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The Department of Biomedical Sciences at Qatar University's (QU) College of Health Sciences (CHS) announced the success of its Master's defence presentations, held over two days recently. The presentations showcased the comprehensive research endeavours of 10 students.Among them, eight successfully completed their master's programmes, with one specialising in the Laboratory Management Track and seven in the Research Track. Two other students showcased their Thesis I Progress Presentations—Research Track, providing insights into their ongoing research projects that they aim to complete by the next term.Faculty examiners from various health-related clusters, such as the College of Medicine and other health sciences departments such as Public Health, organised the defence sessions. The examination committees comprised both internal members from Qatar University, the Biomedical Research Center, and external experts from leading institutions within Qatar, such as Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra Medicine and Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, as well as from the UK.The results of a project by Tasneem Hussein al-Hamad, a student in the Laboratory Management Track, could enhance clinicians' ability to diagnose and treat vitamin D deficiencies effectively, potentially improving public health outcomes.Dr Gheyath Nasrallah and committee member Dr Eleni Fthenou supervised the project.In the research track, six students presented their projects. Fatima Hassan Ali's study revealed dominant Staphylococcus patterns in later stages of Covid-19 infection, providing crucial insights into microbiome dynamics. The supervisors were Dr Hadi Yassine, along with committee members Dr Hebah A AlKhatib and Dr Maha al-Asmakh.In the same track, the findings of Ilham Ahmed Ajaj's project, suggest that increasing physical activity and avoiding weight gain can help prevent the transition from metabolically obese to metabolically unhealthy obese, supporting Qatar's national strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mortality by 36% by 2030. Dr Maha al-Asmakh, in collaboration with committee members Dr Mohsen Mazidi (UK), Dr Richard Webb (UK), Dr Ian Davies (UK), and Dr. Mohamed El-Rayess, supervised the study.Alaa Ahmed Abdellatif for her project developed a zebrafish model of Gsa deficiency, displaying significant developmental abnormalities resembling human Gsa deficiency and providing a valuable tool for further research into this condition. It was supervised by Dr Mashael al-Shafai, along with committee members Prof Khalid Hussain and Dr Zain Zakaria.Sondos Abed Alhameed Muneer Yousef's study found that type 2 diabetes mellitus patients had a lower antibody response against certain pathogens compared to healthy individuals, which could inform strategies to enhance protection and reduce morbidity. The project was supervised by Dr Wisam Ibrahim, Dr. Frank Schmidt, Dr Sareena Chennakkandathil, and Dr Sara Taleb.Asma Allouch's study identified 20 variants with significant implications for modern metabolic diseases, helping to shape preventive measures and guide functional experiments. Dr Rozaimi Razali supervised the project with committee members Dr Mashael al-Shafai and Dr Hatem Zayed.Using zebrafish and cell-line models, Tara Fathi Abdulazeez al-Barazenji found and confirmed rare missense variants in the PLXNA1 gene, which is linked to severe obesity that starts early. Her work opens new avenues for precision medicine and potential treatments for childhood obesity. Dr Mashael al-Shafai and committee member Prof Khalid Hussain supervised the project. Tara also won the QU-level 3MT competition for her exceptional research.In the Thesis I Progress Presentations—Research Track, Salma Muhammad Sadeq Ahmad's project showed promising results for treating microbial skin infections using novel hydrogel technology. Dr Gheyath Nasrallah supervised the project, as did Dr. Faleh Marino, a committee member.Fatemeh Abdullah Mohammad Ahmadi's research showed big differences in genetic variants between modern and ancient genomes, mainly in the SOX5 and TENM4 genes, which could have something to do with how likely someone is to get malaria. The project was supervised by Dr Rozaimi Razali, along with committee members Dr Zilfalil Alwi and Dr Elham Sharif.The Department of Biomedical Sciences also recently successfully held defence presentations of four students completing their Master of Science in Genetic Counseling degree.Heba Abdulwahab al-Maghrbi's project highlighted the importance of prenatal whole exome sequencing in diagnosing fetal abnormalities and guiding clinical decisions. The supervisors were Dr. Mashael Nedham A J al-Shafai, Dr Sara Osman Musa, Karen El-Akouri, Maria Farag, Zoulikha Rezoug.Shahd Mohammad Omar Nasr's study was the first to investigate the underlying genetic causes of cardiac channelopathies in the Qatari population. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic genetic variants were identified in 25% of patients, paving the way for enhanced diagnostic precision and targeted treatment strategies. These findings have the potential to improve clinical outcomes and guide preventive measures in Qatar's population and beyond. Dr Atiyeh Abdalla, along with committee members Dr Mashael al-Shafai, Dr Kholoud al-Shafai, and Dr. Marios Kambouris, supervised the project.Tala Mohuiddin Jamaleddin's project 'Qatar National Expanded Metabolic Newborn Screening Program: Incidence and Outcomes,' revealed that the overall incidence of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) in Qatar to be one in 1,084, with classical homocystinuria being the most prevalent due to a founder variant.Aminoacidopathies were the most reported category. Genetic testing led to a diagnosis in 87% of cases, offering valuable insights for future research and strategies to reduce the incidence of IEMs and improve outcomes. Dr Mashael Nedham A J al-Shafai supervised the project along with Dr Tawfeg Ben-Omran, Dr Ghassan Abdoh, Dr Osama al-Dirbashi, and Karen El-Akouri.Salma Bouabidi's study successfully translated and culturally adapted the Genetic Counseling Outcome Scale (GCOS-24) into Arabic, introducing the GCOS-24Qa. After psychometric testing, the GCOS-24Qa will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of genetic counseling services for Arabic-speaking populations in Qatar and potentially other Arabic-speaking regions. Dr Mashael al-Shafai, along with Karen El-Akouri and Reem Bux, supervised the study.

As the French Open announced stricter measures on Thursday to clamp down on inappropriate fan behaviour, players had varying stances on a polarising issue with Iga Swiatek told by one rival “she cannot complain”.Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said action would be taken to weed out troublemakers following complaints by Swiatek, the women’s defending champion, and David Goffin.“We’re happy to see there’s an atmosphere, emotions and that the spectators are there. However, we will be uncompromising with respect to the players and the game,” said Mauresmo.“If there’s the slightest behaviour that oversteps the mark, it will be the exit,” asserted Mauresmo, while acknowledging that “identifying the person is not always easy”.Swiatek scolded spectators in her on-court interview for making noise during several points of her tense second-round win over Naomi Osaka.But Paula Badosa, who will face second seed Aryna Sabalenka in round three, suggested Swiatek has it better than most given her status as the world number one and a four-time Grand Slam winner.Swiatek has not played on any court other than Philippe Chatrier or Suzanne Lenglen since her second-round match of the 2021 French Open.“I think she cannot complain, because I played Court 8 and 9 and you can hear everything,” said Spain’s Badosa, the former world number two.“Like, I can hear Suzanne Lenglen, Philippe Chatrier, Court 6, 7 during the points. I think she’s very lucky she can play all the time on Philippe Chatrier and she’s okay with that.“But I don’t mind. As I said, I played in small courts these days, and I was hearing so much noise. In that moment, I’m just so focused on myself and on my match that it doesn’t really bother me.”Badosa recalled the 2020 and 2021 editions of the tournament, when fan capacity was reduced due to Covid-19 restrictions and matches at times were played in front of empty stands.“Honestly, I like when the fans cheer and all this. I think I get pumped,” she said.“Look, we had a very tough situation years ago when we were playing without fans with the Covid situation, so now, for me, I’m so happy they’re back and think they’re very important for our sport.”‘Quiet or super loud’Daniil Medvedev sympathised with Swiatek’s frustration at beingdistracted by the crowd at key moments, pointing out the fine margins between winning and losing.“If someone screams in your ear, your serve, you could double fault. That’s as easy as that. That’s not good,” said Medvedev.“Now what happens is that 95% of matches, tournaments, it’s quiet. And then when suddenly you come to Roland Garros and it’s not, it disturbs you, and it’s a Grand Slam so you get more stress and it’s not easy.”“There is no in between,” he continued.“It either should be quiet or super loud but all the time, and then we would get used to it, I would get used to it also, and we would not actually complain about it.”Goffin, who claimed he was spat at by a spectator as he defeated French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round on Tuesday, said he had received plenty of support from his peers.“I don’t know how many people and how many players came to me and were on my side,” said Goffin, whose tournament ended Thursday in a straight-sets defeat by Alexander Zverev.“I was surprised that everybody was, like, ‘Okay, what you saidis great, what you said to the press is great, I agree.’ So everybody is behind me, so I’m really surprised.”Mauresmo said there would be “no hesitation” to remove anyone caught throwing something at a player.She said it would be at an umpire’s discretion how to handle other disruptive spectators, but called for them to be sterner while announcing alcohol will now be prohibited in the stands.Sebastian Korda, who awaits Carlos Alcaraz in the last 32, wants fans to enjoy themselves, but within reason.“I’ve played in Australia on one of their brand new courts that has a bar right next to it. It wasn’t a fun experience,” he said.“I think they should do whatever they want, but hopefully not get too rowdy out there.”

The US economy grew more slowly in the first quarter than previously estimated after downward revisions to consumer spending and a key measure of inflation ticked down, keeping the Federal Reserve on track to possibly begin cutting interest rates at least once before the end of the year.Gross domestic product — the broadest measure of economic activity — grew at an 1.3% annualised rate from January through March, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday, down from the advance estimate of 1.6% and notably slower than the 3.4% pace in the final three months of 2023.The first-quarter growth downgrade suggests the US central bank's aim of gradually cooling the economy through high interest rates is having an impact as consumers increasingly balk at higher prices, although it remains uncertain whether the weakening trend in inflation will continue. Corporate profits dropped for the first time in a year, falling 0.6% to $3.39tn from the fourth quarter's record high."The downward revision to economic growth as well as smaller downward revisions to inflation make the Fed a little more likely to start reducing interest rates by September," said Bill Adams, the chief economist at Comerica Bank. "With the economy operating in low gear, a margin of slack capacity is opening up, and consumers are feeling less flush." That was illustrated by data from the National Association of Realtors on Thursday that showed contract signings for UShome purchases fell by the most in three years in April and the overall level of activity was the lowest since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020.Details of the GDP report showed that consumer spending growth, revised down by half a percentage point to a 2.0% annualised rate, mostly reflected a larger-than-earlier-reported drop in household spending on goods. Outlays for big-ticket durable goods like motor vehicles and parts dragged on growth by the most since the third quarter of 2021. That drag outpaced upward revisions in the report to business investment, driven mostly by spending on Artificial Intelligence and other technologies, and residential investment outlays, which reflected increased single-family homebuilding.A measure of inflation during the first quarter was also revised down to 3.3% from 3.4%, the stiffest quarterly price-pressure growth in a year.After easing through much of last year, measures of inflation came in higher than expected to start 2024, driving Federal Reserve policymakers to push back expectations for when they'll be able to pivot to interest rate cuts.Yields on Treasury securities fell by the most in about two weeks as investors' hopes for at least one rate cut this year were bolstered. US stocks, meanwhile, fell for a second consecutive day, and the dollar was broadly weaker.Investors in contracts tied to the Fed's policy rate slightly added to just about even odds that the central bank could begin to cut rates in September, but still forecast no more than two rate cuts by the end of 2024.The downward revision to GDP brings the first-quarter growth rate to the lowest since the second quarter of 2022, when the economy contracted, and leaves output below the 1.8% rate that officials at the Fed see as its longer-run, non-inflationary potential.Gross domestic income grew 1.5%, down sharply from the fourth quarter's 3.6% rate and the lowest since the second quarter of 2023. The average of GDP and GDI, also referred to as gross domestic output and considered a better measure of economic activity, was 1.4% — also the lowest in three quarters.The report had one indication of a weakening demand measure that has been on the radar of US central bank officials, including Fed Chair Jerome Powell, as they look for the pace of consumption to ease up and help lower inflation.Growth in final sales to private domestic purchasers was revised down to 2.8% from 3.1%. That figure — now revised to the lowest since the second quarter of 2023 — was one that Powell cited at a recent press conference, saying it "usually sends a clearer signal on underlying demand." The soft start to the year is not expected to have persisted into the current second quarter, however, thanks in part to continued strength in the job market.That robustness was evident in the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week. While jobless claims ticked higher, the underlying strength in the labour market still shows signs of persisting and should continue to support the economy.Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 219,000 for the week ended May 25, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 218,000 claims.The so-called continuing claims tracking those who collect benefits beyond the first week rose 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.791mn during the week ending May 18, the claims report showed.The labour market is gradually rebalancing in the wake of 525 basis points worth of rate hikes from the Fed since March 2022 to slow demand in the overall economy. The level of layoffs remains muted overall, however, with the readjustment more a result of less hiring."Momentum is gradually slowing as labour conditions cool, with younger and lower-income consumers exercising more scrutiny and businesses reevaluating their talent needs as they face higher financing costs and cooler demand," said Lydia Boussour, a senior economist at EY-Parthenon.A separate report on Thursday showed the goods deficit in April, the gap between exports and imports, widened to the highest level since May 2022, as strong domestic demand for imports was not matched by export trade.

Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin was travelling to a campaign rally aboard Donald Trump’s private jet in early April when he decided to broach the delicate issue of early voting.As the Boeing 757 flew from Florida to Green Bay, Wisconsin, Johnson pressed the Republican candidate to use his speech to urge his supporters to cast their votes ahead of Election Day.Early voting often draws a torrent of vitriol from Trump, who falsely claims it is vulnerable to fraud and cost him the 2020 election.But Johnson is one of a number of senior Republicans — many of them in key swing states, like Wisconsin — who are worried that Trump’s demonising of early voting could torpedo his hopes of winning back the White House on November 5.“I encouraged the president to encourage Wisconsin Republicans to bank their votes,” said Johnson, adding he didn’t encounter any resistance from Trump. “I would recommend he get on board.”“We have to do everything we can to fully utilise the rules as they are written. Democrats certainly have,” said the 69-year-old senator, himself a recent convert to early voting. But not only did Trump fail to extol the importance of early voting at the April 2 rally, he told the crowd of more than 3,000 supporters that his goal was ultimately to limit voting to Election Day only, a message greeted with huge cheers.And when Johnson — in his third Senate term — took to the convention centre’s stage to urge Republicans to vote early, he was met with tepid applause from a just few people.Supporters of early voting say it increases turnout and avoids the problems of people being unable to vote on Election Day because of bad weather, logistical issues at voting stations or personal reasons. Voter rights groups say there is no data showing early voting can lead to fraudulent ballots being cast.At the last presidential election in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, early voting surged to new highs. And in the 2022 midterm elections, half of US voters cast their vote before Election Day, according to the US Census Bureau.November’s election will be a closely fought contest between Trump and President Joe Biden, opinion polls suggest. The Democratic incumbent defeated Trump in Wisconsin by just 20,000 votes in 2020 and the state is again a major prize for both parties.Not pursuing an early voting strategy in 2024 would be “political suicide,” said Brian Schimming, the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party.Reuters spoke to Republican Party leaders in four of the likely seven battleground states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and North Carolina. They told Reuters they are making a big push to encourage Republicans not to wait until Election Day to cast their ballots.The newly installed leaders of the Republican National Committee (RNC) – Michael Whatley and Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump – insist the former president is on board with early voting.“We urge all Republicans to go vote early, by mail, on Election Day, or whichever method works best for them,” Claire Zunk, an RNC spokesperson, said in a statement to Reuters. But, as Johnson’s experience underscores, it’s not clear that voters are willing to embrace the new message after Trump’s repeated and continuing claims of fraud.Suzanne Sliva, a 60-year-old entrepreneur from Lucas, Texas, said she views early voting with suspicion and believes it should be reserved only for exceptional circumstances.“Voting is one day,” she said, while waiting for Trump to speak at a National Rifle Association (NRA) event in Dallas, Texas last weekend. “Everything gets counted in one day, and we know before midnight who the winner is.”Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who has been analysing elections data for over 30 years, said it would take a lot of messaging to change some voters’ minds, “most importantly from Trump himself.”Trump’s position, however, remains unclear. At a campaign rally in New Jersey on May 11, the candidate, for the first time in a speech this year, promoted early voting for the Nov. 5 general election: “Get an absentee or mail-in ballot, vote early or vote on Election Day,” he told supporters.Yet in the same speech he said “mail-in voting is largely corrupt.”And, at a rally on April 13, Trump likened early voting to “stealing” the vote. In March, he called mail-in voting a hoax.In fact, he has called mail-in voting corrupt or a hoax at least 11 times in speeches this year alone, according to a Reuters analysis of his prepared remarks.But away from the teleprompter, Trump has posted twice on Truth Social since mid-April that early voting is important.“That is really not helpful,” said Oscar Brock, an RNC committee member from Tennessee and a supporter of early voting, referring to Trump’s mixed messaging.Voting rights groups accuse the RNC of double dealing in publicly backing early voting. They note the RNC, Republican lawmakers in battleground states and conservative groups continue to pass laws and file lawsuits that restrict access to early voting.The activists say these efforts disproportionately affect minority groups, who tend to vote for the Democratic Party in large numbers. Republicans deny the accusation, saying they are seeking to protect the integrity of the voting process.Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said the former president had always advocated for free and fair elections, “where every legal vote is counted and any instance of fraud is rooted out.”“Democrats have proven they are willing to change voting rules during the middle of a pandemic that made our elections more susceptible to fraud,” Cheung said.In the 2020 presidential election, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Democratic election officials in many states expanded early voting by adding ballot drop box locations, extending voting deadlines, and increasing the use of mail-in voting. The Democratic National Committee is investing “tens of millions” dollars to promote early and mail-in voting this year, said Alex Floyd, the DNC’s rapid response director.In 2020, 82% of Biden supporters voted early, compared to 62% of Trump’s, according to the Pew Research Center, an independent Washington-based think tank. Nearly twice as many Biden voters sent ballots by mail compared to Trump supporters, according to Pew. Despite the mixed messaging from Trump, the chairmen of state Republican parties in the four swing states told Reuters they are pressing ahead with an early voting push.Josh McKoon, chairman of the Republican Party in Georgia, said the party on April 29 sent a video promoting early voting to 70,000 registered Republicans through social media and email.In North Carolina, Republican chair Jason Simmons said the party is holding training sessions with county and district chairs on how to message voters on the importance of early voting, while in Michigan, Republican Party chair Pete Hoekstra is pushing early voting every time he speaks to grassroots activists across the state.In Wisconsin, Schimming, the party chair, said top Republican officials in the state had released videos of themselves voting early in this year’s primaries to reinforce their message of casting ballots before Election Day.And in Pennsylvania, the Republican State Leadership Committee, together with two other Republican groups, has launched a $10mn initiative to promote mail-in voting in the state, a push first reported by Reuters.Turning Point Action, a conservative group once sceptical of early voting, says it plans to spend over $100mn in Wisconsin, Arizona and Michigan to persuade Republicans who rarely vote to cast ballots.Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for TPA, said they hoped a majority of those votes will be cast before Election Day.Celina Stewart, chief counsel for the League of Women Voters, a non-partisan voting rights group, said early voting makes the election process safer because it catches errors. Some 47 states use some form of early voting, she added.But in five swing states this year — Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina — Republican lawmakers have either passed bills or introduced legislation aimed at restricting access to early voting 28 times, according to a Reuters analysis of legislation in state houses.The bills sought multiple ways to restrict access to early voting. They included three provisions to eliminate early in-person voting altogether, 15 to make it easier to prevent people from voting early, and seven to reduce early voting locations, according to Reuters’ tally. The RNC has also filed or supports 29 lawsuits aimed at restricting early voting, 17 of which concern voting by mail, according to Democracy Docket, a progressive voting rights group that tracks election-related litigation.“Republicans are trying to turn out their voters and there is simultaneously a push to suppress the vote and restrict access to voting,” said Wendy Weiser, vice-president for democracy at the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.Research shows restricting access to early voting, “disproportionately reduces access and participation by voters of colour”, Weiser said, because they often work multiple jobs, or lack access to transport, making their access to polling locations on Election Day more difficult.Zunk, the RNC spokesperson, did not respond directly to Reuters’ questions about the lawsuits or legislative efforts but said the party was “dedicated to securing the vote across the country so all voters can have full confidence in a fair election.”

From the sun-soaked streets of Thessaloniki to the gleaming towers of Doha, Michalis Kiotis's journey in the hospitality industry is nothing short of remarkable. Currently the Digital Marketing Manager at Raffles and Fairmont, one of Qatar’s most iconic landmarks, Kiotis's career path is a testament to his adaptability, passion, and strategic prowess.A Greek beginning:Originally from Greece, Michalis spent most of his life in Thessaloniki, the vibrant city often considered Greece’s cultural capital. With its rich history and dynamic atmosphere, Thessaloniki was the perfect backdrop for Michalis’s formative years. It was here that he developed his innate sense of hospitality, a trait that would become central to his professional identity.European adventures:In 2017, Michalis's quest for growth led him to Marbella, Spain, where he pursued his Masters. The experience in Spain was transformative, both professionally and personally. A year later, he moved to London to join Marriott International, a move that would further refine his skills. “Both Spain and the UK were great schools for me,” he reflects. “I grew both professionally and personally.”His time in London was marked by significant events: Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Navigating these crises taught Michalis resilience and flexibility. The pandemic, in particular, prompted him to seek new opportunities, leading him to the Middle East.Embracing the Middle East:Michalis arrived in Doha, Qatar, in time for the 2022 World Cup, a decision influenced by Qatar's burgeoning market and vibrant dynamism. “Coming to Doha from London was a major change for me,” he admits. “Qatar is the fourth country I am living in, and even if it's a totally different lifestyle than my previous European ones, I found myself adapting very quickly as I loved the dynamism that it has.”At the helm of iconic landmarks:At Raffles and Fairmont, Michalis manages the digital marketing strategies for two of the most prestigious hotels in the world. “Raffles and Fairmont is definitely the biggest project I have worked on,” he says. The stunning architecture of these properties has not only redefined Qatar’s skyline but also set new standards in global hospitality. “Even from a personal experience, having visited some of the greatest hotels in the world like Burj Khalifa, Savoy London, The Plaza, etc., these two properties are by far the best I have ever been.”Passion for hospitality:When asked what keeps him motivated in the hospitality industry, Michalis’s answer is simple yet profound: “Hospitality is not only a working industry for me; it’s an ongoing passion. My personality was always hospitable, so for me, it was very natural to rise in this field.”Observing global and local hospitality:Drawing parallels between global hospitality and that in Qatar, Michalis notes the unique dynamism of the Qatari market. “It’s more dynamic, more on the rise, and more flexible compared to other markets around the world,” he observes.Digital marketing trends:As a digital marketing expert, Michalis is at the forefront of industry trends. He highlights the rapid digitalization within hospitality. “There is a huge digital gap in hospitality even between now and five years ago. Social media, online PR, meta campaigns, and e-commerce are starting to become the most important tools in any successful commercial team,” he explains.Proud accomplishments:Michalis and his team take immense pride in their digital presence, particularly their social media activity. Their efforts have not only amplified the visibility of Raffles and Fairmont but have also set a benchmark for digital marketing in the hospitality industry.A world citizen:Despite his diverse experiences and the various countries he has lived in, Michalis remains deeply connected to his roots while embracing a global perspective. “In the end of the day, I am Greek; however, I also consider myself a world citizen,” he asserts.Michalis Kiotis's journey from Thessaloniki to Doha, navigating through some of the world’s most challenging markets, showcases a blend of passion, adaptability, and strategic vision. His work at Raffles and Fairmont stands as a testament to his dedication to excellence in the ever-evolving world of hospitality.

Qatar’s central position between Asia and Europe, with both regions accessible within a six-hour flight, makes it an ideal hub for global business activities, according to Unicorn Media CEO and co-founder Silvina Moschini.Speaking to Gulf Times, Moschini stressed that this accessibility, combined with Qatar’s welcoming environment and incentives for innovation, makes it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide.“Qatar is strategically located to bridge not only the culture but also the opportunities and I think that there has been a power shift when it comes to innovation in the world,” she said, highlighting on the global shift in innovation dynamics catalysed by the Covid-19 pandemic.Moschini pointed out that the pandemic spurred a massive move towards remote work and digital transactions, further stressing the importance of technological advancement.She said there is a significant movement in the Gulf towards embracing new revenue streams and opportunities, which is particularly beneficial for countries such as Argentina, the Philippines, and Latin America, where talent often outpaces opportunities.With many people moving out of traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Moschini pointed out that the focus is now on countries actively working to become leaders in the next technology revolution. She reiterated Qatar’s unique geographical advantage and crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.Unicorn Media recently underscored its commitment to Qatar’s innovation ecosystem by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Qatar Financial Centre Authority. This agreement aims to develop a framework to bolster Qatar’s entrepreneurial landscape, leveraging its strategic location to bridge innovative minds from the East and West.Moschini said Qatar emerged as the seamless bridge connecting diverse perspectives and groundbreaking ideas. She noted that the country’s efforts to attract global talent and foster collaboration are paving the way for significant advancements in fields such as blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and fin-tech.“What really matters is the countries that are truly thinking of becoming the leaders that will drive the next technology revolution, which is a revolution that we are already living in and related to blockchain technology, AI, decentralization in many aspects, and fin-tech.“These affect pretty much anything because as you see, like there is a lot of buzzword with AI but it is true AI is pervasive across all industries, so blockchain technology is changing how we do business, so we are going waves,” Moschini said.

Atalanta were given a hero’s welcome on Sunday as the Europa League winners strolled past Torino 3-0 in a festive homecoming after their stunning triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.Rain and storms have battered northern Italy for most of a soaking wet spring but the sun shone powerfully on the Gewiss Stadium as fans hailed the team that Wednesday swatted aside Leverkusen by the same score in the Europa League final.Fresh from winning their first ever European trophy -- their first major honour of any sort since 1963 -- and having already qualified for the Champions League, Atalanta could have been forgiven for going through the motions in a party atmosphere.But instead Gian Piero Gasperini’s side thumped Torino to move up to fourth and give themselves a chance to equal their best ever finish of third by winning next weekend’s game in hand with Fiorentina.Atalanta’s loud home support chanted “we’re the champions of Europe!” at the end of a typically swashbuckling performance against sorry Torino, after which the team paraded the Europa League trophy on the pitch to further chants of “thank you lads”.Gasperini’s future has been the hot topic in Bergamo, with persistent rumours of talks with Napoli, who finished their dismal campaign as defending champions with a goalless draw with Lecce.The 66-year-old described Napoli as a beautiful woman tempting him away from his wife, but on Sunday CEO Luca Percassi suggested that Gasperini would remain faithful. “Let’s hope the wife ends up being more attractive than any girlfriend,” joked Percassi before the match.And after Gasperini held aloft the trophy to huge cheers the crowd belted out a chant of “we’re gonna win the league!”.Before the match, fans in the Curva Nord section invited Duvan Zapata, who is on loan from Atalanta at Torino, for a warm round of applause, a scarf and a gigantic bottle of local wine.Former Colombia forward Zapata led the line for the thrilling Atalanta team which was desperately unlucky to be knocked out of the Covid 19-hit Champions League quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.Bergamo was ground zero for the pandemic in Europe and Atalanta have been a ray of light for a city which was deeply scarred.And as Atalanta walked out through a guard of honour, fans showed their appreciation for the team with a giant banner which read “Thank you for this fantastic season”.Thursday night’s hat-trick hero Ademola Lookman was again on target, sweeping home the hosts’ second just before half-time after in-form striker Gianluca Scamacca celebrated his Italy call-up with a beautiful finish midway through the first half.

The economic world has always been characterised by unpredictable events, but these appear to becoming more common, and repercussions that are felt more widely – and rapidlyThe former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, when asked in the early 1960s about the greatest challenge of heading a government, is reported to have said: ‘Events, dear boy, events’. The issues that had been in no one’s diary – scandal, conflict, coups d’états – tended to pose the most formidable challenges.Six decades on, both politicians and business executives are discovering that the ability to confront ‘events’ – to be able to stay calm and make good decisions when faced with unexpected challenges – has become an imperative. While it has never been the case that conditions for business have been stable and predictable, we are currently living through a period of exceptional volatility.It is likely that certain types of crisis are becoming more common, with their effects spreading more rapidly, as a result of greater connectivity. The same trading and communications networks that deliver goods and services swiftly and efficiently when things are working well, can cause the effects of contagions or disruptions spreading with similar swiftness. Small crises can be overlaid onto global ones.In a recent interview with the Financial Times, the CEO of Wizz Air József Váradi reported how the budget European airline had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, a disproportionate impact of conflicts in Gaza-Israel and Ukraine as it affected a significant number of its routes; high oil prices, and a product recall relating to an issue with turbofan engines. It was, said Mr Váradi, a case of ‘too many Black Swans’.The economic world tends to behave as a single economic entity, rather than a collection of regional ones. Globalisation of business has led to competition, and competition often leads to consolidation, especially in commodities where margins are low. The economic world has become reliant on a smaller number of suppliers. They are typically larger and very efficiently run, but when there is a small number of supply routes, there are vulnerabilities should these be disrupted.By 2022, a relatively high proportion of the world’s grain supplies originated in Ukraine, so when the conflict escalated in that year, prices surged, almost doubling between 2020 and 2022. Oil prices were even more volatile over a similar period, plunging to around $10 per barrel during the pandemic, and climbing to over $100 after the Russian invasion. There are winners and losers for each fluctuation, but an important dimension is the sheer unpredictability, and consequent difficulties for planners and managers either as purchasers or suppliers.Products such as electric cars become more complex, with many components requiring a diverse array of raw materials, including rare metals, that have to be sourced from many different countries. The number, complexity and sensitivity of supply chains multiplies.Chaos theory, sometimes referred to as the ‘butterfly effect’, described by the metaphor of a butterfly fluttering its wings in one continent ultimately leading to a tornado on another, is based on an understanding of the inherent unpredictability of highly complex, interconnected systems. In the past few decades, business planners and technologists have been assiduously making systems many times more complex, and interconnected.In the case of supply chains, there have been moves to emphasize resilience as well as efficiency, to have better contingencies, rather than expect perfection, or at least a sense of order that in practice never occurs.The world of finance is exceptionally interconnected and complex. In banking we see this every working week. The relaxation of capital controls, and the online interconnectedness of financial systems can result in better allocation of capital and greater opportunities when well managed – but also swifter and larger financial contagion when things go wrong.The traditional understanding of a crisis as being a major event that occurs a handful of times in one’s managerial career is no longer the working experience for many executives. This turbulent new normal has implications for managerial education – also for self-management and self-care, given that a daily working experience of dealing with both micro and macro crises will take a personal toll.Prime Minister Macmillan’s advice needs updating, 60 years on: ‘Events dear boy. And expect lots more of them.’The author is a Qatari banker, with many years of experience in the banking sector in senior positions.

The “Ignite Istanbul” conference, organised by the Spark Foundation, funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and implemented by Qatar Charity, was held recently in Istanbul.The conference discussed topics such as building business resilience during crises, digitisation and methods, as well as inclusive growth and promotion of entrepreneurship among youth in Turkiye and Jordan.The conference was an opportunity to further develop solutions necessary to achieve strong economic growth in the region in the presence of thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts from various sectors, including from the government and private sectors, investors, educators, and higher education institutions.The contributions of successful startups led by women and refugees, investors and system partners were presented.QFFD representative Alaa Abdel Wahab, Qatar Charity officer in Turkiye Yousef al-Hammadi, resident representative of the UN Development Programme in TurkiyeLouisa Fenton, Spark Foundation chief executive Simon Van Melick, and many project owners and institutions took part in the conference.“Economic resilience is a lifeline, as it enables young people to withstand and succeed in difficult circumstances,” Melick said. “For 30 years, Spark has been doing this, and today we would like to build on the achievements of this programme. We are building a strong economy whether in Turkiye or Jordan, but also in Gaza.”“With the support of the Qatar Fund for Development and in co-operation with Spark and Qatar charity, social development care has flourished among refugees and local communities in Turkiye and Jordan,” Abdel Wahab noted. “The achievements so far are supporting major companies during the fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) and improving access to funding.”“We look forward to leveraging our unwavering commitment to working to create opportunities where dreams flourish and society succeeds,” he said.“This programme is a great achievement for us, as it will oversee the work with all participants, officials, partners, and beneficiaries, I would like to thank you for the technical support provided by Spark,” al-Hammadi said.

On Saturday (May 25) marked the 43rd anniversary of the establishment of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) in the early ‘80s, highlighting the success of its foundation, thanks to the wise and balanced policies adopted under the wise leadership of the leaders of the member states.After these long years of dedication and interaction, the GCC has succeeded in enhancing its regional position and its international presence and engagement. It has become a reliable and active partner in fostering global security and stability.The anniversary arrives at a time when the GCC has proven to be the most successful integrative experience in the region. This experience has garnered widespread admiration and praise, becoming a cornerstone of security and stability, a voice of wisdom and balance, and a unique model for a prosperous life. The anniversary also comes as the Gulf citizen enjoys security and stability, feels proud of their achievements and gains, and extends a helping hand to their brethren and all humanity.The GCC was established on May 25, 1981, in exceptional circumstances due to regional tensions and the political, security, and economic challenges faced by the region. These circumstances prompted the member states to unify their efforts, co-operate, and enhance economic, political, and security integration to achieve stability and cooperation in facing these challenges. The main objectives of establishing the GCC, as outlined in its basic charter, include achieving co-ordination, integration, and interconnection among member states in all fields, strengthening ties between their peoples, and adopting similar systems in various economic, financial, commercial, customs, transportation, educational, cultural, social, health, media, tourism, legislative, and administrative fields. It also aims to advance scientific and technical progress in industry, mining, agriculture, water, and animal resources, establish scientific research centres, and implement joint projects, and encourage private sector co-operation.The decision to establish the GCC was not spontaneous but rather an institutional embodiment of a historical, social, and cultural reality. The GCC states are characterised by deep religious and cultural ties and familial interconnections among their citizens, all of which are factors that enhance their unity and co-operation. The geographical proximity and the shared desert coastal environment facilitated communication and interaction, fostering a homogeneous identity and values. The establishment of the GCC also came in response to the aspirations of the region’s people for some form of regional Arab unity, after such unity proved difficult to achieve at the broader Arab level. The GCC’s basic charter states that its establishment was driven by the member states recognition of their special relationships, common characteristics, and similar systems, all rooted in Islamic beliefs. It reflects their shared destiny and unity of purpose, and their desire to achieve co-ordination, integration, and interconnection in all fields, convinced that such co-operation serves the noble goals of the Arab nation.In the context of the council’s evolution and increasing effectiveness and influence regionally and globally, the GCC launched its regional security vision on March 29. Qatar participated in the vision launch event organised by the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh.The Qatari delegation at the event was headed by HE the Director of Policy and Planning Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Khalid bin Fahad al-Khater. In his speech at the event, he stated that the launch of the vision comes at a time of escalating international and regional changes, necessitating intensified co-ordination to deal with these changes and avoid their serious repercussions.He emphasised that the GCC countries are working to strengthen collective security ties, share a common approach to reducing tensions, and address instability in the region through diplomatic and economic means, aiming to end conflicts that violate state sovereignty through dialogue, negotiations, and diplomatic methods, and to avoid the use of force to ensure regional security and stability.HE Dr al-Khater highlighted that the event was a culmination of joint Gulf efforts through the regional security team to develop a common vision for the GCC regarding regional security in the Gulf. He added that this vision represents the starting point for addressing regional security issues in the upcoming period through ongoing dialogues with various partners on this matter.He clarified that the vision is based on several pillars of security for the GCC, foremost among these is the council’s fundamental charter, which emphasises the shared destiny and unity of purpose among the member states, aiming for co-ordination and integration, in addition to, the joint defence agreement stipulates that any attack on one member is considered an attack on all, and any threat to one is a threat to all.HE Dr al-Khater also participated in a panel discussion organised by the GCC General Secretariat during the event, focusing on the GCC’s vision for regional security and ways to enhance and advance it. In his speech, he highlighted that enhancing regional security is a priority for Qatar during its current presidency of the GCC, reflecting Qatar’s long-standing commitment to contributing to regional security by building bridges of dialogue and co-operation.Over its more than four-decade-long journey, the GCC has achieved numerous historical milestones that have strengthened the council’s foundation and entrenched its goals and aspirations in the hearts of Gulf citizens. Among these achievements is the establishment of the Gulf Common Market, which offers numerous benefits, including the seamless flow of goods between GCC countries, thereby increasing competition among Gulf institutions to the benefit of consumers.The GCC also established a “Free Trade Area”, primarily characterised by the exemption of GCC-produced industrial, agricultural, and natural resource products from customs duties. This Free Trade Area came into effect in March 1983 and lasted for nearly 20 years until the end of 2002, when it was replaced by the GCC Customs Union.During its journey, which has now entered its fifth decade, the GCC also accomplished the project of the unified GCC identity card (smart card). This initiative has facilitated the movement of citizens between member states, reduced wait times at entry points through the use of electronic gates, and aided the smooth movement of national labour between member states.In terms of the GCC’s milestones and projects, the adoption of a comprehensive security strategy for its member states and the GCC security agreement stands out. Joint military work has always received attention from the leaders of the GCC states, since its inception. Notable achievements in this area include the approval of the GCC joint defence agreement, the GCC defence strategy, the formation of the Peninsula Shield Force, and the conducting of joint military exercises. The education sector has also garnered significant attention from the GCC in recent years, achieving numerous successes such as equality in general and technical education and the promotion of Gulf citizenship values. The GCC established the Gulf Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and approved the guide for good practices, ensuring equal treatment for GCC nationals residing in member states in universities and public higher education institutions.In the healthcare sector, GCC countries have demonstrated significant co-operation through the exchange of medical expertise and technologies among member states and coordination to combat epidemics and maintain the health of communities in the region. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the GCC played a crucial role in collaboration and coordination among member states to fight the spread of the virus, tackle the challenges of the pandemic, implement preventive measures, and regulate international travel and trade.One of the most important infrastructure projects approved by the GCC is the electrical interconnection between member states. The benefits of this project include reducing the reserve required in each country, mutual coverage in emergencies, utilisation of surplus electricity, and reducing the cost of electricity production.The Supreme Council also approved the media strategy, aiming to enhance co-operation and unity among GCC countries, solidify the Gulf, Arab, and Islamic identities of the GCC states, deepen Gulf citizenship, support the cohesion, security, and stability of the Gulf society, raise public awareness among citizens and residents, and support the council’s journey and co-operation and integration between official and non-official institutions in member states.In its 33rd session, the Supreme Council adopted the petroleum strategy for member states, recognising the global political and economic importance of the GCC countries, their leadership role in the petroleum industry, and their significant oil reserves, making them the largest region for oil production and export.The GCC is a reliable economic player internationally, representing a large market for exports from around the world. The member states play a crucial role in supplying global energy markets with oil and gas, which are the main drivers of the global economy and account for about 60% of the energy consumed worldwide.GCC countries co-operate extensively in all environmental sectors and work with organisations focused on environmental protection and conservation of natural resources. They have joined numerous regional and international agreements and treaties on the environment, wildlife protection, natural resource conservation, biodiversity, ozone layer protection, climate change, desertification combat, and international trade in endangered species.In terms of foreign policy, the GCC has worked to formulate joint and unified stances on political issues affecting its six member states within Arab, regional, and international frameworks. The council acts as a single entity in the world based on principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and consideration of common interests, safeguarding the interests of member states, enhancing their security, stability, and prosperity. On this path, the GCC has succeeded in strengthening its regional position and confirming its presence on the international stage, becoming a reliable and active partner in establishing global security and stability.Since its inception, the council has aimed to expand its strategic partnerships and dialogues with many countries and blocs, engaging in free trade negotiations with international economic groups to achieve common interests. The GCC countries have signed numerous free trade agreements with other nations worldwide to facilitate the movement of goods, enhance interregional trade, expand investment opportunities, and foster strong trade relations.Thus, the journey of the GCC continues with determination and confidence from its leaders and people, looking forward to a bright future and more achievements, and implementing ambitious developmental plans in each member state to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development goals. These plans focus on the Gulf citizen as the central axis of development, its main objective, and its primary driver. The advanced global indicators reflect the economic status of the GCC countries, which have become a pioneering model not only nationally but also regionally and globally.

Negotiations on a landmark global agreement on handling future pandemics came to a close on Friday without finalising a deal, though countries voiced the desire to keep pushing for an accord.Scarred by the devastation caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19) – which killed millions of people, shredded economies and crippled health systems – countries have spent two years trying to hammer out binding commitments on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.However, the talks gathered momentum only in the last few weeks, as the fast-approaching deadline set for before next week’s start of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s annual meeting of its 194 member states loomed.“This is not a failure,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said after the talks ended at the UN health agency’s headquarters in Geneva.He urged countries to see this as a “good opportunity to re-energise, to recalibrate and be even inspired and have even more commitment...to get where we would like to be”.“There should not be any regrets, because you have tried your best,” he said.The mandate of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) steering the talks expires at next week’s World Health Assembly.The INB must now report back to the Assembly on progress – and ask what ministers want them to do next.“We have come to the end of a roller-coaster ride,” INB co-chair Roland Driece said as he closed the talks. “We are not where we hoped we would be when we started this process but...we should finish this, for the sake of humanity.”“We truly hope that the World Health Assembly next week...will take the right decisions to take this process forward...and that we will have a pandemic agreement – because we need it,” he said.Amid arm-twisting, horse-trading and 3am finishes in recent weeks, the talks had made progress but they could not overcome the remaining obstacles by Friday's deadline.“It’s clearly a pause. Most member states want to carry on and lock in the gains,” an Asian diplomat in the talks told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We’re not yet there with the text we have on the table. People need time to adjust their positions. The big question is, what will it take for the north and the south to get to convergence? It needs time.”The talks were held behind closed doors at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, until the closing session.The main disputes revolved around issues of access and equity: access to pathogens detected within countries, and to pandemic-fighting products such as vaccines derived from that knowledge.Other tricky topics were sustainable financing, pathogen surveillance, supply chains, and the equitable distribution of not only tests, treatments and jabs but also the means to produce them.“The best thing is to have a good, inclusive text. Whether that is now or later doesn’t matter. But were we able to reach a good text today? No,” an African negotiator in the talks told AFP. “We want to continue the process. We really want this text.”US negotiator Pamela Hamamoto said: “I’m glad that we have the draft text to show for the work that we have done together.”The rolling draft agreement was not made public, but a 32-page version as it stood on Thursday, seen by AFP, showed that large sections had been approved, but a number had not.“I think they will present to the assembly the skeleton of the instrument: there is agreement on the principles and structure,” Jaume Vidal, senior policy adviser with Health Action International, told AFP before the talks ended.The assembly could then possibly give instructions for the process to carry on later in the year.Ellen ‘t Hoen, a lawyer with the Medicines Law and Policy non-governmental organisation (NGO), said: “Perhaps the ambition of doing this in two years was a bridge too far, the fastest-ever negotiated UN treaty.”

South Korean, Chinese and Japanese leaders will hold their first trilateral summit in nearly five years next week in Seoul, South Korea's presidential office said yesterday.President Yoon Suk Yeol will meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the South Korean capital Monday, Seoul's deputy national security director Kim Tae-hyo told reporters.Yoon will hold separate bilateral talks with Li and Kishida on Sunday, Kim added.The three leaders are also scheduled to attend a business summit and "encourage business people from the three countries", he said.The upcoming summit "will serve as a turning point for fully restoring and normalising the trilateral co-operation system" between the three nations, Kim said.The last time leaders of the three nations met was in 2019, in part due to the Covid-19 pandemic but also because of diplomatic and historical disputes between South Korea and former colonial ruler Japan.Legal disputes over Japan's 1910-45 rule over the Korean peninsula persist between the two countries.But with the increasing threat posed by nuclear-armed Pyongyang, South Korea's Yoon has moved to bury the historical hatchet with Japan, while strengthening ties with long-standing ally Washington.In August last year, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington announced a "new chapter" of close three-way security co-operation after a historic summit at Camp David in the US.At the time, Beijing lodged complaints over a statement released at the summit, in which the three allies criticised China's "aggressive behaviour" in the South China Sea.Yoon last year said tensions over Taiwan were due to "attempts to change the status quo by force".Yesterday's announcement of the new trilateral summit came a day after Beijing reportedly summoned South Korean and Japanese diplomats to discuss "issues about Taiwan".China condemned the attendance of a South Korean lawmaker and Seoul's representative to Taipei at Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's inauguration on Monday, according to Seoul's Yonhap news agency.Seoul's foreign ministry said yesterday there is "no change" in South Korea's stance of "respecting the One China policy"."Our government is also communicating with China on the Taiwan issue, and (we) think China is well aware of our government's position," Lim Soo-suk, a foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters.China is South Korea's biggest trade partner, but it remains North Korea's most important economic benefactor and diplomatic ally.