Unlock Daily Free Gifts this Ramadan

SUNDAY
MARCH 16, 2025
RAMADAN 16, 1446
VOL.18 NO. 6456; QR 2

Fajr: 04:25 am
Dhuhr: 11:43 am
PARTLY CLOUDY Asr: 03:08 pm
HIGH : 28°C Maghrib: 05:46 pm
LOW : 20°C Isha: 07:16 pm

RAMADAN TIMING

TODAY TOMORROW Business 8 Sports 12

IFTAR IMSAK QC takes part in Manafea forum, Norris grabs F1 season’s first pole position
5:46 PM 4:14 AM Islamic chamber meetings at Australian Grand Prix

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Qatar ranks among top

3 countries globally
HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah

Qatar gives
with lowest crime rates
top priority to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

children’s rights:
DOHA

NHRC chief QCB launches Eidiya

THE State of Qatar ranked
among the top 3 countries with
the lowest crime rates in the
QNA
GENEVA
world, according to NUMBEO’s
2025 Crime Index.
The National Planning
ATMs at 10 locations
THE Chairperson of the Nation- Council announced, via its
al Human Rights Committee official account on the X plat- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Mall of Qatar, Al Wakrah Old
(NHRC), HE Maryam bint Ab- form, that the Qatar ranked DOHA Souq, Doha Festival City, Al
dullah Al Attiyah, has affirmed among the three countries Hazm, Al Mirqab Mall, West
that the State of Qatar gives with the lowest crime rates in QATAR Central Bank (QCB) Walk, Al Khor Mall, Al Meera
top priority to children’s rights. the world. has announced the avail- (Muaither) and Al Meera (Al
She highlighted that through According to the Numbeo ability of Eidiya ATMs at 10 Thumama).
the NHRC’s monitoring of the Index, Qatar ranked first glob- malls across the country QCB’s Eidiya ATM service
implementation of the Conven- ally with the lowest crime rate from Sunday. aims to preserve the Qa-
tion on the Rights of the Child, out of the 142 countries listed The ATMs dispense bank- tari culture and heritage by
along with the State of Qatar’s in the table, with a safety index notes of QR5, QR10, QR50 bringing back the traditional
ratified protocols, Qatar has of 85.2%, followed by the UAE and QR100 denominations. practice of Eidi, which is
ensured equal access to educa- with 84.9%, and Taiwan in level, Qatar also came in first place, Bahrain in fourth place, Eidiya ATMs are avail- usually money or gift given to
tion and the highest standards third place with 83.8%. place, followed by the UAE in Saudi Arabia in fifth place, and able at Place Vendome, children.
of healthcare for children and On the Arab countries’ second place, Oman in third Kuwait in sixth place.
adolescents.
During her participation in

GARANGAO NIGHT BRINGS JOY

the discussions on children’s

Israel attack kills 9

rights at the United Nations Hu-
man Rights Council in Geneva,
she emphasized that NHRC is
committed to constantly raising
TO CHILDREN AT KATARA
in northern Gaza
the awareness about the promo-
tion of child rights, noting the
great attention NHRC pays to
raising awareness about the need
for protecting children’s rights in AGENCIES
the digital environment. GAZA
Al Attiyah underlined that
the NHRC showcased the inter- AT least nine people, including three
est by holding the third national journalists, have been killed and several
forum in Doha last year under others wounded in an Israeli drone
the theme “Protecting Chil- attack on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza,
dren’s Rights in a Safe Digital according to Palestinian media.
Environment: Challenges and The attack on Saturday reportedly
Prospects for Empowerment targeted a relief team that was ac-
and Protection.” She pointed companied by journalists and photog-
out that the forum’s recom- raphers. At least three local journalists on the second phase of the ceasefire
mendations revolved around are among the dead. between it and Hamas, which would
the task of training all national The Palestinian Journalists’ Protec- require it to negotiate over a perma-
departments and authorities on tion Center said in a statement that nent end to the war, a key Hamas Children donning traditional
protecting children in digital en- “the journalists were documenting demand. clothes celebrate Garangao
vironments. humanitarian relief efforts for those Gaza’s health ministry says at least night at Katara. Every year,
She added that the NHRC affected by Israel’s genocidal war” and 48,543 Palestinians have been killed Katara becomes a vibrant
extends its hands to all interna- called on Gaza ceasefire mediators to and 111,981 wounded in Israel’s war centre of festivities and
tional organizations and civil so- pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benja- on Gaza. Gaza’s Government Media tradition as it hosts the
ciety organizations that support min Netanyahu to move forward with Office has updated its death toll to Garangao celebrations. It is
training in the child protection implementing the agreed truce and more than 61,700, saying thousands of a celebration of the spirit
domain within digital environ- prisoner exchange. Palestinians missing under the rubble of giving and togetherness,
ments, so as to capitalize on ex- Israel has rejected opening talks are presumed dead. PAGE 5 especially for children. (TNN)
periences.

MSDF, MoM hold Children’s Street NCCCR treats 508 int’l cancer patients in 2024
to support national projects QNA
DOHA

T
HE Ministry of So-
cial Development THE National Center for Cancer Care
and Family (MSDF), and Research (NCCCR) at Hamad
represented by the Medical Corporation (HMC) has
Family Empowerment become a leading destination for
Department, in collabo- cancer treatment in the Gulf, attract-
ration with the Ministry ing patients from across the region
of Municipality, organ- while continuing to provide world-class
ized the “Children’s care to Qatar’s local population. With
Street” project as advanced technology, personalized
part of the “From the treatment plans, and a highly skilled
Homeland” initiative. multidisciplinary team, NCCCR contin-
Held in Abu Dhalouf ues to set the benchmark for oncol-
City, the event aimed ogy services.
to empower entrepreneurs by providing a platform to showcase their products Medical Director and CEO of NC-
and strengthen their presence in local markets. CCR and Chair of Corporate Cancer innovative treatments. Patients come patients from the region. Our unique
The initiative fostered greater engagement between project owners and Services at HMC Dr Mohamed Salem to us not only for access to cutting- combination of expertise, advanced
the public, spotlighting national products and encouraging consumer support. Al Hassan highlighted the hospital’s edge therapies and state-of-the-art technology, and compassionate care
It featured five diverse projects, including traditional Qatari cuisine, souvenirs, growing international reputation: “NC- facilities but also because of our has made us the preferred choice
perfumes, and other locally made products, all of which were met with enthu- CCR is recognized across the region holistic, patient-centered approach. In for many patients from the GCC and
siastic reception from attendees. (QNA) PAGE 3 for its exceptional quality of care and 2024, we treated 508 international beyond.” PAGE 16
02 Sunday, March 16, 2025

HAMAD BIN SUHAIM AL THANI CHAIRMAN

ADEL ALI BIN ALI MANAGING DIRECTOR
ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 DR HASSAN MOHAMMED AL ANSARI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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

Shafallah Centre launches awareness

campaign for World Down Syndrome Day
QNA The drive aims to raise Katara under the slogan ‘A Day competitions at Katara, with
DOHA awareness of Down syndrome, The campaign aims to raise awareness of Down syn- for Them’, encouraging direct prizes awarded to participants.
foster societal understanding of drome, foster societal understanding of the abilities and public engagement. World Down Syndrome
THE Shafallah Centre for the abilities and valuable con- Shafallah also seeks to Day, marked annually on
Persons with Disabilities has tributions of individuals with valuable contributions of individuals with Down syn- highlight the potential of indi- March 21, is a global occasion
launched a two-day awareness Down syndrome, and share drome, and share success stories. It features compre- viduals with Down syndrome for those with Down syndrome,
campaign in honour of World success stories. It features com- hensive social media outreach, workshops in schools to in various fields and advocate as well as their families, friends,
Down Syndrome Day, under prehensive social media out- educate students and institutions, and interactive com- for their right to employment, and supporters, to engage in ac-
the theme ‘Towards Greater reach, workshops in schools to petitions with prizes at Katara under the slogan ‘A Day promoting their role as active tivities that enhance awareness
Understanding’, at the Cultural educate students, and interac- for Them’, encouraging direct public engagement participants in society. The and advocate for inclusion and
Village Foundation (Katara). tive competitions with prizes at main events include public well-being for this community.

Qatar Charity signs two agreements with

official social welfare entities in Tanzania
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
Amjad Al Tahhan empha-
sized Qatar Charity’s dedi-
QATAR Charity (QC) has cation to working closely
signed two memorandums of with the Zanzibar
understanding (MoUs) with Government to achieve
the Office of the Mufti and the sustainable development.
Ministry of Social Develop- He highlighted the impor-
ment, Gender, Elderly, and
Children in the Zanzibar Gov-
tance of the MoU in fos-
ernment, Tanzania, to enhance tering collaboration
cooperation in the fields of so- between local and inter-
cial welfare and community national organizations. He
service. also expressed gratitude
One MoU was signed to local partners in
by Sheikh Khamis Ghareeb Zanzibar for their support
Khamis, executive secretary of
the Office of the Mufti, and Am- of both parties. and Children in the Zanzibar is vital for helping the most vul- Amjad Al Tahhan empha-
jad Al Tahhan, country director On the sidelines of the sign- Government. Amjad Al Tahhan, nerable people in Zanzibar. She sized Qatar Charity’s dedication would lead to a better quality of
of the Qatar Charity Tanzania ing, Sheikh Khamis Ghareeb country director of Qatar Char- thanked Qatar Charity for its to working closely with Zan- life in Zanzibar.
branch. Khamis, expressed his happi- ity’s Tanzania Branch, and Abei- support and outlined that the zibar Government to achieve Qatar Charity is actively
This memorandum aims ness with the cooperation with da Rashid Abdallah, general collaboration will focus on two sustainable development. He working in Zanzibar, imple-
to strengthen cooperation be- Qatar Charity, extending his secretary of the ministry signed main areas, which include pro- highlighted the importance of menting numerous social and
tween the two parties in vari- thanks to Qatar Charity for its the MoU to collaborate on social viding direct social assistance, the signed MoU in fostering charitable projects and spon-
ous fields, particularly concern- ongoing efforts in serving the welfare, surveys, sponsorships, such as sponsoring orphans collaboration between local and soring over 500 individuals.
ing endowments, public lands, community. and integrating vulnerable and helping needy families, international organizations. He The official authorization last
mosques, Holy Quran memo- Qatar Charity signed anoth- groups into Qatar Charity’s Zan- and working to improve the also expressed gratitude to lo- November further empowers
rization centres, and training er memorandum of understand- zibar initiatives. overall well-being of communi- cal partners in Zanzibar for Qatar Charity to deliver sus-
institutes, to serve the commu- ing with the Ministry of Social Obaida highlighted that the ties through economic develop- their support. He concluded tainable development in the
nity and achieve the objectives Development, Gender, Elderly, partnership with Qatar Charity ment and other projects. by stating that this partnership area.

MECC holds large scale Al Rayyan team lifts Ministry of Labour’s

clean-up exercise in Ramadan Football Tournament trophy
North Umm Ubairiya TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
its commitment to imple-
menting its vision of improv-
ing employee productivity and
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK THE Ministry of Labour (MoL) achieving the goals of Qatar
DOHA concluded the Ramadan Foot- National Vision 2030, which
ball Tournament, organised by seeks to invest in health and
THE Ministry of Environment the Public Relations and Com- physical fitness as a funda-
and Climate Change (MECC), munications Department for mental pillar of human capital
represented by the Wild- Ministry employees, on Satur- development.
life Protection Department, day. The Ministry of Labour
launched a large-scale clean- Four teams representing thanked all participating teams
up campaign in North Umm various departments and divi- and the organising committee
Ubairiya, in the Northern Re- sions participated: Al Dafna, for their outstanding efforts,
gion, as part of its ongoing ef- Msheireb, Al Rayyan, and which contributed to the tour-
forts to preserve the Qatari en- Lusail. The competition re- nament’s success and its suc-
vironment and protect wildlife. sulted in Al Rayyan team be- cessful execution, reflecting
The campaign aims to re- ing crowned champion with the ministry’s commitment to
move waste and debris from the tournament cup and gold achieving national goals.
meadows and wilderness areas medal, while Al Dafna team, The ministry affirmed its
and ensure that visitors comply in second place, won the silver commitment to continuing to
with environmental protection medal. organise such sporting events,
laws and regulations. This ini- The tournament featured which contribute to building
tiative complements previous exciting matches amidst a a progressive and stimulat-
efforts implemented by the sporting atmosphere filled with ing work environment that
ministry, which conducted 34 enthusiasm. strengthens bonds of coopera-
meadows cleaning campaigns The tournament matches tion among employees.
in February 2024, covering the were held at Al Bidda Park The Ramadan Football
northern, central, and south- Stadium as part of Rama- Tournament is part of the Min-
ern regions of the country. dan activities that witnessed istry of Labour’s strategy to
The current campaign in- significant interaction from promote a sustainable sports
cludes awareness-raising activ- employees and the public, culture among its employees.
ities for the local community, embodying the Ministry of This contributes to improv-
aiming to raise environmental The Ministry of Environ- Labour’s strategic objectives ing the work environment and
awareness and encourage indi- ment and Climate Change of enhancing communication enhancing sportsmanship and
viduals to participate in main- emphasised the importance between employees, develop- teamwork.
taining the cleanliness of wil- of joint cooperation between ing the work environment, in- This supports the achieve-
derness areas. government agencies and civil stilling a spirit of cooperation, ment of the Sports Excellence
The campaign will also in- society in protecting the envi- perseverance, and diligence Award objectives and efforts
clude the removal of solid and ronment and called on every- among them, and encouraging to develop qualified human
liquid waste and ensuring the one to adhere to environmental them to exercise and adopt a cadres in various fields, in line
absence of any practices that laws and regulations to ensure healthy lifestyle. with the National Strategy for a
harm the environment and the sustainability of natural re- By holding such sporting Competent and Highly Produc-
wildlife. sources for future generations. events, the ministry reflects tive Workforce 2024-2030.
 Nation Sunday, March 16, 2025 03

MSDF and MoM organise ‘Children’s

Street’ in support of national projects

QNA The initiative fostered great- able environment that enables

DOHA er engagement between project entrepreneurs to market their
owners and the public, spot- products in strategic locations
THE Ministry of Social Devel- lighting national products and and at local festivals.
opment and Family (MSDF), encouraging consumer support. She emphasized the impor-
represented by the Family Em- It featured five diverse projects, tance of equipping business
powerment Department, in col- including traditional Qatari cui- owners with the necessary skills
laboration with the Ministry of sine, souvenirs, perfumes, and to adapt to market demands
Municipality (MoM), organised other locally made products, all and ensure long-term success.
the ‘Children’s Street’ project as of which were met with enthusi- This initiative aligns with
part of the ‘From the Homeland’ astic reception from attendees. the goals of Qatar National Vi-
initiative. Held in Abu Dhalouf Director of the Family Em- sion 2030, which seeks to build
City, the event aimed to em- powerment Department at a cohesive and prosperous so-
power entrepreneurs by provid- MSDF, Fatima Al Nuaimi un- ciety, promote sustainable de-
ing a platform to showcase their derscored the ministry’s com- velopment, and enhance the
products and strengthen their mitment to supporting national role of national enterprises in
presence in local markets. projects by creating a sustain- driving economic growth.

Karwa spreads joy on Garangao night with special community initiative

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Commenting on the initia-
DOHA tive, Mohammed Abukhadija,
executive director of Commer-
MOWASALAT (Karwa) cial Affairs in Mowasalat (Kar-
brought joy to children and wa), said: “This initiative em-
families across Qatar by cel- bodied our dedication to social
ebrating the tradition of Ga- responsibility and our pride in
rangao at its booths in Doha preserving our rich traditions.
Festival City, City Center and At Mowasalat, our role goes be-
Villaggio Mall. yond transportation as we are
As part of this initiative, committed to strengthening
children visiting the booths our connection with the com-
were welcomed with festive munity and ensuring that our
treats, reinforcing the compa- cultural heritage is passed on
ny’s commitment to preserving to future generations.”
Qatari heritage and engaging The event saw a large turn-
with the community. out, with children eagerly gath-
Garangao, celebrated on ering their treats and experi-
the 14th night of Ramadan, is a laughter. This gesture reflected encing the festive spirit of the
beloved cultural tradition that Mowasalat’s dedication to social Garangao, bringing families
strengthens community bonds responsibility and its ongoing ef- together to celebrate in a warm
and fills the night with joy and forts to uphold Qatari traditions. and welcoming atmosphere.

When
she is better
the whole
world is

sehatuha.com
04 Sunday, March 16, 2025 Nation

Public Prosecutor honours winners of 1 Public st

Prosecution Ramadan football and padel tourney

QNA team were crowned as the The first Ramadan championship came as an ideal opportu- environment and strengthen- ance between work and per-
DOHA football champions, while the ing employees’ interpersonal sonal life.
Dukhan team were crowned as nity to encourage employees to engage in sports and focus relationships. The Public Prosecution was
QATAR’S Public Prosecutor HE the padel champions. on physical health during the Holy Month of Ramadan, The first Ramadan cham- keen to ensure that its events
Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nu- The Public Prosecutor pionship came as an ideal were held in a spirit of broth-
aimi honoured the winners of the praised the teams and organ- achieving a balance between work and personal life opportunity to encourage em- erhood and cooperation, re-
first Public Prosecution Ramadan isers’ efforts, highlighting the ployees to engage in sports flecting the sense of unity that
football and padel championship. importance of such sporting harmony among staff members. tant part of the Public Pros- and focus on physical health binds the Public Prosecution’s
During the honouring cer- events in enhancing the spirit of He also pointed out that ecution’s policies in building during the Holy Month of employees, setting the stage
emony, the Capital City-West sportsmanship and increasing such activities are an impor- a healthy and balanced work Ramadan, achieving a bal- for future sporting events.

Aspetar hospital celebrates

Ramadan with Ghabga event

Qatar Media Center organises

Garangao photography class
QNA quality while respecting the unique es-
DOHA sence of Garangao. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Khalid Al Mawlawi, acting direc- exercises, and enjoyed traditional
Director of the Qatar Media Center DOHA tor-general of Aspetar, remarked, Qatari cuisine. The event also hon-
THE Qatar Media Center, affiliated with Iman Al Kaabi highlighted the signifi- “This event is a wonderful oppor- oured several staff members for
the Ministry of Culture, organised a cance of the workshop, which combines ASPETAR, the leading sports medi- tunity for everyone to meet outside their dedication and commitment,
workshop on the fundamentals of Garan- the preservation of Qatari heritage with cine hospital, celebrated Ramadan the hospital, embracing the spirit including medical staff who have
gao photography as part of its efforts to modern photography techniques. with a special Ghabga event at Raf- of Ramadan and Qatari culture. It saved lives during major sporting
preserve and creatively fles Hotel, bringing together senior showcases Aspetar as a family, not events in Qatar.
document Qatari herit- officials and employees. The event just a leader in sports medicine.” Aspetar’s Ramadan Ghabga was
age. highlighted Aspetar’s commitment The Ghabga event featured a a testament to the hospital’s inclu-
Led by photog- to fostering a multicultural envi- variety of interactive activities that sive and diverse culture, reinforc-
rapher and trainer ronment, with participation from aligned with Aspetar’s vision and ing its position as a global leader
Abdullah Srour, the employees representing 74 different values. Employees engaged in cul- in sports medicine and a close-knit
workshop attracted nationalities. tural exchanges and team-building community.
significant participa-
tion. Attendees learned
about professional pho-
tography techniques
and their application
in documenting the Ga-
rangao celebration, one
of Qatar and the Gulf’s
most cherished cultural
traditions.
The workshop covered various top- She emphasized the centre’s goal of
ics, including photography basics, tech- fostering a generation that values herit-
niques for different conditions, and age and is equipped to document it crea-
methods for capturing Garangao cel- tively for future continuity.
ebrations professionally. The workshop targeted individuals
It also featured practical applications aged 16 years and above, underlining the
at multiple locations, enabling partici- importance of involving youth in cultural
pants to develop essential skills for docu- documentation and strengthening their
menting traditional festivities with high connection to their rich traditions.

FOR SALE QIB, Qatar Charity spread the spirit of

OFFICE FURNITURE, OFFICE
EQUIPMENT AND OTHER
giving with Ramadan community drive
SCRAP PARTS
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Commenting on the initiative, preciation to QIB for their valuable
Interested bidders are requested to deposit their DOHA Mashaal Abdulaziz Al Derham, contribution in expanding Iftar
properly signed sale bids under sealed envelope to assistant general manager, head programmes and reinforcing the
Administration Department (12th floor of Doha Bank QATAR Islamic Bank (QIB), Qa- of Corporate Communications & values of generosity and solidar-
Head Quarters Tower, Opposite to Sheraton Hotel) tar’s leading digital bank, has an- Quality Assurance at QIB, said: ity throughout the holy month of
latest by 23rd of March 2025 before 12:00 noon with nounced its collaboration with Qa- “Ramadan is a time of reflection, Ramadan.
the following details. tar Charity (QC) to launch a special unity, and giving. At QIB, we are AlGreeb underscored the im-
community initiative during the pleased to contribute to the well- portance of fostering strong part-
a) Name of the bidder/Company with Qatari ID no. Holy Month of Ramadan. being of our community by sup- nerships between the commercial
b) Bid Price Through this initiative, QIB porting those in need. Through our and humanitarian sectors, espe-
c) C.R. Copy of the Company if applicable supports Qatar Charity’s Ramadan collaboration with Qatar Charity, cially during this sacred time.
d) Contact Address and Telephone No. campaign, ‘Giving Lives On’, which we are providing Iftar meals while He called upon other institu-
All items can be inspected ‘as is on is’ basis from helps fasting individuals. also empowering individuals with tions and businesses to embrace
16 March to 22nd March 2025, from 9:00am to As part of Qatar Charity’s ‘Giv- access to financial services, helping charitable initiatives, thereby ex-
1:30pm at Industrial Street 28 and Store 42. Contact ing Lives On’ Ramadan campaign, them build a more secure future. tending vital support and alleviat-
Mr. Mark mobile no. 5011-8985 for more details. QIB is contributing to the distribu- This initiative embodies the true ing the hardships faced by those in
tion of daily Iftar meals to work- bile Iftar’, offering meals to work- essence of Ramadan — compas- need globally. QIB has long been
ers across various locations. This ers unable to return home before sion, generosity, and inclusion.” a proactive advocate for charita-
initiative extends across ‘Ramadan Maghrib prayer, and ‘Mobile Iftar Ali Ibrahem AlGreeb, resource ble endeavour, particularly during
Tents for the Fasting’, providing for Workers’, delivering meals di- development manager at Qatar Ramadan, showcasing its dedica-
daily meals in dedicated tents, ‘Mo- rectly to their residences. Charity, conveyed his sincere ap- tion to societal well-being.
 World Sunday, March 16, 2025 05
UN chief calls for global action against rising ‘anti-Muslim bigotry’
UNITED Nations Secretary- “We are witnessing a dis- Muslims and are reinforced by as support for Hamas in Gaza.
General Antonio Guterres has turbing rise in anti-Muslim big- Rights advocates have for biased media representations, In recent weeks, rights
expressed concern over “a dis- otry. From racial profiling and years raised concerns and by the anti-Muslim rheto- watchdogs have published data
turbing rise in anti-Muslim discriminatory policies that about the stigma faced by ric and policies of some politi- noting record levels of anti-
bigotry”, calling on govern- violate human rights and digni- Muslims and Arabs cal leaders,” he said in a speech Muslim hate incidents and
ments to protect religious free- ty, to outright violence against because of how some peo- to the UN General Assembly. hate speeches in countries such
dom and for online platforms individuals and places of wor- Rights advocates have for as the United Kingdom, the US
to curb hate speech. ship,” the UN chief said in a ple conflate those commu- years raised concerns about the and India, among others.
Guterres made the remarks video post on X. “This is part nities with armed groups. stigma faced by Muslims and A report released by the
on Saturday to mark the Inter- of a wider scourge of intoler- Arabs because of how some Council on American-Islamic
national Day to Combat Islam- ance, extremist ideologies and ment. And we must all speak people conflate those commu- Relations (CAIR) on Tuesday
ophobia marked every year on attacks against religious groups out against bigotry, xenophobia nities with armed groups. said that the 8,658 complaints
March 15. and vulnerable populations.” and discrimination,” he added. At present, many pro-Pal- regarding anti-Muslim and
Rights groups around the He called on governments, Meanwhile, UN Under-Sec- Secretary-General of the United estinian activists, including anti-Arab incidents last year
world and the UN have noted a without specifying any one na- retary-General Miguel Angel Nations Antonio Guterres in Western nations such as – representing a 7.4 percent
rise in Islamophobia, anti-Arab tion, to “foster social cohesion Moratinos said Muslims were the United States, have com- rise year on year – was the
bias and anti-Semitism since and protect religious freedom”. facing “institutional discrimi- “Such biases are manifest- plained and say that their ad- highest number since the
the start of Israel’s 17-month “Online platforms must nation and socioeconomic re- ed in the stigmatisation and the vocacy for Palestinian rights is group began compiling data in
war on Gaza. curb hate speech and harass- strictions”. unwarranted racial profiling of wrongly labelled by their critics 1996. (AGENCIES)

Israeli drone strike kills nine in

Gaza, including two journalists
Majority of Gaza’s municipalities stop waste collection due to fuel shortages
AGENCIES
GAZA

Syrians celebrate anniversary AT least nine people, includ-

ing two journalists, were killed
of anti-Assad uprising in an Israeli drone attack
in northern Gaza on Satur-
day, according to Palestinian
DAMASCUS: Public celebra- “I came to Damascus yes- sources.
tions on Saturday erupted in terday [Friday] for the first Medical staff reported that
several parts of Syria marking time to join the revolution’s members of a rescue team op-
the 14th anniversary of the start celebrations in the Umayyad erating in the northern town of
of a pro-democracy uprising Square,” he said. Beit Lahia were among the vic-
against the rule of long-time “It was always a dream for tims, as well as the photojour-
president Bashar al-Assad. all revolutionaries to reach this nalists, a media spokesman
This year’s commemora- place and celebrate in the heart and a driver.
tion carries special signifi- of the capital,” he added. The Palestinian Journal-
cance as it comes more than Army helicopters flew over- ists’ Protection Center said in
three months after al-Assad’s head and dropped roses on a statement that Israel killed
fall. Dozens of people gathered the celebrating crowd in the “three journalists in an airstrike
on Saturday in Ummayyad main square, Syria’s state news on a media team document-
Square in the centre of the agency SANA reported. Simi- ing relief efforts in northern Palestinians participate in a press conference in Khan Yunis to appeal to Arab officials and leaders to enable
capital Damascus for the cel- lar celebrations got under way Gaza”. “The journalists were people from the Gaza Strip to perform the Hajj pilgrimage for this year, fearing that their travel will be
ebration, raising the revolu- in other Syrian cities including documenting humanitarian obstructed by the Israeli forces. (DPA)
tion flag and chanting slogans Aleppo, Homs and Idlib amid relief efforts for those affected
calling for “one unified Syria,” tight security, witnesses said. by Israel’s genocidal war,” the The claims from both sides the occupation’s intention to that the Gaza Strip is on the
witnesses said. The anti-Assad uprising be- statement added, according to could not initially be indepen- undermine the ceasefire agree- brink of collapse. In an offi-
“This is the happiest day of gan in March 2011 when peace- Anadolu. dently verified. ment and its deliberate sabo- cial statement, it said the vast
my life,” said Abboud Ahmed, ful protests erupted demand- The Israeli military con- Hamas has issued a state- tage of any opportunity to com- majority of Gaza’s municipali-
who came from the city of ing political change. firmed the attack but provided ment about the deadly Israeli plete the implementation of the ties have stopped waste collec-
Darayya south of Damascus. However, his government no information about those attack on Beit Lahiya, calling agreement and exchange pris- tion due to the fuel shortages,
“For 13 years, I’ve dreamed of responded with brutal oppres- killed or injured. It said it it a “horrific massacre” and “a oners, in blatant defiance of the alongside also the street clear-
holding the revolution flag in the sion. The situation soon evolved had previously identified two continuation” of Israeli “war mediators and the international ing and the removal of rubble.
Umayyad Square,” he told DPA. into a full-blown conflict that re- terrorists from the Palestin- crimes against our people and community,” Hamas said. It has been a predictable
“Throughout the years of sulted in hundreds of thousands ian group Hamas operating a dangerous escalation that The Palestinian group also outcome of the ongoing Israeli
the revolution, we were dis- of deaths and massive devasta- a drone in Beit Lahia, which reflects its insistence on con- called on the mediators to ban on the entry of much-need-
placed, and our cities were tion. posed a threat to nearby Israeli tinuing its aggression and dis- pressure Israel’s Prime Min- ed fuel and food, and the crisis
destroyed. But we had a Al-Assad ruled Syria for over troops. regard for all international laws ister Netanyahu to move for- now is escalating.
conviction that we’ll win.” two decades. He fled the coun- It said other terrorists then and conventions”. ward with implementing the Families right now are
Abdel-Hameed Sabbagh, try to Russia in December last collected the drone equipment “This criminal escalation, agreed ceasefire and prisoner struggling to afford the meal to
who came from the north- year as an Islamist-led alliance and boarded a vehicle. The accompanied by deliberate exchange. break their fast during Rama-
western province of Idlib, ex- advanced on Damascus follow- Israeli military attacked this killings and barbaric shelling Meanwhile, the Gaza Gov- dan, another sign of a crisis
pressed joy too. ing a lightning offensive. (DPA) group as well. across the Gaza Strip, reaffirms ernment Media Office has said that has no end in sight.

Trump orders Rival rallies erupt in S Korea before South African president
major air ruling on president’s impeachment says expulsion of US
raids against
Yemen’s
AGENCIES
SEOUL
envoy ‘regrettable’
Houthis LARGE numbers of South Ko-
reans have gathered across the
AGENCIES
JOHANNESBURG On Friday night, US
Secretary of State Marco
capital, Seoul, to support or
UNITED States President Don- oppose impeached President SOUTH African President Cyril Rubio took to the X plat-
ald Trump has announced a Yoon Suk-yeol ahead of a court Ramaphosa said on Saturday form to declare the South
series of strikes on Houthi tar- decision on whether his mar- he had noted the “regrettable African ambassador,
gets in Yemen in the most sig- tial law declaration disqualifies expulsion” of the country’s am-
nificant military action of his him from office. bassador to the United States
Ebrahim Rasool, “persona
second term to date. On Saturday, anti-Yoon and urged all stakeholders to non grata” and said he
At least nine civilians were protesters filled a large square maintain “decorum.” was no longer welcome in
killed and nine injured in the in central Seoul and chanted “South Africa remains com- the country.
strikes in Sanaa on Saturday, for his immediate removal. A mitted to building a mutually
according to Yemen’s Houthi- few streets away, conservative beneficial relationship with the dispute” was Pretoria’s deci-
run Health Ministry. Yoon supporters took up an United States of America,” he sion to form a genocide case at
“Your time is up, and your entire avenue and called for his said in the statement. This is a the International Court of Jus-
attacks must stop, starting to- return while waving South Ko- new low-point for relations be- tice against Israel, a close US
day. If they don’t, hell will rain rean and United States flags. tween the two countries, which ally, over its war on Gaza.
down upon you like nothing you In a few days, the Constitu- People attend a rally calling for the immediate expulsion of impeached have been tense since Presi- In February, Rasool, an anti-
have ever seen before,” Trump tional Court is expected to de- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in central Seoul, South Korea. dent Donald Trump took office. apartheid campaigner, told the
said in a statement on Truth cide whether to oust Yoon after (AGENCIES) On Friday night, US Secre- Zeteo news site that what South
Social, his social media site. “I he attempted to declare martial tary of State Marco Rubio took Africans experienced during
have ordered the US military law in December 2024, rattling to the X platform to declare apartheid rule “is on steroids in
today to launch a decisive and markets and igniting the coun- On Saturday, anti-Yoon protesters filled a large square in the South African ambassador, Palestine”. Moreover, Swana ex-
powerful military operation try’s worst political crisis. central Seoul and chanted for his immediate removal. A Ebrahim Rasool, “persona non plained that in the fight against
against the Houthi terrorists in If the court rules against few streets away, conservative Yoon supporters took up grata” and said he was no long- apartheid, the US “supported
Yemen,” Trump added. Yoon, he will be officially an entire avenue and called for his return while waving er welcome in the country. Ru- the apartheid regime”.
“We will use overwhelm- thrown out of office, and a na- South Korean and United States flags. bio also shared a link from the In February, Trump accused
ing lethal force until we have tional election for a successor right-wing website Breitbart, the South African government
achieved our objective,” he said will be held within two months. in which statements by Rasool of having “unjust and immoral
in the post, accusing the Iran- Yoon is also on trial on a respondents supported Yoon’s a “precise judgement and dis- were discussed. practices” and signed an execu-
aligned group of threatening criminal charge of insurrec- impeachment, while 37 percent miss the case”. In a video workshop organ- tive order to freeze aid to the
Red Sea shipping. tion, but he was freed from de- opposed it. But, the court’s most sig- ized by a South African think country. He cited a law passed
The Houthis, who control tention last week. Song Young-sun, a 48-year- nificant issue to resolve and tank, the diplomat argued, in South Africa that allows land
much of the Arabian Peninsula The former president’s mar- old protester, told the Reuters decide upon is why Yoon sent among other things, that US to be expropriated in the public
country, started a campaign tial law imposition and its fall- news agency that Yoon’s re- hundreds of soldiers and po- President Donald Trump is interest to compensate for in-
targeting the busy sea route in out widened deep social rifts lease from jail last week was lice officers to the National As- strengthening nationalist forc- justices that occurred during the
support of Palestinians in Gaza between conservatives and lib- “incredibly” frustrating. sembly after declaring martial es worldwide. In this context, racist apartheid era (1948-94).
after Israel began bombing the erals, which in turn put pressure “So this week I came here, law. he also mentioned the far-right At that time, land was system-
besieged enclave. on institutions and the military hoping that the Constitutional While Yoon has said he Alternative for Germany (AfD). atically distributed unequally
Trump also told Iran it on whether to impose the order. Court will rule on the impeach- wanted to maintain order, Based on these statements, along ethnic lines, especially to
needed to immediately stop Since then, pro and anti- ment case next week,” Song some top military and police Rubio accused Rasool of “race- white South Africans.
supporting the Houthis. He Yoon protests have taken to the said. officers sent there said the baiting” and said the ambassa- Rubio also refused to attend
said if Iran threatens the US, streets in the hundreds of thou- However, Kim Hyung- president ordered them to drag dor hated the US and Trump. the G20 meeting of foreign
“America will hold you fully sands weekly. joon, a 70-year-old pro-Yoon out politicians to block an as- But South African politi- ministers held in Johannesburg
accountable and, we won’t be On Friday, a Gallup Korea protester, told Reuters that he sembly vote about his decree or cal analyst Sandile Swana told in February, claiming the coun-
nice about it!” (AGENCIES) poll found that 58 percent of hoped the court would make detain his political rivals. Al Jazeera that the “core of the try is “doing very bad things.”
 OPINION
PAGE 6 | SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025

GOP must NIH cuts create a lost

rediscover
importance of generation of scientists
judicial review
LISA JARVIS

T
HE Trump administration’s attacks on
science and funding at the National In-
stitutes of Health will set research and

R
EPUBLICANS have rightfully criticized training for future scientists back a gen-
Democrats in recent years for leaning on eration.
the Supreme Court in an effort to intimi- This might sound melodramatic to any-
date the justices into supporting a progressive one not intimately familiar with the world of
agenda. It’s unfortunate that some members of academic training and research. But in just
the GOP now exhibit a similar intolerance for two months the administration has cut off
judicial independence. opportunities at every phase in a scientist’s
Five years ago, Sen. Chuck Schumer stood in career. Unless funding and the freedom to
front of the Supreme Court building and threat- pursue science without political bias are re-
ened two justices if they backed abortion restric- stored, biomedical research in the U.S. will
tions. “I want to tell you, (Neil) Gorsuch. I want become less ambitious, less competitive and
to tell you, (Brett) Kavanaugh,” he said. “You result in fewer breakthroughs.
have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the To recap: In his first days in office, Presi-
price. You won’t know what hit you if you go for- dent Donald Trump targeted the NIH, which
ward with these awful decisions.” spends more than 80% of its $48 billion
During President Joe Biden’s term, Demo- budget on grants and other funding to uni-
crats lined up to embrace court packing as a versities and hospitals around the country.
means of rigging judicial outcomes to their liking. That funding ground to a halt, and damage
The Senate Judiciary Committee launched “eth- was amplified two weeks later when the ad-
ics” investigations focusing almost entirely on ministration excised $4 billion in overhead
the conservative wing of the court. Some House costs from NIH grants — money that insti-
progressives sought to impeach Justice Clarence tutions rely on to run their facilities and pay Trump administration attacks on the National Institutes of
Thomas.
Republicans roundly attacked these efforts
support staff. That was followed by job cuts
at the agency — reportedly nearly 1,200 of
Health mean biomedical research will become less ambitious,
to manipulate justice and undermine confidence
in the court. “Senate Democrats have repeatedly
them, in areas spanning Alzheimer’s research
to cancer. (Some of these moves have been
less competitive and result in fewer breakthroughs
told the American people that the entire federal halted, at least temporarily, by the courts.)
judiciary exists for no other reason than to fulfill More recently, scores of NIH grants were told me he hasn’t been sleeping. A health eq- again is that researchers will do less bold
their changing political whims,” Sen. Mitch Mc- terminated because they didn’t align with the uity researcher at Northwestern University, science, ask fewer questions, make fewer dis-
Connell, R-Ky., said in 2023. “They’ve threatened administration’s political ideology. Flagged whose work hits on all of the buzzwords that coveries.
justices by name from the steps of the court and topics include research on LGBT+ health, Trump wants eradicated from federal gov- There’s little sign that the damage will be
threatened the institution itself in unfriendly gender identity, diversity, equity and inclu- ernment, teared up when describing what the repaired once new leadership is in place at
amicus briefs. In each instance, Democrats have sion; vaccine hesitancy; and mRNA vaccines. situation means for the students she mentors. NIH. During his Senate confirmation hearing
signaled their open disdain for a body that refus- Now, Trump seems to be using the NIH to Making a career in science has always last week, Jay Bhattacharya, Trump’s pick to
es to interpret the Constitution through the lens punish universities that he feels have defied been exceptionally hard, she says, “and in lead the agency, seemed unruffled by the tur-
of their party’s platform.” him. On Monday, the agency said it was ter- this environment, it’s just making it impos- moil. If anything, his equivocation about the
Alas, now that Donald Trump occupies the minating $250 million in grants to Columbia sible. I’m afraid we’re going to lose some of upheaval suggests he’s on board with what-
White House, a handful of Republicans have de- University, a move that will have a seismic the best minds.” (Many researchers asked ever changes those above him demand next.
veloped brain lock over the value of an independ- impact on study and researchers there. not to be named out of fear about the status Bhattacharya dodged questions about
ent judiciary. Judges who have ruled against the Summer research programs at NIH and of funding under review at NIH.) restoring funding and instead emphasized
administration have been the target of increasing in university labs — experiences that help Ashley de Marchena, an autism expert the need to restore trust in public health, a
vitriol. One Tennessee congressman has filed ar- pull undergraduates into science careers at Drexel University, said the funding un- project he believes requires “freedom” and
ticles of impeachment against the federal judge — have been canceled. Graduate school certainty led one of her trainees to look for “transparency.”
who overturned Trump’s 90-day freeze on for- admissions are being paused or cut back. a job rather than pursue a doctoral degree. It’s hard to imagine a less trustworthy
eign aid spending. Widespread hiring freezes are leaving post- Not only is the time and taxpayer investment or transparent process, or one less attuned
This is ridiculous and counterproductive — doctoral researchers, on the cusp of launch- in building their research skills lost, but the to academic freedom than what’s unfolding.
not to mention a mirror image of the regretta- ing their careers, in limbo. student, who is neurodivergent, is someone Sidelining and muzzling a generation of sci-
ble intimidation tactics that the GOP denounced Assistant professors awaiting the NIH’s fi- whose unique perspective should be nur- entists, dismantling the nation’s research ap-
when used by Democrats. Expressing disagree- nal approval on their first major grant, known tured, not pushed into another career path. paratus and ultimately ceding scientific su-
ment with a judge’s reasoning is one thing. Ad- as an R01, a critical step toward securing ten- “So many entry points (to research) are premacy to China and Europe does not seem
vocating impeachment as a response to that disa- ure, are worried their once promising careers gone now,” says Julianne Meisner, an epide- like the right way to restore trust.
greement is quite another. The proper response are being snuffed out. Even well-established miologist in the University of Washington’s For the public, all of this might seem hard
to an unfavorable judicial ruling is an appeal. Im- scientists tell me they’ve made lists of people Department of Global Health. She recently to grasp — or even care about. But eventually
peachment must be reserved for cases involving in their labs to cut if the money doesn’t flow advised a student finishing her master’s de- we will all be affected. It’ll show up as a hit to
serious misconduct or corruption, not trotted out soon. I’m told some in the twilight of their ca- gree to consider applying to PhD programs the local economy when scientists and staff
as a cudgel to threaten federal jurists for doing reers are cutting back hours to preserve fund- abroad. They might offer less money, but lose their jobs. It’ll take the form of a wid-
their jobs. ing or are considering retirement. they bring more certainty. And those insti- ening gap in access to equitable health care.
Judicial review is an indispensable part of the The entire pipeline of biomedical scien- tutes clearly see an opportunity to siphon It’ll be the Alzheimer’s treatment or cancer
checks and balances embedded in the Constitu- tists, supported in one way or the other by some of America’s brightest: at least one vaccine that never quite makes it over the
tion as a protection against tyranny. Efforts to the funding at NIH, is being culled. French university is advertising itself to U.S. finish line.
weaken the concept will lead to an erosion in the Unsurprisingly, morale — both at NIH students as a “safe place for science.”
liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. It would and at the long list of institutions the agency Meanwhile, those who persist are shrink- (Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion
be encouraging if both Democrats and Republi- funds — is in the basement. One researcher at ing their ambitions to fit a more hostile en- columnist covering biotech, health care
cans kept that in mind. a prominent New York-based cancer hospital vironment. A theme I heard over and over and the pharmaceutical industry.)

Drop the unrealistic deportation goal and go after criminals

Still, even if ICE deports Homan knows this. But
Border czar Tom Homan doesn’t all those people, that will be he lacks the resources to
have the manpower to eject that just 5.7% of Trump’s 11 mil- tackle the size of the opera-
lion goal. So the pressure tion Trump wants. That’s
many people from Trump, who reportedly why Homan is going after
checks in weekly with Ho- mayors. He needs their re-
PATRICIA LOPEZ course of his term. The full man on the need to produce sources and cooperation.
court press Homan and ICE bigger numbers, continues to Their jails can add detention

B
ORDER Czar Tom Ho- have been waging has netted build. space and their police offic-
man was hand-picked by only a fraction of that. With The administration would ers can provide tip-offs and
President Donald Trump some ICE agents reportedly do better to abandon the 11 aid.
to carry out the mass depor- working six days a week, Ho- million goal. If Homan does But, like his boss, Homan
tations that were central to man has managed to push ar- further ramp up his efforts, is inclined to demand, not to
Trump’s winning campaign. rests to about 20,000 for all it will ripple out to nearly ask. Informed that the Boston
Since his appointment, Ho- of February. all facets of American life, police commissioner would
man has sown fear among Many of these have been including businesses, local not be cooperating with fed-
immigrant communities, rounded up in relatively governments and families. eral agents (a right protected
blustered on television about small raids. A week-long op- Larry Fink, CEO of Black- by the 10th amendment) Ho-
prosecuting mayors of blue eration in Houston detained Rock Inc., the world’s largest man responded by saying,
cities who don’t comply, and 646 undocumented immi- Border Czar Tom Homan has been given an impossible task. asset manager, warned that “I’m coming to Boston. I’m
staged photo ops of shackled grants, including what ICE Trump’s plan for large-scale bringing hell with me.”
migrants being flown out of said were over 500 criminal that had refugees camping a smart use of resources. deportations could have se- Homan would be better
the US. migrants and gang mem- out at the southern border. Aiming squarely at remov- vere impacts on agriculture advised to pursue the achiev-
But large-scale removals bers. More typical has been The refugee program had ing criminal migrants may and construction, triggering able goals of deporting crimi-
have yet to materialize. In- a recent incident in Duluth, gotten out of control due to not result in large numbers a labor shortage and higher nal migrants and revamping
creasingly, it seems Trump’s Minnesota, where ICE agents President Joe Biden’s well- — since most undocument- prices, which in turn could the refugee process in a way
promise of “mass deporta- swarmed a location where intentioned belief that the US ed immigrants don’t com- further fuel inflation. Fink that maintains border secu-
tions” is simply a reprise of workers were installing a should have more generous mit crimes — but is one that said leaders in the agriculture rity. And to try collaborating
his first-term pledge to “build new roof, nabbing five. ICE policies for admitting refu- most U.S. residents would sector have said up to 70% of with cities instead of making
the wall” — an unattainable picked up another seven at a gees. Shuttering it without support. To show how neces- their workers are migrants. them adversaries. It’s worked
objective that serves only to manufacturing facility in St. warning was an unnecessar- sary that measure was, ICE It’s no secret where the in the past.
grab attention and drive out- Louis Park, a suburb of Min- ily brutal measure that surely in 2024 identified 626,000 undocumented immigrants Chasing down millions of
rage. neapolis. endangered some refugees’ undocumented immigrants are. Go to any meatpacking undocumented immigrants
Consider Trump’s goal To be sure, Trump’s ob- lives. At the same time, Amer- with criminal histories who plant, farm, restaurant or who mostly work, pay taxes
of ejecting 11 million un- sessive energy on immigra- icans’ tolerance for mush- were on the “non-detained large-scale construction site and keep to themselves is both
documented immigrants, tion has resulted in some rooming clusters of refugees docket,” meaning they were and agents would find hun- foolish and self-defeating.
some of whom have lived clear progress on this part of was wearing thin as newcom- awaiting deportation but not dreds of potential arrestees.
here for decades. Achieving his agenda. Border crossings ers strained resources. in custody. Of those, 435,000 Heck, go to any Home Depot (Patricia Lopez is a
that number would require have fallen to historic lows, And the new adminis- had criminal convictions, parking lot, where immi- Bloomberg Opinion col-
a mind-boggling 229,000 in part because Trump shut tration’s focus on “worst while another 226,000 faced grants congregate waiting to umnist covering politics
removals per month over the down the asylum process first,” as Homan calls it, is pending charges. be hired as day labor. and policy.)

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY.
 World Sunday, March 16, 2025 07

Ukraine peacekeeping plans entering

operational phase, says UK leader
Ukraine’s President Keir Starmer’s comments come after a virtual meeting with 29 other world leaders including Macron and Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky
PA MEDIA/DPA ers they could not “sit back and
Zelensky LONDON wait” for a ceasefire in Ukraine,
adding: “We have to keep push-

names peace PLANNING for a peacekeeping

force for Ukraine will move to
an “operational phase”, British
ing ahead, pushing forward
and preparing for peace, and
a peace that will be secure and
negotiator Prime Minister Keir Starmer
has said after a meeting of the
that will last.” He also accused
Russian President Vladimir
“coalition of the willing” on Putin of trying to “delay” a
KIEV: Ukrainian President Saturday. ceasefire, adding: “Sooner or
Volodymyr Zelensky has ap- Starmer said military chiefs later he is going to have to
pointed presidential office chief would meet in London on come to the table and engage
Andrii Yermak, as the chief Thursday to “put strong and ro- in serious discussions.” Earlier
negotiator for potential peace bust plans in place to swing in on Saturday, Putin’s first prime
talks, the presidential office in behind a peace deal and guar- minister Mikhail Kasyanov,
Kiev said on Saturday. antee Ukraine’s future security”. who now opposes the Russian
Foreign Minister Andrii Sy- His comments came after a vir- president, said his former boss
biha, Defence Minister Rustem tual meeting with 29 other world would not accept Nato or Eu-
Umerov and Yermak’s deputy, leaders, including French Presi- ropean troops being deployed
Pavlo Palisa, are also part of the dent Emmanuel Macron and to Ukraine, but might agree to
delegation. Yermak is consid- Ukrainian President Volodymyr soldiers from “friendly coun-
ered the most influential per- Zelensky, at which Starmer said tries” such as India and Brazil.
son in Ukrainian politics after “new commitments” had been Following the meeting, Lib-
Zelensky. made on peacekeeping and eral Democrat leader Ed Davey
The four negotiators had tightening sanctions on Russia. urged the prime minister to
already met with the United He told a press conference seize Russian assets and use
States in Saudi Arabia last in Downing Street: “The group them to fund more support for
week, which led to the resump- that met this morning is a big- Ukraine, saying this was “the
tion of US arms deliveries to ger group than we had two only way to achieve a just and
Ukraine. weeks ago, there is a stronger British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts a video conference call in Downing Street, with international lead- lasting peace”.
Ukraine has agreed to collective resolve and new com- ers to discuss support for Ukraine. (DPA) Asked about whether he
the US proposal of a 30-day mitments were put on the table had discussed seizing Russian
ceasefire, provided Moscow this morning, both in relation had made concrete commit- other attendees at Saturday’s plomacy in which American assets with his counterparts,
complies. Russia, on the other to the coalition of the willing ments to a peacekeeping force. meeting were Italian Prime officials put a US-Ukraine pro- Starmer said it had been dis-
hand, opposes an uncondition- in terms of defending the deal, Asked about what action a Minister Giorgia Meloni, who posal for an unconditional 30- cussed, but added it was “a
al ceasefire. also in relation to the wider peacekeeping force could take, had been reportedly consider- day ceasefire to Russia. complicated question”.
The Kremlin only recog- point, which is the collective he said this would be a subject ing not joining the call due to But the Kremlin has so far Meanwhile, both Russia
nizes the US as a partner for defence and security of Europe. of discussion between military scepticism about Anglo-French resisted the proposal, saying it and Ukraine launched drone
a peace agreement, not the “So, more commitments on chiefs on Thursday. peacekeeping proposals. would only agree to a ceasefire attacks overnight, each re-
Ukrainian leadership or the the table this morning and an He said: “There are differ- As well as European na- if Ukraine also agreed to aban- porting more than 100 enemy
European states. agreement that we now move ent capabilities from different tions, the leaders of Australia, don its aim of joining NATO drones entering their respec-
The last direct Ukrainian- to the operational phase, which countries, but those are the Canada and New Zealand also and gave up some of its terri- tive airspaces. No casualties
Russian negotiations took is why the talks on Thursday, operational discussions that joined the call, as did NATO tory to Russia. have been reported and both
place in 2022 shortly after the the military talks, will become are going on in relation to what secretary-general Mark Rutte. Speaking from the Cabinet countries’ defence minis-
start of the Russian invasion, the next focal point.” He did this coalition of the willing will Saturday’s meeting fol- room in Number 10 on Satur- tries claim to have shot down
but ended without results. (DPA) not elaborate on which nations be able to provide.” Among the lowed an intense week of di- day, Starmer told world lead- around 130 enemy drones.

Return mission for stranded Hundreds of

thousands rally
News
in brief
astronauts successfully launched against govt in Trump mulls new travel ban that
DPA Serbian capital could hit dozens of nations: Report
WASHINGTON
BELGRADE: Large crowds WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump‘s admin-
THE return mission for two as- gathered in the centre of Bel- istration is mulling a new travel ban that is expected to affect
tronauts stuck in space has suc- grade on Saturday for a mass citizens from dozens of countries to varying degrees, The New
cessfully launched, US space rally against the Serbian gov- York Times reported.
agency NASA said on Friday. ernment, which observers say Quoting anonymous officials, the report published on Friday
US astronauts Barry Wil- was likely the largest demon- said the US government’s draft list featured 43 countries,
more and Sunita Williams have stration in the country’s history. divided into three categories of travel restrictions. The first group
now been on the International Hundreds of thousands of of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and
Space Station (ISS) since June, people took to the streets in North Korea, would be set for a full visa suspension.
although they were only sup- response to a call to protest by In the second group, five countries – Eritrea, Haiti, Laos,
posed to be on board for one a student movement under the Myanmar and South Sudan – would face partial suspensions
week. slogan “On the 15th for the 15,” that would affect tourist and student visas as well as other im-
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket the news channel N1 reported. migrant visas, with some exceptions.
propelled the Dragon space- The demonstration marks In the third group, a total of 26 countries that includes
craft into orbit carrying NASA an accident in the northern Belarus, Pakistan and Turkmenistan would be considered for a
astronauts Anne McClain and Serbian city of Novi Sad on No- partial suspension of US visa issuance if their governments “do
Nichole Ayers, Japan Aero- A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s vember 1, in which a railway not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days”, the
space Exploration Agency as- Kennedy Space Center. (DPA) station canopy collapsed, kill- draft memo said. Trump issued an executive order on January 20
tronaut Takuya Onishi and ing 15 people. requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking ad-
Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Williams and Wilmore produced Starliner is a par- The protesters blame cor- mission to the US to detect national security threats. (AGENCIES)
Peskov, NASA said. arrived at the ISS at the be- tially reusable spacecraft that ruption in the government of
The spacecraft is expected to ginning of June on the first consists of a capsule around 3 the increasingly authoritarian
dock at the ISS late on Saturday. manned test flight of Boeing’s metres high for the crew and a President Aleksandar Vucic for German president laments ‘loss of
NASA said NASA astronauts Starliner spacecraft. service module. the disaster in Novi Sad, pointing thoughtfulness’ on social media
Nick Hague, Williams and Wil- They were only meant to Unlike the Crew Dragon out that the station had just been
more, along with Roscosmos stay on the ISS for a week, vehicle built by Elon Musk’s rebuilt. Critics accuse Vucic of BERLIN: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has ex-
cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, but numerous technical prob- SpaceX company, the Starliner basing his power on corrupt net- pressed concern about the consequences of the changing
were now set to depart the ISS no lems with the craft left them does not land on water but on works, limited media freedom media landscape.
earlier than March 19. stranded there. The Boeing- dry land. and manipulated elections. (DPA) There is a fundamental shift in political communication,
Steinmeier told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper in an
interview published on Saturday.
“The debate is moving from the quality media to social
Hundreds in 16 dead, new warnings as storms networks - and that is profoundly changing our democracy.” In
traditional media, he said, there is room for differentiation, for
Greenland protest
tear through central, southern US
weighing up the pros and cons.
“Social media, on the other hand, works on a black-and-
against Trump white principle, on a yes or no basis. This loss of thoughtful-
DPA ness is worrying.” “[Protecting liberal values] also means taking
COPENHAGEN: Hundreds of WASHINGTON action online and not leaving the field to those who threaten our
people in Greenland protested democracy,” Steinmeier added. (DPA)
on Saturday against US Presi- MORE than a dozen people
dent Donald Trump’s plans to have been killed in powerful
take over the Arctic territory, storms and tornadoes that Russian captain of North Sea
according to media reports. swept across large parts of the crash ship remanded in custody
“Our country. Our choice. central and southern United
Our freedom,” Jens-Frederik States during the night, local LONDON: The Russian captain of the container ship that
Nielsen, the leader of the centre- media reported on Saturday, crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea has appeared in
right Demokraatit (Democrats), with more severe weather court, where he was remanded in custody.
wrote on Facebook in response forecast. The Solong’s master, a 59-year-old man from Primorsky, St
to pictures of the demonstration At least 16 people have Petersburg, in Russia, appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court on
in the capital Nuuk. died, 10 in the state of Mis- Saturday morning charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Earlier in the week, Trump souri alone, according to media The man stood in the glass-fronted dock for the 35-minute-
again flirted with the idea of reports. NBC reported three long hearing, which was told how his vessel collided with the
incorporating Greenland into deaths in the state of Arkansas. US tanker Stena Immaculate off the east coast of Yorkshire on
the United States. At a meeting In Amarillo, Texas, three The extent of the damage was still unclear in the morning. Monday.
with NATO Secretary General people died in car accidents in The court heard how all 23 people on the tanker were
Mark Rutte in the White House a heavy dust storm, the local are at the greatest risk of tor- states of Missouri, Arkansas, Il- rescued along with 13 crew members from the Solong but Mark
on Thursday, the US president transport authority said. nadoes during the late morning linois and Mississippi, accord- Angelo Pernia - a 38-year-old Filipino national - could not be
further stoked the issue when US weather agency NOAA and into the afternoon. Later, ing to ABC News. located.
responding to a reporter’s warned of massive storms ex- the storm could spread across NBC reported that more There was no application for bail and the man was re-
question about his plans for a pected over the course of the Alabama into the late evening than 400,000 people in the manded in custody by deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram, who
possible annexation. day. Numerous significant tor- and reach north-western Flori- Midwest and South of the US appeared by videolink. No pleas were entered.
“I think it will happen,” said nadoes could move across the da and Georgia, NOAA said. were left without power and The man will appear next at the Old Bailey on April 14.
Trump, emphasizing the is- Gulf Coast states in the after- The extent of the damage that buildings were destroyed. Clean-shaven and wearing glasses, the defendant was
land’s great strategic impor- noon and evening, the agency was still unclear in the morn- Videos from the region flanked by one security guard and had the help of a Russian
tance and the fact that Denmark warned. ing, CNN reported. There were showed several lorries over- interpreter. (PA MEDIA/DPA)
is very far away from it. (DPA) Louisiana and Mississippi reports of 23 tornadoes in the turning in the storm.
 China’s Mixue, other
brands win fans in
Southeast Asia PAGE 9

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QC takes part in Manafea forum, FDI in

China falls
Islamic chamber meetings 20.4% in
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
Jan-Feb
QATAR Chamber took part in
the Manafea International Fo- QNA
rum, organised by the Madinah BEIJING
Chamber in cooperation with
the Makkah Chamber and the THE volume of foreign direct
Islamic Chamber of Commerce investment (FDI) in the main-
and Development (ICCD) un- land China in the January to
der the theme “Sustainability February period decreased by
in Serving the Guests of God.” 20.4 percent compared to the
The chamber’s delegation was same period last year.
led by Qatar Chamber Chair- According to the Chinese
man Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Ministry of Commerce, FDI in
bin Mohamed Al Thani. actual use reached 171.21 bil-
Qatar chamber’s delegation lion yuan (about $23.87 bil-
also participated in the 38th lion) in the first two months of
meeting of the board of direc- 2025.
tors of the Islamic Chamber During this period, 7,574
of Commerce and Develop- new foreign-invested enter-
ment. The delegation was led prises were established na-
by Qatar Chamber Chairman tionwide, representing a year-
and Vice President of Islamic Members of Qatar Chamber delegation take part in Manafea International Forum and the 38th meeting of the board of directors of the Islamic Chamber on-year growth of 5.8 percent,
Chamber of Commerce and of Commerce and Development. The chamber’s delegation was led by Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani. the ministry said.
Development Sheikh Khalifa Actual use of FDI in the
bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al manufacturing and services
Thani. industries stood at 47.82 bil-
The meeting addressed var- lion yuan and 120.49 billion
ious topics related to enhanc- yuan, respectively.
ing trade cooperation among Meanwhile, actual use of
Islamic countries and strength- FDI in high-tech sectors in
ening the role of the private the period was 52.49 billion
sector in economic activity, yuan, with FDI in the e-com-
contributing to increased trade merce services sector, biop-
exchange within the Islamic harmaceutical manufacturing
world. sector and smart consumer
The agenda included fol- equipment manufacturing
lowing up on the implemen- sector growing by 33.5 per-
tation of the decisions issued cent, 22.9 percent and 40.7
by the board of directors and percent, respectively, com-
general assembly of the Islamic pared with the same period of
Chamber, adopting the report 2024.
of the 69th meeting of the fi- Investment from the Unit-
nance committee, preparing development of the Islamic system, transforming it into a tion of GCC Chambers and the Yousef Hassan Al Khalawi. The ed Kingdom, Germany and
for the elections of the board of Chamber Academy, along with global industry encompassing Islamic Chamber of Commerce agreement aims to enhance co- Korea climbed by 87.9 per-
directors of the Islamic cham- another presentation on deep- products and services. and Industry. The agreement operation between both parties cent, 54.7 percent and 45.2
ber for the next session 2026- ening the concept of halal in Meanwhile, Sheikh Khal- was signed by FGCCC Secre- in organising events, support- percent year-on-year, respec-
2030. the Islamic Chamber’s 2026- ifa witnessed the signing of a tary General Saleh bin Ham- ing SMEs, and encouraging in- tively, in the first two months
During the meeting, a pres- 2033 strategy. The aim is to es- memorandum of understand- ad Al Sharqi and the Islamic novation and digital transfor- of this year, according to the
entation was delivered on the tablish an integrated halal eco- ing (MoU) between the Federa- Chamber Secretary General mation in GCC countries. ministry.

Green Energy hosts Iftar, reinforces

commitment to sustainability
SATYENDRA PATHAK
DOHA

GREEN Energy & Environmen-

tal Services (GEESC) hosted an
exclusive Iftar gathering in the
Park Hayat Hotel on March 12,
bringing together distinguished
government officials, industry

Invest Qatar, Aqarat

leaders, and environmental ex-
perts to discuss sustainability,
innovation, and environmental

conclude participation
challenges in Qatar.
The event, held in the
spirit of Ramadan, reaffirmed

in MIPIM in France
GEESC’s commitment to ad- The Green Energy & Environmental Services Iftar event saw the participa-
vancing sustainable solutions tion of several key VIPs and prominent stakeholders from diplomatic, GEESC General Manager Eng
and fostering collaborations governmental, and business sectors. Amar Hamid Elawad
that align with Qatar’s National
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and aims to attract foreign in- Vision 2030. frastructure and industrial pro- Commercial Counselor; Golda Works Authority (PWA), Gulf
DOHA vestment. Addressing the attendees, jects comply with national and Agnazata, Commercial Spe- Lab, Arab Qatari Company for
MIPIM 2025 gathered over GEESC General Manager Eng international environmental cialist; and Srinivasa Murthy, Poultry Production (AQC Poul-
Invest Qatar, the Investment 20,000 delegates from more Amar Hamid Elawad empha- regulations. Commercial Specialist. try Farm), Dornier, Al Habari,
Promotion Agency of Qatar, than 90 countries, including sised the company’s dedication “The company has also Le Thi Thu Ha, the first QCON, Doha Bank, Aero
and the Real Estate Regula- key decision-makers from the to environmental excellence been instrumental in deploy- secretary and head of the eco- Freight, Qatar Primary Mate-
tory Authority (Aqarat) have global real estate sector, gov- and its role in helping Qatar ing advanced air and water nomics section at the Vietnam rials Company (QPMC), Qatar
successfully concluded their ernment leaders and sovereign achieve sustainability goals in quality monitoring systems Embassy, was also in attend- Development Bank (QDB),
participation in MIPIM 2025, wealth funds managing a com- line with global standards. to assess and improve envi- ance. The American Chamber Qatalum, United Environ-
the world’s premier real estate bined €4 trillion in assets un- He stated that in the face of ronmental conditions. Waste of Commerce (AmCham Qatar) mental & Technical Services
exhibition, held in Cannes, der management (AUM). growing environmental chal- management solutions re- was represented by Executive (UETS), and Al Emadi.
France. Qatar’s real estate mar- lenges, the role of a leading main a priority, with the im- Director Xiomara Henriquez With the growing demand
Through the Qatar Pavil- ket has emerged as one of the environmental consulting firm plementation of sustainable and Vice Chairman Jay Turk, for specialised environmental
ion, global investors and in- fastest-growing sectors in the has never been more crucial. strategies to minimize waste while Fatima Yunusa, Pro- consultancy, GEESC as a lead-
dustry leaders explored Qa- country, witnessing a 34 per- Since its establishment and promote recycling. In ad- grams Associate at the US-Qa- ing Qatari company has ex-
tar’s flourishing real estate cent growth from 2015 to 2023 in 2012, he said, “GEESC has dition, GEESC has conducted tar Business Council (USQBC), panded its operations beyond
sector, gaining insights into and a 50 percent increase in provided innovative and effec- several studies on marine also participated in the discus- Qatar, including its involve-
the country’s latest develop- the number of issued building tive solutions in environmental environmental protection to sions. Other notable attendees ment in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM
ments and diverse investment permits. management, monitoring, and safeguard Qatar’s biodiversity included Mohamed Abdelhadi project, one of the region’s
opportunities. The country’s strategic lo- sustainability. Through strate- and ecosystems.” and Majed Al-Qahtani from most ambitious sustainability
The pavilion featured cation, global connectivity and gic partnerships and cutting- The Iftar event saw the Wellven, Dr Khalid Elawad initiatives.
leading Qatari real estate de- residency incentives, coupled edge technologies, the com- participation of several key from PHCC, Babiker Osman Eng Elawad reiterated that
velopers, including the Unit- with a resilient economy pro- pany supports organizations in VIPs and prominent stake- from Hawkama International, the company’s vision extends
ed Development Company jected to reach $288 billion improving resource manage- holders from diplomatic, Abdul Majeed from Gulf Lab, beyond Qatar, aiming to ex-
(UDC) and Qetaifan Projects, by 2027, continue to enhance ment and minimizing environ- governmental, and business and Ahmed Haris from Wor- port Qatari expertise in sus-
showcasing innovative pro- Qatar’s appeal as a leading real mental impact.” sectors, reflecting a shared ley/CPChem. tainability abroad and become
jects and Qatar’s commitment estate investment destination. He said, “Over the years, commitment to environmental The event also welcomed a global leader in this field, By
to sustainable, smart urban A transparent regulatory GEESC has been at the fore- sustainability. representatives from several leveraging technology, innova-
development. framework and ongoing in- front of environmental ini- Among the distinguished major companies and institu- tion, and collaboration, GEESC
This participation aligns vestments in world-class in- tiatives in Qatar, offering guests were representatives tions collaborating with GEESC continues to drive impactful
with the national real estate frastructure further solidify specialised services such as from the US Embassy Com- on various environmental initi- environmental solutions that
promotion strategy, which sup- its position as a global real Environmental Impact Assess- mercial Service Team, includ- atives, including MWANI, AR- align with Qatar’s National
ports economic diversification estate hub. ments (EIA) to ensure that in- ing Janelle Santerre Weyek, CON, Al Mana Group, Public Vision 2030.
 Economy & Business Sunday, March 16, 2025 09
QNB ECONOMIC COMMENTARY

China’s investor momentum

has further room to run
L
ess than six months ago, few
analysts would have expected
China to be one of the major
drivers of the global economic agenda
in 2025. In fact, after years of volatile
growth and subdued private sector
sentiment, the “secular or long-term
economic slowdown story” for China
dominated the market narrative.
This negative backdrop was fulled
by a trauma from hard pandemic
lockdowns in parts of the country in
2022, real estate wounds, strict regu-

China’s Mixue, other

latory tightenings in dynamic sectors,
and the reluctance from economic
authorities to step up policy stimulus.
However, since Q3 last year,

brands win fans in

a more sustainable turnaround in
private sector sentiment seemed to
have begun. This can be observed by
the behaviour of the Hang Seng Index
(HIS), the benchmark stock market

Southeast Asia
index that tracks the performance of
the largest and most liquid compa-
nies listed on the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange, including some of the
largest and most important Chinese
multinational firms. AGENCIES Momentum Works CEO
After a long period characterized Jianggan Li said Chinese busi-
by strong selling pressure and head- CHINESE food and beverage nesses are actively seeking new
winds, equity investors seem to be brands are gaining ground growth in Southeast Asia after
finally getting more optimistic about across Southeast Asia, offer- facing fierce competition in
the prospects for China. The HIS
is up around 38% since September
ing alternatives to big name
American chains and expand- Starbucks, McD, their home market.
The push by food and drink
2024.
In our view, three main factors
ing Beijing’s commercial and
cultural influence in neighbor-
make room retailers has raised awareness
that China has more to offer
sustain the more optimistic view that ing economies. The Chinese beverage giant than just cheap electronics.
has been forming around China in The Chinese beverage giant Mixue Group has become the The companies are well-
recent months. Mixue Group has become the world’s largest F&B chain by equipped, using automation to
First, the round of stimulus first launched by Chinese authorities in September 2024 world’s largest F&B chain by number of outlets, overtaking enhance their efficiency, and
suggests that policymakers are well aware of the risks associated with a protracted period number of outlets, overtaking adept at online marketing, Li
of slower growth. Hence, activity expansion was re-prioritized, with the GDP growth target Starbucks and McDonald’s.
Starbucks and McDonald’s. said. Big Western brands some-
becoming a core KPI for government officials. In order to achieve this, new policy measures The company, whose brand The company, whose brand times take a long time to find
included the re-capitalization of state banks, cuts in interest rates and reserve requirement name Mixue Bingcheng means name Mixue Bingcheng means local partners and develop long-
ratios, more fiscal spending, and support for both real estate and capital markets. More “Honey Snow Ice City,” in Chi- “Honey Snow Ice City,” in term plans. The Chinese F&B
recently, earlier this month, additional fiscal support was announced at the National People’s nese, is capitalizing on the re- Chinese, is capitalizing on the companies are “much more im-
Congress, when a new GDP target of “around 5%” was confirmed. gion-wide sweet tooth with af- region-wide sweet tooth with patient,” he said.
Second, Chinese households have been conservative with their finances over the last fordable offerings of ice cream, affordable offerings of ice In Thailand’s capital Bang-
few years, fearing for their future on the back of the pandemic, the real estate crisis, uncer- coffee and bubble tea drinks. cream, coffee and bubble tea kok, Chinese entrepreneur Siya
tainty about government priorities, and the lack of a more robust social security system. “Even on social media like drinks. Han has invested over $1.37
According to the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), the local central bank, personal deposits TikTok and others, there is a million in 12 Mixue stores and
in the Chinese banking system increased from USD 11.8 trillion pre-pandemic to USD joke that any empty shophouse about 10 other outlets selling
21.8 trillion in January 2025. This impressive build-up of private savings can be quickly would soon turn into a Mixue opened over 6,100 outlets in spicy broth bowls, sauerkraut
mobilized for more consumption or investments over the medium-term, if confidence store,” Rahma Yuliana said, re- Southeast Asia, Singapore- fish and fried chicken steaks in
in the future is further restaured. This would contribute for a significant acceleration of ferring to a popular saying in In- headquartered research firm about six years. Outlets in shop-
growth. However, it must be noted that the bar is high for a significant increase of con- donesia, where Mixue has more Momentum Works reported. ping malls take time to recover
sumer spending in China, given the cultural predilection for savings and the fact that the than 2,600 outlets. India and Vietnam account for costs due to huge rent deposits,
social security systems in China are still being developed, requiring higher levels of private The single mother, who roughly two-thirds, while there she said, but her other outlets
savings to buffer economic shocks or funding retirement. Despite this, only a small change runs an online business, takes are relatively more Chinese typically break even within six
in the savings rate would be enough to create a significant impact on consumption and her daughter for afterschool brands in Singapore and Malay- months to a year, excluding
investment. treats that won’t drain her wal- sia, which have sizable Chinese- their lease guarantees.
Third, the recent release of DeepSeek, a Chinese cutting-edge general-purpose AI model, let, such as a cup of brown sugar speaking populations. “If you open Chinese restau-
underscored the country’s rapid advancements in frontier technology. Importantly, this has milk tea that costs $1.10, about Nearly all of Mixue’s stores rants slowly, you can’t survive,”
not only stated China’s competitiveness in AI, but also highlighted the success of the country one-third cheaper than similar are franchises that the com- she said.
in advancing on its technological roadmap, i.e., moving up the value chain of strategic sectors offerings by rival Taiwanese tea pany supplies with ingredients In the Malaysian capital of
like space, transportation, quantum communications and computing. The renewed exposure chain Chatime. An ice cream for drinks like Creamy Mango Kuala Lumpur, Chinese sauer-
and promotion of Chinese tech also served as a catalyst for further cooperation between the sells for as little as 50 cents, un- Boba, Mango Oats Jasmine Tea kraut fish chain Fish With You
government and major local tech companies. This led to a big symposium last month where dercutting McDonald’s. and Coconut Jelly Milk Tea. vice president Liu Liujun also
Xi Jinping met with tech entrepreneurs, effectively signalling the end of the regulatory crack- As of September, Mixue Apart from Mixue, other spotted opportunity in South-
down that has been looming over Chinese tech companies since 2022. As a result, sentiment Group had over 45,000 stores market stars include hotpot gi- east Asia’s large ethnic Chinese
has improved and this should spur more investments over the coming years, driving further carrying its Mixue tea drinks, ant Haidilao, Fish With You population and growing econo-
growth. ice creams and Lucky Cup cof- sauerkraut fish restaurants, and mies.
All in all, several tailwinds are favouring a constructive environment for growth in China fee products, more than the well-known beverage brands The brand’s $235,000 in-
in 2025 and beyond. The willingness of economic authorities to provide more stimulus and store numbers of Starbucks such as Luckin Coffee, Heytea vestment in one of its Malay-
effectively create a “high floor” for growth, alongside further uplift of consumption and and McDonald’s, industry ana- and Chagee. sian outlets paid off in just nine
investmnent through the private sector as well as more investments in dynamic tech sectors, lysts reported. About 40,000 of Mixue’s shares have dou- months, with lines out the door
all point to a “return of mighty China” to the economic agenda. those are in China. bled from their IPO price since almost daily, said Liu, who over-
 — By QNB Economics More broadly, by Decem- their March 3 trading debut in sees the company’s overseas ex-
ber, Chinese F&B brands had Hong Kong. pansion across the region.

RBI wins global Digital

Trump’s tariff turmoil: Stocks Transformation Award 2025
plunge as uncertainty rises AGENCIES

THE Reserve Bank of India has

won the Digital Transforma-
the RBI’s offices, with central-
ised cyber security systems and
digital tracking.
It also said that the success-
AGENCIES tion Award 2025, instituted by ful adoption of Sarthi is partly
Central Banking, London. due to the team’s work in put-
THE U.S. stock market has just dropped The RBI has been selected ting in place the necessary sup-
10% from its high set last month, hurt by for the award for rolling out port structures.
worries about the economy and a global digital initiatives, including The IT team engaged in a
trade war. Pravaah and Sarthi systems, lengthy collaborative process
T he fall for the S&P 500 is steep that have reduced the use of with staff to understand their
enough that Wall Street has a name for paper-based submissions to needs before building the sys-
it: a “correction.” Such drops have hap- transform its internal and ex- tem, and appointed senior
pened regularly for more than a century, ternal processes. ‘nodal officers’ from each de-
and market pros often view them as po- Central Banking, in a press partment to champion the up-
tentially healthy wipeouts of overdone statement said that the two grade.
euphoria, which could send stock prices initiatives have been key to this The online Sarthi Pathshala
too high if unchecked. work. (‘school’) helps users become
But corrections are frightening in Sarthi, the Hindi word for familiar with the system, and
the moment, particularly for every new ‘charioteer,’ digitised all the the Pathshala was rolled out
generation of investors that gets into RBI’s internal workflows. It alongside extensive in-person
the market at a time when it seems like went live in January 2023, training. Additionally, Sarthi
stocks only go up. helping employees to store and mitras (‘friends’) are people in
The S&P 500 is coming off two Specialist Philip Finale works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. share documents securely, im- each RBI office who know the
straight years with gains of more than proving record management system well and can help col-
20%. Such stellar gains left the market election in November on hopes he’d would raise prices for U.S. households and increasing the options for leagues with any issues.
looking too expensive to critics, who bring lower taxes, less regulation for and businesses when high inflation has data analysis through reports The RBI announced that it
pointed to how prices rose faster than businesses and other policies that would already proven stubborn to fully subdue. and dashboards. has been selected for the award
corporate profits. drive corporate profits higher. The fear is that tariffs could slow or A second stage of the digi- in a post on X.
Culling too-high enthusiasm among All those gains have since disap- even halt the solid growth the U.S. econ- tal transformation process “RBI was awarded and
day traders is one thing. The larger fear peared, as Wall Street faces the potential omy was showing when it ended 2024. launched in May 2024 as recognised for its initiatives,
always accompanying a correction is that downsides of Trump’s White House for Even if Trump ultimately goes for- Pravaah, which means ‘smooth including Pravaah and Sarthi
it could be a warning sign of a coming the economy. ward with less painful tariffs, all the un- flow’ in Hindi, created a digit- systems, that have been devel-
“bear market,” which is what Wall Street The president has been making an- certainty around the will-he-or-won’t-he ised means for external users to oped by in-house developer
calls a drop of at least 20%. nouncements on tariffs at a dizzying rollout could prove damaging by freezing submit regulatory applications team. The awards committee
Here’s a look at what history shows pace, first placing them on trading part- economic activity. to the RBI. noted how these digital initia-
about past corrections, and what market ners, then exempting some and then do- Such concerns have shown up in the Documents submitted and tives have reduced use of pa-
watchers are expecting going forward. ing it all over again. latest readings on consumer confidence, processed through the Pravaah per-based submissions thus
The U.S. stock market initially The tariffs could hit every country as well as companies’ forecasts for future portal are then plugged into transforming RBI’s internal
jumped after President Donald Trump’s that trades with the United States, which profits. the Sarthi database, where they and external processes,” the
can be handled digitally across RBI said.
10 Sunday, March 16, 2025 Economy & Business

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Auto Class Cars presents a special

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The exceptional offer
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TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA

AUTO Class Cars, the author-

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US consumer sentiment plunges on tariffs

AGENCIES lenge for Federal Reserve offi- a month. Trump on Thursday also rose among Democrats
cials as they consider the next threatened to hit Europe with a and Republicans.
US consumer sentiment steps for monetary policy. 200 percent tariff on wine, co- “Unlike during the pan-
plunged to a nearly 2-1/2-year “The jury is back and the ver- gnac and other alcohol imports. demic when consumers largely
low in March and inflation ex- dict is in. Trump 2.0 policies are The tariff whiplash and es- understood the price spikes to
pectations soared amid worries harming the economy and the calation in the trade war have be short-lived, it is increasingly
that President Donald Trump’s future prosperity of America,” rattled financial markets, spark- evident in the data that con-
sweeping tariffs, which have said Christopher Rupkey, chief ing a selloff on the stock market, sumers see the price pressure
ignited a trade war, would economist at FWDBONDS. which also contributed to de- today as longer lasting,” said
boost prices and undercut the “The consumer is fright- pressing sentiment this month. Tim Quinlan, a senior econo-
economy. ened and sees sharply higher Tariffs were mentioned by mist at Wells Fargo.
The deterioration in senti- prices ahead despite the assur- 48 percent of the survey’s re- Stocks on Wall Street re-
ment and inflation expectations ances from Washington that spondents and were expected bounded after tumbling in prior
reported by the University of trade tariffs are good for the to push up prices in the future. sessions. The dollar was steady
Michigan Surveys of Consum- economy.” Consumers’ 12-month inflation against a basket of currencies.
ers on Friday was across po- The University of Michigan expectations jumped to 4.9 US Treasury yields rose.
litical party affiliation, with said its Consumer Sentiment percent, the highest level since Fed officials meeting next
consumers saying “frequent Index dropped to 57.9, the low- November 2022, from 4.3 per- week are expected to leave the
gyrations in economic policies est level since November 2022, Trump has slapped a raft of tariffs on a wide range of goods from key cent in February. US central bank’s benchmark
make it very difficult for con- from a final reading of 64.7 in trade partners like Canada, China and the European Union The increase, which marked overnight interest rate in the
sumers to plan for the future.” February. Economists polled three straight monthly rises of 4.25 percent-4.50 percent
That mirrors similar con- by Reuters had forecast the in- inflation, business conditions weakened since February,” said 0.5 percentage points or more, range, having reduced it by 100
cerns in some business surveys. dex falling to 63.1. The index and the stock market. Surveys of Consumers Director was across all three political basis points since September,
The uncertainty created by has erased all the gains posted Republicans recorded a Joanne Hsu. affiliations. Over the next five and continue to assess the eco-
Trump’s on- and off-again tar- in the aftermath of Trump’s 10 percent drop in their ex- Trump has slapped a raft years, consumers saw inflation nomic impact of the Trump ad-
iffs as well as an escalation in election victory in November. pectations index, while In- of tariffs on a wide range of running at 3.9 percent. ministration’s policies.
trade tensions risks derailing The weakness in sentiment dependents saw a 12 percent goods from key trade partners That was the highest read- Financial markets expect
the economic expansion. Fears this month reflected a deterio- decrease. Expectations among like Canada, China and the ing since February 1993 and the Fed to resume cutting bor-
of higher prices, which drove ration in expectations for the Democrats tumbled 24 per- European Union, which have compared with 3.5 percent in rowing costs in June after it
consumers’ long-term inflation future across multiple facets cent. “Consumers from all responded with duties of their February. There was a sizeable paused its easing cycle in Janu-
expectations to levels last seen of the economy, including per- three political affiliations are in own. Some tariffs have been im- increase among Independents. ary amid a darkening economic
in early 1993, create a chal- sonal finances, employment, agreement that the outlook has posed and then suspended for Expectations of higher prices outlook.
 Economy & Business Sunday, March 16, 2025 11

Aamal organises Ramadan British economy

shrinks in blow
to government
Iftar for employees, partners AGENCIES

BRITAIN’S economy unex-

pectedly shrank in January,
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK official data showed Friday,
DOHA piling more pressure on the La-
bour government ahead of its
AAMAL Company, one of the Spring Statement on the econ-
largest diversified publicly omy. Gross domestic product
listed companies in the region, contracted 0.1 percent in the
started its series of Ramadan month after GDP rose 0.4 per-
Iftar gatherings at Samriya cent in December, the Office
Hotel, Autograph Collection for National Statistics (ONS)
by Marriott. Over the past two said in a statement.
days, the company hosted em- Britain’s finance minis-
ployees from the company’s ter Rachel Reeves is expected
industrial and trading sectors, to make billions of pounds of
alongside prominent guests, spending cuts, including to
company partners, and a group welfare, in the government’s
of media representatives, in an Spring Statement on March
atmosphere of warmth and 26, a follow-up to her inaugural
mutual appreciation. budget last October, as public
The events were honoured finances struggle under high
by the presence of Sheikh inflation and borrowing.
Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Uncertainty over the fall-
Chairman of the Board, and out from President Donald
Rashid Al Mansoori, CEO Trump’s tariffs on imports into
of Aamal Company, in addi- the United States have also
tion to Ahmed Sadeq Al Su- Iftar gatherings at Samriya Hotel, Autograph Collection by Marriott were honoured by the presence of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of added to economic headwinds.
waidi, president and CEO of the Board, and Rashid Al Mansoori, CEO of Aamal Company, in addition to Ahmed Sadeq Al Suwaidi, president and CEO of Elsewedy Electric in Egypt, “The world has changed and
Elsewedy Electric in Egypt, Sherif Shehata, director of trade at Aamal, as well as managers of Aamal’s subsidiary companies and senior employees of Al Faisal Holding. across the globe we are feel-
Sherif Shehata, director of ing the consequences,” Reeves
trade sector at Aamal, as well said in a statement on Friday’s
as managers of Aamal’s sub- figures.
sidiary companies and sen- Many analysts had forecast
ior employees of Al Faisal for the UK economy to have
Holding. grown slightly in January, but
Commenting on the occa- the month was hit by a sur-
sion, Rashid Al Mansoori said: prisingly sharp decline in the
“We are pleased to gather dur- production sector. The data
ing this blessed month with provides a fresh blow to the
our employees and partners, government and Prime Minis-
fostering communication ter Keir Starmer, who has put
in a Ramadan atmosphere growing the UK economy at the
that combines tradition and top of his mission since Labour
modernity. won a general election in July.
“The success and sustain- The government has pinned
able growth of Aamal can only its hopes on big spending on in-
be achieved through the dili- various sectors.” Gulf Rocks, Frijns Structural Ebn Sina Pharmacy chain. atmosphere. frastructure to boost economic
gent efforts of our employees, Aamal’s industrial sector Steel Middle East, Advanced These Iftar gatherings aim Samriya Hotel is distin- growth, with Reeves setting out
who are the cornerstone of our includes a number of lead- Pipes and Casts Company, and to strengthen social communi- guished by its unique design to ease regulations on the sec-
journey. We take pride in their ing companies, such as: Doha Aamal Energy. cation during the holy month, inspired by Qatari architectural tor. “On a monthly basis, eco-
competencies, and we believe Cables, Elsewedy Cables, Sen- The commercial and dis- with each event designed to style, providing a peaceful en- nomic growth can appear to be
that investing in human capital yar for Rod Production, Sen- tribution sector includes: Ebn reflect the authentic Qatari vironment in the Al Shahaniya quite choppy, but the bigger
is the foundation for achiev- yar for Copper Production, Sina Medical, Aamal Medical, hospitality. Qatari Chef Ham- area, away from the hustle and picture shows a stagnant econ-
ing our ambitious vision, thus Aamal Ready Mix, Aamal Ce- Aamal Trading and Distribu- ad Al-Hajri offered a selection bustle of the city, making it the omy,” said Richard Carter, an
enhancing the company’s po- ment Industries, Aamal Mari- tion, Aamal Information Tech- of delicious traditional dishes ideal venue for these elegant analyst at investment manage-
sition as a trusted partner in time Transportation Services, nology, Foot Care Center, and in a distinguished Ramadan events. ment service Quilter Cheviot.

QNB engages with children and community Taiwan tech giant

groups in joyous Garangao celebration Foxconn’s 2024
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
profit misses forecasts
QNB celebrated Garangao night AGENCIES Bloomberg recently would be
in the presence of employees completed in a year despite
from the bank’s Corporate So- TAIWANESE tech giant Fox- Trump’s tariff threats.
cial Responsibility (CSR) De- conn reported on Friday a low- The $900 million assembly
partment, children from the er-than-expected net profit for plant near Guadalajara will be-
Qatar Autism Society, Orphan 2024 as consumer electronic come the world’s largest to be
Care Center “Dreama”, and Al gadgets underperformed, al- powered by Nvidia’s GB200 AI
Noor Center for the Blind, who though demand for its artificial chips, Jalisco Governor Pablo
wore colorful traditional outfits intelligence servers remained Lemus Navarro said.
to celebrate the occasion in a robust. Apple said recently it would
festive and joyous atmosphere. The world’s largest con- team up with Foxconn later
As part of the Qatari customs tract electronics manufacturer this year to begin producing
and traditions that accompany has been moving beyond as- servers that power the cloud
Garangao celebrations, the sembling devices such as Ap- components of Apple Intelli-
bank’s employees distributed ple’s iPhones into areas rang- gence in Houston, Bloomberg
gifts and traditional tote bags ing from electric vehicles to AI reported.
crafted from recycled material servers. “I think there will be more
filled with sweets and nuts. The company said full-year and more of these projects, and
QNB is keen to celebrate net profit rose seven percent to when these projects mature,
Garangao night annually with NT$152.7 billion (U.S.$4.6 bil- we will let everyone know,”
the aim of preserving Qatari lion). Foxconn chairman Young Liu
customs and traditions and in- That compares with an av- said in response to a question
stilling them among all mem- erage forecast of NT$159.4 bil- about the company’s plans for
bers of society, in line with its lion, according to a Bloomberg further US investment on an
social responsibility objectives, News survey of analysts. online earnings call.
which emphasizes the impor- Full-year revenue rose 11 Liu noted that tariffs were
tance of social engagement and percent to NT$6.9 trillion, “quite a headache” for the
promoting inclusion. beating the market forecast of chief executives of Foxconn’s
On this occasion, Heba NT$6.8 trillion. customers, but he said it was
Al Tamimi, Senior Executive Foxconn, also known as “very, very difficult to predict”
Vice President, QNB Group Hon Hai Precision Industry, how it would unfold.
Communications, said: “We has been riding a wave of glob- “We can only wait and see
are pleased to share with the al demand for generative AI in what will happen and do what
children of the Qatar Autism recent years. we can do well. This is Hon
Society, Dreama and Al Noor The company reported a Hai’s attitude,” Liu said.
Center for the Blind the joy of “strong performance” in its AI Foxconn makes most of its
celebrating Garangao night in server business, with revenue revenue from iPhones, whose
order to strengthen the bonds up 150 percent, according to sales have slipped in markets
between the various segments documents released ahead of like mainland China, but Liu
of society, old and young, and an earnings call with analysts. brushed aside concerns about
foster our rich cultural herit- This year would be the the popular gadget.“We are
age. The Garangao celebration “Year of AI”, the company said, very, very confident in Apple,”
has always been one of the with shipments increasing in Liu said.“I believe that they
most distinguished traditional every quarter. will definitely do something in
occasions in Qatari society, and The earnings announce- the generative AI area, so we
through this initiative we aim ment comes as U.S. President will continue to maintain in-
to revive and preserve our cus- Donald Trump imposed tariffs depth cooperation with our cli-
toms and traditions.” against major trading partners ent. This will not change.”
QNB is one of the leading fi- including China, Canada and Foxconn has also been in
nancial institutions in the MEA Mexico, igniting trade wars the spotlight over potential
region and among the most and causing markets to fall. cooperation with Japanese au-
valuable banking brands in the While Foxconn has plants tomaker Nissan after its merg-
regional market. Present in over around the world, the bulk er talks with rival Honda fell
28 countries across Asia, Eu- of its operations is based in through in February.
rope, and Africa, it offers tailored China, which has been hit by Liu previously said Fox-
products and services supported 20 percent levies on products conn was open to buying
by innovation and backed by a shipped to the United States. French auto giant Renault’s
team of over 31,000 profession- Foxconn is building a stake in Nissan and was look-
als dedicated to driving banking mega-AI server plant in Mex- ing into a cooperation with Ni-
excellence worldwide. ico, which a local official told ssan, not a merger.
 Marc Marquez
shatters lap
record to
take MotoGP
pole in
Argentina
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025 PAGE 8

Norris grabs F1 season’s first pole

position at Australian Grand Prix
PA MEDIA/DPA
MELBOURNE

LANDO Norris took pole po-

sition for the season-opening
Australian Grand Prix after he
edged out McLaren team-mate
British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari prepares for his Oscar Piastri on Saturday.
race during the third practice session of the Formula One Australian Norris saw off Piastri’s
Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on Saturday. (DPA) challenge by just 0.084 sec-
onds as McLaren secured an

Hamilton to ‘learn impressive front-row lockout

in Melbourne.
World champion Max Ver-

on the fly’ if it rains stappen finished a distant third

with Mercedes’ George Russell
fourth. RB’s Yuki Tsunoda took

in Melbourne
a surprise fifth, one place ahead
of Williams’ Alex Albon.

PA MEDIA/DPA something I have enjoyed.

MELBOURNE Growing up in the UK, it has
been a comfort zone for me.
LEWIS Hamilton admitted he “But for the first time, I
does not know where the wet will be in an uncomfortable
switch is on his Ferrari as he position because I have never British Formula One driver Lando Norris of team McLaren soon after taking the pole position during the
prepares for a “shock to the driven this car in the wet. It will Qualifying session of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on Saturday. (DPA)
system” in Sunday’s Austral- be a shock to the system when I
ian Grand Prix, where rain is
expected.
get out there. I will be learning
on the fly and giving it every-
Starting Grid damage and was able to make
it back to his garage before re-
Hamilton will start his thing.” Hamilton’s move from Not a bad way to start the Starting grid for Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne: turning for the final phase.
first race in the scarlet red Mercedes to Ferrari has been year. Amazing work all Front row: Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren), Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) But Hamilton has not been
from eighth after he qualified the major talking point ahead winter, let’s keep it up. 2nd row: Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull), George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) able to match Leclerc’s speed
one place behind team-mate of the new campaign. 3rd row: Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/RB), Alexander Albon (THA/Williams) all weekend and finished more
Charles Leclerc, and 0.877 sec- Hamilton spun on the Lando Norris 4th row: Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari), Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari) than two tenths behind the
onds adrift of McLaren pole- 5th row: Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine), Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams)
exit of Turn 11 in the conclud- Monegasque with Ferrari fail-
6th row: Isack Hadjar (FRA/RB), Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin)
sitter Lando Norris. ing moments of Q2 to leave It was a disappointing 7th row: Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin), Jack Doohan (AUS/Alpine) ing to impress.
Norris saw off team-mate him facing the wrong way. He afternoon for Ferrari with 8th row: Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Sauber), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes) Kimi Antonelli’s maiden
Piastri’s challenge by just escaped the drama without Charles Leclerc only seventh, 9th row: Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Sauber), Liam Lawson (NZL/Red Bull) qualifying session as an F1 driv-
0.084 sec as the British team damage and was able to make one place ahead of team-mate 10th row: Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas), Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas) er ended at the first hurdle after
secured an impressive front- it back to his garage before re- Lewis Hamilton who will line he failed to progress into Q2.
row lockout in Melbourne. turning for the final phase. up from eighth position for his The 18-year-old Italian
Ferrari debut. Hamilton was first to take provisional top and have two cars at the top.” looked on the edge throughout
0.877 sec adrift of Norris. spot, to the delight of the home Rain is forecast for Sun- and his best effort was eclipsed
Following on from their crowd, only for Norris to bump day’s race, and Norris added: by fellow rookie Gabriel Borto-
constructors’ championship him down to second. Norris “It will not be easy. We did leto of Sauber to leave him 16th.
triumph last season, and a finished almost four tenths some wet running here a cou- He will start two places clear
strong pre-season test in Bah- clear of Verstappen. ple of years ago and it tests of Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, who
rain last month, McLaren had “Not a bad way to start the you. I am excited, nervous at ran off the track on multiple oc-
been considered by their rivals year,” said Norris over the ra- the same time, but we know we casions on a scrappy afternoon
as the team to beat. And the dio. “Amazing work all winter, have a good car and we have to for the New Zealander.
British team delivered with an let’s keep it up.” keep our heads down.” Ollie Bearman will start last
ominous showing. Later, he added: “As much Hamilton’s move from following a poor weekend for
Norris’ first lap in the crucial as we want to dominate, and Mercedes to Ferrari has been the British teenager.
Q3 session was deleted for ex- have a result like we just had, it the major talking point ahead Bearman, 19, crashed of out
ceeding track limits while Piastri was not our expectation to have of the new campaign as the of first practice, leaving him un-
was only fourth in the order after that gap to the others. 40-year-old British driver tar- able to take part in the day’s sec-
he ran wide at the final corner. “We know we have a good gets a record eighth title. ond running. He then beached
A scrappy start for the car. Everyone has done an in- Hamilton spun on the his Haas in the gravel on his
McLaren duo left Verstappen credible job to improve in as exit of Turn 11 in the conclud- first lap in practice on Saturday.
Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari races during the Qualifying session of the F1 holding the advantage at the top many areas as possible. We are ing moments of Q2 to leave Bearman attempted to qualify
Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on Saturday. (DPA) of the pile prior to the final runs. going in with one target tomor- him facing the wrong way. He but complained his car was bro-
But Piastri bounced back row, which is to be at the top, escaped the drama without ken and did not set a time.
World champion Max Ver- But the seven-time world
stappen finished a distant third champion has not been able to
with Mercedes’ George Russell match Leclerc’s speed all week-
fourth. RB’s Yuki Tsunoda took
a surprise fifth, one place ahead
end, and he finished more than
two tenths behind the Mon- Hathab: Season 8, Tour 9: Faris Al Qahtani tops Medium Tour
of Williams’ Alex Albon. egasque.
Rain is forecast for Sunday’s Hamilton continued: “It FARIS AL QAHTANI, riding mare Cavallina 13, triumphed in the Medium
race at Albert Park, with Hamil- has been a big learning curve. Tour during the ninth round of the Longines Hathab series at Al Shaqab’s
ton ordinarily expected to revel The car felt so much different Longines Outdoor Arena on Friday night. Al Qahtani completed the 135cm
in the changeable conditions. than I have ever experienced course in a time of 31.46 seconds, securing first place. Mohammed
However, the 40-year-old here, and it has been a slower Abdullah Jumaa followed in second with a time of 32.39 seconds aboard
said: “I have never driven the process to build confidence in Higoletta Van De Kapel, while Rashid Tuwaim Al Marri took third with a time
car in the wet, and I don’t know the car. of 33.09 seconds on Navaronne. Sheikh Ahmed bin Noah Al Thani, Chair-
where the wet switch is. What “I thought I was further man of Hathab’s Organizing Committee, presented trophies to the podium
settings am I going to have to along than I was. I got to first finishers. In the team event of the Medium Tour, team Al Fardan clinched
use with this car? It is all dif- practice on Friday, and I was the title, with Al Shaqab securing second place and Lekhwiya finishing third.
ferent. like, ‘jeez I have still got a long Meanwhile, Faisal Mohammed Al Nuaimi claimed victory in the Amateur
“When you qualify eighth way to go’. event with a time of 21.76 seconds aboard Dilandra. Youssef Abdulrahman
you hope for it to be wet, but for “We have done some good Al Muftah finished second with a time of 23.54 seconds riding Kroaat Van
me I have got three laps [going work to move the car forward. Orchids, while Abdullah Ahmed Al Khulaifi placed third with a time of 25.23
to the grid] to learn the car in But I don’t know which tool to seconds, partnering with Tullibards Simply Cool. Ahmed Jaber Al Mulla,
the wet, and then I have got to use at the moment so, for the Member of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF),
go out and race. first time, I am heavily relying honoured the winners. The Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour, comprising 14
“The rain has often been on my engineers.” rounds, takes place at QEF and at Al Shaqab. (TNN)

QBF president Al Mughaiseeb honoured for his role in promoting basketball

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Qatar Basketball Federation points); Third Place: Ballers (120 pating teams demonstrated a
DOHA (QBF), was honoured in recogni- total points, 61 ranking points) high level of professionalism
tion of his unwavering support Girls’ Under-21: Champi- and competitiveness. We at the
THE second edition of the Doha and active role in overseeing the ons: Lebanese Ballers (200 total Qatar Basketball Federation are
3x3 Basketball Tournament tournament’s organisation. His points, 89 ranking points); Run- committed to supporting these
concluded on Saturday, mark- dedication to the promotion and ners-up: Black (160 total points, tournaments, which contribute
ing another successful chapter in development of basketball in 75 ranking points); Third Place: to raising the level of the game
Qatar’s basketball scene. Qatar, particularly at the youth Shooting Stars (130 total points, in Qatar and developing local
Organized by FAME Sports level, was widely acknowledged. 51 ranking points) players.”
Academy, in collaboration with Additionally, Engineer Boys’ Under-16: Champi- FAME Sports Academy
Qatar Basketball Federation Ahmed Hamouda, General Man- ons: Big 4 (200 total points, 180 General Manager Hamouda
(QBF) and the Ministry of Youth ager of FAME Sports Academy, ranking points); Runners-up: expressed gratitude, saying: “I
and Sports, the tournament took also honoured the tournament’s Shootterrrrs (160 total points, would like to thank the Qatar
place from March 7 to 13, under key sponsors, including Al Rayy- 141 ranking points); Third Place: Basketball Association officials
the direct supervision of QBF. an Water Company, Juniors Dreamers (130 total points, 96 for giving us the opportunity to
The event witnessed enthu- Company, Qatar University, and ranking points) participate in organizing this
siastic participation from teams Georgetown University. Their Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb, President of the Qatar Basket- Speaking about the event, distinguished tournament. It
across various age groups, pro- contributions played a crucial ball Federation (QBF), being felicitated during the Doha 3x3 Basketball the QBF President, said, “We was a wonderful opportunity to
viding a unique platform for role in the tournament’s success Tournament concluding ceremony. are proud of the success of the provide a platform for our young
identifying and nurturing young and in strengthening Qatar’s second edition of the Doha 3x3 athletes and to promote basket-
basketball talent. reputation as a growing hub for sions, with teams displaying im- Girls’ Under-16: Champions: Basketball Tournament. This ball in Qatar. We are grateful to
During the closing cer- sports development. pressive performances that high- Stars (180 total points, 72 rank- tournament is a great platform all the participants and fans who
emony, Mohammed bin Saad The tournament saw intense lighted the growing popularity of ing points); Runners-up: Jew- for discovering and developing made this tournament an excep-
Al Mughaiseeb, President of the competition across various divi- basketball in Qatar. els (170 total points, 67 ranking young talent, and the partici- tional event.”
 Sports Sunday, March 16, 2025 13

Man City held by Brighton while

Forest stroll to win over Ipswich
PA MEDIA/DPA Premier League (Top 5)
LONDON
Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Liverpool 29 21 7 1 69 27 42 70
MANCHESTER City’s Arsenal 28 15 10 3 52 24 28 55
Champions League qualification N Forest 29 16 6 7 49 35 14 54
hopes were dealt another blow Chelsea 28 14 7 7 53 36 17 49
as they twice let slip the lead Man City 29 14 6 9 55 40 15 48
to draw 2-2 at home against
Brighton on Saturday. Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique. (PA Wire/DPA)
Goals from Erling Haaland
and Omar Marmoush were
cancelled out by a superb
Pervis Estupinan free-kick and
Enrique urges PSG
Abdukodir Khusanov’s own goal
as the champions endured more
Premier League frustration at
fans to ‘enjoy what
the Etihad Stadium.
Nico Gonzalez hit the post
as Pep Guardiola’s side chased
we are doing’
a late winner but Brighton, who PA MEDIA/DPA there is little sense of jeopardy
have never won away against LONDON as far as the title race goes.
City, had spurned their own “I think that derbies are
gilt-edged chance when Carlos COACH Luis Enrique has not really to do with what is
Baleba shot over. called on Paris Saint-Germain going on in the league table,”
“I’m always confident - in fans to focus on supporting Enrique added. “The rivalry is
that I am a master,” Guardiola their own side amid fears that historic and has been in place
said. “I do have moments homophobic chanting could for many years.
(when) I can doubt but I find Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his side’s first goal with teammate Omar Marmoush spoil Sunday’s Classique “That is a positive because
the right way, the positiveness during their English Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in against second-placed both teams need each other
in everything. Manchester on Saturday. (PA Wire/DPA) Marseille. - you can’t imagine the
“I know it will be difficult Earlier this season, PSG Spanish league without Real
for many reasons but we ion through Jota Silva’s late Ham and extended the Toffees’ The Celta Vigo loanee took were made to close part of Madrid and Barcelona and
have nine games, nine finals.” effort. George Hirst completed unbeaten Premier League run his tally for the season to nine as the Parc des Princes after it is the same thing here.
Anthony Elanga struck twice the scoring for the home side in to nine games. Wolves moved nine points clear fans chanted about Marseille They are great games with
as third-placed Nottingham the closing minutes. The Hammers took a sec- of third-bottom Ipswich. midfielder Adrien Rabiot, the a special atmosphere.” PSG
Forest stepped up their top-four “You know what I think ond-half lead with a fine goal Southampton, who pulled a former PSG player who joined come into the game on a high
challenge with a comfortable about the table,” Forest coach from Tomas Soucek and time goal back through Paul Onua- their rivals on a free transfer after Tuesday’s dramatic
4-2 win at Ipswich. Nuno Espirito Santo said, looked to have run out for Ever- chu, remain on nine points, in September and who is penalty shoot-out win away
The Tricky Trees are now six playing down his side’s position ton before defender O’Brien with Derby’s record low total expected to start Sunday’s to Liverpool which put them
points ahead of City in fifth. with nine games to go. headed home in the 90th min- of 11 in a single campaign still match in the capital. into the last eight of the
Nikola Milenkovic fired “What we have (to do) is ute to earn David Moyes a point under threat. Asked if he was worried Champions League, where
Forest into a first-half lead and to focus on ourselves, focus on against his former side. Premier League about a repeat, Enrique said: Aston Villa and former PSG
Elanga scored twice before the ourselves. Jorgen Strand Larsen’s Saturday Results: “I know that in a big derby boss Unai Emery await.
break to put the visitors in con- Work as much as we can double secured Wolves a 2-1 win Everton 1 West Ham United 1 the level of excitement goes “For a derby you need to
trol. because there is a lot of football at bottom club Southampton Southampton 1 Wolves 2 up and the PSG fans should calm everyone down rather
Jens Cajuste reduced the to be played yet.” Jake O’Brien’s and ensured his side took a Ipswich 2 Nottingham 4 focus on PSG and enjoy what than motivate them,” Enrique
deficit for Ipswich before For- last-gasp equalizer secured huge step in confirming their Manchester City 2 Brighton 2 we are doing. said.
est regained a three-goal cush- Everton a 1-1 draw with West Premier League status. Bournemouth 1 Brentford 2. “We respect our “Of course this is a special
opponents, so we don’t need fixture and every derby entails
to focus on our opponents a huge level of excitement.
at all. We should put all our “Tomorrow is a day to keep

Mbappe brace returns Real to La Liga summit energy into our own team.”
As a player Enrique left
Real Madrid for fierce rivals
calm. We need to head into
the game in the best possible
condition so we need to calm
AGENCIES after back-to-back league de- Mbappe played a through Barcelona in 1996. Asked if things down.”
feats. ball to Brahim Diaz and, when he understood the position Enrique’s opposite
KYLIAN Mbappe fired Real They started the stronger, his shot was saved by Diego Rabiot was in Enrique number Roberto De Zerbi
Madrid back to the top of La with top scorer Ayoze Perez Conde, the Frenchman was on allowed himself a chuckle recognises the huge points
Liga as he scored twice in a twice denied by Thibaut hand to score the rebound. before saying: “I don’t really gulf between the two sides
comeback victory at Villarreal, Courtois in the opening seven After netting, Mbappe ran remember, I don’t think they in the table, but wants to
reports BBC.com. minutes. straight back to the centre-circle even booed me. Nobody ever treat this game in isolation
Juan Foyth opened the After Courtois tipped a low without celebrating. He meant said anything or insulted me and invited supporters to
scoring for the hosts but two curling Perez effort behind, business and showed it again on at all. It was fantastic.” training sessions this week to
Mbappe strikes in six first-half Villarreal scored from the 23 minutes. This edition of the emphasise to his players the
minutes earned the points for Kylian Mbappe. resulting corner when captain Following a cutback from Classique will match two importance of the fixture.
Madrid. Foyth slammed home amid a the byline, Mbappe was given teams who are first and “If you come to Marseille
It puts Los Blancos three day night. goalmouth scramble. too much space on the edge of second in Ligue 1, although thinking that PSG-OM is a
points clear of previous lead- Villarreal remain fifth in La This sparked Madrid and the Villarreal box and used it with PSG enjoying a 16-point normal match, you haven’t
ers Barcelona, who visit third- Liga, five points off the Champi- Mbappe into life and they to curl a shot unstoppably past cushion over their rivals, understood anything,” he said.
placed Atletico Madrid on Sun- ons League qualification places equalised 10 minutes later. Conde.

Quick read Leaders Bayern pegged back by Union, Mainz held

AC Milan come back to edge Como 2-1 DPA mid-table VfB Stuttgart on Sun- two both lost last weekend at conceded for the first time in
BERLIN day - with eight matchdays then home to Bochum and Werder 609 minutes.
London: For the second week running, AC Milan came from behind left. Bremen, before Bayern beat Mainz were reduced to 10
to secure victory, this time beating Como 2-1 at San Siro to extend BUNDESLIGA leaders Bayern A mistake by stand-in Bay- their big rivals in the Champi- men just before half-time when
their unbeaten run against Como to 14 matches stretching back to Munich dropped points for the ern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig al- ons League last 16 in mid-week. Dominik Kohr was dismissed
1984/85. After a rousing comeback against Lecce last week, Milan second straight weekend after lowed Benedict Hollerbach to Third-placed Mainz, who for a professional foul and
looked to continue their positive momentum with a fast start here, a lacklustre 1-1 draw at Union level on 83 minutes after substi- have never been in the Cham- Freiburg levelled through sub-
but Yunus Musah fluffed his lines by firing wide with the goal gaping Berlin on Saturday. tute Leroy Sané’s opener. pions League, were held 2-2 stitute Michael Gregoritsch.
after an incisive Rossoneri attack inside five minutes. Como assumed Second-placed Bayer Lev- “We knew it would be a dif- at home by top-four rivals Andreas Hanche-Olsen put
control from there, though it took them until beyond the half-hour to erkusen, who ended Bayern’s ficult game, all teams have it Freiburg. the hosts back ahead but Lukas
finally work Mike Maignan. The Frenchman was busy from then on, run of 11 straight Bundesliga hard here,” Sané told Sky. “The Germany striker Jona- Kübler soon equalized as Mainz
rushing off his line to smother Nico Paz’s effort before being forced to titles last term, can cut the gap way we conceded for 1-1 hurts than Burkardt netted first as stayed three points clear of fifth-
pick the ball out of his net just a minute later. A well-worked move from to six points in case of a win at but we move forward.” The top Freiburg keeper Noah Atubolu placed Freiburg.
Como saw Assane Diao find Paz, whose smart first-time lay-off invited
Lucas Da Cunha to strike first time, and he found the bottom corner
with an exquisite finish all along the ground. Marc-Oliver Kempf ought
to have doubled the visitors’ lead before the break when he escaped
Matteo Gabbia’s attention to meet a cross, but he was denied by
Maignan. Another miserable Milan performance drew the ire of the San
Arteta is impressed with Chelsea
development, predicts tactical battle
Siro faithful as the half came to a close, with whistles rife around the
ground as the players headed to the dressing rooms. (Agencies)

Newcastle’s Bruno Guimares hoping for PA MEDIA/DPA challenge to last season’s non- League draw with PSV
‘tears of happiness’ at Wembley LONDON contest. Eindhoven, assisting goals
“I think it’s going to be a very for Oleksandr Zinchenko and
London: Bruno Guimaraes will ARSENAL head coach Mikel different game,” he said. “I think Declan Rice.
make no apology for weeping Arteta is predicting a tactical the way they’ve developed as a Asked whether it was
tears of joy if Newcastle beat battle on Sunday against a team is very impressive, what frustrating to lose Sterling at a
Liverpool in Sunday’s League Chelsea side he thinks are Enzo has done, the amount moment when he was finally
Cup final to finally end their developing impressively under of talent that they have in the coming into form, Arteta said:
trophy drought. The 27-year-old Enzo Maresca. squad. A really tough match and “I think so but it is what it is.
Brazil international’s tears on the Last season’s corresponding we’ll have to be at our best. We knew about it. He played,
Wembley pitch after defeat by fixture at the Emirates produced “Two teams that want to he played well (against PSV),
Manchester United at the same a 5-0 whitewash for the Gunners be very dominant in the way he was contributing to the goals
stage of the same competition as their London rivals - for of playing, very aggressive on that we scored.
two years ago summed up the whom Mauricio Pochettino was the high press and the way we “It’s very good, that’s what
emotions that day for a club which Newcastle United’s Bruno Guima- in charge - collapsed in the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. have to have the ball. A lot of we need, players in good form
has not claimed any significant raes. (PA Wire/DPA) second half, conceding four (PA Wire/DPA) individual quality on that pitch. with good spirit and good
piece of silverware since 1969 goals in 18 minutes. “It’s about imposing what confidence, and certainly that
and last had its hands on one of the major domestic prizes 14 years Much has changed in the part Maresca has had at Stam- you want and the direction that performance is going to help
earlier. This time, he will return wearing the captain’s armband and intervening 11 months. Chelsea ford Bridge this season. you want to take the game and him.”
is determined to leave having exorcised the ghosts of a disappoint- travel to the north of the capital The former Leicester boss keep them very far from their Chelsea boss Maresca has no
ing afternoon. Guimaraes said: “I want tears of happiness this time. fourth in the Premier League has installed a disciplined style strengths.” fit strikers available for Sunday’s
Everyone knows how emotional I am, I always try to give everything and in a strong position to return that prioritises rigid positional Arsenal will be without game, a predicament familiar to
that I have on the pitch and to play as a fan because I know what it to the Champions League. play and dominance of the Raheem Sterling who is on loan Arteta with both clubs having
means for them. “I remember this moment and next time I want to Arsenal, meanwhile, have ball but has hinted he could from Chelsea and is ineligible to struggled lately with injuries.
cry from happiness, and hopefully everything is going to be good for seen their title challenge wither depart from his principles if face his parent club. Winger Pedro Neto has filled
us on the day.” The 2023 final was the Magpies’ first visit to head- in recent weeks and are winless Arsenal take a grip of the game It comes at an inopportune in at number nine with mixed
quarters since 2000, when Sir Bobby Robson’s team went down 2-1 in three games. themselves. moment after the 30-year-old success, with Chelsea having
to Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final. (PA Wire/DPA) Arteta has spoken highly of Arteta agreed that the game was man of the match during looked especially blunt in attack
the impact that Blues counter- presents a wholly different Wednesday’s Champions in recent weeks.
14 Sunday, March 16, 2025 Sports

Marc demolishes lap record to

take pole in Argentina MotoGP
AGENCIES
TERMAS DE RIO HONDO (ARGENTINA)

MARC Marquez demolished

his own lap record to take a
stunning pole position in Ar-
gentina MotoGP qualifying at

MotoGP Grand Prix the Termas de Rio Hondo cir-

cuit on Saturday.
Marquez, the Ducati rider,

of Qatar set to return set a new lap record on his first

flying run in qualifying by a
tenth, which he then surpassed

under lights at LIC one lap later to post a bench-

mark time of 1:37.023.
Nobody was able to beat
the original time posted by the
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 19:05-19:45: Moto2 Practice Spanish rider, but on his penul-
DOHA 20:00-21:00: MotoGP Practice timate run he bested his previ-
The intensity builds as riders ous records with a 1:36.917 to
THE 2025 MotoGP Qatar Air- battle for grid positions in quali- confirm his pole position.
ways Grand Prix of Qatar re- fying, followed by the Sprint Alex Marquez took second
turns to Lusail International Race at half the distance of Sun- place, 0.246s off his brother’s
Circuit (LIC) on April 11-13, day’s main event. With points best time of the session.
marking the fourth round of awarded to the top nine finish- The winner of the sprint
the season. Having hosted its ers, Saturday carries significant and main race at the season-
inaugural race in 2004 while championship implications. opening weekend in Thailand Ducati Lenovo’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez rides during the MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix practice session
being the first venue to host Saturday, April 12 a fortnight ago, Marc will start at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, on Saturday.
night racing in MotoGP since – Qualifying and Sprint Race: hot favourite to follow that up
2008, LIC remains the only
circuit offering evening com-
12:30-13:00: Moto3 Free Prac-
tice 2
in the 12-race sprint later Satur-
day and Sunday’s 25-lap main
STARTING GRID
petition on the 5.38km track 13:15-13:45: Moto2 Free Prac- race. This was the 32-year-old’s 1st row: Marc Marquez (ESP/Ducati), Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini), Johann Zarco (FRA/Honda-LCR)
with 16 corners under LIC’s re- tice 2 first back-to-back poles since 2nd row: Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati), Pedro Acosta (ESP/KTM), Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Ducati-VR46):
3rd row: Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha), Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Ducati-VR46), Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Aprilia)
nowned lights. 14:00-14:30: MotoGP Free 2019, the season he won the last 4th row: Joan Mir (ESP/Honda), Brad Binder (RSA/KTM), Alex Rins (ESP/Yamaha)
Marquez brothers dominate Practice 2 of his six MotoGP titles. 5th row: Jack Miller (AUS/Yamaha-Pramac), Fermin Aldeguer (ESP/Ducati-Gresini, Ai Ogura (JPN/Aprilia-Trackhouse)
early season as former champi- 14:40-14:55: MotoGP Qualify- Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia, 6th row: luca Marini (ITA/Honda), Miguel Oliveira (POR/Yamaha-Pramac), Raul Fernandez (ESP/Aprilia-Trackhouse)
on Martin recovers from injury ing 1 Marc Marquez’s Ducati team- 7th row: Somkiat Chantra (THA/Honda-LCR), Enea Bastianini (ITA/KTM-Tech3), Mverick Vinales (ESP/KTM-Tech3)
Marc Marquez (93) current- 15:05-15:20: MotoGP Qualify- mate, starts on the second row
ly leads the championship with ing 2 after the double former world
37 points following his com- 16:50-17:05: Moto3 Qualify- champion posted the fourth age. injuries which sidelined him in
manding performance at the ing 1 fastest time in qualifying. “It’s difficult to work out Thailand.
Thailand Grand Prix. His broth- 17:15-17:30: Moto3 Qualifying 2 “I told you yesterday I ex- what the limit for the bike is.” Martin said on Thurs- I’m happy with the bike, it
er, Alex Marquez (73) of BK8 17:45-18:00: Moto2 Qualifying 1 pected to go even faster!” said Missing again this weekend day that he will also sit out
Gresini Racing MotoGP, holds 18:10-18:25: Moto2 Qualifying 2 pole-sitter Marquez. from the second leg of the 22- the third round in Texas looks like Alex and Pecco are
second position with 29 points, 19:00: MotoGP Sprint (11 Laps ) He added: “I’m happy with race season is world champion at the end of March and closer than Thailand but we’ll
while Francesco Bagnaia (63) The weekend culminates the bike, it looks like Alex and Jorge Martin. may still not be ready by see how we can manage.
follows in third with 23 points. with main races across all cat- Pecco are closer than Thailand The Spanish Aprilia rider the time the Qatar MotoGP
The 2024 champion, Jorge egories, highlighted by the 21- but we’ll see how we can man- has still not recovered from the rolls around in mid-April. Marc Marquez of Ducati
Martín, notably absent from the lap MotoGP Grand Prix under
early standings due to a training the stars at 20:00 hours.
accident prior to the Thai GP is Sunday, April 13 – Race Day:
undergoing surgery for multiple
fractures. Martín is recovering
but his participation in the Qa-
15:40-15:50: MotoGP Warm Up
17:00: Moto3 Race (16 Laps)
18:15: Moto2 Race (18 Laps)
Luckily, I didn’t grow up with a phone: Kohli
tar GP remains uncertain. 20:00: MotoGP GP(21 Laps) ANI then people are like, oh, there’s nothing
The 2025 season has wit- BENGALURU being posted apart from this here. And it
nessed significant transitions Accecisible ticketing just becomes too complicated,” he added.
throughout the paddock, with options INDIAN cricket icon Virat Kohli recently Kohli also revealed that he avoids post-
Marc Marquez joining the fac- Tickets for the MotoGP Qatar shared insights into digital detox and re- ing about his achievements, even after
tory Ducati Lenovo Team, Pri- Airways Grand Prix of Qatar defining his relationship with social media, winning major tournaments.
ma Pramac Racing switching 2025 start from QR200, pro- explaining why he no longer posts personal “Posting about, for example, us win-
to Yamaha, Pedro Acosta be- viding access to all three days content, according to Wisden. ning the championship, it’s not going to in-
ing promoted to Red Bull KTM of racing action. The package Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab’s crease the happiness in my heart. They all
Factory Racing, and Repsol includes seating within the Indian Sports Summit, Kohli re-evaluated know we’ve won the trophy. So me posting
ending its 30-year collabora- Main Grandstand and General his social media presence, confessing that about it is not going to give us two trophies.
tion with Honda Racing Corpo- Admission zone, including the the intense attention and traction he re- The reality stays the same,” he noted and
ration. Notable rookies include elevated viewing area at Lusail ceives online can be overwhelming. Kohli as quoted by Wisden.
Ai Ogura (79) with Trackhouse Hill Turn 1. shared his deliberate efforts to limit his He said, “I think when you are at a
Racing, who has already im- Special offers include: time on social media platforms. stage for a long period of your life, when
pressed by securing fifth place - Up to six children under 12 at- The cricket legend’s decision to reevalu- India cricket star Virat Kohli. you perform and people get used to your
in the championship standings tend for free when accompanied ate his social media presence comes after re- performances, they start feeling for you
with 17 points. by a paying adult; 50% discount alizing the intense scrutiny he faces online. lutely apply to my game, to my life, people more than you are sometimes. I might not
for students with valid student “The kind of attention you get and around me. And I didn’t want to waste any have an Australia tour again in me, in four
Three days of ID; 60% discount for senior the kind of traction you receive when of that,” he added. years’ time, I don’t know.”
racing excitement citizens with ID you put something out there on a plat- Kohli, who boasts over 270 million Kohli played a crucial role in India’s re-
Fans will witness riders mas- Premium hospitality pack- form is quite unbelievable to be honest. Instagram followers, acknowledged that cent Champions Trophy triumph, scoring
ter the illuminated track dur- ages, including access to It’s quite intense. Luckily I was born in a most of his current posts are related to 218 runs at an impressive average of 54.50.
ing multiple practice sessions the MotoGP VIP Village for time where I didn’t work with this thing past brand commitments. However, he His standout performances included a
across all classes, with enter- QR7,771, offer exclusive expe- [my phone] in my pocket,” Kohli said, as is making a conscious effort to separate century against Pakistan in the group stage
tainment options for all ages in riences such as Paddock tours, quoted by Wisden. his personal and professional life, avoid- and a gritty 98-ball 84 in a challenging
the vibrant fan zone. Pit Lane Walks, and Rider Ap- “So for me to just keep it on the side is ing posts that could be perceived as overly semi-final chase against Australia.
Friday, April 11 – Practice Day: pearances. Stay tuned for more pretty easy. Hence I don’t engage in posts a promotional. Kohli’s stance on social media serves as
14:00-14:35: Moto3 Free Prac- updates and additions to the lot these days. A lot of people are not happy “I’m making a conscious effort not to a reminder that even public figures need to
tice 1 schedule. To secure your tick- about that but that’s something that I’ve include my social media handle which is maintain a healthy balance between their
14:50-15:30: Moto2 Free Prac- ets and be part of this thrilling consciously tried to do,” he said. private to me. In terms of whatever I’m online presence and personal life. By set-
tice 1 race weekend under the lights, “Because as I said, to keep up with doing next in my life, I’m kind of discon- ting boundaries and prioritizing his well-
15:45-16:30: MotoGP Free visit the LIC website or contact that stream was just way too much. I just necting the two. And I wanted to be able to being, Kohli is redefining his relationship
Practice 1 [email protected] for cor- physically felt like it was taking a lot of my do that because what happens is if you only with social media and inspiring others to
18:15-18:50: Moto3 Practice porate and group bookings. energy away from me which I would abso- see branded content on your platform, do the same.

Coach Sreejesh sets sights on Junior World Cup crown for India
ND PRASHANT The 36-year-old retired medals and a silver at the Asian “Nothing much right now. It’s
from international hockey after Champions Trophy, a silver in just that I don’t have to train or

I N a stellar 15-year-long ca-

reer, India’s hockey stal-
wart PR Sreejesh has won two
a stellar career as a goalkeeper
in which he donned the nation-
al caps on 336 occasions and is
Asia Cup in 2013, and a gold
medal in the 2008 Junior Asia
Cup, making him one of the
exert pressure on the turf now.
It’s all about mental pressure
right now, how to strategize,
Olympic bronze medals, three now the chief coach of the In- most decorated and celebrated make boys understand things,
Asian Games medals includ- dian junior men’s hockey team. goalkeepers in Indian hockey. and win matches.”
ing a gold and two Champions And right now his main He was conferred with the Sreejesh, who is the mentor
Trophy silver medals, and two focus is on preparing the team Padma Shri by the government of the Delhi SG Pipers franchise
silver medals in the Common- for the Junior World Cup to be of India in January 2025 and in the revamped Hockey India
wealth Games. held in Chennai in December, led the India U-21 team to the League (HIL), foresees himself
The only among the top- the dates for which are yet to be bronze medal in the Sultan of at helm the of the Indian men’s
draw tournaments missing from finalised. Johor Cup 2024 in Malaysia in national team in the future, rid-
his trophy cabinet is a World Sreejesh in an exclusive chat October 2024. ing on his exploits with the junior
Cup medal - junior or senior. with Telecom Asia Sport (www. A true professional, side. “I have always aspired to
Unable to win a World Cup telecomasia.net - https:// Sreejesh has given importance take the top position. Yes, I have
medal as a player, Sreejesh now www.telecomasia.net/blog/ to the game before everything the desire to be the men’s team
hopes to remedy the anomaly exclusive-unfulfilled-dream-in- else, which was evident from chief coach someday but that’s a
by guiding the country to the diaundefineds-hockey-legend- his decision to retire from the step-by-step process,” he said.
title in the Junior World Cup, sreejesh-eyes-junior-world- game after the Paris Olympics “I had already cleared FIH’s
scheduled to be held in Chen- cup-crown-as-co/), said, “Right to make way for youngsters. Level 1 and 2 coaching pro-
nai later this year. It will also be now we are having a camp in Former India goalkeeping star and now junior national team coach Sreejesh said, “My journey grammes and am into Level 3
a major step to strengthen his Bengaluru and our complete Sreejesh with the Indian team after they won the Junior Asia Cup in 2024. is going on well, I am enjoying now,” he concluded.
desire to helm the men’s senior focus is on the Junior World my life as a coach now. I have Ride on the technical knowl-
team in the future. Cup at home this year. We want Award for Goalkeeper of the against their junior team.” always aspired to give back to edge from the courses and his
Sreejesh, who has featured to win the tournament and my Year 2024 at the Hockey India Besides two Olympic hockey after my retirement and vast and invaluable experience
in four Olympic Games, win- complete focus is on that.” 7th Annual Awards on Satur- bronze, two Asian Games gold, that’s what I am doing right as a player, Sreejesh wants to
ning bronze medals in Tokyo Sreejesh, who is likely to day, March 15 added, “Keeping and a bronze, two Champi- now. So, I am in a happy space.” chart a path to the top in coach-
2020 and Paris 2024, has al- cap off his illustrious playing that in mind we will be tour- ons Trophy silver, and two Talking about his trans- ing too - one step at a time.
ways aspired to give back to the career with one final honour – ing Europe (Germany) in June Commonwealth Games silver, formation from a player to a The Junior World Cup is the
game once he retires. the Hockey India Baljit Singh where we will play matches Sreejesh has won four gold full-time coach, Sreejesh said: first major step in that journey.
 Nation Sunday, March 16, 2025 15
Reports by Darlene Regis
For events and press releases email
[email protected] or
call (974) 4000 2222

PMF hosted the Welcoming Ramadan event on February 21 at the Bin PMF kicked off the year 2025 with the first PMF Bowling Tournament
Zaid Auditorium. on February 7 at the Qatar Bowling Center.

Philippine Muslim Federation in Qatar

completes a year of meaningful activities
From sports events to
religious and educa-
tional programs, PMF
remains steadfast in its
commitment to fostering
unity and personal growth
among its members

DARLENE REGIS

T
HE Philippine Muslim Fed-
eration (PMF) continues to
strengthen the bonds within
the Filipino Muslim communi- petition among PMF members. in the Islamic calendar, PMF hosted essence of Ramadan in the holy cit- launch livelihood training pro-
ty through a series of engaging the Welcoming Ramadan event on ies of Makkah and Madinah. The grams and professional skills en-
and meaningful activities in 2025. Empowering Women in the Community February 21 at the Bin Zaid Audi- pilgrimage was a profoundly en- hancement workshops to support
From sports events to religious and On February 14, the PMF Women’s torium. With over 300 registered riching journey for all participants, community members in achieving
educational programs, PMF re- Group, led by Malak Alcala, organ- participants, the event aimed to strengthening their faith and deep- economic stability and career ad-
mains steadfast in its commitment ised the PMF Women’s Gathering, a spiritually uplift attendees through ening their commitment to Islamic vancement.
to fostering unity and personal special event dedicated to empower- insightful lectures and discussions teachings.
growth among its members. ing women through various activi- on maximizing the blessings of A Stronger Community Through PMF
ties. The gathering featured Islamic Ramadan. This gathering under- Exciting Activities Ahead With a vision of fostering brother-
Kicking Off the Year with Sports lectures, a health awareness session, scored the importance of devotion, Looking forward, PMF President hood, spirituality, and personal
PMF kicked off the year 2025 with a medical mission, and a bazaar unity, and self-reflection during the Yasir M. Aragt shared that the or- growth, the Philippine Muslim Fed-
the first PMF Bowling Tournament where women had the opportunity blessed month. ganization has more activities in eration in Qatar continues to be a
on February 7 at the Qatar Bowl- to showcase and sell their products. store for the community. One of driving force within the community.
ing Center. Ten teams took part The event successfully encouraged Ramadan Umrah Trip: A Spiritual Journey the most anticipated events is the Through its diverse range of activi-
in this exciting event, showcas- women’s involvement in community From March 3 to 8, PMF organ- Multaqa Ramadan, scheduled for ties, PMF not only strengthens faith
ing their skills and sportsmanship. initiatives while addressing key as- ised a Ramadan Umrah Trip, led March 14 at Bin Zaid Auditorium. but also empowers its members in
Spearheaded by Hassan Gandaruza, pects of health and faith. by Sheikh Homer Pagayawan. This This event will bring together Filipi- various aspects of life. As 2025 un-
chairman of the Sports Committee, initiative offered community mem- no Muslims for an evening of reflec- folds, PMF remains dedicated to
the tournament provided a platform Welcoming the Blessed Month of Ramadan bers the opportunity to perform tion, knowledge-sharing, and unity. serving the Filipino Muslim com-
for camaraderie and friendly com- In preparation for the holiest month Umrah and experience the spiritual Additionally, PMF is set to munity in Qatar.

Las Damas De Rizal Doha hosts 1st International

Women’s Day ‘Accelerate Action’ seminar

Las Damas de Rizal Doha Chapter Las Damas de Rizal

DARLENE REGIS importance of self-care routines As Event Chairperson, Lady

T
for both physical appearance and Dr. Noemi Formaran delivered
HE Las Damas de Rizal (LDR) confidence-building. Lady Dr. Ri- the Closing Remarks and a Vote of
Doha Chapter celebrated In- chelle Arugay, VP – Internal Af- Thanks, highlighting key takeaways
ternational Women’s Day with fairs, discussed “Emotional Intelli- and encouraging ongoing dialogue
a seminar themed “Acceler- gence: Empowering Ourselves and beyond the event. She expressed
ate Action.” Held at the Holi- Others,” while Lady Engr. Victoria gratitude to those who had shown
day Villa Hotel, the event aimed to Bedon addressed “Gender Equality unwavering support and thanked
empower women through a series in the Workforce,” advocating for all attendees for their time, empha-
of discussions and presentations equal opportunities at all employ- sizing that their presence was es-
focused on leadership, self-care, ment levels. To honor Ramadan sential to the event’s success.
emotional intelligence, and gender traditions, an Iftar dinner was also The 1st International Women’s
equality in the workforce. Las Damas de Rizal Doha Chapter hosts ‘Accelerate Action’ seminar. served, highlighting the event’s cul- Day Seminar hosted by LDR was
LDR President, Lady Dr. Anne tural integration. more than just an event—it was a
Binondo, delivered a heartfelt Wel- worldwide, focusing on resilience ership skills among women. Lady The communal meal provided movement dedicated to empower-
come Address, emphasizing the sig- and determination in overcoming Sheila Marie Cantos, Chapter Au- an opportunity for participants ing women through education, in-
nificance of International Women’s the challenges women face today. ditor, led a discussion on “Break- to connect and share experiences spiration, and community engage-
Day and officially opening the sem- The seminar featured a variety ing Barriers and Soaring High” in while enjoying a delicious spread. ment. By addressing key issues
inar. A video message from Lady of insightful presentations: Lady the aviation industry, sharing her The seminar also included a Q&A such as leadership development,
Lina Brosas, organization founder Dr. Noemi Formaran, Education experiences as a woman in a tra- session and concluded with the self-care, emotional intelligence,
and President of the LDR Paris Committee Head and Event Chair- ditionally male-dominated field. presentation of Plaques of Appre- and gender equality, the seminar
Chapter, further inspired partici- person, presented “From Routine Lady Jackielou Cabauatan, Chap- ciation to the speakers and Certifi- laid important foundations for ad-
pants. Her powerful words shared to Rise: Nurturing Women Lead- ter Assistant Secretary, presented cates of Attendance to the partici- vancing greater equity for women,
her vision for empowering women ers,” focusing on developing lead- on “Skin Care,” emphasizing the pants. both locally and globally.
16 Sunday, March 16, 2025 The Last Word

The National Center for Cancer Care and Research at Hamad Medical Corporation

Over 500 int’l patients receive care at NCCCR in 2024

for many patients from the including Bone Marrow
Exceptional cancer care at the National GCC and beyond.” Transplants, cutting-edge
Center for Cancer Care and Research NCCCR is recognised
He added, “HMC is a leader
in cancer care, offering treat-
Radiation Oncology using
technologies like TrueBeam,
attracts patients from across region across the region for its ment options that are often ETHOS, and CyberKnife, and
exceptional quality of care unavailable elsewhere in the comprehensive genetic coun-
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to set the benchmark for on- and innovative treatments. region. From robotic-assisted seling to assess hereditary
DOHA cology services. surgery to precision medicine cancer risks. The centre also
Dr Mohamed Salem Al- Patients come to us not and breakthrough target hor- prioritises mental health,
THE National Center for Can- Hassan, medical director and only for access to mone and immunotherapies, offering psychotherapy ser-
cer Care and Research (NC- CEO of NCCCR and chair of cutting-edge therapies and our capabilities ensure the best vices to support patients
CCR) at Hamad Medical Cor- corporate cancer services at state-of-the-art facilities possible outcomes for our pa- throughout their treatment
poration (HMC) has become HMC, highlighted the hos- but also because of our tients. While we are honoured journey.
a leading destination for can- pital’s growing international to welcome patients from As a regional leader in on-
cer treatment in the Gulf, at- reputation: “NCCCR is recog- holistic, patient-centred neighbouring countries seek- cology, NCCCR remains dedi-
tracting patients from across nised across the region for its approach ing specialised care, our fore- cated to advancing cancer care
the region while continuing exceptional quality of care and most commitment remains to through innovation, research,
to provide world-class care to innovative treatments. Patients
Dr Mohamed Salem the people of Qatar, ensuring and continuous improvements,
Qatar’s local population. With come to us not only for access Dr Mohamed Salem Al-Hassan Al-Hassan they receive the highest stand- ensuring that both Qatar’s local
advanced technology, person- to cutting-edge therapies and ard of cancer treatment with- population and international
alised treatment plans, and a state-of-the-art facilities but 2024, we treated 508 interna- pertise, advanced technology, out the need to travel abroad.” patients receive the highest
highly skilled multidiscipli- also because of our holistic, tional patients from the region. and compassionate care has NCCCR provides a full standard of treatment available
nary team, NCCCR continues patient-centred approach. In Our unique combination of ex- made us the preferred choice spectrum of cancer care, in the region.

Ramadan is a time of unity for people of

different backgrounds: Japanese envoy
KHALED AL HAMEIDI make efforts to accommodate “Ramadan is a time of deep tiatives such as charitable pro-
DOHA Muslim employees and stu- reflection, spiritual growth, and grammes and humanitarian
dents by providing halal meals self-discipline, and I deeply re- aid, Qatar demonstrates the es-
AS the Holy Month of Rama- and prayer spaces.” spect the devotion and dedica- sence of generosity and hospi-
dan reached its midpoint, with Ambassador Hisajima’s re- tion shown by those who par- tality that Ramadan embodies.
Muslims around the world marks highlight Japan’s grow- ticipate in this sacred month. The country’s commitment to
marking the 16th day of fast- ing accommodation of reli- While I do not observe Rama- supporting those in need and
ing, communities continue to gious diversity and inclusivity. dan myself, I want to express creating spaces for cultural ex-
come together in reflection, Institutions like Tokyo Camii, my admiration for the way this change helps to build bridges
prayer, and compassion. one of the largest mosques in month brings communities to- between different communi-
In Qatar, the month has Japan, serve not only as places gether and encourages selfless- ties, fostering a spirit of unity
been marked by vibrant dis- of worship but also as centres ness, charity, and reflection. It and understanding.”
plays of generosity, spiritual for intercultural dialogue and is a powerful reminder of the Ambassador Hisajima
gatherings, and interfaith har- education. shared human values that unite praised Qatar’s global efforts
mony -- the hallmarks of Ram- Universities and corpo- us all, regardless of our faiths to champion the essence of
adan’s enduring significance. rate environments have also or backgrounds. Ramadan — charity, hospital-
In a special interview, Qa- made adjustments to honour “To all those celebrating, ity, and intercultural under-
tar Tribune spoke with Ambas- the fasting month, reflecting and to the government and standing. Whether through
sador of Japan to Qatar HE an increasing awareness of the people of Qatar, I wish you a large-scale humanitarian re-
Naoto Hisajima, who shared needs of Muslim residents and peaceful, blessed, and fulfill- lief programmes, support for
his reflections on Ramadan visitors, he said. ing Ramadan. May this month vulnerable communities, or
from the perspective of Japan, The ambassador’s obser- bring you closer to your goals, interfaith platforms, Qatar
a non-Muslim majority coun- vations indicate a welcoming and may it be filled with love, continues to set a regional and
try, and offered his deep ap- environment, even in places joy, and the warmth of com- international example.
preciation for the values the where Ramadan is not part Ambassador of Japan to Qatar HE Naoto Hisajima at a media briefing munity. Ramadan Mubarak!” Initiatives such as Rama-
holy month represents. of the mainstream cultural at his residence in Doha. dan food drives, iftar tents, and
Despite Japan not being a calendar. PHOTOGRAPH BY SALIM MATRAMKOT community outreach events
Muslim-majority country, the demonstrate Qatar’s commit-
ambassador highlighted the In drawing parallels be- to experience the warmth of ment to embodying the values
country’s growing respect and tween Ramadan and Japanese breaking fast together, foster- Ramadan is a time of of generosity and compassion,
awareness of Ramadan, par- values, Ambassador Hisajima ing a sense of togetherness and unity, not only for Muslims not just within its borders but
ticularly in cities with Muslim
While Japan does not have offered a meaningful cultural mutual respect. across continents.
communities and students. its own traditional customs perspective. Omotenashi, the “Moreover, it has been cus- but also for people of
His thoughtful insights related to Ramadan, the deeply rooted Japanese phi- tomary for some government different backgrounds who Shared Values in a
shed light on how spiritual spirit of hospitality losophy of selfless hospitality, officials to reach out to the come together to show Global Ramadan
values transcend religious (omotenashi) aligns well mirrors the generosity cen- Muslim community in Japan As Ramadan enters its
boundaries and resonate tral to Ramadan. Similarly, by organizing iftar parties in- support and respect. In 16th day, the reflections
across cultures.
with the values of generosity concepts such as mindfulness viting heads of Islamic diplo- Japan, interfaith dialogues shared by Ambassador Hisa-
In this interview, Ambas- and kindness emphasised and spiritual discipline, often matic missions in Tokyo, with and cultural exchange jima resonate deeply. His
sador Hisajima discussed how during the holy month. I practised through Zen Bud- the aim of deepening mutual words remind us that the val-
Ramadan is observed in Japan, appreciate the concept of dhism, echo the introspective understanding.” events help to bridge ues of Ramadan, reflection,
the shared values that connect Ramadan as a time of reflec- spirit of fasting. Ambassador Hisajima em- understanding between kindness, unity, are not con-
cultures, and Qatar’s influen-
tion, self-discipline, and These shared values serve phasised how Ramadan goes Muslim and non-Muslim fined to religion or geography,
tial role in promoting the spirit as bridges between societies beyond religious practice — it communities. but represent universal prin-
of the holy month worldwide. gratitude and foster mutual understand- becomes a universal platform ciples of human dignity.
ing, even in the absence of for connection. Events such In a world shaped by diverse
Q: How does Japan observe shared religious practices. as open iftars in mosques and The ambassador’s warm cultures and beliefs, such voices
and celebrate the holy Q: What are some unique community centres not only message, especially his wishes offer powerful examples of inter-
month of Ramadan? traditions or customs as- Q: How does Ramadan support Muslim communi- to the government and people cultural respect and harmony.
“Japan is not a Muslim- sociated with Ramadan in foster a sense of unity and ties but also invite the broader of Qatar, is a powerful testa- They also reinforce how diplo-
majority country, so Ramadan your culture? compassion within your population into spaces of dia- ment to the enduring friend- macy and dialogue, grounded
is not widely observed on a “While Japan does not community? logue and empathy. ship between Japan and Qatar. in shared values, continue to
national level. However, there have its own traditional cus- “Ramadan is a time of By hosting iftar receptions His words reflect an inclusive strengthen global bonds, espe-
is a growing awareness and toms related to Ramadan, the unity, not only for Muslims and engaging with the dip- vision of global unity, where cially during moments of spir-
respect for the holy month, spirit of hospitality (omote- but also for people of differ- lomatic Islamic community, respect for different faiths and itual significance like Ramadan.
particularly in communities nashi) aligns well with the ent backgrounds who come Japanese officials contribute to cultures enhances cooperation As Qatar continues its
with Muslim residents, expa- values of generosity and kind- together to show support and building intercultural bridges, and peace. Ramadan journey with a spirit
triates, and students. Mosques ness emphasised during the respect. In Japan, interfaith di- strengthening both domestic of compassion and outreach,
and Islamic cultural centres holy month. I appreciate the alogues and cultural exchange harmony and international re- Q: How do you see the role the words of the Japanese am-
across Japan, such as the To- concept of Ramadan as a time events help to bridge under- lationships. of Qatar in promoting the bassador serve as a meaningful
kyo Camii and Kobe Mosque, of reflection, self-discipline, standing between Muslim and values of Ramadan? tribute to this sacred time, and
play a central role in organis- and gratitude, which resonates non-Muslim communities. For Q: What message would you “Qatar plays a significant a reminder of how global good-
ing iftar gatherings and prayer with aspects of Japanese cul- instance, open iftar at mosques like to share with the global role in upholding and promot- will can flourish during the
services. In addition, some ture, such as Zen Buddhism and community centres in Ja- community about the im- ing the values of Ramadan on holiest month of the Islamic
businesses and universities and mindfulness practices.” pan allow Japanese people portance of Ramadan? a global scale. Through ini- calendar.