Tuesday November 24, 2020 Rabi Al-Akhar 9, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5112 qR 2

Fajr: 4:37 am Dhuhr: 11:20 am partly cloudy Asr: 2:23 pm Maghrib: 4:45 pm High : 27°C LOW : 21°C Isha: 6:15 pm

Nation 2 Business 8 Sports 12 Kahramaa launches Electric QDB set to host first Tokyo’s head coach Vehicles and Charging virtual ‘Investment Forum Hasegawa wary of Infrastructure Guideline in Qatar’ Shenhua’s local talent

Amir appoints NHRC welcomes new envoy Amir, FIFA chief review latest developments to Russia on Qatar 2022 World Cup Ofcom’s second QNA condemnation of Doha

His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Abu Dhabi TV Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday issued Amiri QNA The NHRC said that it decision No 44 of 2020 ap- Doha considers Ofcom’s condem- pointing Sheikh Ahmed bin nation, less than one month Nasser bin Jassim Al Thani The National Human Rights after a similar statement on as Ambassador Extraordi- Committee (NHRC) on Mon- Dr Mahmoud Al Jaida’s case, nary and Plenipotentiary to day welcomed the decision of clear evidence of Abu Dhabi the Russian Federation. The the UK Office of Communica- TV and the UAE authorities’ decision is effective starting tions (Ofcom) condemning violations of basic human from its date of issue and Abu Dhabi TV channel for rights. is to be published in the broadcasting a television in- The committee said that OfficialG azette. terview that it claimed were the second decision reflects confessions of Qatari citizen the lack of professionalism Hamad Al Hammadi during of the channel and its use by his arbitrary Emirati au- arrest and im- thorities as a Qatar University prisonment in tool to cover-up board approves Abu Dhabi in human rights His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with President of the International Federation of 2013. violations and many master’s Association Football (FIFA) Gianni Infantino at the Amiri Diwan office on Monday. During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation Ofcom said to discredit Qa- relations between Qatar and FIFA, especially the latest developments related to hosting of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. They also that the chan- tari citizens by programmes discussed a number of issues related to sports. Personal Representative of HH the Amir HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani nel, a subsidi- charging them attended the meeting. (QNA) ary of Abu Dhabi Media Com- with false allegations and in- QNA pany PJSC “ADMC” which has citement against them. Doha a licence from Ofcom, broad- The committee added that casted an interview on June the decision proves, beyond His Highnes the Deputy Amir 22 of 2017 alleging they were doubt, that the governmental Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al confessions of a Qatari intelli- Abu Dhabi TV is implicated in Thani, Chairman of the Board gence agent who was discred- these practices, which forms of Trustees of Qatar University iting the UAE. a legal basis for holding the (QU), presided over the sec- Parents of infant dumped Ofcom said that broad- blockading countries’ satellite ond meeting of the Board of casting the interview against TV channels accountable in Trustees for the academic year Al Hammadi’s will, who was court, given their violations of (2020-2021). The meeting was tortured and ill-treated in human rights and journalism held via videoconference on prison, was a severe breach of ethics. Monday. at HIA identified: Probe the principles of fairness and The NHRC has been docu- The Board reviewed the privacy set out in the Ofcom menting the violations of me- implementation of its decisions Broadcasting Code. dia outlets in the blockading taken during the first meeting of Mother, who fled Qatar to her Asian country, faces 15 years in jail The decision also provided countries since the blockade, the 2020/2021. for imposing legal sanctions to sue these outlets that pose The board also discussed the QNA to that of the infant. on the channel for its serious a threat to peace and stability topics listed on its agenda and Doha The statement said that violation of articles (7.1 and for spreading hate speech and took the appropriate decisions on October 2, a new-born in- 8.1) of the Ofcom Broadcast- racism against Qatar’s citizens thereon, including the approval of An investigation into the fant was found in a plastic bag ing Code. and residents. the establishment of a number of abandoned infant case at the inside a trash can in one of master’s programmes. Hamad International Airport the toilets in the departures The new programmes are (HIA) has revealed that the lounge at Hamad Internation- the master’s of health profes- parents of the new-born baby al Airport. sional education and executive are Asians and both have been Medical attention was im- master’s in sports manage- identified. mediately provided to her and Action against 169 for not ment, while at the bachelor’s In a statement on Monday, she was then transferred to level, the Board approved the the Public Prosecution said one of the childcare centres in wearing face masks revitalisation of the Bachelor of the mother and father were Qatar. Science in Physics programme from Asian countries and it is It said the airport security The designated authorities on Monday referred 169 people to at the College of Arts and Sci- taking appropriate legal action performed its legal duty when the Public Prosecution for not wearing masks in places where ences. within the international judi- searching for the perpetrator. they are mandatory. They also referred 25 others to the Public The board also approved the cial cooperation to arrest the of the infant that was found at years imprisonment. However, some employees vi- Prosecution for violating the maximum number of four people establishment of a bachelor’s fugitive convict. the airport. The mother, while The Public Prosecution olated the procedures by sum- in a vehicle including the driver, except for cases when they programme in Mechatronics at “Investigations revealed leaving the country, threw the said the father of the infant ad- moning female medical staff at are members of one family. The measure is in line with the the College of Engineering, in that the infant’s mother, who new-born infant in the trash mitted that he had a relation- the airport to conduct external Cabinet decision, decree law no 17 of 1990 on communica- addition to the establishment of holds the nationality of an can in one of the toilets in the ship with the infant’s mother, examination of female passen- ble diseases, and the precautionary measures in force in the a sub-specialisation in engineer- Asian country, had a relation- departures lounge at the air- and that she had sent him “a gers, prior to the passengers country to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). ing project management and a ship with another person of the port and boarded the plane message and a photo of the being allowed to depart for The designated authorities called on the public to adhere to sub-specialisation in cybersecu- nationality of one of the Asian to her destination,” the state- newborn infant immediately their destination. the precautionary measures in place to ensure their safety and rity for students of the College of countries as well. This rela- ment said. The infant’s moth- after her birth.” The DNA of the safety of others. (QNA) Engineering. tionship resulted in the birth er, who is overseas, faces 15 the defendants were identical Continued on page 2  Katara dhow festival to kick off on Dec 1 Shura Council refers decree on entry and Tribune News Network residence of expatriates to its committee Doha ● The dhow festival, which will QNA The Shura Council also persons to achieve one or more Under the patronage of His continue until December 5, will Doha discussed Decree Law No 21 of purposes of charitable or public Highness the Amir of State of see participation of Qatar, Kuwait, 2020 regarding private associa- or private benefit, not with the Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Ham- Oman, Iraq and Tanzania The Shura Council, chaired by tions and institutions, which goal of making profit. ad Al Thani, the tenth edition Speaker HE Ahmed bin Abdul- comprises 58 articles defining The decree-law specifies of the Katara Traditional Dhow ● The festival will be held with all lah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, on an association as a group that the conditions for establishing Festival will be held from De- precautionary measures ensuring Monday discussed Decree Law is composed of several natural an association, the require- cember 1 with the participation the safety of everyone No 19 of 2020 amending some or legal persons who participate ments of its founding contract, of Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq provisions of Law No 21 of together in carrying out a social, its articles of association, how and Tanzania. The festival will 2015, regulating entry, exit and cultural, scientific, educational, to register it, its objectives, continue until December 5. residency of expatriates. Two or professional activity, not with the period of its license, and “The tenth edition of the ciety,” Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim and heritage forum that re- hearts of its fans and visitors,” articles of the aforementioned the goal of making profit. The aspects related to its manage- Katara Traditional Dhow Fes- Al Sulaiti, General Manager of stores maritime heritage in its he said. Law were amended. council also discussed the ment, finances, and control of tival is being launched this the Cultural Village Founda- originality, arts and tradition, The dhow festival enjoys The Shura Council then de- law defining the professional its business. year amid continuing health tion — Katara, said. through activities that con- a distinguished and distinct cided to refer the decree law to association as an association The Shura Council decided and safety precautionary “The distinguished festival tribute to culturally enriching identity highlighting authentic the Internal and External Affairs comprising the owners of one to refer the decree law to the measures against coronavirus is based on the remarkable the younger generation. The maritime traditions inspired Committee and the Services profession regulated by law; and Public Services and Utilities (COVID-19) as per the Minis- success it has achieved in the Katara Traditional Dhow Fes- by Qatar’s ancestral past. and the Public Utilities Commit- defining a private enterprise as Committee to discuss and try of Public Health protocols past decade as the most im- tival is much awaited each year tee, to discuss and submit a a private establishment set up submit a report thereon to the to protect all members of so- portant international cultural and has a special place in the Continued on page 2  report thereon to the council. by one or more natural or legal council. 02 Tuesday, November 24, 2020

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Muraikhi meets Australia, UK ambassadors Dhow festival to feature Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al contests, cultural events Muraikhi on Monday met with Ambassador Continued from page 1  ancient craft, in addition to ma- life. The festival is part of the of Australia to Qatar HE rine competitions. continuous efforts of the Cultur- Jonathan James Coulter The festival is characterised by Other events include story- al Village Foundation — Katara Muir and Ambassador a number of competitions and telling, traditional stage shows to showcase culture and herit- of the United Kingdom marine shows, besides a variety as well as Al Shoush, Al Haddaq age and in preserve the national to Qatar HE Jonathan of cultural events that reflect Qa- and Al Tafris competitions. identity.” Wilks. During the tari heritage and shed light on The Omani Folk Band will The dhow festival has part- meeting, they reviewed the ancient maritime history, present performances in the nerships with Qatar Insurance issues of common aimed at restoring culture and mornings and evenings on all -- Official Insurance Sponsor; concern. (QNA) preserving folk heritage. days of the festival. Qatar Airways -- Official Carrier; The activities include exhibi- Al Sulaiti said, “The festi- and Qatar Petroleum -- Plati- tions displaying maritime her- val over the years has been at- num Sponsor. itage collections from various tracting researchers and those The festival will receive visi- participating countries, special interested in the region for its tors from 9am to 12 noon and pavilions of traditional handi- heritage maritime paintings that from 3.30pm to 10pm on all crafts and workshops showcas- reflect customs, traditions and days. On Friday (Dec 4) it will ing ship-building process and the strong connection with sea open from 3.30pm until 11pm.

Shura Council’s Shura Council speaker participates in committees hold heads of GCC legislative councils meet first meetings The Financial and Economic Affairs of the GCC states in address- Committee of the Shura Council on The participants affirmed keenness to support co- ing the pandemic, its health and Monday held its first meeting as operation to achieve the Gulf joint desired action economic implications, and in part of the 49th regular session of restoring normal life. They em- the Council. At the outset of the phasised the importance of expe- meeting, the committee unanimous- QNA ing the foundations for interna- diting the establishment of an in- ly elected HE Ali bin Abdullatif Al Doha tional peace and security and in tegrated system and mechanisms Misnad Al Mohannadi as its rappor- defending the causes of the Arab for food, water, medicinal and teur for this session. Qatar participated in the 14th and Islamic nations, praying to health security among the GCC The Internal and External Affairs meeting of the Heads of GCC Almighty for HH Sheikh Nawaf countries, as well as of seeking Committee also held its first meet- Shura, Representatives, National Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, to to explore new sources of growth ing within the 49th regular session and Ummah Councils. The meet guide him to continue the pro- and economic sustainability. of the Council. The Committee was held via video conference on cess of comprehensive develop- The leaders decided to con- unanimously elected HE Abdullah Monday. ment in all spheres. tinue exchanging visits with the bin Fahad bin Ghorab Al Marri as its Speaker of Shura Council HE They also recalled the sig- European Parliament and work- rapporteur for this session. Mean- Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al nificant contributions and sin- ing to hold a meeting between the while, the Shura Council’s Public Mahmoud represented Qatar in cere efforts of the late HH Prince Member States’ councils and the Services and Utilities Committee on the meeting. Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. European Parliament, via video Monday held a meeting chaired by At the outset of the meet- During the meeting, the at- conferencing or on the sidelines its rapporteur HE Mohammed bin ing, heads of the GCC legislative tendees affirmed their keenness to of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Mahdi Al Ahbabi. During the meet- councils recalled the timeless support cooperation and coordina- Speaker of Shura Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al Mahmoud repre- (IPU) meetings. ing, the committee studied Decree status of late HH Sabah Al Ah- tion among the member states in sented Qatar in the meeting. They also decided to continue Law No 18 of 2020 amending mad Al Jaber Al Sabah, praising order to achieve the desired goals communication to hold meetings some provisions of the Labour Law his great contributions as one in support of the joint Gulf action. ing on selecting the topic (Emer- terprises), as the common Gulf between the Gulf councils and promulgated by Law No 14 of 2004 of the founders of the GCC, his They reviewed the memoran- gency legislation to reduce the theme for 2021. the Latin American and Caribbe- and decided to further review it in role in achieving welfare of his dum of the General Secretariat of repercussions of the coronavirus They also praised the efforts an Group on the sidelines of the its next meeting. (qna) country, and his efforts in lay- the GCC submitted to the meet- crisis on small and medium en- of the leaders and governments IPU meetings.

‘Public Prosecutor conducts extensive Diversion on Abdullah Bin Jasim Street The Public Works Authority (Ash- investigations on disposal of newborn’ ghal) will implement a minor traffic diversion on Abdulla Bin Jasim Street, Continued from page 1  The investigation plan was audio recordings and phones. said the violations committed where a distance of 200 metres will be based on summoning all rel- As for the criminal aspect by some employees of the Air- closed starting from the intersection “As soon as the Public Prosecu- evant agencies or employees of the case related to the vio- port Security Department are known as Hamad Al Kabeer Intersec- tion office was informed of the who worked in the crime scene lations by some employees as against the law and are pun- tion towards Jabber Bin Mohammad incident, the Public Prosecutor area at the airport and ques- mentioned above, extensive ishable under the Qatari Penal Street. conducted extensive investiga- tioning those in charge of the investigations revealed that Code with penalties of a maxi- Traffic will be diverted to a paral- tions, within all police agencies Airport Security Department, some employees of the Airport mum of three years in jail. lel road from Friday, November 27 and and specialised technical ex- Civil Aviation Control Tower, Security Department acted The Public Prosecution will last for one year, in coordination perts, to gather the facts of the Airport Administration and unilaterally by summoning fe- said the crime of attempting to with the General Directorate of Traffic. two incidents: the disposal of DNA examined. male medical staff to conduct kill a new-born infant immedi- The diversion aims to facilitate the the new-born infant in a trash The Public Prosecution external examination on some ately after her birth and in the implementation of infrastructure and can and the violations by some office also reviewed all cor- female passengers, thinking circumstances in which she beautification works on Abdulla Bin employees to determine what respondence and reports that that what they had done was was found is one of the most Jassim Street, as part of the Doha Cen- potential crimes were commit- officials working at the airport within the law as they are Ju- heinous crimes that is against tral Development and Beautification ted, arrest those responsible exchanged with others at that dicial Police Officers author- human values, as well as pun- Project – Package 2. and bring them to criminal time and tasked those con- ised in investigating the cir- ishable under the Qatari Penal The Public Works Authority will in- prosecution,” the statement cerned with reviewing the con- cumstances of the crime. Code with a maximum penalty stal sufficient road signage to alert road added. tent of surveillance cameras, The Public Prosecution of fifteen years. users about the closure. (TNN) Kahramaa launches Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure Guideline Tribune News Network sions in the country. Kahramaa encourages the use To download the guide for the servation and Energy Efficiency Doha The guide answers all questions of DC chargers for public places infrastructure of electric vehicle Department, and the Ministry of related to the installation of electric that take less than an hour to charging units in the State of Qatar, Transportation and Communica- Qatar General Electricity and vehicle charging units for both the charge and may reach less than half visit Kahramaa’s website: km.qa. tion represented by the Technical Water Corporation (Kahramaa), government and private sectors, an hour depending on the capacity The joint work team between Affairs Department receives many represented by the National Pro- especially with regard to the selec- of the device, which greatly affects Kahramaa and the Ministry of requests to instal charging units gram for Conservation and Energy tion of chargers, types of charging the charging time. For example, it Transportation and Communica- from different entities in the coun- Efficiency T( arsheed), has launched equipment and general specifica- is not recommended to instal AC tions issued this guideline and its try. Its role is to ensure that all re- the Electric Vehicles and Charging tions that must be available in any devices in public places that need technical specifications for charg- quests comply with the standards Infrastructure Guideline in Qatar charger, including charging capac- fast charging. For instance, a de- ers and infrastructure equipment and specifications and are in line on its website. ity, charging current, payment col- vice with a capacity of 11 kilowatts is approved by Kahramaa, the ex- with the state’s plans set in this re- The guideline comes to support lection options, screen and display, AC can only be installed in places clusive provider of electricity in gard to implement electric vehicles the establishment of the infrastruc- charge-point protocol, IP rating, where the car can be parked for a the country, as a supportive step strategy. ture regulations for electric vehi- connection quality and warranty period of more than six hours, such to inform those who wish to instal Interested entities can contact cles in the country, which will en- for hardware. as if the car owner resides in a hotel charging units for electric vehicles, the team to check requests on the courage the spread of these types of The guide also reviews the dif- or lives in one of the residential de- whether in the governmental, com- e-mail: Echargerstaskforce@motc. vehicles. This will contribute to the ferent capacities of charging sta- velopers towers who can stay over- mercial or industrial sectors. gov.qa. The team will soon an- diversification of energy sources tions and their suitability according night or wait for that long period of The joint team between Kah- nounce the online submission link and the reduction of carbon emis- to each location. time. ramaa, represented by the Con- to study all incoming applications. Nation Tuesday, November 24, 2020 03

MoCI recalls 2018-20 models of Toyota Fortuner, Prado, SC to make presentation on WC at CLOUDSEC 2020 Avalon, Corolla and Hiace Tribune News Network will make presentation on ‘Getting the biggest pain points. The survey justify cybersecurity investment (25 teams across the board. The Ministry of Commerce and In- Doha Ready for FIFA World Cup Qatar shows that they most frequently percent). “2020 is a year of profound chal- dustry, in cooperation with Abdullah 2022’ on November 24. grapple with the inability to detect When it comes to acquiring lenges for enterprises. But on the Abdulghani & Bros Co W.L.L., Toyota In the era of the coronavirus pan- “The coronavirus pandemic has and respond to advanced threats (32 hands-on experiences, respondents bright side, companies are realising dealer in Qatar, has announced the demic, digital transformation and put a strain on Middle East organisa- percent), which have seen a sharp in- are most looking forward to learning their digital potential,” said Dhanya recall of the 2018-2020 Toyota For- cloud security (79 percent) are the tions. However, it’s encouraging that crease since the pandemic started in about automated security and com- Thakkar, senior vice-president, Trend tuner, Prado, Avalon, Corolla and chart-topping topics enterprises more than three quarters of the first quarter of the year; pliance posture remediation (68%), Micro, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Hiace models due to a potential fuel want to know more about. They are them are looking to digital and the perennial short- indicating that many of them are al- Africa. “At this year’s CLOUDSEC, pump defect that may cause it to stop followed by threat and vulnerability transformation and cy- age of security skills ready operating in the cloud environ- we want to celebrate these companies working. research (62 percent) and risk and bersecurity to enable (32 percent), as cy- ment and are dealing with misconfig- and their successful effort in digitally The recall campaign is part of the compliance (49 percent), as shown remote work, and bercrimes become uration-led cybersecurity issues. As a transforming themselves. The tech in- ongoing efforts of the ministry to pro- by a pre-event survey of 2,064 busi- automate security more sophisticat- matter of fact, misconfigurations in dustry is one of the few that have not tect consumers and ensure that car ness and IT decision-makers across and properly con- ed and security the cloud are the primary cause for faltered under the weight of the pan- dealers follow up on vehicle defects Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa figure the cloud,” operations, more cloud-based cyberattacks. demic. It goes to show the important and repairs. (AMEA). said Assad Arabi, complex. Respondents are also interested of technology on business operations.” The ministry has stated that it will The survey is a precursor to Trend managing director, Other com- in tackling real-life scenarios that per- This is the 10th anniversary of coordinate with the dealer to monitor Micro’s CLOUDSEC 2020 confer- Gulf Cluster, Trend mon challenges tain to web application protection and the CLOUDSEC conference and it the maintenance and repair work and ence, one of the industry’s biggest cy- Micro. “Attendees to include getting serverless security (63 percent), a sign goes completely virtual this year. will communicate with customers to bersecurity events, taking place from our CLOUDSEC event cloud security auto- that many of them are further along Across three full days, the event will ensure that the necessary repairs are November 24 to 26. can learn best practices mation and configu- the cloud journey. The third most welcome keynote speakers from in- carried out. During the event, the Supreme in cybersecurity from the ration right (31 percent); sought-after hands-on topic revolves dustry-defining companies includ- The ministry urged all custom- Committee for Delivery & Legacy SC, which is organising one of asking for more budget for around deploying network-based vir- ing Amazon Web Services (AWS), ers to report any violations to its (SC) representatives Bashar Al Khat- the world’s largest and most innova- cybersecurity (28 percent); obtaining tual patches and intrusion prevention DXC Technology, Dyson, IAG, IBM, Consumer Protection and Anti-Com- ib, program director, Cyber Security tive mega-events.” complete visibility of threat vectors systems (IPS) (52 percent), showing IDC, Infosys, IKEA, LINE, Lotte, mercial Fraud Department, which Unit, and Khalid Al Hashemi, pro- The respondents also identify across the entire organization (26 that system vulnerabilities continue Proficio, Snyk and a mysterious eth- processes complaints, inquires and gramme officer, Cyber Security Unit, with one another when it comes to percent); and constantly having to to be a major headache for security ical hacker. suggestions. HBKU’s QCRI studies ‘With rise of social media and fake news, the impact of fasting on diabetic patients journalistic integrity more important now’ TRT World’s Shamim Chowdhury shared her story of starting as a young reporter at The Daily Express in the UK Trials conduceted in collaboration Tribune News Network now and I wouldn’t have it any to life is key. with Hamad Medical Corporation Doha other way.” “If you’re working for a Working for a large media TV network, then your words Tribune News Network With the rise of social media network means communicat- must compliment your visu- Doha and alongside it, fake news, ing with a general mass audi- als, and if you’re working in the need for truth and jour- ence, Chowdhury explained. print then you need to use Scientists from the Qatar nalistic integrity is more im- In today’s heavily populated words to evoke your reader’s Computing Research Insti- portant now than ever before, media landscape, it is very imagination,” she said. “Keep tute (QCRI) at Hamad Bin Shamim Chowdhury, TRT competitive and she told them it simple and factual, stripped Khalifa University (HBKU) World’s Asia correspondent, that they had to “create con- away from jargon…If you can conducted an investigation told students at Northwestern tent that is engaging and con- tell a good story, your viewers into the impact of fasting University Qatar (NU-Q). vince readers and viewers that and reader will be interested.” on diabetic patients during Chowdhury, a guest speaker your story is important, inter- Pizarro said that she often Ramadan. in a journalism class at North- esting and relevant to them.” invites working journalists to Working in collabora- western Qatar, shared her story Of all the lessons she her classes to give students a tion with physicians from of starting as a young reporter Shamim Chowdhury, TRT World’s Asia correspondent, speaks at the learned throughout her career chance to hear directly from Hamad Medical Corporation at The Daily Express in the UK Journalism in the Digital World class at NU-Q. in media, Chowdhury shared them what it takes to be suc- (HMC), the trial informed Faisal Farooq and then transitioning to tel- three that were invaluable to cessful. on-going research into the evision news as the deputy edi- Chowdhury spoke to the and how they can be ethical her – “know your audience “We have an incredibly use of Artificial Intelligence tor of Al Jazeera English before Journalism in the Digital and fair in their reporting. and understand what mat- global cohort of students at (AI) in the treatment of More than 60 patients with joining the Turkish news chan- World class taught by NU-Q While explaining that ters to them, tell a good story NU-Q. Giving them exposure diabetic patients wishing type 2 diabetes received a nel TRT World as the Asia cor- Professor Marcela Pizarro. climbing the career ladder in and be prepared for the risks to prominent international to fast. More than 60 pa- Fitbit to measure activity and respondent. During the class, the stu- an industry as competitive involved in reporting on an journalists from a range of dif- tients with type 2 diabetes sleep, as well as wearable Throughout her career, dents asked her questions on and challenging as journalism unfolding crisis or in hostile ferent backgrounds provides received a Fitbit to measure device that continuously mon- Chowdhury reported on global political journalism, how to takes time, she encouraged environments.” them with first-hand accounts activity and sleep, as well as itored glucose readings issues and political affairs, start in the industry, how to them to persevere. It was storytelling, how- of what their lives will be as a wearable device that con- before and during the Holy including the annexation of develop stories for broadcast “With time you will grow, ever, that she said was essen- future journalists and story- tinuously monitored glucose Month of Ramadan Crimea in 2013, the Rohingya versus print, what the safety learn and build character,” tial - being able to identify the tellers, helping them prepare readings before and during refugee crisis in 2017 and the and security precautions are she said. “Every single day news angle and combine visu- for their professional careers,” the Holy Month. Syrian Civil War since 2011. for foreign correspondents, has contributed to where I am als with words to bring a story said Pizarro. QCRI’s System for In- “It was an honour to collab- tegrated Health Analytics orate with HMC on a project (SIHA) also piloted data that undoubtedly resonates intake, visualisation and with our commitment to analysis, with additional AI tackling computing chal- MES prodigy enters world record models designed to predict lenges that positively touch possible hyper-and hypogly- upon people’s lives. cemic events. The AI models devel- book for country names recitation The results of the study oped to inform and support were reported by a paper ac- the trial have shown their Tribune News Network names of countries and their off with a huge recognition as cepted in the Journal of Dia- potential to save lives by Doha capitals. a child prodigy. betes Research and Clinical predicting low blood sugar The Indian Book of Re- Among her other talents, Practice, which concluded events during fasting. They Kesia Susan, a Class IV stu- cords and the International Kesia Susan has been able to that XGBoost, a machine also provide physicians with dent at MES Indian School, Book of Records accepted her recite names of all Indian states learning AI algorithm, had key insights into risk fac- is the fastest to recite all 195 attempt and made her the and their capitals, names of achieved high predictive tors that cause these events, countries and their capitals in fastest record holder to recite all chief ministers and Indian performance for normal and such as a patient’s treatment a record time of 2min 52 sec. all 195 countries and their prime ministers since she was hyperglycemic excursions. regimen. Doing so raises the With this exceptional feat capitals. five years old. However the same applica- prospect of protocols that and skill, she has entered the Kesia Susan hails from During the COVID-19 tion offered limited predic- take into account local cul- International Book of Re- Mavelikara, Allapuzha in the lockdown period, she began tive value for hypoglycemia tures and traditions, par- cords as a record holder for south Indian state of Kerala. to practice reciting names of in patients on multiple ther- ticularly when it comes to the fastest reciting of country Her father, John Alexander countries and their capitals for apies who were fasting dur- the observance of religious names. Manappallil, is an employee the world record. She has par- ing Ramadan. practices.” Kesia Susan John tried to at Qatargas. Her mother, ticipated in the MES Quiz in Commenting on the trial, For more information enter the World Record on Linju John Manappallil, a various Inter-School competi- Dr. Faisal Farooq, Principal on the work of Qatar Com- November 15, 2020 and suc- physiotherapist, identifiedtions. The school management Scientist and Head of Center puting Research Institute, cessfully completed the task the extraordinary talent and and the principal congratu- for Digital Health and Preci- please visit qcri.hbku.edu. of establishing a record in memory and guided her in lated her on her phenomenal sion Medicine, QCRI, said: qa the fastest recitation of the the right direction that paid accomplishment. HMC expert warns about dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning Last winter, some 100 patients were very hard to detect and people “Depending on the degree who are sleeping can die from and length of exposure, car- treated each month at HMC Emergency CO poisoning before they have bon monoxide poisoning can symptoms,” said Dr Al Essai. cause permanent brain dam- Departments for CO poisoning “Never use a gas-powered age, damage to the heart and generator indoors, including death. Many people with mild Tribune News Network partments see a significant inside a camper or tent. Never carbon monoxide poisoning Doha increase in the number of pa- burn charcoal or wood indoors, think they have food poison- tients with carbon monoxide unless it is in an approved in- ing or the flu and dismiss the Last winter, between 70 and positioning,” said Dr Galal door wood-burning appliance. symptoms. Anyone who sus- 100 patients were treated each Saleh Al Essai, an accident Never use a gas range or oven pects they have symptoms of month at Hamad Medical Cor- and emergency consultant and for heating and only use port- carbon monoxide poisoning poration’s (HMC) Emergency medical toxicologist at HMC. able gas camp stoves outdoors. must get into the fresh air im- Departments for carbon mon- Carbon monoxide is an Only use fuel-burning appli- mediately and seek emergency oxide (CO) poisoning. As the odourless, colourless, non- Dr Galal Saleh Al Essai ances such as space heaters, medical help,” Dr Al Essai cooler temperatures begin to irritating gas produced by as a result of smoke inhala- Al Essai. furnaces, charcoal grills, cook- Dr Al Essai says it is also set in, an emergency medicine the incomplete combustion the risk of CO poisoning and to tion from the burning of coal Signs and symptoms of ing ranges, water heaters, fire- important for people to use specialist at HMC is warning of carbon-based fuels. CO is take extra precautions. Some and wood in enclosed areas. CO poisoning may include a places, portable generators and caution when working with the public about the dangers found in fumes produced by people burn coal or wood in- And there are other sources of dull headache, weakness, diz- wood-burning stoves in prop- solvents in a closed area. of burning charcoal and wood furnaces, vehicles, portable side their homes to stay warm carbon monoxide poisoning ziness, nausea or vomiting, erly vented spaces. Speak up Methylene chloride, a solvent inside their home. generators, stoves, lanterns, during the winter months and that people may be unaware shortness of breath, confu- when they see something un- commonly found in paint and “CO exposure is respon- gas ranges and burning char- are unaware of the danger of, including smoking shisha. sion, blurred vision and loss of safe. It is essential that we all varnish removers, can break sible for more unintentional coal or wood. and the risk of CO poisoning. The charcoal used to heat the consciousness. work together as a community down (metabolize) into car- poisonings than any other “With the colder season Sadly, we see deaths each year tobacco in a hookah gives off “CO can build up in en- to raise awareness about the bon monoxide when inhaled agent, and during the colder approaching, it is very impor- as a result of carbon monox- potentially toxic amounts of closed or partially enclosed dangers of CO poisoning,” said and can cause carbon monox- months our Emergency De- tant for people to be aware of ide poisoning and specifically carbon monoxide,” added Dr spaces very quickly. It can be Dr Al-Essai. ide poisoning. 04 Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Nation QFFD, Cambodian ministry sign pact to provide children with good education

Tribune News Network projects in Cambodia is a sup- Doha port for the right of children deprived of education as well Qatar Fund for Development as supporting a programme (QFFD) has signed a memoran- to improve access to equitable dum of understanding (MoU) and high-quality education with Ministry of Education, in Cambodia. It is a key step Youth and Sports in Cambodia in our continuous efforts to to support the implementation support registering children, of Education Above All Foun- providing educational oppor- dation’s (EAA) project aimed at tunities and quality education improving access to equitable for those who are deprived of quality education in Cambodia. Director General of QFFD Khalifa primary education, especially The virtual agreement was Jassim Al-Kuwari Qatari Ambassador Mohamed Ismail Al Emadi HE Dr HANG Chuon Naron for vulnerable and marginal- signed by QFFD Director-Gen- ised groups in Cambodia. eral Khalifa bin Jassim Al Ku- project for a programme to dren deprived of primary edu- vulnerable and marginalised Out-of-School Children. port and livelihood support “Despite the real progress wari and, Minister of Education, improve access to equitable cation in remote areas where groups deprived of primary Schools in 25 provinces in for families will be supported. that Cambodia has witnessed Youth and Sports in Cambodia and high-quality education schools are only long-distance education, especially in areas Cambodia will be supported Schools will be constructed in achieving universal primary Dr Hang Chhuon Naron. The for children in Cambodia. It walking of more than two and of poverty, conflict and natural through the projects’ focus and rehabilitated. education, the sector still faces signing ceremony was also at- will be implemented by our a half hours.” disasters. Studies by the UNE- on equitable access, quality The programme addition- multiple challenges, includ- tended by Qatar’s Ambassador strategic partner EAA. This Education Above All Foun- SCO have shown that there are education, ownership and ac- ally aims to train teachers, pro- ing migration, child labour and to Vietnam HE Mohammed Is- programme seeks to develop dation, through its programme about 190,043 out-of-school countability. The project’s in- vide educational materials and poverty that threaten the gains mail Al Emadi and CEO of EAA schools for children deprived Educate a Child, in partner- children of primary school age terventions will be implement- build learning and educational achieved during the initial phase Fahd bin Hamad Al Sulaiti. of education in Southeast Asia. ship with United Nations, in Cambodia. In the second ed jointly with the Ministry of capacities of the players in of the project. We are pleased to Speaking about the impor- It further targets more than global, international and local phase of this project, more Education, Youth and Sports education to meet the needs of be working with a strong consor- tance of the agreement, Ku- 100,000 out-of-school Cambo- organisations, provides educa- than half of them (116,396) will in Cambodia. special population groups. tium of global partners that take wari said, “The MoU aims to dian children. We hope that it tional opportunities and qual- be reached in cooperation with The project’s interventions, EAA CEO said, “The decisive steps towards capacity support a phased educational will reduce the number of chil- ity education for children from the Cambodian Consortium for scholarships, in-kind sup- QFFD’s support for education building. QRCS delivers food baskets and hygiene kits to families hit by COVID-19 in Kosovo

Tribune News Network Society’s volunteers distributed preserving dignity. Doha food baskets and hygiene kits to The project is part of QRCS’s 271 financially affected families in initiative to back the fellow Nation- Qatar Red Crescent Society 26 municipalities across the coun- al Societies in 22 countries across (QRCS) has completed a project to try. six continents, aimed at protecting combat the coronavirus (COVID-9) Kosovo has one of the highest 320,000 persons against the virus, pandemic in Kosovo by supporting poverty rates in eastern Europe. with a total budget of QR2,236,827. the families worst affected by the According to the Kosovo Agency These countries are Palestine, virus. of Statistics and the World Bank, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Ta- The project is aimed at meeting 5.2 percent of the population live jikistan, Mongolia, Laos, Vanuatu, the basic food and hygiene needs in extreme poverty. The overall Ethiopia, Chad, Senegal, Maurita- of the families living in quaran- unemployment rate is very high at nia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Sierra Leo- QRCS, QFFD work to tined areas, widowed women with 30.5 percent. ne, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, orphaned children, lonely elderly The number of people affected Venezuela, El Salvador, Peru and people without care, and poor fam- or killed by the coronavirus has so Panama. ilies. far been insignificant, but the eco- The list of activities conducted improve health system The Red Cross of Kosovo un- nomic damage is more obvious. by QRCS in support of those coun- dertook the purchase of food and The number of poor families tries includes provision of equip- hygiene items through bidding seeking help from the Red Cross of ment and supplies for health fa- from suppliers. They also conduct- Kosovo is quite large, with the cur- cilities, provision of medicines and in northern Syria areas ed socioeconomic studies to select rent situation causing even more to medical supplies, protection for the priority families as beneficiar- apply for emergency assistance. medical professionals and volun- ies under the relevantly applicable This project is a lifeline for teers, provision of food and shelter Tribune News Network centre support organisations are April 2020 and will run until May regulations. those living hardly hand-to-mouth, for families worst affected by loss Doha invited to participate in entry pro- 2022, with the completion of the In the presence of Agron Hu- saving them from total lack of sub- of income, and provision of protec- cesses using a single framework, in training and qualifications of per- molli, secretary-general of the Red sistence through QRCS’s humani- tive supplies (masks, gloves, sani- With support from the Qatar Fund collaboration with the Health Clus- sonnel, the completion of the in- Cross of Kosovo, the host National tarian mission of saving lives and tisers, etc.). for Development (QFFD), the Qa- ter monitored by the World Health frastructure and the unified health tar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) Organization (WHO in Turkey, in system. It is of direct benefit to is introducing a programme to line with its approved indicators. health information system teams strengthen health information col- QRCS provides technological as- working at health directorates, lection, analysis, and management sistance through training seminars data entry, medical staff at health systems in northern Syria. and courses for health directorate facilities, and to the organizations Under the QUEST Health 2020 employees. It also manages servers managing them. By extension, the initiative, the programme aims to and databases on a regular basis, project would cross a population of help and motivate the health infor- identifies and fixes problems, and 4-million in the region. mation system of health directo- makes changes to ensure the opti- The northern part of Syria is rates and humanitarian organisa- mised usage of system resources. home to over 4 million locals and tions working in the northern part The system issues daily health displaced people. There are many of the country. reports in northern Syria, includ- health centers and hospitals, but The two-year programme is part ing reliable data and statistics. This they are controlled by different of a life-saving medical assistance helps to identify the basic needs of management or organizations. initiative for Syrian women and the health system and the monitor- They lack a unified information children. A further programme of ing and evaluation processes that system that includes and organises the project includes capacity build- are then shared with all partners and all entries in a meaningful way. In ing for doctors and health workers. stakeholders, with a view to improv- response, health directorates in Its tasks include providing tech- ing medical services and providing northern Syria, supported by the nical assistance to the establish- real indicators for the allocation of WHO, have begun to set up a uni- ment of a central health information support based on existing needs. fied health care system to improve system in northern Syria. All health The project was launched in health conditions in the region. QC delivers aid to 1,370 families Ooredoo offers 20% discount on unlimited affected by floods in Pakistan internet packs for 2020-21 camping season Ooredoo has announced an ex- Tribune News Network citing new promotion to celebrate Doha the start of the 2020/2021 camping season. Qatar Charity (QC), with the sup- With wonderful camping op- port of philanthropists in Qatar, dis- portunities in abundance in Qatar, tributed relief aid to 1,370 families many citizens and residents enjoy affected by floods in Dadu District of the outdoors in the cooler months. Sindh in Pakistan, in close coordina- In order to allow customers to stay tion with the district authorities. connected and enjoy entertainment The aid included 170 tents for with their families while camping, those who lost homes, in addition Ooredoo offers world-class enter- to 1,200 hygiene kits to prevent the tainment benefits as well as dis- spread of infectious diseases. counts on plan prices with its Data During the implementation of the SIM 5G plans. choose their preferred entertain- Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, Direc- relief project, QC focused on the most New customers who subscribe ment benefit and redeem the offer. tor PR at Ooredoo, said: “Our beau- vulnerable families, orphans, people August 2020, had created a floods QC distributed 200 winter kits, to one of Ooredoo’s Data SIM 5G L, Plan price discounts are applied au- tiful country is full of incredible sites with special needs, female-headed situation in Karachi, Hyderabad, two ambulances, medical equipment XL or MAX plans will have access tomatically. just perfect for camping, and the households and the poorest families. Shaheed Benazirabad and Dadu. Johi and medicines for the health depart- to premium entertainment benefits To make the most of the amaz- cooler weather means we can now The beneficiaries expressed grati- Taluka in Dadu District as well as the ment in Mirpur, in addition to 80 where they can receive subscriptions ing 5G network, customers can also get outdoors and enjoy them. Our tude to the donors in Qatar for ex- districts of Badin, Mirpur Khas and small and medium-size income-gen- as a gift to one of the following con- access the new 5G device, the NET- Data SIM 5G plans already repre- tending support at the time of adver- Umer Kot were greatly affected by the erating projects. Besides, it had im- tent providers; Netflix, OSN Stream- GEAR Nighthawk M5, featuring an sent excellent value for money with sity when they have lost their homes, floods. plemented relief food projects in Nee- ing loaded with Disney+ and HBO, intuitive touch screen and parental awesome service, and adding world- livestock and crops due to the devas- QC had earlier provided relief aid lum, benefiting hundreds of families. STARZ PLAY, or beIN CONNECT. access controls. The device can be class entertainment benefits with tating floods. to the people affected by various cri- The National Disaster Manage- In addition, customers will also managed via the NETGEAR mobile plan price discounts only makes The aid is part of QC’s continued ses and disasters in Pakistan. It deliv- ment Authority (NDMA), a gov- get 20% off the plan price for three app, which allows you to view the sta- them even more appealing. We humanitarian role and relief initia- ered assistance to the earthquake-hit ernment institution in Pakistan, months if they purchase their Data tus of your connection, settings and hope everyone takes the time to en- tives in various countries. people in Jammu and Kashmir last honoured QC in recognition of its hu- SIM 5G through the Ooredoo eShop. data usage using your smartphone or joy the best of the camping season, Heavy rainfall, which started in July, benefiting 245,000 people, at a manitarian and development efforts Customers simply need to log in tablet. Customers can access the de- enhanced by this latest offer from Sindh and Baluchistan provinces in total cost of QR1.8 million. in the country. to their Ooredoo App to view and vice via the Ooredoo eShop. Ooredoo.” (TNN) World Tuesday, November 24, 2020 05

News Turkey condemns German in brief 26,000 child casualties between 2005 and 2019 in Afghanistan, says report search on Libya-bound ship Kabul: The conflicts in Afghanistan have killed and wounded 26,025 children between 2005 to 2019, Britain-based char- ity Save the Children said in a report released on Monday. In The German soldiers found only biscuits and other humanitarian aid headed to the Libyan port of Misrata 2019 alone 874 children were killed and 2,275 others were wounded in Afghanistan - a number that consists of 30 per AFP ignores shipments sent to cent of the total killed or maimed children in conflict-hit zones Istanbul Libya’s eastern strongman across the world, the group said. Khalifa Haftar -- especially by These children, according to the report, were killed and Turkey on Monday said the the United Arab Emirates -- wounded as a result of the direct conflicts between pro- and German navy had conducted who also enjoyed the backing anti-government forces. an “unauthorised” search on a of Russia, Egypt and France. Earlier a report by the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Turkish-flagged vessel in a bid Libya has endured al- said that in the first nine months of this year a total of 5,939 to enforce an arms embargo most a decade of violence civilians were killed and wounded - 31 per cent of whom were on Libya but only found hu- since the 2011 NATO-backed children. (dpa) manitarian aid. uprising that toppled and The European Union’s killed veteran dictator Operation Irini, tasked with Moamer Kadhafi. Pakistan closes schools for more than a enforcing a United Nations But there have been signs month after coronavirus surge arms embargo on Libya, is- of progress, with last month’s sued no immediate comment ceasefire formally ending Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday announced the closure of all but the German defence min- fighting betweenH aftar’s educational institutions for more than a month as a second istry said Turkey had not ob- forces and the Tripoli-based wave of coronavirus sweeps through the country and places jected to the inspection when GNA. further burdens on the fragile health care system. it began. EU powers involved in From Wednesday, all schools, colleges, universities and Is- The Turkish foreign min- efforts to end the conflict in lamic seminaries would be closed until January 10, Education istry said a German frigate Libya -- including France Minister Shafqat Mahmood said in the capital Islamabad. stopped and searched a com- and Germany -- issued a joint Educational institutions would switch to online classes in mercial vessel without permis- statement Monday threat- the month before the December 25-January 10 holiday period, sion on Sunday evening off the ening sanctions against “all the minister said. The closure comes on the heels of a govern- coast of Greece’s Peloponne- Libyan and international par- ment decision last month to reintroduce some restrictions, sus peninsula. A screen grab captured from a video shows German soldiers searching staff members of a Turkish cargo ties” that harm the strife-torn like the mandatory wearing of face masks and putting virus Footage filmed bythe ves- ship at east Mediterranean sea on Monday. (afp) country’s peace process. hotspots under lockdown. (dpa) sel’s crew -- and aired repeat- Their statement said they edly on Turkish television EU threatens ‘measures’ against ter Turkey did not register an were “ready to take measures -- showed a quarrel between objection to the search four against those who obstruct” India top court slams states for virus crew members and armed parties obstructing Libya peace hours after it was announced. the process, plunder state surge, warns December may be worse German soldiers who landed He added that the decision funds or commit rights abus- on the ship aboard a helicop- Paris: European states involved in efforts to end the conflict for the search had not been es. New Delhi: India’s Supreme Court on Monday excoriated ter. in Libya on Monday threatened sanctions against any parties taken by the command of the Operation Irini’s official regional governments including New Delhi over the surge in The soldiers stayed on that harm the fragile peace process. Britain, France, Germany German frigate but rather website says it reserves the Covid-19 cases and warned the situation could worsen further board into the early hours of and Italy in a joint statement urged “all Libyan and international the EU mission’s command right to board ships with- if authorities did not effectively deal with the pandemic. Monday, finding only biscuits parties to refrain from any parallel and uncoordinated initiative” in Rome, and the search was out permissions on so-called The court which took up the issue on its own, sought sta- and other humanitarian aid that risked undermining the UN-led efforts. Their statement said aborted when Ankara object- “friendly approaches”. tus reports from New Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Assam, headed to the Libyan port of they were “ready to take measures against those who obstruct” ed. No contraband was found. In June, a French frig- which have recorded a spike in cases, about the management Misrata, Turkish media re- the process, plunder state funds or commit rights abuses. It “Everything went exactly ate under NATO command of patients and steps taken to ease the situation. “We are ports said. did not name other states but Europe has in the past accused according to protocol,” a Ger- sought to inspect a Tanzani- hearing of a huge spike in the current month. We want a latest The Turkish foreign minis- both Russia and Turkey of interfering in Libya. Moscow has been man foreign ministry spokes- an-flagged cargo ship suspect- status report from all states. Worse things may happen in De- try said it was protesting “this accused of backing mercenaries fighting theU N-backed Tripoli woman added. ed of smuggling arms to Libya cember if states aren’t well prepared,” the three-judge bench unauthorised action, which Government of National Accord (GNA) while Turkey has deployed Turkey, which backs Lib- in violation of a UN embargo. said, according to broadcaster NDTV. The judges were particu- was carried out using force”. its military as well as drones to back the GNA. (afp) ya’s western UN-recognised Paris then complained larly concerned about Delhi, which has been topping India in The German defence min- Government of National Ac- that one of its ships was sub- the number of infections and deaths. “What extra efforts are istry in Berlin, however, of- cord (GNA), views the EU jected to radar targeting by you taking? ... Delhi has to answer a lot of things,” the judges fered a differing account. ers that soldiers abseiled onto about 200 kilometres (120 mission as biased. Turkish frigates while trying told Delhi government lawyers in court. (dpa) A spokesman told report- the ship from a helicopter miles) north of Benghazi af- Ankara believes the EU to inspect the cargo.

Yemen’s Houthis Saudi denies reported claim attack on Saudi oil facility talks between Crown in Jeddah Prince, Netanyahu

dpa AFP ham Accords, were brokered by the Sana’a Riyadh administration of US President Don- ald Trump, who leaves office in less Yemen’s Houthi rebels said on Saudi Arabia on Monday denied than two months. Monday they have hit a Saudi oil Israeli media reports of landmark Kan’s diplomatic correspondent facility in the coastal city of Jed- talks between Prime Minister Ben- said that Pompeo, who was in Israel dah, though there has been no jamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince last week before travelling onto Sau- confirmation from Saudi Arabia. Mohammed bin Salman during a di during a regional tour, was also A missile hit a distribution visit by US Secretary of State Mike at the reported talks in the planned station operated by the king- Pompeo. Red Sea city of NEOM. dom’s oil giant Aramco, Houthi “I have seen press reports about Netanyahu’s office was not im- spokesman Mohamed Abdul- a purported meeting between HRH mediately available to comment on Salam said. the Crown Prince and Israeli of- the reports, and the US State De- The attack “was very accu- ficials during the recent visit by @ partment declined to weigh in on the rate,” he said. SecPompeo,” Saudi Foreign Minis- issue. In September 2019, two ter Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in The reports had set off a flurry Aramco facilities were at- a tweet. of commentary on what would have tacked, temporarily disrupting “No such meeting occurred. The been a major step forward in the crude production in the king- only officials present were American Arab world’s engagement with Israel. dom. and Saudi.” There has been widespread The monarchy and the allied Israeli public broadcaster Kan speculation, within Israel and the United States blamed the attacks and other outlets had reported that United States, that Washington may on Iran, which denied involve- the meeting took place Sunday, push for other Arab states to join the ment. Yemen’s Iran-linked Hou- weeks after the Jewish state reached Abraham Accords before President- this rebels claimed the attacks. historic deals to normalise ties with elect Joe Biden is sworn in. Saudi Arabia leads a military two Saudi allies, the United Arab A similar deal with Saudi Arabia alliance which has been fighting Emirates and Bahrain. would be the ultimate diplomatic the rebels in Yemen since 2015. Those deals, known as the Abra- prize for Israel. Tigray leader tells Ethiopian PM his people are ‘ready to die’ AFP Abiy -- last year’s Nobel Peace captured key towns to the north and Addis Ababa Prize winner -- on Sunday called on south. the TPLF to surrender peacefully The army has threatened a “no The leader of Ethiopia’s dissident within three days, saying they were mercy” tank assault on the TPLF Tigray region said Monday that his “at a point of no return”. leadership in Mekele, warning ci- people were “ready to die” defend- But the TPLF’s leader Debretsion vilians to leave while they still can, ing their homeland, rejecting Prime Gebremichael said Abiy was trying to raising concerns among rights activ- Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ultimatum cover for setbacks his army had suf- ists. that they surrender within 72 hours. fered against Tigrayan forces, and “Treating a whole city as a mili- Abiy launched a military cam- was issuing threats to buy time. tary target would not only (be) un- paign against the Tigray People’s “He doesn’t understand who we lawful, it could also be considered a Liberation Front (TPLF) on No- are. We are people of principle and form of collective punishment,” Hu- vember 4, accusing it of attacking ready to die in defence of our right man Rights Watch researcher Laeti- two federal military camps in the to administer our region,” Debret- tia Bader wrote on Twitter. northern region, as well as defying sion told AFP via WhatsApp. Abiy urged the people of Me- and seeking to destabilise his gov- A communications blackout in kele to side with the national army ernment. the region has made claims from against the TPLF, “in bringing this The federal army says its forces both sides difficult to verify. treasonous group to justice”. are within 60 kilometres (37 miles) Brigadier General Tesfaye Hundreds of people are reported of Mekele, the Tigrayan capital and Ayalew, as quoted by state-affiliated to have been killed in nearly three seat of the TPLF, ahead of a threat- Fana Broadcasting Corporate on weeks of fighting which has seen ened all-out bombardment of the Monday, said that federal troops warplanes bomb the region and city of half a million people. were “marching into Mekele” having tanks enter the fray. 06 Tuesday, November 24, 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

Heed CDC On Holidays, Not The Radiologist Who Should Newsom Choose Americans must avoid indoor gatherings to celebrate Thanksgiving in view of alarming surge in COVID-19 As Kamala Harris’ Successor? cases. They should know that Trump’s advisor on coronavirus is a radiologist, not an expert epidemiologist Gavin Newsom should pick himself to succeed Harris, say some but some feel the California governor would do well to create history by choosing a n the three months since President woman of colour, a Latino or a member of LGBT Donald Trump made Dr Scott Atlas I— a radiologist, not an epidemiolo- gist or specialist in infectious diseases George Skelton — his favorite source of ideas on how to Tribune News Service respond to the coronavirus pandemic, the United States has been racked with aybe Gov. Gavin Newsom should just a record-setting third surge of virus choose himself to replace Vice Pres- cases, with record daily deaths expected ident-elect Kamala Harris in the US. in coming days. The president, his wife Senate. and youngest son have all been infect- MThat’s the thinking of Willie Brown, a fellow ed, as well as his eldest son, who lives former San Francisco mayor and Democratic el- elsewhere. The president had to be hos- der statesman. It’s not a bad idea. pitalized. And White House gatherings I mean, how much fun is it to be California’s became “superspreader” events. It is governor these days? hardly a coincidence the pandemic got Well, probably more fun than it would be to worse after Atlas captured Trump’s ear. reported that they had chosen to shun move your family to Washington, D.C., and be- Atlas, a senior fellow at Stanford Atlas because nothing was to be gained come a junior one-of-100 in a fractured chamber University’s Hoover Institution, came by working with a nonexpert with no that will most probably still be controlled by Re- to Trump’s attention in Fox News ap- relevant background who challenges publicans. pearances when he said what Trump public health orthodoxy at every turn. But in Sacramento, the governor is bogged wanted to hear — questioning the im- For one example of the danger down fighting the surging pandemic and an- portance of wearing masks, flatly op- posed by Atlas to Americans, Trump gering voters no matter what he does. He’ll be posing state lockdowns and suggesting has for months emphasized the Atlas wrestling an unstable boom-and-bust revenue that the threat posed by COVID-19, the theme that the declining rate of COV- situation as the state’s economy suffers from a Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint a successor to Kamala Harris, the vice president-elect. disease caused by the coronavirus, was ID-19 deaths shows how good the ad- pandemic-induced recession. He may need to limited to the elderly, the sick and the ministration’s pandemic response has butcher some popular programs. And he can’t fornia governor is too powerful and prestigious a to run for the job and hold it until voters elected immuno-compromised. been. Instead, the rate of deaths has seem to get a grip on homelessness. job to voluntarily give up. a replacement. Then the governor wouldn’t be With the country at a crossroads gone down as doctors and researchers So why not jump jobs by grabbing a coveted And although it wouldn’t be as easy as se- anointing someone and gifting a huge advantage and pandemic deaths soaring past have figured out ways to slow COV- Senate seat? He’d resign and be appointed by his lecting himself without needing to be elected by of incumbency for the election campaign. 250,000, Atlas may be at his most dan- ID-19’s progression and keep patients successor, Democratic Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. voters, California’s other Senate seat is almost “Leveling the playing field and letting voters gerous: Now he’s taking on the Centers off ventilators. “If I were Newsom, that’s the first thing I certain to be open in 2024. Sen. Dianne Feinstein pick Harris’ replacement themselves would be for Disease Control and Prevention. On But the disease’s health conse- would do,” Brown told me. “I’m 53 and I have will be up for reelection and she’ll be 91. Everyone in line with our democratic ideals,” Schnur says. Nov 16, he urged Americans to carry quences remain devastating. The Mayo ambition. And I have a friend who is already vice expects her to retire. Newsom would be in the “And it would take Newsom off the hook.” on with their Thanksgiving gatherings Clinic warns that a significant number president and she’ll probably be the ‘first’ Califor- middle of his second term — a good time to run Rose Kapolczynski, who was former Demo- with this blithely fatalistic remark on of people who had a brush with COV- nian. But I would like to be the ‘second’ Califor- for the Senate from a position of power. cratic Sen. Barbara Boxer’s longtime political Fox News: “For many people, this is ID-19 suffer symptoms for months after nian. I could live longer in that status as a senator But now he needs to fill the Harris seat. strategist, says “the safest path for Newsom is to their final Thanksgiving, believe it or that lead to long-term health problems than as a governor. So, I would be playing practi- There’s speculation about many wannabes. appoint a caretaker and let the dozen likely can- not. What are we doing here (by calling with the lung, heart and brain — a point cal” politics. But the consensus shortlist is headed by Secre- didates make their case to the voters in 2022. It on people to stay home)?” Trump and Atlas never acknowledge. Brown is referring to the fact that being gov- tary of State Alex Padilla, 47; Atty. Gen. Xavier would be a vigorous Democratic primary. This prompted a scathing re- Think of them and their families. ernor is a term-limited job. You’re booted after Becerra, 62, and US Rep. Karen Bass, 67, of Los “But Newsom isn’t known for taking the safe sponse from former CDC Director Tom No matter how eager we all are for two four-year terms. Senator is potentially a life- Angeles. path. He’s more likely to make a bold, history- Frieden, one of many health officials traditional holiday experiences built long job if you can keep getting reelected to six- If Newsom picked either of the state office- making choice.” urging quiet holidays this year. “It may around our extended families, please year terms. holders, he’d get a bonus by also being able to The caretaker idea makes sense. Who would well be the last Thanksgiving for many think twice. If you must gather, heed the But whoever replaces Harris in the Senate choose their successors. be a good caretaker and promise not to run for of our loved ones if we follow this bad CDC and have celebrations outdoors will need to run for election in 2022 if that person Newsom prioritizes making history. And with the office? Some retired pol who was old of age advice,” he tweeted about Atlas. “We and practice social distancing. Don’t wants to keep the office. How receptive would either Padilla or Becerra, he would be choosing but still mentally agile and tired of running. can PREVENT deaths from COVID. heed the radiologist who may know a voters be to Newsom if he walked off his guber- California’s first Latino senator — in a state where Maybe former Gov. Jerry Brown, 82; former Unless we change our plans, family lot about CT scans and MRIs but whose natorial post after manning it for only two years? Latinos have become the largest ethnic group. D.C. all-star Leon Panetta, 82 (congressman, celebrations over Thanksgiving could prominence in the pandemic response Brown noted that if Newsom remains gover- With Bass, Newsom would be replacing a White House chief of staff, Defense secretary), or mean funerals by New Year’s.” is solely because he reinforces President nor, he’ll need to run for reelection in 2022 any- Black woman with another Black woman, which Willie Brown, 86. CDC’s Dr. Erin Sauber-Schatz, cit- Trump’s denial of the seriousness of the way. Brown says the governor should do if he appoints “I couldn’t afford it,” Willie Brown says. A ing the million-plus new cases the US worst US public health crisis in more “There’d be fewer negatives associated with anyone. senator is paid $174,000 a year. Brown makes is seeing a week, said it remained pro- than a century. Let’s all be thankful being senator than with running the state of Cali- He’s under heavy pressure to name someone more consulting and sitting on corporate boards. foundly risky to spend significant time for promising vaccines, hope for their fornia,” Brown said. “He has to deal with wild- who’s Latino, Black or Asian American, and pref- You can expect Newsom to use all his power indoors with even a handful of visiting quick and safe arrival, and pray that fires, deal with COVID, deal with budget prob- erably another woman. He could also make his- and have fun filling the seat with a political ally — family members. “The safest way to Jan. 20 arrives and a sense of urgency lems, the downturn of the economy.” tory by appointing the first LGBTQ senator from most likely Padilla. celebrate Thanksgiving this year is at is restored at the White House with- Brown preceded Newsom as San Francis- California. home with the people in your house- out tens of thousands more Americans co mayor and was a legendary state Assembly “Unless he can find a multiracial woman in a (Political columnist George Skelton hold,” she said. The federal govern- dead. The need to approach the coming speaker, holding that powerful post longer than same-sex relationship, he’s going to disappoint has covered government and politics ment’s two most prominent pandemic holidays with a sense of shared sacrifice anyone in history. He was the first Black Califor- some people,” says Dan Schnur, a USC and UC for nearly 60 years and for The Times fighters — Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deb- is clear. We and our nation must rise to nia speaker and is one of the state’s all-time most Berkeley political science professor who was Gov. since 1974. He has been a Times political orah Birx — not only agree, NBC News the occasion. skillful politicians. Pete Wilson’s chief spokesman. writer and editor in Los Angeles, But it’s highly unlikely Newsom will follow Schnur thinks Newsom should consider ap- Sacramento bureau chief and White (tribune news Service) Brown’s advice about the Senate seat. Being Cali- pointing a “caretaker” who would promise not House correspondent) A Vaccine Won’t End The Pandemic In Rural America COVID-19 could linger for years in rural areas — just as influenza did a century ago

Tara C Smith closings. The virus took its time percolating The situation in rural areas is likely to and that Biden appears to support. Vaccines Tribune News Service through the United States, as it did through get worse before it gets better. Hospitals produced by Moderna and Pfizer could re- many parts of world. And for years after in- in these regions (if there are hospitals at ceive emergency authorization as early as lmost every year, I make a pilgrimage fluenza was mostly eliminated in major cit- all) are smaller and have fewer resources the end of this year. But the Pfizer vaccine to a little town on Lake Huron in north- ies, smaller outbreaks continued to occur, than metropolitan facilities. As a result, a must be kept at ultracold temperatures to Aeast Michigan, where my family has va- mainly in rural areas that had been spared flood of COVID-19 patients can easily over- stay viable, meaning that it will be hard to cationed since my mother was a child. Not the initial deadly waves. whelm them. And with rising infection rates administer far from cities. “Early, when we far from the quaint, two-block downtown, In May, I warned in Foreign Affairs that straining the healthcare system across the don’t have lots of doses, I frankly do not with its ice cream parlors and tourist cloth- the coronavirus pandemic in rural America country, rural hospitals may not be able to anticipate that vaccine will be widely avail- ing shops, sits an old lighthouse marked would lag behind the pandemic in urban transfer critically ill patients to larger, more able in every rural community,” Dr Amanda with a terribly sad plaque. The plaque tells areas and that it would be “slower, steadier, urban ones. Cohn, chief medical officer for the Centers the story of Blanche Deckett, the daughter and likely to continue for a longer period of The US is averaging an incredible for Disease Control’s Vaccine Task Force, of a lighthouse keeper, who died a century time.” That is what has happened so far. Af- An anti-Trump billboard in Concord, Wisconsin. 170,000 new cases per day, with no slow- said on a November 3 phone call with rural ago during the influenza pandemic. Deckett ter initial outbreaks in the spring that were down in sight. Assuming a lag between case officials and health-care providers. had come from out of town to visit her fa- mostly clustered around specific industry- or other public places, even as COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalisation of about two Vaccine distribution also presupposes ther with her three young children, two of related hot spots—including meatpacking transmission spiraled out of control. North weeks, roughly 1.5 million newly infected that people are willing to be vaccinated. whom suddenly fell ill. The youngest, only plants, nursing homes, and jails—many ru- Dakota also resisted restrictions to curb people have yet to reach the stage of illness But potential COVID-19 vaccines have been two years old, remained well and fetched ral areas are now experiencing widespread the spread of the virus, although Governor where they might require medical attention highly politicized. COVID-19 may continue water for his sick family members. But community transmission. The virus took Doug Burgum finally mandated masks and at already overburdened hospitals. And the to circulate in rural areas into 2021 and be- Deckett eventually succumbed to pneumo- longer to reach these areas, but now it is restricted bar and restaurant capacity last holidays are certain to bring more sickness yond, even as cities get the virus under con- nia, and her body was carried from the light- making up for lost time. week. The per capita death rate in the Dako- and death. trol through a combination of vaccination house across the frozen bay and into town Rural areas are less likely to have man- tas is now among the highest in the world, President-elect Joe Biden has prom- and nonpharmaceutical interventions such for burial. dated that residents wear masks, and even and hospitals in both states are rapidly fill- ised to implement more aggressive policies as mask use, targeted business closures, and Deckett didn’t die during the first or in those areas that have mask mandates, ing up. In North Dakota, nurses are in such to curb transmission until a vaccine can be test-and-trace efforts done in conjunction second wave of influenza in 1918, or even residents are less likely to comply. Take the short supply that the state has allowed those distributed. But how rural Americans will with isolation and quarantine. COVID-19 during the third wave in early 1919. She died tragic case of South Dakota, where cases be- who have tested positive but are asympto- respond to these measures remains to be was slower to reach small towns and rural in early 1920, when the pandemic finally gan to rise after an August motorcycle rally matic to continue working—a controversial, seen. Many Republican governors have al- regions of the United States, and it is likely arrived in the tiny town in northeast Michi- in Sturgis. Governor Kristi Noem steadfast- untested policy that could accelerate the ready rejected the nationwide mask man- to linger longer in these communities, just gan, sparking a rush of illnesses and school ly refused to require masks in businesses spread of the virus. date that Dr Anthony Fauci has suggested as influenza did more than a century ago.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Tuesday, November 24, 2020 07 Athens hospitals preparing ‘for the worst’ with virus second wave

AFP quiring emergency intubation be much more difficult”, Plem- eight daily but is now surpass- Athens had reached 540 patients. menos said. ing 100 on some days. “We have not reached the An increase of the number Since the beginning of Athens hospitals are moni- peak of the pandemic in Greece We have not reached the of patients requiring intuba- the pandemic in February in toring a surge in virus cases yet, the situation can become peak of the pandemic in tion has already alarmed health Greece, around 1,630 peo- in Greece’s second city Thes- worse and the pressure will authorities. ple have died with more than saloniki and preparing “for the be worse, too,” said Andreas Greece yet, the situation can “There is a geometric 91,600 infected. worst” as they expect an over- Plemmenos, head of Voula become worse and the growth. Unfortunately be- Plemmenos said for the flow of cases, director of a top Hospital, one of the biggest in pressure will be worse, too tween 30 percent to 40 percent numbers of cases to fall, “at Athens hospital told AFP. Athens. of people in intensive care will least 20 days should pass” In Thessaloniki, only four Greece’s government on Andreas Plemmenos, head of die, that’s why we are con- after the start of the second percent of beds remain vacant Friday requisitioned two pri- Voula Hospital cerned,” Plemmenos said. lockdown imposed in early in intensive care units and that vate clinics in Thessaloniki, the One month ago, Greece had November. figure is just over 20 percent in city worst hit in Greece. only 87 patients with coronavi- Greece weathered the first Athens, according to the Greek The Greek army is also set- But the government has rus in its intensive care units wave of the pandemic well in Ministry of Health on Friday. ting up a mobile emergency not excluded transfering pa- but new cases have risen from comparison to other European Greece has 588 ICU beds medical unit in the parking tients from northern Greece to 667 in late October to 2,500 countries, but it is facing a re- Army officers stand next to tents of a mobile emergency medical unit for COVID-19 patients in total area of the main military hos- Athens. and 3,000 daily. surgence of cases since late set up in the parking area of the 424 General Military Hospital in and on Sunday severe cases re- pital in the northern city. In such a case, “things will The death toll was around September. Thessaloniki, Greece, on Monday. (AFP)

News in brief A ‘vaccine for the world’? UK team ‘IS bride’ security threat, UK government tells court LONDON: A woman who joined the Islamic State in Syria would poses “a clear and present threat” to national seeks approval for coronavirus jab security if she was allowed to return to Britain to appeal a decision to revoke her citizenship, the UK government told the Supreme Court on Monday. The government has AstraZeneca and University of Oxford are seeking regulatory nod for the vaccine after it showed 70% effectiveness asked the country’s highest court to decide if Shamima Begum, 20, can come back to pursue an in-person ap- AFP infectious diseases specialist peal of the 2019 decision to strip her of British citizen- London Azra Ghani, of Imperial College ship. The Court of Appeal ruled in her favour in July, but London. the government immediately appealed, insisting she Scientists behind a coro- The partners have also made remains “aligned” with the Islamic State group. navirus jab being developed in a “no-profit pledge” that if ap- “The exposure of the public to an increased risk of Britain on Monday hailed it as a proved, the vaccine will be af- terrorism is not justifiable or appropriate in this case on potential “vaccine for the world”, fordable and available across the fairness grounds,” James Eadie, a lawyer acting for the which could be cheaper to make world. interior ministry, told a five-judge panel. and easier to store and distribute The vaccine showed 90 per- “What we submit is that those who travelled (to than its main rivals. cent efficacy when given as a Syria)... pose a clear and present threat specifically on UK pharmaceutical giant half-dose followed by a full-dose return.” Begum was 15 when she and two other school- AstraZeneca and its partner the at least one month apart, com- girls from Bethnal Green, east London, left home to join University of Oxford said they pared with 62 percent when ad- the jihadist group on February 17, 2015. She claims she were seeking regulatory approv- ministered as two full doses in married a Dutch convert soon after arriving in IS-held al for the vaccine after it showed the same period. territory. She was discovered, nine months pregnant, in a an average 70-percent effective- “We think that by giving Syrian refugee camp in February last year. Her newborn ness. a smaller first dose that we’re baby died soon after she gave birth. Two of her other That rate jumped to 90 per- priming the immune system dif- children also died under IS rule. (AFP) cent depending on the dosage, ferently, we’re setting it up bet- similar to that in rival vaccines ter to respond,” said Pollard. Australia’s most populous states in by Pfizer/BioNTech and Mod- Peter Openshaw, profes- open borders after 138-day shutdown erna announced last week. sor of experimental medicine at Despite the varying out- Imperial College London, said SYDNEY: The border between Australia’s two most comes, AstraZeneca chief ex- a combination of half and full populous states reopened after a 138-day pandemic- ecutive Pascal Soriot insisted doses “is great news, potentially triggered closure at one minute after midnight on his firm’s vaccine would have an increasing the number of people Monday. For the first time since July 8, residents from “immediate impact” in the fight (File photo) A laboratory technician supervises capped vials during filling and packaging tests for the large-scale that can be vaccinated and re- Victoria and New South Wales could move quarantine- against the global pandemic. production and supply of the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AZD1222, in Rome. (afp) ducing costs”. free between the two states. Local media reported that Nearly 200 million doses will More than 23,000 adults in a DJ was set up at the main road between the states’ be made before the end of the Wellcome Trust called the re- G20 leaders on Sunday said prevents disease and hospitali- the UK and Brazil have taken neighbouring regional towns Wodonga and Albury, play- year and more than 700 million sults “hugely encouraging” and they would “spare no effort” to sation,” he told a media briefing. part in the trials, with the num- ing music as the first cars passed through at 12:01 globally by the end of March next the announcement of data from ensure the fair global distribu- ber expected to rise to up to am. National broadcaster ABC published pictures of year, the company said. three separate trials within a tion of vaccines and support Cost, transport, storage 60,000 thanks to testing also in celebratory scenes at Sydney airport, with drag queens The AstraZeneca/Oxford year “incredible”. poor countries, whose econo- Questions have been raised other countries. and shirtless Bondi Beach lifeguards greeting passen- vaccine could also be stored, But it said a range of vac- mies have been hit by the crisis. about the cost, manufacturing Early results suggested there gers as the first flights from Melbourne touched down. transported and handled “at nor- cines was needed to protect peo- But German Chancellor and storage of Pfizer/BioN- were 131 cases of COVID-19 Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, Sydney to Mel- mal refrigerated conditions” of ple around the world, estimating Angela Merkel said she was Tech’s vaccine. among the participants but none bourne was the second-busiest flight route in the world. between two and eight degrees two billion doses were needed concerned that no major agree- Requiring temperatures was serious. Airlines Qantas and Jetstar sold more 25,000 seats Celsius (36-46 Fahrenheit) for at to treat high-risk populations in ments had yet been struck for much colder than a standard Britain has been one of the in the first 48 hours after it was announced earlier in least six months. the next 12 months alone. poorer nations. freezer, there have been con- worst-affected countries in the the month that the border restrictions would be lifted. That is a far cry from the “Beating COVID-19 will de- The director of the Oxford cerns about whether lower- and world in the outbreak, register- Victoria had been at the centre of the country’s second -70C needed for Pfizer/BioN- pend on global collaboration,” Vaccine Group, Andrew Pol- middle-income countries will be ing more than 54,000 deaths wave of the pandemic, which sent the state into a strict Tech’s offering and could allow said the trust’s head of vaccines, lard, indicated that its afford- able to access it. from 1.4 million cases. lockdown when new daily infections were topping 700. use of the existing refrigerated Charlie Weller. able, scalable vaccine could be a By contrast, the AstraZen- The government has or- Melbourne - a city of 4.9 million residents - was under supply chain to cut costs. “Promises must be followed game-changer globally. eca/Oxford jab “could... have a dered 100 million doses and “stay at home” orders for 112 days. The state has by action to ensure equitable “We have a vaccine for the truly significant impact across hopes to roll out its vaccination seen a COVID-19-free streak since lifting restrictions in ‘Equitable distribution’ distribution and with a signifi- world because we’ve got a vac- the globe and enable an end to programme in the first three late October. (DPA) UK scientific charity the cant step-up of investment.” cine which is highly effective -- it the COVID-19 pandemic,” said months of the year.

France ex-president Sarkozy Biden cabinet picks promise calm after Trump upheaval goes on trial for corruption AFP strongly rooted in government Trump’s conspiracy theory that Washington service careers and served under mass fraud robbed him of vic- AFP president Barack Obama when tory, despite there being no evi- Paris US President-elect Joe Biden’s Biden was vice president. dence for this. expected nomination of deeply The picks underline an em- Many of Biden’s cabinet France’s former president experienced Antony Blinken for ‘America First’ phasis on professionals whom picks will require confirmation Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial secretary of state highlights his Biden already knows well, in in the Senate, where Republicans Monday on charges of corrup- message that a steady hand is policies to go contrast to the Trump White hold a narrow majority, although tion, becoming the first French back at the helm, in contrast to House where officials were often this could change if Democrats ex-head of state in the dock and President Donald Trump’s ongo- Blinken, a former number two picked without having traditional score an upset victory in two risking a humiliating end to a ca- ing but flailing attempts on Mon- of the State Department and background for the job or proved Georgia Senate runoff elections. reer tainted by legal woes. day to overturn the election. a longtime advisor to Biden, incompatible and departed in ac- Trump remains defiant in Dressed in a suit and wearing Biden is set to announce his File photo of Antony J Blinken. (AFP) would spearhead a fast-paced rimony. spite of repeated failures by his a face mask, Sarkozy waved to his first cabinet picks on Tuesday dismantling of Trump’s The expected announce- legal team to prove their allega- lawyers as he entered the Paris and the names being floated sig- disruptive “America first” ments come against an unprec- tions in court. courtroom but made no state- nal the Democrat’s overriding cies, starting with rejoining the policies, starting with rejoining edented backdrop of Trump The president, meanwhile, ment to the throng of journalists, Former French president Nicolas desire to lower the temperature Paris climate agreement and the the Paris climate agreement refusing for the third week to has largely halted at least his an AFP correspondent said. Sarkozy (AFP) in Washington and restore tradi- World Health Organization and and the World Health acknowledge his election defeat public work duties, while head- Presiding judges quickly sus- tional US leadership abroad. resurrecting the Iran nuclear Organization and resurrecting and blocking Biden’s access to ing out to a golf course he owns pended the trial until Thursday have the case thrown out, calling Blinken, a former num- deal. the normal process for preparing in Virginia half a dozen times to allow for a medical exam of a it “a scandal that will go down in ber two of the State Depart- According to US media re- the Iran nuclear deal an incoming government. since the election. co-defendant, 73-year-old judge history.” ment and a longtime advisor to ports, the foreign policy nomina- Biden is to be sworn in on On Monday, the White Gilbert Azibert, whose lawyers “I am not a crook,” the Biden, would spearhead a fast- tions rollout is also set to include da Thomas-Greenfield for UN January 20, but so far only a House once more announced said he was not present because 65-year-old, whose combat- paced dismantling of Trump’s Jake Sullivan as national security ambassador. slowly growing minority of Re- that Trump had no public events of health reasons. ive style has made him one of disruptive “America first” poli- adviser and career diplomat Lin- Like Blinken, they are both publican leaders has denounced scheduled. Prosecutors say Sarkozy France’s most popular politi- promised Azibert a plush job in cians, told BFM TV this month. Monaco in exchange for inside Part of the evidence comes information on a separate inquiry from wiretaps of phone conver- into claims he had accepted illicit sations between Sarkozy and Washington zoo panda named ‘Little Miracle’ ABSCONDING NOTICE payments from L’Oreal heiress his longtime lawyer Thierry Mr. ABDUR RAJJAK ABDUL HANNAN Liliane Bettencourt during his Herzog, authorised as part of a AFP for public online vote and nearly The male panda was born on Nationality: BANGLADESHI 2007 presidential campaign. third probe into suspected Lib- Washington 135,000 votes were received be- August 21 to Mei Xiang, 22, the QID No: 29205021407 Only one other president, yan financing of Sarkozy’s 2007 tween November 16 and 20, the second-oldest documented giant Sarkozy’s political mentor campaign. The votes are in and counted Smithsonian’s National Zoo said. panda in the world to give birth. The above said person is absconding Jacques Chirac, has faced trial af- That inquiry is still going on, and the giant panda born at the “Giant pandas are an inter- She was artificially insemi- from his duties. Anybody who knows his ter leaving office -- but because of though Sarkozy caught a break Washington zoo three months national symbol of endangered nated in March with frozen se- whereabouts, please contact us or inform the nearest ill health, Chirac never appeared this month when his main ac- ago is to be named Xiao Qi Ji, or wildlife and hope, and Xiao Qi men from Tian Tian, 23. police station. Anybody who protects or employs him in court for his conviction in a cuser retracted a central claim of “Little Miracle,” the zoo in the US Ji’s birth offered the world a More than 1.5 million people will be prosecuted under Qatar Labour Law. fake-jobs scandal. having delivered millions of eu- capital said on Monday. much-needed moment of joy have tuned in to watch the baby Sarkozy has denied the ac- ros in cash from Libyan dictator Xiao Qi Ji was one of four amidst the Covid-19 pandemic,” panda and Mei Xiang on the zoo’s CONTACT: 50534808 - 77799847 cusations and fought furiously to Moamer Kadhafi. Mandarin Chinese names put up the zoo said in a statement. Giant Panda Cam. IP laws key to protecting innovations: Sheikh Thani page 10

tuesday, November 24, 2020

29,533.64 10,329.65 44077.15 1,841.60 +270.16 pts +126.87 pts +194.9 pts Gold -1.95 % Global stocks mixed amidst vaccine Dow QE sensex hope, rising COVID-19 page 11 Price percentage Price percentage 23.72 Brent 46.07 +2.47 % WTI 43.07 +1.53 % Silver -3.17 % Ministry launches QDB set to host first virtual competition for ‘Investment Forum in Qatar’ logo design of Supported by IPA and MoTC, the forum will be held under the theme ‘Business Transformation and Growth’ ‘Qatari Product’ Tribune News Network pand in the region.” Tribune News Network be used. Doha “As the strategic sponsor of the 3rd Doha The expression ‘Qatari annual investment forum, we are de- Product’ should be incorpo- Qatar Development Bank (QDB) on lighted to be joining forces with QDB As part of its efforts to inculcate rated into the logo in both Ara- Monday announced the launch of the towards further advancing the invest- a culture of innovation and pro- bic and English and the logo first virtual edition of the Investment ment ecosystem in Qatar and exploring mote local products, the Minis- must be presented in a colour Forum in Qatar to be held on December new avenues of growth for local and try of Commerce and Industry copy and shall include spe- 1 under the theme ‘Business Transfor- international companies alike,” he said. (MoCI) announced the launch cific measurementsand col- mation and Growth’. This year’s edition of the investment of a competition for the best our codes in addition to a fully Held under the strategic sponsor- will mark QDB’s accomplishments in ‘Qatari Product’ logo design. black and white copy. ship of the Investment Promotion the investment arena over the past pe- Outlining the competi- The logo should also re- Agency Qatar (IPA) and the platinum riod. In this regard, QDB has launched tion’s terms, the ministry not- main valid if presented in sponsorship of the Ministry of Trans- a VC fund with a total size of QR365 ed that the design logo should black and white and should be port and Communications (MoTC), the million and has committed more than be modern and reflect an asso- submitted in the formats like third annual forum aims to connect en- QR220 million of investments in inno- ciation with Qatar. Ai, PDF, EPS, PSD and PNG. trepreneurs and investors and enhance vative seed and SME opportunities. The submitted logo should Design samples must be Qatar’s position as an investment hub. Today, the QDB has more than 30 also be innovative, non-tradi- submitted applying the logo on Aimed at enriching the entrepre- companies in its portfolio and its sup- tional and the original work different products and the win- neurial community and contributing port is extended to all those companies. of the designer who shall be ning contestant shall agree that to the growth and diversification of the QDB also launched the ‘sharehold- sharing it for the first time ‘the logo’ will become the ex- national economy, the forum will help ers loan’ product, under its Direct in a competition. The logo clusive property of the Ministry identify prominent global investment Lending Division to help finance SMEs shouldn’t be adapted from of Commerce and Industry. trends and the most promising oppor- listed under the umbrella of its SME other designs. The participants The ministry defined a tunities across service and industrial Equity financing programme. should be a citizen or resident Qatari product as any prod- sectors. The product aims to bridge the gap of Qatar and submitted works uct manufactured in Qatar “Entrepreneurs face several chal- in short-term financing facilities for should not feature any promo- and will award the winner a lenges in finding investors and capi- working capital requirements with a tional materials for any party. QR25,000 award. tal to support their projects and help maximum of QR7.5 million, and with a Works that have been featured The ministry said all designs them achieve greater success. Through repayment period of up to three years, in other competitions, includ- shall be submitted in sealed the forum, QDB will seek to overcome including a grace period of up to one ing those who have not been envelopes addressed to the these challenges by creating a collabo- year, as well as the option of convert- selected are barred. President of the Tenders and rative space that brings together ambi- The QDB headquarters in Doha. ing credit into equity shares in the com- When it comes to the Auctions Committee and then tious entrepreneurs and investors with pany. technical specifications, the delivered to the Financial and different backgrounds and interests to will be launched during the event and Through its QR360 million venture This year, the forum includes an ministry said the logo details Administrative Affairs Depart- one platform,” QDB said in a statement. will provide investors with the oppor- capital fund, Khalifa said, QDB is facili- interactive panel discussion entitled must be clearly visible when ment (Procurement Depart- In its previous edition, the forum tunity to hold direct meetings with the tating the success of entrepreneurs and ‘Conquering challenges to scale & reduced to a size of 2cm *2 cm ment) of MoCI in Lusail city by was attended by more than 400 inves- entrepreneurs and startup owners and SMEs. thrive’, a special workshop on the Glob- and the dark red colour should December 10, 2020. tors and business leaders from Qatar engage in in-depth discussions on po- “In its first virtual edition, the fo- al FinTech Investment Landscape, and and outside. tential investment opportunities that rum presents an opportunity for inter- a live pitching session where a number This year, the forum will be held benefit both parties. ested angel investors, business owners, of startups will be presenting their in- virtually for the first time, with the par- QDB CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al entrepreneurs, and SMEs to explore in- novative ideas to investors towards ticipation of a long list of companies, Khalifa said, “Providing venture capital vestment and venture capital landscape raising capital to their entrepreneurial QSE jumps 127 points angel investors, investment banks, ven- financing is one of the most important in the country, as well as learn more ventures. ture capital companies, and business elements in the success of the entrepre- about the various projects and ventures The third annual investment forum Tribune News Network ed increased to 238.68 million accelerators, in addition to individuals neurship ecosystem, and for the third they can take part in,” he said. comes on the heels of the success of the Doha from 133 million on Sunday and enterprises interested in exploring consecutive year, we are organising this IPA Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference and the value of shares in- business ventures across various sec- prominent forum with our partners to Al Thani said, “Against the backdrop 2020, which was also held virtually for the Qatar Stock Exchange creased to QR500 million from tors and stages of growth. capture and assess the lessons learned of its economic resilience and rapid the first time. (QSE) index gained 126.87 QR310.7 million on Sunday. Investors will also be able to learn as well as to offer promising opportuni- growth, Qatar’s investment landscape Through such leading platforms, points, or 1.24 percent, to Indices of six sectors more about startups through an inte- ties to Qatari SMEs on one hand, and continues to offer investors a multitude QDB continues to enrich the entrepre- close at 10,329.65 points at the closed in the positive terri- grated digital platform, which is the local investors and international part- of lucrative, sector-diverse opportuni- neurship ecosystem in Qatar, and sup- end of trading on Monday. tory, while one sector closed first of its kind in Qatar.T he platform ner funds on the other.” ties to realise their ambitions and ex- port SMEs in the country. The volume of shares trad- in the red. ITA launches ‘Week of Italian Cuisine in Qatar’ Exports of food and beverages from Italy to Qatar rise 4% to €34 million in the first nine months of 2020, says Italian ambassador to Qatar Satyendra Pathak Doha

Italy’s exports of food and beverages to Qatar increased 4 percent to 34 million euro in the first nine months of 2020 despite the impact of COV- ID-19 on the global economy, Italian Ambassador to Qatar HE Alessandro Prunas said on Monday. Talking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of an event to launch ‘Week of Italian Cuisine in Qatar’, the envoy said that the trade exchange between Italy and Qatar especially in the food and beverages sector is very positive despite the on- going pandemic. “The Week of Italian Cui- sine is an initiative started by the Italian government in or- Italian Ambassador to Qatar HE Alessandro Prunas inaugurates the ‘Week of Italian Cuisine in Qatar’ A chef displays the traditional way of preparing Italian cuisine at the launch of the ‘Week of Italian der to support Italian culinary during an event organised at his residence at The Pearl Qatar on Monday. Cuisine in Qatar’. traditions and the Mediterra- nean diet abroad, specifically Ambassador’s Residence in global knowledge of authen- taurants dealing in Italian cui- on products with registered sales of Italian food products sure we will witness far better highlighting sustainability, Doha, the week-long promo- tic Made in Italy food,” said sine,” he said. and protected designation of in Qatar, will run until Sep- results once the normalcy is re- food security and biodiversity. tion will continue till Novem- Prunas. “The Week of Italian With the support of the origin, and imparting knowl- tember 2021. “This partnership sumed. We look forward to de- While Italian food and bever- ber 29 and special initiatives Cuisine is also an opportunity Italian Embassy in Qatar, ITA edge about Italian villages and is very important for us as our veloping this bond further with ages are already very popular have been taken by the Italian to highlight the problems that has planned several activities their typical culinary products. food and agriculture exports to Qatar,” Prunas said. in Qatar, we are launching this embassy in Doha and Ital- still affect Italian food in the so that the initiate covers all Speaking on the occasion, Qatar have increased substan- ITA Trade Commissioner initiative to promote a healthy ian Trade Agency (ITA), the world. Even today, counter- parts of Qatar and popular- the envoy also highlighted the tially in first nine months of this Giosafat Rigano, who also lifestyle with the Mediterra- trade promotion section of the feited products with billions of ise Italian culinary traditions positive outcome of the ongo- year despite the challenges of spoke to media on the occasion, nean diet and ensure that the embassy, to promote Italian dollars are sold in the name of in the country. Some of the ing year-long promotion of COVID-19 around the world,” said that initiatives like ‘Week authentic Italian products are cuisine at a number of restau- Italian products. This initiative highlights of the programme Italian products organised by he said. of Italian Cuisine in Qatar’ widely available in the coun- rants in Qatar. is aimed at encouraging the include the promotion of ITA in collaboration with LuLu “If we can manage to have will open more opportunities try,” Prunas said. “Through this initiative, spread of anti-counterfeiting the Mediterranean diet as a Hypermarket. The promotion, our exports increase under the to boost the supply of Italian Launched at the Italian we also aim to enhance the and certification tools for res- healthy lifestyle, discussions which aims to increase the current circumstances, I am products to Qatar. Economy & Business Tuesday, November 24, 2020 09 QIC named ‘Top Investment House’ GECF amplifies role of in MENA by Asset

Tribune News Network gas at OLADE meeting Doha Tribune News Network Qatar Insurance Company, Doha the leading insurer in the Mid- dle East and North Africa re- Upon an invitation of the Latin gion, has been ranked as the American Energy Organization “Top Investment House” by (OLADE), the Gas Exporting the Asset magazine for the Countries Forum (GECF) par- third year in a row. ticipated in the 50th jubilee The survey ranked top in- Meeting of Ministers, dedicated vestment houses in Asian G3 to the topic “the energy sector bonds (issued by Asian issuers during the crisis and its role in in USD, EUR and JPY) based a post-pandemic economic re- on the number of votes won by covery”. It was held on Novem- their investors. ber 19 via videoconference. More than 430 different The OLADE governing institutions including asset The prestigious ranking body has proved to be the fore- managers, hedge funds, pri- serves as a testament to the most gathering of the Energy vate banks, insurance com- resounding success of our Administration Heads in the panies and sovereign wealth business strategy built along Latin American and Caribbean funds were evaluated and a customer-centric and region providing an umbrella shortlisted during the survey. access to membership of 27 The ranking methodol- technologically progressive countries and engagement of ogy used for the survey was approach, ably backed by peer international organisa- based on the number of votes the investments team. tions, such as GECF, IEA, IEF, received from top-rated ana- IRENA, and Inter-American lysts, economists and strate- Salem Khalaf Al Mannai, QIC Development Bank. gists, sales teams and traders Group CEO Assuming the office from in these institutions. In ad- HE Antonio Almonte, the Do- dition, the ranking score was along a customer-centric and minican Republic’s Energy and will rise by 60 percent by 2050. port facility on the Pacific Coast ket by offering repatriation for pline and resilience in the con- also subject to a weighting technologically progressive Mines Minister, the Meeting’s Natural gas will make the most of North America. gas investment. tinued fulfilment of their obli- methodology, which was de- approach, ably backed by the President Senator Franklin prominent contribution to this Meanwhile, the UNFCCC “These are encouraging gations towards all contracting termined by the rating of the investments team.” Khan, Minister of Energy and growth, as an inevitable com- COP25 chair Chile shared more news in favour of natural gas parties. He also recalled his individual casting the vote for He further continued, Energy Industries of Trinidad ponent in building more sus- details on its pledge to phase and collectively they sound counterpart OLADE Execu- the investors. “Investments are a corner- and Tobago shared his vision tainable energy systems with out coal by 2040 and to achieve even more impressive,” contin- tive Secretary Alfronso Blanco Commenting on the lat- stone for the success of our of the energy sector as “the en- prominent emissions mitiga- carbon neutrality by 2050.The ued GECF authority, citing the saying that “the strengthened est accomplishment, Salem business. Not only does this gine of the post-pandemic eco- tion potential through larger Chilean Energy Undersecretary Forum’s Global Gas Outlook collaboration can support the Khalaf Al Mannai, QIC Group showcase the goodwill and nomic recovery” and stated that deployment of decarbonisa- Francisco Javier López particu- 2050, which forecasts the share achievement of deeper energy CEO said, “We are honoured reputation that QIC has built “energy industries have always tion options, including carbon larly mentioned hydrogenand of gas in the Latin American transitions in the region.” to be ranked as the Top Invest- over the years of its operation, played a fundamental role in capture, utilisation and storage noted that its production was and Caribbean regional energy “The GECF has been con- ment House from the MENA but also brings to the fore our providing society with the con- and hydrogen developments.” “a high priority area of work to mix to grow from currently 24 tinuously supporting its part- region for the third consecu- passion and commitment in veniences of modern living”. The GECF Secretary Gen- further energy sector develop- percent to 33 percent by 2050. ner organisation and is eagerly tive year. The prestigious maintaining our status as a Addressing the policymak- eral commended the decisive ments”. “Natural gas will be the harbin- looking forward to making even ranking serves as a testament market leader in the insur- ers, the GECF Secretary Gen- actions taken byOLADE coun- Speaking about Argentin- ger of a sustainable and envi- greater tribute in the OLADE- to the resounding success of ance and investment manage- eral Yury Sentyurin, linked to tries to facilitate energy transi- ian energy mix, Dr Javier Papa, ronmentally-friendly prosper- GECF activities, as well as its our business strategy built ment space.” the significant deterioration in tion and stimulate energy sys- Undersecretary of Energy Plan- ous future for Latin America,” Member Countries’ practices OLADE countries’ economies tems’ decarbonisation. In this ning at the Energy Secretariat, Sentyurin stated. through joint studies and out- due to COVID-19 pandemic regard, he recalled the recently described natural gas as an Reflecting on the challenges reach activities, exchange of and noted that “the GECF es- taken final investment decision integral element to succeed posed by the year 2020, the unique expertise, comprehen- timates that despite the chal- to construct Energia Costa Azul energy transformation. Argen- GECF Secretary General high- sive data sets, and analytics and lenging environment, the re- LNG project in Baja California, tina has recently announced its lighted the Forum’s Member multifaceted experience,” Sen- gion’s primary energy demand Mexico – the first ever LNG ex- plans to liberalise its gas mar- Countries’ outstanding disci- tyurin reiterated. Germany to take on more new debt than expected in 2021 AFP est economy in 2021 will rise year. Additional costs may need an additional 10 billion euros in Frankfurt by 69.9 billion euros ($82.5 But an “extension of corona to be added if the country’s cur- support of sectors specifically billion) more than previously support”, including through rent curbs shuttering leisure hit by the November measures, Germany plans to take on announced, further shatter- prolonging a short-time work- venues and sports facilities as which Chancellor Angela Mer- 166 billion euros in new debt ing Germany’s constitutionally ing scheme to mid-2021, will well as limiting restaurants to kel dubbed “lockdown light”. next year, according to a draft enshrined debt brake rule, the boost spending, the report said. takeaways are extended past The chancellor is expected bill seen by AFP, as measures draft legislation said. A final decision will be tak- November. to take stock of the measures to curb the second wave of the In September, Finance en by the budget committee in Other industries including and discuss extensions or fur- pandemic eat into government Minister Olaf Scholz said that a meeting on Thursday, before in retail and manufacturing ther curbs at a meeting with coffers. Germany would take on new being voted on by the German have been allowed to stay open. regional leaders of Germany’s Borrowing in Europe’s larg- debt of 96.2 billion euros next parliament. The government promised 16 states on Wednesdsay.

QU students win prizes for ideas to transform space in Commercial Bank branch Tribune News Network Doha

A design competition by Commercial Bank and Qatar University has seen more than a dozen students winning cash prizes for ideas to transform space at the Com- mercial Bank branch in Qatar University Metro Station. The competition, which was launched on October 20, required the contestants to create a modern banking experience and was primarily meant for students of the university. “Having a sole and exclusive presence inside the Qatar University Metro Sta- tion, Commercial Bank, through the con- test, aimed to allocate a dedicated space for students — a space they would visit to escape, study, learn about finance, make their own, and to use as they see best,” the bank has said in a statement. The students were requested to come up with ideas to use the allocated space at the Commercial Bank branch. From the 29 entries, 6 finalists were selected by a panel of judges. Commercial how important it is for students to express The contest has, he said, enriched the Bank and Qatar University held an award themselves, we are proud to say that the students’ activities at the university “in a ceremony in the university on November collaboration with Qatar University was special way”. 18 to announce the winners. indeed a great success.” “The collaboration we have had with Batool Alshaikh and Ola Hwari won The competition appealed to a lot of Commercial Bank represents a typical QR10,000 each and an internship at Com- students who succeeded in exceeding the form of collaboration we endeavour to mercial Bank. Besides, they will work with expectations of the jury. sign on at the university. As we wrap our a professional design team to see how Hussein Ali Al Abdulla, EGM, Chief competition successfully, we are looking their idea can be brought to life. Marketing Officer at Commercial Bank, forward to the execution of the idea and Hadeel Salih, Abida Khan and Rawda said, “The contest introduced a whole to more collaboration with Commercial Saleem won QR5,000 each. new approach about banking to students. Bank.” Saad Haroon Alrashid, Said Haroon It made them invest in their capabilities, On the success of the collaboration, Alrashid, Abdulrahman Taher, Hagar explore their talents, and go above and be- Nada Asad Al-Emadi, Acting Director of Gaber, Abdellatif Mashhour, Tasnim yond with their creativity.” Student Activities, said, “On behalf of Qa- Mashhour, Tariq Daoud and Amr Ouda The success of the competition is in- tar University, I would like to thank Com- bagged QR1,000 each. All remaining par- deed attributed to the fruitful collabora- mercial Bank for providing our students ticipants received a certificate of participa- tion between Commercial Bank and Qatar with such a challenging opportunity. I tion. University. believe that the professional experiences Amit Sah, EGM and Head of Retail Dr Abdulla Al Yafei, Associate Vice gained from this competition are many Banking at Commercial Bank, said, “As President for Student Life and Services at and various, and considered as the most part of our Sadara Youth product offering, Qatar University, expressed his satisfac- important professional skills for a success- and based on our deep understanding of tion with the collaboration. ful employee.” 10 Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Economy & Business

QIB bags 3 titles at Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2020 IP laws key to protecting innovations: Sheikh Thani Arbitration and mediation most used in resolving intellectual property disputes, he says

Tribune News Network Doha

Laws of intellectual prop- erty (IP) play a key role in safeguarding innovations of entrepreneurs, Qatar Inter- national Center for Concilia- tion and Arbitration’s Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali Al Thani has said, noting that 90 percent of the world economy is consist- ed of SMEs and startups. Tribune News Network products and services to ex- ing and new customers. The QICCA Board Member Doha isting and potential custom- Relying on its advanced for International Relations ers, he added. digital channels, QIB was was addressing the opening of Qatar Islamic Bank “We are proud that our able to ensure business con- the 2020 International virtual (QIB) has announced that customer-centric approach tinuity and offer all its bank- Conference on Innovation, it bagged three prestigious is now a reference not only ing products and services to Creativity, and Entrepreneur- awards at the Global Retail in Qatar but in the region as retail and corporate custom- ship Ecosystem (ICICEE) on Banking Innovation Awards well.” ers while only 20 percent of Thursday. 2020 instituted by the Digi- He said QIB would con- its employees working from Sheikh Thani said Gulf tal Banker magazine. tinue implementing its long- their offices between April economies adopted strate- QIB was awarded the term strategy where the cus- and June 2020. gies to encourage innovation “Best Digital Bank of the tomer comes first, and were In 2020, QIB has seen and drive entrepreneurship Year in Qatar”, the “Best always dedicated to offer the an acceleration of the intro- in a way that achieves the eco- Retail Bank of the Year in best, the fastest and the most duction of innovative digital nomic diversification and re- Qatar” and the “Best Client trusted banking products in products and services. Being duces dependence on energy Onboarding and Account Qatar. the first bank in Qatar to in- revenues. Opening in the Middle East” “Our recognition today troduce a Digital Onboard- He said innovation plays a awards. is certainly the result of all ing solution on its Mobile pivotal role in achieving eco- The Awards recognises QIB employees’ dedication App, QIB was successful in nomic growth. It stimulates the world’s top retail banking and hard work to success- digitally acquiring new cus- the use of new technologies, and finance institutions with fully implement the innova- tomers who opened current, which improve and develop distinguished contribution tive strategy of our Board of Misk or savings accounts in 5 businesses and reduce ex- to the industry. The awards Directors, which has been minutes and without a need penses, he added. “Innovation are accolades of excellence, very supportive along the to visit a QIB branch. enhances competitiveness, as and are attributed to out- way. Digital innovation re- QIB also announced that well as promotes partnerships standing banks that showed mains QIB’s main drive in domestic workers in Qatar and expands businesses.” excellence in digital innova- designing seamless banking can now open their own bank Sheikh Thani said com- tion, products development, products and services with accounts with QIB, directly panies that do not adopt in- service delivery, customer the objective of being a bank through the bank’s award novation are vulnerable to centricity and customer ex- that offers end to end fully- winning Mobile App in line losing their own market share perience, in addition to fi- digital services to its custom- with the Qatar Central Bank or even being edged out of the nancial performance and ers,” he noted (QCB) directives to support market. strength of balance sheet. “Our digital transforma- all segments of the society Elaborating the impor- The awards is globally tion strategy allowed us to and promote the principle tance of intellectual property acclaimed and judged by offer unique digital solutions of financial inclusion to do- laws, he said Arab countries top international consult- in the market, some of them mestic workers in Qatar, and attached a great importance to ing companies and subject for the first time in Qatar and to facilitate timely payment the intellectual property laws. matter experts to ensure full the region, and to continu- and access to their wages as These laws offer incentives for transparency and impartial ously offer our customers the well as easy and fast interna- investment, development and Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration’s Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali Al Thani and other assessment. fastest banking experiences tional transfers. innovation, he added. panellists, at the 2020 International virtual Conference on Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship “We are pleased to be through our Mobile App and The QIB Mobile App al- These laws allow one per- Ecosystem recognised for our innova- Internet Banking channels.” lows customers to benefit son or entrepreneurs to es- tion and outstanding per- Since March 2020, QIB from a range of innovative tablish their own companies need for protecting innova- dispute resolution, including foster innovative, creative, formance in servicing all our was able to implement a services, such as getting per- without resorting to forge tions of entrepreneurs by vari- arbitration and mediation. and entrepreneurial climate. customers,” said QIB Group comprehensive “Bank Safe- sonal financing, opening ad- partnership with others, thus ous types of intellectual prop- The two-day virtual con- The forum brought togeth- CEO Bassel Gamal. ly from Home” campaign, ditional accounts, issuing a opening the door for entrepre- erty such as patents or trade ference, which was hosted by er more than 80 participants QIB has developed its which saw an unprecedented credit card, or applying for neurs to establish their own secrets. He said disputing Kuwait and held via visual from private and public sec- own repertoire and know- increase in reliance on digi- any Takaful policy in just 5 companies easily, pointed out parties in intellectual prop- communication technology, tors, experts and leading prac- how in offering the best tal channels by QIB’s exist- minutes. the QICCA official. erty disputes have recently re- aims to promote entrepre- titioners in innovation and Sheikh Thani stressed the sorted to alternative means of neurship in GCC states and entrepreneurship.

AAB extends QR33 special service UK business activity shrinks on new curbs AFP economy,” said IHS Markit London The composite purchasing chief business economist Chris package for 2017 and older Toyota cars managers’ index (PMI) sank Williamson. Tribune News Network also the service manager, ser- Britain’s private sector eco- to 47.4 points in November “As expected, hospital- Doha vice advisors and the support nomic activity shrank in No- ity businesses have been the staff. vember to a four-month low dicating contraction -- com- hardest hit, with hotels, bars, Abdullah Abdulghani & Toyota Service advisors on fresh coronavirus restric- pared with a reading of 52.1 in restaurants and other con- Bros Co (AAB), the sole agents and technicians are trained tions, a key survey showed October. sumer facing service providers for Toyota vehicles in Qatar, regularly and are therefore up- Monday, sparking talk of a The decline coincided with reporting the steepest down- says it believes in giving the to-date with the latest vehicle double dip recession. fresh closures of hospitality, turn.” best purchase experience to technology. Periodic mainte- The composite purchasing leisure and much of the retail Britain’s initial coronavi- their customers while buying nance, minor and major re- managers’ index (PMI) sank sector across the UK. rus lockdown sent the econ- their favourite Toyota vehicle pairs are undertaken at the to 47.4 points in November, “A double-dip (recession) omy tanking into a record re- and also ensures that the cus- state-of-the-art Service Centre compilers IHS Markit and the is indicated by the November cession in the first half of this tomer enjoys the best owner- in compliance with the high- Chartered Institute of Pro- survey data, with lockdown year. ship experience while driving quality Toyota standards. curement and Supply (CIPS) measures once again causing The economy then enjoyed their vehicle. AAB’s service centres are said in a statement. business activity to collapse a historic third-quarter re- In continuation of AAB’s capable of accommodating The shift below 50 -- in- across large swathes of the bound. efforts to enhance the owner- daily inflow of 950 to 1,000 ship experience and in giving vehicles from minor repairs the best after-sales support, to major repairs and mainte- AAB Service Department is nance services. running a special promotion Service facilities are up- for 2017 YM and older Toyota graded from time to time for Microsoft expanding in Ireland vehicles where the custom- maximum benefit of the cus- ers can visit any of AAB’s 11 tomers to patronize our ser- Service Centres to inspect vices of periodic maintenance with 200 new engineer recruits their brakes or DTC/Com- and repair services. The avail- DPA puter Check-up or suspension ability of state of the art tech- Dublin Recruits will be involved in MNE [multinational enter- check-up for QR33 only. The nology and technical expertise prise] dominated sectors” offer is valid until December has resulted in more efficient US computer and software the development of new falling by 19.8 per cent in the 21, 2020. turn-around time for servicing maker Microsoft is hiring 200 cloud services and technol- second quarter, while the “for- AAB is well known for of vehicles. engineers in Ireland and will ogy solutions for customers eign-owned MNE dominated their best after-sales support As the exclusive agent rep- build a new “engineering hub” around the globe sector increased by 1.1 per through their 11 service cen- There is a Lube Plus ser- appointments but also can be resenting Toyota in Qatar, the to bolster its operations in cent.” Ireland’s corporate tax is tres across Qatar. vice in all branches, which in- used get complete informa- primary principle of AAB is to the country, where it employs one of the lowest in the Euro- AAB service locations in- cludes replacing the engine oil tion of their vehicles such as satisfy their valued customers 2,500 people. the centre of innovation,” while pean Union. clude Main Service Station in and filter with 20 points check Service History, service orders with the philosophy of “Cus- Microsoft Ireland an- Martin Shanahan, chief execu- The country has long been Industrial area, Madinat Khal- in less than 1 hour, at a very etc. tomer First Policy”. nounced on Monday that “re- tive of government investment a favoured destination for US ifa Quick Service Centre, Abu attractive price that competes To provide the customers Abdullah Abdulghani & cruits will be involved in the agency IDA Ireland, said it businesses expanding over- Hamour Quick Service Centre, with the local market. with peace of mind during the Bros. Co. was founded in the development of new cloud shows Ireland’s attractiveness seas. Al Nayef Quick Service Centre, For the convenience of ownership period, AAB is also year 1958 by one of Qatar’s services and technology solu- to investors “despite the un- Facebook and Google are Airport Road Quick Service the customers, AAB always offering service packages for pioneering business families tions for customers around the precedented challenges posed among the household names Centre, Al Wakrah Quick Ser- recommends to call its call up to five years during which and is the leading automobile globe.” Meeting Microsoft Ire- by the Covid-19 pandemic.” In with European headquarters in vice Centre, Aziz Quick Ser- centre on 800-1-800 for ser- time there will be hardly any distributor in Qatar. The com- land managing director Cath- contrast to the rest of the econ- Ireland. Firms like Pfizer and vice Centre, Shahania Quick vice appointments so that the price escalation. pany’s constant commitment riona Hallahan at government omy, Ireland’s large electron- GlaxoSmithKline operate fac- Service Centre, Al Khor Quick servicing of their vehicles can Why should you service to delivering a great customer headquarters in Dublin, Dep- ics/technology and pharma- tories and research facilities in Service Centre and Al Watania be done at their preferred time your vehicle at AAB service experience coupled with the uty Prime Minister Leo Varad- ceutical/medical sectors have several locations. Petrol Station Quick Service and location without any has- centres? world class quality and reli- kar labelled the announcement prospered due to the pandemic Apple last week marked Sentre (Al Shammal Road), sles. AAB has an ongoing train- ability of Toyota vehicles has as “really good news” that could and related restrictions. 40 years since it established besides a dedicated Commer- AAB Engage App is anoth- ing programme for the service enabled the brand to enjoy the set Ireland up “to be a leader in Last month the Central operations in Cork, the second- cial Vehicles Workshop in the er tool that can be used by the staff, which includes not only highest market share in the engineering.” Hallahan said Statistics Office reported that biggest city, where it employs Industrial Area. customers for not only taking the service technicians but country. the expansion the country “at gross value added in “non- more than 6,000 people. Economy & Business Tuesday, November 24, 2020 11 UN panel says Japan violated Global stocks mixed amidst rights of Ghosn vaccine hope, rising COVID-19 DPA Geneva Traders closely monitoring prospects of a new US stimulus deal materialising as Fed issues warning The former boss of carmak- AFP to support the corporate credit er Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, New York market, municipal lending and should receive compensa- small and medium-sized busi- tion from Japan because his Global stock markets moved nesses. detention there lacked legal gingerly Friday, with Europe Mnuchin said he was fol- grounds and ran counter to posting modest gains while lowing congressional intent in fair trial rules, a panel of UN Wall Street dipped as traders phasing out at year’s end the human rights experts has weighed coronavirus vaccine Fed programs, which were in- found. hopes against lockdowns and tended to help the US financial “The deprivation of lib- Carlos Ghosn the lack of a new US stimulus system weather the shock of erty of Carlos Ghosn from 19 deal. the pandemic. November 2018 to 5 March In Europe, both Frankfurt He said the funds unused 2019 and from 4 to 25 April and Paris ended the day with a by the central bank should be 2019... was arbitrary,” the gain of 0.4 percent, while Lon- repurposed to other pandemic UN Working Group on Ar- don added 0.3 percent. relief efforts. bitrary Detention said in a But Wall Street ended a But the Fed criticized the report that was published In a nutshell volatile week on a negative move in a rare public break on Monday in Geneva. A UN panel of human rights note, with all three indices fin- with Treasury, and congres- Ghosn, who once led the ishing lower. sional Democrats accused Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi experts called Japan’s “There’s the push-pull of Mnuchin of trying to sabotage Motors alliance, was ar- arrest of former short-term versus long-term the incoming administration rested in November 2018 Renault-Nissan chief Carlos and that’s what investors are of Joe Biden. and has been charged with Ghosn ‘arbitrary’ and urged looking at right now,” Chris Ending the programs poses breach of trust and falsify- Japan’s government to pay Gaffney, at TIAA Bank, said. a “risk” for the economy, said a ing financial documents to him reparations. A “There are some very serious note from Oxford Economics. under-report his income for determination of whether risks in the short term, espe- Pedestrians walk in front of electronic quotation boards displaying share prices on the Tokyo Stock Ex- “The emergency lending years. detention is arbitrary is cially with the lockdowns.” change. (Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP) facilities have been little used, He spent a total of 130 based on various criteria, Equities have garnered but their existence has been days in Japanese deten- including international support from a series of up- Moderna has also said trial change should the drug story day the United States could see key in ensuring a credible safe- tion but fled the country to norms of justice. beat coronavirus vaccine an- results have shown its vaccine get derailed,” said market ana- growth contract again in the guard against financial market Lebanon in late December nouncements. to be 95 percent effective at lyst David Madden at CMC fourth quarter. stress,” Oxford said. while free on bail. US pharma giant Pfizer preventing Covid-19. Markets UK. But talks still appear to be “With the Covid-19 crisis Ghosn, who holds Bra- edy would be to accord Mr. and its German partner Bi- “Seeing as a lot of progress Traders have also been at an early phase. worsening and activity slow- zilian, Lebanese and French Ghosn an enforceable right oNTech said Friday they have has been made with respect closely monitoring the pros- Some analysts questioned ing in the absence of fiscal aid, citizenship, has denied all to compensation and other applied for emergency use au- to coronavirus drugs, it seems pects of a new deal on US stim- a decision by Treasury Secre- the decision to curtail the Fed’s charges. reparations, in accordance thorization for their coronavi- like a floor has been put in ulus materializing after the tary Steven Mnuchin to phase firepowercould unsettle mar- The four independent with international law.” rus vaccine, which could come place under equity bench- president of a regional Federal out a series of Federal Reserve kets and exacerbate economic rights experts who make Ghosn, a 66-year-old next month. marks now, but that could all Reserve bank warned Thurs- programs enacted in the spring stress.” up the Working Group with French, Lebanese and criticized the fact that the Brazilian citizenship, led manager was detained four Japanese carmaker Nis- times. san for 20 years, rescuing it “The repeated arrest of from near-bankruptcy. Singapore economy rebounds after lockdown but virus impact still felt Mr. Ghosn appears to be an He was arrested in No- abuse of process intended to vember 2018 on charges of DPA phased resumption of activi- but surely,” albeit near the end on Monday that merchandise well in 2020 as the pandemic ensure that he remained in breach of trust, in misusing Bangkok ties” after a two-month coro- of “a bruising year for every- trade fell 6.3 per cent year-on- fuelled demand in major mar- custody,” the experts wrote, company assets for person- navirus lockdown that ended one.” Year-on-year, Singa- year in the third quarter. kets, Singapore’s third quarter adding that this procedure al gain and violating securi- Singapore’s economy re- on June 2. pore’s economy contracted by A wealthy city-state with a rebound was curtailed in part prevented him from com- ties laws in not fully disclos- bounded better than expected The second quarter saw 5.8 per cent in the third quar- population of less than 6 mil- by a “continued slump in air municating with his lawyer. ing his compensation. He during the July-September pe- the city-state’s GDP shrink by ter, suggesting that impact lion people, Singapore’s small passengers” caused by “ongo- They said that there was denies wrongdoing. riod, according to the Ministry a record 13.2 per cent quarter- of coronavirus-related curbs domestic market means its ing global travel restrictions also evidence indicating In December, he fled of Trade and Industry, posting on-quarter after many busi- were still being felt and that economy depends on foreign and sluggish air travel de- that he was forced to make Japan to Lebanon while out 9.2 per cent quarter-on-quar- nesses were forced to close and the economy is struggling to investment and trade. The mand,” the ministry said. statements regarding the al- on bail awaiting trial, mean- ter growth. as lockdowns were imposed regain pre-pandemic output. country’s trade-GDP ratio Singapore and Hong Kong legations against him. ing his case will not go on in The ministry on Monday in Singapore’s trading partner Chan said that “employ- topped 200 per cent last year, on Saturday postponed by two The experts from Aus- Japan. Interpol has issued revised upwards an earlier es- nations. Trade and Industry ment continued to contract” according to World Bank data, weeks a scheduled reopening of tralia, Latvia, South Ko- a wanted notice but his ex- timate of 7 per cent gross do- Minister Chan Chun Sing said during the third quarter, with four times the Asia-Pacific quarantine-free travel between rea and Zambia concluded tradition from Lebanon is mestic product (GDP) growth on Monday the revised third almost 27,000 jobs being shed. average. While sectors such the two finance hubs, citing a that “the appropriate rem- unlikely. for the third quarter, which it quarter numbers “show that Enterprise Singapore, a as electronics and pharma- resurgence of coronavirus case said “came on the back of the we are on the right path, slowly government agency, reported ceuticals have fared relatively numbers in Hong Kong. Sweden’s LKAB to invest up to $46 billion in fossil-free iron AFP formation in the company’s using hydrogen, to produce created the world’s first “fos- carbon emissions a year, or 50 percent by the year 2050”, large scale production of green Stockholm 130-year history and could another form of iron known as sil-free” iron ore pellets, with about four percent of Swe- LKAB also expected their car- energy to power facilities. end up being the largest indus- “sponge iron” rather than tra- biofuel taking the place of oil den’s industrial emissions, bon-free offering would also Isadora Wronski, head of Swedish state miner LKAB trial investment ever made in ditional iron ore pellets, great- and coal during the heating making it Sweden’s fourth greatly increase its revenues. Greenpeace Sweden, said they said Monday it would invest Sweden,” Jan Mostrom, presi- ly reducing emissions during process. largest emitter. During the transition, welcomed LKAB’s “ambition up to 400 billion Swedish kro- dent and CEO of LKAB, said in the steel-making process. The development of fossil- The mining giant added LKAB would continue to sell to remove fossil energy from nor ($46.6 billion, 39.2 billion a statement. “In switching from iron ore free “sponge iron” is part of a that global steel and iron pro- “iron ore pellets in parallel their processes,” but added euros) to “achieve net-zero The strategy to reach net- pellets to carbon-free sponge joint project between LKAB, duction today accounted for with developing carbon-free that the aim of going fossil- carbon emissions from its own zero emissions would focus on iron we are taking an impor- steelmaker SSAB and state- about seven percent of the sponge iron,” the company free was “not enough.” processes and products by three branches, one being a tant step forward in the value owned utility Vattenfall with world’s emissions, and that said. “Industries first and fore- 2045.” new standard for mining and chain, increasing the value of the aim of developing a fossil- widespread use of “sponge During a press conference most need to reduce their use Investments of between 10 another the use of fossil-free our products and at the same free process for producing iron” could greatly reduce on Monday, Mostrom howev- of resources... and the energy and 20 billion kronor would technology to extract strategic time giving our customers steel, which relies on the com- global emissions. er also pointed to a number of used needs to be sustainable, be made yearly over a period minerals from today’s mining direct access to carbon-free bination of iron ore and coal. LKAB also said the transi- challenges that had to be over- eliminating any plans for large of 15 to 20 years, the company waste. iron,” Mostrom said. According to LKAB, their tion would mean the creation come to achieve the transition, scale bio energy use,” Wronski said. Lastly the company would In early November, the Swedish operations currently of 3,000 jobs but with the steel including the need for tech- said in an emailed statement “This is the biggest trans- leverage green energy, likely company announced it had produce 700,000 tonnes of market “forecasted to grow by nological developments and to AFP.

banning fisheries subsidies World Trade Organisation aiming to net fishing deal

AFP fishing. 2017. be made more sustainable -- for Geneva It also bans certain types of sub- Global fisheries production in example by developing the use of sidies that contribute to overcapac- 2018 reached a record 96.4 mil- selective nets -- then it must be per- Negotiations on banning bil- ity and overfishing, while providing lion tonnes -- up 5.4 percent on the mitted,” said Jean-Marie Paugam, lions of dollars in fisheries subsidies special treatment for the world’s average across the three previous France’s permanent representative are coming to the crunch at the developing and least developed years. to the WTO. beleaguered World Trade Organiza- countries. The increase was mainly due to Others believe, on the contrary, tion, with the deadline to net a deal Member states have so far failed marine fisheries, in which the top that any subsidy is inherently bad fast approaching. to reach an agreement but pressed seven producing countries -- China, and should be removed. There are Disagreements persist, espe- into action by the approaching Indonesia, Peru, India, Russia, the also voices calling for subsidy caps. cially over what the outcome might deadline, negotiators have been United States and Vietnam -- ac- According to the same source mean for developing countries, beavering away since September on count for almost half the total catch. close to the talks, Brazil has put while over-fishing continues to strip the basis of a confidential working forward a plan under which the the seas of a hugely important re- document. Cuts, caps or changes? biggest subsidisers would have to source on which millions of people Their work has been slowed Despite the years of discus- make big reductions, while those depend for their livelihoods. by the coronavirus pandemic and sion, multiple fault lines still exist, giving less than $25 million in an- Negotiations began at the WTO several countries, including India, Global fisheries subsidies stood at $35.4 billion in 2018, with $22 billion of that including over whether there are nual subsidies would be exempt. in Doha in 2001 and got a much- Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Namibia, going towards building up fishing fleets. good subsidies and bad subsidies. - Developing countries snag needed boost with the adoption of doubt the deadline can be met, European countries and oth- -One of the main stumbling blocks the UN Sustainable Development according to a source close to the building up fishing fleets, accord- culture Organization of the United ers such as Japan and South Korea remains how developing countries Goals in 2015. discussions in Geneva, where the ing to Ussif Rashid Sumaila of the Nations has an increasingly alarm- want a ban on subsidies, except and the poorest nations will be That set the end of 2020 as the WTO is based. University of British Columbia in ing outlook on over-fishing. where it has a positive impact and treated. non-binding deadline for eliminat- Global fisheries subsidies a study which is regularly cited by The FAO said a third of com- any potential negative effects can be Some, such as India, are calling ing subsidies that contribute to stood at $35.4 billion in 2018, with diplomats. mercial fish stocks were fished at cancelled out. for them to be almost completely illegal, unreported and unregulated $22 billion of that going towards Meanwhile the Food and Agri- biologically unsustainable levels in “If subsidies allow fishing to exempt from any constraints. QMMF to host FIA Qatar International Rally 2021 in January page 15 TUESday, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 Tokyo’s head coach Hasegawa wary of Shenhua’s local talent AFC Doha

FC Tokyo head coach Kenta Hasegawa has brushed off sug- gestions his side are favour- ites against an undermanned Shanghai Shenhua FC, saying the Chinese club’s local play- ers will mount a genuine chal- lenge in Tuesday’s 2020 AFC Champions League clash. With star imports Gio- vanni Moreno and Kim Shin- wook unlikely to feature, Shenhua will require strong performances from their do- mestic players in the crucial Group F Matchday Three tie, but Hasegawa refuses to take Choi Kang-hee’s injury-hit squad lightly. Speaking ahead of his team’s first AFC Champions League outing in nine months, the To- kyo boss said his side would need to be at their best to retain the unbeaten start to the compe- tition they began in February. “Of course, without the Japan’s FC Tokyo and China’s Shanghai Shenhua will play at the Education City Stadium at 1pm on Tuesday. ability of these foreign play- ers, maybe (Shanghai) have top level, and we are represent- reduced factors in the team,” Standings Group F ing the J League, so we want to said the former Japanese in- Club P W D l GF GA GD Pts play as normal, as FC Tokyo. ternational. Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) 2 1 1 0 4 2 2 4 We won’t change anything.” “We pay lots of attention in FC Tokyo (JPN) 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4 While FC Tokyo are set to the AFC Champions League, Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 3 sample their first ever taste where especially Chinese teams Perth Glory (AUS) 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0 of club football in West Asia, have very good foreigners, and Choi Kang-hee’s men will em- famous foreign players, but we bark on their third match in also pay attention to the do- of a successful return. Champions League we have Doha in the space of a week FC Tokyo head coach Kenta Hasegawa. mestic players of the Chinese. City Stadium. While Shenhua have al- long distance travel. When we when they take the field on “They are very strong and With four points from ready won and lost in Doha, go to Australia, for example, Tuesday. “For this game we still ro- but most important for this skillful players in their own two matches – one more FC Tokyo have arrived fresh to we have more than 10 hours of A two-time AFC Champi- tate some players, but as the team is for our players to re- right, so I don’t see there is a than Shenhua – two games a centralised tournament for- flying, but we don’t have this ons League-winning boss with head coach and as players, we cover as quickly as possible. big factor of change for the in the next four days against mat which Hasegawa believes in a centralised competition. It Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, still have to try our best to win “The schedule is here, and game tomorrow.” the Shanghai club will go a can benefit his team. means we feel less stress. Choi confirmed he will make the game,” said Choi. we have to accept it. We lost Despite the respect he long way towards determin- “It’s an unusual situation, “I understand that there has significant personnel changes “We’ve already analysed the last match, and we are holds for his next opponents, ing the 2020 AFC Champi- but it’s the same situation for been a very good effort from the from Saturday’s disappoint- the data and the videos of FC in a difficult situation in this Hasegawa was clearly the ons League destiny of both the other team,” he declared. staff to have this tournament ing 3-1 loss to Ulsan Hyundai, Tokyo. We have to make a group. As a team we just have more optimistic boss ahead of clubs, and the FC Tokyo boss “The good point is that, and we appreciate that. Asian calling on his charges to push strategy which blocks out their to prepare the best we can and Tuesday’s clash at Education appeared quietly confident normally if we’re in the AFC football is developing to the through any fatigue. important attacking players, try to win this game.”

Security standards approved by AFC, FIFA being fulfilled: LOC

China’s Beijing FC will clash with Australia’s Melbourne Victory at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium at 1pm on Tuesday.

Strength in depth key for Beijing FC’s QFA nation with the security com- Doha mittee, which includes all the security authorities in order The Local Organizing Com- Qatari security officials to provide the highest levels Genesio against Melbourne Victory mittee (LOC) of the AFC along with the presence of of security for delegations and Champions League East Zone overseas experts are working teams from participating clubs AFC that we started with a vic- the heavy fixture schedule. We competition,” said Kean. has affirmed that all security in coordination at all places and media professionals from Doha tory, and now against another are fortunate to have everyone “We have psychologically matters related to the tourna- where security is needed the moment of their arrival. strong team, we need to focus available for selection.” turned the bubble situation ment are proceeding following The security detail involves Beijing FC head coach on trying to win. We need to On the other side, Mel- into an opportunity to gel the international standards ap- 24×7. Our standards are looking after players, officials Bruno Genesio is keen for all try to win every game and aim bourne Victory assistant and get to know each other proved by the AFC and FIFA. high. All of this is helping us and delegations from the mo- members of his squad to con- to qualify to the next stage.” coach Steve Kean’s positive at a more human level. And a In a statement on Monday, prepare for the 2022 FIFA ment they land at the Hamad tribute to a successful 2020 “I will make some changes, outlook was amplified by his centralised tournament helps Director of Security for the World Cup. International Airport and then AFC Champions League cam- not all the same XI will play hope that the Australian side us prepare and focus on every LOC of the AFC Champions when they are taken to the paign ahead of their clash all the time. We have to worry can play well and progress to game without having to worry League, East Zone matches, Jassim Al Kaabi, Director, hotels, the match venues and against Melbourne Victory in about the risk of fatigue and the next round. about more travel before each Jassim Al Kaabi pointed out Security, LOC AFC Champions training facilities. Group E on Tuesday. injury. The schedule is tight, “It is early for us in the game and hopefully we can that security work teams were League, East Zone matches Al Kaabi said the event’s The Chinese Super League and we have to be cautious. season, so we are just coming continue and progress in the formed before the start of the security apparatus is working side have a 100% record so far, It is important for us to have together but we are looking competition. competitions, as coordination about the trying circumstances on a template approved by the winning two from two and a everyone on board because of forward to doing well in this “Beijing FC are a strong took place at the highest levels we find ourselves in because of AFC and FIFA. third win in a row could put club coming off the back of to get the tournament in the the COVID-19 pandemic. This Al Kaabi said: “Qatari se- them at arm’s length from a strong season. We are at a best organizational form. represents a challenge, but we curity officials along with the their chasers at the halfway Standings Group E slightly different stage of our Al Kaabi said: “We have are dealing with everything presence of overseas experts point of the group stage. Club P W D l GF GA GD Pts preparation, but we have a previously worked in the AFC appropriately.” are working in coordination “It is always hard to pre- Beijing FC (CHN) 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6 good feeling that we are assem- Champions League matches The Director of the Secu- at all places where security is dict how opponents will play FC Seoul (KOR) 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 bling a good squad with players of the West Zone and we had rity confirmed that the cham- needed 247. Our standards with the current circumstanc- Melbourne Victory (AUS) 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3 who have stayed here from last great success. We are follow- pionship operations had been are high. All of this is helping es,” said Genesio. Chiangrai United (THA) 2 0 0 2 0 2 -2 0 season and are building some- ing the same formula for suc- merged with the security au- us prepare for the 2022 FIFA “It was important for us thing strong together.” cess. Of course, we are careful thorities in the state in coordi- World Cup.” Sports Tuesday, November 24, 2020 13 orld Cup Qatar 2022 w A W rience ill b FIF ial expe for fans e pec : Eto a s ’o

Inside view of the Khalifa International Stadium – one of the eight state-of-the-art venues for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – during the FIFA Club World Cup 2019 final.

Sc.qa many shops and restaurants. I always feel safe and secure ury of staying in the same place for this World Cup.” also love Banana Island, which in Doha and throughout the throughout the tournament. Eto’o’s time in the Qatar amuel Eto’o believes is a brilliant holiday destination country. These things should “The players will not be so Stars League also allowed him the FIFA World Cup if you want to get away from it offer football fans a level of re- tired because they won’t have to assess the quality of the Qatar 2022™ will of- all,” said Eto’o, a four-time Afri- assurance when they come to to travel to games by plane,” players that will represent the fer many unique and can Player of the Year. Qatar for the World Cup. I be- Eto’o said. host nation in 2022. Qatar will memorableS experiences for fans “I’m sure fans will find lieve they will be able to have a “They will be based in the head into the tournament as when the next edition of foot- many interesting places to visit great time visiting the country same city and have the opti- the champions of Asia – and ball’s showpiece event heads to when they arrive in this mag- and watching the best players mum time to train and prepare. Eto’o believes the Maroons the Middle East and Arab world nificent country in 2022.” in action during the That will be good be- have the quality to shine on a in two years’ time. Eto’o’s initial experiences tournament.” cause they will be fresh- global stage. In an interview with qa- of Qatar were shaped during Having appeared er when they take to the “I expect them to be com- tar2022.qa, the former Came- a brief playing spell with in four World Cups pitch and compete.” petitive because they have roon international – who serves Qatar Sports Club during the for Cameroon, Eto’o is He added: “The built a winning mentality by You always feel safe and secure in Doha and as a Global Ambassador for the 2018-19 season. aware of the logistical players will have the becoming Asian champions,” throughout Qatar. These things should offer football fans a Supreme Committee for Deliv- He believes fans will be challenges that players chance to use the best said Eto’o. “What is important level of reassurance when they come to Qatar for the World ery & Legacy (SC) – highlighted amazed by the friendliness of have faced in previous facilities in the world, now for Qatar is that they take some of his favourite places to the people and the safety of tournaments. With whether it is the spec- advantage of every opportu- Cup. I believe they will be able to have a great time visiting visit in the country. the country. Qatar is consist- Qatar 2022 set to be one of the tacular new stadiums that will nity to play the best national the country and watching the best players in action during “I enjoy visiting lots of dif- ently ranked as one of the safest most compact World Cups ever host matches or the world-class teams in the world and learn the tournament.” ferent places when I’m in Qatar. countries in the world. staged, it will not just be the training facilities. from those experiences. Sometimes, I like to go to the “I like the people in Qatar, fans that will benefit. Players “One thing is for sure, “They have some good Samuel Eto’o Global Ambassador for Super Committee Villaggio Mall and on other oc- they are open and sincere,” will never be more than about what the players will experi- players, including Akram Afif, for Delivery & Legacy is a former Cameroonian footballer casions I enjoy visiting the Ka- said Eto’o. an hour from any of the eight ence in Qatar will be a reward who I rate highly. I wish them tara Cultural Village, which has “I also like the fact you stadiums and will have the lux- for their efforts in qualifying all the best.” regarded as one of the best strikers of his time. Classic curtain-raisers remembered as Qatar 2022 countdown continues e know the date but all-time scorer eight years later, not yet the teams who struck twice to put Germany in Wwill be taking part: control. Wanchope pulled one the Opening Match of the FIFA back to complete a brace of his World Cup Qatar 2022™ takes own, with Torsten Frings sealing place on 21 November 2022 a 4-2 win for the hosts and two in two years’ time. A lot will World Cup records: Germany’s happen before then, starting fourth victory in an opening with the UEFA preliminary draw match and the most goals ever on December 7 , but before in an opening match. it does here’s a look back at some of the most unforgettable The one with the vuvuzelas: World Cup opening matches of South Africa 2010 all time. 11 June 2010, Johannesburg: South Africa 1-1 Mexico The first two: Uruguay 1930 “We’re not contemplating the 13 July 1930, Montevideo: possibility of a draw,” Siphiwe France 4-1 Mexico and USA In two years’ time the opening Tshabalala told FIFA.com on the 3-0 Belgium ceremony of FIFA World Cup eve of the match. “We want to win There was not one opening Qatar 2022 will start and the this game and nothing can stop match at the inaugural World us.” The South Africa midfielder Cup but two. Snow was falling as Qatari players and their first must have thought his words the tournament kicked off on 13 group opponents will walk out had come true when he struck July 1930, with France and USA to a capacity crowd of 60,000 a magnificent opener for Bafana respectively beating Mexico and at Al Bayt Stadium. Bafana on 55 minutes. Amid Belgium. One name stood out on the blaring vuvuzelas, however, this landmark day, that of Lucien Mexico conjured up an equaliser Laurent, the scorer of the first 11 minutes from time, capping an ever goal in World Cup history. unforgettable evening.

The trendsetter: England 1966 The one with the scoring subs: 11 July 1966, London: England Russia 2018 0-0 Uruguay 14 June 2018, Moscow: Russia Prior to 1966, the World Cup An inisde view of the Al Bayt Stadium. 5-0 Saudi Arabia nearly always began with Though Brazil beat Mexico 5-0 several matches played at the in 1970, Brazil v Yugoslavia tered out into a tame 0-0 draw. Diego Maradona. The upset: Korea/Japan 2002 scored to give the new boys a on the first day of action at same time. By way of example, in 1974, and Poland v West 31 May 2002, Seoul: France famous 1-0 win. Switzerland 1954, it was not, Italy 1934 got under way with Germany in 1978) also ending The surprise: Spain 1982 The shock: Italy 1990 0-1 Senegal strictly speaking, an opening no fewer than eight knockout in goalless draws. 13 June 1982, Barcelona: 8 June 1990, Milan, Argentina The question many were asking The goal feast: Germany 2006 match, as Yugoslavia were games kicking off simultane- Argentina 0-1 Belgium 0-1 Cameroon was not if defending champions 9 June 2006, Munich: Germany beating France 1-0 at the same ously. And even when Swit- The damp squib: Germany 1974 After four consecutive goalless For the second time in their France would win against un- 4-2 Costa Rica time. That means that the zerland and Germany started 13 June 1974, Frankfurt: Brazil stalemates, all the indications history, Argentina began a World fancied Senegal but how many For the first time since 1970, biggest victory ever recorded proceedings at France 1938 0-0 Yugoslavia were that the goal curse of the Cup defence with a stumble, they would win by. Like Cam- the host nation got the ball roll- in a World Cup Opening Match with a 1-1 draw after extra time Though it was unseasonably Opening Match would continue this time against Cameroon, eroon 12 years before them, ing. The sun shone and 66,000 came in the most recent one of (the Swiss won 4-2 in a replay cold, wet and windy when the when Argentina met Belgium in who had two men sent off. A the Senegalese were making fans roared their approval as all, when Russia overpowered five days later), it was not billed tenth World Cup began in Frank- 1982. Belgium forward Erwin star-studded Albiceleste line- their debut in the competition. Germany and Costa Rica served Saudi Arabia, thanks in no small as an opening match. England furt, this meeting between the Vandenbergh had other ideas, up, once again spearheaded Though this meeting between up a festival of attacking foot- part to their substitutes. Prior and Uruguay had the honour of defending world champions and however, bringing an end to a by Maradona, fell to a solitary a team packed with stars from ball. Philipp Lahm opened the to Denis Cheryshev and Artem contesting the first such game a technically gifted side with a 422-minute goal drought in the Francois Omam-Biyik goal, as Europe’s top clubs and a group scoring with a superb drive into Dzyuba, who scored three of in 1966 and set an unfortunate reputation for being “the Brazil- World Cup curtain-raiser and the Indomitable Lions recorded of relative unknowns seemed a the top corner. Paulo Wanchope their side’s five goals between trend in the process, with the ians of Europe” promised to giving the Red Devils an unex- one of the biggest shocks in foregone conclusion, it ended equalised for Los Ticos before them, no players had ever come World Cup’s next three open- atone for the miserable weather. pected win over the reigning World Cup history. with another stunning African Miroslav Klose, who would off the bench to score in a world ing matches (Mexico v USSR Sadly, it failed to deliver and pe- world champions, led by one success, as Papa Bouba Diop become the World Cup’s leading finals opener. (Fifa.com) 14 Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Sports AFC Champions League (East) Some spectators to be allowed at sports events in England AFP London

Premier League clubs can look forward to welcoming back spectators in highly limited South Korea’s FC Seoul will play Thailand’s Chiangrai United at the numbers next month for the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at 4pm on Tuesday. first time since March, following an announcement by the British government on Monday. Fitness to dictate Up to 4,000 people can return to outdoor sports stadi- ums in parts of England clas- FC Seoul’s lineup sified as at low risk from coro- navirus from December 2, the government said, permitting vs Chiangrai United the resumption of attendance at football, rugby and race- AFC Despite the COVID-19 situa- courses among other sports. Doha tion, we are very pleased to be The crowd ceiling will be here. The hotel and stadium set at 4,000 or half the stadium Head coach Lee Won-jun facilities are great and we have capacity, whichever is lower, in is set to pick only those who no worries.” the lowest-risk “tier one” parts are in top physical condition After losing their first two of the country once a stricter for his FC Seoul starting XI matches in the competition lockdown due to the pandemic against Thailand’s Chiangrai with the same 1-0 scoreline to ends, the government said. United in their third game Melbourne Victory and Beijing In “tier two” areas, the lim- of the 2020 AFC Champions FC, Chiangrai United have had it will be 2,000 outdoors, or League on Tuesday. to wait nine months for their half the capacity, it said. The 2013 runners-up got third-ever AFC Champions In the highest “tier three” their campaign off to a win- League match, which is set to regions where COVID-19 re- ning start back in February, take place at Jassim bin Ham- mains acute, no spectators will defeating Melbourne Victory ad Stadium in Doha instead of be allowed. 1-0, but another Park Chu- the Seoul World Cup Stadium. A few pilot events have young goal was not enough “We are really happy to be been held with spectators, The crowd ceiling will be set at 4,000 or half the stadium capacity, whichever is lower, in the lowest-risk “tier one” parts of the country once a stricter on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to in this tournament and grateful such as a cricket match at The lockdown due to the pandemic ends, the British government has said. Beijing FC to drop to second in for the organisation,” said head Oval, while Brighton hosted Group E. coach Alongkorn Thongaum. Chelsea before this season’s of England will sit in which ‘Costs through the roof’ have over 50 percent of what The cap for indoor events “We have prepared well for “We hope to do our best Premier League got underway. tier on Thursday, based on the Although football clubs would be their capacity (Mans- in tier one and two regions the competition and players are in this tournament, not only However, England’s foot- latest weekly Covid data. will welcome the chance to field’s is just over 9,000),” he will be fixed at 1,000, the in a good condition,” said Lee. for our team, but also as rep- ball and rugby leagues, and Prior to the current lock- once again play in front of told AFP last month. government said. There was “We have one win and one resentatives of Thailand in the horse racing venues, have down, most of the country in- spectators, many may find the “Even if we had the season- also good news for grassroots loss so far. We have an ambi- AFC Champions League. not welcomed spectators cluding London was in tier two. restricted numbers economi- ticket holders, who number sports such as children’s foot- tion and objective to win the “All games in this competi- since the first lockdown be- But three of the biggest cally unviable. 1,600, socially distanced, the ball outside school which will matches ahead, we will strive tion are difficult, but now the gan in March. Premier League clubs – Liv- Lower league clubs are stewarding and policing costs be able to resume after being to win the next one. We fin- most important day for us is Rugby and racing were erpool, Manchester United already struggling and await- would go through the roof. shut down on November 5. ished analysing our opponents tomorrow when we play FC among the sports to receive and Manchester City – are lo- ing a long-promised rescue The Football Supporters’ Former Wales midfielder and we will choose the players Seoul. We want to get some financial aid from the govern- cated in the highest tier three package from the lucrative Association welcomed the Robbie Savage, who has spo- who are in the best condition points from these two matches ment last week. areas, so it remains to be seen Premier League. announcement. ken about the detrimental im- to start the game. against them so we can still Sports facing financial whether they will be allowed to However, David Sharpe, “Clubs, leagues and the pact of suspending grassroots “I visited Qatar as a player have a chance of qualifying to losses as a result of the ab- admit fans after December 2. CEO of fourth-tier Mansfield Sports Ground Safety Author- sport, welcomed the news. in 1997, but now that I came the next round by the time we sence of fans from stadiums The government said that Town, highlighted the costs ity have worked hard to put in “Well done (Culture Secre- again everything has changed. reach the last two games.” can access a £300 million where spectators are allowed, compared to the benefit of procedures to make stadiums tary) Oliver (Dowden), thank ‘Winter Survival Package’ of only home fans will be permit- having limited spectators safe places and we hope this is you from thousands of kids loans and grants. ted, to prevent unnecessary back. the first step on the road back around the country and sorry The government said it travel on public transport by “I am very much of the opin- to normality,” they said in a for constantly tweeting you,” would spell out which regions opposing fans. ion clubs should be allowed to statement. he wrote on Twitter. Wood ends Burnley’s wait for first win of the season AFP of the relegation zone at the But Wood ended that London expense of Fulham. four-game goalless run in the Palace were missing Ivory eighth minute when he fired Burnley won for the first Coast forward Wilfried Zaha home from Jay Rodriguez’s time in the Premier League after he tested positive for the flickafter a poor headed clear- this season as Chris Wood coronavirus. ance from Cheikhou Kouyate. sealed a 1-0 victory against It was the first league game Burnley were unbeaten in Perth Glory players during a warm-up session in Doha. (AFP) Crystal Palace on Monday. Zaha had missed since Febru- their previous 14 home league Sean Dyche’s side had failed ary 2019 and Roy Hodgson’s games when they scored the to win any of their first seven side lacked a cutting edge with- first goal. Playing with more Perth Glory youngsters games in the joint worst start out him as they slumped to a confidence thanks to Wood’s to a season in the club’s history. second defeat in three games. opener, they threatened again ready to embrace ‘fantastic’ The Clarets were the only Palace had a shot on target through Dwight McNeil’s 20- Premier League team yet to within 90 seconds when Nath- yard drive. score a home goal this term aniel Clyne’s long-range rocket Palace went close to equal- Ulsan Hyundai challenge until New Zealand striker was tipped over by Nick Pope. ising when Jordan Ayew Wood put them ahead in the Burnley had managed just worked space to draw a good AFC “It’s a young squad, and first half against Palace. three league goals this season stop from Pope, who had to DohA very motivated,” he said. That was enough to clinch and hadn’t scored since Octo- make another excellent save to Burnley’s New Zealand striker Chris Wood celebrates after scoring in “Together, they are get- a much-needed three points ber 3 when Ashley Westwood keep out Andros Townsend’s the English Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Turf Moor Perth Glory may be staring ting along very well and form- for Burnley, who climbed out netted in a defeat at Newcastle. curling effort. in Burnley, England, on Monday. (AFP) down the barrel of 2020 AFC ing a fantastic group, and for Champions League elimina- them it’s a fantastic challenge tion, but their players remain to have. They are very excited in a buoyant mood ahead of every day and every hour in Tuesday’s clash at the Educa- this hub. They’re making the FIFA hands African football chief Ahmad Ahmad 5-yr ban tion City Stadium at 4pm on most out of it.” Tuesday, against Korea Repub- Perth’s next generation AFP puts Mr. Ahmad Ahmad in a lenged by Augustin Senghor, lic’s Ulsan Hyundai, according will have to be at their best Lausanne position of no longer being able the president of the Senega- to head coach Cristian Ola. against the K League runners- to exercise his responsibilities”. lese Football Federation. Without a point from their up, with Ola confirming his Ahmad Ahmad’s reign as the Congolese official Omari Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya, opening two matches, and still side’s selection options had head of African football looked became Ahmad’s number two Ivory Coast’s Jacques Anouma without the services of a num- scarcely improved since their to be over on Monday after in July 2019 following the and South African billionaire ber of senior players, Perth last hit-out. FIFA hit him with a five-year sacking of Amaju Pinnick, also Patrice Motsepe have also could be forgiven for feeling Goalkeeper Liam Reddy, suspension for corruption. head of the Nigerian Football thrown their hats in the ring. pessimistic about their four re- midfield general Neil Kilkenny Ahmad, from Madagascar, Federation. Omari is president Last month, former CAF maining Group F fixtures, but and newly signed defender Dar- has been president of the Con- of the Congolese Football Fed- senior vice-president Kwesi Ola, who is part of the tech- yl Lachman are all ruled out ac- federation of African Football eration and a member of the Nyantakyi had his lifetime nical staff led by former Soc- cording to the club, while veter- (CAF) since March 2017 but FIFA Council. ban from football for breaking ceroo Richard Garcia, believes an striker Andy Keogh couldn’t his announced bid for re-elec- In April 2019, Ahmad was FIFA bribery and corruption the opposite is true. be included in the squad due to tion in 2021 is now in doubt accused of a series of offences rules reduced to 15 years. Perth fielded a legion of foreign player limits. after FIFA banned him for by former CAF official Amr Nyantakyi quit his posi- new faces in last Wednesday’s In Perth’s favour is the six- “governance issues”. Fahmy, who informed FIFA in tions as Ahmad’s number two 2-1 defeat to Shanghai Shen- day break they have enjoyed In their statement, FIFA Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad, President of the Confederation of African a letter that Ahmad had paid and president of Ghana’s foot- hua, with teenagers like Bryce since their last match, with Ul- said Ahmad had “breached his Football. (AFP) bribes to directors, made per- ball association two years ago Bafford and 16-year-old Josh- san back in action just 72 hours duty of loyalty, offered gifts sonal use of CAF funds and after being secretly filmed ac- ua Rawlins receiving their after their impressive 3-1 win and other benefits, misman- equipment company. ing elected the head of CAF, sexually harassed a number of cepting a $65,000 bribe from first senior starts for the club over Shanghai Shenhua. aged funds and abused his po- The 60-year-old, who last had denied the accusations. employees. journalists posing as business- in a match which could have With four points from two sition as the CAF President”. week stood down from his In response to his ban, Two months later he was men who wanted to invest in gone either way. matches, Ulsan can put them- Ahmad was also fined post for 20 days after test- CAF announced on Monday arrested in Paris while at the Ghanaian football. Asked how his young selves to within touching dis- 200,000 Swiss francs ing positive for coronavirus, that Constant Omari’s posi- FIFA Congress ahead of that The official also agreed to a charges were adapting to life tance of the Round of 16 with ($220,000) by FIFA for the can appeal the ban “from all tion as interim head of the year’s women’s World Cup as fictional sponsorship deal cre- in the AFC Champions League, another three points, while misdeeds, which related to football-related activity” at the body would be extended, with- part of a probe into corrup- ated by the reporters, which Ola revealed his players were Perth are reaching must-win “the organisation and financ- Court of Arbitration for Sport out specifying for how long. tion, but was released a day they told Nyantakyi would thriving under the responsibil- territory if their maiden AFC ing of an Umrah pilgrimage to (CAS). CAF said in a statement later without charge. have funnelled millions of dol- ity thrust upon them in Asia’s Champions League campaign is Mecca” and his involvement in Ahmad, who was made a that the decision was made fol- Ahmad’s bid to remain lars designed for Ghanaian premier competition. to last beyond the group stage. CAF’s dealings with a sports FIFA vice-president after be- lowing FIFA’s ruling, “which head of CAF was being chal- football to a company he runs. Sports Tuesday, November 24, 2020 15 QMMF to host FIA Qatar International Rally 2021 in January

Qatar’s champion driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, who recently clinched his 16th Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) title in November, with French navigator Mathieu Baumel.

Tribune News Network for the Qatar International Rally 2021 In 2019 he grabbed a record-ex- Doha and we are constantly looking for new tending sixth victory, sealing his 15th and exciting ways to improve our com- title win in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. The Qatar International Rally 2021 will petitors and spectators value and satis- The Qatari and his French co- be held from January 28 to 30, it was faction amidst the pandemic issues we driver Mathieu Baumel have shown announced. are currently facing,” the QMMF added. indisputable domination in recent years cancelled in November, the two rallying The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Held since 1984, MERC opens up an winning titles around the world. stars were declared winners of the MERC Federation (QMMF) said, “Qatar Motor exceptional playground for rally drivers The 2020 season was a start-stop 2020 edition. and Motorcycle Federation is proud to and teams on a varied terrain featuring affair with rallies – in Oman and Cy- announce the hosting of the First Round sand deserts and overheated tarmac. prus – getting completed whereas rac- The following MERC titles are awarded of FIA Middle East Rally Championship Rallying icon Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah es in Qatar and Jordan were cancelled every year: 2021 which will take place on 28th – 3oth of Qatar has featured in the FIA Middle because of the COVID-19 pandemic FIA Middle East Rally Championship January 2021.” East Rally Championship since 2003 sweeping the globe since mid-February for Drivers and Co-Drivers The three-day event will kick start and equalled Mohammed bin Sulayem’s this year. FIA MERC 2 for Drivers and Co-Drivers the FIA Middle East Rally Championship record of 14 title wins in 2018 when he Al Attiyah and Baumel won races in FIA MERC 3 for Drivers and Co-Drivers (MERC) for the year 2021. placed his Ford Fiesta R5 on the top spot Oman (Feb 6-8) and Cyprus (Oct 16- FIA MERC Junior Championship for “QMMF are now starting to prepare of the leaderboard. 18) and when the Lebanon event got Drivers Under 26.

ATP champion Medvedev leads next generation pushing the ‘big three’

okay, no more tennis for Daniil Medvedev’s victory over Dominic 2020,” Medvedev said. Thiem at the ATP Finals could signpost “I remember two weeks be- fore US Open nobody was sure, a new era in men’s tennis where the ‘big and everybody was talking that they are gonna cancel it. three’ of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer “We know that Australia is South Africa paceman not a sure thing in January, so I Kagiso Rabada. are challenged for major titles in 2021. think it should be remembered for this end of the year, which DPA curtailed by knee surgery, have was amazing even without the London dominated men’s tennis with 57 crowd for tennis as a sport.” major titles since 2003 and only There is some uncertainty Rabada reveals A new champion was crowned recently had Thiem broken that still hanging in the balance for in silence as the 2020 tennis trend with his maiden major at 2021 as currently no players season stumbled across the fin- the US Open. will be allowed into Australia ‘bizarre’ S African ish line in London when Rus- A new rivalry seems to be before January 1 with a two- sian Daniil Medvedev lifted the emerging between Medvedev week quarantine rule that puts ATP Finals title on Sunday that and Thiem, who prevailed the Australian Open’s January training regime signalled a passing of the torch in the New York semi-finals 18 start date in doubt. between legends and youth. against Medvedev, who says Despite defeat, it has been AFP The 24-year-old Medvedev this ground-breaking era a successful end to the year for Cape Town bested Austria’s Dominic Thi- could push and challenge “the Thiem, who reached two out of em 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 to finish big three.” three Grand Slam finals at the Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada We have to train in groups a tennis calendar that had been “Hopefully we can be there Australian and US Opens and revealed on Monday that the — a group of non-contacts disrupted by the coronavirus for a long time, maybe let’s say collected his biggest win in a South African cricket team are pandemic, which meant no fans pushing the other generations Russia’s Daniil Medvedev poses with the winner’s trophy after his 4-6, five-set epic against German training in two groups to mini- and a group of close were present at the O2 Arena back, because that’s how we 7-6, 6-4 win over Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the men’s singles final of Alexander Zverev in the New mise the risk of further COV- contacts. It doesn’t mean for his defining moment. can be close to the top three,” the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday. (AFP) York final. ID-19 infections ahead of their anyone is positive but we Medvedev’s triumph was said Medvedev, who is ranked “I have reached one of my series against England. have to take that extra significant because in an un- fourth behind Thiem. Andy Murray to have at least to maybe continue their story.” big lifetime goals with win- Two members of the South precaution. beaten run to the trophy, he “What is definitely good five wins against Djokovic, The players remain thank- ning that Grand Slam. So African squad have tested pos- had claimed a feat that no other from us, from Dominic, from Federer and Nadal. ful that they got to compete and even though it’s a tough year, itive for Covid since the squad Kagiso Rabada had done before in defeating the me, especially if we talk just “I think it’s super impor- earn prize money in the corona- it will always have a special assembled last week and two world’s top three players. about this tournament, we tant for the sport,” said Thiem virus year that looked like it was place in my heart this year,” other players had to go into He started at the top by dis- managed both to beat Rafa when asked how beating the over in March when the season Thiem reflected. isolation because of their close cent Indian Premier League in mantling Novak Djokovic in the and Novak, which is amazing big three will improve the was suspended, Wimbledon “I hope that this pandemic contact with one of the infect- the United Arab Emirates. group stage before conquering accomplishment. We are defi- popularity of tennis. was cancelled for the first time is gonna come to an end very ed players. There were no crowds at Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals nitely going to push each other “There is going to be a time since World War II and the usu- soon, that people can start to “It’s been quite bizarre,” the IPL and there will again and besting third-ranked Thi- through all our careers.” when they are not around any ally May-June French Open fin- work again, can have a nor- Rabada told an online press be no spectators at the three em in the final. As well as picking up his more. ished in October. mal life again, and I hope that conference from the team ho- T20 internationals and three Djokovic, Nadal and Roger 300th career win, Thiem be- That’s our challenge to keep “I think at one point of it’s coming to an end as soon tel in Cape Town. one-day internationals against Federer, who had his season came the second player since all those people with tennis and the year we actually thought, as possible.” “We have to train in groups England. — a group of non-contacts and Rabada said the lack of a group of close contacts. crowds had not affected the “It doesn’t mean anyone standard of cricket in the IPL. is positive but we have to take “The competitiveness was Al Ahli, Al Sadd score wins in Qatar volleyball men’s league that extra precaution.” second to none,” he said. Rabada did not reveal “The crowd gives that extra While Al Ahli scored how many players were in bit of adrenalin and that extra each group but planned intra- bit of drama and theatre. a 3-0 (25-21, squad matches on Saturday “There’s definitely an ele- and Monday were cancelled, ment missing but at the end 25-18, 25-16) win presumably to reduce the risk of the day we are competitive over Al Gharafa in of infections. cricketers who want to com- He said more Covid tests pete, to test your skill level. I the first round of would be conducted with the think it will be much the same the Qatar Volleyball players “soon”. in this series.” Despite the unusual train- Rabada said living in the Association’s (QVA) ing arrangements, Rabada bubble was tough but added a Senior Men’s League, said “training is going smooth- note of realism. ly” ahead of the first Twenty20 “It’s like luxury prisons Al Sadd blanked Al international against England that you are in but at the end at Newlands on Friday. of the day you have to remind Shamal by identical “The team is doing well at yourself that you are fortu- margin winning sticking to strict rules.” nate,” he said. Rabada is undergoing his “People have lost their jobs 26-24, 25-11, 25-23 second “bio-bubble” experi- and people are struggling. at the QVA Hall ence in a short period of time “I try to remind myself that Al Sadd’s Kanote Mamadou goes for a smash as Al after starring for the Delhi we must be grateful for the op- on Monday. Shamal defenders try to block during their match at Al Ahli’s Danilov Roman makes a smash against Al Gharafa during during their Capitals, and becoming the portunity to earn some money the QVA Hall on Monday. match at the QVA Hall. leading wicket-taker, in the re- and do what we love.” 16 Tuesday, November 24, 2020 The Last Word Ajyal fest closing ceremony celebrates the best of 2020 competition Qatari actor Amina Hilal wins the Abdulaziz Jassim Award for Best Performance for ‘Under Her Skin’ in the Made in Qatar category Tribune News Network Mesraoua Doha The winners of the Ajyal Jury Competition Awards: The first-ever hybrid edition ● Mohaq: Best Short Film of the 8th Ajyal Film Festival, Awar -- ‘Hope’ (Qatar, In- presented by the Doha Film donesia/2020) by Abdulla Institute (DFI), held from No- Mohammed Al-Janahi; Best vember 18 to 23, announced Feature Film Award – ‘Dino the winners of the ‘Ajyal Jury Dana’ (Canada/2019) by J.J. Competition’ and ‘Made in Johnson Qatar’ awards at a festive ● Hilal: Best Short Film Award closing ceremony at Katara – ‘The Present’ (Palestine, Qa- on Monday with simultane- tar/2019) by Farah Nabulsi; ous live broadcast at Ajyal’s HE Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi and other guests at the closing event. The winners of ‘Ajyal Jury Competition’ and ‘Made in Qatar’ awards. Best Feature Film Award – new Drive-In Cinema at ‘Sun Children’ (Iran/2020) by Lusail. Film Festival, I remain deeply ture and Sports HE Salah bin Majid Majidi Among those in attend- grateful for your support and Ghanem Al Ali: ● Bader: Best Short Film ance was HE Sheikha Al Ma- unwavering belief in the pow- ● Special Jury Award: ‘Stran- Award – ‘Woman of Steel’ yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa er of cinema to spark mean- ger’ (Qatar, France/2020) by (Jordan, Qatar/2020) by Oba- Al Thani, Chairperson of DFI, ingful change in the world and Yasser Mustafa and Chris- da Yousef Jarbi; Best Feature who delivered a special online to inspire us to take on the tophe Buffet Film Award -- 200 Meters message to the Ajyal jurors challenges of this year with ● Abdulaziz Jassim Award for (Palestine, Jordan, Qatar, It- and the audience. compassion and humanity. Best Performance: Amina Hi- aly, Sweden/2020) by Ameen Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, I am proud of your passion, lal from ‘Under Her Skin’ (Qa- Nayfeh festival director and chief ex- tireless energy, and enthusi- tar, France, Algeria/2020) by ● Audience Award: ‘200 Me- ecutive officer ofD FI, thanked asm in keeping cinematic con- and reflective essays by 18 Qa- Balducchi. categories: Mohaq (8-12 year Meriem Mesraoua ters’ (Palestine, Jordan, Qa- the leadership, public and pri- versations alive and making tari and Qatar-based filmmak- The international Ajyal olds), Hilal (13-17 year olds) ● Best Documentary Award: tar, Italy, Sweden/2020) by vate sector entities, sponsors, this year’s festival possible,” ers in celebration of Qatar’s Jury – many of whom partici- and Bader (18-25 year olds) to ‘Ander’ (Qatar, Kazakh- Ameen Nayfeh volunteers, filmmakers and she said. growing national film indus- pated virtually from around evaluate a selection of 22 fea- stan/2020) by Alina Mustafi- ● Bariq Audience Award: Best members of the jury for their Ajyal’s flagship pro- try. The Made in Qatar jury the world – selected this ture films and 58 shorts. na Short Film Award – ‘Small support in hosting the event. gramme Made in Qatar, pre- comprised filmmaker Kamal year’s Ajyal Jury Competi- The winners of the Made ● Best Narrative Award: ‘Un- Spark’ (France/2019) by Julie “As the curtains come sented by Ooerdoo, included Aljafari, composer Dana Al tion Awards winners. Jurors in Qatar Competition Awards der Her Skin’ (Qatar, France, Rembauville and Nicolas Bi- down on this year’s 8th Ajyal 16 narratives, documentaries Fardan and producer Marie were divided into three age presented by Minister of Cul- Algeria/2020) by Meriem anco-Levrin WCM-Q scientists produce WHO Doha Debates #DearWorldLive event finds ways to be a good report on eliminating hepatitis C ally in the fight against racism in Eastern Mediterranean region Experts explain how people can best support communities of colour and amplify their voices Hepatitis C accounts for two thirds of morbidity and mortality due to viral hepatitis in Tribune News Network Eastern Mediterranean region, the 5th leading cause of death in this part of the world Doha

Tribune News Network Joumana Hermez, region- People who want to help Doha al advisor for HIV, hepatitis in the fight for racial equal- and sexually transmitted in- ity should be thoughtful and Researchers at Weill Cor- fections at the WHO’s Eastern solutions-focused in their nell Medicine-Qatar (WCM- Mediterranean region office, approach, avoiding symbolic Q), in partnership with the said: “We are at a very impor- but unimpactful gestures, World Health Organization tant juncture today where we experts told Qatar Founda- (WHO), have produced a have the tools to fully elimi- tion’s (QF) Doha Debates comprehensive report on the nate this infection in our re- during a recent #DearWorld- hepatitis C virus epidemic in gion. The report provides stra- Live episode. the Eastern Mediterranean (From left) Hiam Chemaitelly, Dr Laith Abu Raddad, Joumana tegic epidemiologic evidence Advocates for racial jus- region, offering guidance on Hermez and Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie. to accomplish this through tice cited examples of peo- eliminating the disease by the cost-effective programmes ple with the best intentions A screenshot of Qatar Foundation Doha Debates’ recent #DearWorld- WHO’s 2030 target date. cancer in infected persons. eral population are unlikely for testing and treatment. showing their support for Live episode. The WHO report, entitled In the Eastern Mediter- to be cost-effective as infec- The WHO is fully committed the global struggle for ra- ‘Epidemiology of hepatitis ranean region, hepatitis C ac- tion levels are low in the wider to work with countries to ac- cial equality and discussed Dlakavu underscored suming that the community C virus in the WHO Eastern counts for about two thirds population in most countries complish the elimination goal whether those actions were that historically White allies isn’t doing the work already.” Mediterranean Region: Impli- of morbidity and mortality in the eastern Mediterranean before the end of the next dec- meaningful. have played a role in both On the topic of cancel cul- cations for strategic action’, is due to viral hepatitis, the 5th region and most often in the ade.” Kelsey Nielsen, co-found- dismantling and preserving ture, Hedayat asked whether the product of close collabo- leading cause of death in this range of about 1 percent. The Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, er of Uganda-based No White systems of oppression. She we “should cancel people who ration between the WHO Re- part of the world. The report only two main exceptions are executive director at Qatar Saviours, who describes her- cited this is as a reason why, get it wrong.” Dlakavu stated gional Office for theE astern provides comprehensive map- Egypt and Pakistan, where National Research Fund, self as a “White saviour in re- despite the ostensible end of that “we are not all born ac- Mediterranean (WHO-EM- ping for hepatitis C infection infection levels in the gen- said: “This accomplishment covery,” told programme host apartheid, the fight against tivists...even the most inspir- RO) and WCM-Q’s Infectious spread across all 22 countries eral population are higher by is a testimony of the impact of Nelufar Hedayat that allyship racism continues, and that ing political and cultural ac- Disease Epidemiology Group comprising the region as well at least five-fold and where Qatar’s investment in scientif- with Black people is an “ongo- racism is not limited to just tivists had a past,” that is why (IDEG), which was recently as a roadmap and priority ac- elimination of the infection ic research on public health ing process of confrontation interpersonal effects, but it “we must keep learning”. designated as a WHO Collabo- tions for the achievement of will require mass scale-up of in our region, and the fruit of and accountability,” stressing has tangible effects, too – Nielsen said that people rating Centre for Disease Epi- national, regional and global testing and treatment servic- years of collective efforts and that any solution “should be from lower life expectancy “should not be cancelled...it demiology Analytics on HIV/ targets for the elimination of es,” she added. of hard and dedicated work completely Black-led.” to resource ownership and is about practicing humility AIDS, Sexually Transmitted hepatitis C infection as a pub- Dr Laith Abu-Raddad, at Qatar National Research Simamkele Dlakavu, a healthcare access. in that process.” The inten- Infections and Viral Hepatitis. lic health threat by 2030. principal investigator of Fund and Qatar Foundation professor and lecturer on Nielsen added that ally- tion should be to “seek and Hepatitis C is a blood- “By comprehensively this project and professor of to establish Qatar as a hub gender studies at the Univer- ship is not about what privi- desire liberation, justice and borne pathogen and one of the mapping the spread of the in- population health sciences of research excellence and sity of Cape Town, said that lege someone is willing to use equity,” not just using the leading causes of liver diseases fection across populations and at WCM-Q, said: “We aimed scientific innovation. I am the first step to good allyship in the fight but rather what buzzwords of “diversity and and liver cancer. The virus is countries, we identifiedthe through this work to provide excited to see, after a decade in the fight for racial justice privilege they’re willing to inclusion, but actually doing mostly transmitted through priority populations for scal- countries in the region with of capacity building, Qatar is to “reach out to the com- give up. the work to transfer power sharing of unsterile needles ing up coverage of hepatitis C the foundation necessary to has now positioned itself as munity and ask how you can Salah Mahmoud, a Pal- and disrupt these systems”. and syringes, use of contami- testing and treatment services develop an evidence-informed a leader in infectious disease be of help. They will let you estinian medical student at More than half a mil- nated medical equipment and and the kind of interventions national response and to epidemiology research in our know the ways you can help.” Weill Cornell Medicine - Qa- lion people around the world transfusion of infected blood. that are needed to control this justify the establishment of region.” Nielsen addressed the tar, a Qatar Foundation (QF) watched the live online show, It is only in the last few years epidemic,” said Hiam Che- programmes and allocation The report can be read in dangers of failed allyship, partner university, attended the fourth in a series of #Dear- that novel treatment regimens maitelly, senior epidemiolo- of resources for hepatitis C full at: http://www.emro.who. highlighting “the violence the discussion, and asked: WorldLive programmes fo- have permitted cure from this gist at WCM-Q and lead au- elimination, now that highly int/asd/asd-infocus/epidemi- and harm caused by white “How can you take part in ac- cused on how to achieve racial infection, thus reducing the thor of the report. effective treatments for this ology-of-hepatitis-c-virus-in- people who do awful things tivism without speaking over justice around the world. The toll of liver complications such “Programmes focused on infection have become avail- the-who-eastern-mediterra- in the name of doing good… said community?” live programme’s top viewing as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and testing and treating the gen- able and at affordable prices.” nean-region.html and abuse their power in the Dlakavu stressed that nations were the US, Brazil, process.” people must “refrain from as- Turkey, India and Spain. Mathaf Talk to feature Moroccan artist Yto Barrada, curator Barlow

Tribune News Network Educated Mother Just Served Thérèse Rivière; and the Leba- As museum programmes go narratives and celebrate eve- DOHA Us Nougat’ at Mathaf focuses on nese modernist Saloua Raouda digital, this online discussion ryday forms of reclaiming au- the threads of regeneration and Choucair. The characters form brings the audience closer to tonomy. She is the founder of Ahead of the closing of the ex- growth moving between archi- part of the artist’s imagined the artist’s stories and multiple Cinémathèque de Tanger, a hibition ‘Yto Barrada: My Very tecture, urban transformation, and historical socio-political collaborations that inspired cultural centre that has become Educated Mother Just Served horticulture, experimental edu- narratives that address ideas of her work, mostly developed in a landmark institution bring- Us Nougats’, Mathaf: Arab Mu- cation and home economics. decomposition and revival, re- and around her hometown of ing the Moroccan community seum of Modern Art will host a ‘Yto Barrada in Conversa- lated to the histories of political Tangiers.” together to celebrate local and virtual discussion, as part of its tion with Laura Barlow’ will pro- and colonial nation building, Barrada, who lives and international cinema. ‘Mathaf Talk’ series, between vide illuminating insights into post-independence strategies of works between Tangier, Mo- The online talk will be held the artist and the curator of the the different strands of thought resistance, and their distinct for- rocco, and New York City, is via Zoom from 6pm Doha solo exhibition Laura Barlow on and the presence of the parallel mal realities. recognised for her multidisci- Time on Sunday, 29 Novem- November 29. but distinct lives of those fea- Abdellah Karroum, direc- plinary investigations into cul- ber 29. To register to join the The practice of Moroccan tured in Barrada’s exhibition. tor of Mathaf, said: “Yto Barra- tural phenomena and histori- conversation, visit https:// artist Yto Barrada draws upon ‘Yto Barrada: My Very Edu- da is one of the most important cal narratives. Engaging with us02web.zoom.us/meeting/ the roles of activist, educator, cated Mother Just Served Us artists of her generation. We archival practices and public register/tZYoduGpqTItH9bgc- architect, botanist and anthro- Nougats’, open from August 2 to look forward to her discussion interventions, Barrada’s instal- QjH5lXhsgfRZOZEXPAy . pologist to explore expressions November 30, features Mounira with Laura Barlow, who curat- lations uncover lesser-known The event will be held in of communality and individual Bouzid, Barrada’s mother; the ed a unique exhibition and ed- histories, reveal the prevalence English with simultaneous Ara- ‘Yto Barrada in Conversation with Laura Barlow’ will provide illuminat- being. The exhibition ‘My Very ethnologist and anthropologist ited its publication for Mathaf. of fiction in institutionalised bic translation. ing insights into Barrada’s exhibition.