FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2020 RABI AL-AKHAR 12, 1442 VOL.14 NO. 5114 QR 2

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Nation 2 Business 8 Sports 13 Qatar calls for condemnation Investors gain QR12 bn in Fans pay their last of illegal coercive measures one week as foreign respects to football imposed by siege countries institutions turn bullish legend Maradona

AMIR, ERDOGAN DISCUSS WAYS TO ENHANCE STRATEGIC COOPERATION QATAR, TURKEY SIGN A SLEW OF DEALS TO STRENGTHEN TIES

His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan witness the signing of an MoU in Ankara on Thursday. (Right) HH the Amir with the Turkish president. PAGE 14

QNA eration in the economic and finan- ANKARA cial fields, a memorandum of under- Successful talks to consolidate standing for cooperation in family, HIS Highness the Amir of State of women, and social services affairs, a Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Qatari-Turkish partnership: Amir declaration of intent on exchanging Al Thani and the President of the I conducted a successful round of talks with my diplomats between the Ministry of Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Institute Erdogan on Thursday discussed on the Qatari-Turkish partnership. And we agreed and the Diplomacy Academy of the the strategic bilateral cooperation to employ more of our countries’ capabilities to Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, between the two countries. The consolidate this partnership, which is constantly and the signing of the meeting min- talks focused on the political, eco- evolving for the good and in the interest of our utes of the Qatar-Turkey Supreme nomic, investment, defense, ener- people. We also exchanged views on a number of Strategic Committee. gy, education, transport, and sports The signing ceremony was at- regional and global issues and developments. among other issues. tended by members of the official The sixth meeting of the Qatar- delegation accompanying HH the Turkey Supreme Strategic Com- Amir. It was attended on the Turk- mittee, which was held at the pres- the Turkish president witnessed Turkish Ministry of Trade on coop- ish side by ministers and ranking idential palace in Ankara, reviewed the signing of a memorandum to erating in the field of free zones. officials. the outcomes of the previous meet- purchase a stake in Istinye Park HH the Amir and the Turkish In the evening, HH the Amir ings, and the ways to enhance the shopping center, a memorandum president also witnessed the sign- left Ankara. HH the Amir sent a Amir, Erdogan visit Nation’s committee’s work to advance the of understanding (MoU) between ing of a joint statement on the es- message to the Turkish president, interest of the people of the two Qatar Investment Authority and Al- tablishment of a joint economic and expressing his thanks and appre- Library of the Presidency countries. tin Halic on potential joint invest- trade committee between the Qatari ciation for the warm hospitality HIS Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al The two sides also discussed ment in the Golden Horn project, a Ministry of Commerce and Industry and honor His Highness and the Thani and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan vis- the latest regional and internation- memorandum to purchase a stake and the Turkish Ministry of Trade, a accompanying delegation received ited the Nation’s Library of the Presidency in Ankara on Thursday. During al developments, and exchanged in Borsa Istanbul, an agreement memorandum of understanding on during the official visit. HH the the visit, they were informed on the contents of the library in terms of views regarding them. The two selling and purchasing Ortadogu cooperation in the field of manag- Amir wished the president good books, journals, and university dissertations, in addition to the electronic sides focused in particular on de- Antalya port between Global Li- ing water, a Letter of Intent between health and wellness and continued database of books. HH the Amir and the Turkish president were also velopments in Palestine, Libya, man and QTerminals, and a memo- the Qatari Ministry of Finance and success, and for the brother Turk- briefed on ways the library’s research and scienti c services provided to and Syria. randum of understanding between the Turkish Ministry of Finance and ish people further progress and its visitors. (QNA) Afterwards, HH the Amir and Qatar Free Zones Authority and the Treasury that aims to enhance coop- prosperity.

Qatar makes travel easier for residents Labour law safeguards the interests Residents wishing to travel and return will automatically The quarantine period will be for one week only after of employers as well, says official receive an exceptional entry permit upon departure arrival in the country regardless of destination TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ees’ freedom to change jobs with certain TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK day, the GCO said the resi- istration of the resident’s de- However, the automatic DOHA controls. DOHA dent or their employer will be parture from Qatar. exceptional entry permit ser- The employer has the right to object in able to print out the excep- The decision is in con- vice will not be available for THE latest amendments to the labour law in the event a worker moves to a competing STARTING from November tional entry permit from the tinuation of the gradual lift- residents who are currently Qatar protect the interests of the employers company, Obaidly said. 29, residents who are current- Ministry of Interior’s website ing of restrictions imposed outside of Qatar. and safeguard the rights of the employees, The employer has the right to demand ly in Qatar and wish to travel at any point after the resident in Qatar as a result of the They are still required to Muhammad Hassan Al Obaidly, the Assis- any fees he or she incurred to train the work- and return will automatically has departed Qatar. Requests coronavirus (COVID-19) obtain the exceptional return tant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the er, such as fees for obtaining a driver’s li- receive an exceptional entry will no longer be needed to be pandemic, based on public permit via the “Qatar Portal” Ministry of Administrative Development, La- cence, he said, emphasing that the employer permit upon departure, the submitted through the “Qatar health indicators in Qatar website if they wish to return bour and Social Affairs, has said. need to mention these aspects in the employ- Government Communica- Portal” website. and around the world, and to Qatar. While the latest amendments scrapped ment contract to guarantee his or her right. tions Office (GCO) has said. The permit will be avail- on Qatar’s travel policy an- a rule requiring employers’ consent to In a statement on Thurs- able automatically upon reg- nounced previously. Continued on page 2 change jobs, it has also restricted employ - Continued on page 2 02 Friday, November 27, 2020

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Shura attends meeting on family farming legislations Qatar calls for condemnation of illegal THE Shura Council on Thursday meeting focused on exchang- participated in a virtual parlia- ing knowledge and experi- mentary international meeting ences between parliamentar- measures by the blockading countries held by the International Fund ians from different regions on for Agricultural Development policy-making processes and QNA Saint Vincent and the Gren- cial and humanitarian conse- concern about the blockading (IFAD) and the Food and Ag- solutions for family farming, NEW YORK adines. quences affecting the citizens countries’ application of vari- riculture Organization of the and identifying needs and chal- Sheikha Alya stated that and residents of the state, as ous forms of unilateral trade United Nations (FAO). The meet lenges in the legislative process QATAR has called for con- Qatar has been facing illegal well as many human rights embargoes against Qatar, was held to exchange experi- to support comprehensive laws demnation of the unlawful, measures and a blockade im- violations,” she said. which restricts trade in goods, ences with parliamentarians on and policies for family farming. unilateral and coercive meas- posed unilaterally without The ambassador referred services and trade-related in- general policies and legislation Shura Member HE Ibrahim bin ures imposed by the blockad- justification or legal basis for to UN reports, the latest of tellectual property rights, and for family farming. Khalifa Al Nasr represented the ing countries, pointing out more than three years. which is the preliminary find- hinders the full achievement Discussions during the Council in the meeting. (QNA) that the application of such She said that the attempt ings of UN Special Rappor- of the Sustainable Develop- measures targeting the state is to undermine sovereignty and teur on unilateral coercive ment Goals, also noting the continuing despite rulings by political independence is unac- measures and human rights, Special Rapporteur’s concern competent international bod- ceptable and illegal, stressing Alena Douhan, and her recent about the demand to close ies such as the International that this attempt contradicts HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif visit to Qatar. Sheikha Alya Qatari media outlets, which Shura panel discusses draft Court of Justice. international law and obliga- Al Thani reviewed the most promi- undermines freedom of ex- This came in a statement tions under the UN Charter, as nent violations in the Special pression. state budget for fiscal 2021 made by Permanent Repre- well as undermines collective tion 74/154 entitled ‘Human Rapporteur’s report, includ- Sheikha Alya pointed sentative of Qatar to the Unit- security frameworks and, thus, Rights and Unilateral Coercive ing numerous violations of out that this necessitates the THE Shura Council’s Finan- Mohammed Jolo, Director of ed Nations Ambassador HE threatens regional and inter- Measures’, which urges all fundamental rights and free- condemnation of unlawful cial Affairs Committee held a the budget department at the Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif national peace and security in states to stop taking any uni- doms, such as the right to unilateral measures and the meeting on Thursday to ex- Ministry of Finance Salman Al Thani at the UN Security a region that receives special lateral measures that are in- family life, education, work, rejection of this method that amine the draft state budget Mohammed Al Mahmoud, Di- Council’s virtual Arria-For- attention by the UNSC. consistent with international treatment, private property, hinders the achievement of for the 2021 fiscal year and the rector of the department regu- mula meeting on ‘End Unilat- These coercive measures law and the UN Charter. the practice of religion and full social and economic de- draft law to adopt it. lating public projects at the eral Coercive Measures Now’, violate UN General Assem- “These unilateral meas- access to justice. velopment and prosperity and The committee discussed Ministry of Finance Youssef which was called for by Russia, bly resolutions, she pointed ures against Qatar resulted, She indicated that the the application of basic human the draft budget under the Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director China, South Africa, Niger and out, referring to UN Resolu- and continues to result in, so- Special Rapporteur expressed rights. chairmanship of its rappor- of the shared services affairs teur HE Ali bin Abdullatif Al at Ashghal Mishal Sultan Al Misnad Al Mohannadi. As- Hitmi and Director of financial sistant Undersecretary for and administrative affairs at treasury affairs at the Minis- Ashghal Nouf Saleh Al Fuhaid try of Finance Abdulrahman were present in the meeting. Qatar committed to creating World Cup fan Fouad Al Modahka, Assistant The committee decided to Undersecretary for financial present its report on the 2021 policy affairs at the Minis- fiscal year budget and its draft experience centered on smart tech: Thawadi try of Finance Abdulrahman law to the Shura Council. (QNA) building sports facilities in a restaurants, sporting facilities Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be the rst fully number of countries in coor- and more. demountable stadium in FIFA WC history dination with FIFA, and, in Thawadi also outlined doing so, providing a unique how organisers are commit- Joint Special Forces to carry out TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK sponses to climate change, the mode of legacy that organisers ted to creating a fan experi- DOHA importance of cybersecurity of future major tournaments ence that is centred on smart parachute, paramotor exercises and the potential of autono- can benefit from,” said Tha- technologies, leveraging other THE FIFA World Cup has the mous vehicles. wadi. initiatives by Msheireb, Qatar THE General Command of the a radius of 2 miles, according potential to transform people’s Thawadi highlighted the Thawadi also spoke about Foundation and other Qatar Qatari Armed Forces has an- to the coordinates (N245328 attitudes to sustainability in importance of sustainability – how the stadiums built for the 2022 stakeholders. nounced that the Joint Special and E0512975) (N245328 Qatar, according to Secretary- one of the core pillars of Qatar tournament were designed in “Work continues tirelessly Forces will carry out paraglid- and E0512975). The General General of the Supreme Com- 2022. a manner that would eliminate to ensure the provision of a ing and paramotor exercises Command called on the visitors mittee for Delivery & Legacy “There is a close connec- the creation of so-called ‘white smart experience for visitors in Sealine, which will last un- of the area to take the neces- (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi. tion between sustainability elephants’. in 2022, from the moment til December 17, from 6 am to sary precautions to ensure their Speaking during the Doha and legacy, and we have af- Hassan Al Thawadi. He said, “Our goal behind they board a plane to Qatar, midnight, at 12,500 feet and safety. (QNA) Smart Cities Summit, Thawa- firmed our commitment to designing the stadiums and to connecting to a 5G network, di outlined the different ways both since the first moments tainability can be found at Ras their surrounding areas is not commuting aboard the Doha Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup of preparing Qatar’s bid to Abu Aboud Stadium, which is limited to hosting matches Metro, staying at Msheireb or will help people leverage new host the FIFA World Cup,” he being constructed using ship- over a 28-day period only. other locations, and transport- technology and change their said. ping containers and will be Rather, our focus was on ing between different tourna- Russian parliament welcomes lives for the better. Qatar and FIFA have made completely dismantled after building modern, versatile fa- ment stadiums and all tourist The virtual summit several commitments around the tournament, with its parts cilities that serve all members attractions in the country,” he Shura elections announcement brought together experts to sustainability, all of which are used to create sporting facili- of society and enhance com- said. discuss the future of smart cit- outlined in the Qatar 2022 ties across Qatar and overseas. munity bonds long after the He stressed the impor- MOSCOW: Russia’s State in regional affairs, adding that ies through a series of keynote Sustainability Strategy, most It will be the first fully de- tournament ends.” tance of working with a variety Duma (the Parliament) Com- it would be impossible to ad- speeches and panel discus- notably a plan to deliver the mountable stadium in FIFA Between them, all eight of different partners to create mittee on International Af- vance stability and security in sions. Discussions focused on first carbon neutral World Cup World Cup history. Qatar 2022 stadiums feature what he referred to as, “an ex- fairs welcomed on Thursday the Middle-East and Far East how to leverage smart tech- in history. “Thousands of seats will a vast range of legacy facilities, ceptional, unparalleled experi- the announcement made by without Doha. nology to tackle COVID-19, re- Another example of sus- be donated for the purpose of including public parks, shops, ence in 2022”. the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Speaker of Albania praises hold Shura elections in Octo- Amir’s announcement on ber next year. Shura elections The committee said that the 97 people face prosecution for Chilean envoy to Argentina elections will be an important Speaker of Parliament of Alba- step towards strengthening the nia Gramoz Ruci on Thursday receives Dossary credentials legislative framework in the praised the announcement not wearing face masks in public country and enhancing citizens’ made by the Amir HH Sheikh QNA and Plenipotentiary of Qatar partnership in the legislative Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani NINETY-SEVEN people have and the precautionary meas- day, of which 171 were from the BUENOS AIRES to Chile HE Batal Mojab Al process. They described Qatar’s on holding Shura elections in been referred by authorities to ures in force in the country to community and 44 from trav- Dossary. recent achievements politically, October next year. the Public Prosecution for not contain the spread of the coro- ellers returning from abroad. AMBASSADOR of the Re- Mockenberg wished the economically and environmen- The speaker said it was an wearing face-masks in public navirus (COVID-19). The MoPH also recorded 248 public of Chile to Argen- Qatari ambassador success in tally as well as in other fields as important strep to ensure the places. Meanwhile, the Ministry recoveries from the virus in tina Nicolas Monckeberg his assignments and the bilat- impressive. enhancement of democracy, The measure was in line of Public Health (MoPH) an- the past 24 hours, bringing the has received a copy of the eral relations between the two The committee noted that development and prosperity with the decree law No. 17 of nounced 215 new confirmed total number of recoveries in credentials of non-resident countries further development Qatar plays an important role in Qatar. (QNA) 1990 on infectious diseases, cases of COVID-19 on Thurs- Qatar to 135,198. (QNA) Ambassador Extraordinary and growth. Current law protects employer rights: Obaidly Hotel quarantine must for people Continued from page 1 messages do not mean approval, but rath- er that the request is under consideration from countries not on Green List OBAIDLY said the current law protects and may be accepted or rejected. the rights of the employer, as the em- He indicated that the current employ- Continued from page 1 cedures, a COVID-19 test will ployer has become entitled to terminate er has the right to inquire about the work- Hotel quarantine is man- be conducted for those return- the fixed-term contract without requiring er’s transfer request if he has comments THE statement said the quar- datory for those coming ing from travel upon arrival to him to pay the workers’ dues for the re- or inquiries and the new company must antine period will be for one from countries that are the country if they haven’t had maining period, whereas in the previous have a labour visa of the same nationality week only after arrival in the not included on the Green a test within 48 hours before law the employer was obligated to pay the as the worker, and the new company must country, regardless of destina- travelling to Doha by one of remaining period of the work contract. be an existing one and not fake and have tion. Home quarantine will be List. The quarantine period the Ministry of Public Health’s Also, as part of the amendments, if projects and commercial businesses. applied to those coming from for those who use shared accredited COVID-19 testing the worker violates the work contract and In the event that the application is countries on the Ministry of quarantine facilities will centres. leaves the country, he will not be entitled submitted, the worker must enclose the Public Health’s Green List. be two weeks A second test will be con- to return until one year after his depar- resignation he submitted to the employer, Hotel quarantine is man- ducted on the sixth day from ture. with the necessity of the worker commit- datory for those coming from will be two weeks. The deci- the date of arrival. The status Regarding the controls for accepting ting to a notice period of two months if he countries that are not included sion is based on national and on the Ehteraz application will and rejecting the worker’s transfer re- worked for the employer for more than in the Green List. The quaran- international epidemiology remain yellow until the end of quest, Obaidly said there was confusion by the ministry when the worker submits two years or one month if he worked for tine period for those who use statistics. the seventh day from the date with regard to the text messages issued a transfer request, indicating that these him for less than two years. shared quarantine facilities Based on these new pro- of arrival. Nation Friday, November 27, 2020 03

ATTIYAH MEETS US ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Qatar participates in 36th meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of Arab Justice Ministers virtually for Defense Affairs HE Khalid bin Mohammad QNA Al Attiyah met with US DOHA Secretary of State for Defense Christopher QATAR participated in the 36th Miller, who is currently meeting of Arab Justice Ministers. visiting Qatar. During the The meet was held via video con- meeting, they discussed ferencing on Thursday. Qatar was the military relations represented in the meeting by Min- between the two friendly ister of Justice and Acting Minister countries and the means of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Dr to foster these relations, Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi. in addition to the latest The meeting dealt with en- regional and international hancing Arab and international developments. The cooperation in the field of counter- meeting was attended terrorism. It also discussed the by a group of senior Arab agreement for combatting of cers of the Armed cybercrime and a draft Arab law on Forces and a delegation preventing hate crime. The meet- accompanying the US ing also reviewed a number of ar- of cial. (QNA) ticles and documents related to joint Arab work. 8th Ajyal Film Festival helps create a legacy of inclusion and exchange The hybrid edition of the event included 22 features and 58 shorts; 31 from the Arab World; 30 by women lmmakers and 24 lms supported by the Institute

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THE first hybrid edition of the 8th Ajyal Film Festival, pre- sented by the Doha Film Insti- tute (DFI) under the theme ‘The Show Goes On,’ presented an exciting film and cultural pro- gram for audiences in Qatar and beyond as recently concluded. From open-air cinema to art shows and motivational DFI CEO and Ajyal Film Festival Director Fatma Hassan Alremaihi online lectures, Ajyal 2020 and DFI CAO and Deputy Festival Director Abdullah Al Musallam presented an ambitious combi- with filmmakers activist Sophia Kianni, and Qa- transformative one-stop cultur- resent and honor global action selected by an international nation of virtual and in-person tar’s leading female contempo- al extravaganza, the Ajyal Crea- and solidarity. In exploring the Ajyal Jury – with many jurors film screenings, coupled with filmmakers from around the time, Made in Qatar: Inclusive rary composer, Dana Al Fardan. tivity Hub returned with Qa- individual isolation and separa- joining virtually from around the highest level of health and globe, Ajyal continues to ampli- Experience, presented in part- Featuring an unmissable tar’s largest pop-culture event tion of artists, ‘Outbreak’ chal- the world – divided into three safety, to ensure the safety of all fy powerful voices and inspire nership with the Translation selection of films from clas- Geekdom, presented in part- lenges the public to consider age categories: Mohaq (8-12 attendees. The festival started generations of filmmakers. and Interpreting Institute (TII) sic family-favourites to edge- nership with Qatar National the various aspects that can af- year old), Hilal (13-17 year old), with a glamorous red carpet The captivating program of the College of Humanities of-your-seat horror, Ajyal Tourism Council. Ajyal Tunes fect - and at times inspire - our and Bader (18-25 year old) to function at the Katara Cultural Made in Qatar, presented by and Social Sciences at Hamad launched its first-ever Drive-In invited audiences to explore the worldview from the current evaluate a selection of shorts Village, followed by the screen- Ooredoo, has returned to cel- bin Khalifa University made Cinema experience in partner- mesmerising power of melody pandemic. From 10 AM – 10 and feature films. ing of Sun Children (Iran/2020) ebrate the exciting growth of film accessible to film enthusi- ship with Qatar National Tour- at Ajyal’s Drive-In Cinema in PM, Saturday to Thursday and 2020 Ajyal Film Festival’s by Iranian director Majid Ma- filmmaking in the country with asts of all abilities. ism Council at Lusail as part of Lusail with three exhilarating from 2 PM until 10 PM Friday Official Partners include: Ka- jidi, who made his debut at the an inspiring slate of 16 films The Ajyal Talks showcase a multisensory experience for night-time concerts. the exhibition will remain open tara Cultural Village Founda- 77th Venice International Film by Qatari directors and Qatari focused on leadership, creativi- all ages, aimed at bringing the In the meantime the highly until the public. tion – Cultural Partner; Qatar Festival earlier this year. filmmakers. The jury of Made ty and sustainability. Audiences community together at safe so- anticipated in-person element The Festival culminated in National Tourism Council – Ajyal 2020 featured 22 fea- in Qatar consisted of filmmaker had the opportunity to engage cial distances and in line with of the Ajyal 2020, ‘Outbreak’ a ceremony to celebrator the Principal Partner; Novo Cin- tures and 58 shorts, including Kamal Aljafari, composer Dana in virtual discussions with in- government guidelines, with art exhibition at Sikkat Wadi awards, where the winners of emas, Ooredoo – Strategic 31 from the Arab World and 30 Al Fardan and producer Marie ternational human rights hero the health of all Ajyal partici- Msheireb featured inspiring the Ajyal Jury Competition and Partner, Msheireb Properties, from women directors. Bring- Balducchi. Delivering cinema and Nobel Peace Prize nominee pants as top priority. original works by 24 local ar- Made in Qatar Competition Lusail, Qatari Diar – Signature ing together award-winning magic to audiences for the fifth Dr. Alaa Murabit, youth climate Delighting audiences with a tistic talents that creatively rep- were announced. Winners were Sponsors. Vodafone announces mega Mall of Qatar announces unique shopping deals sales of devices this weekend with support of more than 100 leading brands TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK with Vodafone Qatar’s reliable, Slal, Al Rayyan, Gharaffa, Abu DOHA world-class GigaNet network. 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Avoid Abandoning Friday prayer without sound reason

Question: What is the ruling on someone who deliberately abandons Friday prayer MODESTY IS A without any valid reason, and then prays Thuhr? Is his prayer valid or not?

Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is His slave and Messenger. It is not permissible to abandon the Friday prayer without any sound religious reason PART OF FAITH and whoever does so, has disobeyed Allah and subjects himself to the severe threat men- tioned in the Prophetic Hadeeth. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, T was related on said: “People should stop abandoning the Friday prayers otherwise Allah will put a seal on the authority of their hearts and thus they will be among the heedless.” [Muslim] Abu Mas’ood Al- The threat is multiplied and increased if a person misses three or more consecutive Badri, may Allah Friday prayers. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Whoever be pleased with misses three Friday prayers out of negligence, Allah will seal his heart.” [Ahmad] him,I that: “The Messenger of Furthermore, the scholars, may Allah have mercy upon them, considered missing the Allah, peace and blessings of Friday prayer without any valid reason as one of the great major sins. Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah Allah be upon him, said: “One have mercy upon him, said: ‘Among the great major sins is missing the Friday prayer, as the of the admonitions of the pre- Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “People should stop abandoning vious prophets which has been the Friday prayers otherwise Allah will put a seal on their hearts and thus they will be among conveyed to people is that if the heedless.” [Muslim].’ So this is the ruling on abandoning the Friday prayer without any you have no shame, you can valid reason. do whatever you wish.” [Al- As regards what one should do when he misses the Friday prayer, then he has to pray Bukhari] Thuhr prayer with the intention of Thuhr whether he missed it with a sound reason or with- out a valid reason. However, he is sinful in missing it without a sound reason. EXPLANATION OF THE HADEETH: Nonetheless, his Thuhr prayer is valid if he prays Thuhr after the Imaam has prayed the The saying of the Messenger, Friday prayer. If he prays Thuhr before the Imaam prays the Friday prayer, then his prayer is peace and blessings of Allah not accepted and he has to pray Thuhr again as Ibn Qudaamah, may Allha have mercy upon be upon him,: “…If you feel no him, said. shame, you can do whatever However, he has to repent to Allah from this disobedience and he should not be neglect- you wish” is in the command ful about Allah’s obligations on him, and he should remember the bounties of Allah which form, and can be looked at He bestowed on him. He created him as a Muslim and gave him the ability to attend the from two angles, each convey- Friday prayers and endeavour in his general bene ts and affairs. So, he should not be de - ing a distinct meaning: cient in ful lling Allah’s obligations on him. Allaah Knows best. (1) The first is that it is a form of threat and a chal- lenge thrown down against those who engage in inap- Etiquette of debate propriate behaviour. Such people have no shame in Question: Shaykh, assalaamu alaekum. What is the meaning of ‘debate’? How should a front of Allah and therefore, should not. The Hadeeth gives acquire it. Acquired modesty, relation to it. person debate on Islamic issues with other brothers? What are the relevant rules? no matter what course they a measuring stick by which we on the other hand, is attained 6. Modesty adorns one’s take, it would not make any can evaluate actions, both pri- by those who possess knowl- nature and personality and is Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none real difference. In this case, vately and publicly. edge concerning Allah, be- indicative of his being Islami- worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon it would be as if the Hadeeth Thus, the first explana- ing cognisant concerning His cally cultured and refined. him, is His slave and Messenger. is stating: “If you do not feel tion relates to a lack of con- Greatness, Proximity and His 7. Indecency, on the other The Arabic word for debate is Munaatharah, which is derived from the word natheer (mean- any shame from doing these sciousness regarding Allah Inspection of all that they do. hand, shows that one lacks ing counterpart) or nathar (meaning a point of view or insight), as stated by Al-Jurjaani, may prohibited acts, then do and the second is regarding virtues and is uncouth, dis- Allah have mercy upon him, in his book At-Tareefaat. whatever you wish…” Mod- the opposite, which is to be POINTS RELATED TO MODESTY: honourable and uncultured. As for the idiomatic de nition, Ash-Shanqeeti, may Allah have mercy upon him, de nes it in esty is the quality that pre- conscious of Allah and of His 1. Modesty is one of the most 8. We are obligated to his book ‘Aadaab Al-Bahth wa Al-Munaatharah (The Etiquette of Research and Debate)’ as fol- vents one from immodest be- watching over a person and honourable attributes and is a guard ourselves against inde- lows, “A debate is a discussion between two or more parties with opposing views, each is trying haviour and the lack of it will his actions. consistent virtue found in all cency and from acting inde- to prove that his view is correct and refute the view of his opponent; while both desire to reveal only cause one to increase in The former explanation the various laws sent down to cently or uncultured, as quali- the truth. In other words, they both look into the matter to reach knowledge or a most likely distancing himself from Al- relates to an unbridled Nafs each prophet and messenger. fied by Islam. opinion in order to reveal the truth.” lah and make him indifferent (base desires and lower self), 2. It is one of the most 9. We must never miscon- As for the rules and etiquette governing debates, the most important of them are to be to creed or deed. whereas the latter implies ob- perfect and desirable charac- strue bashfulness or shyness sincere to Allah and that the objective of the debate is to show the truth and then to adhere to (2) The second meaning servance of due constraint over teristics to possess and an ex- with cowardice - Islamically the etiquette of debate, which Ash-Shanqeeti, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned in his pertains to doing that which it, so that it does not embark cellent state to be in. they are far from synony- book mentioned above. He said: is lawful. That is, if the action on the road to destruction. 3. Modesty only brings mous. “Chapter: The etiquette that should be observed by the two debaters: that one is about to do is not good to individuals and is an 10. Modesty, as mentioned, 1. The debaters should avoid lengthy speech that has no bene t as well as brevity that within the category of the un- MODESTY IS OF TWO TYPES: indication of faith. is a root virtue. One of the fruits makes the purpose of their statements incomprehensible. lawful, and we are not ashamed Modesty is either natural or 4. Bashfulness and shame of modesty is chastity. 2. The debaters should avoid using terms that are uncommon or too general. of doing the act in front of Al- acquired. Natural modesty is in direct opposition to inde- 11. There is no modesty 3. The discussion should be restricted to the topic of the debate, and they should avoid lah or the people, then we are means that the individual has cency and shamelessness. when it comes to teaching the diverting to irrelevant topics. free to do it. However, if we this quality by nature and does 5. Modesty is an element laws of Islam or searching for 4. The debaters should not ridicule or mock one another. are ashamed to do it, then we not need to exert any effort to of faith, and indecency has no the truth. 5. Each of the debaters should hold the intention of nding the truth, even if it is on the tongue of his opponent. 6. The debater should not hasten to comment on the argument of his opponent except after understanding it. 7. The debater should wait for his opponent to nish presenting his argument and should “I do not permit myself to waste an hour not interrupt him. “He who created death and life to test of time. When my tongue gets tired of 8. One should avoid debating with an adversary who is immensely charismatic so that he would not be dazzled by his presence and thus be distracted from presenting his argument as you [as to] which of you is best in deed.” talking to students and my eyes get tired due. – [Qur’an 67: 2] 9. The debater should not belittle or look down on his adversary because this drives him of reading books, I lie down to rest yet my to be less serious and diligent in presenting his argument, and consequently, enables his weak adversary to overcome him.” [Aadaab Al-Bahth wa Al-Munaatharah] mind is busy contemplating and thinking.” We recommend reviewing the book in reference as it is a distinguished book on this topic, but the reader needs to be familiar with the science of logic. – [Ibn Aqeel al-Hanbali] Allah knows best.

HOW ISLAM PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN

HERE are many proofs to Knowing and Acquainted.} [Qur’an unless for a soul or for corruption Al-Ghaamidiyyah gave birth to her confirm the fact that Islam is 49:13] Also, the Messenger of Al- Islam preserves the woman’s rights before her birth when [done] in the land, it is as if he had child and returned to ask for the the real emancipator of the lah, peace and blessings of Allah be Allah The Almighty granted her, along with the man, succes- slain mankind entirely. And whoev- corporal punishment (prescribed woman or the female from her upon him, said: “Women are peers er saves one, it is as if he had saved for adultery) to be executed on her, slavery. To make this more of men.” sion to authority on earth, and made Hawwaa’ (Eve), may mankind entirely.} [Qur’an 5:32] the Messenger of Allah, peace and Tevident, we will clarify how Islam 3- Islam protects her rights as Allah exalt her mention, share religious obligations with 8- Islam protects the right of the blessings of Allah be upon him, said protects the rights of the woman one of the signs of Allah The Al- Aadam (Adam), may Allah exalt his mention. Allah The woman when she is in her mother’s to her: “Go and suckle your child from the time she is a fetus in her mighty that necessitate praising womb. If her mother is divorced until he is weaned.” mother’s womb until she dies and Him. Allah The Almighty says (what Almighty Says (what means): {And [mention, O Muhammad], while she is still in her womb, it 11- Islam protects the right of meets her Lord. means): {And of His signs is that when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I will make upon becomes due upon the father, in Is- the female as a newborn in terms 1- Islam preserves the woman’s He created for you from yourselves the earth a successive authority.”} [Qur’an 2:30] lam, to spend on the mother during of spending and clothing as shown rights before her birth when Allah mates that you may find tranquil- the period of pregnancy as shown in the statement of Allah The Al- The Almighty granted her, along ity in them; and He placed between in the following statement of Allah mighty (which means): {Upon the with the man, succession to author- you affection and mercy. Indeed in lah The Almighty, who says (what es grief. He hides himself from the The Almighty (which means): {And father is the mothers’ provision and ity on earth, and made Hawwaa’ that are signs for a people who give means): {The believing men and people because of the ill of which if they should be pregnant, then their clothing according to what is (Eve), may Allah exalt her mention, thought.} [Qur’an 30:21] believing women are allies of one he has been informed. Should he spend on them until they give acceptable.} [Qur’an 2:233] share religious obligations with 4- Islam protects her rights another. They enjoin what is right keep it in humiliation or bury it in birth.} [Qur’an 65:6] 12- Islam protects the right of Aadam (Adam), may Allah exalt his by making her a gift to mankind. and forbid what is wrong and es- the ground? Unquestionably, evil is 9- Islam protects the right of the young female as it deems her mention. Allah The Almighty Says Allah The Almighty Says (what tablish prayer and give Zakaah what they decide.} [Qur’an 16:58- the woman (when she is still a fe- as being in the period of rearing (what means): {And [mention, O means): {He gives to whom He wills [obligatory charity] and obey Allah 59] tus), that no corporal punishment that extends for some years (after Muhammad], when your Lord said female [children], and He gives and His Messenger. Those - Allah * {Those will have lost who should be executed on her mother suckling), and enjoins upon the to the angels, “Indeed, I will make to whom He wills males.} [Qur’an will have mercy upon them. In- killed their children in foolishness while she is still pregnant lest she husband spending on her mother upon the earth a successive author- 42:49] deed, Allah is Exalted in Might and without knowledge and prohibited should be affected. When Al-Gha- during that period given the gen- ity.”} [Qur’an 2:30] 5- Islam protects her entity in Wise.} [Qur’an 9:71] what Allah had provided for them, amidiyyah (a woman who commit- eral evidence in support of spend- 2- Islam protects her human- society by considering her respon- 6- Islam protects the rights of inventing untruth about Allah. ted adultery) came to the Messen- ing on children. ity and has made her equal to man. sible for the establishment of vir- the woman by deeming it foolish They have gone astray and were not ger of Allah, peace and blessings 13- Islam protects the rights Allah The Almighty Says (what tue and the disappearance of vice and sinful to commit any transgres- [rightly] guided.} [Qur’an 6:140] of Allah be upon him, and said to of the woman in inheritance in means): {O mankind, indeed We on earth, through enjoining what sion against her. Moreover, her ar- 7- Islam protects the rights of him, “O Messenger of Allah, purify general, whether she is young have created you from male and is good and forbidding what is rival is a means of making the Mus- the woman when it stated that kill- me (by executing the corporal pun- or old. Allah The Almighty Says female and made you peoples and evil, just like man. In this way, she lim family rejoice. Allah Says (what ing her, or the man, is like killing ishment prescribed for adultery on (what means): {But if there are tribes that you may know one an- was made to carry the responsibil- means): all of mankind. Allah The Almighty me).” He said to her: “Not until you [only] daughters, two or more, for other. Indeed, the most noble of ity of religion and the call to Allah * {And when one of them is in- Says (what means): {Because of deliver what is in your womb.” them is two thirds of one’s estate. you in the sight of Allah is the most as a trust for which she and man formed of [the birth of] a female, his that, We decreed upon the Children 10- Islam also protects the right And if there is only one, for her is righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is will be held accountable before Al- face becomes dark and he suppress- of Israel that whoever kills a soul of the woman as an infant. When half.} [Qur’an 4:11] World Friday, November 27, 2020 05

News Turkey jails over 300 for in brief Israel frees Palestinian who waged 103-day hunger strike life in mass 2016 coup trial NABLUS: Israel on Thursday released a Palestinian who waged a 103-day hunger strike to protest Israeli rules allowing his detention without charge, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Club said. 251 people died and more than 2,000 were injured during the bloody 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan Maher al-Akhras, arrested over alleged membership of a militia group, was transferred from a Tel Aviv hospital to Nab- AFP leased later and is now on the lus’s Al-Najah University Hospital in the occupied West Bank, ANKARA run. the prisoners’ rights group said in a statement. Thursday’s verdict culmi- A decision on releasing him to return home will follow A Turkish court jailed more nates a trial that began in Au- “a medical assessment of his condition”, Al-Najah hospital than 300 former pilots and gust 2017 involving nearly 500 medical director Abdul-Karim Al-Barqawi said. Akhras, 49, was other suspects for life in a suspects. arrested near Nablus in July and put in administrative deten- mass trial stemming from a Businessman Kemal Bat- tion, a policy that Israel uses to hold suspected militants bloody 2016 coup attempt maz, accused of assisting without charge. He is suspected of links to the armed Palestin- against President Recep Tayy- Oksuz, was among dozens of ian group Islamic Jihad, labelled a terrorist group by Israel, the ip Erdogan. defendants handed multiple United States and the European Union. (AFP) Fethullah Gulen, a US- aggravated life sentences for based Muslim preacher who playing leading roles in Er- Global rights groups urge Pakistan to was once an Erdogan ally, is dogan’s attempted overthrow. investigate minority killings accused of ordering the failed An aggravated life sentence putsch. His movement has has tougher terms of detention ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government must impartially investi- been proscribed as a terror- and replaced the death penalty gate recent murders of members of the country’s Ahmadiyya ist group by Ankara, but the after it was abolished in 2004 community, leading rights bodies said on Thursday, amid a 79-year-old denies all charges. as part of Turkey’s drive to join surge in violence against the often-persecuted group. Human A total of 251 people died the European Union. Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the International Com- and more than 2,000 were The putsch bid was mission of Jurists (ICJ) decried hate crimes against the com- injured in what has turned stamped out quickly, but its munity in a rare joint statement. into the defining moment of legacy still haunts Turkey. Adherents of Ahmadiyya, a 4-million-strong minority group Erdogan’s rule and contempo- A fierce government crack- in Pakistan, have faced death, intimidation and a sustained rary Turkish politics. down that followed has muz- hate campaign for decades. Ahmadiyya insist they are follow- The chaotic attempt was zled the media and seen tens ers of Islam, but Pakistan declared the group non-Muslim in swiftly followed by a fierce of thousands arrested in na- 1974 for regarding the sect’s founder, Ghulam Ahmad, to be a government crackdown span- tionwide raids. prophet. (DPA) ning years and resulting in More than 100,000 pub- tens of thousands of arrests. lic sector employees, includ- Turkey’s largest court- ing teachers and judges, were Thailand returns Iranians held over room was packed with dozens sacked or suspended because of bomb plot as Australian lecturer freed of security personnel and the A Turkish soldier patrols next to the entrance of the Sincan Penal Institution at the 4th Heavy Penal Court their suspected links to Gulen. presiding judge ordered one near Ankara, on Thursday. (AFP) These arrests continue, al- BANGKOK: Thailand con rmed on Thursday it had returned protesting defendant to “Sit though they are less sweeping. three Iranians jailed over a 2012 bomb plot in Bangkok, in an down!” several times before sinate Erdogan. down in history.” in southern Turkey at the time. Despite the large number announcement that came after Tehran freed an Australian- reading the verdict. Sixty suspects were giv- The then chief of staff gen- The bombs killed 68 peo- of suspects, a separate coup- British lecturer imprisoned for alleged spying. He issued multiple life en jail sentences of various eral Hulusi Akar -- now the de- ple in the capital and injured related trial is even bigger, The kingdom’s corrections department said two of the men sentences to 27 disgruntled air lengths while 75 were acquit- fence minister -- and other top more than 200. Nine civilians focusing on the presidential -- Masoud Sedaghatzadeh and Saeid Moradi -- were transferred force pilots who bombed the ted. commanders were held hos- also died trying to stop the guard’s activities and involv- as prisoners while the third, Mohammad Khazaei, was granted capital Ankara and civilians “Justice has been served,” tage at the military base over- plotters at the entrance to the ing 521 suspects. a royal pardon in August. who orchestrated the coup at- Ufuk Yegin, who represents a night before their rescue on base. Ten of a total 289 trials Thai of cials have not explicitly linked the transfer with tempt from inside the Akinci victims’ families association, the morning of July 16, 2016. Gulen, Adil Oksuz -- a the- into the failed overthrow of the release of Middle East scholar Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who military base near the capital. told AFP. F-16 fighter jets struck the ology lecturer who officials Erdogan are still under way, returned to Australia after two years in detention in Iran on Court documents sub- “It was a very important parliament building, the road claim was a key coordinator state news agency Anadolu re- espionage charges. But Iranian state TV said on Wednesday sequently obtained by AFP trial for the Turkish judicial near the presidential palace of what was happening on the ported. that Moore-Gilbert was swapped for three Iranians. showed 337 defendants hand- system and for the country,” and the headquarters of the ground -- and four others are More than 2,800 people The trio freed by Thailand had all been jailed over a ed life sentences for murder, added Muaz Ergezen, another special forces and the Ankara being tried in absentia. have been jailed for life, with botched bomb plot that Israel linked to a spate of attacks on violating the constitutional lawyer for the victims. police. Oksuz was detained short- judges convicting nearly 4,500 its diplomats around the world. (AFP) order and attempting to assas- “It is a trial that will go Erdogan was on vacation ly after the coup bid but re- suspects since July 2016. Sudan’s ex-PM Mahdi dies of coronavirus Ethiopia PM orders

AFP test movement that eventu- KHARTOUM Mahdi was transferred to ally prompted the military to ‘ nal’ offensive against the United Arab Emirates overthrow the president last SUDAN’S former prime min- for treatment three weeks year. ister and top opposition fig- ago after being hospital- Since his ouster, Bashir dissident Tigray leaders ure Sadiq al-Mahdi has died has been jailed in Khar- from a coronavirus infection, ised in Sudan and testing toum’s high security Kober his party said. positive for Covid-19 prison, and was found guilty AFP The 84-year-old, Sudan’s last December of corruption. ADDIS ABABA last democratically elected Sudan has recorded near- He is currently on trial in prime minister, died on ly 17,000 coronavirus cases Khartoum for his role in the PRIME Minister Abiy Ahmed Thursday, said the moder- including more than 1,200 1989 coup that brought him on Thursday ordered Ethiopia’s ate Islamist National Umma File photo of Sudan’s former PM deaths. to power and the Interna- army to launch a “final” offen- Party. Sadiq al Mahdi (AFP) Mahdi was toppled in tional Criminal Court (ICC) sive against Tigray’s dissident Mahdi was transferred lences to the Sudanese peo- 1989 by now-ousted presi- has charged him with alleged leaders in their regional capital to the United Arab Emirates ple over his death,” the party dent Omar al-Bashir in an Is- war crimes in the Darfur war Mekele, saying the deadline for for treatment three weeks said in a statement. lamist-backed military coup. that began in 2003. their surrender had expired. ago after being hospitalised The government on Fri- He was a staunch op- If convicted, Bashir and Abiy, the winner of last in Sudan and testing positive day declared three days of position figure during Ba- his co-accused -- including year’s Nobel Peace Prize, late for Covid-19. national mourning for the shir’s long rule and threw his former top officials -- could Sunday gave the Tigray Peo- “We offer our condo- former premier. weight behind a mass pro- face the death penalty. ple’s Liberation Front (TPLF) 72 hours to lay down their arms. The ultimatum was rejected by the leaders of the region, whose forces have been fighting Protesting Indian farmers clash federal troops in the country’s A member of the Amhara Special Forces looks on as he holds his ri e north for three weeks. Vio- in Dansha, Ethiopia, on Wednesday. (AFP) lence has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced more than dis Ababa. with police over new farm laws 40,000. Rights groups have warned Ethiopia’s army -- which in bombarding Mekele could DPA both also governed by BJP. recent days said it was advanc- In this nal phase, great constitute a war crime. NEW DELHI Vehicles were being checked, ing on Mekele with tanks -- had care will be given to protect “Despite the Ethiopian and those with farmers were been directed “to conclude the military’s warnings to resi- THOUSANDS of farmers were being asked to turn back. third and final phase” against innocent civilians from dents, warnings alone do not stopped by police on Thurs- “Why should farmers be the TPLF, Abiy said. harm. All efforts will be absolve the government of its day as they tried to reach the stopped from travelling to “In this final phase, great made to ensure that the city obligation to take constant Indian capital to protest a set Delhi? They are citizens of care will be given to protect of Mekele, which was built care to protect civilians, par- of new laws that they say will India and have the right to innocent civilians from harm. through the hard work of ticularly when using airpower curb their earnings and benefit protest peacefully,” said Avik All efforts will be made to en- and heavy weaponry” in con- big corporations. Saha, national convenor of sure that the city of Mekele, our people, will not be gested urban areas, Human Police in New Delhi’s Jai Kisan Andolan, a forum of which was built through the severely damaged Rights Watch said Thursday. neighbouring state of Hary- farmers’ organisations. hard work of our people, will Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Abiy stressed that Ethio- ana used tear gas and water “We have been holding not be severely damaged,” Abiy pia’s defence forces had “care- cannon to disperse the farm- protests in our regions, but promised. fully devised” a strategy to ers who tried to move towards the central government takes He said “thousands” of lion inhabitants accelerated defeat the TPLF in Mekele Delhi on foot, in buses and on no notice, so we decided we TPLF militia and special forc- diplomatic efforts this week to without harming civilians or tractors, NDTV news channel should take the protest to es had surrendered to fed- mediate, with the UN Security public property. reported. Delhi,” Tarnjeet Uppal, a eral forces before the deadline Council holding its first meet- “We call on the people of At one site the farmers Farmers shout slogans as they take part in a march to India’s capital farmer from Punjab state, lapsed. ing on the crisis on Tuesday. Mekele and its environs to retaliated by throwing bricks New Delhi to protest against the central government’s recent agricul- told NDTV. It was not immediately A team of special envoys disarm, stay at home and stay and pushing aside barricades. tural reforms, in Ambala on Thursday. (AFP) Uppal was travelling to clear how close the army was dispatched by the African away from military targets” Farmers and their leaders Delhi in a tractor that had to the city. A communications Union (AU) to try to mediate and assist by handing over were detained at several sites. sell their produce to big insti- cially in the northern states of mattresses, blankets and food blackout in Tigray and restric- between the warring parties TPLF elements in their midst, The borders of the national tutional buyers. Punjab and Haryana, known provisions for two months. tions on reporting have made arrived in Addis Ababa late on Abiy said. capital have been sealed, and The government says this as the grain bowls of India. “Do the authorities think verifying claims from both Wednesday, said a spokesper- Abiy ordered troops into metro services in several areas will fetch better prices and Farmers groups from five they can stop the protest by sides difficult. son for the 55-member bloc. Tigray on November 4 follow- shut down, with police saying free farmers from traditional states had called for the Dilli blockading Delhi’s borders?” Diplomats briefed on the UN Secretary General ing alleged attacks by TPLF no rallies were allowed in view middlemen who dominate the Chalo (Go to Delhi) campaign Saha said. “The farmers are in fighting told AFP Wednesday Antonio Guterres urged “the forces on federal military of the coronavirus pandemic. trade. Critics say the changes on Thursday. this for the long haul.” Agri- that federal forces were at least leaders of Ethiopia to do eve- camps in the region. India’s Bharatiya Janata will leave farmers vulnerable Large deployments of po- culture makes up about 15 per 30 kilometres (18 miles) from rything possible to protect He has resisted appeals Party (BJP) government in- to market forces. lice and paramilitary forces cent of India’s economy and Mekele to the north and the civilians” as the US, EU and for talks. His government sig- sists that the laws passed by Farmers have been pro- could be seen at all entry is the primary source of liveli- south. other international powers en- nalled it would meet the AU parliament in September will testing since September points into Delhi from Hary- hood for about 58 per cent of The threatened assault and couraged mediation through envoys “as a matter of respect” make it easier for farmers to against the new laws, espe- ana and Uttar Pradesh states, its population. fears for Mekele’s half a mil- the AU, headquartered in Ad- but flatly refused to negotiate. 06 Friday, November 27, 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

Biden Builds A Solid Why Aren’t Nurses On Foreign Policy Team Biden’s COVID-19 Board? Adversaries and allies alike will respect the seasoned group of appointees — Antony Blinken, Biden’s choice for secretary of e glaring absence of nurses — crucial to the COVID-19 response — on the board state, and Linda omas-Greeneld as US envoy to the UN is a missed opportunity that risks further setting back eorts to tame the pandemic LOBAL challenges won’t wait for what he is doing, and it’s also an important President Donald Trump to accept signal to the professionals at the State De- STACY TORRES AND ANDREW PENN his clear defeat. So President-elect partment that this is someone who has their TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Joe Biden has been wise not to wait confidence and has confidence in them,” either, especially when it comes to Mary Curtin, a former envoy who is now ESPITE widespread distrust in Gforming his foreign policy team. diplomat-in-residence at the University of American institutions, trust in nurs- Biden’s announcement of several key Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public es remains high — and could serve posts sends a signal to adversarial nations Affairs, told an editorial writer. as a powerful tool in the fight against and transnational actors that a seasoned, Blinken also clearly has the confidence COVID-19, which poses the greatest sensible team will guide the US in the next of Biden. World leaders will know he healthD threat in a century. administration. speaks for the president, which will help For 18 years in a row, Americans have Leading the list is Antony Blinken, him act on the president-elect’s pledges to rated the honesty and ethics of nurses high- Biden’s choice for secretary of state. rejoin the Paris climate accord, the World est among a list of professions in an annual Blinken, a former deputy secretary of Health Organization, and, if the conditions Gallup Poll. In 2019, 85% of respondents state and deputy national security adviser are conducive, the Iran nuclear deal. gave nurses a “high” or “very high” rating during the Obama administration, is a ten- Also joining Biden’s team will be Linda in trust, higher than any other profession. ured, trusted Biden adviser, including dur- Thomas-Greenfield as US ambassador to The public also holds nurses’ efforts to ing the president-elect’s years of leadership the United Nations (her post will be right- improve the US healthcare system in the on the US Senate Foreign Relations Com- fully restored to Cabinet status, so she’ll highest regard, above any other profession, mittee. also sit on the Na- according to a New York Times/Harvard Steeped in ex- tional Security Coun- TH Chan School of Public Health report on perience and deeply cil). Biden’s national American values and beliefs about national respected in the security adviser will health insurance reform. State Department, be Jake Sullivan, Nurses have earned accolades around Blinken will help who served in vari- the world for their front-line contribu- implement Biden’s ous national security tions to the pandemic response. Then why plans to bolster al- and diplomatic roles are there no nurses on President-elect Joe trust in them will be crucial to educate and have attempted to hold large health care liances, particularly during the Obama Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board? reassure wary patients receiving future vac- systems accountable for worker safety, sig- within NATO and administration. The glaring absence of nurses on the cines in community clinics, hospitals and nificant problems such as dangerous un- with Asian nations Alejandro May- board is a missed opportunity that risks nursing facilities. derstaffing persist and will likely grow as like Japan and South orkas will be the further setting back efforts to tame the When patients get COVID-19, nurses hospital beds fill and the pandemic wears Korea, in part as a first person of His- pandemic. The board is composed of 13 explain the disease process to them and on. counterbalance to panic descent to lead preeminent public health experts, includ- concerned family members. They go over Although more men are entering the the challenges from homeland security, ing physicians, epidemiologists and infec- the medical team’s efforts to help their rel- profession, women still account for about a rising China and a Avril Haines will be tious disease specialists. The deep expertise ative survive and recover. Nurses explain 90% of nurses in the US. Historically, so- revanchist Russia. the first woman to be director of national and experience of nurses should be called the complex care delivered to the patient ciety hasn’t given the caring and important His experience and expertise isn’t only intelligence, and former Secretary of State upon to help tame COVID-19. It’s not too to frightened families overwhelmed with labor performed by women the respect needed internationally. Internally, State John Kerry will serve as a special presiden- late for the incoming Biden administration trying to understand everything happening and compensation it deserves. The World Department morale has been described as tial envoy on climate, a top presidential pri- to remedy this oversight and add nursing in an ICU, with its ventilators and nests of Health Organization may have designated at an all-time low after the destructive ten- ority. representation to the board. intravenous lines that keep people alive. 2020 the Year of the Nurse, in honor of the ures of Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompeo. The seasoned team will soon realize the Nurses have always stood at the nexus Since the coronavirus is disproportion- 200th anniversary of Florence Nightin- The situation among career diplomats seasons have changed since they served in of medical decisions, nursing care, pa- ately striking minority communities, these gale’s birth, but we must do more than just is so dire that it was the subject of a brac- previous administrations, Tom Hanson, a tients’ needs and family concerns. The patients and their families may also be fac- dedicate a theme year to nurses and praise ing report from Harvard last week that former Foreign Service officer who is now pandemic has only accelerated the pace ing an avalanche of other pandemic-related them as “health care heroes.” stated in part that, “The United States For- diplomat-in-residence at the University of and raised the stakes for nurses to balance devastation. This might include job loss, Appointing nurses to the Biden COV- eign Service is confronting one of the most Minnesota Duluth, told an editorial writer. these roles. When an intensive care unit the threat of eviction, fears of getting tested ID-19 advisory board would bring a wealth profound crises in its long and proud his- “It’s a balance of back to a familiar team in doctor intubates a COVID patient and puts due to immigration status, language barri- of insight to high-level strategy sessions on tory. At a time of pandemic, recession, and Washington, but knowing it is a different the person on a ventilator, the nurse assists ers and distrust of the health care system how to fight the pandemic. It would also go mounting global challenges, our nation’s situation now,” Hanson said. in placing the tube and calls the patient’s because of the systemic racism they have a long way toward helping regain the trust of career diplomats find themselves without Effectively addressing multiple global family to share updates. Nurses make the faced. In areas where the nearest hospital burned-out health care workers. the support, funding, training, and leader- crises will require US leadership. The op- minute-to-minute treatment adjustments may be several hours away, nurses in com- (Stacy Torres is an assistant ship they need to represent the American portunity costs of the wrongly delayed that help keep COVID patients alive. When munity clinics may serve as the first point professor of sociology in the people effectively overseas and in Washing- transition, which is now finally beginning, a hospital experiences a virus surge, nurses of contact for a sick patient. department of social and ton, DC.” should spur the Senate to act with dispatch juggle patients to ensure those with COVID When hospitals run out of personal behavioral sciences at UC San Blinken “is coming into an institution and decency in the confirmation process. receive the care they need while keeping protective equipment, nurses pay dearly. Francisco. Andrew Penn is a that he knows really well so that is an im- The stakes are too high for the election other patients safe from the virus. More than 1,500 nurses worldwide have psychiatric nurse practitioner portant signal both to our friends and our gridlock in 2020 to extend to governance Nurses know the communities where died from COVID-19. Most nurses — many at San Francisco VA Medical adversaries that this is someone who knows in 2021. they work, and those communities trust of whom are women, and many of color — Center and an associate clinical nurses. We rely on nurses as our first line of don’t have the luxury of walking off the job professor at UC San Francisco.) (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE) defense against the virus, and community to protect themselves. While labor unions

Preparing Our Youth For Success In An Ever-Changing World We need a range of relevant educational programmes that can help every young person become the best possible version of themselves

DR ROBERT HARRISON pathway for a lifetime of learning. tories. The dynamic International communication and cross-cultural At the core of students’ suc- Baccalaureate Career-related Pro- engagement, cess should be a curriculum which gramme (IBCP) develops personal University admission offic- not only caters to a well-rounded and professional skills, a career- ers are not only looking for good education but also recognises that related qualification, and focused grades and evidence of character, every student is unique, fuelled academic study that puts students but also for some idea of a stu- by their own passions and moti- on what can be a more direct path dents’ interests, passion, and per- vated by their own dreams. This toward the workplace. Enhanc- sonal accomplishments. Career- means that empowering schools ing this experience, ACS partners related learning helps fill that gap. offer advanced study which spans with the Network for Teaching The IBCP focuses on practical, core subjects like statistics, calcu- Entrepreneurship (NFTE) to offer real-world experience that’s highly lus, biology, computer science and a high-quality curriculum in en- motivating for today’s students ODAY, we are all caught up in comparative government. At ACS trepreneurship, as well as extern- who understand community chal- a technological revolution that International School Doha, for ex- ship opportunities with Paragon lenges and are anxious to make Tis unlike anything experienced ample, we offer four- school-leav- One, through which students work their mark in a rapidly-changing before. From machine learning, AI ing qualifications that students can lenging work where students learn in today’s education systems. Fo- online with some of the most re- world. and self-driving cars, to 3D print- choose from as they plan their next essential time management and cused discussions, progress evalu- spected companies in the world. What the world needs now is ing, augmented reality and robot- steps in life: Advanced Placement study skills that are crucial for col- ations, engaging students’ families, Students benefit from work experi- a new generation of global think- ics, complex technology is trickling (AP) courses, the International lege and career success. What is and identifying best-fit courses are ence, internships, mentoring and ers and doers. We need a range down into our day to day lives, not Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and more, students can focus on their all part of a larger philosophy for service learning from experienced of rigorous, relevant educational only affecting the way in which we Career-related Programmes, and preferred subjects of interest, tap- fostering growth through guidance industry professionals that are part programmes that can help every work and communicate but also in the US High School Diploma. ping into their individual creativity that is tailored for each student’s of a large network of global compa- young person rise to the challenge, shifting the way we run our busi- The Advanced Placement Pro- and problem-solving skills, possi- individual success. Personal and nies. and become the best possible ver- nesses. As we watch this Fourth gramme (AP) is the latest exten- bly earning an AP international di- academic challenge and learning Understanding that not one sion of themselves. The future de- Industrial Revolution unfold, we sion of ACS Doha’s curriculum, of- ploma upon graduation and often beyond the classroom are impor- size fits all, the IB Career-related pends on their success. cannot predict how it will end, but fering more flexibility to students earning college credit. tant qualities in a contemporary Programme allows students to we can prepare for the changes who want to explore subjects in- Nourishing a student’s unique education that aims to prepare stu- channel their strengths in a skills- (Dr Robert Harrison joined ahead. depth through a one-year external- talents means adopting a personal- dents for their chosen futures. based, work-related credential ACS International Schools As leaders in education, it is ly-examined courses. AP courses ised approach to teaching that pays While both AP and IB Diploma that lets them choose for them- as the Education Strategy our responsibility to adapt our are highly-valued, particularly by close attention to their interests, courses present a route that is at- selves between higher education, Director in 2018. As an educational models so that they re- US and Canadian universities. As strengths, and aspirations, and re- tractive for students who wish to apprenticeship, or even starting a expert in international and flect our world today and provide a parallel learning pathway, the mains consistent throughout the immediately pursue a traditional business of their own. It’s a highly- middle level education he an academic foundation that offers AP programme enables students duration of their school life. An pathway toward higher education, flexible framework for a rich, rel- was also the co-editor-in- the knowledge, tools, and skills to experience college-level studies enhanced approach such as this, ACS Doha offers an exciting alter- evant, and personalised education. chief of the IB Journal of needed to succeed-- alongside while they are still in high school. adopted by ACS Doha, adds the native that that focuses on more Students learn lifelong skills in ap- Teaching Research) the flexibility to choose one’s own These rigorous courses offer chal- kind of flexibility that is essential hands-on, career-oriented trajec- plied knowledge, critical thinking,

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Friday, November 27, 2020 07 Trump is losing Twitter followers every day after losing the election TCA/DPA Tuesday and by almost 6,000 which encourages the public That seemingly baseless Twitter audience of fewer than NEW YORK more on Monday. On Sunday, to ask Twitter to flag tweets outburst was accompanied by 19 million people pales in com- he lost 19,164 followers. from the president that aim to a warning label from Twitter parison to that of the outgoing WHAT’S the sound of a lame spread misinformation. Since stating, “This claim about elec- commander-in-chief - a proven duck tweeting? Weeks after losing the November 3 elec- tion fraud is disputed.” Trump master of the medium. losing the election, President Numerous Trump tweets tion, Trump has used Twitter can be banned from Twitter Former president Barack Donald Trump is now losing declaring victory and pro- to promote reports from fringe on January 20 once he is no Obama has more than 126 mil- Twitter followers by the day, moting conspiracy theories media outlets that help him longer a head of state. The lion Twitter followers, making according to Newsweek. have been flagged since construct an alternate nar- president’s current status pro- him that social media plat- More than 46,000 of the his electoral defeat rative where the former real- tects him from repercussions form’s most popular figure. president’s former disciples ity TV star wasn’t defeated by civilians who promote false- Singers Justin Bieber and Katy have reportedly stopped receiv- According to that report, it’s roughly 6 million votes. hoods can face. According to Perry are the only other people ing his tweets since Sunday. The possible that Twitter’s crack- Numerous Trump tweets The Washington Post, Trump on Twitter with more than 100 president still has nearly 89 mil- down on bots - accounts not run declaring victory and promot- averages 50 lies or misleading million followers. lion followers, but lost 10,000 by humans - is bringing down ing conspiracy theories have claims per day. Parler, an alternative to readers by noon Wednesday. Trump’s still massive numbers. been flagged since his electoral President-elect Joe Biden’s Twitter that doesn’t fact-check Newsweek observed that Trump’s drop in readership defeat. Twitter following reportedly users’ information, has gained Trump’s Twitter following coincides with a movement “RIGGED ELECTION!” he leapt by 130,000 followers traction among right-wingers in US President Donald Trump golfs at Trump National Golf Club in dropped by 12,476 followers called “UnfollowThePres,” tweeted Wednesday. Wednesday, though his total recent weeks. Sterling, Virginia on Thursday. (AFP) AstraZeneca says Sombre Thanksgiving its vaccine needs ‘additional study’

AFP cheaper to make, and easier in US as global virus LONDON to store and distribute. It can be stored, trans- THE head of British drug ported and handled at nor- manufacturer AstraZeneca mal refrigerated conditions said on Thursday further re- of between two and eight de- search was needed on its grees Celsius (36-46 Fahren- cases pass 60 million Covid-19 vaccine after ques- heit) for at least six months. tions emerged over the pro- Pfizer/BioNTech’s offer- AFP until January 10. tection it offers, but the ad- ing requires temperatures of WASHINGTON Infected tourists at Euro- ditional testing is unlikely to -70C, driving up costs and pean ski resorts were a major affect regulatory approval in potentially making it out of AMERICANS readied for a source of virus spread around Europe. reach for lower and middle- subdued Thanksgiving holiday the hard-hit continent earlier AstraZeneca and its part- income countries. on Thursday under the pall of this year. ner, the University of Oxford, AstraZeneca/Oxford has a worsening coronavirus cri- The statement from Chan- announced on Monday that also promised to provide its sis, with death tolls hitting new cellor Angela Merkel dovetailed it was seeking regulatory ap- vaccine to the developing highs worldwide as infections with French plans announced proval for the vaccine after it world on a non-profit basis. multiply to surpass more than one day earlier to shutter ski showed an average 70-per- Helen Fletcher, profes- 60 million. resorts through the year’s end. cent effectiveness. sor of immunology at the While vaccine break- “I will say this openly that it That rate jumped to 90 London School of Hygiene throughs have raised hopes for won’t be easy, but we will try,” percent when an initial half- and Tropical Medicine, said an end to the pandemic, much Merkel said. dose then a full dose was the safety data available on of the world is still facing a The move put Berlin and given, similar to that in rival the vaccine had been “very gloomy winter holiday season Paris on a collision course with vaccines in development by robust”. dampened by lockdowns, eco- resort operators and holiday Pfizer/BioNTech and Mod- But she said it was im- nomic anxiety and the devas- hotspot Austria ahead of the erna. portant to wait for the full tating losses of from a disease crucial Christmas season. But US scientists have data set. that is claiming thousands of In non-EU member said the higher rate of effec- “It’s possible that a lower lives daily. Switzerland, however, ski tiveness came during tests in initial vaccine dose could In the United States, Amer- resorts are open -- although people aged 55 and under, result in higher vaccine effi- icans suffered their highest police have been spotted pa- and was discovered by acci- cacy... More is not necessar- daily death toll in six months trolling to ensure that skiers dent during the clinical trials. ily better when it comes to on the eve of the Thanksgiving respect anti-Covid measures The head of the Oxford vaccines and immunothera- holiday, a time when families such as wearing masks and Vaccine Group, Andrew Pol- pies,” she added. normally gather in large num- social distancing. lard, said this week that fur- “It’s also possible that a bers for decadent feasts of tur- While the UK and France ther evidence will be availa- strong immune response to key, mashed potatoes and pie. are talking about easing their ble next month but the result the first vaccine could effec- It is also tradition to serve lockdown measures soon, was still “highly significant”. tively block an immune re- hot meals to the needy, a ser- A usually-crowded 34th Street sits empty during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Russia is still resisting stay-at- “Now that we’ve found sponse to the second shot of vice provided by food banks Thursday. (AFP) home orders despite registering what looks like a better effi- the same virus.” and homeless shelters that have record infections and deaths cacy we have to validate this, Fletcher’s colleague, pro- become especially vital in a year on Wednesday, US President- line workers often face the big- from the virus Thursday. so we need to do an addition- fessor of pharmacoepidemi- when the pandemic has wiped elect Joe Biden also appealed gest risks, the virus has also In the poor Balkan region, al study,” AstraZeneca boss ology Stephen Evans, said out jobs and incomes. for his “weary” countrymen to infected the world’s wealthiest soaring rates of infection are Soriot told Bloomberg. speculation about the age “After weeks and months of dig deep and soldier through and most powerful. stretching already weak health- He said he expected that distribution in the trials was the Covid and all these issues the remaining months until On Thursday, Sweden’s care systems, but governments to be another “international “not useful to anyone”. of unemployment, it’s nice to vaccines are available. Rise in deaths Prince Carl Philip and his wife are hesitant to inflict any fur- study but this one could be “We have good grounds feel a sense of belonging,” said “There is real hope, tangi- In the US, Americans suffered Princess Sofia became the latest ther economic damage with faster because we know the for trusting that the regula- Samitha Antwi, a woman who ble hope. So hang on. Don’t let their highest daily death toll in royalty to go into self-isolation harsh measures. efficacy is high, so we need a tion in this high-profile area picked up a packaged meal yourself surrender to the fa- six months on the eve of the after testing positive for Cov- Countries who have had smaller number of patients”. will be done as carefully or distributed by the Los Angeles tigue,” Biden urged. Thanksgiving holiday, a time id-19, the palace said. strong success against the The additional trial was more carefully for these vac- Mission ahead of Thanksgiving. More than 60 million in- when families normally gather - Ski season cancelled? -In virus are also cracking down not likely to delay regulatory cines than for any others in “A hot meal, it warms your fections and 1.4 million deaths Europe, where many countries on new outbreaks. approval in Britain and the the past,” he added. heart. We call it, in my com- have now been recorded in large numbers for decadent have imposed sweeping shut- South Korea closed bars European Union, AstraZen- Gillies O’Bryan-Tear, munity, soul food,” added Linn around the world since the new feasts of turkey, mashed downs in recent weeks, ski holi- and nightclubs this week as it eca chief executive Pascal from the UK Faculty of Phar- Hohl, another woman in line. coronavirus emerged in China potatoes and pie days were fast becoming the braces for a third major wave, Soriot said. maceutical Medicine, said The US government’s health late last year, according to a latest victims of the pandemic. with virus cases at their highest There are high hopes “the eventual efficacy rate protection agency has for the tally compiled by AFP from of- Germany said Wednesday level since March. for the AstraZeneca/Oxford may change” but “the valid- first time called on Americans ficial sources. reflects a fraction of the actual that it would extend its virus And New Zealand was tack- vaccine, which Pollard has ity of the low dose/high dose not to travel for the holiday -- a The number of infections total, as many countries lack curbs until 2021 and plans ling a cluster of six Covid-19 hailed as a “vaccine for the group results are unlikely to call that not all have heeded. -- roughly equivalent to the testing capacity. to seek a deal with European positive players of Pakistan’s world” given that it could be be questioned”. In his Thanksgiving address population of Italy -- likely only While low-income front- partners to close ski slopes visiting cricket squad. De ant barbecue restaurant owner Britain defends slashing aid budget AFP leadership across aid priorities leadership is most needed we LONDON such as girls’ education, fam- are stepping back,” he said. outs Canada pandemic rules ine relief and preventive health By cutting aid, the gov- BRITAIN on Thursday de- programmes. ernment had “relinquished AFP ridiculous,” he said. fended swingeing cuts planned “Even in the toughest eco- its right to talk about ‘Global TORONTO Skelly was eventually to its overseas aid budget af- nomic times, we will continue Britain’ leading the world”, he charged with violating Cov- ter an outpouring of protests that mission, we will continue added. THE owner of a barbecue id-19 restrictions and operating that it marks a life-threatening to lead,” Raab told parliament. However, Raab underlined restaurant in Canada’s largest without a business licence after retreat on the government’s The sum lost for aid is British goals for the G7 and city of Toronto on Wednesday the city revoked it on Tuesday, ambitions to play a global role roughly £4 billion ($5.3 bil- COP26 climate summit, and attracted a crowd of anti- and faces fines that could reach after Brexit. lion) from a £15 billion budg- said 2021 would be “a year of mask protestors who support tens of thousands of dollars. Breaking an election mani- et -- the same awarded to a leadership for Global Britain his defiance of a pandemic Regardless the restau- festo promise, Prime Minister new development fund for as a force for good around the lockdown, as well as strong rant sold out of brisket, spare Boris Johnson’s Conservative the north of England, where world”. rebukes from officials. ribs, chicken and pulled pork government says it needs to Johnson’s Conservatives won Criticism has come too Adam Skelly’s Adamson for a second day in a row on slash spending on aid because seats at last year’s election on from religious leaders includ- Barbecue has continued to Wednesday. of the coronavirus pandemic. a promise to “get Brexit done.” ing Archbishop of Canterbury operate since Tuesday, despite Skelly has become a light- But critics pointed out that Mark Sheard, chief execu- Justin Welby, the leader of the public health orders against ning rod for Canadians suffer- the Treasury was releasing bil- tive of the aid group World Vi- worldwide Anglican church, serving customers inside res- A woman eats on the patio of Adamson Barbecue, an Etobicoke business ing pandemic fatigue as several lions elsewhere for other prior- sion UK, said the government’s who called it “shameful and taurants amid a Covid-19 surge that has de ed provincial shutdown orders, in Toronto on Wednesday. (AFP) provinces went into a second ities, including military spend- spending priorities would wrong”, as well as five former in the region. lockdown to stem a surge of ing, even as it pleads pandemic come at “the cost of lives” just prime ministers. “We will be opening for chanted “Freedom!” and waved lives in jeopardy,” Ontario new cases. poverty in the budget overall. as it prepares to take over the Most pertinently for John- in-restaurant dining against placards Wednesday that read Premier Doug Ford told a As of Wednesday, pub- One junior minister in the G7 presidency and host global son ahead of a parliamentary provincial orders,” Skelly said “End the lockdown now!” daily briefing. lic health authorities said Foreign Office quit her post in summits on climate change vote to amend the aid target, in an online video. Police also showed up, “This guy is just totally the number of Covid-19 protest. and education next year. several Conservatives have “Enough is enough,” he holding back a crowd of ignoring public health offi- cases across Canada topped Foreign Secretary Domi- “The UK’s commitment broken ranks to join opposition added, arguing that relatively about 100 diners as officers cials. That’s how this spreads, 345,000, including nearly nic Raab insisted the cut was to ending poverty worldwide parties in vowing to oppose it, few cases had been linked to spoke with Skelly and his people are dying from Covid, 12,000 deaths. temporary given the economic has always been something pointing out that the UK risks bars and restaurants. lawyers inside. and he just wants to say forget The Toronto area reported crisis brought on by Covid-19, of which we could be rightly falling foul of Joe Biden’s in- His supporters outside “You’re putting people’s it? It’s irresponsible and nearly 900 new cases. and vowed no retreat in UK proud, but just when global coming US presidency. US extends TikTok sale deadline to Dec 4 from Nov 27 PAGE 10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

29,872.47 10,290.20 44259.74 1,814.20 -173.77 PTS -13.69 PTS +431.64 PTS GOLD +0.17 % Markets mostly up, but virus and weak DOW QE SENSEX data keep traders cautious PAGE 9 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 23.42 BRENT 47.80 -1.67 % WTI 44.99 -1.58 % SILVER -0.11 % Investors gain QR12 bn in one week as foreign institutions turn bullish SATYENDRA PATHAK cent of Qatar’s banking system DOHA assets and a consolidated asset base of QR170 billion. QATARI stocks resumed week- Moreover, CBQ contrib- Of cials conduct public draw for the lease of shops in the second phase of the central sh market in ly upward trend as the Qatar uted another 12.1 points to the Umm Salal on Thursday. Stock Exchange (QSE) index overall index. gained 1.81 percent during Of the 47 listed companies, the week to close at 10,290.20 37 companies ended the week points. higher. While nine stocks de- MoCI announces winners of Market capitalisation in- clined, there was no change in creased more than QR12 bil- the share price of the remain- lion, or 2.1 percent, to QR591.5 ing one stock. Umm Salal sh market draw billion compared to QR579.1 The week saw five out of the billion at the end of the previ- seven sector indices close in the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ous week. positive territory. The industrial DOHA Both individual and for- sector, which gained 4.82 per- eign institutional investors re- cent, was the best performing THE Permanent Committee mained bullish throughout the sector index for the week. for Central Markets Manage- week and accounted for more The real estate sector and ment of the Ministry of Com- than 28 percent of total buy. the transport sector gained merce and Industry (MoCI) Trading value during the over 2 percent each to support in coordination with the As- week increased by 0.5 per- the main index. waq for Food Facilities Man- cent to reach QR2.32 billion In other important an- agement Company, a Hassad against QR2.3 billion in the nouncements during the week subsidiary, announced the previous trading week. Qatar by listed companies, Dlala Bro- names of the winners for leas- Gas Transport Company (Na- kerage and Investment Hold- ing shops in the second phase The winners of the draw will be contacted and informed about the kilat) was the top value traded ing said that its subsidiary Dla- of the central fish market in market regulations and contracts by the ministry. stock during the week with a la Real Estate has contracted to Umm Salal after conducting total traded value of QR475 The week saw ve out of the seven sector indices close in the buy a residential building in Al public draw on Thursday. the market regulations and various commercial activities million. positive territory. Arkiay of Lusil City to sell fully The total number of lot- contracts. such as the trade of dates and Trading volume increased furnished residential flats that tery winners reached 40 ap- The second phase of the spices, and other commercial by 6.1 percent to reach 1.042 Widam Food Company tributor to the index’s weekly will be finished by October plicants for about 13 different central fish market in the activities. billion shares against 982.1 (Widam) suffered a loss of increase, adding 98.9 points to 2022. activities. Out of 114 applica- Umm Slal area included 53 MoCI said that it has million shares in the previous over 5 percent on Thursday, its the index. The week also saw Qatar tions, 70 qualified to enter investment opportunities, in- worked in coordination with trading week. Ezdan Hold- worst decline during the week, QIB was the second biggest Navigation Company (Milaha) the lottery, while 44 were dis- cluding barns for display and the Aswaq for Food Facili- ing was the top volume traded as the company announced contributor to the mentioned announce the resignation of qualified for not meeting the sale of sheep, and stores for ties Management Company stock during the week with a that its agreement with the gains, tacking on 22 points to Sulaiman Haidar Sulaiman Al required conditions. selling vegetables and fruits, to achieve benefit for tenants total traded volume of 165.2 government of Qatar for sub- the index. The bank gained Haidar as member of the board The ministry confirmed in addition to the existing and consumers by setting up million shares. sidising Australian fresh and positive momentum during the of directors. that the public lottery was stores that practice the same a mechanism that allows the The number of transac- chilled meat that commenced week after Moody’s Investors According to the company’s conducted on the principle of activities. tenant to obtain good invest- tions also increased 8.4 per- on December 29, 2015 and Service (Moody’s) reconfirmed articles of association, Sheikh transparency and equal op- It also included butcher- ment by granting competitive cent to reach 54,325 against ending on December 31, 2020 the long-term deposit rating of Suhaim bin Khaled bin Ham- portunities and was carried ies, selling travel supplies, rental price. 50,122 in the previous week. will not be renewed. QIB at A1 with a stable outlook. ad Al Thani was elected as a out in accordance with the and selling chilled poultry MoCI set operating stand- Industries Qatar (IQ) was Industries Qatar (IQ), Qatar Moody’s said in its credit reserve member of the board previously approved require- and their products, in addi- ards and requirements for de- the best performing stock for the Islamic Bank (QIB) and Com- opinion report that QIB re- in the previous round (2018- ments. tion to the availability of a termining the value of rents week with a gain of 8.3 percent. mercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ) mains Qatar’s second-largest 2020) and his nomination has The committee stated that veterinary clinic and phar- for commercial activities in On the other hand, Widam was were the primary contributors bank and the largest Islamic been accepted by board mem- the winners of the lottery will macy to serve the owners the market, for the lease pe- the worst-performing stock with to the weekly index gains. bank in the country with a mar- bers as a successor to Sulaiman be contacted and informed of of the barns, and shops for riod of two years. a decline of 5.7 percent. IQ was the largest con- ket share of around 10.5 per- Haidar Sulaiman Al Haidar. Will a COVID-19 vaccine cure tourism’s pandemic woes? TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Although cold storage require- DOHA ments pose particular challenges in less developed countries, such fac- TOURISM has been hit harder than tors could offer also opportunities most industries by the coronavirus for logistics companies. pandemic. However, news that an For example, Kuwaiti logistics effective vaccine could soon be avail- firm Agility Public Warehousing is able has raised hopes that recovery in discussions with governments may come sooner than expected. and vaccine producers to help dis- The news has raised hopes of tribute doses once they become a quick recovery from both the available. The company, which has health-related challenges and the a logistics network covering 120 economic impacts of the pandemic, countries, says it has significant cold the Oxford Business Group (OBG) storage capability in many emerging has said in its latest report. markets. Aside from transportation, In particular, the report said, an there are questions about whether effective vaccine is expected to be a the social and economic fallout of significant boon for tourism, which the crisis may further delay the re- has been badly affected by border covery of the tourism industry. closures, travel restrictions and so- “Even with the release of a vac- cial distancing measures related to cine, in the short to medium term COVID-19. people will be very cautious about lei- On November 9, US pharma- The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has predicted that the international tourism economy will shrink by 80 percent this year. sure travel,” Thurane Aung, CEO of ceutical giant Pfizer and German Myanmar conglomerate Dagon In- biotechnology company BioNTech 16 by the news that the US biotech- ganisation for Economic Cooperation some officials hope that it will lead to and contact tracing are possible and ternational, told OBG. “Also, due to announced that a jointly developed nology company Moderna had also and Development has predicted that a quicker-than-expected rebound in reliable prior to have a vaccine pro- the reduction in disposable income, vaccine candidate was effective at produced a vaccine candidate with the international tourism economy tourism activity. gramme,” she told OBG. we do not expect tourism to pick up preventing more than 90 percent of 95 percent efficacy. will shrink by 80 percent this year. Some have pointed to China “As we all know, the vaccine pro- as fast as the business travel.” test subjects from contracting COV- Meanwhile, testing for another This contraction has had a sig- as an example of a rapid recovery. gramme will take a while to roll out In addition to the fiscal con- ID-19, according to results from the vaccine developed in the UK by the nificant impact on those emerging Since the country managed to con- to all parts of the world, so pre- and straints on households, some tour- third stage of testing. Two weeks lat- University of Oxford, in collabora- markets that draw a sizeable portion trol infection rates, air traffic has post-vaccine programmes should be ism-related companies may find er, additional testing suggested that tion with British-Swedish pharma- of their GDP from tourism. For ex- returned to 90 percent of pre-pan- concurrently available,” she said. it difficult to return to business af- the efficacy rate was in fact better ceutical firm AstraZeneca showed ample, last year tourism accounted demic levels. One factor that could compli- ter spending much of 2020 either than initially expected, at 95 percent. the effectiveness of 70 percent that for 11 percent of GDP in Thailand, 9 While a vaccine will be key to cate any recovery is the potential closed or operating severely below The companies said they were could be increased as high as 90 per- percent in the Philippines, 8 percent any resumption in mass tourism, difficulty associated with safely capacity. hopeful of securing authorisation cent by tweaking the dose. in Morocco and 7 percent in Tunisia. Aileen Clemente, the chairman and transporting vaccines. “The tourism industry in My- to sell and distribute the vaccine – Although the situation eased At present, it is expected to take president of Philippine firm Rajah To work effectively, Pfizer and anmar is particularly linked to the initially in the US – before the end somewhat in developed markets dur- a number of years before tourism Travel Corporation, says that other BioNTech’s candidate must be government sector,” Thurane Aung of the month. They projected that ing the middle of the year, many parts completely recovers. McKinsey es- measures will also be crucial to a stored at an ultra-low temperature said. “Even in the hypothetical situ- they could produce up to 50 mil- of the world are now experiencing a timates that global tourism revenue recovery. “I believe that the main of around -80°C. Moderna’s can ation where the virus was under lion doses of the vaccine before the second spike in coronavirus cases, will not return to 2019 levels until priority of the tourism industry is be kept in a normal freezer, while control in the region, thanks to the end of the year and an additional 1.3 leading to further restrictions. either 2023 or 2024. to get people travelling again safely researchers from the University of distribution of a vaccine, the sec- billion in 2021. Demonstrating the extent of the However, with a vaccine allow- by giving governments confidence Oxford say that their vaccine can be tor would not recover without the This was followed on November impact on global travel flows, the Or- ing for greater movement and trade, that systematic COVID-19 testing stored in a refrigerator. government’s support.” Economy & Business Friday, November 27, 2020 09 US economic suffering may rise without stimulus: Fed minutes

Congress’s passage earlier the worsening odds for new Democrats and Republicans are in US central bankers includ- in the year of the $2.2 trillion congressional stimulus “in- ing Fed Chair Jerome Powell CARES Act rescue package creased downside risks and deadlock over stimulus spending have been gently prodding helped Americans build up added to uncertainty about the Washington lawmakers for their savings during the worst economic outlook.” of the downturn, which FOMC At the pandemic’s onset, AFP Open Market Committee more stimulus spending to members said may see house- the Fed slashed its benchmark WASHINGTON (FOMC) also considered fu- help the US economy holds through. lending rate to zero and rolled ture changes in its strategy of “The savings cushion accu- out trillions of dollars in new OFFICIALS at the Federal Re- buying Treasury assets and of the deep hole the coronavi- mulated by other households liquidity lines, some of which serve feared the US economy mortgage-backed securities, rus pandemic pushed it into. would be enough to allow to- have now been discontinued. was on a course for renewed the minutes from the Novem- But with Democrats and tal consumption to be largely FOMC participants mulled pain without Congress ap- ber 4-5 meeting said. Republicans in Washington maintained through year- tweaks to its asset purchase re- proving more stimulus to help US central bankers includ- deadlocked over such a meas- end,” staff noted. gime at its latest meeting. its recovery from the pandem- ing Fed Chair Jerome Powell ure, FOMC staff said the lack FOMC participants viewed “Many participants judged ic, according to minutes of the have been gently prodding of stimulus would cause “sig- the nationwide surge of Cov- that the Committee might central bank’s latest policy Washington lawmakers for nificant hardships for a num- id-19 cases as “a downside risk want to enhance its guid- meeting released Wednesday. more stimulus spending to ber of households,” according to the recovery,” the minutes ance for asset purchases fairly Members of the Federal help dig the US economy out to the meeting minutes. said, while “a few” noted that soon,” the minutes said. Video games are Markets mostly up, but virus and ‘under-regulated’: EU anti-terror czar weak data keep traders cautious AFP executive wants to tackle in BRUSSELS its Digital Services Act by demanding more transpar- ONLINE video games can be ency from digital titans. used to propagate extremist The European Parliament ideologies and even prepare is also discussing a proposal attacks, the EU’s anti-ter- which would require content rorist coordinator told AFP deemed to have a terror- in an interview in which he ist character deleted online urged more regulation. within one hour. The official, Gilles de The fight against ter- Kerchove, made the argu- rorism has shot up the EU ment ahead of the European agenda since recent jihadist Commission’s presentation attacks in France and Aus- on December 9 of a pro- tria. posed Digital Services Act that aims to rein in Big Tech Access to encrypted excesses and internet hate messages speech. Another concern, a con- “I’m not saying that all troversial one, is a push the gaming sector is a prob- by law enforcement in EU lem. There are two billion countries to have encrypted people playing online, and communications, of the sort that’s all very well,” said offered by WhatsApp, read- de Kerchove, a Belgian ap- able by authorities with a pointed to his post 13 years warrant. ago. But that has run up But, he warned, “you against unease by defend- have extreme-right groups ers of free speech and civil in Germany that have come liberties and privacy advo- up with games where the cates, who fear abuse and a aim is to shoot Arabs, or backdoor that can be used (Hungarian-born US bil- by hackers and criminals, as lionaire George) Soros, or well as authoritarian admin- Mrs (German Chancellor istrations. Angela) Merkel for her mi- On that, de Kerchove of- The Wall Street sign is seen in New York City. Most stocks rose Thursday but traders moved cautiously, with an eye on virus infections across the globe. gration policy, etc.” fered reassurance. “That can be an alterna- “Nobody in Brussels AFP Official figures showed ap- three centuries, with the econ- about the outlook, with UBS recovery”, while some noted tive way to spread ideology, wants to reduce encryption,” HONG KONG plications for jobless aid rose omy tipped to shrink 11.3 per- Global Wealth Management’s that the worsening odds for a especially of the extreme he said. “On the contrary, for a second straight week as cent in 2020. Xi Qiao saying: “We believe new spending plan “increased right but not only them, a we are in favour of more en- MOST stocks rose Thursday businesses were hit by a sharp The Dow and S&P 500 the market rally can continue downside risks and added to way to launder money... cryption.” -- continuing this month’s increase in new infections and ended lower Wednesday after from here powered by all the uncertainty about the econom- there are currencies cre- But, he added, “is it right vaccine-fuelled markets rally deaths that have led several hitting records the day before, positive vaccine news, more ic outlook”. ated in games that can be that we aren’t able to identify -- but traders moved cautious- major cities including New while the Nasdaq hit a new political clarity with a peace- Gorilla Trades strategist exchanged for legal tender,” who is behind an IP address ly, with an eye on virus infec- York and Los Angeles to close all-time high as tech firms ful White House transition and Ken Berman said the minutes he said. and posting paedophile pho- tions across the globe that are bars and restaurants. -- which have benefited from with more stimulus to come. left investors slightly disap- “It can be a form of com- tos from the rape of chil- forcing governments to impose The readings gave traders a people being forced to stay “We are already seeing a pointed as they did not give municating. It’s encrypted. dren? How is it police can containment measures. dose of reality following weeks home -- surged. strong rotation into cyclical any indication of when the It can also be a way to test tap an SMS but they can’t With at least three inocula- of fervent buying in reaction Asian markets drifted in and reopening trades with the bank might unveil fresh mon- attack scenarios,” he contin- access the same content in a tions in the pipeline and possi- to vaccine successes and Joe the morning but moved broad- vaccine news and we expect etary easing measures. ued. WhatsApp message? Is that bly rolled out within weeks, the Biden’s election victory. ly positive as the day wore on. this trend to continue.” However, most observers De Kerchove also raised logical?” general mood on trading floors “The data... suggested that Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shang- But Fed officials are wor- said the weakening economic concerns over “algorithmic He suggested the Digital is upbeat for 2021, but a fresh the US recovery was slowing hai, Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, ried the US economy faces data would more than likely amplification”, where plat- Services Act include a provi- batch of data out of the US un- as government support pro- Jakarta and Bangkok rose but continued pain unless law- press the Fed to make an an- forms such as Facebook and sion forcing providers of en- derlined the immediate impact grammes ran off, and that the there were losses in Sydney, makers agree on a new res- nouncement soon, possibly YouTube put “problematic” crypted communication to of the disease and the long massive spike in Covid-19 is Singapore, Manila and Wel- cue deal, with minutes show- next month. and “borderline” content up give police and prosecutors road ahead for economies. infecting the real economy,” lington. ing they said no action would Oil prices extended gains high, exploiting emotional unencrypted versions of the And notes from the Federal said OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley. London, Paris and Frank- mean “significant hardships -- having put on almost 30 reactions to boost user en- messages sent on their ser- Reserve’s latest policy meeting The crisis elsewhere was furt all rose at the open. for a number of households”. percent this month -- with the gagement. vices when ordered to do so warned that the country’s re- laid bare as Britain warned it Board members consid- rollout of vaccines lifting hopes This is one aspect the EU by a judge. covery would be tougher with- expects to suffer its heaviest ‘Increased downside risks’ ered the surge in Covid-19 for a surge in demand as life out a new stimulus package. annual slump in more than Still, analysts were positive cases “a downside risk to the gets back to normal. Cash-strapped Sri Lanka extends Vodafone announces weekend megasale import ban despite protest from EU  iPhone 11 64 GB - QR2,299 down from QR2,899 AFP rect investment.  iPhone 11 Pro 64 GB - QR3,199 down from QR4,099 COLOMBO The ban was announced by “Such measures impair Sri the finance ministry in Lanka’s efforts to become a re-  iPhone SE 64 GB – QR1,399 down from QR1,699 SRI Lanka Thursday extended March as the local currency gional hub and negatively im- a ban on non-essential imports pact Sri Lankan exports,” the  XiaomiMi Mix3 5G 128 GB - Q899 down from QR1,399 such as vehicles as it battles a plunged and the economy EU said in a statement. foreign currency crisis, despite reeled from the impact of “(A) prolonged import ban  Oppo Reno 10X 5G 256GB - QR1,299 down from QR1,799 EU claims it violates interna- the coronavirus pandemic is not in line with World Trade  Huawei 5G Mobile Wi-Fi - QR999 down from QR1,499 tional trade regulations. and last year’s Easter Organization regulations.” The ban was announced by Sunday bombings. But central bank governor  Inseego 5G MiFi M1100 - QR1,399 down from QR1,999 the finance ministry in March W. D. Lakshman said the EU’s as the local currency plunged comments were “an overreac-  HTC 5G Hub – QR2,499 down from QR2,999 and the economy reeled from encourage local agriculture.” tion”. the impact of the coronavirus The government had said “At a time when we are The promotion runs from 26 to 28 November and is valid for purchases pandemic and last year’s East- that the prohibition, which trying to deal with a balance made via Vodafone’s e-Shop and in Vodafone’s retail stores. er Sunday bombings. also covers spare parts, ma- of payments problem, even “The restrictions are pri- chinery and household appli- WTO rules allow us to do cer- marily because of the difficult ances, would only last until the tain things to meet the... chal- ing to make a 5G move, Voda- Al Rayyan, Gharaffa, Abu situation we are in (regarding end of this year. lenge.” A range of 5G enabled devices will be on sale fone 5G is in prime locations Hamor, Mamoura, Al Sadd, balance of payments),” the The ban has led to short- Sri Lanka’s imports fell to such as Hamad International Bin Mahmoud, Muntazah, Bin central bank’s economic re- ages of tyres as well as spices $13.1 billion in January-Octo- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK starting this weekend. Airport; Mall of Qatar, sev- Omran, Madinat Khalifa, Al search director Chandranath such as turmeric, a key ingre- ber from $16.4 billion in the DOHA Customers can get more eral hotels including Park Hy- Aziziyah. In addition to cov- Amarasekara said. dient in local cuisine. corresponding period last year. value for money on a fantas- att and Mandarin Oriental; ering 75% of Doha with 5G, “The import ban on high- The European Union said The economy contracted VODAFONE Qatar announced tic choice of smartphones, popular destinations such as Vodafone Qatar has extended value items like vehicles and last week that the restrictions by an unprecedented 1.7 per- that a selection of devices, in- MiFis and routers and pair Msheireb Downtown Doha, 5G coverage to other areas agricultural produce will be ex- were having a negative impact cent in the first quarter of this cluding a range that are 5G them with Vodafone Qatar’s Katara and Souq Waqif; and outside Doha such as Al Khor, tended for another year to save on Sri Lankan and European year, after a 2.3 percent eco- enabled, will be on sale during reliable world class GigaNet dozens of residential locations Al Wakra and a number of foreign exchange as well as to businesses, and on foreign di- nomic expansion last year. the much awaited mega sales network. For customers want- including Al Waab, Umm Slal, camping areas in Sealine. 10 Friday, November 27, 2020 Economy & Business US extends TikTok sale deadline to Russian oil giant announces Dec 4 from Nov 27

AFP start of vast Arctic project WASHINGTON

THE US Treasury on The complete project will represent a total investment of $111 bn, including two airports and 15 industry towns Wednesday said it had ex- tended by seven days the November 27 deadline given to the Chinese owner of TikTok to sell the popu- lar social media platform’s American business. “The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has granted ByteDance a one- week extension, from No- vember 27, 2020 to Decem- ber 4, 2020 to allow time to review a revised submis- sion that the Committee re- cently received,” a Treasury The charges spokesperson said. President Donald Trump, who lost his bid for Trump’s administration has re-election this month, has expressed national secu- claimed that TikTok -- which rity concerns over the app, has some 100 million US claiming it could be used users -- can be used to for Chinese espionage and collect data on Americans threatening to ban it. for Chinese espionage, a The ban has been chal- claim denied by the lenged in courts, including company. The White House a case in Washington and a has said TikTok must separate filing by the app’s become a US rm “creators” in a Pennsylva- nia court, which blocked the controlled by American ban on October 30, though investors to avert a ban. the government is appeal- ing that order. ByteDance to sell TikTok, Trump, who lost his bid which features clips of eve- for re-election this month, rything from dance routines has claimed that TikTok -- to politics. which has some 100 million A deal appeared to US users -- can be used to take shape earlier this year AFP “The prospecting and ex- The Vostok project, the mated reserves of around five collect data on Americans which would allow Silicon MOSCOW ploration work are now un- cornerstone of Russia’s Arc- billion tonnes of oil. for Chinese espionage, a Valley giant Oracle to be the derway, in accordance with Highlights tic ambitions, brings together The construction alone claim denied by the com- data partner for a newly in- RUSSIAN oil giant Rosneft on our timetable,” Sechin said, ● The strategic plan for several Rosneft activities in will require 400,000 workers, pany. corporated TikTok Global, Wednesday announced the adding that the design work the Russian Far North, near Sechin said. The White House has with Walmart joining as a start of operations for its gi- for a 770-kilometre (480- Russia’s mineral resources the northern sea route that the Last week Rosneft an- said TikTok must become commercial partner. ant Vostok oil project in the mile) oil pipeline and a port stretches to 2035 and is company intends to exploit to nounced the sale of 10 percent a US firm controlled by While Trump signaled Arctic, part of the country’s had been completed. banking on growing global deliver to Europe and Asia. of the project to Singapore’s American investors to avert his approval for the plan, it strategic energy plan which The strategic plan for demand, though it does In February, Sechin prom- Trafigura group, without a ban. has not been finalized and has been criticised by envi- Russia’s mineral resources predict that natural gas will ised Putin that the scheme mentioning a price. The Rus- But any plan would the prospects remain un- ronmentalists. stretches to 2035 and is bank- partially replace oil and would create a “new oil and sian group had previously likely need approval from clear. The developments “It is with great pleasure ing on growing global de- coal. gas province” on Siberia’s said that there was interest in Beijing, which has balked at come amid heightened ten- that I inform you of the start mand, though it does predict Taymyr peninsula, the north- the project from India. giving up control of its so- sions between Washington of the practical implementa- that natural gas will partially ● Environmentalists urged ernmost part of the Asian Sechin said the Arctic cial media star. and Beijing over trade and tion of the project,” Rosneft replace oil and coal. the Russian government continent. endeavour would eventually China’s commerce min- national security, with the chief executive Igor Sechin “Mineral resources will re- last year to stop granting The complete project will produce 100 million tonnes of istry published new rules in US administration having told President Vladimir Putin main a competitive advantage licenses to exploit several represent a total investment oil per year. August that added “civilian also banned Chinese tech at a meeting in Moscow. of Russia’s economy, and will Arctic deposits. of 10,000 billion rubles ($111 Between now and 2024 use” to a list of the types of giant Huawei from obtain- He thanked Putin, with determine the place and role billion), including two air- he said that 30 million tonnes technology that are restrict- ing US technology and from whom he has close relations, of the country in the world,” ports and 15 “industry towns”. would be sent from the Arctic ed for export, which could deals involving wireless net- for the adoption of a law facil- it says. year to stop granting licenses The project has also been along the so-called Northern make it more difficult for works. itating Russian investments Environmentalists urged to exploit several Arctic de- forecast to create 130,000 Sea route connecting the At- in the Arctic. the Russian government last posits. jobs and allow access to esti- lantic Ocean to the Pacific. Mexico’s economy to plunge less than feared: Central bank

AFP The Bank of Mexico had ic control measures that had the most since record-keeping tainty remains globally and is expected, the central bank ally reopening the economy in MEXICO CITY warned in August that Latin triggered an unprecedented began several decades ago, nationally,” Bank of Mexico said. June. America’s second-largest 18.7 percent plunge in the sec- according to an official pre- governor Alejandro Diaz de Mexico has officially reg- New restrictions have been MEXICO’S pandemic-afflicted economy was in danger of ond quarter from a year ear- liminary estimate released last Leon told reporters. istered more than 100,000 introduced in recent weeks economy is forecast to con- shrinking by up to 12.8 per- lier. month. The country was still facing coronavirus deaths -- one of in response to an increase in tract by up to 9.3 percent this cent in 2020. Gross domestic product The central bank now fore- a “very adverse situation due the world’s highest tolls. infections and Mexico City year, a less severe slump than Economic activity has (GDP) rebounded 12.0 percent sees a fall in GDP of between to the pandemic,” he added. The government imposed authorities have said that the previously feared, the central since shown signs of recover- in the July-September period 8.7 and 9.3 percent this year. In 2021, economic growth lockdown measures at the end capital is close to entering a bank said Wednesday. ing after an easing of pandem- from the previous quarter, “A high degree of uncer- of between 0.6 and 5.3 percent of March and started gradu- new lockdown.

BREAKING GLASS CEILING Merkel’s female board quota plan meets resistance in business world

DPA German chancellor’s ruling coali- business groups will respond to the the board of Warema, a leading BERLIN new quota system is likely to come European awnings manufacturer tion have backed a fixed quota in March, when members of Ger- and a member of Germany’s key KEY business councils in Europe’s for woman on publicly listed cor- many’s chamber of trade and com- small-to-medium sized business biggest economy face pressure porate boards. But will the merce (DIHK) elect a new chief to sector (Mittelstand), might be in to put women at the head of the nation’s powerful business lobby take over from its long-running the running for the BDA’s top post. nation’s powerful industry lobby groups set an example for the president, Eric Schweizer. But in the end, the BDA mem- groups. But when the German Em- However, Peter Adrian, who bers backed the no-nonsense ployers’ Association (BDA) met on rest of industry by backing chairs the Triwo property group Dulger to help give the group a Thursday, it elected Rainer Dulger women for top leadership posts? and heads up the DIHK’s Trier sharper profile in the run-up to as its new - male - president. chapter in south-western Germa- September’s national German elec- The 56 year-old Dulger’s elec- delsblatt. ny, was nominated on Wednesday tion and the formation of a new tion at a meeting of employer fed- But, the employers said a statu- by a special committee to take over government, following Merkel’s eration members in Berlin came tory quota regulating management from Schweizer in overseeing the planned retirement. less than a week after Chancellor of board membership could impact DIHK’s 79 offices across Germany. Dulger has, since 2012, been Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition on corporate structures in a “con- The BDI, comprising about 40 the head of the nation’s metal and agreed to set a fixed quota for the stitutionally questionable manner. industry branch associations, is engineering industry employers number of women in board posi- “If there are no such candidates also expected to shortly begin the association Gesamtmetall, which tions on publicly listed companies. or they are not willing to take on a German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer task of finding a new president to covers companies comprising But woman appear rather corresponding position, a develop- at the Bundestag on Thursday in Berlin. (TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP) take over from Dieter Kempf. a total of more than 2.3 million under-represented in leader- ment desired by society and above But of the BDI’s nine vice employees. He was a BDA vice ship positions in the nation’s top all by companies cannot be en- representation of stock holders Ploeger described the introduc- presidents, only two are women president. industry lobby groups, with the forced by law,” the BDA said. and employees on the board, and tion of the quota system as “a par- - Hildegard Mueller, who this Like Renkhoff-Muecke, Dulger business councils having already Merkel told a meeting of gov- a minimum of three board mem- ticular challenge for industry” and year began a term as head of the also hails from Germany’s Mittel- signalled resistance to Berlin’s new ernment lawmakers on Tuesday bers, must have at least one female representing “a major encroach- German car industry federation stand, which is seen as the back- Frauenquote (women’s quota) for that the agreement on a quota sys- member. ment on entrepreneurial freedom.” (VDA), and Ingeborg Newmann, bone of the nation’s economy. corporate board roles. tem was not only “reasonable and But echoing the BDA’s views, Women have 8.7 per cent of the from the Confederation of the Ger- The 56-year-old Dulger and his The BDA supports the “goal of feasible”, but it was also something Iris Ploeger, a member of the Fed- 160 board posts of German com- man Textile and Fashion Industry. brother head a family-run compa- the political debate to have more she could wholeheartedly support, eraton of German Industry’s (BDI) panies registered on the nation’s Angeligue Renkhoff-Muecke ny, ProMinent, producing pumps diversity, also in the management sources told dpa. management team, called for the three national stock market in- is the only the woman among the in the south-western German state of large companies,” the employ- Under the government’s plans government to consider “a bal- dexes, according to a report by the BDA’s eight vice presidents. of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The ers’ federation said in comments to unveiled last week, publicly listed anced compromise” in drawing up professional services group EY. German media had speculated company employs 2,700 people the German business daily Han- companies that have an equal guidelines for the proposed quota. The next major test of how the that Renkhoff-Muecke, who chairs worldwide. Time to put on a show, says Morgan as England take on SA at Cape Town in T20I FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 PAGE 13 Last-gasp penalty sees Al Ahli hold Rayyan 1-1; QSC blank Al Arabi 3-0 Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez during the press conference ahead of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Incidentally, Belaili had net- his team’s QNB Stars League match against Umm Salal on Friday. DOHA ted the all-important goal in that match. In the process, The A last-gasp penalty strike saw Kings had jumped from the bot- Our goal is to keep Al Ahli hold Al Rayyan 1-1 in tom of the table to eighth posi- thrilling Week 7 round of the tion then. QNB Stars League at the Al On the other hand, Al Ara- on winning, says Ahli Stadium on Thursday. The bi’s woes compounded, having draw saw them stay second to lost 1-4 to Al Sadd in the Qatar Al Sadd in the standings with 16 Derby in Week 6. Al Sadd coach Xavi points to their credit. Belaili and Anthony Ok- Earlier, Qatar Sports Club potu were at the helm of Qa- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the lineup, but everybody is scored a 3-0 win over Al Arabi tar SC’s offensives, the former DOHA training really well and this is at the Qatar SC Stadium to playing a composed game and the way to compete,” the mid- move up the table to sixth spot the latter impressing with his AL Sadd Coach Xavi Hernan- field great said. with nine points. speed and power. dez has said his team would On the other hand, Umm In the third clash of the day, Okpotu came very close to look to keep their winning run Salal are last in the table with Al Wakrah scored a 3-1 win over scoring once, but for a goalline going when they take on Umm four points. They have only a Al Sailiya to be fifth on the table save by Al Arabi defender Marc Salal in the QNB Stars League victory (1-0 against Qatar SC) with ten ponts. Martinez even as goalkeeper on Friday. and goalless draw against Al The much looked forward Mahmoud Ibrahim had left his Al Sadd are the table top- Khor to show for their efforts. to tie between Al Rayyan and charge in pursuit of a rescue act. pers with 16 points. They are Askar said the pressure is Ahl saw Franck Kom put Al Al Arabi mainly had Aron also the only unbeaten team on Sadd to win the match, as Rayyan ahead in the 77th min- Gunnarsson’s aerial shot and so far in the tournament. The they are heavy favourites “We ute, the lead that was neutral- Abdulaziz Al Ansari’s weak shot Wolves have scored the most were disappointed after our ised by Al Ahli’s Nabil El Zhar to show for their efforts in the number of goals (24) as well. loss to Al Ahli in the last round, (90+5 penalty). first half. But Xavi was wary of but we will continue to work to The signature match of The opening goal came bottom-placed Umm Salal’s achieve our goal this season, Week 7, an encounter between when a penalty was awarded counter-attacking game and which is difficult though. We clubs with great history and rich against Al Arabi’s Jassem called their Moroccan coach go into the match without pres- tradition in Qatar football, had Jaber’s foul on Belaili and the Ben Askar ‘a fighter’. sure because the pressure is on all ingredients of a thriller. latter himself converted from “Umm Salal are a deter- Al Sadd. We are thinking about Possession was almost the spot. mined side and their coach is the points and we will see how equal, as both sides fought it Changing ends, Qatar SC a fighter. I think they will find things will go,” he said. out. continued from where they solutions through counter-at- “We are facing the lead- They attacked from the left off. They went 2-0 up af- tacks. We are the favourites to ers and the best team in Asia word go, but a goal eluded the Action from the Al Ahli vs Al Rayyan QNB Stars League match played at the Al Ahli Stadium on Thursday. ter Belaili was spot-on with a win. But as usual, we have to whose coach is doing a great opening session. penalty, awarded after he was show our true level on the field job. But as I kept saying, we In the first half, Gabriel tripped by substitute Moham- to collect the three points,” the focus on ourselves and I am Mercado sent his shot wide, med Bader Sayyar. Sadd coach said yesterday. happy that we have a good Abdulaziz Hatem was thwarted Jimena then headed in a “We have a great group group of players. For me, this by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo corner kick deep into stoppage of players and we are going is important because everyone Rodriguez and Kom headed time to seal the issue in Qatar through a good period, but we is waiting for good results and wide of the target for Al Rayyan, SC’s favour. have to keep going like this I think this is not difficult,” who continued to miss the ser- and keep winning. I try to ro- Umm Salal coach added. vices of their ace player Yacine Al Sailiya 1 Al Wakrah 3 tate the players because eve- Brahimi through illness. Al Wakrah prevailed over ryone deserves to play and we Al Duhail face Kharaitiyat For Al Ahli, Abdulrasheed Al Sailiya at the Al Ahli Stadi- have a large group and every Meanwhile, Al Duhail will Ibrahim, Mohammed Di- um with Mohamed Benyettou player is important to us. The face Al Kharaitiyat on Friday. ame and Shane Lowry were (49th minute), Omar Ali (52nd levels of players are close, and The reigning champions Al off-target. minute) and Cristian Ceballos we have outstanding young- Duhail have had a disappoint- Both teams sustained the (75th minute) scoring for Al sters and professionals,” the ing campaign so far as they are momentum in the second half. Wakrah, while Abdulqadir Il- Spaniard added. placed fifth with nine points. Al Ahli’s Ali Qaderi had a yas (90+1) pulled one back for Sadd goalkeeper Saad al- The Red Knights, coached goal disallowed for offside in Al Sailiya. Dosari returned to training by Sabri Lamouchi, lost to the 66th minute when he was with the first team, after re- Al Gharafa in the last round. on hand to send in a rebound QNB Stars League Standings covering from a head injury he Al Kharaitiyat, coached by off the left upright after Nabil had suffered during the Qatar Yousef Adam, are ninth in the shot first. Pos Club M W L D GF GA GD Pts national team’s friendly against table with six points. Much to Al Ahli’s dismay, an 1. Al Sadd 6 5 0 1 24 5 19 16 Ghana in October. Al-Dosari. In another match, Al unmarked Kom took Al Rayyan 2. Al Ahli 7 5 1 1 11 9 2 16 “The return of Saad Al Gharafa face Al Khor at home. ahead by taking advantage off Qatar SC players celebrate one of their three goals against Al Arabi at 3. Al Gharafa 6 4 2 0 12 8 4 12 Dossari to training after his in- Gharafa are third with 12 an assist by Yohan Boli. the Qatar SC Stadium on Thursday. 4. Al Rayyan 7 3 2 2 9 6 3 11 jury makes me very happy. He points and are on a high, hav- When it looked like Al Rayy - 5. Al Wakrah 7 3 3 1 9 7 2 10 completed his recovery pro- ing beaten Duhail in the last an would seal an important vic- Assistant Referee. And Nabil penalty) and Alejandro Jimena cess well,” said Xavi. round. It may be recalled that tory came the breakthrough converted from the spot. (90+5) scored the goals as Qa- 6. Qatar SC 7 3 4 0 7 7 0 9 “We need everybody: we Gharafa, coached by Serb Slav- deep into stoppage time. Al tar SC took their points tally to 7. Al Duhail 6 3 3 0 8 9 -1 9 need Saad, Meshaal Barsh- isa Jokanovic, had finished a Ahli’s substitute Nasser Khal- Qatar SC 3 Al Arabi 0 nine, while Al Arabi stood on 8. Al Sailiya 7 2 3 2 9 13 -4 8 am, Jehad Mohamed, Yousuf creditable fourth last season. fan was fouled by Mohammed Qatar SC blanked Al Arabi five points. 9. Al Kharaitiyat 6 2 4 0 5 13 -8 6 al-Baloushi; we need all the They had recently reached the Alaaeldin and referee Abdulla 3-0 with new recruit Youcef Be- Qatar SC thus continued 10. Al Arabi 7 1 4 2 8 16 -8 5 goalkeepers. It depends on the semi-finals of Ooredoo Cup by Ali Athba pointed to the spot, a laili scoring a brace (38th-min- their good run, having beaten 11. Al Khor 6 0 2 4 3 5 -2 4 performance in training. Now, beating reigning champions Al decision confirmed by the Video ute penalty and 87th-minute Al Wakrah in the last round. 12. Umm Salal 6 1 4 1 2 9 -7 4 it’s difficult for me to choose Sadd 4-2.

AL WASMIYAH FARM’S NOOR AL HAWA BAGS AL SAFLIYA CUP

Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor AL Hawa (FR) (Mak x Majestic Roi) landed the QA listed Al Sa iya Cup winning The winning team of Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor Al Hawa (which won Al Sa iya Cup) with the trophies presented to them by Abdulla Rashid Al the 2400m Class 1 race on turf at QREC’s Al Rayyan Park. Alberto Sanna rode the Georges Mikhalides- Kubaisi at Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park on Thursday. trained 7YO horse to a 4¼-length win in the 2400m Class 1 race for Thoroughbreds. 12 Friday, November 27, 2020 Sports Chiangrai United Choi calls for focus as Shenhua haven’t given up on knockout stage: eye repeat win over FC Tokyo Coach Alongkorn AFC DOHA AFC “We hope that we can fol- DOHA low what we have planned, SHANGHAI Shenhua head and if we do, we believe we coach Choi Kang-hee has THEY have lost all three of can turn the situation around. called for focus as his side face their 2020 AFC Champions We are the underdogs here, so FC Tokyo for the second time League matches, but Chi- we have nothing to lose and in three days in Group F of the angrai United will fight for we must fight until the end.” 2020 AFC Champions League a place in the tournament’s Comprehensively beaten at the Education City Stadium knockout stage until it be- by a rampant Seoul in their at 4pm on Friday. comes a mathematical impos- first match on Qatari soil, The Chinese Super League sibility, according to interim Chiangrai are hopeful their side managed a narrow win coach Alongkorn Thongsaum. Doha travelogue will feature courtesy of a 72nd minute Speaking ahead of Chi- a much rosier second chapter. penalty scored by Yu Han- angrai’s Friday meeting with Pulling off a such a turna- chao, giving Shanghai Shen- FC Seoul, a side who beat round just 72 hours after suf- hua their second win of the them 5-0 on Tuesday, Along- fering such a heavy defeat is campaign and placing them in korn admitted the 2019 Thai no easy task, but Alongkorn second place in the group. champions have it all to do believes his side will be bet- “I felt that we were lucky to but insists his side will con- ter prepared this time, both win the first game,” said Choi. tinue to fight for as long as physically and tactically. “We have to treat our op- possible. “We will start with the ponents seriously. We are still “We have to start the players who are the most facing difficulties and we need match looking for the first ready to play the match and to stay focused. I trust the goal,” said Alongkorn. “If we who have the better fitness,” players to accomplish our tar- can score the first goal, we he said. get and play well. think we can get some points While the onus is on Chi- “They are quite a tough from this match. angrai to deliver a far better opponent to fight against and “For the next three match- performance, FC Seoul boss they are really talented espe- es, we are going to give our Lee Won-jun – also serving cially in attack, so we have to best. We know that it’s quite in an interim capacity – just focus on our defence and work difficult now to qualify for the needs more of the same for hard to stop them.” next round, but anything can his side to take another big With a win, a draw and a happen. It’s just three matches. step towards the Round of 16. loss from the first three group stage games, head coach Ken- Shanghai Shenhua’s mid elder Yu Hanchao (left) celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions League Group F match against at the ta Hasegawa’s FC Tokyo side Education City Stadium on Tuesday. The two sides will clash again on Friday at 4pm. (AFP) Standings Group E need a result on Friday if they Club P W D L GF GA GD PTS are to stand any chance of pro- and now we know the atmos- gression to the Round of 16. Standings Group F phere in Doha, the stadiums Beijing FC (CHN) 3 3 0 0 6 2 4 9 “This is an opportunity Club P W D L GF GA GD PTS and our opponents too so now FC Seoul (KOR) 3 2 0 1 7 2 5 6 Melbourne Victory (AUS) 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3 for us to get revenge after Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) 3 2 1 0 6 3 3 7 we can play an aggressive To- Chiangrai United (THA) 3 0 0 3 0 7 -7 0 losing out to a penalty goal Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 3 2 0 1 4 4 0 6 kyo FC style.” last time,” said Hasegawa. FC Tokyo (JPN) 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4 Friday’s match at the “We cannot give opponents Perth Glory (AUS) 3 0 0 3 2 5 -3 0 Education City Stadium will scoring opportunities like be preceded by a moment of this in a high-profile compe- coach is very experienced Nakamura caused the pen- perience and does not often silence for Argentina legend tition like the AFC Champi- and has delivered good re- alty kick but he is an interna- make such mistakes. Diego Maradona, who passed AFC president pays ons League. The opponent’s sults. Our player (Hotaka) tional player with a lot of ex- “We played the first game away on Wednesday. tribute to Maradona AFC steered Argentina, this time as Melbourne Victory better equipped for Beijing rematch: Kean KUALA LUMPUR coach, at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.” AFC said he is looking no further ASIAN Football Confederation The AFC President also DOHA than Friday’s clash against (AFC) President Shaikh Sal- praised and recognised the Ar- Beijing. man bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa gentinian’s stint in Asian foot- MELBOURNE Victory will be “Both Grant (Brebner) and joined the world of football in ball where he was appointed well placed to challenge Bei- I stayed behind to watch that paying tribute and mourning coach of United Arab Emir- jing FC in the second of two match, but we have to almost the loss of global football icon ates’ Al Wasl Football Club in 2020 AFC Champions League park that aside and really Diego Maradona, who passed 2011 before returning to the matches played between the put our focus on this match away at the age of 60 from a country in 2017 to take charge clubs in the space of four days, (against Beijing),” he said. “If heart attack in his hometown of Fujairah FC. according to coach Steve Kean. we can get a positive result of Buenos Aires on Wednesday. “In the Middle East, he was The Chinese side were im- (against Beijing), it puts us in Recognising his incred- also a coach at both Al Wasl pressive 3-1 winners at Jas- a very strong position for the ible contributions to the game, and Fujairah in the UAE but it sim Bin Hamad Stadium on third match (in Doha).” Shaikh Salman said: “On be- is for his brilliance on the field Tuesday and have established With the group at its half- half of the AFC and the entire that he will be remembered themselves as the standout way point, it appears to be a Asian football family, I extend with such fondness not just in team in Group E, but their matter of when and not if Bei- my deepest sympathies on the Asia, but across the world. We Australian opponents are con- jing FC will join Japan’s Vis- passing of Diego Armando send our sympathy to his fam- fident of an improved perfor- sel Kobe in qualifying for the Maradona, one of the true leg- ily, friends, colleagues and the mance at the same venue at Round of 16, with the Chinese ends of our great game. Argentina football fraternity 1pm on Friday. club easing to three wins from “Diego Maradona was as the world game has today Tuesday’s hit out was Vic- as many matches. rightly recognised by FIFA as lost one of its greatest talents.” tory’s first in Doha, and their Action from the Melbourne Victory vs Beijing FC AFc Champions League Group E clash in Doha on Tuesday. With a loaded match one of the joint winners of the The thoughts and prayers of first competitive match since schedule still to come, Beijing ‘Player of the 20th Century the AFC and the rest of the Asian August, and Kean is sure his we finished the first half and They are what they are. We angrai United back in Febru- boss Bruno Genesio could be Award’ after not only enjoying football community are with the side will have gained from the the way we finished the game, feel we’re a lot closer to where ary, Victory are the only Aus- forgiven for resting some of a stellar club career with clubs family and loved ones of Mara- experience. was particularly pleasing for we want to get to at the end tralian side to have notched up his more pivotal players in in South America and Europe, dona, the Argentinian Football “Our preparations have us.” of this competition by having a win in this year’s AFC Cham- the remaining group stage fix- most notably Napoli, but also Association and the rest of the been very good for this match,” “We do feel that legs in the that first game. pions League and appear to be tures, but the Frenchman said for captaining Argentina to sporting world in mourning this said the former Blackburn competition and playing your “We feel as though we’re in only side from the country still he needs to weigh up his play- their FIFA World Cup success great loss to football. Rovers boss. very first game against such a better place. We’re confident with a good chance of reaching ers’ recovery with the rhythm in Mexico in 1986. In memory of his contri- “We’ve seen it as a ben- a tough opposition, in such a and are hopeful we can get the knockout stage. of regular football. “He was one of a select bution, all four Group Stage efit that we’re again playing high-profile competition is a something from the second To do that, they will likely The match will be pre- band of men who not only led matches of the AFC Champi- against the same team. We good barometer of where we game.” need to finish higher than FC ceded by a moment of silence their country on the field in a ons League (East) to be played take a lot of positives from the are. You can’t invent these With three points on the Seoul, who thrashed Chiangrai for Argentina football legend FIFA World Cup but also man- on Friday, 27 November will first game, especially the way types of high-quality games. board from their win over Chi- 5-0 last time out, but Kean Diego Maradona. aged the national side when he observe a minute of silence. Ahly, Zamalek face off in historic CAF Champions League nal

AFP especially on social media af- ing the disease. ual skills, especially (Achraf) CAIRO “(FIFA’s) decision on ter the 2019 Egyptian Super Former star Emam says Bencharki and Ferjani Sassi,” holding the FIFA Club Cup, a match Ahly won 3-2. Ahly have switched to “col- said Salaheldin. THE 2020 CAF Champions World Cup in Doha next Supporters of Ahly took to lective football” since South Pacheco, who returned to League final in Cairo Friday February has raised the the street in several regions to African coach Pitso Mosimane Zamalek six years after first between Egyptian giants Al intensity of the (CAF CL celebrate. arrived in September, while coaching the White Knights, Ahly and Zamalek will be the “Ahly and Zamalek are Zamalek’s recently hired Por- said he trusted his players, first pitting rivals from one final) confrontation.” like brothers,” said retired Za- tuguese coach Jaime Pacheco their strong personalities and country against each other. malek and Egypt star Hazem has changed little. ability “to please the fans”. The match, to be held be- have been Egyptian champi- Emam. Mosimane has beaten Zamalek stars include vet- hind closed doors under the slo- ons on 12 occasions. Zamalek in a final – guid- eran Tarek Hamed, Tunisian gan “no to fanaticism”, will bring Despite their popularity ‘Raised intensity’ ing Mamelodi Sundowns of Sassi, Moroccan Bencharki, together clubs whose clashes and wide fan bases, Egypt’s “(FIFA’s) decision on hold- South Africa to a 3-1 aggregate Ahmed ‘Zizou’ Sayed and have long dominated local and most successful player, Liver- ing the FIFA Club World Cup victory in 2016. Mostafa Mohammed. continental competitions. pool forward Mohamed Salah, in Doha next February has Those he will rely on in- Ahly reached the Champi- Former Arab League chief never played for either club, raised the intensity of the con- clude goalkeeper Mohamed el ons League final by defeating Amr Moussa once described lining up with Al Mokawloon Two giants of Egyptian football will face off in the CAF Champions frontation,” said former Ahly Shennawy, Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Wydad Casablanca of Moroc- Ahly and Zamalek as Egypt’s Al Arab in Cairo instead. League nal in Cairo on Friday. player Walid Salaheldin. Magdy, Tunisian Ali Maal- co 2-0 away and 3-1 at home “two largest popular parties”. The decision not to permit COVID-19 has affect- oul, Malian Aliou Dieng and while Zamalek overcame the Ahly have won the Cham- spectators at the 74,000-capac- rus pandemic, they said “their of clashes between supporters. ed both teams with Ahly’s Nigerian Junior Ajayi. other Casablanca giants, Raja, pions League eight times and ity Cairo International Stadium top priority was to ensure the Fans should be able to Walid Soliman, Mahmoud “Mosimane has freed the 1-0 away and 3-1 at home. been crowned Egyptian Pre- came in a joint statement by the safety of Egyptian and African watch the match on television ‘Kahraba’ Abdelmoneim and players from restrictions im- The Cairo clubs faced off mier League champions on 42 Confederation of African Foot- football families”. in clubs or youth centres, but Saleh Gomaa and Zama- posed by former coaches, in the Champions League occasions while Zamalek have ball (CAF) and the Egyptian Besides health concerns, not in cafes and public places. lek’s Mahmoud ‘El Wensh’ which tips the scales in his on eight occasions with Ahly won the premier African club Football Federation (EFA). the historic rivalry between The rivalry between the Hamdy and assistant coach players’ favour against Zama- winning five matches and the competition five times and Referring to the coronavi- Ahly and Zamalek raised fears clubs peaked in recent years, Medhat Abdelhady contract- lek’s players and their individ- other three drawn. Sports Friday, November 27, 2020 13 Maradona death kept Fans pay respects to Maradona from ailing AFP former coach BUENOS AIRES THOUSANDS of Argentines Bilardo filed past Diego Maradona’s coffin in Buenos Aires on AFP Thursday after the country BUENOS AIRES and the world of football was plunged into mourning by his CARLOS Bilardo, the coach of death at the age of 60. Argentina’s 1986 World Cup- Mourners, many in tears, winning team who is in poor and many wearing the World health, was still unaware on Cup winner’s number 10 Ar- Thursday of the death of Diego gentina jersey, gathered at the Maradona on Thursday, be- Casa Rosada presidential pal- cause of his family’s wish not ace where the national hero’s to upset him. coffin was draped in the sky Maradona, who cap- blue and white Argentine flag. tained the 1986 team, died on Many more will pay hom- Wednesday from a heart at- age to one of the all-time tack at the age of 60. sporting greats before his bur- “I cannot tell him that Diego ial on the outskirts of Buenos is dead,” Carlos’s brother Jorge Aires later on Thursday. Bilardo told Radio Provincia, Maradona will be laid to because he had a “father-son” rest in the Jardin de Paz cem- relationship with Maradona. etery, where his parents were Carlos Bilardo had repeat- also buried, his spokesman Se- edly said during interviews bastian Sanchi told AFP. that Diego was “the son that Tributes poured in from (he had) not had”. around the world as support- Argentine President Alberto Fernandez (left) and his partner Fabiola Yanez pay tribute to the cof n of The former coach, 82, ers, players and government Argentine football legend Diego Maradona at the burning chapel in Casa Rosada presidential palace is suffering from neurologi- leaders marked the passing of in Buenos Aires on Thursday. (Argentinian Presidency/AFP) cal disorders. He lives in an a sporting genius whose career apartment in Buenos Aires and life was sometimes tainted was announced. nos Juniors’ Diego Armando unfashionable Napoli to their where he is treated by nurses by a loose interpretation of the Lionel Messi, Argentina’s Maradona Stadium, where he only two Italian league titles who are prohibited from let- rules of the game and a crip- modern-day superstar, led the started his career. in 1987 and 1990, befriending ting him watch television. pling addiction to cocaine. tributes as he said: “He has left a mafia family along the way. “The nurse already knew The outrageously skilful us but he will never leave us ‘Ciao Diego’ “Always in our hearts. Ciao Aerial view of people queueing along Avenida de Mayo avenue to reach that if this happened, the tel- Maradona, widely remem- because Diego is eternal.” Maradona grew up in pov- Diego,” Napoli tweeted, while the Casa Rosada presidential palace to pay tribute to late Argentine evision had to be turned off,” bered for his “Hand of God” Brazilian legend Pele, 80, erty, but his extraordinary tal- the club’s president and the football legend Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires on Thursday. (AFP) said Jorge Bilardo. goal against England in the constantly compared with ent was clear from a young age city’s mayor called for the Sta- “She did so by telling him 1986 World Cup quarter- Maradona in the debate over at Argentinos Juniors and Boca. dio San Paolo to be renamed Maradona married his Junior, born in Naples in 1986, that the cable had been cut.” finals, died Wednesday of a football’s greatest player, said He moved to Barcelona after Maradona. long-time girlfriend Claudia although he only acknowl- Carlos Bilardo took Argen- heart attack while recovering he hoped they would one day but was singled out for rough In recent years, Maradona, Villafane in 1984. They had edged paternity in 2004. tina to three World Cups, from from brain surgery, a member “play together in the sky”. treatment by opposing de- reduced to hobbling by the two daughters, Dalma and In 2000, FIFA ran an on- 1982 to 1990. They won in 1986 of his entourage told AFP. Despite a wave of coro- fenders and soon fell out of ravages of his career and life- Gianinna, but the relationship line Player of the Century poll. and, with Maradona still very Family members were navirus cases in Argentina, love with the Spanish club. style, had coached in the Unit- was punctuated by Marado- Maradona gained 54 percent much the playmaker, reached summoned to Maradona’s fans gathered at landmarks It was in Naples where ed Arab Emirates, Mexico and na’s extra-marital affairs and of the vote and Pele was sec- the final four years later when home north of the Argen- including Buenos Aires’ Ob- Maradona would enchant an Argentina without ever hitting they divorced in 2004. ond with 18 percent. FIFA de- they lost to West Germany. tine capital before his death elisk monument and Argenti- entire city by leading the then the heights of his playing days. He also had a son, Diego clared them joint winners.

Maradona ‘shone a very bright light’: Former agent India football stronghold mourns Diego AFP “When he (Maradona) was in Naples, he liked collecting in five years as his agent, until LONDON his contract was suddenly ter- Ferraris. He had several but a few were badly beaten minated: “In 1991 the powers DIEGO Maradona “shone a up. One looked like someone had walked all over it. that be in Naples thanked me very bright light” despite his In his worst English, he said ‘the problem is when I for a fantastic job but my ser- well-documented struggles off stop at red lights fans clamber all over them’.” vices were no longer required.” the pitch, his British former One story sums up the ma- agent told AFP. joined English club Tottenham, quarter-final. nia that surrounded Marado- Jon Smith, who pioneered was on the phone to Maradona, England goalkeeper Peter na. “When he was in Naples, the role of “super agent” in who was looking for an agent, Shilton remains upset that he liked collecting Ferraris,” the world of football, said the and the rest is history. Maradona never apologised recalled Smith. “One time I player who almost single- Smith said he was able for cheating by using his hand was there pre-lunch he took handedly drove Argentina to to wield some influence over to score. But Smith said oth- me downstairs to the garage to the 1986 World Cup title was Maradona but it was limited as ers were more than willing to show me his latest. a Jekyll-and-Hyde character. he was London and his client meet the Argentine. “When he “He had several and I no- On the one hand there was was in Naples, where he played was in London one time we ticed a few were badly beaten a “lovely boy” from Buenos his club football at the time. had dinner with Gary Lineker up. One looked like someone Aires and on the other there Smith said the Argentine and a few other people and had walked all over it. was the party animal whose fitted the archetype of the they got on well,” said Smith. “In his worst English he life spiralled out of control. “flawed genius”. Maradona “was very said, ‘the problem is when I Smith secured Maradona as Smith, who initially forged charming but obviously there stop at red lights fans clamber a client after the 1986 World Cup a successful career in the mu- was a bit of hurt and angst,” all over them’. finals by luck after two cancelled sic business, signed Maradona he added. “It was hard, it was “I think perhaps the best In this le photo taken on December 6, 2008 Diego Maradona gestures as he attends a felicitation meetings, when he happened to after he become the villain in tough but it happened and life deal I ever did was convincing programme at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in India. (AFP) be at Ossie Ardiles’ house. the eyes of English football was moving on.” the Naples police to give him Ardiles, a 1978 World Cup fans for his “Hand of God” Smith said life was never special dispensation to drive winner with Argentina who had goal in the 1986 World Cup boring with his illustrious client through red lights.” India’s Kerala announces two-day o cial mourning AFP KANNUR

SOUTH AFRICA VS ENGLAND T20I SERIES EVEN in the land of cricket, Diego Maradona’s death came as such a shock that one In- dian state declared two days Time to put on a show, says of official mourning and fans flocked to a hotel room where the football deity once slept. The Argentine footballer, England skipper Morgan who died on Wednesday at the age of 60, is so revered in Ker- AFP picked to cover both the T20 se- ala state that even the shells A frame with images of the late Diego Maradona outside the room CAPE TOWN ries and a one-day international from some prawns he ate dur- at Hotel Blue Nile in Kannur, Kerala, in India. where Maradona stayed series immediately afterwards. ing his visit in 2012 have been during his trip in 2012. (AFP) ENGLAND captain Eoin Mor- “We will narrow it down freeze-dried and framed. gan says his England team are to 12 or 13 when we get to the A steady stream of fans and “We have saved the cutlery, million people in 2017 to un- determined to “put on a bit of ground today,” he said. journalists went to the Hotel toiletries and even the bouquet veil the 12 feet (3.6 metre) high a show” in the Twenty20 in- Two unnamed South Afri- Blue Nile in Kannur to leave that we gave him. The flowers statue showing him wielding ternational series, which starts can players remain in isolation tributes as the state govern- have dried but it’s all framed.” the World Cup, he won in 1986. at Newlands stadium in Cape after testing positive for Cov- ment ordered the mourning pe- The prawn shells that were Fans left flowers and mes- Town Friday. id-19 but Cricket South Africa riod and a local musician sang part of the salad he ate are also sages at the foot of the bronze Morgan said he had be- announced on Thursday there a mournful tribute to the foot- displayed, along with footballs statue, which stands on a road come well aware of the impor- had been no new positive cases baller on television channels. and a menu that the World leading to Kolkata’s airport. tance of live televised sport after a third round of testing. Hotel owner Ravindran Ve- Cup hero signed. “It’s the time for tears. He during the lockdown imposed However, all-rounder leimbra recalled the day when will always be in our hearts,” by COVID-19. Dwaine Pretorius had been Maradona entered the lobby. ‘Time for tears’ said a West Bengal state min- “It’s huge,” he said of the ruled out of both series after “Our God had walked in. He “People ask us specifi- ister Sujit Bose, who was chance to play international England skipper Eoin Morgan looks on during a nets session in Cape suffering a hamstring injury was in front of us,” he told AFP. cally for a stay at the Mara- amongst those to pay tribute. sport and provide entertain- Town. (@ICC) during training. Maradona’s visit brought dona room. Everything that he Members of Kolkata’s Ar- ment for viewers. But Mor- De Kock said: “England chaos to the southern state, touched is still intact and his gentina Fan Club held a vigil gan said he did not foresee an England have further win- tive in the recent Indian Pre- have an unbelievable team full which bucks the trend in India fans want to experience that.” to recall his two visits to the early end to the need for teams ter tours planned to Sri Lanka mier League while others had of match-winners, but in the by preferring football to cricket. Veleimbra said he would city. On Maradona’s first visit to remain in bio-secure “bub- and India before then. benefited from an extended last series we gave them a run Veleimbra remembered now set up a Maradona statue. in 2008, nearly 50,000 peo- bles” while playing. Morgan said England in- off-season rest. for their money so I expect a how hordes of fans wearing Ar- “It’s a day of mourning for us. ple waited outside the airport “There’s news about vac- tended to field their best possi- “Training was very danger- close series.” gentina’s blue and white shirts He hugged me while he was hoping to get a glimpse. cines but the first to receive it ble team against South Africa. ous,” he joked about England’s Morgan echoed De Kock’s packed the road outside, some leaving and to this day I can Bollywood star Shah Rukh will be the people who really “It’s the first time in a long big-hitting batsmen flexing thoughts. “I expect an ex- having travelled hundreds of feel him around.” Khan and cricket legend need it. We are well down the time we’ve had a full-strength their muscles in practice. “We tremely competitive series,” kilometres in cars, buses and Fans also headed to a Sachin Tendulkar both paid pecking order of who should team available for selection. had open nets and balls were he said, pointing out that ear- on bikes. Thousands more Maradona statue in the east- tribute, while India’s Prime be prioritised,” he said. It’s very exciting.” flying about.” lier in the year the two sides packed a local stadium. ern city of Kolkata that is also Minister Narendra Modi said “I don’t see any change He said he believed his South Africa captain Quin- had drawn a one-day series in Everything Maradona known as a football holdout. Maradona was “a maestro before the start of our own team were well prepared, with ton de Kock said his country’s South Africa before England touched in Room 309 has been The Argentine superstar of football” whose “untimely summer.” some players having been ac- large 24-man squad had been narrowly won a T20 series. preserved, the owner said. went to the eastern city of 15 demise has saddened us all”. 14 Friday, November 27, 2020 The Last Word

AMIR, TURKISH PRESIDENT DISCUSS STRATEGIC BILATERAL RELATIONS, WITNESS SIGNING OF AGREEMENTS

The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday visited Ankara, along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to chair the sixth meeting of the Qatar-Turkey Supreme Strategic Committee. HH the Amir and President Erdogan discussed the strategic bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all elds. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements between the two sides. HH The Amir attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Presi- dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (QNA)

Qatar-Turkey relations exceptional: Qatari ambassador

QNA of strategic and comprehen- ous efforts made by the two lations and lead to exploring timing of the visit, Ambas- change all the time. two sides,” he added. DOHA sive partnership. sides to preserve the relations. new horizons.” sador Shafi said that the visit “Turkish companies have The envoy said the visit In his statement to Qatar He said, “The official visit “This visit gives the Su- comes at a time when the won huge contracts to imple- will have a great impact on AMBASSADOR of Qatar News Agency (QNA), Ambas- of the Amir His Highness preme Strategic Committee’s world is suffering from severe ment infrastructure projects consolidating and stabilis- to Turkey HE Salem bin sador Shafi said the relation- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad meetings a regular and per- polarisation and challenges, for the FIFA World Cup in ing the gains that have been Mubarak Al Shafi has said that ship was strengthened by the Al Thani to Turkey on Thurs- manent character. It will also in addition to the outbreak of 2022, while many Turkish achieved, organising the vari- Qatar-Turkey relations are dis- great convergence at the level day to chair the sixth meet- contribute to strengthening the coronavirus pandemic and and Qatari firms have active ous aspects of cooperation, tinct and governed by a moral of leaders and the people, the ing of the Qatar-Turkey Su- the bonds of strategic partner- the negative effects that this investments in the real estate, developing legal and imple- reference. unlimited solidarity in times preme Strategic Committee ship and exceptional relations has left, stressing that the visit contracting, tourism, manu- mentation frameworks for it, He said the relations have of crises, the harmonious po- with Turkish President Recep between the two countries,” he reflects the firmness of the two facturing and media sectors, in finding other prospects for co- gone through many challeng- litical visions on many issues, Tayyip Erdogan will add great added. countries’ relationship in a tur- addition to projects financed operation and providing more es before reaching the stage as well as sincere and continu- momentum to the bilateral re- On the importance of the bulent world in which alliances by joint capital between the beneficial measures.