 TOTAL PRIZES MORE THAN QAR 8 MILLION OPEN AL DANA ACCOUNT! THE BIGGEST  MEGA PRIZE QAR 2.5 MILLION Offer valid from 5th of March 2020 to 31st January 2021 INDIVIDUAL PRIZE IN QATAR!  2 WINNERS QAR 1 MILLION EACH  457 LUCKY WINNERS

QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Monday March 16, 2020 rajab 21, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4895 QR 2

Fajr: 4:27 am Dhuhr: 11:43 am Asr: 3:08 pm Maghrib: 5:44 pm Isha: 7:14 pm business 8 Sports 11 Covid-19: No need to Pogba makes pArTLy CLouDy hIgh : 30°C stock up on ration coronavirus LoW : 23°C goods: QC chairman fund-raising pledge Amir orders slew of measures to contain coronavirus spread All incoming flights to be All public transport, including QR75 bn economic stimulus QR10 billion package for stopped from March 18 Doha Metro, services stopped package for private sector stock exchange

CATHERINE W GICHUKI Doha Amir presides over meeting of supreme committee for crisis mAnAgement on covid-19 THE Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani has directed offi- cials to provide necessary services to citizens and residents and to provide safety and protection to them from the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to ensure that they can continue with their nor- mal life. The Amir presided over the meeting of the Supreme Commit- tee for Crisis Management at the National Command Centre (NCC) Today, we learned about on Sunday, which was held to dis- the work of the Supreme cuss ways to combat the new coro- Committee for Crisis navirus disease and to determine Management. Things are the steps being taken by the com- going well and the parties petent authorities to prevent this are doing their duties to epidemic. the fullest. There will be additional measures to Transit flights, cargo control the epidemic. Our flights and Qatari plan aims to block the virus nationals who want to with the least confusion. It is a collective responsibility that come back to the country requires the commitment and would be exempted from cooperation of all without the new measures The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani presides over the meeting of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management at the National Command Centre (NCC) exception and delay. on Sunday to combat spread of the new coronavirus disease. The authorities presented to the Amir the “national executive plan” Qatar if the need arises. We also to confront the virus. urge citizens and residents in Qatar During the meeting, the Amir 64 more test positive for coronavirus to avoid travel during the coming stressed the importance of the con- The Ministry of Public health (MoPh) on Sunday period,” she said. tribution of all state’s departments, announced 64 new confirmed cases of coronavi- Employees over the age of 55, including public and private sector rus (CoVID 19), bringing the number of registered pregnant women, and people suf- institutions, to the efforts of the cases in the country to 401. fering from chronic diseases such competent authorities to prevent The infected persons were placed in complete as diabetes, heart and kidney dis- the epidemic and their social re- quarantine, receiving full medical care and are ease, and blood pressure have been sponsibility in such circumstances. in very good health. on Saturday, the MoPh allowed to work remotely. The Amir also stressed that all citi- announced the recovery of 4 infected cases “All students in government zens and residents do their duty to after receiving health care at the Communicable schools will start distance study- reduce the spread of the virus by Spokesperson of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management HE Lolwah al Disease Center. (QNA) ing from Sunday, March 22, and observing the preventive measures Khater addresses a press conference on Sunday. students from grades one to eleven recommended by the Ministry of will be subject to the continuous Public Health. for Crisis Management HE Lolwah wa buses, will be shut from Sunday days, which can be renewed. located outside the country, we ad- evaluation system. As for the 12th The Amir ordered to initiate a al Khater, said as part of precau- 10pm. “Transit flights, cargo flights vise them to adhere to the policies grade students, they will sit for high set of decisions and measures to tionary measures to combat the the A QR75 billion stimulus pack- and Qatari nationals who want to in place in the country of their study school exams on time and at the ex- combat the spread of the virus. virus, all inbound flights to Doha age for private sector was also an- come back to the country would be with the readiness of the country’s ams headquarters, which will be an- Announcing the Amir’s direc- will be suspended from Wednesday nounced at the press conference. exempted from the new measures,” embassies to provide any of the nounced later.” tives at a press conference, Spokes- (March 18) and all public transport Inbound flights to Doha will re- Khater said. necessary services, including facili- person of the Supreme Committee services, including Metro and Kar- main suspended for a period of 14 “With regard to Qatari students tating the procedures for return to Continued on page 16 

MME allocates fish markets at Serving food inside restaurants, QA operates two more flights to bring Al Wakra, Al Khor and Al Ruwais cafes banned: MoCI in Qatari students from Jordan The Ministry of Municipality and environment, represented by the Depart- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry QaTar airways (Qa) has announced ment of Fisheries, has announced the allocation of fish markets at al (MoCI) on Sunday issued a circular prevent- the launch of two additional flights Wakra, al Khor and al ruwais to sell fish directly to wholesalers, and also ing restaurants and cafes in the country from on Monday to the Jordanian capital, allow the sale of fish directly to contractors (fish shops). The decision came serving food, banning customers from sitting amman, to bring Qatari students back after auction at the Umm Salal Fish Market was suspended as a precau- inside or holding any gatherings starting from following the announcement of the Jor- tionary measure by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to prevent the Monday until further notice. danian authorities to suspend flights spread of CoVID-19. The ministry said fish will be sold in accordance with The decision was made as part of the to and from Queen alia International controls and conditions that include selling in kilograms, the need for fish precautionary measures against the spread airport. In a tweet, Qatar airways said to be checked by the veterinarian at the port before it is offered for sale, of the coronavirus (CoVID-19). The circular made an exception to home it had increased the capacity of its flights from the Jordan by 1,600 seats and that the owner of the permitted cruiser is to provide weighing machine delivery and take- away orders. The ministry called on everybody to follow for March 16. Qatar airways invites all Qatari students in Jordan to con- in accordance with health specifications and stainless steel, and that fish is the instructions in the circular, noting that those who violate it will be held tact its office in the Jordanian capital,amman, to provide all the facilities also displayed and preserved in plastic refrigerators. (QNA) legally accountable. (QNA) necessary for their return to Doha without any additional fees. (TNN) 02 Monday, March 16, 2020

Contact US: Qatar tribune i editoriAL i Phone: 40002222 i AdministrAtion & mArKeting i Phone: 40002155, 40002122, Fax: 40002235 P.O. Box: 23493, Doha.

news QFFD sends first batch Sidra Medicine offers advice on how in brief of medical aid to Iran amir receives to talk to children about COVID-19 message from QNA id-19) pandemic. Doha The first batch of aid in- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK  Be sure to offer reas-  Check-in often with hands the right way, and prac- Iranian president cluded about six tonnes of Doha surance about your ability as your children. tise not touching your face. UPON the directives of the medical equipment and sup- a parent to protect your child Maintaining a routine: The amir his highness Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin plies. THE Children and Adolescent in the ways you can. Reassure  Maintain or re-estab- Caring: Sheikh Tamim bin hamad al Hamad al Thani, Qatar Fund The QFFD said Qatar will Mental Health (CAHMS) team your child’s safety, and discuss lish normal routines as much as  Help to reduce pan- Thani on Sunday received for Development (QFFD) has continue to support all inter- at Sidra Medicine, a member who the adults are in their life possible. For example: icking behaviours in children a written message from sent the first batch of urgent national efforts to fight this ep- of Qatar Foundation (QF), has who will help keep them safe  Write a daily schedule and prejudice/discrimination President of Iran hassan medical assistance to Iran to idemic that threatens the en- advised parents to talk to their and how. and post it in the house, include that have arisen during this rouhani pertaining to combat the coronavirus (Cov- tire international community. children about COVID-19, and  It is okay to let your what parents are doing at cer- time and reinforce care for oth- bilateral ties and the means not to completely downplay child know you do not have tain times, (i.e. time parents ers in appropriate ways. to enhance them. The the enormity of the situation. all the answers, information leave and return from work,  Use this as an oppor- message was received by “Children are looking to is evolving, and you will share when parents will call to check- tunity to talk about how to help Minister of State for Foreign their parents to understand with them what they need to in, etc.) include a time for chil- others and practise acts of kind- affairs Sultan bin Saad al COVID-19 and therefore it’s know when you have important dren to ask questions they have ness, especially if you know an- Muraikhi during a meeting important that parents re- new information to share. about the news or rumors they yone who is self-quarantining, with ambassador of Iran to spond to questions to help  Let children know it heard so they can process this i.e. send them a meal through Qatar he Mohammed ali their children remain calm is okay to feel uncomfortable and get accurate and reassuring a meal delivery service, send Subhani. (QNA) and feel reassured. Frank or anxious at this time and that information. them messages of encourage- discussions offer a number of they may have mixture of dif-  Try to increase your ment to stay in touch. Muraikhi meets learning opportunities, pos- ferent feelings (fear, worry, child’s sense of control through German envoy sibilities to increase resilience anger, even happiness for not every day activities that they Trusted source of in- and help the children feel safe, having to go to school). Explain can help with and feel confident formation: MInISTer of State for Ooredoo campaign to which in turn will positively to them that this is natural, and about, i.e. small chores or pro-  It is strongly rec- Foreign affairs he Sultan affect their physical and men- that even adults feel this way jects they can work on, helping ommended to go to trusted bin Saad al Muraikhi on tal health,” said the CAHMS (they will pick up on this any- to cook or learning a new skill. sources of information for Sunday met with ambassa- help customers work team at Sidra Medicine. way).  Promote good health updates about COVID-19. dor of germany to Qatar he The CAHMS team has rec-  Talk with them about practices and discuss why they Sidra Medicine has advised hans-Udo Muzel. During the ommended parents to take the how they can reduce thoughts are important; include regular checking Qatar’s Ministry of meeting, they reviewed the from home with ease following approach, especially and feelings associated with hand washing times on your Public Health’s website page relations between the two TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK extra cost, as well as free access with younger children: anxiety if they have them, by daily schedule. dedicated to COVID-19 or to countries and other issues Doha to the Kids/ Family package on talking with you (their parent)  Practise how to cough call 16000. of mutual interest. (QNA) Ooredootv. Reassurance: about this. into your elbow, how to wash OOREDOO, Qatar’s leading All free data, faster internet telecommunications operator, and free entertainment offers has announced its #StayHome- are valid from March 15 until WithOoredoo campaign featur- April 15, 2020. ing a number of offers designed Besides, customers using Unsettled weather to support customers during the Mobile Money to send remit- Early diagnosis, treatment helps with scattered rain global COVID-19 outbreak. tances home will get their Anticipating a greater need transactions for free – with from Wednesday, for data and for fast, reliable fees being given as cashback kids with rare genetic disorders says Met Dept internet for the many Doha – for all remittances sent from citizens and residents now March 15 until March 31,2020. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK because of the rapid population features of the disorder until TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK working from home, home As an initiative to support Doha growth in recent years. later in childhood or even adult- Doha schooling and reducing social the Qatar government in its “Advances in the country’s hood. contact under guidelines is- drive to encourage citizens MOST children born in Qatar medical infrastructure and To date, over 295,000 ba- QATAR is expected to witness sued by the Qatar government, and residents to stay home, with a rare genetic or metabolic healthcare system, increased bies, including over 96,000 Qa- unsettled weather conditions Ooredoo is offering its custom- Ooredoo has asked all staff disorder will grow and develop awareness among healthcare tari babies, have been screened from Wednesday until the be- ers extra data, faster internet to work remotely during this normally, largely due to Hamad professionals about inherited under the expanded Qatar Na- ginning of next week, Qatar Me- speeds and free Mobile Money time. However, all services Medical Corporation’s (HMC) disorders, and the availabil- tional Newborn Screening Pro- teorology Department (QMD) remittances, said the company are being provided as nor- ability to provide early diagno- ity of the expanded metabolic gramme, which was established has said. “There will be increased in a press statement. mal and the telecom leader is sis and advanced treatment, an newborn screening programme in 2003. cloud with a chance of scattered To ensure customers can fully equipped to cater to all inherited metabolic disorder have all contributed to earlier Dr Ben-Omran said the rain that may become thundery rely on staying connected dur- its customers’ needs digitally, specialist at HMC has said. diagnosis and immediate man- treatment for inherited meta- at times. The rain may be accom- ing this challenging period, through its website, Ooredoo According to Dr Tawfeg agement.” bolic conditions is completely panied with strong wind causing Ooredoo is offering extra data App and its network of Self Ben-Omran, senior consultant, Dr. Tawfeg Ben-omran Homocystinuria is an inher- dependent on the disorder or blowing dust and low visibility free to its pre- and postpaid Service Machines. Customers Clinical and Metabolic Genetics ited disorder in which the body syndrome, its prognosis and pa- in some areas,” the QMD report customers, while those with can get in touch via WhatsApp at HMC, most babies diagnosed and gene therapies for genetic is unable to properly process rental wishes. said. Ooredoo home internet can on 4414 4414, via Live Chat on through the Qatar National disorders also greatly contrib- certain building blocks of pro- He said treatment plans are The rain during this pe- expect faster speeds at no extra the Ooredoo App and by call- Expanded Newborn Screening utes to our success in caring for teins (amino acids). tailored to each patient. riod is known for fast thun- cost. Mobile Money customers ing 111. Programme are not only sur- these children,” Dr Ben-Omran Patients who are undiag- While most genetic condi- derstorm formations during will also be able to send remit- Sabah Rabia al Kuwari, viving but are meeting many said. nosed or untreated are at risk tions are not curable, Dr Ben- a short period of time over a tances home for free. director PR at Ooredoo, said: of their developmental mile- He noted that the most of cognitive and physical devel- Omran said the establishment limited area usually at evening New and existing Qatarna “This is an uncertain time for stones. He said this is largely common genetic conditions opmental delays, eye problems, of prenatal and preimplantation and night time. 5G, Shahry 5G and Data SIM our customers, and we want to attributed to advanced dietary seen in Qatar are inherited bone abnormalities, neurologic genetic diagnosis services in the The prevailing wind dur- 5G customers will get double do whatever we can t o support management and specifically metabolic disorders like classi- and heart problems, blood clots country has been an important ing this period will be north- their data, with the free data them while they comply with the use of metabolic formulas cal homocystinuria, which has and strokes. There are multiple step in reducing their preva- easterly to southeasterly being given automatically, official guidelines. We expect to and medically tailored meals, in an incidence rate of 1:1500, and forms of homocystinuria, which lence. moderate to fresh becoming while prepaid customers re- see a much higher demand for addition to medication. inherited neuromuscular disor- are distinguished by their signs He said the creation of the strong at times especially dur- charging with Hala Data and data, as well as more customers “Nowadays, effective and ders like spinal muscular atro- and symptoms and underlying National Premarital Genetic ing expected thunderstorms Flexi will get double their data using their home internet, and very advanced treatments avail- phy (SMA). genetic cause. Screening programme, manda- causing wave height to rise to when using the Ooredoo App we’re pleased to be able to offer able to children with inherited He said, “Classical homo- The signs and symptoms of tory premarital genetic tests, more than 8 FT. Maximum to recharge. them extra free data and faster metabolic disorders are assist- cystinuria is relatively prevalent homocystinuria typically devel- has also been significant in temperatures are expected to Customers with Ooredoo internet speeds to ensure they ing in their survival and growth. in Qatar, partly because of con- op within the first years of life, terms of alerting couples to po- range between 27°C and 32°C ONE connections will get dou- can get on with their everyday The availability of metabolic sanguineous marriages among although some mildly affected tential health risks for their fu- and minimum between 18°C ble their internet speed at no lives as much as possible. .” formulas, enzyme-replacement the Qatari population, but also individuals may not develop ture offspring. and 23°C in different regions. Ashghal opens five new sections on Mesaimeer Interchange was open in only one direction The 3-km road provides free flowing traffic towards the industrial area. towards Al Wakra and Al Wukair The new three-level inter- change is the first of its kind in TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK trial area road towards E-Ring Qatar as it contains nine under- Doha Road, Rawdhat Al Khail Street passes providing free flow traf- and Doha Expressway. The new- fic. The interchange also con- THE Public Works Authority ly-opened section includes a new sists of two major bridges. One (Ashghal) has announced the 1-km tunnel towards the E-Ring of them connects Rawdhat Al opening of five new sections at Road and a 1-km bridge towards Khail Street and Industrial area the Mesaimeer Interchange. Rawdhat Al Khail Street and D- road in both directions, and the The opening of the 3-km Ring Road to make the bridge other one connecting E-Ring road linking Doha Expressway open in both directions. In ad- Road with the southern part of and the southern part of the dition, a 500-metre exit loop Doha Expressway in one direc- Doha Expressway will provide leading to the Doha expressway Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor to Kuwari, and Abdul Rahman al the elimination of a number of southern part of the Doha Ex- tion, ensuring a smooth flow of free flowing traffic to vehicles will be opened to directly link the reachWholesale Market Street Khulaifi; and Brig Mohammed traffic diversions and the pro- pressway. traffic in all directions. coming from Doha towards Al traffic coming from the Industri- and other destinations. Marafih, director of Engineer- vision of a direct link between He added that the newly- The 6.1-km long inter- Wakra and Al Wukair. Ashghal al Area toDoha Expressway. The announcement was ing Traffic Safety Department, different roads. He pointed opened sections mainly serve change consists of three to four said the opposite direction of To complete Mesaimeer made in the presence of Eng. along with a number of Ashghal out that vehicles coming from vehicles coming from the In- lanes in each direction to ac- the road will be opened in the Interchange works, Ashghal Youssef al Emadi, director of officials and representatives of Doha and Al Shamal towards dustrial Area in all directions, commodate about 30,000 vehi- second quarter of 2020. will close the traffic coming Projects Affairs; Eng Bader the contracting company. Mesaieed, Al Wakra and Al Wu- especially with the opening of cles per hour in both directions. With the opening of a new from Mesaimeer Interchange Darwish, Highway Project De- Eng Ahmed Ali al Emadi- kair via 22 February Street can the new bridge between the The new interchange will 750-metre tunnel linking Doha towards the Wholesale Market partment manager; Members said that the new openingwill directly reach their destinations Industrial Area Road and Raw- significantly improve traffic Expressway to E-Ring Road, Street. Commuters must use of Central Municipality Coun- provide free flowing traffic in after opening the road linking dhat Al Khail Street in both flow, reducing travel time by traffic has opened from Indus- Industrial Area Road and then cil Sheikha al Jufairi, Fatima al all directions, especially with the Doha Expressway and the directions. Earlier, the bridge more than 70 percent. nation Monday, March 16, 2020 03 WcM-Q researchers find anti-cancer properties of popular diabetes drug We looked firstly at how the cells would respond to The work was supported by the Bridge Funding metformin, but we did not see a huge effect. However, when Grants from the BMRP programme at WCM-Q the cells were also starved of glucose, and then treated with metformin, we saw that the cells began to produce an TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ine the phenomenon in the anti-angiogenetic protein called thrombospondin-1. Doha laboratory using cells, and was supported by the Na- Dr Samson Samuel, research associate in physiology and RESEARCHERS at Weill Cor- tional Priorities Research biophysics at WCM-Q and lead researcher on the paper nell Medicine – Qatar (WCM- Programme grant, the Junior Q) are hoping they may have Scientist Research Experi- found a therapy for multiple ence Programme grant and a mice – endothelial cells being glucose levels in a patient.” types of cancer using a wide- Basic Medical Research Pro- those that line the inside of Dr Samuel added, “These ly-used diabetes drug. gramme (BMRP) grant and blood vessels – the research results are of particular im- Writing in the journal pilot project grant, from Qa- team found that the cells be- portance to the wider popula- ‘Cancers’, the scientists be- tar National Research Fund gan to produce the anti-angi- tion because of the potential lieve that the drug metformin (QNRF), a member of Qatar ogenetic thrombospondin-1 they hold for the treatment may have anti-cancer proper- Foundation (QF). when treated with a combi- of cancer in general. Differ- ties when used in conjunction During the latter part of nation of 2-deoxyglucose and ent therapies usually only with other therapies. the study, the work was sup- metformin. This effect was target specific cancers – a Dr Samson Samuel, re- ported by the Bridge Funding not seen in cells treated with breast cancer drug at a par- search associate in physiol- Grants from the BMRP pro- either 2-deoxyglucose or met- ticular dosage may not work ogy and biophysics at WCM- gramme at WCM-Q, a pro- formin alone. on another type of cancer, for Q and lead researcher on the gram funded by Qatar Foun- Dr Chris Triggle, profes- example – but the drug com- paper, said the investigation dation. sor of pharmacology at WCM- bination of 2-deoxyglucose was initiated after it was Dr Samuel said, “We Q and the lead principal in- and metformin that we have noticed that diabetics who looked firstly at how the cells Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar researchers Dr yasser Majeed, Dr Samson Samuel, Dr Dietrich Büsselberg, Dr vestigator for the study, said: used, owing to the produc- have been using metformin would respond to metformin, Chris Triggle and Dr Hong Ding have discovered the anti-cancer properties of a widely used diabetes drug. “This is really significant. tion of the anti-angiogenetic to control their condition but we did not see a huge ef- People who are diabetic and protein thrombospondin-1, have lower instances of cer- fect. However, when the cells formation of new blood ves- tumourangiogenesis. So, if starve a cancer patient of glu- overweight have a higher risk could allow us to target the tain types of cancer, namely were also starved of glucose, sels from the existing vascu- this process can be inhibited cose, so instead, the metform- for developing cancer and so tumor angiogenesis associ- breast cancer, colorectal and then treated with met- lar system. Every part of the or stopped using an anti-an- in was used in combination the fact that metformin also ated with a range of cancers. cancer, pancreatic cancer formin, we saw that the cells body needs a supply of blood giogenetic drug, the tumor with the molecule 2-deoxyglu- potentially has the ability to Drug combinations may also and prostate cancer, all of began to produce an anti- to keep it fed and growing. should either slow its growth cose which inhibits the utilisa- treat cancer as well as dia- allow us to reduce the need which are of particular con- angiogenetic protein called When a tumour grows this or die. tion of glucose by the cells. betes means that physicians for toxic drugs or allow us to cern in the Middle East. thrombospondin-1.” also has to be fed by blood However, Dr Samuel said, Working with the micro- may be able to address the ex- reduce the quantity they are Work began to exam- Angiogenesis refers to the vessels in a process called physicians cannot completely vascular endothelial cells of tra risk by reducing the blood administered in.

XPLUS launches MoCI recalls Inspire Awards to Mercedes Vito model honour women of 2016 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Media awards along with Doha many other categories. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK A jury to select the awar- Doha SINGAPORE and Qatar- dees from the nominees list- based XPLUS Inc. Pte Ltd ed in each category comprises THE Ministry of Commerce has launched Doha Inspire top corporate and commu- and Industry (MoCI), in co- Awards 2020 to honour nity leaders which includes operation with Nasser Bin women living in Qatar for Abdullah al Hammadi, chair- Khaled Automobiles, the outstanding achievements in man of Technical & Judges dealer of Mercedes-Benz in their chosen vocation. Committee of Asian Shooting Qatar, has announced the re- XPLUS Inspire Awards Confederation; Anu Sharma, call of Vito Model of 2016 due Project Head Anu Sharma renowned media personality to the possibility of a short said, “More than competi- and project head at Inspire Entrepreneurship consultants from Bedaya Center shared knowledge about the procedures related to establishing commercial projects. circuit in the uncovered bat- tion, XPLUS Inspire Awards Awards; Dr R Seetharaman, teryinstalled under the right 2020 is a celebration to hon- CEO of Doha Bank; andLisa front seat. our the excellence of wom- Saad, executive director of The ministry said the re- anhood. At XPLUS Inspire, American Chamber of Com- call comes within the frame- we believe in equality sim- merce-Qatar; Bedaya Center promotes work of its continuous efforts ply because only an equal Other members are to protect consumers and world can be an empowered Nishad Kader, director of ensure that car dealers fol- world. That is why we have XPLUS Inc.; Omar Shaath, low up on vehicle defects and named the women of today social influencer; Susanna repairs. as ‘SHEROS’. Toi, VP Singapore Business entrepreneurship culture The Ministry of Commerce “Our Sheros could come Council-Qatar; Yousif al and Industry said it would from diverse fields such as Jaber, chairman, Interna- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Programme were able to learn addition to preparing financial forming the upcoming entre- coordinate with the dealer to technology, arts, culture, tional Business Delegation. Doha about the most important reports based on the simplest preneurs regarding the most follow up on the maintenance health, media, sports and Qatar citizens and resi- steps that would enable them calculation methods. important steps to be followed and repair works and com- many more. Any woman dents qualify for the awards. BEDAYA Center for Entrepre- to implement their projects. Hanane Ibrahim, Busi- to ensure a clear vision on the municate with customers to living in Qatar with an out- The online nomination neurship and Career Develop- During the workshops, ness Development Manager needed requirements to en- ensure that the necessary re- standing achievement to be a will close on April 10. ment (Bedaya Center), a joint entrepreneurship consultants at Bedaya Center said, “The sure the success of their pro- pairs are carried out. role model in her chosen field Interested persons who initiative by Qatar Develop- from Bedaya Center shared workshops are part of the first jects irrespective of its nature.” The ministry has urged all qualifies for the nomination. believe in the charisma of ment Bank and Silatech, re- knowledge regarding all the series related to the Founda- She added, “This initiative customers to report any vio- These awards are an oppor- ‘SHEROS’ can send a 30-sec- cently held a series of educa- needed procedures to estab- tion Programme for the year comes within Bedaya Cent- lations to its Consumer Pro- tunity for XPLUS to provide ond video message describ- tional workshops as a part of lish commercial projects, 2020. During the past two er’s development plan and tection and Anti-Commercial a platform to honour female ing their views about women the Foundation Programme starting from step by step of years, we offered similar work- adopted approach, as we al- Fraud Department, which talent in Qatar.” empowerment or share a for 2020 aimed at helping how to prepare the feasibility shops to enrich and enhance ways strive to provide Qatari processes complaints, inquir- The awards will have dis- picture with which illustrates participants with the most study, explained some of the the capabilities of the partici- youth with favourable oppor- ies and suggestions through tinct categories like Inspire women around them best as important steps to start their business models that entre- pants and provide them with tunities through educational Call center: 16001, email: Her – Abilities award, Life- a ‘SHERO’ at inspire@xplus- own projects. preneurs can follow, the best the needed tools and guidance programmes and workshops [email protected], Twitter: time Achievement, Young inc.com. Selected entries During the four days of ways to market their products necessary for them to achieve that we offer to provide the @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: Achievers, Community Spir- would be appreciated at the several workshops, with a and services through social their goals and objectives. best opportunities for them to MOCIQATAR and mobile app it, Health, Education and XPLUS Inspire awards. rate of three hours daily, par- media and how to reach to the “The previous workshops attain success in their chosen for android and IOS: MO- ticipants of the Foundation widest segments of society, in have been very useful in in- fields.” CIQATAR Doha Municipality intensifies inspections of food outlets TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha

THE Doha Municipality, represented by the Health Control Department of the Mu- nicipal Control Department, has intensified its inspection campaigns on food establish- ments to ensure their compliance with the application of good practices and health requirements, including personal hygiene, wearing masks and gloves, using sterilisa- tion tools and having health certificates for all employees of food establishments. The campaigns also aimed to ensure that all workers and fish sellers in the Doha Corniche implement the health require- ments. Health inspectors and veterinarians conducted 76 inspections on food estab- lishments in the Doha regions, which re- sulted in detecting two violations, leading to closure of a food facility and destroying five animal carcasses unfit for human con- sumption. 04 Monday, March 16, 2020 nation Qc distributes winter aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon 3,262 families and 13,910 Syrian refugees have indirectly benefited from Qatar Charity assistance

TRIBUNE 1NEWS NETWORK Doha

QATAR Charity (QC) has dis- tributed urgent winter aid to Syrians refugees in northern Lebanon as part of its ‘Sham Deserves’ campaign, ben- efiting nearly 30,000 people living in camps under harsh weather conditions. The aid aims to alleviate the suffering of the refuges by providing them with heat- Four planets will ing materials, food items and blankets, as well as coats for children, at an estimated cost align with Moon of QR500,000. Qatar Charity officials distribute relief materials to Syrian refugees in Some 3,262 families have northern Lebanon recently. benefited directly and 13,910 this month: QCH Syrian refugees indirectly the affected persons. The ous events to raise funds for from the QC assistance. number of displaced during Syrian refugees and displaced TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK will be at two degrees north The focus was on refugees the past three months has ex- persons. Doha to Moon’s centre. residing in the camps, the vul- ceeded one million, of whom The ‘Sham Deserves’ Residents will have a nerable in the areas that were 80,000 people live in open campaign, which will con- QATAR residents will have good chance to observe severely affected by the storm places without their basic tinue until the end of March, good opportunities to ob- Saturn and Moon together and the poorest families with needs being met,” QC said in aims to deliver assistance to serve four planets -- Mars, with naked eyes or using more children, in addition to a press statement. 250,000 Syrian refugees and Jupiter, Saturn and Mer- astronomical telescopes people with special needs. QC, in partnership with displaced persons. QC has cury -- of the solar system at over the eastern horizon “The humanitarian situa- the Qatar Media Corpora- distributed relief aid to the dawn this month, according from the rise time of Saturn tion in Syria is getting worse tion, has been implementing vulnerable Syrians through to Qatar Calendar House at 2.33am until sunrise at day by day, which requires the ‘Sham Deserves’ cam- two delegations within a (QCH). 5.39am local time. relief aid to be delivered to paign with organising vari- week. The four planets will ap- proach Moon at different times this month and come At the dawn of Thursday, in alignment with it, said QCH. March 19, the Planet MES principal receives Asianet Jwala Women’s Award “The Red Planet Mars with Beautiful Rings and the Giant Planet Jupi- ‘Saturn’ will be close TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK lows students to get them- blue-collar workers during the ter will approach Moon at to Moon. Doha selves replenished with the in- Holy Month of Ramadan and the dawn of Wednesday, take of water during the class mobilising disaster relief fund March 18. During the phe- PRINCIPAL of MES Indian hours in the presence of the are some of the philanthropic nomenon, Mars will be at The smallest planet School Hameeda Kadar was teacher at a specified time of endeavours of Hameeda Ka- less than one-degree north Mercury will be approach- presented the prestigious the day, and the green venture dar, which were well acclaimed and Jupiter will be at 1.5 ing Moon on Sunday, March Qatar Stories ‘Asianet Jwala initiative of the kitchen garden besides leaving indelible im- degrees north to Moon’s 22, where it will be at two Women’s Award 2020’ in rec- on the campus maintained col- pression among students centre,” said Dr Beshir Mar- degrees north to Moon’s ognition of her exceptional laboratively by teachers and about cultivating the feeling zouk, expert astronomer at centre. Residents can see service in the field of educa- student volunteers. of oneness with the disadvan- QCH. the two celestial objects tion for nearly three decades, The kitchen garden popu- taged lot. She leads her life by Qatar residents can see together from places with- philanthropic initiatives for larity was the talk of the town example for others, especially Mars and Jupiter aligning out light and environment the Indian community in Qa- with its bounty harvest which the youngsters to emulate by with Moon over the eastern pollution from moonrise tar, and being instrumental included a colossal 30 kg way of sowing the seeds of love horizon of Qatar dawn sky at 4.39am until sunrise, Dr in inspiring lives, especially pumpkin and other variety of and compassion that are quin- from the rise time of Mars Marzouk said. women with her benevolent green and root vegetables. tessential for building a peace- until sunrise. Mars will rise “These astronomical gesture. MES Indian School principal Hameeda Kadar With a team of students, loving society with a humanis- at 2.05am and Jupiter will phenomena are impor- The award was announced she organised a visit to the tic approach. rise at 2.05 am local time on tant as they act as guides recently on Asianet television students, teachers and oth- helps to foster the importance inpatients at a Center for “In fact, the announce- the day, said Dr Marzouk. to amateur astronomers to channel. ers who are keen to scale the of imbibing the noble quality Cancer Care & Research and ment came as a surprise. I am At the dawn of Thursday, understand the map of the An embodiment of selfless height of success and for up- of empathy among students. extended humanitarian help honoured to accept this special March 19, the Planet with sky in March while helping dedication for the cause of so- holding values of empathy. She has introduced string thus moulding young minds recognition instituted for the Beautiful Rings ‘Saturn’ will them validate astronomical cietal development, Hameeda Being a driving force for of innovative ventures for the towards assisting those who women who are championing be close to Moon, where it calculations,” he added. has been a constant source of organising large-scale human- students such as the famous deserve care and help. the cause of the development inspiration for hundreds of itarian programmes, Hameeda Water Bell session, which al- Conducting Iftar dinner for of the society,” she said. HAIQ organises symposiums to help develop mastery in poetry

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha

THE newly elected office bear- ers of Halqa e Adabe Islami Qatar (HAIQ), recently hosted the first literary and poetry symposium at Halqa-e-Rufqa- e-Hind’s (Indian Friend Cir- cle) office in Qatar. The event was chaired by HAIQ president Basheer Ab- dulmajeed Omeri. Fateh Sha- rif Omri Azhari was the chief Hemant Dwivedi, First Secretary (Education & Culture) at the Embassy of India, with DpS Modern Indian School officials at an Inter-School Science guest while Dr Wasi-ul-Haq Skit/Speech Competition held at Birla public School Auditorium recently, as part of Shastrayaan 2020, an initiative by Science India Forum. Wasi was the guest of honour. The event was attended by poets, writers and scholars and a large number of residents. Dr Ata-ur-Rehman and DPS-MIS students perform well Muzaffar Nayab moderated the event. Vice-president Aamir Shak- ib urged the poets to support a at inter-school science contest campaign being launched by patron Halqa-e-Rufqa-e-Hind ment in literature is to be able of the verse of the Qur’an. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK (Indian Friend Circle) on the to turn emotions and feelings He also presented the trans- Doha was the chief guest on the oc- topic Rujuo-il-al-Quran (Refer into works, and one must fol- lation of the Qur’anic text used casion. The Quran). low common sense and a clear in the verses with reference to DPS Modern Indian School Dr Arvind Ranade, scien- Prior to the monthly sym- language. the Surah number and verse (DPS-MIS) students won tist from the Department of posium, a consultative meet- In accordance with the number, and set a new example second position at an Inter- Science and Technology, Gov- ing was held under the chair- customs of the HAIQ, the pa- of moderating event with fun. School Science Skit/ Speech ernment of India, was the key- manship of the patron Ishtiaq tron appointed Dr. Ata-ur-Re- Many Urdu poets later en- Competition held as part of the note speaker. Falahi to elect the new team of hman Nadvi, Iftikhar Raghib, tertained the audience with Shastrayaan 2020, an initia- The guests commended office-bearers. Khalid dad Khan and Fateh their selected poetry. tive by Science India Forum– the young achievers for their At the meeting, the members Sharif as executive members These included Zareef Ba- Qatar’s (SIF) Annual Science dedication, perseverance and unanimously elected Basheer of the board. loch, Farrukh Jamshed Khan Gala and Award Ceremony persistence, and encouraged Abdulmajeed Omeri as the pres- An event reception com- Shams, Mubassir Imaan, held at Birla Public School Au- them to use their success to ident of HAIQ, Amer Shakeb as mittee consisting of deputies Rashid alam Rashid, Amer ditorium recently. benefit, inspire and influence ICC Ashoka Hall, where Dr Keloth presented their models vice-president, Muzaffar Nayab was also formed. The commit- Shakeb, Ashfaque Deshmukh, DPS Modern Indian School other students. Ranade along with officials based on different topics re- as general secretary, Mubassir tee members included Mustafa Ruwais Mumtaz, Saadat ali students made their speech Students from DPS Mod- of SIF and teachers from dif- lated to science. Imaan as secretary and Farooq Muzammil, Rashid Nadvi, Saadat, Wazir ahmed Wazir, presentation on the topic ‘Con- ern Indian School excelled ferent Indian schools in Doha Priti Modi, general science Khan as treasurer. Hanif Falahi, Abdul Rahman Sani Aslam, Muzaffar Nayab, tribution of India in Science & on the occasion by winning were present. coordinator, also attended the Basheer said that literature Shamsi and Anas Abdullah. Syed faheemuddin, Ifteqar Technolgy – Past to Future’. different positions in various Teachers of DPS Modern workshop. plays a significant role in hu- Nazim mushaera Muzaffar Raghib, Yousuf kamal, guest Hemant Dwivedi, First categories. Indian School Niya Jacob, The presentation by the man life and a life without lit- Nayab presented several se- honour Wasi ul haq wasi, and Secretary (Education & Cul- An interactive workshop Sharmila Anantharaman, teachers was appreciated by erature is not meaningful. He lected beautiful poems of Alla- chairman Maulana Basheer ture) at the Embassy of India, for teachers was also held at Qezra Yousuf and Noushaja all attendees. added that the true advance- ma Iqbal, which included parts Abdulmajeed Omeri. Gulf / asia / africa Monday, March 16, 2020 05

nearly 5 million children born into Syria war: Un Extremists sentenced to death for bangladesh priest murder aT least 4.8 million children were born since Syria’s war began nine years ago while 9,000 oth- FoUr Islamist extremists were sentenced to death in bangladesh Sunday for the 2016 decapitation news ers have been killed or wounded in the conflict, the Un children’s agency said on Sunday. an of a senior hindu priest during a spate of attacks targeting religious minorities in the Muslim-majority additional one million children were born as refugees since the conflict erupted on March 15, nation. The Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for the attack in the northern district of Pan- in brief 2011, UnICeF said. “The war in Syria marks yet another shameful milestone today,” said UnICeF chagarh, but authorities blamed militants from Jamayetul Mujahideen bangladesh (JMb). “The court... executive director henrietta Fore, who was in Syria last week. “as the conflict enters its 10th year, sentenced all four to death over the murder. They are JMb members,” abdur rafique, a court official millions of children are entering their second decade of life surrounded by war, violence, death and in the capital Dhaka, told aFP. The priest was a prominent member of bangladesh’s hindu community, displacement.” UnICeF said that “more than 9,000 were killed or injured in the conflict”.(AFP) which makes up nearly 10 percent of the South asian country’s population of 168 million. (AFP)

Indian PM proposes SAARC emergency fund to fight COVID-19; iran coronavirus death toll hits offers to contribute $10 million

AGENCIES neW DeLhI 700, total cases over 14,000 INDIAN Prime Minister Nar- endra Modi and the leaders AFP comedy, it showed a bank of eight South Asian Associa- Tehran manager at a busy branch call- tion for Regional Cooperation ing on people to do their trans- (SAARC) nations spoke to IRAN shut a key Shiite tomb actions online. each other through video con- and appealed on Sunday to its Iran said on Friday that se- ference on Sunday, for a joint citizens to stay at home to halt curity forces would clear streets strategy to fight the coronavi- a coronavirus outbreak it said nationwide within 24 hours so rus outbreak. has claimed over 700 lives and all citizens can be checked for Apart from PM Modi, infected nearly 14,000 people. coronavirus. But Iranian media Sri Lankan President Gota- The new overall tolls an- gave no indication of the opera- baya Rajapaksa, Maldivian India pM Narendra Modi nounced by the health ministry tion taking place on Sunday President Ibrahim Mohamed included another 113 deaths and officials made no mention Solih, Nepalese Prime Min- The step-by-step approach and 1,209 new confirmed cases of the measure. ister K P Sharma Oli, Bhuta- helped avoid panic and India of COVID-19 infection. Members of the Basij, a nese premier Lotay Tshering, made special efforts to reach People “should cancel all volunteer militia loyal to Iran’s Bangladeshi Prime Minister out to vulnerable groups, travel and stay at home so that establishment, were involved Sheikh Hasina, Afghan Presi- Modi said. we may see the situation im- in helping people by handing dent Ashraf Ghani and Spe- India also responded to the proving in the coming days,” out sanitary items on Tehran’s cial Assistant to Pakistani call of its citizens abroad and ministry spokesman Kianoush streets. Prime Minister Imran Khan evacuated nearly 1,400 Indi- Jahanpour said. Several politicians and of- on Health Zafar Mirza par- ans from different countries, In line with measures to ficials have been infected with ticipated in the SAARC video he said. stop the virus, the tomb of the virus, and some have died conference. India helped some citizens Imam Reza in Iran’s holy Shi- from the illness. The latest PM Modi, in his opening of neighbouring countries by ite city of Mashhad was closed suspected case was Ayatollah address, said, “As we all know, evacuating them from corona- to pilgrims until further notice. Hashem Bahtayi Golpayegani, COVID-19 has recently been virus-hit nations, said Modi. “Currently, the porches a member of the Assembly of classified by the World Health Meanwhile, Modi’s pro- of the mausoleum and gener- people queue in line to receive packages for precautions against CoVID-19 coronavirus disease in Tehran Experts, which is tasked with Organisation as a pandemic. posed formulation of a joint ally all the covered spaces of on Sunday. (aFP) appointing and monitoring So far, our region has listed strategy was backed by all the the holy shrine are closed,” a Iran’s supreme leader. fewer than 150 cases. But we member states. spokesman for the shrine told ince, home to the holy city of already closed hotels and oth- one of the deadliest outside of President Hassan Rouhani need to remain vigilant”. Modi Modi said, “It is clear we AFP. Mashhad, followed with 143 er tourist accommodation in China, where the disease origi- denied lockdowns had been added, “I propose that we cre- have to work together; we can All collective prayers had new cases to a total of 568. a bid to dissuade people from nated. imposed on entire areas, and ate a COVID-19 emergency respond best to coronavirus by also been cancelled “except in “Cases there will probably travelling there, according to Jahanpour called on Ira- said provincial officials were fund. India can start by con- coming together, not growing open spaces and courtyards” increase,” the official said, ISNA news agency. nians to “take the coronavirus not allowed to decide on the tributing $10 million.” apart.” of the shrine, he added. calling on everyone to refrain Mashhad’s mayor Moham- seriously” and especially be issue. He added, “Prepare, but Zafar Mirza, Pakistan PM’s Jahanpour said the total from travelling to the north- mad Kalaei said on Saturday mindful of elderly relatives “Neither today, nor during don’t panic’ has been India’s Special Assistant on Health, number of confirmed cases eastern province. that “circumstances in Mash- who are most vulnerable to the Nowrouz and before or after guiding mantra in dealing said, “No nation can afford to of COVID-19 infection across Mashhad’s Imam Reza had have become more serious infection. it, we have no quarantine and with coronavirus outbreak. be unresponsive to situation in Iran was now 13,938. shrine receives many devout and worrying” as infections Despite such warnings peo- all businesses are free and We started screening peo- wake of coronavirus outbreak.” Tehran province had the Iranians every year, especial- grow. The mayor also urged ple were still seen on state tel- government services will con- ple entering India from mid- Bhutanese PM Lotay highest number of new infec- ly around the country’s New officials to “impose a quaran- evision crowding public areas. tinue,” Rouhani said at a tel- January itself, while gradu- Tshering said, “Important for tions with 251 fresh cases. Year holidays, which start on tine” on the holy city. Between feel-good pro- evised news conference with ally increasing restrictions on all of us to be on same page to But Khorasan Razavi prov- March 20. The province has The outbreak in Iran is gramming of bloopers and business-owners. travel.” combat coronavirus. Kenya blocks entry as virus Many feared dead after explosion in Nigeria’s Lagos DPA church when the explosion initial blast devastated a Management Agency. LagoS hit, fire brigade spokesman large number of build- Photos from the scene cases mount in East Africa Ibrahim Farinloye said. ings in three districts, Ado showed plumes of black EMERGENCY services The death toll is ex- Soba, Abule Ado and Amu- smoke rising into the sky AFP are battling fires and relief pected to rise amid reports wo Odofin. from an expanse of wreck- naIrobI workers are searching for that people were trapped “The initial explosion age. A number of buildings survivors after a large ex- by collapsed buildings. destroyed more than 50 were ablaze, while others KENYA unveiled a series of strict plosion in the Nigerian city One of the damaged build- buildings and the result- had already collapsed. measures to curb coronavirus on of Lagos. ings was a school where in- ing fire has already spread Abule Ado in south- Sunday, blocking entry to the coun- At least 15 people were jured children were pulled to pipelines,” said Ibrahim western Lagos lies in the try to all except citizens and residents killed including a family of from the rubble. Fariloye, a spokesman for path of several oil pipe- and shutting schools as the number four who were in transit to Authorities said the the National Emergency lines. of confirmed cases rose to three. In an address to the nation Presi- dent Uhuru Kenyatta said two peo- ple who had come into contact with a 27-year-old Kenyan patient “have Tourists flood Morocco airports as airlines cut flights tested positive” and been moved into The entrance of the Infectious Disease unit of Kenyatta National Hospital in an isolation faclity. Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday. (aFP) AFP “There are flights, we are wait- Portugal and Greece. “The government is suspending rabaT ing at the counter. It is very tense,” Flights to and from other desti- travel for all persons coming into said. Ethiopia, Africa’s second most French traveller Sabrina said by tel- nations such as Algeria, Egypt, Leba- Kenya from any country with report- Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe populous nation with more than 100 THOUSANDS of tourists packed air- ephone from Marrakesh. non and Tunisia were also scrapped, ed Coronavirus cases,” he said. said the two new patients had sat million people and a key hub into the ports in Morocco on Sunday hoping Morocco has suspended regular as were sea links with European “Only Kenyan citizens and for- next to the first as she travelled back continent, is one of few countries in to board scarce flights back to Eu- flights with some 30 countries affect- countries. eigners with valid resident permits from the United States via London the region to not implement meas- rope after regular air links with some ed by the new coronavirus epidemic, But France announced that Ra- will be allowed to come into the had tested positive. One is Kenyan ures such as blocking travellers to 30 countries were suspended in re- including Italy, France, Spain, Ger- bat had agreed to allow special repa- country provided they proceed on and one holds dual Kenyan-British block the spread. sponse to the coronavirus. many, the Netherlands, Belgium, triation flights for its nationals. self-quarantine or in a government nationality. The island nation the Seychelles, quarantine facility.” After being relatively spared which reported two cases on Satur- Kenyatta said this would come from the global pandemic which has day, has blocked cruise ships and into effect in the next 48 hours and killed over 6,000 and infected over travellers coming from South Korea, would remain in place for 14 days. 159,000, Africa now has 25 countries Iran, China and Italy. Every foreigner who has entered reporting cases compared to nine a Rwanda, which also confirmed the country in the past 14 days has week ago. its first case this weekend, has shut been ordered to self-quarantine. Ethiopia, which like Kenya re- schools and churches for two weeks In addition from Monday, all ported its first case on Friday, on and banned concerts and large gath- primary and secondary schools are Sunday said three contacts of its ini- erings. Its national airline Rwandair to close, with boarding schools and tial patient had tested positive. has cancelled its flights to India, Is- universities to shut by the end of “The three cases include two Jap- rael and China. the week. All companies have been anese citizens aged 44 and 47 and Burundi has imposed manda- urged to allow employees to work other one is Ethiopian aged 42. All of tory quarantine for travellers, while from home. them work in Addis Ababa and had Uganda has ordered that visitors “I want to assure you that my close contact with the first confirmed from a number of affected countries administration is at the forefront of case,” the health ministry said in a self quarantine for 14 days, or con- managing this pandemic,” Kenyatta Facebook post. sider simply not visiting at all.

No warm greetings as virus changes Gulf habits AFP of the COVID-19 have been GCC by largely locking ing people to return to their DUbaI recorded so far across the down the country over the homes, while Riyadh’s six nations of the Gulf Co- weekend, the only nation shopping district also lay NO shisha pipe sessions, operation Council (GCC), other than Italy to do so. barren. deserted streets, mosques but so far no deaths. Kuwait City’s main air- The Gulf countries and shopping malls, Facing a mounting port road was empty as all have shut down cinemas drones in the sky broad- public health threat, GCC commercial flights to and and other entertainment casting public health warn- countries have taken dras- from the Gulf nation were centres – some even clos- ings – the new coronavi- tic measures to combat the suspended. ing gyms and spas – as well rus has turned life upside pandemic. Drones in the skies as halting one of the re- down in Gulf societies. Kuwait has taken the were sounding messages gion’s favourite pastimes, More than 800 cases strictest measures in the in multiple languages urg- smoking shisha in cafes. 06 Monday, March 16, 2020

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 opinion hAMAd Bin suhAiM Al ThAni CHAIRMAN Adel Ali Bin Ali MANAGING DIRECTOR dR hAssAn MohAMMed Al AnsARi EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Biden’s Bet On Pitching Change There Are No Libertarians Within Political System Amid Coronavirus Is Paying Off In An Epidemic Biden’s strategy that working within the system can President Trump would dump conservatism and free-market policies if he feels bring about meaningful and positive change in that he can get re-elected by his interventionist steps on containing coronavirus people’s life is likely to get voters’ support

N building his own presidential cam- his competitors did. And if he emerges paign, Barack Obama’s vice president on top in November, he’ll get the oppor- Ihas made a subtle but important bet. tunity to show whether he has the right Yes, Joe Biden has embraced ideas of mix of policies. the left that might have been too far of a But in assessing his approach and reach for a general election voter not all what he might offer, we’d suggest to our that long ago, but his campaign has also readers to dig into the details, to get to been built on a bigger argument. And the granular level and ask how he might that argument is simply this: Important meaningfully lead on key issues such as change, the kind of change that can be felt education, taxes, world affairs, poverty, in real people’s lives, is not only possible personal opportunity and more. Like all within the structures of our current po- campaigns, his policy shop has put out litical system, working within the system proposals, but like all campaigns, we’ll is also probably the only way meaningful, benefit from an electoral process that positive change is going to occur. stress-tests his thinking, his veracity, his Voters in 10 states on Super Tues- principles. day, and now this week voters in Idaho, The 2020 general election is shaping Missouri, Mississippi and Michigan, up to be an important moment for this seem to be wagering that Biden’s bet is country. In an era when a novel corona- right for them and right to take into the virus can spread, when this country is fall election. deeply divided on basic policy assump- If this seems too subtle of a point for tions on fundamental issues involving a broad and often fractious electorate to national security, health care and the full embrace during a very tumultuous elec- range of domestic policies, we need re- tion, it’s also an argument that’s largely sponsible leadership from voters. Only been overlooked the past few years. We’ve voters can hold elected officials accounta- had a sitting president tear through exist- ble, press for details and stand by leaders PETER NICHOLAS emptiness of these sorts of ideological la- II, retooling whole sectors to meet ambi- ing structures and practices, and we’ve when they make necessary, if also tough TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE bels. Just as there are no atheists in fox- tious manufacturing goals for tanks and had some of the loudest Democratic can- and courageous, decisions. holes, in a national emergency, there’s no planes. George W. Bush, a Republican, didates propose upheaval of their own in Biden’s campaign needs a stress test MERICA vs. Socialism” was truly laissez-faire government. sunk hundreds of billions of dollars into a terms of proposals, in terms of the magni- like all other campaigns, and regard- the theme of the Conservative Speaking to reporters at the White bailout program meant to keep the bank- tude of the cost of their policy ideas, and less of who is given the honour to lead Political Action Conference last House yesterday, Trump said he wants to ing industry afloat after the 2008 finan- in terms of thinking differently about the the country for the next four years, the month, though as fights go this shore up businesses and aid people whose cial crisis. “I decided that the only way to role Washington should play. American people can emerge from this one was pretty one-sided. An finances have been hit. “We’re going to be preserve the free market in the long run We’ll find out whether Biden’s bet is election season with a better sense of anti-socialist“A message thrummed through working with … a lot of companies so they was to intervene in the short run,” Bush a good one in the coming months. If he which policy proposals they’d like to in- the halls while the crowds celebrated free- don’t get penalized for something that’s wrote in his 2010 book, Decision Points. wins the nomination, which suddenly grain into law. And it’s that debate, the market capitalism over $4 cups of cof- not their fault,” he said. Worried about In Trump’s case, he may try to have it seems likely, we’ll know he had a bet- one over policy, that is now crucial for fee and $20 chicken-salad sandwiches the slumping travel industry, the White both ways: using socialism as a conveni- ter bead on the politics this year than voters to engage in. wrapped in cellophane. House is now considering tax deferrals ent campaign slogan, while battling the As the panelists likened socialism to for airlines and cruise lines. The adminis- coronavirus with extraordinary meas- a disease, an actual disease, the coro- tration has been weighing whether to use ures comparable to what other modern navirus, shadowed the gathering. One funds from a disaster program to pay for presidents have done to beat back a cri- participant would later test positive for treatment of uninsured people who have sis. Critics have panned his methods so the pathogen, touching off a scramble become infected, The Wall Street Journal far. As infections spread, he’s kept up his that sent four lawmakers (and count- reported. And Alex Azar, the secretary golf outings and fundraising schedule, ing) who attended into precautionary of health and human services, said the while downplaying a virus that could self-quarantine. administration might dust off a Korean have reached his outstretched hand: But the White House officials and War–era law called the Defense Produc- At CPAC, he greeted Matt Schlapp, the Trump allies who spoke from the main tion Act to ensure rapid manufacturing of chairman of the American Conservative ballroom urged calm. The real threat, they medical supplies in the private sector. Union, who was in contact with the in- said, was socialism. “The virus is not go- “That’s not free-market capitalism,” fected participant. ing to sink the American economy,” Larry says Jean Cohen, a political-theory pro- Trumpworld would like the 2020 Kudlow, the president’s top economic fessor at Columbia University, referring general election to be a referendum on adviser and part of the White House’s to the measures the White House has socialism; the Democrats want it to be coronavirus task force, told the audience, contemplated as the virus spreads. “You a referendum on Trump. “We will have in comments that were premature given can choose the term: It’s regulated capi- it out,” Kudlow said at CPAC. “President the market tailspin that would come soon talism, or it’s the interventionist state, or Trump is more than prepared to show enough. “What is or could sink the Ameri- it’s democratic socialism. If you want to the world why what he called … ‘the can economy is the socialism coming from serve the public good instead of private American model of free enterprise’ will our friends on the other side of the aisle.” profit making, you need government to whip socialism every time.” Even as Kudlow spoke, the Trump come in and make sure that’s done.” Trump, though, is no doctrinaire eco- administration was taking aggres- Whatever the term, the Trump ad- nomic conservative. His political brand is sive measures to halt the epidemic’s ministration’s handling of the outbreak rooted in personality and celebrity, and spread—measures that rely on the sort amounts to government activism in the he’s bent on capturing a second term. If he of big-government intervention that was face of a national crisis. It’s nothing new decides that the quickest path to quashing a CPAC bogeyman. In the 2020 election, and, as may well prove the case this time the coronavirus is activist, intervention- Donald Trump’s aim is to brand his op- around, it’s often necessary. Democratic ist government, free-market doctrine is ponent an avatar of socialism, whether President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously unlikely to get in his way. If there’s some it’s Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders. But the called on American industry to outpro- dissonance in his reelection message and COVID-19 outbreak demonstrates the duce the Axis powers during World War his practices, he’ll live with it. (Tribune News Service) The Film That You Might Not Hear About But Have To See First Cow, Kelly Reichardt’s new film- a story of friendship on the American frontier- is one of the best movies of the year so far

DAVID SIMS developing capitalism. It’s a small, under- Both ******** and the cow have come commerce is flooding in, and that the for someone on the margins of society. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE stated movie, but it’s also one of the best west with the boom of “soft gold,” the Chief Factor’s cow is the first milestone of Though First Cow lacks that film’s con- of the year so far. beaver-fur industry that drove European many in a land that will be radically trans- temporary thrust, it has the same atmos- HE journey that ******** Figowitz First Cow—co-written by Reichardt interests all the way to the Pacific North- formed. ******** and King’s surreptitious phere of hopelessness for ******** and (played by John Magaro) took to get and Jon Raymond, and loosely adapted west. While the cow is a purely ornamental milking of the cow can barely be called a King in the face of encroaching capital- to the Oregon territory in 1820 was from Raymond’s novel The Half-Life— possession of the reigning trading compa- crime, yet the Chief Factor’s status for- ism, mercilessly chugging down the Co- Tclearly a difficult one. As Kelly Re- has a touch of the caper genre and a sprin- ny’s Chief Factor (Toby Jones), ********’s bids it; the cow and her milk are his prop- lumbia River like a barge full of cattle. ichardt’s new film, First Cow ,opens, he’s kling of buddy comedy. It also has all journey is about the promise of a new, erty. For all the mythos around the fron- Even so, Reichardt’s astonishing gift near the end of his trek, clambering over the hallmarks of Reichardt’s past work. independent life. He befriends a Chinese tier as a land of opportunity, Oregon’s at managing tone ensures that First Cow challenging terrain and dodging threats Acclaimed by critics, the film is a pro- immigrant named King Lu (Orion Lee), a ranks of power are already so rigid that never comes off as bleak or unrelentingly from his fur-trapping companions. By found examination of social hierarchies fellow outsider in search of a future, and even ******** and King’s humble dreams grim. ******** and King’s connection is comparison, the voyage of the first cow to on a personal scale, a work that grapples the two men quickly hit on a bizarre but of entrepreneurship sound far-fetched. genuinely heartwarming. Reichardt de- set foot in Oregon seems graceful: She en- with global themes in the silent pauses simple business scheme. They steal the Reichardt has long excelled at smug- picts many of their misadventures (in- ters the screen floating upriver on a raft, between conversations. The action plays milk from the Chief Factor’s cow at night gling those kinds of provocative mes- cluding a mission that involves making transported across the continent as an out mostly in ramshackle hutches or and use it to make donut-like treats that sages into such simple, spare narratives. a clafoutis for the Chief Factor and his ostentatious display of wealth by a local thick vegetation, and Reichardt’s visual they dub “oily cakes”—and that soon catch Wendy and Lucy, a 2008 drama about a upper-crust guests) with a light comic trader attempting to force his old world approach relies on her usual naturalism. the attention of the Chief Factor himself. young homeless woman trying to make touch, which turns riveting as the stakes into this new one. Reichardt’s movie is a She captures the beauty of the forest not “History hasn’t gotten here yet,” King her way up to Alaska in search of work, get higher for the pair’s baking opera- quiet study of such incongruities—the sto- via wide-angle vistas, but through a tight, tells ******** wistfully, envisioning Or- uses a series of small obstacles to build tion. First Cow is a masterwork of indie ry of a docile, domesticated creature en- square aspect ratio that makes the wood- egon as a world where he can live out- up a crushing sense of futility, demon- cinema—a tale that’s both charming and tering the untamed wild, and an intimate land feel overwhelming, almost impossi- side the boundaries of social station and strating how a seemingly minor incon- unsparing, suffused with equal measures friendship blossoming amid the cruelty of ble for any human to change. nationality. Yet the viewer knows that venience can amount to life or death of wonder and dread.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Europe / US / americas Monday, March 16, 2020 07 Spain reports over 100 new cases, 2,000 cases in one day

AFP many and sources told AFP governments. ParIS that the government planned France reports 29 more coronavirus Governments in Europe to shut its borders with France, deaths, biggest one-day jump: minister also struggled to respond clear- CAFES, shops and restaurants Switzerland and Austria on ly. shut down across France and Monday. FranCe recorded 29 additional coronavirus deaths on Sunday, Britain, which had avoided Spain on Sunday and travel- Spain and France are the biggest one-day increase in the country since the outbreak, crackdowns and instead tried lers faced chaos at US airports among the worst-hit countries bringing the total death toll to 120, health Minister olivier Veran to manage the spread and cre- as governments stepped up in Europe although Italy, which said. an additional 900 cases of infection were recorded in the ate “herd immunity”, cancelled their fight against the corona- imposed Europe’s most draco- past day, taking the total to 5,400 since January, Veran told local elections and hinted that virus pandemic which has now nian lockdown on its 60 million France 2 television. it would follow most other af- reportedly killed more than citizens last week, still domi- fected European nations and 6,000. nates in terms of infections ban mass gatherings. France ordered the closure from COVID-19. official sources. The disease has now hit Several countries have an- of all non-essential businesses, A spike in deaths reported Experts warn, however, all global regions, ripping up nounced bans on foreigners en- while Spain went a step further in Spain from 183 on Satur- that the real figure is likely to sporting and cultural calendars, tering their countries. and banned people from leav- day to 288 on Sunday took the be higher as tests are not avail- causing panic in stock markets Austria banned gatherings ing home except to go to work, global toll to 6,036 from almost A few cars drive on Joaquin Costa street in Madrid on Sunday. France able to everyone and people can and companies -- particularly of more than five people on get medical care or buy food. 160,000 infections, according and Spain are the latest European nations to severely curtail people’s be infected without showing airlines -- and prompting often Sunday, telling citizens to stay Cases also spiked in Ger- to an AFP tally compiled from movements. (aFP) symptoms. contradictory responses from in unless absolutely necessary.

news Donald Trump ‘considering’ in brief italy hit by record daily virus pardon for ex-aide Flynn

dominican rep AFP holds municipal vote WaShIngTon despite coronavirus death-toll, hospitals in crisis US President Donald Trump VoTerS in the Dominican said Sunday that he was republic went to the polls “strongly considering” a full on Sunday despite global Official data showed the number of fatalities shooting up by 368 to 1,809 pardon for former top aide fears over the coronavirus Michael Flynn, reviving an pandemic as the Carribbean old controversy even as the country held municipal elec- country struggled to cope tions. health authorities have with the coronavirus pan- recorded 11 Covid-19 cases demic. and no deaths amongst That announcement came the population of 11 million amid a flurry of tweets both people. as a precautionary defending the president’s uS president Donald Trump measure, the government de- handling of the pandemic and cided to suspend for a month attacking political foes past flights to and from europe, and present. Trump card! China, South Korea and Iran “So now it is reported that, from Monday. Central elec- after destroying his life & the ● Flynn, a retired US army tion commission president, life of his wonderful family general, was Trump’s first Julio Cesar Castanos, said (and many others also), the national security advisor the country was showing the FBI, working in conjunction before being removed from entire world it could pull off “a with the Justice Department, office, after only 22 days, peaceful, free and egalitarian has lost the records of Gen- over his contacts with election.” (AFP) eral Michael Flynn,” Trump russians. he eventually tweeted, citing an unspecified pleaded guilty to lying to report. Peru closes ports “How convenient. I am the FbI. to cruise ships to strongly considering a Full ward off virus Pardon!” he praised some Democrats Flynn, a retired US Army for their work on the corona- PerU is prohibiting cruise general, was Trump’s first na- virus pandemic and even had ships from docking at its tional security advisor before praise for a favorite target, ports for at least 30 days being removed from office, the news media. from Monday to prevent the after only 22 days, over his After noting early Sunday spread of the new coronavi- A person wearing a respiratory mask walks across a contacts with Russians. He that it was “A NATIONAL rus, the government said on deserted Vatican underpass near ST. peter Basilica, in eventually pleaded guilty to DAY OF PRAYER,” the presi- Sunday. central rome on Sunday. (aFP) lying to the FBI. dent suggested that as vice The ban comes with local Later, Flynn attempted president Joe Biden bore press reporting that the to withdraw that plea, say- some responsibility for the government is expected to ing prosecutors had violated loss of 17,000 lives to the announce a nationwide home- a plea agreement, but a judge swine flu (“very late response stay quarantine. Major global AFP Milan’s Lombardy region been consistently praised by rejected the request; Flynn’s time”); called Democratic cruise lines have already roMe governor Attilio Fontana said Tough the World Health Organiza- sentencing has been post- Senator Charles Schumer announced they were sus- the situation in areas around tion for its level of equipment poned. “pathetic” over his comments pending voyages, and some ITALY on Sunday reported a Italy’s financial capital was measures and organisation of staff. Trump’s flurry of tweets about the Supreme Court; countries including India have one-day record death toll and “getting worse”. Lombardy welfare coun- Sunday stood in jarring con- and targeted Hillary Clinton also blocked the vessels. leaders warned of a bed and “We are close to the point ● The Vatican took the cillor Giulio told reporters trast to his more conciliatory over her handling of emails Some cruise ships were quar- artificial respirator shortage in where we will no longer be drastic step of cancelling Saturday that “there are no comments a day earlier, when and the Benghazi crisis. antined, including in Japan, the European epicentre of the able to resuscitate people be- easter week celebrations more ambulances” in areas California and Chile, because coronavirus pandemic. cause we will be out of inten- that were set to begin on around Milan. of new infections. So far, 43 Official data showed the sive care unit beds,” Fontana april 5 as the country of 60 The governor of Venice’s confirmed cases have been number of fatalities shooting told Italy’s Sky TG24 channel. million braced for an Veneto region to the east also reported in Peru. (AFP) up by 368 to 1,809 -- more “We need those machines called on “everyone to remain Germany to reintroduce border than half of all the cases re- (doctors) use to ventilate extended crisis. in isolation” to avoid put- corded outside China. lungs, artificial respirators ting hospitals under further controls with five countries EU limits medical The Vatican took the dras- that unfortunately we cannot said he had managed to secure strain. equipment exports tic step of cancelling Easter find,” Fontana said. shipments of surgical masks “If you do not follow the AFP commuters exempt. German in virus fight week celebrations that were “As soon as those respira- from China to help cover a rules, the health system will berLIn citizens and people with a resi- set to begin on April 5 as the tors arrive from abroad, we growing shortage. crash and I will have to im- dency permit will be allowed to The eU on Sunday imposed country of 60 million braced will be ready to go on the at- “Milan has always had ex- pose a curfew,” Veneto gover- GERMANY will reintroduce return to the country. restrictions on exports of for an extended crisis. tack.” cellent relations with the main nor Luca Zaia warned. border controls with France, People “without a signifi- masks and other protec- Only occasional joggers The Lombardy region Chinese cities and I made a Prime Minister Giuseppe Austria, Switzerland, Luxem- cant reason to travel” and those tive medical equipment as and a few locals carrying gro- has recorded 1,218 of the few phone calls over the past Conte insisted on Sunday burg and Denmark from Mon- suspected of having been in- it seeks to protect its own cery bags could be seen on the deaths officially attributed to few days in search of masks,” that his government was pay- day morning due to the coro- fected with the virus will not supplies for the fight against streets of Rome on a sunny COVID-19 over the past three the Milan mayor said ai ing “maximum attention” to navirus crisis, interior minister be allowed to cross the affected the coronavirus. announcing afternoon of Italy’s first week- weeks – more than the rest of “The first shipment ar- the situation in the north. Horst Seehofer said on Sunday. borders, he said. the measure in an online end under effective lockdown. Europe combined. rived (Friday) and we will His government was set to “The spread of the coro- Seehofer stressed the new video, european Commission “I am not really interested The region of 10 million now distribute them to doc- unveil a new crisis plan that navirus is progressing quickly controls would be temporary, President Ursula von der in what people tell us about re- – slightly smaller but more tors, to our staff.” reportedly includes family re- and aggressively... one of the and would be reassessed “from Leyen also warned that eU ligion,” pensioner Roman said economically productive than European Commission lief measures such as paren- most important measures will time to time”. countries imposing border after the Vatican announced neighbouring Switzerland to also announced the imminent tal leave pay and help for the be to cut off the chain of infec- The decision had been tak- checks were threatening that its Easter observances “will the north -- also has 13,272 re- delivery of one million masks self-employed. tion,” Seehofer told reporters en after the Robert Koch Insti- supply chains. “We adopted take place without the physical ported infections and 767 peo- from Germany. The government said it as he announced the new bor- tute, which is responsible for today an export authorisation presence of the faithful”. ple in intensive care. Yet the situation re- was also in discussion with der controls. public health in Germany, had scheme for protective equip- “I’m interested in what mained critical despite Lom- banks about a suspension of The measures will take ef- declared that the French border ment. This means that such people tell us about our ‘No more ambulances’ bardy enjoying a world-class some family mortgage pay- fect at 0700 GMT on Monday, region of Alsace-Lorraine as a medical goods can only be health.” Milan mayor Beppe Sala healthcare system that has ments. with goods and cross-border risk area. exported to non-eU countries with the explicit authorisation of the eU governments,” von der Leyen said. (AFP) Chaos at US airports as screenings jam up returning Americans Serbia declares AFP O’Hare International Airport administration’s response to a “I think we should really be state of emergency WaShIngTon (ORD). “So if we didn’t have pandemic that started in China overly aggressive and get criti- due to coronavirus the virus before, we have a in December and has since cized for over-reacting,” said CHAOS gripped major US air- great chance of getting it now!” spread worldwide. Fauci, director of the National SerbIan President alek- ports Sunday as Americans Schmidt said. In the United States, nearly Institute of Allergy and Infec- sandar Vucic declared a state returning from coronavirus- US airports have been hit 60 people have died from the vi- tious Diseases. of emergency on Sunday, hit European countries over- with a flood of Americans, many rus and nearly 3,000 have been Schools, museums, sports saying the step was neces- whelmed authorities attempt- of them students, since restric- infected, according to a running arenas and entertainment ven- sary to keep the country func- ing to process the surge. tions on travel from Europe or- tally kept by Johns Hopkins ues have closed in some states, tioning during the coronavirus Frustrated passengers com- dered by US President Donald University. but St. Patrick’s Day celebra- epidemic in the region. plained of hours-long lines, Trump took effect at midnight “I think Americans should tions still filled bars and restau- “We decided to declare crowded and unsanitary condi- on Friday. be prepared that they are going rants over the weekend, leading a state of emergency on tions and general disarray in the The United States on Satur- A mostly empty fresh produce section is seen at a supermarket in to have to hunker down signifi- some local officials to consider the entire territory of the system for screening people for day extended the ban on travel Washington, DC. (aFP) cantly more than we as a coun- more extensive shutdowns. republic of Serbia,” Vucic symptoms of the virus. from Europe, South Korea and try are doing,” Anthony Fauci, “We are certainly looking said during a televised news “Very close quarters,” Ann China to Britain and Ireland. those countries, and they are The airport bottlenecks the country’s leading expert on at that,” said Governor Mike conference. (DPA) Lewis Schmidt told CNN, de- Only US citizens and legal resi- then supposed to self-quaran- were the latest evidence of infectious diseases, told NBC’s DeWine of Ohio, speaking on scribing conditions at Chicago’s dents are being allowed in from tine for 14 days. continuing turbulence in the “Meet the Press.” “Meet the Press.” Raging virus makes zero rates a possibility as US Fed meets PaGE 10

Monday, March 16, 2020

DOW23,185.62 QE 8,310.87 SENSEX 34,103.48 GOLD 1,516.70 Barwa Real Estate postpones rents +1,985.00 PTS +80.46 PTS +1,325.34 PTS -4.63% at its commercial units PaGE 9 PrICe PerCeNTAge PrICe PerCeNTAge 14.50 BRENT 33.85 +1.90% WTI 31.73 +0.73% SILVER -9.40% Covid-19: No need Local production of masks to to stock up on ration begin in a month: moci official goods: QC chairman TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Three factories set to begin manufacturing, production equipment to arrive in Qatar in two eeksw Doha QATAR Chamber Chairman TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al Doha Thani has called on the public not to stock large and redun- LOCAL production of medical dant quantities of ration goods masks will start in Qatar with- and materials. in a month, a senior official of Chairing a meeting of QC the Ministry of Commerce and board members to discuss the Industry (MoCI) has said, as impact of Covid-19, Sheikh Qatar ramps up efforts to con- Khalifa said, “There is no need tain the spread of coronavirus. to worry. There is no need to The production equip- store large quantities of com- country to curb the virus out- ment is expected to arrive in modities. break, he said the government Qatar in two weeks and once He said Qatar has a secure efforts would be successful and it is here, two or three facto- strategic stock of goods and effective only with the cooper- ries will start manufacturing praised the measures made ation of citizens and residents masks in Qatar, with assis- by entities in the country such who have to abide by these tance from the Qatar Devel- as banks that postponed pay- measures, be more cautious opment Bank (QDB), MoCI’s ments or reduced commis- and to comply with all health Assistant Undersecretary for sions on loans. instructions. Industry Affairs Mohammed “The ongoing coronavirus He called on nationals and Hassan al Malki told QNA in (Covid-19) crisis that hit most residents to abide by all in- an interview. of the world countries consti- structions issued by the gov- Around five local factories tutes a real test for all of us,” ernmental authorities. are currently manufacturing Sheikh Khalifa said, stressing Sheikh Khalifa also praised disinfectants and sanitisers the importance of dealing with the role of merchants and busi- and their combined output is the crisis without “intimida- ness sectors, affirming that sufficient to meet the demand tion or underestimation”. they were dealing with the cur- of the whole country, he add- Lauding the precaution- rent situation in a responsible ed. ary measures adopted by the manner. Qatar has a vast experi- ence in dealing with a crisis, cent to hit QR262 billion in a major leap and contributed He pointed out that Minis- he said, noting that the coro- 2020 from QR255 billion in to securing the market needs try of Commerce and Industry navirus situation normal and 2017, he added. from the necessary goods,” offers a variety of facilities, the ministry has a forward- Malki noted that the past Five local factories are Malki said. including those related to Mnuchin sees virus looking vision and plan to deal three years posed a real chal- currently manufacturing The MoCI official said the providing industrial lands, with any emergency. lenge to both extractive and disinfectants and sanitisers construction and transport customs exemptions on raw Maliki said the ministry manufacturing aspects of the industries were the drivers of materials, equipment and causing US slowdown was closely monitoring the industrial sector, which has and their combined output growth due to their association machinery, a preference for market to ensure consumer succeeded greatly in consoli- is sufficient to meet the with the 2022 World Cup pro- electricity pricing, and pro- AFP nomic activity will pick up as rights are upheld and supplies dating its pillars and establish- demand of the whole jects, with the period witness- viding integrated services and WaShIngTon we confront this virus.” of essential materials are not ing its bases to play its central country. ing the setting up of 249 facto- advanced infrastructure of Peter Navarro, a top trade disrupted. role in the economic growth of ries (27.9 percent of the total electricity, water, sanitation TREASURY Secretary Ste- adviser to President Donald Maliki said the ministry, the state. MoCI’s Assist Undersecretary factories in the country). and others. ven Mnuchin said Sunday Trump, separately told the in cooperation with the Qa- He said Qatar has dealt for Industry Affairs Malki attributed the “There is a great direct the impact of the coronavirus Fox Business network that “I tar Development Bank, has a intelligently with the unjust Mohammed Hassan al Malki growth in the industrial sec- support for the industrial in- pandemic was producing a think the decisions we make mechanism in place to avoid blockade imposed on it since tor during the past years to vestor, and last year we ex- “slowdown” in the American over the next week or two will shortage of any essential in mid-2017, and managed to improving many investment empted factories from the economy but that he did not determine whether we have a Qatar in the coming period. turn the crisis into an oppor- the business environment.” laws and increasing the facili- rental fees for a full year and expect a full-blown recession. significant downturn or not.” On the achievements of tunity. The number factories in ties provided to investors, in more than 400 factories ben- Asked by an ABC inter- Several experts have pre- Qatar’s industrial sector, Ma- “Investment growth in the Qatar increased to 893 facto- addition to enhancing private efited from them, whether viewer if the country was al- dicted that the consequences liki said Qatar made a com- industrial sector continues, ries in the current year from sector’s infrastructure, and in the industrial zone that ready in recession, he replied, of the pandemic -- which has prehensive leap in the indus- and we have a clear strategy 765 in 2017, an increase of ap- addressing many of the chal- belongs to the ministry or “I don’t think so.” led to temporary business clos- trial sector over the past three for the coming years covering proximately 17 percent. lenges facing the local and Manateq company’s Mesaieed “We’re clearly going to ings, travel bans and cancella- years. a number of vital sectors, re- “Focus over the past three foreign investor, besides other industrial area,” he added. have a slowdown,” Mnuchin tions and a slowdown in con- Qatar’s investments in the inforced by important regula- years has been on the food factors that strengthened the said, while adding that “later sumer activity -- are likely to industrial sector grew 3 per- tory and legislative reforms in industries, which has made Industrial investment. See also page 9  in the year, obviously the eco- plunge the US into recession. Msheireb Properties gives 3-month Qatar’s economy to pick up pace rent break for retailers, F&B tenants SATYENDRA PATHAK Doha TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK of the initiative is to lighten the Doha The intent of the initiative is financial strain on investors QATAR’S economic growth is and businesses as Qatar imple- expected to accelerate this year MSHEIREB Properties, the to lighten the financial ments measures designed to due to stronger government leading sustainable real estate strain on investors and busi- promote social distancing and consumption and as the Bar- outlook stable developer, announced that all nesses as Qatar implements limit large gatherings. zan gas facility comes online, according to Focuseconomics, retailers and food and bever- measures designed to pro- Within its national man- FocusEconomics has said in its Qatar’s economic panorama is age tenants at Msheireb Down- mote social distancing and date, Msheireb Properties will latest report. likely more or less stable in town Doha will be exempt from limit large gatherings deploy its full capabilities to According to the report, the first quarter of this year. their rent and utility bills from support Qatar’s effort to deal Qatar’s economic panorama is the non-oil private sector March 15 until further notice. with the current situation and likely more or less stable in the Purchasing Managers’ index The decision comes as part Qatar is fighting the spread fight against this disease, the first quarter of this year. of Msheireb Properties’ com- of the coronavirus (Covid-19) company said in a statement “The non-oil private sector PMi averaged higher in munity support at a time when within its borders. The intent on Sunday. Purchasing Managers’ Index January–February than in than PMI averaged higher in Janu- in the fourth quarter, it says. ary–February than in than in the fourth quarter. Moreover, said. 0.1 percentage points from last both imports and exports in private sector credit growth FocusEconomics panelists month’s forecast. In 2021, our the coming years. While the surged in January,” the report see growth of 2 percent in 2020 panel sees inflation averaging merchandise exports from the said. and 2.5 percent in 2021. 1.4 percent,” it said. country are expected to rise “Investment in the expan- Consumer prices in Qatar The report has also indi- from $75.6 billion in 2019 to sion of the North Field gas fell 0.4 percent in annual terms cated that the GDP per capita $103.9 billion in 2024, the re- project should also support in January, stronger than De- in Qatar will also increase from port said, merchandise imports growth. Geopolitical tensions, cember’s 0.3 percent decline, $69,633 in 2019 to $84,600 in would increase from $32.2 bil- the coronavirus and volatile the report said. 2024. lion in 2019 to $42.6 billion in commodity prices, however, “Inflation should return According to the annual 2024. remain downside risks to the this year on a more favourable data released as part of the re- FocusEconomics, a leading outlook,” the report said. base effect, looser financial port, the overnight lending rate provider of economic analysis, “The economy likely re- conditions and stronger eco- in the country would continue has also forecast that Qatar’s mained subdued in the fourth nomic activity,” it said. to rise from the current level trade balance would rise from quarter of last year. The in- On March 4, the Qatar Cen- and reach up to 4.34 percent $43.3 billion in 2019 to $61.3 dustrial production index tral Bank cut its deposit rates by 2024. billion in 2024. declined year-on-year in the by 50 basis points, echoing the The Qatari riyal will contin- The report has projected fourth quarter, despite solidly Fed’s rate cut the day prior. ue to be pegged at $3.64 in the that Qatar’s current account rebounding in December on a “Our panelists see average years to come, the report said. balance will account for 3.9 modest expansion in the man- consumer prices increasing 1.1 The country would wit- percent of the total GDP in ufacturing sector,” the report percent in 2020, which is down ness a sustained increase in 2020. Economy & business Monday, March 16, 2020 09 Qatari products can compete with foreign products, says MocI official

Qatar has excellent pharmaceutical and iron industries that competed in the Gulf even before the blockade: Mohammed Hassan al Maliki

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK He said Qatar has excellent and localising them, as well as Doha pharmaceutical and iron in- buying global patents, trying dustries that competed in the to produce locally, in addition GROWTH in Qatar’s indus- Gulf even before the blockade. to the natural expansion of the trial sector during the past “Qatar have a strong infra- industry itself. years is attributed to the im- structure, world-class specifi- Maliki said the heavy in- provement in many invest- cations, and affordable prices, dustries sector witnessed a ment laws and increasing the continuous development in its facilities provided to investors, different fields, as the invest- Assistant Undersecretary for ments value in metallic prod- Industry Affairs at the Minis- ucts sector, such as aluminum try of Commerce and Industry There is a great direct and iron in addition to steel (MoCI) Mohammed Hassan al support for the industrial reached QR32 billion account- Maliki has said. investor, and last year we ing for 12 percent of the total In an interview with the exempted factories from the industrial investments, while Qatar News Agency (QNA), rental fees for a full year the value of the chemical and Maliki pointed out that the petrochemical industries, MoCI offers a variety of facili- and more than 400 which includes gas liquefac- ties, including those related to factories benefited from tion reached QR177 billion. providing industrial lands, them, whether in the On small and medium en- customs exemptions on raw industrial zone that belongs terprises (SMEs), Maliki said, materials, equipment and to the ministry or Manateq “To facilitate for local inves- machinery, a preference for company’s Mesaieed tors and create an investment electricity pricing, and pro- environment that is stimulat- viding integrated services and Industrial Area ing for SMEs’ owners and en- advanced infrastructure of Mohammed Hassan al Maliki trepreneurs, we launched in electricity, water, sanitation cooperation with Qatar Devel- and others. opment Bank (QDB), the Land “There is a great direct sup- which makes the Qatari prod- and Industrial Loan initiative. port for the industrial investor, ucts very competitive,” he “Investors are able, and last year we exempted fac- noted. through the single-window, to tories from the rental fees for About the future vision obtain the industrial licenses a full year and more than 400 of the pharmaceutical sector, and lands in the small and me- factories benefited from them, Qatar’s manufacturing exports grew significantly to 11 percent of the country’s total exports. Malki clarified to QNA that dium industries areas in addi- whether in the industrial zone the ministry has a clear plan tion to complete the financial that belongs to the ministry or adopted the Manufacturing aims to form a map for the next He said the strengthening He stressed that this represented in increasing the procedures through the same Manateq company’s Mesaieed Industries Strategy 2018- ten years until 2030. Technol- and developing cooperation growth is attributed to the number of factories with a rate application of the industrial Industrial Area,” he added. 2022, pointing that seven ma- ogy part is an important part with countries and giant com- quality of the Qatari product, of two factories a year until land directly.” On the smart industries jor sectors have been identi- of this strategy, as the industry panies is important, pointing its competitiveness, and the 2030. He stressed the impor- sector, Maliki stressed that fied, namely: petrochemicals, today depends mainly on it.” to the Free Zones Author- availability of transportation “This is a complicated sec- tance of integration in the in- this sector enjoys the minis- plastics, aluminium, medical Maliki stressed that great ity agreement with Google to lines through Hamad Port tor that does not depend on dustrial sector to avoid over try’s attention, and occupies a and pharmaceutical food in- attention is given to the tech- launch a cloud services cen- with its huge potential, and the production only, rather producing some products and priority position in the indus- dustries, new industries such nological industries sector, tre, to provide its services to Qatar Airways, which has ex- there are other factors such as scarcity in others, stressing trial strategy. as smart technology and 3D which enhances the successes all customers at home and panded it significantly. intellectual property rights for the importance of feasibility “We are working hard to printing; and the challenging and achieving the goals set in around the world. Speaking about the com- certain medication”, he added. studies for industrial projects facilitate procedures, techni- environments sector which in- the industrial strategy. Regarding the growth of petitiveness of the Qatari He also indicated, that the before embarking on them cal requirements and execu- cludes greenhouses and water “We hope to reach our industrial exports, Maliki said products, Maliki said they strategy of the manufacturing to identify the product sig- tive regulations to support this desalination technology. goals by 2030, especially with the manufacturing exports have become a competitor to industries offers more than nificance, competition and the sector directly,” he said. He further said, “The man- attention given by the govern- grew significantly to 11 percent the foreign products, and are one initiative, including taking status of the local and external He added that the MoCI ufacturing industries strategy ment to this sector,” he said. of Qatar’s total exports. able to compete globally. over international companies market. Barwa Real Estate postpones rents Economic heavyweight Boeing hammered by dual crises at its commercial units for 3 months AFP tion expert at Teal Group. ter told AFP. New York But “these beliefs are being “There is no cash issue,” TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK tested” with the 737 MAX cri- said one source. Doha BOEING lost $52 billion on sis, he said. Contacted by AFP, the the stock market in a week, a “Boeing is in distress and a company declined to com- AS per the safety precautions rout that underscores the chal- lot of that is self-inflicted.” ment. being implemented around Qa- lenges facing the aircraft man- - Short on cash? -Boe- Boeing estimates that the tar due to the outbreak of the ufacturer amid setbacks over ing itself helped sow doubt MAX crisis will cost it at least Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the 737 MAX and the corona- this week: According to AFP $18.7 billion, which caused its its potential impact on some virus pandemic. banking sources, the aircraft debt to explode to $27 billion of the commercial activities, But Boeing remains a manufacturer drew on the full as of December 31, 2019. Barwa Real Estate Group has business behemoth key to the $14 billion credit line it only The manufacturer has nei- posted payments for rents of its American economy. just secured from banks last ther produced nor delivered commercial units, showrooms, The industrial giant has month. any MAX aircraft, which have warehouses, workshops, and lost all the gains amassed That request gave the been grounded for a year after offices, for a period of three since President Donald Trump impression the company is the second of the two deadly months starting from April arrived in the White House strapped for cash, said Ken crashes, which together killed 2020, the company announced in January 2017, which begs Herbert at Canaccord Genuity. 346 people. in a statement on Sunday. the question: Is the maker Boeing, which faces a With the return to the Barwa Real Estate Chair- of the presidential plane, Air mountain of lawsuits from skies uncertain, orders are in man Salah bin Ghanim al Ali Force One, on solid financial families of victims of the Ethi- the red, and sales of the 787, stated, “Barwa has always ground? opian Airlines and Lion Air its main source of income to- been part of its surround- A view of Barwa Commercial Avenue. For years, investors be- crashes involving its troubled day, have slowed. ing conditions, hence, this lieved the 104-year-old com- 737 MAX, wants to make sure Despite these issues “we initiative comes to reflect the stantly strives to be proactive Ali added, “Barwa Real ment of Qatar. The group will pany was a safe bet, because it it has enough reserves to deal do not believe Boeing will face group’s on-going commitment in supporting initiatives aimed Estate values its long-term therefore continue to extend has driven multiple technolog- with any unexpected problems a cash crunch,” Herbert said, towards the national economy at the private sector, being a partnership with tenants, the support needed and ac- ical revolutions and operates in the current uncertain cli- but new difficulties are mount- and investors. significant pillar of the devel- stakeholders, as well as its tivate national initiatives to in a safe and growing market, mate in the financial markets, ing due to the spread of the “Moreover, Barwa con- opment of Qatar.” partnership with the govern- support the private sector”. says Richard Aboulafia, avia- sources familiar with the mat- coronavirus.

www.guide.com.qa

QUOTATIONS REQUIRED FOR QUOTATIONS INVITED FOR THE Required For A Medical Complex CLEANING SERVICES PURCHASE OF WINDOW AC Quotations are invited for the Cleaning Services at Pakistan Quotations are invited for the purchase of - Doctors10 Split with Air all Conditioners. specialties Kindly send your International School on daily basis except Friday. - Nursessealed quotations latest by 20-03-2020 on the Interested Parties/Companies are requested to collect the terms following address and conditions from Sunday to Thursday (07am to 01 pm) from TransferablePrincipal PakistanRP is a must International School Doha, Admin Office Pakistan International School. Kindly send your P.O Box # 1930.For details contact:-Admin sealed quotations latest by 22-03-2020 on the following address Office,Contact: Pakistan International School, Doha WhatsApp: 33811174 Principal Office Pakistan International School PO Box 1930 Doha Qatar. For Qatar.44683343/33 and 44683250 OR Visit Further details please call 44683343-Ext-33 Or Visit www.pisqdoha.com Email:website: [email protected] www.pisqdoha.com 10 Monday, March 16, 2020 Economy & business Gulf shares down raging virus makes zero rates despite multibillion stimulus packages a possibility as us fed meets AFP and barber shops, days after Dubai halting commercial flights, banning the entry of foreign- GULF shares dropped on ers and giving employees a The outbreak has transformed the global economy, forcing the Fed to make an emergency half-point Sunday amid unprecedented two-week public leave. shutdowns to ward off the Saudi Arabia also halted cut to its benchmark lending rate and inject $1.5 trillion into financial markets last week spread of coronavirus, de- all commercial flights while spite tens of billions of dol- UAE closed all entertain- lars in stimulus packages ment facilities, stopped new announced by oil-rich gov- visas to foreigners, banned ernments. flights to several countries The Saudi Tadawul and asked elderly employees market, the region’s largest, to work from home. dropped 1.1 percent despite the kingdom announcing a $13.3 billion stimulus pack- age to help the national economy cope with the ef- fects of the virus and a low oil price. Virus hit The market was also im- pacted by a 20.6 percent dive the saudi tadawul market, in 2019 net profit of energy the region’s largest, giant Saudi Aramco whose dropped 1.1 percent shares ended down 1.0 per- despite the kingdom cent. announcing a $13.3 billion UAE’s bourses in Dubai stimulus package to help and Abu Dhabi ignored a the national economy cope $27.2 billion stimulus pack- with the effects of the virus age announced by the cen- and a low oil price tral bank, mainly directed at banks which were asked to delay debt payments of cus- tomers for up to six months. Bahrain Boursa was Dubai shares dipped 3.4 down 1.5 percent while the percent, sliding below the markets of Qatar and Oman 2,000-point mark for the bucked the trend, rising 1.0 first time since 2013, and percent and 0.4 percent re- the Abu Dhabi stock mar- spectively. ket ended the day down 1.9 Last week, the seven percent. bourses slumped to multi- Boursa Kuwait was year lows as the coronavirus the biggest loser with the hit the oil market hard and Premier Index sliding 6.5 oil producers waged a price percent and the All-Shares war that sent prices crashing. File photo of uS Federal reserve Chairman Jerome powell in Washington. (aFP) Index shedding 5.5 percent The six nations -- Bah- as the country announced rain, Kuwait, Oman, Qa- AFP The outbreak of COVID-19 China late last year, the est rate steady, though Pow- workers. stringent virus containment tar, Saudi Arabia and UAE washiNgtoN, has already hammered Wall COVID-19 virus has killed ell said officials were closely On Friday, Trump an- measures. -- have reported over 800 Street, putting it back into a more than 5,700 people and monitoring the virus. nounced $50 billion in spend- Kuwaiti authorities or- cases of coronavirus, most THE US Federal Reserve will “bear market” for the first time spread globally, with cases But on March 3, the cen- ing to stop the virus and pur- dered the closure of shop- of them returnees from Iran, have one job next week: con- in 11 years and wiping out over topping 150,000, according tral bank implemented the chases of oil to stockpile, while ping malls, beauty salons but no deaths so far. vince the world they are doing $16 trillion in equity world- to an AFP tally. first emergency cut since 2008 Democrats controlling the everything they can to blunt wide and still counting. as the outbreak worsened, House passed a relief package. the coronavirus impact on the The Fed twice boosted bringing the benchmark down Wilcox said health au- economy even if their tools cash injections into financial to 1.0-1.25 percent. thorities fighting the outbreak aren’t the best ones for the job. markets and last Thursday The CME Group puts the along with politicians are on In the eight weeks since announced a massive and un- odds of another cut at the the frontlines of defending the India’s Yes Bank rescue plan Fed Chair Jerome Powell pre- precedented $1.5 trillion in meeting concluding Wednes- economy. sided over the central bank’s additional funding last week Wall Street day as a certainty, with almost A rate cut, the effects of approved, posts big loss last scheduled policy meeting, alone. all respondents saying the which would not be felt for the outbreak has transformed In addition, it broadened hammered central bank will drop the tar- months, cannot do much more AFP proved by the government, the global economy, forcing purchases of US Treasury the outbreak of CoViD-19 has get rate to 0-0.25. than demonstrate “the Fed is New Delhi Yes Bank said in a regulatory the Fed to make an emergency debt, moves likened to the A cut to zero would bring on the job,” he said. filing Saturday. half-point cut to its bench- “quantitative easing” strategy already hammered wall monetary policy back to where While the Fed is ill-suited A central bank-backed pro- “We are an integral part mark lending rate and inject used during the 2008 global street, putting it back into a it was in the global financial to attack the supply problems posal to rescue embattled of the financial system and $1.5 trillion into financial mar- financial crisis. “bear market” for the first crisis, when banks collapsed caused by the virus, Swonk Yes Bank has been approved we must support other banks kets last week. But analysts say those time in 11 years and wiping and the housing market said it can still act to ensure and withdrawal limits will be that have gone into diffi- At their two-day meeting moves are not enough by out over $16 trillion in equity crashed, sending the US into banks keep lending as busi- lifted, officials said, as India’s culty,” Deepak Parekh, the starting on Tuesday, analysts themselves to inoculate the worldwide and still counting recession. nesses struggle. fourth-largest private lender chairman of HDFC, one of say the question is not whether economy. That will require the While some economists “Even though rate cuts posted a big quarterly loss. the lenders investing in Yes the Fed will cut again -- that is help of politicians wielding the worry about the Fed using all alone can’t re-open factories, Yes Bank was struggling Bank, told the Times of India seen as a certainty -- but how power of the purse to aid con- Countries have taken ex- of its firepower so soon, others or make people go to the store, with bad loans and on the on Sunday. low they will go. sumers and businesses, and traordinary steps to halt its argue that the lessons of 2008 they can help ease the finan- brink of collapse when the The State Bank of India “Do they go to zero imme- public health authorities fight- spread, including closing are that waiting will only pro- cial strain at a time when fi- Reserve Bank of India seized (SBI) had announced Thurs- diately or wait till April? That’s ing the virus. borders and shuttering busi- long the pain. nancial strains could literally control of the lender on day it would invest 72.50 bil- a hard call,” Diane Swonk, “If this were a movie, the nesses. US President Don- But this decline is differ- push people through the ice,” March 5 and imposed with- lion rupees ($977 million) in chief economist at Grant Fed would be playing the role ald Trump imposed a ban on ent, the result of a full-stop she said. drawal limits for customers. the troubled lender. Thornton, told AFP. of a supporting actor,” said travelers from Europe. in factory production and Economist Joel Naroff Eight banks -- led by the The announcement came She cautioned that “cut- David Wilcox, a former Fed At its last scheduled meet- consumer spending as the vi- warned that the US may al- country’s largest lender the as Yes Bank late Saturday ting rates alone literally can- advisor now with the Peter- ing in January, the Fed issued rus transforms daily life, and ready be back in a recession, State Bank of India (SBI) reported a net loss of 185.6 not cure what ails us,” but “it son Institute for International a statement mostly focused experts say only a massive though he predicted it would -- committed to investing in billion rupees in the three can help on the other side, it Economics in Washington. on domestic economic issues spending program can cush- be a shallower one than during the plan, which has been ap- months to December 31. can help blunt the blow.” Since breaking out in and held its benchmark inter- ion the blow to businesses and the global financial crisis.

hUGE chaLLEnGE For nEWS orGanISaTIonS Coronavirus to deliver fresh hit to staggering media sector

AFP torial and digital strategy at Lenfest which is critical in containing the washiNgtoN Institute, which owns the Philadel- spread,” the report said. “So far, so- phia Inquirer, said news organisa- cial media has been much less reli- THE ailing US news industry is tions will face huge challenges in able.” bracing for more turmoil with the covering the crisis as well as an op- The research noted that many coronavirus pandemic expected to Drop in ads portunity. US communities had become “news deliver an economic shock to the “People tend to trust local me- deserts” without a local news or- sector -- just when people need News organizations are expected dia more than national media, so ganization. credible information the most. to take a hit from drops in you want to have strong local news Kahn said the crisis could exac- The impact is expected to be es- advertising in an economic organizations,” he said. erbate the divide between the news pecially difficult for the newspaper downturn, and could see declines But he added that news organi- industry’s winners and losers, with sector, which has endured a decade in subscription revenue as zations are being pressed to expand the stronger ones emerging. where 2,000 publications have dis- readers pare expenses coverage as the health crisis wors- “The best in class probably appeared and newsroom jobs have ens, creating additional problems. come out ahead and the herd gets fallen by half. “They have to deal with the winnowed,” he said. News organisations are ex- the University of Southern Califor- logistics of keeping the business Many local and regional news- pected to take a hit from drops in nia who follows industry economic afloat and making sure their staff is papers have been in flux with the advertising in an economic down- trends. safe,” he said. merger of the Gannett and Gate- turn, and could see declines in sub- “For smaller local players that’s Health workers test a woman for coronavirus at a drive-thru facility outside the Some research has pointed to house chains, and the bankruptcy scription revenue as readers pare a direct hit they can’t easily recover Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington on Saturday. (aFP) the importance of local media in of another major player, McClatchy. expenses. from.” dealing with an epidemic, among Joshua Benton, who heads the Conferences and events that The free Seattle weekly The At the same time, the epidemic Radcliffe said several news or- other public interest matters. Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard some organisations have used to Stranger this week warned of an offers “an opportunity to turn the ganizations have dropped paywalls A 2018 study by University of University, said it remains unclear supplement their incomes is also impending crisis and asked readers tide of the past few years” and re- as an effort to show “journalism as North Carolina researchers noted if the corporate owners will be more likely to disappear as long as the for donations, noting that “90 per- build trust with readers, University an act of public good.” that trackers at the Centers for Dis- interested in their bottom line than health emergency persists. cent of our revenue -- advertising, of Oregon journalism professor Da- Kahn agreed that for many ease Control rely on local news re- their journalistic mission. “If you’re ad supported and now ticketing fees, and our own events mian Radcliffe said. newsrooms, “this is the moment ports to monitor the spread of many “All of these companies are now heading into a period of short-term -- is directly tied to people getting “At a time of a national and they can develop a connection with diseases. either owned, run, deeply in debt to, economic contraction that’s very together in groups. The coronavirus international public health crisis, their audience and establish their “The CDC relies on the news or being puppet-mastered by one or bad for your business,” said Gabriel situation has virtually eliminated communities need reliable, in- value.” stories in local papers to provide more hedge funds or private equity Kahn, a journalism professor at this income all at once.” formed journalism more than ever.” Joseph Lichterman, head of edi- them with an early warning system, firms,” Benton said in a blog post. I want to take Syria to FIFA World Cup finals, says coach Maaloul PaGE 12 Monday, March 16, 2020 IOC to hold coronavirus crisis talks with sports bodies

AFP/DPA Olympic torch handover lausaNNe ceremony behind closed doors WITH less than five months to go before the Tokyo Olym- The Olympic flame will be pics, International Olympic handed to Tokyo as hosts of Committee President Thomas the 2020 Games on March 19 Bach plans emergency talks with the stands of the ancient with member organisations, Olympic stadium in Athens sources close to the IOC said empty, organisers have said. on Sunday. The Greek Olympic Com- The IOC plans a confer- mittee said on Sunday that the ence call on Tuesday to “keep step would be taken in order the international federations to prevent the spread of the informed of the situation, as coronavirus. Greece and sev- well as the National Olympic The olympic flame will be handed to Tokyo as hosts of the 2020 eral other countries in Europe Committees and athletes,” one Games on March 19 with the stands of the ancient olympic stadium have restricted public gather- source close to the IOC told AFP. in Athens empty, organisers have said. The Greek olympic Committee ings during the crisis. The IOC “will take stock of said on Sunday that the step would be taken in order to prevent the On Friday the traditional the actions taken” to respond spread of the coronavirus. torch relay carrying the flame to the coronavirus crisis “and from ancient Olympia to Ath- the federations will have the Thursday that his organisation The issue of qualifying will ens was abandoned because opportunity to ask questions” would follow the recommen- be a focus of Tuesday’s tel- spectators ignored orders to added a source close to one in- dations of the World Health ephone meeting. stay away from the event. ternational sports federation Organisation regarding a pos- At the beginning of Sport has been decimated The IOC “conducts a regular on Sunday, the olympic countdown clock in Ginza in Tokyo showed 131 days before the Games are sible postponement. March, Bach said the IOC across the globe due to the vi- dialogue with all the Olympic scheduled to start. He acknowledged, how- would show “flexibility” re- rus but Tokyo organizers and partners and regularly informs ever, that the cancellation of garding the qualifications for the International Olympic them of the situation,” added sporting events have been Abe promised on Friday that and August, despite questions qualifying events due to the the Tokyo and encouraged Committee insist the Games an IOC spokesman. postponed or cancelled, Japa- Tokyo would host the Olym- raised by the pandemic. epidemic was already posing “all athletes to continue to are on course to start as While many international nese Prime Minister Shinzo pic Games as planned in July Thomas Bach said on “serious problems”. prepare” for the Games. planned in July.

Qatar Olympic Committee activates b’day boy Pogba makes “Remote Working” procedures QNA enable employees to com- Doha plete the basic daily duties without having to come to the Qatar olympic Committee work through modern commu- big fund-raising pledge (QoC) has announced that it nication techniques applied in has activated “remote work- the olympic Committee. ing” procedures taking effect QoC pointed out that plans AFP tomorrow (Monday, March and mechanisms had been loNDoN 16th) until further notice. put in place that would make this step is in line with the the “remote working” system MANCHESTER United star protective measures taken successful, and it had been Paul Pogba has promised to by the state of Qatar to limit tested to ensure that it was financially support the fight the spread of Coronavirus working properly and at an to stop the spread of the (CoViD-19). effective level of performance coronavirus. QoC noted that “remote that would ensure the work in Pogba has organised a working” system comes to the best possible way. fundraising page on Facebook and the France midfielder will double the amount raised if the target of £27,000 is reached. World Cup winner Pogba, Valencia confirm five positive who had his 27th birthday on Sunday, wrote: “It’s my birth- tests, among them Garay day and I’m always grateful that me, my family and friends are AFP authorities, at the moment in healthy. Nonetheless, not every- MaDriD isolation.” body is in good health right now. Valencia confirmed more “The Coronavirus pan- VALENCIA confirmed on Sun- cases shortly after Garay’s an- demic is affecting the health day five of the club’s players and nouncement. and lives of many, includ- staff have tested positive for cor- “Valencia CF confirm five ing children. The impact of onavirus, including Argentinian positive cases of the COVID-19 a large-scale outbreak, espe- defender Ezequiel Garay. coronavirus have been detect- cially on poor and vulnerable Valencia said all those af- ed amongst first team staff and children, can be immense. fected were “now at home, in players. “UNICEF is helping pre- good health and obeying self- Valencia played behind vent the spread of Coronavirus isolation measures.” closed doors on Tuesday by supplying vital medical sup- Garay, who was set to miss in the Champions League plies, consulting with communi- the rest of the season with a against Atalanta, the Serie A ties and implementing preven- knee injury, became the first team based in Lombardy, one tion campaigns. It is a priority to player in La Liga to confirm a of Italy’s worst-hit regions by stop the spread of this new virus, World Cup winner pogba, who had his 27th birthday on Sunday, has organised a fundraising page on Facebook and the France midfielder will positive test earlier on Sunday. the virus. and the misinformation that’s double the amount raised if the target of £27,000 is reached. “Clearly I’ve got off on the After playing the first leg spreading alongside it. wrong foot in 2020,” Garay away at Atalanta on Febru- “At times like this we need this war and I will double the vide 333,332 pairs of disposable and 9,615 sets of vented goggles. for all the support. Stay safe.” wrote on social media. ary 19 without restrictions to to come together. With your amount if we reach the goal. gloves for health workers, 2,777 “Any amount will be wel- Pogba’s appeal had raised “I’ve tested positive for the supporters, Valencia was one help, I am hoping today to “If we manage to reach our surgical masks to help prevent come to help fight this war over £2,000 within hours of coronavirus, I’m fine and now of the first Spanish clubs to raise £27,000 to help fight target, it will be enough to pro- the disease spreading further against COVID19. Thank you being launched. just listening to the health take precautions. Players treated like ‘guinea pigs’ over coronavirus: Rooney

AFP for second tier Derby, felt they of my family get infected thing to do with money being loNDoN should have acted quicker and through me because I’ve had involved in this?’” the former England captain to play when it’s not safe, and Once the virus is under con- FORMER Manchester United said he would “never forgive” they get seriously ill, I’d have trol, Rooney wants a radical star Wayne Rooney claims the the authorities if his family fell to think hard about ever play- schedule shake-up which could British government and foot- ill as a result. ing again. I would never for- see the current season being ball authorities have treated “Why did we wait until give the authorities.” concluded as late as September, players like “guinea pigs” dur- Friday? Why did it take Mikel Many matches at non- and the next two kicking off in ing the coronavirus crisis. Arteta to get ill for the game league level were going ahead winter-time as a result. While the rest of European in England to do the right as scheduled in Britain this I know how I feel. If “We’re happy to play until football was shutting down thing?” Rooney wrote in the weekend and Rooney believes any of my family get September if the season ex- due to the growing threat of Sunday Times. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tends to then, if that’s how it has the global pandemic, Rooney “For players, staff and their “dodged” the issue by letting infected through me to be. That’s our job. As long as is angry it took several days for families it has been a worrying football make its own decision because I’ve had to play we know we’re safe to play and the Premier League and Foot- week - one in which you felt about playing on. when it’s not safe, and it’s a safe environment for spec- ball League to postpone their a lack of leadership from the The 34-year-old claimed tators, we’ll play,” Rooney said. matches until April 3. government and from the FA money was key to the author- they get seriously ill, I’d “The next World Cup is It was only when Arsenal and Premier League. ities’ reluctance to cancel have to think hard in November and December manager Mikel Arteta and “After the emergency games. “The rest of sport – ten- about ever playing 2022, so you could actually Chelsea winger Callum Hud- meeting, at last the right deci- nis, Formula One, rugby, golf, use this situation as an oppor- son-Odoi tested positive for the sion was made - until then it football in other countries - was again. I would never tunity and say we’re going to virus on Friday that football’s almost felt like footballers in closing down and we were being forgive the authorities. finish the 2019-20 season lat- UK governing bodies called a England were being treated told to carry on,” Rooney said. er this year, then prepare for temporary halt to the season. like guinea pigs. “I think a lot of footballers – Wayne Rooney 2022 by having the next two Rooney, currently playing “I know how I feel. If any were wondering, ‘Is it some- seasons starting in winter.” 12 Monday, March 16, 2020 Sports Virus is the only enemy, says French football president

AFP Paris

FRENCH Football Federation (FFF) president Noel le Graet on Sunday said a call by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas to annul the season was “ri- This handout photograph taken and released by the uEFA on March diculous, stupid, clumsy and 11, 2020, shows a banner reading “our only virus is paris SG” inside inappropriate.” an empty stadium prior to the uEFA Champions League round-of-16 He also told Aulas and oth- second leg match between paris Saint-Germain (pSG) and Borussia er club officials to stop bick- Dortmund at the parc des princes stadium in paris. The match was ering during the coronavirus held behind closed doors. (aFP) epidemic which has forced the cancellation of all the competi- tions French clubs are in. PSG put all sporting On Friday, Aulas told Le Monde newspaper: “The most logical thing would be to say: we’ll cancel everything and activity on hold go back to the situation at the AFP sections including football start of the season.” Paris and handball until Sunday On Saturday, he tweeted and will announce a further that “Karren Brady, vice- PARIS Saint-Germain have update on Wednesday. chairman of West Ham, fore- suspended all sporting activi- Elsewhere in France, sees that the Premier League ties until further notice due to which has recorded more than will be cancelled.” the coronavirus pandemic, the 4,500 cases and 91 deaths Le Graet joined the chorus Ligue 1 leaders said on Sunday. from the illness, fellow Ligue of opposition on Sunday on French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet (left) is not happy with Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas (right). The French top-flight has 1 side Nice also stopped their French television. already been put on hold as activities and closed their “I don’t want any contro- another title. They are 12 points After finishing third last ons League”. “I find it quite ridiculous, has the Champions League training centre. versy. It’s the French Football ahead of 2nd-placed Marseille. season, Lyon are struggling in Le Graet said the FFF exec- stupid, clumsy and inappro- since last week due to the Earlier on Sunday, Lyon Federation that will decide if it There would be no relega- seventh place, 10 points off a utive committee would decide. priate to what’s happening,” deadly spread of COVID-19. defended president Jean- continues or not, the only ene- tion, said Aulas, who represents Champions League place. “There’s an executive com- he added, asking the two club “Sporting activities for all Michel Aulas after he had sug- my today is the virus,” he said. Ligue 1 clubs on the French Marseille president mittee at the French Football presidents “to calm down and our professional clubs will re- gested wiping out the French In his Le Monde interview, league (LFP) committee, to Jacques-Henri Eyraud respond- Federation and it’s this ex- be dignified in their statements, main provisionally suspended season. Aulas, a member of the FFF prevent “those at the bottom of ed in a column for the Journal ecutive committee that will which make no sense and don’t for a period starting tomor- On Friday, Aulas told executive committee, called the table” taking legal action. du Dimanche condemning “the decide,” Le Graet said. “So all make them any bigger.” row March 16 until an unde- newspaper Le Monde: “The for a “blank season”, with no Aulas also said the Cham- obscenity (of an) opportunistic the interviews that are done The FFF, he said, was “in termined date,” the Ligue 1 most logical thing would be title at the end. pions League places should be proposal” and “the selfishness of on the left or on the right, the real fight. The other fight champions said. to say: we’ll cancel everything Lyon’s great rivals Paris “allocated to the same clubs as someone whose only compass is where people want to shine – who’s playing in a European PSG had announced the and go back to the situation at Saint-Germain are on course for last season”. his participation in the Champi- or not shine, don’t matter.” Cup – is stupid.” freezing of all their sporting the start of the season.” bundesliga leaders contemplate tough choices with season on line

DPA scenarios, including the pos- berliN sibility of the season having to be cancelled. But Carro Newly-appointed Syria national team head coach Nabil Maaloul. BUNDESLIGA leaders on told dpa: “A cancellation of Sunday were contemplating all competitions is for many tough choices ahead of Mon- reasons not an option.” Such a day’s meeting in Frankfurt scenario could lead to an esti- I want to take Syria to which is expected to confirm a mated loss of around 750 mil- suspension of play until early lion euros (833.4 million dol- next month. lars) for the top two divisions. FIFA World Cup finals, Bayern Munich honorary The loss of television in- president Uli Hoeness said come for the unplayed nine “there is no handbook” on what games would be around 370 says coach Maaloul to do next to deal with the coro- million euros from an original navirus emergency and called pot of 1.4 billion euros. AFC all have good capabilities,” he on football to be patient. Self-interest is also certain DaMasCus said. “We will try our best to “We finally have to face real- to play a part with bottom club introduce young players from ity. We have to wait four weeks, Paderborn already setting out NEWLY-APPOINTED na- the U23 team who are the fu- drive everything down to zero. their red line regarding rel- tional team head coach Nabil ture of Syria national team. Maybe we’ll have to stop play- egation. Maaloul said he is determined “My mission will not be ing football in October,” he said “It’s only unthinkable for to steer Syria to the FIFA easy but I will give all I can to on Sport1 television. us that we end the season now World Cup finals for the first replicate the good results that Hoeness’ comments came and the two last clubs are rel- time ever. I had with the Tunisia national on a weekend which has seen egated,” their three chief ex- The former Tunisia nation- team,” he said. “I want to lead the Bundesliga, like other ecutives Martin Hornberger, al team head coach, who has Syria to the FIFA World Cup major leagues in Europe, sus- Martin Przondziono and Ralf signed two-year contract, said Finals for the first time ever.” pended because of the corona- Huschen told the team home- it will be a big challenge but The Qasioun Eagles are virus pandemic. page in a joint interview. one that he is relishing as Syria currently top of Group A of the Monday’s meeting of the German broadcaster ZDF look to better their 2018 FIFA Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA 36 clubs in the top two divi- said Sunday that European World Cup qualifying cam- World Cup Qatar 2022 and sions (DFL) at a Frankfurt air- Moenchengladbach’s Swiss forward Breel Embolo (centre) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his governing body UEFA would paign where they advanced to AFC Asian Cup China 2023 af- port hotel will be both crucial teammates during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Moenchenglad- propose delaying the Euros the play-off against Australia. ter claiming five victories from and futile. Matters must be bach and 1 FC Cologne in Moenchengladbach, western Germany on March 11, 2020. (aFP) at a video conference of all 55 “My first task is to bring joy as many games. discussed urgently but deci- members on Tuesday, some- to the Syrian people by steer- Syria have three matches sions, beyond in the shortest- Berlin’s home matches against door games will be possible go against the whole purpose of thing which seems increas- ing the national team to the remaining and should the term, cannot be made. Mainz on April 4 and Schalke should the Bundesliga return the Bundesliga. ingly impossible to avoid. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” 57-year-old Maâloul steer Although the DFL board on April 18, and Hertha Ber- from the enforced break. “At the same time, there That would give leagues said Maâloul, who coached them to two wins, the West has recommended a Bundes- lin’s game against Augsburg “If we play again this sea- can be an emergency solution some room to extend their Tunisia in Russia 2018. Asian side will not only ad- liga suspension until April 2, on April 11. son, it will be closed door for a proper end to the season, seasons with the Euros being “I know very well what to vance to the third round of the Berlin’s Bundesliga clubs are “I think this meeting is im- games,” Watzke told broadcast- which is essential economical- played either later this year or in expect and I will give it my all, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 facing a longer delay after a portant. But almost nothing er ARD. “No one in the Bundes- ly for many clubs.” Fan groups summer 2021 if world govern- especially as I know the capa- qualifiers but also confirm ban by city authorities. can be decided,” Hoeness said. liga is still assuming that we have already called closed door ing body FIFA agreed to delay bilities of the Syrian players.” their berth in the AFC Asian Berlin is now banning While Hoeness is not rul- will still have games with fans.” games unacceptable but while the revamped Club World Cup. Maâloul said he plans to Cup China 2023. all public and private events ing anything out, options are Bayer Leverkusen chief execu- they would cost clubs millions Decisions will also be tak- make full use of the players They play Maldives away with more than 50 people un- already being narrowed else- tive Fernando Carro agreed it of euros, they at least would en on how to proceed with the available to him. when the Asian Qualifiers til at least April 19 in an at- where. could be the only way to com- enable the valuable television Champions League and Eu- “I know several players resume before facing Guam tempt to stem the spread of Borussia Dortmund chief plete the season. “Nobody contracts to be protected. ropa League, after upcoming who play in Egypt, Turkey, Ku- and China PR to close off the coronavirus. executive Hans-Joachim wants closed door games,” his The league members are matches in both competitions wait and Netherlands and they their campaign. That would affect Union Watzke believes only closed club quoted him saying. “They expected to discuss various this week were postponed. Taiwan’s Tai, Denmark’s Axelsen win All England Badminton singles titles England titles came in 2017 and best to make amends. And 26-year- but I wasn’t able to control the rallies Axelsen becomes first 2018 and she clinched a third in im- old Axelsen said it was a day he as well as Viktor was able to,” he said. Dane to win men’s title pressive style. would never forget. “I didn’t play to my 100 per cent, “I’m very excited to have won the “This means a lot to me. It is a and I didn’t expect that, but that’s AFP Yonex All England,” Tai said. big dream come true and it’s up there the way it is.” loNDoN “I’ve very familiar with play- with all my biggest achievements in Japanese duo Yuki Fukushima ing against Chen as I’ve played my career so far,” he said after his and Sayaka Hirota stormed to the TAIWAN’S Tai Tzu-ying beat Chinese against her so many times. I put maiden tournament win in a Super women’s doubles title, beating world number one Chen Yufei 21-19, her under pressure today, and I’m 1000 event. China’s Du Yue and Li Yinhui 21- 21-15 to win the All England badmin- very happy that I was able to con- “Obviously right now I’m both 13, 21-15. ton Championship women’s title for trol the rallies well. I really like to Taiwan’s Tai Tzu ying (left) and Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in action during the women’s happy and really emotional. It’s just Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan and the third time on Sunday. play this tournament.” and men’s singles finals respectively at the All England Badminton Championships in crazy. It’s a day I’ll remember for the Melati Daeva Oktavianti defeated Tai, seeded second, was on a re- In the men’s event, Denmark’s Birmingham on Sunday. (aFP) rest of my life.” Thai third seeds Dechapol Puavara- venge mission in Birmingham after Viktor Axelsen won his first All Pre-tournament favourite Chou nukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai losing last year’s final against Chen. England Championship title, Tien-chen 21-13, 21-14. in the final last year, but the world admitted he was below his best. “I 21-15, 17-21, 21-8 in the mixed dou- The 25-year-old’s previous All beating Taiwanese top seed Chou Axelsen lost to Kento Momota number seven was at his powerful tried to put in a better performance bles final. Sports Monday, March 16, 2020 13 Qatar 2022 contractor in focus: QPEc Australian rugby SC.QA Doha league to press on PRIORITISING the induction process and working hard to implement a family atmos- with new season phere have helped Qatar Power Engineering & Contracting AFP “We are going to review (QPEC) earn praise from both sYDNeY all options including isolat- the Supreme Committee for ing players or suspending the Delivery & Legacy (SC) and Im- AUSTRALIA’S new rugby season. We’ve commissioned pactt – the company responsi- league season will continue a pandemic expert and we are ble for inspecting FIFA World for the time being but with going to act on their advice.” Cup Qatar 2022 project sites. games behind closed doors, The Australia-based Since 2016, QPEC has been officials said on Sunday, de- NRL features one team from appointed as a sub-contractor spite the growing coronavirus New Zealand, the Auckland to manage electrical installa- pandemic. Warriors. tions at four Qatar 2022 stadi- There would be massive They have opted to re- ums - Al Bayt, Al Janoub, Edu- financial implications if one main in Australia despite the cation City and Al Rayyan. A of the country’s most popular New Zealand government an- team of 250 QPEC workers are sports was forced to shut down nouncing all arrivals in the engaged at the project sites. a season that only began this country from midnight Sun- The health, safety and weekend. day, will have to self-isolate wellbeing of workers are top Australian Rugby League for 14 days. priorities for QPEC – and it QPEC provides an annual Commission chairman Peter Rugby league’s decision considers the induction pro- flight ticket allowance and V’landys called it “one of the to press on follows rival code, cess as critical to achieving gives employees a 30 percent toughest challenges for us to Super Rugby, on Saturday an- its objectives. QPEC provides pay rise after they complete stay viable in the history of the nouncing the suspension of all new hires with a compre- a year of service. The compa- game”. their season. hensive overview of the com- ny has also adopted the SC’s “It could have catastrophic The sprawling southern pany, each individual’s scope Universal Reimbursement effects on us moving forward. hemisphere rugby union com- of work, safety standards and Scheme and is now reimburs- Our money will only last so petition has much greater relevant legislation. To sup- ing all of its workers QR3,500 long, and once it’s extin- travel complications with port new hires, QPEC has cre- in monthly instalments to guished we are in big trouble,” teams, including five from ated audio files containing all cover any illegal recruitment he said Sunday. New Zealand, spread across the essential information in fees they may have paid prior “An Australia without South Africa, Australia, Ar- Hindi – the main employee to moving to Qatar. rugby league is not Australia,” gentina and Japan. language – and plays them on “We learnt a lot about ethi- added V’landys. New Zealand abandoned the buses shuttling workers cal recruitment upon getting “Rugby league has been a their one-day international between accommodation and involved with Qatar 2022 pro- fabric of our society for hun- cricket series in Australia on construction sites. jects. We realised we had gaps dreds of years. It’s people’s Saturday so they could make it This novel approach was to fill. We are committed to escape, their relaxation and home before the deadline. recently praised by Impactt, working only with registered we need to do everything to Australian Rules Football, the SC’s external monitor, recruitment agencies now, to continue that great tradition.” the country’s most popular during one of its quarterly in- ensure workers are not pay- Fans were allowed into spectator sport, plans to play spections in Qatar. ing any kind of fees. It’s the games this weekend and season-opening games next Ritchie Morcilla, HR Man- employers’ responsibility to round two will go ahead in a week in empty stadiums, while ager at QPEC, who also serves shoulder these payments,” week’s time, but without spec- Football Federation Australia as a Workers’ Welfare Officer, for all SC sites and this train- is homesickness. and get on in life.” says Morcilla. tators, after the government has said it will review the situ- is responsible for ensuring ing has helped us to reinforce “Workers often come to To combat this, QPEC has The HR Manager con- moved to halt events with ation on Monday after top- staff receive in-depth health our commitment towards me saying they miss their created a community with a cludes by saying that despite more than 500 people from flight A-League games went and safety training. safety,” says the Filipino, who families, especially their family atmosphere among its the challenges along the way, Monday to counter the spread ahead this weekend. “We have regular safety joined QPEC six years ago. kids,” adds Morcilla. “I know workforce, with events like a QPEC is hugely proud of the of the virus. This weekend’s season- training with certified institu- Off the construction site, how they feel because I have fun run – where workers are progress they’ve made on “All decisions we make will opening Australian Grand tions to help workers identify QPEC understands the impor- my family back home in the given T-shirts and running workers’ welfare since joining have the safety and health of Prix in Melbourne was called and eliminate potential risks, tance of a stable workforce. Philippines. I miss them too, shoes – a cricket tournament, the SC programme, and to be our players as paramount,” off Friday after a McLaren especially when working at Morcilla said one of the main but it’s a sacrifice we have to blood donation drive and an playing a part in building Qa- said V’landys, with the situa- Formula One team member height. This is a pre-requisite challenges faced by employees make to earn a better salary annual staff dinner. tar’s World Cup stadiums. tion to be reviewed next week. tested positive for the virus.

Gobert pledges more than French Seb ogier clinches $500,000 to arena workers, shortened rally of Mexico health services AFP los aNgeles AFP results Paris UTAH Jazz star Rudy Gobert, Final results from the Rally of Mexico, who apologised for his care- FRENCH driver Sebastien which was shortened by a day when less actions before he was diag- Ogier said the Rally of Mex- sunday’s action was cancelled due to nosed with novel coronavirus, ico should never have taken coronavirus: has pledged to donate more place after powering to a first Results: than half a million dollars to win for his new team Toyota 1. Sebastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia health services and arena work- in Mexico. (FRA/Toyota) 2hrs 47mins 47.6sec, 2. ers affected by the pandemic. The race was cut short by Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveoja (EST/Hyundai) More than half the money a day due to the coronavirus, at 27.8, 3. Teemu Suninen/Jarmo will go towards COVID-19 but the rally winner himself Lehtinen (FIN/M-Sport Ford) 37.9, 4. related social service pro- said it should never have been Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (GBR/Toyota) grammes in Utah, Oklahoma raced at all given the circum- 1:13.4, 5. Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne City and the French health care stances. Halttunen (FIN/Toyota) 2:20.5 system, the NBA’s Jazz said in “Of course a win is a win,” selected: a statement on Saturday. said Ogier, who led the cham- 16. Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul “These donations are a pionship standings after this (BEL/Hyundai) at 42min 38.1sec small token that reflect my ap- third rally on the circuit. special stage winners: Neuville 8 SS1, preciation and support for all “But respect for human SS2, SS6, SS14, SS16, SS19, SS20, those impacted and are the life should be placed above SS21), aänak 6 (SS3, SS7, SS9, SS15, first of many steps I will take all other things, and if we put SS17, SS18), Ogier 4 (SS4, SS10, to try and make a positive dif- our fans in danger, then a vic- SS11, SS13), Sordo 1 (SS5), Rovanpera ference, while continuing to tory is worthless,” said the 1 (SS12) learn more about COVID-19 36-year-old who is a six-time and educate others,” Gobert world champion. Championship standings: said in prepared remarks re- The racing on Sunday 1. Sebastien Ogier (FRA/Toyota) 62pts, leased by the Jazz. should have comprised three 2. Elfyn Evans (GBR/Toyota) 54, 3. Gobert will donate specials, but the rally was Thierry Neuville (BEL/Hyundai) 42, 4. $200,000 in aid to part-time terminated after the sec- Kalle Rovanpera (FIN/Toyota) 40, 5. Ott employees at the Jazz’s arena ond full day, with Ogier 27 Tanak (EST/Hyundai) 38, 6. Teemu who are unable to work as the seconds ahead of defending Suninen (FIN/M-Sport Ford) 26, 7. NBA is shut down in a bid to world champion Ott Tanak of Esapekka Lappi (FIN/M-Sport Ford) 24, combat the spread of the virus. Hyundai. French rally driver Sebastien ogier and French co-driver Julien Ingrassia of the Toyota yaris WrT drive during the fourth stage of the FIA World 8. Takamoto Katsuta (JPN/Toyota) 8, 9. Another $200,000 will Tanak led the early action rally Championship in Leon, Guanajuato State, Mexico, on Saturday. (aFP) Sebastien Loeb (FRA/Hyundai) 8. assist families affected by the Friday before suffering a bad- outbreak in Utah and Okla- ly damaged suspension when his car’s performance here in Thierry Neuville suffered an homa City. He also promised hitting a rock that saw him the dust and gravel after steer- electrical problem. 100,000 euros ($111,400) for drop from first to fourth in ing it to victory in the snow “This was a tricky rally health care in his native France. one of Saturday’s early runs. and cold at Sweden. whichever way you look at it,” Gobert, who is from Saint- After a bad crash ruined “The Yaris WRC felt good said Hyundai team principal Quentin, tried to make fun of his chances in Monte Carlo for our first rally on gravel,” Andrea Adamo. the NBA’s policy to keep me- Tanak was furious with him- he said. “We should have been up dia members at a safe distance self Sunday. “Not an easy weekend, but there because the car was per- from players in the wake of the “That accident was my fourth place after opening the forming better,” he said. coronavirus outbreak, touch- fault, I take all the blame, road all of yesterday is not so Even though Mexico has ing all the microphones put we had everything in place bad,” said the 31-year-old. been little affected by corona- before him on a table at a press to win before that,” said the Finnish prodigy 19-year- virus, the organisers and local conference last week. Estonian. old Kalle Rovanpera was again government cut the final day’s It was just days later, on Welsh Toyota driver Elfyn in the mix coming fourth in action on Saturday. Wednesday, that his diagno- Evans had a steady weekend his Hyundai after coming fifth “This will allow teams and sis with COVID-19 prompted coming fourth in his Toyota at Monte Carlo and fourth at the media to return to their the NBA to suspend its season and dropping from the top Sweden. countries with the anticipa- indefinintely. Gobert issued of the world championship Otherwise, it was a week- tion of the imminent closure a public apology after Jazz standings to second some end to forget for Hyundai French driver Sebastien ogier (third left) and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia (third right) of the Toyota yaris of their borders because of teammate Donovan Mitchell eight points behind Ogier. as Spain’s Dani Sordo over- WrT with their Sporting Director Kaj Lindstrm (centre) and other podium finishers after the Rally of COVID-19,” said Mexico Rally confirmed on Thursday that he The Toyota man praised heated his engine and Belgian Mexico prize distribution ceremony in Leon, Guanajuato State, Mexico, on Saturday. (aFP) director Patrick Suberville. tested positive for coronavirus. 14 Monday, March 16, 2020 Sports

al Shamal do Qatar proud, win arab clubs handball championship in Tunisia

Al Shamal Club overcame Al Arabi Club 33-31 in an all-Qatar final of the Arab Clubs Handball Championship in Beni Khiar, Tunisia on Saturday. Al Shamal’s Marwan Maqayez was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the championship also. This was the first time that Al Shamal won the honour. They are the third club from Qatar after Al rayyan Club (2000) and Al Gharafa Club (2019) to have won the crown. In the semi-finals earlier, Al Shamal beat Al Khaleej Club (uAE) 32-28 and Al Arabi defeated Club Africain (Tunisia) 25-22. Qatar’s Al Ahli Club also competed in the championship and secured the fifth spot with a 32-30 victory over EBS Beni Khiar (Tunisia). Maadheed, Khelaifi bag titles Thrilling races mark end of QTCC season at Losail

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK championship seemed to be Doha longer than five rounds. We struggled to maintain consist- GHANIM al Maadeed, be- ency throughout the series. hind the wheel of Lotus Elise, I started the championship capped his strong perfor- with a really fast pace but in mance with winning the 2K the third round I slowed down Class title at the Qatar Touring as I had an issue with my car. Car Championship at the Lo- “So I had to borrow a car sail International Circuit after for the fourth round. Despite the fifth and final round. having problems like every- Maadheed has been on the body else in the champion- QMMF president Abdulrahman al Mannai presents the QTCC 2K Class winner’s trophy to Ghanim al Maadheed QTCC M240 Class champion Abdulla al Khelaifi is flanked by podium nine out of 10 races. ship, I’m kind of satisfied with (left) and the QTCC M240 Class winner’s trophy to Abdulla al Khelaifi in Losail. second-placed Hamad al Sulaiti (left) and Nasser Saadon al Kuwari. He was winner on eight occa- my results. Maybe I could have sions, including five first races. done a little better to challenge The only time when he missed the champion. Hopefully I can the podium was in the second compete for the first place in race of the second round due the next season. I want to con- to an engine problem. gratulate both Ghanim and In the first race, Maadheed Nasser for their performanc- finished ahead Ibrahim al Ab- es,” Abdulghani added. dulghani and Hamad al Asam In the QTCC M240 Class, was third. In the second race, Abdulla al Khelaifi, the three the victory was sealed again times QTCC champion, by Maadeed but this time, Ab- bagged the title. He season dulla Abdulaziz grabbed the competing in the 2K class but second spot and Nasser al Ah- switched to the M240 catego- babi completed the podium. ry after the second round. But With a total of 140 points, he still managed to finish on Maadheed emerged as the top with 100 points. new 2K Class champion. Ab- In the first race of M240, dulghani was runner-up with Nasser Saadon al Kuwari won Qtcc fifth round results 111, while Nasser al Ahbabi and he was followed by Ab- Race 1 (5 laps) 5.Abdulla AL ABBASI Honda Integra 25:05.856 gained the third place with 83 dulla al Khelaifi and Hamad al M240 Class points. Sulaiti. In the second race with Rnk driver Car Time standings 1. Nasser SAADON BMW M240 11:20.956 M240 Class “I’m very happy to have a reverse grid, Saadon al Ku- 2. Abdulla AL KHELAIFI BMW M240 11:24.521 driver Pts won the title. Last season, I wari was the winner. Khelaifi 3. Hamad AL SULAITI BMW M240 11:27.462 1.Abdulla AL KHELAIFI 100 finished overall second and finished in second place again 4. Saadon AL KUWARI BMW M240 11:27.546 2.Hamad AL SULAITI 92 this year, I took the champion- and Nasser Saadon al Kuwari 5. Khalid AL KUWARI BMW M240 11:38.719 3.Nasser SAADON 91 4.Saadon AL KUWARI 71 ship title so I couldn’t ask for took the third place. 2K Class 5.Khalid AL KUWARI 41 more. Overall, it was almost M240 Class winner 1.Ghanim AL MAADHEED Lotus Elise 12:28.024 6.Ahmed AL KUWARI 36 a perfect season as we had an Khelaifi said after his victory, QTCC 2K champion Ghanim al Maadheed (centre) with runner-up Ibrahim al Abdulghani (left) and third- 2.Ibrahim AL ABDULGHANI Honda S200 12:31.521 7.Mansoor AL HAJRI 24 issue with the engine in the “I’m very happy to win in the placed Nasser al Ahrabi after the prize distribution ceremony in Losail. 3.Hamad AL ASAM Honda VC5 12:32.035 8.Roger FEGHALI 22 4. Abdulla AL ABBASI Honda Integra 12:36.743 9.Mohammad AL ABDULRAZZAQ 15 Round 2 but thanks to all my QTCC for the fourth consecu- 5.Mohd AL ASEERI Toyota GT86 12:39.561 10.Adel ADULLA 13 team, we managed to fix it and tive time. Hamad was very a miracle to be on top of the happy with his first full season pared and will be able to fight here we are on the top. strong. Since the gap between overall rankings again. The in this championship and said, for the title.” Race 2 (10 laps) 2K Class The competition has been Hamad and me was just six luck was with me and Hamad “I had a good season, getting Only one point behind M240 Class driver Pts 1. Saadon AL KUWARI BMW M240 22:59.555 1.Ghanim AL MAADHEED 140 very tough and strong due to points and to win the title, I had an accident in the first lap experience in the M240 Class. Sulaiti was Nasser Saadon al 2. Abdulla AL KHELAIFI BMW M240 22:59.845 2.Ibrahim AL ABDULGHANI 111 large number of competitors. had to finish first and Hamad of second race. So with one I’m delighted with my results Kuwari in third place in the 3. Nasser SAADON BMW M240 23:04.432 3.Nasser AL AHBABI 83 This is good for the champion- had to finish outside top four. DNF for both of us this season, and the overall second place. championship with 91 points. 4. Khalid AL KUWARI BMW M240 23:08.296 4.Hamad AL ASAM 76 5. Ahmed AL KUWARI BMW M240 23:28.013 5.Abdulla AL ABBASI 74 ship as it became more chal- It seemed like a long shot but points were much closer and I In the first race I was third but Trophies were presented 6.Mohd AL ASEERI 59 lenging for all the participants it was the last race of the sea- went on to win the champion- due to a car accident I couldn’t by Abdulrahman al Man- 2K Class 7.Abdulla ABDULAZIZ 53 to push for the win,” Maad- son and I had to give it all,” ship just barely,” he added. finish the second race and I nai (QMMF President) and 1.Ghanim AL MAADHEED Lotus Elise 24:39.842 8.Abdulaziz AL JABRI 52 heed added. Khelaifi said. Sulaiti finished second in lost all my chances to win the Khalid al Remaihi (LCSC 2. Abdulla ABDULAZIZ Honda Type R 24:49.083 9.Ibrahim AL MANNAI 28 3.Nasser AL AHBABI Toyota GT86 24:53.637 10.Abdulla AL KHELAIFI 12 Abdulghani was pleased “As I said before coming the championship standings championship. Hopefully next Vice-President and General 4.Ibrahim AL ABDULGHANI Honda S200 24:58.471 John RALPH 12 with his results. “Overall the into this round, I would need with 92 points. He was very season, I can be more pre- Manager). Al Shaqab Racing’s Hilal Al Cham wins Van Dijk fears Liverpool will Prix Djouras Tu for Pure Arabians win title in empty stadium Coming off the only turn in the AFP present. Some have suggested the Four-year-old 1,400m race, the field swung loNDoN That is a depressing pros- season should be scrapped for onto the better ground on the pect for Liverpool defender Van safety reason, which would colt wins the race stands’ side in the straight. VIRGIL Van Dijk fears Liver- Dijk. “If we won it in an empty leave Premier League chiefs by two and a half Hilal Al Cham quickly pool will be forced to celebrate stadium and the fans weren’t to decide if Liverpool should found the outside rail and their first English title for 30 there, I’d be gutted for them,” be given the title even though lengths pulled clear with ease. Augé, years in an empty stadium as he told several British newspa- the campaign did not reach its who never had to reach for a result of coronavirus chaos. pers on Sunday. scheduled 38-game conclusion. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK his stick, let him ease down to All Premier League games “Obviously, if there are no Sport is expected to be sub- Doha finish two and a half lengths have been postponed until at fans at Anfield, then it will be a jected to further restrictions in front of Maleha (Munjiz). least April 3 due to the spread bit of a blow. No one wants to next week, with British Prime TRAINED by Thomas Four- Hilal Al Cham debuted in of the global pandemic. play games without the fans. Minister Boris Johnson report- cy for the partnership of Al July last year as a three-year- Premier League chiefs are “Until a decision is made on edly ready to announce a ban Shaqab Racing and Nada old for a smart second place set to meet on Thursday to dis- how we go on from here, then on major public gatherings. Mousli, Hilal Al Cham (Hilal Al when running against more cuss if it will be possible to con- we just have to deal with it.” The sporting programme Zaman) won the Prix Djouras experienced horses. Then he tinue the season and, if so, in Liverpool could have has once again been decimated Tu impressively at Toulouse, made a notable performance what format. wrapped up the title on Mon- on Sunday, although the Super France, on Saturday. at Toulouse on Saturday to Games could be played be- day with a win at Everton if League match between Castl- Drawn towards the out- mark his first win. He was bred hind closed doors, which would Manchester City were beaten by eford and St Helens, the All side, the four-year-old colt by Hassan Mousli, Faiz al El- mean Liverpool, who are 25 Burnley on Saturday, but both England badminton Champi- broke well under jockey Julien weet, and Nada Mousli. He is points clear of second placed those games were postponed, onship and Olympic boxing Augé to take up the running Jockey Julien Auge rides Hilal Al Cham to the victory in Prix Djouras Tu the first foal of Azadi’s winning Manchester City, winning the along with the rest of the Pre- qualifiers are still going ahead in front of this 10-strong field. for Pure Arabians in Toulouse, France, on Saturday. mare Ya Hala. title without their fans being mier League programme. in Britain. Monday, March 16, 2020 15 For events and press releases email

[email protected] or Santhosh Chandran Indian Experience call (974) 4000 2222 Santhosh Chandran Santhosh Chandran indian Business and professional council Kerala Entrepreneurs hosts talks on e-commerce and happiness Club elects new office-bearers Two leading speakers addressed the event organised at the Integrated Indian Community Center in Doha

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha

HE Indian Busi- ness and Profes- sional Council (IBPC) recently invited two lead- Ting speakers -- Keshav Jayant, Manager at PWC, Qatar and Ruchi Kapoor, Organization Shashidhara Panicker Shareef chirakkla Excellence Expert at the Su- preme Committee for Delivery HE Association of Ker- economy of Qatar. The fo- and Legacy (SC) in Qatar -- to ala Entrepreneurs Club rum will provide guidelines interact with the members and T(KEC) elected its office- about the investment op- guests, and deliver talks on bearers for the next two years portunities and the existing the topics ‘E-Commerce and at an event held in Doha re- laws in the country. Startups’ and ‘Take Charge of cently. The others included Your Happiness.’ Sasidhara Panicker is in the new committee are IBPC President Azim Ab- the new chairman of the Shihab Valiyakath (vice bas welcomed the gathering. forum, while Shereef Chi- president), Ashar Ali In his address, he explained rakkala was elected as the (treasurer), Althaff Saifu- how the IBPC platform as- president and Rajai Melat- deen, Abdul Rasak, Shi- sists in fostering the growth tur was nominated as the yas Kottaram, Hani Kallil, and empowerment of women. general secretary. Majeed Ali, KC Nabeel, He also stressed the impor- The new committee Shahid Kozhikod, Mu- tance of improving the social, urged the young entrepre- hammed Hafiz, Mansoor economic, political and legal neurs to explore the oppor- Puthiyaveettil and Poyil strength of women to ensure tunities with the booming Kunjimuhammed. (SC) equal rights to them and to country operations for Zo- own happiness. She elabo- ent management, leader- and management of a variety make them confident enough mato in strategy implemen- rated how happiness feels ship development, employee of value-added programs. to stand on their own. tation, technology solutions, for a person and why people engagement, organisation IBPC Women’s Wing In his his keynote speech, operations, and e-payments become unhappy. She also culture, stress management, Head Coordinator and IBPC Keshav Jayant, an expert in implementation. He has also presented the five principles employee wellbeing, perfor- Management Committee e-commerce business, who worked on driving specific of happiness, which are Grati- mance enhancement, entre- member Ushas Andrews was has worked in the e-com- programs within the e-com- tude, Authenticity, Relation- preneurship, event manage- the emcee for the event. merce industry in major food merce division of the digital ships, Now & Give (GARNG). ment, project management The vote of thanks was delivery businesses across technology department of the Ruchi is a technology en- and capability building. She proposed by IBPC Vice Presi- India and Qatar, elaborated Ministry of Transport and thusiast, an ICF certified ex- has a rich and diverse expe- dent Sumit Malhotra. on the scope, importance, ad- Communication. ecutive coach, speaker, HR, rience with local and multi- The event ended success- vantages, and limitations of In her speech, Ruchi Ka- management & leadership national organisations, with fully with the IBPC women’s e-commerce. poor explained the impor- development professional expertise in the design, de- wing members and guests Ashar Ali Rajai Melattur Jayant has headed the tance of taking charge of one’s with vast experience in tal- velopment, implementation, networking.

‘Kurup’s contributions to literature and cinema will always be remembered’

SANTHOSH CHANDRAN Doha

ERALA expatriate forum Keraleeyam Qatar observed Kthe fourth death anniver- sary of ONV Kurup, the popular poet and lyricist of Malayalam language. President of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) AP Manikantan inaugurated the event which was organised at the Bengaluru Hall of Indian Cultural Centre in Doha, recently. (A Dirge for the Earth) by Speaking on the occasion, the students of Rajagiri In- Indian forum organises blood donation camp the ICC president said that ONV dian School was one of the Kurup was one of the most cel- key attractions of the event. SANTHOSH CHANDRAN Souhruda Vedi (TJSV) in facilities with the support of nevolent Forum (ICBF). ebrated and favourite poets of Santhosh Kurup, Vimal Kut- Doha Doha, recently. HMC at the camp, an office The others attended the their time and his contributions tamperur, Vijayan Venkitangu TJSV has been organising bearer of the forum said.First event included TJSV vice pres- to literature and cinema will al- and Madhu Abhimanyu recited ORE than 500 people blood donation camps for last Secretary of Indian Embassy ident Muhammed Musthaffa, ways be remembered. the poems of ONV donated blood to the 21 years as part of their hu- Sona Soman inaugurated the VS Narayanan, Rony Paul, P Kerala expatriate writer Kurup VC Ashok delivered Mblood bank of Hamad manitarian service. camp, which was attended by Muhazin, AK Naseer, PK Es- Basheer Kechery was the chief the keynote speech. Medical Corporation (HMC) Considering the increased AP Manikantan, president of mail, CM Suresh, KMS Ha- guest on the occasion. The office bearers of forum at a blood donation camp number of people who regis- Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) meed, Ashraff Manamkan- A stage programme based who attended the event in- organised by Indian expa- tered for the blood donation, and PN Baburajan, president dath, Muhammed Ariff and on ONV Kurup’s poem ‘Bhu- cluded Durga Das and Rajesh triate forum Thrissur Jilla the forum set up advanced of the Indian Community Be- Sajeesh Thilakan. mikku Oru Charama Geetham’ ONV Kurup Manikothu. Kerala forum bids farewell to long-time expatriate

SANTHOSH CHANDRAN Doha

ERALA expatriate association Venkitangu Panchayathu Ex- Kpatriates Association (VEPEX) hosted a farewell for Nalakath Bavu Mohamed, a long-time ex- patriate who is returning to Kerala after spending 44 years in Qatar. The event organised in Doha recently was attended by number of long-time expatriates who ar- rived and found fortune in Doha with the support of Mohamed. Mohamed hails from village Venkitangu in the Thrissur district of the Indian state of Kerala. His A memento being presented to Mohamed at the event. A picture of Venkitangu village migration to Qatar opened wide op- portunities for people in his native This beautiful province in the occasion, Mohamed said, “I have played a vital role in the uplift of in Doha for more than 44 years. The event was attended the village and within three decades, central part of Kerala now has its witnessed the growth of this coun- my village and has led to develop- The management of Salam has founder president of the forum Qatar became a home away from own social and cultural organisa- try with pride. We are grateful for ment in various sectors including also accorded a warm farewell to RS Moideen, Jhonson Elavat- home for many of his villagers. tions in Doha. Mohamed was very the hospitality and respect given education, health, infrastructure Mohamed. hungal, MK Shamsudeen, MM Now, most families in his village active is social activities and was to expatriate people, particularly and social welfare.” Mohamed’s sons Fazal Mo- Abdul Jaleel, Sajeev Kazhun- have some representative or mem- member on many Kerala expatri- to the Indian community. The op- Mohamed worked as a sen- hamd, Faheem Mohamed and gil, Shoukkath Padoor and Mu- ber living and working in Qatar. ate organisations.Speaking on the portunities offered by Qatar has ior supervisor at Salam Stores Fawaz Mohamed live in Doha. hammed Rafi. 16 Monday, March 16, 2020 The Last Word Qatar stresses Qr75 bn stimulus package for private sector importance of citizens and residents to cooperate Continued from page 1  and adhere to all measures and take all necessary precautions to ending racism AS for students in private schools overcome the situation. and universities, they will continue In response to a question about QNA studies remotely according to the Qatari students abroad, Khater geNeVa academic calendar and the evalua- confirmed that there is continuous tion systems approved for them. coordination with them through QATAR has affirmed the importance of elimi- The Amir also ordered QR75 embassies and consulates “where- nating racism and racial discrimination in all billion economic stimulus package by the procedures will be facilitated forms, and the importance of effective imple- for the private sector. for them if they wish to return to mentation of the Durban Declaration and Pro- Under the order, the Qatar Doha”. gram of Action, in order to address the many Central Bank (QCB) is to put in She urged the students to ad- challenges arising from the racist and discrimi- place an appropriate mechanism to here to the health policies of the natory trends in a number of countries. encourage banks to postpone loan countries in which they are present It also stressed the importance of the Inter- instalments and obligations of the and to communicate with Qatari governmental Working Group on the Effective private sector for a grace period of embassies in these countries con- Implementation of the Durban Declaration six months. tinuously. and Programme of Action, calling on the Hu- Similarly, Qatar Development Spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management HE Lolwa al Khater at a press conference on Sunday. For his part, co-chair of the Na- man Rights Council to support its efforts in this Bank (QDB) is to postpone the in- tional Epidemic Preparation Dr Ab- regard. stalments for all borrowers for a consumer. Khater, who is also the Spokes- quences of the virus. dullatif al Khal said most of the 64 The comments came in the speech of the period of six months. The govern- Similarly, the hospitality and person of the Supreme Committee She said studies were also sus- new coronavirus cases announced State of Qatar, delivered by the Third Secre- ment funds are to increase their in- tourism sector, retail sector, small for Crisis Management, said the pended at all stages with the activa- earlier on Sunday were of workers tary at Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the UN vestments in the stock exchange by and medium industries sector and committee, according to the direc- tion of distance education, besides who had been subject to quaran- Office in Geneva Talal al Neamah during the QR10 billion. commercial complexes have been tives of HH the Amir, had started cancellation of gatherings, includ- tine. The ministry is currently con- discussion session on racial discrimination at The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) exempted from paying electricity its meetings continuously and ing social, sports and public events. ducting checks for contacts of these the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council. is to provide additional liquidity to and water fees for a period of six without interruption since the first Entry process was tightened at the cases, he added. He pointed out that Qatar has paid atten- banks operating in the country. months in exchange for providing day of the crisis. air and sea ports, including pre- “All infected persons are in very tion to providing quality education for those As per the order, food and services and exemptions to tenants. She said a number of measures venting the entry of all wooden and good condition and do not show deprived of it due to poverty, conflicts, natural medical goods have been exempted Logistical areas and small and had been taken in this regard, par- tourist ships from the various sea- any symptoms except for some cas- disasters and discrimination, out of realisation from customs duties for a period medium industries have also been ticularly in the health sector, which ports. es who show slight symptoms. All that education is an essential pillar for achiev- of six months, provided this is re- exempted from rents for a period of operates round the clock to protect She reiterated the call for all of them are receiving full medical ing development and the gateway to the enjoy- flected in the selling price to the six months. society members from the conse- sectors and institutions in the State, care,” he added. ment of all other rights. Sheikha hind: Qatar will emerge stronger from covid-19 challenge Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation praises ‘heartwarming’ stories of resilience from across the nation

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK City and cancelling forthcoming and researchers offering their than a precautionary response to Doha events, with school and univer- support to our government a health crisis, by helping to shape sity classes also being suspended agencies. innovative working practices that QATAR’S proven resilience and across the country. “Please know that we are be- continue into the future. ability to overcome challenges Amid the adjustments to ing cautious not out of fear, but “This is our opportunity to will see it emerge “even stronger” daily life that COVID-19 has cre- out of a sense of responsibility to redesign the future workplace,” from the global coronavirus cri- ated, Sheikha Hind said positiv- protect the most vulnerable and she said. “With the right mindset, sis, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind ity, proactivity and a determina- to not burden our health services. we can increase productivity and bint Hamad al Thani, vice-chair- tion to find solutions are already As a nation, we have proven to be reinvent the way we work in the person and CEO of Qatar Foun- characterising Qatar’s response resilient in the past, and I have no long run.” dation, has said. to the virus, with the nation’s doubt that we will come out of this QF continues to advise people The worldwide COVID-19 sense of readiness and together- even stronger.” to follow the guidance outlined outbreak has led to nations taking ness putting it in the best posi- Among the measures taken by by the Ministry of Public Health sweeping precautionary meas- tion to address the challenges the QF is the activation of tried-and- in order to safeguard themselves ures in an attempt to prevent the virus poses. tested remote working processes against COVID-19. Full details virus from spreading. With the “Life is a little overwhelming for many of its staff, ensuring its of the measures taken by QF in safety and wellbeing of its own right now, but we’ve been prepar- core operations continue while response to the virus, including community and the wider pub- ing for a day like this,” she said. reflecting that public health and those regarding the closure of fa- lic being its top priority, Qatar “We can, and we will, step up to Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al Thani wellbeing is of paramount impor- cilities and programmes, can be Foundation’s (QF) steps have in- the challenge. tance to the organisation. found at www.statements.qf.org. cluded closing its public facilities “The stories I’ve been hear- ers thinking of ways to keep our at QF ensuring third-party ven- Sheikha Hind said steps such qa, and further updates will be and programmes at Education ing are heartwarming. Teach- children motivated, our teams dors are not affected, scientists as these can ultimately be more provided as appropriate.

A sense of community and a good Qatar Foundation to host sense of humour can help in coping webinar on coronavirus with Covid-19: QF wellness expert Wish-convened panel of experts to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the best ways of controlling rectly is not a reason for tak- Doha direct contact with others in ing any offence.” address pandemic order to avoid the spread of Regarding the psycho- HUMOUR can help people coronavirus is to use appro- logical impact of self-isolating from the islamic take precautions against cor- priate humour and lightheart- due to COVID-19, Dr Mousavi ethics perspective onavirus disease and adapt to ed and caring comments like said that as humans we like to its impact on daily life – if it is ‘Not hugging is caring’ or ‘Not move freely, rather than be TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK used in the right way. shaking hands to be cool’.” isolated, but health precau- Doha This is the view of Dr She also emphasised that tions take priority. Mahnaz Nowrozi Mousavi, people should not be limiting “Quarantining yourself A panel of experts from Qatar director of Student Wellness activities they enjoy unless does not mean a complete and Qatar Foundation (QF) & Counselling at Georgetown there are specific guidelines isolation, as people can come will discuss the coronavirus University in Qatar (QU-Q) for them to avoid these. “If together using social media pandemic from the perspec- – a QF partner university. Dr Mahnaz Nowrozi Mousavi people are practicing good and through other forms of tive of Islamic ethics. Dr Mousavi says that while hygiene and following the communication,” she said. Broadcasting live from the public should follow of- tween using appropriate guidelines, they still can go “It can actually be very Northwestern University in ficial health guidance amid humour and meanness and out for a picnic or go shop- beneficial, presenting a great Qatar (NU-Q), QF’s global the COVID-19 outbreak, this stereotyping. Good humour ping, and have fun activities,” opportunity for us to read a health initiative the World doesn’t necessarily have to lightens the mood and raises she said. book we always wanted to Innovation Summit for prevent them from having fun. people’s spirits. Obviously, if As for the workplace im- read, or to complete a project. Health (WISH) will hold the “Dealing with COVID-19 jokes are taken out of propor- pact of COVID-19, Dr Mousa- It is also important to cre- webinar titled ‘Coronavirus: should be done with ration- tion, exaggerate or minimise vi said: “If there are ways ate some sort of structure for The Interplay of Medical ality,” she said. “We should the gravity of an issue, and if that people can do their jobs ourselves. And, most impor- and Islamic Ethics’ on Tues- Broadcasting live from nent health issue of the day neither exaggerate nor mini- they are at the expense of cer- remotely by email or phone tantly, it is important to know day, March 17, at 6pm. The NU-Q, QF’s global health with an interesting focus on mise the importance of the tain groups of people, then it and video calls for some time, that it is best practice that is discussion will take place in initiative, the World Islamic ethics. The expert situation and its impact, but is not humour, it is hostility. without being in direct com- needed to protect ourselves English, with simultaneous Innovation Summit for panel will also discuss myths instead keep a balanced view “I have seen some hu- munication with other people and protect others. Arabic translation. circulating around COVID-19 and follow guidelines, be- mourous videos about particularly in small physi- “We must all be responsi- The panel of experts in- Health (WISH), will hold and the most scientifically re- cause otherwise we may expe- avoiding shaking hands, cal spaces, this can be a good ble for protecting ourselves, clude Sheikh Dr Mohammed the webinar titled liable preventative measures. rience negative psychological how to greet other people practice. our families and other mem- al Thani, director of Public ‘Coronavirus: The Interplay Viewers will be able to ask impacts on individuals and while respecting them, and “Working remotely can bers of society.” Health at the Ministry of of Medical and Islamic questions via Twitter by using the community. how to follow proper hy- actually decrease the stigma Dr Mousavi re-empha- Public Health; Dr Laith Abu- Ethics’ on Tuesday, March the hashtag #CoronaEthics. “From a psychological giene guidelines. These are and the risk of someone feel- sised the importance of fol- Raddad, professor of Health- Continuing to have perti- view, humour – if used appro- all good ways to communi- ing insulted if we don’t meet lowing the preventative care Policy and Research, 17, at 6pm. nent conversations through priately – is good and healthy, cate through humour.” them. It can bring about a measures that Qatar has put Weill Cornell Medicine - Qa- virtual platforms highlights especially in difficult times. A Dr Mousavi explained change of mindset, because at in place to protect the com- tar; Dr Mutaz Alkhatib, as- Ghaly, professor of Islam and QF’s commitment to impart- good sense of humour helps that people use humour as a the moment we can explain to munity from the spread of sistant professor of Method- Biomedical Ethics, CILE, ing knowledge and informa- individuals and brings the form of coping, communicat- people that a meeting is not coronavirus, and the need for ology and Ethics, Research HBKU. tion, while also recognising community together, because ing and expressing emotions. necessary because our health everyone to maintain good Centre for Islamic Legislation The event is a unique op- the need to safeguard public we can communicate effec- “We in the Middle East tend and the health of others is the hygiene, such as by regularly and Ethics (CILE), Ham- portunity to learn more and health. tively through humour. to be caring, collective and priority, and this helps them washing hands and using ad Bin Khalifa University engage with experts on what To join the discussion, “There is a fine line be- connective,” she said. “One of to realise that not meeting di- hand sanitisers. (HBKU); and Dr Mohammed has become the most promi- visit www.wish.org.qa