www.thepeninsula.qa Friday 15 May 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8258 22 Ramadan - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 01 SPORT | 08

WTO chief expected Qatar joins to step down, as World Rugby as global economic Associate crisis rages Member

Enjoy double speed with Ooredoo ONE while you’re at home #Hadaya_Ooredoo *Terms and conditions apply Health official: Strictly adhere to Amir and British PM social distancing in Ramadan, Eid discuss bilateral ties SANAULLAH ATAULLAH Diseases at Hamad Medical Corpo- to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the THE PENINSULA ration, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal has called country. citizens and expatriate to stay at home “Now, more than ever, it is very Chair of the National Strategy Group during ongoing holy month of important that people strictly follow of COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Ramadan and forthcoming Eid Al Fitr the preventive and physical and social distancing measure,” said Dr. Abdul- latif Al Khal while addressing a press conference yesterday at Qatar TV. We are entering the peak of epidemic of He said however tempting—espe- COVID-19 in Qatar and the number of daily con- cially during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr firmed cases has risen steadily the past week,” - it is really important that you stay at home and only go out when it is abso- said Dr. Al Khal, the Chair of the National lutely necessary. Strategy Group of COVID-19. “We are entering the peak of epi- demic of COVID-19 in Qatar and the number of daily confirmed cases has risen steadily the past week,” said Dr. Al Khal.He said that the number of people being tested has increased and QNA — DOHA cooperation relations between the we have launched a community study two countries and ways to support to learn more about the epidemiology Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad and develop them in addition to the of the virus within the large community Al Thani held via telephone a international efforts to address the and about the prevalence of cases of conversation with the Prime novel coronavirus pandemic and the infection that do not show symptom. Minister of the United Kingdom, two countries’ efforts and cooper- “We continue to see many patients H E Boris Johnson to check on his ation in this regard. making full recovery from COVID-19 health. The most prominent regional Chair of the National Strategy Group of COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases every day and more than 3,000 During the call, the two sides and international issues were also at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal (right), speaking at a press patients have now recovered from the discussed friendship and discussed. conference, yesterday. virus,” said Dr. Al Khal.`P2 Qatar’s medical aid shipment arrives in Albania, Angola Ramadan Timing Today's Iftar: QNA — DOHA She stressed that the State of Qatar the two countries and peoples. and its people, pointing to the generous has stood permanently alongside Albania H E the Albanian Deputy Minister for assistance provided by the State of Qatar 6:14pm In implementation of the directives of and its people, especially in difficult Europe and Foreign Affairs expressed his to Albania, after the earthquake in Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al times, as happened after the devastating deep thanks and appreciation to H H the November. H E Ali bin Hamad Al Marri Tomorrow's Thani, the shipment of urgent medical earthquake in November, saying this Amir for the continuous support of the said that the shipment of medical aid that assistance, provided by the State of Qatar confirms the great friendship between State of Qatar to the Republic of Albania arrived in the Republic of Albania carries Imsak: through the Qatar Fund for Devel- 10 tons of medical materials to support the 03:14am opment, has arrived in the Republic of Albanian health system in combating the Albania and the Republic of Angola to spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, stressing support its efforts to combat the novel that the State of Qatar will always stand coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. with Albania and its friendly people. The shipment of medical aid was The urgent medical aid plane from Over 11,000 received by Albanian Minister of Health Qatar to the friendly Republic of Angola and Social Care, H E Ogerta Manastirliu; arrived in the capital Luanda to help students to Albanian Deputy Minister for Europe and it combat the outbreak of novel coro- Foreign Affairs, H E Etjen Xhafaj; and navirus. A number of officials and rep- appear for high Ambassador of the State of Qatar to resentatives of the media were present Albania, H E Ali bin Hamad Al Marri. when the plane landed in Luanda. The school exams In a speech on this occasion, H E the aid included 792,500 units of medical QNA — DOHA Albanian Minister of Health commended supplies. The provision of aid was the directives of H H the Amir to send coordinated by Qatar Fund for Devel- Undersecretary of the Ministry this urgent medical assistance to the opment and the Embassy of the State of Education and Higher Republic of Albania, expressing deep of Qatar to South Africa (non-resident Education, H E Dr Ibrahim bin thanks to the State of Qatar for providing Albanian Minister of Health and Social Care, H E Ogerta Manastirliu (second right), representation in Angola), in cooper- Salih Al Nuaimi affirmed that the this necessary assistance for the medical Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Albania, H E Ali bin Hamad Al Marri (second left), ation with the Angolan Embassy in Pre- distance learning process is staff and the general citizens to combat and other officials during the reception of the shipment of medical aid, in Tirana, Albania, toria and the competent authorities in proceeding well in accordance COVID-19 epidemic. yesterday. Luanda. with the plans drawn up for it, indicating that there is a great response from students and their COVID-19 QATAR UPDATES ON 14 MAY 2020 guardians. H E Dr. Al Nuaimi Qatar Airways to resume services stressed that the pandemic will not affect the start of the new NEW academic year, because it has not to Brisbane from Wednesday RECOVERIES 213 GLOBALLY affected the progress of the NEW CASES educational process. THE PENINSULA — DOHA TOTAL POSITIVE Class with flights connecting late-March to early April. During ANNOUNCED 1,733 “We have sensed this through the airline’s state-of- this period Qatar Airways helped 4,420,743 through the feedback indicators Qatar Airways announced the-art hub at Hamad Interna- reunite over 5,000 stranded ACTIVE of performing daily and weekly yesterday that it would be tional Airport, voted “Third Best travellers with their loved ones CASES 24,902 TOTAL DEATHS assignments and assessments resuming services to Brisbane, Airport in the World” and “Best and transported over 270 tonnes TOTAL 301,160 and of the number of illustrated with three-weekly flights Airport in the Middle East” this of cargo, including Australian RECOVERIES 3,356 lessons, the number of views in starting from Wednesday, May week by Skytrax. agriculture exports. TOTAL RECOVERED addition to other indicators. 20. The flights will be operated The airline is resuming By maintaining 24/7 opera- TOTAL In this regard, His Excel- DEATHS 1,578,135 by an Airbus A350-1000 services after previously tions throughout the crisis, 14 lency said that the statistics offering 46 seats in Business receiving short-term approval including almost 200 charter indicate that the total number Class and 281 seats in Economy to operate to Brisbane from flights, Qatar Airways’ has of illustrated lessons exceeded become the leading airline in 23,500, of which about 2,500 taking people home, repatriating MoPH: 213 recovered; are for general education, Three-weekly flights will be operated over one million people approximately 1,200 for spe- worldwide and in the process cialized schools, and about by an Airbus A350-1000 offering receiving widespread praise and 1,733 new cases 20,000 for special education 46 seats in Business Class and 281 thanks from passengers and and integration schools. governments, including Aus- THE PENINSULA — DOHA the total tests done so far to H E Dr. Al Nuaimi said that seats in Economy Class. tralia, Canada, and the United 143,938 tests. the Ministry of Education and Kingdom, among others. The Ministry of Public Health The Ministry stated that Higher Education’s preparations, Qatar Airways Group Chief has recorded 1,733 new the new cases are due to for secondary school exams (for Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, confirmed cases of COVID-19, expatriate workers who were students of day school and adult said: “In these difficult times, cus- and 213 recoveries, bringing the infected with the virus as a education) for the 2019-2020 tomers are looking for an airline total number of recovered result of contact with indi- academic year, in which 11,476 they can trust, our commitment cases in Qatar to 3,356. viduals who were previously students will appear, are well and willingness to get people The total number of pos- infected, in addition to proceeding. The Exams will start home continues to provide itive COVID-19 cases recording new cases of on the first of June and continue assurance. We have built a strong recorded in Qatar till now infection among groups of for two weeks, he added. He level of confidence with pas- stands at 28,272 and there are workers in different regions. further stressed that the corona- sengers, governments, trade 24,902 active cases under The new cases have been iden- virus (COVID-19) pandemic will partners, and airports as a treatment. So far, 14 people tified after conducting inves- not affect the start or start of the reliable partner during this crisis died from the coronavirus in tigations by the research and new school year, because it has and we intend to continue deliv- Qatar. Ministry conducted investigation teams of the Min- not affected the progress of the ering on this mission.” `P2 4,811 tests yesterday taking istry of Public Health. educational process. `P2 02 HOME FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

FAJR03.24 am SUNRISE 04.49 am o o Relatively hot daytime with scattered clouds and mild 26 C 35 C by night. ZUHR 11.30 am ASR 02.57 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 07:33– 22:39 LOW TIDE 5:23 – 14:13 MAGHRIB 06.14 pm ISHA 07.44 pm W ALRUWAIS: 25o↗31o W ALKHOR: 24o↗36o W DUKHAN: 24o↗32o W WAKRAH: 24o↗34o W MESAIEED 24o↗34o W ABUSAMRA 25o↗35o Private health facilities launch teleconsultation Lebanese Foreign Minister FAZEENA SALEEM combating COVID-19 by COVID-19 era. Soon obligatory patients. meets Qatar’s envoy THE PENINSULA reducing patient visits to preferences of today will switch “At Al Ahli Hospital, we healthcare facilities. to a default mode. Aster DM strictly follow the guidelines of Private healthcare facilities “Technology is only an Healthcare is keen to offer WHO and MoPH to curb the have started a number of initi- enabler, not an end by itself. We futurist service during the post spread of COVID-19. All atives to support the efforts in have seen many patients who COVID-19 era, adhering to reg- measures are in place to protect curbing the spread of COVID-19 were not keen to visit ulatory guidelines to ensure the guests and our staff in every in Qatar. healthcare facilities due to fear patient safety and quality of possible way. We have imple- Private hospitals and clinics of getting COVID-19 which was services,” he added. mented some strategies to have implemented new one of the potential barriers in Aster DM Healthcare also respond to the crisis and we measures and are raising ensuring the continuity of care,” delivers medicines at home and have been quite rapid in terms awareness of COVID-19, while Dr. Mahesh Patel, Head of have hosted several webinars of implementing,” said Dr. adhering to instructions by the Quality Assurance at Aster by it doctors to educate the Abdulazim Abdul Wahab Ministry of Public Health Qatar, told The Peninsula. public about COVID-19. Hussain, Medical Director of Al (MoPH). Several healthcare pro- “To a large extent, telecon- As part of the Al Ahli Hos- Ahli Hospital. viders have started teleconsul- sultation has bridged that gap pital’s heightened infection “From the very beginning tation and started social media The decision when to limit the control measures, in response of the spread of the COVID-19, campaigns and are holding use of teleconsultation and to the spread of COVID-19, a we have establish an initial webinars to raise awareness insist on a face-to-face consul- committee has been formed to screening, so that everyone among the public. tation is always a clinical implement strategical coming into the hospital is “At Aster DM Healthcare, we decision based on patient con- measures. screened on entry, using WHO have seen teleconsultation is dition and patient needs. Aster A stricter visitor restrictions criteria. taking a huge leap and many is expecting demand for tele- are in place at the hospital. Also questions are asked to patients are experiencing tele- consultation will continue to Before entering the clinical identify risk factors, fever, signs consultation for the first time grow rapidly. areas; all guests, caregivers and and symptoms of COVID-19, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Lebanese Republic, in Qatar. We really appreciated “Due to COVID-19, staff undergo temperature travel history and contact with H E Nassif Hitti met yesterday with Ambassador of the State of the steps taken by MoPH by enforced habits of today will screening and complete a dec- the suspected cases. Based on Qatar to the Lebanese Republic, H E Mohammed Hassan Jaber Al permitting virtual teleconsul- become the new normal, as we laration form on their current those assessments we fast-track tation which is helping patients keep listening life will never health status, recent travel and the guests to the relevant Jaber. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral cooperation in hassle-free consultation and again be the same in the after recent contact with COVID-19 department,” he added. and relations, in addition to issues of common concern. Qatar sends medical aid to Angola Health official: Strictly adhere to DECC wins social distancing in Ramadan, Eid three prizes FROM PAGE 1 and painful experience for from Eventex He said that so far, a total people who end up need of 417 coronavirus patients intensive care support,” said Dr were admitted in ICU, 265 Al Khal. Awards patients out of them were He urged people to stay safe shifted from out of ICU, 14 as even young people are at THE PENINSULA — DOHA people died in ICU, 138 patients risk for severe COVID-19. are still in ICU, 55 patients are Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Doha Exhibition and on ventilators and six patients National Lead for Healthy Convention Center (DECC) was are receiving extracorporeal Aging in Qatar, Medical awarded three prizes (two gold membrane oxygenation Director of Rumailah Hospital and one silver) at the 10th (ECMO). and Qatar Rehabilitation anniversary edition of Eventex “Anyone with signs and Institute said that the evidence Awards, the biggest global symptoms of COVID-19 should from around the world has event competition, which aims come forward for testing so shown that while the virus can at spotlighting the best events, that we can provide you with affect people of all ages and experiences, and suppliers in the care and treatment you health status, the elderly are the industry worldwide. It is need.” much more likely to experience well known for the stellar jury “We have taken every nec- severe symptoms of COVID-19. panel and fair evaluation essary measure to ensure that She said for this reason process. our hospitals and health centers Qatar is doing its best to protect Eventex Awards was are safe to attend — the elderly population and keep founded in 2009 to celebrate A Qatar Airways plane delivered urgent medical aid from the State of Qatar to the friendly Republic measures we have taken are to them safe. creativity, innovation and of Angola in Luanda yesterday to help it combat the COVID-19 outbreak. prevent the further spread of “Our doctors are now deliv- effectiveness in the industry, the virus and to protect our ering consultations virtually, today Eventex Awards is the patients and our staff,” said Dr. via video and telephone most esteemed accolade in the Al Khal. system, to enable elderly world of events and experi- Ministry withdraws licence of manpower agency He said that the hospitals patients to talk to their doctors ential marketing, a true are seeing more patients being while in the comfort and safety symbol of excellence. QNA — DOHA The Ministry banned agencies and employers, in admitted because the country of their own homes,” said Dr. dealing with the aforemen- accordance with the Labor is approaching towards the Hanadi. The Ministry of Administrative tioned office to avoid conse- Law and the decisions imple- peak — with more being She said for several weeks Development, Labor, and Social quential damages because of menting it, and its compe- admitted to intensive care. now, we have staff from Geri- Qatar Airways Affairs cancelled the activity of the violation. tence to issue, renew and “Although death rates atric and Long-term Care Al Qaswa’a manpower agency This procedure comes cancel licenses of remain very low in Qatar com- Department call people aged to resume and withdrew its licence due to within the role of the Min- recruitment agencies in pared to the rest of the world, 60 years and over to offer its violation of contracts with istry in settling disputes accordance with the provi- people are still getting very sick advice and support on how to Brisbane employers. arising between recruitment sions of the law. and it can be a very traumatic stay safe during this period. flights on 20th FROM PAGE 1 Over 11,000 students to “Qatar Airways received exceptional approval to operate short term services to appear for high school exams Brisbane to repatriate the FROM PAGE 1 many tourists, students and the required skills. Students and their diplomats who wanted to go In a related context, H E the Under- parents are also guaranteed access to back to their home countries. secretary of the Ministry of Education systems. Moreover more than 1,600 Our flights also provided Aus- and Higher Education pointed out that tablets and more than 4,800 home tralians with an opportunity formal education, that observes direct broadband devices were distributed to to come back home from interaction between teachers and stu- provide internet access to students who various parts of the world dents as well as among students, is do not have those capabilities, in including Europe, the Gulf and undoubtedly the best way to achieve addition to broadcasting e-lessons on Middle East, Asia, and others. learning goals, as well as to help in YouTube and TV distance learning We successfully completed social and psychological development channels.” this task, but now there are in addition to the cognitive devel- The number of daily assignments, more travelers wanting to get opment of students in the different aca- accompanying each illustrated lesson, home,” he said. demic stages. that were produced until May 7 was “We know this is an However, due to the circumstances about 2,100. These were transferred to anxious time for many created by the pandemic, the Ministry electronic forms via “Microsoft Forms” stranded travellers around the found in distance education the appro- and published for school teachers, in world who want to be with priate means to complete the academic order to pass them to all students using their families and loved ones year, as part of the precautionary the “MS Teams” application, he added. during this difficult time. With measures taken by the state to preserve He stated that the number of total the resumption of these three- the health of students, as well as of all weekly assessments has exceeded 750, weekly flights, we are sup- workers in the educational sector, he until the end of the school year for gov- porting critical passenger added. ernment schools, pointing that all movements, and aiming to He stressed that the Ministry has assessments have been transferred in alleviate some of those anxi- made great strides in establishing to electronic assessment forms, and cir- eties,” he added. e-learning over the past years, in imple- culated to teachers to present them to With the resumption of mentation of the decisions of wise lead- students according to the policy of con- flights to Brisbane, Qatar ership that have always emphasized tinuous evaluation, with emphasis on Airways will operate 21 pas- the importance of e-learning that is broadcasting the lessons in a sequence senger flights per week to consistent with the tremendous cog- according to their daily schedule, and Australia nitive growth in today’s contemporary re-broadcasting in the evening, with Qatar Airways continues world, through the “LMS” system allocating Friday and Saturday of each to fly to 16 destinations in adopted in all schools in the state. week to repeat all lessons which have Europe, including London, Dr. Al Nuaimi continued, “The rapid been broadcasted. Frankfurt, Paris and and highly professional response of the On the other hand, he said that the Amsterdam, with plans to add Ministry of Education and Higher Edu- number of YouTube educational an additional seven European cation was represented by the adoption channels reached 19, with a total of destinations by the end of June. of the MS Teams system as a major 84,000 subscribers, pointing out that Passengers travelling to and platform for distance learning, and this these channels contained all the illus- from Australia will enjoy a was accompanied by ensuring schools’ trated lessons, divided according to the seamless connection through readiness and teachers’ familiarity with stages and subjects. Hamad International Airport. FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 HOME 03 QF highlights how children are helping to shape curriculums amid COVID-19 THE PENINSULA — DOHA longer in that environment Children are no longer in that where the teacher is directing environment where the teacher is Leaders from progressive everything. The teacher will schools around the world have interaction with them, but directing everything. The teacher gathered for a Qatar Foundation they are also doing a lot of inde- will have interaction with them, but they are webinar that highlighted how pendent work.” — in a COVID-19 era that has Echoing this view, Dr also doing a lot of independent work.” seen education shift online — Frances Wilby, Head of Inter- children and their parents are national Development for beginning to help shape their Lumiar Education, said: “Our starting to say, ‘I’m doing a online, they’re preparing the Participants during a Qatar Foundation webinar addressing effects own learning environments. main takeaway has been to project on X, I really want to materials for it. That itself has of the pandemic on schools globally. The discussion, hosted by consult with parents, and give share it’, with another child brought in an element of an Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre- them multiple access points, so saying, ‘Can we do a joint observer and a supervisor who University Education (PUE) and we haven’t used a one-size-fits- project in pairs?’ So what we’ve strengthens the confidence of a imagination, where they can Al Hajri said: “Always allow titled 'Leading Educational all model. found is they are driving facilitator.” then use their play skills and children to choose. Advancement in Progressive “We’ve really understood learning, and telling us what Stuart Bamford, Co- creativity to almost teach their “In our setting, the most Schools (LEAPS) Webinar', that, for some families, this is they want. There really are Founder of Kingsland Pre-Prep, parents. This is a great expe- important things we’re trying brought together six experts really a challenge. The idea that some incredible things UK, added: “We come from a rience; one that is hopefully cre- to build are that independent from five different countries to they will be online everyday happening.” place where we involve fam- ating a family bond, and making learner personality, that cre- address some of the effects of doing schoolwork is difficult for While children are ilies a lot in a child’s education, parents’ involvement in their ative problem-solver mindset. the pandemic on schools them. So we’ve offered a menu beginning to develop their own and we’ve taken this oppor- child’s education a little less We don’t want to do anything globally. of activities, and multiple access ways of learning, parents have tunity, through the world being daunting.” that will take away from this. Maryam Al Hajri, Director points, where parents with their become increasingly important in crisis and lockdown, as an Concluding the discussion Agency choice and nurturing of Academyati, a progressive children can dip in and out. And stakeholders in the process, as opportunity to support parents — which was moderated by curiosity is very important for school established by QF, spoke for me, the takeaway is how we Gitanjali Sarangan, Founder of and almost re-set education, Aysegul Sert, International Pre- all of this.” The recent webinar about the importance of child are allowing the children to Snehadara Foundation, India, especially from an early years senter and Journalist — and was the second LEAPS event agency, saying: “I believe child start shaping their curriculum. explained. perspective. highlighting the components of organized by QF’s PUE. agency and independent work “Every Friday we have “Parents have been a part “We are engaging in parents virtual distance learning that Designed to support the global were one of the great enablers virtual feedback session in small of our designs and plans,” she in a curriculum at home that are essential to ensure students education community, it will for this change. Children are no groups. And the children are said. “They’re accessing this really sparks children’s learn through this process, Ms. continue to be held biennially. PHCC celebrates MoPH ensuring best medical care for the elderly International QNA — DOHA places designated for the hospitals, pointing that age is needs and support them Nurses Day elderly in hotels. not the only criterion for severe psychologically. The Ministry of Public Health She pointed out that the complications of the disease, Medical consultations are QNA — DOHA (MoPH) has stressed that it is integrated medical team over- but rather other health condi- also provided through video working along with all the seeing the treatment plan tions of the elderly and calls to assess the medical con- The Primary Health Care health sector institutions to include specialised doctors, whether they suffers from dition of the elderly. Physio- Corporation (PHCC) celebrated provide the best possible care physiotherapists, career chronic comorbidities should therapy and remote rehabili- International Nurses Day, for the elderly, taking steps to therapy specialists, nutri- be considered. tation sessions were which is celebrated on May 12, protect them from infection tionists and a clinical pharma- Dr. Al Hamad stressed, “We introduced. to highlight the importance of with the novel coronavirus cists, in addition to the nursing attach great attention to the The day-care unit for the the role played by the nurses (COVID-19), and to meet their team. Dialysis services were elderly care and take many elderly was also opened on as they are the first line of medical and psychological also provided to patients who precautions to protect them.” April 12, to receive the elderly defence. needs. need them, she added. She pointed to a number of who need assessment or simple The WHO joined hundreds National Health Strategy “Attention is also being paid promising cases, referring to procedures that do not need of partners worldwide to high- Lead for Healthy Ageing Dr. to the psychological state of the the recovery of an 85-year-old going to the emergency room, light the importance of nurses Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad. Medical Hanadi Al Hamad, the Medical patients and their families female patient from OVID-19. following prior arrangement in the healthcare continuum Director of HMC's Rumaillah Director of Hamad Medical under the current circum- Other patients are recovering of the patient’s visit. and thank nurses for what they Hospital and Qatar Rehabilitation Corporation’s (HMC) Rumaillah stances, as the treatment successively, she added. Cooperation has been made do. The theme for this year is Hospital and Qatar Rehabili- Institute. teams, led by the case coordi- Dr. Al Hamad explained with the World Health Organ- “Nursing the World to Health’, tation Institute, said that “This nators, are working constantly that since the beginning of the ization (WHO) to prepare a the WHO said, while high- difficult period poses a double Ministry has prepared the nec- on communication and coun- COVID pandemic, the elderly guide for dealing with patients lighting that in this year of the challenge for the elderly, as essary pre-emptive plans to selling with patients’ families, have been the focus of the in long-term care and to Nurse and the Midwife, now they need many health receive the senior returnees while the patients commu- health sector in order to protect activate all necessary measures more than ever, it is essential services, and at the same time from abroad, of whom many nicate with their families to them from the infection, and to protect them, starting with that governments support and we work to reduce their were receiving treatment avoid a sense of loneliness to continue providing the reduced visits, physical dis- invest in their nurses. exposure to other people and abroad, pointing that appro- during the quarantine period,” health care services they need, tancing and infection control Assistant Director of [advise them] not to leave the priate quarantine was desig- Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad as many services have been measures, while maintaining Nursing at PHCC, Afrah house without extreme nated for them on the basis of explained. activated and created, most contact with families and Moussa, highlighted the role necessity.” their health needs, as a number She further explained that notably the participation of a informing them about the of the nursing sector in pro- She called on the com- of them needed hospitalization at the end of the quarantine team of specialised doctors in patients’ condition. viding treatment for patients, munity to closely cooperate in to complete treatment in quar- period, a comprehensive eval- answering the inquiries of the The Ministry of Public saying that they are the link this regard by adhering to social antine units under the care of uation of the elderly patient is elderly through the hotline Health launched a page on its between the patient and their distancing and continuous com- an integrated medical team made to determine the ideal 16,000. website (www.moph.gov.qa), family members, and that is munication with the various working on the continuation place to complete the This is in addition to through which it provides the their role is central to services intended for the elderly of the patient’s treatment plan, treatment plan. launching a telephone service public with the latest develop- improving the treatment when needed. while the rest of those who are About the elderly afflicted in the Geriatrics and Extended ments related to COVID-19 and results and follow-up during Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad indi- in stable condition and can with COVID-19 in general, she Care Department of HMC to information on how to protect the course of patient cated that since the beginning depend on themselves are said they are provided with the reassure those over 60 years themselves and others from treatment. The nursing staff of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cared for in other quarantine necessary healthcare in HMC’s of age, meet their medical this virus. also plays an effective role in improving the health level of all members of society, being the most decisive factor in the Georgetown student takes her Talabat donates QR1 quality of care provided, Afrah said. She pointed out that the with every grocery order nursing team always strives Islamic bioethics research at towards achieving the goal of THE PENINSULA — DOHA complete health care for the individual in the areas of QF to Washington and wins Talabat, the region’s leading awareness, prevention, diag- food and grocery delivery app, nostic and treatment. Among THE PENINSULA — DOHA offered this great opportunity announced yesterday that the essentials of the nursing The paper explores to be exposed to multiple during the Holy Month of profession is health education An academic paper analysing the background fields and wider disciplines, Ramadan, QR1 will be donated and awareness of chronic dis- the Muslim perspective on the behind the Islamic like theology, philosophy and from every purchase of eases, clarification of controversial use of stem cell politics. This opportunity has groceries on the Talabat app to maternity services for research won Amna Al Essa, rulings guiding the allowed us to cultivate our Qatar Charity. pregnant women before and a Georgetown University in use and limitation own selves and knowledge The initiative will allow after birth, and providing nec- Qatar (GU-Q), student, second based on our personal Qatar’s residents and citizens wonderful gesture, especially essary vaccinations to place in the Bioethics of embryonic stem interests across different to make a difference in the lives at an unprecedented time when immunize children against Research Showcase sponsored cells in the medical fields.” of people who need it the most, the whole world is under the infectious diseases besides by the Kennedy Institute of An International Politics but from a safe distance. This threat of the coronavirus their main role in treatment Ethics in Washington, DC, one sciences. major student at GU-Q, a QF initiative is aligned with Qatar’s (COVID-19) pandemic, noting services, she said. of the oldest academic ethics partner institution, Amna said mandate to encourage that such support would enable The Assistant Director of centers in the world. it was during her pursuit of the members of the community to Qatar Charity to help the vul- Nursing stressed the important Amna’s winning entry was authority ruling. “There is a Theology minor that she stay safe, and stay home in light nerable and those affected by role of nursing staff in health judged by an interdisciplinary pressing need to address con- became interested in of the COVID-19 pandemic. the coronavirus. centers, especially during this panel of judges and tinuing ethical concerns and bioethics. “I have always had Francisco De Sousa, Man- “Qatar Charity is always period in light of the outbreak announced during a virtual questions that arise from a passion for science and aging Director of Talabat Qatar, keen to cooperate with various COVID-19 disease, as nursing awards ceremony. In the societal, cultural, and religious medicine, which is why I said Talabat was proud to con- public and private sector insti- cadres in primary health care paper, she explores the back- perspectives on issues which decided to pursue them within tinue to work hand-in-hand tutions,” added Al Ghareeb, are considered the first line of ground behind the Islamic transgress into matters of pro- the realm of liberal arts. with Qatar Charity, its long urging other companies and defence against COVID-19. rulings guiding the use and hibitions and permissibility in Studying theology at Geor- standing charitable partner . individuals to support Qatar The PHCC noted the joint limitation of embryonic stem Islam.” getown has widened my "This is the second Charity’s Ramadan campaign cooperation of the nursing cells in the medical sciences, She was encouraged to horizons to think about issues Ramadan we have collaborated that aims to benefit 2.4 million cadres with the MoPH and a field of research that holds submit her paper for compe- in the medical field and to with Qatar Charity. This time people in Qatar and 30 other HMC to contribute with the great promise for the tition by the instructor of her consider how contemporary with setting up a virtual res- countries across the globe at a rest of the medical cadres in treatment of degenerative Islam, Culture, and Bioethics religious beliefs and practices taurant on the Talabat app to cost of QR119m. Since the meeting the needs of the conditions and the under- course, Associate Research deal with those issues.” provide the people of Qatar launch of the grocery section Qatari community by exam- standing of human Professor Dr. Ayman Shabana. The Showcase is a juried with a cashless donation option on Talabat, the app has ining and guiding the largest development. He is also the director of the digital exhibition of under- to buy meals for those in need. expanded the list of grocery possible number and the The medical technology Islamic Bioethics Project at graduate research in a variety "For every purchase from stores available including Car- delivery of the service to uses cells from human GU-Q, which has been sup- of categories and disciplines any store under the Grocery refour Now, Spar, Vision Mart, patients in their homes to embryos which has raised a ported by three consecutive on the ethics of health, the section, one riyal gets added to and neighbourhood markets. overcome the epidemic as host of ethical concerns and grants from Qatar National environment, and the the Qatar Charity fund to Toy stores, electronics, soon as possible, and working debates across cultures and Research Fund’s National Pri- bioethics of emerging technol- support their charitable pharmacies, and even water to increase health awareness countries. orities Research Program. ogies. The virtual award cer- endeavours," he said. refilling stations are now also of the visitors in the health Muslim countries also face “Being at GU-Q has defi- emony as well as Amna’s Ali Al Ghareeb, Director of delivering via Talabat. centers by urging them to these debates, explained nitely deepened my interest winning paper are available the Resource Development To donate, open the talabat follow the necessary means Amna, but often lack the in the connections between for viewing on the Kennedy Department at Qatar Charity app, select your location, and and precautions to avoid needed guidance of a religious Islam and bioethics. We are Institute of Ethics website. applauded Talabat for its click on groceries. infection with COVID-19. 04 MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 Iran warns of virus cluster spread, says 71 more dead

AFP — TEHRAN

Iran warned of a possible coro- Kuwait reports 947 new navirus cluster hitting another province yesterday as it COVID-19 cases, six deaths announced 71 new deaths and more than 1,800 infections QNA — KUWAIT nationwide. “We are in situation similar The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced yesterday that it to previous days (in most prov- reported 947 new cases of COVID-19 during the last 24 hours, inces) save for Khuzestan, bringing the total in the country to 11,975, while six new deaths which is still in a critical con- of the virus have been reported, bringing the fatalities’ tally to dition, and it seems that North 88. Khorasan may be critical as In a press conference, Health Ministry spokesperson Dr. well,” said health ministry Abdullah Al Sanad said that 175 patients were in intensive care, spokesman Kianoush 95 of them are in critical condition. The newly diagnosed cases Jahanpour. include people who were in touch with previously infected “If this trend continues, people and cases being investigated for sources of infection, he North Khorasan will require added. more serious measures, too,” The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health had announced at an earlier he added in televised remarks. time that there have been 188 recoveries of the virus, bringing Under the lockdown North Khorasan province the total of recoveries in the country to 3,451 cases. A car drives under a road sign calling on people to stay at home at Zouk Mosbeh highway north lies in northeastern Iran on the The Omani Ministry of Health announced Thursday that it of Beirut yesterday, after new cases of coronavirus infections were announced. Lebanon’s Cabinet border with Turkmenistan. reported 322 new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), 80 of which has announced a four-day nationwide lockdown as of Wednesday evening after a spike in COVID- Khuzestan province in the were of Omanis, and 242 of non-Omanis, bringing the total of 19 cases that Prime Minister Hassan Diab said threatened the country’s so-far successful response southwest borders Iraq. the cases in the country to 4,341. The Ministry confirmed that to the pandemic. The ministry had on there have been 1,303 recoveries. Monday signalled a setback in The Ministry calls on all to adhere to the social and physical its efforts to contain the virus distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee and in Khuzestan where authorities the Ministry of Health and only leave home out of necessity. shut state bodies, banks and Iran dismisses US threat to non-essential businesses again in around a third of its counties. ILNA news agency on Tuesday. Iraj Harirchi also told ISNA Iran stopped publishing Miri said the jump was due news agency that a decision trigger return of UN sanctions provincial figures for the coro- to the failure of people to about Iran’s top flight football navirus last month. observe “social distancing and league would be made REUTERS & AP — TEHRAN still names the United States as funding and arming different Authorities in the south- health protocols”. tomorrow. According to health a participant. terrorist groups, a record of eastern province of Sistan and Iran has deemed more than ministry spokesman Jahanpour, Iran’s Foreign Minister “Foolish claims by US offi- state terrorism, and its outright Baluchistan, which borders 150 counties across the country the latest deaths brought the yesterday dismissed as “foolish cials is nothing new,” Foreign support for another terrorist Pakistan and Afghanistan, have as low-risk from the virus and official toll to 6,854. claims” US threats to trigger a Minister Mohammad Zarif told regime, US is not a good yard- also warned of a fresh spike in has allowed them to reopen He said 1,808 new cases of return of all United Nations reporters. stick for measuring anti-ter- infections. mosques. COVID-19 infection had been sanctions if the UN Security “It is no surprise to hear rorism efforts,” spokesman “We had not seen such an Since April 11, it has allowed detected, raising the total to Council does not extend an such things from people who Abbas Mousavi tweeted. increase in coronavirus infec- a phased reopening of its 114,533. Of those hospitalised, arms embargo on Tehran, state recommend drinking disin- Meanwhile, the US military tions since” late February, said economy and lifted restrictions 90,539 had recovered and been media reported. fectants to ward off the coro- offered condolences yesterday Ghasem Miri, deputy head of on intercity travel. discharged, while 2,758 were The US special envoy for navirus - to contend they are to Iran over a friendly fire provincial capital Zahedan’s Iran’s deputy health min- in critical condition. Iran, Brian Hook, on still a party to the agreement incident in the Islamic Republic medical university. ister also announced on Iran has struggled to Wednesday publicly confirmed after officially leaving it,” said that killed 19 of its troops, iden- The total number of people Thursday that athletes in 29 contain its outbreak of the novel the strategy two weeks after an Zarif. tifying the weapon used in the infected in the province had hit sports — including track and coronavirus since announcing official, speaking on condition This appeared to refer to incident as an anti-ship cruise 909, of whom 821 had field, tennis and weightlifting its first cases in the Shia city of of anonymity, said that Wash- Trump’s suggestion for research missile. recovered and 59 died, Miri told — could resume training. Qom on February 19. ington had notified Britain, into whether the coronavirus Iranian authorities on France and Germany of its plan. might be treated by injecting Monday said that a missile The UN embargo is due to disinfectant into the body. struck the Iranian navy vessel expire in October under a 2015 A foreign ministry Konarak near the port of Jask, Iran nuclear deal that US Pres- spokesman ridiculed a 2019 US some 1,270km southeast of ident Donald Trump quit in State Department report released Tehran in the Gulf of Oman. 2018. on Wednesday that Iran and four Authorities said the Konarak Washington argues it can other countries had not coop- was too close to a target and trigger a return of UN sanctions erated fully with US counter-ter- was accidentally hit Sunday in because a 2015 Security Council rorism efforts. an incident that also wounded resolution enshrining the deal “With a history of founding, 15 troops. Epidemics kill over 600 people in Aden ANATOLIA — ADEN to the spread of the novel coronavirus and other epidemics, according to local media. Over 600 people, including six government offi- The government called on the World cials, have died in Yemen’s temporary capital, Health Organization, the international com- Aden, due to epidemics, according to a munity and healthcare organizations to support government official. Yemen in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic During May 1-13, due to epidemics, including and other epidemics that emerged after a flood pneumonic plague and chikungunya virus, a total disaster in the city, the official Saba news of 623 people, six of them government officials, agency reported. Ramadan charity died, said the official who did not want his name Aden was ravaged by flash floods since mid- revealed due to security concerns. April, affecting 150,000 and prompted the gov- Yemenis gather at a stadium during a charity distribution of clothes as part of actions to help the The Yemeni government on Monday declared ernment last month, to declare the southern city impoverished during the fasting month of Ramadan, in the capital Sana'a, yesterday. the temporary capital Aden a “disaster zone” due a “disaster zone”. Israeli soldier shoot dead Palestinian in West Bank Israel delays swearing-in

REUTERS — settlements and the Jordan soldier at an army post outside On Tuesday, a rock thrown OCCUPIED JERUSALEM Valley in the West Bank, with Negohot settlement near the from a rooftop in the West Bank of unity govt until Sunday cabinet deliberations on the city of Hebron. village of Yabad killed an Israeli AFP — JERUSALEM since 2009, had informed Pres- An Israeli soldier shot dead a move, vehemently opposed by The Palestinian Health Min- soldier taking part in an oper- ident Reuven Rivlin on Palestinian yesterday who the the Palestinians, set to begin in istry said the Palestinian was ation to detain suspected Israel has postponed the Wednesday that had his gov- military said drove deliberately July. martyred. The Israeli military militants. swearing-in of its long-awaited ernment had been finalised. at high speed towards troops in Palestinians seek to said the injured soldier was In a separate incident in the unity government, which had Yesterday's statement did the occupied West Bank, establish a state in the West taken to hospital. West Bank that day, a Pales- been set for yesterday, not spell out the unresolved injuring one of them. Bank, land captured by Israel On Wednesday, Israeli sol- tinian was shot and wounded following a request for a three- issues. Under the coalition Violence has flared in the in a 1967 Middle East war, and diers shot dead a 15-year-old by police at a checkpoint. day delay by Prime Minister deal, Netanyahu will serve as territory in the past week in the regard Israeli settlements in the Palestinian in Fawwar refugee There was no immediate Benjamin Netanyahu. prime minister for the coming run-up to the planned inaugu- territory as illegal, as do many camp in the West Bank. official Palestinian comment on After more than 500 days 18 months, a victory for a ration of a new Israeli “unity” countries. The military said soldiers, the Fawwar refugee camp or in limbo, three inconclusive leader due to stand trial from government headed by Prime In a statement, the military on an arrest raid, had checkpoint incidents. elections in less than a year and May 24 on corruption charges, Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. said a soldier shot and “neu- responded with live fire after US-backed peacemaking a power-sharing agreement which he denies. Its agenda includes possible tralised” a Palestinian who being attacked with rocks and between Israel and the Pales- between Netanyahu and Gantz will be alternate de facto annexation of Jewish drove his vehicle into another firebombs. tinians broke down in 2014. former rival Benny Gantz, it prime minister — a new appeared the country’s unprec- position in Israeli governance edented political crisis had — for the first half of the deal, Istanbul Film Festival finally ended. before he and Netanyahu swap Attack on Turkish workers But Netanyahu asked Gantz roles. Pro-Netanyahu paper to postpone the swearing-in Israel Hayom wrote Thursday begins online today until Sunday so he could that the premier had signed off ANATOLIA — ISTANBUL distributing aid kills two finalise cabinet assignments on his own “expiration date” among his right-wing Likud after the longest tenure as Turkey’s prestigious Istanbul Film Festival will AP — ANKARA borders Iran, the local Workers’ Party, or PKK, party, said a statement from prime minister in Israeli begin online from today, with 15 selected films governor’s office said in a which has waged a more Likud and Gantz’s Blue and history. set to entertain the public till May 29. Turkish officials say statement. The group was than three-decade-old White alliance. Cabinet posts have been The 39th Istanbul Film Festival, organised Kurdish rebels have attacked with long-bar- insurgency in Turkey’s “Gantz agreed to Netan- assigned to the left-wing by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and opened fire and killed two reled weapons from a southeast region. yahu’s request,” the statement Labour party, Blue and White, Arts (IKSV), originally scheduled from April municipality employees vehicle while they were The PKK is considered said. Netanyahu and former Likud and leaders from con- 10-21, was postponed earlier amid fears of who were distributing aid travelling in another a terror organisation by military chief Gantz agreed to servative ultra-Orthodox coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. in a district that has been vehicle after having Turkey, the United States a three-year coalition gov- Jewish parties. “The Istanbul Film Festival, held in April placed under quarantine handing out aid packages. and the European Union. ernment last month, with Writing in the Yediot Aha- every year since 1984, was postponed to a later due to the coronavirus There was no imme- The conflict has led to the cabinet position split among ronot newspaper, political date during the year due to the COVID-19 out- outbreak. A third diate claim of responsi- loss of tens of thousands their respective allies. columnist Ben-Dror Yemini break. For the first time in its 39th anniversary, employee was wounded. bility. Presidential com- lives since it started in But in the three weeks said the coalition was the festival opens access to 15 films selected The attack occurred munications director 1984. The Van governor’s since the deal was agreed, hag- “inflated” and “wasteful”, carefully from Cannes, Venice, and Berlin film yesterday on a road near Fahrettin Altun said the office said an operation gling over key posts has been pointing to the record 34 festivals on filmonline.iksv.org between May the district of Ozalp, in attack was the work of the has been launched to fierce within Netanyahu’s cabinet seats, a number that 15-29,” IKSV said in a statement. Van province, which outlawed Kurdistan catch the assailants. camp. Netanyahu, in power could grow to 36. FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 ISLAM 05 The last ten nights of Ramadan One of the greatest distinctions of these ten special nights is that one of them is Laylat Al Qadr. This is the greatest night of the year— better than a thousand months. This means that a Muslim can earn more rewards on the Night of Power than he would if — excluding this special night — he were to worship his Lord for eighty-four years straight. This is one of the immense favours Allah has bestowed upon the Muslim community.

SALMAN AL OUDAH her), the Prophet’s wife, relates that the Prophet woke her up one night and he last ten nights of Ramadan are said: “Glory be to Allah. What has been very special. The first of these sent down of trials during this night? Tnights occurs on the eve of the What has been sent down of treasures, 21st day of Ramadan. In other words, so that the denizens of the bed- it is the night that commences after the chambers will be awakened? O Lord! completion of the 20th day of fasting. To be clothed in this world by naked Sometimes there are only nine in the Hereafter.” (Bukhari) nights, whenever the month of During the last ten nights of Ramadan lasts for only 29 days. Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Nevertheless, they are still tradi- would wake up his wives to pray for a tionally referred to as “the last ten much longer portion of the night than nights”. The last ten nights of Ramadan during the rest of the year. are very special. These are the nights that the Prophet Muhammad (peace Exerting in worship be upon him) would spend in constant Aisha (may Allah be pleased with worship. her) tells us: “The Prophet (PBUH) Among these nights is Laylat Al would exert himself in worship during Qadr (the Night of Power) — a night the last ten nights more than at any more blessed than a thousand months. other time of the year.” (Muslim) The Prophet (PBUH) used to single The great jurist, Al Shafi’i, declares: these nights out for worship and the “It is Sunnah for one to exert greater performance of good deeds. efforts in worship during the last ten He would exert himself in worship nights of Ramadan.” When Aisha (may during these ten nights more than any Allah be pleased with her) tells us that other nights of the year. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would Prophet's (PBUH) wife Aisha (may “tighten his waist belt”, she is speaking nights during the last ten nights of Laylat al-Qadr from other nights. A person observing i’tikaf does not Allah be pleased with her) tells us: figuratively. The phrase means to set Ramadan.” (Bukhari & Muslim) The things that distinguish this leave the mosque except for what is “During the last ten nights of Ramadan, about to devote oneself fully and It is most likely one of the last seven night from other nights are part of the absolutely necessary. the Prophet (peace be upon him) would wholeheartedly to the task at hand. odd nights. Ibn Umar relates that Unseen. tighten his waist belt and spend the One of the greatest distinctions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: Allah says: Surely We revealed it Generosity night in worship. He would also wake these ten special nights is that one of “Look for it in the last ten nights. If one on a blessed night. Surely We ever wish It is encouraged for us to be extra up his family.” (Al Bukhari) them is Laylat Al Qadr. This is the of you falls weak or unable to do so, to warn (against evil) — On this night, generous during the last ten nights of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with greatest night of the year – better than then he should at least try on the seven every wise matter is made distinct. Ramadan, without being extravagant her) also said: “I had never known a thousand months. This means that a remaining nights.” (Muslim) (Dukhan 44: 3-4) or ostentatious in our giving. Ibn Abbas Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) Muslim can earn more rewards on the The most likely candidate for Laylat God says in the Quran: Laylat Al relates that: “Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) to read the entire Quran in a single Night of Power than he would if – Al Qadr is the 27th night of Ramadan. Qadr is better than a thousand months. was the most generous of all people in night, or to spend the whole night in excluding this special night – he were This is indicated by the statement of The angels and the Spirit descend doing good, and he was at his most prayer up until the morning, or to to worship his Lord for eighty-four Ubayy ibn Ka’b: “I swear by Allah that therein, by the permission of their Lord, generous during the month of spend a whole month in fasting — years straight. This is one of the I know which night it is. It is the night with every decree. (This night is) peace, Ramadan. Gabriel used to meet with except in Ramadan.” (Nasai’ & Ibn immense favours Allah has bestowed in which Allah’s Messenger (peace be until the rising of the dawn. (Al Qadr him every year throughout the month Majah) upon the Muslim community. upon him) ordered us to observe in 97: 3-5) of Ramadan, so the Prophet could When we say that the Prophet Imam Ibrahim Al Nakhai says: prayer. It is the night on the eve of the These are the ways in which Laylat recite the Quran to him. Whenever Muhammad (PBUH) spent the whole “Good works performed on this night 27th of Ramadan. Its sign is that the Al Qadr is special. They are not things Gabriel met with him, he became more night in worship, we should qualify it. are better than those performed con- sun will rise in the morning of that day that we can see with our eyes. No one generous than a beneficial breeze.” This is because he would spend some sistently for a thousand months.” white without exuding any rays.” after the Prophet can see the angels. (Bukhari & Muslim) time eating dinner, partaking of his Abu Hurayrah relates that the (Muslim) The Prophet (PBUH) used to Al Nawawi states: “Generosity and pre-dawn meal, and other similar Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever spends A Muslim should seek out this observe a retreat in the mosque during open-handedness are strongly activities. However, he would spend Laylat Al Qadr in prayer, believing in special night by spending the last ten the last ten nights of Ramadan up until encouraged in Ramadan, especially most of the night in worship. Allah and seeking His reward, will be nights of Ramadan engaged in various he died. His wives continued to observe during the last ten nights. By doing so, forgiven all of his past sins.” (Bukhari acts of worship. These include reciting this practice after his death.” (Bukhari we emulate the example of Allah’s Mes- Waking up the family & Muslim) the remembrances of Allah, reading & Muslim) senger (PBUH) as well as of our Pious Aisha (may Allah be pleased with “Believing in Allah”, in this hadith, the Quran, and begging Allah's The practice of i`tikaf is a strongly Predecessors. Also, this month is noble, her) informs us that the Prophet (PBUH) means not only to believe in God, but forgiveness. recommended act. It is defined as and good works carried out in this used to wake up his family during the to believe in the reward that we are It is best for us to strive hard on all remaining in retreat in the mosque for month are more blessed than they are last ten nights of Ramadan. Indeed, he promised for observing prayer on this ten nights, because the Prophet (PBUH) the express purpose of worship. The at any other time. used to wake up his wives for prayer night. said: “The way we “look for” Laylat Al purpose of doing so is to devote one’s Also, during this month, people are throughout the year, but that was so Laylat Al Qadr (the Night of Power) Qadr is by engaging in extra worship.” heart exclusively to Allah. The person preoccupied with fasting and worship, that they could pray for a small fraction is on one of the odd nights. Aisha (may When the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Look engaging in i`tikaf keeps this intention and this distracts them from their live- of the night. Allah be pleased with her) relates that for it in the last ten nights” he did not close to mind and seeks God’s blessings. lihood, so they might need some We know this, because Umm Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: mean that we should literally “look for” He should not forget the reason why assistance during this time.” Salamah (may Allah be pleased with “Seek out Laylat Al Qadr in the odd signs and indications that distinguish he is observing this retreat. Courtesy:onislam.net Significance and rules of Zakat Al Fitr in Islam akat Al Fitr is also known The intention of as Sadaqatul Fitr. The paying Zakat Al Zword Fitr means the same as Iftar which is breaking a fast. Fitr is to bring So, Zakat Al Fitr is the name given to charity which is dis- happiness to the tributed at the end of the fast of poor on the day Ramadan. Zakat Al Fitr is the Wajib or of Eid. Ibn Abbas we can say it is a duty on every reported that: “The Muslim to pay it before offering Eid prayer. However, it can be Prophet (PBUH) paid earlier than that to enable made Zakat Al Fitr the poor to provide their needs for the Eid day. compulsory so that The main aim of Zakat Al those who fasted Fitr is to provide the poor with their needs and make them may be purified happy on the blessed day of Eid of their idle deeds Al Fitr. The intention of paying and shameful talk Zakat Al Fitr is to bring hap- piness to the poor on the day of (committed during Eid. And to do that we may pay Ramadan) and so it a little in advance as much as this is necessary to make it on or adult. A man who is the head by Zakat in the circulation of of community. The rich are during Ramadan) and so that that the poor may time to the poor. of a family pays for himself and wealth within the Islamic obliged to come in direct the poor may be fed. Whoever be fed. Zakat Al Fitr is a seasonal for whomever he shelters, society is also played by the contact with the poor, and the gives it before Salah will have payment that has a special unless they have enough money Zakat Al Fitr. But in the case of poor are put in contact with the it accepted as Zakat, while he time-related objective that is of their own, to give out Zakat Zakat Al Fitr, each individual extremely poor which helps to who gives it after the Salah has Paying Zakat Al Fitr is an act why it must stick to this time Al Fitr in Ramadan. is required to calculate how build real bonds of brotherhood given Sadaqat.” (Abu Dawud) of worship, and all acts of frame. It becomes obligatory It is stated in hadith in these much charity is due from and love within the Islamic The amount of Zakat Al Fitr worship are described through from sunset on the last day of words: “Prophet Muhammad himself and his dependents community. is the same for everyone the Quran and Sunnah of fasting and remains obligatory (peace be upon him) made it and go into the community in Ibn Abbas reported that: regardless of their different Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). until the beginning of Salat Al incumbent on all the free order to find those who “The Prophet (PBUH) made income brackets. The May Allah accept our fasts and Eid. Muslims, male or female, to pay deserve such charity. Zakat Al Fitr compulsory so that minimum amount is one Sa’ of give us the strength to complete Zakat Al Fitr is an obligation one Sa’ of dates or barley as So, we can say that Zakat Al those who fasted may be food, barley, grain or dried them in a better way by paying which is due to the free or slave Zakat Al Fitr” (Bukhari). Fitr plays an important role in purified of their idle deeds and fruit for each member of the Zakat Al Fitr. Ameen! Muslim, male or female, young The significant role played the development of the bonds shameful talk (committed family. www.quranreading.com 06 AFRICA FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 7 UN agencies urge Libya ceasefire to contain coronavius

AP — UNITED NATIONS The agencies said UN of Libya in their quest for peace refugees “is especially said, “at least 15 attacks have prevention measures including has verified 113 cases and in this moment of great alarming,” with more than damaged health facilities and hand washing. Seven UN agencies called on need.” 3,200 people intercepted at sea ambulances and injured health They also said humanitarian Wednesday for a ceasefire in of “grave violations” Libya has been in turmoil since January having been care workers.” groups reported 851 incidents Libya to try to stop the spread in Libya over the past since 2011, when a civil war returned to Libya. The United Latest assessments found in which their personnel and aid of the coronavirus, saying the toppled long-time dictator Nations has repeatedly said the that as a result of the spread of items were constrained from international community “must year, including the Moammar Gadhafi, who was country is not safe and they the coronavirus, most cities in entering Libya or moving within not turn a blind eye to the killing and wounding later killed. The country has should not be returned to Libya “are facing shortages of the country. conflict” in the North African since split between rival admin- detention. basic food items coupled with The signatories of the nation where 64 cases of of children and istrations in the east and the “Many end up in one of the an increase in prices,” the statement were UN humani- COVID-19 have been confirmed. attacks on schools west, each backed by armed 11 official detention centers,” agencies said. tarian chief Mark Lowcock, UN In a joint statement, the and health facilities. groups and foreign countries. they agency heads said. “Others They urged continued refugee chief Filippo Grandi, heads of the agencies said the In April 2019, eastern-based are taken to facilities or unof- support for food availability, World Health Organization confirmed cases include three forces under military com- ficial detention centres to which saying this is essential “so that Director-General Tedros deaths and have been reported country” and backed UN Sec- mander Khalifa Haftar launched the humanitarian community this health crisis does not Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Unicef in different parts of Libya, retary-General Antonio an offensive trying to capture does not have access.” worsen by becoming a food Executive Director Henrietta showing that “the risk of further Guterres’ call for a global cease- the capital, Tripoli, and fighting The agencies said the UN crisis.” Fore, UN Population Fund Exec- escalation of the outbreak is fire to tackle the pandemic, between forces loyal to Haftar has verified 113 cases of “grave The agencies also urged utive Director Natalia Kanem, very high.” which is especially needed now and the UN-recognised gov- violations” in Libya over the protection for vital water sup- World Food Program Executive They said the conflict is in Libya. ernment based in Tripoli have past year, including the killing plies, which have been deliber- Director David Beasley, and having a “catastrophic effect on The agencies asked donors recently intensified. and wounding of children and ately targeted or indiscrimi- International Organization for civilians, including migrants to “continue to show their gen- The agencies said the situ- attacks on schools and health nately attacked. They noted Migration Director-General and refugees, across the erosity and stand by the people ation for many migrants and facilities. Since January, they water is crucial for basic virus António Vitorino. Burundi kicks out Coronavirus cases in Africa top WHO official in surpass 70,000 country ahead of vote ANATOLIA — ADDIS ABABA Coronavirus cases in Africa AP — KIGALI, RWANDA election campaigning in rose to 72,336 as the tiny Burundi began late last month, enclave state of Lesotho in Burundi is kicking out the images circulated online of Southern Africa reported its World Health Organization’s crowded political rallies with first infection yesterday, the top official in the country just President Pierre Nkurunziza in Africa Centres for Disease days before the presidential attendance. Control and Prevention said. election and after the WHO Moeti messaged the head The death toll in the con- raised concerns about crowded of the Africa Centers for tinent has risen to 2,475 while political rallies. Disease Control and Prevention the number of recoveries have A foreign ministry letter about it, the Africa CDC chief reached 25,270. seen by AP says the WHO rep- has said. North Africa continues to resentative to Burundi, Walter The Africa CDC chief, John be the hardest-hit of the five Kazadi Mulombo, has been Nkengasong, yesterday called geographic regions in terms of declared persona non grata Burundi’s action “unfortunate” number of cases with 24,300 and must leave the East African and said any differences should followed by West Africa nation by Friday. The letter be addressed by dialogue 21,500, Southern Africa Supporters of Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the says three WHO experts also instead of actions that affect 13,000, East Africa 7,100 and Defense of Democracy, attend a campaign rally of their presidential candidate Evariste Ndayishimiye must go. the pandemic response. “We Central Africa 6,500. at the Bugendana Stadium in Gitega Province, Burundi, on April 27, 2020. The letter gave no expla- don’t have the luxury of kicking In terms of death toll, nation for the expulsions. out the WHO,” he told North Africa has 1,300, West Reached by phone and asked reporters. “This war has to be antine facilities. cannot ensure that... then it’s rigging. This is not the first time 452, Central 247, Southern for details, Foreign Minister won in a coordinated fashion, Burundi is using virus gonna put you in danger.” Burundi’s government has Africa 238 and East Africa 222. Ezechiel Nibigira hung up yes- and coordination is key. We’re restrictions to limit election Burundi’s previous election expelled a United Nations More than 9,500 patients terday morning. The WHO rep- in dire need of expertise.... We observers, however, telling the in 2015 sparked deadly political official. It kicked out the UN in North Africa, 6,300 in West, resentative, Mulombo, did not encourage countries to do the East African regional bloc that turmoil as Nkurunziza success- human rights office a year ago 5,000 in Southern Africa, immediately respond to phone right thing.” any arriving foreigners would fully ran for a third term that after the UN repeatedly raised 2,500 in East and 2,000 in calls. Burundi has 27 confirmed face a 14-day quarantine. The some said he had no right to concerns about killings and Central Africa have recovered. The WHO Africa regional cases of the coronavirus, but election is on May 20. pursue. other alleged abuses following South Africa recorded chief, Matshidiso Moeti, some citizens and others have Holding a vote that allows This time he is not running, the 2015 vote. 12,100 cases and Egypt 10,400 described Mulombo as an raised concerns that more the virus to spread could make but critics have accused the Burundi also became the but the death toll in Egypt is “extremely competent person” exist. Authorities have been it “extremely difficult” for a ruling party of targeting the first country to leave the Inter- much higher — 556 — than and said the WHO was com- accused of downplaying the country to contain it later, the leading opposition party and national Criminal Court after South Africa’s 219. municating with Burundi “to virus and relying on divine pro- Africa CDC chief said. “If an its supporters ahead of the ICC judges authorized an inves- In East Africa Sudan and clarify and understand the rea- tection, while rights groups election is conducted that vote. Some fear further unrest tigation into allegations of state- Somalia have suffered from soning for the decision they have alleged squalid conditions limits space for people to come if this election’s results are dis- sponsored crimes including fatalities the most at 90 and have taken.” The day that and lack of access to quar- together, it’s OK. But if you puted over allegations of murder, rape and torture. 52, respectively. Militants kill five 12 ‘terrorism’ suspects found soldiers in dead in Burkina Faso prison northeast Nigeria AFP — OUAGADOUGOU possible explanation was AFP — KANO, NIGERIA asphyxiation. Twelve people detained on Independent sources said Militants have killed five suspicion of terrorism were most of those detained were soldiers in an attack on a found dead in their police cells ethnic Fula, who are regularly military outpost in restive in west of Burkina Faso, the accused of having links with northeast Nigeria, army local prosecutor said on militant groups. sources said yesterday. Wednesday. In July 2019, 11 people sus- Fighters from the Islamic The prosecutor for the town pected of drug trafficking were State West Africa Province of Fada N’Gourma said in a found dead in a single cell (ISWAP) in several trucks statement that 25 people had while in custody of the national opened fire on troops at a been detained overnight police’s drugs squad. checkpoint outside the town Monday and “unfortunately, 12 Burkina Faso’s security of Mainok in Borno state on of them have died during the forces have regularly been Wednesday, they said. course of the night in the cells accused of mistreating Fula “We lost five soldiers in the they were being held in.” people. surprise attack on the check- An investigation has been On May 2, a Fula teacher point,” a military officer, who launched and officers of the was found dead in a police did not want to be named, said. judicial police are at the scene station in Ouagadougou, Troops from the town Queuing up for COVID-19 test as well as health officials, the according to the Burkinabe Men line up as health officials conduct COVID-19 screening and testing drive at the Wolhuter men’s intercepted the militants, statement said. human rights organisation, hostel in the Jeppestown district of Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday. leading to a gunfight in which Security sources said one MBDHP. “some of the terrorists” were killed and two vehicles fitted with machine guns were Namibia bans car perks for recovered, he said. Lesotho PM can be fired if he fails to quit: Party Another military source politicians for virus spending said the five soldiers manning AFP — MASERU, LESOTHO His own All Basotho Convention Thabane and his then wife the checkpoint were “out- AFP — WINDHOEK (ABC) party said the king can fire Lipolelo Thabane, 58, were going gunned” by the insurgents. Lesotho’s beleaguered prime Thabane as he has not quit. through a bitter divorce when she The militants were said to Namibia’s president yesterday slapped a five-year minister can be sacked by the king “The constitution says if the was shot and killed outside her have taken three military ban on buying new cars for top politicians and if he does not resign before May 22, prime minister has lost support in home two days before her husband’s vehicles away. government officials in order to channel funds into his party said yesterday. parliament, the speaker will advise 2017 inauguration. The army said on late fighting coronavirus, his office said. The tiny southern African nation His Majesty,” ABC chairman Samuel Police have since found Wednesday its troops killed President Hage Geingob “has directed that the has been gripped by political turmoil Rapapa said. Thabane’s mobile number in com- nine “Boko Haram terrorists” vehicle fleet of the Namibian government will not be over accusations that premier “The king has authority to munications records from the crime in an ambush, outside Mainok. renewed for the period 2020-2025,” presidential Thomas Thabane may have had a remove him now that the report has scene. Spokesman Sagir Musa spokesperson Alfredo Hengari announced in a hand in the killing of his former wife. been submitted by the speaker that That prompted rivals within and said two soldiers were “slightly statement. Thabane had told AFP that he Thabane no longer commands the outside his party to demand his wounded” in the encounter, “No new vehicles will be purchased for members intended to hand in his resignation majority,” Rapapa said, replying to immediate resignation. without mentioning any fatal- of the executive and public office bearers in the to the country’s supreme traditional a question about what would He briefly appeared in court in ities from troops. Namibian government.” He said the decision would leader, King Letsie III, on happen if Thabane does not resign February but he was not formally Mainok, which lies along save some 200 million Namibian dollars ($10.7m), Wednesday. by May 22 — the date parliament charged and it is yet to be decided the 120 km highway linking which will be directed “to urgent priorities, specifi- But yesterday, the prime minis- reconvenes. if he enjoys immunity or not. Maiduguri and Damaturu, the cally at a time when the country is dealing with the ter’s spokesman Relebohile Moyeye “We are now expecting the king Thabane, whose five-year term capital of neighbouring Yobe health and economic implications of COVID-19”. said he had not “received infor- to remove the prime minister. As to was due to run until 2022, said he state, is an ISWAP stronghold. The southern African country of 2.5 million people mation that the PM has resigned”. when, we don’t know,” Rapapa said. felt ready to leave and was tying up The area has seen an has so far recorded 16 cases of COVID-19, with no Thabane’s coalition government Thabane, 80, who faces possible loose ends to ensure his retirement upsurge in abductions of deaths. Namibian ministers and their deputies each collapsed in parliament on Monday, prosecution over the killing of his was “as smooth as possible”. civilians, prompting increased qualify for Mercedes-Benz vehicles upon their paving the way for the creation of a ex-wife, told AFP in a telephone Thabane’s party has nominated military deployments to con- appointment. The President also directed a limit on new one and the appointment of a interview that he is retiring because Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro front the insurgents. monthly fuel consumption for top politicians. successor premier. of old age. as his successor. FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 ASIA 07 WHO has ‘forgotten’ neutrality by barring Taiwan: V-P

REUTERS — TAIPEI Unfortunately, because epidemiologist, said the WHO “On the Wuhan pneumonia, them and hope that they can island is part of China. of political reasons, had been putting politics above we mostly criticise them for contain the Wuhan pneumonia There is no legal basis for a The World Health Organization health. acting too slowly,” he said, as early as possible and avoid a “non-sovereign region” to par- (WHO) has “forgotten” its Taiwan’s 23 million “Unfortunately, because of referring to the central Chinese second wave,” said Chen, who ticipate as an observer, Zhao professionalism and neutrality people have become political reasons, Taiwan’s 23 city where the virus first leaves office when President added. in locking Taiwan out of the million people have become emerged late last year, before Tsai Ing-wen is sworn in for her The United States has body for political reasons, orphans in the global orphans in the global health spreading worldwide to infect second term next week. repeatedly clashed with China Taiwan Vice-President Chen health system: Chen system,” he told reporters at the 4.3 million people and kill Taiwan has lobbied to over its refusal to allow Chien-jen said yesterday. presidential office in Taipei. 295,000. attend next week’s meeting of Taiwan full access to the body, Taiwan says China and the Chien-jen “The WHO pays too much Chen, who was Taiwan’s the WHO’s decision-making helping to further fuel tension WHO have conspired for attention to politics and has for- health minister during the World Health Assembly as an between Washington and political purposes to keep it out accusations, saying Taiwan has gotten their professionalism and 2002-2003 SARS crisis, said the observer, but China objects. Beijing. of key meetings, that the WHO been given all the help it neutrality. This is quite world needed to be cautious In Beijing, foreign ministry Taiwan’s tally of 440 virus has not responded to requests needed, but that only China, regrettable.” with China’s virus numbers, and spokesman Zhao Lijian said infections and seven deaths is for coronavirus information and which claims democratic While the WHO has done urged Beijing to be more Taiwan’s basis for partici- far lower than many of its has misreported the number of Taiwan as one of its provinces, good work and contributed to transparent. pation in the WHO was neighbours, thanks to early and its infections. has the right to fully represent world health in the past, its He wished China well in its damaged by the refusal of its effective prevention work and The WHO and China have it in the WHO. record on the virus has not been fight, however. ruling Democratic Progressive an efficient public health strongly dispute the Chen, a US-trained as good, Chen added. “Here I give my blessings to Party to recognise that the system.

Speeding bus kills Spike in coronavirus Indian migrant cases in Guwahati workers trying to walk home and Hyderabad REUTERS — NEW DELHI

IANS — GUWAHATI disease. These include a A speeding bus ran over and 16-year-old girl in Guwahati, killed six Indian migrant Amid a sudden jump of 22 fresh who was found to be infected a workers as they tried to walk COVID-19 positive cases in day after her death on May 7. home, police said yesterday, Assam’s main city of Guwahati Sarma said that seven days after the death of a group in the past 24 hours, the state’s persons, including three cancer of migrants who fell asleep on main health centre — Guwahati patients and a 13-year-old girl a railway line shocked the Medical College and Hospital who recently underwent heart country. (GMCH) — would be opened for surgery in Mumbai, recently Five others were injured in the admission of the new returned to Guwahati and the accident late on patients from today after a tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, which comes as week, Assam’s Health Minister yesterday. The other three are tens of thousands of distressed said yesterday. the patients’ attendants. migrants try to get home after The GMCH was closed for He said that after the central work — and most public new patients after a doctor, who government withdrew the travel transport — vanished over- is also a postgraduate student restrictions, 4,700 Assam resi- A Railway Protection forces policeman issues medical certificated to stranded migrant workers as night when India imposed a at the GMCH, tested COVID-19 dents and 6,412 people bound for they wait with their belongings to board a special train to Bihar from MGR Central railway station lockdown in late March. positive on May 7. other northeastern states entered after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the The men were walking Health Minister Himanta into the state by road from dif- COVID-19, in Chennai, India, yesterday. from the northern state of Biswa Sarma while briefing the ferent parts of the country Haryana to their home state media said that 22 more fresh leading to the 18 COVID-19 pos- also holds the Assam Finance welfare, 13 patients were dis- deceased also shows that about of Bihar hundreds of miles coronavirus cases were itive cases in Assam. Department. charged from hospitals fol- 80 per cent of them were aged away, said Abhishek Yadav, a reported in Guwahati on “Without classifying the Meanwhile, the COVID-19 lowing their recovery. This took above 50 years. A child in the senior police official. Wednesday and yesterday, areas as Red Zone or Orange cases in Telangana continued the number of total recoveries 0-9 year age group and a man Neither the labour nor the taking the total COVID-19 pos- Zone or Green Zone, the Assam to surge as the state reported 47 to 952. The number of active in 30-39 group were among the road transport and highway itive cases in the state to 86, government specifies the areas new cases yesterday, taking the cases now stands at 428. deceased. ministries responded to though active cases are 43 and as containment zone in the tally to 1,414. No deaths were reported on The data shows five of those requests for comment. while 40 people were dis- exact areas where COVID-19 Out of the fresh cases, Thursday. The death toll died were in the 40-49 age Dozens of migrant charged from hospitals after positive cases are found. If we Greater Hyderabad accounted remains at 34. According to the group. There were nine in the workers have fallen sick or they recovered from the con- declare a Red Zone or Orange for 40 while neighbouring Ranga data released by the health 50-59 age group. Seven of the died on their way home, tiguous virus and a patient Zone in big areas then business, Reddy reported five cases. Two department, 27 of those died of dead were aged between 60 either from fatigue or in acci- migrated to Bihar. economic activities would be migrants also tested positive. COVID-19 were male while the and 69 years while nine dents, underscoring the In Assam, two people have affected and people would According to the director of remaining were female. belonged to the 70-79 age extreme risks the poor have so far died of the dreaded suffer more,” said Sarma, who public health and family Age-wise distribution of the group. been exposed to under measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Yesterday, India’s Finance Indonesia’s chronic testing lag undermines fight against COVID-19 Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said it was up to individual REUTERS — JAKARTA Indonesia reported 568 new We can only judge them (the Health experts have urged capital, but across the sprawling states to take care of migrants, coronavirus cases yesterday, patients) from clinical Jakarta to rapidly increase its country. “Early detection by including providing them More than a month after Indo- taking the total to 16,006, with symptoms,” he said, attributing testing rate to determine the rapid testing should take place freshly cooked meals. nesian President Joko Widodo 1,043 deaths. It has so far con- the delay to limited equipment true spread of the virus across in every small district. Local “As regards migrants who promised to ramp up corona- ducted around 50 tests per capacity. the Indonesian archipelago, clinics should take control, are walking, it is very, very virus testing, medical workers 100,000 people, compared with COVID-19 is the lung saying that without sufficient instead of (centralised) rapid touchy and there is a tug at my are complaining of persistent 2,500 per 100,000 in neigh- disease caused by the new data the full extent of the testing,” he said. heart when I watch this,” she delays in the process. bouring Singapore. coronavirus. COVID-19 outbreak will remain “It should be organized at said at a press conference as The Southeast Asian “We can’t even get the President Widodo promised unknown. the community level, working she announced a package of nation, the world’s fourth results after two weeks,” in April that 10,000 tests would In between his rounds at together with the district aid to help migrant workers. most populous, has the Meneldi Rasmin, a consulting be performed each day, but the Persahabatan Hospital where authority.” “But it is up to state gov- highest coronavirus death toll doctor at Persahabatan Hospital goal is yet to be reached, with medical staff move about in A health ministry official has ernments — from where they in East Asia outside China, in Jakarta, said. testing rates on average hov- white protective gear, Rasmin said that more than 33,000 are moving to where they are and one of the lowest global “So we cannot determine ering at less than half that called for testing capacities to patients are suspected of having moving — to make those testing rates. whether it’s COVID-19 or not. figure. be scaled up not only in the the novel coronavirus. provisions.” Vietnam in all out effort to avoid first virus death Bangladesh says virus detected REUTERS — HANOI in Rohingya refugee camp

Vietnam has mounted an REUTERS — DHAKA Aid workers have warned all-out effort to save the life of of a potential humanitarian dis- its most critically ill novel coro- The novel coronavirus has been aster if there is a significant navirus patient, a British pilot detected in one of the camps in outbreak in the refugee camps who works for Vietnam Airlines, southern Bangladesh that are outside Cox’s Bazar. the national carrier. home to more than a million Dr. Shamim Jahan, Save the Through aggressive testing Rohingya refugees, officials Children’s Health Director in and a mass, centralised quar- said yesterday, as humanitarian Bangladesh, said in a statement antine programme, the groups warned that the that healthcare capacity in the Southeast Asian country has infection could devastate the country had already been over- kept its tally of coronavirus crowded settlement. whelmed by the virus. cases to just 288 and has An ethnic Rohingya refugee “There are only an esti- reported no deaths. and another person have tested mated 2,000 ventilators in all Little expense has been positive for COVID-19, a senior of Bangladesh, serving a pop- spared to try save the life of the Bangladeshi official and a UN ulation of 160 million people. 43-year-old man, identified spokeswoman said. It was the In the Rohingya refugee camps only as “Patient 91”, who caught first confirmed case in the — home to nearly a million the coronavirus at a bar in the camps, which are more densely people - there are no intensive southern business hub of Ho Chi populated than most crowded care beds at this moment,” he Minh City in mid-March, state cities on earth. said. media reported. “Today they have been “Now that the virus has More than 4,000 people taken to an isolation centre entered the world’s largest connected to the cluster were after they tested positive,” refugee settlement in Cox’s tested, with 18 of them found to Mahbub Alam Talukder, the Bazaar we are looking at the be infected with the An aerial view of morning hour traffic is seen along a busy road in Hanoi, yesterday. Refugee Relief and Repatri- very real prospect that thou- coronavirus. ation Commissioner, said by sands of people may die from While most have recovered, where the government has won transplant lungs donated by Deputy health minister phone. COVID-19. This pandemic the British pilot is on life broad support for its campaign most living people,” a repre- Nguyen Truong Son told media The other patient was from could set Bangladesh back by support and his condition has to contain the coronavirus. sentative of the Vietnam last month that Vietnam had the “host population”, a term decades.” deteriorated significantly. Yesterday, state media said National Coordinating Centre imported specialist medicine usually used to refer to locals Health facilities lack staff On Tuesday, the health min- 10 people, including a 70-year- for Human Organ Transplan- from overseas to treat blood living outside the camps, the and space, while people in istry held a meeting with old military veteran, had vol- tation (VNHOT) told the Tuoi clots in the patient, but to no UN spokeswoman said. the camps do not have experts from top hospitals and unteered themselves as lung Tre newspaper. avail. Coronavirus infections enough soap and water or decided that the only way to donors, but had been turned The patient has just 10 Vietnam has spent more have been gathering pace in space to protect themselves, save the man’s life was with a down by state doctors. percent of his lung capacity left than five billion dong recent days in Bangladesh, said Manish Agrawal, Bang- lung transplant. “We are touched by their and has been on life support for ($200,000) trying to save him, which has reported 18,863 ladesh Country Director at His case has garnered good intentions, but current more than 30 days, Tuoi Tre the Vietnam News Agency cases of COVID-19 and 283 the International Rescue national interest in Vietnam, regulations don’t allow us to said. (VNA) reported. deaths. Committee. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL It’s time to reform the UN Fight against COVID-19 PROJECT SYNDICATE - PS to the post-pandemic recovery, UNESCO’s WHILE Qatar’s early response to the outbreak of the leaders must ask themselves probing ques- coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been lauded for The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed tions: What are we doing to preserve cul- being effective and coherent, the country’s strategy many institutional weaknesses, but above tural values? How can we protect human against the pandemic has continued to evolve ever all, it has shown that the United Nations is rights, including the right to education? since. As the State and the region as a whole have expe- in urgent need of reform. In particular, the How can we lead the scientific community rienced a surge in COVID-19 infection in recent weeks, response of the World Health Organization and prevent another pandemic? Should the authorities in Qatar have responded by redoubling – the UN’s global health agency – to the there be more regional diversification to the COVID-19 prevention, detection and treatment virus has revealed obvious shortcomings, ensure it serves all member states, and efforts, and have expanded the health sector’s capacity which reflect a lack of international does the leadership reflect this? Only by to successfully handle the patient load. consensus and cooperation, as well as addressing such challenges successfully In addition to existing network of hospitals and widespread protectionism on the part of its will UNESCO and other UN agencies primary health centers, the authorities have set up fully- stakeholders. remain relevant in a post-COVID-19 world. equipped field hospitals as a contingency plan. A Nowhere has criticism of the WHO Reform of the UN should start at the top 200-bed field hospital has been set up in the Industrial been louder or more pronounced than in with the Security Council, whose five per- Area while a 504-bed facility has been made functional the United States, where President Donald manent members – China, France, Russia, at Libsear military camp. Trump’s recent decision to freeze US the United Kingdom, and the US – continue The Industrial Area field hospital, which was con- funding for the organization delivered a to exert veto-wielding power commen- ceived and built for the local population after the area devastating blow at a time when it was surate with a bygone age. Expanding the H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari was placed on lockdown, has a dedicated section for desperately in need of support. What the Council’s permanent membership to COVID-19 patients and can receive up to 3,000 patients UN does next, and how it recovers from its include other countries – from Asia, Africa, daily. It is manned by 200 medical and paramedical failure to coordinate effectively during the Latin America, and the Middle East – staff and also has an ambulance station. COVID-19 crisis, will determine its role in would deliver a more equitable balance to The Libsear field hospital, which will receive the post-pandemic world. global decision-making. COVID-19 patients exclusively, is a success story in I consider myself a son of the UN and a And such change is justified. For itself. It has been built within three weeks, as a result staunch supporter of its values and prin- The United Nations’ failure example, India is set to become the world’s of collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health ciples. Over a period of more than four most populous country during this decade, and the Ministry of Defence. decades, I undertook various roles within to coordinate effectively Japan has the world’s third-largest The surge in the number of confirmed COVID-19 its mammoth bureaucracy, starting in 1974 during the COVID-19 crisis economy, and South Africa and Nigeria patients in the country in recent weeks is because the with my appointment as Qatar’s delegate to will bring about a difficult have by far the largest economies in the region is going through the peak phase of the outbreak, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural continent with the fastest-growing but is also the result of increased testing. The country has Organization (UNESCO) and ending in period of reckoning and population. conducted more than 140,000 COVID-19 tests to date. 2017, when I failed by a single vote to tough decisions for the Equally, UN agencies need to ensure Authorities are also carrying out random tests in dif- become UNESCO Director-General. that citizens of the country in which they ferent localities, supermarkets, private hospitals and For much of this time, the UN consist- organization. are based do not fill their top positions. Too residential complexes. Random testing is helping author- ently provided hope for a better future. Its often, an organization’s choice of lead- ities determine the spread and flow of the infection in specialized agencies and organizations ership calls its legitimacy and inde- the community and detect asymptomatic cases. played a vital role in preserving world pendence into question. We need look no By aggressively tracing and testing contacts of con- peace, preventing international conflicts, failure of global politics – is likely to usher further than my own region – the Middle firmed cases, authorities aim to reach positive cases eliminating colonialism, and protecting in a period of significant change East – to see the harmful effects that such as early as possible to help break the chain of trans- human rights. throughout the world. I believe we are decisions can have. mission and reduce the spread of the infection in the More recently, however, the UN’s role heading toward a new and more diverse For example, the Cairo-based Arab community. And they have been largely successful in has been steadily declining, and its global order, in which international gov- League was once hailed as a platform for this, as approximately 25 percent of those tested influence on world events and govern- ernance is no longer driven by any one Arab cooperation, but the continuing through contact-tracing have been found positive. This ments has waned. Once the world’s pre- country or set of political values. appointment of a member of the Egyptian high percentage shows the effectiveness of the contact- eminent moderator and arbitrator, it has During the COVID-19 crisis, interna- government as the organization’s Secretary tracing mechanism and that the right people are being become too constrained by old concepts tional solidarity has failed, as each country General signaled its demise. By seeking to tested. and doctrines to be the truly effective, col- has sought to protect its own interests. When make the League an extension of the Qatar’s mortality rate of 0.05 percent — 14 deaths laborative global governing body that its the world eventually emerges from the pan- Egyptian state, the country’s leaders have out of more than 26,000 confirmed cases to date — is founders envisioned. It can no longer instill demic, there will be inquests, finger pointing, rendered the body politically obsolete and among the lowest in the world, and a testament to the respect among governments for interna- and even scapegoating. The UN will need to reduced it to a hollow discussion forum. effectiveness of the country’s COVID-19 prevention tional legitimacy, international law, and the weather this storm, but I think that, in the The COVID-19 pandemic should serve strategy. maintenance of global peace and security, end, it will be helped by a renewed appreci- as the necessary starting point for UN as it did after both World War II and the ation for the collective community that we reform. If it does not, then I fear that the collapse of the Soviet Union, for example. previously worked so hard to build. organization to which I dedicated much of Put simply, the world has changed and Still, this period of reckoning will be my professional career, and whose values I the UN has failed to keep up. The twenty- difficult for the UN, because tough deci- hold in the highest regard, will be unable to first century’s turbo-charged political, eco- sions will need to be made. The organi- find a secure place in today’s world, let D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR nomic, and cultural fluidity has left the zation will need to abandon its old mindset alone regain its former glory. once-powerful organization exposed, with and move in directions that it may find EMAIL: [email protected] few friends left to defend it. uncomfortable. H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari is a But this decline does not mean that the For example, bodies such as UNESCO Minister of State of Qatar with the rank of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 UN is destined for history’s scrap heap. If will need to demonstrate their contribution Deputy Prime Minister, President of the FAX: +974 4455 7758 the past is any guide, the response to the to the world more clearly. Because edu- Qatar National Library, and a former Qatari COVID-19 pandemic – a catastrophic cation, science, and culture will be critical ambassador to the United Nations. MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 Apple and Google’s tools alone aren’t enough for contact tracing LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 THE WASHINGTON POST built by states and localities, infected have encountered will fact that neither method, as will notify users who have allow them to decide which cit- long as it puts anonymity at the BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 Silicon Valley’s new motto come into contact with izens to notify and which to center and as long as it leaves during the coronavirus someone who has self- leave alone, as well as to location aside as most Western SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 pandemic is to move fast and reported a covid-19 diagnosis. analyze the types of interac- liberal democracies have fix things. Technologists have Many governments around the tions most likely to result in pledged, can come close to a ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 created contact tracing systems world are sparing themselves transmission. Those pushing substitution for manual efforts. email: [email protected] to help get us out of this crisis technical headaches by the decentralized model argue That doesn’t mean the systems and out of our houses, but the accepting the companies’ that proximity data isn’t as aren’t valuable, but their value PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 narrow debates surrounding vision as their own. Others are anonymous as it seems and so shouldn’t be overstated. email: [email protected] the inventions miss a reality: not, primarily because they could allow for too much gov- Contact tracing as tradi- Any digital solution to our want to control more data than ernment monitoring. They tionally conducted relies pre- ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 problem that’s sufficiently the companies will permit. argue further that the crucial cisely on a lack of anonymity. It FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] privacy-protective also won’t Those hanging on to ingredient to success is trust: requires knowing names, be sufficiently useful without a dreams of this so-called cen- The less like a dragnet a tracing addresses and routines to follow CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 lot of humans in the loop. tralized model include France tool looks, the more people will extended chains of transmission email: [email protected] Apple and Google have and Britain. Regulators in the use it - and use it in a way that’s and also cajole people, through built a Bluetooth-based tool U.K. argue that holding the helpful to stemming outbreaks. person-to-person interaction, SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 that, in combination with apps anonymized data of those the The dispute obscures the into behaving responsibly. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar The greatest challenge facing the /ThePeninsulaQatar Palestinians today is the Israeli threat of /Peninsula_Qatar annexation, which constitutes the last link of a systematic process to destroy /ThePeninsulaNewspaper the possibility of the establishment of a Palestinian state. +974 6698 6188 Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 ASIA 09 China rejects US claim of attempted vaccine theft AFP — BEIJING Judging from past records, the US has carried out the largest cybertheft operations Beijing accused the United States yesterday of smearing worldwide: Zhao Lijian China after Washington alleged Chinese hackers were attempting to steal research on to such smearing,” foreign min- Responding to US President developing a vaccine against istry spokesman Zhao Lijian Donald Trump’s reference to the coronavirus. told a regular press briefing. COVID-19 as the “Plague from The claims have added fuel “Judging from past records, China”, Zhao said the US to tensions between the global the US has carried out the should stop blaming and dis- superpowers, who have traded largest cybertheft operations crediting others, and focus on barbs over the origin of the worldwide,” Zhao said. their own prevention and pandemic that has killed He stressed that Beijing has control work. 300,000 people. significant achievements of its The virus first emerged in US authorities said on own in the fight against the the central Chinese city of Wednesday that Chinese pandemic. Wuhan late last year. hackers were trying to obtain China is “also leading the Trump has accused China coronavirus data on treatments world in COVID-19 vaccine of hiding the origins of the virus A medical worker taking a swab sample from a resident to be tested for the COVID-19 in Wuhan, in and vaccines, warning the effort research and treatment”, and and not cooperating with the China’s central Hubei province, yesterday. involved Chinese government- therefore has more reason to United States and other coun- affiliated groups and others. worry about cyber espionage tries in efforts to research and The FBI and the Cyberse- itself, Zhao said. fight the disease. curity and Infrastructure He added that the country Asked on Monday about Residents in Wuhan queue up for Security Agency said China’s has cracked down on cyber- reports that the US believed efforts posed a “significant hacking, and that any cyber Chinese hackers were targeting threat” to the US response to attack hindering the global fight US vaccine research, Trump COVID-19 mass-testing campaign COVID-19. against the pandemic should be replied: "What else is new with “China expresses strong dis- condemned by people around China? What else is new? Tell REUTERS — WUHAN sites set up in the middle of the details. The other was staffed satisfaction and firm opposition the world. me. I'm not happy with China." compound. by two nurses dressed in face Residents in Wuhan braved Many said they were shields, gloves and hazmat pouring rain in queues of more notified by text by the com- suits, one of whom took throat Thailand reports than an hour to take part in a pound’s residential committee swabs from residents. government-led exercise to test on Tuesday that they could get Some people expressed 1 new virus case, the city’s 11 million people for tested in batches and were concern that they could catch the novel coronavirus, a scale under the impression it was the virus through the testing no new deaths health experts describe as voluntary and free of charge. exercise, by standing in the unprecedented. Authorities say they aim to queues. “I heard that the nurses REUTERS — BANGKOK Authorities in the central test all 11 million residents, aren’t switching their gloves,” Chinese city, where the global though the priority are people said one woman who gave her Thailand yesterday reported pandemic began last year and from 12 categories, such as surname as Chen. one new coronavirus case and whose cases account for more school, medical, transport, Health News, a newspaper no new deaths, bringing the than 80 percent of the coun- supermarket and government affiliated to China’s National total to 3,018 cases and 56 try’s total, started the campaign workers and people returning Health Commission, said on deaths since the outbreak this week after a cluster of new from overseas or leaving Tuesday while the exercise started in January. cases raised fears of a second Wuhan for work. would likely cost Wuhan more The new patient is a wave of infections. “Even though there weren’t than 1 billion yuan, it would 39-year-old man from the While Wuhan lifted its any new cases in a while it help find possible sources of northern province of Chiang 76-day lockdown last month, seems Wuhan continues to infection and provide reas- Mai who recently returned concerns persist over how have asymptomatic patients. surance for work resumption from working on the resort many asymptomatic cases — Everyday there’s a few,” said purposes and to other provinces island of Phuket, an area with people who show no symptoms Zhu Fangmin, 43, who stood in receiving travellers from People have dinner as they sit next to stuffed panda dolls, used high infection rate, said Taw- but are capable of spreading the a queue of more than 60 Wuhan. as part of social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the eesin Wisanuyothin, virus — there may be. people. Wuhan now had a daily COVID-19, at the Maison Saigon restaurant , in Bangkok on Wednesday. spokesman for the govern- In Wuhan’s Qiaokou dis- “It’s very likely these people testing capacity of 100,000 and ment’s Centre for COVID-19 trict, at the Zirun Mingyuan could be around us so this 63 agencies that could process Situation Administration. apartment community where wide-scale examination will nucleic acid tests, the news- Panda dolls kick pandemic Since the outbreak esca- about 10,000 people live, men, put people’s mind at ease,” she paper said. But if it wanted to lated, 2,850 patients have women and children stood said. hit its target of testing all resi- blues for Thai diners recovered and gone home and under umbrellas while elderly One test site was made up dents in 10 days, it would need 112 people are still being residents perched on stools as of two tables. At the first, a vol- to test 730,000 people a day, it REUTERS — BANGKOK Sitting opposite one of the treated in hospitals, he said. they waited to get tested at four unteer took down identification said. panda dolls, diner Sawit Can’t bear to eat alone? Chaiphuek said he was happy One restaurant in Thailand to have some company as he is ensuring it meets new social stepped out to eat for the first Suicide attack in Afghanistan leaves five dead distancing guidelines, and pro- time in months. viding lonely diners a bit of “The doll makes me feel AP — KABUL The Taliban were quick to forces and attacks by Taliban US and Nato troops to leave company, by seating stuffed less lonely eating by myself,” deny responsibility and insurgents. Afghanistan. It was seen at the pandas at its tables. said Sawit, 25. A suicide bombing in Afghani- condemn that attack on The IS affiliate declared war time as Afghanistan’s best Thailand earlier this month Siriporn Assavakarint, stan’s eastern Paktia province Tuesday. The US special peace on Afghanistan’s minority Shia chance at peace in decades of relaxed some restrictions on another customer, said the yesterday that looked to target envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, also several years ago. It did take war but the government has businesses as the number of new seating rules often bam- a military compound but noted the Taliban’s denial and responsibility for another since been consumed with coronavirus cases slowed, boozled diners, and the army exploded before its destination urged the Afghan government bombing on Tuesday in the political turmoil. Ghani and his allowing restaurants to reopen of plush pandas made things killed five civilians and and Taliban to work together to eastern Nangarhar province rival Abdullah Abdullah have but with strict rules in place to much clearer. wounded at least 29 others, battle the scourge of terrorism, that targeted the funeral of a both declared themselves reduce the risk of the virus “It’s a lot easier to under- including civilians and military specifically from the IS affiliate pro-government warlord that winners of last year’s presi- spreading. stand compared to other res- personnel, Afghan officials said. operating in Afghanistan. killed 32 people. dential polls. “Earlier we had only one taurants where people always The Taliban took responsi- The Taliban and IS In his speech following Meanwhile, Khalilzad has chair for the tables where the get confused about where to bility for the bombing, calling extremists are rivals. Afghan Tuesday’s dual attacks, Ghani been pressing the Taliban to customer came alone. But for sit and end up sitting too close it retaliation for statements by and American officials say the did not mention the Islamic agree to a reduction in violence. me, it felt strange, so I thought to each other.” President Ashraf Ghani blaming IS affiliate in Afghanistan has State but said he was ordering Since the deal, they have con- I’d give them some company,” On Wednesday, Thailand it for an attack earlier this week been weakened in recent an all-out offensive against the tinued attacking government said Natthwut Rodchanapan- reported zero new cases for against a maternity hospital that months as a result of US Taliban. security forces but since thkul, the owner of Maison the first time since early killed 24 people, including two bombing raids in the group’s Khalilzad brokered a peace refrained from attacking US or Saigon, a Vietnamese res- March, before the lockdown newborns as well as several stronghold, as well as military agreement between the US and Nato troops, who often come to taurant in Bangkok. began. mothers and nurses. operations by Afghan security the Taliban in February to allow the aid of embattled Afghans. Lawmakers back temporary Strong typhoon slams into pandemic-hit Philippines franchise for ABS-CBN AP — MANILA adding that authorities will survey the damage after the storm. BLOOMBERG — MANILA A strong typhoon slammed into the Ongchuan said he asked for eastern Philippines yesterday, twice the usual number of school The Philippines’ House of Representatives has knocking out power and threat- buildings to be turned into typhoon initially approved a temporary franchise for shut- ening food crops in a new emer- shelters to accommodate thousands tered broadcaster ABS-CBN Corp to air through gency for a country already over- of displaced coastal residents October while lawmakers debate on renewing its whelmed by the coronavirus because of the required social dis- 25-year permit. pandemic. tancing, which aims to reduce the “Today, to end all conflicts and discussions, we Typhoon Vongfong blew into chance of coronavirus infections. will begin the process of turning on your trans- Eastern Samar province at noon Overcrowding in emergency mitter by giving you a franchise until October 31, with fierce rain and wind as tens of shelters has been common in an 2020,” House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said thousands of people were being archipelago that is lashed by about in a speech at the bill’s committee approval on evacuated to safety in provinces 20 typhoons and storms annually Wednesday. “We will not pass the buck. We will along its northwestward path and is often hit by volcanic erup- have hearings and finish this.” through the country’s most pop- tions and earthquakes. The bill needs to be approved by the Senate ulous region. There were no imme- In Eastern Samar’s far-flung and President Rodrigo Duterte, who first made his diate reports of casualties or major Jipapad town, Mayor Benjamin Ver threat to block ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal in damage. said by telephone that social dis- April 2017 for alleged bias. Authors of the bill said After landfall, the storm main- A motorist braving rains and strong wind maneouvres along a highway littered tancing is “almost impossible” to a provisional franchise will allow the House and tained its maximum sustained with fallen coconut trees in Can-avid town, in Eastern Samar province, yesterday. enforce, with only the town hall and the Senate to hear the issues raised on the winds of about 155kph but its gusts a small gymnasium serving as evac- broadcaster. intensified to 255kph, weather quarantines, and crucial businesses have this typhoon.” uation shelters for about 8,000 res- ABS-CBN said in a statement on Wednesday agency administrator Vicente will partially reopen starting next Evardone said the entire idents in the flood- and landslide- it welcomes the provisional permit and will par- Malano said. week after the economy contracted province lost power, apparently prone municipality. ticipate in the process of renewing its franchise. The typhoon hit as the Philip- in the first quarter. due to downed electricity lines. Six Ver said he has secured enough The network, in a petition filed last week with the pines struggles to deal with coro- More than 11,600 coronavirus northern towns could not be face masks to protect villagers from Supreme Court to halt the shut order, said it’s losing navirus outbreaks, largely with a infections, including 772 deaths, reached by cellphone or two-way the virus if they take shelter in the 35 million pesos each day it’s off the air, con- lockdown in the main northern have been reported in the country. radio, and the storm hit during the town hall. straining it ability to service debts. region of Luzon that is to be eased “This is a double whammy,” harvest season for rice and corn, Eastern Samar, a province of ABS-CBN was ordered shut by the telecommu- this weekend, except in metro- Eastern Samar Governor Ben he said. half a million people, remains free nications commission on May 5, a day after its fran- politan Manila and two other high- Evardone said by telephone. “Psy- Neighbouring Northern Samar of confirmed coronavirus infec- chise expired. Trading on shares of ABS-CBN risk areas. The rest of the country chologically, the people are already province also lost power, Governor tions, unlike neighbouring regions, remains suspended since a halt by the bourse on will be placed in less restrictive struggling with COVID and now we Edwin Ongchuan said by telephone, Evardone said. May 6. 10 EUROPE FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 France says any Sanofi COVID-19 vaccine for the world, no favourites REUTERS — PARIS/WASHINGTON A vaccine against with that given by his top infec- tious disease expert in Senate France said yesterday that the COVID-19 should testimony on Tuesday. world’s nations would have equal be a public good Anthony Fauci, who directs access to any coronavirus vaccine for the world. The the National Institute of Allergy developed by pharmaceuticals and Infectious diseases, said the giant Sanofi, a day after the CEO equal access of all idea that there would be a suggested that Americans would to the virus is non- vaccine available by the likely be the first in line. autumn, when schools and uni- US President Donald Trump negotiable,” French versities resume classes, was “a said he was mobilising the mil- Prime Minister bridge too far”. itary to distribute a vaccine when Edouard Philippe said. Fauci and other US health one became available as scien- experts have said it would likely Markus Soeder (CSU), Prime Minister of Bavaria (centre), and Dieter Reiter (SPD) Munich’s mayor tists across the world rushed to be at least a year before a (right), meet with medical staff at the intensive care unit of the Munich Schwabing hospital in Munich, find cures and treatments for a vaccine was available. He also Germany, yesterday. disease that has killed nearly would be made available to all. told the Senate he was cau- 300,000 people worldwide. Hudson said yesterday it tiously optimistic there would More than 90 vaccines are was vital that any coronavirus be one. currently being developed glo- vaccine reach all regions and US Secretary of State Mike Germany must stabilise social security bally, with eight in the clinical he was sorry that his earlier Pompeo, asked by Israel’s Kan trial phase. But experts say the remarks had created such a 11 News whether Israel would system with cash injection: Officials process could take years and storm. be ahead in the line to share any may not happen at all. Sanofi is working on two vaccine, said he hoped it would REUTERS — BERLIN has to set priorities now. sectors,” he said. Health Minister There is still no vaccine for vaccines project, one with be shared across the globe. “We should not raise the Jens Spahn, another member of HIV, which emerged in the British rival GlaxoSmithKline More than 4.37 million Germany will have to stabilise impression that the state can do Merkel’s conservatives, welcomed early 1980s, or SARS, a corona- Plc that has received financial people have been reported to its social security system with everything. That’s why I think Rehberg’s budget priorities. virus that hit Asia in 2002. support from the Biomedical be infected globally and cash injections to cushion the we won’t be able to fulfil every “In the coronavirus cabinet, “A vaccine against Advanced Research and Devel- 296,257 have died, according effect of coronavirus on health, spending wish,” Rehberg told we agree that payments (of COVID-19 should be a public opment Authority (BARDA) of to a Reuters tally. The United the labour market and pensions, ARD public broadcaster. employers and employees) into good for the world. The equal the US Health Department and States has the highest death toll officials said on Thursday, an Rehberg said the government the social security system must access of all to the virus is non- another with US company at 83,720. effort experts estimate could should focus on stabilizing the not rise above the 40 percent negotiable,” French Prime Min- Translate Bio that will use dif- The World Health Organi- cost many billions of euros. public social security system with threshold, especially in such an ister Edouard Philippe said ferent technology. zation is leading a global initi- The German economy, cash injections, helping busi- economically difficult situation,” yesterday. Trump, who faces re- ative to develop a vaccine. Europe’s largest, is facing its nesses with a fiscal stimulus pro- Spahn told RND media group. He was speaking after com- election in November and is “We do have some treat- deepest recession since World gramme and supporting other “So the logical consequence ments by CEO Paul Hudson, who pushing for an early re-opening ments that seem to be in very War Two even though a European countries during the from this is that the federal gov- said in an interview with of the economy despite the early studies limiting the lockdown to contain the spread economic recovery. ernment needs to inject more Bloomberg News on Wednesday: world’s highest coronavirus severity or the length of the of the virus is being gradually Asked what spending wish cash into the social security “The US government has the death toll, said he believed illness but we do not have any- eased. The plunge in business the government should reject, system to stabilize contribu- right to the largest preorder there would be a vaccine by the thing that can kill or stop the activity is expected to push down Rehberg said that he was against tions in 2021,” Spahn said. because it’s invested in taking the end of the year. virus,” spokeswoman Margaret tax revenues and tear a gigantic another cash-for-clunkers pro- Rehberg and Spahn didn’t put risk.” The comments had upset “Our military is now being Harris told a briefing in Geneva. hole in the public finances. gramme to support Germany’s a figure on the expected cash President Emmanuel Macron, an mobilised so at the end of the The European Medicines Eckhardt Rehberg, budget car industry as the sector itself injections. But in the labour Elysee official said. year, we’re going to be able to Agency (EMA), which approves chief of Chancellor Angela Mer- still had large financial reserves. market alone, the Labour Office Sanofi, which has urged give it to a lot of people very, medicines for the European kel’s conservatives, said the latest “Instead of mulling cash has calculated in a worst case sce- stronger European coordi- very rapidly,” Trump said in an Union, said on Thursday a tax revenue estimates, expected incentives to buy a new car, it’s nario that the government would nation in the hunt for a vaccine interview with Fox Business vaccine could be approved in later yesterday, will show that the better to think about (supporting) have to inject £15bn in 2020 and and has US financial support, Network. about a year in an “optimistic” fiscal room to manoeuvre is innovation in this area and not 2021 to avoid higher payments clarified that any such vaccine His timetable conflicted scenario. getting smaller and that Berlin only in one sector, but also in other from employers and employees.

Spain’s daily virus death toll rises, UK follows EU, US to approve Roche antibody tests REUTERS — LONDON laboratory concluded on May 7 on April 28 and received Emer- that can be run on fully-auto- Siemens Healthineers have sep- potential second that the Roche test detected the gency Use Authorization from mated equipment in labora- arately laid out plans to produce Britain is in talks with Swiss exact antibodies prompted by the US Food and Drug Admin- tories to provide results in just 20 million tests or more per wave feared drugmaker Roche Holding AG the virus, but the findings were istration on May 2. 18 minutes. month for the global market to buy an accurate COVID-19 only made public late on Roche said it was able to Britain’s health ministry did from June. REUTERS — MADRID antibody test, following the lead Wednesday. produce hundreds of thousands not answer questions about Based in Basel, Switzerland, of the European Union and “This has the potential to be of the tests per week for the how many tests it has ordered. Roche said it is ramping up Spain’s daily coronavirus United States, which had a game changer,” Edward Argar, United Kingdom. Germany is “We are exploring the use capacity to produce high death toll rose yesterday to its already given preliminary Britain’s junior health minister getting three million of them of antibody testing across the double digit millions of tests highest in a week as author- approval to the tests. said yesterday. this month, and five million a NHS and ultimately the wider per month to serve countries ities warned that a second Mass antibody testing with “We are now moving as fast month after June. public,” a ministry spokesman accepting the CE mark and the wave of the outbreak was millions of kaits is being con- as we can to discuss with Roche The antibody tests — also said, adding that the gov- United States. possible after a nationwide sidered by many countries as a purchasing of those but I can’t known as a serology test — ernment was “actively working “The test requires a blood antibody survey showed about way to speed the reopening of give you an exact date when show who has been infected, on our plans for rolling out sample to be taken by a qual- 5% of the population had economies devastated by the we’ll be able to start rolling although it is not yet clear antibody testing”. ified healthcare professional contracted the virus. lockdowns and social dis- them out.” The Roche test whether the presence of anti- Similar antibody tests have and processed in a laboratory,” The number of fatalities tancing measures put in place received a conformity bodies to the new coronvirus, also been developed by com- Roche said, adding that it was caused by the disease reported to slow the spread of the new assessment, known as Con- SARS-CoV-2, confers per- panies including US-based one of the most accurate tests each day rose on Thursday to coronavirus. formité Européenne, or CE manent immunity. Abbott Laboratories and Italy’s on the market with over 99.8 217 up from 184 on the previous A Public Health England mark, from the European Union They require a blood test DiaSorin. Abbott and Germany’s specificity. day, the health ministry said. The number rose above 200 for the first time since May 8. The reasons for the increase London mayor calls for govt are unclear, head of health emergencies Fernando Simon said. More than half of the new grant for bus, rail services fatalities were reported in one region, Catalonia. AFP — LONDON services, even as lockdown “We are now working with restrictions are gradually eased. the region to identify the date London mayor Sadiq Khan “We’d have to reduce the bus of the deaths and evaluate yesterday warned that bus and services we provide. We’d have whether these are new fatal- underground services in the to reduce the Tube services we ities or if there was a delay in British capital would be cut provide to save money,” he told the update,” Simon said. without urgent government LBC radio in an interview. The overall death toll from funding to help meet the costs. “If we don’t get the deal done the disease rose to 27,321, while Operator Transport for today, the CFO (chief financial the number of diagnosed cases London (TfL) has seen a 90 officer) of TfL has legal duties that rose to 229,540 yesterday. percent drop in revenue from he has to follow.” Prime Minister The preliminary results ticket sales during the seven- Boris Johnson this week eased stay- have shown a five percent week coronavirus lockdown as at-home measures in England, rec- prevalence ratio in Spain’s 47 passenger numbers slump. ommending workers in sectors million population, much It has been paying the £600m such as manufacturing and con- below the levels needed to monthly operating bill from cash struction return to their jobs. attain “herd immunity”, which reserves but says the situation is The government has called means a second wave of con- no longer sustainable. for people to use alternatives to tagion is possible all over the Khan said the operator was public transport, including country if the measures to legally obliged to balance its walking and cycling, but in the stem the pandemic are not People getting on and off a bus in Brixton following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in books and without emergency capital, some Tube and bus observed, Simon said. London, Britain, yesterday. funding would be forced to slash services have been packed. Dentists reopen in France after two-month lockdown

AP — PARIS on some businesses, services especially practitioners. That which might transmit the coro- the various filtering face masks $54,000 to supply each of the and public activity. means not only disinfecting tools navirus. Drilling teeth for fillings certified to protect against company’s centres with the Anyone who suffered through Yet getting back to work in the and surfaces, but layer upon is also known to generate aer- viruses in the air, she finds the hygiene and protective France’s two-month lockdown age of coronavirus requires layer of extra screens, wraps, osolised viral particles. FFP2-rated model “the most equipment recommended by the with a toothache or other oral caution, especially for over gloves and masks. Paris dentist Sabrine Jen- complicated, as it’s really tight.” French government. affliction of a non-emergency 40,000 dentists in France who are The World Health Organi- doubi said the trade-off for “It filters out every virus and “We will communicate to the nature has a hope of licking the among the health professionals at sation has recommended spe- safety is the discomfort of addi- bacteria, so it’s quite heavy to government these difficult adjust- pain. Dental practices around highest risk of becoming infected. cialized face masks for health tional head and body wear. wear but it protects us and the ments in terms of profitability, but the country are cautiously Because respiratory droplets care providers performing “A surgical suit is something patients,” Jendoubi said. for now we’re focused on this reopening and accepting are a way the virus spreads medical procedures such as that we wear in the operating An operator of medical public health issue,” Carine Ben- appointments after the French among people, dentistry ventilation and intubation that theater. Today, we wear it for clinics and offices in France, harrous, director of dental oper- government eased restrictions demands protecting patients and produce fine, airborne particles, everything.” Jendoubi said. Of Doctocare, said it is costing ations at Doctocare, said. FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 Russia slams NYT and FT on virus deaths

AP — MOSCOW The New York Times raised questions in the West, reported that total is with some critics suggesting it Russia’s Foreign Ministry has could be much higher. criticised the Financial Times far higher than the The New York Times and The New York Times after official COVID-19 death reported that Russia’s mortality they reported that Russia’s rate of only about 13 deaths per coronavirus death toll could be count of 642, which the million was far below the world much higher than government newspaper said was an average of 36. officials are saying. Russian health officials The articles said that they indication of significant insisted that the relatively low were based on a spike in total underreporting by coronavirus death toll is due to mortality rates reported by offi- the authorities. The its instituting a quick ban on cials in Moscow, who said the travel from neighbouring China capital registered about 1,800 Financial Times pointed earlier this year, an early intro- deaths more in April 2020 than to a similar surge in duction of restrictions and the monthly average. tracing of the infected contacts. The New York Times deaths reported by US President Donald Trump has reported that total is far higher authorities. cited a similar travel ban for his than the official COVID-19 death efforts to combat the virus. count of 642, which the news- Russian officials also have paper said was an indication of said the scope of testing has significant underreporting by the complained about what she been significantly increased in authorities. It quoted Tatiana N called “disinformation” by the recent weeks, allowing for offi- Mikhailova, a senior researcher two newspapers and said letters cials to spot the infections at the Presidential Academy of demanding a retraction would be quickly and prevent patients Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a video conference call, dedicated to the development National Economy and Public passed on to both yesterday. from developing life-threat- of genetic technologies, amid COVID-19 outbreak at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Administration in Moscow, as Danielle Ha, vice president ening complications. Moscow, Russia, yesterday. saying that the number who died for communications for The Following the Foreign Min- from the virus is “possibly almost New York Times, told Russian istry statement, lawmaker prison terms of up to five years autopsies are being conducted in ailments, cancer, diseases three times higher than the news agencies the report was Vasily Piskaryov demanded that for anyone who spreads what all suspected coronavirus deaths. involving organ failures and other official toll.” The Financial Times accurate because it was based reporters from the newspapers is deemed to be false infor- “That’s why post-mortem illnesses, according to the pointed to a similar surge in on data released by an official be stripped of their accredi- mation during the outbreak. diagnoses in Moscow and statement. deaths reported by authorities state agency. tation, effectively banning them Under the measure, media causes of death, in the end, are Guidelines on reporting coro- in St Petersburg, and it con- The Financial Times didn’t from working in the country. outlets could be fined up to exceedingly accurate, and the navirus deaths, issued by the World cluded that nationwide, Russia immediately respond to a Zakharova said measures $127,000 for disseminating dis- mortality data absolutely trans- Health Organization in mid-April, could have 70 percent more request for comment. against the media organizations information about the virus. parent,” the statement said. state that “deaths due to COVID-19” coronavirus deaths than it Russia has reported over “will depend on whether they On Wednesday, Moscow’s More than 60 percent of should be considered as such reports. 250,000 coronavirus cases on run the retraction.” Last month, health department rejected the deaths of people with coronavirus “unless there is a clear alternative Russian Foreign Ministry Thursday and 2,305 deaths. The Russian lawmakers approved allegations of undercounting in Moscow were ascribed to other cause of death that cannot be spokeswoman Maria Zakharova comparatively low death toll fines of up to $25,000 and coronavirus deaths. Officials said causes, such as cardiovascular related to COVID disease.” Slovakia to allow home quarantine for travellers Finland reopens schools REUTERS — BRATISLAVA it potentially breaches basic cation technology. affected mostly Slovaks human rights. Prime Minister Igor Matovic returning home, since for- despite virus warnings The Slovak government Health Minister Marek had defended the aquarantine’s eigners are barred from entry, approved legislation yesterday Krajci said the launch of the role in helping detect infections unless they have a right to from teacher’s union that will allow people returning application allowing a “smart” and prevent the coronavirus’s stay. from abroad to self-isolate at quarantine could be launched spread. Official figures show The government has also AFP — HELSINKI Johanna Mauno said. home so long as they use a next Monday after it is approved people who are or were at the approved a phone app tracking “We’ve already got their mobile app that will check on by parliament. state-run centres account for contacts of infected people. Finnish schoolchildren began end of year grades so we’ll be them, rather than be forced into “This smart solution will almost 13 percent of the 1,477 It is not clear when that app returning to class yesterday trying to get back to some sort quarantine in state-run facil- allow returnees to self-isolate positive cases confirmed in the will be launched, however, as after eight weeks of corona- of normal so the kids don’t have ities. at home if they agree to install country. the Constitutional Court on virus lockdown despite such a huge gap before the The compulsory quarantine, the application after crossing Slovakia, a European Union Wednesday suspended parts of warnings from the teacher’s autumn term starts.” On one of a series of measures the border,” he said. member state of 5.5 million, has the existing law allowing state union it may not be totally safe Tuesday, Andersson announced taken by Slovakia to curb the Details on how the app recorded 27 deaths. Like other authorities to access data col- for staff or children. that laws were being drafted to spread of the coronavirus, has will work are expected to be European countries it is grad- lected by telecommunications The reopenings see pupils allow for schools to switch been criticised by Slovaks living announced on Monday but ually easing its lockdown operators, saying some of its back at school for just over two between classroom and dis- abroad as well as by the state one of the options is that it measures. clauses were insufficiently weeks before the summer hol- tance teaching as required once ombudswoman, who has said would use face-identifi- The quarantine system has clear. idays begin in early June, with term starts again in mid- strict social distancing rules in August, if the epidemic spikes. place. The Finnish union of ‘Total’ lockdown Break times will be stag- teachers has criticised the plan gered to avoid large numbers to restart teaching in class- for Chile capital of children in the playground rooms rather than remotely. at once, and unused spaces will The union said in a after virus spike be turned into classrooms to statement that “it is not clear allow pupils to spread out, Edu- that this is in the interests of the AFP — SANTIAGO cation Minister Li Andersson children” and warned schools said when announcing the may not “be able to fully ensure Chile ordered a mandatory decision on 29 April. safety for the children or staff.” total quarantine for the capital Finland has so far recorded The state’s top epidemiologist, Santiago’s seven million 284 coronavirus-related deaths Mika Salminen, however people on Wednesday after and over 6,000 infections, a defended the move, telling a authorities reported a 60 lower rate than neighbouring press conference on April 29 percent spike in coronavirus Nordic countries, which has led that “the share of children with infections in 24 hours, dealing epidemiologists to warn that the disease is small.” a stunning blow to hopes the future waves of the virus may “The risk of a child infecting economy would soon reopen. prove more serious. an adult is not realistic. “The most severe measure At Eestinkallio primary Opening schools is risk-free.” I must announce is a total school, on the outskirts of the Opinion polls on Wednesday quarantine in Greater San- capital Helsinki, teachers made suggested the public was tiago,” the location of 80 sure children kept a safe dis- evenly split on the issue. percent of the country’s tance apart as they waited in the Antti Kamppi, a father of 34,000-plus confirmed cases, playground for school to start. three children at the Health Minister Jaime Man- Under social distancing Eestinkallio school, told AFP he alich said. regulations, some grades wasn’t too concerned. Manalich said the started the school day two “The infection situation in lockdown — including in hours later than usual, at 10.15. Finland looks quite stable at the several areas where earlier Brazil's bid to ward off COVID-19 “I think we’ll be focusing moment so I’d say this two- confinement measures had more on the social side than the week return to school isn’t a been lifted — was necessary An employee wearing protective gear disinfects a shopping mall as a preventive measure against actual teaching, making sure bad thing and it’s mostly pos- after 2,260 new infections and the COVID-19 in Caxias do Sul, Brazil on Wednesday. the kids are OK,” class tutor itive,” he said. 12 deaths in the last 24 hours. The announcement follows a government request Ontario redeploys education to the IMF for a flexible line of Amazon could be next virus credit amounting to around $23.8bn for the next two years. staff into nursing homes The credit line would help kickstart the economy after REUTERS — TORONTO staff have tested positive at the hot zone, says scientist months of mass protests facility. against the government of The Canadian province of In March, Ontario closed AFP — SAO PAULO future ecosystems of tropical Institute (INPE). President Sebastian Pinera, a Ontario is allowing its education schools in an effort to stop the forests, says the same processes That is bad news, not just bodyblow to state revenues staff, including teachers and spread of the virus, requiring The next pandemic could come are in play in the Amazon. “The for the planet but for human exacerbated by the corona- custodians, to voluntarily many educators and other staff from the Amazon rainforest, Amazon is a huge reservoir of health, said Lapola, who holds virus pandemic. redeploy into the province’s to leave their jobs. This latest warns Brazilian ecologist David viruses,” he said in an interview. a PhD in earth system modeling The lockdown — which long-term care homes, the redeployment focuses on Lapola, who says human “We’d better not try our from the Max Planck Institutes come into force on Friday at provincial government said on training and moving any encroachment on animals’ luck.” The world’s biggest rain- in Germany and works at the 10pm (0200 GMT Saturday) — Wednesday, as the coronavirus employees who volunteer into habitats — a likely culprit in the forest is disappearing at an University of Campinas in means that people will be outbreak at just one Toronto- nursing homes. coronavirus outbreak — is alarming rate. Brazil. allowed to leave their homes area home alone has killed Ontario has previously soaring there because of Last year, in far-right Pres- “When you create eco- only for essential reasons like dozens. moved workers from hospitals rampant deforestation. ident Jair Bolsonaro’s first year logical disequilibrium... that’s buying food or medicine. Coronavirus deaths in long- into long-term care homes, and Researchers say the urban- in office, deforestation in the when a virus can jump” from Chile had until now opted term care nursing homes Wednesday’s announcement ization of once-wild areas con- Brazilian Amazon surged 85 animals to humans, he said. for a selective quarantine account for 815 of 1,765 total expands the province’s support tributes to the emergence of percent, to more than Similar patterns can be strategy in dealing with the deaths in Ontario, Canada’s for the facilities, which have zoonotic diseases — those that 10,000sqkm — an area nearly seen with HIV, Ebola and pandemic. Curfews were most populous province, been hit hard by the virus. pass from animals to humans. the size of Lebanon. dengue fever — “all viruses that imposed in Santiago and other according to provincial data The province also issued an That includes the new coro- The trend is continuing this emerged or spread on a huge cities, but quarantines were released on Wednesday. emergency order on navirus, which scientists believe year. From January to April, scale because of ecological limited to areas with high inci- Camilla Care Community Wednesday morning, allowing originated in bats before passing 1,202sqkm were wiped out, imbalances,” he said. dences of infection. recorded 56 deaths, according the provincial government to to humans in China’s rapidly setting a new record for the first So far, most such outbreaks Chile also has Latin Amer- to the home’s owner, Sienna issue mandatory management urbanising Hubei province, four months of the year, have been concentrated in ica’s highest rate of corona- Senior Living, on Wednesday. orders to any long-term care probably via a third species. according to data based on sat- South Asia and Africa, often virus testing -- 14,000 a day The regional health authority home struggling to deal with Lapola, 38, who studies how ellite images from Brazil’s linked to certain species of and around 200,000 overall. reported 179 residents and 39 an outbreak. human activity will reshape the National Space Research bats. 12 AMERICAS FRIDAY 15 MAY 2020 Trump hails Wisconsin ruling as tensions flare over virus lockdowns REUTERS - MADISON “Its Democrat Witnesses said yesterday’s protest was peaceful. A handful President Donald Trump Governor was forced had guns. Police quickly broke yesterday applauded a by the courts to let up a minor scuffle. At a protest Wisconsin Supreme Court in Lansing on April 30, hun- decision striking down a coro- the State Open,” dreds of protesters, some navirus lockdown order, as Trump, a Republican, armed, entered the Capitol and hundreds of people gathered at demanded to be let onto the the statehouse in neighboring wrote in an early House floor. Michigan to protest the gover- morning tweet, US Representative Debbie nor’s restrictions there. Dingell, also a Michigan Dem- Trump’s comments in an referring to Governor ocrat, said she was directly tar- early morning tweet fuelled a Tony Evers. “The geted for defending Whitmer, a nationwide debate over how people want to get on frequent target of Trump’s ire, soon to reopen states closed in calling it “scary.” “Somebody’s March to fight a pandemic that with their lives. The going to get hurt if this hatred US President Donald Trump talking to reporters with US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex a tally shows has infected nearly keeps getting stoked,” she told place is bustling!” Azar and White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany as they depart for Allentown, Pennsylvania 1.4 million Americans and killed MSNBC in an interview. “What from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday. almost 84,000. we’ve got to do is come together.” Residents of Wisconsin crippled economy and states led Nearly all 50 US states have flocked to outlets on Wednesday by Democratic governors pro- taken some steps to relax restric- virus outbreaks. considered key to winning the Lakefront's, employing about evening after the court sided ceeding more cautiously, citing tions. Today, New York state will The crisis has battered the 2020 election. 170 full and part time with Republican lawmakers who concerns over public health. allow construction and manu- US job market, with government In Wisconsin, another bat- employees, will stay closed for argued the state’s top public Hundreds gathered yes- facturing operations to restart data released on Thursday tleground state, the court ruling now. health official exceeded her terday at the Michigan capital, work in more sparsely populated showing that initial claims for invalidated the “Safer at Home” Lakefront president Russ authority by imposing restric- Lansing, to protest Governor areas outside of New York City, state unemployment benefits order that had been extended Klisch said he was not ready to tions on businesses and daily life. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent the epicenter of the pandemic totaled a seasonally adjusted through May 26 by health sec- open his doors to customers “Its Democrat Governor was decision to extend her stay-at- in the country. The metropolis 2.981 million for the week ended retary-designee Andrea Palm anyway, as he was still waiting forced by the courts to let the home order until at least May has accounted for more than a May 9. The numbers lifted to 36.5 on grounds that it exceeded her on orders of plexiglass to put State Open,” Trump, a Repub- 28. Some carried signs in quarter of all US deaths. million the number of people “statutory authority.” Images on between tables and and needed lican, wrote in an early morning support of Trump. Trump, who has staked his who have filed claims since mid- social media showed residents to train staff to keep themselves tweet, referring to Governor Whitmer also gave the go- chances for re-election in March, equal to more than one of small towns celebrating in and customers safe. Tony Evers. “The people want ahead to restart manufacturing November on a strong in five workers. their local bars immediately “I don’t feel we are there to get on with their lives. The from this week in her state, ena- economy, wants states to Yesterday, Trump was due afterward. yet,” Klisch said in a phone place is bustling!” bling US automakers to plan reopen despite warnings from to visit a medical equipment But Mayor Tom Barrett of interview. “We are going to The division has split largely reopenings across the country health experts, including some distributor in Pennsylvania, his Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest have to learn to deal with this along political lines, with Repub- on Monday because so many on his own White House task second major trip outside the city, said his stay-at-home one way or another. But we are licans generally pushing to parts suppliers are based in and force, that a premature lifting White House since March, both order would remain intact. going to have to deal with it in reopen more quickly to help the around Detroit. of lockdowns could spark new to battleground states That meant restaurants like a way that is safe.” Michigan settles Burr steps aside as Senate intelligence chair amid FBI probe suit after AP — WASHINGTON investigation into whether Burr investigation publicly and spoke cooperate with authorities the financial decisions. landmark right broke the law with a well-timed t on condition of anonymity. appears to have bought him Burr was not the only law- Senator Richard Burr tempo- sale of stocks before the coro- The Justice Department some goodwill among col- maker to sell off stocks before to read ruling rarily stepped aside as chairman navirus caused markets to declined to comment. His leagues tapping down imme- the market slide. of the Senate Intelligence plummet. The people spoke on attorney did not respond to diate calls for him to step aside. Senator Kelly Loeffler, a AP — LANSING Committee yesterday after the condition of anonymity because phone and email messages, but Senate records show that new senator from Georgia up FBI served a search warrant for they were not authorized to said in a statement last month Burr and his wife sold between for reelection this year, sold The state of Michigan early his cellphone as part of an discuss an ongoing that the law is clear that any roughly $600,000 and $1.7m hundreds of thousands of yesterday announced a ongoing insider-trading inves- investigation. senator can participate in stock in more than 30 transactions in dollars worth of stock in late settlement in a lawsuit over tigation tied to the coronavirus The search warrant was market trading based on public late January and mid-February, January and February, as sen- poor reading skills that was pandemic. served on Burr’s lawyers, and information “as Senator Burr just before the market began to ators began to get briefings on filed on behalf of Detroit Senate Majority Leader FBI agents went to Burr’s home did.” nosedive and government the virus, according to records. schoolchildren, weeks after a Mitch McConnell announced the in the Washington area to The attorney, Alice Fisher, health officials began to sound So did fellow Georgia Sen- federal appeals court issued a move, saying he and Burr had retrieve the cellphone, a senior said that Burr welcomed a alarms about the virus. Several atorDavid Perdue, another ground-breaking decision agreed that it was in the com- Justice Department official said. review of the stock sales, of the stocks were in companies Republican lawmaker running recognizing a constitutional mittee’s best interests. The decision to obtain the “which will establish that his that own hotels. for reelection, and also Repub- right to education and literacy. FBI officials showed up at warrant, which must be actions were appropriate.” Burr Burr has acknowledged lican Senator James Inhofe of The 2016 lawsuit that the Burr’s home with the warrant authorized by a judge, was has denied wrongdoing but has selling the stocks because of Oklahoma and Democratic Sen. appeals court had sent back to on Wednesday, two people approved at the highest levels also requested an ethics review the coronavirus but said he Dianne Feinstein of California a federal judge in Detroit familiar with the investigation of the department, the official of the stock sales. Burr is an relied “solely on public news Senators did receive a closed- alleged that the city’s public said yesterday, marking a sig- said. amiable member of the Senate, reports,” specifically CNBC’s door briefing on the virus on schools were in “slum-like nificant escalation into the The official could not and his quick call for an Ethics daily health and science January 24, which was public conditions” and “functionally Justice Department’s discuss the ongoing investigation and willingness to reporting out of Asia, to make knowledge. incapable of delivering access to literacy.” Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the plaintiffs announced the US immunologist warns agreement in a joint statement. “We are pleased to announce that we have of ‘darkest winter’ if reached a settlement that will help secure the right of access to literacy for students in coronavirus rebounds Detroit who faced obstacles they never should have faced,” AP — WASHINGTON science, I fear the pandemic they said. “This landmark will get far worse and be pro- court decision recognizes that America faces the “darkest longed, causing unprecedented every child in Michigan winter in modern history” illness and fatalities.” deserves an opportunity to unless leaders act decisively to Bright’s testimony follows obtain an education, which is prevent a rebound of the coro- this week’s warning by Dr. essential to having a strong navirus, says a government Anthony Fauci, the govern- foundation in life and a whistle-blower who alleges he ment’s top infectious disease brighter future.” Details of the was ousted from his job after expert, that a rushed lifting of deal will be released later warning the Trump adminis- store-closing and stay-at-home Thursday. tration to prepare for the restrictions could “turn back US District Judge Stephen pandemic. the clock,” seeding more suf- Murphy III had dismissed the Immunologist Dr. Rick fering and death and compli- case in 2018, asserting the US Bright, wearing a protective cating efforts to get the Constitution doesn’t guarantee mask, testified Thursday economy rolling again. a fundamental right to literacy. before the House Energy and President Donald Trump on But on April 23, the appeals Commerce Committee. Thursday dismissed Bright in a court said students at poor Aspects of his complaint about tweet as “a disgruntled performing, dilapidated Blood test in New York for detecting COVID-19 early administration handling employee, not liked or Detroit schools are entitled to of the crisis were expected to respected by people I spoke to a basic minimum education A nurse draws blood to test for COVID-19 antibodies at Abyssinian Baptist Church in the Harlem be backed up by testimony and who, with his attitude, under the US Constitution. neighborhood of New York City, yesterday. from an executive of a should no longer be working company that manufactures for our government!” It’s a sen- respirator masks. timent some of the president’s A federal watchdog political allies have expressed Court rejects Trump bid to escape anti-corruption lawsuit agency has found “reasonable about Fauci as well. grounds” that Bright was More than 84,000 people REUTERS — WASHINGTON victory for the Democratic necessary for an early dismissal consistently ruled against Trump removed from his post as have died in the US, repre- attorneys general of Maryland of the case. The court found that on preliminary legal questions, head of the Biomedical senting more than one-fourth A US appeals court yesterday and the District of Columbia who the narrow view of the emolu- for further proceedings poten- Advanced Research and of global deaths and the world’s handed President Donald Trump brought the lawsuit. ments clauses argued by tially including a trial. Development Authority after highest toll, according to figures a setback, rejecting his bid to end The lawsuit alleged viola- Trump’s lawyers was not clearly Trump opened the Trump sounding the alarm at the compiled by Johns Hopkins a lawsuit that accused him of tions of the Constitution’s “emol- the right one in light of past International Hotel on Pennsyl- Department of Health and University. On the planet more violating anti-corruption provi- uments” clauses — rarely tested statements by officials within vania Avenue just blocks from the Human Services. than 4.3 million have been sions of the US Constitution with in courts — that ban a president the executive branch. White House shortly before he Bright alleged he became a infected and about 298,000 his ownership of a hotel in from accepting gifts or payments “Given this history, we can was elected in November 2016. target of criticism when he have died. Washington while in office. from foreign governments hardly conclude that the Pres- Trump, a wealthy real estate urged early efforts to invest in Eager to restart the US The decision by the without congressional consent. ident’s preferred definition of developer who as president vaccine development and stock economy, Trump has been Richmond, Virginia-based 4th In a 9-6 decision, the 4th US this obscure word is clearly and regularly visits his own hotels, up on supplies. urging states to lift restrictions, US Circuit Court of Appeals Circuit decided that the Repub- indisputably the correct one,” resorts and golf clubs, maintains “Our window of oppor- and many governors are doing sitting as a whole — reversing a lican president — seeking re- Judge Diana Gribbon Motz ownership of his businesses — tunity is closing,” Bright said in so gradually, though consumers ruling in favor of Trump issued election on November 3 — wrote on behalf of the court. unlike past presidents — though his prepared testimony.. “If we remain leery of going back to by a three-judge panel of the failed to show the sort of “clear The case is now set to return he has said he has ceded day- fail to develop a national coor- restaurants, social events and same court last July — was a and indisputable right to relief” to a judge in Maryland, who has to-day control to his sons. dinated response, based in sporting competitions.