Thursday April 8, 2021 Shaban 26, 1442 Vol.14 no. 5227 QR 2

Fajr: 4:01 am Dhuhr: 11:36 am fine Asr: 3:05 pm Maghrib: 5:54 pm High : 34°C LOW : 23 °C Isha: 7:24 pm

World 5 Business 8 Sports 12 Britain restricts AstraZeneca as Burhan seeks Qatari Al Rayyan rally to emerge HH EMA, WHO stand by vaccine’s use investment in Sudan Amir Cup volleyball champions

Stricter COVID curbs from Friday military, security and health ● No dine-in at cafes, sectors. ● Cabinet reimposes more restrictions The Ministry of Commerce restaurants Barber and Industry (MoCI), in coor- shops to remain shut ● A maximum of 50% of ● Traditional markets will dination with the authorities ● employees of govt and private operate at 30 percent capacity. concerned, will determine the Amir chairs Tarawih prayers to sectors will be allowed at their Children under 16 years old necessary activities that are ex- be held at homes workplace are not allowed to enter. These cluded from this decision. SCEAI meet markets will remain closed on All meetings for employees ● No wedding parties in open and Fridays and Saturdays and workers in government QNA QNA closes spaces and private sectors at work- dohA Doha ● Mosques to remain open for places must be held remotely ● Playgrounds and exercise in daily prayers and Friday prayers, using modern mean of tech- His Highness the Amir of Qatar has reimposed stricter nology. In case of necessity, State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim restrictions to curb the spread public parks, beaches and the while toilets and ablution the meeting shall be held with bin Hamad Al Thani, Chair- of coronavirus (COVID-19) and Corniche to remain closed ● Doha Metro will operate at a facilities to remain shut a number of people not ex- man of the Supreme Coun- safeguard the health and well- maximum 20 percent capacity, ceeding 5 by taking all precau- ● No social gatherings and visits ● Wholesale markets to operate cil for Economic Affairs and being of society. The decision while stopping operation on tionary measures. Investment, on Wednesday will come into effect from Fri- in closed places in homes and Fridays and Saturdays at 30 percent capacity. Children All citizens and residents chaired the council’s first day (April 9). councils below 16 are not allowed are required to wear masks The measures came after ● meeting in 2021 via video con- ● Driving schools will continue to ● when leaving the house for any ference. the Cabinet, chaired by Prime A maximum of five people remain closed Restaurants and cafes are reason, unless the person is His Highness the Deputy Minister and Minister of In- are allowed in open spaces, allowed only to serve food and present by himself while driv- Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin terior HE Sheikh Khalid bin including those who have been ● Cinemas and theatres will drinks via pickup orders or to ing the vehicle. People must Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, fully vaccinated remain shut deliver them activate Eheteraz application Chairman of the Council, on Wednesday listened to the on smartphones when leaving participated in the meeting explanation provided by HE the spread of the Coronavirus more than 50 percent of the vates sector will be allowed to ees will work remotely from the house for any reason. along with Prime Minister Minister of Public Health on (COVID-19). total number of employees in work from their workplace, their homes. However, this and Minister of Interior HE the latest developments to limit As per the decision, no both the government and pri- while the remaining employ- decision does not include the Continued on page 2  Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Executive Member of the Council, and members of the council. The council reviewed the progress of 2020’s decisions S African variant behind spike and recommendations, and approved mechanisms to fol- low up and monitor decisions and projects. in COVID-19 cases: Dr Al Khal The council was briefed on developments related to the Qatar in the middle of COVID-19 Healthcare system has sufficient capacity Investment Promotion Agen- second wave, peak yet to come to provide medical care without delay cy, the Free Zones Authority, as well as developments in the Tribune News Network we are once again moving quickly energy and investment fields. Doha to further increase the restrictions. The council also discussed Despite our strict quarantine policy topics on the meeting’s agen- The South African variant has had that is in place for all travellers, the da, and took the appropriate a significant impact on the rise in South Africa variant has now made measures regarding them. COVID-19 cases in the past 10 days its way into the community — mean- Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, in the pres- and the new restrictions coming ing we have both the UK and South ence of the President of the QCAA Abdulla Nasser Turki Al Subaey and Qatar Airways into force from Friday were the most Africa variants circulating,” he said. Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, opens Qatar Airways Engine Facility on Wednesday. needed one, a senior health official Dr Al Khal said both these new has said. strains cause more severe symptoms “At the start of the year as we than the original strain. saw the number of new daily cas- “We believe the South Africa QA’s new engine es begin to rise steadily, we acted variant has had a significant impact quickly to introduce further re- on the rise in COVID-19 cases in the strictions in the beginning of Feb- Dr Abdullatif Al Khal. past ten days,” he added. facility inaugurated ruary. These restrictions proved He reminded that Qatar was still effective at suppressing the spread cern is the high number of people going through a second wave of the QNA aircraft engine types. of the virus and for many weeks in intensive care. This figure is now virus transmissions. Doha In addition to this, the ultramod- the number of new daily infections significantly higher than at the “We have not reached the peak ern facility is able to house a total of remained steady,” Dr Abdullatif peak of the first wave last year,” he yet, and it is worth noting that most Minister of Transport and Commu- 80 engines of varying sizes in a tem- Al Khal, chair of Qatar’s National added. of the infections in this wave are nications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al perature and humidity controlled- en- Health Strategic Group on COV- Dr Al Khal said, however, the among citizens and residents with Sulaiti inaugurated the new Qatar Air- vironment, with two specialist dust ID-19, said at a press conference introduction of the UK variant into white collar jobs and among their ways Engine Facility on Wednesday. control rooms to limit the presence of on Wednesday. the community in March saw fur- families.” The inauguration of the new 9,000 dust and harmful particles, as well as “During the past two weeks, we ther increases in cases and, notably, Dr Al Khal singled out family square- foot engine facility, located at a dedicated supply chain area to mini- A special supplement have seen a significant increase in hospitalizations and “we responded visits as the biggest cause of infec- Qatar Airways Technical Maintenance mise waiting times for the ordering is being issued with the number of new daily COVID-19 with further restrictions”. tions as he drew a grave picture of Complex, was part of Qatar Airways’ vi- and transportation of spare parts. cases and we have recorded more “The latest development in this the current situation. sion of lowering maintenance costs by Commenting on the occasion, this edition than 900 new cases each day in the pandemic of the circulation of the more than $2.2 mn a year, to support the Al Sulaiti said this achievement will past few days. Of particular con- South African variant has meant Continued on page 3  carrier’s growth despite the challenges boost the ongoing growth of the avia- posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. tion industry in Qatar and contribute It is estimated the new facility will to localising that major industry. enable the airline to improve workflow This event also keeps pace with the by over 1,800 man hours per month, or remarkable development in transpor- 23,400 man hours per year, by central- tation sector in the country in light of ising its engine production and engine the upsurge in development under the Qatar achieves 1 millionth vaccination milestone parts storage processes, increasing the country’s wise leadership. Tribune News Network of the programme, the strategy der the threat of the virus. I am number of its engine production lines Doha has prioritised vaccinating people thankful for the action taken by from four to eight covering a variety of Continued on page 2  most at risk of severe COVID-19 the Ministry of Public Health and The Ministry of Public Health symptoms. With the availability the government to protect the (MoPH) on Wednesday an- of more vaccines and the opening citizens and people in Qatar. I nounced the administration of of additional vaccination centers, can feel calm that I got my vac- the one millionth COVID-19 vac- the eligibility criteria has been cination and can look forward to cine dose in Qatar. expanded in line with the phased performing my duties with less ‘Swab test in pvt facilities at flat QR300’ Baby Manalo, a 42-year- roll-out of the National COVID-19 concern,” said Manalo. Tribune News Network rary suspension of COVID-19 testing for old Filipino resident of Qatar, Vaccination Programme. The vaccination programme Doha individuals wanting to travel abroad. This on Wednesday visited Al Waab With 27 percent of eligible is being delivered at more than decision came to reduce the pressure on Health Center and received the Baby Manalo, a 42-year-old Filipino adults and 77 percent of people 35 centers across Qatar, with the The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has the healthcare staff at the health facilities one millionth COVID-19 vaccine resident, receives the one millionth over 60 years of age having re- majority of doses administered decided to set a flat rate of QR300 for and help them focus on providing services dose to be administered since the dose at Al Waab Health Center on ceived at least one vaccine dose, a through Primary Health Care COVID-19 swab test in private health facili- for COVID-19 care. start of the National COVID-19 Wednesday. significant proportion of the most Corporation’s 27 primary health ties. The decision will come into effect Al Mulla affirmed that the MoPH is Vaccination Programme. at risk members of Qatar’s popula- centers, the vaccination center from Thursday. monitoring the compliance of private Administering the one mil- tional COVID-19 Vaccination tion are protected against the virus. at Qatar National Convention Noura Abdullah Al Mulla, Director of healthcare facilities with the COVID-19 lionth vaccine dose is a hugely Programme under which more “I am delighted to receive my Center and two drive- through Health Facilities Licensing and Accredita- swab pricing decision. She commended significant milestone and high- than 170,000 people a week are first vaccine dose today after a vaccination centers, in Lusail and tion Department, said the new pricing the important role private healthcare facili- lights the rapid pace of the Na- being vaccinated. Since the start very challenging year living un- Al Wakra. decision comes to reduce the burden on ties play in supporting the public sector in individuals, especially after the tempo- combating COVID-19 pandemic. 02 Thursday, April 8, 2021

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New measures in Shura speaker and place at QNCC for Sudan’s Transitional COVID vaccination Sovereignty Council Tribune News Network now being utilised as a point of Doha arrival at the vaccination centre. chairman discuss ties Authorities taking part in Several new measures have the development and imple- QNA islative field. been put in place to improve the mentation of the new measures Doha The chairman of the Su- entry and waiting process for include Hamad Medical Cor- danese Transitional Sover- patients wanting to get vacci- poration, the Primary Health Chairman of the Transi- eignty Council expressed his nated against COVID-19 at the Care Corporation, the Ministry tional Sovereignty Council country’s appreciation for National Vaccination Center, of Interior, Al Fazaa, the Min- of Sudan Liutenant-General the great role that Qatar has which is located at the Qatar istry of Administrative Devel- Abdel Fattah Al Burhan met played for peace, develop- National Convention Centre opment, Labour and Social with Speaker of the Shura ment and reconstruction in (QNCC), the Ministry of Public Affairs, QNCC and Qatar Red Council HE Ahmed bin Ab- Darfur. Health has announced. Crescent. FM MEETS SUDAN’S TRANSITIONAL SOVEREIGNTY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN Chairman of the Transi- dulla bin Zaid Al Mahmoud The meeting was attended A working team was This development is part of tional Sovereignty Council of Sudan Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan met with Deputy Prime in Doha on Wednesday. by Ambassador of Qatar to formed, with participation from a continuous effort to ensure Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha on During the meeting, they Sudan HE Abdulrahman bin several authorities, to study and the safety and security of those Wednesday. During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations, especially in the field of invest- reviewed bilateral relations Ali Al Kubaisi and Ambassa- evaluate the arrival and waiting wishing to receive the vaccine, ment, in addition to the latest developments in the region. Both sides also emphasised that the two between Qatar and Sudan, dor of Sudan to Qatar HE Abd mechanism with the objective especially with the expansion of countries would continue coordinating positions to serve their interests. (QNA) and the ways to develop them Al Rahim Al Siddig Moham- of providing greater levels of the groups eligible for vaccina- in the parliamentary and leg- med. safety and comfort for everyone tion, and is designed to protect at the centre and it was agreed the general public, the medical to open the corridors of the and administrative staff, and ground floor for the public’s en- the organisers working at the try, with separate waiting areas vaccination centre. for men and women to ensure Given the increasing de- MoPH, partners mark World Health Day privacy and comfort. mand for vaccination at the cen- Additionally, in order to tre, the new arrangements have Tribune News Network of celebrating World Health Dr Kuwari added. vaccination programme ever avoid exposure to the high out- been established in coordina- Doha Day this year, explaining that Qatar’s healthcare sector implemented in Qatar to vac- door temperatures and provide tion with the efforts of the Min- Qatar is keen to support inter- has witnessed significant de- cinate the population against a safe waiting area for all, the istry of Public Health to combat The Ministry of Public Health national cooperation and pro- velopments in view of the huge COVID-19. centre’s main parking spots are the COVID-19 pandemic. (MoPH) and its partners ob- vide aids to many countries and investments in the new health Marking the World Health served the World Health Day organisations in support of the facilities, services and tech- Day, the World Health Or- on April 7. international health efforts and nologies to ensure that health ganization has launched a The day was marked under to contribute to the achieve- needs are met and high-qual- campaign aimed at building the theme ‘Building a fairer, ment of the relevant sustain- ity preventive and therapeutic a world with greater justice ‘Qatar will keep pace with all the healthier world’. able development goals. health services are provided to and health and called on lead- Minister of Public Health “The coronavirus (COV- the entire population. ers to ensure that everyone developments in aviation industry’ HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Ku- ID-19) pandemic highlighted The strength and flex- enjoys living and working wari said, “Qatar provides high- the importance of intensifying ibility of Qatar’s health system conditions that are condu- Continued from page 1  Executive Akbar Al Baker said, quality health services to the international cooperation and has contributed to responding cive to good health. The WHO “The continuous improvement entire population in the right concerted efforts to protect to COVID-19 pandemic ac- also urged leaders to monitor He added that the country’s and expansion of our Technical place at the right time, ensuring HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari the health of the society, as the cording to different scenarios, health inequalities and ensure milestones in the field of avia- Maintenance facilities is a key improved health of Qatari soci- pandemic affected all coun- contributing to the protec- that all people are able to ac- tion industry have increased element in supporting the air- ety and providing a long healthy National Vision 2030 and our tries and highlighted the ur- tion of the society and provid- cess quality health services despite the exceptional cir- lines ongoing efforts to rebuild life for the current and future health strategies.” gent need for everyone to enjoy ing health care to patients, as whenever and wherever they cumstances of the COVID-19 our global network to more generations in line with Qatar She stressed the importance their right to good health care,” well as launching the largest need them. pandemic. than 140 destinations by the He said Hamad Interna- summer peak season.” tional Airport (HIA) has con- “With the new engine facili- tinued winning awards as the ty, we have not only created one best airport in the world in of the most technologically- terms of efficiency, service and advanced engine assembly and No Tarawih prayers in mosques during Ramadan amenities for travelers and disassembly facilities available Qatar Airways has ranked first within the commercial avia- Continued from page 1  capacity, while operation on mercial complexes will remain jacuzzi services and Moroccan crowded places to maintain and won several global awards. tion industry to date, but also Fridays and Saturdays will be closed. However, they will be and Turkish baths will remain their safety, and to limit the The minister stressed that doubled our engine production Mosques will continue to stopped. allowed to make home deliver- closed. spread of this pandemic so Qatar will build on that work capabilities,” he added. open for daily and Friday Capacity for public trans- ies and pickup orders. All swimming pools and that none of them will be sub- and will carry out several pro- Baker also stressed that the prayers. However, Tarawih port services is pegged at no The Cabinet also stopped water parks will also remain ject to the penalties stipulated jects in the future to keep pace facility’s extensive dedicated prayers will be performed dur- more than 20 percent, while restaurants and cafes from closed. in Decree Law No 17 of 1990 with all developments in avia- supply chain area also means ing the holy month of Rama- the operation of some lines serving food and drinks indoor The Cabinet decided to regarding the prevention of in- tion industry, which is one of that the carrier will have in- dan at home. Children under and on Fridays and Saturdays or in open spaces but allow continue stopping non-urgent fectious diseases, as amended the most advanced industries stant access to a ready supply 12 years are not allowed to en- will be stopped, places desig- them to serve food and drinks medical services in private by Law No 9 of 2020, by im- in the world, toward a prom- of engine parts and equip- ter, while adhering to the pre- nated for smoking are closure via pickup orders or to deliver health facilities, and allow prisonment for a period not ising future and an advanced ment, reducing the company’s cautionary measures set by the and food and drink are not al- them inside the restaurant or any of these private health exceeding three years and a country that takes its position reliance on external suppliers Ministry of Public Health and lowed to be consumed in the cafe. facilities to provide some of finenot exceeding QR200,000 among world countries, until and further supporting the reli- the Ministry of Endowments aforementioned transport. Rental services of boats, their medical services if possi- or one of these two penalties. reaching the horizons of Qatar ability and technical capability and Islamic Affairs continues. Driving schools, thea- tourist yachts and pleasure ble through modern means of After that, the Cabinet ap- National Vision 2030. of Qatar Airways fleet of next- Toilets and ablution facilities tres and cinemas will remain boats will remain suspended, communication. proved a draft law to issue a Qatar Airways Group Chief generation aircraft. will remain closed. closed. with the exception of rental Cleaning and hospitality law on mediation in settling The Cabinet decided to Private educational and services for family members companies are not allowed to civil and commercial disputes, prevent social gatherings and training centres will provide residing in the same house or provide their services dur- and to refer it to the Shura visits in closed places in homes their services through remote ing the working hours of the Council. and councils. A maximum of communication programmes establishments contracted It also approved the Min- Qatar hosts 87th meet of five people are allowed in open only. with them. However, they can ister of Education and Higher spaces, including those who Nurseries, public muse- provide their services at a full Education’s draft decision Arab Coordination Group have completed both the doses ums and libraries will remain capacity outside the working amending some provisions of of the COVID-19 vaccine. closed. hours of those facilities, and Resolution No 13 of 2020 re- Qatar, represented by the ment Projects at QFFD Misfer As per the decision, winter Individual educational ses- allowing the provision of their garding the annual calendar Qatar Fund for Development Hamad Al Shahwani said that it camps must allow in only fam- sions will be allowed in centres services at houses by one per- of schools for the 2020/2021 (QFFD), hosted the 87th meet- has become increasingly urgent ily members who live in the designated for people with son only while adhering to the academic year. ing of the Arab Coordination to address international devel- same house. The Cabinet also special needs while adhering special requirements set by Under the project provi- Group at the level of general di- opment challenges that threat- decided not to allow holding to special requirements set by the Ministry of Public Health sions, the dates for the second rectors to discuss issues related en not only disastrous conse- weddings in closed or open the Ministry of Public Health. in coordination with the Min- round exams for all grades to the development and humani- quences for societies around spaces until further notice. The Cabinet decided not of a maximum of five people istry of Commerce and Indus- (first to twelfth - day and adult tarian sector. the world, but also undermine Gathering or sitting in to allow the training of sports who are not family members, try. education) for the academic This is the first time QFFD the development achievements public parks, beaches and the teams, whether in closed or provided that they have com- The Ministry of Interior, year 2020/2021, starting from is organising the meeting since made so far. Corniche has been banned. In- open spaces, with the excep- pleted both doses of the COV- the Ministry of Public Health, August 18, 2021 until August joining the group in 2014. For his part, Secretary of the dividual sports such as walk- tion of preparatory training ID-19 vaccine. the Ministry of Commerce and 26, 2021. The start of employ- The meeting, which was held Arab Coordination Group Ez El- ing, running and cycling is al- for local and international Traditional markets will Industry and other govern- ees’ attendance in schools for via videoconferencing, aims to deen Boushalgham said the in- lowed. Playgrounds and sports tournaments approved by the operate at a maximum of 30 mental bodies are in charge of the academic year 2021-2022 enhance coordination and in- stitutions of the Arab Coordina- equipment in those places will Ministry of Public Health. Ob- percent capacity. Children taking the necessary measures starts from August 16, 2021. crease the effectiveness of devel- tion Group seek to continue their remain closed. taining prior approval from under 16 years old are not al- to ensure adherence to the Students will start school for opment interventions, as views joint efforts to support economic A maximum of four peo- the Ministry of Public Health lowed to enter. These markets precautionary measures, all the academic year 2021-2022 were exchanged on a number and social development in the ple, including the driver, are to organise local and inter- will remain closed on Fridays within their powers and juris- from August 29, 2021. of areas related to policies and partner countries, especially allowed to travel in a vehicle, national sporting events is a and Saturdays. diction. The Cabinet also approved processes and information on with the negative effects of the with the exception of family must. Wholesale markets will Student attendance in all the renewing the term for ap- the funds provided to each of the COVID-19 pandemic. members residing in the same All exhibitions, confer- continue to operate at a maxi- public and private universi- pointing two judges for the group members. The group’s institutions house when leaving and mov- ences and various events have mum capacity of 30 percent. ties, schools and kindergar- Qatar International Court to The participants also re- continued their coordination ing in vehicles. been postponed. Children under 16 years are tens will remain suspended. the Qatar Financial Centre. viewed the status of some coun- meetings, which culminated in The Cabinet extended the Commercial complexes not allowed to enter. Current travel and return It also approved the sec- tries and projects of a special the issuance of a joint statement decision to reduce the number will operate at a maximum ca- Beauty and hair salons will policy to Qatar will continue. ond executive programme nature and discussed the group’s confirming the groups pledge of people transported by buses pacity of 30 percent. Children remain closed. Amusement The Cabinet called on draft agreement for educa- relationship with regional and to allocate $10 billion to assist to the half the capacity, while under 16 years old are not al- parks and all entertainment all members of society, citi- tional and cultural coopera- international financing institu- developing countries in their taking precautionary meas- lowed to enter these complex- centres will also remain shut. zens and residents, to assume tion between Qatar and China tions. immediate response and their ures. es. All prayer areas in these Health clubs, physical responsibility by adhering for the academic years (2021 In a statement, Deputy endeavours to achieve economic Doha Metro will operate complexes will remain closed. training clubs, massage ser- to precautionary measures / 2022-2022 / 2023-2023 / Director-General of Develop- recovery. (QNA) at a maximum of 20 percent All food courts inside the com- vices, saunas, steam rooms, and procedures and to avoid 2024). Nation Thursday, April 8, 2021 03 266 admitted to ATTIYAH MEETS SUDAN’S TRANSITIONAL SOVEREIGNTY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MINISTER ICUs in past week

Continued from page 1  weeks we can begin to see a decline in cases, and “we can “We are witnessing a remark- consider easing some of the re- able increase in the number of strictions”. cases requiring admission to “Having given one million intensive care. As many as 266 doses of the vaccine is a great people were admitted to ICUs achievement that saw 26 per- in the past week,” he said. cent of the adult population The percentage of positive getting at least one dose,” he tests for those with symptoms said. is 30 percent, and the percent- “We ask everyone, includ- age of positivity among con- ing those who have taken the tacts reaches 11 percent, Dr vaccine, to make sure to apply Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah met with Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan Khal added. the new preventive measures Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan on Wednesday. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs also met with Minister of Defence of Sudan and restrictions more than Lieutenant-General Yassin Ibrahim Yassin. During the meetings, they reviewed bilateral relations between Qatar and Sudan in the military and defence fields, and the ways to ever, because this is the fastest enhance them. The meetings were attended by Ambassador of Qatar to Sudan HE Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Kubaisi. (QNA) way now to reduce infections and deaths. “Despite the rise in people requiring admission to hospi- tal, the healthcare system has sufficient capacity to ensure everyone who needs medical WCM-Q researchers discover care can receive it without de- lay,” he said. Dr Abdullatif Al Khal “While managing to keep the virus under control key role of proteins in obesity According to Dr Khal, the throughout the last quarter vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech of 2020, Qatar maintained and Moderna have proven ef- a set of strict policies aimed Tribune News Network networks, which in turn, may important. Such associations fective against the South Afri- at preventing a second wave. Doha drive molecular mechanisms provide us with a greater un- can and British strains of the We continued to keep in place toward disease. This is likely derstanding of the biological coronavirus. measures to prevent the virus A study of proteins circulating the case for obesity, where role that these proteins play Dr Khal said, “I know that from spreading — this included in the bloodstream has identi- environmental contributions in the development of obesity today’s announcement of new quarantine for travelers, mask fied several proteins that may to body mass index are well and, ultimately, in the role that restrictions, just one week be- wearing, social distancing, play a causal role in obesity, recognised.” obesity plays in the risk of de- fore the start of the holy month limits on gatherings, tempera- making them potential targets Proteins are the building veloping diabetes, well beyond of Ramadan, will be difficult for ture and Ehteraz checks in all for drugs and therapies. blocks of the body and WCM- the usual lifestyle factors that many people. With these new public buildings, and blended Researchers at Weill Q has the technology to ex- everyone knows. This increas- restrictions in place for at least learning in schools,” Dr Al Khal Cornell Medicine–Qatar amine them at a high degree es the possibility of developing the next two weeks, the start of pointed out. (WMC-Q) examined more found that six proteins had a medicinal interventions may of detail. In addition to find- drugs and therapies in the fu- the Ramadan will be impacted. “Despite these ongoing ef- than 1,000 proteins in sam- causal relationship with body one day be used to mitigate the ing evidence that six proteins ture that target obesity on a But as always, as individuals forts to prevent a second wave, ples taken from individuals mass index, even when other role that these proteins play. had a causal relationship with molecular level, together with and as a community, we have Qatar, like many countries in Qatar as part of the Qatar lifestyle factors were taken Dr Karsten Suhre, pro- obesity, the researchers also the standard therapies like the will and the power to sup- in the region and around the Metabolomics Study on Dia- into consideration. Three of fessor of physiology and bio- identified a further 150 pro- diet and exercise.” press the spread of the virus world, has not been able to pre- betes, alongside data from those proteins were found to physics and director of Bio- teins that were significantly The work was supported like we did the first time. If we vent a second wave,” he added. European studies. contribute towards obesity informatics Core at WCM-Q, associated with a higher body by the Biomedical Research fail to play our part in following Dr Al Khal said, “People In total, more than 4,600 and, at the same time, reflect said: “Common diseases are mass index. Programme at WCM-Q, a the restrictions and preventive who have been vaccinated individuals were involved in the biological mechanisms re- a result of a complex inter- Dr Shaza Zaghlool, re- programme funded by Qatar measures, and cases continue against COVID-19 will be grad- the three previous studies. sulting from increased body play between genetics and a search associate in physiology Foundation. to rise, we may need to escalate ually exempted from several The work was conducted in mass index. broad range of environmental and biophysics at WCM-Q, Dr Suhre’s work is also the restriction further.” restrictions meant to stem the collaboration with the Ger- The findings do not negate perturbations. Environmen- and first author of the paper, supported by Qatar National He said, however, if each spread of the coronavirus.” man Research Center for En- the need for people to avoid tal and lifestyle factors such said: “Although we could not Research Fund. The study and every one of us takes re- “More exceptions are com- vironmental Health. smoking, eat balanced diets as diet, physical activity and prove evidence for causality can be read in full at: https:// sponsibility and acts appropri- ing for those who received the Using genetics to isolate and perform exercise, but they exposure to toxins can acti- by these proteins, their asso- www.nature.com/articles/ ately over the next two to four vaccine,” he added. the relevant proteins, they do open up the possibility that vate highly interacting protein ciation with obesity is still s41467-021-21542-4 04 Thursday, April 8, 2021 Nation Lulu extends financial support to Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs Ooredoo Doha

Tribune News Network habilitation of Special Needs Doha commenced its activities as a virtual marathon charity society nearly two dec- Qatar’s leading retailer Lulu ades back under the Depart- Hypermarket has offered fi- ment of Social Affairs at the a huge success nancial support to Qatar Soci- Ministry of Labour and Social ety for Rehabilitation of Special Affairs. Tribune News Network Ouali, and Houssine Lahdou Needs for purchase of medical The Society endeavours to Doha were the top three men in the equipment as part of its Cor- facilitate social, mental, aca- 10km run, and Dina Ali Shekkh, porate Social Responsibility demic and healthy rehabilita- Qatar’s leading telecommuni- Zineb Karam, and Ana Milena (CSR) initiatives and its ongo- tion for the people of special cations operator has announced Mesa were the top three wom- ing endeavours towards hu- needs in the society commen- that the Ooredoo Doha Virtual en. In the men’s 5k, Abdullah manitarian causes. surate with the Islamic princi- Marathon 2021, a virtual run- Khan, Dnyaneshwar Mutkule, A cheque of QR100,000 ples, traditions, customs and ning event, has concluded with and Akshith Saravanan led was handed over by Lulu Group peculiarities of the Qatari soci- a resounding success. the way, while Rosmaini Binti Director Mohamed Althaf to ety, considering the innovation More than 5,900 runners Ngah, Beatrice Njogu, and Sara Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of services and programmes to – the biggest participation for Talia led the ladies. of Special Needs Board Mem- pace with the urban and hu- a virtual running event in the Valid Ferdosian, Mahmoud ber Taleb Abdullah Afifa ata manitarian developments tak- Middle East region - signed Elkhaznadar and Omar Elk- ceremony held at Lulu Hyper- ing place in the society. up to take part from 108 coun- haznadar registered the top market’s regional headquarters The Society aims to pro- tries around the world. Run- three times in the 1km male located on D-Ring Road. The vide a great extent of social, ners were able to take part in race, while Afrah F Nijas, event was attended by officials A cheque of QR100,000 was handed over by Lulu Group Director Mohamed Althaf to Qatar Society for mental, healthy, material and the event, running individually Bassma Lakhloufi and Annabel from Qatar Society for Reha- Rehabilitation of Special Needs Board Member Taleb Abdullah Afifa at a ceremony held at Lulu Hypermar- educational care to the people with their run times registered Axford led the female event. bilitation of Special Needs and ket’s regional headquarters located on D-Ring Road of special needs irrespective on the leaderboard via the Suf- Ooredoo thanked its many Lulu Hypermarket. of colour, sex, nationality, re- fix.Tracker app. generous sponsors, including This initiative is considered Society for Rehabilitation of special needs by extending sol- and making them eligible for ligion, social or financial level, A variety of categories en- Platinum Sponsor Qatari Diar, as a contribution from Lulu hy- Special Needs’ vision to shed ace to their insecurities, bring- their entitlements. who are registered with the sured that runners of all ages Gold Sponsors Qatar Airways, permarket in achieving Qatar light on the lives of people with ing them to the mainstream The Qatar Society for Re- Society and present in Qatar. and abilities could participate, Qatar National Tourism Coun- ranging from a one-kilometre cil, Diet Delights, Aspire, As- run to half-marathons and the petar, Elan, Tarteeb, and INTA full 42-kilometre marathon for FM, and Silver Sponsors QIC both men and women. As prizes and Chac’Late, without whom HBKU’s CIS stresses digital role of Islamic finance in long-term growth for the main categories’ winners the event would not have been and runners-up, a slew of smart possible. Tribune News Network evaluate the opportunities searchers, postgraduate stu- tive, presents an opportunity mote economic resilience.” devices were on offer. Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, Doha and barriers for sustainable dents, industry leaders, prac- to navigate current industry Yousuf Mohamed Al- Elarbi Khattabi won the Director PR at Ooredoo, said: economic development under titioners, and policymakers disruptions and transition to Jaida, chief executive officer, men’s full marathon in 2:32:20, “We were excited to host a vir- With a focus on sustainable the “new normal”, which has tackled the moral nexus of a new, more sustainable nor- QFC Authority said: “We are with Nasreddine Mansour and tual alternative to the hugely economic development af- deepened the digital economy sustainability and IFE in the mal. Harnessing converging honoured to have once again Cameron Nail finishing second popular Ooredoo Doha Mara- ter the pandemic, the Centre and Fourth Industrial Revo- 4IR era. Presentations delib- technologies for an inclusive been part of HBKU’s ICIF, and and third. Andrea Stadler won thon, so our many keen run- for Islamic Economics and lution (4IR). In the context of erated the impact of IFE in and human-centered future is contribute to understanding the women’s main event in ners didn’t miss out, and were Finance (CIEF) at the Col- Islamic finance and economy the post-pandemic world; IFE an important part of that. The the profound sustainable im- 3:23:33, with Ghalya Alharami delighted to see so many par- lege of Islamic Studies (CIS), (IFE), academic papers and resilience against economic conference paved the way to pact the 4IR can have for our and Angelita Maano finishing ticipants sign up. Promoting a Hamad Bin Khalifa University policy-driven analyses high- distress; industry perspectives initiate collaborations within economic diversification strat- second and third. healthy, active lifestyle is a key (HBKU), held the fourth In- lighted the urgent need for a on sustainability and the 4IR; and across various disciplines egy if harnessed appropriately. Rachid Boudalla, Ahmed priority as part of our corporate ternational Conference on Is- sustainable financing infra- FinTech and sustainability for the advancement of this The conference achieved its Elhissouf, and Mohamed Omar social responsibility strategy, lamic Finance (ICIF) recently, structure that is agile, adapt- scopes for success; socioeco- topic, with the common goal of aim of showing that the digital finished first, second, and third and we are pleased that we have with the support of the Qatar able, and transformable after nomic responses within IFE; contributing to Qatar’s devel- economy can and must have in the men’s category, while been able to maintain our com- Financial Centre (QFC) Au- the unprecedented economic and Islamic social FinTech. opment as a knowledge-based an integral role in amplifying Daisy Baker, Marjan Kohansal, mitment to this goal despite the thority. downturn and global supply Dr Syed Nazim Ali, direc- economy. We acknowledge the the role of Islamic finance and and Eimear Dynes finished pandemic restrictions. Congrat- The three-day confer- chain disruption caused by the tor of the Research Division valuable support of the QFC, economy amid the challenges first, second, and third in the ulations to all of the winners, ence provided a platform for COVID-19 pandemic. at CIEF, CIS, said: “The digi- and its role in highlighting of our post-pandemic eco- ladies category. runners-up, and participants, dialogue and discussions to Leading academics, re- tal economy, though disrup- new digital frontiers to pro- nomic recovery.” Mohamed Nasir, Ilyass El and thank you for taking part!” World Thursday, April 8, 2021 05

News Britain restricts AstraZeneca as in brief Brazil passes 4,000 new daily Covid-19 deaths for first time EMA, WHO stand by vaccine’s use Rio de Janeiro: Brazil has passed the grim milestone of 4,000 Covid-19 related deaths in 24 hours, the Health Ministry in dpa while a link with thrombosis Brasilia said on Tuesday, just over two weeks after the country London/Brussels seemed plausible according to recorded over 3,000 new daily Covid-19 related deaths for the current data, it was not yet the first time. Ministry data on Tuesday showed that 4,195 British medical regulators confirmed. people died over the previous day, bringing the total death toll restricted the roll-out of the Further studies are need- to 336,947, with more than 13.1 million cases of coronavirus AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine ed to investigate the possible confirmed. Only the United States has recorded higher figures. to people aged over 30 on link, the WHO vaccination The health system in Brazil - a country of 210 million Wednesday after some rare committee said. people - has collapsed or is on the verge of collapse in many cases of blood clots were re- Dr June Raine - head of areas. Medication, including intubation for Covid-19 patients, is ported. Britain’s MHRA - said the risk running out. (dpa) The British Medicines and of blood clotting in people Healthcare products Regu- who receive the AstraZeneca/ latory Agency (MHRA) and Oxford vaccine is about four Ex-Australian PM mistaken as Uber Joint Committee on Vaccina- people in a million and the driver gives lift to tipsy diners tion and Immunisation (JCVI) benefits outweigh the risks for said people aged 18 to 29 who the vast majority. Sydney: Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd briefly do not have an underlying “We are not advising a stepped into a new role as an Uber driver in Queensland on health condition will now be stop to any vaccination for any Tuesday, giving a lift to a group of “tipsy” diners who mistak- recommended other vaccines individual in any age group,” enly piled into his car. “Guilty as charged,” Rudd tweeted in instead. Professor Wei Shen Lim, response to a media report on the incident on Wednesday. MHRA investigated 79 cas- chairman of the JCVI, added. “Four young Melburnians getting drenched in a Queens- es of rare blood clots following Those in Britain who have land subtropical downpour at Noosa last night with no Uber in vaccination with the drug in had their first dose of the As- sight... So what’s a man to do?” The former prime minister’s Britain. There were 19 deaths, traZeneca/Oxford vaccine but daughter Jessica Rudd had tweeted the series of events as it with young people and women have not yet had their second happened. “Dad just dropped us off at a restaurant in Noosa disproportionately affected. A man receives a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against the coronavirus disease in Kiev on dose are being told to get their then went to find a park because it’s raining,” she wrote. Each person who died Wednesday. (Afp) second dose as normal. “Then I thought I saw some people pile into his car, told had either cerebral venous si- EU health ministers con- myself it wasn’t - must be a similar looking Uber. It wasn’t. It nus thrombosis with throm- Based on the evidence so vened talks on the develop- was Dad’s car.” She said the “lovely but tipsy crew had been at bocytopenia - which stops Moderna vaccine still highly far, it is not possible to confirm ments on Wednesday evening. the restaurant since lunch.” When Rudd told them he wasn’t an blood draining from the brain effective after 6 months: Study whether age, gender, or a pre- Despite EMA’s continued Uber they offered to pay him to drive them to a nearby street properly - or thrombosis with vious history of clotting disor- endorsement, Belgium an- anyway. His daughter said it took the group half the ride to real- thrombocytopenia, which oc- New YORK: New research published Tuesday in The New Eng- ders are risk factors, Cooke nounced it would halt vac- ise their driver was the 26th prime minister of Australia. (dpa) curs in major veins. land Journal of Medicine shows the two-dose Moderna Covid-19 told reporters. cinations with AstraZeneca’s More than 18 million peo- vaccine to still produce antibodies after six months. Research “When millions of people drug for all those aged 55 and ple have received a dose of the is continuing to see just how long antibodies are detected in receive these vaccines, very under for one month. Howev- News of more deaths, protest against AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine people who have received the vaccine. rare events can occur that er, given that the inoculation China, leaks out of Myanmar in Britain so far. The high-levels of antibodies were detected in all age groups were not identified during the campaign is mainly focussed EU regulators also saw a that participated in the clinical trial, with younger people having clinical trials,” the head of the on those over 65 at present, Yangon: Reports of at least a dozen more deaths, mingled link between unusual clotting high levels than older people. The researchers aim to continue Dutch-based agency said. the impact of the move should with stories of prisoner abuse and continued protests, and the British-Swedish phar- monitoring the people in the trial to determine when protec- EMA’s Pharmacovigilance be limited, Health Minister trickled out of Myanmar on Wednesday, with no sign of the maceutical giant’s coronavirus tion falls off and to see how much additional protection can be Risk Assessment Committee Frank Vandenbroucke told clashes prompted by February’s military coup easing any shot in “very rare” cases, but tacked on with booster shots. Pfizer’s vaccine asw found to be “can therefore not recom- VRT news. time soon. upheld their endorsement of close to 92 percent effective after six months in a separate mend any specific measures Germany’s permanent vac- Reporting remains challenging, as the ruling junta has the drug’s use for all adults in trial. No exact number was provided for Moderna’s vaccine. to reduce the risk,” committee cination commission mean- expanded its practice of shutting down the internet at night- the European Union. Both vaccines have shown to be highly effective against chair Sabine Straus said. while Stiko said it would stick time to also include large chunks of the day without internet Though unusual blood severe illness. (dpa) AstraZeneca will have to to its recommendation of giv- service. The newspaper The Irrawaddy reported that 11 clots should be listed as a pos- look into the reactions itself, ing the vaccine only to peo- people died after clashes with security forces in the small sible side effect, the benefits of and EMA has commissioned ple over 60, put in place late city of Kalay in the north. the jab still hugely outweigh cases on Wednesday. day Covid is still causing thou- its own research, Straus added. March. The EMA decision According to other media reports, two more people died the risks, the European Medi- “Covid-19 is a very serious sands of deaths across the EU,” The World Health Or- would be a topic in further dis- in Bago, the country’s fourth-largest city, which lies in the cines Agency (EMA) explained disease with a high hospitaliza- EMA director Emer Cooke said ganization (WHO) similarly cussions, Stiko member Chris- south. (dpa) following a similar review of tion and death rate, and every- at a press conference. backed the drug, saying that tian Bogdan said. 06 Thursday, April 8, 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

Border Crisis Needs More Than Money Biden’s Infrastructure

aced with a burgeoning crisis at the southern border, President Joe Biden has pledged to increase economic Fassistance to countries in Central America’s Northern Plan Is Key To US Triangle. He’s right to do so. But money alone won’t be enough. The three Northern Triangle countries — Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras — are some of the least devel- oped nations in the Western Hemisphere, with poverty rates twice as high as in the rest of Latin America. The impact Competition With China of the pandemic and two hurricanes in 2020 compounded the region’s misery, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing Central America’s economies to shrink by 6%. All three countries rank among the most violent and corrupt China is forging ahead in broadband internet, crucial technologies, scientific places on earth. Surveys show that more than 1 in 5 citizens say they’ve had to pay bribes to receive government services. research, and basic infrastructure, and the United States needs to invest now The Biden administration has called for providing $4 billion over four years to the three countries to address the Trudy Rubin “root causes” of emigra- tion. That’s roughly dou- ble the amount spent by nyone who has visited China in the past dec- Donald Trump’s admin- To stem the flow ade knows why President Joe Biden is push- istration, which in recent ing so hard to overhaul US infrastructure. years cut off aid to punish of migrants, “If we don’t get moving, they are going to the countries for failing eat our lunch,” Biden rightly recently warned to crack down on migra- the US needs Aa bipartisan group of US senators — while pitching tion. The US has an inter- his $2 trillion proposal to upgrade transport, grids, est in holding the region’s to focus on water systems, broadband internet coverage, and leaders accountable for basic research. their citizens’ welfare, fighting The Chinese leadership has been massively in- but amid public-health vesting for decades in roads, high-speed rail, air- and environmental ca- corruption ports, internet connectivity, and basic research in lamities, Trump’s policy critical technologies, while the United States rested toward Central America and creating on its laurels. The comparison isn’t pretty. was cruel and shortsight- It demonstrates to Beijing what Chinese leaders ed. Wisely, Biden wants jobs in Central are already convinced of — that China’s authoritari- to reverse it. an regime is destined to surpass a declining America At the same time, the America economically and technologically. administration should So Biden’s massive infrastructure plan is as criti- be clear-eyed about what this new assistance can achieve. cal for US foreign policy as it is for the home front. Although the three countries got about $2.4 billion in aid Which is another reason why the knee-jerk trashing between 2013 and 2018, a Government Accountability Of- of Biden’s plan by GOP legislators — without offer- fice report concluded that “limited information is available ing a serious alternative — is inexcusably blind. ments between local, state, and federal officials, has development from public and private sources in- about how US assistance improved prosperity, governance, I have watched the results of a Chinese leader- built one new airport — Denver — since the 1990s. creased by over 15% a year on average, according to and security in the Northern Triangle.” Rather than rely on ship determined to build up the country’s infra- America welcomes international visitors to NYC at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and De- opaque bureaucracies to administer aid programs, the US structure since my first trip to the country in 1986, the disgraceful mess of John F. Kennedy Interna- velopment. Meantime, U.S. federal funding steadily should adopt a more targeted approach. Diplomats in the and the results are stunning. Shanghai that year was tional Airport, and travelers then have no easy, di- fell. As Biden said, when promoting his plan, “We’re region should work with civil-society groups that promote a city of bicycles and hardly any cars. Pudong was rect rail transport to the city. one of only a few major economies in the world public transparency and the rule of law. “Place-based” strat- then an empty marsh. Now, it is the economic heart No wonder the American Society of Civil Engi- whose public investment in research and develop- egies that steer resources to areas that produce the highest of the city, with a forest of skyscrapers that look like neers, in a 2017 report, ranked the nation’s infra- ment as a share of GDP has declined constantly over numbers of migrants should be expanded. Biden should New York and Chicago combined. structure an average D+, meaning that conditions the last 25 years.” also boost support for anti-corruption commissions that Visitors can now arrive in Shanghai on a maglev were “mostly below standard” and “with a strong The result: In 2018, Chinese research and de- have effectively exposed cases of embezzlement and collu- train from a gleaming new Pudong airport. (Nearly risk of failure.” Think of that electrical grid in Texas velopment reached $463 billion, only $89 billion sion between government officials and organized crime. every minor Chinese city has a new airport, with that collapsed in cold weather in February. behind the United States, and the gap is closing. Perhaps more important, the US should try to promote the Chinese government planning 162 new civilian That is before you even get to the comparison Biden’s plan wants to keep and expand the U.S. lead. economic growth in the three countries. Negotiating digital airports, and Beijing opened a new $11 billion inter- between China and the U.S. on broadband internet How can the GOP oppose this idea? trade agreements would reduce operating costs for busi- national airport last year.) Or travelers can take the service, where China has nearly the whole country There are plenty more details of Biden’s huge nesses and spur investment in the region’s nascent technol- bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai, which takes covered, while more than one-third of Americans in plan that can be debated. But the bottom line is that ogy sector. Linking the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement with four hours and 18 minutes to cover approximately rural areas still lack high-speed access. This is some- the US’s crumbling infrastructure — ranked 13th in the Central America Free Trade Agreement would encour- 748 miles, part of China’s 23,550-mile network of thing Biden’s plan will also address. the world — undermines America’s future economic age companies to re-shore supply chains to the Northern high-speed rail. (Compare this with almost seven And the most dangerous area of all is the US prospects. And it convinces China and Russia that Triangle by giving goods manufactured there duty-free ac- hours on the Acela to travel the 439 miles from Bos- lag in basic research and development. This is the U.S. power is on the wane. cess to the US market. By one estimate, shifting just 5% of ton to Washington, DC). research that explores the new 21st-century tech- This is a critical historical moment, when the current investment in supply-chain production from China Of course, Beijing’s authoritarian system runs nologies, which can give countries the economic and world is asking whether democracies can still de- to Central America would create 1 million jobs in the region. on central government five-year plans, which risk military lead in the future. For example, both the liver for their people, or whether their governments The factors causing so many to flee theN orthern Trian- overbuilding, waste, and rights violations. But the Trump and Biden administrations have banned the can function as well as autocracies. This is a mo- gle won’t subside overnight — but solving America’s border point is that the central government plans strategi- Chinese company Huawei from exporting hardware ment when a national infrastructure strategy, and crisis requires that policy makers address them. A strategy cally, and achieved an infrastructure backbone that that enables 5G, the next high-speed generation of full funding, are needed to keep America strong. that improves governance and promotes opportunity stands propelled the country’s stunning growth. internet. But the United States has no equivalent the best chance of helping the region’s people build better The United States, on the other hand, where company to Huawei. (Trudy Rubin is the foreign affairs col- futures at home. much infrastructure depends on complex agree- From 1995 through 2018, Chinese research and umnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer)

The Casual Racism Of Mispronouncing An Asian Person’s Name Ashley Lee these comments. The Ovation ents’ adopted American names and white artistic directors, collabora- Awards’ snafus — and some of our included her Vietnamese name: tors and audiences. Amid an un- readers’ reactions to the news cov- Loan. “I want to live in a world precedented closure due to COV- he Times recently reported erage of them — are emblematic where children of color don’t spend ID-19, so many theater companies on the outcry following the of the casual racism in the theater their entire adolescence wishing to have released statements to their LA theater community’s Ova- world and the world at large. be white. … I want to live in a world patrons, declaring that Black Lives tion Awards, where organizers Mispronouncing someone’s where people of all races, religions, Matter and that violence against mispronounced the name of name, accidentally or on purpose, socioeconomic classes, sexual ori- Asian American Pacific Islanders is anT Asian American nominee and at the very least demonstrates a se- entations, gender identities and unacceptable. But these boilerplate displayed a photo of the wrong ac- lective laziness to learn the correct abilities are seen as what they have sentiments say nothing without tor. way to address or acknowledge a always been: human beings.” meaningful action — which, at the If anyone doubts the racially person. The name is perceived as The Ovation Awards took place very least, calls for pronouncing based sting that comes with such particularly difficult only because shortly after the documented hesi- names correctly and getting photos insults to one’s professional en- it’s beyond the white European tancy to deem the killings of six right. deavors, just read the emails that names that have been deemed nor- Asian women in Atlanta a hate For the LA Stage Alliance to rolled in to The Times after pub- mal. (For some reason, an effort crime instead of a sex addict’s “re- be so careless — especially in the lication of our article. One reader can be made for a white person The name of Asian American actor Jully Lee (center) was publicly mispronounced ally bad day.” In the days that fol- diverse city of Los Angeles — is in- said the Ovation reaction was just with an unusual name, as Hasan — a topic Kelly Marie Tran and Hasan Minhaj have previously addressed. lowed the attack — one of many acts defensible. It is yet another exam- an example of “Asian victimhood.” Minhaj explained while on “The of violence on people of Asian de- ple of an awards body that actively Another called it a big joke: “I Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2019. Senate colleague and the Demo- Srinivasan, whose research advo- scent, which have risen significantly diminishes the art form it claims to thought you were writing a sketch “They’re always like, ‘I’m so sorry, cratic nominee for vice president at cates for the mental health of South during the pandemic — these wom- celebrate. for SNL with your article yester- I can’t pronounce it. Meet my son, the time, as “KAH-mah-lah? Kah- Asian Americans. en’s names were repeatedly mis- After the disastrous ceremony, day; so ‘much pain and anger’ that Higsby Witherthrottle III!’” he MAH’-lah? Kamala-mala-mala. I People like my parents hoped to spelled and mispronounced by the 25 theater companies revoked wrong photo used and name pro- said. “If you can pronounce Ansel don’t know — whatever.” (Perdue’s shield me by assigning me an Angli- media. It all echoes the pervasive their memberships from LASA, nounced incorrectly. Hahahaha — Elgort, you can pronounce Hasan move instead sparked a viral cam- cized given name at birth. Making invisibility of Asians in America, which announced Monday that it really, audition for SNL, use that Minhaj.”) paign in which people shared the my name more convenient for oth- where your name isn’t worth saying has ceased operations. I look for- article, your [sic] sure to get hired!” When done willfully, it’s a con- origins of their names on social ers was a defensive move: to lessen correctly, whether you’re an actor in ward to the day when the American One went the extra mile to scious decision to weaponize one’s media.) the likelihood of being bullied about an Oscar-winning movie or a slain theater values the contributions make fun of Jully (pronounced like name — a deeply personal signifier Such encounters sprout name- my race and to up my chances of victim of senseless gun violence. of its artists enough to know their Julie) Lee, who was nominated for of ethnic background and family based microaggressions like “as- blending in, belonging and being I find it exponentially more dis- names — all of their names — and her performance in East West Play- lineage — against them, othering signment of an unwanted nick- seen as equal to my peers. respectful that this error was made it is no longer necessary to explain ers’ and the Fountain Theatre’s and invalidating them in a culture name, assumptions and biases “This is what it is to grow up as a during an event that celebrates the why people’s names should be pro- “Hannah and the Dread Gazebo.” that already upholds white su- about an individual based on their person of color in a white-dominat- theater, an industry in which artists nounced correctly. Wrote the reader: “How do you say premacy. This was the strategy of name, and teasing from peers and ed world,” wrote Kelly Marie Tran of color are already pressured to her name? Is it Jelly or Jolly?” former Georgia Sen. David Perdue educators due to cultural aspects in a 2018 New York Times piece water down their stories, language (Ashley Lee writes for Los I was so disheartened to read in referring to Kamala Harris, his of a name,” according to Ranjana in which she reflected on her par- and entire selves to be palatable for Angeles Times)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Thursday, April 8, 2021 07

KEY VERDICT Indian COVID-19 cases Turkey sentences 38 former soldiers surge, experts see critical 4 weeks ahead dpa of Covid-19 cases between to life in prison in 2016 coup trial New Delhi October and mid-February. Since then, daily infections India reported 115,736 have jumped from a little new coronavirus cases on over 9,000 to over 100,000. Wednesday - a record spike “The intensity of the for a second day this week pandemic has increased and - as a new wave of the pan- it is spreading faster than demic continued to spread last time,” Paul said. “In rapidly. some states, it is worse than The next four weeks others, but the upswing were going to be critical, can be observed across Covid-19 task force chief the country. The next four Vinod Kumar Paul said at a weeks are going to be very Health Ministry briefing on critical.” The participation Tuesday. of people would be vital in The single-day rise controlling the second wave in cases within 24 hours of the pandemic, Paul said. reported on Wednesday India is also trying to topped that of 103,558 re- upscale its vaccine pro- ported on Monday. On gramme. More than 87 mil- Tuesday the daily tally was lion vaccine does had been 96,982. administered so far. India, a country of Reports from worst-hit 1.3 billion people, has the Maharashtra state quoted world’s third-largest case- the state’s health minister, load of coronavirus cases, Rajesh Tope, saying there after the United States and was an imminent short- Brazil. It has seen 166,177 age of vaccines, but federal total deaths, with 630 new Health Minister Harsh Var- ones reported on Wednes- dhan said on Tuesday there day. was no shortage and the The country saw a con- stocks of states would be sistent downward trend regularly replenished.

Mexico gives emergency approval to Indian vaccine A tank crashes into a car as people take to the streets in Ankara, during a protest against a military coup on July 16, 2016. (File photo) (AFP) dpa “Very timely decision by dpa Ankara blames the October 2017. Mexico City COFEPRIS to authorize the Istanbul Prosecutors had accused Erdogan pushing for summer to emergency use of COVAX- US-based Islamic cleric the suspects of occupying the disputed Istanbul Canal project Mexico has authorised the INE vaccine manufactured A court in Ankara on Wednes- Fethullah Gulen for state broadcaster TRT head- emergency use of a Covid-19 in India. The options for vac- day sentenced 38 former sen- orchestrating the abortive quarters in Ankara on the Istanbul: Turkey plans to kick-start construction of a multibil- vaccine developed by Indian cination against COVID-19 in ior soldiers to life in prison in putsch and has designat- night of the coup, July 15, lion-dollar canal project that would bypass Istanbul’s Bosporus pharmaceutical firm Bharat Mexico are expanded,” Ebrard a major trial over the failed ed his movement as a ter- 2016, and forcing the news strait, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, Biotech, Foreign Minister tweeted. 2016 coup by a military fac- rorist group anchorwoman to read out the despite criticism from the opposition and environmentalists. Marcelo Ebrard said on Tues- Bharat Biotech has said that tion. putschists’ statement. “God willing, we are going to lay the groundwork [of the day. its Covid-19 vaccine showed Six of the defendants re- Ankara blames the US- canal] in [the] summer months,” Erdogan told his ruling party With the latest approval 81-per-cent efficacy in prevent- ceived aggravated life sen- violating the constitution, An- based Islamic cleric Fethullah members in parliament in Ankara, adding that a tender pro- of Covaxin, Mexico now has ing Covid-19 “in those without tences for “violating the con- adolu said. Gulen for orchestrating the cess is slated to start soon. Erdogan argues that the proposed six authorized Covid-19 jabs, prior infection after the second stitution,” according to state Other charges included abortive putsch and has desig- 45-kilometre-long canal is a necessary and safe alternative to Ebrard said. dose,” citing an interim analy- news agency Anadolu. attempted assassination of nated his movement as a ter- divert sea transport from the overtaxed Bosporus, connecting Vaccines developed by As- sis of stage-three trials. Aggravated life sentences the president. A total of 121 rorist group. the Black Sea and Marmara Sea. traZeneca, Pfizer, the Russian- Mexico was the first coun- are the most severe prison people were acquitted of all The cleric, an ally-turned- Critics have contested that vessel traffic on Bosporus has made Sputnik V and the jabs try in Latin America to start terms possible in Turkey since charges. foe of President Recep Tayyip been steadily decreasing during the past decade. developed by Chinese compa- its vaccination campaign the abolishing of death penal- The trial against a total Erdogan, denies the charges. According to the Turkish Transport Ministry data, around nies CanSino and Sinovac have at Christmas. So far, how- ty in 2002. There is no chance of 497 defendants, includ- Out of a total of 289 trials 38,400 ships crossed the Bosphorus in 2020, compared to previously been authorized by ever, just 1.3 million people for parole. The court handed ing former soldiers from the over the coup attempt, 14 are nearly 55,000 in 2006 - however the total gross tonnage in- Mexico’s Federal Commission have been fully vaccinated 106 defendants jail sentences presidential guard regiment, still ongoing, according to An- creased nearly by 30 percent. (dpa) for the Protection against Sani- out of a population of some of up to more than 16 years for has been under way since adolu. tary Risks (Cofepris). 127 million.

Iranian ship slightly Iran gripped by fourth wave as virus numbers, deaths swell dpa died from virus-related causes, Now, tougher measures damaged in Red Sea Tehran said ministry spokesperson are to enter into force again. Sima Lari on state television. Many sectors of the economy dpa on an Israeli company’s cargo A fourth wave of the coronavi- The dramatic rise in cases will close down, and bazaars Tehran ship in the Gulf of Oman in rus is in full effect in Iran, with leads directly back to an eas- and shopping malls will close March. 193 deaths and 21,954 new ing of rules for the two-week for at least a week. A mass vac- Authorities are looking A spokeswoman for the infections recorded within 24 Persian New Year celebrations cination campaign for Iran’s 83 into an explosion that left an Israeli military said that the hours, according to the Health from March 21 to April 2, dur- million people is planned for Iranian ship used to secure army does not comment on Ministry in Tehran on Wednes- ing which time many Iranians September. More vaccines will shipping routes slightly dam- foreign media reports. day. Since the pandemic began travelled domestically and be introduced by then, and vac- aged in the Red Sea, said the Iran’s Tasnim news agen- last February, more than 2 mil- abroad, and did not adhere to cines produced in Iran are also Foreign Ministry in Tehran. cy had originally reported on People wearing protective masks walk near the shore of Chitgar Lake lion people have been infected rules meant to stop the virus’ to be used after the end of test According to the ISNA the explosion and damage to in Tehran recently. (afp) and more than 63,000 have spread. phases. news agency, Foreign Minis- the ship, which escorts Irani- try spokesman Saeed Khati- an merchant ships in the Red bzadeh addded that no crew Sea. It did not give further de- members were injured in the tails. ‘All options open’ in Nile dam row with explosion on Tuesday night, According to the US web- Ethiopia, says Egypt’s president Sissi but did not comment on re- site GlobalSecurity.org, the Indonesia sends in more rescue ports that the ship was at- damaged freighter is used by Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel- tries, Egypt and Sudan. tacked by Israel. the Iranian Revolutionary Fattah al-Sissi on Wednesday A decade of arduous talks The New York Times, cit- Guard. said “all options are open” involving the three countries has teams, aid to cyclone-hit areas ing an unnamed US repre- The Foreign Ministry in his country’s long-standing reached a deadlock. sentative, reported that Is- spokesman described the dispute with Ethiopia over a “I tell the Ethiopian broth- dpa rael had informed the United ship as a “security guarantor Nile dam, which Cairo fears will ers that we should not reach Jakarta States that its forces had at- for shipping routes.” Israel reduce its supply of water. the point where they touch a tacked the ship in response has been considered Iran’s Ethiopia began building the drop of water from Egypt be- Rescue workers were being to previous Iranian attacks on arch-enemy since the Islamic 4.8-billion-dollar hydroelectric cause all options are open,” he flown in asscores of people Israeli ships. Revolution 42 years ago. In dam on the Blue Nile, one of said.“Cooperation is better. Join- were still missing on Wednes- Israeli Prime Minister recent years, there have been the Nile’s major tributaries, in ing hands and building together day after a tropical cyclone Benjamin Netanyahu had repeated reports of a “shadow 2011, raising concerns in is far better than if we disagree devastated several islands in blamed Iran for an explosion war” between the two sides. the two downstream coun- and tussle,” he added. (dpa) eastern Indonesia, officials said. At least 126 people were killed and 74 missing after floods, landslides and a vol- Mrs World faces probe after on-stage tussle with Mrs Lanka canic avalanche hit a group of islands in East Nusa Tenggara dpa crown her. However, minutes eligible for these pageants. been summoned by police. province over the weekend, A truck washed away by floods is seen in Lamawolo village, Lambata, Colombo after the win was announced, Jurie claimed that de Silva was “We are conducting inquir- according to the National Dis- East Flores on Wednesday. (AFP) a question came up about de found to be divorced person ies to ascertain whether crimi- aster Management Agency. The reigning Mrs World is Silva’s marital status. Video and therefore not eligible to nal charges should be filed and Search and rescue teams where access had been dif- by Cyclone Seroja, the disaster facing a police inquiry in Sri compete in the Mrs World the matter should be taken up will travel to the affected areas ficult because blocked roads, agency said. Lanka after she allegedly in- event, set to be conducted later in courts,” police spokesperson on Hercules C-130 cargo air- high seas and storms. Other affected areas in- jured the winner of the Mrs Sri De Silva lives separately this year in Sri Lanka. Ajith Rohana said. craft from Makassar in South Among those killed were clude Alor island, Ende, the Lanka beauty pageant during a from her husband, but has De Silva lives separately A spokesperson for the Sulawesi, Bali and nearby Flo- villagers whose homes were provincial capital Kupang and weekend dispute about the Sri not been divorced from her husband, but has not local organisers said that Jurie, res island, said agency spokes- buried in a rain-triggered ava- Bima in neighbouring West Lankan winner’s marital status, been divorced. also from Sri Lanka, has been man Raditya Jati. lanche of debris from the Le- Nusa Tenggara province. officials said on Wednesday. footage showed Jurie forcibly De Silva later went to hospi- instructed to make an apology. “Police and soldiers will watolo volcano on Lembata The severe weather has Pushpika de Silva was pulling off the crown, during tal, claiming she sustained head So far, no apology has been also join the search for the island. also killed at least 27 people in named Mrs Sri Lanka on Sun- which the winner allegedly injuries because of the crown’s made. missing,” he said. Six heli- Lembata and neighbour- East Timor, a country of 1 mil- day. Caroline Jurie, who holds sustained injuries. removal. She has lodged a De Silva has since been copters were sent late Tuesday ing Adonara were the worst hit lion people that borders Indo- the world title, was on hand to Only married women are police complaint and Jurie has recrowned as Mrs Sri Lanka. to drop aid supplies to areas by extreme weather triggered nesia’s West Timor. QLM launches family health insurance page 9

Thursday, April 8, 2021

33,446.26 10,498.33 49661.76 1,737.80 +16.02 pts +103.41 pts +460.37 pts Gold -0.30 % CI reaffirms QIB’s long term rating at Dow QE sensex A+ with stable outlook page 10 Price percentage Price percentage 25.19 Brent 63.09 +0.56 % WTI 59.61 +0.47% Silver -0.15 % Burhan seeks Qatari investment in Sudan Tribune News Network port cooperation between Qatari and Suda- Doha nese firms by establishing joint enterprises and commercial alliances that benefit both Sudan offers a myriad of investment op- economies,” Sheikh Khalifa said. portunities that might attract Qatari inves- “Qatar Chamber is interested in encour- tors, Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, head of aging Qatari businessmen to invest in Sudan Sudan’s ruling interim military council, and exploring the investment opportunities said on Wednesday. available there,” he said. Addressing Qatari businessmen during Presenting the ideal investment cli- his meeting with Qatar Chamber officials mate in Sudan, Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed in Doha on Wednesday, Gen Abdel Fattah noted that there exists a new law for in- Al Burhan said, “Sudan offers a myriad of vestment which offers many incentives for investment opportunities that might attract foreign investors. Qatari investors. We are working to devel- He called on Qatar Chamber to organise op economic legislation to facilitate foreign a visit to Sudan for Qatari businessmen to investors.” help them learn more about the investment Praising the strong fraternal relations opportunities galore there. between Qatar and Sudan, he said, “This Mariam Al Sadiq eluded the close re- visit will play a key role in enhancing coop- lationship between both countries and eration ties between the two countries.” expressed hope that these ties would con- Urging Qatari businessmen to invest in tribute to developing their commercial and his country, Burhan said, “While there are investment cooperation. many Qatari investments in Sudan, there is Mohamed bin Twar, who also spoke on a strong desire from the Sudanese side to the occasion, said that Qatari businessmen have more investments from Qatar.” are interested in investing in Sudan, stress- Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khali- ing that it offers a lot of prominent oppor- fa bin Jassim Al Thani, QC First Vice Chair- tunities in many sectors such as agriculture man Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar and and food security. QC Board Member Mohamed Jawhar Al Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, head of Sudan’s ruling interim military council, in a meeting with Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Prominent among those who also at- Mohammed and a number of Qatari busi- Thani and Qatar Chamber First Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar in Doha on Wednesday. tended the meeting were Sheikh Nayef bin nessmen participated in the meeting. Eid Al Thani, Hassad Food Company CEO The Sudanese delegation included vestment relations between the two broth- tween both countries. He noted that there and businessmen, pointing out that there Mohammad Badr Al Sada, Abdullah Yaqoub Minister of Finance and Economic Plan- erly countries and the role of the private is a large Sudanese community working are many successful Qatari investments in from Qatari Diar, Nasser bin Abdullah Al- ning Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed, Minister sector in developing investments and bilat- in Qatar and contributing to the boom it electricity and food security. Attiyah from Qatar Investment Authority, of Foreign Affairs Mariam Al Sadiq and a eral trade. witnesses. He said that the coming period would Misfer Hamad Al Shahwani, deputy general number of officials from Sudan. Speaking on the occasion, QC Chair- As for mutual investments, Sheikh witness more Qatari investments in Sudan manager for projects development at Qatar The meeting touched on reviewing man Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani Khalifa said, Sudan has been and still an especially in the area of food security. Fund for Development (QFFD) and Nora means of enhancing commercial and in- praised the strong and close relations be- attractive destination for Qatari investors “Qatar Chamber is always keen to sup- Khaled from QFDD. Economy & Business Thursday, April 8, 2021 09 Vodafone to announce Q1 QLM launches family health insurance results on April 25 with four different levels of coverage Tribune News Network Doha A large network of medical service providers in Qatar and around the world will be part of the product The Board of Directors of Vodafone Qatar will meet on Tribune News Network into consideration in order April 25, 2021, to approve the Doha to become more suitable company’s financial results for for what they are looking the first quarter ending March QLM Life and Health Insur- for in terms of covering the 31, 2021. The Board will also ance has launched a family health services expenses consider other items included insurance product with four of medical service provid- on the agenda for the meeting. different levels of coverage. ers from the private medi- The company’s financial A large network of medi- cal sector such as hospi- results will be made publicly cal service providers in Qa- tals, health centres, private available on Vodafone Qatar’s tar and around the world clinics, dental centres and website www.vodafone.qa and will be part of the product pharmacies. on the Qatar Stock Exchange that can be used by fami- “Recently, we witnessed website www.qe.com.qa. lies of citizens and residents an increasing demand for who have a valid Qatari individual health insurance identity card. products and the desire of Depending on the level of many different segments of coverage, beneficiaries can society to obtain health care Car cameras undergo outpatient check- in the private medical sector ups starting from nothing to in Qatar,” said Ahmed Mo- not activated up to 20 percent and compre- hamed Zbib, Executive Vice hensive medical coverage of President of QLM Life and outside North up to QR3 million per person Health Insurance. per year. “That is why we have America: Tesla The family insurance launched four family insur- product will include medi- ance programmes that in- Agencies cal diagnostics, medical clude comprehensive cov- dental services, pregnancy erage or participation of Cameras in Tesla cars are and childbirth services, op- medical services, and the four not activated outside of North tometry and physiotherapy coverage levels. “ America, the U.S. automaker services, analysis and sur- Zbib indicated that the said on its Chinese social media gery, laboratories services, price of the product has been page on Wednesday, seeking skin treatments, coverage of determined to be affordable to assuage security concerns in chronic diseases and pre-in- to all segments of society for the world’s biggest car market. surance disease cases that are competitive goals that serve Tesla faces scrutiny in diagnosed according to the the interest of customers, China where the military in benefitschedule, coverage of surance mandatory for resi- tor for citizens and residents and under this product, the March banned Tesla cars non-chronic diseases, cover- dents and visitors. It goes one of Qatar, who wish to obtain benefits that customers will from entering its complexes, age of physical and comple- step ahead to ensure compli- health insurance coverage for receive from service provid- citing security concerns over mentary therapy, chiroprac- ance by making health insur- themselves and their family ers will vary according to the cameras in its vehicles. tic treatment. ance a pre-requisite for ap- Recently, we witnessed an members. type of each service and the “Even in the United States, Spine, acupuncture, ho- plying or renewing resident increasing demand for individual The product will be avail- service provider. car owners can freely choose meopathy, osteopathy and permits as well as entry and health insurance products and the able to all customers at The company uses its full whether to turn on its (the Ayurveda and many other visit visas. desire of many different segments the company’s branch and experience in the local mar- camera system’s) use. Tesla is benefits are also included in QLM’s launch of the in- through its website www.qlm. ket to upgrade the sector and equipped with a network secu- this product. surance product comes with- of society to obtain health care in com.qa. create opportunities for com- rity system with world-leading Recently, Qatar’s Shura in the framework of a series of the private medical sector in Qatar. It has many character- petition in providing servic- security levels to ensure user Council discussed a draft law individual products targeting istics in which the custom- es, which is in the interest of privacy protection,” Tesla said. that seeks to make health in- the individual services sec- Ahmed Mohamed Zbib ers’ needs have been taken customers.

Toshiba considers $20 billion take-private deal Agencies statement, without providing fur- low. ther details. “We believe that current share- Toshiba Corp is considering a $20 Toshiba’s board, which includes holders, especially activists, will billion offer from private equity firm Kurumatani who joined Toshiba want a rather steep price,” he said in CVC Capital Partners to take it pri- from CVC, and Yoshiaki Fujimori, research note. vate, a person familiar with the mat- a senior adviser at the private eq- If they accepted the current offer ter said, as the Japanese industrial uity firm, discussed the proposal on it would still be the biggest private conglomerate faces pressure from Wednesday, the source with knowl- equity-led deal in Asia Pacific this activist shareholders to improve edge of the proposal said. year, surpassing Blackstone’s $6 governance. Shares in Toshiba soared 18% to billion offer for Crown Resorts Ltd The proposed deal, which comes their daily-limit on Wednesday. in Australia, according to Refinitiv three weeks after shareholders ap- CVC is considering a 30% pre- data. It would also be CVC’s biggest proved an independent probe into mium over Toshiba’s current share foray into the region so far. the scandal-hit company, could price in a tender offer, putting the For CVC, which declined to shield management, particularly value of the deal at nearly 2.3 trillion comment, the proposal represents Chief Executive Nobuaki Kuruma- yen ($21 billion) based on Tuesday’s another chance to expand in Japan tani, from that scrutiny. It would, closing share price of 3,830 yen, where large companies are under however, invite regulatory review said the source, who declined to be pressure to sell non-core assets and given its government work. identified as the matter is private. improve returns to shareholders. “Toshiba received an initial pro- LightStream Research analyst Other deals by the private equity posal yesterday, and will ask for fur- Mio Kato, who publishes on invest- firm include the $1.5 billion pur- ther clarification and give it careful ment research platform Smartkar- chase of Shiseido Co’s lower-priced consideration,” Toshiba said in a ma, described that offer price as too skincare and shampoo brands. US trade deficit jumps 4.8 percent to record $71.1 billion in February Agencies

The U.S. trade deficit grew to a re- cord $71.1 billion in February as a decline in exports more than offset a slight dip in imports, with severe weather taking much of the blame from analysts, who were expecting a slightly lower gap. The February gap between what America buys from abroad com- pared to what it sells abroad jumped 4.8% above the revised January def- icit of $67.8 billion, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The coronavirus pandemic has stifled global trade for more than a year, but those barriers appear to be falling as millions of people get vac- The February gap between what America buys from abroad compared to what it cinated and countries start easing sells abroad jumped 4.8%. operating restrictions for business- es. Total trade after two months of U.S. economy moves into high gear. decline in imports, which ticked 2021 is just 1.8% behind where it “The trade deficit is poised to down from January’s record high of was at this point last year, before widen as the U.S. recovery surges in $260.1 billion. the global economy was blindsided the spring and summer,” said Oren The February goods deficit of by the pandemic. Klachkin of Oxford Economics in a $88 billion, up from $85.2 billion The U.S. vaccine rollout, which note to clients. “Better health condi- in January, was also the highest so far as gotten at least one shot into tions, reopenings, and fiscal stimu- on record. The $5 billion decrease the arms of more than 100 million lus will boost domestic demand and in exports of goods was stoked by Americans, is far ahead of other keep a strong pull on imports.” a $2.5 billion dropoff in the capital major global economies in Europe The higher trade deficit in Feb- goods category. and Asia. Should that trend contin- ruary reflected a 2.6% decline in The February services surplus ue, economists believe it will accel- exports of goods and services to of $16.9 billion was the lowest since erate a return to “business as usual” $187.3 billion on a seasonally ad- January of 2012, tripped up by a de- and an even wider trade gap as the justed basis. That wiped out a 0.7% cline in exports of travel services. 10 Thursday, April 8, 2021 Economy & Business

Kahramaa, Marubeni sign MoU to strengthen CI reaffirms QIB’s long term energy efficiency effort rating at A+ with stable outlook QIB continues to enjoy a strong franchise and market position as the largest Islamic bank in Qatar, the agency said

Tribune News Network buffer and ICAAP Pillar II Doha capital charge.” Commenting on the rat- International credit ing, Mr. Bassel Gamal, QIB’s rating agency Capital Intel- Group Chief Executive Offic- ligence (CI) has affirmed the er, said: “We are pleased with long-term and short-term the reaffirmation of our rat- foreign currency ratings of ings by Capital Intelligence. Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) This confirms the strong -fi at ‘A+’ and ‘A1’ respectively, nancial position of Qatar, its with a stable outlook. banking sector, and QIB’s CI’s Credit Rating Report vigor which has been stead- Kahramaa President Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari reaffirmedthat QIB contin- ily improving in line with our ues to enjoy a strong fran- long-term strategies and ob- Tribune News Network chise and market position jectives.” Doha as the largest Islamic bank “CI’s reaffirmations of our in Qatar, with good liquidity ratings is a testament of QIB’s Qatar General Electricity and funding profile. The re- stability, sustainable business & Water Corporation (Kah- port also stated that QIB con- model, high asset quality and ramaa) has signed a Memo- tinues to have robust capitali- robust capital position. We randum of Understanding The initiative zation in a well-capitalized will remain committed to the (MoU) with the Japanese The initiative will rely on the Qatari banking system, in ad- highest working standards, Company Marubeni to electronic control panels dition to having solid and sta- and we will continue to im- evolve an energy efficiency and interactive ble asset quality with strong plement our long-term busi- platform to strengthen the measurement mechanism loss absorption capacity, and ness strategy with a contin- efforts of the National Pro- strong and consistent profit- ued focus to contribute to the gramme for Conservation to measure the customer’s ability. On QIB’s stable out- growth of the local economy, and Energy Efficiency (Tar- consumptions and look, the report stated that CI while always being ready to sheed) through its new sus- associated behavioural does not consider a change in navigate any potential chal- tainability initiative. changes while using energy either rating likely in the next lenges.” Bassel added. The MoU has been at house. The customer will 12 months. Also rated ‘A1’, ‘A-/A-2’ signed by Kahramaa Presi- be required to fill in a In its Credit Rating Re- and ‘A’ by Moody’s, S&P and dent Essa bin Hilal Al Ku- questionnaire to determine port, CI added: “QIB’s asset Fitch with stable outlooks, wari and Marubeni’s Chief the consumption pattern quality is solid and stable, QIB has achieved positive Operating Officer Satoru plan for each residential while credit loss absorption financial results for the year Harada. category according to the capacity is strong. The non- 2020. The Bank has achieved The initiative will rely type of housing, the performing financing N( PF) net profit attributable to on the electronic control number of residents in the ratio remained moderate over shareholders of QR3,065 panels and interactive the last six years, and among million for the fiscal year measurement mechanism house, and other updates. the lowest of its peer group.” 2020 compared to QR3,055 to measure the customer’s The report also said that million for the year 2019, de- consumptions and associ- Vision 2030 and the ob- QIB’s profitability is strong spite the impact of COVID-19 ated behavioural changes jectives of sustainable de- and its earnings quality is and the decline in oil prices. while using energy at velopment goals for the good, with the Bank posting The Bank maintained the ba- house. community awareness to consistent results. CI added sic earnings per share at QR The customer will be ensure the efficiency of that QIB’s profitability was 1.21. required to fill in a ques- electricity and water in Qa- better than sector average, Total assets of the bank tionnaire to determine the tar through the initiatives supported by the Bank’s has increased by 6.6% com- consumption pattern plan of Tarsheed. The platform broadly stable net financing pared to 2019 and now stands for each residential cat- is one of its latest initia- margins (NFMs), which re- at QR174.4 Billion driven by egory according to the type tives that will contribute mained above average, and a growth in the core banking of housing, the number of in achieving the desired continued efficiency gains. QIB’s head office in Doha activities. residents in the house, and reduction and the results The report also highlight- Financing activities regis- other updates. will be announced in the ed that QIB has a good liquid- non-deposit funding is lower is a well-capitalised Qatar quirement of the Qatar Cen- tered a robust growth by 4.7% Moreover, the initia- first half of 2020. ity profile, largely funded by than peer banks in Qatar. banking system. In addition, tral Bank (QCB), based on in- over 2019 to reach QR119.1 tive will launch an effective It’s worth mentioning customer deposits, mainly by On QIB’s strong capitali- QIB’s total equity to total as- ternational standards (Basel billion. Customer Depos- app which will enable the that the Kahramaa had diversifiedand stable retail zation and quality of capital, sets ratio (balance sheet lev- III), while its CAR comfort- its of the bank now stand at customer to have a smart signed a similar memo- deposits, and with depend- the report said: “The Bank is erage) is also better than its ably exceeds the QCB floor QR118.1 billion registering a plan according to the ac- randum in April 2019 with ence on foreign funding rela- better than its peer group in peers. QIB’s CET-1 ratio is for total capital, including growth by 5.8% compared to tual home consumption the leading Japanese Com- tively low, the proportion of terms of capital ratios in what well above the minimum re- conservation buffer, D-SIB December 2019. pattern to achieve the tar- pany in the field of energy, geted reduction for every through which the first customer. This initiative photovoltaic station was will contribute to reduce established to store energy electricity and water con- and charge electric vehi- Swiss watchmakers go digital to show off new products sumption in the residential cles in Qatar as well as op- sector by 5%, and will last erating the pilot project to Agencies ecutive vice president at lux- Stern said. for an year. produce the clean energy ury goods group Hermes, told “People don’t want to buy This initiative comes via solar panels to invest Luxury Swiss watchmak- Reuters one of the reasons a Patek online, the watches as a continuation of efforts the clean energy in charg- ers, usually not big fans of Hermes’ watch business out- are expensive, you lose the provided by Kahramaa, ing the electric cars. These online retailing, are launch- performed the industry last beauty, the magic.” represented by Conserva- projects contributed in re- ing a new all-digital Watches year was that its customers The family-owned luxury tion and Energy Efficiency ducing the harmful carbon & Wonders event on Wednes- were already used to shop- watchmaker sees a recovery Department, to achieve emissions, which is the day to display their latest ping on hermes.com. this year after a 20% sales sustainability develop- most important objectives products, hoping to revive Hermes, known for slump in 2020, but does not ment according to Qatar of Tarsheed. sales hit by the coronavirus leather goods, silk scarves expect to return to 2019 sales crisis. and perfumes, embraced e- figures yet. T“ hat will maybe Makers of high-end commerce much earlier than take a year or two, Stern said. watches still largely rely on pure-play watchmakers, Justin Reis, chief execu- physical stores for sales, but launching its transactional tive of pre-owned platform the success of online plat- website in the United States WatchBox, said customers forms for pre-owned watch- almost 20 years ago. had become much more en- es, such as WatchBox or De Seynes said he expect- gaged with the brands during Richemont’s Watchfinder,ed a strong recovery in the The HO8 model of Hermes is pictured during a media presentation at the pandemic as they became have shown it is possible to group’s watch sales this year, the Watches & Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland. used to actively searching in- sell luxury timepieces online. with current trends broadly formation online, via webi- Pandemic-related factory in line with the 28% increase the brand. Other analysts es- stores to sell their products nars or social media. and store closures hit Swiss in the final quarter of 2020. timated the online share of that can cost tens of thou- In reaction to this trend, watch sales last year and have Rene Weber, analyst at sales at around 7% to 9%. sands of dollars. Patek Philippe has made forced brands to boost their Vontobel, estimated that Some Swiss luxury watch For Patek, selling online is some investment in its digital often tiny online business only about 2% of Swiss watch brands - such as Patek still not an option, and a test capabilities, hiring staff and and generally rethink digital sales in value terms were cur- Philippe and Rolex - have run with retailers during the setting up a studio to deliver Marubeni’s Chief Operating Officer Satoru Harada activities. rently done online, with the preferred to stick with tra- first lockdown confirmed that high-quality virtual product Guillaume de Seynes, ex- share varying depending on ditional bricks and mortar strategy, President Thierry presentations. Huawei FreeBuds 4i recognised with ‘Smart Green Certification’

Tribune News Network Huawei is committed to The FreeBuds 4i adopts a SAR value of FreeBuds 4i is quality of life of consumers, Doha protect the environment, as PEEK+PU polymer diaphragm less than 40 percent of the in- promote the sustainable de- well as users’ health and safe- which is light and flexible to ternationally SAR standard to velopment of the industry, and Huawei announced that its ty. After years of progress, the offer a more comfortable wear- protect the health of consum- lead the industry to be more FreeBuds 4i has received the concept of green and environ- ing experience. The R&D ex- ers. FreeBuds 4i’s battery life environmentally conscious. Smart Green Medal from SGS, mental protection has been perts continuously adjust the is also designed following the Experts in SGS followed an internationally recognised integrated into all aspects of size of the silicone ear tip to en- industry’s highest standards of the Smart Green Medal re- inspection, appraisal, testing Huawei’s product planning, sure it can adapt to the shape safety requirements to ensure quirements, and comprehen- and certification organisation. design, research and develop- of the ear canal naturally, en- users’ safety. sively evaluated the product The certificate recognises that ment, manufacturing, deliv- suring that the user will not ex- Equipped with Huawei’s from five dimensions, includ- the FreeBuds 4i has achieved ery, operation, and mainte- perience any discomfort. The top audio technology, Free- ing material safety, listening the industry-leading level of en- nance. Aside from the Smart company has also optimised Buds 4i is committed to pro- safety, wearing safety, radia- vironmental protection, health, Green Medal, FreeBuds 4i also noise cancellation for the viding users with high-quality tion safety, and battery safety. and safety standard. This is not performs well overall. It inher- most common user scenarios audio experience. As a global SGS’s certification not only the first time Huawei audio its the FreeBuds Series’ superb and locations in everyday life. technology company, Huawei brings consumers greener, products have been approved audio quality and powerful This way, noise cancellation is committed to protect the healthier, safer and better by SGS. In 2020, Huawei’s flag- battery life, as well as active performance has been further environment, as well as users’ audio products, but also mo- ship earphones, FreeBuds Pro, noise cancellation and stylish improved to deliver a comfort- health and safety. Through tivates the whole smart audio received the world’s first Smart design to offer an outstanding able listening experience. In technological advancement, product industry in driving Green Medal issued by SGS. experience. terms of radiation safety, the Huawei aims to improve the green standards. Thursday, April 8, 2021 11 Economy & Business

Oxford Business Group report Omnichannel: The new face of Qatari retail? Omnichannel distribution strategy involves boosting and expanding digital offerings while maintaining a brick-and-mortar footprint

n Qatar, retailers that have pandemic average. In part, this is ing to the Ministry of Transport and continue as retailers adapt their drive a return to offline shopping. successfully weathered the because consumers still value the Communications, 60% of consum- in-store offerings to meet evolving “In the GCC, malls are a cen- Covid-19 pandemic are now ‘touch and feel’ experience of brick- Highlights ers in Qatar expressed a desire to consumer tastes. tral cultural and social component committed to a blended, om- and-mortar stores, even while ● The pandemic prompted a shop online in 2019. “Sustainability, particularly of the community,” Emile Sarkis, nichannel distribution strat- some have maintained a preference massive increase in online One entity that leveraged the through the application of circu- general manager of Mall of Qatar, Iegy, which involves boosting and for e-commerce.” distribution increase in digital shopping was lar economy principles in product told OBG. “As a result, there is a expanding their digital offerings A recent report by internation- EButler, a one-stop services plat- design and shopping processes, strong case for shaping the retail while at the same time maintaining al consultancy KPMG notes that ● Brick and mortar retail stores form which recently raised a total should be the central thrust for in- environment so that offline and on- a brick-and-mortar footprint. stores now need to be adept in ar- remain popular despite capacity of QR3.4m ($934,000) in seed novation in food retail; artificial in- line channels coexist in a mutually The pandemic gave rise to a eas such as online fulfilment, data restrictions funding, according to local media telligence and big data have proven reinforcing way.” massive increase in online shop- analytics and process automation. reports. The platform has helped a to have less disruptive potential Prior to the pandemic, there ping, to the extent that many ob- Another consequence of the ● Retail businesses have range of businesses adopt an om- than previously expected. On the was already a move towards intro- servers predicted that brick-and- pandemic is that retailers are in- adopted a blended, nichannel approach to providing contrary, an increased reliance ducing new food and beverage con- mortar stores would be phased out. creasingly seeking to differentiate omnichannel approach goods and services, and now repre- on the ‘just in time’ supply chain cepts and entertainment options, However, instead of closing themselves through their value ad- sents over 300 merchants. model has proved detrimental to to draw more footfall to malls. physical branches, many retail- dition. Whether this is by way of a ● Malls are increasing their Although the country is seeing the supply chain,” Althaf told OBG. In line with the broader drive to ers – which may have lacked the brand’s aim to promote corporate emphasis on entertainment a second wave of Covid-19 cases, as Sustainability and the circular enrich the offline shopping experi- capacity, motivation or know-how social responsibility, for example, offerings well as the consequent reimposition economy are policy priorities in ence, this tendency is set to expand to scale up their digital platforms – or the ease and experiential rich- of various lockdown measures, as of Qatar at present, particularly in going forwards. have partnered with major e-sales ness of the on- and offline shopping April 7 shopping malls were permit- light of the nation’s commitment to “Malls can only differentiate platforms and delivery companies. experience, retailers are needing to tions. ted to remain open at 30% capacity. organise a sustainable FIFA World themselves through entertainment. “The future of traditional play- do more than simply provide goods For example, the Qatar Cen- Looking ahead, the ongoing rollout Cup in 2022. At the end of the day, the brands ers in retail will be in omnichannel and services. tral Bank launched its Qatar Mo- of the vaccination programme has and shops found in the malls in in terms of their reach,” Mohamed bile Payment System, which uses led many to anticipate that virus Malls expand their offering any given market are very similar; Althaf, director of Lulu Group In- Digital drive QR-code technology to allow con- could soon be brought under con- The retail panorama in Qatar a diverse shopping experience and ternational, told OBG. When non-essential stores sumers to make digital payments trol despite the current surge. is notable for its preponderance of entertainment offering, particu- “While there was certainly an were shuttered at the outset of the through their smartphones. While consumers continue to malls: super-regional malls take up larly one catering to both kids and increase in e-commerce for gro- pandemic in March last year, the This was facilitated by an exist- use digital platforms, offline shop- 52% of total gross leasable area in adults, must therefore be a funda- ceries during the pandemic, num- authorities moved quickly to fa- ing predisposition to digital meth- ping remains popular. Industry in- the country. mental pillar of the strategy,” Sark- bers are now returning to the pre- cilitate the expansion of digital op- ods among the population. Accord- siders anticipate that this trend will This has heightened the need to is told OBG.

Uber, Lyft tout US Biofuels producers, farmers not sold on switch to electric ride-hail driver pay Agencies to the Environmental Protec- provided about $30 billion to Uber Technologies Inc and earnings of around $31 in tion Agency. help the industry get estab- Lyft Inc said U.S. drivers on Philadelphia and close to $29 The president and auto in- LMC Automotive, a con- lished before that expired a their ride-hail platforms were in Chicago. Those earnings are dustry maintain the nation is sulting firm, predicts more decade ago. And farmers who earning significantly more after Uber’s fee but before ex- on the cusp of a gigantic shift than 1 million electric vehi- grow commodity crops, such than before the pandemic as penses, which drivers are re- to electric vehicles and away cles will be sold in the U.S. as corn and soybeans, still trip demand outstrips driver sponsible for as independent from liquid-fueled cars, but in 2023, rising to over 4 mil- receive help from the federal supply, prompting the compa- contractors. biofuels producers and some lion by 2030 — still less than government, including subsi- nies to offer extra incentives. Lyft on Tuesday said driv- of their supporters in Con- one-quarter of normal annual dized crop insurance costing Uber on Wednesday said ers in the company’s top-25 gress aren’t buying it. They new vehicle sales of around 17 billions of dollars annually. it would invest an additional markets were earning an aver- argue that now is the time to million. Electric vehicles now Despite assurances the $250 million to further boost age of $36 per hour compared increase sales of ethanol and comprise less than 2% of U.S. move to electric will be gradu- driver earnings and offer pay- to $20 per hour pre-pandem- biodiesel, not abandon them. new-vehicle sales. al, many farmers see the shift ment guarantees in an effort ic. In Denver, drivers earn as To help address climate Citing a recent study from as a threat to their livelihoods to incentivize new and existing much as $44 per hour on aver- change, President Joe Biden Harvard and Tuft universi- and doubt state and federal drivers. age, the company said. Lyft is has proposed an infrastruc- ties that found ethanol emits officials from urban areas will Uber’s Vice President of also offering additional incen- ture plan that includes billions 46% less carbon than gaso- An ethanol plant stands next to a cornfield near Nevada, Iowa. protect rural economies. U.S. & Canada Mobility, Den- tives and promotions in select of dollars to pay for 500,000 line, biofuels advocates say it’s “It’s like you’re almost nis Cinelli, in a blog post told markets. electric vehicle charging sta- imperative for the climate that produce the fuel, but most are Grassley said. helpless,” said Ed Wieder- drivers to take advantage of The uptick in demand tions, electrify public vehi- the nation prioritize increased in the Midwest, led by Iowa Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst ar- stein, a semi-retired livestock higher earnings before pay re- comes as more U.S. states lift cles and enhance the nation’s biofuel production. with 43 ethanol refineries and gues that tax credits for buy- and grain farmer near Audu- turns to pre-COVID-19 levels lockdown restrictions imple- power grid. These moves fol- Geoff Cooper, who heads 11 biodiesel plants. Nearly ing electric cars typically go to bon in western Iowa. “It’s like as more drivers return to the mented in response to the low initiatives in California the St. Louis-based Renew- 40% of the U.S. corn crop is well-to-do people on the East a snowball that goes down- platform. COVID-19 pandemic, vaccina- and other states to mandate able Fuels Association, calls used for ethanol, and 30% of and West coasts and are prop- hill.” Uber said drivers spend- tion rates increase and a grow- electric vehicle sales and a ethanol the “low-hanging soybeans goes to biodiesel. ping up an industry that hurts Joel Levin, executive di- ing 20 hours online per week ing number of Americans start goal by General Motors to fruit” for reducing carbon Despite the carbon bene- demand for biofuels. rector of the nonprofit advo- were seeing median hourly moving again. shift production fully to elec- emissions and slowing global fits of ethanol, others note the “It’s not only the move cacy group Plug In America, tric vehicles by 2035. warming. He supports an im- growth of biofuels prompted to all-electric vehicles that said the market will favor Yet any shift from liquid- mediate move from gasoline an expansion of corn acreage, should have Iowans con- electric cars not only for en- fueled cars to electric would blended with 10% ethanol to a increased use of fertilizers and cerned; it’s the crazy tax vironmental reasons but also be gradual, given the fleet of blend of 15%. more pollution of waterways. breaks that wealthy coastal because they’re high perfor- Ryanair sees break-even 279 million petroleum-pow- “If the goal is to reduce Biofuels plants also typically elites are getting for their mance. ered vehicles now on U.S. carbon impacts of our trans- use hundreds of millions of electric vehicles,” Ernst states “It’s not like Californians earnings amid slow recovery roads. And producers of corn- portation sector and we knew gallons of water annually. on her Senate website. “I wants you to eat your broc- based ethanol and soy-based we’re going to be using hun- Iowa’s two Republican firmly believe Iowa taxpayers coli. These cars are fun to Agencies Union. biodiesel argue that biofuels dreds of billions of gallons of U.S. senators consider the shouldn’t be footing the bill drive,” Levin said. “People “While it is not possible, will be needed for the foresee- liquid fuels for the next sever- shift toward electric vehicles a for millionaires to get a dis- don’t drive Teslas just because Ryanair, Europe’s biggest at this time, to provide mean- able future. al decades, why not take steps threat to farmers. count on luxury cars.” it’s good for the environment. discount airline, says earnings ingful (fiscal year 2022) profit The government’s pro- now to reduce the carbon in- Sen. Charles Grassley said It is true that many who They drive Teslas because it’s for the current fiscal year are guidance, we do not share the motion of electric vehicles tensity of those liquid fuels?” last fall that a proposal by got the $7,500 federal elec- a sick car.” likely to be “close to break- recent optimism of certain comes as the U.S. works to Cooper said. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merk- tric vehicle tax credit since its Over time, a switch to elec- even” as continued travel re- analysts as we believe that the reduce carbon emissions that Each year, U.S. refineries ley of Oregon and Rep. Mike inception in 2009 could af- tric vehicles likely will force strictions delay its recovery outcome for FY22 is currently worsen climate change and to produce about 15 billion gal- Levin of California to end U.S. ford a car that cost six figures farmers to adapt, said Chad from the COVID-19 pandemic. close to breakeven,” the com- compete in the increasingly lons of ethanol — about 10% sales of gas-powered vehi- or more. But since then, new Hart, an agriculture econo- The pessimistic out- pany said in a statement. electric global auto market. the volume of gasoline — and cles by 2035 would devastate models and higher sales have mist at Iowa State University. look came as the airline said Ryanair’s passenger traf- The transportation sector ac- 1.5 billion gallons of biodiesel, Iowa. brought economies of scale Farmers in states such as Iowa Wednesday that the airline fic fell 81.5% to 27.5 million counts for the largest share which is typically blended “This ... would absolutely and lower prices that appeal and Illinois still will mainly industry is facing a delayed passengers in the fiscal year of U.S. greenhouse gas emis- with petroleum-based diesel destroy Iowa’s economy be- to more mainstream buyers. grow corn and soybeans be- recovery going into the peak ended March 31 as lockdown sions, and more than 80% of for trucks and other heavy ve- cause it’s so dependent on The ethanol industry itself cause the soil and climate are summer season because of orders and travel restric- that comes from cars, pickups hicles. agriculture and agriculture was a beneficiary of a 45-cent- perfect, but farmers elsewhere the slow rollout of coronavi- tions forced people to stay and larger trucks, according Plants around the country is so dependent on biofuels,” per-gallon tax credit that will raise other crops, he said. rus vaccines in the European home. QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Sleep-deprived QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune new father Jon Rahm eyes green jacket at Augusta Masters THURSday, APRIl 8, 2021 page 14

Qatar Olympic Committee’s First Vice-President Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, Qatar Volleyball Association President Ali Bin Ghanem Al Kuwari and other officials honour the Al Rayyan team after they won the HH Amir Cup Volleyball at QVA Hall on Wednesday. Al Rayyan rally to emerge HH Amir Cup volleyball champions

QOC’s First Vice-President Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, QVA officials, and heads of Al Rayyan and Al Arabi clubs witnessing the final. Action from the final between Al Rayyan and Al Arabi at the QVA Hall on Wednesday. Prevail 3-2 over Al Arabi in thrilling final

Tribune News Network (QOC) First Vice-President 20, and Boyer garnered 15 Doha Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani points. in the presence of Qatar Vol- For Al Arabi, Ribeiro Re- Al Rayyan ralled from being leyball Association President nan scored 24 points and Ibra- a set down to prevail over Al Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari and him Ibrahim Moha 17. Arabi 3-2 in the thrilling final other officials. Al Rayyan had made it to to win His Highness The Amir Al Rayyan defeated Al Ara- the final with a dominant 2-0 Cup Volleyball Cup at the Qa- bi 27-29, 25-18, 28-26, 23-25, lead over Al Ahli in the best tar Volleyball Association’s 15-11. Abo Naboot Belal Nabil of three semi-finals, while Al (QVA) Hall on Wednesday. was the highest scorer for the Arabi reached the final after The winners were crowned winners with 25 points while overcoming Police SC in a by Qatar Olympic Committee’s Costa Marcus Vinicius scored similar manner. Al Rayyan players hoist the winners’ trophy. Rodrigues strike seals Umm Salal’s QNB Stars League survival Tribune News Network Kayke finally broke the Doha deadlock, following a superb run by captain Lawrance The all-important strike from Quaye inside the box. Quaye Kayke Rodrigues saw Umm crossed the ball, which reached Salal seal their survival in Kayke after taking Amine’s the QNB Stars League with a touch. The Brazilian’s first at- 1-0 win over Al Sailiya at the tempt took Ramin Rezaeian’s Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium rebound, with Kayke giving no on Wednesday. chance in his second hit, vol- Rodrigues struck in the 59th leying the ball in the left corner minute as Umm Salal celebrated to score the winning goal. having avoided the relegation Malick was influential in play-off against Second Division parrying several Al Sailiya at- runners-up. Umm Salal moved tacks later in the match as to 21 points after their fifth vic- Umm Salal secured an impres- tory, five more than 11th placed sive victory. Al Khor with just one round of Later, Al Kharitiyat, who the league remaining. are already relegated to the Al Sailiya, the Ooredoo second division, stunned Al Cup champions, remained on Arabi 2-1. At the Hamad bin 26 points and in eight place Khalifa Stadium, Al Arabi took following their ninth defeat. the lead through Abdulaziz al- Umm Salal goalkeeper Ansari in the 14th minute. Baba Malick denied Al Sailiya But their lead lasted only 10 an early goal, diving on his left Umm Salal players celebrate their 1-0 win over Al Sailiya with Umm Salal coach Aziz Ben Askar on Wednesday. minutes as Oumar Sako equal- to block Tiago Bezerra’s header ised for Kharitiyat. After the in the second minute. Al Sailiya missed the target. Tiago wasted a penalty in for Omar Yahya’s handball fol- ended in a stalemate. outside the box, but this time break, Mohamed Osman found were keeping Malick busy with In a first attack from Umm the 36th minute as his push lowing a corner kick. The Orange Fortress re- Kayke’s hit from a difficult an- the net in 48th minute, which repeated attacks and looked in Salal on the half-hour mark, on the right struck the upright, Five minutes before the turned as a better side, with gle was off target. turned out to be the winner. total control of the match. A Rabeh Yahia’s attempt was though Malick dived in the op- break, Amine made a superb Ahmed Hammoudan leading Yahya warded off an attack Bottom-placed Al Kharaitiyat dangerous hit by Al Sailiya’s thwarted well by Al Sailiya goal- posite direction. Referee Ab- save diving on his right to de- the attack soon after the sec- by Al Sailiya in the 50th minute, have 12 points, four less than Nadir Belhadj from outside the keeper Claude Amine, who ran dulla Ali Athba, after consult- flecta spectacular free-kick ond half started. They won diving to deflect a shot by Tiago Al Khor, while Arabi are in sev- box following a corner kick just to deny room to the striker. ing VAR, handed the penalty taken by Kayke as first half a free-kick, around 10 yards from near the penalty area. enth place with 26 points. Sports Thursday, April 8, 2021 13 Thrilling PSG 3-2 win puts Bayern on brink; Chelsea beat Porto 2-0

Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe (2nd R) celebrates scoring his second goal with team-mates during the Chelsea’s English midfielder Mason Mount (L) celebrates his goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League first UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match against FC Bayern Munich in Munich on Wednesday.(AFP) leg quarter final match against FC Porto at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain, on Wednesday.(AFP )

DPA chances but were profligate A brilliant goal from Ma- mediately in the Munich snow. by visiting keeper Keylor Na- the club after 10 years this Porto faded as the game Berlin without injured star Robert son Mount and another from A lovely pass from An- vas but Choupo-Moting – who summer, standing off him went on and Chilwell rounded Lewandowski. His deputy Eric Ben Chilwell gave Chelsea a gel Di Maria found Neymar came off the bench for PSG in and the French international keeper Agustin Marchesin for a Title holders Bayern Munich Maxim Choupo-Moting cut 2-0 win ‘away’ to Porto in a in space and he in turn fed the final last season – gave found the 68th minute winner late second shortly after Chris- are on the verge of elimination the deficit with a header and game which coronavirus re- Mbappe who lashed a third them hope with a downward at the near post. tian Pulisic thumped the bar. from the Champions League af- Thomas Mueller levelled but strictions saw moved to Sevil- minute opener through Ma- header before the break. Thomas Tuchel coached The victory eased Chelsea’s ter Kylian Mbappe’s double gave Bayern’s weakness at either la, which also hosts the return nuel Neuer. The pressure mounted PSG last season but now concerns after a spectacular Paris Saint-Germain a thrilling end has left them with an up- next week. Choupo-Moting had al- and Mueller headed an equal- manages Chelsea after be- 5-2 home defeat by Premier 3-2 victory in the first leg of their hill task going into next Tues- On Tuesday record 13- ready headed onto the bar izer from a free kick but Bay- ing sacked by the Lique 1 side League strugglers West Brom quarter-final on Wednesday. day’s return in Paris. time winners Real Madrid but Bayern found themselves ern - despite bringing on Al- at Christmas and he is also at the weekend. Mbappe struck the opener Lewandowski will not beat Liverpool 3-1 and Man- two down when Marquinhos phonso Davies and Jerome on course for a return to the Results: Paris Saint-Germain 3 and the winner on counter-at- available for that game as he chester City defeated Borussia beat the offside trap to convert Boateng to rework the defence semi-finals. (Kylian Mbappe 3’, 68’, Mar- tacks against a woeful Bayern recovers from a knee injury. Dortmund 2-1. Neymar’s swinging cross in when Leon Goretkza and Nik- Mount spun away from his quinhos 28’) bt Bayern Munich defence and PSG captain Mar- PSG will hope to finish the job Bayern kept the same team the 28th minute. las Suele picked up injuries - marker and found the bottom 2 (Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting quinhos made it 2-0 midway for an element of revenge after which beat RB Leipzig in a Without world player of had not learnt their lesson. corner in the 32nd minute to 37’, Thomas Muller 60’) through the first half. losing to Bayern in the fina of crucial Bundesliga clash at the the year Lewandowski, Bayern Mbappe was given time give Chelsea a lead against the Chelsea 2 (Mason Mount 32’, Bayern carved out plenty last year’s tournament. weekend but were exposed im- found themselves frustrated with Boateng, who will leave run of play. Ben Chilwell 85’) bt FC Porto 0.

FIFA suspends Pakistan and EUROPA LEAGUE Chad football federations DPA eration (PFF) has been sus- Berlin pended by FIFA due to third- Arsenal look to stop Slavia Prague’s party interference, which, in Football ruling body FIFA the view of the international has suspended the national ruling body, constitutes a vio- federations of Pakistan and lation of the FIFA statutes. Chad with immediate effect. This situation has been victorious run against British sides FIFA said on Wednesday triggered by the recent illegal the decision to suspend the occupation of the PFF head- DPA Chadian football association quarters in Lahore by a group Berlin (FTFA) was taken because of of protestors and “an alleged interference by the African decision by certain individuals Arsenal will host their Eu- state’s government authorities to remove the FIFA-appointed ropa League quarter-finals in federation’s affairs. normalisation committee of first leg on Thursday against “The suspension will be the PFF.” Slavia Prague, a team who Slavia Prague have taken down all British sides they lifted once the relevant gov- “As the situation remains has shown they know how to ernment decisions have been unchanged, the Bureau of the handle British sides after wins faced in the Europa League knock-out stages so far. repealed and the FTFA and its Council has decided to sus- over Leicester and Rangers. management have confirmed pend the PFF,” FIFA said. Manchester United travel Next comes Arsenal, who see the competition as their to FIFA that the FTFA premis- The PFF suspension will to Granada, who have enjoyed es are again under its control,” be lifted once FIFA has re- a remarkable run in their first FIFA said. ceived confirmation that the European campaign and want last chance to save their season Chad had already been ex- PFF’s premises, accounts, ad- to keep writing history. Ajax cluded by the Confederation of ministration and communica- host Roma, while Dinamo Za- African Football (CAF) from tion channels are again under greb welcome Villarreal. Africa Cup of Nations qualifi- “its full control and it can con- Slavia has been dethroning ers because of the situation. tinue to carry out its mandate British sides in their Europa The Pakistan football fed- without further hindrance.” League campaign but don’t have fond memories of their last trip to Arsenal. The 7-0 defeat in the Champions League in 2008 Rashford in Man was the heaviest in their Euro- pean history. Utd squad for “I was hoping to get Arse- nal even in the previous three game at Granada rounds. I’ve been a fan since I was a child,” Slavia midfielder Jakub Hromada said. Arsenal’s players wear special shirts to remember former player “And it’s fantastic that David Rocastle, who died twenty years ago, ahead of the Premier we’ve reached this far in the League match against Liverpool in London last Saturday. (AFP) Europa League.” Out of the Cups and 10th- in their debut season in Euro- described by the Dutch side’s placed in the Premier League, pean competition. boss Erik ten Hag as “some- far away from European com- “For us, it’s massively ex- thing you would see on a great petitions spots, Arsenal hold citing. I once said jokingly that poster, with two famous clubs on to the Europa League as Granada wouldn’t have even playing against each other.” Manchester United’s English striker Marcus Rashford. they hope for success this faced United in a pre-season Roma will rely on their at- season. game,” Granada coach Diego tacking branded football to se- DPA Wednesday and has been “We are still far from the Martinez said. cure at least an away goal. London named in Ole Gunnar Solsk- final but the idea is to go step Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rec- “They are (one of) the most jaer’s 24-strong group to face by step, game by game and we ognized it will be “another established football schools Marcus Rashford has been Granada on Thursday. have a difficult match against difficult tie.” “They’ve done in Europe, but we have our included in Manchester Unit- Juan Mata returns to the Slavia,” Arsenal midfielder well in the Liga and we know chances,” Roma coach Paulo ed’s travelling squad for the fold as United head to Spain, Willian said. we’re up against a team that Fonseca said. Europa League quarter-final with 18-year-old Anthony El- “But we certainly have will be technically very good Mislav Orsic’s hat-trick first leg at Granada. anga named in his first squad. chances. We believe we can and tactically very good,” he against Tottenham earned The 23-year-old was tak- “Marcus is travelling and reach the final, yes,” he added. said, adding: “They beat (Sol- Dinamo Zagreb a place in the en off in the second half of we’ve just got to make a deci- The other British side alive skjaer’s former club) Molde so quarter-finals against Villar- Sunday’s 2-1 comeback win sion tomorrow if he starts or in the competition, Manches- they must be very good!” real and “on the wings of this against Brighton after being is on the bench. I don’t think ter United, travel to Granada. win, we are dreaming of going Ajax’s Serbian forward Dusan Tadic (L) and Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen caught with a tackle. he’ll be a 90 minutes man,” The newcomers from Ajax vs Roma through to the semi-finals,” take part in a training session in Amsterdam on Wednesday, on the eve of But Rashford trained on Solskjaer said. Spain have defied expectations Ajax host Roma in a tie coach Damir Krznar said. the UEFA Europa League first leg quarter-final against AS Roma. (AFP) 14 Thursday, April 8, 2021 Sports

AUGUSTA MASTERS Sleep-deprived new father Rahm eyes green jacket DPA for a major you spend so much Berlin time thinking about golf, and for four or five days, it wasn’t A sleep-deprived Jon Rahm even on my mind, which is is confident he can mount a kind of refreshing. strong challenge for a first ma- “Coming here later than jor title following the “major usual, but I’m here ready to life experience” of becoming a compete. I wouldn’t be here father last weekend. otherwise.” He added: “I’m The world number three not concerned. I went through will tee off at Augusta on a major life experience. Thursday just five days after If anything I’m just hap- his wife, Kelley, gave birth to pier. I’m thankful to be here. If baby Kepa. anything, definitely a different Doting new dad Rahm has mental state, but I would say been relieved of nappy-chang- it’s a better mental state.” ing duties to make the trip to Rahm revealed he had not Georgia for the first major of been to Augusta since he fin- the year. ished in a tie for seventh in the Rahm is among the favour- Masters last November, but ites to don the green jacket on says that will not be an issue. Sunday and, despite only ar- He said: “The course hasn’t riving on the eve of the tourna- changed. I might need to ment, the Spaniard fancies his spend a little bit of extra time chances of celebrating his new today hitting lag putts and hit- arrival by experiencing his fin- ting some chips because the est hour on a golf course. last time we played here it was “My concern is that I’m a little softer and slower, but coming to a Masters, and from tee to green it doesn’t really Thursday to Monday didn’t change much. sleep much, didn’t hit a single “Luckily I’ve played here golf shot,” he said. before, and I always have a “You know, maybe I haven’t good vibe when I come here.” Sergio Garcia of Spain, Danny Willett of England Tyrrell Hatton of England and Dylan Frittelli of South Africa and their caddies pose for a photo on the Hogan Bridge on the 12th hole prepared as much as I have Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Xan- during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, US. on Wednesday. (Getty Images/AFP) in the past, but definitely I’m der Schauffele will tee off for mentally in a different state. their first roundat 10.42 am Woods ‘bummed’ to be missing “A lot of times practicing (1442 GMT) on Thursday. the Masters: Justin Thomas DPA Berlin Augusta chairman: ‘Masters ball’ last resort against hitting distance A specific “Masters ball” would be a last resort in the battle to limit hitting distances, according to AugustaN ational chairman Fred Tiger Woods is “bummed” to Ridley. The game’s governing bodies are set to limit clubs to a maximum of 46 inches and are seeking feedback from manufacturers on be missing the Masters after his two other proposals related to equipment standards. car crash in February, friend The fifth hole at AugustaN ational was lengthened by 40 yards (36.6 metres) ahead of the 2019 Masters and the par-five 13th could and practice partner Justin also be extended, but Ridley hopes more drastic action will not be required. “As I’ve stated in the past, each year we look at every hole Thomas said on Tuesday. of our golf course,” Ridley said in his annual pre-Masters press conference. “Fortunately we do have the ability to make any number Five-time Augusta cham- of changes to protect the integrity of the course. At the same time, we hope there will not come a day when the Masters, or any golf pion Woods will be watching championship, will have to be played at 8,000 yards to achieve that objective. This is an important crossroads so we will continue to from home this week rather urge the governing bodies and all interested parties to put forward thoughtful solutions as soon as possible. than taking to the course he “I know there’s been some talk in the past of possibly a Masters golf ball - I would think that would be highly unlikely and in my view be knows so well. an absolute last resort. “We have had a long-standing position of supporting the governing bodies and I was very encouraged when I Thomas, who regularly saw the areas of interest that were published by the USGA and R&A recently. practises with Woods and Fred “Our position would be to support the governing bodies and then, if there is no action taken for whatever reason, then we need Couples ahead of the Augusta to look at other options with regard our golf course and what we can do to continue to challenge these great golfers and maintain the major, told a news conference: design integrity that was initially adopted by Mr (Bobby) Jones and Mr (Alister) MacKenzie.” “I went over and saw him a Augusta National will play to 7,475 yards for this week’s Masters which starts Thursday. (DPA) couple times last week and try to go over a couple times during the week whenever I’m only five to have celebrated a Not the same without you.” tee off his first round at 10.30 at 12.48 pm alongside 2017 home and see him. career Grand Slam, this week am (1430 GMT), alongside runner-up Justin Rose and “We texted Friday morn- marking 20 years since his ‘Ti- Champion Johnson Westwood and US Amateur Matt Kuchar. ing, and he said it’s kind ger Slam’. partners Westwood in champion Tyler Strafaci. Former champion Jordan of starting to set in. He’s Woods posted on Twitter first two rounds Rory McIlroy, who needs Spieth, who won the Texas bummed he’s not here playing on Tuesday: “I’ll miss run- Meanwhile, defending champi- to win the Masters to com- Valero Open on Sunday, is in practice rounds with us, and ning up Dustin Johnson’s on Dustin Johnson will be part- plete the career grand slam, the final group out at 2 pm we hate it, too.” bill at the Champions Dinner nered by England’s Lee West- is in the next group out along- with US PGA champion Collin There had been appear- tonight. It’s still one of my wood in the first two rounds of side Xander Schauffele and Morikawa and 2020 runner- ances from Woods at each of favorite nights of the year.” the 85th Masters which opens Jon Rahm, who celebrated up Cameron Smith. the prior 19 editions of the Couples posted on his own Thursday at Augusta National. becoming a father for the first Lee Elder, who was the Masters, while he was the last Twitter page: “Thinking of Johnson, who is bidding time at the weekend. first black player to compete in man to retain the green jacket my guy @tigerwoods during to follow Jack Nicklaus, Nick Open champion Shane the Masters, joins Gary Player Jon Rahm of Spain talks with his caddie Adam Hayes on the 11th with back-to-back triumphs in this week @themasters. I’ll Faldo and Tiger Woods in win- Lowry will get his bid for a and Jack Nicklaus as an hon- hole during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National 2001 and 2002 and is one of miss you tonight at dinner. ning back-to-back titles, will second major title under way orary starter at 7.45 am. Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on Wednesday. (Getty Images/AFP) Ronaldo and Dybala restore Lukaku on target again as winning ways for Juventus Inter Milan go 11 points clear DPA Lukaku played in strike partner Lautaro DPA Meret after a promising run. Berlin Martinez for the home side’s second and they Berlin The visitors offered little first-half held on for another win after Hamed Junior threat of their own, although Insigne did Romelu Lukaku maintained his impressive Traore had set up a nervy finale with a well- Juventus returned to winning ways in have Buffon scrambling with a shot from scoring run to help Inter to a 2-1 win over Sas- taken strike five minutes from time. Serie A with a 2-1 defeat of Napoli at the the edge of the box that whistled wide. suolo at the San Siro that moves Antonio Conte’s With this latest victory, Inter become just Allianz Stadium on Wednesday. Buffon was busier after the restart, side 11 points clear at the top of Serie A. the second side in Serie A history - after Milan After a shock defeat to Benevento end- denying Giovanni Di Lorenzo and then In- The Belgium international scored for a fifth in 1989-90 - to win their first 10 games in the ed their run of seven consecutive home signe from either side of the six-yard box game running for club and country to open the second half of a campaign. league wins, the champions responded in as Napoli pushed forward for an equaliser. scoring after 10 minutes and Inter did not look Lukaku scored the only goal for Inter in their impressive style to record a ninth victory in Fabian Ruiz was denied by the Juve back in Wednesday’s rescheduled clash. 1-0 win over Bologna last weekend and picked up 10 home league games against Napoli. veteran from another hopeful attempt, from where he left off with Serie A goal number Cristiano Ronaldo dispatched a cross and Napoli heads dropped further 17 min- 21 of the season early on here. from the excellent Federico Chiesa to put utes from time when Dybala swept a styl- Ashley Young sent in a right-footed cross Juve ahead with his fourth goal in his past ish low finish past Meret from the edge of from the left and former Manchester United six appearances against the Partenopei. the box - his first goal since January 3. team-mate Lukaku guided the ball into the far Gianluigi Buffon made a handful of Insigne at last beat Buffon with an corner with a header from 10 yards. solid saves to preserve Juve’s lead before emphatic penalty after Giorgio Chiel- Sassuolo were without a number of players substitute Paulo Dybala fired in an expert lini bundled over Victor Osimhen, but it through coronavirus concerns but would have second to make the points safe, with Loren- proved too little too late for the visitors. been level if not for a fine Milan Skriniar block to zo Insigne’s late penalty counting for little. Juventus are still third but just a point thwart Jeremie Boga in the box. Ronaldo missed a clear chance to head behind Milan, who drew with 10-man Martinez gave Inter further breathing space in the opener before finding his mark with Sampdoria last weekend. by burying a low shot past Andrea Consigli once aplomb 13 minutes in, steering home a low However, with Inter 12 points away picked out by Lukaku on the counter. right-footed finish after Chiesa had twisted Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronal- at the top, Juve’s hopes of making it 10 Inter Milan’s Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku (R) Inter’s win was not without a scare, superbly into space down the right wing. do (C) celebrates with Italian Federico Chiesa consecutive league titles are beginning to celebrates with Argentine forward Lautaro Mar- though, as Traore curled a fine finish away Chiesa and Juan Cuadrado were caus- (L) after opening the scoring during the Serie look slim indeed. tinez after scoring during the Italian Serie A match from Handanovic following an Achraf Hakimi ing real problems for Gennaro Gattuso’s A match vs Napoli at the Juventus stadium in Napoli stay fifth but are only two against Sassuolo at the San Siro stadium in Milan error, though there was to be no late leveller side, the latter stinging the palms of Alex Turin on Wednesday. (AFP) points behind Atalanta in fourth. on Wednesday. (AFP) at San Siro. Sports Thursday, April 8, 2021 15 Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Zwelela completes a double

Tribune News Network Ryan with Rhoscolyn (Terri- secutive win for the Richard Doha tories x Zeyran) taking up the Hannon-trained filly following running. her success at Lingfield over Al Shaqab Racing’s Zwelela Cuban Dancer, another the same distance and also on (FR) (Toronado x Umm Bab) son of Toronado out of Mam- the all-weather on March 19. scored her second straight vic- bo Halo, took up second place Zwelela, the daughter of tory when she took the atther- in the bend. Toronado, was bred by Al aces.com Handicap at Wolver- Once in the straight, Shaqab Racing. Although her hampton in UK on Monday. Zwelela was switched to the dam, Umm Bab BAB (Sea the Quickly out of the stalls outside and showed a smart Stars), never raced, she has in the 1,400m class 4 race acceleration off a quick pace to generated Westeros (King- for 3-year-olds rated 0-85, hit the front with 200 metres man), who has twice finished ZWELELA found herself on the left to run. She ran strongly to second in as many starts. lead for the first 300 metres. the line to win by ¾ length in Her progeny’s record has Very keen initially, she front of Choritzo (Lethal Force been further enhanced with was quickly dropped back into x Choral Festival). Zwelela’s second victory at Al Shaqab Racing’s Zwelela scored second straight victory taking the attheraces.com Handicap at Wolverhampton on Monday. (Pic: Steve Davies) third position by jockey Rossa This was a second con- Wolverhampton. Golf’s French Open Guillambert guides Dhergham postponed due to Bu Thaila to Al Dibal Cup win COVID-19 restrictions DPA London

The European Tour has post- poned next month’s Open de France due to the extension of COVID-19 restrictions across the country. The tournament was due to be held from May 6-9 at Le Golf National outside Paris, the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup. The European Tour hopes nament in May,” chief execu- to reschedule the event and is tive Keith Pelley said. also looking into options to fill “But we feel it is the re- the vacancy on the calendar. sponsible decision. We have “It is clearly disappointing also had terrific support from to have to postpone the Open host Gregory Havret and the 12 de France, particularly after other French players who had Trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed receives the trophy for Dhergham all the hard work and collabo- committed to playing at Le Golf Bu Thaila from Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi at Qatar ration between ourselves, the National and we will therefore Racing & Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. FFG (Federation Francaise de continue to look at all options Golf) and the many stakehold- in the hope of playing the tour- Tribune News Network Mohammed Ghazali-schooled ers involved to stage the tour- nament later this year.” Doha 7yo had Marco Casamento, who had guided the chestnut Subaiya Awad Ibrahim’s to three victories earlier this Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi crowned the winners of Al Dibal Cup. A representative of Al Dhergham Bu Thaila scored a season, in the saddle and a Dibal Cup winner Dhergham Bu Thaila hoists the Winner’s Cup at QREC’s Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. delightful maiden win – for the fantastic ride yet again saw Le- Fakhar, Nawaz first time this season – when khraib win three lengths and the gelding landed the Al Dibal three quarters in front of the Cup in the 45th Race Meeting Alberto Sanna-ridden Kasser. of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Meshaal Bin Ali Al Atti- shine as Pak beat Club at Al Rayyan Park’s dirt yah’s Shine That Light (Accla- track on Wednesday. mation x Spotlight) built on a Helmed by JP Guil- couple of runner up finishes SA in decider lambert, the Mohamed earlier this season to finally ANI batsmen in back-to-back overs Khaled Elahmed-trained 6yo enter the winner’s circle for Centurion and was eventually bundled Dhergham Bu Thaila (Soviet the first time in his career. out for 292. Secret x Dualite) had shown Helmed by JP Guillambert Fakhar Zaman smashed a Earlier asked to bat first, sparks of farm when second in the Thoroughbred Handi- ton and Babar Azam played a Pakistan got off to a solid start and third over C&D earlier in cap (Class 5) (75 & below), scintillating knock before Mo- as openers Imam-ul-Haq and the season but had left a lot to the Gassim Ghazali schooled hammad Nawaz scalped three Fakhar stitched a 112-run be desired. colt won comfortably beat- key wickets to help Pakistan partnership. Keshav Maharaj On Wednesday, in the ing Marco Casamento ridden defeat South Africa by 28 runs dismissed Imam in the 22nd six-furlong sprint for Local Golden Bear by three and a in the third and final ODI on over but the visitors continued Thoroughbred Conditions, the half lengths at the post. Wednesday. With the win, Pa- scoring runs at a good rate. chestnut put up a determined Nasser Saeed Al Eida’s kistan won the series 2-1. After 30 overs, Pakistan run on the straight to bag the Ccreativity (Mayson x Fanta- The two teams will now was 164/1, looking to set feature with two and a half size) went one better than her lock horns in a four-match up a big total on the back of lengths to spare as Guillam- last outing to register her first T20I series, starting Satur- Fakhar’s back-to-back tons. bert rode his fifth winner of career victory. day. Babar and Hasan Ali gave However, the opening bats- the evening. In the Thoroughbred Pakistan a firing finish after man gave away his wicket Abdulatif Hussain Al Ema- Handicap (Fillies & Mares) Jockey JP Guillambert saddles Dhergham Bu Thaila to victory in the Al Dibal Cup on Wednesday. Fakhar’s ton as the visitors against the run of play in the di’s Bab Al Rayyan (Mayson x (Class 5) (75 & below), the posted 320/7 in the allotted 36th over. Dorothy’s Dancing), trained Gassim Ghazali-schooled filly Thoroughbred Handicap Results (45th QREC Race Meeting) 50 overs. In response, South His wicket triggered a by Bader Al Balushi, fin- had Alberto Sanna for com- (Class 5) (75 & below), the Africa was folded for 292 in mini-collapse as Pakistan lost ished runner up under Marco pany and a fantastic ride by Gassim Ghazali-schooled colt Al Dibal Cup Guillambert the last over. four wickets for 43 runs. Mo- Casamento while the Ibra- the Italian in the six-furlong edged out the Faleh Bugha- Dhergham Bu Thaila (QA), Mohamed Khaled PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP Chasing 321, the Proteas hammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz him Saeed Al Malki-schooled sprint saw the duo take a com- naim-ridden Dramatic Sands Elahmed, JP Guillambert AJS Al Aredh (QA), Mohammed Ghazali, JP got off to a decent start with Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, and Al Faisaliya (Coach House x fortable victory with three and by half a length in a close fin- PUREBRED ARABIAN CONDITIONS Guillambert the openers putting up a 54- Mohammad Nawaz all went Lekhraib (QA), Mohammed Ghazali, Marco PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE Shielaligh) was ridden to third a half lengths to spare. ish for his first victory in Qatar Casamento Majd’or (FR), Ali Yousuf Al-Kubaisi, Marco run stand for the first wicket. cheaply. place by Tomas Lukasek in Al Al Hajaj Stud’s William and second overall. THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (CLASS 5) Casamento Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan But Hasan Ali and Babar Sakab Stud colours. Bligh (Territories x Arbella) Al Ghazali Stud’s AJS Al Shine That Light (GB), Gassim Ghazali, JP PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (Fillies & the first breakthrough as he took on the South African Earlier, Injaaz Stud’s Le- built on a few promising re- Aredh (Majd Al Arab x Kar- Guillambert Mares) dismissed Markram in the bowlers in the death overs as khraib (AF AlBahar x Grace sults earlier this season when reema) had topped a claim- THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Fillies & Mares) Badira (QA), Gassim Ghazali, JP Guillambert ninth over. Hasan whacked four glorious T) improved his strike win- fifth in the Al Biddah Mile and ing race back in January this (Class 5) LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE The hosts kept losing wick- sixes while Babar smashed ning for the 6th time in his HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad year and even followed it up Creativity (GB), Gassim Ghazali, Alberto Sanna Umm Thaga (QA), Abdulla Al Jabir, Rashid Ali Al ets at regular intervals and seven fours to steer Pakistan 11th start this season when he Al Thani Trophy (3YO T/B), with a third place finish to THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 5) Marri* (-3kg) never really looked comfort- to 320/7. William Bligh (GB), Gassim Ghazali, JP • (Horse, trainer, jockey) landed the Purebred Arabian and then runner up in March show potential. However, af- able in the chase. They were Scores: Pakistan 320/7 Conditions event with ease. in a 2000m run on dirt. ter being well held in the two 140/5 in the 28th over but (Fakhar Zaman 101, Babar In the 1100m sprint, the On Wednesday, in the handicaps since, the Moham- med Ghazali-schooled geld- Purebred Arabian Maiden Kyle Verreynne and Andile Azam 94; Keshav Maharaj ing was back in the winner’s Plate (Fillies & Mares). De- Phehlukwayo both smashed 3-45), beat South Africa circle with a fine victory in the spite a couple of top three fin- fifties to revive their hopes of 292/10 (Janneman Malan 70, Purebred Arabian Handicap ishes, the 5yo had missed out chasing the target. However, Kyle Verreynne 62; Mohammad (75 & below). JP Guillambert on a victory in her first eight South Africa lost both their set Nawaz 3-24). guided the gelding to win in outings. That changed in the the 1700m run with a length 1700m run when JP Guil- and a quarter to spare. lambert guided the Gassim Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Ku- Ghazali-schooled bay mare to wari’s Majd’or (Majd Al Arab x a fine victory with a length and Case D’or) was well held in his a quarter to spare. last outing in the Qatar Silver Abdullah Sultan Ahmed Al Sword a week ago. However, Jaber’s Umm Thaga (Muth- a drop in class worked well aaber x La Pampita) went for the Ali Yousuf Al Kubaisi- one better than his last out- schooled colt as the 4yo reg- ing to shed her maiden status istered his first career win in in dominant fashion. Helmed the Purebred Arabian Maiden by Qatari rider Rashid Ali Al Plate (4-6yo), edging out the Marri in the Local Thorough- Pranil Arvind Kharat-ridden bred Maiden Plate, the 5yo Bakir by a half a length at the mare was in her elements in post. the six-furlong sprint as she Hamad bin Abdulrahman went past the post a massive bin Hamad Al Attiya’s Badi- seven lengths in front of the ra (Al Tair x Moonlit) had a competition, with Adnan Ha- Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman holds up the Man of the Series trophy after mixed bag of results this sea- wa-ridden Doha Surprise in the third ODI against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Action from Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s 45th Race Meeting at Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. son coming into Wednesday’s second spot. Wednesday. (AFP) 16 Thursday, April 8, 2021 The Last Word

SHURA SPEAKER MEETS TUNISIA, AZERBAIJAN AND KOSOVO AMBASSADORS

Speaker of the Shura Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud on Wednesday met separately with Ambassador of Tunisia to Qatar HE Sami Al Saidi, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Qatar HE Rashad Ismayilov and Ambassador of Kosovo to Qatar HE Amir Bairos Ahmadi. During the meetings, they reviewed the relations between Qatar and each of the countries, and the ways to develop them, especially in the parliamentary field. (QNA) Youth must lead movement to Qatar team wins 5th Int’l Schools Debating Championship in Arabic fight climate change globally, QNA Doha

Team Qatar won the Interna- THIMUN Qatar Conference told tional Schools Debating Cham- pionship in Arabic, organised by the QatarDebate Center, a Over 600 young delegates from seven countries attended 10th THIMUN Qatar Conference member of Qatar Foundation, which concluded on Wednesday Tribune News Network ference included the UN Gener- in its virtual version. Doha al Assembly, Security Council, Team Oman came in the World Health Assembly, Envi- second place after competing The world’s youth should in- ronment Commission, Human against Qatar for the champion- spire a movement that drives Rights Council, and Economic ship title in the case: ‘This Coun- global action on climate and Social Council. cil Will Stop Fuel Subsidies’. change, delegates were told Meanwhile, THIMUN Qa- Team Turkey won the inter- as a Qatar Foundation-led in- tar X also provided a special national championship in Ara- ternational youth conference training conference for those bic for non-native speakers after marked its 10th anniversary in with no previous experience competing against Team Ma- virtual form. of Model United Nations laysia which came in the second More than 600 young del- (MUN) events, and a Direc- place. egates from seven countries tors Training Institute to sup- Team Philippines was have gathered online this week port more experienced MUN crowned winner of the Interna- for the 10th annual THIMUN leaders develop the leader- tional Schools Debating Cham- Qatar Conference, which sees ship skills of others. pionship in English. The team high school students from “THIMUN Qatar is an ex- competed against Team South the Middle East, Asia, Africa traordinarily unique experi- Africa for the championship and Europe ensure the voice Goal 13 on climate action. values we can enact right now ence, not only as education for title on the issue: ‘This council of youth is heard on the most Speaking at its open- – values of fairness, kindness, advocacy, but also because we sees that post-colonial countries crucial conversations shaping ing ceremony, Sama Ayoub, resilience, respect, leadership connect you to real-life experi- should not form national identi- global society. THIMUN Qatar co-secretary- and courage.” ences and skillsets that nobody ties around resistance against Under the banner of THI- general, told the conference’s Ayoub’s fellow THIMUN else can,” Fatima El-Mahdi, their colonial masters’. MUN Qatar X – Climate Ac- international youth audience Qatar X co-secretary-general head of THIMUN Qatar, told The final round took place tion, this year’s showcase of that climate events must stop Rohan Gupta said, “I hear well- delegates at the conference’s during the closing ceremony, in student agency saw young peo- being referred to as “natural meaning and well-intentioned opening ceremony. the presence of a large interna- Vietnam in first place, Jia-Han breaking time barriers and dis- ple aged from 14 to 18 years old disasters”, saying: “It is not adults and diplomats say the “We provide a platform for tional audience. B Fam from Vietnam in the sec- tance, noting that the cham- participate in simulations of 17 natural when science already youth are the future, but the re- delegates to debate issues on The best speakers of the ond place, and Joseph Zelicek pionship aligned with Qatar’s United Nations (UN) forums, tells us global warming will in- ality is that the youth are today the agenda and bring in actual championship were also an- Nyak from South Africa in the vision of sustainability and ad- discussing and debating issues duce more intense storms and – we are societal actors and our change-makers to review those nounced at the closing cer- third place. dressing environmental chang- surrounding climate change, when the human species has actions can effect change. We resolutions; and encourage del- emony. The championships Commenting on the occa- es facing the world. reaching resolutions that will already profoundly changed don’t have to wait until we are egates to learn and use the skills best speaker is Fatima Mansour sion, Dr Hayat Maarafi, execu- Team Qatar which won the now go before influential eyes the climate. adults to make a different; we they gain at THIMUN Qatar to Alqarashi from Kuwait, fol- tive director of the QatarDebate championship comprised Moza and advocating for causes they “Our society cannot afford can start now. become advocates and champi- lowed by Moza Khalid Al Hajri Center, said: “Today we conclud- Khaled Al Hajri, Abdullah Jas- believe in. to procrastinate in tackling cli- “The conversations you ons causes – student voice.” from Qatar in the second place ed the first virtual international sim Al Kubaisi - Muhammad The four-day conference mate change. Our society needs have this week do not stop She added, “We also con- and Abdullah Jassem Al Kubaisi championship hosted by the Abdul Aziz Al Emadi - Asma- is organised by the THIMUN to start acting before it is too here. You need to take what you nect you directly to youth vol- from Qatar in the third place. QatarDebate Center under the han Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari, and Qatar Regional Office, which late. To take action, we need learn from the conference out- unteer opportunities that you The best Arabic speakers umbrella of the Qatar Founda- Al-Jawhara Abdul Rahman Al comes under Qatar Founda- leaders who can inspire a move- side the debate rooms, lift the can use to learn more about in the championship for non- tion for Education, Science and Shammari. tion’s Pre-University Educa- ment and that is you, as young knowledge you have gained at yourself, more about your com- native speakers are Amir Ma- Community Development. And The jury in the champion- tion and was jointly established people. I would go as far as to THIMUN Qatar and the words munity and more about how we rouf Chatir from Turkey who it is only the beginning of de- ship included Dhaifallah Al with the THIMUN (The Hague say young people are the solu- of your resolutions, and enforce can work together to make a won the first place, followed by veloping educational strategies Subhi from Saudi Arabia as Model United Nations) Foun- tion to global climate change.” them into action. Our genera- better world.” Siti Nour Fatima Abdul Rashid that adopt advanced methods in president, with the membership dation – with the COVID-19 Ayoub added, “We must tion of young people needs to THIMUN Qatar X sessions from Singapore in the second practising meaningful dialogue of Abeer Majrouh from Tunisia, pandemic seeing its landmark know there will be a green light take responsibility for the world can be viewed on THIMUN Qa- place and Amir Pratt Director and substantive discussion, re- Farah Al Harbi from Kuwait, 10th edition being held virtu- on the other side of the red we will soon inherit and ensure tar’s YouTube channel. More from Turkey in the third place. gardless of the circumstances.” Abeer Al Sadiq from Sudan, Mo- ally and each of its committees light we are facing right now generations to come have a safe information about the confer- Winners of the champion- Dr Hayat praised the cham- hammad Ekamal from Malay- and commissions being linked and I believe that green light world to live in.” ence and the initiative is avail- ship for the best English speak- pionship days that were filled sia, Yunus Al Jabari from Turkey to Sustainable Development is going to be built upon the Simulations during the con- able at www.qatar.thimun.org ers are Phong Nguyen from with fun, learning, competition, and Ali Al Jumaili from Yemen. QNTC unveils Visit VCUarts Qatar faculty member’s installation provides an immersive experience into Al Koot Fort’s history Qatar mobile app Tribune News Network sections as they please; a one-way Doha directed route is not necessary to Tribune News Network den gems and one that is on appreciate the overall narrative.” Doha a mission to become a lead- Re-envisioning a heritage site Muscolino notes how this pro- ing destination for both local that has a unique place in Qatar’s ject marks a milestone in the sense Qatar National Tour- and international travellers. history, while retaining its identity that it was both a culmination of ism Council (QNTC) has The launch of the Visit Qatar and cultural symbolism, is a bal- several years of experiments and launched its immersive Visit mobile app is a core part of ancing act. And, a Virginia Com- research, and also the starting Qatar mobile app. our strategy to modernise our monwealth University School of point for further explorations into Part of QNTC’s wider digital marketing and deliver the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) distinctive approaches to contem- digital transformation strat- a superior visitor experience. faculty member has managed to do porary audiovisuals in the context egy, the first-of-its-kind app “With Adobe Experience just that – and with finesse. of activating spaces. uses innovative cloud-based Manager as a Cloud Service, Hadeer Omar, assistant profes- “For the last decade, Hadeer, Adobe Experience Manager we’re now able to provide sor in Art Foundation at VCUarts Michael and myself have been de- capabilities which harness more targeted, timely and Qatar, a Qatar Foundation partner veloping a language that can be ap- data to deliver tailored experi- personalised experiences to university, was commissioned by plied to graphic artifacts, photogra- ences to users. travellers. In phase two of the the organisers of the Tasweer Pho- “Al-Koot Fort has a unique mapped light to heighten the mul- phy, video, and sound,” Muscolino Designed as a user-centric development, the mobile app to Festival Qatar to activate and and complex history,” says Omar. ti-sensory experience of the three says. “It is great to have the oppor- digital travel companion, the will offer even more 360 expe- transform three key segments of “Its location is at the confluence segments – ‘The Transition’ (court- tunity to add an experienced light app allows users to discover riences and include a festival the Al Koot Fort – an edifice that is of the historic market area and the yard of the fort), ‘The Journey’ (the designer like Katia to that collabo- Qatar’s cultural heritage sites, and events calendar.” a cherished symbol of Qatar’s his- seaside port, and is now centrally back room), and ‘The Metamor- rative equation.” extensive outdoor sports ac- Utilising the latest tech- tory since its construction in 1906, placed between Souq Waqif and phosis’ (the entrance room) – in ‘And Thereafter’ is curated by tivities, diverse culinary scene nology available, QNTC con- in the heart of the city – with a con- Msheireb Properties. Hence, the the installation. Maryam Hassan Al-Thani, and is and unique attractions. tinues to work with stakehold- temporary twist. significanceof the locality was cru- “‘And Thereafter’ is an audio- part of the larger Contemporary The app offers 360 degree ers to improve the tourism In response to the brief, Omar cial to the narrative development of visual immersive installation that Heritage project where sites of cul- and panoramic views of iconic experience in Qatar, and make came up with an installation titled our concept. The surrounding area, activates three key areas of Al- tural importance are activated by sites and landmarks, along it a must-visit destination. ‘And Thereafter’. Michael Hersrud, specifically Souq Waqif, inspired Koot Fort,” Omar further explains. other local artists. with a feature that allows users The use of Adobe Experience associate professor, Graphic De- us to create, generate and tell the “The audience will experience a In the broader context, Tasweer to swipe right on a selection of Manager helps fuel its digital sign, and Simone Muscolino, di- place’s story from a new perspec- combination of light, sound and will feature a dynamic and inter- top locations. They can use the transformation as it is a pio- rector, Art Foundation – who are tive – one that weaves together video projections as they navigate connected program of exhibitions, map assistant to plot and plan neer in Qatar in adopting the part of the VCUarts Qatar-based heritage and contemporary aspects through key spaces in a non-linear awards, commissions, collabora- their stay and enjoy personal- cloud-based ecosystem. artists collective Sonic Jeel – and of daily life to be translated and journey guided by experiential ele- tions, presentations and workshops ised recommendations based The app is available for London-based sound and light de- transformed into impressionistic ments such as scent, sound, light that draw innovative international on their preferences. free for iOS and Android signer Katia Kolovea, collaborated media experiences.” and images. Though the layout of photography together with pho- QNTC Chief Operating phones. While currently op- with Omar on the project. The in- Walking into each section, one the space creates a natural pro- tographers and photographic com- Officer Berthold Trenkel said, erational in English, an Arabic stallation is open to the public from can immediately sense how the gression of experiences, the audi- munities in Qatar and the Western “Qatar is a country of hid- version will be available soon. March 24 to May 30. team recorded visuals, sound and ence are free to move through the Asia and North Africa region.