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QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Wednesday April 29, 2020 ramadan 6, 1441 Vol.13 no. 4933 qR 2

Fajr: 3:38 am Dhuhr: 11:31 am

Asr: 3:00 pm Maghrib: 6:04 pm MOST Isha: 7:34 pm PRODUCTS You name it, STARTING FROM we have it! QR Ramadan Timing Sports 11 7 Today Tomorrow P artly Cloudy Hyatt Plaza | Mall of Qatar | Gulf Mall | Al Khor Mall Iftar imsak Next year’s Olympics will be High : 36°C Doha Festival City| Ezdan Mall - Wakrah 4015 6999 cancelled if pandemic not LOW : 27°C 6:04pm 3:27am over: Games chief Opening soon in Mirqab Mall

Amir approves decision to form Amir approves Cabinet decision committee for real estate devpt on Unified Economic Registry The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani on Tuesday approved the Cabinet QNA istry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, decision No 12 of 2020 on the executive regulations of Law No 1 of 2020 regard- Doha Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Mu- ing the UnifiedE conomic Registry. The decision is effective starting from the day nicipality and Environment, Ministry following the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.(QNA) The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Thani on Tuesday approved the Cabinet Administrative Development, Labor decision No 10 of 2020 to form a com- and Social Affairs, Qatar Central Bank Amir approves decision to rejig Qatar National mittee on real estate sector development (QCB), Qatar Financial Markets Author- strategy. ity and Qatar Chamber of Commerce Commission for Education, Culture and Science The committee will be chaired and Industry. The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani on Tuesday approved the Cabinet by HE Minister of Municipality and The decision is effective starting from decision No 11 of 2020, on reorganising Qatar National Commission for Educa- Environment, with the membership of its date of issue and is to be published tion, Culture and Science. The decision is effective starting from its date of issue a representative from each of Min- in the Official Gazette. and is to be published in the Official Gazette.(QNA)

Amir directs to send urgent medical aid 5 hospitals, 4 health centres to Algeria The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani has directed sending urgent for COVID-19 cases: Official medical aid to the sisterly People’s Democratic Repub- QNA much as possible. lic of Algeria, in support of Doha “We have faced a serious challenge efforts to fight the coronavi- since the end of February after the Qa- rus pandemic. (QNA) Qatar has so far designated five hospi- tari citizens were evacuated from Iran. tals to care for coronavirus (COVID-19) The return of citizens from the affected patients, four health centres for testing, countries to Qatar also contributed to examining and keeping suspected cases the increase in the number of infections MADLSA calls on and a hospital for isolation, a top Minis- and the rise in the numbers of new cas- employers to open try of Public Health official has said. es,” he said. Director of the Public Health Depart- He said the MoPH accelerated the Medical aid provided by bank accounts for ment Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad provision of medical, nursing and techni- domestic workers al Thani said the five hospitals designated cal staff and employed additional physi- Qatar arrives in Iran to treat COVID-19 patients are Commu- cians to support the medical and nursing In implementation of the directives of the Amir HH Sheikh The Ministry of Administrative nicable Disease Center, Hazm Mebaireek staff assigned to work in the field to re- Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, the third shipment of medical aid Development, Labor and Social General Hospital, The Cuban Hospital, spond to the epidemic. (16 tonnes) from Qatar has arrived in Iran. This medical aid Affairs (MADLSA) has called Mesaieed Hospital, and Ras Laffan Hos- The health cadres have been trained comes within the framework of Qatar’s support for the efforts on all employers to open bank pital. Public Health Department Director Dr Sheikh and qualified remotely by World Health made by the Iranian government in combating the coronavirus accounts for their domestic The four health centres for testing, ex- Mohammed bin Hamad al Thani. Organisation (WHO) experts, he said, (COVID-19). The medical aid was received by representatives of workers. The move comes as amining and keeping suspected cases are adding that quality and performance in- the Embassy of Qatar in Tehran, in addition to Iran’s Assistant part of Qatar’s keenness to Gharafat Al Rayyan, Umm Salal, Muaith- ● dicators have been developed to measure Minister of Health for International Affairs Jalal Naeli. (QNA) provide banking services to all er and Rawdat Al Khail health centres. Private sector doctors the readiness of the hospital system in sectors of society, including do- He said the medical isolation hospital being roped in to help the country. mestic workers, and the Qatar in Umm Salal was made ready on April 9, in the fight against He pointed to the launch of the “For Central Bank’s circular regarding with a capacity of 12,500 beds. Qatar” campaign by the MoPH with the opening accounts and banking The facility is equipped with all the coronavirus aim of attracting volunteers to help re- services for domestic workers. necessary health requirements, facilities duce the spread of the pandemic. In a statement, the ministry and safety to receive those infected with ● A designated hospital for He said the ministry formed the Na- COVID-19 recoveries said opening of bank accounts the virus. medical isolation tional Pandemic Preparedness Commit- will be free of charge and will He revealed that licensed practition- tee to study the situation, develop plans reach 1,134: MoPH not require any money and with- ers in the private sector were recently al- ● Qatar Foundation working and projects and follow up on the imple- out a minimum balance, through lowed to work in treatment institutions in mentation of these plans to address the banking applications. the government sector to strengthen the on developing a test to disease. medical and paramedical staff and pro- detect COVID-19 He said Qatar Foundation (QF) is Continued on page 2  vide more and faster medical and nursing also working on developing a test that services. ● 30 hotels being used as would help in determining the presence On future plans to tackle the virus, he quarantine facilities of coronavirus (COVID-19), in addi- said the goal of addressing the pandemic tion to developing potential treatment was not only to slow the spread of the vi- mechanisms. supplement is being rus to reduce the number of infected peo- system, but the main objective from the issued with this edition ple and decrease the burden on the health beginning was to prevent a rising curve as Continued on page 2 

Qatar delivers cash aid to Gaza beneficiaries QNA mittee HE Ambassador Mo- source of income and that Gaza hammed al Emadi said about there must be at least seven 120 families in Gaza Strip are family members or more, Qatar’s Gaza Reconstruc- expected to benefit from $1 with priority given to wid- tion Committee, in coordi- million grant for renovating ows, orphans and chronic nation with Qatar Fund for the homes of the poor. disease patients. Development (QFFD), has He said the process of se- Emadi said the first -fi delivered the first financial lecting the beneficiary fami- nancial payment was deliv- payment of Qatar’s grant to a lies was done in cooperation ered through the post of- number of beneficiaries from with the Public Works Minis- fices in Gaza to about 60 of Tribune News Network lic Health (MoPH) has an- the Maskan Kareem (A De- try for those classified in the the families who have met Doha nounced. As many as 68 peo- cent House) project to reno- ministry’s lists as the worst the necessary procedures to ple recovered from the disease vate the homes of the poor in cases economically and most begin the restoration, while Qatar on Tuesday reported in the last 24 hours, bringing Gaza Strip. in need of restoration. The the rest will be distributed to 677 new cases of coronavirus the total number of recovered Chairman of Qatar’s criteria are that the benefi- the rest of the families in the (COVID-19), taking the total cases to 1,134. Gaza Reconstruction Com- ciary must not have a stable coming days. infected tally to 11,921 in the country, the Ministry of Pub- Continued on page 2  02 Wednesday, April 29, 2020

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Quick read HMC expert’s advice for diabetics: Indian Embassy Open House cancelled The Open House scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2020 on the Indian Embassy premises has been called off in compliance Consult physicians before fasting with the government of Qatar’s regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus. (TNN) Dr Zirie said those with Type 2 and medication, and also offer their People living with diabetes who take tablets that do not morning prayer,” he said. MoCI recalls KTM 790 Adventure reduce the blood sugar can fast. How- He advised those living with dia- motorcycle 2019-2020 models Type 1 diabetes are ever, those who take tablets like sul- betes to check their blood sugar levels phonylureas can reduce the dose if the between 10am and 11am as well as be- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in cooperation advised not to fast sugar levels are fine. tween 3pm and 4pm because this is the with Alfardan Motorcycles, the dealer of KTM motorcycles in Qatar, Those with Type 2 can also be treat- time the blood sugar levels might has recalled KTM 790 Adventure motorcycle models of 2019- CATHERINE W GICHUKI ed with insulin and if they are taking go low. 2020 due to possible malfunction in the rear brake system. (TNN) DOHA the mixed insulin, they can take their “They should check their blood morning dose in the evening with their sugar levels before they take their People living with diabetes should Iftar and evening dose with Suhour. naps in the afternoon because it is consult their physicians to ascertain However, it should be 30 to 50 percent dangerous when their sugar levels go whether they are fit to fast or not dur- less so they don’t develop low blood low when they are asleep. They should ‘Most of new cases are ing Ramadan, a Hamad Medical Cor- sugar during the day time. also check their blood sugar levels two poration (HMC) specialist has said. Dr Zirie said those whose insulin to three hours after their Iftar meal expat workers in contact However, those living with Type 1 therapy is long acting should take it because their sugar levels might go diabetes are advised not to fast. around 10pm and reduce the dose with up,” he said. According to Dr Zirie, with previous cases’ Currently, the diabetes clinic is do- 10 to 15 percent while those on short those living with diabetes should ing virtual consultations as the coun- HMC Senior Consultant and Head of acting can take the morning dose with know the symptoms of hypoglycaemia Continued from page 1  where they had been exposed try grapples with the the coronavirus Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Iftar in the evening, and evening dose (low blood sugar) and hyperglycaemia to infected people. (COVID-19) pandemic. Department, Dr Mahmoud Zirie with Suhour but the dose should be re- (high blood sugar). In a statement, the MoPH The MoPH said all the new Speaking to Qatar Tribune, HMC duced. The symptoms of hypoglycaemia said, “Most of the new cases infected cases have been quar- Senior Consultant and Head of Endo- betes.” According to him, those with are feeling hungry, shaky, sweaty with registered are of expatriate antined where they are receiv- crinology, Diabetes and Metabolism He said if people with diabetes are diabetes should follow proper diet. headache and feeling unbalanced. workers working in different ing the necessary medical care. Department Dr Mahmoud Zirie said told to skip fasting, they should abide “They should not take a lot of sweets, He said, “When this happens, they occupations who have been The ministry said most of the people living with diabetes should by the advice as the holy Qur’an per- carbohydrates as well as fatty foods should break the fast. For hypergly- in contact with previously dis- infected cases being identified check with their physicians if it’s safe mits people not to fast if they are sick and also make sure they get up in the caemia, patients feel thirsty, tired and covered cases, as well as new are people who are showing only for them to fast. or travelling. morning to have Suhour. They should dizzy and if the blood sugar levels is cases among groups of work- mild symptoms of the virus. He said, “Not everyone with diabe- According to Dr Zirie, they gener- also take a lot of fluids between Iftar more than 300, they should break the ers from outside the Indus- The MoPH called on all tes is fit to fast, especially those with ally advise those with Type 1 diabetes and Suhoor so they don’t get dehy- fast as well.” trial Area who were identified members of the society to stay Type 1 diabetes who are treated with not to fast. For those with Type 2, it de- drated during their fasting hours. It’s He also recommended that people through testing by the Minis- at home and not go out unless insulin three to four times a day, and pends on the type of their treatment -- important for them to take Suhour living with diabetes should exercise try of Public Health. This has absolutely necessary and to pregnant women with gestational dia- whether they are on tablets or insulin. because they can take food, fluids two to three hours after Iftar. contributed to the early detec- implement preventive meas- tion of new cases.” ures and maintain physical The remaining cases have distancing, including in the come from citizens and resi- workplace and public places. dents who have contracted the The ministry reminded PHCC’s dental virus from members of their people to use a face masks as QF, QCRI to develop app for diagnosis, monitoring services to offer families, who in turn had con- recommended and avoid so- tracted the virus through their cial visits to reduce their risk Continued from page 1  daily basis, while the hotel pro- limited to medical and health He said 10 percent of those emergency workplaces or other places of contracting the virus. vides laundry and delivery ser- solutions provided by the infected with the virus do not He said Qatar Foundation is vices. Leaving the room is for- Ministry of Public Health and show clinical symptoms, which care only working in cooperation with bidden if there is no necessity. that this crisis cannot be man- underlines the importance of Qatar Computing Research He said residents in quar- aged individually. This epide- scanning and doing other labo- Following the directive Educate workers on Institute (QCRI) to develop an antine are authorised to leave miological situation, however, ratory tests. from the Ministry of Public application for diagnosis and after it is confirmed that they needs collective approach that He said a patient’s medi- Health (MoPH), the Public conducting banking monitoring. are free of the virus, depending guarantees cooperation and cal isolation period can be up Health Care Corporation’s On quarantine facilities, on the clinical examination and combined efforts among vari- to three weeks or more, de- (PHCC) Dental Services have transactions: MADLSA he said about 30 hotels have the result of laboratory analysis ous sectors in the country in pending on the condition of restricted patient appoint- been equipped with the highest and the report by the treatment order to respond appropriately the patient as well as the com- ments to reduce the risk of Continued from page 1  without the need to visit the standards of safety for quaran- team. and rapidly to this new threat. plications associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19). branch. This aims to promote tine, where rooms were allo- He said the 14-day period This was done in an outstand- disease. The patient is then The Dental Services have The ministry called on em- safety and adhere to the in- cated for individual cases and is adequate for quarantine, and ing cooperation with the World transferred to the quarantine limited its service to urgent ployers to educate workers on structions of the Ministry of for families, in addition to clin- it is calculated starting from Health Organization (WHO). hotel and their condition is services only across its health how to use the application to Public Health, and as a confir- ics within hotels for medical the last contact with an in- As for the steps that are monitored and evaluated for at centres, apart from the four conduct banking transactions. mation of the state’s efforts to and paramedical personnel for fected person. When there is a taken after finding a COVID-19 least 14 days. COVD19 only during this pe- The ministry said one of preserve the health of all dur- case management, evaluation, positive case of COVID-19 with case, he said once an infection Regarding plasma treat- riod. the most prominent e-banking ing the current crisis. monitoring and follow-up. clinical symptoms, the patient is confirmed, the patient will ment, he said a unit for plasma To be seen at the health services is the easy transfer of The circular issued by Qa- The medical staff perform will be transferred to isolation be placed in the isolation room donation from the recovered centre, one must have one or workers’ salaries to their ac- tar Central Bank (QCB) indi- daily medical evaluation of the hospital, he said. at the Communicable Disease COVID-19 patients has been more of these conditions: se- counts, as this is consistent with cates that the employer can resident in quarantine to detect He said all the governmen- Center, which is a negative- opened at the Hamad Medi- vere toothache pain (not just a the wage protection system, the cancel the worker’s bank card his health status and measure tal and non-governmental sec- pressure room equipped with cal Corporation (HMC) and little pain), infection or a sub- ability to transfer money elec- immediately upon the end of the temperature and ensure tors as well as the civil society HEPA air filtration system, this advanced service allows stantial risk of it, or trauma tronically, pay expenses, use the the contract period between that no pathological symptoms organisations have adhered to which is a standard technology the collection of blood plasma (such as a broken tooth), said card for purchases, and make them, and liquidate the re- appear as tests are done every the directives of the Amir HH used to prevent the transmis- from people who have recov- the PHCC. withdrawals from ATMs by the maining balance on the card two days periodically to detect Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al sion of pollution from a room ered from the coronavirus and Patients requiring PHCC’s domestic worker. for the benefit of the worker. the virus, he added. Thani, as well as the national to another, in order to avoid gives it to people who are cur- Dental Services can dial 16000 Banks are keen to provide QCB also provides neces- All the necessary services executive plan and instructions the transmission of the virus. rently receiving treatment for and choose the PHCC option, these e-services in safe and sary instructions for domestic are provided in hotels, includ- of the Supreme Committee for The patient can also be the virus. The antibodies pre- they will then be routed to a secure ways that protect cus- workers in several ways and ing internet service to allow Crisis Management to fight placed under isolation at the sent in the blood plasma taken PHCC Community Call Centre tomer data and money. languages, especially regard- residents to communicate with COVID-19. Hazm Mebaireek General Hos- from the recovered persons can offering remote consultations The ministry noted that ing how to use electronic family and friends. He said everyone has real- pital which has been designated help patients undergoing treat- for patients requiring both workers’ cards will be sent by banking services to avoid any Room service is also pro- ised from the beginning that for that purpose, or any other ment to enhance their resist- routine and urgent care dental mail to the employers’ homes bank card fraud. vided, including cleaning on a the problem of COVID-19 is not designated health facilities. ance to the virus. services. (TNN) Lockdown an opportunity for some to discover inborn talent Santhosh Chandran tainly caused by the pandemic. quite inspiring, and at times, over- zerland to the natural beauty of Doha “I was under a lot of stress cre- whelming. Indian villages. ated by the pandemic. So I was Shamna’s abstract painting She has an advice for women: Is there a link between a work of looking for a way to get over it,” goes well with the trying times “We [women] should try to find fine art and the period in which it she told Qatar Tribune, narrating brought about created by the pan- more time for ourselves to get into was created? Or what is the fertile her successful journey made pos- demic. However, she is optimistic something creative. Even though soil for such a piece of art to grow? sible by pouring her emotions on and has enough faith in the ability we keep delaying our own interest History shows social and politi- the canvas. of the human race to bounce back. for the larger interest of our fami- cal circumstances have deeply in- Finding time out of her busy She has portrayed her thoughts lies and friends, we should take it fluenced writers and painters to domestic schedule, Shamna com- of COVID-19 and hopes for a bet- up as a challenge and find time for figure out their thoughts. These pleted her most precious ter world in future with the shades ourselves.” paintings were, at times, their piece of work in acrylic within of black, deep green, glowing yel- Shamna, the wife of Muham- stress-busters. 10 days. low and white in her painting that mad Althaff in Doha, hails from In such trying times, a little- “It was a blissful moment of is ‘untitled’. Malappuram district of the south- known, multi-talented young relief from the stress that was af- “Now, I am confident enough ern Indian State of Kerala. She has housewife in Doha is making sense fecting me for the past few weeks. to copy the images I had captured three children -- Aman Althaff, of it all -- through her creativity on I spent some time with my books. from my frequent travels -- all ar- Rayan Althaff and Rahan Althaff canvas and by unlocking the inner Then I started transforming my chived in my mind -- on to the can- -- to take care of, which she pas- lockdown. emotions directly on the canvas vas,” Shamna, who graduated in sionately does at home. The young, dynamic India- while listening to India’s legend- Shamna Althaff Geology and has an immense pas- And, of course, she has her born Shamna Althaff’s paintings ary musician Pandit Ravi Shankar She has received much ap- sion for Hindustani music, said. other passion to pursue -- her ar- have helped her cope with the in the background. Music is my “While painting helps me un- preciation on social networking Shamna also loves to paint on tistic imagination and get them all stress of the coronavirus (COV- all-time companion and so is lock my inner lockdown, it’s also a platforms, and from family and the goodness of nature. She has a down in different shades on the ID-19) situation and the uncer- cooking. huge stress-buster.” friends, which she says has been vast range -- from winters in Swit- canvas. Nation Wednesday, April 29, 2020 03 INJAZ Al-Arab concludes first virtual innovation camp challenge for MENA

Tribune News Network from 13 MENA countries re- main panel of judges along with said, “INJAZ Beyond Borders Haddad said, “Education, COVID-19-related commu- Doha ceived the request. A total of 20 Savas Cizmeci from Citi. More than 350 applicants proves how ready our youth healthcare and technology nity relief efforts around the teams and 280 youth partici- Four teams won the Camp from 13 MENA countries in the MENA region and well are increasing in demand and world, including nearly $36 The INJAZ Al Arab/JA MENA pants between the ages of 18 and Challenge. EDA4-BeYouthers received the request. A equipped with the tools, skills, evolving more than ever during million in charitable contribu- First Virtual Innovation Camp 24 were selected to participate and EDB1 won the Education total of 20 teams and 280 and solutions for the global the global COVID-19 pandemic. tions from Citi and nearly $30 Challenge, INJAZ Beyond in the Zoom competition. IN- Track and HLC3-Team Homies challenges and crises we face. With the world and the MENA million in grants from the Citi Borders, supported by the Citi JAZ Beyond Borders is part of and HLD5-Beyond Differences youth participants Our #KeepLearning initiative region connected online, it is Foundation. Foundation, concluded success- the JA Worldwide #KeepLearn- won the Health Track. between the ages of 18 provides these talented teams our youth that can help shape The successful online in- fully recently. ing Global Initiative, which aims The Education Track ad- and 24 were selected to with a pedestal for their win- and provide solid solutions in novation challenge and event The INJAZ Beyond Borders to engage 300 students, volun- dressed the challenges of im- participate in the Zoom ning tech inspired COVID-19 times of sudden challenges and brought together volunteers and Challenge was designed to pro- teers and INJAZ team members proving delivery and increasing competition ideas. They’ve provided solu- crisis. As the world around us teams from across the MENA pose solutions to the gaps and through well-known innovation access to educational content tions that rely on technology, continues to evolve, in response Zoom Region to develop solu- weaknesses identified by the camps that are complete with during crisis through technolog- governmental actions, gamifica- to COVID-19, we at Citi, con- tions and address and support COVID-19 crisis in education, business challenges, jury, pres- ical means and providing more facilitate access to COVID-A-19 tion, partnerships, and custom- tinue to support our clients, education and healthcare sys- healthcare and technology. The entations & awards. flexible integrated systems that medical data for researchers to ized programs that can elevate our employees, our commu- tems that could be hindered challenge aimed to pave the way INJAZ Beyond Borders was allow learning to continue un- understand the virus and find the education and healthcare nity partners and especially the during the COVID-19 pandem- to how technology can acceler- launched with a welcome note interrupted. The healthcare ways to protect, treat & manage community in times of crises. youth in the region.” ic. INJAZ Beyond Borders has ate digital education by reaching from Carmen Haddad, vice- track tackled challenges in how the disease & its effects. In partnership with Citi Foun- Citi recently announced shown how technology, knowl- more youth across the MENA chair of Citi Middle East, and to better and rapidly equip the Commenting on the suc- dation, this initiative was made that Citi and the Citi Founda- edge and youth can disrupt dif- region. Akef Aqrabawi, CEO of INJAZ healthcare community in fight- cessful virtual challenge, INJAZ possible to reach hundreds of tion have committed more ferent sectors and prepare for More than 350 applicants Al-Arab, who also served on the ing COVID-19 as well as how to Al-Arab CEO Akef Aqrabawi youth in MENA.” than $65 million to support future challenges.

HEC Paris to organise online info session on AEB presents creative achievement & design degree programmes excellence awards to VCUarts Qatar students Tribune News Network Prospective participants Tribune News Network achieve their true potential Doha should confirm their attend- Doha and encourage them to con- ance by registering them- tinue developing their skills HEC Paris will host an online selves for the hour-long ses- The Arab Engineering Bu- through their senior year. information session about its sion on HEC Paris in Qatar reau (AEB) presented its 2020 VCUarts Qatar Dean Amir degree programmes on May website. awards for Design Excellence Berbić said the university was 4 from 2pm to3pm. The International Execu- and Creative Achievement & hugely grateful for the con- During the session, pro- tive MBA is a practical and in- Potential to two graduating tinued support from AEB and spective students can meet tense 16-month programme and two junior students of Vir- Jaidah, who has been a long- the admissions team of HEC developed to provide partici- ginia Commonwealth Univer- time friend and speaker at the Paris in Qatar remotely to pants with an understand- sity School of the Arts in Qa- university for over a decade. learn more about accelerat- ing of the social, economic tar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar “The students who won ing their career path by stud- and environmental aspects Foundation (QF) partner uni- this award in the past have ying in one of the world’s of international business, as versity, in a virtual ceremony gone on to leading positions all most prestigious business well as the skills to imple- recently. over the GCC, including Lejla schools. ment their vision. The cur- AEB’s Group CEO and Nikšić (2007) who has been at Apart from providing riculum is built around three Chief Architect Ibrahim Mo- A screenshot of the online awards ceremony Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah AEB since 2010; Zlatan Pej- useful career tips, the online components: 11 core courses hamed Jaidah, a long-time dah (2012) is a Design Man- session is also intended to covering key business ar- supporter and friend of VC- pioneer of a new architectural individuals for their hard work generations in gaining new ager at Cambridge Interiors in give professionals and en- eas, a specialisation (major), Uarts Qatar, presented the movement that combines the and to help them kick-start knowledge and experiences; it the UAE; Amira Natsheh (2017 trepreneurs from the private and a final strategic business Design Excellence awards to far-reaching influences of Is- their careers,” Jaidah said. is our responsibility to nurture and 2018) is a Product Design and public sector in-depth project(capstone project). graduating Interior Design lamic art with modern style to “I also must commend the the leaders of tomorrow,” he Specialist at Qatar Founda- insights into how they can The core courses include student Farzana Abubacker create memorable landmark high level of education be- added. tion; and Noha Fahmy (2014 enhance their leadership modules on strategy, analy- Velliyattil and Graphic Design structures that are shaping ing offered at VCUarts Qatar. The awards for Creative and 2015) is a Regional Retail skills through HEC Paris’ sis and implementation, as student Marwa A al Kalbani. Qatar. I consider that recognizing Achievement and Potential for Design Manager at L’Oreal renowned International Ex- well as leadership and hu- The awards were insti- “Over the years VCUarts and supporting design tal- rising juniors were awarded to UAE,” he added. ecutive MBA (EMBA) and man resources management. tuted by Jaidah to encourage Qatar graduates have proven ent is not only a responsibil- Graphic Design student Zain- Besides the awards, AEB Specialised Master’s Degree Participants will choose and assist graduating students to be at the forefront of various ity of practising professionals ab N al Shibani and Interior and Jaidah continue to partner in Strategic Business Unit one of the eight specialisa- as they start their careers as art and design industries in as individuals, but that of the Design student Aia Zaina. with VCUarts Qatar by offer- Management (SBUM) degree tions, delivered in different designers in Qatar and the re- Qatar. It is our absolute pleas- industry too. It is our respon- These awards aim to help ing internship opportunities to programmes. locations. gion. Jaidah is recognised as a ure to be able to award such sibility to support our younger the junior students realise and VCUarts Qatar students. Ooredoo supports Silatech Al Jazeera, Wondery unveil partnership fundraising drive as partner to launch podcasts in the Arab World Tribune News Network Doha Jazeera. “Wondery is a lead- Business Wars in Arabic is ing podcast organization that Ooredoo will be the OfficialTelecommuni - now live on all podcasting brought us shows like Busi- cations Partner of Silatech’s fundraising cam- ness Wars and Dr Death. paign to help young people negatively affected apps. 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Since enter the Holy Month of Ramadan in these chal- Declan Moore, Won- its inception in 2008, and until the first quarter lenging times, we encourage our customers and Al Jazeera Media Network dery’s head of International, of 2019, Silatech’s innovative programmes and communities to help support vulnerable mem- and Wondery have announced said:“We are honored to part- initiatives have been successful in facilitating bers of our communities as much as possible. a strategic partnership to in- ner with Al Jazeera to expand some 1.4 million jobs for young people in more For many young people with families to support, troduce the immersive audio the global reach of our critically than 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East, losing their source of income is likely to have a storytelling of Wondery to the acclaimed chart topping series, and its aim is to link more than 5 million with significant negative impact on both the person Arab World. dery’s flagship “BusinessSeasons include Pepsi vs. Coca Business Wars. Business Wars jobs by 2022. and their family, and we’re proud to be working With the fast-growing Wars” to Arabic-speaking Cola and Facebook vs. Snap. explores well-known organisa- Silatech is working in the ongoing COV- with Silatech to mitigate this impact where we Arab podcast market, Al Ja- markets. “Al Jazeera is committed tions’ rivalries and we are ex- ID-19 pandemic to build jobs for young people can. We thank everyone for their support, and zeera emerged strong and Business Wars gives you to leading the way in Arabic cited to share these stories with who have been impacted by job losses due to the wish you all a safe and blessed Ramadan.” entered the market in 2019 an unauthorised, true story podcasting and I am proud Arab viewers.” pandemic’s economic effects. Donations can be made quickly and easily with four leading Arab shows, of what drives major compa- to bring Wondery’s visionary Business Wars in Arabic is Sabah Rabiah al Kuwari, Director PR at at silatech.org/donate. Silatech’s fundraising including the first daily news nies and their leaders, inven- content to the Arab World” now live on all podcasting apps. Ooredoo, said: “As we all continue our efforts campaign is licensed by the Charity Regulatory podcast in the Arab world. tors, investors and executives said Dr Yaser Bishr, execu- More information is available to fight the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, and Authority under No. 15-2020-2020-16-59-60. This partnership brings Won- to new heights — or to ruin. tive director of Digital at Al on podcast.aljazeera.net.

Ramadan Weyakum: Unique Iftar and Suhour experience from 4 hotels Tribune News Network pared by our culinary team able social landmark in the Doha to celebrate the spirit of the country, we always seek to season”, said Sack, general incorporate the heritage and While celebrating a spirit of manager of The Ritz-Carlton, local element into the expe- unity and sharing this Rama- Doha. riences we put forth for our dan Sharq Village & Spa, The “Here at Al Messila Resort guests. We always say, ‘our Ritz-Carlton Doha, Al Messila & Spa, our mission is to cre- heritage is your heritage.’ We Resort & Spa and Sheraton ate authentic moments for our aim to make the essence of Grand Doha Resort & Con- guests. This beautiful initiative the Holy Month come alive in vention Hotel launched Ram- allows us to enliven our Epi- parallel with Al Messila Re- adan Weyakum, a unique Christian Sack, general man- Belal alKadry, general manager, Hofer, general manager of Al Ziad Mallah, hotel manager, curean excellence associated sort & Spa, Sharq Village & Iftar and Suhour menu for ager, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha. Sheraton Grand Doha. Messila Resort & Spa. Sharq Village & Spa Hotel. with Michelin-starred Execu- Spa, and Ritz-Carlton. home delivery. tive Chef Pino Lavarra while “Every single detail has Talented chefs came to- bara famous Um Ali, custom- toms that resonate deeply”, sort & Convention Hotel, The meaning to this celebration.” combining a signature menu been designed to make the gether and created a culinary ers will be able to enjoy an said Ziad Mallah, Hotel Man- Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Al “We are honoured to col- together with our sister proper- Ramadan experience with us journey curated with beloved Iftar and Suhour experience ager at Sharq Village & Spa, a Messila Resort & Spa to unite laborate to create a memo- ties,” said Hofer, general man- more memorable consider- traditional recipes from four in the comfort of their pri- Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha. in crafting new traditions rable experience ‘Ramadan ager of Al Messila, a Luxury ing the unprecedented times; of the most iconic restau- vate home while indulging “Sharq Village & Spa has over with the four culinary maes- Weyakum’, which provide Collection Resort & Spa, Doha. Ramadan Weyakum has rants: Parisa, B-Lounge, Veri- in a unique menu that offers the years cultivated this herit- tros from four of the most you a safe and intimate cel- Belal al Kadry, general been created in the spirit of tas and Al Hubara. Arabic classics and the most age and sought to revive fond beloved restaurants in Doha, ebration with your family in manager of Sheraton Grand solidarity and we hope that From B-Lounge Chicken appreciated signature dishes. memories and spread good- creating memorable Iftars the comfort of your home. In- Doha Resort & Convention our guests enjoy their much- Salad and Veritas’ Lasagna “The Holy Month of will. In the unprecedented and Suhours, delivered to the dulge yourself through an au- Hotel, said: “As Sheraton loved signature menu items Bolognese to Parisa’s Chelo Ramadan is a much revered initiative, we join hands with doorstep of our guests. Ram- thentic culinary journey with Grand Doha is Qatar’s iconic from b-lounge, Al Hubara, Kabab e Koobide and Al Hu- tradition with age-old cus- Sheraton Grand Doha Re- adan Weyakum gives a new international flavours pre- hotel and the most recognis- Veritas and Parisa”. 04 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Middle East / Africa Iran counts 71 virus deaths as new cases top 1,000 Blast in Syrian town held by AFP Iran says 72,439 of those cern over a method of payment Tehran admitted to hospital with the discouraged by the authorities Turkish-backed rebels kills 46 virus have recovered and been as it increases the risk of the vi- Iran on Tuesday announced discharged. rus spreading. DPA 71 deaths from the novel coro- Its latest figures came a day Iran’s government ordered Beirut/Istanbul navirus, and said there were after the ministry announced the closure of schools, univer- also more than 1,000 new its daily infection count had sities, cinemas and stadiums At least 46 people were killed cases of infection in the Islamic fallen to 991 -- below 1,000 for among other public spaces in a blast on Tuesday in a north- republic. the first time since March 10. in March in order to halt the ern Syrian town controlled by The fatalities recorded in Doubts have been cast over spread of the virus. Turkish-backed rebels, a war the past 24 hours brought to Iran’s coronavirus casualty But it has allowed a phased monitor said. 5,877 the overall death toll figures by experts and officials reopening of shops and has A booby-trapped fuel tank- from the illness in the Middle both at home and abroad. lifted restrictions on move- er exploded on the road to Rajo East’s hardest-hit country. State television on Tuesday ment within the country since in the town of Afrin, which is Health ministry spokesman aired footage from Tehran gro- A shopper clad in a face mask April 11. controlled by Turkish troops A Photo released by the Syrian Civil Defence rescue workers, shows Kianoush Jahanpour said 1,112 cery stores where posters urged and latex gloves buys produce Mosques remain closed and their allied rebel groups, the scene of a fuel truck bomb which killed 46 people in the northern people tested positive for the customers to observe social from a merchant in Tajrish Ba- even as the Islamic republic the Britain-based Syrian Obser- Syrian city of Afrin on Tuesday. (AFP) virus that causes COVID-19. distancing rules. zaar in Tehran. (AFP) observes the Muslim fasting vatory for Human Rights said. That took to 92,584 the “The majority do not re- month of Ramadan. The blast also wounded at condition. Turkey. total number of infections spect these instructions,” a failing to abide by government The Iranian authorities least 50 people, the watchdog The watchdog said it ob- But the Turkish Defence recorded in Iran since it an- salesman told the channel. guidelines. have warned of the possibility said, adding that the death toll served charred bodies of chil- Ministry said that 40 people nounced its first cases in mid- A bus driver complained “People always pay in of a “second wave” in the coun- is likely to increase as most of dren and women and nine were killed, including 11 chil- February. about passengers who were cash,” he said, expressing con- try’s coronavirus outbreak. the wounded were in critical others for fighters allied with dren, and 47 were wounded.

News Turkey says 120 in brief inmates infected Chad abolishes the death penalty Libya’s Haftar claims with coronavirus N’Djamena Chad passed a new anti-terrorism law on Tuesday that abolishes the death penalty for terrorism-related crimes in in four prisons the West African country, parliament announced. The new law replaces legislation that was introduced on July DPA mandate to rule as rivals Istanbul 30, 2015, which made acts of terrorism punishable by death. The death penalty was reinstated for terror crimes - after the government said in 2014 it would be abolished - because A total of 120 inmates in Tur- of attacks by the militia group Boko Haram in the capital of key have tested positive for N’Djamena, which left 67 dead, including 10 suicide bombers, the coronavirus so far in four and 182 injured. denounce ‘coup’ attempt prisons, Justice Minister Ab- The move now abolishes the death penalty in Chad overall. dulhamit Gul said on Tuesday At the time, civil and human rights groups were opposed to AFP in Ankara, adding none of the the move, concerned that it could be used to curb rights. Tripoli infected was in critical condi- In 2018, after four prisoners were sentenced to death in tion. Chad, the European Union called on the government to join the Libya’s UN-recognised gov- “All (inmates) are receiv- majority of African Union states that had abolished the death ernment Tuesday accused ri- ing treatment in hospital. penalty. (DPA) val military strongman Khalifa There is no inmate in an inten- Haftar of seeking to stage a sive care unit; all are in a good Former Ivorian PM Soro gets 20-year jail new coup after he claimed to state of health,” Gul told a tel- have a “popular mandate” to evised press briefing. term for ‘embezzlement’ govern the country. The minister would not Abidjan An Ivory Coast court on Tuesday sentenced exiled for- Accused by critics of want- disclose the locations of the mer prime minister Guillaume Soro to 20 years in jail on charges ing to install a new military prisons. of embezzlement and money laundering. dictatorship, Haftar, who con- On April 13, Gul reported Soro, a former rebel leader and a candidate in presidential trols swathes of eastern Libya, 17 coronavirus cases in Turk- elections this October, currently lives in France. announced his self-styled ish prisons and said three of Soro was accused of buying a house in Abidjan in 2007 with “army” was “proud to be man- them had died of the disease. public money. The Abidjan court on Tuesday fined him nearly dated with the historic task” of There were no confirmed cases seven million euros, ordered the confiscation of hisA bidjan home leading Libya. in closed prisons at the time, and barred him from civic duties for five years. Analysts said his move was he said. It also issued a fresh arrest warrant for Soro who is now ef- a sign he wanted to consoli- Turkey earlier this month fectively barred from contesting the election. The African Court on date his power after a series started releasing around Human and Peoples’ Rights had recently ordered Ivory Coast to of setbacks earlier this month, 90,000 inmates as part of a suspend an arrest warrant against Soro, who had taken his case when GNA forces captured a mass amnesty in a bit to re- to a Tanzania-based court last month. string of strategic towns west duce overcrowding and stop Soro was also ordered to pay three million euros in damages of Tripoli. An image grab taken from a video published by the War Information Division of military strongman Khalifa the spread of the epidemic in and interest to the state. (AFP) The oil-rich North Afri- Haftar’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) on Tuesday shows Haftar giving a speech, saying he prisons. can nation has been gripped had “a popular mandate” to govern the country. (AFP) The amnesty has been by chaos since the ouster and criticized for excluding oppo- killing of longtime dictator Tripoli six years ago, would be the Government of National since April last year, and the sition politicians, journalists, Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with dissolved. Accord in Tripoli denounced GNA claimed his latest an- academics, civil servants and rival administrations in the A source close to Haftar Haftar’s announcement as “a nouncement was an attempt lawyers accused of terrorism- Angry Lebanese protesters east and west vying for power. said he was preparing to an- farce and the latest in a long to “conceal the defeat of his related charges. Haftar claims legitimacy nounce a new government in series of coups d’etat”. militias and mercenaries” and The nationwide death toll from an eastern-based parlia- eastern Libya. Haftar previously an- “the failure of his dictatorial from COVID-19, the respira- torch banks to denounce ment elected in 2014, but did Haftar also announced the nounced the end of the Skhi- project”. tory disease caused by the not say whether it supported end of the Skhirat Agreement, rat Agreement in 2017 and The American embassy in novel coronavirus, climbed economic crisis his move. a 2015 United Nations-medi- three years earlier also said on Libya wrote on Twitter: “The by 95 to 2,900, Health Min- DPA He also did not say wheth- ated deal signed in Morocco television that he was taking United States regrets... Haftar’s ister Fahrettin Koca said on Beirut er that parliament, which was that produced the Tripoli- power in Libya. suggestion that changes to Lib- Monday, with the number of forced to move its headquar- based unity government. Pro-Haftar forces been ya’s political structure can be im- positive cases rising to over Lebanese protesters returned ters after violence ripped apart In a pre-dawn statement, fighting to try and seize Tripoli posed by unilateral declaration.” 112,000. to the streets on Tuesday, at- tacking and burning banks in northern Lebanon and de- nouncing the deteriorating eco- nomic situation in the country. Lift sanctions to prevent ‘disaster’ in Sudan: UN Rwandan rebels deny Virunga According to witnesses massacre, blame Kigali in Tripoli, protesters torched AFP Prime Minister Abdalla COVID-19,” Bachelet warned. four banks in the city and A Lebanese policeman distrib- Geneva Hamdok took power as head “The health system is sim- AFP (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group hurled stones at Lebanese army utes masks to protesters during of a transitional government ply not equipped to handle an Kinshasa active in eastern Democratic troops. Violence erupted fol- a demonstration in Beirut on Sudan risks being plunged sworn in last September, but outbreak on the scale we have Republic of Congo, said it “un- lowing the funeral of Fawaz Tuesday. (AFP) into a humanitarian disaster by Sudan’s economy remains in seen elsewhere in the world. Rwandan rebels active in DR conditionally condemned this Samman, a 26-year-old man COVID-19 unless sanctions are deep crisis. There is only one way to pre- Congo’s volatile east have de- cowardly attack,” adding that who died of wounds sustained death and said it has opened an lifted and donors provide finan- Bachelet said the promise vent a humanitarian disaster, nied killing 12 rangers and five it had “nothing to do with these during overnight clashes be- investigation. Earlier on Tues- cial support, the UN rights chief of economic and social develop- and that is for the donors to others at Africa’s oldest national events.” tween protesters and the army day, the army called on the said Tuesday. ment, democracy, justice and step up and extend a helping park, a UNESCO World Herit- Virunga’s management had in the northern city. protesters to continue demon- Without international back- peace was being threatened by hand to Sudan.” age site, and blamed instead said it had “precise indications” The incident prompted the strating peacefully but to stop ing, the country’s transition to- acute resource constraints on Khartoum remains on a US Rwandan government troops. that the FDLR was behind the army to fire tear gas at the pro- “damaging public property.” wards peace and stability could the transitional government. blacklist as a state sponsor of Friday’s attack was one of attack near the park head- testers. The value of the Lebanese swing into reverse, Michelle She said they were being ex- terrorism, stifling investment. the deadliest in the world fa- quarters, north of the eastern According to local television pound against the dollar has Bachelet said in a statement. acerbated by ongoing unilateral It is for instance not eligible mous Virunga National Park -- city of Goma. The park, estab- stations, Samman was shot in been declining since October, A year has passed since sanctions, the failure of inter- to access the emergency financ- home to mountain gorillas and lished in 1925, is spread over the leg with a live bullet shortly when demonstrators took to president Omar al-Bashir was national institutions to provide ing set up by the World Bank several other species. There 7,800 square kilometres (3,000 after he left his shop in Tripoli. the streets calling for economic ousted by the army on, follow- debt-relief, and a deficit of in- and the International Monetary have been no claims of respon- square miles) over the borders The Lebanese army ex- reforms and accusing the ruling ing months of nationwide pro- ternational support. Fund to help countries combat sibility. The Democratic Forces of the Democratic Republic of pressed sorrow for Samman’s class of corruption. tests. “The tipping point could be the COVID-19 pandemic. for the Liberation of Rwanda Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Million risk losing shelter in Relief mixes with worry as Nigeria orders lockdowns eased Yemen for lack of funds: UN AFP to look for money to feed.” the vast numbers of poor who AFP and refugees. Lagos President Muhammadu depend on daily earnings to Geneva “Yemen is already consid- Buhari on Monday ordered a survive. ered to be the world’s largest Tailor Morenike Alabi was “phased and gradual easing” While there was plenty of Nearly one million dis- humanitarian crisis,” UNHCR convinced Tuesday that a de- from next week of a lockdown joy at the decision to roll back placed people in Yemen risk spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo cision to ease a lockdown on covering Africa’s biggest city, the restrictions -- some living in losing their shelter, the UN told a virtual press briefing in Nigeria’s largest city Lagos was neighbouring Ogun state and the sprawling megacity insisted said Tuesday, warning of a Geneva. the right call -- but other resi- the national capital Abuja. it came too soon. dire funding shortfall as the “The country is now also dents feared the move could see For a month now, millions “Lifting the lockdown under COVID-19 pandemic looms. facing the overlapping threat coronavirus cases rocket. of people have been ordered to any guise is not reasonable at a Some $89.4 million is of the coronavirus pandemic, “One thing is sure: the suf- stay home under the measures time we continue to post rising urgently needed in the com- and the impact of recent tor- fering, hunger, idleness and aimed at curbing the spread of infections and deaths from the ing weeks to keep life-saving rential rain and flooding.” uncertainties of the past one a virus that has caused 1,337 disease,” complained engineer aid programmes running, More than 100,000 peo- month will ease,” the 33-year- confirmed infections and 40 Alani Amusa. the UN refugee agency said, ple across Yemen have been old told AFP as she waited to deaths in the country. “The government should warning the shortfall threat- affected, she said, accord- A police officer pursues fleeing motorcycle taxi riders at mounted sell a pile of hand-made face- The restrictions have seen have devised other means to ens critical aid for nearly one ing to initial reports on the barricades to check movement of vehicles to prevent the spread of masks. usually bustling streets emp- cushion the impacts of the lock- million displaced Yemenis floods. COVID-19 in Lagos on Tuesday. (AFP) “At least, people can go out tied and taken a huge toll on down on the people.” Asia / World Wednesday, April 29, 2020 05 Sydney reopens its famous Bondi Beach South Asia faces fresh health crisis

AFP ing beaches came as several of as children miss vaccinations Sydney Australia’s states began slowly AFP “This is a very serious easing restrictions on public Islamabad Bangladesh and Nepal threat. Early action is key.” Hundreds of Sydney-siders gatherings, spurred by a slow- have halted their measles Bangladesh and Nepal rushed into the waves at the ing of confirmed coronavirus South Asia could face a fur- and rubella campaigns have halted their measles and city’s famous Bondi Beach on cases around the country. ther public health crisis as while Pakistan and rubella campaigns while Pa- Tuesday as Australia took the New South Wales signalled children miss routine vaccina- kistan and Afghanistan have first steps in easing coronavi- on Tuesday that it would follow tions, the UN warned Tuesday, Afghanistan have suspend- suspended their polio drives rus restrictions. other moves in Queensland, spurring fears that the fallout ed their polio drives since since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dozens of eager surfers Western Australia and the from the novel coronavirus the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF noted that “spo- jumped railings and hit the Northern Territory in easing pandemic might reverse hard- radic” outbreaks of prevent- water even before the beach social distancing measures by earned gains in the region. “While the COVID-19 vi- able diseases that can be cured officially opened at 7:00 am, Surfers in the ocean after Bondi Beach reopened following a five allowing two visitors into peo- The United Nations chil- rus does not appear to make with vaccines, including the five weeks after police sealed week closure in Sydney on Tuesday. (AFP) ple’s homes in the state. dren’s agency UNICEF said many children seriously ill, measles and diphtheria, have the area off because of large “Please, please do that re- hundreds of thousands were the health of hundreds of emerged in Bangladesh, Paki- crowds ignoring social distanc- them through. shore. sponsibility, we trust every- at risk as lockdowns across thousands of children could stan and Nepal. ing orders. Although there were large “Surf and go” signs urged body to do it responsibly; don’t South Asia halted immuni- be impacted by this disrup- Vaccine stocks were also More ruly swimmers and numbers in the sea, the sand people to move on when they take risks,” NSW Premier Gla- sation drives and parents tion of regular immunisation running low in some countries boarders lined up patiently remained largely empty as had finished in the water. dys Berejiklian said about the refrained from taking their services,” said Jean Gough, in the region thanks to lock- and cheered as council work- people are still barred from The reopening of Bondi easing -- which comes into ef- children to doctors to be in- director of UNICEF’s South downs and travel bans which ers moved fences aside to allow sunbathing or gathering on the and a couple of neighbour- fect on Friday. oculated. Asia office. have disrupted supply chains.

HK to reopen Pakistan army publicist’s museums, libraries as China decries ‘barefaced lies’ new role fuels fear of COVID-19 ‘creeping coup’ caseload eases DPA assistant DPA over its handling of virus Islamabad The military bluntly under- Hong Kong mined Khan’s authority when AFP Pakistani Prime Minister it’s spokesman announced Hong Kong is set to reopen Beijing Imran Khan has appointed the coronavirus lockdown on public facilities including a former army propagandist March 23, a day after the pre- museums, sports centres China on Tuesday went on as his publicity chief, stoking mier had ruled out the possi- and libraries, the govern- the offensive against interna- fears that the powerful mili- bly of a shutdown. ment announced on Tues- tional criticism over its han- tary is gaining political ground The appointment is the day after health officials re- dling of the coronavirus pan- in a country ruled by generals latest in a series of events ported no new coronavirus demic, accusing US politicians for decades. that apparently demonstrates infections for a third con- of “barefaced lies”. Asim Bajwa, a retired gen- the army’s influence over the secutive day. The new virus first eral who once headed the mili- country’s political sphere since The Leisure and Cultural emerged in the Chinese city tary’s media wing, took over Khan rose to power in 2018, Services Department (LCSD) of Wuhan late last year before as Khan’s special assistant said analyst Fida Khan of the said libraries, museums and spreading across the world, for information on Tuesday, Zalan Associates research some outdoor sports facili- and countries including the a statement from the prime group. ties would reopen on May 6 United States and Australia minister’s office said. Earlier in the year, military while performance venues have called for an investi- The prime minister on chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, who would remain closed until gation into how the disease Monday fired Firdous Ashiq is not related to Asim, used the end of the month. transformed into a global pan- Awan, a politician who served his sway on politicians to win Earlier in the day, demic. as his spokeswoman until a three-year extension to his Health Secretary Sophia But Beijing came out now, to give way for the gen- tenure from the parliament. Chan had told the press that swinging on Tuesday in re- eral’s appointment. Analysts believe the prime border restrictions would sponse to foreign criticism, Bajwa will team up with a minister has been reduced to a be eased for some Mainland saying the US was attacking Khan loyalist who has been ap- figurehead by the army’s ma- citizens. China to divert attention from pointed as information minis- noeuvrers although his aides From midnight local its own handling of the out- ter to rebuild the pro-military denied he isn’t in control. time (1600GMT), cross- break. People wearing face masks amid concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus walk on a street in Beijing on government’s image tainted “It seems like a creeping border students, teachers, China also defended its Tuesday. (AFP) by an economic decline. coup as predicted at the time and those with business ambassador to Australia who Speculation abounds that of elections,” said analyst Ir- “beneficial to Hong Kong” has warned that Chinese peo- Geng said US politicians ation because we believe it people not to buy Australian the military might have pres- fan Shehzad of the Islama- will be exempt from 14-day ple could boycott imported should “reflect on their own could have been stopped at the food or attend Australian uni- sured Khan to appoint the bad-based Eurasian Century home quarantine and test- goods in retaliation to the de- problems and find ways to source.” versities. former general as his special Institute. ing, which is set to remain mands for a virus inquiry. contain the outbreak as quick- Beijing also faces pressure But Beijing defended the mandatory for flight pas- “American politicians have ly as possible”. Down Under after the head diplomat in strident com- sengers. Hong Kong has repeatedly ignored the truth US President Donald of Australia’s Department of ments Tuesday. seen a dramatic drop off in and have been telling bare- Trump suggested on Monday Foreign Affairs and Trade, “The remarks by the Chi- cases in recent weeks. faced lies,” foreign ministry that he might seek damages Frances Adamson, asked the nese ambassador are in re- Manila rejects idea China Opposition lawmakers spokesman Geng Shuang told from China over the outbreak, Chinese ambassador to ex- sponse to the recent erroneous quickly criticized the move, reporters at a press briefing. saying there were many op- plain his boycott comments. remarks made by the Austral- exploiting pandemic to with Democratic legislator “They have only one objec- tions to “hold them account- In a thinly veiled threat, ian side, which have aroused Kwok Ka-ki telling the press tive: shirk their responsibility able”. Cheng Jingye had warned the the dissatisfaction of the Chi- control disputed sea that relaxing the border in for their own poor epidemic “We are not happy with push for an independent in- nese people and a possible any way amounted to “invit- prevention and control meas- China,” Trump said at a White quest into the origins of the impact on bilateral relations,” DPA Since February, China has ing a wolf into your home.” ures, and divert public atten- House briefing. “We are not outbreak was “dangerous”, said Geng. Manila been sending warships, survey tion,” he added. happy with that whole situ- and might prompt Chinese “What’s wrong with that?” vessels and coastguard ships to The Philippine government on the exclusive economic zones Tuesday rejected warnings that (EEZ) of the Philippines, Vi- China was taking advantage etnam and Malaysia in an es- of the coronavirus pandemic calation of its encroachment Plasma therapy not yet proven, to expand its control in the in the South China Sea, the Women with disabilities in Afghanistan disputed South China Sea but experts noted. “It’s very unfor- says Indian Health Ministry vowed to defend the country’s tunate that China is doing this DPA and may be harmful for a pa- face systematic discrimination territory and sovereign rights. during this pandemic,” former New Delhi tient,” federal Health Minis- Presidential spokesman Supreme Court justice Antonio try spokesman Lav Agarwal DPA discrimination includes low girls are the ‘invisible’ victims Harry Roque said the govern- Carpio said in a media forum Amid reports that several said. Kabul access to education or social of this abuse,” said Patricia ment does “not agree with the on Monday. hospitals in India were treat- The ICMR is currently do- activities. Disabled women Gossman associate Asia direc- conclusion” by some Philippine “We are battling a pandem- ing COVID-19 patients with ing pan-Indian field trials to Afghan women with dis- in rural areas suffer the most tor at Human Rights Watch experts that Beijing was esca- ic that came from China, and plasma therapy, a federal identify and understand the abilities are facing systematic from discrimination in access- and author of the report. lating tensions in the South China is taking advantage of Health Ministry spokesman convalescent plasma therapy. discrimination including sex- ing health services due to lack The advocacy organization China Sea at a time when coun- our difficulty right now.” said on Tuesday the treatment The therapy involves ual harassment when access- of transportation, asphalted has spoken with 26 women tries are pre-occupied by the “It’s time really to talk to was not proven and still at an taking plasma containing ing public authorities, a report roads and distant clinics. and 14 health and educational COVID-19 outbreak. our neighbours, Vietnam and experimental stage. COVID-19 antibodies from by Human Rights Watch in “All Afghans with disabili- professionals across Kabul, “We do not agree with that Malaysia and perhaps even “To use the therapy before a person who has had the vi- New York said on Monday ties face stigma and discrimi- northern Balkh province and conclusion, although the cur- Indonesia, that we should con- the ICMR [Indian Council of ral disease and recovered and evening. nation in getting government western Herat province, the rent policy is we will defend all duct joint patrols now,” added Medical Research] gives its transfusing it into someone According to the report, services, but women and 31-page long report said. our national territory and our Carpio, a staunch critic of Chi- approval would be illegal who is sick. sovereign rights,” Roque said. na’s policies. Putin warns Russia has not Malaysia in ‘recovery phase’ from reached peak of virus infections COVID-19, health ministry believes AFP to come up with a plan for a Moscow “phased exit” from quarantine DPA said during a press conference, regimes from May 12 “depend- Kuala Lumpur adding that he believes that the President Vladimir Putin ing on the epidemiological situ- country’s Movement Control warned Tuesday that Russia ation” in the country’s regions. Malaysia’s Ministry of Order, the official name for a had not yet reached the peak of He also ordered officials to Health announced 31 new lockdown imposed on March coronavirus infections but said develop a new “package of ur- cases of COVID-19 on Tues- 18, is working. a “phased exit” from the coun- gent measures to support the day, the lowest daily increase Malaysia’s confirmed cases try’s lockdown measures could economy”. since March 12 and a tally that of COVID-19 stand at 5,851, just begin in two weeks. Russian President Vladimir Russia recorded more than prompted a leading health of- over a third of smaller neigh- With the number of cases Putin. (AFP) 6,400 new coronavirus cases ficial to suggest the country bour Singapore’s total, while rising by several thousand daily, on Tuesday, bringing its total to is “entering the recovery phase.” 100 people have died in the Putin extended a non-working televised video-conference with 93,558, more than both China Ministry Director-General country after being infected. period across the country until regional officials. and Iran. The number of record- Noor Hisham Abdullah said Almost 70 per cent of the May 11, telling officials to plan “But this should not reas- ed deaths has remained low in that Malaysia is on track to em- total infected in Malaysia have Health workers collect samples for COVID-19 coronavirus testing in for a gradual lifting of quaran- sure us. The situation remains comparison to other countries, ulate neighbouring Thailand, recovered, according to the Gombak on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, recently. (AFP) tines after that. very difficult.The experts and with the toll at 867 as of Tuesday. which has a population more Ministry of Health. “We have managed to slow scientists who we are in con- Putin said a period of paid than twice as big, by seeing new Despite the drop in daily “Let’s stay disciplined and press conference, arguing the spread of the epidemic... stant contact with to check our non-working days would be ex- cases drop to below 10 by next cases to an average of 53 over deal with it now for our own that is preferable to retain the The daily number of new de- plans and measures say that the tended until May 11, adding sev- week. the past week, the government convenience in the future,” De- lockdown rather than have to tected cases of the disease has peak has not yet been reached.” eral days to the public holidays Malaysia has “succeeded in has extended the lockdown fence Minister Ismail Sabri said re-impose it should infection stabilised,” Putin said during a He ordered the government marked in Russia in early May. flattening the curve,” Hisham to May 12. during a separate Tuesday numbers rise again. 06 Wednesday, April 29, 2020

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

Coronavirus Smartphone Boris Johnson’s Scientists Tracking Done Right Can Save The US Are On Tap, Not On Top With 26 million unemployment claims and over 50,000 The British government must provide full transparency on COVID-19 scientific deaths, sacrificing a little privacy — on a voluntary basis — makes a lot of sense in fighting COVID-19 advice to help speed discovery and, where needed, course corrections Therese Raphael expertise that it is difficult to believe he would MONTH after Singapore respond- Tribune News Service have treated this group with the contempt he ed to the coronavirus pandemic by might a room of special political advisers had A encouraging residents to put an S Boris Johnson returns to politics this a different consensus emerged. app on their smartphones that would week, he faces what may be the biggest The problem is less Cummings’s presence notify them if they had been within 5 decision of his political life: how and and more the lack of disclosure. COVID-19 metres of someone known to have the when to ease lockdown restrictions. puts a particular committee at the centre of virus, only one in five had. Given the ASpeaking in front of Downing Street on the government’s response and life-and-death low and slow adoption rate and the Monday morning, the British prime minister decisions. The stakes couldn’t be higher and, prevalence of privacy and technology- said that as he weighs the next steps, “We whatever the scientific advice, science nearly surveillance concerns in the US, it will be relying as ever on the science to in- always involves uncertainty; ultimately the might seem like a long shot to expect form us, as we have from the beginning.” But decisions taken are political. The public de- Americans would embrace a similar a firestorm over the inner workings of the serves to know who is providing the input tool here. It shouldn’t. scientific body advising the government on and also what assumptions are being made. Contact tracing and social distanc- its response to the deadly coronavirus is col- Of course, none of this would be so controver- ing has helped flatten the curve of cas- liding with growing pressure, especially from sial if the government’s response hadn’t been es in Singapore, at least initially, and Johnson’s own supporters, to move quickly marred by so many missteps, from its early in South Korea, where phone location to restart the economy. The two pressures embrace of “herd immunity” to reversals on data, credit card records and closed- are inextricably linked. testing and guidance for personal protective circuit TV footage are used to share online privacy law this year. But none Navigating them will call for Johnson to equipment. details about COVID-19 cases. Yet an other than the surveillance and cy- act decisively and transparently to maintain called on the SAGE scientific experts to re- Johnson’s own principle of transparency open letter from dozens of tech and bersecurity counsel for the American public trust during the worst crisis the coun- sign immediately if the report is true: “You now demands relaxing the secrecy around other leaders urging Silicon Valley to Civil Liberties Union has said that a try has faced since World War II. Johnson’s have forfeited any claim you might have had SAGE. In a recent letter to a parliamentary spearhead the coronavirus fight got a “well-designed” tool is possible. And message Monday married his trademark op- to providing independent scientific advice to committee, SAGE’s chair, Chief Scientific Of- cool reception last month. Google and Apple executives say these timism with both the humility and caution government,” he tweeted. Many others in the ficer Patrick Vallance, said that the “decision With 26 million unemployment apps can pass along vital health data of a leader who has just spent a month in a scientific community echoed the sentiment. not to disclose” committee membership was claims and more than 50,000 COV- without creating a massive database personal battle with what he called “an unex- The problem is SAGE is shrouded in such made upon the advice of the Center for the ID-19 deaths in the US at this point, of information about where people go pected and invisible mugger.” secrecy that it may be impossible to ever know Protection of National Infrastructure, which it’s time to reconsider what’s both or who they’re around. That’s because He also promised that future decisions for sure what influence Cummings had, if any. deals mainly with terrorist threats and pro- possible and palatable. With heath Bluetooth, unlike GPS, doesn’t gath- will be taken “with the maximum possible The real picture is likely to be more complicated vides advice to keep businesses secure from experts saying reopening will rely on er location information — just if one transparency.” That is long overdue and one than either side of the debate over Cummings’s external threats. He defended the policy by testing, tracing and isolation, finding smartphone has been in the vicinity of way he can demonstrate success is by shining presence has been willing to acknowledge. saying it “contributes toward safeguarding in- out who has interacted or been near another one. a light on the workings of his key scientific ad- Nonscientists regularly serve on scien- dividual members’ personal security and pro- someone with the coronavirus is cru- Maybe you’re sceptical. Apple has visory committee. tific advisory committees, but the presence of tects them from lobbying and other forms of cial. With the US on the brink of an a decent record on privacy issues, but Since the coronavirus outbreak arrived in someone as pivotal politically as Cummings unwanted influence whichmay hinder their economic depression, sacrificing a lit- Google has had to acknowledge over the UK, Johnson and his Cabinet colleagues is highly unusual, if not unprecedented, as ability to give impartial advice.” tle privacy — on a voluntary basis — the years that its phone operating sys- have hammered home that they are being the government’s former Chief Scientific Ad- That justification feels forced. SAGE makes a lot of sense. tem and other products gather more “guided by the science.” It is meant to be re- viser David King noted. Still, scientists can’t members are free to publicise their own in- Thankfully, Google and Apple information on their users than pre- assuring in a doctor-knows-best kind of way. necessarily be faulted for allowing a politi- volvement if they like, so how bad can the — whose software is so prevalent on viously disclosed. Last June, a tech- But membership of the government’s Scientif- cal adviser into the room. Influencing policy risk be? smartphones worldwide — are mark- nology columnist in The Washington ic Advisory Group for Emergencies, or SAGE, sometimes means working closely with the All of this secrecy runs counter to efforts ing steady progress in crafting con- Post likened Google’s Chrome inter- has been kept secret. And revelations — pub- powerful. But, humans being humans, that by governments and scientists around the tact-tracing apps that can work on net browser to “surveillance software” lished in the Guardian newspaper on Friday can get messy. You only needed to see the look world, who are furiously sharing data and both Android and iOS phones and vacuuming up private data. — that Johnson’s closest political adviser took of nausea on the face of Dr Deborah Birx, the models and learning from each other about hope to make them available by mid- But the ACLU believes a tracing part have thrown its advice into question. White House’s coronavirus response coordi- how to fight this virus. Transparency can help May. The companies say the apps will app could be effective and acceptable Almost predictably, the man in the mid- nator, as President Donald Trump suggested speed discovery and, where needed, course use the Bluetooth radio technology on if it upholds six principles: its use is dle of the latest furore is Dominic Cummings. that Americans may want to treat the virus by corrections. But under current practices it’s phones to track whether a smartphone voluntary; the data it gathers is used There is no more controversial figure in Brit- injecting themselves with disinfectant. impossible to know, or scrutinise the basis owner has come within about 30 feet only for public health; it generates a ish politics. The prime minister’s studiously In the UK, scientific advice is generally fed on which UK decisions are made, especially of someone who is known to have or bare minimum of necessary informa- enigmatic adviser, memorably portrayed by through to policymakers by government ex- where that policy makes Britain an outlier. who later develops the coronavirus. tion; its data is deleted when it is no Benedict Cumberbatch in the TV film on the perts and scientific advisory committees, such Scientists have an even more important And if one discovers they have coro- longer needed; agencies disclose how Brexit campaign, was the mastermind behind as SAGE. It’s certainly possible to find cases role to play in the new coronavirus reality we navirus, they can tap a button on their they got app data and what they use it the Brexit campaign and then of Johnson’s re- in the past when politicians sought to influ- will all have to live with. But, as the saying app to instantly upload to a server for; and tracking “does not outlive the sounding December election victory. ence or quash advice they didn’t like, but a goes, they ought to be “on tap, not on top.” If their phone pings for the previous two effort against COVID-19.” Cummings has only seemed to accrue wide-ranging 2017 study of such committees Johnson is to rebuild some of the trust that weeks, allowing health authorities and As with social distancing, Ameri- more power, and mystique, since then. De- concluded that political interference was rare. has been lost in his absence, being clear about the people whose paths they crossed cans will ultimately decide how well pending on whom you speak to, Cummings By the Guardian’s count, there were 21 the nature of the advice and who is giving it is to know. the weapon works against this job- is admired, feared, despised or viewed with distinguished scientists on the SAGE com- a good place to start. This may seem like an invasion of wrecking, life-wrenching pandemic. any combination of the three. His presence mittee, experts whom one would expect to privacy to some of the many Califor- But it could — and should — be one of at meetings has provoked a violent reaction. be robust in putting forth their views; it’s a (Therese Raphael is a columnist nians who applauded the state’s new the most potent. Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet medi- stretch to think they were all somehow follow- for Bloomberg Opinion. She was cal journal, who has been a critic of both the ing Cummings’s lead. His own writings sug- editorial page editor of the (Tribune News Service) government’s response and those advising it, gest such a reverence for precisely this kind of Wall Street Journal Europe)

US Must Lead Response To Perils Of COVID-19 And Oil Crisis

G20 should hold an emergency meeting to prepare a realistic agenda to tackle the economic crisis created by COVID-19

Roudi Baroudi of the virus had so destabilised the markets economic health. Even as China’s mete- and human lives. The biggest responsibility Doha that even zero was no longer a floor in the oric rise over the past decades has made it falls on the biggest players, the US, China, minds of the investors. the world’s second largest economy, with and Russia, along with the European Un- T took a global pandemic that has Until COVID-19 shut down whole nominal GDP about $14 trillion for 2019, ion, Japan, and multilateral institutions. grounded airlines, idled factories, and sectors the global economy, the world the US economy remains far away the Going forward, each of these countries and Ikept billions of people indoors, but had been consuming approximately 100 world’s heftiest at about $21 trillion. For entities will need to make commitments prices for some oil futures contracts million barrels of oil a day. By mid-April, this reason, when Americans stop buying, about what it will and will not do. Only have gone into negative territory for the that figure had dropped to something in everywhere loses sales. And in just a few then can the necessary confidence and sta- first time ever. the order of 80 million. The imbalance short weeks, more than 26 million of them bility be rebuilt around the world. Not since Colonel Drake struck oil – quickly filled up tank farms, and some have filed for unemployment benefits. Exceptional challenges call for excep- with commercially viable methods – in analysts believe that as much as 160 mil- Jobs are being shed in record numbers, tional remedies. Already we have seen Pennsylvania in 1859 has a producer had lion barrels of oil are currently being meaning less capacity for anyone else to several global leaders pledge to work to- to pay customers to take crude off their stored in tankers at sea but with nowhere compensate for the evaporation of US de- gether on a vaccine, but the United States hands. Together, oil & gas still supply ap- to go. Airlines have slashed their sched- mand for everything. was notable by its absence. For the broader proximately 60 percent of the world’s en- ules by 90 percent or more. Inevitably, producers were the first to fail. So how do we keep the of global epi- purpose of steering a way out of the global ergy, and that is not to mention its myriad oil-producing companies have had to Oil is unlike any other commodity in demic and global oil glut from produc- economic morass, it is essential that Wash- other uses in modern industry. So, what shut down their wells, and dozens of re- that a safe, affordable, and continuous ing long-term damage that yields to even ington be present and accounted for. My to do when a demand slump of unprece- finerieshave had to suspend operations supply of it is perhaps the single-most more human and economic losses? How suggestion is an emergency meeting of the dented size & speed has brought so low the since they could no longer dispose of oil far-reaching factor of modern life for busi- do we get the world’s most important eco- G20 at the earliest, which probably means world’s most ubiquitous commodity, one and related products. nesses, organisations, and almost 200 nomic engines – to get global commerce the first part of May. Not a moment should still required by so many people? There is no question that the heaviest countries around the globe. Of course, moving again? In a word, unity – of the be wasted in preparing a realistic agenda First, it is crucial to recall how we got damage has been sustained in the United renewables and other alternative sources sort that brings all humankind together that measures up to the enormity of the here, specifically the fact that the COV- States. The shale oil business had been so have made great strides in recent years, for collective action. Even assuming that tasks at hand. To quote the quintessential ID-19 crisis was not the only factor. Keep in successful that the country had become and one or more of these technologies will a vaccine is developed, the damage done American, Benjamin Franklin, “We must, mind that for weeks, the gathering collapse the world’s largest crude producer, man- be the future, but for now, and hydrocar- to some of the world’s most important indeed, all hang together, or most assur- of demand coincided with a massive flow aging not only to satisfy 90 percent of its bons and oil are still the prime determi- economies will not be repaired overnight. edly we shall all hang separately.” of oversupply as Russia and the Kingdom own demand from domestic sources but nants of success or failure. In short, recovery depends on sincere of Saudi Arabia refused to agree on pro- also to compete with Russia and Saudi At the same time, the fact that this dialogue, full cooperation, and genuine (Roudi Baroudi is CEO of Energy duction cuts, choosing instead to battle for Arabia for customers overseas. The in- is having such a concentrated effect in transparency. We are all in this together and Environment Holding, market share going forward. Eventually, dustry was always vulnerable, however, the United States is a crisis because that now, so the best way out is to collaborate an independent consultancy they will reach a new entente, but the effect because of higher production costs, its country is a reliable bellwether for global on an exit strategy that saves time, money, based in Qatar)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Europe / Americas Wednesday, April 29, 2020 07 Brazil records more than 66,000 coronavirus cases Venezuela names official indicted by US as oil minister RIO DE JANEIRO: The worst-affected country in South America, Brazil has now reported over 66,000 CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday named a top official targeted by US cases of the novel coronavirus, health authorities announced on Monday. sanctions as oil minister as the market for the country’s vital export is in tumult. News On Sunday, 4,613 new cases were detected, which was the second largest daily increase since the Maduro tasked Tareck El Aissami -- a vice president for the economy who has been indicted disease outbreak began, after Friday. The country’s death toll rose by 338 to 4,535. in the United States on drugs trafficking charges -- with “restructuring and reorganisation” of the in brief According to the Observatory of Brazilian Universities, the number of deaths related to the coronavi- OPEC member’s crippled oil industry. Maduro also named Asdrubal Chavez, cousin of the late rus doubled in eight days. “This is the beginning of the most difficult phase in Brazil,” political scientist president Hugo Chavez, as interim president of the state oil firm PDVSA. Mauricio Santoro from the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro told DPA. “In Brazil, the situation we El Aissami replaces Manuel Quevedo, a general given the twin responsibilities of oil minister have seen in other countries is here made worse by our difficult social situation,” Santoro said.(DPA) and PDVSA chief in 2017. (DPA)

Under-reported care home Italy’s novel coronavirus infection deaths to increase UK’s cases count surges past 200,000 coronavirus toll AFP however, has been slowing London Govt has announced since late March, and the softening of lockdown government has announced a BRITAIN on Tuesday said limited softening of lockdown it would extend reporting of measures from May 4 measures from May 4. deaths in the coronavirus out- “We have taken some lit- break to care homes and the DPA tle steps forward, for some wider community, after new sta- Rome it is not enough, but we can- tistics indicated the country had not do more at this moment,” been under-reporting its toll. Italy’s tally of novel coro- Prime Minister Giuseppe Until now, only the deaths navirus infections surpassed Conte said visiting the Lodi of people who have tested pos- 200,000 on Tuesday, while province, one of the original itive in hospital have been re- the death toll from the epi- virus clusters. ported: 586 more deaths were demic rose by 382 to 27,359. He was responding to reported in the period to 1600 The total number of con- widespread discontent about GMT on Monday, taking the firmed infections rose to plans to reopen the country, official toll to 21,678. 201,505, up 1.05 per cent from criticized by many as lack- But new data from the the previous day, the Civil ing clarity and not going far Office for National Statistics Protection Agency said in a enough. counting community fatalities bulletin. Conte said the govern- in which COVID-19 was men- More encouragingly, the ment was taking a “calculated tioned on the death certificate number of active cases and risk” in allowing some 4.5 mil- indicated a higher figure, put- the number of patients un- lion people return to work as ting Britain on track to be as der intensive care both went of next Monday, and could not badly affected as the worst-hit down, by 608 to 105,205 and afford bolder action like reo- nations -- or worse. by 93 to 1,863, respectively. pening schools. “From tomorrow Italy is one of the worst-af- A relaxation of stay-at- (Wednesday), we will publish fected countries in the world. home rules is also on the not just the number of deaths Only the United States has agenda for May 4, as people in hospital each day but the counted more dead, and only will be allowed to do more number of deaths in care the US and Spain have record- outdoor exercise and visit homes and the community ed more infections. relatives, boyfriends or girl- Commuters maintain distance, with stickers reading “Please don’t sit here” and “Respect social distancing” as red spots on the ground indicate too,” Health Secretary Matt The spread of the virus, friends. where to stand in an underground metro line in Milan, on Tuesday. (AFP) Hancock told reporters. “This will support the ONS and CQC (Care Quality Com- mission) weekly publication and all add to our understand- Genoa bridge completion offers ray of hope for Italy ing of how this virus is spread- ing day by day, and inform the AFP tled a virus that has officially “This cannot be a day of for decades, leading to expen- judgments we make to keep Genoa killed nearly 27,000 people. celebration. But today a new sive maintenance, and its col- people safe.” A siren sounded as the last light shines on Italy,” he said. lapse threw the spotlight on According to an AFP tally A FINAL section of a new vast section of deck was put The new bridge “symbol- Italy’s creaking infrastructure. from official sources at 1100 bridge in Genoa, built after a in place and one side of the ises the whole of Italy. An Italy Italian architect Renzo Pi- GMT on Tuesday, the United deadly 2018 motorway col- Polcevera valley was finally re- that can rise up again, that will ano designed the replacement, States had the most deaths at lapse, was slotted into place on connected with the other, in a roll up its sleeves, that will not giving it a curved, gleaming 56,253, followed by Italy with Tuesday, providing a much- rare success story during Italy’s allow itself to be beaten,” he underbelly evoking the hull 26,977, Spain with 23,822 needed symbol of renewal for worst crisis since World War II. said. of a ship in tribute to Genoa’s and France with 23,293, then coronavirus-hit Italy. Italian Prime Minister Gi- Genoa’s Morandi highway maritime history. Britain. Construction of the gleam- useppe Conte, standing under- collapsed during heavy rain on The high-tech structure The latest ONS figures ing structure in northern neath the newly inserted deck, August 14, 2018, hurling doz- will have maintenance robots showed a record 22,351 deaths Italy’s coastal Liguria region where the city’s red and white ens of cars and several trucks running along its length to had been registered in England has continued night and day flag fluttered in the wind, paid onto railway tracks below. spot weathering or erosion, as and Wales in the week ending Journalists stand under the new Genoa bridge, as the last 44-metre throughout a national lock- homage to the 43 people killed The bridge had been rid- well as a special dehumidifica- April 17 -- roughly double the long span has been almost completed on Tuesday. (AFP) down as the country has bat- when the old bridge collapsed. dled with structural problems tion system to limit corrosion. five-year average and the high- est weekly total since 1993. US lawmakers won’t return Spain reports drop in daily Poles should boycott ‘risky’ to session on medical advice vote during pandemic: Tusk DPA Steny Hoyer, a high-rank- coronavirus death toll AFP and legality of the ballot. Washington ing Democrat in the House, WARSAW Some say that even hold- said lawmakers would be AFP Spain has so far counted lived under one of the strictest ing the election by post could Reversing a key deci- called back when a new stim- MADRID more than 210,000 cases virus lockdowns in the world, THE leader of Europe’s top po- put voters at risk, since the sion, the majority leader in ulus is ready, changing track of COVID-19, the second- with only adults authorised to litical party on Tuesday urged ballots would need to be hand the House of Representa- after just a day. SPAIN on Tuesday recorded a leave home to buy food, medi- Poles to boycott the country’s delivered. The legality of the tives decided on Tuesday that The Senate, controlled slight decrease in the number highest figure in the world, cine or walk the dog. May 10 presidential election, vote was also called into ques- lawmakers won’t return next by the Republicans, had also of daily coronavirus deaths although the country’s The lockdown was pro- insisting it was “risky” to hold tion, since tweaks to the voting week for a legislative session, announced on Monday it was with the government set to health ministry only logs longed last week until May the vote during the coronavirus rules should be made at least six citing medical advice and the returning next week. So far, unveil plans to relax stringent cases confirmed by testing 9 but Prime Minister Pedro lockdown. months before voting day. fact that a new stimulus pack- there is no update from the lockdown measures in place Sanchez is expected to outline Donald Tusk, former Polish “Changes made to the elec- age is still being negotiated. upper chamber. since mid-March. below 400. how he will ease the restric- prime minister who heads the tion code just before the ballot The number of fatalities Officials believe the epi- tions. Already on Sunday kids centre-right European People’s are unconstitutional”, Tusk said rose by 301 to 23,822 in the demic peaked on April 2 when under 14 were allowed out for Party (EPP), joined a chorus of in a statement posted Tuesday previous 24 hours, compared the daily toll hit 950. the first time to go for a walk, a critics calling for the ballot to be to Youtube. US considering COVID-19 tests with Monday’s increase of 331, “The evolution has been run or a bike ride accompanied postponed. He added that a postal vote the health ministry said. very fast in terms of the num- by one parent. The governing right-wing carried the “risk” of infection. on international flights: Trump It is the fifth consecutive ber of dead and that is good,” Spain has so far counted Law and Justice party (PiS) is “If all honest, decent Poles AFP know,” he said. “We’ll make day that the number of daily health ministry emergencies more than 210,000 cases of seeking parliamentary approval say ‘these are not elections, we Washington that decision pretty soon.” fatalities in Spain -- which has coordinator Fernando Simon COVID-19, the second-highest to allow a postal vote on May 10. will not participate in this’, it When asked whether he would the world’s third-highest COV- told a news conference. figure in the world, although But opposition politicians, will be one of the reasons why President Donald Trump require tests for COVID-19 or ID-19 death toll after the Unit- Spain’s nearly 47 million the health ministry only logs legal experts and rights watch- PiS will withdraw at the last mo- said on Tuesday he is consid- simple temperature checks, ed States and Italy -- has been people have since March 14 cases confirmed by testing. dogs have questioned the safety ment,” he added. ering ordering coronavirus Trump replied “both.” tests for people arriving in the Trump said he was dis- US on international flights, cussing the issue with gover- and highlighted Brazil. nors, particularly Florida Gov- “We’re probably going to ernor Ron DeSantis, whose French shops to reopen May 11, masks a must on public transport be doing that. Brazil has pretty state is a major destination for much had an outbreak, as you Latin American flights. AFP tens of thousands of deaths, but care centres can reopen progres- PARIS the struggling economy must be sively from May 11, followed by reopened as eight weeks of clo- junior high schools the following SHOPS and markets across sures put it under major strain. week, though only in areas not Two-thirds of Americans believe France can reopen from May 11 Only 75 of the 577 lawmak- hard-hit by the epidemic. when the government will be- ers were present, with several A decision will be made by virus will disrupt November poll gin easing its coronavirus lock- empty seats between each two, the end of May on when to reo- AFP Center are confident the down, Prime Minister Edouard in line with virus-busting social- pen restaurants, cafes and high Washington election will be conducted Philippe said on Tuesday. distancing measures. schools, Philippe said. fairly and accurately. But Philippe said that school “It is a fine line that must be - 700,000 tests -Public Two-thirds of Americans Sixty-seven percent of classes will resume only gradu- followed. A little too much care- parks and gardens can open believe the coronavirus pan- those surveyed said it is “very ally and face masks will be com- lessness, and the epidemic re- only in areas with no active vi- demic is “very or somewhat or somewhat likely” that the pulsory on public transport. starts. A little too much caution, rus circulation, and beaches will likely” to disrupt the abil- COVID-19 outbreak will sig- “We must protect the and the entire country sinks,” remain off-limits until June 1. ity to vote in the November nificantly disrupt Americans’ French without immobilising Philippe said ahead of a debate People who have the op- presidential election, accord- ability to cast their ballots in France to the point that it col- and vote on the measures he A French family watches Prime Minister Edouard Philippe speaking tion of working from home ing to a survey published on November, Pew said. lapses,” he told the National As- proposed. on TV, in Hede-Bazouges, western France, on Tuesday. (AFP) should continue to do so af- Tuesday. Eighty percent of Demo- sembly, or parliament. Shops and fresh produce ter May 11, at least for three But a majority of those crats felt that way but just 50 Philippe said home confine- markets should be allowed to too many people in once place at now, as will large museums, cin- weeks, and Philippe issued a polled by the Pew Research percent of Republicans. ment had helped slow the epi- reopen from May 11, with strict the same time. But restaurants emas, theatres and concert halls. “firm request” to companies to demic’s spread and prevented distancing measures to prevent and bars will remain closed for Primary schools and day- respect this directive. HSBC profits halved as virus batters global economy page 9

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

24,209.81 8,600.51 32,114.52 1,707.14 +76.03 pts +69.25 pts +371.44pts Gold - 0.40% BP announces $4.4 billion Dow QE sensex Q1 loss as oil prices crash page 10 Price percentage Price percentage 15.31 Brent 20.42 +2.15% WTI 12.83 +0.39% Silver - 0.23% GWC posts net profit of QR50.3 million in Q1

fering our every support to Company playing vital the business community, and keeping the flow of role in maintaining goods moving, we ensure the supply chain during economy at large remains functional, and that the core the time of crisis needs of Qatar and its people are continually met,” GWC Tribune News Network Group CEO Ranjeev Menon Doha said. GWC has also recently Gulf Warehousing Com- announced a COVID-19 busi- pany (GWC), the leading lo- ness support bundle aimed gistics provider in Qatar, on at SMEs, offering free cus- Tuesday announced that the toms clearance and trans- company posted net profit portation services for SMEs of QR50.3 million, gross GWC Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin GWC Group CEO Ranjeev Menon importing critical medical revenue of QR296.3 mil- Fahad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani GWC has introduced several measures to support SMEs hit by COVID-19 outbreak in the country. supplies used for the fight lion, earnings per share of ers by maintaining the best against COVID-19. QR0.09 in the first quarter the company has furnished and supply chain consulting ment of Qatar in its efforts “GWC’s direct contribu- international health stand- This followed a previous of 2020. its expertise and capabili- towards the best interests of to mitigate the impact of tion is by maintaining the ards and the specific direc- announcement of a 3-month The company’s total as- ties in various logistics and the nation and its the Coronavirus outbreak supply chain during this tives to combat this disease,” rent waiver for retail out- sets stood at QR3.7 billion at supply chain fields such as inhabitants. (COVID-19),” GWC Chair- time of crisis. We have done he said. lets and 6-month rental the end of the first quarter of warehouse management, The company is support- man Sheikh Abdullah bin so while ensuring the health “GWC is now and always discounts for SME tenants 2019, it said. distribution, transportation, ing its customers, human Fahad bin Jassim bin Jabor and safety of our employees, ready to deliver the nation’s at the GWC Bu Sulba Ware- “During this quarter, freight, customs clearance, capital, and the govern- al Thani said. clients, and other stakehold- every logistics need. By of- housing Park.

Quick read Capital Intelligence affirms QIIB Qatari stocks gain for third day in row as QSE rises 69.25 points Continuing its gain for the third day in a rating at ‘A’ with stable outlook row, the main index of Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) gained 69.25 points, or 0.81 percent, to close trading at 8,600.51 points on Tues- QIIB owes its strong financial position to opportunities provided by Qatari economy, says CEO day. The volume of shares traded increased to 251.237 million from 148.051 million on Tribune News Network our strategy that focuses on the Monday and the value of shares increased to Doha local market, and contribute to QR396.127 million on Tuesday from QR288 the development and financing of million in the previous trading session. Five Capital Intelligence (CI) Rat- various projects,” he said. sectors indices out of the seven closed in ings has affirmed its ratings of Shaibei said, “The factors that the positive territory. The transport sector, Qatar International Islamic Bank Capital Intelligence relied on for which gained 3.68 percent, was the best (QIIB) at ‘A’ with a stable out- QIIB rating include recognition performing sector index for the day. (TNN) look reflecting the strength of the of the success of our strategic bank’s financial position. plans and interim plans, as we The ratings agency noted that carefully studied the market fac- QIC gross written it has affirmed theL ong-Term tors and evaluated existing and Foreign Currency Rating (LT potential risks. And we were premiums rise 5% to FCR) and Short-Term Foreign able to maintain our high ratings QR3.7 billion in Q1 Currency Rating (ST FCR) of while safeguarding the interest QIIB at ‘A’ and ‘A1’ respectively of our clients and shareholders Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) Group, the based on a set of criteria that in- QIIB Chief Executive Officer Abdulba- alike.” leading insurer in the MENA region, on Tues- dicate that the various bank data sit Ahmad al Shaibei QIIB has implemented an day announced that the Group’s gross written and numbers are in a strong and ambitious plan that focused on premiums increased 5 percent to QR3.7 billion stable position. QIIB has a strong deposit enhancing operational efficiency, in the first quarter of 2020 when compared The agency also stressed that restructure the locations of bank with QR3.5 billion for the same quarter in the QIIB has a strong deposit base, its base, its assets are character- branches and develop alternate previous year. In the first quarter of 2020, assets are characterised by qual- ised by quality, and enjoys channels and technological infra- QIC Group’s international business continues ity, and enjoys strong profitabil- strong profitability, good capi- structure, he said. on its path of judicious growth in select low ity, good capitalisations and con- talisations and continued “This has been greatly reflect- volatile businesses while reducing its exposure tinued operating efficiency gains, operating efficiency gains, as ed in our services, generated de- to high severity risks. In the regional markets, as the credit concentrations in its the credit concentrations in mand for such services, enhanced the Group’s operations remained focused on real estate sector are declining. its real estate sector are our customer base, and strength- driving forward the digitization of its personal Capital Intelligence also noted ened our position in the market lines business. Continuing to produce stable the bank has good liquidity and declining The QIIB building in Doha as a reliable provider of banking and reliable underwriting profits, the company’s enjoys strength in the retail sec- services, whether for individuals gross premium volume for the domestic busi- tor, and most of the bank’s depos- It said, “The government’s fi- natural reflection of the strength financial position to the rich op- or companies,” he said. ness grew by 18% in the first quarter of 2020. its are from the local market, even nancial capacity to support the and high solvency of the Qatari portunities provided by the Qa- Shaibei expressed his op- A remote meeting to approve the financial re- as non-domestic deposits make bank is also considered to be economy, its ability to meet dif- tari economy, which witnesses timism about QIIB’s ability to sults was presided over by QIC Chairman and up a minimal share. strong given Qatar’s sovereign ferent conditions, achieve stable dynamic activities in various pro- maintain its strong financial po- Managing Director Sheikh Khalid bin Moham- The rating agency mentioned rating of ‘AA-’with stable out- growth, and provide opportuni- jects and all sectors with great sition, implement its approved med bin Ali al Thani. The company weathered that the rating also reflects the look.” ties for various economic sectors, competitiveness and the ability to plans and programmes, mitigate substantial headwinds related to the COVID-19 high likelihood of extraordinary QIIB Chief Executive Officer foremost of which is the banking find solutions for numerous fac- various risks, and deal with vari- pandemic, the lockdown in most of the leading support in case of need by the (CEO) Abdulbasit Ahmad al Shai- sector.” tors and emerging conditions.” ous market factors and develop- economies worldwide and an unprecedented government. bei said, “This good rating is a He said, “QIIB owes its strong “At QIIB, we are committed to ments. level of capital market volatility. (TNN)

QIB bags three prestigious awards for digital excellence

He said, “Our team continu- the global pandemic situation. Global Banking & Finance Review recognises QIB as Best ously works on providing custom- With this in mind, QIB has con- Digital Bank in Qatar, Best Digital Bank in MENA Region and ers with technology-driven prod- tinuously invested in upgrading ucts and services that offer them their mobile application and online Most Innovative Retail Banking App in MENA Region a complete and convenient digital platforms to ensure individual and banking experience. Our online corporate customers have an easy, Tribune News Network As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, channels’ intuitive design enables secure, and convenient banking ex- Doha the importance of having a sound our customers to find features eas- perience, without the need to visit digital transformation strategy and ily and conduct any transaction in a branch. In recognition of its ambitious successfully implementing it has mere seconds in a secure manner. Since its inception in 2011, the digital transformation plan, Qatar become vital for any business but We remain committed to diversify- Global Banking & Finance Review Islamic Bank (QIB) has been rec- more importantly for banks. These ing and enhancing our digital offer- 2020 Awards reflect the innova- ognised by the Global Banking & awards are a testament to QIB’s ings, to always meet and exceed the tion, achievement, strategy, pro- Finance Review with three prestig- ambitious digital transformation behaviours. digital transformation strategy. Our expectations of our customers.” gressive and inspirational changes ious titles. agenda, which the bank has been Commenting on the awards, recent investments in upgrading Changes in customer demo- taking place within the global fi- QIB won Best Digital Bank in busy working towards in the last QIB Group CEO Bassel Gamal said, our digital channels and call center graphics and behaviours are in- nancial community. MENA, Best Digital Bank in Qatar, two years with the objective of de- “Winning these awards by Global capabilities to ensure individuals creasing the importance of mobile The awards are given to recog- and Most Innovative Retail Bank- veloping a truly customer-centric Banking & Finance Review substan- and companies can perform most of and online, as customers expect nise companies of all sizes, which ing App in MENA at the Global business model including a digital tiates the investments we have made their banking transactions remotely banking services to be available are prominent in particular areas Banking & Finance Review 2020 experience that differentiates the towards our digital offering and rec- are paying off and are being appreci- wherever they are, at any time, es- of expertise and excellence within Awards held recently. Bank and addresses new financial ognises the successful results of our ated by our customers.” pecially now more than ever with the financial world. Economy & Business Wednesday, April 29, 2020 09 35,000 JOBS SLASHED 3M earnings rise HSBC profits halved as virus on demand for medical masks

AFP due to shutdowns, including batters global economy New York oral care, automotive, aero- space and general industrial. Industrial giant 3M re- The company announced The lender reports pre-tax profits of $3.2 billion, down 48 percent from the same period in 2019 ported higher quarterly prof- it would cut spending by $350 its on Tuesday on a jump in million to $400 million in the AFP its health care business as it second quarter and withdrew Hong Kong ramps up medical mask pro- its full-year profit forecast due duction amid surging demand to uncertainty over the macro- HSBC on Tuesday said first in the coronavirus outbreak. economic outlook. quarter pre-tax profits almost The company manufac- Roman said 3M had in- halved as the banking giant tures a wide range of products vested in “surge” capacity of was battered by the global used in myriad industries, but N95 masks after the SARS out- coronavirus pandemic while it it has gained notoriety during break in the early 2000s, but embarked on a major restruc- the COVID-19 outbreak over that the capacity had largely turing. its N95 “respirator” masks, not been tapped until now. The lender reported pre- especially after sparring with Roman said the company tax profits of $3.2 billion, the White House earlier this doubled global output of N95 down 48 percent from the month. masks to 1.1 billion per year same period in 2019, cit- The masks have been an and was in the process of ing credit losses from clients essential item to hospitals on working with the Department struck by the economic slow- the front line of the outbreak of Defense to again double an- down as a major cause. and have emerged as the ob- nual production to 2 billion “The economic impact of ject of illicit practices and price the COVID-19 pandemic on gouging among distributors. our customers has been the The company experienced The masks have been an main driver of the change in a 21 percent surge in sales in essential item to hospitals our financial performance its health care business during on the front line of the out- since the turn of the year,” the first quarter. newly confirmed CEO Noel “Even with 3M’s acceler- break and have emerged as Quinn said in a statement. ated production, the stark re- the object of illicit practices Reported expected credit ality is that global demand for and price gouging among losses in the first quarter of the respirators far outpaces the distributors year were $3 billion -- $2.4 bil- ability of the entire industry to lion more than the first quar- deliver,” chief executive Mike ter of 2019 and the bank’s big- Roman said on a conference per year by the end of this year. gest bad loan bundle in almost call. In early April, President nine years. “That is why as we urgently Donald Trump slammed 3M The Asia-focused lender expand capacity, we are also for not shifting N95 masks has embarked on a huge cost- prioritizing and triaging our back to the United States. The cutting initiative as it battles supplies to the most critical company, which had strongly multiple uncertainties caused needs.” contested Trump’s accusa- by the grinding US-China Profits in the first quarter tions, later reached an agree- trade war, Britain’s departure were $1.3 billion, up 45 per- ment with the White House from the European Union and Signage for HSBC displayed on the local headquarters of each bank in Hong Kong on Tuesday. (AFP) cent from the year-ago period. to import 166 million respira- now the pandemic. Revenues climbed 2.7 per- tors, mostly from a China. Earlier this year it an- banks and regulators. with restructuring costs of and gas, transport and discre- he told AFP. cent to $8.1 billion. Roman said the company nounced plans to slash 35,000 - Major overhaul -Quinn around $6 billion. tionary consumer sectors”, the Last month HSBC was one Executives described the was working with law enforce- jobs, trimming fat from less took over as acting CEO after Many of the cutbacks will bank said. of a number of banks to cancel overall impact of COVID-19 as ment officials to combat pred- profitable divisions, primarily the shock ouster in August of be in the European and US But Quinn added it was dividends and buybacks at the “mixed” for 3M, with sales in atory practices surrounding in the United States and Eu- John Flint. He was finally con- investment banking sectors, facing down the global pan- request of British regulators. several product lines declining the masks. rope. firmed as the bank’s head last while units in more profit- demic “from a position of The move is part of an ef- But COVID-19 has thrown month. able Asia and the Middle East strength” with “robust levels fort to bolster cash reserves a spanner into the works with He is tasked with trans- would be bolstered. of capital, funding and liquid- for the economic crisis but it HSBC on Tuesday confirm- forming the sprawling inter- The restructuring plans ity”. caused anger among inves- ing many of the redundancies national bank, which spans are the most ambitious since Jackson Wong, an analyst tors in Asia where some 90 would be put on hold for now more than 50 countries but 2012 when HSBC was caught at Amber Hill Capital, said percent of HSBC’s profits are “to reduce the uncertainty” makes the vast majority of its up in a Mexican money laun- Tuesday’s results were some made. many of its employees would profits inA sia. dering scandal. of the worst for HSBC since HSBC’s shares plunged af- face in a decimated jobs sec- In recent years HSBC’s HSBC warned defaults the 2008 financial crash and ter dividends were scrapped. tor. Asia business has done well would increase the longer that postponing some restruc- Before the lunchtime Banks are being ham- -- fuelled primarily by China the pandemic goes on, with turing could help with operat- break on Tuesday, the bank’s mered by market volatility -- but Europe and the US have the bank expecting between ing costs. shares were up 1.77 percent in and the economic slowdown disappointed. $7 billion and $11 billion in And things could improve Hong Kong. caused by the virus crisis. Before the coronavirus credit losses from clients in if countries make headway In its results statement But they are also on the went global the bank an- 2020. against the virus. HSBC said it plans to review receiving end of huge bail- nounced plans to make $4.5 The biggest risks were cur- “This could be seen as the the scrapped dividends policy outs and support from central billion in cost cuts by 2022, rently coming from the “oil worst has already happened,” towards the end of this year. Steven Mnuchin says US to audit Buy Samsung Galaxy Z-Flip via virus relief loans after outcry Vodafone Qatar online store AFP allocated was exhausted in less designed for small businesses. Tribune news network Washington than two weeks, and news that It was not a programme de- Doha large companies like upscale signed for public companies The United States will au- burger chain Shake Shack that had liquidity,” he said. Vodafone Qatar announced dit government-backed loans and the owners of the Ruth’s A new relief measure on Tuesday the all-new Sam- intended to relieve small Chris steak houses chain took signed by President Donald sung Galaxy Z-Flip is now businesses hit by the corona- money from the programme Trump last week would pump available for all customers at virus to ensure they weren’t sparked outrage. another $320 billion into the the retail price of QR5,599 on taken out by large companies, Speaking on CNBC, PPP, which the government its online shop www.vf.qa/ Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the Small Busi- says has protected 30 million handsets. Mnunchin said on Tuesday. ness Administration (SBA) US Treasury Secretary Steven jobs. Galaxy Z-Flip is the first The Paycheck Protection would be reviewing the loans, Mnuchin. (AFP) It also provides $75 billion device in the Z series and has Programme (PPP) was part of which convert to grants if for hospitals, $25 billion to ex- been designed with first-of- a $2.2 trillion stimulus pack- companies maintain their will make sure that what was pand virus testing and $60 bil- its-kind foldable glass. The age passed by Congress late in employees or rehire laid-off the intent for taxpayers was lion in disaster recovery loans 6.7-inch InfinityF lex Display form factor that fits into the marks the beginning of a new March to blunt the pandemic’s workers by June 30, and use fulfilled here,” Mnuchin said. and grants. is an immersive, dynamic palm of your hand, but the de- era in foldable smartphone in- impact on the economy, and three-quarters of it on wages. Large companies who cer- However it doesn’t include AMOLED screen that delivers vice also provides elegant new novation. is supposed to lend money to “For any loan over $2 mil- tified that they needed the money for state and local impressive color quality and ways to capture, share, and ex- Galaxy Z-Flip is available businesses with fewer than lion, the SBA will be doing a loans could be criminally li- governments, which is being reduced blue light. Not only perience content. With its styl- in three unique colors – Mir- 500 employees. full review of that loan before able, Mnuchin said. considered as part of a future does this innovative display ish design and flexible cam- ror Purple, Mirror Black, and But the initial $349 billion there is loan forgiveness, so we “This was a programme stimulus measure. fold into a stylish and compact era experience, Galaxy Z Flip Mirror Gold. Virus-hit Spain’s unemployment rate jumps to 14.4 percent AFP “This rise reflects the ef- The jobless rate was up million at the end of March, Spain’s leftist government Madrid fect of COVID-19,” secretary from 13.8 percent in the according to the statistics of- has simplified rules for tempo- of state for the economy, Ana previous quarter, its low- fice. rary layoffs, under which com- Spain’s unemployment rate de la Cueva, told a news con- est level since the third But the figure may actu- panies facing financial difficul- jumped in the first quarter to ference, adding the rise in job- ally be higher since INE said ties can temporarily suspend a 14.4 percent, figures from na- lessness was concentrated in quarter of 2008 but still many workers who lost their worker’s contract, while at the tional statistics institute INE the services sector and among the highest rate in the jobs were classified as “inac- same time it had banned per- showed Tuesday, as a nation- workers with temporary con- eurozone after Greece tive” because the survey car- manent dismissals during the wide coronavirus lockdown hit tracts. ried out to determine the job- pandemic to try to soften the the eurozone’s fourth largest Spain, one of the hardest- business or have been forced less rate was disrupted by the blow to the economy from the economy. hit nations by the coronavirus to close temporarily, with ho- lockdown. COVID-19 outbreak. The jobless rate was up pandemic, imposed a nation- tels and the restaurant sec- The jobless rate also does Spanish airline Iberia, fast- from 13.8 percent in the pre- wide lockdown on March 14 tor hit especially hard in the not include the roughly 3.9 food retailer Burger King and vious quarter, its lowest level which has largely paralysed its world’s second most visited million workers who the gov- automaker Seat are among since the third quarter of 2008 economy. country after France. ernment says have been tem- the large companies that have Workers unload an airplane carrying medical equipment to cope with but still the highest rate in the Many companies have The number of jobless rose porarily laid off from their temporarily laid off thousands the coronavirus crisis in the region. (AFP) eurozone after Greece. faced difficulties to conduct by 121,000 people to hit 3.31 jobs. of staff. 10 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Economy & Business German economy to shrink by 6.6 percent this year: Study

dpa research institute, which con- ity (down 68 percent), public vision of leisure, entertain- Berlin ducted the study. health services (down 45 per- ment, culture, accommoda- Gross domestic product in cent), the arts and recreation tion, and restaurant services The German economy is ex- Europe’s largest economy was (down 43 percent), and auto- that the consequences of the pected to contract by 6.6 per- expected to decline by 1.9 per- motive construction (down 41 coronavirus crisis will be felt cent this year, according to a cent in the first quarter, fol- percent). well into next year,” he added. study in which experts warned lowed by 12.2 percent in the The only winner in the This forecast is based on that a return to normal was second, as sweeping closures crisis was the pharmaceutical the pandemic being contained not expected before the end of and restrictions aimed at curb- industry, where capacity uti- in the coming months and a 2021. ing the coronavirus pandemic lization rose by 7 percent, Ifo second wave of infections be- “In total, economic output take their toll. reported. ing avoided. this year is to shrink by 6.6 “We will not be back to The institute expects all “It also assumes that nei- percent in calendar-adjusted pre-coronavirus levels until sectors to return to growth ther Germany nor its sales and terms; when taking the rela- late 2021,” Wollmershaeuser from the third quarter, “but procurement markets experi- tively high number of working predicted. this growth will be on a signifi- ence a wave of insolvencies days into account, the decline The outlook was based A woman checks out face covers on display outside a clothing store in Berlin on Tuesday. (AFP) cantly smaller scale than the leading to distortions in the is reduced to 6.2 percent,” on a survey of around 8,800 decline in the first half of the financialsystem and requiring said Timo Wollmershaeuser, companies, which were asked and sales performance. operators reported the biggest followed by the aviation sector year,” Wollmershaeuser said. a realignment of global value head of forecasts at the Ifo about their capacity utilization Travel agencies and tour slumps (down 84 percent), (down 76 percent), hospital- “It is primarily in the pro- chains,” a statement said.

Euro banknotes safe to touch despite COVID-19, says ECB AFP which helps make them re- Frankfurt am Main sistant to wear and tear. “Overall, banknotes do There is no significant not represent a particu- risk of catching the coro- larly significant risk of navirus from euro bank- infection compared with notes, the European Cen- other kinds of surface that tral Bank said on Tuesday, people come into contact citing lab tests that showed with in daily life,” Panetta the germs survived far wrote. longer on other surfaces. In China, the central Cash is still widely used bank announced in Feb- in the 19-nation eurozone ruary that it was using ul- but many shops and busi- traviolet rays to disinfect nesses have asked custom- banknotes in a bid to curb ers to switch to cards or the outbreak. contactless payments to Panetta’s blog did not avoid handling bills possi- mention whether any tests bly touched by an infected had been done into the person. contamination risks when Vehicles fill fuel at a BP gas station in Southgate, Michigan recently.( AFP) In a blog post, ECB using euro coins. executive board member More than 340 million Fabio Panetta said tests people across the conti- by European labs showed nent use the euro currency. that the survival rate of Cash remains the dom- coronaviruses is “10 to 100 inant mode of payment for BP announces $4.4 billion higher” on a stainless steel eurozone consumers, the surface, like a door handle, ECB said, accounting for than on euro banknotes in three quarters of transac- the first few hours after tions. contamination. It is especially popular “Other analyses indi- in large countries like Ger- Q1 loss as oil prices crash cate that it is much more many, Italy and Spain. difficult for a virus to Demand for cash has be transferred from po- been “less predictable” The firm said it planned to reduce cash costs by $2.5 billion by the end of 2021 relative to 2019 rous surfaces such as cot- during the coronavirus ton banknotes than from crisis, Panetta said, with AFP challenged commodity envi- second quarter being diffi- Crude futures plunged to that crashing oil prices had smooth surfaces like plas- some people hoarding London ronment,” BP said, having re- cult should not be ignored... record lows this month, with prompted it to tweak the terms tic,” Panetta said. money at home while oth- ported profit after tax of $2.9 especially on a day when oil US prices sinking briefly into of a gigantic deal to sell off its Euro notes are printed ers are spending less be- British energy giant BP on billion in the first-quarter of has fallen sharply yet again,” negative territory, also fol- Alaska operations. on pure cotton-fibre paper, cause of the lockdowns. Tuesday said it slumped into 2019. lowing a vicious price-war Hilcorp Alaska in August a $4.4-billion net loss in the BP said it planned to re- “The economic impact of between major oil producers agreed to purchase the assets, first quarter as the coronavirus duce cash costs by $2.5 billion Saudi Arabia and Russia. including operations in the pandemic crushed demand for by the end of 2021 relative to the COVID-19 coupled BP on Tuesday added that mammoth Prudhoe Bay oil- oil, triggering a price crash. 2019. with pre-existing supply its underlying replacement field, for $5.6 billion in a move “Our industry has been “Some of these cost sav- and demand factors have cost profit -- a widely-watched that sees BP exit the US state hit by supply and demand ings may have associated re- resulted in an exceptional- measure stripping out excep- after a 60-year presence. shocks on a scale never seen structuring charges,” the com- ly challenged commodity tional items and changes in The overall price tag re- before,” BP’s new chief execu- pany added. environment,”BP said, hav- the value of oil inventories -- mains the same but the struc- tive Bernard Looney said in Looney later told the Fi- ing reported profit after stood at $800 million in the turing and phasing of pay- an earnings statement, having nancial Times that “there will first quarter, compared with ments has been modified. seen crude prices plunge from be job cuts globally towards tax of $2.9 billion in the $2.4 billion for the same pe- The first quarter mean- around $70 per barrel at the the end of this year”. first-quarter of 2019. riod a year earlier. while saw the departure of start of the year to close to $10 It expects also to produce “The result reflected lower long-time chief executive Bob currently. He confirmed there less oil in the second quar- said Chris Beauchamp, chief prices, demand destruction in Dudley, with the American would be job losses. ter, with companies unable to market analyst at IG trading the downstream particularly leaving after a decade at the “The economic impact of store the excess crude. group. in March, a lower estimated helm. the COVID-19 pandemic cou- BP’s first-quarter output BP’s share price rallied 1.2 result from (Russian partner) Soon after starting, Irish People wearing face masks walk in front of a big Euro sign in pled with pre-existing sup- dropped 2.8 percent to 3.7 percent to 317.7 pence in mid- Rosneft and a lower contribu- national Looney set BP a tar- Frankfurt am Main recently. (AFP) ply and demand factors have million barrels per day. day deals on the rising London tion from oil trading.” get to achieve “net zero” car- resulted in an exceptionally “BP’s warning about the stock market. BP on Monday said bon emissions by 2050. US airlines American and JetBlue want passengers to wear a mask isn’t about protecting your- tendants from more than 20 challenging today, since only The programme will be expanded self; it’s about protecting those airlines. about 4 per cent of seats on US around you,” said Joanna Ger- In response to that request, carriers are filled. to all flights based on the supply of aghty, JetBlue’s president and Chao suggested on Fox News The outbreak of the coro- chief operating officer. “This last week that she would leave navirus has forced 44 per cent masks and sanitiser is the new flying etiquette. it up to the individual airlines of the nation’s airline fleet Onboard, cabin air is well cir- to decide if masks for employ- to be grounded, according to dpa airline won’t require masks culated and cleaned through ees or passengers should be Airlines for America, a trade new york onboard. filters every few minutes, but required. group for the nation’s carri- “We are looking out for our this is a shared space where “We are encouraging the ers. The group estimates that As the Covid-19 pandemic customers’ well-being to give we have to be considerate of unions and the management domestic flights are carrying decimates demand for air them peace of mind while they others.” American, JetBlue, of the airlines to talk to one an average of 10 passengers, travel, US carriers have taken travel with us,” Kurt Stache, United, Delta and Frontier another, and we are also par- while international flights are several unprecedented steps American Airlines’ senior vice airlines have all begun requir- ticipating in bring(ing) them carrying an average of 24. to increase onboard safety. president of customer experi- ing flight attendants to wear together and talking about Among other changes The latest: urging passengers ence, said in a statement. masks while performing their these issues,” she said. proposed by airlines to help to wear face masks. The programme will be ex- duties in the air. Some airlines Passengers wait to disembark the plane on their arrival at Hartsfield- The Federal Aviation Ad- increase the distance between The world’s largest carrier, panded to all flights based on are requiring masks for all em- Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta recently. (AFP) ministration on April 17 re- passengers, Delta, United, American Airlines, said on the supply of masks and sani- ployees who can’t keep six feet leased a “health and safety Alaska and Spirit said they are Monday that passengers will tizer, airline representatives away from other workers and of making 2,500 masks a US Transportation Secretary guidance” memo that encour- no longer booking the middle be handed a mask and hand said. passengers. week. Some of the material Elaine Chao and Health and aged airlines to complete a seats in most sections of their sanitizer when boarding some JetBlue went further, an- Atlanta-based Delta Air for the masks will come from Human Services Secretary safety risk assessment on planes. flights, starting in early May. nouncing on Monday that all Lines is employing some discontinued T-shirts from Alex Azar, requesting that the procedures for the use of Several airlines have also Travelers will be urged to fol- passengers will be required maintenance technicians, nor- Delta’s uniforms. masks be mandated for flight “face coverings as they may eliminated or reduced the food low Centers for Disease Con- to wear face coverings during mally paid to maintain planes, The changes come only a crew, airline employees and affect the donning of oxygen and drink services offered on trol and Prevention guidelines travel. to assemble cloth safety masks few days after the Association passengers. The union repre- masks.” Chao noted that spac- most flights to help slow the to wear a face mask, but the “Wearing a face covering for Delta workers, with a goal of Flight Attendants wrote to sents about 50,000 flight at- ing between passengers is less spread of the virus. Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’ gathers pace page 12 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Next year’s Olympics will be cancelled if pandemic not over: Games chief AFP still unclear. Tokyo In the interview, Mori said organisers were consid- The postponed Tokyo 2020 ering holding joint opening Olympics will have to be and closing ceremonies for cancelled if the coronavi- the Olympics and the Para- rus pandemic isn’t brought lympics in an effort to cut under control by next year, costs. the organising committee’s Under the plan, the president warned, ruling out Paralympics would join the further delays. Olympic opening ceremony The comments, in an on July 23, and the Olympic interview with a Japanese closing ceremony would be sports daily published on integrated into the Paralym- Tuesday, come as medical pics closing event in Septem- experts doubted whether the ber. pandemic can be sufficiently But Mori admitted that contained by next year to Tokyo 2020 chief Yoshiro Mori said there was no prospect of delaying Tokyo organisers had not yet hold an event drawing par- the Olympics to 2022. obtained the consent of the ticipants and spectators IOC and their Paralympic from around the world. Mori noted the Games remarks were based on “the “I would not say that don’t think the Olympics is even medical experts said counterparts. The pandemic has al- had been cancelled previous- chairman’s own thoughts”. they should not be held, but likely to be held next year,” it was too early to make a “It’s going to be a consid- ready forced a year-long de- ly only during wartime, and But the comments will it would be exceedingly dif- said Kentaro Iwata, a profes- judgement on such a possi- erable cut in costs and a big lay of the Games, which are compared the battle against add to growing questions ficult,” Yoshitake Yokokura sor of infectious diseases at bility. message of victory against now scheduled to open on coronavirus to “fighting an about the postponement, de- told reporters. Kobe University. Japanese officials and the global crisis, but it’s not July 23, 2021. invisible enemy”. cided last month after heavy “Japan might be able to the IOC have said the Games easy,” Mori said. But Tokyo 2020 presi- If the virus is successfully pressure on the organisers ‘Very pessimistic’ control this disease by next will be a chance to celebrate Organisers have said the dent Yoshiro Mori was cat- contained, “we’ll hold the and the International Olym- And last week a Japa- summer, I wish we could, but victory over the virus, with question of who will shoul- egorical when asked by the Olympics in peace next sum- pic Committee from athletes nese medical expert who I don’t think that would hap- some suggestions that the der the additional costs is yet Nikkan Sports daily whether mer”, he added. “Mankind is and sports federations. has criticised the country’s pen everywhere on Earth, so pandemic fight could even be to be resolved, though Mori the Games could be delayed betting on it.” On Tuesday, the head of response to the coronavirus in this regard I’m very pes- incorporated into the open- said the IOC should pay a until 2022 if the pandemic Masa Takaya, a Tokyo Japan Medical Association warned that he was “very simistic about holding the ing ceremony. share. remains a threat next year, 2020 spokesman, declined to warned it would be “exceed- pessimistic” that the post- Olympic Games next sum- Postponing the Games is “We should make a deci- replying: “No.” comment on a possible can- ingly difficult” to hold the poned Olympics can be held mer,” he said. an enormous logistical and sion after both sides examine “In that case, it’s can- cellation of the Games and Games next year if a vaccine in 2021. But Tokyo 2020 spokes- financial challenge, with the and fully understand them,” celled,” Mori said. told reporters that Mori’s has not been found. “To be honest with you I man Takaya countered that final pricetag for the delay he added. Former Liverpool World Athletics creates coronavirus support fund DPA Coe was “hopeful that we will be ‘legend’ Michael Berlin able to stage at least some competi- tion later this year” in a season which World Athletics and the Interna- needs rearranged due to several Robinson dies at 61 tional Athletics Foundation charity cancellations in the elite Diamond will make $500,000 available to sup- League series. AFP are with Michael’s family and port athletes financially hit by the The fund was the idea of Moroc- Madrid friends at this sad time. Rest in coronavirus pandemic, the sport’s can great Hicham El Guerrouj, Olym- peace, Michael.” governing body said on Tuesday. pic champion in 2004 and still world Liverpool’s former Repub- Anfield hero Kenny Dal- “I am in constant contact with record holder in the 1,500 metres lic of Ireland striker Michael glish told the club’s website: athletes around the world and I know since 1998. Robinson, who became a well- “First and foremost, Michael that many are experiencing finan- “I am delighted that Seb and known commentator in Spain, was a good teammate to every cial hardship as a consequence of World Athletics reacted so positively has died aged 61, prompting an one of us and he made an im- the shutdown of most international to my suggestion that we create a fund outpouring of tributes. portant contribution on and sports competition in the last two for athletes, and have made it happen Robinson, who settled in off the pitch, none more so months,” World Athletics president with the support of the International Spain after his playing career than during the 1983-84 sea- Sebastian Coe said. Athletics Foundation,” he said. and developed an award-win- son when we were fortunate “Our professional athletes rely on “The suspension of competi- ning media career, succumbed enough to win three trophies. prize money as part of their income tion has had a huge impact on many to cancer that was first diag- “He will be remembered and we’re mindful that our competi- professional athletes because they nosed in 2018. He passed away with fondness and affection.” tion season, on both the track and can’t earn prize money so I’m really at his home in Marbella. After Liverpool, Robinson road, is being severely impacted by pleased that we have found a way to The fund was the idea of Moroccan great Hicham El Guerrouj, Olympic champion “With tremendous sadness joined Queens Park Rangers, the pandemic.” assist them.” in 2004 and still world record holder in the 1,500 metres since 1998. we inform you of Michael’s before ending his career with death,” his family said in a Spanish side Osasuna. Twitter message on Tuesday. He retired in 1989 but re- “It leaves us with a great mained in Spain, mastering the emptiness, but also countless language and becoming one French football mourns Robert Herbin, UEFA releases memories, full of the same love of the country’s most distin- that you have shown him. guished football pundits. ‘who made the impossible possible’ “We will be eternally grate- According to Spanish daily €236mn to aid ful to you for making this man El Pais, Robinson “revolution- AFP SO HAPPY, he never walked ised the way football was ana- Saint-Étienne alone. Thank you.” lysed”. member federations After spells with Preston Barcelona said he was “a French football is mourning North End and Manchester person who loved football Robert Herbin, the inspira- AFP “As a result, we have City Robinson featured in the and who knew how to ex- tional coach of the flamboyant Lausanne agreed that up to 4.3 million 1983 FA Cup final for Brighton, plain it with knowledge and Saint-Etienne team that was euros per association, paid for before moving to Anfield. ingenuity”. narrowly defeated in the 1976 UEFA said on Monday it had the remainder of this season He was part of the Liver- Real Madrid described him European Cup final. allocated €236.5 million ($256 and next, as well as part of the pool squad that captured the as “a legend”. Herbin died on Monday million) to its 55 member as- investment funding, can be league, League Cup and Euro- “After his retirement from aged 81 after being taken to sociations to help overcome used as our members see fit to pean Cup treble in 1984. soccer, he dedicated his profes- hospital last week with heart the financial impact caused by rebuild the football commu- “We’re deeply saddened by sional life to sports journalism, and lung problems unrelated the coronavirus pandemic. nity.” the passing of former player where his work on television, to coronavirus. Each national federation Last week European foot- Michael Robinson, aged 61,” radio and in the written press He played more than 400 will receive 4.3 million euros ball’s governing body released Liverpool tweeted. stood out, earning the affection matches for Saint-Etienne and Saint-Etienne’s French captain Robert Herbin. (AFP) which can be used towards “its almost 70 million euros in “The thoughts of everybody of all soccer and sports fans in later brought a cerebral ap- Robert Herbin (left) holds the cup own priorities in light of the benefit payments to clubs at Liverpool Football Club general,” the club added. proach to coaching, earning the next to French Prime Minister a great international player negative impact of the corona- struggling financially during nickname the “The Sphinx” as Jacques Chaban-Delmas after but also an exceptional coach virus on football at all levels,” the health crisis. he dragged French football back winning the 53rd French Cup final who brought the pride back the body said in a statement. The money was originally into the international spotlight. in Colombes in May 1970. (AFP) to French football at a time The funds come from UE- put aside to be paid to clubs France’s national team when we were at a low.” FA’s HatTrick assistance pro- who had released players for slumped in the early 1970s, at Hampden Park in Glasgow. “He showed us that ‘impos- gramme which was created in international matches after failing to reach the 1970 and Herbin recalled that he was sible’ doesn’t exist in football,” 2004 to support development the completion of the Europe- 1974 World Cup finals, so the convinced everything conspired St Etienne chairman Roland projects for each member fed- an Championship qualifying European run of Herbin’s against his team that night. Romeyer said. eration. The programme will play-offs. Saint-Etienne side caught the “It left a deep impression “That is how St Etienne have distributed 2.6 billion Global governing body nation’s attention. on me. I have never got over beat the biggest clubs in Eu- euros by 2024, UEFA said. FIFA announced on Friday it The green-shirted team it. I still think about it today. rope in the 1970s. His great- “Our sport is facing an would release $150 million to from central France that fea- I think the good Lord wasn’t est achievement was to get a unprecedented challenge its 211 member associations tured future France and Tot- with us, neither were the goal- whole city and country behind brought about by the COV- “as the first step of a relief tenham Hotspur manager posts or the crossbar,” he told the team. He had unbelievable ID-19 crisis. UEFA wants to plan”. Jacques Santini, midfielder AFP in 2015. charisma and power.” help its members to respond Those funds originate from creator Jean-Michel Larque St Etienne board mem- Herbin coached St Etienne in ways that are appropriate to the Forward 2.0 programme, and the talented Dominique ber Bernard Caiazzo paid for 14 seasons in all, from 1972 their specific circumstances,” which was launched in 2016 Ireland striker Michael Robinson became a well-known commentator Rocheteau as a substitute were tribute to Herbin, saying: to 1983 and then again from said UEFA president Alek- and will provide $1.746 billion in Spain. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes. beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich “We will always remember 1987 to 1990. sander Ceferin. in total. 12 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Sports QF’s Equine Veterinary Medical Center offers regenerative stem cell treatment

Tribune News Network involved in the development “Different conditions will Doha and daily operations of a be able to be treated in the similar laboratory in the UK, horse, from tendon, ligament Equine Veterinary Medical which is authorised by the and joint injury to more ex- Center (EVMC), a member of British Veterinary Medicines perimental treatments such Qatar Foundation, is now of- Directorate for the produc- as laminitis or degenerative fering regenerative stem cell tion and processing of au- conditions,” commented Dr. treatment to the equine pop- tologous equine stem cell for Florent David, Equine Sur- ulation of the Middle East. the treatment of horses. geon and Sports Medicine EVMC has developped Ultrasound image of needle Dr. Tatiana Vinardell, Specialist at EVMC on this within the research depart- placed in the lesion. Bottom Head of Research and Educa- achievement. ment, a regenerative section right, microscope image of stem tion said: “The stem cell labo- EVMC, located within Ed- of therapies including plate- cells in culture. ratory has been set up with ucation City, is a world-class let rich plasma, autologous the highest standard of qual- equine facility, comprising of conditioned serum, and stem then extracting a pure popu- ity control and traceability. an equine referral hospital, a cell treatment. The goal of lation of pluripotent cells in The laboratory is divided into diagnostic laboratory and a this service is to treat muscu- order to prepare a final prod- a commercial and a research research and education de- loskeletal equine conditions, uct, two weeks later, that is section. Stem cells will be partment. The center, staffed where regenerative medicine Ultrasound-guided injection of stem injected into the lesion using EVMC staff working in the stem cell laboratory, preparing regenerative produced for clinical patients, by board-certified specialist has been shown to improve cells in a large tendon lesion. ultrasound-guidance. medicine treatments. and similar protocols will veterinarians and research- the natural healing process EVMC has received the be used to develop research ers, applies advanced veteri- and to reduce the rate of re- the procedure available at support of Professor Roger College, University of Lon- crucial step towards setting projects and enhance the sci- nary techniques and proce- injury post-healing. EVMC consists of harvest- Smith and Dr. Jay Dudhia don. Their assessment of up the stem cell laboratory. entific knowledge of stem cell dures to the best interest of For stem cell obtention, ing a sample of bone marrow, from the Royal Veterinary EVMC facility in 2018 was a Both researchers have been therapy in the horse.” our equine patients.

Football, rugby seasons off until September: France PM Premier League’s AFP Paris French professional sports ‘Project Restart’ leagues including football and rugby cannot restart before September because of corona- virus restrictions, Prime Min- ister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday. gathers pace Philippe made the an- nouncement as part of a grad- ual plan to lift the lockdown in France. He said no event where more than 5,000 peo- AFP facilities already dressed in train- Matches would almost certain- ple gather would be allowed London ing wear before returning home ly be played behind closed doors until at least September. immediately after they have con- and clubs have reportedly been “The 2019-2020 profes- Tottenham became the latest cluded their session.” After weeks told that only approved stadiums sional sports leagues, notably Premier League club to open their of lockdown in Britain, ministers could be used, with higher health football, cannot yet restart,” doors to players on Tuesday as part believe the return of football would certification than normal. Philippe told a televised ad- of the “Project Restart” plan to fin- boost morale. The Professional Footballers’ dress to French parliament at ish the English top-flight season. Culture secretary Oliver Dow- Association are involved in discus- the National Assembly. The Premier League has den who is responsible for sport, sions and have raised the issue of “I would like to be precise been suspended since March 13 said he had been in talks with the players not wanting to be put at here, no large sports gathering due to the coronavirus crisis but Premier League “with a view to risk by returning too soon. or any gathering of 5,000 peo- there is growing belief the cam- getting football up and running as “We have reiterated that play- ple or more, needing the per- paign can be concluded over the soon as possible” but stressed any ers are not just footballers but mission of the local police and summer months. moves would have to be consistent partners, fathers, mothers, sons long prior arrangements, will Resuming matches on June 8 with public health guidance. and daughters who share the be allowed before September,” is reportedly among the ideas set The clubs remain committed to same health concerns as every- Philippe said. to be discussed when the Premier ending the 2019/20 campaign and one else during this pandemic,” French President Emma- League’s key stakeholders meet on there are compelling financial and said PFA deputy chief executive nuel Macron said two weeks Friday. legal reasons to play the remaining Bobby Barnes. ago that no large gatherings That would require full train- 92 games. “We have been assured of the would be allowed before mid- ing to begin by May 18 and Pre- - ‘Health concerns’ -The Pre- intentions of all that there would July, so this new announce- mier League clubs are starting to mier League’s medical adviser, be no resumption unless guaran- ment pushes the ban a further work towards that date by giving Mark Gillett, and the Football tees of safety could be given to the six weeks at least. players the option of using their Association’s head of medicine, players.” The return of football re- The announcement ap- training grounds. Charlotte Cowie, are understood to mains controversial, with Britain pears to scupper the plans of Tottenham have followed Ar- be part of a group of officials who still battling the pandemic. French football’s top division senal, West Ham and Brighton in will meet on a weekly basis with Watford chief executive Scott Ligue 1 to start again in June allowing players to use facilities for government and public health rep- Duxbury said: “Football, for me with players being recalled as individual sessions that conform resentatives. now, just needs to be put to one of May 11. to social-distancing guidelines. Regular virus testing of all side. I feel uncomfortable at this Last Friday the French “No more than one player per players and key staff would be a stage even talking about football as Football League (LFP) indi- pitch will be permitted at any one crucial part of the restart plan and a narrative, because there are peo- cated its preferred option was time to undertake on-pitch exer- the cost of those tests would be met ple dying every day. a resumption of leagues in cise, with only a restricted number centrally by the Premier League, “There are stresses on the NHS mid-June subject to knowing of the squad coming to the train- according to reports. and that has to be our priority. the terms of easing confine- ing centre each day,” a Tottenham All clubs will be working to the “When it is safe and the gov- ment measures. statement said. same protocols in terms of training ernment say it is absolutely fine for French Football Federa- “Each player will travel in- sessions, which will be designed to players and support staff to return, tion (FFF) president Noel Le dependently and arrive at the minimise the risk of infection. then I am 100 percent behind that.” Graet hopes both the French Cup and League Cup finals Tottenham have allowed their players to use the club’s can be played before the training facilities. (AFP) league season restarts, when- ever that is. beIN launches new sports ‘On Demand’ service for exclusive documentaries, greatest matches re-runs

MENA region will now be Scenes’ episodes with foot- visiting beIN On Demand on Includes FIFA able to relive the most leg- ball legends such as Sami their beIN box. endary moments in sport Trabelsi, Commenting on the launch World Cup films history, with re-runs of Hatem Trabelsi, Arsène of the new sports service, Jon- FIFA World Cups, the UEFA Wenger and Marcel Desailly; athan Whitehead, Head since 1954 Champions League, English The official FIFA World Cup of Sports at beIN SPORTS Premier League, and El Cla- films from 1954 to 2002; MENA said, “beIN has made Tribune News Network sico matches easily available The memorable 2018 FIFA a proud commitment to offer Doha at their fingertips. World Cup final between the best programming ever Fans will also get the France and Croatia which scheduled during this holy beIN SPORTS has an- chance to enjoy exclusive saw France lift the trophy for month of Ramadan, and this nounced the launch of an in- beIN in-house documenta- the first time in twenty years; includes our sports program- Fans will also get the chance credible new sports archive ries on topics ranging from A four-part series on some of ming and services too. We’re to enjoy exclusive beIN service available on beIN On Wael Gomaa and Mohamed the greatest UEFA Champi- therefore delighted to launch in-house documentaries on Demand, featuring a wide Aboutrika’s finest games, ons League games ever to be our new ‘on demand’ sports topics ranging from Wael selection of classic matches, to the rise to fame of icons Played; The 2017 and service so that fans across Gomaa and Mohamed exclusive documentaries, be- Mohamed Salah, Neymar, 2018 El Clasico clashes be- MENA can watch and share Aboutrtika’s finest games, hind the scenes features, as Lionel Messi, Baghdad tween Real Madrid and some of the greatest matches to the rise to fame of icons well as official FIFA World Bounedjah, Serena Williams Barcelona; A celebration of ever played at a time that Mohamed Salah (pictured), Cup films for fans to easily and Novak Djokovic. Arsène Wenger’s 20th Anni- suits the whole family, as Neymar, Lionel Messi, enjoy across the Middle East Some of the most antici- versary at Arsenal well as learning more about Baghdad Bounedjah, & North Africa (MENA) re- pated clashes and documen- At no extra cost, sub- sporting legends such as Mo- Serena Williams and gion at a time that suits them. taries to be released on beIN scribers can access the new hamed Salah in special beIN Novak Djokovic. With most global live SPORTS’s new On Demand sports on demand library by documentaries. All of this sport unfortunately on pause service include: The story of connecting their set top box thrilling sports entertain- due to the coronavirus cri- Mohamed Salah’s career; to the home internet and ment is just a click of the but- sis, households across the Exclusive ‘Behind the watch all of this content by ton away.” Sports Wednesday, April 29, 2020 13

News I miss racing every day, in brief Root reveals DeGeneres sledges

London: England captain Joe Root said on Tuesday he had been says Hamilton sledged during his cricket career for looking like American come- dian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres. Sledging, the practice AFP ing Australian Grand Prix was scrapped in March, where a fielding side verbally abuses a batsman to disturb his London triggering a succession of cancellations. concentration, can take many forms. But Root said he understood F1 bosses are now hoping to start the delayed what had led opponents to come up with the unusual jibe. “I’ve World champion Lewis Hamilton said Formula season at the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, while been called Ellen DeGeneres on a number of occasions over the One’s coronavirus suspension had left a “big void” fans will be barred from the British Grand Prix on July course of my career,” Root told BBC Radio 1. “I think there’s a in his life as the sport waits to see if it can return in 19. likeness there.” With the start of the English cricket season sus- July. However, Hamilton said the virus shutdown -- pended until July at the earliest because of the coronavirus, Root, Hamilton, who began go-karting as a child and which has all but closed down professional sports 29, appeared on the pop music station to select some of his has risen through the ranks of motorsport, said and dramatically slowed economic activity -- was not favourite records. He opted for ‘Mardy Bum’ by the Arctic Monkeys he misses racing daily after the F1 season failed all bad news. and ‘She Moves In Her Own Way’ by the Kooks as his opening to get underway. “Right now, we all have time in the world to re- two ‘Mancave Anthems’. His choices also included ‘The Greatest “I miss racing every day. This is the first flect on life, our decisions, our goals, the people we Show’ as a tribute to England star all-rounder Ben Stokes. (AFP) time since I was eight that I haven’t started a have around us, our careers,” said Hamilton. season,” the British Mercedes driver posted “Today, we see clearer skies all over the world, on Instagram. less animals being slaughtered for our pleasure Patriots fullback Develin retires “When you live and breathe something simply because our demands are much lower and you love, when it’s gone there’s definitely a everyone is staying in. NEW YORK: New England Patriots fullback James Develin an- big void. But there’s always positives to take “Let’s not come back the same as we went into nounced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, citing complica- from these times.” this tough time, let’s come out of it with better knowl- tions from a neck injury which cut short his season last year. The The first practice session of the year edge of our world, changing our personal choices powerful 31-year-old was an unsung part of the Patriots offense was just hours away when the season-open- and habits.” in recent seasons, with his ability to make yardage contribut- ing to three Super Bowl victories in the 2014, 2016 and 2018 Hamilton factfile seasons. “Due to unforeseen complications with the injury that Name Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton Career points 3431 ended my season last year, I have decided it is both in my and my family’s interest to retire from the game of football,” Develin wrote Date of birth 7 January, 1985 (age 35) Pole positions 88 on Instagram. “I am incredibly proud of my journey within the Nationality United Kingdom British Fastest laps 47 2020 team Mercedes sport and I will be forever indebted to the game that gave me so First entry 2007 Australian Grand Prix much.” Develin joined the New England Patriots in 2012 after an Car number 44 First win 2007 Canadian Grand Prix Entries 250 (250 starts) unconventional route into the league. He played his entire college Last win 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Championships 6 (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019) career as a defensive lineman before later converting to offense, Wins 84 Last entry 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix starting in the indoor Arena Football League before moving to the Podiums 151 2019 position 1st (413 pts) now defunct United Football League. He broke into the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 before later signing for the Patri- ots, playing 83 regular season games with 31 starts. (AFP) Pevkur promises Fate of Hundred in balance as NHL officials learn ‘Digital Spike’ for English cricket chiefs meet from NFL draft AFP baseball behind me than in v’ball as CEV chief AFP Seoul front of me but to get that expo- London sure would be nice.” Tribune News Network Years after giving up on DOHA England cricket chief Tom their dreams of Major League Poor run average Harrison says the controversial stardom, the coronavirus After a decade in the mi- Hanno Pevkur announced on Hundred has become “even pandemic is offering jour- nors, Brigham was finally Tuesday measures he would more important” due to the neymen US baseball players called up by the Atlanta Braves take as President of the Euro- economic damage from coro- in South Korea a moment in in 2015, but pitched only 16.2 pean Volleyball Confederation navirus ahead of a meeting that the spotlight. innings, with an abysmal (CEV) to provide a digital boost will decide the fate of the new Korea Baseball Organisa- earned run average of 8.64. to the organisation, helping it to competition. tion (KBO) clubs have more He sought refuge in Japan become more attractive and en- Last week, the England and than 20 Americans on their before being scouted by his gaging to those within the vol- Estonian Volleyball Federation Wales Cricket Board (ECB) books who were only ever mar- Seoul-based team and has spent leyball community. chief Hanno Pevkur further delayed the start of the ginal MLB players, or never three seasons as their start- Pevkur, who expressed his 2020 season until July 1 at the players, it’s going to be very, Hundred would make a loss in made it to the big time at all. ing pitcher, racking up 34 wins intent to run for the CEV chief’s ments to the CEV’s governance earliest but said the inaugural very difficult.” its first five seasons. But soon they will be among and becoming their biggest for- post in February, has been the systems. All initiatives are avail- Hundred would be on the agen- Costs in the first year, in- only a few professional athletes eign star -- his 2020 contract is President of the Estonian Vol- able to view on his website. da this Wednesday. Opposition voices cluding the 1.3 million pounds in competitive action anywhere worth nearly a million dollars. leyball Federation since 2012. On the release of Digital The new 100-balls-per-side Many voices within English ($1.6 million) paid to each in the world, with almost all He never really had an op- He is currently in the FIVB Ex- Spike, Pevkur said: ‘‘The cur- format, to be played by eight cricket have been opposed to county, were estimated at 58 sporting leagues on hold in the portunity to “stick year after ecutive Body and serving the rent COVID-19 crisis will have franchises rather than English the Hundred from the outset, million pounds, against an in- face of the virus. year” in a big league, he said, CEV as the Vice-President. many far-reaching implica- cricket’s established 18 first- arguing there is no space for a come of 51 million pounds. South Korea once had but the KBO had proved a Pevkur’s policy pledge, ti- tions for all sports, including class counties, is meant to start new format in an already con- Not playing the Hundred the largest outbreak outside “great” opportunity. tled ‘Digital Spike’ and availa- volleyball. In particular, it is in July. gested calendar. could potentially save the ECB China, where the disease first With US coronavirus cases ble to view on his website www. highlighting how international ECB officials have long in- They say many of the ECB’s millions at a time when it has emerged, but appears to have approaching one million and hanno-pevkur.org, outlines organisations such as the CEV sisted it will attract a new audi- aims could be achieved with launched a 61 million pounds brought it under control with the entire MLB season under three areas of improvement he must continue to become digi- ence vital to safeguarding crick- better support for the existing virus aid package for the do- an extensive “trace, test and threat, former teammates were would prioritise as president tally stronger and smarter to et’s future, with some matches Twenty20 Blast. mestic game. treat” programme. “jealous” of his chance to play, - focused on enhancing con- engage with their global audi- set to be broadcast live on ter- But Harrison, one of the key But Harrison is convinced it And the delayed baseball he added. nections with national federa- ences. In my country, Esto- restrial television. movers behind the competition, will make money in the long run season -- the country’s most tions, improving existing CEV nia, we have invested many But public health restric- said current conditions made it -- and help preserve the existing popular spectator sport, after Spitting mad platforms and developing new resources in building a digital tions, the problems of bringing more important than ever. county set-up. being brought to the peninsula The KBO is made up of 10 ones, and looking into the cre- society, and we are reaping the in overseas stars and the issue “If anything this crisis and “It will help us achieve one by US missionaries -- will start professional clubs, all of them ation of games for fans of Eu- benefits of this in all indus- of launch costs at a time of eco- the implications, long-term or of our priorities, which is keep- next Tuesday, albeit behind named for the conglomerates ropean volleyball. tries. As the world continues nomic crisis mean a delay ap- medium-term, mean the case ing the lights on through the closed doors. that own them rather than their The pledge is Pevkur’s sixth to digitalise, we must take the pears inevitable. for the Hundred is even more network -- making sure county In a world where sports fans home cities. in as many weeks, and follows opportunity now to make Eu- “We’ll look at how the situ- important,” he said. cricket is really healthy and are starved of live action, sports The Heroes are an excep- previous commitments to sup- ropean volleyball ahead of its ation impacts the Hundred, “So I don’t think this in strong long, long into the fu- channel ESPN is in negotiations tion, founded by businessman port the CEV’s national nedera- time and prepared to welcome which was envisaged as being any way dilutes the case for the ture,” he said. for broadcasting rights. Lee Chang-suk -- who was tions is a variety of ways, includ- new generations of fans, ath- a tournament that enabled us Hundred, it absolutely acceler- “And it will help broaden That could give players like jailed for embezzlement in ing plans to increase the CEV’s letes and commercial partners to widen the audience for the ates it and makes it something the audience for the game. the Kiwoom Heroes’ pitcher 2018 but remains the largest revenues, the provision of spe- to our sport. By making small game,” said Harrison. cricket needs to get behind.” There will be a huge clamour for Jake Brigham a chance to shine. shareholder -- and changing cial support for smaller Fed- changes now, we can have a big “With an in-stadia envi- Even before the pandemic, audience coming out of this cri- “I’m 32 years old,” he told their name according to their erations to grow, and improve- impact in our future.” ronment, with international the ECB had itself forecast the sis, for all sport.” AFP. “I definitely have more main sponsor. Smash hit Jordan documentary Virus gives South Korea’s US baseball fills TV void for NBA fans exiles a chance to shine AFP most watched original pro- wiped out due to the global AFP Poor run average New York gram since the network be- virus pandemic, ESPN ad- Seoul After a decade in the mi- gan producing such shows 16 vanced the release date. nors, Brigham was finally A new Michael Jordan televi- years ago. An average of 5.9 The Jordan documentary’s Years after giving up on their called up by the Atlanta sion documentary has become million viewers watched the blockbuster success looks likely dreams of Major League star- Braves in 2015, but pitched a smash hit for NBA fans whose latest episodes aired in the to spark similar projects. dom, the coronavirus pandem- only 16.2 innings, with an hope of watching the playoffs US on Sunday. Kobe Bryant, the Los Ange- ic is offering journeymen US abysmal earned run average these days was scuttled by the “The Last Dance” mixes les Lakers superstar who died baseball players in South Ko- of 8.64. coronavirus pandemic. previously unaired behind-the- in a January helicopter crash, rea a moment in the spotlight. He sought refuge in Ja- “The Last Dance” details the scenes footage taken had a personal camera crew fol- Korea Baseball Organisa- pan before being scouted by career of the NBA legend who by a special camera low him around during his final tion (KBO) clubs have more his Seoul-based team and led the Chicago Bulls to six ti- crew with the Bulls NBA season, ESPN reported than 20 Americans on their has spent three seasons as tles in the 1990s, with editions during their 1997-98 last week, hinting that behind- books who were only ever their starting pitcher, rack- three and four of the 10-part NBA championship the-scenes footage could be- marginal MLB players, or nev- ing up 34 wins and becom- saga telecast on Sunday. run with the retelling come part of a Bryant docu- er made it to the big time at all. ing their biggest foreign star It was the top ESPN of Jordan’s amaz- mentary. But soon they will be -- his 2020 contract is worth telecast in the advertiser- ing story from his Bryant, a five-time NBA among only a few profes- nearly a million dollars. prized 18-to-34 demo- youthful days to champion, scored 60 points sional athletes in competi- test and treat” programme. is in negotiations for broad- He never really had an graphic since the shut Chicago’s amaz- in his final NBA game in 2016, tive action anywhere in the And the delayed baseball casting rights. opportunity to “stick year af- down of sport due to the ing dynasty run which capped the worst season world, with almost all sport- season -- the country’s most That could give play- ter year” in a big league, he coronavirus pandemic. of six 1990s NBA in Lakers history at 17-65. ing leagues on hold in the popular spectator sport, af- ers like the Kiwoom He- said, but the KBO had proved In all, 6.1 mil- titles. Dwyane Wade, a member of face of the virus. ter being brought to the pen- roes’ pitcher Jake Brigham a a “great” opportunity. lion people watched The project was the 2008 US Olympic “Redeem South Korea once had insula by US missionaries chance to shine. With US coronavirus cas- the opening episodes set to be broadcast Team” that won Beijing gold the largest outbreak outside -- will start next Tuesday, al- “I’m 32 years old,” he told es approaching one million in the United States, in June when the after a 2004 bronze at Athens, China, where the disease beit behind closed doors. AFP. “I definitely have more and the entire MLB season making the documen- NBA Finals were says he is already executive pro- first emerged, but appears to In a world where sports baseball behind me than in under threat, former team- Michael tary Twitter’s top trend- Jordan scheduled, but when ducing a documentary about have brought it under con- fans are starved of live ac- front of me but to get that mates were “jealous” of his ing topic and ESPN’s sports programs were that collection of NBA talent. trol with an extensive “trace, tion, sports channel ESPN exposure would be nice.” chance to play, he added. 14 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Reports by L N Mallick For events and press releases email [email protected] or L N Mallick Pakistan Prism L N Mallick call (974) 4000 2222 L N Mallick ‘Concerted efforts, long-term planning needed to overcome pandemic fallout’

he present challenges the University of London and LLB a big achievement. We have well ex- dered by me. I consider these testi- The challenges posed posed by the outbreak of from the Cairo University. He is perienced, trustworthy and talented monials as phenomenal decorations. the coronavirus (COV- currently enrolled for PhD in law workforce in Egypt and Pakistan. We by COVID-19 are part ID-19) that has shaken study at Cairo University, Egypt. In have strong tie-ups with different Can you share with us why you the world economy, an interview with Qatar Tribune, firms around the globe. Currently, decided to study law? of a journey that needs Tare part of a journey that needs to Rafiq spoke in detail about his pro- our representative offices are in Qa- In the beginning, it was only be managed by hard work, says fessional achievements and how his tar, Turkey, KSA, India and Spain. the thought of studying laws and Nadeem Mohamed Rafiq, a top le- firm is handling the current situ- understanding its relation or con- to be managed by hard gal and management professional ation in the face of the COVID-19. What kind of services does tradiction with Shari’a (Islamic with 20 years of experience in sen- Excerpts: your firm offer? law). Later, I understood the value work, says top legal ior leadership roles and in render- NR & Partners renders a wide of law and found that studying law ing legal consultancy across diverse What measures should be tak- range of services (legal and corporate) offers the opportunity to develop and management organisations. With a significant en to check the fallout of the that include data protection, media- a range of skills and explore many experience in several legal systems coronavirus pandemic? tion, negotiation, dispute resolution aspects of human life. It gives you (common law and civil), Rafiq has Undoubtedly, the spread of the in different areas, including and not the chance to sharpen your mind, professional Nadeem worked in Egypt, Pakistan and Qa- coronavirus has led to a global eco- limited to telecommunications and strengthen your understanding and tar. Rafiq is proficient in managing nomic crisis. The real impact of IT, tax, events and sports, energy, em- deepen your experience across the Mohamed Rafiq profitable and efficient operations economic crisis is yet to be seen. ployment, corporate, commercial and full range of humanities and social with consistent accomplishment of Concerted efforts and long-term transactional, construction and engi- sciences. You acquire both breadth business and operational targets, planning are required to overcome neering, agency and franchising and of understanding and depth in the trial preparation, research and the fallout of the pandemic. We many more. NR & Partners greatly areas that interest you most. drafting legal documents with abil- should consider the present chal- values the social responsibility, there- ity to deftly tackle legal cases. He lenges as part of our journey that fore, we have created an internship Where were you born and how is founder of NR and Partners, an we shall enjoy and work hard to programme to train fresh graduated come you are holding two na- international consulting firm, and control and overcome. Despite the students. Besides that we also offer tionalities? the holds position of Managing unstable circumstances, my team pro bono services. I was born in Kuwait. I obtained Partner. Prior to his current and I hold the responsibility to pro- both nationalities from my parents position, he held several posi- vide skilled services in a timely and How do you feel when you lose by birth. This gave me the opportu- tions such as legal advisor, ad- efficient manner. We handle each any suit? nity to grow up and understand two ministration manager and CEO matter with accountability. We re- These are the most difficult mo- cultures (Arab and Asian) and learn in reputable firms and compa- main vigilant and provide excellent ments of life, especially when you two languages (Arabic and Urdu). nies in Egypt, Pakistan and Qa- services to gain and maintain the study the case so deeply and take tar. He is also the legal advisor trust of our clients. care of each detail in it. However, Are you engaged in any social of high-profile personalities and there are many elements involved in services? members of royal family. Rafiq How challenging is the job of getting adverse judgements such as I have a great passion for social holds both Pakistani and Egyptian a legal and corporate consult- lack of evidence and client’s late ap- services and I consider it a duty to nationalities. His educational cre- ant? proach to obtain the proper service. society that needs to be fulfilled dentials include LLM from Consultancy, in itself, is a tough as the schema of pro bono that we job that requires the service pro- Did you get any chance to de- adopted in NR & Partners. In addi- vider to develop himself and always fend the case of any Pakistani tion to that, I have several channels be familiar with all the changes company or individual? through which I render social ser- and developments. Today’s busi- I have been rendering services vices to the society. ness needs legal consultants not to several Pakistani companies and only to resolve issues but also to individuals in various sectors. I not What advice would you give to support their business develop- only defended their cases but also those students who are aspir- ment efforts. They need to remain helped them in debt collection, inter- ing to become lawyers? up-to-date and should have high nal investigations, analysis of a com- Law students must clearly under- level of knowledge and additional pany’s structure, strategy and opera- stand that advocacy is a profession of training and tools in the areas tions, mediation and arbitration. honour, dignity and ethics. They are of business, technology, project responsible and bound to the society. management, data analysis and Can you share some interest- They need to follow a long list of ac- psychology. ing incident from your career. tions. To make it simple and short, I Based on educational qualifica- would recommend few steps. Have How rewarding is the job tion and initial experience, I used to a clear idea of what you intend to do of a legal and corporate concentrate on legal concerns only. with the degree; map out your career, consultant? However, I had the chance to learn, at least the first 10 years; be open to It is worthwhile, not train and get experience in busi- different applications of the degree; financial wise only, but ness. I even started to get involved learn to think critically; pick an area where the intangible re- in the execution of business. Later, of law that you love working in; Don’t wards are unconfined, I was promoted to the position of give up, even when there seems to be personally and social- a CEO for a holding company with no end in sight; shadow an experi- ly. Personally, it helps 12 concerns. Those companies were enced and qualified attorney. in developing the per- working in different areas includ- sonality and adds a lot ing construction, real estate, facil- What advice would you give to of skills. Socially, the ity management, hotels, ready-mix, entrepreneurs? exposure to a wide food and beverage. This experience They need to strongly believe in variety of clients cre- credited my legal background and their dreams. They should never give ates an extensive so- experience, making me understand up. They must rely on experienced cial network. the strong relation between the legal and talented employees. They should system and business operations. never do everything with their own Please share some knowledge, they must learn to del- of your achieve- Did you get any awards during egate the work to qualified persons. ments during your your long career? Last but not least, they should un- career. I have received several testimo- derstand that challenges and hard I consider establishing nials from my clients, who expressed times are weaker than their sprits, NR & Partners as an inter- their satisfaction with the qual- so they should keep on their dreams national consulting firm as ity and punctuality of the work ren- and break any obstacles.

FBISE postpones HSSC and SSC exams as precautionary measure against coronavirus he Federal Board of In- partments are available on the termediate and Secondary home-page of FBISE website TEducation (FBISE) has post- https://www.fbise.edu.pk/. poned the Higher Secondary Islamabad-based FBISE School Certificate (HSSC) and was established in 1975 and Secondary School Certificate functions under Pakistan’s (SSC) annual examinations Ministry of Federal Education 2020 until further orders. The and Professional Training. Be- decision comes as a precau- sides conducting HSSC and tionary step to check the spread SSC examinations for overseas of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Pakistani institutions, its ju- According to an FBISE no- risdiction also includes insti- tification, the HSSC and SSC tutions located in Islamabad papers have been postponed Meanwhile, operations at Capital Territory, Federally for all board examination cen- One Window Cell of FBISE Administered Northern Areas, tres established in overseas has also been suspended un- cantonments and garrisons all institutions due to the closure til further orders. The official over Pakistan. of educational institutions by business shall be carried out Pakistani educational in- the respective governments through online applications stitutions in Qatar including as a precautionary measure to which can be signed in by visit- Pakistan International School, control the outbreak of coro- ing the FBISE website. Mean- Pak Shamaa School and Col- The Federal Board of Intermediate navirus. The revised schedule while, e-mail, phone, fax and lege and Bright Future Inter- and Secondary Education building of the examinations will be an- webchat services can also be national School are affiliated in Islamabad. nounced later. used. Contact details of all de- to the board. The Last Word Wednesday, April 29, 2020 15 QF alumnus perfumer adapts his business to battle COVID-19

again – I wanted to do some- Would there be a market for et-sprays and gallon-size con- CMU-Q graduate Mohammed thing that would directly help them? He had to be sure. tainers within pharmacies and those living in this country.” “I’ve always been a risk- supermarkets across Qatar. al Matwi produces sanitisers and For a few days, he mentally taker,” he says, “but my years As he narrates his experi- antiseptics in perfume factory sifted through the pros and at CMU-Q taught me that they ences, Matwi compares the cons of various other ventures had to be calculated ones. In last few weeks to planning a Tribune News Network their boss’ poker-faced expres- he could explore, yet nothing order for my tentative plan to trip for one destination – but Doha sion. But his calm demeanour ticked the boxes. Again, it was, be successful, I had to test my landing in another. belied the truth: he was strug- in his own words, “sheer prov- hypothesis in the market. For “There have been challeng- It was the last week of Feb- gling to make sense of what idence” – a chance conversa- that, I had to be a little crea- es,” he explains. “Almost over- ruary, and Mohammed al was happening, while reflect- tion with a local factory owner tive.” night, I’ve had to adapt to an Matwi’s mind was work- ing on how far he’d travelled who worked with chemicals – Matwi had his team graphi- entirely new market, clientele ing furiously. The 26-year- in business – and whether that that gave him his next idea. cally create a picture of per- and even pace of production. old founder and CEO of The journey would now come to an “I realised that disinfect- fumed hand sanitisers and post- I’m manufacturing stuff by the Perfume Factory had just abrupt end. ants and hand sanitizers share ed it on his social media account. gallon and it’s being sold as returned from a road show Matwi set up the country’s over 90 percent of the same Within the next few hours, he quickly as it’s made. in Kuwait to a scenario that first perfume factory in 2017. raw materials as perfumes. received dozens of enquiries – “But when the very first seemed to be escalating by the Over the next two years, the Mohammed al Matwi in his perfume factory. And, given that they were clearly there was a market for batch of disinfectants were day: the COVID-19 pandemic. local market embraced the critical to helping stop the his proposed products. bottled, my entire team were Prior to his trip, he had young entrepreneur’s initia- South America. as if I’d been thrown out of or- spread of coronavirus, my first In under a month, Matwi delighted – we were proud heard about the spread of the tive; he’d showcased his prod- All in all, things were bit into an entirely new solar thought was that this would and his team developed an that along with other safety virus in other countries. What ucts at a major perfume exhi- where he “wanted them to be”. system.” be the perfect way in which I entire range of personal disin- measures, our products would he hadn’t anticipated was the bition in Qatar, and been the “All businesses go through “When I landed back in could contribute to the wellbe- fectants, from liquid sanitisers keep people safe and healthy. speed with which it would sponsor of another one. frequent patches of turbu- Qatar after my trip to Kuwait ing of my people.” and perfumed disinfectants to “This feeling of fulfilment, come knocking at his door. Additionally, he had held lence,” says Matwi with a wry in February, I knew I’d have to Matwi knew there was a antiseptic sprays for furniture though, is different from three The alumnus of Carnegie roadshows in Russia and Ku- smile, as he recalls his emo- adapt. After a few days of rath- rising demand for personal and electronics. years ago. It comes from sleep- Mellon University in Qatar wait, he’d begun talks with the tions during the first week of er frantic self-reflection and antiseptics. But he wanted Today, these products – less nights; from going with (CMU-Q), a Qatar Founda- US embassy to promote his March 2020, by which time analysis, I felt the very same to go one step further and available in both odourless the flow, changing course – tion (QF) partner university, products in the US, and he was the full scale of COVID-19 was emotion that moved me to set make perfumed hand sani- and scented form – are being and appreciating a new desti- now says his staff often recall in discussions with retailers in becoming clear. “But this was up the factory in 2017 surface tiser sprays and disinfectants. sold in bottles, canisters, pock- nation.” Qatar Sparsham Ramadan QCS promotes change in lifestyle during Ramadan

Tribune News Network gifts bring relief to people Doha Ramadan provides Muslims with an ideal opportunity to adopt a The ‘gift’ initiative includes 17 essential and nutritious food items healthy lifestyle that helps main- tain healthy body weight and regu- Tribune News Network late blood sugar, said Heba Nassar, Doha head of the Health Education De- partment at Qatar Cancer Society A Ramadan gift initiative by a (QCS). group of Indian volunteers is Moreover, fasting activates the bringing relief to thousands of body system and organs to get rid expatriates and families amid of accumulated body waste, she said the COVID-19 outbreak in Qa- She explained, “It is preferred to tar. break the fast with dates and water Spearheaded by Radio Ma- followed by a soup which will help layalam 98.6 FM, the ‘Qatar in controlling the quantity of food Heba Nassar, head of the Health Educa- Sparsham’ voluntary group the fasting person eats. It is impor- tion Department at Qatar Cancer Society. seeks to help some of the most tant to eat food slowly. Drink plenty vulnerable and worst-affected of water to avoid dehydration. Wa- a short period of time (for 3 days) groups in the country like job- ter maintains the balance of hu- renews the body’s immune system seekers on short-duration visas, man body which is necessary for the and stimulates stem cells to pro- daily-wage earners such as taxi absorption of many nutrients. It is duce white blood cells that fight in- drivers and valets, family heads very important to drink 2.7-3.7 li- fections. Another study has shown who have lost jobs and small- tres of water every day.” that fasting for a long period of time scale entrepreneurs whose busi- Nassar advised people to avoid forces human body to use glucose nesses have collapsed. eating fried and fatty food items and fat storage which destroys most Seven out of 10 people who such as fried potato and samosa. of the white blood cells. So, these need help are not willing to seek Although, the group comprises around 1,000 members, only 20 of them are actively working on the ground now to “They contain high levels of fat and changes lead to strengthening of the help, Noufal Abdul Rahman, the provide COVID-19 relief materials due to the current health risks. salt, so eating them frequently may immune system. Also, they found man behind the volunteering increase fatigue and exhaustion. In that prolonged fasting reduces the initiative and Radio Malayalam hard-hit by the virus mitigation population in Qatar is from the Besides providing food addition, food items that contain ageing enzymes responsible for tu- 98.6 FM Marketing Manager, measures, he added. South Indian state. items, the group has also helped high amount of salt, such as pickles, mours and cancers. Therefore, pro- told Qatar Tribune in an inter- “We make our own assess- “We sent 13 tonnes of ma- people who cannot afford to go can dehydrate the body and affects longed fasting increases body’s re- view. ment to ensure that the need terials collected from Qatar to to hospitals get medical help in its ability to absorb fluids.” sistance to infections and diseases, “We felt it was necessary is genuine before releasing the Kerala in 2018 and six tonnes in cooperation with a medical cen- She also advised all to take pre- besides decreasing the risk of can- to help them but in a way that gift package. We have created 2019. Besides, we distributed tre in Qatar. cautions when doing workouts be- cers and tumours.” didn’t diminish their dignity. a WhatsApp group to receive more than 36,000 Iftar gifts “We have assisted more than fore iftar. “Exercising before iftar She added, “Due to the spread This has led to the creation of requests for helps and to coor- to people in Qatar last year,” 300 people with various health should be limited to no longer than of COVID-19 which affects the res- the Qatar Sparsham Ramadan dinate relief activities. Anyone Rahman said. conditions get free consulta- 60 minutes, preferably in an air-con- piratory system, this holy month Gift initiative,” he said. who needs food in the country Although, the group com- tions and medications,” Rah- ditioned location. After you break can be used to enhance human’s “We don’t want to call this can reach out to Qatar Spar- prises around 1,000 members, man said. the fast, drink sufficient amounts of immunity and resist the contagious an act of food distribution. This sham’s Whatsapp number at he said only 20 of them are ac- It should be noted that Qa- fluids and water to replenish salts disease. We must also be aware of is rather a gift to people during +974-33309806,” he said, add- tively working on the ground tar offers free COVID-19 treat- and minerals lost by the body, and the preventive measures to avoid the Holy Month of Ramadan. ing that several companies in now to provide COVID-19 relief ment to anyone in the country, have good rest. It is advisable to per- the disease, such as washing hands The ‘gift’ includes 17 essential Qatar have contributed to the materials due to health risks. regardless of their nationality or form physical activity three hours regularly with soap or alcohol-based and nutritious food items that “Ramadan Gift” initiative. “We have provided Rama- job status. after you break the fast as by then sanitisers, avoid touching eyes, nose will last a month for up to three Qatar Sparsham was formed dan gifts to thousands of people Qatar Sparsham has also the body will complete the digestion and mouth, and maintaining at least persons,” he added. in 2018 to procure material aid and families across Qatar, in- been managing four Whatsapp process,” she said. 1 metre (3 feet) distance between Since its launch in mid- for people affected by the back- cluding in the locked-down por- accounts to help disseminate She added, “An American re- yourself and anyone who is cough- March, the initiative has ben- to-back floods in Kerala in 2018 tions of Industrial Area, often at correct and authentic informa- search has found that fasting for ing or sneezing.” efitted nearly 4,000 people and 2019. A sizable expatriate great personal risks,” he said. tion on COVID-19. QF working to make Qatar an autism-friendly nation Tribune News Network Mandy Rutter, a National help the community become we will start looking at identi- Doha Autistic Society (NAS) Autism familiar with, and accepting of, fying who we want to focus this Training consultant, said Re- Autism. training toward as a priority.” The goal of creating an au- nad Academy staff are now li- “We believe that collabora- Lorraine MacAlister, an tism-friendly environment censed to deliver three training tion with families and profes- NAS Autism Training consult- across Qatar is being advanced courses to business partners sionals will help in supporting ant, said from what she has through a partnership between – Autism Champions, Essen- these students to reach their witnessed in Qatar, “people are a Qatar Foundation school and tial Autism and Autism and fullest potential. We are taking very open to learning as much a UK-based charity. SPELL. a further step toward increas- as possible” about Autism and Experts from the National Rutter said, “This will en- ing Autism awareness and “want to help improve people’s Autistic Society (NAS) came to able Renad Academy’s team to Lorraine MacAlister - National Rola Ayoub Satouf - Renad Academy Sherri Miller - Renad Academy creating a healthy society for lives”. Qatar this year for the second target the length and level of Autistic Society children with Autism.” She said, “Everybody – not time to deliver training pack- delivery to their stakeholders’ train them on certain strate- accepted. There is a desire to know just children and their par- ages to staff at Renad Acade- needs, ranging from a short sible for people with Autism. gies they can use to achieve She said, “One of the keys more about Autism among or- ents – needs to be involved. In my, a specialised school which introduction session for those They just need more informa- this.” to supporting people with Au- ganisations in Qatar, explained the UK, getting to the stage of is part of Qatar Foundation’s who are very new to Autism, tion about it. Qatar is home to 5,000 tism is empathy – demonstrat- Niall Lawlor, Community Out- having, for example, Autism- (QF) Pre-University Education through to an in-depth two- “At Renad, we are now children with Autism. Miller ing that you understand why reach Coordinator at Renad. friendly hours at shopping and supports children with day course for those needing being licensed to provide the said the training will include they behave as they do and He said, “Awareness of centres, cinemas and muse- Autism. more specific knowledge. necessary training using well- supporting mall-based busi- providing an environment that Autism in the community has ums has taken some time, and The aim of the visit by the “It means that children practised methods created by nesses to be Autism-friendly doesn’t overload their senses. grown. People are now very there was some skepticism at training consultants from the and adults with Autism, wher- NAS, with the aim of creating “so parents can take their chil- This training concept has been eager to have students from the start. But now those who UK’s leading charity for those ever they go, will have people an Autism-friendly commu- dren there with confidence”, shown to have value in other Renad coming to them on field have engaged it are now saying with Autism – which followed around them that understand nity. As a school for children and collaborating with hos- countries and we will be shar- trips or to have a special activ- ‘let us do it more often’, and an initial training exercise in Autism, increasing accessibil- with Autism, we want this pitals and children’s centres, ing it with the community in ity with them and they want to businesses such as supermar- 2016 – is to help enable Renad ity and inclusivity.” community to be fully acces- with organisations across Qa- Qatar.” do it well and do it right. They kets are doing it as well.” Academy’s team to provide Director of Renad Acad- sible to our students, and since tar having shown their willing- Six members of Renad’s just don’t always know how Rutter believes that Re- similar NAS-licensed training emy Sherri Miller said, “When organisations and businesses ness to support the initiative team have been trained by they should do this, so we are nad’s staff are perfectly placed to stakeholders in Qatar and we talk to businesses in Qatar, don’t necessarily have the in- The more children with Au- NAS, including Rola Ayoub looking to disperse a knowl- to provide training that can make people across the coun- they want to learn about Au- formation about how they can tism are active in the commu- Satouf, a parent trainer at Re- edge base across Qatar. help to make this happen in try more aware of Autism. tism and they want to be acces- be Autism-friendly, we can nity, the more Autism will be nad, who said: “Our role is to “Once we are all certified, Qatar.