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SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 2 SAFAR - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8385 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Enjoy Ooredoo’s fast 5G network

Community Minister of State for Defence Affairs attends awareness ‘must’ to achieve sustainable Al Zubarah Corvette inauguration in Italy development Deputy Prime QNA — DOHA Minister and Minister Minister of Municipality and of State for Defence Environment H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Affairs H E Dr. Khalid Turki Al Subaie affirmed that bin Mohammed Al social awareness and cooper- ation of all state agencies are Attiyah, also met with the main support for achieving Italian Minister of the Ministry’s strategic goals Defence H E Lorenzo and plans towards a clean and ideal life that contributes and Guerini during his supports sustainable devel- visit to the Italian opment, and preserves future generations’ opportunities and Republic yesterday. related matters in Qatar They reviewed National Vision 2030. In statements on the bilateral relations occasion of the World Cleanup in the military and Day, the minister said that all sectors of the ministry, espe- defence fields, and cially the public services sector ways to enhance and represented by the General Cleanliness Department, are develop them. working according to ambitious strategic plans that combine the acquisition of modern technol- QNA — MUGGIANO, ITALY ogies and the efficiency of man- power with community Deputy Prime Minister and awareness and support for pos- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah during the inaugurationeremony c Minister of State for Defence itive values and cooperation in of the Corvette (Al Zubarah) and offshore patrol vessel (Msheireb), in Muggiano, Italy, yesterday. Affairs H E Dr. Khalid bin this regard. He added that the Mohammed Al Attiyah visited ministry is also working to the shipyard of the Italian ship- During the visit, His Excel- Al Sulaiti, Qatar’s Military the Qatari Armed Forces to the Italian Republic with encourage individual and insti- builder Fincantieri in Muggiano lency made an inspection tour Attache to the Italian Republic, attended the visit and the Italian Minister of Defence H tutional initiatives, and to create (La Spezia), as part of His Excel- inside the Al Zubarah corvette, Brigadier General Hilal Ali Al inauguration ceremony. E Lorenzo Guerini. They a good atmosphere to develop lency’s participation in the as well as a field tour of the Mohannadi, Ambassador of Deputy Prime Minister and reviewed bilateral relations in the state’s capabilities in the inauguration ceremony of the Italian company’s factory. the State of Qatar to the Italian Minister of State for Defence the military and defence fields, fields of waste recycling and corvette (Al Zubarah) and Commander of the Qatar Republic H E Abdulaziz bin Affairs H E Dr. Khalid bin and ways to enhance and waste treatment, stressing the offshore patrol vessel Amiri Naval Forces H E Major Ahmed Al Malki Al Jehani and Mohammed Al Attiyah, also develop them. support of the wise leadership (Msheireb). General Abdullah bin Hassan a number of senior officers in met yesterday during his visit `P2 of this sector and the provision of all requirements according to a clear vision of sustainable Hamad Port is development. UNSC thanks Qatar for facilitating Afghan peace talks His Excellency extended one of world’s his thanks and appreciation to QNA — NEW YORK the first round of everyone who contributed to largest green In a statement, which was adopted unanimously, negotiations. the remarkable development The UN Security Council The UNSC members of efforts to maintain public projects (UNSC) welcomed the Afghan the UNSC members welcomed the start of stressed the importance of cleanliness, whether from peace negotiations that began Afghan peace negotiations in Doha and and implementing the relevant workers in the ministry and in Doha on September 12 and Security Council resolutions, the sanitation sector or society IRFAN BUKHARI thanked the State of Qatar for thanked the State of Qatar for facilitating the including Resolution 2513 and its institutions. He empha- THE PENINSULA facilitating the first round of first round of negotiations. (2020), which was adopted by sised at the same time the negotiations. the UNSC in March and wel- important role of the media in Hamad Port — Qatar’s gateway This came in a statement comed the important steps raising social awareness, and to the world — has won inter- issued by the UNSC members sustainable peace can only be to continue engaging in good towards ending the war and the need for cooperation national identity as one of the and made by the UNSC Pres- achieved through a compre- faith. opening the door to negotia- between media professionals largest green ports in the ident to the press yesterday. hensive and inclusive peace Also, the UNSC members tions between the Afghan and leaders and their adoption world. In the statement, which was process led and owned by reaffirmed the importance of parties, which were enabled by of the ministry’s awareness “Hamad Port is the largest adopted unanimously, the Afghans to reach a permanent the role of the UN in promoting the joint declaration between plans to achieve integration eco-friendly project in the UNSC members welcomed the and comprehensive ceasefire peace and stability in Afghan- the Islamic Republic of Afghan- and spread it as a community region & internationally rec- start of Afghan peace negotia- and a comprehensive political istan and welcomed the efforts istan and the United States of culture. He pointed to the ognised as one of the largest tions in Doha. They reaffirmed settlement to end the conflict of all regional and international America to bring peace to importance of promoting green ports in the world,” the the Security Council’s strong in Afghanistan. partners of Afghanistan in facil- Afghanistan and the agreement public cleanliness pro- Ministry of Transport and commitment to the sovereignty, They strongly encouraged itating intra-Afghan negotia- for bringing peace to Afghan- grammes and plans and their Communications (MoTC) said independence, territorial the parties to the negotiations tions and helping the parties to istan concluded between the US role in preventing damage in a post on its Twitter handle integrity, and national unity of to continue to pursue confi- reach peace, expressing their and the Taliban movement, caused by pollution and yesterday. Afghanistan. dence-building measures, thanks to the Government of which was signed in Doha on addressing any effects The motion graphic of the They recognised that including reducing violence and the State of Qatar for facilitating February 29, 2020. resulting from it. `P3 MoTC shared on its official social media account further says that the port was designed Agreement to clean coastlines in a way that does not affect sensitive environments. “Striking a balance between of cultural villages signed economic gains and preserving THE PENINSULA — DOHA the environment was always Qatar Museums has on mind throughout the con- In line with its strong belief in the signed a cooperation struction operations.” importance of protecting Qatari According to the Ministry, heritage and surrounding areas, agreement with Ministry more than 12,000 pieces of Qatar Museums (QM) has signed of Municipality and corals were moved and a cooperation agreement with the resettled as well as more than Ministry of Municipality and Environment to clean 14,000 square metres of coral Environment (MME), represented coastlines of cultural reefs for the project. Also pro- by Al Shamal Municipality, and grams were set to enrich the the Seashore Contracting and villages across the area with nearly 32,000 of Engineering Group, to clean the country. mangroves and seedlings to coastlines of cultural villages provide food and environment across the country. necessary for marine life to The agreement was signed Al Zubarah. The parties to the flourish. by Ahmed Musa Al Namlah, agreement will provide support All building, utilities and CEO of QM, Hamad Juma Al for volunteers and participants equipment used at the port are Mannai, Director of Al Shamal in the initiative. eco-friendly. “Hamad Port Night view of cable-stayed bridge Municipality, and Salem Saeed Experts from QM will Project won the prize of largest Al Mohannadi, CEO of Seashore introduce volunteers to cultural smart and eco-friendly project Group. Based on the agreement, sites and the importance of A night view of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor cable-stayed bridge over Salwa road. The Public Works during the Seatrade Marine the three parties will cooperate cleaning coastline in addition Authority (Ashghal) opened the first phase of the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor from Umm Lekhba Awards Middle East, Indian over a one-year period to roll out to developing an online appli- Interchange in the north to Bu Hamour Bridge in the south on September 12. The project will open Subcontinent and Africa 2016,” a programme aimed at cleaning cation that identifies cultural fully to traffic in the first quarter of 2021.PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA the post said. the coastlines of cultural villages, sites and provides an historical `P3. starting with the ancient city of overview of the region. `P3 02 HOME SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

Qatar and Italy review ways to enhance OFFICIAL NEWS Amir sends ties in military and defence fields congratulations FROM PAGE 1 to President PRAYER of Chile TIMINGS The meeting was PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING attended by Commander of the Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, FAJR 04.04 am Qatari Amiri Naval Forces Staff Major Deputy Amir H H Sheikh SUNRISE 05.21 am General (Navy) Abdullah Abdullah bin Hamad Al DHUHR 11.28 am Hassan Al Sulaiti, and Thani, and Prime Minis- ASR 02.55 pm Qatar’s Military Attache ter and Minister of Interior to the Republic of Italy H E Sheikh Khalid bin Kha- MAGHRIB 05.36 pm Brigadier General lifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani ISHA 07.06 pm (Navy) Hilal Ali Al sent yesterday cables of Mohannadi, Ambas- congratulations to H E sador of the State of President of the Repub- Qatar to the Italian lic of Chile Dr Sebastian Republic H E Abdulaziz Pinera on the anniversary bin Ahmed Al Maliki Al of his country’s Independ- Juhani, and a number of ence Day. -QNA senior officers in Qatari Armed Forces.

WEATHER TODAY

30oC 40oC Minimum Maximum Hazy to misty at places at first becomes hot daytime with local clouds. Relatively humid by night. W ALRUWAIS : 28o → 35o W ALKHOR : 26o → 39o W DUKHAN : 26o → 38o W WAKRAH : 27o → 36o AJCS to host web meet on conflict in eastern Mediterranean W MESAIEED : 27o → 36o — DOHA W ABUSAMRA : 26o → 39o THE PENINSULA on September 23-24. The AJCS’s digital platforms. to present the motives and difficult. conference will be held under The web conference comes reasons behind this conflict and Moreover, panellists will Al Jazeera Centre for Studies in the title, “Conflicts in the in the context of the escalating shed light on its historical back- discuss the impact of crises HIGH TIDE concert with Al Jazeera Eastern Mediterranean: Reasons tensions between the countries grounds, especially the hostility occurring in other places, such 05:07 – 17:28 Mubasher, is organising a web and Prospects,” and will include of the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece, as Libya, on the aggravation of LOW TIDE 00:43 – 12:36 conference to discuss the esca- a group of researchers, and disputes related to the dis- the division of Cyprus between conflict in the eastern Mediter- lation of tensions in the eastern academics and experts. It will covery of gas in this vital part them, and the role that played ranean, especially between Mediterranean and its regional be broadcast live on Al Jazeera of the world. in aggravating disputes and Turkey on one hand and France and international implications Mubasher and live-streamed on Conference sessions are set making political solutions and Egypt on the other.

Shura Council participates Shura Council participates in in celebration of first webinar on Human Rights International Equal Pay Day Protection after COVID-19

— DOHA QNA — DOHA QNA

The Shura Council participated yesterday, through video The Shura Council participated yesterday in a parlia- conference technology, in the celebration of the first mentary webinar on ‘Human Rights Protection after International Equal Pay Day, which was organised by COVID-19’, convened by the Parliamentary Assembly the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), in cooper- of the Mediterranean in cooperation with the ation with the International Labor Organization, UN European Alliance of Cities and Regions and their Women, and the Organization for Economic Co-oper- EU and world national associations. ation and Development (OECD). Discussions during the webinar focused on During the ceremony, a number of participants spoke exploring human rights scenes in local and regional about how to effectively combat gender discrimination administrations, governments and parliaments in and commit to more measures to achieve equal pay for the neighborhood of the European Union in the south work of equal value. and in the Mediterranean, along with providing con- H E Nasser bin Rashid Al Kaabi The Shura Council was represented in this event by crete examples of how they dealt with human rights H E Dr. Aisha bint Yousef Al Mannai, member of the H E Dr. Aisha bint Yousef Al Mannai challenges and inequality during the period of the represented in the webinar by Council Member Council. attending the virtual meeting. COVID-19 pandemic. The Shura Council was H E Nasser bin Rashid Al Kaabi. HMC supports World Alzheimer’s SC sustainability expert participates in Month with awareness events online lecture series with HBKU students

— DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA disease may not recognize THE PENINSULA managers with sustainability familiar people, places, or knowledge takes us a step Hamad Medical Corporation things, which can be very dis- Following last April’s successful closer to leaving a legacy of sus- (HMC) is supporting World tressing to families,” said Dr. Al delivery of an online lecture on tainable events in Qatar and Alzheimer’s Month with a series Sulaiti. sustainability for the FIFA will help set new industry of public awareness events There are several risk World Cup Qatar 2022, the standards for future mega being held throughout factors and causes of dementia, Supreme Committee for events.” September. including specific events like a Delivery & Legacy (SC) partic- This week’s session forms All events underpin the stroke or heart attack, as well ipated in another virtual lecture part of a lecture series that HBKU global campaign theme of ‘Let’s as genetic mutations or infec- with students at Qatar’s has partnered with the SC to Talk About Dementia’. World tions. Although some risk renowned Hamad Bin Khalifa deliver to students in the Masters Alzheimer’s Month is the inter- factors, such as age or genes, University (HBKU). of Sport and Entertainment Man- national campaign held every cannot be changed, other life- Entitled ‘Sustainability in agement class – a joint degree September to raise awareness style-related changes can help Mega Events’, the SC’s Sustain- programme being delivered by and challenge the stigma that reduce risk factors of dementia. ability and Environmental the University of South Carolina Supreme Committee for Delivery surrounds dementia. The cam- “Though there is no cure for Subject Matter Expert, Orjan and HBKU – with a second & Legacy's Sustainability and paign was launched in 2012 by Dr. Essa Al Sulaiti Alzheimer’s disease, early diag- Lundberg, spoke to students in lecture to take place in October Environmental Subject Matter ADI, which designated 21 Sep- nosis can ensure prompt the Masters of Sport and Enter- 2020 for the HBKU’s Venue Man- Expert, Orjan Lundberg. tember as World Alzheimer’s Services at Hamad Medical Cor- treatment of symptoms. Medi- tainment Management class at agement class in one of the fol- Day. poration (HMC) and Deputy cations for behavioral changes, HBKU’s College of Science and lowing three topics – Security, 2022, future generations can According to Alzheimer’s National Lead of Healthy memory loss, and depression Engineering about the impor- Workers’ Welfare and Fan ensure that mega-sporting Disease International (ADI), Ageing, explained that every and related remedies that aim tance of implementing sustain- Engagement. events are delivered in a sus- dementia affects 50 million case of Alzheimer’s-related to increase functionality within ability practices in the organ- Knowledge sharing activ- tainable manner. people worldwide, with a new dementia is unique to the indi- the brain can be effective treat- ising of major events like the ities like the HBKU Lecture Beyond partnerships with case of the syndrome occurring vidual experiencing it. ments. Treatment is aimed pre- FIFA World Cup. Series not only help build different educational institu- somewhere in the world every “While individuals with the dominantly at increasing the “It is always great fun to awareness around the SC’s tions in Qatar and around the three seconds. While awareness disease exhibit a general loss of quality of life of the patient and engage with students on sus- mission, vision and different world, the SC’s many other of dementia has risen in the memory and cognitive thinking, can be very helpful to the tainability. I shared some programmes, it is also con- legacy programmes also play a past decade, more knowledge additional symptoms include primary caregiver,” said Dr. Al insights from developing and sidered one of the most key role in the delivery of and understanding of the con- changes in mood and/or Sulaiti. delivering the sustainability important legacies of hosting knowledge sharing, primarily dition, and its underlying dis- behavior, disorientation, and Anyone concerned about or programme for the FIFA World the next FIFA World Cup 2022. Josoor Institute – a first of its kind eases, is needed. general confusion. The gradual seeking advice relating to Cup Qatar 2022,” said Lun- By sharing the knowledge centre of excellence that works Dementia and Alzheimer’s loss of the ability to speak or Alzheimer’s disease or memory dberg. “Equipping future event gained from hosting Qatar to build capacity in the area of disease are often used inter- hold conversations can be a loss can contact the National the sports and events industries changeably to describe several source of agitation for the Alzheimer’s and Memory This week’s session forms part of a lecture series that in Qatar and the MENA region – symptoms and issues related to person with Alzheimer’s and Services Helpline (RAHA), HBKU has partnered with the SC to deliver to students through education, training, pro- brain health and functioning; their family. Physiological which is available on 4026 2222 fessional certification, consul- however, Alzheimer’s is a spe- symptoms can include difficulty between 8am and 3pm from in the Masters of Sport and Entertainment Management tancy and research. cific disease, whereas dementia walking or swallowing. The Sunday to Thursday. The class – a joint degree programme being delivered by the Other outreach initiatives describes a group of symptoms worsening of all symptoms over service is provided by a dedi- University of South Carolina and HBKU – with a second include Generation Amazing – associated with a decline in time can result in the inability cated multi-disciplinary team, a legacy programme estab- memory, reasoning, or other to participate in activities, whom are committed to pro- lecture to take place in October 2020 for the HBKU’s lished in 2010 to address social thinking skills. including personal care and the viding compassionate and con- Venue Management class in one of the following three issues through football for Dr. Essa Al Sulaiti, Medical normal requirements of daily fidential care for patients and development training – in Director of Home Health Care life. A person with Alzheimer’s their families. topics – Security, Workers’ Welfare and Fan Engagement. Qatar and around the world. SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 HOME 03

MOPH: Total Qatar participates in 'Sustainable Development Community awareness ‘must’ to COVID-19 recoveries Goals Moment' meeting in New York achieve sustainable development reach 119,822 FROM PAGE 1 removing waste, but rather THE PENINSULA — DOHA For his part, Assistant to a clean, healthy life with Undersecretary for Public what it means in terms of The Ministry of Public Health Services Affairs at the Ministry waste recycling operations (MoPH) yesterday announced of Municipality and Envi- and comprehensive 224 new confirmed cases of ronment Eng. Ahmed Mohamed awareness and preservation coronavirus (COVID-19), of Al Sada, affirmed that the of life quality, noting that the which 214 are from community World Cleanup Day is an ministry spares no effort in and 10 from travelers important occasion to celebrate order to achieve special returning from abroad who are and honor ‘unknown soldiers’ Qatari standards for clean- subject to quarantine. in public services sector, rep- liness as a fundamental pillar In addition the Ministry resented by the General Clean- towards sustainable also announced registering a liness Department for their development. new death. The MOPH also dedication in performing their He concluded his recorded 209 recoveries from duties to provide a more com- remarks by thanking all the virus bringing the total fortable life for the people of workers in the field of number of cases recovered in Qatar. cleaning for their efforts and Qatar to 119,822. Al Sada pointed out that dedication during Qatar’s All new cases have been the ministry has 365 days of response to the coronavirus introduced to isolation and are real cleaning throughout the (COVID-19) pandemic, and receiving necessary healthcare year, starting at dawn every the accompanying work to according to their health status. day with thousands of preserve the cleanliness of The Ministry said that measures workers, engineers, techni- beaches and public places. to tackle COVID-19 in Qatar cians and administrators in Al Sada thanked all citizens The State of Qatar participated in the virtual “Sustainable Development Goals Moment” meeting, in have succeeded in flattening the the different departments of and residents who assisted the New York, on the sidelines of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The State of curve and limiting the spread of the ministry. ministry in performing its roles, Qatar was represented at the meeting by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al the virus and the number of new He pointed out that the appreciating their cooperation daily cases and hospital admis- Muraikhi. The meeting aims to set a vision for achieving results in the field of sustainable development true concept of cleanliness is and calling them to contribute sions is continuing to decline goals, highlighting and addressing the main implementation gaps, especially those caused by the not limited to the common to awareness and education each week. coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. traditional concept of campaigns. Importance of sport in protecting youth from crime stressed

QNA — VIENNA corruption in the sports sector The importance in order to help countries, The State of Qatar affirmed that of the Global Program organizations and agencies con- it included youth crime for the Implementation cerned with fighting corruption prevention through sports as of the Doha Declaration within sports structures, in one of the pillars of the Global stems from the fact that addition to the signing of a Program for the Implemen- memorandum of understanding tation of the Doha Declaration, it provides an effective between the Supreme Com- which it financed. This is due to tool and practical practice mittee for Delivery and Legacy the State of Qatar’s belief in the on the role of sport in and the UNODC to combat cor- great role that sport plays in protecting youth and ruption in sport in April 2019. protecting youth from crime creating opportunities for HE Ambassador Al Mansouri and drugs, empowering indi- said that, in realization of Qatar viduals and societies, achieving them to develop their National Vision 2030, the State development and peace, and behaviors and life skills in of Qatar has invested heavily in promoting dialogue between a way that protects them building and developing sports cultures and nations. from extremism and facilities and developing infra- This came in the State of violence. structure in accordance with Qatar’s speech delivered by international standards, which Ambassador of the State of Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Austria and the Permanent Representative enabled it to host major sporting Qatar to the Federal Republic H E Sultan bin Salmeen to the United Nations and international organisations in Vienna H E Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri events with great success. of Austria and the Permanent Al Mansouri, attending the event. At the end of his speech, His Representative of the State of Qatar’s Ambassador Excellency affirmed that the Qatar to the United Nations and to Austria protects them from extremism Qatar during its hosting of the mechanism concerned with State of Qatar always seeks to international organizations in and violence. 2022 FIFA World Cup to present combating corruption in the host major global events and Vienna H E Sultan bin Salmeen He added that this program their experience to the youth of sports sector and organizing enhance ways to support inter- Al Mansouri before a high-level has succeeded not only in the world on that occasion. tournaments by Supreme Com- national cooperation, pointing briefing session recently on of the Global Program for the keeping young people away He reviewed the many mittee for Delivery and Legacy in this regard to the 2022 FIFA tackling corruption and crime Implementation of the Doha from crime and drugs, but also efforts made by Qatar to raise in cooperation with the Inter- World Cup, the first World Cup in and through sports, organised Declaration stems from the fact in transforming these youth into awareness and education with national Olympic Committee in the Middle East and Arab by the United Nations Office on that it provides an effective tool pioneers in their societies who regard to combating corruption (IOC) and the International World, and called on attendees Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in and practical practice on the spread sports values and and crime in the field of sports, Criminal Police Organization to participate in this historic Vienna, in cooperation with the role of sport in protecting youth sublime principles. He also including the organization of a (INTERPOL). event. He also referred to International Federation of and creating opportunities for pointed out that there are workshop to discuss integrity HE also added that the State Qatar’s endeavor to host the Football Association (FIFA). them to develop their behaviors endeavors to include some in sports tournaments and of Qatar and the UNODC signed 2030 Asian Games and the 2032 He said that the importance and life skills in a way that youth as guests of the State of develop a an agreement to combat Summer Olympic Games. Six arrested for Filmmaker highlights power violating home of simplicity in storytelling quarantine rules QNA — DOHA RAYNALD C RIVERA inseparable not by choice. Sajid ultimately developed into a THE PENINSULA is lazy and mischievous but has film. The competent authorities yesterday passion to get more in life, while “Most of the films that I’ve arrested six people who violated the Egyptian-American helmer his friend Razzak does what he made have been super personal. requirements of the home quarantine, Karem Kamel showcases the can to keep his friend out of They are always related to some they committed to following, which power of simplicity in story- trouble. type of anecdote that I’ve expe- they are legally accountable for, in telling in his narrative short “Light Sounds started when rienced myself like it has been accordance with the procedures of film “Light Sounds” - in this I first moved to Doha. I would a part of my life or that I’ve wit- the health authorities in the country. week’s featured short film by always go to pray the afternoon nessed. When I find an idea or A still from the film Light Sounds written and directed by Karem The six persons being referred to Doha Film Institute (DFI). prayer at the mosque, and then character that I think is inter- Kamel. prosecution are Abdulaziz Hassan “I love simplicity in story- I noticed there’s this two young esting I search everywhere for Abdullah Jamal Al Darwish, Abdullah telling - observing people, how guys there cleaning the what makes sense in that story,” worked at Columbia channel as part of the second Abdul Salam Mohammed Khalil they interact, how they react. bathroom and behind their uni- he said, adding he goes back to University. season of the Institute’s Short Abdullah, Shagahan Rahman, Khalifa If you examine it a little bit forms I noticed tons of person- his past to find inspiration for the A DFI-supported film, "Light Film of the Week initiative. Hamad Abdullah Al Abdullah Al further, it unravels, it opens. ality,” shares Kamel, a native of story. Kamel studied Film at Sounds" screened at the 2015 Launched in April, the initiative Subaie, Saoud Hamad Abdullah It’s deeper and it shows you so New York City who works with Hunter College, where he made Ajyal Film Festival, which Kamel brings the very best of DFI-sup- Mohammed Al Ahwal and Nasser much. One moment can teach DFI. his directorial debut with the calls “a memorable and mean- ported films for film enthusiasts Mubarak Saeed Al Awami Al Marri. you so much about a char- Despite the communi- short film ‘Lucky Night’, fea- ingful night” for the great reaction to enjoy in the comfort of their The concerned authorities in acter,” said Kamel while cation gap as they speak dif- turing a young Lady Gaga. He from the audience and the own homes. The initiative aims the state call on citizens and resi- sharing his insights on the film. ferent languages, they found has held positions at ABC and presence of his friends as well as at encouraging people to stay dents who are subject to quarantine The film explores a multi- way to communicate which the Sundance Film Institute, the two lead characters who got home amid COVID-19 pan- to fully adhere to the requirements layered theme on friendship, inspired the filmmaker to where he was involved in the walk the red carpet with him. demic, while lending support set by the Ministry of Public Health, dreams and aspirations of two imagine the duo’s daily life and various workshops at the Insti- "Light Sounds" was uploaded to Qatari films and Arab to ensure their safety and the safety simple characters who are explore their stories which tute’s Summer Labs, and also on Thursday on DFI’s YouTube cinema. of others. Agreement to clean coastlines of cultural villages signed Hamad Port is one of world’s largest green projects FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1 avicennia trees providing shelter and Thus, we are pleased to It is pertinent to mention here that nourish countless sea creatures. Commenting on the join efforts with various Mwani Qatar, last year, had also shared In June 2019 on being recognised as initiative, Al-Namla state institutions, the some interesting and laudable facts one of the Greenest Ports in the world, said: “Beaches represent private sector and linked with the sustainable construction Mwani Qatar had tweeted: “Environ- an attraction for tourists, community members to of Qatar’s gateway to the world. “Hamad mental protection has been a key which makes such sites accomplish this noble Port is considered the region’s largest objective in all phases of Hamad Port’s prone to pollution. Our mission, and to protect and most environmentally-friendly construction. The port’s international cooperation with the our rich heritage that project and this title has been well recognition as one of the world greenest Ministry of Municipality dates back thousands of deserved for several factors, the most ports proves that this goal has been and Environment and years.” important of which is its success in relo- achieved, underscoring its commitment Seashore Group falls in The latest cating and moving more than 12,500 to local and global environmental line with Qatar Museums’ agreement comes pieces of hard coral reefs,” Mwani had standards and adopting the latest inno- keenness to raise within the framework of tweeted earlier. vative practices based on environmental awareness of the impor- QM’s cooperation with Sharing some other details of steps sustainability and clean energy.” Earlier tance of archaeological relevant state institu- taken to preserve the environment in November 2016, Hamad Port had sites and villages, and the tions, community FROM LEFT: Hamad Juma Al Mannai, Director of Al Shamal Municipality; while developing Hamad Port, Mwani won “largest smart and environment- need to preserve them members and volunteers Ahmed Musa Al Namlah, CEO of Qatar Museums; and Salem Saeed Al Qatar had also talked about relocation friendly project” award that is granted as a living example for to preserve Qatar’s Mohannadi, CEO of Seashore Group, at the signing ceremony. of 14,300 square metres of seaweeds to the best practices in safety, maritime future generations. archaeological sites. and 31,700 marine seedlings and environment and port operations. 04 MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 US President awards Macron calls Lebanese Legion of Merit leaders over cabinet plans REUTERS — PARIS Lebanon’s sectarian system of power sharing, received a to Amir of Kuwait French President Emmanuel phone call from Macron Macron called Lebanese leaders “dealing with the government QNA — KUWAIT The Legion of yesterday over stalled efforts to situation and the necessity to Merit, Degree Chief form a new government, a diplo- continue efforts to secure the The Kuwaiti Amiri Diwan matic source said, as Paris seeks creation of the government as announced that US President Commander, is a to give a new push to its bid to soon as possible,” the Lebanese Donald Trump has awarded the rarely-awarded, pull the country out of a deep presidency said. Amir of the State of Kuwait H H financial crisis. A diplomatic source said Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber prestigious France has been leaning on Macron had also called Par- Al Sabah the Legion of Merit, decoration that can Lebanon’s sectarian politicians liament Speaker Nabih Berri, Degree Chief Commander. only be bestowed by to name a cabinet swiftly and the leader of Amal, and the Minister of Kuwait’s Amiri embark on reforms to get the leading Sunni politician Saad Al Diwan Affairs, Sheikh Ali Jarrah the President. country out of the worst crisis Hariri, a former premier who Al Sabah, said that the honouring since the 1975-1990 civil war. has been backing Prime Min- comes in recognition of H H the But the process hit a logjam ister-designate Mustapha Adib. Amir of Kuwait tireless efforts and Degree Chief Commander was because of a dispute over cabinet Adib, a Sunni, said on significant leadership role in the accepted, on behalf of H H the portfolios. Lebanon’s main Shia Thursday he would give more region and the world, and as a Amir of Kuwait, at a ceremony in Muslim factions, Iran-backed time for talks on forming the culmination of the historic and the Oval Office by Sheikh Nasser Hezbollah and the Amal cabinet after reports indicated distinguished partnership Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Movement, say they must name he might resign. between Kuwait and the US Sabah. The Legion of Merit, Shia ministers who should He had proposed switching spanning decades, Kuwait’s Degree Chief Commander, is a include the finance minister. control of ministries, some of KUNA reported. rarely-awarded, prestigious dec- A September 15 deadline which have been held by the He added that the award also oration that can only be bestowed agreed between Lebanese poli- same factions for years. The dip- coincides with the upcoming by the President, typically to ticians and Paris for forming the lomatic source said Macron had 60th anniversary of the estab- chiefs of state or heads of gov- A file photo of Kuwait Amir H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber new government has already spoken to Adib on Thursday to lishment of relations between ernment of other countries. The Al Sabah waving at the end of the opening of the 4th ordinary been missed. President Michel tell him to keep calm and not both nations. The Legion of Merit, honour was last awarded in 1991. session of the 15th Legislative Parliament in Kuwait city, Kuwait. Aoun, a Christian under step down. Yemen prisoner Dutch govt seeks to hold Syria accountable for torture exchange talks AP — THE HAGUE hesitated to crack down hard prisons, the SNHR said in a obligations” to halt violations using the Torture Convention to on its own population, using report released earlier this year. of the torture convention and demand justice for their plight, begin in The Dutch government torture and chemical weapons, At least 12,989 are still to compensate victims, the the Netherlands is standing for announced yesterday it is and bombing hospitals,” detained or missing, their fates foreign ministry said in a countless victims in an action Switzerland holding Syria responsible under Foreign Minister Stef Blok said unknown, according to the statement. that could ultimately trigger a international law for “gross in a statement. report. Another 16,000 are The note asked Syria to case at the world’s highest AFP — GENEVA human rights violations,” in a “The victims of these serious missing in detention by other enter negotiations on the issue. court,” said Balkees Jarrah, the process that could ultimately crimes must obtain justice, and factions in Syria’s war. If the two countries can’t rights group’s associate interna- Rival parties in Yemen’s war trigger a case at the United we are pursuing that end by A UN Security Council res- resolve the dispute, the Dutch tional justice director. opened UN-sponsored talks Nations’ highest court. calling the perpetrators to olution backed by more than 60 government can propose arbi- While international efforts yesterday aimed at an The Dutch initiative, account,” Blok said. countries to refer the Syrian tration and if that fails, the to bring Syrian officials to exchange deal for the release invoking the UN Convention According to the Syrian conflict to the International Netherlands “will submit the justice have floundered, a of more than 1,400 prisoners, against Torture, is the latest Network for Human Rights, Criminal Court was vetoed by case to an international court,” German court has attempted to the United Nations said. attempt to hold President Syrian authorities detained both Russia and China in May the ministry said. break down the wall of The government and Bashar Al Assad’s government around 1.2 million people since 2014. The Dutch initiative was Human Rights Watch wel- impunity with a case against a Houthi rebels agreed to accountable amid widespread the country’s conflict began in triggered yesterday with a dip- comed the Dutch move. man accused of running a gov- exchange some 15,000 reports it is mistreating its own March 2011. As of the beginning lomatic note handed to Syrian “For years, thousands have ernment detention centre detainees as part of peace deal citizens against the backdrop of of June, 12,325 were docu- diplomats in Geneva in which been systematically starved, where thousands were tortured brokered by the United Nations the country’s grinding civil war. mented as having died under the Netherlands “reminded beaten, and tortured to their during the early months of the in Sweden in 2018. “The Assad regime has not torture in Syrian government Syria of its international deaths in Syria’s prisons. By uprising against Assad. The two sides have since made sporadic prisoner swaps, but the release of 900 loyalists in exchange for 520 insurgents Iran records highest — if it materialises — would mark the first large-scale handover since the war single-day virus erupted in 2014. “The #Yemen Prisoners & Detainees Committee meeting cases since June started today. I am grateful to #Switzerland for hosting it & ANATOLIA — TEHRAN recorded 179 single-day fatal- to @ICRC for co-chairing,” UN ities, the highest figure since envoy Martin Griffiths tweeted, Iran recorded the highest August 12 when 188 died of the without giving an exact single-day spike in coronavirus virus. location for the talks. cases yesterday in over three The country has already “My message to the parties months, as the country battles seen two waves of the virus is: conclude discussions, a fresh wave of the deadly virus. since February, as authorities release detainees swiftly, Health Ministry spokes- struggle to carry out strict bring relief to thousands of person Sima Sadat Lari in a measures of social distancing Yemeni families,” he wrote. daily health bulletin announced and other health protocols. The International Com- 3,049 fresh cases of the virus Lari said the situation was mittee of the Red Cross, for its besides 144 new deaths. particularly critical in the part, said it was ready to help It is the highest single-day capital city of Tehran, northern with the return of detainees jump in infections since June 4, provinces of Mazandaran and to their families. when the country recorded Gilan, central provinces of A source close to Yemen’s 3,574 cases. Isfahan and Yazd, the south- presidency said on A child diagnosed with coronavirus is being tested at a hospital in Tehran, Iran. The overall tally, Lari said, eastern province of Kerman and Wednesday that the talks in has now reached 416,198 cases the northeastern province of Switzerland would “lay out and 23,952 deaths since the out- Khorasan Razavi. the basis of perceived COVID-19 new surge in cases on a flurry On Thursday, Iran inaugu- the final touches” after break of the virus in Iran in Iran’s deputy Health Min- threat. “The whole country is in of out-station trips in last few rated eight health projects agreement was reached with mid-February. Iran was one of ister Iraj Harirchi, expressing a state of red.” Harirchi warned weeks, in disregard of the min- under which 1,400 more beds the ICRC “on all logistical the first countries in the region concern over the fresh wave of that if the current trend con- istry’s instructions to avoid would be added to hospitals in arrangements”. to report the virus. the virus, said all parts of the tinues, the death toll could jump travelling. Tehran and other cities. General Nasser Mansour In last few weeks, the country should be considered to 45,000. He urged people to Some health experts believe Last week, President Hassan Hadi, brother of Yemeni Pres- country has seen a significant “red zones” now. adhere to all necessary health the large outdoor Ashura cere- Rouhani censured the US gov- ident Abedrabbo Mansour surge in the number of corona- “We no longer have orange advisories issued by the monies in Tehran and some ernment for blocking the $5 Hadi, along with 19 Saudis and virus infections and fatalities, and yellow (zones),” he told ministry. other cities could have con- billion International Monetary other politicians and jour- and also hospitalisations. media people on Thursday, The Health Ministry officials tributed to the new rise in Fund loan to Iran to fight the nalists, would be among those On Wednesday, Iran referring to categorisation on have pinned the blame for the infections. coronavirus. released, he said. Israel imposes second nationwide virus lockdown First arrests in Iraq PM’s

AFP — JERUSALEM Israelis have expressed frus- ceremony. Israel has ramped up into effect on August 21 author- tration at the cabinet’s perceived testing and on Thursday 5,238 ities gave up on enforcing it, in anti-corruption drive Israel imposed a second mismanagement of the crisis in positive cases were recorded out the face of overwhelming public nationwide lockdown yesterday recent months. of 56,986 tests processed. opposition in a country in the AFP — BAGHDAD Baghdad’s Investment Com- to tackle one of the world’s “We do not close a country Previously, neighbouring grips of economic crisis and still mission, Shaker Al Zameli, highest coronavirus infection this way,” ran a headline in the Lebanon was the only country in reeling from its worst-ever Two Iraqi officials and a busi- were detained on Wednesday. rates, despite public protests over top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot the world to have ordered a peacetime disaster. In Israel, nessman have been arrested as Bahaa Abdulhussein, the the new blow to the economy. on Friday, which featured inter- second nationwide lockdown in coronavirus has killed 1,169 part of a new anti-corruption head of electronic payment The three-week shutdown views with doctors, economists response to the virus. people out of a population of nine drive spearheaded by Prime company Qi Card, was arrested from 2pm started just hours and teachers all opposed to the But within days of it going million. Minister Mustafa Al Kadhemi, upon arrival at Baghdad Airport before Rosh Hashana, the Jewish lockdown. government sources said on Thursday, the sources new year, and will extend Erez Berenbaum, director of yesterday. confirmed. through other key religious hol- Assuta hospital in the coastal city The arrests represent a rare The officials declined to idays, including Yom Kippur and of Ashdod, said the “lack of clarity instance in which current offi- reveal any further details, Sukkot. in the instructions will lead to cials — usually deemed too including the charges against Prime Minister Benjamin defiance among Israelis”. well-connected to touch in the men, where they were Netanyahu said the government On the eve of the lockdown, Iraq’s graft-ridden system — being held or what the judicial had been left with no choice but authorities were still deciding on are subject to judicial process would be. to impose a lockdown. the details, with a rule ordering procedures. “The committee is looking “The health system has raised residents to stay within 500 Last month, Kadhemi at portfolios that have been the red flag... We did everything metres of their homes extended formed a new committee to suspicious for a while, then its we could to strike a balance late on Thursday to one kilo- fight “major corruption files”, judicial commission issues between the health needs and metre. During the first lockdown, which made its first arrests this arrest warrants,” one official needs of the economy,” he said the limit was set at 100 metres. week, according to two Iraqi said. in a televised address on There are numerous excep- officials with knowledge of the Asked whether the courts Thursday. While the government tions to the new distance rule, committee’s work. could be trusted to see the was praised for its initial handling including people going out to buy A policewoman checks a car as Israel enters a second nationwide The head of Iraq’s process through, the official of the pandemic, implementing medicine or food, as well as to lockdown amid a resurgence in new coronavirus disease, in Retirement Fund, Ahmad al- said the committee’s judges a strict lockdown in March, many attend a funeral or circumcision Jerusalem’s Old City, yesterday. Saedi, and the chairman of were building “solid” cases. SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 AFRICA 05 Somalia names new PM, announces plan for polls

AFP — MOGADISHU Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s office announced late on Thursday Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has the appointment of Mohamed Hussein Roble, appointed a new prime minister a Swedish-trained civil engineer and political hours after brokering an agreement with regional neophyte, and “wished him to take duties and leaders for elections next year tasks ahead with diligence”. that abandons a promised one- person, one-vote model. Mohamed’s office lawmakers who then vote for parliament. announced late Thursday the the president. The United Nations had appointment of Mohamed But an agreement reached described the pursuit of one- Hussein Roble, a Swedish- between the president, five person, one-vote elections as trained civil engineer and regional leaders and the mayor a “historic milestone” on political neophyte, and “wished of Mogadishu has conceded Somalia’s path to full democ- him to take duties and tasks that such a vote would be ratisation and peace after ahead with diligence”. impossible within the time- decades of war and violent Troops loyal to Libya’s internationally-recognised government patrol the area in Zamzam, near Abu He fills a vacancy left when frame remaining before Soma- instability in the Horn of Africa Qareen, in Libya. former premier Hassan Ali lia’s parliament expires in nation. Khaire was removed by par- November, and Farmajo’s term But observers had warned liament in July for failing to ends in February. that such a goal was looking Haftar says he will lift oil blockade pave the way for fully demo- In an official communique, increasingly unlikely due to cratic elections due before Feb- the negotiators said delegates tensions with the states, tech- REUTERS — TRIPOLI said in a statement distributed by that have widened since June ruary 2021. from Somalia’s myriad clans nical aspects such as voter reg- his spokesman after a brief tele- when Haftar’s 14-month The foreign-backed gov- would elect the 275 MPs of the istration, and security chal- Eastern Libyan commander vised broadcast in which he offensive to capture Tripoli col- ernment in Mogadishu has been lower house, which in turn lenges posed by the Al Qaeda- Khalifa Haftar announced announced that it had “been lapsed and he was forced to in drawn-out negotiations with chooses the president. affiliated Al Shabaab militant yesterday he would lift for one decided” to resume oil retreat to the central coastal city Somalia’s federal states over While the process mirrors group. month his blockade of oil output production. of Sirte. how to proceed with parlia- the last election held in 2017, The fragile central gov- and said he had agreed with the National Oil Corporation In Tripoli, the GNA’s deputy mentary and presidential it will go a bit further in terms ernment, chaired by Farmajo, rival Tripoli government on “fair (NOC), which operates Libya’s prime minister, Ahmed Maiteeg, elections. of inclusivity, with 27,775 del- controls only a part of Somali distribution” of energy revenue. energy sector, also said overnight issued a statement immediately However the process has egates voting — almost twice territory and relies on an inter- A resumption of oil exports it would not lift force majeure on after Haftar’s speech also saying been held-up by political as many as last time. national peacekeeping force after the eight-month blockade exports until the LNA withdrew it “had been decided” to resume infighting between the pres- No timeline was given, and to confront a violent insur- would relieve mounting financial fighters from its facilities. oil production and adding this ident — better known by his it remains unclear what role gency from Al Shabaab in the pressure for both sides in the Libya and many of its state would involve a new committee nickname Farmajo — and the the country’s independent countryside. Libyan conflict and could remove institutions have been split for to oversee revenue country’s regional leaders. election commission will play, Mogadishu had been crit- a major obstacle towards a years between the interna- distribution. Somalia had set itself the with the federal and state gov- icised by observers for political settlement, but it is not tionally recognised Government The committee would coor- goal of holding its first fully ernments to appoint their own engaging in political feuds with yet clear if the declared of National Accord (GNA) in dinate between the two sides to democratic, one-man one-vote agencies to oversee their federal states to gain control agreement has wider support. Tripoli and Haftar’s Libyan prepare a budget and transfer election since 1969 — as respective polls. in the election process, rather “We are ready to open oil National Army (LNA) in the east. funds to cover payments and opposed to a complex system The plan still needs to be than focusing on the fight fields, to secure the future of However, both of those deal with the public debt, he in which special delegates pick approved by Somalia’s against the militants. Libya, for one month,” Haftar camps have internal fractures said. Mali’s former dictator Moussa Traore laid to rest UN, WHO call for polio AFP — BAMAKO buried at a Bamako military president after independence of a group of young officers who camp yesterday, where a funeral from France in 1960. Traore launched a coup ousting pres- surveillance in Africa Mali held a state funeral for band played at the arrival of his became president the following ident Ibrahim Boubacar Keita ex-dictator Moussa Traore coffin, which was draped in the year and ruled with an iron fist, on August 18. ANATOLIA — MAIDUGURI yesterday, attended by the head Malian flag. before he himself was ousted in Former President Amadou of the ruling military junta and Soldiers dressed in full a military coup in 1991. Toumani Toure — who deposed The UN and its World Health Organization agency (WHO) on other former leaders of the Sahel regalia stood at attention, In recent years, the ex-dic- Traore in the 1991 coup — was yesterday called for more surveillance of polio to prevent the virus’ state, according to witnesses. according to witnesses, while tator was increasingly seen as also among the mourners, return to Africa. Traore, who ruled Mali for two planes performed a flypast an elder statesman in the noto- alongside other ex-leaders. Visiting the last survivors of polio cases in Nigeria and Africa, 22 years before being deposed overhead. riously unstable country, with Russian diplomats attended Edward Kallon, UN resident coordinator in Nigeria, asked nations in a 1991 coup, died at age 83 in As a young lieutenant in politicians soliciting his advice. the ceremony yesterday, to step up vaccination to ensure polio is not reintroduced to the the capital Bamako on Sep- 1968, Traore was the main insti- In attendance yesterday was according to witnesses, but no continent. tember 15. gator of a coup that overthrew the head of Mali’s ruling military French or European Union dip- “We should not be complacent, we should continue to ensure The former autocrat was Modibo Keita, the country’s first junta Colonel Assimi Goita, part lomats were present. children are vaccinated at the appropriate ages and [with the] right vaccine to ensure this thing does not repeat itself,” Kallon said. Walter Mulombo, the WHO’s country representative, said two Ethiopia braces Asian countries still have cases of wild poliovirus. He urged nations to be vigilant, as polo anywhere in the world for election could spread to other places. Nigeria was declared polio free in late August by the Africa amid COVID-19 Regional Certification Commission, an independent regional body for polio and disease outbreak assessment. Before then, it was the only African nation left with the virus. Polio, an acute infectious A landlocked disease that causes paralysis, usually affects children under 5. country in the Horn Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries in the world with the virus. After four years without a single case of wild polio, the of Africa, Ethiopia African region last month was certified free of wild poliovirus. postponed its sixth The announcement was made at a virtual session of the 70th parliamentary WHO Regional Committee for Africa. election twice due to internal conflicts Botswana: Married women and the COVID-19 pandemic. gain right to own land

ANATOLIA — ADDIS ABABA ANATOLIA — GABORONE

Ethiopia may now be in a For the first time married women in Botswana will be able to own People, wearing face masks, walk past banners, encouraging people to wear a face mask as a position to hold parliamentary land, the president of the Southern African country has announced. preventive measure against the coronavirus pandemic, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. election after taking precau- “The Revised Botswana Land Policy of 2019 now gives married tionary measures against women the right to apply for land,” President Mokgweetsi Masisi COVID-19, the health minister A landlocked country in election that was categorically spread of the virus, the local tweeted on Thursday, announcing the end of discriminatory said yesterday. the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia rejected both by the National broadcaster FANA quoted Lia treatment under older legislation. Lia Kebede told an emer- postponed its sixth parlia- Electoral Board of Ethiopia as saying. He added that he encouraged “local and land authorities as gency session of the House of mentary election twice due to (NEBE) and the House of Fed- The country’s testing well as Non-Governmental Organisations to step up campaigns Peoples’ Representatives the internal conflicts and the eration, the upper house of the capacity, she said, increased to educate women and orphans about their legally protected rights country could now hold the COVID-19 pandemic. parliament. as the ministry managed to and offer them legal support to successfully claim their legitimate parliamentary election pro- Last week, in clear defiance The minister said the conduct over 11.7 million lab- land right.” Amending land policy in Botswana, a landlocked vided all the necessary precau- of the federal authority, the nation built preventive capac- oratory tests, detecting 66,224 country bordering South Africa, to put an end to discrimination tions are put in place against the north Ethiopian Tigray regional ities in mitigating the circum- cases and recording 1,045 against married women was one of Masisi’s campaign promises spread of the coronavirus. state conducted a regional stances that might lead to the deaths. ahead of the October 2019 elections. Gunmen kill seven in northern Nigeria AFP — KANO Residents in Gidan Madi said ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero denied bail during terror trial that the attackers carted away Gunmen have killed two weapons from the police station REUTERS — KIGALI The 66-year-old former in the United States, cited ill spotlight on political opposition policemen and five farmers in before withdrawing into the hotel manager was portrayed in health in his application, vowing to President Paul Kagame. two separate attacks in northern bush. Gunmen are believed to Paul Rusesabagina, depicted as the Oscar-nominated film “Hotel not to try to escape from Rusesabagina’s family in the Nigeria, police said. hide in the nearby Rugu forest a hero in a Hollywood movie Rwanda” using his connections Rwanda during the trial where United States accuse Kagame’s Armed gangs, called bandits that stretches across Zamfara, about Rwanda’s 1994 genocide with the Hutu elite to protect he may face up to life impris- government of kidnapping him by locals, regularly raid villages Katsina, Kaduna and Niger and now on trial for terrorism, Tutsis fleeing the slaughter. onment if convicted. from Dubai, where he was on a in central and northwestern states. Their attacks are generally was denied bail on Thursday Rejecting Rusesabagina’s His lawyers said they were trip, a claim that officials in Nigeria, killing and kidnapping motivated by money, but though he had promised not to bail application, Judge Dorothee dissatisfied by the ruling and that Kigali reject. people as well as looting and security experts have warned escape. Yankurije said he faced grave they would launch an appeal. Kagame has ruled Rwanda burning homes. that the region’s jihadist groups Rusesabagina, who once charges and must spend 30 days “His illness is a key concern,” since the end of the genocide A gang of around 100 have attempted to infiltrate their called for armed resistance to in jail while authorities complete David Rugaza, one of his and won the last elections - in gunmen dressed in army cam- ranks. Later on Thursday, a the government in a YouTube investigations. lawyers, told reporters after the 2017 — with nearly 99 percent ouflage stormed a police station group of suspected cattle thieves video, was charged in a Kigali “Being in jail will not stop ruling. of the vote. Though credited in the town of Gidan Madi in launched an attack on the court on Monday with 13 counts Rusesabagina from having His trial and the mysterious with bringing stability and eco- Sokoto state on Thursday, killing farming village of Yanteba in including terrorism, complicity medical care,” she said. circumstances surrounding his nomic growth, Kagame’s foes two officers and injuring Katsina state, killing five farmers, in murder and involvement with Rusesabagina, a Belgian appearance in Rwanda after say he has become increasingly another, police spokesman state police spokesman Gambo an irregular armed group. citizen who had been residing years in exile are shining a autocratic. Muhammad Sadiq said. Isah said. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 Seoul seeks $4m in damages from church over virus outbreak REUTERS — SEOUL The Seoul city government said it will file a lawsuit against the Sarang Jeil Church and its The metropolitan government in South Korea’s capital Seoul leader, Rev Jun Kwang-hoon, accusing them said yesterday it would seek $4m of disrupting coronavirus tests and providing in damages against a church for causing the spread of the coro- inaccurate lists of its members which it said navirus by disrupting tracing and aggravated the latest epidemic. testing efforts. A fresh wave of infections erupted at a church whose seeking to hold the church and was indicted on charges of members attended a large the pastor responsible for con- breaking election laws. The protest in downtown Seoul in tributing to the nationwide re- cluster has inflicted government mid-August, becoming the coun- spread of COVID-19 by refusing losses totalling at least $11.3m, try’s largest cluster in the greater and hindering epidemiological including 4.6 billion won on capital area. The outbreak has surveys or aiding and abetting Seoul, the city said. The National driven triple-digit increases in such acts, as well as submitting Health Insurance Service has daily COVID-19 cases for more false materials,” it said in a also said it will sue the church than a month. statement. for indemnity worth $4.7m. The Seoul city government Calls to the church seeking The Korea Disease Control said it will file a lawsuit against comment went unanswered. Jun, and Prevention Agency the Sarang Jeil Church and its a harsh critic of the government, reported 126 new cases as of A government official sanitises a street amid the coronavirus pandemic in Seoul, South Korea. leader, Rev Jun Kwang-hoon, was re-imprisoned early this midnight Thursday, which accusing them of disrupting month for attending the August brought the total infections to imposed unprecedented social when usually tens of millions of moment in our anti-virus cam- coronavirus tests and providing 15 rally in violation of his bail in 22,783, with 377 deaths. The distancing curbs late last month. Koreans travel across the paign,” said Yoon Tae-ho, inaccurate lists of its members April, when he participated in numbers, which peaked at 441, But authorities remained on country, urging restraint on director-general for public which it said aggravated the an illegal political protest ahead have steadily fallen to the low high alert ahead of a major tra- trips and gatherings. “The health policy at the health latest epidemic. “The city is the parliamentary election and 100s after the government ditional holiday next week holiday period will be a pivotal ministry. Australian judge quits Hong Kong court, citing national security law India orders states to ensure REUTERS — HONG KONG/SYDNEY content of the national security apparatus, who are now based mini-constitution, known as the national security work to stop legislation” but did not elab- in the city for the first time Basic Law, enshrines the inde- possible speculation that unimpeded One of the 14 foreign judges on orate further. under the law. pendence of the judiciary and foreign jurists were not Hong Kong’s highest court has Spigelman did not immedi- “Mr Justice Spigelman ten- states that judges may come welcome. oxgyen supplies resigned due to concerns over ately respond to a request for dered to the Chief Executive on from other common law “The ball is clearly now in a sweeping new national comment. 2 September his resignation as jurisdictions. the government’s court to REUTERS — NEW DELHI security law imposed by Beijing Local and international a Non-Permanent Judge of the But Lam and her officials assure the public it still sup- on the city, Australia’s national legal circles have been alarmed Court of Final Appeal, therefore have in recent weeks stressed ports the system of foreign India ordered its states not to broadcaster reported yesterday. at Beijing’s imposition of the the Chief Executive revoked his that the city had no “separation judges on Hong Kong’s apex hoard oxygen supplies and The office of the city’s leader security law, fearing it erodes appointment in accordance of powers”, and that the court,” he said. allow free movement amidst Carrie Lam confirmed the res- the former British colony’s with the relevant legislation,” powers of its executive, legis- Senior barristers said they reports of shortages, as novel ignation of Australian judge autonomy and freedoms. Lam’s office responded in an lature and judiciary all derived believed other senior judges coronavirus infections hit 5.2 James Spigelman but did not Under the security legis- email to queries about his from Beijing. were now considering their million yesterday, edging the give a reason. lation, Lam has the right to departure. Even before new laws were futures. country’s tally closer to the Spigelman, the former chief select judges for a panel of Spigelman had been re- enacted, senior judges had said In July, the president of the United States, which is the justice of New South Wales, is jurists to handle national appointed to another three- the independence of Hong UK Supreme Court said it was worst-hit globally. the first senior judge to resign security cases. In the most year term last year. Kong’s judicial system was in discussions with the British India, which recorded and publicly cite the law, passed serious cases, suspects can also Foreign judges have long under assault from the Com- government to assess the 96,424 new infections in the by China’s parliament on June be taken to mainland China for been a symbol of the city’s rule munist Party leadership in future of UK judges on Hong last 24 hours, has been posting 30 without any Hong Kong leg- trial in its courts, which are ulti- of law, helping to replace the Beijing. Kong’s top court. Robert Reed, the highest single-day islative process or mately controlled by the Com- role of the Privy Council in Simon Young, a professor who also serves on the Hong caseload in the world since consultation. munist Party. London after Britain handed the at the University of Hong Kong Kong court, said the new law early August, according to a The Polish-born jurist told It also grants extensive city back to Chinese rule in law school and a barrister, on “contains a number of provi- tally. the ABC that he had resigned powers to personnel from 1997. Friday urged the government sions which give rise to Oxygen supply has become for reasons “related to the mainland China’s security Hong Kong’s to name the judges cleared for concerns”. scarce in some parts of India, government officials and experts said, putting critical healthcare at risk. Thai protesters expect biggest “Any impediment in the supplies of medical oxygen in anti-govt rally in years the country may critically impact the management of REUTERS — BANGKOK to 50,000 to join the protest. patients suffering from Thai politics has for years COVID-19 disease,” the federal Thai protest leaders said been marked by challenges to home ministry said in a cir- yesterday they expected the the royalist, military estab- cular late yesterday. biggest anti-government lishment by politicians backed “There shall be free demonstration in years this by poor urban and rural voters, movement of oxgygen car- weekend and vowed to reiterate and more recently by the student rying vehicles into the cities, their calls for reforms of the protesters. without any restriction of monarchy despite official The military, which pro- timings, while also enabling pressure to stop. claims itself the defender of the inter-city supply without Demonstrators have since country’s core institutions, in restriction,” it said. mid-July been demanding the particular the monarchy, has Deaths in India have been removal of Prime Minister stepped in to overthrow civilian relatively low, and it has a Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former governments numerous times, fatality rate of 1.62 percent. junta leader, and changes to a most recently in 2014, citing the Yesterday, the health ministry constitution they say was need to maintain stability. said 1,174 people died of designed to extend military Tens of thousands of pro- COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, domination of politics after a testers are due to gather on Sat- taking total deaths from the general election last year. urday at Bangkok’s Thammasat disease to 84,372. Some protesters have also University and march to the called for unprecedented prime minister’s offices, known reforms of the monarchy, pre- as Government House, on Anti-government protesters and students give three-fingers salutes during a demonstration demanding Thailand reports viously a taboo subject in Sunday to put pressure on the government to resign, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand. Prayuth. A group of protesters first virus death in “Tomorrow’s rally will make from the university last month as a form of free speech, but that gathering on its campus, but law prohibiting large gatherings history and will be the biggest staged a rally at which a 10-point demands for reform of the mon- protesters said they were near restricted sites. over 3 months one since the 2014 coup,” Parit demand for reform of the mon- archy were not acceptable. sticking to their plan. They will On Thursday, Prayuth “Penguin” Chiwarak, one of the archy was read out, including a Parit said the demands also use nearby Sanam Luang, warned the protesters against ANATOLIA - BANGKOK protest leaders, said, adding that call for the abolition of a law would be reiterated this a large open space in front of the raising the risks of spreading the he believed as many as 100,000 against royal criticism. weekend. Grand Palace. novel coronavirus and urged Thailand has registered its first people could show up. Prayuth has said the gov- Thammasat University said Police said marching to Gov- them to put the health crisis COVID-19 death in over three Police said they expected up ernment would allow protests last week it would not allow the ernment House could break a before politics. months, local media reported yesterday. According to a report by One dead, many injured as daily Bangkok Post, the victim Satellite images show North Korea was a man who returned to tropical storm Noul hits Vietnam Bangkok from Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on September 2. AFP — HANOI “It was scary as the wind was preparing for military parade Somsak Akksilp, director so strong when the storm general of Thailand’s Medical Tropical Storm Noul pounded arrived,” said Nguyen Xuan Vu, Science Department, said the Vietnam yesterday, killing one who lives in Hue. AP — SEOUL goose-stepping soldiers and unity among the country’s 25 man was admitted to a hospital person and injuring dozens more “So many trees are down. new weapons systems on state million people as it faces mul- in Bangkok in serious as it unleashed heavy rains and Our city looks in bad shape,” Vu North Korea is preparing for a anniversaries to bolster unity tiple crises including the pan- condition. high winds on the country’s said. Late yesterday, the storm massive military parade in its and intimidate enemies. demic, damage from a recent He did not show any central coastal region, author- was downgraded to a tropical capital to mark the 75th anni- North Korea insists it hasn’t typhoon, and ongoing US-led symptoms of COVID-19 but ities said. depression, according to Viet- versary of its ruling party next had any coronavirus cases, a economic sanctions. scans showed his lungs were Images on state-run Vietnam namese forecasters. month, satellite images indi- claim widely disputed by many He closed the country’s damaged and he was placed on Television showed damaged All airports in central cated yesterday, even as the foreign experts. border with China, its biggest respiratory support, the official houses and trees, and power Vietnam remain closed while a country strengthens its anti- On Monday, the North’s trading partner, in January over said. poles pulled from the ground as ban on fishing vessels has been coronavirus measures. Korean Central News Agency virus concerns. Experts say the “This patient was asymp- the country’s biggest storm of the in place since Thursday. The images, provided by said the country is intensifying border closure has likely tomatic when he was trans- year made landfall in Hue, Viet- Electricity has been com- Maxar, a Colorado-based sat- its emergency anti-coronavirus worsened North Korea’s ferred to Rajavithi [hospital], nam’s old imperial capital. pletely cut off in Thua Thien Hue ellite imagery company, show efforts. already-troubled economy. but we cannot deny that he died On Thursday, authorities province. thousands of people assembled It said authorities are trying Earlier this week, the of COVID-19,” he said. said more than one million Vietnam is routinely hit by in formation near Pyongyang’s to boost the anti-pandemic nominee for chairman of South The latest fatality, the first in people across three central prov- tropical storms from around May Kim Il Sung Square and atmosphere to ensure that the Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told Thailand since June 2, brought inces as well as the city of to October, with its central coast rehearsing for a military anti-virus campaign “is waged lawmakers that North Korea the countrywide death toll to 59, Danang would be evacuated. most frequently affected. parade. The anniversary of the consistently without a might conduct its first under- while cases stand at 3,497. At least one person was Official reports said 68 founding of the ruling Workers’ moment’s indolence, slackness water ballistic missile test in Across the world, COVID-19 has killed and dozens others injured, people have been reported dead Party is on October 10. and carelessness.” about a year ahead of the now claimed over 946,600 lives state media reported, as 90km- or missing in national disasters North Korea often holds North Korean leader Kim October 10 ruling party in 188 countries and regions per-hour winds struck. this year. military parades featuring Jong Un has called for strong anniversary. since last December. SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 ASIA 07 Australia to ease border limits; allow more citizens home

REUTERS — MELBOURNE Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the cap on the number of people allowed into Australia Australia said yesterday it would increase the number of citizens each week would increase by 2,000 by mid allowed to return home each October after a National Cabinet meeting week to 6,000 as it manages to get new COVID-19 infections where states agreed to boost quarantine under control. capacity. The country’s weekly limit is Prime Minister Scott Mor- currently set at 4,000 people. rison said the cap on the number of people allowed into Australia each week would increase by Zealand which has effectively have been falling for weeks. 2,000 by mid October after a stamped out the virus, and who Victoria logged 45 fresh National Cabinet meeting where account for 15 percent of returns, cases overnight and five deaths, states agreed to boost quarantine to free up hotels for other trav- the highest number of new cases capacity. ellers, Morrison said. in more than a week, following The country’s weekly limit Australia closed its interna- 28 new cases on Thursday which is currently set at 4,000 people. tional borders early in the pan- was the lowest in three months. Morrison said there were an demic, and imposed strict lock- Its rolling two-week average estimated 24,000 stranded Aus- downs and social distancing of new infections has been tralians wanting to return home measures, dramatically reducing falling, raising hopes lockdown which the government has the spread of the virus. It cur- measures confining residents to pledged to facilitate before rently has a mandatory 14-day their homes may be eased before Christmas. hotel quarantine for all interna- the Oct. 26 deadline. “With the success we have tional arrivals. Average cases over the last had as a country in recent Australia has reported more two weeks in Melbourne, the A deserted view of Melbourne city, Australia. Streets, shopping malls, squares, parks and train stations months, we can start opening up than 26,800 coronavirus cases state’s largest city, fell below 50 in the city remained empty due to the Stage 4 restrictions and curfew from 9pm to 5am as part of again and we can start helping and 829 deaths, well below the this week, the benchmark the new measures taken to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic. Australians getting home again,” infection and death rates of state set to start easing curbs. Morrison told a press briefing. other developed countries. Australia’s six states and two Queensland state said that it infections in 10 weeks. from next week and will look at Australia is also looking to The bulk of its infections territories have either closed would open up its border to res- The island state of Tasmania opening boarders more widely ease quarantine restrictions for have been in the hotspot state of domestic borders or severely idents of the national capital will begin accepting some from December 1, its premier returned travellers from New Victoria, were new infections limited entry. Canberra, which has had no new workers from virus-free states said. 13 more educational institutions shut in KP, Sindh provinces US Embassy in Kabul warns INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD The government had shared educational institute” in the from Tuesday after a six-month Mahmood had announced that that 16 educational institutions federal capital was sealed after break amid concerns over the all higher education institutions of attacks Authorities in Khyber were closed in KP, one in a spike in COVID-19 cases was implementation of COVID-19 in the country will reopen in Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh Islamabad and five in Jammu and reported from it. safety protocols and fears of a phases from September 15. against women provinces of Pakistan have shut Kashmir. “A major educational insti- second wave of the virus. According to the guidelines down 13 more educational insti- Meanwhile, coronavirus has tution sealed in Islamabad. Due The government had decided issued by the government, the tutions in the last 24 hours over been detected in 88 schools to targeted testing, 16 cases were to close schools, colleges and uni- use of masks is mandatory for all AP — KABUL non-compliance of health guide- teachers in Sindh, according to reported from the subject insti- versities in March to curb the teachers and students, while lines and protocols, the National an education department tution,” read the statement. The spread of coronavirus. Sindh, schools, colleges and universities The US Embassy in Afghan- Command and Operation Centre statement. The results of 2,500 NCOC had also said that contact however, had suspended educa- will ensure the presence of hand istan warned that extremists (NCOC) said yesterday. tests have been received out of tracing will be done to “ensure tional activities in the province sanitizers at the entrance. groups are planning attacks The NCOC said 10 educa- 13,000 samples that were col- containment” of COVID-19 cases on February 27 after detection of The NCOC has also urged the against a “variety of targets” tional institutions in KP and three lected from different schools in the city. the first COVID-19 case in parents and teachers to comply but are taking particular aim in Sindh have been shut down for across the province. The closures came shortly Karachi. with the standard operating pro- at women. flouting the standard operating Earlier this week, the NCOC after all educational institutions, On September 7, Federal cedures (SOPs) issued for the The warning didn’t specify procedures (SOPs). had also said that a “major including seminaries, reopened Education Minister Shafqat safety of students. which organisations were plotting the attacks. But it comes as the Taliban and gov- ernment-appointed negoti- Japan aims to keep ators are sitting together for the first time to try to find a peaceful end to decades of more virus patients relentless war. “The Taliban don’t have any plans to carry out any such attacks,” the group’s out of hospital spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said yesterday. ANATOLIA — TOKYO stood at 78,223 by until Thursday According to the embassy night, including 1,473 deaths and warning issued late Thursday, Japan is mulling new measures nearly 69,500 recoveries. “extremist organisations con- to reduce mounting pressure on Yesterday, a member of tinue to plan attacks against its public health system amid the Japan’s ruling Liberal Demo- a variety of targets in Afghan- coronavirus outbreak, local cratic Party became the first law- istan, including a heightened media reported yesterday. maker to test positive for the risk of attacks targeting A draft plan prepared by the coronavirus. female government and country’s Health Ministry aims The lawmaker from the civilian workers, including to limit the number of COVID-19 House of Representatives, the teachers, human rights patients being hospitalized in the lower house of parliament, has activists, office workers, and country, according to a report by been identified as Takatori government employees.” daily Japan News. Shuichi, according to public The embassy didn’t Under the plan, only patients broadcaster NHK. provide specifics, including aged 65 or above, along with Meanwhile, tour operators how imminent the threat is. those who are chronically ill, and hotels have started bookings Sending postcards to fugitives irrespective of age, will be for trips to and from the capital admitted to hospitals. Tokyo, which are set to begin on Afghanistan, All infected people “will not October 1, Kyodo News Agency A volunteer (right) hands out postcards for people to send to the 12 Hong Kong residents detained be subject to hospitalization reported. in China at a street booth in Hong Kong, yesterday. Chinese authorities said they intercepted them Tajikistan agree across the board,” according to The bookings will be covered some 70km southeast of the city last month for illegal entry into the Chinese mainland. the report. under a government-sponsored to enhance ties To prevent a shortage of subsidy program launched in hospital beds, Japan’s current July to boost tourism. ANATOLIA — KABUL measures require the gov- The government is infusing ernment to quarantine asymp- $12.9bn in the tourism sector Afghanistan and Tajikistan, the China holds military exercises tomatic patients and those with to push travel across Japan, former Soviet republic in Central mild symptoms at designated especially to tourist spots hit Asia, have agreed to enhance hotels or other suitable places. hard by the COVID-19 out- security, political and cultural near Taiwan as US diplomat visits The new plan was set to be break. The programme was ties, said an official statement discussed yesterday and, if launched on July 22 and over yesterday. AFP — BEIJING territorial integrity in response activities”. approved, will likely be imple- 13.3 million people stayed at During his trip to Dushanbe, to the current situation in the In recent weeks, Taiwan has mented through an ordinance hotels using the discounts the capital of Tajikistan, Afgan- China said yesterday it was Taiwan Strait,” Ren Guoqiang reported a sharp rise in incur- next month. offered under the campaign by istan’s Acting Foreign Minister conducting military exercises told reporters. sions by Chinese warplanes into Japan’s overall case count the end of August. Mohammad Haneef Atmar met near the Taiwan Strait, as a top Ren also warned that the its ADIZ. Tajikistan’s President Emomali US diplomat visits the self-ruled Chinese military had “sufficient Chinese jets also made a Rahmon, the Afghan Foreign island in a move that has ability” to counter any external brief incursion across the Ministry said. It added the pres- angered Beijing. threat or challenge from midline of the strait separating China says four COVID-19 ident of Tajikistan expressed Relations between the Taiwan separatists. the two sides in August, as US support for the Afghan peace United States and China are at Beijing considers Taiwan health chief Alex Azar made his vaccines in phase-III trials process and assured Kabul of their lowest point in decades, part of its territory, to be country’s highest-level visit to Dushanbe’s support. with the two sides clashing over absorbed into the Chinese Taiwan since 1979 — the year ANATOLIA — BEIJING developed by Chinese biophar- The two sides also discussed a range of trade, military and mainland — by force if Washington switched diplo- maceutical firm CanSino Bio- the implementation of infra- security issues as well as the necessary. matic recognition to Beijing. To combat COVID-19, China logics and a team led by infec- structure projects, trade and coronavirus pandemic. Ren accused the United Washington’s increased yesterday said four vaccines are tious disease expert Chen Wei is transit development, energy Keith Krach, US undersec- States of “frequently causing outreach to Taiwan under Pres- now in phase-III clinical trials, an adenoviral vector-based transfer and the fight against retary of state for economic trouble” over Taiwan, which he ident Donald Trump has officials said. vaccine, while the other three terrorism and extremism, beside growth, energy and the envi- said “is purely China’s internal become yet another US-China “So far, we have 11 vaccines are based on the inactivated controlling organized crime, ronment, landed in Taipei on affairs, and we won’t tolerate flashpoint. that have entered clinical trials, virus, according to CGTN. strengthening cross-border Thursday for a three-day visit, any external interference”. The US said Krach was vis- among which four have entered The Chinese authorities said cooperation, expanding cultural the highest-ranking State According to Taipei’s iting Taiwan to attend a phase three clinical trials,” state- local residents can start receiving and trade ties and the training Department official to visit in defence ministry, 18 Chinese memorial service for late pres- affiliated China Global Television the vaccine by November or of Afghan professionals, the 40 years. aircraft — including bombers ident Lee Teng-hui. He will also Network (CGTN) quoted Wang December this year. statement said. At a press conference yes- and fighters — entered Taiwan’s meet with foreign minister Zhigang, Chinese Minister for “Ordinary Chinese residents According to the ministry, terday, a Chinese defence min- southwest air defence identifi- Joseph Wu, and is scheduled to Science and Technology, as could start receiving COVID-19 Kabul and Dushanbe also istry spokesman said Beijing cation zone (ADIZ) yesterday join President Tsai Ing-wen for speaking at the Global Science vaccines as early as November agreed to prepare and ink a was “holding actual combat and also crossed the so-called dinner at her official residence and Life Health Forum in Beijing. or December, as the current Strategic Partnership Agreement exercises near the Taiwan median line that divides the yesterday. China has ramped “China boosted the devel- Phase III clinical trials have been between the two neighbouring Strait” when asked how it Taiwan Strait. up pressure on Taiwan since opment of five technical routes going smoothly,” the state-run countries. It is significant to note would respond to the visit. The ministry said Taiwan’s Tsai came to power in 2016, as in parallel for COVID-19 vac- media quoted Wu Guizhen, chief some 7,000 Russian troops are “This is a legitimate and military “scrambled fighters, she refuses to acknowledge its cines,” he added. biosecurity expert from China’s stationed in Tajikistan till 2042 necessary action taken to safe- and deployed air defence idea that the democratic island Among the four candidate Center for Disease Control and as per a deal between Moscow guard China’s sovereignty and missile system to monitor the is part of “one China”. vaccines in China, the one Prevention, as saying. and Dushanbe. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

Established in 1996 CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL Newly elected leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Yoshihide Suga (centre), being applauded after he was elected as Clean goals Japan’s Prime Minister by the Lower House of Parliament in Tokyo on Wednesday. QATAR along the whole world will mark World Cleanup Day today. Qatar will not only celebrate an international day just as an event rather the country has practically Japan’s ‘Suganomics’ will target taken a number of decisions and initiatives to mark every day of the year as cleanup day. Qatar promulgated new Public Hygiene Law in 2018 that ensured harsh punishments for breaking the rules, quick wins, not grand visions including huge fines of up to QR25,000. The law prohibits dumping, abandoning and waste disposal in public places, LEIKA KIHARA & TETSUSHI accomplish small goals one by economy,” said Heizo Tak- Suga’s focus on deregulation fields, roads, streets, corridors, alleys, sidewalks, squares, KAJIMOTO — REUTERS one,” said political analyst enaka, who served in the makes his policies closer to parks, picnic places, beaches, plot of land, rooftop of Atsuo Ito, a former ruling party cabinet of reformist former those of Koizumi, who consol- buildings, walls, balconies, skylights, corridors, squares, Japan’s new prime minister staff. “He’ll initially focus on premier Junichiro Koizumi. idated big banks and deregu- facades of homes and buildings, parking lots adjacent to will pursue economic struc- pragmatic goals that directly Removing protections in lated the labour market in the these buildings sidewalks and other places, both public tural reforms through a mixed affect people’s livelihood.” industry will be one such early 2000s. and private. Littering with drinks cans or cigarette butts, bag of policies that target Suga has said he will continue objective, even if that riles Suga’s slogan urging the discarding newspapers or food packaging in public places, specific industries, rather his predecessor Shinzo Abe’s some parts of corporate public to “look after yourself throwing items from moving vehicles on the highway, and than a grand strategy to pro-growth “Abenomics” Japan. before seeking government polluting beaches with any items of junk – are some reshape society and boost strategy aimed at pulling Japan “Introducing competition help” reflects his background examples of minor violations which will incur a QR500 fine. long-term growth. out of deflation with heavy among mobile phone carriers as a self-made politician who On the eve of World Cleanup Day, Minister of Munic- Armed with a strong grip monetary and fiscal stimulus could be a very symbolic made his way up from a son ipality and Environment H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on Japan’s bureaucracy, coupled with structural policy for Suga because he of a strawberry farmer to bin Turki Al Subaie affirmed that social awareness and Yoshihide Suga knows which reforms. loves competition,” said Tak- Japan’s leader, people who cooperation of all state agencies are the main support levers to pull to get results, But unlike Abe, Suga’s enaka, who retains close know him say. for achieving the Ministry’s strategic goals and plans say government and ruling plans for structural reforms contact with Suga. “He hates “Suga’s reforms look more towards a clean and ideal life that contributes and sup- party officials who know him will focus more on spurring people with vested interests.” like Koizumi’s,” said one of ports sustainable development, and preserves future or have worked with him. competition, rather than If successful, Suga could the officials. “He probably generations’ opportunities and related matters in Qatar But an initial need to con- deeper social change. pursue bolder reforms such as feels that it’s inevitable for National Vision 2030. He said that all sectors of the Min- solidate popular support For Suga, economic liberalising the heavily pro- some of the small, zombie istry, especially the public services sector represented means he will first target reform will be a political pri- tected medical sector, consol- firms to go under,” another by the General Cleanliness Department, are working quick policy wins that will ority in its own right, unlike idating weak regional banks official said. according to ambitious strategic plans that combine the later give him the political Abe, whose reforms were and breaking barriers that For Abe, structural acquisition of modern technologies and the efficiency capital to pursue tougher wrapped up in a broader hamper competition among reforms that sought to revive of manpower with community awareness and support reforms, they said. political agenda that included small- and mid-sized firms. the economy through looser for positive values and cooperation in this regard. “He isn’t after visions. He’s the thorny challenge of Having served as Abe’s top restrictions around immi- He added that the Ministry is also working to someone who wants to revising Japan’s pacifist spokesman, Suga already gration, labour and corpora- encourage individual and institutional initiatives, and to Armed with a strong constitution. knows his way around Japan’s tions remain largely unfin- create a good atmosphere to develop the state’s capa- Suga must act quickly as massive bureaucracy. ished business, due to strong bilities in the fields of waste recycling and waste treatment, grip on Japan’s his current term lasts for only Suga relaxed visa require- political opposition. stressing the support of the wise leadership of this sector bureaucracy, for a year unless he calls a ments to boost inbound The challenge for Suga and the provision of all requirements according to a clear snap election to win the pub- tourism, overcoming push- would be to push through his vision of sustainable development. Yoshihide Suga lic’s mandate to run a full, back from the justice min- own painful reforms just as Meanwhile, in line with its strong belief in the impor- knows which levers three-year term. istry. He also cut through Japan struggles to climb out of tance of protecting Qatari heritage and surrounding to pull to get results, That means he will first bureaucratic opposition and its worst post-war slump. Bank areas, Qatar Museums has signed a cooperation seek “quick-hit” achieve- expanded a scheme that gave of Japan Governor Haruhiko agreement with the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- say government and ments that directly channel tax breaks for donations to Kuroda, who supported Abe- ronment, represented by Al Shamal Municipality, and ruling party officials money to households. Among Japan’s regional areas. nomics with massive monetary the Seashore Contracting and Engineering Group, to the sweeteners would be to “Suga may not be charis- stimulus, is hopeful. clean the coastlines of cultural villages across the who know him or slash cellphone charges by matic, but he gets things “It’s tough but there is country. Based on the agreement, the three parties will have worked with around 40%, raise the done,” said Taimei Yamaguchi, now a widely accepted view cooperate over a one-year period to roll out a programme him. minimum wage and increase a ruling party lawmaker close in Japan that deregulation and aimed at cleaning the coastlines of cultural villages, payouts to cushion the blow to Suga. “Some of the best structural reforms are nec- starting with the ancient city of Al Zubarah. The parties from the pandemic. advice I got from him was to essary,” he said on Thursday. to the agreement will provide support for volunteers and “At this moment, he has to make the most of the expertise “Personally, I see a good participants in the initiative. focus on very short-term the bureaucrats have.” Some chance deregulation will issues like how to stimulate government officials say succeed.”

D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR Political meddling in public health EMAIL: [email protected] THE WASHINGTON POST officials at the Department of Now comes fresh evi- a coronavirus outbreak in EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Health and Human Services dence that the CDC’s scientific June at a children’s overnight FAX: +974 4455 7758 Disturbing evidence keeps pressed to distribute the drug reports are being manipu- summer camp in Georgia and piling up that President beyond the FDA’s narrow lated to meet Trump’s said children of all ages were MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 Donald Trump and his authorization, even though it political imperatives. Politico susceptible to infection. administration are meddling had no known utility as a reported that communica- Caputo heaped scorn on DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 for political purposes in the coronavirus treatment. tions officials at HHS are the CDC scientists in a work of the nation’s leading Then in August, Trump, reviewing and editing the Facebook video, claiming CDC LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 public health guardians, the eager to showcase progress in CDC’s dispatches, the Mor- career government scientists Centers for Disease Control fighting the pandemic, bidity and Mortality Weekly were engaging in “sedition” in BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 and Prevention and the Food pressed for approval of Report, written by career sci- their handling of the pandemic and Drug Administration. The expanded use of blood plasma entists. According to Politico, and that scientists “deep in the SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 integrity of these agencies is from recovered patients to the assistant secretary for bowels of the CDC” walked vital to fighting the pandemic treat the ill. The National public affairs at HHS, Michael “around like they are monks” ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 and to the rollout of a vaccine. Institutes of Health had con- Caputo, and Paul Alexander, and “holy men” but engaged in email: [email protected] To compromise them helps cerns about effectiveness. On an assistant professor at “rotten science.” no one, not even Trump. Aug. 19, Trump phoned Dr. McMaster University in Ham- The bare-knuckles politi- PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 We first saw this in Francis Collins, NIH director, ilton, Ontario, who is Caputo’s cization of science puts the email: [email protected] Trump’s misguided touting of with a blunt message. “Get it scientific adviser, demanded nation at risk. It could mis- the antimalarial drug hydrox- done by Friday,” he said, changes in the MMWR inform the public and distort ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 ychloroquine. In a whistle- according to the New York reports. At one point, Alex- policy decisions. Worst of all, FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] blower complaint, former Times. Trump announced the ander complained in an email it could lead people to lose director of the Biomedical FDA’s authorization on that “CDC to me appears to be faith in these public health CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 Advanced Research and Sunday, on the eve of the writing hit pieces on the agencies, cascading into dan- email: [email protected] Development Authority Rick Republican convention, using administration.” The officials gerous distrust of a vaccine or Bright described how the an exaggerated estimate of its were “particularly bristling” drug therapy. It is hard to see SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 White House and senior potential usefulness. about a report that described the political profit in that. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar COVID-19 and the lockdown measures /ThePeninsulaQatar imposed to prevent its spread have /Peninsula_Qatar pushed millions of children deeper into poverty. /ThePeninsulaNewspaper Henrietta Fore, Unicef Executive Director +974 6698 6188 SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 EUROPE 09 Fears of lockdown grow in England

AFP — LONDON Tighter regulations It estimated there were preventing people around 6,000 new daily cases Millions more people in nationwide over the week to northern and central England from socialising September 10 — roughly double faced new restrictions over a with anyone outside the number typically recorded surge in coronavirus cases, the their household will in statistics released every day British government announced by the health ministry. yesterday, as it warned another come into force from The ONS noted there was national lockdown could be Tuesday across parts evidence of higher infection imminent. of the northwest, the rates in London, as well as the Tighter regulations pre- northwest. But Prime Minister venting people from socialising Midlands and West Boris Johnson’s spokesman told with anyone outside their Yorkshire. reporters “no restrictions are household will come into force currently planned” in the from Tuesday across parts of capital, while urging com- French President Emmanuel Macron wearing a protective face mask speaks with pupils during a visit the northwest, the Midlands national lockdown but we’re pliance with new nationwide at the Polignac castle yesterday, on the eve of the European Heritage Days and the third edition of and West Yorkshire. Food and prepared to do it if we need to,” rules imposed on Monday lim- drink venues in the north- he told BBC television. “We’re iting social groups to six people. the “Loto du Patrimoine” lottery draw aiming to restore heritage sites at risk. western areas of Merseyside, prepared to do what it takes Government scientists have Warrington, Halton and Lan- both to protect lives and to reportedly proposed a blanket cashire will be restricted to protect livelihoods.” lockdown to come into force table service only, while clubs Britain has been the worst- across England over two weeks Macron pledges support will have to shut early by 10pm. hit country in Europe by the in October, to coincide with Similar rules were imposed pandemic, with nearly 42,000 English schools’ half-term in northeast England yesterday, deaths from COVID-19 and holiday. But the spokesman for French heritage sites which put more than two criticism of the government for pushed back against the report. million people under some of its response. “We’ve always been clear the most stringent restrictions Numbers of new cases are our strategy is to keep the virus AFP — CONDOM, FRANCE The President visited the said in a message posted on since a nationwide lockdown reaching levels not seen since down as much as possible while 18th-century Polignac private Facebook. “For our heritage to was eased. “Local leaders in April, reflecting a similar protecting education and the President Emmanuel Macron hotel, a neo-classical edifice be alive, in our cities and towns, these areas have asked for picture across Europe, where economy,” he added. The gov- yesterday pledged support for and one of 18 endangered mon- there is still a lot we need to do. stronger restrictions to be put the World Health Organization ernment has faced stinging crit- deteriorating heritage sites uments to have benefited in We will step up our efforts,” he in place to protect local people, said there were “alarming rates icism this week over the failure crucial to France’s tourism 2018 from France’s heritage vowed. and we are acting decisively to of transmission”. The WHO’s to achieve the “world-beating” sector at a time when budgets lottery fund. He met builders France’s famous museums, support them,” Health Sec- regional director for Europe on testing and tracing system it have been battered by the coro- and volunteers engaged in the cathedrals, palaces and monu- retary Matt Hancock said as he Thursday said a September promised would be in place navirus outbreak. building’s reconstruction and ments are a major draw card unveiled the moves. surge “should serve as a over the summer months. Macron travelled to the underscored the importance of for the 90-odd million tourists He had earlier warned the wake-up call for all of us”. Hancock defended the town of Condom in south- cultural heritage in France’s who visit the country each year, government could re-impose Britain’s Office for National beleaguered testing pro- western France on the eve of economic activity and though that number has been the nationwide lockdown to Statistics (ONS) confirmed yes- gramme, and said the gov- the 37th annual European Her- employment. slashed by the COVID-19 epi- counter the pandemic, noting terday in its weekly survey of ernment was “doing everything itage Days — a weekend to cel- “Our heritage is the mark of demic that shuttered hotels, that rates of hospital admissions COVID-19’s spread that “the we possibly can for the cavalry ebrate culture and history when the past. But it is also very much restaurants and tourist sites for were doubling every eight days. incidence rate for England has that’s on the horizon of the buildings which are usually off- alive and anchored in the daily months, and grounded flights “We want to avoid a increased in recent weeks”. vaccine and mass testing”. limits are opened to the public. life of the French,” the President from abroad. Kremlin accuses Navalny aides Amal Clooney quits UK envoy post over Brexit bill of removing AFP — LONDON consequences all over the world”, I believe in the importance of The argument has failed to she wrote in a letter to Foreign the cause, and appreciate the persuade two other jurists who key evidence Prominent human rights lawyer Secretary Dominic Raab said. significant role that the UK has have quit their government roles Amal Clooney (pictured) yes- “Although the government played and can continue to play recently including its most senior AFP — MOSCOW terday resigned her post as a UK has suggested that the violation in promoting the international law officer for Scotland, Richard envoy for media freedom, in of international law would be legal order,” she wrote. Keen. He said in his resignation The Kremlin yesterday said protest at the government’s ‘specific and limited’, it is lam- “However, very sadly, it has letter to Johnson he had “found Russia’s ability to probe oppo- “lamentable” decision to breach entable for the UK to be now become untenable for me, it increasingly difficult to rec- sition politician Alexei Nav- its EU divorce treaty. speaking of its intention to as special envoy, to urge other oncile what I consider to be my alny’s suspected poisoning was Clooney became the third violate an international treaty states to respect and enforce obligations as a law officer with “limited” and accused his aides lawyer to part ways with Prime signed by the prime minister international obligations while your policy intentions with of taking potential evidence Minister Boris Johnson’s gov- less than a year ago.” the UK declares that it does not respect to the UKIM bill”. out of the country. ernment, after it introduced leg- On her appointment to the intend to do so itself.” After quelling one back- Members of Navalny’s team islation that would rewrite its UK role in April 2019, Clooney While conceding the UK bench revolt over the legislation said on Thursday that German post-Brexit obligations to the had said she welcomed the internal market bill violates the and under pressure to make its experts found Novichok, a European Union over Northern opportunity to build on her legal EU Withdrawal Agreement, the intent clearer, the government branch to Brussels, the document Soviet-designed nerve agent, on Ireland. defence of persecuted jour- government argues it is needed on Thursday issued a document said the government would also a water bottle taken from the Undermining the rule of law nalists by working with the gov- to protect the country’s terri- spelling out various scenarios seek to resolve post-Brexit dis- Siberian hotel room where the “threatens to embolden auto- ernment to champion a free torial integrity in case the EU in which the bill’s provisions putes with the EU in “appropriate Kremlin foe stayed before being cratic regimes that violate inter- press around the world. seeks to unfairly impede trade would be executed. formal dispute settlement mech- taken ill last month. national law with devastating “I accepted the role because with Northern Ireland. But in an apparent olive anisms”, not unilaterally. The bottle appears to have been key evidence for Ger- many’s conclusion that Navalny was poisoned with Rare ‘medicane’ storm the banned chemical weapon. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov yesterday reiterated hits western Greece complaints that Moscow’s hands were tied because AFP — ATHENS winds. “For the time being we Germany has not yet shared are unable to send a vessel to its findings with Russia and A rare hurricane-like storm hit help,” a coastguard spokes- accused Navalny’s aides of western Greece yesterday, dis- woman said. Other ships sailing removing potential evidence. rupting travel and causing nearby had been requested to “Unfortunately, our abilities to floods and power outages on assist, the coastguard said. genuinely conduct an investi- several Ionian Sea islands. “Trees are falling every- gation are rather limited,” “We face intense conditions where,” Ionian Islands governor Peskov said. with winds and very strong Rodi Kratsa told state TV ERT. “The bottle — if it existed rainfall,” deputy minister for Minister Hardalias said — has been taken somewhere, civil protection Nikos Hardalias there were no reports of injuries to Germany or some other said. Mediterranean cyclone so far, adding that forecasts see place,” he said. Ianos, an unusual phenomenon the cyclone shifting southwards But he also cast doubt on also known as a “medicane”, later. The islands of Cephalonia, Germany’s findings, saying it packed violent winds of up to Ithaki and Zakynthos have been would not be possible to take 117km per hour according to the hit with power outages and part a bottle with traces of a nerve Greece civil protection agency. of the local road network has agent out of the country The coastguard yesterday been cut off, he said. because that person would said a boat believed to be car- The migration ministry said A woman removes water from the entrance of her house as a car is seen under the debris, in the simply “have no time” to do rying 55 migrants was in dis- over 800 asylum seekers from island of Zakynthos, as a rare storm known as a Medicane (Mediterranean hurricane), hits western that due to the toxicity of the tress off the western Pelo- three camps near Athens would substance. Greece, yesterday. ponnese amid the gale-force be relocated as a precaution. Half of COVID-19 patients in Irish study suffer ongoing fatigue

AFP — LONDON “Whilst the presenting features of not yet been peer reviewed, included accounted for two-thirds of those with Conference on Coronavirus Disease SARS-CoV-2 infection have been well- 71 people who had been admitted to persistent fatigue (67 percent). (ECCVID) later this month, suggested More than half of patients and staff characterised, the medium- and long- hospital and 57 employees of the hos- Those with a previous history of those affected are “worthy of further with COVID-19 monitored by an Irish term consequences of infection remain pital who had mild illness. The average anxiety or depression were also found to study and early intervention”. hospital suffered persistent fatigue in unexplored,” said Liam Townsend, of age was 50 and all participants had be more likely to have fatigue. The authors As the pandemic has scorched its the aftermath of the initial disease, St James’s Hospital and Trinity Trans- tested positive for COVID-19. said the findings showed that more work way across the planet, most attention according to a new study yesterday lational Medicine Institute at Trinity Researchers looked at a variety of was needed to assess the impact of has been focused on the immediate highlighting the “significant burden” College Dublin. potential factors, including the severity COVID-19 on patients in the longer term. impact, measured by hospital admis- of lingering symptoms. The study, which tracked 128 par- of the initial illness and pre-existing “Our findings demonstrate a sig- sions and deaths. It comes as patient groups and ticipants at St James’s Hospital, found conditions, including depression. They nificant burden of post-viral fatigue in But it has become increasingly doctors call for more research into the that 52 percent reported persistent found that it made no difference individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 clear that the virus can reverberate medium- and long-term effects of the fatigue when they were assessed an whether a patient had been hospi- infection after the acute phase of long after a patient has “recovered”. new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which average of 10 weeks after “clinical talised or not. COVID-19 illness,” they concluded. Online support groups across the world has sickened more than 30 million recovery” from infection, regardless of However, they did find that The study, which is being presented have attracted thousands of members people across the world and killed at how serious their initial infection was. women, despite making up just over at the European Society of Clinical looking for help and advice about least 943,000. The preliminary study, which has half of the participants (54 percent), Microbiology and Infectious Diseases ongoing illness. 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

COVID-19 weekly New camp in Lesbos fast filling up death toll unacceptably AFP — ATHENS Hundreds of asylum high, says WHO seekers including The UN refugee agency yes- terday warned Greece that a elderly people and AFP — GENEVA new camp on Lesbos island small children were hastily built to house thousands queueing yesterday The COVID-19 weekly death of migrants left homeless by a toll of around 50,000 lives is fire last week can only be to enter the coastal unacceptably high, the World temporary. tent camp, which Health Organization said yes- “This new site is currently was hastily built to terday as the one million fatal- functioning as an emergency ities landmark approaches. shelter facility,” UNHCR spokes- replace Europe’s The WHO said that person Shabia Mantoo said in largest camp of Moria although global death and Geneva. “UNHCR supports its use infection rates from the new as temporary solution but cau- that burned down on coronavirus were plateauing tions that what may be deemed September 8. rather than rising exponen- adequate in terms of shelter and tially, the worldwide figures services during emergency situ- were masking surges at lower ations is not appropriate for the mainland and EU-supported regional and local levels. longer-term.” relocations,” Mantoo said. The respiratory disease has Hundreds of asylum seekers A Greek migration ministry killed nearly 947,000 people including elderly people and spokesman said some 7,000 since the outbreak emerged in small children were queueing people had entered the camp China last December, according yesterday to enter the coastal since the relocations began this to a tally from official sources tent camp, which was hastily week, with 174 testing positive compiled by AFP, while more built to replace Europe’s largest for the novel coronavirus. Refugees and migrants, from the destroyed Moria camp, line up to enter a new temporary camp, on than 30.2 million cases have camp of Moria that burned The number now in shelter the island of Lesbos, Greece, yesterday. been registered. down on September 8. is more than half the 12,000 “We’re adding about 1.8 to Six young Afghans have people who have been sleeping “We understand the operation Many asylum seekers said once a day,” he said. two million cases per week to been arrested in connection by roads, in parking lots and proceeds smoothly and no use they are wary of entering the Greece Prime Minister Kyr- the global case count, and an with the fire. Moria was noto- even inside a local cemetery for of force or incidents of violence new camp, or are doing so out iakos Mitsotakis yesterday said average somewhere between riously overcrowded and over a week. were reported,” the agency said. of necessity as they are no that he had discussed a “new, 40,000 to 50,000 deaths,” unsanitary, and its destruction Relocating the remaining “Refugees seem relieved to longer able to sleep on the street permanent facility” to be built WHO emergencies director has strengthened calls for the asylum seekers who have so far have found basic assistance but with limited access to food and on Lesbos with European Michael Ryan told a virtual migrants to be moved off the island stayed away would take “a few still worn-out from being on the water. But once inside, many Commission chief Ursula von news conference. from both local residents and days”, Migration Minister Notis street for several days and say they have found little der Leyen and German Chan- “Thankfully that is not humanitarian organisations. Mitarachi said on Thursday. worried about the future,” beyond ill-equipped tents. cellor Angela Merkel via tel- rising exponentially. This is a “Greece authorities are yet The UN refugee agency in UNHCR said. Inside Moria, “The tents are totally empty, econference. Athens has said hugely high figure to be set- to clarify the future use of (the Geneva said it was “assisting cleanup crews found hundreds without mattresses, blankets, it wants the EU to adopt a tling at. That is not where we new) site. We stand ready to with site planning and mapping of dead rats, rotting food and nothing,” one African asylum more active role in managing want to be. Even though those support discussions on possible to facilitate the shelter allo- metal debris claimed by scav- seeker told the Refugee Support the new camp. numbers are flat at a global long-term solutions, including cation, provision of information engers. Some asylum seekers Aegean group. “There is no Lesbos authorities strongly level, that covers up the fact the continuation of safe and and distribution of relief items are still trying to find shelter water in the toilets and bath- oppose the prospect of a per- that at regional and sub- orderly transfers to the for all those who enter the site.” there, a local town official said. rooms. We get food and water manent facility on the island. regional level in some coun- tries, we’re seeing significant rises in cases.” ‘Irreplaceable’ Ryan said the pandemic Belarus tries to muzzle oppn leader at UN still had a “long way to burn” stolen books and though the proportion of infected people dying had recovered AFP — GENEVA demanded it be switched off. “war” with some neighbouring A long line of countries also dropped as treatment tech- He repeatedly interrupted countries, has refused to step voiced alarm. “We have wit- niques improved, “we cannot in Romania Belarus and several allies tried the screening, raising procedural down and has turned to Russia nessed a brutal crackdown on accept 50,000 deaths a week yesterday to block a video objections and insisting her for support. peaceful protests,” said German as an acceptable number”. message from opposition leader words had “no relevance on the His security forces have ambassador Michael Freiherr Maria Van Kerkhove, the AFP — BUCHAREST Svetlana Tikhanovskaya at the substance... on the events that are detained thousands of protesters, von Ungern-Sternberg on WHO’s technical lead on UN Human Rights Council, taking place today”. He was over- many of whom have accused behalf of the EU. Covid-19, said the UN health Romanian prosecutors said where she urged “the strongest” ruled by council president Elis- police of beatings and torture. Minsk’s envoy Ambrazevich agency was seeing “worrying yesterday that they had international response to abeth Tichy-Fisslberger. Several people have died. meanwhile slammed the “lop- trends in the northern hemi- recovered around 200 cen- Minsk’s abuses. The debate on the rights sit- Tikhanovskaya, who has sided picture of reality pre- sphere” in terms of case turies-old stolen books which Tikhanovskaya demanded uation in Belarus, requested by taken shelter in neighbouring sented by the losers in the numbers, hospitalisations and disappeared from storage in “immediate international the European Union, focused on Lithuania, insisted that the election,” rejecting allegations intensive care admissions. Britain in 2017, including attention” for her country as it violations and the crackdown on country’s violation of its inter- of abuse by authorities. He “The circulation of other works by Galileo Galilei, Isaac reels from a brutal crackdown the unprecedented demonstra- national obligations to respect insisted that protesters had respiratory pathogens will Newton and Dante Alighieri. on protests over the disputed tions which broke out after dis- “human dignity and basic been violent and had injured complicate the clinical First editions of Galileo and re-election of President Alex- puted August 9 elections. human rights... means the inter- numerous police officers. picture,” she added. Newton, a text by Italian scholar ander Lukashenko. Lukashenko, who has ruled national community has a right Yesterday's debate ended “As we approach 30 Petrarch, rare versions of Dante But her short video the ex-Soviet state for 26 years, to react in strongest terms”. with a vote approving a reso- million cases and one million and 80 sketches by Spanish message, in a rare urgent claimed to have defeated “The scope and the brutality lution submitted by the EU deaths, we have a long way to painter Francisco de Goya were debate at the council, had Tikhanovskaya with 80 percent of the extensive force used by the insisting that the vast array of go,” she said. “But we are in a burgled in January 2017 from a barely begun before Belarus of the vote. The leader, who on regime is in clear violation of all serious abuses urgently require different place that we were depot in Feltham, near London. Ambassador Yuri Ambrazevich Thursday warned of a possible international norms,” she said. “independent investigation". in in January." The thieves rappeled 40 feet to the ground after entering via the roof, dodging movement sensors to spend Poland’s coalition on hours rummaging through thousands of works destined for an auction in the US. the brink of collapse They left by the same route with a haul whose total value AFP — WARSAW reshuffle, according to analysts. was estimated at around €2m Poland’s next regularly ($2.4m). Police arrested four Poland’s ruling right-wing coa- scheduled parliamentary elec- Romanian suspects in June lition was on the brink of col- tions are due in 2023. 2019 when they raided around lapse with leaders mulling a But parliament yesterday 30 properties in the country’s minority government or snap passed a controversial animal northeast, while around 10 elections after MPs broke ranks rights bill that divided the right- others — whose nationalities over the adoption of a contro- wing governing alliance. The were not revealed — were versial animal rights bill. two junior partners in the three- arrested in Britain. “Any option is now possible party governing coalition refused But EU agency Eurojust said — both a minority government to vote in favour, provoking the the January arrest in Turin of the and early elections,” Piotr Muller, ire of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the suspected ringleader was spokesman for the right-wing powerful PiS leader who put “decisive” for recovering the United Right government led by forward the legislation. works. The thieves’ loot was dis- the dominant Law and Justice Kaczynski has threatened covered in a house in Romania’s (PiS) party, said. to exclude his coalition partners northeastern Neamt county, the Senior PiS politician Marek from the government during prosecutors said. Noble Partner 2020 exercises conclude Suski went a step further, the cabinet reshuffle or even London’s Metropolitan telling the commercial TVN24 call snap elections. A possible US servicemen attend the closing ceremony of theNoble Partner 2020 joint military exercises with police said the “irreplaceable” news channel that “our minority PiS government Nato forces at the Vaziani training centre outside Tbilisi yesterday. Georgia on September 7 launched works had been “buried under- partners ended the coalition” would control at least 197 seats ground”, posting a picture on its large-scale joint military exercises with Nato forces as part of its longstanding bid to join the alliance. when they broke ranks on the in the 460-seat lower house. website of a hidden com- Some 2,800 troops from the United States, France, Britain, and Poland took part in the Noble Partner animal rights law. Some analysts and oppo- partment under a house. 2020 exercises held at the Vaziani and Camp Norio training centres near Tbilisi. “As of today, we have a sition politicians insist the minority government,” he said, political fireworks are part of adding, “our former coalition high-stakes negotiations partners should be clearing between the PiS and its alliance Trump offered Assange a ‘win-win’ deal: Lawyer their desks.” PiS politicians said partners, the SP which controls party leaders would meet on 19 seats and the Agreement BLOOMBERG — LONDON return for some kind of pardon, Her testimony offered more him,” Rohrabacher said. “At no Monday “to decide about the party with 18 seats, over the assurance or agreement which details about the 2017 meeting. time did I offer a deal made by future of the government”. cabinet reshuffle. A lawyer for Julian Assange reit- would both benefit President In February, the White the President, nor did I say I was But Michal Wojcik, a senior Tensions flared in recent erated claims that the Trump politically and prevent US House denied a pardon had representing the President.” member of the junior coalition weeks after the PiS threatened WikiLeaks founder was offered indictment and extradition,” ever been offered to Assange Rohrabacher said he later partner United Poland (SP), to halve the number of minis- a presidential pardon if he Robinson said in a witness and called the claims “a com- told then-White House Chief of denied the coalition was in tries iots partners control. revealed the source behind the statement yesterday. plete fabrication and a total lie”. Staff John Kelly that Assange jeopardy. He said SP party The controversial PiS- leaked Democratic National The alleged offer of a pardon James Lewis, a lawyer for was willing to provide infor- leader Zbigniew Ziobro, cur- authored animal rights bill was Committee emails. is one of the key arguments the US, told the court that “the mation about the hacked DNC rently the justice minister, had adopted with the support of the Jen Robinson, who has rep- Assange is using in a London position of the government is emails in exchange for a not stepped down. liberal opposition, mustering resented Assange for years, said courtroom to fight extradition to we don’t contest these things pardon. No one followed up Ziobro is seen as the motor 356 votes in favour, 75 against that then US Congressman the US to face criminal charges. were said”. Rohrabacher with him, Rohrabacher said. behind a string of controversial and 18 abstentions at an over- Dana Rohrabacher and a His lawyers argue that the US offered a more nuanced During the 2016 campaign, judicial reforms that have put night session of parliament. Donald Trump associate met case is politically motivated. account of the meeting in a blog Wikileaks published a series of Poland on a collision course with The measure, which the with Assange in the Ecuadorian The claims were first made post earlier this year. “I told him DNC emails damaging to Dem- the European Union over con- senate and PiS-allied president embassy on August. 15, 2017 to earlier this year, as part of a that if he could provide me ocratic candidate Hillary cerns the changes undermine the are expected to back, bans the discuss the “win-win” idea. pre-trial hearing, when lawyers information and evidence about Clinton that US intelligence rule of law. Ziobro is also in a breeding of animals for fur. The proposal “was that Mr. for Assange told the judge they who actually gave him the DNC believes were hacked by Russia power struggle with PiS Prime Poland is the world’s third Assange identify the source for would be submitting Robinson’s emails, I would then call on as part of its effort to influence Minister Mateusz Morawiecki biggest fur producer after China the 2016 election publications in witness statement as evidence. President Trump to pardon the election. amid a planned cabinet and Denmark. SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 AMERICAS 11

US indicts six Rain aids effort to control blazes in US West in scheme to REUTERS — MOLALLA, OREGON Several small towns have largely bribe Amazon A California firefighter was reported dead yesterday as a been incinerated, workers front of humid and rainy with thousands of weather aided the efforts of dwellings destroyed AFP — WASHINGTON weary emergency crews and brought some relief to a region and at least 35 US prosecutors yesterday said that has suffered a historically lives lost — 26 in six people have been indicted devastating fire season. California, including on criminal charges for bribing The firefighter died on Amazon workers to restock Thursday while battling the El the firefighter — blocked goods or help beat Dorado wildfire in California’s eight in Oregon, and competitors in its online San Bernardino National Forest, marketplace. US Forest Service officials said one in Washington Those charged in the case yesterday. The El Dorado fire, state. Thousands served as consultants for third- which officials have said was of evacuees, party sellers on Amazon Mar- started by pyrotechnics at a ketplace, paying employees and gender reveal party, has burned especially in Oregon, contractors at the e-commerce nearly 20,000 acres since the remained huddled in giant for favors or intelligence beginning of the month. in a scheme dating back to at “Our deepest sympathies emergency shelters, least 2017, according to the are with the family, friends and mobile trailers and The Bobcat Fire continues to burn through the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, north Department of Justice. fellow firefighters during this hotel rooms. of Azusa, California, yesterday. “Realizing they could not time,” the Forest Service said in compete on a level playing a statement posted on Twitter, the firefighter — eight in ulous US state. large fires have been mostly field, the subjects turned to adding that the cause of the tools and bulldozers to regroup Oregon, and one in Washington By Thursday, 11 days into suppressed, allowing the state bribery and fraud in order to firefighter’s death was under and consolidate their gains state. Thousands of evacuees, the latest crisis, authorities in to shift more resources to 10 gain the upper hand,” FBI investigation. while also allowing greater use especially in Oregon, remained all three states were delivering major blazes that remain. Seattle bureau special agent in Overnight, rain in northwest of water-dropping helicopters huddled in emergency shelters, a notably more optimistic Thomas Kyle-Milward, a charge Raymond Duda said in Oregon and humidity over the and airplane tankers. mobile trailers and hotel rooms. assessment. Storms are spokesman for Washington a release. San Francisco Bay Area bol- The region still faces a for- The situation was particu- expected to bring much-needed state’s Department of Natural “What’s equally con- stered hope for further con- midable recovery from the fires, larly dire in Oregon, a state rain to the hard-hit western Resources, was likewise upbeat, cerning, not only did they tainment of the dozens of which have burned some 3.2 unaccustomed to wildfires of slopes of the Cascade Moun- telling: “Despite thin resources, attempt to increase sales of deadly wildfires that have raged million acres in California since such magnitude and lacking tains, Doug Grafe, fire pro- we’re feeling like we’re making their own products, but sought for weeks due to tinderbox con- mid-August and another 1.7 sufficient resources to deal with tection chief for Oregon’s For- good headway.” to damage and discredit their ditions created by high winds, million acres in Oregon and them. estry Department, said. A key sign of success has competitors.” Advantages lightning and drought. Washington state since Labor Oregon’s firefighting force He warned, however, that been a steady rise in con- gained by paying bribes Cooler, more favourable Day. has more than doubled over the high winds and lightning from tainment, a measure of the included extra shelf space in weather in the region since last Several small towns have past week, with some 6,500 those storms could also com- buffer lines that firefighters distribution centers; inside week has already dispelled largely been incinerated, with personnel on the fire lines. plicate firefighting efforts, and carve around the perimeter of data they could use against some of the smoky, polluted air thousands of dwellings CalFire said more than 17,400 heavy showers could lead to each blaze by hacking away rivals; and reinstatement of and tempered the flames, ena- destroyed and at least 35 lives firefighters were deployed mudslides. unburned vegetation to prevent accounts blocked or sus- bling ground teams with hand lost — 26 in California, including against 26 fires in the most pop- Still, Grafe said, several its spread. pended for rule breaking, according to the indictment. Reinstated products Ontario cracks included dietary supplements suspended because of safety down on big Forecasters run out of storm names complaints; household elec- tronics that had been flagged parties to fight AP — LOXLEY some of her roof to Sally. The so many named storms that sci- center dipped into the Greek as flammable, and consumer storm also destroyed three entists ran out of traditional alphabet was the deadly 2005 goods removed for intel- COVID-19 Forecasters ran out of tra- pecan trees in her yard that she names as Tropical Storm hurricane season, which lectual-property violations, ditional names for storms yes- used to try to make ends meet. Wilfred developed in the included Hurricane Katrina’s prosecutors said. terday, forcing them to begin “There’s no food, no money. eastern Atlantic. strike on New Orleans. “Corrupted” employees at AFP — OTTAWA using the Greek alphabet for I took my last heart pill today,” It was only the second time The prior record for the ear- Amazon did things such as only the second time since the said Williams, who has been laid that has happened since fore- liest 21st named storm was manually reinstate product Canada’s most populous 1950s, with more than two off twice from her job as a cook casters standardized the Wilma on October 8, 2005, listings and approve baseless province of Ontario on months left in the record-shat- because of the economic naming system in 1953. Wilfred according to Colorado State merchant appeals, according Thursday clamped down on tering hurricane season. problems caused by COVID-19. was weak and far from land. University hurricane researcher to the indictment. Fraudulently big parties, unveiling steep Meanwhile, hundreds of She hoped that the Red Cross Two hours after Wilfred Phil Klotzbach. The onslaught reinstated products and mer- fines for breaches of strict thousands of people were still would soon show up at her home. took shape, the National Hur- of hurricanes has focused chants went on to generate limits on the number of people without power along the Two people in Alabama ricane Center moved to the attention on climate change, more than $100 million in attending social gatherings to Alabama coast and the Florida were reported killed — a Greek alphabet when Sub- which scientists say is causing sales in total revenue, prose- try to prevent a second wave panhandle in the aftermath of drowning and a death during tropical Storm Alpha formed wetter, stronger and more cutors said. of COVID-19 outbreaks. Hurricane Sally. Officials con- the cleanup in Baldwin County. just off the coast of Portugal. destructive storms. “Amazon has systems in Organizers of private gath- tinued to assess millions of In Florida, authorities were Next up is Beta and so on. Fore- In Pensacola, Mamie Pat- place to detect suspicious erings of more than 10 people dollars in damage that included looking for a missing kayaker casters are watching at least terson was cleaning the yard of behavior by sellers or inside homes and more than a broken bridge in Pensacola who was feared dead in two other systems, including her cousin who was recovering employees, and teams in place 25 outside will face a fine of and ships thrown onto dry land. Escambia County. one that is a tropical depression from heart surgery after they to investigate and stop pro- up to Can$10,000 (US$7,600), In Loxley, Alabama, Cath- The supercharged Atlantic in the western Gulf of Mexico. lost power in a low-income hibited activity,” the e-com- while each partygoer could be erine Williams lost power and hurricane season has produced The only time the hurricane neighbourhood in Pensacola. merce giant said. fined Can$750, Ontario Premier Doug Ford told a news conference. The fines — coming after Peru President defiant in an uptick in new coronavirus cases as students return to classes — are the harshest in impeachment debate Canada for breaking public health orders. “This is a serious situation, REUTERS — LIMA and a severe coronavirus outbreak. folks. We will throw the book “I do not hide, I have not done so at you if you break the rules,” Peru President Martín Vizcarra struck a before and I am not going to do it now. I Ford said, citing recent risky defiant tone yesterday facing an am here, with my head high and my con- behaviours at illegal parties impeachment debate in Congress, saying science clear,” Vizcarra said in a hosted by “reckless, careless he would not be cowed despite a bid to 20-minute speech in Congress, adding people”. “The second wave is oust him that has roiled the copper-pro- that the country should not be “dis- coming,” the Ontario Medical ducing country over the last week. tracted” from real challenges. Association warned in a Vizcarra was mounting a defense to “It is very serious to have the statement, calling for lawmakers after they voted to impeach country plunged into this uncertainty.” increased COVID-19 testing the centrist leader on grounds of “moral The opposition-dominated Congress capacity. incapacity” over alleged links to a case must gather at least 87 votes out of of irregular government contracts with 130 lawmakers to remove 57-year- ‘Forrest Gump’ a little-known singer. old Vizcarra, who does not have his Lawmakers are set to vote later on own party representation in the legis- author Winston Friday on whether to oust Vizcarra, lature. A vote to start impeachment pro- though most expect him to survive the ceedings gained 65 votes. ballot after key opposition lawmakers If Vizcarra were ousted, the presi- Groom dies Peru President Martin Vizcarra arriving to give a statement in Congress where he distanced themselves from the plan dency would be assumed by the head of is facing an impeachment trial, in Lima, yesterday. AFP — WASHINGTON despite anger over an economic slump Congress, Manuel Merino.

Winston Groom, author of “Forrest Gump”, the 1986 American novel that inspired Race to rescue animals as Brazilian wetlands burn the classic film, has died aged 77, said the mayor of the AFP — PORTO JOFRE Encontro das Aguas, is known They photograph it and a chance to make a more left facing hunger and thirst,” Alabama city where he lived. for having the largest jaguar evaluate from afar: the jaguar precise diagnosis: he is walking said veterinary student End- “It is with great sadness that Wildlife guide Eduarda Fern- population on Earth. has an injured front paw that gingerly, but does not appear to erson Barreto, 22, using thick I share the passing of our dear andes steers a speedboat up the In normal times, it is home may need treatment. Capturing be in acute pain. “He can gloves and shin guards to friend Winston Groom. The City Piquiri river in western Brazil, to at least 150 jaguars, a species a jaguar is no small feat. It takes probably recover on his own. protect himself from being of Fairhope has lost an iconic scanning the horizon for jaguars classified as “near threatened” tranquilizer darts, at least three Better to stand down” from cap- bitten by one of the region’s author today,” wrote Mayor wounded in the wildfires by the International Union for boats and a lot of force. turing him, said Salomao. many poisonous snakes. Karin Wilson on Facebook. ripping through the Pantanal, Conservation of Nature because The tranquilizer takes about He will return in a few days Veterinarian Luciana Gui- Groom’s book “Forest the world’s biggest tropical of its declining numbers. 10 minutes to kick in, and to see how the big cat is doing. maraes is holding a small Gump” did not find wide- wetlands. But now the fires have during that lapse jaguars have Another team is in a four- howler monkey that was hit by spread success until the Fernandes, 20, is part of a burned through 85 percent of been known to try to swim by-four traveling the dusty a car on the road. “That’s going release of the film of the same team of volunteers working to the 270,000-acre park, and away. They are excellent highway across the Pantanal, to be happening a lot, because name in 1994, which starred find and rescue jaguars many of the jaguars have dis- swimmers, but risk drowning the Transpantaneira, setting out they approach the road looking Tom Hanks and won six wounded by the record- appeared. No one knows if they when the drug takes effect. water and food for animals for food and water,” said the Oscars including best picture. breaking blazes, which have are dead, wounded or have fled “Everything can go wrong,” whose habitats have been 41-year-old wildlife specialist. The plot centers on the life burned through nearly 12 elsewhere. said veterinarian Jorge Salomao destroyed in the fires. Having traveled from Sao of a kind man with learning percent of the Pantanal. After a two hours searching of the charity Ampara Animal These volunteers are from Paulo to volunteer here, she is difficulties whose life mirrors “Our goal is to reduce the by boat, the team finds a male (Animal Support). the Disaster Rescue Group for trying to hold onto hope. key events in America in the impact of the fires as much as jaguar resting on the river bank As the team assesses the sit- Animals (GRAD), which spe- “Nature has a great capacity 20th century. Boosted by the we can, by leaving food and beneath a tree hanging with uation, sweating in the hot sun cializes in helping animals hit for recovery, even in a situation film’s popularity, it eventually water for the animals and res- vines, his spots standing out and surrounded by semi- by man-made or natural dis- like this, where everything sold 1.7 million copies, cuing the wounded ones,” she against a pile of leaves left dry scorched vegetation, the jaguar asters. “The fires are a huge seems to have burned,” she said. according to the entertainment said. The state park where she by the region’s worst drought gets up to drink from the river. problem in and of themselves, “But it can take a very long industry news site Deadline. and her team are working, in decades. That gives the veterinarians but after that, the animals are time.” 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 Voters line up to cast early ballots in Minnesota

REUTERS — MINNEAPOLIS Voters in Virginia, points to Democrat Hillary South Dakota and Clinton in 2016, while winning Voters lined up in Minnesota to neighbouring Wisconsin. cast ballots yesterday ahead of Wyoming also began Recent opinion polls have campaign trips to the state by casting in-person given Biden a comfortable lead President Donald Trump and ballots yesterday. in Minnesota. The poll-tracking his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, website RealClearPolitics as early voting began there and Some voters in showed Biden up by an average in three other states ahead of Minnesota said they of 10.2 points as of yesterday. the November 3 election. were anxious to get Biden’s polling advantage Some 44 people cast ballots underscores the extent to which in the first 30 minutes that the an early jump on the the current electoral map favors city of Minneapolis’ lone polling process, or to avoid the former vice president. He center was open, in a state leads in all three former indus- Trump narrowly lost in 2016 but potential crowds on trial “Rust Belt” states that has targeted as a possible Election Day. Trump flipped from the Dem- pickup this time. ocratic column on his way to Voters in Virginia, South victory in 2016: Michigan, Wis- Dakota and Wyoming also said. “In fact, probably 3-1/2 consin and Pennsylvania. began casting in-person ballots years ago I thought I would be Trump is scheduled to hold yesterday. Some voters in Min- here the first day I could.” a campaign rally at an airport nesota said they were anxious All of the voters lined up in in Bemidji, Minnesota. During to get an early jump on the Minneapolis wore masks to help the day, Biden will tour a union process, or to avoid potential protect against the spread of the training center in Duluth before crowds on Election Day. coronavirus. delivering a speech. The coronavirus pandemic Margie Rukabina, 72, said she The state was the flashpoint A voter talks to poll workers as he receives his ballot during early voting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has upended US election tradi- was “revved up” to vote for Biden for a national reckoning on race US, yesterday. tions. It has sharply curtailed but also was concerned about relations, when George Floyd, both candidates’ campaign voting on Election Day given a Black man, died after a white travel and is expected to lead to health concerns. “We want to Minneapolis policeman kneeled demonstrations by vowing to a surge of early and mail voting come early to avoid a super- on his neck for minutes even maintain “law and order” while Late arriving ballots must be as Americans seek to reduce spreader event, like our president after he appeared to lose portraying many of the pro- their exposure to crowds that is so happy to do,” she said. consciousness. testers as far-left radicals who counted: Michigan Court can spread the disease. Trump has been criticized The killing sparked wide- would be further empowered “I just wanted to come get for holding crowded campaign spread civil unrest that has by a Biden victory. REUTERS — DETROIT over whether the US Postal it done,” said Jason Miller, 33, a rallies, often with people not lasted for months and further Biden has denounced the Service (USPS) will be able to painter who was in line before wearing masks. rattled a nation already violence at some protests while A Michigan judge ruled yes- handle the mail rush in time to the site opened to cast a vote The Republican President besieged by the coronavirus expressing support for the pro- terday that mailed ballots post- ensure that voters who mailed for Biden. He said he could not trails Biden in national opinion pandemic, which has killed testers’ objections to racism and marked by November 2 must their ballots would not be wait to cast a vote against polls. He is trying to make up nearly 196,000 Americans and police brutality. He has blamed be counted in the state as long disenfranchised. Trump. “I was a little inspired ground in Minnesota, which he thrown millions out of work. Trump’s divisive rhetoric for as they are received within two President Donald Trump to come here the first day,” he lost by about 1.5 percentage Trump has responded to the inflaming the situation. weeks after the November 3 has argued without evidence election, the latest move by a that voting by mail will lead to US court to protect voting rights widespread voter fraud. Early in the pandemic. this month he encouraged his Biden rejects Trump Michigan Court of Claims supporters in North Carolina to Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens vote twice — once by mail and claim that COVID-19 made the ruling in a case brought once in person — which would by the Michigan Alliance for violate election laws. vaccine is imminent Retired Americans, and sup- The Michigan ruling also ported by Marc Elias, an elections cleared the way for anyone to REUTERS — PENNSYLVANIA lawyer working with Democratic help deliver a person’s ballot to presidential nominee Joe Biden’s clerks “between 5:01pm on the US Democratic presidential candidate Joe campaign. Friday before the election and the Biden on Thursday bluntly contradicted The ruling said the ballots close of polls on Election Day,” a President Donald Trump’s suggestion that must be received “by the clerk’s practice normally banned under a coronavirus vaccine may be only weeks office no later than 14 days after law unless the delivery is done away, warning Americans they cannot trust the election has occurred,” and by a family member, an election the president’s word. would apply to this year’s election official or mail carrier. “The idea that there’s going to be a as a special provision due to the Michigan is an important vaccine and everything’s gonna be fine coronavirus pandemic. battleground state, which tomorrow - it’s just not rational,” Biden said Late arriving ballots “are eli- Trump won by fewer than during a CNN town hall in Moosic, Penn- gible to be counted in the same 11,000 votes in 2016, but is now sylvania. Trump again said on Wednesday manner as all provisional ballots” leaning toward Biden, according that a vaccine for COVID-19, the disease up until the time when the to opinion polls. The ruling caused by the virus, could be ready for dis- election is certified, Stephens came a day after Pennsylvania’s Democratic US presidential nominee and former Vice-President Joe Biden arrives to tribution ahead of the November 3 election. said. Elias, in a tweet, called the top court ruled that state offi- tour the Jerry Alander Carpenter Training Center in Hermantown, a suburb of Duluth, Most health experts, including Robert ruling a “major victory for voting cials can accept mail ballots up Redfield, the director of the Centers for Minnesota, US, yesterday. rights” in the state, though it is to three days after the election, Disease Control and Prevention, have said likely to be appealed. as long as they were mailed by a vaccine will likely not be widely available of the pandemic, including the president’s what he derided as Trump’s “Park Avenue” Progressive group Priorities Election Day. until mid-2021. Trump has accused Biden own admission to the journalist Bob background. “Guys like me who were the USA funded the case. “This helps But not all courts have of spreading “anti-vaccine rhetoric,” while Woodward that he deliberately downplayed first of my family to go to college... We are rectify issues with delays from moved to expand voting rights. Biden has emphasized that he will listen to the disease’s deadliness. as good as anybody,” he said. “And guys the USPS, while relieving A federal appeals court last scientists, not the President, regarding a “He knew it and did nothing,” Biden like Trump, who inherited everything and pressure on voters to make sure week rejected Texas Democrats’ vaccine’s safety. said. “It’s close to criminal.” Trump has sub- squandered what they inherited, are the their ballot is received in time bid to allow all state residents The broadcast was the first town hall- sequently said he was trying to avoid panic. people that I’ve always had a problem with to be counted,” said Michigan to vote by mail due to the coro- style event for Biden since he accepted the Biden said he did not have the power to - not the people who are busting their neck.” Democratic Party Chairwoman navirus pandemic, ruling that Democratic nomination last month, giving enforce a national mask mandate, walking He said he would accept the results of Lavora Barnes. the state’s law extending that viewers a rare chance to see him answer back remarks he made on Wednesday in the election, a stance that Trump has “This is a victory for every right only to those over 65 was live questions from people whose votes he which he suggested the president could legally declined to adopt amid his unfounded voter in Michigan.” Democrats not unconstitutional age hopes to win in November. require masks amid a national emergency. claims that the widespread use of mail-in and Republicans have clashed discrimination. The cable network described the event But he vowed to encourage every governor ballots due to the pandemic will cause over the rules for voting by mail Another federal appeals as a “drive-in town hall”: Participants to do so while criticizing Trump for ques- massive fraud. ahead of the November election, court last week said Florida remained at their parked cars outdoors to tioning the efficacy of masks. Electoral experts have said voter fraud when there is expected to be a could require felons to pay all ensure they stayed safely distanced from Biden also took advantage of the event’s is exceedingly rare in the United States, surge in mail voting because of fines, restitution and legal fees one another. Biden spent much of the setting near his birthplace of Scranton, com- where voting by mail is a longstanding the virus. they face before they can regain evening attacking Trump for his handling paring his working-class upbringing with practice in many states. That has led to controversy their right to vote. Twitter tightens security for CDC drops controversial testing advice politicians and journalists AP — NEW YORK unnamed sources, on Thursday AFP — SAN FRANCISCO Twitter will enable a setting reported that the guidance was that requires confirmation by US health officials yesterday placed on the CDC’s website Twitter on Thursday said it email or phone number to reset dropped a controversial piece over the objections of agency is tightening security of high- passwords. Twitter also of coronavirus guidance and scientists. Public health experts profile politicians, campaigns encouraged people managing said anyone who has been in have noted that testing the con- and journalists as a “critical those accounts to use two-factor close contact with an infected tacts of infected people is a core preventative step” ahead of the authentication that requires a person should get tested. element of efforts to keep out- US presidential election. back-up validation, for example The Centers for Disease breaks in check, and that a large Twitter will be imple- a confirmation code sent by text Control and Prevention essen- percentage of those infected menting more sophisticated message, when logging in. tially returned to its previous with the coronavirus exhibit no systems to detect suspicious Hackers in July took over testing guidance, getting rid of COVID-19 symptoms. activity and ramp up defenses dozens of high-profile Twitter language posted last month that The CDC’s chief, Dr. Robert intended to thwart hackers accounts with an attack that said people didn’t need to get Redfield, issued a statement from taking over accounts, tricked a handful of employees tested if they didn’t feel sick. shortly after the controversy according to the social media into giving up their credentials, That change had set off a rash erupted that did little to clarify platform popular with US Pres- according to the company. The of criticism from health experts Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert why the change was deemed ident Donald Trump. incident by bitcoin scammers who couldn’t fathom why the Redfield holds up a CDC document as he speaks during a Senate necessary. The main intent “Implementing these stemmed from a “spear nation’s top public health Appropriations Subcommittee hearing “Review of Coronavirus seemed to be to assure state security measures is a critical phishing” attack which deceived agency would say such a thing Response Efforts” on Capitol Hill, Washington, US, on Wednesday. health officials that they could preventative step,” the tech employees about the origin of amid the pandemic. continue to recommend that all firm’s safety team said in a blog the messages, Twitter said. It was “not consistent with significance of asymptomatic decision came out of meetings close contacts be tested if they post. Twitter maintained that While that massive hack the basic principles of con- and pre-symptomatic trans- of the White House coronavirus felt that was wisest, despite the it is “focused on keeping high- duped people out of money, it trolling an epidemic,”said Dr. mission.” Agency officials task force. website language that said it profile accounts on Twitter safe sparked concerns that legit- Silvia Chiang, a pediatric infec- declined additional comment. Dr. Brett Giroir, an assistant was not necessary. and secure during the 2020 US imate accounts could be com- tious diseases expert at Brown Health officials were secretary at the Department of During a US Senate hearing election”. mandeered by malicious char- University who applauded the evasive about why they had Health and Human Services, on Wednesday, Redfield con- Accounts targeted for acters out to sway elections or change announced yesterday. made the change in August, and said many federal leaders tinued to defend the language heightened security include cause conflict. Twitter and The CDC now says anyone some outside observers specu- outside the agency were that was dropped yesterday. He federal and state politicians; other social media platforms who has been within 6 feet of lated it was forced on the CDC involved in “lots of editing, lots said the August changes had been political parties; candidates; are under pressure to stop an infected person for at least by political appointees within of input”. He said it was difficult “misinterpreted” and were part presidential campaigns, and being used to spread misinfor- 15 minutes should get a test. In the Trump administration. to attribute the final language of an effort to increase journalists who cover them. mation or exacerbate social a statement, the agency called At the time, administration to any one source. engagement by doctors and local Such accounts will be required division, ahead of the US pres- the changes a “clarification” officials said the language orig- The New York Times, citing health officials in the handling of to use strong passwords, and idential election in November. that was needed “due to the inated at the CDC but the internal federal documents and potential illness clusters.