BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 12 Barwa’s real estate More than half projects in Mesaieed a million trees keep pace with the planted as part of city’s growth Plant Million Trees initiative

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SUNDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11964 July 4, 2021 Dhul-Qa’da 24, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Qatar attends opening MME launches second phase of fish survey of Egypt’s naval base Qatar participated yesterday in the inauguration ceremony of the Ministry launches Egyptian “July 3 Naval Base” in Gargoub area on the northwest coast of Egypt. Commander of the Amiri Naval Forces Major General Abdullah initiative to foster bin Hassan al-Sulaiti represented Qatar in the inauguration ceremony. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al- Sisi opened the strategic naval base on the Mediterranean Sea to “secure study of science shipping lines”, the presidency said. The base lies some 255km west of Alexandria, towards the border with Libya. he Ministry of Education and Higher development of multiple tracks for students Education, represented by the Aca- in the secondary education stage, which meet Court agrees to hear Tdemic Guidance Section at the Depart- the needs of all students with diff erent levels ment of Educational Guidance in the Educa- of abilities and the diversity of their tenden- Zuma’s challenge tion Aff airs Sector, has launched an initiative cies and interests. A South African court yesterday to encourage middle school students to enrol agreed to hear ex-president in scientifi c and technological disciplines. The pilot phase of the initiative Jacob Zuma’s challenge to a This will be done through the development is being implemented for 6,000 15-month jail term for failing to of a professional academic guidance system male and female students in 10 attend a corruption hearing. The that involves preparing various programmes constitutional court had on Tuesday aimed at motivating and preparing students schools under the supervision given Zuma 15 months in jail for (8th and 9th grades) to join the targeted scien- of the academic and vocational absconding in February from the The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), represented by the Monitoring and Environmental tifi c disciplines, Qatar News Agency reports. guidance section inquiry. Zuma had until the end Laboratory Department, has launched the second phase of a comprehensive study to monitor fish deaths in of today to hand himself in, but the Khor Al Adaid area. It is being supervised by a specialised team from the department and will continue The updated education plan includes three yesterday the court agreed to until December, QNA reports. Page 2 tracks for students at the secondary level that hear his application, suspending meet the economic, social and cultural aspi- the order. The court will hear his rations of Qatar, as mentioned in QNV2030 application on July 12. Page 6 and the National Development Plan. The initiative’s partners include Qatar Uni- Metro suspended versity, Injaz Qatar, University Foundation Col- lege, Oryx University - Liverpool John Moores on Fridays for QatarDebate Council Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine, University of Calgary, Texas A&M University, University of system upgrade Aberdeen, Hamad Medical Corporation, Col- lege of the North Atlantic, Qatar Career Devel- Qatar Rail has announced a opment Center, Qafco and the British Council. temporary closure of Doha Metro inaugurated in US Fawzia al-Malki, deputy director of the services on Fridays and during the academic and vocational guidance section, Eid al-Adha holidays due to a system underlined the importance of the initiative in The council is a new platform that upgrade across the network. QNA The pilot phase of the initiative is being developing a professional academic guidance Doha overlooks the world from the US implemented for 6,000 male and female stu- system for the preparatory stage to increase with a traditional Qatari imprint dents in 10 schools (fi ve boys’ and fi ve girls’) the number of students enrolled in science, under the supervision of the academic and technology, engineering and mathematics atarDebate Centre, a member of Qatar Foun- that emphasises its role in spreading vocational guidance section. (STEM) in public or private schools that fol- dation for Education, Science and Commu- dialogue and convergence of ideas The initiative is carried out under the su- low the national curriculum. Qnity Development (QF), opened at Western between generations pervision of Assistant Undersecretary for Fadi al-Laham, educational adviser at the Kentucky University in the United States of America, Education Aff airs Fawzia al-Khater, in co- academic and vocational guidance section, QatarDebate Council, in the presence of a number of through the council the eff orts of the Qatar Foun- operation and co-ordination with a group of said the general objective of the initiative is to In a statement yesterday, Qatar Rail offi cials from both sides. dation globally and the United States of America in partners, including universities and educa- educate students about the importance of the said Doha Metro services will be The Executive Director of QatarDebate Dr Hayat particular, and specifi cally this year as it is the Qa- tional and professional institutions. scientifi c and technological tracks to meet suspended on Fridays between July Abdullah Marafi , said that the council is a new plat- tar-USA 2021 Year of Culture . This was announced during an extended the needs of the Qatari labour market and the 9 and August 13, and during the Eid form that overlooks the world from the United States For his part, the Dean of Western Kentucky Uni- meeting held by the ministry with the initia- country’s need for various branches of sci- holidays between July 21 and 24. The of America with a traditional Qatari imprint that versity Dr John Sunnygard, congratulated the uni- tive’s partners. Moza al-Mudahka, director of entifi c and technological disciplines, and not closure comes due to an “essential emphasises its role in spreading dialogue and con- versity administration, QatarDebate and the stu- the Educational Guidance Department in the just medicine and engineering. system upgrade across the network”, vergence of ideas between generations. dents on the opening of the QatarDebate Council, Educational Aff airs Sector, who is responsible Dhaher al-Askar, an academic guidance the statement noted. The upgrade On this occasion, she stressed that the council is a which refl ects the permanent friendship between for the initiative, welcomed the partners, indi- specialist in the guidance section, confi rmed will allow Doha Metro to increase cultural venue to deepen the skills of its visitors who the university and QatarDebate. cating its centrality in educating students about that an integrated plan has been prepared for the network capacity, allowing more are interested in the dialogue and linguistic aspects, Sunnygard added that the university looks for- the importance of scientifi c and technological all middle school students included in the trains to operate and providing more and to discuss controversial topics that involve dif- ward to exploring new opportunities in the future disciplines for meeting the needs of the labour initiative, implemented by specialists from frequent services to customers in ferent opinions. for further co-operation with the centre because market, thus achieving the goals and objectives the academic and vocational guidance sec- the future. “In order to minimise the She said the council also constitutes a free space both feel proud of the common past, expressing his of Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030. tion and academic advisers in secondary and inconvenience to our customers, we for Arab American students and professors to gather happiness for launching this council in the United Al-Mudahka stressed that the general middle schools, to educate students and their have chosen dates that historically after being separated by distances. States, saying that it is a valuable gift that helps framework of the national educational cur- parents about the importance of enrolling in carry the fewest passengers,” Qatar In this context, she said the centre will document strengthen deep ties between peoples. To Page 3 riculum of Qatar provided the basis for the scientifi c and technological tracks.To Page 3 Rail added. Huge ransomware Brazilians protest against Bolsonaro attack hits about 1,000 businesses 232 sites closed in June for A ransomware attack on a US IT company potentially targeted 1,000 businesses, researchers said violating summer work rule yesterday, with one of Sweden’s biggest supermarket chains revealing it had to temporarily close around QNA Under this rule, workers cannot work out- 800 stores after losing access to Doha side, under the sun or in open workspaces, its checkouts. Kaseya said it had between 10am and 3.30pm from June 1 to limited the attack to “a very small 15th September. percentage of our customers” who he Labour Inspection Department at The ministry said that the fi eld visits car- use its signature VSA software - the Ministry of Administrative De- ried out by its inspectors on the work sites “currently estimated at fewer than Tvelopment, Labour and Social Aff airs, during the period from June 1-30, resulted in 40 worldwide.” Cybersecurity firm has carried out intensive inspection cam- the closure of 232 work sites for a period of Huntress Labs said in a Reddit forum, paigns during June, with the aim of ensur- three days, noting that most of the violating however, that it was working with ing that companies comply with Ministerial companies work in the contracting sector. partners targeted in the attack, and Resolution No (17) for the year 2021, regard- The decision obliges companies and in- that the software was manipulated ing the necessary precautions to protect stitutions that have workplaces under direct “to encrypt more than 1,000 workers from heat stress in open work sites sunlight to display a schedule specifying the companies.” Page 9 during the summer period. daily working hours in accordance with the provisions of the decision, at a place that is England thrash Ukraine, easy for all workers to see and for the Min- istry’s inspectors to observe during their in- Denmark beat Czech spection visits to the workplace. In addition, Harry Kane scored twice as employers have to provide air-conditioned England thrashed Ukraine 4-0 spaces for the workers’ comfort, chilled yesterday to advance to the Euro drinking water and light clothing. Workers 2020 semi-finals, where they will have to be allotted rest periods at regular in- meet Denmark. Earlier in the day, tervals in order to protect them from the risk Denmark’s rousing Euro campaign of heat stress. continued as they beat the Czech The Ministry of Administrative Develop- Republic 2-1 to reach the semi- ment, Labour and Social Aff airs called on finals thanks to first-half strikes all companies in diff erent sectors to respect from Thomas Delaney and Kasper the Ministerial Decision in order to avoid the People take part in a protest against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Dolberg. Sport Page 1 workplace’s partial or total closure. downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, July 4, 2021 QATAR

OFFICIAL

Amir congratulates Belarus president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent cable of congratulations to the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani also sent a similar cable of congratulations to Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko. (QNA) Bombing in Somali capital condemned

Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation of the bombing that targeted a coff ee shop in the Somali capital Mogadishu, MME launches 2nd phase of study on leading to deaths and injuries. In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance on rejecting violence and terrorism, cause of fi sh deaths in Khor Al Adaid regardless of the motives and reasons. The ministry expressed he Ministry of Municipality and will continue until December with the conducted for all fi sh deaths in the area, aff ect the mortality of fi sh are moni- the third and fourth phases until the Qatar’s condolences to the Environment (MME), represent- aim of studying the case and preparing based on the reports received by the ad- tored, in order to study whether it con- end of this year, where samples will be families of the victims, and the Ted by the Monitoring and Envi- an integrated report on its causes. ministration. tains species that are harmful to fi sh, collected from major sites in Khor Al government and people of ronmental Laboratory Department, has During this phase, the research team This stage includes fi ve diff erent as various heavy metals are monitored Adaid area to carry out the necessary Somalia, wishing the injured a launched the second phase of a com- will conduct a comprehensive monitor- sites in which the quality of sea water in the water, in addition to measuring study on the results of fish deaths in speedy recovery. (QNA) prehensive study to monitor and con- ing study of the fi sh deaths in Khor Al is studied from a chemical, physical fi eld readings of dissolved oxygen, un- this area, especially the sites where trol the case of fi sh deaths in the Khor Adaid area, noting that the fi rst phase and biological point of view, and all the derwater temperature, salinity and wa- the phenomenon of fish deaths ap- Qatar slams attack Al Adaid area. focused on monitoring fi eld readings variables present at the bottom of the ter turbidity. pears, with intensification of work to It is being supervised by a specialised only, while in the second phase, a com- water from bacteria and other marine The second phase is a continua- discover the real reasons for this phe- in Iraq’s Al Anbar team from the department, whose work prehensive monitoring process will be plankton (plant, animal) that directly tion of the first phase, followed by nomenon. (QNA) Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation of the attack in Al Anbar governorate in western Iraq, which caused deaths and injures. In a statement released State Audit Bureau to host Arabosai Executive Council meeting yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence he State Audit Bureau will and Chairman of the Executive tions in the Arab countries that that of the council since its 61 ports of the bodies will also be for 2020, and the estimated and terrorism, regardless of host the 62nd meeting Council of Arab Organisation are members of the Executive meeting, and the proposal of presented for its participation budget for 2021. the motives and reasons. The Tof the Executive Coun- of Supreme Audit Institutions Council. the Chairman on development in the work of the committees Qatar is one of the biggest statement expressed Qatar’s cil of the Arab Organisation of (Arabosai) Sheikh Bandar bin The meeting will discuss initiatives for the benefi t of the and working groups emanating supporters of the Arabosai, and condolences to the families of Supreme Audit Institutions Mohamed bin Saoud al-Thani, many important topics on the organisation, in addition to the from the International Organi- the State Audit Bureau holds the victims, the government (Arabosai) at the Doha Sheraton the two-day meeting will have agenda, including the report reports of the General Secre- sation of Supreme Audit Insti- the presidency of the Executive and people of Iraq, wishing Hotel. Headed by HE the Presi- the participation of the heads of the Chairman of the Execu- tariat and sub-committees of tutions (INTOSAI), as well as Council of the Arab Organisa- the injured a speedy recovery. dent of the State Audit Bureau of the supreme audit institu- tive Council on his activity and the organisation, and the re- the adoption of the fi nal budget tion for 2019-2022. (QNA) (QNA) Gulf Times Sunday, July 4, 2021 3 QATAR HMC outpatient clinics expected to Ooredoo to auction more work at full capacity soon: official smartphone masterpieces utpatients clinics at had not stopped and were Hamad Medical Corpo- continuing, in addition to Oration (HMC) are cur- other cases that could not be rently working at 80% of their postponed. to support good causes capacity and are expected to He said there is a plan to operate at full capacity soon, further expand surgery- thanks to the declining number related operations and the oredoo has announced of daily Covid-19 cases in the specialised surgery centre at that it will hold a sec- country, Dr Yousef al-Maslam- HMC was currently work- Oond round of ‘The Art ani, medical director of Hamad ing at its full capacity, with and the Mobile’ initiative, in General Hospital, has said. surgeries prioritised accord- collaboration with Qatar Mu- He told local Arabic daily ing to the requirements of seums, and in partnership with Arrayah that the outpatient medical cases. Dr al-Masla- legendary football team Paris clinics currently receive all mani said as the number of Saint-Germain (PSG). types of patients and are ex- Covid-19 cases continued Eleven artists have been se- pected to work at full capacity to drop in the country, doc- lected to take part in the second soon. As part of the Covid-19 tors and other health work- round and paired with a Paris precautionary and preven- ers who had been delegated Saint-Germain player. Each tive measures, patients have to to treat Covid-19 cases could artist will be given a smart- continue wearing face masks, return for resumption of their phone, with which they will maintain adequate physical normal duties. Regarding or- create their masterpiece that distancing, show the green File picture of Dr Yousef al-Maslamani. gan transplants, he said the will then be signed by the PSG tor of CSR, Sponsorship and the Mobile’ initiative, raising a code on the Ehteraz app and centre concerned has seen a player. Media at Ooredoo, said: “We’re great deal for charity, and we’re undergo body temperature ics have been limited to phone patients can visit the clinics considerable increase over The 11 smartphone master- delighted to be working with sure this next auction will fea- checks before entering the calls while only emergency and and see doctors face-to-face. the past few years. Within the pieces will then be auctioned Qatar Museums again, and our ture some equally incredible hospital. urgent cases were received due Further, normal surgeries past three years, 62 kidney via Ooredoo’s social media ac- partners Paris Saint-Germain, artworks that will fetch just as Dr al-Maslamani said that to the need for close physical have resumed since May 30 transplant operations were count on Instagram tomorrow, to raise even more funds for impressive amounts to help the over the past few months, examination in such instances. while emergency surgeries done in addition to four liver with proceeds going to good charitable causes. less fortunate. We’re looking work at the outpatient clin- Now, work has resumed and and those related to tumours transplants, he added. causes. “We saw a phenomenal re- forward to seeing what our art- Moza al-Muhannadi, direc- sponse to the last ‘The Art and ist create this time around.” Hamad Hospital’s new rehabilitative clinics to serve disabled in Gaza is Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Hospital for Re- Hhabilitation and Pros- thetics, funded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has announced the opening of new clinics with advanced facilities to ensure integrated health serv- ices. The new facilities are a paedi- atric rehabilitation clinic, urol- ogy and andrology for disabled clinic, pain management clinic, CVA and spinal injuries rehabili- tation clinic and neurological re- habilitation clinic, according to a press statement. Khalifa Jassim al-Kuwari, director-general of QFFD, said: “We are proud of the qualitative leap, continuity and develop- ment Hamad Hospital for Reha- bilitation and Prosthetics wit- nessed since its opening in April 2019, as the expansion of such important specialities makes a big diff erence for the people of Gaza as they desperately need it considering all the diffi cul- His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, funded by QFFD, has announced the opening of new clinics with advanced facilities to ensure integrated health services. ties they face from the ongoing Israeli siege and aggression. We hope this support from Qatar Fund for Development will yield more progress to change the lives of others and create hope for them.” Basman Alashi, Financial and Administrative director of Ha- mad Hospital, said: “The pae- diatric rehabilitation clinic is a qualitative addition to our health system and the fi rst-of-its-kind in the Gaza Strip. The children will be followed up by a paediat- ric neurologist, which will make a marked diff erence in the treat- ment outcome.” The clinic will treat children who suff er from central nervous system injuries, cerebral palsy and muscle diseases, in addition new clinic will help reduce pa- to spinal injuries that aff ect the tients’ distress, which comes as perceptual motor development a result of the chronic pain in of children. the joints, lower back, neck and Regarding the urology and also amputation cases,” the of- andrology for disabled people fi cial explained. Further, Alashi clinic, Alashi said: “We decided said “the new steps come within to open the clinic after we no- hospital’s eff orts to co-operate ticed the absence of these spe- with Gaza’s health ministry, as cialisations in the Gaza Strip. the new clinics are expected to Therefore, we will work for the serve more than 2,000 patients fi rst time, in co-operation with yearly”. Since April 2019, Hamad one of the medical consultants, Hospital has provided its serv- to treat urinary and other prob- ices to more than 14,000 ben- lems that come with motor dis- efi ciaries through its three main abilities.” departments: Artifi cial Limbs, “Pain treatment is necessary Rehabilitation and Audiology. for patients who receive reha- The hospital provides reha- bilitation, and it’s one of the bilitative services for patients and modern specialisations. In Gaza, disabled people to improve their we have only one pain clinic that capabilities, restore their ability to for their re-integration into the The total number of hospital reached around 129,000. Of these, the Rehabilitation Department, ment and 4,385 services by the is not able to cover all cases. Our keep up with daily activities and community. services since the start of work has 87,497 services were provided by 37,148 by the Audiology Depart- Artifi cial Limbs Department. QatarDebate Council inaugurated in US Ministry launches initiative From Page 1 locating a Qatari council inside Arabic language community in signed in 2020 a set of agree- the university campus in order America, as well as off ering vari- ments on the sidelines of the to foster study of science The Head of Programmes and to enhance communication be- ous programmes in partnership strategic dialogue between the From Page 1 a result of activating principles of professional Marketing at QatarDebate Ab- tween those interested in learn- with QatarDebate, preserving two sides, including the declara- guidance and raising the effi ciency of outputs. dulrahman al-Subaie, praised ing the Arabic language and de- cultural identity and practising tion of 2021 as a Qatar-USA Year The initiative aims to develop a professional For the success of the initiative, the academic the initiative to open QatarDe- bates. the most important customs and of Culture . academic guidance system for the preparatory and vocational guidance section will develop a bate in the United States of Al-Subaie reviewed the stag- the Qatari traditions, which were He pointed out that the Qa- stage to help the students discover their abili- policy for academic and vocational guidance in America. es of the project starting from on the schedule of the opening tarDebate Center began its tour ties, academic capabilities, preparations and the preparatory stage to increase the number of Al-Subaie said that the idea its study and its future goals, ceremony of the council. this year in the United States of professional tendencies, plan their educational students enrolled in the STEM disciplines. of this council at Western Ken- whether at the university level or For his part, the centre’s am- America with the aim of spread- path and professional future to achieve academ- A co-ordinator responsible for each school tucky University came after the the United States of America as a bassador to the United States of ing debates around the world ic, personal and social compatibility, and raise has been assigned to act as an academic adviser centre’s delegation visited the meeting place between students America Mohamed al-Lukhan in Arabic, and its fi rst starting awareness of scientifi c disciplines and techno- and a link between the section, partners and the university in late 2018, when and offi cials at the university and al-Marri, explained that Qatar point was from Western Ken- logical professions, which increases employ- school to fully coordinate the performance of its management suggested al- the debate community and the and the United States of America tucky University. ment and localisation rates in the work sectors as this initiative and ensure its success. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, July 4, 2021 QATAR Qatar Charity supplies Total Covid-19 Covid-19 vaccine to recoveries increase northern Syria displaced to 220,260: MoPH

atar Charity (QC) has co- QNA ordinated with the Syria Doha QVaccine Team to provide the Covid-19 vaccine to those displaced in northern Syria, he Ministry of Public through two primary healthcare Health (MoPH) reported centres operated by QC. Tyesterday, 63 new con- The fi rst is the Al-Ra’i centre fi rmed cases of Covid-19 in in the city of Al-Ra’i, north of the community and 40 among Aleppo, while the second is the travellers. Ataa residential village dispen- The MoPH recorded 160 re- sary in the Idlib countryside. coveries from the virus during The two centres provide the past 24 hours, bringing the more than 625 doses of vac- total number of cases recovered cine monthly to the displaced in in Qatar to 220,260. northern Syria, QC has said in a It also reported the death of statement, adding that the im- a 52-year-old patient who had portance of this step to enhance chronic diseases and who re- the immunisation of society ceived all possible medical at- from the danger of the spread of tention. the Covid-19 in northern Syria. National Vaccination The vaccination process Programme Data: against Covid-19 is the result of 3,226,308 vaccine doses a fruitful co-operation between have been administered since the Syria Vaccine Team and non- the start of the programme governmental organisations op- 15,071 vaccine doses have erating in northern Syria, where been administered in the past the Covax global initiative pro- The QC vaccination initiative. 24 hours vides vaccines through Unicef 74.7% of the eligible popu- while the World Health Organi- health centres, “we were able to lation has now received at least sation provides material and provide quality service that will one dose of the vaccine technical support. have a great impact on the future 97.5% of over 60 (the most The second phase of the adhere to social distancing. The Syria Vaccine Team plans, of health in the region”. vulnerable population group) gradual lifting of precautionary With Covid-19 still a health implements and technically su- Since the beginning of the have been vaccinated with at restrictions began on June 18, threat in Qatar, it is important pervises the activities, while pandemic, Qatar Charity has least one dose, while 92.4% and is part of a four-stage plan for everyone to play their role in humanitarian organisations launched several projects in have received both doses. to be implemented over the controlling the virus by follow- provide support and assistance northern Syria to mitigate its In recent weeks, the com- coming months. The date of ing precautionary measures: by providing their hospitals and impact on Syrian refugees. It has bined impact of Covid-19 implementation and the dura- Adherence to physical dis- health centres. distributed personal protection restrictions and increasing tion of each phase will depend tancing Dr Amjad al-Tahan, co-or- means to health personnel, in- vaccination rates, and the on the pandemic indicators Avoiding close contact dinator of health programmes cluding masks, sterilisers, medi- overwhelming support of the which depend to a great extent with others, crowded places at Qatar Charity’s fi eld offi ce in cal gloves and protective cloth- community, has resulted in on the degree of compliance of and confi ned closed spaces Turkey, said: “Qatar Charity has ing in the fi rst phase. a consistent reduction in the the community members with where people congregate worked since the fi rst day to re- QC has also established 14 iso- number of new daily infections the current measures, restric- Wearing a face mask spond to the Covid-19 pandemic lation units as part of the urgent in the country. However, it is tions and guidance by the gov- Washing hands regularly through the co-ordination of response to the virus outbreak still important to be cautious as ernment. People should take the available resources with the at an estimated cost of $1.6mn, the second wave is not yet over It is important during the Covid-19 vaccine at the ear- World Health Organisation.” and benefi ting about 3,000 and there are still two highly current period that all mem- liest opportunity when their Dr al-Tahan added that by camp residents in co-operation contagious and highly virulent bers of society, including those turn comes. Anyone suff er- benefi ting from the presence of with the United Nations for the strains of the virus that are ac- who have received the vaccina- ing from Covid-19 symptoms QC, the experience of its cadres Co-ordination of Humanitarian tively circulating in the com- tion, continue to wear masks as should contact 16000 helpline and the good infrastructure at its Aff airs. munity. recommended and continue to immediately. Diff erently abled children ‘should be included in digital education plan’

K Menon, director of Norka and chairman of Behzad Group, has J requested the chief minister of the southern Indian state of Kerala to prepare a new digital education plan that will take into account dif- ferently abled children. Menon was speaking at a video conference of expatriates, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as part of the implementation of digital education for students across the state. “Special arrangements should be made to teach special students at home online. Special care such as physiotherapy should be made available in students’ homes,” Me- non said. He also requested the chief minister to formulate a digital education policy that would include students in special schools. “A spe- cial digital application should be developed under the auspices of the state government for online class- Participants in the video conference. es as part of the digital education project in Kerala. The project should Dr V P Joy, Chief Secretary; Dr Bishwanath Sinha, IT principal O V Mustafa, C V Rappai and many go ahead with ensuring the avail- K M A Abraham, chief principal secretary; Yusuff Ali M A, chair- other prominent expatriate entre- ability of digital learning materials secretary to the CM; Dr K Ilango- man of LuLu Group; Dr Ravi Pillai; preneurs participated in the video to all students,” he added. van, principal secretary of Norka; Dr Azad Moopen; Dr M Anirudhan; conference. PHCC services for disease control off ered at 20 clinics

he Primary Health Care Cor- necessary preventive vaccination poration (PHCC) has pro- The physician stressed that these clinics for people in contact with animals Tvided 20 clinics distributed off er various services, such as spreading such as veterinarians and animal across its health centres for disease trainers, as well as those who travel control and prevention, which off er health education and providing basic and abroad, as required. their services to the public in-per- booster vaccinations for children as well as He advised those travelling son as well as over the telephone. abroad to make sure that they have Speaking to local Arabic daily to adults when needed for various purposes taken the necessary vaccination and Arrayah recently, Dr Mustafa A carry with them the medicines they Bakr, community medicine spe- nated health and safety services eases and conditions such as obes- would need. Besides, they should cialist at Mesaimeer Health Centre, that would help in protecting them ity, diabetes, smoking and other is- enquire if any diseases/ailments are said these clinics are considered a against disease and curb its spread”, sues. spreading in their destination and value addition to preventive medi- he said. The physician stressed that these take the necessary precautions. He cine services and pay due attention He explained that the clinics aim clinics off er various services, such also advised people who feel unwell to the health of individuals, families to focus on fi ghting communica- as spreading health education and to avoid travelling, stressing that and the society. ble diseases in addition to enhanc- providing basic and booster vac- while abroad, individuals should This, in turn, refl ects “PHCC’s ing occupational health and safety cinations for children as well as to take extra care about the health and interest to provide the public with practices. Further, the clinics also adults when needed for various pur- safety of their food and strictly fol- comprehensive and well co-ordi- focus on non-communicable dis- poses. The clinics also provide the low all hygiene rules. Gulf Times Sunday, July 4, 2021 5 QATAR

HEC Paris in Qatar launches early application discounts

EC Paris has launched early application discounts for the October 2021 intake of Hits Specialised Master’s Degree in Stra- tegic Business Unit Management (SBUM) pro- gramme in Qatar. The early application off er will run until Au- gust 21, encouraging individuals to plan their studies and prepare their applications in ad- “Through the thesis activity, participants vance of fi nal deadlines, HEC Paris in Qatar has have the opportunity to apply their learnings to said in a statement. address a crucial issue in their organisation or The Specialised Master’s programme helps community. professionals and entrepreneurs develop the “After identifying a topic of personal interest wide, multidisciplinary range of skills they and value, they will critically review insights that will need to successfully run business units already exist, gather empirical evidence and then The Trofeo Collection from Maserati. and manage teams eff ectively.“The Specialised propose recommendations,” explained Kobb. Master’s Degree is an essential building block in The HEC Paris Specialised Master’s is now helping entrepreneurs and business profession- one of the most respected business education als support post-Covid rebuilding. programmes for executives and entrepreneurs The programme ensures that participants are in Qatar, according to Hamad al-Thani, class ready for business challenges in a transformed, of 2019.“It off ers an ease and fl exibility to learn Maserati’s ‘most powerful next-normal landscape where management will the advanced nuances of business in a part-time be expected to quickly pivot into genuinely entre- setup, allowing participants to continue with preneurial and innovative methods,” said Joshua their regular jobs,” he explained. Kobb, director of Partnerships & Growth, HEC The HEC Paris Specialised Master’s pro- Paris in Qatar. “The early application discount gramme “refl ects HEC Paris’ commitment to collection’ arrives in Qatar encourages individuals who are serious about contributing to the development of Qatar’s investing in their professional development to evolving knowledge-based economy and to manage their candidacy in an effi cient manner. strengthening corporate competitiveness in the aserati Qatar has an- “Our application process is rigorous, refl ect- region”, the statement notes. nounced the arrival of the ing our commitment to excellence, and should Qatari nationals may be eligible for scholar- M“most powerful collection” be undertaken several months prior to the pro- ships through the Ministry of Education and from Maserati, the Trofeo Collec- gramme’s start.” Higher Education and can fi nd more details on tion. Specialised Master’s participants have the the ministry’s website. Following the 2018 launch of Le- opportunity to learn international best practices HEC Paris in Qatar offers its own institu- vante Trofeo, the SUV’s “most ex- and focus on areas of key importance for their tional merit-based scholarships, including treme, most powerful version”, the personal and professional development. awards for exceptional nationals, entrepre- new Quattroporte and Ghibli Trofeo Programme participants will be mentored neurs and female leaders, all of whom play an are now available in Qatar, “achiev- through a journey which fosters their self-driven, important role in the development of Qatar’s ing the pinnacle of performance, problem-based learning and critical thinking. diversified economy. sportiness and luxury”, according to a press statement. Maserati reinterprets its sedans by introducing the V8 engine. The heart of Ghibli and Quattroporte Trofeo Windy, hot day expected: Met is the 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo with a power output of 580hp at 6,250rpm Strong winds are expected at the weather report states. Qatar University area, Mesaieed, and peak torque of 730Nm. Ghibli times in some places today, the The temperature is expected Turayna and Sudanthile, 47C in and Quattroporte Trofeo can proud- Qatar Met department has said. to range from 29-46C in Wakra Sheehaniya, Mukaynis and Ka- ly claim to be the fastest Maserati “Hot to very hot” conditions are and Mesaieed today, 33-45C in rana, 46C in Doha (airport area), sedans ever, with a top speed of again likely to prevail during the Doha, 32-44C in Al Khor, 28-40C Ghuwayriyah and Jumayliyah, 326km/h, the statement notes, add- daytime along with slight dust at in Dukhan, 26-40C in Abu Samra and 45C in Wakra and Al Khor. ing that Levante Trofeo’s maximum times, while it will be humid by and 30-36C in Ruwais. The Met department has advised speed is 302km/h. night. Yesterday, a maximum tempera- people to avoid direct exposure The engine, which has already The wind speed may go up to 22 ture of 49C was recorded in Me- to sunlight in view of the high revealed all its power on Levante knots in some areas occasionally, saimeer, followed by 48C in the temperatures. Trofeo, is built at the Ferrari plant in Maranello to Maserati’s specifi ca- The Maserati Trofeo engine. tions, and has been modifi ed and de- veloped to deliver equally impressive The whole Trofeo collection is dis- three-dimensional relief. The exclusiv- performances on the rear-engine tinguished by the red details that char- ity also extends to the interior uphol- sedans. acterise the bottom profi les of the side stery, in full-grain Pieno Fiore natural While the unique signature of air vents and the lightning bolt on the leather. every Maserati is the sound of its en- Trident badge on the C-pillars. New technologies also appear in gine, now the Trofeo collection will There are major changes at the rear MIA (Maserati Intelligent Assistant) be even more unmistakable in looks, of the car, where the light clusters and thanks to the Maserati Connect thanks to special stylistic touches have been completely restyled, with a programme, now the Trofeo collection that characterise these high-per- boomerang-like profi le inspired by the is always connected, with a full set of formance models. These include the 3200 GT and the Alfi eri concept car. services to simplify its use. front grille with twin vertical bars in The Trofeo characterisation contin- The Trofeo Collection is on display at Black Piano fi nish and the introduc- ues in the interior, with a new on-board the Maserati Qatar showroom located tion of carbon fi bre on the front air panel that displays an exclusive inter- at The Pearl-Qatar, Medina Centrale duct trims and rear extractor, for an face at switch-on, while the headrests area. The opening hours from 9am to even more aggressive eff ect. bear the Trofeo badge with the name in 9pm, Saturday to Thursday.

Training course for workers at zoo

The Public Parks Department has held a three-day training course for barn workers and breeders at the Doha Zoo on safety rules and how to deal with animals. The course introduced the attendees to latest developments in the field so that they could improve their work skills, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said.

Temporary traffic closure on Salwa Road

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a temporary traff ic closure on Salwa Road, between the Falah Bin Nasser and Wholesale Market intersections, from midnight on Sunday until 5am on Monday. Traff ic will be diverted to the service road during the closure, Ashghal has said in a tweet. The closure, which will be implemented in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traff ic, has been announced in order to complete the installation of ITS gantries. Ashghal has requested motorists to follow the road signs and abide by the speed limit to ensure everyone’s safety. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, July 4, 2021 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Regime shelling kills 10 dead after militant attack nine in Syria: monitor on tea shop in AFP Iblin Mogadishu even children were among nine civilians killed by re- Sgime artillery fi re yesterday AFP The Al Qaeda-linked group in Syria’s last major rebel strong- Mogadishu swiftly claimed responsibility for hold of Idlib in the country’s the attack in a statement saying northwest, a war monitor said. “15 elements from the govern- The shelling also wounded suicide bombing attack mental intelligence, police, and around 15 others in several loca- by the Al Shebaab mili- militia were killed and 22 others tions of the Jabal al-Zawiya area Atant group on a crowded were wounded.” in the south of the stronghold, tea shop in Somalia’s capital Sources said that the attack the Syria Observatory for Hu- Mogadishu killed 10 people and took place just a few hundreds man Rights said. wounded dozens, the govern- metres from the headquarters of It killed fi ve members of the ment said yesterday. the Somali Intelligence Agency same family - a man, his wife The death toll from the attack, at around 5:30pm (1430 GMT) and three of their children - in which targeted a tea shop near Friday. the village of Iblin, two children heavily guarded government in- “The cafe was crowded when in Balyun village, and two girls stitutions on Friday evening, was the blast occurred,” said witness in Balshun village, it said. signifi cantly higher than the four Abdikarim Ali. The toll increased after a girl previously reported. The cafe is often frequented by died from her wounds in Bals- “On the evening of July 2, a members of the Somali security hun. In Iblin, an AFP photogra- suicide bomber wearing a vest forces, sources said. Al Shebaab, pher saw the bodies of the fam- detonated the device near the which is fi ghting to overthrow ily arrive at a health dispensary, Juba Hotel, killing at least 10 the internationally-backed gov- wrapped in woollen and cotton people with dozens injured,” the ernment in Mogadishu, regularly blankets. Nurses and others ministry of information, culture attacks government and civilian prepared the bodies for burial, and tourism said in a statement. targets in Mogadishu. cleaning the bloodied corpse of “The attack occurred during The group controlled the capi- a young boy before swaddling it a busy hour where the victims tal until 2011 when it was pushed in white fabric, he said. were enjoying a local tea shop,” out by African Union troops, but The Idlib health directorate it added, saying the “malicious” still holds territory in the coun- reported that the dead man in attack was by Al Shebaab. tryside. Iblin worked for its local branch, and likewise reported the death of his wife and three of their An aerial picture shows people salvaging items from the rubble of a damaged house following reported regime shelling in Jabal al-Zawiya’s children. Yesterday’s death toll Balyun village, in the south of Syria’s last major rebel stronghold of Idlib in the country’s northwest, yesterday. is one of the highest since an in- ternational ceasefi re came into But violations of the truce, maintain pressure on the rebel ern Idlib region in tandem with nearly 500,000 people since it Palestinian president force in March 2020 to protect brokered by regime ally Rus- enclave. artillery shelling by regime started in 2011 with the brutal the militant-dominated bastion sia and Turkey, are relatively In past weeks, Russian war- forces, according to the moni- repression of peaceful demon- from a regime off ensive. frequent, as government forces planes have pounded the south- tor. The war in Syria has killed strations. reinstates emergency to combat Covid-19

43 missing QNA days since then, according to the Iran fears ‘fi fth wave’ of Ramallah Palestinian news agency (Wafa). Palestinian law allows a one- off Tunisia time extension of the state of alestinian President Mah- emergency, and if it has to be ex- moud Abbas yesterday re- tended for a longer time, a new after Covid linked to Delta variant Pinstated the state of emer- declaration should be issued. gency in Palestine to combat the The state of emergency gives coronavirus pandemic for 30 the government the power to act migrant AFP days. in any way it deems necessary Tehran The state of emergency was to combat the coronavirus pan- fi rst declared in March 2020, demic. boat sinks after the discovery of the fi rst The Palestinian Ministry of resident Hassan Rouha- cases of coronavirus in the Pal- Health announced earlier yes- ni expressed fears yes- estinian territories and has been terday, 83 new cases of corona- AFP Pterday that Iran will be extended or reinstated every 30 virus during the past 24 hours. Tunis hit by a new wave of Covid-19 due to an outbreak of the Delta variant in the Middle East’s t least 43 people were hardest-hit country. missing off the south- “It is feared that we are Aeastern coast of Tunisia on the way to a fi fth wave Saudi suspends UAE after a boat carrying more than throughout the country,” Rou- 120 migrants sank, the Tunisian hani told a meeting of Iran’s Red Crescent said yesterday. anti-virus taskforce, warning fl ights due to virus variant “Eighty-four migrants were the public to be careful as “the rescued and 43 others disap- Delta variant” had entered the peared after a boat carrying 127 country from the south and AFP returning from these countries migrants sank off the coast of southeast. Riyadh will be required to quarantine for Zarzis” on Friday night, Mongi Covid-19 has killed more 14 days, it added. Slim of the Red Crescent said. than 84,000 people out of over Citizens would be banned 3.2mn infections in Iran, ac- audi Arabia has suspended “from travelling directly or in- The survivors picked up cording to offi cial fi gures that Iranians, mask-clad due to the coronavirus pandemic, cross a street in the capital Tehran, yesterday. fl ights to three countries, directly, without obtaining prior off Zarzis were aged authorities admit do not ac- Sincluding the neighbour- permission from...authorities”. between three and count for all cases. classifi ed as “red”. In red zones, hygienic as they used to “strict controls of the coun- ing United Arab Emirates, to The decision was taken due to 40, the ministry said Delta, fi rst detected in India all shops must stay shuttered be, and fewer are wearing try’s borders”, especially protect against a coronavirus “the spread of a new mutated and now present in at least 85 except for those considered masks,” he said. those on the eastern side of variant, the interior ministry strain of the (Covid-19) virus”, it The vessel had set off from countries, is the most conta- essential, including grocery “The borders are open and Iran. Strangled by US sanc- said yesterday. added, without explicitly men- Libya’s coast, he added, citing gious of any Covid-19 variant stores and pharmacies. travellers come from India tions that have made it dif- The move comes seven weeks tioning the increasingly globally the accounts of survivors. yet identifi ed. People on the streets of Te- and Pakistan...This cycle just ficult to transfer money to after the oil-rich kingdom per- emergent Delta variant. The Tunisian navy rescued The Islamic republic con- hran voiced their frustration keeps repeating, and won’t be foreign firms, Iran says it is mitted fully immunised citizens The variant, fi rst detected in “84 illegal migrants of various fi rmed three cases of the Delta with the situation. interrupted until people get struggling to import vaccines to travel abroad, after a ban on India and now present in at least nationalities” including from variant on May 5 in the central “People are really tired of vaccinated.” for its population of foreign trips that lasted more 85 countries, is the most conta- Bangladesh, Chad, Egypt, Erit- province of Qom. wearing masks, washing their Authorities in Sistan- 83mn. than a year. gious of any Covid-19 variant yet rea and Sudan, the defence min- Iran’s health ministry has hands, not visiting each oth- Baluchistan province said Just over 4.4mn people The UAE, and especially Du- identifi ed. The UAE announced istry said. The survivors picked classifi ed as “red” — the high- er, and not travelling,” said on Wednesday that they had have received a first dose of bai, is a key leisure destination last week it had recorded cases of up off Zarzis were aged between est category on Iran’s corona- Maryam, a teacher. “They closed travel across the bor- anti-Covid vaccine in Iran, for Saudis. the Delta variant and it has sus- three and 40, the ministry said, virus risk scale — the capital can’t stand it anymore.” der with Pakistan until fur- while only 1.7mn have re- Flights to and from the UAE, pended fl ights to and from India. without giving any number for Tehran and nine other cities in Narsis, a public sector ther notice, although goods ceived the necessary two alongside those to Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has those missing. It said that the Tehran province. worker, said the cycle of new transport by road would be jabs, the health ministry says. Vietnam, will be suspended from put major limits on the annual boat had departed the port of The southern and south- waves of infection followed permitted. “God willing, the situation today, an interior ministry of- Haj pilgrimage. It has offi cially Zuwara, in northwestern Libya eastern provinces of Fars, by stricter measures was Yesterday, Alireza Raisi, will improve in terms of vac- fi cial said, quoted by the state recorded more than 490,000 during the night between Mon- Hormozgan, Kerman and Sis- testing everyone’s patience. the spokesman for the anti- cinations from next week,” news agency SPA. cases of coronavirus, including day and Tuesday. tan-Baluchistan are also now “People are no longer as virus taskforce, called for said Rouhani. Saudi citizens and residents nearly 7,850 deaths.

Protests in Burkina Faso over militant attacks Thousands took to the streets Groups linked to Al Qaeda of Burkina Faso’s capital and Islamic State originally SA court agrees to hear Zuma’s challenge to jail term yesterday to call for a tougher based in neighbouring Mali government response to a have embedded themselves wave of militant attacks that across the north and east of Reuters Zuma had until the end of to- ruling African National Con- has destabilised the West the country, launching regular Nkandla day to hand himself in, but yes- gress, which cancelled an exec- African country in recent attacks on civilians, including terday the court agreed to hear utive committee meeting over years. one in June that killed more his application, suspending the the weekend in order to focus Some had travelled hundreds than 130 people, the worst in South African court yes- order. on the ensuing crisis. of kilometres to attend the years. One protester held a terday agreed to hear ex- The South African Broad- The ex-leader has applied to opposition-led demonstration placard with a photo of flag- Apresident Jacob Zuma’s casting Corp (SABC) reported the court for the sentence to be in Ouagadougou, where draped coffins and the slogan: challenge to a 15-month jail that the court will hear his ap- annulled on the grounds that it protesters waved the red and “Mr President, have the term for failing to attend a cor- plication on July 12. is excessive and could expose green Burkinabe flag and courage to decide. We are fed ruption hearing, as hundreds of The jail sentence was seen him to Covid-19. blew whistles. “We had to up!” Pressure has increased his supporters gathered outside as sign of just how far Zuma, “When somebody is saying show our dissatisfaction, show on President Roch Kabore his home in a show of force. once revered as a veteran of the please hear me out...and then the distress of citizens who to take control and end a The constitutional court struggle against white minority we have court that says ‘OK, are crying out for security humanitarian crisis in which had on Tuesday given Zuma 15 rule, has fallen since embarking we are willing to listen to you’, and peace,” said opposition more than a million people months in jail for absconding in on a presidency beset by mul- that’s the kind of justice system supporter Alpha Yago on the have been displaced by the February from the inquiry led tiple sleaze and graft scandals people died for in this country,” Supporters of former South African President Jacob Zuma, who sidelines of the protest. violence. by Deputy Chief Justice Ray- between 2009 and 2018. the Jacob Zuma Foundation said was sentenced to a 15-month imprisonment by the Constitutional mond Zondo. His travails have divided the in a statement. Court, sing and dance in front of his home in Nkandla, yesterday. Gulf Times Sunday, July 4, 2021 7 WORLD

Ex-politician claims abuse by colleagues Heavy rainfall triggers while in offi ce

Reuters sat at a coalition function in the Melbourne prime minister’s wing around 2017. landslide in Japan city “I kept thinking to my- n Australian former pol- self over and over: ‘If he was Reuters/AFP The disaster began around itician said she endured prepared to do that to me – a Tokyo 10.30am at a river near the city, Asexist comments by 50-something corporate law- which is around 90km from To- fellow members of the ruling yer MP – in that room, what kyo and is famous as a hot spring party and inappropriate touch- must he do to women he has t least two people were resort. ing by a senior minister during real power over?’” the excerpt feared dead yesterday af- A video posted on TikTok from her three years in offi ce to 2019, said. Ater landslides triggered by the scene showed a huge slurry the Sydney Morning Herald said Banks, who worked as gen- heavy rains hit the central Japa- of mud and debris sliding slowly yesterday. eral counsel for various mul- nese city of Atami, where about down a steep road and nearly en- In a book excerpt published tinational companies over 20 people were still missing, gulfi ng a white car, which man- by the newspaper and an ac- 20 years before standing for public broadcaster NHK said. aged to drive away just before a companying article, lawyer election in 2016, documents a Prime Minister Yoshihide faster and more violent torrent and former Liberal party mem- series of what she calls sexist Suga, who convened an emer- arrived. ber Julia Banks was also quoted and undermining comments gency task force to tackle the cri- In other clips on social media, as saying that Prime Minister by Liberal party members from sis, asked people in the aff ected the landslide was seen toppling Scott Morrison’s offi ce sought before her selection until after areas to remain on alert. electricity poles, with large areas to paint her as an emotionally she left. “There may be more heavy left inundated by several waves of weak woman, overwhelmed The prime minister’s ap- rainfalls and we need to be taking earth. while in offi ce, when she left proval ratings have fallen this the highest caution,” he said in Much of Japan is currently in the party to run as an inde- year amid anger over his gov- televised remarks. its annual rainy season, which pendent. ernment’s handling of allega- The fl oods are a reminder of lasts several weeks and often The newspaper quoted a tions of sexual abuse, discrimi- the natural disasters – including causes fl oods and landslides, Morrison spokesman as saying nation against women and a earthquakes, volcanoes and tsu- prompting local authorities to is- he was unaware of any alleged case of alleged rape in a parlia- nami – that plague Japan, where sue evacuation orders. sexual harassment that Banks mentary offi ce. the capital Tokyo is to host the Scientists say climate change faced and that he rejected any Morrison reshuffl ed his summer Olympics this month. is intensifying the phenomenon claims of bullying. top ministers to include more NHK aired footage of collapsed because a warmer atmosphere Morrison’s offi ce did not im- women in March, after his- and half-submerged houses as holds more water, resulting in mediately respond to a Reuters torical rape allegations were water dashed the city with mud more intense rainfall. request for comment. aired against Attorney-General and debris. More than 200 people died Banks did not immediately Christian Porter. Social media images showed as devastating fl oods inundated respond to a request for com- Porter strongly denies the partially submerged cars and western Japan in 2018. ment yesterday evening. claim of the alleged 1988 rape. rescue workers wading through The highest evacuation alert, In the excerpt, Banks de- A review of parliamentary waist-high water with a small which urges people “to secure scribed an incident with an culture is now underway by sex life raft. safety urgently”, has been issued unnamed male senior minister discrimination commissioner “I heard a horrible sound and to Atami city which has more and cabinet member while she Kate Jenkins. saw a mudslide fl owing down- than 20,000 households, ac- wards as rescue workers were cording to NHK. urging people to evacuate. So I Residents in many other cities ran to higher ground,” the head in Shizuoka have also been or- of a temple near the disaster told Mud and debris are seen at the scene of a landslide following days of heavy rain in Atami, Shizuoka dered to evacuate. public broadcaster NHK. “When prefecture. Shinkansen bullet trains be- Australia reports I returned, houses and cars that tween Tokyo and Osaka were were in front of the temple were evacuated, NHK said. just 48 hours – higher than the mudslide occurred ... it picked temporarily stopped due to the gone.” Some 2,830 households in the average monthly total for July of up speed and swept away houses heavy rain, while other local biggest daily Covid Japan’s military sent emer- area face power outages, it said, 242.5mm, according to NHK. together with people,” Shizuoka trains in rain-aff ected areas were gency rescue teams to the city, citing the Tokyo Electric Power. “Because of the heavy rain, Governor Heita Kawakatsu told also halted, rail company web- caseload for 2021 where about 80 people have been Atami saw rainfall of 313mm in the ground loosened and the reporters. sites said.

Reuters few days are critical.” Melbourne Sydney is halfway through a two-week lockdown. Berejiklian said it was still China urges ‘Great Wall of Immunity’ ustralia’s New South too early to make a decision on Wales state recorded whether to extend the lock- eas, the health ministry said. Aits biggest daily rise in down. Reuters/AFP weeks before it is to host the Ol- ernment’s indicators for lifting in virus hotspots around the coronavirus (Covid-19) infec- “Health experts are giving Beijing ympics. curbs, the security minister said Muslim-majority country, which Experts previously warned tions this year, even as resi- myself and my colleagues ad- Tokyo and three neighbouring yesterday. recorded more than 25,000 new that millions travelling nation- dents in several major cities vice on a daily basis,” she said. prefectures are among areas un- The Southeast Asian coun- cases and 539 deaths on Friday, wide at the end of the Muslim across the country were re- “I anticipate that obviously hina’s Foreign Minister der a “quasi” state of emergency try has been under a nationwide both new daily records. fasting month of Ramadan in leased from snap lockdowns sometime next week we’ll be in Wang Yi urged the inter- set to run through July 11, but Ja- lockdown since June 1 to rein in a Indonesia’s daily caseload has May would trigger an explosion yesterday. a position to tell the commu- Cnational community yes- pan may extend the measures by surge of Covid-19 infections. more than quadrupled in less of cases. Sydney, the New South nity where things are at.” terday to build a “Great Wall of two weeks or more due to a recent Malaysian Prime Minister than a month. The streets of Jakarta were Wales state capital and home Elsewhere in the country, Immunity” to battle the corona- uptick in infections. Muhyiddin Yassin has said that But the country’s offi cial tally largely deserted yesterday with to one-fi fth of Australia’s residents enjoyed a taste of virus (Covid-19) pandemic. The coronavirus surge comes the government will gradually to date, which stands at 2.2mn shops closed as offi cials turned 25mn population, has been hit freedom as the weekend got “We should face the imminent as Olympic organisers struggle to open up the economy and social cases and 59,534 deaths, is wide- back non-essential traffi c fl ow- hardest in a fl urry of outbreaks underway after lockdowns in challenges together,” Wang, who decide whether to allow specta- activities in four phases, based ly believed to be a severe under- ing in from the capital’s satellite of the highly contagious Delta Western Australia, the North- is also a member of the State tors at the Games, which start on on infection numbers, Covid-19 count due to low testing. cities – a massive urban area of variant around the country ern Territory and some areas Council, or cabinet, told the 9th July 23. vaccination rates, and the capac- “The stricter restrictions came some 30mn people. over the past two weeks. of Queensland state were lifted World Peace Forum held at Ts- Having decided to ban over- ity of the healthcare system. too late,” said Jakarta resident The new measures announced State Premier Gladys Bere- on Friday night. inghua University in the capital seas spectators, the organisers Curbs are to be partially lifted Maya Puspita Sari. “Before, peo- by Indonesian President Joko jiklian reported 35 new cases, Queensland Premier An- Beijing. have capped the number of do- in the states of Kelantan, Pahang, ple who got Covid-19 were stran- Widodo this week are set to last 29 of which were linked to pre- nastacia Palaszczuk confi rmed “The most urgent priority is mestic spectators at 10,000 per Perak, Perlis, and Terengganu gers, but now it’s also the people until July 20 in hope of bringing vious cases. that a lockdown in Brisbane to expedite the construction of venue for the Games, or 50% of tomorrow as they have achieved closest to me who are infected ... daily infections below 10,000. That eclipsed the 31 cases would be lifted this weekend as the ‘Great Wall of Immunity’ to capacity, despite medical experts their targets for moving to the the virus is getting so much clos- The curbs will also apply to reported a day earlier, taking she reported fi ve new Covid-19 fend off the virus, surpass politi- saying no spectators would be second phase of lockdown, the er and it’s terrifying.” holiday island Bali, hit by a recent total infections under the cur- cases in the state. cal discrimination and carry out the “least risky” option. minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, The highly contagious Delta jump in cases that has delayed rent outbreak to more than 250. Lockdowns, swift con- international anti-pandemic co- Yesterday’s Covid-19 number told reporters. variant of the virus, fi rst identi- plans to reopen to international “While the number of cases tact tracing and tough social operation,” he said. is the highest since May 26, when His comments came as stricter fi ed in India and now present in at tourists. are going up, we are seeing a distancing rules have helped China, where the coronavirus Tokyo had 743 new infections. measures took eff ect yesterday in least 85 countries, has been driv- Yesterday, Bali police patrolled greater proportion of those Australia to suppress prior fi rst surfaced in the central city of Vietnam’s health ministry the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and ing the recent wave, accounting beachside eateries to enforce the in isolation which is what we outbreaks, but the fast-mov- Wuhan in late 2019, has supplied reported 922 new coronavirus the neighbouring state of Selan- for 80% of new cases in some ar- lockdown. want to see,” Berejiklian told a ing Delta strain has alarmed more than 480mn vaccine doses cases yesterday, the highest dai- gor, which are among Malaysia’s press conference, adding: “We authorities amid a sluggish to other nations. ly total since the virus was fi rst worst-hit regions. haven’t seen a huge surge in nationwide vaccination cam- Wang said it would keep work- found in the country in January Yesterday’s 6,658 new cases cases ... (but) we know the next paign. ing to improve the accessibility last year. take Malaysia’s tally of infections and aff ordability of vaccines in Most cases were in the busi- to 772,607, while its death toll developing countries. ness hub Ho Chi Minh City, stands at 5,327. As of Friday, China had admin- where restriction orders have Indonesia imposed a partial istered a total of 1.28bn doses of been in place for the past four lockdown yesterday in the capital vaccine. weeks. Jakarta, across the main island of Thousands protest in Tokyo meanwhile reported Vietnam has recorded 19,043 Java and on Bali as the Southeast 716 new Covid-19 infections infections overall and 84 fatali- Asian nation grappled with an yesterday, its highest in more ties. unprecedented wave of corona- coronavirus-hit Seoul than fi ve weeks, as the nation Malaysia will relax coronavi- virus infections. considers extending pandemic rus lockdowns next week in fi ve Mosques, restaurants and restrictions in the capital just states that have met the gov- shopping malls were shuttered Reuters ion said drew as many as 8,000 Seoul participants, backed demands for wage hikes and measures to prevent accidents. housands of South Ko- But plans for the gathering rean workers staged a had provoked concern about Trally in downtown Seoul a repeat of the events of last to demand better conditions, summer, after a rally traced to a video images showed yester- church sparked a second wave day, defying a government ban of infections nationwide. and shrugging off warnings However, the union pushed that their protest could ignite ahead with the rally after a a new wave of the coronavirus. change of venue from the fi - As South Korea battles a nancial centre of Yeouido, spike in infections fuelled by where police had set up a barri- the Delta variant, offi cials had cade of buses and checkpoints. denied permission for the pro- About 80% of South Korea’s test, with Prime Minister Kim locally transmitted cases con- Boo-kyum urging leaders of tinue to come from the Seoul the Korean Confederation of metropolitan area, home to Trade Unions to cancel it. more than half of the country’s Marchers wearing masks population of 52mn. blocked some of the main Daily infections hit the streets in the central district of highest in nearly six months on Jongno, holding up signs with Thursday. slogans such as “Stop restruc- Friday’s 794 cases reported turing!” and “Let’s go! General by the Korea Disease Control strike!” video from the Yonhap and Prevention Agency were news agency showed. slightly lower than the previ- Off icers stop people on scooters heading to the beach as new measures are enforced in Sanur, on Bali Street in Jakarta are largely deserted as Indonesia imposed a partial The protest, which the un- ous day’s fi gure. island. lockdown in the capital due to the Delta coronavirus variant. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, July 4, 2021 WORLD

UK council spending Protests call for end to on homeless housing up 500% from 2010

B&B use has crept up as council funds become depleted and NHS money, staff woes temporary accommodation scarcer By Patrick Butler is phased out in autumn. Anger grows over recommended 1% pay rise, as nurses and to be kept alive, after also facing No, said: “I have been dealt over signed a petition set up by a nurse Guardian News & Media Council leaders, before the doctors consider taking industrial action structural reforms which many a decade of real terms cuts to my from Merthyr Tydfi l, Wales, LGA annual conference next say has damaged effi ciency. pay despite my workload only which says the weekly national week, called on ministers to By Mattha Busby tors in consideration of what he Before the protests, co-chair continuing to increase.” rounds of applause, broadcast ouncils in England are give local authorities more Guardian News & Media said was “what’s aff ordable as a of Keep Our NHS Public Dr Tony “Staff have been victims of with images of ministers clap- spending fi ve times power and resources to build nation”. O’Sullivan, said: “The NHS avoidable deaths and illness ping, is “a nice gesture” but that Cmore on housing home- 100,000 social homes for rent On Friday, the British Medi- was set up 73 years ago to make whilst crony contracts and profi t what they most want is for NHS less people in B&Bs (bed and to help reduce homelessness. ozens of protests calling cal Association (BMA) said it healthcare available for all. This has been placed above work- workers to be given a 15% pay breakfast establishments) than They also want the gov- for an end to underfund- planned to ask members about principle is undermined by gov- ers’ safety,” she added. “We are rise. they were a decade ago, as the ernment to bring forward its Ding and understaffi ng taking industrial action and halt- ernment policy that has under- struggling to keep our patients “Clapping for NHS staff is a numbers of people needing to pledge to end no-fault evic- in the National Health Service ing paid and unpaid overtime if funded the NHS and gives pri- safe due to chronic understaffi ng nice gesture – but it doesn’t pay be put up in temporary accom- tions and improvements to the (NHS) across England, Scotland the government’s pay off er was ority to investment with private and unmanageable waiting lists.” the bills,” it says. “Please show modation soars, analysis of of- social security system, includ- and Wales are expected to take not closer to 4%, after years of health companies.” Alia Butt, an NHS psychother- your real appreciation for NHS fi cial fi gures shows. ing the retention of the £20 place this weekend. real terms cuts. “The weakened NHS has been apist and also part of Keep Our staff by helping us get this crucial Shortage of suitable housing uplift to universal credit, due Campaigners from Keep Our The Royal College of Nursing stretched to breaking point by NHS Public, said: “Patients in- pay rise for NHS staff that work means councils spent £142mn to be reversed in October, and a NHS Public said they were also also said it was considering bal- Covid and the population has evitably suff er from the devalu- so hard.” on B&Bs in 2019-20, up from review of the benefi t cap. urging an end to health service loting for action over the “slap in suff ered,” he added. “Staff are ing of workers.” The protests come as the NHS £27mn in 2010, according to Jon Sparkes, the chief ex- privatisation, better pay and to the face” pay off er. underpaid, overworked and their “Instead of considering pa- turns 73. the Local Government Asso- ecutive of the homelessness highlight threats to patient safety Outside University College health put in danger. The new tient safety, the government has More than 70 landmarks across ciation (LGA). charity Crisis, said the fi gures due to working conditions. Hospital in London yesterday, health bill threatens further large squandered taxpayers money England were to be lit up blue this Over the same period, the were deeply concerning. There was anger in March NHS health workers and activists scale private contracting.” unchallenged and continues to weekend to thank staff for their numbers of people housed an- “We routinely hear from when the former health secretary chanted: “Boris Johnson hear us Holly Turner, an NHS nurse waste life-saving resources on work during the pandemic and nually in B&Bs rose from 2,310 people trapped in B&Bs, where Matt Hancock recommended a shout, pay us properly or get out”. and founding member of cam- nepotistic contracts,” she said. commemorate the hundreds who to 10,510 – a 350% increase. the rooms are so crowded they 1% increase for nurses and doc- They also called for the NHS paign group NHS Workers Say Almost 800,000 people have died in relation to Covid-19. “Sadly, these fi gures refl ect must share a bed with their the scale of the housing chal- children and often don’t have lenges that our country faces. the facilities to cook their own Councils will only use bed meals or do their own wash- and breakfasts as a last resort, ing,” he said. “No one should Booster bid but the severe lack of suit- be forced to live like this or Thousands able housing means they now shoulder the anxiety that to- have no choice,” said Council- morrow they could be moved lor David Renard, the LGA’s somewhere else even less suit- fl ee as housing spokesperson. “This able.” is hugely disruptive to families A spokesperson from the with children, and the rising ministry of housing, commu- volcano demand for support has come nities and local government with soaring costs for coun- said: “As you would expect, the cils.” decisive action we have taken spews B&Bs are regarded as un- to protect vulnerable people suitable for anything more and save lives during the pan- than short stays for home- demic has clearly contributed toxic gas less people because of lack of to these fi gures.” space, privacy and washing “Our Homelessness Reduc- facilities. tion Act has already helped AFP It is against the law for nearly 350,000 households Manila councils to house families with into more permanent accom- children in B&Bs for more than modation and we’re invest- six weeks. ing £750mn over the next year ore than 2,000 people But their use has crept up alone to tackle homelessness have fl ed from a vol- in recent years as homeless- and rough sleeping and lessen Mcano eruption that has ness has increased, council re- the need for temporary accom- fi lled the air near the Philippine sources have become more de- modation,” the spokesperson capital with toxic gas, offi cials pleted, and suitable temporary said. “We’re investing more said yesterday. accommodation has become than £12bn in aff ordable hous- Taal volcano, which sits in scarcer and more expensive. ing over fi ve years, the largest a picturesque lake, has been There are concerns the investment in a decade, with belching sulphur dioxide for problem could get worse as half for aff ordable and social several days, creating a thick pandemic support for families rent.” haze over Manila and several surrounding provinces, and prompting health warnings. At least 2,400 people have left their homes since the gov- UK doctors want some ernment called for evacuations of hamlets on the lake’s shores, A municipal worker drives an auto-rickshaw decorated with mock syringes through the streets of Chennai yesterday to raise provincial disaster offi cial awareness on the importance of coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination. Covid-19 curbs to stay Joselito Castro told AFP. “We expect more residents to evacuate over the coming days,” Reuters and called for a renewed fo- he said, adding that they were Bollywood star London cus on ventilating properties seeking refuge either in schools after a sharp recent rise in the closed by the coronavirus pan- Aamir Khan and number of novel coronavirus demic or in the homes of rela- Pacquiao backs graft claims with wife to divorce ngland should retain (Covid-19) cases, with 27,125 tives. some coronavirus meas- reported on Friday. Taal lies just 50km (30 miles) Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan Eures beyond July 19, “This data coupled with south of Manila and for much missing public funds allegation announced yesterday that he is when most remaining restric- some increases in hospitali- of the past week has discharged splitting with his wife of 15 years, tions are due to be lifted, to sation suggests that it would volcanic smog that has blotted filmmaker Kiran Rao. help limit the spread of the dis- be quite wrong from a public out the sun in the capital. Reuters show evidence of corruption which is overseeing the dis- The A-list couple released a ease, a doctors’ union warned health interest to on July 19 Civil defence offi cials have Manila in his government, and the tribution of cash aid, said the statement saying that their break- yesterday. remove all restrictions ... or to warned that upwards of 317,000 boxing superstar said his fi nd- agency would co-operate with up had been agreed but they Prime Minister Boris John- give the public the expectation people could be vulnerable to ings about missing funds were any investigation. would raise their son together son confi rmed last Monday that we will have a pre-Covid toxic gas emissions from the ore than 10bn pesos the tip of the iceberg. Pacquiao, 42, had long been and still work on joint projects. that most restrictions in Eng- society where no one has to volcano under the current erup- ($204mn) in pan- “That is just one of the among Duterte’s strongest “In these 15 beautiful years land will end on July 19, on take any measures to prevent tion’s worst-case scenario. Mdemic aid intended things I have discovered. It supporters, but is seen as a together we have shared a what has been dubbed “Free- spread,” BMA council chair Taal is one of the most active for poor families is unaccount- has only been three days since possible contender when the lifetime of experiences, joy and dom Day”. Dr Chaand Nagpaul told Sky volcanoes in the Philippines. ed for, boxer-turned-senator I accepted your challenge to leader’s six-year term ends laughter, and our relationship has However, on Thursday he News yesterday. The last eruption there in Jan- Manny Pacquiao said yester- present proof,” said Pacquiao, next year. only grown in trust, respect and said that British people may Fully vaccinated people who uary 2020 shot ash 15km (nine day, adding that this was just who found himself in Duterte’s “You should not be mad at love,” they said. have to continue taking some have been in contact with a miles) high and spewed red-hot one of the discoveries in his crosshairs after he railed at al- me,” Pacquiao told the presi- “Now we would like to begin a precautions, without giving coronavirus suff erer will be lava, crushing scores of homes, corruption investigation. leged corruption. dent before leaving the coun- new chapter in our lives – no details. free within weeks to carry on killing livestock and sending Pacquiao on Thursday ac- Irene Dumlao, spokesper- try to prepare for a fi ght next longer as husband and wife, but The British Medical Asso- life as normal with no need to more than 135,000 people into cepted Philippine President son at the Department of So- month. “I only wanted to as co-parents and family for each ciation (BMA) wants people quarantine, The Times report- shelters. Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge to cial Welfare and Development help.” other.” – AFP to continue using face masks ed yesterday.

Irish PM urges UK to match EU generosity over Northern Ireland protocol

By Mattha Busby week in terms of the extension of meats, after a request from the The pair warned the EU that land in the EU’s single market for Guardian News & Media the grace period and also in terms UK, avoids a trade dispute by de- the protocol, negotiated as part goods. of the facilitation around the laying the ban until September of the Brexit deal, risks “damage” But unionists have complained medicines issue.” 30 while eff orts continue to fi nd to the Good Friday agreement, the terms are splitting Northern he Irish premier, Micheal “There is no question that the a lasting solution to measures which in 1998 helped to secure Ireland from Britain and harm- Martin, has called on European Commission and the which prevent a hard border in peace after decades of sectar- ing business, with some British TDowning Street to “recip- European Union leaders have Ireland. ian violence in Northern Ireland, products not available in shops rocate the generosity of spirit” demonstrated goodwill and a The UK government accepted unless a “new balance” is found due to extra costs for retailers. shown by EU leaders on the generosity of spirit towards the as annex two of the protocol in terms of customs checks. The UK has repeatedly rejected Northern Ireland protocol af- British government in resolving a measure stating that chilled Frost and Lewis urged Brussels a temporary Switzerland-style ter they extended the grace pe- this issue,” he added. meats, including “meat prepara- to adopt a softer approach to the agreement with the EU under riod allowing chilled meats to be “It really is time for British tions” such as sausages, have to implementation of the protocol, which the UK would align with shipped to the nation from Brit- government to reciprocate the be sent frozen into the bloc from which the former helped to ne- Brussels’ rulebook for a period ain. generosity of spirit that Europe- non-EU states without a mutual gotiate. and 80% of the checks would no Martin said yesterday that an leaders have shown,” Martin and all-encompassing veterinary It comes after talk of tariff s longer have to take place. “warning each other is over” and continued. “And also the sense agreement. over the UK’s failure to imple- German Chancellor Angela called for engagement to fi nd so- of fl exibility that Europe has in- The UK’s decision not to align ment the Irish protocol in the Merkel, who held talks with UK lutions through the withdrawal dicated to the UK that it is willing with EU standards in plant and withdrawal agreement. Prime Minister Boris Johnson at agreement. to deploy, in respect of the work- animal products has led to a The potential prohibition on Chequers in Buckinghamshire on It came after UK cabinet min- ing out of issues pertaining to the range of sanitary checks on plant This picture taken on Friday shows Prime Minister Johnson with chilled meats from Britain is one Friday, expressed optimism that isters ramped up pressure for protocol.” and animal products. German Chancellor Merkel at Chequers, the off icial country residence result of the protocol, which has “pragmatic solutions” can be concessions on the protocol by “The time for warning each UK cabinet ministers have of the prime minister, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. created a series of economic bar- reached on the protocol. warning of disruption to peace if other is over. It’s time for engage- been calling for concessions on riers on Irish Sea trade to retain Johnson, at a joint press con- changes are not made. ment, constructive engagement, the protocol, saying that “a seri- In a joint article in the Irish extension of a grace period in the the integrity of the EU. ference with Merkel, said he Martin said: “I think the Brit- with a view to reaching a resolu- ously unbalanced situation” has Times, Brexit minister Lord Frost so-called sausage war was wel- The protocol is aimed at avoid- hoped the “wurst is behind us” ish government should acknowl- tion,” he said. developed in the operation of the and Northern Ireland secretary come but “addresses only a small ing a hard border with Ireland by when it came to the chilled meat edge the approach of the EU this The EU decision on chilled agreement. Brandon Lewis said this week’s part of the underlying problem”. in eff ect keeping Northern Ire- saga. Gulf Times Sunday, July 4, 2021 9 WORLD Ransomware attack potentially hit 1,000 businesses

AFP incident with VSA at midday Friday somware attacks. San Francisco on the US East Coast and “imme- The Federal Bureau of Investiga- diately shut down” its servers as a Big Swedish supermarket chain, with tion has blamed those attacks on “precautionary measure,” it said. hackers based in Russian territory. ransomware attack on a US IT It also “immediately notified our But typically, “cybercriminals oper- company potentially targeted on-premises customers via email, 800 stores, also hit by cyberattack ate company by company,” said Ger- A 1,000 businesses, researchers in-product notes, and phone to shut ome Billois, a cybersecurity expert said yesterday. down their VSA servers to prevent One of Sweden’s biggest supermarket chains said cyber-attack on US IT company Kaseya on Friday. with Wavestone consultancy. Kaseya said on Friday evening it them from being compromised.” yesterday it had to temporarily close around 800 Kaseya has urged customers to shut down servers “In this case, they attacked a had limited the attack to “a very “We believe that we have identi- stores nationwide after a cyberattack blocked ac- running its VSA platform after dozens were hit with company that provides software for small percentage of our customers” fied the source of the vulnerability cess to its checkouts. ransomware attacks. managing data systems, allowing who use its signature VSA software and are preparing a patch to mitigate “One of our subcontractors was hit by a digital A wave of ransomware attacks has struck world- them to simultaneously target sev- — “currently estimated at fewer it,” the company said in a statement. attack, and that’s why our checkouts aren’t work- wide recently, especially in the United States. eral dozen — possibly even hundreds than 40 worldwide.” According to the New Zealand ing anymore,” Coop Sweden, which accounts for Ransomware attacks typically involve locking away — of companies,” he said. Cybersecurity firm Huntress Labs government’s Computer Emergency around 20% of the sector, said in a statement. data in systems using encryption, making compa- Determining exactly how many is said in a Reddit forum, however, that Response Team, the attackers were “We regret the situation and will do all we can to nies pay to regain access. difficult, since affected companies it was working with partners target- from a hacking group known as RE- reopen swiftly,” the cooperative added. Last year, hackers extorted at least $18 billion using lose their communications systems ed in the attack, and that the soft- vil. Coop Sweden did not name the subcontractor or such software, according to security firm Emsisoft. at the same time, Billois said. ware was manipulated “to encrypt REvil was also, according to the reveal the hacking method used against it begin- In recent weeks, such attacks have hit oil pipelines, And Kaseya, which had urged its more than 1,000 companies.” FBI, behind last month’s attack on ning on Friday evening. health services and major firms, and made it onto clients to shut down servers run- Ransomware attacks typically in- JBS, one of the world’s biggest meat But the Swedish subsidiary of the Visma software the agenda of US President Joe Biden’s June meet- ning its VSA platform, cannot know volve locking away data in systems processors, which ended with the group said the problem was linked to a mayor ing with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. whether systems were turned off using encryption, making compa- Brazil-based company paying bit- “voluntarily or by force.” nies pay to regain access. coin worth $11 million to the hack- “This is one of the largest, most Kaseya describes itself as a leading ers. situation,” said Eric Goldstein, the quarters in Ireland. Several Security Council members widespread ransomware attacks provider of IT and security manage- The US Cybersecurity and Infra- agency’s cybersecurity manager. The UN Security Council this acknowledged the grave dangers I’ve seen in my career,” said Alfred ment services to small and medium- structure Security Agency (CISA) “We are working with Kaseya and week held its first formal public posed by cybercrime, notably ran- Saikali of law firm Shook, Hardy & sized businesses. put out word that it was “taking ac- coordinating with the FBI to con- meeting on cybersecurity, address- somware attacks on key installations Bacon. VSA, the company’s flagship of- tion to understand and address the duct outreach to victims who may be ing the growing threat of hacks to and companies. “I have never seen this many com- fering, is designed to let companies recent supply-chain ransomware affected,” he added in a message sent countries’ key infrastructure — an Multiple US companies, includ- panies hire us in a single day for the manage networks of computers and attack” against Kaseya VSA and the to AFP. issue US President Joe Biden recent- ing the computer group SolarWinds same incident. As a general rule, you printers from a single point. service providers using its software. Kaseya lists a US headquarters in ly raised with Russian counterpart and the Colonial oil pipeline, have want to avoid paying the ransom at Kaseya became aware of a possible CISA is “closely monitoring the Florida and an international head- Vladimir Putin. also recently been targeted by ran- all costs.”

Canadian military on alert as wildfi res rage Vatican indicts 10, including

AFP Ottawa cardinal, for fi nancial crimes he Canadian military was on standby yesterday to help evacuate towns and fi ght more than 170 wildfi res fuelled by a record-smash- Reuters Torzi what the indictment re- “enormous losses”. Ting heat wave and tinder-dry conditions as the government in Ot- Vatican City quest called an “undue advan- Torzi was arrested in the tawa warned of a “long and challenging summer” ahead. tage”. Vatican in June 2020, and spent At least 177 fi res were active in the western province of British Columbia, Di Ruzza was also accused of a week in custody. 76 of them sparked in the last two days, offi cials said. Most were caused by prominent Italian cardi- embezzlement related to alleged According to the indictment intense lightning storms. nal was among 10 people inappropriate use of his offi cial request, Becciu is charged with The fi res were north of the city of Kamloops, 220 miles northeast of Van- Asent to trial in the Vatican credit card, and of divulging fi ve counts of embezzlement, couver. yesterday charged with fi nan- confi dential information. two of abuse of offi ce, and one “We saw 12,000 lightning strikes, roughly, yesterday,” said Cliff Chap- cial crimes including embezzle- Bruelhart said in a text mes- count of inducing a witness to man, the director of provincial operations for British Columbia Wildfi re ment, money laundering, fraud, sage that he had “always carried perjury. About 75 pages of the Service, according to public broadcaster the CBC. extortion and abuse of offi ce. out my functions and duties document are dedicated to Bec- “Many of those lightning strikes were hitting near communities, (as) Cardinal Angelo Becciu, for- with correctness” and that “the ciu. was seen in the Kamloops area.” merly a senior offi cial in the truth about my innocence will It says Becciu tried to “heav- While the immediate blame for the scorching heat has been placed on Vatican administration, as well emerge.” ily defl ect” the inquiry into a high-pressure “heat dome” trapping warm air in the region, climate as two top offi cials at the Vati- Di Ruzza did not immediately Vatican investments, including change is making record-setting temperatures more frequent. can’s Financial Intelligence Unit respond to a voicemail request- the London building, and tried “The dry conditions and the extreme heat in British Columbia are un- will go on trial on July 27 over a ing comment. to discredit the investigating precedented,” Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said on Friday. “These wild- multi-million euro scandal in- In 2014, the Secretariat of magistrates via the Italian me- fi res show that we are in the earliest stages of what promises to be a long volving the Vatican’s purchase State invested more than 200 dia. and challenging summer.” of a building in one of London’s million euros, much of it from Becciu continued to have in- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met on Friday with an incident response smartest districts. IN THE DOCK: Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who has been contributions from the faithful, fl uence over money transfers at group that included several ministers, after earlier speaking with local, pro- The trial will inevitably bring caught up in a real estate scandal, speaks to the media a day after in a fund run by Mincione, se- the Secretariat even after he left vincial and indigenous leaders. a swirl of media interest to the he resigned suddenly and gave up his right to take part in an curing about 45% of a commer- the post, the document said. “We will be there to help,” he told reporters. The response group said it tiny city-state surrounded by eventual conclave to elect a Pope, near Vatican last year. (Reuters) cial and residential building at The main charges against would establish an operations centre in Edmonton, with up to 350 military Rome, and appears to under- 60 Sloane Avenue in London’s Becciu involve the alleged fun- personnel providing logistical support to the region, according to Defense score Pope Francis’ determina- woman who worked for him was with individual defendants, two South Kensington district. nelling of money and contracts Minister Harjit Sajjan. Military aircraft are also being deployed. tion to cure the rot in Vatican fi - charged with embezzlement and in Switzerland, one in the Unit- The indictment request said to companies or charitable or- nances, even if it involves messy the cardinal’s former secretary, ed States and one in Slovenia, Mincione had tried to deceive ganisations controlled by his public hearings. a priest, was accused of extor- were also indicted, according to the Vatican, which in 2018 tried brothers on their native island Russia’s Covid-19 death toll Becciu, 73, whom the Pope tion. the document. to end the relationship. of Sardinia. fi red from his senior clerical post Becciu said in a statement The investigation into the It turned to Torzi for help in Another Sardinian, Cecilia hits record high for fifth day last year for alleged nepotism, that he was a victim of a “mach- purchase of the building be- buying up the rest of the build- Maronga, 40, who worked for and who has always maintained ination” and reaffi rmed his “ab- came public on October 1, 2019, ing, but later accused him of ex- Becciu, was charged with em- Russia yesterday reported 697 coronavirus-related deaths, the most his innocence during a two- solute innocence”. when Vatican police raided tortion. bezzlement. Her cellphone was confirmed in a single day since the pandemic began and the fifth day year investigation, becomes the Two Italian brokers, Gian- the offi ces of the Secretariat of At the time, Becciu was in the not connected. in a row it has set that record. most senior Vatican offi cial to be luigi Torzi and Raff aele Min- State, the administrative heart last year of his post as deputy The indictment request said The government coronavirus taskforce confirmed 24,439 new charged with fi nancial crimes. cione, were charged with em- of the Catholic Church, and secretary of state for general af- she had received about 575,000 coronavirus cases nationwide, the most it has reported since The Pope personally gave the bezzlement, fraud and money those of the Vatican’s Financial fairs, a powerful administrative euros from the Secretariat of January. Off icials blame the surge on the infectious Delta variant and required approval last week for laundering. Torzi, for whom Information Authority (AIF). position that handles hundreds State in 2018-2019. tepid demand for vaccinations. Becciu to be indicted, according Italian magistrates issued an ar- The then-president of the of millions of euros. She has said on Italian tel- Moscow, the worst-hit region throughout Russia’s pandemic, to a 487-page indictment re- rest warrant in April, was also AIF, Rene Bruelhart, a 48-year- All told, the Secretariat of evision that the money, sent to accounted for 7,446 of Saturday’s new cases. But its mayor told quest seen by Reuters. The Vati- charged with extortion. There old Swiss, and AIF’s former State sank more than 350 mil- her company in Slovenia, was to residents the rate of vaccinations was picking up and that more than can announced the indictments was no immediate response to Italian director, Tommaso Di lion euros into the investment, ransom kidnapped missionar- 2.7 million people had received at least one vaccine dose. in a two-page statement. attempts to reach their lawyers, Ruzza, 46, were charged with according to Vatican media, and ies in Africa. But the indictment Spooked by a new wave of infections that began last month, off icials The charges against Bec- but both men have consistently abuse of offi ce for allegedly fail- suff ered what Cardinal George request said much of it was used imposed an array of measures to compel or encourage people to get ciu include embezzlement denied wrongdoing. ing to adequately protect the Pell, the former Vatican treas- for “personal benefi t”, including vaccinated. and abuse of offi ce. An Italian Four companies associated Vatican’s interests and giving urer, told Reuters last year were the purchase of luxury goods.

Florida collapse toll now 24, the rest of building Fans mark 50 years since iconic rocker Morrison’s death to be razed soon Rockers old and young cried in a stylishly The restrictions put in place to combat the overgrown cemetery in Paris yesterday, spread of the virus meant many fans could not Rescuers recovered two more marking 50 years since the death of 1960s icon make it. bodies to bring the death toll Jim Morrison. “English fans could not come, we are sorry in the Florida apartment block Dozens of fans of the frontman of psychedelic because we’ve known them for about 20 years,” collapse to 24, authorities said rock band The Doors, who decamped to the says Catherine Dalancon, the organiser of the yesterday, vowing to quickly French capital in early 1971 and died shortly commemoration. raze the rest of the structure afterwards of a heart attack, flocked to his grave Previous events have been uproarious before the potential arrival of in an overcrowded corner of Pere Lachaise celebrations, and 10 years ago surviving Tropical Storm Elsa. cemetery. members of The Doors showed up. Nine days after the collapse in “It’s important because the music lives on... But this time, coronavirus ensured a more the town of Surfside, 124 people it’s like the music is alive today, like Light My sombre aff air. are still listed as missing, said Fire was recorded last week,” says Michelle “I usually meet a lot of people who are not here Miami-Dade County Mayor Campbell, a fan from England, recalling the today,” says Parisian Christelle, sitting against a Daniella Levine Cava. Hopes band’s greatest hit. tree, explaining that she visits the grave every of finding anyone alive are fast Proving her point, 19-year-old music student major anniversary of Morrison’s death and birth. diminishing. Marius de la Brosse, with tousled long dark hair Two small groups of police off icers are in Most of the 12-story Champlain and baggy linen shirt, whips out a guitar and attendance to make sure nothing gets out of Towers South building collapsed strums a few blues chords. hand. in the early hours of June 24, “I like his vision of life,” the French teenager But they are not needed — the biggest sending up a huge cloud of says of Morrison. “He was a guy who never had disturbances coming with Doors music blaring dust and rattling Americans a home, who travelled with dollars in his pocket from mobile phones. unprepared for such a deadly and just wandered around.” But die-hard fans are not disheartened. urban disaster. With Tropical Some read poetry, others leave messages close Fred Verheijden, in his seventies, has made it to Storm Elsa rumbling northward to the grave — one has a lipstick kiss imprint the grave from The Netherlands. through the Caribbean, just shy with “one more time” written on it, a reference He and his friend both wear T-shirts of hurricane force — and headed, to the 1968 song Five-To-One where Morrison emblazoned with the slogan Old Rockers Never for now, straight for Florida — urged youth rebellion. Die, but he pointed to another iconic slogan on authorities are accelerating But this is not the 1960s and reminders of the shirt, Light My Fire. plans to demolish the remaining modernity are scattered throughout — certain “We named our trip to Paris Light My Fire part of the structure. They cited fans mooch around with selfie sticks and many rather than The End because, as you can see, concern for the safety of the wore the now ubiquitous face masks to protect with all the people here, the Morrison legend People gather by the grave of The Doors frontman Jim Morrison to commemorate the 50th hundreds of search-and-rescue against the coronavirus. continues,” he says. anniversary of his death at the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris yesterday. (AFP) workers scouring the site. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, July 4, 2021 COMMENT

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

Any hope that Donald Trump’s messy departure from the White House would at least restore a modicum of calm to the world must now be discounted. Already, there is a dangerous new international threat: the return of “geopolitics” in shaping international security. Consider the events of the past six months. Within weeks of President Joe Biden’s inauguration, his secretary of state, Antony Blinken, got into an extraordinary spat with his Chinese counterpart at a bilateral meeting in Alaska. The United States has also tussled with the European Union over Nord Stream 2, a pipeline that will deliver Russian natural gas directly to Germany, bypassing (and thus weakening) Ukraine. And, for its part, the EU imposed tougher sanctions on China, citing its policies in Xinjiang, to which China responded with sanctions of its own. Then, in June, a naval contretemps between Russia and Britain in the Black Sea evoked parallels to the 1850s Crimean War. And a meeting between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin did little to reduce US-Russian tensions. When it comes, Biden’s fi rst The Arabic infl uence in meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to be any warmer. The G7 is rebranding itself as a club of rich democracies that will set “basic rules of the road” for the rest of the world. Never mind that other powerful countries have no interest in rules set by someone else. “Geopolitics” is the word most used to describe these the gastronomy of Peru developments, most of which are framed as new iterations of old issues. Russia, for example, is said to be continuing the Soviet of spices. In the 18th century, avo- The Inca Empire knew how to domes- since 2021 it has won the qualifi cation tradition of using energy exports to induce dependency in others. cado dishes were infused with Arabic ticate many food products such as the of the best gastronomic destination Hence, Nord Stream 2 reprises former president Ronald Reagan’s ingredients such as oregano, ginger, aforementioned potato, sweet potato, seven times in a row, surpassing other struggle over German participation in the construction of a Soviet coriander, and saff ron among others. quinoa, and legumes. Fish, shellfi sh, world gastronomies. Lima’s cuisine has pipeline four decades ago. Blinken calls it a “Russian geopolitical In addition, the Machawis or what is carapulca (dried potato), charqui (dried undoubtedly earned it an excellent and project to divide Europe.” also known as Shish Kababs is similar to meat) were added and cooked in clay well-deserved position as one of the top A classically ambiguous the so-called Anticuchos, a dish known pots and on the ground with red-hot food capitals in the world. In addition to hosting the most important food fair concept, geopolitics for its popularity and variety of spices stones — known as pachamancas — a The bad symptoms cooked closely the same way as seen in unique form of slow-cooking in an in Latin America, its culinary variety has both innocent and the Middle East. underground pit that Arabs introduced delights locals and visitors alike. With associated with perilous uses. For some, it Regarding Peruvian gastronomy, to the rest of the world (Zarb). its iconic dishes, ceviche and tiradito, promotes a vague sense of in the past few decades, the Peruvian The biodiversity of its resources Lima is a prime destination for those the old geopolitics geographical contingency. gastronomy has been awarded as the seems infi nite. The food from the Peru- who love good cuisine. For others, however, it world´s leading culinary cuisines. The vian Amazon not only entices with its Undoubtedly our fl agship dish is are reappearing amounts to geographical popularity of the Peruvian cuisine exotic dishes, but also attracts travel- Ceviche, presented in diff erent forms and determinism, implying continues to grow worldwide, produc- lers with its great variety of delicacies styles. It is considered a source of national and hampering an endless confl ict in ing one of the most precious cultural such as beef, poultry, fi sh, and mutton. pride with its classic ingredients: fi sh which space matters more fusions in the contemporary world of Typical Amazonian dishes consist of meat, with lemon, salt and chilli. solutions to global than ideas, maps more By Jose Benzaquen gastronomy. The heritage of the ancient dishes like ´Juane´ (rice with egg and Currently, we have three restaurants in Lima considered to be the most than chaps. The term’s Ambassador of Peru inhabitants of Peru does not only reside chicken on a Bijao leaf that gives it a problems in its wonderful buildings and ruins but special fl avour, Patarashca (grilled fi sh famous in the world. An aspect that danger lies in its inherent it is also been seen in their diet as a re- with bijao leaf), Tacacho with cecina deserves to be highlighted is that the nihilism: it leads us to eruvian cuisine refl ects the coun- sult of this great territory that inherited (green banana and meat cesa), Inchi- kitchen constitutes a binding element assume that no-one can be seriously interested in values, because try’s history with a variety that is from the diff erent cultures before the capi (peanut soup that was cultivated with many aspects of human activities, there can be no universal good. Punique in the world. If we Peruvi- establishment of the Inca empire, cradle by Peruvians 6,494 years BC, in the such as: its identifi cation related to a After World War I and the failure of a dangerously ambitious ans have something to be grateful for in of the great Inca civilisation in South Cajamarca Region, as well as exotic series of activities including agricul- German vision of “world politics” (Weltpolitik) under Kaiser our culinary world, it would be the sig- America, as recognised by the great oriental fruit drinks. ture, commerce, marketing, well-being, Wilhelm II, a new term was needed. It was supplied by Karl nifi cant infl uence that the Arab culture British historian Arnold Toynbee in his On the other hand, both the Chinese nutrition and trade among the diff erent Haushofer, an offi cer and strategic theorist at the Munich Military that was integrated through the migra- monumental work A Study of History and the Japanese infl uence enriched the countries. Food is not only a way of eat- Academy, who had been deeply infl uenced by a relatively brief tion of Europeans from the lands of the in 1934. Peruvian cuisine with the infl uence of ing but it is also a symbol of hospitality, spell as a military attaché in Tokyo. The word Geopolitik had been Iberian Peninsula, the Al Andaluz, where Peru, with an extensive territory of seafood thanks to the generosity of the an attraction that brings people to- coined by a Swedish politician, Johan Rudolf Kjellén, in 1900, and the Arab presence was approximately 1,285,216,60sq km, off ers 90 micro- Pacifi c Ocean that bathes our coasts. gether, and a key element that facilitates By the twentieth century, an inter- the introduction of diff erent cultures. Haushofer adopted it with relish. 800 years with an important Caliphate climates conducive to having diff erent established in Cordova. types of foods and native products with national recognition of the Peruvian We would have to elaborate even more It was Haushofer who fi rst confl ated geography with necessary The introduction of the two worlds about 20,000 types of plants due to cuisine saw the light, thanks to many to refer to our Peruvian gastronomy, so confl ict, making all international politics into a bitter but inevitable of diff erent cultures helped shaped its mixture of cuisines brought by im- chefs throughout our country, including we have not tried to exhaust the subject, zero-sum struggle between haves and have-nots. He believed it the wealth of a land called Peru — migrants from Europe (Spanish cuisine, those who studied in the most pres- only to give you a vision of this vast was his mission to create a new political science – “the science of known for its cultural diversity with Italian cuisine, German cuisine); Asia tigious schools in Europe; realising the Peruvian cultural expression. the political life form in a natural living space.” Geopolitics was the an exquisite and tremendously varied (Chinese and Japanese cuisines); and uniqueness of tastes and diversifi ed fl a- Finally, I would like to extend an doctrine of the “earth-connectedness of political processes,” and gastronomy. As mentioned in our previ- the African cuisine. Peru is considered vours that each Peruvian dish consists invitation to all nations to experience must ultimately “become the conscience of the state.” ous article on the Arab presence in Peru, one of the leading exporting countries off , displaying it with a touch of their what truly is the taste of the Peruvian Starting in the 1920s, Haushofer rapidly acquired admirers from confi rmed Arab manifestations in many of fi sh and fi shery products worldwide, own work and art. gastronomy and the country’s history the marginalised elements of the international order. Adolf Hitler aspects and obviously in our cuisine. making its gastronomy rich and diversi- In 2006, Lima was declared the and its uniqueness in taste and fl avour may well have been infl uenced by his thinking; he dictated Mein Many typical Peruvian dishes can fi ed. gastronomic capital of America, and of the Peruvian hospitality. Kampf through the Haushofer disciple Rudolf Hess. Karl Radek, be easily recognised by its unique Arab touch, especially in the current variety the secretary of the Comintern, was certainly impressed (there of desserts where honey nougat, rice was even a Soviet journal of geopolitics). And geopolitical thinking pudding (Roz b Halib) and Peruvian has since returned with a vengeance to Russian politics, following picarones are accompanied by dried the humiliating collapse of the Soviet Union. Haushofer has been fruits, sugar cane, from syrup (sugar enthusiastically embraced by Aleksandr Dugin, a quasi-fascist dissolved in water) as well as many strategic analyst who is widely believed to have infl uenced Putin’s products that we can taste with some worldview. familiarity in the meals that are off ered There is a common pattern here: geopolitics tends to be the in many restaurants in Doha. favoured term for historical losers who want to give a cynical twist According to a study on the culinary to their eff orts to dismantle a victorious intellectual project. cuisine of Peru, some of the Peruvian But under current circumstances, geopolitical posturing once again main dishes such as “aji de gallina” looks like compensation for impotence. The bad symptoms associated have a signifi cant Arab infl uence. Many products and ingredients have also been with the old geopolitics are reappearing and hampering solutions to introduced to our culinary cuisine such global problems like the Covid-19 pandemic, which will not end until as lemons, mulberry, almond, quince, there is universal vaccination. — Project Syndicate dates and artichokes as well as a variety Ceviche Al Fajores

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© 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Arroz con Leche (Roz b Haleb) Aji de Gallina Anticuchos (Machawi or Shish Kabab) Gulf Times Sunday, July 4, 2021 11 QATAR QF’s HBKU researches using AI to detect cardiovascular disease By Noor Al-rawi

amad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for HEducation, Science, and Community Development (QF), is a homegrown research and graduate studies University that acts as a catalyst for positive transformation in Qatar and the region while having a global impact. Located within Education City, HBKU seeks to provide unparalleled opportunities where inquiry and discovery are integral to teaching and learning at all levels utilising a multidisci- plinary approach across all focus areas. HBKU is committed to actively contribute to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030 by building and cultivating human capac- ity through an enriching academic experience and an innovative research ecosystem. Dr Tanvir Alam In this context, HBKU has developed a study on the use of AI in detecting cardiovascular next step, we are working on the validation of disease. the proposed model on a larger cohort and fur- Tanvir Alam, an assistant professor at Col- ther improvement of the model. lege of Science and Engineering at HBKU has explained in an interview the use of AI in de- Q. AI presents next-generation potential tecting cardiovascular disease (CVD). in the healthcare sector. What are some of the challenges associated with developing Q. Given that CVD is a primary cause the AI model in Qatar? of death among the Qatari population, A. It is quite conceivable that AI would be what is the potential for AI — as well as its the state-of-the-art tool for the next gen- subcategories, like machine learning — in eration healthcare system. But there are many providing personalised treatment plans for challenges in the development of AI model and researchers (computational and clinical data could be biased considering the back- mining algorithms, predictive computational CVD diseases in Qatar? for predicting early onset of disease; and de- background) working together in identifying a ground of the participants and the methods modelling, visualisation techniques, health- A. Complex diseases like cardiovascu- tecting proper treatment plans and delivering proper plan (precise diagnosis plan for cardiol- adopted to process the dataset. Any AI model care policy and social and ethical implication lar disease (CVD) often involve the interplay cost-eff ective healthcare for all the nationals ogy) to implement AI-based intervention and trained on a particular group of participants/ of data analytics. among demographic profi le (i.e., gender, age, and residents in Qatar. And it requires an im- refl ect upon the experiences for continuous patients may not work well for other cohorts etc.), genetic profi le, lifestyle, and environ- mense eff ort from all the stakeholders in the improvement (“Lessons Learned”), which will due to the diversity in race, ethnicity, and other mental factors. As a result, integration of such healthcare sector. support us to improve our work in future. Given demographics parameters. Moreover, real life Qatar is aiming to leverage AI- diverse factors requires attention to cover the To develop AI models for healthcare, hos- the feedback from the clinicians and research- clinical setup and workfl ow may impact the based technologies to access the heterogeneity of the population as well. AI- pitals and all medical institutes need to gather ers collaborating on the project, will improve quality of the data which is the key component knowledge-based economy. The based approaches for CVD rely on multimodal and store data digitally and the data quality the impact of AI models in clinical setup and for of any AI-based model. impact of AI in the Middle East and datasets that can excel the discovery of per- needs to be maintained. This requires a huge the clinicians. And this is an ongoing process Recently Google Health built an AI-based North Africa (Mena) region would be sonalised treatment plans by identifying com- amount of eff ort from all personnel in the where the model needs to be updated at least system for diabetic retinopathy screening with $320bn by 2030 and 19% of it would plex relationships among these factors. It is healthcare industry. once in a year to incorporate new knowledge high accuracy (over 90% sensitivity and spe- be in the public sector including also demonstrated in literature that combining Interoperability of healthcare data within coming from the recent clinical case studies. cifi city) and tested in real life clinical setup in health and education such a wide variety of clinical and genetic data and across the healthcare provides is a key Thailand. While implementing the AI model can improve the early detection of CVD. challenge in developing AI models in Qatar. To develop AI models for in clinical setup, the Google Health team faced Q. Being a global leader for healthcare, Though Qatar has implemented a single elec- healthcare, hospitals and all a variety of challenges in clinical setup leading how is Qatar’s investment in AI in AI-based approaches for CVD tronic health record (EHR) to minimise the ef- medical institutes need to gather to impaired quality of images to have high re- healthcare and precision medicine rely on multimodal datasets fort for interoperability, this may risk the mo- and store data digitally and the data jection rate. We are planning for a prospective compared to other countries in the region? that can excel the discovery of nopoly for a vendor. quality needs to be maintained study emphasising the AI model validation for A. Qatar is investing heavily in AI. The Na- personalised treatment plans by Moreover, interoperability of healthcare diff erent population in the clinical environ- tional Artifi cial Intelligence Strategy for Qatar identifying complex relationships data with other government data and external Q. When do you plan to complete the ment while considering the users’ (physicians stated the importance to “Leverage AI exper- among these factors data sources is still a challenge. AI models are study and who are the major collaborators and researchers) feedback to improve the AI tise available within the country in strategi- data driven, there is always a need for the re- of the project? model. cally important domains for Qatar like oil & As part of our study, we integrated a multi- peated reuse of data to develop and update AI A. We have completed the fi rst phase of our gas, transportation, health, and cybersecurity modal dataset from Qatar Biobank refl ecting models to provide better decision-making and study in February 2021. Now, we are working on Q. What is the role of College of Science to build competitive advantage in specifi c use the health status of Qatari nationals and we patient care. But the participants/patients are the second phase of the study which is planned & Engineering at HBKU in off ering world- cases that could also generate export revenues developed a highly accurate AI model for CVD requested to provide their consent to use their to be completed by the end of 2021. In the sec- class education on the latest advances in big in the future”. detection and risk factor prediction. We think data in a specifi c project, which bars the usage ond phase, we are combining the genetic factors data analytics for healthcare applications? Qatar is aiming to leverage AI-based tech- there is huge potential for such AI models in of the data in other projects. and other phenotypic factors to develop a more A. In 2016, the College of Science and En- nologies to access the knowledge-based econ- clinical setup. It will not only leverage the ear- To overcome this challenge, a new para- robust AI model. The fi nal phase of our project gineering (CSE) at HBKU introduced the Mas- omy. The impact of AI in the Middle East and ly detection of CVD in an accurate manner by digm of consent called “broad consent” has is planned to be completed by the end of 2022. ter of Data Science and Engineering (DSE) North Africa (Mena) region would be $320bn avoiding redundant diagnosis but also support emerged which allows the participants/pa- Our major collaborators are Hamad Medical programme for adapting to the technological by 2030 and 19% of it would be in the public the medical practitioners in their decision- tients to provide their consent for their data Corporation (HMC), and Qatar Biobank (QBB), development and changes that have led to the sector including health and education. making and reducing their workload. to be used in a wider range of projects. Inter- Qatar. We are planning to implement the pro- availability of huge amounts of digital data. In the Mena region, Saudi Arabia, the UAE estingly, Qatar Genome Programme (QGP) posed AI model in clinical setup with the sup- DSE is an interdisciplinary program where and Qatar have shown strong commitment Q. What is the primary data you are and Qatar Biobank (QBB) are adopting this port from our collaborators HMC. The feedback mathematics, computer science, statistics and towards national development leveraging AI- using in this study and how suffi cient is concept to leverage better usage of health- from the users (doctors and medical practition- other scientifi c fi elds merge together to extract based techniques. By 2030, Saudi Arabia, the this data? Do you have any specifi c targets care data. ers) will help us to understand the diffi culties knowledge for generating insights out of data. UAE and Qatar are expected to observe the im- groups such as Qataris, expats from From a technical point of view, there exist and overcome the challenges in implementing pact of AI close to 12%, 14%, 8% of 2030 GDP, certain countries or regions to explore other challenges. Majority of the healthcare lab-based model into clinical setup. In Qatar, we have all the resources to respectively. The estimated AI market size in certain traits of the diseases? data is imbalanced which means there are few overcome the challenges. We have Qatar was $1.5mn in 2018, and it is expected to A. We mainly relied upon the clinical data instances for the cases (disease) and more in- Q. Since the AI model is based on Qatar world class universities and research reach $5.7mn in 2022”. and demographic information from Qatar stances are normal (free from disease). This specifi c risk factors, how can the model be centres working continuously and Qatar is also focusing on “Bench-to-Bed- Biobank (QBB) to enable evidence-based re- type of dataset makes the AI model develop- used to tackle CVD diseases in the region? coherently to develop AI capabilities side Research” and this type of translation search toward the development of sustainable ment more challenging. Developing an ex- A. Risk factor identifi cation for cardiovas- for the healthcare industry research work can only be realisable with the novel healthcare interventions and treatment plainable AI model is one of the major chal- cular disease is an active research area and support of AI. The synergy between omics plans in Qatar, focusing on the fi eld of preci- lenges in healthcare. many studies exist across the globe in this di- DSE is designed to train students, profes- and clinical data is the key to this initiative sion medicine and personalised healthcare. rection. And most of the studies mentioned sionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and oth- and world class institutes like Qatar Biobank We considered adults (18 years or above) Qa- Our study was the first in Qatar diabetes, hypertension, obesity, lipid profi le, ers who are interested in leveraging contem- (QBB), Qatar Genome Program (QGP), Sidra tari nationals only as part of our study. We did considering the largest collection diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, physi- porary DSE methods, tools and technologies Hospital, HBKU have been established to fulfi l not consider any expat living in Qatar as part of biomedical measurements cal inactivity, as potential risk factors that, in multiple domains including healthcare. In this goal. Qatar is now ranked 39th in Global of our study. Our study was the fi rst in Qatar such as clinical biomarkers and collectively, attributed to 86% of the cardio- 2018, the College of Science and Engineering Medical Tourism Index ranking. Incorporating considering the largest collection of biomedi- behavioural factors (sedentary vascular disease. But these studies mainly fo- (CSE), HBKU also introduced the Master of the AI technologies in healthcare would uplift cal measurements such as clinical biomarkers lifestyle) of the CVD cohort cused on populations from North America or Data Analytics Programme for Health Man- the ranking of Qatar and will generate revenue and behavioural factors (sedentary lifestyle) of from this sector as well. the CVD cohort. Moreover, we developed AI Recently deep learning-based AI techniques models based on gender (male, female) as well have performed well in multiple healthcare Q. In your opinion, how is QF embracing age-stratifi ed groups (young adults, middle sectors, including radiological imaging, but the the power of AI to off er solutions that agers, seniors). AI models based on stratifi ed explanation of the model is still a challenging simplify complex tasks through data data also showed high accuracy in detecting task and needs to be improved to be fully func- analysis and machine learning? CVD. tional in clinical setup. Catastrophic forgetting A. QF believes that we are living in an Q. What are the most important is a phenomenon for AI-based models that era where advancements in any area – from outcomes of the study on (AI) algorithms forget the previously learned knowledge upon social to economic progress – must em- in the detection of CVD across Qatar’s learning new information from recent dataset. brace the power of AI to offer solutions population? What do you think about the Training new AI models with recent datasets on that simplify complex tasks through data accuracy of AI in detecting these illnesses top of the existing model are computationally analysis and machine learning. Through re- in Qatar as well as the reliability of the exhaustive and may take time as well. search, development and innovation, QF is fi ndings? In Qatar, we have all the resources to over- supporting the economic growth of Qatar A. As part of our study, we confi rmed the come the challenges. We have world class uni- through the application of AI in many fields known risk factors for CVD in Qatar and pro- versities and research centres working continu- and industries. For example, QF is enhanc- posed novel risk factors and comorbidities ously and coherently to develop AI capabilities ing healthcare through earlier detection, related to CVD in Qatar. The proposed ma- for the healthcare industry. Under the leader- smarter diagnosis, and more tailored treat- chine learning (ML) (branch of AI) model was ship of Prof Mounir Hamdi (Dean, College of ment decisions. QF is also supporting social highly accurate in the early detection of CVD Science and Engineering, HBKU) the College progress through efficient governance, and as well. of Science and Engineering (CSE) at HBKU is management of resources. Additionally, QF Our study confi rmed known CVD risk factors off ering two master programmes: (a) Master of is also emphasising on environmental sus- (blood pressure, lipid profi le, smoking, seden- Data Science & Engineering, and (b) Master of tainability “through the proper understand- tary life, and diabetes) in Qatar and the Middle Data Analytics in Healthcare Management. The ing of natural systems”, the development and East, and identifi ed potential novel risk factors world-renowned faculty members are contrib- implementation of green technology and linked to CVD-related comorbidities such as uting to develop the required AI skill set for the preservation of cultural heritage through renal disorder (e.g., creatinine, uric acid, ho- students and nurturing the postdocs to gener- Arabic language technologies. mocysteine, albumin), atherosclerosis, hyper- ate next generation scientifi c resources for Qa- Europe and large-scale comprehensive stud- agement (MDA-HM) which was the fi rst of its To implement and integrate AI-based coagulable state, and liver function. Our model tar who will take Qatar into a top position in the ies did not consider the Qatari cohort as part kind within Qatar and the Gulf region. initiatives into the social and economic de- achieved over 93% accuracy in identifying Qa- landscape of AI in healthcare. of their analysis. So, it was essential for us to The programme has grown over the past few velopment of Qatar, QF is focusing on mul- tari CVD from the control group. emphasise on the Qatari nationals to identify years successfully by a) recruiting and train- tiple research areas including personalised The proposed model is reliable, considering Q. How can such an AI model be Qatar specifi c risk factors for CVD. ing local and international students, espe- healthcare, personalised education, Arabic age, gender, smoking habit, diabetes status, implemented in clinical decision-making i.e., As part of our study, we confi rmed the known cially healthcare professionals; b) obtaining language technologies, social good, cyberse- BP, cholesterol value to calculate the risk score what is the role of physicians and clinicians risk factors as well as proposed novel risk fac- local, regional and international recognition curity. QF is delivering on this by, conduct- for CVD. Machine Learning models consid- to ensure the incorporation of such model in tors. As these known risk factors are also known through research work and grants; c) engaging ing research that advances AI development, ering traditional known risk factors achieved diagnosing and treating CVD diseases? How to be prevalent in other Gulf Co-operation the local healthcare community through col- incubating and supporting new startups 82.6% accuracy. On the other hand, after the can AI help health professionals? Council (GCC) countries, we believe that our laborative research eff orts, educational train- based on AI technology, supporting a gov- inclusion of the novel clinical measurements A. This is crucial and challenging to transfer proposed model would fi t for other GCC coun- ing, and community events. The curriculum of ernance and policy framework to effectively proposed in our study, AI model achieved 93% AI-based models from lab environment to clin- tries. But this requires rigorous testing using these MSc program aims to expose students to deploy AI, training the workforce for an AI accuracy. This clearly indicates the superior- ical setup. To fulfi l this step, we are developing the data from other GCC countries. Moreover, the latest advances in the fi eld with a focus on future, developing AI technologies in areas ity of the proposed AI model as well as the im- an “Action Research Method” based frame- applicability of AI models developed based on big data analytics in healthcare that includes such as healthcare and food security, and portance of integrating novel measurements work to evaluate our AI-based models in clini- a cohort, in diff erent populations is an ongoing data collection from traditional and emerging engaging the global community through AI in clinical setup for CVD diagnosis plan. As a cal setup involving both end-users (clinicians) challenge for AI in precision medicine. Health data streams, data aggregation methods, data for social good. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, July 4, 2021 QATAR Over 500,000 trees planted as part of Million Trees drive

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

ore than half a million trees have been planted Mas part of the “Plant Million Trees” initiative, with 905 students from 62 schools in Qatar taking part in the pro- gramme so far. According to fi gures available on the Public Works Author- ity (Ashghal) website as of July 3, a total of 527,753 trees have been planted in diff erent parts Date in time of the country, as the campaign Clusters of dates in diff erent stages of ripening marches on towards its goal of hanging from trees. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam 1mn trees. The participants have planted trees at parks, project sites and More than 900 on building premises and streets students from in Doha while covering Al Watiy- 62 schools have yat Interchange within the Sabah taken part in the Al Ahmad Corridor, 5/6 Park, Al programme so far. Abraj Park, Al Ebb Park, Al Furo- The initiative was usiya Street, Al Jamiaa Street launched in Development Project, Al Karaana September 2019 Lagoon, Qatar Foundation, and and due to run Khalifa Street. until the end of Campaigns have also been held this year. so far in Al Khor-Al Thakhira, Al Sheehaniya, Al Rayyan, Al Nas- Private Engineering Offi ce, and aiming at reduced use of pri- raniyya, and Al Wakra. others. vate cars and improving lifestyle The initiative, launched in The committee is responsible through clean and safe transpor- September 2019, aims to aff or- for fi ve major tasks, including tation. est various areas and is due to run the construction of central pub- Further, it is intended to en- until the end of 2021. lic parks, provision of dedicated sure a healthy environment The Supervisory Committee of lanes for pedestrians and bicy- within residential neighbour- Beautifi cation of Roads and Pub- cles, development of the Doha hoods and places of public gath- lic Places in Qatar is implement- Corniche and Central Doha, erings through increased aff or- ing the Qatar Beautifi cation and and increasing aff orestation and estation and landscaping, which Our Kids Planting Trees cam- green areas. will greatly help in reducing the paign to plant 1mn trees. The committee’s work will temperature in cities. It works under the Ministry of enhance sustainability through Ashghal has urged institu- Municipality and Environment minimising environmental pol- tions, organisations and compa- (MME), in co-ordination with lution and reducing the emission nies to take part in the initiative. other ministries and entities, of carbon dioxide (CO2) through They can register at https:// such as the Ministry of Trans- reduced consumption of energy survey123.arcgis.com/share/810 port and Communications, the resources. bcdb629974cbe9bead086985e Ministry of Culture and Sports, It also focuses on the provision 3a70?portalUrl=https://geodev. Qatar Museums, Qatar Rail, the of more public transport options ashghal.gov.qa/devportal.

Morning dawning People enjoying some quality time early in the morning at the Al Wakra beach. PICTURES: Jayan Orma