QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Monday February 24, 2020 JuMada al-akhir 30, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4877 QR 2

Fajr: 4:45 am Dhuhr: 11:47 am PArTly clouDy Asr: 3:05 pm Maghrib: 5:34 pm hIgh : 27°C Isha: 7:04 pm Low : 19°C asia 7 business 13 Sports 16 Walls, mud packs and al khaliji okays Attiyah lays down monkey removal for dividend of QR0.075 marker Trump’s India visit per share at AGM

Amir, Jordan King vow to bolster ties Amir directs creation of 10,000 jobs for Jordanians in Qatar $30 mn grant to support Jordanian military retirement fund

The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and King Abdullah II bin al Hussein of Jordan hold official talks at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman on Sunday.SEE ALSO PAGE 2

QNA dom of Jordan discussed ways tion with the growth of bilateral Qatar-Jordanian supreme under Lusail University’s um- The Amir directed the nounced the opening of a cen- AmmAn to strengthen the bilateral re- ties, and stressed their commit- joint committee, and enhanc- brella, in addition to the ex- creation of 10,000 job oppor- tre in Jordan to facilitate the lations in various fields during ment to advancing it further in ing cooperation in the fields change of expertise and train- tunities in Qatar for Jorda- process, and the support of the THE Amir HH Sheikh Tamim official talks at Al Husseiniya all fields, particularly the eco- of energy, infrastructure, and ing that will be carried as part nian nationals, in addition to Jordanian military retirement bin Hamad al Thani and HM Palace in Amman on Sunday. nomic and investment ones. higher education. The Uni- of the preparations for hosting the 10,000 job opportunities fund with $30 million. King Abdullah II bin al Hus- The Amir and the Jordan The two sides stressed the versity of Jordan will provide the FIFA 2022 World Cup in that were announced in Au- sein of the Hashemite King- King expressed their satisfac- importance of activating the a number of academic courses Qatar. gust 2018. The Amir also an- Continued on page 2 

Over 3 million Coronavirus screening for all transactions in ships calling at Qatar ports January: MoI QNA with 18.4 percent, followed by DohA Mesaimeer Services Centre with 11.3 percent. MORE than 3 million trans- The statistics also showed actions were completed in the that more than 84,000 special Over 120 entities to take part in General Directorate of Pass- transactions were completed, ports and its departments including 80,733 transactions and electronic services in in the Recruitment Applica- Build Your House 2020 expo January, according to latest tions Reviewing Committee, In a major step to cater to the fast-growing housing market for nationals in statistics issued by the 759 transactions for el- Qatar, more than 120 firms and government entities are all set to display their mwAnI Qatar has announced the commencement procedures for the detection Ministry of Interior derly and persons products and services at the first edition of Build Your house 2020 Exhibition. and examination of all ships calling at hamad Port, Ruwais Port and Doha Port, (MoI). with disabilities, According to a market data provided by Build Your house Exhibition, Qatar will especially from countries that have reported cases of the emerging coronavi- The com- and 2,536 other spend $12 billion over five years to develop new housing for nationals. Founded rus infection, in addition to applying all health checks for ship crews to detect pleted trans- transactions. in Qatar and specially designed for the local market, the exhibition is aimed at the virus. As a precautionary measure, mwani Qatar will reduce the entry of actions in the The total assisting Qatari nationals understand the processes and procedures involved ships calling at Ruwais Port. Entry of ships will be barred from 10pm to 7am at departments number of en- in building a personal residence. —SATYENDRA PATHAK PAGE 14 Ruwais Port, it said. (TNN) affiliated with try and exit the General movements Department through Ham- of Passports in ad International January reached Airport in January 2,690,303, while the amounted to 1,215, number of completed 840, including 436,904 Coronavirus takes a toll on travel business transactions in the service movements through electron- centres of the Unified Servic- ic portals. MERIAM JELLITI “Travel booking cancella- said, adding “People are going es Department spread across The statistics also showed DohA tions are at their highest point in The impact is home; they are not on leisure the country reached 238,460. an increase in the electronic years,” a booking agent at Sky- heavy. We have or business tour.” When it came to the num- services transactions, which THE coronavirus outbreak line Travel told Qatar Tribune. had trips, A supervisor from ‘United ber of transactions completed exceeded half a million, in- has taken a heavy toll on travel He said the travel business bookings and meetings for Travelling’ agency said at MoI services centres dur- cluding more than 300,000 business, with the global fears is currently at risk because of many Chinese companies are ing January, the statistics transactions through the web- over the deadly virus increas- the alarming situation. cancelled. The main now shut down and trips to indicate that Al Rayyan Ser- site of the Ministry of Interi- ing day by day. “Travel agencies are re- reason is fear. People are Asia are ‘nonexistent’. vices Center topped with 24.6 or, over 200,000 transactions Doha-based travel agen- lated to both the global and afraid to travel and scared “Besides trip cancellations percent of visa and residence through Mattrash 2, and 278 cies have confirmed that their local situations and currently of airports. They avoid and the enormous drop in related transactions, right through Qatar e-Government businesses have taken a heavy whether it is from internation- going to big city airports bookings, we have had sev- above Wakra Services Center Portal (Hukoomi). beating due to the spread of the al travel companies or individ- eral excursions cancelled. The coronavirus. Though the travel uals themselves, the business like Istanbul and London.” simple reason for this is fear cancellations have not reached is badly impacted. Some Chi- — A travel agency official of airports, most people pre- a critical phase yet, they said, nese companies we work with fer staying in Qatar because the odds of risk are very high. have shut shop. The bookings currently it is one of the safest Education ministry Iran’s neighbours Several countries have are very low,” he said. losses. fear. People are afraid to travel countries as the virus has not banned arrivals from China A supervisor of airlines “The impact is heavy and and scared of airports. They been detected here,” she said. launches unified impose travel and many airlines including bookings at another travel it is not only related to Asian avoid going to big city airports The Ministry of Public portal for public bans as virus toll Qatar Airways have suspended agency confirmed a huge drop countries, but also Europe and like Istanbul and London,” he Health (MoPH) on Saturday flights to that country in the in bookings. Though financial Arab countries. We have had explained. affirmed that there are no con- services (PG 3) rises (PG 11 ) wake of the coronavirus out- impact cannot be determined trips, bookings and meetings Most of the current book- firmed cases of the novel coro- break. at present, he predicted heavy cancelled. The main reason is ings are annual leaves only, he navirus in the country so far. 02 Monday, February 24, 2020

Contact US: Qatar Tribune I EDITORIAL I Phone: 40002222 I ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING I Phone: 40002155, 40002122, Fax: 40002235 P.O. Box: 23493, Doha. aMir and Jordan king hold talkS

Continued from page 1  the Queen Alia International Airport, the Amir was ac- The two leaders stressed corded an official reception, the importance of support- which included the firing of ing the Palestinian people 21 canon shots and playing to achieve their legitimate the national anthems of the rights and establish their in- two countries. dependent state on the 1967 The Amir was received borders with East Jerusa- by HM King Abdullah lem as its capital. They also II bin al Hussein of the stressed the importance of Hashemite Kingdom of Jor- reaching political solutions dan; HRH Prince Faisal bin Hussein, President of Jor- Prime Minister of Jordan ates Ayman Safadi; Presi- a lineup of ministers sim al Thani; Jordan’s Am- to the crises facing the re- al Hussein, Advisor to HM dan Football Association; Dr Omar Razzaz; Chief of dent of the Jordanian Senate and senior military and civil bassador to Qatar HE Zaid gion to maintain its security the King and Chairman of HH Prince Hashim bin al the Royal Hashemite Court Faisal Al Fayez; Speaker of officials; Ambassador of Mufleh al Lawzi and mem- and stability. the National Policies Coun- Hussein, Chief Royal Coun- Yousef al Isawi; Minister of Jordan’s House of Repre- Qatar to Jordan HE Sheikh bers of the Qatari Embassy Earlier upon arrival at cil; HH Prince Ali bin al cilor; a lineup of princes; Foreign Affairs and Expatri- sentatives Atef Tarawneh; Saud bin Nasser bin Jas- in Jordan.

AFGHAN PRESIDENT MEETS FM’S SPECIAL ENVOY: President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani met with Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution HE Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al Qahtani, in Kabul on Sunday. During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral cooperation, the peace talks between the United States and Taliban in Doha, the de-escalation agreement, the signing of an agreement to end the war in Afghanistan at the end of the month, the intra-Afghan negotiations, and the exchange of prisoners between the two sides. (QNA) nation Monday, February 24, 2020 03

Shura SPeaker MeetS turkiSh ParliaMentarianS Education ministry Quick read launches unified public services portal amir congratulates emperor of Japan QNA ThE Amir hh Sheikh Tamim bin hamad al Thani sent on Sun- DohA day a cable of congratulations to Emperor naruhito of Japan on the occasion of his birthday. (QnA) THE Ministry of Education and Higher Education on Sunday amir greets sultan of brunei launched the first phase of the unified online portal for public ThE Amir hh Sheikh Tamim bin hamad al Thani sent on Sunday services. a cable of congratulations to Sultan haji hassan al Bolkiah of The unified portal aims to Brunei Darussalam on his country’s national Day. (QnA) enable the public, stakeholders and other citizens and residents amir congratulates guyana president to have electronic access to all the services provided by the ThE Amir hh Sheikh Tamim bin hamad al Thani sent on ministry through a unified win- Sunday a cable of congratulations to President of guyana Speaker of the Shura Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaidal Mahmoud met with a delegation of the Turkish-Qatari Parliamentary dow and at the required speed. David Arthur granger on the occasion of his country’s na- Friendship Group headed by its Chairman MP Vahit Kiler, in Doha on Sunday. The meeting reviewed the parliamentary relations between Undersecretary of the Min- tional Day. (QnA) the Council and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and the ways of supporting and developing them. During the meeting, the Shura istry of Education and Higher speaker praised the great development in the Qatari-Turkish relations in various fields, looking forward to more cooperation between the two Education Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh deputy amir greets emperor of Japan countries. Kiler expressed his great satisfaction with the close cooperation and fraternal understanding reached between the two countries. al Nuaimi said that the launch chairman of the Qatar-Asian Parliamentary Friendship Group rashid bin Hamadal Meadadi attended the meeting along with a number of of the online portal comes as ThE Deputy Amir hh Sheikh Abdullah bin hamad al Thani sent the group members and Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar HE Fikret ozar. (QNA) part of the ministry’s efforts to a cable of congratulations to Emperor naruhito of Japan on the enhance its services for the pub- occasion of his birthday. (QnA) lic, in line with the e-govern- ment strategy of Qatar2020 for deputy amir congratulates digital transformation aimed at brunei’s sultan enabling access to services at CCQ marks World radio day any time and from any place. ThE Deputy Amir hh Sheikh Abdullah bin hamad al Thani sent Nuaimi said the ministry a cable of congratulations to Sultan haji hassan al Bolkiah of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK A speaker at the event, has standardised its electronic Brunei Darussalam on his country’s national Day. (QnA) DohA Dr Hassan Rasheed, a Qatari services and put it under a mul- journalist, critic and Qatar’s ti-service umbrella to meet the deputy amir greets president of guyana THE Community College of very first radio announcer, aspirations of people. Qatar’s (CCQ’s) Library De- stressed the importance of ra- He explained in a press ThE Deputy Amir hh Sheikh Abdullah bin hamad al Thani sent partment marked World Radio dio and the immense impact statement that the services will a cable of congratulations to President of guyana David Arthur Day with a series of lectures and it has on people’s day-to-day be provided in multiple stages granger on his country’s national Day. (QnA) presentations by distinguished lives, as well as the way in and lead to rationalisation of members of Qatar’s broadcast- which it stimulates their intel- the use of paper at the ministry. PM congratulates Japanese counterpart ing community at the College’s lect through thought, art, cul- Lusail Female Campus. ture and entertainment. PRImE minister and minister of Interior hE Sheikh Khalid bin The event themed ‘Radio Ahmad al Sheikh, media Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al Thani sent a cable of congratulations in a Changing World’ explored advisor at Al Jazeera, delivered aCta, Palestinian to Prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe on the occasion of topics such as the ‘History and a talk entitled ‘Radio and Audi- body ink deal to fight emperor of Japan’s birthday. (QnA) Influence of Radio in Qatar’, ence’, in which he spoke about against corruption ‘Broadcasting and the Public’, his very first encounter with PM greets sultan of brunei as well as the future radio as- as a thriving media hub, hous- said: “Radio has been around radio as a child, the history of ThE Administrative Control and pirations of CCQ’s students, ing global media broadcasting for over 100 years. Despite all radio, his outlooks on the fu- Transparency Authority (ACTA) PRImE minister and minister of Interior hE Sheikh Khalid bin among other topics. A number powerhouses such as Al Ja- the latest technological devel- ture of radio and his journey signed a memorandum of un- Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al Thani sent a cable of congratulations of Qatar’s most prominent and zeera and visionary and ambi- opments, it remains an im- into the media field. derstanding with the Palestinian to Sultan haji hassan al Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam on his recognised journalists, produc- tious mega projects, such as portant and widely-accessed Among CCQ’s goals is to Anti-Corruption Commission on country’s national Day. (QnA) ers, anchors and other media the Media City in Qatar’s sleek source of information. We enrich its students’ academic Sunday, with the aim of strength- personalities also shared their and futuristic Lusail city, over are delighted to have had the experience through intellec- ening cooperation between the PM congratulates guyana counterpart broadcasting experiences with the past few years, several new opportunity to host some of tual, personal and social de- two sides to ensure integrity the CCQ community. A compe- radio stations in diverse lan- Qatar’s most famous media velopment in a supportive and and transparency. The moU PRImE minister and minister of Interior hE Sheikh Khalid bin tition for students was also held guages were also launched in personalities on our campus nurturing environment by ex- was signed by ACTA President Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al Thani sent a cable of congratulations at the event and drew a crowd the country. to share their broadcasting ex- posing and connecting them to hamad bin nasser al misnad to Prime minister of guyana moses nagamootoo on his coun- of students, faculty and other Commenting on the event, perience with CCQ’s students industry leaders and encour- and head of the Palestinian try’s national Day. (QnA) members of CCQ. Reem al Ansari, head of Li- and hope that it inspires them aging them to pursue careers Anti-Corruption Commission Dr Reflecting Qatar’s position brary Department at CCQ, to pursue careers in radio.” in those fields. Ahmed Barak. (TNN) 04 Monday, February 24, 2020 nation Philippines eyes Qatar’s halal 17th DJWE to kick products market: dti official off at DECC today

venturing into Islamic bank- Recognition of eight ing system in the Philippines. Philippine halal We already have initial discus- sions with some banks and two certifying bodies in banks in Qatar have already shown interest.” Qatar sought He added that they also aim to invite Islamic sharia AILYN AGONIA compliant pawnshops in the DohA Philippines. About 11 Philippine busi- WITH the aggressive campaign ness companies mainly in the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 33,000 square metres. and recent developments in food and beverages industry DohA Doors will remain open the Philippine halal industry, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Alan Timbayan with Filipino business community members in Doha on Sunday. took part in the business match- to visitors from 3pm to 10pm Undersecretary Abdulgani M. making session. THE 17th edition of the Doha on the opening day. Thereaf- Macatoman, head of the Trade government’s recognition, Mindanao region. hope to have Philippine made On the occasion, Philippine Jewellery & Watches Exhi- ter, the exhibition will be open Promotions Group of the Phil- they are working towards hav- According to the official, the furniture in newly-constructed Ambassador to Qatar HE Alan bition (DJWE) is set to kick daily from 12pm to 10pm, with ippine Department of Trade ing the remaining eight Phil- Philippines export to Qatar is buildings and hotels across Qa- Timbayan said the big Filipino off at Doha Exhibition and limited hours on Friday (Febru- and Industry (DTI), has under- ippine halal certifying bodies at $55million as of November, tar. Our furniture industry has community in Qatar represents Convention Centre(DECC) ary28) from 4pm - 10pm. lined the eagerness of his coun- recognised here. 2019, and the number one ex- a potential and we believe we a lucrative opportunity for Phil- on Monday (today) under the Several events and work- try to increase the presence of “We see an increasing port from the Philippines to Qa- still have time to be part of the ippine food and beverage prod- patronage of Prime Minister shops are also being organised Filipino halal products in the trend in the popularity of Phil- tar is processed and fresh food. developments leading to the ucts in the country, adding that and Minister of Interior HE on the sidelines of the 17th Qatari market. ippine products. More and Machinery, construction mate- World Cup.” the Philippine food sector is Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin edition of the exhibition by the Speaking to the local media more SMEs in the Philippines rials and electronics from the On the Philippine trade now better equipped to supply Abdulaziz al Thani. QNTC, in collaboration with on the sidelines of the Philip- are gaining interest in making Philippines also have significant agency’s plans in the pipeline to to Qatar’s market. Being organised by Qa- its partners. Those interested pines-Qatar Business Match- their products halal certified presence in the local market. attract more Qatari Foreign Di- Philippine Economic Zone tar National Tourism Council in attending the workshops making Session held at the to be able to explore the GCC Macatoman said, “Our next rect Investment in their coun- Authority (PEZA) Investment (QNTC), the exhibition will can register through the event Radisson Blu Hotel on Sunday, market. With the launch of the project is to bring more per- try, the official said they are Promotions Partner for the run until February 29. website www.djwe.qa or by the official said that beside the Philippines halal certification sonal care and furniture from working towards encouraging Middle East Joseph Rivera said, DJWE is a leading platform clicking here. captured market of more than scheme last year, we intend to the Philippines to Qatar. We prospective Qatari investors to “All of us PEZA investment for jewellery enthusiasts to dis- The exhibition is supported 241,000 Filipino workers in Qa- further develop the Philippine will hold another outbound venture into the Islamic bank- promotions partners based in cover the latest trends and in- by a number of partners, led tar, the Philippine government halal industry and target the business matching in Doha ing system in the Philippines Qatar are aggressively working novations in the industry and by Qatar National Bank (QNB) is targeting a stronger position mainstream global halal mar- this time introducing beauty in view of the signing into law hand in hand with Philippine see collections from renowned as the official sponsor, Qatar for its halal products among lo- ket”, said Macatoman. and personal care products, as of the Islamic Banking Act (Re- Commercial Attache Char- international and Qatari brands. Airways as airline partner, JW cals and other expat communi- He added that they are well as giving opportunity for public Act no. 11439) last year. maine Yalung and the Philip- This year’s edition is expect- Marriott Marquis City Centre ties in the country as well. also looking for prospective the Philippine furniture com- He said, “It is part of our pine Embassy Doha to ensure ed to be the largest ever, with Doha as the official hospitality He added that while one investors from Qatar to es- panies to take advantage of campaign to encourage pro- that we effectively promote 129 exhibitors from 14 countries partner as well as Alfardan Au- Philippine halal certifying tablish halal hub facilities in the ongoing developments for spective Qatari investors to Philippine business opportuni- showcasing 500 local and inter- tomotive and Sotheby’s Interna- body has already got Qatar the Philippines, especially in the FIFA World Cup 2022. We take a look at the possibility of ties in the region.” national brands, spread across tional Realty Qatar.

MoPH unveils Transformation Strategy for HR Management 2020-22 Indian pavilion at Doha QNA qualitative leap in the human strategy is in line with the Na- sources management. places in order to maintain the DohA resources development field tional Health Strategy 2018- He also pointed out that the efficiency and effectiveness of Jewellery & Watches in the health sector in Qatar, 2022 and Qatar National Vision strategy includes everything that services provided. THE Ministry of Public Health in line with the best global de- 2030, which aim to transform would achieve a future vision in Meanwhile, a number of (MoPH) launched the Trans- velopments and practices in Qatar into an advanced country line with the developments in presentations were made on Exhibition to feature formation Strategy for Hu- this field. capable of achieving sustainable the world’s health sector. different aspects of the strategy man Resources Management Assistant Undersecretary for development and providing de- He pointed out that the and its goals. contemporary jewellery 2020-2022, at a formal cere- Shared Services Affairs at MoPH cent living for its people genera- launch of the strategy comes The MoPH, institutions of mony to publicise the strategy Abdullah Ibrahim al Emadi said tion after generation. in light of the need to unify the Hamad Medical Corporation FOR or the second consecutive year, an Indian and its goals. in his speech delivered on be- Emadi added that the strat- procedures of human resources (HMC), the Primary Health pavilion organised by the Gems & Jewellery The transformation strate- half of the Director of Human egy seeks to set a road map for management in all institutions Care Corporation and Naufar Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), in col- gy is an important initiative of Resources Department Ghanim providing advanced and distin- of the health sector and the ad- Hospital will work together to laboration with the Embassy of India, Qatar, the MoPH aimed at making a Ibrahim al Mohannadi that the guished services in human re- ditional challenges that this ensure success of the strategy. will be part of the prestigious Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE) 2020, scheduled to be held at the Doha Exhibition and Conven- tion Centre (DECC) from February 24 to 29. The Indian pavilion will feature 27 exhibi- tors and showcase a complete range of products HMC’s QRI opens new paediatric inpatient unit including studded jewellery with stones like ru- bies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls; plain and TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ly trained specialists”, said Dr handmade jewellery. The collections include a DohA Khattab. wide range of contemporary, modern jewellery, Dr Khattab said the new unit with detailed and exquisite craftsmanship and THE first phase of a new pae- will offer continuity of care and designs inspired by European and Middle East- diatric inpatient unit was offi- patients will be provided with ern trends over the last few decades. cially opened at Hamad Medi- child- and family-focused, inpa- Some of the prominent Indian jewellers cal Corporation’s (HMC) Qatar tient rehabilitation services that who will be part of the India Pavilion are: Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) optimise recovery, maximising Amore Jewels Pvt. Ltd.; Belisma; Champalal recently. As part of the phased quality of life and independence. and Co (Jewellers); Creative Overseas; Deep- opening, four beds are now avail- “The main objective of the ika Creations; De’viva Jewels; Full Moon Jew- able to patients under the age of team members at the new unit els; G.M. Products Pvt Ltd; GDK Jewels Pvt. 14 years old who require special- is to help children who have ex- Ltd.; Hia Exports; Iris Jewels; Jagan Nath ist rehabilitation services. By the perienced a severe injury or ill- Hem Chand; J H Jewellers LLP; KK Jewels; end of this year, an additional six ness resulting in disability to re- Kothari’s Jewellers; LS Enterprises; Lodha beds are expected to open. cover and live as independently Jeweller; Lotus Gem; Mehta & Sons; M. L. Im- Dr Azhar Khattab, senior as possible within their families pex; Noor Jewels; Rishabh Durga Gems and consultant, Paediatric Rehabili- and community. Care plans are Jewels; Shrians Jewels; Sital Dass and Sons; tation, said providing dedicated based on the individual needs of Sital Dass Son; Vihaan Exims Co Pvt Ltd; Zel services for children and adoles- each child and are delivered by a Jewellers Ltd. cents with special needs is a core multidisciplinary team”, added Gems and Jewellery have been identified as component of HMC’s mission. Dr Khattab. one of the Champion sectors by the government He said HMC’s rehabilitation signed to ensure patients achieve physical and psychological dis- referrals from other hospitals In early 2018, QRI launched of India to push growth in manufacturing and services meet the unique needs optimal health and development abilities, such as cerebral palsy, and specifically for children who the country’s first dedicated, in- generate job opportunities. The Indian gems & of children with special needs, outcomes. lower limb paralysis and brain require post-surgical rehabilita- tensive paediatric rehabilitation jewellery exports to the Middle East region ac- noting that QRI’s paediatric re- “This new unit will receive injuries resulting from stroke tive care. Rehabilitation services programme and paediatric out- counted for $12.11 billion in 2019. (TNN) habilitative programmes are de- children who are experiencing or trauma. We will also receive are provided by a team of high- patient rehabilitation service. Legendary film personalities to join DFI’s 2020 Qumra Masters lineup

Selected projects include 29 features, 11 shorts, 7 series and 6 Qatari features in development

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK cated to supporting important DohA new voices from the Arab and world cinema. LEGENDARY French auteur Qumra Masters draw on Claire Denis and BAFTA and decades of industry wisdom to Academy Award® nominated provide invaluable insight on se- cinematographer Phedon Pa- lect projects through consulta- pamichael are confirmed to tions and deep-dive discussions to completion and out to global embrace the poetry of storytell- Continuing the institute’s Projects in development projects by Qatar-based talent, join the Qumra 2020 Masters with participating filmmakers. audiences.” ing. Papamichael has an excep- commitment to support Arab participate in group and indi- including 12 by Qatari nation- lineup in the highly anticipated DFI’s Chief Executive Of- Filmmaker and DFI’s Artis- tional ability to visually immerse talents in evolving forms of vidual sessions with Qumra als. Seven of the projects are in sixth edition of the Doha Film ficer Fatma Hassan Alremaihi tic Advisor Elia Suleiman said: audiences in performances with creativity and new possibilities, Masters and industry men- development, with others in the Institute’s (DFI) annual film said: “We are extremely hon- “The extraordinary contribu- his extremely precise cinematic Qumra 2020 introduces for the tors in script consulting, legal, Qumra Series and Shorts pro- industry incubator for excep- oured to once again host five tions that Claire Denis and Phe- compositions.” first-time sessions dedicated to sales, marketing and co-pro- grammes. Of 47 projects, 33 are tional talents to be held from highly acclaimed masters of cin- don Papamichael have made to This year’s edition of Qumra exploring and developing se- duction advice, along with in- recipients of the DFI’s Grants March 20 to 25, 2020. ema in Qatar at Qumra 2020. the art and craft of filmmaking will offer networking and de- ries format projects from the dividual matchmaking projects programme, three are supported They join internationally With mentorship and guidance have redefined approaches to velopment opportunities for 46 region. This follows the recent in post-production, which are through the Qatari Film Fund celebrated director James Gray, from these creative visionar- aesthetic and narrative. Denis’ projects from 20 countries as expansion of DFI’s Grants pro- presented in a series of closed and 1 through the institute’s co- Silver Lion winning film direc- ies, participating filmmakers daring portrayals of the human part of Qumra’s mission to ac- gramme and various training rough-cut screenings to leading financing programme. In all, 16 tor and screenwriter Jessica gain the unique opportunity condition amidst complex social celerate the success of filmmak- and development labs dedi- festival programmers, broad- feature projects are in develop- Hausner and Mark Mangini Os- to enrich their creative voices and cultural landscapes contin- ers from the region and beyond cated to the creation of original casters, market representatives, ment, 13 feature projects in post- car® winning sound designer by learning the advanced skills ues to embolden filmmakers to and prepare them to bring their and compelling TV and web sales agents and distributors. production, 7 in Qumra Series, for the 2020 edition event dedi- necessary to take their projects defy standard convention and projects to world audiences. content in Arabic. Qumra 2020 features 20 and 11 are in Qumra Shorts. nation Monday, February 24, 2020 05 QF helps social entrepreneurs change the face of education

and WISE was a big help in that Applications open for growth.” WISE Accelerator Successful applicants who join the programme also be- programme 2020-21 come part of a community of in- novators and mentors who are TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK experts in the field of education. DohA Livox is one of the ventures that have discovered the bene- ASPIRING change-makers fits of this. A software that helps who want to help trans- non-verbal people to communi- Experts delve into meaning and form the future of education cate, it is being used in schools through technology are mov- in the US, Brazil, Sudan and ing their ideas to the point other countries to support power of public art at QF forum where they can directly benefit more than 25,000 people with people’s lives – thanks to Qa- disabilities and learning im- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK tity and the beautification of the in Qatar, with the 2022 World tar Foundation’s World Inno- pairments in learning to read, DohA city. It is now about creating a Cup approaching, many coun- vation Summit for Education. The global education think-tank has supported 32 edtech ventures write, and analyze complex destination, fostering social tries might want to exhibit their Applications will be judged from 18 countries through its WISE Accelerator programme concepts. EXPERTS from Qatar and connections, and encouraging art in those spaces,” he said. by the programme team along- Livox CEO Carlos Pereira around the world explored the openness,” said Layla Ibrahim The second day of the fo- side experts in education and by 220 organisations. way of them developing and ex- said, “I applied for the WISE role of public art in ‘creating Bacha, senior art specialist, QF, rum – curated by Future Eve- social entrepreneurship, with Ristagno said, “I heard panding their ventures. Accelerator because it is fo- destinations’, connecting peo- in a keynote speech. rything and supported by QF the initiatives selected to be about the WISE Accelerator During their year in the cused on education and I ple and opening minds on the “We have noticed that art- partner university UCL Qatar part of its next cohort being an- from a former startup team programme, the startups who believe that people with dis- final day of a forum at Qatar works are now more about the - also spotlighted the views of nounced in September 2020. who were involved in the pro- form its annual cohorts have abilities must not be left behind Foundation. temporary than the perma- experts from organizations, The global education think- gramme and who told us about the opportunity to attend in- when it comes to education. Outside the Box: Public Art nent. I think this makes a piece including the UK’s Imperial tank has supported 32 edtech the great mentoring and oppor- ternational events and benefit “During my time in the pro- in Qatar, organised under the of art more attractive, because War Museums and University ventures from 18 countries tunities it provided. from access to networking op- gramme, I made some amazing patronage of HE Sheikha al people think they can see it of Central Lancashire, leading through its WISE Accelerator “The mentoring that the portunities with potential new contacts and got some amazing Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khal- now or never.” auction house Christie’s Mid- programme, which gives social WISE Accelerator offers is really partners and investors. insights through the accelera- ifa al Thani, chairperson of Qa- In a discussion on the dle East, Qatar Museums, the entrepreneurs whose solutions impressive – it’s very hands-on, David Berg, founder of tion process. I especially loved tar Museums, opened up new theme of The Art of Making Supreme Committee for De- have the potential to help reim- which leads to real co-creation ImBlaze – an initiative that the mentorship element and perspectives on topics ranging Places, Dr Georgios Papaioan- livery & Legacy, and Msheireb agine education the tailor-made and effective results in sales and enables educators to design the co-creation process is a true from the social, economic and nou, associate professor of Mu- Properties. support, expert guidance and marketing. It’s well-organised, systems that steer students to- hands-on approach – much cultural impact of art to the fu- seum Studies at London-based Discussions centred international connections they very inspiring, and gives you ward internships that suit their more than the usual mentor- ture of public art in Qatar. university UCL, said public art around ways of commission- need to take their ventures to access to high-level organiza- interests – met everyone from mentee programme. Commissioned by the Brit- had, over the past 20 years, ing and financing art in the the next level. tions and people who make an investors to education leaders “The focus that the WISE ish Council in partnership with become “more about physical public realm, and designing As the programme opens for impact as well as opening your during his initiative’s time in Accelerator places on education Qatar Museums and Qatar participation”. a ‘collective toolkit’ for how its next round of submissions, eyes to what’s going on in the the 2018-19 edition of the WISE is remarkable, and the experi- Foundation (QF), the forum “I have seen many peo- public art can reach and en- some of its alumni have spoken world of education. Accelerator. ments that the mentors provide aimed to start a conversation ple take pictures of public art, gage people in Qatar. about how the WISE Accelera- “Essentially, the program is Berg said, “Having an ed- are true opportunities to get about how the use of art in the which means it has become “Art is universal – it is all tor has altered their perceptions a group of startups and a lot of tech platform with international things done, not just conversa- public realm can be redefined socially important,” he told the around us, in many forms and of what their edtech ideas can talented people who care about recognition goes a long way.” tions. Anyone who is really in- and rethought. audience. on many platforms. It fosters make possible in the sphere of them. And, within the WISE As part of the programme, terested in scaling their educa- Its second day was held at “I think art is a battle – the cross-cultural understand- global education. Accelerator, all of us are impor- ventures are provided with the tional solutions should consider Qatar National Library, in Edu- battle of space. Design is im- ing and encourages us to ex- Among them is David tant.” mentorship they need to grow applying, because the possibili- cation City, where local and in- portant, but there has to be a plore its messages and what Ristagno, CEO of Uptale, a Through linking young en- beyond the WISE Accelerator. ties are amazing.” ternational participants spoke space for art and getting the it means to our lives in the French startup that enables trepreneurs with a global net- Berg said, “We simply The submission period for about how the meaning of art space is even more important world today,” said Hisham E. people to devise, build and pub- work of education stakehold- would not have had the capacity the WISE Accelerator’s 2020- has evolved over the decades, than the art itself. Once your Nourin, executive director of lish immersive learning expe- ers, whose insights they can to learn the business, marketing 21 edition closes at 4pm GMT in Qatar and around the world. space is there, at any time, you Strategy, Administration and riences through using Virtual tap into, the WISE Accelerator and compliance needs of the ed- on April 20. “In the beginning, art was can change the art. The focus Projects, QF Community De- Reality and Augmented Reality aims to help them overcome tech marketplace without WISE To apply, visit www.wise- more a confirmation of political should be not only on public art, velopment, in a welcoming ad- technology. It is now being used challenges that can stand in the – ImBlaze is quickly growing, qatar.org/wise-accelerator. power, fostering national iden- but also public art spaces, and dress to participants. 06 Monday, February 24, 2020 nation Qatar Post celebrates role of Arabic in connecting people The national postal service launches ‘Al Wasl’ campaign, aiming at bringing people ogethert and sparking new connections

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK manuscript to form words tag on the box will allow the DohA become the very tool that user to connect the letters reminds people of the bonds themselves to form a word. AS part of Qatar Post’s mis- they share. As the letters connect, the sion to connect people to Alberto Manzo, head of box gets opened, revealing what matters to them the Sales and Marketing at Qa- the message: “It is only when most, the national postal ser- tar Post, elaborated on the individual letters are con- vice is launching a ground- campaign’s offering. “Our nected, that they have mean- breaking new campaign ‘Al campaign aims to inspire ing. The same is true of us as Wasl’, which celebrates the people to connect to one an- individuals.” The parcel box- Arabic language and its role other through their mother es are expected to become a as a social connector. language by emphasising collector item. On the occasion of the how meaningful connections Moreover, the postcard UN International Mother are important to their daily series, comprising a set of Language Day celebrated lives. Qatar Post thought of 2-4 cards in one envelope, by UNESCO, Qatar Post’s bringing this important mes- will feature slots to be joined parcel boxes, postcards and sage to life through a unique together to reveal the word. stamps turn into mediums consumer experience that As for the stamp series, every to remind public in Qatar encourages human connec- first day cover will hold 2-5 of the importance of con- tions in today’s high-tech, stamps depending on its val- necting to one another, us- fast-paced and global world ue. The unique experience ing a special design based that increasingly disconnect here is that its only when one on specific Arabic wording On the occasion of the UN International Mother Language Day celebrated by UNESCO, Qatar Post’s parcel boxes, us from our roots – be it our tears off the letters and plac- that celebrate human values. postcards and stamps turn into mediums to remind public in Qatar of the importance of connecting to one another, community, our family or es them next to each other ‘Al Wasl’ fuses the unique our language,” He added: will they form a word that re- typography of Arabic with using a special design based on specific Arabic wording that celebrate human values “A series of powerful Arabic minds them of connections. the notion of language as a words, such as Pride, Glory Qatar Post, as part of symbol of identity, commu- tions have always lived at with one another, through piness, pride, gratitude and Arabic language relies on and Gratitude, will reach our its social responsibility, has nication, social integration, the heart of our Arab cul- the art of connecting called much more, through each of physically connecting one public soon in the form of encouraged members of the education and development. ture and is even reflected in ‘Al Wasl’. This is true of us our postal offerings.” letter to another to create beautifully designed Qatar public to explore its new Commenting on the oc- our mother language. As we as individuals, as well. Qa- Unlike Western languag- meaning. ‘Al Wasl’ in Ara- Post parcels, postcards and campaign as a way to keep casion, Hamad al Fahida, know, isolated letters can tar Post hopes that every day es where letters are placed bic translates as a ‘link’ or a stamps, conveying the power ‘Al Wasl’ alive among them chief operations officer of form meaningful words only we will be able to connect to next to each other in a lin- ‘connection’. In this context, of connections.” and cherish and celebrate Qatar Post, said: “Connec- when they come in touch find affection, respect, hap- ear fashion to create words, the links used in the Arabic The perforated ‘peel this’ the bonds they share. Best Buddies Qatar members take Mulberry Tavern opens at Hilton part in an array of sports activities The Pearl with an enticing menu TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DohA DohA

BEST Buddies Qatar Voca- MULBERRY Tavern has tional and Rehabilitation Pro- opened its door to the public at gramme members recently at- Hilton The Pearl. tended a bowling tournament Open seven days a week, organised jointly by Shafallah Mulberry Tavern gives guests Center for Persons with Dis- an elevated dining experience abilities and Qatar Bowling with an eclectic menu freshly Federation. prepared with the finest local As many as 28 participants produce. Savour dishes inspired with intellectual and develop- bowling tournament. without intellectual and devel- took part in team competitions, by French technique and Brit- mental disabilities in the tour- All schools and organisa- opmental disabilities from Ka- such as: Peer-wooden steps, ish cuisine, including traditional nament were from Shafallah tions were presented trophies mal Naji Model School for Boys, Caterpillar and Karissa Ball. gastropub favourites and sump- Center, Best Buddies Qatar, and certificates for engaging Al Qadisiyah Model School for Asela Jayaweera, director, tuous continental dishes. Doha Independent Secondary persons with intellectual and Boys, Al-Taawon Independent Heart of House, Sharq Village & Some of Mulberry Tavern’s School for Boys, Al Ahnaf Bin developmental disabilities into School for Girls, Al-Shifaa Bint Spa, said: “Sharq Village & Spa, dishes include Pan-Seared Cod The outdoor terrace Qays Independent School for sports activity while each player Abdulrahman School for Girls a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha, Fish with sautéed leek and peas, located on the ground level Boys and Abu Baker Al-Saddiq got a medal for their participa- with the participation of Best has placed a huge emphasis on paired with a creamy bisque serves as an inner-city oa- School for Boys. tion in the event. Buddies Qatar promoters from reaching out to causes that are sauce, as well as Pepper Steak – sis with a slick urban out- Laalei Abu Alfain, executive Best Buddies Qatar, in co- Michael E Debakey High School. focused on rehabilitating, reviv- seared pepper-crusted beef ten- look and provides an area director of Shafallah Center/ operation with Sharq Village & The members, boys and ing and renewing certain areas derloin with pepper sauce. To to relax and dine for those Best Buddies Qatar welcomed Spa, also organised sports event girls separately, played different of life that may have undergone finish, guests can enjoy Chaud- looking for an al-fresco ex- the participants and opened the for its 60 members with and games, attended yoga class and disabilities or setbacks.” Froid Mulberry Cheesecake, perience. a light cheesecake with white “Mulberry Tavern is a mulberry biscuit, finished with very special concept and pear and saffron sauce. is something that we feel dusit doha hotel hosts Superslam wrestling superstars To complement dishes, a very strongly about. It’s not specially crafted beverage menu very often that one goes to International professional includes a vibrant cocktail selec- a gastropub that feels like wrestlers were in Doha to tion, as well as an extensive of- a second home. This is one compete in the second fering of enhanced beverages. place where you’re always edition of Qatar Pro Wres- Showcasing modern wood among friends,” said Has- tling’s (QPW) Superslam, panelling and exposed brick- san El Wahidi, general which was held at Lusail work, Mulberry Tavern offers a manager, Hilton Doha The Sports Arena on Febru- sophisticated, cosy ambience to Pearl Residences. ary 22. Dusit Doha Hotel, enjoy with friends or to celebrate Whether looking for the Hotel Partner of QPW, with larger groups. Spreading a post-work cocktail or welcomed the wrestling across two levels, the outlet also The centre bar is the perfect friendly weekend get-together, superstars from the US, features live sports broadcasting spot to enjoy inspired hand- Mulberry Tavern provides an France, South Africa, the across numerous large screen crafted cocktails prepared by the uncomplicated feel-good at- UK, Canada, Austria and TV’s and pool table, providing master mixologists and share a mosphere, where guests will Mexico. (TNN) additional entertainment offer- grazing artisanal cheese board always be received with a warm ings for guests to enjoy. with friends. welcome. GAZOO Racing team celebrates victory at Rally Sweden Toyota Yaris WRC dominates track claiming first, third and fourth positions during round two of the FIA World Rally Championship TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the Power Stage. Seb and Julien. I also appreci- DohA This makes him the young- ate these four guys for scoring est ever podium finisher dur- great points and making the THE GAZOO Racing (GR) ing a WRC round, more than fans excited.” World Rally Team (WRT) two years younger than the Tommi Mäkinen, Team continued its outstanding previous record holder. principal at GAZOO Racing, start to the season with a Ogier still managed to said:“It is a brilliant finish for dominant performance at the achieve the third-fastest time us here. Elfyn has been so good recent Rally Sweden. during the stage to claim fourth this weekend and he and Scott Elfyn Evans took the top position overall, collecting a have made history today as the spot during his second time strongpoints haul towards the first British winners in Swe- behind the wheel of the No. 33 driver’s championship, where den. And it’s incredible what Toyota Yaris WRC. he is currently in third place – Kalle did in the final stage. It He was joined on the po- five points behind Evans. was his first time on that stage dium by 19-year-old rookie “Evans and Martin in these vehicles.” sensation Kalle Rovanperä, in the manufacturers’ cham- gether they are the first British test and still secure the win by three, but it was Ogier who brought the first victory of the Elfyn Evans, driver of the who came out a head in the No. pionship, while Evans now competitors to ever win Rally 12.7 seconds. went into the fourth and final season to our new-look team. No. 33 Toyota Yaris WRC, 69 Toyota Yaris WRC to claim jointly leads the drivers’ cham- Sweden, which was a founding Already impressive on his day with an advantage of half Elfyn and Scott, congratula- said: “I feel really good to have third place following a thrilling pionship for the first time in round of the WRC in 1973. debut at rallying’s top level a second in the No. 17 Toyota tions! I am really happy that my first win with GR in our sec- battle with his world champion his career. Having won five of the during Rallye Monte-Carlo, Yaris WRC. such a new team member is ond event together. I have to team-mate Sébastien Ogier in Evans led the event from previous eight stages, Evans Rovanperä reached another In the tricky conditions of already achieving great results give a lot of credit to the team the No. 17 Toyota Yaris WRC. start to finish to record his sec- had built up a cushion of 17.2 level at Rally Sweden, climb- the 21.19-kilometre Likenäs together with the team,” said for not only giving me a great Together, the all-new ond FIA WRC victory, having seconds going into the final ing as high as second overall at stage, Rovanperä was 3.7 Akio Toyoda, Team chairman. vehicle, but also giving me the driver line-up built on their previously won on home soil day in the No. 33 Toyota Yaris one point on the second day in seconds faster than anybody “Kalle and Jonne climbed support and help in testing for successful GR debut at last at Wales Rally GB in 2017. It WRC. This allowed him to take the No. 69 Toyota Yaris WRC. else, taking his first-ever WRC on the third step of the podi- me to get the vehicle to where I month’s Rallye Monte-Carlo to was the first-ever WRC win for a relatively cautious approach He and Ogier traded third stage win and the maximum um after a big fight, with only wanted it. The vehicle is giving take Toyota into pole position co-driver Scott Martin, and to- through the tricky deciding place several times during day five bonus points on offer in a three-second gap, against me great confidence.” Monday, February 24, 2020 07 Reports by Santhosh Chandran For events and press releases email [email protected] or Santhosh Chandran indian experience Santhosh Chandran call (974) 4000 2222 Santhosh Chandran Expatriate famous for his cinema library passes away

VC Abdullah, a long-time Indian original prints of classical films. At well as film-loving natives. When the satellite channels ar- expatriate who played a pivotal one time, he had a collection of near- His passion for English language rived in the late 90’s to Doha, Ab- Irole in promoting music and film ly 25,000 films. During those days, it began in his childhood, due to his dullah left the stage and withdrew culture among Indian expatriates, was one of the biggest video libraries close association with British offi- himself into his own world of cin- passed away in Doha recently. in the region. cials who ran the tea plantations in ema. However, even though the His mortal remains were buried Both citizens and expatriates in his mountain village – Sultan Bat- era of films in VHS cassettes faded in Doha in the presence of Indian Qatar appreciate the role played by tery, in northern Kerala, the south away, Abdullah didn’t stop his pas- community members, cultural activ- Abdullah and IVC in helping create a Indian state of India. His friendly re- sion of collecting films through his ists, representatives of sociocultural film-culture among people in Doha. lations with them brought him clos- old sources and his Qatari friends organisations, teachers and promi- A large number of Qatari people be- er to classical films, and the works of who travel across the world. Watch- nent people. came regular visitors to the IVC and Shakespeare and other writers. ing a minimum of three films at his Kunhabdullah Thiravangadan, their numbers increased manifold His passion for cinema was al- residence in Doha was part of his who was popularly known as IVC between 1981 and 2001. ways an inspiration for filmmakers everyday life. Abdullah, began his Doha journey IVC was also patronised by from Kerala who used to frequent his IVC Abdullah was one of the best in 1979. European customers for its Eng- shop. They would be awestruck by singers in Doha focused on western For two decades since the 1980’s, lish language video collections. his collection that included the films music. Abdullah’s cinema library, Interna- Movies from different parts of the of Charlie Chaplin, Akira Kurosawa, A close associate of Abdullah tional Video Centre (IVC), was one world were available there. His Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, said, “He might ignore food, but of the most frequently visited places passion for English language, mu- Jean-Luc Godard Alfred Hitchcock, what Abdullah could’t miss in his in Doha for people looking for clas- sic and Shakespearean plays also Satyajit Ray, Francis Lawrence, daily routine was watching mov- sical films or newly-released Asian earned him epithets like ‘Shake- Roman Polanski, Asghar Farhadi, ies, sometimes with friends, some- language films. speare Abdullah’ and ‘Musician Stanley Kubrick, James Cameron, times with grand children, and He travelled a lot, searching for Abdullah’ among expatriates as Steven Spielberg and many more. sometimes alone.” IVC Abdullah DPS-MIS organises colourful over 5,000 indians Annual-cum-Graduation Day

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE join iCbF group DohA ITH the theme ‘Aav- ishkaar, Dream, Create, Inspire’, the tiny tots Wof Preparatory Class of insurance Scheme DPS-MIS celebrated their An- nual-cum-Graduation Day on February 18. The budding art- ists took the audience on a spec- tacular journey highlighting the importance of dreaming big in order to create big. The function was attended by a long galaxy of promi- nent people, including the chief guest Mariam Al Khalaf, Managing Director Arts and Gems, the guest of honour Na- jla Al Baker, Head of Business Planning World Cup 2022 Organising Committee, State of Qatar, President DPS-MIS, Hassan Chougule, Vice Presi- dent Yasir Nainar, members of DPS-MIS executive com- mittee, principals of Indian and International schools and other distinguished guests. Extending a warm welcome to the guests, Principal Asna Nafees said they were honored by the presence of two young and successful women who epitomize women’s empower- ment and are contributing sig- preciated the principal and the young performers. The mes- Indian community members aged between 18 and 65 years having Indian nificantly to the development staff for their diligence, team sage that echoed throughout of Qatar. She said DPS-MIS is a spirit and hard work. was to dream, investigate, passport and Qatari Resident Permit (RP) are eligible to join the scheme school with a difference, with its The chief guest, Mariam Al invent and innovate to con- unique vision and mission that Khalaf, Managing Director Arts tribute prudently for a bet- ORA than 5,000 Insurance Company –Bhee- policy holder dies in India, the scheme among all lower level empowers its children with all and Gems, admired the confi- ter tomorrow. The cultural Indian commu- ma– in Qatar. money will be transferred to bodies of KMCC and open a round excellence. The school, dence, intelligence and poise of extravaganza was combined nity members have Indian community mem- the nominee after submission Help Desk at KMCC to enroll she noted, has developed a the students and was amazed with the most important event joined the Life In- bers aged between 18 and 65 of the required documents is- members to the scheme. wonderful relationship with the at the ease and confidence with of the day -- the graduation surance Scheme years having Indian passport sued by the local authority in ICBF Development Sub- parents who appreciate, under- which the students steered the ceremony. It was an immense Mlaunched by the Indian Com- and Qatari Resident Permit India and the Indian Embassy committee members Abdul- stand and lend support at every mega event. She also praised joy to see the little ones walk- munity Benevolent Forum (RP) are eligible to join the in Qatar. raoof Kondotty and Jerry developmental step of their the contribution of Indian expa- ing the ramp adorned in tradi- (ICBF) in Doha, recently. scheme. Kerala Muslim Cultural Babu Basheer also attended wards. She gave valuable point- triates in the development, pro- tional convocation gowns and ICBF, the community A single-time premium of Centre (KMCC) Qatar, one of the event. ers to the parents and urged gress and prosperity of Qatar. caps. Around 400 students welfare organisation working QR125 covers insurance worth the leading Kerala expatriate The others who attended them to spend quality time with A splendid display of tal- participated in the show. under the aegis of the Indian QR100,000 in case of natural forums, offered its full support the event included KMCC their children. ents on the theme ‘Aavishkaar, The evening ended with Embassy in Qatar, launched a and accidental deaths. It also for the scheme. ICBF Head of Vice President and ICBF Ad- DPS-MIS President Has- Dream, Create, Inspire’ was a pledge to take heartful and Group Insurance scheme for covers permanent or partial Media & Development Juttas visory Council Member Jafer san Chougule congratulated the main attraction of the mindful steps to protect the Indian expatriates and their disability depending on the in- Paul presented the detail about Thayyil, KMCC Acting Gen- the young achievers for receiv- event. Soulful music, enthral- environment and preserve the families back home in last tensity of the disability. the Insurance Scheme at an eral Secretary Rayeesali Way- ing their first distinction and ling dance forms, meaningful planet for future generations. December. Each policy holder will be event organised by the Central anadu, OA Kareem, Haris who were geared up to march skits, dazzling costumes, artistic Some 20 students of Grade The initiative targeting required to renew the scheme Committee of KMCC in Doha, Vadakara, Kunjimon Clari, ahead with their goals and as- props and the nuanced steps of X received their Certificates of more than half a million In- every two years. The insurance recently. Mammu Polaravida, Mustafa pirations for new discoveries the students offered a fine tex- Merit from the eminent guests, dians in Qatar has been im- amount will be paid within KMCC President SAM Elathur, Raees Ali, Koya Kon- and accomplishments. He also ture to the program. conferred on them by CBSE for plemented under the scheme seven days after furnishing Basheer said the forum will datty, Raheez Perumba, and shared the statistics of the suc- The audience were left earning a place in the merit list designed by Damaan Islamic the required documents. If the conduct campaigns for the Ismail Poozhikkal. cess story of DPS-MIS and ap- spell-bound by the feats of the of 2018-19 Board examinations.

ekWa badMinton ChaMPionShiP Youth Forum gets new office-bearers ERALA expatriate forum Pulapatta and Absel Abdu- hammed Ashraff, PC Mar- Youth Forum Qatar elect- tty were nominated vice presi- shad, Abdul Shukkur Thanoor, Ked office-bearers for the dents of the forum. Muahamed Aniz, Muhamed next year (2020-2021) at an The new executive mem- Salaman and Fasalu Rahman. event in Doha, recently. bers of the forum include K The event was also at- SS Musthaffa is the new Habeeb, TK Muhammed, VK tended by patron of the fo- president of the forum, while Shameer, Salman Poovalap- rum KT Abdul Rahman and Abdul Basith was elected as pil, Amjad Koduvally, Falah Central Committee member general secretary. Usman Ahmed, Ahmed Anwar, Mu- Mushthaq.

office-bearers of Kerala expatriate forum Enamakkal Kettungal Welfare Association (EKWA), seen here with winners and first runners-up of the badminton championship organised by EKWA in Doha, recently. A total six teams participated in the championship. Absal Abdutti usman Pulaapatta S S Musthafa 08 Monday, February 24, 2020 nation ‘Locust sightings are HBKU, BDC sign agreement for no cause for alarm’

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK joint academic, research works DohA IN recent days, there have been increasing numbers of anec- All of HBKU’s degrees have been designed to meet the current and future needs of the job market dotal reports relating to locust swarms being spotted in Qatar. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK nections with like-minded The locusts have a reputation DohA organisations and our agree- for decimating crops and even ment with the BDC today is a causing famine, but the Minis- HAMAD Bin Khalifa Univer- testimony to the university’s try of Municipality and Envi- sity (HBKU) has solidified its growing research potential. ronment (MME) has said that academic and research efforts Our partnership with BDC will such isolated sightings are no breeding,” says Dr Lawler. by signing a memorandum of encourage policy-led debate cause for alarm. This point of Locusts are common visi- understanding (MoU) with the and research on topics that are view is echoed by experts. tors to Qatar and the Gulf re- Brookings Doha Center (BDC). not limited to security, inter- “There have been some lim- gion, generally arriving between The MoU will underline national relations, and govern- ited sightings of locusts thus far January and April each winter, areas of mutual benefit and de- ance reform. in Qatar, with the Ministry of although they appear to be pre- velop a cooperative framework These topics are of grow- Municipality and Environment sent in greater numbers than designed to facilitate scholarly ing importance in light of an in good control of the situation,” usual this year. They are even exchanges, internships and increasingly complex political, says Dr Jenny Lawler, senior re- considered to be a delicacy in BDC-HBKU activities. In do- social and economic landscape search director and acting execu- some areas, and a prized source ing so, both entities will have Hamad Bin Khalifa University signs a memorandum of understanding with Brookings Doha Center in Doha recently. in the Middle East.” tive director of the Water Center of natural nutrients. However, a steadfast commitment to- HBKU offers more than at Qatar Environment and En- given that insecticide is being wards supporting Qatar Na- is an overseas centre of the Speaking after the sign- we look forward this new MoU 35 academic degrees spanning ergy Research Institute (QEERI). used by the MME as part of a tional Vision 2030. Brookings Institution in Wash- ing, Tarik Yousef, director of with HBKU to bolster our re- Islamic Studies, Humanities Concerns have been raised wide-ranging action plan to Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- ington, DC. Brookings Doha Center, said: search capabilities, expand our and Social Sciences, Science locally due to the increasing combat their threat, officials versity is a fast-emerging uni- As a hub for Brookings “We are delighted to partner academic network and com- and Engineering, Law, Health crisis unfolding in east Africa, have warned against eating the versity located in the heart scholarship in the region since with HBKU, one of the region’s munity outreach.” and Life Sciences, and Public especially in Kenya, where bil- creatures. of Education City – an aca- 2008, the BDC advances high- most ambitious universities Commenting on HBKU’s Policy. All of HBKU’s degrees lions of locusts are ravaging ag- “Insecticides are vital in this demic hub hosting some of the quality, independent research with a strong focus on interdis- behalf, Dr Emad El-Din Sha- were designed to meet the cur- ricultural areas in the worst in- case,” says Dr Lawler. “How- world’s top-tier universities. and policy analysis on the Mid- ciplinary research. As we con- hin, interim provost, said: rent and future needs of the festation for 70 years. However, ever, they can be detrimental Brookings Doha Center dle East and North Africa. tinue to enhance our output, “HBKU strives to build con- job market. officials and experts are keen to to the environment and human stress that the situation in Qatar health, persisting for a long bears no resemblance to the Af- time. QEERI will continue to rican outbreak. monitor the presence of chemi- QEERI is part of Hamad cals and the quality of air and Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) water in Qatar.” HEC Paris celebrates 10th anniversary and its scientists are following Members of the public who the current situation closely. observe the presence of locusts “While around for thousands of are asked to contact the agri- years, recent increases in locust cultural pest control unit of the of providing executive education in Qatar infestations have been linked agricultural affairs administra- with climate change and chang- tion, which can be reached by TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and the Specialised Master’s de- activities to mark its 10-year class programmes and content, ing weather patterns leading phone on 77438535, 44261728 DohA gree in Strategic Business Unit milestone culminating in a ma- and impact means sustaining to perfect circumstances for or 55448879. Management (SBUM). jor celebration later this year. and increasing our contribu- HEC Paris, ranked number HEC Paris also offers “This celebration is our way tions to the State of Qatar and three worldwide for Executive non-degree management pro- of expressing our apprecia- its firms, guided by the ideas Education and number one grammes for executives, in the tion for the many persons and of the Qatar National Vision for the International Executive form of Executive Short Pro- the many organisations and 2030,” the dean added. MoCI recalls Mazda CX9 MBA by the Financial Times in grammes and Certificates as who have embraced our learn- Michael Lefante, director of 2019, is marking the 10th anni- well as custom-designed pro- ing philosophy over the past Marketing, Events & External models, Apple watches versary of its presence in Qatar grammes for organisations. decade. We are very grateful Relations, HEC Paris in Qatar, with its newly appointed Dean Over its first decade, a total to them,” said Dean Martin de said: “Our first decade in Qatar THE Ministry of Commerce tion with iFix Qatar, Ali Bin Dr Pablo Martin de Holan. of 836 alumni have graduated Holan. has ensured we have a deep un- and Industry (MoCI), in coop- Ali and 51 East, dealers of Ap- Since joining Qatar Foun- from HEC Paris in Qatar, 68 ver, HEC Paris in Qatar has “It also signals our growth derstanding of Qatar Founda- eration with National Car Com- ple watches in Qatar, has also dation in 2010, HEC Paris percent of whom is Qatari and delivered custom-designed pro- plans for our second decade in tion’s mission and that we share pany, dealer of Mazda in Qatar, announced the recall of Ap- has launched two highly suc- 42 percent female. grammes for the executives and Qatar and beyond, with a strong its objective and that of the has recalled Mazda CX9 mod- ple Watch Series 2 and Series cessful degree programmes, From the total number, 354 future leaders of 98 progressive focus on entrepreneurship, National Vision 2030 of trans- els of 2017-2018 due to a pos- 3 (Aluminum model), models the International Executive executives graduated from the organisations in Qatar and the women-in-leadership and inno- forming Qatar into an advanced sible malfunction in the warn- of 2016-2019 over a crack that MBA (EMBA), which has been International EMBA degree region. vation, and under the two con- society capable of achieving sus- ing lights on the dashboard that may form along the rounded ranked number one worldwide programme and 482 from the HEC Paris in Qatar plans to cept of Excellence and Impact. tainable development through a sometimes turn on suddenly. edge of the screen in aluminum by the Financial Times in 2019, Specialised Master’s. Moreo- roll out a series of anniversary For us, excellence means world knowledge-based economy.” The ministry, in coopera- models. (TNN)

Qatari writer mentors new screenwriters at QNL Tamuq gives high school seniors

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK a taste of engineering experience DohA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK QATAR National Library DohA (QNL) on Saturday hosted Qa- tari writer Dr Majd Khaled al Zi- MORE than 100 high school ara at the second lecture about seniors from across Qatar her book ‘Your Way to Control a learned what life as an engi- World of Your Invention: I Will neering student at Texas A&M Make You a Screenwriter’. University at Qatar (Tamuq) A PhD-holder in creative would be like when the branch writing, Dr Majd once again campus recently hosted its an- made the session prove to be nual Experience Texas A&M a successful mentoring oppor- University day. tunity for Arabic writers with a During the event, Tamuq- keen interest in creative writing. faculty members talked with She shared her advice on prospective students about how they could enter the world what it means to be an engineer of cinema also known as the and gave information about ‘seventh art world’ and realise the four bachelor’s degrees the their goal of writing a screen- branch campus offers: chemi- play. cal engineering, electrical engi- lege student during which they meet with admissions officers Mustafa Abdulsalam, neering, mechanical engineer- are expected to become inde- to discuss application files. one of the participants at the of writing. Stories are easy to the library gives me that inspi- new people with different in- ing and petroleum engineering. pendent learners responsible The application deadline event, said: “I write stories for write, but the different inspira- ration.” terests. Attending today’s event Current Tamuq students for their own decisions. for freshman admission to Ta- the economy section of a local tions behind each one are what Teacher and poet Taqwa gave me an opportunity to dis- shared their personal experi- The day concluded with muqis March 1. The Office of newspaper and attend these make them interesting to read- Abdulla, another attendee, cuss my writing with fellow par- ences with the high school sen- Admissions Time where the Admissions is open Sunday workshops at the library to ers. Listening to experts and said: “The library is a place that ticipants and to get their com- iors to help prepare them for applicants and prospective through Thursday from 8 am find out about different styles attending such workshops at is giving us a chance to meet ments on my future projects.” the challenges of being a col- students had the chance to to 4 pm. Stenden University Qatar students visit Spanish firms on study trip

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DohA

THE International Business students of Year 1, 2 & 3 of Stenden University of Applied Sciences - Qatar recently vis- ited Spain on an international study trip covering four cities. The students had the op- portunity to visit various com- panies based on the require- ments of the International Business curriculum. Among the companies they visited were the Airbus- distribution and quality man- of the Valencia Port and its of the university are given the tended by The Qatar Embassy last day of the trip. national Business: DrRenju- Illescas Plant Toledo to study agement, and Weber Shand- importance. The six-day study opportunity to experience and in Spain to the 45 members The Ambassador urged Mathai, assistant professor & about its operations and sup- wick for its marketing-based trip enabled the students to visit a new country to under- of the Stenden Qatar team. the students to be brand am- programme leader ; Dr Anu- ply chain, The Sword Factory international projects in Ma- gain practical understanding stand its culture, trade and Qatar’s Ambassador HE Ab- bassadors of the university Jossan, assistant professor; in Toledo which showed the drid. of the theories they learned industry. dullah bin Ibrahim al Hamar and the country. The tour was RohayaAdahan, senior lectur- making of steel swords, DYC Furthermore, in Valencia, and apply it in real-time pro- One of the highlights of hosted a dinner at Interconti- organised and planned by er; and DarineChaaya, senior in Segovia for its warehousing, the students had an overview jects. Every year, the students the trip was the welcome ex- nental Hotel in Madrid on the the faculty members of Inter- lecturer. asia / World Monday, February 24, 2020 09 China must learn from ‘shortcomings’ in coronavirus response: President Xi Eight deaths in Iran; Three deaths and sharp spike in Italy to 152 cases cause serious concern AFP BEIJIng

THE coronavirus epidemic The Global spread that has killed over 2,400 people is communist China’s of deadly Covid-19 “largest public health emer- gency” since its founding in THE new coronavirus that have been infected, 2 deaths 1949, President Xi Jinping emerged in central China at Macau: 10 said on Sunday. the end of last year has now Singapore: 85 It is necessary to learn killed more than 2,400 peo- Thailand: 35 from “obvious shortcomings ple and spread around the Australia: 17 exposed” during China’s re- world. Outside mainland Malaysia: 22 sponse, Xi added at an official China there have been 24 Taiwan: 26 meeting to coordinate the vi- deaths and more than 1,500 Vietnam: 16 rus fight -- a rare acknowledg- infections reported, with India: 3 ment by a Chinese leader. the most cases concentrat- Philippines: 3, includ- The new coronavirus has ed in South Korea and the ing one death drawn comparisons to the Diamond Princess cruise Nepal: 1 SARS (Severe Acute Respira- ship quarantined off Japan. Sri Lanka: 1 tory Syndrome) outbreak of Here is a roundup of Cambodia: 1 2002-2003 which killed near- the areas where cases of ●NORTH AMERICA ly 650 people across main- COVID-19, the virus’s offi- United States: 35 land China and Hong Kong, cial designation, have been Canada: 8 and led to criticism over au- confirmed: ● EUROPE thorities’ cover-up. ● CHINA - As of Sunday Italy: 152, three deaths While China has been some 77,000 people had Italy became the first praised by the World Health been infected and 2,442 had country in Europe to put Organization for its handling died across mainland China, some of its citizens un- of the epidemic this time, the the majority in and around der quarantine, with over death of whistleblower doctor Wuhan, the capital of Hubei 50,000 residents in eleven Li Wenliang, who was repri- province, where the out- towns facing lockdown. manded for warning about break was first reported. Germany: 16 the virus, sparked calls for A medical worker takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 at an entrance of a hospital in ● ASIA-PACIFIC France: 12, including political reform and freedom Daegu, South Korea, on Sunday. (AFP) South Korea: 602 people one death. of speech in the country. have been infected by the vi- Britain: 9 Xi spoke at a meting of prevent and control”. Xi said the epidemic “has a large impact on the economy lar life as soon as possible, rus and five people have died. Russia: 5 China’s top leaders including “This is a crisis for us and the fastest transmission, and society”, but he stressed Xi said, calling for new fis- Japan: More than 130 Spain: 2 the Communist Party’s Cen- it is a big test,” he said. the effects will be “short-term” cal measures to help smaller people have been infected Finland: 1 tral Committee and the Cen- Xi’s comments come as widest range of infection and controllable. businesses that have been hit and four have died. Three Sweden: 1 tral Military Commission, the number of virus infections and has been the most diffi- China has seen a slow hard by the outbreak. of those deaths were pas- Belgium: 1 according to CCTV. hit almost 77,000 in main- cult to prevent and control” return to work since an ex- China’s infection rate has sengers who had been on ● MIDDLE EAST In comments reported by land China -- with countries tended Spring Festival break, slowed, but flip-flopping over the cruise ship Diamond Iran: 43, 8 deaths state broadcaster CCTV on such as South Korea on high Xi acknowledged that the as officials urged the public to counting methods has sowed Princess, quarantined off United Arab Emirates: 11 Sunday, Xi said the epidemic alert and Italy taking contain- epidemic will “inevitably avoid gatherings and stay at confusion over its data. Japan, where the number Israel: 1 “has the fastest transmission, ment measures as well. have a large impact on the home. There also was growing of infections is now at 630. Lebanon: 1 widest range of infection and Xi acknowledged that the economy and society” Those living in “low-risk concern over the difficulty of Hong Kong: 69 people ● AFRICA - Egypt: 1 has been the most difficult to epidemic will “inevitably have areas” should return to regu- detecting the virus.

South Korea raises virus alert to highest level after jump in cases Third death from Japan cruise ship as new cases raise quarantine doubts SEoUL/BEIJIng: South Korea decided to raise its alert over the coronavirus to its highest level, President moon Jae In ToKYo: A third person from a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship quarantined off Japan has died, the health ministry announced on Sunday, after the country reported over 150 new cases of the virus. moon said that the government would said on Sunday, as new infections among former passengers emerged. strengthen its overall emergency response as part of declaring the “red” alert level, and that local authorities should Japan has been criticised in the face of mounting evidence that the quarantine imposed on the Diamond Prin- take “unprecedented, powerful” measures to contain the coronavirus, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. cess did little to stop the virus spreading. more than 20 foreigners evacuated from the vessel have also tested posi- South Korea reported 169 new cases of coronavirus and two new deaths, bringing the total confirmed infections tive after returning home and on Sunday, authorities admitted a Japanese passenger -- allowed to disembark after to 602 and the death toll to six, according to the Korea Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). receiving a clean bill of health -- had also tested positive for the virus. In South Korea, Prime minister Chung Sye Kyun promised “strong and swift” measures to prevent the virus from A Japanese man in his 80s passed away from pneumonia after being taken off the ship, the health ministry said spreading further, including designating Daegu and Cheongdo as “special care zones,” according to Yonhap. Sunday. Two elderly passengers died on Thursday after contracting the virus. Daegu’s 2.5 million residents on Thursday were advised to stay at home by mayor Kwon Young Jin in order to nearly 1,000 passengers were allowed to leave the ship this week after testing negative, but there are now seri- slow the spread of the coronavirus. Authorities said that cases were also reported in the capital Seoul, the central ous concerns about their status. south-west province of Chungcheong and on Jeju Island. Among them was a woman in her 60s, who returned home to Tochigi prefecture north of Tokyo by train after dis- The Seoul city government said it would ban rallies and close down church services of the Shincheonji Christian embarking the ship on wednesday. She later developed a fever and tested positive on Saturday, a local official told sect as part of measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 illness, Yonhap reported. of the new confirmed cases, AFP. health minister Katsunobu Kato admitted Saturday 23 passengers were released without being tested for the 75 were linked with the church according to the KCDC. (DPA) virus during the quarantine period. (AFP)

news Pakistan closes land border with Iran, trump says he would sign a Mobile phone in brief peace deal with the taliban services restored as Afghanistan bans travel over virus fears Afghan truce holds Malaysia’s Anwar AFP ed to set conditions for Wash- KABUL: mobile phone services says partners trying AFP the novel #coronavirus and 15 new confirmed cases of the wAShIngTon ington and the insurgents to were restored across swathes to bring down govt ISLAmABAD protect the public, Afghani- COVID-19 virus, bringing the sign a deal on February 29 of Taliban-contested areas of stan suspends all passenger overall number of infections to US President Donald Trump that could ultimately lead to a Afghanistan over the weekend KUALA Lumpur: malaysia’s PAKISTAN on Sunday closed movement (air and ground) 43 and fatalities to eight. said on Sunday he would withdrawal of US forces after as a partial truce with the mili- leader-in-waiting Anwar Ibra- its land border with Iran, while to and from Iran,” the office of Authorities have ordered sign a peace deal with the more than 18 years. tants held for a second day. him on Sunday denounced Afghanistan suspended travel the National Security Council as a “preventive measure” the Taliban if one were eventu- Trump said the cooling The commitment has seen “betrayal” in his ruling to the neighbouring country of Afghanistan said in a state- closure of schools, universities ally reached in Afghanistan. off period has “been holding fighting drop dramatically and coalition, saying that some as fears across the region con- ment posted on Twitter. and other educational centres “Yes,” he told reporters at up. It’s a day and a half. We’ll is set to pave the way for an partners were trying to bring tinued to grow over a jump in A provincial official in Pa- in 14 provinces across Iran the White House as he pre- see what happens.” “I want American withdrawal deal to be down the government and new coronavirus infections. kistan and the country’s Fron- from Sunday. pared to depart on a trip to to see how this period of a signed later this week. form a new one. Both Afghanistan and Pa- tier Corps also confirmed that Desperate and jobless Af- India. “I would put my name week works out,” he said. The lull in violence allowed The comments came kistan share long, porous bor- the country had sealed the ghans have crossed the porous on it.” “If it works out over the telecom operators to begin re- after senior figures from ders with Iran that are often land border with Iran. border with Iran for years in His comments came af- next less-than-a-week, I storing networks that have long his coalition and opposition used by smugglers and human Earlier Sunday, Iran report- search of work to support their ter a partial truce took effect would put my name on it. been hampered by fighting. politicians met in a Kuala traffickers, while millions of ed eight deaths from the novel struggling families back home. in Afghanistan on Saturday, Time to come home. And “Around 730 cell towers Lumpur hotel amid specula- Afghan refugees currently live coronavirus as the supreme But hundreds of thousands with the Taliban, US, and they want to stop,” he said. have restarted,” said naqee- tion they were seeking to in the Islamic Republic -- rais- leader accused foreign media of Afghans have returned Afghan forces agreeing to a “I think the Taliban want bullah Sailab, vice chairman of form a new alliance that ing fears that the virus could of trying to use the outbreak to home in recent years as US week-long “reduction in vio- to make a deal too. They’re the Telecom Regulatory Author- excluded Anwar. easily spread over the border. sabotage a general election. The sanctions have battered the lence.” The truce was intend- tired of fighting.” ity of Afghanistan. (AFP) “we were shocked today “To prevent the spread of latest three deaths were among Iranian economy. by developments, which for us is a betrayal... there is an attempt towards it (changing the government),” said Anwar, the presumptive successor to Prime minister Walls, mud packs and monkey removal for Trump’s India visit mahathir mohamed. (AFP) AFP Ahmedabad in western India ings with pictures of Trump, stray dogs during a 2015 visit. Ten student scouts AhmEDABAD, InDIA to the new Sardar Patel Stadi- Modi and Melania Trump The local Cattle and Dog killed in Indonesia um in order, locals believe, to have been put up across the Nuisance Control Department flash flood US President Donald Trump hide a slum, although officials city, projecting the “Namaste has constituted a crack team to makes his first official visit to deny it. Trump” rally as a historic remove dogs and errant cows JAKARTA: The death toll India on Monday and work Sardar Sarania, a resident event in US-India relations. -- another common sight in from a flash flood that hit has been going on around the of the slum, is disgusted at The route will be lined Indian cities -- in a three-kilo- hundreds of Indonesian clock to spruce things up -- to what he sees as Prime Minister with thousands of people -- metre radius of the route. students during a hike along the annoyance of some locals Narendra Modi’s attempt to well short of the 6-10 million A local NGO and the state a river on the island of Java as well as monkeys. conceal reality. “So Modi has Trump says he has been told forest department have also has risen to 10, an official The photo opportunity supposedly made everything will attend -- as well as stages been roped in to keep birds said on Sunday. A group highlights of the 36-hour trip good and there’s development for performers and images of and bands of monkeys out of of 249 junior high school include a rally of 100,000 everywhere, right? But he’s independence hero Mahatma Air Force One’s way on the students were walking along people at the world’s largest hid us behind here.” Gandhi. runway at Ahmedabad airport. the river in Sleman district cricket stadium and watch- “We’re made invisible. Ahmedabad officials are “In the past 10 days, we on Friday when it burst its Gujarat police’s bomb detection disposal squad officials with a sniffer ing the sunset with First Lady So the gutter we live in, he also keen to avoid a repeat of have caught 45-odd monkeys. bank and swept away many dog inspect a stage displaying pictures of India’s Prime Minister Nar- Melania at the Taj Mahal. (Trump) won’t see us. That’s when then-US secretary of They come in search of food,” of them. (DPA) endra Modi (left), uS President Donald Trump and First lady Melania A long wall has been hast- why they’re building this.” state John Kerry’s cavalcade Raag Patel from the Nature Trump, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, on Sunday. (AFP) ily built, along the route in Scores of banners and hoard- hit one of India’s ubiquitous Conservation Foundation said. 10 Monday, February 24, 2020

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 opinion HAMAD BIN SUHAIM AL THANI chairman ADEL ALI BIN ALI managing director DR HASSAN MOHAMMED AL ANSARI editor-in-chief

Mishaps And Mistakes Help Globalise The Ghani-Abdullah Row Coronavirus Pandemic May Thwart The Prospect Politicians have contributed to hastening the spread of the virus by trying to minimise political fallout of the pandemic Of Afghan Peace ROFESSIONALS devoted to pre- putting them on a plane for an ad- venting global pandemics know ditional 14-day quarantine at two US Even as a US-Taliban partial truce has taken effect in Afghanistan, the dispute over best how to do their jobs — when military locations? the poll result will likely see the embattled country in the grips of a political crisis Pthey’re left to do their jobs. The Would it have been smarter to danger comes when politicians and keep them quarantined on shore in bureaucrats intervene with an eye to- Japan? Some passengers smartly re- DAUD KHATTAK ward easing human suffering or mini- fused to board the plane, worrying TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE mising political fallout and wind up that the risk was too high. hastening the spread of the very virus- Then there was the warm wel- N February 18, Afghanistan’s Inde- es they’re fighting. One bad decision come that Cambodian Prime Minister pendent Election Commission (IEC) after another helped make the 2014 Hun Sen gave to the 2,257 passengers declared President Ashraf Ghani the Ebola scare far worse than it should aboard a Holland America cruise ship winner of the September 28 presiden- have been. The new novel coronavirus after other countries had refused to tial election. Hours later, Ghani’s key ri- pandemic is exposing an entirely new let it dock. Instead of insisting on a val,O who also happens to be his chief executive dimension in bad calls. quarantine once he granted entry, officer in the so-called National Unity Govern- The plight of 380 Americans stuck the prime minister let hundreds of ment, challenged the final outcome by declar- aboard the Diamond Princess cruise passengers disperse — without being ing a parallel government. ship in Japan is a case in point. US of- tested. “We are announcing our victory. We will ficials decided to evacuate the Ameri- Each time an infection is reported, now form an inclusive government,” tweeted cans, who were among the 2,666 medical personnel are supposed to Dr Abdullah Abdullah. He also wrote a letter to guests and 1,045 crew aboard. But it find out exactly where the patient has the European Union on February 20 calling the was only after they were removed and been and with whom he or she has election results “illegal and unacceptable to all seated on airport-bound buses that been in contact. Those people all need Afghans.” Going a step further, Ghani’s previ- officials determined 14 were infected to be tested. Multiply that process by ous vice president and former warlord Abdul with the coronavirus. By putting them the nearly 77,000 confirmed cases as Rashid Dostum termed the final result a “coup” inside a jumbo jet, the risk rapidly of February 23 — including over 1,000 and urged his supporters to take to the streets. escalated for even more passengers cases in more than 25 countries out- Amid the nearly five-month delay in an- human rights violations were granted official time since their ouster. They are coming to this to become infected during the long side of China — and that helps explain nouncing the conclusion, the hotly contested perks and privileges. A majority of them were agreement, which should also see the beginning trans-Pacific flight. the massive job ahead when contain- Afghan presidential election had faded into the either offered positions in the government or of an intra-Afghan dialogue process, from a po- Dr Anthony Fauci, head of the ment efforts fall apart. The temporary background as something more important was made their way into the parliament. Aid money sition of strength in comparison to the Afghan Centers for Disease Control and Pre- (albeit extreme) discomfort of a few is happening: The much-awaited outcome of the meant for Afghanistan reconstruction ended government and rest of the Afghan leadership. vention, said he wouldn’t be surprised better than risking a far greater mass 18-month peace talks between Taliban repre- up in the coffers of the same strongmen who Divisions among the Afghan leadership will fur- if more of the evacuees tested posi- exposure. sentatives and the United States. US Secretary were believed to be responsible for the coun- ther strengthen the Taliban’s standing. tive. The quarantine on the Diamond Two Dallas nurses learned the of State Mike Pompeo announced on February try’s mess. Not only that, but as the warlords Third, opportunist groups and warlords are Princess simply wasn’t working. “I’d hard way during the 2014 US Ebola 21 that the two sides plan to formally sign their and jihadists of the past further increased their waiting in the wings. Reports suggest that sev- like to sugarcoat it and try to be diplo- outbreak what disasters befall medical peace deal at the end of the month. strength and influence, new power centers eral leaders have already established contacts matic about it, but it failed. … Some- personnel who aren’t trained to follow The Ghani-Abdullah dispute over the poll emerged with the influx of billions of dollars, with the Taliban. Finding the militia leadership thing went awry in the process of the proper quarantine procedures. With result, however, sent shockwaves across Afghan thus causing serious problems for the future of has much to gain from the peace efforts, they quarantining on that ship,” he told 15 infections of coronavirus confirmed society, where people are anxiously awaiting an a centralised authority in Afghanistan. may announce open support for the Taliban. USA Today. around the United States, the time for end to the nearly two decades of violence. The The increasing level of corruption dimin- Afghanistan’s military and police have yet Were there better options than preparation and training is now. not-so-unexpected row also exposed the ethnic ished the chances of good governance, thus to be purged of warlord loyalists. A divide in- fault lines in Afghanistan — majority Pashtuns disenchanting common Afghans about a sys- side these crucial organs cannot be ruled out if vs the rest — at a time when the war-battered tem based on the ideals of a better future. Ex- the political leadership fails to agree on a set- country needs unity more than anything else to pecting no improvements, many Afghans lost tlement. Furthermore, any reduction in inter- open a window to lasting peace. hope in their post-Taliban leadership. The national support in terms of training, materiel, Notwithstanding the weeklong “reduction sympathy pendulum began to swing back to- and salaries may affect the security institutions. in violence” from February 22 – which, if all ward the Taliban, who had brought calm (if The only assurance, if to be believed, comes goes as planned, will culminate in the signing of not peace) to Afghanistan. The international from the February 20 New York Times op-ed a US-Taliban agreement on February 29 — the community did fairly well in committing men by Taliban deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani. Ghani-Abdullah row, if prolonged, may drag and money but failed to pressure Afghanistan’s In a reference to the possible re-entry of for- Afghanistan into new trouble: an ethnic feud. neighbours to put an end to their interference eign (terrorist) groups once the United States Before going into what comes next, let us have in the country. Every effort to push and defeat leaves, Haqqani, who also heads the terrorist- a glance at what went wrong. What brought the Taliban and their allies failed because the designate Haqqani Network, writes that “it is Afghanistan to this juncture, where last-ditch militia continued to enjoy safe havens outside not in the interest of any Afghan to allow such efforts to restore order are seen with despair Afghanistan’s borders, not to mention a steady groups to hijack our country and turn it into a rather than hope? supply of money, men, and arms. battleground.” A majority of Afghanistan analysts are of Now the US-Taliban peace agreement, set With the long-awaited and much sought-af- the view that had the international community to be signed by the end of February provided ter US-Taliban peace deal, unity among the Af- invited the Taliban leadership, or at least those the week-long “reduction in violence” arrange- ghan leadership is needed more than any time who were willing to reconcile, to the December ment holds, comes hard on the heels of a po- before. Discord will not only jeopardise the first 2001 Bonn Conference, the group would nev- litical crisis in Kabul, caused by the February step toward lasting peace, but also weaken the er have become such big threat to peace and 18 announcement of the poll result. If current Afghan leaders who, despite their individual, security in Afghanistan. Armed with backing trends continue, there are many reasons to fear group, and community disagreements, faced from neighbouring countries, Taliban quickly new trouble on the Afghan horizon. the Taliban as a united front. The onus mostly regained support and sympathy from various First, the country is more divided today rests on Ghani to resolve differences with his individuals, groups and communities in face of than at any time in the past 20 years. With opponents before sitting face-to-face with the reckless military campaigns that often resulted Taliban reconciling, but also vying for control Taliban leadership for peace negotiations. in civilian casualties. For several years after the over the government, divisions among political toppling of their regime, not a single serious leaders on ethnic lines will definitely not end (Daud Khattak is Senior Editor for effort was made to bring the Taliban into the well. Notwithstanding Ghani’s following in Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty’s government fold. non-Pashtun ethnic groups, parties such as Ja- Pashto language Mashaal Radio. He The government was, however, plagued miat-e-Islami (mostly Tajiks), Hezb-e-Wahdat worked for The News International by the presence of powerful warlords Instead (mostly Hazaras), and Junbish (mostly Uzbek) and London’s Sunday Times in Pesha- of cornering them, if it was not possible to try have announced their support for Abdullah. war, Pakistan. He has also worked for (Tribune News Service) them under the law, even leaders accused of Second, the Taliban are stronger than at any Pajhwok Afghan News in Kabul)

Michelle Obama’s #PromChallenge: Lives Less Filtered & Perfected The former US first lady’s latest initiative is a worthy cause and a refreshing reminder that not every photo has to be flattering

HEIDI STEVENS logic, she looks fabulous) with an invita- school before and/or during prom. Twen- filtered and edited for maximum flattery. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE tion to others to do the same, all in service ty high schools will be selected to win up Many of the promgoers look splendid. of registering more high schoolers to vote. to $5,000 to throw an epic prom. Some have probably taken better photos AS a former first lady ever been as in- “Throwing it back to my 1982 prom The Twitter responses have been de- in their lifetime. spiring to watch as Michelle Obama? night and this pink satin, polka-dotted lightful. hair. The wicker. The old school But scrolling through and stumbling H Since exiting the White House, she dress,” Obama wrote. “Join the #Prom- elegance. The tux and gown made of duct upon outdated hairstyles and unflatter- has written a fantastic memoir (‘Becom- Challenge with @WhenWeAllVote and @ tape. More hair. ing gowns and utterly nondescript back- ing’), traveled around the country talking MTV and tell us what your school is doing Paul Scheer, actor/writer/producer, grounds and the sorts of things you rarely about it with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, to register students to vote. You could get showed off a corsage made of Gummi see on, say, Instagram, is a lovely, little guided us through a too-rare dialogue a free prom for your school!” Bears. Actress Tracee Ellis Ross wore reminder that our whole, unedited selves about infertility and miscarriage, started When We All Vote is a nonprofit, non- Armani. Columnist/author Connie Schultz are worth preserving in photos and shar- Higher Ground Productions with Barack partisan group, co-chaired by Obama, wore a sea foam dress and shiny red curls ing, here and there, with the world. Obama and launched the Global Girls Al- Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks and and a rather bewildered look next to her I hope high schoolers take Obama’s liance to educate girls around the globe, others, that works to increase voter par- plaid tux-clad date, circa 1975. challenge to heart and register to vote in among other endeavours. ticipation. The organisation partnered In addition to supporting and advocat- droves. I also hope they take it as a cue to Her #PromChallenge is one of my fa- with MTV on the Prom Challenge, which ing for a great cause (youth voting), the live and present their lives a little less fil- vourites yet. invites high school students to describe #PromChallenge has been a refreshing tered and perfected. On Tuesday, she tweeted her 1982 how their school is working to integrate change of pace from our tendency to fill so- Better to let the real, human, beautiful prom photo (in which, defying all ‘80s voter registration into the culture of their cial media with photos that are curated and stuff show through.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. gulf / Middle east / africa Monday, February 24, 2020 11 Conservatives claim victory in Iran polls after record low turnout

AFP The interior ministry an- Seventeen women were the plane crash,” Rahmani Faz- Iran newspaper added. TEhRAn nounced results of 95 percent elected, the website of the gov- li said, referring to the January Voter apathy marked the of the 208 constituencies in ernment newspaper Iran said 3 downing of a Ukrainian air- polls, but Iran’s supreme IRAN’S conservatives claimed Friday’s election, declaring the -- the same number as in the liner which killed 176 people. leader Ayatollah Ali Khame- victory Sunday in a general names of the winning candi- outgoing 290-seat parliament. He said that in such a sce- nei lauded the people’s “huge election marked by the lowest dates but without specifying Interior Minister Abdol- nario “the turnout rate seems participation” despite what he turnout since the 1979 Islamic their political affiliation. reza Rahmani Fazli an- perfectly acceptable for us.” termed “negative propaganda” Revolution amid public anger “Victory for the anti-Amer- nounced the participation rate A low participation had been by foreign media. against the government, an ican candidates, a new slap for was 42.6 percent -- the lowest widely forecast, as a conserv- It “began a few months ago economic downturn and the Trump,” crowed the ultra-con- in four decades. ative-dominated electoral and grew larger approaching disqualification of half the servative Kayhan newspaper. The election came two days watchdog disqualified about the election and in the past candidates. “The people have disquali- after Iran announced its first half of the 16,000-odd candi- two days, under the pretext of A conservative resurgence fied the reformists,” it added, cases of the deadly new coro- dates, mostly moderates and this illness,” he said. would heap pressure on belea- alluding to Rouhani’s backers, navirus that emerged in China. reformists. “Their media did not miss guered President Hassan Rou- who have been weakened by “We held these elections The Fars news agency said the slightest opportunity to hani and signal a shift from President Donald Trump pull- when there were various inci- a second round would be held discourage people from voting. four years ago when reform- ing the US out of a landmark dents in the country: we had in at least 11 constituencies. (Our enemies) are even op- An Iranian man casts his ballot at a mobile polling station in the ists and moderates won a slen- nuclear deal and by a slew of bad weather, there was this One woman candidate has posed to any election by the Ira- capital Tehran, recently. (AFP) der majority in parliament. economic and political crises. coronavirus disease, there was qualified for the second round, nian people,” the leader added. higheSt CoronaViruS death toll outSide China Quake in northwestern Iran’s neighbours impose travel Iran kills nine in neighbouring Turkey

AFP adobe houses in several bans as coronavirus toll rises ISTAnBUL snow-covered villages in Van province. In Gurpinar village, AFP five of the confirmed infections. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake in search and rescue teams were TEhRAn Iran’s health minister, northwestern Iran on Sunday seen on top of the rubble pile, Saeed Namaki, said the treat- killed at least nine people in watched by anxious locals. IRAN’S confirmed death toll ment of COVID-19 cases neighbouring Turkey and in- Van, which was hit by a 7.1 from the new coronavirus rose would be free. jured dozens more on both sides magnitude quake in 2011 kill- to eight on Sunday, the highest “In every city, one hospi- of the border, authorities said. ing more than 500 people, was outside China, sending neigh- tal will be dedicated to treat- The epicentre of the quake, struck by tragedy again this bouring countries scrambling ing coronavirus cases,” he which struck at 9:23 am (0553 month when two avalanches to contain the outbreak. said, adding that this number GMT), was near the Iranian left 41 people dead. Turkey said it would “tem- would be greater in bigger cit- village of Habash-e Olya, less Health Minister Fahret- porarily” shut its border with ies like the capital. than 10 kilometres (six miles) tin Koca said 37 people were Iran, while Pakistan also said it But academics expressed from the border, according to injured and nine of them were was closing its frontier with the concern over the ability of Iran the US Geological Survey. in critical condition. He said Islamic republic and Afghani- -- currently grappling with a The earthquake had a that 25 ambulances, one rescue stan banned all ground and air major economic crisis and hit depth of six kilometres, said helicopter and teams of medics travel between the two nations. by swingeing US sanctions -- Tehran University’s Seismo- were rushed to the quake region. The moves come amid to contain the outbreak. logical Centre. Turkish officials said some growing regional concerns “It is unlikely that Iran will In Turkey, it was felt most- schools were also damaged in about the spread of the virus. have the resources and facili- ly in the eastern district of several villages. Lebanon on Friday con- ties to adequately identify cases Baskale in Van province on the The impact of the quake in firmed its first case -- a 45-year- and adequately manage them Iran border. Iran was less severe, according old Lebanese woman who had if case numbers are large,” said Interior Minister Suley- to latest reports. travelled from Qom in Iran -- Paul Hunter, a medical profes- man Soylu said nine people It injured at least 51 peo- and Israel on Sunday quaran- sor at the University of East were killed, speaking to re- ple in Iran’s West Azerbaijan tined at home nearly 200 school Anglia in Britain. porters from the quake scene province, 17 of whom had been pupils who came into contact He also noted that the in Van. Four of the dead were hospitalised, the country’s with South Korean tourists who “situation in Iran has major children. “We have right now emergency services said. contracted the virus. implications for the Middle no citizens trapped under the The same source also said Iran on Sunday reported East,” in a context where the rubble,” he said. there was damage to buildings three more novel coronavirus Iranians, some wearing protective masks, wait to cross a street in the capital Tehran on Saturday. (AFP) region is grappling with multi- Images showed collapsed in 43 villages. deaths among 15 new cases in ple conflicts. the past 24 hours, taking its “During armed conflicts total number of fatalities to International fears grow borders between countries be- eight and infections to 43. come porous... and health care Four new COVID-19 cases Iran’s confirmed death toll from the new coronavirus rose to eight on facilities are often targeted surfaced in Tehran, seven in Sunday, the highest outside China, sending neighbouring countries and destroyed.” the holy city of Qom, two in scrambling to contain the outbreak Other regional countries Gilan and one each in Markazi on Sunday also took major and Tonekabon, health minis- precautionary measures to try spokesman Kianoush Ja- ● Turkey said it would “temporarily” shut its border with Iran counter the virus potentially hanpour said. ● Pakistan also said it was closing its frontier with the Islamic republic spreading from Iran. Authorities have ordered Jordan said on Sunday it the closure of schools, univer- ● Afghanistan banned all ground and air travel between the two nations would bar entry to citizens of sities and other educational ● Jordan said it would bar entry to citizens of China, Iran and South Korea and other China, Iran and South Korea centres in 14 provinces across foreigners travelling from those countries and other foreigners travelling the country from Sunday as a from those countries. “preventive measure”. ● The Kuwait Port Authority meanwhile announced a ban on the entry of all ships from the Jordan’s minister of state Art events, concerts and Islamic republic for media affairs, Amjad Aday- Locals gather around a stove in Baskale, in the Van province, after a film shows have been banned leh, said the decision was part magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck in northwestern Iran. (AFP) for a week. of “preemptive measures... “We are on the frontlines, ground) to and from Iran,” the Pakistan share long, porous other 97 deaths in its daily following the rise in cases we need help,” the head of office of the National Security borders with Iran that are of- update Sunday, taking its total of coronavirus” in the three Qom’s medical sciences uni- Council of Afghanistan said in ten used by smugglers and to 2,442, plus 648 new infec- countries. versity, Mohammadreza Ghad- a statement posted on Twitter. human traffickers, while mil- tions. Nearly 80,000 people He said the ban would be news ir, said on state television. A provincial official in Pa- lions of Afghan refugees live in have been infected worldwide, “temporary” and imposed on ”To prevent the spread kistan and the nation’s Fron- the Islamic republic -- raising the vast majority in China. all non-Jordanians. in brief of the novel #coronavirus tier Corps also confirmed the fears that the virus could easily But official figures indicate The Kuwait Port Authority and protect the public, Af- country had sealed the land spread over the border. the death rate is proportion- meanwhile announced a ban german President Steinmeier starts ghanistan suspends all pas- border with Iran. China -- the epicentre of ately much higher in Iran than on the entry of all ships from senger movement (air and Both Afghanistan and the outbreak -- reported an- China, standing at nearly one in the Islamic republic. trip to kenya and Sudan BERLIn: german President Frank-walter Steinmeier starts a five-day trip to Africa on Sunday. he plans first to make a state visit to Kenya and then to fly on to Sudan on Thursday. Syria’s Kurds renew In Kenya, Steinmeier wants to give new impetus to the tra- appeal for aid to judge Gazan militants fire barrage of ditionally good bilateral relations. In Sudan, he wants to send a signal of support for the country’s democratization process. captured IS members For the president, it is the fourth trip to Africa in his three- QAmIShLI: Syria’s Kurds rockets after Israel kills Palestinian year term. he was in Ethiopia last year. on Sunday renewed their The official programme in nairobi does not start until mon- appeal for international aid DPA An Israeli army spokes- day. It is the first state visit by a german president to Kenya. to put on trial thousands of TEL AvIv woman clarified that the body only former president heinrich Luebke had been in the captured members of the of one of the two Palestinians country in 1966, but not for a state visit. (DPA) Islamic State group, includ- PALESTINIAN armed shot was removed with the ing western nationals. groups fired a barrage of rock- help of a bulldozer so that sol- Almost a year since ets into Israel on Sunday even- diers were not put in danger. three Mali soldiers killed in suspected the march 2019 fall of the ing after Israeli soldiers earlier The army published its militant attack last IS bastion in Syria, the in the morning shot dead an own video footage, showing victorious US-backed and Islamic Jihad militant who two masked men placing an BAmAKo: At least three mali soldiers were killed and five Kurdish-led forces still hold had planted a bomb near the object at the border. It also wounded on Sunday in a suspected jihadist attack on an army about 12,000 suspected IS border fence. published a photo showing the camp in the far north of the country, the malian military said. members in the country’s Sirens sounded in south- object was an explosive device. The outpost in Bambara maoude, about 100 kilometres northeast. ern Israeli communities and Angry young men burned (60 miles) south of the city of Timbuktu “was the object at most of them are Syrian the coastal city of Ashkelon. tyres after cutting the fence, about 0500 gmT of a terrorist attack,” the military said on or Iraqi nationals but their The Israeli soldiers had The smoke trail of a rocket flying over the Gaza Strip which was fired according to eyewitnesses. Twitter. “During this attack, we regret to report a provisional toll of ranks include between used an army bulldozer to re- by Palestinian militants on Sunday. (AFP) Israeli Defence Minister three dead, five wounded, together with material damage,” it said. 2,500 and 3,000 nation- move the militant’s body. Naftali Bennett on army radio “The wounded were airlifted to Sevare... the outpost als from around 50 other The militant Palestinian crime won’t pass easily.” An age filmed on mobile phones rejected accusations by Israeli remains under the control of the armed forces.” “Three of our countries. movement identified the dead Israeli military statement said: by Palestinian protesters in peace activists that using a men fell Sunday during a jihadist attack in Bambara maoude,” In the face of western man as Mohammad el-Na’em, “Troops spotted two terrorists a field by the border showed bulldozer to remove the body a military official told AFP from Timbuktu earlier. hesitation to repatriate their 27, a member of the Islamic approaching the security fence the Israeli army bulldozer was “inhumane.” The radical A local official confirmed the toll of three soldiers dead and own nationals, the Kurds Jihad’s armed wing Saraya in the southern Gaza Strip scooping up the dead body. Islamist Hamas movement said two more were missing. have resigned themselves to al-Quds. Islamic Jihad lead- and placing an explosive de- Shots are heard and a second ruling Gaza was inhumane for According to another local official, “the terrorists left, tak- having to put those detained er Ismail Radwan said, “The vice adjacent to it. The troops Palestinian appears hurt in not returning the bodies of two ing vehicles and military equipment with them... together with on trial in Syria. (AFP) occupation (Israel) committed opened fire towards them. A the leg and can be seen run- soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza the bodies of two of their comrades.” (AFP) today an awful crime and this hit was identified.” Video foot- ning away limping. war, he said on public radio. 12 Monday, February 24, 2020 europe / united States american daredevil dies in homemade rocket launch ukraine to send electronic folk band to eurovision Song Contest

LoS Angeles: An amateur American astronaut who said he wanted to prove the Earth is flat has been KieV: after a year’s break, ukraine is again participating in the eurovision song Contest (esC) this neWS killed in the crash of his homemade rocket, said the science Channel, which filmed the launch. year and plans to send an electronic folk band to the competition in rotterdam in May. The band “Michael ‘Mad Mike’ Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his go_a won the competition to represent ukraine late saturday with the ukrainian song “solovey” in brieF homemade rocket,” the channel, which is part of the discovery Channel, said on Twitter. “our (“Nightingale”), public television said in Kiev on sunday. thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends during this difficult time.” The quartet featuring the traditional singing of vocalist ekaterina Pavlenko, 31, comes from HugHes, 64, launched himself on saturday in a steam-powered rocket that he built in the back- the capital Kiev. They were the clear winners against the five competitors, both with the spectators yard of his home in Barstow, California. several brands sponsored the project. (AFP) and the jury. (DPA) on a path towards democratic presidential nomination Hamburg voters punish German right, Merkel party

AFP reflect in some respects the HaMBurg broader political picture of fragmentation visible in Ger- VOTERS in German city-state many-wide polls. Hamburg punished Chancel- But the prosperous port lor Angela Merkel’s crisis- city with a proud left-of-centre racked conservatives and tradition may also be the first ejected the far right from par- state to deny AfD seats in par- liament in a regional election liament, just two years after it on Sunday, according to an completed its sweep into all 16 exit poll. German state legislatures in a According to the Infratest post-World War II first for a exit poll, the biggest winners far-right party. in Sunday’s vote were the pro- In many other parts of gressive, ecologist Greens. Germany, AfD polls in dou- They more than doubled ble digits, scoring above 20 their score to over 25 percent percent in several recent state after climate change shot to elections in the former com- the top of Germany’s political munist east. agenda in 2019. After weeks of intense po- Democratic presidential hopeful Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane O’Meara Sanders shake hands with supporters after Sanders addressed a rally at the Abraham litical turmoil at national level, Chavez Theater in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday. (AFP) including never-before-seen cooperation between the cen- tre and far right, some 57 per- cent had cast their vote by 4:00 Sanders wins big in nevada pm (1500 GMT), two hours be- fore the polls closed, election officials said on their website. The centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) de- but some democrats worry fended its position as the strongest force with 37.5 per- sult in a state far more typical Hampshire, his undeniable cent, while shedding over German Chanchellor Some Democrats have raised alarm that Leading the pack of America’s demographic vari- victory in Nevada places him eight points on 2015. Angela Merkel ety than the two earlier-voting squarely in the driver’s seat, at By contrast, Chancellor Sanders will make an easy target for Trump ● after sanders came in states was “incredibly impres- least for now. Angela Merkel’s conservative That has been enough to virtually tied for first in iowa sive.” But he quickly added He leads national polls by Christian Democratic Union throw sand in the gears of re- AFP “He showed last night that and then won last week in that a more definitive result an 11 point margin over Biden (CDU) lost more than four gional politics, with national LAS vEgAS he can energise our core base,” New Hampshire, his will come only after voters in and by 13 points over Mike points, to 11.5 -- one of its repercussions. Howard Dean, a former presi- undeniable victory in 14 states cast ballots on March Bloomberg, the former New worst-ever scores in any Ger- Earlier this month, Mer- BERNIE Sanders’ landslide dential aspirant himself and 3, or “Super Tuesday.” Before York mayor who skipped the man region. kel’s conservatives were shak- victory in Nevada’s Democrat- former head of the Democratic Nevada places him that comes South Carolina, early voting states to focus on The party has been sapped en by the apparent alliance of ic nominating contest has scat- National Committee, told squarely in the driver’s seat which votes on February 29. Super Tuesday. across Germany by a long- their regional branch in east- tered his moderate challengers CNN. ● sanders leads national Biden’s once-strong pros- Sanders’s progressive running leadership crisis, ern state Thuringia with AfD, and injected his White House By early Sunday, Sanders pects had faded sharply for policies, including universal sharpened by its unprecedent- voting in an FDP politician as campaign with a fresh burst of was comfortably ahead in Ne- polls by an 11 point margin weeks, but he said Saturday health care, higher taxes on ed apparent alliance with far- state premier. The breach of momentum as he drives into vada with 60 percent of pre- over Biden and by 13 points that he felt “really good” about the wealthy and an increase right Alternative for Germany a historic political taboo pro- the next crucial battlegrounds. cincts reporting. The 78-year- over Mike Bloomberg his second-place showing in the minimum wage, have (AfD) earlier in February. voked a nationwide backlash With his strong result on old senator was leading the in Nevada and shouldn’t be struck a chord with millions of AfD itself and the liberal against both the mainstream Saturday, the Vermont sena- Democratic pack with 46 per- counted out. Americans. Free Democrats (FDP) may right-of-centre parties. tor demonstrated an ability cent of the vote, followed far respectively, 10.1 percent and His team is banking on a But they have raised alarm both have failed to clear the As a result, CDU leader to broaden a coalition beyond behind by former vice presi- 4.8 percent. strong showing in South Caro- among some Democrats that five-percent hurdle needed and Merkel’s heir apparent the narrow limits of leftist dent Joe Biden at 19.6 percent Sanders was quick to claim lina, where Biden has enjoyed he will make an easy target for to enter parliament, the poll Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer voters, undercutting the argu- and Pete Buttigieg, the former victory, saying his “multi-gen- support among a majority- President Donald Trump as a suggested. announced her resignation, ment from several moderates mayor of South Bend, Indiana, erational, multi-racial coali- black Democratic electorate. radical leftist, and that if he With the marked boost for throwing open the question of that he would not be able to at 15.3 percent. tion” was “going to sweep this But after Sanders came in heads the Democratic ticket in the Greens and grinding down who will succeed the veteran bridge the divide between pro- Senators Elizabeth Warren country.” virtually tied for first in Iowa November the party could face of the formerly dominant CDU chancellor following elections gressives and centrists. and Amy Klobuchar trailed at, Dean said the senator’s re- and then won last week in New sweeping losses. and SPD, Hamburg’s results next year at the latest. Trump advisor asserts seeing no intel of Russia meddling Sandstorm forces closure of airports on Spain’s Canary Islands AFP as a “non-story.” to have dressed down Maguire as the acting DNI was up in a WasHiNgToN Shelby Pierson, an aide to in a tense Oval Office meeting. week or two.” AFP eight airports in the Canaries -- acting intelligence chief Jo- On Wednesday, he replaced On Twitter, Trump has mADRID the three in Gran Canaria and PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s seph Maguire, reportedly told I haven’t seen any him with Richard Grenell, a dismissed the reports of the Tenerife as well as five others. national security advisor said members of the House Intel- intelligence that Russia is Trump loyalist who is ambas- intelligence warning as a “ru- AIRPORTS on Spain’s Canary AENA said flights were being on Sunday he had seen no ligence Committee in a classi- doing anything to attempt sador to Germany. mor” and a “hoax,” as he did Islands were closed again on diverted to mainland Spain as intelligence that Russia was fied briefing February 13 that to get President Trump Maguire had been consid- after the US intelligence com- Sunday after a sandstorm hit well as to Cape Verde, Moroc- again meddling in the US elec- Russia was again meddling ered the favorite to be nomi- munity concluded Russia in- the archipelago, airport au- co, Mauritania and Portugal. tions in favor of his boss. in the US elections and had re-elected. our message to nated to the post on a perma- terfered in the 2016 election to thorities said. In a tweet, Transport Min- The assertions by Nation- developed a preference for the Russians is stay out of nent basis. help him win. Air travel was first dis- ister Jose Luis Abalos thanked al Security Advisor Robert Trump. the US elections. But O’Brien insisted that Separately, US officials rupted on the archipelago on these countries for their “soli- O’Brien followed this week’s O’Brien said he had not Maguire was replaced because were reported to have briefed Saturday after strong winds darity” and said air transport ouster of the acting director of spoken with Pierson but National Security Advisor his term as acting director of Vermont Senator Bernie Sand- carrying red sand from the professionals “do not remem- national intelligence after an said he had been briefed by Robert O’Brien national intelligence was up ers, the frontrunner in the race Sahara shrouded the tourist ber such adverse weather for aide had warned Congress of Maguire and CIA chief Gina on March 11. for the Democratic nomina- hotspot, forcing flights to and air transport in the Canary the meddling. Haspel “and I have not heard Russia is doing anything to at- “The president was not tion, that Russia was also in- from the islands of Gran Ca- Islands.” The regional govern- “I haven’t seen any intel- that analysis or seen any intel tempt to get President Trump angry with Joe Maguire,” terfering to help his campaign. naria and Tenerife to be can- ment declared a state of alert ligence that Russia is doing along those lines.” re-elected, and our message to O’Brien said. “He thinks very “My message to Putin is celled or diverted. on Saturday and advised peo- anything to attempt to get “Who knows what hap- the Russians is stay out of the highly of Admiral Maguire, clear: stay out of American Some flights briefly re- ple to keep doors and windows President Trump re-elected,” pened at the House and the US elections,” O’Brien said. and would elect him to stay elections, and as president I sumed Sunday morning be- closed, avoid non-essential O’Brien said on ABC’s ‘This intelligence committee, but I Trump, after learning of in government in a different will make sure that you do,” fore Spanish airport operator car travel and stay away from Week’, dismissing the reports haven’t seen any evidence that the House briefing, is reported role, but as you know, his time Sanders said in a statement. AENA was forced to close all coastal areas.

Police at checkpoints, events cancelled as virus fears shake Italy further contagion and prompt- ralysis,” read La Repubblica. ple in 11 towns have been or- Eleven villages are under lockdown, ed the government to effective- Health officials in Lom- dered not to leave their areas, ly quarantine 11 villages. bardy region, the centre of most of them centred around with residents prohibited from leaving High profile events in- Italy’s coronavirus outbreak, the small town of Codogno, cluding fashion shows in Mi- said an elderly woman being about 70 kilometres (43 AFP became the third person who lan, Serie A football matches treated in hospital for cancer miles) southeast of Milan. CodogNo has tested positive for the vi- and the last days of the Venice who had tested positive for Italian Prime Minister Gi- rus to die since Friday in the Carnival have been disrupted, the virus had died. useppe Conte said on Satur- POLICE patrolled the perim- country. even those well outside the If coronavirus is deter- day that residents could face eters of virus-stricken north- The head of Italy’s civil lockdown areas. mined to be the cause of weeks of lockdown, enough ern Italian towns on Sunday protection department, Ange- “Virus -- Northern Italy death, the woman will be the time for any potential infec- as Italy put tens of thousands lo Borrelli, said during a news under Siege,” read Sunday’s third person in Italy to have tion to incubate. of people under lockdown conference that 152 people headline in the Il Fatto Quo- died from COVID-19, the of- In one affected village, and cancelled festivals and had now tested positive for tidiano daily, as television ficial name of the disease that Casalpusterlengo, police set up sporting events in an attempt the virus, including the three stations delivered a steady was first detected in China at checkpoints to stop all vehicles to halt Europe’s worst out- deceased. stream of images of masked the end of last year and has travelling in both directions on Women wearing respiratory masks walk across Piazza del Duomo in break of the new coronavirus. The mounting number of locals and hospital workers since spread across the world. the road that leads to Codogno, central Milan on Sunday. (aFP) An elderly cancer patient infections has sparked fears of in protective suits. “Virus Pa- In Italy over 50,000 peo- a 10 minute drive away. UK digital bank serves clients shunned by big lenders Page 15

Monday, February 24, 2020

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Amir’s visit to boost al khaliji okays dividend of Qatari investments in QR0.075 per share at AGM Jordan: QC chairman QNA DohA Shareholders endorse financial statement for 2019, reflecting a net profit after tax of QR646 mn THE Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Thani’s visit to Jordan on DohA Sunday will boost Qatari in- vestments in that country, THE board of directors of the Qatar Chamber Chairman Al Khalij Commercial Bank Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim (al khaliji) approved a cash al Thani has said. dividend of 7.5 percent or In an interview with the QR0.075 per share at its an- Lusail newspaper, Sheikh nual general meeting (AGM) Khalifa said the Amir’s Jor- held in Doha on Sunday. dan visit, which is part his The shareholders en- tri-nation tour that also Qatar chamber chairman dorsed the financial state- includes Tunisia and Alge- Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al ments for the fiscal year that ria, will benefit the private Thani ended on December 31, 2019, sectors of the two countries which reflected a net profit af- and will lead to greater re- ter tax of QR646 million. alisation of mutual invest- Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal ment opportunities. bin Thani al Thani, chairman A high-level Qatari A high-level Qatari trade and managing director of al trade delegation will visit delegation will visit khaliji, presented the Board of Jordanian capital Amman Jordanian capital Amman Directors’ report on the bank’s soon, the Qatar Chamber soon. Trade between the activities and financial posi- chairman said, highlighting two countries saw an 18 tion for 2019 and future plans. the “direct impact” the visit “The year 2019 was another will have on the private sec- percent jump in 2018, successful year for al khaliji tors. from QR1.1 billion in 2017 at all levels. We continued Al Khalij Commercial Bank held its annual general meeting of shareholders in Doha on Sunday. The Amir’s visit comes to around QR1.3 billion. our growth in Qatar thanks to at a time when Jordan is the prudent economic policies build on our growth and de- Governance Code of Compa- witnessing an up tick in Qa- Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al and the stable financial sys- liver improved services to our nies and Legal Entities Listed tari investments and bilat- Thani tem of the State of Qatar,” he customers. With our strong on the Primary Market issued eral trade, despite logistical said. financial position, sustain- by Qatar Financial Markets challenges brought about stock markets, Sheikh Khal- “Stability and sustainabil- able profitability and market Authority concerning the by the Saudi-led blockade ifa said. ity were key drivers for grow- share, al khaliji is well posi- bank’s compliance with the on Qatar. Around 175 new Jor- ing our balance sheet while tioned to achieve excellence in Corporate Governance regu- Trade between the two danian companies entered managing risk cautiously. In the market.” lations and Internal Control countries saw an 18 percent the Qatari market in the 2019, the board approved a During the meeting, the over Financial Reporting. jump in 2018, from QR1.1 first nine months of 2019 new mid-term strategy that shareholders reviewed and They also discussed and billion in 2017 to around through partnerships and aims at achieving sustainable endorsed the external audi- endorsed the 2019 Corporate QR1.3 billion (about $200 alliances with Qatari com- growth, creating added value tor’s report on the bank’s ac- Governance Report including million). panies, bringing the total for all stakeholders and pro- chairman and MD Sheikh Group cEo Fahad al Khalifa counts. the remuneration policy of Qatari investments in number of Qatari-Jordani- viding better customer service Hamad bin Faisal bin Thani al Thani Furthermore, the share- the Board and Senior Man- Jordan are diverse and an joint companies operat- while enhancing and promot- office, the al khaliji Tower, holders reviewed and en- agement. They approved the distributed across several ing in the Qatari market to ing al khaliji’s reputation in milestone in the development in the heart of Lusail City. dorsed the External Auditor’s appointment of Deloitte and sectors such as energy, real 1,725 as against 1,550 by the the banking sector. of the Bank as we inaugurated Shifting to our new headquar- Report on the requirements of Touch as external auditors for estate, tourism, finance and end of 2018, he added. “2019 marked a significant our new purpose-built head ter supports our strategy to Article (24) of the Corporate the fiscal year 2020. MoCI organises workshop Coronavirus puts global recovery at risk: IMF on business reforms in Qatar AFP RIYADh QNA reforms in this regard so that DohA the investor can obtain the THE deadly coronavirus epi- service in a short time. demic could put an already A workshop organised on When introducing the fragile global economy recov- Sunday by the Ministry of contract enforcement index, ery at risk, the IMF warned Commerce and Industry New law he said that a new commercial Sunday, as G20 financial (MoCI) highlighted the re- court specializing in commer- chiefs discussed ways to con- forms related to facilitating one of the speakers of the cial matters is being estab- tain its economic ripple ef- business environment proce- workshop highlighted a new lished with the aim of provid- fects. dures in Qatar at the various law that would allow ing costs and time for litigants Global growth was poised legislative, organisational and companies to mortgage their and expediting the resolu- for a modest rebound to 3.3 administrative levels that will transferred assets, which tion of disputes, in addition percent this year, up from enhance the competitiveness would enable them (especially to working to develop a new 2.9 percent last year, Inter- of the Qatari economy. small and medium law on mediation to resolve national Monetary Fund chief The workshop, which was enterprises) to obtain disputes amicably to motivate Kristalina Georgieva said after attended by representatives of financing from banks, and parties to resolve their com- a two-day meeting of G20 fi- various business sectors in the mercial and civil disputes in nance ministers and central country, focused on the sys- work to create an electronic an amicable manner. bank governors in Riyadh. tems that have been adopted record based on electronic For his part, Bakhit Alab- “The projected recovery... to develop the business envi- notices, managed by Qatar haq, from the General Author- is fragile,” Georgieva said. ronment according to an inte- Central Securities Depository. ity of Customs, gave a presen- “The COVID-19 virus -- a The deadly coronavirus epidemic will dent global growth, the IMF warned, as G20 finance ministers and grative perspective, as well as tation on “Al-Nadeeb” system, global health emergency -- central bank governors weighed its economic ripple effects at a two-day gathering in riyadh. (AFP) highlighting new reforms and medium enterprises) to ob- stressing that this system is has disrupted economic activ- future changes in this regard. tain financing from banks, a leap for Qatari customs in ity in China and could put the even in the case of rapid con- to shield the world economy no Le Maire, who attended Nasser al Taweel, advisor and work to create an elec- terms of using the best of what recovery at risk,” she said in a tainment of the virus, growth -- already facing a slowdown the G20 talks. to the Minister of Finance, tronic record based on elec- has been achieved in modern statement. in China and the rest of the -- from the impact of the out- “The risk is now con- made a presentation on do- tronic notices, managed by technology, whether in hard- Alarm has been growing world would be impacted,” break. firmed, and so is the impact ing business in Qatar 2020, Qatar Central Securities De- ware, software, systems and over the new virus as Chinese she said. The gathered financial on the global economy, and in light of the reforms that pository. databases. authorities lock down mil- The IMF projects a “V- leaders vowed to “enhance it is a real concern for all G20 the country has witnessed He explained that this sys- Sarah al Obaidly from the lions of people to prevent its shaped, rapid recovery” for global risk monitoring” of the members.” and the facilities it granted to tem also depends on interna- Ministry of Commerce and In- spread, with major knock-on the global economy, but given outbreak, according to the Georgieva warned the business owners in its efforts tional best practices and will dustry made a presentation on effects economically. the uncertainty around the G20 final communique. global economy faced other to attract more direct invest- enable the current person to the one window system for es- The virus has now claimed spread of the virus, Georgieva “We stand ready to take risks including rising debt ments and support the pri- register mortgages electroni- tablishing companies and its 2,442 lives in China, cutting urged the financial leaders further action to address levels in some countries as vate sector. cally via the Internet without role in facilitating registration off transportation, disrupting to “prepare for more adverse these risks,” it said. well as climate change, but in He reviewed a number of the need to visit the men- and licensing procedures for trade and fanning investor scenarios”. Paris on Friday an- particular urged G20 nations indicators in this regard. tioned company, and the sys- businesses in the State of Qa- alarm as businesses are forced At the meeting in Saudi nounced several measures to to cooperate to contain the When reviewing the index tem will also be available to tar and encouraging domestic to close their doors. Arabia, the first Arab nation assist French companies af- spread of the virus. of obtaining credit as one of the public for research. and foreign investments. Georgieva told the Riyadh to hold the G20 presidency, fi- fected by the fallout from the “COVID-19 is a stark re- the indicators of facilitating He also touched on the Khaled al Marzouqi from gathering that the outbreak nancial leaders also discussed epidemic. minder of our interconnec- the business environment, index of obtaining electricity the Ministry of Municipal- would shave about 0.1 per- ways to achieve consensus on “We are ready to take any tions and the need to work he pointed to a new law that for companies and facilities ity and Environment gave a centage points from global a global taxation system for additional measures if neces- together,” Georgieva said. “In would allow companies to witnessed by this sector, such presentation on the system growth and constrain China’s the digital era by the end of sary to cope with a possible this regard, the G20 is an im- mortgage their transferred as reducing the number of of obtaining building permits growth to 5.6 percent this 2020. worsening of the impact on portant forum to help put the assets, which would enable procedures to only one proce- and facilities provided in this year. But at the core of the dis- the global economy,” said global economy on a more them (especially small and dure instead of four and other regard. “I reported to the G20 that cussions was an action plan French Finance Minister Bru- sound footing.” 14 Monday, February 24, 2020 economy & business

Organisers and sponsors of the inaugural edition of ‘Build Your House 2020 Exhibition’ after addressing a press conference in Doha on Sunday. Over 120 entities to participate in Build Your House 2020 exhibition SATYENDRA PATHAK DohA

N a major step towards catering to the fast-growing housing market for nationals in Qatar, more than 120 firms and government entities are all set to display their products andI services at the inaugural edition of Build Your House 2020 Exhibition. According to a market data pro- vided by Build Your House Exhibi- tion, Qatar will spend $12 billion over five years to develop new housing for nationals. Founded in Qatar and specially designed for the local market, the ex- hibition is aimed at assisting Qatari nationals understand the processes and procedures involved in building a personal residence. To be held under the patronage of the Prime Minister and the Minis- ter of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al Thani, the first-of-its-kind exhibition will take place from March 2 to March 4 at the Build Your house is a first-of-its-kind exhibition Qatar National Convention Center to be held in Qatar and its value and need in (QNCC) in Doha. the market is validated by the tremendous Organised by NeXTFairs, the exhi- bition will feature exhibitors who will response we have received from exhibitors, introduce visitors to the latest technol- industry leaders and customers. the exhibition spaces are ogies and materials used in building, architecture, and interior designs. completed booked, which is a clear indication of the high Addressing a press conference demand for such events in Qatar. to provide details about the upcom- ing exhibition in Doha on Sunday, NeXTfairs Managing Director Rawad Sleem NeXTfairs Managing Director Raw- ad Sleem said, “Build Your House is a first-of-its-kind exhibition to be held in Qatar and its value and need tion. Qatari attendees will have the be instrumental in helping Qatari na- the right advice, inspiration, ideas, in the market is validated by the tre- opportunity to look up consultants, tionals find the appropriate consult- and knowledge to their next projects,” mendous response we have received contractors and suppliers who match ant and contractor and the mecha- Sleem said. “There is a lot of interest from exhibitors, industry leaders and their project requirement, and also nisms and conditions of obtaining the among Qatari nationals to take part customers. The exhibition spaces are check for best quality and better pric- licenses and loans. in these seminars and workshops as completed booked, which is a clear in- es,” he said. Highlighting that housing con- we have witnessed a large number of dication of the high demand for such “Our objective is based on deliver- struction or renovation is not an easy them registering for their participa- events in Qatar’s housing sector.” ing a clearer environment for Qataris process and it involves going through tion,” he said. Right from the time when we to understand the construction pro- a lot of government procedures and “This overwhelming response planned to hold such an exhibition involves much decision making, he has encouraged us to organise more in Qatar, he said, “We have received said, “In addition to the exhibition, such informational events for Qatari great support from ministries and Build Your House 2020 will also have nationals. We are also delighted by government entities. Qatar’s govern- a wide range of free workshops and the support and cooperation we have ment has allocated a huge budget seminars which will offer information received from the ministries and gov- worth QR10 billion annually for the from laws and building processes to ernment officials who will be present processing of lands for Qatari citizens $12 bn market designs and latest trends.” at the exhibition, hosting workshops with a total of 2,487 housing vouchers The workshops will be divided and seminars to share their knowl- to be issued in 2020. This is aimed at According to a market data provided into popular themes inspired from edge with the visitors. We would like achieving prosperity and social stabil- by Build Your house Exhibition, Qatar what’s happening from around the to encourage visitors to register on the ity for citizens.” will spend $12 billion over five years world, making it more relevant and Build Your House website to ensure “We feel this is the right time to to develop new housing for nationals. interesting. “More than 30 top-notch that they secure a space at the work- host this high-profile exhibition that Qatar’s government has allocated a speakers will address the workshops shops and seminars,” he said. will pave the way for Qataris to get huge budget worth QR10 billion to be organised by both private and Supported by the Ministry of Com- hold of best of solutions and a clear annually for the processing of lands public sector entities,” he said. merce and Trade, Ministry of Mu- understanding of the processes in- These seminars and workshops nicipality & Environment, Ministry of volved in personal residence con- for Qatari citizens with a total of are aimed at providing Qatari na- Administrative Development Labor & struction,” he said. 2,487 housing vouchers to be tionals with latest information about Social Affairs, Ashghal and Civil De- This comprehensive exhibition issued in 2020 modern technologies and building fence, the Build Your House 2020 part- will create a platform for local SMEs materials used in interior design, ar- ners and sponsors include Kahramaa as as well to showcase and promote their cess to perfectly achieve their project, chitecture and constriction. Strategic Partner, Tadmur Trading as services to the final and most praised as well as requirements for design “All these information will add the Founding Partner, Interior Treas- consumer in Qatar, he said. and contracting, while always keep- great value for those planning to build ure as official sponsor, SEIB insurance “The event will contribute in ing close attention to work progress,” a new house, renovate their existing as the Insurance Partner and The Ar- changing the local construction cul- he said. The exhibition will act as an houses or add to the current develop- chitects Hub as the Knowledge Partner. ture and create a better environment awareness campaign which will be ment. Participants will also get to ex- Living Spirit and Falcon Kitchen Equip- in the construction sector for Qatari very useful to explain the challenges plore new and smart methods to build ment Company are the Gold Sponsors nationals. The exhibition will be vi- that can face the individual during the or renovate their houses in cost-effec- while the Silver sponsors include Sky- tal in ensuring better transparency stage of building the house and how to tive, modern, stylish ways. The expert line Engineering Consultants, New Vi- among contractors, consultants and avoid them. speakers will share their experience sion Contracting, Al Jaber AC & Lift suppliers towards a healthy competi- In addition, he said, the expo will and know-how to give participants Systems and Oryx Marble and Granite. economy & business Monday, February 24, 2020 15 Argentina agrees to Coronavirus hits cargo shipping, IMF talks aimed at new financing option spreads global economic strain AFP discussed,” Georgieva said. BUEnoS AIRES Argentina’s economy ministry issued a similar The world’s largest shipper, China, is under lockdown and that is threatening the structure of global trade ARGENTINA and the IMF statement on engaging in announced Saturday that talks with the global financ- AFP they have agreed to start ing institution. LonDon talks aimed at reaching a Negotiations will con- new financing agreement for tinue Monday as Guzman SEA freight transport, the the heavily indebted South meets with IMF experts in lifeblood of trade and a bell- American nation. Washington, an economy wether of the global economy, The announcement in ministry spokesman told has been blown off course by statements by both parties AFP. the new coronavirus, sparking came after a meeting be- Argentina’s economy general alarm. tween IMF Managing Direc- shrank by 2.1 percent in As analysts pore over tor Kristalina Georgieva and 2019, the state statistics charts to gauge just how badly Argentine Economy Minis- institute said Friday. The Chinese mega-factories have ter Martin Guzman on the been hit, figures provided sidelines of a G-20 meeting by cargo ship traffic paint a in Riyadh. gloomy picture. The meeting came days The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) after IMF experts concluded reflects the daily price of mov- that Argentina’s debt is un- ing goods such as coal, rice and sustainable. Heavily indebted wheat along routes deemed Argentine President Al- representative of the global berto Fernandez hopes to Argentine President Alberto market. renegotiate $195 billion of its Fernandez hopes to Some call it the canary in $311 billion foreign debt, in- renegotiate $195 billion of the coal mine for the economic cluding a deeply unpopular its $311 billion foreign world. $57 billion IMF bailout loan debt, including a deeply The BDI has now reached in 2018. unpopular $57 billion ImF lows last seen in early 2016, Fernandez, who took bailout loan in 2018. when the shipping sector was office in December, has re- suffering a supply and demand fused the final $13 billion Fernandez, who took office imbalance in the wake of the China does not just produce goods but is also a major consumer with a booming middle class and the world’s largest population. disbursement of the loan, in December, has refused 2008-09 global economic cri- leaving Argentina’s exposure the final $13 billion sis. has banned its sailors from In addition to importing ground. at $44 billion. disbursement of the loan, Its “capesize” index for going on shore and stopped raw materials -- Chinese fac- But no one can be sure “Minister Guzman and I leaving Argentina’s the largest category of ships -- relieving its crews at Chinese tories consume nearly 40 per- when that will be -- or if the had a very fruitful exchange exposure at $44 billion. ones that cannot even squeeze ports, resulting in considerable The latest slump is directly cent of metals produced in the world has avoided another vi- of views on the country’s through the Suez or Panama disruptions. related to the coronavirus world -- the factory slowdown ral wave that reaches pandem- challenges, and the path Canals -- is at historic lows. “The coronavirus epidemic has forced the world’s largest ic proportions. forward to ensure a more country has been in reces- “The latest slump is di- is a very serious event for the epidemic in China and the shipper to brace for the year Some shipowners, inter- sustainable and inclusive sion since mid-2018 as pov- rectly related to the corona- market,” Antoine Person, a top subsequent restrictions on ahead. mediaries and other market growth for Argentina,” Geor- erty and unemployment rise, virus epidemic in China and executive at the firm, told AFP. activity. Denmark’s AP Moller- actors said factors such as gieva said in a statement. with inflation surpassing 50 the subsequent restrictions China does not just pro- Maersk said Thursday that which way the unpredictable “I commended the ef- percent over the last year. on activity,” London’s Capital duce goods but is also a ma- London’s Capital Economics the outbreak has “significantly Sino-US trade war goes would forts thus far, under the Argentina’s ability to Economics consultancy said in jor consumer with a booming consultancy lowered visibility on what to weigh as well. leadership of ... Fernandez, service its debt deteriorated a research note. middle class and the world’s expect in 2020”. Person, the Louis Dreyfus to put in place a set of poli- markedly compared to the “Given that China accounts largest population. “We expect a weak start to Armateurs executive, said that cies to stabilize the economy IMF’s last analysis in July for about 40 percent of global It accounts for “about 35 repercussions. the year,” it warned. “new shipping standards and and to reduce poverty.” 2019, the fund said earlier, seaborne trade, it is not so sur- percent of all seaborne dry “Power generation in Chi- weather events are also behind Georgieva said she dis- when the amount owed was prising that freight rates have bulk imports in the world,” Os- na has dropped and steel mills Seasonal swings the fall in the BDI.” cussed with Guzman plans manageable. tanked.” tereng of Arctic Securities said. are reportedly cutting capacity Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, The weather, for one, will “to secure a sustainable and Since then the peso had Lars Bastian Ostereng, an With the number of re- utilisation which, respectively, the international business certainly improve, and the ex- orderly resolution” to his depreciated by over 40 per- analyst with Norway’s Arctic ported deaths from COVID-19 point to lower demand for coal editor of The Daily Telegraph, tended Lunar New Year festivi- country’s debt situation, and cent, international reserves Securities, said the outbreak now above 2,400 and swathes and iron ore,” Capital Econom- wrote on Thursday that the ties in China have ended, rais- welcomed Argentina’s com- declined by about $20 bil- “basically led to full stops in of the country under effective ics wrote. shipping collapse was “threat- ing some hopes. mitment “to deepen our en- lion, and real GDP contract- many ports in China”. lockdown for a second month, That in turn reduces Chi- ening weeks of chaos for man- But Chinese factories gagement including through ed more than previously pro- Chinese demand might suffer nese imports of coal and steel ufacturing supply lines and are still experiencing severe an Article IV Consultation jected. ‘Free fall’ for months to come, Ostereng produced in places such as the broader structure of global worker shortages and Evans- and steps toward a Fund- Argentina is battling to Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, said. Australia and Brazil, impacting trade”. Pritchard is unconvinced. supported program in the avoid another situation like a global merchant based in This would impact ex- their economies. He conceded that optimists “Fiscal stimulus is coming future. 2001 when it defaulted on France, is one of many ship- ports to China from around The price of shipping both expect Chinese demand and but the transmission channels “The modalities of these $100 billion, becoming a ping giants approaching China the world, including the commodities is reflected in the factory output to explode once will remain blocked as long as next steps will continue to be market pariah. with caution. United States and Europe, BDI index, which is in “free the restrictions end and busi- the lockdown measures stay in The 169-year-old company with accompanying political fall”, Capital Economics said. nesses try to make up for lost place,” he wrote. UK digital bank serves clients shunned by big lenders AFP dicament. ing facilities -- but it does not only operate online carry out delivery service Deliveroo. LonDon In the nation’s booming currently offer credit. checks to verify the identity of Britain’s traditional bank- financial technology or fintech “Monese was born from new applicants to help fight ing sector, which is still reel- AMONG Britain’s digital app- sector, mobile phone app- my own very personal frustra- money laundering. ing from the 2008 global fi- based banks that are attract- based “neo-banks” such as tion,” Koppel explained. The app aims to compete nancial crisis and a string of ing moneyed urban millen- Revolut, Monzo and Starling “When I moved to the with Revolut and Monzo, product mis-selling scandals, nials is Monese, which also have established themselves country I couldn’t open a which have eight million and retains a strong grip on per- courts customers neglected as plucky upstarts. simple account and I thought three million customers re- sonal banking, experts say. by the country’s established Koppel’s lender Monese maybe that is something that spectively in a fiercely com- Warwick University’s An- lenders. joined them, expanding to 31 can be done. petitive market. dreas Kokkinis, who specialis- In early 2000, Estonia- nations in Europe with two “Monese is built for people Monese expects to turn a es in corporate law and finan- born entrepreneur Norris million customers in only five who are moving to a different profit by 2021. cial regulation, told AFP that Koppel arrived in Britain and years of operation. country, starting a new life, Monese, which has a glob- fintech was gaining a foothold spotted a major gap in UK “Investor trust in Fintechs finding a better job, retiring, al workforce of roughly 400 however. banking for newly-arrived for- and the amount of investment going for studies, or getting people, describes itself as the “The six biggest UK banks eigners who had trouble open- being poured into neo-banks Estonia-born entrepreneur Norris Koppel, founder and CEO of mobile married somewhere else,” he “Uber of banking”, in refer- have 87 percent of the market ing traditional accounts. is actually very significant; phone app-based ‘neo-bank’, Monese. added. ence to the popular ride-hail- share for current accounts so Koppel was snubbed by it hasn’t really slowed down. In Britain, around 80 per- ing app. the remaining 13 percent is banks owing to a lack of ad- 2019 was definitely a peak ing is going through funda- top of that wave.” cent of Monese customers are “It’s a good comparison,” split amongst smaller conven- dress documents and no point so let’s see how 2020 mental changes .. and there The company describes it- foreigners whose salary goes Koppel said, noting that it was tional banks and building so- credit history -- and vowed goes,” Koppel told AFP. are a group of neo-banks in- self as an electronic money in- directly into their account. used by a lot of gig-economy cieties, and challenger banks,” to help those in a similar pre- “It’s very clear that bank- cluding Monese who are on stitution that provides bank- Groups like Monese that workers at Uber and takeaway he said.

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Monday, February 24, 2020 attiyah layS doWn Marker The Qatar’s ace rallyist wins first stage, opens a comfortable lead in Toyota Hilux; Khalid al Mohannadi impresses in T3 action

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK two Polaris RZRs battling it out for times. We thought it was fixed but, from LUSAIL stage honours. the start, it was misfiring all the time in Khalid al Mohannadi and Sébastien first, second and third gear. It was like LOCAL star Nasser bin Saleh al At- Delaunay clocked the fastest time of 2hr no fuel going to the engine. I just drive tiyah and French navigator Matthieu 01min 39sec to claim the early T3 brag- one kilometre and the engine went off. Baumel opened up a comfortable lead ging rights and win the opening round We stopped for half an hour, then the of five minutes and 50 seconds after the of the Manateq Qatar National Baja. The engine started and we drove back to the opening 171.25km selective section of Can-Am crew finished 35 seconds ahead stage start.” the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally of American racer Austin Jones and his Day one also included the first of (MQCCR) on Sunday. Brazilian teammate Gustavo Gugelmin. three rounds of the Manateq Qatar Na- Attiyah led the day’s stage from Defending FIA Baja world champions, tional Baja with the entire day’s route start-to-finish in his Toyota Hilux. He Fedor Vovobyev and Kirill Shubin, were counting as a scoring round of the five- had edged 27.2 seconds in front of Ya- third, 10min 52sec behind the Qatari, event series. Twenty-one vehicles were zeed al Rajhi by the first checkpoint and after a rear puncture and a minor trans- eligible for championship points and gradually pulled away from his rival to mission issue. Saleh al Saif and Ahmed victory on the day fell easily to Khalid al reach the finish of the stage, south of al Kuwari were fourth and fifth. Mohannadi. Doha, with an impressive advantage. Overnight T3 leader Mohannadi He guided his Extreme Plus Po- The six-time event winner Attiyah said: “Today, the strategy was not too laris RXR 1000 to a 15min 50sec vic- said: “It’s never easy because the road is much speed. No damage to the tyres tory over the Can-Am of Saleh al Saif. Khalid al Mohannadi of Qatar during the first stage action on Sunday. really difficult from the beginning. We and we finished. Sébastien is a very good Ahmed al Kuwari, Mohammed al Har- didn’t make any mistakes, except one co-driver, so no mistakes today. We will qan and Rashid al Mohannadi rounded flat tyre, and then we need to manage check our strategy in the morning when off the top five. without any mistakes and without get- Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah we see the road book and the route.” The 1993 regional rally champion ting lost. We have a good pace. Tomor- Runner-up Jones added: “I drove at Sheikh Hamed bin Eid al Thani retired row is a long stage. Always in Qatar we “It was hard to get a rhythm to- 50 percent all day. I just wanted to get a his GMC after a fuel leak and a small have flat tyres but we try to manage with day for us with the navigation and good groove with my new navigator. We fire. Retirements also affected Adel a good speed.” with the car, to go like we used to do,” rode about four kilometres together the Abdulla and Hajri’s local champion- Saudi Arabian Rajhi and Ulster said Przygonski. “We will try and fix other day. That is all. I drove slow, we ship aspirations. co-driver Michael Orr finished the some navigation problems between took our time and wanted to see what The day’s stage features two pas- day in a solid second place in the us and the cooperation tomorrow will the rest of the competition was about. sage controls on the Umm Bab High- second of the Toyotas, despite losing be good. We changed a back tyre near Now we know where we are at, second way and on the Al Khararra road after their way for a short time between the finish.” place is good and we are excited to get it 54.07km and 93.61km, respectively, 98km and 101km of the stage. Rajhi The Toyota trio were the class of the going for the longer stages. It’s hard to before finishing on the Sealine road to said: “We have one puncture today, T1 field – Abdullah al Rabban led rivals read the terrain. It’s all the same colour the south of Doha. after 120km, and we had no brakes Mohammed al Meer and Balazs Szalay and very challenging. It’s hard to drive. I Monday’s second leg is more de- before the finish for 40km.” early in the special, before stopping after cannot imagine trying to navigate.” manding and includes a competitive Poland’s Jakub Przygonski marked PC1 with broken suspension after an ac- Qatar’s Adel Abdulla was debuting section of 334.25km. The timed action his first competitive appearance with cident. Szalay went on to finish the spe- his new G-Force T3 GF but stopped starts off the Al Shamal highway and the Overdrive Racing team with a third cial in 14th place, over an hour behind early in the stage with electrical issues. winds its way along the north-eastern Jakub Przygonski of Poland and co-driver Timo Gottschalk of the quickest time alongside German team- the leading Toyota trio after losing his Veteran Mubarak alHajri also stopped coast and across the northern deserts Netherlands had their first competitive drive in Toyota Hilux mate Timo Gottschalk. Jakub stopped way for a time after 65km of the stage. before PC1. to finish off the Al Kharsaah road. The overdrive on Sunday. for a short time on the run in to the fin- Meer came home in 15th. Adel Abdulla said: “Before the race day’s stage includes three passages con- ish and reached Lusail 10min, 47sec be- A fascinating tussle was seen in we had an electrical problem. The car trols on the Al Zubara and Al Jumailah hind the leader, but well clear of fourth- the T3 category with seven Can-Ams, did North Forest (Baja Russia). They roads and the Dukhan highway and fin- placed Khalid al Mohannadi. a pair of OT3s, a G-Force T3 GF and tried to fix it. It was misfiring some- ishes 92.44km from Lusail.

MANATEQ QCCR 2020 STAGE 1 RESULTS

2020 Manateq QCCR – positions after SS1 (unofficial): 1. nasser bin Saleh al attiyah (Qat)/matthieu Baumel (fra) toyota hilux overdrive 1hr 32min 28sec 2. Yazeed al rajhi (SaU)/michael orr (gBr) toyota hilux overdrive 1hr 38min 18sec 3. Jakub Przygonski (PoL)/timo gottschalk (deU) toyota hilux overdrive 1hr 43min 15sec 4. Khalid al mohannadi (Qat)/Sébastien delaunay (fra) Polaris rZr 1000 turbo (t3) 2hr 01min 39sec 5. austin Jones (USa)/gustavo gugelmin (Bra) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 02min 14sec 6. fedor Vorobyev (rUS)/Kirill Shubin (rUS) ot3 by overdrive (t3) 2hr 12min 31sec 7. Saleh al Saif (SaU)/ali hassan obaid (are) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 17min 29sec 8. ahmed al Kuwari (Qat)/manuel Lucchese (ita) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 23min 43sec 9. mohammed al harqan (Qat)/Vili oslaj (SLo) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 26min 32sec 10. aleksey Shmotov (rUS)/andrey rudnitski (rUS) can-am maverick (t3) 2hr 28min 12sec 11. gonzalo guayasamin (ecU)/ricardo torlaschi (arg) Polaris rZr 1000 turbo (t3) 2hr 30min 38sec 12. Kees Koolen (nLd)/Serge Bruynkens (BeL) ot3 by overdrive (t3) 2hr 32min 09sec 13. rashed al mohannadi (Qat)/Pedro Santos (Prt) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 35min 24sec 14. Balazs Szalay (hUn)/Laszlo Bunnozci (hUn) opel grandland X 2ht 36min 48sec 15. mohammed al meer (Qat)/alexey Kuzmich (rUS) chevrolet Buggy 3hr 57min 33sec

2020 Manateq Qatar National Baja – round 1 positions (unofficial): 1. Khalid al mohannadi (Qat)/Sébastien delaunay (fra) Polaris rZr 1000 turbo (t3) 2hr 01min 39sec 2. Saleh al Saif (SaU)/ali hassan obaid (are) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 17min 29sec 3. ahmed al Kuwari (Qat)/manuel Lucchese (ita) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 23min 43sec 4. mohammed al harqan (Qat)/Vili oslaj (SLo) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 26min 32sec 5. rashed al mohannadi (Qat)/Pedro Santos (Prt) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 35min 24sec 6. ahmed al muhannadi (Qat)/igor okhotnikov (rUS) can-am maverick X3 (t3) 2hr 54min 07sec 7. Jamal fakhroo (Qat)/Saeed Shwareb (Qat) nissan Patrol (t2) 3hr 02min 36sec 8. mohammed al meer (Qat)/alexey Kuzmich (rUS) chevrolet Buggy 3hr 57min 33sec, etc Six-time winner Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah (also in inset picture) drives Toyota Hilux on the way to winning the first stage in the Manateq Qatar cross-country rally 2020 on Sunday.

Kiwis have India on the ropes SA bowlers rally to level T20 series after spirited tail-end resistance AFP Australia on target before PoRT ELIzABETh Smith was caught by a diving AFP Jamieson and Tim Southee wicket generally and day three Faf du Plessis at mid-on for wELLIngTon took four wickets apiece to roll and four is the best time to SOUTH Africa’s bowlers 29 with the total on 98 in the the tourists for 165. bat. If I do my job, we won’t be held their nerve as the hosts 13th over. NEW Zealand quick Trent But he came to the fore on chasing too much.” bounced back from a record Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi, Boult declared himself “happy day three, first with the bat and India lost Prithvi Shaw defeat to win the second Twen- Kagiso Rabada and Anrich to be back” as he bagged three then with figures of three for early in their second innings to ty20 international against Nortje each took a wicket and wickets to leave India strug- 27 as India, the world’s top- give Boult his first wicket and Australia at St George’s Park bowled tight last overs in a gling for survival at stumps on ranked side, looked lost in New he claimed Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday. tense finish, with Warner un- day three of the first Test in Zealand conditions. with the last ball before tea. Opening batsman David able to get enough of the strike Wellington on Sunday. Mayank Agarwal went for Warner hit an unbeaten 67 for to get his team across the line. India, faced with a 183-run 58 soon after the resumption Australia but it wasn’t enough “I thought we were on track first-innings deficit, were 144 Brief scores and Boult removed Virat Kohli as South Africa defended a for most of the chase but we for four at the close, still 39 in India 165 and 144 for 4 (agarwal 58, to have India at 113 for four. modest total of 158 for four to didn’t get that kick at the end arrears after rollicking innings Boult 3-27) trail New Zealand 348 India had their opportu- win by 12 runs and level the South Africa’s lungi Ngidi bowled which we needed,” said Aus- by Boult and Kyle Jamieson (Williamson 89, taylor 44, Jamieson 44, nities to clip New Zealand’s three-match series. well at the end on Sunday. (AFP) tralian captain Finch. pushed New Zealand to 348. Sharma 5-68, ashwin 3-99) by 39 runs wings. They opened the day Australia lost three wick- “South Africa bowled beau- Ajinkya Rahane was un- with two wickets in the first ets for eight runs in the last 2.1 tifully and they executed bril- beaten on 25 with Hanuma three overs to have New Zea- overs to finish on 146 for six. second over, bowled by Pat were trying to capitalise on liantly under pressure.” Vihari on 15, and spinner Ravi- “I’m just happy to be back land 225 for seven, just 60 It was their first T20 defeat Cummins, and raced to 50 off the powerplay. The series decider takes chandran Ashwin said India out there, it’s been a little frus- runs ahead. in nine matches going back to 31 balls. “We thought 160 was par place on Wednesday at New- were far from raising the white trating on the sidelines,” the But lusty hitting from November 2018. Warner, Aaron Finch and because we know this wicket. lands in Cape Town, the scene flag, although with only six left-armer said. Jamieson with an entertaining South Africa captain Steve Smith got Australia off to It was always going to be more of the ball-tampering scandal wickets remaining, he saw a “If we can get a couple 44 off 45 balls and Boult add- Quinton de Kock was named a similarly fast start but both difficult towards the end.” which led to bans for Smith score around 350 as necessary more early in the first hour (on ing 38 off 24, along with a more man of the match after he teams found scoring increas- South Africa scored 59 runs and Warner. to save the Test. Monday) or so, we should be in sedate 43 from Colin de Grand- slammed 70 off 47 balls to get ingly difficult on a slow pitch for no wicket in the six-over Boult, back in Test cricket a good position.” homme saw New Zealand’s last the home team off to a blaz- with low bounce as the ball lost power play and Australia re- after breaking a hand during Boult credited changing three wickets add 123 runs. ing start as they set out to re- its shine and hardness. sponded with 54 for one. Brief scores the Boxing Day Test in a dis- the angle of delivery as a key Ishant Sharma was the cover from a record 107-run “We realised the new ball Warner and Smith, both South Africa 158 for 4 (de Kock 70, astrous series for New Zealand weapon to upset the Indian most successful of the Indian defeat in the first match in is really key with the bat,” said on their first tour of South Af- richardson 2-21) beat Australia 146 for in Australia, took a back seat batsmen. bowlers with five for 68 while Johannesburg on Friday. De Kock. “It gets more dif- rica since serving a one-year 6 (Warner 67*, ngidi 3-41) by 12 runs in India’s first innings when “We know it’s a very good Ashwin took three for 99. He hit two sixes in the ficult towards the end so we ban for ball-tampering, kept Sports Monday, February 24, 2020 17 Sensational Fury crushes Wilder in heavyweight title rematch

AFP third leaving him on wobbly heavier than the first encoun- LAS vEgAS legs and although he went Fourteen months after their ter at 273 pounds, Fury was down again moments later it dramatic split-decision on the attack early, backing TYSON Fury reigns again as a was ruled a slip. draw, Britain’s Fury domi- Wilder up with his jab and heavyweight world champion A huge left to the body had nated the American cham- landing several hard shots in after battering Deontay Wilder Wilder down again in the fifth, pion – who had blood drip- the opening round. to a stunning seventh-round and Fury was raining blows Fury failed to produce stoppage in their World Box- on Wilder when Bayless called ping from his left ear and the second-round knockout ing Council title rematch. a halt at 1:39 of the seventh leaking from his mouth he had predicted, but he was Fourteen months after round after one of Wilder’s when referee Kenny Bayless clearly in control. The fight, their dramatic split-decision corner team hurled a white called a halt as Wilder’s arguably the biggest heavy- draw, Britain’s Fury dominat- towel into the ring to save him corner threw in the towel. weight collision since Len- ed the American champion – from further punishment. nox Lewis bludgeoned Mike who had blood dripping from A point deduction in the Tyson into submission on his left ear and leaking from fifth round for holding was tled on into round seven. He is the banks of the Mississippi his mouth when referee Kenny barely a blip for a dominant a warrior, he will be back, he River in 2002, drew a star- Bayless called a halt as Wild- Fury. Two of the judges had will be champion again.” studded crowd. er’s corner threw in the towel. the Briton winning every As the pro-Fury crowd Super Bowl Most Valuable “The king has returned to round, while the third judge of 15,816 at the MGM Grand Player Patrick Mahomes was the top of the throne,” said gave one round to Wilder. cheered, Wilder briefly pro- ringside, so were Mark Davis, Fury, who had dropped Wild- The 34-year-old American tested the stoppage. owner of the NFL’s Las Vegas er in the third and fifth rounds suffered his first defeat in 44 “I just wish that my cor- Raiders and Raiders coach as he remained unbeaten fights, falling to 42-1 with 1 ner would have let me went John Gruden. while handing Wilder the first drawn and 41 knockouts. out on my shield,” he said. Retired NBA greats Magic defeat of his career. The “Bronze Bomber” was “I’m a warrior.” Johnson and Jerry West were The self-styled “Gypsy unable to surpass Muhammad Wilder’s fierce punching on hand, as was current Gold- King” from northern England Ali’s record of 10 successful power had been on full display en State Warriors star Dray- – who was carried to the Las heavyweight title defenses. British boxer Tyson Fury celebrates after defeating US boxer Deontay Wilder in the seventh round during when he knocked Fury down mond Green. Vegas ring on a golden throne “Even the greatest have their World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight Championship Title match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena twice in their first fight in Los Former heavyweight – had put on a boxing mas- lost and come back,” Wilder in Las Vegas on Saturday. (AFP) Angeles – the Briton miracu- world champions Mike Tyson, terclass in their first fight on said. “I make no excuses. This lously climbing off the canvas Lennox Lewis and Evander December 1, 2018, but he was is what big-time boxing is all Wladimir Klitschko for the “I just want to say a big outs. “He manned up. he really in the 12th round to hang on Holyfield were acknowledged clearly ready to brawl from the about.” WBA, IBF and WBO belts – shout out to Deontay Wilder,” did show heart of a champion. for a share of the spoils. in the ring before the bout – opening bell on Saturday. Fury regained a piece of and after depression, drink said Fury, who improved his “I hit him with a clean With new trainer Javan a nod to the fact that boxing’s A massive right from Fury the heavyweight title more and drug problems had threat- own unbeaten record to 30-0 right hand and dropped him, “Sugarhill” Steward in his cor- one-time glamour division knocked down Wilder in the than four years after beating ened to end his career. with one drawn and 21 knock- and he got back up and bat- ner, and more than 16 pounds was back in the spotlight. Fernandes lifts Man utd as Wolves, arsenal win

AFP When asked about challeng- LonDon ing for a Champions League spot, he said: “We’re going to MANCHESTER United moved stay focused because the diffi- onto the shoulder of fourth- culty is to sustain your perfor- placed Chelsea on Sunday after mances through the season. brushing aside lowly Watford as “After that, we’ll see, but it’s Wolves and Arsenal also staked about building your team and their claims for Champions getting them ready to compete Glasgow Rangers players celebrate scoring against Aspire Academy League football next season. whenever, wherever.” during their playoff match of the Al Kass International Cup at the With runaway leaders Liv- In the day’s late kick-off, Ar- Aspire Zone on Sunday. erpool looking certain to win senal recovered from a terrible the Premier League, attention start to hand Carlo Ancelotti’s has switched to the race for Everton their first Premier European places, with just 10 League defeat since New Year’s Lindsay stars for points separating fourth-placed Day. Chelsea from Southampton, in Dominic Calvert-Lewin fin- 12th spot. ished acrobatically after Arsenal Rangers; Kozlov New signing Bruno Fer- failed to deal with a free-kick in nandes opened his goalscor- the first minute. ing account for United at Old Arsenal were level in the Trafford from the penalty spot 27th minute when Eddie Nketi- bags hat-trick before impressive second-half ah finished expertly past Jordan goals from Anthony Martial and Pickford from Bukayo Saka’s TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Mason Greenwood sealed a 3-0 cross and six minutes later they DohA win. were ahead when Pierre-Em- It means United, who have erick Aubameyang raced clear GLASGOW Rangers secured struggled to find consistency all and finished coolly. fifth place in the Al Kass In- season, are now in fifth place Everton equalised in first- ternational Cup with a hard- on 41 points, just three adrift of half stoppage time when Rich- earned victory over hosts Aspire Chelsea. arlison got the faintest of touch- Academy. United paid tribute to the es to a header from Yerry Mina Rangers went ahead on late Harry Gregg, hero of the Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during to poke past Bernd Leno but the half-hour mark when Jack 1958 Munich air disaster, be- their English Premier League match against Watford at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday. (AFP) Arsenal retook the lead when Harkness did well to win a fore kick-off at Old Trafford, Aubameyang scored his second header on the halfway line where Fernandes calmed the wants the ball all the time, he return to the lucrative Champi- against bottom-club Norwich at moments after the re-start. and found Robbie Ure, who FC Zenit striker Igor Kozlov reacts nerves in a superb individual wants to conduct the play. ons League after a season away. Molineux. Arsenal survived a late scare fired home. after scoring against Kashiwa display. “I am very pleased for him. “Everyone knows we want Diogo Jota scored twice and to climb to ninth in the table, The Rangers skipper Reysol on Sunday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer He has done something to the to get into the Champions Raul Jimenez poached his 21st two points behind Wolves. grabbed his second on 36 praised his new signing, who crowd. He shows the attributes League places. I am here to help of the campaign early in the As it stands, fifth place could minutes when getting on the Kashiwa Reysol with a 7-1 win picked up the man-of-the- of a Manchester United player. the team conquer this place and second period to leave Norwich be enough to earn a Champions end of Leyton Dunlop’s qual- thanks to a hat-trick by Igor match award for his display He is a great addition to the keep winning games,” he told seven points adrift of safety and League spot because second- ity pass and he should have Kozlov who moved to the top against Watford. squad.” the BBC. looking doomed. placed Manchester City have completed his hat-trick in the of the Al Kass International “He has done fantastic,” Portugal midfielder Fer- Wolves, in eighth place, are Wolves boss Nuno Espirito been banned from Europe’s final minute of the half. Hark- Cup goalscoring charts. said the Norwegian boss. “He nandes is under no illusions just two points behind United Santo said his side had man- elite competition for two sea- ness broke down the right and Kozlov took his tally to six has given everyone a boost. He over his task as United look to after a convincing 3-0 win aged the game well. sons, pending an appeal. set up Ure who hit the bar goals as Zenit won this seventh/ from close range. eighth place play-off at Aspire, Aspire reduced the arrears his first coming inside two min- on 50 minutes when Al-Qurai- utes when sidefooting home shi won and converted a pen- Kirill Stolbov’s cross. alty. The striker was clipped on Zenit doubled their ad- Quartararo tops Qatar test timesheets the ankle by Kelsey Ewen and vantage on seven minutes and fired home the penalty, and again it was Kozlov who found TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Qatar Test Day 2 results just six minutes later Aspire the net. Zenit added a third DohA were level when Abdulaziz Al- in the final minute of the half Day 2 results Naimi tapped home from close when Kozlov beat Isshin Taki- FABIO Quartararo (Petronas 1.fabio Quartararo fra Petronas Yamaha (YZr-m1) 1m 54.038s 52/65 range after a fine cross from zawa and crossed for Evgenii 2.alex rins SPa Suzuki ecstar (gSX-rr) +0.162s 52/53 Yamaha SRT) set the fastest 3. maverick Viñales SPa monster Yamaha (YZr-m1) +0.226s 53/68 Talal Al Shaaibi. Tonevitskii to send a perfectly lap of the Qatar Test to top 4. franco morbidelli ita Petronas Yamaha (YZr-m1) +0.443s 55/70 Rangers went back in front placed header inside the post. the timesheets on Day 2 with 5. francesco Bagnaia ita Pramac ducati (gP20) +0.482s 37/52 on 61 minutes when Icelandic Kovlov completed his hat- a 1:54.038, the Frenchman, 6.Johann Zarco fra reale avintia (gP19) +0.527s 55/56 youngster Johannes Bjarnason, trick and became the leading 7. Joan mir SPa Suzuki ecstar (gSX-rr) +0.574s 23/52 beating Day 1 pacesetter Alex 8. andrea dovizioso ita ducati team (gP20) +0.624s 36/60 back following suspension, fin- scorer in the tournament on Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) by 9. Valentino rossi ita monster Yamaha (YZr-m1) +0.702s 22/52 ished off a great team move in- 53 minutes. 0.162 as Yamaha and Suzuki 10. takaaki nakagami JPn Lcr honda (rc213V) +0.721s 30/43 volving Francis Jacobs, Ure and The Japanese side did grab continue to look very strong. 14. Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +1.055s 26/46 Charlie Lindsay. a consolation goal on 72 min- Third fastest went to Maver- Aspire skipper Mohamed utes when skillful midfielder ick Viñales (Monster Energy Fabio Quartararo of Petronas Yamaha SRT in action on the second adjuster, with Jack Miller Thankfully he was unhurt but Surag showed great skill before Takamu Nakamura found Ota Yamaha MotoGP) as the top day of the Qatar MotoGP Test in Losail on Sunday. (Pramac Racing) admitting at the end of Day 1, the num- hitting the bar in the final 10 Yamamoto whose shot went in trio were split by 0.226. that he’d been using the device ber 93 admitted he’s suffering minutes but Rangers made sure off the post. In the Yamaha camp, P9. Quartararo commented lights go out for Round 1 in a for a number of races – and more here with his shoulder of victory on 89 minutes when Zenit responded by scor- things are looking pretty good that he has a better day than he couple of weeks’ times. that it’s a big help. It’s also than he was at the Sepang Lindsay got on the end of a great ing twice in the space of five if the timesheets is any indica- did on Saturday, however the One team who won’t be worth noting the GP20’s su- Test. Honda, in general, seem pass by Connor Allan. minutes, Nikita Vershinin fir- tor. Quartararo shot to the top Iwata factory are having some benefiting from a holeshot de- perior top speed, with Miller to be struggling slightly in The goal makes him the ing in off the bar on 75 min- with just over an hour and a troubles with engine braking, vice at the opening Grand Prix describing it as a “rocketship” Qatar, Cal Crutchlow (LCR joint top scorer with Igor Kozlov utes and Pshennikov making half of Day 2 remaining with but things don’t seem too bad is Team Suzuki Ecstar. Alex – the Ducatis topping the Honda Castrol) also crashed, of FC Zenit with six goals and it 6-1 two minutes later. the best time of the test, with with all the Yamahas inside Rins and Joan Mir were the timesheets with relative ease. Turn 2 the corner with the also helped to earn his fourth There was still time for Franco Morbidelli (Petronas the top 10 and their holeshot men to beat on Day 1 here but Over at Honda, reigning British rider heading to the man of the match award of the a last-minute goal from Be- Yamaha SRT) claiming P4 and device seems to be a final ver- both had crashes on Day 2. world champion Marc Mar- medical centre afterwards. tournament. lokhonov who netted from Valentino Rossi (Monster En- sion. It remains to be seen Ducati were again using quez (Repsol Honda Team) This ultimately ended Crutch- In the other match, FC close range after a fine cross ergy Yamaha MotoGP) sitting how they utilise that when the their revolutionary ride height suffered a crash at Turn 9. low’s day. Zenit made light work of by Luzan. 18 Monday, February 24, 2020 Sports South Africa battle record entries in al adaid hard to upset desert Challenge 2020 England at TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Women’s T20 WC DohA AFP cial moments and to do that is ORGANISERS of the Al Adaid PERTh (AUSTRALIA) special,” said Du Preez, who Desert Challenge announced a was playing in her 100th T20 strong growth in participation SOUTH Africa’s batters held international. in this year’s event, with the their nerve to deliver a surprise South Africa’s triumph was number of runners reaching six-wicket victory over England just their fourth victory over 625 for the first time in its five- at the women’s T20 World Cup England from 19 T20Is and has year history. in Perth on Sunday. given them a perfect start to The addition of an ‘MTB + The Proteas are making the contend for a first title. Run’ format for 2020 has fur- early running in Group B along South Africa’s impressive ther boosted interest, attract- with the West Indies, who beat performance started as Van ing 50 competitors seeking to newcomers Thailand on Satur- Niekerk’s decision to bowl was add greater challenge to what day. Only the top two from each vindicated when her accurate is already known as ‘the Gulf of the two five-team groups attack restricted England to region’s toughest one-day of- qualify for the knockout phase. 123 for eight off their 20 overs. froad cycling and running Chasing a modest 124, England had started posi- competition’. The event is South Africa appeared in con- tively through opener Amy slated for February 28. trol at 90 for 1 in the 16th over Jones, who hit four boundaries Organisers also face their before the match turned with in her first 13 balls faced before own challenges in making the the wickets of captain Dane van holing out in the fourth over. race ever more appealing. The Niekerk (46) and Marizanne They were then shackled destination this year is the Kapp (38) in quick succession. by disciplined bowling until recently-opened desert resort Needing nine runs off the Natalie Sciver (50) upped the at Al Majles which is has ca- final over, Mignon du Preez ante in the backend of the in- pacity to offer a luxury expe- was the hero with a six off nings, but their total ultimately rience to the expanded field. the third ball of the final over proved not enough. Reaching the new finish line from Katherine Brunt before England will be hot favour- had already required a two- then hitting the winning runs ites in their next game against kilometre course extension (From left) Moza al Muhannadi, Dr. Abdulaziz al Kuwari, Dr. Jamal al Khanji, Dr. Mohammed Jaham al Kuwari and Hassan Ali al Maslamani with a boundary. Thailand in Canberra on and the addition of an eighth during a press conference of the Al Adaid Desert Challenge in Doha on Sunday. The event will take place on February 28. “There was a lot of nerves, Wednesday, while South Africa dune, however with the shift- but I’ve played enough games play the southeast Asian debu- ing sands allowing the sea to extremely friendly and very and this year we have had a cord entry – more than 600 some of Qatar’s most iconic in my career to step up in cru- tants on Friday. inundate the planned route, welcoming.” huge increase in participa- riders for the first time - with cultural and tourism assets in the Challenge will now feature Pilley’s sentiments were tion, created in part by the a rising number of Qatari par- the context of sport.” ten dune crossings along the echoed by favourite for the addition of a new off-road du- ticipants.” Speaking about the event, 40-kilometre cycling route, ladies’ title, Pia Sundstedt, athlon competition. Dr. Mohammed Jaham al Moza al Muhannadi, Director with a strength-sapping seven “For me, as a Qatar resident, “We are looking for a great Kuwari, President of Qatar CSR, Sponsorship and Media Firox, Royal Stars win dunes over 28.5 kilometres this is the highlight of the event, a challenging course, Cycling and Triathlon Federa- at Ooredoo, said: “We’re de- for runners. year. The atmosphere, the de- with more dunes, which we tion said: “It has been amaz- lighted to be sponsoring the The Al Adaid Desert Chal- sert, arriving at the finish in a believe our participants are ing to witness the Al Adaid 2020 edition of the Al Adaid in Qatar Airways cricket lenge is designated as UCI desert camp, the Arabic flair, going to enjoy. We would also Desert Challenge grow from Desert Challenge. Supporting category 3 mountain bike the Arabic hospitality is pre- like to invite spectators, to a small amateur race to its events such as these, which TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK race - the only Qatari event sent and almost touchable in follow the race - which will be current form, hosting elite cy- encourage a healthy, active DohA currently to feature on the this race.” a fun day in the desert. clists from all over the world. lifestyle, is a key part of our International Cycling Union’s As many as 20 athletes “The event will conclude It has been one of the major corporate social responsibil- FIROX Unit and Royal Stars calendar – bringing an inter- will form the elite field, in- with a youth race at the finish achievements to create this ity strategy. We look forward proved too strong for their ri- national field and contribut- cluding last year’s winner line, where future stars will race, the most important for to an exciting race and some vals in the Premier Division ing to the region’s developing Frédéric Gombert (France) get a feel of what their own the cycling community in Qa- impressive performances matches at the prestigious Waqas Bhatti Inam-ul-Haq prominence as a sport tour- and second-placed Faraz Al Adaid Desert Challenge is tar. We thank Qatar Cyclists from all the participants.” annual Qatar Airways Cricket ism destination. Professional Shokri (Iran). Representing going to be like. We would for organising it and we wish Hassan Ali al Maslamani, Tournament. and former professional elite Qatar, National Champion- like to thank all our partners a great 2020 race for all par- Senior Administration Man- Firox Unit crushed Tusker Results athletes seeking racing oppor- ship title holder, Marwan al and sponsors; Qatar National ticipants.” ager and Souq Waqif Branch Club by 110 runs with Waqas Premier Division tunities during the European Jalham, who placed 4th in Tourism Council, Ooredoo, Representing Qatar Na- Manager at Doha Insurance Bhatti having a good all-round Firox Unit beat Tusker Club by 110 runs Firox Unit: 231 in 43.3 overs (Qalandar Khan 54, winter come in pursuit of a the open race last year, will Doha Insurance Group, Doha tional Tourism Council, a Group, said: “We are glad to performance and former Qa- Waqas Bhatti 38, raja asif 32; Validh 3/24, Bipin prize purse which this year be joined by Fadhel al Khater Takaful, Qatar Cycling and partner and leading sponsor be the Gold Sponsor of this tar skipper Inam-Ul-Haq 3/52) will be QR215,000 but they and Abdulla al Khater in lead- Triathlon Federation, Rayyan of the Challenge, Rashed al special event and to further grabbed five wickets to spark Tusker Club: 121 in 26.1 overs (akash 27, Shaqir are also attracted by the ex- ing a local challenge against Water, Garmin, Doha Bus, Qurese, Chief Marketing Of- develop our successful part- Royal Stars to beat Doha Fal- 24; ahsan 3/9, Waqas Bhatti 2/37) otic character of the event. the visitors. Rasen Adventure Shop, GMC ficer said: “Qatar has estab- nership with Qatar Cyclists cons by 34 runs. Player of the Match: Waqas Bhatti (firox Unit) Morgan Pilley, an Aus- Local businesses have to name the main ones,” he lished itself as a major player Center by organising anoth- Qalandar Khan’s 54 with Royal Stars beat Doha Falcons by 34 runs tralian national team mem- come to the support of Qatar added. in the sports tourism industry er memorable edition of Al five boundaries in 53 balls laid Royal Stars: 192 in 36.4 overs (mudassar Qayyum ber resident in Italy, and Cyclists and Qatar Cycling Dr. Abdulaziz al Kuwari, during the past decade and Adaid Desert Challenge. It is a the base of Firox Unit’s 231 in 55, hamad 30; ismail 4/37, mughees 2/32) Doha Falcons: 158 in 36.5 overs (Basit 24, inam- making his third attempt to Federation in cementing the President of Qatar Cyclists the Al Adaid Desert Challenge third year of our partnership 43.3 overs. Bhatti followed his Ul-haq 5/21, Shahrukh 3/39) reach the podium, explained, Al Adaid Desert Challenge’s Center said: “Qatar Cyclists plays a huge role in strength- with Al Adaid Desert Chal- 38 with two wickets to win the Player of the Match: inam-Ul-haq (royal Stars) “It’s a great event that is very international appeal. Al Adaid take joy and pride in im- ening the country’s reputation lenge. We are proud support- Player of the Match award. well organised and is set in Desert Challenge Managing proving the Al Adaid Chal- as a main destination for ad- ers of an event, which pro- Mudassar Qayyum removed half the Doha Falcons an amazing, unique envi- Director Dr Jamal al Khanji lenge every year and in this venture sport enthusiasts. We motes sports and encourages smashed two sixes and three side for 21 runs to complete a ronment. I love coming to said: “Every year the Al Adaid fifth edition we are especially are proud to play our part in members of our community boundaries in 55 to guide Royal splendid show. Shahrukh also Qatar where the people are Desert Challenge has grown pleased to achieve another re- that success and to showcase to lead healthy lifestyles.” Stars to 192. Haq, who made 20, picked three for 39. Crovetto, Pacheco bag Kamran, Tanveer star for Qatar TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Brief scores Mixed Skeet gold medal DohA Results (Group A) KAMRAN Khan’s scintillating Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Qatar (toss): 196 for 4 off 20 overs (Kamran Khan Jafarova and Emin Jafarov Yechshenko had seven hits on 88 and Muhammad Tanveer’s 88, muhammadtanveer 64, mohammed rizlan 31 DohA struck 37 and won the bronze the target to finish as the num- hurricane 64 not only enter- not out, mauroof 1 wkt, adam 1 wkt, tharaka 2 wkts) medal with a comfortable ber one qualifying duo. tained the small crowd present Maldives: 90 for 9 off 20 overs (mututanthrige 26, FRANCISCA Crovetto and 10-target win over Kazakh- Earlier, all the three medal- in Amerat but also highlighted hassan 16, ibrahim 18; muhammad awais malik 2 wkts, muhammad nadeem 2 wkts, tamoor Sajjad 2 Nicolas Pacheco became the stan’s Assem Orynbay and Da- winning pairs were locked at Qatar’s six-hitting prowess in wkts, iqbal hussain chaudhry 2 wkts) proud winners of the first vid Pochivalov. 140 after the qualifying rounds their 106-run victory against Man of the Match: Kamran Khan (Qatar) Mixed Skeet gold medal at the This is the first time that and in the resultant shoot- Maldives in ACC Western Re- Qatar Open for Shotgun at the the Qatar Open included off, the eventual third-placed gion T20 Tournament game Oman beat Bahrain by eight wickets Bahrain (toss): 83 all out off 17.1 overs (B.Khan Lusail Ranges on Sunday. the Mixed Skeet event and it Jafarova and Jafarov could get on Sunday. 3-8, K.ali 4-16) Chilean Crovetto, the 2012 turned out to be quite excit- only three, while the other two In the day’s second lop- Oman: 84 for 2 off 13.2 overs (K.ali 38*, J.Singh 35) Lonato World Cup bronze ing with top three pairs being teams shot four each. sided match, Qatar kept Mal- Man of the Match: Khawar ali (oman) medallist, and 2013 Junior involved in a tight shootoff for Qatar’s Abdulaziz al At- dives on a leather hunt for Group B World Cup Trap champion the medal matchups. tiyah and Reem al Sharshani much of their 20 overs and Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by nine wickets Peruvian Pacheco held their The champions had lost to combined to post 135 and then bowled exceptionally well Saudi Arabia: 113 all out off 17.5 overs (a.nawfer nerves to beat Kazakhs Ana- Molchanova and Yechshenko missed out on the medal round to restrict them to just 90 for 9 4-9) stassiya Molchanova and Al- by a target after they got six. by finishing fifth. Qatar’s sec- to complete a comfortable win. Kuwait (toss): 114 for 1 off 10.3 overs (r.deSilva 84*) exandr Yechshenko 32-31 in a But they did well in the finals ond team of Sheikh Moham- Opener Kamran and one Man of the Match: ravija Sandaruwan de Silva gripping finale. to take the revenge and bag the med al Thani and Hanan Haji drop Tanveer were involved in (Kuwait) Azerbaijan’s Nurlana top honours. Molchanova and shot 120 to get the ninth place. an entertaining 109-run part- UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets nership for the second wicket Iran: 61 for 8 off 20 overs that came to an end after the UAE (toss): 62 for 0 off 5.3 overs (r.mustafa 41*) latter got out in the 13th over. Man of the Match: rohan mustafa (Uae) His 31-ball knock included seven fours and three sixes. Kamran continued his six-hit- slumped to 57 for 5 and then ting spree and by the time he to 69 for 8. Qatar bowlers was dismissed by Tharaka Ru- knew the best way to win a wan Kumara for 88 in the 18th Kamran Khan of Qatar receives the Man of the Match award after his T20 game is by taking wickets over he had already slammed 88 against Maldives in the ACC Western Region T20 Tournament in and they executed the formula seven sixes and six boundaries Muscat, Oman on Sunday. to perfection. in an innings that fetched him Muhammad Awais Ma- player of the match award. here are for batting. I took some derful preparation playing lik, Tamoor Sajjad, skipper Mohammed Rizlan later time to settle down and once I against Uganda and the boys Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry and joined the party with his own got my eye in I was able to play are in great shape. We know Muhammad Nadeem were little show, smacking 31 not my strokes freely,” he added. how good Oman team is. For all economical and menac- out off 18, including three The Qatar opener said us, they are a big team to beat ing at the same time, taking huge sixes, taking Qatar’s sixes Oman was the team to beat but we are very keen to do well two wickets each as Maldives tally to 16 for the game. in the tournament and was here and expect to cause some could manage a mere 90 in its Kamran said he was confi- looking forward to his team upsets in the coming days,” 20 overs. dent of doing well on Oman’s springing a few surprises. said Kamran. Qatar will next take on batting-friendly pitches. “We “The team has been prac- Maldives’ hopes of giving Oman on Monday while Mal- Mixed Skeet gold medallists Francisca Crovetto and Nicolas Pacheco (centre) with other podium-finishing had played here last year and ticing hard before the tour- Qatar a good chase evaporat- dives face Bahrain later in teams after the finals at the Qatar open in Shotgun in lusail on Sunday. we know how good pitches over nament. We have had a won- ed in thin air as they quickly the day. Sports Monday, February 24, 2020 19

Djoko urges Flying high and dealing with expectations, Davis and ATP Cups to Kenin aims for more success on Doha debut merge or die VINAY NAYUDU Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska she was really nice about it, DohA or Belgian Kirsten Flipkens. she congratulated me, just AFP Kenin, who lost to Latvian asked me how I’m feeling I DUBAI FOR someone who took to Jelena Ostapenko in the Fed I just feel like a lot of told her, obviously, I have tennis at the tender age of five Cup, and to the fast-rising people are watching and more expectations, more pres- NOVAK Djokovic on Sunday moving from Moscow in Rus- Russian Elena Rybakina in the talking from the outside. sure. And she just said just try called on the rival ATP and Da- sia to Florida in the US, Sofia round of 32 in Dubai, is aiming The racket doesn’t feel that to figure out how to manage it. vis Cups to combine in order to Kenin was already hailed as a for a fresh start at the Premier heavy, it’s still the same, Obviously it’s not easy, but it’s survive as he prepared for the star at seven when she played 5 tournament which has six of super exciting. She was really Dubai Championships. in a mixed doubles match with the world’s top ten playing. but, I feel like I really want happy for me and, because we Djokovic, who recently won Jim Courier against Venus “I had the Fed Cup, and to start off well and keep talked, I know her, she toured his eighth Australian Open title Williams and Todd Martin. last week it was a tough match my momentum going me around in Miami so I was and led Serbia to the ATP Cup Less than a month ago, and for me. She (Rybakina) played forward. So hopefully I can really happy. And we talked a trophy last month, made his at 21, Kenin joined the band a really good match, she’s on a do that this week and more little bit about the video and plea prior to starting this week of Sloane Stephens, Jennifer hot streak. I just feel like I need weeks to come. the one that came out on WTA as top seed at the Aviation Club. Capriati, Lindsay Davenport to get more matches in. Obvi- and she was saying she got “In my opinion, they have to and Venus and Serena Wil- ously, a bit more pressure com- – Sofia Kenin chills seeing that. I almost had merge,” the world number one liams as the only American ing from the outside. A lot more tears, so I just watched it once, said of the two competitions, women to win a Grand Slam expectations, but I got to figure I was done.” which are held less than two title in the past two decades. out how to manage it,” she said. getting overwhelmed? Kenin will have a lot more months apart at the end of one The Australian Open win- When asked how was she “Prior to Australia every- eyes watching her in this part season and the start of the next ner is now in Qatar for her first is figuring it out, Kenin said, thing obviously there was dif- of the world when she soon and he believes should become tournament in Doha carrying a “I’m just talking to my dad (Al- ferent kind of pressure, but I takes to the court at the Khal- “one super cup”. baggage of expectations. Hav- exander, also her coach), my did have like expectations, I ifa International Stadium. Also “That’s necessary because ing played the Fed Cup and agent and just trying to figure was hard on myself. I want to what would be noticed is her for me personally it will be very in Dubai recently, the results out what’s the best way I can do well in every tournament, so unique style of serving with a difficult to play every single year haven’t been as encouraging handle it. It’s been only a week it’s not a surprise. And nothing’s high ball toss. both competitions, so I’m go- and the pressure of being a since I had like a little drop, so Sofia Kenin during a press conference at the Khalifa International Ten- changed from my side the way I “It just happened like that ing to have to choose,” said the Grand Slam champion seems – because Fed Cup was fine, nis and Squash complex on Sunday. (MAHMOUD HEFNAWY) am, because I hate losing.” when I was little. And we tried 32-year-old. to be weighing heavy on the I played well, I was actually Maybe Kenin could use to change it, it didn’t work, I “I don’t think this is (a) sus- player’s shoulders. proud with the way I came back people are watching and talk- keep my momentum going some of the advice she received have done it like that, I won a tainable model for our tennis.” Confident though, a beam- but last week was a bit tough.” ing from the outside. The rack- forward. So hopefully I can do from six-time Grand Slam Grand Slam, so I think I can “What I don’t like with ing Kenin opened up to a flurry On the expectations and et doesn’t feel that heavy, it’s that this week and more weeks champion Kim Clijsters whom live with that and I think I can Davis Cup is you don’t have a of questions even as she awaits how it is different now, Kenin still the same, but, I feel like I to come.” she met recently. do the same thing,” she ex- possibility to play at home any her second round opponent in said, “I just feel like a lot of really want to start off well and As a champion is Kenin “I talked to her in Dubai, plained with a smile. more,” he said. Muguruza survives marathon opener as Jabeur dazzles

VINAY NAYUDU DohA Qatar Total Open 2020 RESULTS SINGLES AUSTRALIAN Open 2020 fi- Garbine Muguruza of alison Van Uytvanck (BeL) bt Polona hercog (SLo) 6-2, 6-2 nalist and also in Doha in 2018, Spain in action against Q-Bernarda Pera (USa) bt caroline garcia (fra) Garbine Muguruza survived Daria Kasatkina of russia 6-3, 6-1 Goerges visits German 11-garbine muguruza (eSP) bt daria Kasakina a scare after missing a match during the round of 64 of (rUS) 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 point in a marathon while Ons the Qatar Total open at Q-Priscilla hon (aUS) bt ajla tomljanovic (aUS) 6-2, 6-4 Int’l School in Doha Jabeur, the pride of Arab world, the Khalifa International Karolina muchova (cZe) bt magda Linette (PoL) made a whirlwind start in con- Tennis & Squash complex 6-3, 6-1 Svetlana Kuznetsova (rUS) bt Wc-cagla Buyukakcay vincing manner on the opening on Sunday. (tUr) 6-2, 6-2 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to receive her. and relatively warmer day of (MAHMOUD HEFNAWY) Q-Laura Siegemund bt Yaroslava Shvedova (KaZ) DohA HE Ambassador Hans- Qatar Total Open at the Khalifa 6-3, 6-2 Udo Muzel said, “The German Veronika Kudermetova (rUS) bt Kristina mladenovic International Tennis & Squash (fra) 7-6 (8-6), 0-6, 6-3 JULIA Goerges, the World Embassy is proud to join QTF Complex on Sunday. 16-elise mertens (BeL) bt Qiang Wang (chn) 6-1, No. 36 and Germany’s second and the German International 6-2 The WTA Premier 5 $3.2mn amanda anisimova (USa) bt ekaterina alexandrova highest-ranked player, paid a School in welcoming German tournament threw up the first (rUS) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) courtesy visit to the German female tennis star Julia Go- Wc-ons Jabeur (tUn) bt Q-Katerina Siniakova (cZe) of thrillers as two former World 6-3, 6-2 International School in Doha erges. Thank you, QTF for this No. 10 players – Muguruza on Sunday. great initiative! The German and Daria Kasatkina of Russia DOUBLES The 31-year-old, who is Embassy is always committed 5-Yifan Xu (chn) & nicole melichar (USa) bt alex locked horns. While Spaniard guarachi (chi) & alicja rosolska (PoL) 6-3, 7-6 featuring at the Qatar Total to promoting women empow- Muguruza is currently ranked 16 (7-2) Open 2020, was received on erment through sports with its hayley carter (USa) & Luisa Stefani (Bra) bt makoto and Kasatkina 71 didn’t matter nimomiya (JPn) & Zhaoxuan Yang (chn) 6-2, 3-6, her arrival by HE Ambassador Qatari partners.” on court as the Russian refused 10-7 Hans-Udo Muzel, the Ambas- Goerges has won seven sin- Lyudmila Kichenok & nadiia Kichenok (UKr) bt Kiki to give away perhaps deriving Bertens & Julia georges (ger) 7-5, 1-6, 10-3 sador of Germany to Qatar. gles and five doubles titles on strength from their two previous that we have played has been like both very motivated to get pushed to make it 5-5 and even- 7-hao-ching chan & Latisha chan (tPe) bt Shuko Several embassy offi- the WTA Tour, as well as six and recent three-sets meetings long and three sets and tough the win and with the history of tually force a tie-break. aoyama & ena Shibahara (JPn) 6-3, 6-3 cials, as well as members of singles and six doubles titles where she had won. matches. I had a lot of opportu- the matches we know that it’s a In the second set, Muguruza the board, staff and students on the ITF Women’s Circuit. It wasn’t to be this time as nities maybe to step it up earlier, battle.” missed out on making the most in the second round. There of the German International Principal of the German Muguruza held her own in the in the first set, in the second set, And a battle it indeed was. of a match point as Kasatkina were, however, no hiccups for School in Doha including International School of Doha see-saw battle to emerge a re- but, I think I could have played Muguruza saved a break point showed great recovery skills. Tunisian wild card Ons Jabeur, Rawda al Zaidan Director of Dirk Dillschneider said, “The lieved victor at 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7) better at certain moments. In in the first game of the opening The third set seemed to go who made the quarter-final of Private Schools Affairs at the whole school community was after two hours and 49 minutes. the end it’s a victory and I’m set and broke Kasatkina in the Muguruza’s way with much the Australian Open. Ministry of Education and excited about the visit of Ju- It was this year’s fourth longest happy for it.” next for a 3-0 lead. Kasatkina ease as she led 4-2 but Kasat- Hailed for her Grand Slam Higher Education and Lolwah lia Gorges. The students wel- match that featured seven con- On what makes Kasatkina then took three games in a row kina broke back to make it 3-4. show and brimming with con- al Marri President of Women’s comed her with full enthusi- secutive breaks of serve, even- push her each time they meet, (including a 10-minute service Another fight back seemed on fidence, she sailed past qualifier Sport Committee were also in asm. I am thanking you, that tually tallying 50 winners to 69 Muguruza said, “I feel like she game) for a 3-2 lead. cards but an alert Muguruza Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-3, attendance at the event. Julia took the time to show unforced errors. always brings a very good level Muguruza then powered to quelled the challenge well in 6-2 and awaits the winner of all- The player was conducted our students a short view on Delighted at her win, Mu- of tennis when she has to at least a 5-3 lead and this is where the time to ensure advance. American clash between Jen- round the school and she had the life of a tennis professional guruza said, “I was expecting a play me. Maybe she likes my 16th-seeded Spaniard failed to Up next for the Spaniard will nifer Brady and 13th seed Alison an interactive session with the female player. Good luck Julia tough match. All the matches game, I don’t know, but we feel close things out as Kasatkina be Australian Ajla Tomljanovic Riske. students who were very happy Gorges!” Qatar experience delights Barty, says she’s keen on Olympics too

VINAY NAYUDU other favourite sport cricket something fresh and really ex- tour, so it’s been fantastic.” cle. I’m really excited and it’s a DohA (where too she had excelled) citing,” she said. About the switch from week that I really, really want to for tennis, she has been excel- Given her great run in ten- cricket to tennis, Barty said, “I prioritise this year and try and THIS is the first time that Ash- ling by leaps and bounds. Her nis, does being the No. 1 add to think every sport is different do the best that I can, not just leigh Barty is playing in the Qa- presence at the Qatar Total the expectations? and obviously when I had my to be playing at the Olympics tar Total Open and the amiable Open 2020 has provided for “First and foremost there’s break I wasn’t sure whether I but to really go there and to try World No.1 says she’s already the added excitement and Bar- no pressure for me to stay as would play tennis again or not. and win a medal for myself and loving being in Doha. ty is only keen to get going. No. 1. I think obviously all of But, yeah, obviously cricket is my country and I think that’s “Its beautiful conditions Since the opening Grand the girls that are pushing me, a massive part of Australian a week of the year that we’re here and I really like it,” said Slam of the year, Barty didn’t challenging me, we’re making culture, it’s an incredible sport really looking forward to and the 23-year-old while address- play in any of the tournaments each other better tennis players and I think there were bits and definitely prioritising.” ing the media on Sunday, and flew straight from Austral- and I think that’s the best thing pieces that helped each other. Meanwhile, it’s Qatar for ahead of her opening match ia to Doha after a break. is we all challenge each other I think my tennis helped my the Australian and she is in- against ‘lucky loser’ qualifier “I feel good. I needed to every single day. All I’m trying cricket and my cricket helped deed enjoying her experience Laura Siegemund of Germany have an extra few days off just to do is improve every single my tennis in a way, in a bizarre though she hasn’t seen any of who beat Kazakh Yaroslava Sh- to let my body settle. We had day and regardless of whether way.” the FIFA World Cup 2022 sta- vedova in the first round. a couple little niggles going on I stay at that No. 1 ranking or Despite the coronavirus diums as yet. Barty, who won the French after the Australian Open. I’ve I don’t, I try and do the right scare and worries, Barty is also “I haven’t seen any of the Open last year and also made never played here so it’s kind of things every single day and keen on making it to the 2020 World Cup facilities, but we did the semi-final of the Australian a new thing for me – but, yeah, it’s been an incredible ride for Olympics in Tokyo and feels go through the town yesterday Open last month, has been on it was nice to spend some time me since I came back into the nothing can dampen the spirit. and rode on the tram, which I a break since a ‘heartbreak’ loss at home with my family. Obvi- World number one Ashley Barty of Australia, speaks to the media in sport. Obviously I had a differ- “In my opinion noth- know is a new and exciting part to American Sofia Kenin given ously parts of my family were Doha on Sunday. (MAHMOUD HEFNAWY) ent phase during my journey ing can dampen the Olympic of this city. And I think what the huge home expectations. with me at the Australian Open and through my life of playing game spirit. Personally, I’m they have done with the infra- Barty is the only second and my other sister wasn’t, so But it was nice. that we kind of get that, we play different sports and different extremely excited for my first structure is incredible. But like WTA No. 1 player after indige- it was nice to catch up with my “And then to get into a bit the same tournaments and the things like that, but it’s been Olympics. For me represent- I said, for me this is a new place nous Australian player Evonne niece and nephew at home who of training angle then to come same kind of calendar through- amazing coming back into the ing your country is the best to visit, a new experience, a Goolagong Cawley. had been watching and kind of here and experience something out the year, so it’s a nice to sport. I’ve had a great three thing that you can do and at new culture and, yeah, I’m lov- For someone who quit her enjoyed that month with me. new for the first time, it’s rare experience something new, years almost now fully back on an Olympic level it’s the pinna- ing it.”