INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2-7,16 COMMENT 14 QATAR | Page 16 ARAB WORLD 8 BUSINESS 1-8 Qatar Airways INTERNATIONAL 8-13,15 SPORTS 1-8 Alfardan Group has more than DOW JONES QE NYMEX and Northwestern 300 aircraft Medicine open 27,173.96 9,815.47 40.14 worth over $82bn +358.52 +27.18 -0.11 new health centre still on order +1.34% +0.28% -0.27% at Lusail City Latest Figures

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11685 September 28, 2020 Safar 11, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

QU postpones 43rd Graduation Ceremony Amir receives credentials of new ambassadors until Spring 2021

Qatar University (QU) has announced the postponement of the 43rd graduation ceremony (Class of 2020) until the end of Spring 2021, due to the current application of the precaution measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In a statement yesterday, QU president Dr Hassan al- Derham confirmed that the safety of students and employees is among the top priorities, and the postponement of the ceremony comes in line with the general measures taken by Qatar to prevent the spread of the pandemic and in order to preserve the health and safety of the community. The Class of 2020 will include 3,075 graduates from fall 2019, winter 2019, spring 2019 and summer 2020, the statement added. NMoQ to reopen permanent galleries The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) will reopen its permanent galleries and unveil the landmark exhibition, Splendours of the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday the credentials of seven new ambassadors to the State of Qatar. Pictures show the Amir receiving the Ancient East: Antiquities from the credentials of German ambassador Dr Claudius Fischbach and the ambassador of Bangladesh Mohamed Jashim Uddin. The Amir welcomed the new ambassadors, wishing them success in their missions, and Al-Sabah Collection, in its Temporary for the relations between Qatar and their countries further development and growth. For their part, the ambassadors conveyed to the Amir greetings of their countries’ leaders and wishes of further progress Exhibition Gallery on October 1. and prosperity to the Qatari people. Earlier, the ambassadors were accorded off icial reception at the Amiri Diwan. Page 16 Drawn from the extraordinary holdings assembled in Kuwait by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Sheikha Hussa Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, more than 170 objects provide a sweeping Qatar Airways Group’s QP to supply local market overview of the artistic and material culture of the ancient world, while also revealing new insights into the with eco-friendly diesel roots of Islamic art. Page 3 MoPH blacklists 23 revenue increases to Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel from Mesaieed health practitioners refinery meets ‘Euro 5’ specifications Twenty-three health practitioners have been blacklisted and banned QR51.1bn in fi scal 2020 atar Petroleum (QP) announced from working in Qatar for providing the commencement of supply forged certificates, the Ministry Qof Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel of Public Health (MoPH) has said. (ULSD) by the QP Refi nery in Mesaieed They include 17 doctors, four allied By Pratap John The national airline for the domestic transportation mar- healthcare practitioners and two Business Editor invested QR16.8bn in fleet ket, eff ective from yesterday, bring- nurses. The ministry said yesterday ing all diesel sold in the country to the that strict inspection procedures and other assets and had highest specifi cations. have contributed, in the current atar Airways Group’s revenue The ULSD is a higher grade and year, in the detection of 23 forged increased to QR51.1bn, seat a cash balance of QR7.3bn cleaner premium diesel fuel, which certificates of health practitioners, Qcapacity by 3.2% while freight Qatar Airways carried meets the European Emission Stand- who had applied for licences to tonnes handled had gone up by 2.8% ard ‘Euro 5’ – specifi cations. With this The start of ULSD production follows practise the profession in Qatar’s during the fi scal year 2020, the na- 32.4mn passengers in announcement, QP reaffi rms its com- the successful upgrade of the QP health sector. Page 2 tional airline announced yesterday. 2019-20, an increase of mitment towards the environment in Refinery’s Diesel Hydro-treating Units, Qatar Airways invested QR16.8bn the State of Qatar and globally. resulting in a maximum of 10ppm Oman Air to resume in fl eet and other assets during 9.8% over last year The start of ULSD production fol- Sulfur Diesel. flights on October 1 the year and had a cash balance of lows the successful upgrade of the QR7.3bn at year end, the national air- CEO of Qatar Airways Group year before clearly demonstrating the QP Refi nery’s Diesel Hydro-treating would like to thank my colleagues in Oman Air, the national carrier of line said in its annual report for 2019- HE Akbar al-Baker. Group’s improving performance,” Units, resulting in a maximum of QP operations who have worked dili- the Sultanate of Oman, will return 20. Qatar Airways said. 10ppm Sulfur Diesel. gently and safely to ensure that we to scheduled service on October Passenger traffi c at Hamad Inter- the State of Qatar, the liquidation of Such improvement is evidenced HE the Minister of State for Energy achieve this important environmental 1 with service to 18 cities in 12 national Airport, the national carri- Air Italy by the majority shareholder, from the increasing in the Group’s Aff airs and president and CEO of QP, milestone, which meets the stringent countries. Masks are required er’s home and hub, increased by 8.6% changes to accounting policy and re- overall revenue and other operating Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, said: “We ‘Euro 5’ specifi cations.” when guests are on board the in 2019-20. porting standards and the Covid-19 income to QR51.1bn, up 6.4% com- are pleased to announce this new ad- This important step is an integral aircraft and in Oman’s airports. However, Qatar Airways Group re- pandemic crisis has resulted in the pared to last year. dition to our products, which supports part of QP’s strategy of maximising Distancing is maintained while ported a net loss of QR7bn for 2019- Qatar Airways Group reporting a net Passenger revenue grew by 8.9% two of our strategic objectives – con- the added value of Qatar’s downstream guests board and exit the aircraft, 20, which the national carrier said loss of QR7bn for 2019-20. with capacity (Available Seat Kilom- tinuous effi ciency improvements and businesses, and delivering on our which are carefully cleaned after was “one of the most diffi cult years in “Excluding these exceptional eters) growth of 3.2%. environmental excellence. commitment to protect and enhance each flight and at the end of every the airline’s history.” items, the Group’s results at both Qatar Airways carried 32.4mn pas- “The production of ULSD by Qatar the environment through world-class day. Cabin crew all wear a full set of “The combination of the ongo- operating and net levels would have sengers in 2019-20, an increase of 9.8% Petroleum is an important milestone standards and practices, the company personal protective equipment. ing illegal air space blockade against been better than that reported in the over last fi nancial year. To Page 5 for our downstream business, and I said in a statement. Diplomat named Mali interim PM Wildfires continue to ravage California Former foreign minister Moctar Ouane was named as Mali’s interim Sights, experiences outside of prime minister, state television said yesterday, a move likely to trigger the lifting of sanctions imposed Doha in focus on Tourism Day by the West Africa regional bloc in the aftermath of the military coup last month. The Economic By Joey Aguilar The 40th anniversary of this annual event, Community of West African States Staff Reporter celebrated every September 27 since 1980, (ECOWAS) said on Friday it would comes as the tourism industry faces what lift sanctions, which have caused is described as “the biggest challenge in its imports to the landlocked country atar Museums (QM) is highlighting history” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ac- to slump 30%, once a civilian the country’s heritage sites, cultural cording to the United Nations World Tourism premier was named. Page 8 Qtraditions and experiences, and other Organisation. tourism destinations outside Doha to mark “The theme of this year’s World Tourism Azerbaijan-Armenia World Tourism Day (WTD) 2020. Day, ‘Tourism and Rural Development’, gives clashes leave 23 dead us a unique opportunity to showcase the many sights and experiences that Qatar has Armenia and Azerbaijan yesterday to off er outside of Doha,” QM said in an e- accused each other of initiating mail to Culture Pass members yesterday. deadly clashes that claimed at “Some of our country’s most storied her- least 23 lives over a decades-long itage sites, cultural traditions and natural territorial dispute. The worst wonders lie outside the city boundaries, and clashes since 2016 have raised the only by visiting these sites can visitors come spectre of a fresh war between to truly understand our country,” QM noted. the long-standing rivals which According to QM, the country is now em- have been locked for decades bracing the ‘new normal’ as various events in a territorial dispute over the and other activities resume under phase 4 of In this long exposure photograph, burning hills create a flaming landscape during the Glass fire in Napa Armenia-backed breakaway Zulal, the full-immersion wellness resort, fea- the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions County’s St. Helena, California, yesterday. A wildfire with a “dangerous rate of spread” broke out in Napa region of Nagorny Karabakh. tures two centres for health and well-being while it prepares to welcome foreign visitors County between Calistoga and St. Helena overnight on September 27, 2020 just as the Bay Area braces for Page 12 and caters to both adults and families. again. To Page 5 extreme wildfire conditions. Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 28, 2020 QATAR

Official FM: Kuwait Amir has great stature in the heart of every Qatari citizen Amir congratulates E the Deputy Prime mander, and congratulated the the Kuwaiti foreign policy, add- development work as it estab- preserving global peace and se- Amir and also the eff orts of Ku- Minister and Minister of Kuwaiti, Qatari, and Gulf people ing that the quiet and rational lished the Kuwait Fund for Arab curity. The Amir of Kuwait has a wait not only in contributing to Turkmenistan leader HForeign Aff airs Sheikh on this honour. HE Sheikh Mo- policy, unfortunately, is today Economic Development in 1961, very great and prestigious posi- solving the Gulf crisis, but also Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- hamed said the Kuwait Amir is considered a rare currency in and added that Kuwait has ex- tion in the heart of every Qatari in other crises, and the humani- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Thani said the Amir of Kuwait the dean of Arab diplomacy and the world. He said Sheikh Sabah tended its projects and gifts to citizen, especially as at the be- tarian contributions it makes, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al- the leader of its path. He added: al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah all countries of the world. ginning of the Gulf crisis in 2017, whether in Yemen or Iraq after Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Jaber al-Sabah has a great stat- “We believe that the honour is and Kuwait are a beacon shining The minister pointed out that he travelled from one country the war, reconstruction and other Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and ure in the heart of every Qatari deserved and a culmination of with this rationality. during its membership in the to another trying to heal the rift, humanitarian issues of concern to HE the Prime Minister and Minister citizen. a series of accomplishments The minister said Kuwait has Security Council in 2018-2019, and his commitment to these ef- the Arab people. of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin In remarks to Kuwait TV after His Highness was named a great and prominent posi- Kuwait made constructive and forts has continued to bring back He pointed out that Kuwait has Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent programme, ‘What’s Next’, HE Leader of Humanitarian Action tion among nations, thanks to positive contributions, and had cohesion to the Gulf, the foreign a honourable stance towards the yesterday cables of congratulations Sheikh Mohamed congratulated in 2014.” HE Sheikh Mohamed its helping hand extended to all defended human rights and is- minister said. Palestinian issue and supports to the President of Turkmenistan, the Kuwaiti Amir for receiv- pointed out that the Amir of countries of the world. sues that alleviates the suff erings He affi rmed that Qatar, the the brotherly Palestinian people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, ing the honour of the Legion Kuwait is known for rational ap- He said Kuwait is a pioneer- of Arab and other people, and had government and people, appre- to obtain their state through a just on the anniversary of his country’s of Merit, Degree Chief Com- proach with which he manages ing country in establishing also played a constructive role in ciates the eff orts of the Kuwait solution. (QNA) Independence Day.

Qatar slams attack on army station in Lebanon Health ministry Qatar yesterday strongly condemned the attack on one of the army stations in the north of Lebanon, which killed two soldiers. In a statement yesterday, blacklists 23 health the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm position on rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of motives and reasons. The statement expressed the practitioners for condolences of Qatar to the families of the victims, the government, and The campaign to remove abandoned cars started yesterday within the administrative boundaries the people of Lebanon. of Al Wakrah Municipality. forged certifi cates Qatar condemns 17 doctors, four allied healthcare practitioners and two nurses banned attack in Nigeria from working in Qatar Names circulated among GCC countries Drive against abandoned Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation of the armed wenty-three health prac- specialities, for those who want tration and licensing procedures attack that targeted the convoy titioners have been black- to work in the health sector in and before the involvement of a cars begins in Al Wakra of the governor of Borno State Tlisted and banned from Qatar, in a manner that guaran- health practitioner in any work in northeastern Nigeria, which working in Qatar for providing tees to raise the level of health in the country contributed to caused deaths and injuries. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry forged certifi cates, the Minis- services provided in the coun- the early detection of fraud cas- QNA try of Public Health (MoPH) has try”. es and protection of patients, Doha of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s said. The ministry, represented by which confi rmed the importance firm stance on rejecting violence They include 17 doctors, four the Department of Healthcare of the procedures followed by and terrorism regardless of mo- allied healthcare practitioners Professions, undertakes pro- the ministry. he sixth campaign to tives and causes. The statement and two nurses. cedures to verify the validity of The Department of Health remove abandoned cars expressed Qatar’s condolences The ministry said yesterday scientifi c credentials and factual Professions is the competent au- Tstarted yesterday with- to the families of victims and to that strict inspection procedures experiences, in addition to other thority to deal with the certifi - in the administrative bounda- the government and people of have contributed, in the current documents required for licens- cates and documents submitted ries of Al Wakra Municipality. Nigeria, wishing the wounded a year, in the detection of 23 forged ing, as these procedures con- by health practitioners across The campaign is imple- speedy recovery. certifi cates of health practition- tribute to detecting any fraud various categories and speci- mented by the Joint Com- ers, who had applied for licences before registering the health alities, which are received from mittee for the Removal of Ne- to practise the profession in Qa- practitioner to work in the coun- various countries to obtain li- glected Cars in the state, and tar’s health sector. try. cences to practise the profession the Mechanical Equipment Most of the forged documents Dr Saad Rashid al-Kaabi, di- in Qatar. Department and the Public were certifi cates of experience, rector of the Department of The team responsible for reg- Cleaning Department in co- Akhlaquna and legal action were taken Healthcare Professions at the istration and licensing at the operation with Al Wakra Mu- against the persons concerned, MoPH, said: Through our pro- MoPH conducts personal in- nicipality. QNA reported. Accordingly, the cedures, we are keen to verify the terviews with the health practi- The campaign is part of Day to be 23 individuals were blacklisted validity of the certifi cates and tioner in the presence of a rep- the continuous eff orts of the and banned from working in documents provided and ensure resentative from the entity s/he Ministry of Municipality and cars will be confronted by - to withdraw such vehicles the country, in addition to their that the practitioners applying intends to work with, to discuss Environment to reduce the intensifying awareness cam- and to take them in custody. celebrated names being circulated among for registration and licensing are with him/her the forged certifi - phenomenon that distorts paigns and by alerting car Annually, the commit- the GCC countries in keeping among those who value the eth- cate of experience and hear his/ public view and to implement owners not to leave their cars tee removes about 12,000- Children and young people with the relevant measures. ics of the profession and know her statements and defence. If it Law No (18) of 2017 regarding in public places, whether in 15,000 neglected vehicles, from across Qatar who inspire The MoPH stressed that it the trust commended to them.” is proven with certainty that the public cleanliness. residential areas, industrial while about 500 cars are re- their communities through their “applies the highest standards He explained that verifying forgery has occurred, appropri- Mohamed Faraj al-Kubai- workshops or elsewhere, and turned to their owners every behaviours, actions, and strong for registering and licensing the authenticity of documents ate legal action shall be taken si, Assistant Director of the calling on the public to co- month after they complete moral character will be celebrated health practitioners in various at a very early stage of the regis- against him/her. Public Cleaning Department operate with the concerned the procedures and pay the this week at Qatar Foundation’s at the Ministry of Munici- authorities in reporting such fine to the competent mu- Akhlaquna Day. pality and Environment and cars. The total number of nicipality of QR1,000, and The Akhlaquna award, now in its a member of the committee, abandoned cars that have also after paying the trans- third cycle, was established by PHCC to launch new website with advanced digital services said that this campaign tar- been removed by the com- portation fees for the me- Qatar Foundation (QF) in 2017 geting Al Wakra Municipality mittee since its first for- chanical equipment depart- to highlight the timeless and The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has an- The new website also supports the National Health will continue for a week until mation according to Min- ment. universal values exhibited by nounced that it will launch a new website soon as part of Strategy by focusing on population health and integrated the completion of the removal isterial Resolution No (89) The Ministry of Munici- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the plan to develop and digitise its services provided to care, therefore, the PHCC’s website will keep pace with the of all abandoned cars in the of 2013 amounted to more pality and Environment has to recognise those aged from the public, in addition to providing easy access to informa- great and rapid progress in primary healthcare in Qatar, municipality, explaining that than 81,000 from all re- designated a site for col- 15-24, whose projects encapsulate tion and data related to the healthcare system. and to enhance eff ective communication mechanisms the joint committee to remove gions of the country, and lecting discarded cars in the the importance of good morals The PHCC stated that the launch of the new website with the public and the optimal use of information tech- abandoned cars is seeking to necessary measures are Al Mazroua area within the and values, and encourage others comes in implementation of the state’s directives to digi- nology in health support. The new website will provide intensify its eff orts during the being taken against the re- geographical boundaries of to exhibit them as well. tise services, as the corporation has worked to develop quick and easy access to the latest information about the coming period, to remove all maining vehicles. the Umm Slal Municipality For 2020, QF has also launched and update the online content to reflect Qatar’s ambitious PHCC’s services, health centres, doctors’ data, activities, such vehicles and equipment In 2019, the committee with a capacity of 25,000- Akhlaquna Junior, an award that vision towards primary healthcare, highlight the eff orts and events, as well as strengthening the identity of the from all regions of the coun- organised a comprehensive 30,000 cars, in addition to honours school students aged made to improve the health system in the country, and to corporation and using it as a platform for public health try. campaign in co-operation the current two sites for col- from 7-14 who uphold and demon- provide most of the services online. awareness for all segments of society. (QNA) He pointed out that the and co-ordination with all lecting cars in Al Wakra and strate the morals and values that phenomenon of abandoned municipalities - separately Mesaimeer. are the core of Akhlaquna, and illustrate to their peers how they can be translated into actions, mindsets, and practices that bene- fit society. Tomorrow (Tuesday, Sep- tember 29), at 7.30pm, the winners MoPH issues new list MoPH reports 121,995 total Covid recoveries of both awards will be announced at QF’s Ceremonial Court to mark Akhlaquna Day, with the public being invited to watch the hybrid of PCR test centres QNA those with chronic diseases Doha Even though restrictions are event online as it is livestreamed at being lifted, and numbers are www.akhlaquna.qa. A public vote he Ministry of Public declining, this does not mean has been held to determine which Health (MoPH) has is- he Ministry of Pub- that the Covid-19 pandem- of the three Akhlaquna award final- Tsued a list of 31 health lic Health (MoPH) an- ic is over in Qatar, as people ists will be named the winner, with facilities that have been ap- Tnounced yesterday 234 continue to be admitted with three students being awarded in proved by it to conduct the new confi rmed cases of coro- moderate to severe Covid-19 three age-group categories under PCR test for Covid-19. navirus (Covid-19) during the symptoms. Unless we follow Akhlaquna Junior. The list was published on last 24 hours, of which 215 are all precautionary measures, we Akhlaquna is defined by four core the MoPH’s social media from community cases and 19 may experience a second wave values – mercy, honesty, generosity, channels yesterday. from travellers returning from of the virus and see numbers and tolerance – and aims to culti- Following are the health abroad who are subject to quar- increasing, as there are already vate a generation who place good facilities and their licence antine. signs of this happening in other moral character and strong ethics number: Jameel Medical Center (1213); The MoPH also recorded 257 countries around the world. at the centre of their lives, and Al Emadi Hospital (licence Atlas Medical Center (1020); recoveries from the virus dur- Avoid close contact with oth- recognise how values, knowledge, number: 12); Turkish Hospi- Al Tahrir Medical Center ing the past 24 hours, bringing ers, crowded places and con- and fulfilment are interconnected. It tal (2251); Doha Clinic Hos- (1129); Naseem Al Rabeeh the total number of cases re- fi ned closed spaces where peo- reflects QF’s commitment to inspir- pital (154); Al-Ahli Hospital Medical Centre Doha (2540); covered in Qatar to 121,995. ple aggregate. Now more than ing children and young people, and (293); Queen Hospital (973); Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical The MoPH issued a state- ever, we must be careful and all members of society, to be active, Dr Moopen’s Aster Hospital Centre (817); New Naseem ment on Covid-19 develop- protect the most vulnerable. socially-aware, compassionate, and (2405), Magrabi Center for Al Rabeeh Medical Centre ments in Qatar, which said all While the restrictions of thoughtful citizens who improve Eye, ENT & Dental (1025); (3213); Aster Medical Cent- new cases have been placed in Covid-19 are gradually being their communities through their be- Elite Medical Center (2085); er-Al Khor (947); Al Kayyali isolation and are receiving nec- lifted in Qatar, it is important haviours and the example they set, West Bay Medicare (2648); Medical Center (768); Abeer essary healthcare. for everyone to play their role in and who demonstrate the qualities Syrian American Medical Medical Center (2401); Al Measures to tackle Covid-19 controlling the virus by follow- of leaders and change-makers. Center (1493); Future Medi- Esraa Polyclinic (1646); Val- in Qatar have succeeded in fl at- ing the precautionary meas- Since its establishment, the cal Center (772); Dr Khaled Al ue Medical Complex (2312); tening the curve and limiting ures: Akhlaquna initiative has evolved Sheikh Ali’s Medical Center Asian Medical Center WLL the spread of the virus and the Adherence to physical dis- with the aim of creating a ripple (388); Al Jufairi Diagnosis (2776); and Dr Maher Abbas number of new daily cases and tancing eff ect that spreads beyond Qatar, and Treatment (2877); Al Ah- Polyclinic (65). hospital admissions is continu- Qatar has one of the low- Proactive testing to iden- Wearing a face mask heightening recognition of the madani Medical Center (21); Last month, the MoPH had ing to decline each week. est Covid-19 death rates in the tify cases early Washing hands regularly positive change that demonstrat- Imara Health Care (1925); issued a list of 26 approved Qatar’s proactive and exten- world. This is a result of: Expanding hospital capac- Anyone suff ering from Cov- ing good moral character and KIMS Qatar Medical Centre health facilities to conduct sive testing of suspected cases Very high quality of care ity, especially intensive care, id-19 symptoms should either behaviours make possible. More (813); Allevia Medical Center the PCR test for Covid-19, has enabled us to identify a high provided thorough the public to ensure patients receive the contact 16000 helpline or go information about Akhlaquna and (2919); Aster Medical Centre which has now been revised number of positive cases in the healthcare sector medical care directly to one of the designated Akhlaquna Junior is available on Plus-Al Muntazah (1332); Al to 31 health facilities. community. Qatar’s young population Protecting the elderly and health centres. www.akhlaquna.qa. Gulf Times Monday, September 28, 2020 3 QATAR

Qatar Airways Holidays announces new staycation packages at top hotels

Deals start from QR385 per Resort & Spa, Mondrian Doha, tar that allow them to ‘stay local, these staycation packages have person per night for packages Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, W feel global’. been accredited by the Qatar in October Doha, and the Westin Doha Hotel “Qatar is home to so many National Tourism Council and & Spa have been selected for Qa- incredible hotels that take their Ministry of Public Health “Qa- atar Airways Holidays has tar Airways Holidays staycation inspiration from all parts of the tar Clean” initiative – a series of announced new stayca- packages. world, off ering an international measures and regulations for ho- Qtion packages for Qatar’s Prices start from QR385 per vacation experience from home. tels to follow to safeguard guests citizens and residents, off ering person per night, including “As the weather cools, now and staff from the coronavirus. “a local vacation with a global breakfast and dinner, for packag- is the perfect time to take ad- Deals are available for cou- feel”. es booked by October 15 for stays vantage of the outdoor pools, al ples and families, and include The off er has been launched on up to October 31. fresco dining and lush gardens fi ne dining in romantic settings, World Tourism Day in support of Qatar Airways Group chief ex- that our staycation package ho- room upgrades, discounts on spa Qatar’s hospitality sector. ecutive HE Akbar al-Baker said: tels off er.” and health treatments, sea view Packages are available at fi ve “With the ongoing coronavirus The packages are designed to rooms, and much more. of Doha’s top hotels, which take pandemic limiting international gove customers in Qatar with a For more information, includ- their inspiration from around the travel, we have designed a new much-needed change of scenery ing terms and conditions, visit: world. selection of staycation packages in a safe and responsible manner. qatarairwaysholidays.com/stay- Al Messila Luxury Collection for citizens and residents of Qa- All of the hotels selected for cation. Business Page 1 Al Messila Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. National Museum to reopen galleries The museum will debut Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from the Al-Sabah Collection Special Exhibition

he National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) will reo- Tpen its permanent gal- leries and unveil the landmark Ooredoo team participated in ‘UnBoxed’ virtual event hosted by Ericsson. exhibition, Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from the Al-Sabah Collection, in its Temporary Exhibition Gallery on October 1. Ooredoo team energised by Drawn from the extraor- dinary holdings assembled in Kuwait by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Ericsson’s ‘UnBoxed’ event Sheikha Hussa Sabah al-Salem One of the ritual objects to be showcased at the More than 170 objects will be on display at the al-Sabah, more than 170 objects exhibition. exhibition. provide a sweeping overview of Meeting of minds geared sson Middle East & Africa) and leadership, inspiring the entire the artistic and material culture Visitors must present a not be allowed into the NMoQ. Splendours of the Ancient East: towards maximum 5G impact Kevin Murphy (vice-president organisation to maximise the of the ancient world, while also “green” health status on the Hand sanitiser stations will Antiquities from the Al-Sabah on the stadium experience and head of Global Customer potential of these incredible op- revealing new insights into the Ehteraz contact-tracing app, be placed throughout the lo- Collection range in date from Unit Ooredoo Group at Erics- portunities. roots of Islamic art. and bring and wear face cover- cation encouraging visitors to the third millennium BCE to the oredoo executives and son). “Our existing track record of NMoQ’s reopening tim- ings for the duration of their keep their hands clean. fi fth century CE. their colleagues took Representing Ooredoo were providing a truly enriching dig- ings are as follows: Saturday to visit. Signage reminding visitors to They include jewellery and Opart last week in a vir- Thani al-Malki (senior director ital environment for participants Thursday from 9am-7pm, and A limited number of visitors keep a safe distance from other adornments (rings, earrings, tual event organised by Ericsson active) and Günther Ottendorfer in and audiences of global sport- 1.30pm-7pm on Friday. and staff will be allowed in the visitors will also be visible on necklaces, pendants, bracelets, – one of the leading providers of (chief technology & infrastruc- ing events gives us a powerful In light of the coronavirus museum at a time. site. buckles, and buttons), house- Information and Communica- ture offi cer), who between them platform from which to chart our pandemic, Qatar Museums Visitors will be required to re- Cloak rooms will be unavail- hold furnishings (bowls, beak- tion Technology (ICT) to service provided a keynote address, future orientation towards en- (QM) has implemented proto- serve tickets in advance on QM’s able during this period. ers, jars, ewers, cups, rhytons, providers – to evaluate the po- while celebrating the company’s hancing the customer experience cols is in accordance with rec- website. In addition, interactive fea- bottles, dishes, and rugs), an- tential of 5G in a stadium envi- recent achievements in network to the max.” ommendations from Qatar’s Masks are required for all vis- tures such as touchscreens will thropomorphic and zoomor- ronment. modernisation and project com- Sameh Talal, head of mar- Health Protection and Commu- itors (12 years of age and older). be temporarily removed, and phic fi gurines and ritual objects, Experts from Ericsson gave pletion throughout Qatar. keting at Ericsson Middle East nicable Disease Control offi ce Each person will also be gallery guides will be off ered decorative elements, and carved keynote speeches and presenta- The speakers described and il- and Africa, said: “We have been of the Ministry of Public Health checked for a normal tempera- online only. gemstones and seals. tions which drew upon their rich lustrated how extensive prepara- working closely with our part- (MoPH), based on milestones ture reading at the entrance. In addition to the special ex- The objects in the exhibition experience of working at sport- tions for 4G and 5G delivery led ner Ooredoo understanding their reached in controlling the coro- Visitors who have a tempera- hibition – Splendours of the are made with materials in- ing events and mega-events, to success in supporting custom- priorities and strategic direction. navirus pandemic. ture or do not have a mask will Ancient East: Antiquities from cluding gold, silver, bronze, la- both in Europe and the Americas. ers and roamers at the Amir Cup, “Ericsson UnBoxed event the al-Sabah Collection, and pis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise, These cutting-edge ideas were the World Athletics Champion- brought some of the latest 5G permanent galleries, guests will garnet, agate, amethyst, pearl, reinforced using live demonstra- ships and the FIFA Club World global insights where we shed a be able to visit the National Mu- diamond crystals, glass, ivory, tions from Ericsson’s experience Cup, all staged in Doha in 2019. special light on what can be an seum’s gift shops ad Jiwan, the alabaster, and enamel. centre facility based in Kista, Alongside looking at these im- elevated fan experience during museum’s restaurant, which The use of such precious ma- Sweden. portant milestones on the jour- major sporting events. will operate at a limited ca- terials, and the exquisite work- Ericsson UnBoxed digital ney to 2022, other sessions con- “At Ericsson, we believe in the pacity, with a maximum of six manship of these artefacts, events bring together experts sidered such themes as Building power of innovation to bridge people per table inside, and 10 made it possible for these ob- and thought leaders to showcase the ecosystem with the industries any distance and to make the im- for outdoor terrace tables, from jects to be preserved and treas- insights, use cases and technolo- in 5G, Winning hearts with stadi- possible, possible” Saturday to Thursday for lunch ured for millennia. gies. um experience, and How to mon- Some 200 employees from and afternoon tea. They now testify to an artistic Last week’s meeting was spe- etise on 5G in stadiums. Ooredoo and Ericsson took part. The Desert Rose and Café 875 heritage that fl ourished in the cifi cally crafted to provide Oore- Ooredoo public relations di- The virtual nature of the event, will also be open at a limited Gulf region and nourished the doo professionals with a unique rector Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari which enjoyed uninterrupted capacity, as will the museum’s later achievements of Islamic and interactive experience. said: “With a number of major online connectivity, ensured that playground and library. art. Executive keynotes included sporting events on the horizon, it was fully in line with current The collection galleries of Splendours of the Ancient Building the future today with it is important that Ooredoo wel- public health guidelines on social the NMoQ remain closed due to East: Antiquities from the Al- Fadi Pharaon (president of Eric- comes and encourages thought distancing. The Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from The Al-Sabah maintenance. Sabah Collection will be on view Collection includes anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines. The objects selected for through January 3, 2021. Telecoms authority extends assignment of additional spectrum to Ooredoo, Vodafone Al-Mannai: The CRA is keen to ensure the eff icient QNA trum ranges assigned to them, as management and assignment of Doha well as to enhance the perform- spectrum. ance of various mobile telecom networks, whether the second, ing the current and future spec- he Communications Reg- third, or fourth-generation (2G, trum demand of all entities who ulatory Authority (CRA) 3G, or 4G). use it in Qatar, while making sure Thas extended the period The CRA’s extension of the that there is no radio interference of using the additional tempo- assignment in these frequency aff ects the work of these enti- rary spectrum granted to Oore- bands will help the two telecom ties,” CRA president Mohamed doo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar service providers to provide Ali al-Mannai said. to provide mobile telecom serv- the maximum mobile Internet “By using this additional ices for an additional three years, data speed and accommodate temporary spectrum and the ending on May 31, 2023. the steady increase in data con- spectrum assigned to the fi fth- NMoQ designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel. PICTURE: Iwan Baan This extension included the sumption, in addition to achiev- generation networks (5G), both frequency bands of 900 MHz, ing high-value Internet data Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz. throughput, which keeps pace Qatar will be able to enhance Chance of rain from Tuesday until Thursday, says Met Dept The CRA said that it has ex- with the technological advance- their telecom infrastructure and tended the period to enable the ment of applications used by tel- be more equipped to accommo- There is a chance of rain in some parts of noon between Tuesday (September 29) and which precedes the season known to be two telecom service providers ecom consumers in Qatar, both date the demand of all consum- the country from Tuesday until Thursday, Thursday (October 1)”. favourable for rain and known as ‘Alwasmi’, to enhance the capabilities of individuals and organisations. ers of mobile telecom services the Qatar Met Department has said. There is a possibility of scattered rain, which starting in mid-October. Thundery rain is their public mobile networks in “The CRA is keen to ensure the who will be in Qatar during the In a report yesterday, the department said may be thundery at times in some areas, accompanied at times by hail and strong Qatar, to enable them to achieve effi cient management and as- host of 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he “weather charts indicate possible local the report states. downdraft winds, causing rising dust and the best aggregation of spec- signment of spectrum, by meet- added. convective cloud development during the This period is locally called ‘Qalaid Alwasmi’, poor visibility. Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 28, 2020 QATAR

“One of Vodafone Qatar’s core values is creating a safe work environment for all our employees, contractors, subcontractors, and business Vodafone sets health and safety excellence record partners. This is a culture that positively infl uences our productivity and results in a odafone Qatar’s quarterly performing high-risk activities, to “The outstanding safety record Health & Safety (H&S) Forum strengthen their awareness of local and continuous eff orts achieved this better quality of service and higher customer Vbrought together over a video and international laws and regula- quarter refl ects that, and also aligns satisfaction” conference, staff and key telecom tions where necessary, and ensure with Qatar’s eff orts to enhance the vendors to present their H&S results the highest levels of health and safe- country’s health and safety stand- for the second quarter of the year. ty standards are enforced. ards.” Vodafone Qatar’s chief human re- Al-Naimi said: “One of Vodafone Underpinning the Vodafone Qatar sources offi cer, Khames Mohamed Qatar’s core values is creating a safe Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy al-Naimi, and chief technology of- work environment for all our em- is a commitment to a robust and du- fi cer, Ramy Boctor were present. ployees, contractors, subcontrac- rable health, safety and well-being Among the achievements report- tors, and business partners. This is culture. ed for the period was zero Lost Time Khames al-Naimi a culture that positively infl uences The Vodafone Absolute Rules on Injuries (LTIs), a major milestone in our productivity and results in a safety focus on risks that present safety performance. forts to fi nish the year with zero better quality of service and higher the greatest potential for harm for Presenting their overall observa- LTIs. customer satisfaction. anyone working for or on behalf of tions, forum attendees reiterated Vodafone Qatar initiated its par- “To achieve this goal, we take Vodafone, such as working at height their commitment to Vodafone’s ticipatory H&S Forum to work more health and safety personally and or with electricity, and adopts a leading health and safety standards, closely with business partners in look out for each other – making it a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe and to continuing their rigorous ef- its wide network, especially those collective responsibility. behaviours. Indian community pays tributes to music legend

By Joseph Varghese ikantan, Indian Community Benevolent Forum Staff Reporter president P N Baburaj, Indian Business and Pro- fessional Network, president Azim Abbas were among the speakers. rominent members and music lovers of the Manikantan noted that SPB could “transcend Indian community joined an online event from one genre to another quite eff ortlessly” and Pyesterday to pay homage to Indian music could entertain every one of the audience during legend, S P Balasubrahmanyam who died last Fri- a stage performance. day. Abbas and Baburaj highlighted that SPB was Popularly known as SPB, the acclaimed singer more than a singer and was an epitome of “dedi- was hospitalised in Chennai due to Covid -19. cation and commitment.” He died last Friday though he had recovered Doha Bank CEO, R Seetharaman recollected his from Covid-19 several days before his death. personal association with SPB and highlighted Many Indian community members took part in that humility was the hallmark of the legendary the condolence meeting and everyone who spoke singer. on the occasion paid tribute to the versatile singer S P Balasubrahmanyam He also noted how SPB was able to entertain who has sung over 42,000 songs in 16 languages. the crowd in his public performances and he was Several of them shared recollections- many of While South Indian singer Unnikrishnan took so keen to practise fully well before any show, that them personal- about his soulful singing as well part in the online meeting and spoke at length at times he even skipped his daily meals before as his commitment and dedication to his profes- about the singer and his versatility, another no- the show. sion. table singer, Unni Menon off ered his tributes Several others, including former offi ce-bearers Offi ce-bearers of the apex bodies under the In- through a video message. of the apex bodies, music lovers from the com- dian embassy, music fans as well as some promi- Both the singers who had been closely associ- munity as well as other well-wishers of the late nent musicians from India off ered condolences ated with S P Balasubrahmanyam described him singer spoke at length about him. on the occasion and highlighted qualities of S P as a ‘fatherly fi gure’ and a ‘musical genius’ who Vinod Nair, vice president of Indian Cultural Balasubrahmanyam as a great singer and a greater comes along once in a lifetime. Centre and Gopal Subramaniam co-ordinated human being. Indian Cultural Centre president, A P Man- the meeting. Qatar takes part in UNRSC meeting

atar, represented by the National QTraffi c Safety Committee (NTSC) at the Ministry of Interior (MoI), participated in the fourth meeting of the United Nations Road Safety Col- laboration (UNRSC), held on September 24 through a video conference. MoI yesterday informed through its social media ac- counts that Qatar was rep- resented at the meeting by Brig Mohamed Abdullah al- Brig Mohamed Abdullah Malki, NTSC secretary and al-Malki The UNRSC meeting underway. representative of the coun- try in UNRSC. The meeting discussed the adoption of a new resolution on global road safety by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) taking UN sus- tainable development goals (SDGs) into account.

The meeting discussed the adoption of a new resolution on global road safety by the UNGA taking UN sustainable development goals into account

The meeting also dis- cussed the call of member states and the interna- tional community to in- tensify national, regional and international co-op- eration and adhere to po- litical responsibility at the highest possible level to improve road safety. The meeting witnessed the announcing of 2021-2030 as the second decade of action for road safety with the goal of reducing road traffi c deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030. The new resolution calls upon the member states to co-operate with oth- er UNRSC partners and stakeholders and to work on preparing an action plan for the second decade as a guiding document to sup- port the implementation of its objectives. It also asks the member states to con- sider establishing mecha- nisms for periodic vehicle evaluation in order to en- sure that all new and used vehicles adhere to the basic vehicle safety regulations. Gulf Times Monday, September 28, 2020 5 QATAR AAB launches new Toyota Fortuner

bdullah Abdulghani & tably enhanced, with its large include an 8-inch display audio matic transmission maximises Bros Co (AAB), the of- front grille and silver bumper that comes with Apple CarPlay engine potential and features Afi cial dealer for Toyota strips creating a stronger sense and Android Auto compatibil- multi-stage gears that are opti- and Lexus vehicles in Qatar, has of rigidity and dependability. ity, as well as the T-Connect mised to improve drive force in launched the new 2021 Toyota The SUV’s appearance also ben- app by Toyota.” the low-speed range. Fortuner at the Toyota main efi ts from newly designed Light The Fortuner is available with As with any other Toyota showroom, introducing a “re- Guiding Headlights with Day- a choice of highly effi cient pet- model, safety remains a top pri- freshed design and upgraded time Running Lights, together rol and diesel engine options, ority for the new Fortuner, which features that promise a more with a pair of stylish LED Guid- the statement notes. The petrol incorporates a comprehensive refi ned experience for the driver ing Taillights that make it stand options include a 2.7-litre four- array of features designed to and passengers”. out after dark.” cylinder engine, which produces protect its occupants. These in- The seven-seater SUV builds Firas Mufti, senior marketing 164hp and 245nm of torque, and clude SRS airbags for the front on the model’s heritage as a styl- manager, added: “Drivers and a 4.0-litre V6 engine that churns seats along with a knee airbag for ish yet durable vehicle with four- passengers can enjoy a range out 235hp and 376nm of torque. the driver, Vehicle Stability Con- wheel-drive powered off -road of intelligent features designed The diesel trol, Electronic Brakeforce Dis- capabilities, AAB has said in a to increase convenience and option features a 2.4-litre tribution, Tire Pressure Warn- statement. safety that not only make for a turbocharged engine capable of ing System and Hill-start Assist R K Murugan, acting CEO of highly comfortable drive, but generating 147hp and 400nm of Control, among others. AAB, said: “The new Fortuner’s also a more elegant way to get torque. The new Fortuner is available exterior design has been no- out there and explore. These The Fortuner’s 6-speed auto- in eight exterior colours. AAB off icials with the new Toyota Fortuner.

Sights, experiences outside of Qatar Airways Group’s revenue rises to QR51.1bn

Doha in focus on Tourism Day From Page 1 gan pre-Covid-19 and will posi- hope to emulate. We will con- the airline to eff ectively rebuild tion the Group’s operations and tinue to be the airline millions its network. From Page 1 “One of the newest additions to by Katara Hospitality and part of Qatar Airways Group Chief practices to meet the current of passengers can trust and rely The carrier has “stringently Qatar’s hospitality off erings, Salwa Marriott International’s Luxury Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker challenges. on in good times and bad, and implemented the most advanced QM noted that visitors can try Beach Resort by Hilton is located Collection ensemble of hotels. It said: “Despite the momentous “I am extremely proud of the proudly fl y the fl ag of the State safety and hygiene measures” on the new Al Majles Resort at Sea- 84km from Doha and sprawls is the fi rst 5-star wellness retreat challenges our Group has faced teams, departments and subsid- of Qatar across the globe.” board its aircraft and in Hamad line Beach, which off ers a healthy across 3.5km of picturesque pri- in Qatar for ladies only. in 2019-20, Qatar Airways iaries across the Qatar Airways Throughout the pandemic, International Airport. dose of adventure, along with vate beaches. It features a marina Al Messila, a three-storey pal- Group continues to remain re- Group that have remained agile Qatar Airways’ network has Qatar Airways operations are breathtaking views of the Inland and yacht club, a themed water ace-styled resort with 152 rooms, silient, reporting strong under- throughout this tumultuous pe- never fallen below 30 destina- not dependent on any specifi c Sea, and thrill-seeking activities park and dive centre, cinemas, a suites and premium villas with lying fundamentals. If not for riod and adapted quickly to this tions with continuous services aircraft type. The airline’s va- such as quadbikes, beach buggies shopping mall, a 2,800sq m spa private pools, features 26 treat- the exceptional circumstances new reality, displaying the te- to fi ve continents. Since then riety of modern fuel-effi cient and camel rides. and health club, an Arabian village, ment rooms and the most com- of fi scal year 2020, our results nacity, versatility and commit- the airline has rebuilt its net- aircraft has meant it can con- The Northern Qetaifan Islands and much more,” QM said. prehensive hydro-thermal facili- would have been better than the ment to excellence so often as- work to more than 650 weekly tinue fl ying by off ering the right project, developed by Katara Zulal Wellness Resort from ties in the country. year before. sociated with everything we do. fl ights to over 90 destinations capacity in each market. Hospitality, which occupies an Msheireb Properties, in collabo- QM stressed that it continues “During the fi scal year 2020, These eff orts are why we have across six continents off ering Due to Covid-19’s impact on area of 1.3mn sq m off the coast ration with international well- to “further the country’s diverse the Group’s revenue increased become the largest internation- passengers more fl exible travel travel demand, the airline has near Lusail, includes a water ness brand, Chiva-Som Interna- tourism off erings and experienc- to QR51.1bn, seat capacity in- al airline and air freight carrier options via the ‘Best Airport in taken the decision to ground its amusement park, seven beaches, tional Health Resort, is another es by providing spaces for res- creased by 3.2%, freight tonnes since the onset of the pandemic, the Middle East’ to more desti- fl eet of Airbus A380s as it is not and a luxury hotel managed by unique destination in the Middle pite, education and inspiration” handled increased by 2.8% and taking over two million people nations than any other airline. commercially or environmen- Rixos, in addition to residential East which will open soon. as the Qatar prepares to welcome passenger traffi c at Hamad In- home safely and reliably and According to the latest IATA tally justifi able to operate such complexes and other amenities. Located in Khasooma, north of millions of visitors for the 2022 ternational Airport increased by carrying over 250,000 tonnes of data, Qatar Airways has become a large aircraft in the current Visitors will also enjoy the many Doha, and spread across 280,000sq FIFA World Cup. 8.6%. medical and aid supplies to im- the largest international carrier market. attractions and activities at Al m, QM said the full-immersion “We are also taking steps to “Qatar Airways invested pacted regions. between April and July (2020) The airline’s fl eet of 49 Airbus Wakra seaside district, ranging from wellness resort features two centres diversify and innovate our digital QR16.8bn in fl eet and other as- “I have every confi dence that by “fulfi lling its mission” of A350 and 30 Boeing 787 are the water sports to heritage sites. The for health and well-being and ca- off erings, working with our part- sets during the year and had a the Qatar Airways Group will taking people home. This ena- ideal choice for the most stra- fi ve-star Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar ters to both adults and families. ners to bring unique and immer- cash balance of QR7.3bn at year emerge stronger from this dif- bled the airline to “accumulate tegically important long-haul by Tivoli consists of former heritage Another one-of-its-kind des- sive cultural experiences to the end. Signifi cant progress has fi cult period and continue to unmatched experience in car- routes to Africa, the Americas, houses and off ers a unique yet tra- tination includes Al Messila Well- community that go beyond the been achieved in the three-year innovate and set the standards rying passengers safely and re- Europe and Asia-Pacifi c re- ditional hospitality experience. ness Resort & Spa, which is owned walls of our museums,” QM said. transformation plan, which be- that our competitors can only liably and uniquely positioned” gions. Business Page 1 Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 28, 2020 QATAR

Richard Mille celebrates 10-year partnership with Nadal

ichard Mille has unveiled issued in Doha by Ali Bin Ali in the world of watchmaking,” mesh. The case, with its sand- 10th anniversary of the partner- the RM 27-04 Tourbillon Holding. the statement explains. blasted and polished surfaces, ship between Rafael Nadal and RRafael Nadal, as it cel- The RM 27-04 balances a Inspired by the same principle is also innovative in its use of Richard Mille. Initially a purely ebrates its 10-year partnership lightweight design – at 30gm in- as the strings of a tennis rac- an exclusive material, TitaCarb. professional rapport, the col- with the tennis ace. cluding the strap - with tremen- quet, the watchmaker anchors This high performance polya- laboration between the 12-time “For Rafael Nadal, ‘unstop- dous resistance. “Its tourbil- the steel cable to a tensioner mide has been strengthened French Open winner and the pable’ is the word that best ex- lon calibre, which is suspended positioned at 5 o’clock and then with a 38.5% carbon fi bre con- founder of the brand that bears presses the spirit of Richard within the case, can resist ac- begins to create the mesh, tying tent. This addition of carbon his name has since turned into a Mille and his teams. Achieving celerations of more than 12,000 each of the main strings before gives TitaCarb exceptional ten- solid friendship,” the statement the impossible. This has been g, a record for Richard Mille. The adding the cross strings. Weav- sile strength, making it one of adds. the brand’s credo for the past movement is entirely supported ing above and below the main the most resistant polymers in The RM 27-04 is the new ally decade in designing the unique by a micro-blasted mesh just strings, the cable passes 38 times the world. on court for ‘Rafa’, whose short- pieces worn by the Spaniard on 855sq mm in surface, compris- through the hollow bezel in This new model fi ts in per- ened version of his name is en- the world’s tennis courts. And ing a single cable in braided steel grade 5 titanium before fi nish- fectly with the previous watch graved on the case band. This the latest product of their part- measuring 0.27mm in diameter, ing in a tensioner positioned at collections created for the Span- watch, a limited edition of 50 nership, the RM 27-04, is no and held in place by two tension- 10 o’clock. ish champion. pieces, will accompany Rafael exception to this golden rule,” ers in PVD-treated 5N gold. This However, the singularities of “It is unique in more ways Nadal in his quest for new tro- The watch will accompany Rafael The RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael according to a press statement construction is unprecedented the RM 27-04 do not end with its than one, as it also marks the phies. Nadal in his quest for new trophies. Nadal. QBRI webinar on dementia research QIIB launches card

n support of World Alzheim- er’s Month, Qatar Biomedi- Ical Research Institute (QBRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has joined forces with for domestic workers Hamad Medical Corporation to organise a webinar focusing on IIB has announced the “QIIB continues to provide haviour in terms of payment solu- dementia research and risk re- launch of its latest bank the most suitable solutions for tions through bank cards, online, duction measures. Qpayment solutions – a customers, which are in line mobile applications and other The virtual event has been The webinar will focus on card for domestic workers, thus with recent banking develop- innovative solutions that the designed for science students, dementia research and risk becoming the fi rst Islamic bank ments that focus on remote bank may off er. This is refl ected faculty and healthcare profes- reduction measures. in Qatar to launch such an ini- payment solutions and e-so- positively on the clients’ them- sionals, as well as members of tiative. lutions that are easy, secure selves, and also in increasing the the public who are interested in for Healthy Brain Ageing. The card provides fl exible and and fast,” said Omar Abdulaziz operational effi ciency of the bank, learning more about dementia. HBKU will be represented by Dr easy solutions for both workers The card allows the holder to al-Meer, QIIB chief of Business especially in front offi ces. e-So- Taking place on September 30 Omar El-Agnaf, executive director, and employers, and complies obtain extensive benefits and Development and Alternative lutions have made them focus on from 11am-1.30pm, Dementia Qa- QBRI, who will provide an over- with the standards required Omar Abdulaziz al-Mee services. Channels, on the occasion of providing better quality services tar 2020 brings experts from Qatar view of the institute’s work and its and set by various government the launch of the new card. to customers,” al-Meer stated. and around the world to discuss dementia research opportunities. agencies. The card allows the bank’s digital platforms. The card, which is designated “We call on our customers in He added: “QIIB will spare key topics relating to Alzheimer’s This educational event aligns holder to obtain extensive ben- The card is also a secure and for domestic workers whose sala- all categories to take advantage no eff ort to provide integrated disease and other forms of demen- with deliverables set out in the efi ts and services. certifi ed record of all monthly ries are less than QR5,000, is con- of our advanced payment solu- banking solutions to its vari- tia. Keynote speakers include Prof Qatar National Dementia Plan The employer can trans- salary payments for domestic sidered an ideal solution that QIIB tions. This is because we invest ous customers’ groups in a way John Hardy from the UK Dementia developed by Dr Hanadi al-Ha- fer the salary of the domestic workers, and can be used in all wanted to provide to its customers in these cutting-edge solutions to that contributes to promoting Research Institute and Institute of mad in her capacity as national worker directly to the card via ATMs and points of sale (POS) in order to keep pace with the lat- enhance our customers’ banking their business and enriching the Neurology at University College lead for healthy ageing - Qatar QIIB mobile banking applica- across Qatar. The cardholder est banking solutions and improve experience, and keep with the best banking environment in which London, and Dr Henry Brodaty, National Health Strategy 2018- tion or Internet banking, swiftly can also use it to pay for utility its services in a way that saves international standards in diff er- the bank operates. And in a director of Australia’s Demen- 2022 - and focal point for WHO and smoothly, and can carry out bills, make online purchases and time and eff ort and promotes e- ent banking fi elds,” he noted. manner that enhances compe- tia Centre for Research Collabo- Global Dementia Observatory transaction in real time in or- transfer money to their home payment solutions for the largest “QIIB has taken note of the tition and responds to its condi- ration and co-director, Centre project in Qatar. der to complete it through the country with the greatest of ease. possible group of customers. positive changes in customer be- tions in an optimal manner.”

Virtual diabetes care programme launched for healthcare providers

arlier this month the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in col- Elaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation’s Qatar Metabolic Insti- tute (QMI) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), launched an on- line integrated diabetes care education programme for primary healthcare providers. The programme is part of the work being undertaken by the Qatar Na- tional Diabetes Strategy 2016-2022 implementation team. The accredited continuing pro- Prof Abou-Samra Dr Samya al-Abdulla Dr Samya al-Abdulla fessional development (CPD) pro- gramme, specifi cally aimed at primary tional Diabetes Strategy, requires all pertise in the fi eld. The curriculum care physicians, nurses, and patient parts of the healthcare system to work has been designed in collaboration educators who provide diabetes care is together to deliver all the components with PHCC’s Workforce Develop- entitled ‘Integrated Diabetes Care’. of the care pathway,” said Prof Abou- ment and Training Directorate and is The programme will run for one year Samra. being led by Dr Nora A M Almutawa, and includes 25, one-hour sessions Dr Samya Ahmad al-Abdulla, senior senior consultant, Family Medi- that are delivered through Microsoft consultant family medicine and exec- cine and head of clinical training. Teams. Each session is a stand-alone utive director of operations at PHCC Dr Almutawa said the training has webinar, with participants able to said her organisation is committed to been tailored to the needs of PHCC complete as many sessions as are of providing person-centred, integrated healthcare professionals, providing interest. Each session can accommo- care. an update on new developments and date up to 200 healthcare profession- “Integration across the health sys- changes in diabetes care. als. tem sits at the cornerstone of Primary Dr Shahrad Taheri, professor of Prof Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, Health Care Corporation’s Corporate medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine – co-chair of the National Diabetes Strategic Plan 2019-2023. The ma- Qatar and chair of the Research Com- Committee and director of the Qa- jority of diabetic patients are seen, mittee for the National Diabetes Strat- tar Metabolic Institute (QMI) said the and provided with care, in primary egy at the Ministry of Public Health programme aims to provide healthcare care facilities. Collaborative initia- and QMI said there is international ev- teams in the primary care setting with tives have been proven to benefi t our idence demonstrating that joint work- the tools they need to provide inte- patients and reduce the health burden ing between primary and secondary/ grated diabetes care that is tailored to of diabetes in the community,” said Dr tertiary care improves the quality and the needs of patients. al-Abdulla. effi ciency of diabetes services. “The Integrated Diabetes Care we- Dr Buthaina Alowinati, senior “This programme comes as a key binars off er a unique opportunity for consultant, endocrinologist, HMC enabler of integration. It provides con- sharing knowledge and implement a and a member of the Scientifi c and tinuing diabetes education for primary standardised national diabetes curric- Planning Committee, Qatar Diabetes care healthcare professionals, includ- ulum between primary and secondary Association, described the curricu- ing clinicians, nurses, and diabetes healthcare professionals. Implement- lum as a ‘unique online programme educators, and enhances diabetes care ing the new integrated diabetes care delivered by HMC endocrinologists co-ordination between primary and model, as described in the Qatar Na- and diabetes educators with ex- secondary care,” said Dr Taheri.

Qatar Charity supports livestock sector in northwestern Syria

Qatar Charity implemented a project to provide veterinary health services in the village because it shed light on to support livestock breeders in and treatment. This vital project livestock breeders and helped them to northwestern Syria, by providing contributes to preserving the livestock settle and continue their lives. feed, veterinary health services, and sector in northern Syria and recovering Al-Ahmad said that livestock breeders vaccinations to immunise livestock productive assets. find it diff icult to secure feed or against foot-and-mouth disease, Besides, it enhances the production vaccines due to the current conditions smallpox, and food poisoning of milk and meat, which increases the and the high prices. (Enterotoxemia). productivity of the local market, as The livestock sector is the main The organisation also carried out an livestock products are an important source of income for the population awareness on nutrition and healthcare source for many poor families in of northern Syria, in addition to the for livestock. promoting health and nutrition in the agricultural sector, as this sector was The project benefited more than 6,800 country. This region has been suff ering aff ected during the nine years of livestock breeders by distributing from displacement and poverty for the Syrian crisis, and most livestock 399 tonnes of concentrated feed and over eight years. breeders lost their productive assets providing 203,452 doses of vaccine Zuhair al-Ahmad, director of the as a result of the high prices of feed, to immunise livestock, in addition to agricultural off ice of the village council vaccines and veterinary treatment, carrying out 3,900 field visits to the of Hlul, Idlib, in northern Syria, said which forced most of them to sell their breeders through the mobile clinic that the project is a qualitative gesture livestock to secure their needs. Gulf Times Monday, September 28, 2020 7 QATAR

Old and modern trends on display. A unique retro exhibition highlights Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha’s luxury pieces. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Dawn. Rolls-Royce Doha presents retro exhibition

olls-Royce Motor Cars Doha is well-known artist Retro.jpg, started on world’s most formidable motor cars. highlight vintage Rolls-Royce motor nostalgia and act as a window through guests to view digitally on Retroqa.jpg’s highlighting some of its luxury September 20 and will run until Sep- Showcasing luxury and unrivalled cars against Doha’s well-known land- time. Instagram page. Rpieces in a unique retro exhibi- tember 30, giving residents and visitors craftsmanship, at Rolls-Royce Motor marks and touristic attractions. Adding an element of exclusivity, In addition to the exclusive pieces tion taking place at the marque’s show- an opportunity to immerse themselves Cars Doha, Retroqa.jpg brings his love The exhibition, open from 10am to two pieces have been exclusively cu- the exhibition will showcase a 1989 room at The Pearl-Qatar. in a juxtaposition of old and modern for retro and vintage illustrations to life 10pm features more than a dozen pieces rated and showcased at the showroom Rolls-Royce Corniche II, the ultimate The show, in collaboration with trends while surrounded by some of the by creating bespoke works of art that that have been crafted to spark instant while the others will be available for status symbol of wealth and success.

A 1989 Rolls-Royce Corniche II on show at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha’s showroom at The Pearl-Qatar. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam Guests can explore the Rolls-Royce pieces at the retro exhibition. Showcasing luxury and unrivalled craftsmanship.

Kahramaa completes VCUarts opens application 32mn hours without LTI QDB announces winners of Furjan, Ezab markets draw process for Fall semester he Qatar Development Executive Director of Real Bank (QDB) has an- Estate Projects Department at irginia Commonwealth exhibitions, conferences and tive thinking are what will drive Tnounced the results of the QDB, Bassam al-Mannai, said University School of the symposiums each year. the future and it’s our students’ draw for the third phase of Al the bank introduced the Al Ezab VArts in Qatar (VCUarts VCUarts Qatar’s alumni are abilities to think further, im- Furjan Markets and the fi rst stage markets project for the fi rst time Qatar) has opened the applica- currently employed across the agine bigger, and design larger of Al Ezab Markets. in 2020, in line with QDB’s plans tion process for students seek- globe in roles as varied as art that will have the greatest im- The bank adopted an elec- to support the commercial and ing admission to its Fall 2021 and design, film making, in- pact on communities, in the tronic lottery mechanism to service sector in the country as semester. terior design and incubation coming years.” select the winners in the two part of developing a sustainable The Qatar Foundation part- development. Additionally, As part of the application projects after being audited and economy consistent with Qatar ner university off ers fi ve under- for over a decade, the univer- process, admission counsel- programmed to suit the process National Vision 2030 to create a graduate degree programmes sity has steadily expanded and lors at VCUarts Qatar are avail- and its transparency, in addition sustainable and diversifi ed eco- – Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in built upon its community and able for consultations every to being reviewed by an external nomic environment. Fashion Design, BFA in Graphic continuing education pro- day. Besides, the university’s auditing company specialising in The event to announce the Design, BFA in Interior Design, grammes, regularly offering website includes comprehen- this fi eld, under the supervision winners witnessed the presence BFA in Painting and Printmak- members of the public, and sive information on applica- of a committee consisting of sev- of offi cials from the Ministries of ing, and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in alumni, opportunities to con- tion requirements, answers to eral government agencies. Commerce and Industry and the Art History – and a post-grad- solidate their learning or pick frequently asked questions and The selection of the reserve Municipality and Environment. uate Master of Fine Arts (MFA) up new skills. programme details. for the winners was also made The two projects aim strate- programme. Announcing the application This year, in August, VCUarts through the same electronic lot- gically to contribute to the eco- VCUarts Qatar, the branch process, Katherine Mangum, Qatar welcomed its community tery. nomic and urban renaissance by campus of Virginia Common- director, Recruitment and Ad- of students, staff and faculty to QDB had announced the end of providing service and commer- wealth University School of the missions, at the university, said: the new academic year – the the registration period for the lot- cial facilities in the declared ar- Arts, in Richmond, Virginia, “We are interested in students fi rst semester of which will be The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation tery, which began on August 9 and eas, which will play a central role US, is located in Education City. who are keen to push the lim- held mostly online – including (Kahramaa) completed about 32mn hours without Lost continued until September 9. in meeting the needs of the resi- It features state-of-the-art its, and who want to change its class of 2024 comprising of Time Injury (LTI) in 2019, according to an off icial tweet. There were 155,600 applica- dents of these areas, in addition labs, libraries and studios, and the world around them, for the 84 new students drawn from 21 This reflects Kahramaa’s commitment to follow the highest tions submitted online for 130 to providing the necessary com- hosts several key art and design better. New design and innova- countries. standards of quality, security, and safety at all sites to ensure shops distributed in 12 Al Furjan mercial and service activities for a safe work environment for all. markets, and 29 stores in three the Al Ezab complexes and their markets of Al Ezab markets. workers. – QNA

MoTC continues to support SMEs

he Digital Transforma- ing the limits of traditional WAN tion Assessment (DTA) networks. Tsessions by the Ministry On September 30, the session of Transportation and Commu- on ‘SAP B1 (ERP for SME) best nication (MoTC) are continuing run on Azure’ is aimed at ena- to support Small and Medium- bling small and business houses sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar to go for SAP ERP solution on Az- to meet the right service provid- ure. “This would give more value ers. in cloud transformation jour- “MoTC is continuing online neys from diff erent on-premises DTA sessions to accelerate the workloads to get the fast ROI,” digital transformation journey of the ministry website said. SMEs,” a tweet by MoTC said. DTA is held annually to as- Yesterday’s session focused sess progress and adherence to on ‘key payment trends – post- the relevant digital government pandemic,’ the ministry said, guidelines for each government giving details on its offi cial web- entity. site. This assessment will result in Today’s session will discuss a digital transformation annual Volvo XC60 models of 2018-20 recalled the topic ‘social commerce in report for review by the Steering Qatar’ and it is aimed at creating Committee and submission to The Ministry of Commerce and protect consumers and ensure ers to report any violations to its awareness in social commerce the Council of Ministers. Industry (MoCI), in co-operation that dealers follow up on vehicle Consumer Protection and Anti- segments, those sell items using The DTA questionnaire as- with Doha Marketing Services defects and repairs. Commercial Fraud Department, Facebook, WhatsApp and Insta- sesses four dimensions of digital Co (Domasco), announced the The MoCI said that it will co- which processes complaints, gram along with other social me- transformation using a range of recall of Volvo XC60 models of ordinate with the dealer to inquires and suggestions through dia platforms. measures. The digital transfor- 2018-2020 because the front follow up on the maintenance the following channels: “This session will enable that mation of SMEs Programme fo- wiper might be loose and may and repair works and will com- Call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ segment to upscale their busi- The session on September 29 eraging software-defi ned (SD) cuses on web presence, e-com- not function. municate with customers to moci.gov.qa, Twitter: @MOCIQA- ness by automating existing will be on ‘SD-WAN: Why, What principles. It starts by describ- merce and cloud services. The recall campaign comes ensure that they carried out the TAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, processes and become a part of and How.’ The aim is to demystify ing the driving factors around The fi rst Digital Transforma- within the framework of the necessary repairs. MoCI mobile app for android and Qatar National vision 2030,” the SD-WAN, the next-generation the evolution of the enterprise tion Assessment was held in May MoCI’s continuous eff orts to The ministry urged all custom- iOS: MOCIQATAR MoTC said. Wide Area Network (WAN) lev- IT landscape, which are push- 2015. Gulf Times 8 Monday, September 28, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Iran Guards Yemen’s warring parties agree unveil new naval to largest prisoner swap ballistic

Reuters fi ths telling them: “Well done, Glion, Switzerland well done.” missile Sources familiar with the talks and Houthi-run Masirah he UN Special Envoy for TV said the movement would AFP Yemen wants to build on release 400 people, including Tehran Tyesterday’s announce- 15 Saudis and four Sudanese, ment of the largest prisoner while the coalition would free exchange agreement in the fi ve- 681 Houthi fighters in the larg- ran’s Revolutionary Guards year confl ict to pave the way for est swap since peace talks in yesterday unveiled a new a national ceasefi re and a politi- Stockholm in December 2018. Inaval ballistic missile with a cal solution to end the war, he Abdulkader al-Murtada, of potential range of over 700 kilo- said. the Houthi prisoner exchange metres, local media reported, Yemen’s warring parties committee, gave the same fig- following months of tensions agreed to exchange 1,081 pris- ures to reporters in Glion, say- with United States. oners, including 15 Saudis, as ing: “Of course this file is con- The missile, dubbed “Zolfa- part of trust-building steps sidered to be one of building ghar Basir”, is the naval variant aimed at reviving a stalled peace trust between the parties and of the surface-to-surface Zolfa- process, the United Nations and if there has been any positive ghar ballistic missile, according sources said. movement in the prisoners’ to Tasnim news agency. “I was told that it’s very rare file, without a doubt it will in- Its range is more than twice to have prisoner releases of this fluence the other files.” that of the Islamic republic’s scale during the confl ict, that ICRC Middle East director other naval missiles, including they mostly happen after a con- Fabrizio Carboni called on the the “Hormuz-2”, with a range fl ict,” UN envoy Martin Grif- two warring parties to provide of 300 kilometres, which Te- fi ths told Reuters in the Swiss “security and logistical guar- hran said it successfully tested in village of Glion where the deal antees” for swift releases. March 2017. was announced. Yemen has been mired in Tasnim did not specify wheth- But the timing, sequence and conflict since the Houthis er or not the new missile has logistics of the exchange were ousted the internationally been tested yet. still being fi nalised by the Inter- recognised government in the Images published by Tasnim national Committee of the Red capital, Sanaa, in late 2014, showed the Zolfaghar Basir in- Cross (ICRC), which will organ- prompting the Western- stalled on a launcher truck dur- ise the transfers, he said, calling backed coalition to intervene ing the inauguration of Tehran’s for further releases. in March 2015. National Aerospace Park yester- Griffi ths is trying to restart The confl ict, has been in mil- day. political negotiations to end itary stalemate for years with “This exhibition shows the the war, which has killed tens of Fabrizio Carboni, Regional Director for the Near and Middle East of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Abdulkader the Houthis holding Sanaa and comprehensive plan of the de- thousands of people and caused al-Murtada, Head of the Houthi prisoner exchange committee, Hadi Haig, Head of the Yemeni government delegation and Martin most big urban centres. terrent power of the (Islamic re- what the United Nations de- Griffiths, United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen pose for a photograph after the closing plenary of the fourth meeting of the The coalition said yesterday public’s) system,” Guards com- scribes as the world’s largest Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Prisoners’ Exchange Agreement in Yemen, in Glion, Switzerland, yesterday. it had intercepted a drone over mander Major General Hossein humanitarian crisis with mil- Yemen that the Houthis had Salami said at the inauguration, lions on the brink of famine. be accompanied by measures the extra mile to resolve fi nal ment. And it’s important be- to swap some 15,000 detainees fi red towards southern Saudi according to Tasnim. “Our overall aim at the mo- to open up ports, airports and diff erences,” he said.”So what cause it ends the war.” split between both sides but the Arabia. Iran’s Guards used the Zolfa- ment is to bring an agreement roads. we will be looking to do as a re- The Yemeni government, pact has been slowly and only Riyadh launched informal ghar in 2017 and 2018 against on what we call a joint declara- “This achievement here I sult of the announcement here backed by a military coalition, partially implemented. talks with the Houthis late last the Islamic State group in Syria tion which is a national cease- think will undoubtedly have a today is in the coming days...to and the Houthi movement they Heads of the two sides of the year for a ceasefi re as it seeks to in retaliation for terrorist attacks fi re to end the war in Yemen,” bounce eff ect for that, that it go and visit the parties to fi nal- have been battling for over fi ve committee hugged at the end of exit a costly war ahead of host- carried out in the country. Griffi ths said, adding it would will encourage the parties to go ise the specifi cs of that agree- years signed a deal in late 2018 their fi nal meeting, with Grif- ing a G20 summit in November. The missile was also used in January to target bases in Iraq housing US troops, according to IRNA news agency, days af- ter the US killed Iran’s top gen- eral Qasem Soleimani in a drone Nine IS-linked suspects strike in Baghdad. Hundreds of mourners attend The unveiling of the Zolfaghar Basir comes more than a week killed in Lebanon after an American aircraft car- rier crossed the strategic Strait funeral of Gaza fi shermen of Hormuz, and days after the AFP more than 15 suspects. It added Guards opened a new naval base Beirut that three had been arrested in near the waterway, through previous raids. Following the AFP which a fi fth of the world’s oil August murders in Kaftoun, Deir el-Balah passes. ebanese police have the army and police launched The vital shipping lane and killed nine suspected operations to track down the nearby Gulf waters were the Lmembers of the Islamic assailants. On September 14, undreds of mourners scenes of heightened US-Iranian State group in the hunt for the army said four soldiers yesterday buried two tensions late last year when ships “terrorists” linked to several were killed while attempting HGaza fi sherman shot were mysteriously attacked, deadly attacks, including on to arrest suspected “terrorist” dead at sea, as the Palestinian drones downed and oil tankers soldiers, a security source said Khaled al-Tallawi at his north fi shing union blamed Egypt and seized. yesterday. Lebanon home, though he was demanded an investigation. Tensions have soared between Saturday’s operation came eventually shot dead. Three brothers were fi shing Washington and Tehran under more than a month after the Meanwhile, two Lebanese on Friday in the Mediterranean US President Donald Trump, army and security forces soldiers were killed overnight Sea off the Gaza Strip, a crowd- who pulled out of a landmark launched a manhunt for sus- in an attack on an army post in ed sliver of land sandwiched 2015 nuclear accord and unilater- pects in the August 21 killing the locality of Arman-Minyeh, between Egypt and Israel, when ally reimposed sanctions on Iran. of two municipal policemen also in the north of the coun- their boat was hit by gunfi re. The nations have twice come to and the son of the mayor of the try, the army said yesterday. Two died and their bod- the brink of direct confrontation northern village of Kaftoun. “Two soldiers were killed, ies were returned to Gaza by since June 2019. Police intelligence units in addition to one terrorist,” it Egyptian forces, the union Washington suff ered a setback raided a house in the north- said in a statement. said, while the third brother in mid-August when it failed to ern region of Wadi Khaled An attacker “riding a mo- was wounded and remains in win support from the United Na- where “suspects linked to the torbike tried to enter the army Egypt. tion’s Security Council to extend IS” militant group had been post, and army members con- Gaza’s rulers Hamas also an arms embargo against Tehran holed up, “killing all the ter- fronted him, killing him in- blamed the Egyptian army. that will progressively expire rorists inside”, the Internal stantly”, it added. There was no immediate com- starting on October 18. Security Forces (ISF) said in a They found grenades and ment from Egyptian officials. statement. A security source an explosives belt on him, the As hundreds gathered yes- said “at least nine members last of which it said “he had terday in the central Gaza dis- of the group were killed”. But intended to detonate inside trict of Deir al-Balah to bury Former Mali the source said the death toll the post”.Wadi Khaled and the men, their mother pleaded foreign minister could rise as more bodies could the Arman-Miniyeh region with Egyptian President Ab- Mourners comfort the mother of two Palestinian fishermen who were shot at sea, during their funeral Ouane named be buried under the rubble of are near second city Tripoli, del Fattah al-Sisi to let her in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, yesterday. transitional premier the house, part of which was which has been rocked by vio- surviving son Yasser Zaazoua blown up during the police op- lence involving militants over come home. give me back Yasser who is Gaza for 13 years, say fishing is is Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Mali’s interim president Bah eration. the years, including as part of “Sisi, you killed two of my still in detention.” sometimes used as a cover for where security forces are bat- Ndaw yesterday named former The ISF statement said the the fallout from the confl ict in sons,” said Oum Nidal Zaaz- Israeli security forces, who smuggling. tling both clandestine trade Malian foreign minister Moctar “terrorist cell” was made up of Syria. oua. “If you have compassion, have imposed a blockade for Directly south of Gaza and militant groups. Ouane as prime minister, open- ing the way for the country’s neighbours to lift sanctions imposed after its August military coup. A civilian premier was the precondition for Ecowas to lift sanctions it imposed two days after the August 18 coup remov- Macron to continue Lebanon initiative ing president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, which the junta claims inflicted no casualties. Reuters leaders did not want, clearly mand by Lebanon’s two main October. Describing the events Paris and resolutely, to respect the groups, Amal and Hezbollah, of the last few days as a be- Ndaw himself is a former colonel commitments made to France that they name several min- trayal, he said political leaders and defence minister, and was and the international commu- isters, including for finance, had chosen “to deliver Leba- sworn in before Mali’s supreme rench President Em- nity. They decided to betray this who will have a big role in non to the game of foreign court on Friday with military manuel Macron admon- commitment.” drawing up economic rescue powers”, destabilising the re- junta chief Assimi Goita as his Fished Lebanon’s leaders For the first time, Macron plans. Macron, who also took gion further. deputy. The junta has promised yesterday for serving their own also specifically questioned a swipe at leading politician He warned them that they to return the country to civilian interests ahead of their country the role of Hezbollah, saying Saad al-Hariri, criticised both had 4-6 weeks to play ball. rule after a transition period last- and vowed to push ahead with that the group needed to lift parties for blocking efforts to When asked whether sanc- ing up to 18 months. eff orts to prevent chaos, but ap- its ambiguity on the political form a government by a mid- tions were on the table, he said Members of Ouane’s govern- peared to have no back up plan arena. September deadline. he would only consider them ment will be unveiled tomorrow, should his initiative fail. Adib was picked on Aug 31 “Hezbollah can’t be at the at a later stage in conjunction an off icer from the junta said on Lebanon’s prime minister- to form a cabinet after Ma- same time an army at war with with other powers because he condition of anonymity. designate, Mustapha Adib, quit cron’s intervention secured a Israel, an unrestrained militia could not see their use for now. The new PM, aged 64, served on Saturday after failing to line consensus on naming him in a against civilians in Syria and a “This is a system of ter- as foreign minister between up a non-partisan cabinet, country where power is shared French President Emmanuel Macron addresses Lebanese respectable party in Lebanon,” ror. This system is no longer 2004 and 2011 during Amadou dealing a blow to a French plan out between religious com- journalists during a virtual press conference broadcast at the Pine Macron said. advancing and a few dozen Toumani Toure’s presidency. aimed at rallying sectarian lead- munities. Under the French Residence, the off icial residence of the French ambassador, in the Macron said he would con- people are bringing down a Since 2016 he has served as ers to tackle the country’s crisis. roadmap, the new government capital Beirut, yesterday. vene international partners country and its people,” Ma- peace and security representa- “I am ashamed of Lebanon’s would take steps to tackle within 20 days to assess where cron said. “The French initia- tive for the West African Mon- political leaders,” Macron told a corruption and implement lions of dollars of interna- crushed by a huge debt. But his efforts stood and hold an tive will persist. My commit- etary Union (WAMU). news conference in Paris. “The reforms needed to trigger bil- tional aid to fix an economy there was deadlock over a de- aid conference by the end of ment...will not falter.” Gulf Times Monday, September 28, 2020 9 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

North Korea warns Seoul’s navy over search for dead offi cial

AFP Pyongyang’s soldiers. Pyongyang’s forces in a decade – agency said yesterday, adding vessels near the site of the inci- South Korean President Moon Apologies from North Ko- Seoul State media said the North prompting a rare public apology that Pyongyang was organising a dent had crossed into North Ko- Jae-in convened an emergency rea are unusual and the mes- will begin its own search for from leader Kim Jong-un. search operation in its waters to rean waters. meeting with his security minis- sage from Kim came with inter- the body and warned that the Seoul’s military has accused the help locate the body. “We can never overlook any in- ters yesterday and said Seoul had Korean ties in a deep freeze and orth Korea yesterday South’s naval operations threat- North Korean soldiers of pouring It said the country was con- trusion into our territorial waters requested a joint probe with the nuclear negotiations between warned the South Ko- ened to raise tensions. oil over the man’s body and burn- sidering “procedures and ways of and we seriously warn the south North on the shooting. Pyongyang and Washington Nrean navy to stop cross- The fi sheries offi cial was ing it after shooting him. handing over any tide-brought side against it,” KCNA said. “The North’s swift apology and deadlocked. ing into its territorial waters as shot dead by North Korean sol- The death was an “awful case corpse to the south side...in case “It arouses our due vigilance as its promise to prevent a recur- There have been no North Ko- ships search for the body of a diers on Tuesday – the fi rst kill- which should not have happened”, we fi nd it during the operation”. it may lead to another awful inci- rence were assessed positively,” rean media reports on the con- Seoul offi cial shot dead at sea by ing of a South Korean civilian by the North’s offi cial KCNA news But it warned that South Korean dent.” Moon’s offi ce said in a statement. tents of the letter from Kim.

Ardern on Melbourne virus curfew to be course for election lifted after nearly two months victory:

AFP ing from overseas. Andrews said Melbourne several other restrictions will poll also be lifted, allowing workers in a number of industries to re- n overnight curfew in turn and small religious services Reuters Australia’s second-big- to resume. Primary school stu- Sydney Agest city will be lifted dents will be back in classrooms from today, almost two months from mid-October and child- after it was imposed across care centres will reopen imme- ew Zealand Prime Min- Melbourne to counter a surging diately. ister Jacinda Ardern is coronavirus outbreak. Visits to hospitals and aged Npoised to retain power at Victoria state Premier Dan- care facilities can resume with next month’s election, a widely iel Andrews said Melbourne strict conditions but visits to watched poll showed yesterday, residents would be free to leave homes will remain banned and although it said a recent Cov- their homes at any time for outdoor gatherings limited to id-19 outbreak has dented her work, exercise, to buy essentials fi ve people from two house- support slightly. or provide care. holds. A Newshub-Reid Research The relaxation comes after 16 Andrews said the evidence Poll released yesterday showed new infections and two deaths was “irrefutable” that homes support for Ardern’s Labour were reported in Victoria yes- were “one of the most risky en- Party at to 50.1%, though this terday and the state’s active vironments” for transmission of is down from the record 60.9% cases fell below 400 for the fi rst the virus. recorded earlier this year when time since June 30. “It is how people let their New Zealand was widely laud- The Melbourne curfew was guard down, and there is a de- ed as a world leader in battling imposed on August 2 along with gree of informality -- there is Covid-19. a raft of other restrictions as no distancing, there is not the Support for the main op- cases of coronavirus soared in cleaning at that kind of indus- position National Party was at the city of roughly 5mn. trial level, that is when this vi- 29.6%, up 4.5 percentage points. Chief health offi cer Brett Sut- rus gets away from you,” he said. Should the poll fi ndings ma- ton said it was “not a propor- Australia has been relatively terialise, Ardern would govern tionate measure to have in place successful in curbing the spread without relying on any coalition going forward” given the low of Covid-19, with just over partners. case numbers. 27,000 cases and 872 deaths in a New Zealand was Covid-free People will still be confi ned People exercise at a park along the Yarra River in Melbourne, yesterday, as an overnight curfew in Australia’s second-biggest city will be population of 25mn. for 102 days until a second wave to within fi ve kilometres of their lifted from today. Most regions are now report- hit Auckland last month. Ardern homes and fi nes for breach- ing few or no new daily infec- became the country’s youngest ing other restrictions will be “We don’t make this deci- torians have done at risk... and ence. Melbourne, the capital of ter security bungles led to the tions, allowing restrictions to leader in more than 150 years in increased to almost Aus$5,000 sion lightly but no-one has the potentially spreading the virus,” Victoria, became the epicentre virus escaping from hotels used be rolled back across much of 2017 after the kingmaker na- (US$3,515) to deter parties. right to put everything that Vic- Andrews told a press confer- of Australia’s second wave af- to quarantine travellers return- the country. tionalist New Zealand First Par- ty agreed to form a government with her Labour Party, ending the National Party’s decade in power. Elephantine presence Ardern, 40, also holds huge Final whale China name dispute moves global appeal due to her response to last year’s attack by a White supremacist on two mosques, a saved from birds to climate change fatal volcanic eruption and her success with the Covid-19 out- break. from mass Reuters wildlife charity after it de- nant asking it to fix the name Taipei manded the Taiwan group issue, or they would with- change its name and sign doc- draw from the group. stranding uments stating it did not sup- In an e-mailed statement, he dispute over inter- port Taiwan’s independence. the Global Covenant’s secre- national organisations Late on Saturday, the tariat said it was an apoliti- China’s AFP Treferring to Taiwan as southern Taiwanese city of cal organisation promoting Sydney Chinese has moved from wild Kaohsiung’s government said climate action. bird conservation to climate the website of the Global Cov- “Since our inception, we foreign change, after a global alliance enant of Mayors for Climate have designated cities in ac- lone whale was rescued of mayors began listing Tai- and Energy had begun listing cordance with international from among hundreds wanese cities as belonging to Taiwan member cities like it- practices and this has not minister Aof carcasses yesterday, China on its website. self as part of China. changed since. We have re- taking to 110 the number of China has ramped up pres- Yesterday, Taiwan’s gov- ceived and are evaluating the creatures that survived a mass sure on international groups ernment reacted with anger. request from the six mayors,” may visit stranding in southern Australia. and companies to refer to “Taiwan is Taiwan. China it said, without elaborating. The country’s largest-ever democratic, self-ruled Tai- is China. Taiwan is not a city The Global Covenant says mass stranding saw around 470 wan as being part of China, to of China’s. If there is incor- its mission is to “galvanise Japan pilot whales become stuck in a the anger of Taiwan’s govern- rect usage we think this is climate and energy action remote harbour on Tasmania’s ment and many of its people. extremely improper,” Pre- across cities worldwide”, rugged western seaboard last Beijing views the island as mier Su Tseng-chang told representing a population of Reuters week, sparking a major eff ort to merely a wayward Chinese reporters. over 800mn. Tokyo save the animals. province. The Kaohsiung city gov- The only Chinese city it It was “absolutely remark- This month a Taiwan bird ernment circulated to re- lists as a member is Hong A mahout rides an elephant among the traffic down able” another whale was found conservation body said it had porters a draft of a joint Kong. China’s Foreign Min- a street in Piliyandala, a suburb of Sri Lanka’s capital hinese Foreign Minister alive six days after the pod was been expelled from a part- letter from six Taiwanese istry did not respond to a re- Colombo, yesterday. Wang Yi may visit Japan fi rst discovered, a Tasmania en- nership with a British-based mayors to the Global Cove- quest for comment. Cas early as October, a gov- vironment department spokes- ernment source said yesterday, woman told AFP, adding that it after the leaders of the two coun- had been taken back out to sea. tries agreed to pursue high-level More than 100 rescuers toiled contacts to promote regional and for days in chilly waters, but international stability. many volunteers and conserva- Wang would hold talks tionists have now packed up as 16 dead from poisoning in Chinese coal mine with his Japanese counterpart eff orts turned to disposing of the Toshimitsu Motegi and Prime remaining carcasses. Minister Yoshihide Suga dur- “There has been a tremendous AFP ity, Songzao Coal Mine, is ing the trip, the source said. The team eff ort and this combined Beijing owned by state energy firm visit would come after Suga and commitment has allowed us to Chongqing Energy and lo- Chinese President Xi Jinping get as many whales as we can cated just outside the city agreed during a phone conver- back out to sea,” Parks and Wild- ixteen workers died of Chongqing. Mining acci- sation on Friday to have more life Service manager Rob Buck and one is in a critical dents are common in China, high-level contacts. said of the “complex rescue”. Scondition after being where the industry has a poor Suga and Wang would likely With more than 300 carcasses trapped underground in a safety record and regulations agree to strengthen economic spread across a 10-kilometre coal mine in southwest Chi- are often weakly enforced. At ties between the nations, said the area, authorities shifted their fo- na yesterday, reported state least 14 miners were killed in source who declined to be named cus yesterday to a mass sea bur- broadcaster CCTV. a coal and gas blast last De- as the information is not public. ial. Boats have begun towing the A conveyor belt caught cember at a mine in south- The visit was earlier reported dead whales into the open ocean, fire in the early hours of the western Guizhou province. by public broadcaster NHK. where they will be released over morning, state news agency In December 2018, seven Suga, who became prime min- several days. Authorities have Xinhua cited the government miners were killed in Chong- ister earlier this month, must warned that more whales could as saying, which produced qing after the connecting manage relations with Japan’s be found in the area, with some dangerous levels of carbon segment of a skip broke and bigger neighbour as ties between animals likely to become beached monoxide. fell down a shaft. In October China and the United States wors- for a second time. Medics are fighting to save the same year, 21 miners died en amid the coronavirus pandem- The causes of mass strand- the life of the remaining sur- in eastern Shandong prov- ic and lingering trade friction. ings remain unknown, but some vivor, CCTV reported. ince after pressure inside a Tokyo is also in a dispute with experts have suggested the pod The cause of the accident mine caused rocks to fracture Beijing over ownership of islands may have gone off track after is still under investigation, and break, blocking the tun- in the East China Sea and has feeding close to the shoreline or said the Qijiang district gov- nel and trapping the workers. expressed concern about an up- by following one or two whales ernment on social media Only one miner was res- tick in Chinese military activity that strayed. platform Weibo. The facil- cued alive. Rescuers wait outside the Songzao Coal Mine near Chongqing, in southwest China, yesterday. the region. Gulf Times 10 Monday, September 28, 2020 AMERICAS

DISASTER LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE PANDEMIC SCHEME Police accuse man of falsely NFL great Montana saves Coronavirus cases in Chile unveils $2bn plan to claiming terrorist acts child from being kidnapped Argentina top 700,000 bring back jobs lost to virus

Authorities in Canada have arrested and charged It appears that NFL hall of fame Joe Montana is a Argentina’s coronavirus infections topped Chilean President Sebastian Pinera announced a man with making repeated false claims that he crimefighter as well as the winner of four Super 700,000 on Saturday with new daily infections the launch of $2bn in subsidies aimed at creating had travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State group Bowls. According to a TMZ report, the former San and deaths among the top five globally, data new jobs or recovering those lost during months and carried out grisly crimes, they announced. The Francisco 49ers quarterback foiled a kidnapping showed, despite seven months of quarantine of lockdown aimed at stemming the coronavirus charges against 25-year-old Shehroze Chaudhry in a Malibu home on Saturday evening. Law that have ravaged the frail economy. Argentina pandemic in the globe’s top copper producer. stemmed from his claims in news media — includ- enforcement sources told TMZ a 39-year-old reported a rolling seven-day average of 11,082 Pinera said the government would pay private ing in a widely noted interview with the New York woman entered the house and snatched one of new cases daily, behind only India, the US, France businesses up to 50%, or as much as $317 of the Times — of a terrorist past, the Royal Canadian Montana’s grandchildren from another woman’s and Brazil, all countries with far larger popula- salaries of any newly hired employee for the next A firefighting aircraft drops retardant ahead Mounted Police said. Chaudhry — who has used arms before Montana and his wife Jennifer tions than the South American nation. Argentina’s six months. A similar programme will cover up to of the Glass fire at Davis Estates in Calistoga, the alias Abu Huzayfah, according to Canada’s grabbed the baby back. It is unclear who owns average daily death toll this week hit 365. Health around $200 of the salaries of employees who California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned Global News — claimed to have travelled to Syria in the home. The intruder is then understood to off icials reported 702,484 total infections since return to work after a furlough period during the over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes. 2016 to join the IS group. He said he had personally have fled the house before being arrested a March and 15,543 deaths. On Friday, the province coronavirus crisis. The package, which seeks to Much of northern California is under a red flag carried out at least two executions and witnessed short distance away and booked on kidnap and of Buenos Aires announced it had underestimat- create 1mn new jobs, is the latest round of stimu- warning for high fire danger. other acts of violence. burglary charges. ed the death toll from Covid-19 by 3,523. lus aimed at revitalising Chile’s frail economy.

Biden must take drug Democrats focus test before fi rst debate, on healthcare in says Trump

AFP Washington fi ght over Barrett

resident Donald Trump yesterday demanded his PDemocratic rival Joe Bi- nomination den take a drug test either before or after the pair’s fi rst debate tomorrow, in his latest salvo Reuters in a 6-3 conservative majority on tions being used against them to against his opponent’s mental Washington the court. buy health insurance,” Demo- acuity. Biden tied the fate of the law cratic senator Dick Durbin said “I will be strongly demand- to the ongoing coronavirus cri- on ABC’s This Week. ing a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe emocratic presidential sis, in which more than 200,000 Republican senators have made Biden prior to, or after, the De- candidate Joe Biden and Americans have died. it clear they plan to have a fi nal bate on Tuesday night,” Trump Dfellow Democrats yes- “The clear focus is: this is vote on Barrett before the election, tweeted. terday made it clear that their about your healthcare. This is with senator Mike Lee saying on “Naturally, I will agree to take opposition to President Donald about whether or not the ACA ABC that he did not expect a back- one also. His debate perform- Trump’s Supreme Court nomi- will exist. This is about whether lash at the polls because Trump ances have been record setting nee, Amy Coney Barrett, will fo- or not pre-existing conditions had campaigned in 2016 on ap- uneven, to put it mildly. Only cus on the possibility she could will continue to be covered. This pointing conservative justices. drugs could have caused this cast a decisive vote to strike is about whether or not a woman “This is exactly what he prom- discrepancy???” he continued, down the Obamacare health law. can be charged more for the same ised to do and he is fulfi lling that without off ering any evidence With Republicans controlling procedure as a man. promise,” Lee said. for the claim. the senate, Democrats have little This is about people’s health- Lee said he believes Obamacare According to US media re- leverage to prevent a quick vote care in the middle of a pandem- is unconstitutional but that it ports, on Saturday their teams on Barrett before the November ic,” Biden said. would be up to Barrett to vote as fi nalised the conditions for the 3 election and almost no hope of she saw fi t. debate, to be moderated by Fox preventing her confi rmation. Barrett said she would Republican senator Lindsey News reporter Chris Wallace, Instead, their attacks appeared be a justice in the mould Graham, who chairs the judici- including forgoing the tradi- aimed at energising their politi- of her mentor, the late ary committee, said on Fox News tional handshake and with only a cal base with an issue that is al- staunch conservative Channel that the Democratic small audience due to Covid-19 ready a talking point for Biden, Antonin Scalia, who base is “going nuts” about the restrictions. who gave a speech on the subject twice voted in favour of court vacancy and that activists The condition of a drugs test in Wilmington, Delaware yester- previous unsuccessful are putting pressure on senators was not mentioned. day. Obamacare challenges to “destroy” Barrett. Both septuagenarians are Barrett could be on the court’s Trump has urged Republicans, prone to blunders and gaff es bench for oral arguments on He repeated his call that the who hold a 53-47 senate major- when speaking. November 10 in a case in which winner of the presidential elec- ity, to confi rm Barrett, a federal But the 74-year-old Trump Trump and his Republican al- tion should get to appoint the appeals court judge and a favour- has spent months denigrat- lies are seeking to invalidate the new justice. ite of religious conservatives, be- ing 77-year-old Biden’s men- Aff ordable Care Act (ACA) — Trump said on Twitter yes- fore the election. tal state, and suggested several the 2010 law popularly known terday that if the Supreme Court He has said he expects the jus- times in recent weeks without Obamacare. strikes down the health law, tices to have to resolve the elec- any evidence that the former That could cost millions of “Obamacare will be replaced tion, which has prompted Demo- vice president may be using un- Americans their healthcare cov- with a MUCH better, and FAR crats to say Barrett should recuse specifi ed drugs to boost his per- erage as well as protections for cheaper, alternative.” herself from such cases. formance. pre-existing health conditions. Trump failed in attempts to The only time in US history For the most part Biden has “It’s no mystery what is hap- repeal Obamacare when Repub- that the Supreme Court has had shrugged the accusations off , pening here. President Trump is licans controlled the senate and to resolve a presidential election calling for voters to observe the trying to throw out the Aff ord- House of Representatives, and was in 2000. two men together. able Care Act. He has been trying Republicans have yet to say what Barrett is expected to begin “Watch me. Look at us both,” to do this for four years,” Biden they would replace the law with. meetings with individual sena- he said in an August interview said. Democratic senators yesterday tors tomorrow. with ABC. In a White House Rose Garden echoed Biden’s message, saying Like Trump’s two other ap- On Saturday Biden said he ex- ceremony on Saturday, Trump it would be a focus of questions pointees, Neil Gorsuch in 2017 pects “personal attacks and lies” announced Barrett, 48, as his se- Barrett will face during a multi- and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, from the president during the lection to replace liberal Justice day confi rmation hearing before Barrett is young enough that debate, likening Trump to Nazi Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died the senate judiciary committee she could serve for decades in propaganda chief Joseph Goeb- on September 18 at age 87. due to start on October 12. the lifetime job, leaving a lasting bels. Barrett said she would be “I want to ask her point conservative imprint. Tomorrow’s clash in Cleve- a justice in the mould of her blank... whether or not her po- Barrett, a devout Roman Cath- land, Ohio, the fi rst of three mentor, the late staunch con- sition is that we should end the olic who earned her law degree 90-minute debates, represents servative Antonin Scalia, who Aff ordable Care Act provid- and taught at the University of the fi rst time voters will have twice voted in favour of previ- ing health insurance for 20mn Notre Dame in Indiana, was ap- the chance to see the candidates ous unsuccessful Obamacare Americans and protections for pointed by Trump to the Chica- facing off against one another US President Donald Trump and judge Amy Coney Barrett arrive at the Rose Garden of the White House challenges. Americans from one coast to the go-based 7th US Circuit Court of directly. in Washington, DC. Her confi rmation would result other from pre-existing condi- Appeals in 2017.

Legislator urges police to 20 held as police clash drop charges against her Reuters sota police offi cer knelt on his Washington neck. The Louisville Metro Po- with Portland protesters lice Department did not im- Kentucky legislator mediately respond to a phone who was arrested dur- message and e-mails sent to Reuters said rocks and cans were thrown ing an anti-stab vest and a stars Aing demonstrations spokesmen seeking a response Portland, Oregon at offi cers, the Multnomah and stripes bandana. over the Breonna Taylor case to allegations by Scott, who is County Sheriff ’s Offi ce reported. The self-declared “Western yesterday accused Louisville the main sponsor of the pro- Portland Police spokesman chauvinist” Proud Boys had fore- police of detaining her and posed “Breonna’s Law” that olice clashed with anti- Kevin Allen said the bureau was cast a crowd of at least 10,000 about 20 allies on false pre- would expand police oversight. racism protesters and committed to upholding civil but police said fewer than 1,000 tenses and called for charges to “It felt like retaliation,” Ppushed back members of rights and any use of force by of- were present. be dropped. Scott told Reuters after a news the press in downtown Port- fi cers would be reviewed. Police reported four arrests re- State representative Attica conference. “They knew ex- land, Oregon into early yesterday The Northwest city has seen lated to the rally. Scott, the only Black woman actly who I was when I got to morning, making more than 20 four months of protests against Online videos showed a person in the Kentucky legislature, the jail.” arrests. police violence and racism with pushing a reporter to the ground was arrested along with her A group of about 20 protesters The violence followed a rela- escalating political violence be- and kicking him in the face. 19-year-old daughter, promi- intended to obey a 9pm curfew tively peaceful rally by the right- tween left and right-wing activ- Police said they were inves- nent activist Shameka Parrish- and reach a designated sanctu- wing Proud Boys group and ists in the run-up to the Novem- tigating the assault of a person Wright and others on Thursday ary when they were met by a line counter protests by anti-fascist ber 3 presidential election. documenting the gathering. during protests against a grand of police, said Scott, whose ac- and Black Lives Matter activists Dressed in trademark black State governor Kate Brown de- jury decision on Wednesday count is supported by video she on Saturday. and yellow polo shirts and body clared a weekend state of emer- to clear police of homicide posted on social media. Videos published online showed armour, hundreds of Proud Boys gency for Oregon’s biggest city, charges in the shooting death Scott, her daughter and police pushing protesters and supporters rallied to end what saying large numbers of “white su- of Taylor. Parrish-Wright were held photographers to the ground and they called “domestic terrorism” premacist groups” were travelling Louisville has become the overnight on charges of felony jabbing them with batons as offi c- in Democratic-run Portland. from out of state to attend the rally. latest fl ashpoint in US pro- fi rst-degree rioting, which ers drove them out of an area near “They’ve allowed 120 days of City and state leaders said in tests against racism and police carries a sentence of one to fi ve Portland’s federal courthouse. rioting and looting and murder a letter to the community that brutality, following months of years in prison, in addition to Protesters burned a US fl ag happening within our streets and Proud Boys supporters planned demonstrations that erupt- the misdemeanour off ences of and scuffl ed with police trying to we’re locals so we’re just tired of to cause chaos and violence but ed after the May 25 death of failure to disperse and unlaw- arrest fellow demonstrators. this, that’s why we’re out here that had yet to materialise by George Floyd when a Minne- ful assembly, police said. Police declared a riot after they today,” said Haley Adams, wear- early yesterday morning. Protesters and police face off in Portland, Oregon. Gulf Times Monday, September 28, 2020 11 BRITAIN

Labour takes poll lead as parties see switch in fortunes

Guardian News and Media latest Opinium poll for the Ob- Labour then recorded a two- Starmer now leads Johnson by very similar to those recorded in week, although 60% think more Boris Johnson became prime London server. point lead. four points on who would make an Opinium poll a fortnight ago, measures will be needed to stop a minister that Labour has been In a result that will stir more This represents a rapid revers- the best prime minister. but Johnson’s approval ratings second wave. ahead of the Conservatives on unrest among Tory MPs over the al. The Conservatives recorded More than half of voters (55%) have dropped since then from The LibDem party has seen no vote share, Keir Starmer has had abour has recorded its fi rst performance of the prime min- a 26-point lead only six months believe he is ready to be prime -6% to -12%, his lowest since bounce from the announcement better approval ratings (both raw poll lead since Boris John- ister, the poll put Labour on 42% ago, in the early stages of the minister, and 40% believe La- the pandemic began. of new leader Ed Davey – it is on and net) than the prime minister Lson became prime min- support, with the Conservatives Covid-19 lockdown. bour is ready to form the next Half of voters (50%) disap- 5%, down one point from a fort- for some time and the two lead- ister, marking an extraordinary on 39%. Approval of government han- government. prove of how the government night ago. ers have tended to draw on the changes in fortunes for the two It is the fi rst Labour lead since dling of coronavirus then stood The underlying polling results has handled the crisis, and 57% Adam Drummond, associate question of who would be the main parties. early July 2019 – the end of There- at two-thirds (65%) of the pub- suggest that government failings disapprove of how it has handled director of Opinium, said: “The better prime minister. Keir Starmer’s party now sa May’s doomed premiership, lic. have contributed to Labour’s testing. Labour Party has fi nally caught “Now the Labour leader has has a three-point lead over the when the LibDems and the Brexit The latest poll shows only lead. The public backs the new up with its leader in polling. pulled ahead on that measure as Conservatives, according to the Party were polling strongly. 30% now approve. Starmer’s approval ratings are tough policies announced last While this is the fi rst time since well”.

Royals at Attenborough film screening Tory councillors oppose plans to speed up housebuilding

Guardian News and Media otherwise unprotected farm and London open land could be zoned for construction. Andrew Howard, the fi rm’s growing rebellion among managing director, said: “If the Conservative councillors government is going to deliver on Ais threatening govern- its commitment to fundamen- ment plans to accelerate house- tally reform the planning sys- building in England with six out tem, it is going to have to put in of 10 believing reforms will make some serious spade work, to win planning less democratic. round those Conservative coun- A survey across Tory heart- cillors who provide the bedrock lands has revealed party repre- of their member of parliament’s sentatives are baulking at min- constituency association and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George (seated), Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis meet Sir David Attenborough isters’ plans to sharply increase who clearly value their role in in the gardens of Kensington Palace in London after The Duke and Sir David attended an outdoor screening of Sir David’s upcoming feature film. The film, David housing targets in electoral controlling development.” Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, sets out his “witness statement” on the destruction of the environment and ideas on how humans can still put it right. strongholds like Hampshire and The survey also found that Surrey and are rejecting attempts two thirds of all councillors, in- to cut planning committees out cluding Labour, Liberal Demo- of routine decision-making. crats, Greens and independents, Conservative leaders in coun- believe the majority of consulta- cils are becoming increasingly tion with the public should hap- vocal in their opposition to the pen on a proposal-by-proposal plans which they fear could re- basis rather than when broad sult in countryside being con- local plans are devised, as the creted over for housing and core planning white paper published voters deserting them in disgust. last month proposes. Police arrest man in Martin Tett, the Conserva- The planning reforms were tive leader of Buckinghamshire unveiled in August by the Hous- council told the Guardian de- ing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, and mands for an extra 1,000 homes immediately drew sharp criticism. to be built a year in his country Under the proposals, planning were “undesirable and unde- applications based on pre-ap- liverable” while John Halsall, proved “design codes” would get sergeant death probe leader of Wokingham council an automatic green light – elimi- said the proposals were “a huge nating a whole stage of local over- Guardian News and Media Memorial Day, Dick said it was suspect, 23, had his hands establish a motive for the mur- London Irish and the Met teams political danger”. sight within designated zones. London “her sad duty” to confi rm the cuff ed behind his back but was der,” the police chief added. before turning to training oth- An internal presentation from Land across England would be death of Matiu (Matt) Ratana, nevertheless still in possession Body-worn cameras are be- ers, most recently at East Grin- Winchester council seen by the divided into three categories – for 54, who had spent nearly 30 of a loaded revolver, which he ing analysed to establish how stead, where he was the team’s Guardian warns the proposals growth, renewal or protection – he suspect in the fatal years working in the force as a used to shoot the offi cer and the gun escaped initial detec- head coach. are “clearly designed to reduce under what Jenrick, described as shooting of a custody uniformed offi cer in the capital. then shoot himself. tion. The rugby club’s vice chair- (the) number and type of deci- “once in a generation” changes to Tsergeant at Croydon po- Originally from Hawke’s Bay, The custody offi cer died in Police were about to run a man, Matt Marriott, said a two sions taken locally”. sweep away an outdated planning lice station on Friday is 23-year- New Zealand, the offi cer moved hospital but Dick said that the metal detector over the suspect one-minute silence was held on The concern is refl ected in system and boost building. old Louis de Zoysa, sources have to the UK, where he joined suspect survived and is now “in before he managed to reach a Sunday morning. “He wasn’t a poll this month by Savanta But the proposals were im- told the Guardian. the Met in 1991 and served in a critical but stable condition”. gun he had concealed on his just a coach to the players. He Comres of Conservative coun- mediately condemned by The He remains in hospital in a various roles in the West End, He has not yet been questioned, body and open fi re, fatally was a role model, a mentor, and cillors, weighted towards those Town and Country Planning critical condition, and so can- Westminster and Hackney be- the Met added in an early after- shooting the sergeant in the often actually a father fi gure. who sit on planning commit- Association as disruptive and not yet be questioned, the Met- fore transferring to Croydon in noon update. chest and himself in the neck. He’s left a big hole, to be hon- tees, which found 61% believe rushed, and described as creat- ropolitan police said yesterday, 2015. The suspect had been arrest- The suspect is understood to est.” proposed reforms announced ing the “the next generation of after the force’s chief commis- “As a colleague, he was big ed by local offi cers for posses- have been referred to Channel, Ratana is the eighth police of- in August would make planning slum housing” by the president sioner, Cressida Dick, paid trib- in stature and big-hearted, a sion of ammunition and pos- an arm of the government’s an- fi cer in the UK to be shot dead in less democratic. of RIBA, Alan Jones. ute to the fallen offi cer. friendly, capable police offi cer. session of class B drugs after a ti-extremism Prevent scheme. the last 20 years and the fi rst to It was carried out on behalf of The government’s parallel A second man has been ar- A lovely man, highly respected stop and search in the Pollards But he was not on the radar of be murdered by a fi rearm in the BECG, a planning communica- proposal to use an algorithm to rested on suspicion of supply- by offi cers and staff , and by the Hill area in south London. the security services as a terror line of duty since Fiona Bone, tions fi rm, and showed that 70% set new housing targets for local ing the revolver used in the fatal public, including suspects he The incident is not been threat; nor is he understood to 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, were of Tory councillors want to in- areas in order to meet a national incident, and is being held in a arrested or dealt with in custo- treated as terror related, and have been through the criminal killed in September 2012. crease the size of the greenbelt, annual housebuilding target of south London police station, dy,” the Met commissioner said. investigations are being led by justice system previously. Ratana leaves a partner and which appears to run contrary 333,000 new homes has caused the force added. Ratana was killed inside a specialist homicide investiga- Ratana was also a keen rugby an adult son from a previous re- to government proposals that widespread concern. Speaking on National Police custody suite on Friday. The tors. “We are doing all we can to player and coach, representing lationship. Govt plans for new virus UK reports 5,693 measures face hurdles coronavirus cases Reuters Over 10mn people have down- London loaded the app, Health Minister Guardian News and Media if other opposition parties joined the Labour amendment was a Matt Hancock said yesterday. London Labour in backing the amend- better option: “We have some Since its launch, the app has ment, the government would lose. sympathy with the amendment ritain recorded 5,693 new been beset with problems, includ- Speaking later on BBC1’s An- that Brady has tabled, but we cases of coronavirus yes- ing complaints that it did not work abour has confi rmed it is drew Marr Show, the LibDem want to see something that our Bterday, down on the 6,042 on older phones and that it was likely to support a rebel leader, Ed Davey, said his party amendment sets out, which is reported a day earlier, data pub- hard to fi nd and download. LConservative amendment would “almost certainly” back about more transparency, about lished on the government’s web- Meanwhile, it was announced obliging ministers to seek parlia- the amendment. publishing the data behind deci- site showed. that Queen Elizabeth will rec- mentary approval for new lock- The government has said MPs sions, and a clear plan.” Meanwhile, an issue with ognise the work of hundreds down restrictions, setting up the will get a say on coronavirus Speaking earlier on the same England’s Covid-19 smartphone of doctors, nurses, fundraisers government for a possible Com- rules, but only after they are in show, Steve Baker, a key backer app, launched to curb the spread and volunteers during the Covid mons defeat next week. force, arguing it needs the ability of the Brady plan, and a lead- of the virus, which meant it pandemic when the her annual Jo Stevens, the shadow cul- to act quickly. ing Tory sceptic of ever-greater could not accept around a third birthday honours list is pub- ture secretary, said Labour’s fi rst MPs are scheduled to vote lockdown restrictions, said there of test results has been resolved, lished next month. preference would be for its own on Wednesday for another six- were “plenty of MPs who would the government said yesterday. The list, which was due to be amendment to the Coronavirus month renewal of the Corona- vote for this amendment if it is The app’s offi cial account had published in June, was postponed Act to be picked by the Speaker, virus Act, which gives ministers selected – and we think it will be said on Saturday it could not link in order to add nominations for Lindsay Hoyle, on Wednesday, sweeping powers to impose re- selected”. to test results taken in Public people playing key roles in the and put to a vote. strictions on people’s move- “Members of parliament are Health England laboratories, via early months of the outbreak. It But the party could support ments and other freedoms to feeling increasingly helpless the National Health Service or as will be released on October 10. the amendment tabled by leading limit the spread of Covid-19. as their constituents complain part of a survey run by the Offi ce Britain has recorded the worst Tory backbencher Graham Brady. The amendment would oblige about real impacts on their lives, for National Statistics. death toll in Europe and one of Stevens said: “If it’s selected, ministers to seek a vote in parlia- their jobs, their prosperity, in- “Everyone who receives a the worst economic contractions then I think the likelihood is that ment before changes were made. deed their health, which come positive test result can log their of any leading nation since the we would back it, but we would The process is complicated from the side-eff ects of Covid result on the app,” a health min- pandemic took hold in March. like to see our amendment de- by debate over whether the act measures,” Baker said. istry spokesman said. Queen Elizabeth has made very bated and voted on. So let’s see can be amended when it is being “I’m saying MPs should be “A minority of people, such as few public appearances during which one the Speaker goes for.” renewed, and then if an amend- sharing in the dreadful burden of hospital patients, who were una- that time but she has delivered a With 46 Conservatives having ment under these terms would decision in these circumstances Louis, aged two, rides his bike, wearing a protective face covering in ble to log their positive result can number of rallying messages to signed up to the amendment by have legal force. and not just retrospectively be- Cardiff , south Wales, yesterday as preparations for the reinstatement now request a code when con- the nation and appeared in video Brady, who chairs the 1922 Com- Stevens told Sky’s Sophy ing asked to approve what the of a lock-down, ahead of a 6pm deadline. New restrictions were tacted by NHS Test and Trace to conference calls with care work- mittee of backbench Tories, and Ridge on Sunday that it believed government’s done.” introduced yesterday to combat the spread of the coronavirus. input on their app.” ers and members of the military. Gulf Times 12 Monday, September 28, 2020 EUROPE

Swiss reject curbs Many dead as Armenia, on EU movement

Reuters Azerbaijan forces clash Zurich AFP tured a strategic mountain in aviation and drones. Yerevan Karabakh that helps control In a televised address to the wiss voters overwhelm- transport communications be- nation earlier, Azerbaijan Presi- ingly rejected yesterday a tween Yerevan and the enclave. dent Ilham Aliyev vowed victory Sright-wing party’s attempt rch foes Armenia and A major confrontation be- over Armenian forces. to scrap a pact allowing the free Azerbaijan accused each tween Muslim Azerbaijan and “Our cause is just and we movement of people from the Aother yesterday of initiat- majority Christian Armenia will win,” he said, echoing a fa- European Union, opting for sta- ing deadly clashes that claimed threatened to embroil regional mous quote from Soviet dicta- bility amid the economic uncer- at least 23 lives over a decades- players Moscow and Ankara and tor Joseph Stalin’s address at the tainty caused by the coronavirus long territorial dispute and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol outbreak of World War II in Rus- pandemic. threatened to draw in regional Pashinyan called on global pow- sia. “Karabakh is Azerbaijan.” The Swiss People’s Party powers Russia and Turkey. ers to prevent Turkey from get- Both Armenia and Karabakh (SVP) had forced a referendum The worst clashes since 2016 ting involved in the confl ict. declared martial law and mili- on the EU agreement in a bid to have raised the spectre of a fresh “We are on the brink of a full- tary mobilisation. curb immigration to the coun- war between long-standing ri- scale war in the South Cauca- Azerbaijan imposed military try where foreigners make up a vals Azerbaijan and Armenia sus,” Pashinyan warned. rule and a curfew in large cities. quarter of the population. which have been locked for dec- Azerbaijan’s “authoritarian “Get ready to defend our sa- The measure lost, as expected, ades in a territorial dispute over regime has once again declared cred homeland,” Pashinyan said by a 62%-38% margin. the Armenia-backed breakaway war on the Armenian people”, he on Facebook. “The bilateral path is the right region of Nagorny Karabakh. added. Armenia said that Azerbaijan one for Switzerland and for the Sixteen Armenian separatist France, Germany, Italy, and attacked civilian settlements in EU. The Swiss people have con- fi ghters were killed and more the EU swiftly urged an “im- Nagorny Karabakh, including fi rmed this path again today,” than 100 wounded in fi ghting, mediate ceasefi re,” while Pope the main city Stepanakert. Justice Minister Karin Keller- rebel offi cials said. Francis prayed for peace. Pashinyan’s wife, Anna Hako- Sutter told reporters in Bern. Both sides also reported civil- Russian President Vladimir byan, said that she had travelled “Today is a great day for the ian casualties. Putin discussed the military to a hospital in Stepanakert to relations between the European “We are tired of Azerbaijan’s fl are-up with Pashinyan and be with her Karabakh “brothers Union and Switzerland,” Euro- threats, we will fi ght to the death called for “an end to hostilities”. and sisters”. This image taken from video made available on the off icial website of the Armenian defence ministry pean Council President Charles to resolve the problem once and “The Russian side expressed Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry allegedly shows the destruction of Azeri military vehicles during clashes between Armenian separatists Michel tweeted. “The Swiss for all,” Artak Bagdasaryan, 36, serious concern over the re- said there were reports of dead and Azerbaijan in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. people have spoken & sent a told AFP in Yerevan, adding that sumption of large-scale clash- and wounded. clear message: together we have he was waiting to be conscripted es,” the Kremlin said. “Extensive damage has been the last big push for a peace deal vidually and jointly, to stop it,” drones, while Baku denied the a great future ahead of us.” into the army. But Azerbaijan’s ally Turkey infl icted on many homes and ci- collapsed in 2010. tweeted Dmitry Trenin, director claim. The SVP – the biggest party Karabakh separatists said blamed Yerevan for the fl are-up vilian infrastructure,” it said. Political observers said global of the Carnegie Moscow Centre. In July, heavy clashes along in parliament – has long pushed that one Armenian woman and and promised Baku its “full sup- Ethnic Armenian separatists powers should intensify talks to Karabakh separatist leader, the two countries’ shared border to take back control of immigra- a child were killed, while Baku port”. seized the Nagorny Karabakh stop the confl ict. Arayik Harutyunyan, accused – hundreds of kilometres from tion, echoing some arguments said that an Azerbaijani family of “The Turkish people will sup- region from Baku in a 1990s war “We are a step away from a Ankara of sending mercenaries Karabakh – claimed the lives pro-Brexit politicians used in fi ve died in shelling launched by port our Azerbaijani brothers that claimed 30,000 lives. large-scale war,” Olesya Vartan- to Azerbaijan. of at least 17 soldiers from both the run-up to Britain’s exit from Armenian separatists. with all our means as always,” Talks to resolve one of the yan of the International Crisis Yesterday morning, Azerbai- sides. the EU. Armenian defence ministry Turkish President Recep Tayyip worst confl icts to emerge from Group told AFP. jan started “active bombing” Raising the stakes, Azerbaijan It won a referendum on the spokesman Artsrun Hovhan- Erdogan tweeted. the 1991 collapse of the Soviet “One of the main reasons for along Karabakh’s frontline in- at the time threatened to strike issue in 2014, only to see parlia- nisyan claimed that Karabakh Azerbaijan accused Armenian Union have been largely stalled the current escalation is a lack cluding civilian targets and in Armenia’s atomic power station ment water down its implemen- rebel forces killed “some 200 forces of violating a ceasefi re, since a 1994 ceasefi re agree- of any proactive international Stepanakert, Karabakh’s presi- if Yerevan attacked strategic fa- tation. Azerbaijani troops and de- saying that it had launched a ment. mediation between the sides for dency said. cilities. Opponents said the plan stroyed 30 enemy artillery units counter-off ensive to “ensure the France, Russia and the United weeks,” she added. The rebel defence ministry During the worst recent would have robbed business of and 20 drones”. safety of the population”, using States have mediated peace ef- “War is resuming. Time for said its troops shot down four clashes in April 2016, around 110 skilled workers and torpedoed Azerbaijan said it has cap- tanks, artillery missiles, combat forts as the “Minsk Group” but Russia, France and US, indi- Azerbaijani helicopters and 15 people were killed. accords that enhance non-EU member Switzerland’s access to the crucial EU single market. Around two-thirds of the 2.1mn foreigners living in Swit- zerland in 2019 were citizens of Thousands march in Belarus despite police detentions the EU, as well as Iceland, Nor- way and Liechtenstein, which with Switzerland are members Reuters Macron said in comments in the and stun grenades to disperse of the European Free Trade As- Minsk French press Lukashenko must “disobedient” protesters in the sociation (EFTA). step aside. eastern city of Gomel, the Rus- More than 450,000 Swiss live “We are witnessing a power sian agency Tass reported. in the EU. asked police dragged crisis in Belarus with an authori- Local media footage showed The domestic political bat- people into vans and tarian administration that is not masked security forces spraying tle immediately turned to Swit- Mfi red stun grenades and able to accept the logic of de- a substance from a can into the zerland’s biggest foreign policy tear gas to disperse crowds as mocracy,” Macron told le Journal faces of people in Gomel, while headache: a stalled treaty meant tens of thousands marched for a du Dimanche in comments pub- the protesters retreated shout- to cement ties with the EU but seventh straight weekend to de- lished yesterday. “It is clear that ing “fascists”. which critics say infringes too mand veteran Belarusian leader Lukashenko must go.” One detainee managed to es- much on Swiss sovereignty and Alexander Lukashenko quit. Lukashenko retorted that, un- cape from a prison van as people would never win a referendum. Protesters chanted “impos- der Macron’s logic, the French cheered. With questions open over tor” and “Sveta is our president” leader should have resigned two In Minsk, security forces went state aid, rules to protect high as they marched through Minsk years ago when the “yellow vest” inside a pizzeria to detain some- Swiss wages, and access to wel- and other cities decked out in protest for economic justice be- one as customers looked on. fare benefi ts, the Swiss have red-and-white opposition col- gan and that mass demonstra- A group of anonymous hack- dragged their feet while trying ours. tions had become commonplace ers has started leaking the per- to forge a domestic consensus, At least 200 people were de- in France. sonal data of police offi cers in triggering a row over cross-bor- tained, the interior ministry He off ered to help negotiate a retaliation for the crackdown on der stock trading. said. peaceful transfer of power be- protests since the election. “The government will deter- Some dubbed the protest a tween Macron and those pro- Yesterday it released another mine Switzerland’s position in “people’s inauguration” of Svi- testing against the French au- batch of data from more than the coming weeks and take up atlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lu- thorities. 1,000 police stationed in Gomel discussions with the EU over the kashenko’s main opponent who “As an experienced politician in revenge for the treatment of issues that remain open,” Keller- fl ed into exile after the August 9 – to an immature one – I want to the protesters there. Sutter said. election that Lukashenko’s op- advise Mr. The Belarusian government Voters also blocked an attempt ponents say was blatantly rigged Macron to look around less, typically releases the data for the to make it easier to shoot wolves to hand Lukashenko a sixth and instead fi nally deal with the An ambulance drives along a road as people attend an opposition rally in Minsk to reject the presidential total number of people arrested deemed a threat to livestock. term. internal aff airs of France,” Lu- election results and to protest the inauguration of President Lukashenko. on the day after a protest. They narrowly approved the Lukashenko denies electoral kashenko was quoted by the offi - Police detained 150 people government’s plans to buy new fraud and was inaugurated on cial Belta news agency as saying. traditional ally Russia, the into vans, a Reuters witness said. people’s inauguration of the during protests on Saturday, the fi ghter jets for up to 6bn Swiss Wednesday in a ceremony held Russia said the EU’s decision 66-year-old Lukashenko, a Several metro stations were people’s president,” said Al- interior ministry said. francs ($6.46bn). without any prior announce- not to recognise Lukashenko as former Soviet collective farm shut and the mobile Internet exander, a 30-year-old logis- Belarusian Foreign Minister ment, sparking more protests the legitimate president con- manager who has been in power disrupted. tics worker, while protesting Vladimir Makei on Saturday ac- and condemnation from the Eu- tradicted international law and for over a quarter of a century, Some protesters wore fake in Minsk. “First he falsifi ed the cused Western countries pre- Macron party ropean Union, the United States amounted to indirect meddling shows no inclination to resign. crowns to mock Lukashenko’s elections, and then he falsifi ed paring to impose new sanctions and Britain. in the country. Riot police pulled people out inauguration. the inauguration.” on Minsk of attempting to sow braces for new French President Emmanuel Buoyed by the support from of crowds and hauled them away “We came to celebrate the Police said they used tear gas “chaos and anarchy”. poll setback President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party braced yesterday for a new setback in elections for France’s Senate upper house, Romanians vote in local elections amid coronavirus surge where the right is expected to hold on to its majority. French Senate members are not AFP dominated the political land- One of the EU’s poorest mem- name as Mihaela also had the directly elected by voters, but Bucharest scape since the end of commu- bers, Romania so far has re- young on her mind as she voted, by tens of thousands of local nism 30 years ago, maintains a ported more than 122,000 coro- as her 21-year-old son was plan- councillors who are themselves strong presence in the country- navirus cases and some 4,700 ning to emigrate after fi nishing elected by the people. omania’s deeply-en- side. deaths. his master’s degree. After Macron’s Republic on the trenched Social Demo- It relies on a disciplined elec- The number of infections has Millions of young romanians Move (LREM) party performed Rcrats lost control of capi- torate, often at the beck-and- risen rapidly since the PNL-led have left seeking better oppor- woefully in the local elections tal Bucharest in local elections call of “local barons” – poli- government lifted a strict lock- tunities elsewhere in the EU. earlier this year, it is not expected yesterday, exit polls showed, as ticians who have controlled down earlier this year. Daniel David of Babes-Bolyai to make any significant impact in mask-clad voters chose mayors certain regions for decades. Although some hospitals have University in Cluj said that the Senate vote. and local councillors nationwide Worries that fear of the coro- been struggling with the num- young people were less and less Senate elections take place every in the fi rst electoral test after navirus would keep voters away bers of virus patients, the gov- inclined to vote in municipal three years in France, with half of years of political turbulence. were not borne out, with turn- ernment has so far ruled out re- elections, underestimating the the chamber’s 348 seats at stake Held amid a surge in new out an hour before polls closed imposing severe restrictions and polls’ impact on their lives. each time. coronavirus cases in the east Eu- People get their body temperature measured as they enter a polling at 45% nationwide, while for further strangling the economy. “If localities develop un- LREM, dogged by problems in ropean country of almost 19mn, station in Bucharest. Bucharest it was 35%. “I voted for the sake of the evenly, it is because the local recent months after successfully the vote for some 43,000 seats is In the last local elections in young generation, so they may authorities make the diff erence,” propelling Macron to the seen as bellwether for national cumbent mayor Gabriela Firea’s PSD was unseated nationally 2016, fi nal turnout was 48% have a better future. I have he said. presidency in 2017 elections, polls in December. 39%. last year in a parliamentary no- across Romania and 33% in Bu- worked hard all my life, and now While European cohesion currently only has 23 senators. The Social Democrats (PSD) The mathematician and confi dence vote after attempts charest. I have a miserable pension,” re- funds – of which Romania has With 143 seats in the Senate, have held the capital since 2008, former social activist, who lost to push through controversial Voters had to wear masks and tired carpenter Marin Alexan- absorbed €58bn ($67bn) since the right-wing Republicans are but exit polls by local TV sta- to Firea four years ago, is backed justice reforms, despite warn- maintain social distancing, with dru, 73, told AFP outside a Bu- joining the EU in 2007 – have expected to keep control of tions showed challenger Nicusor by his USR-PLUS party, but also ings from Brussels, saw massive disinfectant provided at every charest polling station. enabled many municipalities to the chamber and continue the Dan took more than 47% of the by the currently ruling National street protests. polling station and temperature A 46-year-old marketing fl ourish, development gaps re- historic dominance of the right in vote, a comfortable lead over in- Liberal Party (PNL). Even so, the party, which has checks. consultant who only gave her main signifi cant. the Senate. Gulf Times Monday, September 28, 2020 13 INDIA

CONTROVERSY CAMPAIGN POLITICS CRIME INVESTIGATION Statue desecration may Kejriwal’s appeal on Ex-MP Ajoy Kumar quits Student held for sending Chinese electronic goods have been planned: BJP anti-dengue drive AAP, rejoins Congress obscene FB messages seized in W Bengal

The Bharatiya Janata Party yesterday Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday Former police officer and ex-MP Ajoy Kumar Police have arrested a student on charges of The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has seized condemned the desecration of the statue of E appealed to all Resident Welfare Associations has rejoined the Congress after leaving sending obscene messages to a woman on Chinese electronic goods worth Rs215,000 at New V Ramasamy – popularly known as Periyar – in (RWAs) to make residents in their localities aware the Aam Aadmi Party and said he was Facebook, a senior officer said in New Delhi Coochbehar in West Bengal, off icials said yesterday. Trichy. Tamil Nadu BJP president L Murugan of the measures to to prevent dengue. Kejriwal inspired by Rahul Gandhi. “Driven by my yesterday. Mobile phones used in committing An RPF team seized 820 Chinese mobile phone said there is a suspicion that the act could be appealed to the RWAs to talk to people in their conscience to speak up against injustice and the crime have been seized from the suspect batteries and 640 mobile LCD touch displays part of a plot. The statue was smeared with respective colonies and increase participation institutional capture, I was inspired by Rahul Kafil, the officer added. Kafil told the police packed in six cartons on Saturday. No arrests saff ron colour paint and a garland of slippers by motivating them to join hands in preventing Gandhi and decided to come back to the that he was fond of proposing friendship to were made. The goods were handed over to the was placed around it. Periyar was the founder of dengue. “We have to defeat dengue together,” the Congress today,” he said. Congress leader young women on social media and sending Customs at Dinhata in north Bengal, Northeast Dravida Kazhagam (DK), a rationalist movement. chief minister said. He had introduced a five-point Jairam Ramesh tweeted: “Welcome back @ them obscene messages. “For this purpose, Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesman Subhanan Murugan said in a statement the police should plan for RWAs to take measures to prevent the drajoykumar. You had never actually left as he used to create fake IDs to impress women. Chanda said. The RPF detected more than 655 catch the culprits. Deputy Chief Minister O breeding of dengue mosquitoes in their areas. far as I was concerned.” Earlier, Congress He used hotspots or Wi-Fi of other users to cases of smuggling of contraband goods and seized Panneerselvam also condemned the act and said Reiterating his appeal, Kejriwal said the participation chief Sonia Gandhi approved his re-entry to forge FB IDs and send obscene posts to evade property worth Rs180mn and arrested 185 suspects the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam of people from all walks of life and all organisations the Congress. Ajoy Kumar was once close to detection,” said the officer. Kafil earlier used between 2017 and July this year. The NFR, one of the government will take serious action against anti- such as senior members of RWAs is necessary to Rahul Gandhi and was made the president of to harass a young woman living in Mehrauli 17 railway zones in India, operates fully and partially social elements. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam prevent dengue. This year, the Delhi government the Jharkhand unit of the party. He left due after creating a fake profile on Facebook in six of the eight north-eastern states, excluding president M K Stalin said Periyar was the leader has also launched a helpline – 01123300012 and to differences with Congress leaders and in the name of Karan and posing as a gym Meghalaya and Sikkim, and in seven districts of for Tamil people and not just for a movement. 8595920530 to assist the general public for dengue. joined the AAP. trainer. West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar. Bihar’s Grand Alliance yet to decide on election seats

IANS has conveyed its feeling to the Patna Congress leadership. Gohil said that there was no problem within the alliance and ihar’s opposition Grand everything was smooth. Alliance is racing against The fate of the alliance de- Btime to seal a seat-sharing pends on how fast the fi nal deal for the upcoming assembly agreement is reached as already elections as smaller partners are Hindustani Awam Morcha lead- looking for a larger share. er Jitan Ram Manjhi has joined The Congress being a national NDA citing diff erences. party wants all the allies to be Bihar will hold elections in together to keep a united front October and November. Farmers shout slogans as they arrive to block railway tracks during a protest against the central government following the passing of new farm bills, on the outskirts of against the Bharatiya Janata Meanwhile, supporters of an Amritsar in Punjab yesterday. Party-led National Democratic aspirant for a BJP ticket yester- Alliance. day scuffl ed with party cialsoffi Congress leader Shaktisinh over nomination issue. Gohil refused to comment on the An ugly situation was created status of the alliance but said it when over 50 supporters of a will be done soon. ticket aspirant prevented Deputy Sources say the Rashtriya Ja- Chief Minister Sushil Kumar nata Dal is not willing to concede Modi’s car from moving at the more seats to the smaller parties. BJP’s Patna offi ce and demanded Farm bills become law There are diff erences within cancellation of sitting MLA Vi- the alliance on who will lead it jay Sinha’s candidature for La- as the RJD is consistently push- khisarai constituency. ing former deputy chief minis- They instead wanted the party ter Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ticket for Kusum Devi. minister’s face but the Rashtriya The protesters held up Sushil Lok Samta Party (RLSP) led by Kumar Modi’s car for around 10 despite huge protests Upendra Kushwaha is not ready. minutes, with party cadres try- The RJD which is the largest ing to push them out of the way. Agencies Prime Minister Narendra markets will operate as usual, refused to act as per the nation’s – and among the oldest allies – party in Bihar does not want to As heated arguments erupted, New Delhi Modi has already lost Akali Dl and the government only aims conscience. after the Shiv Sena, to have bro- give seats to smaller parties, but supporters of both sides pushed party, a key political ally from to empower farmers to sell di- “We were very hopeful that ken ties with the BJP in the past they are demanding more seats and shoved each other. Punjab, one of India’s two bread rectly to buyers. the honourable president would one year. than their strength and capabil- Manish Kumar, one of the resident Ram Nath Ko- basket states, where farmers The prime minister yesterday return these bills to the parlia- “Both parties (Shiv Sena ity, said an RJD leader. protesters, alleged: “The MLA vind yesterday approved form an infl uential voting bloc. said farmers had benefi ted after ment for reconsideration as and Akali Dal) stood by the BJP Congress which has 27 MLAs has been elected from Lakhisarai Pthree controversial agri- The country’s main opposi- fruits and vegetables were taken demanded by our party and by through thick and thin, while wants to contest 70 seats - in the for the last 15 years but he did cultural bills amid nationwide tion Congress party has also off the ambit of the Agriculture some other opposition parties others have joined when they last election it had contested 41 no work for public welfare. My protests by farmers who say the backed the protests. Produce Marketing Commit- too,” he said. smelt power. Shiv Sena was seats. But in 2015 RJD and the Ja- leader Kusum Devi is associ- new laws will stunt their bar- Under the Farmers’ Produce tee Act in 2014 and now other Akali Dal Lok Sabha MP and forced to quit the NDA last nata Dal (united) JDU contested ated with the BJP for the last 25 gaining power and instead allow Trade and Commerce (Promo- growers would benefi t too. Badal’s wife Harsimrat Kaur year while Akali Dal has quit 100 seats each with the RJD win- years and is a much better candi- large retailers to have control tion and Facilitation) Bill – one They would be able to send Badal resigned from Modi’s over the farm bills. We felt sad ning 80. date than him. She is also hugely over pricing. of the laws already approved their produce wherever they cabinet on September 17, cit- over the development,” Shiv But then RJD is asserting that popular among all sections of Farmers’ organisations say by parliament – growers can want and also get a good price, ing her party’s opposition to the Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut only its vote is transferable and society.” one of the three laws could directly sell their produce to Modi said. three bills. said. no other party can transfer their Also yesterday Bihar’s former lead to the government stop- institutional buyers such as big Meanwhile, Akali Dal presi- In a related development, NCP president Sharad Pawar votes. director general of police ping buying grain at guaranteed traders and retailers. dent Sukhbir Badal described Maharashtra’s ruling Maha Vi- said “congratulations” to Sukh- “There is no harm in any party Gupteshwar Pandey joined the prices, a move that would dis- Nearly 85% of India’s poor the presidential assent to the kas Aghadi (MVA) allies, the bir Singh Badal, who under the propagating its leader’s name for state’s ruling JD-U. rupt wholesale markets which farmers own less than 5 acres farm bills as “sad, disappoint- Shiv Sena and the Nationalist leadership of his father Parkash the chief minister but we will sit Pandey, took voluntary re- have so far ensured fair and of land and they fi nd it diffi cult ing and extremely unfortu- Congress Party, welcomed the Singh Badal, pulled out of the and decide on the issue,” Gohil tirement from the Indian Police timely payments to farmers. to directly negotiate with large nate”. Akali Dal’s decision to quit the NDA. had said on Friday. Service last week, said Chief Kovind’s approval is likely buyers. In a statement here, Bada said Bharatiya Janata Party-led Na- He also lauded Harsimrat The RLSP is upset over delay Minister Nitish Kumar had to further stir protests, leading Modi’s administration has it was really a “dark day for the tional Democratic Alliance. Kaur for leaving the NDA to in seat sharing agreement and asked him to join the party. farmers’ organisations said. clarifi ed that the wholesale country” that the president had Akali Dal is the second party protest against the bills.

Vintage beauty BJP stalwart and ex-minister NCB ‘ not probing’ Jaswant Singh dies aged 82 Johar’s party video IANS Kshitij Ravi Prasad, a former IANS aff airs. Saddened by his demise,” Lal Krishan Advani helmed it Mumbai executive of Johar’s produc- New Delhi the prime minister tweeted. through the tumultuous period tion house Dharma Produc- He also said that Singh will be of Indian politics. tions, was arrested by the NCB remembered for his unique per- Singh fi rst served as the fi - he Narcotics Control on Saturday. haratiya Janata Party (BJP) spective on matters of politics nance minister in the shortlived Bureau (NCB) has con- A Mumbai court yesterday stalwart and former feder- and society. Vajpayee government in 1996. Tfi rmed it is not probing remanded him in NCB’s cus- Bal minister Jaswant Singh “He also contributed to the He became the external aff airs an alleged ‘drug party’ video tody till October 3. died in Delhi yesterday following strengthening of the BJP. I will minister in the next Vajpayee- posted by Bollywood fi lm- Prasad has been accused a cardiac arrest. always remember our interac- led government (1998-2002). maker Karan Johar, adding of procuring narcotics from a He was 82. tions,” Modi said adding he spoke Later, he was again given the that the agency’s focus is on businessman, and is allegedly Army Research and Refer- to his son Manvendra Singh and charge of fi nance in 2002. the drug-related investigation directly or indirectly connected ral Hospital in Delhi stated that expressed condolences. The veteran leader was also surrounding the death of actor with several peddlers or suppli- Singh had a cardiac arrest yes- “True to his nature, Jaswantji deputy chairman of the then Sushant Singh Rajput. ers who have been arrested in terday morning. fought his illness with immense Planning Commission at one The video was posted on July the ongoing investigations. “Despite the best eff orts of courage for the last six years,” point in time. 28, 2019, by Johar that shows However, he has denied all the attending team of special- Modi said. The BJP leader was made the several Bollywood celebrities the charges and claimed that ists to resuscitate him, he could Defence Minister Rajnath defence minister following the including Deepika Padukone, he was being framed not be revived and passed away Singh said that Singh would be resignation of George Fernandes Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, The NCB has so far arrested at 6.55am.” remembered for his intellectual after the latter’s name cropped Shahid Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor 20 people. The hospital said Singh was capabilities and stellar record in up in a defence scam. and Vickey Kaushal at the par- They include Bollywood ac- admitted on June 25, and was be- service to the nation. An astute politician, Singh ty that took place at the fi lm- tress Rhea Chakraborty, her ing treated for sepsis with multi- “He also played a key role in hogged media limelight the maker’s home. brother Showik Chakraborty, organ dysfunction syndrome. strengthening the BJP in Rajas- world over when he held talks Asked if the NCB planned to Abbas Lakhani, Karan Arora, Prime Minister Narendra than. Condolences to his family with the Taliban for the release summon Johar over the alleged Zaid Vilatra, Abdul Basit Pari- Modi said that Singh served the and supporters in this sad hour,” of passengers of an Indian Air- ‘drug party’ video, NCB offi cer har, Samuel Miranda, Dipesh nation diligently, fi rst as a sol- the minister said. lines fl ight hijacked in December Mutha Ashok Jain told the me- Sawant, Kaizan Ebrahim, Anuj dier and later during his long as- Singh expressed his condo- 1999. dia: “No, there is no connection Keswani, Ankush Arneja, Ka- sociation with politics. lence on social media. After the BJP party lost power of that said video with this case.” ramjeet Singh Anand, Sanket “During Atalji’s government, Jaswant Singh was one of the in 2004 to the Congress, Singh On Saturday actresses Patel, Sandeep Gupta, Aftab An- he handled crucial portfolios and founding members of the BJP served as Leader of the Oppo- A visitor looks at a 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster vintage car Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor sari, Dwyane Fernandes, Surya- left a strong mark in the worlds and a leading light of the party sition in the Rajya Sabha from displayed during a heritage car show in Chennai yesterday. and Sara Ali Khan were ques- deep Malhotra, Chris Costa, Ra- of fi nance, defence and external when Atal Bihari Vajpayee and 2004 to 2009. tioned by the NCB. hil Vishram and Prasad. Gulf Times 14 Monday, September 28, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Biodiversity loss paints a tragic picture for future

When the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2020 says human-caused climate change is projected to become as, or more important than other drivers of biodiversity loss in the coming decades, it is yet another attestation of the harsh reality. Though species overexploitation, invasive species and diseases and pollution are all considered threats to biodiversity, none can match the often irreversible damages caused to Planet Earth by humans. Climate change creates an ongoing destructive feedback loop in which the worsening climate leads to the decline in genetic variability, species richness and populations, and that Are intellectuals killing convergence? loss of biodiversity adversely aff ects the climate. For example, deforestation leads to an excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, warming the planet and exacerbating forest fi res. By Arvind Subramanian and Josh Felman Just a handful of countries — Russia, Canada, Brazil and New Delhi Australia — contain regions without a human footprint. But these wilderness areas are facing irreversible erosion, aff ecting other species and humans’ ability to adapt to climate change. ow will Covid-19 aff ect According to the report, no part of the ocean is entirely developing countries’ growth unaff ected by overfi shing, pollution, coastal development and prospects? The answer will depend largely on how glo- other human-caused stressors. Humans depend on marine H balisation – and intellectual support for ecosystems to provide food, climate regulation, carbon storage it – evolves in the pandemic’s after- and coastal protection — all of which are aff ected by these math. The prospects are not encourag- activities and are exacerbated by climate change. ing. Between devastating wildfi res and the Covid-19 pandemic, Even before the pandemic struck, 2020 has made it clear that humans and nature have never been the global merchandise export-to-GDP more intertwined. The report shows that the natural support ratio had been declining for the fi rst time since World War II, falling by about for human life is rapidly declining — and that it’s up to citizens, fi ve percentage points since 2008 to governments and business about 20% this year. leaders to come together at This is not the fi rst time that the Natural disasters, a scale never-before-seen world has de-globalised. Between World from California’s to do something about it. War I and the eve of World War II, world Experts expressed concern trade collapsed, and the export-to-GDP that many of the major ratio fell from a peak of 16% in 1913 to wildfi res to just over 6%. In John Maynard Keynes’s gains in human health in memorable words, this contraction was severe droughts the past 50 years — such the result of “the projects and politics as a decreased rate of child of militarism and imperialism, of racial in Australia, have mortality and poverty and cultural rivalries, of monopolies, cost billions of and an increase in life restrictions, and exclusion.” expectancy — could be Today’s deglobalisation was brought undone or even reversed on by other factors. For starters, new dollars globally protectionist barriers have been erected, due to loss of nature. though not at a 1930s scale. The trade The rate of infectious disease emergence has increased restrictions imposed by US President dramatically over the past 80 years — and nearly half of these Donald Trump’s administration since diseases are connected to land-use change, agriculture and 2017 have been relatively limited overall, the food industry. One study cited by the report suggests that and targeted mainly at China. At the diseases originating in animals are responsible for 2.5bn cases global level, they have been partly off set of illness and nearly 3mn deaths every year. “How humanity by ongoing new free-trade agreements, such as the Economic Partnership chooses to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, and how Agreement that the European Union it addresses the looming threats from global environmental and Japan concluded in 2018. change, will infl uence the health of generations to come,” wrote Another, more important factor Thomas Pienkowski and Sarah Whitmee of the University of behind today’s deglobalisation is Oxford. the fraying of global value chains, Similarly to the economic crash in 2008, lockdowns due to which itself is the result of China’s the coronavirus pandemic have reduced humanity’s demand transformation from a small export- driven economy into a much larger by nearly 10% — a change that experts say is unlikely to last economy more reliant on domestic without major structural change. While the report paints demand. As such, the past decade a tragic picture for the future of the natural world, it urges can partly be seen as a period of that current trends can be fl attened, and even reversed, with normalisation after years of Chinese 2008 global fi nancial crisis, and this deglobalisation and the reversal of the the West are drifting east, convincing urgent action. In just the last year alone, natural disasters, exceptionalism. But it was also clearly export boom fuelled rapid growth historic process of convergence has policymakers to summon the ghost from California’s wildfi res to severe droughts in Australia, have more than that. If normalisation were in developing countries. Hence, as been a near-deafening silence. Very few of past ideas like import substitution, cost billions of dollars globally. Experts warn that economic the only factor, the global export-to- the following fi gure shows, hyper- academics or policymakers in advanced which famously failed in the 1960s and GDP ratio would have merely fl attened, globalisation and convergence were economies have spoken up in defence 1970s. decision-makers need to take into account not only produced with the share of exports ceded by interlinked phenomena. of an open global order on behalf of In the post-pandemic climate, we and human capital, but also natural capital when crafting public China being taken over by other Since the two phenomena were poorer countries. Cosmopolitan elites should expect a continued acceleration and private policy. developing countries. Instead, we have connected, the recent return of who previously had been loud and of deglobalisation and, unfortunately, To feed 10bn people by 2050, humans will need to adopt a witnessed a dramatic decline in the deglobalisation has substantially enthusiastic champions of globalisation intellectual accommodation of this healthier way of eating. Diet-related disease risk is the leading ratio, implying severe consequences for moderated the convergence: low- and have sat on their hands. trend. In a best-case scenario, a few cause of premature mortality globally and food production is many developing countries. middle-income countries that were Indeed, the pendulum may be developing countries might seize on the main driver of biodiversity loss and water pollution, also Since the early 1990s until recently, growing at about 3-4% per capita swinging in the opposite direction, new export opportunities as major the world had been witnessing an annually before the global fi nancial toward a resurgence of older development fi rms look to diversify production away accounting for 20-30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Experts economic “convergence,” whereby poor crisis have been averaging 1-2% growth ideas such as the “Big Push,” whereby from China. But for most low- and recommend humans adopt a diet that consists of a balanced countries fi nally (after 200 years) were thereafter. developing countries are advised middle-income economies, the price proportion of whole grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, beans and beginning to catch up with rich ones. The question now is how the to replace successful export-led will be steep in terms of lost trading pulses, with animal-derived products like fi sh, eggs, dairy and Although some countries, especially in pandemic will infl uence the process growth models with inward-oriented opportunities. The growth ladder used meat consumed in moderation. East Asia, had already been converging of deglobalisation that was already strategies. There are reasons for this, of by Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, for a long time, only in the past three underway. It is too early to be sure, course, including valid concerns about South Korea, China, and Vietnam decades did this become a truly global but two possibilities stand out. One globalisation’s eff ects on inequality will be kicked away from still-lagging To Advertise phenomenon. plausible scenario is a generalised in advanced economies. Still, the fact countries in South and Central Asia, Expanded opportunities for trade retreat in which deglobalisation remains: the interests of developing Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. [email protected] were an important factor driving accelerates as countries and fi rms countries have been abandoned. For two golden decades, developing Display convergence. The 1990s and 2000s reassess the benefi ts of trade against In fact, intellectuals in the developing countries enjoyed the fruits of hyper- were an era of what Martin Kessler the risks of import dependence. world have also been silent, off ering globalisation and convergence. 44466621 44418811 and one of us have called hyper- Alternatively, the next phase of no real defence for the preservation But deglobalisation, meeting little globalisation, when technological deglobalisation could be more limited of open trade. In key developing intellectual resistance, is gaining Classified advances, the container revolution, the and driven by China’s economic countries – notably China and India – ground, auguring a long-term loss of 44466609 44418811 fall in information and communication transition. In that case, a few developing the intellectual and policy landscape is economic dynamism for the world’s costs, and the dismantling of trade countries would benefi t in the short tilting sharply toward self-reliance and poorer regions. Project Syndicate Subscription barriers sustained widespread economic run but fail to secure a sustained inwardness. exuberance. advantage, because the heightened risk To some degree, policymakers are zArvind Subramanian, a former chief [email protected] Among other things, hyper- of future trade and strategic confl icts making a virtue of necessity, given economic adviser to the government globalisation drove the global export- would usher in a new climate of deeper developing countries’ relative lack of of India, is Professor of Economics to-GDP ratio from 15% to 25% over uncertainty. infl uence on globalisation. But it is also at Ashoka University. Josh Felman is © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved the two decades leading up to the The intellectual response to true that the intellectual currents in Director of JH Consulting. Gulf Times Monday, September 28, 2020 15 PAKISTAN

44 animals from zoo in Islamabad Afghan peace cannot be temporarily shifted to imposed by force: Imran Ayub Park Increase in trade, culture PM constitutes cabinet committee on disposal of legislative cases ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan urged Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted a cabinet fall within the mandate of parliament. The animals that were committee for the disposal of legislative cases. The committee will also have the mandate to examine relocated from Islamabad’s Internews The committee, which will be headed by Minister for the contents of fresh legislation and rules as well as Marghazar Zoo to Jungle Islamabad Law and Justice Farogh Naseem as chairman, will amendments to the existing laws and rules, and give Kingdom in Ayub Park examine whether a fresh legislation or amendments its recommendations as to whether the same are in include rare breeds in the existing laws are in line with the constitutional line with the policy of the government or constitu- rime Minister Imran Khan scheme and not in violation of any existing law, and tional and legislative scheme. Internews has said that peace and Rawalpindi Ppolitical stability in Af- ghanistan cannot be imposed sibility of taking care of more The prime minister added that brotherly neighbouring coun- from the outside through the use than 4mn Afghan refugees. Pakistan needs to be on guard tries and that trade with Af- total of 44 animals have of force. He said when US President against regional spoilers who are ghanistan has signifi cant role for been temporarily moved In an article published in Donald Trump wrote to him in not invested in peace and stabil- Pakistan’s national economy. Afrom Marghazar Zoo in the leading US daily Washing- late 2018 for Pakistan’s assist- ity in Afghanistan. The Speaker said both coun- Islamabad to Jungle Kingdom in ton Post, he said that only an ance to achieve a negotiated He said that Pakistan will tries should work to enhance Ayub Park until the animal sanc- Afghan-owned and Afghan-led political settlement in Afghani- continue to support the Afghan government-to-government tuary in the capital is completed. reconciliation process, which stan, he did not hesitate to give people in their quest for a uni- and people-to-people contacts. Army Heritage Foundation recognises Afghanistan’s po- assurances that Pakistan would fi ed, independent and sovereign Replying to a question, Qaiser director-general Brigadier (re- litical realities and diversity, can take every eff ort to facilitate Afghanistan that is at peace with said that Pakistan will warmly tired) Mohamed Asif Akhtar produce lasting peace. such an outcome. itself and its neighbours. welcome Afghan leader Abdul- said that 44 animals have been Khan said that negotiations The prime minister said that Meanwhile, National Assem- lah Abdullah, who is heading Af- brought to Jungle Kingdom, between the Afghan government the government of Afghanistan bly Speaker Asad Qaiser has ghanistan delegation for peace where they will be looked after and the Taliban in Doha for po- and the Taliban responded to stressed the need for increas- process. under the supervision of veteri- litical settlement will bring an the Afghan people’s yearning for ing trade and culture relations To another question, he said nary doctors. end to decade’s old war. peace. between Pakistan and Afghani- that Pakistan has always ren- Speaking to the press at Ayub The prime minister said that Khan said that a hasty inter- stan. dered sacrifi ces for Afghan refu- Park, he said that rare animals Prime Minister Khan: Pakistan needs to be on guard against regional through decades of confl ict, Pa- national withdrawal from Af- In an interview, he said that gees, serving them from many and birds have been brought to spoilers. kistan has dealt with the respon- ghanistan would be unwise. Pakistan and Afghanistan are years with open hearts. the park’s zoo. These are four blue and black bulls each, seven monkeys, 17 rare breeds of rabbits, four uri- als (a subspecies of wild sheep), fi ve zebras, and three rare breeds Shehbaz ‘not seeking confrontation’ of wolves. A team has been formed to look after the new arrivals, un- Internews PML-N stalwart Khawaja Saad leadership and, if it is absolutely Responding to a question on der the supervision of a veteri- Lahore Rafi que was also present in the necessary, then only with ex- why the party thinks the prime narian. meeting and said that if resist- press approval from him, Sheh- minister seeks Shehbaz’s arrest, Akhtar said that Jungle King- ance as a strategy is adopted by baz Sharif clarifi ed that Nawaz Rafi que said that the premier dom is one of the best zoos in eader of the Opposition the opposition, the only one to had simply said that there is no “fears Shehbaz Sharif’s per- the country, housing white tigers in the National Assembly benefi t would be Prime Minister harm in informing him if such a formance”. and other rare breeds. LShehbaz Sharif has said Imran Khan and his government, meeting is planned. Prime Minister Khan has re- “We are making eff orts to that he does not seek confronta- claiming that the government Shehbaz reiterated that his jected the opposition’s demand Shehbaz Sharif: Confrontation will not benefit anyone. provide a better environment to tion with anyone and believes in seeks to have the opposition politics is one of reconciliation, for re-elections and instead said animals and follow the direc- reconciliation. “fi ght with state institutions”. adding however that the deci- that he is ready to hold by-elec- party conference “made no their sentiments being hurt” by tions of the team of veterinary In a conversation with senior When Shehbaz Sharif was sions made during the multi- tions for seats that have fallen mention of anything that every- Nawaz’s speech, the party must doctors. Special arrangements journalists, the Pakistan Mus- asked how the government could party conference still stand. vacant. one does not already agree on”. “seriously consider” emerging have been made for them in the lim League – Nawaz (PML-N) have such an aim when it was The PML-N leader said that The premier said the opposi- He said that Nawaz only spoke as “a new party”. winter and summer seasons,” he president said: “Confrontation PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif both his party and the Pakistan tion would fail to secure even of the reasons “why Pakistan “The PML-N is no doubt a said. will not benefi t anyone. It is my himself who spoke out against Peoples Party (PPP) are ready one seat when this takes place. could not reach the heights it loyal party that loves the coun- Akhtar said steps are being belief that the country can only the institutions, the party presi- to resign from the assemblies The PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah should have in the last 70 years”. try and will surely take that taken to provide entertainment move forward with consultation dent rejected the notion and said should the time come for such a was invited to speak on Shahzad Science Minister Fawad route now.” to residents of Rawalpindi and and reconciliation.” that Nawaz had only spoken in move to be necessary. Iqbal’s show, and when asked Chaudhry, also invited to par- On the show host’s inquiry of Islamabad. He said that he has been “in favour of the Constitution and Shehbaz also spoke of the whether Shehbaz Sharif’s state- ticipate in Shahzad Iqbal’s show, claims long been made by Pa- Lawns, a jogging track, a zoo, touch with the army as an insti- the law. opposition’s demand for re- ments yesterday was aimed at said that he would welcome any kistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cricket and football grounds, tution for 25 years now”. “Nawaz Sharif provided rec- elections, saying that all parties removing any bitterness that change within the PML-N’s members that the PML-N will trail and quad bikes, zippiness Shehbaz Sharif went on to say ommendations for the future of agree that there should be fresh, may have arisen between the stance, including “letting go” of soon “branch off ”, Chaudhry and jet boating facilities have that despite his viewpoint, he Pakistan. They must be taken transparent polls. opposition and the state insti- their “hawkish” policies. said that the government does been provided at Ayub Park, he “never sought any benefi t from into consideration.” He also said that no new elec- tutions, Sanaullah remarked: He went on to say that the not seek the defection of oppo- said, and more facilities will also reconciliation”. Referring to reports that Na- tions must take place until the “What bitterness?” party, as an entity, “must dis- sition members, and had instead be added as part of new projects. According to local media re- waz Sharif had prohibited party demand for “no interference” in Sanaullah said that Nawaz tance itself from the Sharifs”. called for an open vote in the up- Meanwhile, the vintage park ports, trusted sources said that members from meeting military the exercise is fulfi lled. Sharif’s address to the multi- Chaudhry said that “owing to coming Senate elections. has a number of military vehicles and equipment, he said. Islamabad Wildlife Manage- Threat of full-scale ment Board (IWMB) chairman Dr Anis Rehman said that the war exists: army animals were shifted to the Ayub At least 15 dead Park zoo on the directives of the The threat of a full-scale war Islamabad High Court (IHC). between India and Pakistan He stated that the arrange- exists owing to the former’s ment is temporary, and the ani- in van inferno actions, said Inter-Services Public mals will return to Marghazar Relations (ISPR) director-general Zoo in a few months. Major-General Babar Iftikhar. Rehman said that the minis- AFP/Internews Five other people were in- “The threat of a full-scale war try of climate change has made a Karachi jured, three of them critically, between India and Pakistan plan to improve the zoo, and that he said. exists as such instances have Rs1.3bn have been allocated for Most of the bodies were been witnessed during the past, its reconstruction. t least 15 people were burned beyond recognition, and its main reason is India’s “After the completion of these killed when a passen- said Faisal Edhi, head of the belligerence and preparations,” projects, the animals that have Ager van travelling in non-profi t Edhi Foundation he told a private channel. been shifted to other sanctuaries southern Pakistan crashed and which runs the morgue the The chief of the military’s media will be brought back,” he said. caught fi re, offi cials said yes- bodies were taken to. wing was speaking during a In May, the IHC ordered that terday. Investigators are looking foreign delegation’s visit to the Marghazar Zoo’s animals, in- The van was carrying pas- to see if a natural gas cylinder Line of Control (LoC), arranged by cluding the lone elephant Kaa- sengers from Karachi to Hy- aboard the bus had contributed the ISPR. van, be shifted out of the zoo be- derabad city when it struck to the inferno. Iftikhar added that it is important cause they were kept in terrible an object and careered off the Sindh Chief Minister Syed for the international community conditions. road late on Saturday. Murad Ali Shah has expressed to step in to take note of India’s After this, the ministry of cli- “The death toll in the un- deep grief and sorrow over alleged ceasefire violations. mate change decided to establish fortunate accident has reached the incident and directed the a sanctuary that meets the be- 15,” Owais Shah, the transport Health Department to provide havioural, social and physiologi- A man looks on at the wreckage of a burnt passenger van following an overnight accident in the minister of Sindh province, best possible medical treat- No locust swarms cal needs of the animals. Nooriabad area on a highway some 50km from Karachi. told AFP. ment to the injured. in three provinces

President, PM vow to promote tourism The National Locust Control Centre (NLCC) has said that no President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime In his message on the occasion, pest have been reported from Minister Imran Khan have said that the Prime Minister Khan said that various Low-cost housing loans start this week Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and promotion of tourist activities in rural initiatives taken by the government for Punjab. areas can help increase the volume of the promotion of tourism are giving However, locusts are present national economy and put the country emphasis on the development of rural Internews their products this week. free land and fi nancing for the success in one district of Baluchistan on the road to development and areas. Islamabad He said the federal government has of Naya Pakistan Housing schemes. (Lasbella), said a press release prosperity. He said that several new destinations taken major steps for the Naya Paki- Karachi Development Authority issued by ministry of national In his messages on the World Tourism have been explored for tourists in rural stan housing scheme, including a fi xed (KDA) director-general Asif Ikram said food security and research. Day, the president said that this areas of the country, which is expected aya Pakistan Housing and De- tax regime for builders and developers, that the KDA is ready for joint ventures The joint teams of the sector is not just a leading source of to uplift the economic and social status velopment Authority (NAPH- a 90% tax relief, and incentives to pri- with builders and developers for low- ministry, provincial agriculture employment, particularly for diff erent of local population. NDA) chairman Lieutenant- vate banks for fi nancing the housing cost housing schemes, adding that it is departments and the Pakistan segments of rural society, but also The prime minister said that Pakistan General (retired) Anwar Ali Hyder said project. trying to provide free land for the Naya army are conducting a provides opportunity for regional has diverse landscapes from mountains that banks will start off ering loans for These would boost the construc- Pakistan Housing scheme in Sindh. comprehensive survey and integration and socio-economic to sea, along with a dynamic history, and the scheme this week. tion industry for low-cost housing and Meanwhile, HBL head of Islamic fi - control operation against locusts inclusion for the most remote areas. has limitless potential for tourism, which He said that banks had been facing open new employment opportunities. nance Salimullah Shaikh and Meezan in the eff ected districts, and have Alvi said that for a country like Pakistan, the world has yet to discover. problems providing house fi nancing Naya Pakistan Housing Task Force Bank general manager Syed Tanvir succeeded in minimising the where majority of the population still Meanwhile, Minister for on low interest rates, but the govern- chairman Zaigham Rizvi said that Hussain said that banks are ready to threat to only one district. live in rural areas, tourism could have Communications Murad Saeed has ment took steps to provide house loans banks have provided only Rs106bn provide 80% fi nancing for low-cost Meanwhile, anti-locust survey a significant contribution in socio- said that due to the prudent policies of on 5-7% interest rates, for which banks worth of housing loans in the past 70 housing schemes on cheap interest and control operations are in economic development. the government, Pakistan is now being would get a number of incentives. years, which is 0.23% of GDP. rates. progress as joint teams surveyed The president said that it is a matter recognised for tourism and not for Addressing a seminar on Oppor- Former Federal Board of Revenue Sindh Building Control Authority 193,108 hectares during the last of great satisfaction that the federal terrorism. tunities in Naya Pakistan Housing (FBR) chairman Shabbar Zaidi said (SBCA) director-general Ashkar Da- 24 hours. and provincial governments are In a statement, he said that Prime Scheme, organised by the Association that the construction of low-cost war said he would provide approvals of In the last six months, the taking collective measures for the Minister Khan has not only surfaced of Builders and Developers (Abad), housing is only possible with fi nancing building plans within 10 days, besides NLCC has carried out control development of tourist sites and as the leader of the Islamic world, but the NAPHDA chairman said he hopes on very low interest rates. ensuring that all relevant departments operations on 1,131,890 hectares promotion of tourism. global leader as well. that the banks would start introducing The government will have to provide would co-operate. of land. Gulf Times 16 Monday, September 28, 2020 QATAR

Amir receives credentials of new ambassadors

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday the credentials of new ambassadors to Qatar. (Clockwise from top) The Amir received the credentials of ambassadors of the Netherlands – Marjan Kamstra, Malaysia – Zamshari Shaharan, Austria – Karin Fichtinger-Grohe, Kazakhstan – Arman Isagaliyev and Greece – Eleni Michalopoulou. His Highness the Amir welcomed the new ambassadors, wishing them success in their missions, and for the relations between Qatar and their countries further development and growth. For their part, the ambassadors conveyed to the Amir greetings of their countries’ leaders and wishes of further progress and prosperity to the Qatari people. The ambassadors were accorded earlier off icial reception ceremonies at the Amiri Diwan.

Alfardan Group and Northwestern Medicine open new healthcare facility at Lusail City

By Joseph Varghese sincerely thank the Ministry of Staff Reporter Public Health for their support as we begin to operate,” he added. The introduction of AMNM lfardan Group in partner- in Qatar marks Alfardan Group’s ship with Northwestern fi rst venture in the healthcare AMedicine, has ventured sector. The partnership between into the medical sector in the Alfardan Group and Northwest- country with the opening of ern Medicine for AMNM lever- Alfardan Medical with North- ages both organisations’ com- western Medicine (AMNM), a plementary strengths: Alfardan patient-centric, ambulatory care Group’s legacy and scale in off er- centre at Lusail City. ing hospitality and luxury expe- The details of the new centre riences, and Northwestern Med- were announced at a webinar icine’s longstanding history and yesterday, attended by offi cials of leadership in the medical fi eld. Alfardan Group as well as North- The Chicago-based North- western Medicine. western Medicine is one of the Omar Hussain Alfardan, presi- US’s leading academic health dent and CEO of Alfardan Group; systems, anchored by North- Dr Jessica Adam, chief medical western Memorial Hospital, one offi cer of AMNM; Dr Daniel Der- of the top-ranked hospitals in the man from Northwestern Medi- United States. cine and other offi cials took part At AMNM, experienced, high- in the webinar. calibre physicians provide high- AMNM is the result of an inter- quality medical care in various national collaboration between medical specialities, including Alfardan Group and US-based Ear, Nose and Throat, Dentistry, Northwestern Medicine. At Dermatology, Gastroenterology, AMNM’s state-of-the-art treat- Internal Medicine, Ophthalmol- ment facilities, service excel- ogy, Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery, Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine staff lence, combined with advanced Reproductive/ Endocrinology/ patient-centric care, is provided Infertility, Physical Medicine and by a multinational medical team Rehabilitation, Sleep Medicine with top US medical talent mak- and Executive Health. ing up a large proportion of the At AMNM, patients will re- centre’s staff . ceive high-quality medical care Omar Alfardan said: “The co- from outstanding doctors and operation between us and North- friendly medical staff using western Medicine is built on the state-of-the-art, US Food and shared values of service excel- Drug Administration approved lence and delivering world-class equipment. This equipment aids experiences. AMNM will deliver physicians’ fl uidity of move- advanced integrated healthcare by ment and their effi cient service leveraging Northwestern Medi- delivery, ensuring the patients’ cine’s expertise in medical services comfort and an overall seamless Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine is a world-class, patient-centric, ambulatory care centre at Lusail City. and Alfardan Group’s renowned journey across the facility. capacity for service excellence. Spanning over six fl oors in the novation, and a continuous care model to Qatar, we have provides Northwestern Medicine These merits will position AMNM iconic Burj Alfardan, AMNM’s pursuit of service excellence, ensured that AMNM will be one the opportunity to partner with as one of the leading healthcare facilities have been designed Northwestern Medicine boasts of the leading forces in off ering the Alfardan Group to serve the providers in the country.” around the patient’s experience, a proven track record in the de- research-based, high-quality, people of Qatar,” noted, Dean M “Opening a new healthcare adhering to international bench- livery of a premier healthcare and compassionate care in the Harrison, president and chief ex- facility during a pandemic is not marks and standards of medical system and patient-centric care. country.” ecutive offi cer, Northwestern Me- easy, but our strong commit- infrastructure, architectural de- At AMNM, the patients’ indi- “Supporting the delivery of morial HealthCare. ment and dedication to serving sign, and services. AMNM off ers viduality is respected, empow- world-class care with an excep- All Covid protocols are in place the community and providing patients and their families an en- ering them to become active tional experience in Lusail City is at AMNM for the safety of staff service excellence, even in times vironment of privacy and com- participants and make informed an important milestone for our Pa- and patients. Public can book of uncertainty, has compelled us fort, in a luxurious setting. decisions about their healthcare tients First mission. As the world an appointment through 4004 to ensure that AMNM is ready to Dr Adam said: “Powered by plans. By bringing Northwest- continues to respond to the global 6000 or visit amnm.com for welcome patients. I would like to academic heritage, tech-led in- ern Medicine’s patient-centric Covid-19 pandemic, this facility more information.