Rod Laver Arena. ian Open on Wednesday. “I have no words to describe what has just happened on the Fifth seed Tsitsipas fired court,” Tsitsipas said. “My tennis speaks for itself. 17 aces as he fought back for “It’s an unbelievable feeling to fight at such a high level and a 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 7-5 leave it out on the court. I started very nervously. triumph in 4 hours 5 minutes “I don’t know what happened after the third set. I flew like a shortly before midnight. bird and everything worked for me.” Tsitsipas, who made just four He now meets fourth unforced errors in the pivotal third set, added: “I focused on staying seed Daniil Medvedev who calm and holding my nerves today. I have failed to do so in some of extended his winning streak my matches. to 19 matches after topping a “I stayed calm in the tight moments and I kept everything to my- Russian duel against Andrey self. I am really happy with the attitude that I showed on the court.” Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. Now Tsitsipas must take on another player he has only previously Fifth seed Tsitsipas raised defeated once, although that win came in his most recent meeting his game after being over- with Medvedev in 2019. The ATP Finals winner Medvedev is riding a Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova (left)) shakes hands with whelmed in the first two sets 19-match win streak into their date Friday. Australia’s Ashleigh Barty after their women’s singles quarter-final by Nadal who was chasing a at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday. (AFP) record 21st title at the majors and hadn’t dropped a set at the tournament until then. The Greek took the third Czech Muchova set in a tiebreak as Nadal start- ed to make mistakes, levelled the sets after his first break of upsets home the match. He broke Nadal at love af- ter four unforced errors in a row from the Spaniard to go favourite Barty 6-5 up in the decider and then, after saving a break point, DPA helped me,” the Czech added. wrapped up matters on third Sydney Asked about what switched match point with a backhand after the break, Muchova said winner. Stefanos Tsitsipas cleberates victory with his father and team at the Czech Karolina Muchova that she “just tried to put a ball “I don’t know what hap- Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday. (AFP) rallied from a set and a break in and go for it. Played a bit fast- pened after the third set. I was down to upset world number er, going to the net. I think that flying like a little bird and eve- one Ash Barty 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on was the key by the end.” Barty rything was working for me. out in the quarters like last a match marked by some long Wednesday for a place in the was diplomatic when repeatedly The emotions at the end are year after hitting 32 of his 42 rallies, including one lasting Australian Open semi-finals. asked about the timeout in her indescribable,” Tsitsipas said. unforced errors in sets 3-5, the 43 shots in the second set. The 25th-seeded Muchova post match press conference. “I am speechless. No words 22-year-old Tsitsipas now fac- “That was definitely one of took a long medical time-out can describe what happened es another big test against the the best matches I played lately, early in the second set, saying out on court, my tennis speaks ATP Finals and ATP Cup win- not only here but even last year. later she felt dizzy. She was a for itself. It is an unbelievable ner Medvedev, with both in This match is really unbeliev- different player from then on Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas smiles after winning against Spain’s feeling to be able to fight at their third semi at the majors. able because he was playing as she ended Barty’s dream I started feeling a bit lost by Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles quarter-final match at the Australian such a level and leave my all Medvedev took just over really good, I managed to beat of getting a first Australian the end of the first set. Ash Open in Melbourne on Wednesday. Tsitsipas won 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), out on the court. two hours to dispose of his him in three sets even without a woman’s title since 1978 in started very good, she 6-4, 7-5 in 4 hours 5 minutes shortly before midnight. (AFP) While veteran Nadal went ATP Cup team-mate Rublev in tiebreak,” Medvedev said. Melbourne. played almost like no Munchova next meets mistakes, it was very tough. American Jennifer Brady who pulled off her own comeback, They just checked my defeating compatriot Jessica (blood) pressure because I Pegula 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. was ... a bit lost, you know? Beaten Rafa not looking for a hard-luck story Home hope and 2019 I was spinning. So they French Open champion Barty cooled me down a bit with DPA iard repeatedly referred to the difficulty lucky for me and not at all complaining looked set to cruise into her ice, and it helped me. Berlin of preparing for a tournament amid about my luck here in Australia. second straight semi at Mel- such problems. “Everyone has what we deserve. Ten- bourne Park after going 2-0 up Karolina Muchova Rafael Nadal insists he was not “I think I was in great condition be- nis isn’t a sport that is fair. I have what in the second set against Mu- struggling with injury as he crashed out fore here,” he said. “Then I’ve been a I deserved in my career, and over here chova, having taken the first in “I didn’t hear what she said of the Australian Open but acknowl- bit unfortunate for what happened for in Australia I had chances, but I was not just 24 minutes. when she called for the trainer. edged a lack of match practice could 20 days, and then I fight back to play, I able to convert it. That’s all. I didn’t de- However, the momentum That’s not my decision. When have contributed to his quarter-final think, decent tennis. serve more.” Use of the word “unlucky” was flipped on its head after you call for the trainer, you collapse against Stefanos Tsitsipas. “Today wasn’t enough. It was close, brought a similar response, as Nadal in- Muchova took a medical time- obviously tell the umpire what The 20-time Grand Slam champion just that’s tennis. That’s all. sisted he was not looking for excuses. out after the third game. The the reason is,” the Australian was dealing with a back issue at the That’s the sport. One player wins; “We can find excuses or reasons or break lasted almost 10 min- 24-year-old said. start of the tournament, although he the other loses. maybe this quarantine that we need to utes and from then on Barty “That’s within the rules. managed to advance to the last eight “Today I lost, so the only thing that be more time in the room than usual, only won three more games as For me, that’s not really my without dropping a set. I can do is try to be better next time, Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts on a point yes, maybe,” he said. “But I am not the Muchova wrapped up matters decision and not my concern That impressive run appeared set and today congratulate him.” Claiming against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas at guy that is going to find excuses on with an ace. what she took the medical to continue as Nadal won the opening the key was instead two costly mini- the Australian Open in Melbourne on that or going to complain about what “I started feeling a bit lost for.” Muchova will next face two sets against fifth seed Tsitsipas, breaks in the breaker, Nadal added: “I Wednesday. (AFP) happened, no. by the end of the first set. Ash Brady in an unexpected semi- only for the match to turn on its head am not complaining much. “Just accept. I never considered started very good, she played final, with Muchova in the last after a tie-break in the third Tsitsipas “The whole issue is I missed an easy as well as regularly dealing with injury myself an unlucky person at all. It almost like no mistakes, it four for the first time while emerged a 3-6 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 7-5 smash at the beginning of the third, an concerns at the first slam of the season. doesn’t matter the injuries that I had. I was very tough. And I was a Brady is in back-to-back semis winner after just over four hours, be- easy forehand with 2-1 in the tie-break, But asked if he felt “cursed”, he re- think I am very lucky person. bit lost on the court, and my following last year’s US Open. coming only the second player – after and then another smash in that tie-break. sponded firmly: “No. No, no, no. “The only thing that I can do is just head was spinning so I took a “I think they’re separate Fabio Fognini – to triumph from two “That tie-break I made a couple of That’s sport. Sometimes things go keep going. I put myself in a position, break, and it helped me,” Mu- entities. But it definitely helps, sets down against Nadal at a major. mistakes that I can’t make to win the well; other times things goes worse. even with the challenges that I faced, chova said in her post-match just helps overall confidence. Post-match questions put to Nadal match. He played well then later.” “Unfortunately for me, in this tour- that I was in quarter-finals with two on-court interview. Really just knowing that I be- predictably centred on the potential im- Nadal was chasing a record-break- nament, I had more injuries than in the sets up, close to being in the semi-finals. “They just checked my long at this level, I can com- pact of his back woe, but he insisted there ing 21st major championship, yet only others. Then matches that you lose like “So, it has been a chance lost, yes, (blood) pressure because I pete in the second week of was no physical pain on Wednesday. one of those triumphs has come in today against one of the best players of but life continues. I hope to keep hav- was ... a bit lost, you know? I Grand Slams consistently, and However, reflecting on “just anoth- Melbourne - back in 2009. the world is something that happens. ing chances. Well, I’m going to keep was spinning. So they cooled hope to continue to do that er story in my tennis career”, the Span- The 34-year-old has lost four finals, “No, no, no. Not at all feeling un- fighting for it.” me down a bit with ice, and it consistently,” Brady said. Fans set to return to Australian Open as lockdown lifted in Melbourne

DPA plays Karolina Muchova, and to control an outbreak of the day local time], the restric- Sydney eight-time champion Novak British coronavirus strain. tions will be dropped [but] Djokovic meets Russian quali- Part of the third round, the masks will be required in- Australian Open fans are fierA slan Karatsev. fourth round and quarter-finals doors and outdoors when you set to return to Melbourne Park “We are looking forward to of singles action were played can’t socially distance.” The from Thursday after the Victo- welcoming fans back to the Aus- behind closed doors after a se- stage-four restrictions meant rian government confirmed the tralian Open for the next four ries of outbreaks in Victoria. residents could not leave their lifting of restrictions following days and to finishing the event The state has recorded 12 homes for any other reason a five-day lockdown amid the safely and on a high,” tourna- more active cases since the lock- than work, shopping for gro- coronavirus pandemic. ment director Craig Tiley said. down was implemented but, ceries, exercise or the giving or Organizers said that 7,447 “Last week we had our first with none discovered in the past receiving of medial care. fans will be allowed in for each real experience of live sport 24 hours, Victorian premier This year’s delayed Australi- session on the final four days with fans in the stands and the Daniel Andrews announced re- an Open has had crowds capped starting with the first three atmosphere was electric. The strictions will be eased. at 30,000 per day with original singles semi-finals in Mel- players appreciated the op- “I’m very, very pleased to COVID-19 restrictions until the bourne on Thursday. portunity to compete in front A general view of the Rod Laver Arena as Spain’s Rafael Nadal hits a return against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas announce that the restrictions lockdown. The 7,447 fans now Record-chasing Serena of crowds for the first time in during their men’s singles quarter-final on day ten of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday. (AFP) will come off, almost all of them, allowed in make up around half Williams is set to face three- almost a year, and many spoke are all looking forward to an back at the AO.” last Friday, with fans having to at midnight tonight,” Andrews the capacity of centre court. time grand slam champion about how emotional it was to incredible four days of tennis Djokovic was on court when leave mid-match for the five- told reporters on Wednesday. Tuesday there were no new Naomi Osaka, Jennifer Brady connect with fans again.” “We and can’t wait to see everyone the lockdown came into effect day “circuit-breaker” designed “From 11:59pm [Wednes- cases reported. Sports Thursday, February 18, 2021 15 Stars ‘don’t want to go ahead with season’ in quarantines: Djokovic

DPA Berlin

Novak Djokovic has claimed the “majority” of tennis play- ers are opposed to playing on GNSS calls for sport tour this season if quarantin- ing before tournaments be- comes the norm. skills enhancement at The world number one made his stunning claim after reaching the Australian Open UN Commission for semi-finals with a four-set win over Alexander Zverev, mov- ing a step closer to a ninth title Social Development at the event. Djokovic is battling an ab- Tribune News Network agreed skills and recognised dominal injury and he pointed Doha skills benchmarks; Develop to problems that have affect- skills framework and/or sup- ed the likes of Rafael Nadal, The International Labour Or- port members to tailor their Matteo Berrettini and Grigor ganization (ILO), the ADECCO approach to skills learned in Dimitrov during their time in Group, the European Platform and through sports for the Australia. for Sport Innovation (EPSI), members; Mobilize collabora- He stressed that being and the International Centre tion among stakeholders and locked down in hotel rooms for Sport Security (ICSS) held resources towards action-re- as they were in Australia - in a side event on ‘Skills for the search; Promote the work and some cases being strictly con- Sport Eco-Systems’ during the accelerate the initiatives car- fined for 14 days - was “defi- 59th Session of the UN Com- ried out by the members and nitely not good” for the physi- mission for Social Develop- the network. cal health of players. ment (CSocD59) on Monday. Mohammed Hanzab, He is proposing, casually Serbian Novak Djokovic smashes his racquet during his match against Germany’s While presenting the vi- Chairman, ICSS, said: “For the for now, that tennis consid- Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles quarter-final at the Australian Open on Tuesday. sion behind the recent for- ICSS It is important to under- ers a bubble system whereby Djokovic plays Russian Aslan Karatsev in the semis on Thursday. (AFP) mation of the ‘Global Net- stand how learning opportuni- one venue stages a string of work on Sport Skills (GNSS)’, ties can emerge from sport and tournaments, meaning players representatives from the four sport-based initiatives and would not have to travel from now.” Djokovic is a former He said players had turned play all the tournaments on rules are implemented to mean organizations discussed the how these opportunities can country to country and each president of the ATP player out for the Australian Open be- that surface and that place. player entourages must be pivotal role that sport plays have an impact on the devel- time need to abide by different council, resigning before last cause of the large prize money Three, four weeks in, three, small, but hotel room quaran- in the development of skills opment of skills within young Covid-19 rules. year’s US Open to lead the on offer, tolerating the fort- four, two, three weeks’ rest, tines are another matter. and the relevance of such athletes and youth in general “I don’t want to sit here breakaway Professional Ten- night in quarantine because of then back again. Something “I have been hearing that skills in terms of increasing towards their future careers. and complain about what we nis Players Association. the subsequent rewards, but like that.” there are some countries that employability, In the past years, we have have been through, but we The 17-time major win- said prize money cuts at oth- Djokovic offered no sug- don’t want to accept people The side event highlighted been exploring such an im- have to be honest and realis- ner may be a divisive figure er tournaments would make gestion players would consid- coming in from some spe- the need to consolidate and portant subject through the tic that it has an effect on the to some, but he is deter- many think twice. er skipping the grand slams cific countries because of the strengthen efforts towards the implementation of several physical well-being of play- mined to be involved in the There have been “a lot that remain in 2021 - the virus strains, different virus recognition of skills learned EU-funded projects, and we ers,” Djokovic said. big decisions. of complaints” from lower- French Open, Wimbledon strains, so forth, and trans- in and through sports, also in are now keen to continue and “Of course also mental, He said he had held con- ranked players, Djokovic said. and the US Open. mission, and God knows the context of a world that has further expand this work as a emotional, but physically this versations with members of “We have to find a way, But he said: “We also have what,” Djokovic said. changed drastically with the proud member of the Global is not normal. the player council, who in turn whether it’s something like to be realistic that what we are “I don’t know how we’re COVID-19 pandemic. Network for Sport Skills.” We are hoping that it’s had spoken to ATP manage- an NBA bubble, because I experiencing here in Australia gonna handle with that, honest- To this end and acting as Alberto Bichi, Executive temporary. ment. heard some players talk about is far better than what most ly. But we have to address this an open-ended multisectoral Director, EPSI, said: “EPSI as “But talking to a lot of play- “I’m waiting for some an- that, and I don’t mind to dis- of Europe is going through in very quickly, I mean, because network, GNSS will support a European membership-based ers, the majority of the players swers. I want to understand cuss about that kind of idea,” terms of restrictions and rules the season already started.” the work of its members, ac- networking organisation strives just don’t want to go ahead how our continuation of the Djokovic said, referring to last and regulations and quaran- Djokovic, meanwhile, celerate promising initiatives to identify a quantifiable frame- with the season if we are going season post-Australia is going season’s NBA bubble at Walt tines, et cetera. moves on to a clash with and advocate for global recog- work in order to harmonise the to have to quarantine most of to look like, because this defi- Disney World, Florida, where “And most of the season will qualifier AslanK aratsev, the nition of sport skills and their existing actions and initiatives the tournaments. nitely is not good for players in the basketball season was able continue on in Europe, actu- 27-year-old Russian revela- connection with employability. related to skills development “So this is something that terms of their well-being,” the to be completed. ally.” He says players can cope tion of the tournament, in the During the panel discus- through sport programmes. should be discussed, as of 33-year-old Serbian said. “Select one place and we with being away from family, if last four on Thursday. sion, GNSS members present- Hence, EPSI has been exten- ed their respective initiative sively working on developing on the subject and elaborated and implementing various pro- on the framework and the jects and initiatives focused on goals of the network, i.e.: Cre- promoting skills development ate awareness of employability within different sport settings Alpine to unveil new Formula One car skills learned in and through and it is keen to continue its sports; Promote flexible and commitment in the field as a value-added, implementable proud member of the Global on March 2, Aston Martin a day later skills frameworks based on Network for Sport Skills.”

DPA Berlin Tokyo Games want a woman

Alpine will unveil their car to lead organizing committee for the 2021 Formula One season on March 2, the same DPA day as world champions Mer- Tokyo cedes, and Aston Martin will follow the next day. Japan’s Olympic Minister Alpine gave the date on Seiko Hashimoto has report- Tuesday ahead of their F1 de- edly been chosen to succeed but in 2021 after the Renault Yoshiro Mori as president of F1 Team was rebranded to the Tokyo Games organizing promote the French car mak- committee. ers’ sports car brand Alpine. The Kyodo news agency In the line-up they kept said on Wednesday that a French driver Esteban Ocon working group had decided and will see the return of two- that a woman should pre- time world champion Fernan- side over the committee for do Alonso, who is recovering the Games postponed from from surgery on a broken jaw last year and that Hashimoto he sustained in a recent cy- would be asked. cling accident. However, the 56-year- Aston Martin are also a old seven time speed-skating rebrand, of Racing Point, Olympian is said to be reluc- Japan’s Minister for the Tokyo and have four-time world tant to take the job. Olympic and Paralympic Games champion Sebastian Vettel Organizers were to meet Seiko Hashimoto, a top candi- as a driver along with Lance again on Thursday and a final date for Tokyo 2020 presidency, Stroll, the son of the team’s A handout photo released by McLaren shows McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris (right) and Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo posing by the decision must come from the speaks to media in Tokyo on Canadian billionaire investor new McLaren Formula 1 car MCL35M in Woking, southwest of London. (AFP) committee board. Wednesday. (AFP) Lawrence Stroll. Mori resigned last week They also announced their The F1 season begins with switch of engine supplier from Team principal Andreas team,” Seidl said. after making sexist remarks his “inappropriate remarks launch date of March 3 ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix on Renault to Mercedes. This will Seidl called the Ricciardo- Norris and Ricciardo also that sparked an international caused confusion.” a season that marks the return March 28 after the Australian be McLaren’s first Mercedes- Norris partnership “one of the drove the MCL35M on Tues- uproar. He had told a Japan Mori told a Japan Olym- of Aston Martin to F1 as a works race scheduled a week earlier powered F1 car since 2014 and most competitive driver line- day as part of a filming day for Olympic Committee (JOC) pic Committee (JOC) meeting team after more than 60 years. was postponed because of the they will be the only team in ups in the sport,” adding: “The McLaren before pre-season meeting that women talk too last week that women talk too McLaren were the first coronavirus pandemic. The the 2021 grid to deal with a entire team has worked hard testing starts in Bahrain on much at meetings of boards of much at meetings of boards team to unveil their new car three days of pre-season test- change of power unit supplier. over the short winter, togeth- March 12-14. directors. of directors. for the season on Monday. ing are set for mid-March, After third place in the er with our colleagues from Next to unveil their new His resignation dealt an- “Board of directors meet- The other teams to an- also in Bahrain. constructor’s championship Mercedes-AMG, to produce 2021 season car are Alpha other blow to the delayed ings with many women take nounce their car launch dates McLaren’s MCL35M had last year, McLaren hope to the MCL35M and provide a Tauri on Friday, followed by Games, which have been more time,” he said, referring are Alfa Romeo (February very subtle changes in the liv- keep their good momentum strong car for our drivers to Alfa Romeo (February 22), threatened by a resurgence of to the JOC’s plan to raise the 22), Ferrari (February 26 and ery, keeping the main colour with young driver Lando Nor- race this year. Ferrari (February 26 and the coronavirus. percentage of women on its March 10), world champions orange and blue details of the ris and newcomer Daniel Ric- “This has been no small March 10), world champions Speaking at a news con- board of directors to 40 per Mercedes (March 2) and Wil- 2020 car. There’s however ciardo, who replaces Ferrari- challenge, and I want to Mercedes (March 2) and Wil- ference in Tokyo, Mori of- cent. Currently only five of its liams (March 5). a significant change with a bound Carlos Sainz. thank every member of our liams (March 5). fered an apology because 24 members are women. 16 Thursday, February 18, 2021 The Last Word Volunteers reflect Qatar’s diversity at FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 I can’t wait for all eyes to be on Qatar, so Volunteers from various we can show the world what we can offer as community groups supported a small nation. I want to present to them the best impression of Qatar. I want them to dis- the latest milestone on the regard the generic stereotypes most have of the Middle East. We are proud of our past and road to Qatar FIFA 2022 heritage, but we have also developed in unim- aginable ways. Foreign fans will get to see how Tribune News Network close-knit the Qatari community is and how Doha determined we are.

More than 1,500 volunteers from across Carmen Almendra Campos Estevar, Mexico Qatar were recently recruited to support ● Can you tell us a bit about yourself? the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 Local Or- I’m an industrial engineer from Mexico ganising Committee as the country deliv- and I currently live in Qatar. A couple of years ered another successful edition of the tour- ago, I opened my own chocolate shop in one of nament. the malls here in Qatar. Working within strict COVID-19 safety perience of volunteering in the tournament. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. always wanted to experience the football world ● How did you become a volunteer? protocols, volunteers played a critical role ● What is the best part about living in Qatar? first-hand and volunteering was the perfect As a Mexican, passion for football runs in delivering a safe and enjoyable tourna- Adriano Souza Guimaraes, Brazil Being able to live here is unique. The best platform. It gave me the chance to see the lat- through our blood. We are a very small com- ment, during which a limited number of ● Can you tell us a bit about yourself? part about living in Qatar is being a part of the est preparations for 2022 and the atmosphere munity of Mexicans in Qatar. The FIFA Club fans returned to the stands at Education I’m from Brazil and I moved to Qatar a history of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and inside these world-class stadiums. World Cup 2020 was an opportunity for me to City and Ahmad Bin Ali stadiums and six year ago with my family. I currently work in making history as a volunteer. Being able to ● You’re extremely busy with your various be able to get closer to football and enjoy it in teams representing five confederations risk management. work and dedicate myself as a volunteer in the jobs. What makes you want to make time to a different way. travelled to Qatar to compete across seven ● How did you become a volunteer? stadiums is truly a nice sensation. volunteer? ● Can you share what you learned from your matches. I became a volunteer because of my pas- Yes, I barely have time to juggle between volunteering experience? The volunteers were divided across 13 sion for football. I’m a sports enthusiast. I Fatima Al Shammari, Qatar my business and my full-time job. However, at For me, working as a volunteer was an different functions, including more than like to run, swim and play football. Like other ● Can you tell us a bit about yourself? the end of the day, I find myself wanting to give enriching experience. Being able to work 100 volunteers being dedicated to the tick- Brazilians, I am passionate about all kinds of I’m a chemical engineer graduate. I gradu- more to the community than I receive. It’s all with people from all over the world with dif- eting centre where fans underwent a COV- sports. As Brazilians, sports are a part of our ated a year ago and I currently work full-time about time management and your priorities. ferent backgrounds and cultures allowed me ID-19 test prior to receiving their match DNA. It’s part of our life. It’s part of our cul- in that field. Before becoming a full-time engi- ● Talk about your volunteering experience to get out of my comfort zone. Being close to tickets. ture. neer, I wanted to make the best use of the free during the FIFA Club World Cup? the organisation of the event provided a be- With under two years to go until Qa- ● Can you share what you learned from your time I had. So, I decided to develop and utilise During the tournament, I volunteered hind-the-scenes glimpse of the tournament tar hosts the first FIFA World Cup in the volunteering experience? my artistic talents and started my own busi- three times a week. I had a leadership role in preparations. Volunteering also encouraged Middle East and Arab world, the Supreme Volunteering means giving a little bit of ness, which is focused on painting vases. My spectator services. Spectators sometimes need me to learn more about the country I’m liv- Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has yourself to society. It makes me feel part of an business reflects my personality and allows me direction inside the stadium. My role involved ing in and understand the locals’ way of already received more than 290,000 vol- inclusive community. The feeling that you can to express myself. directing them as part of the overall fan experi- thinking. unteer applications from across the region. make a difference is what keeps me going. As ● How did you become a volunteer? ence. I’m super excited to volunteer in the up- ● What is the best part about living in Qatar? Qatar2022.qa caught up with volun- a volunteer, you add value to society. The re- I began volunteering with the Supreme coming tournaments in the lead up to the FIFA The feeling of safety I get here that I can- teers from Qatar, Brazil and Mexico, who warding feeling you get cannot be described. Committee for Delivery & Legacy in 2019, World Cup Qatar 2022. not get anywhere else. Qatar really gives me helped deliver the FIFA Club World Cup I’m very excited to keep volunteering and gain when I received an email asking for people to ● As a Qatari, what impression do you want to the comfort I need and is truly my home away Qatar 2020, to learn more about their ex- new skills that I can implement during the volunteer. I wanted to try something new. I’ve give to football fans from around the world? from home. QF, Roche partner to take HBKU and Sidra Medicine study unravels genetic influence on precision medicine into cancer immune responsiveness

Tribune News Network mainstream health care Doha Sidra Medicine and Qatar Tie-up with int’l pharmaceutical company will open up opportunities for Qatari students Computing Research Institute (QCRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa Tribune News Network accelerating and increasing the University (HBKU), Qatar Doha accuracy of disease diagnosis Foundation (QF), led a research through using genetic markers; study with the University of Cal- A new partnership between identifying whether diseases ifornia San Francisco (UCSF) Qatar Foundation (QF) and an have a genetic root cause; and that represents a significant step international pharmaceutical supporting clinicians to deliver toward personalised cancer im- company is aiming to advance precision medicine in a way that munotherapeutic approaches. Dr Mohamad Saad Dr Davide Bedognetti precision medicine into main- generates the best patient out- The international team of stream clinical care in Qatar and comes. The partners will also cancer immunologists, compu- caused by genetic variation in achievements. Future studies open up opportunities for Qatari create a regulatory framework tational scientists, oncologists, the DNA of the patients. will determine whether a com- students to gain experience in will pilot a scheme to provide tailoring treatment to a particu- against which this work will take biologists and geneticists found Dr Davide Bedognetti, di- bined “immunogenetic score” the pharma industry. six-month placements for Qa- lar subgroup of patients is cer- place. that pre-existing anti-cancer rector of the Cancer Research can detect patients more likely Qatar Foundation Research, tari postgraduate students in tainly complex, but ultimately it Through the collaboration, immunity depends heavily on Department at Sidra Medicine to benefit from specific immu- Development and Innovation molecular biology programmes is incredibly rewarding and ef- QF RDI’s growing mass of phe- a patient’s genetic background. and adjunct associate profes- notherapies, for a truly personal- (QF RDI) and Roche have an- at QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- fective and will improve disease notypic and ‘omics’ data, and As such, certain genetic variants sor at the College of Health and ised approach. Having identified nounced a three-year collabora- versity and Qatar University to treatment significantly. Roche’s track record of health- that make each of us unique can Life Sciences at HBKU, with Dr several variants in genes of which tion designed to help take more gain real-world experience of the “Qatar Foundation is de- care leadership and growing also influence the way the im- Elad Ziv, professor of Medicine the immunological functions are personalised, tailored treat- life-sciences field with Roche, termined to be at the vanguard capabilities in innovative Arti- mune system fights tumours. at UCSF, led the research team not known, the team is hopeful ments from the laboratory stage and heighten their awareness of precision medicine develop- ficial Intelligence and machine Immunotherapy, a thera- as co-senior authors. QCRI’s Dr that studying these genes in de- to the point where they are be- of career opportunities within ment, for people in Qatar and learning tools, will be combined peutic approach based on boost- Mohamad Saad and UCSF’s Dr tail might lead to the identifica- ing used in primary healthcare pharmaceutical research. for the wider world. We see this to create a vault of genomic data ing the immune system, has Rosalyn Sayaman, co-first au- tion of novel therapeutic targets. settings. “We are delighted to be en- collaboration as a perfect plat- that can help translate precision changed the way cancer is treat- thors, were the lead computa- Dr Bedognetti said: “We By combining their exper- tering into this collaboration form for continuing this crucial medicine research into wide- ed, yet only a minority of pa- tional scientists, with other team already know that the risk of tise, QF RDI and Roche will de- on precision medicine with our work, and look forward to what spread clinical use. tients respond to the treatment. members from Sidra Medicine, developing certain diseases velop a repeatable process that newest partner, Roche,” said Dr we all believe will be an ex- The signing of the agree- The groundbreaking research including Dr Wouter Hendrickx such as diabetes and high blood translates the outcomes of pre- Richard O’Kennedy, vice-presi- tremely valuable partnership.” ment between QF and Roche study, published in Immunity Jessica Roelands, Dr Younes pressure, for instance, is influ- cision medicine research into dent for Research, Development Ward said: “Personalised was also attended by Sheikh (CellPress), one of the top sci- Mokrab and Najeeb Syed. The enced by our own DNA, and clinical use in Qatar, with the and Innovation at QF, who health care (PHC) is a corner- Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, entific journals worldwide, an- immunogenomic analytic ap- our research indicates that this first stage focusing on how ge- signed the Memorandum of stone of our strategy at Roche, chairman of Al Faisal Hold- swers a critical question that has proach used in the study to dis- is also the case for anti-cancer netic markers can guide diagno- Understanding between QF and and we are excited to work to- ings, the official Roche distribu- been facing scientists over the sect tumour-host interplay was immune response. Translat- ses and treatment decisions for Roche with Padraic Ward, head gether with Qatar Foundation tor in Qatar; HE Edgar Dörig, past ten years. That is, why some also implemented as a part of ing these findings into clinical diseases such as cancer. The two of Roche Pharma International. and jointly accelerate the realisa- Swiss Ambassador to Qatar; patients develop a spontaneous, one Qatar National Research practice to develop personalised partners will also create regis- “Precision medicine is one tion of PHC in Qatar.” Dr Ahmed Tawfik, Roche Gulf yet partial, anti-cancer immuni- Fund’s National Priorities Re- immunotherapeutic approaches tries and repositories of genom- of the key advances that has A key element of the col- Cluster country manager; and ty that makes them more likely search Program project. accounting for patients’ genetic ic data to support this process. taken place in the field of human laboration between QF RDI Ahmed Medhat, Roche Person- to respond to immunotherapy The new joint research holds fingerprints represents the next Meanwhile, the partnership health care. We now know that and Roche will concentrate on alised Medicine lead. and whether this response is significant potential for further challenge.” GAMA chairman participates in tree-plantation at Al Shoura Plaza project

Tribune News Network their homeland, Qatar. Plant- Doha ing tree is indeed inculcation of principles in society as a whole The Supervisory Committee because everyone who partici- of Beautification ofR oads and pates in planting a tree shall be Public Places in Qatar joined rewarded for whoever sits in its hands with the General Author- shade and the reward for the ity for Minors Affairs (GAMA) birds that take shelter on it. “ and a number of children on The area of Al Shoura Plaza Wednesday in planting trees at is over 15,000 squaremetres, of Al Shoura Plaza project as part which about 12,000 squarem- of ‘Qatar Beautification andO ur etres green areas include seating Kids Planting Trees’ campaign, areas and trees for shading, and which aims to ‘Plant Million three kilometres of pedestrian Trees’ and implemented by the Constituency 6, Ezzat Jadoua, a projects, but also activating so- all age groups in planting trees in beautifying roads and areas, role in bringing joy and happi- and bicycle paths, allowing peo- Committee in cooperation with former football player at Al Sadd cial role by involving all sections with their own hands is an in- enhancing Qatar’s cultural fa- ness to children and involving ple of the area and its visitors to the Ministry of Municipality and Sports Club and Saadoun bin of the society, especially chil- vestment in future generation, cade and protecting the environ- everyone in the progress and practise various activities. Environment (MME). Hassan Al Ghanim, a resident of dren, in preserving the environ- which we aspire to be more ment. The most beautiful part of prosperity of their homeland.” The plaza also includes Chairman of the General the area. ment and making them aware of aware of the importance of af- the initiative is that planting the Saadoun bin Hassan Al over 100 tree of different types Authority for Minors Affairs Speaking on the occasion, their key role in Qatar’s develop- forestation from environmental, trees is done by the kids of Qa- Ghanim said, “Today, I joined such as Delonix Regia, Cas- Saad bin Nahar Al Nuaimi and Nuaimi commended the efforts ment. health and societal aspects, and tar.” my brethren in this initiative sia Gluca, Bucidia Bucidia, and a number of the authority’s of the Supervisory Committee On his part, Engineer Mo- to understand their practical Jadoua said, “We are hon- to emphasise the importance Zizipus Spinachristi. It is worth department managers and of- of Beautification ofR oads and hammad Arqoub Al Khaldi, role in nation building.” oured and pleased to contribute of trees being the first building mentioning that environmen- ficials participated in planting Public Places in Qatar, saying chairman of the Supervisory Ali bin Sultan Al Ghanim to the plantation initiative in our block for building a healthy eco- tally friendly materials are being trees at the site, along with Ali that the committee’s efforts are Committee of Beautification of said, “I thank the committee beloved Qatar. Tree plantation system and also to accustom our used for the project. Al Shoura bin Sultan Al Ghanim, member not limited to implementing Roads and Public Places in Qa- and all those involved in this ini- is necessary from environmen- kids and future generations to Plaza project is expected to be of Central Municipal Council – beautification and plantation tar, said: “Involving children of tiative that plays important role tal point of view and also for its effectively contribute in building opened to the public in April.