Monday May 3, 2021 Ramadan 21, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5248 QR 2

Fajr: 3:33 am Dhuhr: 11:31 am light rain Asr: 2:59 pm Maghrib: 6:08 pm High : 33°C LOW : 26 °C Isha: 7:38 pm

RAMADAN TIMING World 7 Business 8 Sports 12 Today Tomorrow Iftar imsak Oscar-winning Total profit of QSE Hamilton wins ‘Moonstruck’ actress firms up 30.74% to smooth in Portugal, 6:08pm 3:32am Olympia Dukakis dies at 89 QR10.92 bn in Q1 extends title lead

Astronomically May 13 is the New project soon to revive Palm Island as tourist destination first day of Ashghal invites tender Eid Al Fitr: QCH for the design, build and dismantling of bridges QNA Doha for Palm Island

Thursday, May 13, 2021 Tribune News Network is the first day of the month Doha of Shawwal and the first day of the blessed Eid Al Fitr of The Public Works Authority (Ash- this year, according to astro- ghal) has invited tender for the de- nomical calculations made sign, build and dismantling of bridg- resort and a restaurant, to receive visi- demand that it be used as a better by specialists at the Qatari es for Palm Island, located opposite tors, but it is no longer exploited as a tourist centre. Calendar House (QCH). the Doha Sheraton Hotel from the tourist destination. The Ashghal tender opens the door Wednesday, May 12, south, and surrounded by sea water The island has a history in the for re-using the island for tourism, as it 2021 is the completion of on all sides. tourism renaissance that Qatar wit- was considered one of the most impor- the blessed month of Rama- The island used to have a small nessed. Citizens and residents alike tant tourist attractions in Qatar. dan 1442 AH. The official decision about the beginning of Shawwal for this year remains within the compe- tence of the Moon Sighting Committee of the Ministry 44.7% adults receive at least ‘GCC countries top emerging markets one COVID-19 vaccine dose in vaccine response’ The Ministry of Public 1,603,913 vaccine Health has called on commu- Tribune News Network Daoud, Chief Emerging nity members to join more Doha Markets Economist at doses given so than one million people in Bloomberg Economics, the far, says MoPH the country who have safely A renewed outbreak of the GCC has risen to the top of received vaccination against virus is under way, but not the rankings in the last 30 of Endowments (Awqaf) in coronavirus (COVID-19). all emerging markets are days partly because vacci- Qatar. Tribune News Network “Join more than one mil- hit equally hard. Bloomberg nation rates are among the Executive Director of Doha lion people across Qatar who Economics’ ranking of 75 highest in the world. Sheikh Abdullah Al Ansari have safely received their economies shows countries In addition, activity is Complex Engineer Faisal Al About 44.7 percent of Qa- COVID-19 vaccination. Don’t in the Gulf Cooperation close to pre-virus levels Ansari said the crescent of tar’s adult population has re- delay getting your vaccine Council (GCC) and East despite a recent slowdown the month of Shawwal for ceived at least one dose of a when you are invited, and Asia performing better than coinciding with the Holy the year 1442 AH will be COVID-19 vaccine, the Minis- please remember, vaccination the rest of the Middle East, Month of Ramadan, he said. born on Tuesday, May 11, try of Public Health (MoPH) is by appointment only,” the Central and Eastern Eu- Bloomberg Econom- 2021 and that at 10 pm said on Sunday. MoPH said in a tweet. rope, and Latin America. ics’ ranking uses a range local time it is impossible In its weekly update, the Qatar is using Pfizer/Bi- The GCC (Saudi Arabia, of social measures, includ- to see the crescent on the MoPH said 1,603,913 COV- oNTech and Moderna vac- Qatar and the UAE) and ing COVID-19 case rates evening of the investiga- ID-19 vaccine doses have been cines for the vaccination pro- Asia (South Korea, China and fatalities, vaccination tion day in the sky of Qatar administered since the begin- gramme. and Taiwan) are performing progress, economic activity and the Arab and Islamic ning of the National Vaccina- COVID-19 infections continue “Pfizer/BioNTech and best. The rest of the Middle mobility and policy space to countries, because the tion programme. As many Moderna vaccines being used East, Central and Eastern assess which countries are crescent of the month of as 24,911 COVID-19 vaccine to decrease, says MoPH in our vaccination programme Europe, and Latin America most effectively containing Shawwal was not born at doses have been administered Tribune News Network people recovered from the are effective against the new are struggling under the COVID-19 cases without sunset on the day of the in the past 24 hours. Doha virus in the past 24 hours, variants,” the MoPH added. strain of the pandemic. enormous damage to their investigation. While 86 percent of the bringing the total number “The pace of the vaccina- Saudi Arabia, Qatar and lifestyle or economy. That It is worth noting that people aged over 60 have re- Qatar on Sunday reported of recoveries in Qatar to tion programme means that the UAE have also climbed data is used to calculate a the beginnings and ends ceived at least one dose, the 646 new confirmed cases 192,551. Sadly, seven people there is finally hope of a gradu- toward the top of the list, final score, ranking coun- of the Hijri months depend figures stand at 82.4 percent of coronavirus (COVID-19) aged 43, 45, 47, 54, 55, 77 al return to normal for us here with KSA ranking first with tries based on virus deaths on the movement of the and 80.7 percent for people — 391 from community and and 81 years succumbed to in Qatar and people around the highest vaccination rate and vaccine doses, and take Moon in its orbit around the aged over 70 and 80 respec- 255 from travellers returning the virus. Six of them were the world,” it said. in the world. a simple average of that and Earth, while the beginnings tively, it added. from abroad, the Ministry of chronically ill, and they had re- The MoPH urged peo- According to Ziad the other two metrics. and ends of the Gregorian Qatar started its big- Public Health (MoPH) said in ceived the necessary medical ple to follow the preventive months depend on the gest vaccination programme its daily report. Also, 1,480 care, it added. measures such as adhering to movement of the Earth in against COVID-19 on Decem- physical distancing, wearing a its orbit around the sun. ber 23 and started inoculating including— healthcare work- with chronic diseases. The age face mask and washing hands (PG 5) people in the priority group ers, the elderly and people groups keep on going down. regularly. Record deaths as COVID engulfs India Ashghal partially opens Nuaija Intersection Tribune News Network Doha

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has partially opened Nuaija Intersection on D-Ring Road before traffic in all directions after developing and expanding the junc- tion, streamlining access to neighbouring areas including Najma, Al Hilal, Nuaija and Old Airport. The opening is implemented in coordination with the General Directorate of Traffic. Ashghal said commuters from Najma Street can reach D-Ring Road in the north direction or towards Airport Street, continue ahead toward Najma or Nuaija, or take a back turn. Commuters coming from D-Ring Road can turn towards Najma Street, con- tinue ahead to Old Airport, or towards north, ISS astronauts splash down on SpaceX craft or turn back. A team of four astronauts transported to the International Space Station (ISS) by the US-launched Eng Abdulla Darwish from the Highway He said the D-Ring Road development Intersection, which includes development of SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule made it safely back to Earth on Sunday. They splashed down in the Projects Department said the opening of works are completed up to 50 percent and Fereej Al-Ali Interchange (Al-Tadamon Inter- Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of the US state of Florida, after about six months spent aboard the ISS. Nuaija Intersection would streamline traffic the project is scheduled to be delivered in change), Nuaija Intersection (the Mall) and The hatch of the Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft transporting the four — US astronauts Michael movement in the region, for those coming the first quarter of 2022. Lulu Intersection. This opening will enhance Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi — closed at 2226 to and from Najma, Al Hilal, Nuaija and Old The opening of Nuaija Intersection is the capacity of all the intersections and reduce GMT Saturday. (Agencies) Airport via D-Ring Road on one side and second achievement among D-Ring Road traffic congestion in the area, especially at Najma Street on the other side. development project after opening of Lulu Fereej Al-Ali Interchange. page 2 02 Monday, May 3, 2021

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Doha Institute accepts 244 MURAIKHI BIDS FAREWELL TO SOUTH KOREA ENVOY Qatar Charity’s ‘5%’ new students for Fall 2021 programme receives The Admission, Registration tration and Development Eco- and Student Affairs Department nomics. at the Doha Institute for Gradu- All applications for admis- active participation ate Studies (DI) has announced sion to the DI’s programmes the acceptance of 244 students were subject to a thorough exam- for 2021 Fall semester, indicat- ination and assessment, which from local companies ing that the institute received included interviews conducted more than 10,000 applications with DI professors. The students Tribune News Network from the Arab region and world- were selected based on their aca- Doha wide. demic achievements in their un- Qatar tops the list with a dergraduate studies, proficiency The ‘5%’ programme, total number of 82 Qatari stu- in Arabic and English, knowl- launched by Qatar Charity dents, 33 percent of the total edge in the area of specialisation (QC) to restore hope among students admitted. The stu- and contribution to the service of low-income families and stu- dents will enroll in 17 master’s their community. dents in Qatar during Rama- programmes. As many as 175 The Fall semester will start Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met with Ambassador of South Ko- dan, received great response students were admitted to the on August 29. The Class of 2021 rea to Qatar HE Chang-mo Kim on Sunday on the end of his tenure in the country. The Minister of State from three companies, who School of Social Sciences and will be the seventh cohort to be- for Foreign Affairs thanked the ambassador for his efforts in supporting and strengthening bilateral announced that a certain part Humanities, and 69 students to gin their studies at DI since its relations between Qatar and South Korea, wishing him success in his future assignments. (QNA) of their sales profits would go the School of Public Adminis- opening in 2015. (TNn) to the programme as part of their responsibility towards society. focused values and CSR com- Jassim Muhammad Al mitment, Mondrian’s ‘Hope Emadi, director of the Pro- Box’ aims at supporting low- grammes and Community income families in Qatar. We NU-Q’s Class of 2020 graduates Development Department at hope that EllaMia sweet boxes QC, thanked the companies will become not only a perfect for supporting the ‘5%’ pro- addition to any iftar table, but Tribune News Network graduates that they shouldn’t gramme, indicating that the also a special Ramadan gift to Doha be afraid of the challenges corporate sector in Qatar has anyone who genuinely cares that life presents and that remained a genuine partner in about those in need.” Northwestern Universi- they should accept “life’s the field of charitable work, es- Athb Lama ty-Qatar (NU-Q) celebrated heavy detours,” which may pecially in special seasons like The ‘Athb Lama’ project the graduation of its Class of lead to the best decisions of Ramadan and during crises also participated in creating 2020 in a ceremony that fea- their life. like the COVID-19 pandemic. and restoring hope to those tured remarks from North- Speaking of her experi- Al-Emadi explained that with limited income by allo- western University President ence fleeing war-torn Yemen the programme aims to pro- cating 50 percent of the tote Morton O. Schapiro, North- in pursuit of an education, vide financial assistance to bag profitthat will go towards western Qatar Dean Marwan Dhubhani said her North- families with limited income low-income families through M. Kraidy, Mariam Al Dhub- western experience provided and students during Rama- QC. The project officer Athb hani as the student speaker, her the opportunity to pursue dan, aiming to support them al-Lama al-Nahdi said, “We and Dena Takruri, AJ+ sen- what she loves, “to get back to in the humanitarian condi- are participating in the ‘5%’ ior producer and presenter, filmmaking – finding peace tions caused by the coronavi- programme to seize the op- as the graduation speaker. in chaos and telling stories of rus pandemic. portunity of Ramadan to help The students’ graduation humanity and perseverance Mondrian Doha families with limited income, had been postponed from last by sharing visual messages Mondrian Doha, managed as many families have been year due to the pandemic and with the world – from my by the leading international affected by the pandemic. It President Schapiro congratu- world, from my home, from lifestyle hospitality group, sbe, is our collective duty to stand lated them for their persever- Class of 2020 my life.” announced a special charita- by them and help them within ance and reminded them that During the ceremony, ble initiative in partnership the framework of our social re- “there’s a world out there you as emerging leaders, being a dutiful narrator to ing diligently and continuing Dean Kraidy congratulated with QC. The team at EllaMia, sponsibility.” that needs you more than journalists, professors, dip- reflect, challengeand shape to invest in yourselves. Suc- the class award winners who Mondrian’s beautiful and so- Gitco Group ever to fully share your skills, lomats that will tell better the times we’re living in, and cess is a process and there’s were recognised last year for phisticated coffee and desserts Gitco Group also provided your wisdom, your compas- stories about our world.” ultimately strive to make the no way in knowing today the their outstanding academic brand, has prepared a special financial support to the pro- sion and of course your lead- In her remarks as gradua- world a better place,” she types of jobs and opportuni- and co-curricular accom- Ramadan ‘Hope Box’ of exqui- gramme. Nisar Ahmed Pay- ership.” tion speaker, Takruri told the said. ties that will be around in the plishments. site oriental sweets with tradi- oorayil, managing director, Echoing a similar senti- students that there has never A founding member of future. So be patient and be The winners were Sa- tional ingredients. 25 percent Gitco Group, said: “It is our ment, Dean Kraidy said he been a more important time AJ+ and journalism gradu- excited.” rah Shaath, Dean’s Award; of its sales will go to QC ‘5%’ pleasure to join such an es- admired how they completed for journalists and storytell- ate herself, Takruri said that Reflecting on the person- Maha Essid, Communica- initiative aimed at support- teemed charity organisation their undergraduate study ers to do their job. being patient, working hard al challenges of her under- tion Award; Malek Al Manaa, ing students and low-income like Qatar Charity to support during the pandemic in “a “As students of journal- and staying true to one’s graduate career and the im- Journalism and Strategic families. its programme.” He thanked world unsettled by rampant ism and communication, principles will pay off in the portant lessons she learned Communication Award; Ayza Mikel Ibrahim, regional QC for giving the group op- hatred, lies and misinforma- you too, believe in the power long run. about being determined and Sheikh, Liberal Arts Award; vice-president Sales & Mar- portunity to extend support to tion.” of storytelling – you under- She added, “There’s a focused, the student speaker and Hemyan Al-Hardan, Stu- keting, sbe group, said: “In low-income families in their He added, “We look to stand the responsibility of value in patience, in work- Dhubahni told her fellow dent Leadership Award. line with sbe’s community- challenging time. PHCC introduces initiatives to Ashghal partially opens Nuaija boost services, patients’ care Intersection in all directions Tribune News Network CATHERINE W GICHUKI tion with Q-Post, COVID-19 test and hold Doha DOHA facilities, a COVID-19 patient pathway, a ‘Drive-Through’ COVID-19 Screening The Public Works Authority The Primary Health Care Corporation Service and COVID-19 Vaccination Cent- (Ashghal) has partially opened (PHCC) has recently seen a number of ers. Nuaija Intersection on D-Ring developments through its network of 27 According to Director of Quality Im- Road to traffic in all directions health centres, including the expansion of provement and Accreditation Syed Hamza after developing and expand- working hours and urgent care services, Aman, improvements are celebrated ing the junction, streamlining in order to ensure that it continues to pro- through the PHCC Quality Improvement access to neighbouring areas, vide the best quality care for the popula- event, not only to highlight and share the including Najma, Al Hilal, Nu- tion of Qatar. launch of Regional Specialist Centers quality improvement journey but also to aija and Old Airport. Speaking to Qatar Tribune, PHCC Di- (RSCs) to enhance access to specialty acknowledge the hard work and enthusi- The opening is implement- rector of Risk Management, Patient Safe- services, asm of staff and clients. Started in August ed in coordination with the ty and Patient Management Nawal Khat- Other activities are the introduction of 2020, when 11 project teams were recog- General Directorate of Traffic. tabi said PHCC has now implemented an abdominal ultrasound service in seven nised and awarded by the clients involved According to Ashghal, people-centred care (PCC), an initiative RSCs and integrated mental health servic- in certain projects, the initiative will con- commuters from Najma Street jma Street on the other side. in the area, especially at highly which invites patients to become mem- es with clinical psychologists available at tinue to be conducted twice yearly. can reach D-Ring Road in the He said the D-Ring Road congested Fereej Al-Ali Inter- bers of key committees, such as the Ethics fiveRS C ‘Support Clinics’, in addition to According to the officials, a lot of in- north direction or towards development works are 50 change (Al-Tadamon Inter- Committee and the Quality Patient Safety three psychiatrists supported by Hamad frastructure changes promoting client Airport Street, continue ahead percent completed and the change). Committee. Medical Corporation (HMC), integrated and family partnerships have been im- toward Najma or Nuaija or project is scheduled to be The improvement works Khattabi added that the PHCC also in- Cardiology Clinics that are collaborative- plemented, including the customisation make a U-turn. delivered in the first quarter within the project also include volves its patients in a number of surveys ly managed by PHCC and HMC staff in of care planning in the Electronic Health Commuters coming from of 2022. The opening of Nu- developing rainwater drainage in key decisions and in every service being the health centres and the introduction of Record system (Cerner), designing of new D-Ring Road can turn towards aija Intersection is the second networks to raise the efficiency designed or any change that PHCC is try- E-Services and the Nar’aakom application health centres while revamping old health Najma Street, continue ahead achievement among D-Ring of drainage in the area by con- ing to implement, whether it is new health that has important features for clients and centres, and renovation of CSSDs to im- to Old Airport or towards Road development projects structing a stormwater drain- centres or new working hours for clinics. their family members to improve access prove workflow in compliance with the north or make a U-turn. after opening of Lulu Inter- age tunnel with a total length Included among the upgrades are to PHCC services. Infection Prevention and Control stand- Engineer Abdulla Darwish section, which includes de- of about 3.5 kilometres. the uninterrupted expansion of work- A new website for PHCC providing an ards. from the Highway Projects velopment of Fereej Al-Ali The project also includes ing hours from 7am to 11pm in all health enhanced user interface and experience PHCC also implemented a number of Department said the opening Interchange (Al-Tadamon construction of common path centres, an increased number of health has also been launched. programmes to identify, reduce and man- of Nuaija Intersection would Interchange), Nuaija Inter- for pedestrian and cyclists on centres operational during weekends, Regarding the COVID-19 response, age risks to clients, family members and streamline traffic movement section (the Mall) and Lulu both sides of D-Ring Road the expansion of urgent care services to PHCC has introduced services such as tel- staff such as risk management training, in the region for those coming Intersection. along 4.5 kilometres, in ad- eight health centres, an increase in the ephone and video virtual consultations, a enhanced disclosure of incident practices to and from Najma, Al Hilal, This opening will enhance dition to tree-plantation and number of Well-Baby Clinics and ser- 24/7 Community Call Center, a medica- and incident review and reporting for cli- Nuaija and Old Airport via D- capacity of all the intersections landscaping works throughout vices across all health centres and the tion home delivery system, in collabora- ents and families in the health centres. Ring Road on one side and Na- and reduce traffic congestion the project. Nation Monday, May 3, 2021 03 Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates Ministry recalls Ford F150, GMC receives 2021 Webby nomination Savana models Tribune News Network are finding it tough to engage Tribune News Network consumers and ensure that Doha in constructive conversations Doha dealers follow up on vehicle over the issues that matter. We defects and repairs. Qatar Foundation’s Doha developed the Better Conver- The Ministry of Commerce The MoCI added that it Debates has been nominated sations series to provide eve- and Industry (MoCI), in co- would coordinate with the for a 2021 Webby Award – a ryone with a series of tips and operation with Almana Mo- dealer to follow up on the leading international award techniques to help everyone tors Company, the dealer maintenance and repair honouring excellence on the better connect and overcome of Ford in Qatar, has an- works and will communicate internet – with winners set to differences. I’m delighted and nounced the recall of Ford with customers to ensure be announced on May 18. honoured that we have been F150 models of 2017-2020, that they carried out the nec- As a nominee in the 25th nominated for this award.” over the possibility to de- essary repairs. Annual Webby Awards, the Other Webby nominees velop noise from the cam The ministry has urged International Academy of include Amazon, Apple, Dis- phasers when starting the all customers to report any Digital Arts and Sciences rec- ney, Google, Netflix,A BC, Al engine in some of the affect- violations to its Consumer ognised Doha Debates’ Better Jazeera, the BBC, CBS, CNN, ed vehicles. Protection and Anti-Com- Conversations video series as HBO, NBC, PBS, the Oprah The ministry, in coopera- mercial Fraud Department, one of the world’s top five best Winfrey Network, Buzzfeed, tion with Mannai Trading which processes complaints, in the Webby’s “Video: How- National Geographic, Reuters, Company, the dealer of GMC inquiries and suggestions to, explainer and do-it-your- for two Webby honours - the on the internet,” said Claire “At Doha Debates, we try the Washington Post, Global in Qatar, has also recalled through the following chan- self” category. Webby Award and the Webby Graves, executive director of to carve out a space for people Citizen and the International GMC Savana model of 2021 nels: The Better Conversations People’s Voice Award, which the Webby Awards. “It is an to engage with one another Olympic Committee. due to a possible defect in Call center: 16001 series offers insights and tips is voted online by fans around incredible achievement to be even if it might be challeng- Since 2019, Doha Debates’ the positive battery wire, Email: [email protected] from conflict resolution ex- the world. selected among the 13,500 en- ing. Our hope is that this se- programmes and digital con- which may lead to an electri- Social media accounts: pert Dr Govinda Clayton on From now until May 8, tries we received this year.” ries gives people the practical tent have garnered more than cal discharge or a fire in the Twitter: @MOCIQATAR how to transform conflict and fans can cast their votes at Katrine Dermody, Doha tools they need to have pro- four million social media fol- same area. Instagram: MOCIQATAR disagreement into produc- vote.webbyawards.com. Debates’ executive producer ductive and powerful conver- lowers in 233 nations and The ministry said the re- Ministry of Commerce tive, solutions-focused con- “Nominees like Doha De- of Digital, welcomed the news sations.” territories, 320 million video call campaign comes within and Industry mobile app for versations. With its nomina- bates are setting the standard of the Webby Award nomina- Dr Clayton said, “We live views and 30 million social the framework of its con- android and IOS: MOCIQA- tion, Doha Debates is eligible for innovation and creativity tion. in a time when most people media engagements. tinuous efforts to protect TAR DFC wins three awards at 2021 World Marketing Congress Awards

Tribune News Network Doha Festival City was The mall also scooped the Council, having brought the The World Marketing Doha crowned ‘Best Digital Inte- ‘Best Strategic PR campaign first ever digital raffle draw to Congress Awards are designed grated Campaign for Festival for Mother’s Day 2021’ title Doha residents. to recognise exceptional work Doha Festival City (DFC), Fashion TV (FFTV)’, won the for the high number of inter- DFC General Manager done by the marketing com- Qatar’s choice for shopping, ‘Best Strategic PR campaign national coverage received Robert Hall said, “We are hon- munity to take their brands dining and entertainment, for Mother’s Day 2021’ and and its excellence in offering oured to receive such valuable into the digital era. The awards has received three prestigious received high recognition for mall visitors a unique engag- industry awards across three recognise and reward leaders accolades at the 2021 World its first-ever digital raffle draw ing experience to celebrate categories. Since its incep- of the industry for their out- Marketing Congress Awards. with the ‘Best Multichannel Mother’s Day, with a special tion, Doha Festival City conti- standing achievements and The World Marketing Integrated Campaign for Fes- tribute art piece designed nously aimed to offer Qatar’s innovative approach to mar- Congress Awards is conduct- tival City Raffle Draw’ award. by celebrity event designer, community the most engaging keting. ed in strategic partnership Doha Festival City was rec- Adam Afara. experience and memorable During the month of Ram- with CMO Asia and the World ognised for its excellent digi- DFC was also recognised moments, and we are proud adan, from April 25 to May 11, Brand Congress, and is the tal channel Festival Fashion for its unique community-led for being recognised by the general mall trading hours will single largest gathering of best (FFTV), its latest series featur- activations, including its one- World Marketing Congress for be from 10am to 12am, with marketers behind some of the ing a host of renowned fashion myriad of brands available FFTV (Festival Fashion TV), of-a-kind raffledraw ‘Spend our exceptional achievements, an option to trade until 1am. world’s most successful and personalities in a challenge to at Doha Festival City. Doha has garnered over 10 million & Win’ in partnership with as well as the innovation in The Hypermarket will be open sought after brands. choose their outfit from the Festival City’s newly launched views since launched. the Qatar National Tourism our marketing approach.” from 9am to 12am. 04 Monday, May 3, 2021 Nation Aspetar to present Young Investigators’ Award at global sport medicine meeting Tribune News Network Aspetar and FIMS scientists Doha and clinicians, will indepen- dently evaluate the presenta- Aspetar has announced that tions using standardised as- it will present the Young In- sessment templates. vestigator Awards for the third Aspetar has contributed time as part of the 36th World to the ongoing success of Congress of Sports Medicine, the FIMS World Congress of BPS Kindergarten organises which will be held from Sep- Sports Medicine through key tember 24-27, at the Megaron note lectures, symposia, and welcome assembly webinar Athens International Confer- workshops on various sports ence Center in Athens, Greece. medicine and science top- Tribune News Network through a recorded play by the Aspetar and the International ics since establishing a for- Doha teachers. Being physically fit is Sports Medicine Federation mal partnership with FIMS in as important as being healthy (FIMS) have a long history of 2016. The Kindergarten section of and happy. This aspect was collaboration in sports medi- As one of the world’s fore- Birla Public School (BPS) re- portrayed by a very beautiful cine, science, and education. most experts in sports medi- cently organised a virtual Wel- paper dance by the teachers. These awards, given to four semination of their work to an standards of research in sports dency within the last six years cine and science, Aspetar con- come Assembly. The teachers spoke on the researchers for the best poster international audience. medicine and science to ben- and must not hold a position tinues to prioritise extensive Vice-Principal Co-Scho- Holy Month of Ramadan. and oral presentations at this The Aspetar Young In- efit ongoing basic and clinical higher than assistant profes- clinical, research, and educa- lastic Rajesh Pillai, KG Head- Thanking and appreciat- biannual congress, are intend- vestigator Award will enable research projects. sor. tion collaborations with a wide mistress Josephine Fernades, ing the school management ed to encourage and support both emerging and established All eligible prize winners The Aspetar Young Inves- range of local, regional, and and KG Academic Supervi- for implementing the ways young scientists, as well as to researchers and clinicians to must have completed a re- tigator Awards Committee, international individuals, in- sors Marziya Fazal and Sheeba to make learning a fun-filled recognise outstanding dis- advance and apply the highest search degree or medical resi- comprised of five experienced stitutions, and organisations. Menon, along with parents experience for the kids, the and the little ones attended guest parent coordinator em- the webinar. phasised that this pandemic The vice-principal con- has not stopped the school, gratulated the Kindergarten parents, teachers and the section for being the first in kids from continuing with the Diplomats dominate at QGL Amrohi Memorial Golf line for a wonderful start of learning process. events. The assembly marked the Tribune News Network ment at the Education City and a best Gross of one un- The assembly highlighted beginning of events planned Doha Par-3 Golf Course, which der 26. moral values like empathy and throughout for the academic was played on a Two-Per- Rahul Kumar made kindness towards one another year 2021-22. Qatar Golf Lovers (QGL) son-Team Texas Scramble amends for his earlier loss held its 201st tournament format. by winning a special prize over the weekend in memory The team of Kanchan for being the closest to the of QGL Founder Ambassa- Ghoshal and Rahul Kumar pin, while Clark White won dor Dr. Ashok Amrohi, who worked hard to post a daunt- the prize for the longest putt. died recently as a result of ing score of 23.8 on the Due to Covid constraints, COVID-19 complications. Leaderboard, but they were the presentation ceremony As many as 28 golfers, no match for the Diplomatic had to be postponed until led by the Ambassadors of Pair of Serbian Ambassador after Ramadan. For over India, Japan, Korea, and Jasminko Pozderac and Ko- 20 years, QGL has hosted Serbia, gathered to pay trib- rean Ambassador Chang Mo monthly tournaments with- ute to the late Dr. Amrohi Kim, who played flawless out interruption. www. and honor him with a Spe- golf to take the honors with myqgl.com has information cial Ramadan Golf Tourna- a winning Nett Score of 23.6 on upcoming events. Olive International School holds Pearl School Doha holds its virtual investiture ceremony orientation programme

Tribune News Network Doha

Pearl School, Doha held a three-day Parent Ori- entation Workshop for KG and Grade 1 parents to familiarise them with the school’s culture, as well as scholastic and co- scholastic activities for the coming year. Sam Mathew, Presi- dent of the School, and Abdullah Abdulgafoor, Tribune News Network aided them in effectively car- were sworn in by the Chief to be better than the best. The Vice President, welcomed Doha rying out the school’s vision Guests, who were joined by the coordinators and proud par- the parents. The curricu- and mission. As the grand cer- Principal, Dr. Jackson Maroky, ents of the newly elected stu- lum and the school’s on- Olive International School emony began, the air was filled the Vice-Principal, Anupama dent council members were line platform were pre- held a virtual investiture cer- with a positive spirit of unity Sajith, the headmistress of Nu- congratulated and best wishes sented by the Principal, emony to install student coun- and excitement. aija campus, Sarika Pandey, were extended. Vice Principal, Head Mis- cil members for the Academic The ceremony’s chief and the Headmistress of Umm It was a proud moment for tress, Coordinators, and Year 2021-22 on Saturday. All guests were Pankaj Kumar Salal campus, Roopinder Kaur, all of the parents to see their KG In Charges. of the young student council Mishra IRS and Jyothis Mo- while the parents of the young children given great responsi- The Quality Coordina- members were well-prepared han IRS. Their motivational leaders invested the badges. bilities as they embarked on a tor introduced the par- to take on the mantle of leader- speech urged the newly ap- The rocking performances new journey as leaders. It was ents to the School’s Vi- ship and responsibility on this pointed council members to of the vibrant student per- also a moment of pride and sion and Mission. solemn occasion. use their leadership abilities to formers added color to the honor for all of the OIS teach- The school nurse OIS has always done its help the institution change for event. The principal and vice- ers who played such an im- talked to the students best to instill leadership quali- the better. principal encouraged all stu- portant role in shaping these about good health ties in its students, which has The new council members dent council members to strive young leaders. habits. MES Indian School organises Inter-Class debate competition

Tribune News Network their respective classes were Doha chosen for the final round based on the results of the preliminary As its first initiative, the Middle round. For the final presenta- Section of MES Indian School, tion, two students from each in collaboration with the Depart- class were chosen. There were 12 ment of English, organised an people who spoke in favor of and Inter-Class debate competition against the motion. Mr. Jency on the topic: “Is it necessary to George moderated the debate. enforce uniforms for school chil- All of the competitors were of for their enthusiasm in oratory Mr. D.A.S Rex, Co-ordinator, George, Sreejith K.N., Praveesh dren?”. This was held recently equal calibre and competed en- skills. Deapartment of English, Boys’ Jose, Anfarsafiyulla, Vijaya via the Zoom platform for stu- thusiastically. Mohammed Ilias, Head of Section congratulated the par- Sharmila, and Shravya Man- dents from all divisions of Class- Hameeda Kadar, Principal Boys’ Section and Vice Princi- ticipants. jrekar. In recognition of their V. of M.E.S Indian School, praised pal (officiating), Jas M.A., Mid- The teachers who helped participation and efforts, all par- The English teachers from the team of aspiring debaters dle School Headmaster, and organise the event were Jency ticipants received E-Certificates. World Monday, May 3, 2021 05

News India daily coronavirus in brief Associate of late Islamic State leader arrested in Istanbul, say reports Istanbul: An associate of the late Islamic State leader Abu death toll hits new high Bakr al-Baghdadi has been arrested in Istanbul, two local media outlets reported on Sunday. The man was detained on Wednesday in the Atasehir district of Istanbul, Anadolu and DHA news agencies reported ● The country records over 3,000 deaths on Sunday ● Medical equipment arrive from France and Belgium on Sunday, citing the police. The man, from Afghanistan, is to be brought before a magistrate, according to the reports. Turkey’s dpa supplies of oxygen and medi- intelligence service was also involved in the operation, they said. New Delhi cal supplies don’t make it to The man is said to have organized training camps for the Islamic hospitals. State extremist group and to have been involved in decision- India saw its deadliest day of Indian Railways has con- making, Anadolu reported. He is also said to have helped the pandemic yet with 3,689 verted 4,000 railway carriages Al-Baghdadi travel from Iraq to Syria and hidden him there. He deaths reported in the last 24 into “isolation coaches” with used a fake passport to reach Turkey, NTV reported. (dpa) hours, as the caseload surged 64,000 beds. As many as 213 to 19.5 million with 392,488 coaches had been handed to fresh infections, government various states for COVID-19 Iranian chemical factory fire injures six, data showed Sunday. care, it said. poses potential health hazard This is the fourth straight While the worst-affected day India has recorded over cities and states like New Tehran: A large fire broke out at a chemical factory in central 3,000 deaths as the second Delhi and Mahrashtra are in Iran on Sunday, leading authorities to warn of potential health wave of the pandemic carries prolonged lockdowns, states risks for people nearby. on unabated and keeps setting like Odisha and Haryana also More than 100 firefighters arrived on the scene to extin- grim new records. Altogether, announced new lockdowns to guish the blaze that erupted at an industrial area in the city of 215,542 people have died from halt the spread of infections in Qom, local officials said. The local fire department spoke of six COVID-19. rural areas. people injured, including a firefighter in critical condition. India became the first India opened a new round The firefighters reported early success in preventing the country to cross 400,000 dai- of its vaccinations on Satur- blaze from spreading to neighbouring residential areas and the ly cases on Saturday. day, extending coverage for all blaze was said to be under control. It recorded 6.6 million COVID-19 coronavirus patients breathe with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurdwara, a place of worship those above 18 years old, but The inferno could potentially spew dangerous pollutants infections and 45,000 deaths for Sikhs in Ghaziabad on Sunday. (AFP) only a handful of states were into the air, authorities warned, adding that the Revolutionary in April, compared to the lit- able to deliver the jabs owing Guards have been called in for help. (dpa) tle over 1.2 million cases to a shortage of vaccines. and 5,417 deaths in March, Modi’s party loses key state poll amid COVID-19 crisis Despite being among the broadcaster NDTV reported. world’s leading producer of Hundreds of Iraqis protest, demanding Health care systems are over- New DELHI: India’s ruling party leading in 39 more. Modi’s huge rallies across the state, vaccines, India, with a huge better working conditions whelmed, and a shortage of on Sunday suffered a defeat in Bharatiya Janata Party bagged which critics said contributed population of over 1.3 bil- medical oxygen has emerged a major regional election that 57 seats and was ahead in 18 to the spread of the disease. lion, has run short and also Baghdad: Hundreds of Iraqis on Sunday took to the streets as the most serious challenge. was seen as a barometer of Pre- more. In Assam, the BJP managed placed a temporary hold on in the capital Baghdad and two further key areas in protest Thirty-four patients died mier Narendra Modi’s popularity The Bengal polls were the to retain power, albeit putting exports to meet the domestic against unemployment and working conditions, witnesses said. for alleged want of oxygen in and whether his government’s most crucial among elections up a weaker performance demands. In Baghdad, dozens of angry temporary workers stormed hospitals in the national capi- mishandling of the COVID-19 also held in Tamil Nadu, As- than the previous election, the Meanwhile, international the outer wall of the Finance Ministry building, demanding tal, New Delhi, and the states crisis could dent its political sam, Kerala states as well as results showed. aid is arriving from the United permanent jobs, the witnesses added. of Andhra Pradesh and Hary- fortunes. federally-administered territory In the southern states of States, Germany and 40 other Gunshots were heard as security forces attempted to stop ana on Saturday, the Times of In West Bengal, the incum- of Puducherry, that counted Kerala and Tamil Nadu, BJP countries that have promised protesters from breaking into the ministry’s offices. Three dem- India reported. bent chief minister Mamata votes on Sunday. rivals, a left-wing coalition and support to India as its health onstrators were injured, witnesses said. So far, there has been Thirty-one more with Banerjee’s regional Trinamool The BJP campaigned heav- regional Dravida Munnetra Ka- care system is pushed to the no comment from the authorities. COVID-19-like symptoms and Congress secured the major- ily in Bengal, a stronghold of zagham, respectively, scored brink and beyond. Elsewhere in Iraq, dozens of protesters gathered outside “breathing difficulties” died ity with more than 148 in 294 opposition against Modi, to easy victories. Political ana- Medical equipment in- the Wasit University in the central province of Wasit, demand- in a hospital in Uttar Pradesh seat state legislative as- dislodge Banerjee who has lysts said the defeat in Bengal cluding hospital-level oxy- ing government jobs for graduates. Meanwhile, temporary state, the report cited authori- sembly, the Election Commis- been in power for two terms. will further push BJP - facing gen generators and anti-viral workers blocked two key bridges in the southern province of ties as saying. sion website showed. It was Even with a surge in virus widespread criticism of its drug Remdesivir arrived from Dhi Qar, demanding permanent jobs, witnesses said. The Delhi High Court has projected to score an impres- cases and the death toll, Modi management of the pandemic France and Belgium on Sun- Street protests have roiled Iraq since October 2019, with warned that it will start pun- sive win, with 176 seats and and other politicians held - on the back foot. (dpa) day, India’s foreign ministry demonstrators calling for an end to corruption. (dpa) ishing officials if life-saving said. Huge Kabul fuel tanker blaze kills at least 7, engulfs city in smoke

dpa Kabul

A massive fire ripped through several fuel tankers in northern Kabul, leav- ing at least seven people dead, engulf- ing the Afghan capital in smoke and knocking out power for many resi- dents. Another 14 people were taken to hospitals with injuries, although some have already been discharged, Interior Ministry spokesperson Tariq Arian said on Sunday. It appeared that one fuel tanker caught alight and then the blaze spread to dozens of others parked nearby, Arian said. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire on Saturday night Local residents and owners of fuel tankers inspect the site following an overnight and if it was intentionally set or not. ablaze on the outskirts of Kabul on Sunday. (AFP) “We are working to find out the cause of the fire,” Arian said. “At this ful blasts were heard. occurred on the border between stage, we can only say that the spark The country’s power utility com- Afghanistan and Iran involving started from a fuel tanker and spread pany said the fire caused an electric- hundreds of trucks and containers to others.” The blaze was so big resi- ity outage, leaving many parts of the worth millions of dollars after a fuel dents could see its orange glow from city in the dark. truck exploded. At least 17 people all over the city. At least three power- In mid-February, a huge blaze were injured. Iran’s FM Zarif apologises for his critical comments on leaked audio dpa Tehran Zarif said he regretted com- ments he made in which he Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- complained about the interfer- hammad Javad Zarif has apologized for critical remarks he was heard ence of Iran’s Revolutionary saying about the country’s political Guards, a branch of the armed system in a leaked audio recording. forces, in diplomatic affairs “I would like to apologise to everyone,” Zarif, one of Iran’s most high-profile figures and who has voters as well as to hinder ongoing been foreign minister since 2013, nuclear negotiations. wrote on Instagram on Sunday. According to Zarif, he had not Zarif said he regretted com- given a “classic interview” but a ments he made in which he com- “theoretical exchange of views” plained about the interference of Mohammad Javad Zarif about strategy with a member of the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, a presidential office. branch of the armed forces, in dip- The scandal has dominated the Part of what made Zarif’s candid lomatic affairs. front pages of Iranian newspapers remarks so explosive was his criti- The remarks came in an inter- for days as it seems to suggest a cism of Qassem Soleimani. view conducted by one of President rift among the country’s leader- Soleimani, the commander of Hassan Rowhani’s advisers. The ship ahead of a presidential election the Guards’ elite Quds Force, was audio tape was allegedly stolen by scheduled for June. killed in a US attack in Baghdad in “inner circles” and then published Rowhani, who cannot run for January 2020. by Persian-language news outlets re-election, said the leak was a tactic Since then, he has enjoyed sta- abroad. by hardliners to help them win over tus in Iran as a martyr. 06 Monday, May 3, 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

Facing Facts: Safely Shedding Face Masks Is Biden’s Economic Plan Is A Post-Vaccination Perk Vital For US Self-Respect A bigger US government role is vital for the US to catch up with China in infrastructure, critical research and scientific education Trudy Rubin

lthough President Biden barely mentioned foreign policy in his address to Congress on Wednes- day, it was really a foreign-policy speech. ew York State’s emergency mask mandate, AIn laying out a multitrillion-dollar in place since April 2020, doesn’t require plan to invest in infrastructure, educa- Nmask-wearing at all times when outside the tion, basic research, and the workforce, home — just when you’re indoors and not eat- there was an underlying theme that may ing, and when outdoors while unable to main- have eluded many listeners. tain at least six feet of distance from others. “We’re in competition with China and But many New Yorkers cover their faces other countries to win the 21st century,” wherever and whenever they’re out, whether Biden said. 10 feet apart or 50. Understandably: It shows “We have to compete more strenuous- you care about your neighbours. Unfortunately, ly than we have.” He also said, “We have because former President Donald Trump fool- to prove democracy still works, that our ishly turned mask-wearing into a football in the government still works and can deliver culture wars, mask-wearing also became a po- for the people.” litical statement — one that communicated gen- Indeed, America’s paramount for- eral respect for science, even when symbolism eign-policy challenge in this century will Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vice President Joe Biden walk down the red carpet on the tarmac during an arrival ceremony in Andrews Air trumped utility. be to demonstrate that our damaged de- Force Base, Md. in September 2015. We’ve known for months the risk of trans- mocracy is capable of competing with an mitting COVID is much lower outside than in- authoritarian China — a self-confident Foreigners confront US dysfunction education. Government funding was also batteries, biotechnology, computer chips, doors. And on Tuesday, the Centers for Disease China that believes it is destined to set the from the moment they step foot in New key to the birth of the internet. clean energy,” and more. Control changed their mask-wearing recom- global rules in coming decades. York City’s awful John F Kennedy Air- As Biden proposed, it’s vital that This competition isn’t about who can mendations, intended to encourage more Amer- And the key to that competition, rath- port, and travel to the city. I still recall a Washington rise to the occasion again. beat their chest and claim global superior- icans to get their shot. The low risk of transmis- er than revolving around which country Chinese official telling me how his teen- Yet, federal spending on basic research ity. It is about whether US democracy can sion outdoors, combined with the very effective has the strongest military, will depend age son recoiled the first time he travelled and development, which used to equal 2% demonstrate that our system surpasses COVID vaccines, means vaccinated Americans on whether America can rejuvenate itself on a New York subway, asking his father, of GDP, has been steadily falling. In fiscal autocracy in providing for its own people, no longer need to wear masks when outside, at home. “Why do Americans put up with such year 2019, it declined to 0.6% of US GDP, and leading the world scientifically. even when meeting unvaccinated friends and Many Americans, secure in their be- filthy trains?” the lowest in more than 60 years. Back in December, when America’s family. lief that this country is the greatest, have Why, indeed. Why have Americans As Biden made clear, that figure has handling of COVID-19 was among the Gov. Andrew Cuomo echoed the new federal failed to grasp how far we have fallen from come to accept this as normal? Chinese to rise. world’s worst, Chinese newspapers guidance, and Mayor Bill de Blasio should fol- global leadership in critical areas, where people travel via shiny new airports, even America’s vital research and devel- crowed about US failures. After the Janu- low. New Yorkers can stop policing people who we should still have the lead. However, in small cities, and they move from city opment needs can’t be met by the self- ary 6 insurrection, even allied nations are unmasked and distanced outdoors. Those the rest of the world clearly sees this, in- to city on 23,000 miles of excellent high- interested gods of Silicon Valley. This is wondered if a dysfunctional America was people, especially if they’re vaccinated, aren’t cluding Chinese leaders. speed railways. Even the most remote a moment in history where advances in self-destructing. putting others in harm’s way. Our only worry: Our infrastructure – airports, bridg- towns have internet service. cutting-edge technologies will determine Today, the White House success with Will the freedom promised by this new federal es, tunnels, roads, electrical grids, and Does this mean an authoritarian sys- whether China rules the global economy vaccinations has proven America can rise guidance really convince more Americans to get broadband internet – is a crumbling dis- tem is better than ours because it “makes along with space and military competi- to the occasion (although continued GOP the shot? Or will it just lead to less mask-wear- grace. In its 2021 report card, the Ameri- the trains run on time”? Not at all. tion. Washington must help. propagation of the big election lie under- ing from everyone, vaccinated or not? can Society of Civil Engineers gave US But it does mean that Americans have Many of Biden’s social proposals, in- mines that progress). Even as hard-won lessons from the pan- infrastructure a C-. lost sight of what government can do for cluding government-funded preschool, So, whatever the debate over spe- demic teach us that masking up outdoors is A few of the problems it cited include the people, after decades of being told free community college, and workforce cifics or funding of Biden’s proposals, less essential than we used to believe, there’s a water-main breaks every two minutes, that government was bad for them. They development, are an investment in the Americans should pay attention to the pernicious strain of thinking that still relishes failing levees, inadequate airports, struc- have forgotten that President Dwight Ei- human capital needed to compete with underlying message: In the 21st century, turning mask-wearing into a cultural wedge. turally deficient bridges, badly aging senhower signed legislation funding the China. Did you know that, in interna- US democracy faces critical competition That was exemplified Monday night byT ucker roads — and woefully insufficient inter- building of our interstate highway system. tional rankings, US 15-year-olds poll 11th from China’s autocracy. To win that race Carlson, who said — we’re not making this up net coverage. During the pandemic lock- Americans have also forgotten the in science and 30th in math? Guess who Americans need their federal government — that parents who make their kids wear masks downs in 2020 and 2021, an estimated “Sputnik moment” after the Soviet Union polls first? Yes, it is China. to renew its historic role. outdoors ought to have child protective services 20% of school-aged children lacked the launched the first Earth-orbiting satellite “China and other countries are closing sicced on them. high-speed connection needed to access in 1957. This led to the creation of NASA, in fast,” Biden rightly said on Wednesday (Trudy Rubin is the foreign af- Can someone put a sound-proof mask on lessons. And one-third of rural areas lack along with massive government funding night. America must “develop and domi- fairs columnist for The Philadel- that guy’s face? Better yet, take him off the air? coverage. for improving science and mathematics nate the products of the future. Advanced phia Inquirer) Musk, Bezos Have Celestial Plans But Should Do More For Workers Here On Earth ROBERT REICH traterrestrial colonies, but in space lost pay and benefits. from the madding crowds. Some rather than on Mars. He envisions Musk and Bezos are the rich- of today’s super-rich have created “very large structures, miles on est people in America, and their doomsday bunkers in case of nu- lon Musk and Jeff Bezos end” that will “hold a million peo- companies are among the country’s clear war or social strife. want to colonize outer space ple or more each.” fastest growing. They thereby exert But as earthly hazards grow — to save humanity, but they But Musk and Bezos are treating huge influence on how other chief not just environmental menaces couldn’t care less about pro- their workers like, well, dirt. executives understand their obliga- but also social instability related to tecting the rights of workers Last spring, after calling gov- tions to employees. growing inequality — escape will be- Ehere on earth. ernment stay-at-home orders The gap between the compensa- come more difficult. Bunkers won’t Musk’s SpaceX just won a $2.9 “fascist” and tweeting “FREE tion of CEOs and average workers suffice. Not even space colonies can billion NASA contract to land as- AMERICA NOW,” Musk reopened is already at a record high. They in- be counted on. I’m grateful to Musk tronauts on the moon, beating out his Tesla factory in Fremont, Cali- habit different worlds. for making electric cars and to Mr. Mr. Bezos. fornia, before health officials said it If Musk and Bezos achieve their Bezos for making it easy to order The money isn’t a big deal for was safe to do so. extraterrestrial aims, these worlds stuff online. But I wish they’d set either of them. Musk is worth Almost immediately, 10 Tesla could be literally different. Most better examples for protecting and $179.7 billion, Bezos $197.8 bil- workers came down with COVID-19. This illustration made available by NASA in April 2020 depicts Artemis astro- workers won’t be able to escape into lifting the people who do the work. lion. Together, that’s almost As cases mounted, Musk fired work- nauts on the Moon. outer space. A few billionaires are It’s understandable that the su- as much as the bottom 40% of ers who took unpaid leave. Seven already lining up. per wealthy might wish to escape Americans combined. months later, at least 450 Tesla ened workers if they unionized, and about $31,000 a year for a full-time The super-rich have always the gravitational pull of the rest of And the moon is only their workers had been infected. barred employees from communi- worker, less than half the US me- found means of escaping the perils us. But there’s really no escape. If stepping-stone. Musk’s production assistants, cating with the media. dian family income. And there’s no of everyday life. During the plagues they’re serious about survival of the Musk says SpaceX will land hu- as they’re called, earn $19 an hour Bezos isn’t treating his earth- paid sick leave. of the 17th century, European aris- species, they need to act more re- mans on Mars by 2026 and wants to — hardly enough to afford rent and ling employees much better. His Bezos has fired at least two em- tocrats decamped to their country sponsibly toward working humans establish a colony by 2050. Its pur- other costs of living in Northern warehouses impose strict produc- ployees who publicly complained estates. During the 2020 pandemic, here on terra firma. pose, he says, will be to ensure the California. tion quotas and subject workers to about lack of protective equipment wealthy Americans headed to the continued survival of our species. Musk is virulently anti-union. A seemingly arbitrary firings, total during the pandemic. To thwart the Hamptons, their ranches in Wyo- (Robert Reich, former US “If we make life multiplan- few weeks ago, the National Labor surveillance and 10-hour workdays recent union drive in Bessemer, Ala- ming or their yachts. secretary of labor, is profes- etary, there may come a day when Relations Board found that Tesla with only two half-hour breaks — bama, Amazon required workers to The rich have also found ways sor of public policy at the Uni- some plants and animals die out illegally interrogated workers over often not enough time to get to a attend anti-union meetings, warned to protect themselves from the rest versity of California at Berke- on Earth but are still alive on suspected efforts to form a union, bathroom and back. they’d have to pay union dues (un- of humanity — in fortified castles, ley and the author of “The Mars,” he tweeted. fired one and disciplined another Bezos boasts that his workers true — Alabama is a “right-to-work” on hillsides safely above smoke System: Who Rigged It, How Bezos is also aiming to build ex- for union-related activities, threat- get $15 an hour, but that comes to state), and threatened them with and sewage, in grand mansions far We Fix It.”)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Monday, May 3, 2021 07

Coastguard, rescue North Korea slams Biden after he ships pick up calls Pyongyang a security threat hundreds of people in Mediterranean dpa Seoul Big blunder dpa city of al-Zawiya, west of the Rome/Tripoli Libyan capital, Tripoli, said North Korea on Sunday ac- N Korean official said a spokesman for the Libyan cused US President Joe Biden Washington was holding on A rescue ship carrying 455 navy, Masoud Abdel-Samad. of making a “big blunder” in to ‘outdated policy’ from migrants was floating in the Five other boats with a a recent speech in which he the Cold War-era and called Mediterranean Sea on Sun- total of 466 African migrants called Pyongyang a security Biden’s speech ‘a big day as it awaited an offer of were intercepted off Tripoli threat. blunder in the light of the safe harbour at which to dis- on Friday. Biden said in his first ad- present-day viewpoint’ embark its passengers. All the migrants were dress to a joint session of the The Sea-Watch 4 took on transferred to a naval base US Congress on Wednesday 51 more migrants in distress in Tripoli and will be handed that North Korea’s nuclear down with [North Korea], and on Saturday night as they at- over to a government anti- programme posed serious this is also a clear answer to tempted to make the danger- migration agency, he added. threats that would be dealt how we should approach the ous crossing to Europe in a According to the official, a with “through diplomacy, as new administration in the wooden boat, the German total of 1,000 migrants have well as stern deterrence.” US,” the statement said. volunteer group that operates been stopped this week in North Korea lashed out Biden’s National Security the ship said. boats off the Libyan coast. He at Biden, warning the United Advisor, Jake Sullivan, gave a It was the vessel’s sixth attributed the increase in mi- States will face “a very grave measured response to Pyong- rescue operation since Thurs- grant boasts to the presence situation” in a series of state- yang’s remarks on the Biden day, the Sea-Watch organiza- of the rescue ships Sea-Watch ments published by state news speech in an interview with tion wrote on Twitter. and Ocean Viking about 30 outlet KCNA. broadcaster ABC. Meanwhile, Italian au- miles from the Libyan coast. In one of the statements “Our policy towards North thorities allowed the Ocean “We are at the begin- Kwon Jong Gun, director gen- Korea is not aimed at hostility. Viking vessel, run by the SOS ning of the illegal migration eral of the Foreign Ministry’s It’s aimed at solutions,” Sulli- Mediterranee charity and car- season. The Italian island of department of US affairs, said van said, repeating that the US rying 236 people, to dock in Lampedusa, which migrants that Biden’s speech “clearly re- US President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday. (AFP) government was prepared to the Sicilian port of Augusta want to reach, is around 400 flects his intent to keep enforc- work diplomatically towards on Saturday, the organization to 500 miles away, depending ing the hostile policy toward policy” from the Cold War-era accused Washington of insult- week. the denuclearizing the Korean said. on the launch point,” Abdel- the DPRK as it had been done and called Biden’s speech “a ing the dignity of North Ko- “The US has now insulted peninsula. Many of the migrants on Samad told dpa. by the US for over half a cen- big blunder in the light of the rea’s leadership after the US the dignity of our supreme Sullivan said the White board were unaccompanied “The presence of these tury.” present-day viewpoint.” State Department called out leadership. This becomes an House was prepared to take minors, SOS Mediterranee ships largely shortens the Kwon said Washington In a separate statement a the “egregious human rights evident sign that it is girding “practical” steps to work to- said. Refugees repeatedly at- distance and facilitates the ar- was holding on to “outdated Foreign Ministry spokesman situation” in the country last itself up for an all-out show- wards that end. tempt the perilous sea cross- rival target for migrants and ing to Europe, often in flimsy traffickers.” The International rubber boats, in order to Organization for Migration leave Libya, where they are (IOM) said its teams had pro- subject to rights abuses. How- vided emergency assistance N Korea warns of countermeasures after activists break flyer ban ever, many do not survive the to more than 600 migrants journey. intercepted over the past Seoul North Korea toughened She accused the South Gangwon provinces between Korea came into force at the from mutual bad-mouthing and The two rescue organiza- 48 hours. “We reiterate that its tone towards Seoul on Sun- Korean government of allowing last Sunday and Thursday. end of March, according to leafleting at the border. tions criticize the Libyan coast- Libya is not a safe port,” the day after South Korea activist the action and threatened to According to the report, which the sending of leaflets North Korea had in the guard and the European Un- IOM added on Twitter late said they sent half a million take countermeasures, accord- the balloons also contained and other things across the past reacted angrily to the ion for repeatedly returning Saturday. leaflets criticizing the auto- ing to state-run media. 500 brochures and 5,000 military demarcation line leaflet campaigns. migrants to war-torn Libya. Libya has become a ma- cratic leadership in Pyongyang The leader of the group 1-dollar banknotes. between the two countries is Last year, the international- The Libyan navy said it had in- jor transit route for migrants despite a ban. Fighters for a Free North The Unification Ministry in prohibited. ly isolated leadership in Pyong- tercepted boats carrying more trying to reach Europe by sea “We can no longer remain Korea, Park Sang Hak, who is Seoul did not confirm Park’s One of the reasons given yang cut the communication than 600 Europe-bound mi- since chaos erupted in the a bystander,” said Kim Yo a refugee from North Korea, statements. by the government for the lines between the two coun- grants over two days. North African country after Jong, the influential sister of said on Friday that his group It would be the first such controversial law initiative tries after one such action and They included 172 Afri- the 2011 revolt that toppled North Korean leader Kim Jong had sent 10 balloons across propaganda action since a was that both countries had also blew up a liaison office on can migrants in three rubber long-time dictator Moamer Un, on Sunday. the border from Gyeonggi and change in the law in South repeatedly agreed to refrain the shared border. (dpa) boats rescued Saturday off the Gaddafi.

Italian rapper’s Three Israelis injured in criticism of May Day demonstrations turn media, politics violent in multiple German cities attack in the West Bank gets divided dpa The woman was seriously dpa In Hamburg, police used Tel Aviv injured and taken to hospital, response Berlin water cannon to break up a according to media reports. gathering in front of the Rote Three Israelis were injured There have been concerns dpa Violent clashes between po- Flora left-wing cultural centre. in a gun attack in the West about renewed violence since Rome lice and participants marred Hundreds of people gathered Bank on Sunday, two of them Palestinian elections were rallies to mark May Day on Sat- there in the afternoon, but seriously, doctors said. delayed on Friday night. The An well-known Italian musi- urday in multiple German cit- failed to observe social-dis- Gunshots were fired from vote was initially scheduled cian’s critical comments about ies, on a day members of the tancing rules. a vehicle at an intersection for May 22. the media and politics during left- and right-wing had rallied Later, Hamburg police south of the Palestinian city of Experts warned that there a traditional May Day music crowds to protest everything stopped an unauthorized left- Nablus before the attacker or was likely to be significant festival in Rome have sparked from societal conditions to cor- wing demonstration and de- attackers were able to escape, disappointment and frustra- a divided response. onavirus restrictions. tained some 150 attendees the army said. tion if the vote was delayed. Rapper Fedez accused A march organised by a at the Lohmuehlenpark in St Earlier, Israeli soldiers Palestinian President the Rai 3 television channel, left-wing group and billed as Georg. in the West Bank shot at a Mahmoud Abbas attributed the broadcasting the concert on a “Revolutionary First of May More than 3,000 people Palestinian woman who ap- delay to the conflict with Israel Saturday night, of trying to Demonstration” was ended came to a march in Frankfurt, proached them with a knife, over Jerusalem. The Islamist censor his speech criticizing prematurely when crowds Police detain protestors during the so-called “Revolutionary Mayday” police said. according to army sources. Hamas criticized the decision. Italian politicians for blocking grew so rowdy that the organ- demontration in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district on Saturday. (AFP) They arrested some partici- a law against homophobia. izer himself complained of be- pants for throwing fireworks The musician, who is mar- ing attacked. A march through According to an initial es- to follow the rules, using loud- and attacking police, and used ried to model and fashion in- central and Berlin was called timate some 20 emergency re- speakers. water cannon to disperse the fluencer Chiara Ferragni, said off halfway through, but not sponders were injured in the Earlier in the day, 10,000 rally. the TV station had called on before about 8,000 had joined. violence. cyclists attended an anti-cap- As the day wore on, the vio- him to submit the text of his Even though the march Berlin police chief Barbara italist rally in the Grunewald lence grew worse at the event, speech in advance, Fedez said, was ended, police said they Slowik condemned the attacks, neighbourhood. which was billed as a “Day of then asked him to leave out were still in a stand-off with calling them “unacceptable.” Others came to a rally call- Rage.” At least two demonstra- party names and to change the stragglers. Some 240 people Before the march was broken ing for clubs and cultural life to tors required medical atten- content. The channel denied were arrested and at least one up, people waved flags, carried start up again. tion. Police also reported mul- the allegations. car had been set on fire. Police posters and shouted anti-police In the eastern district of tiple injuries in their ranks. The celebrity couple, were responding with pepper slogans. Some of the attendees Lichtenberg, meanwhile, 200 Meanwhile police in the among the most famous in spray as members of the crowd were drunk, police said. people came to protest against eastern city of Leipzig were Italy, have millions of social through bottle and rocks. The event started late as measures to contain the pan- also pelted with objects and media fans. Three officers were injured people failed to observe social- demic. firecrackers as they sought to Fedez also criticized the by fireworks thrown by attend- distancing rules, and police re- Similar events were con- disperse a rally. Several people Israeli soldiers stand guard after closing the entrance of Nablus city in government for failing to con- ees. peatedly called on participants ducted in dozens of other cities. were arrested. the occupied West Bank, on Sunday. (AFP) sider the cultural and events sector as Rome eases restric- tions on football. The musician also con- demned the far-right Lega Oscar-winning ‘Moonstruck’ actress Olympia Dukakis dies at 89 party for blocking a bill against homophobia in parliament, an dpa torini, whose involvement in Incidentally, her iconic issue many other celebrities Los Angeles The longtime stage actress her widowed daughter’s love toilet line hadn’t been in the spoke out about in late March. showcased her talent on a life and wry concerns about her script, but was improvised The Senate judiciary com- Oscar winner Olympia Du- broader stage in 1987 as own straying husband earned based on experiences with her mittee had been due to sched- kakis, the theater veteran who Cher’s sardonic mother in Dukakis an Academy Award own mother. ule a debate over the bill, but rose to prominence late in her for supporting actress, a Gold- Dukakis became a house- the planning session was can- career with memorable turns Norman Jewison’s romantic en Globe and a BAFTA nomi- hold name in 1988 by way of celled by the committee chair, in 1980s films such as “Moon- classic ‘Moonstruck’ nation. her Academy Award and her a Lega politician, blocking struck” and “Steel Magnolias,” “The fun part is that peo- cousin, former Massachusetts progress. has died at the age of 89. Facebook page on Saturday. ple pass me on the street and governor Michael Dukakis, Lega leader Matteo Salvini Dukakis, who also starred “After many months of failing yell lines from my movies: For winning the Democratic nomi- responded swiftly on Face- in “Look Who’s Talking” and health she is finally at peace ‘Moonstruck’ they say, ‘Your nation in the 1988 presidential book, suggesting Fedez meet “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” died at and with her [husband] Louis life is going down the toilet.’ election. During her Oscars ac- for coffee to discuss freedom her home in New York City. [Zorich].” The cause of death Or from ‘Dad,’ they say, ‘How ceptance speech, she stumped and rights. Right-wing poli- “My beloved sister, Olym- has yet to be determined. much are those pork chops?’ for him, concluding her re- ticians countered that laws pia Dukakis, passed away this The longtime stage ac- File photo of actress Olympia Dukakis. (afp) They say, ‘Do you know who marks by spontaneously shout- already punish discrimina- morning in New York City,” tress showcased her talent you are?’ It’s real funny,” she ing “OK, Michael, let’s go!” as tion against homosexuals and wrote her brother Apollo, who on a broader stage in 1987 as man Jewison’s romantic clas- when she played meddlesome told the Los Angeles Times in she lifted her Oscar statuette in trans people. confirmed her death on his Cher’s sardonic mother in Nor- sic “Moonstruck.” She was 56 Italian matriarch Rose Cas- 1991. the air like a baton. Baidu rolls out China’s first paid driverless taxi service page 10

Monday, May 3, 2021

33,874.85 10,906.17 48782.36 1,767.70 -185.51pts -5.23 pts -983.58 pts Gold -0.03 % Katara Hospitality’s Plaza Hotel in Dow QE sensex New York to reopen on May 20 page 11 Price percentage Price percentage 25.87 Brent 66.76 -1.90 % WTI 63.58 -2.20 % Silver -0.81 % Dukhan Bank net profit up 10% to QR267 mn in Q1 2021

to meet the Basel-III requirements, International Business Awards Total assets of the bank increases 29.7% to while maintaining a sufficient buffer granted Dukhan Bank three dis- above the minimum supervisory ra- tinguished awards, which in- exceed QR100 billion in the first quarter tio as specified by the Qatar Central cluded Banking CEO of the Year Bank and Basel Standards. Qatar 2020 for Khaled Al-Subeai, Tribune News Network The total financing assets Moreover, the Bank has been Best Retail Bank Qatar 2020, and Doha reached QR75 billion, achieving a affirmed rating of ‘A’ with a stable The Most Innovative Bank Qatar growth of 38.3 percent compared outlook by Fitch Ratings, and “A2/ 2020. Dukhan Bank on Sunday an- to March 2020 and resulting in an Prime-1” with a stable outlook by Moreover, Dukhan Bank won nounced that the bank’s net profit increase of 28 percent compared to the international rating agency the Most Innovative Islamic Bank- increased 10.3 percent to QR267 December 2020. Moody’s. ing Product – Thara’a – Qatar, million in the first quarter of 2021 Customer deposits balance rose The relentless efforts of the 2020, Global Business Outlook when compared to the first quarter to QR68.3 billion, recording strong cent compared to QR908 million more operational efficiency was board of directors and all employ- Awards 2020, and the Most Inno- of 2020. growth of 54.6 percent compared during the same period in 2020. achieved as evident through re- ees of the bank during the past vative Banking Brand, Qatar 2020 The total assets of the bank, to March 2020 and an increase of The total operating expenses duction in the cost-to-income ra- year were met with prestigious from Global Brands Magazine. supported by financing activities, 26.9 percent compared to Decem- were QR181 million for the three- tio, which decreased from 34 per- awards like Most User-Friendly Moreover, the bank also earned increased significantly to QR100.4 ber 2020. month period ending March 31, cent to 26 percent. Mobile Banking Application – awards for Best Corporate Digital billion, accomplishing a growth of The total income for the three- 2021, reduced from QR185 mil- Shareholders’ equity increased Qatar 2020, International Fi- Services Qatar 2021 and Best New 29.7 percent compared to the same month period ending March 31, lion in the same period last year. to QR11.3 billion and the total capi- nance Awards, and Most Progres- Contactless Payment Platform Qa- period in 2020 and 16.3 percent 2021 increased to QR946 million Considering strong operating in- tal adequacy ratio was stable at sive Bank Award, The New Age tar (D-Pay) 2021 from the ‘World compared to December 2020. registering a growth rate of 4.2 per- come growth and cost reduction, 16.4 percent as of March 13, 2021 Banking Summit. Additionally, Economic Magazine’. Total profit of QSE firms up 30.74% to QR10.92 bn in Q1 Combined profit of banking and financial services sector stood at QR6.3 bn in first quarter Satyendra Pathak reported a cumulative net prof- Doha it of QR295.12 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared The combined net profit of with net loss of QR114 million firms listed on the Qatar Stock in the corresponding period Exchange (QSE), with the ex- last year. ception of Qatar General In- The realty segment, which GIS is expected to surface back into the green as drilling loss declines surance & Reinsurance Com- has four listed entities, saw significantly. pany, stood at QR10.92 billion the combined net profit rise in the first quarter of 2021, the by 11.1 percent to QR390.2 exchange said in a statement million in the first three on its website on Sunday. months of this year against a NFE project set The overall net profit- net profit of QR351.2 million ability was up 30.74 percent in the same period last year. compared to QR8.36 billion The sector constituted more to drive GIS in the first quarter of 2020 as than 3 percent of the overall the various economic sectors net profitability in the review of the country showed early period. growth: Report signs of recovery amid cau- During the first three tious global optimism arising months of this year, telecom from the vaccine rollout and was the lone sector out of Satyendra Pathak the first quarter of 2021, they ease of lockdown restrictions the seven sectors that wit- Doha did state that positive signs of in major markets. nessed a decline in the net recovery were not felt imme- With a combined profit of profitability. Qatar’s North Field Expan- diately within the group’s op- QR6.3 billion, the banking and The Qatar Stock Exchange in Doha. The telecom sector saw sion (NFE) project remains a erating segments. We believe financial services sector alone its net profit decline by 40.36 significant catalyst for future the progress made in costs re- contributed almost 60 percent industry showed signs of re- The cumulative net earn- percent and 7.76 percent re- percent to QR259.2 million in growth of Gulf International duction thus far should dove- to the overall profit, according covery from the impact of the ings of transport sector grew spectively. the first quarter of 2020 com- Services (GIS), QNBFS has tail with an expected recovery to the bourse data. COVID-19 pandemic. 9.61 percent to QR671.7 mil- The combined net profit of pared to an overall net profit of said in a company report re- in market fundamentals as The banks and financial The industry sector, which lion in the first quarter of 2021 the consumer goods and ser- QR434.6 million in the same leased on Sunday. we move forward this year,” it services sector, which has 13 has 10 listed entities, reported compared to QR612.8 million vices sector that has 10 listed period last year. “We stay longer-term posi- said listed entities, reported 5.61 a whopping increase of 223.14 in the same quarter of the last entities went up 44.43 percent “All the financial state- tive on GIS shares. We expect “With drilling revenue percent increase in cumulative percent increase in cumulative year. to QR458.1 million in the first ments of listed companies are improving financial perfor- coming in moderately lower net profit in the first quarter of net profit in the first quarter of While there are three listed quarter of 2021 from QR317.1 available on the QSE website. mance in 2021 and newsflow than our model, the lower- 2021 against QR5.96 billion in 2021 to reach QR2.44 billion constituents in this sector, the million in the first quarter of The QSE management wishes regarding the NFE expansion, than-expected segment net the same quarter of 2020. against QR789.6 million in the profit was mainly driven by a the previous year. to thank all the departments potential debt restructuring to The industry sector was same quarter of 2020. rise of 14.65 percent in the net The insurance sector of listed companies for their drive stock price performance mainly responsible for the The sector contributed profit of Nakilat. Net profits achieved the biggest gain cooperation in promoting the over the next 12 months. We QR1.8 PT growth in the cumulative net more than 20 percent to the of the other two constituents among the seven sectors by principle of disclosure and remain ‘Accumulate’ on GISS profitability in the first quarter overall net profit of the listed Milaha and Gulf Warehousing rising 358.73 percent. The five transparency,” the QSE said in with a price target of QR1.8,” ● QNBFS stays longer-term of this year as the oil and gas entities in the review period. Company also increased 4.96 listed companies in this sector a statement on its website. QNBFS said in the report. positive on GIS shares. It “GIS’s drilling segment expects improving financial Gulf Drilling International performance in 2021 and (GIS) JV with Seadrill called newsflow regarding the NFE as GulfDrill started deploying expansion, potential debt its jackup ‘Lovanda’ on March restructuring to drive stock 29, 2020, as part of its 80-well price performance over the S&P may remove Lebanon’s stocks from indexes drilling programme for Qa- tar’s North Field East project. next 12 months. It remain Agencies currency shortages and fund May 14 and that the removal The second rig ‘West Castor’ ‘Accumulate’ on GIS with a repatriation concerns, S&P of shares could take place at started work in late August. price target (PT) of QR1.8 S&P Dow Jones Indices (GJI), DJI is proposing to remove a forthcoming rebalancing We further model in the re- the division of ratings agency index constituents domiciled of its indexes before markets maining four rigs in 2021 but S&P Global that creates stock in Lebanon from the S&P Pan reopening on June 21. our rig deployment schedule loss was due to improved market indexes, has launched Arab Indices,” the company The removal of Lebanon- projections are somewhat general and administrative a consultation exercise on said in a statement. domiciled shares would af- back-end loaded against man- (G&A) and operating expenses removing Lebanese shares “Additionally, S&P DJI is fect four companies – Bank agement guidance of a phased as GIS continues to optimise from several of its indexes as proposing to reclassify Leba- Audi, Blom Bank and Byblos deployment in the first half of costs. The other three seg- a result of the country’s worst non from a frontier market Bank, the country largest 2021,” the report said. ments posted modest varia- economic crisis in decades. to a stand-alone market, and lenders, as well as two classes GIS posted a loss of QR5.5 tions against our model, with S&P DJI said that it al- consequently remove all con- of shares listed by property million in the first quarter catering and aviation coming ready took some measures stituents from the S&P Fron- developer Solidere. Solidere of 2021 against a net profit in modestly ahead of our esti- “to address ongoing market tier BMI and related sub-in- is the largest publicly listed of QR8.7 million in the first mates,” the report said. accessibility issues in Leba- dices.” company on the Beirut Stock quarter of 2020 and a net loss “We expect earnings to non caused by the imposition Lebanon is enduring its Lebanon’s economy contracted 25 percent last year. Exchange. of QR367.3mn in the fourth surface back into the green of capital controls”. It added worst economic crisis since The Blom Stock Index that quarter of 2020. provided there are no one-offs that although it has been the end of its last civil war in nounced, banks have placed lost more than 90 per cent tracks the performance of the “The reported net loss for such as impairment in 2021 as monitoring the situation, lit- 1990. The country’s economy strict limits on the amount of its value against the US Beirut Stock Exchange has the first quarter of 2021 beat drilling loss declines signifi- tle progress has been made to contracted 25 per cent last of dollars that customers can dollar. That led to rampant jumped in value by 40 per- our forecast of a net loss of cantly. Other segments also address to problems caused year, according to the Inter- withdraw amid a dollar short- inflation, which soared to an cent so far this year as those QR55.2 million with outper- contribute positively, while by these controls. national Monetary Fund. age in the country. annual 158 per cent in March. that can afford to, invest to formance basically due to the continued progress in costs “Given the situation in Although no formal capi- Since the beginning of last S&P DJI said its consul- hedge against the pound’s drilling segment. While man- reduction and lower finance the country regarding foreign tal controls have been an- year, the Lebanese pound has tation exercise will last until plunge in value. agement pointed to a recov- charges help boost earnings,” ery in the oil and gas sector in the report said. Economy & Business Monday, May 3, 2021 09

China’s Cryptos face factory possible activity hurdles ahead, growth slows experts say Agencies Agencies Evolving rules, environ- China’s factory activity mental concerns and com- growth slowed and missed petition from central banks forecasts in April as sup- threaten to undermine many ply bottlenecks and rising of the world’s fast-growing costs weighed on produc- crypto assets, crypto and mac- tion and overseas demand ro experts said, while creating lost momentum. opportunities for those able to The country’s official adapt. manufacturing purchasing Europe and the United managers’ index (PMI) fell States are both working on to 51.1 in April from 51.9 in regulating digital assets and March, data from the na- their providers - moves wel- tional Bureau of Statistics comed by investors, who hope (NBS) showed on Friday. the new ground rules will en- It remained above the courage institutional inves- 50-point mark that sepa- tors to plunge in. rates growth from contrac- Anatoly Crachilov, co- tion on a monthly basis founder and CEO of Nickel but was below the 51.7 ex- Digital Asset Management, pected in a Reuters poll of which manages assets worth analysts. $200 million, told the Reuters “Some surveyed Global Markets Forum that companies report that regulatory uncertainty was a problems such as chip drag on the development of shortages, problems in the crypto space. international logistics, a He described the prom- shortage of containers, ise by the U.S. Securities and and rising freight rates are Exchange Commission’s new still severe,” NBS statisti- Chairman Gary Gensler, to cian Zhao Qinghe said in Billionaire Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway provide “guidance and clarity” a statement accompanying to the market during his con- the official PMI. firmation hearing in March, as That contrasted with a a turning point. private-sector survey, also For its part the Europe- released on Friday, which an Commission’s proposed showed factory activity in Buffett warns investors “Markets in Crypto-assets,” or April expanded at the fast- MiCA regulation, will regulate est pace in four months crypto-assets and their service although businesses in providers in the European that release also reported a Union. sharp surge in input costs. not to gamble on stocks “It will be a new banking “With the economy al- sector, with passporting pos- ready above its pre-virus sibilities,” digital asset trading trend and the policy stance solutions company H-Finance less supportive, growth The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway says stock trading platforms are only encouraging the gambling CEO Vytautas Zabulis said, re- momentum will wane this ferring to the prospect of EU- year,” analysts from Capi- Agencies ing platforms that allow peo- they have during the pandem- This year’s event was moved wide cryptocurrency trading tal Economics said in a ple to buy and sell stocks for ic if they still had “a very rich outside of Omaha for the first licenses. note on the PMI. Billionaire Warren Buffett free, such as Robinhood, are major shareholder like us.” time to Los Angeles to be Alongside the evolving China’s economic re- warned people not to think in- only encouraging that gam- There’s a lot more to picking Omaha, Nebraska-based near where the 97-year-old regulatory framework, some covery quickened sharply vesting is an easy way to make bling. stocks than figuring out Berkshire is sitting on $145.4 Munger lives. countries, including China, in the first quarter of the a fortune as he answered a va- Buffett spent several what will be an incredible billion in cash and short-term The meeting usually Britain and Russia, are con- year with record growth riety of questions at Berkshire hours answering questions industry in the future. I just investments because Buffett draws 40,000 to Omaha, fill- sidering launching their own of 18.3%, shaking off the Hathaway’s annual meeting Saturday afternoon at an on- want to tell you that it’s not has struggled to find major ing a 18,300-seat arena and central bank digital currencies hit from last year’s COV- Saturday. line version of Berkshire’s an- acquisitions for the company every nearby overflow room. (CBDCs). ID-19-induced slump. Buffett said it can be nual meeting alongside vice as easy as it sounds. for several years. No other company matches That is likely to be fol- Analysts now expect the tough to pick the long-term chairmen Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett Investor Cole Smead said those crowds. lowed by legislation to tax world’s second-largest winners. He pointed out that Greg Abel and Ajit Jain. The he would love to see the com- Author Bob Miles said gains, said Robert Carnell, economy to grow 8.6% in in 1903 there were more than executives opined on a vari- pany get more active the next he misses “mingling with chief economist and head of 2021. 2,000 car companies, and ety of topics at the meeting rencies. “I don’t welcome a time the market swoons. like-minded and self-select- research at ING Asia. “That The robust economic nearly all of them failed even including: currency that is so useful to “We do not question ed shareholders” and talk- may be the death knell for recovery has outpaced re- though cars have transformed Buffett said the policies of kidnappers and extortionists whether Buffett and Munger ing with executives who run these other cryptocurrencies, bounds seen in manufac- the country since then. the Federal Reserve and the and so forth,” Munger said. have patience. That’s obvious. Berkshire subsidiaries who though central bank coins are turing competitors such as “There’s a lot more to stimulus packages passed by “Nor do I like shoveling out The question is do they have routinely spend part of the on the up and up,” he said. India, which are still strug- picking stocks than figuring Congress have done a tremen- a few extra billions and bil- any aggression. That’s not ob- meeting in their company’s Zabulis said that if CBDCs gling to contain new waves out what will be an incredible dous job of propping up the lions and billions of dollars to vious,” Smead said. booth in the huge exhibit hall were developed in a way that of coronavirus outbreaks. industry in the future,” said economy and keeping interest somebody who just invented Buffett said he wants to that adjoins the arena. Berk- they were “easy to interact Policymakers in Beijing Buffett, who is known for his rates low. He said the govern- a new financial product out invest more of Berkshire’s shire companies like Geico with,” most digital currencies have signaled they are keen remarkably successful invest- ment clearly learned lessons of thin air. I think I should cash, but the current compe- insurance, See’s Candy and used for settlements will likely to avoid sudden policy ing record. “I just want to tell from the Great Recession in say modestly that I think the tition he faces from private Fruit of the Loom sell their lose their both their goal and changes that could derail you that it’s not as easy as it 2009 and acted quickly in re- whole damn development is equity and other investment products to shareholders value. the recovery. sounds.” sponse to the pandemic, but disgusting and contrary to the funds has made it difficult for each year. There was not a big argu- “We expect that an ex- Buffett has said that most it’s hard to predict the long- interests of civilization.” Berkshire to find reasonably The fun of the meeting ment for bitcoin becoming a port demand recovery will people will fare better by own- term consequences of those Buffett said he doesn’t re- priced acquisitions. And the isn’t just for shareholders. settlement tool, Zabulis cau- help factory orders and that ing an S&P 500 index fund in- policies. “This economy right gret selling off Berkshire’s $6 90-year-old said that a year Jim Weber, who runs Berk- tioned. “Blockchain technol- the May holiday will help stead of betting on individual now — 85% of it is running billion stake in all the major ago, it was hard to predict shire’s Brooks Running, said ogy is for that, so, CBDCs will the services sector,” said stocks. He said many of the in a super high gear — and airlines last year even though how the economy would re- he longs for the chance to be built on blockchain.” Iris Pang, chief economist novice investors who jumped you’re seeing some inflation those stocks have grown sig- spond to the pandemic and all compare notes with fellow Bitcoin traded around for Greater China at ING, in into the market recently and and all that. It has responded nificantly since he sold them the government stimulus. Berkshire managers at the $54,000 following a 10% a note, referring to China’s drove up the value of video in an incredible way,” Buffett last spring. Buffett also said This was the second year one annual event that brings surge on Monday, driven by labour day vacation due to game retailer GameStop are said. he thinks the airlines might in a row that the annual meet- together the leaders of the reports that JPMorgan Chase start on Saturday. essentially gambling. Munger openly ques- not have been able to secure ing was held online because decentralized conglomerate’s is planning to offer a managed Buffett said the stock trad- tioned the value of cryptocur- as much government aid as of the coronavirus pandemic. dozens of subsidiaries. bitcoin fund. Big Tech stocks flex muscles again after a rough winter Agencies into an S&P 500 index fund the pandemic. was 17.5. now is devoting nearly $22 to A sharp climb in inter- Going forward, though, Big Tech stocks are flex- just five companies. est rates also made investors many professional inves- ing their enormous strength Investors saw the down- less interested in stocks that tors say they’re still focusing again, after getting knocked side of concentrating their looked expensive relative to on other areas of the stock around a bit earlier this year. bets in such a way earlier this their earnings, which hurt Big market more than Big Tech. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, year, when Big Tech stocks Tech. Local governments are re- Google’s parent company and suddenly lost momentum But interest rates have moving more restrictions on Facebook all gave profit re- amid a sharp rise in interest leveled off. The yield on the businesses, the job market is ports this week that blew past rates. 10-year Treasury has dropped strengthening and Wall Street investors’ already high expec- Apple fell 8.1% in Feb- back to 1.62% after topping sees the economy only im- tations. Apple earned 40% ruary, for example, while 1.75% last month. And this proving more, which should more than what Wall Street Amazon was virtually flat in week’s huge profit numbers tilt the strongest growth to forecast, for example, leading March, when the S&P 500 for the Big Five mean their smaller companies, banks one analyst to call it a “drop was jumping 4.2%. The slug- stocks don’t look quite as ex- and other businesses whose the mic” performance. gish performance for Big Tech pensive relative to their earn- profits are more closely tied to The blowout reports are held back index funds, and on ings as they used to. the strength of the economy. forcing the spotlight back some days the group single- Apple, for example, is Plus, inflation is on the onto this group of stocks that handedly sent the S&P 500 to trading at its cheapest level way up again. That has Wall dominate the market like no a loss instead of the gain. since July, when comparing Street anticipating the Fed- fivesome ever has before, es- As the shine was coming its price against its earnings eral Reserve will have to slow pecially after they lagged be- off Big Tech, investors flocked over the prior 12 months. It’s its monthly purchases of hind earlier this year. Shares instead to stocks set to benefit still trading at a pricier level $120 billion in bonds that are of each of the Big Five compa- deeper into everyone’s lives, Altogether, the five com- according to S&P Dow Jones more from a reopening econ- than it has historically, how- meant to keep interest rates nies jumped between 7% and even as the broader economy panies make up 21.6% of Indices. omy. Coronavirus vaccines ever. low. 16.5% in April, easily beating collapsed around them. Ama- the S&P 500′s entire market It might sound academic, and massive support from the Apple’s price-earnings ra- That could put pressure the S&P 500′s 5.2% rise over zon’s $108.5 billion in sales value, according to FactSet. but it’s a huge deal for in- U.S. government and Federal tio has dropped back below 30 on Big Tech stocks, whose the month. last quarter helps show that That’s actually down from the vestors and their 401(k) ac- Reserve made investors more after rising to an eye-watering climb in market value has The financial results give it “is emerging from the pan- nearly 24% they accounted for counts. They’ve increasingly interested in banks, airlines 43.7 in January. The higher a tracked in a very similar fash- some validation to investors demic in an even stronger po- at the end of August. But it’s put their money into funds and oil companies that could stock’s price-earnings ratio, ion to the size of central bank who bid up the stocks through sition than it was before,” UBS a reassertion of their strength that precisely mimic the S&P see bigger profit growth than the more expensive it looks. balance sheets, according to the pandemic on expecta- analysts led by Michael Lasser after that figure shrunk to 500 and other indexes. That Big Tech, which had remained Over the last decade, Apple’s strategists at BofA Global Re- tions they’d weave themselves said in a report, for example. 20.7% at the end of March, means someone putting $100 remarkably steady through average price-earnings ratio search. 10 Monday, May 3, 2021 Economy & Business Gaming industry worth $300 bn after Baidu rolls out China’s first pandemic surge Agencies of 2023. paid driverless taxi service For the newest gamers, The value of the gaming in- 60 percent are women, 30 dustry has topped $300 bil- percent are under 25 years Car has no safety driver but a safety member is seated in front passenger seat to deal with emergencies lion following a pandemic- old and one-third identify fueled surge, with some 2.7 as non-white. Agencies billion players worldwide, a That contrasts with research report says. longtime gamers who were Chinese tech giant Baidu The Accenture report 61 percent male, and more rolled out its paid driverless said the gaming sector is than three-fourths white taxi service on Sunday, mak- worth more than the com- and over 25. ing it the first company to bined markets for movies According to the sur- commercialize autonomous and music, driven by gains vey, gamers are spending driving operations in China. in mobile gaming and an an average 16 hours a week Unlike previous Baidu emphasis on making con- playing, eight hours a week autonomous driving demon- nections during a time of watching or participating in strations in Beijing, this was pandemic social distancing. game streams and six hours the first time there was no “The emergence of a week interacting in game safety driver sitting behind the new gaming platforms and forums and communities. wheel. Instead, a safety mem- changing demographics are Accenture’s Robin ber was seated in the front pushing gaming businesses Murdoch said the sector is passenger seat to deal with any away from being product- evolving: “We’re seeing the emergencies. centric to becoming expe- emergence of gaming as an Up to 10 Apollo “robot- rience-oriented platforms,” ecosystem of super plat- axis” are now operating si- said Seth Schuler, manag- forms where players can multaneously in an area of ing director at Accenture’s meet, communicate, watch about 3 square kilometers (1.2 software and platforms in- live-streamed concerts, square miles), picking up and dustry group. shop or listen to music.” dropping off passengers at The study found the The research is based eight stops in Shougang Park gaming industry has in- on data collected via an in western Beijing. Each ride creased by half a billion online survey with 4,000 costs 30 yuan ($4.60), and is players in the past three consumers in China, Japan, open to passengers ages 18 to years, and predicts more the U.S., and Britain, and 60. than 400 million new gam- included interviews with in- The park is a former site ers are expected by the end dustry executive. of iron and steel plants that’s been redeveloped into a sight- seeing destination and a future venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Although traffic flows aren’t heavy, an Baidu Apollo Robotaxis move on a street at the Shougang Park in Beijing on Sunday. Spotify counters Apple influx of tourists was seen in the park on the second day “I would recommend peo- move after it detects the pas- at least at present,” she said said in a press release. of China’s international labor ple experience this. There is a sengers have fastened their “The robots may not be able to “In the future, Baidu Apol- with podcast subscriptions day holiday. strong sense of technology, be- seat belts. deal with such changes.” lo will launch driverless robot- The robotaxis were repeat- cause nobody is in the driver’s One visitor, Amy Li, still Baidu, known for its axis in more cities, enabling Agencies a subscription option to its pio- edly forced to brake when en- seat,” Wang said. Her husband had concerns about autono- search engines, has been test- the public to access greener, neering podcasting service as countering jaywalkers or curi- was even considering buying mous driving, because driving ing autonomous driving on low-carbon and convenient Spotify has unveiled plans it ramps up competition with ous tourists who came close to such a car for their household. behavior on the road can be the open road since last year. travel services, while continu- for podcast subscriptions, Spotify. the vehicles for photos. Passengers can order a ro- complex. Its Apollo Go robotaxi ser- ing to improve the unmanned countering a similar initiative Beginning in May, podcast Kelly Wang and her hus- botaxi on an app called Apollo “We’ve all had experiences vice has carried more than service process and user expe- from Apple but offering a better fans around the world will be band, who both work in the Go. When the taxi arrives, such as other cars jumping 210,000 passengers in three rience,” said Wang, vice presi- deal than its U.S. rival by allow- able to sign up for subscriptions artificial intelligence industry, passengers must have their the queue or making a sud- cities across China and aims dent and general manager of ing creators to keep all revenue for perks such as ad-free listen- said they had a smooth riding identities verified before get- den lane change. People have to expand to 30 cities in the autonomous driving technol- for a limited time. ing or exclusive content from experience. ting in. The taxi will start to emotions while robots don’t, next three years, the company ogy at Baidu in a statement. The updated podcast plat- creators, according to Apple. form for the United States, set Podcasters will receive 70 to expand internationally in percent of subscription revenue coming months, lets podcasters in the first year, with Apple make episodes available only to keeping the rest as a commis- Samsung takes back smartphone crown from Apple subscribers. sion. Once a subscriber has Taking advantage of the been subscribed for a year, the Agencies search firm Canalys said. surge in quarterly profit in its Smartphone sales have surged Apple said on Wednesday tool will cost podcasters noth- share for creators will rise to 85 Overall, global shipments mobiles business, thanks to ro- over the past year as people that the chip shortage could ing for the next two years, percent, they added. Samsung Electronics Co surged 27% to 347 million bust sales of its flagship Galaxy stayed and worked from home. cost the company $3 billion meaning they get all subscrip- The subscription feature Ltd reclaimed its crown as the units in the first quarter as the S21 smartphone series. But the shopping frenzy has to $4 billion in revenue in the tion revenue, Spotify said in a comes with an overhaul of the world’s biggest smartphone Chinese economy opened up Canalys said Apple shipped fueled a global shortage in April-June quarter, affecting post. Spotify planned to start Apple Podcast platform that maker from Apple in the first after the pandemic and a swift 52.4 million iPhones in the semiconductor chips that has primarily iPads and Macbooks. charging a five percent fee for lays credit to kicking off the quarter, cornering a fifth of vaccine rollout in the United January-March period, falling roiled industries including au- March-quarter smart- subscriptions starting in 2023. trend with its launch 15 years overall global shipments. States raised hopes of an eco- to the second spot with a 15% tos and large appliances. phone shipments for China’s “Our aim is to help podcast- ago. Industry tracker eMarket- China’s Xiaomi Corp nomic recovery. share of the market. Apple still “Supply of critical compo- Oppo and Vivo brands also ers maximize their subscription er last month said that Spotify rounded out the top three South Korea’s Samsung grabbed record market share in nents, such as chipsets, has surged, Canalys said. But Hua- audiences and grow them from has been growing quickly and positions with its best quar- shipped 76.5 million smart- the United States, China, India quickly become a major con- wei, the former No. 1 that re- their existing listener bases,” that its podcasting service is on terly performance ever as phones in the quarter to grab and Japan, Counterpoint ana- cern, and will hinder smart- mains shackled by U.S. sanc- Swedish-based Spotify said track to have more listeners in shipments surged 62% to 49 a 22% share of the market, lyst Varun Mishra said, adding phone shipments in the com- tions, took only seventh place Tuesday. The announcement the United States than Apple million phones and its market Canalys said. The company that the iPhone Pro Max was a ing quarters,” Canalys analyst after selling its Honor brand comes as Apple is poised to add Podcasts this year. share rose to 14%, market re- on Thursday reported a 66% top seller in the United States. Ben Stanton said. last year.

Shoppers return Hospitality, retail outlets open up again in Northern Ireland

DPA 100 pound prepaid card to spend forward and take the opportunity Finance Minister Conor Murphy London in the local retail sector. to get the jab.” While the latest said the issue was discussed at “Today’s a really good day for easing of restrictions has been a meeting of the Executive on Northern Ireland has taken the economy,” she said. widely welcomed, a number of Thursday and that they want a major stride out of lockdown “Our shops are opening, bars have said they will not be people to be able to open their as many hospitality and retail our hospitality is able to open able to reopen after being told doors as planned and that there outlets reopened their doors after outdoors, our self-contained their outdoor areas do not con- was “no desire to put any addi- four months of closure. accommodation is opening, form to requirements. tional obstacles in anyone’s way.” Publicans, cafe owner and res- we’re announcing the high street Many bar owners say their Northern Ireland took some steps taurateurs are now able to trade voucher scheme.” Mrs Dodds outdoor areas, now judged to be out of lockdown last week after outdoors, while all non-essential added that “1.4 million people in too enclosed, have not changed a series of businesses resumed retailers can pull their shutters up Northern Ireland will be entitled from what was permitted to open trading for the first time in four once again. to a prepaid card, which will give following the easing of the first months. There were long queues out- them 100 pounds to spend in the lockdown last year. Last Friday, close-contact ser- side popular retail outlets such shops, it’s an investment in local Outdoor premises should vices, including hairdressers and as Primark in Belfast from early businesses, in local shops here in not be more than 50 per cent beauty parlours, reopened while on Friday morning as hundreds Northern Ireland.” “This is a huge enclosed, according to health driving lessons also restarted, of shoppers returned to the city investment in the high street, in guidance. along with theory and practical centre. retail, because retail has suffered Hospitality Ulster said there tests. As more economic wheels enormously during the pandemic, was “chaos” over the implemen- Outdoor attractions welcomed started turning, Health Minister and with this almost vicious cycle tation of the rules and many ven- back visitors while competitive Robin Swann announced that the of lockdowns.” Licensed and un- People sit at outside tables at a re-opened Wetherspoons pub in Glasgow on ues had been told their outdoor sport resumed outdoors, with region’s vaccine programme is licensed hospitality premises can April 26, 2021 following the relaxing of some Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland. seating areas did not adhere to numbers limited to 100, but with now open to the 30-34 age group. now serve customers in outdoors guidelines from the Executive. no spectators allowed. Some limited appointments settings in groups of six from no rented holiday homes, can also lion people, and thousands of our The Executive insisted on More restrictions are set to be for people in that cohort will be more than two householders. It operate. citizens have been able to receive Thursday there had been “no lifted on May 24, although these available at the mass vaccination means publicans and restauran- The appointments for the the vaccine well ahead of sched- change” around rules for out- are subject to review. From that centre at Belfast’s SSE Arena. teurs who have outdoor space can 30-to-34-year-olds are mainly ule,” he said. door hospitality venues and the date, pubs and restaurants can Economy Minister Diane resume operating. available at the mass vaccination “I know that we all long for “definition of indoor and outdoor operate indoors, people will be Dodds welcomed the relaxations Curfews on takeaways and off- centre in Belfast’s SSE Arena, a sustainable return to more areas which applied last year” allowed to gather in homes, and on an early morning visit to Bel- licences have been removed while with bookings opening at 10am normal times and vaccination still applied. indoor attractions can reopen. fast’s Victoria Square shopping gyms and swimming pools can on Friday. offers the best hope for this. Local councils are inspect- Other tourist accommodation centre. reopen for individual activities. Some appointments may also Uptake is very encouraging, and ing hospitality premises in their such as hotels and B&Bs can also Mrs Dodds also highlighted The limit on outdoor gather- become available in community I’m pleased that we are moving respective areas. reopen. that the Stormont Executive’s de- ings in domestic gardens has pharmacies. so quickly through the cohorts.” In a statement, Belfast City Wedding receptions and post- layed high street voucher scheme increased to 15 people from no Mr Swann hailed further pro- “We have a limited number of Council said it had a “statutory burial events can take place in is set to start operating at the end more than three households. gress in the vaccine rollout. slots that we can now offer to obligation to ensure compliance indoor hospitality venues, after of the summer, with every adult Self-contained tourist accom- “In less than five months we those aged 30 to 34, so, if you’re within the coronavirus restric- appropriate risk assessments are in Northern Ireland eligible for a modation, such as caravans and have vaccinated almost one mil- eligible, I would urge you to step tions, set by the NI Executive.” undertaken. Economy & Business Monday, May 3, 2021 11

Katara Hospitality’s Plaza Hotel in New York to reopen on May 20

New York’s landmark Plaza Hotel, owned by Qatar’s Katara Hospitality, will reopen its doors on May 20, more than a year after closing due to the pandemic in late March 2020. In a brief statement announcing the opening, the Fairmont-managed property said a thorough deep cleaning and regular maintenance has kept the ‘Castle on Central Park’ in good shape during the 14-month closure, so returning guests should expect the same level of elegance in the 282 rooms and suites, which include a number of bi-level Legacy Suites and apartment- style One-of-a-Kind Suites with park views. The signature Palm Court—site of many an afternoon tea and after-work drink—will also reopen at the same time, as will the Guerlain Spa. Powell’s bet: More jobs but only mild inflation It’s just the kind of gamble that in the past led some of Powell’s predecessors to miscalculate and inadvertently derail the economy

Agencies a result. it wants inflation to top 2% But in many ways, Pow- for “some time,” to make up With employers hiring, con- ell’s gamble is unique. For for the years when inflation sumers spending and com- one thing, it’s based on fun- remained chronically below panies raising some prices, damental changes to the way that target level. Accord- Federal Reserve Chair Je- the Fed pursues its goals. ingly, the Fed has jettisoned rome Powell is embarking on The central bank has always Powell’s gamble a decades-old approach in a high-stakes gamble. sought a delicate balance which it adjusted rates based Powell’s bet is that the Fed between its two mandates: unique on forecasts of inflation and can keep rates ultra-low even Keeping prices stable and Even Chair Janet Yellen’s unemployment. Now, the Fed as the U.S. economic recovery maximizing employment. decision in December 2015 to wants to see evidence that in- kicks into high gear — and But Powell has placed slightly raise the Fed’s key flation is accelerating before it that it won’t have to quickly a much greater emphasis short-term rate after it had sat lifts rates, rather than acting raise rates to stop runaway on jobs than his predeces- near zero for seven years is early in anticipation of it. inflation. sors generally did. He has That change is crucial, It’s just the kind of gamble also defined the Fed’s goal of now seen by most economists Duy noted. Previously, when that in the past led some of maximum employment more as having been premature. the jobless rate fell to a point Powell’s predecessors to mis- broadly: He has underscored The economy slowed partly as that Fed officials worried calculate and inadvertently that it includes addressing the a result. But in many ways, would spur inflation, they derail the economy. particular challenges of low- Powell’s gamble is unique. would hike rates and some- Powell and the rest of the income workers, non-college times prevent or delay further Fed’s policymaking commit- grads and people of color job gains. tee plan to keep rates near — something previous Fed doesn’t think a sharp surge In December 2015, for ex- zero until nearly everyone chairs seldom mentioned. in prices is likely. Powell is ample, when the Fed raised who wants a job has one, even And the Powell Fed is now banking on the notion that its benchmark rate by a quar- after inflation has crept above aiming to fulfill its mandate Americans no longer antici- ter-point, the unemployment their 2% annual target level. for price stability by seeking pate high inflation as they rate was 5.1% and inflation Faster growth raises the risk higher inflation, after decades did during, say, the 1970s. If was just 1.3%. Yellen had ex- that the Fed will eventually in which the Fed fought to US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell consumers and businesses ex- plained in a September 2015 have to respond quickly and hold it down. That’s because pect inflation to stay low, they speech why she planned to do aggressively to a sudden ac- inflation has now remained number of Americans seeking his bet. He acknowledged Powell suggested that recent don’t usually act in ways that so. celeration of prices — and po- persistently below 2% for unemployment aid fell for a that economic prospects price hikes reflect mainly sup- elevate it, like pushing for “Why not hold off raising tentially cause a slump, even nearly the entire decade since third straight week. Consum- are brightening. But he also ply bottlenecks that will work higher pay or charging cus- the rate until the economy another recession. the Fed adopted that target. er confidence has reached a stressed that the job market’s themselves out as companies tomers more to offset higher has reached full employment Getting the timing right Too-low inflation can morph pandemic high. And the econ- recovery is far from complete, find alternative suppliers or supply costs. With inflation and inflation is actually back on interest rate policy is a into deflation, a prolonged omy expanded at a vigorous with 8.4 million jobs still lost raw material producers in- expectations in check, Pow- at 2 percent?” Yellen asked, tricky task that has bedeviled drop in prices and wages that annual rate of 6.4% in the first to the pandemic. And he reit- crease output. ell’s thinking goes, supply essentially previewing Pow- Fed chairs for decades. Arthur typically makes people and three months of the year. erated that the Fed wants to “An episode of one-time bottlenecks should have just a ell’s current approach. “The Burns, who led the central companies reluctant to spend. In March, employers keep nurturing the job mar- price increases as the econo- temporary effect. difficulty with this strategy is bank in the 1970s, is widely “The Volcker era started added nearly 1 million jobs, a ket, in part to support people my reopens,” Powell said, “is So far, anyway, the evi- that monetary policy affects blamed for allowing inflation the war on inflation,” said figure unheard-of before the whose jobs are gone — waiters not likely to lead to persis- dence suggests that Powell’s real activity and inflation with to get out of hand after yield- Tim Duy, chief economist at pandemic. The unemploy- at shuttered restaurants, for tently higher year-over-year bet is working: According to a substantial lag.” ing to pressure from Presi- SGH Macro Advisers, refer- ment rate dipped to 6%; a instance, or people whose fac- inflation into the future.” the latest University of Michi- If the Fed were to wait, she dent Richard Nixon to forgo ring to Paul Volcker, whose year ago, it was 14.8%. tory jobs are now automated Some economists, notably gan consumer sentiment sur- warned, it might have to raise further rate hikes. Critics also sky-high rates during his Fed All of which has raised — and who may need to look former Treasury Secretary vey, while consumers expect rates “relatively abruptly” argue that Alan Greenspan, chairmanship in the early concerns about inflation to new occupations. Larry Summers, have warned higher inflation over the next to slow inflation, potentially whose long tenure as Fed 1980s choked off double-digit pressures. Many companies, Yet it can take months that the Fed’s low rates, along 12 months, they consider it threatening the economy. chair ended in 2006, failed inflation yet caused a destruc- caught off guard by the speed or more for the unemployed with the $4 trillion in pro- only temporary. Over the next Yet unemployment con- to lift rates quickly or sharply tive recession in the process. of the rebound, are short to switch careers. And that posed additional spending by five years, they expect infla- tinued to fall for roughly four enough to prevent the hous- “The Powell era starts the of raw materials and parts. means the Fed may choose to the Biden administration, on tion to average 2.7%, little more years — all the way to ing bubble that ignited the war on unemployment and Procter & Gamble, 3M and keep borrowing rates ultra- top of roughly $5 trillion al- changed from a year earlier. a 50-year low of 3.5%. Even 2008 financial crisis and the inequality. It is a dramatic Coca-Cola have said they plan low longer than it otherwise ready approved by Congress, On Friday, the govern- then, inflation barely budged. Great Recession. change from past policies.” to raise prices to offset the would have. risk accelerating inflation. ment said prices rose 2.3% Powell was a member of the Even Chair Janet Yellen’s Recent economic reports higher cost of commodities “We want to get them On Wednesday, Powell in March from a year ago, Fed’s Board of Governors decision in December 2015 have depicted a surging re- like lumber, sugar and grains. back to work as quickly as said that if inflation got out of according to the Fed’s pre- during that time. to slightly raise the Fed’s key covery from the pandemic re- Supply bottlenecks are forc- possible,” Powell said. “That’s hand, the Fed could raise its ferred gauge, but most of that “The result was very posi- short-term rate after it had cession: Americans’ incomes ing up the prices of factory really one of the things we’re short-term rate in time to rein increase reflected a jump in tive,” said Harry Holzer, an sat near zero for seven years is soared in March by the most components. trying to achieve with our it back in. Higher rates tend volatile energy costs. By con- economist at Georgetown now seen by most economists on record, boosted by $1,400 Yet at a news conference policy.” to cool inflation by slowing trast, “core” prices rose just University. “Jay Powell took as having been premature. stimulus checks, and spend- Wednesday, Powell showed Downplaying the risk borrowing and spending. 1.8%. away a strong lesson from The economy slowed partly as ing rose at a healthy pace. The no sign of wavering from of long-term high inflation, But the Fed chair clearly The Powell Fed has said that experience.” Qatar’s Cherif QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Younousse QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune and Ahmed Tijan claim Cancun Hub beach volleyball MONday, MAY 3, 2021 gold page 15 Hamilton wins smooth in Portugal, extends title lead

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton jumps out of his car after winning the Portuguese F1 Grand Prix race at the Algarve International Circuit in Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Portuguese Formula Portimao, Portugal, on Sunday. (AFP) One Grand Prix race at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao on Sunday. (AFP) Briton Hamilton now leads the overall championship on 69 points with Verstappen, who Results (Top 10) 1: Lewis Hamilton...... Mercedes �������������������������������������������������������� 1:34:31.421 secured the fastest lap bonus point, on 62 going into the Spanish Grand Prix on May 9 2: Max Verstappen.Red Bull Racing Honda ���������������������������������������������������� +29.148s 3: Valtteri Bottas...... Mercedes ������������������������������������������������������������� +33.530s 4: Sergio Perez.....Bull Racing Honda ������������������������������������������������������������� +39.735s DPA behind Bottas until he over- fect so we will look at those the Mercedes garage holding from their stops but the Finn 5: Lando Norris.... McLaren Mercedes ������������������������������������������������������������� +51.369s Portimao (Portugal) took the Finn straight after points.” Bottas was under its breath. had an immediate wobble on 6: Charles Leclerc...... Ferrari ������������������������������������������������������������� +55.781s mid-race pit stops but Ham- pressure after crashing out “I had to try and reposi- cold tyres and paid the price. 7: Esteban Ocon...... Alpine Renault ������������������������������������������������������������� +63.749s 8: Fernando Alonso....Alpine Renault ������������������������������������������������������������� +64.808s Lewis Hamilton delivered a ilton had already built a gap last time at Imola but made a tion myself best I could, I think If Red Bull hoped Perez 9: Daniel Ricciardo.McLaren Mercedes ����������������������������������������������������������� +75.369s bold pass on Mercedes team- substantial enough to earn a clean start from pole and had Max made a mistake at some could aid Verstappen, they 10: Pierre Gasly...... Alphatauri Honda ������������������������������������������������������������� +76.463s mate Valtteri Bottas and drove second season win from three six laps cruising behind the point and that was perfect,” were to be disappointed as off into the Portimao sun to races and the 97th of his ca- safety car caused by veteran said Hamilton. “With Valtteri I the Mexican could offer no win the Portuguese Grand reer. Kimi Raikkonen inexplicably had to make the move early on resistance on worn out tyres the fastest lap to add to his while Alpine had their strong- Prix and increase his lead in Briton Hamilton now driving into the back of his before the tyres were destroyed when Hamilton passed him as fourth place. est race with Esteban Ocon the Formula One world title leads the championship on Alfa Romeo team-mate Anto- and I just managed to get him though he wasn’t there. He briefly held the bonus seventh and Fernando Alonso standings. 69 points with Verstappen, nio Giovinazzi. at Turn One.” As Verstappen “My race was pretty de- point only for Verstappen to eighth. Hamilton started second who secured the fastest lap bo- The restart was also fine was held up by Bottas, Hamil- cent,” said Hamilton. “At the seemingly steal this from Bot- Daniel Ricciardo took but had to regain a spot lost nus point, on 62 going into the for Bottas but Verstappen ton produced a series of fastest end, I think we just lacked a tas on the last lap after both his McLaren to ninth having to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Spanish Grand Prix on May 9. jumped Hamilton only to lose laps and though he emerged little bit of pace but overall, made late stops only for his started 16th while Pierre Gasly and secured victory by sweep- “That was such a tough the place following a lap 11 er- from his lap 38 pit stop behind Lewis got by again and once time to be deleted for leaving completed the top 10 for Alpa ing round pole sitter Bottas on race, physically and mentally, ror. the Red Bull of Sergio Perez - after the pit stop, the warm up the track. Tauri. the 20th lap of 66 around the keeping everything together,” Hamilton probed at Bottas who drove a massive 51-lap is super hard on this tyres. “That’s a bit odd because Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and 4.684-kilometre Autodromo said Hamilton. but was not gifted the lead and first stint - he was comfortable Perez had a big enough they were not checking track Giovinazzi were next, ahead of Internacional do Algarve on “There’s a lot to download swept around the outside with in the effective lead. lead to the McLaren of Lando limits at Turn 14,” said Ver- Sebastian Vettel of Aston Mar- Sunday. from today, improvements we just enough room in a move A lap earlier Verstappen Norris in fifth to don soft tyres stappen. “Whatever.” Charles tin who is still waiting on his Verstappen then struggled can make. It wasn’t all per- which would likely have had had come out behind Bottas for his final sprint and chase Leclerc was sixth for Ferrari first season point. MotoGP: Ducati’s Miller triumphs in Spanish Grand Prix Quartararo fades Spanish Grand Prix Top ten from first to 13th 1. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) ���������������������������������������������������������� 0:41:05.602 2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) ��������������������������������������������������� + 1.912 DPA 3. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) �������������������������������������������������� + 2.516 Berlin 4. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) �������������������������������������������������� + 3.206 5. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) ����������������������������������������������������������������������� + 4.256 6. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) �������������������������������������������� + 5.164 Jack Miller won the Spanish 7. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) ������������������������������� + 5.651 Grand Prix as the Ducati rider 8. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) ���������������������������������������������������������������������� + 7.161 9. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) ���������������������������������������������������������+ 10.494 notched his first MotoGP vic- 10. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) ��������������������������������������������������������+ 11.776 tory since 2016. The Australian made a su- perb start to lead and, despite and his eighth overall. da) returned to the Jerez track being passed by Fabio Quarta- Quartararo lost further where he suffered a broken arm raro (Monster Energy Yamaha) ground as Italian duo Bagnaia last July - an injury that kept in the middle stages, he held his Ducati Lenovo Team’s Australian rider Jack Miller celebrates after win- with Morbidelli scrapped it him out for nine months - and nerve in the second half of the ning the MotoGP race of the Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez Circuit in Jack Miller celebrates on the podium. (AFP) out for second, with the former came through unscathed. race to return to the front. Jerez de la Frontera on Sunday. (AFP) edging it to make it a one-two Marquez, who had escaped Miller finished ahead of big result for us,” he said. seconds clear at the front. for Ducati. injury in a big fall on Saturday Ducati team-mate Francesco Miller. laps left and I was thinking The Frenchman started With 11 laps to go, a third Having scored his first po- and another accident in warm- Bagnaia with Franco Morbidel- “I thought when Fabio went that’s a long time out in front by poorly as he slipped from pole consecutive victory seemingly dium of the season, Morbidelli up, started the race in 14th spot li (Petronas Yamaha SRT) in past OK he’s got a bit better myself but I was able to do it.” position to fourth as Miller beckoned for Quartararo, but said, “It was pretty easy. I just and eventually ended in ninth in third spot. pace. I thought he was going to Bagnaia followed Miller surged ahead, but like the Por- he dropped two seconds on one gave more than the maximum, his second race since returning. Quartararo slipped down to bolt. home to give Ducati the first tuguese Grand Prix last time lap, allowing Miller to seize the always. I was really on the limit. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR finish 13th as he surrendered “I didn’t expect him to come two places and take the cham- out he initially recovered. advantage. I risk a lot. Finally we were re- Honda Idemitsu) claimed his place at the top of the world back to me he did. He started to pionship lead. Quartararo overtook his ri- Miller was able to hold on warded. This podium feels just fourth place as Joan Mir (Suzu- championship to Bagnaia. drop really off when I passed “I’m happy,” he said. “This vals on the final corner of suc- until the end as he secured like a victory.” ki Ecstar) and Aleix Espargaro It’s a flood of emotions: him. was a really tough track for us, cessive laps to regain the lead his first MotoGP win since the Six-time MotoGP champi- (Aprilia) both secured top-six happy sad, everything,” said “There were still 12 to 13 so to finish one two is a really before he pulled one-and-a-half Dutch TT at Assen in June 2016 on Marc Marquez (Repsol Hon- finishes. Sports Monday, May 3, 2021 13 Inter Milan clinch first Serie A title since 2010 as Atalanta fail to win DPA Berlin

Inter Milan are crowned Former Algeria captain and Italian football champions for now A team coach Madjid the first time in 11 years with Bougherra. four games to spare in the Se- rie A season, ending the nine- Qatar 2022 year title run of Juventus. Inter clinched their 19th will be national title without playing because their only remaining memorable, rivals Atalanta failed to win in a 1-1 draw at mid-table Sassu- says Bougherra olo and trail by 13 points. Hundreds of Inter fans QNA immediately started gather- Algiers ing in front of Milan’s cathe- dral, according to the club’s Coach of Algeria ‘A’ na- TV, to celebrate the big mo- tional football team Mad- ment, but the club also urged jid Bougherra underlined them not to violate coronavi- that the State of Qatar will rus restrictions. organize one of the best “Now is the time to cel- World Cup tournaments ebrate, for all Inter fans. An ever, whether in terms of emanating joy that we invite organisation with the highly you to express in the most successful infrastructure responsible way possible: we or in terms of technology, are champions in this too,” emphasizing that the FIFA Inter said. World Cup Qatar 2022 will Atalanta had goalkeeper be an unforgettable event. Pierluigi Gollino sent off early, In an interview pub- still led from Germany defend- lished on the official web- er Robin Gosens’ effort in the site of the Algerian Football 32nd, but Sassololo levelled in Federation (FAF), former the 52nd from Domenico Be- captain Bougherra said that rardi’s penalty and Luis Muri- his country’s national team el then failed to convert a late seeks to win the FIFA Arab penalty for Atalanta after Sas- Cup 2021 which Qatar will suolo’s Marlon was dismissed. host later this year. Inter, who won 2-0 at rele- The draw for the Arab gated bottom club Crotone on Cup has placed Algeria in Saturday, can now celebrate A FC Internazionale supporter holds a smoke canister as they celebrate at Piazza Duomo in Milan on Sunday, after their team won the Italian Serie A Championship title. Inter Milan Group D, along with Egypt their first Scudetto since the clinched the Serie A title for the first time since 2010 when their nearest rivals Atalanta drew 1-1 at Sassuolo.(AFP) while and the qualifiers for treble-winning 2009-10 sea- the group qualification will be son under Jose Mourinho. their best previous showing They trailed crosstown ri- seen them pull away, with Bel- 69 points each, dethroned dramatic finale for the remain- played between Libya and Su- Inter are unbeaten in 18 in the league in a remarkable vals AC Milan by two points gian Romelu Lukaku their top Juve, who played Udinese, ing three Champions League dan, and Lebanon - Djibouti. matches and with a tally of 82 season under coach Antonio after the first half of the season scorer with 21 goals. also moved to 69, while Napoli berths. Lazio on 64 also have a Bougherra reiterated the points have already matched Conte. but 13 wins and two draws has Atalanta and Milan have are on 67 in what promises a mathematical chance. determination to win the Arab Cup, noting that it will be a high-level tournament, and that the team must Ronaldo’s late double make every effort to prepare Elneny and Aubameyang seal routine for it properly. He admitted that Alge- secures Juve vital win ria are placed in a difficult group, noting that of Egypt, win for Arsenal at Newcastle Libya and Sudan have play- ers who play in the first DPA fell fortuitously to Elneny, who teams and have made many London struck a half-volley past Mar- qualifications. tin Dubravka from 18 yards. Bougherra revealed that Arsenal returned to win- Mat Ryan – one of nine the Algerian team will par- ning ways as goals from Mo- changes from the defeat to ticipate in the Arab Cup with hamed Elneny and Pierre- Villarreal – tipped over Allan the best players who are ac- Emerick Aubameyang sealed Saint-Maximin’s deflected ef- tive in the domestic league, a comfortable 2-0 win over fort soon after, while Dubrav- and will be supported by the Newcastle United on Sunday. ka pawed away Granit Xhaka’s first team players who are The Gunners had picked up long-range drive at the other active in the various Arab just one point from their pre- end. leagues that will end on the vious two Premier League Miguel Almiron denied sidelines of the tournament. games against Everton and Elneny a second shortly be- He noted that the Arab Fulham before they suffered fore the half-hour, clearing the Cup constitutes a good op- a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in the Egyptian’s header from a cor- portunity to prepare for the first leg of their Europa League ner off the line. African Nations Cup, which semi-final onT hursday. Arsenal doubled their has been postponed to the However, they sealed all advantage in the 66th min- Berlin: A late Cristiano Ronaldo double gave Juventus a 2-1 win beginning of 2022, and also three points at St James’ Park ute when Aubameyang over Udinese in Serie A at the Dacia Arena Stadium on Sunday a great opportunity for the thanks to Elneny’s early goal Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (R) scores his showed superb athleticism which boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions teams which will have the and Aubameyang’s second- team’s second goal during the English Premier League match against to volley home Martinel- League. Udinese went into the break ahead when Juve’s defence chance to compete at the half finish, the fifth consecu- Newcastle United at St James’ Park in England on Sunday. (AFP) li’s left-wing cross inside the switched off after a free-kick was awarded and Nahuel Molina’s low 2022 World Cup stadiums. tive game in which the Ga- six-yard box. shot found its way beyond Wojciech Szczesny. He added that the Arab bon international has scored Steve Bruce’s side remain after just five minutes through Any faint hopes the hosts Juventus fleetingly showed moments of quality but equalised with an Cup will allow Qatar to put against the Magpies. 17th, nine points clear of the Elneny’s first Premier League had of setting up a grandstand 83rd-minute spot-kick from Ronaldo, awarded after the Portugal for- the infrastructure into real The result lifted Arsenal up relegation zone with four goal in his 66th appearance in finale were dashed in the 90th ward’s free-kick moments earlier struck the arm of Rodrigo de Paul. operation prior to the start to ninth, while Newcastle fin- games remaining. the competition. minute when Schar saw red, as Ronaldo added a second with one minute left when he headed in of the major event - the FIFA ished with 10 men after substi- Arsenal wasted little time Aubameyang horribly Bruce’s men fell to just a sec- Adrien Rabiot’s cross at the back post to secure a dramatic late win World Cup Qatar 2022. tute Fabian Schar’s rash lunge stamping their authority on miss-kicked Hector Bellerin’s ond defeat in their past nine for Andrea Pirlo, who raced down the touchline to celebrate with on Gabriel Martinelli. the game, opening the scoring right-wing cross but the ball Premier League games. Juve’s players. (DPA) Manchester United-Liverpool match postponed following protests

DPA initial unspecified delay to the “However, we regret the “We sympathise with the London 4.30 pm (1530 GMT) kick-off. disruption to the team and police and stewards who had The Premier League said actions which put other fans, to deal with a dangerous situa- Manchester United’s Pre- that “the safety of everyone at staff, and the police in danger. tion that should have no place mier League clash against Liv- Old Trafford is paramount” “We thank the police for in football. erpool on Sunday was called and confirmation came their support and will assist The rearrangement of the off after fans broke into Old through from United at 5.35 them in any subsequent inves- fixture will be communicated Trafford and invaded the pitch pm that the match had been tigations.” in due course.” during a protest against the postponed. The Premier League con- Liverpool – another Glazer family. “Following discussion be- firmedthe collective deci- founding member of the Su- The Red Devils were among tween the Police, the Premier sion to call off the game was per League – said they were 12 clubs that last month signed League, Trafford Council and taken with security and safety in “full agreement with the de- up for the breakaway Europe- the clubs, our match against in mind. cision to postpone” Sunday’s an Super League, which col- Liverpool has been post- “We understand and re- match at Old Trafford. lapsed within 48 hours due to poned due to safety and se- spect the strength of feeling “It is our position that pub- huge, unrelenting pressure. curity considerations around but condemn all acts of vio- lic safety must be the number Those plans brought anger the protest today,” a club lence, criminal damage and one factor in any such deci- against the Glazer family that statement read. trespass, especially given the sion, with the ability to pro- own the club to a new level, “Discussions will now take associated COVID-19 breach- vide a secure environment for with fans congregating at Old place with the Premier League es,” a statement from the the participants, staff and of- Trafford to demand change on a revised date for the fixture. league said. ficials being a particular prior- ahead of Sunday’s clash with “Our fans are passionate “Fans have many channels ity,” the Anfield club said. rivals Liverpool. about Manchester United, and by which to make their views “It was clearly not possible But hundreds of support- we completely acknowledge known, but the actions of a for this to be guaranteed today ers got into the stadium and the right to free expression Supporters protest against Manchester United’s owners at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, on minority seen today have no due to a situation which esca- on to the pitch, leading to an and peaceful protest. Sunday, ahead of their English Premier League fixture against Liverpool.(AFP) justification. lated rapidly.” 14 Monday, May 3, 2021 Sports Basilashvili claims Munich title hvili returned to wrap up the Ramos-Vinolas 35-minute opener without a problem. Basilashvili lost just wins Estoril epic three service points. In a competitive second DPA/ATP set, Struff was unable to con- Munich vert one break point in the sixth game. Both players Nikoloz Basilashvili won a served extremely well in the fifth ATP Tour title as he tri- tie-break, which turned at 4/4 umphed at the BMW Open on when Struff struck a back- Sunday. hand into the net. Basilashvili The Georgian completed completed his 14th win of the an impressive week in Munich season on his second champi- by beating Jan-Lennard Struff onship point with a forehand 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to clinch the tro- winner. He is now 14-2 on Al Capdamunt won the Prix Haras Des Elys – Prix Nicolas Dieu, a maiden for 3-year-olds over 1,350 metres phy without dropping a set in German clay, which includes at Wissembourg, France, on Saturday. (Pic: Frederic Diehl) his five matches. the 2018 and 2019 Hamburg The win continued what European Open titles. has been a solid 2021 for Basi- “It’s a very good boost and lashvili, who won the title in to win a lot of matches is very Al Shaqab Racing’s Doha in March after defeating important for the upcoming Roger Federer in his second tournaments,” said Basilas- match following his return hvili. “I was hungry to play Al Capdamunt gets off from injury. well at this tournament.... I’m After retiring from his not looking for a coach right opening match in Monte Carlo now, but I am travelling with last month before losing to a physio and a fitness coach.” the mark in France Jeremy Chardy in Barcelona, Meanwhile at the Estoril the world number 35 had Open, Albert Ramos-Vinolas Tribune News Network and facing a less competitive Storm). looked in fine form in Mu- emerged victorious from a Doha field, won comfortably. From the first crop of AL nich before battling to victory marathon final against Cam- He is trained by Henri- Shaqab Racing sire Shalaa, Al against Struff in just under 86 Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili with the trophy after winning the final eron Norrie. Al Capdamunt (Shalaa x La François Devin in Chantilly Capdamunt was bred by Dun- minutes. against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff at the ATP tennis tournament in The 33-year-old was a set Pedrera) opened his scorecard and was ridden by jock- more Stud. He was bought as “It wasn’t easy and I was Munich, Germany, on Sunday. (AFP) and a break down but rallied on his second racecourse start ey Clement Lecœuvre to a foal at the Arqana Decem- super-tight at the end,” said to win 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in two when winning the Prix Haras 1½-length victory in front ber Breeding Stock Sale. Basilashvili. confidence for the upcoming quarter-finals. hours and 44 minutes in Por- Des Elys – Prix Nicolas Dieu, of the G. Geisler-trained and His dam, La Pedrera, is “It was very difficult.I t’s tournaments.” Basilashvili won eight of tugal. a maiden for 3-year-olds over Eva-Maria Geisler-ridden out of the Group 3 winner never easy playing Jan, he’s a Basilashvili, who was com- the first nine points against It was the Spaniard’s 1,350 metres at Wissembourg, DonTellYourMother (Biraaj Gay Hellene, dam of Group 1 very big fighter and serves re- peting in his seventh tour-level Struff, showcasing the kind of third Tour title and took him France, on Saturday. x Madda’s Force), with an- Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere win- ally well. final (5-2), captured the Qatar form that helped him beat sec- to a 16-5 record on clay this Owned by Al Shaqab Rac- other 4 lengths to the third, ner Naaqoos (Oasis Dream) “I am super happy. It ExxonMobil Open crown (d. ond seed Casper Ruud in the season. He has at least sev- ing, the bay gelding had fin- the R. Rohne-trained and and the Group 3 winner seems like German conditions Bautista Agut) in March. He semi-finals. Play was suspend- en more wins on the surface ished third on his debut at Nicol Polli-ridden Premero Barastraight (Barathea); both suit me. This is my fifth [ATP also recently beat Struff 7-5, ed due to rain with the Geor- than any other ATP player Saint-Cloud on the 6th April Pasado (Pomellato x Last are sires. Tour] title and it will give me 4-6, 6-3 in the Sardegna Open gian leading 4-2, but Basilas- this season.

Qatar team qualifies for FIFAe MADRID OPEN Nations Cup World finals Muchova shocks Osaka to reach Madrid Round of 16

WTA Madrid Karolina Muchova earned her third win over a Top 5 Karolina Muchova added yet another stunning win over player this season, as the a top player to her collection newest member of the Top with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 upset of 20 stunned World No.2 World No.2 Naomi Osaka in Naomi Osaka on Sunday. the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday. “It was a tough match to- Halep is through to the day, but we had some prepara- third round in Madrid for the tion,” Muchova told the press sixth time in 10 career main- after completing her win. “I draw appearances in the was ready to play with all I Spanish capital, and will next had today, and to use all the face either No.13 seed Elise Ahmed Al Meghessib and Jassim Al Eid representing Qatar Football weapons I could and [do] what Mertens, who edged Elena Ry- Association (QFA) eNational Team have qualified for the final of the I can. I’m definitely happy it bakina, 7-6(4), 7-5. The Bel- Asian Cup and the World Championship in Copenhagen after their worked out today.” gian rallied from a 3-1 deficit victory over India in the eNations Qualifiers on Sunday. QFA congratu- The rising Czech captured in the first set, and saved four lated them in a tweet on their official account: “We congratulate our her third win over a Top 5 set points in the second as Ry- national team for electronic games, consisting of the duo Ahmed player this season, and her bakina served for a decider at Al-Mughiseeb and Jassim Al-Eid, for their qualification to the final of tenth Top 5 win in her career 5-4. the Asian Cup and the World Championship in the Danish capital of overall, with her one-hour and Elsewhere in Halep’s quar- Copenhagen after their victory today over India in the Nations Quali- 49-minute victory over reign- ter of the draw, two-time Ma- fiers,” QFA siad. The final tournament will pit 24 teams against each ing Australian Open champion drid finalist andN o.12 seed other (three players per team) on the biggest stage of competitive Osaka. Czech Karolina Muchova after defeating Naomi Osaka at the Madrid Open in Spain on Sunday. (WTA) Victoria Azarenka was forced FIFA. Within the FIFAe Nations Series, a total of 60 nations challenge “It’s not specific prepara- to withdraw from her second each other for a total prize pool of US$500,000. (TNN) tion if I play Top 10 players, point to cede a 2-1 lead to percent in the second set. mance in 37 minutes allowed round match against Jessica or Top 20 or Top 50 players,” Muchova. Osaka could not re- Halep to hand out a 6-0 open- Pegula with a low back injury. Muchova said. “It’s usually cover that break, as Muchova Halep holds off Zheng; er for the second match in a The American advances very similar, but I’m just try- punched away a volley in the Azarenka withdraws row, though Zheng earned to face Azarenka’s compatriot ing to prepare as much as I next game to save the only herself unconverted opportu- No.5 seed Aryna Sabalenka, Ajax clinch a 35th can and as best I can, and then break point she faced in the Later in the day, Roma- nities to get on the scoreboard. who advanced over Daria Ka- I just try to play my best on the set. nian Simona Halep booked a The World No.57 had four satkina earlier in the day. court.” Muchova eased to the spot in the third round hold- break points in the set, includ- In the decider, though, Dutch football title Fresh off her Top 20 debut one-set lead, ending the open- ing off a late-match surge from ing three in the first game of Muchova got back on track. At in the WTA singles rankings ing frame with another unre- an unseeded opponent for the the match, and also had two 1-0, the Czech fired a passing on Monday, Muchova contin- turned serve. second straight match. game points on serve in the winner to set up break point, ued to impress in her Madrid Muchova took control The No.3 seed won the first set’s final game before surren- then used a deep return to tournament debut, as she early in the second set as well, nine games against China’s dering the bagel. earn an early break. Muchova plays only her second event breaking for another 2-1 lead Zheng Saisai — and served for Zheng continued to com- was untroubled the rest of the since her breakthrough semifi- with continued aggression. the match at 6-0, 5-3 — before pete well in the second set: she way, zipping home from there nal run at the Australian Open However, Osaka was up to the ultimately wrapping up a 6-0, held from 15-30 down at 0-6, to notch her tenth match-win earlier this year. task, increasing the intensity 6-4 victory in one hour and 19 0-3 to win her first game of the of the season and claim her Muchova struggled with with her stellar forehand and minutes. match and broke Halep in the spot in the Madrid round of an abdominal injury after her earning her first break of the In her opening victory next game, and later, saved a 16. Melbourne exploits, which in- day with that wing to level the against Spain’s Sara Sorribes match point while serving at “I was trying to move cluded a win over World No.1 set at 3-3. Tormo on Friday, Halep also 0-6, 2-5 and again broke serve [Osaka] as much as possible,” Ashleigh Barty. Osaka grabbed the mo- led 6-0, 5-2, but needed to es- as the No.3 seed served for vic- Muchova said. “That was the But the Czech looked in mentum and dominated be- cape late in the second set in tory. tactic. It sounds easy like that, fine form against Osaka, as she hind that shot, knocking off an eventual 6-0, 7-5 win. “I knew from the previous but, you know, she’s playing survived a second-set come- five games in a row to sweep “It was almost the same [as match that I had to just stay really fast so it’s not that easy back by the No.2 seed. Mucho- through the rest of the set and the first round]... I was really there and to stop missing, be- on the court. va had 29 winners, two more tie up the match at one set focused in the last game and I cause she changed the rhythm. “In the second set espe- than Osaka, and converted apiece. just wanted to finish it,” Halep She changed the tactics,” Ha- cially, she started to be very half of her eight break points While the players had said in her on-court interview. lep said. aggressive. I got back to what on the day. roughly equivalent success “I think she played really Twelve of Halep’s 19 win- I did in the first set in the third Both players displayed behind their first serve in each well in the second set. It’s a ners for the match came in the set, and again, tried to move Ajax’ players celebrate winning their 35th national title after the powerful serving in the first set, Muchova’s first-service great victory and I’m really opening set, and she converted her left, right, dropshots, but Dutch Eredivisie match against FC Emmen which they won 4-0 set, but Osaka faltered early, percentage dropped from 73 happy about it.” six of the 11 break points she still in a fast way. In the third at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Sunday. (AFP) double faulting down break percent in the opener to 52 A pitch-perfect perfor- created overall. set, it went my way.” Sports Monday, May 3, 2021 15

QATAR BEACH VOLLEYBALL STARS YOUNOUSSE AND AHMED CLAIM CANCUN GOLD

Qatar’s beach volleyball stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan made it third-time lucky as they clinched gold winning the final of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 4-star Cancun Hub 3rd Event defeating Russians Konstantin Semenov and Ilya Leshu- kov 21-15, 21-12 at the Playa Delfines beach in Cancun, Mexico, late on Sunday. The Qatar duo had earlier won successive silver in the first two Cancun Hub events. Rahul diagnosed with acute Sri Lanka sniff victory as appendicitis, is hospitalised ANI in an official statement. Ahmedabad “It will be resolved surgi- cally and for safety measures, Indian Premier League he has been transferred to Bangladesh lose wickets (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings the hospital for the same,” he on Sunday informed that their added. ANI skipper KL Rahul has been KL Rahul currently holds Pallekele (Sri Lanka) diagnosed with acute appen- the Orange Cap in the ongoing dicitis. season as he has scored 331 Ramesh Mendis scalped The Punjab skipper had runs from seven matches. three while Praveen Jayawick- complained of severe abdo- Punjab Kings is currently rama picked two wickets as men pain on Saturday night at the fifth position in the Sri Lanka dismantled Bangla- and as a result, he was taken points table with 6 points from desh’s top-order to sniff vic- to the hospital for scans. “KL 7 games. The side will next tory on day four of the second Rahul complained of a severe take on Delhi Capitals at the Test on Sunday. abdomen pain last night and Narendra Modi Stadium later Bad light and a light drizzle after not responding to medi- today. forced early stumps in Palle- cation, he was taken to the In the last game against kele on the penultimate day as emergency room for further RCB, Rahul had played a Bangladesh scored 177/5 in the tests which revealed that he knock of 91 as his side gained second innings. Liton Das and was diagnosed with acute ap- a victory by 34 runs over Virat Mehidy Hasan are unbeaten pendicitis,” Punjab Kings said Kohli’s side. Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul. on 14 and four runs respec- tively with the visitors need- ing 260 more runs to win the second Test. Sri Lanka needs five wickets to seal the Test series on day five M( onday) as Buttler slams sizzling the first game of the tour had ended in a draw last week. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz (R) watches as Sri Lanka’s Oshada Fernando (C) makes an unsuccess- In the first session onS un- ful attempt to catch the ball during the fourth day of the second and final Test cricket match between Sri day, Sri Lanka lost half their Lanka and Bangladesh at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, on Sunday. (AFP) ton as RR defeat SRH side with a lead of just over 360. The hosts resumed their In the second session, ANI innings at 17/2 on day four but chasing the target, Bangladesh Scoreboard New Delhi lost Angelo Mathews early. attacked, but Sri Lanka struck Sri Lanka (1st innings): 493 for 7 declared Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 14-3-66-2, Shoriful Karunaratne and Dhanan- to reduce the visitors to 112/3 Bangladesh (1st innings): 251 all out Islam 1-0-8-0, Taijul Islam 19.2-2-72-5 (1nb), Jos Buttler’s masterful 124- jaya de Silva then carried the before tea. Sri Lanka began the Sri Lanka (2nd innings Overnight 17-2) Taskin Ahmed 4-0-26-1, Saif Hassan 4-0-22-1. run knock was followed by a Sri Lanka innings before both final session on a high picking Lahiru Thirimanne c Shanto b M. Hassan 2 Bangladesh (2nd innings): spirited bowling performance Dimuth Karunaratne c Ali b Hassan 66 Tamim Iqbal c Dikwella b Mendis 24 batsmen went to the dugout. skipper Mominul Haque and Oshada Fernando st Liton b T. Islam 1 Saif Hassan c Lakmal b Jayawickrama 34 as Rajasthan Royals (RR) de- Dhananjaya de Silva played a Mushfiqur Rahim as Bangla- Angelo Mathews c Ali b T. Islam 12 Najmul Shanto b Jayawickrama 26 feated SunRisers Hyderabad counter-attacking knock as Sri desh lost half of their side with Dhananjaya de Silva c Shanto b T. Islam 41 Monimul Haque b Mendis 32 (SRH) by 55 runs in an Indian Lanka’s lead crossed 350. still needing more than 250 Pathum Nissanka c Shoriful b T. Islam 24 Mushfiqur Rahim c de Silva b Mendis 40 Premier League (IPL) encoun- Niroshan Dikwella c T. Islam b Ahmed 24 Liton Das not out 14 Sri Lanka lost a flurry of runs for a win. Ramesh Mendis c Tamim b T. Islam 8 Mehidy Hasan not out 4 ter here at the Arun Jaitley wickets against the run of play Mushfiqur, who was look- Suranga Lakmal b T. Islam 12 Extras: (3b) 3 Stadium on Sunday. which saw the hosts declaring ing good, was dismissed on 40 Praveen Jayawickrama not out 3 Total: (For 5 wkts, 48 overs) 177 For RR, Chris Morris and their innings at 194/9 to set a as Ramesh Mendis picked his Extras: (1nb) 1 Bowling: Lakmal 4-2-14-0, Mendis 20-0-86-3, Mustafizur Rahman scalped target of 437 for Bangladesh in third wicket to reduce Bangla- Total: (For 9 wkts, 42.2 overs) declared 194 Jayawickrama 20-5-58-2, de Silva 4-0-16-0. three wickets each. For SRH, the second Test. desh to 171/5. Manish Pandey was the top scorer after playing a knock of 31 runs. With this win, Rajasthan has moved to the sixth spot with 6 points from 7 games while SRH remains at Dhawan guides DC to win over Punjab Kings the bottom spot with just two points. Chasing 221, SRH got ANI the first six overs and the side’s off to a steady start as openers Ahmedabad powerplay score read 39/2. Jonny Bairstow and Manish Kagiso Rabada took the first two Pandey put on 57 runs inside Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals celebrates his century against Shikhar Dhawan played a wickets for the Delhi Capitals. the first six overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League match played at knock of 69 runs as Delhi Capi- Dawid Malan then joined MustafizurRahman pro- the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday. (BCCI/IPL) tals defeated Punjab Kings by Mayank Agarwal in the mid- vided the breakthrough to Ra- seven wickets in an Indian Pre- dle and the duo mixed cau- jasthan as he bowled Pandey the bat as RR posted a score answers to stop the duo. mier League (IPL) encounter tion with aggression to revive (31) in the seventh over. Soon of 220/3 in the allotted twenty The 150-run stand for the here at the Narendra Modi Sta- the innings for Punjab. Both after, Rahul Tewatia removed overs. Buttler and Samson second wicket finally came to dium on Sunday. batsmen put on 52 runs for Bairstow (30) reducing SRH played knocks of 124 and 48 an end in the 17th over as Vi- Along with Dhawan, Prith- the third wicket, but as soon as to 70/2 in the 8th over. respectively for the Royals. Ri- jay Shankar sent Samson (48) vi Shaw also played a quickfire Punjab started to gain an up- Kane Williamson and Vijay yan Parag also played a useful back to the pavilion, bringing knock of 39 runs. For Punjab per hand, Delhi stormed right Shankar were not able to get cameo of 15 runs from eight Riyan Parag to the crease. But- Kings, Chris Jordon, Harpreet back as Axar Patel bowled Ma- on with it and the asking run- balls. For SRH, Rashid Khan, tler registered his century off Brar, and Riley Meredith re- lan (26). In the very next over, rate increased substantially. In Sandeep Sharma, and Vijay just 56 balls and he brought turned with one wicket each. Deepak Hooda (1) was run-out trying to hit a big one, Shankar Shankar returned with one up the feat in the 17th over With this win, Delhi Capitals and as a result, Punjab was re- (8) perished in the 11th over wicket each. of the innings. In the final has moved to the first spot in Wicket-keeper Prabhsimran Singh of Punjab Kings, who replaced the duced to 88/4 in the 14th over. off the bowling of Chris Mor- Asked to bat first, RR was three overs, Parag (15*), But- the points table with 12 points unwell skipper and stumper KL Rahul, attempts to stop a ball during After Hooda’s dismissal, ris. Kartik Tyagi got the big- given a blow in the third over tler (124), and David Miller from 8 games while Punjab the Indian Premier League 2021 match against Delhi Capitals played Mayank took on the mantle gest wicket in the 13th over as of the innings as Rashid Khan (7*) managed to add 48 more Kings remain in sixth place in Ahmedabad on Sunday. (BCCI/IPL) of being the aggressor and he he dismissed Williamson (20) had Yashasvi Jaiswal (12) ad- runs to the total and as a re- with six points. Chasing 167, even dispatched Ishant Shar- and this left SRH staring down judged leg-before wicket. Skip- sult, Rajasthan registered a Delhi Capitals got off to a flying second wicket but with just 50 played an unbeaten knock of ma for 15 runs in the 16th over. the barrel at 105/4. per Sanju Samson next joined score of more than the 215-run start as openers Prithvi Shaw runs away from the target, Del- 99 runs as Punjab Kings posted Shahrukh Khan (4) and Chris Mohammad Nabi played a Buttler in the middle and the mark. Buttler was dismissed and Shikhar Dhawan put on 63 hi ended up losing the wicket a score of 166/6 in the allotted Jordon (2) disappointed with quickfire cameo of 17 runs from duo Rajasthan’s score to 42/1 by Sandeep Sharma in the pe- runs inside the first six overs. of Smith (24) in the 13th over. twenty overs. Along with Agar- the bat, but Mayank ensured just five balls, but his wicket in at the end of the sixth over. nultimate over, but Parag re- The introduction of Har- Rishabh Pant then came to the wal, Dawid Malan also chipped that Punjab posts a score of the 15th over proved to be the Buttler and Samson continued mained unbeaten. preet Brar paid off immediately middle and he played a useful in with a knock of 26 runs. For more than the 160-run mark. final nail in the coffin.A bdul to frustrate Hyderabad bowlers Scores: Rajasthan Royals as he clean bowled Prithvi (39) 14-run cameo. In the end, Dha- Delhi Capitals, Kagiso Rabada Scores: Punjab Kings 166/6 Samad (10) and Kedar Jadhav and in the process, the right- 220/3 (Jos Buttler 124, Sanju in the seventh over of the in- wan along with Shimron Het- returned with three wickets. (Mayank Agarwal 99*, Dawid (19) added some runs to the to- handed Buttler brought up his Samson 48, Rashid Khan 1-24) nings. myer (16*) took Delhi over the Asked to bat first, Punjab Malan 26, Kagiso Rabada 3-36) tal, but in the end, SRH had to half-century in the 13th over vs SunRisers Hyderabad 165/8 Steve Smith then joined line with seven wickets in hand Kings got off to a bad start as vs Delhi Capitals 167/3 (Shi- stumble to a 55-run loss. of the innings. Both batsmen (Manish Pandey 31, Jonny Dhawan in the middle and and 14 balls to spare. the side lost Prabhsimran Singh khar Dhawan 69*, Prithvi Shaw Earlier, Jos Buttler and continued with their carnage Bairstow 30, MustafizurR ah- the duo put on 47 runs for the Earlier, Mayank Agarwal (12) and Chris Gayle (13) inside 39, Harpreet Brar 1-19). Sanju Samson starred with and SunRisers bowlers had no man 3-20). 16 Monday, May 3, 2021 The Last Word WCM-Q studies relationship between microbiome, illnesses

Tribune News Network of individuals who had neither. meed, Mohammed Salameh, fect on the mycobiome that the Doha Variables such as diet and Zain Burney and Krishnadev bacteriome. intake of probiotic samples were Pillai also worked on the project. The results of this study sup- Faculty and student re- also taken into consideration. The publication, which is port previous published data searchers at Weill Cornell Medi- Each volunteer answered a entitled ‘A Comparative Pilot that suggested a statistically cine–Qatar (WCM-Q) have questionnaire and provided a Study of Bacterial and Fungal significant association between examined the relationship be- stool sample, and the different Dysbiosis in Neurodevelopmen- the exposure to antibiotics in tween neurodevelopmental and species of bacteria and fungi in tal Disorders and Gastrointesti- the early years of life - between gastrointestinal disorders, and each were analysed. nal Disorders: Commonalities, 0 and three years old - and the the natural bacteria and fungi Dr Ghizlane Bendriss, lec- Specificities andC orrelations development of neurodevelop- found within the body. turer in biology at WCM-Q’s Di- with Lifestyle’, has now been mental disorders such as autism. It is known that people suf- vision of Pre-medical Education, published in the journal Micro- Further research now needs fering from neurodevelopmen- received a QNRF grant back in organisms. to be conducted on the interac- tal illnesses like autism and 2017 to lead the research. The It found that for neurode- tions between the gut, external attention deficit hyperactivity project won interest in 2020 velopmental illnesses, the fun- factors and the development of disorders often experience gas- after winning the first place in gal diversity of the microbiome certain diseases. trointestinal issues, and con- the annual Undergraduate Re- Ibrahim Laswi, Dr Ghizlane Bendriss and Dr Noha Yousri actually increased, while the va- Dr Bendriss said, “As the versely, patients with gastroin- search Experience Programme riety of bacteria decreased. For interest in the mechanisms un- testinal diseases are more likely (UREP) competition. autoimmune diseases. breakfast cereals, white bread individuals. gastrointestinal diseases there derlying pathologies relating to to have issues with anxiety. Dr Bendriss said, “The role “Most studies, however, and sugar have been shown to Dr Bendriss conducted the were only a small number of sig- the microbiome grows, compar- To try to understand this, re- of the gut microbiota, which in- have focused on the bacteriome, have a particularly strong effect study with fellow WCM-Q fac- nificant differences in the bacte- ing the gut composition of those searchers at WCM-Q conducted cludes bacteria, fungi, protists, while neglecting the mycobi- on the microbiome, greatly al- ulty members Dr Noha Yousri, riome but there was an increase with neurodevelopmental disor- a pilot study involving 55 volun- viruses and archaea is increas- ome, despite fungi being natu- tering its composition. adjunct assistant professor of of 10 different species of fungus ders and gastrointestinal diseas- teers to look at their individual ingly recognised as having a rally found throughout the hu- But despite Qatar having research in genetic medicine, compared to the control group, es is essential to further under- bacteriomes (the bacteria living significant impact on our health man body.” relatively high rates of autism along with Dr Dalia Zakaria and and a further eight species that stand the relationship between naturally in their bodies) and and imbalances in the diver- She said that the body’s spectrum disorders (a neurode- Dr Ali Chaari, both lecturers in were increased in number com- these two sets of disorders. mycobiomes (the fungi found sity and abundance of microbial microbiome is affected by a velopmental disorder) at 1.81 biology in the WCM-Q premedi- pared to the samples from the “In addition, exploring both naturally in their bodies). Each communities have been consist- range of lifestyle factors includ- percent compared to a global cal curriculum. neurodevelopmental group. It the bacteriome and the mycobi- volunteer had either a neurode- ently linked to a variety of mod- ing sleep, diet, antibiotic intake average of 0.6-1 percent, no The students Ibrahim Laswi, was also found that probiotic ome is necessary, as is the role of velopment or gastrointestinal ern diseases, including neurode- and physical activity. Processed studies have analysed the mi- who was first author, Ameena intake, diet and exposure to an- external factors like diet, exer- issue, along with a control group generative illnesses, cancers and carbohydrates like white flour, crobial signatures of affected Shafiq, DanaA l Ali, Nada Mhai- tibiotics had a much greater ef- cise and probiotic intake.” DIFI event examines EU ambassador highlights need for youth engagement fertility rate decline at talk hosted by HBKU-CHSS Qatar Foundation member hosts virtual discussion on sidelines of UN event Tribune News Network Doha Tribune News Network University of Washington In- Doha stitute for Health Metrics and The College of Humanities Evaluation, highlighted some and Social Sciences (CHSS) at Doha International Fam- of the best practices and poli- Hamad Bin Khalifa University ily Institute (DIFI) hosted a cies that respond to the de- (HBKU), hosted HE Dr Cris- discussion on the sidelines cline in fertility rates. tian Tudor, ambassador of the of the United Nations’ 54th “Our research suggests European Union to Kuwait session of the Commission on that for high-income and and Qatar, for a talk organised Population and Development middle-income countries for the HBKU community re- to address declining fertility with below-replacement fer- cently, in the run-up to the Eu- rates. tility rates, the best solutions rope Day. Held in partnership with for sustaining population The European Union (EU) the Permanent Mission of levels, economic growth, and celebrates peace and unity in Qatar to the UN in New York geopolitical security are open Europe on May 9 every year, and the United Nations Pop- immigration policies and so- and in this context, HE Dr Tu- ulation Fund – Arab States Alakbarov, UN SG’s Deputy to education, labor market, cial policies supportive of dor’s talk focused on the EU as Regional Office, the online Special Representative for and work-family balance families having their desired the most successful integration event was titled ‘Responsive Afghanistan, United Na- policies. Economic burdens number of children,” he said. project in the world and its role Policies to Low Fertility: Ex- tions Assistance Mission in in terms of housing and cost “Countries that promote in a globalised world from hu- periences and Best Practices’. Afghanistan, the panel dis- of parenting are also amongst liberal immigration are bet- man rights to humanitarian According to the United cussion commenced with other influential factors.T he ter able to maintain their assistance. Nations Department on Eco- welcoming remarks from HE emergence of cultural aspects population size and support Explaining the history of nomic and Social Affairs Ambassador Alya Ahmed S Al is clear in terms of couple’s economic growth, even in the day and its significance, (UNDESA), fertility levels in Thani, permanent represent- preferences, in addition to the face of declining fertil- he said: “I am delighted to cel- 75 countries have dropped ative of Qatar to the United the health aspects affecting ity rates. Supporting families ebrate Europe Day with the below the replacement level, Nations. the fertility rates.” includes protecting women’s students and faculty of HBKU. which is 2.1 child per woman, HE Ambassador Alya Showcasing a statistical freedom and access to health- On this occasion. Europe Day and this number is expected Ahmed S Al Thani com- mapping of fertility rates in care, particularly reproduc- commemorates the historic young people is at the heart tion goes to ambassador HE to increase to 120 by 2050. mended the work and the the Arab region, Dr Luay Sha- tive health services, as well as Robert Schuman Declaration of the EU Youth Strategy and Dr Cristian Tudor for speaking The decline in the fertility important contributions of baneh, regional director of the maintaining access to child- in 1950, considered as the first we look forward to further en- frankly about the continent’s rate represents a great chal- DIFI in developing scien- United Nations Population care and education.” concrete step towards genu- gagement with Qatari youth future in the context of global lenge to countries because it tifically based relevantpolicy Fund – Arab States Regional With the growing concern ine European integration that through EU study abroad pro- challenges. Ahead of Europe not only leads to a decrease in research, which significant- Office (UNFPA), advocated of policymakers about the helped end wars and conflict grammes, joint scientific col- Day, we are fortunate to cel- the population, it also leads ly contribute to advancing “for using a human rights ap- impact of low fertility on the in Europe. On this occasion, I laborations and exchanges to ebrate Qatar’s historical rela- to an increase in number of knowledge on Arab families proach as a key reference in demographic structure of the am pleased to exchange views unearth human potential and tions with all European states, elderly citizens and a dimin- and promote evidence-based designing population policies population, the age structure, on the European Union as the strengthen people-to-people while HBKU and CHSS count ishing working force, which polices at national, regional to address low fertility”. the working force, the social most successful peace pro- understanding.” among our esteemed partners is vital for national develop- and international levels. He presented statistics security network, and the im- ject in the world. Seventy-one The event was attended by several leading educational ment and economic growth. The discussion continued from the region and world- pact that all these different years later, the European Un- HBKU graduate students, fac- institutions and organizations Built on Doha Interna- with a presentation by Dr wide, including country ex- aspects have on countries’ de- ion brings together 27 Member ulty members and researchers from across Europe. We look tional Family Institute’s Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi, periences, that showed that velopment, economic growth States from across the Europe- and members of the EU Ser- forward to building on those (DIFI) – a Qatar Founda- executive director of DIFI, fertility should be treated as and prosperity, it is vital that an continent, forming a truly vices and EU Member States. relationships. As HE rightfully tion (QF) member – ongo- who said: “Factors impact- an individual right for cou- policies are developed to pre- unique political and economic The Q&A session was an op- noted, it is a time to embrace ing research titled ‘Social ing low fertility are diverse, ples and that the role of gov- vent and respond to this issue union.” portunity for the audience people-to-people understand- Aspects of Fertility in Qatar’, fuelled by structural factors ernments was to ensure that in a systematic manner. HE Dr Cristian Tudor is the to address topical issues and ing, and higher education and the event discussed factors such as increased divorce people practice their repro- DIFI’s side-events pro- first EU ambassador based in share ideas on international research will always create im- impacting low fertility in the rates, postponement of mar- ductive rights based on high- vide a platform for research- Kuwait and one of the young- cooperation around common portant avenues for academic world, with the aim of identi- riage, decreasing marriage quality information support- ers, experts, UN, NGO, and est EU ambassadors in the challenges. communities to work together fying worldwide policies and rates, and couples’ prefer- ed by quality health services. CSO representatives to come world. Emphasising youth en- Speaking after the event, Dr in overcoming cultural and lin- best practices. ences to have fewer children. In closure, Profe Christo- together and discourse topics gagement, he said: “Engaging, Amal Al Malki, founding dean guistic challenges to achieving Moderated by Dr Ramiz “Other aspects are related pher Murray, director of the of concern. connecting and empowering of CHSS, said: “Our apprecia- that goal.” Qatar University honours winners of third Youth Research Forum 2021

Tribune News Network Review to Analyse the Impact of Doha the Cost of Using Breast Cancer Drugs in Developing Countries’. Qatar University (QU) Young Sheikh Modu Badr received Scientists Center (YSC), in co- the third place for a research operation with the Qatar Na- entitled ‘The Employment of tional Commission for Edu- Computational Linguistics in cation, Culture and Science the Service of the Arabic Lan- (QNCECS), recently concluded guage’. the third Youth Research Fo- As for the poster competi- rum 2021 entitled ‘Identity and tion, Hagae Menaisy claimed Cultural Tourism: Towards Qatar University President Dr Hassan Al Derham with winners of third Youth Research Forum 2021. (Right) QU president honours winners. the top spot, Raesa Al Dos- a Culture and a Sustainable ary finished second and Kholeh Legacy’. scientific research and pro- an opportunity to create a data- and outside Qatar were invited The research posters were ers, focusing on scientific and Mortazawi completed the top The honouring ceremony jects that focus on youth’s role base of distinguished youth in to participate. evaluated based on several cri- cultural topics related to the role three. took place at Qatar University, in spreading and preserving research and with high capa- The researches submit- teria, such as the quality of the of youth in spreading culture Dr Hamda Al Sulaiti, under the patronage of Presi- Qatari culture and the sustain- bilities in specialised and inter- ted are within the areas of the research, methodology, field and sustainability. secretary-general of the Qa- dent of QU Dr Hassan Al Der- ability of the Qatari heritage. disciplinary studies. World Cup facilities and the research techniques, discussion The winners for the best sci- tar National Commission ham in the presence of Prof A group of researchers, un- In collaboration with the sustainability of the Qatari of results and proper documen- entific researchwere honoured. for Education, Culture and Mariam Al Maadeed, vice-pres- dergraduate and postgraduate QNCECS, QU-YSC launched a heritage, museums’ role in pro- tation of references. Hadeel Al Attar won the first Science, also honoured the ident for Research and Gradu- students from Qatar and many research competition to share moting cultural identity, the During the forum, which was place for a research entitled ‘Is- winners of the best scientific ate studies at QU, while taking Islamic countries, such as Mo- studies and research on identity economy and cultural tourism, organised virtually, researchers lamophobia in Entertainment poster competition at the all precautionary measures. rocco, Oman, Algeria and Lib- issues and encourage scientific the challenges of identity and from the undergraduate and Media’, while Nour Hisham Al committee’s headquarters The forum was an impor- ya, participated in the forum. research. Universities, insti- globalisation, medicine, phar- postgraduate levels presented 17 Zaftawi won the second place at the Ministry of Education tant platform for presenting The forum also represeneds tutes and researchers inside macy and community health. papers and three research post- for a paper titled ‘A Systematic and Higher Education.