Tuesday February 16, 2021 Rajab 4, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5183 qR 2

Fajr: 4:51 am Dhuhr: 11:48 am fine Asr: 3:03 pm Maghrib: 5:29 pm High : 26°C LOW : 17 °C Isha: 6:59 pm

Nation 16 Business 9 Sports 13 Over 267,000 displaced Syrians Renowned Qatari artist partners Barca-PSG clash highlights CL to benefit from QC’s relief drive with Interior Treasures return in most challenging year

PM inaugurates Water Quality Monitoring Lab QU Board okays several new Lab will ensure delivery of highest programmes QNA quality drinking water, says PM Doha Amir condoles HH the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the with Saudi king QNA which is a vital and important facil- Board of Trustees of Qatar University Doha ity for our country, was designed (QU), presided over the third meet- QNA according to the latest international ing of the Board of Trustees for the Doha Prime Minister and Minister of In- standards and is equipped with ad- academic year 2020-2021, which was terior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa vanced technologies, most of which held via video conference on Monday. His Highness the Amir bin Abdulaziz Al Thani inaugurated are friendly for the environment,” The QU Board approved the restruc- of State of Qatar Sheikh the Water Quality Monitoring Labo- the PM tweeted. turing and activation of a number of Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ratory of the Qatar General Electric- The PM was accompanied by programmes at the bachelor’s level, such on Monday sent a cable of ity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) several ministers and senior officials. as the restructuring of the Bachelor of condolences to the Custodi- in Al Thumama on Monday. For his part, Minister of State Science in Pharmacy, the restructuring of an of the Two Holy Mosques The opening of the lab is part of for Energy Affairs HE Saad Sherida the Bachelor programmes at the College King Salman bin Abdulaziz the state’s plan to ensure delivery Al Kaabi said, “The new laboratory of Sharia and Islamic Studies and the Al Saud of the Kingdom of of water of the highest quality to all facility meets the country’s strate- reactivation of the two Bachelor of Arts Saudi Arabia on the death parts of the country. gic objectives of delivering water programmes in Geography. of HH Princess Dana bint The PM was briefed on the vari- to all parts of the country at the As for the doctoral level, it ap- Abdullah bin Turki bin Ab- ous departments of this laboratory, highest quality, and the continuous proved the restructuring of the doc- dulaziz bin Turki Al Saud. which was established according to monitoring of all factors that might toral programme in health sciences the latest international standards in affect its quality.” and reactivating and restructuring the the field of drinking water quality In support of this, Kahramaa pharmacy programme at the College and groundwater. was keen to employ the latest in- of Pharmacy. The laboratory was built ac- Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin ternational technologies, which The QU Board also approved new cording to Global Sustainability As- Abdulaziz Al Thani during the inauguration of the Water Quality Monitoring would increase the effectiveness programmes, namely the creation of a sessment System (GSAS) and green Laboratory in Al Thumama on Monday. and accuracy of tests. The labora- minor in Actuarial Mathematics at the building and the use of solar energy tory is provided with six advanced College of Arts and Sciences and the to heat, treat and recycle water for ir- advantages. development and modernisation technologies to examine and meas- creation of a Master’s Programme in rigation. In a tweet, the PM said the plan adopted by the state, today it ure various physical, chemical, and Gas and Operations Engineering at the It also relies on energy-saving laboratory will ensure delivery of launched a water quality labora- biological elements that contribute College of Engineering. electricity and water systems, in drinking water of the highest qual- tory, which will ensure the delivery to improving water quality. The Board also approved the health addition to a fast charging station ity to all regions. of drinking water to all regions of cluster strategy at Qatar University. Luxury Coastal for electric cars, and many other “Within the framework of the the highest quality. This laboratory, Continued on page 16  Cruise of Qatar postponed Amir sends message to Iran president Qa tar Airways Holidays and Discover Qatar have post- Shura calls for setting up entity to poned the Luxury Coastal Cruise of Qatar, which was scheduled to begin on March 30 and was expected to con- promote values, ethics in society tinue with six sailings until April 14. The cruise series QNA postponement is a proactive Doha decision to deal with the circumstances continuing The Shura Council has called for the to evolve from the global establishment of a body or mecha- response to COVID-19 and to nism in charge of setting policies support efforts to protect the and coordinating efforts between local community. page 3 the various stakeholders, and moni- tor, follow-up and evaluate the op- erational steps related to the promo- tion of values, principles and ethics His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent in society. a written message to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Hassan Rouhani. This came as the Shura Council, Health minister opens The message pertains to bilateral relations and the ways to support and develop chaired by Speaker HE Ahmed bin acute weaning unit at them. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, on Shura Council session in progress on Monday. bin Abdulrahman Al Thani handed over the message during his meeting with the Monday stressed the importance of (PG 2) Rumailah Hospital Iranian president on Monday. (QNA) preserving values, principles and systems to coordinate between them. It called for monitoring the intru- ethics in society. It referred the issue It called for establishing moder- sive thoughts in society and address to the Information and Cultural Af- ate specialised Islamic websites su- them within the family and society fairs Committee for further study in pervised by an elite of scholars with by raising the awareness of parents light of a number of papers submit- the aim of disseminating correct of the importance of their education- ted by a number of members on this ideas and the necessity to set con- al role, activate the role of civil socie- issue. trols and ethical rules for democratic ty institutions in promoting the right Ministry shuts some schools The Shura Council approved a practice in order to establish values ideas in line with “our Sharia, cus- number of recommendations and for practices that achieve the interest toms and traditions”, through a spe- referred them to the esteemed gov- of the homeland and the citizen. cialised method concerned with eval- for flouting COVID-19 norms ernment. Regarding the family and soci- uating what is published and issued The recommendations came in etal axis, the Shura Council recom- on the Internet and social media, Tribune News Network try has recently intensified inspec- four axes along with a main recom- mended to develop a national stra- adopt the contemporary principles Doha tions in public and private schools. mendation. tegic plan for community security related to tolerance and openness to The inspections revealed that The religious and moral axis that includes vision, goals, controls others and learning from world cul- The Ministry of Education and most schools have adhered to the called for reinforcing the role of re- and rules to ensure the building of tures in harmony with our Arab and Higher Education (MoEHE) has or- precautionary measures. However, ligion and the correct, clear and tol- a strong society adhering to its reli- Islamic culture. dered temporary closure of several a number of schools have failed to erant belief by instructing the educa- gion and belief and proud of its val- schools in the country for violating implement the precautionary meas- tional, religious, cultural and media ues and morals. Continued on page 2  COVID-19 safety precautions. ures, such as wearing of masks in the The violations were detected ● Students have been moved correct way, measure the tempera- during the surprise inspections car- to the distance learning ture of students before entering the ried out jointly by the education and school, and adhere to maintain safe Katara Hospitality in deal with Accor health ministries, the MoEHE said format during the distance between individuals, or the in a statement. temporary closure lack of sterilization tools. to open Raffles and Fairmont hotels Students in these schools have ● The ministry referred The non-complying schools Katara Hospitality, a leading global hotel owner, developer and been moved to the distance learn- were referred for internal investiga- operator based in Qatar, has entered into a new partnership with ing format during the temporary the schools for internal tions to be conducted by the min- Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, with the two-fold signing closure. The ministry referred the investigations to identify istry. Penalties were imposed on a of Raffles and airmontF hotels in Qatar. The management agree- schools for internal investigations the causes and sources number of schools in commensura- ment was signed by Katara Hospitality Chairman Sheikh Nawaf to identify the causes and sources of of the infection tion with violations of the precau- bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani and Accor Chairman & CEO Sébast- the infection, and to impose the ap- tionary measures set out to combat ien Bazin. The agreement consolidates the long-standing partner- propriate administrative penalties to ensure a healthy and safe school the spread of COVID-19. ship between Accor and Katara Hospitality, which owns several against them. environment for students, teachers landmark hotels managed by Accor. (TNN) page 11 As part of the relentless efforts and administrative staff, the minis- Continued on page 2  02 Tuesday, February 16, 2021

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Quick read FM MEETS IRANIAN COUNTERPART Amir congratulates president of Serbia The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday sent a cable of congratulations to President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic on his country’s Statehood Day. (QNA) Deputy Amir condoles with Saudi king The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the death of HH Princess Dana bint Abdullah bin Turki bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud. (QNA) Deputy Amir greets president of Serbia The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday sent a cable of congratulations to President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic on his country’s Statehood Day. (QNA) PM commiserates with Saudi king Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif in Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Tehran on Monday. During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral cooperation and the latest developments in the region, as well as other issues of mutual concern. (QNA) Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on Monday sent a cable of condo- lences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the death of HH Princess Dana bint Abdullah bin Turki bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud. (QNA) PM congratulates Serbian counterpart Defence minister visits Italian Leonardo company factories Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin QNA a digital cockpit and an ad- Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani Monday sent a cable of congratu- Doha vanced control system to im- lations to Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic on her country’s prove the ability to analyse Statehood Day. (QNA) Deputy Prime Minister and flight data, whichgreatly Minister of State for Defence helps pilots. It is also charac- Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mo- terised by high safety stand- hammed Al Attiyah visited ards equipped with night vi- the Italian company Leonar- sion systems. It includes all do factory in the city of Var- other integrated systems such Shura calls for steps to ese, where he was received by as weather radar, digital map, CEO of the company Alessan- obstacle warning system and help youths overcome dro Profumo. advanced protection systems, The visit comes within the plus equipment such as cable framework of a review of the bases and armored seats for high cost of marriage assembly line of the Qatari pilots. Amiri Air Force’s AW169, a During the two visits and Continued from page 1  monitoring the curricula and twin-engine aircraft weighing the inauguration ceremony, practices of foreign schools to 4.5 tonnes. Dr Attiyah was accompanied The recommendations also in- ensure that they do not conflict The aircraft has a unique The visit comes within the framework of a review of the assembly line of the Qatari Amiri Air Force’s by Ambassador of Qatar to It- cluded motherhood and child- with religious beliefs. cabin management system AW169, a twin-engine aircraft weighing 4.5 tonnes. aly HE Abdulaziz bin Ahmed hood care and protection by In the cultural and social that allows passengers to use Al Malki, Commander of the monitoring negative phenome- axis, the Shura Council stressed multiple devices onboard and The defence minister factory in Tessera. forces operations, searches Amiri Air Force HE Staff na that harm the social and fam- on the consolidation of the spirit ensures that all power sys- also visited the second fac- The aircraft is a twin-en- and rescue, medical evacua- Major-General (Pilot) Salem ily fabric, and to support work- of patriotism, solidarity and tems can be used even if the tory of the Leonardo com- gine tactical transport medi- tion and several other tasks, bin Hamad Al Nabit, Qatari ing mothers by providing all brotherhood among all citizens, engine stops rotating. It also pany in the city of Tessera um-sized helicopter designed including counterterrorism, Military Attache to Italy HE the conditions that help them to via providing the audio-visual guarantees excellent perfor- and inaugurated the NH90 for tactical transport opera- command and control, gov- Brigadier-General Hilal Ali raise their children by reducing and print programmes that take mance and high safety stand- helicopter by making its tions for 16 to 20 soldiers or ernment transportation and Al Mohannadi and several their working hours to give them care of the heritage, language, ards in all operating condi- first flight, which took place the transportation of materi- natural disasters. senior officers of the Armed more time to take care, raise and customs and traditions and de- tions. at the Leonardo helicopter als. It is also used for special The NH90 aircraft has Forces. supervise children to ensure a velop loyalty to the homeland. socially healthy family. It also stressed on the need The council called for en- for sincerity and mastery at work couraging youth to marry, to and to maintain and respect sys- overcome the difficulties they tems, calling for increased at- face from the high cost of dow- tention to national educational, Health minister attends opening of Rumailah ries, and to conduct training cultural and social centers that courses for those intending to support national identity, paying get married in order to preserve attention to the classical Arabic Hospital unit to aid patients breathe normally the stability and cohesion of the and emphasizing its use in all family. It also called for care of official correspondence as a lan- Tribune News Network “This unit has and will tial to providing the neces- the elderly. guage of communication. Doha continue to enable patients sary holistic care to patients In the educational axis, the The council also called to who post health crisis such to help them on their jour- council recommended to devel- take into account the values, A unique collaboration be- as strokes or infections to re- ney of recovery. This unit is op a compulsory curriculum in principles, foundations and pil- tween specialist multidisci- turn to normal life. It is also an ideal place for continuous public education that deals with lars upon which the Qatari soci- plinary healthcare teams in a testimony to the strength monitoring of the patient’s values and morals. It said the ed- ety is built when inviting partici- geriatric medicine, internal of the clinical leadership condition during the initial ucational curricula must include pants in local social and cultural medicine, medical intensive teams across HMC who have phase of admission to the everything that encourages a forums. care units (MICU) across never wavered in their ef- weaning unit and during ac- proper religion, the virtue based Within the recommenda- Rumailah Hospital, Hamad forts to help protect and care tive weaning trials,” said Dr tolerant belief that adheres to its tions of this axis, the council rec- General Hospital has led to for their patients.” Kharma. principles and morals and the ommended raising awareness the creation of Qatar’s first Hanadi Khamis Al Ham- Dr Ibrahim explained ethical and moral implications of the sanctity of public money Acute Weaning Unit. ad, National Lead for Healthy that a mechanical ventilator that contribute to building the and its proper exploitation in The new therapeutic ser- Ageing in Qatar and medical is an essential device to help child’s characters, strengthen accordance with the provisions vice is dedicated to liberat- director of Rumailah Hospi- patients breathe (ventilate) their spirit of citizenship, identi- of the law to avoid financial cor- ing patients from mechani- tal (RH), stated that a major when they cannot do so on ty, responsibility and discipline. ruption, and raising the society cal ventilation and enabling goal of managing any patient their own, either during sur- The curricula must undertake awareness to avoid extravagance them to breathe normally who requires prolonged me- gery or due to a critical ill- physical, mental and spiritual and excessive luxury by encour- and thereby gain more inde- chanical ventilation (PMV) ness. activities to develop students’ aging activities and events that pendence. is to try and wean them off He said, “We have had talents in various fields in order accustom young people to take The state-of-the-art unit from the mechanical Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari attends several acute COVID-19 cas- to protect them from the causes responsibility and adopt good was formally opened in the ventilator as soon as pos- the official opening of Rumailah Hospital’s new Acute Weaning Unit. es where the patient had to of moral corruption, abuse and management for their liveli- presence of Minister of Pub- sible after it is deemed clini- be placed on a ventilator due neglect. The council called for hood. lic Health HE Dr Hanan Mo- cally safe. tients are no longer deemed (HGH). to the severity of the infec- hamed Al Kuwari and senior She said, “Reducing the to be in a critical stage, fami- He said the multidis- tion. While mechanical ven- officials from Hamad Medi- amount of time a patient lies can also benefit from ciplinary, rehabilitative tilation is often essential to cal Corporation (HMC) and spends on the ventilator can having closer interaction and service is offered in a spe- keep a person alive, but like MoEHE and MoPH cooperate to Rumailah Hospital. substantially improve their more time with their loved cialised, healing and caring many other clinical interven- Dr Kuwari said, “Ru- quality of life. However, the ones.” environment, which pro- tions, the risk of infection mailah Hospital is Qatar’s process of weaning patients Dr Nadir Kharma, sen- vides the physical, cogni- is what drives physicians to vaccinate Qatari schools staff longest running hospital and who have been on a ventila- ior consultant MICU spear- tive and palliative therapies wean patients off the ventila- Continued from page 1  which is the main pillar in the is exemplary in how it keeps tor for a prolonged period headed the programme, needed to recuperate. tor as soon as possible. prevention and protection from developing and expanding its of time can be challenging with support and guidance “Once fully operational, “Not only can reducing On the other hand, the Ministry this virus. services to provide specialist both clinically and emotion- from the senior leadership the unit will have 13 beds, the number of days of me- of Education and Higher Educa- Based on the approved care to patients. The Acute ally for the patients and their team, including Hanadi and including three with dialy- chanical ventilation reduce tion (MoEHE) is closely cooper- protocol of the Ministry of Weaning Unit marks a new families. Dr Abdulaziz Al Darwish, A/ sis capability, a dedicated the likelihood of ventilator- ating with the Ministry of Public Public Health, the MoEHE achievement for Rumailah “Our team of experts are CEO, Rumailah Hospital and therapy room and spaces associated pneumonia but Health to complete the stages of called on its cadres who will Hospital during the ongoing trained to provide specialist deputy chief medical officer for multidisciplinary (MDT) being able to breath with- vaccination of educational staff receive the vaccine to continue COVID-19 pandemic, com- clinical support to patients for Clinical Affairs & Audit- staff meetings, pharmaceu- out a tube enables the pa- in all Qatari schools, who have to adhere to the precautionary plementing the numerous who require basic respira- ing, and Dr AbdulSalam Saif ticals and supplies. The close tient to speak, become more the highest priority in vaccina- measures, especially wearing a other specialist services es- tory support and minimum Ibrahim, senior consult- collaboration between phy- functionally mobile and give tion now. It also called on eve- mask and applying social dis- tablished there over the past hourly observation. As this is ant, division head of MICU, sicians, nurses and allied them a sense of being more ryone to receive the vaccination, tancing. year. a step-down unit, where pa- Hamad General Hospital health professionals is essen- in control again.” Nation Tuesday, February 16, 2021 03 MINISTER MEETS IRANIAN COUNTERPART Qatar Luxury Coastal Cruise is postponed for year 2021 Tribune News Network Doha

Qatar Airways Holidays and Dis- cover Qatar announced the post- ponement of the Luxury Coastal Cruise of Qatar, which was sched- uled to begin on March 30 and was expected to continue with six sail- ings until April 14. The cruise series postponement is a proactive decision to deal with the circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to COVID-19 and to support efforts to being of guests and crew, we need to forward to setting sail for a unique protect the local community. adapt to the evolving circumstances experience and adventure around Qatar Airways Group Chief and regretfully postpone the sched- the country’s coastline. Executive Akbar Al Baker said, uled sailings. Our commitment to Guests with confirmed book- “Despite the popularity and high safety remains the highest priority.” ings impacted by the postponement Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti on Monday met with Minister of Roads and demand of Qatar’s Luxury Coastal Qatar Airways Holidays and will be offered a full refund of the Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Mr Mohammad Eslami, in Tehran. In addition to several topics of Cruise which was designed with all Discover Qatar are planning the amount paid or receive 110 percent common interest between the two friendly countries, the two ministers discussed aspects of cooperation in the fields of necessary protective measures to Luxury Cruise’s launch in 2022 as future credit of the amount paid for transport, ports and aviation services and ways of further enhancing them. (tnn) ensure the health, safety and well- many residents and citizens look the booking.

Ministry shuts two retail outlets in Umm Lekhba, Qatargas, QU sign training Labour City for violations

Tribune News Network and consultancy agreement mercial, Industrial and Similar Doha Public Shops, and Street Ven- dors, nor would it allow viola- The Ministry of Commerce tion of the circulars regarding The collaboration between them will help strengthen the relationship between the oil and gas and Industry (MoCI) has precautionary and preventive sector and academia, and enhance the fields of science, technology and research studies closed two retail outlets in measures to preserve public Umm Lekhba and Labour City health. for violating its circulars on the The ministry said it would precautionary and preventive intensify inspection campaigns measures to contain the spread to control violating practices. of COVID-19 and for failing to Any party who violates laws meet general and special re- and ministerial decisions will quirements. be referred to the competent The ministry said the meas- authorities, who will take ap- ure comes as part of its keen- propriate measures against ness to monitor and regulate violators to protect consumer markets and commercial activ- rights, it added. ities across Qatar, and to moni- The ministry also urged all tor the degree of compliance citizens and residents to report of outlets with laws and regu- any violations related to regis- lations governing commercial tration and commercial licens- activities, as well as to follow ing, or non-compliance with up on compliance with its cir- preventive and precautionary culars regarding COVID-19 measures through the fol- precautionary and preventive lowing channels: Call Center: measures. 16001; and the MoCI social The ministry said it would media accounts: Twitter @ neither tolerate any negligence MOCIQATAR, Instagram MO- of Law No. (5) of 2015 on Com- CIQATAR. MoCI recalls 2021

The MoU was signed by Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Thani, Chief Engineering and Project Officer of Qatargas, and Dr Omar Al Ansari, Vice President of Academic Affairs of Qatar Ford F150 vehicles University, in the presence of Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Qatargas, and Dr Hassan Al Derham, President of Qatar University.

The Ministry of Commerce sumers and ensure that car Tribune News Network projects officer, Qatargas, areas of education, research, focusing on science, technol- Qatar.” and Industry, in cooperation dealers follow up on vehicle Doha and Dr Omar Al Ansari, Qatar knowledge-sharing and com- ogy and research.” The MoU aims to estab- with Almana Motors Com- defects and repairs. University vice-president for munity development. It also Dr Derham said, “The lish collaboration between pany, exclusive distributor The ministry said that it Qatargas Operating Com- Academic Affairs, in the pres- supports the goals of the Qa- MoU highlights Qatar Uni- Qatargas and Qatar Univer- of Ford vehicles, announced will coordinate with the deal- pany Limited (Qatargas) and ence of Khalid bin Khalifa Al tar National Vision 2030. versity continuous efforts sity in the academic, research the recall of Ford F150 vehi- er to monitor maintenance Qatar University’s College Thani, Qatargas chief execu- “This collaboration rec- to provide solutions to local and student training and cles manufactured in 2021 and repair work and will of Engineering (QU-CENG) tive officer, and Dr HassanA l ognises the vital role that the challenges in line with na- support field, as well as the due to malfunction in the communicate with custom- have announced the signing Derham, president of Qatar ministries, private sector and tional priorities towards a exchange of information and instrument cluster display ers to ensure that the neces- of a memorandum of under- University. government entities play in knowledge-based economy. consultancy. Qatar Universi- system, potentially causing sary repairs are carried out. standing (MoU) to collabo- Commenting on the serving the country and so- It will also serve to facilitate ty will provide Qatargas with incorrect massage displays The ministry urged all rate in the field of research, agreement, Qatargas CEO ciety. The exchange of expe- knowledge and technology consultancy, workshops cov- in some of the vehicles af- customers to report any consultancy and knowledge said, “This MoU is a reflection rience and information be- transfer and provide consul- ering different areas and sup- fected. violations to its Consumer transfer. of the continuing and histori- tween us will strengthen the tancy and research services, port to different projects by The recall campaign is Protection and Anti-Com- The MoU was signed by cal collaboration between Qa- relationship between the oil which will contribute to driv- ensuring knowledge transfer part of the ongoing efforts of mercial Fraud Department, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al targas and Qatar University & gas sector and academia, ing socio-economic develop- and progressive development the ministry to protect con- which processes complaints. Thani, chief engineering and for the last two decades in the and enhance fields of study ment and sustainability in of existing projects. Fire Station Alumni Residency Programme provides platform to improve artistic talent Tribune News Network Alumni Residency is a great plemented protocols in ac- DOHA addition that complements cordance with recommenda- our local and international tions from Qatar’s Health The Fire Station: Artist in residency programmes. Over Protection and Communica- Residence is currently running the next few months, we look ble Disease Control office of the first edition of its Alumni forward to providing a plat- the Ministry of Public Health. Residency programme. form for participating artists In keeping with the guide- The initiative brings to- to develop their practice.” lines set by the Ministry of gether artists from previous Participating artists in- Public Health, a limited num- residency years to collaborate clude Nayla Ahmed, Roda Al ber of visitors and staff will be and expand their repertoire. Khori, Abeer Al Kuwari, May allowed in the Fire Station at The residency began on Al Mannai, , Yasser Al Mulla, any given time. January 15 and will run until Fatima Al Nuaimi, Fatma Al Upon arrival, visitors 15 July. The programme en- Remaihi, Maryam Al Semaitt, will be required to present a sures the Fire Station’s ongo- Nawar Al Mutlaq, Maryam “green” health status on the ing connection to its alumni Faraj Al Suwaidi, Alaa Bata, Ehteraz virus-tracing app. by providing workspaces, Sebastian Betancur-Montoya, Masks are required for all visi- resources and networking Ryan Browning, Hassan Ma- tors (12 years of age and old- opportunities with visiting nasrah, Michael Perrone and er). Each person will also be artists, curators and arts pro- Guillaume Rouseré. checked for a normal temper- fessionals. The Fire Station is open ature reading at the entrance. Alanoud Al Buainain, dep- 9am to 7pm from Saturday to Visitors who have a high uty director of Programmes Thursday and 1:30pm to 7pm temperature or do not have a & Exhibitions, Fire Station, on Fridays. mask will not be allowed into said: “Our newly introduced Qatar Museums has im- the Fire Station. 04 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Nation

MINISTER OF JUSTICE MEETS GAMBIAN COUNTERPART QF partner Tamuq accepting applications for fall 2021 enrolment until March 1, 2021

Tribune News Network Doha

Texas A&M University at Qa- tar (Tamuq) is accepting appli- cations for the fall 2021 semes- ter for freshman until March 1. High school seniors who are interested in attending the uni- versity can experience life as an engineering student during an interactive virtual event on Feb- ruary 20. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL RECEIVES CREDENTIALS OF QATAR’S High school students from AMBASSADOR: Russian Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle across Qatar will get a chance in the Office of Admissions. East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov on to meet professors and current Tamuq commands an in- Monday received a copy of the credentials of HE Sheikh Ahmed students from the four engi- ternational reputation as one of bin Nasser Al Thani as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotenti- neering majors — chemical en- the world’s premier engineer- Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuai- ary of Qatar to Russia. The Russian Presidential Special Envoy for gineering, electrical engineer- ing programmes and students mi met with Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia, Dawda Jallow in Doha on Monday. the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister wished the ing, mechanical engineering at the Qatar campus receive During the meeting, they reviewed legal cooperation between Qatar and The Gambia and the means of ambassador success in his duties, and hoped for further devel- and petroleum engineering — the same top-tier training as strengthening them in various fields, in addition to a number of issues of common concern. (QNA) opment and progress in the bilateral relations between the two offered by Texas A&M at Qatar students enrolled on the main countries. (QNA) during its annual Experience campus, said Maha Ayyash, di- Texas A&M University virtual rector of admissions. event on February 20 via Zoom. “Texas A&M University at Professors will talk with Qatar offers top engineering prospective students about programmes, coupled with a what it means to be an engineer. very rewarding and exceptional Current students will share student experience,” Ayyash Ooredoo reopens Lulu Airport Shop their personal experiences, in- said. cluding how they adjusted to “We are looking for students Tribune News Network suggestions on the many the demands of college life dur- who are willing to thrive in a rig- Doha services offered by the telco ing which students are expected orous engineering programme leader. to become independent learn- at a top American university, Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading Opening hours are 9.30 ers responsible for their own housed in an international set- telecommunications opera- a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday to decisions. ting and equipped with state- tor, has announced the reo- Thursday and 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Interested persons can reg- of-the-art facilities. We encour- pening of its Lulu Airport Friday. ister to attend at http://tx.ag/ age students who are strong in Shop to customers following Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, exptamuq. academics and are willing to refurbishment. Director PR at Ooredoo, Texas A&M at Qatar offers thrive in a university that offers The new shop was of- said: “We’re delighted to an- training and advanced accredit- world-renowned engineering ficially reopened last week nounce the reopening of yet ed programmes in chemical en- programmes to consider apply- by a team of senior Ooredoo another shop in our retail gineering, electrical engineer- ing to Texas A&M University at representatives. network. While we remain ing, mechanical engineering Qatar.” Highlights in the new committed to our goal of and petroleum engineering that Prospective students are shop include a sleek new complete digitalisation, we rank among the top American aware of the high demand for design and a host of smart know our customers need universities for education and professional engineers world- technologies that offer en- to be able to reach us when- research. wide and are interested in hanced customer experi- ever and however they want. Students who are interested Texas A&M at Qatar’s world- ence. With complete customer sat- in applying to Texas A&M at recognised, premier engineer- Customers can expect a isfaction at the core of eve- Qatar to study engineering may ing programmes that develop wide range of products and rything we do, we’re always visit www.exploretamuq.com exemplary engineers and lead- accessories, with an expert looking for ways to make to find out more about the uni- ers through internationally team of Ooredoo staff on sure this happens and we versity, request a virtual tour or respected undergraduate and hand, to provide advice and meet this expectation.” meet with officers and advisers graduate degree programmes. Master’s student praises Embassy honours Kenyan participants unique student-centred in ‘Qatar Strongest Man Competition’ CATHERINE W GICHUKI keeping the Kenyans flag fly high.” He noted that the athletes’ suc- DOHA The ambassador praised Oketch, cess could be a beacon for others to environment at HBKU who won his sixth consecutive title follow. The Kenyan Embassy in Doha on as Qatar’s strongest man, and his Oketch, who is the leader of the Tribune News Network yourself making in your society Monday appreciated the achieve- group for promoting the country’s group, said: “We train as a team. Doha in the future? ment of a group of Kenyans who image positively in Qatar. We meet at least twice a month. We With multidimensional skills competed in the Qatar Strongest Ekadeli came second in the competed as Team Kenya. About six In an exclusive interview, Khairunni- that were developed throughout the Man Competition which concluded competition. of us so far have competed in the sa Hussain, a Master of Arts in Islam programme, I hope to establish my- recently. Oketch has dominated the competition. and Global Affairs student at Hamad self as an ethical changemaker, aim- The appreciation meet was host- sport after dethroning Ekadeli, who “The vision of the group is to see Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Col- ing to provide valuable contributions ed by Kenyan Ambassador to Qatar won the inaugural edition in 2013. Team Kenya retaining the top three lege of Islamic Studies, speaks about to Muslims and other marginalised HE Paddy C Ahenda, Deputy Head Oketch is also a two-time Kenyan positions in the competition and the her future aspirations and why the communities in particular and the of Mission Ambassador Washing- Strongest Man winner and holds re- rest of the countries to take from the master’s has been her programme of global society in general. ton Oloo and other embassy offi- cords in several categories. fourth position. This year, we didn’t choice. What was the highlight of cials. The ambassador expressed hap- attain that goal. The third position Please tell us about your area your time at HBKU, and why? Receiving the athletes who in- piness with Kenyans in Qatar, par- was not won by a Kenyan.” of study at HBKU. Developing close friendships with cluded Christopher Oketch, Me- ticularly those in sports and groups Meanwhile, commenting on his I am pursuing a Master of Arts Khairunnisa Hussain fellow coursemates has been the main shack Otieno Ogola, Joseph Oketch, that promote Kenya such as the victory and the embassy’s acknowl- in Islam and Global Affairs (IGA) at highlight of my time at HBKU. The Abraham Abonyo and Joseph Iroo Green Maasai Troupe. edgement, the six-time champion HBKU, and I am now entering my What are your short-term welcoming, personalised student- Ekadeli, Ambassador Ahenda said “Hopefully, we will bring Ken- said he is inspired by the embassy’s final term whereby I am undertak- and long-term aspirations? centred environment ensures that Kenyans continue to make the yan cultural troupes to perform in gesture and hopes the Kenyans ing a research project for my master’s In the near future, I hope to relationships established throughout country proud in sports, citing the Katara next month. The groups will complete a podium sweep of the thesis on Investigating the Dynamics graduate with a good MA degree, and the course will last beyond the course country’s dominance in long-dis- be performing in various sporting event soon. of Social Edupreneurship Towards possibly pursue my second PhD in of our study. With coursemates hail- tance races. activities,” Ahenda said. “The level of competition in Combatting Educational Marginali- the Islamic and social sciences fields, ing from various parts of the world, I He said, “The embassy is with Ambassador Oloo expressed his Qatar is very high. There are some sation in the MENA Region. This is or embark on a meaningful career in have learned from their personal ex- you. We are all supporting you. I pride for the group’s achievement good athletes from the US, Canada, being done under the supervision of this area. I also hope to inspire my periences as much as the knowledge I would like to express my gratitude and urged them to encourage the and Chad. The competition de- Associate Professor Dr Evren Tok, children to pursue their dreams dili- have gained from lectures and profes- to you for your achievements. I younger generation to take up the mands not only strength but also who is also the assistant dean of Inno- gently, no matter what they may be, sors, and for that, I am truly thankful. feel very proud of you all. Continue sport. discipline and endurance,” he said. vation and Community Development and what challenges and obstacles lay In what ways did your HBKU and programme coordinator of the in their paths. My long-term aspira- experience differ from your IGA Master’s programme. tions would be to create a positive and expectations when you first What motivated you to pur- significant social impact within my joined? sue this area of study at HBKU? community and beyond, as well as to Prior to joining the programme, Approximately four years after re- provide substantial opportunities and I anticipated that it was going to be locating to Doha from my home coun- purposeful avenues for future genera- just like any other traditional gradu- try, Singapore, I realised that life had tions to do their parts for the society ate programme. However, the dy- become a little too comfortable for in order to achieve sustainable pro- namic structure of the programme me. I felt that I needed to push myself gress. meant that I was able to assimilate beyond my limits. I recognise and ap- How have your studies vital knowledge to a larger degree and preciate my placement in life, having helped you develop and advance incorporate it for practical use. By been blessed with generally fortunate your career? offering both traditional and disrup- social and financial circumstances so The diverse, interdisciplinary tive learning tools and techniques, far. Yet, there is so much more that I range of courses in the IGA pro- the programme has opened my mind personally feel I could do beyond just gramme ensures that one receives up to novel and innovative ideas and displays of empathy and compassion high-quality education from accom- strategies in examining the complex towards others in less favourable con- plished academic and hands-on ex- relationships between Islam, human ditions around the world. perts, and gains invaluable knowledge development and global transforma- At the same time, I wanted to learn in the fields of Islamic worldviews, tion. more about Islam and how it has been globalisation and faith-based devel- Any additional thoughts for and is being perceived, both within opment, conflict transformation and potential HBKU applicants. the Arab World and beyond. Having peacebuilding and global inequalities. Enrol in HBKU’s graduate pro- already obtained an MSc in Medicine Through research and integrative lab- grammes with an open mind, be and a PhD in Infectious Diseases, the oratory assignments, I have also been receptive to new learning and teach- IGA programme would have enabled able to foster practical relationships ing methods, and embrace change. me to redirect my academic focus and with local and international organisa- HBKU offers high-quality, innovative explore the Islamic faith in greater de- tions, which would undoubtedly ad- experiential learning with top-notch tail, while continuing to engage with vance my career opportunities. facilities to spur one’s academic abili- Kenyan Ambassador to Qatar HE Paddy C Ahenda praised Christopher Oketch, who won his sixth consecutive title as Qatar’s current global socio-political events. What is the impact you see ties to greater heights. strongest man, and his group for promoting the country’s image positively in Qatar.

06 Tuesday, February 16, 2021

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

How Bad Is The COVID-19 Variant Problem? We Won’t On Immigration Expansion, Know Until We Test For It s COVID-19 vaccinations An administration official Go Slow And Steady, slowly become available to told CNN that sequencing efforts Amore Americans, variants of are ramping up, but “we are not the novel coronavirus have start- where we want to be.” You think? ed circulating in the United States All three of the major variants and elsewhere, making people have now been found in the United wonder whether the shots are still States, but it’s important to know One Step At A Time worth getting. which variants are circulating The answer to that is yes, more where. That’s how scientists learn so than ever. how well existing vaccines protect Building bipartisan coalitions for this measure, which has strong popular support, and getting it The more freely the virus cir- against them, and it allows public culates, the more opportunity it health officials to target lockdowns through Congress would secure an important victory and make future reforms possible has to mutate, scientists say. The at the hot spots where more dan- best thing we can do to contain gerous versions are circulating. Up Karthick Ramakrishnan & Allan Colbern the number of variants is to vac- to now, the Biden administration’s Tribune News Service cinate the world, as fully and as priority has rightly been on ramp- quickly as possible, while continu- ing up vaccine production and dis- n Feb. 4, Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., ing to limit infections with face tribution, but it cannot waste any introduced the Dream Act, co-sponsored coverings and social distancing. more time getting the nation up to by Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., which would So far, the variants — the three speed on sequencing. grant legalization and eventual citizen- main ones were first found in the This is how important ship to an estimated 2 million immigrants United Kingdom, South Africa genomic sequencing is: No one Owithout papers, who were brought to the United and Brazil — appear to be more really knows if the U.K. variant States as children. contagious than the original ver- actually originated there. It was Even though such has remained highly popu- sion. Early tests have indicated discovered there because the lar among voters since former Sen. Orrin Hatch, that the UK strain might be more country has a robust and coordi- R-Utah, introduced it in 2001, critics have often lethal as well. nated genomic sequencing oper- dismissed it as a piecemeal effort that is inferior Existing vaccines appear to be ation. There could be other vari- to comprehensive immigration reform. at least somewhat effective against ants, originating in this country, Critics from the right have often insisted that these variants, but it’s still unclear that have not been identified moves to legalize any portion of the immigrant just how effective. And new vari- because we simply haven’t been population need to be combined with other ants are almost certain to arrive. looking for them. measures such as tougher immigration enforce- Creating new vaccines or booster Using the mRNA technol- ment or increasing the number of temporary shots to counter these changes are ogy employed for the Pfizer and agricultural workers. At the same time, critics two options. And one of the most Moderna vaccines, which enables from the left have warned that focusing solely on tantalizing possibilities that sci- vaccines to be developed much “Dreamers” reinforces a narrative of “good im- ence offers at this point is a pan- faster than traditional methods migrants versus bad immigrants” and could pre- coronavirus vaccine that would do, pharmaceutical executives say vent the legalization of immigrants deemed less target parts of the virus that they could retool existing vaccines worthy. In addition, some policy analysts have don’t mutate rapidly (researchers to handle one or more variants argued that immigration reform can be solved A demonstrator at a protest for immigration reform in downtown Los Angeles recently. at UCI Health are among those within six to eight weeks. But that only through grand bargains that address a mul- working on this). That wouldn’t is not a good reason to wait for titude of challenges, satisfying the wish lists of pregnant women in that population in the late spreading the passage of some of its parts over just protect against all forms of vaccination. It could be months multiple interest groups. 1990s, funding health enrollment outreach for time, was New York able to inch its way forward COVID-19, but against future before new vaccines are avail- California’s immigration reforms in the last mixed-status families in 2013, and then providing on immigration reform. pandemics involving coronavirus- able — and no one knows which two decades have proved all of these critics state-supported health coverage for all immigrant Congress would do well to heed the lessons es. For that matter, it also would new variants might be circulat- wrong. Instead of tying together various aspects children in 2015 and for all residents up to the age from states that have made progress on im- prevent common colds caused by ing then. Meanwhile, the current of immigration reform in a package that satis- of 25 in 2019. migrant integration. It should also learn from coronavirus. And it would allow mRNA vaccines appear to have at fies liberals and conservatives alike, the state California has adopted a similar strategy in its own failed efforts at immigration reform in science to avoid a game of Whac- least partial effectiveness against has taken an incremental approach on immi- expanding immigrant worker protections, eco- 2005, 2007, 2010, 2014 and 2020. Instead of A-Mole with a dangerous and ev- the new strains, preventing mild gration reform by building public and legislative nomic assistance and deportation protections. dismissing the Dream Act as a partial solution, er-changing threat. cases and, like the flu vaccine, eas- support year by year, and among Republicans as Instead of pushing for comprehensive legislation, Democrats and Republicans should see it as a But in the short term, before ing the effects of serious ones. well as Democrats. state lawmakers opted instead for an incremental confidence-building step forward, much as what U.S. health experts can tackle the The more we vaccinate — and Take Dreamers, for example. The state first approach that is sensitive to political and budget- California did in 2001. problem of a mutating virus ef- wear masks, keep our distance approved in-state tuition for all immigrant resi- ary realities. The Durbin-Graham bill would formalize fectively, they need a much better from others and practice the re- dents in October 2001, but the law did not include California is not alone in this regard. Other through legislation the provisions of DACA, in- picture of what’s out there already. maining disease-prevention tech- any financial aid provisions. A decade later, the states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon, cluding work authorization and protection from The nation has done a dismaying- niques that have become all too state built on the foundations of its prior law, New Jersey, New York and Washington, have deportation, and create pathways to permanent ly lackluster job sequencing the familiar — the more we keep the passing a measure in 2011 allowing all immigrant passed an array of incremental legislation over residence and citizenship. Building bipartisan genomes of the virus samples col- virus from spreading. The less students to apply for financial aid from its pub- the last decade that, taken together, has built up a coalitions for this measure, which has strong lected from around the country, it spreads, the less opportunity lic universities and a law in 2014 creating a state kind of state citizenship that far exceeds the pro- popular support, and getting it through Congress which would identify variations in it has to change. But protecting Dream Loan Program using state funds. tections of federal citizenship. would secure an important victory and make fu- the virus, even though laborato- people from new versions of the The state also approved driver’s licenses for De- By contrast, ambitious attempts to pass com- ture reforms possible. ries have been waiting for samples virus first means knowing what ferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients in prehensive reforms in one shot haven’t worked. to test. According to Science mag- and where those versions are, 2012, and followed up in 2013 with a law allowing The 2013 New York Is Home Act, for example, (Karthick Ramakrishnan (@karthickr) is a azine, this country is sequencing through a federally coordinated all immigrants to acquire driver’s licenses. failed because it tied together provisions such professor of public policy at UC Riverside. fewer than four samples out of program of genomic sequencing. The state has taken a similar incremental as education assistance that had bipartisan Allan Colbern (@allancolbern) is an 10,000, compared with Denmark, That should become the next big approach to health policy for immigrants. After support, with other provisions that had far less assistant professor in the School of Social which has sequenced more than anti-COVID-19 effort of the Biden Congress passed welfare reform in 1996 restrict- support at the time, such as expanded access to and Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State half of positive samples. administration. ing state health benefits to people without pa- health care, driver’s licenses and the ability to University. They are coauthors of “Citizenship pers, California slowly expanded access to health vote in state and local elections. Only by break- Reimagined: A New Framework for State (Tribune News Service) coverage, first by providing public assistance to ing up this omnibus legislation, and strategically Rights in the United States”) COVID-19, We Are Going To Miss You Now, with a vaccine on the way, we can soon say goodbye to COVID-19 and its carnage and move on with our lives

Julie Bulitt & David Bulitt and often crushed under the weight home, in their old rooms, watch- finances.“Look how much we spend Tribune News Service of COVID-related rules, regulations ing TV and looking across the table on coffee each month! On take out!” and closings. That said, we are go- at each other like they did when We cleaned our houses and painted t’s been 11 months and count- ing to miss this pandemic. Not the they were young. Aging and matu- rooms. The daily rush of “too busy” ing. Don’t leave your house. losses of life and economic brutality rity brought a bloom to those very was quietly slowed. We took our ICan’t see your family or visit that it has wrought. Not the germs same relationships that were long time because, of course, there was your friends. Don’t travel. Can’t go and buckets of hand sanitizer, or ago dampened by childhood com- almost nowhere to go and not much to restaurants. Grocery store aisles the missed birthday parties, gradu- petitions and jealousies. While some to do. We cooked breakfast and have arrows to tell us which direc- ations, births or weddings. Not the parents grumbled at their refilling played cards. We adopted pets. We tion we are allowed to walk. And time lost with family and friends nests, others relished in this unex- laughed and loved. God forbid if you forgot that bottle that can never be clawed back and pected gift of time, of togetherness, There is an adage that “all good of salad dressing and turn around reclaimed. None of that. of intimacy. things must come to an end.” No to grab it. No can do: Wrong way. What we will miss, though, is us. Many parents learned. They one will ever say that COVID was a Months and months of “can’ts” We. came to find that a child couldn’t pay good thing, but it most certainly will and “don’ts” have partnered up This pandemic sent a clear attention in class or had a fight with come to an end. What about all that with an endless supply of “nos” message to anyone who was listen- a best friend. Sons and daughters we learned and did and gained from and “better nots.” The coronavirus ing. Slow down, appreciate your A masked family walks past Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom, at Walt who were on what looked like suc- all of this time we had with our fami- pandemic has sure made us miser- life, put your arms around your Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (TNS) cessful paths to adulthood shared lies and loved ones? The extra “we” able, right? Now, with a vaccine on loved ones. Talk, laugh, stream their losses, insecurities and anxie- time? The smiles on our faces when the way, we can soon say goodbye shows and play games. Get to know caused by unsettling financial pres- together in the morning. Wine, hot ties. Parents listened and hoped. we think of when it was just “us”? to COVID-19 and its carnage and each other. Don’t just do what you sures and the raging divisiveness chocolate and a movie at night. A Couples whose relationships Will that too come to an end? move on with our lives. Goodbye have to do. Do what you need to of our presidential election cycle. little extra roll around in bed after were strained during COVID often We hope not. and good riddance, yes? do. Read and play with your kids. Remote learning, virtual meetings, the lights went out. Small things, found themselves inside the old Not so fast. Build forts and Lego towers. Rub social distancing and lockdowns all everyday things. They became big- Martha and the Vandellas song: (Married for 34 years, What comes next is not intend- your pet’s bellies. Open up a book. became a part of our daily conver- ger. More meaningful. “nowhere to run to baby, nowhere Julie and David Bulitt are, ed to be insensitive or in any way Get some rest. Catch up. sation. But there was a blessing in Families were put to the togeth- to hide.” Many of us, though, found respectively, a family therapist demeaning to the many families All of this good happened — it there for those of us who looked erness test, maybe like never before. a way to tighten our bindings, ap- and divorce lawyer. They are who lost loved ones or the count- really did — despite the turmoil and and thought and worked for it. Siblings whose lives long ago went preciate and enjoy each other. We co-authors of “The Five Core less businesses that were crippled exponentially rising stress meters Let’s take a walk. A cup of coffee down different paths were now back worked together and examined our Conversations for Couples.” )

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Tuesday, February 16, 2021 07 Iran threatens to Myanmar police, military fire limit access of IAEA inspectors upon protesters in Mandalay amid nuclear spat

Protesters in Myanmar have for 10 days been calling for the reinstatement of a civilian govt under Suu Kyi dpa Tehran dpa Bangkok Iran has threatened the UN atomic authority IAEA with Myanmar police and mili- considerable restrictions tary forces fired at peaceful on inspections if there is no protesters during demon- breakthrough in the nuclear strations in the northern city dispute with the United States of Mandalay on Monday, by the end of the month. according to local media re- “If the nuclear agreement ports. is not implemented in accord- News portal Frontier ance with the treaty by the end Myanmar cited a journalist of February, we are obliged ... who said police and soldiers to suspend the implementa- Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani shot randomly into people’s tion of the IAEA additional in Tehran recently. (afp) homes. protocol,” Foreign Office Images posted on social spokesman Saeed Khatibza- media showed people injured deh said Monday. The unlimited access of by what appeared to be rub- The unlimited access of the inspectors to Iranian ber bullets. It was not clear the inspectors to Iranian nu- nuclear facilities on the whether security forces had clear facilities on the basis of basis of the IAEA additional also used live ammunition the IAEA additional protocol and if people had died. is part of the Vienna nuclear protocol is part of the Videos posted on Twitter agreement of 2015, which was Vienna nuclear agreement showed police forces march- forged to prevent Iran from of 2015, which was forged ing through the streets with building a nuclear weapon. to prevent Iran from batons. After the US unilaterally building a nuclear weapon The reporter cited by withdrew from the agreement Frontier Myanmar spoke of under former president Don- several arrests. ald Trump, Iran started grad- tion is still prohibited.” Trump Protesters in Myanmar ually violating various aspects withdrew from the interna- have for 10 days been call- of the deal. tional nuclear treaty in May ing for the reinstatement of The country has launched 2018. a civilian government under a higher uranium enrichment With tough sanctions and Aung San Suu Kyi and for programme, started the pro- a policy of maximum pressure, her release, after the military duction of uranium metal, is he wanted to persuade the staged a coup and detained Protesters gather next to military vehicles parked along a street in downtown Yangon on Monday. (AFP) working with faster centrifug- leadership in Tehran to negoti- the former civilian leader. es and storing far more ura- ate an agreement with stronger There were other clashes cludes access to information,” tweeted, using an honorific ti- viding any evidence. nium than allowed under the and longer-term conditions. on Monday, including in Yan- read a statement released by Images posted on social tle for Suu Kyi. The army imposed a year- nuclear deal. The sanctions in particu- gon, where demonstrators Stephane Dujarric, spokes- media showed people Suu Kyi is to be charged long state of emergency and Iran’s intelligence chief lar led to the worst economic were undaunted by a heavy person to Secretary General injured by what appeared with violating the country’s installed what it claims will be Mahmoud Alavi caused confu- crisis in Iran’s history, in par- military presence and an Antonio Guterres. to be rubber bullets. It was foreign trade laws following only an interim government sion in a television interview ticular the sanctions on oil ex- overnight internet blackout. On Sunday, police in the the military coup. before new elections are held. recently, he alluded to the fact ports, which the country heav- The violence prompted a northern city of Myitkyina not clear whether security The 75-year-old is to re- Political leaders including that atomic bomb construc- ily depends on. call for peace from the United opened fire on people protest- forces had also used live main in custody until her Suu Kyi were detained in the tion may begin if the crippling Iran’s minimum demands Nations. ing. Videos shared on Twit- ammunition and if people first hearing. It was unclear wake of the coup. US sanctions were not lifted to solve the dispute on the nu- “Ongoing arrests of po- ter showed people scattering had died whether she would appear in However, Suu Kyi has not immediately. clear deal included resuming litical leaders, government in panic. It was not known court in person or be appear been seen for two weeks. At- Khatibzadeh rejected this oil exports and regaining ac- officials, civil society actors whether anyone was injured by video link. tempts by US authorities to on Monday. cess to blocked bank accounts, and media representatives or if the security forces were newspaper The Irrawaddy re- The coup on February 1 contact her have been reject- “Our goal is a peaceful Deputy Foreign Minister Ab- are deeply concerning as are using rubber bullets or live ported. followed an election in No- ed by the military. nuclear project and nothing bas Araghchi said on Monday. the restrictions on internet ammunition. “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s vember in which Suu Kyi’s Her lawyer had also stated has changed that,” the min- “For us it is important and communication services. Meanwhile, a court hear- court hearing scheduled for National League for Democ- that she was not allowed to istry spokesman said on state that we can sell our oil again They must not be disrupted ing for Suu Kyi scheduled for today has been postponed un- racy (NLD) won a landslide, meet her personally, the news television. “From an Islamic and access our money in the to ensure the right to free- Monday has been postponed til Wednesday. Stay tuned for but which the military says portal Myanmar Times quot- point of view, the production banks,” Araghchi wrote on his dom of expression, which in- until Wednesday, regional the full story,” The Irrawaddy was fraudulent without pro- ed the lawyer as saying. of weapons of mass destruc- Instagram page.

10 killed, 9 missing News as landslide buries Erdogan slams critics of military in brief houses in Indonesia 9 killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus dpa operations after PKK killings Jakarta Damascus: - The death toll from the Israeli missile strikes that hit posts manned by Syrian government forces and their At least 10 people were killed dpa the sides. allied Iranian-backed militias around the capital Damascus has and nine are still missing af- Istanbul Erdogan said that those risen to nine, a monitor group said on Monday. ter a landslide slammed into killed had been held hostage The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights houses overnight in Indone- Turkish President Recep by the PKK for between five said the strikes, which lasted half an hour, killed seven when sia’s East Java province, an Tayyip Erdogan lashed out and six years and that the they targeted missile depots manned by pro-Iranian militias in official said on Monday. against critics of his country’s military operation had been mountains near the “Damascus-Beirut road.” Rescuers unearthed 10 military operations on Mon- launched with the goal of free- Another two members of pro-Iranian militias were also bodies and two survivors af- day, one day after the military ing them. killed when Israeli missiles targeted Syrian army posts in the ter the rain-triggered land- announced that 13 Turkish The PKK is designated a region of al-Kiswa, south and south-west of Damascus. The slide in Nganjuk district on nationals had been killed by terrorist organization in Tur- monitor said all those killed were not of Syrian or Arab nation- Sunday evening, said district Kurdish militants. key, the United States and the alities. It could not determine if they were from Iran, Afghani- chief Novi Hidayat. After the “bloodbath” that European Union. stan or Pakistan. (dpa) “Twenty-one people were occurred in northern Iraq at Tens of thousands have buried. We managed to pull the hands of the banned Kurd- died in the decades-old con- out 12, including two who are istan Workers’ Party (PKK), flict between the PKK and Fire destroys village belonging to China’s still alive,” Novi said. The no individual or country had Turkey. After a peace process Wa ethnic minority National Disaster Manage- the right to “question, criticise collapsed in 2015, ending a ment Agency earlier said 14 or oppose Turkey’s operations Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara recently. (AFP) two-year ceasefire, the govern- Beijing: A fire has destroyed a 400-year-old village belonging people were injured in the in Iraq and Syria,” Erdogan ment said it would not return to China’s Wa ethnic minority, but no one was injured in the landslide. said in a speech in the Black them having been executed by before the start of a Turkish to talks with the group. blaze, state media reported on Monday. Elsewhere in the prov- Sea province of Rize. gunshots to the head. military operation in the re- Since then, Turkey has reg- Of the 105 traditional straw huts present in the village of ince, flash floods hit nine vil- On Sunday, the army said Two members of the gion. ularly targeted the PKK in the Wengding, located some 30 kilometres from China’s border lages, inundating homes with the bodies of 13 Turkish police PKK that were apprehended The PKK rejected the predominantly Kurdish south- to Myanmar, only four are still standing, the reports said. The water as high as 1 metre, the officers and soldiers had been by Turkish forces said that the claim, saying the Turks had east and attacked the group’s Wa ethnic minority lives primarily in the counties of Ximeng, agency said. discovered in a cave - most of 13 had been executed shortly been killed in fighting between positions in northern Iraq. Cangyuan and Menglian in Yunnan Provinces. According to the 2000 census, they have a population of nearly 400,000. The traditional huts were made of wood, bam- boo and straw. Only about 12 households were still living in Malaysia arrests 1,111 for the huts, however. The majority of the village’s inhabitants live Bangladesh relocates 2,000 in a set of concrete building about 700 metres away, according to reports. (dpa) lockdown breach on Sunday more Rohingya to offshore Island dpa on allegations he skirted the Zimbabwe receives first COVID-19 Bangk ok rules. dpa after initial medical check- by relatives already living in the Daily arrests for infrac- Dhaka ups, he said, adding that more island. vaccine doses donated by China Alleged violations of Malay- tions are typically in the high than 8,500 refugees have been However rights groups have sia’s pandemic lockdown rules hundreds, with most people A fourth group of Rohingya moved to the island since the voiced concerns, noting that the Harare: Zimbabwe on Monday received its first doses of a Cov- prompted 1,111 arrests on Sun- released after paying a fine, refugees, people who fled perse- process began in December. island is regularly submerged id-19 vaccine, donated to the southern African nation by China. day, according to Defence Min- though a police officer in Kuala cution in Myanmar, have been Bangladesh says the island by monsoon rain and vulner- Zimbabwean Vice President and Health Minister Constantino Chi- ister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Lumpur also faces investigation relocated from a crowded refu- housing is the best option avail- able to cyclones every year. The wenga personally received 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vac- A third of the arrests for alleged sexual harassment gee camp to an island in the Bay able, but some human rights island is located some 35 kilo- cine at Robert Mugabe International Airport in the capital Harare were of people trying to cross at lockdown checkpoints. of Bengal, a process that has activists wonder if the move is metres from the mainland. on Monday. Health workers will be first in line to be inoculated, boundaries between Malaysia’s Malaysia’s government im- raised questions about whether being made under duress, in an The government sent the according to Chiwenga. “We receive this vaccine as a glimmer 13 states, the minister said in posed a second lockdown and Bangladesh has their best inter- attempt to clear the migrants first batch of refugees to the is- of hope that finally we may be on the verge of returning to some comments on Monday. Many declared a state of emergency ests in mind. off of the mainland. land in December. semblance of normalcy,” the vice president said. Zimbabwe aims others were detained for of- last month, in response to coro- Five navy ships carrying “None was forced to go Bangladesh has been host- to vaccinate some 10 million citizens within a year to achieve fences such as breaking social- navirus case numbers soaring 485 women, 577 men and 948 there,” said Mohammad Sham- ing more than 1 million Rohing- herd immunity, according to health officials. The country plans distancing rules or not wearing in December. children reached Bhasan Char sudduza, the deputy head of ya Muslims in crowded camps to purchase an additional 1.8 million doses of the Sinopharm face masks. Cumulatively, 975 corona- island, police officer Mahe Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief in its south-eastern district of COVID-19 vaccine, which is produced by a state-owned Chinese Annuar Musa, another gov- virus-related deaths have been Alam said. and Repatriation Commission, Cox’s Bazar since they fled per- manufacturer, of which 600,000 doses are expected to arrive by ernment minister, is among reported by the Health Ministry The refugees were sent adding that many in the new secution in Buddhist-majority the end of March, according to government. (dpa) those facing police questioning since the start of the pandemic. to the newly built settlement batch were encouraged to do so Myanmar in 2017. 08 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 World European agency urges German entry bans cause more testing, jabs as ripple effects in Europe virus variants spread dpa tical interventions are contin- Stockholm ued or even strengthened, a dpa tomotive Industry (VDA) had significant increase in COVID- Prague warned that the restrictions may A European health agency 19-related cases and deaths cause delivery problems and on Monday urged countries should be anticipated in the Tailbacks stretching back lead to the closure of German to carry out more testing and coming months,” said Andrea several kilometres have devel- factories from Monday. vaccinate risk groups to slow Ammon, head of the Stock- oped on Czech roads leading to But German car giants the spread of several new and holm-based agency. the German border, as new en- BMW, Audi and Volkswagen all more transmissible variants of She also noted how de- try bans along Germany’s and said production was going ahead the coronavirus. mand for health services has south-eastern and southern unhindered for now, while add- Those variants were first increased, with high rates of flanks cause travel disruption ing that they are monitoring the detected in Britain, South Af- admissions to hospital and in- and threaten supply chains. situation. rica and Brazil. tensive care units (ICU). On the E55/D8 autobahn The DSLV, the federal asso- “Countries should acceler- The agency urged coun- connecting Prague with Dres- ciation for logistics in Germany, ate the pace of vaccination of tries to build or scale up their den, lorries were queuing all the said it was “extremely troubled” high-risk groups such as the el- capacities to sequence viruses way back to Usti nad Labem on by the new border restrictions. derly and health care workers, in order to trace the different Monday morning in a traffic jam In a statement released on in order to delay the introduc- strains of the virus. stretching 25 kilometres. Monday, it pointed out that on- tion and further spread of vari- Closing schools - especial- On the E50/D5, which leads line registration and a negative ants of concern,” the European ly lower grades - was a last to the German city of Nurem- Traffic has come to a standstill as people try to cross the Czech-German border crossing in Strazny, Czech test were needed even for lorry Centre for Disease Prevention resort to stem the virus, the berg, a queue of lorries initially Republic, on Monday. (AFP) drivers merely passing through and Control (ECDC) said. agency said. grew to over 20 kilometres long, regions deemed to be high-risk. The agency also recom- The ECDC concluded according to the motorway ad- rol in connection with the new fic in the other direction moving “These hurdles bring with mended continued use of non- that the risk of the further ministration office and radio restrictions. at 10 times that rate. them the threat of border traffic pharmaceutical interventions spread of the SARS-CoV-2 traffic news. The situation there The measure had prompt- Czech authorities have congestion, far-reaching diver- including good hand and res- variants in the EU/EEA was eased somewhat later Monday. ed consternation from Austria, The measures have very boosted their testing capacity in sions and ultimately disrupted piratory hygiene, face masks, “high to very high for the On Sunday, Germany with the Foreign Ministry in severe consequences for border regions in response to the supply chains,” the DSLV said. the cleaning and ventilation overall population and very launched entry bans at its bor- Vienna summoning Berlin’s the whole of Austria and travel ban, using the fire brigade Clement Beaune, French of indoor spaces, the promo- high for vulnerable individu- ders with the Czech Republic ambassador to discuss the is- therefore clearly contradict for example to set up an addi- secretary of state for Europe- tion of social distancing and to als.” The ECDC covers the and the Austrian region of Tyrol, sue late Sunday. tional testing station at a motor- an affairs, said on Monday he limit large groups of people. 27-nation European Union, due to concerns about more in- “The measures have very se- the lessons learned from way petrol station. would speak with the premiers “Modelling studies show Britain, Norway, Iceland and fectious coronavirus strains in vere consequences for the whole last spring Around a quarter of lorry of three states that make up that unless non-pharmaceu- Liechtenstein. those areas. of Austria and therefore clearly Austrian Foreign Minister drivers did not have the neces- France’s border with Germany There are exceptions for key contradict the lessons learned sary test result with them on - Saarland, Rhineland-Palati- workers who have to commute from last spring,” Austrian For- Alexander Schallenberg Monday morning, fire brigade nate and Baden-Wuerttemberg across the borders, including eign Minister Alexander Schal- spokesman Lukas Marvan - to make sure there were no lorry drivers, and for people per- lenberg said. said, adding that the operation “nasty surprises.” manently residing in Germany. Austria was checking driv- backed up for up to 10 kilome- had been made more difficult France is not yet included on Those people have to regis- ers’ documents at the Brenner tres, according to the operators due to language difficulties in Germany’s list of “areas of vari- ter online and present a nega- Pass, which forms that country’s of the A22 motorway. communicating with hauliers ant of concern.” However, the tive coronavirus test at the border with Italy, to make sure Two hundred kilometres from the Balkans. government in Paris last week border, which must be no older no one would be rejected at the further north, traffic was slug- The Czech Republic forms a reported a jump in cases in the than 48 hours. German-Austrian border further gish at the crossing near Vipite- key part of the supply chain for border area of Moselle that were By contrast, police report- down the line. no. Only 40 to 50 vehicles were many German firms. linked to the Brazilian and South ed no traffic congestion in Ty- North of Verona, traffic was able to pass each hour, with traf- The Association of the Au- African coronavirus variants.

New Draghi govt 60 killed, hundreds missing People arrive to receive a dose of Chinese-made Sinopharm COVID-19 faces key decisions vaccine in the Belgrade Fair turned into a vaccination centre recently. (afp) after boat capsizes in Congo on Italy pandemic dpa dpa been found, with 300 survi- In January, more than 40 Rome Kinshasa vors,” said Mbikayi. people were killed after a mo- UK PM Johnson plans The boat had left the capital torized wooden boat, carrying Italy’s new Prime Minis- At least 60 people have been Kinshasa earlier on Sunday and 250 people at double its capac- ter Mario Draghi is being ‘cautious but irreversible’ killed and several hundred capsized near the village of Lon- ity, capsized on Lake Kivu in called upon to take critical more are missing after a large gola Ekoti, the minister said. Eastern Congo. decisions concerning the pan- path out of lockdown boat sank on Lake Mai-Ndombe “We sympathize with the In October 2020, at least 73 demic, with advisers urging in western Democratic Republic bereaved families and demand people died in several boat acci- fresh measures to contain the dpa of Congo, a government official sanctions against all those re- dents within a timespan of two spread of the virus. London said on Monday. sponsible in the transport sec- weeks on the Lulonga River in Health Ministry adviser The overloaded boat had tor,” Mbikayi said on Twitter. Equateur Province. Walter Ricciardi made a re- British Prime Minister Boris sailed on Sunday night and was Boat accidents due to over- Similarly in May 2019, at newed call on Monday for Johnson on Monday laid out a carrying more than 700 passen- crowding occur frequently least 45 people died and 200 a “short and targeted lock- cautious timetable for easing gers, minister of humanitarian across Africa, where many peo- remained missing after a ves- down” nationwide. coronavirus restrictions over actions Steve Mbikayi told dpa. ple use ships as a mode of day- sel carrying more than 400 A two- to four-week break the coming months, pledging People walk on a snow-covered “60 bodies have already to-day transport. people capsized. would be needed to reduce to try and avoid the u-turns street during snowfall in a northern the incidence rate to below that have plagued the country’s suburb of Athens on Monday. (AFP) 50 cases per 100,000 people, strategy so far. Ricciardi told newspaper Il The planned exit from lock- Messaggero. down should be “cautious but Greece hit by Scientists discover ‘strange creatures’ This would resemble the irreversible,” Johnson told jour- snowy weather country’s lockdown in March nalists in London. under thick Antarctic ice shelves 2020, according to Corri- The British government Britain’s Prime Minister Boris with Acropolis ere della Sera newspaper, is convinced that the current Johnson in London on Monday. dpa retrieve a sediment core from “This discovery is one of which called the proposal a lockdown should be the last. (AFP) briefly covered London under the ice shelf, so it came those fortunate accidents that “bombshell.” Ricciardi said Fearing the rapid spread of as a bit of a surprise when we pushes ideas in a different di- he hoped Draghi and his new dangerous coronavirus vari- lowed by restaurants and bars. in white A group of scientists have hit the boulder and saw from rection and shows us that Ant- government would be in fa- ants, however, the plan foresees However, this also depends discovered “strange creatures” the video footage that there arctic marine life is incredibly vour of “this new phase,” in gradual relaxations of rules at on scientific evaluations of the dpa under a 900-metres thick ice were animals living on it,” said special and amazingly adapted comments to Rai 3 television greater intervals. extent to which the vaccination Athens shelf of the Antarctic, accord- James Smith, a geologist at the to a frozen world,” said Huw channel on Sunday. Johnson only sets the rules progress is already having an ing to a an article published on British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Griffiths,BAS biogeographer He accused the previous for England - in Scotland, Wales impact on the infection situa- Cold front Medea has hit Monday in the journal Fron- According to a statement can co-author of the study. cabinet, under former prime and Northern Ireland, the re- tion. More than 15 million resi- Greece resulting in heavy tiers in Marine Science. by the BAS, this was the The scientists said the minister Giuseppe Conte, of gional governments are respon- dents of Britain have already snowfall and winds, with By drilling through ice of first study to find stationary animals were 1,500 kilometres not being prepared to take sible for regulating restrictions. received a first vaccine dose. problems especially in the the Filchner-Ronne shelf, the animals in such conditions, away from a source of photo- such tough measures. According to media reports, Johnson’s comments come north and centre of the scientists accidentally dis- as very few other species had synthesis. Conte’s government col- the first pupils in England are to as rules came into force requir- country. covered animals looking like been observed at a distance of “Our discovery raises so lapsed after a falling out with be allowed to return to in-per- ing travellers entering from 33 Snow also briefly covered sponges and possibly other 260 kilometres from the open many more questions than it a coalition ally over the use of son schooling on March 8. high-risk countries with coro- the Acropolis in Athens, but unknown species attached to a ocean, in complete darkness answers, such as how did they funds from the European Un- The following relaxations navirus variants to enter man- didn’t last long with temper- boulder on the sea floor. and temperatures of minus 2.2 get there? What are they eat- ion to recover from the coro- are expected to affect outdoor datory 10-day hotel quarantine atures around zero degrees “We were expecting to degrees Celsius. ing?” Griffiths said. navirus crisis. activities first, then retail, fol- at their own cost. Celsius, state television ERT reported on Monday. Meanwhile, in the north of the country temperatures dropped to minus 15 degrees over night and most ferry Guinea sees first Ebola outbreak since 2016 epidemic declared over connections had to be can- celled due to strong winds, dpa eastern city of Nzerekore, ac- ing to set up testing, contract health surveillance in dis- the coastguard said. Conakry cording to Kourouma. tracing and treatment facilities. tricts that border Guinea. The There was an energy out- The cases were detected “It’s a huge concern to see UN health agency has also age on the northern island Four people have died from after several people, who had the resurgence of Ebola in reached out Ivory Coast, Mali, group of the Sporades, as a new outbreak of Ebola in the attended the funeral of a nurse Guinea, a country which has Senegal and other countries in falling trees cut power lines West African nation of Guinea, on February 1 in the town of already suffered so much from the region. Earlier this month, to the mainland, the state the Health Ministry declared Goueke, fell ill with diarrhoea, the disease,” said WHO Africa health workers in the Demo- television reported. on Sunday. vomiting and bleeding, the director Matshidiso Moeti. cratic Republic of Congo de- The national highway Seven cases of the haemor- Health Ministry said in a state- She added, however, that tected a new case of Ebola, six between Athens and Thessa- rhagic fever have been reported ment. Three expedited tests that Guinea’s health teams have months after the last outbreak loniki also had to be closed so far, the special attache to had been sent to laboratories in the necessary experience and was declared over. in two areas north of the the health minister, Florentin nearby Gueckedou and the cap- know-how to quickly curb fur- The previous Ebola out- capital due to ice, traffic po- Kourouma, told dpa. ital Conakry and had come back ther infections. break in the eastern DRC lasted lice said. These are the first con- positive, the ministry said. During the last Ebola out- nearly two years, with 2,299 Most roads in central and firmedcases in the West Afri- It referred to seven infec- break in West Africa (2014- deaths and 1,162 recoveries. northern Greece were only can country since the previous tions but only of three deaths Liberians wash their hands next to an Ebola information and sanitation 2016), more than 28,000 This was the 10th outbreak accessible with snow chains, massive outbreak in the re- on Sunday. station in Monrovia. (File photo) (afp) cases and 11,310 deaths were in the central African nation, the traffic police said. gion ended in 2016, according The government on Sun- reported in Guinea, Liberia where the virus is endemic. The weather service EMY to the World Health Organiza- day declared an official Ebo- the outbreak. was approached for “accelerat- and Sierra Leone. The highly contagious Ebola estimated that the peak tion (WHO). la outbreak in the Nzerekore All suspected cases were be- ed acquisition of vaccines,” the The WHO said it was al- virus causes a fever and often of the cold wave would be The infections have oc- prefecture and called for a ing isolated, while contact trac- ministry said. ready working with the latter leads to massive internal bleed- reached on Tuesday. curred in and near the south- crisis meeting in response to ing was under way. The WHO The WHO said it was help- two countries to strengthen ing and death. QC postpones general assembly meeting to March 3 page 10

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Kuwari discusses trade ties with UK minister QNB ties up with Tribune News Network discussions on trade policies Doha between the two countries UDC to launch and the efforts to deal with Minister of Commerce the COVID-19 pandemic. and Industry HE Ali bin During the meeting, Ku- rewards offer at Ahmed Al Kuwari on Mon- wari highlighted the eco- day met with UK Minister nomic policies that Qatar for International Trade Ranil had adopted and the meas- Jayawardena and the accom- ures it had taken to abolish The Pearl-Qatar panying delegation currently restrictions on foreign in- visiting the country. vestment and create in- Tribune News Network day-to-day purchasing activi- During the meeting, the vestment opportunities for Doha ties when using various retail ministers touched on the bi- companies looking to invest banking products and chan- lateral relations between the in Qatar. Qatar National Bank (QNB), nels. Life Rewards points can two countries and discussed The volume of trade ex- the largest financial institu- be redeemed at over 600 fash- aspects of joint cooperation, change between Qatar and tion in the Middle East and ion, restaurants, and electron- especially in the commercial, the UK amounted to nearly Africa, launched a partner- ics outlets in Qatar. investment, and industrial $3 billion in 2020, and the ship offer with United De- The Pearl-Qatar is a fields, as well as ways to en- United Kingdom ranks as velopment Company (UDC), unique shopping, din- hance and develop them. Qatar’s seventh largest trade Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari with UK Minister for International Trade the master developer of The ing and leisure destination The meeting also featured partner in the world. Ranil Jayawardena in Doha on Monday. Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Is- characterised by spectacu- land, for QNB customers to lar views, a combination of earn double Life Rewards indoor and outdoor venues points at more than 100 out- lets in The Pearl-Qatar, from luxury retail boutiques to GWC holds AGM online, approves various cafés and restaurants until March 31, 2021. Following the success of and a mix of more than 350 the Awesome Thursday Life popular fashion and lifestyle cash dividend of QR0.10 per share Rewards campaign and due brands, innovative cafés and to customer demand, QNB restaurants. Tribune News Network Chairman Sheikh Abdulla bin has collaborated with UDC to The QNB Group’s pres- Doha Fahad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al bring more rewards to its cus- ence through its subsidiaries Thani said. tomers. Customers who are and associate companies ex- GWC, the leading logistics “Valuable lessons have using QNB’s award-winning tend to more than 31 coun- provider in Qatar, held its an- been learned on a national cri- Life Rewards credit cards will tries across three continents, nual general meeting (AGM) sis management level in terms receive double points when providing a comprehensive online on Monday. The AGM, of readiness and reaction, spending at retail outlets at range of advanced products which approved the Group’s thanks to the country’s wise The Pearl-Qatar. and services. financial results for 2020, was leadership that guided the na- The Life Rewards pro- The total number of em- attended by representatives of tion to be better equipped for gramme is a relationship ployees is more than 28,000 the Ministry of Commerce and such extraordinary scenari- loyalty programme, allowing operating through 1,100 loca- Industry, GWC’s external au- os,” he said. QNB customers to accumulate tions, with an ATM network of ditors E&Y, and the company’s “With the drastic impact Life Rewards points through more than 4,300 machines. shareholders. of this crisis on world mar- The AGM ratified all items kets, we see more than ever on its agenda including the that small and medium en- proposal by the board of direc- terprise will power Qatar’s tors to distribute a cash divi- economic growth and diversi- dend of 10 percent of the nomi- fication, and that a strong and nal share value at QAR 0.10 per healthy logistics sector can be share. The dividends will be the backbone to support that distributed through designated GWC Chairman Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani takes part in the virtual annual growth. We are pleased with branches of Masraf Al Rayan. general meeting of the company on Monday. our performance this year, In addition, The AGM also and in the future, we will held the board membership Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani as Sayed and Ahmed Al Raml Al members of any possible li- point back to 2020 as a year elections for the three-year chairman, Sheikh Fahad bin Mannai as members. ability, setting the proper re- in which Qatar grew stronger, period from 2021–2023, in ac- Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Furthermore, the AGM muneration for the board. more diverse, and more resil- cordance with Article 27 of the Al Thani as vice chairman and heard a thorough review of the “Thanks to everyone who ient as a nation,” GWC Group company’s constitution. Ahmed Mubarak Al Maadid, company’s compliance with entrusted GWC to meet this CEO Ranjeev Menon said. The company’s new board Hamad Saad Al Saad, Moham- the Corporate Governance year’s challenge and prove GWC achieved net profits of directors, as elected by the med Hassan Rafi’ AlE madi, Code observed in Qatar. E&Y that we have the ability to of QR236 million for the finan- general assembly now con- Hanadi Anwar Al Saleh, Sul- was re-appointed as the ex- stretch our capacities and de- cial year 2020, with gross reve- stitutes members including tan Yousif Khater Al Sulaiti, ternal auditors. The AGM also liver even under the most dif- nues reaching QR 1.233 billion Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Mohammed Abdulmonim Al cleared the company’s board ficult circumstances,” GWC and EPS at QR 0.40. The QNB headquarters in Doha. Renowned Qatari artist partners with Interior Treasures Satyendra Pathak ecution industry. We understand Doha that clients are in need of a com- pany which actually really delivers Ahmed Al Maadheed, the re- quality for a good price, and on nowned Qatari artist of ‘TAMIM time, and keeps to their promises,” THE GLORY’ fame, has formally the official said. partnered with ‘Interior Treasures’ “Drawing on our 42 years of to showcase and commercialise his experience of operating at the artwork and services in the local highest level worldwide, we have and the international market. developed a concept and strategy, Maadheed, whose iconic im- especially for the Qatar market. age ‘TAMIM THE GLORY be- It is this strategy that gave birth came a symbol of Qatari strength to our sister company ‘Interior during the blockade, told Qatar Treasures Home’ on January 1 Tribune that he shared common this year in Qatar. This company goal with Interior Treasures of will focus on neo-classic, classic, creating beautiful items that contemporary and modern inte- give pleasure and leave a creative rior design. As a local Qatar design legacy. officeunderstanding the needs Imbued with the spirit of Qa- of their local clients, we offer a tar, he said, “I want my artwork to one-stop solution from design to have a lasting impact on the world. execution with local in-house de- Associating with ‘Interior Treas- One of the limited edition furniture set named ‘corner of peace’ painted by sign and resources and supply, ures’ will provide me with ample Ahmed Al Maadheed on display. locally and international,” the opportunities to design, manu- official said. facture and install projects of the nership, Interior Treasures an- “Interior Treasures and Maad- Interior Treasures Home will highest quality at both local and nounced the launch of their first heed will also start working on be focused on a strategy of mak- international levels.” Renowned Qatari artist Ahmed Al Maadheed with a senior official of ‘Interior limited edition furniture set ‘cor- custom interior projects for any ing interior design and execution While Maadheed has been as- Treasures’ in Doha. ner of peace’, a chair, table and a item or living space,” an official of an enjoyable, calm and affordable sociated with ‘Interior Treasures’ painting with handcrafted wood- Interior Treasures said. experience, he said. for over a year, the formal partner- new idea and developing it. It’s Netherlands, Interior Treasures en frame, painted by Ahmed Al “During seven years of very Maadheed said, “This unique ship was announced after many now time on February 15, 2021, to design, manufacture and install Maadheed. successfully operating Interior partnership will result in many discussions based on their deter- launch this collaboration world- projects of the highest qual- Showcased in the Interior Treasures in Qatar, focusing on new products to surprise the lo- mination to work together. wide through multiple channels,” ity concentrating especially in the Treasures showroom in Doha, one the highest level of design and ex- cal market. We are open to work- “Over the last year, Interior Interior Treasures said in a state- residential, corporate and luxury can have a virtual tour to see lim- ecution, we have come to clearly ing on special projects to make Treasures and Ahmed Al Maad- ment issued on the occasion. yacht markets. ited pieces of the furniture collec- understand the changing needs of the upcoming FIFA World Cup a heed have been working on this Established in 1978 in the As a beginning of the part- tion with the artwork of Ahmed. the Qatar interior design and ex- memorable one.” 10 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Economy & Business Bill Gates warns manufacturing Put more women on your boards, could challenge Norway wealth fund tells firms climate goals ‘We may phrase it politely, but it is pretty clear what we think,’ says Norway wealth fund CEO Agencies climate talks in Paris, Gates helped to launch a global Agencies Bill Gates exudes opti- initiative called Mission In- mism in discussing the novation along with U.S. Norway’s $1.3 trillion sov- world’s ability to tackle cli- President Barack Obama, ereign wealth fund, the world’s mate change – until he hits France’s President Francois largest, wants the companies on manufacturing. About Hollande and Indian Prime it invests in globally to boost that, he is worried. Minister Narendra Modi to the number of women on their There is currently no link national governments boards and to consider setting way to make steel or cement with the private sector in targets if fewer than 30% of without releasing climate- pursuing and sharing clean their directors are female, top warming emissions. Yet, technology. fund officials said. neither governments nor We need “total coor- One of the world’s larg- investors are looking hard est investors, the fund holds to solve that problem, Gates stakes in around 9,200 compa- said. nies worldwide, owning 1.5% “That’s the sector that of all listed stocks. It has set bothers me the most,” Gates the pace on a host of issues in said in a video interview the environmental, social and with Reuters ahead of the corporate governance (ESG) publication this week of his $2 bn in field. book, “How to Avoid a Cli- clean tech Boards where either gen- mate Disaster.” der has less than 30% rep- The software-developer- Bill Gates, the resentation should consider turned-philanthropist has software-developer-turned- setting targets for gender di- invested some $2 billion philanthropist has invested versity and report on progress, toward the development of some $2 billion toward the the fund said in a position pa- clean technologies. But those development of clean per shared ahead of its publi- investments are in electricity technologies. But those cation later on Monday. generation and storage, not investments are in “We may phrase it politely, in manufacturing. electricity generation and but it is pretty clear what we Manufacturing – espe- think,” Chief Executive Nicolai cially in the cheap construc- storage, not in Tangen said in an interview. tion staples steel and cement manufacturing. “What we want to see – accounts for roughly a Manufacturing accounts for is better representation of Norwegian flags flutter at Karl Johans street in Oslo, Norway. third of global greenhouse roughly a third of global women on the boards,” added gas emissions. That makes greenhouse gas emissions. Carine Smith Ihenacho, the impose a gender quota, requir- Last year the fund voted currently and not on other as- manufacturing more pollut- fund’s chief governance and ing nearly 500 firms, includ- against the nomination com- pects such as age or ethnicity, ing than the power or trans- dination, and in fact some compliance officer. ing 175 firms listed on theO slo mittees of 16 companies, all for example, because the latter portation sectors, which overlap is a very good thing “Diversity is good for the bourse, to raise the proportion What we want to see is large and mid cap companies can vary in relevance from sec- receive far more attention to have,” Gates told Reuters. board because it brings bet- of women on their boards to better representation of in the United States and Eu- tor to sector or from country to in policies and investments. But he said there should be ter perspective, it is better for 40%. women on the boards. rope, because they had all-male country, said Smith Ihenacho. And the manufacturing sec- diversity in the solutions be- decision-making and increas- Some other countries have boards, she said. One of them “But what is relevant for tor is set to grow, as the glob- ing sought so governments ingly important for the le- followed along similar lines, Carine Smith Ihenacho Norway was London-listed Domino’s all countries is that women in al population climbs and do not end up duplicating gitimacy of companies,” said such as Britain, which is aim- Wealth Fund’s chief govern- Pizza, fund data showed. The general are underrepresented countries further develop. efforts. Smith Ihenacho. ing for 33% representation on ance and compliance officer firm has since then appointed and that is why we have a tar- “People still need basic Right now, for example, “It (a lack of female repre- FTSE 350 boards. two women to its board. get (on gender),” said Smith shelter, certainly in develop- “they’re doing a lot of green sentation) could also be a red Starting with the upcoming Dialogue with companies Ihenacho. ing countries,” said Gates, hydrogen products,” Gates flag, that a company does not AGM season, the Norwegian this year may include British and voting at AGMs is the fo- Globally, 17% of company co-founder of Microsoft said. “But who’s doing the have a good process to recruit fund will apply pressure by carmaker Aston Martin and cus of the policy, she added, boards do not have a single Corp. “It’s unlikely we’ll stop hard stuff?” the best director.” voting against appointments to used car online auction firm rather than divesting from woman, she said. building buildings.” Some manufacturing Most other big institutional the nomination committees of Copart in the United States, companies that do not comply “We really think diversity Gates plans to push for plants may be able to lower investors have a general re- companies that do not have at which have one woman, re- with the policy. creates better thinking and more research and innova- their emissions by plug- quest for boards to be diverse, least two women on the board. spectively, on their boards. Still, the fund can, and better creativity and better tion at the U.N. climate con- ging into an electricity grid and some are increasingly “We will start with devel- The fund will refrain from does, divest from companies business, really,” said Tangen. ference in Glasgow in No- run on renewable energy. prepared to oppose boards oped markets and at compa- voting against if companies that do not comply with its “The more diverse the vember. “The idea is to get But that will not solve all they consider are not diverse nies where women are under- can have a “very good expla- positions on ESG issues it pri- group of people who sit togeth- innovation, including R&D, emissions from steel- and enough, but they typically have represented, at large and mid nation, like a clear plan, with oritises: last year, it divested er, the more creative solutions onto the agenda … not just cement-making, both pro- not set precise targets for fe- cap companies in the U.S. and clear targets, or because of a from seven companies over tax you get and so the better busi- looking at the easy stuff.” cesses that release carbon male representation. Europe,” said Smith Ihenacho. recent resignation that affect- transparency. ness. You get better innova- During the 2015 U.N. dioxide as a byproduct. In 2003 Norway became She did not name names, ed the gender balance on this The fund only has a spe- tions, better solutions. It is just the first country in the world to but candidates for attention board”, said Smith Ihenacho. cific target on gender diversity good.” Major Australian media company strikes Google news pay deal

Agencies of Seven West Media, which pay deals with more than 450 Google’s search engine. will release more details about owns 21 publications, thanked publications globally since She expected Seven West the deal after those details are Seven West Media has be- the government and the Aus- News Showcase was launched Media’s main rivals, Nine and finalized within 30 days. come the largest Australian tralian competition regulator in October. News Corp., would hold out for Before the announcement, news media business to strike for their proposed law that the Google announced two deals under the proposed code Treasurer Josh Frydenberg a deal with Google to pay for Parliament will consider Tues- weeks ago that it had begun that would include all news. had said Google and Facebook journalism in a partnership day. paying seven far smaller Aus- “So far publicly they’ve said were close to striking com- announced Monday before the “Their outstanding leader- tralian websites under News they support the code,” Barnet mercial deals, “which could be nation’s Parliament considers ship on the implementation of Showcase. said of the two rivals. “They of real benefit to the domestic draft laws to force digital gi- the proposed news media bar- Google regional director might feel some pressure now media landscape and see jour- ants to pay for news. gaining code has resulted in us Mel Silva said: “We are proud to get on board (with News nalists rewarded financially for Google and the publicly being able to conclude nego- to support original, trusted, Showcase).” generating original content, as listed broadcast television, tiations that result in fair pay- and quality journalism and are Australian media compa- it should be.” print and online publishing ment and ensure our digital excited to welcome Seven West nies stood to make better deals Google and Facebook did company jointly announced future,” Stokes said in a state- Media today as a major Aus- under the code without Google not immediately respond to they had agreed on a “long- ment. tralian publishing partner to “in the driver’s seat” of nego- requests for comment about term partnership” after week- “The negotiations with join Google News Showcase.” Google announced two weeks ago that it had begun paying seven far tiations, she said. Frydenberg’s discussions end discussions Austral- Google recognise the value of The partnership was a sub- smaller Australian websites under News Showcase. “If it goes through as is, it with their leaders. Google ian government ministers had quality and original journalism stantial investment for Google will be very beneficial for Aus- has ramped up its campaign with media executives, Face- throughout the country and, in in journalism not just in metro val media company Nine En- Swinburne University sen- tralian media,” Barnet said of against the proposed law, tell- book CEO Mark Zuckerberg particular, in regional areas,” areas but in smaller communi- tertainment reported, citing ior lecturer on media Belinda the code. “Google will be lob- ing the Senate committee that and Sundar Pichai, chief ex- Stokes added. ties, she added. unnamed industry sources, Barnet described the New bying very hard in the back- scrutinized it that the platform ecutive of Alphabet Inc. and its The deal was struck under Neither Google nor Seven that it was worth more than 30 Showcase deal as a “conso- ground ... to confine it to News would likely make its search subsidiary Google. Google’s own model, News West Media mentioned how million Australian dollars ($23 lation prize” since it did not Showcase,” she added. engine unavailable in Australia Kerry Stokes, chairman Showcase. Google has reached much the deal was worth. Ri- million) a year. include news linked through Seven West Media said it if the code were introduced. QC postpones general assembly meeting to March 3 34th issue of Qatar economic Tribune News Network After the registration, Doha each member, who must have statistics report published a valid membership, will re- Qatar Chamber’s general ceive a link to follow up and Tribune News network the economic performance of The third part contains assembly meeting, scheduled participate in the meeting. Doha Qatar with other economies articles on selected themes. to be held online on Monday The statement from QC and regions, in terms of three This issue’s article is entitled (February 15), has been post- noted that the meeting’s The Planning and Statistics indicators: real GDP annual “Use of Purchasing Power Par- poned to March 3 due to lack agenda includes reviewing Authority has published the growth rate, consumer price ity (PPP) in Measuring and of quorum the report of the board of di- 34th issue of the quarterly index (CPI) change, current Comparing Productivity Level The second meeting will rectors on the activities of the publication “the Window on account balance as percent- in Manufacturing Sectors”. be held at noon on March 3 Chamber in 2020. Economic Statistics of Qatar”. age of GDP, and data series Based on the importance of regardless of the number of It also includes discussing The reference quarter of (quarterly and annual) on 30 the productivity indicator, re- attendees, QC’s Chairman the QC’s fiscal report for 2020 this issue is the third quarter economic indicators. flecting the performance of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim through the auditor’s report of 2020. The second part consists national economy, the article bin Mohammed Al Thani has on the final accounts and the “It is a very handy report of an analysis of the quarterly addresses the concepts of PPP, said. statement of income and ex- and is meant to help diverse statistics relating to GDP, CPI, productivity, methods of pro- Due to the current circum- penses for the year. users, in particular, policy and PPI, exports and imports and ductivity comparisons as well stances and in adherence with QC’s Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani It will also see the estimat- decision makers,” the state- compares the performance in as studies related to using the the precautionary measures ed budget for the fiscal year ment added. the third quarter of 2020 with concept of purchasing power taken to curb the spread of video conferencing, he added. will start at 8 am on March 3 2021 getting approved and a The publication comprises that of the corresponding quar- parity to measure and com- COVID-19, the second meet- The online registration through the Chamber’s web- new auditor for the 2021 fi- three parts. The first part pre- ter of 2019 and, with that of the pare productivity in the vari- ing would be held through for attending the meeting site www.qatarchamber.com. nancial year being appointed. sents a dashboard comparing previous quarter (Q2, 2020). ous manufacturing sectors. Tuesday, February 16, 2021 11 Economy & Business

Katara Hospitality inks deal with Accor to open Raffles and Fairmont hotels in Qatar The agreement will see Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Hotel & Residences opening at Katara Hospitality’s iconic Katara Towers in Lusail in 2022

Tribune News Network Doha

Katara Hospitality, a leading global hotel owner, developer and operator based in Qatar, on Monday announced a new partnership with Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, with the two-fold signing of Raffles and Fairmont hotels in Qatar. The management agreement was signed by Katara Hospitality Chair- man Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani and Accor Chairman & CEO Sébastien Bazin. The agreement signing was held at Katara Hospitality headquarters in Doha. Katara Hospitality’s Act- ing CEO Andrew Humphries, Gen- eral Counsel Kamal Rhazali, Chief Asset Management Officer Irfan Sharief and Acting Chief Technical Officer Juan Aguilar was present at Katara Hospitality Chairman Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani and Ac- The agreement consolidates the long-standing partnership between Accor and Katara Hospitality, which already owns sev- the event along with Accor Manage- cor Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin signed the management agreement. eral landmark hotels managed by Accor. ment’s CEO for India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey Mark Willis and tality said: “Katara Hospitality is one vide a landmark location that is in- Fairmont brands in Qatar marks an boutiques, VIP movie theatres, sig- said Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, its Lifestyle Brands CEO Gaurav of the first investors that understood stantly recognised internationally,” important milestone for Accor, as we nature restaurants and a private Ci- Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Bhushan. the significance of the project, com- HE added. endeavour to bring their distinctive gar Lounge are to be complemented Mark Willis adds: “We expect The agreement consolidates mitting to developing the hospitality “While we regard 2022 as a mile- levels of quality and luxurious service by exquisite banqueting and confer- that these properties, with their icon- the long-standing partnership be- icon of Doha for the 21st Century in stone in the country’s development, to residents and travellers alike. We ence spaces, as well as office dedi- ic design and unrivalled presence, tween Accor and Katara Hospital- the State of Qatar. We are confident this new property in Lusail will also thank Katara, one of our most valued cated areas. will become an architectural emblem ity, which already owns several the ethos of Accor brand is a strate- occupy a focal point for residents partners, for once again entrusting “We believe Qatar to be an ideal and reference in Luxury in Doha”. landmark hotels managed by Accor. gic fit for this iconic project as it is and travellers during the FIFA World us with such a unique project, which place to spend a few days in the Mid- Accor currently operates six Once completed, the Fairmont Ho- important that we have an opera- Cup. We believe that this is our op- is set to become a landmark, not only dle East: there is a rich variety of properties (1,378 keys) in Qatar tel and Raffles Hotel & Residences tor who understands our vision and portunity to showcase a country that in Qatar, but in the region.” beaches, it features year round sun- across five brands including Moven- — set to open in 2022 — will join the strategy, while ensuring it occupies has grown into an international des- Symbolically intertwined with shine, and the food is equal to the pick, Mondrian and MGallery, with brand’s worldwide portfolio, known its rightful position in the local and tination and Katara Hospitality will Qatar’s heritage, the Iconic Towers best the region has to offer” said Mr. nine additional hotels (2,920 keys) to be the world’s largest collection global marketplaces when it opens create the landmark to underpin life- in Lusail are an architectural trans- Andrew Humphries, Acting Chief in the pipeline. of historic and iconic hotels. As with next year.” time memories.” lation of Qatar’s national seal, rep- Executive Officer of Katara Hospi- Having been at the forefront of any Fairmont property around the “The world’s most loved cities are Sheikh Nawaf concluded: “As resenting the traditional scimitar tality. We are happy to collaborate the hospitality industry for over 50 world, guests will find themselves often identified through imagery and Qatar National Vision 2030 creates swords. Raising gracefully from the again with Accor to open the first years, Katara Hospitality has built immersed in a local authentic en- landmark buildings. We strongly be- the perfect framework for us, we will podium level, the arched towers will Raffles and Fairmont properties in a portfolio of iconic hotels in Qatar vironment. Similarly when visiting lieve the property we are developing continue to develop peerless hospi- host a luxurious five-star hotel with Qatar, which we believe will position and key international gateways. An the Raffles, guests will discover the will provide Qatar with an architec- tality at home and abroad that are 361 rooms and suites to cater to dis- Qatar as a leading luxury, lifestyle experienced hotel owner, developer individual personality and story of- tural symbol that is known and un- not only jewels in our portfolio but cerning business travellers, a lavish and conference destination locally and operator, the group has been a fered by the hotel. At the essence of derstood right across the globe. Our are emblematic for Qatar as well.” six-star hotel with 132 suites to meet and globally”. hospitality pioneer in Qatar. every Raffles is to deliver thoughtful, aim is to create the hospitality icon of Sebastien Bazin, Chairman & the needs of those seeking sophisti- “This is a unique opportunity to Today, Katara Hospitality’s port- personal and discreet service to well- the 21st Century that is within one of CEO of Accor commented, “We are cated luxury accommodation and consolidate Fairmont and Raffles folio of operating hotels and those travelled guests. the world’s most exciting urban de- extremely excited to announce this 49 branded apartments to become image in the Middle East, with both under development has reached 42 On this occasion, His Excellency velopments. Our vision is to set new iconic property and to showcase it home to permanent residents. State- hotels sitting in on of the most iconic assets globally, encompassing over Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor standards that go beyond the borders on the world stage in the years to of-the-art entertainment and recrea- building of the region, indeed an in- 8,000 rooms, while it aims to reach Al Thani, Chairman, Katara Hospi- of the hospitality industry and pro- come. The arrival of the Raffles and tional facilities, including specialist credible showcase for both brands”, 60 properties by 2030. 12 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Economy & Business Bitcoin pulls Nigeria’s back from Okonjo- brink of Iweala $50,000

becomes Agencies

WTO chief Bitcoin pulled back from a record high on Monday DPA and other cryptocurrencies Geneva slipped, as investors took prof- its from a record-breaking Senior Nigerian econo- rally that had pushed bitcoin mist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala close to $50,000. was appointed head of the Bitcoin fell as much as World Trade Organization 5.6% to $45,914 in Asian trad- (WTO) on Monday in Ge- ing hours after having posting neva. a record peak of $49,714.66 She is the first African on Sunday, while rival crypto and the first woman to ethereum slid more than 8%. serve as director general Once on the fringes of fi- of the organization that is nance, bitcoin is fast gaining facing the deepest crisis legitimacy as an asset class since it was founded in and has leapt 20% in the week 1995. since electric carmaker Tesla Envoys from the 164 Inc announced it had $1.5 bil- WTO member states ap- lion in bitcoin and would ac- proved Okonjo-Iweala on cept the currency as payment. Monday by consensus, It is up more than 60% the free trade body an- for the year to date and has nounced. gained more than 1,100% The United States since hitting a one-year low paved the way for the ap- last March. pointment in early Febru- “There’s this unadulter- ary, when President Joe ated wave of big players (buy- Biden threw his weight Plastic bull figurines, symbols of the Frankfurt stock exchange, are pictured at the Frankfurt stock exchange. ing) that has continued to behind the candidate who push the price higher,” said had been blocked under Chris Weston, head of re- his predecessor Donald search at Melbourne broker- Trump. age Pepperstone. “We might be seeing one or two big funds Global shares hit fresh peak, just cashing out,” he said. “The big question is: OK, you want to buy the pullback, but how big is the pullback that we are talking about?” oil up on Middle East tensions Besides Tesla’s invest- ment, Bank of NY Mellon last week said it formed a new Brent crude rises 1.2% to $63.15 a barrel; US oil prices jump above $60 amid Texas ice storms unit to help clients own and Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala trade digital assets. poses for a picture at her Agencies ades. tors stick to their long-term tial disruptions to shale pro- lied by 16 percent in February Bloomberg reported on home in Potomac, Maryland. E-mini futures for the S&P financial plans, and continue duction in the top oil-produc- alone, after both benchmarks Saturday that Morgan Stan- As more people are vaccinated 500 were also higher, up 0.5%, to put excess cash to work.” ing state and logistics on the ended last week their longest ley’s investment arm is weigh- Okonjo-Iweala previ- across key markets such as the although U.S. stock markets Oil joined equity markets U.S. Gulf Coast. streak of consecutive daily ing a bet on bitcoin. ously served as Nigerian United States, and with U.S. are closed on Monday for the in pushing higher, reaching As of 9:26 a.m. ET on gains in two years. As cryptocurrencies in- financeand foreign min- President Joe Biden looking Presidents Day holiday. its highest level since January Monday, the West Texas In- With risk assets in favour, creasingly go mainstream, ister, and as the manag- to pump an extra $1.9 trillion Later in the week, all eyes 2020 on hopes U.S. stimu- termediate Crude price had safe havens dipped, with gold pressure is growing on the ing director of the World in stimulus into the economy, will be on the release of min- lus will boost the economy rallied 1.38 percent at $60.26. down 0.2% to $1,819 an ounce. world’s biggest central banks Bank. the so-called reflation trade utes from the U.S. Federal and fuel demand and after a Brent Crude prices were also Germany’s 10-year Bund to move forward with their Most recently, she had has gathered steam in recent Reserve’s January meeting, Saudi-led coalition fighting up and broke above $63 per yield rose 4 basis points to a plans to issue digital cash and chaired the board of GAVI, days. where policymakers decided in Yemen said it intercepted bar- rel, at $63.11, up 5 1/2-month high at -0.376% fend off private sector threats the public-private vaccine On Friday, the Cboe Vola- to leave rates unchanged, for an explosive-laden 1.12 percent on and 30-year bond yields, up to traditional money. initiative that is leading in- tility Index, known as Wall hints about the likely direction drone fired by the day. 20 bps so far this month, The biggest cryptocurren- ternational efforts to share Street’s “fear gauge”, ended of monetary policy. the Iran-aligned Winter rose to an eight-month high cy, bitcoin, has shifted from Covid-19 vaccines fairly at its lowest level for nearly a Those concerned about the Houthi group. storms in Tex- at 0.13%. They had traded in the fringes of finance towards between rich and poor year, helping to drive a 0.4% impact of market exuberance Brent crude as have raised negative yield territory earlier embrace by major investors, countries. gain for MSCI’s broadest on the outlook for inflation will rose 1.2% concerns about this month. companies and even cities. Okonjo-Iweala takes measure of world stocks on also have fresh data to parse, to $63.15 disruptions to Switzerland’s 30-year gov- Tesla Inc’s $1.5 billion bet has on her new job as global Monday. with Britain, Canada and Ja- a barrel. shale supply, analysts ernment bond yield, mean- sent bitcoin to record highs trade is suffering from the Taking its cue from a pan all due to report. Friday U.S. say. while, rose above 0% for the of almost $50,000 and the pandemic crisis and from stronger, albeit holiday- will also see major economies, crude The price of oil on first time since early 2020. Facebook-backed digital cur- tensions between major thinned, Asian session, Eu- including the United States, oil Monday “resumed The dollar remained near rency Diem, formerly known economies. rope’s major indexes were a release preliminary February gained its tightening sup- two-week lows as traders took as Libra, aims to launch this Free trade talks have sea of green in early deals, purchasing managers’ indexes 1.2% to ply-led rally, now a more cautious view of the year. also been stalled for years. with Britain’s FTSE 100 up (PMI). $60.21, just off earlier with the added boost from an pace of the U.S. economy’s Central banks from the In addition, the WTO 2.2%. “We believe investors highs. arctic blast in the US reaching rebound. Against a basket of Group of Seven nations set is currently unable to set- With China and Hong should prepare for bouts of The U.S. benchmark oil all the way down to Texas to currencies it was last down out in October how a digi- tle trade disputes between Kong markets closed for the volatility ahead, but regard price rallied above $60 per potentially disrupt flows from around 0.1%. tal currency could function, countries as the United Lunar New Year holiday, them as opportunities rather barrel early on Monday, the the Permian, America’s larg- Bitcoin, meanwhile, re- though progress has been States has been blocking Japan’s Nikkei led the way, than threats,” said Mark Hae- highest price since January est shale patch,” Saxo Bank covered some of its overnight slow. The communique from the appointment of ap- climbing 1.9% to reclaim the fele, chief investment officer at last year, as an Arctic winter analysts said early on Mon- weakness to trade down 1.8% last week’s G7 finance minis- peals judges. 30,000-point level for the first UBS Global Wealth Manage- blast swept through Texas, day. at $47,801.18, below a record ters’ meeting did not mention time in more than three dec- ment. “We recommend inves- raising concerns about poten- WTI prices have now ral- high of $49,714.66. the nascent technology. Autoworkers face uncertain future in an era of electric cars

Agencies Many of those compo- transition will likely reach define where we go in the fu- average pump prices close nents are now built overseas. into the thousands, though no ture,” said Tony Totty, presi- to a $2 a gallon, trucks and When General Motors boldly But President Joe Biden has one knows with any precision. dent of the UAW local at the SUVs have replaced more ef- announced its goal last month made the development of a And those losses will made Toledo plant. “This is a time ficient cars as the nation’s pri- to make only battery-powered U.S. electric vehicle supply up, at least in part, by jobs we need to ask ourselves in mary mode of transportation. vehicles by 2035, it didn’t just chain a key part of his ambi- created by a greener economy, this country: What are we go- In January, roughly three- mark a break with more than tious plan to create 1 million from work involved in build- ing to do for manufacturing? fourths of new-vehicle sales a century of making internal more auto industry jobs with ing electric vehicle parts and Is manufacturing dead in our were trucks and SUVs. A dec- combustion engines. It also electric vehicles. charging stations to jobs cre- country?” ade ago, it was only half. clouded the future for 50,000 Yet for workers at GM ated by wind and solar elec- Those worries already All that demand will still GM workers whose skills — and other automakers, that tricity generation. were in the air when Biden keep Toledo in business for and jobs — could become future could be perilous. The Indeed, the most far- made an October campaign years. Yet there’s little doubt obsolete far sooner than they more environmentally fo- reaching change in manufac- stop at the Toledo union hall. that the move to electricity knew. cused plants of the future will turing since the commercial Totty delivered a letter im- is inexorable. About 2.5 mil- The message was clear: As need fewer workers, mainly production of internal com- ploring the candidate “not to lion electric vehicles were a greener U.S. economy edges because electric vehicles con- bustion-driven vehicles be- forget about the people get- sold worldwide last year. IHS closer into view, GM wants a tain 30% to 40% fewer mov- gan in 1886 will ripple out to ting the job done today.” Markit expects that figure to factory workforce that eventu- ing parts than petroleum-run Stuart Hill, a United Auto Workers member who works at the General farm equipment, heavy trucks Even though fully electric increase 70% this year alone. ally will build only zero-emis- vehicles. In addition, many of Motors Toledo Transmission Operations facility, poses in Toledo, Ohio. and even lawnmowers, snow vehicles now constitute less In December, there were 22 sions vehicles. the good union jobs that have blowers and weed-whackers. than 2% of U.S. new vehicle fully electric models on sale in It won’t happen overnight. brought a solid middle-class of the plant and his role in it ago quotes Ford and Volkswa- The oil and gas industries sales, automakers face intense the United States; Edmunds. But the likelihood is growing lifestyle could shift to lower worries him. gen executives as saying that could suffer, too, as the fad- pressure to abandon internal com expects that figure to that legions of autoworkers pay as automakers buy EV “It’s something that’s in EVs will reduce labor hours ing of the internal combustion combustion engines as part reach 30 this year. GM alone who trained and worked for parts from supply companies the back of my mind,” Hill per vehicle by 30%. engine shrinks demand for of a global drive to fight cli- has pledged to invest $27 bil- decades to build machines or form separate ventures to said. “Are they going to shut it “There are just less parts, petroleum. mate change. California will lion on 30 EV models world- that run on petroleum will build components. down?” so of course it stands to reason At the century-old trans- ban sales of new gas-powered wide by 2025. need to do rather different Most vulnerable in the He and others hope that that there is going to be less mission plant in Toledo, GM vehicles by 2035. European The acceleration of the work in the next decade — or transition will be the roughly Toledo will be among the sites labor,” said Jeff Dokho, re- workers make sophisticated countries are imposing bans trend has heightened anxiety they might not have jobs. 100,000 people in the United where GM will build more EV search director for the UAW. six-, eight-, nine- or 10-speed or strict pollution limits. even at plants that are now If the history-making States who work at plants that parts. If not, he’d be open to “We’re sort of at the begin- gearboxes. Eventually, those Biden, as part of a push for running flat-out to meet de- shift from internal combus- make transmissions and en- moving to some other plant to ning of that transition,” said parts will be replaced by far green vehicles, pledged to mand for GM trucks. tion to electric power goes as gines for gas and diesel vehi- continue to earn a solid wage; Teddy DeWitt, an assistant simpler single-speed driv- build a half-million charg- “It definitely scares me,” GM, Ford and others increas- cles. top-scale workers represented professor of management at etrains for electric vehicles. ing stations and convert the said Tommy Wolikow, a work- ingly envision, jobs that now They are people like Stuart by the United Auto Workers University of Massachusetts Especially for workers low on 650,000-vehicle federal fleet er at GM’s heavy-duty pick- involve making pistons, fuel Hill, one of 1,500 or so work- are paid around $31 an hour. Boston who studies how jobs the seniority list, GM’s plans to battery power. up assembly plant in Flint, injectors and mufflers will be ers at GM’s Toledo Transmis- Yet there is hardly assur- evolve over time. “It’s not go- for an “all-electric future” At the moment, though, Michigan, who has worked supplanted by the assembly sion Plant in Ohio. At 38 years ance that automakers will ing to be just in the vehicle mean that eventually, their American motorists have eight years for GM. “I think of lithium-ion battery packs, old and a GM employee for need as many workers in the space.” services will likely no longer other ideas. They continue that eventually there’s a good electric motors and heavy- five years, Hill is still decades new EV era. A United Auto The number of industry be needed. to spend record amounts on chance that I might not be duty wiring harnesses. from retirement. The future Workers paper from two years jobs that will be lost in the “This is that moment to larger gasoline vehicles. With able to retire from this plant.” QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Ravichandran Ashwin sets Chennai alight as England stare at defeat page 14 TUESday, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

FIFA Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General visit Al Bayt, Lusail Stadiums

Nasser Al Khater, CEO of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, welcomed Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary-General, and Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA Deputy Secretary-General, on tours of Lusail and Al Bayt stadiums to discuss latest plans and preparations for Qatar 2022. Classic Barca-PSG clash highlights CL return in most challenging year

DPA Berlin Faltering Liverpool The coronavirus Champions League resumes this midweek with mouth-watering last 16 seek inspiration first leg contests on the pitch coming after further logistical DPA the last few weeks,” he told the challenges in hosting the pan- London club’s website. continental competition amid “We’ve been playing well the global pandemic. Liverpool will be hoping a but not getting the results so In other years Tuesday’s change of scenery can get their it’s about turning those perfor- headline encounter between season back on track when mances into results and that’s Barcelona and Paris Saint- they face RB Leipzig in the first probably what we need to look Germain, a repeat of their re- leg of their Champions League at most,” he said. markable tie at the same stage last 16 clash on Tuesday. in 2017, would hog headlines. Three successive defeats has After three straight Instead the wisdom of play- left Liverpool out of the Premier ing at all is being questioned by League title race, a far cry from Premier League defeats, some as three matches in the last season when they romped to Liverpool will hope the first knock-out round had to their first title in 30 years. Champions League brings be moved to neutral venues be- Injuries to key players, a change in fortune. cause of coronavirus rules. including Virgil van Dijk, Joe The first of those is also on Gomez and Joel Matip, have The tie with Leipzig is be- Tuesday when RB Leipzig host taken their toll on the side, ing played in Budapest and 2019 winners Liverpool in Bu- with the balance of the team Alexander-Arnold said the dapest as German authorities upset by midfielders being switch to European competi- won’t let Juergen Klopp’s side moved into the back line. tion could inspire them. “In into the country. Klopp could use new sign- situations like this you want Wednesday has Porto v ing Ozan Kabak in defence, the opportunity to put it right Juventus and Sevilla v Borus- while Nat Phillips could also as soon as possible,” he said. sia Dortmund while reigning come in, which would allow champions Bayern Munich (From L to R) Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, Italian midfielder Alessandro Florenzi, Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, captain Jordan Henderson to Klopp dismisses fears have another week off before French forward Kylian Mbappe and French defender Presnel Kimpembe attend a training session at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on move back into midfield. Meanwhile, Liverpool man- meeting Lazio. Monday, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match against FC Barcelona.(AFP) Much will depend on the fit- ager Juergen Klopp dismissed Barcelona have taken time ness of Fabinho, who missed the suggestions that he has had to click under new coach Ron- weekend defeat at Leicester, but enough of the job, insisting he ald Koeman and the domestic PSG will be out for revenge after seeing a the club has been keen to stress is embracing the challenge of title is already beyond them. 4-0 first leg home lead sensationally this week that they will pull to- his first sticky patch since he But Lionel Messi is regain- gether to regain top form. took over at Anfield in 2015. ing form and Gerard Pique’s overturned 6-1 in Spain four years ago. “It’s been a tough period A banner was placed out- potentially quicker than ex- for many reasons,” striker Mo side the club’s stadium over pected return from injury to benches after clashing on Ital- Salah said on social media. the weekend in support of fortify a leaky defence has giv- ian pitches in the six seasons “We are champions and their manager. en them a boost. the Portuguese played with we will fight like champions, “I’m okay,” he told a press PSG will be out for revenge Lazio, Parma and Inter Milan. until the very end. We will not conference on Monday. “We after seeing a 4-0 first leg home Borussia Dortmund allow this season to be defined had a training session before, lead sensationally overturned meanwhile have won just by the recent results we’ve we had an analysis meeting 6-1 in Spain four years ago. once in their last six domes- had. That is my promise to all and both were really positive On that occasion Neymar tically to lose touch with of you.” Full back Trent Alex- and I am preparing to flying orchestrated the Barca come- the Bundesliga Champions ander Arnold said he feels the to Hungary for the for the first back but a groin injury rules League spots and interim recent results do not reflect time in my life. We are abso- him out of a first meeting Today’s Matches coach Edin Terzic is in des- the performances. lutely okay and ready to go. against his former side. Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino with Paris perate need of improvement. “Everyone talks about a “The banner was nice, I Paris coach Mauricio Po- Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe on Monday. (AFP) Barcelona v Dortmund’s visit to Seville bad spell and a dip in form don’t feel that I need special chettino, appointed in Decem- Paris Saint-Germain starts a crucial eight-day run and stuff, but I feel person- support in this moment but ber, believes last year’s semi- German politician and season’s run to the last four. which includes a derby visit ally we’ve performed well in it’s nice. I don’t need a break.” finalists can go for it again even health expert Karl Lauterbach, “We know that we need a (11pm) to Schalke and German Cup when faced with a “team that’s said: “All of us are supposed top performance against Liv- RB Leipzig v Liverpool quarter-final trip to Borussia built to win,” like Barcelona. not to travel ... and I don’t un- erpool,” Nagelsmann said. Moenchengladbach. “Of course we need some derstand why we should be “We want to give our all in our (11pm) “We’re on the road to re- clear structures and ideas on making an exception for an ‘home tie’ in Budapest and put covery,” insisted Mats Hum- how to attack and how to stop professional circus.” ourselves in a good position for mels after Saturday’s 2-2 draw Barcelona getting at us,” he Lars Klingbeil, secretary- the second leg.” Ronaldo returns to his home with Hoffenheim. “We want to told UEFA.com. “But we al- general of Lauterbach’s Social Liverpool will check on the country while Juve’s Brazilian play in a much more active and ways trust in the players to Democrats (SPD) agreed, tell- fitness of Fabinho before nam- defenders Alex Sandro and Da- aggressive way off the ball. do their work in the best way ing broadcasters RTL/ntv: “It ing their line-up after the Bra- nilo tackle their former club. “Such things don’t happen possible and get a positive out- would be a stronger signal,” if zilian missed the weekend de- “This defeat will not dis- overnight. We’re working on come.” Leipzig v Liverpool, “was post- feat at Leicester which all but pirit us. Let’s hold our head this in training, and I’m 100 Pochettino himself has poned or cancelled. ended their hopes of retaining up and think about the Cham- per cent sure that you will see it recovered from Covid-19 and “It can be dispensed with the Premier League. pions League,” Ronaldo wrote before the season is out.” said his experience “taught at this time. The competition There is also a doubt over on Instagram after a 1-0 loss Sevilla are without winger me to become a better person must not come first,” he said. James Milner, who came off at Napoli on Saturday held the Lucas Ocampos who has an an- ...(and) how to be more respon- But the game will go on with a hamstring issue. Bianconeri eight points off the kle injury and left back Marcos sible while enjoying what we giving youthful Leipzig coach Porto welcome Juventus Serie A top. Acuna is also expected to miss RB Leipzig players including German goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner do.” Whether or not football is Julian Nagelsmann a chance to for a clash between current na- Home coach Sergio Con- the game although coach Julen (centre) take part in a training session on the eve of the UEFA Cham- being responsible in playing at test himself against compatriot tional champions and two-time ceicao and Andrea Pirlo will Lopetegui hopes right back Je- pions League round of 16 first leg match against Liverpool at the all is another matter. Klopp as he seeks to match last continental winners. Cristiano face each other from opposing sus Navas will be fit. Puskas Arena in Budapest on Monday. (AFP) 14 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Sports beIN SPORTS welcomes back Barty cruises into AO quarters; UEFA Champions League, Europa

Tribune News Network more history for Russian men Doha beIN MEDIA GROUP, the glob- al sports and entertainment Pegula shocks broadcaster and its flagship sports channel beIN SPORTS Svitolina is set to welcome the round DPA of 16 of the UEFA Champions Sydney League and the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League start- World number one Ash ing Tuesday (February 16) with Barty has reached the Austral- a host of much-anticipated live ian Open quarter-finals with- games for viewers and subscrib- out dropping a set after Shelby ers to enjoy exclusively across Rogers became the latest victim the Middle East and North in her bid to end the home sin- Africa (MENA), as well as the gles drought at the Grand Slam. chance to watch heavyweights Barty cruised 6-3, 6-4 win Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juven- over the American Rogers on tus and Paris Saint Germain in Monday and the 2019 French Russia’s Andrey Rublev hits a action competing for the cov- Open winner next faces Karolina return against Norway’s Casper eted trophy. Muchova of the Czech Republic Ruud at the Australian Open in A total of 16 thrilling UEFA in the last eight on Wednesday. Melbourne on Monday. (AFP) Champions League round Australia has not been able of 16 first leg and second leg to celebrate a home winner in like the ball flying but I need to matches and 32 UEFA Europa Melbourne since Chris O’Neil adapt for all the conditions,” League round of 32 first leg took the women’s crown in said Nadal, who is chasing a and second leg matches will be 1978, a drought Barty hopes to record 21st grand slam title. played – with the UEFA Eu- finally end this year. The Spaniard will next face ropa League taking place from Russia has three men in a Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsit- Thursday 18 February. UEFA Grand Slam quarter-finals for sipas who was given a walko- Champions League The round the first time after Daniil Med- ver after Italian Matteo Ber- of 16 of the UEFA Champions vedev and Andrey Rublev made rettini withdrew shortly before League returns with thrilling it past Mackenzie McDonald their fourth-match citing an matches across Europe – as and Casper Ruud respectively. abdominal strain. beIN SPORTS prepares to Unseeded American Jessi- Pegula stunned Svitolina broadcast all the games live and ca Pegula upset fifth seed Elina after the Ukrainian looked set exclusively on its English, Ara- Svitolina 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to reach for a comeback after digging bic and French channels from her first career grand slam herself out of an early break in its world class studios in Doha quarter-final while second the second set, having dropped with special guests and talent seed Rafael Nadal dismissed Australia’s Ashleigh Barty hits a return against Shelby Rogers of the Russia’s Daniil Medvedev reacts after his match point against Mackenzie the opener, to force a decider. from across the globe including Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4, US during their women’s singles match on day eight of the Australian McDonald of the US during their men’s singles match on Monday. (AFP) In the third set the Ameri- Arsene Wenger, Mohammad 6-2 to reach the last eight in Open in Melbourne on Monday. (AFP) can, ranked 61st in the world, Aboutrika and more. Melbourne for a 13th time. tired on 6-2, 7-6 (7-3). fourth round. continued to put pressure on Barty needed only 29 min- months ago I would take it Reigning ATP Finals At least one Russian player her opponent’s serve, eventually utes to win the opening set with a massive smile on face,” champion Medvedev and will make it to the Melbourne holding a break of serve to take after breaking in the fourth Barty said, who is shaking off Rublev won the ATP Cup just semi-finals as Medvedev and the win in just under two hours On Tuesday 16 February, FC game though she survived rust having not played late last over a week ago at Melbourne Rublev meet on Wednesday. of play at Rod Laver Arena. Barcelona will take on French break points en route. season because of the corona- Park and now join compatriot Like Barty, Nadal is yet to Pegula, whose presence champions Paris Saint Germain And in the second set she virus pandemic. Aslan Karatsev in the last eight drop a set in Melbourne after in the fourth round of the at 23:00 Mecca Time (GMT also stumbled briefly as she “I have grown up on these after the qualifier had the pre- defeating Italian 16th seed Australian Open was her best +3). German club RB Leipzig was broken serving for the win courts but love being at home, to 18 matches with a straight- vious day come back from two Fognini in two hours and 16 Grand Slam result before will take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liv- at 5-2 but made no mistake the love being in Australia and be- forward win over unseeded sets down to upset 20th-seed minutes. Monday, will next face Jen- erpool at the same time. next time she had serve. ing able to share it with my American Mackenzie McDon- Felix Auger-Aliassime. “It was humid and warm nifer Brady in an all-American On Wednesday, Sevilla will “It’s really exciting to be friends and family.” ald 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, while Rublev The three Russians had al- but the conditions are quicker quarter final after the 22nd face Germany’s Borussia Dort- through to another quarter- Fourth seed Medvedev took the first two sets before ready achieved a Grand Slam during the day and for me it’s seed defeated Croatia’s Donna mund and Porto takes on An- final, if you had told me a few extended his winning streak his Norwegian opponent re- first by all making it to the better to play in the day as I Vekic 6-1, 7-5. drea Pirlo’s Juventus at 23:00 Mecca Time (GMT +3). On Tuesday (February 23), Spain’s Atletico Madrid takes on Refs should Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea while Lazio face Bayern Munich. Both protect Messi, Awesome Ashwin brings Chennai to games will be at 23:00 Mecca Time (GMT +3). Neymar and On Wednesday (February 24), Italy’s Atalanta face 13- Ronaldo, feels its feet as England stare at defeat time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid as Borus- Koeman sia Monchengladbach take on DPA Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Berlin City. Both games will also be played at 23:00 Mecca Time Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cris- (GMT +3). tiano Ronaldo and players of UEFA Europa League The their ilk should be protected by UEFA Europa League round referees, according to Ronald of 32 is set to kick off starting Koeman, who hopes the Paris Thursday 18 February live and Saint-Germain star can face exclusively on beIN SPORTS Barcelona in the second leg of – with English heavyweights their Champions League tie. Arsenal, Manchester United, Barca host PSG in the first Leicester City and Tottenham game of their last-16 contest Hotspur all taking part – as well on Tuesday, but Neymar - who as PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, spent four years at Camp Nou AS Roma, Napoli, and Ajax. - will be absent due to an ad- On Thursday 18 February, ductor injury suffered against Real Sociedad take on Man- Caen last week. HOME DELIGHT: All-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates on reaching his century as the Indian team dressing room (right) gives a standing ovation on the third day of the second chester United at 20:55 Mecca The Brazil international Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. It was Ashwin’s fifth Test century. Time (GMT +3). Other matches is expected to be out for four during that time also include weeks, in theory ruling him Having taken a brilliant Scoreboard in the final session, Ishant Wolfsburg vs. Tottenham Hot- out of the return leg against Sharma walking back. spur, Olympiakos vs. PSV and Barca at the Parc des Princes, 5/43 on the second day, India (1st innings): 329 (R Sharma 161; M Ali K. Yadav lbw b Ali 3 R. Burns c Kohli b Ashwin 25 Ashwin was left with Mo- Slava Praha vs. Leicester City. where he has scored as many Ravichandran Ashwin 4-128) I. Sharma c Stone b Leach 7 D. Sibley lbw b Patel 3 hammed Siraj, playing his first At 23:00 Mecca Time (GMT Champions League goals (16) scored a sensational centu- England (1st innings): 134 (Foakes 42 not out; M. Siraj not out 16 D. Lawrence not out 19 Test in India, for company +3), Benfica face Mikel Arteta’s as he did at Camp Nou but Ashwin 5-43) Extras: (b5, lb15) 20 J. Leach c R. Sharma b Patel 0 when he was within reach of a Arsenal in a tough match for the ry – his first in his home India (2nd innings; Overnight 54-1) Total: (All Out, 85.5 overs) 286 J. Root not out 2 from six fewer games (14). ground – and shored India R. Sharma st Foakes b Leach 26 Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Gill), 2-55 (Pujara), 3-55 Extras: (b4) 4 fifth Test century. He farmed Gunners. The second leg of the The second leg comes up with a partnership of 96 S. Gill lbw b Leach 14 (R. Sharma), 4-65 (Pant), 5-86 (Rahane), 6-106 Total: (For 3 wkts, 19 overs) 53 the strike, took on the bowlers UEFA Europa League round of around on March 10, just be- with captain Virat Kohli. C. Pujara run out (Pope/Foakes) 7 (Patel), 7-202 (Kohli), 8-210 (Yadav), 9-237 (I. Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Sibley), 2-49 (Burns), – he even swept a six – as the 32 then takes place on Thursday fore the predicted four-week V. Kohli lbw b Ali 62 Sharma), 10-286 (Ashwin). 3-50 (Leach). crowd cheered loudly every 24 February – with all Europe- absence period is due to end, R. Pant st Foakes b Leach 8 Bowling: Stone 6.5-1-21-1, Leach 33-6-100-4, To bat: B. Stokes, O. Pope, B. Foakes, M. Ali, S. ball Siraj survived. When Ash- an teams fighting for a chance so there remains a glimmer of Agencies A. Rahane c Pope b Ali 10 Ali 32-7-98-4, Root 4-0-15-0, Broad 9-3-25-0, Broad, O. Stone. win finally got to the mark, it to win the coveted trophy and hope for Neymar, and Barca Chennai A. Patel lbw b Ali 7 Lawrence, 1-0-7-0. Bowling: Sharma 2-1-6-0, Patel 9-3-15-2, was pure adulation. He was reach next year’s UEFA Cham- coach Koeman would like for R. Ashwin b Stone 106 England (2nd innings; Target 482) Ashwin 8-1-28-1. dismissed for 106 thereafter, pions League through automat- the PSG talent to be involved. India have two days to take but India were in a command- ic qualification. “To see the best game, you seven England wickets and 19 overs, but were reduced to the foundation for India, was the mat, but Ashwin came in ing position. beIN’s coverage of the UEFA always have to have the best get back to parity in the all- 53/3 by stumps. stumped off Leach, Foakes and gave the hosts the solidity The England batsmen opt- Champions League and UEFA players on the field of play,” important second Test of the India resumed the day at displaying lightning hands to they needed. And he adopted ed to go after the bowlers right Europa League beIN SPORTS’ Koeman told reporters. four-match series, with a place 54/1 but lost a flurry of wick- catch Rohit off. The dangerous a vastly different approach from the off. Rory Burns found main studio coverage for the “You never know how a in the finals of the ICC World ets in a difficult first hour. In Rishabh Pant stepped out to to Kohli’s – he was assertive, the fence four times, but Dom UEFA Champions League and team reacts if they lack a player Test Championship at stake. the middle of it all, was Ben take Leach on but was undone employing the sweep to put Sibley at the other end was UEFA Europa League will be on like Neymar. Both teams have A large reason for India to Foakes behind the stumps. by a sharp turner, with Foakes the bowlers off their lines, and trapped in front by Axar for beIN SPORTS HD1 and HD2 casualties. I hope in a couple of be in the commanding posi- His expert technique meant doing brilliantly to take it down when play was stopped for three. Dan Lawrence walked for Arabic; beIN SPORTS HD11 weeks everyone can be there to tion they are in is R Ashwin. he made wicket-keeping look the leg and disturb the stumps. lunch, Ashwin had scored 34, in and managed to find the and HD12 for English; and beIN find out who is the best. Having taken a brilliant 5/43 easy on a surface on which it Vice-captain Ajinkya Ra- with Kohli on 38. fence a few times as well, in- SPORTS HD14 for French; as “I think we must always on the second day, Ashwin was anything but. hane didn’t last long either, On resumption, they car- cluding a six, but Ashwin was well as beIN SPORTS’ 4K chan- protect this type of player, scored a sensational century The first to fall was scoring a 14-ball 10 before fall- ried on. The duo brought up at it again, looping one into nel – providing viewers with players like Neymar, Messi, – his first in his home ground Cheteshwar Pujara, in a rather ing to Moeen Ali, an inside-edge their half-centuries within an Burns to claim the edge. exhilarating trilingual coverage. Cristiano, because they let us – and shored India up with a unfortunate manner. Having lobbing off the pads to the field- hour, and India soon crossed When Nightwatchman beIN guests and talent will enjoy their quality a lot. partnership of 96 with captain pinged one to short leg, Pu- er. India were 86/5, and their 200, their lead extending past Jack Leach was dismissed in include football legend and for- “And in this respect, the ref- Virat Kohli at the MA Chidam- jara dropped his bat in an ef- hopes of building a daunting 400. In the second half of the the next over, the momentum mer Arsenal manager Arsene erees have to defend them, but baram Stadium on Monday. fort to return to the safety of lead took a hit. Within six overs, session, the breakthrough from England’s quick start was Wenger, Egyptian legends Mo- in football there is contact and Ashwin’s 106 ensured the crease, by which time the Axar Patel had been trapped in came, when Kohli, hav- fully drained. The task await- hamed Aboutrika and Wael the players have to know that England were set a mammoth fielder had found Foakes, who front by Ali too, and it was just ing scored a terrific 62, was ing the visitors now is daunt- Gomaa; Algerian expert Lakh- when they play one-on-one, and 482 to chase on a pitch becom- whipped off the bails. Kohli holding up one end, des- trapped in front by Ali. India ing – two full days left in the dar Berriche; Tunisian football the referees have to decide when ing increasingly difficult to bat Three overs later, Rohit perate for a partnership. immediately looked vulner- match, and they have just sev- legend Tariq Dhiab; Kuwaiti it is an ugly foul, but football is on. The visiting batsmen came Sharma, whose assertive cen- England would have able, with Kuldeep Yadav fol- en wickets in the bag. India are football expert Dr. Tareq Al still a contact sport.” out with intent, and battled for tury in the first innings laid thought they had India on lowing suit shortly, and early primed for victory. Jalahmah; and many others. Sports Tuesday, February 16, 2021 15 HH Sheikh Abdullah’s King Shalaa stays unbeaten with a Listed victory Tribune News Network ance on a racecourse. This Hurbling) just missing out on “Like all the family, he Doha was his first attempt at Stakes second place by a head. doesn’t like soft ground hence level, and once again he put up Trainer François Rohaut why we chose this race. We Running in the colours a faultless performance. commented: “This Listed hope that he will make up into of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Drawn in stall 1 in this mile wasn’t originally on the pro- a Group horse; for the mo- Khalifa Al Thani, King Shalaa race on the all-weather track, gram as he was supposed to go ment, you can’t fault him. He (Shalaa x Baki) went from pil- King Shalaa was quickly taken to Qatar to run in a local Gr.3 has beaten everything that lar to post to lift the Listed Prix up to the lead by Boudot and for 3-year-ols over 1,600m he has come up against and Californie, the feature race in from there he controlled the next week. But with the cur- he does it well each time. We the card at Cagnes-sur-Mer in race throughout. rent situation being what it is, haven’t decided on the next France on Sunday. He was tracked by Fort we preferred not to take the race as of yet.” Ridden by champion jock- Payne (Rio de la Plata x Lady risk. King Shalaa was bred by ey Pierre-Charles Boudot and Verde), who sat on his flanks “We aimed him to this his trainer Francois Rohaut, trained by his breeder Fran- under jockey Thomas Trul- race as he was fit and ready and is from the first crop by cois Rohaut, the 3-year-old lier. Unfazed, King Shalaa to run. He was a little fresh in Al Shaqab Racing sire Shalaa, colt is now 3 wins from 3 starts and Boudot travelled at their the preliminaries, but the race who stands at Haras du Bou- and looks to be an exciting pace on the rail and once in went very well. He was able to quetot in Normandy, Franc. prospect for 2021. the straight, the colt progres- control the race from in front, His dam Baki (Turtle Bowl) King Shalaa debuted with a sively picked up, coming un- steady the pace, and accelerate won two races in Vichy over win in August as a 2-year-old, der pressure from Fort Payne progressively in the straight: 2,000m and in Deauville over when he stormed home at La with 300 meters left to run. everything that we wanted for 2,500m. Besides King Shalaa, Teste. He followed up quickly King Shalaa held him at bay in him today. He is a good horse she is also the dam of Waltham with another success assuring the closing stages to win by ½ who will improve with experi- (Wootton Basset), winner of his quality at Lyon Parilly in a length, with a fast-finishing King Shalaa makes the winning post to lift the Listed Prix Californie, the feature race in the card, at ence and racing. We will see three races including the Prix September, his last appear- SUMMITER (Bated Breath x Cagnes-sur-Mer in France on Sunday. where he goes to. Maurice Caillault (L).

Al Gharafa are Qatar men’s beach volleyball champions HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival attracts large entries

Al Gharafa were crowned champions of the first edition of the Qatar Men’s Beach Volleyball League after topping the standings with 22 points. Qatar SC finished second while Al Shamal ended as third. Cherif & Ahmed headline Doha Beach Volleyball Cup entry list HH The Amir’s Sword Championship will be held at Qatar Equestrian Federation from February 18 to 20, 2021. Tribune News Network the bronze medal match. Doha Jedrzej Brozyniak and Pi- Tribune News Network a stiff competition among otr Janiak return to defend Doha the young riders as this is the The resumption of the FIVB their 2019 Doha Beach Vol- Amir’s Sword Festival week.” Beach Volleyball World Tour leyball Cup title, but the Polish Over 100 riders will be seen Al Rumaihi said the three- begins February 23 with 33 pair will start the competition in action in the HH The Amir day event will be held in ac- teams from 16 countries rep- in the February 23 qualifier Sword Equestrian Festival to cordance with the rules and Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General, Qatar Equestrian Federation, with sponsors Ahmed Abu Saad, resenting all five continental where four pairs seek the fi- be held at Qatar Equestrian regulations of the Internation- principal director of Lexus sales at Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros, Mohamed Al Emadi of Al Emadi Enter- confederations having entered nal spots in the 16-team main Federation’s (QEF) outdoor al Federation for Equestrian prises and Al Hazm mall, and Abdullah bin Ali Al Misnad, Director of Business Development Department at the US$5,000 Doha Beach Vol- draw which starts February 24. arena over the weekend on Sports (FEI). Vodafone Qatar, during the agreement signing for HH The Amir Sword Festival on Monday. leyball Cup to be played at the Anton Kislytsyn and Da- Friday and Saturday. “The value of the prizes in- Al Gharrafa Beach Complex. niil Kuvichka join Brozyniak/ The veterinary checks for creases based on the ranking of “We thank Abdullah Abdul- Al Emadi said: “We are interest to everyone. We, at Janiak as another team in the the horses for the QR500,000 a tournament. The Amir Sword ghani & Bros for their generous proud to be part of this mega Vodafone Qatar, have always Younousse and Ahmed field with World Tour gold prize-money Festival will be Festival is a premier event on sponsorship of the main event event at QEF. We feel it is our been interested in supporting will be one of 7 teams medals to their credit as the held on Thursday, the organis- our calendar and therefore, the on our riding calendar - the duty to support such sports sports events held in the coun- Russians topped an FIVB po- ers announced on Monday. prizes on offer are also high,” Amir’s Sword Festival. We look events in Qatar. We at Al Ema- try, both in terms of partner- competing for Qatar in dium in April 2019 at Lang- The winner of the Amir Al Rumaihi said. forward to cooperation in the di and Al Hazm are feeling ship and sponsorship. the FIVB Beach Volleyball kawi, Malaysia. Sword will also be awarded a The Festival will be held future also,” Al Rumaihi said. happy to be associated with “We have also supported World Tour series Like Brozyniak and Janiak, brand new car, Ali Yousef Al amidst strict COVID-19 pre- “Without their support, it this key event on the show activities on the Qatar Na- Kislytsyn and Kuvichka will be Rumaihi, Secretary-General of vention procedures with only would not have been possible jumping calendar. We hope tional Sport Day. We are very Led by Cherif Younousse starting play in the 2021 Doha QEF informed. 10 percent of fan attendance to raise the standard of the the riders excel on the field happy with the partnership Samba and Ahmed Tijan, Beach Volleyball Cup in the The top three riders in being allowed at the venue. championship to where it is of play and that we get to see that we established with the the 13th ranked team on the qualifier. the Amir Sword competition Ali Al Rumaihi, on behalf today,” he added. some memorable performanc- Qatar Equestrian Federation. FIVB World Tour, host Qatar The Doha Beach Volleyball will be honoured at the Qatar of QEF President, Hamad bin Al Rumaihi also thanked es later this week. We are one “Our role is to support the has entered seven teams into Cup is the first of two World and Equestrian Racing Club Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, also Mohammad Al Emadi, CEO of of the few companies that are State of Qatar in its pioneer- the event. Tour events in Qatar this sea- (QREC), he added. thanked the sponsors Abdullah Al Emadi Enterprises. linked with all major sports ing march in organizing and Other countries participat- son with the $300,000 Katara “More than 100 riders will Abdulghani & Bros for back- “Al Emadi Enterprises events held in Qatar.” hosting local and international ing are Brazil (1 entry), Canada Beach Volleyball Cup set for feature in various competi- ing ‘one of the most important has been supporting the Amir Abdullah bin Ali Al Mis- sporting events. (1), Egypt (1), Gambia (1), Is- March 8-12 at the Al Gharrafa tions. The riders and equestri- equestrian events in the season’. Sword Festival. We would like nad, Director of Business “We look forward to start- rael (2), Lebanon (1), Morocco Beach Complex for both men an followers are awaiting this Al Rumaihi signed the to thank Mr Mohamed Al Ema- Development Department ing this partnership as the offi- (1), Oman (2), Poland (4), Rus- and women. annual event with great enthu- sponsorship contract with di for their his support. They at Vodafone Qatar (the main cial sponsor of the Amir Sword sia (5), Switzerland (1), Tunisia The March event marks siasm. Our preparations for all Ahmed Abu Saad, principal have been associated with us in sponsors), said: “Backing ma- Festival this week and we wish (1), Turkey (2), United States the second time a women’s competitions are complete,” director of Lexus sales at Ab- the past also and we value their jor sporting events like the all success to the organizers (1) and Venezuela (2). FIVB event will be staged on Al Rumaihi said. “We expect dullah Abdulghani & Bros. sponsorship,” he said. Amir Sword Festival is of great and participants.” With Doha hosting its the Arabian Peninsula with eighth World Tour event, the first being in October 2008 Cherif and Ahmed will be in Dubai. seeking their second medal in Kerri Walsh Jennings, who the Qatari capital after finish- teamed with Nicole Branagh to Cazorla, Afif, Brahimi named Best Alonso leaves hospital ing third in the March 2018 win the 2008 Dubai event for Katara Beach Volleyball Cup the US, has entered this year’s defeating Americans Phil Dal- Katara Beach Volleyball Cup QFA Players for first 2020-21 leg after cycling crash hausser and Nick Lucena in with Brooke Sweat. QNA It may be noted that, as per DPA take preparation for the start Doha the approved mechanism, vot- Berlin of the season,” Alpine said. ing for the Best Coach Award Alpine have not given de- The Board of Trustees of Qa- will take place after the end of Fernando Alonso left hos- tails on Alonso’s cycling acci- tar Football Association (QFA) QNB Stars League. pital after undergoing surgery dent in Switzerland on Thurs- Award announced the results Participants in the voting on a broken jaw he sustained day. Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport of voting for the Best Awards process are: QNB Stars League in a cycling accident, his F1 reported Alonso was hit by a car from the first leg of 2020- team coaches, Qatar national team Alpine said on Monday. while cycling near Lugano, and 21 season QNB Stars League team coach, Qatar Under-23 The former two-time F1 taken to a local hospital. (Best Under-23 Player Award The voting results were team coach, Team manag- world champion Alonso said Alonso won his F1 titles and Best Player Award) af- as follows, Best Under-23 ers, Media representatives, on Friday that “medics dis- 2005 and 2006 with Renault, ter receiving and sorting the Player: Homam Al Ameen (Al Representative of QFA, Rep- covered a fracture in his upper the French team now rebrand- nomination forms sent to par- Gharafa), Motaz Barsham (Al resentative of QSL, President jaw and conducted a success- ed Alpine. The Spaniard is re- ticipants in the voting process. Sadd), and Naif Al Hadrami and members of the Board of ful corrective operation.” After turning to F1 after two years in A total of 55 forms were (Al Rayyan). Trustees of QFA Awards, and a couple of days of observa- other motor sport events. sent out, of which 48 forms Best Player: Santi Cazor- a number of other bodies (Qa- tion, the 39-year-old Alonso The 2021 season starts on were received and all of them la (Al Sadd), Yacine Brahimi tar Olympic Committee, Qatar will enjoy a period of recovery March 28 in Bahrain which Qatar entries are led by the pair of Cherif Younousse (left) and Ahmed were approved after the (Al Rayyan), and Akram Afif Players Association, Aspire, at home before “progressively also hosts pre-season tests in Tijan, the 13th ranked team on the FIVB World Tour. screening process. (Al Sadd). Old Players Committee). resuming training to under- mid-March. 16 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 The Last Word

Prime Minister Inaugurates Water Quality Monitoring Laboratory

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani inaugurated the Water Quality Monitoring Laboratory of the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) in Al Thumama on Monday. The prime minister was briefed on the various departments of the laboratory, which was established according to the latest international standards for monitoring of drinking water and groundwater quality. (QNA) State-of-the-art facilities to ensure water quality

Continued from page 1  drinking water and the Gulf Cooperation Council’s specifications for un-bottled It is also equipped with five modern in- drinking water. This is achieved by con- struments to measure and control toxic- ducting several types of tests, either at ity, turbidity and acidity levels. sample collection sites or in laboratories, The laboratory includes a number of in order to obtain initial and timely re- facilities that are equipped according to sults. the highest standards, including scien- The laboratory adopts an annual plan tific research and development, educa- for close periodic monitoring of water tional and awareness activities, special quality, thanks to which it has recently analysis laboratories, radiological ex- succeeded in renewing its international amination sections and sample storage accreditation of laboratory quality stand- facilities. ards for the eighth year in a row. Efforts In addition to Kahramaa’s require- continue to raise the laboratory’s effi- ments, the laboratory applies precise ciency and to provide it with the equip- specifications and standards to en- ment and technology it needs to meet sure water quality, including the World growing demand and responsibilities to- Health Organization’s guidelines for wards the society. Experts provide insights into VTE & telemedicine at WCM-Q talk series 267,470 displaced Syrians to

Tribune News Network Doha benefit from QC’s relief drive Experts in telemedicine and venous thromboembolism The assistance (VTE) spoke at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s (WCM-Q) is worth a total Grand Rounds to share their insights with the wider health- of QR24 million care community. Dr Khalid Alyafei, divi- Dr Khalid Alyafei and (right) Dr Marcus Lancé Tribune News Network sion chief Medical Informat- Doha ics and paediatric emergency At a subsequent Grand legs and feet. attending physician at Sidra Rounds event, Dr Marcus All WCM-Q Grand Rounds ‘Qatar Relief Convoys’ organ- Medicine, spoke about the Lancé, head of research and events have been delivered on- ised by Qatar Charity (QC) have with various winter relief aid, providing the necessary logisti- needs in this disastrous time, advantages and disadvan- vice-chair of the Department line since the beginning of the started distribution of winter including residential caravans, cal support to deliver the aid to due to the adverse weather con- tages of telemedicine, the of Anaesthesiology at Hamad pandemic, a move which has aid to internally displaced Syr- tents, mattresses, blankets, food the displaced within Syria. ditions. infrastructure required for Medical Cooperation, ex- led to a large increase in the ians. Approximately 267,470 baskets and personal hygiene The drive, which includes Benefactors can donate its delivery and the experi- plained the pathophysiology number of participants. Syrians are expected to benefit kits, in addition to flour for the 200 convoys, seeks to meet the QR100,000 to provide food, ences of physicians at Sidra of VTE, a serious condition Grand Rounds Committee from the assistance worth near- production and distribution of 5 essential needs of the internally health and winter aid for 100 in their use of telemedicine to in which a blood clot forms Chairperson Dr Aicha Hind ly QR24 million. million bundles of bread. displaced Syrians and Syrian families, in addition to donat- support patients during the (usually in the deep veins Rifai, assistant professor The first consignment of On this occasion, QC refugees in Turkey, Jordan and ing QR1,000 for the benefit of COVID-19 pandemic. of the legs, groins or arms), of Clinical Psychiatry, said: the drive set off from Gazi- thanked the people in Qatar for Lebanon from February 15 to a refugee family and providing Dr Alyafei, who is also as- becomes dislodged and then “We are extremely grateful to antep, Turkey, heading to Idlib extending the continued sup- March 10. a caravan worth 15,000 for a sistant professor of clinical travels via the circulatory Dr Alyafei and Dr Lancé for and the northern and western port to the ‘Warmth and Peace’ As the displaced and refu- family. paediatrics at WCM-Q, said: system to become lodged in sharing their expertise with Aleppo countryside to deliver campaign to help internally dis- gees are facing a tough situa- Donations can be made “One of the lessons we have one of the pulmonary arter- our healthcare community in urgent shelter, food and winter placed Syrians, especially in this tion, QC has urged benefactors through QC’s collection points, learnt is that video consulta- ies of the lungs (pulmonary Qatar and beyond at Grand assistance to the displaced to al- challenging time. in Qatar to support these con- branches, website or app, in tions not only provide a safe embolism). Rounds. The pandemic has leviate their suffering and meet QC also thanked the Turk- voys to maximise the number addition to dialing 44667711 or and efficient way to see pa- Dr Lancé, who is also as- demonstrated the important their urgent needs. ish government for facilitating of beneficiaries, keeping them requesting a ‘home collector’ tients during a pandemic, but sociate professor of anaesthe- role online platforms play in The 78 trucks are loaded the work of its field teams and warm and meeting their basic across the country. they can also allow us to ac- siology at WCM-Q, explained the distribution of the lat- tually improve patient care. the impact of VTE on criti- est healthcare information For example, I can easily and cally ill patients and outlined and we are very pleased that quickly invite an interpreter preventive measures to avoid Grand Rounds has proved to into the call, and I can also VTE. These include drinking be both useful and popular work together with fellow plenty of water, moving and during this period.” healthcare professionals in walking as much as possible Both lectures were accred- my hospital, other hospitals to avoid long periods of inac- ited locally by the Ministry of in the region, or even outside tivity (particularly when hos- Public Health’s Department of the region. This is extremely pitalised or travelling), wear- Healthcare Professions – Ac- useful, especially for complex ing compression stockings, creditation Section and inter- cases, and can lead to better taking blood-thinning medi- nationally by the Accreditation outcomes for patients when cations and wearing special Council for Continuing Medi- deployed correctly.” inflatable sleeves around the cal Education (ACCME). QF brings sustainability to life as the Anooki come to Education City Night-time exhibition and light show aim to make people think about how they can contribute to the fight against climate change

Tribune News Network The immersive light show Doha will take place at Penrose House (LAS Building), with Anooki in- Qatar Foundation (QF) is be- stallations at the ThinkBay, the ing transformed into a night- Green Spine, Medbay (Weill time playground for two Inu- Cornell Medicine-Qatar), Bi- it-inspired characters with a znest (Carnegie Mellon Uni- serious message to send about versity in Qatar), Manufactury the importance of protecting our (Texas A&M University at Qa- planet -- The Anooki. tar) and the Ceremonial Court. Featuring an immersive Guided tours will take place light show and a series of in- every 20 minutes between 6pm flatable characters installed on and 11pm on each day of the buildings across Education City, Anooki’s stay at QF, with each the Anooki experience aims to pre-registered tours available to life by French designers Da- sion. planet is fragile. The way we ty Development, said: “Through- timeslot being open to no more raise awareness about the ef- to the public via the Education vid Passegand and Moetu Batlle, Explaining the journey of built the Anooki, and the inflata- out Qatar Foundation, we aim than 60 people, a maximum of fects of climate change, and City App, and a series of precau- who initially based them on the two characters, Passegand bles – because of the materials to encourage people to make 15 people allowed on each guid- educate people about the need tionary measures being taken to themselves and see the Anooki’s said: “Their house was melted we used – are also fragile, and sustainability part of their lives, ed tour, and social distancing for everyone to play their part ensure those who book can ex- visit to Education City as a per- by global warming, so now they this represents the fragility of by heightening understanding measures in place. in building a more sustainable perience the installation while fect fit, with sustainability – and run around the world and dis- our world.” of what it means for our societies To attend, members of the world. adhering to Qatar’s COVID-19 engaging and empowering peo- cover different cities. Hisham Nourin, executive and our future, and recognition community must pre-register The Anooki will be in place health guidelines. ple to make it part of their lives “We want people to have director of Strategy, Administra- of how everyone can contribute through the newly-launched from February 16 to 21 with The characters were brought – being at the core of QF’s mis- fun, but to understand that our tion and Projects, QF Communi- to a more sustainable world.” Education City App.