QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Tuesday QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune August 11, 2020 Dhu Al-Hijjah 21, 1441 Vol.13 no. 5022 qR 2

Fajr: 3:43 am Dhuhr: 11:39 am Asr: 3:08 pm Maghrib: 6:15 pm Isha: 7:45 pm

Business 8 Sports 12 PPI of industrial Consistent Mountasir fine sector rises 7.6% wins in Spain for HH High : 43°C in June: PSA Sheikh Abdullah LOW : 35°C

NCC played vital role in fight against COVID-19: Minister Since the onset of the the Prime Minister and Minister of National Command pandemic, the National Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Command Center has bin Abdulaziz Al Thani for his leader- Center acts as our ship and for making this state-of-the- information hub, played a vital role in Qatar’s art centre, which is equipped with Amir greets measures to protect the population the most advanced technologies and says Dr Al Kuwari from COVID-19. The centre a resourceful and talented task force Ecuador prez supports the Supreme Committee available to us. I am deeply indebted Tribune News Network for Crisis Management, the to all the ministries and entities that on I-Day Doha have contributed to our national National COVID-19 Committee and COVID-19 response.” QNA Minister of Public Health and the different ministries in achieving The health minister called on the Doha Chair of the National COVID-19 their goals. It receives information public to be vigilant and play their Committee HE Dr Hanan Moham- from across the country and acts part in limiting the spread of the vi- His Highness The Amir ed Al Kuwari has said the National as our reference centre. rus. “Looking forward, it is very im- of State of Qatar Sheikh Command Center (NCC) has played portant for everyone to work together Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani a vital role in Qatar’s successful fight —HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, and stay vigilant. Now more than ever on Monday sent a cable of against the coronavirus. Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari at the National Command it is important to wear your masks, congratulations to President “Since the onset of the pandemic, Center (NCC) on Monday. Minister of Public Health and keep physical distance as the risk of the Republic of Ecuador the National Command Center has of spread of COVID-19 remains high,” Lenin Moreno on the an- played a vital role in Qatar’s efforts to mittee for Crisis Management, the Na- goals. It receives information from HE Dr Al Kuwari said during her visit Dr Al Kuwari added. niversary of his country’s protect the population from COVID-19. tional COVID-19 Committee and the across the country and acts as our refer- to NCC on Monday. Independence Day. The centre supports the Supreme Com- different ministries in achieving their ence centre and our information hub,” She said, “I would like to thank Continued on page 2 

Lebanon govt QA, local partners resigns over blast fallout launch initiative Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced to help Lebanon his government’s resig- nation on Monday amid QNA outrage over the deadly Doha Beirut port explosion that has reignited angry street Qatar Airways, in coopera- protests. The collapse of tion with Qatar Charity (QC) his government had looked and Ali Bin Ali Holding’s inevitable after a string of Monoprix Qatar, has launched resignations and a cabi- an initiative through which net meeting during which citizens and residents of Qatar several cabinet members can donate essential supplies made it clear they would for the Lebanese people after also quit. page 4 Qatari field hospitals get ready as medical the Beirut explosion. Qatar Airways initially launched the initiative on equipment from Doha reaches Beirut Thursday to support dona- A planeload of medical supplies for the field hospitals being set up by Qatar in Beirut reached the Lebanese capital on Monday.O ne tions from its employees in of the field hospitals set up by Qatar at the RoumH ospital compound will start receiving people injured in the explosion at the city’s Doha. It extended it until COVID-19 recoveries port, on Tuesday. Qatar had air-dashed planeloads of medical supplies, including two field hospitals, to Lebanon after the devastating Tuesday to include citizens blasts. Qatar’s Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) has sent a search and rescue team to Lebanon after deadly explosions that killed and residents of Qatar. The reach 109,993 (PG 3 ) more than 130 people and wreaked widespread damage. The team began their operations in Beirut on Friday. (TNN) page 2 essential supplies will be transported free of charge return stronger than it was from Doha to Beirut by Qatar before. Airways Cargo at the end of Charge d’affaires at the this week and Qatar Charity Lebanese embassy in Qa- will oversee their distribution. tar Farah Berri extended on On Sunday, Qatar Airways behalf of Lebanon his deep- Playgrounds in public US court issues summons for MBS carried over 45 tones of sup- est thanks and appreciation plies donated by its staff and to His Highness the Amir of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman kill him. A summons is an official notice of a Ali Bin Ali Holding from Doha State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim parks reopen (MBS) has been issued a summons by a US lawsuit, given to the person or persons being to Beirut. bin Hamad Al Thani for the court for a lawsuit by a former top Saudi intel- sued. Al-Jabri, who lives in Canada, report- Qatar Airways Group Chief grand gesture towards the ligence agent who was reportedly targeted in a edly under increased protection by police and Executive Akbar Al Baker said Lebanese people, praising Qa- foiled assassination attempt. The US District private security guards, claimed that his close Beirut has always shown its tar’s and its people’s generous Court for the District of Columbia issued the ties with the US intelligence community and strength and steadfastness in support who were always the summons on Friday, a day after Saad al-Jabri deep knowledge of the prince’s activities had the face of challenges. first to help Lebanon in diffi- filed the lawsuit accusing Prince Mohammed rendered him one of the aspiring monarch’s key The QA boss said he is cult circumstances. of sending a hit squad to Canada to try and targets. (Al Jazeera) page 4 confident that the city will recover from the crisis and Continued on page 2 

Tribune News Network to COVID-19 precautions is a Doha must for entry, it added. 867,174 tonnes of local vegetables sold in July Starting from June 15, The total sales of local vegetables through the “Premium Product” and “Qatar Farms” programmes People in small groups can Qatar began lifting coronavirus during July reached 867,174 tonnes. While 243,000 tonnes were marketed through the Premium start using the playgrounds restrictions under a four-phase Vegetables Programme, 624,174 tonnes through the Qatar Farms Programme. (TNN) in public parks as Qatar has plan. While some public parks lifted yet another COVID-19 reopened in the first phase, Qatar Airways increases restriction in the third phase the playgrounds remained of the rollback. closed until now. The third services to Pakistan In a tweet posted on phase that began on July 28, Monday, the Ministry of after the second phase on Qatar Airways has increased its flights to Pakistan. The airline Municipality and Environment July 1, saw the reopening of now operates 49 weekly flights to four gateways in Pakistan (MME) said the playgrounds shopping malls, gyms, salons with its Boeing 787 and A350 aircraft. Flights to Islamabad have in public parks have reopened and hairdressers at limited increased from 11 to 14 weekly flights, to Karachi from 10 to but will admit only up to 10 capacity. The fourth phase is 14 weekly flights, to Lahore from 11 to 14 weekly flights, and to people at a time. Adherence scheduled to start on Sept 1. Peshawar from five to seven weekly flights.page 3 02 Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Contact US: Qatar Tribune ı EDITORIAL ı Phone: 40002222 ı ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING ı Phone: 40002155, 40002122, Fax: 40002235 P.O. Box: 23493, Doha.

Quick read Muraikhi Bids Farewell to Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Qatar takes part in virtual Minister of State for For- Deputy Amir congratulates eign Affairs HE Sultan president of Ecuador bin Saad Al Muraikhi briefing on humanitarian The Deputy Amir His Highness on Monday met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Ambassador of Kazakh- Thani on Monday sent a cable of stan to Qatar HE Askar circumstances in Lebanon congratulations to President of Shokybayev on the oc- Ecuador Lenin Moreno on his coun- casion of the end of his Qatar took part in a briefing on the try’s Independence Day. (QNA) tenure in the country. humanitarian situation in Lebanon. The The minister thanked meeting was held by the United Nations PM congratulates president the ambassador for his Office for Coordination of Humanitarian of Ecuador efforts in supporting and Affairs (OCHA) via video conferencing. strengthening the bilat- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Prime Minister and Minister of In- eral relations between HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi repre- terior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Qatar and Kazhakhstan, sented Qatar at the meeting. bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on Monday and wished him suc- Addressing the meeting, Muraikhi sent a cable of congratulations cess in his future duties. conveyed heartfelt condolences to the to President of Ecuador Lenin (QNA) government and people of Lebanon, Moreno on his country’s Independ- and best wishes of a speedy recovery for Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ence Day. (QNA) the injured. HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi Muraikhi said the catastrophe comes at a time when Lebanon is al- carrying medical supplies, followed by ready facing grave conditions and dif- more aircraft with equipment and sup- ficulties, therefore, it needs the support plies as well as materials to set up two of the international community to over- field hospitals. A search and rescue come this critical time. group consisting of 50 experts from the He noted the participation of the Internal Security Forces also headed to Response to ‘Lebanon in Our Hearts’ Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Beirut,” the minister said. Hamad Al Thani in the virtual Inter- The minister expressed Qatar’s ap- national Conference on Assistance and preciation for the participation of UN Support to Beirut and the Lebanese Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in campaign is overwhelming, says QC People, which was hosted by French the virtual briefing in order to highlight President Emmanuel Macron and UN the severity of the disaster. Tribune News Network san Café, Diet Delight, Mankou- Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “On behalf of the State of Qatar, I Doha cha, Upside Down Café, Healthy Muraikhi also pointed to HH the would like to extend our sincere grati- Coffee, Diner Cone, Awani Res- Amir’s assertion on the bonds of broth- tude to UN Undersecretary-General for The ‘Lebanon in Our Hearts’ cam- taurant, Sableh Sweets, Chicken’s erhood and solidarity with Lebanon and Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency paign launched by Qatar Charity House, KarakMarmi, Sandwich its people, and his announcement of ur- Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock for (QC), in cooperation with Qatar Factory, 83 Café, Saj Boutique, gent relief aid worth $50 million for the holding and chairing this conference in Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and V Quick, Leplat, Origin Café, Lebanese people and additional contri- such a short time to highlight the seri- Qatar Media Corporation (QMC), 40 Square Meters, Zahr El-Lay- butions to the international efforts for ousness of the situation and the state under the supervision of the Reg- moun, Innovation Café, Ortensia the reconstruction of Beirut. of emergency resulting from this cata- ulatory Authority for Charitable Boutique, Wooden Bakery, Vil- “Within a few hours of the incident, strophic incident in Beirut,” Muraikhi Activities (RACA), has received lage Markets, Dahab Restaurant a Qatari cargo plane took off to Beirut concluded. (QNA) an overwhelming response from & Café, Sharq Hotel, Al Wajba many companies, medical centres, Dairy & Juice, Kamoon Lemon, banks, restaurants, cafes, busi- Saasna, Chez Mazen, Singular, nessmen and philanthropists. Lite n’ Appetite, Shai Shamoos Qatar Charity extended its sin- Restaurant, Sugar Rush, Tones cere thanks and gratitude to all Coffee, One Three One, and the who supported the campaign by QC extended its sincere thanks and gratitude to all who supported the campaign Cooking Academy. donating a portion of their profits by donating a portion of their profits to it or garnering support for it in any form. Qatar Charity has also ex- to it or garnering support for it in tended its gratitude to many other any form. well as the Qatar Islamic Insur- Trust Exchange, National Ex- companies like Alliance Foods, Qatar Charity thanked Qatar ance, Alkhaleej Takaful Insurance, change, and Al Zaman Exchange. Agricultural Development, Qatar Airways, banks and insurance and Doha Insurance Group. Many restaurants and cafes General, Qatar Meat Production, companies for their pledges, in- It also thanked exchange com- also responded overwhelmingly Al Darwish United, Fardan Group, cluding Qatar National Bank, Al panies such as Gulf Exchange, Ara- to the campaign by providing Al Hazm Mall, Talabat, Carriage, Rayan Bank, Qatar International bian Exchange, Eastern Exchange, some portions of their profits for Fadia El Mendelek Salon, Nasser Islamic Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Al Mana Exchange, Habib Qatar a specific period of time to sup- Bin Khaled Al Thani Charitable Commercial Bank, Barwa Bank, International Exchange, Unimoni port the victims of Lebanon’s Foundation, I Detailer Car Care, Al Gulf Bank, Commercial Bank, Exchange, Islamic Exchange, Lulu blast. Among these restaurants Jazeera Medical Group, Ben Dean, Doha Bank, and Al Ahli Bank, as Exchange, Al Madina Exchange, and cafes are Baked Goodies, Ar- M Jewelry and H&F Salon. The meeting was held by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Af- fairs (OCHA) via video conferencing. Qatar’s aid to be distributed Health minister, NCC teams discuss challenges, strategies Continued from page 1  for Crisis Management,” said to affected families in Beirut Major-General Khalifa Abdullah Continued from page 1  During his visit to the NCC, Al Nuaimi, head of the NCC. in continuation of the field assistance that the health minister met with “Qatar has shown great Qatar Charity has been doing since the be- each of the key teams involved strength and resilience through- For his part, Assistant CEO of Operations ginning of the accident to provide aid to the in the centre’s response and dis- out the pandemic and this has and International Partnerships at Qatar Lebanese people. cussed the challenges they had been achieved through a com- Charity Faisal Al Fahida said within the Chairman of the Board of Directors experienced and their strategies prehensive, cross-sectoral ap- framework of coordination between Qatar of Ali Bin Ali Holding Nabeel Ali bin Ali to overcome them. “Our teams at proach to the country’s COV- Charity and Qatar Airways, a plane carry- stressed that through such initiatives, the National Command Center ID-19 strategy. The Ministry of ing food and medical supplies for people in solidarity and support for the Lebanese have been working 24 hours a Interior is proud of the role the Lebanon left for Beirut. people as well as endeavour to support day in collaboration with all gov- National Command Center has He said the staff of the Qatar Char- humanitarian issues during these dif- ernment agencies to maintain played in supporting Qatar’s ity office and the local executive partners ficult circumstances are emphasised in security and safety during the healthcare sector during this in Lebanon will receive the plane in order cooperation with partners and the local pandemic, under the supervi- national crisis,” added Major- to distribute aid to the affected families, community. sion of the Supreme Committee General Nuaimi.

Qatar’s medical equipment aid arrives in Beirut

An Amiri Air Force plane from Doha carrying medical equipment for the field hospitals being set up by Qatar arrived at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Monday.(TNN) Nation Tuesday, August 11, 2020 03 Qatar Airways Privilege Club QA service to Pakistan now boosts its loyalty programme goes up to 49 weekly flights with updated Qmiles policy tribune news network doha The airline increased its schedule of flights to Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar on Monday QATAR Airways’ (QA) loyalty Tribune News Network for cabin crew, to becoming programme, Privilege Club, Doha the firstairline to require pas- has announced a change to sengers to wear face shields in its Qmiles policy in efforts to Qatar Airways (QA) has in- addition to face coverings. enhance the programme to creased its services to Islama- QA’s onboard safety meas- further honour members’ loy- bad, Karachi, Lahore and Pe- ures for passengers and cabin alty. When a member earns or shawar in Pakistan on Monday. crew include the provision spends Qmiles, their balance The airline now operates 49 of PPE for cabin crew and a is valid for 36 months. weekly flights to the four gate- complimentary protective kit Members can now earn or ways with its Boeing 787 and and disposable face shields spend their Qmiles for as long A350 aircraft. for passengers. Business as they stay active with the Flights to Islamabad have Class passengers on aircraft programme. This enhance- increased from 11 to 14 weekly equipped with Qsuite can en- ment is among the initial flights, to Karachi from 10 to joy the enhanced privacy the steps in Privilege Club’s jour- 14 weekly flights, to Lahore the directions of the Pakistan the Middle East and Third Best award-winning business seat ney of change in exceeding from 11 to 14 weekly flights, government. From operating Airport in the World, accord- provides, including sliding expectations from the airline and to Peshawar from five to special charter services to a ing to Skytrax. It is operating privacy partitions and the op- passengers can always rely on. our programme, and I am very airlines, other airline partners seven weekly flights. The air- number of commercial flights, regular flights to key gateways tion to use a ‘Do Not Disturb Qatar Airways Group excited for what is to come.” or use the services of any of line has effectively increased we are delighted to now offer a in Canada, Europe, South East (DND)’ indicator. Qsuite is Chief Executive Akbar Al Bak- Privilege Club launched the airline’s 60+ global part- its flights to Pakistan by 32 per- strong schedule of services.” Asia and the US. On August 12, available on flights to more er said: “At Qatar Airways, we in 2000 as a form of appre- ners. cent so that they are now in line To ensure a safe travel the airline will resume services than 30 destinations includ- are dedicated to providing our ciation to Qatar Airways’ loyal Qmiles are awarded based with operation levels before the experience, passengers from to Houston and Philadelphia, ing London, Paris and Frank- promised five-star service to passengers, offering them the on the booking class pur- COVID-19 crisis started. All Pakistan are required take a adding to its regular flights to furt. our passengers and our Privi- opportunity to earn Qmiles chased, and can be redeemed flights can be booked on qata- COVID-19 RT-PCR medical Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los To ensure travellers can lege Club plays an important when travelling on Qatar Air- for a range of exciting benefits rairways.com or through travel test. Passengers will need to Angeles and New York. plan their travel with peace role in this. We want to reward ways, oneworld® airlines, or and rewards including award agents. present a negative test result Over the past several of mind, the airline has also our most loyal customers with any of the airlines’ partners. flights, upgrades or extra bag- QA Group Chief Executive issued within 72 hours prior to months, QA has led the indus- extended its booking policies generosity and flexibility. As It has since served as another gage on Qatar Airways. To Akbar Al Baker siad: “We are departure, when checking in. try by maintaining a global to offer even more choice to such, we have embarked on convenient means of payment join, visit www.qatarairways. excited to increase our services Children below the age of 12 network that never fell below its passengers. The airline will a journey of change within at the award-winning Qatar com/en/Privilege-Club/join- to Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore years are exempted from this 30 destinations. In doing so, allow unlimited date changes, Privilege Club that puts our Duty Free (QDF) outlets, Oryx now. and Peshawar, offering our test if accompanied by family the airline collected unrivalled and passengers can change members and their needs at Galleria in Doha and now at Al Privilege Club members passengers travelling to and members. More information experience in carrying passen- their destination as often as the forefront. Maha meet and assist services are encouraged to download from Pakistan connectivity to on the laboratories accepted by gers safely and reliably and they need if it is within 5,000 “Privilege Club has re- at Hamad International Air- and use the Qatar Airways the largest networks in Europe, QA is available at qatarairways. became uniquely positioned miles of the original destina- cently undergone multiple port (HIA). mobile app for any Privilege the UK and the US via the ‘Best com/en/travel-alerts/COVID- to effectively rebuild its net- tion. The airline will not charge changes and our enhanced Privilege Club offers four Club related queries. The app Airport in the Middle East’. 19-update.html. work. The carrier has strin- any fare differences for travel Qmiles policy is the first ma- membership tiers – Burgun- provides members with a con- “We remain committed to With a growing network, gently implemented the most completed before December jor step towards perfecting dy, Silver, Gold and Platinum venient and safe way to access serving our customers in Pa- QA now offers over 500 weekly advanced safety and hygiene 31, 2020, after which fare rules our loyalty programme with – each with their own exclu- their membership account on kistan and have worked hard flights to over 80 destinations measures on board its aircraft will apply. All tickets booked many more exciting new initi- sive benefits for members the go. For more information, throughout the pandemic to worldwide from its home and and at HIA – from introduc- for travel up to December 31, atives planned for the coming to enjoy. Qmiles are earned members can call the dedicat- ensure we can operate as many hub Hamad International Air- ing enhanced Personal Pro- 2020 will be valid for two years months. It is a true delight to when members travel with ed Privilege Club hotline on flights as possible, in line with port (HIA) – the Best Airport in tective Equipment (PPE) suits from the date of issuance. see our loyal members enjoy Qatar Airways, oneworld® +974 4023 0023. COVID-19: Qatar records 4 deaths, HBKU’s CPP co-sponsors first round 315 new cases and 284 recoveries Tribune News Network of policy and development conference Doha Tribune News Network Qatar on Monday recorded 315 new COV- Doha ID-19 cases and 284 recoveries, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The College of Public Policy This brings active cases in Qatar to 3,081, (CPP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa while the total recoveries jumped to 109,993. University (HBKU) recently co- Within 24 hours, the virus claimed the sponsored and participated in a lives of four more people — two aged 46, 57 series of webinars forming the and two aged 60 each, raising the death toll opening round of the II Inter- to 188. national Conference on Policy According to the ministry, all new cases Diffusion and Development Co- have been introduced to isolation and are operation. how policies travel and govern- cussions scheduled for January tices are also shaped by unequal receiving necessary healthcare according to First held in 2018, this bian- ments cooperate. 25 to March 19, 2021 and con- power relationships and con- their health status. nual conference brings together Started on July 6, the con- cluding plenaries expected to trasting social, economic and researchers from around the ference’s webinar series dis- begin March 22, 2021. The CPP cultural conditions. This con- world to examine the dynamics cussed an eclectic mix of issues will continue to co-sponsor and ference not only brings these of policymaking and develop- and subjects shaping contem- participate in next year’s pro- and related issues into focus, it ment initiatives. porary policymaking and devel- ceedings. also explains and explores them The gathering provided a opment discourse. “The relevance of the II In- with greater precision. Pakistan Embassy suspends space for scholars to consider Topics included the grow- ternational Conference on Pol- “Accordingly, it’s imperative issues, concepts and methods to ing influence of far-right groups icy Diffusion and Development that CPP makes its presence improve understanding of pol- and leaders, the impact of state Cooperation should not be un- keenly felt through this like- consular services, to resume icy diffusion and development capacity on policy transfers and derestimated,” said Dr Leslie minded conference. Doing so cooperation. The last edition in the role of digital technology Pal, founding dean of CPP. “Pol- reflects the priority we place on 2018 attracted more than 270 and internet knowledge hubs icymaking in all its forms occurs supporting and contributing to at its new building on Aug 16 participants from the fields of in policymaking. Key talking in many different ways across effective policy development political science, sociology, ge- points from these and other parts of the world, and involves and implementation for Qatar tribune news network to access its new premises. readable passports, National ography, and more, to discuss webinars will inform panel dis- a diverse array of actors. Prac- National Vision 2030.” doha The new state-of-the-art Identity Card for Overseas Pa- building of Pakistan Embassy kistanis (NICOP) and all other WITH the Embassy of the Is- was inaugurated by Foreign necessary consular services. lamic Republic of Pakistan Minister of Pakistan Makh- The embassy premises in Qatar relocating to a new doom Shah Mahmood Qureshi includes the embassy build- Perseid meteor shower is set to illuminate Qatar’s sky tomorrow building at Onaiza from its ex- during his official visit to the ing and official residence of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Dr Beshir Marzouk said the over the northeastern horizon isting premises at West Bay, State of Qatar in February this the country’s envoy. The new DOHA Perseid meteor shower is one from darker places having a the consular services at the year. embassy building has been of the important meteor show- clear sky and its pictures can embassy will remain suspend- The new embassy build- designed by Pakistan’s lead- THE residents of Qatar and ers seen from the Earth with also be taken by increasing ed from August 11 to August 13. ing is spread over an area of ing architectural firm NESPAK the northern hemisphere at the rate of its flow estimated at the exposure time of camera The consular services will over 8,100 sq-metres, which and constructed by Al Attiyah large have a good chance to 60-100 meteors per hour. for better effect, Dr Marzouk resume at the embassy’s new is almost double the size of the Contracting. The embassy also observe Perseid Aquarid me- Marzouk added that the pointed out. building located in the Diplo- old embassy building in West has a huge auditorium for offi- teor shower, which will illu- Perseid meteor shower is usu- Perseid meteor shower is matic Enclave on Al Shahab Bay. The consular section has cial and community events. minate the sky from Wednes- ally active every year from July created by debris from ‘Swift- Street, Onaiza, on Sunday (Au- around 300 seats with sepa- The Pakistan Embassy is day (August 12) evening until 23 to August 24, while its peak Tuttle Comet’; where the Earth gust 16). rate waiting areas for women moving to the new premises af- the dawn of August 13, Qatar occurs between August 12 and passes through the dust and The embassy has urged vis- and men. ter 34 years. The embassy had Calendar House (QCH) an- August 13. debris it leaves behind during itors to use the public entrance There will also be 14 coun- been operating from its West nounced on Monday. The meteor shower can last week of July until mid- gate of the Diplomatic Enclave ters with facilities for issuing Bay premises since 1986. QCH’s expert astronomer be watched with naked eyes August every year. 150 members of Indian Forum participate in blood donation drive

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK quarters in Al Thumama, held the camp at the DOHA HMC Blood Donor Unit owing to the corona- virus (COVID-19) pandemic and in line with QATAR Indian Thawheed Centre (QITC), the directives of the Ministry of Public Health a socio-cultural forum of Tamil-speaking in this regard.HMC’s Blood Bank Unit extend- Muslim expatriates, in cooperation with the ed full support to the centre to ensure that all Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), recently the necessary precautionary measures were organised their 33rd Blood Donation Cam- in place to protect attendees from COVID-19 paign at HMC Blood Donor Unit. infection. While 150 members of the forum took part The General Secretary of the centre Mo- in the three-hour campaign held from 2pm to hamed Ali Mohamed Ibrahim said: “On be- 5pm, 87 of them donated blood after success- half of QITC, I extend our sincere thanks to fully passing the required tests, according to the HMC team and management for their the established practice. The forum, which support. We also pray to Allah the Almighty has been organising various activities for the to bless all the centre’s members and all community for the last 17 years at its head- those who donate their blood.” 04 Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Middle East / Africa US court issues summons for Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman

audi Crown Prince Mo- notice of a lawsuit, given to the Saad - except perhaps the re- two of al-Jabri’s children, who mer US associate deputy attor- hammed bin Salman person or persons being sued. cordings Dr. Saad made in The US District Court for the have gone missing from their ney general, told Al Jazeera. S(MBS) has been issued a Al-Jabri, who lives in anticipation of his killing,” the District of Columbia issued home in the capital Riyadh in “It is rather an odd realm summons by a US court for a Canada, reportedly under in- lawsuit read. the summons on Friday, a mid-March, and that other rel- of law, but it asks the court to lawsuit by a former top Saudi creased protection by police Saudi Arabia, which has is- day after Saad al-Jabri atives have also been arrested dismiss the case because it will intelligence agent who was and private security guards, sued Interpol red notices seek- and tortured “all in an effort interfere with the foreign rela- reportedly targeted in a foiled claimed that his close ties with ing al-Jabri’s return - which filed the lawsuit accusing to bait Dr. Saad back to Saudi tions of the US and relations assassination attempt. the US intelligence commu- have since been dismissed by Prince Mohammed of send- Arabia to be killed”. with a head of state or high- The US District Court for nity and deep knowledge of the agency as political - has ing a hit squad to Canada The claims in the lawsuit level officials. the District of Columbia is- the prince’s activities had ren- urged other countries to send to try and kill him. are allegations which have not “But that means November sued the summons on Friday, dered him one of the aspiring al-Jabri back to the kingdom, been proven. [US elections] will be critical for a day after Saad al-Jabri filed monarch’s key targets. accusing the former senior “If you fail to respond, judg- “MBS will now vigor- Saudi Arabia. I can guarantee the lawsuit accusing Prince “Few places hold more intelligence officer of corrup- ment by default will be en- ously lobby President Donald you right now that Saudi Arabia Mohammed of sending a hit sensitive, humiliating and tion. tered against you for the relief Trump and Secretary of State and the crown prince are talk- squad to Canada to try and kill damning information about The summons, which demanded in the complaint”. Mike Pompeo to issue what ing with Pompeo and Trump him. Defendant bin-Salman than Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed named 12 people in addition The suit asserts that MBS is called a letter of suggestion asking them get him out of A summons is an official the mind and memory of Dr. bin Salman to Prince Mohammed, added: had ordered the detention of immunity,” Bruce Fein, a for- this.” (ALJAZEERA.COM)

News in brief

Sudan says Nile dam talks delayed for Lebanon government resigns ‘consultations’ Khartoum Sudan on Monday said that negotiations over Ethiopia’s massive and controversial dam construction on the Blue Nile have been postponed for a week. over deadly blast fallout Talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan were suspended last week after Addis Ababa insisted on linking them to rene- gotiating a deal on sharing the waters of the Blue Nile. “A meeting at the level of ministers of the three countries took place on Monday, during which Sudan asked to postpone the next meeting for one week for internal consultations,” Sudan’s water ministry said in a statement. Egypt and Sudan view the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dam as a threat to vital water supplies, while Ethiopia considers it crucial for its electrification and develop- ment. South Africa, which holds the presidency of the African Union and is mediating negotiations, has urged the countries to “remain involved” in the talks. (AFP)

Egypt moves ‘dangerous materials’ from An image grab shows Prime Minister Hassan Diab announcing his airports after Beirut blast government’s resignation amid popular outrage over the deadly Beirut port explosion. (AFP) Cairo Egypt’s civil aviation ministry said that after Lebanon’s massive explosion last week it was moving “dangerous materi- als” held at airports nationwide to more secure locations. ● According to the health ministry, at least The ministry is “taking precautionary measures with regards to dangerous materials, either immediately releasing 160 people were killed in Lebanon’s worst them or transferring them to safe storage spaces well outside peacetime disaster, 6,000 were wounded and the range of airports and residential areas,” it said in a state- about 20 remained missing after the disaster ment Sunday. blamed on official negligence. The statement referred to materials held in “cargo bays and storage warehouses in Cairo’s airport and all airports ● Diab’s resignation was met with cars nationwide”, without specifying which kind of materials would honking in the streets and celebratory fire in be moved. The announcement came after an unsecured stock the northern city of Tripoli but was unlikely to of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in Beirut’s port exploded last Tuesday, killing at least 158 people and wound- meet the long-term expectations of the ing 6,000 others. A Lebanese boy jumps a fire during clashes between protesters and security forces near the parliament in Lebanese population. “A committee will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of central Beirut on Monday. (AFP) all procedures applied inside the storage areas... in order to address any risks before they arise,” Egypt’s civil aviation min- AFP said at the end of a speech in at the port for years. drew comparisons with the tear gas against blast victims ister, Mohamed Manar, was quoted as saying. The Beirut blast Beirut which he strove to cast himself Diab’s resignation was Hiroshima atom bomb, was instead of helping them clean left a 43-metre (141 foot) deep crater at the port and wreaked as an external victim of a cor- met with cars honking in the so enormous that it altered their wrecked homes and find destruction across swathes of the capital. (AFP) Lebanon’s premier Hassan rupt and selfish political lead- streets and celebratory fire in the shape of not only Beirut’s a roof. Diab stepped down Monday ership. the northern city of Tripoli but skyline but even its Mediterra- “We need an international amid fury within and outside According to the health was unlikely to meet the long- nean coastline. investigation and trial to tell us his government over the deadly ministry, at least 160 people term expectations of the Leba- But it remained to be seen who killed our friends and all Beirut port blast he blamed on were killed in Lebanon’s worst nese population. whether the disaster will also the other victims, because they the incompetence and corrup- peacetime disaster, 6,000 The country’s top officials have a lasting impact on Leba- might try to conceal the truth,” Algerian court sentences journalist tion of a decades-old ruling were wounded and about 20 have promised a swift and non’s entrenched post-war po- said Michelle. class. remained missing after the thorough investigation -- but litical culture, whose masters French President Em- to three years in prison “Today we are heeding disaster blamed on official they have stopped short of are widely seen as being bent manuel Macron supported the people and their demands negligence. agreeing to an independent on self-preservation and buck- the idea when he visited last DPA “This decision lifts hearts to hold accountable those re- Six days after the enor- probe led by foreign experts as passing. Thursday, but his calls for Algiers and minds with its arbitrary, sponsible for a disaster that mous chemical blast wreaked demanded by the protesters. During consecutive eve- reform and transparency ap- absurd and violent nature,” has been concealed for seven destruction across swathes of The outgoing government nings of protests, the rage peared to receive less atten- An Algerian court on Monday Christophe Deloire, RSF’s sec- years” he said in a televised the capital and was felt as far is now due to stay on in a care- sparked by the explosion that tion among Lebanese official- sentenced journalist Khaled retary general, wrote on Twit- address, blaming a “corrupt” away as the island of Cyprus, taker capacity, and the next disfigured Beirut and scarred dom than his offer to raise aid Drareni to three years in prison ter after the verdict. political elite for the August 4 residents and volunteers were elections could still be months so many of its residents had money. alongside two activists sen- Drareni was arrested explosion. still clearing the debris off the away. not relented. An online emergency tenced to two years imprison- alongside his co-defendants Politics in multi-confes- streets. Before Diab’s announce- “The resignation of minis- support conference Macron ment, the defendants’ lawyers Samir Benlarbi and Slimane sional Lebanon is dominated International rescue teams ment, four ministers had al- ters is not enough. Those who chaired Sunday, attended vir- said. Hamitouche in March during by former warlords from the with sniffer dogs and special- ready decided they could no are responsible for the explo- tually by a slew of world lead- Prosecutors charged a protest in the capital Algiers. 1975-1990 civil war who have ised equipment remained at longer serve a government that sion should be held account- ers including US President Drareni with “endangering Human rights and press exchanged their military fa- work at the disaster’s charred has shown little willingness to able,” said Michelle, a demon- Donald Trump, came up with national unity” and “inciting freedom organizations have tigues for suits, or were re- “ground zero”, where the take the blame or to put state strator in her early twenties, pledges for more than 250 mil- an unarmed gathering” after been calling for Drareni’s re- placed by relatives. search was now for bodies and resources at the service of the on Sunday. lion euros. covering protests in Algeria. lease and an end to the “har- “Their corruption created not survivors. victims. She carried a poster of a Macron, who was given Drareni is the editor of a assment of independent me- this tragedy,” said Diab. The Lebanese want heads At least nine lawmak- friend who was killed in the a hero’s welcome when he news website called Casbah dia.” Protests began early last “Between us and change to roll over the tragedy and are ers have also announced they blast, inscribed with the mes- trudged through the rubble of Tribune and a correspond- year in Algeria, leading to stands a thick wall protected by asking how a massive stockpile would quit in protest, as have sage “My government killed ravaged old Beirut to meet dis- ent of TV5 Monde and media the resignation of Abdelaziz their dirty tactics,” he added. of volatile ammonium nitrate, two senior members of the Bei- me”. tressed residents, stressed the watchdog Reporters Without Bouteflika after two decades “I announce the resigna- a compound used primarily as rut municipality. Demonstrators lamented aid would go “directly” to the Borders (RSF). as president. tion of the government,” he a fertiliser, was left unsecured The August 4 blast, which that security forces were using population.

Troops launch manhunt after Niger killings, France sets terror probe AFP their Nigerien guide and driver managed to escape but was Koure about six kilometres from the later caught and her throat was town of Koure, in a wildlife cut, the source added. Troops in Niger backed by haven about an hour’s drive The bodies were laid side- French air power launched a southeast from the capital Nia- by-side next to a torched 4x4, hunt Monday for the killers mey, officials said. which had bullet holes in its of eight people, six of them In Paris, French anti-terror rear window. French nationals, as prosecu- prosecutors said in a statement Nigerien forensic experts tors in Paris announced a ter- they would investigate charges investigated the site of the ror investigation into their of “murders with links to a ter- killing before the bodies were deaths. rorist enterprise” and “criminal taken to Niamey. “Search operations with terrorist association”. French President Emma- our partners are under way French NGO Acted, whose nuel Macron and his Nigerien to root out the people behind staff were targeted in the at- and Malian counterparts Ma- these vile acts and strengthen tack, said the victims were aged Members of the NGO Acted (from left) Frederic de Saint Cernin, co- hamadou Issoufou and Ibrahim security in the area,” the Nige- between 25 and 50 and were founders Frederic Roussel and Marie-Pierre Caley, and their lawyer Boubacar Keita lashed the at- rien interior ministry said. four women and four men. It Joseph Breham give a press conference in Paris on Monday. (AFP) tack as cowardly and barbaric. The French military, which did not give their names. Nigerien authorities has a 5,100-member anti-ji- Acted co-founder Frederic munity must understand the targets,” he said. banned humanitarian organi- hadist force in the Sahel, said Roussel told reporters in Paris contradiction between asking The attackers came on mo- sations from travelling without it was providing air support for that the international commu- us to support these popula- torcycles through the bush and military escort in several areas the operation, which is unfold- nity had to do more to ensure tions who live under the most waited for the group’s arrival, a of Tillaberi and the neighbour- ing over a vast wooded area. the protection of humanitarian dramatic circumstances and source said. ing region of Tahoua in 2019 Six French citizens were workers. leaving us alone against vio- Most of the victims were after armed men stole vehicles killed on Sunday along with “The international com- lence where we are the easiest shot although one woman belonging to aid groups. Asia / World Tuesday, August 11, 2020 05 Six killed in bomb blast in Pakistan’s Balochistan province AFP Quetta Pakistan lifts restrictions despite concerns from medics An improvised bomb plant- Islamabad Pakistan on Monday lifted restrictions imposed to disease have recovered. ed on a motorbike killed six stem the spread of coronavirus, despite concerns from medics All businesses and industries can operate normally, which people in Pakistan’s restive that infections may increase again in the country. means people can now go to cinemas, spas, beauty parlors and southwestern Balochistan “Pakistan Medical Association is surprised over the decision shrines. province on Monday, police to open all sectors at the same time,” said Qasier Sajjad, secre- However, educational institutions and wedding halls will re- said. tary general for the association of doctors. main closed till September 15. Face masks and social distancing A vehicle carrying person- The decision to end all restrictions and lockdowns was taken are mandatory in public places. nel from the country’s anti- last week after a substantial decline in number of infections. After the announcement, people rushed to tourist spots with narcotic force was believed Health ministry data from Monday showed that 539 new their families, some travelled back in search of lost jobs while to be the target of the blast in cases and 15 deaths were reported during the last 24 hours. In others were seen roaming freely in areas which were under the Chaman town, which borders total, the country has recorded 284,660 cases and confirmed lockdown. Afghanistan, senior police of- Policemen stand guard at the site of a bomb explosion at the 6,097 deaths. According to the Pakistan Medical Association, at least 101 ficial Razzaq Cheema said. Pakistan’s border town of Chaman on Monday. (AFP) So far, more than 80 per cent of people infected with the doctors and 24 paramedics died from COVID-19. (DPA) “The explosion killed six passersby and wounded 10 group immediately claimed ince is also riven by sectarian people”. itants have long complained ject known as the China-Paki- port in Balochistan. others, two of them critically,” responsibility for the attack strife and Islamist violence. Mineral-rich Balochistan, they do not receive a fair stan Economic Corridor, up- Thousands of paramili- he told AFP. but Baluch separatists de- Interior minister Ejaz bordering Afghanistan and share of its gas and mineral grading infrastructure, power tary troops carry out secu- Local police officialmanding greater autonomy Shah said in a statement Iran, is the largest of Paki- wealth. and transport links between rity checks and help police in Masood Khan confirmed the have been waging an insur- that “such attacks are aimed stan’s four provinces, but its China is investing in the its far-western Xinjiang re- maintaining law and order in attack and casualties. No gency for years while the prov- at spreading fear among the roughly seven million inhab- area under a $54 billion pro- gion and Pakistan’s Gwadar restive parts of Pakistan.

China sanctions 11 US officials Prominent activist, media and heads of organisations DPA The move comes after Beijing the US on Friday announced sanctions on officials accused baron held in Hong Kong China on Monday sanc- of suppressing freedoms in tioned 11 US politicians and Hong Kong, including the heads of organisations in re- city’s chief executive, Carrie taliation for the United States Lam, police chief Chris Tang imposing sanctions on Hong and justice secretary Teresa Kong officials last week. Cheng. crackdown on dissidents The sanctioned US indi- The sanctions were intro- DPA viduals include senators Mar- duced in reaction to Beijing’s Hong Kong US says Beijing co Rubio and Ted Cruz, who imposition of a new national had been previously criticised security law on Hong Kong in At least nine people - including has ‘eviscerated’ by Beijing, as well as heads of late June, and for postponing prominent activist Agnes Chow Hong Kong agencies and nonprofits such for one year elections in which and media mogul Jimmy Lai - freedoms as Human Rights Watch Exec- the government was expected were detained by Hong Kong utive Director Kenneth Roth to fare poorly. police on Monday on suspicion Washington US Secre- and Freedom House President “The relevant actions of of breaching the city’s new na- tary of State Mike Pompeo Michael Abramowitz. the United States blatantly tional security law, as Beijing said Monday he is “deeply The 11 sanctioned individu- intervened in Hong Kong af- further tightened its hold on troubled” by the Hong Kong als have “behaved badly” on fairs, grossly interfered in the city. arrest of pro-democracy Hong Kong-related issues, Chi- China’s internal affairs, and Police announced the ar- media mogul Jimmy Lai, ac- nese Foreign Ministry spokes- severely violated international rests on Twitter, but did not cusing Beijing of an assault man Zhao Lijian said in Bei- law and the basic norms of release the names of the sus- on rights and freedoms in jing. Zhao did not specify what international relations,” Zhao pects. However, Chow and Lai the territory. the sanctions consisted of. said. managed to document their de- “I’m deeply troubled by tentions with the help of friends reports of the arrest of @ and colleagues. JimmyLaiApple under Hong Lai’s sons, Timothy and Ian, Kong’s draconian National and several senior executives Police lead Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai (centre), 72, away from his home after he Security Law,” Pompeo Yet another BJP member killed at the newspaper’s publishing was arrested under the new national security law in Hong Kong on Monday. (AFP) tweeted, calling it “further company were also arrested as proof that the CCP (Chi- by militants in Kashmir part of the latest crackdown, nese Communist Party) has according to Lai’s newspaper, eviscerated Hong Kong’s AFP “He was attacked while tak- Apple Daily. UK ‘deeply concerned’ by arrest of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong freedoms and eroded the Srinagar ing a morning walk,” said a po- Videographer Wilson Li, London Britain said Monday voice of the opposition,” said a sweeping crackdown on dis- rights of its people.” lice official, who spoke to AFP who works for British broad- it was “deeply concerned” by spokesman from prime minis- sent since China imposed a Lai’s Monday arrest A Kashmir politician who died on condition of anonymity. caster ITV, was also among the arrest of pro-democracy ter Boris Johnson’s office. security law on the city. was part of a sweeping of gunshot wounds on Monday His death followed a mili- those arrested, according to a media mogul Jimmy Lai in “We are deeply concerned Among the others arrested crackdown on dissent has become the fifth member tant attack which killed a BJP tweet by Hong Kong reporter Hong Kong, warning that China by the arrest of Jimmy Lai and were two of Lai’s sons, young since China imposed a of India’s ruling nationalist leader, his brother and father Ezra Cheung. was silencing political oppo- six other individuals,” he add- pro-democracy activist Agnes security law on the city, and party to be killed by militants -- also members of the party -- An outspoken China critic, nents in the city. ed. Lai was arrested Monday Chow and Wilson Li, a former sparked a fresh round of in the turbulent region since in the Bandipora area of Kash- Lai’s detention was the first “This is further evidence and led in handcuffs through activist who describes himself condemnation over Hong last month. mir early last month. to be reported. The stated of- that the national security law his newspaper office as police as a freelance journalist work- Kong’s stuttering freedoms. The string of attacks have Suspected rebels killed fences include collusion with a is being used to silence the raided the building, part of a ing for Britain’s ITV News. (AFP) (AFP) sent panic through local ranks two other elected village offi- foreign country, police said. of the Bharatiya Janata Party, cials affiliated with the party Next Digital, the group a year after Prime Minister last week. founded by Lai issued a state- persecution,” the group said. ents’ Club, Hong Kong, also Wong, another well-known ac- Nathan Law, also a for- Narendra Modi’s government At least 16 BJP members ment accusing police of using Amnesty International is- strongly condemned the raid. tivist from the disbanded group. mer member of the group, fled roused anger in the Himala- have publicly quit the party “barbaric tactics.” sued a statement saying that “Today’s police action up- He posted a screenshot Hong Kong and currently has a yan territory by abolishing its since the attacks began last “In the face of these bar- targeting a pro-democracy ends those assurances.” Chow had posted on Twitter warrant issued for his arrest. semi-autonomous status. The month -- eight of them in the baric tactics, the staff of Apple newspaper threatens press The arrest of Chow, of the reading “police had arrived at The European Union’s for- elected village chief was shot last two days. They insisted they Daily will stay fearless and con- freedom. disbanded group Demosisto, her house” and “her lawyers eign policy arm also raised con- near his home on the edge of had “no contact” with Modi’s tinue speaking the truth amid The Foreign Correspond- was announced by Joshua were rushing there.” cerns about the arrests. the main city Srinagar. party anymore.

Philippines reports new daily high of nearly 7,000 infections Australia’s COVID-19 death toll crosses 300 DPA toria which has been the cen- was having an effect, as the DPA Of the additional cases, Amid calls by some to ex- Harry Roque said. Sydney tre of the pandemic’s second number of new cases reported Manila 5,394 are infections confirmed tend the new lockdown until “It entails a delicate bal- wave. Monday was 322, the lowest in the past three days, while the end of the month, health ancing of protecting and saving More than 300 people in Monday marked the sec- level in 13 days. The Philippines on Monday 1,564 were confirmed previous- undersecretary Maria Rosario people’s health with protect- Australia have died in con- ond day in a row the daily “This strategy is diffi- reported a record 6,958 addi- ly but only later added to the Vergeire said the impact of the ing and saving the economic nection with coronavirus, af- death toll record was broken, cult, it’s heartbreaking, it’s tional coronavirus infections, tally, the department added. stricter restrictions could not health of the nation,” he said. ter health authorities in the with most of the 19 deaths re- very challenging, but it’s the pushing the country’s national Sixty percent of the new be seen immediately. The government has state of Victoria on Monday ported from aged care facili- only one that will drive down tally to 136,638, the highest in cases were from the capital President Rodrigo Duterte warned that the local econo- reported 19 more people had ties. movement across Victoria,” South-East Asia. region of Metro Manila, which was meeting with the govern- my, which suffered its worst died overnight, the country’s Victorian Premier Dan- Andrews told reporters in The death toll from COV- was again placed under lock- ment’s inter-agency task force contraction on record in the highest daily increase since iel Andrews said there were Melbourne. ID-19 also rose to 2,293, with down, together with four sur- on COVID-19 to discuss the second quarter, would dete- the outbreak began. indications that the six-week Other Australian states 24 additional deaths reported, rounding provinces, until next suggestions to extend the lock- riorate further if the lockdown Of the 313 deaths recorded lockdown in capital city Mel- have closed their borders to the Department of Health said. week. down, presidential spokesman were extended. nationally, 228 were in Vic- bourne six week lockdown Victorians in recent weeks. Afghan peace talks expected soon as prisoners’ release gets nod AFP Afghans on Sunday approved cil spokesman Javid Faisal should never be released. We prisoners to ensure they did Kabul their release at the end of a told AFP on Monday. do not believe that his release not return to the battlefield three-day “loya jirga” -- a tra- Late on Monday, President adds to peace in this region,” and demanded an immediate Afghan peace talks are ex- ditional Afghan gathering of Ashraf Ghani issued a decree Morrison said Monday. and lasting ceasefire in the pected to begin within days tribal elders and other stake- ordering the release of the 400 The family of French aid country. after authorities announced holders sometimes held to de- prisoners, his office said. worker Bettina Goislard, who But the Taliban said the Monday they would soon start cide on controversial issues. US special envoy Zalmay was murdered in Afghanistan ceasefire should form part of releasing hundreds of Taliban “Our stance is clear, if the Khalilzad tweeted that “a his- in 2003, also said they would the agenda during the negotia- prisoners accused of brutal at- prisoner release is complet- toric opportunity for peace is not accept the release of her tions with the Afghan govern- tacks, including on foreigners. ed, then we are ready for the now possible”. killers, who are on the list, “on ment. The fate of some 400 Tali- intra-Afghan talks within a Australian Prime Minister the basis of horse-trading”. Not all those who attended ban inmates has been a crucial week,” Taliban spokesman Su- Scott Morrison said he had In its final resolution, the the jirga favoured the release hurdle in launching much- hail Shaheen told AFP. lobbied for a former Afghan jirga said it had approved re- of militants. delayed talks between the Shaheen said the first army soldier, who went rogue leasing the militants “to re- Lawmaker Belquis Roshan, Taliban and the Afghan gov- round of talks would be held and killed three Australian move the hurdles for the start a prominent women’s rights ernment, who had commit- in Doha, Qatar. colleagues, to stay in jail. of peace talks, stopping blood- activist, had protested against ted to completing a prisoner “The Afghan government The accused, who is among shed, and for the good of the their release on the first day of People attend the last day of the Loya Jirga, a grand assembly, at the exchange before negotiations will start releasing the 400 the 400 to be freed, has been public”. the jirga, unfurling a banner Loya Jirga Hall in Kabul. The Afghan government and the Taliban are could start. Taliban prisoners within two in prison for seven years. The jirga urged the gov- that read: “Redeeming Taliban “on the verge of peace talks” after thousands of prominent Afghans ap- Thousands of prominent days,” National Security Coun- “Our position is that he ernment to monitor the freed is national treason.” proved the release of about 400 contentious militant prisoners. (AFP) 06 Tuesday, August 11, 2020

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

The Wrong Way To North Korea’s Continuing Reopen US Schools Schools must have solid plans in place to combat the Nuclear Ambitions risk of an outbreak and ensure the health and safety of students and employees The new UN report underlines Pyongyang’s advancing weapon proficiencies, suggesting more worrisome evolutions in its nuclear doctrine ESPITE all the fears about reopening learning barriers — poverty, language dif- schools, we actually know a fair amount ficulties, special education needs — are at Dfrom watching other countries about how an even bigger disadvantage. Many parents Bruce Klingner to do it safely. Success looks a lot like Uru- need to leave home to work. Children need Tribune News Service guay and Denmark. the stimulation, socialisation and in too And it bears no resemblance at all to many cases, the free lunches. NEW United Nations report con- what’s shown in a photo from North Pauld- But in the calculus of whether and how cluding that North Korea can now ing High School in Dallas, Georgia, in to reopen schools, the debate too often isn’t miniaturise its nuclear weapons which teenagers are packed into a hallway, about balancing educational needs with pub- sufficiently to put them on missiles few of them wearing masks. On Sunday, the lic health, mental health, the science of COV- has raised a media furore. But the school announced that nine infections had ID-19 or any of the other important factors. It UnitedA States has held that assessment been reported in the first week of classes, has become a political battle, with Trump try- since at least 2015. Washington and its al- and it was temporarily moving to online- ing to act as if our lives haven’t been upended lies also judged that the nuclear warheads only instruction. by the badly handled pandemic. not only fit on large intercontinental- Other schools in Georgia and Missis- COVID-19 doesn’t yield to his aspirations range ballistic missiles (ICBMs) but also sippi are also reporting cases of infected and it doesn’t pick political sides; it follows on shorter-range missiles that can target students. In Corinth, Mississippi, which the laws of science. But that’s not how Trump South Korea and Japan. opened its schools two weeks ago, a sin- is treating it. “The science should not stand Successful ICBM tests in 2017 indi- gle case of an infected student became six in the way” of schools reopening fully, White cate Pyongyang has the ability to reach cases within days, and the quarantine of House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany has all of the continental United States with a 116. Two schools in Indiana reopened, then said. Children are “almost immune” to the nuclear weapon. quickly reclosed after outbreaks that in- disease, the president himself preposterously According to the new UN report, volved multiple staff members. claimed last week. And too many states are North Korea has “probably developed On top of failing to create a safe envi- following that same blind path. miniaturised nuclear devices to fit into ronment, the principal of North Paulding The country should be working — care- the warheads of its ballistic missiles.” High School reportedly warned students fully — toward bringing students back to The UN Panel of Experts assessed that not to publicise the conditions there. Two their campuses. But that means following the North Korea is continuing production of students say they were suspended for post- examples of successful nations, starting with nuclear weapons and the regime’s six nu- ing photos and video of the unmasked overall infection rates well below their cur- clear tests, conducted from 2006 to 2017, least some of its nuclear weapons. doctrine. Pyongyang may be on the path hallway crowds. If true, this appears to be rent levels in many states, and then adding helped it develop miniaturised nuclear In 2016, Director of National Intelli- to developing capabilities that go beyond a stark flouting of their 1st Amendment some combination of an incremental opening devices. One unidentified panelmember gence James Clapper publicly stated that deterrence to a viable offensive warfight- rights. This is a public school, so the pub- of campuses, a dramatic reduction in class added that North Korea “may seek to fur- the intelligence community concluded ing strategy. In a few years, North Korea lic has the right to know what’s happening. sizes, physical distancing, better hygiene, and ther develop miniaturisation in order to years earlier that North Korea had the could have 100-200 nuclear warheads, Are administrators more concerned with masks and/or outdoor classes. allow incorporation of technological im- capability to reach parts of the United dozens of mobile ICBMs, and hundreds student safety or their own image? Uruguay and Denmark are among those provements such as penetration aid pack- States with nuclear weapons. The US in- of improved, survivable short-, medium-, If this is how large swaths of America that did it the smart way and have kept in- ages or, potentially, to develop multiple telligence community concluded in 2017 and intermediate-range missiles, as well plan to reopen schools, the nation is in fection rates enviably low. Some areas of the warhead systems.” that that North Korea had produced 30- as submarine-launched missiles. even deeper peril than current virus surges United States with low infection rates — of all UN Panel of Expert reports suffer 60 warheads and can create fissile mate- It is unclear how the United States have indicated. things, New York City is now one of them — from being the least common denomi- rial for seven to 12 warheads per year. will respond to the UN report. In 2017, The South is the hot spot for this dan- may be ready to move ahead. If they follow nator of agreement among participating South Korea assessed that North the Trump administration vowed it gerous new beginning to the school year. incrementally and carefully in the footsteps of countries. China and Russia habitually Korea was able to produce nuclear war- would not allow Pyongyang to complete Most of the recent upticks in cases have Uruguay and Denmark, American kids might downplay North Korean capabilities, as heads for the Scud and No Dong mis- development of the ability to attack the been in that region, where governors seem have a shot at returning to classes without well as Pyongyang’s violations of UN res- siles, which puts US bases in South Ko- United States with nuclear weapons and intent on complying with the Trump ad- become the starting points of new outbreaks. olutions. The fact that Beijing and Mos- rea and Japan under threat. South Korea considered a preventive attack on North ministration’s forceful and unscientific In the meantime, Georgia and some other cow, usually obstructionist in calling out media reported in 2017 that Seoul had Korea. Since then, however, President campaign to make schools provide full- states appear to be more interested in pre- Pyongyang, are willing to agree to the re- reached that conclusion in 2014, but de- Donald Trump has met with Kim Jong- time, in-person instruction. tending that COVID-19 isn’t all that danger- port’s conclusion suggests the evidence is liberately downplayed that capability in un on three occasions and declared that There are legitimate reasons to reopen ous than in implementing a sane and pro- indisputable. public. A South Korean official told the the North Korean leader is “denuking the schools. Remote education is a poor substi- tective public-health policy. That, sadly, is a None of this is news, however, to the Joongang Ilbo that “the international whole place.” tute for real classrooms, and children with model for how not to reopen schools. United States and allies South Korea community, including South Korea, Ja- However, the meetings between and Japan. They have long assessed that pan and the United States, had a tacit Trump and Kim failed to break the log- North Korea has developed nuclear weap- agreement that it would not recognise jam on denuclearisation. Kim has shown ons small enough to fit atop short-, mid-, the North’s nuclear weapons.” himself to be no more willing than his and long-range missiles. Since at least After assuming power, North Ko- predecessors to abandon North Korea’s 2015, US officials, including four-star rean leader Kim Jong-un accelerated nuclear weapons. Trump’s top-down ap- commanders, have publicly stated that nuclear and missile testing and oversaw proach of summit diplomacy has not been North Korea can delivery miniaturised an expansive diversification of North any more effective than previous efforts nuclear weapons via missiles. Korea’s arsenal. Pyongyang has success- to curtail Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. In 2015, Admiral William Gortney, fully tested a hydrogen (thermonuclear) Moreover, there has been a cost to his ap- commander of US Northern Command weapon at least 10 times as powerful as proach. The Trump administration has and NORAD, commented, “I agree with the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs; undercut all three pillars of its “maximum the intelligence community that we as- expanded and refined manufactur- pressure” policy, namely sanctions pres- sess that they have the ability, they have ing facilities for fissile material, nu- sure, military deterrence, and diplomatic the weapons, and they have the ability to clear weapons, missiles, mobile missile isolation. miniaturise those weapons, and they have launchers, and reentry vehicles; created the ability to put them on rockets that can a new generation of more advanced, ac- (Bruce Klingner is senior range the homeland.” That same year, curate, and survivable missiles for all research fellow for Northeast Asia General Curtis Scaparrotti, commander ranges; and simulated nuclear airburst at the Heritage Foundation. He of US Forces Korea, and Admiral Cecil attacks over South Korea and Japan. previously served 20 years with Haney, commander of US Strategic Com- North Korea’s continually advanc- the CIA and Defense Intelligence mand, also testified that they believed ing proficiencies suggest additional and Agency, including as CIA’s deputy (Tribune News Service) North Korea has already miniaturised at more worrisome evolutions in its nuclear division chief for Korean analysis)

Are Your Seasonal Allergies Getting Worse? Blame Climate Change

Studies show that higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to increased pollen production, causing itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing

Neelu Tummala tainly climate change, and we see this growth and pollen production. Between into new regions that were at one time not Tribune News Service every season. 1900 and 2000, the concentration of carbon hospitable. This migration introduces new Anyone who suffers from seasonal al- dioxide rose from 280 to 370 parts per mil- allergenic pollens to people previously not PENDING time outdoors is a useful lergies is affected by global warming, which lion, which correlates with a more than two- exposed, putting them at risk for developing way to fight cabin fever, something extends the freeze-free season. This is the fold increase in the production of ragweed allergy symptoms. Smany of us are dealing with right now season exempt from frost, when plants are pollen, with trends projected to increase For those who are experiencing the fa- as our lives have changed because of the able to grow. What this means for patients is fourfold in the next 40 years with continued miliar symptoms of sneezing, itchy eyes COVID-19 pandemic. Being outside reduc- that allergy symptoms often start earlier in unchecked carbon dioxide emissions. This and stuffy nose, this is not just a “bad pol- es the transmission of the virus because the year and last longer. Compared to 1970, escalation of seasonal pollen concentration len” year. The world is warming and pollen of the constant movement of air, and it is the growing season in New York City has in- does not only affect quality of life, it also has is lasting longer and increasing in number often easier to socially distance than it is creased by 21 days; in Washington, DC, by 17 an economic impact, as those suffering from around us. As with every unwelcome con- indoors. However, more time outdoors is days; and in Atlanta by 27 days, according to allergies spend more money on medicine to sequence of climate change, now is the time not so pleasant for the nearly 19 million Climate Central, an independent organisa- control and relieve their symptoms. for action. We must aggressively act and Americans who suffer from allergic rhini- tion of leading scientists and journalists that The Intergovernmental Panel on Cli- support climate initiatives that address glob- tis, commonly known as hay fever. study and report on the impacts of climate mate Change special report found that the al warming and halt the undesired effects on Every spring, summer and fall, I change. For those dealing with daily allergy me that their allergy symptoms have be- world has already warmed approximately 1 pollen allergies. have patients in my clinic concerned symptoms, each additional week affects come increasingly severe over the years. degree Celsius from preindustrial levels. Re- about their pollen allergies. Many have their quality of life at home, and also their One reason for this may be the rise in sea- search shows that with rising temperatures, (Dr Neelu Tummala is an noticed that their symptoms are starting performance at work and school. For some sonal pollen counts, as demonstrated by the spread of tick-borne diseases, such as ENT physician at The George earlier in the year and seemingly getting parts of the US, the increase in the growing ragweed, one of the most common aller- Lyme disease, has changed, now appearing Washington Medical Faculty worse. There are multiple reasons for season is more than one month long, and the gens in the United States. Studies show that in places previously unaffected. Increasing Associates in Washington, DC, and this constellation of symptoms — runny number of days is only projected to increase higher levels of atmospheric carbon diox- global temperature also has the potential to a climate advocate with a special nose, itchy eyes and sneezing — to pro- with time as global warming continues. ide, which is produced when fossil fuels are lead to the development of pollen allergies. interest in the intersection gress. One of those reasons is most cer- It is not uncommon for patients to tell burned for energy, leads to increased plant As the climate warms, plants are moving of climate and health)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Europe / Americas Tuesday, August 11, 2020 07 Migrant crossings from France ‘bad and stupid’: British PM AFP grants from setting off on the More than 4,000 migrants blatantly they’ve come here il- tackle the problem. London illegal voyages. have arrived illegally in legally.” More than 4,000 mi- A Royal Air Force surveil- “Be in no doubt what’s go- grants have arrived illegally lance plane was deployed to British Prime Minister Boris ing on is the activity of cruel and Britain via the Channel in the Britain via the Channel support the coastguard on Mon- Johnson on Monday said illegal criminal gangs who are risking since the beginning of the since the beginning of the year, day, the defence ministry said. migrant crossings of the Chan- the lives of these people tak- year, including around 600 including around 600 since last The French interior min- nel, which have hit record num- ing them across the Channel, a since last Thursday Thursday. istry has said that additional bers, were “very bad and stupid pretty dangerous stretch of wa- Home Secretary Priti Patel, personnel have already been and dangerous” on the eve of ter in potentially unseaworthy bad and stupid and dangerous who visited the coastguard at deployed. talks in Paris. vessels,” Johnson said during a and criminal thing to do.” the port of Dover on Monday, Ten times as many cross- British immigration min- visit to a London school. The prime minister insisted has asked for help from the ings were prevented last month ister Chris Philp will visit the “We want to stop that, work- he wanted to change current Navy, which has said it was compared with July 2019, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes part in an archery session French capital on Tuesday to ing with the French, make sure British legislation that he said considering the request, and four times as many boats and as he visits Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School in Upminster, east urge the local authorities to that they understand that this made it “very, very difficult” to instructed former Royal Navy equipment discovered in the London, on Monday. (AFP) step up efforts to prevent mi- isn’t a good idea, this is a very deport migrants “even though veteran Dan O’Mahoney to dunes, it added.

News in brief California’s top health official quits after COVID-19 test error El Salvador to give COVID-19 immunity DPA fornians have died from the passports Sacramento disease and 38 of the state’s 58 counties are on a watchlist MEXICO CITY: El Salvador Governor Gavin Newsom’s that has required the closure will give immunity passports director of the California De- of businesses that had briefly to people who have recov- partment of Public Health re- reopened in the early summer ered from COVID-19, allow- signed on Sunday, an abrupt and K-12 schools as the aca- ing them to be employed by departure of a key adviser in demic year begins. the government and giving the state’s coronavirus battle Angell, who frequently has them social privileges not just days after the discovery of appeared alongside Newsom enjoyed by the rest of the a computer system failure that in his public briefings on the population, President Nayib resulted in the undercounting state’s efforts to combat the Bukele announced. of COVID-19 cases. pandemic, was considered a The government will Dr Sonia Angell, who held key player in the coordination employ such people to dis- the position for less than a with local public health de- tribute medical kits and food year, announced her resigna- partments across the state. aid to households affected A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccination at Research Centers of A nurse shows a COVID-19 vaccine produced by Chinese company tion in an email sent to depart- “I want to thank Dr Angell by the pandemic, Bukele an- America (RCA) in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday. RCA is currently Sinovac Biotech at the Sao Lucas Hospital, in Porto Alegre, southern ment staff that was released by for her service to the state and nounced on television late conducting COVID-19 vaccine trials, implemented under the federal Brazil, on Sunday. The vaccine trial is being carried out in Brazil in the California Health and Hu- her work to help steer our pub- Sunday. (DPA) government’s Operation Warp Speed programme. (AFP) partnership with Brazilian Research Institute Butanta. (AFP) man Services Agency. lic health system during this Angell’s decision to step global pandemic, while never Actor Antonio aside comes at a crucial mo- losing sight of the importance Banderas diagnosed ment in California’s battle of health equity,” the governor against the spread of the vi- said in a written statement on with COVID-19 rus. More than 10,000 Cali- Sunday night. MADRID: Spanish actor WHO’s Tedros sees hope Antonio Banderas has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and had to spend his 60th birth- day on Monday in quarantine, he wrote in a post on Twitter. despite looming 750,000 US Health Secretary praises “I want to add that I feel relatively well and just a little Taiwan’s pandemic response more tired than usual,” he wrote, adding that he thought DPA ocratic nature of Taiwan’s he would recover soon. “I coronavirus death toll Taipei society and culture,” Azar will use the isolation to read, said. write and make plans.” too late to turn the outbreak humans, of which six are the people infected with one of United States Health Sec- As of Sunday, Taiwan, The European actor, A total of 165 around.” furthest ahead, having reached the four globally-circulating retary Alex Azar praised Tai- a country of 23.8 million who is famous for appearing Tedros gave examples of Phase 3 of clinical evaluation. common cold coronaviruses wan’s response to the coro- people, has reported 480 in Spanish director Pedro candidate vaccines countries that had successfully However, WHO health had some level of protection navirus pandemic as he met coronavirus cases and seven Almodovar’s arthouse films are being worked on clamped down on the spread of emergencies programme di- against the new coronavirus. President Tsai Ing-wen at virus-related deaths. as well as blockbusters such COVID-19, citing New Zealand rector Michael Ryan said that Scientists think COVID-19 her office inT aipei on Mon- The visit, which has as ‘Zorro’, lives between around the world and Rwanda, and praised na- finding a vaccine would not originated in bats and could day. drawn ire from Beijing, Malaga and Marbella in the tions that had suffered major automatically spell the end for have been transmitted to hu- Azar’s trip marks the comes at a time of height- south of Spain. (DPA) AFP national outbreaks and were COVID-19. “We have perfectly mans via another mammal. highest-level visit by a US ened tensions between the Geneva now responding quickly to lo- effective polio and measles Ryan said that adding bil- cabinet official to the island US and China, in part over Gandhi’s iconic cal spikes. vaccines, and we still struggle lions to the global population, since 1979, when the two Beijing’s handling of the ini- glasses go on The World Health Organiza- “My message is crystal to eradicate or eliminate those living in densely-packed con- sides cut diplomatic ties. tial virus outbreak. sale in Britain tion insisted on Monday there clear: suppress, suppress, sup- ditions and exploiting the en- Washington has said the US Secretary of State was still hope of conquering press the virus,” he said. vironment was fostering the trip will focus on strengthen- Mike Pompeo had said LONDON: A “rare and impor- the coronavirus pandemic de- “If we suppress the virus conditions needed for diseases ing cooperation between Tai- Washington wanted Taiwan tant” pair of iconic glasses spite the suffering behind the effectively, we can safely open to jump species from animals wan and the US, including to be involved in the World worn by Indian independ- looming landmarks of 750,000 up societies.” There are green shoots of to humans. on health. Health Assembly (WHA), the ence hero Mahatma Gandhi deaths and 20 million cases. The novel coronavirus has hope and it’s never too late “We are actively creating “Taiwan’s response to decision-making body of the look set to sell for tens of With both figures expected killed at least 731,500 people to turn the outbreak around. the pressures that are driving COVID-19 has been among World Health Organization, thousands of pounds after to be reached within days, the and infected nearly 19.9 mil- If we suppress the virus the breaches of those barriers. the most successful in the but that “China has prevent- a British auction house put WHO stressed it was never too lion worldwide since the out- We need to do better at man- world, and that is a tribute to ed that from happening,” in them up for sale on Monday. late to take action to suppress break emerged in China last effectively, we can safely aging the risks associated with the open, transparent, dem- comments last week. The gold-plated specta- the COVID-19 crisis that has December, according to a tally open up societies that,” he said. cles were stuffed through gripped the planet. from official sources compiled WHO Director-General Tedros Ryan said the virus it was the letterbox of East Bris- “This week we’ll reach by AFP at 1100 GMT on Mon- “brutal in its simplicity and its tol Auctions in southwest 20 million registered cases day. Adhanom Ghebreyesus cruelty but it doesn’t have a England last Friday, with a of COVID-19 and 750,000 The race to produce a safe brain”. letter attached saying, “these deaths,” WHO chief Tedros and effective vaccine is well diseases,” the Irish epidemi- He said humanity could glasses belonged to Gandhi, Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a under way at unprecedented ologist said. “Having an effec- therefore outsmart it “but give me a call,” auctioneer virtual press conference. speed. tive vaccine is only part of the we’re not doing such a great Andrew Stowe told Sky News. “Behind these statistics is A total of 165 candidate answer. You’ve got to be able to job right now”. “The spectacles formed a great deal of pain and suffer- vaccines are being worked on deliver that vaccine to a popu- Van Kerkhove said the goal an important and somewhat ing. Every life lost matters. I around the world, according to lation that want and demand of the new coronavirus was to iconic part of Gandhi’s know many of you are grieving a WHO overview. to have that vaccine.” “make more virus” and find appearance...a rare and and that this is a difficult mo- Of those, 139 are still in Maria Van Kerkhove, the individuals to pass between Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen (right) with US Secretary of important pair of specta- ment for the world. But I want pre-clinical evaluation, while WHO’s COVID-19 technical without killing too many of its Health and Human Services Alex Azar during his visit to the Presi- cles.” (AFP) to be clear: there are green the other 26 are in the vari- lead, said experts did not yet hosts and thereby ending its dential Office in Taipei on Monday.( AFP) shoots of hope and... it’s never ous phases of being tested on have an answer as to whether chances of transmission. Germany warns of sanctions over Belarus vote Face masks now mandatory in Paris AFP “The political leadership AFP lands, Romania and Spain. said in the popular Rue des Berlin of the country must accept Paris “All the indicators show Martyrs in central Paris. the will of its citizens,” Seibert that since mid-July the virus is “Since we don’t understand Germany, which currently said. Face masks became compul- again circulating more actively enough about this illness, the holds the rotating presidency Belarus on Monday de- sory in tourist hotspots in Paris in the (Paris) region,” said a po- best thing is that we protect of the EU, threatened on Mon- clared a landslide election vic- on Monday amid warnings of lice statement at the weekend. ourselves.” day to reactivate EU sanctions tory for strongman Alexander a resurgence of coronavirus Paris residents interviewed The masks are “restrictive” against Belarus over a dis- Lukashenko after police used cases. The requirement came by AFP generally supported the but necessary “if we want to puted presidential vote that stun grenades, tear gas and as France along with much of decision on masks. avoid a second wave in Paris,” has led to angry street protests rubber bullets to disperse pro- Western Europe sweltered in “I think it’s a very good said Marion, 24, wearing a with thousands arrested. testers denouncing the vote as a heatwave, with temperatures idea, we should maybe have bright green mask. “Anything Referring to sanctions a fraud. soaring above 35 degrees Cel- done it sooner,” Bertrand, 28, except a second lockdown.” against Belarus previously The protests erupted af- sius (95 F). lifted because of initial pro- ter an exit poll for Sunday’s People in Paris aged 11 and gress improving the rule of election showed Lukashenko over are now required to wear law, German Foreign Minister Riot police disperse protesters after polls closed in the presidential soundly beating main opposi- the masks in crowded areas Heiko Maas said the bloc must election, in Minsk on Sunday. (AFP) tion challenger Svetlana Tikh- and tourists hotspots. FOR RENT review “whether this can still anovskaya. These include the banks of be valid in the light of the past had voiced “strong doubts” democratic elections were not Police in Belarus detained the Seine River and more than new apartments weeks and days”. about the vote in Belarus. met” and this was “not accept- 3,000 people for taking part in a 100 streets in the French cap- Speaking in Berlin after a “We have strong doubts able”, he said, adding that “the unauthorised gatherings dur- ital, including tourist destina- in Mansoura meeting with his South Korean -- and from our point of view numerous reports of systemat- ing post-election demonstra- tions like Montmartre, where counterpart Kang Kyung-wha, justified doubts -- about the... ic irregularities and violations tions on Sunday. the Sacre Coeur basilica is lo- (3) Bedrooms Qr. 5,000 Maas also called for the im- conduct of these elections,” of electoral law are credible”. Tikhanovskaya on Monday cated. mediate release of all protest- government spokesman Stef- Berlin also condemned the rejected the result of the vote Several French towns and (2) Bedrooms Qr. 4,000 ers arrested for demonstrating fen Seibert told a press confer- “use of violence against peace- and demanded that the au- cities have already introduced peacefully. ence. fully demonstrating people” as thorities transfer power to the similar measures, as well as Earlier on Monday, Berlin “Minimum standards for well as “numerous arrests”. opposition. parts of Belgium, the Nether- 55555065 Stocks unfazed by latest spike in US-China tensions page 9

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

27,706.99 9,417.88 38,182.08 2,030.85 +273.51 pts +18.98 pts +141.51 pts Gold -0.23% China’s inflation edges up in July Dow QE sensex amid rising food prices page 10 Price percentage Price percentage 29.07 Brent 45.09 +1.55% WTI 42.10 +2.13% Silver +5.56% Oil climbs on PPI of industrial sector Asian demand rises 7.6% in June: PSA recovery hope Agencies Mining sector PPI for June increases 8.8% as crude petroleum and natural gas prices rise New York

Tribune News Network Oil prices climbed on Mon- Doha day, supported by Saudi op- timism on Asian demand and The Producer Price Index an Iraqi pledge to deepen sup- (PPI) for June 2020 increased ply cuts, although uncertainty 7.6 percent to 36.8 points over a deal to shore up the eco- when compared to the previ- nomic recovery in the United ous month, according to the States capped gains. monthly PPI for industrial US West Texas Intermedi- sector released by Planning ate (WTI) crude futures were and Statistics Authority (PSA) 1.4 percent higher at $41.80 on Monday. per barrel, while Brent crude On year-on-year basis, PPI futures were up 1 percent, at Oil demand of June 2020 showed a de- $44.86 on Monday. crease of 40.7 percent when On the supply side, Iraq ● Oil demand is around compared to the PPI of June said it would cut its oil output 90 million barrels a day last year. by a further 400,000 barrels compared with The producer price in- per day (bpd) in August and pre-pandemic levels of dex covers goods relating to September to compensate for roughly 100 million ‘mining’, ‘manufacturing’ and its over-production in the past barrels a day ‘electricity & water’. three months. As for the mining sector, The move would help it ● The easing of OPEC+ the PPI of June showed an comply with its share of cuts cuts has already been increase by 8.8 percent when by the Organisation of the Pe- priced in, but sentiment is compared with PPI of May, troleum Exporting Countries mixed toward an economic primarily due to the price in- and their allies, together called recovery through the crease of crude petroleum and OPEC+. second half of the year natural gas by 8.8 percent. The sharper cut will take When compared with the Iraq’s total reduction to 1.25 same month in the previous million bpd this month and Pacific. year, there was a decrease of next. The easing of OPEC+ cuts 7.9 percent in PPI of June this “Saudi Arabia and Iraq has already been priced in, but year. Meanwhile, manufactur- forging better relationships sentiment is mixed toward an ing sector showed an increase over the oil deal are excellent economic recovery through the of 6.4 percent in June 2020, for the compliance outlook,” second half of the year, he said. when compared with the pre- PPI of June showed a decrease of 40.7 percent on year-on-year basis. AxiCorp market strategist Ste- Oil demand is around 90 vious month’s manufacturing phen Innes said in a note. million barrels a day compared index. metals’ by 3.6 percent, ‘rub- June 2020 showed a decrease However, prices increased cent compared to May 2020, The Saudi and Iraqi en- with pre-pandemic levels of The price increase are seen ber and plastics products’ by of 26.9 percent. The major in by ‘juices’ by 5.1 percent, resulting from the decreasing ergy ministers said in a joint roughly 100 million barrels in ‘refined petroleum prod- 2.8 percent, ‘basic chemicals’ groups which explain this followed by ‘dairy products’ by in ‘electricity’ by 9.7 percent, statement that OPEC+ efforts a day. ucts’ by 13.8 percent, followed by 2.5 percent, ‘other chemi- price fall are ‘refined petrole- 2.7 percent, ‘paper and paper and increase in ‘water’ by 7.8 would improve the stability of In the US, the number of by ‘juices’ by 2.5 percent, ‘dairy cal products and fibers’ by 2.1 um products’ by 33.9 percent, products’ by 2 percent, ‘ce- percent. global oil markets, accelerate active drill rigs fell by four to products’ by 1.2 percent, ‘ce- percent, and ‘beverages’ by followed by ‘basic chemicals’ ment and other non-metallic When compared with PPI its balancing between supply 176, the lowest since July 2005, ment and other non-metallic 0.7 percent. No changes were by 21.6 percent, ‘rubber and products’ by 1.9 percent, and of June 2019, the PPI this year and demand and send positive according to Baker Hughes products’ by 0.9 percent, and noticed in ‘paper and paper plastics products’ by 12.9 per- ‘grain mill and other products’ showed a decrease of 6 per- signals to the markets. data released on Friday. Com- grain mill and other products products.’ cent, ‘basic metals’ by 8.3 per- by 1 percent. cent, affected by prices fall in Meanwhile, oil drilling in panies have been parking rigs by 0.6 percent. Comparing with the in- cent, ‘other chemical products Regarding the electric- ‘electricity’ by 13.3 percent, the US fell to a 15-year low as on an almost uninterrupted However, the decreasing dex in the same month of last and fibers’by 3.4 percent, and ity and water sector, the PPI and increasing in ‘water’ pric- explorers abandoned growth streak for more than four and prices are noticed in ‘basic year, ‘manufacturing’ PPI of ‘beverages’ by 1.4 percent. showed a decrease of 1.9 per- es by 3 percent. plans and as billions of barrels a half months. from old discoveries became Investors are also keeping worthless. a close eye on negotiations in Oil is showing some signs the US over the next round of of potentially breaking higher economic stimulus measures. after being stuck near $40 a While hopes grew on the QSE gains 0.20% amid higher trade volume barrel since early June as ris- stalled talks between US Dem- ing virus infections raised ocrats and the White House Tribune News Network increased to QR430.922 mil- percent to close at 2,942.93 rate of 0.29 percent is QR200 doubts about a sustained on a new support package for Doha lion from QR336.360 million QCB T-bills points. million. QR100 million, nine- recovery. cash-strapped states hit by the on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Qatar Cen- month T-bills at an interest However, OPEC+ is set to coronavirus pandemic, delays Qatari stocks resumed gain- Out of the seven sector in- Qatar Central Bank has tral Bank (QCB) announced rate of 0.35 percent have also test the appetite for demand, in reaching a deal weighed ing trend as the Qatar Stock dices, two sector indices closed issued treasury bills on Monday that it has issued been issued. returning some supply to the on the market. Exchange (QSE) main index in the green zone. While four (T-bills) worth QR600 treasury bills (T-bills) worth This issuance comes in the market from this month fol- US House Speaker Nancy increased 18.98 points, or 0.2 sector indices closed in the red million for terms of three, QR600 million for terms of context of the series of issu- lowing historic production Pelosi and Treasury Secretary percent, to close at 9,417.88 zone, there was no change in six and nine months. three, six and nine months. ances conducted by QCB on cuts. Steven Mnuchin both said they points on Monday. the remaining one sector. While QR300 million behalf of the State of Qatar The demand recovery is were willing to restart talks on The volume of shares trad- The QSE Total Return three-month T-bills at an in- and in accordance with the better than expected and that’s a deal to cover the rest of 2020. ed increased to 244.595 mil- Index gained 0.20 percent increased 0.63 percent to terest rate of 0.20 percent has prior-prepared time schedule supporting prices, said Mi- “The longer this drags on, lion from 211.391 million on to close at 18,105.56 points. close at 3,825.04 points. QSE been issued, the value of six- in coordination with the Min- chael McCarthy, chief market the worse it is for the demand Sunday and the value of shares QSE Al Rayan Islamic Index All Share Index added 0.13 month T-bills at an interest istry of Finance. strategist at CMC Markets Asia scenario,” McCarthy said.

QIB rewards cardholders with additional Absher points, bonus Qmiles and Ooredoo bills, book- centers, hotels, and other QIB cardholders can earn up to 10,000 ing flight tickets from over retailers. 900 airlines, booking hotel Commenting on the additional Absher rewards and Qmiles rooms from over 450,000 launch of the additional points on local, international spends hospitality properties and rewards offer, QIB General renting cars from more than Manager Personal Banking 150,000 car rental offices in Group D Anand said, “We Tribune News Network The campaign will run 150 cities around the world are delighted to unveil our Doha until August 31, 2020. Cus- and online shopping. new campaign and to once tomers will get additional Earned Qmiles can be again thank our customers Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) reward points or bonus redeemed for Qatar Airways for their loyalty by reward- has announced a seasonal Qmiles for each individual flight tickets, upgrades, and ing them with exclusive and offer to reward its custom- transaction above QR 1,000. purchases made at Qatar tailored offers that support ers on summer and back- Depending on the value Duty Free. their daily lives. to-school purchases carried of the transaction they will As part of the campaign, “With commercial ac- out through the bank’s dif- earn 20 percent, 50 percent top 1,000 customers’ card- tivities restarting, there is ferent type of cards. QIB or 100 percent additional holders will get a free sub- not a better time to reward cardholders will have the reward points. scription to QIB-MyBook our customers who will use opportunity to earn up to The maximum amount App, offering exclusive ‘Buy their credit and debit cards 10,000 additional Absher of additional reward points 1 get 1 Free’ options from to enrich their own and their rewards and Qmiles points is limited to 10,000 points over 1,500 stores in Qatar family’s summer break ex- on their local and interna- per card. can be redeemed for a va- including shopping from and hypermarkets, paying including restaurants, cof- perience and to prepare for tional spends. Absher rewards points riety of purchase options, all Al Meera supermarkets for Kahramaa, Vodafone fee shops, health and fitness the back to school season.” Economy & Business Tuesday, August 11, 2020 09 Vodafone announces pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy Note20, Note20 Ultra

the new and improved capa- bluetooth audio response op- sor for shots, bringing new The two devices promise continued bilities of the Samsung Notes timisation, and 240 Hz touch meaning to creativity. As for app, users can link either de- response in the Galaxy Note20 the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, the productivity while working remotely vice with their PC, reply to Ultra’s case to offer outstand- device’s 120 Hz display refresh Tribune news network colour options. These com- messages received via their ing visual and audio capa- rate provides elegant gaming Doha bined features provide con- phones, and transfer and bilities elevating the gaming encounters that provide ulti- sumers with a perfect device edit files involving multiple experience. Additionally, the mate satisfaction. Vodafone Qatar has opened for their dynamic lifestyles. devices. This feature is made battery can last an entire day Pre-order online at www. preorders for the all-new Sam- The Galaxy Note20 series possible by the long-term after charging for 30 minutes, vf.qa/preorder5GNote20, or sung Galaxy Note20 and Gal- also boast the largest screen to partnership between Sam- bringing an end to missing vi- at the following stores: Villag- axy Note20 Ultra, starting at date for a Galaxy Note model, sung and Microsoft, which tal moments, whether in per- gio, City Centre, Landmark, the retail price of QR3,999, giving users outstanding im- has been fundamental in sonal or professional life. Mall of Qatar, DFC, Wakrah, the company announced in a mersive experiences with guaranteeing Windows PC is The Galaxy Note20 and Lulu D Ring, or Lulu Al Khor. statement on Monday. unrivaled performance. The compatible with both of the Galaxy Note20 Ultra have Customers pre-ordering the The Galaxy Note20 and world-class S Pen makes navi- latest releases. also been engineered with a Samsung Galaxy Note20 will Galaxy Note20 Ultra’s next- gating easier while watching The Galaxy Note20 series pro-grade multi-camera setup get the Buds+, and those pre- generation design and sophis- videos and playing games has also ensure immersive gaming comprising Wide, Telephoto, ordering the Galaxy Note20 ticated appearance are per- never been more comfortable fectly into one’s hand. continued productivity while supported through 5G, a next- and Ultra wide lenses, along Ultra will receive the Buds fectly complimented by mystic with the handset fitting per- The two devices promise working remotely. Thanks to generation AI game booster, with a high-resolution sen- Live complimentary. Uber calls for new Stocks unfazed by latest deal for ‘gig economy’ workers spike in US-China tensions AFP lenges that lie ahead,” Uber New York said in its document. Europe’s main markets closed higher while New York’s top indices were mixed “The current health and Uber outlined proposals economic crisis has brought AFP on Monday for a new type of into sharp focus the need London relationship with “gig” work- for everyone, regardless of ers, including its own driv- their employment status, to Stock markets largely ers, that would keep them be able to find good quality, shrugged off on Monday the as independent contractors rewarding work; be able to latest spike in US and Chinese but with some guaranteed work in the way they choose; tensions as a review of a crucial benefits. and have access to adequate trade deal approaches. The ride-hailing giant social protections and ben- Europe’s main markets described “a new model for efits.” closed higher while New York’s independent platform work” Uber proposed that gig top indices were mixed. in an 18-page document it economy companies be re- Talks on the phase one US- hopes can be used as blue- quired to establish “benefits China trade deal are set for this print for Uber and similar funds,” allowing gig workers weekend, but the US adminis- firms relying on independent to accrue and use the money tration imposed sanctions on workers. for benefits or paid leave. several Hong Kong officials, The move comes with Chief executive Dara with Beijing slapping sanctions Uber and other firms fac- Khosrowshahi, writing in the on a number of leading Ameri- ing legal pressure to comply New York Times, said that cans. with a California law that the current employment sys- “With trade talks -- via vide- would require its drivers to tem “is outdated and unfair” oconference -- scheduled for be classified as employees, and “forces every worker to Saturday, you’d think investors eligible for unemployment, choose between being an would be in a state of distress medical and other benefits. employee with more benefits over the tinderbox situation Uber has backed a refer- but less flexibility, or an in- between the two superpowers,” endum in the state to over- dependent contractor with said market analyst Connor turn the law, while pledg- more flexibility but almost Campbell at Speadex. ing to provide benefits for a no safety net.” “Instead the markets were social safety net that would He added: “Uber is fairly blasé about a topic that keep gig workers independ- ready, right now, to pay has caused triple-digit losses in A security guard wearing a face shield sits inside a hall at the Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta recently. (AFP) ent. Uber has argued that more to give drivers new the past,” he added. most of its drivers want to benefits and protections.B ut Away from domestic policy, fensive analysts fear will likely There is a concern that the pandemic spending. at 12,687.53 (close) remain independent even if America needs to change Washington has slapped sanc- worsen leading into Novem- pact could be torn up as China Trump signed four execu- Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.4 percent at they also are looking for ben- the status quo to protect all tions on a group of Chinese and ber’s American presidential has failed to meet certain cri- tive orders over the weekend 4,909.51 (close) efits. workers, not just one type of Hong Kong officials -- including election. teria owing to the impact of to defer payroll taxes, impose a EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.2 percent at The company seeks “to work.” the city’s leader Carrie Lam -- in China slammed the sanc- the virus, a move most experts moratorium on evictions, and 3,257.79 deliver certainty for millions Uber’s move comes with the latest salvo of a row linked tions as “barbarous and rude”. say would be devastating to a provide $400 in weekly unem- New York - Dow: UP 0.8 percent at of independent contractors its business model under to Beijing’s decision to impose US regulators have also global economy that is already ployment benefits, to be par- 27,664.82 who will increasingly rely on threat from efforts in Califor- a security law on the city. Chi- recommended overseas firms teetering. Still, National Aus- tially paid by states, to replace Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN independent work to help nia and elsewhere to classify na on Monday sanctioned 11 listed in the US should be sub- tralia Bank’s Tapas Strickland the $600 weekly payments that 0.6 percent at 24,377.43 (close) them face the economic chal- its drivers as employees. Americans, including senators ject to local public audit reviews said: “The running assumption expired at the end of July. Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.8 Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, in from 2022, which could cause in markets has been President While Democrats and Re- percent at 3,379.25 (close) retaliation to the US measures. Chinese firms to delist. Trump needed the phase one publicans failed to reach a deal, Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for a Hong Kong media mogul The White House has fur- deal to succeed (as much as some analysts say there is still a holiday Jimmy Lai, one of the city’s ther angered China after Health China) this side of the Novem- chance one will be worked out Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1760 most vocal Beijing critics, was Secretary Alex Azar met Tai- ber elections to secure the mid- that will have Congress provide from $1.1786 Friday meanwhile arrested Monday wan’s leader in the highest level west” farming belt. more aid. Dollar/yen: DOWN at 105.81 yen under the security law, deepen- visit from the United States “At the same time President Treasury Secretary Steven from 105.94 yen ing a crackdown on democracy since it switched diplomatic Trump is running a hard China Mnuchin said on Monday on Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3082 from supporters. recognition from the island to line into the elections,” he add- CNBC that “there’s a deal to do $1.3057 It comes after the White China in 1979. ed. if the Democrats are reasonable Euro/pound: DOWN at 89.89 House set the clock ticking on The developments have Meanwhile, investors di- and want to compromise.” pence from 90.24 pence forcing Chinese internet giants put the spotlight on Saturday’s gested President Donald Key figures around 1530 GMT West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 TikTok and WeChat to end all meeting of trade officials to Trump’s efforts to take unilater- London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent percent at $41.80 per barrel operations in the US, as part review their “phase one” deal al action in the absence of a deal at 6,050.59 points (close) Brent North Sea crude: UP 1.0 of a diplomatic-commercial of- signed in January. with Congress on emergency Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 0.1 percent percent at $44.85 a barrel Italian cruise ships to sail again in high-stakes gamble vice buffets and gyms, to lack international passenger cruise The country’s $17 billion cruise industry -- of personal protective equip- operator to restart operations Europe’s largest -- is a key economic driver ment. in June, only to suspend its At the start of the coro- service and apologise after AFP ble for the industry that Ital- navirus pandemic, various at least 40 passengers tested Rome ian Prime Minister Giuseppe cruise ships were stranded positive for COVID-19. Conte has called a “fundamen- at sea around the world from Local authorities worry Italy’s cruise industry is pre- tal part of our economy”. Japan to California as nations, that disembarked passengers paring to sail again in Medi- Italy’s 14.5 billion euro including Italy, blocked them may have spread the virus to terranean waters, hoping to ($17 billion) cruise industry from their ports. towns along the western Nor- help jumpstart the country’s -- Europe’s largest -- is a key As of June 11, 3,047 people wegian coast. Meanwhile Cos- economy while restoring the economic driver that supports were infected and 73 people ta’s website advertises cruises reputation of the beleaguered nearly 53,000 jobs, according died aboard 48 CLIA cruise from Savona and Venice on global sector. to the Cruise Lines Interna- ships, according to Johns August 15 and 16, as well as MSC Cruises, a privately tional Association (CLIA). Hopkins University data pro- other August cruises from oth- owned company based in Ge- A Europe-wide suspen- vided by CLIA. er ports in Italy. neva, will resume operations sion of cruises through August The risk persists, accord- MSC has suspended the with two departures from Italy could result in a total econom- ing to the US Centers for Dis- rest of its Mediterranean, this month, it said at the week- ic loss of about 25.5 billion eu- ease Control, which on July 16 Caribbean, Asian and north end. ros, CLIA has calculated. extended a no-sail order in US European cruises until late It becomes the first global Italy approved the restart waters until September 30. October. operator to announce cruises of its cruise industry from “The current scientific The company said its secu- for the lucrative Mediterra- August 15 as part of efforts to File photo of the MSC Grandiosa cruise ship docked at the port of Civitavecchia, near Rome. (Afp) evidence suggests that cruise rity protocol exceeds national nean market after the corona- revive a moribund economy ships pose a greater risk of and industry standards. At the virus pandemic froze cruises devastated by a more than Michele Curatolo told AFP on cient” to meet demand. suffered a hit with dozens of COVID-19 transmission than terminal, passengers and crew throughout the world. two-month quarantine, with Monday. The Costa Crociere Group, deaths and thousands of infec- other settings,” the CDC said. will take a COVID-19 blood The MSC Grandiosa and cruise operations suspended MSC was receiving “lots of MSC’s giant rival owned by tions aboard cruise ships. Close living and working test before boarding and tem- MSC Magnifica are to set sail in March. calls” for the trips, although Carnival, has yet to confirm Global health authorities spaces for crew and partially peratures will be taken daily. on August 16 and 29 from “After months of lock- the ships will sail at about 70 whether it will go ahead with criticised its slow response to enclosed environments were For excursions, passengers Genoa and Bari, respectively, down... people obviously want percent of normal passenger cruises for August 15 and 16 the spread of the virus, from obstacles to social distancing, will be escorted in controlled to sites in Italy, Malta and to return to travelling, visit- capacity, he said, adding that advertised on its website. lax monitoring of crew, to con- it said in its July order. Nor- groups to avoid interactions Greece in a high-stakes gam- ing places,” MSC spokesman the reduction “seems suffi- The industry’s reputation tinued operation of self-ser- way’s Hurtigruten was the first with others. 10 Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Economy & Business GM reveals all-electric Lyriq SUV critical to Cadillac’s future The Lyriq is based on GM’s next-generation, modular electric vehicle platform. It will be propelled by GM’s Ultium battery system and get more than 300 miles on a full charge. A customer will be able to charge it from home, a workplace or on the road, GM said

Tribune news service America. plans to bring at least 20 new EVs doors. said. To take on Tesla, he said Ca- you look at a truly friction-less pro- Detroit What GM will talk about is the to market by 2023 and it’s tagged Taking on Tesla dillac will address customer pain cess you know it. It’s the feeling like importance the Lyriq holds for the Cadillac as the brand to showcase But there is more to the Lyriq’s points around EVs such as: battery buying something on Amazon and Meet the vehicle expected to help luxury brand’s future. the technology first. success than sales, Caldwell said. If range, charging time, connectivity two clicks and it’s on your door- revive Cadillac and position the “It offers a pivot point for the Cadillac’s transformation to an the technology and the vehicle are and craftsmanship. step,” Grady said. “That’s not where General Motors’ brand to compete brand to gain momentum,” Carlisle anticipated all-electric lineup by well-executed, it may be “a unique The Lyriq is based on GM’s we are now. But we know this is with rival luxury electric vehicle told reporters. 2030 will be calculated and gradual opportunity to help Cadillac trans- next-generation, modular electric extremely important to EV custom- makers — most notably Tesla. Cornerstone for the future with the Lyriq taking the lead, Car- form its brand,” she said. vehicle platform. It will be propelled ers.” The Lyriq is an all-electric two- Last year and into early this lisle said. “The company has been trying — by GM’s Ultium battery system and Cadillac is looking at ways to im- row SUV that Cadillac first men- year, Cadillac was in the midst of a “We really have to work through and failing — for years to elevate its get more than 300 miles on a full prove the myCadillac Mobile App . tioned in January 2019 at the De- brand rebirth with new SUVs and what this transformation is going to image,” Caldwell said. “If Cadillac charge. A customer will be able to “We’re totally re-imagining the troit auto show, flashing an artist the CT4 and CT5 sedans coming take across the emerging ecosystem does it right and can get consum- charge it from home, a workplace or app,” Grady said. “How do we cre- rendering of a vague futuristic car out. The redesigned 2020 Escalade and how we engage a broad range of ers to view the Lyriq as competitive on the road, GM said. ate a worry-free experience? We’re on the screen. SUV was on its way to market. The stakeholders to ensure our mutual with Tesla and other European lux- GM is working to offer the infra- looking at the charging ecosystem Last week, GM revealed what fresh lineup would provide the long- success,” Carlisle said. “As demand ury brands, this could help give the structure to support EVs, Carlisle and telling people where they can the actual vehicle will look like when awaited jump start to Cadillac sales. comes, we anticipate a range of con- brand a push in the right direction.” said, noting GM’s recent partner- stop along their journey — knowing it goes on sale in the United States Then the coronavirus pandemic ditions necessary to promote the It is more about branding be- ship with EVgo. The companies ahead of time what their journey is in late 2022. It will launch first in hit the nation in March. adoption of EV, including preparing cause at the moment, sales in the will add more than 2,700 new fast — to recharge.” China. In the second quarter, Cadillac our dealer network, expanding the luxury electric SUV space are mi- chargers at various public venues Grady said her team is looking Cadillac is not announcing yet US sales spiraled down 41.4% to charging infrastructure and grow nuscule. The current players — Te- over the next five years. at every aspect of, “what it means which U.S. factory will assemble 23,296 vehicles. For 2020 through customer acceptance. We’re not go- sla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and “All of that makes it a truly com- to be Cadillac for our EV future. The the Lyriq, but a source familiar with June, the brand’s sales are off by ing for a sugar high.” Audi e-tron — have combined sales pelling product,” Carlisle said. “It launch of Lyriq is more than just production said it will not be made 29.2% to 53,621 compared with It is an ambitious and difficult of less than 12,000 units in the first starts and ends with product, but the launch of the vehicle, it’s our at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, the year-ago period. The brand has transition and the Lyriq is a chal- half of 2020, Caldwell said. That it’s also about the entire customer future.” even though that facility is being re- struggled for years to get its sales up lenging launch for Cadillac, said compares with the same period last experience and ownership experi- The Escaliq? tooled to build several new all-elec- near its peak in 2005, when Cadillac Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ execu- year, when COVID did not exist, ence.” In February, Cadillac launched tric vehicles. The source requested sold 235,002 cars. Last year, it sold tive director of insights. Caldwell when the three sold 13,000. ‘Eliminate friction’ the redesigned 2020 Escalade, its anonymity because of the sensitivity 156,246, according to Edmunds. pointed out that while other luxury Cadillac plans to top its rivals by The Lyriq’s marketing is crucial, popular full-size SUV. It has 6,000 of the information. But the Lyriq is now seen as “a brands offer electric SUVs, only Te- offering a better overall package be- too. Cadillac must give customers orders, Carlisle said. Cadillac is also not releasing the cornerstone in which we will build sla has sold large numbers with its yond just a good-looking car, a seamless experience with buying “We’ll start shipping those to Lyriq’s starting price, saying that it a future and that future will include Model X, which features Carlisle and owning the vehicle, said Melis- dealers at the end of the month and will cost, “less than $75,000, but additional EVs that we’ll add to the distinctive gull- sa Grady, Cadillac’s chief marketing in early September,” Carlisle said. be in the sweet spot for a mid-sized Lyriq in the next few years,” Carlisle wing rear officer. crossover with maybe a slight pre- told the media. “We need to … elimi- mium in the early days,” said Steve GM has said it envisions an all- nate any friction. Carlisle, GM’s president of North electric future as a company. It When

Cadillac LYRIQ pairs next-generation battery technology with a bold design statement which introduces a new face, proportion and presence for the brand’s new generation of EVs. (TNS)

China’s inflation edges up in July amid rising food prices

Factory gate prices had The country is working to bounce back been dragged by the pandem- from a historic economic contraction in ic fallout but started rising again in June, with analysts Q1 caused by the virus noting a recovery in indus- Flood effect trial demand. AFP ting 2.7 percent last month, China is working to Beijing according to the National Julian Evans-Pritchard of bounce back from a historic Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Capital Economics said economic contraction in the China’s consumer infla- slightly better than forecasts ‘floods that have swept across first quarter caused by the tion edged up in July, official in a Bloomberg News poll of China since late June appear virus, which had shut down data showed Monday, partly analysts. to have disrupted supply most activity in the country. because of rising food prices NBS senior statistician chains and production in the Evans-Pritchard said: from flood-related disrup- Dong Lijuan said Monday Yangtze River Delta, where “The key driver continues to tions and as the country re- that food prices rose 13.2 per- around half of China’s be the rebound in commodity covers from the coronavirus cent from a year ago, nudging agricultural production takes prices, with the oil and metal outbreak. the CPI up -- with pork prices place’ processing sectors seeing the The consumer price index climbing 85.7 percent. fastest rises in output price.” (CPI), a key gauge of retail “With the gradual recov- “This is consistent with inflation, had been pushed ery of catering services, de- cent. broader evidence of a stimu- up over the past year by live- mand for pork continued to Meanwhile, the producer lus-led recovery in construc- stock prices after China’s pig increase,” said Dong, adding Customers buy vegetables at a market in Shenyang, in China’s northeastern Liaoning province on Monday. (afp) price index (PPI) fell 2.4 per- tion and industrial activity,” herds were ravaged by Af- that this was accompanied by cent from a year ago in July, he added. rican swine fever, with the floods in many areas across Julian Evans-Pritchard where around half of China’s months”, with the temporary better than the three percent He noted a further ramp- COVID-19 outbreak later hit- the country, which hit the of Capital Economics said agricultural production takes disruptions fading. drop the month before. up in fiscal stimulus should ting supply chains. transportation of live pigs. “floods that have swept across place”. In a sign of the weakness The reading -- which continue to shore up infra- Consumer inflation has Prices of vegetables rose China since late June ap- But Nomura chief China outside the food sector, core measures the cost of goods structure spending in the been easing since January also, affected by “unfavour- pear to have disrupted sup- economist Lu Ting told AFP inflation, which strips out at the factory gate -- was also coming months, and support but ticked up again in recent able weather”, according to ply chains and production he expects the CPI “to resume food and energy costs, came better than the 2.5 percent further recovery in economic months, with the CPI hit- Dong. in the Yangtze River Delta, its downtrend soon in coming in at a ten-year low of 0.5 per- drop forecast by analysts. activity and producer prices. Economy & Business Tuesday, August 11, 2020 11 Mauritius braces to halt new oil spill as Microsoft’s potential TikTok tanker breaks up

AFP where a major clean-up deal marred by challenges Port Louis operation is underway to remove treacly sludge coat- Salvage crews raced ing miles of Mauritius’ un- Microsoft isn’t bidding for TikTok, but it wants to carve out a portion of it, diminishing chances of a clean break against time Monday to spoiled coastline. prevent a second disastrous Japan on Monday dis- oil spill off the picture-per- patched a six-member Agencies fect coastline of Mauritius, team, including members with a damaged tanker car- of its coast guard, to assist. rying thousands of tonnes France has sent more Microsoft Corp’s bid to of fuel at risk of splitting than 20 tonnes of technical buy parts of TikTok from its apart. equipment -- including 1.3 Chinese owner ByteDance will The bulk carrier MV kilometres (0.8 miles) of oil be “a technically complex en- Wakashio ran aground on containment booms, pump- deavour” that could test the July 25 with 4,000 tonnes ing equipment and protec- patience of US President Don- of fuel aboard and began tive gear -- along with tech- ald Trump’s administration, seeping oil last week, stain- nical advisers from nearby according to a report. ing coral reefs, mangrove Reunion, a French Indian News agency Reuters said forests and tranquil lagoons Ocean island. Trump has given Microsoft in an unprecedented envi- until Sept. 15 to put together ronmental catastrophe for a blueprint for an acquisition the archipelago nation. that safeguards the personal More than 1,000 tonnes data of Americans stored on has already oozed from the short-video app, and he the ship, its Japanese op- has issued an order to ban it if erator says, causing untold there is no deal by then. ecological damage to pro- Microsoft is negotiating a tected marine parks and transition period that will give fishing grounds that form it time to ringfence TikTok the backbone of Mauritius’ technologically from ByteD- economy. ance after they agree to a deal, Fuel was being slowly Reuters reported on Aug. 2. airlifted from the ship Mon- The clean break that day by helicopter to the Trump and lawmakers envi- shore, but efforts to pump sion could take a year or more. more from the hold were The oil spill off the coastline In a report, The Verge has being thwarted by rough of Mauritius. said Microsoft isn’t bidding seas and strong winds. for TikTok; it’s bidding for the The weather, which is ‘Deep apology’ portion of TikTok in four coun- also fanning the oil slick A spokesman at Mitsui tries: the US, Canada, Aus- This file photo shows the logo of the social media video sharing app TikTok displayed on a tablet screen in Paris. (AFP) further up the coast, is not OSK Lines, which oper- tralia, and New Zealand. No forecast to improve until ates the Wakashio, owned one has ever split up a social hawks in the Trump adminis- jor Western-run search engine one of the top administration evening. by another Japanese com- network along regional lines, tration oppose any purchase of and social media companies in opponents to the TikTok deal, Some fuel has been re- pany, Nagashiki Shipping, much less under threat of a na- the social-media service by Mi- Highlights Bing and LinkedIn, albeit cen- to argue that Microsoft may moved but 2,500 tonnes told AFP it would send a tional ban from the president. crosoft, which wants the popu- ● sored versions. not be the best suitor for the remains aboard, said Prime team of experts as soon as Peeling those four countries lar app to expand its consumer Trump has given The company also operates unit of China-based ByteDance Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Tuesday if they tested nega- away from the rest of TikTok internet business in the U.S. Microsoft until Sept. 15 to cloud services under a joint Ltd., or that Microsoft should who warned cracks in the tive for coronavirus. would be enormously difficult But the company also wants to put together a blueprint for venture with a Chinese com- perhaps be made to divest its hull were worsening, and “Nagashiki Shipping According to Bloomberg maintain its robust business in an acquisition. pany and its Xbox console was Chinese holdings should it ac- there was a very real chance deeply apologise to the peo- News, Microsoft Corp’s at- China, the world’s most-popu- ● the firstof that type of video- quire TikTok in the U.S. the boat could split. ple of Mauritius and will do tempt to buy TikTok’s US lous country. Microsoft is negotiating a game device approved for sale “Whose software does the “We are in an advanced their utmost protect the en- operations represents the lat- Microsoft entered China transition period that will in China, again through a joint People’s Liberation Army and fracturing process. The vironment and mitigate the est step in a careful dance the in 1992, helping to engineer give it time to ringfence venture. In September, Micro- China run on? Microsoft,” Na- bulk carrier does not have effects of the pollution,” the software maker has performed the government’s computer TikTok technologically from soft president Brad Smith crit- varro told CNN on Monday. much time ahead of it,” said Wakashio’s owner said in a to meet the demands of the systems and installing special ByteDance after they agree icized U.S. President Donald “The Chinese Communist Par- one scientist working on the statement Monday. Chinese and US governments versions of Windows operat- to a deal Trump and his administration ty, whose software do they use emergency effort, speaking The bulker struck a while doing business in both ing systems that would com- for what he called unfair treat- to do all the things they do? It’s on condition of anonymity. reef at Pointe d’Esny, an places, a balancing act that has ply with the country’s censor- ment of Chinese telecom giant Microsoft. So this is not a white Divers have reported ecological jewel fringed by grown increasingly fraught in ship controls. Early on, the of China’s biggest tech compa- Huawei Technolgies Co., rais- hat company. It’s an American fresh cracks in the hull, idyllic beaches, colourful the political conflict between company launched a massive nies. The large presence en- ing the ire of some Republican company, it’s clearly a multi- while creaking sounds from reefs, sanctuaries for rare the countries. research operation in China, deared the Redmond, Wash.- senators. national company, that’s made the vessel could be heard and endemic wildlife, and In a syndicated feed pro- churning out a feeder system based company to Chinese That longstanding rela- billions in China, that enables from the southeast shore, protected wetlands. vided by the Tribune News of tech executives who would officials, who allowed Micro- tionship has prompted White Chinese censorship through Service, the report said China go on to start or work at many soft to maintain the only ma- House adviser Peter Navarro, things like Bing and Skype. Norwegian energy group Equinor appoints new chief executive

DPA phase of significant change as demic. added. Stockholm the world needs to take more Opedal has worked at Saetre turns 65 early next forceful action to combat cli- Equinor since 1997, joining as year, and has worked at Statoil The board of Norwegian en- mate change. The board’s a petroleum engineer. He is As the first engineer to since 1980. ergy group Equinor on Mon- mandate is for Anders to ac- currently executive vice presi- become CEO he [Opedal] The company has opera- day appointed Anders Opedal celerate our development as dent for technology, projects is passionate about tions in over 30 countries and as chief executive of the state- a broad energy company,” and drilling, and his past posi- about 21,000 employees. controlled company. board chairman Jon Erik Re- tions include country manager technology, digitalisation Opedal said he was “con- Opedal is to succeed Eldar inhardsen said in a comment. for Brazil. and industrial develop- fident inE quinor and all our Saetre on November 2. Saetre The profits of Equinor “As the first engineer to ment. people, and in our ability to is retiring after six years at the and other oil companies have become CEO he [Opedal] is change and continue creating helm of the company, formerly plunged amid falling demand passionate about technology, Board chairman Jon Erik long-term value for our share- known as Statoil. and lower oil and gas prices digitalisation and industrial Reinhardsen holders also in a low carbon “Equinor is entering a due to the coronavirus pan- development,” Reinhardsen future.” Anders Opedal, the new CEO of oil company Equinor

Building skills Fourth edition of Huawei’s Seeds for the Future programme begins

Tribune News Network said: “Huawei will continuously be Doha committed to empower local talents in Qatar through Huawei’s ICT tal- Huawei Technologies LLC has ent training ecosystem including launched the fourth edition of the Seeds for the Future, ICT competi- “Seeds for the Future” programme. tion, and Huawei HCIx Certificate. Being held online this time, the pro- Bringing digital to every person gramme will see 35 students par- home and organization, narrow- ticipating in the programme that ing the digital gap has always been started on Monday and will go on Huawei’s mission. We look forward until August 14. to our collaboration with the Com- Huawei has collaborated with munications Regulatory Authority, the Communications Regulatory Qatar University, HBKU and CCQ Authority (CRA) of Qatar and part- to boost ICT skills and knowledge nered with the Qatar University, the transfer to local students. We are Hamad Bin Khalifa University and confident that this partnership will the Community College of Qatar to provide local students with the nec- launch the fourth edition. essary exposure to learn new indus- The week-long intensive cours- the workforce and future leadership “I would like to thank Huawei plays in terms of business continui- tor develops to meet the needs of try skills, enabling them to fulfil and es cover the latest developments programmes. Technologies LLC for their efforts ty during crises, like the exceptional the public, contribute to achieving contribute to Qatar digitalization in cloud computing, Internet of This collaboration between the in conducting the 4th edition of circumstances related to Coronavi- Qatar National Vision 2030 goals, vision.” things (IOT), artificial intelligence government and private sector on Qatar’s “Seeds for the Future” pro- rus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pan- transform Qatar to a digital coun- In this ever-connected world (AI), 5G, smart home, cyber secu- programmes such as Seeds for the gramme to educate the students demic. try and develop a knowledge-based with 4.5 billion Internet users and rity, digital trade, digital economy, Future, highlights the importance of and develop their information and The CRA encourages youth to economy,” said His Excellency Mo- 5 billion mobile users, innovation digital transformation and industry the close relationship between the communications technology (ICT) develop their skills and knowledge hammed Ali Al-Mannai, President in connectivity, security, infrastruc- trends. This initiative is part of the two sectors in working together to skills and knowledge. about this dynamic sector, that con- of CRA. ture and networking touching all long-term strategy of building high- enable future talents, expose them This year, the programme is tributes fundamentally in various In turn, Li Xiangyu, Vice Presi- local industries is extremely impor- ly skilled national cadres skillset to cutting edge futuristic technolo- conducted online which is a sign aspects of life, and from our side dent of Public Affairs and Com- tant to governments, private sector and experience readiness to enter gies where growth is taking place. of the key role that the ICT sector we work to ensure that the ICT sec- munications, Huawei Middle East, and members of society. Morikawa takes first major at PGA Championship page 15

Tuesday, AUGUST 11, 2020

Consistent Mountasir wins in Spain for HH Sheikh Abdullah

QREC In the straight, Mounta- The Pompadour track is a very Doha sir was headed by Gaby De challenging one, with a climb- Faust, but Mountasir showed ing straight and Maghamir Mountasir (Tabarak x Ba- he is not only talented but Des Forges was headed by Ija- silic d’Elios) landed a second also tough. When Jerome Ca- ba V and Almaajid (No Risk Al victory in the Premio Wathba bre asked him, he stormed to Maury). However, he proved Stallion Cup at San Sebastien the retake the lead and win to be the strongest and he in Spain on Sunday evening. comfortably. quite easily took the lead. Bred and owned by His Natalma Al Maury (Da- Ghassan De Montamel (Al Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin hess) finished in second, just Mamun Monlau) finished sec- Khalifa Al Thani, he was the in front of Gaby De Faust. ond thanks to a very pleasant hot favorite of this race. It was Mountasir is a son of effort in the last furlong. Gebreel his first attempt over the dis- Tabarak, champion racehorse De Carrere (Nieshan) was third. tance of 1,500m. for HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Maghamir Des Forges was Trained by Thomas Four- Khalifa Al Thani. bred by Catherine de Rob- cy, Mountasir won a nice race Mountasir is a grandson ert Labarthe and Stephane earlier this year in France and of the famous French mare Mountasir landed a second victory in the Premio Wathba Stallion Cup at Maghamir Des Forges landed a first victory in the Prix Danbik – Wath- Dubois. His dam is the sis- has proved to be a very con- Bergeronnette (Djouran), the San Sebastien in Spain on Sunday. (Pic: Hipodromo de San Sebstian) ba Stallions Cup at Pompadour in France on Sunday. (Pic: AFAC) ter for the champion mare sistent competitor in all of his origin of numerous top-class Djainka Des Forges (Kerbella), four starts. Purebred Arabian racehorses, Maghamir Des Forges in the Prix Danbik – Wathba Nasser bin Saeed Al Eida. It had a good start, close to the winner of the Qatar Arabian Ridden by Jerome Cabre, including the Gr1 PA winners provides first French win Stallions Cup at Pompadour in was also a first run on the fi- pacesetter Ijaba V (Jalnar Al World Cup (Gr1 PA), the Hatta he jumped well to take the lead Amyr Du Soleil (Amer), Ma- for Nasser Saeed Al Eida France on Sunday evening. bre-sand for the David Moris- Khalidiah). Ridden by Damien International Stakes (Gr1 PA) before the first bend, followed hess Du Soleil (Dahess), Da- Maghamir Des Forges (Ma- This was a first success son-trained gelding. Morin, the future winner was and the Qatar Arabian Trophy by Gaby De Faust (Dahess). hor De Brugere (Dahess). habb) landed a first victory in France for the colours of Maghamir Des Forges third at the end of the bend. des Pouliches (Gr1 PA).

West Asia Football Leagues Scenario QNB Stars League title race down to the wire; Al Wehdat India goalkeeper Subrata Paul says he still has a lot to offer. India’s ‘Spiderman’ Subrata wants to play set early marker in Jordan in AFC Asian Cup again

ndia’s goalkeeper Sub- rata Paul believes he has much to offer the nation- al team if given the op- The title ‘Spiderman’ that he Iportunity, and he’s not given got in the game against up hope just yet. Australia and all the games Before Gurpreet Singh he played in the 2011 AFC Sandhu donned the India na- Asian Cup was because he tional team jersey, Paul had been the first-choice goalkeep- was on top of his game. It’s er for the South Asians in the because of his work ethic. AFC Challenge Cup and 2011 – Australia’s Tim Cahill AFC Asian Cup. The 33-year-old ‘keeper on Subrata Paul made his last appearance for the Blue Tigers in 2017, but But there’s something in me Paul is still hopeful of making that’s troubling me. And I a return to the national team. know I can be there (in the team). That’s the challenge which I’ve taken. Al Duhail’s title hopes suffered a blow as defending champions Al Sadd defeated them 1-0 on Saturday, “The urge to be back again which saw Al Rayyan narrow the deficit at top of the table to just a point. is what’s driving me. I have full respect for coach Stimac (pic- AFC the Spaniard having been offi- Jordan: Al Wehdat Al Wehdat were unstoppable as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Ma’an tured below). If he thinks I am Doha cially unveiled on Friday. turn on the style to open a three-point lead at the top of the Jordan Premier League. Being the good enough, he will call me.” It was a dream return for against Ma’an Juventus goalkeeper Gian- The race for the Qatar Stars Brazilian Tabata, who was It was billed as a top-of-the- Saudi Arabia: Al Ahli and 64th minutes, with Al Itti- first choice luigi Buffon and former Indian League (QSL) title will go signed by Al Sadd last week table clash but Al Wehdat were boost hopes of top had having equalised through cricket captain Sourav Gangu- down to the final two match- after having played for the Do- unstoppable as they cruised to three finish Abdulellah Al Malki in the Before Gurpreet Singh ly are some of Paul’s role mod- days while Al Wehdat stayed ha-based side in 2014-15. a 4-0 win over Ma’an to open Omar Al Somah scored a brace 41st minute. Sandhu donned the India els, who have both displayed perfect in the Jordan Premier The victory took Al Sadd to a three-point lead at the top of as Al Ahli FC edged Al Itti- Reigning AFC Champi- national team jersey, Paul their talent and individual League over the weekend. 41 points, five behind Al Du- the Jordan Premier League on had 2-1 in the Jeddah derby ons League titleholders Al had been the first-choice character at the top level de- Al Hilal SFC, meanwhile, hail but with only two matches Sunday. on Sunday to stay in sight of Hilal, who on 54 points are goalkeeper for the South spite age and circumstance. will aim to consolidate their remaining, Xavi’s side’s hopes Both sides went into the tie second-placed Al Nassr in the nine clear of Al Nassr, face Paul is also highly regard- grip on the Saudi Pro League of defending the title look slim having won their opening two Saudi Pro League. relegation-threatened Al Asians in the AFC ed for his work ethics, with title when they go up against at best. matches but Firas Shelbaieh’s With Al Hilal SFC seem- Fateh on Monday. Challenge Cup and 2011 former teammate and Aus- Al Fateh on Monday. The same, however, can’t ninth minute goal gave Al ingly set to win the title, Al Al Nassr are away to mid- AFC Asian Cup. The tralia international Tim Cahill AFC.com reviews the be said of Al Rayyan as their Wehdat the perfect start. Ahli’s realistic target is a table Abha, with the defending 33-year-old ‘keeper made praising the custodian. weekend’s action in various 1-0 win over Al Sailiya means Ma’an tried to claw their runners-up finish andA l So- league champions desperately his last appearance for the “Off the park, one of the best West Asian leagues. their hopes of a ninth QSL title way back into the match but mah ensured they stayed in needing a win to keep their Blue Tigers in 2017, but things about him is his commit- are very much alive. Hisham Al Sifiensured Al We- the race with goals in the 30th faint title hopes alive. ment and professionalism,” said Qatar: Defeat for Al Yacine Brahimi’s eighth hdat a comfortable lead going Paul is still hopeful of Cahill, who retired from pro- Duhail opens title door minute goal ensured the into the break with his 41st making a return to the fessional football after his stint for Al Rayyan points for Al Rayyan and they minute effort. national team. with Jamshedpur in 2019. “In Al Duhail’s title hopes suf- will now aim to finish the sea- Abdou Aziz Ndiaye en- the game, he is second to none. fered a blow as defending son with wins over Al Shaha- sured the points for Al Wehdat “The title ‘Spiderman’ that champions Al Sadd defeated nia (August 14) and Al Wakrah in the 62nd minute and Saleh “I strongly believe that I he got in the game against them 1-0 on Saturday, allow- (August 21). Rateb put the icing on the cake have a lot to contribute to the Australia and all the games he ing Al Rayyan to narrow the Bulent Uygun’s side, how- with the fourth two minutes national team,” said Paul, in played in the 2011 AFC Asian deficit at the top of the table to ever, will need Al Duhail to slip into added time at the end. an interview with All India Cup was because he was on just a point. up in their remaining matches Al Faisaly play Al Hus- Football Federation. top of his game. It’s because of Al Sadd’s win, courtesy of - against Al Khor (August 14) sein on Monday, and a win “Head coach (Igor Stimac) his work ethic.” Rodrigo Tabata’s 24th minute and Al Ahli (August 22) to win will see the defending cham- has said whoever has an In- Time can only tell if Paul strike, would have impressed the QSL title for the first time pions leapfrog Ma’an into dian passport stands a chance will make his comeback with new signing Santi Cazorla with since the 2015-16 season. second place. to get selected for the country. the national team, as the Blue I am working day in and day Tigers gear up towards the out to achieve it. I want to play Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA another Asian Cup.” World Cup Qatar 2022 and QNB Stars League Week 21 schedule announced Paul, who made his pro- AFC Asian Cup China 2023, fessional debut with Mohun where India are fourth in the QFA Three matches each will be the teams. Bagan, recently transferred to standings with three points af- Doha played on 13th and 14th Au- The kick-off times and Hyderabad from Jamshedpur ter five matches played. gust, 2020, at two stadiums venues of matches for the final and longs to do more. India are scheduled to The Qatar Stars League (QSL) (Al Janoub and Al Sadd). Week (22) will be finalised later “I am blessed to be fi- resume their qualifying cam- announced the schedule for The decision has been tak- based on the results of teams nancially stable, I already paign on October 8 against Week 21 of 2019-20 season en in line with the QSL’s policy in Week 21 – the matches of have a contract with a club. Qatar at home. (AFC) QNB Stars League. to give equal opportunities to which will be played on Friday. Sports Tuesday, August 11, 2020 13 Could new Champions League format lead to new name on trophy despite virus worry?

Maybe this time the glory will go to someone new, with Paris Saint-Germain having reason to believe this will be the year they are rewarded for a decade of deca- dence. Also, PSG will be celebrating their 15th anniversary on Wednesday, during the UEFA Champions league quarter against Atalanta.

AFP one city in the space of 12 days, put it after his team knocked out UEFA’s great fear – of a the last six editions – go out in The downside Lisbon an unprecedented solution to a Real Madrid on Friday. widespread outbreak of the vi- the last 16 along with holders Liv- But in Lionel Messi, Lewandowski, season that was interrupted by Perhaps Atletico, back where rus among the teams -- seems to erpool and Juventus, who were Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Kevin The Champions League moves to the pandemic. they lost the 2014 final to Real, have been averted with Atletico’s eliminated by Lyon on Friday de- De Bruyne, some of the finest talent Lisbon this week for the start of Barcelona and Bayern Mu- will at last go the extra step under announcement that it is limited spite the best efforts of Cristiano around will be on display in Lisbon. the ‘final eight’ with the intrigu- nich, who with five European Diego Simeone, or perhaps there for now to just two players, Angel Ronaldo. It is just a shame the champi- ing prospect of a new name on Cups each are the only two for- will be a shock winner in RB Leip- Correa and Sime Vr- Now 35, ons will be crowned in an empty the trophy, as Atletico Madrid mer winners left in the compe- zig, Atalanta or even Lyon. saljko. the competi- stadium. prepare to travel to Portugal after tition, are in contention for the At this level, Atalanta are the tion’s all- Football fans have become used shaking off a coronavirus scare. title but only one will reach the minnows and it would be a re- No Ballon d’Or time record in recent months to watching on Atletico will take on Leipzig semi-finals -- they will meet in markable story if they won the at stake goal-scorer television as games go ahead be- in the quarter-finals on Thursday the quarter-finals at the Estadio trophy in their first appearance in The final will be would have hind closed doors. after announcing on Monday that da Luz on Friday. the Champions League after the played at Ben- loved to tri- The alternative, after all, is no further COVID-19 tests on their With Barca desperate for more terrible suffering of their home- fica’s Estadio da umph again football at all, as Europe contin- players and staff turned up nega- European success before Lionel town Bergamo during the pan- Luz on August 23. in the final ues to struggle with the pandemic tive after players Angel Correa Messi, who turned 33 in June, demic. The ‘final eight’ in Lisbon, and cases rise again across the and Sime Vrsaljko tested positive moves on, and Bayern looking a The Champions League re- will start at the where his ca- continent after a short period of over the weekend. fearsome proposition led by the started on Friday after five same ground on reer started relative respite. “The first team and members high-scoring Robert Lewandows- months in hibernation because of Wednesday when with Sporting. “I’m an optimistic person, and of the coaching staff underwent ki, that promises to be a thrilling the pandemic. The final was ini- Atalanta face PSG. At least my great hope is that spectators will new PCR tests yesterday, the re- tie despite the lack of supporters. tially due to be played in Istanbul Whoever wins it won’t have be able to return to our matches as sult of which has been negative in But maybe this time the glo- in late May before being post- that match will meet harmed his soon as possible,” UEFA president all of them, after the appearance ry will go to someone new, with poned. Leipzig or Atletico for chances of win- Aleksander Ceferin said recently. of two positive cases in the tests Manchester City and Paris Saint- Travel restrictions and a lack a place in the final, while ning the Ballon In the meantime, there are carried out on Saturday,” Atletico Germain both having reason to of time to get the season finished City or Lyon will meet d’Or, with the award strict health guidelines in place, announced. believe this will be the year they meant playing all games in the Bayern or Barcelona in the for the best player on with teams subject to a strict test- The Spanish side will travel to are rewarded for a decade of dec- same place and doing away with other semi-final. the planet called off ing regime and social distancing Portugal on Tuesday to join the adence. two-legged ties in the quarter-fi- This most unusual Cham- this year by organisers rules, and the number of people seven other quarter-finalists who “The big clubs lift the titles,” nals and semi-finals was the only pions League has already seen France Football because allowed inside grounds kept to a will complete the tournament in was how City boss Pep Guardiola solution. Real – winners of four of of the pandemic. minimum.

Quick read Al Kharaitiyat achieve QNB Relief for Atletico as negative tests give green light for Leipzig QF Madrid: Atletico Madrid breathed a sigh of relief on Monday after further coronavirus tests on their players and staff turned up negative, allowing the team to travel to Portugal on Tuesday for their Cham- Stars League promotion pions League quarter-final against Leipzig. Tests at the weekend had revealed two coronavirus cases at the club, which Atletico confirmed on Monday to be players Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko. Both players are asymptomatic and will remain Tribune News Network isolated at home while the rest of the squad will return to training in the Spanish capital on Monday Doha afternoon, before flying to Lisbon on Tuesday for Thursday’s game against Leipzig. “The first team and members of the coaching staff underwent new PCR tests yesterday, the result of Al Kharaitiyat have joined the which has been negative in all of them, after the appearance of two positive cases in the tests carried QNB Stars League officially out on Saturday,” Atletico announced on Monday. “As a result, 21 first-team footballers plus academy after edging Mesaimeer 1-0 in players Alex Dos Santos, Manu Sanchez, Riquelme and Toni Moya will travel to the Portuguese capital a key Second Division clash at tomorrow to gather for the Champions League quarter-final.” the Suhaim Bin Hamad Sta- The club said the case of Vrsaljko “is considered resolved by the health authorities as he generated dium on Sunday. antibodies several months ago”. Atletico added that “tests were also performed on relatives living with the two positive cases, all of which were also negative.” (AFP) Al Kharaitiyat had fallen to the Second Division QSL Club Licensing OCA announces new dates for last season but the club Committee 6th Asian Beach Games meeting held dominated this season Kuwait: The Olympic Council of from the early stages and Doha: The Club Licensing Com- Asia (OCA) announced on Monday qualified with three mittee met recently via remote that the 6th Asian Beach Games meeting technology to consider which were to be held in the City rounds to spare in the applications from member clubs of Sanya, China, will now com- competition. for QSL Club Licences. Clubs mence on the 2nd of April 2021 were assessed in the areas of and culminate on 10th of April Al Kharaitiyat players rejoice after their 1-0 win over Mesaimeer at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday. sporting, infrastructure, person- 2021. The name of the Games, (open water swimming and water Yousif Edrissi netted Al nel, legal, financial and business i.e. The Sixth Asian Beach Games polo), beach athletics, power- Kharaitiyat’s lone goal on 61 second flight sides. ever, two goals for Al Markh- 70) at 7:15 pm at Suhaim Bin criteria. After reviewing the sum- Sanya 2020, and the logo of the boat races, dragon boat races, minutes in the game that saw It should be noted that iya through former Qatar and Hamad Stadium (Qatar Sports mary of submissions, the Club Games shall remain unchanged. 3X3 basketball, sport climbing , Mesaimeer’s skipper Abdul- Qatar Football Association Jordan internationals, Ali Club) while Al Kharaitiyat will Licensing Committee agreed to The decision taken jointly in col- beach handball, beach soccer, rahman Mustafa being sent off (QFA) regulations stipulates Faridoun and Baha’a Faisal take on Al Markhiya (match award QSL Club Licences to the laboration with Chinese Olympic beach volleyball, beach wood- after receiving a second yellow that the club coming in last ensured parity between the No. 69) on August 14 at the following club companies: Al Ahli, Committee (COC) and the Sanya ball, martial arts (beach wres- card in the 53rd minute. position in First Division two sides. same time at the Grand Ham- Al Arabi, Al Duhail, Al Gharafa, Al Asian Beach Games Organising tling and jujitsu), beach kabaddi, Al Kharaitiyat had fallen to will join the Second Division, ad Stadium (Al Arabi Sports Kharaitiyat, Al Khor, Al Rayyan, Committee (SABGOC) will ensure surfing, sailing, and powered the Second Division last season while the club ranked 11th in Schedule amended Club). Al Sadd, Al Sailiya, Al Shahaniya, the safety of the athletes and paragliding. Olympic Council of but the club dominated this the First Division will play The Qatar Football Associa- As for the 20th week, it Al Shamal, Al Wakrah, Markhiya, officials as well as the spectators Asia (OCA) launched the Asian season from the early stages against the club ranked sec- tion (QFA) on Sunday issued will take place on 18th of this Mesaimeer, Muaither, Qatar in these unprecedented times of Beach Games in 2008, where and qualified with three rounds ond in Second Division. a circular to announce new month instead of 17th and Sports Club, Umm Salal. QSL COVID 19 pandemic. The Sports the first edition was held in Bali, to spare in the competition. In another match, Al Sha- dates of the Second Division will witness the hosting of two Club Licences are valid for one Entry as well as other techni- Indonesia, followed by the sec- Even allowing for the mal and Al Markhiya shared a matches for the 2019/2020 matches simultaneously. season only, namely 2020-21. cal details will be readjusted in ond in the Omani capital Muscat enforced break due to the 2-2 draw at the Grand Hamad season. Al Shamal will play with The Club Licensing Committee collaboration with SABGOC and in 2010, then the third in Hai- COVID-19 pandemic, it has Stadium. Now the Round of 19 Mesaimeer (match No. 71) at will meet in October this year to announced shortly. The Asian yang, China in 2012, and Phuket been a campaign where Al Al Shamal, the oldest club matches will be held on Au- the Grand Hamad Stadium at consider applications from mem- Beach Games program in Sanya Thailand hosted the fourth edi- Kharaitiyat dominated pro- in the competition, seemed gust 13 and 14 instead of Au- 7:15 pm while Al Markhiya will ber clubs for AFC Club Licences includes competitions in 17 tion in 2014, and finally the fifth ceedings since the opening en route to a comfortable vic- gust 12th. meet Muaither (match No. 72) for entry into AFC club competi- sporting events, namely: Aquath- was held in Danang Vietnam in rounds and proved a tough tory after a Claudio Vasquez On Thursday, Al Shamal At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadi- tions in 2021. (QFA) lon (swimming), water sports 2016. (QNA) match up for the rest of the brace in the second half, how- will meet Muaither (match No. um at the same time. 14 Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Sports Serena returns for US Open warm-up amid tennis chaos

time being. There was a posi- Serena Williams tive test for an unnamed play- plays her first WTA er before the Palermo event, which the WTA said showed Tour tournament its protocols are working. After the party videos and in six months in positive tests which followed France’s Fiona Ferro with the WTA Ladies Open trophy in Palermo, Lexington as she Novak Djokovic’s ill-fated Italy, on Sunday. (Pic: Getty Images/WTA) Adria Tour exhibition in June, prepares for the the two major professional US Open. But the tennis tours are doing what France’s Fiona Ferro they can to reassure players. field for the New But so far it has not been enough to convince a host triumphs in Palermo York Grand Slam of top names and the weeks is dwindling daily ahead could be some of the most challenging the sport has WTA Open because of corona- ever faced. virus pull-outs AFP pressure. It was a tough match Kuznetsova withdraws Palermo (Italy) because she’s a really consist- DPA New York: Former US Open ent player who doesn’t give Berlin champion Svetlana Kuznet- France’s Fiona Ferro you too many points. Dutch world number sova withdrew from this year’s shocked fourth-seed Estonian “But I had a good intensity Serena Williams returns seven Kiki Bertens has with- tournament on Monday citing Anett Kontaveit to win the throughout the whole match.” to competition this week in drawn from New York, say- concerns over COVID-19. Palermo Ladies Open, the first Despite the absence of the Lexington as she ramps up ing on Instagram: “Our prime The 35-year-old Russian, post-coronavirus tennis tour- big names, all eyes were on her bid for a record-equalling minister also indicated ... that who won the first of her two nament on Sunday. Palermo to see if the health 24th grand slam singles title we should be quarantined for career Grand Slam titles at The 53rd-ranked Ferro measures were sufficient for in New York next month, but two weeks after coming back Flushing Meadows in 2004, came through 6-2, 7-5 in one a safe return to competition otherwise tennis has little else from the States.” For others it joins a lengthening list of play- hour 43 minutes on her second which had been suspended for to shout about. is a pure health matter. Elina ers from Europe who have match point against Kontaveit, five months. The decision to go ahead Svitolina said she did not feel opted to skip the event. ranked 22nd, and an Australian A player tested positive with tournaments in the Unit- comfortable she could travel “Due to the unfavourable Open quarter-finalist this year. for COVID-19 on arrival in ed States despite the coronavi- to the US “without putting my situation due to coronavirus...I The 23-year-old Ferro Sicily and withdrew from the rus pandemic still being in full team and myself at high risk.” made the difficult decision claimed her second WTA after tournament, having stayed in flow there has caused conster- The Lexington, Kentucky, for myself to refuse to par- Lausanne last year, which will her hotel while awaiting the nation among many players, event is joined by another ticipate,” Kuznetsova said in see her break into the top 50 results. with pull-outs happening al- WTA tournament in Prague a post on her Instagram page. next week. Controls were strict with most daily. this week, after the women’s The world number 32 will Kontaveit had ousted Cro- only 300 spectators allowed at The hard-court tourna- tour resumed in Palermo last also miss the ATP/WTA West- atian top seed Petra Martic, a clay-court venue which has a ments will be played without week after four months with ern and Southern Open, which ranked 15th, in the semi-final daily capacity of 1,500. fans but that has done little to no play due to the pandemic. is being played in New York of the $222,500 tournament The season will continue sway the doubters. The Prague event is on clay, this year instead of Cincinnati on Saturday. next week with WTA events Flushing Meadows reign- making it an obvious destina- as a warm-up event for the Au- “I think it was my best in Prague and Lexington, ing champion Rafael Nadal and tion for players shunning the US gust 31-September 13 Open. match of the week,” Ferro said. with the US Open starting on women’s number one Ash Barty and looking ahead to the French “I’m sorry as I’ve been “I wasn’t really feeling August 31. are the most high-profile names Serena Williams during one of her earlier training sessions. (Twitter) Open, which at the moment still waiting for these tournaments, to say they will not head to New hopes to have around 60 per but the pandemic changed all York for the Cincinnati tourna- Covid-19 situation changing for those arriving from there cent of the fans the Paris venue plans,” Kuznetsova said. Barty stays atop WTA Tour rankings ment rearranged for “the Big daily and so many players de- and promises that professional would normally welcome. “I hope that the situation Apple” from August 21 followed ciding they will not compete, athletes would receive exemp- World number two Simona in the world will become more Berlin: The women’s WTA tennis tour returned last week in Palermo by the US Open from August 31. the US Open is already threat- tions do not seem guaranteed. Halep is in the Czech capital stable by the next competition.” after being suspended for over four months because of the coronavi- Williams, 38, is willing to ening to become a farce in the With the US Open due to having missing the Palermo In a separate announce- rus pandemic. Australia’s Ashleigh Barty remains top of the rankings take a risk, saying she is trav- view of many pundits. finish on September 13, that event over Covid-19 worries, ment on Monday, the US and there were no changes in the top 10. Palermo winner Fiona Ferro elling around with 50 masks. Players are concerned about leaves exactly two weeks be- with Italian quarantine rules Tennis Association confirmed of France moves up to 44th. WTA top 10 as of August 10 (previous “I see myself doing it all the restrictive environment pro- fore Roland Garros. Preparing being imposed on Romanians the Czech Republic’s Barbora ranking from March 9 in parenthesis): 1. (1) Ashleigh Barty, Australia, if it happens,” she said of up- posed to make the tournament for the clay surface while quar- even though authorities said Strycova had also withdrawn 8,717 points 2. (2) Simona Halep, Romania, 6,076 3. (3) Karolina coming tournaments, includ- safe and the potential need to antined, albeit with tennis she was exempt. from the US Open, along with Pliskova, Czech Republic, 5,205 4. (4) Sofia enin,K United States, ing heading to Europe for the quarantine for two weeks on courts possibly at their bases, Regular coronavirus tests, China’s Wang Xiyi. 4,590 5. (5) Elina Svitolina, Ukraine, 4,580 6. (6) Bianca Andreescu, rearranged French Open from their return to Europe. appears unrealistic to many. It compulsory masks except The US’s Ann Li and Aus- Canada, 4,555 7. (7) Kiki Bertens, Netherlands, 4,335 8. (8) Belinda September 27. With the US being hit so would also devastate the field when playing and restrictions tralia’s Priscilla Hon have been Bencic, Switzerland, 4,010 9. (9) Serena Williams, United States, Her use of the word if hard by coronavirus, most of for Rome the week before the on movement will all be part elevated to the main draw as a 3,915 10.(10) Naomi Osaka, Japan, 3,625. (AFP) raised eyebrows, but with the Europe requires quarantine French Open. of tennis players’ lives for the result of the withdrawals. (AFP) Misbah confident of Pak comeback vs England

AFP done more to stop them in Manchester their tracks. “They counter-attacked Pakistan coach Misbah-ul- well and there was a bit of inex- Haq has insisted his side can We will do our best to come perience – and even panic – in “fight back” from their agonis- back in this series, which I the team that cost us,” he said. ing defeat by England in time “We still need to improve, for the second Test starting on really believe this team is of course, but overall we Thursday. capable of doing. fought really well against a top The tourists, following six – Pakistan coach team in our first international Five-time snooker world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan. months on the sidelines be- fixture for six months.” cause of the coronavirus, were Misbah ul Haq Pakistan quicks Moham- on course to go 1-0 up in the mad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi Ronnie O’Sullivan blasts three-match series after domi- and teenage rising star Na- nating the majority of the first seem Shah all bowled well in snooker’s next generation Test at Old Trafford. Manchester. But Pakistan were undone There are concerns, AFP sional 28 years ago and have by a stand of 139 between Jos though, the trio could be out London gone on to dominate the sport. Buttler (75) and player-of-the- on their feet if they feature They have won 13 world match Chris Woakes, who guid- throughout a series of three Ronnie O’Sullivan has titles and 98 ranking tourna- ed the hosts to a three-wicket back-to-back Tests, as hap- slammed the poor quality of ments between them while win with 84 not out on Saturday. pened to some West Indies snooker’s next generation af- remaining the top 16 with few Having played so well in a fast bowlers during their 2-1 ter beating China’s Ding Jun- challengers emerging. losing cause, fears have been ex- defeat by England last month. hui to reach the World Cham- O’Sullivan has referred to pressed over Pakistan’s morale. Pakistan opener Shan partnership. lieves we can fight back,” add- Misbah, however, said of pionship quarter-finals. lower-ranked rivals in dispar- Misbah, however, in a col- Masood made a Test-best 156 ed the former captain. Pakistan’s pacemen: “They O’Sullivan, a five-timeaging terms as “numpties” in umn published on the Paki- at Old Trafford, while leg- ‘Disappointment’ Playing the series with- bowled a decent amount of world champion will play fel- the past and he believes a lack stan Cricket Board’s website, spinner Yasir Shah took eight “Sure, we need to improve out spectators because of the overs but not too much so I low veteran Mark Williams, of desire is one reason for the wrote. “It’s easy to curse your- wickets in the match. 10 to 15 percent and deal with coronavirus pandemic means don’t think there are issues for a place in the semi-finals struggles of younger players. self when you’ve lost. Yet Pakistan failed to put pressure situations a little bet- Pakistan are denied the vocal of fatigue at the moment. But at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. “But, we should remember the game completely beyond ter but we shouldn’t be men- support they usually enjoy in let’s see how everybody is feel- But after his 13-10 win against Under pressure as that we were right on top until England’s reach by being dis- tally down,” said Misbah. England. ing just before the match, how Ding, former world number Williams dominates pretty much the last session of missed for just 169 in their “There is disappointment, Misbah paid tribute to the the conditions are and we will one O’Sullivan said the current quarter-final the game. We will do our best second innings before, by Mis- of course, but we must not way Buttler and Woakes “took decide accordingly.” standard is so bad he would O’Sullivan, however, is in to come back in this series, bah’s own admission, a degree keep that feeling in our minds the game away from us,” but Pakistan have not lost a have to “lose an arm and a leg” danger of crashing out of the which I really believe this team of “panic” set in during Buttler otherwise it will be difficult to accepted a Pakistan side led by Test series against England for to slip down the rankings. World Snooker Championship is capable of doing.” and Woakes’ match-changing come back but the team be- skipper Azhar Ali might have 10 years. O’Sullivan, 44, told the after Mark Williams estab- BBC: “If you look at the young- lished a 6-2 lead in their quar- er players coming through, ter-final clash on Monday. they’re not that good really. Williams, bidding for a “Most of them would do fourth world title, reeled off James Anderson ‘still hungry’ as he quashes retirement talk well as half-decent amateurs, five consecutive frames atS hef- or not even amateurs they’re field’s CrucibleT heatre to take AFP Given his age, Anderson’s of the ends is named after him, “If I keep bowling the way that’s really fair.” so bad a lot of them. control of the best-of-25 tie. Manchester meagre match haul of 1-97 as England went 1-0 up in a I did this week, the opportu- Reflecting on his own per- “A lot of them you see There was nothing to sepa- during England’s three-wicket three-match series. But the nity to retire will be taken out formance in the firstT est, An- now, you think, cor, I’ve prob- rate the veteran duo before the James Anderson insisted on win in the firstT est against swing specialist, whose 590 of my hands. It will be a selec- derson said: “It’s one of those ably got to lose an arm and a mid-session interval as they Monday he was still “hungry” Pakistan completed Saturday wickets are the most taken by tion issue,” he added ahead of things, everyone has a bad leg to fall outside the top 50. shared the opening four frames to play Test cricket after spec- inevitably led to speculation any paceman in Test history, Thursday’s second Test. game, every now and then. So that’s why we’re hovering but just 24 hours after criticis- ulation the England great was about his future. said he should not be written “I’m still hungry to play “I’ve not bowled very well around, because of how poor it ing the lack of quality opposi- considering retirement. By his own admission, off after one poor game. the game. I think the frustra- and felt out of rhythm. For the is down that end.” tion outside the sport’s top stars, Anderson recently turned Anderson, England’s all-time “I want to play as long as I tion for me this week was that, first time in probably 10 years O’Sullivan, 45-year-old O’Sullivan endured a poor run 38, an age where many previ- leading wicket-taker, “did not possibly can,” Anderson told after one bad game....the sort I got a little bit emotional on Williams and Scottish veteran that puts his World Champion- ous pace bowlers would have bowl very well” at his Old Traf- reporters during a conference of whispers (about retirement) the field, got a bit frustrated, John Higgins all turned profes- ship challenge in jeopardy. long since retired. ford home ground, where one call on Monday. that go around, I don’t think let it get to me a little bit.” Sports Tuesday, August 11, 2020 15 Magical Morikawa takes first major at PGA Championship

AFP out then emerging from the under for the tournament. San Francisco pack late in the round. Woods struggled on the Morikawa had four bird- greens early in the tourna- Collin Morikawa claimed It’s amazing. It’s been a ies, including two in his first ment, but found his putting his first major championship life goal, obviously as a four holes as he got off to a hot groove Sunday, needing just on Sunday, delivering a magi- little kid, kind of watching start. But it was his eagle at 16 21 putts in the fourth round. cal eagle on the 16th hole in a that really separated him from China No. 1 Li Haotong bogey-free round of 64 at the everyone grow up, all the tight pack at the top of the shot a 69 for a six-under 274 2020 PGA Championship. these professionals, and leaderboard. total. Li had another solid The 23-year-old American, this is always what I’ve On no. 16, he hit a 293- round going on Sunday but who turned pro just 14 months wanted to do yard tee shot onto the green, finished with a double bogey ago, did the unthinkable by landing it just seven feet from on 18. Golf Instructor Sean Foley (left) winning in just his second ca- – Collin Morikawa the flag stick. Morikawa made Former world No. 1 Rory and NBA athlete Stephen Curry of reer major appearance. the putt to move to 13 under. McIlroy shot a closing 68 to the Golden State Warriors watch Morikawa, who is ranked Johnson birdied his final reach two-under 278, 11 shots play on the 7th green during the 12th in the world, eventu- Johnson had to settle for a tie hole, while Casey, who was back of Morikawa. final round of the 2020 PGA ally finished at 13-under 267 for second with England’s Paul trying to become the first Eng- It is the first major since Championship at TPC Harding at TPC Harding Park in San Casey. Johnson shot a 68 and lishman to win the PGA in 100 the season was placed on hold Park in San Francisco, California, Francisco. Casey closed with a 66 to reach years, made par there. due to the COVID-19 outbreak. US, on Sunday. (AFP) “It’s amazing. It’s been a 11-under 269. “I played phenomenal golf Because of the coronavirus re- life goal, obviously as a little Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, and there’s nothing I would strictions the tournament took kid, kind of watching everyone Bryson DeChambeau, Tony change,” said Casey. “I’m very, place with no fans, which was NBA superstar grow up, all these profession- Finau and Scottie Scheffler very happy with how I played. a first. als, and this is always what I’ve all finished in a tie for fourth, Great attitude. Stayed very Stephen Curry wanted to do,” Morikawa said. three shots adrift of Morikawa. calm and stayed in the pre- Scores after Sunday’s final round: “I felt very comfortable from Heading into the final sent. 267 - Collin Morikawa (USA) 69-69-65-64; 269 - the start. round there were ten players “The glorious shots Collin Dustin Johnson (USA) 69-67-65-68, Paul Casey offers to caddy “As an amateur, junior within three shots of the lead. hit, like on 16 to make eagle, (ENG) 68-67-68-66; 270 - Tony Finau (USA) 67-70-67-66, Scottie Scheffler (USA) 66-71-65- golfer, turning professional The packed leaderboard con- you have to tip your cap. When 68, Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 68-70-66-66, for champion last year, but to finally close it tinued throughout Sunday’s he popped up on Tour not that Matthew Wolff (USA) 69-68-68-65, Jason Day off and come out here in San round as it looked like any of long ago, those guys who were (AUS) 65-69-70-66; 271 - Justin Rose (ENG) Morikawa Francisco, pretty much my a half a dozen players could paying attention like myself 66-68-70-67; 272 - Joel Dahmen (USA) 69-68- second home where I spent emerge victorious. knew that this was something 68-67, Xander Schauffele (USA) 66-70-69-67, DPA the last four years, is pretty When Johnson made the special, and he’s proved it to- Cameron Champ (USA) 71-64-67-70; 273 - Los Angeles special,” added Morikawa, turn after his ninth hole he day.” Patrick Reed (USA) 68-70-69-66, Daniel Berger who grew up in Los Angeles was tied with three others for Brooks Koepka failed in (USA) 67-67-70-69, Jon Rahm (ESP) 70-69-68- Three-time NBA champi- but went to college at Berkeley the lead at 10 under. They his bid for a historic three 66, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 69-68-68-68; 274 - Li on Stephen Curry offered to in San Francisco. were soon joined by others peat. The two-time defend- Haotong (CHN) 67-65-73-69, Brendon Todd (USA) 65-70-72-67; 275 - Harris English (USA) 69-71- serve as Collin Morikawa’s “It was going to take a very, making it a six-way tie for the ing PGA champion got off to a 69-66, Kevin Kisner (USA) 67-73-68-67, Lanto caddie on Sunday after the very good round today, and I lead on the back nine. woeful start with four bogeys Griffin (USA) 68-68-71-68; 276 - Brendan Steele 23-year-old American won knew with the leaderboard the on the front nine en route to a (USA) 66-71-72-67, Ian Poulter (ENG) 73-68-66- the PGA Championship at way it was looking and every- Sweet 16th Collin Morikawa of the United States reacts as the lid to the Wanamaker four-over 74. 69; Adam Scott (AUS) 68-70-70-68, An Byeong- Harding Park to claim his one out there, you just had to Morikawa put it all togeth- Trophy falls off during the trophy presentation after the final round of Tiger Woods rebounded Hun (KOR) 72-69-71-64, Victor Perez (FRA) first major title. play well.” er in the fourth round, keeping the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on Sunday in San from a frustrating third round 70-69-69-68, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-67-69- Curry, the Golden State Third round leader Dustin pace with the leaders through- Francisco, California, United States, on Sunday. (AFP) to shoot a 67 and finish one 70, Alexander Norén (SWE) 67-69-73-67. Warriors’ point guard and an amateur golfer, appeared to take the newly crowned champion by surprise with a question about his stellar fi- nal round to clinch his maid- How Morikawa drove into the history books at Harding Park en title during Morikawa’s press conference. TCA/DPA On No. 6, he got trapped in the trees along the “Wow, that’s amazing San Francisco (California) left side with his drive, then punched out across man ... It was fun to see you the fairway to the right rough, where his ball dis- out there on (hole) nine. My The traffic jam atop the PGA Championship appeared. Again, he got out of that, and made a caddie is a huge Warriors fan, leaderboard at Harding Park was bumper-to- putt of nearly 26 feet for another par. I think you heard him,” the bumper. At one point Sunday afternoon, there In the end, Morikawa socially distanced him- Californian 23-year-old said was a seven-way tie at the top, everyone elbowing self from a field that included two-time defending before adding “I am not” to to win the first major championship in 13 months. PGA champion Brooks Koepka, who fizzled with laughter. “LA boy at heart.” It was Collin Morikawa who pulled away, a final-round 74, world No. 1 Jon Rahm, 2015 After Morikawa, who draining a 54-foot chip for birdie on No. 14, and PGA winner Jason Day, bulked-up Bryson De- was born in Los Angeles but two holes later taking a risk that paid off in a huge Chambeau, and rising young stars Champ, Scottie went to university Univer- way. Morikawa, who played college golf a few Scheffler and Matthew Wolff. sity of California-Berkeley miles east of this course at California, pulled out Quite an accomplishment for Morikawa, who near Oakland, answered his his driver and made a shot for the ages. learned the game in the cozy confines of the par- first question, the NBA su- Instead of taking the safer route and laying up 67 Chevy Chase Country Club in the Los Angeles perstar, who had been sight- on the 294-yard, par-four 16th, he boomed a drive suburb of Glendale, where he turned the course ed among the select group of into the slate-gray skies, threading it between two into a tricked-up funhouse just to challenge him- people in attendance for the bunkers bracketing the green, and watched the self. “They gave me a cart and I was able to go final, chirped in again. ball bounce in the direction of the hole. around, hit whatever balls, drop 10 balls off a tee, “Quick follow up, I’m free At a typical tournament, a crowd of thousands play other holes, make my own holes,” Morikawa for the next three months, if would have erupted - the ball settled 7 feet from said last week. “It just got me creative, and that’s you need a caddie or a re- the hole - but this time, Morikawa had to decipher how I’ve always played golf.” placement ... I’m available,” the meaning of a few claps. He went on to a stellar career at Cal, where he the two-time NBA Most Val- Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, spectators was a four-time All-American and Pac-12 player uable Player said. were not allowed. There were only media, vol- Collin Morikawa of the United States celebrates with caddie Jonathan Jakovac after making his final putt of the year. But even that wasn’t predictive of win- “Perfect, I can’t wait,” unteers, tournament officials, and a few special on the 18th green at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, California, on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) ning a major, which puts him in the rarefied air of Morikawa quipped back. “I guests - among them Morikawa’s girlfriend and golf’s ultra-elite. wanna see your game.” The agent - watching in person. “Let’s go hit a good drive.” “Those are moments at it to get a good bounce, and we obviously got “I had dinner with Justin Thomas,” Morikawa injury-plagued Warriors, “By Wednesday night, I had no plans on going I’m always going to remember,” said Morikawa, a very good bounce. And you just have to capital- said of the 2017 PGA winner, “and I was very for- who have recently returned for 16 at all,” said Morikawa, 23, glistening Wan- the world’s 12th-ranked player, who shot a 64 to ize on those shots.” He made the eagle putt, and tunate through my agent and everything to have to San Francisco after 47 amaker Trophy at his side. win the tournament by two strokes at 13 under ultimately made golf history. dinner with him that week, and he told me, ‘If seasons in Oakland, were not But Sunday, playing in just his second major par, pulling away from Paul Casey and Dustin Morikawa is the fourth player to win a PGA you’re good enough, you’re going to be out here among the teams selected for and victory within reach, he checked the wind, Johnson. Championship before his 24th birthday, joining at some point.’ And I already felt good enough. the NBA restart in the so- eyed the pin position, and decided ... “I hit it, and J.J. actually walked in the tee _ Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. I just had to have the starts. I had to have those called NBA bubble after the Yes. Now. and he never does that _ and he was talking to Morikawa’s closing rounds of 65 and 64 opportunities. I was like, why not take advantage season was interrupted amid His caddie, J.J. Jakovac, asked him what the ball a bunch,” Morikawa said. “I don’t really marked the lowest 36-hole score in the final two of these?” Sunday, Morikawa answered his own the coronavirus pandemic. he wanted to do, and Morikawa didn’t hesitate: talk to it too much. But we were both screaming rounds of a major. question. For the first time, at least.

Ko collapses as Kang snatches win at Marathon Classic

AFP birdies coming in and kept it together.” parth, Ko’s third then flew through the other Washington Kang finished with a three-under-par 68 for side of the green. a 15 under aggregate 269. Ko, meanwhile, posted Her fourth shot then bounced into a bunker Danielle Kang completed back-to-back LPGA a two-over-par 73 to finish tied for second along- before her fifth left her with a long putt just to Tour triumphs with a one-shot victory at the Mara- side England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff on 14 under. make bogey, which she duly missed. thon Classic on Sunday after former world number It was cruel finale for Ko, who had started Kang, meanwhile, had recovered from find- one Lydia Ko suffered a dramatic late collapse. steadily with two birdies and seven pars to reach ing a bunker to get up and down safely for par, Ko, who had started the final round four the turn at two under for the day. sealing her victory. shots clear, looked to be cruising to victory after Ko then looked to have taken a stranglehold opening up a five-shot lead with six holes to play on the contest when Kang bogeyed the 12th to fall Leading scores after Sunday’s final round: at Highland Meadows in Sylvania, Ohio. five shots behind. 269 - Danielle Kang 64-67-70-68; 270 - Jodi Ewart But the 23-year-old New Zealander, chasing But Kang responded with back-to-back bird- Shadoff (ENG) 67-63-73-67, Lydia Ko (NZL) 64-65- a first win in two years, endured a nightmare fin- ies on the 13th and 14th, and when Ko bogeyed 68-73; 271 - Minjee Lee (AUS) 68-67-68-68; 276 - ish down the stretch that included bogeys on the the 14th after failing to reach the green in two, Andrea Lee 67-71-73-65, Marina Alex 69-7169-67, 14th and 16th before a disastrous double-bogey the five-shot deficit had been cut to just two Emma Talley 72-66-69-69, Liu Yu (CHN) 70-68-69-69; seven on the 18th. strokes with four holes remaining. 277 - Stacy Lewis 69-71-72-65, Kendall Dye 72-70-68-67, Patty Ko’s stumble allowed Kang to sneak in and After both players parred the 15th, Kang Tavatanakit (THA) 71-66-72-68, Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 71-70-67- claim victory by one shot only a week after her closed to within one on the 16th when Ko was left 69, Kelly Tan (MAS) 70-68-70-69, Maria Fassi (MEX) 67-66-75-69, win at last week’s Drive On Championship in with a long putt to save par that lipped out. Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 68-68-71-70, Cydney Clanton 67-70-69-71, Toledo, the firstL PGA event after a five-month Kang’s chances of at least forcing a playoff Sophia Popov (GER) 66-70-70-71, Maria Fernanda Torres (PUR) COVID-19 hiatus. looked to have gone when she missed a golden 70-68-67-72, Lindsey Weaver 68-69-67-73. “My caddie looked at me and said, ‘You’re birdie chance on the 17th to leave Ko one clear right in it,’” Kang said afterwards. “I looked at heading to 18. Danielle Kang celebrates with the trophy after winning the him and said, ‘I’m five down with six holes to go.’ Ko’s composure wilted, though, on the Marathon LPGA Classic during the final round at Highland I kind of liked that mentality, made some good par-5 last. After hitting her second onto a cart Meadows Golf Club on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) 16 Tuesday, August 11, 2020 The Last Word

Muraikhi receives credentials of India, Turkey, Sudan ambassadors

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi on Monday received copies of credentials of HE Deepak Mittal, Ambassador of India to Qatar; HE Mehmet Mustafa Goksu, Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar; and HE Abd Al Rahim Al Siddig Mohammed, Ambassador of Sudan to Qatar. The minister wished the new ambassadors success in their mission, assuring them of all support to upgrade bilateral relations between Qatar and their countries in various fields.(QNA) QF partner Tamuq’s Biodegradable orthopaedic implants Electrical & Computer Engineering Program a win-win for everyone: Tamuq prof Research team at Qatar Foundation partner university is working to create regains top ranking biodegradable magnesium alloy implants for treatment of bone fractures Tribune News Network Doha Tribune News Network Doha The Electrical and Computer Engi- neering Program at Texas A&M Uni- A research group at Texas A&M versity in Qatar (Tamuq) was ranked University at Qatar (Tamuq) has among the top 75 in the world’s best made great strides towards devel- electrical and electronic engineering oping next-generation orthopae- programmes according to Shanghai dic implants that not only possess Ranking’s Global Academic Subjects excellent strength but are also bio- Ranking 2020. degradable. This is the second confirmation “Biodegradable implants sup- of the elite status of Tamuq’s Elec- port a broken bone as it heals, trical and Computer Engineering degrade in a timely manner and Program, which in 2019 was ranked ’disappear’ completely once the 68th worldwide by US News & World healing is complete,” said Dr Bilal Report in the category of Best Global Mansoor, associate professor of Universities for Electrical and Elec- Mechanical Engineering at the Qa- tronic Engineering. of education and research activities tar Foundation partner university, Established 16 years ago, the Elec- offered by the programme can be at- who is leading the research group. trical and Computer Engineering tributed to the excellent placement This potentially means elimina- Tamuq team has successfully fabricated refined microstructures in magnesium alloys using friction stir processing, a novel Program has evolved into a top pro- of graduates in master’s and doctoral tion of implant removal surgeries, material processing technique that leads to microstructural modifications resulting in improved mechanical properties. gramme thanks to the support offered programmes at elite universities such which will result in reduced stress by the Qatar Foundation and Texas as the Massachusetts Institute of and recovery time for the patient. tinely used in healing bone frac- “The magnesium alloys that we The project has also received A&M’s main campus in College Sta- Technology, the University of Califor- “For healthcare providers, it tures. In most circumstances, a prepared using FSP exhibit a 50 attention from Qatar Foundation’s tion, Texas (the US), said Dr Erchin nia, Berkeley, Caltech, Georgia Tech, will mean more prudent use of a bone fracture requires a surgery percent improvement in strength Equine Veterinary Medical Center Serpedin, chair of the programme. Columbia University and University surgeon’s time as well as health- wherein the broken bone pieces as compared to that of convention- (EVMC). This success confirms the high qual- College London. care resources — a win-win situa- are realigned and held in place al magnesium alloys, while retain- “Use of biodegradable screws ity of research activities carried out in Tamuq Dean Dr Cesar Octavio tion for everyone involved.” using a metallic implant (plate, ing similar degradation profiles,” is a fast-moving field of research in the department supported by grants Malave said, “Texas A&M University Magnesium, a biocompatible screw, wire or pin). Conventional Dr Mansoor said. equine surgery, with a wide range from the Qatar National Research has been one of the world’s leading and naturally occurring metal in metallic implants are typically To test the performance of the of therapeutic uses, such as for Fund. One such recent success is the engineering institutions, and our en- the human body, is a seemingly made of titanium or stainless steel prepared alloys, Dr Mansoor col- certain types of fractures, correc- $3.2 million international collabo- gineering programs have followed perfect choice of material for bio- and require a second surgery to be laborated with Hamad Medical tion of angular limb deformities, ration led by Qatar’s Electrical and this tradition here in Qatar since degradable implants, except it suf- removed once the bone has healed. Corporation (HMC) and Qatar as well as for the treatment of bone Computer Engineering Program for 2003. We are proud of our record of fers from an undesirably high rate Biodegradable implants, on the University (QU). Cytotoxicity tests cysts. However, their drawback is Smart Grid Cyber Security Infrastruc- success in all of our academic pro- of corrosion or degradation in the other hand, do not require surgery done at HMC confirmed that the their poor strength and bone-hold- ture, with the ultimate goal of provid- grams and are pleased to see the human body. The challenge is to to be removed making them par- alloy extracts were not cytotoxic ing capacity for use in horses, and ing more safer, more reliable energy achievements of our Electrical and slow down its rate of corrosion, ticularly useful for children and to normal cells, with the implanta- so the resorbable magnesium al- supply for the country. Computer Engineering Program re- so the magnesium-based implant elderly patients. tion of the alloy in rats being done loys designed by Dr Mansoor and Serpedin said that the high level flected in the global rankings.” maintains its mechanical strength “Magnesium’s high rate of cor- in a humane study at QU and peri- his team at Tamuq is an exciting over the desired period. rosion results in loss of mechani- odic CT scans at Tamuq confirm- prospect for us,” said Dr Jessica P. Dr Mansoor suffers from fi- cal integrity in the implant before ing the complete healing of their Johnson, senior clinical veterinar- brous dysplasia, a rare disorder the bone fracture has completely bones and new bone formation in ian at EVMC. which results in the weakening healed,” Dr Mansoor said. eight weeks. The project was funded by of bones. To treat his condition, He believes microstructure Dr Talal Ibrahim, acting divi- Qatar National Research Fund he had an implant inserted in his design is the key to unlocking the sion chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and it offers Dr Mansoor and his right leg back when he was in uni- potential of magnesium alloys as a at Sidra Medicine, said the use of colleagues the potential to bring versity. viable material in the field of bio- metallic implants is very common about tangible improvements in “I clearly remember what a degradable implant materials. in orthopaedic surgery. health care. massive improvement the implant His team has successfully fab- “In children, metallic implants “Once developed, these novel made to the quality of my life. I felt ricated refined microstructures in are usually removed at a later stage biodegradable magnesium alloys like I could finally live a normal ac- magnesium alloys using friction and this is done under general an- could be deployed therapeutically tive life of which excruciating pain stir processing (FSP), a novel ma- aesthesia. The use of biodegrada- in a range of orthopaedic, cardio- was no longer a part. That is what terial processing technique that ble implants in this population can vascular and tissue engineering sparked my interest in implants,” leads to microstructural modifica- be very useful in avoiding further scaffold applications, with signifi- he said. tions resulting in improved me- operations that are associated with cant societal and economic im- Orthopaedic implants are rou- chanical properties. risks and save resources,” he said. pacts for Qatar,” Dr Mansoor said.

Ashghal completes beautification works on Al Ennabi Street The project included construction of cycle and pedestrian paths, treated water network, and tree plantation Tribune News Network Doha

The Public Works Authority (Ash- ghal) has announced the completion of beautification works on AlE nnabi Street Project, within the works of the Supervisory Committee of Beautifi- is surrounded with many residential Jadeed Street. from Umm Al Dome Street up to cation of Roads and Public Places in and commercial facilities. Several trees were planted to keep Dukhan highway, linking many im- Qatar, as part of the committee’s plan The project included the con- the paths shaded throughout while portant spots such as Al Shafi Street, to beautify several streets in Doha struction of pedestrian and cycle the natural environment is reserved. Education City, Golf Club as part of city. paths with a length of 1.7 kilometres The project also included the con- the plan of the committee to imple- Engineer Amna Al Badr, secre- along Al Ennabi Street with many struction of 1.2 kilometres of treated ment a connected cycle path network tary of the Supervisory Committee trees and bushes adding the aesthetic water network. in Qatar. of Beautification of Roads and Pub- appearance to the street. Pedestri- The implementation of cycle Ashghal is currently implement- lic Places at Ashghal, said Al Ennabi an tracks and cycle paths were also path along Al Ennabi Street within ing beautification works on many Street Project, located in the west- constructed connecting with Umm the project has achieved completion streets in Doha, including North ern parts of Doha in Muaither area, Al Doom Street and Al Rayyan Al of connected cycle paths beginning Road project and Al Terhab project.