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SUNDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11831 February 21, 2021 Rajab 9, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Amir crowns winners of His Highness Sword Racing and Equestrian Festival

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with the winners of the jumping competition His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani applauds as HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani lifts the gold yesterday. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (rear, centre) won the Big Tour title and with it the Amir Sword, while sword after HE Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Mon’nia won the HH The Amir Sword (Group 1 PA) race at Qatar Nasser al-Ghazali (rear, left) finished second and Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (rear, right) was third. Racing and Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park yesterday.

is Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Du Soleil’s victory of the sixth round of pure- Hamad al-Thani attended the conclusion bred Arabian horses, and the Shalfa to Shuail bin Amir gets message from Chinese president Hof His Highness Sword Equestrian Festi- Khalifa al-Kuwari after King Pacha won the fi rst In Brief val held at the Race Track and Equestrian Club in place in the fi fth round. Al Rayyan. His Highness the Amir handed over the prizes The closing ceremony was attended by His to the winners of the fi rst places in the jumping HMC treats all Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani competition, and they are: Hamad Nasser al- and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani. Qadi, fi rst-place winner, Nasser al-Ghazali, the patients equally It was also attended by a number of Sheikhs, second-place, and Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Ministers, horse owners and fans of equestrian third-place. provides treatment and rehabilitation sport. His Highness the Amir awarded the prizes for services to all patients irrespective His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- the winners of the fi rst four places in the her- of their nationality or profession mad al-Thani crowned the winners of the sword itage race, namely: Mohamed Kamaan Saeed and in accordance with the highest and the prizes of the His Highness race. The al-Khayarin, Obaid Hamad Saleh al-Marri, Ab- international standards, Dr Hanadi Amir awarded HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed dullah Rashid al-Hajri, and Mohamed Misfer al- al-Hamad, Qatar’s National Health bin Khalifa al-Thani the golden sword following Dossari. Strategy lead for Healthy Ageing and the victory of Mon’nia in the eighth round of the The Amir also honoured the companies spon- medical director of Rumailah Hospital purebred Arabian horse. soring the festival. and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, has The Amir awarded Ali bin Hamad al-Attiyah His Highness the Amir witnessed a part of the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a verbal message from Chinese said. Page 4 with His Highness award after Noor Al Hawa’s fi nal rounds of the purebred horse competition, President Xi Jinping, pertaining to the strategic bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well victory of the seventh round of purebred hors- the fi nal round of the heritage championship on as regional and international issues of mutual concern. The message was conveyed by Yang Jiechi, UN nuclear watchdog es. the sand track, in addition to the main round of member of the Political Bureau and Director of the Off ice of the Foreign Aff airs Commission of the His Highness the Amir awarded the silver the His Highness golden sword for purebred Ara- CPC Central Committee, when the Amir met him and the accompanying delegation at his off ice in Al chief arrives in Tehran sword to Abdullah bin Fahd al-Attiyah for Munir bian horses. Sport Pages 1, 2 Bahr Palace yesterday morning. Page 4 UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi arrived in Iran late yesterday for talks on the eve of Tehran’s deadline First case of human for US sanctions to be lifted, Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic infection with H5N8 Energy Agency said. “Grossi just Severe winter storm: Texas bird flu reported arrived in Tehran and was received Msheireb Properties by the IAEO deputy (Behrouz) Russia has registered the first case Kamalvandi,” ambassador Kazem disaster declaration issued of a strain of bird flu virus named Gharibabadi tweeted, referring to Iran A(H5N8) being passed to humans Atomic Energy Organisation. from birds and has reported launches design hub Reuters electricity outages, and nearly half of the matter to the World Health Sudan, Ethiopia trade Houston all Texans are still suff ering from dis- Organisation (WHO), Anna Popova, O Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown Doha will ruptions to their water service. head of consumer health watchdog charges in border row Lina Hidalgo, the top elected of- Rospotrebnadzor, said yesterday. serve as a global platform for innovation and experiences Sudan yesterday accused Ethiopia resident Joe Biden approved a fi cial in Harris County, which en- Outbreaks of the H5N8 strain have of an “unforgivable insult” in major disaster declaration for compasses Houston, said on Friday been reported in Russia, Europe, sheireb Properties, the sus- its sharpest statement since a PTexas yesterday as the state authorities were reporting 10 deaths China, the Middle East and North tainable real estate developer decades-old border dispute flared struggles with the fallout from a due to hypothermia. Africa in recent months but so far Mand a subsidiary of Qatar late last year. Clashes erupted winter storm that killed at least two The action by the Biden admin- only in poultry. Foundation, yesterday announced the over Al-Fashqa, an area of fertile dozen people and caused widespread istration makes federal funding Other strains — H5N1, H7N9 and foundation of the Doha Design District land settled by Ethiopian farmers blackouts and water shortages. available to aff ected individuals, H9N2 — have been known to spread in Msheireb Downtown Doha that will that Sudan says lies on its side of a Millions of residents in the United including assistance for temporary to humans. Russia reported the serve as a global platform for innova- border demarcated at the start of States’ biggest oil and gas producer housing and home repairs and low- case of human infection to the tion and experiences. the 20th century, which Ethiopia have had to contend with days of cost loans. WHO “several days ago, just as we The launch of the new design hub rejects. Sudan’s foreign ministry became absolutely certain of our was announced by Ali al-Kuwari, act- said “slander towards Sudan and results,” Popova said on Rossiya 24 ing CEO of Msheireb Properties, dur- Ali al-Kuwari accusation of being an agent state TV. ing a virtual summit the developer for other parties is a grave and There was no sign yet of organised with the participation of aff ordable workspace to all creative unforgivable insult”. Page 8 transmission between humans, representatives of design districts industries. Design districts are impor- she added. Seven workers at a from around the world. tant throughout the world. They are 2 dead in police fi ring poultry plant in Russia’s south Doha Design District will “enhance the face of their cities and a part of the had been infected with the H5N8 Msheireb Downtown Doha’s position as people’s culture and identity. Since in- on Myanmar protesters strain in an outbreak at the plant a district of art and creativity and serve ception, our city was intended to be not Two people were killed in Myanmar’s in December, Popova said, adding as a state-of-the-art centre for local only smart and sustainable, but also second largest city as security forces that the individuals involved felt fine designers to fl ourish. It will also attract a beautiful destination that refl ects a fired live rounds on protestors, now. “This situation did not develop reputable local, regional and global de- design aesthetic that blends Qatar’s emergency workers and doctors further,” she said. signers to be part of the new district”, past and future. We believe design is said yesterday – the latest show of In an e-mail WHO’s European arm Msheireb Properties said in a statement. beauty, and cities should be beautiful – force from a junta regime that has said it had been notified by Russia From a business perspective, the places to feel hope and happiness. faced two straight weeks of anti- about a case of human infection new design district supports Qatar Na- “Thanks to the hard work and eff ort coup demonstrations. In Mandalay, with H5N8 and acknowledged this tional Vision 2030 by focusing on new of all of those involved in bringing Doha a shipyard raid turned violent would, if confirmed be the first time industries and supporting economic Design District to life, Msheireb Down- after protesters trying to stop the the strain had infected people. diversifi cation, it adds. town Doha will provide the ideal plat- arrest of anti-coup marine staff “Preliminary information indicates In his opening remarks, al-Kuwari form for corporates and entrepreneurs to started flinging rocks. Authorities that the reported cases were said: “Doha Design District will be the boost their business, accomplish growth retaliated by opening fire – sending (L-R ) Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sylvia workers exposed to bird flocks,” the new permanent home for ideas, in- and serve our community as well as the demonstrators fleeing in fear. Page 9 Garcia help distribute food at the Houston Food Bank yesterday in Houston, Texas. e-mail said.” novations and projects, providing an whole region.” To Page 7

Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 21, 2021 QATAR

FM meets member of Chinese Political Bureau Qatar calls for calm, dialogue in Somalia

atar has voiced its grave concern about Qthe developments in the Somali capital, Mogad- ishu, over the past two days. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs called on the Somali parties to calm down, avoid escalation, and adopt a policy of restraint. The statement stressed the need to resolve diff erences through political dialogue and HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, met yesterday with Yang Jiechi, member of the Chinese Political Bureau, and the accompanying peaceful means to achieve the delegation currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and issues of common concern. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs congratulated the aspirations of the brotherly member of the Chinese Political Bureau on the 32nd anniversary of the relations between Qatar and China. He also noted the distinguished and advanced relations between the two friendly countries, especially Somali people for security, in economic aff airs and energy, which contributes to increasing trade exchange between the two countries. stability and development. – QNA

HMC’s Dr Hanadi al-Hamad honouring the representatives. HMC felicitates embassies, ICBF for patient support ‘HMC provides habilitation Institute’s OPD clinics. Moreover, HMC collaborates with treatment to all various embassies and community patients irrespective associations to facilitate the repa- triation of patients who prefer to of nationality’ return to their home country by pro- viding them with everything they r Hanadi al-Hamad, Qatar’s need, such as medication, medical National Health Strategy devices, detailed medical report and Dlead for Healthy Ageing and treatment plan, to ensure they can medical director of Rumailah Hos- complete their treatment in their pital and Qatar Rehabilitation Insti- home country. tute, has recognised representatives “In some cases, we arrange to of the embassies of Bangladesh and have the patient accompanied by Nepal and the Indian Community a medical team from HMC on the Benevolent Forum (ICBF) for their journey back to his/her country to eff orts in providing social and psy- language challenges and speeding conditions that require long-term ensure the continuity of care for the chological support to patients of up the processing of offi cial corre- care receive care at the Enaya centre patient. The team also co-ordinates these nationalities. spondences. or Rumailah Hospital and are off ered with the patient’s treating physician In a statement yesterday, Hamad Dr al-Hamad said HMC provides all rehabilitation services, treat- in his home country and educates Medical Corporation (HMC) said it treatment and rehabilitation servic- ments and rehabilitation equipment the patient’s family on the best ways co-operates with the embassies of es to all patients irrespective of their they require. to care for the patient,” added Dr al- Bangladesh and Nepal and the ICBF nationality or profession and in ac- The HMC community-based Hamad. The honorees thanked Dr to facilitate access for patients of cordance with the highest interna- programme off ers rehabilitation al-Hamad for the gesture of appre- these communities to healthcare tional standards. She explained that services to patients and provides ciation and thanked all HMC staff services at the right time and place, patients who require rehabilitation them with support to return to their members for their continued eff orts including rehabilitation and long- are cared for at Qatar Rehabilitation work and daily life while facilitating to ensure the delivery of high-quali- term care services, by addressing Institute, while those with acute follow-up care for them in Qatar Re- ty care to patients in Qatar.

437 referred to prosecution for MoPH reports 449 new Covid-19 cases Covid violations The competent authorities QNA referred 437 people to the Public Doha Prosecution for violating the precautionary and preventive measures enforced by the he Ministry of Public Health country to curb the spread of (MoPH) reported yesterday Covid-19, according to figures T449 new confi rmed cases of released by the Ministry of coronavirus (Covid-19), of which 421 Interior (MoI) on social media were from community and 28 from yesterday. travellers returning from abroad who Of them, 374 people were are subject to quarantine. referred to the Public Prosecution The MoPH also recorded 420 re- for not wearing masks in places coveries from the virus during the where they are mandatory, while past 24 hours, bringing the total 47 were found violating the rule number of cases recovered in Qatar to limiting the number of people 149,740. All new cases have been in- allowed in a vehicle. According troduced to isolation and are receiv- to the rule, a maximum of ing necessary healthcare. four persons – including the Due to the measures put in place by driver – are allowed in a vehicle Qatar’s government and the support except when the occupants are of the public in following preventive members of the same family. steps, Qatar succeeded in suppress- Also, seven persons were referred ing the spread of the virus since its to the Public Prosecution for peak in July. not maintaining a safe physical However, over the past month in distance, seven for violating Qatar we have seen a gradual and quarantine requirements and consistent increase in the number of two others for not installing the new daily infections. Additionally, Ehteraz app on their mobile and of great concern, is the recent in- phones, according to the MoI. The crease in both the number of people measure is in line with a Cabinet admitted to hospital with Covid-19 decision and Decree Law No 17 and the number of people admitted of 1990 on infectious diseases, to ICU with Covid-19. and the precautionary and The data over the next few days preventive measures in force in and week will tell us more, but these the country to contain the spread increases appear to be the early signs numbers of positive cases and hos- restriction phases. With the recent of the coronavirus, the ministry of a potential second wave in Qatar. pital admissions continue to increase increase in the number of Covid-19 stressed. The authorities have For this reason, it is more important over the coming week or two, ad- cases in Qatar, it is important for eve- called on the public to adhere to than ever that people adhere to pre- ditional restrictions may need to be ryone to play their role in controlling the Covid-19 precautionary and ventive measures to cut off second implemented across the country and the virus by following precautionary preventive measures for their wave before it gains momentum. If we will return to some of the early measures. safety and that of others. Gulf Times Sunday, February 21, 2021 5 QATAR

Vaccination at QNCC only on invitation for specifi c groups

he Ministry of Public Health MoPH says targeted groups or individuals (MoPH) yesterday reiterated Tthat vaccination at the Qatar will receive an SMS invitation to come to the National Convention Centre (QNCC) vaccination centre on the dates specified is intended for specifi c groups on a pri- ority basis. “The MoPH confi rms that vaccine is still available in all health invitations will be sent in a gradual and centres through appointments,” it phased manner to ensure the safety of added. society and a smooth and eff ective vac- Last Thursday, HE the Prime Min- cination process,” it said in a post on ister and Minister of Interior Sheikh social media. Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al- The current stage targets the teach- Thani visited the QNCC vaccination The Al Hemaila Health Centre. ing and administrative staff at schools centre and inspected the facility, which “for their own safety and the safety of is run by the Primary Health Care Cor- our own students”, the ministry ex- poration under the supervision of the plained. The reiteration came a day MoPH. after the MoPH clarifi ed that it was He was briefed on the work mecha- QRCS Workers’ Health Centres not true that whoever went to the new nism in general, the operational capac- temporary Covid-19 vaccination cen- ity of the centre and the medical pro- tre at QNCC would be given the vac- cedures used. cine. “The ministry invites all com- On her part, HE the Minister of off er services to 1.2mn in 2020 munity members to obtain news and vaccine will only be given to those who Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al- information from offi cial sources, the have received an invitation while oth- Kuwari stressed that “the addition of ministry’s website and social media ac- ers are required to wait until they get this new vaccination centre will enable he four Workers’ Health Centres counts,” it had said in a tweet on Friday. an SMS invitation, provided they carry us to increase our capacity to vaccinate in the country operated by Qa- The targeted groups will receive an a valid health card when coming for a even more essential workers and open Ttar Red Crescent Society (QRC) SMS invitation to come to the vaccina- scheduled vaccine appointment. more opportunities for the general received 1.2mn people last year and of- tion centre on the dates specifi ed. The “The MoPH also confi rms that the public to be vaccinated”. fered them the due services, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported. Abdullah Sultan al-Qattan, executive director of the QRCS Medical Aff airs Sector, told the daily that QRCS oper- ates four health centres for workers in HBKU college launches Qatari the country at Al Hemaila, Zekreet, Me- saimeer and Fereej Abdel Aziz in addi- tion to a Medical Commission. He said the necessary healthcare is Women’s Aff airs Series webinar given to people visiting these centres, and QRCS has been working to assist the eff orts of the country in the fi ght against he College of Humanities and Covid-19 since the start of the outbreak Social Sciences (CHSS) at Ha- in Qatar. Tmad Bin Khalifa University Al-Qattan stressed that QRCS is keen (HBKU), has kicked off its new Qatari to off er the due support to volunteers and The Fereej Abdel Aziz Health Centre. Women’s Aff airs Series with a discus- spread the necessary information and sion titled: Are Women Set for the Up- awareness to ensure proper practices on increased signifi cantly between 2015 ing with cardiovascular disease, endo- coming Shura Council Elections? the fi eld. QRCS has exerted great eff orts and 2020. These centres had received crinology and diabetes, ENT, ophthal- The fi rst webinar in the series fo- in developing workers’ awareness on re- around 500,000 people in 2015, while mology and dermatology are available. cused on Qatar’s upcoming Shura lated issues for their safety and protec- in 2020 that number had increased to Emergency services are provided at Council elections in October 2021 and tion. He added that the Medical Aff airs around 1.2mn. the Al Hemaila and Mesaimeer centres women’s participation in them, as a Sector at QRCS has been working in the Dr Hassan Qassim, general medical and minor surgeries are done at three major milestone that will yield future The webinar in session. fi eld based on an agreement with the director at QRCS Medical Aff airs, said centres, besides providing other servic- outcomes not only within the country, Ministry of Public Health since 2010. He general medicine services are off ered to es. He stressed that all such services are but the entire region. law, College of Law, Qatar University; it has become imperative for women to pointed out that the number of work- workers round the clock. In addition, off ered to workers free of charge except After the elections, the power of the and Dr Elham Badr al-Sadah, Qatari be aware of their important role as an ers visiting the four health centres had specialised clinics such as those deal- for minor fees for medication. country’s highest legislative body will journalist and media adviser to the infl uential force in the political life of be expanded in accordance with the CEO of the Qatar Media Corporation. the country. The Shura Council elec- Qatari Constitution, it was explained Dr al-Malki said: “We could have tions constitute a signifi cant mile- in a statement. asked whether women are ready to go stone for Qatar but also for women to Women were appointed to the Shura through the political experience, but participate and serve the country ei- Council for the fi rst time in 2017. Dis- we did not. We used a question that ther by voting or taking offi ce. These cussions during the webinar, therefore, is often asked in our Arab societies discussions are timely and important, turned to whether Qatari women have at every point of change or step that and we need to highlight these and prepared for these forthcoming elec- women take towards the future. How other issues through conversations tions and whether they see themselves could we question the ability of Qa- driven by leaders of our country’s as eligible to compete in light of social tari women when we know about their academic institutions, business, gov- traditions that may still pose obstacles achievements at all levels, and when ernment, and industry. We look for- to a real breakthrough for women. we are the ones who support their ed- ward to continuing this open dialogue With Dr Amal al-Malki, founding ucation, training, and equipping them through other talks in our new series.” dean of CHSS, in attendance, the dis- for eff ective participation in society? The Qatari Women’s Aff airs Series cussion was moderated by Abeer Abdul We, at the College of Humanities and is organised by graduates of the MA Rahman al-Dosari, a member of the Qa- Social Sciences, are committed to in Women, Society and Development tari Women Aff airs Steering Commit- extending a helping hand to Qatari programme, to tackle women’s issues tee, and a graduate of the Master of Arts women by off ering training courses for in the light of societal progress and (MA) in Women, Society and Develop- political empowerment, discussions economic development in Qatar. ment programme at CHSS. and advisory sessions by our profes- The College of Humanities and So- Featured speakers leading the dia- sors and Arab women who have gone cial Sciences regularly holds events to logue were Dr Aisha al-Mannai, a through the political experience.” highlight its research activities and member of Qatar’s Shura Council; Dr Speaking after the event, al-Dosari projects. For more information, please Hassan al-Sayed, professor of public said: “Our guest speakers agreed that visit chss.hbku.edu.qa Q Bayraq promotes Four Seasons serviced residences at Pearl-Qatar

Bayraq Real Estate Investments has launched the marketing Qand sales of its fi rst serviced residences and private apartments, managed by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, at The Pearl-Qatar. “The 19-storey project will host ful- ly-equipped serviced and private resi- dences with breathtaking sea views, off ering a unique and luxurious desti- nation on the waterfront,” said Bassam al-Aker, general manager, Q Bayraq Real Estate Investments. Residents will have access to a wide There will be a limited number of exclusive private residence apartments variety of fi ve-star services and amen- available for sale that include studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ities within the building, including a and exclusive four-bedroom penthouses. private exclusive beach, with a sunlit indoor and horizon-edged outdoor investor base,” al-Aker added. Seasons Private Residences Doha at swimming pools with private cabanas Nasser al-Ansari, JRE chairman, The Pearl will create a community of off ering maximum levels of privacy thanked Q Bayraq Real Estate Invest- private homeowners who will take up and comfort. Additionally, the project ments for its trust in JRE as the exclu- residence alongside guests of the Four will off er a beauty salon, gym, spa with sive sales and marketing agent of this Seasons serviced apartments in the jacuzzi and steam rooms, as well as luxurious and one-of-a-kind project property,” said Simon Casson, pres- creative, educational and entertain- in the region. “There will be a limited ident-Operations, Four Seasons Eu- ing activities to cater for little ones. number of exclusive private residence rope, Middle East and Africa. Residents and visitors will also enjoy apartments available for sale that in- “Both will be able to enjoy the in- special culinary experiences across clude studios, one-, two- and three- credible amenities and our unparal- several restaurants and cafes. bedroom apartments and exclusive leled service at this beautiful addition Moreover, owners will have the abil- four-bedroom penthouses. We are to our regional collection of properties. ity to enter their property into the hotel ready to welcome interested investors This presents would-be buyers with an rental scheme managed by Four Seasons seven days a week at our Just Real Es- opportunity to directly own their own with lucrative returns on their invest- tate showroom,” noted al-Ansari. home within a curated environment, ments, with the project due for com- “The local market is trending to- confi dent that we will be looking after pletion by the end of 2022, according to wards serviced residences and resi- their every need,” Casson added. a press statement. “A project with such dences managed and operated by Residents will also be able to digitally levels of quality and luxury needs an international brands – as it allows manage their homes when in Qatar or agent with proven ability in marketing landlords to assign the leasing and when travelling, via the seamlessly in- and sales and deep local market knowl- maintenance responsibilities to hotel tegrated Four Seasons app. The award- edge. Therefore, the collaboration with operators yet aff ords them the ability winning app and chat functionality Just Real Estate (JRE) came as natural to retrieve the apartments within an allows residents to customise their in- step, given its experience in dealing with agreed period,” al-Ansari added. dividual preferences by connecting di- such projects, in addition to its strong “The upcoming release of Four rectly with property residential teams. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 21, 2021 QATAR

Sidra Medicine QM, QatarDebate to explore public launches women’s art’s contribution in shaping culture atar Museums (QM), ed virtually, allowing unlimited role in the participation of in co-operation with audience participation. We in- young people.” QQatar Foundation’s Qa- vite the community to register The affirmative debating aesthetic surgery tarDebate Center, will host a and participate in this impor- team (for) will discuss the top- virtual debate on February 23, tant discussion.” ics of the emergence of public to examine the role of public art The debate consists of six art, its role in society, the de- in shaping culture. main speeches, and two re- velopment of culture and its This comes as part of its sponse speeches from each consolidation through public and medicine clinic “continuous endeavour to en- team after which the attend- art, artists’ interest in their rich the cultural landscape in ees vote to choose the winning community’s culture, and the Qatar and spark important cul- team in their view. Afterwards, importance of having public idra Medicine has ex- Medicine’s Women’s Care Co- tural discussions”, QM has said a discussion is open between art as a part of a country’s cul- panded its women’s serv- ordination Team. in a statement. Qatar Museums attendees and the debating ture. Sices with the launch of an Dr Barbro Friden, chief ex- has invited members of the teams on points made in the The negative team (against) Aesthetic Surgery and Medicine ecutive offi cer at Sidra Medicine, community to attend the virtu- debate. will address the importance clinic. said: “Our line of clinical serv- al session and contribute to the Abdulrahman al-Subaie, of public art as a means of The new private-based service ices is based on providing inte- debate that will be conducted in the Outreach Programmes expression and its role in so- off ers breast consultation, face grated, state-of-the-art health- Arabic at 6pm on the given date. manager at QatarDebate, said: ciety’s thought development, surgeries, body sculpting and care to support and care for The link is https://us02web. “We are happy to partner and society’s identity, the forma- aesthetic medicine treatments. women throughout their life zoom.us/j/85162220406 and pation in important cultural di- renew co-operation with Qa- tion of culture and the relation The clinic is headed by plastic, – from puberty to menopause. the passcode is QMDebate. alogue, and to encourage future tar Museums, which is in tune between society and art, as aesthetic and reconstructive The launch of the Aesthetic On this occasion, QM’s di- generations to explore their with the Center, as it ensures well as the importance of the surgeon Dr Chiara Botti. Surgery and Medicine clinic at rector of the Public Art Depart- creativity and contribute to the enhancing dialogue and rais- presence of public art in terms The services off ered at the Dr Chiara Botti Sidra Medicine is another step ment, architect Abdulrahman art scene in Qatar. ing issues that motivate young of sparking discussion leading new clinic include breast con- towards expanding our women’s al-Ishaq, said: “Qatar Muse- “This debate falls within the people, instil the spirit of to development and construc- sultation such as surgeries for physical well-being. Our aes- services off ering, with a holistic ums is pleased to collaborate framework of Qatar Museums’ challenge in them and rein- tive criticism. augmentation, reduction, mas- thetic surgery and medicine approach to care. with the QatarDebate Center to anti-vandalism campaign, force a positive image of soci- The debate will see the par- topexy and lipofi lling. Face sur- clinic is centred on ensuring “With the broad spectrum embark on this new experience launched last year to promote ety. This is what QatarDebate ticipation of Moza al-Hajri, geries and consultations for lift- that our products and facilities of clinics now available at our about public art and its pivotal public art preservation and en- Center is seeking too through Ammar Yasser Mohamed Kark- ing, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, are safe and that the procedures hospital including maternity, role in enriching the cultural courage the wider community its programmes, which have our, Abdullah Hamza Mohamed otoplasty, mentoplasty and zy- performed by our skilled and gynaecology, reproductive scene in Qatar and across the to share in the responsibility to proven our readiness to deal Sha’ar, Rahaf Khalid Abu Tar- gomosplasty, Sidra Medicine has highly experienced physicians medicine, adult pain, inter- globe. Qatar Museums is work- take ownership of our public with new developments and bush, Mohamed Hamzah al- said in a statement. produce the best outcomes for nal medicine, perinatal men- ing to enhance national partici- art. The debate will be conduct- highlight them as well as our Sioufi and Dana al-Darwish. In addition to breast and face our patients, within the least re- tal health and now women’s surgeries, the clinic will also of- covery period.” wellness, we are ensuring that fer body sculpting services such Dr Botti, who is a member women in Qatar have access to as liposculpture, abdominos- of Italian Association of Aes- the best services based on per- plasty and lipofi lling. Aesthetic thetic Plastic Surgery, will be sonal choice and preference.” Land Rover Defender Works V8 medicine treatments include visiting Sidra Medicine on a To book an appointment fi llers, dermabrasion and botox. locum basis. Dr Botti’s first with Dr Botti, call 40037113. Dr Botti said, “Women’s well- clinic for new patients will be For more details about Sidra ness and aesthetic goes hand from March 1-4 and appoint- Medicine’s Women’s Services, Trophy celebrates expedition legacy in hand with their mental and ments can be made via Sidra visit www.sidra.org and Rover Classic is continuing the formidable expedition legacy of the Loriginal Defender with a limited production run of adventure-ready De- fender Works V8 Trophy vehicles for an HSBC welcomes new Qatari exclusive competition at Eastnor Castle in 2021. Based on the re-engineered 2012-2016 Defender Works V8 specifi cation devel- graduates to the workforce oped by Land Rover Classic, including a 405PS/515Nm 5.0-litre V8 petrol pow- ertrain, eight-speed ZF automatic trans- SBC has welcomed six new Qatari gradu- mission and comprehensive uprated sus- ates into permanent roles with the bank’s pension, steering and braking packages, Hteam in Doha, over the past three months. the Trophy vehicles feature a wide range This half-dozen group of exceptional talents of additional upgrades specifi cally tai- successfully joined HSBC’s renowned ‘Graduate lored for off -road use, according to a press The Trophy vehicles feature a wide range of additional upgrades specifically Programme’, launching their careers as banking statement issued in Doha by Alfardan tailored for off -road use. professionals. Premier Motors Co, the offi cial retailer of “We are very proud of the new intake of Qatari Jaguar Land Rover in Qatar. graduates who have joined us this year. They have Twenty-fi ve examples of the De- distinguished themselves as highly motivated, fender Works V8 Trophy, in a mixture of innovative thinkers with a passion for the indus- 90 and 110 Station Wagon body designs, try. will be exclusively fi nished in a unique “The Qatar National Vision 2030 has been a Eastnor Yellow paint colour with match- catalyst in the development of an extensive tal- ing 16-inch steel wheels. Contrasting ent pool in the country and we are excited to work Narvik Black paintwork features on the with these young talents in developing their ca- wheel arches, bonnet and rear door. The reers and contributing to the local economy,” said purpose-built vehicles also receive LED Abdul Hakeem, CEO of HSBC in Qatar. headlamps, a Heritage front grille, unique The six graduates, Zainab al-Khuzaie, Noor Land Rover Trophy badging and event Abdulla, Ghada al-Thani, Mohamed Lari, Yousif participation graphics personalised to al-Derbesti and Haya Almadadi, will take their each customer, the statement noted. initial assignments in several different business The Defender Works V8 Trophy is de- lines within the bank. They will be introduced to signed to tackle the most demanding en- always been more than just a vehicle, its provided as part of the adventure, giv- a number of disciplines over the next 24 months, durance challenges. Additional all-terrain engineering capability and suitability for ing customers a unique opportunity to after which they will start their permanent roles kit includes a front winch, multi-point overland expedition and all-terrain com- develop extreme driving techniques and as junior leaders. expedition cage, roof rack, underbody petition means it’s renowned with getting skills in their own vehicle, before putting HSBC’s Graduate Programme consists of four protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED away from it all. The new Land Rover Tro- their training to the test. Everyone will rotations, each lasting six months, designed to spotlights and mud-terrain tyres. phy will bring this to life for a new genera- compete for a range of prizes, including a give graduates broad experience of HSBC’s busi- Inside, the instantly recognisable 4x4 tion of adventurers. grand prize for the overall winner – to be ness streams and international exposure. benefi ts from full black Windsor leather “We’re looking forward to an exciting announced later in 2021. “We have been working closely with the Min- upholstery with Recaro sports seats, con- and memorable event, full of camarade- Familiar faces from Land Rover’s ad- istry of Administrative Development, Labour and trast yellow stitching and a bespoke Land rie, and continuing the Land Rover Tro- venture heritage feature in the Defender Social Affairs to ensure that we align our strat- The new graduates will be introduced to a number of Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown. phy legend for years to come. Seeing the Works V8 Trophy launch fi lm, including egy with their vision. These collaboration efforts disciplines over the next 24 months, after which they Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Info- silhouette of these vehicles which you’ll racing driver, stunt driver and Land Rover have been very successful and helped us to iden- will start their permanent roles as junior leaders. tainment System with integrated navi- instantly know as a Land Rover, traversing ambassador Jessica Hawkins, alongside tify the candidates. gation and mobile device connectivity is the hills at Eastnor, will be a defi ning mo- Camel Trophy participants such as 1989 “We are very fortunate with the exceptional our ongoing commitment to recruit, retain, and also fi tted. ment of the adventure.” event winner Bob Ives. A number of these talents that have joined the bank as part of the develop Qatari talent. We look forward to seeing Later this year, Defender Works V8 On seeing their Defender Works V8 experts will also be on-hand at the Land graduate programme over the past number of our new recruits’ progress in their professional Trophy customers will be invited to com- Trophy for the fi rst time, customers and Rover Trophy to share their knowledge years,” said Shamsa al-Fahd, head of Human Re- careers within HSBC,” said al-Fahd. pete in an exclusive three-day adventure their co-drivers will make their fi rst and experiences. sources at HSBC, Qatar. Since 2016, the bank has Hussain Ali al-Sharshani, head of Nationalisa- at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire – the marks by adding their names and country The Land Rover Trophy event will recruited 42 graduate trainees. Of these, 30 have tion & Local Talent, said: “We started the journey spiritual home of Land Rover all-terrain fl ags to the vehicle. They will then em- be supported by the New Defender and successfully assumed fulltime positions as junior with the focus on hiring graduates even with the training, testing and development. This bark on a range of challenges inspired by carefully selected brand partners El- leaders and the remaining 12 will be joining their Covid-19-related difficulties. By changing our will be the fi rst time customers drive their famous global adventures and competi- liot Brown, Fat Face and Musto, who have departments once they complete their two-year processes, we were able to work closely with the car. tions spanning more than seven decades created complementary products spe- rotation. different universities in Qatar to reach as many Dan Pink, director of Land Rover Clas- of Land Rover production. cifi cally for Defender Works V8 Trophy “The bank is planning another intake of ten qualifying graduate talents as possible. We are sic, said: “The Land Rover Defender has Expert one-to-one tuition will be customers. graduate students in 2021. This is testament to very pleased with the outcome.” Workshops focus on demands and challenges of marital life

The programme was Rashid bin Ahmed al-Dossary, Programmes Division at Wifaq. organised by Doha executive director of Wifaq, ex- Pre-Marital Education comes International Family Institute pressed happiness at co-operating as part of the preparation for (Difi) in co-operation with Difi in presenting the Pre- Difi ’s next virtual international with Wifaq (Family Marital Education workshops. He conference, titled ‘Marriage: Consulting Centre) explained that the programme is Formation and Constituents of a “very important step in high- Stability’, taking place from on ore than 90 young men lighting the community aware- February 23-25 and organised in and women from across of marriage – the basic cell of programme provided the partic- ness services that Wifaq provides co-operation with the League of Mthe Arab world partici- the family and the foundation of ipants with 10 training hours on to the family – a fi rst with regional Arab States. pated in a training programme Through a series of in-depth workshops held over five days, Difi and strong and solid societies. key topics pertaining to married reach, thanks to Difi ”. Featuring the participation highlighting the pillars of a suc- Wifaq aimed to equip participants with essential knowledge on “We are proud of our part- life to help them learn important The workshops were pre- of a group of researchers, policy cessful marriage, organised by important family matters, as well as an understanding of the nership with Wifaq, which has skills needed to achieve harmony sented by a group of consultants makers, specialists and youth, Doha International Family In- demands of married life and how to overcome challenges. proven its dedication to a pro- within the family. and specialists in family issues, the international conference stitute (Difi ) in co-operation gramme aimed at preserving the Topics included understanding including Dr Hassan al-Breiki, seeks to discuss marriage in the with Wifaq (Family Consulting sential knowledge on important “Difi is working hand-in-hand Arab family. We are dedicated to the life partner’s nature; dealing family consultant and head of modern era, the challenges that Centre). family matters, as well as an with diff erent organisations and educating our youth and future with one’s life partner; knowing the Family Mediation Division accompany it, and ways to sup- Through a series of in-depth understanding of the demands institutions in Qatar and abroad generation about the importance the life partner’s needs and ad- at Wifaq; Hadia Bakr Abolaban, port the marriage institution workshops held over fi ve days, of married life and how to over- to achieve Difi and QF’s vision of marriage and family, especial- dressing them; methods of eff ec- social expert at Wifaq; and Jawa- in the Arab world and globally. Difi – a member of Qatar Foun- come marital challenges. of strong family cohesion by en- ly in this era fraught with chal- tive communication; and marital her al-Mana, head of the Guest Registration for the conference dation (QF) – and Wifaq aimed Dr Sharifa Noaman al-Emadi, hancing local and regional un- lenges.” compatibility components and Relations Division at QF and is available via the Difi website at to equip participants with es- executive director of Difi , said: derstanding of the importance The Pre-Marital Education practices. former head of the Preventive event.difi .org.qa/ Gulf Times Sunday, February 21, 2021 7 QATAR

QRCS delivers food aid to more than 42,000 refugees in Bangladesh

atar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has completed such as sugar, salt, vegetable oil, chickpeas, lentils and Non-food winterisation kits will be distributed in distribute winterisation and food aid to ensure warmth Phase 1 of its Warm Winter 2021 project in Bang- spices – to 8,150 families (or 42,550 people) at camps 13 Phase 2 of the project, each kit containing a jacket, cot- for, and protect the dignity of, 45,270 families totalling Qladesh. and 14. ton clothes, winter shoes, socks, hat, scarf, gloves and 272,880 beneficiaries in 15 countries (Syria, Jordan, Iraq, In co-operation with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society These distributions will help alleviate the suffering of blanket. Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank, (BDRCS), QRCS’s representation mission in Bangladesh refugees from Myanmar and meet their food needs dur- Under the theme of ‘Dignity is Priceless’, QRCS is pro- Bangladesh, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bos- distributed food parcels containing local food staples – ing the cold winter, QRCS has said in a statement. ceeding with its Warm Winter campaign, which seeks to nia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kyrgyzstan). Doha Toastmasters Club takes Foundation students at WCM-Q inspired by part in tree-planting campaign Career Seminar Series

WCM-Q Foundation students attend the Career Seminar Series.

Foundation Programme students at Weill Educational Development Programmes, Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) had a moderated the seminars. He said, “Deciding chance to hear from qualified physicians, on a career in medicine can be slightly a WCM-Q alumna and current medical daunting, but our current medical students students about the training and career paths did a great job of showing just how open to them in a series of inspiring and rewarding it can be. Their positive attitudes, informative seminars. obvious passion for the art and science of The Career Seminar Series is run each medicine, and extremely useful practical semester at WCM-Q to provide Foundation advice provided great encouragement to students with both inspiration and practical our Foundation students.” advice about the many opportunities off ered The students then heard from Dr Khaled by a career in medicine. The seminars, which Machaca, senior associate dean for research, were previously held at the college, have innovations, and commercialisation. He been moved online during the pandemic. said, “The beauty of a career in medicine he Supervisory Com- that aims to plant 1mn trees sion under the wise leadership The campaign launched in In the first seminar of the new series, the is that one can incorporate a wide range mittee of Beautifica- and is implemented by the of His Highness the Amir.” September 2019 aims to affor- Foundation students heard from a panel of of interests and disciplines, so that it is Ttion of Roads and Public committee in co-operation Rajeshwar Sundaresan, est various areas while con- current WCM-Q medical students comprised possible to see patients in the clinic, conduct Places in Qatar joined hands with the Ministry of Munici- past district director (D116) at tinuing until the end of 2021. of fourth-year student Ramez Bodair, third- research at the bench, work in the academy with the Doha Toastmasters pality and Environment. Toastmasters International, According to information from year Kawthar al-Najar and first-year Tala Abu as an educator and even pursue senior Club to plant trees on a road Doha Toastmasters Club added: “This campaign will do Ashghal, the campaign has so Samaan, all of whom are graduates of the executive pathways. It is a fantastically parallel to Doha Expressway, president Akash Bhutada said, great service to the future and far covered various localities Foundation Programme. The guest speakers varied, rewarding and inspiring profession.” the Public Works Authority “We thank the committee for nurture children to grow into within Doha along with areas provided insights into the challenges of the The students also heard from WCM-Q (Ashghal) said in a tweet yes- giving us opportunity to par- better citizens. We at Toast- under Al Khor and Al Thakhira curriculum, off ered study tips, and fielded alumna Dr Sarah Salameh, who graduated terday. ticipate in this wonderful initi- masters teach communication Municipality. Also, campaigns questions from the attendees. in 2012 and is now associate consultant in This came as part of the ative to plant 1mn trees, which and leadership for the future as have been held so far in Al Dr Rachid Bendriss, associate dean, Adult Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Qatar Beautification and Our is a great cause towards build- well, and combining these ef- Sheehaniya, Al Rayyan, Al Nas- Foundation, Student Outreach and Corporation. Kids Planting Trees campaign ing Qatar and achieving its vi- forts is important.” raniyya and Al Wakra.

Msheireb Properties launches design hub HEC Paris in Qatar set to launch

From Page 1 pre-programme activities for Doha Design District will be home to galleries, showrooms, creative services, new Executive MBA participants stores and even eateries and cafes. “Here, you can fi nd the most exciting names, classics, trendsetters and so much more. EC Paris welcomed new par- fully benefi t from the programme and ecutive MBA represents a great per- Centred around innovation and creativity, ticipants of the International how it will help advance their person- sonal learning opportunity to develop Doha Design District aims to be a world- HExecutive MBA in Qatar dur- al and professional objectives.” strategic vision and strong leadership class destination that prioritises the needs ing an online event held on February Dr Martin de Holan added, “Par- skills. With its part-time off ering, of creatives,” the statement points out. 18. ticipants who enrol in the Interna- this programme is an ideal fi t for my The new Doha Design District will be a The institution will also organise tional Executive MBA also benefi t busy working schedule that allows landmark in Qatar and the region and at- a series of pre-programme activi- from a world-class faculty and in- me to remain focused on my job while tract local and regional designers to inter- Sheikha Naila al-Thani Shaikha al-Sulaiti ties throughout February and March, teractions among senior partici- pursuing my degree,” Tariq Atiq, act with their global peers. aimed at further preparing partici- pants who bring a wealth of practi- EMBA Class 2020, deputy general Shaikha al-Sulaiti, interior design cussed the work undertaken with inter- pants for the Executive MBA pro- cal business experience from a wide manager – Corporate Banking Group manager at Msheireb Properties, ex- national designers to launch the CP Club gramme whose fi rst module will start spectrum of industries. Impact and at Bank Muscat, said. plained the importance of interior design, Townhouses Project in Msheireb Down- in April. excellence are at the core of all of our Another benefi t of enrolling in the its impact on people’s daily lives and its town Doha. While still accepting applications, activities, and has been since our ar- HEC Paris’ International Executive contribution to mankind. Sheikha Naila al-Thani shed light on HEC Paris has urged EMBA candi- rival in Qatar a decade ago.” MBA is that its graduates become part Al-Sulaiti stressed that the new hub’s Qatar’s design landscape, sustainable dates to complete their application Ranked No. 3 in the world by the of the institution’s prestigious alum- role is vital as a centre of collaboration fashion and its impact on the environ- formalities at the earliest in order to Financial Times, HEC Paris’ Inter- ni network worldwide, which was with Arab and international designers to ment, stressing the importance of the fully benefi t from the pre-programme national Executive MBA enables ranked number one by The Economist exchange expertise with the wider com- sustainable fashion industry to “preserve activities, a press statement notes. participants to develop their leader- in 2019. munity. our resources and protect our environ- “The pre-programme activities ship skills and advance their careers. Nourin Hisham E, EMBA Class David MacAdam, senior leasing con- ment”. provide incoming International Ex- Through this transformational expe- 2016, executive director of Strategy, sultant at Msheireb Properties, talked In addition, representatives and CEOs ecutive MBA participants with in- rience, individuals develop a deeper Administration and Projects at Qatar about the inception of Doha Design Dis- of international design districts from Whitney Robinson sights into the learning journey that understanding of themselves, their Foundation, added: “The network is trict, its initiatives and signifi cance in Miami, London and Brera (Italy) talked lies ahead of them,” said Dr Pablo strengths and weaknesses, reinforce one of the strongest off erings of the Msheireb Downtown Doha, and its im- about the importance of design districts they use light as a design element to in- Martin de Holan, dean of HEC Paris connections within the learning institution. We have a very strong pact on the international level. to their cities and the regions and how spire and connect people, and shed light in Qatar. “A series of initiatives like community and gain insights about representation of alumni in the busi- Additionally, Whitney Robinson, they emerged from an idea to a reality. on the history of his company and its Majors Fair, Capstone Introduction global business trends, the statement ness community, with many oppor- former editor of Elle Décor and senior de- Martin Fryzelka from international role in promoting crystal designs across and Business Environment Webi- explains. tunities to get together, share ideas sign consultant to Qatar Museums, dis- design house Preciosa showcased how the world. nar prepare incoming participants to “The HEC Paris International Ex- and organise socials.” Gulf Times 8 Sunday, February 21, 2021 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Getting ready for Kuwait National Day celebrations Russian air strikes kill 21 IS militants

AFP killed at least eight members government forces backed by Beirut of a pro-Damascus militia, the Russian air power. The region Britain-based monitor said. provides a “safe haven” for More than half of the slain militants planning attacks on wave of air strikes by militants were killed in strikes government forces and oth- government ally Russia on the eastern province of Deir er rivals, the United Nations A killed at least 21 Islamic Ezzor, near the Iraqi frontier, said in a report published this State group militants in the according to the Observatory. month. IS overran large parts of Syrian desert over the past 24 Russian raids in the desert Syria and Iraq and proclaimed hours, a monitor said yester- region generally “target small a cross-border “caliphate” in day. groupings of IS militants as 2014, before multiple offen- The 21 were killed in at least well as their vehicles”, said sives in the two countries led to 130 air strikes “carried out Rami Abdul Rahman, who its territorial defeat. over the past 24 hours by the heads the Observatory. The militants continue to Kuwaiti buildings are illuminated in the colours of the national flag yesterday, as the country prepares to celebrate their 60th Russian air force targeting the “It is a difficult operation launch attacks, mostly in the Ba- National Day and the 30th anniversary of the end of the Gulf war. Islamic State group” in a vast for the Russians because there dia. IS retains some 10,000 ac- area stretching from the central are no fixed positions for IS tive fi ghters in Iraq and Syria, al- province of Homs to the border fighters who are always on the though the majority are reported with Iraq, the Syrian Observa- move,” he said. to be in Iraq, the UN says. tory for Human Rights said. In recent months, the vast Since Syria’s civil war broke The raids, which continued desert, known in Arabic as the out in 2011, more than 387,000 into yesterday, follow a series Badia, has been the scene of an people have been killed and of IS attacks Friday on gov- increasingly frequent fight- millions forced from their Tehran ‘confi dent about lifting of ernment and allied forces that ing between the militants and homes. US sanctions despite wrangling’ Yemen govt accuses rebels of Reuters president Donald Trump’s ral prelude to the return of the given to UN inspectors under Dubai sanctions while Washington parties to their commitments, the deal. says Tehran must fi rst return to including the lifting of all sanc- NUCLEAR WATCHDOG using civilians as human shields compliance with the deal. tions in the near future.” CHIEF ARRIVES ran believes US sanctions The White House said on Fri- Under the deal with major The head of the International will soon be lifted despite day that the United States plans powers, Iran accepted curbs to Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael AFP dulaziz bin Habtoor, urged the Yemeni people Icontinued “diplomatic to take no additional actions in its nuclear programme in return Grossi, arrived in Tehran yes- Dubai yesterday to support the Houthis’ eff orts to seize wrangling” over reviving the response to pressure from Iran for the lifting of international terday on a scheduled visit, Marib. “Those fi ghting us in Marib are but agents nuclear deal, a government before potential talks with Te- sanctions. Iran’s envoy to the agency, Ka- grouped together and sent there under the auspices spokesman said yesterday, sig- hran and major powers about Washington reimposed sanc- zem Gharibabadi, said on Twit- emen’s government accused Houthi rebels of the aggressor coalition,” he said, according to the nalling Tehran’s desire to end returning to the deal. However, tions after Trump quit the deal ter. Grossi is due to discuss ways yesterday of using civilians as human shields rebels’ Al-Masirah channel. the impasse while not off ering a government spokesman Ali Ra- in 2018, and Iran responded by to work with Iran in light of the Yin their renewed off ensive against its last “We all should support the (Houthi) army... in new position. biei was quoted as saying by the violating some of the deal’s nu- possibility of scaling back co- major toehold in the north. this decisive battle of Marib.” Iran and the United States offi cial IRNA news agency yes- clear limits. operation. Rabiei said the law Earlier this month, the rebels resumed a push to The International Committee of the Red Cross have been at odds over who terday: “We predict with con- Adding to pressure for a res- “does not go against our com- capture the city of Marib, 120 kilometres east of the has said it is “extremely concerned” by the recent should take the fi rst step to re- fi dence that diplomatic initia- olution to the impasse, a law mitment” to the agreement, rebel-held capital Sanaa. fi ghting. vive the 2015 accord. tives will result in a favourable passed by the hardline parlia- nor is it “an obstacle to our ap- The city lies close to some of Yemen’s richest oil “The ICRC urges all parties to the confl ict to take Iran insists that the United outcome despite the diplomatic ment obliges Tehran on Feb 23 propriate response to American fi elds and its capture would be major prize for the every possible measure to protect the civilians, States must fi rst lift former wrangling, which are a natu- to limit the sweeping access actions”. rebels. their properties and all civilian essential infra- But the fi ghting has raised fears for the hundreds structures,” it said on Twitter. of thousands of displaced civilians sheltering in The UN has warned of the potential for a human- camps in the surrounding desert that extends to itarian disaster. “It puts millions of civilians at risk, Covid infections the Saudi border. Loyalist military offi cials said the especially with the fi ghting reaching camps for in- ‘dropped 95.8% aft er rebels had been using residents of Al-Zor camp in ternally displaced persons,” envoy Martin Griffi ths Sudan and Ethiopia trade the province’s Sirwah district as “human shields” told the UN Security Council. both Pfi zer shots’ since their capture of the area last week. The Houthi off ensive came as the new US ad- The offi cials said there had been no let-up in the ministration removed the rebels from Washing- he rate of Covid-19 fi ghting. ton’s blacklist of terrorist organisations in a bid to infections dropped accusations in border row Over the past 24 hours, at least 12 loyalist and 20 facilitate aid deliveries to rebel-held areas and pave T95.8% among peo- rebel fi ghters had been killed in clashes north and the way for renewed peace talks. ple who received both shots west of Marib, they said. President Joe Biden has also announced an end of Pfi zer’s vaccine, Israel’s Reuters Neither country specified control of vacated military There was no way to independently verify the to US backing for off ensive operations in Yemen, Health Ministry said yester- Khartoum the third parties to whom camps. In its statement, Su- death toll but it is clear that both sides have suff ered which he said had created a “humanitarian and day, Reuters reported from they were referring in their dan said that Ethiopia had in heavy casualties in the renewed battle for the city. strategic catastrophe”. Jerusalem. statements, although the the past affirmed its com- Until early last year, Marib had been spared the Observers say the Houthis want to cap- The vaccine was also 98% udan yesterday accused veiled references under- mitment to the 1903 border worst of the civil war that erupted in 2014. ture Marib to strengthen their hand in eventual eff ective in preventing in- Ethiopia of an “unfor- scored the potential for any agreement several times, Head of the rebels’ unoffi cial government, Ab- peace negotiations. fections that caused fever Sgivable insult” in its conflict to embroil neigh- most recently in 2013. or breathing problems and sharpest statement since a bouring countries. It accused Ethiopia’s for- 98.9% eff ective in preventing decades-old border dispute Ethiopia may have been eign ministry of “exploiting hospitalisations and death, fl ared late last year. referring to Egypt, which has (the border issue) for per- the ministry said. Clashes erupted between been angered by Ethiopia’s sonal interests and for the The fi ndings were based Sudanese and Ethiopian construction of a massive specific interests of a certain eSwatini king claims Covid-19 on data collected nationally forces over Al-Fashqa, an hydropower dam on the Blue group”. Both countries called through Feb 13 from Israelis area of fertile land settled Nile. on each other to pursue legal who had received their sec- by Ethiopian farmers that Sudan has also expressed means to resolve the border ond shot at least two weeks Sudan says lies on its side of concerns over the dam. Su- issues. recovery after Taiwan sent drugs previously. According to the a border demarcated at the dan may have been refer- African Union mediator Health Ministry’s website, start of the 20th century, ring to Eritrea, whose troops Mohamed Hassan Lebatt ar- Reuters using the island’s formal name about 1.7mn people had been which Ethiopia rejects. entered Ethiopia to support rived in Khartoum on Thurs- Taipei in the speech posted on the eS- administered a second shot In a statement on Thurs- beleaguered federal forces in day to discuss the conflict, as watini government’s offi cial by Jan 30, making them eligi- day, Ethiopia’s foreign min- Tigray after a regional force well as the ongoing negotia- Twitter account https://twitter. ble to be included. istry said it believes “the attacked military bases in tions between Sudan, Egypt, Swatini’s King Mswati III com/EswatiniGovern1. Previous reports from in- conflict being trumpeted by November, according to the and Ethiopia over the Grand said he had recovered from Taiwan Foreign Ministry dividual healthcare providers the Sudanese government’s United States and European Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. eCovid-19 after Taiwan spokeswoman Joanne Ou said also showed positive results, military wing could only Union. The Sudanese foreign President Tsai Ing-wen sent an- that upon hearing the king was spurring Israel to remove serve the interests of a third Both Ethiopia and Eritrea ministry said in a statement tiviral medication to help him. infected, Tsai arranged medical restrictions on the economy party at the expense of the have denied the incursion, late yesterday that Lebatt The small southern African assistance for him. after weeks of lockdown. Sudanese people”. although dozens of eyewit- had emphasised the need country, an absolute monarchy “The Ministry of Foreign Af- Today, schools and many Sudan’s foreign ministry nesses say they have seen to reduce tensions between formerly known as Swaziland, fairs is gratifi ed to hear of the eS- stores will be allowed to reo- responded yesterday by say- Eritrean soldiers in Ethiopia. the two neighbours, and dis- is Taiwan’s only remaining dip- watini king’s successful recovery pen. The Health Ministry ing “slander towards Sudan Earlier this week, Sudan couraged a military solution lomatic ally on the continent, under the joint care of Taiwanese has also rolled out a “Green and accusation of being an accused Ethiopian troops to the conflict. and Taipei has provided large and eSwatini medical staff ,” she Pass” app, linked to personal agent for other parties is a of crossing the border after Ethiopian foreign minis- amounts of economic and other eSwatini’s King Mswati III said. medical fi les, which people grave and unforgivable in- a similar act by Ethiopian try official spokesman Dina aid. The king could have been re- who have been fully inocu- sult.” aircraft last month, both of Mufti, state minister of for- In a speech on Friday, the king “for a couple of days” in the fi rst ferring to Gilead Sciences Inc’s lated or deemed immune af- It added: “What the Ethi- which Ethiopia denied. eign affairs Redwan Hussein said while the country awaited week of January, but was now antiviral drug remdesivir, which ter recovering from Covid-19 opian foreign ministry can- Ethiopia on Thursday re- and Prime Minister Abiy the arrival of vaccines, there was negative. was conditionally approved can show to stay at hotels or not deny is the third party iterated its accusation that Ahmed’s spokeswoman Bil- an antiviral drug that could be “I am grateful to the presi- in Europe in July for treating attend cultural or sporting whose troops entered with Sudan had invaded in early lene Seyoum did not imme- used to treat the illness, which dent of the Republic of China on Covid-19 in adults and adoles- events. Ethiopian troops trespassing November, attacked and dis- diately respond to requests he did not name. Taiwan for sending through this cents with pneumonia requiring on Sudanese land.” placed Ethiopians and took for comment yesterday. He said he had tested positive medication to treat me,” he said, oxygen support. UN report fi nds Trump ally violated Libya arms embargo

AFP dia on Friday. The confi dential ed plans to form a hit squad to whose contractors were accused yer declined to comment to the killing of dictator Muammar his role in “fi ghting terrorism” Washington report to the Security Council, track and kill Libyan command- of killing unarmed Iraqi civilians New York Times, it added. Gaddafi in 2011. in Libya. obtained by the New York Times ers opposed to Hafter — includ- in Baghdad in 2007. An AFP request for comment The country has in recent A new interim executive for and the Washington Post, said ing some who were also Europe- Four who were convicted were to the Hong Kong-based Fron- years been split between a Gov- the country was chosen on Feb- rivate security contrac- that Prince deployed a force of an Union citizens, the New York pardoned by Trump last year. tier Services Group, for which ernment of National Accord ruary 5 by the Libyan Political tor and ally of former US foreign mercenaries and weap- Times said. The accusation exposes Prince is a board member and (GNA) in Tripoli, and an eastern- Dialogue Forum in Switzerland, Ppresident Trump Erik ons to strongman Khalifa Haftar, Prince, a former Navy SEAL Prince to possible UN sanctions, deputy chairman, went unan- based administration, backed by comprising 75 participants se- Prince violated a United Na- who has fought to overthrow the and the brother of Trump’s edu- including a travel ban, the Times swered. Haftar, who has faced charges of lected by the UN to represent a tions arms embargo on Libya, UN-backed Libyan government, cation secretary Betsy Devos, said. Oil-rich Libya has been torn war crimes. broad cross-section of society. UN investigators have found in 2019. drew infamy as the head of the Prince did not co-operate by civil war since a Nato-backed Then-President Trump in Haftar has pledged his support in a report detailed by US me- The $80mn operation includ- Blackwater private security fi rm, with the UN inquiry and his law- uprising led to the toppling and 2019 praised the strongman for for the initiative. Gulf Times Sunday, February 21, 2021 9 WORLD President Biden, PM Trudeau Snow maze to meet virtually on Tuesday

Reuters In a statement yesterday, the relationship “one of the strong- friendship between the United Washington White House said Biden and his est and deepest friendships be- States and Canada and working Cabinet will also meet virtu- tween any two countries.” to tackle the shared challenges ally with Canadian ministers on “It is built on common values, we face.” S President Joe Biden on a range of bilateral and global is- strong ties between our people, While Biden has had at-times Tuesday will hold his fi rst sues. and a shared geography ... We lengthy calls with several for- Ubilateral meeting with White House spokeswoman will work together to end the eign leaders, next week’s meet- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Jen Psaki said it would be “an Covid-19 pandemic and support ing goes further by extending to Trudeau, an event the neigh- opportunity for the two leaders people in both our countries,” he lower-level meetings between bouring countries said would to review joint eff orts in areas of said in a statement. Cabinet ministers, as have inter- highlight their strong and deep mutual interest such as the Cov- Trudeau was the fi rst world actions with Mexico and several ties. id-19 response, climate change, leader to congratulate Biden European allies. The meeting, which will be and the economic ties that bind when he was declared the winner Biden revoked a permit for the virtual due to the coronavirus our countries, as well as the of the November US election and Keystone pipeline, which would crisis, will aim to elevate col- deep people-to-people bonds his swift embrace illustrates the transport 830,000 barrels a day laboration on shared concerns we share. “The President will degree to which Canada, one of of carbon-intensive heavy crude at a time when the relationship highlight the strong and deep America’s closest allies, is look- from Canada’s Alberta to Ne- between the close allies has been partnership between the United ing forward to turning the page braska, on his fi rst day in offi ce A young boy rounds a corner in a giant snow maze, even larger than a similar maze build on the strained by Biden’s decision to States and Canada as neighbours, on the Donald Trump era. Biden last month, as part of a fl urry of same site in 2019, which was proclaimed the world’s largest by Guinness World Records, in St block the Canada-backed Key- friends and Nato Allies,” she said. later tweeted that he looked for- executive orders aimed at curb- Adolphe, Manitoba, Canada. stone XL pipeline. Trudeau called the US-Canada ward “to renewing the strong ing climate change.

Argentina Myanmar police open fi re health minister resigns on protesters, two killed in vaccine AFP Yangon row wo people were killed in Myanmar’s second larg- Reuters Test city as security forces Buneous Aires fi red live rounds on protesters, emergency workers and doctors said yesterday – the latest show of rgentina’s health minister force from a junta regime that has resigned on Friday fol- faced two straight weeks of anti- Alowing reports that peo- coup demonstrations. ple had been able to use connec- Much of the country has been tions to get access to Covid-19 in uproar since the military de- vaccines to which they were not posed civilian leader Aung San entitled. Gines Gonzalez Garcia Suu Kyi on February 1, with large said in a letter posted on Twit- street demonstrations seen in ter that individuals were able to major cities and isolated villages sidestep proper procedure for alike. Authorities have responded A protester holds a placard as people rally against the military coup vaccinations due to “unintended with increasing force, deploying in Yangon. confusion” in his offi ce while he troops against peaceful rallies and was away. fi ring tear gas, water cannon and adverse consequences for Myan- ty forces joining protests, includ- Two sources in the presi- rubber bullets, with isolated in- mar and the region.” ing a soldier in remote Sagaing dency said earlier on Friday that cidents of live rounds being used. The military regime has so far region whose participation went President Alberto Fernandez In Mandalay yesterday, a ship- People protest against the military coup in Mandalay. weathered a chorus of interna- viral. But yesterday, the military’s had asked for Gines’ resigna- yard raid turned violent after pro- tional condemnation, with the information team released a video tion after allegations were made testers trying to stop the arrest circulated on Facebook of the boy, but the soldiers took him away.” disciplined, beyond our laws.” Re- US, Britain and Canada all an- of the soldier sitting straight- in the media of at least 10 people of anti-coup marine staff started splayed on the ground and bleed- Police could not be reached for acting to the Mandalay shooting, nouncing sanctions targeting the backed against a wall, claiming he receiving vaccinations without fl inging rocks. Authorities re- ing from his head as a bystander comment. the European Union’s high repre- country’s top generals. The junta had been drunk. following the proper procedure, taliated by opening fi re – sending placed a hand on his chest to feel The clash in Mandalay comes sentative and vice president Josep has justifi ed its power seizure “They used me to ruin my life,” among them a veteran journalist demonstrators fl eeing in fear. In a for a heartbeat. as the country mourns the death Borrell tweeted that he “strongly by alleging widespread electoral soldier Than Lwin said of the pro- who claimed he had received a video livestreamed on Facebook “About 30 others were injured of a 20-year-old anti-coup pro- condemn(s) the violence”. “I urge fraud in November’s elections, testers, in the confession-style shot after speaking directly with by a resident hiding nearby, con- – half of the injured people were tester who was shot in the head the military and all security forces which Suu Kyi’s party won in a video. Authorities have main- the minister. tinuous gunfi re could be heard. shot with live rounds,” Hlaing Min last week in Myanmar’s capital in #Myanmar to immediately stop landslide. tained that dispersal methods The growing scandal throws “Two people were killed,” said Oo said, adding the rest had rub- Naypyidaw. violence against civilians,” Borrell Nearly 550 people have been against protesters are lawful, and a spotlight on wider fears in the Hlaing Min Oo, the chief of a ber bullet and slingshot wounds. Yesterday, thousands gathered said, adding that EU ministers will arrested, charged or sentenced a military spokesman said this region over corruption and ac- Mandalay-based volunteer emer- The use of live rounds was also at the main junctions of Yangon, discuss the events on Monday “to since the coup, according to the week that one police offi cer had cess to vaccines, which are in gency rescue team, adding that confi rmed by doctors and other Myanmar’s largest city – though take appropriate decisions”. Assistance Association for Po- died in Mandalay after another short supply. Earlier this month, one of the victims, who was shot aides working on the ground. Lo- the crowds appeared smaller than Singapore, Myanmar’s largest litical Prisoners, with 500 still be- clash there. Suu Kyi – who has Peru’s health and foreign minis- in the head, was a teenager. cal media reported more than a in recent days. investor, also said it was “dis- hind bars. Among those targeted not been seen since she was de- ters quit and its former president The death toll was confi rmed dozen people were arrested after “I feel that the bullet that hit mayed”. “The use of lethal weap- have been railway workers, civil tained in a dawn raid – has been was placed under criminal in- by another emergency worker the clash. Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing’s ons against unarmed civilians is servants and bank staff who have hit with two charges, one of them vestigation after reports of hun- on the scene, who declined to be “They beat and shot my hus- head has also hit our heads,” said inexcusable,” said a statement walked off their jobs as part of a for possessing unregistered walk- dreds of Peruvian offi cials and named for fear of repercussions. band and others,” a resident told protester Win Zaw, 46. from its Ministry of Foreign Af- civil disobedience campaign. ie-talkies. others receiving vaccine doses “One under-18 boy got shot in his AFP in tears. “He was standing on “We cannot accept the police fairs. “If the situation continues There have also been isolated Her hearing is expected on outside of clinical trials and be- head,” he told AFP. Graphic video the side and watching the protest crackdowns because these are un- to escalate, there will be serious reports of members of the securi- March 1. fore the national immunization program began. In Argentina, well-know local journalist Horacio Verbitsky said he had received a shot after ap- proaching the minister. Thunberg tweets “I called my old friend Ginés Thais protest outside parliament González García and he told me to go to the Posadas Hospital,” support for detained Verbitsky, who is in his seven- ties, told radio station El Des- Indian activist Disha after PM Prayuth survives vote tape.

Reuters Facebook has AFP Bangkok ‘tentatively Stockholm friended’ us again: undreds of protesters reta Thunberg tweeted her support for an Indian activist jailed gathered outside Thai- PM Morrison over a guide for anti-government farmers protests, which the Hland’s parliament after GSwedish climate campaigner had earlier shared to social media. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- In a post on Twitter, Thunberg wrote “freedom of speech and the right ocha and nine ministers survived Facebook Inc is back at the to peaceful protest and assembly are non-negotiable human rights.” a parliamentary no-confi dence negotiating table, Australian “These must be a fundamental part of any democracy. #Stand- motion yesterday after a four- Prime Minister Scott Morrison WithDishaRavi,” the 18-year-old activist tweeted, referring to Indian day censure debate. “It was a said yesterday after the tech climate campaigner Disha Ravi. disappointment, but expected,” giant this week blocked news on Ravi, 22, was arrested on Saturday. Police alleged she helped edit a protest leader Attapon Buapat its site in the country. Facebook’s so-called toolkit, which off ers basic advice including joining on-the- said. Over 1,000 protesters ral- abrupt decision to stop ground protests and showing support on social media. “The main aim lied outside the parliament gates. Australians from sharing news of the toolkit was to create misinformation and disaff ection against Organisers gave assurances the on the site and strip the pages the lawfully enacted government,” Delhi Police’s Joint Commissioner protest would not turn violent. of domestic and foreign news of Police for Cyber Crime, Prem Nath, told reporters. “We want a peaceful protest,” outlets also erased several state Offi cers decided to investigate the toolkit after Thunberg linked to protest leader Panusaya “Rung” government and emergency it in a tweet in early February showing support for farmers protest- Sithijirawattanakul told report- department accounts, causing ing against new agriculture laws deregulating the sector. Delhi Police ers after speaking to the police. Pro-democracy protesters hold up the three finger salute during an anti-government rally in Bangkok. widespread anger. added Monday they had also issued arrest warrants for two others for “There is no reason for police to The company has “tentatively allegedly working with Ravi to draft the online document. break up this demonstration.” opened a wound and now will elections were free and fair. motion came as pro-democracy friended us again,” Morrison told Ravi’s arrest has been criticised by opposition politicians and activ- Earlier, lawmakers voted in fa- pour salt on it,” Pita Limjaroen- Prayuth was expected to survive protests returned after a lull a news conference in Sydney. ists within India, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal – whose vour of Prayuth and other min- rat, head of the Move Forward Saturday’s vote due to his coali- brought on by a second outbreak “What I’m pleased about it that Aam Admi Party supports the demonstrations – calling it “an unprec- isters, which had been widely Party told reporters after the tion government’s majority in of Covid-19. Facebook is back at the table edented attack on Democracy.” expected. vote. Prayuth, a former chief of the lower house. “The debate “Some 4,000 offi cers have again.” Facebook has publicly Farmers have been camping on the outskirts of the capital since late Opposition lawmakers have the armed forces, overthrew an went well, but the government been prepared,” police deputy indicated no change in its November, and calling for the repeal of new agriculture laws, in one of taken aim at what they say is a elected prime minister in 2014 must continue its work,” Prayuth spokesman Kissana Pattanacha- opposition to a proposed law the biggest challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government slow government roll-out of the and stayed in offi ce after a 2019 said in a podcast after the vote. roen said, adding that the rallies requiring social media platforms since it came to power to 2014. Modi has said the changes are neces- coronavirus vaccine and at its election that his rivals said was “I would like to ask all Thais to were violating an emergency de- to pay for links to news content. sary to modernise India’s agriculture sector, but protesters fear they economic policies, vowing to badly fl awed. work together to bring the coun- cree to control the coronavirus Morrison was not asked about would be placed at the mercy of big corporations. continue investigating. “We’ve The government has said the try forward.” The no-confi dence outbreak. that. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, February 21, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Texas outage underpins need to take climate resilience seriously

A record-setting polar vortex, which brought intense cold to a majority of the American heartland, has led to massive blackouts in Texas as significant amounts of generating capacity have been knocked offline. The details of what went wrong in Texas – most likely the biggest forced blackout in US history – will take time to establish. So will exactly what to do about it. This emergency, according to Bloomberg, already underlines something that should’ve been obvious before. As the growing threat of extreme weather puts vital economic systems at risk, climate resilience needs to be taken much more seriously – across the globe. As of Friday, nearly 190,000 homes were still without The silent revolution power as Texas grappled with an unusual weather pattern that sent temperatures plummeting and demand for energy soaring. With the local grid overwhelmed, officials resorted to rolling blackouts that at one point left millions without heat or clean water and led to at least 20 deaths. in economic policy The lack of power has cut off water supplies for millions, further strained hospitals’ ability to treat By Robert Skidelsky contractionary if spending cuts would highest rate since World War II, with oriented” public investment strategy patients amid a pandemic, and isolated vulnerable London boost market confi dence. a concomitant rise in unemployment. that includes taxation policy becomes communities with frozen roads still impassable in parts of The belief in the superiority of Now, furlough schemes will end, and inescapable. the state. monetary policy survived even central banks say that they are running The second big discussion we need to omething extraordinary has the savage 2008-09 downturn. out of ammunition – meaning their have concerns the relationship between The Federal Emergency Management Agency said happened to macroeconomic Quantitative easing (QE), or ability to keep bondholders confi dent fi scal and monetary policy. In the historically low temperatures were hindering efforts to policymaking. Partly owing to “unconventional monetary policy,” as about being repaid. United Kingdom, the expansion of QE inoculate people against Covid-19, with more than 2,000 Sthe impact of Covid-19, the old it was called, would replace orthodox In these conditions, fi scal policy is since March 2020 has exactly tracked vaccine sites in areas with power outages. orthodoxy has morphed into a new one interest-rate policy when the nominal the only game in town. We urgently the increase in the budget defi cit. Can In addition to aiding Texas, FEMA said on Thursday – but without anyone acknowledging benchmark rate hit its “zero bound.” need a new macroeconomic framework, the perception of BoE independence the implications of the shift, or indeed Central banks worked out all manner covering the aims of active fi scal policy, and the credibility of its infl ation target it would provide assistance to the neighbouring state of that there were any problems with of fanciful “transmission mechanisms” the rules for conducting it, and its survive when the central bank has been Oklahoma due to the previous convention. by which the extra cash they placed in coordination with monetary policy. acting as an agent of the Treasury for weather’s impact on its In a recent interview, for example, bond sellers’ hands would fl ow into the Given that we are suff ering from both the past year? The system power grid. former Bank of England (BoE) Deputy real economy, ignoring the possibility a demand and a supply shock, recovery If the government is to be the active President Joe Biden has Governor Paul Tucker said that that most of it would instead be used policy will also have to address issues of macroeconomic player, we need to work as a whole “monetary policy should now take a to replenish depleted bank reserves supply. In other words, the Keynesian out how or whether the central bank declared an emergency back seat to fi scal policy.” Other central or swap fi nancial assets. Meanwhile, demand-side remedy of paying people should revert to its traditional role of had not been and federal regulators bankers, fi nance ministry mandarins, governments would play their part by to dig holes and fi ll them in again is checking fi scal excesses. But the fi scal have launched an and OECD and International Monetary cutting their own spending. inadequate. Although any direct boost to rules themselves should be rewritten weatherised to investigation. Fund offi cials are saying much the same. Although the combination of demand will also indirectly boost supply to allow for both more active counter- According to Brentan What our fi nancial paladins never or monetary expansion and fi scal by increasing national income, a serious cyclical policy and a much larger the necessary Alexander, chief only rarely acknowledge is how wrong contraction failed to bring about the lag in the supply response risks causing government role in allocating capital they were in the past. The Financial expected recovery, belief in monetary infl ation. For this reason, if for no other, than has recently been fashionable. standard science offi cer and chief Times came closest with its recent therapy was still strong when the investment in new capacity should be an The pandemic presents an commercial offi cer at limping admission that the spending Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020. This important part of any fi scal stimulus. opportunity for an open public New Energy Risk, Texas, appears to be suff ering from an cuts it advocated in 2010 “may have had prevented governments from thinking This imperative will, in turn, direct discussion of these matters. One unprecedented loss of generating capacity, with early reports a bigger negative impact than expected.” seriously about channelling the policymakers’ attention to the nature hopes that this debate will replace the pointing to roughly 30 GW of primarily gas-fi red capacity That is about the nearest thing to a hundreds of billions of new QE money of the supply that the economies of system of insider nods and winks and mea culpa as we can expect from this to those parts of the real economy that the future will require. In view of the subterranean understandings that has offl ine, representing more than a third of generation capacity citadel of the fi nancial establishment, remained open for business, rather than long-term challenges of automation shaped our economic fortunes – or in the state. “Some have taken the chance to blame wind and it does not come close to capturing giving millions of people months of paid and climate change, any post-pandemic misfortunes – for too long. and renewables for the issues plaguing the state, but it is the magnitude of the rupture with the leave. recovery policy should aim to secure the – Project Syndicate primarily a failure of supposedly resilient fossil-fi red assets theory of macroeconomic policy that In fact, the outstanding feature of economy’s sustainability, not just its that is impacting the region. Compounding matters, Texas prevailed only a few years ago. Western governments’ responses to cyclical stability.  Robert Skidelsky, a member of the Before the 2008-09 crash, many the pandemic was their untargeted The case for fi scal policy is not only British House of Lords, is Professor is the lone state in the lower 48 with its own power grid and believed that macroeconomic character. Policymakers preferred mass that it is a more powerful (because more Emeritus of Political Economy at has limited ability to import power from neighbours,” he stabilisation was entirely a matter for lockdowns and furloughs to any attempt targeted) macroeconomic stabiliser Warwick University. The author of wrote in The Forbes. monetary policymakers, and should to keep people working by deploying than monetary policy, but also that a three-volume biography of John Experts say evidently no-one thing went wrong. The be carried out by independent central technically feasible mass testing, government is the only entity apart Maynard Keynes, he began his political failure seems to be systemic and multifaceted. The banks targeting a mandated infl ation tracking, and tracing systems, as many from the fi nancial system capable of career in the Labour party, became the rate by means of interest-rate policy. East Asian countries did. allocating capital. If we are not willing Conservative Party’s spokesman for extreme cold shut down power from fossil-fuel and This followed from the orthodox belief Now the penny has dropped. In the to allow investment in technology and Treasury aff airs in the House of Lords, nuclear plants when instruments and pipelines froze. that economies were cyclically stable, absence of stimulus, the post-Covid infrastructure to be shaped by a purely and was eventually forced out of the As the problems cascaded through the state’s electricity provided that infl ation was controlled. European and US economies are fi nancial logic, then the need for what Conservative Party for his opposition to grid, outages due to frozen wind turbines made a small Fiscal policy should be passive, or even expected to have shrunk in 2020 at the Mariana Mazzucato calls a “mission- Nato’s intervention in Kosovo in 1999. contribution to the losses – though nowhere near as much as critics of renewable energy have claimed. The system as a whole had not been weatherised to the necessary standard. In Texas, two other factors compounded that basic vulnerability, Bloomberg noted. First, the state has, by design, a relatively self-contained grid. This limits its ability to draw power from elsewhere in emergencies. Second, its lightly regulated energy producers compete vigorously on price, which leads them to economise on maintenance and back-up systems. Most of the time, the benefit to consumers is real – cheap power.

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ACCENT ON SUSTAINABILITY: In view of the long-term challenges of automation and climate change, any post-pandemic recovery policy should aim to secure the © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved economy’s sustainability, not just its cyclical stability. Gulf Times Sunday, February 21, 2021 11 WORLD

Prince Charles visits father Prince Philip in hospital UK’s Princess Eugenie

Reuters/AFP He is expected to remain in A former naval offi cer re- names her son August London hospital until next week, a royal nowned for his sometimes source said on Friday, adding brusque manner and humour, that doctors were acting out of Philip married Elizabeth in 1947, Reuters Brooksbank have announced rince Charles, heir to the an abundance of caution and that fi ve years before she became London that they have named their son British throne, visited yes- the duke remained in good spir- queen. August Philip Hawke Brooks- Pterday the hospital where its. He is now by far the longest- bank,” Buckingham Palace said his father Prince Philip is being Both Philip and the 94-year- serving consort of any British ritain’s Princess Eugenie, on Twitter, sharing a picture kept as a precaution after feel- old queen received their fi rst monarch. granddaughter of Queen of the couple holding the baby. ing ill. dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Charles paid his hospital visit BElizabeth, and her husband “The couple have been touched Charles arrived at the back January. the day after Buckingham Palace Jack Brooksbank have named by the well wishes they have re- of the London hospital where He spent four nights at the confi rmed that his younger son their son August Philip Hawke ceived on the birth of their fi rst Philip, the 99-year-old husband same hospital at the end of 2019 Prince Harry and his American Brooksbank, Buckingham Palace child.” of Queen Elizabeth, has spent while being treated for a pre-ex- wife Meghan had permanently said yesterday. The baby is the ninth great- four nights. isting condition. quit as working royals. The couple’s fi rst child was grandchild for the queen. Charles was at the hospital for Prince Charles leaves the King Edward VII hospital in central London Philip is now rarely seen in The queen ordered the Duke born earlier in February, and Eugenie is the younger daugh- just over half an hour before de- after seeing his father Prince Philip. public. and Duchess of Sussex to relin- his name includes an apparent ter of the queen’s third child parting. He stepped down from offi cial quish their honorary titles and nod to the queen’s 99-year-old Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Philip, the Duke of Edin- ailment that is not related to the by private transport rather than engagements in August 2017 af- patronages, a year after they husband Prince Philip, who is in Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of burgh, was admitted to hospital coronavirus (Covid-19). ambulance, a source said at the ter completing more than 22,000 stepped back from frontline du- hospital on a precautionary basis York. on Tuesday as a precautionary He was able to walk into the time. solo events and thousands more ties. after feeling ill earlier this week. She is 10th in line to the British measure after feeling ill with an hospital unaided after arriving Philip turns 100 on June 10. alongside the queen. They now live in California. “Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack throne. Putin foe Navalny loses jail appeal World tops 200mn

Reuters/AFP/Guardian Moscow

remlin critic Alexei Navalny lost his ap- Kpeal yesterday against Covid vaccine doses what he said was a politically- motivated decision to jail him AFP/Reuters Britain pushes at UN for rich states to share coronavirus vaccine with poor Mobile vaccination teams have for nearly three years, and was Paris visited shelters in several towns found guilty of slander and Britain has circulated a draft resolution to members engage immediately in a durable, extensive, and including the capital over the fi ned in a separate case. of the UN Security Council calling on rich countries to sustained humanitarian pause to enable, inter alia, past few days. The double legal defeat had he number of coronavirus donate doses of the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine to Covid-19 vaccinations in areas of armed conflict”. More than 1,300 people are been anticipated by his sup- (Covid-19) vaccine doses poorer and war-torn states, according to a text of the It calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who registered as homeless in Roma- porters, who believe the Krem- Tadministered worldwide draft seen by AFP. this week denounced the “wildly uneven and unfair” nia – with the real number esti- lin sees the 44-year-old oppo- Navalny gestures from inside a passed 200mn yesterday, an AFP The resolution, submitted on Thursday by Britain to distribution of vaccines around the world, “to report on mated to be several times larger sition politician as a threat, a glass cell during a court count showed, as wealthy G7 the other 14 members of the Security Council, “em- the implementation of this resolution, in particular a – and 282 of them have received notion the Kremlin laughs off . hearing at Moscow’s countries pledged to more than phasises the need for solidarity, equity, and eff icacy full assessment of all the impediments to the Covid-19 a fi rst vaccine dose and 246 have It paves the way for Navalny Babushkinsky district court. double aid to support access for and invites donation of vaccine doses from developed response, including vaccination programmes, in had both. to be moved from a Moscow jail the less well-off . economies to low- and middle-income countries and countries in situations of armed conflict and complex One offi cial said the govern- to a prison camp outside the “The court decision to keep With 45% of injections so far other countries in need”. humanitarian emergencies, as necessary and at least ment “wants to reach any home- capital. Alexei in jail says only one among the rich club – which The draft resolution was announced on Wednesday every 90 days”. less people who want to be im- Navalny, in a speech to the thing: there is no law in Russia accounts for just 10% of the by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab during a session Last year, it took the UN Security Council, stalemated munised” and will keep up the court, said his faith in God and right now,” staff at Navalny’s global population – the G7 on of the Security Council, and estimates that around by Chinese-US rivalry, three months to adopt its one programme in the coming days. belief in the rightness of his Anti-Corruption Foundation, Friday said its aid to projects 160mn people worldwide are living in a conflict zone and only resolution to date on the pandemic, which Even as countries move for- cause was sustaining him. who investigate alleged offi cial like the World Health Organisa- or unstable circumstances that puts them at risk of not called upon warring factions to halt operations to allow ward with vaccinations, the “The Bible says: ‘Blessed are corruption, wrote on Twitter. tion (WHO)’s Covax facility now receiving a vaccination. for a vaccine to be distributed. death toll is ticking upwards, those who hunger for right- Navalny had earlier told the amount to $7.5bn. The text “calls for the strengthening of national and London hopes its resolution will be adopted in the with an AFP tally reaching more eousness, for they will be satis- judge that he was not guilty of The increased pledges from multilateral approaches and international co-operation coming weeks. than 2.45mn worldwide by 1100 fi ed,’” he told the court. “I have parole violations as a previous the US, Germany, France, Britain, ... in order to facilitate equitable access to Covid-19 vac- But Russia could be diff icult to convince, after stating GMT yesterday, with almost no regrets that I am back.” court had found. Italy, Japan and Canada came as cines including in armed conflict situations”. this week that the issue of vaccines did not fall within 111mn cases. He quoted from a character He said he had been unable permanent UN Security Council It also “demands that all parties to armed conflicts the ambit of the Security Council. – AFP Despite the still alarming fi g- in the Harry Potter books, say- to report to the Moscow prison member Britain showed a draft ures, it could be an uphill strug- ing that it was “important not service last year because he had resolution to other countries gle to get some vaccinated as to feel alone” because that was been convalescing in Germany on the global body, calling for The new vaccine, still in fi nal of the widely-used polio vaccine. virologist Alexander Chepurnov, scepticism remains entrenched. what the series’ villain Volde- at the time. wealthy nations to share doses stage clinical trials, was pro- Unlike the Sputnik V vaccine, cited by outlet Lenta.Ru, is that US President Joe Biden on Fri- mort wanted. “I don’t want to show off a with poor and war-torn states duced by the state-run Chuma- which uses a modifi ed harmless CoviVac includes all elements of day reassured people the shots Navalny also referenced the lot, but the whole world knew (see accompanying report). kov Centre based in Moscow and cold virus that tricks the body the virus, creating a broader im- were safe as he visited a Pfi zer cartoon Rick and Morty. where I was,” Navalny told the Seen by AFP, the text “em- employed a diff erent method of into producing antigens to help mune response that is likely to factory in Michigan. “To live is to risk it all,” he judge. phasises the need for solidarity, development from Sputnik and the immune system prepare for protect against any variants. “Please, for yourself, your said, quoting Rick Sanchez Navalny appeared in court equity, and effi cacy and invites EpiVacCorona, using an inactive a coronavirus infection, the Co- Meanwhile, in Romania, the family, your community, this from the Adult Swim animated again later in the day for the donation of vaccine doses from virus. viVac vaccine is a “whole-virion” government pushed the coun- country, take the vaccine when series. “Otherwise you’re just culmination of a separate trial developed economies to low- “Today Russia is the only vaccine. try’s thousands of homeless peo- it’s your turn and it’s available. an inert chunk of randomly on a charge of slander. and middle-income countries country in which there are al- This means it is made of a ple up the priority list for vac- That’s how we beat this pandem- assembled molecules drifting The court found him guilty and other countries in need”. ready three vaccines for the coronavirus that has been inacti- cines, placing them on a par with ic,” he said. wherever the universe blows and fi ned him 850,000 roubles Meanwhile, Russia pressed prevention of Covid infection,” vated, or stripped of its ability to the elderly and the chronically ill Meanwhile, French Health you.” ($11,500). ahead with its home-grown vac- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishus- replicate. and reaching 300 in the fi rst days Minister Olivier Veran said he “Our country is built on in- He stood accused of defam- cination programme, saying that tin said. “The vaccine we have devel- of the drive. had asked a top local offi cial to justice. But tens of millions ing a World War II veteran who 120,000 doses of its third au- The Chumakov Centre, found- oped ... refl ects the whole his- “These people are among the “toughen up” a curfew in south- of people want the truth. And took part in a promotional thorised coronavirus vaccine, ed in 1955 in St Petersburg by tory of Russian, as well as global, most exposed to infection risk. eastern city Nice and the sur- sooner or later they’ll get it,” video backing constitutional CoviVac, will reach people by Mikhail Chumakov, is known for vaccine science,” the Chuma- It’s hard for most of them to fol- rounding Alpes-Maritimes de- he said. reforms last year that let Putin March, following in the footsteps its work with US scientist Albert kov Centre’s director, Aidar Ish- low infection control measures,” partment faced with rising cases Navalny, President Vladimir run for two more terms in the of the Sputnik V and EpiVacCo- Sabin at the height of the Cold mukhametov, said yesterday. junior health minister Andrei – or even return to a “partial or Putin’s most prominent critic, Kremlin after 2024 if he wants. rona shots. War, which led to the production The advantage, according to Baciu told AFP. full lockdown”. returned to Russia last month Navalny described the peo- from Germany, where he had ple in the video as traitors and been recovering from a near- corrupt lackeys. fatal poisoning in Siberia in But he said his comments August with what many West- were not specifi cally directed ern nations said was a nerve against the veteran, and that Islamabad zoo begins agent. the authorities were using the He was jailed earlier this charge to smear his reputation. month for parole violations he His arrest and jailing sparked mammoth makeover said were trumped up. nationwide street protests in Western countries have con- Russia, but his allies – most of demned the case and are dis- whom are either under house after Kaavan departure cussing possible sanctions on arrest or abroad – have now Russia. declared a moratorium on ma- A Moscow court swiftly re- jor demonstrations until the AFP jected Navalny’s appeal yester- spring. Islamabad day, while shortening his origi- Alexei Venediktov, one of nal jail term by six weeks. Russia’s most prominent jour- The original term was 3-1/2 nalists, noted what he called a Pakistan zoo once home years. defeatist atmosphere within to what was dubbed the But with the amount of time the opposition in the absence A“world’s loneliest el- he had already spent under of immediate plans for street ephant”, and notorious for hous- house arrest taken into ac- protests. ing animals in cramped concrete count, it amounted to around “We have seen the rejec- enclosures, has launched an am- two years and eight months. tion of a mass (street protest) bitious $7.5mn makeover plan. His lawyer said he would movement and a transition to Animal rights activists had now spend a little over 2-1/2 candle-lit gatherings, and now campaigned against the plight of years behind bars. absolutely nothing,” he said on Islamabad Zoo’s biggest attrac- Navalny responded sarcasti- Ekho Moskvy radio station. tion – a 35-year-old bull named cally to the ruling. Navalny accuses the presi- Kaavan, the last remaining Asian Vaqar Zakaria: We have “They’ve reduced the sen- dent of ordering his attempted elephant in the country – which temporarily shifted some 380 This picture taken on January 6 shows a wildlife ranger in front of the entrance to the closed Marghazar tence by 1-1/2 months. Great!” murder. had lived alone since the death of animals to sanctuaries. Zoo, located in the Margalla Hill National Park in Islamabad. he said from a courtroom glass Putin has dismissed that, al- his mate eight years earlier. cage. leging Navalny is part of a US- Kaavan was transferred to Established in 1978 and even- “We have temporarily shifted the director of World Wide Fund plight became internationally Navalny’s allies reacted with backed dirty tricks campaign Cambodia late last year in a tually growing to 30 acres, keep- some 380 diff erent animals – for Nature in Pakistan. known, but quickly formed a anger. to discredit him. blaze of publicity after his plight ers struggled to care for the zoo’s including monkeys, nilgai (an- Mistreatment of animals – in bond with his pachyderm pal. caught the attention of US su- residents. telope), zebras and bears – to zoos or for entertainment – is “I feel something breaking in- perstar Cher, who helped raise Conditions were so bad that diff erent sanctuaries within and commonplace in Pakistan, but side me when I come to the zoo Italian authorities rescue 45 migrants funds for the jumbo relocation. a High Court judge last year or- outside Pakistan,” said Waqar attitudes are changing. and see his empty cage,” he told While the elephant now has dered it closed, and every animal Zakriya of the Islamabad Wild- Wildlife authorities are also AFP. “He used to welcome me The Italian Coast Guard said yesterday that it had rescued 45 hundreds of acres to roam along- to be relocated – an exercise in life Management Board (IWMB). pushing for new laws targeting with a loud trumpet and by rais- migrants after their ship capsized south of the island of Lampedusa. side dozens of companions in itself that ended in tragedy. “They will all be brought back – poachers, who regularly trap and ing up his trunk every morning. The Coast Guard said it was continuing to search for any missing northern Cambodia, his last Two lions died during their not to be kept in captivity, but in traffi c birds, monkeys, and even “He would throw water over people, in conjunction with the Italian tax police, who deal with years in Pakistan were anything relocation when zookeepers at- a national park in a natural habi- black bears, said IWMB chair- me to express his pleasure – and financial crime and smuggling. but tranquil. tempted to pry them from their tat.” woman Rina Saeed. anger.” Migrants were heard shouting for help in the darkness as lifejackets Islamabad Zoo was bereft of pen by setting ablaze piles of hay. The centre will also include Kaavan’s departure proved Still, he knows the beast is now and buoyancy aids were being thrown into the sea early yesterday, any natural vegetation and many Pakistan’s climate change facilities to treat and rehabilitate bittersweet for at least one man in a better place. a video from the Coast Guard showed. animals there developed classic ministry has now taken charge injured indigenous wildlife – the connected to the zoo – his last “I have seen video clips of Kaa- Off icials did not specify where the migrants had come from. caged behaviour, such as con- of the zoo’s rehabilitation, with fi rst of its kind in the country. keeper, Imran Hussain. van ... he looks very happy,” he Italy is the primary route for migrants departing mostly from stant swaying or repetitive pac- plans to establish a vastly im- The initiative is “brilliant and He was hired and specially said. “I pray to God for his long Tunisia and Libya to reach Europe. – Reuters/AFP ing. proved conservation centre. extraordinary”, said Rab Nawaz, trained last year when Kaavan’s life.” Gulf Times 12 Sunday, February 21, 2021 QATAR Alfardan Group empowers youth to chart their own path Alfardan Group’s Tariqi scholarship programme – which ing and able to not only absorb, is open to both citizens and residents who meet eligibility but also take charge of constant requirements – has been helping students since 2006 change,” he said. The president and chief ex- Alfardan Group president and chief executive Omar Hussain Alfardan: By Joseph Varghese “Initially, Alfardan Group be- ecutive pointed out that Alfardan We do not see education as a privilege, but rather as a universal Staff Reporter gan to off er fi nancial support to Group, having prospered in Qatar aspiration. students who demonstrated a and grown internationally, feels a commitment to academic excel- strong responsibility towards the ment at their current academic fardan Group has endorsed sev- ith the aim of em- lence, in order to help them com- advancement of the community. institute.” eral projects and initiatives in line powering youth in the plete their education,” Alfardan “We believe in using the Currently, the Tariqi pro- with the vision of His Highness Wcountry, the Alfardan said. “This soon transformed strength of our legacy to advo- gramme is open to students ap- the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Group’s scholarship programme into a full-fl edged programme, cate for broader positive change, plying for undergraduate studies mad al-Thani and Qatar National Tariqi provides fi nancial support designed to support the coun- inspire other businesses and in Qatar. Vision 2030 to promote the high- to students who demonstrate a try’s 2030 vision.” make a diff erence in our commu- “We believe that Qatar off ers est standards of living among the commitment to academic excel- “Funding covers full tuition nities. Through the Tariqi pro- students world-class education citizens and residents of Qatar. lence. fees for the duration of the stu- gramme, we are supporting the from some of the world’s top uni- As part of its Corporate Social “Launched in 2006, the Tar- dent’s undergraduate career, paid future leaders of Qatar,” he said. versities as well as our country’s Responsibility (CSR) activities, iqi programme – meaning ‘my directly to the student’s institu- To be selected for the scholar- homegrown universities. Alfardan Group has collaborated path’ – is the manifestation of tion of choice,” he said. “Stu- ship programme, students must “The education system in Qa- with and supported charitable Alfardan Group’s philosophy of dents are eligible for the pro- be currently enrolled in an ac- tar prepares students to tackle causes, such as programmes led investing in the education, career gramme funding as long as they credited programme that will tomorrow’s biggest challenges, by the Qatar Red Crescent Soci- opportunities, and dreams of the maintain the required GPA (grade lead to an undergraduate degree to guarantee the prosperity of our ety (QRCS) and Qatar Charity. next generation,” Omar Hussain point average).” in a fi eld of study designed to nation, and ensure that students Additionally, the Group sup- Alfardan, president and chief ex- prepare them for a successful have the ability to develop, adapt ports sustainability causes such ecutive of Alfardan Group, told ‘We believe in using the professional career. and innovate. as Earth Hour. Gulf Times. strength of our legacy The fi eld of study must be rele- “The programme covers all Since 2019, Alfardan Group “There are currently 15 stu- to advocate for broader vant to one of the many Alfardan registered and accredited higher has also partnered with the Qatar dents active in the Tariqi pro- positive change’ – Alfardan Group subsidiaries, which cover institutes of learning in Qatar,” Green Building Council to high- gramme, and we are looking Group president and chief a large variety of sectors and in- he added. light the sustainability-driven forward to supporting more executive Omar Hussain dustries. Alfardan Group introduces re- activities run by its subsidiaries. students this year and beyond, Alfardan From jewellery and property cipients of the scholarship to the The group also supports Ha- to help the development and to hospitality, healthcare, auto- professional world through in- mad Medical Corporation’s blood growth of Qatar’s future genera- “At Alfardan Group, we un- motive, marine and the fi nancial Group has extended the edu- to supporting students achieve ternships and job opportunities donation drive, which encour- tions,” he said. derstand that investing in the services sector, Alfardan Group cation funding support to em- their life goals through educa- within the Group and its many ages its employees and residents The programme has so far sup- education of future generations manages an unrivalled brand ployees undertaking postgradu- tion. subsidiaries. to become regular blood donors. ported 40 students, with many of is the most fruitful endeavour,” portfolio. ate studies while working at the “We do not see education as a “The students’ employment “At Alfardan Group, we sup- these currently employed at Al- Alfardan added. “Now, more After meeting a minimum GPA Group. privilege, but rather as a univer- opportunity will match the same port and initiate various human- fardan Group. than ever, we are focused on in- requirement, applicants will be This comes as part of the sal aspiration. That is why we are duration of the scholarship, pro- itarian activities in partnership The Tariqi programme pro- vesting our eff orts and resources invited to an interview at Al- Group’s commitment to achieve off ering it to all nationalities,” viding students with the chance with leading charitable organisa- vides funding to undergraduate into equipping, up-skilling and, fardan Group, prior to being se- the best in all that it off ers and Alfardan said. to spend three to four years tions at the regional and global students specialising in cer- most importantly, capitalising on lected to join the programme. continuously improve and raise “The programme is open to working and gaining experience levels,” Alfardan said. “We have tain fi elds related to the Group’s talents that will shape our coun- “Only a few promising achiev- the bar to deliver an exceptional applicants from any nationality with one of the region’s largest cultivated strong relations with subsidiaries, and off ers them a try’s future.” ers are selected each year,” Al- and exclusive service. as long as they have an accept- and most successful family con- a number of charitable and non- chance to work in one of the re- “Education is our springboard, fardan said. The Tariqi programme is open ance letter from any university of glomerates,” he said. profi t organisations and pledged gion’s largest and most success- and our mission is to develop a Following the success of the to both citizens and residents, choice in Qatar and have main- According to the Group presi- our support to socially relevant ful family conglomerates. human capital that is ready, will- Tariqi programme, Alfardan and Alfardan Group is committed tained a specifi c GPA require- dent and chief executive, Al- programmes.”

Snapshots of cloudy conditions in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen, Jayaram, Shemeer Rasheed and Noushad Thekkayil More rain, strong winds expected today Thundery rain is again expected in the country today, The temperature is forecast to range from 17-24C in along with strong winds in some places at times, the Doha today. weather forecast says, a day after Doha and other parts The Met department had recently said unsettled of the country received rain of varying intensity. weather conditions were expected in the country dur- The Qatar Met department has also issued a warning ing the weekend. for thundershowers in the early hours of the day off - Yesterday, cloudy conditions and northwesterly winds shore, besides windy conditions and high seas. were reported from diff erent places along with scat- The wind speed may go up to 25 knots in both inshore tered rain, which became thundery at times. and off shore areas today, with the sea level rising to 8’. Dusty conditions were also observed in some places. The detailed forecast says moderate temperature is The department tweeted last night that cold weather expected during the daytime and cloudy conditions are was seen across the country with the temperature also likely at times. ranging from 16-20C. There is a chance of rain, which may be thundery in The “apparent temperature” did not exceed 17C due to some areas, and it will be relatively cold by night. the influence of northwesterly winds. Cloudy conditions are also expected off shore along a “Apparent temperature” is the temperature equivalent possibility of scattered rain, which may be thundery at perceived by humans, caused by the combined eff ects first. of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed.