BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar posts robust QNB Stars League: 5.6% real growth Tabata hat-trick in third quarter of fi res Al Sadd to 7-0 2020: PSA win over Al Khor published in QATAR since 1978 THURSDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11800 January 21, 2021 Jumada II 8, 1442 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Amir congratulates US President Biden His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to Joe Biden on taking the oath as President of the United States of America, wishing him success in his duties and the relations of friendship and strategic co-operation between Qatar and the US further development and growth. His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani have also sent similar cables of congratulations to President Biden. Strong winds, poor visibility forecast Strong winds and poor horizontal visibility are expected in the country today, the Qatar Met department has said. The weather off ice has also warned of strong winds, high seas and poor visibility in off shore areas. US President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the US Capitol in The wind speed may go up to 40 Washington yesterday. Vice-President Kamala Harris celebrates with President Joe Biden after being sworn in during the inauguration. knots in some off shore areas today and 35 knots in certain inshore areas at times, with the sea level rising to 14ft. The detailed forecast also says moderate temperature is expected during the daytime with clouds and blowing dust in some places, while it will be relatively cold by night. Visibility may drop to 2km or less in ‘We must end this uncivil some places occasionally. Covid vaccination for Mowasalat staff Mowasalat (Karwa) has initiated Covid-19 vaccination for its employees war,’ says President Biden as part of the ongoing national campaign. The company prioritises its frontline staff that currently shuttle zAt 78, Biden is the oldest US president in history arriving guests from the Hamad International Airport (HIA) to the Reuters empathetic alternative to the divisive ic-controlled US House of Representa- respective quarantine hotels. All Washington Trump, a Republican. tives to impeach Trump last week for an other bus and taxi drivers will also be The inauguration itself, one unlike unprecedented second time, accusing vaccinated in collaboration with the any other in US history, served as a stark him of incitement after he exhorted his Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and oe Biden was sworn in as president reminder of both the tumult that de- backers to march on the building to press Hamad Medical Corporation. Page 4 of the United States yesterday, of- fi ned the Trump era as well as the pan- false claims of election fraud. Jfering a message of unity and res- demic that still threatens the country. “Here we stand, just days after a ri- Quarantine exemption toration to a deeply divided country Amid warnings of possible renewed otous mob thought they could use vio- reeling from a battered economy and a violence, thousands of armed National lence to silence the will of the people, not applicable for raging coronavirus pandemic that has Guard troops circled the Capitol in an to stop the work on our democracy, arrivals from 4 nations killed more than 400,000 Americans. unprecedented show of force. to drive us from this sacred ground,” His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday tweeted Standing on the steps of the US The National Mall, typically packed Biden said. “It did not happen; it will congratulating US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Capitol two weeks after a mob of then- with throngs of supporters, instead was never happen. Not today, not tomor- has announced that the age- and President Donald Trump’s supporters fi lled with nearly 200,000 US fl ags. row, not ever.” Biden takes offi ce at a time of deep primarily at domestic problems, Biden health-based hotel quarantine stormed the building, Biden called for Attending dignitaries — including The norm-defying Trump fl outed national unease, with the country fac- also delivered a message to the rest of exemption is not applicable for arrivals a return to civic decency in an inaugu- former US presidents Barack Obama, one last convention on his way out of ing what his advisers have described the world. from the UK, South Africa, Netherlands ral address marking the end of Trump’s George W Bush and Bill Clinton — wore the White House when he refused to as four compounding crises: the pan- He promised to repair alliances frayed and Denmark. “Further to the recently tempestuous four-year term. masks and sat several feet apart. meet with Biden or attend his succes- demic, the economic downturn, cli- by Trump and act as a strong partner for announced update, eff ective Sunday “To overcome these challenges, to Biden’s running mate, Kamala Har- sor’s inauguration, breaking with a mate change and racial inequality. peace, progress and security. 24th January 2021 to departure and restore the soul and secure the future ris, the daughter of immigrants from political tradition seen as affi rming the He has promised immediate action, He made no specifi c mention of arrival policies and exemptions from of America, requires so much more Jamaica and India, became the fi rst peaceful transfer of power. including a raft of executive orders on high-stakes disputes with North Ko- hotel quarantine, the Ministry of than words. It requires the most elu- Black person, fi rst woman and fi rst Trump, who never conceded the Nov his fi rst day in offi ce. rea, Iran and China. Public Health states that quarantine sive of all things in a democracy: unity,” Asian American to serve as vice presi- 3 election, did not mention Biden by After a bitter campaign marked by World leaders issued congratulatory exemption based on age and health Biden, a Democrat, said after taking dent after she was sworn in by US Su- name in his fi nal remarks as president Trump’s baseless allegations of elec- statements, with several US allies ex- conditions is not applicable to arrivals the oath of offi ce. preme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, yesterday morning, when he touted his tion fraud, Biden struck a conciliatory pressing relief at Biden’s inauguration from the UK, Republic of South “We must end this uncivil war that the court’s fi rst Latina member. administration’s record. tone rarely heard from Trump, asking after Trump’s unpredictable tenure. Africa, the Netherlands, Denmark, as pits red against blue, rural versus ur- The president spoke forcefully about He then boarded Air Force One for Americans who did not vote for him to Biden’s inauguration as the 46th previously announced by MoPH,” the ban, conservative versus liberal. We the Jan 6 Capitol siege when Trump the last time and fl ew to his Mar-a- give him a chance. president was the zenith of a fi ve- ministry said in a post on social media can do this — if we open our souls in- backers breached the building, sending Lago retreat in Florida. “I pledge this to you: I will be a decade career in public service that in- yesterday. The MoPH had on Tuesday stead of hardening our hearts.” lawmakers fl eeing for safety and leav- Top Republicans, including Vice president for all Americans,” he said. cluded more than three decades in the announced an update to the list of The themes of Biden’s 21-minute ing fi ve dead, including a police offi cer. President Mike Pence and the par- “And I promise you I will fi ght as hard US Senate and two terms as vice presi- groups eligible for home quarantine, speech mirrored those he had put at But Biden never mentioned his ty’s congressional leaders, skipped for those who did not support me as for dent under Obama. eff ective from January 24 (Sunday) at the centre of his presidential cam- predecessor by name. Trump’s send-off and attended Bi- those who did.” At 78, he is the oldest US president in all ports of entry to the country. paign, when he portrayed himself as an The violence prompted the Democrat- den’s inauguration instead. Although his remarks were directed history. Page 11 Murals unveiled at Katara Qatar Airways to resume fl ights to UAE on Jan 27 atar Airways will resume fl ights Etihad to resume Doha Egypt, Qatar agree to resume diplomatic ties, Cairo says to the UAE, starting with serv- flights from Feb 15 Qices to Dubai on January 27, fol- lowed by Abu Dhabi on January 28, it Etihad Airways will resume Egypt and Qatar have agreed to two countries agreed to resume was announced yesterday. passenger flights from Abu Dhabi to resume diplomatic relations, the diplomatic relations,” an Egyptian Qatar Airways fl ights will start with Doha, with eff ect from February 15, Egyptian foreign ministry said foreign ministry statement said. a double-daily service to Dubai and one subject to the applicable government yesterday, making Cairo the first to There was no immediate comment daily fl ight to Abu Dhabi, the airline said approvals, the UAE-based airline said off icially do so under an Arab deal from Qatari off icials. in a tweet. Passengers in the UAE will yesterday.