Sunday April 18, 2021 Ramadan 6, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5235 QR 2

Fajr: 3:50 am Dhuhr: 11:33 am p artly cloudy Asr: 3:03 pm Maghrib: 5:59 pm High : 37°C LOW : 24 °C Isha: 7:29 pm

RAMADAN TIMING World 7 Business 8 Sports 12 Today Tomorrow Iftar imsak Raul Castro says he will Doha Bank playing vital role in Hamilton beats step down, marking end of enhancing Qatar’s trade with Red Bull’s Perez for 5:59pm 3:49am an era for Cuba Sri Lanka: Seetharaman Imola pole

Qatar committed to fair production and supply of 35 years & above now eligible vaccines: Sheikha Alya Qatar has affirmed its moral for COVID-19 vaccine: MoPH and humanitarian commitment to ensure fair production and supply of COVID-19 vaccines all over the world. However, More than 1,225,000 vaccine doses have been administered so far Qatar warned that the big gap QNA in vaccine availability could Doha derail the efforts made to Lowering the eligibility threshold to achieve the sustainable devel- The Ministry of Public 35 years of age will enable a wider opment goals by 2030. Health (MoPH) has lowered section of our population to be In a statement before the age threshold for COV- vaccinated and become protected against the United Nations Economic ID-19 vaccine eligibility to 35 COVID-19. Since the start of March, we and Social Council session years. have almost doubled the number of weekly “A Vaccine for All, Permanent The change comes as part vaccines administered and in the past Representative of Qatar to the be achieved unless everyone of the phased roll-out of the seven days alone we have administered United Nations HE Sheikha recovers in a framework of National COVID-19 Vaccina- over 160,000 doses, across more than Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani international cooperation and tion Programme which con- 35 vaccination centres.” emphasised that Qatar is solidarity in the face of the tinues to pick up pace and has ranked ninth globally in terms global health crisis. now administered more than — Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the of the ratio of people who She said Qatar allocated 1,225,000 vaccine doses to National Health Strategic Group were vaccinated compared to $20 million to the Global the most at-risk members of on COVID-19 the total population, through Alliance for Vaccines and Qatar’s population. the national vaccine pro- Immunization, in addition to “Lowering the eligibility gramme that includes every Qatar Fund for Development’s threshold to 35 years of age will of Infectious Diseases at Ham- Managing Director of Pri- people over 50 years of age have their appointment. People eligible person who lives in signing of a core contribution enable a wider section of our ad Medical Corporation. mary Health Care Corporation now received at least one vac- who meet the new 35 years of Qatar whether citizen or agreement with the World population to be vaccinated “One in three adults in Dr Mariam Abdulmalik said cine dose, meaning the majority age and above eligibility crite- resident. Health Organization (WHO) for and become protected against Qatar has already received the lowering of the age thresh- of the most at-risk members of ria and who have already reg- Sheikha Alya said Qatar $10 million to support WHOs COVID-19. Since the start of at least one vaccine dose and old has been made possible our population are now well on istered their interest online via understands that recovering Thirteenth General Programme March, we have almost dou- Qatar ranks ninth in the world thanks to the high rate of vac- the way to becoming protected the vaccine registration ser- from the pandemic cannot of Work (GPW13). page 6 bled the number of weekly vac- for total vaccine doses ad- cination within the older, most against the virus,” she stated. vice on the Ministry of Public cines administered and in the ministered per 100 people, in at-risk, age groups. Dr Abdulmalik explained Health website will be given past seven days alone we have countries with a population “We know that age is the that following the change in priority for appointments over administered over 160,000 of at least one million. This most significant risk factor in in- age limit, the appointment the next few weeks.” doses, across more than 35 remarkable achievement was creasing an individual’s chances process for vaccinations re- Dr Al Khal explained that vaccination centres,” said Dr possible thanks to the over- of developing severe complica- mains the same. “PHCC teams receiving the COVID-19 vac- QFC, Labuan IBFC sign Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of whelming response of the tions due to the virus. About will continue to directly con- cine during the Holy Month the National Health Strategic public to the vaccination pro- 82.6 percent of people over 60 tact people who are eligible by of Ramadan does not break a deal to boost cooperation Group on COVID-19 and Head gramme,” he added. years of age and 73 percent of SMS or phone call to arrange person’s fast. QNA Doha

Qatar Financial Centre Author- ity (QFC Authority) has signed a Qatar sees drop in Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Labuan IBFC Inc to daily COVID cases develop long term cooperation and boost economic and finan- cial sector ties between the two Tribune News Network financial centers. Doha The MoU, which Chief Executive Officer of QFC Yousuf ate in Labuan IBFC and allow The number of daily COV- Mohamed Al Jaida and Chief relevant financial institutions in ID-19 infections in Qatar Executive Officer of LabuanI BFC Labuan IBFC to operate in the dropped on Saturday after Inc Farah Jaafar-Crossby signed QFC, subject to the approval of staying over 970 for many on April 15, entails a commit- competent authorities. Both fi- days. ment to collaborate on certain nancial centres also agreed to Qatar on Saturday re- objectives including, but not collaborate on financial sector ported 827 COVID-19 cases limited to, marketing, awareness domains, such as setting up — 579 from community and activities and identification of business operations with re- 248 from travellers returning and 83 years succumbed to mutually beneficial initiatives. spect to Islamic finance, digital from abroad, the Ministry of the virus. Seven of them had Under the structure of the finance, capital markets, asset Public Health (MoPH) said in a history of chronic disease. agreement, QFC and Labuan and investment management, its daily report. All were receiving the neces- IBFC committed to exploring a and other relevant financial in- On Friday there were 978 sary medical care. mutually beneficial framework stitutions and financial service cases, on Thursday 989, and The MoPH said a total of to allow relevant financial providers within their ecosys- on Wednesday 984 cases. 1,225,110 COVID-19 vaccine institutions in Qatar to oper- tems. page 8 Also, 659 people recov- doses have been administered British royal family bids farewell to Prince Philip ered from the virus in the since the start of the National past 24 hours, bringing the COVID-19 Vaccination Pro- The coffin of Britain’sP rince Philip was interred in the royal vault of St George’s Chapel in Windsor at total number of recoveries in gramme. As many as 15,462 the end of a funeral service that featured just 30 mourners on Saturday. Queen Elizabeth II, his wife of Qatar to 173,257. COVID-19 vaccine doses have Iran nuclear talks to continue amid 73 years, was forced to sit alone during the service due to the strict coronavirus regulations in place in Sadly, nine people aged been administered in the past signs of ‘progress’ (PG 5) England. The prince was laid to rest just over a week after he died aged 99. (DPA) page 7 44, 45, 53, 59, 60, 65, 70, 76 24 hours, it added. Action against 362 for Thousands to benefit from Awqaf food distribution scheme flouting COVID norms QNA eral Department of Endowments for Doha About 1,500 families and 2,500 implementing the project, noting that Tribune News Network persons to the Public Prosecu- workers will benefit from the food this cooperation comes for the second Doha tion for not maintaining safe About 1,500 families and 2,500 year under exceptional circumstances. physical distancing and four workers will benefit from the second kit distribution project of the The project and its accompanying As many as 362 people were for not installing the Ehteraz edition of the food kit distribution pro- General Department of campaign stem from the belief of the on Saturday referred to Public application. ject of the General Department of En- Endowments of the Ministry of General Department of Endowments Prosecution for violating various The measures are in line with dowments of the Ministry of Endow- Endowments and Islamic Affairs in promoting the culture of giving COVID-19 safety norms. the Cabinet decision, Decree ments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf). and spreading the spirit of human- While 282 people were Law No 17 of 1990 on infectious The project will be implemented in Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem food baskets to needy families and ity among different segments of so- booked for not wearing masks, diseases, and the precaution- cooperation with Hifz Al Naema Cen- Al Thani. workers, adding that the initiative has ciety and the participation of needy three faced action for breaking ary measures in force in the tre, a Qatari food-saving social organi- Dr Sheikh Khalid said the scheme been launched with the support of the families and workers group during a rule that bans more than four country to contain the spread of sation. is one of the “pioneering initiatives” “endowment bank for righteousness Ramadan. people, including the driver, COVID-19. The authorities have The launch of the initiative was launched by the General Department and piety”. The number of kits will vary de- from travelling together in a called on the public to adhere to announced at a press conference by of Endowments last year with the on- For his part, Hifz Al Naema Cen- pending upon the number of family car, unless the occupants are the precautionary measures in Director-General of the General De- set of the COVID-19 pandemic. tre Public Relations Officer Yousef bin members and provides all the require- of a family. The designated place to ensure their safety and partment of Endowments Dr Sheikh He said the project aims to deliver Abdullah Al Khulaifi thanked the Gen- ments during the holy month. authorities also referred 73 the safety of others. 02 Sunday, April 18, 2021

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PHCC receives Canadian Diamond accreditation certificate Tribune News Network Managing Director of PHCC “PHCC is proud to announce certificate as the standards are with the Canadian residents Doha Dr Maryam Abdul Malik said that it has received the Accredi- an integral part of patient safe- between November 11, 2020 that the corporation was able tation Canada Diamond Level ty, quality and patient-centred to February 15, 2021. After the The Primary Health Care Cor- to obtain the Diamond Level Status. We are also proud to an- care,” she added. completion of the virtual survey, poration (PHCC) has achieved certificate from ACI, an inter- nounce that the corporation is PHCC has completed the ACI organised virtual visits and the Diamond-level accreditation national and accredited body the first in the world to receive assessment to obtain the ACI field visits to 25 participating certificate from Accreditation that helps health organisations the people-centred care award, certificate by following two ap- health centres and PHCC man- Canada International (ACI), the around the world through an on- knowing that the certification proaches: communicating re- agement between March 7 and highest level of accreditation going process of assessing qual- renewal period is every three motely with ACI residents and 18 this year. Despite the ongoing award under the programme ity of health and social services years.” visiting the websites between pandemic, it was an opportu- and awarded to highly commit- provided against international Dr Ali added, “The organi- November 2020 to March 2021. nity for PHCC staff to show their ted and quality-oriented organi- standards of excellence. sations which have obtained This was a new approach sug- best, present the wonderful work sations that monitor outcomes, “Accreditation Canada cer- Managing Director of PHCC Dr Dr. Amal Al Ali5 Diamond Level Status focus on gested by ACI; PHCC should they have done during the chal- use evidence and best practices tificateincludes the effective Maryam Abdul Malik achieving quality through moni- submit the required documents lenging pandemic and provide to improve services. participation of all leaders and one of the internationally recog- toring outcomes, using evidence on time to residents accredited the best services according to This comprehensive assess- officials at PHCC, frontline staff, for the launch and a continua- nised institutions with a global and best practice to improve ser- by ACI. international standards of excel- ment is based on the evaluation patients, their families and our tion of quality improvement and primary healthcare system that vices, and drawing comparisons The assessment team then lence in all clinical administra- of a set of standards and cri- community partners, as they patient safety initiatives, which serves its citizens, residents and with peer organisations.” reviewed the documents sub- tive departments. teria related to quality, safety, work hand in hand to benefit enable PHCC to systematically visitors. Obtaining the ACI cer- “The pandemic that swept mitted against the requirements PHCC has worked on pre- risk management and ethics of from the available resources in and continuously evaluate and tificate will also contribute to the world changed what we had and held virtual meetings with paring 20 major standards and medical and support services, the best way, increase efficiency, improve its services, in addition the continued commitment and to do every day, but it didn’t committees from the Primary nearly 900 standards between including finance, information improve the quality of health to supporting changes in policies credibility to improve the qual- change the fact that we still need Health Care Board. Committees leadership, primary care servic- technology, human resources, services provided and minimise and procedures, reducing risks, ity of health services provided to to provide the highest levels of membership was determined es, services of excellence, medi- infrastructure and management. risks,” she said. meeting and promoting the our partners.” health care safely. From here, according to the requirements cine management, dentistry, The Diamond Certificate comes Dr Abdul Malik added, “The needs of partners, their families Dr Amal Abdullah Al Ali, ex- the corporation has understood of ACI and PHCC was one of the diagnostic imaging, infection as a new step on the road to suc- process of obtaining the ACI cer- and their values and beliefs. ecutive director of Quality and the importance of continuing first to apply this approach on. control, prevention and labora- cess. tificate constitutes a cornerstone “Thus, PHCC has become Patient Safety Directorate, said: the process of obtaining the ACI PHCC held virtual meetings tory standards. Fasting can help to manage Mowasalat, QC partner to distribute free bus depression and anger, says passes to passengers

Tribune News Network HMC’s clinical psychologist Doha Tribune News Network have long-term negative physical effects Mowasalat (Karwa), Qa- Doha and can cause increased heart rate, high tar’s National Transport Pro- blood pressure, narrowing of blood ves- vider, will once again distrib- Fasting during the Holy Month of sels and increased clotting, all of which ute free Karwa SmartCards Ramadan can be an effective way to can be heart attack triggers. during Ramadan as part of its manage depression and anger, and to She noted that the Qur’an and Sun- social responsibility activities strengthen self-restraint and patience, nah provide useful guidance on address- in collaboration with Qatar said Ameera Al Ishaq, clinical psycholo- ing a range of emotions, including anger, Charity (QC). gist and deputy head of the Psychological adding that the Prophet Muhammad The free bus transporta- Service Unit at Hamad Medical Corpora- tion cards will be distributed tion (HMC). to employees in conjunction “The social traditions that accom- ‘Fasting and associated acts of wor- with Qatar Charity’s distribu- pany the practice of fasting can have a tion of iftar meals during the The free bus transportation cards will be distributed to employees in conjunc- number of mental and emotional ben- ship, such as the Taraweeh prayer, holy month. Nasser Mamdouh tion with Qatar Charity’s distribution of iftar meals during the holy month. efits. During Ramadan, families sit down encourage communication and M. Al Shammari, Mowasalat together to break their fast each evening social interaction. For many individ- (Karwa) Operations Manager Sherawi thanked the company community through transpor- and this and many of the other commu- Amera Al Ishaq uals, the prayers and the act of - Light Transport Services, for their assistance, which he tation is the driving factor in nal aspects of Ramadan have been prov- praying as a group can have a calm- handed over the recharge- described as a humanitar- all of the company’s social re- en to impact mental health in a positive spiritual and social practices that ac- ing effect’ able tickets to Ahmed Omar Al ian gesture that helps labour- sponsibility activities and it is a way,” said Ishaq. company it can help some individuals Sherawi, head of Qatar Char- ers share the joy of Ramadan logical step to support the most “These benefits are particularly pro- cope with many of the stresses of daily ity’s Relations and Social Re- while also expressing grati- frequent users of our public nounced for those experiencing depres- life. The practice of fasting can also help sponsibility section. tude for their contributions to bus network. Aside from such sion and loneliness. Engaging in fasting improve self-restraint and support anger (PBUH) offers guidance on how to con- Ahmed Omar Al Sherawi, the construction of the State social engagement, we also can bring families and social groups clos- management in individuals who are eas- trol anger and overcome the inclination head of Qatar Charity’s Rela- of Qatar. According to Sher- work with various ministries er together and this can be reassuring for ily angered. to become angry. tions and Social Responsibili- awi, Qatar Charity is eager to and governmental organisa- individuals who are managing depres- “Fasting and associated acts of wor- “We are guided to sit down, break the ty section, expressed his pride collaborate with institutions tions to promote road and traf- sion or anxiety. Fasting can be a natural ship, such as the Taraweeh prayer, en- sequence of events and seek refuge in Al- in the organisation’s fruitful and businesses that want to fic safety through workshops, way to alleviate the symptoms of many courage communication and social inter- lah as a way to move past anger. It is rec- and ongoing partnership and implement humanitarian ini- lectures,and trainings. Our ul- mental health illnesses. Ramadan can action. For many individuals, the prayers ommended believers make wudu’ as this cooperation with Mowasalat, tiatives for the benefit of the timate responsibility is to leave also be a great time to break unhealthy and the act of praying as a group can will help them move away from a place which has provided free Kar- community as part of their so- a legacy of safe and environ- habits like smoking and to establish new have a calming effect,” said Ishaq. of anger and allow time and space to wa SmartCards to workers cietal responsibility. mentally friendly transporta- healthy habits,” she added. She said, in addition to causing family think before speaking or reacting,” Ishaq who use public transporta- Mowasalat CEO Fahad tion infrastructure for future According to her, fasting and the conflict, uncontrolled anger and anxiety said. tion the most in the country. Saad Al Qahtani said, “Building generations.” Barwa Real Estate office QRCS headquarters lit in green turns green for Family Day to celebrate Qatar Family Day Barwa Real Estate Group celebrated Family Day in Qatar on Thursday, April 15, Tribune News Network To meet their essential by lighting up its headquarters in Barwa Doha needs, QRCS has diverse so- Al Sadd Towers in green light, as part of an cial welfare programmes and initiative to highlight the role of family in The headquarters of Qatar assistance funds for the fam- building the future of the nation, promot- Red Crescent Society (QRCS) ilies with widows, orphans, ing equality and accountability among the was lit in green in celebra- divorced mothers and older members of the family. tion of Qatar Family Day, persons, as well as those fac- The Family Day celebration comes as which has been observed on ing huge debts or emergen- an affirmation of the principles of pre- April 15 since 2011. cies. serving a cohesive family, to be the basic This day is a representa- QRCS’s Volunteering and building block for the future of Qatar and tion of Qatar’s care for the Local Development Divi- supporting the pillars of Qatar National family as the foundation sion launches development Vision 2030. stone of a strong and har- programmes to build the The initiative of allocating a special monious society. QRCS rec- capacity of families headed day for the family in Qatar emerged on ognises the important role by female breadwinners. the sidelines of the World Family Confer- of civil society organisations These include women’s so- ence hosted by Qatar and organised by in strengthening the fabric cioeconomic empowerment the Supreme Council for Family Affairs of family with all its compo- programmes, vocational in 2004 on the occasion of the 10th an- nents and at all ages. training and qualification niversary of the International Year of the On this national oc- courses, entrepreneurship, Family. Since 2011, Family Day in Qatar casion, QRCS sheds light light of the pressure of mod- sion of saving lives and pre- cash and in-kind assistance, has been celebrated on the 15th of April on the main needs and ern life. serving dignity, QRCS pays and psychological support of each year. (TNN) challenges for families, in Under its strategic mis- great attention to families. for children. Nation Sunday, April 18, 2021 03 QCDC to organise webinar series to raise awareness of ASD Tribune News Network at Awsaj Academy; Samantha Pre-University Education. The market. The webinar further Doha Campion-Gibson, autism spe- programme aims at support- looked at the importance of cialist at the Learning Center; ing career guidance efforts for diversifying the workforce in As part of marking April as and Sabika Shaban, a parent of students who face minor to Qatar to include these groups. the Autism Awareness Month, two neurodiverse children, will moderate learning challenges, The webinar hosted Amer- the Qatar Career Development speak at the webinar. They will by making use of available in- ican-born academics Dr Ste- Center (QCDC), a member of tackle the blessings and chal- ternational expertise, adapting phen Shore and Dr Temple Qatar Foundation (QF), has lenges of raising and educating the best models, and adopting Grandin. They are interna- organised a webinar series children diagnosed with ASD, them locally, as well as meeting tionally acclaimed for their ex- to raise awareness of Autism speaking about experiences national needs.” tensive experience in ASD, as Spectrum Disorder (ASD). and lessons learned. The we- A previous webinar was despite both being on the spec- QCDC will hold a live webi- binar will additionally include held on April 5, titled ‘Autism trum, they each lead successful nar via Zoom in English, titled a Q&A session, followed by a Awareness Month: Ordinary and prosperous lives. ‘Autism Awareness Month: dialogue. Heroes – Living with Autism’. World Autism Awareness Ordinary Heroes – Nurturing QCDC’s Director, Abdulla The webinar provided an in- Day was first proposed by HH People with Autism’. It will Al-Mansoori said: “QCDC is Samantha Campion Gibson Sara Coleman Sabika Shaban depth perspective of what it Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, take place on Monday, April committed to empowering all means to have ASD. It touched Chairperson of QF, to the Unit- 19, at 8:30 pm and it targets segments of the Qatari society, ing to implement this through grammes aim at helping these launched the Career Readi- on topics such as providing job ed Nations in 2007. April 2 be- parents and young men and and actively contributes to the many programmes targeting groups join the labour market ness Programme, in coop- opportunities for this group, came the World Autism Aware- women with autism. realisation of Qatar’s vision for groups with special needs, and integrate into Qatar’s so- eration with Awsaj Academy, and the steps that should be ness Day, highlighting the need Special guests Sara Cole- economic, human, and social groups facing learning chal- cial and economic fabric. one of the schools operating taken by employers to integrate to help improve the quality of man, special education teacher development. We are work- lenges and others. These pro- “For example, in 2018, we under the umbrella of QF’s people with ASD into the labor life for people with autism. Ooredoo to support Lulu Hypermarket wins 8th CSR Award communities across Qatar with launch of for ‘Best Company in the Private Sector’ Tribune News Network umbrella CSR drive Doha

A major retailer of the region, Ooredoo AlKhair Lulu Hypermarket Qatar has campaign kicks won the Corporate Social Re- sponsibility Award in the Cat- off with Ramadan egory of ‘The Best Company in the Private Sector’ at the 8th Initiatives CSR Awards this year, for its earnest efforts towards ‘Social Tribune News Network responsibility in facing COV- Doha ID-19’. Lulu’s sustained efforts towards Corporate Social Re- Ooredoo has announced sponsibility started since its in- the timely launch of a new CSR ception and has been pursuing umbrella campaign, Ooredoo the mission with many activi- AlKhair, under which it will ties. devise and implement a wide Sabah Al-Kuwari, Director PR at Dr Mohamed Althaf, direc- range of charitable initiatives Ooredoo tor of Lulu Hypermarket Qatar, to benefit Qatar’s community. has received the Award from The Ooredoo AlKhair cam- Sheikh Dr Khalid Thani A T Al paign includes a number of ini- Thani at a ceremony held at Dar tiatives with a variety of goals, Al Sharq Headquarters, Doha. and it begins with a number Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al Thani, of community activities in Ooredoo is sponsoring two chairman of CSR Committee at the first days of Ramadan: a Qatar Red Crescent Society Dar Al Sharq, Jaber Al Harami, delivery of gifts to patients at campaigns: one for Ramadan, deputy CEO of Dar Al Sharq Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of Lulu Hypermarket Qatar, has received the Award from Sheikh Dr Khalid Thani A T Al Thani at a ceremony held the Fahad Bin Jassim Kidney and other officials from both the at Dar Al Sharq Headquarters, Doha. Centre; support for the Ehsan the Khairkum Sabeq Festival, organisations were present. Centre for Empowerment and which aims to ensure that Recognising CSR as one of Covid-19 positive and in quar- option at checkouts, dedicated to Qatar Red Crescent Society permarket had conducted a Elderly Care to help them everyone has enough food its key missions, Lulu Hyper- antine. checkouts for elderly and vulner- for onward delivery. series of Workshops on retail continue their awareness pro- this Ramadan, and one for the market Qatar have partnered During this period, they able shoppers, enhanced e-com- For the third year in a row, platforms to support the young gram; and a delivery of Eidiya long term, a new campaign to with the Social Responsibility have also carried out several re- merce services such as ‘Express Lulu Hypermarket had contrib- budding local entrepreneurs as to teams of laboured men. raise fund and mobilise Committee for the CSR Awards lief works through distribution Delivery’ option for a same-day uted generously to Qatar Char- part of a joint initiative by Qatar Ooredoo is sponsoring two international support for a that was organised on the of food baskets under the aegis delivery and ‘Click and Collect’ ity to support QC’s Ramadan Development Bank and Silatech Qatar Red Crescent Society vaccination campaign aimed theme: “Social responsibility in of Indian Embassy Doha, ICBF, option for a store pick-up ser- Campaign titled ‘Calm Your in collaboration with Bedaya campaigns: one for Ramadan, at ensuring vaccine equity for facing Coronavirus COVID-19”. Integrated Indian Community vice through its online shopping Heart by Giving’ as part of its Center for Entrepreneurship the Khairkum Sabeq Festi- vulnerable groups As a company with strong CSR Center and KMCC Qatar etc. platform. Further, they have community initiative: “Shop & and Career Development. Un- val, which aims to ensure that policies, Lulu Hypermarket has Proactive measures were installed protective screens at Donate”. Also, Lulu had organ- der this initiative, Qatari startup everyone has enough food this always been at the forefront taken by Lulu Hypermarket to checkouts to safeguard both the ized Charity Campaign in coop- businesses will have the oppor- Ramadan, and one for the long support to so many charitable when it comes to giving back to ensure food security during the customers and staff. eration with Qatar Red Crescent tunity to display and promote term, a new campaign to fund- organisations. We are com- the society and environment. initial days of the crises by char- Lulu was the first retailer, titled: “Buy Ramadan Gift Box their products in one of Lulu raise and mobilise internation- mitted to supporting the com- Lulu’s efforts as a committed tering cargo flights and deep- who have taken steps to ensure and Donate QR50 to the needy Hypermarket’s outlets free of al support for a vaccination munities in which we operate supporter of various social ini- ening the storage of essentials continuous thorough cleaning families”. charge. This is envisaged to en- campaign aimed at ensuring year-round, as a key part of our tiatives have been very well ac- and enhanced our e-commerce and sanitization of all shared In order to support Qatar hance the role of local entrepre- vaccine equity for vulnerable corporate social responsibility cepted and appreciated by the capability. surfaces and touch points at Cancer Society for its ongoing neurs in the society. groups. strategy, but the holy month of community. From the beginning of the hypermarkets such as shop- projects, Lulu Hypermarket had Lulu is the recipient of ‘Sus- The telco leader is also col- Ramadan is a particularly spe- Lulu Hypermarket has pandemic, Lulu Group had or- ping trolley handles, baskets, raised and donated QR125,000 tainability Award’ from the Gulf laborating with non-profit or- cial time of year in this regard made remarkable of contribu- ganised a massive campaign handrails of the travellators and under the Campaign ‘Shop & Organisation for Research & ganisations Education Above and the perfect time in which tions to hold the community named ‘Your Health is in your lifts, and washrooms and com- Donate’. Lulu was honoured for Development (GORD) in ap- All to help raise awareness to launch such a worthwhile firmly together during the trials Hands’ aiming to promote mon areas. Lulu Group has also its efforts in this regard. preciation of its long-standing and funds for educational pro- campaign. We look forward to and tribulations posed by the awareness on hand hygiene deployed well-trained safety Lulu had partnered with the and continued efforts towards jects that promote access to working with all the organisa- pandemic. They have support- among its customers, employ- marshals in the aisles of all Education Above All Founda- sustainability. education for all, and Silatech tions in the year to come, and ed the contingency plan rolled ees, and general public. branches across the region, who tion (EAA) for the noble cause As a leading retailer in the on its fund-raising campaign to seeing them make a differ- out by the Ministries of Com- They have implemented a will monitor the customer flow of Charity and donated $ 4 mil- region, Lulu Hypermarkets titled ‘Spare Them from Ask- ence to our communities and merce and Industry, Interior, series of COVID-19 Protocols and make sure that health and lion being the ‘Silver Sponsor’ have developed a pre-eminent ing,’ which will support those our people.” Administrative Development in their stores including social safety standards are observed of their Project titled ‘Educate position in the retail sector by whose jobs have been lost as Ooredoo AlKhair will run and Labour & Social Affairs to distancing guidelines by placing stringently in the stores. A Child’. EAA champions and providing unique shopping ex- a result of the COVID-19 pan- throughout the year, with the address the crisis head-on by signages at vantage points inside Complementing the series defends the basic right to edu- perience to its clientele. With 14 demic’s negative economic im- campaign expanding and de- opening temporary supermar- the stores, pre-packed supply of support extended by the Qa- cation around the world with state-of-the-art stores scattered pact. veloping to include new initia- kets at four different locations of vegetables, fruits, roastery, tar Government to the Leba- 50 projects in 43 countries. over various strategic locations Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, tives. Ooredoo’s media partner in the Industrial Area and en- cheese, meat and bakery, display nese brethren under the cam- Further, Lulu Hypermarket in the State of Qatar, Lulu Hy- Director PR at Ooredoo, said: Qommunication will assist the suring the availability of essen- of essential items at multiple paign ‘Lebanon in our Hearts’, had raised QR 2 million for the permarket is identified as one of “We’re proud to launch Oore- company in promoting and tial items with a view to serve locations of the store to avoid Lulu Hypermarket had donated EAA’s Assalam Schools Project. the major market players in the doo AlKhair, and to offer our publicising the campaign.. the people, who were tested crowding up, cashless payment a consignment of food baskets Most recently, Lulu Hy- retail arena. CMU-Q organises online welcome for the Class of 2025 Tribune News Network Doha

Carnegie Mellon Univer- sity in Qatar (CMU-Q), a Qa- tar Foundation partner uni- versity, welcomed the Class of 2025 with ‘Marhaba Tartans’, a day of online sessions to in- troduce new students to the university. The students in the admitted class represent 90 high schools from 43 coun- tries. Michael Trick, dean of spot in this new class. Con- Trick reassured the admit- CMU-Q, welcomed the new gratulations!” ted students that they were students: “I want to commend Applications to CMU-Q chosen for their whole ap- each member of the Class of rose by 30 percent in 2021. plication, and not just their 2025. This was our most com- The university offers four grades: “While we know you petitive year for applications undergraduate programs in are very strong academically, in CMU-Q history. Each of biological sciences, business we chose you because of your work, CMU-Q students have university, students can join opportunities, or participate completes its studies in May, you has worked hard, shown administration, computer enthusiasm, thoughtfulness many opportunities to build clubs to cultivate special in- in a wide variety of communi- CMU-Q’s graduate network us that you are curious, driven science and information sys- and creativity.” their own student experience. terests like sports or culture, ty-building activities. will grow to more than 1,000 and creative, and earned a tems. In addition to their course- Over their four years at the pursue research or internship When the Class of 2021 alumni. 04 Sunday, April 18, 2021 Nation HBKU’s CSE highlights research Experts deliberate charter on on digital trends at international taxpayers’ rights for Qatar at meet on persuasive technologies HBKU College of Law seminar Tribune News Network Doha Tribune News Network of digital addiction, the role of Doha technology in triggering and A recent tax colloquium organ- regulating it, and in contributing ised by the College of Law at Designing persuasive tech- to digital wellbeing. Dr Al-Thani Hamad Bin Khalifa University nologies that can influence hu- moderated a panel “Teaching a (HBKU) was the platform to dis- mans to change behavior, and Persuasive Technology Course” cuss a charter on taxpayer rights the ethics of such influence, was where Dr Ali participated along- and tax administration obliga- the focus of the 16th Interna- side world-renowned speakers tions for Qatar. tional Conference on Persuasive from Oulu University, Finland; The event took place online Technologies (PT2021) held Cyprus University of Technolo- with participation of the Inter- recently. The College of Sci- gy; and the University of Twente, national Monetary Fund (IMF), ence and Engineering (CSE) at the Netherlands. Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Hamad Bin Khalifa University Dr Mounir Hamdi, profes- Authority, Ernst and Young Qa- comprehensive overview of Qa- es to successfully enacting one. (HBKU) was a co-sponsor of sor and founding dean at CSE, tar and the Kenya Revenue Au- tar’s tax regimes. Speaking after the event, Dr the conference, hosted online by such as mask-wearing and so- planning prompts with Alexa; commented: “HBKU’s presence thority (KRA). The panel also featured Ezenagu said, “The prospect of Bournemouth University, UK. cial distancing, will help deter- persuasive strategies in mobile at Persuasive Technologies 2021 The colloquium brought Mario Mansour, director of the a taxpayer charter has arisen in Some 197 authors from 34 mine the trajectory of societal e-commerce applications; in- is in keeping with our efforts at speakers together to review the Middle East Regional Technical an academic context as part of countries submitted their work recovery. terventions for child healthcare; the CSE to be at the forefront of ‘Charter for QFC Taxpayers’, Assistance Centre, IMF; and Dr the research and teaching HBKU to the conference. More than The conference programme and the use of a tablet to increase innovative research in the field which the QFC has introduced Fred Mugambi Mwirigi, com- faculty engage in at the College 170 researchers, faculty from included four paper sessions in- older adults’ exercise adherence. of science and technology. While for QFC-licensed firms and the missioner and head of the Kenya of Law. The colloquium put the leading international universi- cluding a total of 25 paper pres- HBKU’s contributions in- the conference focused on the Charter published by Qatar’s School of Revenue Administra- topic firmly into its applied con- ties, innovators and practition- entations, two workshops, two cluded co-chairing the confer- creative disruption of persuasive General Tax Authority (GTA). tion (KESRA), KRA. text and we had very fruitful dis- ers registered for the conference keynotes, one-panel discussion, ence with Dr Raian Ali, a pro- technology as a 21st-century tool This was with a view to better The speakers highlighted cussions with speakers from the and enriched its diversity and and one poster session, as well fessor in the information and that can benefit global socie- understanding how their imple- evidence from several other ju- QFC and IMF, and other juris- multifaceted discussions. The as nine short presentations and computing technology division, ties wracked by multiple chal- mentation, successes, and limita- risdictions, which reveal that dictions like Kenya’s Tax Reve- conference programme show- two tutorials over three days. CSE and Dr Dena Al-Thani, an lenges, discussions also brought tions could inform the process of countries that have enacted nue Authority, who have practi- cased the role of technologies The programme highlighted in- assistant professor in the same the question of design goals to further developing publicly avail- charters generally witness volun- cal, hands-on engagement. in solving societal or personal novative concepts, models, and division, chairing the Persua- the fore. It was clear that per- able and acceptable taxpayer tary tax compliance, effective tax “Though we discussed what problems by influencing hu- design features to investigate sion and Education Track. Dr suasive technology, whether in rights, applicable to all taxpayers administration and reduced cost an acceptable ‘charter on tax- man behaviour and attitudes the persuasive effects of technol- Ali co-presented a paper high- the form of social media apps, in Qatar. of enforcement, among other payers’ rights’ looks like, a first through informed persuasion. ogies for interventions in health- lighting “The Fine Line between games, or websites, is not easy to Dr Alexander Paul Ezenagu, benefits. This is especially impor- step to publishing and enforc- These include responses to care, wellbeing, education, Persuasion and Digital Addic- create without knowledge of be- assistant professor at the Col- tant given that taxation plays an ing a charter is agreeing on the COVID-19, and the closing key- marketing, and e-commerce. tion”. haviour and persuasion theory. lege of Law, HBKU, chaired the integral role in the sustainable rights and obligations of taxpay- note noted that the pandemic Papers focused on topics such as Dr Ali also delivered a tuto- This reiterated the importance panel discussion in which Salah development of states. They also ers and tax administrators, and provides “the most compelling emotional feedback to mitigate rial on ‘Digital Addiction and of PT2021 as a forum to gather Gueydi, director of tax, QFC, and shared their views on what an ac- we look forward to expanding case for persuasive technology”, aggressive driving; adaptive ro- Digital Wellness’, sharing the experts from interdisciplinary Grace Murakha, tax manager, ceptable ‘charter on taxpayers’ on that during our next collo- especially as health behaviour botic tutors in universities; daily latest research on the analysis fields.” Ernst & Young Qatar, gave a rights’ looks like and the process- quium.” BPS organises kindergarten parents orientation webinar Tribune News Network Doha

Birla Public School (BPS), Doha organised a virtual orien- tation for parents of kindergar- ten section students recently. The webinar panel included BPS Principal AP Sharma, vice- principals Edna Fernandez and Rajesh Pillai, KG headmis- tress Josephine Fernades, KG academic supervisors Marziya Fazal and Sheeba Menon, and student counsellor Michelle Principal of Ideal Indian School Motha. The principal shared par- enting tips with the parents. inducts new students’ council Spending quality time with chil- dren, he said, is one very impor- Tribune News Network - Aman Hashim, Asst. Sports Sections were also sworn in. tant aspect that helps the child Doha Secretary - Fahad Abdullah, On the occasion, Activity Coor- to manage his emotions well. Head Prefect - Ali Mohammed, dinators, House Coordinators, The KG headmistress talked The Ideal Indian School re- Head Scout Abdel Rahman Housemasters, and Housemis- about the curriculum to be fol- cently held the Investiture Cer- and Asst. Head Sout - Aromal tresses were also inducted. Ni- lowed during the academic emony for the Students Council Narayanan sha Raj, Ms. Sreedevi P.T, and year. for the academic year 2021-22. Ajmal K.K are the Junior, Girls’, Michelle, the school coun- Due to the current pandemic Girls’ Section: Head Girl and Boys’ Section House Coor- sellor, shared insights on how to situation, the ceremony was – Aryanandha Devi, Asst. Head dinators, respectively. deal with a child’s difficult mo- held online. The Principal, Syed Girl – Hanin Shamsheer, Cul- In his keynote address, ments and how best to manage Shoukath Ali, administered the tural Secretary – Samiya Shi- Principal Syed Shoukath Ali their social and emotional skills. oath of office to the new student raj, Sports Secretary – Fathma thanked and congratulated the The academic supervisors councils of the Boys’, Girls’, and Suraif, Asst. Cultural Secretary newly elected members. He shared a PPT presentation Junior sections. – Anjali Devi, Asst. Sports advised them to be role models on different stages of a child’s Secretary- Aseel Moham- and extended a helping hand to learning and developmental Members of the students med, Head Prefect- Gayathri the students’ council in order milestones. Councils are: Satheesh, Head Guide- Amritha for the school to run smoothly. The importance of holistic Boys’ Section: Head Boy Nandakumar and Asst. Head Aryanandha Devi, the Head development of the students - Aswin Arunkumar, Asst. Head Guide- Muna Mushthak Girl, welcomed everyone, and during their foundation years Boy - Ibrahim Ahmed, Cultural Prefects, House Captains, Ashwin Arunkumar, the Head was stressed. able to see the school. Later, the ents’ doubts. demic year. They appreciated Secretary - Hesham Ahsan, Vice Captains, and Sports Cap- Boy, proposed a vote of thanks. A virtual tour of the school teachers conducted a class-wise The webinar and the session the school management for the Sports Secretary - Nishank tains from the four Houses of The programme was hosted by campus was shown as the par- ‘Meet the Teacher’ session to helped parents to have an over- detailed sessions organised to Shetty, Asst. Cultural Secretary the Boys’, Girls’, and Junior Sajid Shamim. ents and children have not been discuss and clarify all the par- all view of their children’s aca- satisfy their queries. AMU alumni body, IUAA organise blood-donation campaign

Tribune News Network Doha

The Aligarh Muslim Univer- sity Alumni Association Qa- tar (AMUAAQ) and Integral University Alumni Associa- tion (IUAA) Qatar Chapter, in association with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), organised a ‘United Blood Donation Camp’ recently. In his speech, the chief guest for the campaign, EP Abdulrahman, MD, Care n Cure group, emphasised the need of blood donation as it can save lives. Subramanya Dr Jaffery thanked HMC Khan, Javed Sultan, Sarwar excellent coverage and com- ticipation of senior members a year. Close to 50 donations for coordinating and facili- Hebbagelu, ICC general sec- for the professional way the Mirza and Ali Imran and mentary. of IUAA Waqas, Majid Ali, were made and AMUAAQ tating the event. retary, was the guest of hon- donations were organised thanked Imtiaz Jawed and Zeyaul Haque thanked Farzan Ansari, Abdul Momin was honoured with the ap- AMUAAQ and IUAA have our. They appreciated the and for reserving an ex- Mohammed Nayeem for Noor Parker, Sandeep and and others in making the preciation certificate by pledged to collaborate on initiative taken up by Dr Syed clusive area for the donors their outstanding contribu- Akram Khan for sponsor- event a success. HMC for successfully or- sports, education and phil- Jaffery, president, AMUAAQ, maintaining social distanc- tion in organising the cam- ing the healthy snacks boxes Having received a huge ganising the blood donation anthropic activities in the fu- and Zeyaul Haque and ac- ing norms. paign. Musheer Alam and for the donors and also for response, AMUAAQ decided camp. ture for overall betterment of knowledged the humane act Shahid Yar Khan, Qamar Mohd Sultan took the cam- participating in blood dona- to organise such blood dona- AMUAAQ thanked Ar- local and international com- of kindness by the donors. Alam, Ziauddin Ahmad, Asif paign live on Facebook with tion. He recognised the par- tion campaigns at least twice shad Parvez and HMC team munities. World Sunday, April 18, 2021 05

News Johnson’s India visit still a go in brief At least 41 migrants die in boat sinking off Tunisia despite fears about coronavirus Tunis: Forty-one migrants died after their boat sank off the Tunisian coast, the UN said on Friday. Three people were rescued. The boat sank off the coastal city of Sfax on Thursday In India, Covid-19 rates are soaring, with more than 13.9 million confirmed cases and 172,000 deaths evening, the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said. Initially, coastguard officials said 20 migrants fromS ub- dpa Saharan Africa had drowned. A spokesman for the local coast- London guard, Ali al-Ayari, told dpa the bodies of 10 men, nine women and a baby had been recovered. The Tunisian coast has British Prime Minister Boris become a common launching point for thousands of migrants Johnson’s visit to India will go seeking a better life in Europe. ahead despite soaring coro- At least 39 migrants from two boats died last month and at navirus cases and fears over a least 60 died in June last year in boats that sank off the coast variant first identified there, of Sfax. Every year, thousands of migrants risk the dangerous according to Downing Street crossing from Tunisia and Libya to Europe. In 2019, more than on Friday. 1,200 people died in the process, according to the IOM. (dpa) Public Health England (PHE) reported that 73 cases of the B.1.617 variant have Blaze at Johannesburg hospital out of been found in England, as control due to water shortage well as four cases in Scotland, which an expert said could be a Johannesburg: More than 16 hours after a major fire broke cause for concern.< Officials out at a hospital in Johannesburg, firefighters were struggling have currently designated it a to bring the flames under control due to a water shortage, a “variant under investigation” spokersperson said on Saturday. (VUI), rather than a “variant “The initial challenge, it was water supply ... there was not of concern” (VOC), such as the enough water ... but now we have managed to secure enough Manaus (Brazil) or South Afri- water supply,” the spokesperson said, adding that about 80 can variants. per cent of the blaze was now under control. Almost all pa- The prime minister had al- tients of the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital were evacuated and ready scaled down his trip to sent to other hospitals in the region, the regional health min- India, set for the end of April, istry said, adding there were no fatalities so far. The hospital, due to that country’s worsen- which was treating several Covid-19 patients, has to remain shut ing coronavirus situation, but for at least seven days, according to David Makhura, leader of Downing Street has insisted it Gauteng province. The fire broke out in the morning in a storage will still go ahead. room and was thought to be extinguished several hours later. But A government spokesper- the blaze later restarted, and a large number of firefighters were son told a Westminster brief- battling the flames through the evening. (dpa) ing: “The prime minister’s visit is still happening later this month. Iran says ‘good’ progress made at “We have said that the pro- nuclear talks but issues remain gramme will be slightly shorter than it will have been, and you Vienna: Iran’s top negotiator at nuclear talks under way in can expect the main body of his A man waits to refill a medical oxygen cylinder for a family member infected with Covid-19 at a plant in Allahabad, India on Saturday. (AFP) Vienna said on Saturday that the discussions were on the right programme to take place on track and consultations would continue. April 26. up to April 7. 172,000 deaths. “We keep it under constant Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iranian media “As you would expect, safe- It is understood that the UK PM’s visit The country is not cur- review and we won’t hesitate to that “good discussions” had been held among the delegations ty is obviously important and cases detected in England are rently on the government’s introduce tougher restrictions from Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany. is a priority for us on this trip, dispersed across different parts cut short “red list” for travel, which sees and add countries if we think it “It seems that a new understanding is emerging and there is which is why we will make sure of the country and many are people who have been in those is necessary.” now common ground ... on the final goal,” Araghchi was quoted that all elements of the visit are linked to international travel, Johnson is due to spend countries in the previous 10 According to PHE, the as saying by state television. According to Araghchi, Iran has Covid-secure.” but investigations are under four days in the south days refused entry to Britain. variant “includes a number of drafted a roadmap to serve as the basis on which the Islamic Johnson is due to spend way. Asian country at the end British or Irish nationals, mutations including E484Q, Republic could return to its technical commitments in the nu- four days in the south Asian Paul Hunter, professor in of the month but, following or people with British resi- L452R, and P681R.” PHE said clear deal while the US lifts sanctions. Araghchi cautioned that country at the end of the medicine at the University of talks with Narendra Modi’s dency rights, are able to return that mutations at the 484 spike there remain “serious disagreements,” but said that technical month but, following talks with East Anglia, said the variant administration, the ‘bulk’ from red list countries, but protein have been associated consultations would go on in the coming days. Narendra Modi’s administra- features two “escape muta- of the meetings could be must isolate in a quarantine with the Manaus and South The negotiators have been meeting in working groups in tion, the “bulk” of the meetings tions” - E484Q and L452R - fitted into one day hotel for 10 days. African variants. the Austrian capital for more than a week. (dpa) could be fitted into one day. which “are causing people to be Asked why India has not The E484K mutation is re- Officials said there is cur- concerned.” been put on the red list de- ported to result in weaker neu- rently no evidence to suggest Officials said “all appropri- India - all of these are countries spite the soaring number of tralisation by antibodies in lab that the newly identified vari- ate public health interventions that have really struggled to cases, Downing Street said the experiments, but the E484Q ant is more serious than previ- will be undertaken, including keep case numbers down. situation is “under constant re- mutation is different and still ous ones, nor is there current enhanced contact tracing” af- “So it’s not surprising. In- view.” subject to investigation. Officials in Iran jump evidence to suggest vaccines ter its detection, with PHE and dia has got a huge pandemic, A government spokesper- Viruses by their nature are less likely to work against it. international partners moni- and therefore that’s where son told reporters on Friday: mutate often, with more than The figure of 77 cases toring the situation “closely.” you’re going to be getting the “We add and remove countries 18,000 mutations discovered the queue for Covid jab comes from the latest update of Hunter said: “If you think variant.” based on the latest scientific over the course of the Covid-19 PHE’s surveillance of the dis- about where the main variants In India, Covid-19 rates are data and public health advice pandemic, the overwhelming dpa make the employees less fear- tribution of different variants have arisen - South Africa, the soaring, with more than 13.9 from a range of world-leading majority of which have no effect Tehran ful of the vaccination. across Britain, based on data UK, California, Brazil, and now million confirmed cases and experts. on the behaviour of the virus. Vaccinations are off to Some officials in the admin- a slow start in Iran, a coun- istration of the south-western try of 83 million that is in an Iranian city of Abadan pushed economic crisis because of US VIOLENCE CONTINUES their way to the front of the sanctions. That is why only 2 Israel attacks Covid-19 vaccination pro- million doses of vaccine have gramme, prompting criticism been imported from China, targets in Gaza Taliban kill at least 7 Afghan govt force members on Saturday. Russia and India so far. They were given vaccines For the time being, prior- after renewed dpa cial Governor Wahid Qatali In the meantime, the Af- dent Joe Biden announced that were originally intended ity for vaccination is given to Kabul told dpa on Saturday. ghan Defence Ministry an- the withdrawal of US troops for refuse collection workers. doctors, nursing staff, people rocket fire Eight civilians including nounced on Saturday that the from Afghanistan by Septem- Health Minister Saeed in care homes and refuse col- At least seven members of children were wounded in the army has freed 20 soldiers ber 11. NATO also announced Namaki reacted indignantly lection workers. dpa the pro-government forces explosion, Qatali added. and policemen from a Taliban the end of its mission in Af- and demanded immediate On Friday, 6 million doses Tel Aviv/Gaza were killed in overnight at- In the country’s northern jail in the country’s southern ghanistan. dismissals and legal action of Sputnik V were ordered tacks by the Taliban in two Takhar province, four pro- Zabul province by conducting There are currently against all officials involved in from Russia, but it is unclear After another rocket attack Afghan provinces, officials government force members a military operation. about 10,000 soldiers from the scandal, according to me- when they will arrive in Iran. It from the Gaza Strip, the Is- confirmed on Saturday. were killed and five others The daily violence con- NATO and its partner coun- dia reports on Saturday. is also unclear when the locally raeli military again attacked In western Herat prov- wounded in an overnight at- tinues in Afghanistan despite tries in Afghanistan, support- According to the reports, developed vaccines, which are several targets in the Palestin- ince, three policemen were tack by the Taliban on their fragile peace talks between ing the democratically elected some high-ranking officials still in the testing phase, can ian territory. killed after a car bomb tar- checkpoint on the outskirts of representatives of the war- government by training and even dressed like rubbish col- be used. The targets of the retali- geted their checkpoint in the the provincial capital Taloqan, ring sides in the Qatari city of advising the security forces in lection workers to get the jab. Mass vaccinations are atory attack were a training Zinda Jan district of the prov- a security source, who wished Doha since September. their fight against Islamist ex- The municipality argues that scheduled to begin in mid- centre of the Islamist Hamas ince on Friday night, provin- not to be named, told dpa. On Wednesday, US Presi- tremists such as the Taliban. the officials only wanted to September. movement as well as an air defence post, a concrete pro- duction facility and tunnel infrastructure, the army an- nounced in the early hours of Saturday. Five dead after power plant workers Militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had fired a rocket into Israeli territory clash with police in Bangladesh shortly before, as they had on Thursday. dpa said Silbroto Barua, another officer at the po- Warning sirens sounded Dhaka lice outpost located at the health facilities. in the communities of Holit Video posted by The Daily Star newspa- and Sdei Avraham on Friday At least five people were killed and a dozen per show a worker saying he was protesting night, according to the Israeli others wounded after the workers of an un- due to a delay in the payment of monthly army. der-construction power plant clashed with salary, which was due to be paid by April 10. According to media re- police in southern Bangladesh, police said on He claimed the police attacked their peaceful ports, the projectile fell on Saturday. protest. open ground and there was no Officer Azizul Islam said the violence en- Local government official Saiduzzaman damage. sued when the police fired tear gas to disperse Chowdhury said the unrest had been brew- The previous day, Israel’s several hundred workers demonstrating at An injured man rests on a wheelchair in ing inside the power plant for the last couple air force had already attacked the power plant premises to demand pay- Chittagong on Saturday. (AFP) of days as the workers were bargaining with several targets in the Hamas- ment of salaries that were owed. the power plant administration over their de- ruled Gaza Strip after the The 1,224-megawatt coal-based plant is tion, prompting the law officers to fire gun- mands, including a salary increase and timely rocket fire. being constructed by private conglomerate shots in self-defence. payment. Israel tightened a block- the S Alam Group at Banshkhali in the Chat- Four of the protesters died at the scene, Security has been beefed up in the area ade of the Gaza Strip in 2007, togram district, nearly 250 kilometres south- he said, adding that a dozen others, includ- to avert further escalation of the situation, he which is now also supported east of the capital Dhaka. ing six policemen, were wounded during the said. Earlier in April 2016, four people were by Egypt. Both countries justi- Islam said the stick-wielding protesters, clashes and were rushed to hospital. killed in clashes when local residents protest- fy this as necessary to protect along with a group of villagers, had attacked The fifth man died of bullet wounds at ed against land acquired for the power plant, their security interests. the police at one point during the demonstra- Chittagong Medical College and Hospital, called SS Power I Limited. 06 Sunday, April 18, 2021

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

Streamlining The Endangered Qatar Affirms Commitment Species Act To Fair Production & Supply n a comeback story for the ages, the US bald eagle popu- lation in the lower 48 states has quadrupled in the last 12 Iyears. At its most endangered point in 1963, there were only 417 known nesting pairs of bald eagles in the very country that chose the eagle as its national symbol. Of COVID-19 Vaccines Now there are more than 300,000, up from about 72,000 in 2009. This stunning resurgence is due largely to the eagle’s lengthy legal status as an endangered species. News of the Qatar is ranked ninth globally in terms of the ratio of people who were vaccinated eagle population increase is a strong indicator of the power of the 1973 Endangered Species Act, often cited as a gold compared to the total population, says Sheikha Alya standard for conservation efforts around the globe, given that 99% of species listed have QNA avoided extinction. New York The act is powerful A 2019 UN report and assists both domestic that analysed and atar has affirmed its moral and humanitar- and foreign petitioners. ian commitment to ensure fair production Once a species is on the reviewed thousands and supply of COVID-19 vaccines all over endangered list, it can- of scientific and the world, warning that the big gap in vac- not be harmed or killed, Q cine availability could derail the efforts made or imported or exported. government sources to achieve the sustainable development goals by Its critical habitat receives 2030. legal protection from de- indicates that the This came in the statement read by HE the velopment, and a plan to globe is experiencing Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United promote recovery is devel- Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, oped and implemented. unprecedented during the United Nations Economic and Social However, earning a Council session “A Vaccine for All.” place on that list can be a rates of threatened She said that Qatar is ranked ninth globally in prolonged and frustrating extinction terms of the ratio of people who were vaccinated journey. compared to the total population, through the na- The US Fish and Wildlife Service can take up to a full tional vaccine programme that includes every eli- year to evaluate a petition for a plant or animal species to be gible person who lives in Qatar whether citizen or granted endangered status. The factors that go into such a re- resident. view are complex, and even after a year — if there isn’t strong Sheikha Alya said Qatar understands that re- scientificconsensus — a decision can be pushed another six covering from the pandemic cannot be achieved months. unless everyone recovers in a framework of inter- While judicious assessment is warranted given the im- national cooperation and solidarity in the face of plications — which often involves forestalling of land and the global health crisis. business development — the process should be streamlined. She said Qatar allocated $20 million to the Everyone, from species members to those in the development Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, community, would benefit from quicker judgment. in addition to Qatar Fund for Development’s sign- Those who have battled ESA gained the ear of the previ- ing a core contribution agreement with the World ous administration. Under President Donald Trump, the def- Health Organization (WHO) for $10 million to inition of “critical habitat” was narrowed and more emphasis support WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of was placed on weighing the economic impacts of declaring an Work (GPW13). area off-limits to development. She expressed her pride at Qatar’s humanitar- Proponents of biodiversity have found their champion in ian initiative, launched a few days ago, to provide President Joe Biden, who began making moves to roll back $100 million worth of COVID-19 vaccines to the She noted that the initiative aims to support Global Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, which 181 Trump-era environmental policies on the first day of his ad- most vulnerable segments. UNICEF’s humanitarian airfreight initiative, under countries joined with the State of Qatar playing a ministration. The initiative was launched in cooperation with which Qatar Airways will prioritize the transporta- leading role in its preparation, particularly when it It’s difficult, if not impossible, to calculate extinction Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) and WHO in order to tion of vaccines, medicine, and medical equipment comes to taking the necessary measures to ensure rates, and estimates vary wildly. Still, a 2019 United Nations improve access to tools that will combat the Coro- in a safe way using its international network, to all countries gain access to vaccines in a compre- report that analyzed and reviewed thousands of scientific and navirus in countries most in need. ensure the availability of vaccines everywhere, in hensive, fair, and timely manner. government sources indicates that the globe is experiencing She also highlighted the prominent role Qatar addition to supporting COVAX for vaccine access She reiterated Qatar’s commitment to its moral unprecedented rates of threatened extinction. To push back Airways plays, with the Qatar Airways Cargo sign- on an international scale. and humanitarian role of providing support to all against this trend, the US must do more by moving faster in ing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sheikha Alya stressed on the importance of international efforts aiming to guarantee a fair pro- its deliberations. The stakes are high for all involved. UNICEF. adhering to the Political Declaration on Equitable duction and supply of vaccines all over the world.

How To Save Coastlines From Climate Change Disasters Michael W Beck cessful in defending coastal areas. Hun- vastly more expensive than elsewhere be- dreds of thousands of acres have been cause of special permitting requirements. he frequency of natural disasters has replanted across the tropics, mainly in Successful oyster reef restoration in the US soared in recent decades. Total dam- Southeast Asia. But more than 25,000 can provide lessons that could be applied age topped $210 billion worldwide in acres are still lost every year. New stud- to coral reefs. 2020. With climate change, the costs ies that combine flood risk and economic Public and private insurers should ex- attributed to coastal storms will in- models show that mangroves reduce prop- pand incentives for natural defenses creaseT dramatically. erty damage from storms by $65 billion an- The Federal Emergency Management At the same time, coastal habitats such nually across more than 400,000 miles of Agency offers insurance incentives for as wetlands and reefs are being lost rapidly. coastline in 100-plus nations. open space preservation; FEMA and pri- Some 20% of the world’s mangroves were Coral reef restoration has lagged fur- vate insurers should expand these to cover lost over the last four decades. More than ther behind. The flood risk models show natural defenses. Coastal landowners will half of the Great Barrier Reef was degraded that when we lose just the top 1 meter respond. In Alabama, surveys showed that by bleaching in 2020 alone. In California, (about 3 feet) of coral reefs, the annual cost small incentives could change whether we have lost more than 90% of our coastal of storms will double globally, including in landowners choose to restore marshes or marshes. hot spots where reefs provide millions of continue to rebuild failing bulkheads. Coastal habitats serve as a critical first dollars of flood protection annually. The line of defense, and their loss puts com- US has more than 325 kilometers (about Using insurance industry risk models, munities at even greater risk from coastal 202 miles) of these critical reefs in two we found that marshes and wetlands pre- flooding. Coral reefs work as natural break- states and four territories. vented more than $625 million in direct waters and reduce flooding by breaking The good news is that reefs and wet- flood damage on the New Jersey coast waves offshore. Wetlands such as marsh- lands can recover and even adapt. But the alone during Hurricane Sandy. To broaden es and mangroves protect coastlines by sad truth is we don’t protect what we don’t ture investments found that traditional protections such incentives to property owners, these hab- dampening storm surge and waves; they value. That’s why we need to change the Significantopportunities exist to great- as seawalls may amplify wave energy, ex- itat-based benefits should be included in also prevent erosion and can build new way we account for the economic value of ly expand support for natural infrastruc- acerbate flooding and increase erosion. It the models used by underwriters. land. natural assets and the costs of their loss. ture using the same financial mechanisms is moving to develop the use of reefs and After Hurricane Delta hit the reefs of On Jan. 27, President Joe Biden com- The flood risk studies lay the foundation that have traditionally supported infra- reef-mimicking structures to deal with the Quintana Roo, Mexico, in October, an in- mitted to protect 30% of US land and for that change. Here’s what we can do to structure projects, like roads and levees. In effects of storms and sea level rise. novative insurance policy, purchased ear- coastal seas by 2030 as part of the US cli- change how we defend our coastlines. 2016, residents across all nine San Francis- Allocate more disaster recovery money lier by a public-private coastal trust, paid mate strategy. These 30-by-30 targets are Include environmental assets in na- co Bay Area counties overwhelmingly ap- to repair storm-damaged natural defenses out money to replace dislodged coral heads already being adopted by many nations tional economic accounting proved a small tax on every parcel of land After the 2017 hurricanes devastated and prevent further damage. We should ahead of the upcoming United Nations Currently, economic indicators such as to finance wetland restoration. the coasts of Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas promote such strategies, which the Cali- Convention on Biological Diversity meet- gross domestic product account for only The Biden administration has pro- and the US Virgin Islands, Congress ap- fornia insurance commissioner’s office is ing. what we take from the environment, be it posed significant investments in the na- propriated $100 billion to rebuild coastal starting to explore. Less certain is how we can pay for this fish or timber. We don’t place a value on tion’s crumbling built infrastructure. It infrastructure. Less than 0.02% of those With help, wetlands and reefs can when national budgets are stretched. The the natural assets we leave intact that pro- should also invest more to restore degrad- funds may go to rebuild the storm-ravaged rebound and serve as resilient defenses answer is to use nature to help us. We vide critical benefits such as flood protec- ed natural infrastructure, which can help reefs that protect people from San Juan to for coastlines as they have for millennia. spend hundreds of billions every year on tion. But we can incorporate these values create green jobs. Miami. Coastal habitats can even keep up with sea disaster management and post-disaster re- in national economics—as the World Bank One promising example is Reefense, a Identifying coastal habitats as national level rise as a dynamic defense—something covery, and less than 3% of this on natural and the United Nations are doing—by as- project recently started by the Defense De- infrastructure would help ensure that we no artificial structure can do.A s we experi- defenses, which could reduce the damage sessing the value of natural assets, just as partment to build coral and oyster reefs to quickly rebuild them after storms just as ence more extreme weather catastrophes, of these disasters. we would for, say, a seawall. defend US military installations in coastal we do constructed infrastructure. Per- the most cost-effective way to protect Mangrove restoration has proved suc- Rethink public and private infrastruc- areas around the world. The department versely, coral reef restoration in the US is coastal populations is to do it naturally.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Sunday, April 18, 2021 07 Russia sends warships for manoeuvres amid tension in eastern Ukraine dpa ployment of two warships to wavering support.” On Friday, ternational concern is grow- been killed in the fighting. A Moscow the strategically significant the Russian Defence Ministry ing about an escalation of the peace plan agreed in 2015 with sea that lies between Europe declared that certain areas of conflict in eastern Ukraine be- Franco-German mediation is Russia has sent 15 warships and Asia following complaints the Black Sea near the Crime- cause of Russian troop deploy- on hold. to the Black Sea for a military from Russia, according to an Peninsula, with Russia an- ments not far from the Ukrain- The head of Ukraine’s mili- manoeuvre amid renewed ten- Turkish sources. nexed from Ukraine in 2014, ian border. tary operation, Sergei Nayev, sions in eastern Ukraine. There had been fears the would be closed off through For almost seven years, indicated that he does not ex- The Russian warships presence of Russian and US October because of the ma- parts of the Donetsk and Lu- pect a new immediate escala- passed through the Kerch warships in the waters off noeuvres. However, shipping hansk regions along the Rus- tion, despite the recent amass- Strait on the Crimean peninsu- Ukraine could lead to a mili- in the strait was not affected. sian border - collectively ing of Russian troops at the la on Saturday, the navy said, tary showdown. The European Union, known as Donbas - have been border. according to the Interfax news Washington backs the gov- NATO and Ukraine criticized controlled by separatists loyal “We don’t see any attack agency agency. ernment in Kiev and US Presi- Russia’s actions. A senior EU to Moscow. preparations there,” he told The United States had dent Joe Biden has promised official spoke of an “extremely Warships of the Russian navy’s Caspian Sea flotilla sail on the Don According to UN estimates, Ukrainian television on Friday previously cancelled the de- the Ukrainian president “un- worrying development.” In- river in Rostov-on-Don recently. (afp) more than 13,000 people have night.

US and Japan commit Raul Castro says he will step down, to taking on ‘challenges from China’ together marking end of an era for Cuba dpa Washington dpa ration of US-Cuba diplomatic Miami relations, stagnated amid The leaders of the United hardline intransigence in the States and Japan empha- Sixty-two years after lead- Cuban regime and the Trump sised their commitment to ing a guerrilla army out of the administration’s effective re- countering challenges from mountain jungles of Cuba and versal of much of the renewal, China and ensuring a peace- helping his brother, Fidel Cas- including imposition of sanc- ful, free and open Indo-Pacif- tro, impose communist rule tions. ic region after their first in- over the island, Raul Castro The Biden administration person meeting on Friday. on Friday said he will relin- has signaled that relations Concerns have been US President Joe Biden (right) quish his hold on formal pow- with Cuba are not on the front growing over China’s asser- and Japan’s Prime Minister er in the nation’s affairs. burner. A senior administra- tiveness in disputed water- Yoshihide Suga in Washington As has been widely expect- tion official said on Friday af- ways. on Friday. (AFP) ed, Raul Castro, 89, said he ternoon that the White House “We agreed to oppose was stepping down as head of had nothing substantive to say any attempts to change the Japan. the Cuban Communist Party, about Castro’s retirement. status quo by force or coer- In a joint statement re- the island’s dominant politi- “It is for the Cuban people cion in the East and South leased later, the US restated cal force, during a subdued to speak to the results of the China Seas, and intimida- its support for Japan’s de- opening session of the body’s party congress. The United tion of others in the region,” fence “using its full range Eighth Congress in Havana. States is focused on democ- Japanese Prime Minister of capabilities, including In remarks during an ad- racy, human rights, and em- Yoshihide Suga said, speak- nuclear.” The statement dress to delegates in Havana’s powering the Cuban people to ing through a translator. also reaffirmed that Wash- convention center, Raul Cas- determine their own future,” China claims nearly all ington’s support for Japan tro announced he would not Raul Castro, Cuban First Secretary of the Communist Party in Havana on Friday. (afp) the official said. of the South China Sea, pro- under their mutual coopera- seek to retain any high post in “We are currently review- voking friction with other tion and security treaty ap- the party, though he stressed tion until the end of my life.” “continuity,” according to He noted the conclave was ing policy toward Cuba, and nations in the region. The plies to the Senkaku Islands, he would remain an active Cuban President Miguel the party website, declaring taking place almost precisely have nothing further to an- sea is also claimed in part by a group of Japanese-admin- party member, according to Díaz-Canel is the anticipated it was time for the regime’s 60 years after Fidel Castro nounce at this time.” Philippines, Malaysia, Viet- istered uninhabited islets in sound and video excerpts and heir to Raul Castro’s role as last remaining “historic” lead- proclaimed the “socialist char- Raul Castro began posi- nam, Brunei and Taiwan. the East China Sea. reports in official Cuban me- the party’s first secretary, ers from revolutionary days acter” of the revolution fol- tioning protege Diaz-Canel “We committed to work- Chinese coastguard ves- dia. making the 60-year-old civil- to yield official power to a lowing the failed Bay of Pigs to fill his place in what’s re- ing together to take on the sels have in recent weeks “As far as I’m concerned, ian the island’s most powerful younger generation that can invasion. And while he called garded as Cuba’s top political challenges from China,” US been regularly spotted near my task as first secretary to figure - on paper at least. The preserve and renew the Cuban the US-backed invasion by Cu- job after ill health forced older President Joe Biden said. the islands, which are also the central committee of the conclave was not being broad- Communist Party’s ideals. ban exiles “terrorism,” he also brother Fidel Castro to resign Biden also emphasized claimed by China and Tai- PCC ends with the satisfaction cast live, but government- “Nothing obligates me to made it clear the Cuban gov- as president and Communist that the US alliance with Ja- wan, where they are known of having fulfilled my mission controlled media released make this decision,” he said. ernment is willing to seek bet- Party head in 2011. pan and support for shared as Diaoyu/Tiaoyutai. and the confidence in the fu- video snippets and a synopsis “I believe fervently ... in the ter relations with the adminis- Raul Castro succeeded security is “ironclad.” The “Together, we oppose ture of the fatherland,” Raul of Raul Castro’s speech, with- understanding of my compa- tration of President Joe Biden. his brother in both posts, but US, a nuclear-armed nation, any unilateral action that Castro said. out immediately acknowledg- triots. And let no one doubt What effect if any the tran- gave up the presidential job is a protective power for Ja- seeks to undermine Japan’s He added: “I will continue ing his announced intention this: While I live I will be sition will have on US-Cuba in 2018, setting the stage for pan. administration of the Sen- participating as one more rev- to step down. ready, with my feet in the stir- relations is uncertain. Raul Diaz-Canel’s selection for a Thousands of US sol- kaku Islands,” the statement olutionary combatant, willing Raul Castro stressed the rups, to defend the fatherland, Castro’s signal accomplish- five-year term as president by diers are also stationed in reads. to make my modest contribu- party conclave’s theme of the revolution and socialism.” ment as president, the resto- the island’s popular assembly. Merkel receives AstraZeneca vaccine shot Myanmar military gives New Year’s

dpa was no picture of her receiv- national conference last week. amnesty to 23,000 prisoners Berlin ing the needle. Nonetheless, a total of dpa On Saturday, people kept of people killed or imprisoned “I am delighted to have re- 18.5 percent of Germany’s Bangkok due to the military’s crackdown German Chancellor Angela ceived my first vaccination to- population has now received up demonstrations against on journalists. Merkel said Friday she was day with AstraZeneca,” Mer- at least one coronavirus vac- Myanmar’s military granted the military regime in sev- The Assistance Association “delighted” to have received kel said via her spokesman. cine shot, according to the amnesty to more than 23,000 eral regions, including the for Political Prisoners (AAPP) her first coronavirus vaccine “I thank everyone who is Robert Koch Institute public prisoners as the country be- largest city of Yangon activist group estimates at least dose and encouraged others involved in the vaccination disease control authority. gan marking it traditional 728 people have been killed to follow her example. campaign - and everyone Only 6.4 percent of the New Year festival on Saturday, ing in the wake of a military since the coup and, as of Fri- The 66-year-old chan- who gets vaccinated,” she population has received their state-run broadcaster MRTV coup. day, more than 3,000 junta op- cellor was given the Astra- said. “Vaccination is the key German Chancellor Angela Merkel second jab, which leaves Ger- reported, though it was unclear It was not immediately ponents were in prison. Zeneca shot, which has been to overcoming the pandem- in Berlin on Friday. (AFP) many trailing behind major whether anti-coup protesters clear whether any of the pris- On Saturday, people kept designated for those over 60 ic.” Earlier in the day, Olaf Western nations such as Brit- where among those set free. oners granted release included up demonstrations against the in Germany. Merkel joins a Scholz, the nation’s 62-year on Thursday, his office said ain, the US and Israel, which The junta claimed the first opponents of the coup staged military regime in several re- growing list of world leaders vice-chancellor and finance in response to a question, have vaccinated a far larger detainees were released in the by the military on February 1. gions, including the largest city to step forward and get a jab, minister, was also given a although it would not state share of their people. morning, with more to follow The ousting and impris- of Yangon. yet unlike many of her coun- shot of AstraZeneca. which vaccination he had This followed a shambolic later in the day, according to onment of members of My- The Irrawaddy newspaper terparts she did not do it in A further German law- been given. start to Germany’s vaccina- MRTV. anmar’s civilian government reported at least two people full view of the cameras. maker was also vaccinated His move drew interest tion roll-out earlier this year, Myanmar celebrates its triggered mass nationwide died during protests Saturday A tweet from her spokes- against Covid-19 this week. after the party had criticized which has affected support Buddhist New Year holiday protests, with security forces morning in the town of Mogo- person, Steffen Seibert, Alexander Gauland, a the vaccines, suggesting they for Merkel’s conservative Thingyan in mid-April, al- responding by using increas- ke, north of Mandalay, after quoted the chancellor and in- leading figure in the far-right were risky and had been ap- Christian Democrat-led gov- though this year’s festivities ingly violent tactics. forces opened fire on civilians. cluded an image of Merkel’s Alternative for Germany proved too quickly in a decla- ernment ahead of elections have been stained by the blood- It is impossible to inde- Other people were reportedly vaccine documents - but there (AfD) party, received the jab ration adopted at the party’s set for September. shed and mass arrests follow- pendently verify the number hit by gunfire. Royal family bids farewell to Prince Philip at intimate funeral dpa service. After the service, the Questions were raised procession. Windsor, England However, photographers queen left the chapel with after Buckingham Palace However a spokesper- who were permitted to take Archbishop of Canterbury confirmed the pair would be son declined to comment if The coffin of Britain’s Prince pictures prior to the start cap- Justin Welby and was fol- separated by their cousin, Pe- the procession reflected their Philip was interred in the royal tured the queen, dressed in all lowed by heir-to-the-throne ter Philips, during the funeral relationship. vault of St George’s Chapel in black, sitting in her own in a Prince Charles and his wife Windsor at the end of a funeral pew and gazing at her hus- Camilla, duchess of Cornwall, service that featured just 30 band’s coffin. outside. mourners on Saturday. Other members of the Prince William and Prince Queen Elizabeth II, his royal family appeared sombre Harry also reunited seen wife of 73 years, was forced during the service. walking together and chatting to sit alone during the service Several of the royals read after the service. JOB WANTED due to the strict coronavirus the order of service through- It appeared their conversa- Senior Structural Design Engineer − 13 years Experience (7 years in Qatar) -High Rise & regulations in place in Eng- out funeral, while others were tion was relaxed, with Prince land. The prince, who was seen staring into the distance. William maskless as they Infrastructure Buildings. also known as the duke of Each member of the royal walked while Prince Harry − Skills :Autocad, Etabs,sap,safe,prokon,RCM,Office. Edinburgh, was laid to rest family - and the specially kept his on. − With work experience in many big companies like just over a week after he died chosen guests - all wore for- While the duo have faced El Dar Consulting Engineering Egypt & AEB (Arab Members of the Royal Family including Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II aged 99. mal black clothes and black difficulties in their relation- Engineering Bureau) Qatar & United Consultant Qatar. (top left) watch as pallbearers arrive with the coffin into the quire of The queen’s expression face masks and were spread ship over the last few months St George’s Chapel for the funeral service of Britain’s Prince Philip, was not captured by the around the chapel to comply they appeared to be friendly to Contact: mobile :77292965 Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor Castle in London on Saturday. (afp) television cameras during the with restrictions. each other at the service. email: [email protected] Building sales dominate weekly property deals pg 9

Sunday, April 18, 2021

34,200.67 10,899.06 48832.03 1,780.20 +164.68 pts +293.68 pts +28.35 pts Gold +0.76% Toshiba: Troubled megacorp facing Dow QE sensex buyout drama in Japan page 10 Price percentage Price percentage 26.11 Brent 66.77 -0.25% WTI 63.13 -0.52% Silver +0.54 % QSE investors QFC, Labuan IBFC sign gain QR11 bn deal to enhance ties in one week

Satyendra Pathak the index. Further, Masraf Al Deal to facilitate recognition of banks, insurers, other financial entities in their respective markets Doha Rayan added another 63.34 points. Tribune News Network QFC firms to expand globally.” Market capitalisation of Qa- Foreign institutions ended Doha Strategically located in Asia and tar Stock Exchange (QSE) in- the week with net buying of the Middle East, Labuan IBFC and creased a whopping QR11 bil- QR414 million against net The Qatar Financial Centre Authori- QFC respectively play a key role in fa- lion to reach QR627.08 billion buying of QR48 million in the ty (QFC Authority) has signed a mem- cilitating regional economic growth. during the week that saw Qa- previous week. Qatari institu- orandum of understanding (MoU) By working together, the two financial tar’s Cabinet approve a draft tions remained negative with with Labuan IBFC to develop long- centres can boost economic and finan- law allowing foreign investors net selling of QR174 million term cooperation and boost economic cial sector ties, unlock access to new to own up to 100 percent in against net selling of QR23 and financial sector ties between the markets and expand and elevate the Qatari shareholding compa- million in the week before. two financial centres. regulatory recognition of the market nies listed on the QSE. Foreign retail investors The MoU signed by QFC Chief Ex- players in each other’s jurisdiction. It was an increase of 1.8 closed the week with net sell- ecutive Officer Yousuf MohamedA l Farah Jaafar-Crossby said, “This percent in the total wealth Jaida and Labuan IBFC Chief Execu- MOU heralds an exciting phase of of investors as compared to tive Officer Farah Jaafar-Crossby on Labuan IBFC’s growth in the MENA QR616.02 billion at the end of April 15 entails a commitment to col- region, and we could not ask for a the previous week. laborate on certain objectives includ- better partner than the Qatar Fi- The QSE general index ing, but not limited to, marketing, nancial Centre. QFC’s legal and op- gained 357.53 points, or 3.39 awareness activities and identifica- erational framework, as well as their percent, during the week, to tion of mutually beneficial initiatives. adherence to international stand- close at 10,899.06 points. Under the structure of the agree- ards of transparency and regulatory Trading value during the ment, QFC and Labuan IBFC will ex- robustness, provides an ideal plat- week increased by 1.4 per- plore a mutually beneficial framework form from which our intermediar- cent to reach QR3.265 billion to allow relevant financial institutions ies may leverage towards making in- against QR3.220.3 billion in in Qatar to operate in Labuan IBFC roads into the MENA region. I look the previous trading week. and allow relevant financial institu- forward to the partnership with You- Qatar Aluminum Manufactur- tions in it to operate in the QFC, sub- suf and his team in creating a mean- ing Company (Qamco) was the ject to the approval of competent au- ingful collaboration.” top value traded stock during thorities. As Asia’s leading wholesale mid- the week with a total value of ing of QR8 million against Both financial centres also agreed shore financial centre, Labuan IBFC QR436.2 million. net selling of QR1 million in to collaborate on financial sector do- has welcomed more than 900 li- The number of transac- the previous week. Qatari re- mains, such as setting up business censed intermediaries since its in- tions also increased by 10.9 tail investors remained bear- operations with respect to Islamic ception in 1990. It has grown beyond percent to reach 59,225 ish with net selling of QR233 finance, digital finance, capital mar- serving Malaysia-based entities to against 53,427 in the previ- million against net selling kets, asset and investment manage- include international organisations ous week. Trading volume, of QR26 million the week ment, and other relevant financial in banking, leasing, capital markets, however, declined 36 percent before. institutions and financial service pro- insurance, reinsurance, risk manage- to reach 1.426 billion shares According to an estimate viders within their ecosystems. ment and wealth management. It is against 2.228 billion shares by QNB Financial Services The agreement further stipulates also home to the world’s first Sukuk in the previous trading week. (QNBFS), foreigners are net facilitating the recognition of banks, and is acknowledged as an Islamic fi- Qamco was also the top vol- buyers of $378.4 million of insurers, and other financial sector nancial hub. ume traded stock during the Qatari shares so far this year, entities in their respective markets, The QFC is an onshore jurisdic- week with a total traded vol- as of Wednesday closing. subject to meeting the other jurisdic- tion that allows registered companies ume of 299.5 million shares. Of the 48 listed companies, tion’s regulatory requirements, and to enjoy competitive benefits, such Qatar Islamic Bank, Com- 25 companies ended the week collaborating to explore mutual rec- as up to 100 percent foreign own- mercial Bank of Qatar and higher, while 23 fell. Alkhaleej ognition of regulations for relevant fi- ership, 100 percent repatriation of Masraf Al Rayan were the pri- Takaful Insurance was the best nancial institutions via the competent profits, 10 percent corporate tax on mary contributors to the week- performing stock for the week, authorities of each jurisdiction. The headquarters of QFC in Doha. locally sourced profits, and an ex- ly index gain. Qatar Islamic with a gain of 17.41 percent. Commenting on the agreement, tensive double taxation treaty net- Bank was the biggest contrib- On the other hand, Qatar Jaida said, “We are delighted to part- tegic and lucrative markets. Labuan on growing Qatar’s financial services work with over 85 countries, a legal utor to the index’s weekly in- National Cement Company ner with Labuan IBFC and embark IBFC offers a strategic platform to ex- sector, in line with our 2022 strategy, environment based on English com- crease, adding 133.04 points was the worst-performing on collaborations that will allow both pand into the burgeoning Asian mar- by attracting international firms to set mon law and the right to trade in any to the index. Commercial Bank stock with a decline of 3.94 financial centres to expand into stra- ket. This MoU reinforces our focus up in Qatar and creating pathways for currency. of Qatar added 75.68 points to percent.

Oman goes live with Doha Bank playing vital role in enhancing 5% VAT Agencies Qatar’s trade with Sri Lanka: Seetharaman Oman has become the fourth state in the GCC region to Tribune News Network and alliances with their Srilankan implement VAT, with a flat 5 Doha counterparts. Many Srilankan per cent being imposed on a companies are looking to take part range of goods and services Doha Bank is playing an impor- in Qatari projects and establish from April 16. tant role in facilitating trade fi- joint ventures in all sectors. Qatar Oman expects 400 million nance opportunities between Qa- Airways and SriLankan Airlines riyals in additional revenues tar and Sri Lanka, the bank’s top announced significant codeshare for the state exchequer via the executive has said. expansion in December 2019.” tax, equivalent to 1.5 percent Speaking during his meet- Speaking on the occasion, the of the country’s GDP. The re- ing with a Sri Lankan delegation Sri Lankan minister gave insight ceipts will come in handy as headed by Ajith Nivard Cabraal, on investment opportunities in Sri the Gulf state tackles budget Member of Parliament and State Lanka. He said, “Construction of deficits that have widened as Minister of Money and Capital new terminals, supporting logistic a result of the pandemic hit to Market and State Enterprise Re- establishments, shipbuilding and the economy. forms, Doha Bank Group CEO R repairing industries, developing mi- Oman had in place a six- Seetharaman said, “Doha Bank en- nor ports and connectivity, expand- month transition period be- tered into agreements with the four ing related leisure activities and ma- fore the VAT came into effect. biggest Sri Lankan banks to facili- rine support industries are some of But categories such as essen- tate the remittances from Qatar to the areas which offer potential.” tial foodstuff will be rated at 0 Sri Lanka. Doha Bank also playing Central Bank of Sri Lanka Depu- per cent VAT. an important role to facilitate trade ty Governor N W G R D Nanayakka- Oman was among the finance opportunities between Qa- Doha Bank Group CEO R Seetharaman with members of a Srilankan delegation headed by Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Member of ra, who also took part in the meeting, more vulnerable economies tar and Srilanka and has seen a Parliament of Sri Lanka and State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, in Doha recently. said it was a fruitful tour of Qatar in the GCC even before it was substantial growth in the past few that opened several avenues for Sri lashed by falling crude prices months.” expected production start date in economy is expected to grow by 4 Talking about the bilateral re- Lanka. Meeting with R Seetharaman and the coronavirus pandem- Highlighting key developments 2027, the NFS project involves percent in 2021. Sri Lanka’s recent lationships between Sri Lanka and was very useful, he said. ic. Its budget deficit as a share in Qatar that include its recent the construction of two additional monetary policy has maintained Qatar, he said, “Sri Lanka has en- Prominent among other digni- of gross domestic product is LNG expansion plans, he said, mega LNG trains and associated low interest rates and policy rate at joyed close ties with Qatar. There taries who also participated in the anticipated to be among the “Qatar Petroleum’s North Field offshore and onshore facilities.” which money is injected overnight are over 120,000 Srilankans living meeting included Srilankan Am- highest in the region, accord- East Project (NFE) is expected According to an IMF report at 5.5 percent and the rate at which in Qatar. There are more than 200 bassador to Qatar HE M Mafaz Mo- ing to the International Mon- to start production in the fourth in April this year, he said, Qatar’s excess money is deposited at 4.5 Srilankan companies established hideen, Superintendent of Public etary Fund. quarter of 2025. The NFE project economy is expected to grow by 2.4 percent. Srilankan fiscal policy for in partnership with the Qatari Debt Department at Central Bank The other economies to represents the first phase of LNG percent in 2021. 2021 has a deficit of 8.9 percent of side. Qatari businessmen should of Sri Lanka Mohamed Z M Aazim have done so are the UAE, Sau- expansion in Qatar, while the sec- Providing insights on the Sri GDP. Srilanka Vision 2025 has giv- explore the huge investment op- and Director of Economic Research di Arabia, which last year raised ond phase, referred to as the North Lankan economy, Seetharaman en thrust on FDI and exports and to portunities in Sri Lanka and es- at Central Bank of Sri Lanka Chan- its VAT rate to 15 percent from Field South Project (NFS).With an said, “As per IMF, Sri Lankan improve per-capita income.” tablish business partnerships dranath Amarasekara. 5 percent, and Bahrain. Economy & Business Sunday, April 18, 2021 09 Building sales dominate weekly property deals Nissan to slash production in May due to chip shortage Tribune News Network Wakra — saw property sales Doha also has seen the Doha during the period. The deals sale of a residential com- Agencies Trail SUV and other models, included sale of vacant land pound in the Fereej Al-Asiri will aim to make up for lost Registered property sales lots, residences, multi-use area, at a value of QR83 mn, Nissan Motor Co will slash production once the supply of in Qatar between April 4 and buildings and multi-use land extending over an area of production at several factories chips returns, the people said. 8 generated QR783 million, lots and residential build- 15,312 square metres It was in Japan next month, three Two other domestic as- the latest Ezdan Real Estate ings, the report, which is sold at QR503 per square sources with direct knowledge sembly plants, the Oppama report has said, citing figures sponsored by SAK Partner- foot. of the plan said, in the latest plant and a Nissan Shatai from the country’s Real Estate ships, said. Ezdan Real Estate com- hit to an automaker from a factory in Kyushu, will cancel Registration Department. Al Rayyan municipal- pany runs more than 22,800 global shortage of semicon- the night shift over 15 days be- Building sales dominat- ity came on top in terms of residential units, and around ductors. tween May 10-28, and a fourth ed these deals, generating transaction value through 790 commercial units in- Japan’s third-largest au- factory in Tochigi, will idle for QR656.3 million and making the sale of a residential build- side Doha and its environs, tomaker will idle its factory in 10 previously unplanned days up 83.8 percent of the total ing in Al Rayyan Al Jadeed. including in Al Wakra and Kyushu for eight days between next month, the sources said. sales value during the period. The transaction generated in Al Wukair. The company May 10 and 19, the sources “Due to the (global chip) Seven municipalities — QR421.4 million. The prop- continues to invest in the real said, declining to be identified shortage, Nissan is adjusting Umm Salal, Al Khor, Al Tha- erty is 23,484 square metres estate sector and contribute because the plan is not public. production and is taking nec- kira, Al Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Ezdan Real Estate company runs more than 22,800 residential units, in area and was sold at a price to real estate development of The plant, which assem- essary actions to ensure recov- Shamal, Al Daayen, and Al and around 790 commercial units inside Doha and its environs. of QR1,667 per square foot. Qatar on a large scale. bles the Serena minivan, X- ery,” a Nissan spokesman said.

QNB economic commentary Strong US jobs data China’s econ growth surges to point to a rapid economic recovery 18.3% but rebound levelling off The latest figures he US economic recovery continues ‘mask a sharp Tto “shock and awe” slowdown’ in the investors and macro- economists. After a sudden, world’s second- Covid-19-related economic collapse in Q2 2020, US largest economy activity rebounded strongly, driven by massive policy Agencies stimulus. Importantly, the recovery seems to be more China’s economy grew by sustainable and distributed double digits in the latest across different sectors, it was in after the global quarter but an explosive re- despite continuous waves of financial crisis or the tech bound from the coronavirus new Covid-19 cases. bust recession of the early pandemic is slowing abruptly In line with such recov- 2000s (see graph 2). as manufacturing and con- ery and acceleration in ac- Second, the breadth of sumer spending return to nor- tivity, the US “Employment the recovery in US employ- mal. Situation” report for March ment has also been strong, The economy grew by 2021 presented strong with significant job gains 18.3% over a year ago, of- results. In fact, US nonfarm across most of the major in- ficial data showed Friday, a payrolls, which account dustries. Covid-19-sensitive figure that was magnified by for the overall number of sectors have also benefited comparison with early 2020, nonfarm workers in the US from strong employment when factories and shops were private sector, increased by growth, including categories closed and activity plunged. almost one million workers such as leisure and hospital- Growth compared with 2020’s last month, surpassing ana- ity, education, retail trade final quarter, when a recov- lysts’ expectations by far. and other services. We ex- ery was under way, slowed to After almost eleven months pect continued employment 0.6%, among the weakest of of uninterrupted growth, growth in these sectors as the past decade. nonfarm payrolls reached a the US economy re-opens The latest figures “mask level of 144.1 million work- over the summer. a sharp slowdown” in the ers in March. At this level, Third, the overwhelm- world’s second-largest econo- US nonfarm payrolls have ing majority of US work- my as stimulus spending and A worker installs new traffic lights at a junction in Beijing on Thursday, April 15, 2021. China’s economic growth surged to 18.3% over a year already reversed 62% of ers are emerging from easy credit are wound down, earlier in the first quarter of this year as factory and consumer activity recovered from the coronavirus pandemic. the decline since the initial the pandemic in a better Julian Evans-Pritchard of shock from the pandemic. financial situation than they Capital economics said in a Forecasters expect eco- by 3.2% over a year earlier. are slowing. as some governments re-im- The US labor market is a were before the outbreak of report. nomic growth of at least 7% That accelerated to 4.9% in the Retail spending rose 34.2% pose anti-disease curbs that key indicator for the health Covid-19. According to the “China’s post-COVID re- this year but say China’s out- third quarter and 6.5% in the in March, up from 33.9% for are disrupting business and of the overall US economy. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bound is leveling off,” Evans- look is clouded by trade ten- final three months of the year. the full first quarter, accord- trade. This piece dives into three the real hourly earnings Pritchard said. sion with Washington and For the full year, China ing to the NBS. Factory output Tech industries are ham- main points about current of US employees, which is Manufacturing, auto sales disruptions in global supplies eked out 2.3% growth, becom- rose 24.5% in the first quarter pered by U.S. sanctions that developments in the US adjusted by CPI inflation, and consumer spending have of processor chips needed by ing the only major economy to while investment in real es- block access to chips and other labour markets. has increased by almost recovered to above pre-pan- smartphone makers and oth- expand while United States, tate, factories and other fixed technology for Chinese tech gi- First, the pace of the 4% since January 2020. demic levels since the ruling er tech industries the ruling Europe and Japan struggled assets increased 25.6%. ant Huawei and other compa- recovery in US civilian em- Such increase, amid a US Communist Party declared party is counting on to propel with renewed disease out- “The focus should be on nies in a feud with Beijing over ployment has been unprec- recession, was only possible victory over the coronavirus a self-sustaining economy and breaks. consumption data, which kept technology and security. edented. While the initial due to generous financial last March and allowed facto- reduce reliance on trade. This year, the Interna- improving,” Chaoping Zhu of President Joe Biden says spike in unemployment was transfers from the govern- ries and stores to reopen. Res- The latest figures are in tional Monetary Fund and pri- JP Morgan Asset Management he wants better relations with sharp due to the pandemic, ment to households. As a taurants and shopping malls line with expectations due to vate sector forecasters expect said in a report. Beijing but has yet to indicate the ongoing recovery is also result, personal income and are filling up, though visitors the low basis for comparison growth to rise to above 8%. Quarterly growth com- whether he will roll back sanc- taking place at record speed. household savings soared, still are checked for the virus’s in early 2020. The economy The ruling party’s official tar- pared with the previous quar- tions or tariff hikes imposed Usually, the employment creating a wall of consumer telltale fever. shrank by 6.8% in the first get is “above 6%.” ter should stabilize at 1%-2%, on Chinese goods by his pre- cycle plays out asymmetri- money that will likely be The economy “delivered quarter, the worst perfor- Government data indicate according to Iris Pang of ING. decessor, Donald Trump. cally, with unemployment deployed once the economy a stable performance with a mance since at least the mid- consumer spending, a pillar Pang raised her full-year “China-U.S. relations with increasing rapidly during re- opens up. This is expected consolidated foundation and 1960s. of the ruling party’s plan to growth forecast to 8.2% from be critical for China’s econom- cessions and reversing only to create a positive feedback good momentum of growth,” Activity started to recover reduce reliance on exports, is 7%. Still, some warn a Chinese ic growth, mostly in technol- gradually during economic loop in which additional the National Bureau of Statis- in the second quarter of 2020, accelerating while growth in recovery still isn’t certain be- ogy development,” said Pang expansions. This time spending creates more jobs, tics said in a report. when the economy expanded factory output and investment cause global demand is weak in a report. around, however, employ- increases confidence and ul- ment has moved sharply in timately leads to even more both directions. As a matter spending. of reference, employment is All in all, a strong US reversing back to pre-Cov- labour market, after a deep id-19 levels 5 times faster recession, is a positive driv- Union, US automakers headed for fight than after the last two reces- er for the global economy. sions. Such pace of recovery In the absence of any other Agencies course of American manu- the now-canceled Chevrolet this transition being positive is a strong signal that the major exogenous shock, the facturing wages into the next The union says GM and its Volt hybrid gas-electric vehi- for jobs, but to do that it has US economy is moving away US is set to lead the world The United Auto Workers un- decade as the nation moves joint venture partner have cle. That’s a little more than to be very carefully orchestrat- from the Covid-19 recession into a period of higher GDP ion is calling on General Mo- from petroleum powered ve- a ‘moral obligation’ to pay what Amazon pays at distri- ed,” she said. in a much better shape than growth rates. tors to pay full union wages at hicles to those that run on the higher wages at bution centers and just above Guidehouse Insights Prin- electric vehicle battery facto- electricity. battery factories a proposed $15 per hour new cipal Analyst Sam Abuels- ries, thrusting what had been GM said wages at the bat- federal minimum wage. GM amid said Ford and Stellantis a festering conflict into the tery plants would be deter- also pays about $22.50 per probably will follow a model spotlight. mined by Ultium Cells LLC, Currently top-scale union hour at union-represented similar to GM with joint ven- The union, in a statement the joint venture with LG En- production workers at inter- parts manufacturing plants. tures running battery plants, reacting to GM’s announce- ergy that’s running the facto- nal combustion engine and Kristin Dziczek, senior placing union jobs at combus- ment Friday that it would ries. transmission plants run by vice president at the Center tion engine and transmission build a second U.S. battery GM and LG Energy Solu- GM, Ford and Stellantis (for- for Automotive Research, plants at risk. plant, said the company and tions, its partner on the new merly Fiat Chrysler) make an industry think tank, said “The union is going to its joint venture partner have plant in Spring Hill, Tennes- more than $31 per hour. But workers who make inter- lose a huge number of jobs a “moral obligation” to pay the see, and another under con- when the Lordstown plant was nal combustion engines and from engine and transmis- higher wages at battery facto- struction in Lordstown, Ohio, announced in 2019, GM CEO transmissions and associated sion plants that are replaced ries. near Cleveland, should work Mary Barra said its worker parts are at “the epicenter of by battery plants,” he said. The statement sets the tone with the UAW “to make sure pay would follow GM’s com- this industrial transformation “There are also going to be for the next round of contract these are good-paying union ponent manufacturing strat- from internal combustion en- job reductions in the assembly talks in 2023 between GM, jobs like those of their broth- egy, where workers are paid gines to batteries.” plants due to simplified pro- Ford and Stellantis (formerly ers and sisters who make in- less than top union wages. With thousands of union duction of EVs with probably Fiat Chrysler), all of which ternal combustion engines,” She said the plant would have jobs at stake, the UAW will somewhere around 25-30% have plans to make significant the union statement said. to be cost-competitive. want the higher wages, she fewer people required to build numbers of battery-powered It also could draw Presi- At a GM plant assem- said, but joint venture compa- same number of vehicles.” vehicles by then as they invest dent Joe Biden into the fray, bling batteries in Brownstown nies fear they won’t be com- The transition, he said, billions to transition from in- because he is pushing the Township, Michigan, the un- petitive globally if they pay could cost the union half of its ternal combustion engines. transition to EVs, which he ion agreed in 2009 to $15 to too much. membership in the next 10 to However the conflict is re- says will create “good-paying, $17 per hour wages to assem- “There’s lots of jobs on the 15 years unless it successfully solved, it’s likely to chart the union jobs of the future.” ble battery cells into packs for line. The president talks about organizes the battery plants. 10 Sunday, April 18, 2021 Economy & Business

Weekly Energy Market Review US, China economic Toshiba: Troubled megacorp recoveries bolster sentiment to secure facing buyout drama in Japan weekly gain The resignation of Toshiba’s president amid a buyout offer is the latest among a string of controversies

il settled modestly Also announced last lower on Friday but week, was both the Inter- Osecured a weekly national Energy Agency gain on a stronger demand and OPEC’s increase in outlook and signs of eco- their forecasts for oil nomic recovery in China demand growth for 2021, and the United States, citing the stronger-than- that offset concerns about expected rebound in activ- rising COVID-19 infections ity in certain economies. in other major economies. Their forecasts were also Brent crude settled down supported by Wednesday’s 17 cents, or 0.3%, at $66.77 government data that a barrel. The global bench- showed overall U.S. crude mark finished up 6% on inventories fell by 5.9 the week after rising in the million barrels as refining previous four sessions. U.S. activity picked up. Toshiba has lurched from scandals and losses to a $20-billion buyout offer. West Texas Intermedi- Still, not all economies ate (WTI) crude settled at are recovering, as India’s Agencies were involved in “systemati- The conglomerate posts Toshiba works on its finan- $63.13, also gaining over coronavirus infection rate cally” inflating profits by $1.2 a net loss of $8.8 billion in cial woes and strengthens its 6% on the week. hit new records last week, Once a shining symbol of billion between 2008 and Blows 2016/17 as it faces the hu- governance, with a board now China’s first-quarter while Germany’s Chancel- Japan’s advanced technology 2014, pressuring underlings to ● miliating threat of being del- composed of mostly external gross domestic product lor on Friday said a third and economic power, Toshiba cover up weak results. In May, Toshiba isted from the Tokyo Stock directors. jumped 18.3% year on year, wave of the virus had the has been rocked by turbulence The company president withdraws its earnings Exchange. But the group faces pres- official data showed last country in its grip. in recent years, facing scan- and seven top executives re- forecast, citing accounting It raises 600 billion yen sure from activist shareholders week. Oil has recovered dals and losses before staging sign over the ballooning scan- problems on several ($5.3 billion at the time) in who want to see faster growth The U.S. also saw a from pandemic-induced a recovery. dal in July as its stock tanks infrastructure projects. new capital with foreign activ- and a clearer long-term strat- large increase in retail sales lows last year, helped by The industrial giant dates and a painful restructuring ist investors rushing in, but is egy. and a drop in unemploy- record cuts to oil output back to 1875 when its fore- begins with more than 10,000 ● An external panel finds demoted to the TSE’s second The crisis comes to a head ment claims released on by OPEC and its allies, a runner -- a telegraph factory jobs cut. that high-level Toshiba staff section. after Toshiba’s July 2020 an- Thursday. Many analysts group known as OPEC+. -- operated in central Tokyo. It The scandal hits Toshi- were involved in After months of delays and nual general meeting, as some feel that the strong eco- However, some of the forged its success in the 1980s ba at a weak point after the “systematically” inflating complications, the $21-billion shareholders call for an in- nomic data, spurred by OPEC+ cuts will be eased by developing flash memory 2008 financial crisis and 2011 profits sale of prized chip unit Toshi- dependent inquiry into vote the Biden $1,400 stimulus starting in May, and the chips and pioneering laptops. Fukushima disaster, which ba Memory to a group led by irregularities -- a demand check, is a huge positive group meets on April 28 to But the conglomerate, squashed demand for atomic ● The scandal hits Toshiba U.S. investor Bain Capital is refused by company manage- development for the energy consider further tweaks to whose vast business ranges power in Japan and dealt a at a weak point after the completed in June. ment. sector. the supply pact. from semiconductor manu- blow to its key nuclear divi- 2008 financial crisis and Toshiba retains a 40 per- Toshiba wins a return to facturing equipment and es- sion. 2011 Fukushima disaster cent stake in the chip business, the prestigious first section of Asian LNG prices rise as China replenishes calators to storage devices and In a scramble to recover, which is renamed Kioxia. the Tokyo Stock Exchange, but nuclear plants, found itself the company sheds businesses The deal is seen as cru- it faces pressure from activist falling behind Asian and U.S. including its medical devices Westinghouse Electric, whose cial to keeping Toshiba afloat, shareholders, whose demand rivals even before the turmoil unit, which Canon buys for tech is at the core of around even as the firm says it has for an independent probe into of the mid-2010s. nearly $6 billion in March, half the world’s nuclear reac- bounced back into the black the last AGM is approved. As company president and most of its home appli- tors. and avoided delisting by ced- In early April, Toshiba says Nobuaki Kurumatani resigns ance subsidiary, which goes to Westinghouse goes bank- ing assets and debts related to it has received a takeover offer amid reports of a potential China’s Midea. rupt in March and its huge Westinghouse. from private equity fund CVC bidding war for the firm, here Despite this, the group suf- losses, largely owing to de- Toshiba sells its PC divi- Capital Partners, reportedly in are Toshiba’s recent highs and fers a record net loss of around lays and cost overruns, raise sion to Japanese rival Sharp excess of $20 billion. lows: $4.4 billion for the 2015/16 fi- doubts about Toshiba’s future. and liquidates its British Company president In May, Toshiba with- nancial year. Strapped for cash, Toshiba nuclear subsidiary NuGen, Nobuaki Kurumatani resigns draws its earnings forecast, In another dramatic turn is forced to try to sell part of meaning its only nuclear deal- on April 14, as reports say two citing accounting problems on of events in December, Toshi- the family silver -- its memory ings are now in Japan, where other funds are considering several infrastructure projects. ba warns of a potential writ- chip business, which accounts it is involved in the decommis- their own offers for the Japa- An external panel finds edown topping $6.3 billion for around a quarter of annual sioning of the crippled Fuku- nese household name -- poten- that high-level Toshiba staff at its U.S. nuclear subsidiary revenue. shima plant. tially setting up a bidding war.

Inventories Asian spot bon neutral LNG typically prices for liquefied natural involves companies sup- Mercedes-Benz rolls out luxury Zuckerberg urged gas (LNG) rose last week porting projects that reduce as China, Japan and South emissions to compensate Korea sought supply in for emissions gener- electric car in duel with Tesla to ditch version of an early move to stock up ated from exploration and for winter. The average production. The company Agencies Instagram for pre-teens LNG price for June deliv- declined to give further de- ery into Northeast Asia tails on the cargo including Daimler AG on Thursday Agencies gram, like its parent company, was estimated at about about its supplier, however, unveiled a battery-powered allows only those older than $7.60 per million British Pavilion signed a long-term counterpart to its top Mer- Advocates for children 13 to join but verifying age on thermal units (mmBtu). contract with Qatar Petrole- cedes-Benz luxury sedan as from around the world are the internet makes it challeng- Last week, cargoes for um late last year requesting German carmakers ramp up urging Facebook chief Mark ing to catch all rule breakers. May delivery were about the cargoes be accompanied their challenge to electric up- Zuckerberg to ditch plans for “The reality is that kids $7.30 per mmBtu. A colder by statements of green- start Tesla. a version of Instagram geared are online,” Facebook spokes- than average winter in the house gas emissions (GHG) The EQS is the first Mer- toward pre-teens. woman Stephanie Otway said northern hemisphere and measured from wellhead to cedes-Benz vehicle to be built Campaign for a Commer- in response to an AFP inquiry. shipping congestion at the discharge port. on a framework designed from cial-free Childhood and the “They want to connect with Suez canal, the fastest route Europe is also stor- the start as an electric car, Electronic Privacy Informa- their family and friends, have between Asia and Europe, ing up gas as a cold spell rather than using components tion Center were among near- fun and learn, and we want to have boosted prices since sustained heating demand from an internal-combustion ly 100 groups and individuals help them do that in a way that December. and slowed stock replen- vehicle. from North America, Europe, is safe and age-appropriate.” Much of the demand ishment, which are below Mercedes underscored the Africa and Australia to make Facebook is working with last week was seen in historical levels for this car’s technological features the plea in a letter to Zucker- child development and men- China, with Distributor time of the year. As a result, by equipping it with a sweep- The EQS is the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to be built on a framework berg. tal health experts to prioritize ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. European TTF prices rose ing touchscreen panel that designed from the start as an electric car. Instagram “exploits young safety and privacy, according purchasing at least 12 car- $0.60 last week, closing at stretches across the entire people’s fear of missing out to Otway. goes for delivery between $7.25 on Friday. front of the car’s interior in charging through Ionity, a net- and desire for peer approval,” Instagram, which has July and February. there US Gas prices also saw place of a conventional dash- The EQS is the sibling to work of highway charging sta- the letter contended. more than a billion users, re- was also increased pur- a steady increase last week, board. Tesla and other car- the company’s S-Class tions built by a group of major “The platform’s relent- cently unveiled technology chasing activity in the far as planned work on several makers are also adding large large internal-combustion automakers. less focus on appearance, aimed at preventing under- east, with Japan Petroleum facilities and the pipelines screens to their interiors. sedan, the luxury brands German carmakers were self-presentation and brand- age children from creating Exploration was seeking a serving them, including The EQS is the sibling to flagship model that sells slower to develop all-electric ing presents challenges to accounts and blocking adults cargo for delivery between Cheniere Energy Inc’s Cor- the company’s S-Class large models until tougher environ- adolescents’ privacy and well- from contacting young users May 22 and June 13 to the pus Christi facility in Texas internal-combustion sedan, for $110,000 and up mental regulations and sales being,” it argued, building on they don’t know. Soma terminal, while South and Cameron LNG’s plant the luxury brands flagship lost to California-based Te- concerns about predators, The platform is also look- Korea’s imports of LNG in Louisiana, supported model that sells for $110,000 EQS will cost when it reaches sla pushed them to ramp up bullies and inappropriate ing at ways to make it more have rose 18.7% from a year prices. Henry Hub prices and up. The two cars aim at customers later this year. their efforts. Volkswagen sold content. difficult for adults who have earlier. closed up nearly 6% on the the same upper end of the Daimler said the vehicle 422,000 electric vehicles last Instagram is exploring the been exhibiting “potentially Pavilion Energy said on weekly, closing at $2.68 on market, though the EQS is set will get 770 kilometers (478 year and developed the ID.3, a launch of a version of the im- suspicious behavior” to inter- Thursday it had imported Friday. apart by being build on the miles) on a full charge under compact it hopes will win over age-centric social network for act with teens. Singapore’s first carbon — Al Attiyah company’s electric-vehicle ar- testing standard used in the mass-market buyers, while its children under 13, with paren- The children’s advocates neutral LNG cargo. Car- Foundation chitecture, or EVA. Mercedes European Union. The com- Porsche division has come out tal controls. were dubious about the pro- isn’t saying yet how much the pany is offering a year’s free with the Taycan sports car. Facebook-owned Insta- posed youth version. Economy & Business Sunday, April 18, 2021 11 Archegos collapse ESG in ASEAN: A shared costs Morgan Stanley $911 million vision of sustainable recovery Agencies Its backers then insisted Tribune News Network it raise money in a hurry, in Doha US investment bank Mor- what is known as a margin gan Stanley has admitted call, prompting some unu- Environmental, social that the collapse of hedge sually large share sales. and governance (ESG) criteria fund Archegos cost it nearly A margin call is when a are increasingly shaping the $1bn. bank asks a client to put up global corporate agenda. Ac- The Wall Street bank more funds if a trade partly cording to the Oxford Business said in its first-quarter funded with borrowed mon- Group (OBG), ASEAN pre- results that the $911m ey has dropped steeply. sents a range of ESG oppor- (£660m) charge was related If they can’t afford to do tunities: green infrastructure to losses at “a single prime that, the lender will sell the will boost ‘E’ developments; brokerage client” that it shares to try to recover what alternative financing will sup- later identified as Archegos. it is owed to the bank. port ‘S’ impact; and enhanced Despite the Archegos By the end of March, ‘G’ collaboration could facili- hit, Morgan Stanley’s prof- Archegos owed Morgan tate a coordinated recovery well as underlining the impor- credit rating agency Moody’s, its for the period were up Stanley $644m, while the from the worst economic con- tance of green space in areas Highlights which expects Malaysia to 150% thanks to a deal-mak- investment bank lost an- sequences of the pandemic. with high population density, remain in pole position this ing boom. other $267m by selling out ESG standards are used as Kanit Sangsubhan, secre- ● Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are year. Net profit came in at of shares linked to its trades by investors around the world tary-general of the Eastern growing in significance globally Meanwhile, in an early in- $3.98bn, up from $1.59bn a with the hedge fund. to evaluate potential invest- Economic Corridor Officeof dication of its commitment to year ago. Chief executive James ments, as well as to enable Thailand, told OBG in June ● ASEAN member states are increasingly oriented to ESG the twin pillars of ‘E’ and ‘S’, it Net revenue soared to Gorman said the decision to business leaders to formulate last year. standards across the board was Indonesia that issued the $15.67bn as the bank took write off its trading with its responsible and sustainable In light of such considera- world’s first sovereign green in more fees from a slew of client Archegos was “neces- corporate strategies, as OBG tions, ASEAN is increasingly ● Green infrastructure, social impact and transparency are sukuk in 2018. business mergers, acquisi- sary and money well spent”. has recently outlined. focused on green infrastruc- among the key focus areas tions and companies listing Morgan Stanley was one There is growing recogni- ture developments as a way to ● ‘G’ reporting standards on the stock market. of six big banks that had ex- tion that the adoption of ESG drive a sustainable recovery Coordinated efforts to boost ESG could spearhead the As companies increasingly The Archegos write-off posure to Archegos when it principles not only generates from the pandemic. bloc’s Covid-19 recovery view their investments and muddied what was also a was forced last month to sell positive publicity and enhanc- “Governments across business activities through record first quarter for the stocks quickly at a loss in an es a company’s reputation, but ASEAN are gradually shifting the ESG lens, governance will investment bank. effort to recover funds. also creates real shareholder their policy focus from eco- developments (43%), accord- industries; Vietnam launched to some extent grow organi- Hedge funds make Switzerland’s Credit value and opens up new capi- nomic stabilisation to recov- ing to the ADBI, while energy a finance scheme for small and cally. The very act of produc- money buying and selling Suisse previously warned tal access opportunities. Ac- ery and long-term growth,” projects have received around medium-sized enterprises; ing an ESG report – or even a shares. It is thought that it would have to withstand cording to global investment Omar Shahzad, group CEO of one-third of the allocation. and Brunei, Cambodia and report focused solely on one of Archegos made some large a loss of more than $4.2bn management company Fidel- Meinhardt Group, told OBG. This trend is specific to the re- Laos facilitated loan restruc- the three components – inevi- investments in certain com- due to its trading with ity International, ESG-rated “Alongside efforts to address gion: globally speaking, such turing. tably enhances accountability panies that started to go the now-collapsed hedge stocks and bonds outper- the region’s broader infra- bonds have primarily been In some cases, this pan- and transparency. wrong. fund. formed their competitors over structure deficit, we are see- used to fund energy projects demic-related focus on social The region’s stock ex- the first nine months of 2020 ing rising interest in afford- (38%), with green buildings impact translated into greater changes already require or and were less vulnerable to the able housing and sustainable, accounting for just 18% of the emphasis on the ‘S’ element of recommend ESG disclosures. risks associated with market green projects.” total. ESG. Over one-third (36%) of The Stock Exchange of volatility. Green bonds are an ap- global respondents to MSCI’s Thailand was ninth in a global Within the Asia-Pacific pealing finance instrument for ‘S’ impact commitments survey wanted ‘S’ to comprise ranking of exchanges based region, a survey conducted such projects, and the region is ASEAN authorities acted a larger proportion of the ESG on sustainability disclosure Indian pharma exports in September 2020 by global well represented in the global swiftly to address the socio- mix in 2021 – with some re- – released by research firm investment research firmgreen bond ecosystem: of the economic implications of cor- porting the pandemic-related Corporate Knights in 2019 – grow at 18% to $24 bn MSCI reported that 79% of 58 countries to have issued a onavirus, with all 10 members reassessment of inequality to putting it six places ahead of respondents had significantly green bond so far, 15 are in the releasing at least one stimulus be a key factor. the London Stock Exchange. Agencies March are provisional) and is or moderately increased their Asia-Pacific region, accord- package by the end of April ‘S’ needs within ASEAN Meanwhile, Bursa Malaysia highest among the exports of ESG investment as a result of ing to the Asian Development 2020. Many of these targeted vary by market and by con- ranked 22nd and Singapore Pharma exports from In- all the months of this financial Covid-19. Meanwhile, 60% Bank Institute (ADBI). priority areas that fell within text. Exchange 24th, both placing dia witnessed over 18 per year, the growth rate for this of the region’s investors plan The first green bond to be the UN’s Sustainable Develop- For instance, enabling considerably above the New cent growth to $24.44 bil- month is 48.5 per cent against to incorporate ESG into their issued in ASEAN came from a ment Goals. inclusive access to Sharia- York Stock Exchange (40th). lion during the last financial the exports in March 2020 investment analysis and deci- Philippine geothermal compa- Alongside short-term relief compliant financing will be However, the absence of year against $20.58 billion in (USD 1.54 billion),” Udaya sion-making processes by the ny – for a $226m renewables measures, all bloc members imperative for both Brunei common, international stand- FY20, Pharmaceuticals Export Bhaskar, director general of end of 2021. project in early 2016 – and took steps to protect vulner- and Indonesia, the world’s ards can limit a country’s abil- Promotion Council of India Pharmexcil, said in a release. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singa- able socio-economic groups most populous Muslim na- ity to strengthen governance: (Pharmexcil) said on Satur- Growth rate seems rela- ‘E’ infrastructure pore and Thailand have since over the longer term. Among tion. Malaysia could serve as a lack of measurable, compa- day. tively big as the exports of developments followed suit at the corporate these, Singapore introduced a regional model in this: the rable data often constitutes “We have observed a big March 2020 was crunched due Covid-19 has highlighted and government level. incentives to promote em- country was global leader for the biggest hurdle to assess- leap in our exports in the to lockdown across the world the relationship between the These green bonds have ployment, such as job support sukuk (Islamic bond) issuanc- ing, and thereby enhancing, month of March 2021 which and supply chain disruption, health of communities and predominantly been chan- schemes and training grants es in 2020, with 32% of the to- progress in the global ESG is USD 2.3 billion (figures for he was quoted as saying. that of the environment, as nelled into green building to upskill workers in affected tal value, according to global ecosystem. SolarWinds hacking campaign puts Microsoft in the hot seat

Agencies more than 80 companies that paign in mid-December. ernment spent more than half Microsoft has supplied with The intruders in the un- a billion dollars on Microsoft The sprawling hacking cam- early access to data on vulner- related hack of Microsoft Ex- software and services. paign deemed a grave threat to abilities detected in its prod- Just 15% of victims were change email servers disclosed Many security experts be- U.S. national security came to ucts. Following the sanctions compromised through an in March — blamed on Chi- lieve Microsoft’s single sign- be known as SolarWinds, for announcement, Microsoft said authentication vulnerability nese spies — used wholly dif- on model, emphasizing user the company whose software Positive Tech was no longer first identified in 2017 ferent infection methods. But convenience over security, update was seeded by Rus- in the program and removed they gained immediate high- is ripe for retooling to reflect sian intelligence agents with its name from a list of partici- — allowing the intruders to level access to users’ email and a world where state-backed malware to penetrate sensitive pants on its website. impersonate authorized other info. hackers now routinely run government and private net- The SolarWinds hackers users by minting the rough Across the industry, Mi- roughshod over U.S. net- works. took full advantage of what equivalent of counterfeit crosoft’s investments in secu- works. Yet it was Microsoft whose George Kurtz, CEO of top cy- passports. rity are widely acknowledged. Alex Weinert, Microsoft’s code the cyber spies persis- bersecurity firm CrowdStrike, It is often first to identify ma- director of identity security, tently abused in the cam- called “systematic weakness- Brad Smith jor cybersecurity threats, its said it offers various ways for paign’s second stage, rifling es” in key elements of Micro- Microsoft Corporation President Brad Smith visibility into networks is so customers to strictly limit us- through emails and other files soft code to mine at least nine great. But many argue that ers’ access to what they need of such high-value targets as U.S. government agencies get customers of Mimecast, an say the company took security access to important security as the chief supplier of secu- to do their jobs. But getting then-acting Homeland Securi- — the departments of Justice email security company. too lightly. Sen. Ron Wyden, features without handing over rity solutions for its products, customers to go along can ty chief Chad Wolf — and hop- and Treasury, among them The campaign’s “hall- D-Ore., verbally pummeled even more money to the same it needs to be more mindful be difficult because it often ping undetected among victim — and more than 100 private mark” was the intruders’ abil- Microsoft for not supplying company that created this cy- about how much it should prof- means abandoning three dec- networks. companies and think tanks, ity to impersonate legitimate federal agencies with a level of bersecurity sinkhole.” it off defense. ades of IT habit and disrupt- This has put the world’s including software and tel- users and create counterfeit “event logging” that, if it had Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., “The crux of it is that Mi- ing business. Customers tend third-most valuable company ecommunications providers. credentials that let them grab not detected the SolarWinds had pressed Smith in Febru- crosoft is selling you the dis- to configure too many ac- in the hot seat. Because its The SolarWinds hackers’ data stored remotely by Mi- hacking in progress, would at ary on the security logging ease and the cure,” said Marc counts with the broad global products are a de facto mono- abuse of Microsoft’s iden- crosoft Office, the acting direc- least have provided respond- upsell, comparing it to mak- Maiffret, a cybersecurity vet- administrative privileges that culture in government and tity and access architecture — tor of the Cybersecurity Infra- ers with a record of where the ing seat belts and air bags op- eran who built a career find- allowed the SolarWinds cam- industry — with more than which validates users’ identi- structure and Security Agency, intruders were and what they tions in cars when they should ing vulnerabilities in Micro- paign abuses, he said. “It’s not 85% market share — federal ties and grants them access to Brandon Wales, told a mid- saw and removed. be standard. He commended soft products and has a new the only way they can do it, lawmakers are insisting that email, documents and other March congressional hearing. “Microsoft chooses the Microsoft for the one-year re- startup in the works called that’s for sure.” Microsoft swiftly upgrade data — did the most dramatic “It was all because they com- default settings in the soft- prieve, but said a longer-term BinMave. In 2014-2015, lax restric- security to what they say it harm, the nonpartisan Atlan- promised those systems that ware it sells, and even though conversation is due about it Last month, Reuters re- tions on access helped Chi- should have provided in the tic Council think tank said in a manage trust and identity on the company knew for years “not being a profit center.” He ported that a $150 million nese spies steal sensitive per- first place, and without fleec- report. That set the hack apart networks,” he said. about the hacking technique said “this buys us a year.” payment to Microsoft for a sonal data on more than 21 ing taxpayers. as “a widespread intelligence Microsoft President Brad used against U.S. government Even the highest level of “secure cloud platform” was million current, former and Seeking to assuage con- coup.” In nearly every case Smith told a February con- agencies, the company did not logging doesn’t prevent break- included in a draft outline for prospective federal employees cerns, Microsoft this past week of post-intrusion mischief, gressional hearing that just set default logging settings to ins, though. It only makes it spending the $650 million ap- from the Office of Personnel offered all federal agencies a the intruders “silently moved 15% of victims were compro- capture information necessary easier to detect them. propriated for the Cybersecu- Management. year of “advanced” security through Microsoft products mised through an authentica- to spot hacks in progress,” And remember, many se- rity and Infrastructure Securi- Curtis Dukes was the Na- features at no extra charge. “vacuuming up emails and tion vulnerability first identi- Wyden said. He was not the curity professionals note, Mi- ty Agency in last month’s $1.9 tional Security Agency’s head But it also seeks to deflect files from dozens of organiza- fied in 2017 — allowing the only federal lawmaker who crosoft was itself compromised trillion pandemic relief act. of information assurance at blame, saying it is customers tions.” intruders to impersonate au- complained. by the SolarWinds intruders, A Microsoft spokesperson the time. who do not always make secu- Thanks in part to the carte thorized users by minting the When Microsoft on who got access to some of its would not say how much, if The OPM shared data rity a priority. blanche that victim networks rough equivalent of counter- Wednesday announced a year source code — its crown jew- any, of that money it would be across multiple agencies us- Risks in Microsoft’s for- granted the infected Solar- feit passports. of free security logging for els. Microsoft’s full suite of getting, referring the question ing Microsoft’s authentication eign dealings also came into winds network management Microsoft officials stress federal agencies, for which it security products — and some to the cybersecurity agency. architecture, granting access relief when the Biden admin- software in the form of admin- that the SolarWinds update normally charges a premium, of the industry’s most skilled An agency spokesman, Scott to more users than it safely istration imposed sanctions istrative privileges, the intrud- was not always the entry Wyden was not appeased. cyber-defense practitioners — McConnell, would not say ei- should have, said Dukes, now Thursday on a half-dozen Rus- ers could move laterally across point; intruders sometimes “This move is far short of had failed to detect the ghost ther. Langevin said he didn’t the managing director for the sian IT companies it said sup- them, even jump among or- took advantage of vulnerabili- what’s needed to make up for in the network. It was alerted think a final decision has been nonprofit Center forI nternet port Kremlin hacking. Most ganizations. They used it to ties such as weak passwords Microsoft’s recent failures,” to its own breach by FireEye, made. Security. prominent was Positive Tech- sneak into the cybersecurity and victims’ lack of multi-fac- he said in a statement. “The the cybersecurity firm that In the budget year ending “People took their eye off nologies, which was among firm Malwarebytes and to tar- tor authentication. But critics government still won’t have first detected the hacking cam- in September, the federal gov- the ball.” QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune India’s Mirabai QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Chanu sets new world record at Asian Weightlifting C’ships page 14 SUNday, APRIL 18, 2021

Mick Schumacher wants to ‘drive all day’ at Hamilton beats Red Bull’s dad’s beloved Imola track

DPA Imola (Italy) Perez to secure Imola pole Formula One driver Mick Schumacher takes to one of his father’s favourite tracks this weekend and hopes to show an improvement from his debut. The German Haas driver, son of F1 icon Michael, races in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy on an Imola track where Michael won a record seven times. He finished a creditable 16th in the modest Haas on his F1 debut three weeks ago in Bahrain. His aim this weekend is “to keep learning, to keep trying to improve,” the 22-year-old Lewis Hamilton reacts after the qualifying session on the eve of the told reporters on Thursday. “I Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Internazi- was as happy as I could be,” he onale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, Italy, on Saturday. (AFP) added when looking back at Bahrain. DPA Lando Norris had to settle for He likes the 4.909-kilo- Imola (Italy) seventh place after a a fast metre Imola circuit near Bo- lap was deleted for exceeding logna because of the flowing Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes track limits. sequence of its corners. took a sensational pole posi- Ferrari, who had strong “I would love to drive all tion for Sunday’s Formula One practice sessions, had their day,” he said. Emilia Romagna Grand Prix other driver Carlos Sainz out by beating Red Bull’s Sergio of Q3 in 11th. Perez by 0.035 seconds. The session was red flagged Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the qualifying session on the eve of the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the The seven-time world after around six minutes when Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, Italy, on Saturday. (AFP) champion was surprised after Yuki Tsunoda spun at the Var- he clocked 1 minute 14.411 sec- iante Alta and crashed. He was lap time that put him second onds, around the 4.959-kilome- unharmed, but his car suffered ruled out for track limits. It tre Autodromo Enzo e Dino Fer- huge damage. means he starts a disappoint- rari in Imola to secure the 99th “I was just too excited. For ed seventh, just behind team- pole of his career on Saturday. me, that was a silly mistake, mate Daniel Ricciardo, who “I didn’t expect to be ahead so I feel really sorry for the had lagged well off his pace all Mick Schumacher. of two Red Bulls, they’ve been team,” Tsunoda said. weekend. so quick this weekend. The car At Alpine, Fernando Alon- Leclerc was again out- is feeling much better, I want so finished 15th and for the standing in the Ferrari, 0.4secs Spanish GP to to thank the team for their first time since the Malaysian quicker than team-mate Car- hard work,” Hamilton said. Grand Prix 2017 he was out los Sainz in second qualifying be held behind “I love the challenge, hav- qualified by a team-mate after as the Spaniard was knocked ing two Red Bulls will defi- Esteban Ocon finished ninth. out in that session and just closed doors nitely make strategy harder.” Four-time world champion 0.331secs off Hamilton’s pole Perez in second will have his Sebastian Vettel was 13th as on his final run. DPA first front row start and out- he’s yet to have a good run with Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly Berlin qualified team-mate Max his new Aston Martin team. repeated his excellent quali- Verstappen, who will start the Williams showed progress fying position of Bahrain in The Spanish Grand Prix on race in third. and managed to have both cars fifth place, while behind the May 9 will be staged behind “We should have been on in Q2, something they haven’t McLarens and Bottas, Este- closed doors due to the pub- pole today, I did a mistake on achieved since the Hungar- ban Ocon’s Alpine and Lance lic health measures to contain my final corner,” Perez said. ian Grand Prix in July 2020. Stroll’s Aston Martin complet- the spread of the coronavirus But Verstappen also went George Russell was just over ed the top 10. pandemic. wide at Tamburello and that a tenth away from a Q3 place Their illustrious team- The Circuit de Barcelona- cost him time. and will start the race in 12th. mates lagged behind, Sebas- Catalunya has said on Satur- “Not so good in Q3, it was a Mick Schumacher didn’t tian Vettel 13th in the Aston day they have been notified bit messy, just not a good lap. escape Q1 and will start the Martin and Fernando Alonso by the Catalan Civil Protec- You can’t be good all the time,” race in 18th, with team-mate only 15th in the Alpine. tion Office the race “cannot be said the Dutch who had nar- Nikita Mazepin in 19th. Alonso was beaten by both staged under the conditions rowly lost the season-opener Norris was the standout Williams cars, with George defined in the spectator access in Bahrain against Hamilton star of qualifying until his Russell taking an impressive protocol.” The current meas- three weeks ago. costly error on his final lap. 12th place and Nicholas Latifi, McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris drives in front Williams’ British driver George Russell during the quali- ures against the coronavirus Charles Leclerc of Ferrari He was third fastest in the who had the edge on Russell fying session at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track at Imola on Saturday. (AFP) pandemic are effective until and Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tau- first session and improved one until qualifying, in 14th. April 26 and under these con- ri close the top 5 on the start- place in the second, and was “I was not fast,” Alonso but definitely it was too slow to on difficult tracks like this you A minute’s silence was ditions “it is impossible to es- ing grid. a genuine contender for the said. “The car felt good, the be higher on the classification. need more trust in the car and observed before qualifying tablish” whether the measures Hamilton’s team-mate front row. balance was good, and every “I guess I need to get better maybe I am not into that level in honour of Britain’s Prince could be relaxed in race week, Valtteri Bottas will be far be- But he ran just a smidge time I finished the lap I was and understand better where yet and I will try to improve for Philip, who died last week the circuit management said. hind in eight, while McLaren’s wide in Piratella and had the quite happy with how it felt is the limit of the car. Maybe the next one.” aged 99. Al Duhail aim to keep up the good start against Al Ahli Saudi

AFC One positive development Qatar Stars League title and Jeddah for Al Ahli was the mercurial a prolonged run in the 2021 Omar Al Soma scoring both AFC Champions League will Al Ahli Saudi FC can’t afford their goals and Reghecampf go a long way in erasing their another slip up while Al Duhail will be counting on the Syrian disappointment. SC will be aiming to maintain to lead from the front at the Michael Olunga and Edm- their perfect start when the two King Abdullah Sports City Sta- ilson Junior were the scorers sides meet in Group C of the dium on Sunday. against Al Shorta but Al Du- 2021 AFC Champions League “This match is very impor- hail have a very potent look- at the King Abdullah Sports tant and we should avoid an- ing squad and Lamouchi will City at 8.45pm on Sunday. other defeat,” said Reghecampf. be confident of another three Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli are “We know that we will be play- points against Al Ahli. already in a difficult position ing a team that plays good foot- “Tomorrow’s match will following their 5-2 defeat to ball. We have tried our best to be different for us,” said Lam- Islamic Republic of Iran’s Es- improve the confidence of the ouchi. “We had a good start to teghlal FC on Matchday One. players after the previous defeat. the competition but we know Al Duhail, meanwhile, “The players are not re- that we will be playing against enjoyed a much better start sponsible for the defeat in the a strong team that wants to as they breezed past Iraq’s Al opening match and as I’m in recover after their opening de- Shorta 2-0. charge of the team, I take the feat which means there are a Head coach Laurentiu responsibility. We are working lot of challenges for us. Reghecampf felt Al Ahli did not as one group to get past the “Al Ahli are a big team and deserve to lose by such an em- challenges that we have.” they have excellent players but phatic margin as the Saudi side Head coach Sabri Lam- we will try our best to improve had their moments against an ouchi was delighted with Al and focus on our own team. impressive Esteghlal. Duhail’s win over Al Shorta, “There are a lot of chal- The Romanian, however, describing it as hugely impor- lenges like the heavy schedule, knows his team have no mar- tant in their bid to earn the the late kick-offs, in addition to gin for error against Al Duhail, automatic to the Round of 16. the special conditions of Ram- especially with only the group Al Duhail came into the adan. We will need to make winners assured of advancing tournament having seen Al Al Duhail players warm up ahead of a traning session at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Saturday. The Qatar club will play Al Ahli of the right decisions in order to to the Round of 16. Sadd SC run away with the Saudi Arabia in their Group C clash of the AFC Champions League at 8.45pm on Sunday. avoid any difficulties.” Sports Sunday, April 18, 2021 13 Ziyech fires Chelsea past Manchester City to book FA Cup final spot Santi Cazorla (centre) scored the only goal for Al Sadd in the 59th minute against Al Nassr in their AFC Champions League match in Riyadh on Saturday. DPA for the assistant referee belat- London edly called offside. Chelsea’s backline dealt Hakim Ziyech fired Chelsea manfully with the flickers Al Nassr score win to a fourth FA Cup final in five of City life as half-time ap- years on Saturday as Man- proached, with Fernandinho chester City’s quest for an un- heading well off target before over Al Sadd precedented quadruple went referee Mike Dean called time AFC Al Sadd started the second up in smoke. on the opening period. Riyadh half on the front foot with Mo- All eyes were on Wembley Neither manager made hammed Jadoua’s left footed as Pep Guardiola’s runaway changes at the break, but De Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr were shot from outside the box just Premier League leaders faced Bruyne lasted only three min- in fine form as they secured missing the top left corner in Thomas Tuchel’s improving utes of the second half. a 3-1 win over Al Sadd SC the 48th minute. side in a heavyweight semi- The Belgium playmaker of Qatar in Group D of the Nam Tae-hee had a half final clash that could yet be went into an innocuous duel 2021 AFC Champions League chance for Al Sadd five min- repeated in the Champions with N’Golo Kante on the on Saturday. utes later but the Korea Re- League showpiece. touchline and pulled up with Both sides went into the public player’s attempt missed City will be back at Wem- what appeared to be an ankle tie needing the three points the target as the Qatar cham- bley next weekend for the injury, leading to Phil Foden’s after having opened their cam- pions kept pressing. League Cup final but they introduction. paigns with draws, with Al Their perseverance was will be not be returning to the The Premier League lead- Sadd needing a last gasp equal- rewarded in the 59th min- capital on May 15, when Chel- ers’ start to the second half got iser against Islamic Republic ute when Santi Cazorla was sea will go for FA Cup glory worse in the 55th minute. of Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan brought down by Ali Al Has- against either Leicester or Mount played a lovely FC while Al Nassr couldn’t find san five yards outside the box. Southampton who contest the ball behind the City defence a way past the resolute defence The Spaniard lined up for second semi-final on Sunday. to put Werner free down the of Jordan’s Al Wehdat. the free-kick and his sublime Ziyech’s second-half left. Back-up goalkeeper Stef- The win boosts 2020 AFC effort sailed over the Al Nassr strike secured a 1-0 win un- fen was sucked towards the Champions League semi-final- wall, dipped and settled in the der the arch, where Tuchel’s ball and the forward smartly ists Al Nassr’s hopes of advanc- net past the despairing Brad first-ever victory against for- passed across for Ziyech to ing to the Round of 16 while Al Jones in goal. mer Bundesliga foe Guardiola Chelsea’s Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (L) celebrates with Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner af- turn into an empty net. Sadd have it all to do if they are Both sides then went in means it is shaping up to be a ter scoring the opening goal of the English FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium Werner scuffed a low shot to salvage their campaign. search of their second goals, memorable end to the season in London on Saturday. Chelsea won 1-0. (AFP) at Steffen on the break and Both teams started the with Sami Al Najei coming for the Blues. Kepa Arrizabalaga comforta- match cagily with play mostly close for Al Nassr in the 65th City could also achieve “The second half was a little fellow summer signing’s cross. Tuchel plumped for just three. bly dealt with a Rodri attempt concentrated in midfield with minute while Boualem Khouk- something special but their bit difficult, but in the end we Star turn Kevin De Bruyne Chelsea unsurprisingly from the edge of the box, with just the occasional foray up- hi - who scored Al Sadd’s dreams of winning the quad- scored the one goal we needed limped off injured minutes looked a far more fluid unit ineffective Raheem Sterling front by either side. equaliser against Foolad - saw ruple are over after a match and in the end it was enough.” earlier and City failed to and Ziyech, one of the few scooping the ball over as the Both had to be content his header saved by Jones two when their much-changed Ziyech saw an early goal launch an effective response changes, found the back of the clock wound down. with half chances but Baghdad minutes later. side were fortunate to go into ruled out after Timo Werner as Chelsea secured a deserved net inside six minutes. Christian Pulisic followed Bounedjah came close in the Al Nassr, however, upped half-time level. strayed offside in the build-up, semi-final victory. Ben Chilwell clipped a a lovely run with a fine finish 34th minute when he received their tempo and Hamdallah “Everybody is happy, we but the pair would link up to Guardiola may well rue ball down the left to Werner, in stoppage time, only for the a cross from Pedro Miguel but should have done better with did a good job, especially in the find the net as the Morocco in- making eight alterations at whose low cross found the for- offside flag to deny theC helsea the Moroccan’s right-footed his header in the 77th minute first half,” Ziyech told BBC One. ternational directed home his an empty Wembley, where mer Ajax man to score before substitute making it 2-0. shot from the centre of the box but the Saudi Arabian side missed the top right corner. were not to be denied two Al Nassr’s response was minutes later with Abdulma- almost immediate as a speedy jeed Al Sulayhim finishing a exchange of passes saw Nor- fine team by slotting the ball din Amrabat releasing the ball past Meshaal Barsham. Pochettino insists PSG focus to Sami Al Najei on the right. There was to be a third as Najei’s cross hit Al Sadd Khalid Al Ghannam finished captain Abdelkarim Hassan a counter-attack in the fourth on the left hand, prompt- minute of added time to ing the referee to point to the complete an emphatic win for must remain on Ligue 1 for now penalty spot, with 2020 AFC Al Nassr. Champions League topscorer Al Nassr next face Foolad DPA do not mind which team we Abderazzak Hamdallah rifling in a top-of-the-table clash Berlin face because we know we have the ball home in the 37th min- on Tuesday while Al Sadd to beat everyone if we want to ute to give Al Nassr the lead will look to get back on track Mauricio Pochettino be- be champions.” going into the break. against Al Wehdat. lieves winning the Champions Pochettino has already lost League is in the heads of every- as many games at home in body at Paris Saint-Germain, seven matches in Ligue 1 with but insists that will not shift PSG (three) as his predecessor their focus away from Ligue 1. Thomas Tuchel in 42 games, On Tuesday, PSG pro- and more than Unai Emery gressed to the semi-finals of (one loss in 38 games), Lau- the Champions League with rent Blanc (2/57) and Carlo an away goals win over Bayern Ancelotti (2/28). Munich - who defeated them However, he pointed to in the final last season. Lille’s failure to beat Montpel- Manchester City are next lier on Friday as an example of up for the French champions, how competitive Ligue 1 is this but first, they must attempt to season. close the gap in the Ligue 1 ti- “We are seeing how diffi- tle race. cult it is for every team to pick Pochettino’s team sit four up points and win games, I points behind leaders Lille think Ligue 1 is very competi- Newcastle United’s English midfielder Joe Willock (C) celebrates scoring heading into Sunday’s meet- tive. It clearly shows that it is during the English Premier League match against West Ham United at ing with Saint-Etienne, while not easy for any team to win,” St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, on Saturday. (AFP) Monaco and Lyon are also in he said. contention. Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the UEFA Champions League “We will have to answer it PSG have have not lost any quarter-final second leg match against FC Bayern Munich in Paris last Tuesday.(AFP) tomorrow by improving our Willock gets late winner of their last 15 Ligue 1 games performance and getting a against St Etienne (W10 D5) Asked if the thought of ago. cult to speak about the Cham- positive result. We have the as Newcastle United dent - only against Angers (21) and ending their wait for a Cham- “I think it is in everyone’s pions League now.” Pochet- chance to reduce the gap to Brest (18) are they on a longer pions League title is at the heads at the clubs, not just be- tino also has no concerns over Lille, but more importantly we unbeaten run in meetings with forefront of his players’ minds, cause we are now in the semi- facing Premier League leaders want to perform well at home West Ham’s top-four hopes current French top-flight sides Pochettino told a news confer- finals. City in the last four, adding: and get back to winning ways - though they have lost their ence: “That question should “We have an important “When a team like PSG wants on home turf, if we want to win DPA sent off for a second bookable last three matches at home. have been asked a long time game tomorrow so it is diffi- to win every competition, we the league.” London offence. Remarkably, they dragged Joe Willock came off the themselves back into it through bench to dent 10-man West Diop’s header and Jesse Lin- Ham’s Champions League gard’s 80th-minute penalty - Kane spares Spurs but hopes diminish further charge as Newcastle took a his ninth goal in 10 games - be- giant stride towards Premier fore Willock dashed their hopes DPA for the fifth time, a record bet- minute as James parted Toby Everton made Spurs pay League safety on Saturday. in a grandstand finish. London tered by only Alan Shearer (sev- Alderweireld and Joe Rodon just past the hour, too. Sea- The Arsenal loanee, who After a positive start by the en) and Sergio Aguero (six), with a disguised pass, only for mus Coleman, introduced for scored a late equaliser against home side, Dawson headed a Harry Kane twice punished though their lead did not last Hugo Lloris to save Richarli- the anonymous Alex Iwobi Tottenham on April 4, went Mark Noble free-kick straight hapless Everton defending long as Gylfi Sigurdsson equal- son’s subsequent strike. less than a minute earlier, one better to condemn the at keeper Martin Dubravka as as Tottenham salvaged a 2-2 ised from the spot for an Ever- Kane was more clinical a played a one-two with Richar- Hammers - who would have the Londoners started to make draw at Goodison Park late ton side being orchestrated by few moments later, however, lison on the right and whipped gone third with victory - to a an impression. on Friday, though it does little the excellent James Rodriguez. lashing past Jordan Pickford in a teasing cross that Sigurds- 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park, Diop made a vital block to good for their dwindling top- Sigurdsson doubled his after Tanguy Ndombele’s cross son met with an emphatic vol- in the process sending Steve deny Allan Saint-Maximin after four hopes. tally in the second half as Ever- had been flicked out of Mason ley to beat Lloris. Bruce’s men nine points clear he had carved a swathe through Jose Mourinho’s side were ton threatened to move above Holgate’s reach by Keane. But in an incident not of the relegation zone with just the visitors’ defence, but as looking to bounce back from Spurs in the table, but another But Everton quickly lev- too dissimilar to the one that six games to play. he half wore on, it was David a deflating 3-1 defeat to Man- defensive mix-up involving elled, Sigurdsson coolly con- Tottenham Hotspur’s English gifted Spurs the lead, Keane On an eventful afternoon Moyes’ men who began to exert chester United, yet they were Keane was punished by Kane verting a penalty after Sergio striker Harry Kane on Friday. (AFP) headed a cross on to Holgate on Tyneside, the visitors a measure of control with Noble underwhelming once again as he spared the visitors from Reguilon was adjudged to and Kane was on hand to trailed 2-0 at the break courte- increasingly prominent. and arguably fortunate to a defeat that would have left have fouled James, who then Son Heung-min should hammer home before hob- sy of Issa Diop’s own goal and However, their hopes leave Merseyside with a point. them six points behind fourth- forced Lloris into a vital stop have done better early in the bling off late on, a concern a howler from keeper Lukasz were torn apart inside five Kane punished a Michael placed West Ham. following a clever interchange second half as he hit a tame ef- for his club and also England Fabianski which handed Jo- catastrophic minutes as they Keane error to reach 20 Pre- The match’s spell of mo- with the Iceland international fort into the side-netting after manager Gareth Southgate, elinton a second, and had also handed the hosts a command- mier League goals in a season notony was broken in the 22nd in the 38th minute. gliding past Keane. who was in attendance. seen defender Craig Dawson ing lead. 14 Sunday, April 18, 2021 Sports ASIAN WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS ‘Amazing feeling’ for Rublev as he India’s Chanu creates sets up Tsitsipas new world record final in Monaco ANI DPA in straight sets on his way to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) Berlin winning an ATP 500 title in Rotterdam last month. Indian weightlifter Mirabai Andrey Rublev reflected Six of his eight ATP titles Chanu on Saturday set a new on an “amazing feeling” as he have come since the start of world record in Clean and Jerk booked a Monte Carlo Masters last year. as she lifted 119 kg at Asian final appearance against Stefa- It took Tsitsipas, who has Weightlifting Championships nos Tsitsipas. not won a tournament for 14 here in Tashkent to rub out the The Russian has had a months, only one hour and old mark of 118 kg. remarkable week at the Mas- nine minutes to see off the chal- Mirabai’s also created a ters 1000 event that included lenge of Evans, forcing 11 break new national record as she a stunning win over 11-time points to the Briton’s one. lifted a total of 205 kg (86 champion Rafael Nadal in the “I am indeed pleased with kg snatch + 119 kg Clean and quarter-finals. the performance,” Tsitsipas Jerk) which also won her the Rublev continued his fine said, with the Greek yet to bronze medal at the showpiece run with a 6-3, 7-5 win over drop a set in Monte Carlo. event. Indian weightlifter Sa- Casper Ruud on Saturday to “I found ways to play at my thish Kumar Sivalingam con- ensure he will do battle against best. It was really difficult to gratulated Mirabai for attain- Tsitsipas in his first final at maintain my level of consist- ing the new world record. this level. ency and I am really happy I “Congrats @mirabai_ Tsitsipas comfortably saw managed to deal with all the chanu for your new world off Dan Evans - who had beat- different moments during the record in Clean and Jerk 119 en world number one Novak match. kg first indian women weight- Djokovic earlier in the tourna- “I’m feeling good. I’m lifter create history,” Sathish ment - winning his semi-final feeling energised. I still have tweeted. 6-2, 6-1. plenty of gas and energy left Last month, fencer Bhava- Rublev had 21 winners in his in me. I was able to have all of ni Devi scripted history by be- 80-minute victory over Ruud my matches done in two sets, coming the first fencer from and has a record of 24-4 this so that is a big plus. India to qualify for the Tokyo season, the ATP Tour’s best. “I am happy to be able Olympics. “It is an amazing feeling - it to play that way, just take it Soon after her qualification is my first (Masters) final, so I match by match, approach for the Tokyo Olympics, Union am really happy,” said Rublev. each individual match with the Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju “We will see what is going to same intensity and energy - took to Twitter and congratu- happen [in the final].I will try I’m really focused for Sunday.” lated Devi on her achievement. to do my best. Rublev has won three of his six The 27-year-old has quali- “Casper is a really amaz- career meetings with Tsitsipas fied for theO lympics through ing player, especially on clay. and one of their two battles on the Adjusted OfficialR anking Since the beginning he put a clay. (AOR) method. really high intensity [on the Tsitsipas will be competing Tokyo Olympics are set to court] and was really tough. in his third Masters final, hav- take place from July 23 to Au- “I knew that I needed to ing lost to Nadal and Djokovic gust 8 this year. Whereas, the raise my level if I wanted to in his two previous appearanc- Paralympics will take place fight against him, because if es, the last of which came two from August 24 to September 5. India’s Mirabai Chanu exults after lifting 119 kg in Clean and Jerk with a best snatch of 86kg at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in I (did) not raise the level I years ago in Madrid. The Games were sched- Tashkent on Saturday. (Pic: Twitter) [would] lose for sure.” Overall, Tsitsipas has won uled to be held last year, but Rublev defeated Tsitsipas just five of his 13 ATP finals. it was postponed due to the lations to #TOPSAthlete Ravi The Olympic-bound wres- (TOPS) core group. lik have been included in the COVID-19 pandemic. Dahiya who retains his title in tler had previously clinched This is as per the policy de- TOPS core group after at- Earlier, India’s Ravi Ku- Men’s 57 kg at the Asian Wres- three silver and four bronze cision taken at the 56th meet- taining their Tokyo Olympic mar Dahiya on Saturday won tling Championships after medals and this is Vinesh’s ing of the Mission Olympic quotas at the Asian Wrestling a gold medal in the ongoing beating Iran’s Alireza Sarlak third gold in three tournaments Cell held on April 7, where it Olympic qualifier. Asian Wrestling Champion- 9-4,” tweeted SAI Media. since her return in March. was decided that all Olympic- Both the athletes were ships in Almaty. On Friday, Vinesh Phogat Meanwhile, six athletes qualified athletes will be sup- previously a part of the Dahiya retained his title in won her maiden gold at Asian which include two wres- ported through TOPS. TOPS development group. the 57kg weight category af- Wrestling Championships af- tlers and four sailors have Women’s 57 kg wrestler They are among six wres- ter he defeated Iran’s Alireza ter beating her rival Taipei’s been included in the Target Anshu Malik and women’s tlers to win quotas for the Sarlak 9-4. “Many congratu- Meng Hsuan Hsieh in the final. Olympic Podium Scheme 62kg wrestler Sonam Ma- Tokyo Olympics. Persepolis stay perfect with win over Al Rayyan

AFC ful header over the bar while Russia’s Andrey Rublev celebrates during his semi-final against Goa at the other end, Yacine Bra- Norway’s Casper Ruud at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series in himi’s drive from inside the Monaco on Saturday. (AFP) Persepolis FC flexed their area was saved by Persepolis credentials as favourites as they custodian Hamed Lak. came from behind to defeat Al Persepolis started the World snooker championship to Rayyan SC 3-1 in Group E of the second half with heightened 2021 AFC Champions League intensity and their determina- see fans return in pilot event at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru tion paid off two minutes into Stadium on Saturday. the restart when Kamal Kamy- DPA World Snooker Tour chair- The Islamic Republic of abinia headed home the equal- London man Barry Hearn admitted Iran side turned on the power iser off Torabi’s corner. the pressure was on, he told in the second half as they add- Al Rayyan found them- Spectators will return to BBC Sport: “It’s important we ed to the 1-0 opening day win selves 2-1 down two min- sport on Saturday when the are successful. against UAE’s Al Wahda FSCC utes later as Siamak Nemati World Snooker Championship “We are sending out a while Al Rayyan were left in weaved his way down the right gets under way with the Cru- message to all other indoor search of their first victory, flank before finding Moghan- cible to open its doors to fans sports, cinemas, theatres. The having been held 0-0 by FC lou, who volleyed past Younis. once again. data that comes from this is Goa on Matchday One. Moghanlou scored his The venue in Sheffield going to be vital to getting to Persepolis raced off the Action from the Persepolis-Al Rayyan AFC Champions League match played at Goa on Saturday. second in the 57th minute, could be up to 33 per cent full the land of milk and honey of blocks and wasted no time in finding space inside the six on the first day of the tourna- normality.” asserting themselves, coming forward was flagged offside. in the 19th minute when Naif first saving Mahdi Torabi’s yard box to collect Omid ment and the hope is that a Hot Water Comedy Club in close to opening the scoring The Iran Pro League Al Hadhrami rose highest to effort from inside the area on Alishah’s pass before slam- capacity crowd of 980 people Liverpool was meant to host after just three minutes when champions continued to press head home Abdelaziz Hatim’s 24 minutes and then denying ming the ball into an un- will attend next month’s final the first pilot event with spec- Vahid Amiri raced down the with their free flowing passing free-kick into the bottom right Moghanlou’s drive in the 39th guarded goalmouth. on May 3. tators on Friday, but pulled left flank and relayed the ball but Al Rayyan were up to task of the net. minute. With the job done, Perse- A lot depends on the re- out and Saturday’s opening to Shahriyar Moghanlou, who with their sound defending. An undaunted Persepolis The Al Rayyan shotstop- polis will now turn their focus sults of the Government’s pilot session at the Crucible now found himself in a one on one A lapse in concentration, pushed for the equaliser but per showed his class just be- to FC Goa on Tuesday while Al events, which are being used has the job of taking sport’s situation with Al Rayyan goal- however, saw Persepolis con- Al Rayyan goalkeeper Younis fore half-time when he tipped Rayyan will seek their first win to help England and sport out first step towards normality keeper Fahad Younis, but the cede against the run of play was at the top of his game, Seyed Jalal Hosseini’s power- against Al Wahda. of lockdown. again in Britain. Embiid’s 76ers halt Clippers; Mitchell hurt as NBA-leading Jazz win

oel Embiid dominated as But the 76ers (39-17) points and nine rebounds for All-Star team-mates Rudy Murray starred with 13 points, Jthe Eastern Conference- scored seven straight points the Clippers (39-19), who also Gobert (13 points and 23 re- 11 rebounds and 10 assists for leading Philadelphia 76ers to move clear 99-94 and they had a season-high 18 points bounds) and Mike Conley (10 his third triple-double of the held off the Los Angeles Clip- never relinquished the lead, from Patrick Patterson. points and 10 assists) both had season. The last Spurs player pers 106-103 in a blockbuster despite the Clippers’ efforts. George joined Bob McA- double-doubles, while Bojan with that many triple-doubles NBA showdown. MVP hopeful Embiid - doo, World B. Free and Leon- Bogdanovic put up 24 points. in a season was David Robin- Embiid posted 36 points averaging 34.5 points and ard as the only players in Clip- Julius Randle’s 44 points son in 1993-94. and 14 rebounds as the 76ers 11.0 rebounds over his last pers history to have five straight and 10 rebounds led the New MVP frontrunner Nikola extended their winning streak four games - became the first games with 30-plus points. York Knicks past former team Jokic finished with 29 points to four games, while snapping 76ers player with at least 36 The NBA-leading Utah the Dallas Mavericks 117-109. and 16 rebounds as the Den- the Clippers’ seven-game run points and seven rebounds in Jazz (42-14) rallied to beat the Randle became the first Knicks ver Nuggets crushed the lowly on Friday. three consecutive games since Indiana Pacers 119-111 after player since Bernard King in Houston Rockets 128-99. After being outscored 20-3 Charles Barkley in 1990, while All-Star Donovan Mitchell ex- 1985 to record 40-plus points, Russell Westbrook inspired early in the opening quarter, he is the first Philadelphia ited due to an ankle injury. 10-plus rebounds and five-plus the Washington Wizards’ 117- the Kawhi Leonard-less Clip- player with at least 35 points Mitchell suffered a sprained assists in a regular-season game. 115 overtime victory against pers rallied to take the lead in three straight games since ankle in the second half, having Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against The San Antonio Spurs the New Orleans Pelicans after during the closing stages of the Allen Iverson in 2006. scored 22 points before leaving Alize Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter at the Wells lost 107-106 to the Portland scoring 10 of their 12 points in final period in Philadelphia. Paul George put up 37 in the third quarter. Fargo Center on in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. (AFP) Trail Blazers but Dejounte the additional period. (DPA) Sports Sunday, April 18, 2021 15

The Qatar Prix Djebella II saw a runaway victory for the representative of Mohamed Fahad AH Al Attiyah – Sahab at Bordeaux-le-Bouscat in in the green and white silks of Waleed Ben Zaied – Zafraan Qardabiyah on way to wining the Qatar Prix France on Saturday. (Pic: Robert Polin) Denouste. (Pic: Robert Polin) Mohamed Al Attiyah’s Sahab dazzles in Qatar Prix Djebellaa II; Zafraan Qardabiyah wins Qatar Prix Denouste in France

Tribune News Network Smartly away, she went AL Ameena), who just denied Wakrah have both worked Balladore, who produced the the bend, and Zafraan Qarda- straight in the closing stages. Doha straight to the lead and set a NELKIANE (Munjiz x Nelkia), well with her. They have a top-class Amyr du Soleil. biyah came to challenge at the Despite this, he nonethe- decent pace. the favourite of the race, by a more impressive physique An hour earlier, in the beginning of the home straight. less gained on Zafraan Qarda- The race meeting at Bor- Steadying in the bend, Is- short head. than the winner. To win by green and white silks of Shying from the whip, he biyah to finish strongly, com- deaux-le-Bouscat in France on mee De Bozouls (Muguet De “She gave me a great feel- seven lengths like that, she Waleed Ben Zaied – Zafraan drifted slightly towards the ing 2nd by ½ length. Also Saturday featured two QREC- Pascade x Jokmee De Bozouls) ing”, enthused jockey Jerome must be good. She is still very Qardabiyah (Majd Al Arab x center, before finding his bal- making his track debut today, sponsored exciting Purebred moved up to join her. Once in Cabre after the race. “She was immature physically, so now Intisar Quardabiyah) won the ance and accelerating to take HH Sheikh Abdullah’s home- Arabian 3-year-old maidens, the straight, jockey Jerome Ca- very professional from the off, that she has won we will give Qatar Prix Denouste for the the lead just after the 200-me- bred Muntazah (Al Mamun the Qatar Prix Denouste for bre had just to open his hands and so I took the advantage. her some time to mature. We young trainer Jean de Mieulle, ter marker. Monlau x Nashmiya II) came colts and geldings, and the Qa- and she sped away, leaving her She had a look around but won’t rush here – you need to who took his public training li- Favorite of the race after in third 2 lengths further back, tar Prix Djebella II for fillies. rivals standing. breathed well. When I asked be at you best for the end of cense out just last year. his second place on debut for trainer Didier Guillemin Both run over 1,400m, She flew down to the rail to her to accelerate, she really the year.” Zafraan Qardabiyah was a over this course and distance and under an educational ride these maidens have often the line, professional and un- showed something special. We Sahab comes from one of little keen in the early stages two weeks previously, Zain from Olivier Peslier. played host to the debuts of touchable. A demonstration will see if she can confirm on the oldest and most success- of this 1,400m race and moved El Hala (Assy x Chamade De Former assistant to Alban future Stakes’ performers. for her first appearance on the this run in the future, but to ful French Purebred Arabian up to sit behind the leaders Ghazal) – in the colours of de Mieulle in Qatar, Jean de The Qatar Prix Djebella II track! show that kind of speed is very pedigrees from the Haras in fourth position on the out- HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Mieulle is now in his second saw a runaway victory for the Thomas Fourcy is also re- promising,” he said. de Pompadour; her dam side of GC Runner under ap- Khalifa Al Thani – had sweat season as a licensed trainer representative of Mohamed sponsible for Al Wakrah (TM “She works well in the Manella is none other than a prentice jockey Gary Sanchez, up in the stalls. in France and commented on Fahad AH Al Attiyah – Sa- Fred Texas x Majida), who mornings and does everything sister to the Group 1 produc- claiming 2½ kg. Coming with a strong chal- his winner: “Zafraan Qarda- hab (Af Albahar x Manella). led the rest of the field home that we ask of her”, added ers Dormadora, dam of Da- Josko (Josco Du Cayrou x lenge at the beginning of the biyah came here in good con- Trained by Thomas Fourcy, for her owner and breeder Al trainer Thomas Fourcy. hor de Brugeres, Dormah De Essaana) led at a regular pace, home straight, his inexperi- dition. I knew that he has a this filly was one of his four Shaqab Racing. “However, she’s been very Brugere, the dam of Mahess with Syam YAM Munjiz x Syri- ence showed, and he lost es- bit of speed – he’s run very runners, and was not the most In third by 2 lengths was impressive today to acceler- du Soleil - Purebred Arabian anah) in second. sential ground as his jockey well. I’m very pleased with fancied prior to the race. ZF Almuzon (Dahess x Z F ate like that. Nelkiane and Al Derby (Gr.1 PA) winner - and The leaders picked up in had to battle to keep him his performance today.”

Rohit leapfrogs Dhoni to Chahar, Boult shine as Mumbai record most sixes by Indian ANI right-handed batsman also Chennai smashed two fours before he was dismissed by Vijay Mumbai Indians skipper Shankar in the seventh over. Indians beat SRH by 13 runs Rohit Sharma on Saturday Earlier this week, star evening added another feath- West Indies batsman Chris er to his illustrious cap as he Gayle became the first bats- ANI leapfrogged Chennai Super man to smash 350 sixes in Chennai Kings (CSK) captain Mahen- the cash-rich league. Former dra Singh Dhoni to record South Africa swashbuckling Pacer Trent Boult and spin- the most sixes in the Indian batsman AB de Villiers is at ner Rahul Chahar both picked Abdul Samad of Sunrisers Hyderabad is run Premier League (IPL) by an the second spot having hit 237 three wickets each as Mum- out during the Vivo Indian Premier League Indian batsmen. sixes in the IPL. bai Indians registered an easy 2021 match against Mumbai Indians at the MA Rohit achieved the feat Dhoni on Friday played win over Sunrisers Hyderabad Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. in the ongoing match against the 200th game for CSK when (SRH) in the Indian Premier Chasing 151 for a win, Sunrisers Hyderabad Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at he took to the field against League (IPL) match here at were bowled out for 137. (BCCI/IPL) the MA Chidambaram Stadi- Punjab Kings at the Wankhede the MA Chidambaram Stadi- um when he pulled a short ball Stadium in Mumbai in match um on Saturday. from Bhuvneshwar Kumar for eight of the IPL. Quinton de Kock and Rohit a six over deep mid-wicket. Dhoni, who has played 206 Sharma played knocks of 40 and Rohit has now smashed 217 matches in the IPL, has fea- 32, but SRH managed to main- sixes in the IPL while former tured for CSK in the tourna- tain a stranglehold as Mumbai Indian skipper MS Dhoni has ment and Champions League Indians were restricted to 150/5. 216 maximums under his belt. T20. He has made 176 ap- In response, SRH was bun- Rohit first whacked a six pearances for CSK in the IPL dled out for 137 despite a flying in the third over and pulled besides making 24 outings start given by Jonny Bairstow. a short one in the next over for the side in the Champions SRH needed 47 runs in to achieve the milestone. The League T20 tournament. the last five overs and Vijay Shankar whacked back to back sixes in Krunal Pandya’s third over to reduce the gap. But SRH was again put on the SRH are not playing smart back foot when they lost two Scores: Mumbai Indians 150/5 wickets in the 18th over and (Quinton de Kock 40, Kieron cricket in middle overs: Warner the team’s hopes were finally Pollard 35*, Vijay Shankar 2-19); down when Jasprit Bumrah SRH 137 (Jonny Bairstow 43, ANI “These scores are very dismissed Shankar with 17 re- David Warner 36; Rahul Chahar Chennai chase-able, it’s just poor bat- quired off seven balls. 3-19). ting. If you get a partnership SRH collapsed from 129/5 Sunrisers Hyderabad skip- and have one guy at the end, to 137 in nine balls as Boult per David Warner feels his side you can chase down 150 eas- and Jasprit Bumrah denied around the park to take SRH nings but a sensational direct hit Boult cleaned up SRH’s tail to he was dismissed by Shankar just needs to play smart cricket ily. You just need smart cricket the batsmen any chance of over the 50-run mark before from Hardik Pandya ended his hand Mumbai Indians their in the ninth over, reducing in the middle overs to get over in the middle, we aren’t doing slogging in the death overs. completion of the fifth over. stint with SRH reeling at 90/3. second win of the season Mumbai to 71/2. the line in the ongoing Indian that,” he added. Chasing 151, SRH had a de- However, the England The wicket of Warner trig- Opting to bat first, Mum- Ishan Kishan (12) failed to Premier League (IPL) 2021. SRH bowled well in tandem cent start but opening batsman opener brought his own in- gered a middle-order collapse bai Indians got off to a brilliant get going with the bat and at Pacer Trent Boult and before Pollard took Mumbai Jonny Bairstow took the charge nings to an end as he disturbed as SRH lost two quick wick- start as openers Rohit Sharma no point, he looked comfort- spinner Rahul Chahar both Indians to a defendable total. and smashed 18 runs in the the stumps while attempting to ets. Rahul Chahar, who had and Quinton de Kock put on 53 able in his 21-ball knock. picked three wickets each as “I think our bowlers adapted third over. The English batsman hit the ball towards the fine leg. dismissed Manish, sent both runs inside the first six overs. In the final two overs, Mumbai Indians registered an well to this wicket, it’s slower didn’t stop and continued his Manish Pandey failed Virat Singh and Abhishek SRH got the much-need- Hardik Pandya (7), Pollard, and easy win over SRH on Satur- than the ones we played on ear- onslaught as he whacked two to leave a mark as he hard- Sharma back in the hut to pile ed breakthrough in the sev- Krunal Pandya tried their best day. SRH has now lost all their lier. We’ve got to learn from the consecutive six in the fourth. ly timed the slog down the further misery on SRH. enth over as Vijay dismissed to register big strikes, but SRH three games in the ongoing mistakes and right now it’s just While David Warner played ground and Kieron Pollard Shankar tried his best to Rohit (32). Suryakumar Ya- managed to keep them in check. IPL 2021. the batsmen. We’ve got to take a sluggish knock, Bairstow was made no mistake. take SRH over the line but was dav (10) played two stunning In the final over, Pollard hit two Mumbai Indians had responsibility,” said Warner. in top form as he hammered Warner changed gears in dismissed in the penultimate shots but that was what he sixes and as a result, he regis- scored 150/5, thanks to Ki- SRH’s middle order is bad- Mumbai Indians bowlers all the second half of the SRH’s in- over by Bumrah. In the end, managed to do in totality as tered his 200th sixth in the IPL. eron Pollard’s two sixes on ly missing Kane Williamson the last two balls. In response, and Warner said if the New SRH was bundled out for 137 Zealand skipper recovers he despite a flying start given by might get an opportunity. Chennai Super Kings paceman Lungi Ngidi completes quarantine, begins training Jonny Bairstow. “Got to move forward, put “I don’t know how to take some smiles on our faces. Have Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings year’s IPL, has joined the CSK edition of the cash-rich league. Kings was Dhoni’s 200th match Champions League T20 tourna- that. Two of us got set, my run been speaking to the phsyio (CSK) fast bowler Lungi Ngidi teammates. “And I’m out,” Ngidi Meanwhile, CSK opened its ac- for CSK. Dhoni, who has played ment. “He has been absolutely out, Jonny stepping on his and Williamson is coming finished his mandatory seven- wrote in his Instagram story in count in the ongoing tournament 206 matches in the IPL, has fea- the heartbeat of CSK, there’s wickets, and false shots in the along nicely and I’m sure if he’s day quarantine and has begun which he was seen sweating it on Friday, courtesy of right-arm tured for CSK in the tournament no doubt about it. Whether it’s middle proved that if you don’t ready to go he might get an op- training for the ongoing Indian out in the gym. Last week, CSK pacer Deepak Chahar’s four- and Champions League T20. He performances, guidance or lead- have two guys at the end, you portunity,” Warner signed off. Premier League (IPL) 2021. signed Australia pacer Jason wicket haul, Faf du Plessis’ calm has made 176 appearances for ership... you run out of things don’t win,” Warner told host SRH will next lock Ngidi, who had picked nine Behrendorff as a replacement knock, and Moeen Ali’s cameo. CSK in the IPL besides making to say about him,” head coach broadcaster Star Sports after horns with Punjab Kings on wickets in four games in last for Josh Hazlewood for the 14th Also, the game against Punjab 24 outings for the side in the Stephen Fleming said. (ANI) the match. Wednesday. 16 Sunday, April 18, 2021 The Last Word 40 school students complete Weill Cornell Medicine’s Qatar Aspiring Doctors Programme

Tribune News Network through nomination by school counsel- Doha lors, who put forward students who have shown academic excellence during their Forty students from high schools school years, particularly in the sciences across Qatar have completed the chal- and mathematics. lenging Qatar Aspiring Doctors Pro- Students must also have a good un- gramme (QADP), an initiative run by derstanding of English and show a keen the Office of Student Outreach and Edu- interest in pursuing a career in medi- cational Development at Weill Cornell cine. The QADP is delivered alongside Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). the students’ normal school curriculum The programme, which runs from and is customised to fit the timetables October to March each year, provides and academic requirements of each in- rigorous tuition in the physical sciences, dividual participant. QF building resilient learning biology, research skills and English for This year’s programme was the first academic purposes to both inspire and since the launch of the QADP in 2015 prepare motivated students to study to be delivered entirely online, owing to medicine at WCM-Q. lockdown measures to limit the spread environment, guarding children Having successfully completed of the coronavirus. the programme, the 40 students from Student Reema Mohammad Ali Al grades 10, 11 and 12 at both private and Emadi from Al Maha Academy for Girls government schools were presented completed the QADP with honours. with certificates of achievement in an Speaking at the completion ceremo- in time of COVID-19 pandemic online ceremony. ny, she said, “This experience showed me Dr James Roach, associate dean for what academic life at WCM-Q is like and Ailyn Agonia for teachers and parents who have concerns Pre-medical Education and professor gave me a better understanding of uni- DOHA about their students. of Chemistry, who delivers the physical versity curriculums, learning methods “As we pass the one-year mark of the begin- sciences modules, said: “First and fore- and tools and, most importantly, what As child well-being is among the top priorities ning of lockdown and social isolation in many most, it’s a recruitment programme and the university expects from us. Today’s during public health crisis, Qatar Foundation’s parts of the world, we are only beginning to see an effective one. The vast majority of our accomplishment is just the beginning Pre-University Education (PUE) has reiterated the effects on behaviour and social and emo- Qatari students in Foundation and Pre- for me, and I hope one day my dreams the importance of a strong community in creat- tional development and learning the ways we med came through the QADP, but the to be part of Weill Cornell will become ing resilient educational environments. can work to mitigate any long-term effects. At benefits of the programme go beyond true, but I know that a dream does not According to AlJawhara Al Thani, head of Pre-University Education, we are lucky to have recruitment. become reality through magic; it takes Education and Community Programmes at Qa- had solid practices and exceptionally capable “QADP gives students a familiarity sweat, determination and hard work.” tar Foundation’s PUE, the institution’s journey Child Protection Officer and counsellors be- with WCM-Q, its personnel and its facili- Dr Rachid Bendriss said, “The with the pandemic was predicated on the reaf- cause we went into the pandemic with the tools ties, before they matriculate as students. QADP has been remarkably success- firmation of a core belief that students need to in place to support each other,” AlJawhara said. It serves to ease that transition from ful in recent years at attracting Qatari feel safe and supported in order to learn. Every QF PUE school had an appointed high school to college. QADP’s academic students to apply to join WCM-Q’s Six- She said this is what underpinned the es- Child Protection Officer (CPO) and a deputy content prepares students better for the Year Medical Programme or the Foun- tablishment of the Child Protection and Safe- CPO who manage child protection investi- rigours of a college curriculum.” dation Programme, which provides guarding initiative almost four years ago. gations. In addition to Dr Roach, the QADP further tuition in math, the sciences In March of 2018, the Formal Child Protec- In addition, PUE has a central Safeguard- curriculum is taught by Dr Rachid Ben- and English, preparing students for the tion Policy was implemented. ing Lead to support the school’s CPOs. Each driss, associate dean for Foundation, six-year course. Indeed, a good number The policy states “the values, principles and year, staff and teachers are trained at the begin- Student Outreach & Educational De- of Qatari nationals currently enrolled expectations for safeguarding in QF school’s is ning of the school year to recognise signs and velopment and associate professor of in the Foundation Programme and the based on the United Nations Convention of characteristics of abuse. A refresher training is English as a second language; Dr Ghi- Six-Year Medical Programme at WCM- the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and guid- provided during the school year to maintain fo- zlane Bendriss, lecturer, Biology; and Q completed the QADP. That testifies ance provided by the International Task Force remote learning that would keep students and cus on the safety of the students. Reya Saliba, librarian, Education and to the importance of the QADP, among for Child Protection” (PUE Child Protection staff safe and mitigate possible risks of cyber “A strong community allows us to sup- Research. other outreach programmes, in attract- Policy, 2018)”. bullying or other issues that could emerge port our most vulnerable members by creating The QADP is primarily aimed at Qa- ing and retaining a talented student QF was one of the key entities in the re- when learning is virtual. That also included both the space and the opportunities for stu- tari nationals. Entry to the programme is population at WCM-Q.” gion to mandate and enforce Child Protection ensuring that students knew that the resources dents and staff to vocalise what they are going practices. that they have access to during school are still through. It is also important to take the time to AlJawhara said, “What began with the es- available online. acknowledge the reality that it is not easy to be tablishment of policies, procedures and train- Students and parents can reach out to at home and wear multiple hats. Our students ing to support staff and students with child pro- teachers and counsellors for advice and sup- are not just students at home. They are sons tection concerns has now evolved to exploring port online. and daughters, brothers and sisters, caregivers more proactive ways of dealing with overall so- Child Protection Teams and counsellors and sometimes teachers in their own right,” Al- cial and emotional wellbeing of both staff and within schools are also aware of the most vul- Jawhara said. students. nerable members of their communities and put She added, “Similarly, our teachers did not “This includes everything from anti-bully- in extra effort in this time of increasing anxiety wear one hat when they were home. The pan- ing training, self-harm awareness training and and disruption to check in and make sure those demic opened our eyes to the fact that we are teaching mechanisms to cope with anxiety and students feel supported. also more to each other than colleagues or stu- building space within the curriculum to discuss As the World Health Organization re- dents and teachers; we are confidants, cheer- issues that students may be facing. PUE has ported that there has been a 10 percent to 50 leaders and friends. It is important to create also been working with other schools to help percent increase in calls to domestic violence the space to celebrate that sense of community build awareness and capacity through formal helplines in some countries around the world, and other achievements, both academic and and informal conversation, trainings and shar- the QF official underlined that while they do non-academic in whatever way we can. While ing resources.” not have a record of the exact statistics for we have no way of knowing what lies ahead, we She also pointed out that one of the first Qatar, resources such as Sidra’s Child Protec- will continue to work to strengthen our com- undertakings when schools transitioned to tion Advocacy Programm and their helpline munity and build resilience while always keep- remote learning was to create a guideline for have become extremely important resources ing safety at the heart of what we do.” QNTC promotes Qatar’s homegrown talent across all platforms

CATHERINE W GICHUKI and vaccinating all residents, features a number of activi- “I have access to differ- including teriyaki, kochujang DOHA we hope to return to our in- ties for aspiring chefs, includ- ent kitchens from all over the and a variety of spices.” person events and festivals ing masterclasses and cooking world and I reflect that in my Talking about the culinary Qatar National Tourism where we can showcase a much competitions, the Chefs of Qa- cuisines,” he said. initiatives for the Holy Month Council (QNTC) has been broader range of food experi- tar festival is specifically de- Morimoto Executive Chef of Ramadan, Mikel Ibrahim promoting homegrown tal- ences and participants from all signed to introduce the coun- Timur Fazilov said, “A chef, a said that Morimoto, Walima, ent across all its forums, over the world. We would like try’s fine dining offerings and pilot and a founder of Qatar’s CUT and Hudson Tavern will Haya Al Noaimi from the to highlight that during these diverse range of restaurants first Cooking Academy, Has- be offering a la carte dining QNTC Marketing and Pro- difficult times and in the spirit from renowned chefs. san is a very charismatic and options to take away or to be motion Sector, has said. of Ramadan, Chefs of Qatar According to her, QNTC’s an incredible partner to work delivered to doorsteps. She was speaking as two aims to donate a meal to those newly relaunched visitqatar with. While I am specialised in In addition to the menu Qatari chefs joined other in need through Qatar Charity website has a Chefs of Qa- Japanese cuisine - the heart of with chef Hassan, Morimoto chefs to bring their culinary for every order from the Chefs tar page which features lo- my culinary expertise, I have has also created another spe- skills to the ongoing Chefs of of Qatar collection in Talabat,” cal and international chefs always been interested in fu- cial menu available on Tala- Qatar Virtual Food Festival. she said. based in Qatar. sion, and this is what we did bat’s ‘Chefs of Qatar’ section, The chefs have joined other Talking about how QNTC Noaimi added that QNTC through our collaboration. boasting the best of Japanese renowned colleagues who are is promoting the chefs in was working with the hospital- “With an idea of creating cuisine - miso soup, buck- masterminds behind Qatar’s Qatar, especially the Qatari ity sector to create opportuni- a bespoke menu and offer- wheat noodles, tempura best restaurants where they chefs, Noaimi said that QNTC ties like the Chefs of Qatar fes- ing Qatar residents a one-of- shrimps, a selection of maki are sharing their stories and has been bringing to limelight tival, enabling them to develop a-kind dining option to en- and sushi and a soufflé-like signature dishes to bring fla- Qatar’s homegrown talent attractive offerings that drive joy from the comfort of their cheesecake with fresh black- vours of the world to people’s across all its forums such as revenue to their restaurants homes, we unleashed our berry jam and fresh fruit. doorstep. The Qatari chefs are Doha Jewellery and Watches and showcase the country’s di- imagination and create freely, Walima will also offer sev- Noor Al Mazroei and Hassan Exhibition, Shop Qatar and verse dining experiences and while preserving the fine din- eral takeaway options with chef Al Ibrahim. Qatar International Food Fes- celebrated chefs. ing nature of the menu.” Sezar’s signature mixed grill, Organised by Qatar Na- tival (QIFF). She said, “QNTC also ini- Regional Vice-President machboos and chicken teri- tional Tourism Council in col- “While the Chefs of Qatar tiated the Qatar Clean pro- Sales & Marketing, sbe group yaki, while Hudson Tavern will laboration with Talabat and festival is introducing inter- gramme in close collaboration Mikel Ibrahim said, “We are continue to deliver its Ameri- Qatar Airways, the Chefs of nationally celebrated chefs with the Ministry of Public pleased to collaborate with can classics – roast boxes with Qatar Virtual Food Festival who are based in Qatar, it is Health for sterilisation and such a talented Qatari chef as the finest quality SU CAB Rib- will continue until May 12. also shedding light on Qatar’s disinfection of hotels and res- Hassan AlIbrahim. Constant- eye accompanied with classical Noaimi told Qatar Tribune own Qatari celebrity chefs taurants. This follows strict ly creating new experiences, sides, mustard, crushed pepper that Chefs of Qatar is the first- who have made a mark at the guidelines for the safety of Qatari chef Hassan AlIbrahim flavours and driving Qatar’s and traditional dessert. of-its-kind initiative in the regional and international lev- customers as well as staff at dining scene is part of Mon- Other chefs taking part in region, and with the current el. For this purpose, we have these establishments. The nese culture is rich and au- ing is hamour fish using teri- drian’s nature, and this col- Chefs of Qatar are Salvatore lockdown and the absence of teamed up with two Qatari programme has made it pos- thentic when it comes to food. yaki sauce which is the most laboration reflects it perfectly. Silvestrino, Chef Gina, Vinay in-person events and festivals, chefs to create special men- sible for the hotels and res- He added that the Qatari famous sauce in the Japanese This partnership is also a true Kumar, Mert Duran, Sezar QNTC is working with its part- us with their chosen hotels. taurants to continue their op- cuisine is simple but very rich. kitchen and cinnamon from symbiosis between two chefs, Esper Eliass, Timur Fazilov, ner hotels and other stake- These exclusive partnerships erations during the pandemic, “I decided to combine the the Qatari kitchen. who blended their skills and Marios Papadopoulos, Stef- holders to provide residents are between Mondrian Hotel and for residents to continue two cultures and bring out a Chef AlIbrahim, who passion for fine dining in a fen Schnetzke, Marc Fery, the opportunity to enjoy the and Chef Hassan AlIbrahim to enjoy offerings.” fusion of the cuisines by hav- thanked QNTC for always pro- unique menu crafted with the Kamal Mers, Friedemann country’s fine dining with ab- and Park Hyatt and Chef Noor Chef Hassan AlIbrahim ing Qatari aroma and Japa- viding support, said as a cap- best local products - hamour, Heinrich, Steven Peter, Elias solute peace of mind. Al Mazroei,” she said. said that he chose Morimoto, nese taste in one bit,” he said. tain who travels to different lamb chops and baby chickens Gemayel, Maroun Gebrael, “With the country taking all Noaimi added that while the Japanese restaurant in He added that one of the parts of the world, he has been – and the most refined Asian Hisham AlBrahim and Chai- measures to control the virus their main food festival, QIFF Mondrian because the Japa- specific dishes he will be creat- able to see various cuisines. ingredients and techniques, wat Kawikitpraphat.