FRIDAY APRIL 16, 2021 RAMADAN 4, 1442 VOL.14 NO. 5234 QR 2

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RAMADAN TIMING World 5 Business 7 Sports 10 TODAY TOMORROW IFTAR IMSAK US hits Russia with ‘Nakilat best bet for investors AFC Champions League: sanctions over cyber hacks, to take part in Qatar’s Al Duhail score impressive 5:58PM 3:51AM election interference LNG growth’ win over Al Shorta, top group

‘Dif cult to limit travel only to vaccine recipients’ Demand for air travel in December led to rise in number of infections in some countries: QA chief TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK therefore as an airline, it will be dif- tor, he said, “There will be a lot of DOHA It is better for travellers ficult for us to limit travel to vaccine pressure on airlines in the next 3 or to receive the vaccine recipients.” 4 years, as tourist destinations have Schools to QATAR Airways Group Chief Execu- before traveling, but He pointed out that the signifi- been severely affected, and the recov- tive Akbar Al Baker has said that the reality and numbers say that the cant increase in demand for air travel ery will take time.” reopen on demand for air travel in December vaccine will not be accessible in December 2020 led to a doubling He continued, “The important led to doubling of number of COV- to everyone, and therefore as of the number of infections in some thing is that with countries eas- August 29 ID-19 infections in some countries. countries, where there was a second ing their restrictions, it is difficult He, however, stressed that it is dif- an airline, it will be dif cult and third wave, while some countries to control people. They will believe QNA ficult to limit travel to only vaccine for us to limit travel to vaccine suffered from a fourth wave. that life has returned to normal like DOHA recipients. recipients.” “With the easing of precaution- the pre-pandemic period and here “At the present time, we have — Akbar Al Baker, QA chief ary measures such as social distanc- begins the new wave of infections. Minister of Education and tried the IATA passport (health ing and the prevention of mixing We must bear in mind that this vi- Higher Education HE Dr Mo- passport) to one interface, which and gatherings, we are witnessing rus has not been contained, and the hammed bin Abdul Wahed is Istanbul, and it was a very suc- the other hand, there is an increase Jazeera TV. an increase in the rates of infection pandemic will continue. The virus Al Hammadi has issued cessful experiment. It is important in the number of people receiving The Qatar Airways chief said, “It with the virus, and not only this, will chase if people do not abide by a ministerial decision to when travellers feel confident that the vaccine, and Qatar Airways car- is better for travellers to receive the there may be a mutation to make it the recommendations of the health amend the annual calendar they know what laws are in force ried out the first flight in the world vaccine before travelling, but reality more virulent and thus not prevent- authorities and in turn, this will lead for schools. in the destination country because with a crew and passengers who re- and numbers say that the vaccine will ed by the vaccine,” he said. to a recession in the global travel According to the deci- COVID-19 will not disappear. On ceived the vaccine,” Al Baker told Al not be accessible to everyone, and On the recovery of the travel sec- market.” sion, students attendance in schools for the aca- demic year 2021-2022 will begin from August 29. The work for employees in schools for the academ- ic year 2021-22 will start BUILDINGS LIT UP TO MARK Qatari stocks jump on August 16. The dates for the second round exams for all QATAR FAMILY DAY grades (1 to 12 ) for the academic year 2020-21, will on plan to allow full start from August 18 and continue until August 26. foreign ownership Mosques to open 10 minutes before second azan for Buildings in Qatar lit up in green on the occasion of Qatar Family Day on Thursday to highlight Stocks jump 2.8% Friday prayer the importance of unity in families and societies. PAGE 13 after Cabinet THE Ministry of Awqaf and announcement Islamic Affairs has said that the mosques will open 10 SATYENDRA PATHAK minutes before the second DOHA azan for Friday prayer starting from this Friday until further QATAR’S stock market regis- notice. The decision was tered its biggest intraday gain conveyed by the Mosques in more than a year on Thurs- Management Department at day after Cabinet approved a the Ministry to Imams and draft law allowing foreign in- Muezzins. (TNN) vestors to own up to 100 per- Qatar Islamic Bank leapt milestone on the path to liber- cent in Qatari shareholding 8.3 percent, while Commer- alising the economy, with Qa- companies listed on the Qatar cial Bank surged 10 percent to tar setting the foreign owner- Stock Exchange. become the top gainer on the ship standard for the region,” Outperforming regional index. Akber Khan, senior director of peers, the Qatar Stock Ex- Qatar International Islamic asset management at Al Ray- COVID-19 claims 9 lives; change (QSE) general index Bank, Masraf Al Rayan and Al an Investment in Doha, was 3rd COVID vaccine dose jumped 293.68 points, or 2.8 Khalij Commercial Bank shares quoted as saying by a news percent, to close at 10,899.06 climbed 5.6 percent, 5.52 per- agency. 989 more test positive points. cent 3.67 percent respectively. Announcement of exten- likely needed within Once the law is implement- The Cabinet also decided sion of pandemic-prompted TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK total number of recoveries in ed, listed companies will have to keep central bank liquidity financial support for private 12 months: Pfizer CEO DOHA Qatar to 171,985. Sadly, nine to individually approve the in- support for local banks based businesses also triggered opti- new deaths were recorded for creased limit. on need as the country braves mism in the Qatari market. QATAR on Thursday reported people aged 41, 42, 56, 58, 63, According to estimates by a second wave of coronavirus “With the loan-deferral 989 coronavirus (COVID-19) 68, 69, 79 and 85 years. Six of investment bank EFG-Hermes, infections. programme extending further, cases — 821 from community them had chronic diseases. the decision could trigger in- The banking sector index, businesses will have more time and 168 from travellers re- A total of 1,183,191 COV- flows of about $1.5 billion into which gained 3.1 percent, was to improve cash flow before turning from abroad, the Min- ID-19 vaccine doses have been Qatar’s listed companies. the best performing sector in- lenders assess the ability of cus- istry of Public Health (MoPH) administered since the start of “Stocks that could benefit dex on the day that saw QSE tomers to pay down deferred said in its daily report. the vaccination programme. As the most include Qatar Islamic market capitalisation rise al- dues and it allows for more loan Also, 597 people recov- many as 23,712 vaccine doses Bank, Masraf Al Rayan and the most QR8 billion to QR627 bil- restructuring,” an analyst said. ered from the virus during the have been administered in the Commercial Bank of Qatar,” lion. past 24 hours, bringing the past 24 hours, the MoPH said. the investment bank said. “This proposal is another Continued on page 2

THE CEO of P zer Albert the ght against highly conta- Bourla has said that peo- gious variants. ple will most likely need a Researchers are still booster dose of the COV- unsure how long the ID-19 vaccine within a year of COVID-19 vaccine protects Cancelling Tokyo Olympics remains an getting fully vaccinated. against the virus. His comments made P zer said earlier this option, says top Japanese lawmaker on April 1 became public month its COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. Bourla also was more than 91 percent A top lawmaker in Japan’s ruling party said cision,” he added. said people may have to get effective at protecting on Thursday that the cancellation of the The LDP leader also told TBS that host- vaccinated against the virus against COVID and more Tokyo Olympics might be an option if the ing the Games is a “big chance for Japan. annually. than 95 percent effective coronavirus pandemic worsens. So we would like to make them successful.” “It is extremely important against severe disease up to “If they say it is impossible [to hold the Nikai told reporters later in the day: to suppress the pool of peo- six months after the second Olympics], the Games must be cancelled,” “The LDP remains committed to strongly ple that can be susceptible dose. Moderna’s vaccine, LDP secretary general Toshio Nikai said on support the holding of a safe and secure to the virus,” he told CNBC’s which uses technology a TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) talk Olympics.” Bertha Coombs during an similar to P zer’s, was also show. The Olympic host city has been under a event with CVS Health. shown to be highly effective “What is the point of holding the semi-state of emergency over the pandemic He added the vaccines at six months, CNBC report- Olympics if they turn out to be a super since Monday amid a resurgence of infec- will be an important tool in ed. (AGENCIES) spreader. We will then have to make a de- tions. (DPA) 02 Friday, April 16, 2021

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Quick read MME signs agreements with PIH Company Foreign Minister receives call from WEF President DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin to boost cooperation in air quality monitoring Abdulrahman Al-Thani received a video conference call from President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) HE Borge Brende on Thursday. During the call, they discussed THE Ministry of Municipality and Environ- istry of Municipality and Environment’s stra- the State of Qatar’s cooperation with the World Economic Forum. ment (MME), represented by the Depart- tegic plan, as well as achieving professional ment of Environmental Affairs Sector, signed communication with the public in accord- Undersecretary of Saudi MoFA meets Qatar’s a number of cooperation agreements with ance with the latest scientific theories and Acting Charge D’Affaires Power International Holding (PIH) Com- preserving the ministry’s image. pany via video conference technology to He emphasised that the ministry pro- UNDERSECRETARY of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs in the King- strengthen cooperation in the areas of air motes, through one of these agreements, an dom of Saudi Arabia Tamim Al Dossary met with Acting Charge D’Affaires of the Em- quality monitoring and building a reputation improvement in its reputation management bassy of the State of Qatar in Saudi Arabia Hassan bin Mansour Al Khater. During the management system. at the level of environmental sustainability meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries. Hassan Bojumhur Al Mohannadi, As- indicators, by developing plans and mecha- sistant Undersecretary for Environmen- nisms for disseminating the components of MoEHE amends school calendar for tal Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality this reputation at the level of different seg- 2020-2021 academic year and Environment, emphasised that these ments. agreements aim to strengthen cooperation For his part, Ramez Al Khayyat, Vice MINISTER of Education and Higher Education HE Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahid Al in the fields of air quality monitoring and that will host the 2022 World Cup in ac - Chairman and Group CEO of Power Inter- Hammadi issued a ministerial decision to change the school calendar for the academic to build a reputation management system cordance with the best international stand- national Holding, said that these agreements year 2020-2021. The dates for the second round exams for all grades ( rst to 12th -- day in the ministry. He added that one of these ards. contribute to the country’s environmental and adult education) for the academic year 2020-2021 are set to begin on August 18, agreements will provide support for the He added that the other agreement aims sustainability, noting that the signing and 2021, and end on August 26, 2021, according to the decision. The start date for employ- ministry’s network of air quality monitor- at scientific cooperation in the development implementation of such agreements falls ees in schools for the academic year 2021-2022 is August 16, 2021, and the start date ing stations, as well as provide the ministry of a “reputation management” system, which within the framework of mutual cooperation for students in schools for the academic year 2021-2022 is August 29, 2021. with an air quality monitoring station that is a modern system for developing the Minis- with various entities operating in the country will be installed near one of the stadiums try’s operations in accordance with the Min- (QNA) Ramadan an ideal time to QC provides free bread quit smoking: HMC expert TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ods of the year because fasting, ily members who do not smoke to IDPs in northern Syria DOHA and the holy month in general, can help decrease the urge to is an ideal time for smokers to smoke,” said Dr Al Mulla. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK RAMADAN is an ideal time to be more thoughtful about their Dr Jamal Abdullah, Smok- DOHA quit smoking and fasting has health and the impact lifestyle ing Cessation Specialist at many positive effects on one’s choices have on their wellbe- HMC’s Tobacco Control Cent- AS part of its relief efforts, Qa- health, and these benefits are ing,” added Dr Al Mulla. er, said Ramadan can make it tar Charity (QC) continues to noticeable in smokers who quit The Smoking Cessation easier for people to quit smok- provide free bread to internal- smoking, Dr Ahmad Al Mulla, Clinic provides patients with ing. He explained that the sud- ly displaced persons (IDPs) in head of Hamad Medical Corpo- the tools and support needed den drop in nicotine levels in northern Syria by supporting ration’s (HMC) Tobacco Con- to replace their nicotine con- the blood during fasting can and operating bakery ovens, trol Center, has said. sumption habit and to cope result in withdrawal symptoms with the goal of easing the bur- “For smokers, quitting is with withdrawal symptoms. such as strong cravings, poor den of living on the IDP com- often easier during Ramadan Nicotine, which is one of the concentration, nerviness, and munity during the holy month as those who fast are already re- substances in tobacco products, headaches. These symptoms of Ramadan. quired to abstain from food and is highly addictive. are normally most pronounced In collaboration with Qa- drink, as well as from smoking “Cigarette smoke contains during the first week of quit- tar Charity, the International cigarettes and using other to- more than 45 poisonous chemi- ting, but they gradually become Organization for Migration bacco products, from dawn to cals that are known as causes of less intense and disappear over (IOM), and civil society organ- sunset,” noted Dr Al Mulla. cancer. Carbon monoxide is just time. Ramadan can help many izations, as many as 16 16 au- “The positive health ef- one of many hazardous chemi- smokers quit this habit by fol- tomatic ovens were operated. fects of quitting smoking begin cals in cigarette smoke and lowing a method known scientif- The ovens provide free month of Ramadan. suffering and that of those liv- equivalent to approximately quickly after your last cigarette. this colorless, odorless gas re- ically as the ‘cold turkey’ meth- bread to more than 190,000 “I was displaced two years ing in the camp, especially in 3000 bread packages per day, Your blood pressure and pulse places oxygen in the blood and od, which is based on stopping IDPs (37,000 families) living ago, and I live in the Rahma this holy month.” for the benefit of nearly 2,800 will start to return to more nor- can cause shortness of breath smoking abruptly. in nearly 60 camps, as well camp in Idlib countryside. I Muhammad al-Omar, an- families. mal levels and nicotine levels in and dizziness,” explained Dr Al “We encourage smokers to as those living in abandoned have always found it difficult other IDP living in the Rahma It is worth noting that Qa- the body start to decline gradu- Mulla. quit this habit as soon as pos- homes and makeshift shelters. to secure bread for the fam- Camp, thanked Qatar’s gen- tar Charity is working to meet ally. The body also begins to “Additionally, tar inhaled sible and before they develop Qatar Charity contributes to ily on a daily basis, due to the erous people for their assis- the bread needs of Syrian cleanse itself of the toxic sub- during smoking can cause lung serious chronic diseases as a re- meeting 12 percent of the daily lack of job opportunities and a tance. “I have been suffering refugees in southern Turkey, stances and blood viscosity re- cancer, heart disease, stroke, sult of smoking. Unfortunately, bread needs of IDPs in north- stable source of income, espe- from securing bread for more where the Urfa bakery, which turns to normal levels. Smokers and respiratory disease. Smok- these diseases can be lifelong ern Syria by providing free cially in light of the continued than two years, and it was a was established and oper- who quit this habit also start to ing is a major threat to the and can affect the health of the bread to this number of ben- coronavirus pandemic,” said great burden on me as a fam- ated in 2017, has been run- feel improvement in their sense health of a smoker and to the smoker for the rest of his life eficiaries over a six-month pe- Abdul Aziz Zahir, an IDP. “I ily head,” hoping that Qatar ning without interruption for of smell and taste and their im- people around them who are ex- even if he quits smoking at a riod, with a production capac- now receive two bundles of Charity would continue to pro- the third year in a row, with a mune system’s ability to fight off posed to second-hand smoke,” later age. We see every day in ity of 42 tons of flour per day. bread for free on a daily basis, vide them with free bread. production capacity of 8,000 diseases improves over time.” he added. our clinics smokers in their thir- The recipients expressed which is sufficient to meet my Qatar Charity is research- bread packages per day. In “During Ramadan, the “Exercising, drinking plenty ties and forties who have devel- their joy at receiving free family’s needs. This lessened ing the establishment of a new Urfa Province, it benefits over number of smokers who visit of water during non-fasting oped heart diseases and had to bread, which helps to allevi- a great burden on me. I hope oven in Azaz, a city in north- 4,500 families of orphans, us with an intention to quit is hours, and spending time so- be treated with cardiac stents ate their suffering and allows this project would continue to west Syria, with a capacity widows, and the most vulner- higher than during other peri- cialising with friends and fam- as a result of smoking,” said Dr them to fast during the holy contribute to alleviating my of 2.5 tons of flour per day, able groups of Syrian refugees.

With a new law, Together We Share: Carrefour’s Shura attends parliamentary forum on Qatar hopes to modernising anti-terrorism legislation attract more Ramadan theme for the year THE Shura Council took part States (IPA CIS), the Parlia- cussions focused on the impor- foreign inflows in a parliamentary conference mentary Assembly of the Medi- tance of revising counter-ter- revives essence of holy month on the global challenges and terranean (PAM), Organization rorism policies and legislation. Continued from page 1 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK celebration. pliers. threats of the COVID-19 pan- for Security and Co-operation in Participants also agreed on the DOHA Carrefour is committed Ramadan is also about demic related to terrorism and Europe Parliamentary Assem- significance of maintaining an ACCORDING to an estimate to providing customers with giving back and helping those violent extremism on Thursday. bly (OSCE PA), the Parliamen- active national dialogue and by QNB Financial Services THE theme of Carrefour Qa- the freshest ingredients and who are less fortunate. With a This came as part of a col- tary Assembly of the Council of avoiding polarization. (QNBFS), foreign institu- tar’s 2021 Ramadan Cam- the widest range of food prod- focus on community engage- laboration between the Inter- Europe (PACE) and the United Khalid bin Abdullah Al tions closed the trading week paign, ‘Together We Share’, ucts; all the necessary decora- ment, each Ramadan Car- parliamentary Assembly of Nations Office of Counter-Ter- Buainain, a member of the on Thursday with net buying has been revealed. Carrefour tive elements and accessories refour offers customers the Member Nations of the Com- rorism (UNOCT). Shura Council, represented the of QR414 million against net is committed to preserving for decorating a festive and opportunity to participate in monwealth of Independent The video conference dis- council. (QNA) buying of QR48 million in the Ramadan’s blessed traditions welcoming Ramadan home; sustainability and charity ini- previous week. and allowing its customers to and a wide range of gifting tiatives as part of the brand’s Qatar’s move to allow share special Ramadan mo- options. As a result, Carre- mission to uplift the commu- foreign investors to own ments together. four is providing customers nities in which it operates. 134 individuals referred to Public up to 100 percent in Qatari The campaign’s theme with deals and promotions on To that end, the retailer is shareholding companies fol- was purposefully designed Ramadan essentials such as giving its customers the op- Prosecution for COVID-19 violations lows similar decisions by to remind customers across meat, fish, fruits and vegeta- portunity to give back through other Gulf countries as they the region of the importance bles, groceries, and electron- its ongoing partnership with THE designated authorities re- places where they are required, with the Cabinet decision, seek to attract inflows from of Ramadan. Despite a very ics. Education Above All (EAA) in ferred 134 people to the Public while 6 were found violating Decree Law No. 17 of 1990 on abroad. different and unconven- Carrefour will also en- support of EAA causes, ensur- Prosecution for violating the the maximum number of four infectious diseases, and the In 2019, the United Arab tional Holy Month in 2020, courage its communities to ing that all children and youth preventive and precautionary people allowed in a vehicle in- country’s precautionary meas- Emirates said it would allow Carrefour wants to be at the buy locally through the To- in Qatar have access to qual- measures enforced by the coun- cluding the driver, except when ures in place to combat the foreigners to own 100 percent forefront of assisting its com- gether We Share theme. As a ity education. Customers can try to contain the spread of the they are members of the same spread of COVID-19. of businesses across industries munities in experiencing result, throughout the month, give back to the community coronavirus, the Ministry of In- family, 18 for failing to adhere The designated authori- and Saudi Arabia removed a Ramadan as they know it: the brand will promote local while shopping for Ramadan terior (MoI) said on Thursday. to the safe distance, and 4 for ties urged the public to follow cap on ownership of publicly through giving and generos- fresh fruits and vegetables, al- essentials by donating at any Among them, 106 were re- failing to install the EHTERAZ the precautionary measures in traded companies for foreign ity, connecting with family lowing customers to support Carrefour Qatar store’s cash ferred to the Public Prosecu- app on their mobile phones. place to ensure their own and strategic investors. and friends, spirituality, and local Qatari farmers and sup- register. tion for failing to wear masks in The measures are in line others’ safety. (QNA) Friday, April 16, 2021 03 Islam

Breaking Fasting Due to Pregnancy

Question: I read in a contemporary book of Fiqh (jurisprudence) that if the Seeking Forgiveness: pregnant woman breaks her fasting during Ramadan, according to the sounder opinion, she will be required only to make expiation. Hence, my wife would break fasting when she was pregnant and expiate only. This was repeated for many years. Recently, however, I came to know that this opinion is weak and that the sound opinion is that she is required to make up for the days of fasting that she missed. What should my wife do now? An immediate Tradition of the Prophets response would be highly appreciated. May Allah reward you! Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallal- laahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding the pregnant and the Righteous woman who breaks fasting during Ramadan. We adopt the opinion of Ash- Shaa ‘i and Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon them, that if she breaks fasting in fear for herself or for herself as well as the fetus, then she is required only to HE Prophets, may Al- make up for the days of fasting that she missed. However, if she breaks fasting lah exalt their mention, in fear for the fetus only, then she is required to make up for the days of fasting and the virtuous and along with giving an expiation of feeding a poor person for each day from the righteous people were money of the fetus’s guardian; this is the most prudent opinion. the quickest of all to The opinion that she is required only to make up for the days of fasting Tcomply with the call of Allah The is based on analogy, because the pregnant woman is like the sick person Almighty. whose recovery is expected. There is a third opinion on this issue, which Our father Adam (Adam) and is the one which you used to apply, namely, that she is required to give the our mother Hawwaa’ (Eve), may expiation only. According to this opinion, she is not required to make up Allah exalt their mention: for the days of fasting. This opinion is also strong because it was adopted They responded to the call of Al- by two great scholars from among the Companions: Ibn ‘Abbaas and Ibn lah The Almighty immediately after ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them. Al-Albaani, may Allah have mercy they disobeyed Him when Shaytaan upon him, indicated in his book “Al-Irwaa’” that this opinion was traced back (Satan) caused them to slip and to them through authentic chains of narrators. drove them to commit a sin. They Nevertheless, now that you believe that this opinion is outweighed, we hastened to show remorse and to believe that your wife is required to make up for the days of fasting that she repent. Allah The Almighty Says missed. Allah Knows best. (what means): {They said, “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and The Cure for Pride and Arrogance have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.} [Qur’an 7:23] Question: How can we help members of Islamic movements to get rid of pride Nooh (Noah), may Allah and arrogance? exalt his mention: Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there When he, may Allah exalt his is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi mention, felt sympathy for his wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. disbelieving son, he said (what The cure for pride and arrogance in the Islamic movement or any other is by means): {…”My Lord, indeed my remembering the following: son is of my family; and indeed,  Remembering the Greatness of Allah, The Almighty, and that Pride is one Your promise is true; and You Are of His Attributes. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be the most just of judges!} [Qur’an pleased with him, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, reported that Allah 11:45] Then Allah The Almighty The Almighty said that Pride, Glory and Greatness are among His Attributes Said to him (what means): {…”O friend of Allah The Exalted, said ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “By Allah! I Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased which none of His creation shares with Him. Thus, he who claims to possess Nooh, indeed he is not of your fam- in the verse (which means): {And ask for forgiveness from Allah The with him, the best of this nation af- such qualities, Allah will punish him and doom him to Hell. [Muslim] ily; indeed, he is [one whose] work who I aspire that He will forgive Exalted and turn to Him in repent- ter the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi  Remembering man’s origin and weakness. Allah Says (what means): {He cre- was other than righteous, so ask Me me my sin on the Day of Recom- ance more than seventy times a wa sallam, asked the Prophet, sal- ated man from a sperm-drop; then at once he is a clear adversary}[Qur’an 16:4] not for that about which you have pense.} [Qur’an 26:82] day.” [Al-Bukhaari] lAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “O Mes-  Remembering the punishment for pride and arrogance. In a Hadeeth on the no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, Moosa (Moses), may Allah Furthermore, Allah The Al- senger of Allah, teach me an invoca- authority of Ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, sallallaahu lest you be among the ignorant.} exalt his mention: mighty urges the Prophet, sal- tion with which I may invoke Allah ‘alayhi wa sallam, informed that he who harbours pride in his heart, even equal to [Qur’an 11:46] Moosa, may Allah exalt his lAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to seek in my prayers.” The Prophet, sallA- the weight of a grain of mustard seed, will not enter Paradise. [Muslim] Then, Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention, says in the verse (which His forgiveness. He, the Exalted, llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Say,  Remembering that arrogance causes defeat and failure. Allah Says (what mention, asked for the forgiveness means): {He said, “My Lord, in- Says (what means): {… ask for- ‘Allahumma inni thalamtu nafsi means): {And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently of Allah The Almighty, repenting of deed I have wronged myself, so giveness for your sin and for the thulman katheeran wa la yaghfir and to be seen by people.}[Qur’an 8:47] this refers to the people of Quraysh what he said. Allah The Almighty forgive me,” and He forgave him. believing men and believing wom- ath-thunoob illa ant; ighfir li magh- when they went into the Battle of Badr. Says (what means): {… “My Lord, I Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the en…} [Qur’an 47:19] firatan min ‘indik wa irhamni, in-  Remembering that modesty, in contrast, results in might, honour and seek refuge in You from asking that Merciful.} [Qur’an 28:16] He, may Yoonus (Jonah), may Allah naka anta Al-Ghafoor Ar-Raheem superiority. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased of which I have no knowledge. And Allah exalt his mention, also says exalt his mention: (O Allah, I have wronged my soul with him, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stated that nobody becomes unless You forgive me and have (what means): {[Moosa] said, “My Prophet Yoonus, may Allah ex- very much and none forgives the modest and humbles himself for the sake of Allah, but Allah raises and honours mercy upon me, I will be among the Lord, forgive me and my brother alt his mention, called out in the sins but You; so please bestow Your his status. Allah Knows best. losers.} [Qur’an 11:47] and admit us into Your mercy, for darkness of the whale’s belly (what forgiveness and mercy upon me. No Besides, after Allah The Exalt- You are the Most Merciful of the means): {There is no deity except doubt, You are the Oft-Forgiving, ed had punished the disbelieving merciful.} [Qur’an 7:151] You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have the Most Merciful).’” [Al-Bukhaari] people of Nooh, may Allah exalt Muhammad, sallAllahu been of the wrongdoers.} [Qur’an ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased his mention, with drowning and ‘alayhi wa sallam: 21:87] with him: saved the believing people with The Companions of the Proph- Daawood (David), may Al- ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention, et, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, nar- lah exalt his mention: with him, said to the Prophet, sal- “And establish the Prayer. Indeed, he said (which means): {My Lord, rated that the Prophet, sallAllahu Daawood, may Allah exalt his lAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “O Mes- the Pryer prohibits immorality and forgive me and my parents and ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to seek the mention, supplicated Allah The senger of Allah, ask forgiveness for whoever enters my house a believer forgiveness of Allah The Almighty Exalted as Allah The Exalted Says me.” wrongdoing”. – [Qur’an 29:45] and the believing men and believ- at least one hundred times in each (what means): {And Daawood be- There are numerous righteous ing women. And do not increase gathering, saying: “O Lord, forgive came certain that We had tried and devout people other than these, the wrongdoers except in destruc- my sins and grant me (accept my) him, and he asked forgiveness of who used to seek the forgiveness of tion.} [Qur’an 71:28] repentance; for You are the Ac- his Lord and fell down bowing [in Allah The Almighty frequently; re- Ibraaheem (Abraham), cepting of repentance, the Merci- prostration] and turned in repent- pentance was their banner, their may Allah exalt his mention: ful.” In another version: “… You are ance [to Allah].} [Qur’an 38: 24] request for forgiveness was their Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt the Forgiving, the Merciful.” [Abu Abu Bakr, may Allah be slogan, and they repeatedly turned his mention, who was the intimate Daawood] The Prophet, sallAllahu pleased with him: to Allah The Almighty.

EASY TIPS FOR A SOUND CHILD UPBRINGING

EAR parent, how do you imagine the to change your child’s behaviour if you are his Charge with responsibilities: shouting”, you should say, “Please, speak in on. successful way of upbringing should role model in doing what you order him to Many parents do not entrust tasks to your normal voice.” Be flexible and ready to negotiate if be? do. It should be known that you cannot give their children because they feel that it is  Instead of saying to the child, “Stop necessary: In other words, what is your view of what you do not have. easier to do them themselves or they do not throwing the ball inside the house”, you Flexibility in upbringing means having theD proper way to discipline the behaviour of Encourage efficiency: want to overburden their children. Howev- should say, “Take the ball and play outside”. sufficient wisdom that does not drive the your child? According to experts, “Self-confidence is er, this attitude should be changed and the Guiding the child in a positive way will parent to ask the child to immediately do I think that discipline in your point of a good cornerstone for self-control.” When child should be encouraged to participate save you from direct confrontation related to his homework after returning from a hard view is the way which obliges our children you praise your child’s good behaviour, you in the housework and to help his father at his behaviour. It will also give the child a space day at school. In this situation, the parent to submit to what we say without having the build his self-confidence. Such self-confi- work. This should take place after teaching to choose. You should not say to him, “Do not should say, “I think you should have some right to express any objection. dence will help you a great deal in improving and training the child to do so in order not play football”; rather, you should say, “Do rest now. I will wake you up after you have Dear parent, I may agree with you on the his bad behaviour. to feel a failure. The child who shoulders not play football here.” rested.” definition of discipline, but I differ with you Teach your child social skills: responsibility at a young age will be more Set limits: Using the method of rewards: in the way it is applied. Getting the child accustomed to good so- able to change his own bad behaviour. Some parents fear setting limits think- Reward is different from bribes. The best way to discipline your children cial manners at a young age will save a lot of First attract their attention: ing doing so will weaken the child’s per- A bribe is to make a previous agreement is to teach and guide them, more than oblig- effort when he gets older. So, from now on, Your children may notice that you talk, sonality. However, when you spend some with the child, for example, to have a certain ing them to be disciplined. The process of teach him to seek permission before entering but if they do not pay attention to your words, time with children who have no limits, you amount of money in order not to raise his improving a child’s behaviour is an educa- others’ rooms, to say “Jazaak Allahu Khayran they will not respond. Therefore, your first will immediately realise the importance voice in the market. tional, not a punitive process. In this case, (May Allah reward you)” to anyone who does step is to be keen on attracting their atten- and positive effect of this approach on the A reward is to give the child a reward in you should prefer a smile to frowning, a calm him a favour, to kiss his parents’ hands, to tion. child. return for his polite behaviour all the day. voice to shouting and a reward to punish- visit his relatives and to help his mother with  Go to the room to speak directly to your Anticipate the situation and deal Giving rewards enhances good mor- ment. the housework. Every effort that you exert child. with it before it takes place: als and creates a new atmosphere. So, you In this article, we offer you 13 tips that with a young child will be a great asset help-  Be keen on visual communication For instance, if your child insists on hav- should not forget to use it as a successful will significantly affect your methodology ing you to change his bad behaviour when he which requires flexibility to be on the same ing everything he wants from the toy store, means of upbringing. while you change your child’s behaviour. gets older. level of the child. then, you need to go there without accom- Be firm on principle: These 13 tips will form a new atmosphere for Give your child authority to an ex-  Your demands should be simple and panying him until he gets older. It is wise to You should mind what you say and ad- discipline making it an easy matter. Howev- tent that is proportional to his age: your explanation should be easy and clear to avoid the development of some bad attitudes here to it. In this way, the child will under- er, you should listen to, respond and consider The more you find ways to encourage in- understand. in our children. stand that you are serious. This will save a every tip. dependence, the more you save a lot of time Look for other means of rejection: Setting punishments: lot of your efforts. Firmness on principles is Be a good example: in the future. You should teach your child The child usually turns a deaf ear to eve- The best way to indicate your dissatisfac- the basis according to which you can bring Your child is watching you continuously to make his own decisions, for example, to rything that he does not like to hear. This tion with any bad behaviour is to set punish- up your child. If you can set some rules and and he absorbs the way you face frustration, choose his own clothes and to buy his own means that the more interesting your speech ments. For example, you may say, “If you do behaviour to be followed inside the family, your behaviour while you are angry, the ex- things. The child who has some kind of au- is, the greater your chance is to gain their at- not go on time, you will not be able to go to you will grant your child the starting point tent of your truthfulness, honesty, generosity, thority will control himself more and will be tention. the picnic”; “If you beat your young sister, according to which he can make his own de- morals, and so on. Hence, it would be easier more capable of changing his behaviour.  Instead of telling the child, “Stop you will not get your pocket money”, and so cisions. 04 Friday, April 16, 2021 World China to build space station with 3 ights into space Fire at Saudi university after Houthi drone, missile attacks BEIJING: China plans to start building its space station in the next few weeks, with three manned RIYADH/SANA’A: A re broke out at a university in southern Saudi Arabia after the air defence sys- space ights planned probably by June. The Shenzhou 12 (Divine Ship) spacecraft for three crew tem intercepted an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed News members and a Long March 2F rocket arrived at the Jiuquan spaceport in north-west China for nal four bomb-laden drones and ve ballistic missiles between Wednesday evening and early Thursday assembly, state media reported on Thursday. Exactly when the manned ight is to take off was not launched by the Houthis towards the southern Saudi city of Jazan, according to a statement by a in brief disclosed. Observers expect the launch of the core module of the planned Tianhe (Heavenly Har- Saudi-led military coalition. “The interception resulted in scattered debris on campus, which caused a mony) space station before the end of April. The rocket has already been taken to the Wenchang limited re that was contained,” coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said, adding that noone had died. spaceport on the southern Chinese island of Hainan. Similarly, the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou 2 In Yemen, a Houthi military spokesman said the group launched 11 ballistic missiles and one drone (Heavenly Ship) is waiting in Hainan for launch, which could subsequently take place in May. (DPA) targeting an oil facility for Aramco, Patriot anti-missile platforms and sensitive targets in Jazan. (DPA) Turkish, Greek top diplomats clash at meeting to resolve tensions

DPA tempt to resolve months of ten- charged that Ankara had vio- them as serious accusations. the two neighbours must to- ISTANBUL sions, primarily over maritime lated Greece’s sovereignty by Cavusoglu accused Athens gether resolve their difficulties. boundaries and natural gas exploring for natural resources of violating the rights of mi- Dendias countered that THE Turkish and Greek foreign reserves in the eastern Mediter- in the eastern Mediterranean, norities in Greece who have Brussels is a party that is able to ministers met on Thursday to ranean. among other issues. Turkish origins, of breaking in- help overcome issues between discuss difficult issues from Instead, the two diplomats He said EU sanctions re- ternational laws concerning the Turkey and Greece, and that maritime sovereignty claims to quarrelled over the issues in- mained a possibility if Turkey de-militarisation of some Greek Ankara should understand this. migration and minorities, but cluding the role of the Euro- does not stop prospecting in islands and of pushing back mi- The mood had worsened a press conference that began pean Union as cameras rolled, the area, Dendias also said that grants heading to Greece. significantly since the start of warmly descended into a war of in a meeting that seemed to un- Turkish warplanes had violated “If you want to maintain the press conference, when the words. derscore the deep divisions be- Greek airspace several times. tension, we will do the same,” two ministers spoke of building Turkish Foreign Minis- tween the two neighbours and Cavusoglu, his Turkish Cavusoglu said. a “positive agenda” and “con- ter Mevlut Cavusoglu and NATO allies. Dendias warned counterpart, responded by call- He added that the EU “can structive diaologue” between A woman walks on a hill overlooking the ancient Acropolis in Athens his Greek counterpart Nikos Turkey not to spread what he ing Dendias’ remarks “utterly not help” Greece in its disputes two countries, despite some recently. (AFP) Dendias met in Ankara to at- described as “fake news.” He unacceptable” and describing with Turkey, and that instead, differences of opinion.

VIRUS RAGE Iran threatens to leave nuclear talks if Hospitals, crematoria struggle to progress isn’t made

DPA keep up as India tops 200k cases VIENNA IRAN’S top negotiator DPA the city, has seen its daily case- warned the ongoing talks to NEW DELHI load double, while excavators revive the 2015 nuclear deal have working at other grave- must make headway soon or INDIA on Thursday report- yards amid worries about run- he will leave. ed a single-day rise of over ning out of space. “If there is progress, we 200,000 Covid-19 cases for In Maharashtra, which has will continue. If not, we stop the first time, putting a severe seen around 59,000 cases and the talks,” Iranian Deputy strain on health care infra- 278 deaths, authorities have Foreign Minister Abbas structure as crematoria and shut restaurants and banned Araghchi said on Thursday. graveyards struggled to keep public gatherings of more than A new round of talks be- up with the death toll. five people. gan Thursday with diplomats India has been the world’s In new stricter curbs in from the United States, Ger- worst-hit country since early Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind many, France, Britain, Russia We can also increase April, forcing regional govern- Kejriwal announced a week- and China. uranium to 90 percent, but ments to impose a host of re- end curfew, during which only The negotiators began still we have never planned strictions including weekend essential services and activi- meeting in the Austrian capi- a nuclear weapons curfews to control the spread ties will be allowed. tal late last week. programme and never will of the virus. Auditoriums, restaurants, While there are no direct As many as 200,739 fresh malls, gyms and spas will be talks between the US and Ira- Hassan Rowhani cases in the past 24 hours shut down and movie theatres nian delegations, other en- pushed the total caseload to will be allowed with a third of voys serve as go-betweens. over 14 million, the Health their capacity on weekdays. The 2015 deal has been shadow. In response, Iran an- Ministry said. A total of 1,038 India saw a downward hanging by a thread since nounced it would soon enrich deaths were reported, tak- trend in infections from the Washington’s unilateral uranium to a purity level of ing the total death count to end of 2020, but the numbers withdrawal under then-pres- 60 per cent. 173,123. Family members, with help from the municipal staff transfer the bodies of the patients who died of began rising again in mid-Feb- ident Donald Trump and sub- Iran’s President Hassan The national capital New coronavirus disease from the ambulance at a crematorium in Bangalore on Thursday. (AFP) ruary. sequent violations by Tehran, Rowhani said on Thursday: Delhi and the financial hub India’s total cases are sec- such as this week’s announce- “We can also increase urani- of Mumbai, among the eight Local television channels Pradesh or Haryana,” an offi- ond behind US, while fatalities ment of a major hike in ura- um to 90 percent, but still we regions seeing record daily showed crowds of suspected A local government app cial from a state-run Covid-19 are the fourth behind US, Bra- nium enrichment. have never planned a nuclear infection counts, were facing Covid-19 patients waiting that provides Covid-19- facility in New Delhi told the zil and Mexico. Negotiators are trying to weapons programme and shortages of hospital beds and outside hospitals in Delhi for related information showed New Indian Express daily. Strains of the virus in India get both Iran and the United never will.” Once the Vienna oxygen supplies. Orders have hours to get admitted. only between one to five “They are travelling quite a with “double mutations” have States to fully recommit to nuclear agreement is imple- been issued to convert private The health care infra- distance and those approach- been found in patients in 10 the deal, which would mean mented again and US sanc- hospitals and hotels into Cov- structure is slowly crumbling intensive care beds availa- ing us are mostly critical cases. states. This could be respon- Iran coming back into com- tions are lifted, Tehran will id-19 facilities. in Maharashtra, of which ble in over 100 of some They have to be put on venti- sible for rising infections and pliance and Washington eas- bring the enrichment level A local government app Mumbai is the capital, where 125 hospitals in Delhi, lators or on ICU beds.” As the a faster spread in these states, ing sanctions. Each side says back to the 3.67 percent limit that provides Covid-19-relat- Covid-19 patients huddled in which recorded its highest- number of dead rises, crema- Health Ministry sources told the other should make the agreed in the accord, Row- ed information showed only wheelchairs to receive oxygen ever single-day rise of toria and burial grounds in broadcaster NDTV. first move. hani said. between one to five intensive or take up beds hastily set up 17,282 infections Delhi and states like Gujarat Recent regional elec- The talks are described as High-purity uranium can care beds available in over 100 in hospital lobbies, reports and Bihar are also seeing long tions and festivals including still being at an early stage. be quickly converted into of some 125 hospitals in Delhi, said. queues and increasing wait the mammoth month-long An attack on Iran’s key weapons-grade material. which recorded its highest- “The situation is very bad have to return patients, even times. Kumbh Mela are expected to enrichment facility in Natanz Iran claims to want to use ever single-day rise of 17,282 and too grim to describe. Hos- those who are coming from Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat, accelerate the infection rate on Sunday, for which Teh- the highly enriched uranium infections. pitals are running full and we (neighbouring states of) Uttar one of the main crematoria in further. ran blames Israel, has cast a for medical purposes.

Bangladesh Nepal fears mass virus transmission Blinken arrives in Kabul as US records more than 10,000 as thousands celebrate new year prepares to exit Afghanistan DPA DPA Covid deaths KATHMANDU KABUL DPA DHAKA THOUSANDS of people in Ne- US Secretary of State Antony pal took part in the ongoing an- Blinken arrived in Kabul on BANGLADESH has reported nual new year festival celebra- Thursday in an unannounced 94 more deaths due to Cov- tion on Thursday, fuelling fears visit, hours after President Joe id-19, the disease caused by of the mass transmission of the Biden announced a full with- the coronavirus, bringing the coronavirus amid a resurgence drawal of US troops from the country’s death toll to 10,081 in cases across the country. war-torn country. since the outbreak began, the At least 5,000 people are The presidential palace in government said on Thursday. believed to have participated Kabul said in a statement that The number of infections in the Bisket Jatra celebration Blinken, who was leading a rose to 707,362 after 4,192 in the Bhaktapur district of high-level delegation, had met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) with Afghan President people tested positive, out the Kathmandu valley, accord- President Ashraf Ghani. Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Thursday. (AFP) of 19,959 tests carried out ing to police constable Kabita Uncertainty surrounds during the past 24 hours up Kharel. Biden’s pull-out from the ment read. past. until Thursday morning, ac- The event is part of a nine- Revellers sing and dance to traditional music during the Bisket Jatra country and there are fears Blinken said the US would Biden announced the with- cording to a Health Ministry day medieval festival celebrat- Festival at Thimi, on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Thursday. (AFP) the departure of foreign troops continue its “humanitar- drawal of US troops from Af- statement. ed around every Nepalese new could embolden the Taliban, ian and diplomatic assistance ghanistan by September 11. Given the surge in cases year in April which experts fear Experts have warned that festivals and religious events leading to further bloodshed. to the security forces of the The date marks the 20th an- and deaths, the government could trigger mass transmis- may turn into super-spreader According to the state- country,” and its efforts to niversary of the 2001 terrorist ordered a nationwide lock- sion of the virus. the unchecked celebration events and trigger a new wave ment, Ghani told Blinken that “facilitate the peace process.” attacks on the US that prompt- down, shutting offices, shop- Local media showed devo- of festivals and religious of more lethal variants of the a clear debate about a “new Blinken also met with the head ed the deployment. NATO also ping malls and transportation tees pulling chariots carrying events may turn into coronavirus. chapter of cooperation that of the Afghan National Recon- announced on Wednesday the on Wednesday in a measure local deities and smearing ver- super-spreader events and On Thursday, the Minis- relies on mutual trust in inter- ciliation Council Abdullah Ab- end of its mission in Afghani- due to last eight days, in or- milion powder on each other’s trigger a new wave of try of Health and Population ests” was required, now that dullah. stan. der to slow the spread of the faces. more lethal variants of the urged people to avoid mass the US was withdrawing its In a short televised speech, Following Washington’s virus. Some areas also featured coronavirus gatherings and asked busi- 2,500 troops from Afghani- Blinken told Abdullah that the announcement, Taliban mili- Bangladesh saw its high- a person playing the role of a nesses to abide by the pre- stan in the coming months. US and Afghanistan have a tants expressed anger the est single-day increase in in- mythical demon as he marched scribed social-distancing rules. Blinken, on his part, partnership that is changing troops were not leaving soon- fections on Friday, with 7,462 around the city with his tongue without masks, according to A country of around 30 mil- stressed that the withdrawal but enduring. er, calling the September date new cases, and the high- pierced with a 25-centimetre- local police. lion people, Nepal has around would not weaken the strate- Abdullah thanked Blinken a violation of the Doha agree- est daily death toll, 96, on long iron needle. Many people Experts have warned that 4,384 active cases of the coro- gic relations between the US for the “tremendous contribu- ment signed in February of Wednesday. were on the crowded streets the unchecked celebration of navirus. and Afghanistan, the state- tions” the US had made in the last year. World Friday, April 16, 2021 05

News US hits Russia with sanctions over in brief New Zealand mosque attack terrorist’s hearing delayed cyber hacks, election interference WELLINGTON THE man responsible for the deadly 2019 mosque attacks in New Zealand did not appear in court on DPA that counted key US govern- Thursday to challenge his prison conditions. WASHINGTON ment agencies and businesses Brenton Tarrant was sentenced to life in prison with no pos- among its clients. sibility of release for the terror attacks that killed 51 worship- THE United States launched The US also officially pers. He was also convicted under terrorism laws. diplomatic and financial offen- named the Russian intelligence Tarrant was due to be appear in the Auckland High Court sives against Russian officials service SVR as being behind on Thursday to challenge his prison conditions, court docu- and businesses on Thursday, the SolarWinds attack. ments show. However, he did not attend and Justice Venning in retaliation for election-med- The US also does not recog- adjourned the matter. dling and Moscow-linked nize Russia’s 2014 annexation In a minute issued after the hearing, Venning said the gun- hacking that compromised ma- of Crimea and has condemned man had asked for the hearing to be postponed. jor federal agencies. its support for separatist mili- The gunman had raised two potential issues via a letter in The move included the tants in eastern Ukraine. And it February, Justice Venning said. The rst was a judicial review expulsion of 10 Russian dip- has denounced Moscow for the of his designation as a terrorist entity and the other about his lomats from the US and sanc- attempted assassination of dis- access to news and mail. (DPA) tions on several organizations sident Alexei Navalny in east- and individuals, the White ern Russia last year. Navalny is Greece to lift one-week quarantine House and State Department currently on a hunger strike in requirement for tourists from EU said. a Russian prison. The US government also It’s a sharp change in tack ATHENS Greece plans to lift its one-week quarantine require- cited Russia’s continued oc- out of Washington from the ment For tourists from European Union countries from Monday. cupation of Crimea, which it last four years, where the ad- The government’s plan still requires approval by epide- annexed from Ukraine seven ministration of Donald Trump miological experts on Friday, the daily newspaper Kathimerini years ago, and for reportedly was often seen as more friendly reported on Thursday. offering bounties to militants Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. (AFP) to the Kremlin. The prerequisite is that the tourists are either fully vac- in Afghanistan who killed US Democrats routinely ac- cinated or have a current, negative PCR test. Some of those troops. cused Trump of being too cosy arriving will also be subjected to random testing. Among the expelled diplo- Ukraine ponders nuclear arms if NATO with Putin, although Trump In the country itself, tourists have to adhere to coronavirus mats are five employees of Rus- membership not forthcoming also expelled Russian diplo- rules including a general mask requirement. sian intelligence services. mats - after the Kremlin’s al- Athens had originally planned to announce the beginning In addition, US banks will BERLIN Ukraine is consider- “How else can we guarantee Russia of the Crimean peninsula leged use of nerve agent to of the tourism season on May 14 and to lift the quarantine be barred from trading in fresh ing arming itself with nuclear our defence?” In 1994, Kiev in 2014. poison a former Russian spy in requirement then. In addition to visitors from the EU, the Russian state debt starting weapons should the eastern had renounced ownership of the The con ict area of eastern Britain. quarantine requirement will also be dropped for travellers from on June 14, while six Russian European country not become world’s third-largest nuclear arse- Ukraine, where Moscow sup- Moscow has denied all the Israel, the United States, Britain, Serbia, Israel and the United technology companies accused a member of NATO, its ambas- nal from Soviet times, which was ports pro-Russian separatists, charges against it. Arab Emirates. (DPA) of helping the state engage in sador to Germany said on stored on Ukrainian territory. The and troop deployments on Rus- Russia summoned US malicious cyber activities were Thursday. nuclear warheads were all trans- sian and Ukrainian territory have Ambassador John Sullivan to BBC receives 110,000 complaints over hit. “Either we are part of an ported to Russia. In return, the caused international concern in Moscow’s Foreign Ministry af- Prince Philip coverage “The Biden administration alliance like NATO and contribute US, Britain and Russia pledged recent weeks. ter the White House announce- has been clear that the United in this way to making Europe to respect Ukraine’s borders. MELNYK spoke of “real war ment. LONDON The BBC has received 110,000 complaints over its States desires a relationship stronger ... or we are left with Ukraine has been seeking preparations for a new military Ministry spokesperson coverage of the death of Prince Philip - the highest number ever with Russia that is stable and the other option, which is to arm membership of the Western attack on Ukraine, which should Maria Zakharova warned that published about television programming in Britain. predictable,” read a White ourselves,” Ambassador Andriy military alliance NATO for years, also be taken seriously in “such aggressive behaviour will The broadcaster said on Thursday that people sent the House statement. Melnyk said on Deutschlandfunk but this is considered unlikely in Berlin.” Moscow maintains that undoubtedly receive a rebuff - complaints during the past six days since the royal consort’s “We do not think that we radio. the near future. it is only reacting to provoca- a response to the sanctions will death on April 9. The complaints concerned the extensive need to continue on a negative Kiev would then “perhaps Military tensions between tions from Kiev and has rejected be inevitable.” The US Treas- coverage the prince received on the BBC’s television and radio trajectory. also consider its nuclear status,” Ukraine and Russia have been the allegations of troop deploy- ury Department said that the channels. However, we have also He said. high since the annexation by ments. (DPA) sanctions related to the alleged As a result, a special web page was set up solely so view- been clear - publicly and pri- election tampering will affect ers could le their complaints. It has since been removed. vately - that we will defend our 32 entities and individuals. In response, the BBC said in a statement: “We acknowledge national interests and impose use of corruption to influence tions with Russian President of crimes that can be laid at the It also said that, in coordi- some viewers were unhappy with the level of coverage given and costs for Russian government foreign governments; taking Vladimir Putin of late. It has Kremlin’s feet is relatively long. nation with Australia, Britain, impact this had on the billed TV and Radio schedules.” actions that seek to harm us.” actions against dissidents or only been weeks since, during They include attempted tam- Canada and the European “We do not make such changes without careful considera- The list of activities the US says journalists; and violating prin- a broadcast interview, Biden pering with the 2020 elections Union, it had levied sanctions tion and the decisions made re ect the role the BBC plays as it wants to warn Russia against ciples of international law. responded affirmatively when and a series of cyberattacks on eight individuals and enti- the national broadcaster, during moments of national signi- include: tampering with US President Joe Biden has asked if he thought Putin was targeting SolarWinds, a US in- ties linked to the Crimean oc- cance,” the broadcaster said. (DPA) elections; cyberattacks; the raised the stakes in his rela- “a killer.” The US says the list formation technology firm cupation.

Former state London withholds numbers on vaccine exports on ‘national security’ leaders call on DPA An answer would be given export control mechanism. request. Europeans and Britons. LONDON in May at the earliest, the let- London rejected the accusa- It is not known how many A spokesperson for the Biden to waive ter added. tion and said the EU was prac- vaccines have been sent from European Commission told THE British Foreign Ministry In a Freedom of Informa- ticing “vaccination national- Britain to Europe. According dpa: “The European Commis- vaccine patent has delayed a response to a tion Request, dpa asked for ism” due to the control system. to the EU, it was next to noth- sion has been communicating request from a German press information on how many According to the Euro- ing. regularly on its exports of vac- protection agency about the country’s doses of vaccines had been ex- pean Commission, more than Accusation Both sides are currently cines. DPA vaccine exports as it is an issue ported from Britain by March 20 million vaccine doses had The EU has accused Britain of negotiating a longer-term so- “We have invited our trade MADRID of “national security.” 10 and where they were going been shipped from the bloc to blocking vaccine exports and lution to the vaccine dispute. partners to do the same. One In a letter this week, the to. The Freedom of Informa- Britain by the end of March During a briefing on of the reasons for introducing MORE than 170 former national Foreign, Commonwealth and tion Request inquiries usually alone. has since introduced an Wednesday, a spokesperson the transparency and export leaders and Nobel laureates are Development Office told dpa have to be answered within 20 In total, from January until export control mechanism for British Prime Minister authorisation mechanism was calling on US President Joe the information was available working days. April 13, the commission said Boris Johnson told report- to have greater transparency Biden to waive intellectual prop- but it needed to check if its The EU has accused Brit- it had exported 113.5 million ers London was continuing to of vaccine production and de- erty rules for coronavirus vac- release was within the public ain of blocking vaccine exports vaccines to 43 countries. The 613 requests for export au- have “constructive discussions liveries, as well as of the sup- cines, in an effort to ramp up the interest to publish. and has since introduced an member states also approved thorisations and rejected one with EU partners” to benefit ply chains.” global vaccination campaign. Such a waiver “would ex- pand global manufacturing ca- pacity, unhindered by industry monopolies that are driving the Covid-19 vaccine INO-4800 dire supply shortages blocking Former Minnesota of cer charged vaccine access,” read an open provides immune responses letter published by Club de Ma- drid on Thursday. in shooting of Black motorist against variants of concern Club de Madrid is a non- profit and forum for former DPA sentence.” In downtown DPA levels similar to the previous presidents and prime ministers MINNEAPOLIS Minneapolis, the defense for WASHINGTON reports of mRNA or viral vec- with the aim to promote de- former Officer Derek Chau- tor vaccines. mocracy. PROSECUTORS in a Min- vin, who is charged with mur- INOVIO Pharmaceuticals said In addition, despite recent “Artificial global supply neapolis suburb on Wednes- der in the death of George that its DNA vaccine candi- reports showing a reduction in shortages” could be overcome day charged the officer who Floyd, is presenting its case. date for Covid-19, INO-4800, neutralizing activity against the with a suspension of patents, shot 20-year-old Daunte The trial could go to jurors by provided broad cross-reactive Brazilian variant by the mRNA the club wrote, which initiated Wright with second-degree early next week. immune responses in humans or viral vector vaccines, INO- the call alongside other interna- manslaughter, as protests On Tuesday, Brooklyn against variants of concern. 4800 generated robust neu- tional organizations. throughout the region have Center Police Chief Tim The results in new study tralizing antibodies at levels If the international vaccina- ignited in recent days. Gannon also resigned from showed that INO-4800 in- against Brazilian variant which tion campaign continued at the The Washington County the department. Gannon duced a robust T cell response were comparable to those current pace, there is a risk that Attorney’s Office announced said Potter intended to use a against all spike protein vari- against the Wuhan strain. only 10 per cent of people in the charge against Kim Taser, not a firearm. ants tested, which the com- INO-4800 is INOVIO’s poorer countries would be im- Potter, who a day earlier Brooklyn Center Mayor pany believes will be key in DNA vaccine candidate against munized by next year, the letter resigned from the Brooklyn Mike Elliott has called for providing protection against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coro- said. Center Police Department. calm in the city. SARS-CoV-2 variants, in addi- navirus that causes Covid-19. The prominent signatories, The charge carries a maxi- “Daunte Wright’s death tion to providing similar levels Composed of an optimized including former French presi- mum penalty of 10 years in will not be exploited,” he said of neutralizing activity against DNA plasmid, INO-4800 is dent Francois Hollande, former prison. on social media. both the UK and Brazilian var- delivered directly into cells British prime minister Gordon Potter shot Wright, an A demonstrator holds a sign board as she stands outside the Brooklyn “Some outside elements iants as those against the origi- in the body via a proprietary Brown and Helen Clark, former unarmed Black man, during Center police station, Minnesota on Wednesday. (AFP) may be planning to show up nal strain. smart device to produce a ro- prime minister of New Zea- a traffic stop on Sunday in to infiltrate peaceful protest- In Thursday regular trad- bust and tolerable immune re- land, called on Biden to make a the suburb 10 miles north of few. ers and cause mayhem, we ing, INO was trading at 9.97 sponse. move on the matter and to “let Minneapolis. Potter shot Wright, an “While we appreciate will not allow that. We ask dollars up 1.13 dollars or 12.78 INO-4800 is nucleic-acid this moment be remembered in Police body camera foot- unarmed Black man, during that the district attorney is folks to protest peacefully.” per cent. based vaccine that is stable at history as the time we chose to age showed police attempt- a traffic stop on Sunday in pursuing justice for Daunte, The charges are being filed The study showed the T room temperature for more put the collective right to safety ing to arrest Wright because the suburb 10 miles north no conviction can give the by the Washington County cell responses induced by INO- than a year, at 37 degrees cel- for all ahead of the commercial of an outstanding warrant. Wright family their loved one Attorney’s Office. 4800 vaccination were fully sius for more than a month, monopolies of the few.” Govern- Wright breaks free from the of Minneapolis back,” said Benjamin Crump, Although Brooklyn Center maintained against the UK, has a five-year projected shelf ments and pharmaceutical com- officers, hops back into his a civil rights attorney repre- is in Hennepin County, like South African and Brazilian life at normal refrigeration panies have been arguing that car and drives off after the has sparked protests senting the family. Minneapolis, the Hennepin variants when compared to the temperature and does not waiving intellectual property officer fires. What appears to throughout Minneapolis as “This was no accident. County Attorney’s Office T cell responses to the origi- need to be frozen during trans- rules will not procure more vac- be a woman’s voice shouts, the area grieves yet another This was an intentional, referred the case to Washing- nal Wuhan strain. The neu- port or storage - all of which cine doses, as all qualified man- “Taser, Taser, Taser,” before death of a Black man at the deliberate, and unlawful use ton County under an agree- tralization levels of INO-4800 are important considerations ufacturers are already involved a single gunshot is fired. hands of police. Much of the of force. Driving while Black ment used for cases involving against South Africa and UK when preparing for mass im- in manufacturing with licenses. The shooting of Wright region has been under cur- continues to result in a death police killings. variants were reduced to the munizations. 06 Friday, April 16, 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

Bottom Trawling Harms The Ocean Pharmaceutical Innovation Is And The Climate Winning The War On COVID. New research shows why destructive shing practices must be reined in HE destructive effects of ocean-bottom trawling are easy enough Biden Shouldn’t Disarm to imagine from any basic description of the practice. Heavy nets T100 yards wide, equipped with weighted rollers and steel doors, are dragged across the seafloor to scoop up cod, halibut, flounder, rockfish, shrimp and other deep-dwelling prey. Biden administration is launching what amounts to a federal assault against In the process, corals, sponges, stingrays, turtles and all sorts of oth- er unwanted creatures are also caught — then roughly, often fatally, dis- pharmaceutical innovation that provides the best hope of ending the pandemic carded. The ocean mud is stirred into underwater clouds large enough to see from space, blocking light to plants and disturbing nutrients in DOUG BADGER the ambient water. Worms and other bottom-dwellers are left homeless and exposed. This manner of fishing, hundreds of years old, accounts for about a AS the COVID-19 vaccines show, pharmaceutical quarter of sea life caught worldwide. But studies have increasingly re- innovation provides the best hope of ending the vealed how extraordinarily destructive and wasteful it is — even more pandemic. Unfortunately, the Biden administra- so as trawlers move into deeper ocean habitats. Now, new research re- tion is launching what amounts to a federal as- veals another big problem: carbon emissions. sault against such innovation. The ocean floor stores nearly That assault will take the form of federal price twice as much carbon as soil on controls on prescription medicines. When the land. Left undisturbed, it can hold House of Representatives attempted to impose onto these deposits for tens of such controls in 2019, the White House Council thousands of years. When roiled of Economic Advisers (CEA) said it could result in by trawling, however, these an- as many as 100 fewer drugs entering the market cient carbon stores are brought to over the next decade. the surface where microbes con- Administration sources say the next phase of sume the carbon and turn it into the Biden “build back better” platform will likely carbon dioxide. The total volume include drug price control provisions similar to of CO2 released as a result is com- those the House passed that year on a party-line parable to that produced by avia- vote. The measure died in the Senate, which the tion. GOP then controlled. These new measurements lend fresh urgency to efforts worldwide to President Joe Biden plans to revive it. His limit or ban bottom trawling. The practice is already restricted in many proposal is expected to follow the House bill in places, including most of the U.S. West Coast and wide areas near Aus- setting an “upper price limit” for cutting-edge tralia and Europe. If bans could be expanded from less than 3% of the medicines based on prices set by foreign govern- ocean to 3.6% — without any affected trawl operations moving to other ments. Those prices, however, are one reason that What difference would that make? According They were able to succeed because they had the areas — the researchers estimate that it would be possible to eliminate citizens of those countries lack access to cutting- to the CEA, Americans would be less healthy and capital to spend on research that generated no re- 90% of the risk of carbon disturbance. edge drugs that Americans take for granted. less economically productive. The $34.5 billion turn through years of failure. Bottom-trawling restrictions would have other benefits as well. The Health and Human Services secretary in annual savings that the federal government Price controls will choke off tens of billions They’re likely to improve harvests for fishermen who use other tech- would then seek to “negotiate” prices below that would realize from price controls would reduce of dollars of that capital, curtailing research and niques, such as stationary nets and longlines. Studies suggest that they upper limit. The government would impose prices annual economic output by $375 billion to $1 tril- preventing scores of new drugs from coming to could allow seafloor ecosystems and fish stocks to recover. Trawling resulting from these “negotiations” throughout lion, imposing a cost to society 10 to 30 times the market. bans also stand to benefit fishing communities over the long term by the U.S. economy. federal savings. President Biden is happy to claim credit for increasing total catches. A manufacturer refusing to negotiate the price To put this in more concrete terms, imagine the pace of immunizations. Manufacturers are It’s true that jobs can be lost, at least at first. That’s why it’s im- of a product would incur an excise tax of up to our society without COVID-19 vaccines. Had distributing hundreds of millions of doses of vac- portant to institute limitations carefully, and to gain enough public ac- 95% of the revenues it derived from that product the US been left only with strategies that public cines that the Trump administration ordered. As ceptance to ensure that they’re enforced. One promising strategy is to in the preceding year. health experts call “non-pharmaceutical inter- many as 4 million adults are daily getting their “freeze the footprint” of bottom trawling by limiting it to places where In its December 2019 report, the CEA esti- ventions” — lockdowns, school closures and mask shots at pharmacies, supermarkets, clinics and it’s already being practiced, and allowing no expansion until research mated that the bill would reduce the pharmaceu- mandates — the end of the pandemic would not government-funded facilities. can show that vulnerable habitats won’t be harmed. This works best if tical industry’s revenue by anywhere from $500 be in sight. Claiming credit for things you didn’t do is gar- it’s paired with quotas to ensure that the trawled areas aren’t overfished. billion to $1 trillion over the next decade. They Non-pharmaceutical interventions failed to den-variety politics. Having spent half a century Another useful approach is to require that trawl nets be equipped with also noted that pharmaceutical companies spend prevent successive waves of infections, hospitali- in that field, Biden long ago mastered the art of rolling bobbins and other gear to hold them above the ocean floor and about 15% to 20% of revenues on research and zations and deaths here or elsewhere in the world. benign mendacity. keep them from unnecessarily plowing the bottom. development. That suggests that price controls They did not protect nursing home residents, but What he seems not to have grasped is the International cooperation would also help, especially in monitoring would cut R&D spending by $75 billion to $200 did harm children through extended school clo- connection between pharmaceutical revenues and restricting the trawling of ocean ridges and sea mounts in the “high billion over the next decade. sures, contributed to medical and social patholo- and medical innovation. We have vaccines not seas” outside any country’s jurisdiction. This amounts to a small frac- A company spends an average of $2 billion on gies, damaged the economy in the short run and because President Biden is a great leader, but be- tion of all ocean bottom-trawling, but industrial fishing operations are R&D for every drug it successfully brings to mar- inspired a government borrowing spree that will cause private enterprises had sufficient resources increasing their operations in such places — even though these efforts ket. Much of that spending is on failed projects at the very least impair economic growth over to persevere through years of failure on the road are largely unprofitable, or would be without government subsidies. — promising ideas that don’t yield breakthrough the next 10 years and perhaps have economically to historic success. The World Trade Organization should prohibit the subsidies for fuel, treatments. catastrophic results. Pharmaceutical innovation is our most effec- ships and gear that make high-seas bottom-trawling a going concern. If drug price controls along the lines of the Pharmaceutical interventions, however, do tive weapon against COVID-19 and other horrific And countries that allow the practice on their own shores should factor 2019 House bill were to reduce R&D by $200 bil- help. Thanks largely to the availability of vaccines diseases. The federal government shouldn’t dis- it into their emissions commitments under the Paris climate agreement. lion over the next 10 years, the CEA concludes, developed by innovative companies, hospitaliza- arm us. By now it’s clear that bottom trawling is immensely destructive, to the industry will introduce as many as 100 fewer tions and deaths continue to plunge. The immu- the oceans as well as the climate. Limiting the damage should be a pri- products over that period. Instead of 300 new nization effort is the fruit of decades of research (Doug Badger is a visiting fellow at ority for policy makers worldwide. drugs, we would have 200. by private entities on new vaccine technology. The Heritage Foundation)

Pandemic Won’t End Anywhere Until It’s Under Control Everywhere DOYLE MCMANUS ar-armed country of more than 230 million, na’s may use the moment to shove weaker has vaccinated under 0.5% of its population. neighbors around. China is handling COV- Vaccine nationalism has been the rule, ID-19 well; its neighbor the Philippines is ESPITE recent setbacks in Michigan not the exception. Governments in rich not, and that could make it vulnerable. and elsewhere, the United States countries have cornered as much vaccine Foreign aid to help end the pandemic is gradually approaching the day supply as they can to take care of their own isn’t an act of charity; it’s an act of self-in- when we may be able to declare the citizens, who not coincidentally are also terest. COVID-19 pandemic under control voters. Many global leaders understand this — —D within our borders, that is. Drug companies have rejected pleas but wealthy nations, including the United But that won’t mean the problem is over from India, South Africa and other coun- States, haven’t acted on it yet. in the rest of the world — or even here at tries to waive patent protection for their Former British Prime Minister Gordon home in the long run. vaccines. That’s understandable from a Brown proposed putting the Group of 7 in Until there is worldwide control of the business standpoint — but if Big Pharma charge of a multinational relief effort that virus, the pandemic will continue to affect doesn’t do more to end the shortage, peo- could include a temporary patent waiver. our health, our economy and even our safe- ple around the world will blame the United “The cost will be at least $30 billion a year,” ty from terrorism. States and other wealthy nations, not just he wrote — but that, he pointed out, is “less The first reason is obvious: The coro- Pfizer and Moderna. than 2% of [President] Biden’s $1.9 trillion navirus won’t sit still. As long as there are And that takes us to the other, less obvi- track to more than double, from affecting warned. American Rescue Plan.” large pockets of people passing the virus, it ous effects of a long-term pandemic — and 135 million people in 2019 to a projected “Hard-hit developing countries are To be sure, the United States has pro- will mutate, and those variants, potentially there are many, as two recent reports from 330 million by the end of 2021. experiencing financial and humanitarian vided $4 billion to a United Nations pro- less responsive to our current vaccines, will the U.S. intelligence community spelled A prolonged pandemic would be “a crises, increasing the risk of surges in mi- gram that is trying to get vaccines to poor travel here from Brazil, South Africa and out. profound economic tragedy for those coun- gration, collapsed governments, or internal countries — without much success so far. anywhere else they appear. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic tries,” Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen conflict,” the director of national intelli- But ending the pandemic is going to take On that count alone, the world’s failure marks the most significant, singular global said last week, “but [it] would also be a gence’s annual threat assessment reported much more than that. to deliver vaccines to needier countries is disruption since World War II, with health, problem for America.” on Tuesday. The pandemic won’t be over anywhere more than a scandal; it’s a crisis. Dozens economic, political, and security implica- Then there’s migration. When poor Failed states can turn into hotbeds of until it’s under control everywhere. If Biden of countries, especially in Africa, have re- tions that will ripple for years to come,” the countries’ economies collapse, desperate terrorism, as we learned at great cost two sees eradicating COVID-19 as Job One, he’ll ceived no vaccines at all. National Intelligence Council’s long-range people move to wealthier places — West Af- decades ago; the intelligence report noted need to lead a global effort before he can de- The head of the World Health Organi- “Global Trends” report warned. ricans and Syrians to Europe, Guatemalans that some countries have reduced their clare his mission accomplished. zation noted last week that in wealthy coun- Let’s start with the economic impact. and Hondurans to the United States. counter-terrorism efforts because they tries, about 1 in 4 adults have been vacci- Our economy is recovering, but in poor And if people in poor nations believe need to focus on the pandemic. (Doyle McManus is a Washington nated; in poor countries, the number is less countries the pandemic recession has a long their governments are handling the pan- All that instability also presents oppor- columnist for the Los Angeles Times than 1 in 500. way to go. The intelligence community re- demic poorly, some of those regimes will tunities, but not necessarily welcome ones. and director of the journalism pro- To take one example, Pakistan, a nucle- ported that food insecurity worldwide is on collapse, the intelligence community Assertive, autocratic governments like Chi- gram at Georgetown University.)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. US food exports to Qatar up 11% to over $141 mn in 2019 PG 8

FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021

34,035.99 10,899.06 48803.68 1,764.80 +305.10 PTS +293.68 PTS +259.62 PTS GOLD +1.64% E-com in sub-Saharan Africa: Can DOW QE SENSEX COVID-19 growth be sustained? PAGE 9 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 25.94 BRENT 66.87 +0.44% WTI 63.36 +0.33 % SILVER +1.61 % Turkey’s ‘Nakilat best bet for investors to c-bank keeps take part in Qatar’s LNG growth’ policy rate After QNBF’s last upgrade, Nakilat’s share price has appreciated by 18%, beating the QE Index’s increase of 8% at 19% AGENCIES SATYENDRA PATHAK ANKARA DOHA TURKEY’S central bank said QATAR Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) is the on Thursday it decided to best avenue for equity investors to participate in maintain its one-week repo the long term growth expected in Qatar’s LNG rate at 19 percent. sector, QNB Financial Services has said in its “Demand and cost fac- company report released on Thursday. tors, supply constraints in Irrespective of the volatility of the LNG ship- some sectors, and high lev- ping market, the report said, Nakilat’s business els of inflation expectations should remain relatively unaffected given the continue to pose risks to the LT nature of its charters. pricing behavior and infla- “Nakilat’s fleet continues to provide the tion outlook. The deceler- company with stable, contractually sustainable ating impact of the current cash flow that allow for a healthy residual in- monetary stance on credit come stream for equity investors after provid- and domestic demand is en- ing for debt service. Moreover, the 40-year life visaged to become more sig- of Nakilat’s vessels against maximum debt life nificant in the upcoming pe- of 25 years with last debt maturing in 2033, riod,” the central bank said in continues to create refinancing opportunities to a statement. increase fleet size,” the report said. The policy rate will contin- “Thus, we think further deals in LNG ships ue to be determined at a level and floating storage regasification units (FS- above inflation to maintain a RUs) are likely. In the near-term, addition of strong disinflationary effect four LNG vessels with one added in early Janu- until strong indicators point ary followed by one each in the second half of to a permanent fall in infla- 2021 and in early 2022 via Global Shipping, tion and the medium-term 5 should help earnings growth in 2020 and 2021. percent target is reached, the In terms of catalysts, we continue to believe that central bank added. expansion of Qatar’s LNG output from 77 MTPA The central bank last to 126 MTPA is a significant driver. Currently, changed its policy rate in our model does not assume any fleet growth and March, increasing it to 19 we will incorporate such expansion once more percent from 17 percent to details become available. We foresee significant eliminate risks to the infla- upward revision to our estimates and price tar- Nakilat’s eet continues to provide the company with stable, contractually sustainable cash ow that allows for a healthy residual income stream for equity tion outlook. get once we factor in this expansion,” it said. investors after providing for debt service. According to the most re- “We maintain Nakilat as an ‘Outperform’ cent data published by Turk- and raise our price target. Nakilat capped off a In 2021, JV income should benefit from two expanding Nakilat’s EBITDA margin from 74.6 (QP) has signed major LNG shipbuilding ca- Stat, the country’s consumer strong 2020 despite the global pandemic. For new LNG vessels in Nakilat’s 60 percent-owned percent in 2017 to 77.7 percent in 2020. We pacity agreements to build more than 100 LNG price index (CPI) rose by the first quarter of 2021, we are projecting 16.2 Global Shipping JV and improving shipyard could see upside to our future margin assump- vessels, worth in excess of QR70 billion to cater 16.19 percent year-on-year percent and 24.5 percent YoY and QoQ earnings performance, along with lower finance charges tions when Nakilat is able to transition the re- to this expansion. Recently QP issued an ‘Invi- in March, after increasing increases respectively driven by lower G&A, given principle repayments and considering maining eight wholly-owned LNG vessels from tation to Tender’ package to ship owners in re- by an annual 15.6 percent a higher JV income and a continued decline in that 25 percent of Nakilat’s debt (including STASCO,” it said. lation to this project. While details are yet to be month earlier. On a monthly finance charges. We remain bullish on Nakilat JV debt) is unhedged. For 2022, another ship “Nakilat’s stable business profile is high- released, we expect Nakilat to be a major ben- comparison basis, CPI rose and consider it as the best avenue for equity in- should be added, increasing Global Shipping’s lighted by its industry-leading margins with av- eficiary of this LNG expansion. We note every by 1.08 percent in March, vestors to participate in the LT growth expected fleet to four LNG carriers, along with a further erage adjusted EBITDA margin of 78.3 percent vessel adds roughly 1 percent to QGTS’ target following a 0.91 percent in- in Qatar’s LNG sector,” it said. decline in finance costs,” the report said. over 2010-2020 followed by 80.0 percent over price and we should hear more about carrier crease in February. Since we upgraded the stock to an Outper- “Transition of fleet management in-house 2021-2033. We model in a dividend yield of 3.4 selection by the end of 2022. We continue to Turkey raised its bench- form, the report said, Nakilat’s share price has from STASCO has enhanced profitability. Na- percent in 2021 growing to 4.7 percent by 2033, favour Nakilat as a long-term play geared to mark by 200 basis points appreciated by 18 percent, beating the QE In- kilat has successfully completed phase II of its with 9.9 percent in FCF yield growing to 17 per- Qatari LNG’s dominance.” on March 18 at Naci Agbal’s dex’s increase of 8 percent as Nakilat was re- fleet management transition programme with cent over the same period,” it said. “Our one-year target price is QR3.5 against final rate-setting meeting as included in the MSCI EM Index. management and operations of an additional Highlighting that expansion of Qatar’s LNG QR3.4 previously. We have rolled forward governor, elevating the key “We project 12.5 percent EPS growth for 10 vessels including the one delivered in Janu- output from 77 MTPA to 126 MTPA is a signifi- our DCF-based valuation model to 2021,” the rate adjusted for inflation to 2021 followed by a 7.5 percent increase in 2022. ary 2021. So far, this has played a major role in cant driver,the report said, “Qatar Petroleum report said. one of the world’s highest. Indian rupee could slip to 76 to MoCI obtains ISO certi cate $1 if pressure persists: Experts in information security mgmt AGENCIES MUMBAI TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK THE Indian rupee has turned DOHA into Asia’s worst-performing currency from being the best THE Ministry of Commerce in the previous quarter. It’s and Industry (MoCI), rep- poised for more losses as re- resented by the Information surgence in coronavirus cases Technology Department, to a record threatens to ham- obtained the ISO certificate string the economy. ISO 27001 from the Inter- The rupee weakened past national Organization for 75 per dollar for the first time Standardization (ISO) for in eight months this week. The adopting the latest interna- currency’s slide may be exac- tional standards for infor- erbated by unwinding of short The Indian rupee weakened past 75 per dollar for the rst time in mation security manage- dollar positions against the eight months this week ment and risk assessment. rupee, which ICICI Bank esti- The certificate was re- mates has grown to $50 billion. bai. “We are underplaying the tral bank’s quantitative easing ceived by MoCI Information The mayhem is also weigh- impact of COVID-19.” announced last week is seen Technology Department Di- ing on dollar bonds from India’s The rupee slumped 2.6 per adding to the liquidity glut, rector Ali Khalid Al Khulaifi. issuers, which have under-per- cent against the dollar so far in worsening the rupee’s woes. The ISO-certified ISO formed Asian peers this month, April after falling 0.1 per cent However, Barclays Plc ex- 27001 is one of the most as India overtook Brazil as the in the quarter ended March. It pects the Reserve Bank of In- trusted and internationally second-worst-hit COVID-19 fared better than other Asian dia to defend the rupee using accredited certificates for nation in the world. Stricter re- currencies in withstanding its massive foreign reserves. information security. It is strictions on movement across rising US yields in the last “The RBI will likely sell widely recognised for provid- The certicate was received by MoCI Information Technology Department Director Ali Khalid Al Khulai. the country are reviving memo- three months thanks to a rare USD into this bid as this move ing institutions with a model ries of last year when extended current-account surplus, eco- is relatively outsized,” said for operating, implementing, its full commitment to pro- The requirements for ob- The ministry is addition- lockdowns squeezed demand nomic recovery and heavy for- Ashish Agrawal, head of FX monitoring, and improving viding its customers with a taining the ISO certification ally required to continuously and pushed the economy into eign inflows. and emerging markets macro their information security service of the highest level. ISO 27001 include the min - assess all information security its worst contraction in nearly Traders are concerned strategy research. He expects management systems. Furthermore, obtaining the istry’s commitment to im- risks at the level of its services, seven decades. that the rupee’s tailwinds the rupee to climb to 73 per The ministry indicated ISO 27001 confirms the min- plementing a fully-fledged in addition to designing and “Economic growth is go- could start fading. Rising dollar by year-end and sees that obtaining the ISO cer- istry’s commitment to ensur- programme to ensure that implementing a comprehen- ing to get more impacted than commodity prices may push the latest bout of weakness as tificate ISO 27001 assured its ing complete confidentiality all information security sive and effective set of infor- what we are expecting,” said V. the current-account into a a catchup to losses suffered by ability to adapt and imple- for all parties that deal with it, controls are applied and mation security controls that Lakshmanan, head of treasury deficit in the fiscal year that other emerging market cur- ment internationally recog- by providing an environment individuals’ information is apply to the services and tech- at Federal Bank Ltd. in Mum- started in April, while the cen- rencies in March. nised standards, as well as that is both effective and safe. fully protected. nology used at the ministry. 08 Friday, April 16, 2021 Economy & Business A $1.2 bn loss for Delta, but recovery US food exports to Qatar up is on the radar 11% to over $141 mn in 2019 AGENCIES said Wednesday that it ex- pects to run about 90% of its DELTA Air Lines lost $1.2 U.S. pre-pandemic schedule Ensuring the country’s food security is a top priority for Qatar, says USQBC report billion in the first quarter, this summer. more than expected, but ex- The only threat Bastian TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ecutives said Thursday that sees to the recovery is a re- DOHA the airline could be profit- surgence of the virus. Delta’s able by late summer if the view – that it sees “a path to IN 2019, the US exported over budding recovery in air trav- profitability in the Septem- $141 million worth of food el continues. ber quarter” – assumes that related products to Qatar, CEO Ed Bastian said the U.S. will reach so-called representing an 11 percent in- Thursday that ticket sales herd immunity and slow the crease from the previous year, have been stronger in the spread of COVID-19 by late according to a US-Qatar Busi- last two weeks than at any spring or early summer. ness Council (USQBC) report time since the pandemic As bookings rise, Delta on Qatar’s food security. hit the U.S. last year. So far on May 1 will stop block- “The top five state ex- most of the people board- ing middle seats, a policy it porters were California ing planes are vacationers adopted in the early days of ($26,930,500), Georgia booking trips to mountains, the pandemic to reassure ($23,044,000), Virginia beaches and resorts. nervous flyers. This week, ($15,406,000), New Jersey The increase in passen- the U.S. Centers for Disease ($12,434,000), and Texas gers, combined with lower Control and Prevention ($8,361,000), it added. costs for labor and fuel, published a study estimat- USQBC has released the helped Delta generate $4 ing that leaving middle seats print edition of the report, million in cash per day in empty reduces the risk of “Business Opportunity Re- March after burning cash for COVID-19 transmission by port: Qatar’s Food Security”, the past year. up to 57%. to provide essential informa- “It’s clear that our busi- Airline industry officials tion for American companies ness is turning the corner faulted the study, which interested in doing business and we’re moving into an ac- didn’t consider face masks in Qatar’s food security sector. tive recovery phase,” Bastian and vaccinations, and Bas- The report includes re- said in an interview. “We see tian said it will not cause marks from Qatar’s Minister the business continuing to Delta to reconsider selling of Municipality and Environ- improve as consumer confi- every seat. ment HE Abdulla bin Ab- dence grows.” “We said all along we will dulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie However, Delta forecast sell those middle seats when in addition to key informa- that second-quarter revenue customers are confident and tion on Qatar’s food security will be down 50% to 55% comfortable sitting there, sector targeted for US com- compared with the same and the science has given panies. The report was spon- quarter in 2019, which ana- us that confidence around sored Lulu Hypermarket and Qatar’s National Food Security Strategy 2018-2023 focusses on four main pillars: International Trade and Logistics, Domestic Self-Suf ciency, lysts said fell short of expec- the vaccinations,” he said. Y International USA Inc at the Strategic Reserves, and Domestic Markets. tations. “What we’re seeing now in Gold level. The company’s shares, April is our planes are pretty Through a combination of related projects contributing The United States is al- Director of USQBC Doha Of- which have more than dou- full, so we need to sell those factors including rapid eco- to Qatar’s food security, has ready a key partner in Qatar’s fice. bled since last May, fell middle seats.” nomic development, popula- helped the country increase transformation to becoming a “The country is committed about 4% in midday trading. Delta said it lost $100 tion growth, environmental agricultural, fish, animal, and food secure country. to growing its food and water Several airlines have million to $150 million in challenges, and political dis- dairy production by 400% A key contributor of stocks sustainably while us- reported that bookings be- revenue by not selling mid- putes, Qatar has made ensur- and increased self-sufficiency Essential info US food exports to Qatar is ing the most advanced envi- gan to pick up in February dle seats in March. ing the country’s food security in vegetable production by through Lulu Hypermarket ronmental technologies and and gained speed in March. Delta relies heavily on a top priority. 80% during the course of the USQBC has released the print and Y International USA Inc. methodologies.” Delta’s bookings doubled corporate travel, which re- In response to these chal- blockade. edition of the report, Lulu Hypermarket’s 14 state- Today, Qatar is looking from January to March, al- mains deeply depressed, lenges, Qatar’s Ministry of “Qatar’s rapid pace of de- “Business Opportunity Report: of-the-art stores and Shop- to further enhance ties with though 10% to 15% are us- but the airline expects that Municipality and Environ- velopment in food security Qatar’s Food Security”, to ping Mall in Qatar have pro- the US in the country’s food ing credits from previously to bounce back after Labor ment launched the Qatar Na- has resulted in the country provide essential information vided retail distribution with security efforts. Some of the canceled flights. U.S. leisure Day. Bastian said 75% of tional Food Security Strategy taking the 13th overall posi- for American companies many food imports arriving key areas for partnerships and sales have recovered to 85% Delta’s corporate-account 2018-2023 which focused on tion and 1st position in the interested in doing business from its Y International USA commercial opportunities for of pre-pandemic levels, Del- customers say they expect four main pillars: Interna- MENA region for food securi- Inc. distribution center in US companies include: Tech- ta said. Airlines are adding to be fully vaccinated by tional Trade and Logistics, ty according to the 2019 Glob- in Qatar’s food security sector. Lyndhurst, New Jersey. nology Transfer, Research, flights for the summer va- Memorial Day, which he be- Domestic Self-Sufficiency, al Food Security Index”, said “We look forward to new Genetics, Biological Controls, cation season in the expec- lieves will set the stage for Strategic Reserves, and Do- Mohammed Barakat, Manag- partnerships in Qatar’s food Standardization, Testing, tation that passengers will road warriors to return in mestic Markets. This plan, in ing Director of USQBC. He has many projects in the pipe- security sector for US compa- Green Fodder, Meat Supply, show up. American Airlines large numbers. addition to the many infra- followed, “Qatar is committed line and opportunities for US nies,” said Sheikha Mayes bint and Strategic Stocks Manage- structure, agricultural, and to becoming food secure and companies.” Hamad Al-Thani, Managing ment. Citigroup exits 13 global consumer banking markets, including China

AGENCIES the scale we need to compete”, exited are in Asia, where Citi- for our consumer and wealth banks are assessed to have a the release of reserves set aside Net interest revenue, the said Citi chief executive Jane group’s global consumer bank- management businesses, as significant impact on the sta- for bad loans. difference between interest CITIGROUP announced on Fraser. ing business at the end of 2020 well as our institutional busi- bility of the financial system These benefits were offset the bank earns and what it Thursday (April 15) that it will The other 11 markets af- had US$6.5 billion (S$8.7 bil- ness. and functioning of the broader somewhat by a drag from low pays on deposits and borrow- exit 13 international consumer fected by the decision are: lion) in revenues, 224 retail “With a 120-year history in economy in the country. interest rates. ings, was US$10.17 billion, banking markets, shifting its Australia, Bahrain, Indonesia, branches and US$123.9 billion Singapore, we will also remain The move came as Citi- Citi also felt the impact of down 12 per cent from a year focus to wealth management South Korea, Malaysia, the in deposits. as a significant operational and group reported first-quarter cash-flush consumers paying earlier. and away from retail banking Philippines, Poland, Russia, Amol Gupte, Citi’s Asean technology hub serving our profits of US$7.9 billion, more off loans and using debit cards Total revenue fell 7 per in places where it is small. Taiwan, Thailand and Viet- head and country officer for businesses internationally.” than three times the level in more for purchases. cent to US$19.3 billion on low Citigroup will focus its nam. Singapore, said: “As a leading Citi is one of the largest for- the year-ago period. Revenues “As elsewhere, trading and interest rates and a 10 per cent global consumer banking Fraser, who moved into the international financial centre, eign banks in Singapore, hiring fell 7 per cent to US$19.3 bil- banking were a bit stronger decline in loans, largely due to business on four markets: Sin- CEO role in March, described Singapore is a critical hub for about 8,500 people there - in- lion. than expected and net inter- lower consumer credit card gapore, Hong Kong, London the pivot as part of an effort to Citi, serving as a global gate- cluding contract staff. In 2015, As with other large banks, est income a bit weaker but it loan balances. and the United Arab Emirates. “double down” on wealth man- way for our clients in Asia and the bank was designated as Citigroup’s profits were bol- was basically all pretty close to Overall card purchase But Citigroup will depart agement, where the growth op- across the world. Our business a Domestic Systemically Im- stered by a strong performance expectations,” Oppenheimer sales were up 1 per cent, even China, India and 11 other retail portunities are better. strategy recognises the impor- portant Bank by the Monetary in its investment banking and analyst Chris Kotowski said in as total card revenue fell 18 markets, where “we don’t have Most of the markets being tant role that the country plays Authority of Singapore. Such trading businesses, as well as a note to clients. per cent.

EXPECTATIONS HIGH A year after stocks soared, CEOs must show it was warranted

AGENCIES predicted — which is what usu- pecting profits to zoom even higher needed to raise prices by “mid- ally happens — this may be the through the summer, with growth to-high single digits” because of IT’S time to show the receipts, best reporting season for growth forecast to soar above 50% in the the higher prices it was paying for CEOs. in more than a decade, according third quarter. But several chal- commodities. For more than a year, investors to FactSet. During the summer of lenges lie ahead that could threaten But any drop in sales that have been pushing up stock prices, 2010, S&P 500 companies reported such lofty targets in coming quar- results from the higher costs, or the even though the pandemic caused 34% growth coming out of the ters and years. inability of companies to pass on profits to crater for companies. Great Recession. Chief among them is the higher prices, would squeeze profit With COVID-19 vaccines going “The bar has been raised, but prospect of inflation. As the global margins for companies as the year into arms and businesses reopen- not by enough,” Deutsche Bank economy recovers, prices are rising progresses. ing, investors want to see that faith strategist Binky Chadha said of ex- for oil and many other commodi- Higher inflation is something rewarded with some proof of fat pectations for this earnings season. ties that companies use to make that the Federal Reserve actually profit growth, starting now. Even the best profit growth things. Production problems wants to see, and it has said that it Not only are expectations high in a decade may not juice stock caused by the pandemic are also will allow inflation to rise above its for this upcoming earnings season, prices further, though, because the causing shortages of semiconduc- 2% target for a while before it tries which got going Wednesday with S&P 500 has already soared more tors and other products, ratcheting to tamp down rising prices across reports from JPMorgan Chase than 80% since hitting a bottom in up prices even higher. the economy. and other big banks, they’re rising March 2020. Analysts and investors are expecting pro ts to zoom even higher through the Some companies will be able to In the longer term, companies even more by the day. When the Last quarter, for example, summer, with growth forecast to soar above 50% in the third quarter. pass those higher costs on to their could also face profit pressure first quarter began, analysts were companies that reported higher customers, by raising prices at the from higher tax rates as President forecasting earnings growth of less sales and earnings than expected analysts expect companies to again That’s why it’s important to register. The company behind Hug- Joe Biden pushes for corporate than 16% for S&P 500 companies. actually lagged the S&P 500 the get little to no boost for reporting remember that a “blowout quarter gies diapers and Kleenex tissues America to help pay for his plan to Now, those same analysts say the following day, according to Savita stronger-than-expected earnings, doesn’t mean blowout market,” said recently that it would raise rejuvenate the nation’s infrastruc- tally should be closer to 25%. Subramanian, equity strategist at given how much their stocks have Subramanian said in a BofA Global list prices for most of its North ture. If tax hikes pass, the impact If companies end up report- Bank of America. already rallied on those expecta- Research report. American consumer products, for on businesses would likely be felt ing better numbers than analysts This earnings season, many tions. Analysts and investors are ex- example. Kimberly-Clark said it next year. Economy & Business Friday, April 16, 2021 09

NATIONAL GUARANTEES PROGRAMME EXTENDED After union fight, US jobless Bezos to focus claims plunge on Amazon to lowest workers post-COVID-19 AGENCIES AGENCIES AFTER a union battle at an THE number of Americans Alabama warehouse, Amazon applying for unemploy- founder Jeff Bezos said that ment benefits tumbled last as executive chairman he will week to 576,000, a post- focus on making the company COVID low and a hopeful a better place to work. sign that layoffs are easing Bezos made the disclosure as the economy recovers Thursday in his annual letter from the pandemic reces- to shareholders. He said he sion. didn’t take comfort in the out- The Labor Depart- come of the recent union elec- ment said Thursday that tion in Bessemer, Alabama, applications plummeted even though workers there by 193,000 from a re- overwhelmingly rejected a un- vised 769,000 a week ion. earlier. Jobless claims are “I think we need to do a now down sharply from a better job for our employees,” peak of 900,000 in early said Bezos, who will be step- January and well below ping down as CEO later this the 700,000-plus level year and will be executive they had been stuck at for chair of the online shopping months. giant. The decline in unem- Part of his focus as chair ployment claims coincides Qatar’s Cabinet on Wednesday announced additional support packages for the sectors affected by the closures imposed as part of COVID-19 precautionary measures. These will be to make warehouse jobs with other evidence that infographics from Qatar Development Bank highlights the latest updates to the National Guarantees Programme, which has been extended until the end of September 2021. safer. He said about 40% of in- the economy is strengthen- juries are sprains and strains ing as vaccinations acceler- caused by repeating the same ate, pandemic business re- motions and are more likely strictions are lifted in many to happen during a worker’s states and Americans ap- first six months in the job. He pear increasingly willing said training may help those to travel, shop, eat out and “working in a physical role for otherwise spend again. In the first time.” March, employers added a Brexit and pandemic combine for Last week, workers in healthy 916,000 jobs, the Alabama handed the online most since August, and the retail giant a decisive victory unemployment rate fell to when they voted against form- 6%, less than half the pan- ing a union and cut off a path demic peak of 14.8%. big hit to Irish trade with Britain that labor activists had hoped Other healthy econom- would lead to similar efforts ic data was reported Thurs- AGENCIES chinery and transport equip- goods between the Republic The Republic’s pharma “While today’s CSO figures throughout the company. day, underscoring that a ment while the weaker exports and Britain since Brexit. sector has benefited from a for imports from Britain for The union push was the potential boom, much- BREXIT and the pandemic was driven by a fall-off in food Imports from Northern strong pick-up in demand February 2021 are 53 per cent biggest in Amazon’s 26-year anticipated by economists, have damaged the Republic’s exports. Ireland into the Republic al- linked to the pandemic. behind February 2020, there history and only the second may be getting under way. trading relationship with Brit- The reduction in trade is most doubled to €283 million The value of goods imports is optimism that the follow- time that an organizing effort Trillions of dollars of gov- ain with the latest trade num- being attributed to a combina- in February compared with fell slightly to €6.9 billion, ing months can produce more from within the company had ernment stimulus, includ- bers showing a major fall-off in tion of factors, including the the same month last year – which gave rise to a seasonally encouraging results as a num- come to a vote. But Bessemer ing $1,400 checks largely exports and imports. The lat- challenges of complying with half of the increase related to adjusted trade surplus of €6.2 ber of early administrative is- was always viewed as a long distributed last month, est figures also point however customs requirements. pharma – while the value of billion. sues, customs paperwork and shot since it pitted the coun- have maintained overall to a surge in trade between the The stockpiling of goods exports from the Republic to The EU accounted for €4.6 unforeseen delays with ship- try’s second-largest employer household income despite Republic and the North. in the final quarter of 2020 in Northern Ireland rose by 38 billion (38 per cent ) of total ments are reducing as busi- against warehouse workers widespread job losses in According to the Central preparation for Brexit, the sub- per cent to €232 million. exports in February, of which nesses adjust to the changed in a state with laws that don’t the pandemic. Statistics Office (CSO), the stitution with goods from other The overall figures for €1.4 billion went to Germany trading landscape post Brex- favor unions. Alabama is one Those checks, supple- value of goods imports from countries and a reduction in February pointed to another and €1 billion went to Bel- it,” Janette Maxwell, director of 27 “right-to-work” states mented by higher savings Britain fell by 57 per cent or trade volumes due to Covid-19 strong month for Irish ex- gium. The figures show ex- in indirect tax at Grant Thorn- where workers don’t have to that many households €1.6 billion during the first two were also cited as possible rea- ports, which rose marginally ports to EU countries in Feb- ton Ireland, said. pay dues to unions that repre- have managed to build, months of 2021 compared with sons. to €13.1 billion on the back of ruary decreased by 1 per cent Noting the overall value sent them. drove retail sales sharply the same period last year, while Meanwhile, the figures strong pharma exports. compared with February last of Irish exports rose, she said: However, some of the higher in March. Sales at exports declined by 12 per cent show a sizeable pick-up in Exports of medical and year. “Brexit is still in its infancy but work practices claimed by stores, car dealers, res- or €250 million. trade between the Republic and pharmaceutical products in The US was the main non- these figures are perhaps an those seeking a union were taurants and bars jumped The largest decreases were Northern Ireland, suggesting February were valued at €4.5 EU destination accounting for indication that Irish business- unseemly and Bezos defended 9.8%. in the imports of food and live more firms appear to be using million, up 35 per cent on the €4.3 billion (35 per cent) of es are finding new markets for the company against the worst animals, mineral fuels, and ma- the North as a channel to move same month last year. exports in February. their products.” of those allegations.

OXFORD BUSINESS GROUP REPORT E-com in sub-Saharan Africa: Can COVID-19 growth be sustained?

he coronavirus pan- sumer habits. demic triggered an Survey results published Te-commerce boom in in the UNCTAD report in sub-Saharan Africa, alongside March found that more than the rest of the world. With a 40% of customers in four global recovery under way, large African countries were the question now is: can that planning to reduce their su- growth be sustained? permarket shopping in the There is no doubt that future by purchasing food, 2020 was a watershed year for clothing and electronics on- the digital transition. line. Lockdowns around the Other developments are world accelerated the deploy- also set to boost e-commerce ment of digital solutions in in the region, among them most aspects of daily life: the the African Continental Free expansion of e-commerce was Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), one standout consequence. which became operational on E-commerce companies January 1 this year. The third and platforms enjoyed a rise phase of AfCFTA negotiations in activity and profits, while countries and regions. countries. relative to pre-pandemic lev- – covering e-commerce and retailers that had not previ- On a related note, the Other common barriers els. digital trade – are set to take ously developed their online UNCTAD report highlighted include the high cost of broad- Highlights Logistics companies have place this year. presence found themselves that the benefits of this up- band; limited digital training ● COVID-19 prompted widespread growth in sub-Saharan similarly enjoyed a surge in If this impetus can be obliged to do so in order to take will depend on the digital and a lack of trust among citi- business. In Nigeria, Max. harnessed then e-commerce survive. readiness of individual coun- zens; a traditional preference e-commerce ng and Gokada pivoted away could well continue expand- To take an example, Latin tries. for cash; and little govern- ● African giant Jumia used record expansion to fuel share from ride-hailing at the outset ing in the sub-Saharan re- America saw a boom in the One key determinant is ment support. demand of the pandemic in order to gion. sector, with an estimated ICT infrastructure. As OBG Notwithstanding these concentrate on logistics, while This, at least, is the opin- 13m people making an on- has detailed, one of the most considerations, however, e- ● Limited ICT infrastructure remains a signi cant barrier in Kenya’s GetBoda, an e-com- ion of a report released at the line transaction for the first important challenges current- commerce in the region saw the region merce delivery company, saw end of last year by Google time in 2020, while retail e- ly facing emerging markets is significant successes last year, a 150% rise in orders in the and the International Fi- commerce in the region grew the digital divide. suggesting that growth in this ● The African digital economy is set to continue its first weeks of the pandemic. nance Corporation, accord- by 36.7% to around $85bn, This is particularly im- field could be sustained going exponential growth trend Elsewhere, various initia- ing to which Africa’s digital according to data company portant in the context of e- forward. tives were founded to cater to economy could contribute Statista. commerce. Simply, if enough an increase in demand amidst $180bn to the continent’s A recent UNCTAD report people do not have access to Leading lights ers, such as China’s Alibaba the company has yet to make the challenging conditions. GDP by 2025, an increase on anticipates that this growth the internet, the expansion of One emblematic African and Latin America’s Mercado a profit – these results show For example, in April last the $115bn for which it is cur- will be sustained even as the digital commerce will be se- success story has been e- Libre. confidence in both the com- year the UN Capital Devel- rently responsible. pandemic is brought under verely curtailed. commerce platform Jumia, Capitalising on its suc- pany and the future of e-com- opment Fund partnered with The report also forecast control, with e-commerce Sub-Saharan Africa is par- which reported a 50% rise in cess during the pandemic, in merce in the region. transport company SafeBoda that the sector’s contribution platforms likely to retain ticularly prone to the effects transactions during the first December 2020 Jumia raised Companies within the Uganda to create an e-com- will grow to $712bn by 2050. gains in market share, and of limited ICT infrastructure: six months of 2020. $243m by selling American broader e-commerce ecosys- merce platform designed to Meanwhile, the digital around 50% of consumers the International Telecom- Jumia was founded in depositary shares. This move tem have also seen impressive connect small businesses to economy’s contribution to planning to continue to shop munication Union estimates 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria, and was followed by a second- growth in recent times. For customers. GDP in Kenya – which leads online more often than they that the proportion of individ- grew to become Africa’s big- ary share offer at the end of instance, by March this year the way among African coun- did before Covid-19. uals in the region who use the gest e-commerce platform, March, which netted $341.2m Paystack, a Nigerian finan- A bright future? tries in this regard, followed However, growth in e- internet at least occasionally as well as the continent’s first in proceeds. cial payments company with As well as mitigating the by Morocco and then South commerce has been unevenly is 28.2% – considerably be- unicorn, in 2016. Today, it is While there are still ques- more than 60,000 merchants worst effects of the pandemic, Africa – is set to rise from spread in global terms, be- low the average of developing often mentioned in the same tion marks around Jumia’s across Africa, reported a five- this expanded e-commerce 7.7% to 9.2% by 2025, then ing concentrated in wealthier (47%) and developed (86.3%) breath as other regional lead- medium-term prospects – fold increase in transactions offering has changed con- 15.2% by 2050. QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Dan Evans QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune shocks Novak Djokovic to enter quarters in Monaco FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 PAGE 11 AFC Champions League: Al Duhail score impressive win over Al Shorta, top group AFC JEDDAH

AL Duhail made a successful start to their 2021 AFC Cham- pions League group stage cam- paign, easing to a 2-0 win over Al Shorta of Iraq on Thursday. In control for much of the match, the Qatari club went ahead through a Hassam Ka- dhim own goal nine minutes before half-time before a pic- turesque Edmilson Junior vol- ley made the points all but safe in the 53rd minute. The result installs Al Duhail as the early leaders in Group C, with only the group winners and three best runners-up to advance to the knockout stage from the West Zone. Al Duhail began in the as- cendancy, although it didn’t immediately translate into goalmouth action in a cagey opening period. Action from the Al Duhail vs Al Shorta Group C AFC Champions League It took until the 17th min- match played at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Thursday. ute for the game’s first shot to materialise; a scuffed ef- bear fruit, they did usher in a Unable to create a single fort from Al Duhail’s Michael period of greater control for Al chance of their own in the Olunga, but they went much Duhail, whose pressure even- opening 45 minutes, Al Shorta Al Duhail star Almoez Ali (2nd L) and other players celebrate their win at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Thursday. closer to breaking the dead- tually produced the opening now had to chase the game, lock through Ali Karimi five goal in the 36th minute, when and that task became consid- hail’s passing and movement Aleksandar Ilic’s side be- to rattle the woodwork in the while Al Duhail will face group minutes later, with the Ira- Olunga and Karimi played a erably more difficult when stretching the Al Shorta de- gan to look more directly for a 73rd minute. hosts Al Ahli Saudi FC in their nian’s instinctive header fizz- neat one-two, with Olunga’s Sabri Lamouchi’s men went fence, and Almoez Ali having a way back into the match, and That proved to be Al second match. ing wide from close range after shot ending up in the back of further ahead eight minutes shot blocked before Edmllson they nearly found a break- Shorta’s clearest chance at re- he latched on Ismail Moham- the net via the foot of Kadhim, into the second half. Junior showed excellent tech- through of their own through ducing the deficit, with their Scoreline: Al Duhail 2 (Hassam mad’s cross. who was credited with an own There were similarities nique to lash home a volley Ali Husni, only for the substi- attention now turning to Sun- Kadhim (OG) 36’, Edmilson While those chances didn’t goal. with the first goal, with Al Du- from just short of 15 yards. tute’s rasping 20-yard effort day’s clash with Esteghlal FC, Junior 53’) bt Al Shorta 0. Coach Xavi says Al Sadd must improve in the next game

AGENCIES “We then conceded a goal, of the best players in Qatar said: “This is something I can- RIYADH and it became difficult because and in Asia. But this is not an not understand. I cannot im- their morale was high and excuse for the draw today. We agine that the fans in Qatar AL Sadd coach Xavi Hernan- were more organised, but we still dominated the game, con- could not watch the match, dez expressed his dissatisfac- changed the system by putting trolled possession and created this is not logical.” tion after his side’s 1-1 draw Khoukhi in front, and eventu- more chances than the oppo- Meanwhile, Khoukhi with Iranian side Foolad ally scored.” nent. We didn’t do very well, Boualem said the draw was Khouzestan in their first round Al Sadd had to play with- but we didn’t perform badly, better than a loss. “It’s bet- clash in Group D of the 2021 out the influential Akram Afif, and we need to improve.” ter to draw than to lose. We AFC Champions League on who missed the match because The Al Sadd coach added: played well and controlled the Wednesday. of injury, but Xavi said that “We are playing against the game against a team that de- Speaking during the post- wasn’t an excuse and urged his best teams in Asia, and today fended strongly. We tried and match press conference, Xavi side to do better. we got a point that may be got many chances but fortune said: “I am unhappy with the “It’s not a bad point, useful in the future. We must didn’t favour us.” result we got. Our goal was to because Al Nassr and Al We- improve in the next match and He added: “Every match win. We played against a diffi- hdat also drew. We have to compete better.” has its own circumstances. To- cult and effective team, and we keep going even though we are Xavi also had some words day we played against a team competed strongly. not happy. on the pitch conditions. “The that defends well and it was “We are not happy, be- “I talked about how diffi- ground condition was not our first game in the tourna- cause our target for this match cult this group was. This is the good and did not help us play ment. We will work on correct- was to get all three points,” AFC Champions League, and in our usual way. We faced ing our mistakes in our next said Xavi. “We started well, we’re playing against the best many difficulties because of game against Al Nassr.” and then in the last few min- teams in Asia, this is the real- that, and the AFC should pay “We will prepare well for Al Rayyan’s French coach Laurent Blamc during the team’s Group E AFC Champions League match against utes of the first half, they dom- ity. We are going to improve, attention to that.” facing Al Nassr and of course, FC Goa in Fatorda, Goa, on Wednesday. Al Rayyan play Persepolis of Iran on Saturday at 8pm. inated a little bit with set-piec- recover and keep going. Asked about the unavail- it will be tough for both teams. es, but we knew that was how “We are going to miss ability of the broadcast of the Our goal is to win and get the they were going to play. Akram Afif for sure, he’s one match for Qatari fans, Xavi three points.” Al Rayyan’s Blanc regrets missing out on win in opener AFC rando. “I’m happy with this citing that Goa showed resil- GOA point but overall, we need to ience and the humidity played improve in certain aspects of a part in Al Rayyan’s inability HEAD coach Juan Ferrando our game. to find the net. wants FC Goa to be more ad- “We need to work on our “The weather and humid- venturous in attack following offensive approach. This is the ity played a huge impact on Al their 0-0 stalemate in their AFC Champions League and Rayyan’s level of performance 2021 AFC Champions League it’s necessary to prepare our- today,” said Blanc. “We did Group E opener against Qa- selves for the best in Asia.” not take advantage of the op- tar’s Al Rayyan on Wednesday. Ferrando has been associ- portunities at the beginning of Al Rayyan had plenty of ated with the Indian football the match and that made our chances to score but failed ecosystem for a year and the task even more difficult.” to capitalise as Goa, who had 40-year-old Spaniard ex- “Of course that gave Goa limited opportunities upfront, plained the importance of this the confidence despite we kept their opponents at bay. milestone for Goa and Indian controlling 70 per cent of the Despite the points being football. match. shared at their Pandit Jawa- “This is a good moment for “We could have achieved harlal Nehru Stadium home us and especially Indian foot- victory, but there was no ex- ground, Ferrando’s charges ball. Five, six years ago when ploitation of the opportunities created history as they an- you’re talking about Indian we had. We lost two points nounced their arrival into football it was different. We today, and we have to win the AFC Champions League have to go step by step and against Persepolis.” group stage. continue improving. This is Blanc’s men will face “We played against a very not our limit and we have to Persepolis of Islamic Repub- good team today, against Lau- improve more.” lic of Iran on Saturday, while rent Blanc, who won the FIFA Blanc, however, had a dif- FC Goa will take on UAE’s Al Sadd players ahead of a training session on Thursday. Al Sadd will play Saudi club Al Nassr next on Saturday at 9pm. World Cup in 1998,” said Fer- ferent outlook to the match, Al Wahda. Sports Friday, April 16, 2021 11 We didn’t lose the tie at An eld – We lost it in Madrid, says Liverpool coach Klopp Britain’s Daniel Evans (left) celebrates while Serbia’s Novak Djokovic ponders, after their third round singles match of the Monte-Carlo ATP DPA even better than the chances Masters Series in Monaco on Thursday. (AFP) LONDON we created.” Klopp admitted his substi- JURGEN Klopp lamented Liv- tutions affected the rhythm of erpool’s failure to take their his team, with the European Evans stuns chances in the second leg exit now meaning the focus against Real Madrid at Anfield solely shifts to finishing in the on Wednesday, but admitted: top four of the Premier League. “We didn’t lose the tie tonight - Thiago Alcantara and Dio- Djokovic to we definitely lost it in Madrid”. go Jota were introduced at the The Reds’ Champions hour mark, while Alex Oxlade- League campaign was ended Chamberlain and Xherdan reach Monte by opponents from the Span- Shaqiri came on with just un- ish capital for a second succes- der 10 minutes remaining. sive season, Madrid holding on “Second half, after 60 min- for a 0-0 draw on Merseyside utes, they took a bit more con- Carlo quarters for a 3-1 aggregate triumph in trol, more of the ball. We made the quarter-final clash. the changes and maybe timing DPA Djokovic was playing only his Liverpool needed at least wise it wasn’t exactly right, we LONDON second match since winning two goals to turn the tie wanted fresh legs but we didn’t the Australian Open in Feb- around, but were unable to find come through that well,” the DAN Evans produced the best ruary and looked very rusty a way through at home, despite Liverpool boss continued. victory of his career to stun in cool and windy conditions, creating a number of excellent “We lost a little bit of Novak Djokovic in the third losing the first three games. opportunities - particularly in rhythm and tried too hard. To- round of the Monte Carlo He improved significantly the opening 45 minutes. Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp gestures from the side-lines during the UEFA Champions League night it was absolutely okay, Masters on Thursday. after that and pulled back to They attempted 13 shots quarter- nal second leg match against Real Madrid at An eld in Liverpool, England, on Wednesday. (AFP) but we are out anyway. The British number one, 4-4 but Evans did not allow his from inside the box - their “We love this competition, whose first-round win was his level to drop, trading brilliant- most in a Champions League played some really good stuff, Mohamed Salah failed to “It’s a little bit ourselves this and for different reasons it is first on clay at tour level for four ly with Djokovic from the back home game without scoring obviously massive chances at convert from Sadio Mane’s year with our finishing. We’ve very important to the club. It years, had never beaten a top-six of the court and varying the since March 2006 against the beginning of the game. square pass inside the opening had games here - ridiculous doesn’t make it easier now, be- player but he put on a brilliant angles and pace intelligently. Benfica (20) - but managed “It’s hypothetical I know, two minutes as Liverpool start- games - where we should have cause the two or three games performance against a below- Another break of serve just four on-target efforts. but if you use one of them, it ed quickly, while the Egyptian won. Not tonight, but in the Pre- we could have fitted easily in par Djokovic to win 6-4 7-5. gave him the chance to serve “You always need those feels different. They had al- and Georginio Wijnaldum mier League where we just don’t our schedule. Djokovic was scathing for the set, and he clinched it key moments. The perfor- ready started to struggle, and were guilty of missing the tar- finish the situation off,” he said. “Obviously we can now about his performance, say- on his third chance. mance in general was good - it would have increased that. get completely when presented “We have to take that, we concentrate on the Premier ing: “Congratulations to him. I Evans would have expect- we didn’t lose the tie tonight, But it is ‘ifs’ and ‘when’, be- with clear-cut openings before all know how often Mo Salah League. That is what we do - mean, he deserved to win. He ed a response from Djoko- we definitely lost it in Madrid,” cause we didn’t score. the half-time interval. finishes these kinds of things, Monday at Leeds is the next was a better player. Just more vic and he got it, the Serbian Klopp told BT Sport. “It became more and more For Klopp, the inability to with closed eyes pretty much. challenge. They are leading the focused I guess and played moving into a 3-0 lead in the “It was uncomfortable for difficult and then with the ex- apply the finish to some excel- We had a lot of situations - league in all physical stats, so with a better quality in the de- second set, but he still did not Madrid, definitely. We were perience of Real Madrid; they lent approach play summed up and could have had more. The we will have to run and work cisive moments. look entirely comfortable and good, we were aggressive and played the time down.” the 2020-21 season as a whole. football we played around was our socks off to get anything.” “This has been probably back came the British player to one of the worst matches and level at 3-3. performances from my side Djokovic kept the pressure I can recall in the last years. on but Evans did not buckle I don’t want to take anything and, at 5-5, it was Djokovic away from his win but, from who double-faulted to hand Dortmund frustrated my side, I just felt awful on the his opponent the break. court overall.” That gave the 30-year-old Evans revealed Djokovic Evans the chance to serve for by handball call as had given him some extra mo- the win of his life and he took tivation, telling Amazon Prime it to move into the quarter-fi- Video: “He kept me waiting nals of a Masters event for the in the changing rooms before first time, where he will face Haaland decision looms the match so that was a little David Goffin after the Belgian annoying, got me a little extra dispatched Alexander Zverev DPA fired up.” World number one 6-4, 7-6. BERLIN Borussia Dortmund feel the officials failed to correctly implement the handball law in their Champions League EMRE Can was aghast after exit to Manchester City. Now the focus turns to trying to being penalized for hand- ball in Borussia Dortmund’s get into the competition next season and whether they Quick read Champions League quarter- can cling on to Erling Haaland. final defeat by Manchester Wimbledon expansion plans include City, despite the ball appear- then it landed on my arm. I be- interim coach Edin Terzic. new showcourt with retractable roof ing to come off his head before lieve the rules stipulate that’s Dortmund can be consoled touching his arm. not a handball. It’s bitter and by the fact they challenged a Dortmund’s Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland reacts during LONDON: A new 8,000-seat Dortmund were in front at it hurts.” top European team and have the UEFA Champions League quarter- nal second leg match against showcourt will be part of Wimble- the time after teenager Jude Thanks to Phil Foden’s arguably looked better in the Manchester City in Dortmund, Germany, on Wednesday. (AFP) don’s expansion into neighbour- Bellingham’s first-half opener. strike on 75 minutes, City went Champions League than the ing parkland. The second consul- The 54th-minute penalty inci- on to win 2-1 in Dortmund - Bundesliga this season. Haaland to stay at the club. lona, or for this or this’,” Dort- tation document on plans for the dent was crucial, with even the the same score as the first leg. They sit fifth domestically Media reports say a num- mund chief executive Hans- All England Club’s use of the site video assistant agreeing to the But Dortmund still felt hard with six games left, seven ber of sides are circling includ- Joachim Watzke told the BBC sets out a broad picture of how spot-kick despite tweaks to the done by over the tie. Belling- points off fourth and another ing City, who have a forward before Wednesday’s game. it will look. The new showcourt, handball rule. ham had a goal controversially Champions League berth. vacancy with Sergio Aguero “The only way is to look af- which will have a retractable roof “The match clearly chalked off in Manchester. Getting back into the elite leaving. ter September 1 at where he is and be set within a ring of ancient oak trees, will be the only major changed after it went to 1-1,” “We weren’t overly lucky competition could be a key “Everybody writes ‘Erling playing. I think I know where structure and is expected to be ready to host matches in 2030. Can said. “I touched the ball with the refereeing decisions factor in trying to persuade Haaland will next season play he will be playing but that is all It will be the third-biggest court at Wimbledon behind Centre and with my head first of all and in these seven days,” declared barnstorming striker Erling for Real Madrid or for Barce- I have to say.” Court One, and will bring the tournament into line with the other grand slams, which all have a bigger third arena. In 2018, Wimbledon saw bid to acquire the land from Wimbledon Park Golf Club accepted, and the club anticipates submitting a plan- ning application in July, with work beginning in January 2022 if the process goes smoothly. There will be 39 new courts but, other than Semenya wins 5000m race but misses out the showcourt, the remainder will only have temporary seating, with Wimbledon’s priority being a sensitive development of the park, which was landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century. Central to the plans is a restoration of areas of the land in keep- on Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualification ing with Brown’s vision. The serpentine lake will be restored and a further 1,000 trees planted, including historic species. ANI Province Athletics finished Capacity will only be increased from 42,000 to 50,000 spectators PRETORIA (SOUTH AFRICA) third. per day, which should make the grounds signi cantly less crowded, Semenya has a rare genetic while Church Road - which bisects the two halves of the site - will SOUTH Africa’s middle-dis- condition that significantly el- be closed during the Championships, partly for security reasons. tance runner Caster Semenya evated her testosterone levels A chief motivation for acquiring the parkland was to enable qualify- recorded a personal best tim- and her testosterone levels ing for the tournament to be held on site. It is currently played at ing in winning the women’s were far above the standard nearby Roehampton but the plan is for it to be moved by 2028. A 5,000m at the South African female range. new energy centre located in the park, meanwhile, will play a key Athletics Championships on In May 2019, a World role in Wimbledon’s plans to be carbon neutral by 2030. (DPA) Thursday but she nearly missed Athletics eligibility ruling the Tokyo Olympics spot. came into effect which pre- Reigning Olympics gold vents female athletes with Kvitova, Kerber and Petkovic con rmed medalist in the 800m, Semen- differing sex characteristics for inaugural Bad Homburg Open ya took 15:52.28 to complete from competing in events the race while the qualifying from 400m to one mile BERLIN: Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic are mark for the upcoming quad- (1600m), unless they reduce among the top women’s tennis names to have signed up for the rennial Games is 15:10:00. In their testosterone levels. inaugural Bad Homburg Open in June. The German grass event the Athletics Gauteng North Semenya has appealed to was meant to have its premiere in 2020 but has had to wait a (AGN) Championships last the European Court of Human year because of the coronavirus pandemic. “With Petra Kvitova, we week, she finished second with Rights. have been able to attract one of the most popular and successful the timing of 16:14.43. The three-time 800m players on the WTA Tour in recent years to our tournament,” Bad Glenrose Xaba won that world champion has yet to Homburg director Aljoscha Thron said in a statement on Thursday. race while she finished second officially announce whether Like Kerber, Czech Kvitova is a former Wimbledon winner. The event in the SA championships. Both she will focus on the 200m from June 20-26 will serve as a Wimbledon warm-up with the grass Xaba and Semenya run for South African middle-distance runner and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya (3rd R) competes or 5000m in order to secure grand slam starting two days later. Organizers hope that some fans Athletics Gauteng North. in the women’s 5000m nal during the Sizwe Medical Fund Athletics South Africa Senior Track and Field a spot for the Olympics in will be allowed in depending on the coronavirus situation. (DPA) Kyla Jacobs of Western Championships at the Tuks Athletics Stadium in Pretoria on Thursday. (AFP) Japan. 12 Friday, April 16, 2021 Sports Millau wins on debut at Saint-Cloud for Sheikh Mohammed

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Journiac quickly took Millau on the far rail. sition, and the colt took him- DOHA to the rail, allowing him to However, Millau always self up to the lead. smoothly progress forwards maintained his advantage and “He was tough in the finish, MILLAU (Wootton Bassett x to take the lead after 300 me- his rivals were unable to gain despite his immaturity. He was Sage Melody) made a perfect ters. Heartbeat (Dabirsim x and ground on the eventual looking around, and the track debut in the blue silks and Hesione), initially in the lead winner. He won by ¾ length was a bit soft, which is why white stars of His Highness before relayed by Millau, sat in in front of Sparklia, while he shortened up in the final Sheikh Mohammed bin Khal- second by a length, with Eoin- Pinwheel just held on to third strides. I think the post only ifa Al Thani at Saint-Cloud, style (Style Vendome x Vision from Jojogo (Goken x Jabber- just came soon enough, but he France, on Tuesday when win- Intense) in third. wocky) in fourth. is a nice colt who will improve ning the Prix Phebe, a new- Millau travelled strongly Just a short head separat- mentally and physically.” comer’s race over 1,400m. through the bend and, turning ed the fifth place, which went Millau was bred by HH Trained by Francis Henri down the center of the track in to Tombecka (Kingman x To- Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Graffard and ridden by Hugo the home straight, showed a tally Devoted). Al Thani’s Al Shahania Stud. Journiac, the 3-year-old colt, good acceleration. His rivals, Trainer Francis Graffard By Wootton Bassett, sire of Eu- who was also bred by HH previously bunched in behind commented after the race: ropean Champion Almanzor, Sheikh Mohammed, was mak- him in the turn, now spread “The orders weren’t to go in he is out of the Sageburg mare ing his first appearance on the across the track, with a strong front, but he was a little lazy Sage Melody. She was multiple track and faced 11 rivals in this run coming from Sparklia coming out of the stalls.” Group placed for His Highness competitive race. (Dark Angel x Gwenseb) from Hugo Journiac said after- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Millau made a perfect debut in the blue silks and white stars at Saint-Cloud, France, on Tuesday, winning The runners broke evenly off the pace, and Pinwheel wards that he had encouraged Al Thani. Millau is her fourth the Prix Phebe, a newcomer’s race over 1,400m. (Pic: Scoopdyga) from the starting stalls, and (Exceed and Excel x Quilting) him to go on to get a good po- foal, and her fourth winner.

QREC 46th RACE MEETING Bakir leads Umm Qarn, De Mieulle 1-2 in Al Wakra Cup TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK lengths, even as Alberto Sanna DOHA guided Sly Fly to runner up finish. The win was the Bugha- UNDER lights and well past naim’s second on the day. midnight, Umm Qarn’s Bakir Al Shaqab Racing’s Zalej (Amer x Zabieh) led a spec- Al Cham (Azadi x Al Kahira) tacular 1-2 for the colours and made a winning debut on dirt trainer Alban de Mieulle in the when the chestnut landed Rajasthan Royals’ Jaydev Unadkat (right) celebrates with Chris Morris af- Al Wakra Cup (Local Purebred the Purebred Arabian Novice ter they won the Vivo Indian Premier League 2021 match against Delhi Arabian handicap, 90 & Be- Plate in spectacular fashion. Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. (BCCI/IPL) low) at Qatar Racing & Eques- The Alban de Mieulle- trian Club’s (QREC) Al Rayyan schooled 5yo had twice fin- Park dirt track on Wednesday. ished runner up since his Miller and Morris hand In the process, the 5yo move to Qatar over longer dis- halted a string of second place tances. The horse had Soufi- finishes to enter the winner’s ane Saadi in the saddle for the Rajasthan Royas circle for the first time. second time, and the duo went Starting wide in the 1900m one better than that attempt to improbable win feature, the grey horse had win the 1700m run by a mam- Carlos Henrique for company moth eight lengths. for the first time and the duo Injaaz Stud’s Al Mujahaz over Delhi Capitals did well with a fantastic effort (Dutch Art x Unaided) halted that saw them build a healthy a run of minor places to land ANI With 27 needed off the gap on the home straight to the Thoroughbred Handicap MUMBAI final two overs, Morris first win by three lengths and a (Class 5) (80 & below) in com- smashed Rabada for 15 runs in quarter, even as stablemate fortable fashion. BACK against the ball, left- the penultimate over, and with Abida (Dahess x Altesse Helmed by Marco Casamen- handed batsman David Miller 12 needed off the final over, D’aroco) was helmed to run- to in the 1900m run, the Mo- produced a 62-run knock and Morris and Jaydev Unadkat ner up spot by Soufiane Saadi. hammed Hussain Afroz-trained it was followed by Chris Mor- managed to guide Rajasthan The 5yo mare beat Al gelding won for the first time in ris’ cameo of 36 runs off just 18 over the line by three wickets. Ghazali Stud’s AJS Al Aredh over a year when he went past balls as Rajasthan Royals de- Earlier, an inspired bowl- (Majd Al Arab x Karreema), the post two and a half lengths feated Delhi Capitals by three ing performance by Jaydev ridden by JP Guillambert for in front of Alberto Sanna and his wickets in the Indian Premier Unadkat, Chris Morris, and Mohammed Ghazali, for the Umm Qarn’s homebred Bakir, after runner-up last 3 outings gets off the mark to land the Al Wakra Cup at partner Inherent. League (IPL) on Thursday here Mustafizur Rahman helped second place. Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s (QREC) Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. Carols Henrique rode the Alban Earlier in the evening, Qa- at the Wankhede Stadium. Rajasthan Royals restrict Del- HH Sheikh Mohammed bin de Mieulle’s trainee to a 3¼-L win in the 1900m Handicap (0-90) for Local Purebred Arabians. tari jockey Meteb Ali Al Marri Miller played a knock of 62 hi Capitals to 147/8. Delhi kept Khalifa Al Thani’s Divine Prin- rode his 15th winner of the sea- runs. The left-handed batter on losing wickets at regular in- cess (Amer x Nacree Al Maury) son when he guided Al Azraq came out to bat with the score tervals, and although skipper made it two in a row when the Stable’s Angelic Queen (Anjaal at 17/3, and he guided Ra- Rishabh Pant played a knock filly followed her maiden win x Candlelight) to a fine win in jasthan’s innings. And with 27 of 51, Rajasthan managed to from last month with a com- the Thoroughbred Handicap needed off the final two overs, maintain a stranglehold over fortable victory in the Purebred (Class 5) (Qatari Riders Only) Morris stepped up to the occa- the opposition. Arabian Plate (4 Year Olds). (Division 1) (70 & below). sion to take his side over the Asked to bat first, Delhi Helmed by JP Guillambert, The Mohammed Ghazali- line with two balls to spare. Capitals got off to a bad start the Gassim Ghazali-schooled schooled filly had a mixed With this win, Rajasthan as the side lost its first three grey filly beat the Tomas Lu- bag of results after a winning has registered their first vic- wickets -- Prithvi Shaw (2), kasek-ridden Hm Jalfane by debut in Qatar back in Janu- tory in this edition of the IPL. Shikhar Dhawan (9), and three lengths at the post. ary 2020. In the six-furlong Chasing 148, Rajasthan did Ajinkya Rahane (8) with just Saeed Bin Mubarak Saeed sprint, the apprentice rider not get off to an ideal start as 36 runs on the board. All three Aljafali Al Naimi’s Rammah guided the 4yo filly to a one the side lost its opening bat- batters were sent back to the (Majd Al Arab x Melusinne) length victory, with Forced ters Manan Vohra (9) and Jos pavilion by Jaydev Unadkat. went one better than his last finishing runner up under Ab- Buttler (2) in the third over Delhi would have been outing to shed his maiden sta- dulaziz Jaber Dharman. of the innings. Chris Woakes hoping for a big partner- tus in thrilling fashion in the Al Nassar Racing’s Deliber- provided the first two break- ship from skipper Rishabh six-furlong Purebred Arabian ate Attack (Vadamos x Selfara) throughs to Delhi. In the very Pant and Marcus Stoinis, but Handicap (80 & below) sprint. followed up a couple of prom- next over, Kagiso Rabada this was not to be the case With Adnan Hawa in the ising results with his maiden dismissed Sanju Samson (4), as Mustafizur Rahman had saddle for the Majed Seifed- victory in the Thoroughbred leaving Rajasthan in a spot of Stoinis (0) fooled by a slower dine-schooled gelding for the Maiden Plate (Class 6). bother at 17/3. delivery in the seventh over, first time, the duo overcame a Helmed by Faleh Bugha- Shivam Dube and David and as a result, Delhi was re- wide start to win the affair by naim, the Hamad Al Jehani- Miller put on a 19-run stand duced to 37/4. half a length, in front of the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Divine Princess completed a double 3rd time out in a Pure- schooled 3yo started on the for the fourth wicket, but Lalit Yadav and Rishabh Saleh Salem Al Marri-ridden bred Arabian Plate. JP Guillambert rode the Jassim Ghazali-trained lly to a 3-length win in the 1700m run. rails and, along with Marco Avesh Khan cut short the part- Pant then got together at the Madaya. Casamento ridden Swagger, nership in the eighth over as crease and the duo revived the Al Foz Racing’s Maybe the Thoroughbred Handicap furlong sprint, eventually win- Rayyan Park. made full use of the weight he dismissed the left-handed innings for Delhi by stitching a One Day (Acclamation x Bai- (Class 5) (Qatari Riders Only) ning by four lengths at the post. With Qatari jockey Faleh advantage (52.5kgs) as the Dube (2). Avesh caused fur- partnership of 51 runs for the leys Parisienne) was the sec- (Division 2) (70 & below), the Nasser Owaida Salem Al Bughanaim in the saddle in the two rivals locked in a duel in ther trouble as he sent Riyan fifth wicket, and this saw skip- ond winner on Wednesday for bay gelding, a promising fourth Hajri’s Maksab (Toast Of New Local Thoroughbred Handicap the closing stages of the race. Parag (2) back to the pavilion, per Pant going past his 50-run trainer Hamad Al Jehani. on Qatar debut last month, York x Jig Time) followed up a (75 & below), the 4yo colt had Qatari jockey and his mount reducing Rajasthan to 42/5 in mark. However, as soon as Del- With Meshaal Abdlatif Al looked comfortable once in few credible efforts earlier this little trouble building the gap won the six-furlong sprint by the 10th over. Rahul Tewatia hi’s innings started to come on Mohannadi in the saddle for control of the race in the six- season with his first win at Al and winning by three and a half half a length. then joined Miller in the mid- track, Pant (51) was sent back to dle and the partnership be- the pavilion via a run-out. tween these two batters saw Soon after, Lalit Yadav (20) Miller taking the mantle and was dismissed by Chris Mor- accelerating the innings. ris, reducing Delhi to 100/6 in BCCI Annual Contracts: Hardik moves to Grade A, Bhuvi drops to B Miller and Tewatia put on the 15th over. In the final overs, 48 runs for the sixth wicket, Tom Curran (21), Ravichandran ANI three cricketers who have re- the likes of Kedar Jadhav and $1mn). Those in the Grade A Wriddhiman Saha, Umesh but as soon as Rajasthan start- Ashwin (7), and Chris Woakes MUMBAI mained in the Grade A+ cat- Manish Pandey have not man- category will get INR 5 crore Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, ed getting on course for a win, (15*) added some crucial runs egory. All-rounder Hardik aged to bag central contracts. while those in B and C will get Shardul Thakur and Mayank Delhi stormed right back as to the total and as a result, Delhi THE Board of Control for Pandya who was in the Grade Youngsters who have per- INR 3 and 1 crore respectively. Agarwal have been placed in Rabada sent Tewatia (19) back Capitals posted a total of more Cricket in India (BCCI) on B category for the 2019-20 formed in recent times have Ravichandran Ashwin, Grade B. to the pavilion. than the 140-run mark. Thursday announced the An- season has made his way to also been rewarded and that Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Grade C has Kuldeep Ya- Miller went on to register nual Player Contracts for the Grade A category while has seen Mohammed Siraj and Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shi- dav, Navdeep Saini, Deepak his half-century and he even Scores: Delhi Capitals 147/8 Team India (Senior Men) for Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was Axar Patel bag central con- khar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Mo- Chahar, Shubman Gill, Ha- dispatch Avesh for two con- (Rishabh Pant 51, Tom Cur- the period from October 2020 in Grade A in the previous list- tracts for the 2020-21 season. hammed Shami, Ishant Shar- numa Viharu, Axar Patel, secutive sixes, but in looking ran 21, Jaydev Unadkat 3-15); to September 2021. ing is now placed in Grade B. Players who have put un- ma, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Shreyas Iyer, Washington for a third, he ended up losing Rajasthan Royals 150/7 (David Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal der the Grade A+ category will Pandya have been placed in Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, his wicket in the 16th over af- Miller 62, Chris Morris 36*, and Jasprit Bumrah are the has dropped to Grade C while be getting INR 7 crore (approx the Grade A category. and Mohammed Siraj. ter playing a knock of 62 runs. Avesh Khan 3-32). The Last Word Friday, April 16, 2021 13

MOI, DECC STATION, QATAR RAIL ILLUMINATED IN GREEN TO CELEBRATE QATAR FAMILY DAY

The Ministry of Interior, Qatar Rail, Qatar Olympic Committee, and DECC Station, among other state corporations, celebrated Family Day in Qatar, which takes place on April 15 each year, by lighting up their facades in green to stress the importance of the family and its role in community building. The idea of dedicating a family day in the State of Qatar arose from Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, a pioneering idea approved by the Council of Ministers in 2011. Ramadan edition of QF’s QU’s College of Health Sciences hosts webinar on healthy living talk series to explore how TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK pandemic in reducing stress, DOHA managing weight and reduc- ing health implications. Several IN celebration of Nutrition home-exercise examples were Month, the Department of Hu- presented such as yoga, rope re ection can drive change man Nutrition at the College of jumping, walking, using the Health Sciences, a member of stairs or using resistance bands the QU-Health at Qatar Univer- and dumbbells. At the work- Virtual event to welcome scholar, writer and civil rights leader Dr Omar Suleiman sity (QU), organised a webinar place, taking breaks for walking entitled ‘Healthy and Active Em- and stretching will help boost TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Dr Suleiman is also the resident the 25 most influential Muslims ployees during the Pandemic’. energy levels, improve em- DOHA scholar of the Valley Ranch in America by CNN. The COVID-19 pandemic our age, race or gender yet is ployee’s fitness levels and count Islamic Center and Co-Chair Next week’s talk will be has added various challenges probably something that we toward meeting the guidelines. USING Ramadan as an op- Emeritus of Faith Forward Dal- the eighth online edition of the and changes to human life do not pay enough attention A proper diet with the appropri- portunity to reflect on how to las at Thanks-Giving Square, a Education City Speaker Series, worldwide. It represents a mas- to and are ignorant about the ate activity level is an important make meaningful changes to multi-faith coalition for peace which has been held in virtual sive impact on human health, damage we could potentially and integral part of developing a lives, lifestyles and society, will and justice, for which he re- form since the onset of the COV- causing sudden lifestyle chang- be doing to our overall health. strong immune system. be the topic of a special virtual ceived a United Nations Global ID-19 pandemic last year. es, especially for the employees Parallel with measures taken In the wake of Nutrition edition of Qatar Foundation’s Goals Award in 2016. Taking place from 9-10pm working from home. The we- by most countries world- Month, the Department of Hu- Education City Speaker Series He came to national rec- Doha time on April 21, the binar emphasised the impor- wide, lockdowns affected man Nutrition helps people to next week, as the platform for ognition in the US as an ad- Ramadan edition of the Educa- tance of healthy eating habits dietary habits and physical make correct food choices, by dialogue welcomes a renowned vocate for community service, tion City Speaker Series with Dr. and staying active in supporting activity levels. Unfavorable sharing tips on social media American Muslim scholar, writ- inter-faith dialogue, and social Suleiman will feature a 40-min- human health and the immune dietary behaviors during the about culinary techniques to er and civil rights leader. Dr Omar Suleiman justice for his work in directing ute discussion moderated by system. The virtual webinar tar- lockdown such as increased modify traditional dishes and Dr Omar Suleiman will be the Muslims for Humanity relief QF communications specialist geted all employees at QU. caloric intake, more frequent make them healthier. the guest speaker for the online dation’s (QF) commitment to effort in the wake of the Hur- Shaymaa Ziara, followed by a Many employees, staff snacking, reduced consump- Dr Tahra El-Obeid, head event on Wednesday, April 21, empowering people to lead and ricane Katrina disaster. Since 20-minute question-and-an- and academics at QU attend- tion of fresh fruits and veg- of QU’s Department of Human to discuss how the holy month drive change, by providing op- then, his sense of activism and swer session, with the audience ed the webinar. The symposi- etables, and weight gain can Nutrition said: “A well-balanced enables people to explore ways portunities for them to realise desire to be a leader of positive having the opportunity to pose um discussed the importance affect many areas, but most and nutrient-rich diet can pre- in which they can make a last- their potential and recognize the change has seen him contribute their questions to the speaker. of scheduling balanced meals importantly it can affect im- vent many diseases. One of the ing difference to the way they active role they can play in shap- to causes including immigration Viewers watching on Microsoft and snacks, including all food mune status. main objectives of the Depart- live their lives and contribute to ing the future. reform and the plight of Syrian Teams will be able to access groups in the meal, choosing Moreover, levels of physi- ment of Human Nutrition at the their communities. The founder and president refugees. Dr Suleiman has been Arabic, English, French, Span- healthier options, staying hy- cal activity were negatively af- College of Health Sciences is to The Ramadan-themed dis- of the Yaqeen Institute for Is- named one of the world’s 500 ish, and Italian subtitles, and the drated and limiting salt, sugar fected during quarantine. Over- support the community in Qatar cussion, ‘Crafting a Lifetime of lamic Research and professor most influential Muslims by the event will also be streamed live and fat sources to meet the all movement restrictions have by providing them with dieti- Change from a Month of Re- of Islamic Studies at Southern Royal Islamic Strategic Studies on QF’s YouTube, Facebook and nutritional needs and provid- reduced the ability to engage in tians to serve the population and flection’, mirrors Qatar Foun- Methodist University in the US, Centre in Jordan, and as one of Twitter channels. ing the employees with the re- physical activity. The webinar with awareness campaigns to quired energy. Healthy eating emphasised the importance provide the public with required is important no matter what of physical activity during the nutrition support.” Qatar University Health organises rst cardiovascular research symposium Sharia College Boys Club promotes Islamic culture among QU students TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ences Office. talk was ground-breaking lead- rounded the symposium up in a DOHA Dr Fatima Mraiche, section ing to some fruitful discussions. brilliant way. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK pants at these lectures ex- In the beginning of this se- head of Research and Graduate After that three QU internal Dr Feras Alali, director of DOHA ceeded 1,000. The number of mester, the club established a QATAR University (QU) Studies - College of Pharmacy, presentations were given by Dr Research and Graduate Stud- viewers of these lectures was new channel on YouTube with Health’s Cardiovascular Re- who is also leading the QU MD Hassan Anwarul (associate ies, commented: “This was a AS part its vision and mis- more than 1,000 on the live numerous viewers and sub- search Network Group in Qatar Health Cardiovascular Research professor, College of Engineer- well-organised activity with sion to spread Islamic culture broadcast on Facebook, while scribers. successfully hosted the first Car- Network Group, opened the ses- ing-QU), Dr Huseyin Yalcin (as- calibre scientists presenting on among the students of Qatar the average number of at- President of the College of diovascular Research Symposi- sion by introducing the group sociate professor, Biomedical the cutting-edge advancement University (QU) and its efforts tendees in a single lecture was Sharia Club Omar Muham- um featuring both local and in- and its current and future aims. Research Center-QU) and Dr of cardiovascular research. It is to preserve the noble customs around 70. mad Yasar Arnous said, “It is ternational speakers within the The event progressed with Patrick Burgon (assistant pro- also an activity that stems from and traditions of Islamic herit- The club also organised the grace of God Almighty that cardiovascular research field. the first lecture delivered by fessor, College of Art and Sci- our efforts to bridge boundaries age, the College of Sharia Boys two lectures, titled ‘The Re- He has enabled us to do these The event took place virtu- Dr Mauro Giacci, professor of ences-QU), on latest researches and integrate health colleges”. Club has organised a number quirements of Fasting’ and blessed and beneficial activi- ally with over 40 attendees and Cardiovascular Sciences, King’s in the cardiovascular field. Dr Fatima closed the event of activities this year. ‘The Objectives of Fasting’ ties. I also thank the members five invited speakers. The event College London. Dr Mauro’s Dr Dunja Akenstijevic Ric- saying, “I am very impressed by The club organised seven delivered by Dr Turki Al- of the College of Sharia Club was moderated by Research presentation focused on ‘Car- ciarelli delivered a speech on the individual presentations and lectures delivered by profes- Marr, assistant professor of team for their hard work which Coordinator Dr Gerhild Zaun- diac regeneration after myocar- ‘The power of cardiac metabo- the discussion between partici- sors of the College of Sharia Usul Al-Fiqh, and Dr Ahmed made these activities success- er-Koudelka, vice-president dial infarction: an approachable lism: what feeds me, kills me’. pants and speakers, which I trust and Islamic Studies (CSIS) at Raissouni, professor of Usul ful. I thank the attendees and for the Medical and Health Sci- goal’, and the science behind his Her excellent presentation will lead to future collaboration.” QU. The number of partici- Al-Fiqh, at CSIS. everyone who supported us.” Mandarin Oriental Doha launches accommodation, dining packages for Ramadan

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK fried Handmade Noodles with DOHA Chicken and Braised Lobster Noodles. The traditional Dim MANDARIN Oriental, Doha Sum selection includes Har is marking the Holy Month of Gau, Siu Mai and Crispy Won- Ramadan with new accommo- ton Dumplings. dation packages as part of the Also explore the variety ‘Fantastic Offers’. Guests can of delicate pâtisserie by The also enjoy at home dining by Mandarin Cake Shop. Each ordering from the hotel’s re- confection is carefully crafted nowned restaurants from ‘Shop by our pâtissiers including the MO’. new Lemon Meringue Cruffin, The hotel has designed two Chocolate Ganache Cruffin and accommodation packages to a variety of sweet Berliner pas- relax during the holy month the following day. Booking rates 1,400. For bookings, call, What- family feast. Also, share the bines traditional flavours of famous Brioche French Toast tries. The baked delights include called ‘Luxury Iftar Retreat’ and start from QR800. sApp +974 4008 8888 or email Hazelnut Tiramisu Cake which French Mediterranean cooking and Passionfruit Cheesecake to croissants and artisan breads ‘Ramadan by MO’. The Luxury The Ramadan by MO of- modoh-reservations@mohg. is designed and inspired by the such as the famous Avocado end on a sweet note. which are prepared using the Iftar Retreat package includes fer includes one iftar served for com. traditions of Ramadan for QR Tartine, Truffle Rigatoni with Choose from the authentic finest ingredients. one iftar served for two guests two guests or one iftar for four RAMADAN DELIGHTS 450. With coffee Crème Brûlée, Fresh Truffles, Grilled Wagyu Chinese specialties by Liang Gelato offers homemade or one iftar for four guests for guests for bookings of the two- Guests can embark on a layered with a gluten-free hazel- Rib Eye Steak, Grilled Corn-fed offering unparalleled flavours. gelato and frozen desserts to bookings of the two-bedroom bedroom serviced apartment. journey through the culinary nut sponge cake, milk chocolate Chicken Breast with Mush- Guests can enjoy the Hot and take away. Guests can also en- serviced apartment. On the day For bookings of selected suites, traditions of Ramadan with au- hazelnut crunch and mascar- room Sauce and Sautéed Spaet- Sour Soup and share a variety joy Gelato’s wonderland of cel- of arrival, check-in at 4pm and the stay includes both iftar and thentic dishes ideal for sharing pone cream. zli. Also on the menu is the IZU of signature dishes including ebratory gelato cakes and classic late check-out until midnight on suhour. All bookings include including a variety of Mezze, ENHANCED SELECTION ON SHOP MO Club Sandwich and a variety of Wagyu Beef Short Ribs, Kung gelato flavours including Arabic the same day. An overnight sup- early check-in at 12pm on the Mixed Grill, Chicken Biryani, Shop MO features selected salads including the Quinoa Sal- Pao Tiger Prawns, Wok-fried Coffee, Medjool Date, Mango, plement is available with appli- day of arrival and late check- Sayadieh with Seabass and dishes from IZU, Liang, The ad, Burrata with Cherry Tomato Spicy Chicken and a selection Passionfruit and the delicious cable rates for an extended stay out until midnight the following the Whole Lamb Ouzi which is Mandarin Cake Shop and Ge- and Watermelon Salad. Other of noodles including Peking- Vegan options of Chocolate and including check-out at 12pm day with rates starting from QR the perfect choice to cater for a lato. From IZU, the menu com- delectable treats include IZU’s style Zha Jiang Noodles, Wok- Banana with Peanut Butter