Tuesday January 12, 2021 Jumada Al-Awwal 28, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5153 qR 2

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World 7 Business 8 Sports 13 Democrats introduce Al Daayen Municipality Attiyah aces Dakar Rally article of impeachment tops in issuing building stage eight with his 40th against Trump permits in Dec special win

Qatar Airways resumes flights to Saudi Arabia QA plane touches down in Riyadh Amir greets Oman Sultan for the first time His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday sent a cable of congratulations to since mid-2017 HM Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman on the an- Tribune News Network niversary of assuming the reins of power in the Sultanate. (QNA) Doha

Qatar Airways (QA) on Monday resumed flights to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia with a daily service. In a statement, Qatar Not a single COVID-19 Airways said the first flight — QR1164 — from Hamad vaccine complication International Airport to King Khalid International Airport took off from Doha at 13:45 case in Qatar: Official local time and landed safely at its destination at 15:10. The The first flight from Hamad International Airport (HIA) to King Khalid International Airport took off at 13:45 and landed at its destination Tribune News Network flight was operated by Qatar at 15:10 on Monday; (right) Passengers board QA’s first flight to Riyadh after the reopening of borders at HIA. Doha Airways’ Airbus A350-1000. Later this week, Qatar The airline said passen- seat layout is a 1-2-1 configu- tinues to rebuild its network, named ‘World’s Best Airline’ Dr Yousef Al Maslamani, Airways will resume flights to gers from Saudi Arabia can ration, providing passengers which currently stands at over by the 2019 World Airline Medical Director of Hamad Jeddah on Thursday, January once again enjoy the award- with one of the most spacious, 110 destinations with plans to Awards, managed by Skytrax. General Hospital, has con- 14, (QR1188 departing DOH winning Qsuite, featuring slid- fully private, comfortable, and increase to over 125 by the end It is the only airline to have firmed that vaccination at 18:50) and to Dammam ing privacy doors and the op- socially distanced products in of March 2021. been awarded the coveted against COVID-19 until now is on Saturday, January 16 (QR tion to use a ‘Do Not Disturb the sky. A multiple award-winning ‘Skytrax Airline of the Year’ ti- optional and Qatar’s approach 1150 departing Doha at 17:10). (DND)’ indicator. The Qsuite The national carrier con- airline, Qatar Airways was tle five times. is to keep the vaccine only a choice for people. He said thousands of peo- Dr Yousef Al Maslamani. ple have received the COV- ID-19 vaccine in Qatar so far, Regarding people who Action against and everyone is in excellent have chronic diseases but Shura Council hails GCC summit condition. are not registered with the 106 for not “None of them have had Ministry of Public Health, any complications, and there- Al Maslamani said, “A list of outcome, discusses edu process wearing masks fore we hope that the vaccina- those who have priority in tion will be carried out among vaccination was prepared by QNA Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud QNA people,” Al Maslamani told the ministry, and therefore Doha as Chairman of the Global Or- Doha Qatar TV. all patients registered with ganization of Parliamentarians Al Maslamani said there Hamad Medical Corporation The Shura Council has wel- Against Corruption (GOPAC) The designated authori- are destinations and airlines and Primary Health Care comed the outcome of the for 2019-2021. ties on Monday referred such as the Australian Airlines Corporation who have chron- 41st session of the Supreme The Shura Council listened 106 people to the Public that require vaccination as a ic diseases will be contacted Council of the Cooperation to Minister of Education and Prosecution for not wearing precondition to board their to get vaccination.” Council for the Arab States Higher Education HE Dr Mo- masks in places where they aircraft. During the first phase of of the Gulf (GCC), which was hammed bin Abdul Wahed Al are mandatory. “Many countries around the vaccination campaign in held in the Al-Ula Governo- Hammadi’s report on the re- The measure is in line the world may place vaccina- Qatar, priority is being given rate, Saudi Arabia. sults of its study of the Shura with the Cabinet decision, tion as a condition for enter- to people who are aged 65 and The Shura Council, chaired Council’s recommendations. Decree Law ing their territories, especially above, people with multiple by Speaker HE Ahmed bin Ab- The Shura Council speaker No 17 of as this is in interest of their chronic conditions and key dullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, extended thanks and appre- 1990 on national security to limit the healthcare staff working in expressed its deep pride in the ciation to HH the Amir for his infectious spread of the virus,” Dr Al Ma- close contact with COVID-19 wise policy of HH the Amir of ● National, Arab and Islamic identity is one of the most important great interest in everything diseases, slamani said. patients. State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim principles the educational curricula aims to promote that achieves prosperity and and the bin Hamad Al Thani, which progress for the country and precaution- contributed to the success ● The ministry is keen on discovering distinctive talent the citizens, especially educa- ary measures in force in achieved by the GCC Supreme and abilities of male and female students in the early tion, as a fundamental pillar in the country to contain the Council meeting and its impor- stages of education human life and a fundamental spread of coronavirus. The 38 health facilities to conduct tant positive results to consoli- ● A comprehensive proposal for attracting Qatari citizens to pillar of Qatar National Vision authorities have called on date the unity of the GCC ranks, the teaching profession of all stages 2030. the public to adhere to the PCR test for COVID-19 develop the GCC joint action, He said the council, the precautionary measures in revive and activate the GCC ● Start of the academic year and annual vacations have been government and society aim to place to ensure their safety The Ministry of Public Health and spread the spirit of broth- standardised between public and private schools ensure good education and its and the safety of others. (MoPH) has updated its list of erhood, solidarity, understand- beneficial outcomes, stressing health facilities that have been ing, trust and mutual respect that the recommendations of approved to conduct PCR test among its countries. of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Council in the Final Commu- the council aim at the forma- for the COVID-19 virus in Qatar. The Shura Council renewed Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. The nique of HH the Amir’s an- tion of a good citizen who be- The list now features 38 the praise for the efforts exerted council also praised the role of nouncement to hold elections lieves in his faith and is proud Biden appoints facilities, six more than the list by HH late Sheikh Sabah Al Ah- the United States in achieving for the Shura Council in Octo- of his country, nation and lan- William Burns to published in October. medical facilities which got mad Al Jaber Al Sabah to heal the Gulf reconciliation. ber, and its congratulation to guage. The ministry periodically approval for conducting the the Gulf rift, which were com- The Shura Council valued Qatar on the election of Speaker helm of CIA (PG 7 ) publishes the list adding new test. (TNN) pleted by HH Amir of the State the praise by the GCC Supreme of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Continued on page 2 

QRCS concludes surgery QU, MoCI sign MoU for joint research QNA both parties and the exchange of experiences campaigns in Somalia Doha that enhances scientific and research coop- The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has concluded eration. The MoU includes joint cooperation in two general surgery campaigns at the De Martini General Qatar University (QU) and Ministry of Com- organising seminars and training workshops tar- Hospital in eastern Mogadishu, Somalia. Over one month, merce and Industry (MoCI) have signed a geting the Qatari community, implementing joint a total of 867 patients were examined and given medica- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). programmes in preparing studies and research, tions by specialised physicians. The surgeons performed The MoU includes broad prospects for joint marketing the services of the two parties, work- 201 major and minor operations, including critical and cooperation in the fields of research, training ing on developing entrepreneurship, and cooper- emergency cases that required immediate surgical inter- and education, data and information exchange, ating in other possible areas of mutual interest vention. (QNA) page 2 encouraging the use of facilities available with on both sides. page 16 02 Tuesday, January 12, 2021

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Quick read Deputy Amir congratulates Sultan of Oman QRCS surgeons perform 201 The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday sent a cable of congratulations to Sultan of Oman HM Haitham bin Tariq on the anniversary of assuming the reins of power in the Sultanate. (QNA) general surgeries in Somalia PM congratulates Sultan of Oman Tribune News Network medical professionals made ural disasters (drought, flash Doha a significant difference in the floods, etc.), with special focus Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin quality of surgical services. The on the most vulnerable groups Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on Monday sent a cable of con- The representation mission country is badly affected by the such as older persons, widows gratulations to Sultan of Oman HM Haitham bin Tariq on the an- of Qatar Red Crescent Soci- many years of civil war. We are and children in many districts niversary of assuming the reins of power in the Sultanate. (QNA) ety (QRCS) in Somalia has committed to the medical cam- of Banaadir Region. Originally, concluded two general surgery paigns programme, with plans they come from many other campaigns conducted by a for- to involve more hospitals and regions like Lower Shabelle, eign delegation of surgical ex- areas of Somalia, with a view Middle Shabelle, Kismayo and perts at the De Martini General to relieving the pains of under- Jubaland. Hospital in eastern Mogadishu, served patients.” In addition to the surger- Somalia. The medical delegation ies and medical training, QRCS List of people eligible Over a month, a total of 867 comprised four members: a supported the host hospital patients were examined and general surgeon, anaesthetist, with medical equipment for for chronic disease given medications by special- pre-operative preparation and surgeries, anaesthetics and dis- ised physicians. The surgeons disinfection specialist, and infectants, medications, labo- performed 201 major and mod- medical coordinator. The cam- ratory tests and meals for all certificates becomes erate operations, including crit- A total of 867 patients were examined and given medications by paign involved 40 local medi- patients. Moreover, QRCS un- ical and emergency cases that specialised physicians in a month. cal professionals, including dertook the maintenance and required immediate surgical surgeons, physicians, nursing furnishing of the hospital to shorter: Dr Maslamani intervention. cent moderate and six percent to reduce the impact of war and assistants, pre-op preparation improve the working environ- These procedures included emergency. There were 70 op- natural disasters, as well as to specialists, and anaesthesia and ment. CATHERINE W GICHUKI general surgeries such as pros- erations for women and 131 for reinvigorate the local economy laboratory technicians. The closing ceremony was DOHA tatectomy, hernias, cholecys- children and men. by re-engaging the ill persons All the medical profession- attended by Somalia’s minister tectomy, exploratory thyroid Faisal Mohamed Al Emadi, into productive activities.” als received in-service training of health, who commended the With lots of research work surgeries, haemorrhoidectomy, executive director of Relief and “Thank Allah, all the pa- during the campaigns to en- remarkable contributions by under way on the coronavi- fistula,anal fissure, amputa- International Development tients have recovered after re- hance their capacity and devel- QRCS in Somalia. She urged rus, only people with certain tion, adenoidectomy, ovarian Division at QRCS, said: “The ceiving high-quality post-pro- op new surgical skills. more collaboration on such chronic diseases are at a high- cyst removal, and others. general surgery programme cedure care despite inadequate The beneficiaries included campaigns and valued Qatar’s er risk of COVID-19 compli- Overall, 51 percent of pro- is an important part of QRCS’ infrastructure,” said Emadi. internally displaced people growing role of standing by the cations and therefore, the list cedures were major, 43 per- operations in Somalia. It helps “The delegation of foreign (IDPs) affected by war and nat- Somali people. of those eligible to obtain the chronic diseases certificate has Dr Yousef Al Maslamani been reviewed by Qatar health authorities. The list has now become ‘It’s been nine months NCCCR’s new psychological, psychotherapy model for cancer patients shorter. since the World Health Hamad Medical Corpora- Organization (WHO) Tribune News Network in Qatar as stated within the National The team has already started group tion’s (HMC) Hamad General announced COVID-19 as a Doha Cancer Framework 2017 to 2022.” and art intervention programmes. The Hospital Medical Director Dr pandemic. Since then, we Dr Abdullah said, “Mental health goal of this group art therapy consists Yousef Al Maslamani said, are doing a lot of research Under the leadership of Dr Moham- professionals working in NCCCR en- of using the magic of art and draw- “It’s been nine months since ed Salem Al Hassan, medical direc- counter a broad spectrum of patients ing interventions to increase the daily the World Health Organiza- to learn about it’ tor of the National Center for Cancer and situations. This can be such a dev- functional activities of both inpatients tion (WHO) announced that Care and Research (NCCCR), and Dr astating disease with a very complex and survivors, enhancing their inde- COVID-19 was a pandemic. aged people to register at the Majid Al Abdullah, chairman of Psy- treatment journey. Patients and their pendence and nurturing their self- Since then, we are doing a lot patient portal, adding that chiatry and medical director of Hamad families can be easily overwhelmed. confidence, and most importantly, of research to learn about it. they can also visit PHCC and Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Mental Psychological treatment of patients reducing the effects of physical and Due to the new available in- HMC’s website to request for Health Service, and led by Dr Abdel- with cancer allows practitioners to sup- emotional distress caused by cancer formation, the list of chronic the certificate. hamid Afana, clinical psychologist and port both the patients and their fami- and cancer treatments. diseases that will be affected He said, “If you don’t have psychotherapy consultant and trauma the new model, Dr Hassan said, “We lies to help them cope with the initial Dr Afana said, “Our team is here by COVID-19 has changed. It registration, I advise you to do specialist at NCCCR, the NCCCR’s are pleased to adopt the comprehen- diagnosis of cancer, reduce the impact to help patients and their families deal is now shorter than before.” that. You can also get the cer- Psychotherapy Unit is developing a sive psychosocial oncology model of of cancer related treatments, deal with with the emotional and psychological He said that patients with tificate by going through the new culturally accepted, holistic and service delivery at NCCCR. We aim to changes in life circumstances and over- impact of cancer and its treatment. chronic diseases who receive PHCC or HMC’s website. It comprehensive psychosocial oncology ensure that every patient receives in- come any feelings of anxiety, depres- While everyone may struggle at differ- care at HMC or Primary Health will ask for some information model for cancer patients. dividualised high-quality care to help sion and other emotional distress. This ent times in their cancer care, we can Care Corporation (PHCC) and we will contact you to get Cancer is a devastating disease them overcome the many challenges new model will support not only people address the full range and severity of facilities and meet the new your certificate. I wish you the causing significant psychosocial chal- brought on by cancer. The new model whose lives may have been affected by psychological issues associated with criteria for obtaining chronic best of health.” lenges among patients and their fami- provides services to promote the well- cancer and those diagnosed with can- cancer throughout their treatment condition certificates, can now He added that patients lies. At several points in their treatment being of patients and their families. cer, but it will also support their family journey at NCCCR. Our experienced make requests through the who receive care at HMC or pathway, patients can find it hard to “This is achieved through a multi- members and loved ones.” team has an excellent understanding ‘MyHealth’ patient portal. PHCC and have a valid health cope emotionally as they pass through faceted approach including a full range As part of the proposed psychoso- of the specific challenges that cancers, “To obtain a chronic dis- card can also request for very stressful events with significant of comprehensive multidisciplinary cial oncology model recommendations symptoms and treatments can bring, ease certificate, the best way is chronic condition certificates implications on their lifestyle, inter- psycho-oncology services to support the and in order to meet these challenges, and is skilled at exploring the unique to go to MyHealth portal and through an online request personal and family life, emotional mental wellbeing of both the patients a dedicated team with experience in impact that adjusting to these can have go to documents, there you will form available on the PHCC and psychological profile, communica- and their families. Thanks to the collab- the field of oncology and specialist on patients and their loved ones.” see your chronic disease cer- website. The certificates will tion challenges, stress and adjustment, orative efforts with our colleagues in the psychology services and interventions He said the new model includes tificate if your disease is one of be prepared and emailed to fears and other matters that affect their Mental Health Service, this new model will be formed to provide psychosocial mechanisms to help oncologists and those in the list,” he said. the patients within seven days overall equilibrium. is another milestone to support the interventions in addition to individual, medical teams manage their stress re- Dr Maslamani encour- of submitting the application. Commenting on the significance of achievement of high-quality cancer care group and couples therapy. lated issues. Shura curriculum recommendations focus on Islamic, Arab and national identity Continued from page 1  role in monitoring the per- and technical committee on leave for teachers and students She highlighted the launch formance of the teachers and university degree equivalency. is close to 70 days. of an e-learning programme in The recommendations of developing their skills, review- The minister stressed that The start of the academic 2012 and the implementation the Shura Council focused ing the length of the school the ministry has provided all year and annual vacations, he of distanced learning as two on curriculum development year and working to achieve the requirements needed to said, have been standardised key factors that facilitated the by emphasising the Islamic, proportionality between the ensure students with disabili- between public schools and success of the academic year. Arab and national identity of duration of the two academic ties are fully integrated in the private schools, with coordi- The Shura Council mem- the Qatari society, paying at- semesters and standardising educational process. nation with Qatar University bers then discussed different tention to sports and cultural vacations for students between He said there is a compre- to standardise the start of the topics related to education and activities, addressing the phe- public and private schools. hensive proposal to attract Qa- academic year and holidays developing the educational nomenon of Qataris reluctance Presenting the report, tari citizens to teaching profes- between public schools and the process in a way that reflects to pursue teaching profession, Hammadi said the general sion at all stages. university. Qatar’s national identity and encouraging the private sec- framework of the national ed- He said the proposal in- The minister said the min- keeps up with scientific and tor to invest in education, ad- ucational curriculum is based volves financial and moral in- istry is constantly checking technological developments. dressing the phenomenon of on strengthening the national stages of education, noting nate tutoring, he noted that the centives during and after the on private schools and their The Shura Council speaker private lessons, and develop- identity, instilling the spirit of the implementation of the ministry established classes conclusion of their service. academic curriculum just like thanked the government for its ing appropriate mechanisms belonging and consolidating gifted care policy at the Special that schools supervise in peri- The minister noted that they with public schools, adding interaction with the council’s with clear standards that the values and traditions of the Needs Education and Gifted ods preceding tests, with the formed a committee to deter- that there is a code of conduct recommendation and thanked guarantees equality in the ac- Qatari society, in addition to a Care Department (the experi- goal of providing a suitable mine the career path for teach- for teachers. the minister for the clarifica- creditation and certification of set of values derived from the mental stage) in 13 schools of and legal alternative to tutor- ers, with a clear proposal that Assistant Undersecretary tions and explanations about university degrees for Qatari Islamic religion, stressing that various stages. ing. has many factors such as years for Educational Affairs at the the ministry’s policy and fu- and non-Qatari graduates of the national, Arab and Islam- On scholarships for Qa- As for the mechanisms of experience, evaluation and ministry Fawzia bint Abdulaziz ture plans, praising the minis- foreign universities. ic identity is one of the most tari students, the minister ex- that guarantee equality in the obtaining of a licence. Al Khater gave a presentation try’s efforts in ensuring educa- The recommendations also important principles that the plained that the scholarships process of ratifying university On reconsidering the on the ministry’s efforts in ad- tion was not interrupted by the included the necessity to take educational curricula aimed to are based on competence and degrees, he said the ministry length of the academic year, he dressing the implications of coronavirus pandemic. the needed practical meas- promote. scientific percentage and not is the designated authority for said the balance in the num- the coronavirus pandemic. The minister expressed ures to ensure the enrolment The minister highlighted on the basis of the entity they ratifying university degrees ber of study days for the two She said the ministry’s ear- his appreciation of the Shura of more students with special the ministry’s keenness on work for, whether this entity is and is relying on the Cabinet academic semesters was taken ly preparation guaranteed the Council’s recommendations needs in the educational pro- discovering the distinctive tal- governmental or non-govern- and ministerial decisions that into consideration in line with continuation of the education- and proposal, stressing that cess, increasing the salaries of ent and abilities of male and mental. regulate that work, as well as the international education al process and the academic they will be keenly examined mentors given their important female students in the early In terms of efforts to elimi- the powers of the department systems, explaining that the year successfully. with interest by the ministry. Nation Tuesday, January 12, 2021 03 HEC Paris in Qatar to organise online Doha Institute information session on programmes adopts remote, Tribune News Network ship-Project Accelerator. blended learning Doha Registration link The next phase of the Ex- Prospective participants are ecutive MBA will be in April HEC Paris, one of the world’s 2021. leading executive education requested to confirm their The HEC Paris in Qa- for Spring 2021 providers and ranked #1 in attendance by registering tar Specialized Master’s the Financial Times Europe- for the hour-long session programme is delivered in QNA Kaabi said that the Institute an Business Schools Rank- via the following link: a flexible 15-to 18-month Doha has invested in education- ings 2020, will hold an on- https://bit.ly/2XppY3X modular format, starting al platforms to ensure the line information session on with a core curriculum fo- After much deliberation on smoothness of learning pro- its degree programmes on cused on strategy, finance, the educational process, the cess. Thursday, January 14, from leadership and change. It is administration of Doha In- “Despite the challenges 4pm to 5pm, Qatar time. (major) and a final strategic characterised by a profes- stitute for Graduate Studies posed by the pandemic, the The session will pro- MBA (EMBA) and the Spe- ing for the hour-long ses- business project (capstone sional thesis that enables (DI) has announced that it will various online platforms ena- vide prospective partici- cialized Masters in Strategic sion via the following link: project). (capstone project). participants to focus on a continue with the remote and bled faculty members and stu- pants with an opportunity Business Unit Management https://bit.ly/2XppY3X Comprehensive core courses specific challenge related blended education for Spring dents to engage in the teaching to interact remotely with the (SBUM) programmes. The International Ex- include modules on strat- to their industry and to 2021 to prevent the spread of and learning process, includ- HEC Paris Admissions Team In addition to providing ecutive MBA, ranked #3 in egy, analysis and implemen- provide detailed and well- coronavirus (COVID-19). ing direct audio and video in Qatar to learn more about world-class education, HEC the world by the Financial tation, as well as leadership researched solutions. The A broadcast sent to stu- communication, exchange how to accelerate their ca- Paris was also ranked as the Times in 2020, is a prac- and human resource man- programme reflects the dents stated that in-person of files and media, as well as reer path by studying at one #1 Alumni Network in 2019 tical and intensive 15-to agement. commitment of HEC Paris teaching in the classroom will the creation of private rooms of the world’s most prestig- by The Economist. With 18-month programme de- Participants will choose to contribute to the develop- be for courses with small num- for discussions and other fea- ious business schools. more than 60,000 alumni signed to provide partici- one of the eight speciali- ment of a knowledge-based bers, while remote education tures,” he added. Apart from providing in 150 countries, the institu- pants with an understand- zations to be delivered in economy in Qatar and to will be for first year students Information Technology useful career tips, the inter- tion provides an ideal plat- ing of the social, economic different locations. These strengthen the competitive- and courses with large num- Department, in cooperation active session is also intend- form for networking, which and environmental aspects specialisations include En- ness of companies in the re- bers. The blended learning will with Teaching and Learning ed to provide professionals is essential for exploring of international business, as ergy; Innovation & Social gion. The next intake of the be for the rest of programmes, Office, is preparing the class- and entrepreneurs from the international opportunities, well as the ability to deliver Business; Entrepreneurship Specialized Master’s will be following the directions of the rooms with necessary equip- private and public sectors switching industries, or fur- on their vision. The curricu- & Innovation; Differentia- January 2021. Ministry of Education and ment, testing and improving with an in-depth insight into ther expanding one’s skills. lum is structured around tion & Innovation through For more details on the Higher Education in Qatar. its performance for the stu- how they can enhance their Prospective participants three components: 11 core Services; Leading Digital information session, please DI Director of Communi- dents as DI is aiming to ex- leadership skills through are requested to confirm courses covering key busi- Transformation; Luxury; email qatar-admissions@ cation and External Relations pand in blended education in the International Executive their attendance by register- ness areas, a specialisation Finance; and Entrepreneur- hec.fr. Department Ali Menadi Al the future.

Ministry’s inspection drive targets street vendors in Al-Mukaynis area Tribune News Network Resolution No. 243 of 2016 on the licens- Doha ing requirements to engage in street vend- ing activities. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry It was also part of the ministry’s ef- (MoCI), in cooperation with the Ministry forts to monitor the degree of compliance of the Interior (MoI) and the Ministry of with laws and regulations governing com- Municipality and Environment (MME), mercial activities in a bid to crackdown on carried out an inspection campaign on violations. street vendors in Al-Mukaynis. The ministry stressed that it would not During the inspections, three viola- tolerate any negligence of regulations stip- tions were recorded against street vendors ulated in Law No. (5) or Ministerial Reso- for running sales without commercial li- lution No. 243 of 2016. The ministry added cence. The violators were referred to the that it would intensify inspection campaign authorities concerned for initiating neces- to crackdown on illegal practices. Anyone sary legal action against them. who violates laws and ministerial decisions The inspections aimed to monitor the will be referred to the relevant authorities extent to which the street vendors adhere who would take appropriate measures to the regulations stipulated in Law No. against them to protect consumer rights. 5 of 2015 on Commercial, Industrial and The ministry has urged all citizens and Similar Public Shops, and Street Vendors, residents to report any violations relating as well as their commitment to Ministerial to registration and commercial licensing. Ooredoo announces reopening of its

MoCI recalls Volvo FM model of 2020 Salwa Road shop after refurbishment Tribune News Network well as the Self-Service machines, The Ministry of Commerce and Indus- that they carried out the necessary re- Doha to enable them to carry out trans- try, in cooperation with Domasco-Doha pairs. actions on a digital basis. Marketing Services Co, W.L.L., Volvo The ministry urged all custom- Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading tel- The shop, which can be found dealer in Qatar, has announced the re- ers to report any violations to its Con- ecommunications operator, has on Salwa Road, is now open call of the Volvo FM 2020 model for the sumer Protection and Anti-Commercial announced the reopening of its with the Ooredoo team ready to possibility of sudden power loss due to Fraud Department, which processes Salwa Road branch to customers provide all standard services to a faulty circuit connector in the main complaints, inquires and suggestions following refurbishment. customers. They will also find switch control unit. through the following channels: Call The shop was officially reo- self-service machines to enable The recall campaign is part of the on- center: 16001 pened yesterday with the par- them to perform transactions on going efforts of the ministry to protect Email: [email protected] ticipation of senior Ooredoo a digital basis. consumers and ensure that car dealers Social media accounts: representatives, including Chief Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Chief follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. Twitter: @MOCIQATAR Consumer OfficerF atima Sultan Consumer Officer, at Ooredoo, While we’re committed to our aim and we look forward to helping The ministry said that it will coordi- Instagram: MOCIQATAR Al-Kuwari. said: “We’re delighted to have reo- of complete digitalisation, we rec- them with all their telecommu- nate with the dealer to follow up on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Customers will be able to ac- pened the Salwa Road shop, giving ognise it’s important for us to be nications needs at the reopened maintenance and repair works and will mobile app for android and IOS: MO- cess all the regular services they us yet another option via which to available to our customers wher- Salwa Road shop and of course via communicate with customers to ensure CIQATAR (TNn) expect from the retail network, as provide service to our customers. ever and whenever they need us, all our other channels.” Transport Engineering Conference & Exhibition to be held under MoTC sponsorship in April this year

Tribune News Network by its comprehensiveness in opportunities are available tackles very important topics Doha discussing the three recog- to all through the official in the three aspects of trans- nised sectors of transportation website of the association, portation. The Ministry of Transport -- land, air and sea. where those wishing to par- She said that the con- and Communications (MoTC) He added that the confer- ticipate can browse for all ference will feature several on Monday announced that ence will also discuss the abil- the details as well as submit speakers specialised in these the Transport Engineering ity to use engineering stand- a request to participate elec- areas who will present and Conference & Exhibition will ards and prepare appropriate tronically via the website discuss latest trends and up- be organised by the Qatar So- designs, research and develop- www.qatarse.org. dates in the industry. ciety of Engineers (QSE) under ment and follow up everything Eng Nasr added that the Shahdad said that MoTC, the sponsorship of (MoTC) in that is new in the transport en- submitted session papers will with its various departments, cooperation with Expo Tale, an gineering sector, and offer al- be presented to the scientific will have a key role in the event management company, ternatives to engineering solu- committee that was formed in conference; presenting scien- at Sharq Village and Spa from tions for road, rail, airport and cooperation with Qatar Uni- tific papers and lectures to the April 5 to 7 this year. port projects, as well as choos- versity for approval to be part concerned engineering sector. The announcement was ing the most appropriate tech- of the scientific papers pro- The ministry, she added, made at a press conference at- nical and economic solution gramme at the conference. works side by side with the tended by Director of Interna- in an attempt to develop and On her side, Shahdad said Qatar Society of Engineers to tional Relations Department at update everything related to the conference is being organ- organise and manage the con- MoTC Noor Ibrahim Shahdad, the sector. ised based on the country’s ference. who is also the acting director Engineer Nasr empha- Director of International Relations Department at MoTC Noor Ibrahim Shahdad and Qatar Society of adoption of technology devel- At the end of the press con- of Public Relations and Com- sised that the conference will Engineers’ Board of Directors Chairman Engineer Khaled bin Ahmed Al Nasr, address a press conference in opments and attention it pays ference, Eng Nasr explained munication Department at the promote engineering princi- Doha on Monday. to providing everything that that Expo Tale, a national ministry; and Qatar Society of ples in the fields of transpor- could further serve the peo- event management compa- Engineers’ Board of Directors tation engineering, including and related systems, as well as ticipate in the vital conference ment and private sectors can ple of Qatar, thus raising the ny specialised in organising Chairman Engineer Khaled transportation, roads, build- collective transport planning. that contributes to the devel- have the opportunity to dis- country’s name and profile and managing international bin Ahmed Al Nasr. ing materials for roads, rail- He said contact has been opment of infrastructure. play their engineering prod- on global map among major events, has been appointed to Eng Nasr said that the roads, airports and ports, the made with the Gulf Engineer- He added that the con- ucts and solutions. countries. be in charge of managing and Transport Engineering Con- development of freight meth- ing Union and the Federa- ference will be accompanied He said participation in She emphasised the im- organising the conference in ference & Exhibition is the first ods, customs clearance tech- tion of Arab Engineers, who by a specialised exhibition, the conference and exhibi- portance of scientific fora such cooperation with the Society of its kind as it is characterised nology, traffic engineering expressed their desire to par- through which the govern- tion as well as sponsorship as this one, especially as it and MoTC. 04 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Nation Debut novel of woman author from India released in Doha

Tribune News Network Qatar, publishing it in India Doha and releasing it in the diffi- cult time of COVID-19 social ‘Kismet’, the debut novel distancing. of Sushma Harish from Ma- Karnataka Sangha Vice- nipal in India, was released President Anil Boloor and at the Indian Cultural Center his wife; ICBF MC mem- (ICC) in Doha. bers Avinash Gaikwad, Sub- Sushma got inspired ramanya Hebbagilu and by two people from India’s Ganesh Shenoy; and KSQ Mangalore and their life in members Dinesh Gowda and Qatar, and came up with the Jerald D’Souza were also pre- novel, with the story span- sent. ning from Mangalore to Qa- Rajani compered the tar. event. During an event held at Sushma Harish is an engi- A team of golf professionals from the ECGC visited the Gulf English School recently and distributed ‘SNAG kits’ to the teachers. the Mumbai Hall of the ICC, Sushma Harish with her new neer from Manipal Institute chief guests ICC President novel Kismet. of Technology. After a dec- Manikantan and Indian Com- ade’s corporate experience, munity Benevolent Forum Rao; President of Indian and being a personal blogger, CBQ and ECGC join hands to promote (ICBF) President Baburajan Women’s Association Susmi- she decided to take up writ- formally released the book. ta Pattnaik; and Sushma’s ing seriously and plunged golf among school students in Qatar ICBF Vice-President Ma- husband Harish Baliga were into literature work covering hesh Gowda; well-known among those who attended the life stories and philoso- business man, patron and the event. phies of life, from Mangalore Tribune News Network Commenting on the initia- at a time. Hussein Al Abdulla, tise skills such as concentra- former president of Tulu- Babu Rajan and other to Qatar. Doha tive, Michael Braidwood, gen- chief marketing officer at CBQ, tion and learn values such as koota Qatar and Founding Indian community leaders She says this is just the eral manager at the ECGC, said: said: “Our latest partnership patience and persistence to President of Bunts Qatar Ravi lauded the first-time author first one on the list of her In preparation for the Com- “To grow the sport of golf, it is with ECGC comes to attest to achieve objectives. As a bank Shetty; President of Karna- for taking up the challenge dream books that she will be mercial Bank Qatar Masters important that children get the our commitment as a bank to and as members in this com- taka Sanagha Qatar Nagesh of completing a book from writing in the coming years. 2021 tournament, which will opportunity to learn golf during support our local community munity, this initiative reflects take place from March 11 to 14, physical education classes at and promote Qatar National our commitment to supporting and as part of the initiative to schools. Our Train the Teacher Vision 2030. In other words, our community’s growth and promote golfing in Qatar, Com- programme supported by Com- we highly value sport activities development.” mercial Bank (CBQ) and Edu- mercial Bank is an excellent in- as they build healthier relation- Daniel Langfield, assistant cation City Golf Club (ECGC) itiative to give PE teachers the ships in the society and bring executive director at The Gulf have teamed up to support lo- knowledge, skills and equip- people together.” English School, welcomed the cal schools in providing golf ment to offer golf as part of Abeer Marwan Al Kalla, initiative and said: “It is great training to physical education their curriculum. Very quickly head of strategic marketing to get our students involved in teachers. they will find children who are developments at CBQ, said: golf and encourage them to be A team of golf professionals interested in or have a special “We, at Commercial Bank are active and lead healthy lives. from the ECGC visited the Gulf attitude for golf and who will pleased to partner with Edu- The initiative by Commercial English School recently and want to try golf on a real golf cation City Golf Club and Gulf Bank and Education City Golf distributed ‘SNAG kits’ to the course. At this time, we can English School to contribute Club has allowed our students teachers after training them on invite them to Education City SNAG kits to the school and to to visit the golf club and expe- using the kit. Golf Club to further their de- provide teachers and students rience golf first-hand.I would ‘Start New at Golf’ or SNAG velopment in the sport.” with the right equipment to like to thank Commercial Bank is a unique golf instruction sys- Commercial Bank has do- keep on practising golf. for donating SNAG kits to the tem and equipment that aims nated ten customised SNAG “Golf is not only a classy school so that we can use them to help teachers develop golf kits that include enough equip- and sophisticated sport, it is within PE lessons and as extra- skills and a level of competency. ment to train up to 16 teachers an activity that helps us prac- curricular golf sessions.”

Vodafone service is now available through QIB sales point machines from QPAY

Tribune News Network with QPAY International and Doha Vodafone Qatar in launching another innovative digital pay- Vodafone Qatar has part- ment initiative. This new solu- nered with Qatar Islamic Bank tion comes in line with QIB’s (QIB) and QPAY International digital transformation strat- LLC, one of Qatar’s largest fi- egy, and within our commit- nancial technology (FinTech) ment to empower the FinTech service providers, to make ecosystem in Qatar in offering electronic charging and bill the easiest and most secure payment services available cashless services. QIB is com- through their QIB select point mitted to leading the digital Malaysian community brings forty of sale (POS) machines. banking transformation in the In the midst of the pan- local market by introducing in- demic, demand for payment novative digital solutions to all innovation has increased, in- its customers when it comes members together at cycling event cluding customer preferences to Point of Sales (PoS), digital for electronic payment of ser- wallets and mobile and inter- Tribune News Network1 fascinating façade reflecting the vices, such as bill payments. net payments, and we pride DOHA local Qatari culture. Qatar’s national FinTech strat- ourselves offering products The route chosen was via egy also aims to improve digi- and services that contribute to Forty Malaysian cyclists took the 33-kilometre-long purpose tal payment platforms and the digitization of the financial part in a community cycling built Olympic Cycling Track other services by leveraging services in the country.” event organised by the Ma- (OCT). the latest technologies. From his end, Nebil Ben laysian Association in Qatar The cyclists participated in Commenting on the Aissa, CEO of QPAY Inter- (MAQ), in collaboration with the event with a distance of 66 partnership, Vodafone Qa- national LLC, said: “We are the Malaysian in Qatar Cycling kilometres for experienced rid- tar’s Chief Operating Officer, proud of our new partnership Community (MQCC) recently. ers and 24 kilometres for ama- Diego Camberos, said: “We with Vodafone, which will The event held as the com- teur riders. are pleased to partner with bring great benefits to both munity’s celebration of Qatar “The event was organised QIB and QPAY to provide consumers and small busi- National Day and the beginning to further bring all Malaysians Vodafone customers with the nesses through our innovative of the new year was flagged off in Qatar together with the close convenience of accessing our Fintech solutions. With the from the public park in front of support of the Malaysian Em- services in a larger number support of QIB, offering 100 Al-Bayt Stadium by Malaysian bassy,” MAQ President Mo- of outlets. Digitalisation is per cent cashless applications Ambassador to Qatar HE Zam- hamad Redzuan Nordin com- Photo credit: Mohsin Mohamed underpinning our company that digitise billing and top- shari Shaharan. mented on the occasion. strategy and we have estab- up is a great demonstration of The venue was selected be- ZulkifliM ohd Zin, president the pandemic outbreak, com- healthy while staying safe, and ID-19 preventive measures lished a strong network of our unwavering commitment cause this is a World Cup 2022 of MQCC, said that especially munities should continue with cycling is a perfect example. were strictly adhered to during retailers across the country to digitising Qatari society in stadium as well as because of its while the country is coping with activities that keep them fit and He also stressed that COV- the event. who are taking advantage of line with Qatar’s 2030 vision our digital service offerings for a paperless and digital so- in their operations. In turn, ciety.” such a digital transformation With a significant pres- has benefits for virtually every ence in a number of hotels, Alfardan Properties renews ISO 9001:2015 certification type of business.” restaurants and cafes, QIB Commenting on the an- POS machines accept credit Tribune News Network 9001:2015 certification which stands forward to accelerating our efforts to nouncement, Tarek Fawzi, and debit card payments and Doha as a testament to quality excellence and innovate and set new standards of ex- QIB’s Wholesale Banking can be identified with the help innovation and is at the core of our op- cellence within the marketplace that in Group General Manager said: of Vodafone’s recognisable Alfardan Properties has announced erations. This achievement comes as a turn will further strengthen our reputa- “QIB is proud to be partnering branding. the renewal of ISO 9001:2015 certifica- reaffirmation of our commitment to our tion as the property market leader in tion of its Quality Management System customers and stakeholders to offer in- Qatar.” (QMS) following a successful audit by dustry-leading real estate products and The certification is in line with Al- Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance. property management services that are fardan Properties’ strategy of encour- The recertification affirms the com- benchmarked against best practices and aging a team-oriented approach on all pany’s commitment to develop luxuri- global standards of excellence. business processes, focusing on the ous properties that provide quality leas- “The recertificationof Alfardan best interest of tenants, stakeholders, ing and property management services. Properties Quality Management Sys- staff, contractors and management. The ISO 9001:2015 is an interna- tem is a culmination of the combined In highlighting its success, the tional standard which focuses on sev- efforts of all its employees and the qual- company acknowledged the role of the eral quality management principles, in- ity team who strictly follow its frame- leadership, continual improvement of cluding a risk-based process approach work within the scope of all business procedures and regular feedback from towards aligning the quality of products processes and operations. As we look all stakeholders in the QMS that have and services with the organisation’s to the future, we aim to continuously contributed to service improvement business strategy, a strong focus on ing the certification, Mohamed Slei- seek new ways to enhance our opera- initiatives as well as numerous product continuous improvement and customer man, chief operating officer of Alfardan tions in light of the ever-evolving needs innovations. Thereby allowing Alfardan satisfaction. Properties, said: “We are extremely of our customers and the changing dy- Properties to benchmark their proper- Commenting on successfully renew- pleased with the renewal of the ISO namics in the regional market. We look ties against customer satisfaction. World Tuesday, January 12, 2021 05

News US declares Yemen’s Houthi in brief Turkey jails televangelist for 1,000 years over sex abuse, espionage rebels as a terrorist group Istanbul: A Turkish televangelist and Islamic creationist was on Monday sentenced to more than 1,000 years in prison for charges that include child sex abuse, espionage and organised  The Houthi rebels denounce the decision  Critics say Pompeo’s decision will only fuel the country’s famine crime. A court in Istanbul ruled that Adnan Oktar be jailed for 1,075 years and three months, state news agency Anadolu dpa phe,” Abdi said. reported. Other charges against him include assisting a terror- Washington The Houthi rebels took ist group and illegally recording personal data. over Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, Oktar - infamous for his coterie of women he called “kit- As President Donald Trump’s and other areas in late 2014. tens” and with whom he would cavort and dance on his TV days in the White House A Saudi-led coalition has channel - was arrested in 2018. Scores of his followers were wane, his State Department been fighting the rebels since also taken into custody and many were handed hefty sentenc- is making bold moves to alter March 2015. es on Monday. Anadolu said there were a total of 236 defend- US foreign policy before Joe The country on the Ara- ants, of whom 78 had been arrested. Oktar garnered a large Biden takes office on January bian Peninsula is one of the following through the religious debates he held on broadcaster 20. poorest in the world - and the A9, which he owned. A9 was fined byT urkey’s media watchdog The latest came late on war has significantly increased RTUK in February 2018 for airing shows that were abusive Sunday, when Secretary the suffering of people there. towards women. He has denied all the allegations - including of State Mike Pompeo an- According to UN figures, 24 child abuse - against him, maintaining that certain forces were nounced he was designating million people - around 80 per plotting against him. (dpa) Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi cent of the population - are de- rebels as a “foreign terror- pendent on humanitarian aid. ist organization,” a move aid The State Department has Indonesia’s drug agency authorises groups say could have dire made several significant dip- China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine consequences for Yemen’s im- lomatic moves as Biden pre- poverished population. pares to take over. Jakarta: Indonesia’s drug and food agency on Monday au- The designation “seeks For example, Pompeo an- thorised the emergency use of a Covid-19 vaccine developed to deter further malign activ- nounced that the US would lift by China’s Sinovac Biotech, allowing it to be used in a mass ity by the Iranian regime in restrictions on dealing with inoculation drive starting this week. Penny Lukito, the director the region,” Pompeo said in a Taiwanese government offi- of the agency, said the decision to issue the emergency use tweet. He said the move also cials and would send an am- authorization was based on the preliminary results of late- strengthens efforts to achieve bassador this week on a visit stage trials of the vaccine, named CoronaVac, in Indonesia, a peaceful, sovereign and uni- to Taiwan, which China con- Brazil and Turkey. The vaccine had an efficacy rate of 65.3 fied Yemen, where a civil war siders a renegade province. percent in Indonesia, 78 percent in Brazil and 91.25 percent has raged since 2014. “China firmly opposes this in Turkey, Lukito said. “These numbers are very meaningful Yemen’s internationally Fighters loyal to Yemen’s Houthi rebels raise their fists and chant slogans in Sanaa on Monday.(a fp) and strongly condemns the in our efforts to curb Covid-19,” she said at a news con- recognised government on decision made by the US side; ference. Last week, the Indonesian Council of Ulema, the Monday welcomed the move. ian catastrophe,” it added. situation in Yemen,” said Mo- there is only one China in the country’s semi-official authority on Islam, declared that the “We welcome a decision The Houthi rebels de- hamed Abdi, the Yemen coun- world, Taiwan is an inalien- Sinovac vaccine is halal and therefore acceptable for Mus- taken by the US administra- nounced the decision. try director for the Norwegian able part of the Chinese ter- lims to receive. (dpa) tion on the designation of the “The United States is the Refugee Council. ritory and the government of Houthis as a foreign terror- source of terrorism and [US “The sanctions will ham- the People’s Republic of China ist organization,” the Foreign President Donald] Trump’s string the ability of aid agen- is the sole legitimate govern- Oman creates new state system Ministry said in a statement. policies are terrorist and its Rising poverty cies to respond, and without ment representing the whole allowing appointment of crown prince The ministry added that actions are terrorist,” Mo- The country on the Arabian additional safeguards and of China,” Foreign Ministry the decision harmonises with hamed al-Houthi, a senior Peninsula is one of the broader exemptions for the spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Cairo: Oman’s ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Monday is- the government’s demands to member of the group, wrote commercial sector, Yemen’s in Beijing on Monday. sued a decree establishing a new state system that allows the punish the terrorist militias. on Twitter. poorest in the world - and the faltering economy will be dealt Washington recently rec- appointment of a crown prince in the sultanate. The new Basic “The Houthis deserve to Critics say Pompeo’s deci- war has significantly increased a further devastating blow. ognised Morocco’s sovereign- Statute of Oman includes a defined and stable mechanism for be designated as a terrorist or- sion will only fuel the coun- the suffering of people there. “The US government must ty over Western Sahara and a the transfer of power in the sultanate and sets up a mechanism ganisation, not only for their try’s famine. According to UN figures, 24 ensure that any sanctions do government official visited the for the appointment of a crown prince that defines his duties terrorist operations, but also “US Secretary of State Mike mn people - around 80% of the not block food, fuel and medi- disputed territory. The Trump and powers, the official Oman news agency reported on Twitter. for their attempts to prolong Pompeo’s announcement ... population - are dependent on cines from entering a country administration also imposed The new system also highlights the rule of law and the inde- the conflict and for causing has a far-reaching impact on humanitarian aid already in the middle of a full- new sanctions on Iraqi militia pendence of the judiciary as a basis of rule in the state. (dpa) the world’s worst humanitar- the already dire humanitarian blown humanitarian catastro- leaders and Iranian industries. Pakistan launches first polio vaccination drive of 2021 dpa Islamabad

Tens of thousands of health workers have travelled throughout Pakistan for the first polio vac- cination drive this year despite rising coronavirus infections, of- ficials said on Monday. Around 40 million children would be given the vaccine for the crippling disease, which has been stamped out from rest of the world but is still prevalent in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The drive, which is part of a UN-funded campaign, would last for a week to target children up to five years of age, Pakistan health chief Doctor Faisal Sultan said. Thousands of police and para- military soldiers would guard the health workers in regions where they are routinely attacked by Is- lamist militants. A health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child during a polio vaccina- Islamic clerics and the extrem- tion door-to-door campaign in Karachi on Monday. (AFP) ist groups oppose the vaccination, calling it a conspiracy by the West- Islamic clerics and extremist this weekend, but Sultan said ern nations to sterilise Muslims, workers would follow the preven- which has caused a major obstacle, groups oppose the vaccination, tive guidelines. impeding the disease’ eradication. calling it a conspiracy by the The number of new polio cases The opposition by clerics and Western nations to sterilise had dropped to 84 last year com- their conservative followers is Muslims, which has caused a pared to 147 in 2019, said doctor particularly strong in regions near major obstacle, impeding the Nadeem Shah, who leads a team of Afghan border that were once con- disease’ eradication experts to monitor the drive. Af- trolled by the Taliban militants ter peaking at 306 in 2014, polio linked with al-Qaeda. kistan crossed a grim milestone of cases had declined to a single digit The drive was launched as Pa- half a million Covid-19 infections in 2017 before picking up again. India returns Chinese soldier held for crossing disputed Ladakh border

dpa tioned for spying on deployment of tation between the neighbours in 45 New Delhi Indian troops in the border region, years. according to reports in the domestic China and India are in talks to de- Indian authorities on Monday re- media. escalate the situation and pull back leased a Chinese soldier who was The soldier had crossed the Line troops, but there has been no resolu- held last week on the Indian side of of Actual Control (LAC) in the area tion yet. a disputed border in the Ladakh re- south of Pangong Tso lake in the ear- There is a large mobilization of gion, officials said. ly hours of Friday and was taken into troops from both sides along the line The People’s Liberation Army custody by Indian troops deployed in of control in mountainous terrain (PLA) soldier was handed back to the area. with peaks of between 4,500 and Chinese forces at the Chushul-Moldo India and China have been locked 5,500 metres in height. point in the high-altitude region this in a serious stand-off since May along In a similar incident in October, morning, a senior Indian defence of- the LAC, an informal border, in the India captured a Chinese soldier who ficial told dpa. mountainous Ladakh region. had strayed across the line of control. The soldier, treated according to Twenty Indian soldiers were He was handed back to the Chinese established procedures, was ques- killed in June in the worst confron- Army after two days. 06 Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Established September 3, 2006 hamad bin suhaim al thani chairman Opinion adel ali bin ali managing director dr hassan mohammed al ansari editor-in-chief

Warp Speed Slowed To A Gentle Trot On Vaccine Is There Any Realistic Rollout. Here’s How To Fix It Possibility Of Ousting ealth workers are of course the has vaccinated about 12% — though it is people who need COVID-19 vaccina- fast running out of vaccine. Strong central Htions first. They are the ones most control enabled it to move in a more coor- likely to be exposed, and their expertise dinated way. is needed to vaccinate the rest of us and Vaccination is something most of us will Trump Early? treat those who fall ill. just have to wait for — and hope it proves So it was dismaying to learn that people effective against the new variant that’s been who didn’t qualify for this initial round of found. People without risks or essential jobs shots nonetheless showed up at some Los are looking at the summer, assuming the None of the proposed remedies, including impeachment and invoking the 25th Amendment, Angeles County vaccination centers to skip rollout goes more smoothly from this point the line — and succeeded. Some pretended on. As with personal protective equipment, is likely to work before Jan 20. There is no easy way to remove a president from power to be health workers and were allowed to go the federal government took a hands-off ahead without any validating documents. approach and left too much to states, which Some were honest about their situation and were poorly equipped to carry this out. Doyle McManus still managed to talk their way into a shot. California has adopted the federal Tribune News Service It wasn’t a lot of people, and most of guidelines on who gets priority for the vac- the ones who did have special reason to be cines. The state health department and fter President Donald Trump’s dis- afraid. Elderly Angelenos, many with medi- those in Los Angeles and many other coun- graceful performance on Wednesday, cal conditions that make them especially ties list groups of vaccine recipients in order it’s no wonder so many legislators — vulnerable, were desperate to be protected. on their websites. But many people don’t including a few Republicans — want But so are many others who have good rea- know where to look or can’t understand the to oust him immediately. son to want the vaccine. categories as they’re written. ABut if the goal is practical — to get Trump The procedural gap that allowed this to At minimum, far more outreach is out of office before he can do more damage happen has reportedly been closed. But it needed, as well as regular updates on how — the outlook isn’t promising: None of the also reveals other issues. People are afraid many people have been vaccinated so far proposed remedies, including impeachment and confused. They aren’t really sure when in which categories. Beyond that, the state and invoking the 25th Amendment, is likely they are likely to qualify for vaccination or and counties should have an online query to work before Jan 20. There is no easy way which group they belong in (there is a long system on which people can get answers to to remove a president from power. list of tiers suggested by the Centers for Dis- common questions and find out where they Removing Trump from his job a few days ease Control and Prevention, which calls for are in the waiting list and when they are early isn’t the only reason to act, though. A sorting recipients by occupation, physical most likely to receive their doses. president, like any lawbreaker, shouldn’t be condition and age). They don’t know how The American Hospital Association allowed to act with impunity. Trump has they will get their shots. Will it be at their offered federal health authorities a list of spent four years trashing democratic norms, doctor’s office? At public vaccination clin- good suggestions that should be adopted. and those norms still need to be repaired. ics? At a pharmacy? Those include federal intervention to On that front, there are plenty of actions Though the federal government helped smooth out problems in state and local available, and all of them should be tried. speed the development and approval of ef- planning; consistent rules from state to The first possibility to be explored is US President Donald Trump speaks to his supporters at the Save America Rally recently. (TNS) fective vaccines, it failed to plan an effec- state; the tracking and evaluation of vac- resignation. A few prominent Republicans, tive rollout even though it had months to cinations; and a standardized process for including at least three governors and one a Cabinet revolt, he could sideline the presi- es — a measure akin to getting a dangerous do so. It left that effort to states — there are administering the vaccines. US senator, have urged Trump to quit. But dent until Inauguration Day unless Congress criminal off the streets. now more than 50 rollout plans — provid- One other pressing need: Supplies he needs to hear from more, including from countermanded him. The former Indiana The other argument for impeachment ing only suggestions for who should get the should be concentrated in places such Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of governor once enjoyed a reputation as a con- is a matter of norms. Impeachment is the precious vials first. It’s a messy system that as Los Angeles, where COVID-19 rates Kentucky, who should present it as the most stitutional conservative; this would be a good clearest way to put Congress on the record is at least partly responsible for the nation’s are overwhelming hospitals. The US De- dignified option available for the president’s time to begin earning it back. But Pence has condemning misconduct. If Republicans slow start on vaccinations. In addition, partment of Health and Human Services final days . already said he won’t do it. join Democrats in voting yes, it would make rather than being distributed through the shouldn’t defer to a new president to adopt Appeals to principle are wasted on a man The third and most likely measure is im- Trump the first president in history to be im- state and counties, the vaccines are being these policies as the disease rages and who has none. But the president’s friends peachment. Members of the Democratic-led peached twice, a striking rebuke. sent from pharmaceutical companies to Americans anxiously await their turn. can offer him practical reasons to quit: He is House of Representatives have already draft- The danger is that if Republicans don’t health care providers, complicating an al- destroying his political future. He is making ed a resolution that would impeach Trump join in, many voters will see the impeach- ready difficult process. Meanwhile, some it more likely that he and his family will face for two acts: inciting his supporters to attack ment as partisan and political. hospitals have received more vaccine than prosecution. To quote Richard M. Nixon, he is the Capitol and urging Georgia officials to And if reaffirming democratic norms they needed for the first wave, while others giving his enemies a sword to use against him. “find” enough votes to flip the presidential is the bottom-line goal, one more option is not enough. Trump will probably reject the idea, since election. available: a formal censure. A censure would Look, this isn’t easy. The vaccines re- resignation would require him to acknowl- The resolution requires only a majority require Republicans to make a choice: Do quire unusual or even extraordinary refrig- edge that he’s in the wrong, and that’s some- vote; the House could reconvene next week they deplore Trump’s conduct, or not? Bi- eration measures. Safety workers who qual- thing he has never willingly done. and pass it. partisan condemnation of the president’s ified for the vaccine foolishly are declining Still, Republicans who care about the But impeachment is only an indictment. actions would have broader impact than a to show up for it. And recipients have to Constitution owe it to the country to try. Removing the president requires a trial fol- purely Democratic impeachment resolution. wait around for 15 minutes after inocula- A second route being discussed is the lowed by a two-thirds vote in the Senate — A censure would look like weak tea to tion to make sure they don’t show signs of 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which and that can’t get done in 10 days. So this too anyone who favors stronger measures, of a severe allergic reaction. At the same time, provides for removing the president from is not a practical way to move Trump out of course. But if it attracts bipartisan support, it all the recipients have to be kept safe dis- power if he is unable to carry out his duties. the White House before Jan. 20. could still carry a bracing message. tances from one another; they’re not pro- But the 25th Amendment is more cum- There are other arguments in favor of im- This isn’t an either/or choice. Democrats tected yet! bersome than it looks. It was designed for peachment, though. can vote for both impeachment and censure; The United States has inoculated about cases of medical incapacity, not misconduct. One is that an officeholder, once im- so can Republicans, if they’re brave enough. In 1% of its population with the initial two It requires the vice president and a major- peached, can be tried even after leaving of- a crisis, why not use every measure available? doses, while Israel, which leads the world, ity of the Cabinet to remove the president, a fice, and a guilty verdict can bar a defendant risky political move for them. from holding public office again.T hat would (Doyle McManus is a columnist (Tribune News Service) If Vice President Mike Pence organized be a fitting punishment for Trump’s offens- for the Los Angeles Times) COVID-19 Pandemic: Britain Failed, Again The country has gone into lockdown once more. The current set of restrictions has more troubling reasons than the last

Tom McTague mer, I sought to understand why Britain such a scenario should be avoided. In July, is more contagious and could well be part- ently slower to take action to suppress the Tribune News Service had done so badly—there was little doubt it Britain’s Academy of Medical Sciences ly responsible for the rapid surge in cases virus than other leaders—even compared had failed; the only question was why. Now published a report noting that the threat across Britain. As one expert noted to me, with those in the UK itself. In fact, John- fter Britain first went into lockdown the question has boomeranged back. of a winter crisis could be greater than in it has been a bit like someone who was son’s reluctance to act and his optimism to arrest the spread of the coronavirus For Johnson and his government, the the spring. That same month, the govern- managing just fine with mortgage pay- that he won’t have to in the future have Alast year, one had to contend with a answer, like most sequels, is worse. From ment’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, ments while interest rates were at 4 percent become a pattern. As far back as March, he number of mitigating factors when assess- the beginning of the outbreak last spring, told Parliament’s health committee that a suddenly, and without warning, having to was predicting that the country could “turn ing the government’s performance. Yes, the they understood the threat of a second wave winter surge was “a really serious concern make payments when the interest rate rises the tide” of the pandemic after 12 weeks country then suffered the worst death toll in the winter. But while Johnson assidu- looking forward [and] where I spend most to 6 percent, a 50 percent increase. and “send coronavirus packing.” In July, in Europe, and the worst economic slump, ously “followed the science” then, this time of my thinking time.” In late September, his Yet isn’t the point that homeowners— he claimed that Britain would not need but Boris Johnson had “followed the sci- he has fallen out of line with his scientific colleague Patrick Vallance, the chief scien- let alone governments—must plan for these another national lockdown. Even when he ence,” delaying a lockdown on the advice and medical advisers, who have been push- tific adviser, warned that Britain could face scenarios? Governments cannot blame the was forced to impose fresh restrictions in of his government’s medical and scientific ing him to move harder for weeks, if not 50,000 cases a day by mid-October, with failure of their policies on viruses not be- October, he moved slower than leaders in advisers. More generally, Britain—like eve- months. This time, Johnson cannot claim more than 200 daily deaths a month or so having as expected, just as homeowners Wales and Scotland and slower than the rywhere else in the world at the time—was ignorance. “This is not a failure of science later. While the country took a little while cannot complain to the bank if they can’t opposition demanded, appearing to resist feeling its way in the dark. It may have advice,” Mark Walport, Britain’s former longer to get to these grim milestones, they afford their mortgage. further restrictions until given no choice. stumbled more than most, costing many chief scientific adviser, told me. T“ he policy have now been comfortably passed. In any case, the higher the prevalence As recently as Sunday, he said there was no thousands of lives, but by the summer it makers had their attention drawn to what Johnson’s alibi now is that he did learn of the virus, the more likely it is that signifi- doubt in his mind that schools were safe— appeared to have regained a modicum of was coming.” Ian Boyd, a member of the the lessons of the first wave—he just got cant mutations will occur. By not suppress- only to announce their closure a day later. composure, falling in line with most other government’s main pandemic advisory unlucky. His argument, articulated in the ing COVID-19 more effectively, Britain was In the end, both Walport and Boyd de- European countries. committee, told me: “Since April, the big evening broadcast announcing the lock- increasing the chance of a mutation doing scribed Johnson as trying to steer a middle Yet today, once again, Britain is failing. thing on everybody’s mind was winter. We down, is that a new and far more conta- exactly what it did. It is not even the only course, managing the pandemic without Addressing the nation last night, Johnson all knew it would be a challenge. There was gious variant of the disease emerged in variant in Britain—another has been im- destroying ordinary life and the economy. warned that COVID-19 was running ram- a sense of inevitability about it.” England this fall, destroying the govern- ported from South Africa, seeping through This was entirely reasonable, both acknowl- pant throughout the country, with hos- As early as March 3, in fact, when the ment’s successful suppression of the virus. the country’s porous borders with apparent edged. Yet, as Walport noted, “The result- pitals at risk of being overwhelmed, as he British government published its first pan- The government’s strategy, he said, would ease. ing compromises may have not succeeded imposed a third national lockdown in nine demic strategy, Johnson’s experts were have worked if it weren’t for the new strain. The reality is that Johnson has learned in preventing severe damage either from months after weeks of pressure to strength- warning in briefings to journalists about And this is, at least to some degree, only some of the lessons from his failures the disease or from its social and economic en the government’s response. Last sum- the dangers of a winter surge, and that true. Evidence suggests that the new strain in the first wave. He has proved consist- consequences.”

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Tuesday, January 12, 2021 07 Egypt, Jordan, Germany, France push for resuming Mideast peace talks

They called on the two el’s plans to build new settler create an environment that Jordan slams Israel’s plans to build new sides to refrain from any uni- homes in the occupied West push forward towards the re- lateral measures undermining Bank, saying the move is a sumption of negotiations,” Sa- settler homes in the occupied West Bank the future of a fair and lasting “blatant violation to interna- fadi said. “We will continue to solution to the conflict. tional law.” work to pave the way for the dpa United Arab Emirates and They said they will work Israeli Prime Minister return to negotiations. Cairo Bahrain - as well as Sudan with the United States to re- Benjamin Netanyahu said on He called for taking clear and Morocco have normalized vive a credible peace process Monday that he is working to stances against Israel’s settle- Egypt, Jordan, Germany relations with Israel. The Pal- between the Palestinians and advance the construction of ment building and expansion, and France on Monday as- estinians have been critical of Israelis. 800 new housing units for set- demolition of homes and con- serted their commitment to the deals, mediated by the US. There have been no direct tlers in the West Bank. fiscation of lands. supporting all efforts aimed In a joint statement follow- talks between Israel and the “The step adds to other Egypt’s Foreign Minister at resolving the Palestinian- ing the meeting, the top diplo- Palestinians for almost seven [Israeli] steps that undermine Sameh Shoukry said his coun- Israeli conflict as their foreign mats affirmed that resolving years after the last attempt in the two-state solution and all try’s position in the peace talks ministers met in Cairo in an the Palestinian-Israeli conflict April 2014 failed, despite the chances to achieve lasting and remain unchanged, which attempt to revive the Middle on the basis of the two-state efforts of then US Secretary of comprehensive peace,” Safadi backs the establishment of a East peace process. solution is an indispensable State John Kerry. told a press conference follow- Palestinian state on the lines The meeting comes as requirement to comprehen- Jordan’s Foreign Minister ing the meeting. of the June 4, 1967 with East (From left) Foreign ministers of Germany, Jordan, Egypt, and France two Gulf Arab countries - the sive peace in the region. Ayman Safadi slammed Isra- “Such measures do not Jerusalem as its capital. hold a joint press conference in Cairo on Monday. (AFP)

Biden appoints veteran diplomat Democrats introduce article of William Burns to helm of CIA

dpa Biden said that Burns Washington shared his belief that intel- impeachment against Trump ligence “must be apolitical.” US President-elect Joe “Ambassador Burns will bring Biden on Monday announced the knowledge, judgement, of Government.” Trump, whose the former career diplomat and perspective we need to If convicted, Trump term ends on January 20, could William Burns as his nominee prevent and confront threats could be barred become the first US president to for director of the Central In- before they can reach our be impeached twice. He was im- telligence Agency (CIA). shores,” the incoming Demo- from running for peached in 2019 on allegations Burns has more than three cratic president continued in office again in of abusing his position, but the decades of experience in the a statement, which referenced Republican-controlled Senate US foreign service and has cyberattacks emanating from 2024 elections cleared him of charges last year. served in multiple national Russia, challenges from China If the Democrat-led House security positions for Demo- and threats from terrorists. dpa voted to impeach the Republican cratic and Republican admin- If confirmed by the Sen- Washington president again, a trial would istrations. ate, Burns would replace Gina then be held in the Senate, where He was deputy secretary of Haspel, who was nominated Democrats in the US House a two-thirds majority would be state under former President by outgoing President Donald of Representatives on Monday needed to convict him. Few Re- Barack Obama. Trump to lead the CIA in 2018. introduced an article of im- publican lawmakers have so far peachment against outgoing publicly voiced their support for President Donald Trump, as the moves. Republicans blocked a meas- An outcome is highly unlike- News in brief ure calling on Vice President ly before January 20. Pence to remove his boss from If convicted, Trump could be Amnesty calls on Biden to close office. barred from running for office Guantanamo detention facility The single impeachment ar- again in 2024. ticle charges Trump with incite- In the aftermath of the attack Berlin: Human rights organisation Amnesty International called on ment of insurrection. It accuses on the Capitol, Trump eventu- US president-elect Joe Biden to close the detention facility at Guanta- him of stoking violence against ally promised an orderly transfer namo Bay in Cuba after taking office.E leven years ago, speaking as the US government after a mob of power on January 20, the day vice president at an event in Germany, Biden said the Obama presi- of his supporters, riled up by his of Biden’s inauguration. dency would “uphold the rights of those who we bring to justice. And claims of election fraud, stormed He has been banned from we will close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay” - a pledge that the US Capitol last week. A protester holds up a sign calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump in San Francisco, his Twitter and Facebook ac- remains unfulfilled, Amnesty said in a statement. Now he can fulfil Democrats also introduced California on Monday. (AFP) counts, with the social media this pledge, Amnesty said in a press release published online to ac- a resolution urging Pence to giants citing the risk of him incit- company a report documenting human rights violations against those invoke the Constitution’s 25th German government critical of Twitter’s decision to block Trump ing violence. detained at the camp. In 1898, the United States intervened in the Amendment and strip Trump of US first ladyM elania Trump war of independence between Cuba and Spain. An agreement was his powers by declaring him un- Berlin: The German government on Monday expressed scepticism regarding Twitter’s decision on Monday broke her silence on made in 1903 allowing the US to use the eastern part of Guantana- fit to perform his duties. House to block accounts associated with US President Donald Trump in the wake of a riot at the Capitol last Wednesday’s violence, say- mo province as a naval base. After the terrorist attacks of September Republicans rejected the bill, last week that many consider him to have incited. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen ing she was “disappointed and 11, 2001, the US set up a prison to hold suspected Islamist terror- paving the way for a vote in the Seibert said that it was the place of the state - not of companies that operate social networks - to disheartened with what hap- ists without trial. “Since then, crimes have been committed there, in full House on Tuesday. monitor political communication and prevent incitement to violence. “The state, the legislature, pened.” “It is inspiring to see that defiance of international law,” said Maja Liebing, Americas expert at If Pence refuses to act, as should set a framework for this,” Seibert said. Trump was permanently suspended from Twitter last so many have found a passion Amnesty International Germany. The report describes human rights is expected, House Democrats week “due to the risk of further incitement of violence,” the company said. It came amid a purge by and enthusiasm in participat- violations committed against detainees, including rendition, torture have vowed to quickly move big tech companies of the online platforms used by Trump and his supporters. Beatrix von Storch, ing in an election, but we must and the absence of fair trials. Most recently, 40 people were being ahead with impeachment pro- the deputy leader of the far-right AfD, said that “internet giants like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Ama- not allow that passion to turn to held there. (DPA) ceedings. zon are abusing their dominant position in order to abolish freedom of expression.” It is high time violence,” she said in the lengthy The House could vote as ear- to use competition law against the tech companies and “smash the digital cartel,” said von Storch, statement. Iranian lawmakers call for ban on ly as mid-week. a regular user of Twitter. (dpa) She added that her heart Western COVID-19 vaccines The impeachment article went out to those who had died notes that Trump repeated de- since the attack, first naming the Tehran (dpa) - Iran’s parliament on Monday called for a ban on the bunked claims that he won the Joe Biden’s election victory and his election defeat. resolution says. “He threatened deceased rioters and then the two import of all Western-made coronavirus vaccines, echoing a deci- November election in a speech forced lawmakers to go into hid- “In all this, President Trump the integrity of the democratic Capitol police officers.T he first sion made by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Since there before the deadly assault on ing. gravely endangered the security system, interfered with the lady did not reference her hus- have been acute side-effects and even deaths in some cases after Congress, which halted a joint The article also cited previ- of the United States and its in- peaceful transition of power, band’s role in egging supporters injecting the vaccines, including those from Pfizer, the government session to certify President-elect ous efforts by Trump to overturn stitutions of Government,” the and imperiled a coequal branch on to march to the Capitol. should ban the import of Western vaccines,” the appeal by 200 of the 290 deputies said, according to the ISNA news agency. Last week Khamenei banned COVID-19 vaccines from the United States, Britain and France, claiming their safety and effectiveness have not been proven. Iran’s allegations don’t match the consensus Leaders pledge $14 bn for climate project at One Planet Summit of experts who have studied the data, and Khamenei’s decision trigged a heated debate in the country. Critics call the ban politi- dpa Nations. the whole width of the African The summit was attended throne, Prince Charles, also cally motivated. Numerous governments around the world have Paris The sum is to be spent on continent to stop the spread of by German Chancellor Angela called on companies around approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine after scientific review. The the Great Green Wall project the Sahara desert and counter Merkel, British Prime Minister the world to support a pro- World Health Organization has also given its authorization. Hardlin- World leaders pledged to to plant trees in the Sahel droughts and famines. Boris Johnson, UN Secretary ject: Signatories to the “Terra ers in parliament support the ban, making baseless claims that spend some 14.3 billion dollars region in Africa, French Presi- The initiative, launched General Antonio Guterres and Carta” would aim to put sus- the vaccines could cause cancer, infertility and impotence. There is to tackle the climate crisis and dent Emmanuel Macron told some 15 years ago, has seen its European Commission Presi- tainability first, the prince told also fantastical talk of implanted GPS chips to programme Iranians environmental degradation at attendees at an event in Paris. ups and downs, but Macron dent Ursula von der Leyen, attendees. to become robots of the West. President Hassan Rowhani’s govern- Monday’s One Planet Summit, The Great Green Wall pro- said the money would speed along with top officials from He aims to raise $9.8 ment has distanced itself from these extreme statements, but in a largely online event co-host- ject aims to plant thousands of up the project and bring jobs international organizations. billion for environmentally general shares concerns about the vaccines. (DPA) ed by France and the United kilometres of trees spanning to the region. The heir to the British friendly initiatives.

Seven vaccination centres open in England to help boost jab drive NOTICE NAME: ELLAINE MAY FAJARDO dpa state that people could receive tracting the disease again and CASTILLO London their second doses of the Pfizer/ then altering the virus, but said PHILIPINE PASSPORT:P8554862A BioNTech and AstraZeneca vac- it was better for everyone to QATAR ID NO: 29360802712 Seven large vaccination centres cines up to 12 weeks after receiv- have at least one jab before the EMPLOYEE OF: National Car Company Is Leaving have opened in England to help ing their initial dose. second doses are issued. the country reach its target of They added a “first dose to as “Every person you vacci- Qatar for good. Anybody having any claim against her more than 12 million people be- many eligible individuals as pos- nate twice in quick succession should submit the same to us within 3 days from the ing offered a vaccine by February sible” should be “initially prior- means you cannot vaccinate a date of this notice. we will not be responsible for any 15. The centres, which are spread itized” over delivery of a second second person,” he said. “The claim whatsoever after this date. out across the north, east, south vaccine dose to patients. great majority comes from that Contact: 44321424 / 25 and west of England, are located The change in policy faced first vaccination. in venues of significance in each criticism from the World Health “We all accept there is a small area, such as Epsom racecourse Organization (WHO), which risk on this, but if you compare in Surrey, 22 kilometres south- said the second dose of the vac- that to the risk of vaccinating NOTICE west of London, which holds an cine should only be delayed for half the number of people, at the A patient is taken from an ambulance by staff wearing PPE equipment NAME: AJANTHA MALLAWA annual horse race attended by up to six weeks. peak of our epidemic, we think HORATHAL PEDIGE at the Royal Free Hospital in London on Monday. (AFP) Queen Elizabeth II. Britain’s Chief Medical Of- the risk is very, very small com- SRILANKAN PASSPORT:N8518347 The National Health Service ficer Professor Chris Whitty told pared to that substantial gain,” QATAR ID NO: 26714405534 (NHS) in England told dpa it Before the centres opened, the jabs later this week. the BBC on Monday Britain is he said. British Prime Minister EMPLOYEE OF: National Car Company Is Leaving was currently unable to confirm the vaccines were being given Last Wednesday the Joint now at its worst point in the Boris Johnson said in an address Qatar for good. Anybody having any claim against him how many people will be vacci- at hospitals, care homes and Committee on Vaccination and epidemic and therefore it was last Thursday the government nated at the centres each day as doctors practices. Those loca- Immunization (JCVI), the body important to get as many people plans to have offered the first should submit the same to us within 3 days from the they only began at 0800 GMT, tions will still be used along- advising the government on the vaccinated as possible. dose of the COVID-19 vaccines date of this notice. we will not be responsible for any however “thousands” are ex- side the new centres. Pharma- roll-out of the COVID-19 vac- He also admitted there is to 15 million people in Britain by claim whatsoever after this date. pected each week. cies are also due to start giving cines, changed its guidance to a “small risk” of people con- February 15. Contact: 44321424 / 25 Biden’s options for reviving travel economy ravaged by COVID-19 page 10

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

30,985.83 10,842.99 49269.32 1,848.50 -112.14 pts +117.26 pts +486.81 pts Gold +0.71% QAC launches Mitsubishi Xpander, Dow QE sensex Mirage and Attrage page 11 Price percentage Price percentage 25.13 Brent 55.70 -0.52 % WTI 52.27 +0.06 % Silver +1.98%

Qatar, GCC markets gain Al Daayen municipality tops in as non-oil issuing building permits in Dec stocks shine Tribune News Network Doha

Municipality of Al Daayen issued 248 permits, accounting for 26% of total permits issued during December Major stocks in the Gulf region strengthened on Mon- Tribune News Network ed for 6 percent, Al Khor with 10 day, bucking the global trend, Doha certificates accounted for 3 percent as shares in non-oil sectors and Al Shammal with eight certifi- took centre stage with the Municipality of Al Daayen cates accounted for 3 percent. market in Qatar primarily topped all municipalities in Qatar In terms of the type of cer- driving the gains. in terms of the number of building tificates issued,data indicates that Gaining for a third consec- permits issued in December 2020 the new building completion cer- utive session, the Qatar Stock with 248 permits, representing 26 tificates including residential and Exchange (QSE) general in- percent of the total issued permits non-residential accounted for 69 dex increased 117.26 points during the month, Planning and percent with 220 certificates of when the bourse closed for Statistics Authority (PSA) has said the total building certificates is- trading at 10,842.99 points in its latest report. sued during December 2020, while on Monday. According to PSA’s seventy-sec- the percentage of additions certifi- The volume of shares ond issue of the monthly statistics cates constituted 31 percent with traded decreased to 186.979 of building permits and building 99 certificates. million on Monday from completion certificates issued by By analysing new residential 198.617 million on Sunday all municipalities in Qatar, Al Doha buildings completion certificates and the value of shares in- came in second place with 200 per- data, it was found that villas topped creased to QR590.784 mil- mits- 21 percent of the total- fol- the list, accounting for 58 percent lion from QR517.11 million lowed by municipality of Al Rayyan of all new residential buildings on Sunday. with 189 permits (19 percent) and completion certificates with 104 Indices of all seven sec- municipality of Al Wakrah with 149 certificates, followed by dwellings tors closed in the positive ter- permits (15 percent). of housing loans certificates by ritory. The QSE Total Return Umm Slal with 90 permits ac- 36 percent (64 certificates), then Index increased 1.09 percent counted for 9 percent of the total, apartments buildings by 3 percent to 20,845.30 points and the while Al Khor saw 41 permits (4 (6 certificates). QSE Al Rayan Islamic In- percent), Al Sheehaniya had 30 per- On the other hand, commercial dex gained 0.69 percent to mits (3 percent), and Al Shammal buildings were found to be in the 4,364.16 points. The QSE All saw 25 permits (3 percent). forefront of non-residential build- Share Index up 1.04 percent In terms of the type of permits ings completion certificates with 39 to 3,330.27 points. issued, data indicates that the new percent (16 certificates), followed by The Gulf’s biggest lender building permits including residen- and industrial buildings like work- Qatar National Bank (QNB) tial and non-residential reached shops and factories with 29 percent firmed 1.2 percent and was 507 permits, constituting 52 per- (12 certificates), then governmental the best performer on the cent of the total building permits buildings and mosques with 24 per- benchmark. issued during the month of Decem- cent (5 certificates) for each. Dubai’s main share index ber, while the percentage of addi- Comparing number of certifi- tacked on 0.9 percent, driven tions permits reached 44 percent cates issued in December 2020 with mainly by a 1.8 percent gain with 429 permits. Fencing per- Villas accounted for 77 percent of all new residential buildings permits in December. those issued in the previous month, in the emirate’s biggest bank mits accounted for 4 percent with it was noted there was a general de- Emirates NBD. Sharia-com- 36 permits. ings permits with 44 percent (36 (68 percent), Al Sheehaniya (58 issuance of 95 building completion crease of 10 percent. This decrease pliant lender Dubai Islamic By analysing new residential permits), followed by industrial percent), Umm Slal (50 percent), Al certificates, accounting for 30 per- was clearly noted in some of the Bank also advanced, adding buildings permits data, it was found buildings like workshops and fac- Shammal (39 percent), Al Rayyan cent of the total issued certificates, municipalities like Al Da’ayen (51 0.8 percent. that villa topped the list, accounting tories with 31 percent (25 permits), (30 percent), Al Doha (24 percent), while the municipality of Al Wak- percent), Al Doha (33 percent), Al In Abu Dhabi, the bench- for 77 percent of all new residential then governmental buildings with On the other hand, there was a rah came in second place with 77 Wakrah (10 percent). mark firmed 1.2 percent, buildings permits with 329 permits, 19 percent (15 permits). clear decrease in the municipality certificates (24 percent), followed On the other hand, there was a helped by a more than 2 per- followed by dwellings of housing Comparing the number of per- of Al Khor (13 percent), Al Wakrah by the municipality of Al Doha with clear increase in the municipality cent gain in the UAE’s largest loans permits by 13 percent (54 per- mits issued in December 2020 with (9 percent). 44 certificates (14 percent), then Al of Al Sheehaniya (200 percent), Al lender First Abu Dhabi Bank. mits) and apartments buildings by those issued in the previous month According to the data on build- Daayen municipality with 35 certifi- Khor (25 percent), Al Rayyan (20 Saudi Arabia’s bench- 8 percent (34 permits). we noted a general increase of ing completion certificates issued cates (11 percent). percent), Umm Slal (7 percent), mark index finished the ses- On the other hand, commercial 28 percent. during the month of December Umm Slal with 32 certificates while Al Shammal municipality sion up 0.6 percent, buoyed buildings were found to be in the The increase was noted in most 2020, Al Rayyan municipality accounted for 10 percent, Al Shee- maintained the same number of is- by a 0.7 percent rise in lend- forefront of non-residential build- of the municipalities: Al Da’ayen topped all municipalities with the haniya with 18 certificates account- sued certificates. er Al Rajhi Bank.

Qatar, UAE have greater fiscal strength in GCC: Moody’s

Tribune News Network in Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia,” said Doha Alexander Perjessy an analyst at Moody’s. Increase in debt burdens for GCC sov- Qatar and the UAE have greater fis- ereigns will be among the largest globally. cal strength than their other GCC peers, “We forecast that debt will rise on average thanks to their large sovereign wealth by around 21 percentage points of GDP fund (SWF) buffers relative to their fis- over 2019-21 across the GCC, compared cal deficits, according to rating agency with an average of 12 percentage points Moody’s. for emerging markets and 14 percent- The COVID-19 related fall in oil rev- age points for advanced economies,” said enue has eroded fiscal strength of many Perjessy. GCC countries and constrained econom- GCC governments with relatively high ic recovery, resulting in lingering pres- fiscal breakevens, including Bahrain and sure on their sovereign credit strengths, Kuwait, will see the largest increases of according to Moody’s. 33.8 percentage points and 37.5 percent- The rating agency expects that it will age points respectively. The debt burdens take 2-3 years for real GDP in GCC sov- of those with lower breakevens, such ereigns to return to pre-pandemic levels. as Qatar and the UAE, will rise by only “Our outlook for GCC sovereigns four percentage points and 11 percentage reflects the coronavirus pandemic’s im- points respectively. pact on oil revenue and our expectations Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) will for the erosion of fiscal strength expe- mitigate the impact of higher gross debt rienced last year to extend throughout burdens of GCC countries. While analysts 2021,” said Thaddeus Best, a Moody’s expect that the largest rise in debt burden analyst. will be in Kuwait, the government’s excep- “The still elevated cost of funding for tionally strong balance sheet will mitigate lower-rated sovereigns in the region will The debt burden of Qatar, which is expected to rise by only four percentage points, is much lower than most of the GCC countries. the impact on fiscal strength. amplify these strains.” “While the UAE’s and Qatar’s SWF Moody’s expects subdued oil revenue with institutional strength. 2021 after coronavirus-related costs de- added tax (VAT) in April 2021. assets will remain smaller than Kuwait’s will constrain government spending in “We estimate that Qatar and the UAE, layed a planned tightening in expendi- Spending is forecast to stay above pre- relative to GDP at 124 per cent and 163 2021. Global oil demand is vulnerable to which have the strongest institutions and ture in 2020. pandemic levels in Kuwait and Bahrain, per cent respectively, their fiscal deficits any subsequent flare-ups in the corona- governance scores in the region, made Limited market access will keep largely driven by public sector wage bills are also much narrower. This implies virus outbreak and further government the largest cuts to expenditure in 2020. Oman’s expenditure low. The govern- in Kuwait and already committed 2020 that their SWF assets would cover deficit lockdowns, which could hurt oil prices We expect that this discipline will persist ment announced several fiscal consoli- budget spending in Bahrain. spending for a much longer period of time and delay the planned easing of produc- throughout 2021, with spending remain- dation measures in 2020, which it is Moody’s expects GCC fiscal deficits to than in Kuwait,” said Best tion cuts by the Organisation of the Pe- ing significantly below pre-pandemic likely to maintain into 2021. These in- narrow only modestly in GCC in 2021. In Saudi Arabia and Oman, government troleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). levels, despite a year-on-year increase in clude a 10 percent cut in noninterest “We forecast the median fiscal deficit debt burdens now exceed the SWF asset Analysts said the Capacity of GCC the UAE,” said Best. spending – double what it committed to to remain wide at 6 per cent of GDP in stock, and Moody’s expects the net asset sovereigns to reduce expenditure after a In Saudi Arabia, the government is in March 2020 – and government wage 2021, driving a further deterioration in positions to fall to negative balances of 18 drop in oil prices is strongly correlated likely to push through spending cuts in bill reforms. It will also introduce value fiscal strength, which will be most acute per cent and 65 per cent of GDP by 2021. Economy & Business Tuesday, January 12, 2021 09 China’s Baidu and China’s second-half car sales Geely partner up for smart electric cars defy global slump with 8% gain Tribune News Network likely to face strong compe- Doha tition, with carmakers and tech giants globally trying to Electric vehicles make huge leaps in sales, increasing by 12 percent in 2020 to 1.17 million units China’s search engine develop smart cars. Baidu has announced it will Internet giants includ- Agencies partner with carmaker Geely ing Tencent, Amazon and to make smart electric vehi- Alphabet have all developed China’s car sales increased cles (EVs). auto-related technology or during the six months ended Baidu will provide “intel- invested in smart-car start- in December, as customers re- ligent driving capabilities”, ups in recent years. turned to showrooms amid a while Geely will offer design China’s e-commerce gi- tentative recovery in consum- and manufacturing exper- ant Alibaba has formed an er sentiment in the first major tise. EV joint venture with Gee- economy to emerge from the Geely is one of China’s ly’s competitor SAIC. coronavirus lockdown. largest carmakers, and also Chinese ride-hailing app Sales of passenger vehicles owns Volvo and a stake Didi Chuxing has partnered – cars, sports-utility vehicles in Mercedes-Benz owner (SUVs) and minivans, exclud- Daimler. ing commercial trucks and The two companies will buses – rose 8 per cent to 11.75 be competing not just with million units in the six-month Elon Musk’s Tesla, but also period, compared with the in- with several Chinese com- terim a year earlier. Annual petitors. sales volume fell for the third “We believe that by com- Competition straight year in 2020, shrink- bining Baidu’s expertise in Baidu and Geely are likely ing by 6.8 per cent to 19.6 mil- smart transportation, con- to face strong competition, lion units, according to data nected vehicles and autono- with carmakers and tech by the China Passenger Car mous driving with Geely’s giants globally trying to Association (CPCA), as fac- expertise as a leading auto- develop smart cars. tories and businesses across mobile and EV manufactur- Internet giants including the country were locked down er, the new partnership will Tencent, Amazon and Alpha- during the first half to contain pave the way for future pas- the Covid-19 disease. senger vehicles,” said Robin bet have all developed auto- “Given the huge impact Li, co-founder and chief ex- related technology or from the coronavirus out- ecutive of Baidu. invested in smart-car break, the full-year sales re- Baidu established its startups in recent years. sult can be interpreted as a autonomous driving unit rare achievement, because Apollo in 2017, which main- with automaker BYD to a recovery has taken shape China’s passenger car deliveries rose 6.6 percent in December to 2.29 million units. ly supplies technology pow- make electric vehicles spe- with customers’ confidence ered by artificial intelligence cifically designed for ride restored,” said Cui Dongshu, Daimler said sales of its by 2060. Chinese customers like interi- and works with a number of hailing services. secretary general of the CPCA, Mercedes-Benz marque rose The enthusiasm for elec- or wood panelling and heated international and Chinese The announcement fol- the industry guild. “The strong 11.7 per cent in China. Audi, The winners tric cars was due in no small steering, set off a buying fren- carmakers lows reports of a possible growth momentum in [elec- the premium brand in the ● Premium marques, or part to Tesla’s US$2 billion in- zy. Some new buyers said they China is the world’s lead- electric car tie-up with Apple tric] vehicles during the sec- Volkswagen portfolio and the vehicles that sell for at vestment to make the Model 3 had to wait until the second ing market for electric vehi- and Hyundai. ond half proved to be a major standard issue for ministerial least 400,000 yuan in Shanghai, which slashed the quarter for their Model Ys to cles. Shares of the South Ko- growth driver.” vehicles, reported a 4.4 per waiting period for the brand’s be delivered. According to the Inter- rean car company surged by The slump-defying sec- cent increase in sales in the (US$61,700), were the legion of customers. Tesla’s Passenger car deliveries national Energy Agency, more than 20% on Friday ond half explains why global first nine months, while BMW biggest winners of 2020 in Gigafactory 3 sold more than rose 6.6 per cent in December there were 7.2 million elec- after it initially said it was in carmakers and start-ups are posted a 6.4 per cent gain in Chin. 138,000 units of its Shanghai- to 2.29 million units. The year tric cars on the road globally the “early stage” of talks with doubling down on their invest- the same period. ● made Model 3 last year. ended in a stark contrast to its by 2019, with 47% of them in the iPhone maker about a ments, sales and marketing in Electric vehicles, or new- One in six new cars sold “Tesla’s locally built Model start. First-quarter sales plum- China. possible electric car partner- China, betting on the spending energy vehicles (NEVs) as they in China now belongs in 3 inspired young customers meted 41 per cent in 2020, as Data provider S&P Platts ship. power in the world’s second- are known in China, also made the premium category, to own electric vehicles,” said multiple cities across China estimates that “new energy But hours later it back- largest economy to make up huge leaps in sales, rising 12 compared with the 2017 Tian Maowei, a sales man- were locked down to contain vehicles” will account for tracked and said it was talk- for declines elsewhere. per cent in 2020 to 1.17 million ratio of 10 per cent, ager at Yiyou Auto Service the spread of the coronavirus. 20% of total new car sales in ing with a number of poten- Premium marques, or units in total. according to IHS Markit. in Shanghai. “Fast growth in Hundreds of car assemblies China by 2025. tial partners without naming vehicles that sell for at least China’s central govern- NEVs will certainly be achiev- and parts factories were left “China has become the Apple. 400,000 yuan (US$61,700), ment and local authorities able this year.” idle, as workers were ordered world’s largest market for A report in Korea IT were the biggest winners of handed out cash subsidies tax rol-electric motors. The gov- On New Year’s Day, Tesla to stay home to prevent the vi- EVs, and we are seeing EV News on Sunday said the 2020 in China. One in six new exemptions and distributed ernment wants one in every unexpectedly launched its sec- rus from spreading. That sent consumers demanding next two companies planned to cars sold in China now belongs free number plates to encour- fivecars on the nation’s roads ond Shanghai-made vehicle, production and sales into a generation vehicles to be sign a deal by March and in the premium category, com- age car owners to ditch their to run on non-petroleum en- with a 30 per cent discount tailspin, leaving the second- more intelligent,” Mr Li said. start production around pared with the 2017 ratio of petroleum guzzlers for cars ergy source by 2025, part of a from its pre-launch guidance quarter with a 3.6 per cent Baidu and Geely are 2024. 10 per cent, according to IHS that ran on battery packs, hy- plan to put China on the path price. The Model Y, built with sales decline compared with Markit. drogen fuel cells or hybrid pet- to achieving carbon neutrality specifications preferred by the same period in 2019. Semiconductor shortage forces automobile production cuts

Agencies email Friday. “We are evalu- in Brampton, Ontario, and a automakers recovered, there new vehicles with electronic ating the supply constraint of small-SUV plant in Toluca, weren’t enough chips. features such as Bluetooth A widening global shortage of semiconductors and develop- Mexico, while Volkswagen In many cases, automak- connectivity and driver assist, semiconductors for auto parts ing countermeasures to mini- said in December it was facing ers have stopped making navigation and hybrid elec- is forcing major auto compa- mize the impact to produc- production slowdowns due slower-selling vehicles in or- tric systems. Semiconductors nies to halt or slow vehicle tion.” to the shortage. Nissan said der to divert the chips to hot- are typically silicon chips that production just as they were Toyota was forced to cut it has had to adjust produc- ter segments of the market perform control and memory recovering from pandemic- production of the full-size tion in Japan but hasn’t seen including pickup trucks and functions in products rang- related factory shutdowns. Tundra pickup at a factory in a significant impact so far in SUVs. ing from computers and cell- Officials atVolkswagen, San Antonio, Texas. Ford had the U.S. “This will minimize the phones to vehicles and micro- Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota scheduled down time next Industry officials say sem- impact of the current semi- wave ovens. and Nissan all say they have week at its Louisville, Ken- iconductor companies divert- conductor shortage while Auto sales plunged during been hit by the shortage and tucky, assembly plant, but ed production to consumer ensuring we maintain pro- the first wave of lockdowns in forced to delay production of moved it ahead to this week. electronics during the worst duction at our other North April but have since recovered some models in order to keep The plant makes the Ford of the COVID-19 slowdown in American plants,” Fiat significant ground. U.S. new other factories running. Escape and Lincoln Corsair auto sales last spring. Global Chrysler said in a statement. vehicle sales were down 34% “This is absolutely an in- small SUVs. automakers were forced to Officials at Volkswagen, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota and Nissan all say The auto industry is using during the first half of last dustry issue,” Toyota spokes- Fiat Chrysler has tem- close plants to prevent the they have been hit by the shortage and forced to delay production of more semiconductors than year, but recovered to end the man Scott Vazin said in an porarily car closed factories spread of the virus. When some models in order to keep other factories running. ever before while producing year down only 15%.

Huawei’s secure keyboard now protects your passwords PwC Middle East welcomes 17 Tribune News Network core of the new security regime Doha is centered on the encryption new partners to its regional offices of all biometric data and using When you pay for something a Trusted Execution Environ- Tribune News Network online or log into an app, mak- ment to store sensitive infor- Doha Partner Line of Service ing your phone forget your mation. This keeps that infor- Aktham Odeh Assurance password is often more dif- mation from ever being sent to PwC Middle East and Strategy &, part of the Darren Harris Legal ficult than remembering it. a cloud server. PwC network, have named 17 new partners Diana Dib Strategy& With 5G, almost every service The Secure Keyboard fea- across the region, from January 2021 to sup- Fady Dernayka Assurance we now use is handled through ture is now taking the same port client demands in a transforming market Ghassan Ghazzawi Consulting our phones. This means the standards and applying them and a challenging economic landscape. Hani Zein Strategy& security of our user accounts to password protection. By The firm continues to invest in the region Hiba Darwish Consulting is more important than ever. blocking third parties from and its digital capabilities reflecting its commit- Jad El Mir Strategy& Third-party keyboards are also harvesting your password ment to the transformation agenda as a priority Joseph Bou Eid Deals increasingly common. data, it ultimately prevents to a more & yet required digital future. Qamar Sheikh Assurance Many of those keyboards other sensitive information The new intake will bring the firm to almost Rebhi AbdelQader Consulting have features that allow them from being sent out into the 300 partners across 6000 people in the region. Roy Hintze Deals to save frequently entered remember our passwords. board on your phone, go to world. Currently, all Huawei The admitted partners, from various lines of Sajidah AbuZeit Legal user names and passwords. With Huawei’s Secure Key- System & updates under Set- phones running EMUI 11, service, hold skills and expertise in an array of Samar Sayegh Assurance They take that data and store board, your passwords are nev- tings, then Language & input, like the Huawei Mate 40 Pro industries including Government & Public Sec- Shafiq Hussaini Assurance it on private servers, helping er recorded, regardless of what and then tap Secure keyboard. and the Huawei P40 series, tor, Financial Services and M&A. Shubham Agarwal Consulting you log in automatically the you are logging into. Screen- Huawei’s smartphone secu- support dual biometric au- Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Part- Stephen Tudhope Consulting next time you access an app. shots and screen recording are rity features have generally be- thentication that uses 3D face ner said, “We are proud of our new partners Even though this is a conveni- also disabled when you type to come very good in recent years. scans and fingerprint readers who have demonstrated their resilience, dedi- ent service, it presents a mas- make sure malicious apps don’t The standards used in EMUI to unlock your phone. This is cation and commitment to our clients and peo- region is unwavering, and our new partners sive risk to your privacy. The secretly monitor you when you 11 new security features have a more secure authentication ple in what has been an unprecedented year.” have demonstrated that they have the skills, ca- truth is, we need to be able to enter a password. proven repeatedly to display a method than just traditional He added, “Our commitment to solving pabilities and relationships to lead in the new control whether our keyboards To activate Secure Key- higher attention to detail. The passwords. important problems and building trust in our normal.” 10 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Economy & Business Biden’s options for reviving travel economy ravaged by COVID-19 Biden has promised several steps to restore the nation’s confidence in travel — here are a few of the steps that he’s been asked or has committed to take

DPA/TCA more likely to be exposed. Washington Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of One of the first tasks Presi- public affairs and policy for dent-elect Joe Biden will face the U.S. Travel Association, when he assumes office will argues that some aspects of be to bring back an economy the travel industry should be crippled by the Covid-19 pan- prioritized because of frequent demic. interaction with the public. Among the hardest-hit in- She includes airline workers, dustries: travel. The US travel hotel workers and restaurant economy has lost about 500 workers. billion dollars since the pan- “If they were able to have demic began last March - a the vaccine, it gives a greater daily loss of 1.75 billion dol- protection to those out and lars, according to the US Trav- about,” she said. “It would el Association. lessen the chance of others Biden has promised to getting the virus.” Even as take a number of steps to re- Congress worked late last year store the nation’s confidence to finish up a 908 billion dol- in travel. Here are a few of the lar coronavirus relief bill with steps that he’s been asked or 45 billion dollars in aid for the has committed to take. travel industry, Biden said it During the pandemic’s was merely a “down payment” early days, transportation on what was needed to revive groups begged U.S. the economy. Department of Transpor- The relief, which includes tation officials to require air- 15 billion dollars to reinstate lines and other transportation payroll reimbursements to companies to provide protec- airlines, will only last through tive equipment to workers and March. The law also includes 1 require their use. billion dollars for airline con- But the DOT made it clear: tractors, 2 billion dollars for Its role was to coordinate with airports and concessionaires, other agencies and provide a 14 billion dollars for transit, regulatory environment that 10 billion dollars for state made it easier to move goods highways, 1 billion dollars for and services. Amtrak and 2 billion dollars “While the FAA remains for buses, motor coaches and steadfast in its focus on safety In this file photo, president-elect Joe Biden removes his face mask before delivering a Thanksgiving address at the Queen Theatre on Nov. 25, 2020, in Wilmington, Delaware. ferries. of flight, we are not a public (Mark Makela/Getty Images/TNS) Barnes said additional health agency,” wrote FAA stimulus funding in a Biden Administrator Stephen Dick- argued since at least 1999 that more regulations than neces- just a very individualistic cul- presidency would help guide son in late March when asked because DOT oversees air- sary.” Nelson said much of the ture,” she said. “As much as we the economy through the re- by Air Line Pilots Association lines, it does not have jurisdic- heavy lifting has already been say we’re all in this together, mainder of the pandemic. International President Joe tion over aircraft crews. America in general - we’re just a very individualistic culture. done, with most airlines re- a lot of people don’t feel that “To get folks moving, we DePete to make mandatory Greg Regan, secretary- As much as we say we’re all in this together, a lot of people quiring masks. Now, she said, way. Some unifying message need consistent recovery to CDC guidelines on protecting treasurer of the Transporta- don’t feel that way. Some unifying message could maybe a federal mandate that will cre- could maybe make us feel get us through this next year,” workforces from the spread of tion Trades Department at ate uniformity “is job number more together.” But messag- she said, saying the package the coronavirus. the AFL-CIO, said Biden and make us feel more together. one.” In the days after the 9/11 ing, she warns, can only go so that passed in December was Three months later, the Transportation Secretary Martina Jones-Johnson, a founding member and board officer attacks, the federal govern- far. “a bridge to 2021.” For some message was unchanged. nominee Pete Buttigieg would for the Black Travel Alliance ment put out unified messag- “We need something to modes, such as airlines, it was “DOT is not a public health likely take a more aggressive ing: If you see something, they get rid of this virus,” she said. the second tranche of funding. agency,” a DOT spokesman approach. urged, say something. “That’s when we’ll start to do The first round of 25 billion said after transportation work- “DOT is a public health Other airlines have varying opposed as “overly restrictive” Such messaging is one of a lot of traveling.” While labor dollars worth airline payroll ers complained to a House agency,” Regan said. “It does policies on medical exemp- a spending bill that included the most important things the groups representing transpor- funding, which was part of the panel about the absence of have a responsibility when it tions or mask requirements an amendment by Rep. David federal government can do to tation workers say they have 2-trillion-dollar stimulus bill, such a requirement. comes to public health in our for young children. E. Price, D-N.C., the chairman ensure confidence in travel no interest in cutting ahead expired in October, leading to The assertion, said Sara transportation system.” While In October, Biden prom- of the House Transportation, once the pandemic is passed, of health care workers or vul- tens of thousands of furloughs. Nelson, international presi- nearly all passenger airlines ised to institute a nationwide Housing and Urban Develop- analysts say. nerable populations, they’ve Nelson said many of the dent of the Association of have instituted some passen- mask mandate, and he’s since ment Appropriations Subcom- Martina Jones-Johnson, a made it clear believe their furloughed workers who re- Flight Attendants-CWA, is ger mask requirement, Nel- said he will ask Americans to mittee, requiring masks on founding member and board members should be a priority turned have to be recertified “100 per cent absurd.” DOT son said Biden’s promise to join him for 100 days of mask planes, trains and buses. officer for the Black Travel Al- population for the Covid-19 and re-credentialed, and by has taken the lead on banning require masks on all interstate wearing after he is sworn in. The DOT also rejected a liance, said standardization of vaccines. the time that’s done, the new- e-cigarettes from airlines, she travel would provide much- That’s a sharp difference petition from a group called rules - and clear messaging on “We are absolutely ad- est round of aid will be expir- said. It played a major role in needed uniformity. from the Trump White House, the “Flyers Rights Education what those rules are - would vocating flight attendants be ing. helping to quash the transmis- For example, some airlines which has rejected a universal Fund” seeking a mask man- help people who must travel among the first to get vacci- “We’ve seen how damag- sion of Ebola. And the fed- initially did not ban masks mask requirement on public date at airports and for U.S. figure out the best way to do nated,” said Nelson, who add- ing this was to let this lapse,” eral Occupational Safety and with face valves, though most transportation. airlines, saying the department so safely. ed that transportation workers she said. “We can’t let it hap- Health Administration has have since moved to do so. In July, the White House believes “there should be no “America in general - we’re are on the front lines and thus pen again.” UK economy ‘to get Twitter shares dive 7% after Trump account suspension Agencies “Trump has a very high paring it to the global crack- worse before it gets and loyal following and a lot down on terrorism after the Shares of Twitter Inc of those eyeballs will go away attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. slumped 7% on Monday, on if Trump is permanently re- “The fact that a CEO can better’, warns Sunak course to knock off about $2.5 stricted from posting,” said pull the plug on POTUS’s billion from the market value Andrea Cicione, head of strat- loudspeaker without any Agencies of the social media company egy at brokerage TS Lombard. checks and balances is per- after it permanently suspend- Other social media plat- plexing,” he wrote in a column The UK economy will “get ed the account of U.S. Presi- forms, including Facebook for Politico. worse before it gets better” as dent Donald Trump. Inc, have been quick to issue “It is not only confirma- the country battles the pan- The slide came as some similar bans on the outgoing tion of the power of these demic, Chancellor Rishi Su- Republicans hit out over president last week after the platforms, but it also displays nak has warned. the weekend at the platform violence at Capitol Hill. deep weaknesses in the way The chancellor told MPs for gagging one of its most But the fall in Twitter’s our society is organized in the the new national restrictions watched participants, with shares in premarket trading digital space.” were necessary to control the traders also pointing to signs was much heavier than for any Twitter said on Friday by the suspension of accounts Twitter, Facebook and spread of coronavirus. that the affair was further of its peers. Trump’s suspension was due belonging to vitriolic Trump Google have faced a surge in However, he said they fuelling calls for greater regu- U.S. media also reported to the risk of further violence, fans. the cost of moderating con- would have a further signifi- lation of Big Tech. San Francisco police were following the storming of the European Union Commis- tent on their platforms in re- cant economic impact, Trump’s account had more bracing for a possible protest U.S. Capitol last Wednesday. sioner Thierry Breton said the cent years, so far countered “Even with the significant than 88 million followers and by pro-Trump supporters out- It was the first time the events at the Capitol were like- by rises in the revenue they economic support we’ve pro- had been retweeted billions of side Twitter’s headquarters on company had banned a head ly to herald an era of tougher get from advertising and other vided, over 800,000 people times. Monday. of state and was accompanied social media regulation, com- services. have lost their job since Feb- UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak ruary,” he said. “Sadly, we have not and At the same time, three will not be able to save every million people had ben- job and every business. efited from self-employment US Capitol siege heralds tougher social media curbs, says EU commissioner “But I am confident that grants. our economic plan is support- Sunak said he would Agencies the role of digital platforms in online platforms have become society by arguing that they Kovacs said on Twitter. “Big ing the finances of millions of “bear in mind” calls to ex- our democracy,” the Commis- systemic actors in our soci- merely provide hosting ser- Tech preaches tolerance and people and businesses.” tend business rate relief and The storming of the U.S. sioner for the Internal Market eties and democracies, last vices,” the member of the EU’s pluralism. They talk the talk The chancellor said “the provide further support for Capitol will herald an era of wrote in a column for Politico. week’s events on Capitol Hill” executive said. but don’t walk the walk.” road ahead will be tough”, but the hospitality sector at the tougher social media regula- Twitter permanently cut were their answer, Breton Hungary, meanwhile, In December, the Euro- maintained that the govern- Budget in March. tion, European Union Com- off U.S. President Donald wrote. criticized Twitter for interfer- pean Commission announced ment was “taking the difficult Shadow chancellor An- missioner Thierry Breton said, Trump’s personal account and By blocking Trump’s ac- ing with official accounts after draft rules to rein in tech gi- but right long-term decisions neliese Dodds accused Mr comparing the violence with access to his nearly 90 million count, social media compa- suspending the Budapest gov- ants such as Alphabet’s Goog- for our country”. Sunak of being “out of ideas” the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, followers on Friday, citing the nies had finally recognised ernment’s account in Septem- le, Facebook, Apple and Ama- He said that fiscal stimu- and providing “nothing new”. that led to a global crackdown risk of further incitement of their responsibility, duty and ber. zon. lus provided so far amounted She said: “The purpose on terrorism. violence after Trump exhort- means to prevent the spread “Today, their censors The new rules would oblige to more than £280bn, while of an update is to provide us “Just as 9/11 marked a ed thousands of supporters to of illegal viral content, he upped the game, removed the companies to do more to 1.2 million employers had with new information, not paradigm shift for global secu- march on the Capitol. added. nearly 200 of my followers tackle illegal content such as furloughed almost 10 million to repeat what we already rity, 20 years later we are wit- “If there was anyone out “They can no longer hide without explanation,” gov- hate speech and intentional employees. know.” nessing a before-and-after in there who still doubted that their responsibility toward ernment spokesman Zoltan manipulation of platforms. Tuesday, January 12, 2021 11 Economy & Business

QAC launches Mitsubishi Xpander, unveils new versions of Mirage, Attrage Launched as part of the expansion plans of Qatar Automobiles Company and Mitsubishi in Qatar, the unveiling of new cars is aimed at coping with the rapidly changing demands of both individual and corporate customers Tribune News Network Doha

Qatar Automobiles Company (QAC), the authorised general dis- tributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Qatar, on Sunday, launched the all- new Mitsubishi SUV Xpander 2021, along with the new versions of Mi- rage and Attrage compact cars 2021 models in Qatar. Launched as part of the expan- sion plans of Qatar Automobiles Company and Mitsubishi in Qatar, the new cars aim to cope with the rapidly changing demands of both individual and corporate customers. Speaking at the launch cer- emony, Nasser Bin Khaled Group Managing Director- Auto, Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf Al Thani said, “To- day’s launch creates a new milestone in the growth expansion of Qatar Automobiles and Mitsubishi in Qa- tar. Together, we overcame various challenges and circumstances and continued working hard to serve our customers in the best possible way. Nasser Bin Khaled Group will con- tinue its enduring approach by focus- ing on sectors that support the Qatari economy’s requirements, achieving Nasser Bin Khaled Group Managing Director- Auto Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf Al Thani and senior officials of Qatar Automobiles Company at the launch of all-new Mitsubishi SUV Xpander 2021 and new the National Vision 2030, and con- versions of Mirage and Attrage compact cars in Doha on Sunday. tributing to the growth and prosper- ity of Qatar.” rough or flooded roads, while the mance is significantly enhanced by QAC General Manager Hisham The launch creates a new milestone in the growth reinforced suspension, coupled with Mitsubishi Motors’ RISE (Reinforced El Sahn, who also spoke on the oc- expansion of Qatar Automobiles and Mitsubishi in high-performance shock absorbers Impact Safety Evolution) body, and casion, said, “Qatar Automobiles and a rigid and lightweight body, en- Active Stability Control [ASC] which continues to provide the best and Qatar. Together, we overcame various challenges and sure stability and comfort. automatically adjusts engine output latest Mitsubishi cars as soon as it is circumstances and continued working hard to serve and applies braking force at the ap- launched globally. We aim to make our customers in the best possible way. Nasser Bin Attrage and Mirage propriate wheels to help maintain Qatar one of the first countries to in- The new 2021 Attrage and Mirage control and prevent skidding. troduce the latest distinctive models Khaled Group will continue its enduring approach by have an advanced dynamic look and ECO mode indicator illuminates in the region. These launches show- focusing on sectors that support Qatari economy’s feel, reliable safety, and intelligent fea- whenever you operate the accelera- case QAC’s strong relationship with requirements, achieving the National Vision 2030, and tures that are combined with good fuel tor pedal in an ecofriendly way. It Mitsubishi that is primarily built on economy and genuine quality. The encourages you to develop good driv- trust, commitment, significance, and contributing to the growth and prosperity of Qatar. body is streamlined to slip smoothly ing habits that lower fuel costs and the joint effort to provide the best ~ Nasser Bin Khaled Group Managing Director- Auto through the air. Reduced drag lowers contribute to a cleaner environment customer service. Today’s launch wind noise and CO2 emissions while for everyone. motivates us to improve our business Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf Al Thani raising fuel efficiency and high-speed throughout the year. It approves that stability. Performance our ambitions are continuing accord- The tight turning radius contrib- The highly responsive 1.2-liter ing to the two companies’ strategic utes to excellent handling and makes 3-cylinder MIVEC engine delivers growth visions and as part of Nasser LED position lamps are arranged in as well as four rear roof vents, to keep power supply adjacent to convenient driving easy for anyone, at any age. an ample maximum output of 57 kW Bin Khaled Group’s plans.” crystal-like blocks and are positioned everyone on board comfortable. storage space. Experience peppy performance and (78 HP) at 6,000 rpm and practical Held at QAC’s Salwa Road show- higher for better visibility. The L- Flexibility in the seating configu- good fuel efficiency that bring joy to maximum torque of 100 N·m (10.2 room, the launch ceremony was also shaped LED rear combination lamps ration to meet changing needs also Safety every drive. Whether commuting to kg-m) at 4,000 rpm. The INVECS- attended by QAC General Sales Man- that extend onto the tailgate and ac- allows for easy loading. The second- Safety performance is signifi- work, shopping in the city or travel- III CVT wide-ratio transmission ager Haitham Ebef, QAC Marketing centuate the strong stance. row armrest can be folded down cantly enhanced thanks to Mitsubi- ling through the countryside, one will maintains optimal rpm for high per- Manager Karim Monir, media repre- The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy and the second and third-row seats shi Motors’ Reinforced Impact Safety enjoy sporty handling that is excep- formance and fuel economy. You’ll sentatives and several guests. wheels in a two-tone finish, a shark folded flat to accommodate lengthy Evolution body or RISE, which ef- tionally stable, quick acceleration in enjoy smooth acceleration and decel- fin antenna, side bumpers flush with loads. Additionally, entertainment ficiently absorbs energy and main- response to your command, and agile eration, as well as efficiently selected Mitsubishi Xpander: the body and the side panels and and hands-free operation are availa- tains high cabin integrity in the event manoeuvrability that makes parking gear ratios in all driving conditions. Expand Your Possibilities rear quarter complete the robust and ble via the large 7-inch Smartphone- of a collision. All four doors are also and sharp turns a breeze. The Mitsubishi Xpander is a new sculpted look. link Display Audio - SDA that is equipped with a support beam to in- The new compacts have an ad- Smartphone–link display versatile 7-seat SUV that offers com- The Xpander has a 2,775 wheel- compatible with both Apple CarPlay crease protection by reducing door vanced, friendly, spacious cabin that’s audio fort, functionality, quality and value base, an overall length of 4,475 mm, a and Android Auto, allowing intuitive deformation in the event of a side equally impressive as its exterior. Chic The Smartphone-link Display for money. The Mitsubishi Xpander width of 1,750 mm, and height of 1,700 operation of music, calls, maps and collision. The Xpander also enjoys fabric trim and high-quality materials Audio (SDA) with its large 7-inch provides the best of both worlds. The m (Midline)/1,730m (High line). messages for a more enjoyable and a variety of active safety features in- for the soft yet supportive seats are touch screen lets you intuitively op- interior enjoys plenty of cabin space, safer driving experience. cluding Anti-lock Braking System complemented with hi-tech meters. erate music playback and calls with storage facilities and smart technolo- Interior (ABS), Emergency Stop Signal Sys- In terms of safety, both compact voice actions for a more enjoyable gies, and the exterior bold styling The spacious interior of the Features for Convenience tem (ESS), Active Stability Control cars are equipped with ABS and and safer drive. With Apple CarPlay- does not compromise on high ground Xpander is designed to reflect Japa- Even with passengers in the (ASC) and Hill Start Assist (HAS). Electronic Brake-force Distribution TM or Android Auto TM, one can use clearance, handling stability, and nese hospitality “OMOTENASHI” third-row seats, luggage space re- [EBD] that distributes braking force audio, messaging, voice calling, and overall driving experience. and provides comfort for all seven mains sufficient to accommodate Performance to all four wheels to enhance braking 3rd party navigation apps from your adult passengers thanks to support- four 4-gallon water bottles. Power is provided by the spir- performance. Tyre Pressure Monitor- iPhone with CarPlay as well other Exterior ive seating, convenient amenities Storage features in the Xpander ited and responsive 1.5-litre 16-valve ing System [TPMS] employs sensor- services such as maps, Siri, Phone, The front of the Xpander has a and high-quality materials. in addition to the glove box include Dual overhead camshaft engine with transmitters in the wheels to monitor Some supported 3rd party apps futuristic look and features a chrome Noise and vibration in the cabin door pockets, drink holders, seatback advanced MIVEC - Mitsubishi Inno- tyre pressure and illuminates a warn- Other features upper grille, swept-back LED head- are effectively absorbed by using spe- pockets, floor console box, passenger vative Valve timing Electronic Con- ing lamp on the combination meter The Attrage and Mirage compact lights, and daytime running lights cial materials, ensuring a supremely seat undertray, and underfloor lug- trol system – making it easy for the cluster if one or more tyres become cars are equipped with a package of and incorporates Mitsubishi Mo- quiet experience for the driver and gage area. Xpander to carry seven adults uphill significantly underinflated. features including a USB PORT, CD tors’ Dynamic Shield signature look all passengers. The air conditioning Smartphone and device charg- with ease. Other systems included are Hill player with AUX terminal and, a that offers greater protection for pe- system enjoys eight fan adjustment ing is accessible to every passenger Excellent ground clearance in Start Assistant, Driver and passenger unique type center panel and Trunk destrians and passengers alike. The levels in the front and four in the rear as each of the three rows has its 12V its class provides confidence on SRS airbags, Collision safety perfor- lid spoiler (colour-keyed). Resolute India score courageous draw against Australia at SCG page 14 TUESday, JANUARY 12, 2021 Attiyah aces Dakar Rally stage eight with his 40th special win Qatari regains more than three minutes on rival Awesome Attiyah Frenchman In 2007, Nasser Al Attiyah (pictured) was especially perceived as a hot-headed chancer Peterhansel when he won his first special in Nema, AGENCIES accompanied by Alain Guehennec behind the Sakaka (Saudi Arabia) wheel of an X-Raid team BMW. Since then, there has not been a single Dakar where he has Trust Nasser Al Attiyah to not tasted victory on at least one change gears just when it mat- stage, a feat which no other driver ters. The ace Toyota Gazoo has achieved over 14 consecutive Racing’s Qatari driver after playing it safe in the first half editions in the history of the rally. of the marathon stage in the On the way to Neom, the Qatari Dakar Rally on Sunday was driver picked up the 40th back with a bang on Monday. stage victory of his career Attiyah claimed stage eight and is now in 3rd position winning the 375km loop be- tween Sakaka and Neom. The on the roll of honour for Toyota driver won for the fifth stage wins, with Stephane time this year to bring his total Peterhansel (47) and Ari of Dakar stage wins to 40. Vatanen (50) in his sights. In doing so, he has also re- gained more than three min- utes on his rival Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel. Starting fourth on the road, the three-time cham- pion immediately grabbed the lead at the first waypoint from Spaniard Carlos Sainz and Sunday’s stage winner Yazeed Al Rajhi of Saudi Arabia, with Peterhansel sitting 30 seconds behind in fourth place. Capping the 40th special of his career in Dakar, Atti- yah, said, “We tried to do our best from yesterday to today. The marathon day is not easy. I’m really quite happy: My car is in one piece after yesterday and today! “In some places we really pushed a lot just to keep pace with the buggies. It’s not easy, but I’m quite happy to finish Toyota’s driver Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar and his co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France compete during stage 8 of the Dakar Rally 2021 between Sakaka and Neom, in Saudi Arabia, on Monday. (Redbullcontentpool) the marathon stage. Today, stage 8 was a great stage for our chances because the bug- mending his Overdrive Toyo- changed. Peterhansel of the X- Price to 1’05’’, all on the second be filled with tracks with dense 2hr45m33s; 8. Martin Prokop us. We put three minutes into gies are more comfortable, ta’s Hilux. Raid Mini JCW team contin- half of a marathon stage. sand where competitors won’t (Ford) 3hr18m24s; 9. Giniel de Stephane.” with better traction and big Nani Roma of team BRX ues to stay atop with Attiyah What’s more, the young necessarily be able to go flat Villiers (Toyota) 3hr26m50s; With the two-part mara- wheels, so less punctures. couldn’t manage a top 10 fin- hot on his tail. man does not seem perturbed out. The stage is also touted as 10. Christian Lavieille (Optimus) thon stage complete, Peter- From the start until now, we ish, but continues to hold on to Meanwhile in the bike at having to approach the last the toughest ones. 3hr41m57s. hansel leads the overall stand- have had eight flat tyres, so it’s fifth place in the overall rank- category, Chilean “Nacho” four days of the rally in the po- Bike: 1. Chile Jose Ignacio ings by a reduced margin of not easy. My teammate Giniel ings. Sebastian Loeb how- Cornejo took the lead in the sition of leader. Standings after Stage 8 Cornejo (Honda) 32h00m11s; 4m50s from Attiyah, with (De Villiers) has had sixteen ever isn’t getting the result he general standings by just one Tuesday’s stage will be the Car: 1. Stephane Peterhansel 2. Australia Toby Price (KTM) teammate Sainz now 38m55 flat tyres, so it’s not easy. But wants and after encountering second thanks to his 2nd place second and final loop stage in (Mini) 29hr36m49s; 2. Nasser 1m06s; 3. UK Sam Sunder- behind in third. I don’t want to make excuses. mechanical problems again on the stage at Sakaka. the 2021 Dakar Rally. Al Attiyah (Toyota) 4m50s; land (KTM) 5m57s; 4. Argen- Attiyah exuded confidence We have four days left and around 43km into the stage, Exposed to the role of open- The competitors will trav- 3. Carlos Sainz (Mini) 38m55s; tina Kevin Benavides (Honda) on the road ahead. “We still we’ll try to do our best.” his current objective today er after quickly catching his erse a total of 574km of which 4. Jakub Przygonski (Toyota) 12m58s; 5. Spain Joan Barreda have four days and it won’t be Stage 7 winner Al Rajhi was to reach the bivouac and teammate Ricky Brabec at the the special stage will be 465km 1hr38m08s; 5. Nani Roma (Honda) 16m05s; 6. USA Ricky easy, but we’ll be trying to do it ran into mechanical problems mend the Hunter. front of the race, the Chilean long. (BRX) 2hr30m29s; 6. Vladimir Brabec (Honda) 17m42s; day by day. 193km into the stage, and The top five spots in the managed to post the best time The stage will begin at the Vasilyev (Mini) 2hr42m00s; 7. 7. USA Skyler Howes (KTM) “It’s difficult to say about lost approximately an hour in general ranking remain un- and increase his lead over Toby shore of the Red Sea and will Khalid Al Qassimi (Peugeot) 19m20s. QMMF tweaks compact route for MERC opener in Qatar Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Intl The Qatar Motor and Motor- Rally 2021 cycle Federation (QMMF) has made several tweaks and im- ● Ceremonial start and provements to the route and super special stage to itinerary for the forthcoming be held at Katara Qatar International Rally, which will kick-start regional ● FIA homologated T4 cars action in the 2021 FIA Mid- permitted to tackle MERC dle East Rally Championship gravel rounds from January 28-30. Speaking from the Dakar ● Entries for regional Rally, Clerk of the Course Pe- series opener in Qatar Khalid Al Suwaidi during the 2019 Qatar International Rally. dro Almeida confirmed that close on January 13 the event would be more com- rounds of the MERC in Qatar, man Al Mannai, senior com- pact and with slightly more tions than 2019 and 36.06% of Oman, Jordan, Cyprus and Ku- mittee member Abdulrazaq competitive distance than the the route is competitive, com- Qatar International Rally 2019 podium finish and the celebration. wait. Eligible vehicles must have Al Kuwari and the QMMF’s last event that was staged be- pared to 28.79% in 2019 and an FIA technical passport. Executive Director Amro Al fore the new coronavirus pan- 24.43% in 2018.” and will be run twice on leg in the tail for entrants on the the United Arab Emirates, Forty-four of these rela- Hamad. The final date for en- demic in 2019. The start ceremony will be one (January 29th). final day. transportation of equipment tively low-cost vehicles en- try applications has been set “All the stages have been held at Katara from 20.15hrs The Al Khor special The QMMF is hopeful that into the State of Qatar should tered the Dakar Rally at the for January 13. organised in the Al Khor area, on Thursday evening (January (18.30km) has also been spectators will take the op- become much easier over time start of January and the relax- For more information some 40km north of the Lusail 28th), where QMMF officials used before and is a highlight portunity to see the action up and the QMMF is hopeful that ing of border restrictions may about the 2021 Qatar Inter- Sports Complex, where the are also planning to host a of leg two. Both the QMMF close and personal at Katara entrants from many of the enable some competitors to national Rally, participants rally in based,” said Almeida. brand new opening four-kil- (22.02km) and Ras Laffan before the meat of the event GCC countries will support the take part in the Qatar Interna- can contact the Qatar Motor “We will run 11 special stages ometre super special stage on (21.39km) stages are com- switches to the northern Qatar MERC opener. tional Rally after the finish of and Motor Cycle Federation again, but we ran 203.72 com- Katara Beach from 21.30hrs pletely new and also fit into deserts over the weekend. Potentially boosting the en- the Dakar event in Jeddah on (QMMF), PO Box 8708, Doha, petitive kilometres in 2019 The Eraida (20.13km) Saturday’s (January 30th) With the recent news that try, both this year and in the fu- January 15th. Qatar, Tel: + 974 443 79885, and this has been increased and Al-Thakira (20.34km) itinerary. They too are re- an agreement has been made ture, is the news that the FIA has This year’s rally will be Fax: + 974 443 79732, e-mail: to 208.36km for 2021. There special stages are already peated in the afternoon and between Qatar and neighbour- permitted homologated T4 pro- held under the chairmanship [email protected] and www. are 130km less of road sec- well known to competitors may provide an exciting sting ing Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and duction vehicles to tackle gravel of QMMF President Abdulrah- qmmf.com Sports Tuesday, January 12, 2021 13

IJF DOHA WORLD JUDO MASTERS 2021 Buchard, World No. 1 Krasniqi dazzle with gold on opening day

Tribune News Network Doha

Thrilling action was wit- nessed on the opening day of the Doha World Judo Mas- ters 2021 as France’s Aman- dine Buchard and World No.1 Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo claimed gold medals at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall on Monday. Adding delight for South Korean were judokas Jin Won Kim and An Baul who won the men’s finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifying event. As many as five titles were decided on day one of the three-day Masters with judo- kas from Kosovo, France and Japan grabbing top honours in women’s events besides the South Korean duo of Kim and Baul, who claimed gold in the men’s events. Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain also attended action on the first day and awarded medals Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, who also witnessed action of the Doha World Judo Masters World No.1 Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo with her women’s -48kg gold on to the winners. 2021 at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall on Monday, awarded the under 48kg category women’s podium finishers. the podium. Being held behind closed doors and with strict health safety measures in place, the championship is featuring 399 athletes including 215 male and 184 female judokas from 69 countries. Entering the final of -52kg, Amandine Buchard showed that she will be one of the fa- vourites for the Olympic title, especially as she did it defeat- ing reigning Olympic champi- on Majlinda Kelmendi of Ko- sovo in the preliminary round. The 25-year-old then de- feated Japan’s Ai Shishime Ai in a tough final, which ended with a third penalty against the Japanese, handing a gold medal to the French. “Physically, it was a dif- ficult match. SoI did a very tactical fight in the final. I kept attacking hard and that helped me take the win,” said Buchard. “This will be a reference Judokas in action during the men’s event. France’s Amandine Buchard (left) in action during the women’s -52kg. match for me ahead of the Olympic Games. It’s been a She entered the final after South Koreans shine in Wei praised South Korean Meanwhile, the 2015 world ping eri-seoi-nage to seal gold Baruch Shmailov; B: Aram Gri- difficult period after corona- a flawless run against Marusa men’s field Kim after losing the final. champion Baul brought the medal. Earlier in the event, soryan (Rus) B: Margvelashvili virus, but this a new year and Stangar (SLO), Catarina Costa Kim bagged the Men’s “It was a tough game. It second gold medal for South Italy’s top seed Manuel Lom- (Geo). new experience and I’m hap- (POR) and Melanie Clement -60 kg gold after a thrilling was a top quality final andI am Korea after defying a challenge bardo crashed out in the pre- Women -48 kg: G: Distria Kras- py to start it off on a positive (FRA), winning two of her final against Yang Yung Wei happy what I have achieved in from Israel’s Baruch Shmailov liminary round. niqi (Kosovo); S: Funa Tonaki note,” she added. confrontations by ippon. of Chinese Taipei. It was an Doha,” said the Chinese Taipei in the men’s -66kg final. A total of five titles will be (Japan); B: Urantsetseg (Mgl) World No.1 Distria Krasni- In Women -57 kg, Japan’s evenly poised title clash in the player. It was another close final decided today before the event -52 kg: G: Amandine Buchard qi of Kosovo, already a winner Tuskasa Yoshida clinched gold first three quarters before the The event earlier saw fa- during inaugural day’s pro- heads to the final day. (France); S: Ai Shishime Ai (Ja- of the Masters in 2019, started medal after defeating Sarah South Korean finally succeed- vourites like Robert Mshvi- ceedings as after a long period Results pan); B: Astride Gneto (France); the new season with a gold Leonie Cysique of France, with ed in throwing Yang strongly, dobadze (RUS), Francisco of golden score and two pen- Men’s -60 kg: G: Jin Won Kim B: Elemendi Majlinda (Kos) medal in women’s -48 after Kosovo’s Nora Gjakova secur- with speed and on his back Garrigos (ESP), Sharafuddin alties from both the fighters, (Kor); S: Yang Yung Wei (Tpe); B: -57 kg: G: Tuskasa Yoshida (Ja- defeating Japan’s Funa Tonaki ing the bronze medal. with control, for a magnificent Lutfillaev (UZB) eliminated in Baul succeeded in throwing Albert Oguzov (Rus) pan); S: Sarah Leonie Cysique in the final. counterattack. the opening stages. his opponent using a drop- -66kg: G: An Baul (KOR); S: (France); B: Nora Gjakova (Kos). QMMF unveils new logo for 2021 Ali Emadadhi excels in Nissan Qatar Off-Road Championship 370Z to top QNS 1st round Tribune News Network Tribune News Network competition. Doha Doha Al Hamad said the QMMF has also decided to spread the Ali Emadadhi emerged as the The Qatar Motor and Mo- championship to more than star in the opening round of torcycle Federation (QMMF) four months - from December the Qatar National Sprint 2021 has unveiled a new logo for to April - as it was staged in the held at Lusail last Saturday. the 2021 Qatar Off-Road previous years. Emadadhi notched up two Championship which draws “We have been able to plan victories in the Open Class 2 inspiration from Qatari de- things better now. The cham- and Production Cars Class 2 serts and reflects the local pionship will run throughout categories driving a Nissan characteristics. the year except for the sum- 370Z. “The new logo for the mer months. Emadadhi, driving a Nis- Off-Road Championship has “ So we have divided the san 370Z, produced the best been designed by Ghadeer season into two parts which lap of 54.077 seconds in three Al Khayat. The design is very now allows us to have more runs to clinch the Open Class Ali Emadadhi produced the best lap of 54.077 seconds in three runs to creative and highlights our activities during each round 2. In second place was Ibra- clinch the Open Class 2 in the opening round of Qatar National Sprint. culture and environment,” and the extended series gives him Al Mannai, who timed QMMF Executive Director more time for participants to 55.989 in a Mitsubishi Evo Al Khelaifi (Westfield Sport) Henry Kahy (Renault Clio) Best Amro Al Hamad said. prepare for each competition,” 10, while Nadim Ziade, also in Best lap: 54.077 seconds; 2. lap: 56.502 seconds; 2. Saad The six-leg the 2021 Qa- The new logo for the Off-Road Championship has been designed by he explained. Mitsubishi Evo, was third in a Mansour Chebli (Renault Clio) Al Dosari (Mazda) 56.874; 3. tar Off-Road Championship Ghadeer Al Khayat. “In the past, when a com- time of 56.461. 54.836; 3. Abdul Aziz Al Jabri Mansour Chebli (Renault Clio) series will flag off next month petitor saw his car breaking Later, Emadadhi was in (Westfield Sport) 54.996 57.014 and consist of six rounds. staged on Dec 3 and 4. The fi- in action over two days,” in- down, he could not catch up sizzling form in Production OPEN CLASS 2 : 1. Ali Ema- PRODUCTION CLASS 2: 1. The first round will be held nal round will be held in De- formed Al Hamad, adding that and take part in the following Class 2 too. Driving an Audi, dadhi (Nissan 370Z) Best lap: Ali Emadadhi (Audi) Best lap: on February 5 and 6 with the cember. The final round will will extend over two days. rounds. he registered a best lap of 54.824 seconds; 2. Ibrahim 54.005 seconds; 2. Moham- second set to take place on be held over two days. After the conclusion of the “But the situation is differ- 54.005 seconds. Mohammed Al Mannai (Mitsubishi Evo 10) med Emadadhi (Audi) 54.094; March 19-20. “As we announced earlier, first round of the 2021 Qatar ent now in light of the pres- Emadadhi was second after 55.989; 3. Nadim Ziade (Mit- 3. Dean Ball (Porsche Boxster The third round will be the first three rounds will be National Sprint, Al Hamad ence of sufficient time to deal clocking 54.094 in Audi. subishi Evo 8) 56.461 718) 55.784 staged on October 8 and 9 Enduro (endurance) and the revealed QMMF has made with any breakdowns during The third place went to OPEN CLASS 3: 1. Abdulla Al PRODUCTION CLASS 3: 1. with the fourth being held on remaining three, the Baja cat- changes to this year’s series competition. Dean Ball, in a Porsche Box- Abbassi (Lotus Exige) Best lap: Francesco Fornaciari (Lotus Ex- Oct 15 and 16. egory. by introducing two new cat- “Our goal in the end is to ster 718, in a time of 55.784 52.817 seconds; 2. Moham- ige) Best lap: 53.277 seconds; The penultimate round “The sixth and final round egories – the women’s class help the participants to feature seconds. med Al Khayarin (Chevrolet 2. Mahmoud Al Mahmoud (Por- will be held on Nov 12 and 13 will offer double points to the and allowing electric cars to in the entire series with rela- RESULTS: Corvette) 56.757. sche GT3) 54.571; 3. Hosam Al while the season finale will be participants who will be seen feature in the hugely popular tive ease,” added Al Hamad. OPEN CLASS 1: 1. Abdullah PRODUCTION CLASS 1: 1. Qatami (BMW M2) 56.154 14 Tuesday, Janauary 12, 2021 Sports

Bayern and Bayer Battle of the big guns as seek Cup wins after Bundesliga setbacks Al Duhail meet Al Sadd DPA Munich midfielder Leon Berlin Goretzka said. “We must somehow play Qatar SC take Title holders Bayern Mu- like in the first half hour and nich and runners-up Bayer see that we get back on track on Al Rayyan Leverkusen complete the Wednesday.” Kiel, who are second round of the German third in the second tier, have Cup in mid-week, aiming to nothing to lose, with coach Ole Tribune News Network bounce back from recent dis- Werner saying: “We will take a Doha appointments. look at what Bayern will do. Bayern visit second- Then we will think about Defending champions Al division Hostein Kiel on what we will do. And then we Duhail will look to close the Wednesday coming off a 3-2 will see what comes out of gap on leaders Al Sadd when Bundesliga defeat at Borussia it.” The winner will play an- the two giants of Qatar foot- Moenchengladbach in which other second-division team in ball face-off in the QNB Stars they wasted a two-goal lead. Darmstadt in the third round League at the Jassim Bin Leverkusen meet Eintra- while Leverkusen or Frankfurt Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. cht Frankfurt for the second would then face the only fourth All Sadd have been domi- time in 10 days on Tuesday tier team left in the competi- nant this season, having re- and want to avoid another set- tion, Rot-Weiss Essen. mained unbeaten in 13 match- back after going winless in the Leverkusen ruled the es to open an eight-point lead last three Bundesliga matches Bundesliga until the weekend at the top with 35 points. and slipping four points be- before Christmas when they Holders Duhail had an incon- hind leaders Bayern. suffered a late defeat against sistent start to their campaign Both matches were origi- Munich and lost the league before settling in under Sabri nally scheduled for December lead, followed by defeat in Lamouchi, who returned to but Bayern and Bayer success- Frankfurt and a draw with the helm of the Red Knights fully sought postponements to Werder Bremen. three month ago, and are in ease their heavy schedule at Like Munich, Leverkusen second place with 27 points. Al Rayyan Yacine Brahimi (left) and Qatar Sport Club’s Youcef Belaili will provide for a fascinating content when their teams meet on Monday. the time a little bit. appear fatigued and coach With Al Sadd in a race of The matches now however Peter Bosz rested his 17-year- their own, the time is running add to the January load and old super talent Florian Wirtz out for Duhail to keep their QNB Stars League Standings while still top of the league, against Bremen. The player chances of retaining the title. Club MP W L D GF GA GD Pts Bayern appear to be not as will be once again spared, not Both the teams were in dev- Al Sadd 13 11 0 2 50 9 41 35 fresh as in the past. playing against Frankfurt who astating form last week, with Al Duhail 13 9 4 0 35 17 18 27 The Christmas break ap- have won their first games in Al Sadd outclassing Al Sail- Qatar SC 13 7 4 2 23 13 10 23 peared not long enough to ful- the restart. iya 8-0, before Al Duhail re- Al Gharafa 13 7 4 2 28 20 8 23 ly recharge the batteries, and Despite not being injured, sponded with an 8-1 win over several mistakes cost them at Wirtz felt a strain before the Al Ahli 13 7 5 1 19 23 -4 22 Al Wakrah. Gladbach after they had start- Bremen game. With Sabri Lamouchi’s Al Rayyan 13 5 4 4 14 12 2 19 ed brightly with a 2-0 lead. “Florian will again be rest- men gradually gaining the Al Arabi 13 5 5 3 17 20 -3 18 “We are conceding too ed,” coach Peter Bosz said on lost ground, it will be a case Al Sailiya 13 4 6 3 15 27 -12 15 many goals at the moment,” Monday. of who blinks first in the Umm Salal 13 3 6 4 8 16 -8 13 marquee clash today. “Our Al Wakrah 13 4 8 1 13 24 -11 13 match against Al Sadd prob- Al Duhail coach Sabri Lamouchi. Al Khor 13 1 8 4 8 25 -17 7 Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez. ably comes at the most crucial Al Kharaitiyat 13 2 11 0 9 33 -24 6 stage. But Al Duhail are fully is very high. So this confron- having scored back to win- prepared for the match,” Lam- tation is a final for us. We are ning ways following two ouchi said yesterday. playing at our home and going drawn encounters. Younes “I have great confidence in through a very good period, Ali-coached side have had an the players’ ability to provide and Al Duhail are also in a incredible run so far, in which the best performance on the good period, so I think that they have held Al Sadd 1-1. field. The match will not be everyone can watch a good Qatar SC have 23 points, the easy for us against an attack- game and see a great perfor- same as Al Gharafa, but the ing team like Al Sadd who play mance from both teams,” the former are placed third on with a distinctive line of at- Spanaird said. better goal difference. tack. Losing against them can “We are now in the best Al Rayyan, now under fa- cause us to lose ground on the position in the past years, we mous French coach Laurent points table, but we will play are at the top of the table by Blanc, will be eager to continue with enthusiasm and see what eight points ahead of Al Du- their winning ways and break happens,” he added. hail, and that means a lot to into the top four. Al Sadd have had the bet- us, and now we need to get Meanwhile, Al Sailiya ter of Al Duhail in recent three points in this match. Al take on bottom-placed Al times. The Wolves won 3-1 Duhail are a team that has the Kharaitiyat at the Al Ahli Sta- in the league three months, mentality of winning all the dium. Al Sailiya are placed before thrashing their bitter championships like Al Sadd, eighth with 15 points, and are rivals 4-1 in the semi-finals of and this means that the match Xavi was unsure whether not know if they are ready or in need of morale-boosting the 2020 Amir Cup. Al Sadd will be very difficult like Akram Afif and Boualam not,” he said. after being thrashed by Al coach Xavi Hernandez ad- the last matches we played Khoukhi, who have recov- Sadd in the last round. mitted to the importance of against them and it was really ered from coronavirus, will QSC take on Al Rayyan Al Kharaitiyat, now un- today’s clash, calling it a final. difficult but Al Sadd were the be available for today’s In another match of the der former Qatar interna- “We have the opportunity best, and we have to continue match. “We will assess their day, third-placed Qatar Sports tional midfielder Wesam Rizik to increase the difference and this way, and we are mentally condition, as they were in Club will take on Al Rayyan, who recently replaced Yousef Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates if we win this competition, prepared to compete as al- isolation for nearly two who are sixth. Adam, remain as the basement scoring a goal during the German first division Bundesliga match the probability of winning it ways,” he added, weeks and therefore we do Qatar SC are on a high, side with only six points. against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday. (AFP) Qatar mountain bike season makes boisterous start

Tribune News Network how it was used to be. Duhail Doha trail became stale of moun- tain bike events at some point The mountain biking commu- in time. The present version nity of Qatar enjoyed an amaz- might not resemble the Duhail ing start to the 2021 when the Trail of the past, but kudos to first cycling race of the year Camp Banayad boys for jam- took the form of a mountain packing the shrunken version bike mini endurance race at of the trail with lots of features the weekend at the crowd’s fa- transforming the old boring vorite Duhail MTB Trail. long trail into a fun and ac- The event was the 2nd race tion-packed race circuit. of the QCF-UFMBQ moun- With Qatar hosting the tain bike race series for season Asian Games 2030, the or- 20/21, organised by the Unit- ganisers are wishing that this ed Filipino Mountain Bikers route becomes a permanent Qatar (UFMBQ) in collabora- XCO-MTB trail in the future. tion with the Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF). Over the years, UFMBQ has stepped up the level of Winners in various categories organising grassroots level Men’s Open U40: Abdullah Aljaaidi (QAT) Team Doha Cycling Shop MTB racing events, making Men’s Open Masters: Frederick Feliciano (PHI) Team Rasen their races sought-after by Adventure Shop Women’s Open: Pia Sundstedt (FIN) Team Rasen Adventure Shop the local mountain biking Men’s U23: Aditya Prasetyo (INA) Team NeverWasted Shop communities. Men’s U40: Jeffrey Ramos (PHI) Team SMCC APO Lakay The event held last Friday Men’s Masters: Doug Marvin (RSA) Team Granny Ringers was another sold-out like the Veterans: Jaco Anderson (RSA) Team Rasen Adventure Shop Al Khor race which was held a is still enough for this event The event was the 2nd race of egory was another foreground Women’s Warrior: Editha Mundala (PHI) Team Bike to work Qatar few weeks ago. to earn its right to be named that has garnered a warm Megaman (BMI 30+): Mark Anthony Doneza (PHI) Team Takbong Titled as the “90 Minutes ‘DuHell’ race. the QCF-UFMBQ mountain bike comeback, giving the oppor- Chubby Doha of DuHELL”, this aggressive The event beats the record race series for season 20/21, tunity to heavyweight riders to Men’s Novice: Herb Albert Curaza (PHI) Team Bike to work Qatar organised by the United Filipino Women’s Novice: Sarah Vargas (PHI) Team Doha ChiQlistas cross country mountain bike for a grassroots level MTB compete with each other. Youth U14: Jared Benedict Navera (PHI) Team UFMBQ Juniors race attracted a lot of riders race organised by UFMBQ. It Mountain Bikers Qatar (UFMBQ) Duhail trail, with its close Kids 1 (3 to 6): Teddy Marvin (RSA) Team Granny Ringers spread around 15 different highlighted the highest num- in collaboration with the Qatar proximity to the city of Doha, Kids 2 (7 to 8): Adam Khatib (GBR) categories that made the race ber of children racing, the Cycling Federation (QCF). is still one of the crowd’s fa- Kids 3 (9 to 11): Isla Melville (GBR) TriClub Doha. a wide competition. The 1.5- highest numbers of female vorite trails. This is where hour race duration might not participants, and the highest mountain bike racing started a be that hellish as the tradi- numbers of beginners. And the deadlines. It proves that decade ago. The recent devel- tional “3H of DuHell”, but the for 2 consecutive events, the mountain biking in Qatar is opments and constructions in current 5 km race route is so organisers experienced sold- still gaining popularity. The re- the area had led to the shrink- aggressively unforgiving that out registrations days before sumption of the Megaman cat- ing of the trail compared to Sports Tuesday, January 12, 2021 15 Resolute India hold on for famous draw against Australia in Sydney Agencies Ravichandran Ashwin (2nd left) is greeted by India’s captain Ajinkya Sydney Scoreboard Rahane along with his teammates Hanuma Vihari (2nd right) and Australia (1st innings): 338 Mohammed Siraj as Australia’s captain Tim Paine (left) looks on after India hung on for a coura- India (1st innings): 244 the third cricket Test at the SCG ended in a draw on Monday. (AFP) geous draw on the fifith and Australia (2nd innings): 312-6 decl final dayof the third Test India (2nd innings; Overnight 98-2) against Australia at the Syd- R. Sharma c Starc b Cummins ����������������� 52 Ashwin and Vihari’s ney Cricket Ground to leave S. Gill c Paine b Hazlewood ���������������������� 31 Pujara b Hazlewood ���������������������������������� 77 the series deadlocked at 1-1 A Rahane c Wade b Lyon ���������������������������� 4 on Monday. R Pant c Cummins b Lyon ������������������������� 97 epic stand made Tim Paine’s side was in the H Vihari not out ����������������������������������������� 23 box seat at tea on day five with R Ashwin not out ��������������������������������������� 39 the tourists 280/5, chasing a Extras: (lb3, nb6, w2) ������������������������������� 11 India proud target of 407. Total: (For 5 wkt, 131 overs) ����������������334 But Ravichandran Ashwin Did not bat: R Jadeja, N Saini, J Bumrah, M espncricinfo.com win received was when Lyon and Hanuma Vihari combined Siraj. Sydney replaced Hazlewood at the to frustrate the locals, the pair Fall of wkts: 1-71, 2-92, 3-102, 4-250, other end. digging in to navigate a tense 5-272. A bruised and battered India Unable to change strike, final session to guide their Bowling: M Starc 22-6-66-0 (nb2), J Hazlewood line-up couldn’t run between both Ashwin and Vihari put 26-12-39-2 (nb1), P Cummins 26-6-72-1 team to 334/5 and a famous (nb2), N Lyon 46-17-114-2, C Green 7-0-31-0 the wickets for more than a a prize on their wicket like draw. (wd2), M Labchagne 4-2-9-0 (nb1). session. They had a player never before against accurate Ashwin finished with 39 Toss: Australia. with a fractured thumb wait- bowling towards the stumps (128) and Vihari, who was Resut: Match Drawn. ing to bat next. They were that made them play almost hobbled by a hamstring injury, Series: 1-1 without their original cap- everything with as many as batted for 160 balls for his 23. 4th Test: At Gabba, Brisbane from Jan 15. tain and best batsman. They five fielders around the bat at Australia were left to rue copped one blow after anoth- times. a missed opportunity with er off short-pitched bowling, It was the third-longest just under 10 overs remaining guard action of Ashwin and against one of the best bowl- sixth-wicket stand for India when Paine dropped Vihari off Vihari was a fitting finale for ing attacks. And yet, against in the fourth innings, and the bowling of Mitchell Starc. an enthralling five days of Test all odds, India produced one the first time since 1979 that India resumed at 98/2 cricket. of the most dramatic displays India had batted for over 132 on Monday, needing another Having won the toss, a su- of patient batting and exem- overs in the fourth innings of 309 runs for victory after the perb 131 to Steve Smith was plary fighting spirit to pull a Test. Australian skipper declared at the cornerstone of Australia’s off a draw that hardly anyone That Ashwin and Vihari 312/6 at tea on day four. first-innings total of 338, with saw coming when the fifth could think of salvaging a After losing captain Ravindra Jadeja (4/62) the day started. draw was down to the 148-run Ajinkya Rahane (4) in the pick of India’s bowlers. With 97 overs to survive partnership between Pujara second over of the final day, Cummins did the damage in the day and eight wick- and Pant, after Ajinkya Ra- Rishabh Pant gave the tourists with figures of 4/29 as In- ets in hand, India scraped hane was caught at short leg hope with a swashbuckling in- dia were bowled out for 244, through under immense for Lyon’s first wicket of the nings, including 12 fours and Shubman Gill and Pujara each pressure led by the partner- match. Pant was promoted to three sixes, propelling his side scoring half-centuries. ship between Hanuma Vihari No. 5, perhaps to counterat- to 206/3 at lunch. Smith (81) was amongst and R Ashwin that lasted 42.4 tack, and he started it with But he fell agonisingly the runs again as the home overs for 62 runs, to keep the an assault against Lyon in his short of a hard-fought century side looked to build a match- series level on 1-1. when he found Pat Cummins winning lead and youngster Even though Rishabh at point off the bowling of Na- Cameron Green (84) top- Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara than Lyon on 97 from just 118 scored with his first Test half- had set up India’s fight early balls, his departure ending India’s Rishabh Pant plays a shot during his blazing innings of 97 on the fifth and final day of the third Test century. in the day with a century a 148-run partnership with against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on Monday. (AFP) The teams have little time stand that even gave the team Cheteshwar Pujara. to regroup following the gruel- a chance of a win initially, the India needed 135 runs to Josh Hazlewood beating the within Australia’s grasp when field decision was overturned ling encounter, with the fourth highest praise will be kept win when Pujara’s stubborn bat to send the bails flying. Paine caught Ashwin off the on review. Test to get underway at the for Vihari and Ashwin for the resistance ended on 77, with A 2-1 series lead was first ball after tea, but the on- The courageous rear- Gabba from Friday. character they showed. The two came together against the second new ball when there were more than 40 overs left in the day, an under-pressure India captain Virat Kohli, Anushka blessed with baby girl Vihari had already hurt his hamstring, and Ashwin was Agencies with a baby girl this after- Jan 2021 (sic).” the couple had welcomed by a barrage of Mumbai noon. We thank you all for written in an Instagram post short balls that dented his your love, prayers, and good announcing the pregnancy. body. India cricket team captain wishes. Anushka and the baby Earlier, Anushka had an- The two made the Austral- Virat Kohli and his Bollywood are both healthy and we are nounced that she was going to ia bowlers toil under sun with actress wife Anushka Sharma feeling beyond blessed to start resume working on movies in a blockathon to draw some announced on Monday that this new chapter of our lives. May 2021. frustrations from the hosts they have been blessed with a We hope that you can respect Her husband and the towards the end of the day. Cheteshwar Pujara plays a baby girl. Kohli revealed the our privacy at this time. Love, captain of the Indian cricket Nathan Lyon bowled 46 re- shot during his innings of 77 in baby’s arrival on Twitter. Virat (sic).” team, Virat Kohli, had re- lentless overs, Pat Cummins India’s second essay in the third Anushka gave birth to the Virat Kohli and Anushka cently returned from Austral- pounded the pitch through- Test against Australia at the SCG baby girl at Mumbai’s Breach Sharma had announced the ia where he participated in out the day and Josh Hazle- on Monday. (AFP) Candy hospital. The couple pregnancy back in August the ongoing India-Australia wood found reverse swing, had reached the hospital ear- 2020. At that time, they had cricket series. but only to see an unfazed scintillating knock of 97. lier in the day for the delivery. said that their baby would be Virat is currently on pater- batting pair that defended Pant’s domination of the Kohli wrote on Twitter, born in January 2021 which nity leave and left for home af- almost everything that came bowlers and the partnership “We are thrilled to share with turned out to be the case. “And India cricket team captain Virat Kohli with his wife and Bollywood ter the first Test of the on-go- their way. Unable to run, Vi- with Pujara was so impactful you that we’ve been blessed then, we were three! Arriving actor Anushka Sharma. ing India-Australia Test series. hari finished unbeaten on 23 that Australia had to change off 161 after batting for just their bowlers regularly and under three hours, and Ash- Pujara marched on with win’s vigil saw him score 39 his natural game while also runs for his 128-ball stay. picking up boundaries. Pant Australian Open 2021 Men’s Qualifiers in Doha Australia will also rue the started slow though, crawl- four catches they dropped on ing to 5 off 33, as India were the day, three of them by cap- 102 for 3 in the first session tain Tim Paine that included when he joined Pujara. He Top seed Barrere advances; Gulbis crashes out two off Pant and one off Vi- cashed in after getting a life hari at the end of the day, and on 3, when he edged Lyon be- Tribune News Network a pleasant weather on Court 2 of the available 16 slots for the one by substitute fielder Sean hind but Paine put him down. Doha on the day. main draw of the season-open- Abbott, off Ashwin. Pant, already batting with an En route his victory, the ing Grand Slam. Given Australia’s full- injured elbow, also took a few Australia Open 2021 men’s former Junior’s World No.2 Meanwhile, former world strength attack, it all looked blows on his body from Cum- qualifying top seed Gregoire fired in three aces to his op- No.10 Ernests Gulbis would lost for India when Ashwin mins on the thumb and once Barrere of France withstood ponent’s one, winning 72 per- not be making an appearance joined Vihari in the 89th on the helmet, before he tore an unexpected pressure from cent of his first serves and 67 in Melbourne this year after over with more than a ses- into Lyon. Czech Republic’s Zdenek percent on second serves as he crashing out in the first round sion left to survive. But their Pujara reached his 27th Kolar to power home to vic- booked a second-round face- of the qualifiers on Monday. determined approach wasn’t Test fifty and crossed 6000 tory in straight-sets 7(7)-6(5), off against Australia’s Andrew The 32-year-old Latvian was deterred either by the chal- runs in the format, almost 6-3 in their first-round match Harris. beaten 7(7)-6(2), 6-3 by lesser- lenging task at hand, the op- replicating Pant with three of the ongoing men’s qualifiers The 26-year-old Aussie, known Blaž Rola of Slovenia. position, the injuries, or the successive fours off Cummins of the 2021 Australian Open ranked 232, had emerged vic- Gulbis, who in 2010 won chatter around the stumps. once the second new ball was being held at the Khalifa In- torious after a hard-fought his first ATP Tour singles title Initially Ashwin was at the re- taken. He used his feet often ternational Tennis & Squash battle against Belgian Ruben in the Delray Beach after de- ceiving end of hostile bowling against Lyon to either get to Complex in Doha. Bemelmans, winning 2-1 (6- feating Ivo Karlović in the final, when Cummins started the the pitch of the ball or cut The 26-year-old French- 4, 5-7, 6-3) in a gruelling en- was one of the pre-tournament last session with bouncers, a off the back foot, and saw man, who made the second Dustin Brown of Germany plays Hiroki Moriya of Japan in their round counter that lasted the whole favourites. His exit on Mon- strategy also used by Hazle- through Hazlewood’s spell of round of last year’s Australian 1 match of the 2021 Australian Open men’s qualifiers at the Khalifa of 2 hours and 30 minutes. day followed the trend of some wood. Ashwin took blows on reverse swing carefully until Open, needed all of 96 minutes International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on Sunday. (Tennis Tuesday’s second-round major upsets being recorded at his arms, shoulders, chest the fast bowler got the new to dispatch the 224-ranked Australia Photo by Samer Alrejjal) encounter will be the first be- the event, which is being held and abdomen, and was even ball and got one to hold its Kolar in the thrilling encoun- tween Dellien and Harris. The outside of Australia for the first given out caught behind the line to rattle Pujara’s stumps ter. Barrere, a winner of three seed Hugo Dellien of Bolivia Roberto Carballés to reach the winner is set to face either time in its 116-year history. second ball after tea before for 77. ATP Challenger Tour singles dispatched Chile’s Alejandro quarters of the 2019 Rio Open 141-ranked Carlos Alcaraz of Former World No. 17, Ber- replays showed there was no It was still Pujara’s long- titles and six ITF Futures sin- Tabilo in just 68 minutes, win- to become the first Bolivian Spain – the 17-year-old who nard Tomic, in the meantime, glove or bat. Ashwin was also est stay on the pitch in the gles titles, hit five winners and ning in straight-sets 6-1, 6-0 to player with an ATP win since won three ATP Challenger titles is two wins away from an 11th lucky his edges fell safe and fourth innings of a Test, won 60 percent of breakpoints advance into the second round. Mario Martínez at French in 2020 and was voted the ATP Australian Open appearance when he attacked a short ball and with the kind of role it on his way to victory. The 27-year-old World Open in 1984, enjoyed a some- Tour’s Newcomer of the Year; after battling for more than with a rare pull on 15, Abbott played in an exhilarating day In the other match of the No. 111, who defeated Carlos what easy ride over his Santi- or Russia’s Evgeny Karlovskiy, two hours to take his first- dropped him at square leg. of Test cricket to save India day, tournament’s second- Berlocq, Guido Andreozzi and ago-resident opponent under ranked 258, for a chance at one round qualifying match. The immediate respite Ash- the match. 16 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 The Last Word QNL, QFA ink pact to cooperate on football documentation Tribune News Network of Qatari football. There is no Doha doubt that cooperating with a pioneering and specialised Qatar National Library library will have a positive im- (QNL) and Qatar Football As- pact on sports in general and sociation (QFA) have signed a football in particular. Here, Memorandum of Understand- I would like to thank HE Dr ing (MoU) for the exchange Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Ku- of knowledge and expertise to wari for the effort exerted to enhance collective scientific, reach this agreement between cultural and technical develop- both sides. ment in Qatar. “A while ago, we started the The MoU outlines coop- documentation process of Qa- eration between the two in- tari football affairs. Consider- stitutions in various areas, ing that Qatar National Library especially those related to the is the appropriate authority to documentation process in the accelerate the documentation field of football. Minister of State and President of QNL HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani with other process in an ideal manner The library’s agreement officials at the agreement-signing ceremony. and in line with the goals and with the QFA will make last- aspirations of the two sides, ing contributions to the sport- bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said: wise, our nation is construct- scholars and historians today, work, but our ambition and the a rich heritage in our nation’s we will collaborate with the li- ing community in the lead-up “Football is more than a sport. ing history thanks to all the tomorrow and in the future in reality of cooperation between brilliant future.” brary to create distinct digital to the FIFA World Cup Qatar It has become a means of com- major events it hosts, such as terms of football documenta- us will go beyond it. Hand in QFA President Sheikh content, including books, ref- 2022, leaving a deep cultural munication with young people the FIFA World Cup and the tion and studies related to the hand, we will work on docu- Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad erences and folders specialised legacy across the Middle East and between them. It is a sport following events. game’s various aspects.” menting our nation’s current Al Thani said: “We are proud in football affairs. This content and worldwide. with a history, rich in honest “This MoU reflects both Dr Al Kuwari concluded: events under our young and to sign an MoU with Qatar Na- is intended to serve followers Minister of State and Presi- competition based on human sides’ wish to unite efforts that “The MoU we signed with the creative leadership. We will tional Library to work togeth- and readers, both inside and dent of QNL HE Dr Hamad values of mutual respect. Like- aim at serving researchers, QFA simply provides a frame- preserve these records to be er on documenting the history outside Qatar.” QU-CPH honours 121 pupils for outstanding performance

Tribune News Network and 9th Pin, said: “It is a pleasure Doha to have one’s efforts appreciated and being on the Dean’s list is one Qatar University College of Phar- achievement that feeds into that macy (QU-CPH) recognised 121 of and boosts motivation. I’m grate- its highest achieving students for ful to our professors who constantly the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 se- thrive to bring out the best in all of mesters by hosting the 9th Annual us, and to our college administra- Dean’s List ceremony virtually in tion for recognising both extracur- Qatar University President Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham and Undersecretary at the honour of their achievements. ricular and academic excellence, MoCI Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater at the agreement-signing ceremony. The ceremony acknowledged motivating students to continue the efforts of pre-pharmacy and working hard.” pharmacy students who made it Final year student Hend Al Nai- onto the Dean’s List by achieving a mi, who received the 6th and 7th Qatar University & MoCI GPA of 3.5 or above. CPH Dean Dr Mohammad Diab CPH Assistant Dean Dr Alla El-Awaisi, Pin, said: “I am very proud and de- Assistant Dean of Student Af- lighted to be to be recognised on the fairs Dr Alla El-Awaisi opened the you for your inclusion on this list. institution in the region.” Dean’s list for the 7th time in such sign MoU for cooperation virtual ceremony. This was followed This is the result of your efforts Dr El-Awaisi said, “The Dean’s demanding and strong programme by welcome remarks from CPH and hard work in the interest of List is an academic award to recog- and the fact that the College of Dean Dr Mohammad Diab followed excellence in educational attain- nise the remarkable achievements Pharmacy ensures to recognise in training and research by announcement of the names of ment, which was also met with of undergraduate students who the hard work and celebrate our the students on the Dean’s list. huge support from your parents achieved the highest grades in all achievements through this event Tribune News Network Dr Al Derham stressed QU’s inter- QU-CPH administrators and who played a great role in provid- the courses they studied. Despite is rewarding and empowers us to Doha est in entrepreneurship, supporting faculty then provided messages of ing the appropriate environment the challenges that were imposed, work harder and continue to seek emerging companies, increasing stu- congratulations to the students fol- until you reached the list of dis- and are still being imposed by the excellence.” Qatar University (QU) and the dents’ interest in this area and coop- lowed by messages from the stu- tinction and honour. COVID-19 pandemic, our students General Pharmacy Student Ministry of Commerce and Industry erating with the MoCI on all issues dents expressing their delight for “I cannot forget to mention the at the College of Pharmacy have Alghalya Al Jufairi, who received (MoCI) signed a Memorandum of Un- that support the development and this important achievement. The great effort exerted by the faculty proven, as always, their outstand- her 1st Pin, said: “I feel honoured derstanding (MoU) for cooperation strengthening of joint work between ceremony was livestreamed on Qa- members in the college. QU-CPH ing academic performance and to be recognised for the hard work in the fields of research, training and the two institutions and the develop- tar University YouTube channel. has always sought excellence in its have earned the right to be hon- and dedication that I have put into education, as well as for exchange of ment of joint initiatives to serve Qa- In this welcoming speech, education, scientific research and oured in today’s ceremony despite last academic year. Despite the data and information. tari community. Dr Diab highlighted the college’s various services, and this distinc- this difficult period and challenging challenges that I faced with online The MoU was signed by QU Presi- Dr Al Derham thanked the minis- achievements over the previous tion comes within the framework circumstances.” learning, I managed to overcome dent Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham try for its support and motivation to academic year. and strategy of excellence at Qatar Doctor of Pharmacy student those struggles by staying motivat- and Undersecretary at the MoCI Sul- the university that contributed to the He said, “I wish to congratulate University as a leading educational Sara Thiab, who received the 8th ed and organising my time wisely.” tan bin Rashid Al Khater. development of the students’ capacity. The MoU encourages the use of fa- Al Khater said the signing of the cilities available with both parties and MoU was part of the efforts of by the exchange of experiences that enhance ministry to strengthen cooperation scientific and research cooperation. with various educational institutions The agreement also includes coor- and bodies in the state for the benefit dination and joint cooperation in or- of the community. ganising seminars and training work- He said he was pleased that the shops targeting Qatari community, MoU would strengthen cooperation implementing joint programmes for between the two parties in various preparing studies and research, mar- areas, while boosting the exchange keting the services of the two parties, of experiences and information to working on developing entrepreneur- serve the business environment and ship and cooperating in other possible the Qatari community, promoting the areas of mutual interest on both sides. achievement of the objectives and vi- Commenting on the agreement, sion of the ministry. QIB, Qatar Post launch Qatar’s first integrated postal delivery PoS

Tribune News Network option to pay by simply tap- the positive effect of eliminat- digitised billing and other de- Doha ping their contactless bank ing the need of double han- livery services are a great dem- cards on the PoS. dling cash transactions while onstration of our relentless Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) Commenting on the an- adding a fully automated, er- commitment to digitising the has launched the first fully- nouncement of the new so- ror-free, digitised billing and Qatari society and removing integrated postal delivery lution, Tarek Fawzi, QIB’s a system-driven approach to paper cash from circulation. Point of Sale (PoS), in partner- Wholesale Banking Group our payment on delivery of- Such initiatives are aligned ship with Qatar Post and with general manager, said: “We fering. We are happy to add with Qatar’s vision 2030 for a QPay, the leading Qatar-based are very proud to announce our contribution towards Qa- paperless and digital society, FinTech company offering a that this service will provide tar National Vision 2030 for a as well as aiming at prepar- wide portfolio of electronic an easy, convenient and ef- digital society. ing the Qatari small business payment solutions. ficient solution to one of the Nebil Ben Aissa, CEO of community to offer digital so- Using the new, state-of- biggest customer base in Qatar QPay International LLC, said: lutions for all Qatari Citizens, the art PoS device, the new for a cashless mobile service “We are very proud to intro- residents and merchants.” QPay payment solution allows for all users and clients. duce new innovations leverag- In 2018, QIB launched the customers to make cashless “The digitise billing and ing on the latest partnership first Islamic Point of Sales & payment on delivery when re- mobile scanning instrument with Qatar Post. We aim to Online Payment Gateway so- ceiving parcels and other mail offers an on-the-spot solution offer great benefits to all users lutions in collaboration with items: a super convenient and that meets Q-Post require- by combining our innovative QPay. This solution was in- safe method of payment for all ments with speed and safety FinTech solutions with Qatar troduced to serve QIB’s cor- Qatar Post customers. which I am confident will pave Using the state-of-the art PoS device, the new QPay payment solution allows customers to make cashless Post’s progressive and digital- porate customers and support The smart PoS allows Qa- the way for similar service to payment on delivery when receiving parcels and other mail items. ly-enhanced offering for speed their business banking needs. tar Post’s delivery driver to other government and private and accuracy of delivery. We Developed by Android smart know precisely the exact cus- sector companies which is in cal deliveries are being made turn added a large degree of debit cards, including the have enabled for a fully auto- technology, the Islamic PoS tomer details for each delivery, tandem with the countries di- with the requirement for pay- over processing and non-value option of contactless trans- mated delivery process that solution provides innovative, including the total amount to rection to digitalise all services ment on delivery. Before the added to our operations. actions, thus also maximis- allows for convenient, safe and secure, and highly efficient be collected, by simply scan- with the ultimate objective of launch of this fully integrated “Now with the launch of ing on the health and safety secure payments-on-delivery, payment processing services. ning the item using the QPay having a cashless economy.” QPay functionality, Qatar Post this QPay solution, we are aspect, especially during the digitally using Visa, Master- The new PoS supports con- devise, which has been fully Qatar Post Chief Operating was forced to accept liquid delighted to be able to offer pandemic. Equally, we expect card and Amex cards. tactless card transactions, integrated with Qatar Post Officer HamadA l Fahida said, cash from customers before our clients the convenience to to see a switch in consumer “Our initiative with Qa- eWallet, mobile PoS (mPOS), back end tracking system. “We recognise that a signifi- we could release parcels or settle their delivery payment behaviour from using liquid tar Post to offer 100 percent QR code scanner and online Customers are given an cant number of our daily lo- mail items to them. This in using one of the major credit/ cash to card payment, with cashless functionality with billing and settlement.