Epidemics Expert Jonathan Quick Says the Worst-Case Scenario Increasingly Likely. P4-5

Monday, March 2, 2020 Rajab 7, 1441 AH

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COVER Coronavirus STORY Epidemics expert Jonathan Quick says the worst-case scenario increasingly likely. P4-5

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Recall of separation from hubby Did The Simpsons really predict still scares me: Bhagyashree. the coronavirus outbreak? Page 14 Page 15 2 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

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A Million Little Pieces plane to ﬁ nd his front teeth knocked out and his nose broken. CAST: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Odessa He has no idea where the plane is headed nor any recollection Young of the past two weeks. DIRECTION: Sam Taylor-Johnson Emergency 999 SYNOPSIS: At the age of 23, James Frey wakes up on a THEATRE: Royal Plaza Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 After Midnight suddenly, leaving a cryptic note as her only explanation, Qatar Airways 40253374 DIRECTION: Jeremy Gardner, Christian Stella Hank’s comfortable life and his sanity begin to crack. Then, CAST: Julia Benson, Jeremy Gardner, Brea Grant, Justin from the woods surrounding his house, something terrible Benson starts trying to break in. SYNOPSIS: When his long suff ering friend disappears THEATRE: The Mall te Unqu uo ot Q “Accept e the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” – George S Patton

Community Editor For movie timings and Kamran Rehmat further details please scan e-mail: [email protected] the QR code above with your Telephone: 44466405 mobile phone camera or visit qatarcinemas.com Fax: 44350474 Monday, March 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Ballet Lessons information, 66053485, 33232490 or visit WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier www.SmedleyToastmasters.org WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 4pm – 8pm For more info e-mail at registration@ atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839.

Whiskers & Purrs WHERE: Tennis Courts, The Pearl-Qatar WHEN: March 7 Time: 1pm – 6pm A fun-ﬁ lled event for the family which will promote responsible pet ownership. The objective is to raise community awareness MIA Park Bazaar 2020 Street Food is the ideal venue for a leisure about animal welfare and highlight the plight WHERE: MIA Park experience for the whole family off ering over of pets that have been abandoned by families. WHEN: Ongoing till April 25 20 dine-in options and 18-hole World Mini- HEC Paris International Executive TIME: 2pm — 8pm Golf setup. MBA Information Session MIA Park Bazaar is a modern version of WHERE: 15th Floor, Tornado Tower, West the Old Souq tradition with vibrant mix of Hobby Classes Bay around 120 stalls. You can browse and buy WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art WHEN: March 4 handicrafts, accessories, paintings, clothing, Centre TIME: 5:30pm — 7pm food, jewellery, photography and art. WHEN:Wednesday – Monday Learn more about this world-class Mamangam is an art and performance executive programme. Discover the centre started with a vision of spreading international diversity of participants, our knowledge, interests and experience in blended learning and international mobility various disciplines in arts across different options. Find out how it will help you countries for children and adults. transform yourself and your career. We offer regular classes in disciplines like traditional classical dance, art and craft, Public Speaking Classes for Adults Bollywood and hip-hop styles, Carnatic WHERE: Sharq Capital, C-Ring Road music, robotics, percussion instruments, WHEN:Ongoing till July 1 keyboard, yoga, zumba and martial arts TIME: 6:30pm – 9pm like Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu and Kalari. Get trained by experts to be a good speaker. For those who wish to register e-mail Smedley Toastmasters is conducting a at [email protected] or call on six-month speech-craft programme that 33897609/44723680 teaches new members to speak conﬁ dently and develop leadership skills. For more

2020 Grand Prix – Test and Race WHERE: Losail International Circuit WHEN: March 6–8 2020 Grand Prix is set to take place from March 6 till March 8 at the Losail International Circuit. Built-in just under a year, the circuit has been a regular venue of the MotoGP STEM Event calendar ever since. You can watch the races with friends or family in an open-air setting WHERE: Qatar Academy for Science and where you will be surrounded by the uproar of larger crowds. Technology WHEN: Tomorrow TIME: 2pm — 4pm This is a free event open to QF and non-QF families. Activities are tailored to appeal to ages 11-16. Spaces are limited so please book ahead.

Metro Street Food WHERE: DECC Metro Station WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 12:30pm

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “There is plenty we can do to protect ourselves” — Jonathan D Quick The former chair of the Global Health Council talks about the mentality that left the world vulnerable to the Covid-19 epidemic and what can be done to minimise its eff ects

We can mobilise more health officials and keep engaging the public, implementing sensible travel controls and ensuring that frontline health workers have ready access to diagnostic tests ‘and are vigilant — Jonathan Quick

By Laura Spinney

n 2018 global health expert Jonathan D Quick, of Duke University in North Carolina, published a book titled The End of Epidemics: The Looming Threat to Humanity and How to Stop It. In it he prescribed measures by which the world could protect itself against devastating disease outbreaks of the Ilikes of the 1918 ﬂ u, which killed millions and set humanity back decades. He is the former chair of the Global Health Council and a long-term collaborator of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Covid-19 epidemic looks like it’s edging towards becoming a pandemic — that is, as the WHO defi’ nes it, “the worldwide spread of a new disease” — but the WHO hasn’t declared a pandemic yet. What are the best-case and worst- case scenarios? The best case is that the Chinese confl agration is brought under control, the smaller “fl ames” we’ve seen fl are up in other countries are extinguished, there’s little or no spread to new countries or continents, and the epidemic dies out. The worst case is that the FIRST LESSON: “It’s critical to disseminate dispassionate, evidence-based information, and not to try to mislead the outbreak goes global and the disease eventually becomes endemic, population,” says Jonathan Quick. meaning it circulates permanently in the human population. Monday, March 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

Your feeling as to which is Evidence suggests that vaccine more likely, as of today? hesitancy diminishes when lots The worst-case scenario is of people are dying. Once an looking increasingly likely. We’ve outbreak is over, however, levels of now seen cases on six continents, vaccine uptake may depend on how apparently “silent” — that is, fresh that outbreak is in people’s at least partly asymptomatic minds — even though the risk of — chains of human-to-human another one is real. I’ve written transmission both inside and about a hypothetical situation outside China, with additional in which a new and dangerous countries reporting cases within pathogen emerges, a vaccine is the last week — bringing the total developed, and you still get a to 47 — and new, accelerating pandemic, because large numbers outbreaks in Iran, Italy and South of millennials refuse the vaccine. In Korea. If it becomes a pandemic, the US, 20% of millennials believe the questions are, how bad will it that vaccines cause autism. The get and how long will it last? The problem is bad information. As my case fatality rate — the proportion students often remind me, news of cases that are fatal — has been tends to be behind paywalls, while just over 2%, much less than it fake news is free. was for Sars, but 20 times that of seasonal fl u. There are still Is it plausible that the Chinese many unknowns — we may have have already created a Covid-19 underestimated the period during vaccine? which a person is contagious, for The US drug company Moderna instance, and the variety of ways in is the only one I’m aware of that has which the virus spreads. a Covid-19 vaccine ready for human trials. Those are due to start in If the worst-case scenario April. Chinese fi rms are new to the comes true, are there still things global vaccine market, but at least we can do to minimise the one, Clover Biopharmaceuticals, pandemic’s impact? is working to develop a Covid-19 Absolutely. We can mobilise more vaccine. health offi cials and keep engaging the public, implementing sensible It appears that the Covid-19 travel controls and ensuring that virus originated in a “wet” or frontline health workers have live animal market. Should such ready access to diagnostic tests markets be banned? and are vigilant — that they don’t No. The Chinese government send anyone who may have been tried that after Sars. The markets exposed home without testing just went underground. They need them, for example. Judging by past to be better regulated, and there experience, however, it’s likely that needs to be active surveillance. health offi cials and the public in Active monitoring and culling of much of the world remain unaware poultry populations in Asia has or unconvinced of the danger this stamped out outbreaks of avian fl u virus poses. in those populations.

You have said that time Was an epidemic like that of and trust are critical to good Covid-19 inevitable? epidemic management. What From a biological standpoint an do you mean? outbreak of a novel pathogen was The delay between the inevitable, but this one happened frontline health workers noticing in the worst place at the worst something unusual, in the form time. Wuhan is a big city and a of an emerging disease, and that crossroads, and the fi rst cases were information travelling up the recorded there just before the lunar line to central decision-makers new year, when large numbers of is critical. To illustrate that, a people were about to travel to visit 2018 simulation that the Gates their families. Foundation conducted of a fl u pandemic estimated that there In terms of containing it, was would be 28,000 after one month, it a good or a bad thing that it 10 million after three months, happened in China? and 33 million after six months. As of fi ve months ago, we have a The virus used in that simulation measure of epidemic preparedness material for health workers are Sars, swine flu, Ebola — we’ve Is a global health agency was more contagious and deadly — the Global Health Security (GHS) running low in the midst of a moved ahead. The GHS Index is essential to managing a than Covid-19 — though they Index — that scores countries moderately severe fl u season. itself a big advance, because we pandemic, and is the WHO up to are both respiratory viruses — on six dimensions: prevention, Since the creation of a much- can now see where individual the task? but the example shows how all detection, response, health system, needed public health emergency countries are weak in terms of A global health agency is epidemics grow exponentially. So risk environment and compliance preparedness fund in the aftermath preparedness. We should be essential, yes. None of the if you can catch an epidemic in the with international standards. No of 9/11, its budget and the public moving faster, though. advances I’ve mentioned could fi rst few weeks, it makes all the country scores perfectly on all six. health functions it supports have have happened without the WHO’s diff erence. As for trust, it’s critical China has detected and responded been steadily reduced. This is What exactly should we be involvement, but the WHO can to disseminate dispassionate, to this epidemic pretty well, though the mentality that left the world doing faster? only perform as well as its members evidence-based information, its health system is now stretched vulnerable to the devastating 2014 Fewer than one in three allow it to — and they have pulled and not to try to mislead the beyond capacity, but it is weak on outbreak of Ebola in west Africa — countries are close to being back on funding since the 2008 population. If you do, they will prevention — particularly when it that is, close the fi re department prepared to confront an epidemic, fi nancial crisis. stop co-operating. Let’s hope that comes to food safety. and cancel the fi re insurance as which leaves the vast majority doesn’t happen in China. nobody’s house or factory has of the world’s population Your book is optimistically How well is the US prepared? burned down lately. It’s time we vulnerable. That in turn leaves entitled The End of Epidemics. Judging by reports, we’re at The US ranks high on the GHS learned that the bugs never stop us all vulnerable because we’re Could we ever really wave least a year out from having an index, but is still unprepared mutating and crossing over to only as safe as the least safe goodbye to epidemics? approved Covid-19 vaccine. for a severe pandemic, should humans. place. We need to invest more in The world will continue to Once one is available, do you one happen. Malfunctioning preparedness, and we need our have disease outbreaks, but think there will be a problem of coronavirus tests have frustrated Has the world been an ostrich leaders to take a greater interest in there is plenty we can do to vaccine hesitancy, as there has public health labs and delayed over pandemic risk? it — that’s all leaders, in both the protect ourselves against global been with some of the resurgent outbreak monitoring. Supplies of Generally speaking, no. After public and private sectors — from catastrophes like the 1918 fl u. — The childhood diseases? masks, suits and other protective each major recent outbreak — the grass roots to the grass tops. Guardian 6 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY

PISQ organises 6th Annual Open House

Pakistan International School Qatar (PISQ) recently were also on-hand to share their experiences. The organised its 6th Annual Open House for prospective ambassador visited all the desks and appreciated the students and their parents to get familiarised with the eff orts of the students. current facilities available at the campus. The event The parents lauded the concept of Open House at also aimed at opening the channel of communication PISQ which provided them with an opportunity to have between school staff and parents. Various resource a glance at school and enrich themselves with detailed desks, including Senior Boys Wing, Senior Girls Wing, information about the academic facilities and the entire Cambridge Stream, Primary Wing, KG Wing, ETL working of the school. They sought information related (Educational Technology Lab), Evening Classes, FBA to school’s curriculum, classroom schedule, homework, (Federal Board Aff airs), Qatar Debates, PISMUN and grading, assessments and co-curricular activities. i-EARN were set up at the event. Nargis Raza Otho, Principal of PISQ, expressed her Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, Ambassador of Pakistan, gratitude to all the guests for giving a positive response was the chief guest on the occasion. The visitors got and a constructive feedback. “The success of PISQ to know about the school’s academic programmes, is not possible without the inception of all the stake curricular and co-curricular activities. Alumni and holders”, she said. She also thanked the chief guest and current students of PISQ along with their mentors other dignitaries for gracing the occasion.

NNFIN organises cultural festival

Nepal Non-Resident Federation of Indigenous Nationalities – Qatar (NNFIN) along with other Nepali and Hiradan Rai spoke about the importance of ethnic festival and the status of indigenous ethnic community organisations, including Tamu Society, Tamang Society, Sunuwar Society, Newar Pucha, communities of Nepal on the occasion. Shiba Bhuejl said that each ethic organisation has its own Tharu Welfare Service, Kirat Rai Yayokkha Sakha, Limbu Society, Sherpa Society, Kirat Yakthung organisational structure and objectives, but all have some common agendas in terms of preservation, Chumlung, Majhi Welfare Society and Non-resident Nepali Bhujel Society recently organised a cultural promotion and development of indigenous language, script, religion, culture and literature. He added event at Al Dosari Zoo and Park. The event was chaired by Shiva Bhujel, President of NNFIN. Gurung, all ethic organisations put their voice together for empowerment and proportionate representation of Chief Adviser of NNFIN, was the chief guest at the event. The event was attended by over 300 people. ethnic/indigenous communities. The event featured various cultural performances by the artistes of The event kicked off with the candle lighting ceremony. Various community leaders, including Bil Nepali Tamu Society, Tharu Welfare Service, Sunuwar Society and Kirat Rai Yayokkha Sakha. Gurung, Debraj Rai, Shiya Ram Chaudary, Suk Bahadur Tamang, Dhiraj Chamling Rai, Uttam Gurung – Text and photos by Usha Wagle Gautam

Area 1 of Division A Toastmasters conducts Annual Speech Contest

Area 01 of Division A of Toastmasters International recently conducted its Annual Speech Contest category. Rajeswar Sundaresan, former district director, and Vaishali Mehra were the chief judges on under the theme of ‘Every Voice Counts’. The contest was organised under the leadership of Niloufer the occasion. The contest managed by Elizabeth Kieti and was attended by over 100 toastmasters Samal, Area Director. Contestants from Doha Toastmasters Club, Elite, Oryx Communicators and SIS and dignitaries, including Sonny Varghese, former international director at Toastmasters International; Club took part in the four categories, including humorous, evaluation, international and table topics. Raghavan Menon, Thayalan K P, Manzoor Moideen, Rammohan Das Rai, Dinesh Kumar and Girish Jain. Doha Toastmasters Club (DTC) bagged three first positions. Sunil Kumar Menon, from DTC, bagged Speaking on the occasion, Niloufer Samal said, “Toastmasters is a platform which is open to all. We train the winning trophy in the international and humorous category. Rangamani Ravi, from DTC, got the people not only in Public Speaking and Leadership skills but also to face challenges and emerge first position in evaluation category. Mubarrat Wassey, of Elite Club, emerged winner in table topics successful.” Monday, March 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY OIS organises award distribution ceremony

Olive International School (OIS) recently organised ‘Coff ee with Principal’ – an award distribution Term III’ were invited to the school. The event kicked off with a welcome song by the students of Al ceremony for the students of all three branches of OIS, including Al Thumama, Abu Hamour and Thumama campus, which was followed by a welcome dance the students of Abu Hamour campus. Nuaija. The event aimed at felicitating and appreciating the students who were self-disciplined and Speaking on the occasion, the principal said that OIS would train the students to be sensitive towards determined throughout the academic year. The parents of the students selected as ‘Star Child of the underprivileged and would reiterate them to be an outstanding human beings.

Jaidah Group organises Extra Mile Challenge 2020

Jaidah Group (the Qatar dealer of UD Trucks), in partnership with Dallah Driving Academy, parking on target followed by straight reversing and parking on a target. The learning points recently organised the Extra Mile Challenge 2020, the Japanese truck brand UD Trucks’ for drivers from this task was vehicle size and manoeuvrability judgement. The final round signature annual competition, stated a press release. The competition reproduces an actual was ‘Slalom.’ Truck was to be reversed between six traffic cones alternating between left and truck operation cycle, assessing drivers in the three key areas of pre-driving inspection, fuel right side of the cones in a zigzagging pattern. The purpose of this discipline was to make the efficiency and safe driving including manoeuvring and parking. The UD Extra Mile Challenge drivers aware of the trucks turning characteristics and around which point the truck actually is a quest to find the ultimate driver, measuring effectiveness in operational cost and reduced turned. downtime in addition to safe and skilled driving. Ajin Ashraf, Trucks Sales Manager at Jaidah Grou, said, “The transportation industry is facing Fifty drivers from different companies competed for the coveted prize of a trip to UD Trucks’ severe challenges from cost pressure, tough demands on delivery, stricter regulations and factory in Ageo, Japan where the Global Final of the contest will be held in July 2020. The shortage of skilled drivers. Good drivers respect their truck and cargo, save on operational winner of the ‘Ultimate Driver’ title in Qatar was Sameer Shah from Power Waste Management costs, and make the roads safer every single day. This is our initiative to help our customers’ and Transport Co, which was followed by Joseph Nishantha and Rajesh Tumbad from Galfar drivers in becoming good at their work.” Al Misnad with second and third place, respectively. “We have created a platform where our customers’ drivers receive the recognition they The competition kicked off with a task ‘Diminishing Line’ in which the drivers had to reverse deserve. Some expert training and friendly competition is a great way to improve their skills a 6X4 UD truck in a straight line between pairs of cones that diminished by 20cm every and motivation. A good driver translates into profitability for the business. It is one of many 3m and park on a target spot. The second round was ‘Forward Side Move.’ Drivers had to initiatives that Jaidah Group takes in creating practicable profitability for its customers,” said drive forward and move sideways one vehicle width to line up for a straight forwarding and Altug Okay, Managing Director – Equipment, Projects and Industrial Supply at Jaidah Group.

٥٣٨٧١٤٠٣Dallah 8 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY The Present Is Female: Cele

As part of International Women’s Day celebration, Karachi recently witnessed the celebration of iconic women at HUM Women Leaders Award 2020, an initiative to recognise and honour the contribution and achievements of women from Pakistan and around the world, writes Muhammad Asad Ullah

GROUP: Awardees and Advisory Committee of HUM Women Leaders Awards 2020 with Dr Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, along with the dignitaries.

n 2020, the wage gap may at any work or business for that First Lady of Pakistan; Paul W Jones, create part-time jobs for them and for women’s and child health, still exist between men and matter. They put on shoulder pads Ambassador of US to Pakistan; open day-care centres for their economic and social development women — and even more so and masculine suits, played by the Imran Ismail, Governor Sindh, children in order to facilitate them. and his work for social justice and between diff erent racial groups rules, and acted out qualities that attended the awards to pay homage Media also had a responsibility in HUMan rights and campaigns — but with internationally seemed to make for successful to the powerful women inspiring showing women in positive roles such as the Pink Ribbon and White Irecognised movements like #MeToo leaders like authority, fi rmness and everyday. instead of stereotyping them.” Ribbon. and Time’s Up maintaining not being ‘too accessible.’ But it With the spot-on script, and The awards also remembered HUM Women Leader Awards momentum and more women won’t be erroneous to say that a new hosted by Mira Sethi and Sanam the Pakistani women legends and 2020 did not disappoint with involved in careers defi ning change breed of women leaders like Sultana Saeed the evening was a wonderful leaders of the past, including Fatima the glamour and the sizzling than ever before, women are also Siddiqui, CEO of HUM Network, mesh of many elements. Jinnah, one of the leading founders power packed performances. And more powerful than ever. herself is upending those old rules, Speaking on the occasion, the of Pakistan; Benazir Bhutto, fi rst of course with the attendance A FEMALE CULTURE runs far and embracing traits like empathy and President, said, “We may have done female Prime Minister of Pakistan; of Pakistan’s A List showbiz wide across the landscape of every collaboration to get things done, and much for women, but not as much Fatima Surayya Bajia, Urdu novelist, celebrities, models and actors, fi eld in the 21st-century today. It’s refusing to suppress the qualities as we should have done. When I playwright and drama writer; Bano after all it’s HUM and it knows there at the top of the mountains, that make them who they are. Some used to be student there used to Qudsia, Pakistani novelist; Professor how to pull off a show full of in major media houses, it pervades may call these ‘feminine’ qualities, be a one-fourth quota for female Anita Ghulam Ali, educational glamour bringing everyone under the uprising of fl edgling, self-made but others prefer to call them the students during admissions while expert in Sindh, Pakistan; Dr Ruth one roof, including Mahira Khan, independents and generations traits of well-rounded leaders. three-fourth of the students were Pfau, German-Pakistani physician Hina Bayat, Sania Saeed, Zeba of established entrepreneurs, As part of International Women’s male. But the Supreme Court put an who moved from Germany to Bakhtiar, Javed Sheikh, designer a multifaceted critical mass of Day celebration just around the end to the quota system during the Pakistan in 1961 and devoted more Bunto Kazmi, beautician Musarrat women steadily working to change corner, Karachi recently witnessed 1980s and now we see 80 percent than 55 years of her life to fi ghting Misbah, and Fouzia Aman among the perception of the country and the celebration of iconic women at or even more female students in leprosy in Pakistan; Asma Jahangir, others. It was a night of racy represent their heritage for the HUM Women Leaders Award 2020, our universities and professional Pakistani HUMan rights lawyer; performances – some of them a better and projecting strength an initiative to recognise and honour colleges. And yet there are not as Madam Noor Jahan, Pakistani lot of fun, like Hania Amir’s rise to of patience and justice. What’s the contribution and achievements many women seen in professions as playback singer and actress; and dance with an ensemble and Sajjad remarkable is the way they still talk of women from Pakistan and around are passing out of the educational Arfa Karim, the youngest Microsoft Ali along with his daughter Zaw about feelings, their swift ability to the world who are change makers institutions because society expects Certifi ed Professional. Ali spreading their vocals together understand the time we live in, and in their respective fi elds and a to see the woman in the role of a Then one by one, the pictures and for the first time. Hadiqa Kiani’s their quiet but steady turning of the symbol and source of hope, courage, mother or homemaker. So we don’t stories of the awardees were fl ashed conquest of the stage was also a world toward the overthrow of bad determination and inspiration for see this cream of our society in the on the screen. lot of fun; she always knows what and old institutional behaviours. women across the globe. pillars of our society.” The only man awardee of the she’s doing and does it well — takes For a long time, women were Dr Arif Alvi, President of He added, “If women wish to work night was Omar Aftab, a globally you on a journey of her own with taught to ‘act like men’ to get ahead Pakistan, along with Samina Alvi, after marriage institutions should recognised campaign strategist that husky voice. Monday, March 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY ebrating the women leaders

The Women of Substance

The women honoured at the HUM Women Leaders Award 2020, included

Samina Baig Pakistan’s ﬁ rst female mountaineer recognised of her tremendous achievements in adventure sports and for her eff orts towards gender equality, climate change and women empowerment.

Jalila Haider First female attorney of Hazara community recognised for selﬂ ess devotion to women and children’s rights and her outstanding work with local communities to provide opportunities to vulnerable women and children.

Khadija Siddiqi Barrister, Survivor of 23 stabbing attacks, recognised for bravery and determination of SURVIVOR: Khadija Siddiqui, barrister and survivor of stabbing attacks, left, standing tall against a powerful and corrupt receiving award from Mahira Khan for bravery and determination of standing tall WOMAN WITH A VOICE: Dr Maleeha Lodhi, receiving her system. against a powerful and corrupt system. award on stage.

Narges Abyar Acclaimed Iranian ﬁ lm director recognised for contributions for sensitively highlighting the plight of women and children caused by society, war and radicalism in her ﬁ lms and also for defying the war genre’s conventions by featuring female characters that rejected the gender norms expected of them.

Dr Fouzia Saeed Social activist, gender expert, trainer/ facilitator, development manager, folk culture promoter, television commentator and author recognised of services for the promotion of Pakistani culture, women’s issues, courageous stand against sexual harassment and commitment to women’s advancement.

Bushra Ansari Veteran actor recognised for her years of contributions to television and cinema.

Mary Robinson First woman President of Ireland recognised for being a forceful advocate for gender equality, women’s participation in peace- building and HUMan dignity.

Dr Seemin Jamali ON SONG: Hania Amir performing semi-classical number. Recognised of outstanding services in the public sector and medical profession.

Zubeida Mustafa Recognised for contributions in the ﬁ eld of journalism and her in-depth investigations and campaigns on education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, children’s rights and HUMan rights.

Dr Shamshad Akhtar Pakistani development economist, diplomat and intellectual who served as the caretaker Finance Minister of Pakistan was recognised for career in the male dominant fi eld of fi nance where she became the fi rst woman in Pakistan’s history to serve as Governor State Bank.

Dr Maleeha Lodhi Pakistani diplomat, military strategist and political scientist recognised for diplomatic career and contributions in giving Pakistan a positive proﬁ le at the UN as Pakistan’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative. HOSTS: Mira Sethi, left, and Sanam Saeed. PERFORMANCE: Hadiqa Kiani during her performance. 10 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Monday, March 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Job insecurity negatively aff ects your personality

xperiencing chronic job The study used nationally productivity because workers will insecurity can change representative data from the work harder to keep their jobs, but your personality for the Household, Income and Labour our research suggests this may worse, say researchers, Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) not be the case if job insecurity adding that those Survey in relation to answers about persists,” Wang said. exposedE to job insecurity over job security and personality for “We found that those chronically more than four years became less 1,046 employees over a nine-year exposed to job insecurity are in fact emotionally stable, less agreeable, period. more likely to withdraw their eff ort and less conscientious. It applied a well-established and shy away from building strong, The study, published in the personality framework known as positive working relationships, Journal of Applied Psychology, built the Big Five, which categorises which can undermine their on a growing evidence base about human personality into ﬁ ve productivity in the long run,” Wang the negative consequences of job broad traits: emotional stability, added. insecurity. agreeableness, conscientiousness, Previous research has shown that “Traditionally, we’ve thought extraversion and openness. insecure work – including labour about the short-term consequences The study results showed that hire practices, contract and casual of job insecurity – that it hurts long-term job insecurity negatively work, and underemployment – is your well-being, physical health, aff ected the ﬁrst three traits, which on the rise in Australia and globally. sense of self-esteem,” said study relate to a person’s tendency to The HILDA data drew on researcher Lena Wang from RMIT reliably achieve goals, get along responses from employees from a University in Australia. with others, and cope with stress. broad cross-section of professions “But now we are looking at how The researchers said the results and jobs, who were asked about that actually changes who you are went against some assumptions how secure they perceived their as a person over time, a long-term about job insecurity. jobs to be. consequence that you may not even “Some might believe that The researchers said that types of term contracts or casual work, jobs positions that could be in line for a be aware of,” Wang added. insecure work increases job insecurity might include short- threatened by automation, and redundancy. – IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

You tend to be your own worst critic, Aries, and today you’re more likely Today could be a strange day where money is concerned, Taurus. You Unsafe conditions could exist around the house, Gemini, which may to be that way. Recent setbacks on the job might find you harbouring might not be sure exactly where you stand financially, so it might be a result in accidents if they aren’t rectified. Some may not be readily doubts about your own capabilities. Be objective about the situation. good idea to get all your records together and go over them carefully. apparent, so warn family members to be careful. This isn’t a good day to Whatever happened was probably above and beyond your control, so This isn’t a good day for gambling or making investments of any kind. do any heavy work around the home. If you’re planning major repairs, it it isn’t fair to doubt yourself because of it. Work hard, continue to do the Instead, get whatever information you can on investments that interest might be a good idea to postpone them. This is, however, a good day for best you can, and don’t let outside events sap your belief in yourself. you, study them, and make appropriate decisions later. planning such repairs, as you can be especially methodical right now. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Cancer, one or more of your co-workers could appear to be rather Profligate spending in the past may come back to haunt you now Boredom and restlessness may plague you today, Virgo. You could upset or depressed on the job today, and this is likely to aff ect your with regard to money, Leo. There could be blocks in receiving funds feel the need to break loose from the ties that bind you to mundane own eff iciency. Your colleagues in question aren’t going to be very you were expecting or an unexpected but necessary expense could aff airs, to run away and seek adventure, although you aren’t certain much into communicating, so it’s best just to turn a blind eye and come up. It’s going to take all your talent for careful planning to work what kind of adventure! The walls may be closing around you at keep on working in spite of the situation. It’s going to be tougher your way around this situation, but take heart. The situation can turn home and on the job. You might want to plan some kind of outing for than usual, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. to a positive one in the blink of an eye, and probably will. an upcoming weekend in order to give yourself a needed break. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Your concentration should be high today, Libra. You’re likely to be Worries about money could be uppermost in your mind today, Scorpio. Setbacks on the job might have you a little depressed and worried. more observant than usual. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself noticing You may have suff ered some financial setbacks and wonder how you Don’t worry, Sagittarius; all will be well. Think of this as a challenge to people and sensing their feelings even more than usual. This is a good day can muster enough funds to get over the hump. However, help is on the overcome. Your natural practicality and eff iciency will see you through. to read, study, attend a class, or otherwise acquire new information. You way. An outside source could provide funds to tide you over. Whatever Someone isn’t being totally honest with you. Encourage people around may discover something new about a subject that really interests you, and other problems you may have will all be straightened out later. Your own you to open up and communicate a little. What they say may not be all you might want to spend the day reading about it. ingenuity and a little help from your friends will probably see you through. that agreeable, but at least you’ll be better able to assess the situation. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Sudden events that come to you via TV, newspapers, or the Internet, A task that you’ve been working on for a long time could come to a Be prepared today, Pisces. A longtime dream regarding your career could shake up long-cherished belief systems today, Capricorn. standstill today due to circumstances beyond your control. You’re may finally become a reality. At first you might not believe it, fighting the This could have you feeling momentarily disconcerted and a bit likely to feel quite frustrated, Aquarius, as there seems to be nothing news in order to avoid possible disappointment. Don’t fall into this trap; disillusioned. At the same time, this information could open up new you can do to speed things up. Don’t agonise over this, however; it it creates negative energy, which can get in your way. You’ve worked doors for you. Your natural curiosity will eventually win out, and you’re will get going again. The best thing you can do is find something else hard to be where you are, and you aren’t likely to stop advancing. likely to want to read all you can about whatever is on your mind. to work on until the blockages have been released. Accept your accolades, thank everyone, and then move on. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

AARDVARK HEDGEHOG SQUIRREL DORMOUSE PLATYPUS CAPYBARA MONGOOSE BONTEBOK MANDRILL ANTEATER KANGAROO WALLAROO ELEPHANT REINDEER CHIPMUNK PANGOLIN BUSHBABY MARMOSET BABIRUSA KINKAJOU

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Monday, March 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Set free or let out again? (8) 2 Oriental festival on the first of 6 Be successful in swindle (3) November (7) 9 Publication for children? (5) 3 The day before a girl is found 10 Titled Turk this month in (3) opposition (7) 4 Rascal going to island for 11 A bone can keep breaking! (7) prawns (6) 13 Gather in the morning on a 5 Playwright admits art steamship (5) involvement (9) 14 A hat for the country? (6) 6 Stick with a fishy name? (5) 15 The rest of Spain? (6) 7 Paper money produced by 19 A basket an Indian has left musician (5) behind (5) 8 Get to know a sort of small 21 Stable men let Ross get upset truck (4,2) (7) 12 Lilacs Mae gathered - or some 22 Bizarre form of heater (7) other flowers (9) 23 A Greek poet’s pigeon? (5) 16 Fast bowler going round front 24 Fellow coming back to give of transatlantic ship (7) silent assent (3) 17 Take in first two letters before 25 Royalist going crazy on his brothers turn up (6) own? (8) 18 Enclosure for fuel entered by Rolls-Royce (6) 19 Copper embargo for islander? (5) 20 Animal from eastern country (5) 23 A successful blow? (3) Answers

Wordsearch Codeword Solution 14 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Recall of separation from hubby still scares me: Bhagyashree

ctress Bhagyashree shot to fame with her 1989 debut fi lm Maine Pyar Kiya opposite VETERAN: Govind Namdev is primarily known for his villainous Salman Khan. Then, roles in numerous movies. Aeven as she was being touted as Bollywood’s next big thing, Govind joins the cast of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 she announced her marriage to Himalaya, who was an aspiring actor Veteran Actor Govind Namdev, who is known for his villainous then, and subsequently became a streak in movies like OMG – Oh My God! and Bandit Queen, has businessman. The early marriage joined the cast of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 starring Kartik Aaryan and took a toll on her fl edgling career and Kiara Advani. she never quite managed to make a “I’m playing a pivotal role in the fi lm. I’m shooting in Jaipur. comeback. It feels really great to work with such talented actors of this While Bhagyashree and hubby generation. Kiara Advani is the fi nest actress and Kartik is a Himalaya have always known to be heartthrob. Both have given hit fi lms in the recent times and I deeply in love, she has now revealed really admire their work and talent,” Govind said. that there was a one-and-a-half “So it feels great to work with such a star cast. They really give year phase when she had to stay a lot of respect to me. Anees Bazmee (director) is exceptionally away from him. phenomenal. Altogether, it’s amazing,” he added. In a video posted by celebrity The second schedule of the fi lm will start in Lucknow by the lensperson Viral Bhayani on fi rst week of March. Instagram, the 51-year-old actress Bhool Bhulaiyaa, directed by Priyadarshan, released in 2007. is seen interacting at an event. In the The fi lm was an offi cial remake of the 1993 Malayalam lm fi video, she says: “Himalaya ji was my Manichitrathazhu. fi rst love and, yes, I got married to The fi lm also featured Shiney Ahuja, Vidya Balan, Ameesha him. Lekin ek arsa tha beech mein Patel, Paresh Rawal, Manoj Joshi, Asrani, Rajpal Yadav and jab hum juda ho gaye the (However, Vikram Gokhale. Vidya’s performance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa is still there was a period of time in between considered iconic and regarded as one of her best to date. when we were separated).” Govind recently shot with superstar Salman Khan for Radhe. Bhagyashree continued to say – IANS that the period of separation made her mull over the question of what would happen if she had not married REVELATION: Bhagyashree has revealed that there was a one-and-a-half year Himalaya. “I had that feeling that phase when she had to stay away from her husband. ‘what if I hadn’t got him in my life and I had married someone else?’ It got the wishes of their parents, in the Setia, while Shilpa Shetty makes a me to that stage because there was presence of Salman and Maine comeback in the fi lm. That apart, a period of a year and a half that we Pyar Kiya director Sooraj Barjatya Abhimanyu has also signed Aankh weren’t together. Woh ehsaas abhi among a handful of close friends and Micholi opposite Super 30 actress bhi yaad aata hai toh darr lagta hai colleagues. Mrunal Thakur. The fi lm directed (recalling that feeling still scares me).” Bhagyashree’s son Abhimanyu by OMG: Oh My God maker Umesh Back in the day it had been Dassani is now an aspiring actor. He Shukla also stars Sharman Jshi, reported how Bhagyashree and has a couple of projects lined up this Divya Dutta, Paresh Rawal, Grusha Himalaya got married in a hush- year. In Nikamma, he will be seen Kapoor, Abhishek Banerjee, Darshan hush temple ceremony against opposite debutante actress Shirley Jariwala and Vijay Raaz. – IANS CANDID: Anya Singh says that her maiden movie will always be very close to her heart. Big B wraps up shooting for Brahmastra Qaidi Band response made me feel bad: Anya

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has wrapped up shooting Actress Anya Singh, who made her Bollywood debut with for Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra. Qaidi Band in 2017, says the fi lm’s lukewarm response at the box- Big B took to his blog on Saturday, where he shared a offi ce did make her feel bad, but she adds that her maiden movie string of photographs from the sets of the fi lm, which will always be very close to her heart. also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. “Yes, Qaidi Band did get a lukewarm response... Tomorrow “So they tell me its a ‘fi lm wrap’ for me on Brahmastra. be it a chef putting a menu together... and people don’t like the And, as is the norm the unit applauds and everyone food... obviously he is going to feel bad. The same way when you embraces and the good byes are done. At times they set make a movie, a lot of people come together and put in a lot of off some confetti guns... its the done thing they say... hard work and eff ort... And people don’t like it or not accepting really? Sounds more like ‘thank God, good riddance’. of it, it does aff ect you. You feel bad because you know it’s like Good riddance of the actor... had enough of him,” your child,” Anya said. Amitabh wrote. She added: “And that was my fi rst movie so, obviously it made The megastar also shared a photograph of Ranbir me feel bad, but critics were luckily kind to me and that was all gifting the thespian head phones. MEGASTAR: Amitabh Bachchan has shared a string of because of Habib Faisal, my director, they were really nice to me.” “A gift of the Apple ear plugs that had been left photographs from the sets of Brahmastra. Anya says the fi lm’s failure did not dishearten her and that it unpacked was initiated by the young comp savvy mobile was not the reason she moved away. savvy young. As in Ranbir on set, who sets it up for me. and captioned it: “She breezed in... did her shot... a “It was more because of my personal life. In life, you have The sound is really good. Had seen it on Abhishek and huddle and out. The eff ervescent, supremely talented, to be disheartened sometimes because that would push you or wondered. But it really is good. Thank you. scintillating Alia.” motivate you to do a lot better. So, I learnt a lot. It (Qaidi Band) is The 77-year-old star took to Twitter, where he wrote Brahmastra: Part One is set to release in fi ve languages very close to me and will always be,” she added. that Ranbir taught him and set up the sound ear plugs. – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam – on Now, Anya is busy with her web-series Never Kiss Your Best “Good riddance of the wires and cables,” he wrote. December 4. The fi lm also stars Nagarjuna and Mouni Friend. It also stars Nakuul Mehta. – IANS Big B on Instagram shared photograph of Alia Roy. – IANS Monday, March 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY Did The Simpsons really predict the coronavirus outbreak?

By Christi Carras

irst Donald Trump’s presidency, then the Disney-Fox merger and now the coronavirus outbreak? It appears the prophetic writers of The Simpsons have done it again, predictingF yet another major world event – or have they? A series of stills from old episodes of the long-running animated comedy that have been circulating online this week seem to suggest The Simpsons somehow knew about the spread of the respiratory illness more than a decade in advance. The viral collection of images, believed to be taken from a 1993 episode, show multiple characters spreading and catching an ominous cloud of germs. In one snapshot, a newscaster delivers a report on a “corona virus,” as indicated by a title slide over his shoulder. Pieced together, the evidence appears to cement the Simpsons’ status as the oracle of TV. This time, however, the receipts are too prescient to be true. According to Deadline, the stills in question hail from an episode in which packagers working in Japan accidentally ship the “Osaka Flu” to Springﬁ eld. The 2020 coronavirus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China. PREDICTION: Twitter is convinced that an early episode of The Simpsons predicted the coronavirus outbreak. “Please don’t tell the supervisor I have the ﬂ u,” one of the workers tells his colleague gained traction for obvious reasons after the excerpt from his 1981 novel, The Eyes of As for “Wuhan-400,” its similarities in the episode before coughing into a box election. Later, fans pointed to an episode Darkness, which talks about a “new biological to the 2020 coronavirus end with the city addressed to Homer Simpson. from Season 10 that listed 20th Century Fox weapon” called “Wuhan-400.” of origin. Koontz describes the biological Though three of the images actually do as a “division of Walt Disney Co.” years before An image of another page reads, “In around weapon as an extremely infectious, brain- come from the same 1993 episode, the one Disney famously purchased Fox in real life. 2020 a severe pneumonia-like illness will eating disease with a 100% “kill-rate.” The of the newscaster is from a diff erent episode The Simpsons is also not the only entity spread throughout the globe, attacking the coronavirus is a respiratory illness with a entirely. And the graphic over his shoulder to have allegedly predicted the coronavirus lungs and the bronchial tubes and resisting fatality rate between 2% and 4% in Wuhan, says “Apocalypse Meow,” not “corona virus.” outbreak. Another collage of photos making all known treatments.” In actuality, this the epicentre of the outbreak, and 0.7% In 2016, an episode from Season 11 that the Internet rounds attributes the prophecy excerpt is taken from a diff erent book: Sylvia outside of Wuhan. – Los Angeles Times/ refers to Trump as “President Trump” to suspense author Dean Koontz, citing an Browne’s End of Days. TNS

Ferrera to exit Superstore Winfrey falls on stage while aft er current season talking about balance

Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera is set to leave Talk show host-producer- the comedy series Superstore upon the conclusion philanthropist Oprah Winfrey of its current fi fth season. took a tumble on stage during her Ferrera has been with the show since it launched motivational tour stop at The Forum and is also an executive producer on the single- here. camera series in addition to directing multiple Ironically, Winfrey was talking episodes, reports, variety.com about balance before she suddenly IMBALANCE: Oprah Winfrey says: “The last fi ve years on Superstore have been some tripped and came crashing down “It’s nice to be talking about balance of the most rewarding, enriching and enjoyable in front of her audience, reports and fall.” years of my career. Producing, directing and acting aceshowbiz.com. with this wonderful cast and crew has given me “Wellness to me means all things mother Doria Ragland. Her longtime opportunities to grow as a person and storyteller,” in balance. And balance doesn’t partner Stedman Graham reportedly Ferrera said. mean all things are equal or at peace attended the Saturday, February 29 She added: “I’m so grateful to my partners at at all times,” the 66-year-old who motivational speech as well. NBC and Universal Television for the support and donned a white pantsuit said before Her special guest at the event belief they have always placed in the show, and FAREWELL: America Ferrera has been with the show losing her footing and falling on the was Jennifer Lopez joining past I’m most thankful to the brilliant Justin Spitzer Superstore since it launched. ground. guests like Lady GaGa, Dwayne for creating the funny, smart and relevant world of “Wrong shoes!” she quipped. ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and Michelle Superstore and inviting me to be a part of it. as well as an ambassador for the show, can’t A stage assistant rushed to the Obama. Winfrey is scheduled to “As I start the next chapter for my family and possibly be quantifi ed. We feel so fortunate to call stage to assist her before she stood conclude her 2020 Vision: Your Life career, I wish only the best, and much continued her both a colleague and friend,” said Lisa Katz up and decided to just ditch her on Focus Tour on March 7 in Denver, success, to my beloved Superstore family.” and Tracey Pakosta, co-presidents of scripted shoes. Colorado, with her friend Gayle as The news of Ferrera’s exit comes just over two programming at the NBC Entertainment. “It’s nice to be talking about a guest. weeks after it was announced that the channel was Superstore takes place in fi ctional big box store balance and fall,” she said. Her sit-down with Lady GaGa renewing the show for a sixth season. Cloud 9. Along with Ferrera, it stars Ben Feldman, Among the audience were in January was an emotional one as “America’s immeasurable contributions to Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, Nichole reportedly Winfrey’s best friend the singer opened up on suff ering Superstore, both in front of and behind the camera Bloom, Kaliko Kauahi and Mark McKinney. – IANS Gayle King and Meghan Markle’s trauma from sexual assault. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMUNITY

CELEBRATIONS: Dignitaries seen during the cake cutting ceremony. Photos by Ram Chand The Dominican Republic embassy hosts 176th National Day reception

By Mudassir Raja “The vision is clear — for Qatar to be the hub for Asian tourism heading for the Dominican he 176th National Day of the Dominican Republic was recently Republic and for the Dominican Republic to celebrated with enthusiasm and passion at the Royal Suite of become the hub for Qatar in the Americas” Westin Doha Hotel. The event was Twell attended by Qatari dignitaries, members — Dr Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Ambassador of diplomatic community in Doha and the Dominican expatriates. of the Dominican Republic to Qatar The prominent guests on the occasion were namely; HE Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin ordination and of course travel and tourism. part from the fruitful interaction between our Turki al-Subaie, Minister of Municipality “The commitment is there to subscribe two chambers of commerce. I look forward to and Environment; Sultan bin Rashid al- eight agreements ready for signature. The replicating the experience here, by organising Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of potential is there for us to multiply existing joint events in Doha and in Santo Domingo, Commerce and Industry; Ibrahim Fakhroo, of the Dominican Republic, I am delighted to trade fl ows many times. The vision is clear including of course the celebration of Director of Protocol; and Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, welcome you tonight to the 176th celebration for Qatar to be the hub for Asian tourism Dominican weeks in Qatar and Qatari weeks Ambassador of Eritrea and Dean of the of the Dominican national day. heading for the Dominican Republic and for in the Dominican Republic.” Diplomatic Corps, along with ambassadors of “Exactly one year and two days ago I had the Dominican Republic to become the hub Speaking about the blockade of Qatar, other countries based in Qatar. the privilege of presenting credentials to the for Qatar in the Americas.” the ambassador said: “In the meantime, The formal celebration started with the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim He added: “In structuring the new era we cannot but admire the continued national anthems of Qatar and the Dominican bin Hamad al-Thani and shortly afterwards in our bilateral relationship, the role of the demonstration of resilience shown by Qatar Republic. The Qatari dignitaries joined Dr I had the immense privilege of hosting some private sector will be essential. On our side, in the face of the unfair regional situation, Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, ambassador of you for my fi rst national day celebration in a new Dominican Chamber of Commerce while never ceasing to have a constructive of the Dominican Republic to Qatar, in the Doha.” for the Middle East and North Africa presence wherever there is a confl ict to ceremony of cutting a cake. The national day The ambassador added: “Since then was launched by Foreign Minister Vargas mediate or refugees to accommodate.” celebration soon turned into a socialising Natalia and I together with my embassy Maldonado last September. Here in Doha, Making an optimistic note about the future and networking party. People from diff erent colleagues have continued to feel the I have the privilege of working with Sheikh bilateral ties, he said: “The commitment we walks of life and nationalities got together generously warm embrace of Qatari Faisal bin Jassim al-Thani of the Madaeen have, the potential there is and the vision and enjoyed the traditional Dominican music hospitality. We are delighted to reciprocate Al Doha Group and his Managing Director we share shall cement the destiny of our and cuisine. and are truly grateful for doubling the Kassem Al Ajineh in the creation of the two countries, which, while small, have big Speaking to the gathering, Ambassador numbers of last year’s attendance.” Dominican Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, ambitions. Qatar has the highest per capita Federico thanked his guests and compatriots Speaking about the bilateral ties with which I am told will be the fi rst for a Latin income in the world and the Dominican for joining him and his wife Natalia María Qatar, Dr Federico said: “It has been a year American country.” Republic in 2019 achieved, again, the highest Federighi de Cuello on the occasion. “On of consistent achievements for our bilateral Highlighting his erstwhile achievements, rate of yearly GDP growth of the Americas. behalf of Danilo Medina, Constitutional relations, including the fi rst-ever political the ambassador said: “Whatever I could Both are seeking to play a constructive role in President of the Dominican Republic, and of consultations that set the course for deeper achieve in my previous posting as the international aff airs. At the same time, both Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Foreign Minister ties in commerce, investment, political co- ambassador in London resulted in no small are committed to SDG compliance by 2030.”