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published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11757 December 9, 2020 Rabia II 24, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir condoles with Tamim Al Majd flying high Kuwait’s leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Qatar to participate in the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin UEFA’s FIFA World Abdulaziz al-Thani sent yesterday cables condolences to the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah on the passing of Cup qualifying matches Sheikh Nasser Fahd Sabah al-Nasser al-Sabah. z Al Annabi will join Group A to boost Amir holds phone talk with Indian PM preparations for World Cup on home soil His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim atar’s national team will participate in journey of preparation ahead of 2022.” bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday a UEFA’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying The president added: “Our squad has made telephone conversation with Indian Qcampaign. major strides in recent years, including winning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on The Asian champions will join Group A – the AFC Asian Cup in 2019, and we are deter- bilateral relations and the means to alongside UEFA Euro 2016 winners Portugal, mined to showcase the progress we’ve made and enhance them in all fields. During Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, and the talent our country possesses when we host the call, they discussed the most Azerbaijan, a press statement issued by Qatar the fi rst FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and prominent issues of mutual interest, Football Association yesterday said. Arab World in 2022.” regionally and internationally. Qatar will play their ‘home’ fi xtures on Eu- The move mirrors the approach taken by ropean soil in order to facilitate shorter travel France for the 2016 European Championship that times for their group opponents. As the 2022 they hosted. QOC announces fi rst FIFA World Cup host nation, Qatar has already As well as playing World Cup qualifying edition of beach games qualifi ed for the tournament and therefore their matches in Europe, Qatar will also participate results will not count towards the fi nal standings in the Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup The Qatar Olympic Committee in the Union of European Football Associations next summer. (QOC) announced that its first edition (UEFA) qualifying. Reuters adds: The European qualifying compe- of beach games will be held from HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed tition begins in March, with 13 countries from the December 20 to January 2, 2021 at al-Thani, President of Qatar Football Associa- continent going through to the 32-team fi nals. Aspire Park. The QOC invited beach tion, said: “We are delighted that Qatar will par- There will be three rounds of fi xtures in March, games lovers and amateurs to ticipate in UEFA qualifying matches for the next three more in September and two each in October register their names and details via a FIFA World Cup, which our country is proud to and November. link set up on the QOC off icial website be hosting. Playing matches in Group A against Only the winners of the 10 groups will qualify A balloon featuring the famous Tamim Al Majd portrait is seen atop a building on Doha Corniche and social media accounts in order high-quality teams provides our national team automatically for the fi nals, which are to take yesterday as part of the preparations for Qatar National Day which will be celebrated on December to get confirmation for participation with an excellent foundation as we continue our place in November and December of 2022. 18. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Page 7 in the games. The participants will be competing in four beach sports, football, handball, volleyball and 3x3 basketball. Sport Page 8 More Qatar Visa Centres Trump ‘orders’ vaccines UAE, Egypt welcome eff orts for Americans fi rst to resume work this month US President Donald Trump yesterday signed an executive to resolve Gulf dispute order “to ensure that American he Ministry of Interior (MoI) has citizens have first priority to receive announced that Qatar Visa Cen- American vaccines.” It is unclear z Abu Dhabi, Cairo appreciate Kuwaiti mediation Ttres (QVCs) abroad will gradual- how the order would be enforced, as ly resume work in Nepal, Pakistan and vaccine makers have already inked he UAE said yesterday it sup- closed their airspace to Qatari aircraft Gargash also said his country ap- the Philippines in the coming days. in deals with other countries. ports Saudi eff orts to end a and sealed their borders and ports, preciated eff orts by Kuwait and the QVCs will resume operations in Tthree-year Gulf dispute, Abu separating many mixed-nationality United States, countries which have Kathmandu (Nepal) from tomorrow, in Dhabi’s fi rst reaction to recent state- families. both played mediation roles. Islamabad (Pakistan) from December website, began for the Kathmandu Prosecutors seek prison ments suggesting the rift between The UAE “supports Saudi Arabia’s Cairo also commented on the Gulf 14 and in Manila (the Philippines) from centre on December 3, for Islamabad term for Sarkozy four regional countries and Qatar benevolent eff orts on behalf of the crisis, saying it appreciated Kuwait’s December 15, according to the MoI. on December 7 and for Manila yester- could soon ease. four countries”, tweeted Anwar Gar- eff orts to end the dispute. In addition, the QVC in Chennai (In- day, an infographic released by the MoI Prosecutors in the graft trial Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin gash, the emirates’ minister of state “We hope that these commendable dia) is set to reopen on December 16, explained. of French ex-president Nicolas Farhan told AFP last week that the for foreign aff airs. eff orts will result in a comprehensive according to information available on In a statement, the MoI said the pro- Sarkozy yesterday called for him kingdom and its allies the United Arab “It looks forward to a successful solution,” Egypt’s foreign ministry the Qatar Visa Centre website. Chen- vision of services through the QVCs to be sentenced to a prison term Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt Gulf summit,” he added, referring to said in a statement. nai will be the fourth Indian city where will be gradually resumed in imple- of four years of which he should were “on board” to resolve the diplo- a meeting of the Gulf Co-operation All countries involved are US al- a QVC will resume work, with simi- mentation of the project to capture serve two. Sarkozy is accused of matic crisis. Council (GCC) regional bloc expected lies. Qatar hosts the region’s larg- lar centres having already reopened in fi ngerprints and collect vital data, con- trying to bribe a judge with a plum The Saudi-led alliance imposed an later this month. est US military base, Bahrain is Delhi, Kochi and Lucknow on Decem- duct medical examinations and sign retirement job in exchange for economic embargo on Qatar in June The GCC is comprised of six mem- home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, ber 3. work contracts outside the country, ac- inside information on an inquiry 2017. The quartet subsequently forced ber states - the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia and the UAE host The process of booking appoint- cording to a Qatar News Agency (QNA) into his campaign finances. out Qataris residing in their countries, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. US troops. ments electronically, through the QVC report. To Page 8

QM eyes surveillance measures to monitor and protect public art

By Joey Aguilar of the rules when visiting public arts Public art, he stressed, are instal- spread awareness of the public art- Staff Reporter such as renowned artist Richard Serra’s lations and sculptures that have been works around Qatar. The wider aim is East-West/West-East in Zikreet. It strategically placed to contribute to the to encourage and foster appreciation will also continue to work with other development and to spark constructive and understanding of our public art, atar Museums (QM) is eyeing organisations on the campaign. dialogue and debate on social, political and through this we initiate talks, pro- to add surveillance measures QM offi cially kicked off its anti-van- and environmental issues. grammes, learning materials, and local Qto monitor and protect public dalism campaign in September to en- “Although these artworks are not public art commissions,” he said. art in the country as part of its anti- courage a collective eff ort to protect the confi ned to a closed space, the commu- Al-Ishaq said as a Public Art De- vandalism campaign, Public Art De- country’s public art, which al-Ishaq nity must understand that public art is partment, they are working closely partment acting director Abdulrahman noted, is a fundamental part of Qatar’s an extension of a vast collection built with partners to ensure that all public al-Ishaq told Gulf Times. cultural life. by QM and it is in part their responsi- artworks in Qatar are monitored and He said QM is working with both Such a move, he stressed, benefi ts bility to embrace and take ownership of maintained. government and non-governmental the nation and its people, both socially these artworks,” al-Ishaq pointed out. “Monitoring the artworks has proven organisations to push this campaign and economically “so we’re asking the He said QM is working on organising to be quite challenging, as many of our and engage diff erent segments of the community to care for and protect our Abdulrahman al-Ishaq a debate with Qatar Debates as part of artworks are interactive. However, it is community. communities public art.” its wider planned talks to spark discus- our duty, as well as the community’s, to “We’ve installed four road signs in According to al-Ishaq, part of the community to collectively maintain the sion surrounding public art and van- ensure that the integrity of all artworks Zikreet to ensure all rules are outlined anti-vandalism campaign directly re- sculptures in good condition,” he said. dalism and allow for various opinions is not jeopardised,” he said. explicitly. We seek to add surveillance lates to Serra’s East-West/West-East “These sculptures as well as all our to be voiced. “While East-West/West-East has measures and people who deliberately with the sculptures being vandalised public art are a national asset that we as Learning materials will also be ac- faced the most explicit form of vandal- damage works can be punished in ac- with marks, tagging and scratching. citizens and residents can be proud of.” cessible for students and families to en- ism, all public artworks are susceptible cordance with Qatar’s existing laws,” “As we speak, the sculptures are cur- Al-Ishaq highlighted the importance gage and learn more about Qatar’s pub- to defacement. Our scope as a depart- al-Ishaq added. rently being restored by a specialised of educating the community fi rst about lic art and the fi rst set of materials will ment includes the maintenance of He noted that QM partnered with the team. All graffi ti and markings are be- public art and its signifi cance, saying be released very soon, al-Ishaq added. these artworks. However, by creating QM holds clean up drive and restoration Qatar National Tourism Council to en- ing removed. We do this every year that these artworks are not just decora- “We aim to target diff erent seg- awareness we hope to prevent future of Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East in sure all tourists in the country are aware but this year, we have emphasised as a tive elements. ments of the community in order to ruin or damage,” al-Ishaq added. Zikreet recently. (Supplied picture) Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 QATAR

Amir sends cable Al-Muraikhi receives copies of credentials of ambassadors of condolence to president of Syrian National Coalition His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday a cable of condolence to President of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces Dr Nasr Musa al-Hariri on the death of Ambassador of the National Coalition to the State Nizar Hassan al-Hiraki. Oil spill response officials hold talks

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Industrial Inspection and Pollution Control Department participated in the 11th periodic meeting of the oil spill response off icials, which was held via videoconferencing. The meeting, which was HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received separately yesterday copies of the credentials of ambassador of Haiti Jean-Marie Francois Jr Guilllaume, ambassador of held by the Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Macedonia Shaban Jashari and ambassador of the Dominican Republic Giorgis Bhasa Hazem. HE al-Muraikhi wished the new ambassadors success in their missions, assuring all support to enhance Centre, discussed national plans for oil spills between Qatar and their countries for closer co-operation in various fields. and periodic reports of marine emergencies and high-risk marine areas. Qatar Airways staff ers raise QR145,000 to support QCS atar Airways staff have raised (HIA), Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) ment, and their eff orts will not go designed, limited edition amenity partner of the Union for International QR145,000 to support the and Qatar Duty Free (QDF) to host unseen. kits and pink-themed special menus Cancer Control (UICC), a non-gov- Qeff orts of Qatar Cancer Soci- a month-long breast cancer aware- Every initiative goes a long way to were served onboard selected fl ights ernmental organisation focused on ety (QCS) to raise awareness of breast ness programme for its thousands of combating breast cancer. This year as well at Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan leading initiatives that unite and sup- cancer as well as to provide care to employees worldwide. The activities as in previous years, Qatar Airways Business Lounge. port the cancer community to ensure people aff ected by the disease. included webinars, free mammogram supported QCS to highlight the im- Additionally, fl ight QR9901 took a cancer control continues to be a pri- The amount was collected through screenings and fundraising events. portance of cancer prevention, early special fl ight path ‘drawing’ a ribbon ority in global health. a number of ‘Think Pink’ fund-rais- HE al-Baker, said: “We are very detection and patients’ psychological – the symbol of breast cancer aware- A multiple award-winning airline, ing initiatives that took place during proud to see our employees embrace and fi nancial support. This praise- ness – in the skies above Doha. Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s the airline’s Breast Cancer Awareness such an initiative to off er their sup- worthy initiative aligns with QCS’ The airline recently won two BOC Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Air- Month campaign in October. port to QCS. It is a great honour to objectives to reduce the burden of Brilliance Awards for ‘Best Social line Awards, managed by Skytrax. It The donation cheque was handed hand over this cheque on behalf of cancer and ensure that cancer control Media Campaign’ and ‘Brilliance in was also named ‘Best Airline in the over at a small ceremony, held on our staff . Qatar Airways is a dedicated remains a priority within our com- Employee Engagement in HR’ for Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Sunday at Qatar Airways’ head- supporter of QCS, and committed to munities. We are grateful to Qatar its 2019 Breast Cancer Awareness Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, quarters, attended by Qatar Airways continue raising awareness of breast Airways for leading this infl uential Month campaign, which shows Qatar in recognition of its ground-breaking Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar cancer worldwide.” eff ort.’’ Airways’ commitment to promot- Business Class experience, Qsuite. It al-Baker, and the QCS Chairman HE HE Sheikh Dr Khalid al-Thani said: During Breast Cancer Awareness ing breast cancer awareness across is the only airline to have been award- Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabr al-Thani. “We are extremely grateful to Qatar Month, Qatar Airways also engaged a broad and diverse base including ed the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of the Earlier in October, Qatar Airways Airways and its employees for their its passengers and the wider com- its employees, passengers as well the Year’ title, which is recognised as the QCS Chairman Sheikh HE Dr Khalid bin Jabr al-Thani and in partnership with QCS, joined forc- support. They have demonstrated the munity in ‘Think Pink’ activities. wider community. pinnacle of excellence in the airline Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker es with Hamad International Airport importance of community engage- Passengers were off ered custom- Qatar Airways is also a patron industry, fi ve times. at the ceremony. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 9, 2020 3 QATAR

Tunisian PM meets Attorney-General Turkish envoy lauds Gulf Times’ leading media role urkish ambassador Dr Mustafa Goksu has ap- Tpreciated the remarkable role played by Gulf Times in rais- ing important issues concerning Qatar, and its interest in reports on the strong bilateral relations with Turkey. He expressed his views while visiting Gulf Times offi ce and interacting with Editor-in- Chief Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka on Monday. “Gulf Times is one of the most im- portant newspapers we follow in Qatar,” Dr Goksu said. “Gulf Times is distinguished for its strong coverage of the political, economic and sports fi elds, in addition to noted reports that address the elites. “We are inter- ested in strong and continuous communication with the local Tunisia Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi met in Tunis yesterday with HE the Attorney-General media in Qatar, headed by Gulf and UNODC Special Regional Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri Times, and we welcome any who is currently visiting Tunisia. During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues related to steps that serve or contribute combating corruption, joint work in the field of rule of law, and many issues of mutual concern. The to enhance the relationship meeting was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to Tunisia Saad bin Nasser al-Hamidi. between the two countries,” the Turkish ambassador Dr Mustafa Goksu and Gulf Times Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Turkish envoy added. during their meeting in Gulf Times off ice on Monday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma HBKU signs up with Huawei for ICT research

amad Bin Khalifa Uni- Huawei Qatar’s Talent Enabling lated R&D institutes in China once tar, the region and globally.” Tao versity (HBKU), a mem- Programme, which includes the a year to explore joint digitalisation added, “Emerging technologies Hber of Qatar Foundation ‘Seeds for the Future’ programme research and development op- have become crucial for the in- (QF), has signed a memorandum and the ICT Skills Competition, portunities with a special focus on formation and communications of understanding (MoU) with where graduate students at the artifi cial intelligence and 5G net- technology industry as well as the Huawei, a leading global provider College of Science and Engineer- works. They will also collaborate national economies’ wholescale of information and communica- ing at HBKU have excelled in re- to conduct courses on the newest digital transformation. However, tions technology (ICT) infrastruc- cent editions, according to a press technologies and arrange annual the ICT industry’s rapid growth ture and smart devices, aimed at statement. technology communication events. is facing an undeniable challenge: strengthening research collabora- Huawei will be providing a sum- Speaking after the signing, Dr a shortage of ICT talent. Huawei tion, knowledge exchange, intern- mer ‘Seeds for the Future’ pro- Hasnah said: “This new chapter advocates for an open, shared, ICT ship and funding. gramme with spaces reserved for in our ongoing partnership with talent ecosystem that benefi ts all The MoU comes as part of a HBKU students. In particular, the Huawei will create even more op- parties. broader, ongoing Qatar Founda- entities will work together to pro- portunities for academia and in- It is a great pleasure partner- tion collaboration with Huawei. mote the Huawei ICT Academy dustry to join hands to support the ing with HBKU and to work hand The MoU was signed by Dr Ahmad launched at HBKU. The academy country’s vital ICT sector. In turn, in hand with Qatar ICT talents to M Hasnah, president of HBKU, will provide quality courses and through knowledge exchange, re- further develop their skills and and Fan Tao, CEO of Huawei Tech- support services for universities search collaboration, and other knowledge. “We are keen to col- nologies LLC, in the presence of and colleges in Qatar to establish synergies, HBKU can continue to laborate with our partners in Qatar senior offi cials at the HBKU head- and optimise ICT disciplines, and off er an innovative teaching and to support the future requirements quarters on December 6, with so- build standard labs, the statement research environment that nur- of ICT talent nurturing targeted at cial distancing protocols in place. notes. tures top-tier students to excel as increasing the value of ICT in the The MoU promotes co-opera- The MoU paves the way for future leaders, using cutting-edge socio-economic growth of Qatar tion on student engagement and knowledge exchange, with HBKU technologies to solve pressing and achieving the ambitious na- The MoU was signed by Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, president of HBKU, and Fan Tao, CEO of Huawei Technologies. internship opportunities through experts set to visit Huawei and re- societal challenges facing Qa- tional plans and vision targets.” Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 QATAR

Green drive in Al Markhiya

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Public Gardens Department in co-operation with Qatar Sports Club organised an event to plant trees in Al Markhiya Area. A total of 50 trees and seedlings were planted in the presence of off icials as part of the one-million tree planting initiative.

MoPH renews equivalency Health ministry issues Covid-19 agreements with institutions

QNA sessments. The extension of the agreement rec- advisory for boats, barbershops Doha ognises the remarkable collaboration between DHP-AS and these renowned international or- ganisations. he Ministry of Public Health ment, the advisory states. “Wear- he Ministry of Public Health announced It exhibits DHP-AS’s National Continuing (MoPH) has reiterated that ing a mask, having a green Ehteraz yesterday that its Department of Health- Medical Education/Continuing Professional De- Tit is mandatory for staff at status and a body temperature Tcare Professions Accreditation Section velopment (CME/CPD) Systems commitment to barbershops and hairdressers to below 38C are mandatory to allow (DHP-AS) has agreed with the Accreditation improving the quality of CME/CPD in Qatar and wear masks and face shields. entry,” it adds. Council for Continuing Medical Education (AC- emphasises DHP-ADs conformity with interna- This came in a Covid-19 advi- A related advisory by the MoPH CME) to renew the Substantial Equivalency of tional standards. sory posted yesterday by the min- highlights the precautionary the CME/CPD System until December 2024 and International recognition for DHP-ASs CME/ istry on social media yesterday, measures that are to be followed with the Royal College of Physicians and Sur- CPD System is an assurance for the people of highlighting the precautionary on boats. geons of Canada (RCPSC) to renew the Substan- Qatar that the healthcare practitioners are con- measures that need to be followed “Refrain from rafting up with tive Equivalency agreement for fi ve years until stantly required to stay up to date with any ad- when visiting a barbershop or other boats or beaching up the December 2025. vancements in the fi eld of medicine through hairdresser. boat next to others,” it says, re- The agreements followed a meticulous review the highest quality CME/CPD activities, thus The MoPH advises people to minding people to wear a mask and evaluation of DHP-AS’s standards, policies, providing the best and safest patient care. The make a reservation in advance, and maintain a minimum safe and processes. This shows the quality of those Accreditation Section ensures that CME/CPD wear a mask and maintain a safe distance of 1.5m from others at standards and policies, since those agreements consistently promotes superior, high-standard distance of 1.5m from others at all all times. Gatherings on boats are are based on professional, not-for-profi t as- education for healthcare practitioners in Qatar. times. limited to 15 people in indoor areas Barbershops and hairdressers and 30 people in outdoor areas, 83 people operate at a maximum of 50% of the advisory points out. their capacity, and it is mandatory “The maximum capacity al- referred to for the staff to wear masks and lowed is 50% for small personal 38C are mandatory to allow board- need to be followed by the public authorities for face shields. boats and 30% for large excursion ing.” The MoPH has issued a series to curb the spread of Covid-19. Workstations must be routinely boats, it continues. “Wearing a of such advisories on social media The earlier advisories pertained to not wearing and frequently cleaned, including mask, having a green Ehteraz sta- over the past few days, reiterating social gatherings, public transport masks between each customer appoint- tus and a body temperature below the precautionary measures that and shopping malls. The designated authorities referred 83 people to the Public Prosecution for not wearing masks in places where they are mandatory. MoPH reports 137,708 total Covid recoveries They also referred 35 others to the Public Prosecution for violating the maximum QNA number of four people in a Doha vehicle including the driver, except for cases when they are members of one he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced yesterday 117 new con- family. The measure is in line fi rmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), of which 106 are from community with the Cabinet decision, Tcases and 11 from travellers returning from abroad who are subject to quar- decree Law No 17 of 1990 antine. The MoPH also recorded 214 recoveries from the virus during the past 24 on infectious diseases, and hours, bringing the total number of cases that recovered in Qatar to 137,708. the precautionary measures All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving necessary in force in the country to healthcare according to their health status. contain the spread of the Measures to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar have succeeded in fl attening the curve coronavirus (Covid-19). and limiting the spread of the virus and the number of new daily cases and hos- pital admissions is continuing to decline each week. Qatar’s proactive and ex- tensive testing of suspected cases has enabled the authorities to identify a high number of positive cases in the community. Qatar has one of the lowest Covid-19 death rates in the world. This is a result of: 1- Very high quality of care provided thorough the public healthcare sector for Covid-19 patients. 2- Qatar’s young population. 3- Proactive testing to identify cases early. 4- Expanding hospital capacity, especially intensive care, to ensure all patients receive the medical care they need. 5- Protecting the elderly and those with chronic diseases. Even though restrictions are being lifted, and numbers are declining, this does not mean that the Covid-19 pandemic is fi nished in Qatar. People continue to be admitted with moderate to severe Covid-19 symptoms. Unless we follow all precautionary measures, we may experience a second wave of the virus and see numbers increasing. There are already signs of this happening in other countries around the world. Avoid close contact with others, crowded places and confi ned-closed spaces where other people congregate. Now more than ever, we must be careful and protect the most vulnerable.

Teachers complete robotics training at CNA-Q

group of 23 Science, Technol- “CNA-Q is one of the leading insti- ogy, Engineering and Math- tutions in the area of robotics devel- A ematics (STEM) teachers from opment and awareness is rising in this public schools across Qatar were important fi eld due to its signifi cance honoured at a certifi cate awards cer- in the direction of student’s attention emony at the College of the North towards areas of science, technology, Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q) last week. engineering and mathematics,” he The teachers had completed 30 added. hours of intensive training and in- The teacher training programme, struction at CNA-Q in the use of ro- launched in 2011, has hosted nearly botics programming for classroom 800 training sessions; more than settings. The 10 three-hour sessions 1,000 teachers have attended at least were provided in partnership with one of these sessions; and nearly the Ministry of Education and Higher 400 teachers have completed the full Education. training programme. “Close collaboration brings us to- The robotics training and its re- gether with the Ministry of Educa- sultant delivery in schools is vital tion and Higher Education, in the in developing students’ interest in framework of teachers’ competencies STEM. development in the country, so as to CNA-Q champions the robotics provide them with the needed skills teacher-training programme, and the and knowledge in fi elds of robotics WRO-Qatar robotics competitions, to facilitate the educational process so that Qatar’s students can enhance in classrooms and ensure this knowl- their interest in STEM skills that are edge delivery to school students,” in high demand as the country reach- CNA-Q acting president Dr Salem al- es towards the realisation of the Qatar STEM teachers show their certificates after completing the training Naemi said in a press statement. National Vision 2030. at CNA-Q. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 9, 2020 5 QATAR QNB launches Apple Pay Vodafone holds blood online acceptance in Qatar donation drive at its HQ

NB Group has launched Apple n response to Hamad Medical Cor- Pay online payment accept- poration’s (HMC) calls for blood Qance in Qatar, providing an Idonation, Vodafone has held a easy, secure, and private way to pay. blood donation drive at its headquar- Adding Apple Pay as a payment op- ters at the Qatar Science & Technology tion will allow merchants to provide Park (QSTP). their customers with a seamless shop- Vodafone employees and those of ping experience and increase their on- other companies operating out of line sales. QSTP showed their support for the Users will have the ability to use Ap- drive that was held using stringent ple Pay to make secure payments on safety and infection control measures, websites and online stores that sup- the company said in a statement. port Apple Pay. This milestone comes within the group’s endeavour to pro- “This year especially, I’d like to vide faster payment means than ac- thank each person who donated cepting traditional credit and debit QNB Group Retail, said: “We are de- QNB Group’s presence through its their blood at the Vodafone cards and other payment methods. lighted to launch Apple Pay accept- subsidiaries and associate companies Blood Donation Drive. Blood In a growing e-commerce market ance for our merchants and off er them extends to 31 countries across three donors do an amazing thing with increasing adoption of advanced yet another easy, secure and private continents providing a comprehensive when they give blood. Without payment technologies, QNB is com- way to accept payments. Apple Pay range of advanced products and serv- blood donors, many patients mitted to meet the needs of modern provides a fast checkout experience as ices. The total number of employees is simply would not be alive today” commerce by ensuring smooth and part of our increasing eff orts to pro- more than 29,000 operating through secure online transactions. vide our customers the best range of 1,100 locations, with an ATM network The Blood Donor Center has stepped Heba al-Tamimi, general manager, digital and mobile banking services.” of more than 4,300 machines. up precautionary measures to ensure that every blood donation is safe during the pandemic to include man- From the Vodafone blood donation drive. datory pre-screening before entering the blood donation sites, as well as “This year especially, I’d like to donation is,” said Khames al-Naimi, regular cleaning and disinfection of thank each person who donated their chief human resources offi cer, Voda- all surfaces and equipment. blood at the Vodafone Blood Donation fone Qatar. A fully equipped HMC mobile Drive. Blood donors do an amazing “When you donate blood, the red blood donation unit, along with a thing when they give blood. Without blood cells are used for surgery, kid- CMU-Q students team of outstanding medical profes- blood donors, many patients simply ney dialysis and to treat anaemia. sionals, assessed each individual’s would not be alive today. Empowering Plasma is used to treat burn victims eligibility for blood donation, “mak- employees to do good for the commu- and trauma patients and platelets are ing the process of blood donation for nity is one of our core beliefs at Voda- used for surgery, and to treat leukae- the donors a gratifying experience”, fone and hope that this drive has raised mia and other forms of cancer,” the take two top spots the statement noted. awareness for how important blood Vodafone statement added. at Al Fikra contest tudents from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), a SQatar Foundation partner uni- versity, secured fi rst place in two of the three categories at this year’s Al Fikra competition. The winners for the national busi- ness competition, which is hosted by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), were recognised during the virtual Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference 2020. Mohamed al-Qassabi won in the Startup Category for an invention to automatically detect when foot- ball players are off side. An informa- Mohamed al-Qassabi won in the Startup Category. tion systems junior, al-Qassabi’s idea brings together his deep interest in technology and a passion for football. Al-Qassabi believes his CMU-Q courses prepared him well for the competition. “Most of my courses this semester were about entrepreneur- ship, and I applied that knowledge throughout the competition. I believe it made a big diff erence.” Ali al-Maadid won in the Mashrouie Category for his concept of a metal recycling plant. Al-Maadid, who is a business administration senior, has developed a keen interest in metallur- gy and believes his idea can help keep Ali al-Maadid won in the Mashrouie Category. waste metal out of the landfi lls. Al-Maadid, who graduates in May active with the organisation of Al “Professor White has been supporting 2021, is looking forward to a career that Fikra and encourages his students to me in my entrepreneurial journey, and transforms his community: “I don’t participate. “There is enormous edu- I would like to thank him for that. He want to start just a small business, I cational value to competitions like Al has been a great and supportive ad- would like to revolutionise the recy- Fikra,” White said. “The competition viser.” cling industry in Qatar, and change the was originally designed to educate the The Al Fikra competition spans four way we take care of our environment.” participants through workshops and months and includes workshops in Al Fikra was founded by CMU-Q’s mentoring, and this practical experi- both conceptualising and developing George White in 2013, and is now a ence is very valuable for emerging en- business ideas. CMU-Q is an educa- part of QDB’s slate of educational pro- trepreneurs.” tional partner for the Al Fikra compe- grammes for entrepreneurs. White, White is both an adviser and mentor tition. This year, Ihab Younis, associ- who is a distinguished professor of for al-Maadid, who credits his profes- ate teaching professor of biological entrepreneurship at CMU-Q, remains sor for setting him on this career track: sciences, served on the judging panel.

Turkish Airlines off ers round-trip tickets to mark support for Ooredoo Ride of Champions

s part of its support for the friends on a special Turkish Airlines 2020 Ooredoo Ride of Champi- post shown on the @rocdoha account, Aons and to celebrate the event, contestants are able to gain entry into Turkish Airlines is giving away round- the lucky draw that takes place on De- trip tickets between Doha and its ex- cember 11. Turkish Airlines is a spon- pansive network in Turkey, and even sor and offi cial airline of the 2020 fl ights to Europe. Ooredoo Ride of Champions, which Informing this in a press statement, was held last month with the partici- Ooredoo Ride of Champions organis- pation of more than 1,700 ‘champions’. ers Qatar Cyclists Centre said contest- The ride covered a total distance of ants have until December 10 to enter 101,589 cycled kms, which is approxi- and no purchase is necessary. More mately 37 fl ights between Qatar and information is available at Instagram. Turkish Airlines’ home of Istanbul. com/rocdoha. The airline fl ies to more than 50 des- The chance to win has been ex- tinations within Turkey, and a handful tended to all Qatar residents as well as of winners will get their chance to visit the participants of this year’s event. ing directions, as described on its so- the destination of their choice in Tur- Contestants may register by visiting cial media accounts. By liking, sharing key as an added celebration for fi nish- @rocdoha on Instagram and follow- and tagging three or more Instagram ing the Ooredoo Ride of Champions. Ministry recalls 2020 model of Ford Mustang

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co-oper- ers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. ation with Almana Motors Company, announced the recall TThe MoCI urged all customers to report any violations to of Ford Mustang model of 2020 due to a weak brake pedal its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- bracket, which may get fractured if used with high pressure, ment, which processes complaints, inquiries and suggestions especially while driving on tracks or in competitions. through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ The recall campaign comes within the framework of the MoCI’s moci.gov.qa, Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, continuous eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that deal- MoCI mobile app for android and iOS: MOCIQATAR. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 QATAR QNL takes leading role in preserving culture, history through digitisation atar National Library long way in building a reliable QNL’s most precious assets — (QNL) is taking a lead- process to digitise content for its collection. Qing role in preserving the benefit of spreading rich Digitisation is a key cog in the culture and history of Qatar, Arabic knowledge, and we are this process, and the library’s the Gulf, the Arab and Islamic committed to working harder digitisation technicians are worlds. to fulfil that goal. acutely aware of the impor- To fulfi l this important mis- Having access to the latest tance of their role. sion, the library’s facilities are technology at the library ena- Hany Abdellatif says: “We equipped with the resources, bles us to realise this ambition.” also hope to encourage the cre- technology and infrastructure In addition to ongoing efforts ation of digital Arabic content, to provide the highest qual- to digitise QNL’s collections of while protecting the original ity digitisation of heritage items, rare books, manuscripts, maps materials by reducing frequent preserving and making them and photographs, the library’s handling during reference use, accessible to researchers for Digitisation Center works on and maintain important Arab generations to come, while also digitisation projects with other and Islamic heritage and his- making them freely available to heritage collections in Qatar torical materials, preserving the entire world. and international institutions. our history for many years to Digitisation describes a These include projects at come.” Nasser al-Ansari also process where physical mate- New York University (NYU) of sees digitisation as compli- rials are converted into digital more than 8,000 Arabic books menting other preservation versions which can be under- QNL’s digitisation team at work. in NYU library collections, and conservation services. stood and stored by computers. which will also be available on “Digitisation is part of a pack- QNL has, as of now, digitised itself is becoming popular in and algorithms to capture text; has built a system which cov- curve correction, editing reso- QNL’s online platforms. age of long-term investment for over 10mn pages from vari- terms of usage and research, as these methods include both ers 99% of printed Arabic text lution settings, image com- Nasser al-Ansari adds: our heritage items, and an im- ous collections including 5mn it spans multiple areas of sci- human and automated proc- based on shape, quality and pression and noise removal. “Our team’s goals are numer- portant section of our preserva- Arabic pages from its Heritage ence, including image process- ess.” The marriage of human size. It’s a process which has Nasser al-Ansari, director ous; we want to increase and tion and conservation services. Collection and nearly 2.8mn ing, machine learning, infor- interaction with technologi- taken some time to master, but of IT Operations and Infra- enhance the visibility, acces- Unlike microfi lm, digital im- pages from the Arabic Collec- mation retrieval and artificial cal advances, he says, is vital we now have a system that is structure at QNL says the li- sibility and usability of the li- ages don’t help to preserve the tion of New York University. intelligence. to ensuring the success of the accurate and reliable.” brary’s digitisation processes brary’s collections, and those original; digitisation assists us Digital conversion of materi- Hany Abdellatif, head of process. QNL’s digitisation techni- tie in with its overall mission of other organisations, includ- by reducing physical wear and als has advanced rapidly in the Digitisation Services at QNL, “We have built an accu- cians scan a wide variety of to preserve Islamic history and ing unique and rare materials tear on the original. It’s there- past few years, with QNL at the is responsible for overseeing rate system which streamlines heritage items, including rare culture, and technological ad- that meet research and educa- fore vital that we see digitisation forefront of this process in the the library’s huge digitisation our work, and harmonises the manuscripts, books, maps, vances are making this vision tional needs. We also want to not as replacement for a proper Middle East and on the world efforts.“Using OCR images roles and responsibilities be- newspapers, magazines, photos become reality. provide access to collections preservation programme, based stage. The library digitises in- brings the documents to life tween humans and machines and microfilms. “The library is committed at QNL which can no longer be on conservation treatments formation via Optical Char- and allows users to discover to reach the maximum quality Technicians then go through to the preservation of herit- physically available due to their or improved storage condi- acter Recognition (OCR), the every bit of information stored of the extracted text. With the each individual item to ensure age items not only in our re- fragile condition.” Preservation tions, but as part of this holistic technical practice of extracting within. At the Library, we have proper tools and algorithms, its quality is controlled, per- gion, but across the entire Is- has developed into a critically process of conservation of our text from images. The process mastered multiple techniques the library’s digitisation team forming tasks such as colour lamic world. We have come a important part of managing treasures.” Georgetown professor’s book wins Financial Times accolade

major new book on cli- fact remains that in the end, it mate change written by has been states and it can only ADr Anatol Lieven, a pro- be states that can declare lock- Dr Khalid Kamal Naji and engineer Khaled Juma al-Marzooqi sign the MoU yesterday. fessor of Government at Qatar downs, require health checks or Foundation (QF) partner Geor- impose travel restrictions. Fur- getown University in Qatar (GU- thermore, no international body Q), has been chosen as a Finan- can roll out an eff ective vaccina- cial Times Book of the Year in the tion plan. That will also have to QU signs MoU with engineering environment category. be carried out by the state.” In his book, Dr Lieven draws Dr Lieven also draws attention on history to argue that only to the particular threat climate committee to aid research drastic measures enacted by na- change poses to Qatar and the re- tion states and publicly adopted gion due to rising water levels and through an appeal to patriot- temperatures, noting that “Qatar atar University’s Col- with consultancy and work- relationship with the commit- ism have the power to enact the Dr Anatol Lieven Foundation’s investments in re- lege of Engineering shops covering diff erent areas. tee towards more co-operation change needed to prevent en- search and in supporting alterna- Q(QU-CENG) yesterday QU-CENG faculty will also and joint interaction in a way vironmental disaster. As some ing case for blaming blinkered tive energy projects, in particular signed a memorandum of un- support committee projects by that supports the educational damage from climate change is ‘residual elites’ so obsessed solar”, are a good start to combat- derstanding (MoU) with En- ensuring knowledge transfer process and students,” he add- now inevitable, he argues, states with past confl icts they cannot ing those threats. gineers and Engineering Of- and progressive development ed. need to be strong and to promote see the great climate challenge Dr Lieven is currently working fi ces Accrediting & Classifying of existing projects. Committee chair engineer social solidarity in order to with- ahead.” The book cover. on updates to the book for the up- Committee to establish collab- Commenting on the MoU, al-Marzouqi said: “This MoU stand this challenge. Dr Lieven Dr Lieven’s argument that coming paperback edition coming oration in the fi eld of research, Dr Naji said: “This partner- supports the establishment of therefore strongly advocates the eff ective climate change poli- he argues, would also require out in 2021, to take into account consultancy and knowledge ship supports the expansion new relations towards fruit- idea of ‘Green New Deals’. cies have to be driven by nation major investments in building the impact of a Joe Biden presi- transfer. of communication channels ful co-operation between the Financial Times column- states has gained traction during alternative energy, public trans- dency in the US, and to expand on QU-CENG dean Dr Khalid and partnership with the com- committee and QU-CENG in ist Pilita Clark remarked that the ongoing public health cri- port networks, technological the future of clean and renewable Kamal Naji and Committee mittee in the matter of co-op- the fi eld of academic and re- Dr Lieven’s appeal to national- sis, where the better health and innovation, economic growth, energy. ‘Climate Change and the chair engineer Khaled Juma eration in the fi eld of training search excellence, as well as ism was an “unlikely solution”, economic outcomes have been new jobs and social solidarity. Nation State: The Realist Case’ is al-Marzooqi signed the MoU and management of engineers the fi elds of exchange of expe- but one that off ered hope. “This in countries where governments “While international co- published by Penguin in the UK in the presence of offi cials from classifi cation exam in Qatar, riences and scientifi c research. international relations writer took a strong approach early in operation is desirable and more and Oxford University Press in both parties. as well as expanding partner- Hope that this MoU will be a makes a provocative but refresh- the pandemic. Climate change, of it would be benefi cial, the the US. It aims to establish collabo- ships with specialised faculty base for further co-operation ration between QU and the members, holding events and and integration with QU- Committee in the academic, launching various initiatives CENG, in addition to develop- research and student training that serve all parties”. ing the skills of students who and support fi eld, as well as the “This MoU contributes to are the main element for the exchange of information and activating community part- success of long-term develop- consultancy. nership and facilitating the ment plans in support of the VCUarts Qatar to launch sound Under the MoU, QU-CENG transfer of knowledge and achievement of Qatar National will provide the Committee technology, and deepening the Vision 2030. design course next semester

Violations found against warehouses irginia Commonwealth Atoui. Atoui, a world-renowned in Al Khor and Al Thakhira University School of the composer and sound designer, VArts in Qatar (VCUarts will interact with the class on Qatar), a Qatar Foundation several occasions during the Al Khor and (QF) partner university, has an- semester, and will visit Doha Al Thakhira nounced that it will launch an towards the end of March 2021 Municipality’s innovative new course – ‘Fab- to run a week-long workshop Technical Control rication of Sound’ – in January where he will compose the stu- Section has carried 2021, for the Spring semester. dents’ work into a performative out an intensive The course, which is open for sound installation, the state- inspection campaign cross-registration for students ment noted. to spot the violating from other Education City uni- Explaining the details of the storehouses within versities, will explore the acous- new course, Muscolino said the residential areas tic qualities of various materials, elective was designed for stu- under its jurisdiction. allowing learners to experiment dents with varying degrees of Eight violation and design their own creative experience in sound design, ir- reports were issued audio-based works using mate- respective of their university according to Law rials both within and outside of specialisations. Renowned Paris-based artist and sound designer Tarek Atoui will be No 4 for 1985 on a studio setting, VCU-Q has said “While there will be consid- a visiting instructor for the new course. the regulation in a statement. erable support from faculty for of buildings and ‘Fabrication of Sound’ will students who lack prior knowl- tors and sensors that allow some ety of platforms such as, but not its amendments be led by VCUarts Qatar faculty edge or experience in sound interactivity with the object. limited to, fi lm, television and and executive members Simone Muscolino, di- design, the course also caters to “The programme will be es- radio production, video games, regulations. The rector, Art Foundation, and Ryan students who already possess a pecially useful for students who theatre and live performances. violators were Browning, associate profes- basic understanding, and who want to learn how to build things Sound designers regularly edit accordingly referred sor, Art Foundation, along with want to explore the technologi- with their hands, those inter- or ‘mix’ previously composed or to the security VCUarts Qatar’s new Innovative cal side of the curriculum more ested in 3D design and sculp- recorded audio, as well as cre- department Media Studio director, Joshua deeply,” he said. Browning add- ture, and those keen to explore ate sounds from scratch, using concerned to take Rodenberg. ed, “The course is interdiscipli- interactive technology that has audio production tools such as the necessary legal In addition to the aforemen- nary and will off er instruction in applications in emerging media specialised software and syn- procedures. Such tioned VCUarts Qatar faculty, several areas such as sound, de- trends.” thesisers. campaigns are set to students attending this class will sign, material, electronics and so From a technical perspective, For further information on continue periodically. benefi t from the experience of on. We will be using technology- sound design is the process of the course, contact vcuqinfo@ visiting Paris-based artist Tarek based hardware, including mo- creating audio tracks for a vari- vcu.edu. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 9, 2020 7 QATAR Reservations for Qetaifan Island North’s Phase 2 Villa plots zQetaifan Island North’s sales exceed QR1bn within 12 months and acquire international awards zRemarkable demand on plots’ ownership despite challenges zA new exclusive real estate product at the end of 2021 Q1, also for the fi rst time in Qatar zAlso announced is the launch of a new residential product, “Duplex” units in limited quantities within the South Mid-rise towers on the Lusail Marina

etaifan Projects, owned by Katara Hospitality, Qyesterday announced the awarding of reservations for Qetaifan Island North’s Phase 2 Villa plots. The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, chairman of the Board of Directors of Ka- tara Hospitality and Qetaifan Dignitaries at the ceremony. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Projects, and Sheikh Nasser bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, managing director of Qetaifan Projects and deputy chairman of Katara Hospitality. At the event investors bid on the fi rst down payment to own a plot in Qetaifan Island North. The ceremony followed Sheikh Nasser bin Abdul Rahman al- Thani’s sales launching an- nouncement of Qetaifan Island North’s phase 2 villa plots during a press conference in November. Artist’s impression of the master plan. (Supplied picture) A number of ministers and other dignitaries including po- and encourage competition and “We consider our achieve- the launch of a new residential tential investors and Qetaifan inspire the state’s sectors in all ment of this volume of sales product, “Duplex” units in lim- Projects’ board members; en- fi elds. and the demand that we have ited quantities within the South gineer Jamal al-Kaabi; Hesham As Qetaifan Island North is witnessed on Qetaifan Island Mid-rise towers on the marina. Sharaf, chief operating offi cer; part of Lusail city, and features North’s villa plots under the cur- These distinct units are charac- Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulaziz al- seven beaches, which makes it rent circumstances an achieve- terised by unprecedented priva- Thani, head of Business Devel- a distinctive waterfront for the ment and an example to be emu- cy, whether in terms of design or opment Department at Qetaifan city. The island spans 1.3mn sq lated in dedication and sincerity implementation. Each unit has Projects, and Nasser Hassan al- m, and the area of projects on the of work, and this in turn refl ected a swimming pool, parking lot Ansari, chairman of the Board island extends to approximately positively on the investors’ trust and its own garden, in addition of Directors of Just Real Estate 830,000sq m. in Qetaifan Projects and invest- to a private entrance for each Company, the sales agent were “We believe in the future of ing in the island, in addition to resident to his unit, a spa, and Off icials at the event. also present. Qetaifan Island North and are the promising future they see in separate rooms for workers. The The attendees at the ceremony working hard and sincerely to Qetaifan Island North project in units, a fi rst-in-Qatar, comes at Ritz-Carlton Doha adhered to make the island a pioneering line with Qatar Vision 2030 and with an average area of 450sqm, the precautionary and preven- touristic destination,” Sheikh in line with the country’s ambi- will be launched for the fi rst time tive measures against Covid-19 Nawaf stated. tions to develop the tourism and in Qatar at the end of the fi rst as set by the Supreme Commit- Katara Hospitality and Qetai- hospitality sectors, as well as the quarter of 2021. tee for Crisis Management and fan Projects chairman also real estate development sector. On the occasion, Nasser Has- the Ministry of Public Health. pointed out that Qetaifan Is- “Based on our study of the lo- san al-Ansari, chairman of Just On the occasion, Katara Hos- land North serves the plans to cal market, we saw that invest- Real Estate Company, added: pitality and Qetaifan Projects host the 2022 World Cup, as it ing in a residential villa over- “We at Just Real Estate view it chairman Sheikh Nawaf affi rmed provides modern facilities ca- looking a 5-star operated beach as an honour to represent such that “the demand for investment pable of accommodating a large is currently not available, and an exceptional project which in phase 1 of Qetaifan Island number of hotels, retail outlets, we decided to provide a luxuri- we fi rmly believe will be a new North refl ects the position the restaurants, and unique rec- ous and unique lifestyle for villa benchmark for destination de- company has reached in the lo- reational facilities such as the owners in addition to the luxury velopment and management not cal real estate development mar- waterpark and the vast green that fi ts the general framework only within this country but well ket, indicating that the project spaces. of living in Qetaifan Island North beyond our homes shores. This represents a starting point for Sheikh Nasser bin Abdul as the fi rst entertainment tour- sales result is a massive vote of Qetaifan Projects towards devel- Rahman al-Thani, managing istic island in Qatar. “ confi dence in the iconic Qetai- oping more projects and serving director of Qetaifan Projects, Since Qetaifan Projects is keen fan Island destination which various state sectors. expressed his delight with this on providing equal opportuni- will be a fl agship to modern life- He explained that investors achievement, saying: “We went ties for all and to ensure trans- styles within the country and its aspire to benefi t from the re- through a diffi cult year, like eve- parency, the same sales mecha- tourism and leisure potential. turns of Qetaifan Island North ryone else, but we succeeded in nism that was used in phase 1 It is also a clear signal to the lo- project through the safe envi- defying the diffi culties and the which was accepted by investors cal, regional, and international ronment achieved by the state ambition of the whole team at was applied; through bidding on markets of the resilience of Qa- to encourage and attract foreign Qetaifan Projects during this the fi rst payment in front of all tar’s real estate sector which still investments and create new op- year is an example of the victory investors wishing to own prop- holds out highly positive inves- portunities, noting that this will of human will in the face of chal- erty in Qetaifan Island North. tor returns as we head towards Participants at the event viewing a model of the project. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil positively aff ect the local market lenges. Sheikh Nasser also announced the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”

Social-distanced seating at Viewers Gallery for QND parade

The Viewers Gallery set up on Doha Corniche for the Qatar National Day parade on December 18 has social-distanced seating, in line with the preventive and precautionary measures against the spread of Covid-19. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 QATAR Ministry announces Qatar Theatrical Group election

First board of directors of cal Group, which will lead to the to empowering youth and engag- as cultural and artistic act. ment and prosperity of the coun- the ministry, aims to regulate tional mechanisms. Qatar Theatrical Group to be election of the group’s fi rst board ing them to be contributors to the After the elections, the Qatar try in general, and the develop- theatrical practice in Qatar, en- Theatre Aff airs Centre direc- elected in January of directors after the general as- development of the cultural and Theatrical Group will be headed ment of culture in particular. hance transparency, and ration- tor Salah al-Mulla said that the sembly meeting to be held in artistic mobility in state bodies by a Qatari who is familiar with Established in 1972, the Qatar alise the process of management election of the Qatar Theatrical QNA January. and institutions, in accordance everything related to theatre. Theatrical Group is scheduled and administration. Group board of directors will be Doha The new statute aims at devel- with the vision and values of the The ministry has had several to enter the new stage, after the Director of the Culture and the beginning of the adoption of oping the mechanisms of work Ministry of Culture and Sports. successes in the fi eld of empow- general assembly meeting in Arts Department at the Ministry the articles of the statute, and and theatrical practice at the lev- The new Qatar Theatrical ering young people through January and the activation of the of Culture and Sports, Faisal al- this experience will be applied to he Ministry of Culture el of administration and organi- Group statute also consecrates managing youth centres and statute organising the election of Suwaidi, said that the new stat- all local theatre groups after the and Sports has announced sation, enhancing participatory a right of democratic practice sports clubs, and is keen on acti- the group’s board of directors. ute seeks to develop theatrical completion of the organisational Tthe adoption of the new culture, and improving institu- through nomination and election vating the role of youth to be an The new statute, prepared by work and support it with more procedures related to the regula- statute of the Qatar Theatri- tional performance, in addition mechanisms, and consolidates it essential element in the develop- a group of bodies affi liated with fl exible and eff ective organisa- tions and membership. Focus on challenges Minister checks exam progress facing Mena in light Dhabya al-Khater of Covid-19 crisis

QNA that the papers presented at the responses to global coronavirus QU-CPH Doha conference constitute a scientifi c pandemic across Mena countries’. and reference material in govern- The submitted papers varied to in- ance, public policies and devel- clude the reality of Middle Eastern student he 9th Global Conference opment in the Mena region, espe- countries’ responses to the coro- on Public Policy and Ad- cially since the conference brings navirus crisis, health policies and Tministration in the Middle together participants from 47 ed- governance in light of the pan- scoops East kicked off in Doha yesterday. ucational institutions, from more demic, and government and policy The virtual conference is or- than 20 countries, with their di- responses to pandemic conditions, ganised by the School of Public verse academic experiences. in addition to the opportunities for award Administration and Development Keynote speaker Prof Leslie Pal, institutional reform during and HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi visited Economics (SPADE) in Doha In- dean of College of Public Policy after the coronavirus crisis. Abdullah Bin Ali Al Misnad Secondary School to check on the progress of the ongoing examinations stitute for Graduate Studies in col- at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, The researchers discussed the and assess the health precautions in force in classes and halls. HE Dr al-Hammadi directed off icials atar University College laboration with the Association for highlighted in his speech the pos- reality of governments in the to help overcome any challenges facing students so that they can write their tests in a healthy and of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) Middle Eastern Public Policy and sibilities for change at the public Mena region, and the reality of safe environment that enhances their academic achievement, the Ministry of Education and Higher Qstudent Dhabya al-Khat- Administration (AMEPPA). policy level in light of the interac- public-private partnerships re- Education said in a statement yesterday. er has won in a competition in The two-day conference is be- tions with the coronavirus crisis. garding the response to the coro- the International Pharmaceuti- ing held under the theme ‘Cri- He explained that the future of navirus crisis, in addition to the cal Students’ Federation (IPSF) ses, Confl icts and other Chal- the world will change in terms of education methods and policies Eastern Mediterranean Region- lenges: Rethinking Governance services, health, fi nance, policy- in light of the pandemic, includ- al Offi ce (EMRO) case-based and Public Policy Reforms in the making, the implementation of ing e-learning and the diffi cul- learning competition (CBL). Mena Region’. The conference’s freedoms and democracy, pro- ties of implementing it in most The Qatari student was among committee accepted 67 working duction and consumption pat- countries in the region. Housing checks in Al Rayyan three QU-CPH students at the papers distributed on four vari- terns, in addition to changes at The second track, ‘Globalisa- event. ous tracks. the level of communication and tion, Governance and Security The others were Esraa Hamdy Dr Rabia Najeeb, Associate information in all its fi elds. challenges for the Mena region’, l Rayyan Municipality’s Technical Con- ning to continue the inspection campaign. and Ruba Sulaiman. Professor of the Public Policies The conference serves as an included six sessions discussed trol Section has carried out an inspection Accordingly, 84 notices were issued. Legal action Competitors were divided into Master programme at Doha In- inter-disciplinary forum and crises and challenges, governance Acampaign to spot workers’ accommodation against the violators is being taken. four groups, with each group stitute and head of the organising presents an opportunity to ad- and institutional performance, complexes within family residential areas at Umm The campaign also issued notices against 84 resi- comprising four members from committee, stressed the impor- dress topical questions of an wars, democracy and institutional Al Saneem Area, as part of a comprehensive plan. dential units for violating the law regulating build- the diff erent EMRO regions. tance of the submitted papers academic and practical nature performance, and crisis manage- The municipality has announced that it is plan- ings through making unlicensed internal partitions. A diabetes case was distrib- and its links to the realities of the seeking to contribute to the im- ment and public policy-making. uted among the groups, and a crises and challenges facing the provement of governance and Other papers discussed topics period of one week was given for Mena region, especially in light policy reforms throughout the related to governance and devel- solving the case. of the Covid-19 crisis. Middle East. opment challenges, and evaluat- On the day of the event QU- Dr Hamed Ali, Dean of SPADE The fi rst track of the confer- ing public policy programmes by Al Wakra Municipality section CPH PharmD student Sara Thi- and President of AMEPPA, said ence dealt with the ‘Institutional off ering case study models. ab was the guest speaker, and conducts 336 inspection tours then all groups had the opportu- nity to discuss and present their management plan for the case. Al-Khater was in the winning Vehicles team. QU-CPH dean Dr Mohamed removed Diab said: “Student competi- tions in general create a strong Al Shamal Municipality’s environment for students to General Control Section, enhance their skills and com- in co-operation with Al petencies that will make them Shamal Security Depart- successful people in their future ment, has carried out workplace.” a week-long campaign Al-Khater said it was a nice to remove abandoned experience and a great pleasure vehicles. A total of 16 to work in collaboration with abandoned vehicles, a diff erent students from multiple trailer and a portable nationalities and diff erent cul- cabin were removed. The tures. owners of 61 vehicles and equipment removed them on their own after receiving notices. Al Wakra Municipality’s General Control Section carried out 336 inspection tours to spot abandoned vehicles last month. A total of 20 vehicles were removed after the notice period, and notices demand- More ing removal were pasted on 32 other abandoned vehicles. The section also received 29 complaints Qatar Visa during the same period, and issued 21 violation reports which were all resolved. Centres to resume work

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QVCs have been opened in diff erent countries as part of the Qatari authorities’ eff orts to facilitate and streamline proce- dures for bringing expatriates to Qatar. The centres “aim to fa- cilitate and simplify recruitment procedures in general, protect the rights of expatriates, ensure their safety and facilitate all pro- cedures for their entry into the country, as well as inspect and document the process of their employment and accelerate their initiation of work in simplifi ed, smooth and eff ective proce- dures”, QNA adds. Appointments to visit any QVC can be made through the designated website (https:// 4-hour closure for access road at Bani Hajer Interchange 6-month closure of one lane of Ali bin Abdullah Street www.qatarvisacenter.com/). The QVCs have been set up The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has Road users coming from Al Rayyan and heading The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has The closure in co-ordination with the General and operated in co-operation announced a four-hour closure for the access road to towards Doha will have to use Bani Hajer Underpass, announced a six-month partial closure on one lane Directorate of Traff ic is to enable expansion and with the Ministry of Adminis- Doha from Al Rayyan at Bani Hajer Interchange, from make a U-turn at Al Shahama traff ic light, and take of Ali Bin Abdullah Street in both directions, for upgrading works at Ali Bin Abdulla Street, within trative Development, Labour midnight tomorrow to 4am on Friday. the exit towards Doha. 250m between Al Koot Fort Intersection and Ali the Doha Central Development and Beautification and Social Aff airs, Ministry of The closure, in co-ordination with the General Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of Bin Abdulla Intersection, from December 13. Project – Package 3. Foreign Aff airs and Ministry of Directorate of Traff ic, is to enable road works as part the temporary closure, and urges everyone to follow The other lane will remain open to traff ic in both Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists Public Health. of the Khalifa Avenue Project. them and abide by the speed limit. directions. of the temporary closure. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 9, 2020 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA/ASIA China criticises US sanctions over Hong Kong

AFP unreasonable, crazy and vile nian new security law in June. Beijing behaviour,” Hua said at a regular Critics say it destroys the press briefi ng Tuesday. freedoms once enjoyed in Hong The foreign ministry lat- Kong, enshrined in an agree- hina yesterday blasted er summoned the US Charge ment made before the 1997 new US sanctions against d’Aff aires for an explanation. handover from British colonial Coffi cials involved in the Trump’s administration rule back to China. clampdown on Hong Kong, call- stopped short of punishing the China says the law and pros- ing the move “crazy and vile”, a committee’s chairman, Li Zhan- ecution of critics is needed to further worsening of relations shu, sometimes described as a restore stability after last year’s between the world’s superpow- right-hand man of President Xi huge and often violent protests. Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff (sixth left), head of the European Union’s mission to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, poses for a souvenir photo ers. Jinping, who has forged an on- The United States has already with other EU representatives during a visit to a desalination plant in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, yesterday. President Donald Trump’s again, off -again friendship with slapped sanctions on Hong administration has been using Trump. Kong’s pro-Beijing leader, Car- its waning days to ramp up pres- rie Lam, and has declared that it sure on China, and on Monday “The Chinese government will no longer treat the fi nancial froze any US assets and barred and people express hub as separate from China. travel to the United States for strong indignation over On Monday, the US House of Representatives voted unani- EU promises Gazans help 14 vice chairs of the Standing and strongly condemn Committee of the National Peo- the United States’ rude, mously Monday to make it easier ple’s Congress, which spear- unreasonable, crazy and for residents of Hong Kong to headed a tough new security law vile behaviour” live in the United States, follow- in the city. China says the law is ing similar steps by Britain and Canada. Hong Kong residents getting virus vaccine needed to restore stability after The Trump administration 2019’s huge protests but critics has described decades of eff orts would enjoy so-called Tempo- say it destroys freedoms once to engage China to be a failure rary Protected Status for fi ve AFP facilitate (vaccination) to those people, who were then required December 11 to the end of the held in the fi nancial hub. and US intelligence chief John years, joining citizens of con- Gaza City most in need.” to isolate for three weeks in month. On Monday US Secretary of Ratcliff e last week called Beijing fl ict-ridden states such as Syria “It’s a very complicated is- quarantine centres. It also closed schools, uni- State Mike Pompeo said Wash- “the greatest threat to democ- who cannot be deported and sue, but...the moment these In mid-August, Gaza had re- versities, kindergartens and ington was holding Beijing ac- racy worldwide”. In other steps will have the right to work in the European Union delega- vaccines become available, we corded only around 100 Cov- mosques. Gaza has now regis- countable for its “unrelenting last week, Pompeo terminated United States. tion visited Gaza yester- will try our utmost,” he said. id-19 cases, but the past two tered nearly 25,600 coronavirus assault against Hong Kong’s fi ve Beijing-funded exchange The move still needs approval Aday pledging to help the Gaza, ruled by Hamas since weeks have seen a rapid dete- infections, including around democratic processes”.China’s programmes, calling them prop- by the Senate but it has support blockaded Palestinian enclave 2007, is under a tight Israeli- rioration in containment. 150 deaths. foreign ministry spokeswoman aganda tools, and said the State across party lines, unlike a pre- access coronavirus vaccines, as enforced blockade, one factor On Monday, Hamas said it Israel’s government has Hua Chunying slammed the Department would limit the va- vious Democrat bid to extend the the epidemic there continues to that has led to weak health in- had received 20,000 test kits meanwhile announced the pro- move’s “vile intention to grossly lidity of visas for any members status to Venezuelans. escalate. frastructure in the Palestinian from the World Health Organi- curement of millions of doses of interfere in China’s internal af- of the Chinese Communist Party The move by US lawmak- EU representative to the Pal- enclave. sation, after warning it could no vaccines from both Pfi zer and fairs. and their family members – a ers comes as on Monday Hong estinian Territories Sven Kuhn Israel says the blockade is longer perform testing due to a Moderna, but has not yet com- “The Chinese government decision that could aff ect hun- Kong police cited the law to ar- von Burgsdorff , who led the necessary to contain Hamas. shortage. mented on whether its procure- and people express strong indig- dreds of millions of people. rest three people who last month delegation of roughly 20 peo- Hamas acted fast in March to Facing a surge in cases, Ha- ment would cater for Palestin- nation over and strongly con- China’s rubber-stamp parlia- chanted slogans at a university ple, said the bloc would work forestall the virus, only allow- mas has also announced a lock- ians in the occupied West Bank demn the United States’ rude, ment pushed through the draco- campus. with the United Nations “to ing entry to a limited number of down on weekends lasting from or Gaza.

OFFICIAL Kuwait Amir reappoints Sheikh Sabah as PM Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah reappointed Sheikh Ethiopia says UN team shot at in Turkey condemns Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah as prime minister yesterday following parlia- mentary polls in the Gulf state. Sheikh Nawaf has asked Sheikh Sabah to nominate members of a new Tigray after defying checkpoints seizure of vessel cabinet for approval, state media said. Sheikh Sabah, who had been foreign minister since 2011 before being elevated to the post of premier in late 2019, faces the urgent task of Reuters region since Nov 4. Thou- troops, though both Ethiopia Reuters years been fi ghting the LNA. overcoming legislative gridlock on a debt law that would allow Kuwait Addis Ababa sands are feared dead and the and Eritrea have denied any Ankara In October, the GNA and LNA to tap international debt markets in order to plug a growing budget UN estimates that more than incursion over the border by signed a ceasefi re deal and the deficit. The oil policy of the Opec producer, which is set by a supreme 950,000 people have been President Isaias Afwerki’s United Nations has been push- petroleum council, and foreign policy, which is steered by the Amir, are United Nations team displaced by the confl ict, military. Abiy and Afwerki urkey yesterday con- ing a political dialogue aimed at unlikely to change under the new government. visiting refugees in around 50,000 of them into signed a peace pact ending demned the interception elections next year as a solution. AEthiopia’s war-hit Ti- neighbouring Sudan. two decades of hostilities in Tof one of its ships by east- In a statement, the Turkish gray region had failed to stop The Ethiopian government 2018 and now regard the TPLF ern-based Libyan forces in the Foreign Ministry said steps to INQUIRY at two checkpoints when it did not immediately respond as a mutual foe. Mediterranean, saying it must ensure the vessel resumes its was shot at over the weekend, to a request for comment on Ethiopia’s army has cap- be allowed to resume its journey journey must be taken immedi- Christchurch mosques attack could the government said yester- the UN estimate. tured the regional capital to western Libya and warning of ately, and warned that those tar- only have been prevented ‘by chance’ day, proclaiming it did not Redwan Hussein, spokes- Mekelle and declared victory, possible reprisal. geting Turkish interests in Libya need a “baby-sitter”. man for the Ethiopian gov- but TPLF leaders say they Khalifa Haftar’s eastern- would be deemed “legitimate New Zealand security services did not focus enough on the threat from The UN security team ernment’s task force for Ti- are fi ghting back on various based Libyan National Army targets”. right-wing terror in the run-up to last year’s Christchurch mosques at- was seeking access to the gray, told reporters that the fronts around the highland (LNA) said on Monday it inter- “In a period when the politi- tack, but could only have prevented the murders “by chance”, an inquiry Shimelba camp for Eritrean UN team passed through two city. “There are a few rem- cepted the Turkish ship Mab- cal process under UN auspices reported yesterday. The royal commission – the most powerful judicial refugees when they were fi red checkpoints without stop- nants of the militia or special rouka, under a Jamaican fl ag, is underway between our Libyan probe available under New Zealand law – called for sweeping changes to at on Sunday. ping while driving hastily to forces not yet controlled... heading to the port of Misrata. brothers, Haftar and his mili- counter-terrorism operations in response to the white supremacist attack A UN spokesman in Nai- an unauthorised area. kind of hooligans, outlaws,” A Turkish source said the ves- tia are continuing their hostile in which 51 worshippers died. The 800-page report said spy agencies had robi did not immediately re- “When they were about to Redwan said. sel was carrying medicine and stance,” the ministry said. placed an “inappropriate” focus on extremism before the attack and did spond to a request for com- break the third one they were Most communications in medical products. Turkey is the “Targeting Turkish interests in not suff iciently explore the right-wing terror threat. But it stopped short ment. Prime Minister Abiy shot at and detained,” he said. Tigray are down and access to main foreign backer of Libya’s Libya will have grave consequenc- of saying authorities could have prevented the massacre, finding that the Ahmed’s army has battled Two diplomatic sources the area is severely restricted, internationally recognised Gov- es, and these elements (who target “fragmentary” information available about lone-wolf shooter Brenton Tar- the Tigray People’s Liberation told Reuters the UN team en- making it hard to verify either ernment of National Accord Turkish interests) will be viewed rant prior to the killings was not enough to mark him as a threat. Front (TPLF) in the northern countered uniformed Eritrean side’s statements. (GNA) in Tripoli, which has for as legitimate targets,” it added.

Everest ‘grows’ as China, Nepal agree new height Australia to make Facebook and

AFP and surveyors were involved in Google pay news outlets for content Kathmandu the exercise – some on foot and others in helicopters – to reach data collection stations. Reuters with local publishers and broad- years of inquiry and consultation, he highest point on Earth Last spring, Nepali surveyors Sydney casters. If they can’t strike a deal, ultimately spilling into a public row got a bit higher yesterday reached the summit of Ever- a government-appointed arbi- in August when the US companies Tas China and Nepal fi nal- est with over 40 kilograms (90 trator will decide for them. warned it may stop them off ering ly agreed on a precise elevation pounds) of equipment, includ- ustralia fi nalised plans “This is a huge reform, this their services in Australia. for Mount Everest after years of ing a Global Satellite Navigation yesterday to make Face- is a world fi rst, and the world is Facebook Australia manag- debate. System (GNSS) receiver. Abook Inc and Google pay watching what happens here in ing director Will Easton said the The agreed height of They spent roughly two its media outlets for news con- Australia,” Frydenberg told re- company would review the leg- 8,848.86 metres (29,031 feet) – freezing hours collecting data tent, a world-fi rst move aimed at porters in the capital Canberra. islation and “engage through the unveiled at a news conference as dozens of climbers stood on protecting independent journal- “Our legislation will help en- upcoming parliamentary proc- in Kathmandu – was 86 cen- top of the mountain. ism that has been strongly op- sure that the rules of the dig- ess with the goal of landing on a timetres (2.8 feet) higher than “Climbing Everest alone is posed by the internet giants. ital world mirror the rules of the workable framework to support the measurement previously a challenging task, but we also Under laws to go to parliament physical world...and ultimately Australia’s news ecosystem”. recognised by Nepal, and more had to measure it,” Khim Lal this week, Treasurer Josh Fryden- sustain our media landscape.” A representative for Google than four metres above China’s Gautam, a Survey Department berg said the Big Tech fi rms must The law amounts to the strong- declined to comment, saying the offi cial fi gure. In this undated handout photo released by the Survey Department, offi cial who lost a toe to frost- negotiate payments for content est check of the tech giants’ market company had yet to see the fi nal This discrepancy was due Nepal on December 1, 2020 a team member conducts a gravity bite in the expedition, said. that appears on their platforms power globally, and follows three version of the proposed law. to China measuring the rock survey during Mount Everest’s height measurements. Nepal was due to release the base on the summit and not – results earlier this year but then as with the new reading – the (29,028 feet). That measure- (29,015 feet). The provoked a China became involved after a covering of snow and ice on the ment was widely accepted, with row with Nepal, which was only visit to Nepal in October 2019 Thousands protest in Tunisia following doctor’s death peak. Everest straddles the bor- the number appealing not only resolved in 2010 when Kath- by President Xi Jinping. der of Nepal and China. to ambitious mountaineers but mandu and Beijing agreed that This year a Chinese survey Thousands of striking Tunisian medics and hospital gathered outside the health ministry in Tunis and Employing trigonometry also inspiring names for adven- their measurements referred expedition had a more quiet staff staged an angry protest yesterday over the chanted angry slogans against the country’s politi- hundreds of miles away on the ture clothing lines, restaurants to diff erent things – one to the working space on the summit as country’s crumbling public health infrastructure, cal class. Indian plains, British colonial and even a vodka brand. height of Everest’s rock and the they were the only climbers on after the death of a young doctor in a lift accident. An AFP photographer said doctors, nurses, hospital geographers fi rst determined In 1999, the US National Ge- other to the height of its snow- a mountain shut because of the Badreddine Aloui, 27, died last week after falling staff and teachers took part, with many carrying Everest’s height in 1856 at 8,840 ographic Society concluded the cap. coronavirus pandemic. down an elevator shaft when the doors opened Tunisian flags or portraits of Aloui. metres (29,002 feet) above sea world’s highest point was 8,850 Nepal decided to conduct a Dang Yamin, an expert at the with no lift in place – despite the fault having been It came as Tunisia prepares to mark 10 years since level. metres (29,035 feet), but Nepal survey – initially alone and later National Bureau of Surveying reported several years earlier. a revolution that many had hoped would address After Edmund Hillary and never offi cially recognised this joined by China – after sugges- and Mapping, told Chinese state His death sparked calls for the health minister to off icial corruption and economic woes in the North Tenzing Norgay Sherpa fa- – although it is widely quoted. tions that tectonic plate move- broadcaster CCTV that the fi - resign and renewed anger over the failings of Tu- African country. mously fi rst reached the sum- China meanwhile conducted ments including a major earth- nal result was an average value nisia’s long-neglected healthcare system, buckling “The public health sector is in a catastrophic state,” mit of Everest on May 29, 1953, several surveys of its own, and quake in 2015 may have aff ected between the measurements by under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic. said a doctor who addressed demonstrators after an Indian survey readjusted in 2005 came up with a meas- the height. Nepal and China, in accordance The protesters, many of them wearing white coats, they marched to the prime minister’s off ice. the altitude to 8,848 metres urement of 8,844.43 metres About 300 Nepali experts with scientifi c rules. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 AMERICAS

DECISION CORPORATE STUDY STANCE SETBACK Former top cyber off icial Apple launches Deforestation ‘wiped out Cuba open to resuming Peru’s interior sues Trump campaign new AirPods Max 8% of Amazon in 18 years’ medical brigades to Bolivia minister resigns

The former head of the US cybersecurity and Apple yesterday unveiled AirPods Max, its next- Deforestation in the Amazon destroyed an area Cuba is open to resuming medical brigades to Peru’s new President Francisco Sagasti suff ered the critical infrastructure agency, which was tasked generation over-ear headphones priced at $549. bigger than Spain from 2000 to 2018, wiping Bolivia, senior diplomat Danilo Sanchez said, after second resignation of an interior minister in a week with helping guard the 2020 US presidential The company also said Apple Fitness+, its $10 out 8% of the world’s biggest rainforest, accord- abruptly withdrawing them under previous presi- as Fernando Aliaga quit shortly after questioning election from hackers, has filed a lawsuit against per month fitness subscription service, will be ing to a study released yesterday. The Amazon dent Jeanine Anez, whose right-wing government the dismissal of the police leadership over a deadly President Donald Trump’s campaign and one of launched on December 14. Apple said the new plays a vital role in curbing climate change, but suspended relations with Havana. “We are open crackdown on protests. Aliaga had presented his his lawyers after he made threatening remarks AirPods will come with up to 20-hours of battery destruction of the rainforest has only accelerated to listen to proposals, requests; I believe that we letter of resignation, the presidency of the council during a television interview, The New York Times life and expects to start shipping the product next in recent years, found the study by the Amazon can and have many possibilities to co-operate in of ministers said without giving further details. His reported. The lawsuit accuses Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tuesday. The company’s last quarter results evi- Geo-Referenced Socio-Environmental Information many areas: science, education, health, indeed we resignation came after just five days in the post, diGenova, of a “pernicious conspiracy” against denced a rise in sales in its accessories unit, even Network (RAISG). Since the turn of the millen- are very interested in cooperation in the commer- following the resignation of his predecessor Ruben members of the Republican party who are as revenue from its flagship iPhones dropped nium, 513,000 square kilometers of the rainforest cial sector, in the investment sector,” the charge Vargas, who himself spent only 14 days heading “speaking truth and conscientiously performing 20.7%. Apple had launched its newest iPhone have been lost, according to the updated Amazon d’aff aires said. Sanchez was asked by the local the interior ministry. Sagasti later appointed Jose their public duties” in the face of election fraud range with faster 5G connectivity in October, a atlas produced by the organisation, a consortium press about the return of the medical brigades Manuel Elice Navarro as minister in a ceremony claims by the White House, according to the month later than its usual September release due of groups from across the region. It is RAISG’s first following his meeting in La Paz with the head of at the Presidential Palace. Elice is Peru’s seventh report. to pandemic-induced delays. such atlas since 2012. the Chamber of Deputies, Freddy Mamani. interior minister so far this year Texas asks Charity initiative top court to help Trump upend election

Reuters Texas is asking the Supreme Washington Court to block the Electoral Col- lege votes in the four states — a total of 62 votes — from being he state of Texas, aiming counted. to help President Donald Biden has amassed 306 elec- TTrump upend the results toral votes — exceeding the nec- of the election, yesterday said essary 270 — compared to 232 it has sued Georgia, Michigan, for Trump in the state-by-state Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Electoral College that determines at the Supreme Court, calling the election’s outcome, while changes those states made to winning the national popular election procedures amid the vote by more than 7mn votes. coronavirus pandemic unlaw- Texas also is asking the Su- ful. preme Court to delay the De- The long-shot lawsuit, an- cember 14 date for Electoral Col- nounced by the Republican at- lege votes to be cast. That date torney general of Texas Ken Pax- was set by law in 1887. First Lady Melania Trump participates in the annual Marine Toys for Tots Drive at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC yesterday. Toys for Tots is a programme ton, was being fi led directly with The Supreme Court is not ob- run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot aff ord to buy them gifts for the holidays. the Supreme Court rather than ligated to hear the case and has with a lower court, as is permit- said in previous decisions that ted for certain litigation between its “original jurisdiction,” which states. allows it to directly hear litiga- The Supreme Court has a six- tion between states, should be three conservative majority in- invoked sparingly. cluding three justices appointed Paul Smith, a professor and by Trump. election law expert at Georget- The lawsuit represents the own University’s law school, said latest legal eff ort intended to re- Texas did not have a legitimate verse the Republican president’s basis for the suit. Pfi zer’s Covid vaccine loss to Democratic President- “There is no possible way that elect Joe Biden in the November the state of Texas has standing to 3 election. complain about how other states Those eff orts have so far failed counted the votes and how they and legal experts said the Texas are about to cast their electoral suit also is unlikely to succeed. votes,” Smith said. Democrats and other critics Moreover, election disputes safe and eff ective: FDA have accused Trump of aiming are meant to be resolved by to reduce public confi dence in members of Congress when they AFP their second of two injections research was needed to confi rm fatigue (63%), headache (55%), cerned by this fi nding, and ac- the integrity of the elections and meet on January 6 to formally Washington “suggest a favourable safety these potential fi ndings. muscle pain (38%), chills (31%), cording to his calculations it undermine American democracy count Electoral College votes, profi le, with no specifi c safety “By far and away the big take- joint pain (23.6%), fever (14%). occurred at a greater frequency by trying to subvert the will of constitutional law professor concerns identifi ed that would away is it appears as good if not Reactions graded as “severe” than would be expected in the the voters. Ned Foley of Ohio State Uni- he US Food and Drug preclude issuance of an EUA better than advertised,” Andrew were more common after the general population. Texas accused election offi - versity’s Moritz College of Law Administration (FDA) is- (emergency use authorisation),” Morris, an infectious disease second dose and less frequent in “I don’t in any way want any- cials in the four states of failing said. Tsued a positively-worded the FDA document said. specialist at the University of participants aged 55 and older. one to think that this is a reason to protect mail-in voting from “I would think the court would briefi ng document yesterday It added that the vaccine’s ef- Toronto said. There were some adverse not to take the vaccine,” he said, fraud, thus diminishing “the not want to be dragged into the that said the Pfi zer-BioNTech fi cacy in preventing Covid-19 He added he was particularly events classed as “serious” — but it was important to be up- weight of votes cast in states that middle of this,” Foley added. Covid-19 vaccine is safe and was 95%, and it worked uni- excited by data suggesting the the highest grade — but there front about potential complica- lawfully abide by the election Paxton has been an ally of eff ective, raising expectations formly across age groups, gen- fi rst injection might be enough was no meaningful imbalance in tions, even if they are very rare structure set forth in the consti- Trump on a range of issues and a the regulator is poised to grant ders, and racial groups, as well to protect people. the frequency these occurred in and the benefi ts strongly out- tution.” case he led seeking to invalidate emergency approval. as among people with underly- The companies have previ- the vaccine and placebo arms. weigh the risks. State offi cials have said they the Aff ordable Care Act health- An independent commit- ing conditions. ously released some of their data There were four cases of Bell’s There were also some reports have found no evidence of any care law was joined by Trump’s tee advising the FDA will meet In addition, there is some in press statements but the FDA palsy — a generally non-serious of people who got swollen lymph such fraud that would change the administration when it reached tomorrow on the matter, after evidence that the vaccine off ers has access to a much more detail. form of facial droop that most nodes, which Morris said was results. the US Supreme Court this year. Britain became the fi rst country protection after the fi rst injec- In a larger group of 43,000 people recover from — in the not immediately concerning but There was a surge in voting Michigan attorney general to green light the vaccine last tion, that it prevents even the volunteers which included ad- vaccine group and none in the should be watched. The adviso- by mail due to the pandemic, as Dana Nessel, a Democrat, in a week. worst cases of Covid-19, and ditional adults and adolescents placebo group. ry group will also consider what many Americans stayed away statement called the lawsuit “a Two months of follow-up protects people who have been who signed up later, the most Morris, who has done previ- additional studies the manufac- from polling places to avoid the publicity stunt, not a serious le- data among 38,000 US trial previously infected. common side eff ects were in- ous research on this condition, turers will need to undertake af- spread of Covid-19. gal pleading.” participants after they received But the committee said more jection site reactions (84 %), said he was somewhat con- ter issuance of an EUA.

Homecoming Biden ‘picks fi rst Coronavirus data Black Pentagon chief’ scientist’s home raided AFP West Point Military Academy Washington and following a career with a wide range of assignments, Guardian News and Media in May in a row over Covid-19 she was the author of the unau- from leading platoons to run- Tallahassee data. thorised message. loyd Austin, who led US ning logistics groups and over- She compared the incident to She said she last had access to troops into Baghdad in seeing recruiting, to senior sending “the gestapo”, adding: any computer system within the L2003 and rose to head Pentagon jobs. ebekah Jones, the Florida “This is what happens to scien- state was six months ago, adding: the US Central Command, has In March 2003 he was the as- data scientist embroiled in tists who do their job honestly. “I’m not a hacker, I’m not that been chosen by president-elect sistant division commander of Ra dispute with the state’s This is what happens to people tech savvy.” Joe Biden to be the fi rst Afri- the 3rd Infantry Division when Republican governor over the who speak truth to power.” She told CNN she had come can-American secretary of de- it marched from Kuwait into handling of coronavirus fi gures, The Florida department of law to the conclusion that the raid fence, US media reported. Baghdad in the US invasion of had her home raided by armed enforcement confi rmed they had had been motivated by a desire A veteran of confl icts in Iraq Iraq. From late 2003 to 2005, he police who confi scated her com- entered Jones’s house on a search to root out her source within and Afghanistan, the retired was in Afghanistan command- puters. warrant. the state bureaucracy, which four-star army general, 67, beat ing the Combined Joint Task In a stream of posts on Twitter, But in a statement the depart- is why police took away her out the favourite for the job, Force 180, the principle US-led Jones posted a video of the raid ment said the action was related phone.“On my phone is every former under-secretary of de- operation seeking to stabilise that showed state police carry- to a recent computer hack of the communication I have ever had fence Michele Flournoy, amid the security situation in the ing handguns escorting her out health department website, in with someone who works with pressure on Biden to nominate country. of her Tallahassee home. which emergency response coor- the state who has come to me in more minorities for positions In 2010 he was made com- She can be heard saying: “He dinators were sent an unauthor- confidence and told me things in his cabinet. CNN, Politico manding general of US forces just pointed a gun at my chil- ised message. that could get them fired,” she and the New York Times cited in Iraq, and two years later be- dren,” with her husband and two According to the Tampa Bay said. unnamed sources familiar with came the commander of the children apparently upstairs at Times, the message urged the The scientist had a direct mes- the decision, after Biden said Central Command, in charge of the time. co-ordinators to “speak up be- sage for the governor: “DeSantis earlier Monday that he had all Pentagon operations in the Jones claimed in her tweets fore another 17,000 people are needs to worry less about what US Army specialist Matthew Gardner greets his daughter made his choice and would an- Middle East and Afghanistan. that the raid was the work of dead. You know this is wrong. Be I’m writing about and more Olivia-June, and his wife Nicole after he and fellow soldiers nounce it on Friday. Austin retired from the mili- Ron DeSantis, the governor a hero. Speak out before it’s too about the people who are sick from the 10th Mountain Division arrive home from a Austin would require sen- tary in 2016, and joined the with whom she has clashed re- late.” and dying in his state. Doing this nine-month deployment in Afghanistan in Fort Drum, New ate confi rmation to take up the board of directors of Raytheon peatedly since she was fired by On Monday night, Jones ap- to me will not stop me from re- York, yesterday. post. He spent four decades in Technologies, one of the Pen- the state’s department of health peared on CNN and denied that porting the data, ever.” the army, graduating from the tagon’s largest contractors. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 9, 2020 11 BRITAIN House prices see strongest rise in 16 years

Daily Mail June to November, according to The fi gures come the day af- He said a nationwide spending ever, the economic environment boost demand although the max- searches. Industry bodies are London the Halifax. ter the Bank of England’s chief spree could help the economy re- continues to look challenging. imum saving is set at £15,000. calling for an extension to avoid Since last year, property prices economist, Andy Haldane, said cover quicker than forecast. “With unemployment pre- Galley said the stamp duty a cliff edge. have risen by 7.6% while the in- families had built up £100bil- But Russell Galley, managing dicted to peak around the middle saving of £2,500 on a home cost- Mark Harris, of mortgage bro- ouse prices have grown crease since October was 1.2%. lion of ‘excess savings’ in lock- director at Halifax, warned of of next year and the economy not ing £250,000 “is now far out- ker SPF Private Clients, advised by more than £15,000 Mortgage approvals are also at down, sparking hopes of a surge diffi culties to come. expected to recover the ground weighed by the average increase buyers wanting to save on the fee Hin only fi ve months as a 13-year high, according to the in spending. He said: “The housing mar- lost over 2020 for years, a slow- in property prices since July”. “to select their lender carefully, buyers continue to seek bigger bank. Haldane told the Daily Mail ket has been much more resilient down in housing market activity Research indicates that around use a broker and a switched-on homes since lockdown. Experts said growth continues that families are using savings to than many predicted at the outset is likely over the next 12 months.” 325,000 buyers will miss the solicitor. There is still plenty of This is the strongest spell of to be fuelled by a desire for more buy “a new house or a new car” of the pandemic and many house- The chancellor’s stamp duty deadline to save on stamp duty time to save a substantial sum growth since 2004, with average space as many buyers search for and “plenty of that pent-up de- holds remain confi dent about fur- holiday, which began in July and due to problems with convey- but the right advisers need to be values up 6.5% to £253,243 from rural retreats. mand is still in the tank.” ther price growth next year. How- ends on March 31, has helped ancing, surveys, mortgages and in place.” Britain, EU strike N Ireland pact as Brexit talks near climax

AFP and UK counterpart David Frost London held another session of contacts in Brussels yesterday to review progress and draw up a report for ritain and the European their leaders. Union yesterday an- After briefi ng EU ministers, Bnounced a pact to regu- Barnier tweeted: “Full unity. We late complex arrangements for will never sacrifi ce our future for Northern Ireland after Brexit as the present. Access to our market both sides readied for a face-to- comes with conditions.” face showdown to try to salvage a Even as London and Brussels wider trade deal. try to carve out a new trading re- Prime Minister Boris John- lationship after nearly fi ve dec- son is set to meet EU commis- ades of tight economic integra- sion chief Ursula von der Leyen tion, the separate and politically in Brussels to see if they can vexed issue of Northern Ireland fi nd the breakthrough that has has been looming in the back- eluded their trade negotiators for ground. months, ahead of Britain’s exit Northern Ireland will have from the European single market the UK’s only land border with in just over three weeks. the bloc from next year, and that Margaret Keenan, 90, becomes the first patient in Britain to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine at University Hospital, administered by nurse May Parsons, at the start EU member country Ireland border is meant to stay open in of the largest ever immunisation programme in British history, in Coventry, yesterday. said the pact on Northern Ire- all circumstances as part of the land, which is part of the UK, 1998 peace deal that ended three off ered some hope for a broader decades of violence over British trade deal, even if neither Lon- rule. don nor Brussels were particu- Senior UK minister Michael larly optimistic. Gove and European Commis- “I am always hopeful, but sion vice-president Maros Sef- I have to be honest with you, covic said agreement had been the situation at the moment is made “in principle” on border Mass vaccination against tricky,” Johnson said, touring a arrangements for Northern Ire- hospital in London for Britain’s land, covering goods passing historic rollout of a coronavirus from Britain to the province, and vaccine. onwards to the EU’s single mar- “Our friends have to under- ket via Ireland. stand the UK has left the EU to As a result, London will cut three controversial clauses in a coronavirus begins in UK exercise democratic control. We are a long way apart still,” he said. bill going through parliament that After the negotiating teams’ would have denied Brussels a say Reuters Coventry, central England. wait three weeks for their sec- developers said it was 95% ef- care consultant from Wales who latest session in Brussels, John- in future trading arrangements London “It’s the best early birthday ond shot, and there is no evi- fective in preventing illness in received the jab before going to son held a phone call with von between the province and Ireland. present I could wish for because dence immunisation will reduce fi nal-stage trials. work. der Leyen late Monday and se- In turn, that could smooth it means I can fi nally look for- transmission of the virus. Russia and China have both al- Britain is relatively small with cured an invitation to head over the path for Johnson’s trip to EU 90-year-old grandmoth- ward to spending time with my “It will gradually make a huge, ready started giving domestically good infrastructure. Yet the lo- in person. headquarters after Germany’s er became the world’s family and friends in the new huge diff erence. But I stress produced vaccine candidates to gistical challenges in distrib- In a joint statement, they not- Europe minister Michael Roth A fi rst person to receive a year after being on my own for gradually, because we’re not their populations, though before uting the vaccine, which only ed yawning gaps still on three big pointedly demanded London re- fully-tested Covid-19 shot yes- most of (this) year,” she said. there yet. We haven’t defeated fi nal safety and effi cacy trials lasts fi ve days in a regular fridge, issues: ensuring a “level playing store “trust and confi dence” to terday, as Britain began mass- The launch of the vaccine, one this virus yet,” Prime Minister have been completed. mean it will fi rst go to dozens of fi eld” for cross-Channel compe- the relationship. vaccinating its people in a glo- of three shots that have reported Boris Johnson said. In Britain, about 800,000 hospitals and cannot yet be tak- tition after Brexit, arbitration of “We want to reach a deal, but bal drive that poses one of the successful results from large tri- Health Secretary Matt Han- doses are expected to be avail- en into care homes. a future deal, and fi sheries. not at any price. What we need is biggest logistical challenges in als, will stir hope that the world cock said he expected millions able within the fi rst week, with Amid the gravity of the pan- The 27 EU leaders are due to political will in London,” he said. peacetime history. may be turning a corner in the to be vaccinated by the end of care-home residents and carers, demic, the vaccination yes- meet in person at a summit to- Irish Foreign Minister Simon Health workers started inocu- fi ght against a pandemic that has the year, and described the start the over-80s and some health terday of one William Shake- morrow, so time is short, but Coveney said the Northern Ire- lating the most vulnerable with killed more than 1.5mn people. of the drive as “V-Day”. But he workers prioritised. speare, an 81-year-old man Downing Street said details of land agreement was “a very im- the vaccine developed by Pfi zer Britain, the worst-hit in Eu- cautioned people should respect Hancock said he had a “high from Warwickshire in England, Johnson’s trip were still being portant positive” as it meant the and BioNTech, with the coun- rope with over 61,000 deaths, is social-distancing rules until degree of confi dence” Britain was greeted with humour on so- ironed out. issues around the border were try a test case for the world as the fi rst Western nation to begin spring at least, when he hoped would take delivery of another cial media. Twitter users joked It confi rmed, however, that now all settled. “Hopefully this it contends with distributing a mass vaccinations and the fi rst the most vulnerable people batch of the vaccine next week. about “The Taming of the Flu” there were no plans for John- is a sign that the British govern- compound that must be stored globally to administer the Pfi z- would be vaccinated. “I know we’re absolutely and “The Two Gentlemen of son to meet French President ment is in a deal-making mood,” at -70C (-94F). er/BioNTech shot. Britain has ordered enough bursting at the doors with Covid Corona”. Some asked whether Emmanuel Macron or German which could help in the wider Margaret Keenan, who turns But despite the relief of peo- supplies of the Pfi zer/BioNTech patients, so I more than anybody Margaret Keenan was patient Chancellor Angela Merkel. trade talks, he told Ireland’s state 91 in a week, was the fi rst to re- ple receiving the fi rst of the two- shot to vaccinate 20mn peo- want it to happen quickly,” said 1A, and Shakespeare “Patient 2B EU negotiator Michel Barnier broadcaster RTE. ceive the shot, at a hospital in dose regimen, they will have to ple in the country of 67mn. The Ami Jones, a hospital intensive- or not 2B?”

Eco-activist evicted Royals’ rail tour from HS2 protest site

Reuters in 1996 after spending days in sparks controversy a tunnel system built to stop a London planned road in western Eng- AFP/Guardian News and Media for people to say they were “con- so that could inform both the land. London fused” by the current guidelines. decision and the planning of ailiff s abseiling from a He has been frequently ar- That came a day after Scot- the visit. Any more questions crane yesterday removed rested for environmental ac- land’s First Minister Nicola on that should be directed to Ba veteran British eco- tivism, including in October at royal rail tour of by Prince Sturgeon appeared frosty as they the royal household.” activist known as “Swampy” a forest where protesters oc- William and his wife Kate stopped off in Edinburgh. The British government in from a shaky bamboo tower cupied treehouses to stop HS2 Ahas caused controversy The devolved governments London lent its support to Wil- built to delay construction on cutting down part of an ancient after politicians in Scotland and in Wales, Scotland and North- liam, who is Queen Elizabeth II’s a planned multi-billion pound woodland. Wales gave them a cool reception ern Ireland are all responsible grandson and second in line to high-speed train line. The protest at Denham because of coronavirus travel re- for health policy and have im- the throne. Protesters erected the tower Country Park is one of several strictions. plemented different restric- Prime Minister Boris Johnson holding Dan Hooper, 47, bet- along HS2’s proposed route, The couple stopped in Welsh tions to curb the spread of was “delighted to see the warm ter known by his nickname which protesters say is de- capital Cardiff yesterday on the Covid-19. reception the Duke and Duchess “Swampy”, in a river in Lon- stroying what’s left of Eng- second leg of a 2,000km tour in That includes curbs on all but of Cambridge have received on don to block a bridge for a road land’s ancient woodlands and the royal train to thank essential essential travel between all four their hugely valuable train tour”, through a forest for the HS2 their fragile ecosystems. workers for their eff orts during UK countries. Downing Street said. train project. A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd, the Covid-19 pandemic. Sturgeon said royal offi cials “The tour will be a welcome Two black-clad offi cials sus- the government body behind But before their arrival, Welsh had been told about restrictions morale boost to frontline workers pended from the crane attached the scheme, said the project Health Minister Vaughan Geth- on crossing the border from Eng- who have done so much during a harness to Hooper then slowly had been “repeatedly and ex- ing told the BBC he would prefer land. the pandemic.” lowered him to the River Colne cessively targeted by political it if “no-one was having unnec- Asked about the visit on Royal sources have stressed in Denham Country Park, where activists” whose “criminal ac- essary visits”. Monday, Sturgeon said: “The the royal visits were planned in he was led off by police. tivity” was a threat to the safety He said he was not “particu- Scottish government was ad- consultation with the UK, Scot- Hooper told Reuters on of the public and its workers. larly bothered or interested” vised about the intention to tish and Welsh governments. As Monday that HS2 was “an ab- The Woodland Trust, a con- when asked if William and Kate visit, and we made sure that the the royal couple’s tour is catego- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of solutely abysmal project caus- servation charity, calls HS2 “a should travel to Wales. royal household were aware, as rised as a working visit, it would Cambridge arrive at Bath Spa station in Bath yesterday for a visit to ing deforestation across the grave threat to the UK’s ancient But he added their presence you would expect, of the re- be exempt from the tier and trav- Cleve Court Care Home to pay tribute to the eff orts of care home country”. woods, with 108 at risk of loss should not be used as an “excuse” strictions in place in Scotland el restrictions. staff throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. He fi rst rose to prominence or damage.” Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 EUROPE

Vatican Denmark formally apologises to Villagers face 10-year evacuation ‘risks children moved from Greenland in Swiss bomb removal plan going AFP hagen and Greenland’s capital One of them, Helene Thiesen, Reuters aerial bombs, mines and hand “The Swiss Defence Depart- Copenhagen Nuuk. who was aged seven at the time Zurich grenades remained inside the ment will support those aff ect- In Denmark, the children she left for Denmark, said she mountainside military cache. ed, in particular in preparing for broke were deprived of contact with was comforted by the apology. The stockpile has since been their departure.” enmark’s government relatives, and once they were “I am relieved that the apol- Swiss village where a declared by munitions experts Not all Mitholz residents are has formally apologised returned to Greenland, they ogy has fi nally been delivered. World War II-era muni- as unstable, with the potential eager to pull up roots, a local slowly’ Dto the 22 Greenlanders were not reunited with their It is really, really important. It Ations dump exploded 73 to cause another tragedy. government offi cial, Matthias who were moved to Denmark parents but instead put in an means everything. I’ve been years ago will be evacuated for “Debris from rock mate- Schmid, told Reuters. and cut off from their families orphanage. fi ghting for this since 1998,” she about a decade while the re- rial and, secondarily, a blast of Some fear they may never By Philip Pullella, Reuters in the 1950s in an attempt to Many of them would never told the news agency Ritzau. maining bombs are carted off , air from an explosion would be return, while uncertainty over Rome bridge the cultural gap between see their families again. The massive Arctic terri- part of a $1bn plan approved by dangerous,” the government where people will be resettled the Scandinavian country and “We cannot change what tory of Greenland, now an au- the government on Monday. said. makes things more diffi cult. its colony. happened. But we can take re- tonomous territory within the A series of explosions near The weapons removal, cost- Schmid hopes even the most ormer Vatican treas- In 1951, 22 children from sponsibility and apologise to kingdom of Denmark, has said Mitholz, deep in the Swiss Alps ing up to 900mn Swiss francs reluctant can be convinced that urer Cardinal George Pell Greenland, which until 1953 those we should have cared for that full independence is in the south of Bern, began just before ($1.01bn), won’t start until leaving, while heartbreaking, is Fhas said that the world’s was a Danish colony after which but failed to do,” Prime Minis- future, though no timetable has midnight on December 19, 1947 2030, but Swiss leaders out- unavoidable to keep them safe. smallest state risked slowly “go- gradually started gaining au- ter Mette Frederiksen said in a been set. at an adjacent Swiss military lined plans yesterday to assess “The goal is defi nitely that ing broke” unless it tamed bal- tonomy, were chosen to be statement. Greenland still relies on Den- weapons dump. Mitholz’s property values next we’ll re-settle the area once looning defi cits, and expressed moved to mainland Denmark. “I have been following the mark for state functions like Nine people died as the year to compensate roughly 170 the dump has been removed,” hope that his successor would be They were promised a better case for many years, and I am maintaining the currency, for- shockwaves shook the val- people who will be forced out. Schmid said. “Some are senti- spared the resistance to reform life in Denmark with the goal of still deeply touched by the hu- eign relations and defence pol- ley and debris rained down on “Mitholz residents must mental. A few say they won’t that he said thwarted him. them later returning to Green- man tragedies it contains,” said icy, and separating would mean homes, destroying the town move away during the removal go. We aim to fi nd a good reso- Pell, 79, was cleared of sex land, as assimilated Danes, to Frederiksen, who has sent a let- the loss of an annual subsidy centre and its railway station. and depending on how things lution, so once it is time, people abuse charges in his native Aus- form a future elite which could ter to each of the six children of some €480mn ($581mn), or While Mitholz was quickly progress, for more than 10 will say, ‘I don’t want to leave, tralia in April. serve as a link between Copen- who are still alive. 60% of its budget. rebuilt, some 3,500 tonnes of years,” the government said. but I will go’.” His book Prison Journal, pub- lished this month, recounts his 13 months in solitary confi ne- French doctor ment in tiny cells following one of the most divisive trials in the leaves legacy to country’s history. Hermitage cats In a 90-minute interview with Reuters in his Rome apartment A French doctor has bequeathed across the street from a Vatican €3,000 to celebrated cats that gate, Pell discussed his dark- live in the basement of the est moments, how his faith kept Europe’s coronavirus Hermitage museum, a world- him from falling into despair, renowned art gallery in Russia’s the harm the worldwide abuse second city Saint Petersburg. scandal had done to the Catholic “We received information (about Church and the current state of the inheritance) this summer. aff airs in the Vatican. At the moment the process “Look, it was bad, it wasn’t of completing all the legal like a holiday, but I don’t want formalities is in the final stage,” to exaggerate how diffi cult that caseload above 20mn the museum press service told was. But there were many dark AFP yesterday. moments,” he said late on Mon- „ German region to close schools, some shops The money was left by French day. „ Saint Petersburg eyes virus lockdown amid record deaths doctor Christophe Batard, who Pope Francis appointed Pell, „ Iceland to cautiously ease some restrictions died at the age of 51. the former archbishop of Syd- „ Azerbaijan to introduce lockdown in major cities “Our French friend has done a ney, in 2014 to head the newly- „ Four lions at Spanish zoo test positive for Covid-19 remarkable thing... it is such a created Secretariat for the Econ- beautiful gesture,” Hermitage omy and mandated him with AFP/Reuters Russia’s second city Saint director Mikhail Piotrovsky said cleaning up the Vatican’s murky Paris Petersburg registered a record on Monday. fi nances. number of coronavirus deaths The history of the Hermitage Pell ran into resistance from yesterday as authorities warned cats dates back to the 18th some Vatican offi cials, particu- ealth offi cials have re- of an imminent lockdown and century when the museum, then larly Italian Cardinal Angelo corded more than 20mn shuttered restaurants for the called the Winter Palace, was an Becciu, then deputy secretary of Hcases of the coronavi- New Year’s holidays. imperial residence in Russia’s state, who wanted Vatican de- rus across Europe, according Saint Petersburg – one of former capital. partments to continue control- to an AFP tally based on offi cial Russia’s most popular tour- Empress Elizabeth I – daughter ling their own funds. sources at 1315 GMT yesterday. ist destinations – is struggling of Saint Petersburg founder Becciu forced out external au- The highly-contagious coro- with a major health crisis, with Emperor Peter the Great – in ditors brought in by Pell as well navirus causes the Covid-19 hospitals overwhelmed with 1745 ordered cats to be brought as the Vatican’s fi rst auditor- respiratory disease. coronavirus patients but resi- to the palace to deal with a rat general. Europe is the worst aff ected dents fl outing social distancing infestation. In September, Pope Francis region for the disease, which and other measures. Now the Hermitage is home to fi red Becciu, accusing him of was fi rst detected on the con- Saint Petersburg, Russia’s nearly 70 cats that off icially hunt nepotism and embezzlement. tinent at the beginning of the worst-hit city after Moscow, for rodents beneath Russia’s Becciu, who also has been year. recorded 3,734 new cases and largest museum. caught up in a scandal involving Almost 40% of the new cases 86 new coronavirus deaths yes- the Vatican’s purchase of a luxu- detected over the last seven terday, a record since the start ry property in London, denies all days worldwide were in Europe, of the pandemic. Norway accuses wrongdoing. but the rate of infection appears By comparison, Moscow, the Due to measures to prevent Russian hackers of Pell went to Australia in 2018 to be stabilising, with a 2% drop outbreak’s epicentre, registered the spread of the coronavirus, Louvre puts time with Mona Lisa under hammer to face charges and never re- in cases compared with the 5,232 new cases and 71 new fa- a man dressed as Santa Claus parliament attack sumed his Vatican duties. previous week. talities. and his assistants dressed as As the coronavirus pandemic keeps visitors away, the Louvre is of- He returned to Rome in Sep- Behind Europe, the United On Monday, Saint Petersburg elves engage with children via fering time close-up with the Mona Lisa and a walk along the French Norway’s domestic spy agency tember and has met quietly with States and Canada has 15.4mn Governor Alexander Beglov Zoom instead of in person, in museum’s historic rooftop at an auction to help plug a gaping hole in has blamed a Russian hacker his successor as treasurer, Jesuit cases, and Latin America warned that the city was close Rome yesterday. its finances. group linked to Moscow’s military priest Juan Antonio Guerrero 13.6mn. to a formal lockdown as local The highest bidder will get the chance to witness the annual examina- intelligence for a cyber-attack on Alves. To date, there have been hospitals were nearing full ca- Those restrictions were ex- tion of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, usually only glimpsed over the Norwegian parliament earlier “I think we are much, much 67mn cases recorded across the pacity. tended until the end of January, the heads of a crowd thronging the portrait. this year. better placed than we were,” world since the outbreak began “A time has come for Saint but for the enhanced lockdown Also among the two dozen lots going under the hammer is an oil can- The Norwegian intelligence Pell said of the state of reform of at the end of 2019. Petersburg when very little period, all non-essential shops vas painted in 1962 by Pierre Soulages and held in the artist’s private agency (PST) said the likely Vatican fi nances, including new Germany’s eastern state separates us from a full lock- will also be closed. collection, a bespoke timepiece by watch-maker Vacheron Constantin, perpetrators were the Fancy Bear accounting and controls. of Saxony will impose drastic down,” Beglov said. “Due to the growth in the and a walk along the rooftop of the 800-year-old Louvre palace with collective – a group regularly “The great challenge that lies measures from Monday, shut- Iceland said yesterday that number of sick people in the French street artist JR. accused of attacks including on before the Vatican is that it’s tering schools, kindergartens it would relax some measures country’s big cities, a strict “The Louvre is suff ering like all big museums around the world,” said the US election – but there was slowly going broke. Now that’s and most shops to curb trans- aimed at curbing the spread of quarantine regime will be in- Yann Le Touher, who handles relations with the Louvre’s patrons. not enough evidence to pursue a bit of an exaggeration (but) it’s mission, after it became the the coronavirus after seeing a troduced from December 14 Each year, the Mona Lisa, perhaps the world’s most famous painting, charges. slowly happening,” the cardinal worst-hit coronavirus hotspot slight fall in new infections. until January 18 next year,” the is taken down from the wall and removed from its glass case for a A “vast” cyber-attack on August said, adding that he was basing in the country. Iceland has an infection inci- coronavirus department said in fleeting check. 24 gained access to the e-mails his comments on public infor- “The situation in hospitals dence of 46.1 per 100,000 on a a statement. The work, from around 1503, is threatened by a crack. of some MPs and parliamentary mation. are not only tense, but extreme- two-week average. In Spain, four lions at Bar- Some world leaders are among a fortunate few who have in past employees, off icials announced Growing Vatican defi cits – ly dangerous,” Saxony state Only 28 people have died celona Zoo have tested posi- decades witnessed the event. at the time, without speculating the 2020 shortfall is expected premier Michael Kretschmer with the virus in Iceland, out of tive for Covid-19, veterinary Auctioneer Christie’s hopes the online auction will raise more than on the identity of the attackers. to be more than €50mn – and a said yesterday, warning that in 5,506 infections in total. authorities said yesterday, in €1mn ($1.2mn), including an estimated €10,000-30,000 for the Mona Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine looming defi cit of hundreds of some hospitals, intensive care The easing of measures will only the second known case in Lisa experience. Eriksen Soreide later accused millions of euros in the Vatican’s wards were already full. take eff ect tomorrow and re- which large felines have con- The Louvre received nearly 10mn visitors in 2019, but has been closed Russia of being behind the attack, pension fund means potential The state has reported an main in force until January 12. tracted coronavirus. for more than five months this year during two lockdowns. and PST investigators have now future trouble. incidence rate of 319 cases per Azerbaijan will impose a Three females named strengthened her claims. “You can’t go on like that for- 100,000 people in the last sev- strict lockdown in all of its ma- Zala, Nima and Run Run, and PST said in a statement: “Analyses ever,” Pell said. “The only thing en days – more than twice that jor cities for just over a month Kiumbe, a male, were tested The authorities are investi- Barcelona contacted colleagues show that it is likely that the that I’m keen on is that people, of the national average at 147. from December 14 to limit the after keepers noticed they gating how the lions became at the Bronx Zoo in New York, operation was led by a cyber in a very clear-headed way, face Chancellor Angela Mer- spread of Covid-19, the govern- showed slight symptoms of infected. where four tigers and three li- actor ... known as APT28 or Fancy up to the situation.” kel’s government has repeat- ment’s emergency coronavirus coronavirus. Keepers carried out PCR ons tested positive for Covid-19 Bear. This actor has ties to GRU, The coronavirus pandemic edly said that numbers need department said yesterday. Two staff at the zoo also tests on the lions in the same in April. Russia’s military intelligence has wreaked havoc with Vatican to be brought down to 50 per Azerbaijan already has a raft tested positive for coronavirus, way as humans are tested as the It is the only other zoo where agency.” fi nances, forcing it to dip into re- 100,000 people in order for of- of restrictions in place but cas- the authorities said, after the animals are accustomed to con- large felines are known to have serves and implement tough cost fi cials to eff ectively carry out es have roughly doubled in the outbreak was fi rst detected last tact with the zoo staff . contracted coronavirus. controls. their trace and isolate strategy. past three to four weeks. month. The Veterinary Service of All recovered. Opposition starts campaign against Armenia premier Armenian protesters blocked France’s 11th aircraft carrier will be nuclear-powered, says Macron streets in the capital Yerevan yesterday, launching a “civil disobedience” campaign to force Reuters oped by US company General “Out strategic future, our Ministry offi cials declined to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Paris Atomics, French offi cials said. status as a great power, lies with comment on media reports that to quit over a controversial peace The carrier will be 300m the nuclear industry,” Macron the vessel could cost more than agreement with Azerbaijan. (984’) long and have a dead- said during a visit to a nuclear €5bn ($6.05bn). Shouting “Armenia without rance’s next-generation weight of 75,000 tonnes. sector components maker. “Naval Group is very proud Nikol” and “Traitor”, opposition aircraft carrier will be nu- It will be able to carry up to France is continental Europe’s to build the largest warship supporters blocked traff ic across Fclear-powered and replace 30 Rafale fi ghter jets, or the suc- only nuclear power. ever built in France,” the com- the capital and paralysed the the national fl eet’s fl agship war- cessor of the Dassault warplane Britain is a nuclear power too, pany chief executive, Pierre Eric city’s subway. ship, the Charles de Gaulle, in currently being developed by though its relationship with the Pommelet, said in a statement. Police detained dozens of 2038, President Emmanuel Ma- France, Germany and Spain. European Union – from trade to Three other Western aircraft demonstrators. cron said yesterday. The French military had ini- security – once it leaves the EU’s carriers have been built since Pashinyan, 45, has been under The 11th carrier-vessel in the tially lent towards a ship with orbit on January 1, is uncertain. the Charles de Gaulle was fi rst huge pressure since agreeing French Navy’s history will be conventional propulsion, but The French state will invest deployed: the US Navy’s Ger- on November 9 to a Moscow- built by French defence contrac- together with Macron later opt- €1bn during the fi rst develop- ald R Ford and America, and brokered deal with Azerbaijan tor Naval Group and equipped ed for a nuclear-powered vessel, ment phase that will end in the British Royal Navy’s Queen that ended six weeks of fierce President Macron delivering his speech during a visit to the with the new electromagnetic despite heavier construction 2025, the ministry of armed Elizabeth, which cost about fighting over the disputed region Framatome nuclear reactor production site in Le Creusot, France. aircraft launch system devel- costs. forces said. £3.1bn ($4.03bn). of Nagorno-Karabakh. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 9, 2020 13 INDIA

RULING THREAT SCAM PEOPLE PANDEMIC Top court allows eight-lane 7mn cardholders’ data CBI files chargesheets Mehbooba Mufti claims Govt ‘could authorise Chennai-Salem expressway ‘leaked on dark web’ in Vyapam cases being held at residence Covid jabs in weeks’

The Supreme Court yesterday said the central Personal details, including phone numbers and The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic The government may approve some coronavirus government is fully competent to notify “any e-mail addresses of 7mn Indian debit and credit yesterday said it has filed two supplementary Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti yesterday vaccines over the next few weeks and an land” for acquisition, to construct a national card holders, have been circulating on the dark chargesheets in separate cases related to alleged she was being detained at her residence estimated 300mn people would be inoculated in highway and prior environmental clearance web, an Internet security researcher alerted pre medical test (PMT) 2009 and transport on the Gupkar road in Srinagar. Mufti said she the first tranche, a health off icial said. “There are is not necessary at the stage of notification of yesterday. Other leaked details include names of constable recruitment test (TCRT) 2012 wanted to meet with the families evicted from multiple vaccine candidates in diff erent stages of land acquisition proceedings. The court allowed the users, employer firms and annual income, said examinations conducted by Vyapam in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, but was development and some of them may get licensed the Centre go ahead with Rs100bn Chennai- security researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia. The Madhya Pradesh. A CBI off icial said “during CBI stopped by the police and security forces deployed in the next few weeks,” health secretary Rajesh Krishnagiri-Salem eight-lane expressway under leaked database, sized 2GB, also reveals types of investigation, it was found that 36 candidates outside her residence. She wrote on Twitter that Bhushan said. Pfizer has sought emergency-use the “Bharatmala Pariyojana”. The bench said: “The user accounts and whether they have switched on had allegedly arranged impersonators to appear the government was using illegal detention as a authorisation in India, followed by Astra Zeneca’s central government is free to construct/build a mobile alerts or not. “Data pertains to the period in the written examination of MPPMT-2009 method to muzzle the opposition. “Illegal detention Covishield vaccine, which is being manufactured new national highway.” The 277.30km highway had between 2010 and 2019, which could be very on their behalf with the help of middlemen, has become the government’s favourite go to by the Serum Institute of India. The government faced tough opposition from farmers and activists valuable to scammers and hackers,” Rajaharia parents and accordingly they illegally passed method for muzzling any form of opposition,” has identified 300mn people, including healthcare alleging loss of agricultural land and damage to said. The leaked database also includes the PAN the examination and got admission in a private Mufti tweeted. “The government wants to continue workers, policemen, and citizens above 50 years, forest, flora and fauna. numbers of 500,000 cardholders. medical college in Gwalior.” inflicting oppression on the people of Kashmir.” who would get the vaccine on a priority basis.

Metal traces detected Farmers’ talks in blood of Andhra with govt fail patients

Reuters Bhubaneswar as Shah refuses uthorities yesterday said they had found traces of Alead and nickel particles in blood samples, after hundreds of people were hospitalised due to repeal laws to an unknown illness in Andhra Pradesh. Teams of doctors, includ- IANS Some 200 more trucks car- agriculture - still the backbone ing those from New Delhi’s New Delhi rying farmers and food supplies of the Indian economy - a long- premier All-India Institute of could also arrive at the blockade term future. Medical Sciences (AIIMS), are sites in the next few days, farm- Prime Minister Narendra Modi investigating the death of one he meeting between a del- ers at one of the sit-ins said. on Monday said that “reforms person and hospitalisation of egation of farmers’ leaders Extra police had earlier been are needed for development”. more than 400 in the past few Tand Union Home Minister deployed in Delhi and security “We cannot build the next days. Amit Shah yesterday failed to ar- was boosted in the rest of the century with the laws of the The Andhra Pradesh govern- rive at a solution, with the gov- country in a bid to head off any previous century,” he added, in ment yesterday said the AIIMS ernment refusing to repeal the trouble. remarks seen as alluding to the team had found traces of lead three farm laws, according to a The farmers were supported in protests. and nickel in their samples, while participant. their call for action yesterday by The blockade has already a second hospital is also running All India Kisan Sabha leader railway workers, truck drivers, caused fruit and vegetable prices similar tests. Hannan Mollah said that the teachers and other unions. in Delhi to rise over restricted The illness has infected more government only off ered to carry In many eastern and western supplies. than 300 children, with most of out certain amendments, and in states, protesters blocked railway The farmers are strongest in them suff ering from dizziness, light of this, the farmers would tracks, roads and halted trains. the north, but even the govern- fainting spells, headaches and decide on whether to participate The blockade and strike have ment in the southern Karnataka vomiting. in the next round of talks sched- taken on a political dimension state suspended online school They have tested negative for uled for today. with the national ruling Bharati- lessons for the day to show sup- Covid-19. A meeting of the farmers’ un- ya Janata Party accusing oppo- port. High levels of lead in the ion leaders would be held on the sition parties of opportunism Top athletes including wres- bloodstream can impair devel- Singhu border at 12 noon today to by rejecting measures they had tler Kartar Singh, who has won opment of brains, nervous sys- decide the way ahead. called for when in power. gold medals at the Asian Games, tems and vital organs such as Farmers yesterday blocked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind said they would return national heart and lungs. railway tracks and highways Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party said awards in protest at the laws. Earlier yesterday, lawmaker G across the country against the he had been placed “under house Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Min- V L Narasimha Rao, who is from reforms deregulating the agri- arrest” since Monday by Delhi ister Amarinder Singh yesterday the state, said on Twitter that culture sector. Police, which is controlled by said the unity showcased by the he had spoken with government “We are worried, extremely the national government, after farmers through the country- medical experts and that the worried. Our children will starve, he visited the farmers’ blockade wide shutdown has underscored “most likely cause is poisonous what could be a bigger worry site. Police denied the claim. the need for repealing the laws, organochlorine substances”. than this?,” farmer Ved Singh Five rounds of talks failed followed by a detailed discussion “It is one of the possibili- said ahead of the strike, echoing to narrow diff erences between on agricultural reforms. ties,” said Geeta Prasadini, a fears of his peers that large cor- farmers and ministers. The chief minister asked why public health director in And- porations would lower prices and The laws will allow farmers to the Centre could not heed the hra Pradesh, adding they were destroy their livelihoods. sell their produce on the open demands of the farmers, who are awaiting test reports to ascertain Protesters said late yesterday market - including to supermar- agitating across the country to the cause. they would not give in until the ket chains - instead of through scrap these laws and hold fresh She said no new serious cases laws are repealed. state-run organisations that talks with all the stakeholders. have come to light in the past 24 “The government is test- guarantee a minimum price. “Had I been in their place, I hours. ing our patience but we will not But Sonipat Agricultural would not have taken a minute A 45-year-old man died over budge,” farmer Raminder Singh Market Traders Association to accept my mistake and revoke the weekend. from Uttar Pradesh said. “This president Pawan Goyal said the the laws,” he said. “We are trying to locate the strike was symbolic and if the changes will “benefi t a few com- Asserting that the whole source from which this nickel government doesn’t listen to us, panies, whether Indian or for- country is standing with the and lead would have come,” we will shut the entire country in eign”. farmers in their pain and in their Himanshu Shukla, joint collec- coming days.” “If the law continues in future, fi ght for survival, Amarinder tor, west Godavari district, said. “We have been protesting for the farmers will be reduced to la- Singh said the Centre should al- Shukla said water and milk months but the government didn’t bourers and only become work- low the existing system to con- from the area had been tested for listen to us. They forced us to call ers for big companies.” tinue instead of scrapping the the presence of the metals but it Farmers attend a protest during a nationwide strike against the newly passed farm bills at Singhu for a strike,” added another Uttar The government insists the arhtiya and mandi system, as the was not detected. border near Delhi yesterday. Pradesh farmer, Mahesh Baliyan. changes are necessary to give farm laws are designed to do. Kerala speaker, ministers Strike in Siliguri Covid-19 fails to deter Kerala voters

‘linked to smuggling case’ Five central districts will go IANS Thiruvananthapuram to the polls tomorrow and four IANS a few state ministers,” Surendran 29 has been in judicial custody. northern districts on December Thiruvananthapuram claimed before the media in Ko- Swapna has gone on record 14. Counting of votes will take chi yesterday. to state that Sivasankar was ontrary to fears that the place on December 16. The gold smuggling case sur- her mentor and managed to get Covid pandemic would Across the fi ve districts, polling ours after polling began faced on July 5 with the arrest her the IT Space Park job with a Ckeep voters away from for panchayats, municipalities and in fi ve southern districts here of P R Sarith — a former UAE very high salary even though she polling booths, the turnout corporations was brisk though no Hof Kerala for the local consulate staff . Then came the has not even cleared the class at the end of the phase-1 lo- big queues were seen. In the hilly bodies, state BJP chief K Suren- arrest of another former embassy X exam. According to sources, cal body polls held yesterday in district of Idukki, the turnout dran yesterday said the Speaker staff er, Swapna Suresh, who had Swapna and Sarith have now giv- fi ve southern districts, surprised came as a surprise to many. of the state assembly and few later worked in the Kerala IT de- en statements implicating a few everybody. At Ranni in Pathanamthitta ministers were involved with the partment’s Space Park and was big ‘names’ from various fi elds There was a 74% turnout ac- district, the grandfather of a ‘smugglers’ arrested in the gold also closely associated with Vi- who have had some role in the cording to preliminary fi gures panchayat election candidate smuggling case. jayan’s top aide. case, which the various national released by the state election collapsed and passed away soon Surendran stressed that in Incidentally soon after the agencies are probing. commission, after he cast his vote. the past he had mentioned that case surfaced a video of Sreera- Meanwhile, for the second time The polling percentage in He was identifi ed as 90-year- the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- makrishnan taking part in an inau- in succession, C M Ravindran, the Thiruvananthapuram was 69%, old P Mathai. jayan’s offi ce and Vijayan him- guration of a new business venture closest aide ofVijayan, who also Kollam (73%), Pathanamthitta Opposition leader Ramesh self were the biggest benefi ciary had surfaced. What raised eye- holds the post of assistant private (69%), Alappuzha (76%), and Chennithala cast his vote at his in the smuggling case. However, brows was the manner in which he secretary in Vijayan’s offi ce, was Idukki (74%). Polling began at home town in Alappuzha and the role of Speaker P Sreera- was seen tapping Swapna’s shoul- admitted to the Medical College 7am to decide the fate of 24,584 claimed that the fate of the Pi- makrishnan and a few ministers der soon after the event. hospital here yesterday. candidates. It ended at 6pm ex- narayi Vijayan government would cannot be denied, Surendran Sreeramakrishnan had said it His admission to the hospital cept for a few places. be sealed. “We (UDF) are going added. was a mistake on his part to have comes two days before he was Another highlight of the day to score a big win as the people of “The numerous foreign trips attended that function. to have appeared before the en- was Covid positive patients and Kerala will hand us victory. The of the speaker is shrouded in For Vijayan, things went from forcement directorate. Police detain Bharatiya Janata Party supporters after those in isolation coming to vote BJP as always will make no impact. mystery and he has close links bad to worse when the enforce- Last month, a day after he was they block a road during a 12-hour general strike in north after 5pm, wearing PPE kits. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is with those now arrested. The ment directorate arresting his served the fi rst notice by the cen- Bengal called by BJP to protest against the West Bengal At that time, the polling offi - in hiding and has to break his si- high post has been compro- secretary and senior IAS offi cial tral agency, he had tested coro- state government in Siliguri yesterday. cials inside the booth also had to lence on those involved in the gold mised. The same is the case with M Sivasankar, who since October navirus positive. wear PPE kits. smuggling case.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF How Qatar Career Development Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Center is empowering youth P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar By Eff rosyni Parampota services are critical today as they to assist individuals in planning their [email protected] contemplate their future steps and career paths and provide advice and 44350478 (News), consider the emerging labour market guidance services, as well as to promote oung people today are dealing situation. Building important skills and clients’ independency and self- 44466404 (Sport), with a number of major chal- adopting a lifelong learning approach management of their skills gradually. 44466636 (Home delivery) lenges, especially following add immense value. With career guidance support, the outbreak of Covid-19. However, many students in Qatar clients will learn about their interests 44350474 Y The International Labour Organisation consider continuing their education and skills, match them with professions facebook.com/gulftimes (ILO) released a global survey in August simply to postpone dealing with and industries, select a career, and 2020, reporting that “the impact of the employment challenges. But is a develop a strategy for getting there, test twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar pandemic on youth is systematic, deep Master’s degree or PhD the remedy? the market, and network with people in and disproportionate. Young people are Like any big decision in life, it the fi eld they are interested in, learning concerned about the future and their requires a fair amount of reflection on the ins and outs of the work. place within it.” the reasons a person should invest in While most universities off er career GULF TIMES Qatar proved resilient long before the themselves. services to their students, in May 2020 pandemic emerged, due to its response According to Harvard Business QCDC launched its Virtual Career to the unjustifi ed blockade posed Review (HBR), graduate studies can Advising Sessions, enabling students by our neighbours. However, young heighten the potential for salary impacted by the pandemic to receive adults nowadays are more uncertain increases and accelerate career advice from experts on how to better Water futures and about their careers and employment prospects while allowing people to plan their future and discuss career prospects. Eff rosyni Parampota, Senior Career following their passions, although such paths and directions. The sessions Qatar Career Development Center Programs and Services Off icer. an investment might lead to more debt are currently off ered in English, with future of water: A (QCDC) — a member of Qatar and could end up being a waste of time. Arabic sessions commencing at the Foundation — is committed to With a plethora of resources available end of the year, complemented by a university students’ employability — a online and the opportunities for micro- mentoring program for professionals key theme in our research activities The sessions will certifi cation, young adults can continue interested in strengthening their career life-and-death scarcity that are part of our Career Guidance building their knowledge and skills for guidance experience. Stakeholders Platform Focus Groups empower youth to much less. The sessions will empower youth Water is the ultimate renewable resource, but the world — and through workshops and take the fi rst step When we graduate from university and to take the fi rst step in a long journey seems to be running out of it. initiatives delivered in collaboration look for employment, having a degree is that will foster their personal and The annual amount of available freshwater sources per with academic institutions and non- in a long journey only the starting point. Lifelong learning professional development and cultivate person has declined by more than 20% over the last two governmental organisations. and continuous upskilling will support employability skills in university decades, according to the latest report by the United Nations In our Career Café, we recently that will foster our capacity to adapt and survive far students. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). discussed the eff ects of the pandemic into the future. To fi nd employment in with a panel of students and alumni, their personal an over-competitive market, adopting O Eff rosyni Dimitrios Parampota Some 2.2 billion people do not have safely managed drinking their expectations and views of career smart steps to increase resume potential holds the position of Senior Offi cer water, while 4.2 billion lack safely managed sanitation, say services — especially during and and professional is essential, and so is the power of active Career Programs & Services at Qatar Unicef and the World Health Organisation. post-Covid-19 — and the changes they networking. Career Development Center, a member Water is now joining gold, oil, and other commodities traded would like to see. We also ran a set of development Most people associate life transitions of Qatar Foundation, that supports on Wall Street. Apart from being a tradable contract, the workshops for graduate students at as a time of confusion, loss, insecurity Qatari capacity building in alignment futures launch also highlights growing worries that the life- Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College limited career awareness and guidance and uncertainty. Refl ecting on past with the QNV 2030 and the aims of a sustaining natural resource is becoming scarce across of the of Islamic Studies, aiming to strengthen culture; poor awareness of, and access experiences, future dreams, and current knowledge-based economy. world. the importance and provision of career to, career services among graduate values or strengths is an essential and Her work focuses in developing students; and the absence of a 15-year According to Chicago-based CME Group, the futures will guidance services. valuable step. Once we are armed with impactful projects, producing The fi ndings from the session were labour market growth projection for more self-knowledge, the plan-and- literature based on research, and help water users manage risk and better align supply and alarming, revealing that the key themes educators and employers as well as implementation method urges us into fostering strategic partnerships locally demand. derived from the research projects increasing and diversifying female action. and abroad, that enrich and support Climate change isn’t just exacerbating droughts. It is we’ve been conducting since 2015 are employment. And this is when qualifi ed career career planning practices as well as intensifying downpours and speeding up evaporation, both still very real. These include a lack of Both national and international advisors and counsellors become influence policymaking within the of which make it harder to harvest water produced by the rain nationwide career guidance provision; students agreed that career guidance important — those who are equipped State of Qatar. cycle. Solving local water shortages by moving More than 60% it to where it’s wanted of the people in is as old as the canals of Mesopotamia, and Democrats’ post-Trump challenge: Mena nations live ancient Roman aqueducts still span valleys across under conditions Europe. of high water But water transport has its limits. to keep online fundraising fl owing stress The amount of water consumed by industry, The party gets an early test of their But the most jaw-dropping fund- candidates, led by Biden, can highlight agriculture, energy, and municipal users has grown globally By Alex Roarty Washington post-Trump fundraising next month raising hauls came in some individual in the coming years. at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last with a pair of runoff Senate races in congressional races. Two years after In her view, Hill thinks the surge of century. Georgia that will determine control of a so-called “green wave” helped online contributions should continue Today, it takes about 40 barrels of water to produce a barrel emocrats benefi ted from an the upper chamber. Democrats say the Democrats win a House majority, even without Trump in offi ce. of oil despite improved effi ciencies, while coal-fi red generators unparalleled online fund- fundraising for both Jon Ossoff and Democratic Senate candidates like Cal “A lot of what we’re seeing is still use large volumes, according to a Bloomberg estimate. raising surge during Donald Raphael Warnock has been strong as Cunningham in North Carolina (whose the natural growth of what it means Water footprint analyses show about 450 gallons of water, DTrump’s tenure in the White they take on Republican Senators David third quarter fundraising total topped to have millions and millions partici- House, delivering record sums of Perdue and Kelly Loeffl er ahead of the $25 million) and Jaime Harrison raised pate in our democracy and have that about 1,700 litres, is needed to make a quarter-pound money to the party and overwhelm- January 5 election once-unthinkable sums of money. kind of civic participation,” Hill said. hamburger. ing even the incumbent president’s Overall, Democratic fundraising Harrison’s fundraising alone sur- “The small-dollar movement was here The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region has the campaign in 2020. totals from the last four years — and passed $100 million in total, the kind before Donald Trump and will be here world’s scarcest supplies of water, but Gulf countries consume But will the cash boom defl ate when in particular the last two years of a of money once associated only with after Donald Trump.” more of it per person than anywhere else, according to the Trump leaves offi ce? presidential campaign cycle — have national presidential campaigns. Democrats caution that they expect World Bank. At a time when Democrats are been unprecedented. All of it has been The cash advantage ultimately didn’t online contributions will slow at the More than 60% of the people in Mena nations live under grappling with the implications of a funnelled through ActBlue, the ubiqui- allow Harrison to defeat GOP Senators start of 2021, though they say it will be conditions of high or very high water stress. post-Trump world — a political reset tous digital fundraising platform used Lindsey Graham, and some Democrats part of a natural downturn that follows Higher GDP and population growth levels, as well as the that could reshape everything from the by Democratic candidates and liberal have subsequently grumbled that the presidential races. They say it’s also increasingly hot climate, mean the Gulf countries need to party’s policy platform to the type of groups. party wasted money on longshot races. unlikely that the next four years will voters it can win over — operatives say Through the third fundraising quar- But Democrats say that the cash still exactly match the level of fundrais- spend heavily to meet their energy needs. All six Gulf Co- they might also have to reckon with a ter of this year, ActBlue had processed helped the party retain a small majority ing seen over the last four years, but operation Council countries are likely to be “extremely highly diff erent role for online fundraising. more than $3.7 billion in contributions, in the House, pick up at least one seat that would primarily be because of an stressed” for water by 2040, according to the non-profi t World For four years, Democratic candi- according to data provided by the in the Senate and defeat Trump. absence of a presidential primary that Resources Institute based in Washington, DC. dates up and down the ballot could company. “Obviously, we had a big 2020,” said drew widespread interest from the Every country has an energy consumption profi le defi ned count on an infl ux of fundraising That’s more than fi ve times what the Erin Hill, ActBlue’s executive director. party’s grassroots. largely by its climate and culture. But every Gulf resident – fuelled by small-dollar donors nation- group processed in the 2016 campaign, Whether a focus on Trump was ever “A challenge is going to be continu- citizen and expat alike – should be made aware of the priceless wide, often allowing them to easily when it processed just $635 million in necessary, or even all that eff ective ing to bring in new people and cultivate value of each drop of water and each unit of power coming in outpace their Republican opponents. that presidential campaign. at persuading grassroots donors to relationships with them and get them uninterrupted supply out of the capital-intensive and energy- And digital fundraising pitches often That surge helped Biden signifi - contribute, is a matter of debate among excited about the midterm election,” Ager said. “But it’s something we’ve consuming desalination process. centred on Trump personally, convert- cantly outraise and outspend Trump some Democrats. Hill argues that ing the visceral disgust many Demo- during the home stretch of the general small-dollar donors are more receptive learned a lot about over the past decade Water, for sure, is directly or indirectly supports many crats felt toward the president into election, a rarity for a presidential to a pitch that emphasises a positive of online fundraising.” — Tribune News sectors of the economy, but the current largest user – hard campaign dollars. challenger. policy agenda, something the party’s Service agriculture – accounts for more than 70% of global Without Trump, however, the equa- withdrawals. tion changes. The FAO has called for sustainably remodelling the use of “The challenge for Democrats is to water in agriculture. make the case to grassroots donors In July 2010, the UN general assembly declared access that Trump may be defeated, but to water and sanitation as a human right, with its sixth Trumpism isn’t,” said Jesse Ferguson, Sustainable Development Goal being access to clean water and a veteran Democratic strategist. “It’s our job to show how his agenda has sustainable sanitation for all by 2030. taken full control of the Republican Make no mistake, humans are using more water than they Party, so if grassroots donors want to need to. reverse damage he’s done, they have to Here is the good old maxim once again: “Water saved is water continue supporting these candidates produced.” in offi ce.” Many Democratic digital fundraising experts say they are optimistic the par- To Advertise ty will avoid a major shortfall, pointing out that the money collected online has [email protected] been rising steadily for two decades. Display They also argue that Republican con- gressional leaders like Senate Majority 44466621 44418811 Leader Mitch McConnell will motivate Classified Democrats grassroots donors to give, and that Joe Biden’s presidency creates 44466609 44418811 an opportunity to create an affi rmative agenda that draws big interest. Subscription “There’s a misconception that Trump [email protected] created this online fundraising boon,” said Julia Ager, a Democratic digital strategist. “And the truth is isn’t a steady growth © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved that’s been happening a long time.” Gulf Times Wednesday, December 9, 2020 15 PAKISTAN New tech may help curb crop burning, cut smog

By Rina Saeed Khan, Reuters ernment to subsidise them. will benefi t Pakistanis. “It requires a large, 85-horse- Lahore “These machines used to- “The Happy Seeder seems like power tractor,” he noted, some- gether could really make life a useful machine,” he said. thing most rice farmers in Paki- much easier for us farmers,” said In Mandi Bahauddin district, stan do not have. ir pollution is a long- Bhandara, from Pakpattan in where famed Basmati rice is Bhandara, the farmer in Pa- standing problem in Pa- Punjab province. grown, Mohamed Afzal, an ag- kpattan, said the subsidised ma- Akistan, but every October Malik Amin Aslam, climate riculture offi cer at Punjab’s Gov- chines also are only available in and November contaminates in change adviser to Prime Minister ernment Agriculture Seed Farm, certain districts around Lahore, the air in Punjab province shoot Imran Khan, called air pollution has been experimenting with the in the so-called smog “red zone”. up as farmers burn rice stalks left a “silent killer” and said Lahore’s Happy Seeder for the past two “The subsidised machines behind after harvesting to clear smog had increased in intensity years. should be made available to rice their fi elds to plant wheat. and frequency over the last fi ve “Stubble management is a farmers in South Punjab and During these cooler months, years. serious issue for farmers,” said Sindh as well, otherwise they are the provincial capital Lahore, He explained that rice farmers Afzal, who helps farmers adopt too expensive for most farmers,” which is surrounded by rice- traditionally use combine har- new farming techniques. he said. growing districts, is covered vesters to cut their rice in Oc- Pakistan has penalties for rice Despite the limitations, the with thick smog. tober, leaving behind about four stubble burning, including fi nes Happy Seeder has proven so “It is a health emergency — the inches of stubble. of up to Rs20,000 ($125) per acre popular that the government air quality monitors in Lahore With less than two weeks — but most farmers have little has had 10 applicants for each of routinely show hazardous levels before they have to ready their other choice and simply con- its 500 machines, according to in November,” said Farah Rashid, fi elds to sow wheat, burning is tinue the practice and pay the Aslam, the climate change advi- a climate and energy programme the fastest way to clear the land, penalty when they are charged. sor. co-ordinator for green group he told the Thomson Reuters But a growing number are He said authorities are using WWF-Pakistan. Foundation. looking for alternative solutions, a lottery system to decide who Now the Punjab government In Pakistan, rice is grown on Afzal said. gets the subsidised equipment. hopes to tackle the problem an area of about 2 million hec- The total cost for the stubble The government has plans to by providing 500 rice farmers tares (5 million acres), mainly in People make their way amid heavy smoggy conditions in Lahore. (AFP) shredder and Happy Seeder is expand the Happy Seeder pro- around Lahore with a set of ma- the Punjab and Sindh provinces. about Rs637,500 ($4,000), and gramme next year and cover the chines that together eliminate Many of the fi elds are cleared by of the province’s pollution. riculture — mainly rice residue ute to climate change. the government this year is pay- whole of the Punjab rice belt by the need to burn crop stubble. burning every year. “The stubble is burned only burning — accounts for 20% of In India, where farmers ing about 80% of the price for 2023, Aslam noted. The machines include a In October and November, La- for a few weeks in the winter. It is total air pollutant emissions. have been using the rice stub- 500 farmers, he noted. In the meantime, he added, it shredder that breaks down rice hore’s Air Quality Index level can a fact that the problem becomes That puts it behind industry, ble shredder and Happy Seeder “For those who can’t aff ord it, is already working on a technol- stubble and mulches it into the jump to over 300, a number that worse during this short period,” which produces a quarter of the for the past few years, a group bigger farmers are willing to rent ogy upgrade. ground and a seed drill — called the US Environmental Protec- Bhandara said. air pollution in the province, and of scientists published a report out the machines. In the future, “The agriculture extension the Happy Seeder — that follows tion Agency says corresponds to “But farmers are not the only transport, which contributes last year stating the technology more service providers will come department has developed a to sow wheat through the mulch. a “health warning of emergency reason for this pollution,” he more than 40%. could cut greenhouse gas emis- up to rent them out,” Afzal said. prototype to combine the two “It’s a useful technology,” conditions”. added. Tackling air pollution — and sions by as much as 78%. One drawback to the ma- shredder (and) seeder machines said farmer Aaamer Hayat Farmers say the new farm A 2018 report by the UN Food leaving stubble on the soil as Ejaz Ahmad, an environmen- chines, he noted, is the need to into one ‘Pak Seeder’, which will Bhandara, who has used both equipment can help combat and Agriculture Organisation mulch, rather than burning it — tal expert with the Institute of mount them on the back of a be even more effective and ef- machines at a friend’s large smog, but note that crop burn- (FAO) on the underlying causes also has the benefi t of reducing Urbanism in Islamabad, said tractor — and not just any trac- fi cient” — plus 30% cheaper, he farm, and has pushed the gov- ing produces only a small share of smog in Punjab noted that ag- carbon emissions that contrib- any eff orts to curb air pollution tor will do. said. Maryam, Advisers and special Opposition other party leaders assistants can’t be part booked for eyes en masse Covid code of cabinet, rules IHC

Orders total number of lawmaker Rana Iradat Sharif privatisation as illegal. violation advisers to the prime Khan. Ruling that advisers and minister be limited to 5 Pakistan Muslim League - special assistants could not resignations Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Rana interfere in the executive’s Internews Internews Iradat through his counsel domain, the IHC said Sheikh Lahore Islamabad Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha could not head the committee — another PML-N leader — under the law. MPs will submit resignations to party chiefs by had challenged the inclusion “The special assistant to the unjab Police have regis- he Islamabad High of advisers in the cabinet prime minister is not a minis- Dec 31; 11-party alliance rules out talks with govt tered a case against Mar- Court (IHC) has ruled committee and argued that ter of state or a federal minis- Pyam Nawaz, daughter of Tthat unelected advisers only elected representatives ter but only enjoys the status former prime minister Nawaz and special assistants were not of the people had the right for the purposes of perks and Sharif, and other Pakistan Mus- members of the cabinet and to govern the country. The privileges. He cannot address lim League - Nawaz (PML-N) therefore cannot be part of its petition challenged the ap- the parliament, nor has any leaders for violating standard proceedings. pointment of Abdul Hafeez executive authority vested in operating procedures (SOPs) re- The court also ruled that Sheikh as CCoP chairman, him. He also is not a member lated to the Covid-19, local me- they could not head govern- and Adviser to the PM on of the cabinet and cannot take dia reported yesterday. ment’s committees and barred Commerce and Investment part in the proceedings of the As per details, an FIR was Adviser to Prime Minister Im- Abdul Razak Dawood, and same,” the IHC stated in its registered against PML-N vice ran Khan on Finance and Rev- Adviser to the PM on Insti- detailed order. president Maryam, MNA Malik enue Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh tutional Reforms and Aus- A detailed decision — 23 Riaz, Waseem Khokhar, Talal from heading the Cabinet terity Dr Ishrat Hussain as pages long — rejected the pe- Chaudhry, Maryam Aurangzeb, Committee on Privatisation members of the CCoP. tition against the appointment Malik Abrar and others at the (CCoP). In his petition, Khan said of 15 special assistants and Shahdara Police Station for The court, however, stated that unlike ministers, advis- IHC Judge Justice Amir Farooq not following the coronavirus that “undoubtedly, on special ers are not part of the federal wrote the verdict. guidelines and violating the gov- requests, persons can be called government, and they do not The court further ruled that ernment’s ban on holding rallies. in by the committee but no take an oath and are not re- the total number of advisers to The PML-N leaders were person can be the chairman or sponsible to parliament in the prime minister should be booked under clauses of the a member of the committee of terms of Article 91(6) of the limited to fi ve. Punjab Sound System Regula- the cabinet, who is not a mem- Constitution. Through a notifi cation is- tion Act, violation of Covid-19 ber of the cabinet.” He prayed that the court sued on April 25, 2019, the SOPs and provoking people “The conferment of status declare the said notifi cation prime minister had made his against the government. of federal minister to an advis- void, illegal, unlawful, and set adviser on fi nance and revenue Earlier, Prime Minister Imran er is again only for the purpose aside the same. as the chairman and included Khan announced imposing a ban of perks and privileges and the During a hearing, a divi- his adviser on commerce and on all kinds of public rallies in an conferment does not make sion bench, comprising Jus- investment Abdul Razak Da- attempt to stem the rising tide a person/adviser as a federal tice Aamer Farooq and Jus- wood and adviser on insti- of coronavirus cases across the minister,” the order read. tice Ghulam Azam Qambrani tutional reforms and auster- country. The IHC took up a peti- declared the constitution of ity Dr Ishrat Hussain as CCoP Leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) seated from left: PML-N Vice-President Maryam He warned that if the Cov- tion submitted by opposition the cabinet committee on members. Nawaz, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman during a political id-19 cases continued to surge rally in Peshawar last month. (File photo) with the current pace, the coun- try’s hospitals will be running out of space. Internews attended the meeting via video- Maryam Nawaz said the govern- “We will urge the opposition Imran Khan unfollows all on Twitter, Islamabad link. ment was so scared that it had to cancel mass gatherings in line Rehman reiterated that the registered thousands of cases with government’s decision,” he including own institutions, ministers opposition parties will hold a against party workers and sup- stated. n a move that will fuel fur- “historic rally” at Minar-e-Pa- porters. The PM maintained that the Prime Minister Imran Khan ther political instability and kistan in Lahore on December 13 The PML-N leader said she coronavirus had infected several hit the unfollow on 19 Twitter Iunrest, the opposition Pa- and warned the PTI government was not afraid of getting arrested people during the election cam- handles on his offi cial account kistan Democratic Movement against creating any hurdles. and warned that even if she was paign in Gilgit Baltistan. recently. (PDM) yesterday upped the ante “Today, we reject Imran detained the movement would “Coronavirus is spreading Before the wipe-out, the by deciding to seek resignations Khan’s off er of any dialogue and be spearheaded by her support- fast and with severe intensity. If last account that the pre- of all its parliamentarians. will not grant him any NRO,” ers. measures are not taken in time, mier had decided to unfollow Addressing a news conference said the PDM chief. Meanwhile, PTI stalwart and the virus will aff ect more peo- was of journalist Hamid Mir, following an important meet- NRO — or National Reconcili- Foreign Minister Shah Mah- ple and eventually it will create with rumours rife among the ing of the 11-party alliance here, ation Order — implies exemp- mood Qureshi yesterday urged pressure on the health facili- netizens that the decision was PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Reh- tion from any accountability in the PDM leadership against re- ties,” the prime minister cau- taken amid scathing, and of- man also said there would be no the Pakistani political lexicon. signing from the parliament, tioned. ten sarcastic criticism of the dialogue with the Pakistan Te- He said the PDM’s steering saying they had become “emo- Meanwhile Federal Minister government by the anchor. hreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government committee meeting will be held tional” and cautioned that the for Information and Broadcast- The others handles un- of Prime Minister Imran Khan. today to decide the date of anti- proposed resignations would not ing Shibli Faraz yesterday said followed by the PM also in- “All lawmakers of national government long march on the benefi t democracy. the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e- clude organisations that he and provincial assemblies will federal capital Islamabad. Be- Qureshi recalled that losing Insaf (PTI) as a democratic par- is heading himself such as submit their resignations by De- sides, he said, the joint opposi- parties never accepted election ty would engage a political team his party Pakistan Tehreek- cember 31,” Rehman, fl anked by tion will also hold protest dem- results. “If the results of 2018 for talks with Pakistan Demo- e-Insaf, Shaukat Khanum Screengrab of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Twitter handle. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) onstrations and give strike calls elections are unacceptable to cratic Movement (PDM) in the Cancer Hospital that he built chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zard- across the country. you, then the 2013 election re- larger national interest. in honour of his mother, and Qureshi, Federal Education Tareen and confi dante late ari and Pakistan Muslim League Responding to a question, Re- sults were also not accepted by Talking to a private news the Namal Institute Mianwali Minster Shafqat Mahmood Naeem-ul-Haque. - Nawaz (PML-N) vice-presi- hman said the government has anyone,” the foreign minister channel, he urged the opposition that he pioneered for the less and Human Rights Minister The prime minister has dent Maryam Nawaz, said. been “shaken” by the PDM’s remarked. to show sense of responsibility privileged. Shireen Mazari, as well as 12.9 million followers on the Former prime minister and series of rallies and “now it only The PTI itself had launched a and cease all public meetings in He also unfollowed fellow Planning and Development social micro-blogging site, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif needs a fi nal push to collapse”. popular movement following the the current situation facing the party leaders, including For- Minister Asad Umar, former the highest for any Pakistani and ex-president and PPP co- Talking to the media in Lahore elections in 2013, claiming that it country in the face of a second eign Minister Shah Mahmood close aide Jahangir Khan in the world. chairman Asif Ali Zardari also before leaving for Islamabad, had been heavily rigged. wave of Covid-19. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 QATAR Qatar Airways adds Seattle to network of

destinations Qatar Airways to launch four weekly flights to Seattle from March 15. „ Seattle is Qatar Airways’ Qatar Airways has also an- 11th US gateway, surpassing the our passengers the reliable, safe decision to continue to invest Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH), Many cities will be served with 7th new destination since nounced a frequent fl yer part- number of destinations we oper- and award-winning service that in projects, such as the Interna- Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), a strong schedule of daily or more the start of the coronavirus nership with Alaska Airlines. ated in the US pre-Covid-19,” he they have come to trust from us.” tional Arrivals Facility and North New York (JFK), Philadelphia frequencies. pandemic From December 15, 2020, Qatar said. Alaska Air Group chairman Satellite Modernisation, to pro- (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), and Qatar Airways’ strategic in- „ Qatar Airways also Airways Privilege Club and Alas- “Home to a large tech industry and chief executive Brad Tilden vide a better experience for trav- Washington, DC (IAD). vestment in a variety of fuel-ef- announced a frequent flyer ka Mileage Plan members will be and a portal of innovation, Seat- said: “We’re thrilled to be join- ellers from around the world.” Throughout the pandemic, fi cient twin-engine aircraft, in- partnership with Alaska able to earn frequent fl yer miles, tle is a destination that is inter- ing the oneworld alliance and to Business Class passengers Qatar Airways never stopped cluding the largest fl eet of Airbus Airlines and from March 31, 2021, mem- nationally renowned for business begin this new partnership with fl ying to Seattle will enjoy the fl ying to the United States in or- A350 aircraft, has enabled it to bers can also redeem frequent and leisure travel,” al-Baker said. an outstanding airline like Qatar award-winning Qsuite business der to take more than 260,000 continue fl ying throughout this atar Airways has an- fl yer miles on both carriers’ full ““Despite the challenges of 2020, Airways. class seat, featuring sliding pri- Americans home, with fl ights to crisis, and perfectly positions it nounced the launch of networks, with elite status perks Qatar Airways has remained “As more of us resume inter- vacy doors and the option to use Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth to lead the sustainable recovery Qfour weekly fl ights to including lounge access. committed to exploring every national air travel next year, we a “Do Not Disturb (DND)” indi- maintained during the entire pe- of international travel. Seattle, US, from March 15, 2021, The two airlines are also work- opportunity to further enhance are excited to off er our guests cator. riod. The airline recently took de- marking the seventh new desti- ing closely on developing a code- the travel experience for our mil- new nonstop service on Qatar The Qsuite seat layout is a The “World’s Best Airline” livery of three new state-of-the- nation launched by Qatar’s na- share agreement and commercial lions of passengers, and is proud Airways from Seattle to Doha, in 1-2-1 confi guration, providing continued to grow and innovate art Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, tional carrier since the start of co-operation in line with the to secure another important addition to service to Doha from passengers with the most spa- since the onset of the pandemic, increasing its total A350 fl eet to the coronavirus pandemic. US carrier joining oneworld on strategic partnership in North our hubs in Los Angeles and San cious, fully private, comfortable with industry-leading fl exible 52, with an average age of just 2.6 The coronavirus causes the March 31, 2021. America.” Francisco. and socially-distanced Business booking policies, comprehensive years. Covid-19 respiratory disease. Qatar Airways Group Chief “In Alaska Airlines, we will “This partnership opens up Class product in the sky. health and safety measures, and a Due to Covid-19’s impact The airline continues to Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker, have a very strong partner to tremendous destinations around The launch of fl ights to Seat- reliable network. on travel demand, the airline strengthen its network across the said: “Qatar Airways is commit- connect customers from the US the world and amazing opportu- tle in March 2021 will increase Qatar Airways currently oper- has grounded its fl eet of Airbus globe through reinstating fl ights, ted to enhancing connectivity West Coast to Doha and beyond, nities for our guests.” Qatar Airways’ US network to 59 ates more than 700 weekly fl ights A380s as it is not environmen- adding new destinations and within the US market, and the via its hubs in Los Angeles, San Port of Seattle Commission weekly fl ights to 11 destinations, to over 100 destinations across tally justifi able to operate such a expanding its strategic partner- launch of fl ights to Seattle, our Francisco, and Seattle, comple- president Peter Steinbrueck connecting onwards to hundreds the globe. large, four-engine aircraft in the ships. second new US destination since menting our existing strategic said: “This commitment by Qa- of American cities through stra- By the end of March 2021, current market. The Seattle service will be op- the onset of the pandemic, epito- partnerships with American Air- tar Airways, despite the current tegic partnerships with Alaska Qatar Airways plans to rebuild Qatar Airways has also recent- erated by Qatar Airways’ state- mises this commitment.” lines and JetBlue,” he added. “We situation with the pandemic, is a Airlines, American Airlines, and its network to 126 destinations, ly launched a new programme of-the-art Airbus A350-900, “We are excited to welcome look forward to further deepen- testament to how the world views JetBlue. including 20 in Africa, 11 in the that enables passengers to volun- featuring 36 seats in the award- Washington State’s largest city ing our co-operation with the the long-term strength and resil- Seattle joins existing US desti- Americas, 29 in Asia-Pacifi c, 38 tarily off set the carbon emissions winning Qsuite Business Class, as our seventh new destination newest member of the oneworld iency of the Puget Sound region. nations including Boston (BOS), in Europe, 13 in India, and 15 in associated with their journey, at and 247 seats in Economy Class. announced this year, and our family, and continuing to provide “This also supports the Port’s Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort the Middle East. the point of booking.

An aerial view of Al Thumama Stadium.

Left: Al Janoub Stadium

Right: The technical team at the Monitoring and Environmental Laboratory Department of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) at one of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums. MME air quality team visits 2022 FIFA World Cup venues

MME team’s field visits to Al Thumama and Al Janoub stadiums were aimed at looking at possible locations for air quality monitoring stations

QNA Doha

he technical team at the Department of Moni- toring and Environmental Laboratory of the TMinistry of Municipality and Environment (MME) have paid a fi eld visit to Al Thumama and Al Janoub stadiums, both 2022 FIFA World Cup venues. The first air quality monitoring station would be installed at Al Janoub Stadium. The visit is within the framework of co-operation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), and is aimed at enhancing air quality monitor- ing at the World Cup stadiums, and ensure the high- est standards of ambient air during the international sports event. The team undertook a fi eld tour inside Al Thumama Stadium to identify possible sites for air quality moni- toring stations. The team also visited Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakra, to determine the best location for an air quality monitoring station. The ministry will install the fi rst monitoring station at Al Janoub Stadium. The installation of the air quality monitoring sta- tions at all stadiums is expected to be completed in 2021. The fi eld visit came at a time when Al Thumama The field visit is within the framework of co-operation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. Stadium and the other venues are nearing completion.