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QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune moNdAy mArch 30, 2020 ShA`BAAN 6, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4907 QR 2

Fajr: 4:11 am Dhuhr: 11:39 am Asr: 3:07 pm Maghrib: 5:50 pm Isha: 7:20 pm

Business 8 Sports 11 Six-month loan deferment Tokyo organisers eye PArtly clouDy hIgh : 28°C to help 450 SMEs deal with July 2021 for delayed LoW : 21°C COVID-19 impact: QDB Olympics: Reports

Qatar extends QR3 bn More measures in place guarantees to banks to ward off coronavirus Govt support will Non-emergency help companies services at private pay their rents and salaries clinics suspended QNA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Doha Doha

UPON the directives of the THE Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin suspended some non-emergency health Hamad al Thani to support services at private clinics and hospitals 3 more recover from virus; the economic and financial as part of preventive and precautionary sector within the framework measures to limit the spread of coronavirus of the precautionary meas- (COVID-19) in the country. 44 new cases registered ures to combat the spread of The move also aims at ensuring the Three more people recovered from infection are related to travellers who the coronavirus (COVID-19), health and safety of patients and healthcare coronavirus (CoVID-19) on Sunday, have returned to Qatar, while others are Prime Minister and Minister workers. bringing the total number of recoveries due to contacts with some previously- of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid In a circular, the MoPH said the ser- to 48 in the country, the Ministry of diagnosed cases. bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al vices such as dental clin- Public health (MoPh) The new cases have been put into Thani on Sunday allocated ics, dermatology and laser BATTLE has announced. quarantine where they are receiving the guarantees to local banks clinics, plastic surgery clin- AGAINST Forty-four more necessary medical care, it added. worth QR3 billion. Central Bank (QCB) said the Development Bank (QDB) to ics and surgical procedures people also tested So far, 18,877 people have been The guarantees were in amount of QR3 billion comes banks. have been suspended until COVID-19 positive for coronavirus, tested for the virus in Qatar. line with the Amir’s directives within the support package The Qatar Central Bank, further notice. taking the total number The statement said the MoPh is to support and provide finan- for granting soft loans without in cooperation with the Qatar The MoPH has also directed to stop diet of confirmed cases to 634. tracing those in contact with new cases cial and economic incentives commissions or fees for the Development Bank, will set and sliming centres, physiotherapy clinics In a statement on Sunday, the and checking all citizens who have worth QR75 billion for the affected companies to support standards and mechanisms and complementary medicine of all kinds. MoPh said some of the new cases of recently returned to Qatar. (TNN) private sector. salaries and rents through for the implementation of the In a statement, the Qatar guarantees issued by Qatar plan. Khater condoles Qatar welcomes return of with B’desh envoy over virus death Bahrainis to their homeland assistant Foreign Minister and Spokes- person for the Ministry of Foreign affairs QNA home , as requested by the he Lolwah bint rashid al Khater met Doha State of Qatar to the relevant ambassador of Bangladesh he ashud authorities in the Kingdom ahmed in Doha on Sunday. QATAR has welcomed the de- of Bahrain, is a step in the Khater, who is also the Spokesperson cision of Bahrain to allow its right direction, the statement of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Man- citizens who were transiting noted. agement, conveyed Qatar’s condolences to through Doha from Iran to “As the health and safety the government and people of Bangladesh return home. of these Bahraini citizens is on the death of Bangladeshi citizen who In a statement on Sunday, paramount at this time , the passed away from coronavirus. The meet- the Government Communica- Ministry of Public Health in ing reviewed the latest developments of Industrial Area sterilised tions Office (GCO) said Qatar Qatar will communicate with coronavirus in Qatar and the world. Khater wished that Bahrain had ac- global crisis. its counterpart in Bahrain to affirmed that Qatar is keen on providing The Ministry of Municipality and environment, in cooperation with the Public Works cepted Doha’s offer to fly the It is unfortunate that Bah- inform them of the results of high quality healthcare to all its residents. authority, Lekhwiya, Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Public health, has Bahraini citizens home on a rain has launched allegations, the coronavirus tests that have For his part, the ambassador thanked carried a campaign to disinfect and sterilise the Industrial area from Street No 1 private charter flight, instead of false accusations and politised been conducted,” the GCO Qatar for the measures it had taken to to Street No 32 with an area equivalent to 12 million square metres. The sterilisa- prolonging their waiting time. the humanitarian situation of said. preserve the safety of all, affirming the ap- tion was completed in a record time of no more than two days. Ten field teams The statement said Qatar its citizens attempting to tran- Qatar wishes the Bahraini preciation of the Bangladeshi community were formed to complete the task. a total of 57 cars and 89 employees of the stands ready to play its hu- sit home. citizens good health and safe- in the country. (QNA) ministry were engaged to complete the work. (QNA) manitarian role during this Allowing them to return ty, it added. QU develops mask, ventilator to fight virus 16 more arrested for flouting TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK emerging coronavirus. Doha The new masks contain home-quarantine pledge a delicate external electrical A research team from the wiring network covered with TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK prescribed period. Department of Mechanical a layer of epoxy for two rea- Doha and Industrial Engineering sons. The violators are: SJC extends (DMIE) of the Qatar Univer- The first reason is to SIXTEEN more citizens 1. Abdul Nasser Ahmed sity’s College of Engineering close all pores that exist were arrested on Sunday Ahmed al Shaiba suspension of (QU-CENG) has developed in the prints produced by for violating the home- 2. Rashid Hadi Rashid al designs using 3D printers this widespread type of 3D quarantine pledge they Sable al Marri court sessions for medical products manu- printers (FDM) that use ABS undertook as part of ef- 3. Abdullah Hayel Nazel The Supreme Judiciary factured in QU-CENG labo- plastic or ‘BC’ and the sec- forts to contain the spread Rashid al Anzi Council (SJC) has extended ratories and workshops to well as face mask for medical fection, knowing that the ond reason for covering and of coronavius (COVID-19). 4. Abdullah Hussein Ali the suspension of sessions benefit the medical service personnel and to reduce the design of the mask filters fixing the battery-powered Qatar has approved al Ateeq al Marri of the Court of appeal, Court sector in Qatar. chances of infection. will be done in collaboration wire mesh to heat the outer home isolation as a sec- 5. Abdullah Mohammed of First Instance, Labour Dis- These new designs in- In a statement, QU- with Qatar University Col- part of the mask to a degree ond option for families Salem al Bahah al Marri putes Settlement Commit- clude a ventilator which is CENG said these designs lege of Medicine. higher than 70 degrees Cel- returning to the country 6. Abdullah Ali Bakhit tee and the rental Disputes used in hospitals as an in- also include door knobs Protective masks are de- sius, which is higher than from abroad, provided they Ali al Athbi Settlement Committee for a tegral part to provide the that help opening the doors veloped for doctors and the the degree which the virus sign a pledge to remain un- period of two weeks starting necessary treatment for pa- without touching the knob community using 3D print- endures according to some der self-quarantine for a Continued on page 2  from Sunday. tients with chest diseases, as to reduce the chances of in- ers to protect against the studies. 02 Monday, March 30, 2020

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

Quick read doha municipality sanitises Amir sends message to president of Argentina The amir hh Sheikh Tamim bin hamad al Thani has sent a Souq Waqif and major sites written message to President of argentina alberto Fernandez, pertaining to bilateral relations and the means to bolster them. ambassador of Qatar to argentina he Batal bin Mojab TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK al Dosari delivered the message during a meeting with the Doha President of argentina. (QNA) THE Doha Municipality, Fm receives phone call represented by the Gardens from Italian counterpart Department of the Services Affairs Department, in coop- DePuTy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign affairs he eration with a number of agri- Sheikh Mohammed bin abdulrahman al Thani on Sunday re- cultural companies, conduct- ceived a telephone call from Minister of Foreign affairs and In- ed a sanitisation campaign at ternational Cooperation of Italy Luigi Di Maio. During the phone many vital sites within the mu- call, they reviewed bilateral relations and coordinated efforts nicipality as part of preventive to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), in addition to and precautionary measures other issues of mutual interest. (QNA) taken by the state to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The sanitisation campaign Doha Municipality officials sanitising Souq Waqif areas. covered the Sheraton Public Garden, the Ministry of Mu- was conducted at the Souq Wa- doors and windows of the shops, sisting of workers equipped AG Middle East Agriculture nicipality and Environment qif, which included spraying and in addition to public toilets and with necessary tools for spray- Company, Sidra Agricultural QatarDebate continues building and the Shura Council sanitising the market squares, other vital places in the market. ing and sanitisation at a high Company, European Agricul- building. On Saturday, a com- the external and internal cor- The campaign was carried level with the participation of ture Company and Agricultur- its activities remotely prehensive cleaning campaign ridors of the market, and the out by an integrated team con- First Agricultural Company, al Savings Company. QNA The trainers at the centre Doha are currently working on ar- ranging a set of joint train- QATARDEBATE Centre, a ing debates with analogues member of Qatar Founda- inside and outside the coun- Ashghal improves health, safety measures tion (QF), has fully activated try. The centre also organ- the remote work system as ises special training for the part of the precautionary secondary team of Qatari at project sites and labour accommodations measures the country is tak- students (the development ing to tackle the coronavirus team) on debate strategy, TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK site worker’s welfare stand- tion of all handrails, door- (Covid-19). analysis of issues and argu- Doha ards, Ashghal has carried knobs and handles and any Through the remote sys- ment to enhance their anal- out the Worker’s Welfare other associated items that tem, the English Language THE Public Works Authority Compliance Audit in various come into contact with the hu- Department at the centre (Ashghal) has intensified its locations. The audits were man hand. recently presented training The English Language efforts to inspect the workers’ conducted to ensure that all Moreover, all recreational workshops for Princess Su- Department at the centre accommodation and project contractors and sub-contrac- and social gatherings and maya University for Tech- recently presented train- sites as part of its preventive tors are complying with the sports events have been sus- nology (PSUT) in Jordan to and precautionary measures requirements set out in the pended until further notice. introduce the debate pro- ing workshops for Princess to limit the spread of the coro- contractual documents and The audit team also made gramme in English (British Sumaya University for navirus (Covid-19). are abiding by the relevant sure that all necessary toi- Parliament System) at the re- Technology (PSUT) in The efforts are part of Ash- Qatari laws. letries, liquid soap dispens- quest of the university. Jordan to introduce the ghal’s commitment to manage The most important meas- ers and hand dryers were A workshop on debat- debate programme in and respond to the ongoing ures that are taken in all work- provided in the workers’ ac- ing skills was also organised English (British Parliament coronavirus disruption, while Ashghal shifted from biometric to card punching system. places and accommodations commodation, in addition to for the Department of Media System) at the request of continuing to provide essen- include temperature moni- ensuring that all of the Minis- and the College of Sharia and the university tial road and drainage services ject sites, to enable the con- tions of labour accommoda- toring since the beginning of try of Public Health (MoPH) Islamic Studies at Qatar Uni- to the communities in Qatar. tinuity of its core operations tions and welfare facilities to March, cleaning and sanitis- COVID-19 informative post- versity. Besides, arbitrator Ashghal, in collaboration while ensuring the health and ensure stringent health and ing staff transport buses twice ers are clearly displayed on Saad El-Asad from the Qa- ogy capabilities and skills. with its contractors, has tak- safety of its staff. safety measures are applied daily (morning/ evening). sites to raise awareness on tarDebate Center arbitrated a Executive Director of Qa- en further health and safety The health and safety against coronavirus outbreak. This is in addition to man- the essential precautionary debate on the Princess Suma- tarDebate Dr Hayat Abdulla measures, especially on pro- teams are conducting inspec- In an aim to improve on- datory cleaning and sanitisa- measures. ya University team via the in- Maarafi said that the step ternet, which was assisted by comes in the framework of Fahad al Subaie, the centre’s the centre’s plans to organ- ambassador from Kuwait. ise training workshops for The national team rep- judges, trainers and remote Authority arrests violators of self-isolation rules resenting Qatar at the in- debating students. The cen- ternational championships tre also seeks to ensure the Continued from page 1  12. Sultan Muhammad Bakhit al The relevant authorities called ryone who violates these conditions for debates in English lan- best methods to achieve the Athba al Marri on citizens and residents of the do- would expose himself to the penal- guage continued its training goals of the State and the 7. Abdullah Jaber Ali Rashid Alyan 13. Faisal Muhammad Bakhit al Athba mestic quarantine to strictly ties stipulated in accordance with remotely with the centre’s institution, Dr Maarafi said, 8. Saif Hamad Saif Ali al Azba al Marri adhere to the requirements set the provisions of Article (253) of the trainers, with the students stressing that the centre has 9. Bandar Saif Ali Saif al Marri 14. Ali Rashid Ali Rashid Afifa by the Ministry of Public Health to Penal Code No (11) of 2004, and the attending training work- great experience in providing 10. Hamad Jaber Hamad Muhammad 15. Abdullah Mashey Shabib Hussain ensure their safety and the safety of provisions of Law No (17) of 1990 re- shops, group discussions and training and implementing al Zukiba al Dossary others. garding the prevention of infectious debates among themselves plans, workshops and com- 11. Nasser Abdullah Salem al Hutil al 16. Muhammad Jaber Muhammad al The statement of the Ministry of diseases, and Law No (17) (2002) on via Zoom. petitions via the internet. Marri Zabadani al Marri Public Health confirmed that eve- protecting society. Qatar Digital Library reveals forgotten battle which helped win World War II

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Axis powers in North Africa. ganisation to the Allies’ famous Long fected, helping the Allies defeat the Doha These records, from the Brit- Range Desert Patrol Group that oper- Axis powers in the Middle East. This ish Library, tell how, early that year, ated behind enemy lines in North Afri- incredible, but largely unknown, sto- LOCUST plagues have been around the Gulf region experienced a locust ca. They were supported by transport ry is just one example of thousands from time immemorial; the Holy plague on such an immense scale that and spotter aircraft from the Royal Air that await discovery on the QDL: Qur’an and the Bible tell us they were the Allies feared a catastrophic food Force and US Air Force, as well as by www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/ one of the five plagues inflicted on shortage that could lose them the war a vast intelligence network that gath- vdc_100000000193.0x0000d3. Ancient Egypt. They were thought to in the Middle East. ered reports of locust sightings. Dr Onley added, “The QDL is have been relegated to history, but In response, Britain established But not all members of the MEA- changing the way scholars and stu- this year they reappeared, wreaking the Middle East Anti-Locust Unit LU patrolled by vehicle. The unit’s dents research the history of the Ara- havoc in the Horn of Africa. (MEALU) to eradicate the locusts. most famous member, the English bian Peninsula and the Gulf region. Billions of locusts have been caus- The documents on the QDL tell of the Diagram of Schistocerca gregaria, the explorer and travel writer, Wilfred It has become their first port of call, ing turmoil in Kenya and Uganda for accomplishments of MEALU during desert locust, taken from James Augus- Thesiger, who worked as a MEALU enabling them to find in seconds what several months, bringing devastation the war and after, including the con- tus St John’s account of his travels in locust research officer, trekked across used to take them weeks, months to crops and livelihoods in what is be- siderable degree of international co- Egypt and Nubia, published in 1845. the Empty Quarter in 1946 by camel or even years. It is making the past lieved to be the worst infestation since operation that was required to defeat with a small Bedouin party to gather more accessible than ever, leading 1942. Locusts also teem through the these creatures in a battle the Allies personnel and British and Arab ci- intelligence about locust breading to a sharp increase in the number of Gulf region annually between Janu- could not afford to lose. vilians. They wore traditional Arab grounds. The journey was long and exciting new historical studies on the ary and April, and there was under- Dr James Onley, director of His- headdress: the officers wearing a arduous, a triumph of man over na- Gulf – the least-studied region in the standable concern when sporadic torical Research and Partnerships at correspondence, reports and other pa- white ‘ghutrah’ with a gold ‘agal’, the ture. He later published an account of Middle East.” sightings were made in Qatar over the Qatar National Library (QNL), ex- pers relating to efforts undertaken by others wearing a red-and-white ‘she- his mission in ‘Arabian Sands’ (1959), With over 1.9 million pages of his- winter months. Thankfully, the Gulf plained, “The Allies considered their representatives of the MEAlu in 1942. magh’ and black ‘agal’. They were di- a celebrated classic of travel literature torical records, the QDL is the world’s region was unaffected. anti-locust campaign in the Middle vided into vehicle detachments, which and one of the greatest stories of man largest digital archive on the Middle But, as historical documents East to be second only in importance hugely successful and made an im- patrolled vast stretches of territory versus the desert ever written. East. It provides free online access to available on the Qatar Digital Library to their campaign against the enemy. portant contribution towards winning throughout the Arabian Peninsula, As a result of the MEALU’s re- a wealth of information on Gulf history (QDL) reveal, this was not the case in MEALU organised a series of annual the war in the Middle East. It’s a fas- covering 40 miles a day, searching markable efforts, there were no ma- and Arab/ Islamic science. One can 1942, when World War II was into military operations to find and exter- cinating story of man versus nature.” for and poisoning the locusts’ count- jor outbreaks of locust swarms for learn more about this topic on the QDL its third year and Allied forces were minate the locusts’ breading grounds MEALU staff, numbered in the less breeding grounds. These vehicle the remainder of the war, and the by visiting: www.qdl.qa/ en/ forgotten- fighting a losing battle against the in Arabia. These operations were hundreds, comprised British Army detachments were comparable in or- vital supplies of food remained unaf- war-against-locusts-helped-win-war Nation Monday, March 30, 2020 03 Qatar Care assures public of safety Ehsan committed to supporting older of community and health workers people during crisis

More than 300 nurses and other workers have been deployed in various hospitals across the country TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK mental and physical health Doha in the coming weeks and AILYN AGONIA months. Doha ALTHOUGH tackling the 2. Reach out to all older Covid-19 virus requires a people who are recipients of HOME care and medical ser- ‘whole-of-society’ approach Ehsan’s services (home care, vices agency Qatar Care has and the involvement of well- physical therapy, and Ehsan assured the public of its com- informed and responsible clubs) through the launch of mitment to serve the com- citizens and the government, a centre-wide tele-communi- munity and ensure the safety private and civil society sec- ty outreach service that regu- of its staff and those in the tors, it is a fact that older larly checks with older people frontline. people are the most vul- to assess their overall condi- In a statement issued by nerable population groups tion and provide advice, re- Qatar Care CEO and Manag- in need of the best protec- assurance and morals. Text ing Director Abdulrahman tion and support. They are messages with key awareness al Majed recently, he hailed also the most dear to our raising guidance are also be- its more than 300 nurses hearts -- our parents, uncles, ing disseminated to the mo- deployed in various hospi- aunts and grandparents, the bile phones of registered tals across the country and elderly whom the Centre other frontline workers as for Elderly Empowerment “heroes who are actively in- and Care (Ehsan) is dedi- Studies based on the volved in the fight against cated to serving and Chinese National Health Covid-19”. empowering. Commission show this Qatar Care nurses are Studies based on the Chi- age group is most at risk deployed in private homes, nese National Health Com- and has the highest quarantine areas, Hamad mission show this age group fatality rate of 15% in - Private Nursing Services is most at risk and has the and the Ministry of Public highest fatality rate of 15% the 1980s, especially Health’s selected areas of Qatar care has been part of the MoPH Volunteers for coVID19 (Swabbing) in the 1980s, especially since since older people have healthcare volunteer deploy- older people have chronic chronic diseases or weak ments for swabbing. trol and Prevention, the Min- diseases or weak immune immune systems. Steps The agency’s General Qatar Care nurses are istry of Public Health Qatar systems. Steps need to be need to be taken to Manager Mary Rose Uy, RN, and other international and taken to ensure their well-be- ensure their well-being Assistant General Manager deployed in private homes, local institutions for health ing. They also need to be em- Rowena Dimpaso, RN and quarantine areas, Hamad - advice and prevention strat- powered with knowledge and Education and Training Di- Private Nursing Services egies,”. well-informed about how to rector Peach Dale Esloyo, and the Ministry of Public He also stressed that Qa- prevent and recognise symp- families. RN, and nurse supervisors Health’s selected areas of tar Care had increased sani- toms. Community-based 3. Establish and activate were also among those who healthcare volunteer tary measures in its offices, organisations have a critical a helpline service that re- volunteered in the field as deployments for swabbing accommodations and trans- role to play during this crisis ceives calls from older per- registered nurses. portations. to support older persons to sons in the community and Majed said, “As we enter He underlined the con- be well and stay safe. their families and provides these challenging times, we has been closed effective to- tinuous health education of In order to continue them with guidance, general want to assure everyone that day, and all immediate heads all staff. empowering and support- psycho-social support during we are taking every possible are on the assigned locations Qatar Care is a Qatar ing older people and their this crisis, and referral when measure to ensure the safety so that staff can easily access Council for Healthcare Prac- families during the Covid-19 needed. of each employee, the front- them for any assistance. titioners (QCHP) licensed crisis and home quarantine 4. Continue to care for line, in the safest way we can. “Second, we are closely medical and nursing health- phase, Ehsan sees the role older persons residing at Al- We will continue to keep you following the precautionary care provider for 12 years of national and collective Iwa Residential home who updated with our steps and He added, “First, we are we already executed our measures recommended by with a Dimond Level accredi- social responsibility in com- do not have any other shel- actions to keep our commu- prepared and ready to face Contingency and Business the World Health Organiza- tation from ACI, Canada and munity-based outreach and ter, taking all necessary pre- nity safe and sound.” this kind of challenges and Continuity Plan. Our office tion, Center for Disease Con- an ISO 9001: 2015 certified. support for this particular cautions health measures to age group and will support protect them and keep them older people and their fami- well. lies in the following ways: 5. Activate remote day- 1. Launching an aware- care programmes for older ness campaign titled ‘Their people who are members MoCI recalls Mercedes-Benz GLC Class model of 2018 health is precious to us’ of Ehsan clubs and engage through social media plat- them in the use of digital TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, an- The recall campaign The Ministry said that it The Ministry urged all cus- forms to disseminate infor- modes of communication Doha nounced the recall of Mer- comes within the framework will coordinate with the dealer tomers to report any violations mation and raise awareness that Ehsan has previously cedes-Benz GLC Class model of the Ministry’s continuous to follow up on the mainte- to its Consumer Protection about the virus and its con- trained to take care of the THE Ministry of Commerce of 2018, as the air bag warning efforts to protect consumers nance and repair works and and Anti-Commercial Fraud sequences, and empowering elderly in a way that benefits and Industry, in cooperation label on the passenger side sun and ensure that car dealers will communicate with cus- Department, which process- older people with knowledge them and keeps them con- with Al Nasser Bin Khaled visor does not include informa- follow up on vehicle defects tomers to ensure that the nec- es complaints, inquires and and advice on how to protect nected. Automobiles, the dealer of tion in the required languages. and repairs. essary repairs are carried out. suggestions.

QATAr SWITchES oFF LIGhT For EArTh hoUr 2020 Doha Bank marks Qatar joins global call to protect nature via Earth Hour AILYN AGONIA resources but in reality this Earth Hour 2020 Doha would mean a lot enough to make an impact if everyone TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK A number of establishments embraces its principle into ac- Doha and households in Qatar have tual practise. shown support to the world- “On the bright side, I think REITERATING its support wide movement Earth Hour a lot more would have com- to the environmental cause, 2020, which was observed in plied if its effects of being im- Doha Bank, one of the larg- various countries for an hour mobile, thus, having a direct est private commercial on Saturday. contribution to the prevention banks in Qatar, has joined Qatar Museums Chairper- of Covid-19 was emphasised. millions of entities and in- son HE Sheikha al Mayassa bin Otherwise, I suggest the next dividuals around the globe Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani led Earth Hour should be in the in marking the Earth Hour the appeal to Qatar residents to Msheireb Downtown Doha observes Earth Hour. Sheraton Doha Hotel switched off lights on Saturday. form of real involuntary black- 2020 by switching lights switch off their lights and light outs to ensure delivery of its off at its headquarters and candles at 8:30pm through her support in turning off unneces- aimed at spreading awareness Among them was real es- message.” branches on Saturday from Instagram account. The ‘lights- sary lights and lighting candles on environment protection, tate specialist Joseph Rivera. Another expat Rochelle 8:30pm to 9:30pm, local out’ movement symbolises a to “show hope and support preserving natural resources Commenting on the ges- Aguilos said, “I was inspired time. commitment to the protection for a greener future.” Lights at and reducing the consumption ture, he said, “Supporting the by the message of HE Sheikha Commenting on Doha of the planet. Msheireb Downtown Doha, the of energy. Earth Hour movement was al Mayassa on Instagram about Bank’s participation in the On its official Facebook flagship project of Msheireb Meanwhile, several resi- the least that any person could Earth Hour. It made me realise Earth Hour 2020 move- to promote environmen- page, Sheraton Grand Doha Properties, were also turned off dents were also inspired by do to support the world’s ef- how important this simple ges- ment, CEO of Doha Bank Dr tal sustainability practices Resort & Convention Hotel at the same time. the calls of Qatar’s leadership forts in conserving energy. ture is in sending a strong mes- R. Seetharaman said, “By and green policies through shared photos of how the es- In an official statement sent to send an important message An hour of darkness may just sage of love for our only planet taking part in the environ- adopting a variety of initia- tablishment observed Earth to the media, the establishment from Qatar to the world and to sound as a symbolic gesture and support to several efforts to mental events and initia- tives such as Al Dana Green Hour captioned with the hotel’s stressed that the gesture is the planet. only in preserving our planet’s protect the nature.” tives around the globe, Doha Run, ECO-School Pro- Bank remains committed to gramme and Beach clean- its Corporate Social Respon- ing.” sibility (CSR) and benefiting He added, “Environmen- the society. Undoubtedly, tal conservation is of a para- GWC observes Earth Hour the environmental cause is mount importance to Doha one of the primary priorities Bank and our CSR objectives GWC, a leading logistics pro- safety measure to ensure the paperless operations, as well and responsibilities that we include reducing the carbon vider in Qatar, participated in nation’s health. as reduce, reuse, recycle by endeavour to dedicate our foot print on our planet in Earth Hour 2020 by turning “At GWC, we realise that which the company will treat resources to serving and ad- order to achieve an ecologi- off the lights in different areas one hour of turning off lights as many of used materials as vocating at Doha Bank. cally sound world.” in its Logistics Village Qatar, is not a sustainable environ- possible such as paper, plas- “Our celebration of the Doha Bank’s eco-friend- GWC Bu Sulba Warehousing mental plan for any com- tics, wood pallets and oil. Earth Hour event is a con- ly measures and practices Park, Street 15, Street 41, Ras pany or individual; yet, it’s a Started by WWF and scious attempt to call peo- were acknowledged by mul- Laffan and its main headquar- symbol of a larger commit- partners as a symbolic lights- ple’s attention to the urgent tiple awards and accolades ters on D-Ring Road. ment that, for the rest of the out event in Sydney in 2007, threat against biodiversity such as, the ‘Best Green The company also invited year, we will not spare any ef- Earth Hour is now one of the and nature. Therefore, we Bank 2008 at the Industry its employees to participate in fort to save our planet,” said world’s largest grassroots should join efforts around Awards’ from Bankers Mid- the initiative. The company’s GWC Group CEO Ranjeev movements for the environ- the globe to conserve our dle East, and the ‘Golden participation in this initia- Menon. ment. ecosystem and the vital nat- Peacock Global Award for tive comes amid its response GWC has a long standing Held every year on the ural resources on our planet. Sustainability’ in 2010, 2011, to the Covid-19 outbreak, for of environmental initiatives last Saturday of March, Earth ple in more than 180 coun- off their lights to show sup- At Doha Bank, we strive 2013, 2014 ,2017, and 2018. which it has put in place every such as reduce waste through Hour engages millions of peo- tries and territories, switching port for our planet. (TNN) 04 Monday, March 30, 2020 middle East / Gulf / Africa Mali votes despite coronavirus and security fears AFP hours before polls opened at million people -- where large It is the country’s first that out of close to 12,500 poll- BaMaKo 0800 GMT Sunday, the coun- swathes of territory lie outside parliamentary poll since ing stations, 274 were not able try’s first coronavirus death state control -- is particularly 2013, when President Ibra- to open. MALIANS voted in a long-de- was announced -- a 71-year- exposed to a COVID-19 out- him Boubacar Keita’s Rally According to sources close layed parliamentary election old man recently returned break. for Mali party won a substan- to the governorate of the on Sunday, barely a day after from France. Mali’s number of Prime Minister Boubou tial majority. northern city of Timbuktu, the the country recorded its first confirmed infection has risen Cisse admitted that turnout Parliamentary elections head of one polling station was coronavirus death and with to 20. was not very large so far. were meant to take place “abducted by armed men”. the leading opposition figure “I came to vote, but I’m “I appeal to the voters: re- again in late 2018 following Very few people showed up kidnapped and believed to be afraid,” said Souleymane Di- member to respect the barrier Keita’s re-election, but the to vote in the city in the morn- in the hands of jihadists. allo, a 34-year-old teacher vot- gestures and use the sanitary poll was postponed several ing, but attendance had some- There were security fears ing in the capital Bamako. measures,” he said as he voted, times, largely due to security what increased by midday, an about the vote to elect new “As you can see there’s no- adding that turnout was “suf- concerns. AFP reporter observed. MPs to the 147-seat National body here. Maybe because it’s ficiently satisfactory”. Some 200,000 people The AFP reporter said Assembly even before the war- the morning, but it’s also not An official turnout figure A general view of electoral officials in a polling station during the displaced by the near-daily that while the distance be- torn West African country surprising because of the situ- was not immediately available parliamentary elections in Gao, Mali on Sunday. (aFP) violence in Mali’s centre and tween people in queues was recorded its first coronavirus ation.” shortly before polling stations north will not be able to vote, too close, voters did wash their infection on Wednesday. There are fears that the closed at 1800 GMT, but AFP gested it was low. a group of civil society associa- a government official has said. hands before entering polling But then late Saturday, just impoverished state of some 19 reporters and observers sug- At midday, observers from tions had put it at 7.5 percent. The security ministry said stations.

News Egypt shuts in brief Iran warns of lengthy hospitals, South African, Kenyan police accused of violence amid lockdown isolates NaIroBI Politicians and lawyers in South africa and Kenya demand- ed action on Sunday following reports that police in both countries ‘new way of life’ as villages to had used violence to enforce anti-coronavirus restrictions. IN South africa, John Steenhuisen, the leader of the main op- slow virus position Democratic alliance, called for parliament to intervene to protect citizens rights after the country declared a three-week AFP lockdown. virus deaths rise CaIro “already this week there have been numerous reports of brutality at the hands of South african National Defence Force AFP EGYPT has shuttered several soldiers,” John Steenhuisen said in a statement on Sunday. TehraN hospitals and quarantined vil- “This is absolutely unacceptable and deeply worrying.” lages in an attempt to halt the elsewhere, in Kenya, where a night-time curfew has been in PRESIDENT Hassan Rouhani rising infection rate of new place since Friday, videos were widely shared on social media warned Sunday that “the new coronavirus in the most popu- showing police using tear gas to disperse people at a ferry way of life” in Iran was likely lous Arab state. crossing point near the coastal city of Mombasa. (DPA) to be prolonged, as its declared A Cairo hospital was closed death toll from the novel coro- for sterilisation late Saturday navirus rose to 2,640. after two COVID-19 cases US-led coalition forces pull out of base The Islamic republic is one were confirmed. in northern Iraq of the countries worst-hit by An official at Al-Salam the virus, which first originat- hospital told AFP on Sunday: BaghDaD The uS-led coalition on Sunday withdrew from a ed in China. “We are currently disinfecting military base in northern Iraq that had come under rocket at- Iran announced its first the hospital for the safety of tack in late December, sparking escalation between Washington infection cases on February everyone concerned. One pa- and Iran. The coalition handed over the K1 Iraqi air Base in 19, but a senior health official tient had come in tested posi- the northern province of Kirkuk, it said in a statement. It also has acknowledged that the vi- tive and a member of our staff transferred 1 million dollars of equipment to the Iraqis. rus was likely to have already was infected after”. The K1 base is the third site the coalition troops have left reached Iran in January. He said no date was yet set this month. They already handed over al-Qaim base near the At his daily news briefing, for re-opening the facility. Iraqi border with Syria, and the Qayyarah West base. health ministry spokesman Other hospitals have also “This long-planned move was coordinated with the Iraqi Kianoush Jahanpour said 123 been closed in the last week government. more people in Iran had died after recording cases of the vi- The [Iraqi security forces] are successful against (Islamic from the virus in the past 24 rus, including the Alexandria State), Coalition troops will support from fewer places with hours. Members of Iranian red crescent test people with possible coronavirus covid-19 symptoms. (aFP) University Hospital and Al- fewer faces,” coalition spokesman Myles Caggins said in a He reported 2,901 new Shorouk hospital in Cairo. tweet. Since 2017, the K1 Iraqi airbase has hosted uS and cases of COVID-19 infection, Health ministry spokes- other coalition forces who train Iraqi security forces to fight bringing the overall number Iran says 54 inmates at large after mass jail break person Khaled Megahed also Islamic State. (DPA) of officially confirmed cases to announced that villages in up 38,309. TehraN Iranian security turned themselves in or been nals were at large. to 10 governorates have been According to the official, forces are searching for 54 captured. There were also prison quarantined. Syria declares first coronavirus death 12,391 of those hospitalised escaped inmates following a on March 19, 23 prisoners riots in hamedan and Tabriz “We have several infec- have recovered and 3,467 are prison break over which four escaped from another jail in provinces, and aligoudarz city tions from the same source... DaMaSCuS a woman in Syria died on Sunday of the novel in “critical” condition. guards were arrested, Iran’s the western city of Khorrama- in Lorestan as authorities in what we call local trans- coronavirus, the health ministry said, marking the country’s first “We must prepare to live state news agency reported on bad, the capital of Lorestan prevented escapes. mission. Before it spreads to officially declared death from CoVID-19. with this virus until a treat- Sunday. province, hours before the hamedan’s prosecutor told become a community trans- “The woman died as soon as she was admitted to hospi- ment or vaccine is discovered, “Some prison guards were start of Iran’s New year cel- IrNa that the unrest there was mission, we undertake this tal,” the health ministry said in a statement carried by state which has not yet happened to summoned and four of them ebrations, IrNa said. “over the excuse of the corona- precautionary measure of news agency SaNa. date,” President Hassan Rou- were arrested and others They reportedly escaped virus outbreak.” quarantining the entire vil- “after testing, it was found that she was a carrier of the hani said in a cabinet meeting. released on bail,” Mojtaba Shi- during the night while guards one inmate died and an- lage... for 14 days,” he said on coronavirus,” the statement added, without providing additional “The new way of life we rouzbozorgi, a judicial official in were making preparations for a other was injured at the riot in a widely watched talk-show details. have adopted” is to everyone’s Kurdistan province, told IrNa. New year amnesty. aligoudarz prison. with popular host Lamees al- In addition to the death, Syria has officially reported nine benefit, he said, adding that according to the agency, The escapees had been around 10,000 prisoners Hadidi on Saturday. other coronavirus cases. “these changes will likely have 74 inmates escaped from serving a maximum of one-year are expected to be released in Egyptian doctors on social Fears are high that the virus could spread rapidly among to stay in place for some time”. Saqqez city’s prison on Friday, sentences, the agency said, the New year amnesty, accord- media have urged people to the war-battered country’s most vulnerable communities. After weeks of refraining 20 of whom have so far either denying that dangerous crimi- ing to Iran’s judiciary. (AFP) stay home to stem the rate of The violence-plagued northwest, where around a million from imposing lockdown or transmissions through social people have been displaced by conflict since December alone, quarantine measures, Tehran some provinces were closed in hani said he had been told by whom have died. interactions. is particularly vulnerable. decided Wednesday to ban all late February and the meas- top health experts and doctors The most recent case of in- The health ministry has To slow the spread of the virus, the Syrian government on intercity travel until at least ure was later extended to the that “in some provinces we fection was Mohammad-Reza reported 576 COVID-19 cases, Sunday banned movement between provinces until april 16th. April 8. whole country. have passed the peak (of the Khatami, brother of former including 36 deaths. It also enforced a decision to prohibit travel within the Without an official lock- After Rouhani’s warning, epidemic) and are on a down- president Mohammad Khata- Egypt imposed a night- boundaries of each province until further notice. down in place, the government the reopening of schools fol- ward trajectory”. mi and an ex-deputy speaker time curfew last week for two Schools and universities have been ordered shut until mid- has repeatedly urged Iranians lowing this year’s Persian New Several Iranian govern- of parliament. weeks in a bid to contain the april and the government has imposed a night-time curfew from to stay home “as much as pos- Year holidays of March 19 to ment officials and notable He is currently hospital- growing contagion, which has 6 pm to 6 am. (AFP) sible”. April 3 appears unlikely. figures have been infected by ised, according to state news caused over 30,000 deaths Schools and universities in On a positive note, Rou- the new coronavirus, some of agency IRNA. globally. Coronavirus shakes up politicians across Africa Yemeni rebels claim AFP governors, have announced attacks on ‘sensitive aBIDJaN that they are in self-isolation AU chief in quarantine after staff tests after contact with two people targets’ in Saudi Arabia WITH Botswana’s head of with the virus, including Bu- state and Ivory Coast’s prime positive for coronavirus hari’s right-hand man, Abba DPA The spokesman vowed minister in self-quarantine and aDDIS aBaBa african union where the au is headquar- The au source, who spoke Kyari. SaNa’a/rIyaDh more “painful” attacks many government ministers Commission Chairman Mous- tered, from the republic of on condition of anonymity, The chairman of the com- against Saudi Arabia unless it infected across the continent, sa Faki Mahamat is “observ- Congo on March 14, according confirmed that Faki had been mission of the African Union, YEMEN’S Houthi rebels on halts what he called its “aggres- African politicians have sud- ing quarantine” after a staff to a statement from ethiopian in contact with the patient. Moussa Faki Mahamat, is Sunday said they had un- sion and blockade” of Yemen. denly found themselves on the member in his office tested health Minister Lia Tadesse. “The person works in the “observing quarantine” after leashed a series of attacks Earlier on Sunday, Saudi coronavirus front line. positive for CoVID-19, an au The statement, which did chairperson’s office. The chair- a member of his staff tested against “sensitive targets” in Arabia said its air force had Their plight has triggered source told aFP. not mention the man’s au person and his key advisers positive, an AU source in the Saudi Arabia, which is leading intercepted and destroyed two little sympathy on social me- The staff member is a affiliation, said six people who are among the contacts that Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa a military campaign against ballistic missiles fired late on dia, where many note that in 72-year-old Mauritian man who had contact with the patient are observing quarantine,” the on Friday. the Iran-linked rebel group. Saturday by the Houthis in the Africa, disease is typically a had returned to addis ababa, are “under follow up”. source said. (AFP) In Democratic Republic of Military spokesman for the direction of Riyadh and Jizan. problem for the poor, not the Congo, the authorities do not rebels, Yahya Sare, said the Shrapnel from one mis- wealthy and influential. comment on reports of public group had carried out a major sile injured two civilians in “People say this (coronavi- ordinary citizens,” said Ablasse rian government said a dozen and the infection of Foreign figures among confirmed coro- operation by ballistic missiles Riyadh, the city’s civil defence rus) is the disease of the global Ouedraogo, a Burkina opposi- “senior figures” have gone into Minister Alpha Barry and no navirus cases, but several me- and drones inside the Saudi service said, according to the elites,” said Ivorian political tion figure. self-isolation. fewer than six other ministers. dia have stated that Economy territory, escalating a years- Saudi state news agency SPA. scientist Jean Alabro. Ivory Coast Prime Minister In Burkina Faso, Ivory In Nigeria, the political Minister Acacia Bandubola long conflict. The attack was the second “People who travel or are Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who Coast’s northern neighbour, elite “is in a panic mode follow- was infected. His brother and “Sensitive targets were hit by the Houthis reported this in contact with such people are plans to stand in a presidential Thursday’s cabinet meeting ing the confirmed case” of the deputy cabinet director Dedie in (the Saudi capital) Riyadh,” week against Saudi Arabia. the most affected -- in the early election in October, announced was held by video-conference cabinet director (to President Bandubola was among the first he added in a press statement On Friday, the Saudi-led days, in any case. In Africa, that on Twitter that he had placed to protect President Roch Marc Muhammadu Buhari),” ac- to die of the disease. without giving details. coalition said it had inter- means politicians.” himself in voluntary confine- Christian Kabore from infec- cording to a source close to the In Kenya, President Uhuru He added that the Houthis cepted drones launched by “Nobody is spared by this ment “after being in contact tion. The precaution came after presidency. Kenyatta criticised religious also struck “economic and mil- the Yemeni rebels target- virus -- it infects heads of state, with a person declared posi- the death of the second deputy A slew of senior Nigerian and political leaders for failing itary targets” in the Saudi re- ing the cities of Abha and government ministers and tive.” speaker of the national assem- politicians, including the vice to observe self-quarantine and gions of Jizan, Najran and Asir Khamis Mushait in south- members of parliament... (and) A source close to the Ivo- bly, Rose-Marie Compaore, president and several state social distancing. near the border with Yemen. western Saudi Arabia. Asia / World Monday, March 30, 2020 05

News Facing hardships, India’s migrants in brief Eight dead in medical evacuation plane crash in Philippines defy lockdown to return home MaNILa a chartered medical evacuation flight crashed during take off in the Philippines on Sunday, killing eight people, DPA airport officials said. NeW DeLhI The west wind 24 aircraft was taking off from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino international Airport when it burst into flames INDIAN Prime Minister and crashed, the Manila international Airport Authority said Narendra Modi on Sunday in a statement. apologised for the hardship “The flight, which was on a med-evac mission to haneda, incurred by the nation’s poor japan, was carrying two passengers and six crew members,” amid the coronavirus lock- the statement said. down as thousands of desper- “unfortunately, no passenger survived the accident,” it ate migrant workers contin- added. According to an unconfirmed flight manifest, the two ued trying to return to their passengers were a 63-year-old canadian man and a 58-year- hometowns and villages. old Filipino-American woman. The large-scale move- The six Filipinos were three pilots, a flight mechanic, a ment of these workers and doctor and a nurse. (DPA) their crowding at border check Prime Minister Narendra Modi posts and bus stations across the country has endangered Tuesday as the country of 1.3 Australia imposes two-person limit for India’s efforts to contain an billion people battles to con- public gatherings escalation of the transmission tain the spread of the corona- of the virus through social dis- virus. So far, India has report- CaNBerra Public gatherings in australia have been restrict- tancing. ed 979 cases and 25 deaths. ed to two people due to coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minis- Regional governments The inter-state borders are ter Scott Morrison has announced. have been asked to seal their youths distribute food to homeless and labourers during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a closed as are all markets and There was previously a 10-person limit in public spaces borders and stop the move- preventive measure against the coVID-19 coronavirus in Siliguri on Sunday. (aFP) organizations except those and other areas of gathering. ment of people and allow only providing essential services The new restriction does not apply to family members, goods on highways, Home between Haryana state and 230 kilometres away. tion, many work in factories or like health care, water and or education and employment. Ministry spokeswoman Punya the national capital, a police- A migrant worker em- are street vendors. electricity. “your household can be together inside your home and Salila Srivastava said. woman could be seen trying to ployed in delivery service Several state governments No passenger train, flights outside your home, but outside your household, you can Those already on the road persuade a family of migrant who left New Delhi on Friday have set up camps for the mi- or buses are operating, leaving be with only one other person,” Morrison told reporters in should be provided food and workers, including three small and attempted to walk home grant workers where they are the day labourers stranded in Canberra on Sunday. shelter, their health checked children, to return home. to Morena, in Uttar Pradesh being provided food and shel- often precarious conditions. In addition, public playgrounds, outside gyms and skate and if needed placed in quar- “We waited for three days, state, died of a heart attack af- ter. People have been asked to parks will be closed from Monday, he said. antine, Srivastava said. now we have no money, no ter covering about 200 of the A few hundred migrants stay at home and only step out For individuals, Morrison said, “the strong advice” is Top officials at district lev- food. No one came to help us. 300 kilometres, NDTV news left their camps and crowded for essential commodities like for people to stay home unless shopping for essentials, for els have been asked to make It is better to die at home than channel reported. a street in Kottayam in Kerala groceries, milk and medicine. medical care or compassionate needs, to exercise, and for sure that all out-of-work mi- die here of hunger,” Savita Hundreds were arriving at demanding transport home “I apologize for taking work and education if they can not be done remotely. (DPA) grants were paid their wages Devi, 45, said. a bus station on the outskirts till they were persuaded to these harsh steps which have despite the lockdown and that Home for her family of of the Indian capital where au- disperse by the police, NDTV caused difficulties in your they were not evicted by land- construction workers is in the thorities were arranging trans- reported. lives, especially the poor peo- Thailand records 143 new cases, lords for one month. outskirts of Bareilly in neigh- portation to take them home. India has been in a com- ple,” Modi said during his second-highest daily rise At a border checkpost bouring Uttar Pradesh, about In addition to construc- plete lockdown mode since monthly radio address. BANgkok Thailand reported 143 new cases of the corona- virus on Sunday, the second-highest uptick in infections the country has seen in a single day, with the total now at 1,388. Pakistan records over 100 new coronavirus infections Seven people who tested positive have died, Public DPA of the Covid-19 disease it can steadily since the past week, tients across the country is not More than 8,000 are in health Ministry spokesman Taweesilp wissanuyotin said, ISLaMaBaD cause, according to Health despite the imposition of a indicative of the true picture. quarantine across the country. adding the latest fatality was a 68-year-old male. Minister Zafar Mirza. lockdown in the country. The real number of patients Pakistan’s authorities of the cases, 641 were detected in Bangkok. The surge PAKISTAN’S coronavirus in- Mirza said that 71 per cent Politicians and experts is much higher,” Attaur Rhe- have sealed borders, sus- comes despite a recent state of emergency that is expected fections continued to increase of coronavirus cases in Pa- have expressed fears of an man, head of prime minister’s pended domestic and interna- to be lifted on April 30. Thailand’s borders were closed, on Sunday, with the addition kistan are imported, mainly exponential increase in the task force on science and tech- tional flights and introduced a social gatherings banned and shops shuttered. of 121 new cases. pilgrims who returned from coming days and asked the nology told media. nationwide lockdown, which The South-east Asian nation has yet to bar visitors from Pakistan now has 1,526 Iran. government to test more and The Health Ministry said is being enforced by the po- entering but the country’s civil Aviation Authority has required cases of the coronavirus. Thir- Pakistan’s coronavirus in- more people. that there were 13,324 sus- lice and army, to control the that everybody coming to Thailand have a mandatory health teen people have died so far fections have been increasing “The data coming in of pa- pected cases. spread of the virus. certificate on arrival.(DPA)

‘You are in Philippine health care workers danger’ warns China reports mostly imported virus Moscow mayor outraged by volunteers’ allowance as virus cases cases; trains return to Wuhan DPA Nearly 700 volunteers have MaNILa signed up on the Department top 1,000 DPA restrictions for Hubei outside of Health’s online portal since BeIJINg of Wuhan were lifted earlier in HUNDREDS of medical work- it was set up on Friday for doc- DPA the week. ers have signed up to help the tors, nurses, orderlies and other MoSCoW CHINA REPORTED 45 new According to the municipal Philippine government’s fight medical workers to be assigned cases of coronavirus and five railways department, Satur- against Covid-19 despite being in dedicated Covid-19 centres CASES of the novel coro- more Covid-19 deaths on Sun- day saw over 60,000 people offered a small fee for a high- set up by the government. navirus are expanding at day, 44 of which were so-called aboard more than 260 train risk job, a situation that has Aside from the allowance, a rapid clip in the Russian imported cases detected in re- services from throughout the sparked outrage from health the volunteers were also of- capital, authorities report- cent travellers, the country’s country arrive at the city, an care groups. fered insurance coverage that ed on Sunday, National Health Commission important hub in the country’s The Department of would pay 100,000 pesos if they with more than 1,000 said. rail network. Health apologized for causing get sick and 1 million pesos if confirmed cases in Mos- The single locally transmit- The Paper reported that anger with the proposed ben- they die. But doctors and nurs- cow. ted case was in Henan prov- the arriving passengers were efit package for the volunteers, es’ associations have found the “The situation, in terms ince in central China. Wuhan residents “coming who were offered an allowance offer insulting, and urged the of spreading, has reached a Meanwhile in the city of home” after becoming trapped of 500 pesos (10 dollars) for government and private hos- new level,” said Wuhan, lockdown measures A medical worker wearing a hazmat suit takes a swab sample on a elsewhere in the country and every 8-hour shift for 14 days. pitals to hire medical workers Mayor Sergei Sobya- were starting to be relaxed, man to check if he has coronavirus at a health clinic in Wuhan. (aFP) being unable to return to the “We acknowledge the anger instead of calling for volunteers, nin. Nationwide, there are and more than 12,000 passen- city due to the lockdown. and hurt that our call for health as well as to ensure that they slightly more than 1,500 gers returned to Wuhan from for the first time in over two sumed on the same day. The lockdown on 23 Janu- care warriors has caused,” the have proper protective gear. cases. In Moscow, 13 of the all over the country, the official months on Saturday, accord- Passengers could disem- ary coincided with the Spring department said in a statement “Do not make us the sacri- infected are children. Chinese news agency Xinhua ing to Chinese news site The bark, but boarding remains Festival holiday that sees on Sunday. ficial lambs in this fight against There have been six reported late Saturday. Paper. prohibited until 8 April, when many urban-dwellers return to “As fellow health workers, Covid-19,” said Maristela deaths attributable to Cov- High-speed trains stopped Train services within the outbound travel restrictions on their family’s homes outside of we would like to offer our sin- Abenojar, national president of id-19 - the respiratory dis- in the Hubei provincial capital city of over 11 million also re- the city will be lifted. Travel their current city of residence. cerest apologies.” the Filipino Nurses United. ease that can result from the coronavirus infection - in Moscow, authorities told the Interfax news agency. One of Vietnam’s “Please take care of South Korea records 105 North Korea fires two short-range yourselves,” urged Sobya- largest hospitals nin. new coronavirus infections In an effort to slow the ‘ballistic missiles’ into sea locked down amid virus’ spread, restaurants, DPA weekend as part of a social dis- AFP bars, large parks and shop- Seoul tancing campaign. SeouL virus fears ping centres shut down South Korea has not intro- DPA across Russia on Saturday. SOUTH Korea’s Sunday data duced any nationwide require- NORTH Korea fired what ap- hANoi Sobyanin said most resi- on coronavirus infections ments to stay home. peared to be two short-range dents have been honour- marked a continuing trend of The rise in cases on Fri- ballistic missiles off its east VIETNAM has locked down one ing the shutdown and stay- numbers jumping and falling day was due to a spike in the coast on Sunday, the fourth of its largest hospitals and main ing home. Public transport in recent days. south-eastern city of Daegu, such launch this month as the treatment centres for Covid-19 reported sharp drops in The country recorded 105 one of the country’s infection world battles the coronavirus after the nation’s biggest cluster usage. new cases on Saturday, ac- hotspots. outbreak. of cases was linked to the facil- That said, many of cording to the Korea Centers Officials have voiced con- The string of weapons ity, the government said. those who did venture out for Disease Control and Pre- cerns for days over the grow- drills come as a prolonged hia- Hanoi’s Bach Mai Hospital, did not keep enough dis- vention (KCDC). ing number of “imported” cas- tus in disarmament talks with which is home to the capital’s tance from one another, a It followed 146 new cases es. the United States drags on, centre for treating tropical dis- practice that is necessary to on Friday, and 91 on Thurs- Many South Koreans are and despite recent overtures People watch a news broadcast showing file footage of a North Korean eases, has been officially iso- stop the virus from jumping day. fleeing other countries out from Washington offering help missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on Sunday. (aFP) lated. between people. Also, citing A total of 9,583 people of fear and returning home, to contain the pandemic. As of Sunday morning, 16 mobile phone data, Sobya- have tested positive to the vi- some bringing the virus with South Korea’s Joint Chiefs entire world is having difficul- Sunday’s missiles but attribut- virus cases have been linked to nin said about 20 per cent rus overall since the outbreak them. of Staff said the North fired the ties due to the COVID-19 out- ed its three other launches this the facility, with both patients of Muscovites aged 65 and started. Despite fluctuating num- two projectiles, presumed to break,” they added in a state- month -- all of which landed and staff among those infect- higher left their homes, de- The number of deaths re- bers, South Korea has seen be ballistic missiles, from the ment. in the Sea of Japan -- to “long- ed, according to a government spite government warnings lated to the virus climbed by 8 a clear trend of receding in- port city of Wonsan into the Tokyo’s defence ministry range artillery” drills. statement. Vietnam’s Deputy that this is the group most to 152. fection rates since its peak of Sea of Japan, also known as said the projectiles fell short of It last week fired what Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam vulnerable to the disease. Officials have urged the daily cases in February - when the East Sea. Japanese waters and the coun- Seoul said were two short- has ordered the city to mobilize “My dears, you are in public to avoid enclosed, busy more than 900 people were “Such military action by try’s exclusive economic zone. range ballistic missiles, de- all available forces to contain danger,” he warned. spaces like churches, fitness found to have the virus in a North Korea is an extremely The nuclear-armed North scribing them as a new “tacti- the outbreak, state media said centres or nightclubs over the single day. inappropriate act when the has yet to issue a statement on cal guided weapon”. on Sunday. 06 Monday, March 30, 2020

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 opinion HaMaD BiN SUHaiM aL THaNi CHAIRMAN aDEL aLi BiN aLi MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr HaSSaN MoHaMMED aL aNSari EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

US Must Come To The Rescue Of Health Providers Trump’s Overconfidence Has The federal govt must use its power to speed the Always Been Dangerous. massive, rapid production of masks, respirators, ventilators, sanitisers, and whatever providers need to deal with this pandemic With Coronavirus, It’s Deadly HERE is no question that health pro- States should not be in a bidding war viders are the front-line heroes of the with one another or the federal govern- As late as March 6, the US president assured Americans that the country Tcoronavirus pandemic. The integrity, ment. Among its other provisions, the act selflessness and sheer bravery needed to provides for the federal government to pay was in ‘great shape’, and put off taking urgent preventive action deliver care in the midst of a highly infec- a fair market value for the products it re- tious disease with no proven treatment or quires. Then it can distribute such aid to cure is awe-inspiring. states as needed. DON A MOORE So why then are we allowing them to Vice President Mike Pence said re- TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE further jeopardise themselves by shorting cently that New York state would get up to them on the equipment they so desperate- 4,000 ventilators from the national strate- VEN as the number of confirmed ly need? In the richest nation in the world, gic reserve. But it needs 30,000. In Wash- cases of COVID-19 in the United why are we asking people to break out sew- ington state some doctors and nurses were States keeps rising sharply, President ing machines to make masks that may or washing out masks between patients to Donald Trump continues to express may not suffice? preserve pre- confidence. He has gone from opti- Why are we forc- cious supplies, Emism in the face of the imminent threat of ing doctors to an unhygienic the coronavirus to suggesting that the pan- split ventilators, situation that demic will abate soon and the US economy reuse masks and jeopardised will be “raring to go” by Easter. jeopardise their them and their Trump’s optimism stands in sharp con- safety? patients. trast to the recommendations of health care There is a Trump eco- professionals, who tell us that the worst is way to alleviate nomic adviser yet to come, and that our only chance of these shortages. Peter Navarro containing the virus is by maintaining tight President Don- recently said, restrictions on business activity, social con- ald Trump must “We are get- tact and travel. make full use of ting what we Understanding the limits of confidence the Defense Pro- need without is key to overcoming this pandemic — and duction Act, and putting the the next. Research on confidence has doc- without delay. heavy hand of umented the dangers of being too confi- confidence than their rivals. This reflects most convinced of the inevitability of victo- Passed in government dent. Overconfident people fail to plan for our faith that confidence corresponds ry do not try as hard and are consequently 1950, the act down.” threats, such as COVID-19. Overconfident with performance. Would-be leaders who less likely to win. When central bankers are gives the fed- Obviously leaders make mistakes that put others at claim that they can deliver the moon, or too optimistic about the economy’s future, eral government that approach risk. Yet my research also shows that peo- bring back the coal industry, or provide they may fail to take the necessary actions, sweeping pow- has fallen far ple routinely elevate leaders who express free access to excellent health care and such as lowering interest rates, to head off ers to compel short. This greater confidence than is warranted. college education are more compelling. a foreseeable recession. industries to manufacture what is needed, country needs a robust, well-coordinat- Good preparation and effective action We assume that they will actually ac- Trump continues to be optimistic about for fair market compensation. It is not — ed federal response that gets states and are based on truth, not lies, however com- complish more than those who promise the country’s ability to recover. He recently as some federal officials, including Trump, medical providers what they need now, forting. Officials do not reduce the risk of less and express less confidence. In many said, “Our economy is going to go through have claimed — “nationalising,” and it is not months from now. Companies must be tragedy when they optimistically claim an aspects of life, this faith is justified. Con- the roof.” But his optimism looks increas- wrong of them to so irresponsibly mislead assured that the federal government will impending disaster won’t be so bad. fidence is correlated with performance in ingly like a delusion, with economists brac- the public. use its power to clear the path for supply Trump might be an outlier in the many fields. ing for a long recession even after the pan- Americans should applaud the compa- chains needed to speed the massive, rapid number of falsehoods he injects into his The perverse consequence when it demic is brought under control. nies that already have stepped up. 3M is production of masks, respirators, ventila- optimistic spin, but he’s far from alone comes to leaders, though, is that by select- Presidents, parents, coaches and gurus manufacturing N95 masks at top capac- tors, hand sanitisers, whatever providers in telling the public what he wishes were ing the most confident we are also very like- may attempt to encourage us by instilling ity. Mayo Clinic already has produced an need to deal with this pandemic. true. Democratic presidential candidate ly selecting the most overconfident. And confidence in our success. But it is possible accurate coronavirus test and eliminated There should be no need for the daily, Senator Bernie Sanders offers grand prom- leaders’ overconfidence creates real risks. to have too much confidence. Fooling your- Minnesota’s 1,700-test backlog of samples emotional pleadings of American pub- ises of government largesse without a clear As late as March 6, Trump assured Ameri- self into believing your success is assured that had been frozen for lack of federal test lic officials and medical providers for the plan to pay for it. And even Barack Obama cans that we were in “great shape,” and put may, paradoxically, undermine the chanc- kits. There are others, all contributing. basic equipment needed to treat a global swept into the White House on a promise off taking urgent preventive action. es of that very success. Having allowed our But there is a greater need than what pandemic. America should be producing of “hope and change” that set expectations When success depends on effort and nation to become infected with Trump’s any handful of private companies can enough not only for its own needs, but higher than he was able to achieve. preparation, greater confidence may actu- confidence has made us vulnerable to oth- manage on their own. They cannot clear also to aid Italy, Spain and other countries It’s tempting to express frustration with ally undermine performance. The students er, more dangerous infections. and prioritise their supply lines in the way without such capability. politicians who exaggerate and mislead, in my classes who are most certain they will the federal government can under the act. If this is, indeed, a war, the first or- but we ought to ask ourselves how it is that ace the exam, and therefore don’t study, (Don A Moore is a professor at They cannot assume responsibility for co- der of business is to equip our front-line we keep choosing those who promise so are not those with the highest grades. The the Haas School of Business ordinating 50-state distribution of those troops — the health care professionals much more than they deliver. dieters most confident that they will lose at UC Berkeley and author needed supplies. risking their lives to care for us. My research suggests that people rou- weight are not those who actually achieve of the forthcoming book, tinely select leaders who express greater their weight-loss goals. The competitors ‘Perfectly Confident’) (Tribune News Service) Communicating Across Cultures And Languages During COVID-19

HBKU’s TII has helped Qatar’s interpreters and translators adapt to the linguistic and cultural challenges posed by COVID-19

by COVID-19, residents continue to ex- ernment ministries and regional repre- Research Institute’s (QCRI) Advanced working within the country’s health sector perience and suffer from other ailments sentatives for the World Health Organi- Transcription System (QATS), which uses appear to have adapted quickly to what is for which a full range of interpreting and zation (WHO). deep learning technologies to convert proving to be a very fluid situation. Look- translation services are required. Ac- Irrespective of where they are cur- speech to text. ing ahead, TII is determined to strengthen cordingly, the need for accurate language rently working, a significant number of Language professionals working in their capabilities with relevant training services at Hamad Medical Corporation Qatar’s healthcare interpreters and trans- Qatar’s healthcare settings benefit from and development opportunities. (HMC) and other key locations remains lators have benefitted from graduate and TII’s ability to provide extensive sector- Now more than ever, patients have unabated. That said, COVID-19 has nev- training courses developed and provided specific training. This revolves exclusively the right to be informed about medical ertheless prompted adjustments to work- by HBKU. These include TII’s Master around the interpreting and translating conditions and the treatment that health- loads. Conveying information between of Arts in Translation Studies (MATS), of medical and health-related content. care professionals provide. This applies as medical staff, patients and individuals in a two-year program designed to train Learning is broken down into four catego- much to Qatar’s indigenous population as quarantine has undoubtedly increased in translators working across the public and ries: diseases and disorders, anatomical those residents who do not count Arabic as intensity, most notably when it comes to private sector, as well as international terminology and translation resources; their mother tongue or lingua franca. Ac- treatment and prevention. organisations. In 2014, MATS obtained clinical and therapeutics, with a focus on cordingly, the need for highly-trained in- MAZEN ALFARHAN Many of Qatar’s interpreters and validation from the University of Geneva, imaging and pathology reports; forensic terpreting and translating professionals in Doha translators are also likely to be engaged which also awarded TII with the Faculty medicine and toxicology, with a focus on healthcare settings has never been greater. in more public-facing activities, including of Translation and Interpreting (FTI) medico-legal reports; and public health The same is also true for interpreters en- HILE doctors, nurses and other the development of materials that raise Quality Label. Such validation on both reports, medical brochures and patient gaged in public awareness campaigns or- healthcare professionals are on the awareness of COVID-19 among the wider fronts also underpins TII’s reputation for information leaflets. ganised by the Ministry of Interior and Wfrontline of efforts to tackle COV- population. Given the country’s vast expat producing interpreting and translating However, what makes this training others. In both instances, TII is proud to ID-19, they are being ably supported by a community, this activity requires profes- professionals who meet internationally truly credible is that course leaders are have contributed to Qatar’s efforts to con- cast of thousands who are experts in their sionals with knowledge of common lan- recognised standards. both professors of translation and quali- front COVID-19. own fields. These include interpreters and guages and cultural norms on each con- More recently, TII rolled out its Mas- fied medical doctors. For instance, one of translators, two professions whose impor- tinent. In this respect, TII was recently ter of Arts in Intercultural Communication TII’s offerings was led by a certified medi- (Mazen Alfarhan is a reviser tance to the smooth running of Qatar’s requested by the Ministry of Foreign Af- (MAICC), the first degree program of its cal translator with diplomas in clinical and trainer at Translation and public services predates current challeng- fairs (MOFA) to interpret and translate kind in Qatar. Students will gain a deeper pharmacology and public health services. Interpreting Institute (TII), es. However, thanks to training provided key updates on COVID-19 into Bengali, understanding of changing intercultural TII was also planning a short medical w hich forms part of the College of by the Translating and Interpreting Insti- Hindi, Nepali, Sinhalese and Urdu. settings at home and abroad. Particular training program to be led by a doctor- Humanities and Social Sciences at tute (TII) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University The need for live interpreting and attention is paid to the three mediational translator working at the WHO Regional Hamad Bin Khalifa University) (HBKU), they have seamlessly fitted into translating at this time is also great, forms of interpreting in intercultural set- Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. the country’s strategies for keeping resi- with the Supreme Committee for Crisis tings and work environments that are Qatar’s response to COVID-19 has also (This article is submitted on dents safe, healthy and informed. Management and the Ministry of Pub- specific to Qatar, including the healthcare provided TII with food-for-thought. As behalf of the author by the HBKU In some respects, it very much re- lic Health (MOPH) providing daily up- sector. The programme also offers elective things stand, complex civil emergencies Communications Directorate. The mains business as usual for language dates and press conferences. From there, courses on the use of digital technologies and contingency planning are not features views expressed are the author’s professionals working in Qatar’s health- interpreters are essential features of to achieve effective intercultural commu- of its course content. This must change. own and do not necessarily reflect care sector. Despite the challenges posed dialogue between Qatar’s relevant gov- nication. These include Qatar Computing Fortunately, interpreters and translators the University’s official stance)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. UK / Europe / US Monday, March 30, 2020 07

czech Pm to Trump: Use masks to stem virus spread canadian premier Justin Trudeau’s wife recovers from coVId-19 Prague: Billionaire Czech Prime Minister andrej Babis on Sunday told uS President Donald MoNTreaL: Sophie gregoire-Trudeau, the wife of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has NEWS Trump to make wearing face masks in public mandatory to try to stem spiralling coronavirus recovered from the novel coronavirus, she said Saturday. “I am feeling so much better and have re- infections. “Mr. President @realDonaldTrump, try tackling virus the Czech way,” tweeted Babis, ceived the all clear from my physician and ottawa Public health,” she wrote on her Facebook page. IN BrIEF who like Trump is a mogul businessman turned populist politician. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you to everyone who reached out to me with “Wearing a simple cloth mask decreases the spread of the virus by 80%! Czech republic their well wishes.” has made it oBLIgaTory for its citizens to wear a mask in the public,” he said, adding “Pls She had tested positive for the virus on March 12 after returning from Britain, with her hus- retweet. god bless america!” (AFP) band subsequently going into self-quarantine as a precautionary measure. (AFP) Europe, US virus deaths surge as Trump reverses New York lockdown threat AFP In rare case, US infant dies from COVID-19 MaDrID US coronavirus cases could reach millions: Top health official WaShINgToN: a uS infant has died from the CoVID-19 illness, officials in the state of Illinois said THE global coronavirus death WaShINgToN: The united States will likely end up with millions of coronavirus cases, anthony Fauci, on Saturday, marking an extremely rare case of juvenile death in the global pandemic. toll surged past 30,000 over a top public health official said on Sunday. at a news conference, governor JB Pritzker said “an infant” was among the fatalities linked to the weekend as Europe and the Speaking on CNN, Fauci cautioned the death toll in the uS could top 100,000, but he was hesi- the new coronavirus over the previous 24 hours. “a full investigation is underway to determine the United States endured their tant to make projections. cause of death.” Pritzker described himself as shaken by the news. darkest days of the crisis. There are already more than 124,000 cases and 2,190 deaths in the country. The state Department of Public health said the child who died in Chicago was younger than one A back-flip from US Presi- Fauci, the head of the National Institute of allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Insti- year old and had tested positive for CoVID-19. “There has never before been a death associated dent Donald Trump on quar- tutes of health, also said that the country’s testing capacity remained somewhat weak. (DPA) with CoVID-19 in an infant,” the department’s director Ngozi ezike said in a statement. (AFP) antining New York highlighted the panic and confusion across many parts of the world in try- More than 30,800 deaths astating imprint on nearly every Europe alone accounted Pablo Rodriguez, a radi- line in a war,” he said. ing a broad lockdown on New ing to contain the pandemic, had been reported worldwide aspect of society: wiping out for more than 20,000 fatali- ologist at a Madrid hospital, de- Officials in some countries York and its neighbours after a which has seen more than a by Sunday, according to a Johns millions of jobs, overwhelming ties, where hardest-hit Italy and scribed the influx of patients as have warned that the worst is strong pushback from local po- third of humanity placed under Hopkins University tally, as the healthcare services and drain- Spain each reported more than “a total tsunami”. yet to come. Trump decided litical leaders and warnings of unprecedented lockdowns. virus continued to leave a dev- ing national treasuries. 800 dead in one day. “It’s like going to the front late Saturday against impos- the panic it could spark.

UK coVId-19 dEAThS SUrGE PAST 1,000 PM Johnson sends letter to

Nuns sing in an almost empty church during a national lockdown to fight 30 million UK households, the spread of the coronavirus, in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday. (aFP) Spain announces record 838 Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours warns ‘things will get worse’ AFP death toll has been rising MaDrID daily. However, officials have Britain’s infection SPAIN confirmed another pointed to a slower growth 838 deaths in 24 hours from rate for both deaths and con- cases top 17,000 coronavirus on Sunday, a new firmed cases and expressed daily record bringing the total hope that the peak of the out- DPA number of deaths to 6,528, break was approaching. LoNDoN according to health ministry “The spread (of the pan- figures. demic) appears to be stabi- PRIME Minister Boris John- The number of confirmed lising. It even appears to be son has urged Britons to stay cases in Spain has now in retreat, but we have to re- home and outlined stricter reached 78,797 -- after the member that our fundamen- measures yet to come in the one-day increase of 9.1 per- tal problem at the moment is fight against the coronavirus. cent -- as the country battles to ensure the intensive care “It’s important for me the world’s second most dead- units are not saturated,” said to level with you - we know ly outbreak after Italy. Fernando Simon, the health things will get worse before Except for a brief lull re- ministry’s emergencies coor- they get better,” Johnson corded on Thursday, Spain’s dinator. wrote in a letter issued by Downing Street. The missive is to be deliv- ered to 30 million households this week. “We are making the right Italy’s virus death toll preparations, and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer rises by 756 as rate of lives will be lost and the soon- er life can return to normal,” Johnson asserted. new infections slows “At this moment of na- DPA upwards of 10,000 new cor- tional emergency, I urge you, Signs on the side of a road alert motorists to stay in phone contact with anyone they may know who is self-isolating due to covid-19, in Manchester, roMe onavirus cases were being please, to stay at home, protect northern England, on Saturday. (aFP) reported daily. the NHS [National Health Ser- ITALY’S coronavirus death With a total of 97,689 vice] and save lives,” he added. It’s important for toll rose by 756 on Sunday, infections, Italy is battling Stay-at-home and strict me to level with bringing the country’s total one of the worst coronavirus social distancing rules must be you - we know ‘UK lockdown will last ‘significant’ period’ fatalities to 10,779, the high- outbreaks worldwide. obeyed, warned Johnson, who est in any country world- The entire country has has himself contracted the things will get worse before LoNDoN: The British govern- chael gove told the BBC. early June. May is optimistic,” wide, new official figures been under lockdown since coronavirus. they get better. At this ment admitted on Sunday Professor Neil Ferguson he said. showed. March 10, with even more “These rules must be ob- moment of national that the coronavirus lockdown of Imperial College London, Separately, gove also Italy’s Civil Defence draconian measures put in served. So, if people break the emergency, I urge you, please, could last a “significant” time one of the epidemiologists used his BBC interview to however also noted that the place on March 20. rules, the police will issue fines to stay at home, protect the as a leading expert warned it advising the government, take a swipe at China, where rate of new infections had Current restrictions are and disperse gatherings,” he could be in place until June. told the Sunday Times the the first cases of CoVID-19 slowed, with an additional set to expire on April 3, but added. NHS and save lives “I can’t make an accu- lockdown could last months. emerged. 5,217 having caught the vi- even if the situation im- The number of deaths British PM Boris Johnson rate prediction but everyone “We’re going to have to keep “Some of the (early) rus on Sunday - a smaller in- proves, few people expect from coronavirus in Britain I think does have to prepare these measures in place, reporting from China was not crease than Saturday’s 5,994 them to be lifted soon. has risen to more than 1,000 for a significant period when in my view, for a significant clear about the scale, the new recorded cases. Sunday’s figures showed with over 17,000 infections. On Friday, both Johnson these measures are still in period of time -- probably until nature, the infectiousness of Sunday’s figures also an additional 646 people Britain delayed imposing and Health Secretary Matt place,” cabinet minister Mi- the end of May, maybe even this,” he said. (AFP) marked a significant drop had recovered from the virus social-distancing measures Hancock announced they in new infections compared in the past 24 hours, bring- on its population to stem the had tested positive for the vi- to the previous week, when ing Italy’s total to 13,030. spread of coronavirus until rus. Prince Charles, the heir the virus. has mild symptoms including cough. He is self-isolating and last week. to the British throne, also has Johnson, 55, has said he a temperature and a persistent working from home.

German minister commits suicide Netherlands tops 10,000 coronavirus cases after ‘coronavirus crisis worries’ AFP to fight the virus, but has de- AFP ny’s financial capital Frank- geNeVa cided so far not to force people Netherlands recalls defective masks imported from China FraNKFurT aM MaIN furt, where major lenders like to stay home. A review of the Deutsche Bank and Commerz- THE number of confirmed policy is due to be unveiled on geNeVa DuTCh officials have inspected. THOMAS Schaefer, the finance bank have their headquarters. novel coronavirus cases in Tuesday. recalled tens of thousands of Part of the shipment had minister of Germany’s Hesse The European Central Bank is the Netherlands passed the “The number of reported masks imported from China already been distributed to state, has committed suicide ap- also located in Frankfurt. 10,000 mark on Sunday, the hospital admissions and the and distributed to hospitals health professionals, the parently after becoming “deeply A visibly shaken Bouffier authorities said, as the coun- number of deceased patients battling the coronavirus out- statement said. “The rest of worried” over how to cope with recalled that Schaefer, who try focuses on building up appears to be increasing less break because they do not the shipment was immediately the economic fallout from the was Hesse’s finance chief for 10 herd immunity rather than rapidly than would be expect- meet quality standards, the put on hold and has not been coronavirus, state premier years, had been working “day confining the population of 17 ed without measures in place,” health ministry said Saturday. distributed. Volker Bouffier said on Sunday. and night” to help companies million. the institute said on its web- They received a delivery A sign reads ‘Mouth masks for sale, “a second test also re- Schaefer, 54, was found and workers deal with the eco- A total of 771 people have site. of masks from a Chinese 5 euros’ outside a clothing store in vealed that the masks did not dead near a railway track on nomic impact of the pandemic. died from the COVID-19 epi- “In a number of days, it manufacturer on March 21, the rotterdam, Netherlands. (aFP) meet the quality norms. Now Saturday. The Wiesbaden pros- “Today we have to assume demic in the Netherlands and can be concluded whether ministry said in a statement it has been decided not to use ecution’s office said they believe that he was deeply worried,” 10,866 have tested positive, the number of hospital ad- to aFP. tion they did not meet their any of this shipment,” said the he died by suicide. said Bouffier, a close ally of the country’s institute for pub- missions and the number of They received a first indica- standards when they were statement. (AFP) “We are in shock, we are in Chancellor Angela Merkel. lic health and environment deaths among reported pa- disbelief and above all we are “It’s precisely during this (RIVM) said. tients is actually levelling off, More than two-thirds of have now been recorded in put under confinement if the immensely sad,” Bouffier said difficult time that we would The Dutch government has and thus how well the meas- the more than 31,000 deaths Europe and the Netherlands measures already taken do not in a recorded statement. have needed someone like adopted a series of measures ures are working.” worldwide from coronavirus has warned people will be work. Hesse is home to Germa- him,” he added. Moody’s cuts South Africa’s credit ratings to junk PAGE 10

moNdAy, mArch 30, 2020

DOW21,636.78 QE 8,431.15 SENSEX 29,815.59 GOLD 1,628.15 Global oil storage buckles as −915.39 PTS -48.05PTS −131.18PTS -0.20% coronavirus saps demand PAGE 9 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 14.53 BRENT 24.93 -5.35% WTI 21.51 -4.82% SILVER -0.97% Six-month loan deferment to help 450 SMEs deal with Covid-19 impact: QDB

ment Bank would continue its ic, al Mana said five factories today,” the executive director SMEs vital in fight against coronavirus as five factories involved in operations without interrup- are currently involved in the said, drawing parallels be- domestic manufacturing of sanitisers and two in mask production tions through various means. domestic production of hand tween the economic situation All requests from banks, sanitisers and two in the pro- now and three years ago when TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK dullah al Mana has said. um would address the liquid- including those for financing, duction of medical masks. the blockade began. Doha The stimulus package was ity problem they might face consulting or solving SME The Qatar Development “We are closely monitor- part of several measures initi- now, he added. problems, would be enter- Bank has set up operations ing the situation and are ex- THE six-month loan defer- ated by the Amir HH Sheikh “It is our duty, as a body tained, he added. room to help the private sector tending the necessary support ment included in the QR75 Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to responsible for supporting QDB would also promote deal with the economic impact in terms of liquidity, raw ma- billion stimulus package will shield Qatar’s economy from and supervising small and me- the export of Qatari products of the coronavirus pandemic terials and logistical services. benefit 450 small-and-medi- the impact of coronavirus. dium-sized companies, to pro- to foreign markets, al Mana in Qatar, much like it did in Our goal is to provide all the um-sized enterprises in the The present circumstances vide support for this sector to Khaled Abdullah al Mana said. 2017 when the Saudi-led quar- necessary support to SMEs to country, Qatar Development have led to a change in the na- ensure that it is not affected by Highlighting the role of tet imposed a blockade on the ensure that there is no short- Bank’s Executive Director of ture of work of SMEs, al Mana any possible repercussions,” In a television interview, al SMEs in helping the country country, he said. age of commodities in the Business Finance Khaled Ab- said. The six-month moratori- he said. Mana said the Qatar Develop- fight the coronavirus pandem- “The situation is similar country.” QFCRA imposes QCB measures to bolster Qatari QR30 mn fine on banks’ liquidity positions: Report HCW for regulatory al khaliji’s strong capitalisation levels to help it absorb any shock arising from Covid-19 violations TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK SATYENDRA PATHAK “Net loans are estimated Doha Doha to experience low-single digit growth in 2020. Loans were THE QFC Regulatory Au- QATAR government’s initia- on the decline in the previ- thority (QFCRA) on Sunday tive of providing liquidity to ous quarters as management announced that it had taken the banks and its QR75 bil- shed non-core low yielding enforcement action against lion support package to the assets, targeting more lu- Horizon Crescent Wealth private sector will insulate crative deals. In the fourth (HCW) and imposed a fine of Qatari banks from the rami- quarter of 2019, net loans QR30 million as a result of fications of the Coronavirus expanded by 2.6 percent serious legal and regulatory pandemic to a certain extent, quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to breaches. QNB Financial Services (QN- QR30.8 billion, while depos- The enforcement action BFS) has said in a report re- taken by the QFCRA followed and related customer ac- leased on Sunday. “We believe the QCB’s an investigation of the firm counts. The accounts remain According to the report, that identified significant fail- frozen. the various measures taken measures could bolster the ings by HCW in its compliance Following the action taken by the Qatar Central Bank bank’s liquidity positions with the Anti-Money Laun- by the QFCRA, HCW appealed (QCB) could bolster the and mitigate adverse dering and Combating Ter- the enforcement action and banks’ liquidity positions effects on its P&i. The rorist Financing Rules (AML/ the QR30 million fine to the and mitigate adverse effects bank’s management can CFTR). The investigation also Regulatory Tribunal. on their profit and loss (P&L) maintain Qr0.075 dividend identified that HCW had held The appeal by HCW chal- statement. per share that translates to itself out as conducting an lenged whether the action In the report, which ana- an average 40 percent pay- asset management business taken by the QFCRA was cor- lysed the outlook of Al Khalij without authorisation from rect and whether the fine was Commercial Bank (al khaliji) out without affecting its the QFCRA. excessive. On March 19, 2020, in the current circumstances, capitalisation levels.” HCW was licensed in the the Tribunal issued its decision QNBFS has retained ‘mar- Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) finding in favour of the QFCRA. ket perform’ rating on the its increased by 6.8 percent on February 4, 2015, as a trust The Tribunal’s decision also bank with a price target of QoQ to QR29.2 billion. Nev- administrator. While trust ad- required HCW to pay the costs QR1.40. ertheless, the bank’s liquid- ministration does not require and expenses of the QFCRA’s “The stock yields 6.3 per- ity position remained strong authorisation from the QF- investigation and a portion of cent and the company’s divi- with loan-to-deposit (LDR) CRA, HCW was nevertheless its costs relating to the appeal. dends are sustainable, in our ratio based on stable sources required to comply with the The QFCRA has expressed view. However, we note there of funds amounting to 88 AML/ CFTR. its gratitude for the close cooper- could be downside risks to percent against 92 percent in During its investigation, ation and significant assistance our estimates. For the time 2018,” the report said. the QFCRA identified serious provided by the Qatar Central being, we retain our mar- Highlighting that the deficiencies at HCW relating Bank, the Qatar Financial In- ket perform rating and our bank’s asset quality remains to its customer due diligence formation Unit, and the Public price target of QR1.40. We a non-issue for now, the and the due diligence conduct- Prosecution Office during the are going through what can report said, “In 2019, the ed by HCW on its customers’ course of the investigation. be termed as an extraordi- bank’s non-performing loans source of funds and the nature The cooperation and assis- nary period and we expect (NPLs) dropped by 1.5 per- of their economic activities. tance provided by each of the al khaliji’s stock to remain cent year-on-year, while the These requirements, which authorities were instrumental volatile along with rest of the NPL ratio remained flat at are set forth in the AML/ in ensuring a successful out- market,” the report said. 1.86 percent.” CFTR, are essential to protect- come to the investigation. “We believe the QCB’s Moreover, the report ing the QFC from abuse by il- Commenting on the deci- measures could bolster the the al khaliji tower in lusail said, the bank’s coverage ra- licit finance. The QFCRA’s in- sion, QFCRA CEO Michael bank’s liquidity positions tio remained flat at 81 per- vestigation also identified that Ryan said, “Compliance with and mitigate adverse ef- cent against 2018. HCW had taken deliberate AML/ CFT rules and regula- fects on its P&I. The bank’s “We expect the coverage steps to mislead the QFCRA tions are essential to protect management can maintain al khaliji to approve Q1 results on April 15 ratio to be adequately main- regarding its activities and that the reputation of the QFC. The QR0.075 dividend per share tained as management ex- the firm had also marketed action taken emphasises the that translates to an average al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) on Sunday announced that its ercises prudent risk control. itself as providing asset man- importance that the QFC and 40 percent payout without board of directors will meet on april 15 to approve the financial results We expect capitalisation to agement services when it was Qatar place on protecting the affecting its capitalisation ending on March 31, 2020. remain on the high side in not authorised to do so by the financial system from illicit levels,” the report said, 2020 and the coming years. QFCRA, which is a violation of finance, and underscores the Given the bank’s asset al khaliji’s strong capitalisa- the QFC Law and the FSR. fact that firms and individuals and liability interest rate gap, continues to operate effi- percent in 2019. We foresee 26.2 percent for 2021. More- tion levels could help it ab- The QFCRA took immedi- that do not comply fully with the report said, it expected ciently. Its cost/ income ratio a further improvement in the over, the bank is expected to sorb any shock arising from ate steps at the commence- the relevant laws and regula- some margin expansion. significantly improved from efficiency ratio, penciling in continue on generating posi- the Coronavirus,” the report ment of the investigation to tions will be subject to signifi- “The bank’s management 42 percent in 2014 to 27.9 27.4 percent for 2020 and tive Jaws,” the report said. said. freeze all of HCW’s accounts cant consequences.”

QFBA launches ‘Azm’ to empower businesses in Qatar QNA Qatari community to reduce the managing a virtual work team, ef- tance training and provide certified continuity strategies are about 30 and supporting national and pri- Doha key strategic risks associated with fective teleworking skills, an ac- consultants in business continuity training hours in addition to an vate institutions to continue their the coronavirus on the financial credited certification programme planning and management. achievement test. excellence and growth in all cir- QATAR Finance and Business sector and to facilitate the adoption in crisis management in the era of The training programmes and Commenting on the initiative, cumstances.” Academy (QFBA) launched an of the best risk management prac- challenges, enterprise success in activities will be offered online for QFBA Professional Training Direc- Through this initiative, due to initiative called ‘Azm’ to empower tices by companies during the cur- times of crisis, a business model up to 7 hours during the introducto- tor Abdullah Al Jumaily said, “This kick off on March 30, the acad- businesses in times of crisis. rent global crisis. and risk assessment for entrepre- ry sessions of various programmes, initiative comes in the context of emy also aims to provide compa- The initiative is aimed at train- The initiative includes several neurs and SMEs. in addition to 18 intensive hours for the mission of the academy and its nies with the necessary knowledge ing and assisting talented and remote training programmes and The initiative will also enhance each programme. The hours of ac- relentless pursuit towards enabling about the best ways to plan and promising entrepreneurs from the activities such as building and the capabilities of trainers in dis- credited programmes in business the financial and business sector prepare in times of crisis. Economy & Business Monday, March 30, 2020 09 Oil price crash turning point for clean energy transition

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK energy on several fronts. Firstly, Most analysts believe that basic ence is unlikely to be forgotten. Doha electric vehicles will be less price AL-ATTIyAh FoUNdATIoN rEPorT supply and demand economics will In contrast, renewables have competitive than their gasoline- assist in the recovery of oil prices. no supply risk at all, and are only THE oil and gas markets are cur- powered counterparts, as the cost However, the sudden unpredictable exposed to changes in the price of rently experiencing a double shock. for gasoline at the pump drops. It changes in the markets over the past electricity. Consequently, as oil The unexpected price war between also may result in energy compa- few years, will weigh on investors prices come down, many experts Saudi Arabia and Russia has un- nies shifting focus to natural gas minds for some time to come. believe that stakeholders will start leashed a flood of supply, while production, in turn bringing gas Oil markets have long since resem- to move their attention to less risky the Covid-19 pandemic has caused prices down and making solar and bled a wholly competitive market, and investments, that offer more du- a dramatic drop in global fuel de- wind less competitive as sources of for the past few decades, prices have rable returns, with a more favour- mand. As a result, oil prices have electricity. Secondly, when govern- been regularly impacted by OPEC and able ‘corporate social responsibility crashed below the $30 mark and ments and major oil companies are allied producers, through sudden and (CSR)’ image. the subsequent economic crisis forced to cut spending, renewable unprecedented variations. This is not to say that renewables could have profound consequences investments are likely to be hit first. Events such as the current price won’t face headwinds in the current on the current global effort to move Based on this logic, in the short- war between Russia and Saudi Ara- environment. Renewable energy is to cleaner energy. term, it is highly likely that the bia shows that OPEC and allied na- set to suffer in the short term, but Historically, logic would suggest Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic tions still maintain substantial in- the oil price crash may well serve as that a falling oil price would have and current oil price war will have a gy transition. However, in the long- the current situation could acceler- fluence over the fate of oil producers a turning point for the clean energy devastating effects for renewable negative impact on the global ener- term, there is more optimism that ate the adoption of clean energy. and oil prices. This extensive influ- transition.

Qatar’s industrial sector PPI drops Global oil storage buckles as 5.8% in February 2020: PSA coronavirus saps demand

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK other products” by 0.2%, Saudi-Russia price war sent oil prices collapsing to their lowest levels in almost two decades Doha However, increasing prices were noticed in basic QATAR’S industrial sec- metals” by 3.4%, “bever- tor producer price index ages” by 1.4%, paper and (PPI) for February 2020 paper products” by 1.0%, ba- is estimated at 59.9 points sic chemicals” by 0.3%, and showing a decrease of 5.8% “dairy products” by 0.1%. compared to the previous No changes was noticed in month (January 2020), and “other chemical products a decrease of 10.6% com- and fibers. pared to the PPI of Febru- Comparing with the ary 2019, data released by index of counterpart in the the Planning and Statistics previous year (February Authority (PSA) has shown. 2019), “manufacturing” PPI Producer price index of February 2020 showed a covers goods relating to decrease of 1.9%. The major “mining” (weight: 72.7%), groups which explain this “manufacturing” (weight: price fall are: “basic metals” 26.8%), and “electricity & by 6.9%, “basic chemicals” water” (weight: 0.5%). by 6.1%, “cement and oth- Mining er non-metallic products” The PPI of mining for 3.4%, “beverages” by 0.8%, February 2020 showed a and “grain mill and other decrease by 8.3 % compared products” by 0.2%. with PPI of January 2020, However, prices in- primarily due to fall in pric- creased in “paper and paper es of “crude petroleum and products” by 3%, followed natural gas” by 8.3%. by “juices” by 2.6%, “other PPI of February 2020, chemical products and fib- when compared with its ers” by 2.2%, “dairy prod- counterpart in previous ucts” by 0.3%, “rubber and year (February 2019), plastics products” by 0.2%, showed a decrease of 14.4%. and “refined petroleum Manufacturing products” by 0.1%. A decrease of 0.8% has Electricity and water been recorded in Febru- The PPI of this group ary 2020, when compared showed an increase of 2.5% File photo of a pumpjack in california. (aFP) with the previous month’s compared to January 2020, manufacturing index (Jan- resulting from the increas- AFP levels in almost two decades, The organization of the “By our estimation, inven- “Storage tanks, especially uary 2020). The decrease ing in “electricity” prices by LoNDoN with London Brent North Sea Petroleum Exporting tories may challenge global for jet fuel, will reach (their in prices was are seen in: 3.9%, and “water” by 0.7%. hitting $24.52 per barrel and Countries (oPEC) and storage capacity limits late this maximum level) possibly .. dur- “refined petroleum prod- When compared to the PPI GLOBAL oil storage capacity is New York’s WTI crude striking year or early next.” ing April.” ucts” by 1.9%, followed by of February 2020 with the under intense pressure because a nadir of just $19.46. russia had cooperated Kerosene or jet fuel -- which SEB analyst Bjarne Schiel- “juices” and “rubber and PPI of February 2019 , an of booming output from Saudi However, despite evaporat- closely since 2016 to curb is refined from crude -- is of- drop painted a similarly gloomy plastics products” by 1.2% increase of 7% was noticed, Arabia and the United States ing demand, production has production, support prices ten the first oil product to suf- picture of the outlook for oil each, “cement and other affected by rise in prices of while the coronavirus outbreak continued apace -- and the re- and protect their precious fer because aviation demand storage, as crude prices lan- non-metallic products” by “water” by 8.4%, and “elec- slams the world economy and sulting oil is often destined for revenues. tends to falter first in a weak guish close to recent lows with 0.6%, and “grain mill and tricity” by 6.1%. crude demand. overstretched storage facilities global economy. The aviation no sustained recovery yet in The Organization of the Pe- around the world, according to of total oil stockpiles has now sector has been devastated by sight. troleum Exporting Countries industry experts. overtaken the previous peak set coronavirus, which has forced “We are now looking at (OPEC) and Russia had cooper- “We knew that surging in early 2017, according to data airlines to axe most flights ow- surplus in the second quarter ated closely since 2016 to curb output from OPEC members from energy sector intelligence ing to a combination of travel of 2020 at a scale that we have production, support prices and would place upwards pressure firm Kpler, which warns stocks restrictions and disappearing never seen before,” he said, protect their precious revenues. on crude oil stockpiles,” Petro- continue to swell. demand. adding that with people now That all changed earlier matrix analyst Olivier Jakob Michael Tran, energy strat- “Among the various fuel sitting at home in confinement this month when Saudi Arabia told AFP. egist at RBC Capital Markets, sectors, we expect jet fuel to be that demand could fall even launched a vicious price war “Yet this phenomenon predicts the global surplus hit the hardest,” added Rystad more. “It means that storage with Moscow, after OPEC and clearly accelerated... with the could now reach 10.6 million Energy analyst Bjornar Ton- capacities will be breached. non-member Russia failed to collapse of oil demand.” barrels of oil per day (bpd) in haugen. “We now see jet fuel The oil price will then have to clinch an output-cutting deal to As a consequence, the mar- the second quarter of the year. demand falling by almost 20 crash to a level where produc- curb the market impact of the ket remains awash with crude “Global storage is currently percent year-on-year, or by at tion more or less immediately deadly COVID-19 outbreak. in storage on land and in con- 66 percent utilised and nearly least 1.4 million bpd. Last year’s is shut down. This now seems The perfect storm sent oil tainer ships. 1.7 billion barrels of unused ca- demand for jet fuel was seen at to be where we are heading,” prices collapsing to their lowest And the estimated level pacity remains,” Tran said. about 7.2 million bpd. Schieldrop warned. Mideast airlines must tap handouts to survive virus crisis

AFP aid from governments, warn- with convenient services,” it sorted to deep cost-cutting DuBaI ing that inaction will imperil said in a statement. measures without delay, and the industry’s future. It warned that without cuts to the region’s $100 bil- AS coronavirus grounds air- “The airline industry fac- action, the post-coronavirus lion worth of aircraft orders lines, plunging the industry es its gravest crisis ... For air- With the oil price era will see a thinner line-up may be on the cards. into unprecedented crisis, lines, it’s apocalypse now,” of carriers that will deprive “If government support Middle East carriers that IATA chief Alexandre de Ju- plummeting, London- regional passengers of the is not provided, carriers may have been in the red for years niac said this week. based Capital economics choice they enjoyed in the be forced to cancel orders,” must urgently tap assistance International airlines tipped the region’s past. Muhammad AlBakri, IATA from governments facing have in the past bitterly criti- IATA, which represents vice president for Africa and their own revenue slump. cised Middle East carriers economy to contract by 290 airlines worldwide, said the Middle East, told AFP. Authorities across the re- for receiving official support 1.7 percent this year, the that 2020 revenues of Mid- Dubai’s Emirates Airline, gion have taken draconian from governments flush with worst in almost four dle Eastern carriers, which one of the world’s biggest, measures to curb the disease, oil revenue, claiming that it decades operate over 1,300 aircraft, slashed staff salaries by be- closing airports and halting undermines free competi- are expected to drop by $19 tween 25 percent and 50 per- passenger flights, and bring- tion. billion, a 39-percent decline cent for three months, saying ing major hubs like Dubai But the pandemic that With the oil price plum- national airlines. over last year. the measure was designed to and Abu Dhabi to a stand- has forced regional fleets out meting, London-based Capi- The AACO, which rep- related costs. The impact on the re- avoid layoffs. still. of the skies has also sent en- tal Economics tipped the resents some 30 Arab pub- “AACO sees the above gion’s air transport sector Emirates is among a few The Arab Air Carriers’ ergy markets into a tailspin region’s economy to contract lic and private carriers, has measures as very important imperils at least 800,000 regional airlines which have Organization (AACO) and as demand dries up, trigger- by 1.7 percent this year, the called for support packages for governments to adopt jobs and could result in the been posting profits, but the International Air Trans- ing a price war between Sau- worst in almost four decades including tax relief, waivers in order to avoid a scenario loss of tens of millions of pas- those profits have moderated port Association (IATA) have di Arabia and Russia as they -- limiting governments’ of a string of fees and charg- where airlines would not be sengers this year, it warned. in recent years amid an eco- appealed for urgent financial rush to grab market share. ability to continue funding es, and help with new virus- able to provide the public Other airlines have re- nomic slowdown. 10 Monday, March 30, 2020 Economy & Business

Small biz hArd TImE Drastic job suffer in cuts coming virus-hit to German New York auto industry, expert warns AFP NeW yorK DPA MuNICh AS New York becomes the epicenter of the coronavi- THE German automotive rus outbreak in the United sector is threatened with the States, even die-hard busi- loss of more than 100,000 nesses are shutting down jobs due to the coronavirus in the so-called “city that pandemic, a leading expert never sleeps.” on the industry has warned. The losses add to the In the view of Ferdinand economic toll from the Dudenhoeffer, demand is crisis in the US, which is set to slump by 15 per cent fighting the largest corona- this year. According to the virus outbreak anywhere, experience gained from the causing a record spike in last global financial crisis, unemployment claims and it will take more than a dec- posing special risks for ade to fully make up that lost small businesses. ground. Biscuits & Bath, a dog Dudenhoeffer, who heads daycare and boarding the Centre of Automotive Re- company, announced Fri- search at the University of day that it will temporarily Duisburg-Essen, calculates shut down and lay off most of its remaining employ- ees. according to the experi- “We believe this is the ence gained from the last best and only way to keep everyone safe,” Biscuits & global financial crisis, it Bath owner Scott Smith will take more than a dec- said in a letter to clients. ade to fully make up that Gaetano Arnone, exec- residents of Hillbrow look on as South African policemen patrol in Johannesburg on Saturady. (aFP) lost ground. utive chef at Otto Enoteca, briefly revamped the res- taurant into a delivery-on- there will be an overcapacity ly operation before pulling of between 1.3 million to 1.7 the plug. moody’s cuts S Africa’s million vehicles in German “Last night we did factories. This unused production capacity will contribute to the job losses, he wrote in a paper seen by dpa, despite credit ratings to junk the German government’s new reduced hours work scheme that sees the state help pay for employees’ re- South africa began a three-week nationwide lockdown to try to halt the rapid spread of the coronavirus duced salaries. Dudenhoeffer put the AFP said. had been edging towards such substantial” if it holds back. “largely a result of the gov- number of jobs at risk at car JohaNNeSBurg “The government’s own a situation since last year “due Two other major interna- ernment’s own making”, the manufacturers and suppli- capacity to limit the economic to politically constrained eco- tional rating agencies, Fitch council said it was the outcome ers between 100,000 to up to MOODY’S has downgraded deterioration in the current nomic reforms & broader gov- and S&P, had already cut the of “the inability to implement 830,000. A man wears a face mask in South Africa’s credit rating to shock and more durably is ernance failures coupled with credit rating of Africa’s most a comprehensive package of Last year, car produc- New york on Saturday. (aFP) junk status, piling more an- constrained,” it said, blaming rising debt levels”. developed economy. economic structural reforms” tion in Germany fell from 5.1 guish on an economy already “unreliable electricity supply, Annabel Bishop, an ana- South Africa, which such as enabling private sector to 4.7 million vehicles. This $400,” Arnone said by tel- in recession and battered by persistent weak business con- lyst with Investec, said addi- slipped into recession dur- investment in power genera- year, the researcher expects a ephone Friday. “It’s just Africa’s worst coronavirus fidence and investment as well tional public spending to sup- ing the final quarter of 2019, tion. South Africa was now in drop in sales of 15 per cent in not enough to keep every- outbreak. as long-standing structural la- has posted its weakest growth a “fiscal crisis caused by nine Germany, 20 per cent in Chi- one employed and safe.” Moody’s move “could not bour market rigidities”. rates ever in the past five years years of corruption and state na, 25 per cent in France and The two companies are have come at a worse time”, Losing an investment- Crucially, South africa will -- never exceeding 1.3 percent capture”, it said. the the United States, and 30 emblematic of the small the South African govern- grade notation has a real im- now be excluded from the and in some years falling be- Meanwhile, economists percent in Italy. and medium-sized busi- ment said, as it would “further pact on a government’s abil- FTSE World Government low one percent. were beginning to estimate the This means that produc- nesses that are considered add to the prevailing financial ity to borrow in international “To say we are not con- cost of coronavirus fallout not tion in Germany “is likely most at risk as officials in market stress”. debt markets, as many of the Bond index (WGBi). cerned and trembling in our just to South Africa, but also to shrink to 3.8 million ve- New York City and other The downgrade late on Fri- world’s investment funds are boots about what might be in the rest of the continent. hicles, according to an opti- jurisdictions shutter eco- day came as South Africa be- barred by their statutes from port the economy during the the coming weeks and months The impact on its three mistic forecast. Under a pes- nomic activity in an effort gan a three-week nationwide investing in junk bonds. coronavirus crisis “will worsen is an understatement,” said Fi- largest economies -- South Af- simistic scenario, we expect to try to limit the deadly lockdown to try to halt the Crucially, South Africa government finances, as will nance Minister Tito Mboweni. rica, Nigeria and Egypt -- “is only 3.4 million vehicles.” contagion. rapid spread of the novel coro- will now be excluded from the contraction in GDP and The Minerals Council, expected to shave 1 percentage “The reason is not problems The crisis has fun- navirus, which has infected the FTSE World Government the negative impact to corpo- South Africa’s powerful mining point off the continent’s GDP in the supply chains, but damentally transformed more than 1,100 people in the Bond Index (WGBI). rate and household incomes industry employer organisa- growth this year, from 3.8% quite clearly the lack of de- business conditions for country. - ‘Kicks South Africa’ -The on the shutdown”. tion, said it noted the rating cut to 2.8%”, said Jacques Nel at mand,” Dudenhoeffer writes, just about every US com- “The key driver behind the downgrade “kicks South Afri- But the government now with “disappointment” if not NKC African Economics. describing the industry as pany, darkening Apple’s rating downgrade to Ba1 is the ca when it’s down”, said Dan- had little choice, she said, be- “surprise”, and laid the blame Preliminary estimates now suffering from “a serious, stores, halting auto pro- continuing deterioration in iel Silke, a political economy cause “breaking the spread of at the door of President Cyril pointed towards “the weak- long-term demand problem” duction at General Motors fiscal strength and structurally analyst, on Twitter. Covid-19 is paramount, and Ramaphosa’s government. est growth in Africa since the that has been exacerbated by factories and fueling mas- very weak growth,” Moody’s But he said South Africa the costs will be even more Calling the downgrade early-1990s”, he said. the pandemic. sive demand for grocers, e-commerce delivery ser- vices and companies that manufacture toilet paper and hand sanitizer. But non-public com- Fitch downgrades UK debt to AA-, outlook negative panies are viewed as an especially vulnerable node AFP certainty over Brexit and the side risk” and depends on the in the American economy WaShINgToN Fitch estimated the British “uncertainty around the fu- duration of the lockdowns. because they typically lack economy could contract by ture trade relationship with Even before the virus hit, the access to capital of big- FITCH Ratings on Friday 4% this year due to the the EU could constrain the the nation’s finances were ger outfits. downgraded Britain’s debt a nationwide shutdowns strength of the post-crisis already set to weaken and The $2 trillion relief notch and lowered the out- implemented due to virus, economic recovery.” “they are now set to dete- bill signed into law Fri- look to negative, citing the followed by a sharp recov- Fitch estimated the Brit- riorate more rapidly,” Fitch day boosts unemploy- “significant weakening” of ery in 2021. ish economy could contract said. ment compensation and public finances and damage by four percent this year due The outlook for the coun- provides $350 billion in to the economy from the cor- to the nationwide shutdowns try’s debt rating was dropped forgivable loans to cover onavirus pandemic. activity, with policymakers implemented to halt the due to the view that the Brit- small business payroll and “The coronavirus out- struggling to avert a longer- spread of the virus, followed ish government will not see overhead, including the re- break has inflicted an un- lasting downturn,” Fitch said by a sharp recovery in 2021. it as “a political priority” to hiring of laid-off workers. A woman wearing a protective face mask carries bags of shopping precedented shock on finan- in a statement. However, that forecast is tighten up its finances after down a street in Wood Green in north london recently. (aFP) cial markets and economic In addition, lingering un- subject to “material down- this year. Italy papers slam ‘Ugly Europe’ over delayed economic plan AFP hardest-hit Italy, for pooled buffed, and instead a summit do it alone,” DiMaio told Rai 1 ‘Cowardly Europe’ roMe borrowing through “corona declaration late Thursday gave television. The caution exhibited by bonds” to help cushion the eurozone finance ministers Rome and Madrid had Europe’s northern countries THE failure of EU leaders to economic blow of the pandem- two weeks to come up with op- held out for a stronger re- underscores their long-stand- come up with a joint economic ic. “Ugly Europe,” thundered tions. Conte, the Corriere della sponse from their EU partners ing reluctance to allow south- response to the coronavirus the headline of La Repubblica Sera daily wrote, had asked his but in the end the summit dec- ern countries with weaker crisis unleashed widespread newspaper. European colleagues for two laration said upcoming pro- economies and higher debt criticism in Italy on Friday, The anti-establishment things: “unity and swift ac- posals would take into account to push through demands for with newspapers slamming Il Fatto Quotidiano was even tion” but received neither. “the unprecedented nature of pooled public borrowing with- Europe’s foot dragging. blunter, screaming: “Conte’s “If the EU is not in agree- the COVID-19 shock affecting in the eurozone. Portugal also lashed out at screw you to a dead Europe.” ment, the European project is all our countries”. France, Spain and Italy have northern European fiscal or- Italian Prime Minister Gi- over,” it said. “Our response will be long called for some kind of eu- thodoxy, calling the Dutch po- useppe Conte had asked dur- Foreign Minister Luigi Di- stepped up, as necessary, with robond that would in effect al- sition on budgets “repugnant”. ing a six-hour video confer- Maio voiced his support for further action in an inclusive low joint borrowing by the 19 Germany and other north- ence with other EU leaders the prime minister. way, in light of developments, members of the euro single cur- ern European countries on for new financial instruments “Conte did well. If they in order to deliver a compre- rency, but sceptics view it as a Thursday rejected the plea “truly adapted to a war”. (Europe) want to use old fi- hensive response,” the state- tool by some eurozone members A healthcare worker takes samples from a driver for the coVID-19 of nine countries, including But his request was re- nancial instruments, we will ment said. to avoid higher borrowing rates. disease at the university Hospital in Burgos, Italy on Saturday. (aFP) Leadership ban on Steve Smith comes to an end PAGE 13 moNdAy, mArch 30, 2020 We need to be united to overcome this situation, says Barshim

remain focused on training,” Bar- shim stressed. “For the time being, I cannot I can’t do my normal trainings t do anything to replace competi- these days, its new situation we tions, but we are all in the same sit- just do our best and hope for the uation. We just have to keep train- best. I start my day with prayers ing until we can compete again,” he followed by training and using added. Barshim is the first man to the time to do some activities at defend the World high jump title home. I clean my office, do the when he won in Doha last October house, play games and now I with a world leading jump of 2.37m. can say I have more time to He has a collection of Olympic reply more emails. I am doing a and world championship med- als, including a silver at lot of painting, putting paints up the 2016 Rio Olym- the wall as well as cooking. pics, to underscore Mutaz Essa Barshim his quality. He has already set his eyes on the do my best to change things Tokyo 2021 Olym- and try to stay healthy and pre- pics where he Mutaz Barshim doing training at his home. pared. I would prefer not to be would be distracted by things and chasing IKOLI VICTOR rules, when it comes to health and The twice world champion and onavirus may have delayed the situations that are out a gold Doha safety nothing else matters. Be- 2016 Rio Games silver medallist Qatari high jumper’s wait for an of my hand and medal! cause it’s a matter that concerns us in self-isolation. “I start my day Olympic gold but Barshim said JUST as the whole world and top all and we need everybody’s collab- with prayers followed by training he’ll continue to work hard. sport stars await the end of the on- oration and support. We need to be and using the time to do some ac- “A 100 percent sound decision going coronavirus crisis, so does united to overcome this situation,” tivities at home. I clean my office, with health and safety is priority, Qatar’s high jump world champion said Barshim while speaking from do the house, play games and now but it is difficult to accept it as a Mutaz Essa Barshim who should his home. I can say I have more time to reply professional athlete after years, have been on road to seeking an He said the current situation is more emails. months, days and long hours of ef- Olympic gold this year had the affecting everyone and the impact “I am doing a lot of painting, fort and sacrifice to achieve your pandemic not struck. is on different people from diverse putting paints up the wall as well goals and sporting dreams. But Barshim is also among the work fields and professions. “Each as cooking (laughs),” he says. “I just need to prepare citizen Qataris and expats, who are of us is suffering from the impact Advising residents living in Qa- myself and keep training currently confined to their homes this virus is having on our lives.” tar on how to maintain fitness drills harder, as all my fellow following the government’s deci- Like many athletes stuck in- at home, he said, “You still can do athletes do. sion of home stay and work to curb doors, the 28-year-old is, how- so many things at home. Trainings “I’m spread of the virus. The tall athlete ever, keeping himself fit and busy and activities at home are still an going Mutaz Barshim is also of the belief that if all stay saying you need a little imagina- easy option when staying in. Even t o united and follow the guidelines is- tion to do things. if it’s just an hour a day, make sued, the high wall of beating this “I can’t do my normal trainings sure to stay active. disease can well be scaled. these days, its new situation we just The postponement of the “Yes I’m complying with the do our best and hope for the best.” 2020 Tokyo Games due to cor-

Osaka disappointed Tokyo organisers eye July 2021 for delayed Olympics: Reports but supports Olympic AFP 25, but Japan announced last ToKyo week it had secured agreement from the IOC to postpone the delay due to COVID-19 TOKYO Olympics organisers Games -- a decision unprec- are eyeing next July as a start edented in peacetime. AFP cern about trying to stage date for the postponed Games, Prime Minister Shinzo WaShINgToN the spectacle amid so much Japanese media reported on Abe said they would be held in uncertainty. Sunday, following the historic around a year instead as a testa- JAPANESE star Naomi Osa- “Everyone knows how decision to delay the event due ment to humanity’s victory over ka says she’s disappointed much the Olympics means to the coronavirus. the pandemic. not to compete at the Tokyo to me and how proud I will Given the ongoing pan- The decision had been seen Olympics this year but sup- be to participate in my home demic and need for preparation to open options for Tokyo, ports the decision to post- country. Of course I’m dis- time, the most likely plan would with IOC chief Thomas Bach pone the event to 2021. appointed that it won’t hap- be for the Games to begin on saying that “all the options are The 22-year-old former pen this year,” Osaka said. July 23, 2021, public broad- on the table” and reschedul- world number one said on “But we’ll all be ready caster NHK said, citing sources ing “is not restricted just to the Twitter Saturday that she to go stronger than ever in within the organising panel. summer months”. thinks the event will be bet- 2021! I support Prime Min- It came after Tokyo Gov- Meanwhile, NHK said ter for moving to next year in ister Abe’s brave decision ernor Yuriko Koike raised the the Olympic flame would be the wake of the coronavirus and the IOC 100%.” idea on Friday of moving the displayed for a month at the pandemic. Osaka, the 2018 US Open event to a less hot and humid J-Village sports complex in “Sport will eventually and 2019 Australian Open time of year. Fukushima, which was used as unite us again and be there champion, asked the Japa- a base camp for thousands of for us always, but that time nese people to stay strong. The olympics were scheduled relief workers in radiation pro- is not now,” Osaka wrote. “This is the time for peo- to open on July 24 this year the olympic rings displayed at an entrance of the Japan olympic Museum in tokyo. the tokyo 2020 team led tection suits during the 2011 Japanese Prime Minis- ple from all countries, back- with the Paralympics on by Governor yoshiro Mori is currently discussing possible dates with the Ioc. (aFP) nuclear disaster. ter Shinzo Abe and the In- grounds and races to rally august 25, but Japan ternational Olympic Com- together to save as many mittee agreed to postpone lives as we can,” Osaka said. announced last week it had Postponing olympics saves athletes from German athletes support Games’ delay the Olympics after athletes “To me that’s the Olym- secured agreement from the mental turmoil, says Sebastian coe worldwide expressed con- pic spirit.” ioC to postpone the Games -- FraNKFurT: german athletes a group of 43.4 per cent a decision unprecedented in LoNDoN: Meanwhile, World than 31,000 people. are in full support of the post- meanwhile said they would peacetime. athletics president Se- “We didn’t want to have ponement of this year’s Tokyo have participated if the games bastian Coe has said that the athletes in a position olympics to 2021 because had been staged as planned the decision to postpone where they were countering of the coronavirus outbreak, this year, with another 20.6 per She argued that this would this year’s Tokyo olympics government advice, maybe according to the saying this would make marathons and other because of the coronavirus even breaking the law,” Coe nation’s olympic have depended on races easier to endure, meaning has saved athletes from told TalkSport on Sunday. Sports Confed- additional measures they could be held in the capital “mental turmoil”. “and of course in the back eration (DoSB) on such as a go-ahead instead of in northern Sapporo Former olympic champi- of their minds was always that Sunday. from the World city, where the International on Coe supported the move concern, it wasn’t just their The DoSB told health organization. Olympic Committee (IOC) had to push the games back to own training programme, but dpa that almost “With a week decided to move them. 2021 and said competitors that they ran the risk of ef- 95 per cent of the now elapsed it The Tokyo 2020 team led would have been placed in fectively infecting themselves, athletes surveyed becomes clear how by Yoshiro Mori is currently an impossible position if their families, their kids, just before Tues- important our open discussing possible dates with the event had been left to grandparents or parents, and day’s decision by exchange with the the IOC, according to the Asahi start on July 24 as originally we just wanted to take them the International olympic Com- Team germany athletes re- Shimbun newspaper. scheduled. out of that mental turmoil as mittee (IoC) and local organizers ally was in this crisis situation,” On Saturday, Mori told a They would have been quickly as we possibly could. in Japan were in favour of a DoSB President alfons hoer- Japanese TV station that “some tempted to continue train- “We’re no different from postponement, and 70 per cent mann said. kind of conclusion” would be ing despite large parts of everyone else out there but I of them for a move to next year. “The result now available reached within a week. the world being in lockdown think we just concluded that The survey was conducted also clearly confirms our clear The Olympics were sched- due the CoVID-19 pandemic, sport, on this occasion, had among 1,409 athletes, with 808 position towards the IoC at the Japan´s Naomi osaka during the Fed cup Qualifiers first round match uled to open on July 24 this year which has now killed more to take a back seat.” (AFP) from 35 sports participating. beginning of the week.” (DPA) against Spain at la Manga club in cartagena this February. (aFP) with the Paralympics on August 12 Monday, March 30, 2020 Sports Xavi wants ‘total harmony’ to return to Barcelona as coach AFP the one-time Dutch winger Jordi added. “I would like to come in people in whom I have confi- MaDrID Cruyff as people he would like to with people from my environ- dence, with whom there is loy- work with. ment that could form a good alty,” said Xavi. “We are talking XAVI Hernandez has reiterated Yet the relationship between team.” about Carles Puyol, who was cap- his desire to coach Barcelona in Barcelona’s board, led by presi- Pushed on whether working tain of Barca, and Jordi Cruyff, a the future but suggests he will dent Josep Maria Bartomeu, and with the current board would very good businessman with a lot not return until a different board the players has remained tense, be a deal-breaker, Xavi said: “It of experience as a technical sec- brings a new sense of direction to with Lionel Messi’s public criti- wouldn’t be definitive but I insist retary.” the club. cism of technical secretary Eric I would like to have total har- He also said Neymar, whom Hernandez is in charge of Al Abidal among a number of off- mony. I don’t know if that can the Catalans tried and failed to Sadd in Qatar and turned down field controversies. happen... I have nothing against sign from Paris Saint-Germain an approach in January after “I am clear that I want to re- anyone and I don’t have a bad re- last summer, would be a “spec- Barca sacked Ernesto Valverde, turn to Barca, I am very excited,” lationship with Bartomeu. tacular signing”. which led to the surprise ap- said Xavi, who was asked if a Xavi mentioned the likes of “Most of the squad seems pointment of Quique Setien. change of board would be need- Puyol, whom he played with un- extraordinary,” Xavi said. “The In an interview with Span- ed for it to happen. “Obviously I der Pep Guardiola, and Cruyff, base is very good. I would sign ish newspaper La Vanguardia would like to be in tune with eve- son of Johan and former Barca forwards, like Neymar. I don’t published on Sunday, Xavi said ryone,” he said. “In the dressing and Manchester United winger, know if he would fit in a social Neymar would be a “spectacular room there can’t be a negative or as the kind of people he would sense but in football terms I have Barcelona tried to recruit Xavi Hernandez as their coach a week before Al Sadd signing”, and singled out former toxic atmosphere.” like to work alongside. no doubt he would be a spectacu- were due to play the Qatar cup final, which they won. (aFP) Spain defender Carles Puyol and “Everything has to fit,” Xavi “I would like to work with lar signing.”

Spurs star Son returns African football date-juggling to South Korea for ‘personal reasons’ looms amid virus pandemic AFP Korea at the end of February, LoNDoN having travelled home for sur- AFP demanding task -- staging gery. JohaNNeSBurg the 2021 Cup of Nations. TOTTENHAM forward Son He will take part in Tot- CAF Champions League: Heung-min has been allowed tenham’s remote training pro- THE May semi-finals and fi- The semi-finals pit Casablanca to fly home to South Korea for gramme, which is set to begin nals of the two annual African clubs Raja and Wydad against “personal reasons”. via video call on Monday. club competitions are likely to Cairo outfits Zamalek and Al Although Britain is on Son was not expected to fall victim to the coronavirus Ahly respectively, raising the lockdown due to the corona- return from injury this season, pandemic sweeping the conti- possibility of a first final be- virus, the Premier League club but the pandemic has post- nent. tween clubs from the same on Sunday said Son has been poned English football until at After two-leg semi-finals country. given permission to return to least April 30. in the competitions between While a May 29 conclusion Asia. Meanwhile, Son’s Tot- May 1 and 10, the Champions seems unlikely, the matches The 27-year-old has been tenham team-mate Steven League final is set for May 29 can be staged until September recovering after suffering a Bergwijn has travelled to the in Douala, five days after Ra- 6, with the last-32 first legs of fractured arm during Totten- Netherlands ahead of the im- bat hosts the Confederation the 2020/2021 season sched- ham’s win at Aston Villa on pending birth of his child. Cup title decider. uled to kick off five days later. February 16. “The club has given per- But the postponement of The competition could also It was reported Son and mission for both Heung-Min both competitions seems in- be shortened by turning the his parents arrived in Seoul Son and Steven Bergwijn to re- evitable as the full impact of semi-finals into single match- on Sunday and will spend two turn to their home countries,” the COVID-19 disease has still es in Douala, the Cameroon weeks in quarantine in line a statement on Tottenham’s to be felt in the continent with port city chosen to host the with South Korean govern- website said. the most fragile public health final. ment guidelines. “Both players will continue systems. CAF Confederation Cup: Son had already spent two their individual rehabilitation Already, two rounds of The semi-finals in the African weeks in self-isolation in Brit- and training programmes dur- 2021 Africa Cup of Nations equivalent of the UEFA Eu- ain after returning from South ing their time away.” qualifiers and the African Na- Senegalese Sadio Mane (left) of liverpool and Ghanaian thomas Partey (centre) of Atletico Madrid are ropa League will see Pyramids tions Championship in Cam- among the stars set to light up the 2021 Africa cup of Nations in cameroon. of Egypt meet Horoya of Guin- eroon have been postponed ea and Renaissance Berkane due to the killer COVID-19 in five two-leg showdowns to were cancelled. nament in Cameroon, which face fellow Moroccans Has- disease. decide who represents Africa. It is hard to imagine the is restricted to footballers sania Agadir. Here, AFP Sport consid- Group dates this October single round set for June 1-9 playing in their country of Like the Champions ers the date-juggling options and November may have to taking place and there must birth, has been postponed League, the semi-finals are in the major African national accommodate delayed 2021 also be doubts about matches due to the coronavirus. due to be home-and-away team and club competitions: Cup of Nations qualifiers in- planned for August 31-Sep- With no foreign-based affairs, followed by a single- World Cup: Home and stead, but there are sufficient tember 8. stars involved, the tournament match final in Rabat, giving away preliminary round ties international windows next CAF will hope they can does not have to fit into a FIFA Berkane or Agadir a distinct last September reduced the year to catch up. stage double matchdays international window, creat- advantage. number of contenders from Africa Cup of Nations: between October 5-13 and ing flexibility when it comes to CAF will likely seek new 54 to 40 for five places at the Qualifiers for the 24-nation November 9-17 -- dates cur- finding new dates. dates, and possibly reduce the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. tournament in Cameroon rently allocated to World Cup Apart from the football, semi-finals to single matches, Next comes 10 six-match- from January 9 to Febru- group games -- and complete the Nations Championship between June and Septem- day groups between October ary 6 2021 have fallen two qualifying. offers Cameroon an oppor- ber 6, five days before the 5, 2020, and October 12, 2021, rounds behind after fixtures African Nations Champi- tunity to test whether they 2000/ 2021 season gets into with the table-toppers paired scheduled for this month onship: The April 4-25 tour- are ready for a much more full swing. tottenham have allowed Son Heung-min to return to South Korea.

South African Premiership finish date ‘unrealistic’, warns doctor AFP The 16 clubs in the ness trainer. Some of them JohaNNeSBurg are going to eat junk (food), Premiership, receive a two consume too much sugar and FORMER South Africa nation- million rand ($115,000) drink alcohol.” al team doctor Ntlopi Mogoru monthly grant thanks to Clubs have between six says it is “unrealistic” to expect TV rights and advertising. and nine league matches left the country’s Premiership to to play this season, with a title finish by the end of June as the race led by Kaizer Chiefs and coronavirus pandemic contin- for essential shopping. the struggle to avoid relegation ues to spread. “They must extend it (the wide open. League spokesperson Mato end of the season) until at least The 16 clubs in the Pre- Madlala had said that if a the end of July because players miership, which is sponsored three-week national lockdown will be extremely unfit when by a leading South African that began two days ago stems they return to training,” he told bank, receive a two million the diffusion of the deadly the Business Day newspaper. rand ($115,000/100,000 Dortmund to return to COVID-19 disease, the season “Gyms will be closed dur- euro) monthly grant thanks to can finish by June 30. ing the lockdown and some TV rights and advertising. But Mogoru disagrees, of the players do not have Winning the league makes training in small groups saying the bodies of the Pre- adequate training equipment a club 15 million rand richer miership footballers are go- at home. and the three knockout com- DPA unclear when or whether at ing to “shut down” during Fortune Makaringe (left) of orlando Pirates and Samir Nurkovic of “Training at home is not petitions offer first prizes of DuSSeLDorF all the season can resume. the lockdown, which forbids Kaizer chiefs eye possession during a South African Premiership the same as working every eight, seven and four million Can admitted the uncer- people to leave home except match in Soweto last month that drew a 90,000 crowd. (AFP) day with a dedicated fit- respectively. BORUSSIA Dortmund play- tainty was difficult to han- ers are set to return to the dle, but, looking ahead at training ground for sessions Monday, said it was “nice to in small groups from Mon- do something and to have day onwards, midfielder tasks again. It is important Emre Can has said. that we go back to the pitch.” Turkish World Cup hero Recber hospitalised with coronavirus “Tomorrow we go. We Lucien Favre’s Dortmund want to start again slowly, are second in the league, AFP est ever performance in the developed rapidly while eve- third-place play-off. in very small groups of two four points behind Bayern aNKara tournament. rything was normal. These He also played for Istan- players,” Can told broad- Munich, and Can still be- The powerfully built and are critical times and it’s bul giants Fenerbahce and casters Sport1 on Sunday. lieves that anything is possi- FORMER Turkish national poney-tailed goalkeeper was very difficult.” Besiktas in football-mad Tur- Dortmund players kept ble in the final nine rounds, team and ex-Barcelona goal- easily recognisable at the She added that she, as key before retiring in 2012. fit on their own and at their provided the season can be keeper Rustu Recber is in World Cup due to the black, well as their son and daugh- Last week, Galatasaray homes for the past two completed. hospital after testing positive anti-reflection product he ter, had tested negative for manager Fatih Terim said he weeks since the Bundesliga “It will be very, very diffi- for coronavirus, his wife said. smeared beneath his eyes the virus. also tested positive for the was suspended and restric- cult. We still have duels with Recber took on hero like some NFL players. The goalkeeper, now 46, virus. tions imposed by the govern- Bayern and (third-placed) status in Turkey as he kept “Rustu is in hospital with enjoyed a brief spell at Bar- Turkey has officially re- ment in connection with the Leipzig. We have a good goal at the 2002 World Cup, a COVID-19 diagnosis,” Isil celona in 2003 after star- corded 9,217 cases of the new coronavirus outbreak. squad, it won’t be easy. But I anchoring his team to the Recber said on Instagram. ring in the World Cup a year coronavirus while 131 people Play is suspended until at do believe that it is still pos- semi-finals and ultimately “We are in a state of earlier when Turkey beat co- have died, according to the least April 30 and it remains sible,” Can said. rustu recber. third place, their great- shock after the symptoms hosts South Korea 3-2 in the health minister Sunday. Sports Monday, March 30, 2020 13 Alex posts debut win in thrilling first virtual MotoGP race looked secure but there a bat- The Moto2 world champion tops tle heating up between Marc Marquez and Quartararo for 10-rider field ahead of Bagnaia fourth place. The first Mar- quez vs Quartararo fight of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK It was drama from the 2020 would unfold with the Doha off as the lights went out on Frenchman coming out on top the first Virtual Race, with thanks to a move at the Casa- REPSOL Honda Team’s Alex polesitter Quartararo along- nova-Savelli complex, despite Marquez managed to avoid the side Viñales, Marquez and Marquez throwing everything chaos around him to clinch an Bagnaia on the run into San he had into Arrabbiata 1 as he impressive victory in his debut Donato (Turn 1). It was Quar- tried to stop the Yamaha man race as a MotoGP rider dur- tararo who emerged ahead but Alex Marquez of repsol Honda wins the first virtual MotoGP race at breaking clear. ing Sunday’s historic Virtual he was clearly too late on the All the 10 competing riders ahead of the first virtual MotoGP race. the Mugello circuit in tuscany, Italy on Sunday. On the final of the race, MotoGP Race. The first-ever brakes when the front-end of Alex Marquez kept his nerve #StayAtHomeGP was filled his Yamaha M1 washed out better of Alex Rins (Team Ec- sponded immediately after the dropping the poleman even Viñales then crashed out to take victory by over seven with thrills and spills as ten from beneath him, incredibly star Suzuki) and Iker Lecuona Italian ran wide. further down the order. after braking too late into Cor- seconds and was joined on MotoGP riders put on a show taking out 2021 teammate (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), with Meanwhile, chaos would Onto lap three and Alex rentaio and running into the the podium by Bagnaia and in the midst of the coronavirus Viñales in the process. the rookie highsiding in spec- ensue behind the leading two. Marquez was starting to edge gravel trap. The factory Yama- Viñales. Quartararo ended pandemic. Marquez and Bagnaia tacular style whilst trying to get Mir was the first to crash out further and further clear of ha rider visibly annoyed at up fourth, despite setting the Petronas Yamaha SRT’s avoided the incident and were back ahead of the Frenchman. after getting an almighty shunt Bagnaia at the front. The gap himself as he slapped his con- fastest lap of the race with his Fabio Quartararo started the able to break clear, with world As the leading two crossed from his teammate Rins of all was starting to stretch to over troller in fury. Seconds later final lap before Marc Marquez race from familiar territory champion Marc Marquez the start-finish line at the end people. Quartararo wasn’t too half a second, but the Ducati though, Marc Marquez would completed the top five. Rins after the Frenchman stormed (Repsol Honda Team) settling of the opening lap there was far behind, tucking the front at rider wasn’t throwing in the have a crash of his own, which came out on top in the battle to pole position, a quarter of in third place after attempted absolutely nothing between Turn 1 for the second lap in a towel just yet. Behind, Viñales allowed Viñales to get ahead of of the Suzuki teammates after a second clear of Pramac Rac- lunge up the inside by Team them having already swapped row. However, the Frenchman was recovering well from his the Repsol Honda and into the he took sixth ahead of Mir in ing’s Francesco Bagnaia and Ecstar Suzuki’s Joan Mir. Fur- places, and paint, on numer- respawned on track, Aleix Es- earlier incident and had Marc final podium place. seventh. Miguel Oliveira (Red over half a second clear of ther back, Quartararo was ous occasions. Bagnaia would pargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Marquez in his sights after As the pack filtered Bull KTM Tech 3), Lecuona Monster Energy Yamaha Mo- fighting back through the field once again dive past Marquez Gresini) rode straight into taking advantage of a Rins through to start the penulti- and Espargaro completed the toGP’s Maverick Viñales. and up to fifth after getting the into Turn 1, but Marquez re- him and the pair crashed out, mistake to take fourth. mate lap, the podium places top ten.

MLB, players News in brief union set terms Star batsman Smith’s German official expects Wimbledon for shortened postponement, no play till october season BerLIN: a leading german tennis official has said the grass leadership ban ends court season highlighted by Wimbledon would almost certainly be AFP scrapped, and added he hoped play could resume in autumn. NeW yorK AFP physically and mentally fit german tennis federation vice-president Dirk hordorff said in SyDNey during the coronavirus shut- a podcast on the tennisnet portal he “received the news that you MAJOR League Baseball and down of Australian cricket. can be pretty sure the grass season won’t take place,” without its players union have reached A two-year leader- He was supposed to be giving further details. at the moment the men’s aTP and women’s a deal on business issues ship ban slapped on preparing for a big-money WTa have suspended play until June 7, wiping out the clay court ahead of a likely shortened Steve Smith after payday at the Indian Premier season including the French open, after the Indian Wells and 2020 season in the wake of the the ball-tampering League, but the tournament Miami Masters on hard court were also cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. scandal in South Just trying to stay has already been delayed un- novel coronavirus pandemic. The MLB Players Associa- Africa ended Sun- physically fit and til April 15 in response to the The grass court season is set from June 8, with Wimbledon tion and team owners agreed day, leaving the mentally fresh,” he pandemic. starting June 29. organizers at the all england Club want to upon salary terms and re- master batsman With India in a three-week decide next week if the event can go ahead as planned. hordorff scheduling plans but no start free to skipper Aus- added. “If it goes ahead lockdown in a bid to contain a said he doesn’t believe play in the global sport with lots of travel- date has been set for this year’s tralia again. at some point, then spread of the virus, Smith ad- ling won’t start anytime soon, and also expects the uS open campaign, which could see the The 30-year- great. If not, then there’s mitted the IPL appeared un- starting in late august not to take place. “I would be very happy if playoffs stretched deep into old captained the plenty going on in the likely to go ahead. we could play again in october,” hordorff said. (DPA) November in an unprecedent- team until he was “I think the country’s basi- ed move. suspended for 12 world at the moment. cally shut its borders until the The season was due to months over a bra- Just play it day by day.” 15th of April,” he said. British fighter yarde’s father dies of coVId-19 have opened on March 26. zen attempt to alter Steve Smith “It’s obviously not look- After two weeks of talks, the ball with sand- ing likely at the moment, I LoNDoN: British boxer anthony yarde urged the public to stay at home club owners and players paper under his think there might be some after revealing his father has died of the coronavirus. agreed to stage as many games watch during a Test meetings over the next cou- yarDe, who fought Sergey Kovalev for the russian’s cruiserweight as possible toward a full 162- in Cape Town in 2018. ple of days to discuss what world title last year, said his father had been “fit with no health is- game schedule by going into Part of his punishment the go is with it all. sues”. Like many parts of the world, Britain is under a lockdown in a October to finish the regular included a further year-long “But just trying to stay bid to stop the spread of the pandemic. There have been over 17,000 season. exile from any leadership role, physically fit and mentally confirmed cases in Britain and yarde, 28, called on people to respect The union approved the which has now expired. fresh,” he added. “If it goes the situation and stay at home. deal on Thursday while team Co-conspirator and for- ahead at some point, then “I’m a very private person and tbh I’m still in shock but maybe this owners approved the plan on mer vice-captain David great. If not, then there’s can help people stay at home,” yarde wrote on Instagram. Friday. Warner was banned from plenty going on in the world “My dad passed away from this virus yesterday and he was fit with Playoff games could also any leadership role for life, at the moment. Just play it no health issues. The more people go out and mingle the longer this be moved to neutral sites, a although both have success- day by day.” isolation will last and the more it will spread. nod to staging games in warm- fully resumed their interna- All cricket in Australia “I’m not a doctor but I do know if you stay home you are less likely weather locations or domed tional careers. has been cancelled, with the to catch it or pass it on. It’s seriously not worth the risk.” stadiums. There have been calls team’s three-match T20 se- a statement from yarde’s promoter Frank Warren said: “Frank Should the entire cam- for Smith to take back the the two-year leadership ban imposed on Australia’s Steve Smith after ries against New Zealand this Warren and everyone at Queensberry Promotions would like to paign be canceled, players Test captaincy from Tim the cape town test scandal came to an end on Sunday. month a casualty after just express sincere condolences to anthony yarde and his family after would still receive time credit Paine, but it remains unclear one game. the untimely passing of his father. Coronavirus is an issue affecting toward free agency, allowing whether he wants to, with ship as “brilliant” and said the Twenty20 and one-day Australia has a Test tour all of us, but that doesn’t make the individual casualties any less star players such as Mookie the 35-year-old seemingly Smith may not want the “bur- teams. to Bangladesh scheduled for tragic. We hope that his fans listen to anthony’s heartfelt plea for Betts and Trevor Bauer to seek intent on playing on. den” of captaincy on top of Smith told Channel Nine June and a subsequent one- people to take the government’s advice seriously so we can try and new deals late this year no Coach Justin Langer last batting pressures. television on Sunday he was day campaign in England, but minimise the suffering of others.” (AFP) matter what. year praised Paine’s leader- Aaron Finch is skipper of focused only on trying to stay both appear to be at risk.

World champion Hunger games?: Tennis foot soldiers struggle in time of virus Saunders sorry AFP to many of the people I know “There are more im- for ‘hit women’ ParIS and about their plans for the portant things like life and next three months and I real- death, but a lot of players virus video WITH careers spent scratch- ised that some people won’t from smaller countries, (are) ing around dusty outposts, even be able to have food,” unable to earn any income, AFP sometimes with “just $100” claimed Shapatava in her on- unable to claim benefits as LoNDoN in their pockets, tennis’ un- line blog. they are considered ‘self-em- heralded army of foot soldiers “My problem is that my ployed’,” wrote the 27-year- BRITISH claim they are struggling to sport will die as it is, it will old Hong Kong-born Moore world champi- afford food after being made die, because players who are in support of Shapatava’s pe- on boxer Billy unemployed overnight by the ranked lower then 150 in the tition. Joe Saunders coronavirus pandemic. world will not be able to play.” “It will be tough for many was forced to Now, Georgian player Coronavirus has brought players to survive the next apologise on Billy Joe Saunders Sofia Shapatava is pleading all tennis to a standstill until couple of months.” Saturday after with the International Tennis June 8 at the earliest. Former world number 15 a video emerged of him hand- Federation (ITF) to dig deep The entire claycourt sea- Alla Kudryavtseva sympa- ing out advice to men on how to and help out the hundreds of son has been wiped out with thised with the plight of the attack women if domestic argu- players who lost their liveli- Help: Georgia’s Sofia Shapatava in action at roland Garros in 2014. the French Open shifted to current crop. ments occur during tense coro- hoods when the men’s and September-October instead The 32-year-old Russian, navirus lockdowns. women’s tours went into a Barely $3,000 has come ova of Russia. of its traditional May-June who famously dumped Maria WBO super middleweight three-month lockdown. her way since the turn of In 2020, she has officially slot. Sharapova out of Wimbledon champion Saunders, 30, is seen “Players lower ranked the year after events in An- made just $68. Wimbledon could follow in 2008, made over $3 mil- in the video giving tips on how than 250 will not be able to drezieux-Bouthion in France, Many players outside the suit next week when organis- lion in her career, accrued to react if “your old woman is.... buy food in two-three weeks’ Midland in Michigan, Nicho- lucrative top 100 tradition- ers may postpone or even can- mostly from success on the coming at you, spitting a bit of time,” warned Shapatava, who lasville in Kentucky and the ally supplement their meagre cel completely the grasscourt doubles court. venom in your face”. is not optimistic the ITF will SavingS: Alla Kudryavtseva of Californian venue of Rancho incomes by coaching or play- Grand Slam event scheduled “I have savings, I’m not Using a punchbag, he then look favourably on her plea. russia. Sante Fe. ing in European club leagues. to start on June 29. worried. What about those describes how to “hit her on the “I honestly don’t think However, compared to Britain’s Tara Moore, juniors that chose tennis as chin” and “finish her off”. so,” she told AFP. ondary ITF events, a world many, the 31-year-old is well- ‘Sport will die’ the world 233, has made their career and are mak- Saunders apologised if he “They replied that their away from the gilded Grand off. However, those reliable just $2,500 this year but ing the transition to pros? “offended any women”. plate is full and they will come Slam world inhabited by mul- There are comfortably revenue streams dried up af- her career earnings stand at Who didn’t have a chance to “I would never condone back to me as soon as they ti-millionaires Serena Wil- over 1,000 players in the ter governments worldwide $473,500, boosted by lucra- save anything yet? Who po- domestic violence and if I saw can. But after that email they liams, Roger Federer, Novak WTA rankings. The men’s banned large gatherings to tive wildcards into the main tentially invested money in a man touch a woman I would did not reply with anything.” Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. ATP Tour has just as many. combat the spread of the draw at Wimbledon. themselves? smash him to pieces myself,” Shapatava, the world Shapatava has banked Amongst a batch of deadly coronavirus. In 2016, she made the sec- “They are not student Saunders said in a post on number 371, is a 16-year vet- $354,000 in career prize women currently locked in “I started the petition ond round at the All England loans.” Twitter. eran of the tour. money from almost 1,500 the lowest rank of 1,283 is to help tennis players to be Club and pocketed a welcome The ITF did not respond “Apologies if I offended any But she plays mostly sec- singles and doubles matches. 27-year-old Ksenia Kolesnik- heard by ITF, after I talked $62,000. to requests for a comment. women, stay blessed.” 14 Monday, March 30, 2020 The Last Word Ensuring education our priority amid Covid-19: QF partner university dean

late through technology. Berbić to teach and learn, and that’s Amir Berbić, dean of VCUarts Qatar, believes virtual said: “It’s more of a shift or a what we’re going to continue to learning presents challenges as well as opportunities change in terms of modality do for as long as it takes. With rather than losing creativity. In our faculty, we’re discussing some ways, it might make our different ways in which they TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK healthy and exercising social and students then following students and our faculty more can improve the virtual mode Doha distancing, the number one them. creative, because it further of instruction, as well as having priority right now is to contin- “We’re using various meth- concentrates minds and means conversations with students to AS the education landscape in ue learning,” he said. ods of engaging our students,” you need to come up with inno- get their feedback on what is Qatar adapts to changing times “We switched to online he said. “I think it’s gone well vative solutions.” and isn’t working.” due to the coronavirus (Cov- teaching mode several weeks so far and it’s a big learning According to Berbić, VC- And he believes that this id-19) outbreak, the dean of a ago, since the state of Qatar curve for all of us, both for our Uarts Qatar students and fac- experience will make VCUarts Qatar Foundation (QF) partner directed there should be no professors and our students.” ulty are now discovering new Qatar, and other universities, university has outlined how re- on-campus instruction. Prior Berbić says students and ways of teaching that they may more aware of the challenges mote learning is ensuring that to the coronavirus outbreak, faculty need this adaptability Amir Berbić not have explored before. and opportunities that virtual learning never stops. all our departments already when it comes to virtual learn- “As we are now forced now learning presents. “In the con- Amir Berbić, dean of Vir- had an academic continu- ing, explaining: “studying art to face a new reality, it may text of art and design, we now ginia Commonwealth Univer- ity plan which we had utilised and design, as we do at VC- give us a new appreciation have much more experience sity school of the Arts in Qatar due to other circumstances in Uarts Qatar, comes with very ratories. We rely on the physi- for example, instead of relying of the possibilities in terms than we’ve ever had of this (VCUarts Qatar) says there is the past, such as flooding. The specific challenges because of cal environment as a learning on something that would have of how art and design can be mode of learning,” he said. “nothing more important we transition was immediate as the studio-based component space. That means this is a big been produced in a fabrication taught through a virtual mod- “When all this is over, we can do” than ensure education soon as it was decided that this that is at the core of many of challenge for us, but it’s one lab, they’re asking students to el. There are opportunities will have learnt lessons and continues amid the Covid-19 was what we needed to do.” our courses. that we are adapting to in vari- work with different materials when it comes to realising new have a lot of information and situation. And while he admits speaking about the interac- “The work of our students ous ways.” that are at their disposal in their methods of communication, of insight on what does and online tuition is “a learning tion between students and fac- is very physical and tactile. It’s VCUarts Qatar professors home,” said the dean. teaching, of making art and de- doesn’t work in terms of vir- curve”, he also believes it is cre- ulty through various forms of highly experiential, whether are adjusting course objectives Another challenge art stu- sign work,” he said. tual learning. We can use this ating new educational opportu- distance learning, Berbićsaid that is through lectures, con- or the goals of specific projects dents may face is that their “Whether it’s a physical even when it’s not necessary, as nities and insights. this includes ‘virtual’ classes, versations, critiques, studio or lessons. “They are asking stu- work requires creativity, and environment or this new vir- something that adds to educa- “In addition to staying or professors recording lessons work or working in the labo- dents to work in different ways, this may be difficult to articu- tual mode, we must continue tion overall.” NU-Q students study on Qatar Airways’ Privilege home campus in the US Club offers members 12 in view of the Covid-19 crisis, the students are continuing their studies remotely months of tier extension TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Gold and Platinum members can keep Qcredits for two years Doha TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK will not lose their hard-earned members, with preferred seat- nOrTHWesTern Univer- Doha membership status. As such ing guaranteed for free for sity in Qatar’s (nU-Q) annual restrictions are outside of Gold or Platinum members student exchange programme QATAr Airways’ (QA) loyalty our control as an airline, we or at a 25 percent discount for with its home campus in the programme Privilege Club is are honouring the loyalty our silver members. Us was cut short this year for further honouring the loyalty members have shown us by Privilege Club, launched in some students due to the Cov- of its members by extending or offering to extend or reinstate 2000 as a form of appreciation id-19 situation. However, the reinstating their tier status for their tier membership and to QA’s loyal passengers, offers students attended classes and 12 months for memberships benefits for 12 months.” them the opportunity to earn took part in student life on due to expire before January Additionally, for member Qmiles when travelling on QA, the evanston campus before 31, 2021. Members can re- and employee safety and as a oneworld airlines, or any of the closure of the programme. tain their current tier benefits precautionary measure taken the airlines’ partners. Qmiles They are now continuing their such as upgrades, shop & Pay by the state of Qatar to limit has since served as another studies remotely. with Qmiles, extra baggage, the spread of Covid-19, the convenient means of payment “The opportunity to spend lounge access, and more, for Privilege Club service Centre at the award-winning Qatar one semester at the home cam- 12 months. located at Oryx Galleria Doha Duty Free outlets, located in pus is a unique experience, QA Privilege Club recently will be closed until further both the departure and arrival and every student selected to announced a tier extension of- notice. The airline has urged halls of Hamad International participate finds it uniquely fer of up to six months to its members to download and use Airport, and at Oryx Galleria rewarding. exchange students members, but has doubled this the Qatar Airways mobile app in Doha. return feeling energised by the to one year in recognition that for any Privilege Club related Privilege Club offers four experience and it is wonder- its members continue to be queries. The app provides membership tiers – Burgun- ful to see how much intellec- impacted by travel restrictions members with convenient ac- dy, silver, Gold and Platinum tual and personal growth each and flight reductions resulting cess to their membership ac- - each with its own exclusive achieves in a relatively short from Covid-19 (coronavirus). count on the go. For further benefits for members to en- time,” said Gregory Ferrell Additionally, Gold and assistance, members can call joy. Qmiles are earned when lowe, professor and director Platinum members can now the dedicated Privilege Club members travel on QA, one- of the Communication Pro- enjoy their Qcredits for longer hotline on +974 4023 0023. world airlines, other airline gram at nU-Q. as they will now remain valid QA recently launched a partners or use the services Although most students for two years as long as the tier new commercial policy to al- of any of the airline’s 60+ have returned to Qatar or Nu-Q students Nur Munawarah, Marielle cortel and Belkees al Jaafari near the Northwestern university is retained. Qcredits for Gold low all passengers the flexibil- global partners. Qmiles are their home countries, the library during the exchange programme. and Platinum members can be ity to alter travel plans up to awarded based on the book- programme will be continued spent on upgrades, extra bag- three days prior to departure ing class purchased, and can remotely until the end of the although most students a swing dancing class and also experience helped her grow gage and lounge access. Fol- for flights booked untilsep - be redeemed for benefits and academic year. discovered rollerblading at closer to nU-Q and nU-e stu- lowing feedback from mem- tember 30, 2020. This flex- rewards including award One student in the pro- have returned to Qatar or the norris University Center, dents, something she called a bers, Privilege Club has also ibility enables passengers to flights, upgrades or extra gram, Marielle Cortel, no- their home countries, the the hub of social activity at “double win.” updated its policy to provide change their travel plans free baggage on QA. To join, visit ticed that she was faced with programme will continue northwestern. she was also “stoked” to more flexibility to members of charge by altering the dates https://www.qatarairways. a daunting challenge. With remotely until the end of The Communications ex- pursue her interest in gamifi- with Qcredits by making them of their booking or exchanging com/en/Privilege-Club/join- too many courses to choose the academic year change programme helped cation. This spring she learned refundable. their ticket for a travel voucher now.html. from, she has had trouble de- Hussain overcome her trepi- about photogrammetry (3D Chief Commercial Officer valid for one year. The travel A multiple award-win- ciding which classes to take. dations about travelling to the modelling) and other Virtual of QA simon Talling-smith voucher will be equal to the ning airline, QA was named she eventually enrolled in film from family, Cortel became Us. reality and Augmented real- said: “At Qatar Airways, we value of their unutilised ticket ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the photography, sound produc- more self-sufficient, manag- “I used to be afraid of the ity techniques. rui Oh first realise that the people travel- – plus an additional 10 per- 2019 World Airline Awards tion, and web convergence, ing her finances and discover- Us,” but Hussain found in ev- visited evanston in 2019 as an ling right now are those who cent, excluding statutory tax- managed by skytrax. It was with plans to study Korean ing – contrary to her expecta- anston that “people are very nU-Q student ambassador. It are trying to get home to their es. This policy includes award also named ‘Best Airline in communication, health com- tions – that she is capable of friendly. American culture is was that trip that convinced families, with the majority of flights. More information the Middle east’, ‘World’s munications, and production socialising in a new environ- very open and accepting.” rui her to apply for the exchange business and leisure trips be- is available at qatarairways. Best Business Class’ and ‘Best as well. ment rather easily. Oh agreed. program. ing postponed or cancelled. com/ travelwithconfidence. Business Class seat’ in recog- “The programme allows like Cortel, Muna Hussain “I was worried that I’d be “Don’t overthink it, just As travel restrictions increase, QA Privilege Club recently nition of its ground-breaking you to explore and learn more focused on film production, isolated or find a lack of com- come,” she advised nU-Q stu- we want to reassure our Privi- announced even more benefits Business Class experience about yourself,” Cortel said. but she is also venturing be- munity, but that has not been dents who are thinking about lege Club members that they for silver, Gold and Platinum Qsuite. Her first extended time away yond her major. she is taking the case here.” rui Oh said the applying for next year. 32 WCM-Q students secure residencies at prestigious global institutions

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Angles (UClA), and the Johns return to Qatar after comple- Doha Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, tion, which also gives the local Maryland, among others. healthcare sector a great boost.” FInAl-yeAr medical students The 32 students of WCM- Menatalla Mekhaimar of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar Q’s Class of 2020 who matched matched at Icahn school of (WCM-Q) have secured resi- will join their residency pro- Medicine at Mount sinai, new dencies at some of the world’s grammes in the fall to begin york City, where she will join most renowned academic training in their chosen speciali- the internal medicine residency health centres to continue their ties, which this year are derma- programme. she said: “I am training after they graduate in tology, general surgery, internal overjoyed to have matched at May. medicine, interventional radiol- Mount sinai and excited that The medical students ogy, neurology, ophthalmology, I will be living in new york for matched at residency train- otolaryngology, paediatrics and the next three years. I’m sure ing programmes at leading psychiatry. Students of WcM-Q’s class of 2020 receive their white coats at the beginning of the medical programme they are soon to complete. the next three years are going healthcare institutions in Qatar Qatari national Abdulla al to be really exciting, challenging and the Us, including Hamad Mulla matched at Virginia Com- and really looking forward to Us and international applicants WCM-Q alumni who com- ment. “We are extremely fortu- and rewarding.” Medical Corporation, newyo- monwealth University Health starting the next chapter in my submitted programme choices plete their residency training nate that many of our graduates Dr Javaid sheikh, dean of rk-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell system in richmond Virginia, life.” for 37,256 available positions. at elite institutions in Qatar join the excellent residency WCM-Q, congratulated the Medical Center, Icahn school where he will join the paediat- The annual Match Day likewise, gaining acceptance to and the Us frequently go on to programmes at HMC and then students. He said: “We are im- of Medicine at Mount sinai in rics residency programme. Ab- event, which pairs soon-to- the highly regarded residency work in the healthcare sector in become local consultants mak- mensely proud of the unstinting new york City, Case Western/ dulla said: “Finding out where I graduate medical students programmes at HMC requires Qatar, explained Dr Thurayya ing huge contributions to the pursuit of excellence in aca- University Hospital Cleveland, had matched was quite an over- with residency training pro- extremely high levels of aca- Arayssi, senior associate dean health of the nation,” she said. demic achievement and patient Cedars-sinai Medical Center/ whelming experience. I am so grammes, is highly competitive. demic achievement and clinical for Medical education and Con- “similarly, many alumni who care demonstrated by the Class University of California, los happy to have matched at VCU This year, more than 40,000 excellence. tinuing Professional Develop- go the Us for their residencies of 2020.”