FRIDAY MARCH 19, 2021 SHABAN 6, 1442 VOL.14 NO. 5210 QR 2

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World 5 Business 6 Sports 9 EU regulator deems a global reference Off He Goes battles hard AstraZeneca vaccine safe after point in commercial for Late Yousef Al Romaihi blood clot reports use of 5G: Yang Cup triumph

Amir condoles with acting Tanzanian prez Food Safety Lab opens at HIS Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Lab will speed up clearance procedures of food shipments bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of condolences to Acting Lab includes 10 test centres and a store of chemicals President of the United Repub- lic of Tanzania Samia Hassan QNA safety of results, in a way that Port’s accomplishments. The Suluhu on the death of Presi- contributes to ensuring qual- lab will complement efforts dent John Magufuli. (QNA) ity and safety of food in local to accelerate the process for MINISTER of Public Health market. food import companies in Qa- HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al She said opening labs tar and protect the interests Kuwari and Minister of Trans- at the main port facilitates of traders and importers, in QU ranks 26th port and Communications clearance procedures of food addition to enhancing the re- HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti shipments. The minister indi- quirements of shipping opera- globally in THE inaugurated the Food Safety cated that the lab obtained in- tors, he added. Rankings Lab, affiliated to MoPH Cen- ternational accreditation (ISO Al Sulaiti pointed out that tral Food Laboratories, at 17025) for the results before the lab building has been con- QATAR University (QU) has Hamad Port on Thursday. its official opening. The lab structed by the Hamad Port been ranked 26th overall in Dr Al Kuwari affirmed the includes 10 test centres and a Project Steering Committee the Times Higher Education ministry’s keenness to en- store of chemicals. It aims to in accordance with the highest (THE) Emerging Economies hance the capabilities of food accelerate analysis and con- international technical stand- University Rankings for 2021, safety management system trol of food, facilitate early re- ards in order to achieve the vi- entering the top 30 for the in harmony with the best in- lease of food shipments, and sion of the Ministry of Trans- rst time. Among 55 Arab uni- ternational standards, that reduce the storage burden on port and Communications in versities, QU is ranked third in required development of lab ports. integrating the port facilities the Arab world, indicating its services. She said the lab uses For his part, Al Sulaiti said work mechanisms using the strength of excellence in the the latest internationally ap- the inauguration of the food latest advance technology. region. PAGE 2 proved analysis techniques safety laboratory is consid- Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari and Minister of Transport and Communications to ensure the accuracy and ered a new addition to Hamad Continued on page 2  HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti during the inauguration of Food Safety Lab at Hamad Port on Thursday.

30% attendance in schools 8th int’l agricultural expo Initiative to help people get rid from Sunday: Edu ministry to kick off on March 23 of old furniture, TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK students will be allowed in a the same school schedule: QNA appliances DOHA classroom. The schools are re- working hours start at 7:15am DOHA quired to use the open space in and end at 12:30 pm, provided launched THE student attendance rate the school building and convert that the school schedule in- UNDER the patronage of Prime in both the government and them into classes to achieve so- cludes 30 lessons per week, six Minister and Minister of Interi- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK private schools will be 30 per- cial distancing. There must be classes a day, and the class time or HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khal- DOHA cent of the total capacity from at least 1.5 metres of distance is 45 minutes, with a separation ifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Sunday, the Ministry of Edu- between one student and an- of five minutes between each Ministry of Municipality and On the Global Recycling Day, cation and Higher Education other. The schools must apply class. Environment (MME) is organ- a community-based initiative (MoEHE) has announced. all precautionary measures to As per private schools, the ising Qatar’s 8th International has been launched to help In a circular on Thursday, ensure the safety of students attendance rate should not ex- Agricultural Exhibition 2021 Of cials announce the details of International Agricultural Exhibition people in Qatar recycle bulk the ministry said the blended and employees in the school ceed 30 percent of the capacity. and the second Qatar Interna- 2021 and the second Qatar International Environmental Exhibition at items such as old furniture education system will continue building. They are also required A maximum of 15 students will tional Environmental Exhibi- a press conference in Doha on Thursday. and appliances. to be in force with commitment to adhere to previous circulars be allowed in a classroom with tion from March 23 to 27 at the The initiative is being to all the approved COVID-19 issued by the ministry’s Secu- a safe distance of 1.5 metres be- Doha Exhibition and Conven- vironmental sectors. Ehteraz app with green status rolled out by the Sea Shore precautionary measures. rity and Safety Department tween a student and another. tion Center. He said all necessary pre- while committing to wear a Group, in cooperation with As per the government regarding cancelling the morn- The ministry affirmed that At a press conference on ventive measures will be taken mask throughout the period of the Ministry of Municipal- schools, the teaching and ad- ing queue and group activities “distance learning” system will Thursday, Head of Organising to ensure the health and safety his visit to the exhibition. ity and Environment. If you ministrative staff will be at 100 such as trips, camps and cel- continue to be applied in pri- Committee of the Exhibition of the participants and visi- Focus will be placed on the have any recyclable materi- percent with continuation of ebrations and converting them vate schools on days when stu- and Director of Public Parks tors. The pre-registration pro- participation of specialists and als and wish to take part blended learning for students into virtual whenever possible. dents do not come to the school Department Mohammed Ali Al cess will be organised for those those interested in the agricul- in the initiative, please call with maximum 30% attend- The schools are required to building. Khouri affirmed that holding wishing to attend via a link to tural and environmental fields. the ministry’s hotline at ance rate. implement the attendance and The schools are required to the exhibition this year comes in the exhibition site. Children will not be allowed to 184. The group will provide The schools will be required absence policy, and raising sta- exclude the student who is sick exceptional circumstances due After registering the data, enter due to the failure to hold vehicles to transport any to send text messages to par- tistics periodically to manage with a chronic disease and has a to the challenges of coronavirus, a barcode will arrive on the special events for them to pre- recyclable materials to ents of their children’s time school affairs. medical certificate approved for as Qatar was keen to organise it person’s phone to enter the ex- serve their safety. the appropriate centres in in the school building. As per The ministry stressed the that from working in the school due to its great importance for hibition. The visitor will be re- Qatar. the circular, a maximum of 15 importance of continuing with building. the agricultural, animal and en- quired to show the application Continued on page 2 

Qatar, UK sign Vaccination speed gives hope for a ‘No quarantine exception for those MoU to support who received COVID jabs abroad’ children’s gradual return to normal: MoPH edu in Syria TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 538,441 COVID-19 DOHA Until now there QATAR, represented by vaccine doses given is no agreement Qatar Fund for Develop- HAMAD General Hospital between Qatar ment, has signed a Memo- so far in Qatar Medical Director Dr Yousef Al and any other country on randum of Understanding Maslamani has said that at a mutual exception from with the United Kingdom TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK present no exception is being quarantine regarding the represented in the Foreign DOHA made for those who received issue of vaccination... If and Commonwealth Of ce, the COVID-19 vaccine outside the health ministers meet to support the education of A total of 538,441 COVID-19 the country from quarantine. and decide on the mutual children in Northwest Syria vaccine doses have been “Until now there is no agreement, then of course it and provide them with their administered to community agreement between Qatar and will be implemented.” needs. members since the start of the any other country on a mutual The agreement aims to COVID-19 National Vaccination normal in Qatar and all over added. exception from quarantine — Dr Yousef Al Maslamani provide important resources Programme, the Ministry of the world, but that won’t hap- Qatar on Thursday re- regarding the issue of vaccina- that would guarantee the Public Health has said. pen in the next few weeks or ported 499 COVID-19 cases tion,” Al Maslamani said in an continuation of the educa- In a statement, the MoPH months. -- 419 from community and 80 interview with TV. is the one that decides on the ID-19, Dr Al Maslamani said, tional process. This support said 18,635 vaccine doses “COVID-19 will continue to from travellers returning from “There are countries, which inter-agreement. “Globally, the number of infec- from Qatar represents a have been administered in the pose a threat to our health for abroad. depend on tourism, have an- “If the health ministers tions is declining, but some fundamental and sustaina- past 24 hours. most of the months of 2021. Also, 331 people recov- nounced that anyone who got meet and decide on the mutual countries have had a third ble investment that will help The MoPH said the speed Until all eligible individuals are ered from the virus in the past the vaccine can be allowed to agreement, then of course wave such as , children and teachers and of the vaccination programme vaccinated with the vaccine, we 24 hours, bringing the total enter,” he added. it will be implemented,” he and the Middle East, such as improve their living condi- means that there is last must continue to follow pre- number of recoveries in Qatar Dr Al Maslamani said the added. Jordan. So far the epidemic tions in the governorates of hope for a gradual return to ventive measures,” the MoPH to 159,472. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) On the new strains of COV- has not been controlled.” Idlib and Aleppo. PAGE 2 02 Friday, March 19, 2021

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SUBAIE VISITS WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE IN Al Ali opens Nomas Center Al-Wakra branch

MINISTER of Culture and Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali on Thursday inaugurat- ed a new branch of the Nomas Center in the old market of Al- Wakra, as part of the centre’s expansion plans in different regions of the country, and its mission to be a professional school and an incubator for culture and heritage in Qatar. During the event, the min- ister was briefed on the vari- ous departments of the centre. He also watched short films explaining the centre’s Minister of Municipality and Environment HE Eng Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie visited the waste treatment centre in Mesaieed on activities to preserve the Qatari identity. the occasion of the Global Recycling Day, which is marked on March 18 every year. The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) observed Director of the Heritage and Identity Department at the Ministry of Culture and the Global Recycling Day with the aim of educating the public about the necessity of recycling. In 2020, the ministry’s recycling initiative produced Sports Sheikha Najla Faisal Al Thani said the new branch in Al-Wakra would help the 30,202 tonnes of green manure, 33.18 million cubic metres of biogas and 268,776 megawatt hours of generated electricity. Around 5,300 tonnes youth in investing their free time in learning and practising activities related to the of plastic materials, 13,631 tonnes of iron and 5,315 tonnes of iron-free materials have also been recycled in Qatar in the year. (TNN) heritage and authentic customs of the people of Qatar. (QNA)

Quick read Deputy Amir sends condolences to V-P of Tanzania Qatar, UK sign deal to support THE Deputy Amir HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent on Thursday a cable of condolences to Acting President of Tanzania Sa- mia Hassan Suluhu on the death of President John Magufuli. (QNA) education of children in Syria PM sends condolences to Tanzanian counterpart PRIME Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin QNA teachers in 435 schools. Khater said Qatar and the UK Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani sent on Thursday a cable of con- DOHA Al Shahwani said Qatar realised the importance of dolences to Prime Minister of Tanzania Kassim Majaliwa on the has delivered on its promise to placing future generations at death of President John Magufuli. (QNA) QATAR, represented by Qa- provide $500 million over the the heart of the response to tar Fund for Development past five years to help interna- the crisis. He added that this Qatar condemns attack in Niger (QFFD), has signed a Memo- tional efforts in responding to meant the two sides needed QATAR has condemned and denounced the attack on a livestock randum of Understanding the humanitarian needs result- to cooperate on this long-term market in Niger, which left dozens dead, including children. The Minis- (MoU) with the UK, represent- ing from the Syrian crisis. He educational initiative to bring try of Foreign Affairs renewed, in a statement on Thursday, Qatar’s po- ed by the Foreign and Com- noted that the financing by the hope and knowledge to those sition of rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of their motives monwealth Office, aiming to QFFD came at a crucial time, in desperate need for assis- and reasons. The statement expressed Qatar’s condolences to the support the education of chil- stressing that the funding will tance in Syria. families of the victims, the government and people of Niger. (QNA) dren in Northwest Syria and support those who would be UK’s Ambassador to Qatar provide them with their needs. deprived of education in the HE Jonathan Paul Wilks noted The agreement was signed middle of a school year due to that a third of Syria’s children via video conferencing by The agreement aims to provide important resources that guarantee the lack of financial resources. are still out of school 10 years QFFD’s Deputy Director-Gen- the continuation of the educational process. He said 11,683 teachers after the Syrian crisis. He high- QU ranked 26th in Times eral for Development Projects will receive salaries for the lighted that the conflict has a Misfer Hamad Al Shahwani. It the continuation of the educa- conditions in the governorates remainder of the school year negative impact on education Higher Education Emerging was signed on the part of the tional process. of Idlib and Aleppo. This co- 2021 in affirmation of the cru- and destroys the opportunities Foreign and Commonwealth This support from Qatar operation will also strengthen cial job they do for children in young boys and girls have. He Office by its Syria Team Leader represents a fundamental and QFFD’s vision of giving hope one of the world’s most chal- added that, thanks to the new Economies Rankings 2021 Maria Wyard. The agreement sustainable investment that and promoting peace and jus- lenging circumstances. partnership, the two sides will QNA Derham said, “The university is aims to provide important re- will help children and teach- tice, by providing support to Ambassador of Qatar to work on improving education DOHA proud to place 26th in the THE sources that would guarantee ers and improve their living 130,000 children and 11,683 the UK HE Yousef bin Ali Al for children in Syria. Emerging Economies Univer- QATAR University (QU) sity Rankings for 2021. This was ranked 26th overall in achievement signifies the im- the Times Higher Education provement of Qatar’s economic (THE) Emerging Economies sector, which in turn has posi- MURAIKHI MEETS AMBASSADORS OF PALESTINE, TUNISIA, UK ‘Expo strategic platform for new University Rankings for 2021, tively and noticeably impacted entering the top 30 for the first the education sector.” horizons in agricultural sector’ time. A total of 606 universi- He noted that the achieve- Continued from page 1  Qatar enjoys and in light of the ties from 48 emerging econo- ment highlighted the continu- unlimited government support, mies were evaluated. ous progress of Qatar Univer- HE said the exhibition is of which was evident in allocating Among 55 Arab univer- sity both in its regional and particular importance as it is QR70 million annually to stim- sities, QU is ranked third in international role and vision a strategic platform to explore ulate agricultural, livestock and the Arab world indicating its of being at the forefront of in- new horizons for the advance- fish production and to enhance strength of excellence in the stitutions through delivering ment of the Qatari agricultural the marketing of national agri- region. In the research compo- academic excellence, impact- sector, which is the backbone cultural products. nent, which evaluates reputa- ful research and strong part- of food security, that comes at Meanwhile, Director of tion survey, research income nerships with industry. the top of the strategic priori- the Agricultural Affairs De- and productivity, the univer- Chief Knowledge Officer ties to achieve self-sufficiency. partment at the MME Yousuf sity comes in second. of THE Phil Baty said, “Qatar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sul- The environmental exhibi- Khalid Al Khulaifi said Qatar Qatar University continues University’s strong march up tan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met separately tion is also an effective plat- has succeeded in achieving to rank first in the interna- the 2021 World University on Thursday with Ambassador of Palestine form for presenting innova- remarkable achievements in tional outlook category, which Rankings is echoed in the new to Qatar HE Munir Abdullah Ghannam, tive environmental solutions the development of the agri- indicates QU’s success in at- Emerging Economies Rank- Ambassador of Tunisia HE Sami Al Saidi to meet current and emerging cultural sector, which placed tracting students and faculty ings but the additional con- and Ambassador of the UK HE Jonathan challenges and an opportunity the development of natural re- from around the world, a key text and focus provided by the Wilks. During the meetings, they reviewed to exchange international and sources, especially in agricul- component for any university Emerging Economies Rank- bilateral cooperation relations between local experiences. tural sector, at the top of na- looking to have global impact. ings allows us to see the full Qatar and their countries. (QNA) He said the exhibition, in tional priorities, in pursuit of QU President Dr Hassan Al extent of the improvement.” both agricultural and environ- self-sufficiency and food secu- mental parts, attracts wide in- rity, with a focus on adopting terest in light of the vital agri- innovative policies, strategies cultural projects and promising and technologies that serve Moldovan minister lauds Qatar for Milipol expo, seeks help to fight COVID-19 investment opportunities that environmental sustainability.

ASHRAF SIDDIQUI land security exhibition and seminars able in the area of homeland security DOHA despite the COVID-19 times, stressing and civil defence,” he said. it shows the importance of security and Voicu said he had a fruitful meet- ‘Advanced technology will detect MINISTER of Internal Affairs of Mol- safety of not only the people of Qatar, ing with the prime minister about the pesticide residues in food samples’ dova Pavel Voicu has thanked Prime but also the people of the region. possibilities of further cooperation be- Minister and Minister of Interior HE He praised the government and tween Qatar and Moldovan, hoping to Continued from page 1  commonly used in agriculture. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Ab- people of Qatar for supplying around see a new page in future relationship of HE also said the huge technical The analysis is done using the dulaziz Al Thani for inviting him to at- 8.5 tonnes of medical and health pro- the two countries. capabilities and modern facili- liquid and gas chromatography, tend the just concluded international tective equipment to Moldova to com- He said although Moldova does ties, coupled with the advanced which are the two most recent exhibition on homeland security and bat COVID-19 in difficult times. not have internal safety and security systems at Hamad Port, have technologies in the world in the civil defence (Milipol Qatar 2021). He admired Qatar for extending issues, he briefed the prime minister contributed significantly to en- field of pesticide analysis and In an interview with Qatar Tribune, support to many countries in such a about various challenges the Moldovan hancing the mechanisms and detection and their concentra- the Moldovan minister said, “We Mol- situation. government is facing through its bor- regulations of the competent tions. dovans pay great respect and impor- The Moldovan minister said his ders and the challenges arising from state authorities at the port. She said the Microbiological tance to the protocol and restrictions delegation had the opportunity to meet COVID-19 pandemic. Director of the Food Safety Analysis and Molecular Biology recommended by the World Health the participating delegates and the The minister said he had requested Department at MoPH Was- Unit also receives all food sam- Organization on COVID-19, and strict- Minister of Internal Affairs of Moldova host country’s authorities to exchange the PM to extend help in obtaining the san Abdullah Al Baker said the ples, as detection of the micro- ly follow the directives. However, it Pavel Voicu experiences and to explore areas of co- vaccine to Moldova. chemical analysis unit handles bial content in the samples is was also very important to stand with operation. He said he also discussed the pos- fresh or processed food samples done following the regional and the friends. Therefore, in spite of the event.” “Milipol Qatar provided a platform sibility of having a study and economic to analyse pesticide residues, international food standards us- pandemic restrictions, Moldovan del- He expressed his appreciation of for us to update ourselves about the feasibility to build air link between which includes the detection in ing techniques such as genetic egation decided to participate in the Qatar for holding a successful home- latest technology and equipment avail- Doha and Chisinau. its first stage of 423 pesticides fingerprinting (PCR). World Friday, March 19, 2021 03

News Afghanistan summit in Russia in brief Gunmen kill ve militants af liated with calls for political settlement Yemen separatist group SANA’A: Five militants af liated with Yemen’s separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) were killed in an attack DPA ghanistan because a continu- in the southern province of Abyan on Thursday. Unidenti ed MOSCOW ation of the current military gunmen attacked a security post of the Security Belt forces and political situation can’t in an eastern part of the province, which led to light clashes RUSSIA, , Pakistan and be countenanced, said Lav- between the two sides, a security source told dpa. The attack the US on Thursday called rov. “Unfortunately, the ef- killed ve STC ghters and injured three others, before gun- for a political settlement to forts to get a political process men ed the scene. No one claimed responsibility for the end the decade-long war in going have not led to suc- attack. Control of Abyan is divided between the STC, which embattled Afghanistan in a cess,” he said. is backed by the United Arab Emirates, and forces loyal to joint statement following a A further delay, he added, President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi, who is supported by Saudi summit in Moscow. was unacceptable in view of Arabia. (DPA) The statement asked the the deteriorating military- rival parties in Afghanistan political situation. to sign a peace agreement The country has been in Boy dies after being trapped in well in and engage in discussions to a state of nearly permanent Syria, says rescue group reach a roadmap on forming unrest since the US ousted an inclusive government and the Taliban from power in BEIRUT: A 10-year-old boy has died after he fell into a deep a ceasefire. 2001. well in the north-west of war-devastated Syria, the voluntary The joint statement also Washington has since rescue group White Helmets said on Thursday. Rescue efforts, called on the Taliban not to propped up numerous gov- which continued for more than two days involving about 40 launch their spring offensive, ernments, but large parts of volunteers, failed to save Hassan Zaalan after his fall into a in order to prevent casualties the country have routinely 20-metre-deep well during a digging operation in the town of as well as create an environ- been beyond Kabul’s control. Kafr Rouhain near Idlib, the White Helmets added. The vol- ment conducive to a political That has only gotten unteers recovered the boy’s body after they had dug a tunnel settlement. worse since the US-led forces parallel to the well, the group said in a statement. So far, it Besides representatives began withdrawing forces was not clear if the boy happened to be in the vicinity, or was of the four countries, a del- in recent years. Since then, working at the site at the time of the incident. “We are trying egation from the Taliban Taliban forces have begun to launch an awareness campaign for the people digging such and a team representing the Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (centre) and other members of the Taliban delegation ar- reclaiming territory in a bid wells to prevent such recurrent incidents,” White Helmets Afghan government also at- rive to attend an international conference on Afghanistan in Moscow on Thursday. (AFP) to re-create the society they head Raed Saleh told dpa. He added that they have called on tended. once ruled, which was based locals to inform the White Helmets of any drilling operations, The head of the Afghan heavily on Islamic law. or open wells to help head off such accidents. In February, the Reconciliation Council, Ab- Helicopter crash leaves nine dead in Afghanistan The Taliban have been White Helmets rescued a 5-year-old girl, who had fallen into a dullah Abdullah, said the conducting peace negotia- dried-up well in the town of al-Bab in northern Syria. (DPA) peace process should be ac- KABUL: An Afghan military helicopter crashed in the country’s central Wardak province, killing all nine tions with representatives of celerated and that the Tali- people on board, of cials said on Thursday. the Afghan government in ban should announce an im- According to a statement of the Afghan Ministry of Defence, the Mi-17 helicopter crash landed Qatar since September. Pakistan questions illegal migrants mediate ceasefire in order to in Hesa-e Awal Behsud district, leaving four crew members and ve members of the security forces However, the talks have deported by Germany, Poland resume talks under a differ- dead. An investigation was underway, the statement said. recently come to a standstill. ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities were on Thursday inter- ent environment. He added According to local of cials, the helicopter was en route to evacuate a wounded soldier from the Those talks were to build rogating more than a dozen illegal immigrants after they were that the Afghan government highly-contested province when the incident took place. on a US-Taliban deal that deported by Germany and Poland, of cials said. A chartered is ready to talk at any level Meanwhile, four people were killed and nine others wounded in the capital Kabul in an explosion was to see a complete US ight carrying 27 people deported by Germany and two from with the Taliban, without any that targeted a minibus, according to Kabul police. withdrawal in exchange for Poland landed in Islamabad, said Sheikh Naeem of Federal preconditions. The vehicle belonged to the Ministry of Telecommunication and was carrying employees of other an end to Taliban attacks and Investigation Agency (FIA) that deals with immigration. Immi- The Taliban’s deputy government departments as well, Kabul police chief spokesman Ferdous Faramarz said. the start of the talks with the gration authorities released 10 of the deportees but arrested leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani The incident has not been claimed by any group so far. The incidents took place as a high-pro le Afghan government. the rest for questioning, another FIA of cial Amjad Khan said. Baradar, said in his speech summit with the aim of nding a peaceful solution to the long-running conict in Afghanistan was set Russia organized Thurs- They have been charged with leaving the country through in Moscow that the United to take place in Moscow on Thursday. An of cial delegation from Kabul and the militant Taliban group day’s conference - the first to illegal means including with the help of people smugglers, States has not fully complet- are also expected to attend the conference in the Russian capital. Peace talks between the Taliban see Taliban and government Khan said. Rejected asylum-seekers and those who tried to ed its responsibilities of the and Afghan government representatives that started in September in Qatar have stalled in recent representatives - in an at- enter the European countries on fake documents were among agreement signed in Febru- months, with no tangible progress. (DPA) tempt to build confidence. the deportees, both the of cials said. The FIA has arrested ary 2020. Among others, the In April, Turkey plans several dozen suspected people smugglers from the central remaining prisoners have not to host a further meeting, province of Punjab in the crackdown launched some three been released, he said. Ac- Minister Sergei Lavrov, the the conditions for further ne- All sides have to work with the goal of concluding a years ago. (DPA) cording to Russian Foreign talks were meant to create gotiations. harder towards peace in Af- peace agreement.

Alarm in Pak at record virus Tanzanian President Magufuli dies of heart failure DPA Magufuli died of coronavirus, says fuliJP, President of Tanzania, surge amid DAR ES SALAAM has passed away. My thoughts Tanzania opposition leader are with his loved ones and the poor vaccine TANZANIAN President John people of Tanzania.” Magufuli has died of heart fail- NAIROBI: Tanzanian main opposition leader Tundu Lissu on Magufuli, 61, had long de- response ure, the country’s vice presi- Thursday said President John Magufuli died of COVID-19, a day nied the existence of the new dent announced on Wednes- after the government announced Magufuli had died of heart fail- coronavirus in the East African DPA day. ure. “They continue to lie up to now, even now that he is dead, country. He downplayed the ISLAMABAD Vice President Samia Su- his government continues to lie. Magufuli died of corona,” Lissu virus’s threat, recommending luhu Hassan said Magufuli told Kenyan broadcaster KTN. prayers and steam baths, and PAKISTANI authorities on had died in a hospital in Dar Magufuli, 61, had long denied the existence of the coronavi- urged the Health Ministry to Thursday put more coronavi- es Salaam. According to the rus in the East African country. He downplayed the virus’ threat, be cautious with vaccines de- rus hotspots under lockdown constitution, Hassan now as- recommending prayers and steam baths, and urged the Health veloped abroad, questioning and warned people to take sumes the country’s highest Ministry to be cautious with vaccines developed abroad, ques- their quick development. caution as the country wit- office until the next election in tioning their quick development. The former German colony with The former German colony nessed the highest number of 2025. File photo of Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli. (AFP) a population of around 58 million has not published any new with a population of around 58 new daily infections this year The head of state’s recent coronavirus infection gures since May 2020. million has not published any amid a poor response to the absence from public view had discharged and re-admitted public of Tanzania, and one “It is poetic justice. President Magufuli de ed the world on new coronavirus infection fig- vaccination drive. fuelled speculation that he had on Sunday after his condition that will undoubtedly move us the struggle against corona ... He de ed science, he refused ures since May 2020. At least 3,495 people were COVID-19. He was rumoured deteriorated, she said. all in very personal ways,” he to take the basic precautions that people all over the world are Magufuli, who first came infected with Covid-19 on to have flown to a hospital in Hassan announced a 14- added. being told to take,” Lissu said. (DPA) to power in 2015, was re-elect- Wednesday, the highest num- Nairobi after his health dete- day mourning period. Kabwe heads the Alliance ed to a second term as presi- ber this year, with 61 deaths, riorated and then on to India. “It is with deep emotion to for Change and Transparency dent in October 2020. official statistics released on According to Hassan, learn of the death of President (ACT). US State Department “The United States re- We hope that Tanzania can Born on October 29, 1959 Thursday showed. Magufuli suffered from chron- John Pombe Magufuli that Ned Price said the US “will mains committed to continu- move forward on a democratic in the western Chato district, Pakistan last week an- ic cardiac arrhythmia which was officially announced today continue to work with the ing to support Tanzanians as and prosperous path,” Price Magufuli first became a teach- nounced the spread of the was diagnosed more than ten 17th March 2021,” opposition Government of Tanzania to they advocate for respect for said. er before earning his doctorate more contagious British strain years ago. leader Zitto Kabwe tweeted. improve ties between the human rights and fundamen- British Prime Minister in chemistry at the University had triggered a third wave of Magufuli was recently “This is an unprecedented American and Tanzanian peo- tal freedoms and work to com- Boris Johnson tweeted: “I’m of Dar es Salaam and then go- the pandemic, closed schools hospitalised for this reason, moment for our United Re- ple. bat the COVID-19 pandemic. sorry to hear that @Magu- ing into politics. and reintroduced some re- strictions in the densely popu- lated cities. “We now think the situa- tion is heading to worse,” said Australia spy agency to relabel publishes final report on Asad Umar, a federal minister who is leading the country’s response to the pandemic. Islamic, right-wing extremism Officials have put many downing of Ukrainian plane more virus hotspots in cities DPA twelve months. under a micro-lockdown with SYDNEY ASIO head said the terms ASIO also investigated a DPA at the time. agreed to pay each the movement of people re- will be replaced with ‘reli- “nest of spies” operating in the TEHRAN After initially denying any victim’s family 150,000 dollars stricted, Umar said. AUSTRALIA’S domestic in- giously motivated violent country which developed re- responsibility for the crash, Ira- in damages. The new surge was re- telligence agency ASIO will lationships with politicians, a IRAN has published a final re- nian officials were forced to ad- Iranian President Hassan corded amid a poor response ditch the expressions “Islamic extremism’ and ‘ideologi- foreign embassy, a state police port following its investigation mit that an Islamic Revolution- Rowhani also called for a trial by health workers and elderly extremism” and “right-wing cally motivated violent service and successfully recruit- into the accidental shooting- of those responsible for the ac- people to an ongoing vaccina- extremism” to refer to violent extremism’ ed “an Australian government down of a Ukrainian passenger cident and said all aspects of tion drive open for them. threats as the labels are “no security clearance holder who plane 15 months ago. Tehran said it was willing the “tragic incident” should be Pakistan has received 1 longer fit for purpose.” and flexibly describe security- had access to sensitive details The 285-page report meets to pay compensation in subject to legal investigation. million doses of vaccines from In his second annual threat relevant activities,” Burgess of defence technology,” he said. all internationally recognised principle but wanted to After Iranian leaders ini- its neighbour and political ally assessment, ASIO Director-Gen- said as he delivered the assess- The government employ- legal criteria and includes all clarify the technical and tially delayed admitting the China as a donation and was eral Mike Burgess said the terms ment in Canberra on Wednes- ee’s security clearance was information on the incident, legal aspects beforehand, plane had been mistakenly shot expecting more under an in- will be replaced with “religiously day evening. cancelled and the foreign spies Iran’s aviation authority said, while other countries down, there were nationwide ternational cooperation plan. motivated violent extremism” The ASIO boss said that, were “quietly and profession- according to the ISNA news protests as citizens accused the But a survey conducted and “ideologically motivated vio- due to reduced physical mobil- ally removed them from Aus- agency. accused Iran of stalling government of lying. The inci- at the start of the year had lent extremism,” which more ac- ity during the coronavirus pan- tralia,” Burgess said. The report is available on dent also led to diplomatic ten- revealed around half of the curately describe what security demic, foreign spies and violent He said that Australia’s the aviation authority’s website, ary Guard Corps air defence sions between Tehran and the citizens were sceptical of the agencies are seeing. extremists have taken to the threat level remained set at it said. battery unintentionally shot five countries affected. vaccines and would not go for “These are umbrella terms - internet. “probable,” as it was a year ago, Ukraine International Air- down the airliner amid height- Tehran said it was willing a jab. and there may be circumstanc- He revealed that a number which means ASIO has “credi- lines flight PS752 was shot ened tensions with US forces in to pay compensation in prin- More than 600,000 infec- es where we need to call out a of foreign spies and their prox- ble intelligence that individuals down by two Iranian missiles Iraq. ciple but wanted to clarify the tions have been reported in specific threat that sits under- ies “in double figures” were and groups have the capability on January 8, 2020, shortly af- Passengers were from technical and legal aspects be- Pakistan in total so far, with neath them - but we believe this either removed from Australia and intent to conduct terrorism ter taking off from Tehran, kill- Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Afghan- forehand, while other countries deaths approaching 14,000. approach will more accurately or incapacitated over the past onshore.” ing all 176 passengers on board istan, Britain and Sweden. accused Iran of stalling. 04 Friday, March 19, 2021

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 HAMAD BIN SUHAIM AL THANI CHAIRMAN Opinion ADEL ALI BIN ALI MANAGING DIRECTOR DR HASSAN MOHAMMED AL ANSARI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Guns, Racism, Misogyny And The Deadly How Biden Can Stand Shootings In Atlanta Up For Asian Americans T will be a while before we get a full picture of the motives behind the Ishootings at three spas in the At- Asians in America are often treated as ‘perpetual foreigners’. In 2020, hate crimes lanta area late Tuesday afternoon, which police allege were committed against them went up by 150% by a 21-year-old white man. But the contours of the violence make one explanation plausible. Among the NOAH SMITH eight dead were six women of Asian descent, leading the Stop AAPI Hate advocacy group to describe the killings a poison for which we have never been HE nation has been rocked by yet another as an “unspeakable tragedy — for the able to find an antidote. In this mo- mass killing — the shooting of eight peo- families of the victims first and fore- ment, the “other” are people of Asian ple at massage parlors in Atlanta. But this most, but also for the AAPI communi- descent, who solely because of their one is even more ominous than usual, be- ty — which has been reeling from high physical appearance are being blamed cause six of the victims were Asian women levels of racial discrimination.” irrationally for the spread of a virus. Tat a time when hate crimes and attacks against Police on Wednesday morning We’d like to offer a menu of policy Asian Americans have soared. It also comes as said that they were still trying to un- proposals to help address the prob- relations between the U.S. and China are dete- ravel what drove the gunman but that lem, but to be honest, that feels fu- riorating, making it even more imperative that he may have been propelled by sexual tile. How do you craft a program that the US quash this wave of persecution. addiction and his desire to, in effect, would keep another Dylann Roof from Tension between the two superpowers has eliminate temptation. Yet the targeted walking into a Black church and killing been rising for a number of years over issues businesses employed a high number nine people simply because they are like human rights, trade and territorial dis- of Asian workers — one spa, in which Black? Or a white supremacist from putes in the South China Sea. But in recent four people were killed, is named walking into a Pittsburgh synagogue years negative sentiment towards China has Young’s Asian Massage — so even if to shoot dead 11 people, as police ac- spiked to previously unimaginable levels. In the motive sprang from another dark- cuse Robert Bowers of doing? Or the U.S., this unfavorable opinion is almost as ness, the result still left at least six peo- Patrick Crusius from driving 11 hours strong among Democrats as among Republi- ple of Asian descent shot dead. to an El Paso Walmart, where police cans, and is common among people of various NYPD of cers hand out information about hate crimes in Asian communities after mass shootings in If it turns out that the spark for accuse him of opening fire on mostly races. And the negative sentiment is world- Atlanta that left 8 dead, including 6 Asian Americans, on March 17. this particular mass shooting arose Latino customers and staff, killing 23 wide, extending to many countries in both Eu- from a tortured mind and libido, people and wounding 25 more? rope and Asia. tacked with slurs. sion from social media and the end of the pan- Asian Americans still are right to Yes, there are interventions that It’s possible to see the latest deadly attack To some degree, this is an intensification of demic, may eventually tamp down the recent worry about possible connections can be done, anti-violence programs as one more manifestation of a wave of free- a long-standing trend. My Asian friends have wave of violent hate. between the killings and the surge of that can be better funded, more edu- floating hatred that has afflicted America in often been the subject of harassment and ag- The question must still be asked: Will ten- violence targeting them. cation about diverse people and cul- the last few years. In 2017, a shooter targeted gression on the street, especially in supposedly sions with China, or even a potential conflict, Also worth noting: Police allege tures to break down the walls behind Indian men in Kansas, probably mistaking tolerant California. Some — usually women — extend and deepen the wave of racism against that the gunman targeted women which fear and suspicion turn into them for Muslims. In 2018, a shooter killed 11 have been the victims of unprovoked violence. Asian people in the US? It’s certainly a possi- (only one of the dead was male) for the irrational hatred. But it’s a powerful Jewish people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Asian people, and especially Asian women, are bility. On one hand, the wave of anger toward “crime” of being the object of his sexu- poison, this racism. and the following year there was another syna- perceived as easy targets. And Asians in Amer- China began well before the recent surge of al temptation. Coincidentally, the kill- Such acts of racist violence are the gogue shooting. In 2019, a man killed 23 peo- ica are also often treated as “perpetual foreign- anti-Asian violence, so it’s probably not an ings happened a day before the House end product of a personal processing ple, mostly Latino, at a Walmart Inc. store in ers,” excluded from the country’s conception immediate cause. But now that anti-Asian vio- of Representatives was set to vote — of myriad influences, including indi- El Paso, Texas. of its own demographic mainstream. lence has effectively become a meme, a conflict again — to revive the federal Violence vidual experiences and societal norms. Though these attacks came at a time when But something changed in 2020, and it’s with China could cement that meme and cause Against Women Act. When a sitting president gives a wink mass shootings have been on the rise in gen- pretty obvious what it was: Covid-19. A world- Asians to be targeted for years. There’s a lot at play here, but and a nod to white nationalists, when eral, in all of these cases the killers had im - wide wave of attacks on Asian people erupted It’s unlikely that Biden can or will tamp more broadly, racial animosity, mi- popular movies, television shows and bibed generous helpings of right-wing propa- in the early days of the pandemic, which origi- down tensions with China just to avoid fueling sogyny and easy access to firearms other media stereotype certain racial ganda. The rampage in Atlanta might simply nated in China. It’s obviously stupid to blame racism. Instead, he and other US leaders — in- are a disturbingly routine conflu- groups and ethnicities, when a domi- mean that this hatred has found a new target; people for being of the same race or ethnic- cluding Republicans — need to redouble their ence of three of the ugliest aspects of nant culture of whiteness can’t bring U.S. investigators at this point haven’t linked ity as a country where a virus originates, but efforts to explicitly tell Americans not to con- American society. That the violence itself to understand the historical heft the shootings to a hate crime against Asian it happened nonetheless. And in the US, the flate Asian people with the country of China, in the Atlanta area quickly led minds of that culture — it wasn’t so long ago Americans. wave of misdirected anger was amplified by and that targeting Asians is unacceptable. to presume, rightly or wrongly, that that people traded postcards depicting While the Atlanta killer was particularly then-President Donald Trump, who constantly There’s a precedent for this: In the wake of another act of anti-Asian racism had the lynchings of Black men — then rac- deadly, he wouldn’t be the first in targeting associated the virus with China in his speeches 9/11, then-President Bush’s repeated insist- occurred was not at all surprising, ism will persist. Asian Americans for violence. In 2020, hate and tweets. Many of the recent anti-Asian hate ence that America wasn’t at war with Islam, given the current backdrop. Lately the hate has been directed crimes against Asian people in the U.S. went crimes have involved repetition of the term and that Islam was a religion of peace, prob- As we noted this month, former against Asian Americans, but they’ve up by 150%, with as many as 3,000 violent “China virus,” which Trump popularized and ably helped limit the size of the wave of anti- President Trump’s persistent racializ- been targeted before, from the immi- incidents throughout the country. That can’t repeated often. Muslim violence in 2003. ing of the origins of the virus that has gration ban imposed by the Chinese be explained by the general rise in violence — Stop AAPI Hate, a group that tracks anti- But in addition, American leaders and in- now killed more than 535,000 people Exclusion Act of 1882 through the murder did go up in the year of the pandemic, Asian violence, said it had received almost stitutions need to think about longer-term nationwide put a target on the backs of herding of Japanese Americans into but only by 30%, and aggravated assault by 3,800 reports of hate incidents since mid- strategies for reducing anti-Asian hate and Asian Americans. concentration camps during World only 6%. March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic violence. Asian Americans must no longer be Racism, from the colonial-era War II to the murder of Vincent Chin Elderly Asian men have been killed on seized the US More than 500 of those came in the invisible minority; our leaders must explic- genocide of Native Americans to the by Detroit autoworkers angry over the street in San Francisco and Phoenix, and the first two months of 2021. itly highlight their presence in a positive light new nation’s constitutional embrace which country was selling more cars. other elderly Asians were injured in similar Fortunately, President Joe Biden is active- and cement them as true core members of the of race-based slavery to our present It’s a long history. And the perpetra- attacks in Oakland and New York City. Rob- ly working to quash anti-Asian hate, not just American people. The only true end to the hate de facto segregated schools and insti- tors are not always white men. Our beries against Asian-owned businesses have with rhetoric, but with law enforcement. JP- and violence will come when Asian Americans tutional biases, is not just our history fears and hatreds are functions of be- increased, and there have been bombs or sus- Morgan Chase & Co.’s Jamie Dimon spoke out are no longer viewed as perpetual foreigners. but part of our national character. It is ing human. picious fires at Asian community centers in about the Atlanta shooting Wednesday and some cities. Across the country, Asian Ameri- said he wouldn’t tolerate racism at the biggest (Noah Smith is a Bloomberg (TCA) cans have been spit on, threatened and at- U.S. bank. Those actions, plus Trump’s expul- Opinion columnist)

A Year Later On The Long Coronavirus Road To Change

DAVID L ULIN us that “we all know what we need to do to ebbed, it had caused 675,000 deaths in beat this virus — tell the truth, follow the the United States (out of a population of N Saturday evening, my wife and I science, work together.” Bromides, yes, 105 million) and as many as 50 million commemorated the first anniver- but no less valuable for being so. deaths worldwide. Osary of the COVID-19 pandemic “I know it’s been hard,” he said. I discovered that piece of the 1918 by inviting two friends to join us for a He’s right, as every one of us knows. influenza timeline on a website for a masked and distanced cocktail on the What we’re commemorating is not just PBS documentary on the subject (other lawn. We are partly vaccinated, and our survival. It is “the horrendous loss of sources cite the date as March 4). It’s with new cases on the decline in Los life, the horrendous loss of livelihood, and tempting to suggest that this coincidence Angeles County — 609 on Sunday, with the symbolic losses as well,” as UC Irvine of events indicates a certain symmetry or just 25 deaths — we’ve begun to feel for professor Roxane Cohen Silver told The confluence, but I want to resist such an the first time in a long time something Times last week. easy narrative. like a cautious optimism. How do we accommodate our anguish A year ago, I started singing “Happy In the email invite to our friends, I and our sorrow? How do we go on? We Birthday” to myself twice, each time I joked that we’d be sitting shiva for the have no choice but to put one foot in front washed my hands, timing the 20 seconds long dark year we had experienced — of the other. Yet it helps to stop and take a needed to eliminate the coronavirus. On with a minyan reduced in size for social moment to note — personally and collec- the birthday of the apocalypse (or of this distancing. Not a great joke, perhaps, but tively — the experiences of the last year. particular apocalypse), I still do — four, also not untrue. I am a keeper of dates, of Commemorations are not end six, eight, 10 times a day. occasions. This is part of how I recognise points, of course, but rather stop along As we observe the anniversary of the my passage through the world. Birthdays, the way. The future is unwritten, Joe pandemic, we also acknowledge its ongo- death days, anniversaries; by remember- Strummer said, and for proof, we need ing presence. ing I keep track of where I am. look no further than the European Un - There is no going back. In ways we Commemorations bestow — or seek to ion, where Italy has just instituted new recognize and ways we don’t yet, the virus — a sense of shape, of order, to the chaos Southbound on the 110 Freeway in the early weeks of the pandemic lockdown. lockdowns, and many countries are see- has changed us all, and irrevocably. We of events. Experience is neutral. It is what ing a significant increase in cases amid memorialize the occasion, then, not to say we cull from it, the narratives we create, or attended a movie or concert, the final the World Health Organization declared a vaccine rollout that has been disrupt - that it is over, but to take stock of — and that give it meaning. Since last week, per- “before” family visit or the last in-person COVID-19 a pandemic, was so essential. ed by delays. to honor — who we are now and what we sonal encomiums have been popping up class. We take these sorts of moments for He told us that if we remained diligent On March 11, 1918, the first US case in have been living through. across my social media feeds, as friends granted, until they disappear. and focused, Independence Day could what would become the devastating 1918- and colleagues and acquaintances re- That’s why the president’s speech possibly mark the beginning of our inde- 19 influenza pandemic was reported at (David L Ulin is book editor for member the last time they went out to eat on Thursday, one year to the day after pendence from the disease. He reminded Fort Riley, Kan. By the time the outbreak the Los Angeles Times)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Friday, March 19, 2021 05 Putin wishes Biden good health after ‘killer’ claim heightens tension DPA sador to Washington being re- sion, according to TASS. “But US intelligence services said and accusing Biden of showing MOSCOW called. when we rate other peoples or on Tuesday that Russia tried to no interest in improving the re- “What would I say to him other countries, we look at them help former president Donald lationship. RESPONDING to President Joe in response?” said Putin when as if in a mirror, because we al- Trump win re-election in 2020. The Foreign Ministry on Biden’s remark that he thinks asked his thoughts about Biden. ways see ourselves and attribute The Kremlin rejected this. Wednesday ordered its ambas- the Russian president is a “kill- “I would tell him: ‘Stay healthy!’ to other people the gist of our Before Putin’s interview, sador, Anatoly Antonov, back er,” Vladimir Putin on Thursday I wish him good health.” Putin own character.” “We often tend the Kremlin was more explicit to Moscow to protest Biden’s suggested the US leader should said his well wishes were not to to see our own qualities in other when talking about Biden’s remarks. During consultations take stock of his own flaws and be taken ironically, according people and think that other “killer” comment. with Antonov in Moscow, the wished him “good health.” Pu- to comments cited by Russia’s people are like us, and from this “I’m just saying that these state of relations with the US tin’s remarks on state TV came TASS news agency. standpoint we assess their ac- are very bad statements by the will be examined, the ministry after Biden answered “I do” to a The long-time Russian lead- tions and character in general,” President of the United States,” said. reporter’s question as to wheth- er then delved into psychology, Putin said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry The deputy head of the er he considered Putin a “killer.” suggesting Biden was projecting Since taking office, Biden’s Peskov was quoted by Interfax Russian Federation Council, Biden’s answer in the interview his own anxieties onto a rival. more aggressive approach - in- news agency as saying. the upper house of the Federal with ABC News sparked a fire- “In the history of any people cluding criticism of Russia’s “Of course there has never Assembly, demanded an apol- storm of criticism from the top and any country there are many human rights and the threat of been anything like it in history,” ogy from the White House and echelons of power in Moscow grave, dramatic and bloody tougher US sanctions - has not said Peskov, describing US- threatened further action if it and led to the Russian ambas- events,” Putin said on televi- sat well in Moscow. Russian relations as “very bad” did not materialize. Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. (AFP) EU regulator deems AstraZeneca vaccine safe

COVID-19 patients remain in the Intensive Care Unit of the Emilio Ribas Hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. (AFP) Brazil’s coronavirus after blood clot reports DPA cases surge to new daily BRUSSELS/AMSTERDAM record of over 90,000 THE European Medicines Agency (EMA) has deemed AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vac- DPA deaths and infections. cine “safe and effective” after RIO DE JANEIRO According to the feder- an extensive review of possible ally-funded biomedical re- blood clot risks, the agency’s BRAZIL has set a new daily search centre Fiocruz, Brazil chief said on Thursday. record in coronavirus infec- is experiencing the “largest Blood clot reports from tions as the spiralling out- health and hospital collapse several countries prompted break puts major stress on the in history.” According to Rio- governments around the nation’s hospitals. based Fiocruz, utilization of world to halt inoculations The Health Ministry in public intensive care beds with the AstraZeneca jab. This Brasilia reported 90,303 for COVID-19 patients is 80 slowed down already sluggish infections over the past 24 per cent or higher in 24 of 26 inoculation campaigns in the hours on Wednesday evening. states and the capital district European Union. The previous high was 87,843 of Brasilia. The EMA, which had ap- new cases on January 7. President Jair Bolsonaro, proved the jab in January, This brings the total who downplayed the coro- launched a review of the risks. number of people confirmed navirus from the start, has “The committee has come to have been infected with also cast doubt on the point to a clear scientific conclu- the coronavirus in the larg- of vaccinations. On Monday, sion,” the agency’s chief Emer est country in Latin Amer- the right-wing populist leader Cooke said when presenting ica to 11.6 million, while announced a new health min- the findings. 284,775 related deaths have ister - his fourth so far in the “This is a safe and effective been reported. pandemic. vaccine. Its benefits in protect- Brazil, a nation of 210 According to a survey by ing people from Covid-19, with million which began vac- the Datafolha institute, 54 per the associated risks of death cinations in January, is one cent of respondents recently and hospitalization, outweigh of the countries hardest hit described Bolsonaro’s pan- the possible risks,” Cooke said. A worker unloads a refrigerated truck carrying the rst delivery of coronavirus vaccine in the West Bank city of Nablus on Wednesday. (AFP) by the pandemic. It is only demic management as bad or The agency’s committee behind the United States in very bad. concluded that the vaccine launched additional investiga- dicated that they would follow “We have the intention to good-faith negotiations,” ac- was not associated with an tions to understand the issue. the EMA’s advice. send a letter to AstraZeneca, cording to their agreement. increase in the overall risk of The EMA therefore recom- But while AstraZeneca’s a letter that will permit us to The commission main- thromboembolic events or mended issuing warnings by jab received backing from engage in a dialogue with the tains that AstraZeneca under- blood clots. “When you vac- including the risks in the prod- the EU medicines agency, the company in the framework of delivered on its promises, Five years of EU-Turkey cinate millions of people, it’s uct information. company itself remains at log- a dispute resolution process,” while the company argues that inveitable that rare or serious The World Health Organi- gerheads with the European commission spokesperson the contract only stipulates it incidences or illnesses will oc- sation has also recommended Commission. Eric Mamer told reporters. has to make the best possible pact a ‘disaster’ for cur in the time immediately the continued use of the vac- The commission - the The EU countries would effort to deliver on envisaged following vaccination,” she cine. bloc’s executive body - an- still have to give their input to doses. According to European migrants’ rights: NGOs said. These assessments now nounced earlier on Thursday the letter, he said. Commission President Ursula However, the agency could clear the way for countries to that it is preparing a formal Within 20 days of notice, von der Leyen, the company DPA The commission’s planned not definitively rule out a link take up their AstraZeneca vac- letter to the pharmaceutical the chiefs of both sides - the would only deliver 70 mil- BRUSSELS migration pact, which it pro- between cases of rare, very cine campaigns again. Before giant amid delivery delays, company and the commission lion of a promised 180 million posed in September 2020 and serious clotting disorders the announcement of the re- taking a first step in a dispute - would have to meet “and at- doses in the second quarter of THE European Union’s asylum which is currently under ne- and the vaccine, and said it sults, some governments in- resolution process. tempt to resolve the dispute by the year. policy is not meeting interna- gotiation with the 27 member tional protection standards, states, repeated those mistakes, several human rights organiza- according to the organizations. tions argued on Thursday on Migrants wouldn’t be given Police dog sniffs out the occasion of the five-year proper access to asylum proce- marijuana worth $8 mn anniversary of the EU-Turkey dures, they said. For example, North Korea vows to ignore US migration agreement. if the commission’s proposal is during traffic stop The deal came into force on to be implemented as it stands, DPA March 20, 2016. In this non- asylum seekers would be “pre- attempts to establish contact NEW YORK binding agreement, Turkey screened” outside the bloc to promises to seal off its borders determine whether they’re eligi- DPA ministration of President person said earlier this THE Indiana State Police and take back irregular mi- ble for asylum, which would be SEOUL Joe Biden has been trying to month that efforts in this seized a half-tonne of mari- grants from the Greek islands problematic. get in touch. direction had so far been juana worth $8 million after in exchange for some 6 billion “The experience of the past A top North Korean official While discussing unsuccessful. The goal is an alert patrol dog picked euros (7.2 billion dollars) - with has shown that remote sites are has vowed to ignore US at- North Korea’s nuclear to rely on diplomacy and up the drugs’ scent during a disastrous consequences for likely to suffer from understaff- tempts to establish contact programme on a diplomatic reduce the “risk of escala- traffic stop. those seeking protection, ac- ing which results in bottlenecks until Washington has met visit to , US tion,” it said. The incident occurred cording to a statement by eight and delays,” the organizations Pyongyang’s conditions, Secretary of State Antony Biden’s predecessor, Tuesday afternoon when a organizations. said. Echoing the assessments, indicating any movement on Blinken said China needs to Donald Trump, had initiat- trooper searched a van after The organizations, includ- human rights organization the debate about its nuclear use its influence on North ed talks with ruler Kim Jong stopping it for a moving viola- ing Amnesty International, Hu- Medico International said the weapons programme re- Korea to bring some calm to Un about North Korea’s tion outside Lowell, in north- man Rights Watch and Oxfam, bloc’s asylum system lacked mains a long way away. the region. nuclear programme and also west Indiana. said containment at the exter- solidarity and needed an urgent According to media re- “Because it is a source met him personally. “During that search, troop- nal borders of the EU was often update. ports, the US has been try- File photo of North Korean leader of instability, it’s a source Despite two high-profile ers discovered 38 large boxes in breach of human rights. In a study for the organi- ing to contact North Korea Kim Jong Un. (AFP) of danger and obviously summits attended by Trump and 6 black garbage bags” said “Every single day since then, zation, researcher Maximilian since mid-February. a threat to us and our and Kim amid much fanfare, the Indiana State Police. families have been trapped in Pichl argues that catastrophes “We don’t think there is rolls back what she called partners,” said Blinken. little progress was made on “The boxes were wrapped ‘hotspots’ on the Greek islands, - like when the Moria camp need to respond to the US its “hostile policy” towards “China has a real interest the issue of reducing or dis- in black plastic wrap. Inside their lives put on hold,” Oxfam burned down, pushing thou- delaying-time trick again,” North Korea. in helping to deal with this mantling the disputed North the boxes contained a total of said in a press release accompa- sands of migrants onto the North Korea’s first deputy “In order for a dialogue - tremendous influence - I Korean nuclear arsenal. 1,264 individually sealed bags, nying the statement. streets of the Greek island of foreign minister, Choe Son to be held, an atmosphere would hope that whatever Choe did not specifi- each weighing approximately “The EU and Greece created Lesbos - were a consequence of Hui, said on Thursday in for both parties to exchange happens going forward, cally say what demands the 1.5 lbs [about 680 grammes], these ‘hotspots’ following the the bloc’s migration policy. a statement carried by the words on an equal basis must China will use that influ- US must meet for talks to and contained a green plant EU-Turkey deal. The EU’s aim The EU had externalised North Korean state news be created,” she asserted. ence effectively.” Blinken is start. The last round of material. A field test of the to keep asylum-seekers on the migration control, leading to agency KCNA. Pyongyang would also currently travelling through talks between Trump and content revealed it to be mari- Greek islands to speed up their cramped camps at the borders, She accused Washing- disregard future Washing- the region with US Defence Kim broke down because juana.” The driver, 31-year-old return to Turkey has resulted and the burden of dealing with ton of adopting hostile ton attempts to take up Secretary Lloyd Austin. The the US was unwilling to lift Christopher Colburn, was ar- in appalling living conditions, asylum applications was not policies and using “cheap contact. two met their South Korean sanctions on North Korea, rested at the scene. violent border control practices equally distributed amongst tricks.” She said no contact With Choe’s statement, counterparts as a group of despite promises to end A photo of the seizure and immense delays in asylum member states, he said in his or dialogue of any kind North Korea confirmed for four in Seoul on Thursday. at least some nuclear pro- showed a white van filled with procedures,” the charity said. analysis. was possible unless the US the first time that the ad- A White House spokes- grammes. black garbage bags. Google plan to block cookies draws US antitrust scrutiny PG 7

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

32,938.14 10,304.95 49216.52 1,733.50 -77.23 PTS +93.56 PTS -585.10 PTS GOLD +0.37 % GCC holds a positive outlook on DOW QE SENSEX the future of work: PwC survey PG 8 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 26.14 BRENT 62.78 -7.68 % WTI 59.55 -7.82% SILVER +0.30 % QSE on Qatar a global reference point gaining spree, up in commercial use of 5G: Yang 80 points Huawei committed to support industry digitisation in Qatar with 5G, talent development and cybersecurity: Yang this week SATYENDRA PATHAK TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA DOHA

QATAR is among the world’s first in terms of CONTINUING its upward 5G deployments and has become a reference trend, the Qatar Stock Ex- point for global commercial use, Huawei Mid- change (QSE) general index dle East President Charles Yang has said. closed higher for the week Addressing mediapersons virtually on the with an increase of 80.03 sidelines of this week’s Milipol Qatar 2021, points ( 0.78 percent), to Yang said, “With the rapid development of 5G reach 10,304.95 points. together with AI and cloud industries, Qatar is The week saw market rightfully attaching great importance to data capitalisation of QSE in- sovereignty and cybersecurity.” crease to QR 597.498 billion “These investments will demonstrate their at the end of this week from value once again during mega-events like the QR594.129 billion in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, en- previous week. abling brand-new experiences such as 8K live Trading value dur- broadcasts and exciting in-home viewer expe- ing the week increased to riences through augmented and virtual real- reach QR2.514 billion from ity,” he said. QR2.311 billion in the previ- Yang reaffirmed Huawei’s commitment to ous trading week. supporting the realisation of the Qatar Nation- While trading volume al Vision 2030 through its contribution to the reached 1.144 billion, the country’s growing digital economy and major number of transaction stood events like the upcoming 2022 FIFA World at 51,410 during the week. Cup in Qatar. Five of the seven sector “Huawei 5G will help reshape the 2022 indices closed in the posi- FIFA World Cup in Qatar to be the most amaz- tive territory during the week ing experience in sporting history,” he said. saw the telecom sector lead- Yang praised the country’s strong progress ing other sector indices with on digital transformation under the Qatar a gain of over 4 percent. The Smart Program (TASMU) whilst empowering insurance sector gained 3.22 cross-sector collaboration, data sharing, and percent to be the second best encouraging innovation across the country’s gainer for the week. digital ecosystem. While the banking and “The use cases of 5G are almost unlimited financial services sector in- in terms of healthcare, education, entertain- creased 57.91 points (1.38 ment, transportation, energy, and more,” Huawei Middle East President Charles Yang addresses mediaperons during an event held virtually on the sidelines of Milipol Qatar 2021. percent), consumer goods Yang said. and services sector increased Huawei is committed to cooperative cyber- “Huawei has also signed more than 1,000 from the Fortune 100, have selected Huawei vibrant ecosystem that promotes innovation in 97 points (1.22 percent). security mitigation programmes while never contracts for industrial 5G applications in as a digital transformation partner. the Middle East,” he said. Industries sector also putting commercial interests ahead of cyber- more than 20 industries, demonstrating the Highlighting that Huawei is already one Highlighting Huawei’s role in bolster- gained 23.15 points (0.70 per- security policies. I reiterate that Huawei wel- trust that governments and its customers have of the largest patent holders in the world, he ing local ICT talent, he said, “Over the next cent) to lift the main index comes signing cybersecurity agreement with in Huawei,” he said. said, “In 2020, Huawei was the top filer of three years, Huawei has committed to train- higher during the week. governments to ensure openness, transpar- “Our responsibility has always been to patents for the fourth consecutive year, ac- ing 10,000 local talents in Qatar in emerging Out of the 48 listed com- ency, and trust,” he said. make secure, trustworthy, and high-quality cording to the World Intellectual Property technologies and standardisations. This will panies, the week witnessed 24 Over recent days, he said, the company products,” Yang said. Organization (WIPO). The company has also be done across Huawei’s talent ecosystem, stcoks close higher. has been working closely with other global “Huawei has not had any major cyberse- been leading in areas like 5G patents for some through which the company already works While 23 stocks closed manufacturers, security and safety experts, curity incidents while working with more than time, and has in turn been featured on rank- with local universities, partners, govern- lower, there was no change governments and enterprises at Milipol to help 500 telecom providers for nearly 20 years in ings such as the EU Industrial R&D Invest- ments, and enterprise customers to cultivate in the share price of the re- establish a more secure digital ecosystem in 170 countries. No other vendor can claim this ment Scoreboard in 2020.” more qualified ICT talent.” maining one stock. the region. level of cybersecurity success,” he said. “In the post-pandemic era, local govern- Huawei’s talent ecosystem currently con- The week saw Baladna, Building and fully implementing an end-to- In parallel with its cybersecurity empha- ments and enterprises are all actively pushing sists of four parts: a Seeds for the Future pro- a Qatari public sharehold- end global cybersecurity assurance and privacy sis, he said, Huawei is doubling down on for industrial digitalisation, upgrading smart gram, the Huawei ICT Competitions, an intern- ing company, announce that protection system is one of Huawei’s most cru- its research efforts in the region and interna- systems and solutions to enhance the level of ship programme, and various ICT Academies. its net profit amounted to cial strategies for the region, Yang said. tionally. public services,” said Yang. “As a consequence, “With powerful technologies, a local talent QR152.129 million 2020. In 2020 alone, he said, Huawei supported Huawei’s cybersecurity practices have al- they are looking at enhanced cybersecurity and ecosystem, and well-established cybersecurity While earnings per share the stable operations of over 300 networks in- ready gained the trust of global value chain privacy frameworks to guide how that trans- frameworks, we are confident that advanced (EPS) for 2020 amounted to ternationally, and helped operators to provide partners and industry-leading organisations. formation can happen. New policies, organi- digital applications across all industries can be- QR 0.082, the company pro- online services and minimize the impact of the To date, more than 700 cities and 228 For- zational structures, and processes will need to come more widespread in Qatar and beyond,” posed cash dividend distribu- pandemic on their business. tune 500 companies, among which 58 are be determined, and will ultimately nurture a Yang said. tions of QR0.053 per share. Natural gas vital in energy transition: IGU president

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and energy security. It will the opportunities a just ener- reduce emissions,” Kan said. DOHA require clarity of purpose gy transition should provide. The economic and envi- and approach that has been The gas industry sup- ronmental value of natural THE role of natural gas as an lacking to date, but we have plies natural gas to energise gas in a sustainable energy enabler in the energy tran- to settle on an approach that all six continents, to enable future against the backdrop sition while underpinning delivers clean, secure and af- the scale-up of intermittent of a groundswell of anxiety economic activity will be an fordable energy,” said Kang. renewables, and to produce about climate change was important theme in the inter- According to Kang, dif- hydrogen. This puts us at also touched upon by the national energy discussion in ferent nations face different the forefront of environ- GECF Secretary General HE the years ahead, International challenges and have differ- mental innovation to reduce Yury Sentyurin. Gas Union (IGU) President ent means to achieve a path- emissions. “Climate action is not a Joe M Kang has said. way toward UN Sustain- “No justice will be served zero-sum game. There isn’t Speaking at the 50th able Development Goals and if achieving the (Ac- a low-cost alternative yet edition of the GECF Gas the provisions of the Paris cord) targets involve actions for heating industrial build- Lecture Series entitled ‘A Agreement. that stymie economic growth ings, producing electricity, Clean, Secure, and Afford- “For billions of people in and prosperity, or that deny cooking meals, riding a mo- able Energy Future Requires the developing world – with billions of people access to tor vehicle, transporting Electricity, Gas, and Infra- low CO2 per capita and low much needed affordable en- maritime cargo, boarding an structure’, Kang argued that access to energy – there is ergy and clean cooking fu- aeroplane. The existing re- only by marshalling a collec- no greater challenge than els. Picking only electrical newable energy sources like tive effort that the world can achieving an affordable, pathways will lead to lost wind, sun, and water can- guarantee a prosperous and secure and clean supply of opportunities, higher costs not yet sufficiently replace secure future. energy. In richer nations – and a slower transition for hydrocarbons. On the other “The climate change with high CO2 per capita – The gas industry supplies natural gas to energise all six continents, to enable the scale-up of intermittent millions of people. The gas hand, natural gas is abun- debate in recent years has resources and infrastructure renewables, and to produce hydrogen. industry supplies natural gas dantly available. It can, in been intense and loud, but are in place to accelerate de- to energise all six continents, theory, complement the rise the world has not come far carbonisation,” he said. able energy, using electrons UN Sustainable Development pete to see how best this can to enable the scale-up of in- of fuels such as hydrogen, via in aligning on an approach “The International Gas and natural gas and hydro- and Paris Goals,” Kang said. be achieved by a variety of termittent renewables, and blue hydrogen based on Car- that enables us to meet the Union believes an achievable gen molecules, and the nec- The speaker called on all means, and in so doing ensure to produce hydrogen. This bon Capture, Utilisation, and enormous challenges of de- transition is one that deliv- essary infrastructure to help governments to let the energy the greatest opportunities for puts us at the forefront of Storage (CCUS) technolo- carbonisation, energy access ers clean, secure and afford- individual countries meet the industry innovators com- citizens around the world – environmental innovation to gies,” Sentyurin said. Economy & Business Friday, March 19, 2021 07 US jobless claims rise to 770k with Google plan to block cookies layoffs still high AGENCIES fraud at the state level. In draws US antitrust scrutiny addition, the expansion of THE number of Americans supplemental federal un- Investigators probing if Google is using Chrome to reduce competition by preventing rival ad rms from tracking users seeking unemployment employment benefits has benefits rose last week to likely encouraged more 770,000, a sign that lay- jobless Americans to apply AGENCIES offs remain high even as for aid. much of the U.S. economy In addition, last month’s GOOGLE’S plan to block a is steadily recovering from severe winter weather el- popular web tracking tool the coronavirus recession. evated jobless claims in called “cookies” is a source of Thursday’s report from Texas. And California has concern for U.S. Justice De- the Labor Department reported an uptick in ap- partment investigators who showed that jobless claims plications because of lay- have been asking advertising climbed from 725,000 the offs at bars, restaurants, industry executives whether week before. The numbers retailers and other services the move by the search giant have dropped sharply since businesses — all of which will hobble its smaller rivals, the depths of the recession have been hard hit by the people familiar with the situ- last spring but still show pandemic. Yet with vacci- ation said. that employers in some in- nations accelerating, hopes Alphabet Inc’s Google a dustries continue to lay off are rising that Americans year ago announced it would workers. Before the pan- will increasingly travel, ban some cookies in its demic struck, applications shop, eat out and spend Chrome browser to increase for unemployment aid had freely after a year of virus- user privacy. Over the last never topped 700,000 in induced restraint. two months, Google released any one week. President Joe Biden’s more details, leading online The four-week average $1.9 trillion relief package ads rivals to complain about of claims, which smooths is also expected to help ac- losing the data-gathering tool. out weekly variations, celerate growth, especially The questions from Jus- dropped to 746,000, the with most adults this week tice Department investigators lowest since late November. receiving $1,400 stimu- have touched on how Chrome A total of 4.1 million lus checks that should fuel policies, including those re- people are continuing to more spending. An exten- lated to cookies, affect the collect traditional state un- sion of $300 weekly un- ad and news industries, four employment benefits, down employment benefits into people said. 18,000 from the previous early September will pro- Investigators are ask- Google a year ago announced it would ban some cookies in its Chrome browser to increase user privacy. week. Including separate vide support, too, along ing whether Google is us- federal programs that are with money for vaccines ing Chrome, which has 60% since mid-2019, and last Oc- suit or join the Texas case, Google vice president over- intended to help workers and treatments, school re- global market share, to re- tober it sued Google for al- $7 bn investment one of the sources said. But seeing ad services, told an in- displaced by the health cri- openings, state and local duce competition by prevent- legedly using anticompetitive antitrust litigation experts dustry conference last week. sis, 18.2 million Americans governments and ailing in- ing rival ad companies from tactics to maintain the domi- Search engine giant said the department also still But smaller rivals dismiss were receiving some form dustries ranging from air- tracking users through cook- nance of its search engine. It Google, a unit of Alphabet had time to amend its existing the privacy rationale used by of jobless aid in the week of lines to concert halls. ies while leaving loopholes for has continued to probe Goog- Inc., will invest $7 billion in complaint to include the ad big companies such as Goog- Feb. 27, down by 1.9 million “Labor market strains it to gather data with cook- le’s ad practices. of ces and data centers tech concerns. le and Apple Inc to restrict from the week before. are ongoing, but we expect ies, analytics tools and other Investigators also have across the U.S. this year, Texas on Tuesday amend- tracking since they would The continuing lay- filings (for unemployment sources, the sources added. asked rivals whether they en- down from the $10 billion ed its complaint to, among continue to collect valuable offs are occurring even as aid) to start declining as The latest conversations, countered behavior similar last year, and create other things, allege that forth- data and potentially capture the overall job market has restrictions are lifted and which have not been previ- to or worse than the adver- coming changes to Chrome even more ad revenue. shown solid improvement. more normal operations ously reported, are a sign that tising-focused accusations 10,000 new full-time jobs, “are anti-competitive because “There is a weaponiza- Last month, U.S. employ- resume,” Rubeela Farooqi, officials are tracking Google’s that attorneys general from the company said they raise barriers to entry tion of privacy to justify ers added a robust 379,000 chief U.S. economist at projects in the global online Texas and other states lev- Thursday and exclude competition” in business decisions that con- jobs, the most since Oc- High Frequency Econom- ad market where it and No. eled against Google in a law- web advertising. solidate power to their busi- tober and a sign that the ics, said in a research note. 2 Facebook Inc control about suit last December, the people the Privacy Sandbox that Google has been limit- ness and disadvantage the economy is strengthening “As businesses return to full 54% of revenue. said. could allow businesses to ing data collection and usage broader marketplace,” said as consumers spend more capacity, job and income The ad inquiry may not The Justice Department target clusters of consumers across several of its services. Chad Engelgau, chief execu- and states and cities ease prospects will improve and, lead to legal action. declined comment for this without identifying individu- The Chrome changes would tive of Interpublic Group of business restrictions. combined with fiscal sup- Executives from more story. als, among other proposals. affect ad tech companies that Companies Inc’s ad data unit No single factor fully port, will provide a power- than a dozen companies Google defended its moves “We will not replace third- use cookies to collect people’s Acxiom. explains the still-high lev- ful lift to the economy.″ from an array of sectors have in the ads business, saying it party cookies with alternative viewing history to direct more France’s competition au- el of weekly applications At the same time, the spoken with Justice Depart- was helping companies grow methods to track individual relevant ads to them. thority on Wednesday tempo- for state unemployment nation is still roughly 9.5 ment investigators, one of the and protecting users’ privacy people across the web,” she “We don’t believe track- rarily allowed Apple to move aid. The figures have been million short of the number sources said. from exploitative practices. said. ing individuals across the web forward with new tracking clouded by backlogs in pro- of jobs it had in February The government has been A spokeswoman pointed If the Justice Department will stand the test of time as limits, saying privacy protec- cessing and by evidence of 2020. investigating Google’s search to an alternative to cookies sues over ads-related con- privacy concerns continue to tions prevailed over competi- and advertising business that Google is leading called duct, it could file a new law- accelerate,” Jerry Dischler, a tion concerns.

SOUGHT-AFTER VACATION DESTINATION Sheltered from virus, Kauai plans cautious return to tourism

AGENCIES a county-approved resort property. they did business,” said Rob Silver- If they stay at one of the resorts, man, who shifted his Rob’s Good AS the coronavirus ravaged other they wear monitoring devices but Times Grill in Lihue to takeout and parts of the U.S., residents of this can roam the grounds and use eventually in-house service after rural Pacific island watched safely amenities. the pandemic hit. “And those are from afar. Participants must be tested 72 the people that really struggled.” Kauai, one of the world’s most hours before they get to Hawaii Lance Keener, who owns sought-after vacation destina- and again 72 hours after arrival to Ohana Fishing Charters, said he tions, has been nearly impossible be released from quarantine. lost nearly all of his business when to visit for most of the past year, The program has caught at the county shut down last March. with officials bucking pressure to least six positive cases since its Things haven’t gotten any better, ease quarantine rules as the state’s January launch. and he looks forward to when the economy tanked. “We really felt that us com- state lifts restrictions in April. As a result, Hawaii’s least ing in here, we would be safe “We were doing really good populated county has been one of and we would also be safe to the and almost pretty much debt-free, the safest places to be. Hair salons residents,” said Victoria Lofton, making money,” Keener said. were open, kids went to school and who visited Timbers Kauai re- “And all of a sudden now we’re, played team sports, and residents sort through the bubble program you know, I think back further enjoyed restaurants, bars and with her husband, Art. “We really than square one.” beaches without the typical hordes respect them, and they’re really But some are wary of allowing of visitors — or the fears of surg- trying to do the right thing.” back lots of tourists. ing virus numbers. As of last week, She said it was a great way to Steve O’Neal, who moved his Kauai has had only 217 confirmed get away from California, where family to Kauai from California COVID-19 cases since the start the pandemic was raging. last year, worries lifting measures of the pandemic, compared with “At home, we had one other that have kept the island safe is more than 28,000 statewide. family that we saw. We weren’t go- premature, especially as new vari- Now, local officials are loos- ing out of the house,” she said. ants of the virus emerge. Both the ening restrictions, saying early On Kauai, where they own a South African and U.K. variants measures and the island’s depar- unit on the resort, “we felt free.” have been found in Hawaii. ture from a state testing program Next month, the island will He also points to recom- that allowed in more people gave it rejoin the state’s Safe Travels A person stands in front of the Paci c Ocean at The Cliffs at Princeville resort, one of several “resort bubble” properties on mendations from the Centers for time to build a strong foundation program, which allows travelers Kauai, in Princeville, Hawaii. Disease Control and Prevention, of public health. A unique “resort to avoid quarantine with a single which advises against travel but bubble” program also helped Kauai negative pre-flight test. has set it apart in an already strict about the state’s single-test scheme COVID-19 cases have been linked says if people must get on a plane, bring back some tourists and pre- Health officials pointed to state. and the island’s limited health care directly to travel, Guest said. they should undergo two tests and pare to reopen more broadly. Kauai’s vaccination program as For most of 2020, anyone com- capacity — Kauai has only nine While President Joe Biden a quarantine on either end of a “From a big picture society part of that decision. The county ing to Hawaii faced a rigidly en- ICU beds and 14 ventilators. and federal health officials have trip. standpoint, it allowed Kauai to leads Hawaii in the number of resi- forced 14-day quarantine rule. But Kawakami resisted calls from warned against lifting restrictions “It’s kind of an inconvenient get to a baseline of sort of what dents who have received at least the restrictions walloped the state’s lawmakers and the tourism indus- too soon, especially as vaccines truth that Hawaii is going against the new normal was going to be in one dose, at 23%. tourism-dependent economy, try to conform to a unified state- become more widely available, the guidelines of the CDC,” O’Neal the middle of a pandemic,” Kauai “By the time that we opt back and unemployment rates soared, wide system. states across the nation are easing said. Mayor Derek Kawakami said. in, we expect all hospitality and including on Kauai. “We said, look, the timing is coronavirus rules in a bid to get Still, he appreciates that Kauai The county’s resort bubble food service workers to have been The state launched Safe Travels horrible, but vaccines are arriving their economies back on track. officials held their ground and put program, or Enhanced Movement offered vaccines,” said Lauren in October, bringing back more in Hawaii,” Kawakami said. “We’re Kauai’s latest move is welcome locals’ health and safety first. Quarantine, has been running for Guest, the state’s Department of visitors. But with that came more seeing a second and third spike news for businesses, even those “They’ve really prioritized almost three months. Health preparedness planner for disease. happening on the mainland. ... We that were able to maintain a core families and kids. And, you know, It allows visitors to come to Kauai. “And they really are the Kauai’s cases more than dou- really focused on making policy of local customers throughout the people have their after-school Kauai if they get two negative ones who work very closely with bled in seven weeks, and it had calls and making sacrifices on the year. programs. People have their COVID-19 tests and spend three visitors on the front line.” its first and, so far, only death. It economic side.” “A lot of people, I think, school programs. I mean, that’s a days either on another island or at Kauai’s strict path to reopening quickly opted out, citing worries The majority of Kauai’s weren’t able to change the way big deal.” 08 Friday, March 19, 2021 Economy & Business Oil price expected to average $60 for reminder of 2021: S&P

sovereigns. Yet, how govern- “It should be noted “This is not to suggest e ratings agency said it expects Highlights ments choose to use any in- that we differentiate be- that oil prices were our only For hydrocarbon-exporting crease in revenues and their tween structural and cycli- consideration in revising relatively modest oil prices over Sovereigns, higher oil longer-term policy stance is cal changes in oil prices,” he the ratings of hydrocarbon- also important. added. exporting sovereigns since the longer term prices won’t quickly “We believe the pro- “We lowered most of the end-2014. reverse balance longed and in many cases ratings on sovereign hydro- “For sovereigns gener- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Higher oil prices are sheet deterioration, ongoing structural dete- carbon exporters since the ally, important rating factors DOHA broadly supportive of ratings says S&P report rioration in stock positions- structural change in the oil since 2020 have also been on hydrocarbon-exporting -government net debt and market beginning in the sec- the COVID-19 pandemic’s BRENT oil price is expected sovereigns, but are one of ● Higher oil prices are broadly supportive of ratings on net external debt--alongside ond half of 2014. We expect specific country impact and to average $60 per barrel for many important factors in hydrocarbon-exporting sovereigns, but are one of many relatively limited fiscal and relatively modest oil prices implications for world eco- the remainder of 2021, $60 S&P’s credit analysis, the re- important factors in S&P’s credit analysis economic reform momen- over the longer term. Since nomic growth. in 2022, and $55 in 2023 port said. tum, remain fundamental our ratings already factor “The policy response and beyond, said S&P Global Higher oil and gas prices ● Higher oil and gas prices generally help to improve the considerations for the hydro- in our view of such struc- of hydrocarbon exporting Ratings in a new report. The generally help to improve government budgets and current account positions of carbon-exporting sovereigns tural changes, we do not ex- sovereigns is of equal if not previously estimated figures the government budgets and hydrocarbon-exporting sovereigns. we rate,” said S&P Global pect cyclical price changes more importance than shifts for these years were $55, current account positions Ratings credit analyst Trevor to significantly affect our rat- in production or commodity $55, and $50 respectively. of hydrocarbon-exporting Cullinan in the report. ings.” prices.” MoCI announces GCC holds a positive outlook on lease opportunities in camel market the future of work: PwC survey QNA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA DOHA

THE Permanent Committee A new survey by PwC in 19 for Central Markets Man- countries, including four agement at the Ministry of Facilities across the GCC, reveals that Commerce and Industry the way people work and the announced investment op- The new camel market expectations they have for their portunities to lease stores at includes pens for selling employers has seen significant the new camel market in the camels, and stores for shifts in light of COVID-19. Abu Nakhla area. selling fodder, in addition to Reflecting the speed at which This is being carried out shops for various organisations needed to accel- in cooperation with Aswaq commercial activities to erate and develop their digital for Food Facilities Manage- serve the market and its upskilling programmes to keep ment Company, a Hassad up with the change technology Food subsidiary, and in dealers. The market also has presented. coordination with the Min- includes a camel The survey titled “ Hopes istry of Municipality and slaughterhouse, which will & Fears -Insights from the Environment. be operated by the Widam GCC” found that despite the An MoCI statement Food Company, in addition pandemic, GCC workers sen- said steps for offering, pri- to a room for owners of timent about the future is vatization process, evalua- pens and shops and positive, with 61% of workers tion criteria and tenant ob- market visitors. saying they are excited or con- ligations in the new market fident about what the future have been defined. holds ( 63% in Qatar) , while The new camel mar- nism that allows the tenant only 27% say they are worried. ket includes pens for sell- to obtain good investment Additionally, as a result of the ing camels, and stores for by granting an appropri- accelerated digital transforma- selling fodder, in addition ate rental price while ad- tion caused by the pandemic, to shops for various com- hering to some conditions 71% believe that technology mercial activities to serve and considerations that provides more opportunities the market and its dealers will maintain the continu- than risks, while 40% claimed (veterinary clinic, trade in ity and the success of the to have improved their digital veterinary supplies, a store markets, while giving an skills during this time. for selling animal supplies opportunity for consumers However, there is a grow- ner, New world. New skills. crisis and uncertainty, digital began demanding more from and tools, a supermarket, to obtain their basic needs ing concern that many jobs will Leader at PwC Middle East learning has become more im- the corporate world, press- and a restaurant). of services at competitive become obsolete in the next 5 said: “While enabling digital portant than ever. As a matter ing business leaders to weigh The market also in- prices. years due to technological ad- transformation and growing While enabling digital of urgency, young people need in and help solve our most cludes a camel slaughter- The Ministry set oper- vances, says 58% of the survey the digital economy has been a transformation and growing digital skills to embrace this pressing societal issues. Peo- house, which will be oper- ating and leasing stand- respondents. pillar of national reform agen- the digital economy has digital world and workforce. ple want their work and em- ated by the Widam Food ards and requirements to Commenting on the find- das in the GCC, COVID-19 has This is widely accepted, with ployers to make a difference in Company, in addition to ensure maximum benefit ings Bassam Hajhamad, Qa- accelerated this along with the been a pillar of national 86% of GCC people surveyed society, which is why globally, a room for owners of pens from the project, and to tar Country Senior Partner at evolving behaviors of a young, reform agendas in the GCC, stating that they are confident 75% of people said they want and shops and market visi- provide high-quality ser- PwC, said: “The COVID-19 en- tech-savvy population. As a COVID-19 has accelerated they can adapt to new technol- to work for an organisation tors. There is also a service vices to the market-goers, vironment has presented a mix result, 26% of those surveyed this along with the evolving ogy entering their workplace. that will make a positive con- area for all dealers. including citizens and resi- of opportunities and challeng- in the GCC say they began the behaviours of a young, With around 60% of respond- tribution to society - and 81% The investment oppor- dents. es for Qatar employees. More pandemic without adequate ents in the 18-to-34 age group, of people in the GCC second tunities that will be offered The Ministry an- specifically, it has accelerated digital skills, but at least 40% tech-savvy population. this cohort is made up of the motion. in the said market will nounced that those wish- digitisation plans for both claim they successfully im- Randa Bahsoun, Partner, New “digital natives”, familiar with “The pandemic continues reach 75 opportunities, in- ing to invest can submit public and private sectors. This proved these skills throughout world. New skills. Leader at constant online interaction in to reorder priorities and up- cluding 30 for camel pens, their applications electron- was evident in our recent sur- the past year.” PwC Middle East their working and private lives end timelines, governments 40 for fodder stores, and ically through the Ministry vey that reveals 86% of Qatar It has been evident that and accustomed to rapid tech- and business leaders need to 5 other stores for various of Commerce and Industry employers have provided their employers that provided the nological change. With a large work together to best support commercial activities. website www.moci.gov.qa, employees with new technolo- necessary skills and technology ployees said that they prefer a part of their careers ahead of workers in this new normal, The Ministry affirmed or via the following link: gies to embrace digital trans- during the migration to online mixture of in-person and re- them, the survey findings show and recognize the larger role that these investment op- https://www.aswaq.com. formation, and adapt to the and remote work were able to mote working, with only 9% that when this group looks to they play in society. Overall, in portunities were presented qa/ar/shop-registration- new hybrid-working norm. We provide a seamless transition stating they’d like to go to the the digitised future, they see alignment with the GCC, our in accordance with a policy ar/, which will be acti- anticipate this trend to contin- into this new way of working, office full-time, and 19% want- employment prospects which survey reveals that employees that guarantees great bene- vated from March 21 and ue and more remote and digi- while others were forced to ing to remain fully remote. they fully intend to seize. in Qatar are positive about the fit for tenants and consum- will continue until April 1, tally enabled working models play catch-up. And, although As more digitally savvy As people continue to future of work and their digi- ers by setting up a mecha- 2021. to emerge.” remote working is here to stay Millennials and Gen Z’s domi- deal with the ramifications of tal capabilities,” added Randa Randa Bahsoun, Part- for the time being, 72% of em- nate the workforce in a time of a global pandemic, workers Bahsoun. EV frenzy over VW shares China delivers on threats to rein in internet economy AGENCIES ment of the digital economy, not fully developed and has draws regulator’s attention people’s lives have become shortcomings, and we have ON Tuesday, Chinese lives- inseparable from internet a prominent problem of the AGENCIES 50% so far this year, luring in- treaming e-commerce came platforms,” the official China regulatory system not adjust- stitutional and retail investors under scrutiny. On Thursday, Daily wrote on Thursday. ing to this issue,” a readout AN outsized rally in Volk- globally. it was “deepfakes”. And earlier “However, after capturing by the official Xinhua news swagen shares has drawn the Momentum in the share this month, Chinese authori- the market, some platforms agency said. attention of Germany’s top price grew on Monday after ties imposed fines on opera- have abandoned their due so- This week, sources said market watchdog as heavy- the 83-year-old group un- tors of community group buy- cial responsibilities and they Alibaba plans to bring its Ta- volume trading spurred by the veiled it would build 12 battery ing platforms. are trying to monopolize the obao cut-price retail service carmaker’ electric vehicle am- cell plants in Europe by 2030 Beijing is making good sector by becoming ‘slaves’ of to rival Tencent’s ubiquitous bitions sent the stock rising as and expand charging infra- on its threats to clamp down capital”. WeChat messaging app, from much as 32% this week. structure for electric cars. on the sprawling “platform Chinese internet giants which Taobao had blocked Shares in Volkswagen AG Interest from U.S. indi- economy”, with President Xi led by billionaire Jack Ma’s access since 2013. The move reversed course on Thursday, vidual investors was particu- Jinping weighing in on the Alibaba, as well as Tencent, comes as Alibaba is under however, after hitting their larly strong. Volumes in its need to rein in behemoths ByteDance and a handful of regulatory pressure and fac- highest level since April 2015 American depositary receipts that play a dominant role in others built immense scale The logo of Alibaba Group is seen at its of ce in Beijing, China. es a growing challenge from as regulator BaFin said it was (ADRs), seen as a proxy for the country’s consumer sec- and market power under an Tencent-backed Pinduoduo. monitoring the share price retail traders’ interest, peaked tor. era of laissez faire treatment merce site. was shamed on state TV’s an- Alibaba did not immedi- move and a buying frenzy at around 20 times the 90-day The drumbeat of warn- that ended dramatically with The momentum has in- nual consumer rights show ately respond to requests for from the United States ap- average on Tuesday. ings, fines and de-platform- the halting of Alibaba affiliate tensified. for pushing advertisements comment. peared to cool down. But on Thursday the U.S.- ings of Chinese digital heav- Ant’s listing in November. On Friday, China’s mar- by unqualified medical firms. “There are millions of A spokeswoman said listed stock halted a five- yweights started with last That was followed by a ket regulator fined 12 com- UC apologised, but the app merchants on the platform BaFin was watching the move day winning streak, falling year’s shelving of Ant Group’s spate of fines imposed on panies, including Baidu Inc, vanished from Chinese An- economy in China and big in a “routine way,” without more than 9% in New York $37 billion IPO and has ex- companies for failing to sub- Tencent, and Didi Chuxing droid app stores. platforms are squeezing elaborating. trade. panded across the sector, mit past acquisitions for an- over 10 deals that violated That followed a Monday more profits from them. So A raft of announcements That dragged lower shares battering share prices and ti-trust review, as well as an anti-monopoly rules. meeting chaired by Xi that it makes sense for the regu- on its electric vehicle expan- in Frankfurt, which still re- prompting some operators to anti-trust probe into Alibaba On Monday night, Ali- warned of the risks of the lators to weigh in and pro- sion strategy to challenge mar- mained on course for their take pre-emptive measures and its “one-from-two” prac- baba’s UC Browser, which “irregular” development of tect their interests,” said Li ket leader Tesla Inc has lifted best weekly run in nearly a before they are punished. tice of forcing vendors to sell claims more than 400 mil- some platforms. Chengdong, a Beijing-based Volkswagen shares more than year. “With the rapid develop- product on only one e-com- lion monthly active users, “The platform economy is tech and e-commerce analyst. QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune I am not in QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Sweden squad just because my name is Zlatan, says Ibrahimovic PAGE 10 FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 Barshim delights, Al Amin promising in season’s rst athletic meet; QSC top overall

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Wakrah, Al Shamal, Al Ghara- rah in fifth place with 16 points, titions were followed by Qatar DOHA fa, and Al Arabi. and Al Shamal, Al Gharafa and Athletics Federation officials, Six tournament competi- Al Khor sixth, seventh and led by former Talal Mansour QATAR Sports Club emerged tions were held, namely jave- eighth respectively. (Golden Arrow), Chairman as overall champions in the lin throw, hammer throw, dis- The championship’s high of the Technical Committee, first field championships con- cus, pole vault, high jump and point was the participation of and a member of the Board of ducted by the Qatar Athletics long jump. Discus and ham- Olympic medallist and world Directors; Khalifa Abdul Ma- Federation for the new sea- mer throw events were held champion Mutaz Essa Bar- lik, a member of the Board of son 2020-2021 for men, the at Aspire, while the rest of the shim of Al Rayyan club in high Directors and Director of the competitions for which were competitions were held on the jump. The participation was National Teams, and Dr. Firas held at Aspire and Suhaim Bin indoor and outdoor arenas of part of Barshim’s preparations Faraj, the technical expert of Hamad Stadium recently. Qatar Sports Club. for the forthcoming the Federation and representa- The championship was This championship was Olympics. He topped clearing tives of the participating clubs. held with strict precautionary the after a long suspension a height of 2.25m, while Mo- On the sidelines of the measures of social distancing of athletics sporting activity hammed Al Amin came sec- competitions, an 800m race to limit the spread of the new more than a year and a half ond with a jump of 2.14m. was held in which promis- coronavirus (COVID-19) in ago due to the repercussions Some Dutch and Sri Lan- ing runner Abdulrahman line with the measures of Min- of the pandemic. kan athletes also took part Saeed Dere finished first in istry of Public Health. Qatar Sports Club won the in long jump as part of their 1: 46.76secs aiming to meet About 60 athletes partici- title collecting 41 points, while preparations thus confirming the the qualifying mark (1: pated, representing the nine Al Sadd was second 39 points. that local athletics champion- 45.20) for Tokyo Olympics. clubs under the banner of Al Al Rayyan finished third with ship being the focus of atten- The others included Jamal Mohammed Hamdi Al Amin of Qatar Sports Club, considered a top talent and possible successor to Mutaz Ittihad, namely Qatar SC, Al 37 points while Al- hli came tion for many players. Hayrani, Mubarak Rabi and Barshim, in action in high jump during QAF’s eld championships at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. Sadd, Al Rayyan, Al Ahli, Al fourth with 32 points, Al Wak- The championship compe- Abdullah Yusef. Al Amin cleared 2.14m, second best to Barshim (2.25m). Off He Goes battles hard for Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup triumph

Bader bin Mohammed Al Darwish, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s Acting CEO, presented a shield to Ali bin Yousef Al Rumaihi Al Ali, Mubarak and Fahad – sons of the Late Yousef Al Romaihi, crowned the winners of their father’s Cup soon after the 40th in appreciation of Late Yousef Al Romaihi’s outstanding role in the progress of Qatar’s equestrian sports for many years. Race Meeting of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club at Al Rayyan Park on Thursday.

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

HE Sheikh Iman bint Moham- med bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Off He Goes (Casino Prince x Per- fectly Stunning) entered the winner’s circle for the third time in four races this season when the Julian Colin Smart- trained gelding landed The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup (Far Bend) (Class 2 Thor- oughbreds) in a thrilling finish in QREC’s 40th Race Meeting at Al Rayyan Park’s turf track on Thursday. In the 3,200m battle, To- mas Lukasek and his part- ner Off He Goes, fourth in the event two years ago, were Ali bin Yousef Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General, Qatar Equestrian Federation, presents a memento shield to locked in a battle with Umm Bader Al Darwish, QREC’s Acting CEO, in appreciation of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s annual tradition Qarn’s Duke of Dundee (Duke of holding the Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup Day. of Marmalade x Santa Loui- Jockey Tomas Lukasek guides Off He Goes to victory in The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup on Thursday. sia) on the straight, and the 2) (Far Bend). With Soufiane Zuhair Mohsen trained 4yo that momentum to win for the latter under Ronan Thomas Saadi in the saddle, the bay colt beat Ivan Rossi and his part- third time overall, beating Me- wari’s Hadjira De Flauzins Year Olds) (Far Bend) in dom- Plate (Class 6) (Far Bend) in was close but eventually had was left with another Ghazali ner She’s Our Queen by half a teb Ali Al Marri and his part- (Josco Du Cayrou x Ishraf) inant fashion. a thrilling finish, edging out to settle for runner up spot ward, Alberto Sanna ridden length, handing the appren- ner Aafreen by two lengths. had finished in the frame in Helmed by Anas Al Seyabi, Anas Al Seyabi ridden Cruella having finishing half a length William Bligh, in the final stag- tice rider his seventh win of Abdulhadi Mana Al Hajri’s four out of her six starts so far the Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki Dovil by half a length. behind the winner. Moham- es of the 2000m event and US the season. Jimmy Sparks (Zoffany x Gale missing out on a victory. That trained 3yo won the six fur- Earlier, Umm Qarn’s Abida med Hassan Ali Abdulmalik’s Cliff, maiden winner at Al Uqda Abdulatif Hussain Al Song) registered his first vic- changed as the Ali Yousuf Al long sprint that featured as (Dahess x Altesse D’aroco) com- QUELINDO (Aussie Rules x earlier this month, edged out Emadi’s Sky Blue (Zoffany x tory in Qatar when the colt Kubaisi trained 4yo bagged many as seven debutants out pleted a double after winning for Quintana) completed the top his rival by half a length. Blur) registered his second topped the Thoroughbred the Purebred Arabian maiden of nine starters comfortably by the second straight week. three under Ivan Rossi, as the Khalifa bin Sheail Al Ku- victory this season when Sou- Plate (3 Year Olds) (Class 3) Plate (Far Bend) with ease as five lengths. The Handicap winner a Ahmed Kobeissi ward finished wari’s Bottom Bay (Oasis fiane Saadi guided the geld- (Far Bend) in a close finish. Alberto Sanna guided the filly Injaaz Stud’s Pom Mal- week ago at Al Uqda Com- five lengths further back. Dream x Coconut Kreek) won ing to a fine win in the Local The Stefano Ibido schooled to a two length victory in the pic (Pomellato x Havanna plex under Soufiane Saadi, In other races of the day, for the third time in his ca- Thoroughbred Handicap (Far colt had Alberto Sanna for six furlong sprint. Lady) went one better than the Alban Elie De Mieulle Jassim bin Ali Al Attiyah’s US reer with the gelding bagging Bend) (70-90). company in the six furlong Al Sakab Stud’s Watnah her last outing to register her trained mare landed the Lo- Cliff (Footstepsinthesand x the Thoroughbred Handicap Bader Al Balushi trained sprint and the two did well to Al Sakab (TM Fred Texas x Al first victory in Qatar. Helmed cal Purebred Arabian Novice Challow Hills) led a one-two (Class 3) (Far Bend) (75-95) in 5yo had two straight third beat Anas Al Seyabi and his Zobara Al Sakab) made a win- by Marco Casamento for the Plate (Far Bend) in fine fash- for trainer Gassim Ghazali a close finish. place finishes coming into the partner Lauded by a quarter of ning start to her career when first time, the Ali Yousuf Al ion after the 5yo beat Khalid when landing the Thorough- Helmed by Khalid Al Bal- 2000m run at Al Rayyan Park a length at the post. the grey filly landed the Pure- Kubaisi trained filly topped Al Balushi-ridden Dalilak by a bred Plate (3 Year Olds) (Class ushi in the 2000m run, the and the bay gelding built on Khalifa bin Sheail Al Ku- bred Arabian Maiden Plate (3 the Thoroughbred Novice length at the post. 10 Friday, March 19, 2021 Sports UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Green light for Guendogan & Co Holders Bayern enter for Germany in World Cup qualies

DPA quarters a record 19th BERLIN GERMANY coach Joachim Loew can field his England- based players in upcoming World Cup qualifiers after strict time; Chelsea advance quarantine rules on their entry into the country were altered, DPA the federation DFB said. BERLIN The local Duisburg health authority has agreed play- TITLE holders Bayern Mu- ers from the Premier League Germany coach Joachim Loew. nich beat Lazio 2-1 on can travel to the North Rhine- Wednesday and 6-2 on aggre- Westphalia region on condition lution would be found. gate to reach the Champions of a so-called ‘work quarantine’ Loew will nominate his League quarter-finals a re- which prevents them coming squad on Friday with the Pre- cord 19th time. into contact with others outside mier League quintet now avail- World Footballer of the of training and matches. able for selection. Year Robert Lewandowski Arrivals from the United Bierhoff had previously converted a first-half penalty Kingdom generally must quar- ruled out moving the games and substitute Eric Maxim antine for a fortnight as Ger- elsewhere to have the five play- Choupo-Moting got the sec- many tries to contain the Brit- ers available, after Champions ond for Bayern who had ef- ish variant of the coronavirus. League games between German fectively sealed the tie with a There had previously been no and British teams, and others, 4-1 win in Rome last month. exception for football players. were moved to Budapest and Munich broke a tie with But the change means Man- other cities. Barcelona as they reached the chester City’s Ilkay Guendogan, “The coaches said we would last eight a record 19th time Arsenal’s Bernd Leno and the follow the rules, we would not since the elite event was re- Chelsea trio of Timo Werner, consider going abroad for an branded Champions League Kai Havertz and Antonio Rue- international match that would in 1992-93. diger are available for games be played in Germany. And if Chelsea meanwhile com- in Duisburg March 25 against necessary, we would play with- pleted a 3-0 aggregate suc- Iceland and March 31 against out the England-based players,” cess over Atletico Madrid North Macedonia with an away Bierhoff said. from a 2-0 victory courtesy match in Romania sandwiched Austria have meanwhile of Hakim Ziyech in the first in-between. said they would not take their half and Emerson in stoppage “As it stood they couldn’t Germany-based players to a time. The visitors had Stefan play in Germany and that it qualifier in Scotland, while Savic sent off in the 81st. makes no sense to have them Borussia sports di- Bayern and Chelsea com- Bayern Munich’s Cameroonian forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (2nd L) celebrates scoring the second goal with teammates during the UEFA fly in,” DFB director Oliver rector Michael Zorc said he pleted the quarter-final field Champions League Last-16, second leg match against Lazio in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday. (AFP) Bierhoff told reporters before doubts they would let release which also includes Liver- the decision was announced their England player Jude Bell- pool, Manchester City, Borus- ki converted into the bottom midfielder Joshua Kimmich the legs of Jan Oblak. unbeaten in now 13 games but added there “good ingham who was on Thursday sia Dortmund, record win- left corner from the spot af- told Sky TV. “You are aware Atletico now needed two since Tuchel Tuchel became talks” with local authorites nominated by manager Gareth ners Real Madrid, last year’s ter Leon Goretzka was pulled of the first leg result but we goals but it was Chelsea who their manager in January. and he was “confident” a so- Southgate. finalists Paris Saint-Germain down by Vedad Muriqi. were solid and in control. It threatened and Oblak saved “It was a bit like seeing and Porto. Lewandowski hit the wasn’t a great match but we well from Werner’s tight an- how the game would go for 10 The draw for the quarter- left post in the 66th, left the did a good job.” gle attempt right after the minutes and after that we had and semi-finals is on Friday. pitch five minutes later for At Stamford Bridge, restart, and tipped Ziyech’s control. We did well. They Alexander Nuebel got a Choupo-Moting who needed Atletico pleaded in vain for curling effort over the bar in didn’t create a lot. We can Striker Watkins and rare start between the posts in only two minutes to make it a penalty when Yannick Car- the 57th. be happy about the perfor- snowy Munich to replace the 2-0 by lobbing home off Da- rasco went down after being Joao Felix had a deflected mance,” Ziyech told BT Sport. goalkeeper Johnstone ill Manuel Neuer, and Bayern vid Alaba’s long ball. lightly pulled by Chelsea cap- shot go inches wide right at with their three-goal cushion Marco Parolo headed a late tain Cesar Azpilicueta. the other end before Savic Results: controlled the action as Leroy consolation goal for Lazio off a The Spanish league lead- got his marching orders for Bayern Munich 2 (Robert Le- named in England squad Sane curled just inches wide free-kick but Italy now has no ers’ misery grew when Chel- elbowing Antonio Ruediger. wandowski 33’ (P), Eric Maxim left in the 13th minute. team left in the competition sea opened the scoring in Emerson then wrapped Choupo-Moting 73’) bt Lazio 1 DPA SQUAD: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as Juventus and Atalanta also the 34th, with Timo Werner up matters into the far left (Marco Parolo 82’) LONDON Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester had a dangerous header for went out in the last 16. crossing low from the left on corner in stoppage time on Chelsea 2 (Hakim Ziyech 34’, United), Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion), Nick Pope (Burnley) Defenders: Ben Lazio but Bayern were on top “It was important for us the counter for the Moroccan his first touch after coming Emerson Palmieri 90+4’) bt ASTON Villa striker Ollie Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady in the 33rd when Lewandows- to win the game,” Munich Ziyech to tap home between on late as Chelsea remained Atletico Madrid 0. Watkins and West Brom goal- (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier keeper Sam Johnstone have (Tottenham Hotspur), Reece James received their first senior Eng- (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester land call-ups, while Borussia United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones Ibrahimovic: I am not in Sweden squad has been called up despite (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico concerns over his availability. Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City) Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Three Lions boss Gareth Dortmund), Phil Foden (Manchester City), just because my name is Zlatan Southgate has named a 26- Jesse Lingard (West Ham United, loan from man squad for this month’s Manchester United), Mason Mount DPA God.” Ibrahimovic, who turns physique and a completely dif- among ourselves. We were able World Cup qualification triple (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), BERLIN 40 in October, is Sweden’s all- ferent game. to talk to each other. header against San Marino, Declan Rice (West Ham United), James time leading scorer with 62 “But I keep a very high level. “I recognize that mentality Albania and Poland. Ward-Prowse (Southampton) Forwards: ZLATAN Ibrahimovic insists he international goals, the last of You don’t have to worry. I’m not in myself. When you’re a foot- Leeds striker Patrick Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harry Kane is deserving of his place in the those coming against Denmark on the squad list because my baller at a certain level and Bamford had been widely (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka Sweden squad, even if he is no in November 2015. name is Zlatan and I’m Ibra- you’ve the chance to repre- tipped for a call-up, but (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester longer the same player he was And having also impressed himovic. It’s because of what sent your country it’s the Southgate has turned to City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). when last representing his na- in Serie A this term with 14 goals I add to the squad and what I greatest joy there is to Watkins, who has impressed tional side in 2016. in as many matches, the ex- have achieved. I think I deserve be able to do so. since joining Villa from The Milan striker was re- Manchester United and Paris it.” Andersson previously ruled “It is with pride Brentford in the summer. last four to six weeks. called by Janne Andersson for Saint-Germain striker believes out a recall for Ibrahimovic, but and honour that Johnstone, who has shone “And both Ollie and Pat- this month’s World Cup qualifi- he can still make an impact. his stance changed following a I will wear the for the embattled Baggies this rick in particular, their goals ers against Kosovo and Georgia, “I don’t want to be consid- “great conversation” with the national team season, gets his maiden call-up record has been good. We like plus the friendly with Estonia, ered and called up for what I 116-cap ace in November. jersey.” Ibrahi- following an injury to England the personalities of both. Ol- paving the way for him to po- did before, but for what I can Asked about those discus- movic returned number one Jordan Pickford. lie is a player we’ve had less tentially play at Euro 2020. give now,” he told the Swedish sions with Andersson, Ibrahi- to Italian football Trent Alexander-Arnold interaction with in the past. He celebrated his first Football Association’s official movic said: “It was very posi- in December 2019 Zlatan is conspicuous by his absence It’s going to be good to get to call-up in nearly five years by YouTube channel. tive. We examined everything after a two-season spell Ibrahimovic from a squad that sees Luke know him. posting a picture on Twitter of “I can’t be the player I was and drew a line on everything in MLS with LA Galaxy Shaw, John Stones and Jesse “We like his pressing, the himself in a Sweden shirt with five, 10, 15 or 20 yeas ago. Now, that is the past. and has scored 27 goals in Lingard return after long ab- speed and the runs in behind. the caption: “The return of the I have a completely different “We spoke with respect 41 games in all competitions. sences. Seventeen-year-old He’s got some improvement to Bellingham’s inclusion is in- make in linking the game, but teresting given the Football in his first season in the Pre- Association had expected re- mier League at a big club, he’s gional coronavirus travel re- done exceptionally well. strictions in Germany to rule “That’s been a really close Wimbledon to go ahead without queues this summer him out. call because all the things I’ve DPA Dortmund team-mate said about Ollie I could have LONDON provide us with some certainty ets through a public ballot for Jadon Sancho misses out said for Patrick as well, so he’s in our planning, and yet also to the 2020 tournament, which through injury, while Jack very unfortunate.” Southgate WIMBLEDON’S famous queue retain flexibility where we need had to be cancelled, will be giv- Grealish, James Maddison confirmed Pickford’s injury will not operate for this sum- it the most. en the opportunity to purchase and Tammy Abraham are not had created a space in the mer’s Championships, the All “We remain committed to the same tickets for 2022. included having been dealing squad for Johnstone, while England Club confirmed on delivering on our aspiration Wimbledon anticipates with issues of their own. Newcastle’s Karl Darlow had Thursday. of staging the best Champion- an online platform for general Southgate said there had also been considered. The snake of people and ships possible. ticket sales opening in June for been some “close calls” when “Karl Darlow has had a tents in Wimbledon Park has “In line with the UK Gov- this summer’s event. selecting his squad, including very good season for New- become one of the defining ernment’s Roadmap, we are It had already been re- the decision to include Wat- castle,” Southgate said. “He’s sights of the event as tennis cautiously optimistic that The vealed that players, their sup- kins over Bamford. probably found himself out fans camp out overnight to se- Championships will play an ex- port teams and officials will be “(Bamford was) very of the team at just the wrong cure access to the show courts, citing role as the country begins required to stay in official ho- close,” Southgate said at a time in many regards really. but coronavirus restrictions A le picture of spectators walking along the Southern Concourse to embrace a return towards tels rather than private houses, press conference. “But Sam Johnstone, in a mean tickets will be distributed and past The Clubhouse as they arrive in the grounds during The normality.” while the invitation doubles “There’re a number of po- team that has had a difficult differently this year. Championships in 2019 at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Organisers are working on events for former greats will not sitions in this squad that have season, has kept a very good There will also be no re- Wimbledon. (WIMBLEDON.COM) the basis a reduced number of be held. been really close calls and we level of performance. He’s selling of tickets within the fans will be allowed into the The AELTC also revealed felt we wanted an extra striker. comfortable in possession as grounds, and a Wimbledon return in 2022.” All England “Although the promise of a grounds but are trying to be as they hope to commence devel- “We’re really pleased with well as keeping the ball out statement read: “Both the Club chairman Ian Hewitt said: return to a more normal exist- flexible as possible to accom- opment of the Wimbledon Park Harry (Kane) and (Domi- of his net.” Southgate said Queue and Ticket Resale re- “These remain challenging ence is on the horizon, we are modate whatever the social site next door in 2022, with the nic) Calvert-Lewin and what there had never been any main much-loved and impor- and uncertain times, and our not there yet. distancing requirements are in intention of staging qualifying they’ve done. Tammy Abra- question about the ability tant Wimbledon traditions, thoughts continue to be with all “As such, we have taken June and July. for the main tournament within ham hasn’t really been in- of recalled players Lingard, and we look forward to their those affected by the pandemic. some key decisions in order to Everyone who secured tick- the grounds by 2028. volved for Chelsea over the Shaw and Stones. Sports Friday, March 19, 2021 11 Qatar Test: Moto2 and Moto3 are up next at Losail International Circuit MOTOGP the weather on their final day Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing of testing, bringing it to a pre- Team), who reminded every- ITH only days to go mature end. one what they were capable of before the first lights In Moto2, worth watching in the Portimao season finale Wout of 2021, it’s the would be the journeys of Albert in 2020. Not to forget Aron turn of the intermediate and Arenas (Aspar Team) - Moto3 Canet (Aspar Team), crowned lightweight classes to take to World Champion, his runner- rookie of the year despite hav- the track. up Tony Arbolino (Liqui Moly ing missed three races. The Following swiftly in the Intact GP) and the three oth- Valencian could indeed prove wake of MotoGP, it is the ers who followed him making to be a dark horse, his Jerez turn of the Moto2 and Moto3 the step up, namely: Ai Ogura tests indicating he may have a classes to return to the track (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), say in the title race. at Losail, for three test days. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull In Moto3, again there are It will be their only pre-season KTM Ajo) and Celestino Vietti many new faces who join the meeting, or at least officially, (Sky Racing Team VR46). In Grand Prix circuit, Lorenzo as some riders and teams have private practice, Rául Fernán- Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse), already had the opportunity to dez and Tony Arbolino looked Adrian Fernandez (Sterilgarda ride through private testing, comfortable, but the question Max Racing Team), Izan Gue- whether it was in Valencia, to be asked is can they contin- vara (Aspar Team Moto3), Portimao or in Jerez. ue that form in Qatar? Xavier Artigas ( Leopard Rac- Those tests allowed teams In addition, seven riders ing) or Pedro Acosta (Red Bull a chance to refamiliarize them- will sport new colours, in- KTM Ajo). selves with their machines, cluding four riding different Seven riders have changed and surely proved beneficial machines from 2020. This is their teams. Among which: to riders who have switched notably the case of Lorenzo Two-time 2020 race winner garages during the offseason. Baldassarri (MV Agusta For- Jaume Masia moves to Red However, now it is time for ward Racing), Hafizh Syahrin Bull KTM Ajo, Sergio Gar- them to get serious, with only (NTS RW Racing GP), Fabio cia to Aspar Team, while the 10 days between the first Test Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil likes Andrea Migno (Rivacold and Round 1 in Qatar. Gresini Moto2) and Stefano Snipers Team), Niccolò An- Not just a chance for final Manzi (Pons HP40), who now tonelli (Reale Avintia Moto3) tune-ups and modifications, will be saddled onto MV Agus- and Darryn Binder (Petronas but also an opportunity to find ta, NTS and Kalex chassis. Sprinta Racing) will all be seen that ever so crucial race pace Elsewhere, the spotlight in new colours in 2021. via race simulations, should will surely be focused on the Following swiftly in the wake of MotoGP, it is the turn of the Moto2 and Moto3 classes to return to the track at Losail International Circuit, for Scotsman John McPhee the conditions allow of course. likes of Sam Lowes (ELF three test days (March 19, Friday, to March 21, Sunday). (Petronas Sprinta Racing), a They’ll be hoping for better Marc VDS Racing) and Marco veteran of the category, will fortunes than their MotoGP Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team Top 5 from 2020 to not make start the season among the ners but they will still have to ponents such as Remy Gard- be looking to get his title chal- counterparts, who fell foul to VR46): the only riders in the the move up. They should intermediate class frontrun- be wary of the threat from op- ner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and lenge off to a strong start. Suryakumar, Pandya stand out as India clinch series-leveller ANI two scalps each. AHMEDABAD Earlier, batting for the first time in international cricket, A blistering half-century from Suryakumar hit a classy 31- Suryakumar Yadav, followed ball 57 to ensure India posted Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium by a brilliant performance a competitive 185/8. from the bowlers, helped In- If Surya showed nerves to host Amir Cup final dia win the fourth T20I of of steel as he hit the first ball the ongoing five-match series he faced – off Archer – for a QFA The details of the match against England here at the six, Rishabh Pant (30) and DOHA arrangements will be an- Narendra Modi Stadium on Shreyas Iyer (37) played fear- nounced at a later time, QFA Thursday evening. less cricket as the hosts looked THE Qatar Football Asso- said. Details related to obtain- With the eight-run win in complete control with bat ciation (QFA), in cooperation ing tickets and the preventive over England, India have lev- in hand. The score could have with the Supreme Committee and health measures will also elled the series 2-2 with the gone over the 200-run mark, for Delivery and Legacy (SC), be announced later. series decider to be played on but Archer’s four-wicket haul has set Friday, 14th of May as It is noteworthy that the Saturday at the same venue. restricted the hosts from run- the date for the final of Amir last edition (48th) of the Amir Chasing 186, Jason Roy ning away with the game. Cup. The match will be played Cup was held last December, and Jos Buttler opened the in- Put into bat, Rohit Sharma at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadi- when Al Sadd beat Al Arabi at nings for the side. smashed the first ball from Adil um, the home turf of Al Sadd. the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Bhuvneshwar Kumar start- Rashid for a six over long-off. The QFA has urged the fans the fourth World Cup 2022 ed with a maiden over just the Suryakumar announced – who wish to attend the final stadium, which was officially way India wanted. From the India’s Hardik Pandya (2R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Jason Roy dur- his arrival in international match – to obtain the COVID-19 launched on the occasion of other end, skipper Virat Kohli ing the fourth Twenty20 International at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera on Thursday. (AFP) cricket with style as he sent vaccine to enjoy the match’s at- the final to be ready for the brought Hardik Pandya into Archer into the stands off the mosphere with all reassurance. 2022 FIFA World Cup. the attack. Pandya also did not sent Roy back to the pavilion. (25). Skipper Eoin Morgan but the former failed to get go- very first ball. At the end of the concede many runs in his over. The right-handed batsman joined Stokes in the middle. ing and was dismissed by Pan- sixth over, India’s score read Buttler was not able to played a fiery knock of 40 runs Pacer Shardul Thakur dya in the 18th over. 45/1. The right-hander kept on soak the pressure and got out off 27 balls. After Roy’s dis- brought the hosts back in the In the last over, England attacking from one end, but Ra- against Bhuvneshwar in the missal, England’s score read game as he scalped two crucial needed 23 runs and the visi- hul (14) stayed in his shell and third over after scoring nine 66/3 in 8.5 overs. wickets of Stokes and Morgan tors accumulated 11 of the this brought about his dismissal, runs off six balls. However, Jonny Bairstow on successive balls in the 16th first three balls but Thakur reducing India to 63/2 in the Dawid Malan, who came in and Ben Stokes continued over. Thakur picked Stokes came back strong and gave eighth over as the opener looked to bat at number three, along scoring runs at a brisk pace (46) on the first ball and on three runs off the next three to hit out. In the very next over, with Roy kept the scoreboard and kept England in the hunt. the next delivery, he removed balls, including Jordan’s (12) Rashid had Kohli (1) stumped moving and made full use of The duo smashed the ball to Morgan (4) to leave the visi- wicket. Jofra Archer remained and the situation asked for the the powerplay overs. The duo all parts of the ground and tors reeling at 140/6. unbeaten on 18 off eight balls hosts to rebuild their innings. added 45 runs for the second added 65 off just 36 balls for Stokes’ knock came off 23 as England reached 177/8 in Scores: India 185/8 (S Yadav wicket stand before Rahul the fourth wicket. balls, studded with three sixes their allotted 20 overs. 57, S Iyer 37; J Archer 4-33); Chahar removed Malan (14) in In the 15th over, much to and four fours. For the hosts, Thakur England 177/8 (B Stokes 46, the eighth over. India’s respite, Washington Sam Curran (3) and Chris bagged three wickets while J Roy 40; S Thakur 3-42, H In the next over, Pandya Sundar removed Bairstow Jordan came to rescue the side Pandya and Chahar claimed Pandya 2-16). Al Annabi leave for Hungary Neda Shahsavari makes a winning start in Doha today for European qualifiers QNA Youssef Abdel Razzaq, Ahmed DOHA Suhail, Musab Khader, Mo- ITTF Orawan Paranang was on clear Gerassimenko of Kazakhstan hamed Waad (Al Sadd), Salah DOHA display in her second South also moves through to the next QATAR’S national football Zakaria, Bassam Al Rawi, Asim East Asia fixture, making it stage of the competition fol- team coach Felix Sanchez has Madibo, Al Moez Ali, Karim IRAN’S Neda Shahsavari back-to-back wins with her lowing his gruelling Group 1 unveiled the final squad, which Boudiaf, Ismail Mohammed, emerged victorious in her crushing performance against affair with Iranian no.4 seed includes 29 players, in prepara- Mohammed Muntari, Abdul- opening group stage match at Philippines’ Jannah Romero Nima Alamian (14-12, 9-11, tion for the first three matches lah Abd Al Salam (Al Duhail), the Asian Olympic Qualifica- (11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4). 3-11, 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9). in UEFA’s FIFA World Cup Ahmed Alaa El-Din, Humam tion Tournament in Doha on Singapore’s Clarence Chew Over in Group 2, Alamian’s 2022 qualifying campaign. Al Ameen, Moayad Hassan, Thursday, giving her ambi- has assumed control in Group national colleague Noshad The Qatari team will travel Tamim Al Muhaza (Al Ghara- tions in the women’s singles 2 of the men’s singles South Alamiyan enjoyed his second on Friday to the Hungarian fa) Ahmed Fathi, Mahmoud draw a welcome boost. East Asia event, with his victory success of the day, outclassing city of Debrecen on a special Abu Nada (Al Arabi) Abdulaziz Competing in Group 2 in over Thailand’s Padasak Tan- Uzbekistan’s Zokhid Kenjaev plane in preparation for the Hatim (Al Rayyan) and Khaled the Central Asia region, No.3 viriyavechakul (11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 4-1 (11-5, 11-2, 11-7, 5-11, 11-4) European qualifiers for the Munir (Al Wakra). seed Shahsavari upset the 11-9, 11-7) propelling him to the to swing the tide in his favour. first time in the history of the The national team con- seeding list in her meeting Neda Shahsavari. group summit. Chew’s fellow There was just the one national team. cluded training on Thursday with Kazakhstan’s Zauresh compatriot Pang Yew En Koen match from South Asia with The team’s list includes 29 under coach Sanchez at As- Akasheva, powering past the be said regarding Uzbekistan’s va never lost hope and her de- has negotiated Group 1 with a India’s Sharath Kamal Achan- players: Al Duhail player Sul- pire stadiums. Training began second seed 4-1 (11-8, 13-11, Rimma Gufranova over in termination was rewarded with 100 percent win record, besting ta making amends for his ear- tan Al Braik, Mishaal Barsham, last Saturday during which he 8-11, 11-5, 11-3). Group 1. The no.4 seed played a six-game win over her Kazakh Indonesia’s Rafanael Nikola lier defeat with a commanding Saad Al Sheeb, Pedro Miguel, reassured the selected group Shahsavari is now well- catch-up for the majority of her counterpart (7-11, 11-6, 12-14, Niman in four games (11-6, 11- display against Pakistan’s Mu- Salem Al Hajri, Tariq Salman, of players were fully ready to placed in her pursuit of top encounter with top seed Ana- 11-3, 11-7, 11-3). 7, 11-7, 11-9) to advance. hammad Rameez (11-4, 11-1, Abdulkarim Hassan, Boualem participate in the European spot in the group, the same can stassiya Lavrova, but Gufrano- The class of Thailand’s Central Asia top seed Kirill 11-5, 11-4). Khoukhi, Hassan Al Haydos, qualifiers. 12 Friday, March 19, 2021 The Last Word

SHEIKHA AL MAYASSA TAKES PART IN CLEANING CAMPAIGN

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani on Thursday participated in a cleaning campaign in the Sealine area, along with a number of of cials and volunteers. (TNN) Qatar’s UN mission organises Quality education event aimed at increasing women’s political participation can help bridge QNA NEW YORK gaps in polarised THE permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations in New York, in cooperation with India, , Swe- den, Tanzania and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western world, say experts Asia (ECWA), organised a high-level event on the sidelines of the 65th session of the UN’s Commission on More than 250,000 people the Status of Women (CSW) on pro- tuned in to watch third sea- moting women’s political participa- tion to achieve goals of sustainable son of QF’s Doha Debates development and improved redevel- #DearWorldLive programme opment. The high-level event discussed strategies and interventions to ac- Torsney. high positions in Qatar and at the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK celerate the adoption of laws and During her opening speech at international level, highlighting the DOHA practices, to improve conditions for the event, Permanent Representa- efforts made by HH Sheikha Moza women’s participation in public life tive of Qatar to the UN Ambassador bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar EDUCATION advocates told Qatar across the region. HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Foundation for Education, Science Foundation’s Doha Debates’ #Dear- The virtual event was attended Al Thani affirmed the importance and Community Development and WorldLive programme that better by Member of Shura Council HE Dr of the 65th session of the women’s Education Above All, at the national, teaching in schools is needed to em- Hend Al Muftah, Assistant Under- commission, which highlights regional and international levels, as power young people to help bridge po- talk about people being in school, but world. secretary of Digital Society Develop- women’s full and effective participa- she contributed to the development larised differences on the most press- we have to talk about how [you are] The show featured comments and ment Sector at MoTC and Member tion and decision-making in public of women’s rights and the education ing issues of our time. taught to navigate your way around questions from people all over the of Shura Council HE Reem Al Man- life, as well as the elimination of for all. The programme featured solutions differences.” world, including Bhagyashree Prabhu- souri, Permanent Representative violence, to achieve gender equality Melanne Verveer said that gen- from three education activists: Jay- To address these challenges, she tendolkar, an Indian student and the of India to the UN TS Tirumurti, and empower all women and girls. der inequality has not yet been athma Wickramanayake, the United said, “Education must always adapt.” founder of Youth Magazine. Permanent Representative of Japan She noted the importance of Qa- overcome despite the significant Nations Secretary-Envoy General’s on Curriculums must constantly evolve,” Prabhutendolkar said: “Progress Ambassador Ishikane Kimihiro, Per- tar’s Shura Council elections which progress that has been made to em- Youth; Dr. Fatima Akilu, a Nigerian and that it is critical to address issues can only happen when you realize that manent Representative of Sweden will be held in October of 2021, stat- power women and girls in the past psychologist and expert on countering of access and funding more spaces learning should be endless. As a stu- Ambassador Anna Karin Enestrom, ing that the elections create a his- decade. She stressed the necessity violent extremism; and Julia Gillard, for girls and more equality within the dent, you never just stick to textbooks Permanent Representative of Tan- toric opportunity for Qatari women, for collective work to reinforce wom- former Australian Prime Minister and education system. Gillard, the Global — especially in this polarised world.” zania Ambassador Kennedy Godfrey whether they were candidates or en’s political participation, saying chair of the Global Partnership for Partnership for Education’s board Viewers of the #DearWorldLive Gastorn, and the GU’s Executive Di- voters. that at this time, there is a recogni- Education. According to Wickrama- chair, said, “Building back better interactive programme commented on rector of the Georgetown Institute HE Dr Hend Al Muftah, who tion that the challenges the world is nayake, young people are uniquely po- would mean putting gender equality the disparity between countries that for Women, Peace and Security Am- moderated the panel discussion, facing, whether related to environ- sitioned to combat polarisation. They right at the center of decision-making can use technology and thus excel and bassador Melanne Verveer. highlighted the importance of the ment, governance, economic policy are not only incredibly resilient, but and ensuring that every child could get those that are left behind. The participants in the panel Shura Council elections, adding the or security, cannot be solved unless they also “have the fantastic ability to a great quality education.” “I’m very concerned about the fu- discussion included UN Assistant Council will grant unprecedented women are fully involved. reach across the divide and build coali- Otherwise, she warned, “I see an- ture of African education if this [COV- Secretary-General and Director legislative and oversight power. Rola Dashti touched on the sta- tions to drive towards a common goal, other future, and it’s the one we need ID] situation continues,” a viewer in of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and It will become a key milestone for tus of women in the Arab region, often by holding previous generations’ to avoid, and it’s the one in which gov- Rwanda said. Many countries and Programme Support Haoliang Xu, women to participate and serve the and explained that the Middle East leaders accountable.” ernment budgets are really hit by the schools around the world are turning Executive Secretary of the UN’s ES- country by voting or holding office, region has made some progress, but Wickramanayake argued that “af- economic shock of COVID-19, [and] to distance learning, but I do not be- CWA Rola Dashti, Deputy Speaker she said, explaining that Qatar seeks the Arab region has the world’s low- fordable, accessible, and quality edu- governments withdraw their expendi- lieve it will work well in many African of Tanzanian Parliament Dr Tulia to build foundations that create an est representation of women in po- cation is one of the most important ture on education.” This reinforces countries due to existing inequalities Ackson, Member of Indian Parlia- increased representation of women. litical scene, pointing out that this is tools at our disposal in combating pre-existing inequalities based on and limited resources.” ment Poonam Mahajan, former HE Reem Al Mansouri empha- an indicator of the gender gap. social inequalities, which will help us poverty, race, and gender. That, in my Chayanne Malik, another viewer, Minister of Social Security in Swe- sised the support provided by the Patricia Torsney said that en- deal with polarisation.” opinion, is the future we must reject.” wrote, “Education is a means to ex- den Annika Strandhall, Japan’s Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad hancing women’s political par- Dr. Akilu, the director of Nige- The season three premiere episode plore the united world rather than a Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Al Thani to reinforce women’s posi- ticipation requires political will to ria’s Neem Foundation, said: “We see of #DearWorldLive took place in con- polarised world.” both Defence and the Cabinet Office tions to play a fundamental role in equal opportunities, a gender-re- polarisation because schools are not junction with the education-focused This programme, as well as all and Member of the House of Coun- achieving the sustainable develop- sponsive political space free from as inclusive of differences. “We must SXSW EDU Conference & Festival, #DearWorldLive episodes, is available cilors of Japan Rui Matsukawa, and ment goals. inequality, harassment and vio- not only look at education in terms where Doha Debates is a featured ex- on Doha Debates’ Twitter, Facebook, Permanent Observer of the UN’s She also hailed the success of lence, and the promotion of gender of numbers, but in terms of content. hibitor. The live broadcast drew over and YouTube pages, as well as at Do- Inter-Parliamentary Union Patricia Qatari women in assuming very equality in all areas. When we talk about education, we just 250,000 viewers from around the haDebates.com/DearWorldLive. Qumra expanded our horizon when world closed down, say Arab lmmakers TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK tor for Arab cinema. wondered what it would be DOHA Mounia Akl, young Leba- like for my younger brothers to nese filmmaker, captured the meet him.” IN a tumultuous year for young mood, stating: “Qumra helped Tunisian filmmaker Youssef filmmakers in the Arab world expand our horizon when the Chebbi is the director of Ashkal facing the impact of a pandem- world was closing down. It gave (Tunisia, Qatar, France/Arabic) ic, ensuring that their cinematic us the opportunity to continue set in the gardens of Carthage, journey was uninterrupted was to have the context to help make a new neighbourhood in Tunis not an easy task. For filmmak- things. It led to more profound where modern construction co- ers in Lebanon, there was the relationships with people, with exists with abandoned sites. added challenge of the street an urge to protect each other Mounia Akl Noor Al-Nasr Amil Shivji Ely Dagher He said the investigative protests and the blast that and connect at a different level.” film drew inspiration from real rocked the capital city. Her film, Costa Bravo Leba- Cannes Film Festival, partici- He said shooting his film after he wakes up in the chaos ing alleyways of 1950s British life, watching a new city develop For filmmakers who were non (Lebanon, France, Spain, pates in Qumra with his pro- was logistically challenging with of Typhoon Haiyan, which de- colonial Zanzibar. only to see the construction stop nurturing their ambition to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, ject, The Sea Ahead (Lebanon, the ongoing street protests and stroyed Tacloban — a coastal Highlighting the diversity and now remain half-finished. bring to screen their feature Qatar/Arabic/2022), about France, Belgium, USA, Qatar/ then the Beirut blasts happened city in the Philippines, in No- of the feature film projects nur- Lebanese filmmaker Meedo films, the situation could not a free-spirited family that es- Arabic/2021), a psychological setting him back again, as he vember 2013. tured by Qumra is The Pearl Taha bases his film A Road to have been more challenging. caped the toxic pollution of drama about a young woman paused to take in the impact of The sentiment was shared (Qatar/Arabic) about a tech- Damascus (Lebanon, France, To overcome this, they found Beirut is a ‘Work-in-Progress’ who returns home after a long the incident that had resonance by Amil Shivji, a filmmaker obsessed Qatari boy who is de- Qatar/Arabic) on his novel, comfort in each other, with the Qumra Project. absence and finds herself re- in the story he was telling too. based in Tanzania. “Qumra has tached from his family and trav- about an ambitious police- mentoring sessions of the Doha She sai, “[At Qumra], I feel connecting with the familiar yet Carlo Francisco Manatad, done a spectacular job of organ- els back in time to an era before woman who conducts a murder Film Institute (DFI) serving as a like I am learning again. I have now strange life she had left. director of Whether the Weath- ising the online event. I have his technology existed. investigation that threatens to platform that united them and been most excited about the “The pandemic was a huge er is Fine (Philippines, France, heard amazing stories of the Its director Noor Al Nasr turn her hometown against her. inspired them to work closer to masterclasses [by the Qumra blow to the cinema world, and Singapore, Germany, Indone- previous editions,” he said. said films are her passion and He said the film also reflects the goals. Masters] and it has been a well- it added to the challenges we al- sia, Qatar/ Waray/ 2021), said His film, Tug of War (Tan- with The Pearl, she tells a story the “lifelong struggle” the Leba- This was the overarching planned online experience for ready faced. Qumra helped us to Qumra was “quite helpful. I was zania, South Africa, Germany, that connects her to her own nese face, “where no decision sentiment of the young film- me.” push our film out there. In fact, impressed by how it matched Qatar/2021) is about a runa- roots. can be made without politics makers whose feature projects Ely Dagher, whose film a lot of answers [regarding the us with industry experts, which way Indian-Zanzibari bride “I had a discussion with my infiltrating every dark corner of are being showcased at Qumra, Waves 98 was awarded the film’s sales and moving forward helps the project in the long- who forms a strong bond with a mother to learn that her father our life. We sit on a ticking time the DFI’s annual talent incuba- short film Palme d’Or at strategy] came from Qumra.” run.” His film follows Miguel young communist in the wind- was a pearl-diving captain and bomb.”