QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune thUrsdAy FebrUAry 27, 2020 rAjAb 3, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4880 QR 2

Fajr: 4:43 am Dhuhr: 11:47 am PArTly cloUDy Asr: 3:06 pm Maghrib: 5:35 pm hIGh : 24°C Isha: 7:05 pm LoW : 16°C Gulf / me 9 business 11 sports 16 Erdogan vows to Doha Bank achieves ISO Goodbye, tennis: push back Syria 20000 recertification for Sharapova announces forces from Idlib IT management retirement

Amir issues directives Amir meets Us treAsUry secretAry Cabinet hails outcomes to evacuate Qataris, Kuwaitis from Iran of Amir’s 3-nation tour ThE amir hh Sheikh Tamim bin QNA three countries. hamad al Thani has issued direc- Doha In addition, the discus- tives to evacuate citizens of Qatar sions opened up broad pros- and Kuwait, who are currently in THE Cabinet, chaired by pects for further cooperation Iran, due to the outbreak of the Prime Minister and Minister in various fields for the ben- novel coronavirus (Covid-19). (QNA) of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid efit and welfare of the peo- bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al ple and promoted mutual Thani, on Wednesday praised understanding on various the outcomes of the Amir HH regional and international Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al issues, in a way that contrib- Amir to meet Pakistan Thani’s official tour to Jor- utes to strengthening joint dan, Tunisia and Algeria. Arab action and preserving Prime Minister today The Cabinet affirmed that security, peace and stability ThE amir hh Sheikh Tamim bin the Amir’s discussions with in the region. hamad al Thani will meet Prime HM King Abdullah II Ibn al The PM instructed min- Minister of the Islamic Republic of Hussein, President Kais Saied isters to include the execu- Pakistan Imran Khan at the amiri and President Abdelmadjid tive plans of ministries and Diwan on Thursday. The amir and Tebboune were fruitful. other government agencies, the Pakistan PM, who will arrive on It said the positive re- public bodies and institu- Thursday on an official visit to the sults of the tour have added tions and partnership pro- country, will discuss bilateral rela- to the strong brotherly rela- jects between the public and tions and the ways of developing tions between Qatar and the private sectors. PAGE 2 and strengthening them. The two leaders will also discuss several regional and international issues of The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani met US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and his accompanying delega- common concern. (QNA) tion at the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday. During the meeting, they reviewed strategic relations between the two countries. They also discussed a number of issues of mutual interest. (QNA) NHRC won’t rest until FM, Pompeo review blockade victims are bilateral relations compensated: Marri DEPUTy Prime Minister and Minister of coronavirus risk very QNA Foreign affairs hE Sheikh Mohammed WaShInGTon bin abdulrahman al Thani on Wednes- day held a telephone conversation with national human Rights Com- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. mittee Chairman hE Dr ali bin During the phone call, they reviewed low in Qatar: GcO Smaikh al Marri has affirmed bilateral cooperation relations and the committee’s commitment regional issues, as well as several QNA to take necessary legal meas- matters of common concern. (QNA) Doha Shura Council to hold special ures to condemn the blockad- ing countries because of their THERE are no reported cases of coro- session on coronavirus violations that have lasted for navirus (COVID-19) in Qatar and the 1,000 days. Water, electricity fees risk to the public is low, the Govern- hE Shura Council will hold a special session to discuss a report set to be The blockading countries, HE Dr Ali bin Smaikh al Marri. ment Communications Office (GCO) Tsubmitted by Minister of Public health hE Dr hanan Mohamed al Kuwari on especially Saudi arabia and for farms to be reduced has said. the measures taken by the ministry to confront the threat of the novel coronavi- the UaE, will not be spared dom of movement resulted In a statement on Wednesday, the rus (CoVID-19) and to listen to the ministry’s experts on the topic. international condemnation of in dispersion of Gulf families, to support livestock GCO said the Government of Qatar is Speaker of the Shura Council hE ahmed bin abdullah bin Zaid al Mahmoud the Committee on the Elimina- forcing many families to sepa- taking all measures to protect the pub- requested in a letter sent to the Minister of Public health a detailed report on tion of Racial Discrimination rate, in addition to violating the In a move to support animal production, lic and plan for eventualities. the precautionary measures taken by the ministry and its affiliated bodies to and the International Court of rights of Qataris and residents Qatar General Electricity and Water Cor- The Ministry of Public Health confront the threat of the emerging coronavirus and the necessary preventive Justice, he added. to practice their religious poration (Kahramaa) has decided to re- (MoPH) is working closely with all lo- measures which the ministry has taken to reduce the risk of this disease in the “The nhRC will not rest rites,” he noted. duce electricity and water consumption cal entities, the World Health Organi- short term and in the long term. until the victims are compen- “Today, we in Qatar are fees for farms starting from February. zation (WHO) and other international The Shura Council speaker also thanked and appreciated the efforts of sated, regardless of the fate facing an unjust blockade. It is “Farms will see a reduction in bodies to monitor the situation and the Ministry of Public health in developing the health sector in Qatar under of the crisis politically,” Dr among the worst forms of the electricity and water consumption fees provide up-to-date guidance, it added. the wise leadership of the amir hh Sheikh Tamim bin hamad al Thani, and its Marri said during his visit to blockade that has deprived starting with the February 2020 bill in “Given the rapidly changing situ- cooperation with the council in carrying out the national mission entrusted Washington. thousands of citizens and order to support animal production,” ation, it is important that the public to it. (QNA) During his meetings with residents in the Gulf states Kahramaa said in a statement. refer regularly to official government US State Department officials, of their basic rights, espe- The percentage of reduction in the communications on the matter. All of- Dr Marri said citizens and cially the right to treatment, new consumption fees for farms will ficial guidance and communications ● The Ministry of Public Health is working residents of Qatar have faced transportation, education, and reach 70 percent for electricity and 40 will be issued by the Ministry of Public closely with all local entities, the World 1,000 days of racial discrimina- family unification.” percent for water, given that these farms Health and made available on its web- Health Organization and other international tion and “one of the most dan- he added: “The blockade will no longer be classified in the com- site,” the statement added. bodies to monitor the situation and provide gerous aspects of the suffering affected the human rights mercial category. The GCO said it encourages in- is the obstacles imposed by situation in the region, and dividuals to refer to official informa- an up-to-date guidance the blockading states — espe- led to a loss of confidence in tion and not to rely on or distribute cially Saudi arabia and the UaE regional human rights mecha- unconfirmed or unofficial informa- ple languages and via its social media The GCO advised people travelling – that curtailed the freedom of nisms and conflict resolution.” QA, Air Malta sign tion, noting that the Ministry of Public channels, in addition to the 24/7 coro- abroad to visit the Ministry of Foreign movement.” codeshare pact (PG 20 ) Health provides regular updates on its navirus hotline for information and Affairs website for the latest travel ad- “Undermining the free- Continued on page 2  website www.moph.gov.qa in multi- updates: 66740948 or 66740951. vice at www.mofa.gov.qa.

MiqdaM 3 TacTical drill concludes Blockading countries restore postal services to Qatar

QNA course of Feb 2020, the es Company (Q-Post) is ready Doha blockading countries will re- to resume the postal services sume postal services to Qa- with the blockading countries THE blockading countries – tar through a specified third to protect the rights of postal UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and country (the Sultanate of consumers in Qatar. Bahrain — have restored post- Oman). The measure ends the Meanwhile, the CRA un- al services to Qatar, the Com- suspension of postal traffic derlined that it is also working munications Regulatory Au- which the blockading coun- with the concerned entities to thority (CRA) has announced. tries put in place since the proceed with the complaint The resumption is the out- beginning of the siege in June lodged by Qatar based on the come of the meeting that was 2017. As a result of the block- UPU Rules, which relates to especially organised and at- ade, postal services compa- the blockading countries sus- tended by all the concerned nies in Qatar were not able to pending postal traffic to Qatar. countries on Jan 29, 2020 at receive or send postal items The matter shall be dis- The National Service Academy concluded the tactical exercise the Universal Postal Union to the blockading countries cussed during the UPU’s coun- “Miqdam 3” in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and (UPU) headquarters in Berne, or were even able to receive situation has affected many municate with their relatives cil of administration meeting Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Switzerland, the CRA said in a and send postal items to other citizens and residents of Qatar and friends in these countries which is currently under way Mohamed al Attiyah on Wednesday. (QNA) PAGE 20 statement. countries through the block- who use the postal services in or through them. and is being attended by a “This means that in the ading countries,” it said. The commercial services, or com- It said Qatar Postal Servic- high-level Qatari delegation. 02 Thursday, February 27, 2020

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Cabinet approves establishment of Customs Pm meets Us treAsUry secretAry department at Milaha Logistics City QNA mental protection between the nounced the decisions of the Doha The Cabinet reviewed a draft Ministry of Municipality and meeting. law amending some provi- Environment of Qatar and the Meanwhile, the Cabinet re- THE Cabinet, at its weekly sions of Law No. 32 of 1995 Ministry of Environment, Wa- viewed a draft law amending meeting chaired by Prime regarding the prohibition of ter and Forests of Romania. some provisions of Law No. 32 Minister and Minister of In- damage to plant environ- Furthermore, the Cabinet of 1995 regarding the prohibi- terior HE Sheikh Khalid bin approved a draft MoU for co- tion of damage to plant envi- Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al Thani ment and its components. operation in the field of cor- ronment and its components. on Wednesday, approved the ruption prevention between The Cabinet also discussed draft decision of the Minister draft agreement between Qatar the Administrative Control the main logistical and indus- of Finance to establish a Cus- and Cote d’Ivoire on avoiding and Transparency Authority trial projects for the Economic toms department in the gener- double taxation and prevent- of Qatar and the French Anti- Zones Company (Manateq) Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al Thani met on al warehouse (Milaha Logistics ing financial evasion in relation Corruption Agency. and instructed relevant au- Wednesday with the US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and his accompanying delegation, City). to income taxes; and a draft The Minister of Justice and thorities to develop the neces- who are currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed strategic bilateral relations The Cabinet also approved memorandum of understand- Acting Minister of State for sary plans to provide the needs between the two friendly countries, as well as ways to enhance and develop them, particularly in the a draft air services agreement ing for cooperation in the field Cabinet Affairs HE Dr Issa bin based on a study of supply and fields of finance and investment.(QNA) between Qatar and East Timor; of climate change and environ- Saad al Jafali al Nuaimi an- demand for lands.

Travellers must declare cash, jewellery worth time loss in traffic drops from QR50,000 in their 98 hrs to 92 hrs in 2019: Qmic possession: Customs The opening of the Metro made a positive contribution to the traffic conditions, reducing the number of car trips QNA als or precious stones worth Doha QR50,000 or its equivalent TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK deploying a comprehensive data (indicates average reduction in foreign currencies to fill in Doha sensing network and data bank in speed due to congestion) to THE General Authority of Cus- a form of declaration and any using 100 percent home-gown assess the level of road conges- toms (GAC) has commenced other additional information THE average number of extra technologies is paying off by al- tion. In addition, using publicly implementation of customs required by the customs officer. hours spent due to traffic con- lowing us to shed light on the available statistics about the declaration system that man- The authority stated that gestion dropped from 98 hours status of mobility in Qatar, and size of the work force and av- dates travellers entering or the currencies mentioned in in 2018 to 92 hours per com- is uniquely enabling us to sup- erage wages in Qatar together leaving the country with coins, the declaration include the Qa- muter in 2019, recording a drop port many mega projects and with QMIC’s mobility and con- precious jewellery or negotia- tari or other foreign currencies, of six percent, the 4th annual key strategic partners where gestion data, QMIC has built a ble financial instruments worth as well as negotiable financial Qatar Traffic Report (QTR) mobility intelligence is a key model to quantify the economic QR50,000 to declare items in instruments such as travel- released by Qatar Mobility In- factor. We want to thank many impact of traffic congestion in their possession. ler’s cheques, signed promis- novations Center (QMIC) has of our partners who supported Qatar. With the system, travellers sory notes, payment orders of revealed. our effort directly or indirectly The report further reveals will have to fill out the ‘customs all kinds. According to the report, especially Ashghal, Ministry of that January, February, March declaration form’ upon entering The authority stressed that which was released by QMIC at Municipality and Environment, 2019 were the most congested or leaving the country. refraining from submitting the its office at Qatar Science and and Qatar Rail”. months in 2019 with a The General Authority of declaration or submitting false Technology Park (QSTP) re- QTR takes into considera- Congestion Index of 27.7 Customs said the form will be information or refusing to pro- cently, traffic conditions in Q4 number of car trips, the report This translates to a loss of about tion a number of key globally percent whereas the highest filled in the customs declaration vide additional information to 2019 were about 12 percent bet- said. 0.9% of the GDP in 2019. accepted metrics to report on congestion period during the offices at all air, sea or land travel the customs authorities about ter than in Q4 2018, indicating The report further revealed Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya, the workdays is the morning peak outlets, stressing that the move the source of the currency, the the positive impact of comple- that the progress in road infra- executive director (CEO) of severity, time, and locations (around 7-8am). comes to implement the provi- negotiable financial instru- tion of a number of road pro- structure last year saved around QMIC commented, “we are very of traffic congestion in Qatar. In the morning peak hours sions of the Anti-Money Laun- ments, precious metals or pre- jects in 2019 on traffic flow. QR300 million, pointing out pleased with releasing the most In order to gauge traffic condi- of workdays, Sunday had the dering and Terrorist Financing cious stones attracts penalties Additionally, the opening that the economic cost (lost pro- comprehensive and insightful tions for year 2019 in a scien- highest congestion index of 29 Law No 20 of 2019 and Cabinet that may reach imprisonment of the Metro contributed posi- ductivity) of congestion in 2019 annual Qatar Traffic report to- tific, methodical and accurate percent and Thursdays had the Resolution No 41 of 2019. for a period not exceeding three tively to the traffic conditions was estimated at QR6.4 billion, date. Our significant R&D effort way, the QTR used the concept lowest congestion index of 28 The authority said the sys- years or fines of not less than late in the year by reducing the 4.5percent less than in 2018. and investment in building and of Masarak Congestion Index percent, it added. tem mandates any natural or le- QR100,000 and not more than gal person who enters or leaves QR500,000, or twice the value the state with possession of cur- of the transferred funds, which- rencies or negotiable financial ever is greater in addition to instruments, valuable miner- seizing the funds. It is racial discrimination against Qatar, says Marri Discrimination and the Interna- said, “Every year, the US State liaments and human rights bor Organization welcomed Continued from page 1  tional Court of Justice will dem- Department issues a report organisations in the United the reforms of Qatar for the onstrate to the world that what that records human rights vi- States and the world. There- benefit of expatriate workers. Dr Marri presented an overview has been practiced against olations in the world, and we fore, we see it necessary to in- Many human rights organisa- of the progress of the cases be- Qataris is racial discrimina- demand that the violations of clude violations of the block- tions have also encouraged the fore the Committee on the tion.” human rights by the blockad- ading countries in the report Qatari government to proceed Elimination of All Forms of Ra- He said, “The Gulf com- ing countries be included in of the US State Department with the reforms approach. cial Discrimination against Sau- munity is shocked by these the next report of the US State on the human rights situation We, on our part, welcomed di Arabia and the UAE, and the racist practices committed Department.” in the world.” the reforms and new legisla- cases before the International by the UAE and Saudi Arabia “The violations are en- On the recent reforms that tion. We continue to urge the Court of Justice against Abu against the citizens and resi- dorsed by the United Nations the Qatari government has government, through the vari- Dhabi. dents of Qatar.” High Commissioner for Hu- taken to protect the rights of ous reports and recommenda- He said, “All cases brought Addressing the officials of man Rights, the European expatriates, he said, “As you tions issued by the NHRC, to before the Committee on Racial the US State Department, he Parliament and many par- know, the International La- continue the reforms.” QBG launches garden dedicated to African trees MERIAM JELLITI mental conservation. We also from African soil, we are highly Doha look forward to strengthening aware of our precious resources our cultural rel ations with the and our delicate wildlife and UNDER the patronage of Vice- countries represented here and ecosystem. So, with this in mind Chairperson and CEO of Qatar working together to cultivate we were motivated to spearhead Foundation (QF) HE Sheikha the garden.” the African Garden initiative. Hind bin Hamad al Thani, the Also present at the opening, Our intention was to start a pro- Qu’ranic Botanic Garden (QBG) President of African Women’s ject that signifies life and plant- launched on Wednesday the Diplomatic Group and spouse ing of trees does by improving first African Women’s Diplo- of the Ambassador of South Af- environment and contributing matic Garden on the occasion of rica, Anika Moosa said, “It’s a to mitigating the negative ef- Qatar Environment Day. pleasure to be a part of this cer- fects of climate change.” The garden is part of QBG’s emony organised by Qur’anic The launch ceremony was initiative to contribute to Botanic Garden and show sup- proceeded by a plantation ses- spreading awareness of climate port for their work, and that of sion, where each representa- change and the importance of aims to highlight the impor- Speaking on the occasion, cated a day to spreading greater values in Qatar and support an Qatar Foundation. In keeping tive of the 10 countries (Mali, environment and sustainabil- tance of green conservation QBG Director Fatima bin Saleh awareness of the need to pro- important pillar of our national with the Ghars initiative, we Djibouti, Senegal, South Africa, ity. initiatives in Qatar. The garden al Khulaifi expressed her excite- tect our environment, and to- vision. want to ensure Africa’s pres- Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Launched in the QBG Pilot features a variety of saplings ment over the opening of a new day’s special tree-planting cer- “We hope through the Af- ence in the prestigious Qur’anic Ghana, Eswatini, Nigeria) in- Garden at Education City, the representing several African edition of QBG, a garden that emony is an example of QBG’s rican Women’s Diplomatic Botanic Garden.” cluding a number of ambassa- African Women’s Diplomatic countries, including Mali, Dji- boasts of having trees from Af- commitment – as part of Qatar Garden to highlight the impor- She added: ‘Climate change dors, community leaders and Garden is part of QBG’s Ghars bouti, South Africa and Sen- rica. Foundation’s wider mission tance of uniting globally around and sustainability is at the fore- Qatari dignitaries participated tree-planting campaign, and egal. She said: “Qatar has dedi- – to promote environmental the common goal of environ- front of world news and coming in planting a tree. Nation Thursday, February 27, 2020 03

Fm meets Us treAsUry secretAry

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani met the US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, who is currently visiting the country, in Doha on Wednesday. They reviewed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, in addition to issues of joint interest. (QNA) Over 600,000 people visited medical commission in 2019 QNA ray images that were done (inside ers before their arrival in Qatar had Doha and outside the country) reached also helped detect some serious 781,083, while 194,882 medical cer- and chronic diseases among peo- THE total number of visitors to the tificates were issued last year. ple whose hiring could have posed Medical Commission during 2019 The Director of Medical Com- health threat to the country, or could was around 607,601, the Ministry mission Department at the Minis- constitute an obstacle for the worker. of Public Health (MoPH) has said, try of Public Health, Dr Ibrahim al With regard to increasing the adding that 60 percent of the visi- Shaar, said the department succeed- efficiency of the ministry person- tors registered online while 40 per- ed in implementing many important nel, 320 employees were trained in cent registered directly at the com- projects in 2019, including the pro- various administrative and career mission. ject to register fingerprints and vital development programmes, while According to the ministry, 1.55 data and conduct a medical examina- 15 participated in awareness ISO million examinations of various tion for expatriates in their countries. programmes and the entire admin- types were conducted by the com- He said the medical examina- istration staff was trained on cyber- mission. The total number of X- tion procedures for migrant work- security.

MoCI penalises street vendors for violating norms TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ministerial Decision No 243 of 2016 and Industry earlier launched an Doha in line with licensing regulations initiative to regulate street vendors and requirements for street vendors. by specifying permitted activities, as THE Ministry of Commerce and In- The inspection resulted in 93 well as the requirements, standards dustry (MoCI), in cooperation with penalties for violations by street and conditions for issuing a licence. the Ministry of Interior (MoI), carried vendors who conducted business The initiative aims to improve out a surprise inspection campaign activities without a commercial li- the quality of services offered to the targeting street vendors in Al Najma cence. Violators were referred to public and to ensure compliance in a bid to monitor the compliance competent authorities for legal pro- with laws and regulations governing of suppliers with their obligations ceedings. the various commercial activities. under Law No 5 of 2015 relating to As part of its efforts to regulate The ministry said it would refer industrial and commercial shops, the business and create a stimulat- violators of laws and ministerial de- public stores and street vendors. ing investment environment for cisions to competent authorities for The inspection also aimed to both private sector and entrepre- appropriate action in order to protect monitor retailers’ commitment to neurs, the Ministry of Commerce consumer rights. 04 Thursday, February 27, 2020 Nation Baywalk Tower of asseTs officially certified as completed The 23-storey eco-friendly residential tower features 243 apartments that come in 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, along with 8 beach front chalets

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ciation to all those who worked tional sustainability criteria that Excellence is what we do at our Doha in completing the amazing mas- minimise ecological impact. AS- group,” he added. terpiece in the heart of The Pearl SETS Real Estate Development The tower is a modern residen- ASSETS Real Estate Development Qatar. expressed its satisfaction on the tial masterpiece that sheds a new announced that Baywalk Tower in “Baywalk Tower was complet- building completion certified by light on the heavenly beachside of the prestigious district of Viva Bah- ed on time. It took us 25 months UDC, the delegated official author- The Pearl with each unit offering riya in the Pearl has been officially as planned. We lived up to our ity to check and confirm the stand- comfort and quality. It features certified as completed. commitments, and now we are ards of buildings completion in 243 apartments that come in 1, 2 The real estate company, a satisfied with the efficient service The Pearl Qatar. or 3 bedrooms, along with 8 beach subsidiary of Power international of the property management. We Ramez al Khayyat, ASSETS front chalets concept. Holding Group (PIH), stated that extend invitation to interested vice-chairman, extended his in- The iconic luxury apartment the 23-storey residential tower is people to come and preview the vitation to interested investors to building, with marvellous mod- fully operational and several cus- high-end finishes, the modern come and visit the luxurious state- ern accommodation, has a highly tomers moved into their luxuri- furniture and the cozy amenities. of-the-art residential tower with its sophisticated gym and spa, swim- ous apartments in the eco-friendly With its prime location, Baywalk amenities. ming pool, kids play area, meet- building enjoying its sumptuous provides its residents with splen- “Baywalk is the newest jewel at ing and reception lobby, and a amenities and living relaxedly in did views on The Bay, The Arabian The Pearl,” Ramez al Khayyat said. multi-function room, in addition The Pearl Qatar. Gulf and the beautiful City of The walking distance to Medina Cen- all areas of Qatar. “It is the outcome of teamwork per- to more than 302 private parking Moutaz al Khayyat, chairman Pearl,” added Khayyat. trale and a short drive to the water- Baywalk was designed and formance and the unique value of spaces. High security is provided of ASSETS, extended his appre- Baywalk is only a five-minute front and road networks leading to developed following interna- ASSETS, Building Communities. around the clock.

BIRYAB fest at Al Bidda Park from tomorrow ‘A timely conference’: Top Pakistan judge The event features food competitions with exciting prizes and entrainment activities ASHRAF SIDDIQUI tioned at various places. He also expressed his great Doha He said the con- expectations from the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK tivities for different age groups, such ference is the way Doha Declaration, Doha as live shows for kids and exciting JUSTICE Mushir Alam, the senior forward to improve which is likely to be games that include amusement rides. most judge of the Pakistani Su- the image of the ju- issued at the end of BIRYAB Festival, the first-of-its-kind Other enjoyable activities at the event preme Court after the chief justice diciary in terms of its the conference. mega event for biryanis and kebabs include musical performances as well of the country and member of the integrity. Global Judicial organised by Infinity Marketing So- as eating contests and other interest- Judicial Council, has praised Qa- Justice Alam said Integrity Network lutions & Event Management, will ing competitions which involve mul- tar for hosting the second high- he hoped the con- was established in take place at Al Bidda Park from Feb- tiple stunning awards, such as food level meeting of the Global Judi- ference, in which April 2018 and is ruary 28 to March 9. It will be open vouchers and household electronic cial Integrity Network. delegates from 117 open to a broad range to the public every day from 12 noon and kebab from over 25 restaurants equipment. Talking to Qatar Tribune on countries were par- of institutions and until 12 midnight. and outlets that will be taking part Being keen on showcasing distinct the sidelines of the opening cere- ticipating, “would individuals includ- Infinity has announced its foray in the event. These restaurants offer cultures and inviting people in Qatar to mony of the meeting at the Hotel be a great learning Justice Mushir Alam ing judges, members into event management with BIRY- biryani and kebab with breathtaking experience various traditions includ- Sheraton Doha on Tuesday, Alam experience to reform of judicial councils, AB and the first edition of the festi- flavours from a variety of countries ing food, Infinity embarked on BIR- said the timing of the meeting is the judicial system as well as to judicial associates, magistrates, val is co-sponsored by FMJ Holding such as India, Pakistan and Turkey YAB, which is a manifestation of this especially significant as the in- improve delivery of justice and judicial associations, and relevant in partnership with QSPORTS, Qa- as well as the Levant region. Some of concept. It’s worth mentioning that tegrity of judiciary is being ques- public perception of the system”. international organisations. tar Living, ILoveQatar.net, Careem, the popular restaurants participating Infinity is a provider of all sorts of com- Zomato, Talabat, Jumbo Electron- in the festival include Zaffran Café, munication and marketing services, ics, Radio Olive 106.3FM, Radio Royal Tandoor, Afghan Brothers and helping clients establish long-lasting Suno 91.7 FM, Al Bidda Park and Spice & Sizzle. sturdy relations with their audience. Rayyan Water. The 11-day festival is a unique op- In addition, the agency is an innova- The event serves as an exception- portunity for families and children tion hub with a skilful team for social al venue for food lovers to indulge to spend joyful time since it features media, visual arts, event management Radisson Blu Hotel sets its eyes on world in the authentic dishes of biryani a wide variety of entertainment ac- and public relations services. record for largest serving of fried chicken

AILYN AGONIA Doha

RADISSON Blu Hotel Doha will challenge the current world record on the largest serving of fried chicken at an event to be held at the hotel’s Giwana Ballroom on February 29, from 2pm to 6pm. The leap year special of the up- per upscale hotel brand will feature a preparation by its team of over 2,000 kilos of fried chicken with the intent to break the current record for the ‘World’s largest serving of Gordon MacKenzie, General Manager Kulvinder chandhok, Executive chef fried chicken’. Qatar was the first to hold this under strict supervision and in com- Radisson Blu Doha General Manager world title in 2008 when Kentucky pliance with the highest standards Gordon MacKenzie. Fried Chicken (KFC) Doha in Villagio of hygiene and Hazard Analysis and Executive Chef Kulvinder Chan- Mall succeeded in achieving the Guin- Critical Control Point (HACCP). dhok added, “I am grateful to our ness World Record at 336 kilos. Last After the event, the fried chicken partners Sadia, Ola, Rayyan, Integral year, Japan bagged the world record will be distributed free to the visitors Uniforms, Spirit Events and Radio at 1667.301 kilos set by the Karafesu on a first come, first serve basis. Olive for helping us in realising this Project Councilin Nakatsu, Oita. “This year, Qatar will regain the challenge; without them, this effort Approximately 2,600 whole world title record. Mobilising my will not be possible.” chickens will be cut into pieces and teams across every department in The team will come to know the fried by Radisson Blu Hotel Doha’s setting a new world record reinforces result in the weeks to follow after team of chefs culminating in a fabri- our team spirit. It’s amazing to see Guinness World Record adequately cated platter where it will be weighed. the positive impact we can make reviews the submitted evidence of the The cooking process will be done when we all come together,” said record attempt. Galfar Toastmasters Club holds 11th annual speech competition

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Rajeshwar Rao topped the Evalua- efited from the programme. Doha tion Speech category, while Shashi Within three years of its exist- Prakash Singh aced the Humorous ence, members of GTM started GALFAR Toastmasters Club (GTM) Speech category. The first and sec- participating in area contests, and held its 11th Annual Speech Contest at ond place winners of each category by 2016, they were participating in the Oryx Rotana Hotel recently. will now represent GTM at the Area division-level contests. GTM has en- The enthusiastic members of the Speech Contest. sured its representation right up to Corporate Club, consisting entirely Galfar Al Misnad, a leading con- the District level in the speech con- of Galfar Al Misnad staff, vied for the struction company which has been test. The club is considered one of championship titles in four differ- operating in Qatar for the past 25 the most successful Corporate Clubs ent categories: International Speech, years, instituted its own Corporate of Toastmasters. Table Topics, Evaluation Speech and Toastmasters Club in 2009 as a pro- GTM conducts its regular meet- Humorous Speech. It was attended by active initiative to develop leadership ings every first and third Saturdays about 40 members and guests. and communication skills amongst of the month at the Toastmaster Kingsley Okoro took home the staff members. The club began with Hall, a place exclusively provided by first prizes in both the International 23 charter members and since then, the company as their meeting and Speech and Table Topics categories. more than 150 employees have ben- activity venue. Nation Thursday, February 27, 2020 05

shUrA sPeAKer meets tUrKey’s AmbAssAdOr Doha Institute ACTA president holds talks with launches new Jordanian commission chairman postdoctoral QNA They reviewed the areas of coopera- Doha tion between the two countries in the field of integrity, transparency and anti-corrup- research PRESIDENT of the Administrative Control tion and strengthening them by signing a and Transparency Authority (ACTA) HE memorandum of understanding between fellowship Hamad bin Nasser al Misnad met Chairman the two bodies. of the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption The two sides also discussed a number QNA Commission (JIACC) Muhannad Hijazi. of issues of joint interest. Doha

THE Doha Institute for Gradu- ate Studies (DI) has launched a postdoctoral research fel- lowship for the academic year 2020-21 in various disciplines, including social, human and administrative sciences and development economics. Speaker of the Shura council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al Mahmoud met with Ambassador of Turkey to The postdoctoral research Qatar HE Fikret ozar on the end of his tenure in the country. During the meeting, they reviewed parliamentary fellowship at the Doha Institute relations and the means of supporting them. The speaker of the Shura council wished the ambassador success for Graduate Studies includes a in his future assignments. (Qna) number of advantages. Applications for the pro- gramme will close on May 1, 2020 and can be sent to the re- search service of the institute. Doha Graduate Institute of- fers master’s degrees in 18 pro- Ashghal to convert diwan grammes in two colleges: the Social Science and Humanities cCllege and the Public Admin- intersection into temporary istration and Development Economics College. The Social Science and roundabout from Friday Humanities College offers master’s programmes in phi- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK losophy, history, sociology and Doha anthropology, political science and international relations, THE Public Works Authority ‘Ash- journalism, media and cultural ghal’ has announced temporary studies, Arabic linguistics and conversion of Al Diwan intersec- lexicon, comparative literature, tion on Al Rayyan Road into a tem- psychology, social work, Mon- porary roundabout from Friday, etary security studies, conflict February 28, until April 15, 2020. management, humanitarian However, two lanes will be action, and human rights. kept open to accommodate traffic The Public Administration in all directions during the period, and Development Econom- an Ashghal press release said on ics College offer master’s de- Wednesday. grees in public administration, The traffic change will be im- executive master’s in public plemented by Ashghal, in coordi- administration, master’s in nation with the General Directorate development economics, mas- of Traffic, to enable the installation The Public Works Author- Ashghal has urged commut- ter’s in public policy and dual of new traffic lights on Al Diwan ity will instal road signs to guide ers to abide by the speed limit and executive master’s in business intersection as part of the A-Ring motorists about the temporary follow road signs to ensure their administration and public ad- Road Development Project. change. safety. ministration. 06 Thursday, February 27, 2020 Nation call to bridge youth-leaders communication gap in Gulf and constructive critical thinking, QF highlights political and highlight the importance of dif- ferent perspectives in dealing with relations in the Gulf at future challenges. ‘Oasis of Dialogue’ Dr Hayat Abdullah Marafi, ex- ecutive director of Qatar Debate, TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK said: “The Oasis of Dialogue is a Doha response to social demand. It has targeted different groups from our THOUGHT-LEADERS and re- community and provided both searchers from Qatar, Kuwait and young people and experts with an Oman have agreed that the gap be- opportunity for discussion in an tween decision makers and youth open academic environment.” in the Gulf region needs to be nar- The session included discussions rowed by providing young people that allowed attendees to discuss with more pathways for discussion their thoughts with speakers. that allow them to exchange their Moza al Hajri, a high school stu- ideas and views. dent and member of Qatar’s nation- The topic was discussed at Oasis The gathering addressed various issues, including social reforms, preventing political crises, diversity of thought, economics, geopolitics and regional security systems. al debate team, said: “Dialogue is of Dialogue, a platform for dialogue very important for all young people, and sharing of perspectives organ- issues, including social reforms, pre- the Gulf to take an active role in po- Foundation is doing.” Dr Baabood said, “I deeply be- and not only for debaters, because it ised by Qatar Debate, a member of venting political crises, diversity of litical decision-making. In order to overcome the current lieve in cooperation and integration helps us see the bigger picture by de- Qatar Foundation (QF). thought, economics, geopolitics and He said, “The Gulf crisis, whether political crises in Gulf region, the between the populations of all Gulf veloping our understanding of what It focused on the future of politi- regional security systems. it is long or short, remains a tempo- Kuwaiti researcher raised the im- countries. The Gulf Cooperation is happening in the world. cal relation between Gulf countries, Oasis of Dialogue was presented rary stage in the journey of Gulf rela- portance of decision makers taking Council was established on common “We need to understand what is days before Deputy Prime Minister by Anoud al Kuwari, an alumna of tions. All previous conflicts between the perceptions and ideas of youth foundations with regard to decision- going on around us for our studies and Minister of State for Defence Af- QF partner university Georgetown Gulf states were resolved within the into consideration. making, common objectives and and for our careers in the future. Qa- fairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al University in Qatar, and moderated circle of influence at leadership level. Dr Zuwairi explained how re- strategies, and all the Gulf states are tar also needs us to be thinkers and Attiyah gave a talk titled ‘Small State by Qatari researcher Abdul Rahman The current situation is different be- gional challenges influenced the still adhering to common interests, to drive positive change through cul- Security Dialogue: Qatar and the al Marri Qatari, and invited young cause some Gulf countries tried to shape of Gulf relations. unity of geography and culture, and tivating dialogue that takes different Lessons of a 1,000 Day Blockade’ at people to share their opinions and influence all directions, including at He said, “The Gulf crisis is the a common destiny. perspectives into account. This new Education City. thoughts via social media. the grassroots level, through social result of external interactions, chal- “We live in a world where coun- platform helps us to enhance our The event at Multaqa, Educa- “Our aim is to bring together media users and influencers. lenges and foreign policies.” tries cannot live in isolation and knowledge, which we can use in our tion City Student Center, hosted decision makers, thinkers and “This meant that, for the first Clarifying the type of challenges therefore differences may occur be- debates related to any topics related three keynote speakers - Dr Faisal young people to discuss vital top- time, communities in Gulf states the region faces in this regard, he tween individuals and states. This to politics and history.” Abu Saleeb, associate professor at ics, far from any classifications that were involved in political decisions, said, “State-building and the history is normal, so it is important to de- Hassan al Mulla, a Qatari re- the Department of Political Sci- knock down the opportunity of and unfortunately this was not the of relations between Gulf countries fine how to deal with crises, how to searcher and student at the Paris- ence, College of Social Sciences, communication and build a bridge kind of involvement designed to are constant challenges, together manage conflicts and how to benefit Sorbonne University, said: “I believe Kuwait University; Dr Mahjoub al of communication between think- help them achieve their aspirations, with the shaping of foreign policies from lessons - going back always to in the power of civil society and Zuwairi, professor of Contempo- ers and youth. We are looking to but instead related to leadership through reliance on major interna- our roots.” students to enrich any discussion. rary Iranian History and Middle motivate all community members conflicts and this is due to the im- tional powers.” Machaille al Naimi, president A platform of this kind of platform East Policy at Qatar University; to share their ideas and innovate pact of social media. It is, therefore, He emphasised the necessity of of Community Development at Qa- contributes to developing political and Dr Abdulla Baabood, an Om- solutions as an outcome of this dia- very important to enhance political bridging acknowledge gap in the tar Foundation, who attended the awareness in Gulf society. Stimulat- ani professor specialising in Gulf logue,” said Kuwari . awareness among youth by activat- context of the huge amounts of in- event, said: “The Oasis of Dialogue ing a sense of political knowledge and Middle East studies. Dr Abu Saleeb emphasised the ing constructive and targeted dia- formation that young people now aims to communicate the voice of and awareness makes this a very The gathering addressed various importance of enabling the youth of logue sessions, such as what Qatar receive. youth, foster a culture of dialogue positive initiative.”

AL jAZeerA mediA iNstitUte ceLebrAtes 16th ANNiVersAry About 3,000 experts to attend 8th Middle ‘AJMI has trained over 50,000 in 16 years’ East Forum on Quality TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha & Safety in Healthcare

AL Jazeera Media Institute TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK (AJMI) on Wednesday cel- Doha ebrated its 16th anniversary in the presence of Dr Mostefa THE Hamad Medical Corpo- Souag, director-general of Al ration (HMC) will organise Jazeera Media Network, direc- the 8th Middle East Forum tors of the network’s various on Quality and Safety in channels and divisions, broad- Healthcare from March 19 casters, trainers and trainees. to 22 with the participation In his speech, Dr Souag of nearly 3,000 physicians, praised Al Jazeera Media nurses, pharmacists, special- Institute’s role and achieve- ists and those interested in Nasser al Naimi ments over the past years in this field. the field of media training. Nasser al Naimi, deputy tion (PHCC), Sidra Medicine, The figures achieved by the Director-General of Al Jazeera Media Network Dr Mostefa Souag (right) and Director of Al Jazeera Media Institute Mounir Daymi address audience. chief of Quality, director of Qatar University, World In- institute are worthy of pride, Hamad Healthcare Quality novation Summit for Health he said, calling for maintain- Qataris. Moreover, the insti- initiative has benefited five stories without compromis- Institute and the co-chair of (WISH) and Hamad Health- ing and strengthening this tute has organised more than countries so far, he said, ing their meaning. By issuing the Middle East Forum, said care Quality Institute, in ad- leadership. 4,500 training courses during pointing out that during the this guide, the institute seeks that this year’s forum is be- dition to speakers from dif- Dr Souag expressed his the same period, he said. past year alone, the institute to establish a distinction be- ing held at Qatar National ferent countries such as the happiness to attend a cel- “The institute also has trained 2,799 Qataris. tween language as an aesthet- Convention Centre (QNCC) United Kingdom, Kuwait and ebration that combined in- launched the Al Jazeera Am- A series of video clips and ic vessel that lends authen- under the slogan ‘Igniting Oman. formation, humour and fun, bassadors Initiative, which promos were also presented ticity to the journalistic story Change, Shaping the Future He added that the forum stressing that the occasion benefited thousands of train- during the ceremony, and the and language as a burden on Together’, adding that the fo- will also feature a ‘Knowledge represents an opportunity to ees across the world, along statistics reviewed the insti- the profession. rum will include, for the first Zone’ exhibition with the par- review the performance of the with more than 40,000 e- tute’s achievements during The institute also launched time, four educational tours ticipation of 15 institutions, institute and look forward to learning platform partici- the past period. a new course, titled ‘The Privi- to Hamad Medical Corpora- including the MoPH, Hamad its future. pants,” he said. On the sidelines of the cer- leged Broadcaster’s Briefcase’, tion’s specialist centres. Healthcare Quality Institute, Mounir Daymi, director of Daymi spoke about the Mounir Daymi emony, the institute launched on its e-learning platform, He said the educational Center for Patient Experi- the Institute, said more than institute’s ‘Media for Devel- the ‘Brevity in Journalism’ which is presented by Al Ja- tours aim to highlight the ence and Staff Engagement, 50,000 trainees have been opment’ initiative started dia professionals and media guide by Sayed Ahrimu, zeera Arabic Channel broad- experiences of these centres PHCC, QRCS, Sidra Medi- trained over the past 16 years, in early 2019, which aims organisations in Arab and which is based on real ex- casters Mohamed Krichen, in developing the healthcare cine, QU, WISH and others. including around 16,000 to support and develop me- developing countries. The amples of summarised news Iman Ayad and Salma al Jamal. system and reaching the The Knowledge Zone will dis- highest levels of safety in pa- play more than 150 research tient care. posters regarding quality and The tours will visit the safety in healthcare. Ambulance Service, Itqan Naimi said 60 percent Clinical Simulation and In- of the research posters will Qatar Charity calls for contributions to novation Center, Center for be provided by HMC while Patient Experience and Staff the rest will be provided by Engagement and the Trauma health organisations inside ‘Shams Deserves’ campaign for Syrians and Emergency Center. the country and medical re- Naimi said the forum is search institutions from out- organised annually by Ham- side Qatar, all of which cover TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the areas of shelter, food, wa- worth over QR14 million for ad Healthcare Quality In- various topics that reflect the Doha ter, sanitation and health. the benefit of 864,618 people. stitute in collaboration with goals of the forum. The campaign is being im- Another delegation is sched- the US Institute for Health- Furthermore, the forum QATAR Charity (QC) has plemented by QC, in coopera- uled to depart on Friday to care Improvement (IHI). It will include many discussion called on people to contrib- tion with the QMC, Qatar Tel- provide a second batch of aid involves more than 20 edu- sessions focusing on the lat- ute to the national campaign evision, Qatar Radio, Sout Al to Syrian refugees and dis- cational and training work- est developments and expe- ‘Shams Deserves’, launched Khaleej Radio, Alkass Sports placed persons. shops supervised by local and riences in the field of quality in partnership with the Qatar Channels, Alrayyan TV and Al- The donation in favour international experts in the and safety of healthcare, as Media Corporation (QMC) rayyan Radio. of the ‘Sham Deserves’ cam- field of healthcare develop- well as on patient-centred to provide urgent relief aid to The campaign will include paign can be made through ment sciences. healthcare services, in which Syrian people in their country a joint live TV and radio broad- QC’s website, mobile App, 27 He revealed that the fo- a number of patients will also and the countries of asylum. cast on Friday and Saturday, branches across the country rum this year includes the take part. The campaign comes in February 28 and 29, by media and 97 collection points in largest educational pro- Naimi said that a number response to the worsening hu- corporations to raise dona- commercial places. The donors gramme with 60 lectures of new initiatives will be an- manitarian situation in Syria tions, in addition to some ac- can also request for a ‘home and 50 international lectur- nounced during the forum, following the largest displace- tivities to be held at commer- collector’ through the mobile ers from the Institute for which will focus on improv- ment in the country in the past cial complexes. survive under the harsh cold lery and vehicles. App by dialling the hotline Healthcare Improvement as ing quality and safety in three months. Given the difficult humani- weather, heavy rains, frosts In conjunction with the 44667711 to make their con- well as quality and safety per- healthcare. Launched recently under tarian situation of Syrian refu- and snow. It has also called on campaign, a delegation from tributions. Donations through sonnel from Hamad Medical He underlined that the the supervision of the Regula- gees and internally displaced media persons and social me- QC has recently distributed ur- mobile phones are also availa- Corporation and health and forum provides an oppor- tory Authority for Charitable persons (IDPs), QC has urged dia influencers to publicise the gent aid to the displaced in the ble. To donate QR100, QR200, educational institutions in tunity for healthcare pro- Activities (RACA), the cam- benefactors in Qatar to con- campaign. country, and refugees in the QR500, and QR100, send Qatar, such as the Ministry of fessionals to continue their paign aims to deliver assis- tribute to the ‘Shams Deserves’ Contributions to the cam- Turkish areas bordering Syria. an SMS with the code ‘SOS’ Public Health (MoPH), Pri- career development and en- tance to 250,000 Syrian refu- campaign to ease their hard- paign can be made in many The aid included 200 to 92642, 92015, 92428 and mary Health Care Corpora- hance expertise. gees and displaced persons in ship, as they are struggling to forms, including money, jewel- tonnes of relief materials 92429, respectively. Nation Thursday, February 27, 2020 07 aFG college launches new Master of law course with univ of aberdeen AFG College Principal Brian Buckley and Professor of Law Greg Gordon of University of Aberdeen cohost the launch TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK area of law, having the ability Doha to offer their respective organi- sations advice and support in HEC Paris in Qatar THE AFG College with the the company’s international University of Aberdeen offi- commercial activities. cially launched its new Master Professor Greg Gordon welcomes Int’l EMBA of Laws (LLM) programme in said: “In an increasingly in- International Commercial Law terconnected world, it is more Class of 2021 in Doha at a ceremony held at the Sharq important than ever to have a Village Spa & Resort on Tues- sound knowledge of legal rules TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and its companion Executive day in the presence of a num- governing the international Doha Master SBUM, delivered by us ber of dignitaries, academic sale of goods, international in Doha, have become our pil- staff and applicants. dispute resolution processes HEC Paris, ranked third world- lars of strength over the last ten The launch was jointly and the law and practice sur- wide for Executive Education years. On behalf of HEC Paris, it hosted by AFG College Prin- rounding the governance of and first for the International is my pleasure and my honour cipal Brian Buckley and the multinational companies. Executive MBA by the Financial to welcome these talented and University of Aberdeen’s Head The University of Aberdeen is Times in 2019, officially wel- hard-working men and women of Law Professor Greg Gordon. proud to partner with our col- comed the HEC Paris Interna- for what will be a transforma- The event was also attended by am extremely happy to have domestic and international tory the Law School has sought leagues at AFG to make this tional Executive MBA (EMBA) tive journey of personal and Sheikha Mariam bint Nawaf al been invited to the launch business environment. Stu- to empower their students by programme available to stu- Class of 2021, during a launch professional growth.” Thani, who represented AFG of the new LLM. This pro- dents will gain an insight into equipping them with the nec- dents in Qatar.” event held on its Doha campus The International Executive College Chairperson & Found- gramme will further enhance specific areas of business law, essary skills and knowledge to AFG College Principal Bri- in Tornado Tower recently. MBA is a practical and intense er Dr Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh the knowledge of the student which include the regulation operate proficiently within the an Buckley said: “The Master The new EMBA cohort was 16-month programme devel- al Thani. body here in Qatar and I am of financial and commercial complex business arena. of Laws is our first expansion welcomed by Dr Pablo Martin oped to provide participants The CEO of Qatar Interna- supportive of any initiatives activities within an organisa- On successful comple- into non-business related dis- de Holan, dean of HEC Paris in with an understanding of the tional Court Faisal bin Rashid that help develop future lead- tion, as well as international tion of this specialist Master ciplines, as we continue to en- Qatar; Dr Andrea Masini, as- social, economic and environ- al Sahouti delivered a speech ers and scholars.” perspectives in company law. of Laws, students will have hance our offerings to fulfil a sociate dean, MBA Programs, mental aspects of international on the occasion in which he The programme aims to The university’s Law engaged with peers from a di- growing demand and play our HEC Paris; and Abdallah Abdel- business, as well as the skills to discussed the role of the Inter- equip students with a detailed School has an unbroken line- verse range of fields including role in the development of the Daem, director of Programs, implement their vision. national Court and the impor- understanding of the legal age dating back to 1495; the law, business and finance, and Qatar National Vision 2030, in HEC Paris in Qatar. The curriculum is built tance that the State attaches to functions required to operate date of the formation of the will have developed a deep un- helping to build a knowledge- Participants come from 14 around three components: 11 the rule of law. Sahouti said: “I within the rapidly changing university. Throughout its his- derstanding of this specialist based economy.” countries, including Lebanon, core courses in all the key ar- Jordan, India, UK, South Af- eas of general management, a rica, Oman, Egypt, Qatar, Ger- specialisation and a capstone many, Kuwait, Kenya, Canada, project. The comprehensive Tunisia and Morocco. core courses include modules HBKU CL hosts QICDRC judge for talks on legal ethics, litigation In his welcome note, Dr on strategy, analysis and im- Holan said: “The 2020 intake plementation, as well as lead- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the Court of Appeal of New Zealand and of our International Executive ership and human resources Doha previously of the High Court. MBA programme once again management. Participants will He continues to sit in various Pacific features participants from very choose one of the eight special- THE College of Law at Hamad Bin jurisdictions, holding a number of statu- diverse backgrounds and per- isations, delivered in different Khalifa University (HBKU), in associa- tory and advisory roles. He was previ- spectives. This is proof of HEC´s locations. These specialisations tion with the Qatar International Court ously an Inns of Court Fellow in London multi-cultural identity and re- are Energy; Innovation & So- and Dispute Resolution Centre, hosted and Visitor at Emmanuel College, Uni- spect for diversity and it is also a cial Business; Entrepreneur- Sir Bruce Robertson for a colloquium on versity of Cambridge. testament of the growing popu- ship & Innovation; Differen- litigation and legal ethics in a globalised The College of Law regularly hosts larity of this programme, which tiation & Innovation through world. local and international events to stimu- has in many ways become syn- Services; Leading Digital Sir Bruce has served as a judge of the late debate and promote a greater un- onymous with the existence of Transformation; Luxury; Fi- Qatar International Court since 2013. A derstanding of various topics within the HEC Paris in Qatar. Without a nance; and Entrepreneurship native of New Zealand, he was a judge of legal arena. doubt, the EMBA programme - Project Accelerator. CAN-Q, CCQ sign pact for joint academic & research projects FREE VEHICLE TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK RECALL Doha

COLLEGE of the North Atlantic - Qa- tar (CNA-Q) and Community College of Qatar (CCQ) have signed a memo- randum of understanding (MoU) that will see the two post-secondary or- ganisations work together on a num- ber of projects and initiatives that will enhance academic and training pro- grammes and research. Both entities will maintain a content, and secondment of faculty CNA-Q graduates to obtain a Bach- steadfast commitment towards sup- members. elor’s degree in electrical engineering porting Qatar’s National Vision 2030. Dr Naemi expressed his happi- and mechanical engineering.” The MoU was signed by President ness at signing the memorandum of CNA-Q opened in 2002 after a of CNA-Q Dr Khalifa al Khalifa and understanding. world-wide search to bring the best CCQ President Dr Mohamed al Nae- He said, “The signing of today’s technical and vocational training to mi at a ceremony attended by execu- agreement comes as a confirmation Qatar in support of the booming en- tives and leadership from both colleg- of our continuous commitment to ergy and industry sector. es. The agreement follows last year’s achieving academic excellence, as it CNA-Q has graduated close to formation of a committee to develop will enhance academic and training 6000 students from 30 certificate academic integration between techni- cooperation between the two institu- and diploma programs tailored to cal colleges in Qatar. tions by implementing programmes meet the needs of Qatar’s growing “I am pleased to be here today and joint research and projects and and changing economy, in the fields signing this important document. the encouragement of mutual scien- of: Business and Information Tech- This is the next logical step in the pro- tific, research and training visits.” nology, Engineering Technology and gression of this college. I am excited He added, “In the interest of CCQ Industrial Trades and Health Scienc- about what this will mean for the fu- enhancing the integration between es. All programmes follow Canadian ture of both our fine institutions and higher education institutions in the curriculum, are developed with in- all of our students,” said Dr Khalifa. country by absorbing graduate diplo- put from local industry and business The MoU will allow the two col- mas in the Bachelor’s programmes stakeholders, and are taught by in- leges to conduct joint projects, allow offered by the College, the College ternational instructors with extensive for joint curriculum development and also provides an opportunity for industry experience. VCUarts Qatar don receives QFgrant Mazda Mazda 2 Manufacturing for developing resin for 3D printing Year 2019 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK “I am excited about this pro- rous materials such as graphene aero- Doha ject and I expect that this technol- gel and metal organic framework. Possible malfunction in the transmission control module soware ogy will solve many problems in the The TDF provides gap funding DEFECT DR Khaled Saoud, a physics profes- medical field and aerospace industry for early-stage, promising technolo- sor at the Liberal Arts and Science by providing a robust aerogel resin gies that may be further developed to Programme at Virginia Common- formulation which makes ultralight, increase their commercialisation po- Contact the dealer for the free required repair wealth University School of the Arts strong materials that can be applied tential. The objective is also to build a PROCESS in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) in Educa- in a multitude of ways,” Saoud ex- robust, valuable intellectual property tion City, a Qatar Foundation (QF) plained, adding that he aims to de- portfolio in Qatar’s priority research partner university, has been award- velop and optimise the resin, based areas. National Car Company ed a Technology Development Fund on a Silica aerogel/polymer compos- Dr Michael Rao, president of CONTACT Phone: 44602266 / 44601841 (TDF) grant from Qatar National ite, for stereolithography-based 3D Virginia Commonwealth Univer- Research Fund (QNRF) for his de- printing technology. sity (VCU) and VCU Health System [email protected] velopment of an aerogel resin for 3D The resin will enable the 3D print- praised Saoud for his work. printing. ing of a strong, ultra-light, flexible, “This is an outstanding accom- For any consumer protection issues please contact us on the hotline 16001 The technology will allow the highly porous, biodegradable, bio- plishment and I know you are as production of personalised medical compatible product with minimum proud and excited as we all are for products and devices such as pros- shrinkage, using rapid prototyping you. Thank you for all that you do thetic hands, legs, joints, dental im- capability. It will also pave the way for on behalf of VCU and again, con- plants and hearing aid. 3D printing of different types of po- gratulations on the award.” 08 Thursday, February 27, 2020

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 Opinion hAmAD Bin sUhAim AL ThAni CHAIRMAN ADeL ALi Bin ALi MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr hAssAn mOhAmmeD AL AnsAri EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Weinstein Verdict: The #MeToo Movement Let Victims Be Heard What Would it cost To cancel The Hollywood mogul’s conviction is a clear victory for survivors and a triumph for women who stood The Tokyo olympics? against sexual abuse by powerful people The nation’s booming tourism industry has suddenly felt the chilling impact of het T last, the disgraced film producer harassment — even by the rich and Harvey Weinstein has been held powerful — won’t always be ignored or coronavirus, and cancelling the Games would have negligible additional effect Alegally accountable for his rep- swept under the rug. What happened to rehensible sexual misconduct and these two women was not simply bad ANTHONY FENSOM Tokyo hotels are expecting a surge in ar- the trauma it caused to far too many behaviour, it was criminal behaviour. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE rivals, with hotels such as Okura spending an women working in the entertainment That was particularly important estimated $1 billion on renovations. In May, industry. After a trial that included in this complex case with its matrix APANESE and international sporting of- Japan Airlines is expected to launch a low-cost weeks of testimony from multiple of charges. Weinstein’s defence attor- ficials are adamant this year’s Summer subsidiary, Zipair Tokyo, at a cost of around women who said that the producer ney argued that some of the women Olympic Games will not fall victim to $200 million to meet increased demand dur- had assaulted them, a New York jury who testified that Weinstein assaulted COVID-19. But with the toll from the cor- ing the Games, while both Tokyo’s Haneda found Weinstein guilty of raping one them later had friendly, even consen- onavirus crisis continuing to rise, specu- airport and Narita airport in Chiba Prefec- woman and committing a felony sex sual sexual, relationships with the Jlation is increasing that Tokyo may be forced ture have invested heavily to boost capacity. crime against another. producer. Prosecutors countered that to act, potentially risking multi-billion dollar While still unlikely, any move to postpone the Weinstein had already been ban- Weinstein kept in contact with the vic- investments amid flagging economic growth. Games due to the coronavirus would there- ished from Hollywood. The #MeToo tims to maintain control over them. On Friday, Japan’s top government fore cause significant issues, not only for the movement, ignited more than two This trial isn’t the first high-profile spokesman said the Tokyo Olympics and Para- expected 11,000 Olympic and 5,000 Paralym- years ago by his dozens of accusers, court battle in which an accuser tri- lympics would proceed as planned, saying the pic athletes and thousands of tourists, but also started a sweeping cultural shift to- umphed over a famous and powerful International Olympic Committee (IOC) had broadcasters and sponsors. ward zero tolerance of sexual harass- man. Almost two years ago, Bill Cosby expressed “confidence” in Japan’s response to Although Tokyo’s previous Games held in ment in the workplace and society (al- was found guilty of aggravated inde- the virus. “We will coordinate closely with the 1964 were staged in the cooler month of Octo- though we still have a long way to go). cent assault against Andrea Constand IOC, the organising committee and the Tokyo ber, any attempt to push back this year’s event But Weinstein’s conviction shows — just one of dozens of women who metropolitan government, and move ahead would cause conflicts with broadcasters’ do- that rich and powerful people who accused him of sexual assault. Now with preparations to make sure athletes and mestic sport schedules, both in North America abuse others can’t always count on with the Weinstein verdict, we can spectators can feel safe and secure throughout and Europe. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ap- their clout and their bank accounts to only hope that we are seeing a trend the games,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide pearance as “Super Mario” during the clos- keep them out of jail, which is where — a sign that society has evolved and Suga told reporters. ing ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Weinstein was taken right after the better understands what it means to The Olympics are scheduled to run from demonstrated how much political capital the verdict — apparently, much to his sur- be victimised by a sexual predator. July 24 to August 9, followed by the Paralym- longstanding leader has invested personally in prise. That’s evidence of another (long (There will be more Weinstein ver- pics from August 25 to September 6, during the While still unlikely, any move to postpone the event. Yet should the worse-case scenario overdue) cultural shift. The verdict of- dicts too, because he also faces sexual heat and humidity of the Tokyo summer. How- the Olympic Games due to the coronavi- for Japan eventuate, the economic impact fers a measure of vindication and hope assault charges in Los Angeles.) ever, an increasing number of COVID-19 infec- rus would therefore cause significant might not be as devastating as feared, accord- not just for the anguished, outraged Trials are often not the best mile- tions in Japan has sparked concerns over the issues, not only for the expected 11,000 ing to Capital Economics. voices of the #MeToo movement but posts for societal progress. They can be world’s biggest sporting event. More than 840 Olympic and 5,000 Paralympic athletes “The key point…is that most of the spend- for all victims of sexual assault who decided on narrow grounds by quirky people have tested positive for the virus in Ja- and thousands of tourists, but also ing for the Olympics has already happened. put themselves through the ordeal of a juries that don’t hear everything about pan, the most outside China, although the bulk Spending during the Games themselves is court trial or, worse, never get to trial an accuser or a victim. of such infections originated from the Diamond broadcasters and sponsors small, perhaps just 0.2 percent of GDP, and because a prosecutor deems the case But in this case, Weinstein’s con- Princess cruise ship docked off Yokohama. much of this is diverted from spending in too risky to win. viction is a triumph for a society that With the Japanese health ministry warn- expected to further loosen monetary policy. other areas of tourism and recreation,” sen- The #MeToo movement let victims says it will no longer tolerate sexual ing of the infection risks from large events, A survey of private-sector economists by ior Japan economist Marcel Thieliant said in be heard. The verdict shows that sexual abuse by powerful people. the impact is already being felt ahead of the Japan’s Nikkei newspaper estimates an an- a February 21 report. The London-based con- Games. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party nualised GDP gain of just 0.5 percent in the sultancy points to the experience of previous has postponed its March 8 convention in To- March quarter, which would only narrowly Games such as the 2008 London Olympics. kyo, which was set to attract around 3,000 avert recession. Yet previous consumption While spending by overseas visitors surged by party members, while the March 1 Tokyo Mar- tax hikes have seen the world’s third-biggest nearly 18 percent during the event, it slumped athon will now be open only to elite athletes economy slide into recession, and the current to a 21-month low some two months later. instead of the usual thousands of runners. downturn has economists warning that his- Similarly, the 2000 Sydney Olympics had a The nation’s previously booming tourism tory could repeat. “negligible” impact on travel spending. industry has suddenly felt the chilling impact Capital Economics expects Japan’s econo- “What’s more, there is little evidence that of the coronavirus. Japan received some 9.6 my to stagnate in the March quarter, with GDP the ‘feel-good’ effect from the Olympics boosts million Chinese tourists in 2019, accounting falling by 0.5 percent in 2020 due to the slump consumer spending,” Thieliant said, pointing for a third of international tourist spending, in tourist arrivals together with lower exports. to data from previous Games. but such arrivals have reportedly “virtually The coronavirus itself could wipe 0.3 percent- Overall, a bigger concern for Japan’s tour- ceased” since the outbreak. age points off GDP this year. “There’s clearly a ism industry could be that the coronavirus An early sign of the impact was during the risk that Japan slides into recession at the start outbreak causes the slump in international ar- Chinese Lunar New Year holidays, with duty of this year,” senior Japan economist Marcel rivals to extend for months. free sales at flagship department stores drop- Thieliant said in a February 18 report. “If tourist arrivals remain weak all the ping by up to 20 percent. The Games are estimated to have cost Ja- way to the Olympics, that could reduce GDP Japan’s latest gross domestic product pan more than 1 trillion yen (around $9 bil- growth by as much as 0.4 [percentage points]. (GDP) data showed an economy badly in need lion), more than seven times original estimates, But cancelling the Games on top of that would of a boost. Fourth-quarter GDP plunged by although still well below the mammoth spend- have negligible additional impact,” he said. 1.6 percent quarter-on-quarter, below econo- ing of the 2008 Beijing Olympics ($45 billion) For Japan, the Games’ legacy will include mists’ estimates of a 1 percent decline, making and Russia’s 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics ($51 a new National Stadium along with increased it nearly as bad as the 1.9 percent quarter-on- billion). Some estimates, however, put the cost tourism infrastructure including hotels and air- quarter fall seen after the 2014 sales tax hike. of the Tokyo event at up to $25 billion. line capacity, while Tokyo has enjoyed signifi- Tokyo announced a 26 trillion yen ($233 Japanese companies have reportedly also cant international attention ahead of the event billion) stimulus package in late 2019 to buffer paid more than $3 billion in sponsorship deals that has swelled visitor interest. And with indi- the economy against the trade war and the an- to organisers, a record amount. International cations that a vaccine for COVID-19 might not ticipated post-Olympics slowdown. However, broadcasters have also spent heavily, with US be too far away, the world’s biggest city might the government may now face pressure for fur- TV network NBC alone paying $1.4 billion for still get to bask in the global spotlight without (Tribune News Service) ther fiscal spending, with the Bank of Japan also the broadcast rights. the fear of mass infections. Will Climate Change Derail The ‘Asian Century’? Global warming could knock the region off its growth trajectory and put an untimely end to the story of a rising Asia

ANDREAS UNTERSTALLER century, you will rarely come across this possibly, political instability. frequent and severe inundation in Asia’s vulnerable to climate change, but also TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE term. The world now is already 1°C hot- Climate change is a formidable chal- densely populated coastal areas, includ- partly in control of how bad it gets. ter than in pre-industrial times. There is lenge for all world regions, but particularly ing megacities like Jakarta, Bangkok, and Given current emission trends, there HERE is a glaring disconnect between little doubt that the global average tem- for South, Southeast, and parts of East Shanghai, unless huge sums are spent on is simply no way for other parts of the climate science and the economic and perature will climb further. If far-reaching Asia where temperatures and humidity coastal protection measures. Some places world to compensate for the projected in- political narrative of a rising Asia, greenhouse gas reduction measures are are already high and destructive weather have adaptation plans to prepare for these crease in Asia. Keeping the world below Tset to dominate the 21st century. Cli- taken now, it may be possible to hold the events are already more prevalent and changes. Singapore alone expects to spend the 2°C mark requires a rapid shift toward mate projections now point toward global increase below 2°C. severe than elsewhere. Adding more heat S$100 billion or more on protecting itself renewable energy sources, such as solar warming far beyond the 1.5 degree Celsius However, it is doubtful whether this to the region’s climate systems means from the rising sea. The city-state already and wind, and a strong push for energy danger line identified by science. If that will be achieved. If you sum up the current moving into uncharted territory. A recent requires new building sites to be 4 metres efficiency. Continuing on a path of high- happens, Asia’s economic hotspots will be emission reduction pledges made under report from the International Panel on above the current sea level, with stricter carbon growth and taking care of global badly affected. This could knock the region the Paris agreement, warming of 3°C or Climate Change (IPCC) shows that going requirements for critical infrastructure. warming and its effects later would be off its growth trajectory and put an un- more by mid-century seems likely. from 1.5°C to 2°C of global warming makes Less affluent and bigger Asian nations wrong and costly. timely end to the Asian century. This will have a profound impact on a big difference. And, for the moment, 2°C won’t be able to afford such measures and Global warming and its effects make Just a few years ago, no one could be the economic and political balance of the warming or more is clearly the path the will suffer the consequences. the 21st century a century of unpredict- faulted for predicting that the 21st century world as the 21st century progresses. The world is on. The impact will be asymmetri- The poorest households and commu- ability and, with it, the Asian century be- would be Asia’s. If anything, it seemed like wealth of nations is not just built on com- cal. Asia’s most economically dynamic and nities will be worst affected. comes uncertain. If we do not get a firm a safe bet. And, yes, by all fundamental parative advantage. Above all, it rests on densely populated places will be heavily Data from the International Energy grip on greenhouse gas emissions soon, it measures, economic and political power stable, predictable, and recurring climatic affected. More frequent and extreme heat Agency show that global energy-related will be no one’s century. has shifted eastward. According to the patterns within a narrow temperature waves, droughts, and tropical cyclones will greenhouse gas emissions would have World Economic Forum, Asia’s combined band. This enables agricultural surplus, undermine the livelihoods and health of fallen significantly last year, if emissions (Andreas Unterstaller is a trans- GDP is set to surpass the combined GDP of trade and long-term investment. hundreds of millions and could sap the re- had not grown strongly in Asia. Despite an port and environment expert at the rest of the world in purchasing power Likewise, access to credit and insur- gion of its economic dynamism. encouraging expansion of electricity from the European Environment Agency parity terms this year. ance depends on predictable and manage- The IPCC also warns that sea levels renewable sources in countries like China in Copenhagen. He holds a Master However, there is one thing that has able climate risks. Higher risk means high- could rise by more than a metre by the and India, coal consumption in Asia is still in Public Administration degree not been factored in: climate change. If er cost of capital, declining growth rates, a end of the 21st century if carbon emissions on the rise as energy demand keeps grow- from Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew you read the literature about the Asian drag on productivity, falling incomes, and, do not go down. This would mean more ing. This means that Asia is not just highly School of Public Policy)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Gulf / middle east / Africa Thursday, February 27, 2020 09 UN security council sanctions At least 22 ‘criminals’ killed three irish soldiers injured by regime for yemen renewed in clash with burundi police mine in mali: German military News UnITED naTIonS: The Un Security Council on Tuesday renewed naIRobI: at least 22 “armed criminals” and two police officers bERLIn: Three Irish soldiers were injured when their vehicle in its sanctions regime on yemen for another year, after tense were killed in clashes between burundi security forces and an a Un peacekeeping convoy ran over a mine in Mali, the Ger- iN brieF negotiations between britain and Russia, which threatened unnamed armed group at the weekend, police said late on Tues- man military reported in berlin on Wednesday. to veto any mention, even implicit, of Iran. Thirteen countries day. Police spokesman Pierre nkurikiye said an armed group The incident occurred some 80 kilometres north-east of eventually adopted the London-drafted resolution on the sanc- appeared in the hills of western bujumbura-Rural province last the city of Gao, which lies in the east of the country on the tions, which now are in effect through February 2021. (AFP) week and engaged in several clashes with police. (AFP) banks of the niger River. (DPA) Cyberpolice in virus-hit Iran arrest 24 over COVID-19 rumours

AFP cultural centres have been tablished cyberpolice unit “The police are monitoring TEhRan closed, sporting events can- Iran ‘seems to be concealing’ Iran open to ‘any initiative’ after announced the arrest of 24 all the news published in the celled, and teams of sanitary coronavirus information: Watchdog talks to save nuclear deal people accused of online ru- country’s cyberspace.” IRANIAN cyberpolice on workers deployed to disinfect mour-mongering about the Majid said the unit would Wednesday announced the buses, trains and public spaces. PaRIS: Iran “seems to be concealing” informa- VIEnna: Iran said on Wednesday it was open spread of the virus. take action over news, pic- arrests of 24 people accused International health ex- tion on the coronavirus, which has officially killed “to any initiative” as Western powers stepped They were handed over to tures or videos that “contain of online rumour-mongering perts have expressed concern 19 people in the country, media rights watchdog up efforts to save a 2015 deal to curb Tehran’s the judiciary, while 118 other rumours or fake news meant about the spread of a coronavi- about Iran’s handling of the Reporters Without borders said on Wednesday, nuclear ambitions -- on life support since a 2018 internet users were briefly de- to disturb the public and in- rus outbreak that has claimed outbreak -- the deadliest for accusing it of blocking independent reporting of decision by the US to withdraw its backing and tained and received warnings, crease concern in society”. 19 lives in the country. any country other than China. the outbreak. reimpose sanctions. after talks with the remain- Vahid Majid said, cited by semi- President Hassan Rouhani The Islamic republic is Such worries mounted The Islamic republic “seems to be conceal- ing parties to the deal in Vienna, Iranian negotia- official news agency ISNA. accused Iran’s arch foe the scrambling to contain COV- on Tuesday when the head of ing information about the epidemic in line with tor abbas araghchi said he was “fully prepared” The arrests were carried United States of trying to use ID-19 a week after announcing the taskforce combatting the China’s example”, the nGo known by its French to reverse measures that apparently violated out after the establishment propaganda about the virus to the first two deaths in Qom, a virus, Deputy Health Minis- acronym RSF said in a statement. (AFP) Tehran’s commitments. (AFP) of a special unit to “combat instil “fear” against the country. centre for Islamic studies that ter Iraj Harirchi, admitted he rumour-mongers regarding The Americans “them- draws pilgrims and scholars himself had been infected. the ‘spread of coronavirus in selves are struggling with cor- from abroad. But health ministry spokes- the situation was “improving” more deaths and 44 new infec- ously unaffected provinces. the country’”, he was quoted onavirus”, Rouhani said in a Schools, universities and man Kianoush Jahanpour said even as he announced four tions, including in six previ- The head of a newly es- as saying. weekly cabinet meeting.

Northwest Syria erdogan vows to push schools close after some hit in strikes back syria forces from idlib AFP ter for the displaced, it said. bEIRUT Amnesty International ’We will certainly push the regime outside the borders we designated and ensure the return of the people to their homes’: Turkish president condemned Tuesday’s bom- LOCAL authorities in em- bardment, citing the reports AFP battled northwestern Syria that 10 establishments had ISTanbUL on Wednesday suspended been hit. “Targeting schools school in Idlib city and sur- and kindergartens being PRESIDENT Recep Tayyip Er- rounding areas a day after used for civilian purposes dogan on Wednesday vowed reported strikes on educa- is a war crime,” the rights Turkey would not take the tional facilities. group’s Heba Morayef said. “smallest step back” in an es- Russia-backed regime “These attacks form part calating stand-off with Damas- forces have since Decem- of a well-established pattern cus and Russia over the north- ber pressed a deadly assault of systematically attacking ern Syrian region of Idlib. against the last major rebel the civilian population and Meanwhile, a meeting be- bastion of Idlib, retaking constitute crimes against tween Erdogan and his Rus- town after town and dis- humanity,” she said. sian counterpart, Vladimir Pu- placing hundreds of thou- Save the Children has tin, is expected to take place, sands of people. also called for schools to be the Turkish foreign minis- The Syrian Observa- spared. “Schools must be safe ter said, ahead of a possible tory or Human Rights war havens for children, even in a summit including EU heavy- monitor said strikes tar- conflict zone,” the charity’s weights Germany and France geted four schools in the Syria response director, So- to find a political solution to region on Tuesday, while nia Khush, said on Tuesday. the Idlib crisis. aid groups, including Save The “attacks are another “We will not take the small- the Children, claimed up to sign that fighting in north- est step back in Idlib,” Erdogan 10 were hit. “Due to the bad west Syria has reached cata- told the ruling party’s lawmak- security conditions, classes strophic levels of violence ers in parliament in Ankara. have been suspended until against children and civil- “We will certainly push the the end of the week in all ians... Nowhere is safe, not regime outside the borders schools in Idlib city,” the even school”, she added. we designated and ensure the education directorate said The force that has con- return of the people to their in a statement. trolled the Idlib region in homes.” The same applied to dis- recent years is dominated by Now the epicentre of the tricts in southern and east- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a ji- nearly nine-year long conflict ern Idlib province, it said. hadist group led by ex-mem- in Syria, Idlib has in recent The Britain-based Ob- bers of Al-Qaeda’s former weeks become the theatre servatory said a schoolchild Syria franchise. Many of the of conflict between Turkey, and three teachers were crowded territory’s residents which supports rebel groups killed when a school was hit are civilians who were forced in the area, and the regime in Idlib city on Tuesday. from their homes in earlier of Syrian President Bashar Another school that was phases of a war that has dis- al-Assad, which is backed by Turkey-backed Syrian fighters gather at a position in Afis on the outskirts of the regime-controlled town of Saraqeb, east of the Idlib province in targeted in Maaret Misrin placed more than 11 million Russia. northwestern Syria, on Wednesday. (aFP) had been turned into a shel- people since 2011. Ankara has confirmed as many as 17 Turkish security according to media reports. and its supporters”. personnel have been killed over 948,000 displaced in north-western Similar contacts last week end- The parts of Idlib still this month alone. ed with no concrete results. held by jihadists and Turkish- eu ministers urge end to fighting in syria’s idlib Erdogan bluntly warned syria due to fighting: united nations In recent weeks Damas- backed rebels has shrunk to an the Syrian regime to “stop its bEIRUT: More than 948,000 people have been displaced in cus, backed by Russian air area roughly the size of Ma- PaRIS: Fourteen EU ministers called on Wednesday for a attacks as soon as possible” north-western Syria since December due to an ongoing Syrian strikes, has pressed a major jorca, hosting more than three ceasefire in the Syrian province of Idlib, where hundreds of and to pull back by the end of government campaign in the last rebel stronghold in the country, offensive against the remain- million people -- half of them thousands have been displaced by a Russian-backed Syrian February. the United nations said on Wednesday. ing territory held by jihadists already displaced by violence offensive against rebels supported by Turkey. As part of its deal with That’s nearly 180,000 families, more than 195,000 women and Turkish-backed rebels in elsewhere. The violence in Syria’s last rebel-held enclave has caused a Russia, Turkey has 12 observa- and more than 560,000 children,” the Un office for the Coordi- Idlib. The UN has warned against humanitarian crisis and sparked tensions between ankara and tion posts in Idlib but several nation of humanitarian affairs (oCha) said in a tweet. In a statement read on pub- an imminent “bloodbath” amid Moscow. have come under fire from As- The spike in the number of the displaced people in the re- lic television, the Syrian army the continuing fighting. French Foreign Minister Jean-yves Le Drian, his German sad forces. gion has triggered warnings from several humanitarian agencies on Wednesday announced it Erdogan also said that Tur- counterpart heiko Maas and the foreign ministers of 12 other “The time we have given to and countries. (DPA) had “regained control” of a key has not received “prom- EU countries warned that what Moscow has presented as a those who besieged our obser- dozen areas in recent days, in- ised” aid from the United fight against terrorism did not justify “massive violations of vation towers is running out,” cluding Kafranbel in the south States, repeating that Ankara international humanitarian law”. Erdogan said. dogan added that “the biggest solution soon.” Shortly after he of Idlib, a town known to have hopes to acquire the US-made In an open letter published in French daily Le Monde, the “We are planning to save problem we currently have was speaking, Russian diplo- been among the first to rebel Patriot systems -- high perfor- ministers urged the Syrian regime and Moscow to “immediately our observation posts from the is that we cannot use the air mats and military officials ar- against Damascus. mance radars and interceptor end hostilities” and negotiate with Turkey “to achieve a de- besiegers one way or another space” over Idlib which is con- rived in Ankara for talks with The army vowed to “liber- missiles capable of destroying escalation.” (AFP) by the end of this month.” - trolled by Russia. their Turkish counterparts. The ate the territories of the Syrian incoming ballistic missiles in Advance of Assad forces-Er- “God willing, we will find a talks began in the afternoon, Arab Republic from terrorism flight.

US military kills Al-Shabaab leader Palestinian property vandalised in suspected ‘price tag’ attack who helped plan Kenya base attack AFP yaSUF israel to set up special tents for DPA The man killed in the voters in coronavirus quarantine naIRobI February 22 airstrike was “in ISRAELI police said they were charge of planning and direct- investigating on Wednesday TEL aVIV: Israelis who are in quarantine after returning from A senior Al-Shabaab leader ing terrorist operations on the after vandals damaged cars countries affected by the new coronavirus will be able to cast who is believed to have helped Kenya border region, includ- and daubed racist graffiti in a their votes in upcoming elections at tents specially set up for mastermind the terrorist ing the recent attack on Man- Palestinian village in the occu- them, said Central Elections Committee director general orly group’s deadly attack on a da Bay,” Africom said. pied West Bank, in a suspected ades on Wednesday. Kenyan military base in Janu- His wife was also killed “price tag” attack. between 10 and 12 voting stations will be set up in pub- ary has been killed in an air- in the airstrike, which was Tyres were slashed of more lic car parks across the country for the some 1,400 Israelis strike, the US military’s Africa carried out near the town of than a dozen cars and graffiti in currently in isolation for 14 days after returning from certain Command (Africom) said late Saakow by Africom in coordi- Hebrew was daubed on walls in countries, said ades. She added that the number of those in on Tuesday. Three Americans nation with the Somali govern- Yasuf, near the town of Nablus. isolation would likely change up until elections. (DPA) - two contractors and a soldier ment. She was a “witting and Among the slogans was the A man checks his slashed tyre in the occupied West Bank village of - were killed during the Janu- active member of Al-Shabaab phrase “there will be a war over yasuf near Nablus on Wednesday. (aFP) ary 5 attack on the Manda Bay responsible for facilitating a Judea and Samaria”, the Israe- village council, told AFP the “They slashed 14 cars and base, which is used by US and wide range of terrorist activi- li name for the West Bank. perpetrators had entered the wrote a number of very serious Abeya said the village was tlements and he suspected Jew- Kenyan soldiers. ties,” according to Africom. Khaled Abeya, head of the area before dawn. slogans,” he told AFP. close to a number of Israeli set- ish settlers were responsible. 10 Thursday, February 27, 2020 world scramble to contain coronavirus as infections spread in europe ● Greece, Georgia and macedonia are the latest european countries to confirm Covid-19 cases ● Brazil announces Latin America’s first coronavirus case AFP RoME Trump defends White House’s CORONAVIRUS cases spread in Europe and beyond on response to the coronavirus Wednesday, with Latin Amer- ica confirming its first patient AFP This included 45 people as the world scrambled to WaShInGTon who were repatriated from contain the deadly epidemic a cruise ship off the coast of that has killed thousands US President Donald Japan or from Wuhan, the worldwide. Trump on Wednesday de- Chinese city at the heart of New cases have emerged fended his administration’s the epidemic. across Europe, many linked response to the novel coro- Critics, including law- to the continent’s coronavirus navirus, lashing the media makers on both sides of hotspot in northern Italy, amid for spreading panic as he the aisle, have accused the warnings from health experts announced an evening news Trump administration of to rein in hysteria over the vi- conference on the epidemic. downplaying the crisis and rus as it continues its march It comes a day after underfunding the response. beyond China’s borders. a senior health official The novel coronavirus has warned that, despite con- killed over 2,700 people and tainment efforts, it was only health experts infected more than 80,000 in a matter of time before the expect covid-19 34 countries. The vast major- COVID-19 disease spreads spread on Us soil ity of cases remain in China. in the United States. But the World Health Or- “I will be having a News WaShInGTon: american ganization said on Wednes- Conference at the White health authorities said on day more new cases were now House, on this subject, to- Tuesday they ultimately being recorded outside Chi- day at 6:00 PM” Trump expect the novel coro- na than inside the country, tweeted, adding that offi- navirus to spread in the where the deadly virus first cials from the US Centers for United States and are emerged in late December. Green Berets from the Italian Finance guard (Guardia di Finanza) officers patrol by a check-point at one of the entrance of the small town of Disease Control and Preven- urging local governments, In a sign of the virus’ ex- San Fiorano southeast of Milan, situated in the red zone of the coVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy, on Wednesday. (aFP) tion (CDC) would attend. businesses, and schools panding footprint, Brazil On Tuesday, the CDC to develop plans like can- confirmed Latin America’s been placed in isolation in a north. mation,” she added. the famed Venice Carnival was urged US cities to be pre- celling mass gatherings first case, a 61-year-old who Tbilisi hospital. Even as new cases contin- The impact of the virus closed early over the weekend. pared to cancel mass gath- or switching to telework- travelled to Italy’s Lombardy Greece also confirmed its ued to multiply beyond Chi- has moved beyond health sys- As cases mounted across erings and urged schools ing. region. first case Wednesday, a wom- na’s borders, the European tems. Markets have wobbled Europe, the World Health and businesses to develop officials are also wor- Georgia on Wednesday an who had been in northern Union sought to head off hys- in recent days -- though Wall Organisation warned govern- teleworking plans, amid ried the outbreak poses a announced the first con- Italy, while Spain, Croatia, teria over the outbreak. street stocks jumped back on ments in Europe to remain dire warnings that coun- threat to the the security firmed case of the novel coro- Austria, North Macedonia “This is a situation of con- Wednesday -- while sports vigilant. tries are not ready to con- of the US drug supply navirus in the South Caucasus and Algeria have all reported cern, but we must not give in matches and festivals across “You have to keep up and tain an outbreak that has chain because a high region. “A Georgian national cases linked to the country. to panic,” EU Health Com- Europe have been cancelled sustain these efforts so that infected 80,000 people, proportion of ingredients has tested positive for the Several governments have missioner Stella Kyriakides over virus fears. no-one is left behind because mostly in China. used to make medicine is novel coronavirus,” Health advised against travel to Italy told reporters in Rome on A March 7 Six Nations ultimately health is a political As of Wednesday, there made in China, where the Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze -- which has 374 cases and Wednesday. “We must also rugby match between Italy choice,” WHO Regional Di- were 59 cases of the infec- virus was first identified. told a press conference, add- 12 deaths -- particularly to be vigilant when it comes to and Ireland in Dublin was rector for Europe Hans Kluge tion in the United States. ing that the infected man has the outbreak epicentre in the misinformation and disinfor- called off Wednesday, while said in Rome on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s health advisor confirms first two south Korea reports biggest one-day jump Philippines observes ‘no-contact’ in marking cases of coronavirus in coronavirus cases so far Ash wednesday to beat virus KaRaChI: Pakistan has detected its first two cases of novel coronavirus, a SEoUL/bEIJInG: South Korea reported its largest daily increase in coro- ManILa: Filipinos marked ash Wednesday with a bow and a sprinkling of public health advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted on Wednesday, navirus cases on Wednesday after 284 new infections were confirmed, dust instead of a cross being daubed on their foreheads, as asia’s bastion days after Islamabad closed its land border with Iran, where 19 people have bringing the total to 1,261 in the country. The majority of the cases are of Catholicism guarded against the spread of coronavirus. died from the virus. concentrated in the south-eastern city of Daegu, which has a population of Leaders of the Philippine church urged priests to adapt the rite in order “I can confirm first two cases of corona virus in Pakistan. both cases are around 2.5 million, and the surrounding region. to reduce the risk of fanning the contagion. being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols & both of them The quickly-spreading outbreak, which has also hit Cheongdo in north Since the outbreak, which has resulted in three confirmed cases and are stable. no need to panic, things are under control”, tweeted health advi- Gyeongsang Province, is the largest outside China. one death in the Philippines, churches have also discouraged worshippers sor Zafar Mirza. The US military said one of its soldiers was in self-quarantine after from holding hands during mass. a statement issued by the southern Sindh province’s health department testing positive. The 23-year-old is based at Camp Carroll, located near “It makes me feel safe,” said Wendy Tamidles, a 19-year-old student. stated that the first positive case was reported in Karachi in a 22-year-old Daegu. There are 28,500 US military personnel in South Korea. She was among thousands of people, some wearing surgical masks, male with a “history of travel to Iran where he has acquired the virus.” of- Twelve deaths related to the Covid-19 illness caused by the virus have who lined up at baclaran church in Manila for services on Wednesday. ficials did not confirm where the second case was reported.Mirza said he been recorded in South Korea, the Korea Center for Disease Control and ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the run-up to Easter, and would hold a press conference on Thursday on Pakistan’s new cases. (AFP) Prevention (KCDC) said. (DPA) includes Catholics having crosses drawn in ash on their foreheads. (AFP)

News GirL POwer: GretA meets mALALA 317 nominations Afghan president to be for this year’s in brief loNDoN: climate activist Greta Thunberg met with Nobel Peace Nobel Peace Prize sworn in next month Prize winner Malala yousafzai in DPA Amal clooney to help maldives fight Britain to discuss their activism and SToCKhoLM rohingyas’ case at UN court AFP his own parallel government. speak to students. KabUL Their bickering has cast a The 17-year-old Swede visited OVER 300 nominations have yanGon: The tiny island nation of the shadow over efforts to forge the 22-year-old Pakistani children’s been made for the 2020 No- Maldives has hired prominent human AFGHAN President Ashraf an agreement between the US rights activist on Tuesday at the bel Peace Prize, the Norway- rights lawyer amal Clooney to pursue Ghani will delay his inaugu- and the Taliban that could ul- oxford University campus where based award committee said justice for Myanmar’s persecuted Roh- ration until March 9, his of- timately see the end of Amer- she is studying philosophy, politics on Wednesday. ingya minority at The hague. fice said on Wednesday, after ica’s longest war and launch and economics. The total of 317 candidates The Islamic country will join The Washington warned Kabul Afghanistan into a n uncertain “She’s the only friend I’d skip comprised 210 individuals and Gambia at the United nations’ highest against allowing an election future. school for,” wrote yousafzai on 107 organisations, the Nobel court in its case alleging Myanmar’s spat to derail a historic deal to That accord, due to be Twitter. Committee said. army committed genocide against the mostly Muslim group. withdraw American troops. signed in Doha on Saturday, Thunberg posted two photos of The Oslo-based committee “accountability for genocide in Myanmar is long overdue The war-torn country went would see thousands of US the meeting on Twitter. “So... today said it was the fourth highest and I look forward to working on this important effort to seek to the polls last September troops withdrawn from Af- I met my role model. What else can number of candidates ever. judicial remedies for Rohingya survivors,” Clooney said, accord- but Ghani was only declared ghanistan after more than 18 I say? @Malala,” the tweet said. Swedish teen climate ac- ing to a statement by the Maldivian government on Wednesday. victorious last week. The an- years, in return for various se- Thunberg visited oxford on the tivist Greta Thunberg, and the Clooney, married to hollywood actor George Clooney, rep- nouncement he had won a curity commitments from the way to the city of Bristol where she democracy movement in Hong resented Kyaw Soe oo and Wa Lone, two Reuters journalists second term was immediately Taliban and a pledge to hold is set to join a school strike climate Kong have been nominated by from Myanmar who spent more than a year in jail. rejected by rival Abdullah Ab- talks with Ghani’s government protest on Friday. (aFP) lawmakers in Sweden and Some 730,000 Rohingya fled to bangladesh amid wide- dullah, who has vowed to form in the capital Kabul. Norway. spread reports of mass murder, gang rape and systematic arson in Myanmar’s Rakhine state in 2017. (AFP)

Sri Lanka notifies UN Russian TV airs names withdrawing from war of 12 million soldiers Modi calls for calm as Delhi riots toll rises to 27 crimes resolution killed during WWII AFP critics as anti-Muslim and Delhi Police spokesman nEW DELhI part of Modi’s Hindu national- Mandeep Singh Randhawa GEnEVa: Sri Lanka on MoSCoW: a Russian news ist agenda. told reporters 106 people had Wednesday notified the Un channel is broadcasting INDIAN Prime Minister Nar- They exploded into brutal been arrested. that it was withdrawing from the names of more than 12 endra Modi called for calm on violence on Monday and Tues- The US embassy issued a a United nations resolution million Soviet soldiers killed Wednesday after Delhi’s worst day, with residents forced to travel warning advising citi- for investigating alleged war during World War II, ahead sectarian violence in decades flee their homes after seeing zens to exercise caution in the crimes committed during a of the 75th anniversary of left at least 27 people dead and dwellings destroyed, a mosque wake of the violence. decades-long conflict with the end of the war in May. prompted demands for a mili- attacked and a tyre market Sunil Kumar, the director Tamil separatists. The unprecedented tary curfew. and two schools set ablaze. of Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) “I wish to place on record move by the state-controlled This week’s battles be- “I appeal to my sisters and Hospital where many of the Sri Lanka’s decision to with- Rossiya 24 news channel tween Hindus and Muslims brothers of Delhi to maintain wounded were taken, told AFP draw from co-sponsorship of reflects the Kremlin’s efforts have seen mobs armed with peace and brotherhood at all on Wednesday almost 60 had resolution 40/1 on promot- to use the conflict to stir swords, guns and acid raze times. It is important... calm gunshot injuries and that 16 ing reconciliation, account- national pride. The initiative parts of a northeastern district and normalcy is restored at congress Party workers shout slogans against Indian Prime Minister new patients were admitted ability and human rights,” FM was launched on “Defender of the Indian capital. the earliest,” Modi tweeted on Narendra Modi during a protest in Amritsar on Wednesday. (aFP) on Wednesday. Dinesh Gunawardena told of the Fatherland Day” -- The clashes, which also left Wednesday. Twenty-five people died the human Rights Council in February 23 -- and is timed more than 200 injured, were Delhi’s chief minister, be deployed and for a curfew efforts, (are) unable to control at GTB, while another two Geneva. (AFP) to end May 8. (AFP) triggered by protests against a Arvind Kejriwal, a political op- to be imposed. the situation and instil confi- passed away at Lok Nayak citizenship law seen by many ponent, called for the army to “Police, despite all (their) dence,” Kejriwal tweeted. Hospital on Wednesday. S Africa unveils measures to rein in public spending PAGe 14

thUrsdAy, FebrUAry 27, 2020

DOW27,004.38 QE 9,548.22 SENSEX 39,888.96 GOLD 1,647.00 HK to give big cash handouts as -76.98 PTS -155.66 PTS -392.24 PTS -0.18% economy reels from virus PAGe 12 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 17.98 BRENT 53.23 -3.13% WTI 48.41 -2.99% SILVER -1.60%

real estate deals cross Qr255 mn last week Real estates deals in Qatar between February 16 and 20 stood at QR255.2 million in value. The sales included empty plots , houses, residential buildings and multipurpose buildings. Most of the sales happened in al Rayyan, al Daayen, Doha, al Khor, al Dhakhira, al Wakrah, Umm Salal and al Shamal. The value of real estate transactions between February 9 and 13 was QR262.6 million. (QNA)

Second session of Franco-Qatari Economic Circle starts in Paris

QNA of Qatari and French business- relations between Qatar and Doha men. France, pointing to the sign- Sheikh Ali said the organi- ing of a long-term agreement MINISTER of Municipality sation of the economic meet- between Qatar Petroleum and and Environment HE Abdul- ing in Paris coincided with the French company Elengy last lah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki start of the activities of the week to import and store LNG al Subaie participated in the Qatar-France Year of Culture in France. the second session of the 2020, and aims to focus on During the economic meet- Franco-Qatari economic circle Qatar’s plan for smart cities in ing, round tables on smart cit- (Qadran), which was opened line with Qatar National Vision ies and innovative transporta- by Ambassador of Qatar to 2030. tion and were organized with France HE Sheikh Ali bin Jas- The ambassador affirmed the participation of leading Qa- sem al Thani, in the presence the distinguished economic tari and French businessmen.

A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past an electric quotation board displaying the Nikkei 225 Index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo Portland wins PRCA on February 25. award for campaign to support Baladna IPO oil slides as virus circles

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha globe, stocks seek relief STRATEGIC communications agency Portland has won the stocks in Asia, europe fall, but Wall street rebounds following two days of steep losses PRCA 2020 ‘Best IPO’ cam- paign award for its support AFP ed in more countries -- and French food giant Danone However, the dollar was to Baladna’s IPO on the Qatar LonDon lockdowns in nations includ- said it expected to take a hit being kept in check by specu- Stock Exchange. ing Austria, Italy and Spain of 100 million euros ($109 lation that the Federal Re- Portland’s financial com- OIL prices fell further -- traders had been pretty million) in first-quarter sales. serve could cut interest rates munications support on the Wednesday as investors wor- gloomy about what the crisis “What we appear to be to support markets, although deal was recognised from a ried about the economic im- could do to the global econ- seeing is the realisation that for now officials are saying competitive field as being the pact of the spreading new omy. global economic growth the US economy remains in most significant and highest coronavirus. Several big companies could well come to a halt as rude health. quality campaign. The win- Patrick Forbes of Portland Francis Ingham of PrcA While Asian Stocks had commented Wednesday on the combined effects of a flu The VIX “fear” index is at ning of the award follows declined early in the day, the impact of the virus on virus and belated attempts to its highest level in more than significant investment by best IPO is the first time that activism, and international Stocks in London and Paris their operations. stem the spread of it across a year, but gold, usually a Portland in its financial com- a project relating to Qatar has rivalries. This complexity was pushed higher as Wall Street British drinks group Dia- the globe, raise the prospect main target for those seeking munications teams in Doha been recognised by the PRCA. evident for everyone involved rebounded following two geo, the maker of Guinness of an economic sneeze,” said shelter from the turmoil, was and London and is the sec- The PRCA is the world’s larg- in the IPO against the back- days of steep losses. stout and Smirnoff vodka, on CMC Markets UK analyst Mi- subdued. ond listing that Portland has est PR professional body, rep- drop of the blockade of Qa- The Dow was up 1.0 per- Wednesday said the corona- chael Hewson. “To suggest the mar- worked on following Qatar resenting in excess of 30,000 tar”. cent in midday trading after virus would slash its annual The death toll is now at ket is a tad skittish over Petroleum’s Qamco in 2018. communications practition- Francis Ingham, Director giving up around three per- sales by up to £325 million more than 2,700, while the the coronavirus becoming Portland created and im- ers. General of the PRCA, added: cent on Tuesday when of- ($422 million, 388 million number of infected has sur- a pandemic could very well plemented an integrated digi- Patrick Forbes, Partner “The PRCA’s mission is to ficials said COVID-19 would euros). passed 80,000, even if the be the understatement of tal, social and traditional me- of Portland and team leader challenge, support, and raise likely take hold in the United Diageo, which produc- numbr of new cases in China, the century with the virus dia campaign for the QR1.43 on the transaction, said, “It standards across the industry. States. es also Baileys liqueur and the epicentre, are falling. morphing into the market’s bn Baladna IPO, representing was a great pleasureto work Our judges panel considered “Wall Street showed a Johnnie Walker whis- With biggest macro worry of the 75 percent of the share capi- alongside the Baladna team Portland’s submission of the resilience lacking in Europe ky, said sales for the panicked decade,” said AxiCorp’s Ste- tal of the company. Working and QNB Capital as lead advi- Baladna IPO to be in line with earlier in the session,” re- group’s financial year investors phen Innes. closely with the Baladna IPO sors on this important trans- this mission by providing val- marked Neil Wilson at Mar- ending June 30 would seeking However, Gorilla Trades team and lead advisors QNB action. As the only IPO on the uable insights into how IPO kets.com. be impacted by be- safe ha- strategist Ken Berman said Capital, the Portland team Qatar Stock Exchange in 2019 advisors can manage the in- “Optimism right now tween vens, the that “in light of the quick delivered a strategy aimed the listing of Baladna in De- creased politicisation of busi- may be misplaced but there £225 mil- yield on spreading of the virus, the primarily at Qatari retail and cember last year was a sym- ness and capital markets. I’m are several reasons for this lion and both 10-year and global economy is likely to institutional investors, with a bolic moment for the entire sure we will see more transac- bounce, which on first in- £325 30-year US Treasury suffer, at least, a short-term secondary target audience of country. Wherever you look tions of this complexity in the spect looks decidedly feline mil- bills are at record shock, but should the out- international investors in the in the world today business coming years, and I congratu- and rather deceased,” he lion. lows, while the break slow down during the latter phases. is becoming more politicised, late the Portland and Baladna quipped. Japanese yen is spring, we could see a swift The Portland award for driven by rising nationalism, teams on their work.” With cases being report- gaining. economic recovery.”

Doha Bank achieves ISO 20000 recertification for IT management

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK of IT services to the business with the global standards. to quality, to applying good Doha and its customers. Doha Bank “High standard of service business practices, and their has defined its policy for IT delivery requires ongoing expertise as a provider of IT DOHA Bank, a prime and Service Management as “To innovation on Information services to the Bank. progressive bank in Qatar has adopt and adapt state of the Technology thus enabling ef- “We have successfully been recertified the coveted art IT technology integrating ficiency and convenience of completed 12 years of continu- ISO 20000 certification for with people and processes to banking services. In order ous compliance to the global its continuous compliance to support and improve all busi- to ensure we meet the goal of industry standard for IT Ser- global standard for IT Service ness processes” quality of service, we are com- vices, through maintaining Management. Doha Bank was “The ISO 20000 certifi- mitted to follow international the ISO20000 Certification. the first organisation in the cation is viewed as an assur- best practices and standards. The processes have matured GCC to have achieved the ISO ance that globally recognized Doha Bank believes in tech- during the years and we have 20000 certification in 2007 processes are implemented nology and business conver- reached a satisfactory level in and remains the only financial in terms of IT services pro- gence to provide maximum delivery of services and sup- organisation in Qatar to be ac- vided to business departments automation and maintain port to the Business. The certi- credited. and branches of the bank. It highest standards in service fication was achieved through ISO 20000 is the world- validates not only how IT ser- Group cEo r Seetharaman and other Doha Bank officials with the ISo 20000 certificate culture for its customers,” the dedication and hard work wide standard specifically vices are set up initially but Seetharaman said. of the IT Team and their will- aimed at IT Service Manage- also the ongoing procedures aged, documented, etc. Doha for implementation of best on achieving the unique mile- The ISO certification rep- ingness to change with the ment. It describes an integrat- that are involved in provid- Bank always strives for global IT practices” Dr R Seethara- stone of being the only bank in resents official recognition changing dynamics of Tech- ed set of management pro- ing the services, including standards and we are proud man, Group CEO, said. He Qatar to be ISO 20000 certi- for Doha Bank’s Technology nology,” said Peter John Clark, cesses for the effective delivery how they are updated, man- to be a pioneer in this region also expressed his satisfaction fied thus ensuring compliance Department’s commitment the Chief Operating Officer. 12 Thursday, February 27, 2020 economy & business DIFC calls for more HK to give big cash handouts Shariah-compliant investments in as economy reels from virus Qatar sports sector The govt to give $1,280 to every permanent resident in a bid to jump-start an economy in recession TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK scientific research centres Doha were also sought by experts addressing the conference. THE 6th Doha Islamic Fi- The 6th Doha Islamic nance Conference (DIFC) Finance Conference was or- has called for increased ganised by Bait Al-Mashura Shariah-compliant invest- Finance Consultations in co- ments in the sports sector operation with Barwa Bank, as it made a host of recom- Qatar Olympic Committee, mendations to improve Is- Qatar Financial Centre, Qa- lamic finance in Qatar. tar Development Bank and The day-long confer- Qatar Finance House. Col- ence, which was held un- lege of Sharia and Islamic der the patronage of Prime Studies at Qatar University, Minister and Minister of College of Islamic Studies Interior HE Sheikh Khalid at Hamad bin Khalifa Uni- bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz versity, Community College al Thani on Tuesday, rec- of Qatar and International ommended increased focus Shari’ah Research Academy on innovation, technology, for Islamic Finance (ISRA) investment management, of Malaysia also extended debt treatment and trans- their support in organising parency to overcome an an- the conference. ticipated subdued growth in The conference saw global GDP. discussions on four central Speakers at the confer- themes — Predict the finan- ence called for the setting cial and economic crises up for Shariah-compliant and their impact on Islamic goals and the adoption of finance; Islamic finance scientific ways of achieve and recent trends towards them. sports sector; Islamic trad- Increased coordination ing platforms, and innova- Hong Kong boasts significant fiscal reserves of more than HK$1 trillion built up over the boom years, a stockpile that the government is now tapping into. between Islamic finance tion and artificial intelli- entities, universities and gence in Islamic finance. AFP billion, but officials hope con- retail sectors have been hit es- years of rising resentment. honG KonG sumers will plough much of pecially hard with bankrupt- In Wednesday’s budget, the money back into local Keyword cies soaring and traditionally the police received a 25 per- HONG Kong’s government businesses. ● Last week hong Kong’s low unemployment rising. cent bump to HK$25.8 billion. said Wednesday it will give a “Making good use of fiscal government announced a “Hong Kong’s economy is Neighbouring Macau of- HK$10,000 ($1,280) handout reserves to support enterpris- hK$30 billion relief fund facing enormous challenges ten announces universal cash to every permanent resident in es and relieve people’s hard- this year,” Chan said, pre- handouts to residents in its a bid to jump-start an econo- ship is certainly in line with for those hit hardest by the dicting a range of 0.5 percent annual budget, while Hong my in recession after months our people’s expectations,” he virus outbreak, including growth to a 1.5 percent con- Kong has historically been of protests and hit further by said, adding the cash handout cash handouts for traction this year. more reticent. the coronavirus outbreak. was for permanent residents businesses such as The recession is a major The last one for all resi- Financial Secretary Paul aged 18 or above, including restaurants and travel headache for the city’s un- dents was in 2011, three years Chan unveiled the cash gift in those residing overseas. companies elected pro-Beijing leader Car- after the global crash sparked the annual budget, commit- Chan said the stimulus and rie Lam, who currently boasts the city’s last recession. ting a colossal HK$120 billion lower revenues would push ● The stimulus and lower record-low approval ratings Last week Hong Kong’s to help alleviate the worst eco- government coffers into the revenues would push after facing down huge democ- government announced a nomic downturn the interna- red by a record HK$139.1 bil- government coffers into racy protests. HK$30 billion relief fund for tional financial hub has faced lion in the coming fiscal year, the red by a record The massive rallies and those hit hardest by the vi- in a decade. the first deficit in 15 years. hK$139.1 billion in the regular clashes with police rus outbreak, including cash Hong Kong boasts signifi- Hong Kong’s economy is coming fiscal year, the first that became a weekly fixture handouts for businesses such cant fiscal reserves of more reeling from the US-China deficit in 15 years. last year were dying down be- as restaurants and travel com- than HK$1 trillion built up trade war, months of pro-de- fore the virus outbreak began. panies. over the boom years, a stock- mocracy protests last year and But the virus has comprehen- The last time Hong Kong pile that the government is now the coronavirus: a triple cluded profits and salary tax sively ended mass gatherings. ran a deficit was between 2001 now tapping into. whammy Chan described as breaks, as well as low-interest Yet public anger still sim- and 2004. The cash handout to “exceptionally austere”. loans for businesses struggling mers in a city where neither Chan said the reserves around seven million perma- Other measures an- to pay staff wages. its leadership nor Beijing have should see the city through the nent residents will cost HK$71 nounced in the budget in- The tourist, restaurant and addressed the issues fuelling current crisis.

Japan’s ANA Ooredoo launches Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G in Doha to buy 20 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK out a cable and enhanced se- si, Chief Operating Officer, Doha curity features. Ooredoo Qatar, said of the more Boeing The device will be avail- launch: “We know being QATAR’S leading telecommu- able for QR3,899 at the Oore- able to access the very latest nications operator announced doo eShop and at Ooredoo in technology and the most 787 jets its customers can now get retail shops in Villaggio Mall, up-to-date devices is hugely AFP their hands on the new Hua- Mall of Qatar, Landmark, and important to our customers, ToKyo wei Mate 30 Pro 5G online the Pearl. and we do everything we can and at selected retail shops in Ooredoo Customers pur- to make sure that happens. JAPAN’S ANA Holdings has Doha. chasing the new Huawei Mate We’re delighted to be able to said it will buy 20 new Boe- The all-new 5G-enabled 30 Pro 5G will get 1 Nojoom offer the latest Huawei smart- ing 787-10 and 787-9 aircraft, Huawei Mate Pro 5G is 5G- point for every QR1 spent on phone model and we would with the planes expected to enabled and comes with an the device. urge customers to visit our go into service between 2022 incredible display, an awe- Stocks are limited and eShop or the selected retail and 2025. some Leica Quad camera, an sales of the device will be on shops as soon as possible, to The order will be made up upgraded battery, the facility a first come, first served basis. make sure they don’t miss of 11 787-10 aircraft, which to SuperCharge with or with- Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubai- out.” will serve domestic routes, and nine 787-9 planes for in- ternational destinations. The price tag was not dis- closed. trAiNiNG ON GALAxy s20 series, Z FLiP All Nippon Airways has been gradually replacing its Boeing 777s with 787s, citing Dohatna Innovative Distribution holds workshop for Samsung dealers better fuel efficiency and a re- duction in noise emissions. Once all 20 of the newly TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK salespersons with product knowl- ordered planes go into ser- Doha edge, so they can help customers vice, ANA will operate some exploit all benefits of this next- 103 787s, the firm said. ALI Bin Ali Holding’s Dohatna In- generation device.” “Boeing’s 787s have novative Distribution, the official The Galaxy S20 series — in- served ANA with distinction, partner of Samsung Electronics, cluding the Galaxy S20, Galaxy and we are proud to expand recently organised a special train- S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra – are our fleet by adding more of ing workshop on the features and available to preorder until March these technologically ad- benefits of the newly-launched 5, 2020 at Dohatna Innovative vanced aircraft,” said Yutaka Galaxy S20 series and Z Flip for Distribution’s retail Ito, executive vice president the Samsung dealers in Qatar. outlets. of ANA and ANA Holdings, in The product training was de- Samsung Galaxy S20 intro- a statement. signed to enable the salespersons duces a brand-new camera ar- “These planes represent develop a deeper understanding of chitecture that combines AI with a significant step forward for the S20 series & Z Flip offerings so Samsung’s largest image sensor yet ANA as we work to make our that they can help customers make for stunning image quality. entire fleet more eco-friendly the right choice. Along with the camera, the Gal- and to reduce noise output,” The exhaustive workshop axy S20 makes the experience of it added. covered everything from the hard- everything people love to do with “Boeing’s 787s have ware, the technical know-how to their phones, easier and better — served ANA with distinction, equip the salespersons to address Dohatna Innovative Distribution recently organised a workshop on Galaxy S20 series and Z Flip for the Samsung dealers in Qatar. enjoy personalized music for every and we are proud to expand any queries potential customers moment of the day, watch videos our fleet by adding more of may have. mad Imran said, “Galaxy S20 is munications and we are proud to are multiple exciting new features the way they are meant to be seen these technologically ad- General Manager of Dohatna Samsung’s first full 5G flagship be their partner in launching the to explore on this phone. This and play console-style games on vanced aircraft,” said Yu- Innovative Distribution Moham- lineup built for the future of com- latest technology in Qatar. There workshop aimed at empowering the go. taka Ito, ANA executive vice president. Independent Auditors Report to the Unit Holders of Al Watani Fund

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements We communicate with management regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in Opinion Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an internal control that we identify during our audit. We have audited the financial statements of Al Watani Fund (the “Fund”) which comprise the auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but Report on Legal and Other Regulatory Requirements statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019, and the statement of comprehensive is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material income, statement of changes in net assets attributable to unit holders and statement of cash misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered Furthermore, in our opinion, proper books of account have been kept by the Fund, and the flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the financial statements comply with the Qatar Central Bank Law No. 13 of 2012 and the Fund’s significant accounting policies. economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Articles of Association. We have obtained all the information and explanations we required In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain for the purpose of our audit, and are not aware of any violations of the above mentioned law or the financial position of the Fund as at 31 December 2019 and of its financial performance and professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also: the Articles of Association having occurred during the year, which might have had a material its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting adverse effect on the Fund’s financial position or performance. Standards (IFRSs) and the applicable provisions of Qatar Central Bank regulations. • Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and Basis for Opinion obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 26 January 2020 Ahmed Sayed We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for Doha of Ernst & Young responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, State of Qatar Auditor’s Registration No. 326 for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Fund misrepresentations, or the override of internal control in accordance with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including • Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) together with the ethical requirements procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Qatar, and we have fulfilled our other opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the IESBA Code. We believe STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO UNIT HOLDERS • Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our For the year ended 31 December 2019 accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management opinion. In Qatari Riyals • Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty Net assets Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements attributable exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Fund’s ability Number of in accordance with IFRSs and the applicable provisions of Qatar Central Bank Regulations, and to the units to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are units holders QR for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 1 January 2018 3,289,371 48,458,786 In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Fund’s based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future Payments for units redeemed during the year (1,308,609) (20,471,938) ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern events or conditions may cause the Fund to cease to continue as a going concern Increase in net assets attributable to the unit shareholders - 7,191,567 and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate • Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, the Fund or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative to do so. including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 31 December 2018 1,980,762 35,178,415 Management is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s financial reporting process. transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 1 January 2019 1,980,762 35,178,415 Payments for units redeemed during the year (86,373) (1,536,333) Increase in net assets attributable to the unit shareholders - 762,538 Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 31 December 2019 1,894,389 34,404,620

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS As at 31 December 2019 For the year ended 31 December 2019 For the year ended 31 December 2019 In Qatari Riyals In Qatari Riyals In Qatari Riyals

2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 Assets Income Operating activities Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 33,172,596 29,428,574 Dividend income 1,452,905 2,146,738 Profit for the year 762,538 7,191,567 Net gain from financial assets at fair value through Adjustment for: Other receivables 49 175 458,933 6,325,306 profit or loss Interest income (30,084) (49,263) Cash and cash equivalents 1,805,817 6,293,350 Net gain from financial assets at fair value through Interest income 30,084 49,263 (458,933) (6,325,306) profit or loss Total Assets 34,978,462 35,722,099 1,941,922 8,521,307 273,521 816,998 Liabilities Operating profits before changes in working capital Expenses Working capital changes: Due to related parties 513,842 506,184 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (3,285,089) 20,675,936 Management fees (515,140) (567,995) Other liabilities 60,000 37,500 Due to related parties 7,658 (260,708) Total Liabilities Excluding Net Assets Attributable to Custodian fees (171,714) (189,333) Other liabilities 22,500 (3,229,304) 573.842 543,684 Shareholders Brokerage fees (52,272) (152,608) Cash flows (used)/from operations (2,981,410) 18,002,922 Net Assets Attributable to Units Holders 34,404,620 35,178,415 Professional fees (99,000) (90,000) Interest received 30,210 49,270 Total Liabilities 34,978,462 35,722,099 Net cash flows (used)/from operating activities (2,951,200) 18,052,192 Performance fees (341,258) (329,804) Financing activities The financial statements were authorized for issuance and approved by the Fund Manager on 26 (1,179,384) (1,329,740) Payments towards units redeemed (1,536,333) (20,471,938) January, 2020 and signed on their behalf by: Profit for the Year 762,538 7,191,567 Net cash flows used in financing activities (1,536,333) (20,471,938) Other comprehensive income for the year - - Net decrease in cash or cash equivalents (4,487,533) (2,419,746) Adel Abdulaziz Khashabi Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 6,293,350 8,713,096 General Manager — Asset and wealth management Increase in Net Assets Attributable to the Unit Shareholders 762,538 7,191,567 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 1,805,817 6,293,350

Al Watani Fund Annual Report for 2019 Call 4440 7339 or visit qnb.com

Independent Auditors Report to the Unit Holders of Al Watani Fund (2)

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements We communicate with management regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in Opinion Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an internal control that we identify during our audit. We have audited the financial statements of Al Watani Fund (2) (the “Fund”) which comprise auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but Report on Legal and Other Regulatory Requirements the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2019, and the statement of comprehensive is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material income, statement of changes in net assets attributable to unit holders and statement of cash misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered Furthermore, in our opinion, proper books of account have been kept by the Fund, and the flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the financial statements comply with the Qatar Central Bank Law No. 13 of 2012 and the Fund’s significant accounting policies. economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Articles of Association. We have obtained all the information and explanations we required In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain for the purpose of our audit, and are not aware of any violations of the above mentioned law or the financial position of the Fund as at 31 December 2019 and of its financial performance and professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also: the Articles of Association having occurred during the year, which might have had a material its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting adverse effect on the Fund’s financial position or performance. Standards (IFRSs) and the applicable provisions of Qatar Central Bank regulations. • Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and Basis for Opinion obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 26 January 2020 Ahmed Sayed We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for Doha of Ernst & Young responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, State of Qatar Auditor’s Registration No. 326 for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Fund misrepresentations, or the override of internal control in accordance with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including • Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) together with the ethical requirements procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Qatar, and we have fulfilled our other opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the IESBA Code. We believe STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO UNIT HOLDERS • Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our For the year ended 31 December 2019 accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management opinion. In Qatari Riyals • Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty Net assets Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements attributable exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Fund’s ability Number of in accordance with IFRSs and the applicable provisions of Qatar Central Bank Regulations, and to the units to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are units holders QR for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 1 January 2018 1,114,789 15,693,386 In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Fund’s based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future Payments for units redeemed during the year (288,613) (4,587,024) ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern events or conditions may cause the Fund to cease to continue as a going concern Increase in net assets attributable to the unit shareholders - 2,923,298 and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate • Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 31 December 2018 826,176 14,029,660 the Fund or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative to do so. including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 1 January 2019 826,176 14,029,660 Management is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s financial reporting process. transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation Proceeds from units issued during the year 1,135 20,000 Payments for units redeemed during the year (219,055) (3,786,621) Increase in net assets attributable to the unit shareholders - 287,501 Net assets attributable to the unit holders at 31 December 2019 608,256 10,550,540

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS As at 31 December 2019 For the year ended 31 December 2019 For the year ended 31 December 2019 In Qatari Riyals In Qatari Riyals In Qatari Riyals

2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 Assets Income Operating activities Profit for the year 287,501 2,923,298 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 10,313,682 12,366,960 Dividend income 528,547 741,265 Adjustment for: Other receivables 10 754,605 Net gain from financial assets at fair value through 208,485 2,744,227 Interest income (8,183) (19,011) Cash and cash equivalents 452,552 1,267,186 profit or loss Net gain from financial assets at fair value through (208,485) (2,744,227) Total Assets 10,766,244 14,388,751 Interest income 8,183 19,011 profit or loss Liabilities 745,215 3,504,503 Operating profits before changes in working capital 70,833 160,060 Due to related parties 155,704 202,659 Working capital changes: Expenses Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 2,261,763 4,855,363 Other liabilities 60,000 156,432 Other receivables 754,572 (754,569) Total Liabilities Excluding Net Assets Attributable to Management fees (173,656) (232,162) 215,704 359,091 Due to related parties (46,955) (53,388) Shareholders Custodian fees (57,884) (77,389) Other liabilities (96,432) (896,961) Net Assets Attributable to Units Holders 10,550,540 14,029,660 Brokerage fees (24,751) (49,939) Cash flows from operations 2,943,781 3,310,505 Total Liabilities 10,766,244 14,388,751 Interest received 8,206 19,028 Professional fees (99,000) (90,000) Net cash flows from operating activities 2,951,987 3,329,533 The financial statements were authorized for issuance and approved by the Fund Manager on 26 Performance fees (102,423) (131,715) Financing activities January, 2020 and signed on their behalf by: Proceeds from units issued 20,000 - (457,714) (581,205) Payments towards units redeemed (3,786,621) (4,587,024) Adel Abdulaziz Khashabi Profit for the Year 287,501 2,923,298 Net cash flows used in financing activities (3,766,621) (4,587,024) Other comprehensive income for the year - - Net decrease in cash or cash equivalents (814,634) (1,257,491) General Manager — Asset and wealth management Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 1,267,186 2,524,677 Increase in Net Assets Attributable to the Unit Shareholders 287,501 2,923,298 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 452,552 1,267,186

Al Watani Fund (2) Annual Report for 2019 Call 4440 7339 or visit qnb.com 14 Thursday, February 27, 2020 economy & business Bob Iger steps s Africa unveils measures aside as Disney to rein in public spending CEO, hands off to company insider Country’s finance minister proposes $10.5-billion cut in wages over the next three years AFP impressive “corporate pivot” AFP San FRanCISCo to streaming television and CaPE ToWn felt the success of Disney+ WALT Disney said on Tues- signalled the team is in shape SOUTH Africa’s finance minis- day chief Bob Iger was hand- to thrive after he leaves the ter on Wednesday announced ing off the top executive post company. plans to tighten government after building the media- Iger engineered a block- spending, including a major entertainment powerhouse buster deal to take over much cut to public sector wages, in into the undisputed Holly- of the television and film as- an effort to avoid a looming wood leader. sets of Rupert Murdoch’s financial crunch. Disney’s board named 21st Century Fox to become In his annual budget Bob Chapek, a 27-year vet- the Hollywood box office speech to parliament, Finance eran of Disney, the new chief leader, and then launched Minister Tito Mboweni vowed executive, effective immedi- a new direct-to-consumer to take the axe to the civil ately. streaming television ser- service wage bill, which now Iger, who has been CEO vice which aims to position gobbles up more than a third for 15 years, will assume the Disney against rivals such of expenditure after a nearly role of executive chairman as Netflix in the new media 40-percent rise in numbers and “will direct the compa- landscape featuring on-de- over a dozen years. ny’s creative endeavors,” a mand platforms. “We will propose a new Disney statement said. Iger oversaw deals for law to stop excessive sala- Iger, 69, said on a call the animation studio Pixar in ries in these public entities,” with analysts that his top 2006 for $7.4 billion, Mar- Mboweni said. priority now is the creative vel Entertainment in 2009 He proposed a 160-bil- content on which Disney’s for $4 billion, Lucasfilm in lion-rand ($10.5-billion) cut streaming services and box 2012 for $4 billion, and 21st in wages over the next three office revenue depend. Century Fox last year for $71 years, which translates to The idea behind hand- billion. around a nine percent reduc- ing off the CEO position two “With the successful tion in the first year. years early is to let Iger focus launch of Disney’s direct-to- Weak growth, deteriorat- on the creation of winning consumer businesses and ing public finances including Disney content while Chapek the integration of 21st Cen- a swollen budget deficit, crip- handles day-to-day opera- tury Fox well underway, I be- pling power cuts and soaring tions of the Magic Kingdom’s lieve this is the optimal time unemployment combine to South Africa’s Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has vowed to take the axe to the civil service wage bill, which now gobbles up more than a third complex entertainment to transition to a new CEO,” cloud South Africa’s economic of the country’s expenditure. operation. Iger said. outlook. “It was really that sim- Disney, which is the lead- Despite efforts to rein in anaesthetic,” he said. South African political an- still considers South African state coffers. ple,” Iger said while explain- ing force in Hollywood and state expenditure, Mboweni ‘Credible’ but ‘risky’ -Ac- alyst Daniel Sile said Mboweni debt to be investment grade. In the past five years, ing the decision to surrender also has major theme parks also pledged 60 billion rand cording to budget documents, had presented a “credible yet Fitch and S&P downgrad- South Africa has posted its the CEO chair to Chapek. and television operations, ($3.9 billion) to South Africa’s the country’s economy grew politically risky budget.” ed South Africa’s credit rating weakest growth rates -- never “With everything else has been betting heavily on struggling power utility Es- by only around 0.3 percent in “Cuts to the state wage bill to junk status in 2017. exceeding 1.3 percent and in falling in place, the time its move to streaming as it kom and cash-strapped flag 2019, and is expected to grow (are) likely to cause tension “We are on the verge of a some years falling below one seemed right.” takes on Netflix and Amazon carrier South African Airways. by a dismal 0.9 percent in with the unions but (are) es- Moody’s rating downgrade, percent. The move also allows two Prime Video. “Government will do what- 2020. sential to restoring fiscal sta- and if we don’t stabilise the The World Bank recently years for Iger to coach Cha- Disney is intent on bulk- ever it takes to ensure a sta- The budget deficit cur- bility,” Sile tweeted after the deficit and get spending under warned that South Africa was pek on aspects of Disney he ing up its original streaming ble electricity supply,” said rently stands at 6.3 percent speech. control, they will downgrade on a precipice, and cut its is less familiar with. Iger’s content, taking advantage of Mboweni. A sovereign wealth of gross domestic product South Africa’s main oppo- us,” Els said. economic growth forecast to contract ends at the end beloved franchises such as fund will be created with a tar- (GDP). sition party, the Democratic Losing its last investment below one percent in 2020 as of 2021. “Star Wars” and the Marvel get capital amount of around Other cost-saving meas- Alliance (DA), blasted the gov- grade rating could spark an well due to electricity supply “The timing is, in very superhero movies. 30 billion rand ($2 billion), he ures will include requiring all ernment for “wasting money” exodus from South Africa’s concerns. many ways, odd,” Matthew Chapek takes the top spot added. government officials to travel on state-owned enterprises. bond markets and pile pres- “The budget confirms the Ball, a venture capitalist who after heading Disney Parks, “There’s lots of cleaning-up economy class on domestic “It is outrageous that funds sure on the rand. extent to which the SA econ- once headed global strategy Experiences and Products. things we can do,” Mboweni flights. desperately needed to stimu- The country’s lacklus- omy still finds itself in a bad for Amazon Studios said. “Bob Iger has built Dis- told reporters in a pre-budget Additionally, the foreign late the economy and the crea- tre economic performance is space,” said South African “In other ways, it feels ney into the most admired news conference. ministry will close and merge tion of jobs is to poured into largely a result of domestic is- economist Ray Parsons. somewhat right. Iger has and successful media and “But my experience now some overseas diplomatic mis- the SAA vanity project,” said sues. “What clearly again shines spent years trying to retire entertainment company, and is (that) sometimes trying to sions and reduce their staffs. the DA in a statement. Repeated bailouts to state- through the fiscal gloom of and the company has never I have been lucky to enjoy a get rid of very simple wastage Unemployment is creep- Mboweni’s budget will be owned entities over the past recent years is the need for... been stronger than it is to- front-row seat as a mem- things in the state system is ing towards 30 percent, the under the scrutiny of interna- decade -- most notably to Es- boosting investor confidence day.” ber of his leadership team,” like going to the dentist to get highest level in more than a tional ratings agency Moody’s, kom and flag-carrier South Af- and turning the economy Ball credited Iger with an Chapek said. your teeth taken out without decade. the only major assessor that rican Airways -- have drained around.” Google pledges new $10 billion investment in US in 2020

AFP tunities in local businesses pus in Seattle, Washington the Progressive Policy Insti- nEW yoRK in surrounding towns and and new locations around tute which indicated its par- communities,” said a blog San Francisco and Los An- ent Alphabet was the largest GOOGLE said on Wednesday post by Sundar Pichai, chief geles. investor in the United States it would invest more than executive of Google parent The money includes a last year. $10 billion in US offices and Alphabet. Alphabet reported a prof- data centers in 2020, includ- One of the big projects it in 2019 of $34 billion on ing its new campus planned will be the opening of the The pledge comes on top $162 billion in revenues, and for New York City and pro- Hudson Square campus in of some $22 billion added some 20,000 jobs to jects in 10 other states. New York City, where Google invested by the Us tech bring its total workforce to The pledge comes on top has the capacity to double its giant unit over the past 118,899 at the end of Decem- of some $22 billion invested workforce by 2028. two years ber. by the US tech giant unit Google’s investments are Pichai said Google, which over the past two years. spread over all US regions has a presence in 26 states, “These investments will and will include expanded previously announced $1 bil- will focus the new invest- create thousands of jobs offices in Pittsburgh, Penn- lion committed to easing the ments in Colorado, Georgia, -- including roles within sylvania and Cambridge, housing crunch in the Bay Massachusetts, Nebraska, Google, construction jobs in Massachusetts. Area near Google’s Silicon New York, Oklahoma, Ohio, data centers and renewable The plans also call for an Valley headquarters. Pennsylvania, Texas, Wash- Google’s investments are spread over all US regions and will include expanded offices in Pittsburgh, Penn- energy facilities, and oppor- expanded Google Cloud cam- Google cited a study by ington and California. sylvania and cambridge, Massachusetts.

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Knights slams first ton of women’s T20 World Cup as England crush minnows Thailand PAGe 18 thUrsdAy, FebrUAry 27, 2020

QATAR TOTAL OPEN 2020 Sharapova a jabeur shocks Pliskova big champion, says Kvitova

VINAY NAYUDU to storm into quarters Doha Former champion SOMEONE who beat Ma- ria Sharapova for her first Kvitova braves the Grand Slam title at the Wim- bledon final in 2011, Petra wind to beat 2016 Kvitova paid a glowing trib- It’s Amazing. Winning here ute to the Russian tennis finalist Ostapenko; in Qatar is always very ‘queen’ on her retirement on special to me. This is tennis Tuesday saying that she was Zheng knocks out a big champion. and not football but you all Kvitova was apprised of Bertens are still here. Thank You! Sharapova’s retirement as ONS JABEUR she spoke to the media after VINAY NAYUDU making the quarter-finals of Doha Qatar Total Open a fifth time in her sixth appearance in IN-FORM and determined, Doha. Ons Jabeur underlined her “She won five Grand growing stature as she out- Slams, she is a big champi- classed former champion and on,” said Kvitova. Petra Kvitova serves against third seed Karolina Pliskova “She has really been a Jelena ostapenko during their to make the quarter-finals business lady off the court Qatar Total open round of 16 of Qatar Total Open 2020 as well. So she achieved a lot match on Wednesday. at the Khalifa International in her life and she still has so Tennis & Squash Complex on many things to do, even after Wednesday. tennis. Kvitova beat Sharapova in The 25-year-old displayed “For me it was pleasure straight sets in the a sublime self despite cold and to be with her on the tour, Wimbledon final in 2011 windy conditions being egged sharing the court with her. to become a Grand Slam on the centre court by a large It was always great battles gathering of Tunisian fans. when we play each other. champion. Jabeur emerged a 6-4, 3-6, She’s a big hitter as well, so 6-3 winner after a battle of one it’s been always nice to share aggressive and believing in hour and 43 minutes. the court with her and I have her shots, which I have really Quite composed despite big resulTs always had respect for her,” admired.” celebrations by fans, Jabeur sinGLes added the Czech. And about the Wimble- said, “It’s Amazing. Winning (round of 16) Kvitova beat Sharapova don clash which saw Kvitova here in Qatar is always very WC-Ons Jabeur (TUN) bt 3-Karolina Pliskova (CZE) in straight sets in the Wim- arrive on the big stage, she 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 special to me,” in her on-court 4-Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 6-4, bledon final in 2011 to be- said, “Yeah, in that final she interview before fans broke into 6-3 come a Grand Slam champi- will always be there for me. a celebratory song not allowing 8-Petra Kvitova (CZE) bt Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 6-2, on, but the Russian had her Not good (memories) for her to complete. 5-7, 6-1 revenge when she later beat her, but, that’s tennis. I re- 9-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) bt 15-Maria Sakkari (GRE) Jabeur after a pause said, 6-3, 6-0 the Czech player in the semi- ally don’t care who was in “This is tennis and not foot- Saisai Zheng (CHN) bt 7-Kiki Bertens (NED) 3-6, final of the Australian Open the final. ball but you all are still here. 6-3, 6-4 the following year. “But I do care my loss at Thank You.” Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) w/o Amanda Anisimova But while Kvitova made the Australian Open, but if (US) Among the fans were also DOUBLes the final of the Australian I can choose which one I’m Jabeur’s parents and her mom (Quater-finals) Open in 2019, and also the going to win it it’s still going could be seen clapping loudly 6-J Ostapenko & G Dabrowski (CAN) bt 3-A quarter-finals this year, a to be final. So, yeah. I don’t Sabalenka (BLR) & E Mertens (BEL) 4-6, 6-1, 10-4 when the player broke Pliskova 2-T Babos (HUN) & K Mladenovic (FRA) bt 5-N struggling Sharapova was know. That’s it?” for the first time in the final set. Melichar (US) & Y Xu (CHN) 6-3, 6-3 knocked out in the very first Carefree yet courteous, Jabeur having traded a set 4-B Krejcikova & K Siniakova (CZE) bt C Buyukakcay round a month ago. Perhaps Kvitova also waved off wor- was a picture of confidence in (TUR) & L Siegemund (GER) 6-1, 6-2 prompting the goodbye call. ries about the new WTA 1-S Hsieh (TPE) & B Strycova (CZE) bt B Bencic the final set breaking Pliskova (SUI) & S Kenin (US) 6-4, 6-2. “I know how tough it is coaching rule, which allows in the 6th game to go up 4-2. to come back and play. She coaches to give players ad- The tall Czech player, who has also been injured a lot, vice from the box. won the title here in 2017, china’s Saisai Zheng hits a return against seventh seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands during their round Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands and of course, she probably “Definitely will not affect broke back immediately to of 16 match of the Qatar Total open 2020 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash complex in Doha 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. wanted bigger success than me. Sometimes the coaches make it 4-3. on Wednesday. (MAHMOUD HEFNAWY) Fourth seeded Belinda what she was really playing scream to me something, but Jabeur nonetheless contin- Bencic (FRA), however, had no or the body allowed her to nothing really special which ued producing winners using quarter-final of the Australian in exactly two hours. tactics in this wind,” she said. problems in progressing past have,” said Kvitova of Shara- I shouldn’t know, so. I don’t the corners of the court beauti- Open, make it to her first last Kvitova would have hoped “The wind changes everything. Kazakh Yulia Putintseva while pova’s show since her return know if it’s good or not for fully to hold her serve and then eight stage of a Premier 5 tour- that after taking the first set It’s difficult to put the serve in Belorussian Aryna Sabalenka to tennis after a drugs ban. women’s tennis. It depends, break Pliskova again in the next nament. courtesy of winning six succes- and she returned the second beat Maria Sakkari of Greece in Of Sharapova’s competi- but I think it should be to make it 5-3. Jabeur meets another sive games she would not be so serve well. It was difficult from straight sets. tiveness on court, Kvitova enough to have a one on-one The final game was hardly Czech, the No.8 seed and 2018 extended once more. Ostap- the first point. I lost to her in The tournament saw two said, “She’s been an amazing on-court coaching during an issue as Jabeur zoomed to a champion Petra Kvitova who enko, though, found her range our last match, so I knew what unfortunate withdrawals of competitor, she never gave one set. But I still think that 40-15 lead before sending in a earlier in the day wobbled in to force a decider, which was to expect.” teen Elena Rybakina, who suf- up. Even if she didn’t play tennis is a very individual winner that mattered most. the wind before securing a 6-2, comprehensively claimed by In another upset, the un- fered an abductor injury, and of well, she was still believing sport and we should just play The win saw the Tunisian, 4-6, 6-1 win over 2016 runner- the higher-ranked player. seeded Chinese Saisai Zheng American teen Amanda Anisi- in her game and still being by ourselves.” who recently played in the up Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia “There’s no chance to have took out number seven seed mova due to general illness. Goodbye, tennis: Sharapova announces retirement AFP shoulder trouble. gate before I hit my first ball PaRIS She would win the 2008 of the day. I’ll miss my team, Australian Open before a sec- my coaches. I’ll miss the mo- FIVE-TIME Grand Slam win- ond shoulder injury kept her off ments sitting with my father ner Maria Sharapova, one of tour for the second half of the on the practice court bench. the world’s most recognisable season, missing the US Open The handshakes - win or lose - and highest-paid sportswomen, and Beijing Olympics. and the athletes, whether they on Wednesday announced her In 2012, the Siberian-born knew it or not, who pushed me retirement at the age of 32. Sharapova captured the French to be my best. “Tennis - I’m saying good- Open to become the 10th wom- “Looking back now, I re- bye,” Sharapova said in an ar- an to complete a career Grand alise that tennis has been my ticle for Vogue and Vanity Fair Slam. She added Olympic silver mountain. My path has been magazines. to her resume that year. filled with valleys and detours, “After 28 years and five Her 2014 French Open but the views from its peak Grand Slam titles, though, I’m title was another high after a were incredible.” ready to scale another moun- A photo combo shows Maria Sharapova holding trophies after winning (from left), the 2004 Wimbledon championships; the 2006 US open; the dispiriting injury low. Sharapova had been the tain - to compete on a different 2008 Australian open; 2012 and 2014 French open. (aFP) More fitness troubles fol- highest-paid female athlete type of terrain.” lowed before the bombshell in the world in the 11 years up Men’s number one Novak Sharapova burst onto the shoulder problems. tled after escaping the deadly the next year. announcement of her positive to 2016, according to Forbes Djokovic dubbed Sharapova a scene as a supremely gifted teen- When she did feature she clutches of the 1986 Chernobyl “One of the keys to my suc- test for the banned heart drug business magazine. “legend” of the sport, hailing ager and won her Grand Slams lost as many matches as she disaster. cess was that I never looked meldonium. She netted prize money her “great impact”. before serving a 15-month ban won and was dumped out in She shot to fame as a gig- back and I never looked for- “In giving my life to tennis, alone of $38.8 million in a “It’s going to keep on be- for failing a drugs test at the the first rounds at Wimbledon, gly 17-year-old Wimbledon ward,” Sharapova said on tennis gave me a life,” Shara- career during which she won ing present because her brand 2016 Australian Open. the US Open and, most re- winner in 2004, the third- Wednesday. pova said in her retirement 36 singles titles. Forbes, in its I think exceeds her tennis The Russian former world cently, the Australian Open in youngest player to conquer “I believed that if I kept missive. 2016 article, said the Florida- achievements,” Djokovic said. number one’s ranking is cur- Melbourne. the All England Club’s hal- grinding and grinding, I could “I’ll miss it everyday. I’ll based Russian had banked “She’s a very smart girl. rently 373rd. Siberia-born Sharapova lowed grass courts. push myself to an incredible miss the training and my daily nearly $300m from prize “She has the mind of a Sharapova has hardly first picked up a racquet at the She became world num- place.” routine: Waking up at dawn, money, appearances and en- champion, someone that nev- played in the past year be- age of four in Sochi, where her ber one in 2005, at the age But in 2007 Sharapova be- lacing my left shoe before my dorsements since she turned er gives up.” cause of long-standing Belarus-born parents had set- of 18, and won the US Open gan her long on-off battle with right, and closing the court’s professional in 2001. sports Thursday, February 27, 2020 17 top three in action as race for Falcon shield heats up from mistakes in order not to Al Sadd host Al repeat them and come up with a positive result. I think that Arabi, Al Duhail my team is ready and I am Inter Milan manager Antonio face Al Shahania looking forward to a strong conte. reaction from them,” Heimir and Al Rayyan Hallgrimsson said. The Icelandic coach also Conte unhappy take on Al Ahli hinted that Sadd have some today vulnerabilities, which was playing behind highlighted by Umm Salal. “We saw the match be- closed doors AYENI OLUSEGUN tween Al Sadd and Umm Salal. Doha We noticed the performance of Umm Salal, who challenged because of Al Sadd. Some say Al Sadd did REIGNING champions Al not play well in the first half, coronavirus Sadd know anything short while others say Umm Salal of a win against Al Arabi on were good. Umm Salal’s goals AFP Thursday will further dent any came from set-pieces, which MILan chance of them retaining the is an area we can exploit,” he QNB Stars League title. added. INTER Milan coach Antonio The Wolves are five points Meanwhile Al Duhail will Conte said on Wednesday it behind leaders Al Duhail who be without defender Mehdi “wasn’t nice” being forced to themselves, though struggling, Benatia through injury while play upcoming Europa League have been able to squeeze out Mario Madzukic is a doubt and Serie A games behind results when it matters. when they take on Al Shaha- closed doors because of the On a blockbuster Thurs- nia. growing coronavirus epidemic day, the top three teams in the The Red Knights have in Italy. league will all be in action, be- been inconsistent but man- Inter host Bulgarian side ginning with Al Duhail hosting Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez and defender Abdelkarim Hassan during a press conference on Wednesday ahead of their QNB Stars league aged a slim win over Al Wak- Ludogorets in the Europa bottom side Al Shahania, sec- clash against Al Arabi. rah last weekend. They have League round of 32, second leg ond place Al Rayyan take on Al also scored the least number at an empty San Siro on Thurs- Ahli, before the ‘Doha Derby’ Salal) and still we lost two Ali Asad. to compete. We are Al Sadd have some absent players and of goals among the top three day, before travelling to play between Al Sadd and Al Arabi. points against them. We con- “The game is a final for us. and we don’t want to make ex- we know how important they sides with just 28 – four less Juventus in Turin on Sunday Al Sadd were stunned last cede goals in set pieces and we There are seven matches left cuses. are to the team. The coach has than Al Rayyan and 16 goals for an Italian league clash also weekend after enduring a dis- have to focus and fix it. When in the league and we can’t af- “This is the way it is in managed to get some good behind Al Sadd. Al Duhail without fans. appointing 2-2 draw against we connect as a team, it shows ford to drop any more points. football. Everybody has pres- subs in for us and hopefully however boast the meanest “It’s not nice, because in relegation fighters Umm Salal. in our performances,” Al Sadd We have to win and then wait sure but more for us because we have a good game against defence in the division having the end football needs the pub- The Wolves had to fightback to coach Xavi Hernandez said on to see what happens with Al we are five points behind the Al Arabi.” conceded 12 goals. lic and to feel the atmosphere grab a point after going down Wednesday. Duhail. leaders. Al Arabi coach on the “We are in the last stages around it. The atmosphere is two goals in the first half. With seven games left in “It’s a derby against Al “We hope both Al Rayyan other hand, said his side have of league competition. There the most beautiful thing,” Conte “We weren’t effective in the league, the record domes- Arabi and they have a physical and Al Duhail don’t win, but to show a reaction to the 6-1 is no easy match, because all told Sky Sport Italia. out last match. We didn’t lose tic champions know they can’t side but for us, we are ready. we also have to do our job in drubbing they received from teams want to win in order to “Having said that, we defer because of tactics, we just afford to be casual in the re- Arabi have been solid at the games starting with Al Arabi,” Al Sadd earlier. achieve their targets, includ- to the decisions made by the didn’t convert our chances maining games especially with back and they defend better he said. “Our first-leg match with ing those who play to avoid the health authorities. I hope that and we created a lot. We were long-term injuries to Hassan now. We have some injuries Adding to Xavi’s words Al Sadd is not a good memo- relegation,” Al Duhail coach everything will return to normal much better than them (Umm al Haydos, Salem al Hajri and but there’s no excuse. We have Abdelkarim Hassan said, “We ry for us, so we have to learn Walid Regragui said. as soon as possible.” Towns in the north of Italy are in lockdown because of the spread of the virus where there have been 400 confirmed cases Man Utd need to be in and 12 people have died. Griezmann rescues draw for Ludogorets’ players and Champions League: OSG staff arrived in Milan on Wednesday in protective face- AFP Second-quarter figures masks, with many also wearing LonDon released on Tuesday showed 10-man Barcelona at Napoli gloves. broadcasting revenue had fallen Inter take a 2-0 lead into the OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says the sharply due to United’s absence AFP went wrong in one moment game against the Bulgarians, as longer Manchester United are from the Champions League. naPLES, ITaLy and they punished us.” they target a last-16 place hav- out of the Champions League, “We’re a big club, we’ve got Napoli captain Lorenzo In- ing crashed out of the Champi- the more they will suffer after good finances,” Solskjaer said at ANTOINE Griezmann res- Barcelona’s signe added: “We could have ons League in the group stage. the club announced disappoint- his pre-match press conference cued a 1-1 draw for Barcelona lionel Messi looks won, so we’re a bit disappoint- “Inter Milan is adopting ing financial figures. on Wednesday. at Napoli in the first leg of dejected after a ed. It was emotional to face all the necessary precaution- United are preparing to take “But of course the longer their Champions League last- draw in the UEFA players like (Lionel) Messi.” ary and preventive measures to on Club Brugge in the Europa you’re out the more you suffer, 16 tie on Tuesday. champions league Messi failed to score on protect the players and staff,” League round of 32 on Thurs- so of course it’s an ambition for Frenchman Griezmann round of 16 first-leg his first appearance at the the Italian club said in a state- day after a 1-1 draw away from us to get back into the Champi- struck just before the hour match against SSc Stadio San Paolo, where ment. home in the first leg. ons League, both for the foot- mark in Naples after Dries Napoli on Tuesday. Napoli legend Diego Mara- “The club has shown its full The competition may give balling reasons and financially Mertens had put the hosts (aFP) dona reigned supreme three commitment in taking appro- the club their best route back to that will help the club. We’ve ahead in the 30th minute decades ago. priate action, such as closing the the Champions League, given just got to focus on the next with his 121st Napoli goal, “If Barca didn’t do today hospitality areas and cancelling they are locked in a tough battle game, this competition now, drawing level with Marek what they did three days ago all activities that would have to qualify through the Premier then it’s the league on Sunday, Hamsik as the club’s all-time (against Eibar) it’s to Napoli’s meant the gathering of peo- League. then it’s the FA Cup, then it’s top scorer. credit,” said Gattuso. ple, in order to ensure that the Failure to make it into Eu- the league again and hopefully Barcelona ended the “I hope that no one thinks match can take place safely.” rope’s top club competition for more European games.” game with 10 men after Ar- it’s over. We know it will be Italy’s Six Nations match a second successive year would The Norwegian boss said turo Vidal was sent off with very hard but nothing is fin- with Italy in Dublin on March make it harder for United to at- Bruno Fernandes’ arrival last two minutes to go after pick- game,” said Barcelona coach a Champions League debut ished yet. 7 has been postponed and their tract elite-level reinforcements. month has boosted the club, ing up two yellow cards, fol- Quique Setien, with his side for both Setien and Napoli “But when on your back game against England in Rome United recorded revenues who have climbed to fifth in the lowing an angry clash with in a strong position ahead of counterpart Gennaro Gat- you have Messi or Griez- on March 14 at risk. of £627.1 million last year but Premier League. Napoli defender Mario Rui. the second leg at the Camp tuso, who took over after the mann, you want to play with Italy’s Rugby Federation the club expects to earn be- “We feel we’ve added some “In the end it’s a draw that Nou on March 18. group stage. a little security. This is where (FIR) has cancelled all matches tween £560 million and £580 X-factor quality with Bruno, is a good result considering The clash was the first be- “They didn’t hurt us, they we can try to do better on the the weekend, as well as all gath- million in 2020. definitely,” Solskjaer said. that we have another home tween the two teams and also tickled us,” said Gattuso. “It way back.” erings of national teams.

Chelsea’s problems laid bare by Bayern humbling in UCL AFP 2013 Champions League final- home defeats. Lampard has selected in the strain on Lampard’s squad. LonDon winning team. His hand forced by Chel- Premier League. Chelsea are desperately That wealth of knowledge sea’s transfer ban last summer, In their 1-0 win at Ajax in short of guile and pace in the FRANK Lampard faces the was clear to see as Thomas Lampard’s first major deci- October, the average age of his final third, while their cen- first major test of his nascent Muller ran the show in mid- sion after arriving from Derby, team was 25 years and 71 days. tral midfielders are far too managerial career after Chel- field, while Lewandowski, who where he started his manage- After turning to his old predictable. sea were given a chastening played in that final for Bayern’s rial career last term, was to put guard when it came to the Lampard tried to plug the Champions League lesson by opponents Borussia Dort- his faith in the club’s cadre of crunch, Lampard will have holes in a leaky defence by de- Bayern Munich. mund, was a constant menace. talented youngsters. been frustrated that two of ploying Antonio Rudiger, An- Lampard’s side are on For Chelsea to reach the Tammy Abraham, Mason his senior players, Jorginho dreas Christensen and Cesar the verge of crashing out of levels set by Bayern, Lampard Mount, Fikayo Tomori and and Marcos Alonso, lost Azpilicueta as a back three. Europe’s elite club competi- knows he needs to oversee a Reece James have all shone their heads. The experiment had worked tion following Tuesday’s 3-0 lengthy rebuild that will re- at times. Alonso was sent off for against toothless, injury-hit home defeat against the Ger- quire patience – a quality not But Chelsea’s kids remain lashing out at Lewandowski Tottenham, but Bayern posed a man champions in the last-16 usually shown by the club’s no- far too raw to be expected to and Jorginho earned a need- more formidable threat. first leg. toriously fickle owner Roman be thrive against teams of less booking for arguing with With their Champions Serge Gnabry’s second-half Abramovich and his advisors in Bayern’s calibre. the referee, which rules him out League campaign in tatters, brace and Robert Lewandows- the boardroom. Lampard acknowledged of the second leg. Chelsea must regroup for a fi- ki’s late strike underlined the “This is Champions League that fact by starting with Abra- Lampard was not helped by nal push to qualify for next sea- gulf in class between a Chelsea football. We as a club haven’t chelsea coach Frank lampard and midfielder Jorginho (right) react to ham on the bench on Tuesday Chelsea’s failure to make any son’s tournament. team experiencing growing been fighting to get to the lat- their defeat against Bayern Munich after the UEFA champion’s league and leaving Tomori out of the signings in the January trans- Sitting in fourth place in the pains in Lampard’s first season ter stages for a number of years round of 16 first leg match at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.(aFP) squad, instead using immobile fer window, although Hakim Premier League, Chelsea’s des- and a Bayern side packed with and that’s the level we have to veteran Olivier Giroud up front Ziyech agreed a deal that will tiny is in their own hands. Champions League experience. get to,” Lampard said. Lampard is only just find- this season. in a gamble that backfired. bring him from Ajax in the “It was a harsh lesson. I Four of the Bayern team “This was a clear show that ing his feet as a manager and They have impressed in Against Tottenham on Sat- close-season. learned about my players. We that outplayed Chelsea at there is a lot of work to be done. deserves time to put his stamp wins against Tottenham, Arse- urday, the average of Chelsea’s Injuries to N’Golo Kante, have to show character. They Stamford Bridge were mem- I felt that when I took the job. I on a Chelsea team that has nal and Ajax, but have flopped starting line-up was 28 years Christian Pulisic and Callum need to use it to positive effect,” bers of the German club’s will keep working.” shown flashes of excellence in a succession of uninspired and 171 days, the oldest team Hudson-Odoi have put further Lampard said. 18 Thursday, February 27, 2020 sports world-class equestrian at chi Al shaqab 2020 begins today

“We also have great sup- Packed three-day action of dressage, port from Qatar Foundation. What is CHI? This year we are also using fa- showjumping, Hathab, Arabian ChI (Concours hippique International – International cilities of Qatar Foundation for ffer Equestrian Competition) is the official title awarded by the accommodation,” he added. Horse Show on o Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) to international Alejandro Berdegue, equestrian competitions with three or more equestrian Sport Coordinator, Commer- VINAY NAYUDU Qatari riders who will be disciplines. Commercial bank ChI al Shaqab Presented by cial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, in- Doha seen in action are Bassem Longines is one of only five ChI competitions worldwide formed that moving horses Mohammed, who competed and the first and only equestrian event of its kind in the from overseas to Qatar has THE magnificent Longines in the 2016 Rio Olympics and Middle East and asia (Mena) region. been a huge operation. “We Arena at Al Shaqab will come won the 2017 LGCT Doha leg had three different cargos on alive from Thursday with a Grand Prix at Al Shaqab, Faleh three flights within six hours big action marking the start Suwead al Ajami, and Rashid of difference of Qatar Airways of Commercial Bank CHI Al Towaim Ali al Marri. to transport the horses and it Shaqab Presented by Longines Also featuring during the was all smooth and safe. The A horse goes through the mandatory veterinary check ahead of event. championship will be a com- organisers here have a great commercial Bank cHI Al Shaqab Presented by longines. The world-class interna- petition for riders at the In- team and vets for the horses. tional equestrian competition, ternations Camp from all over The venue of Al Shaqab is also which Al Shaqab is organising the world. the very best.” scHedule for the seventh time, will see The Longines Hathab Na- A large turn-out of people The sCheDULe (FeB 27-29) Clock 1.50m (CSI5*): Outdoor Arena riders compete in the Olympic tional series will also form part is expected on the three days Thursday 6pm-6.45pn: Al Shaqab Competition for disciplines of showjumping, of the three-day show includ- of competition and various 12noon-3.45pm: Para Dressage (CPED13*): Children 1.00m: Outdoor Arena dressage, and para dressage. ing Small Tour, Open and Big provisions have been made in- Indoor Arena 7.30pm-9.30pm: Showjumping with Jump-Off A total of 88 riders from Tour class. There will also be a cluding free shuttle service at 1.30pm-2.15pm: Al Shaqab Internations (CSI5*) 1.60m: Outdoor Arena Camp: Outdoor Arena 23 countries have arrived and competition for children and ten-minute intervals from Al 3pm-5pm: Showjumping Two Phases 1.45m saturday fans can expect a thrilling an Arabian Horse Show on the Shaqab Metro Station to Lon- (CSI5*): Outdoor Arena 8.30am-9.15am: Dressage Grand Prix weekend of equestrian. final day (Saturday). A rider trains with his horse at the longines Arena at Al Shaqab gines Arena Al Shaqab for all 5.45pm-8pm: Showjumping Against the Clock Special Test (CDI5*): Indoor Arena German showjumper All in all a packed three- ahead of cHI Al Shaqab which begins from Thursday. fans and families. 1.55m: Outdoor Arena 10.25am-12.15am: Longines Hathab Open Daniel Deusser, currently day affair is expected to wow “The entire championship 6pm-8.40pm: Longines Hathab Dressage Class 1.15/1.25m: Outdoor Arena third on the Longines global the crowds in all aspects of equestrian, it gives our riders On the preparation front, will also have family-oriented Level 1 & Level 2: Indoor Arena 10am-1.30pm: Para Dressage Freestyle Test rankings, tops the impres- equestrian from dressage, para the chance to compete and Mannai said, “We have en- entertainment including cul- (CPED13*): Indoor Arena sive list of entries. Other dressage to the horse show. excel alongside the world’s sured all needed arrange- tural shows and performances. Friday 1.30pm-2.45pm: Longines Hathab Big Tour 9am-11am: Longines Hathab Small Tour 1.30/1.45m: Outdoor Arena showjumpers competing in- Providing details of the best and gain experience ments. As a former rider I Cafes and restaurants around 1-1.15m: Outdoor Arena 2.15pm-4.45pm: Dressage CB CHI Al Shaqab clude Sweden’s Peder Fre- prestigious event in the and learning. We have some have looked at what needs to the periphery of the competi- 9.45am-12.45pm: Para Dressage Individual Freestyle Presented by Longines: Indoor Arena drickon (ranked number five), Olympics year, Omar al of our top riders from Qatar be catered to a rider’s needs. tion arena have also been put Test (CPED13*): Indoor Arena 3.30pm-4.30pm: Showjumping Table C Belgium’s Pieter Devos (No. Mannai, Event Director & participating and we wish From the turf of competi- up. Our reliance on a large area 1pm-3pm: Longines Hathab Medium Tour 1.45m (CSI5*): Outdoor Arena 6 and winner of last year’s Member, Supreme Organis- them the very best and hope tion to accommodation, the for spectators will encourage 1.20-1.30m: Outdoor Arena 5.10pm-5.25pm: Arabian Horse Show: CSI5* Grand Prix in Doha), ing Committee, Commercial that they would be success- knowledge and experience them to come and enjoy. There 3pm-6pm: Dressage Grand Prix Test (CDI5*): Outdoor Arena Olympians Edwina Tops-Al- Bank CHI Al Shaqab Present- ful. We also have riders from has been put to use to en- will be raffle draws, prizes, cou- Indoor Arena 5.30-8pm: CB CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix pre- exander (Australia), and Scott ed by Longines, said, “Since Kuwait and wish them all the sure the championship runs pons and gifts from Al Shaqab,” 3.45pm-5.15pm: Showjumping Against the sented by Longines 1.60m: Outdoor Arena Brash (Great Britain). CHI is for Olympic events of success too.” smoothly and efficiently. informed Mannai. Qatar bow out of ACC England’s Knight slams Mendis, Fernando’s tons help Western Region T20 Lanka clinch Windies ODI series first ton of T20 World Cup AFP bounce back from nine for TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the floodgates and Al Annabi haMbanToTa two to record their highest MUSCaT skidded to be all out off the fi- AFP ODI total against the West nal ball, falling well short of the CanbERRa England’s Heather Knight AVISHKA Fernando and Indies. The island nation also QATAR spurned a glorious target. plays a shot during the Kusal Mendis hit centuries recorded their biggest win chance to beat the No. 1 team Sajjad led the scoring for SKIPPER Heather Knight Twenty20 women’s World as Sri Lank thrashed the in terms of runs against the of the Gulf - United Arab Qatar with 29, including four smashed the first century of cup cricket match on West Indies by 161 runs in West Indies. Emirates - as they lost the ACC boundaries, captain Chaudhry the women’s Twenty20 World Wednesday. the second one-day interna- “The way Kusal and Av- Western Region T20 Tourna- chipped in with 19, which had Cup on Wednesday as Eng- tional to clinch the series on ishka batted. The intensity is ment semi-finals by 28 runs at two fours. Junaid Siddique was land emphatically got their Wednesday. what I’m expecting from the the Al Amerat Ground in Mus- the chief destroyer with four campaign back on track with Fernando, who blasted boys. Be confident and play cat on Wednesday. for 12. Zahoor Khan picked a crushing 98-run win over 127, and Mendis, who made their natural game,” skipper Their bowlers, led by skip- three for 17 and Ahmed Raza minnows Thailand. 119, put on 239 runs in Sri Dimuth Karunaratne. per Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry got two scalps for 21. The 2009 champions had Lanka’s highest third-wicket “(Wristspinners) are the and Muhammad Nadeem, shot Earlier, Chirag Suri top- looked vulnerable as they stand as the hosts amassed wicket-taking bowlers. Last out 15th world-ranked rivals at scored for the UAE with 38. crashed to a six-wicket de- 345 for eight after being put few years we didn’t have that 122 in 18.4 overs. But Qatar’s Sultan Ahmed and Vritya Ara- feat against South Africa in into bat in Hambantota. in one-day matches, so hope- batsmen flopped for a second vind added 18 each. Chaudhry their opening Group B game Wrist spinners Wanin- fully they’ll continue in the match in a row and collapsed was impressive with four for 16. on Sunday, following a shock du Hasaranga and Lakshan next matches as well.” at 99 to lose the match and the Nadded grabbed three wickets 10-wicket hammering by Sri Sandakan took three wickets gilt-edged opportunity to cre- for 27 and Gayan Munaweera Lanka in their final warm-up each as Sri Lanka bowled out ate a history in the sport. returned two for 21 figures. last week. the visitors for 184 in 39.1 Brief scores Chasing a modest target, Unbeaten UAE will clash With only the top two overs and take an unbeatable sri Lanka 345 for 8 (Fernando 127, Qatar slumped to four down with Kuwait in the final on from each of the two five- 2-0 lead in the three-match Mendis 119, Cottrell 4-67, Joseph 3-57) for 18 before a small 24-run Thursday. Kuwait beat Bahrain team groups qualifying for series after edging the first beat West indies 184 (Hope 51, between Mohammed Rizlan by 87 runs in the other semi- the knockout phase, defeat in game by one wicket. Hasaranga 3-30, Sandakan 3-57) by and Tamoor Sajjad seemed to final. Kuwait amassed 210 for Canberra would have left their But it was Fernando and 161 runs be stablising the innings. The four and skittled out the rivals tournament in tatters. Mendis who made Sri Lanka departure of the Qatar vice- for 123 in 17 overs to post a fac- But Knight hit an unbeaten captain Rizlan at 42 opened ile victory. 108 in a tournament-best 169- run partnership with Natalie Sciver (not out 59) to secure performance the other day so ment off to an impressive start, the vital win. England’s 176 for it was very important that we beating the West Indies with Australia romp to 97-run Ambassador Cup cricket match on Saturday two was also the highest score bounced back with a decent 10 balls to spare. by any team so far. performance here, which we “We really wanted this win over South Africa DOHA: The Ambassador dor to Qatar, will lead Indian In the later match, Paki- did,” said Knight. win to get the momentum go- Cup friendly cricket match Embassy Eleven. Other mem- stan won their opening clash, “Every game is a must- ing into this World Cup,” said AFP Brief scores: will be held between Indian bers are: Rajesh Kamble, Kapil beating 2016 champions the win game for us now. It was a skipper Bismah Maroof. “I’m CaPE ToWn Australia 193-5 in 20 Embassy Eleven and Com- Kaushik, Kuljeet Singh Arora, West Indies by eight wickets to nice start to get on the board really proud of this bunch and overs (D. Warner 57, A. Finch munity Eleven at the Asian Ashish, Shinod, Faisal Moi- leave Group B wide open with today but we have a long way how we played today. AUSTRALIA beat South Africa 55, S. Smith 30 not out) v Town Stadium on February deen, Deepu, Vijeesh M Vi- four teams on two points each. to go in this competition and “We picked up wickets at by 97 runs in the third and fi- South Africa 96 all out in 29 (Saturday). The match jayan, Vishnu and Viswanath England play Pakistan next we’ve got to keep the momen- crucial times when we needed nal Twenty20 international 15.3 overs (M. Starc 3-22, A. will begin at 10 am. Nair. Raffle draw for gifts will on Friday, while South Africa tum going and put in strong and put them under pressure, at Newlands on Wednesday. Agar 3-16) His Excellency P Ku- also be held after the match. face Thailand. performances.” and then how our openers The thumping victory allowed Result: Australia won by maran, the Indian Ambassa- (TNS) “We were gutted after the Pakistan got their tourna- played, credit to them.” them to claim the series 2-1. 97 runs sports Thursday, February 27, 2020 19

ManaTeq qccr 2020 sTaGe 4 2020 manateq QCCr – positions on ss4 (ss5 cancelled): 1. Yazeed al Rajhi (SAU)/Michael Orr (GBR) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 1hr 03min 08sec 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 1hr 05min 42sec 3. Nasser al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 1hr 08min 20sec 4. Austin Jones (USA)/Gustavo Gugelmin (BRA) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 1hr 14min 25sec 5. Balazs Szalay (HUN)/Laszlo Bunnozci (HUN) Opel Grandland X 1hr 14min 46sec 6. Mubarak al Hajri (QAT)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 1hr 16min 26sec

2020 manateq Qatar Cross-Country rally – overall positions after leg 4 (unofficial @ 14.40hrs): 1. Nasser Saleh al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 9hr 36min 06sec 2. Yazeed al Rajhi (SAU)/Michael Orr (GBR) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 10hr 52min 12sec 3. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 11hr 37min 05sec 4. Khalid al Mohannadi (QAT)/Sébastien Delaunay (FRA) Polaris RZR 1000 Turbo (T3) 12hr 22min 50sec 5. Ahmed al Kuwari (QAT)/Manuel Lucchese (ITA) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 12hr 33min 57sec 6. Saleh al Saif (SAU)/Ali Hassan Obaid (ARE) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 12hr 47min 16sec 7. Fedor Vorobyev (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) OT3 by Overdrive (T3) 12hr 59min 35sec 8. Kees Koolen (NLD)/Serge Bruynkens (BEL) OT3 by Overdrive (T3) 13hr 01min 54sec 9. Balazs Szalay (HUN)/Laszlo Bunnozci (HUN) Opel Grandland X 13hr 27min 01sec Qatar’s six-time winner Nasser Saleh al Attiyah at 10. Aleksey Shmotov (RUS)/Andrey Rudnitski (RUS) Can-Am Maverick (T3) 15hr 16min 22sec the start of the stage on Wednesday. 11. Rashed al Mohannadi (QAT)/Pedro Santos (PRT) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3)* 16hr 24min 06sec 12. Mohammed al Harqan (QAT)/Vili Oslaj (SLO) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 16hr 26min 30sec 13. Mubarak al Hajri (QAT)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 23hr 59min 24sec 14. Austin Jones (USA)/Gustavo Gugelmin (BRA) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) 30hr 20min 30sec rajhi claims stage; 15. Mohammed al Meer (QAT)/Alexey Kuzmich (RUS) Chevrolet Buggy 92hr 57min 39sec Przygonski second

and change the wheel. No we wanted to do. Obviously decided to push all out today Attiyah goes into final Manateq problems though and a good we don’t have much to lose, so to see if we could make up rhythm. You can feel the dif- I was not going to lift my foot seven minutes because, with QCCR stage with big lead ference upwind and down- off the throttle the entire time these weather conditions, wind. Sometimes, upwind you and that’s what happens. The you never know if you have a could feel there was no power. wind actually affects the T3 stage tomorrow. We pushed TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK firmed before Clerk of the With the side wind, you could quite a bit. It shakes it around, a bit too hard and we got a Doha Course Pedro Almeida held a also feel the car moving to the more so on the highway on the puncture. Once you are in the meeting with competitors at right and to the left.” liaisons. It is actually pretty race, you don’t think about the NASSER bin Saleh al Attiyah Lusail Sports Arena. The de- Despite the strong winds, gnarly in the stage and you can weather conditions. The car will take an outright lead of cision was taken to cancel the the revised timetable laid on feel it shaking back and forth.” veers to the left or the right a 1hr 16min 06sec into the final second of the day’s shorter by the Qatar Motor and Mo- Khalid al Mohannadi and little, but the positive thing is stage of the Manateq Qatar special stages, near Sealine, torcycle Federation (QMMF) Sébastien Delaunay main- you can follow the car in front Cross-Country Rally (MQC- and run only the first 119.39km ran according to plan. Hun- tained their T3 lead with the a bit closer, because the wind CR) on Thursday. of the opening Al Shahaniya garian driver Balazs Szalay fourth quickest time in a Po- blows the dust away.” The Qatari and French co- selective section. This guaran- came home in fifth place on laris, the Qatari finishing the Russian driver Aleksey driver Matthieu Baumel erred teed that the competitive stage the day and held ninth in the special 4min 24sec behind Shmotov rounded off the top on the side of caution through distance was long enough general classification in his T1 Jones and 16 seconds adrift 10 in his Can-Am and Rashid Wednesday’s shortened se- (75 percent) to be eligible for Opel Grandland X. of third-placed Saleh al Saif. al Mohannadi, Mohammed lective section and Yazeed al maximum FIA championship South Racing mechanics Mohannadi will now take a T3 al Harqan and Mohammed al Rajhi and Michael Orr took points, even if the weather dis- T3 class stage winner Austin Jones of the US in action. repaired Austin Jones’s dam- lead of 11min 07sec into the Meer are still running along- advantage to snatch the stage rupts Thursday’s final stage. aged Can-Am overnight and last day. side Hajri and Jones at the win in the second of three Toy- Conditions improved as Rajhi. “We held our position. to run the whole stage. Early the American restarted at the Stege three winner Ahmed rear of the field. ota Hiluxes. the stage progressed, despite That was the most important. morning, there was dust but, rear of the field. With nothing al Kuwari had hoped to chal- On Thursday, rhe final se- The day’s action was ini- the fierce wind, and Rajhi We open the road tomorrow after 10.30, it was clearer sky to lose, other than a stage win, lenge for the T3 lead, but the lective section of 254.58km tially delayed by one hour on clocked a stage best time of 1hr and take more experience.” with the strong wind. Sealine Jones attacked and was fastest Qatari suffered a time loss ear- starts on the Zekret road and safety grounds. Strong north- 03min 08sec and managed to Leader Attiyah said: “We may have been a problem if we through the first timing point. ly in the stage and slipped fur- heads up the western shore- westerly winds had caused beat Poland’s Jakub Przygons- had one flat tyre and we had gone to the other stage.” He went on to claim the day’s ther behind Mohannadi, but line before turning south at dust and fine sand to drift and ki and German navigator Timo stopped and changed. Third “It was a short stage but victory by 2min 01sec from still maintains second in T3. a passage control near Al even the neighbouring high- Gottschalk by 2min 34sec in on the road tomorrow so that it had to be like this,” said Pr- Mubarak al Hajri. Saif, Fedor Vorobyev and Kees Zubara, after 150.17km. The ways had severely reduced vis- the third of the Toyotas. we can manage. I think the zygonski. “We enjoyed it. We T3 stage winner Jones Koolen complete the top five. final timed section then heads ibility. “It was good, everything weather will be clearer tomor- catch Nasser and then we get said: “I am really happy with Kuwari said: “I have no- through the central deserts to A second delay was con- okay, nothing special,” said row, so they should be able puncture and we had to stop that. That is definitely what one but myself to blame. We finish at Ash Shafallahiyah. Ooredoo Ride of Champions, a ride for all 20 teams to compete in 2020 Workers’ Cup matches to be held at Qatar 2022 training sites

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha The fourth edition includes QATAR is set to welcome the first Workers’ Cup of the new wheelchair and handcycle events to decade, with the eighth edition of the competition – organised demonstrate its inclusive appeal by the Qatar Stars League (QSL) and sponsored by the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Dr. Abulazziz al Kuwari, Supreme Committee for Deliv- Doha President of Qatar Cyclists, ery & Legacy (SC) – kicking off comments: “In 2020, we are on Friday (February 28). THE Qatar Cyclists-organised striving to be even more inclu- The draw for the 2020 edi- Speaking after the draw, Ooredoo Ride of Champions sive. We have worked with our Participants pose for a group picture after the competition in the 2019 ride of champions. tion was conducted on Tues- Hassan Rabiah al Kuwari, Ex- 2020 will be held on March venue and community part- day at the Al Aziziyah Bou- ecutive Director of Marketing, 13 at the Ceremonial Court in ner, Qatar Foundation’s Com- to see you there.” tique Hotel in Aspire Zone. Sales and Communications at Qatar Foundation’s Education munity Development team To reflect this wider com- Coaches and captains of all the the QSL, said: “It is with great City from 6:30 am to 12:30 and Accessible Qatar to add munity involvement, the event teams were in attendance. pride that we announce the pm, and it will be the most Wheelchair and Handcycle will also be updating their Twenty teams will com- eighth edition of the Work- inclusive competition in the categories to the event, as well event logo to better represent pete for the chance to be ers’ Cup. We know what this event’s history. as ability friendly wave, open the full participating commu- crowned 2020 champions, tournament means to every- The first Ride of Champi- to all ages.” nity. with tournament favourites one who takes part. As well ons event was hosted during He continues “Qatar Cy- Spaces are still available Nakheel Landscapes aiming to as offering our valued work- the UCI Road World Cham- clist Center will continually for this year’s event, with reg- win the title for the fourth year ers an opportunity to keep fit pionship in October 2016 and strive to make its events, such istration open at www.roc- in a row. and showcase their skills to a has grown with each following as Ooredoo Ride of Champi- doha.qa. The first 2,000 par- Nakheel, who are the SC’s wide audience, the Workers’ edition with 1,100 cyclists par- ons, rides for all!” ticipants will receive limited main contractor for the devel- Cup is also helping to further ticipating in 2017 and 1,500 in Hamad al Jaaidi, Co-Man- edition bike jerseys (9+) and opment of Qatar 2022 train- grow grassroots football in our 2019 event. For 2020, the or- aging Director of the Ooredoo event bike bottles. ing sites, claimed last year’s country. I look forward to an- ganisers are aiming for 2,000 Ride of Champions, adds “The Official Partners and Sup- title after defeating Taleb other successful edition this participants, with over 1,000 Ooredoo Ride of Champions is porters of the Ooredoo Ride of Group 4-0 in the final at the year, and beyond.” spots already allocated. the biggest mass-participation Champions include Ooredoo Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Fatma al Nuaimi, the The event has always wel- cycling event in Qatar and the Qatar, Dolphin Energy, Qa- in front of 10,000 passionate SC’s Communications Direc- comed cyclists of all ages and pinnacle of the community tar Stock Exchange, Turkish fans. This year, 18 of the 20 tor, said: “We are delighted levels of experience from be- events organised by Qatar Airlines, Qatar Foundation, participants have an affilia- to once again be sponsoring ginners to the experienced Cyclists, as it offers rides that competitors with special abilities contested last year. Ministry of Culture and Sports tion to the SC. the Workers’ Cup and are amateurs by creating a safe, suit all ages and experience of Qatar, Qatar Cycling Fed- The group stages and pleased that the tournament well-structured, and friendly levels, with ability friendly Ahmed al Shahrani, the ry for you from a 5.8 km lap eration, Rasen Sports, Garmin knockout rounds of this year’s has become a firm fixture in environment for all partici- categories added in 2020. We accomplished Qatari athlete, inside Education City where Lingawi and Rayyan Water, tournament will be held at the Qatari football calendar. pants. hope all members of Qatar’s competing in wheelchair divi- wheelchair users can use their Best Buddies Qatar and Acces- the Qatar 2022 training sites Its growth, year after year, has In 2019, the event started communities come out and sion events and Ambassador everyday chair to longer routes sible Qatar. cluster at Qatar University. been a source of great pride to move beyond just youth and enjoy the day.” of Accessible Qatar, a Sasol up to 137 km designed for cy- To learn more about Oore- The players will follow in the for the SC, as we aim to offer adult, including young mem- Beyond the cycling on the initiative, comments “ I’m ex- clists and hand-cyclists. doo Ride of Champions, fans footsteps of numerous inter- opportunities to provide our bers of the IDD (intellectual day, there will be activities cited about this year’s Ride of I love such events because and participants may visit national teams, including Al- workers with health and well- and developmental disabili- for kids and youth available Champions. I’s Qatar’s most they bring all walks of life in www.rocdoha.qa or follow @ geria, Iran, Oman and India, ness activities. I wish all the ties community) working with on the day thanks to various inclusive event. No matter your the community together. Can’t rocdoha on Twitter, Instagram who have used the facility as a participants the best of luck in Best Buddies Qatar. event partners. physical ability, it has a catego- wait for #ROC2020 and hope and Facebook. training base in the last year. this year’s tournament.” 20 Thursday, February 27, 2020 the Last word

NAtiONAL serVice AcAdemy cONcLUdes miQdAm 3 tActicAL driLL

The National Service Academy concluded on Wednesday the tactical exercise ‘Miqdam 3’ with the participation of its cadets. The closing ceremony was held in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al Attiyah and chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces HE lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al Ghanem. The ten-day drill included individual and group exercises aimed at providing the trainees with military skills to ensure highest level of military readiness for the recruits. (QNA)

Qatar Museums qM to open M7, new epicentre for innovation invites entries and entrepreneurship in fashion and design for 1st public art The incubator for the creative industries incorporates training and workshop spaces for rising professionals and a public-facing gallery student contest TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK all ages and backgrounds through tures more than three dozen iconic TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha exhibitions, performances, films, dresses from Alaïa’s collections span- Doha educational programmes and public ning the course of 25 years. The ex- HER Excellency Sheikha al Mayassa discussions; and help connect Qatar’s hibition comes as part of the Qatar- QATAR Museums (QM) is inviting bint Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, innovators with the world. France 2020 Year of Culture. university students and alumni to chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), The name M7 acknowledges the HE Sheikha al Mayassa, said, “Be- participate in the first edition of its on Wednesday announced that QM seven goals that guided the creation cause the future of Qatar depends on Public Art Student Competition. To will inaugurate a new five-storey, of this new creative resource: acceler- cultivating the creative potential of all promote the competition, QM hosted 29,000-square metre (312,000 ate (support the development of the its citizens, Qatar Museums has de- an orientation day at Fire Station Cin- square foot) facility known as M7, country’s design community), connect veloped M7 to raise public awareness ema on Tuesday. dedicated to innovation and entre- (link creative people and industry), of the vast influence of fashion and The competition targets students preneurship in the nation’s growing inspire (spark excitement through design as an industry and to provide currently enrolled in a Qatari univer- fashion and design industry, as part exhibitions), complement (provide much-needed support for Qatar’s sity, and alumni who have graduated of the annual #QatarCreates celebra- material support to designers), equip own burgeoning creative sector, from in the last two years. tion to be held in Doha from March (provide training, infrastructure and concept design to the production line. The competition provides an op- 24 to 27. mentoring), promote (put design at We are grateful to Qatar Foundation, portunity for students to propose #QatarCreates will include the the centre of life in Msheireb Down- headed by Her Highness Sheikha their ideas for a public art piece to be presentation of the second annual town Doha), and empower (promote Moza bint Nasser, its chairperson, for displayed in Qatar. The piece could Fashion Trust Arabia Prize; a benefit sustainable business practices). initiating the Msheireb Downtown span various mediums, from instal- gala and fashion show hosted by Nao- The M7, which is set to be opened as part of the annual #Qatarcreates celebration. Envisioned to serve Qatar’s Doha project, for our M7 partners lations to interventions and perfor- mi Campbell at M7 and Msheireb’s emerging creative industries, M7 is Virginia Commonwealth University mances. The winners will gain finan- central square, the Baraha, in support con’s Eye: Tribute to Sheikh Saoud al will open to the public from March 15 positioned as the cultural, education- Qatar and Qatar Development Bank cial support to realise their proposal of Fashion for Relief and Education Thani’ at the Museum of Islamic Art to July 1, 2020. al and entrepreneurial centerpiece of and of course, the contributions of the and exposure in the art industry. Above All; the debut in Msheireb of a which will be open to the public from Additionally, a series of cultural Msheireb Downtown Doha. M7 will private sector.” Abdulrahman al Ishaq, head of suite of townhouses created by design March 25, 2020 – January 02, 2021; tours as well as fashion talks and feature training, workshop and incu- Clustered in the dense, mid-rise Public Art at QM, said: “At Qatar Mu- legends including Diane von Fursten- ‘Splendours of the Ancient East: An- panel discussions will be announced bator spaces. Msheireb Downtown Doha—one of seums, we are proud to provide plat- berg, Armani Casa and India Mah- tiquities from the Al Sabah Collection’ soon. M7 will inaugurate its ground- the world’s largest concentrations of forms of self-expression for our coun- davi; the opportunity for members at the National Museum of Qatar, Located in the heart of Msheireb floor gallery with the special exhibi- LEED-certified buildings—are resi- try’s rising artists. This competition of the public to book appointments which will be open from March 26 to Downtown Doha, the mixed-use de- tion ‘Azzedine Alaïa ‘Je suis coutu- dences, shops, restaurants, offices, is not only an incredible opportunity with world-renowned beauty artists July 1, 2020; ‘Yto Barrada: My Very velopment that is reviving Doha’s rier’’, a tribute to the achievements of government buildings and the Jal- for students and recent graduates to such as Dr Barbara Sturm at the Park Educated Mother Just Served Us historic core as a sustainable new the renowned Tunisian-born French mood Mosque, plus parks, plazas, a contribute to enriching the nation’s Hyatt Hotel and Dr Georgia Louise at Nougat’, ‘Huguette Caland: Faces and live-work neighbourhood and devel- designer Azzedine Alaïa (1935-2017). medical centre and an international arts and culture scene, but it also pre- the Mandarin Oriental; the Qatar Af- Places’ and ‘Lived Forward: Art and oped by Qatar Foundation (QF), M7 The exhibition is organised in col- school. In addition to M7, cultural pares the next generation of artists rica Business Forum at the Mandarin Culture in Doha from 1960-2020’ is founded to: advance the careers laboration with Association Azzedine facilities include four historic herit- with firsthand experience into the in- Oriental Hotel. at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern of Qataris in creative industries, es- Alaïa and curated by Olivier Saillard. age house museums, which stand dustry.” The celebration will also include Art, open to the public from March pecially design and fashion; train The title is taken from one of Alaïa’s just off the canopied Barahat Al- Aalia Khalid al Khater, public art the opening of six major QM exhi- 25 to August 26, 2020; and ‘Picasso’s aspiring entrepreneurs in creative famous quotes: “I am not a designer, Nouq, the largest sheltered public researcher, added “By providing stu- bitions. The exhibitions are: ‘A Fal- Studios’ at Doha Fire Station, whil fields; spark creativity in people of I am a couturier”. The exhibition fea- square in the region. dents with a toolbox, we believe they can fuel Qatar’s growing art indus- try. Universities in Qatar are home to some of our greatest established artists and we want to give more stu- dents a head start to gaining the same Qatar Airways, Air Malta sign codeshare agreement kind of exposure.” QM held an additional orientation QNA the airline. Sales will start from today QA passengers will also benefit setting the foundation to further en- our Islands and the successful coop- day for students and alumni to enter Doha with the first codeshare flights to op- from greater access to Malta and to hance cooperation in other fields in eration on pilot training.” the competition at the Virginia Com- erate on March 9. Air Maltas extensive Mediterranean the future.” QA began flying to Malta on June monwealth University School of the QATAR Airways (QA) has signed a The codeshare agreement in- network. Codeshare destinations in- Air Malta CEO Captain Cliff Chet- 4, 2019 with daily flights in the sum- Arts in Qatar on Wednesday. comprehensive codeshare agreement creases Maltas connectivity with clude Cagliari, Palermo and Catania. cuti said: “This agreement is yet an- mer and a four-times weekly service The deadline to apply is April with Air Malta. the Middle East, Africa, Asia and QA Group Chief Executive Akbar other milestone for Air Malta in its during winter. 30, 2020. For more information and The partnership reinforces QA’s Australia, by enabling Air Maltas al Baker said: “This agreement will growth strategy and widening of its Air Malta is the national carrier of guidelines, visit www.qm.org.qa/en/ long-term commitment to Maltese passengers to travel on QA flights to provide significant benefits to both code sharing network. It was a natu- Malta, serving over 40 destinations publicartstudentcompetition and to passengers and to boosting tourism Doha and onwards to more than 170 airlines and thousands of passengers, ral step for us after Qatar Airways from its hub at Malta International apply, email [email protected] to the Mediterranean country, said destinations. expanding both of our networks and launched direct scheduled services to Airport (MLA). Passengers enjoy spectacular preview performance of Messi 10 at HIA 20 artistes take part in the performance by Cirque du soleil

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha

PASSENGERS at Hamad International Airport (HIA) were treated to an exclusive, surprise preview perfor- mance of Cirque du Soleil’s latest production, Messi 10, which will open to the public in Qatar today, Thursday. Artistes performed two 10-minute freestyle shows, for the show. tion with Alchemy Project Corporate Communications Chief Marketing Officer ences and we understand to a wider audience within interacting with passengers The show tells the story Entertainment, the show Salam al Shawa said, “We are at Qatar National Tourism the unique unifying power the terminal, while attracting at the airport’s iconic grand of a young man with bound- will run from February 27 to thrilled to support Cirque du Council Rashed al Qurese of sport as a complement to them to visit the country and foyer. less ambition who overcomes March 7 at Ali Bin Hamad Al Soleil and QNTC to bring this said, “Messi 10 is a celebra- that. We look forward to the experience Qatar’s culture Messi 10 is an immersive all obstacles to become one of Attiyah Arena. incredible show to Doha. Mes- tion of a remarkable athlete acrobatic telling of Messi’s in- and essence. experience which combines the greatest footballers of his Messi 10 comes to Doha si 10 combines two of our pas- and QNTC is proud to bring spiring story, which heralds a “The airport transforms classical circus acts such time. as part of a limited tour sions in Qatar – art and sport Cirque du Soleil’s foray into busy spring for residents and itself into an innovative as trampoline, trapeze and Cirque du Soleil has part- through Barcelona, Buenos – and from what we have seen football to Qatar. Completing visitors to Doha.” space to appeal to the glob- tightrope artistes with never- nered with Qatar National Aires and other Argentinian at the preview performance at a successful premiere run in Abdulaziz al Mass, vice- ally diverse audience passing before-seen disciplines, au- Tourism Council (QNTC) to cities. Tickets are available on HIA today, visitors and resi- Barcelona, the show lands in president Corporate Commu- through our terminal every diovisual material and videos bring Messi 10 to Qatar, with TIXBOX.QA and are priced dents in Doha are in for a real Doha to mark its Asian and nications and Marketing at day. We will continue our highlighting Lionel Messi’s support from Qatar Airways from QR295. treat. It’s just one of many in- Middle Eastern debut. HIA, said: “Being a gateway to efforts in this direction and best plays, as well as exclusive as sponsor. Qatar Airways Senior credible events taking place in “At QNTC, we focus on the world, it is only fitting for wish all our passengers enjoy images especially produced Organised in collabora- Vice-President Marketing and Qatar this spring.” creating compelling experi- us to showcase Qatar’s events the performances.”