BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 12 Qatar to continue Filipino creates leading the way winning National in world’s LNG Museum of Qatar value chain: mascot design Al-Kaabi

published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11700 October 13, 2020 Safar 26, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir sends greetings US Congressmen visit Ras Abu Aboud Stadium to king of Spain His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and QU registers 39 His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to King of Spain Philip VI on his country’s patents, eyeing National Day. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent a similar cable of congratulations to Prime Minister startups for 7 Pedro Sanchez.

Amir condoles with he Innovation & Intellectual Somalia’s president Property Offi ce (IIP Offi ce) at TQatar University (QU) has facili- His Highness the Amir Sheikh tated the registration of 39 patents for Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His a number of university employees, and Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh is trying to transform seven of them Abdulla bin Hamad al-Thani sent into startup companies that serve the yesterday cables of condolences national economy. to Somalia’s President Mohamed “The IIP Offi ce has so far managed Abdullahi Farmajo on the death of 163 patent fi les and succeeded in facili- former Somali prime minister Ali tating the registration and granting of Khalif Galeyr. HE the Prime Minister 39 patents for QU employees,” direc- and Minister of Interior Sheikh tor Dr Hareb al-Jabri told offi cial Qatar QU IIP Off ice director Dr Hareb al-Jabri. Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) secretary-general Hassan al-Thawadi and Technical Delivery Office News Agency (QNA) in an interview. al-Thani sent a similar cable of vice-chairman Yasir al-Jamal met with a delegation of US Congressmen at Ras Abu Aboud Stadium yesterday. They “I expect that the year 2021 will wit- achieve maximum local benefi t as well condolences to Prime Minister were joined by Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to the US, and ambassador Greta C Holtz, ness the opening of startup companies as their global impact, Dr al-Jabri ex- Mohamed Hussein Roble. charge d’affaires of the US embassy in Qatar, the SC tweeted. Page 12 based on the research and innovations plained. accomplished by QU in a manner that The interest in innovation and tech- Qatar celebrates launch serves the knowledge based-econo- nology transfer is realisation of QU’s of ‘Education Report’ my,” he stated. Strategic Plan 2018-2022, which has The IIP Offi ce, established in 2017, is six key goals and seven strategies, Qatar National Commission for responsible for managing innovation including a Digital Transformation Education, Culture and Science, fi les and technology transfer, encour- Strategy, and an Entrepreneurship and in co-operation with Doha-based Ceasefi re not discussed at aging innovators, supporting and fa- Innovation Strategy in line with the Unesco GCC and Yemen Off ice, cilitating the registration of intellectual state’s keenness to achieve its national celebrated the launch of the 2020 property rights in co-operation with the vision to transform Qatar into a knowl- Global Education Monitoring authorities concerned such as the Min- edge based-economy, he said. Report, under the theme “Inclusion istry of Commerce and Industry, Qa- This approach, Dr al-Jabri pointed And Education”, in the presence of Doha talks so far: Taliban tar Foundation and others, promoting out, has received great attention from HE the Minister of Education and awareness of these rights within the uni- the Board of Trustees of Qatar Univer- Higher Education and President OThanks Qatar for facilitating Afghan peace negotiations versity and the Qatari society in general sity headed by His Highness the Dep- of Qatar National Commission for and building a database of all records re- uty Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Education, Culture and Science lated to intellectual property in QU. al-Thani. Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al- By Mudassir Raja said that he could not say with surety These innovations include multi- The formation of a higher committee Hammadi. The report highlights the Staff Reporter that what kind of topics they would ple fi elds such as academic, industry, at the university level, led by the presi- progress made in the achievement discuss in the coming days. “We are yet mechanical engineering, technology, dent and vice-presidents, to manage of the Goal 4 of the Sustainable to set the agenda for the negotiations. health care, environment, agriculture, issues of innovation, entrepreneurship Development Goals, and all other Ceasefi re in Afghanistan is a Once the agenda is set, we will be able sports, refrigeration, animal hus- and digital transformation, is an indi- goals. Page 3 major issue but we have not to say that what we will discuss.” He bandry and fi sheries and other areas cation of the extent of interest in this “reached at a level [in the ongo- added: “We, however, feel compelled that respond to national priorities and fi eld, he observed. To Page 3 Al Wasmi season ing peace talks] where we will discuss to ensure that women get all the rights this issue. So far we have not taken enshrined in Islam, whether it is their begins on Friday the fi rst step towards the peace nego- healthcare, education and work.” The season locally known as Al tiations.” Dr Mohamed Naeem... optimistic of Responding to a question about ap- 2,350-lb pumpkin fetches $16,450 Wasmi will begin on October 16, This was stated by Dr Mohamed fruitful negotiations prehensions of the international com- Friday, and last for 52 days, the Naeem, spokesman for the Taliban’s munity regarding their ties with neigh- Qatar Met department has said. political offi ce in Qatar, in an inter- formally yet. We have been discussing bouring countries, Dr Naeem reiterated This season is so named because view with Gulf Times. rules of procedure. We have not yet the Taliban’s point of view that they it coincides with rainfall that helps Violence rages in Afghanistan with discussed any issue that can create would make sure their land is not used certain local plants grow, such no sign of a ceasefi re as the Taliban hurdles. I am however hopeful that against other countries. “We have time as Helianthemum and Geranium, and the Afghan government teams are we will make the headway. A certain and again said that our policy is not to according to a statement issued yet to formally start the negotiations. timeframe cannot be given but we are interfere in the aff airs of other coun- by the weather off ice yesterday. hopeful to make progress.” tries. We also expect other countries Clouds move from west to east “We have not started In response to a question, the not to interfere in Afghanistan.” during this season and rainfall the talks formally yet. spokesperson said that the ongoing The spokesperson hoped the US- at the beginning of Al Wasmi is We have not reached the intra-Afghan dialogue emanates from Taliban deal will remain intact irre- usually an indication of a good the US-Taliban peace deal signed in spective of the results of the upcom- rainy season. Climate records ‘ceasefire stage’. We have Doha in February. “The deal with the ing elections in the US. “Our deal is indicate that the maximum been discussing the rules US is a historic step and the intra-Af- not with one person. We have signed temperature decreases gradually ghan dialogue is its continuity. That is the agreement with the US govern- in Doha during this season, going of procedure” why we are here.” ment. We think that the US wants to below 35C, while the minimum When asked how far the Taliban withdraw from Afghanistan. They falls to about 20C. Meanwhile, Though Dr Naeem, a member of the can go to bring peace to the war-torn have signed the peace deal for their the Met department has said negotiating team, called the ceasefi re a country, Dr Naeem said: “We are sin- own people and country. We hope thunderstorms are expected today major step, the Taliban leader categor- cere for reconciliation and peace. We that all political leaders of the US re- along with sudden strong winds in ically said that they had not reached have shown this. We negotiated for alise the importance of the peace deal some places at times. Page 3 the stage where the issue could be dis- about 18 months with the US govern- and there will be no change.” cussed. It has been over a month now ment and reached at a conclusion. We The Taliban spokesperson also Climate change poses since the two sides started the intra- will do whatever we can to have peace thanked the Government of Qatar for threat to global growth Afghan peace talks in Doha. in the country. We will make progress.” hosting the intra-Afghan talks. “We Travis Gienger stands next to his 2,350-lb pumpkin during the Safeway World Asked about the issues obstructing About the Islamic sharia, women’s appreciate the eff orts of Qatar to bring Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off yesterday, in Half Moon Bay, California. Climate change poses a serious the negotiation process, Dr Naeem rights and future political agreement peace in Afghanistan. We thank them Gienger, a farmer from Anoka, Minnesota, won the annual Championship threat to global growth, the head said: “We have not started the talks in Afghanistan, the Taliban negotiator for providing the platform for the talks.” Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Gienger won $7 per pound for a total of $16,450. of the International Monetary Fund said yesterday, urging the world’s top emitters to agree on a floor for carbon prices. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told finance ministers meeting on climate Coronavirus can last 28 days on glass, currency: study change that countries should also ensure their stimulus funding aimed at halting the Covid-19 pandemic OVirus that causes Covid CSIRO researchers found that at 20C survivability,” April Baller, a WHO in- should target green investments. lasted longer in cooler (68F), the Sars-CoV-2 virus remained fection prevention and control expert, Doing so, she said, could boost temperatures infectious for 28 days on smooth sur- said in an emailed response to Reu- global gross domestic product by OSurvived longer on smooth faces such as plastic banknotes and the ters, adding that this would not change 0.7% on average in the first 15 years glass found on mobile phone screens. WHO recommendations at this time. of the recovery. surfaces than porous material The study was published in Virology Paul Digard, a virology specialist at Journal. By comparison, the infl uenza Britain’s Edinburgh University Roslin US to provide Taiwan Reuters A virus has been found to survive on Institute, said it was signifi cant that Melbourne/Sydney surfaces for 17 days. the researchers had measured infec- advanced weapons “It really reinforces the importance tious virus, not just detectable bits of The White House is moving forward of washing hands and sanitising where virus, but added that it was also key to with three sales of advanced he virus that causes Covid-19 possible and certainly wiping down remember that the infectivity decays weaponry to Taiwan, sending in can survive on banknotes, glass surfaces that may be in contact with over time. recent days a notification of the Tand stainless steel for up to 28 the virus,” said the study’s lead re- “So the amount of virus surviving at deals to Congress for approval, days, much longer than the fl u virus, searcher, Shane Riddell. 28 days is very low and is therefore likely three sources familiar with the Australian researchers said yesterday, The World Health Organisation to be much less likely to infect someone situation said. The move in the run- highlighting the need for frequent (WHO) said that the study built on than the higher amounts present when up to the Nov 3 US election is likely cleaning and handwashing. previous experimental studies used to the virus is freshly deposited,” he said in to anger China, which considers Findings from the study by Austral- draw up its existing guidance on hand- an e-mailed comment. Taiwan a renegade province. The ia’s national science agency, CSIRO, washing and disinfection of surfaces. The study involved drying virus in informal notifications were for a appear to show that in a very control- People watch Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson making a speech, amid the “The persistent detection of Sars- an artifi cial mucus on a range of sur- truck-based rocket launcher, long- led environment the virus remained outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Hertford, Britain, yesterday. CoV-2... in the experimental condi- faces at concentrations similar to sam- range air-to-ground missiles and infectious for longer than other studies Johnson imposed a tiered system of further restrictions on parts of England tions from this study is not unexpected ples from Covid-19 patients and then external sensor pods for F-16 jets. have found. yesterday, to curb an acceleration in virus cases. and informs our understanding of virus recovering the virus over a month. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 QATAR

Book launched to mark PHCC and Droobi IPU’s 130th anniversary

QNA Doha

Health off er digital E the Shura Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and Pres- Hident of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Gabriela Cuevas Barron launched yesterday a book marking the 130th anniversary of the IPU. HE the Shura Council Speaker, in his speech to mark the occasion, said that the IPU, since its programmes for establishment in 1889, has become an important and eff ective organisation. He noted that the IPU HE the Shura Council Speaker Ahmed bin 140th General Assembly that took place success- Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud fully in Qatar in April 2019 refl ects the apprecia- tion of leading parliamentarians of Qatar under He concluded his remarks by expressing the the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Shura Council’s appreciation of the distin- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. guished ties with the IPU. chronic conditions HE al-Mahmoud praised the pivotal role In her speech, the IPU president praised the ties played by the IPU president in the past three with the Shura Council and the success of the 140th roobi Health, a dig- This renewal of the partner- 2 diabetes, gestational diabe- risk of complications should years, and praised her role on completing the General Assembly held in Doha last year. She also ital platform to support ship is part of the continued tes, pre-diabetes, or metabolic they contract Covid-19. The book, adding that it was important to document praised the eff orts of HE the Speaker of the Shura Dchronic disease manage- efforts by PHCC to support syndrome who are eligible, will Droobi Health application will an key part of the history of the union and its dip- Council in supporting the IPU, and the role of the ment, has partnered with Pri- the proactive management of be guided through a tailored strengthen PHCC’s efforts to lomatic contributions. Shura Council in diff erent IPU activities. mary Health Care Corporation high-risk diabetic patients experience that includes a con- support and protect out most (PHCC) to recruit 2,200 new during the Covid-19 pandemic sultation and walkthrough of vulnerable populations.” members, off ering digital health via Virtual Diabetes Manage- Droobi’s online programme. “From a clinician’s perspec- programmes for people with ment Clinic. Participants will track progress tive, the Droobi application has Type 2 diabetes or at risk for As a result of this initiative, and receive proactive, tailored helped diabetic patients engage chronic conditions. 59% of PHCC’s high risk dia- interventions and recommen- in their care management; sup- Qatar nod for IT boost at This partnership comes af- betic population has received dations from their assigned porting their glycemic con- ter a pilot in 2019, with 500 a telephone consultation with certified diabetes educators trol through lifestyle changes. patients recruited at PHCC’s their family physician. The through online chats in Droo- Through this and other initia- Rawdat Al Khail and Leabaib Droobi Health programme will bi’s app. tives, PHCC has taken a great Arab League secretariat health centres, to trial Droobi’s be utilised to further support The programme also includes leap in reducing the burden of diabetes management pro- this group of patients through interactive educational lessons diabetes in the community,” gramme. Initial results from self-management, lifestyle and an action plan tailored to said Dr Dalia Hassan, family QNA this pilot showed improved change and access to health the individuals’ specific condi- medicine consultant at Leabaib Cairo clinical outcomes such as low- educators and nutritionists. tions to help users build long- Health Centre. ered average blood sugar levels More than 70% of Qatari term healthy habits to achieve “I am so happy with the daily and weight. nationals are overweight, and their goals. support I receive from the ap- atar has deposited its The Droobi solution has 12% suffer from diabetes, many Dr Samya Ahmad al-Abdul- plication and the health coach. instrument of acces- proven to be a valuable asset are looking for clinically effec- la, senior consultant, family They are super supportive, Qsion to the agreement during the ongoing Covid-19 tive, scalable solutions to help medicine, PHCC, said: “PHCC and I always benefit from their establishing the Arab Com- crisis; helping to minimise the them manage their chronic is committed to finding in- knowledge. I was able to adhere munication and Information impact on regular care delivery condition and improve overall novative solutions to support to my personalised plan, got Technology Organisation at and cope with backlogs, in- health. Droobi’s programmes our patients in the community back on track with my physical the Arab League General Sec- creased waiting lists and lack of are designed to empower peo- during the ongoing pandemic. activity and changed my diet. I retariat. regular in-person follow-ups; ple to achieve their health goals The Droobi Health applica- am so proud that I lost 5kg and The document was depos- which pose health risks to pa- through sustainable lifestyle tion is one such solution. It is got my blood sugar under con- ited in Cairo yesterday by tients living with chronic con- change. widely recognised that patients trol,” said Badria, a Droobi user Qatar’s Permanent Repre- ditions. People diagnosed with Type with diabetes are at greater recruited in 2019. sentative to the Arab League ambassador Ibrahim bin Ab- dulaziz al-Sahlawi, in the presence of Director of the JEM praises Qatar’s Treaties and International stance on supporting Law Department at the Arab Sudan’s stability Ooredoo ONE in new promotion League ambassador Ehab Makram. The Justice and Equality Move- The organisation aims to Off icials pose for a photo. ment (JEM), which has signed the oredoo has announced develop the communication Doha Document for Peace, praised a promotion for new and information technology port co-operation among the and strategies for the devel- Qatar’s achievements in Sudan in Ocustomers signing up sector and provide the nec- members of the organisation, opment of the communica- terms of establishing comprehen- to its Ooredoo ONE plans until essary mechanisms to sup- and to develop joint policies tion technology sector. sive peace and lasting stability in January 6, 2021, with a host of the country, QNA reported. JEM’s extra benefi ts. Political Secretary Nahar Osman New customers signing up Nahar said in a statement to Qatar for an Ooredoo ONE plan will News Agency (QNA) yesterday get a Smart Wi-Fi device for no that the Sudanese people appreci- extra charge and pay an instal- talabat partners with Booking.com ated the role of Qatar, His Highness lation charge of just QR100 in- the Amir, the government, the peo- stead of QR300. The region’s leading food and grocery delivery app ing.com allows our Qatar-based ple and charitable organisations Total savings with the new talabat has announced a partnership with Book- customers to benefit from the for providing humanitarian aid and promotion could add up to “We’re delighted to be Speaking of the new promo- ing.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel added value behind the 8% support to Sudanese people in the QR1,040, according to an offering this incredible tion, Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari - companies. cashback to their talabat wallets, face of challenges. Ooredoo statement yesterday. new promotion which director PR at Ooredoo – said: “talabat customers across the region will now receive ensuring that they get something On the final peace agreement Ooredoo ONE is the telecom makes our already “We’re delighted to be off ering 8% cashback directly to their talabat wallets when back along with every time a that was signed in Juba between operator’s all-in-one home attractive Ooredoo ONE this incredible new promotion arranging their accommodation reservations through vacation is booked.” the Sudanese government and service providing ‘the fastest proposition even better which makes our already at- Booking.com using the http://booking.com/talabat Along with off ering customers a number of armed movements, Internet speeds and the most value” tractive Ooredoo ONE propo- link,” according to a statement. more value on talabat when planning their next holi- with high-level Qatari presence extensive fi bre Internet cover- sition even better value. We’re The partnership with Booking.com is the first wallet day, the launch of this new partnership also focuses and participation, Nahar said that age in Qatar’, with smart Wi-Fi house with a single Wi-Fi name extremely proud of the Oore- partnership initiative in talabat’s regional lifestyle. on supporting the domestic tourism and hospitality the agreement is a preliminary provided by Ooredoo’s smart for everyone. doo ONE plans and both the talabat customers can choose from more than 28mn industry in each operating country, something which step to complete the peace proc- Wi-Fi device. Smart Wi-Fi Included with Ooredoo ONE quality and value they repre- global accommodation listings on Booking.com, in- Sousa believes is vital during the pandemic. ess in Sudan, and it is awaiting an easily streams HD fi lms, music plans is access to some of the sent for our customers; com- cluding hotels, homes, apartments, and other unique Once a customer has arranged accommodation appreciated role by donors and and gaming to more than 50 best entertainment around; the plete customer satisfaction places to stay. using the booking.com/talabat with their talabat regis- partners, foremost of which is Qa- devices at once and is stable, all-new OSN Streaming App, is a key goal for us, and we’re Francisco Miguel Sousa, managing director at talabat tered e-mail, they will receive talabat pay credits within tar, which realises the importance fast and easy to use, providing STARZ PLAY, beIN Complete pleased to be enhancing our Qatar expressed: “There is no better time than the 30-60 days after their stay is complete. The talabat of peace in Sudan. the customer with a seamless or ELITE and/or Doosra de- proposition with even better winter season to enjoy a wide range of destinations pay credits can be redeemed within six months on experience across the entire pending on choice of plan. benefi ts and value for money.” our country has to off er. Our partnership with Book- the wallet function of the app.

Ministry issues MoPH reports 125,176 total Covid-19 recoveries updated list of QNA cases has enabled the MoPH others, crowded places and Doha to identify a high number of confi ned closed spaces where positive cases in the com- people congregate. Now more munity. Qatar has one of the than ever, we must be careful PCR test centres he Ministry of Public lowest Covid-19 death rates and protect the most vulner- Health (MoPH) re- in the world. able. Tported yesterday, 206 This is a result of: While the restrictions of he Ministry of Public new confi rmed cases of coro- z Very high quality of care Covid-19 are gradually being Health (MoPH) has is- navirus (Covid-19) during the provided through the public lifted in Qatar, it is important Tsued a list of 32 health last 24 hours, of which 177 are healthcare sector for everyone to play their role facilities that have been ap- from community cases and z Qatar’s young population in controlling the virus by proved by it to conduct the 29 from travellers returning zProactive testing to iden- following the precautionary PCR test for Covid-19. from abroad who are subject tify cases early measures: The list was published on to quarantine. z Expanding hospital ca- „ Adherence to physical the MoPH’s social media Imara Health Care (1925); The MoPH also recorded pacity, especially intensive distancing channels yesterday. KIMS Qatar Medical Centre 198 recoveries from the vi- care, to ensure patients re- „ Wearing a face mask Following are the said (813); Allevia Medical Center rus during the past 24 hours, ceive the medical care „ Washing hands regularly health facilities and their li- (2919); Aster Medical Centre bringing the total number of z Protecting the elderly Most importantly, it is vi- cence number: Plus - Al Muntazah (1332); Al cases recovered in Qatar to and those with chronic dis- tal that we continue to pro- Al Emadi Hospital (licence Jameel Medical Center (1213); 125,176. It issued a statement eases tect the elderly and those with number: 12); Turkish Hospi- Atlas Medical Center (1020); on Covid-19 developments in Even though restrictions chronic medical conditions. tal (2251); Doha Clinic Hos- Al Tahrir Medical Center Qatar, which said all new cas- are being lifted, and num- When spending time at home pital (154); Al-Ahli Hospital (1129); Naseem Al Rabeeh es have been kept in isolation bers are declining, this does with elderly family members (293); Queen Hospital (973); Medical Centre Doha (2540); and are receiving necessary not mean that the Covid-19 or those with chronic diseases, Dr Moopen’s Aster Hospital Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical healthcare. pandemic is over in Qatar, as ensure to wash hands regularly, (2405), Magrabi Center for Centre (817); New Naseem Al The ministry said measures people continue to be admit- wear a mask and maintain so- Eye, ENT & Dental (1025); Rabeeh Medical Centre (3213); to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar ted with moderate to severe cial and physical distancing. Elite Medical Center (2085); Aster Medical Centre - Al have succeeded in fl atten- Covid-19 symptoms. “Unless Anyone suff ering from West Bay Medicare (2648); Khor (947); Al Kayyali Medical ing the curve and limiting the we follow all precautionary Covid-19 symptoms should Syrian American Medical Center (768); Abeer Medical spread of the virus and the measures, we may experience either contact 16000 helpline Center (1493); Future Medi- Center (2401); Al Esraa Poly- number of new daily cases a second wave of the virus and or go directly to one of the cal Center (772); Dr Khaled Al clinic (1646); Value Medical and hospital admissions are see numbers increasing, as designated health centres to Sheikh Ali’s Medical Center Complex (2312); Asian Medi- continuing to decline each there are already signs of this undergo the necessary checks (388); Al Jufairi Diagnosis cal Center WLL (2776); Dr week. happening in other countries at Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, and Treatment (2877); Al Ah- Maher Abbas Polyclinic (65); Qatar’s proactive and ex- around the world.” Umm Slal, or Al Gharafa health madani Medical Center (21); and Sidra Medicine (2627). tensive testing of suspected Avoid close contact with centres. Gulf Times Tuesday, October 13, 2020 3 QATAR

Vodafone customers benefi t from fi xed number portability

ustomers in Qa- without disruption to their benefi ts from being man- IP voice and ISDN). services. Businesses gain newest customers the ben- FNP makes freedom of tar are successfully fi xed line service. aged end-to-end. On top Vodafone off ers fi xed from Vodafone Qatar’s efi ts of our reliable state- choice much easier, and it Cswitching to Voda- Since the FNP service of existing fi xed services services for a range of busi- thorough understanding of of-the-art fi xed network encourages businesses to fone while keeping their was launched nationwide like corporate Internet, IP- ness requirements, and current markets and deep infrastructure and exper- take full advantage of this existing fi xed numbers earlier this year, Vodafone VPN connectivity, busi- unique market-leading insights into their business tise,” said Vodafone Qatar service. with fi xed number port- Qatar has successfully ness broadband, managed solutions that are designed needs. Business Services director, Businesses interested in ability (FNP). ported more than 2,000 services, customers can to spur digital transforma- “We welcome businesses Mahday Saad al-Hebabi. switching their numbers to FNP makes it easy for Business numbers to its now benefi t from the best tion and optimise business that have ported in their He said FNP is a positive Vodafone Qatar can learn customers, both residen- network. calling rates while keep- processes, such as Internet fi xed number to choose Vo- measure and gives custom- more about its end-to-end tial and business, to freely Business customers ing their existing fi xed of Things (IoT) solutions dafone Qatar as their trust- ers the advantage of the solutions for large, medium choose from among Voda- switching to the Vodafone number when connecting and Software Defi ned Net- ed service provider. We best innovative services and small enterprises, by fone’s tailored solutions, network gain exceptional their voice services (both work (SDN) connectivity are delighted to off er our and competitive prices. calling 40010100. Mahday Saad al-Hebabi

Al Wasmi season Launch of Global Education commences on Friday

z Season coincides with rainfall Monitoring Report celebrated z Thunderstorms, strong winds forecast for today

QNA He underlined that Qatar has changed the face of life in gen- di extended thanks to the Unesco he season locally known Doha paid great attention to educa- eral and education in particular, and to the report preparation as Al Wasmi will begin are expected today along with tion as the main tool for achiev- noting that more than 90% of team for the eff orts they made to Ton October 16 (Friday), sudden strong winds in some ing development and prosper- the world’s students have been prepare this report, and thanked and last for 52 days, the Qatar places at times, the forecast atar National Com- ity, and has sought to overcome aff ected by the closure of schools everyone for interacting with the Met department has said. showed. mission for Education, the obstacles that hinder its according to the report. celebration. In her welcoming This season is so named be- The weather offi ce has also QCulture and Science, in progress to ensure the provision In this context, he stressed speech at the ceremony, Direc- cause it coincides with rainfall warned of thundery rain, co-operation with Doha-based of comprehensive education in a that Qatar has addressed this tor of the Unesco Regional Offi ce that helps certain local plants strong winds and high seas Unesco GCC and Yemen Of- good environment for all citizens situation in education by devel- in Doha Dr Anna Pollini stressed grow, such as Helianthemum in off shore areas today. The fi ce, celebrated the launch of the and residents of Qatar. oping many solutions to ensure the importance of the timing of and Geranium, according wind speed may go up to 25 2020 Global Education Moni- The state has harnessed all its that students are not aff ected, the launch of the report, given to a statement issued by the knots during thundery con- toring Report, under the theme, material and human capabilities, such as switching to distance the unprecedented and con- weather offi ce yesterday. ditions in both inshore and “Inclusion And Education”, in and prepared the infrastruc- learning, providing all the as- tinuing disruptions facing qual- Clouds move from west to off shore areas today, with the the presence of HE the Minister ture, training, development and sistance needed to enable stu- ity education, which are felt by east during this season and sea level rising to 8ft. The de- of Education and Higher Edu- everything needed in order to HE Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed dents to easily access educa- the world, especially among the rainfall at the beginning of Al tailed forecast says relatively cation and President of Qatar achieve Goal 4 of the Sustain- Ali al-Hammadi tion during this pandemic, and most vulnerable. Wasmi is usually an indica- hot conditions are expected National Commission for Edu- able Development Goals. taking all the necessary safety Pollini stated that the report tion of a good rainy season, the during the daytime along with cation, Culture and Science Dr He noted that the theme of exchange of experiences will measures to gradually return to sheds light on all those who are statement noted. scattered clouds, and there is a Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al- the report refl ects the keenness be the most successful way to schools, in parallel with increas- not receiving an education be- Climate records indicate that chance of rain in some places, Hammadi. on providing the right to edu- implement these recommenda- ing the eff ectiveness of distance cause of their affi liation, social the maximum temperature de- which may be thundery at Speaking at the virtual event, cation to all without discrimi- tions, which are summarised in: learning. background, or abilities, adding creases gradually in Doha dur- times. Slight to blowing dust HE Dr al-Hammadi expressed nation, and puts forward many expanding the understanding of He underlined that the Cov- that the motivation behind the ing this season, going below is also expected at times today. pleasure at celebrating the challenges that face countries inclusive education, exchanging id-19 pandemic demonstrated report is the clear reference to in- 35C, while the minimum falls Partly cloudy to cloudy con- launch of the 2020 Global Edu- in achieving inclusive education experiences and resources, con- the importance of joint work clusive education for all that was to about 20C. Overall, there is ditions are likely in off shore ar- cation Monitoring Report, is- for all, such as laws, policies, the sulting with local communities and the exchange of experiences mentioned in the 2015 Incheon mild temperature during the eas today and there is a possibil- sued by Unesco, which aims at availability of data, governance, and parents, activating partner- to ensure the provision of equal Declaration, and the call to en- daytime and relatively cool ity of scattered rain, which may highlighting the progress made fi nancing, teachers, curricula ship between various govern- opportunities and that no one sure quality, comprehensive, and conditions at night, especially be thundery occasionally. in the achievement of Goal 4 of and other areas that may hinder ment departments, sectors and is left behind in education, and equitable education in line with with dry northwesterly winds, The temperature is expected the Sustainable Development the provision of inclusive educa- levels, and empowering and perhaps this report provides the the Sustainable Development the Met department explained. to range from 27-32C in Doha Goals, and all other goals, and tion for all. motivating the workforce in the world with data and presents the Goal 4 (SDG 4) on education and Flu and other seasonal dis- today. The Met department providing information on the He noted that the report fi eld of education. problems and the variables facing the importance of looking at the eases are common during this tweeted yesterday evening national and international strat- presents a set of recommenda- The minister said that the education, in order to maintain Covid-19 pandemic impact on transitional period, the state- that local cloud formations egies related to education in or- tions and the best practices to launch of the report comes joint action, thus achieving the more than 1.5bn learners as it ment pointed out. Experts are expected today along with der to help everyone fulfi l their face these challenges, stress- while the world is still facing the Sustainable Development Goals. continues to disrupt education recommend safety measures scattered rain, which may be- obligations. ing that partnerships and the Covid-19 pandemic, which has In conclusion, Dr al-Hamma- systems around the world. such as taking the fl u vaccina- come thundery in some places tion, washing hands regularly at times inshore and off shore, and avoiding direct contact and may be accompanied by with sick people. strong winds that will lead to QU registers 39 patents, eyeing startups for seven Meanwhile, thunderstorms blowing dust and low visibility. From Page 1 neurship in the fi eld of business. lated to design and modeling, plines with specialised research through specialised training Also considered is the possi- computer programs and other centres and business incubators courses to develop entrepre- The IIP Offi ce strives to trans- bility of converting any inven- technical matters, the search inside and outside the campus. neurship skills, through the form ideas and innovations into tion into a tangible product, by for fi nancing opportunities for All of this are being used to help Center for Entrepreneurship,” he Precautionary steps startup companies that support helping the inventors to develop, the project and product devel- innovators, through the IIP Of- said. the economy and diversity in the design and market their inno- opment, and business services fi ce that communicates with all Regarding Covid-19, Dr al- Qatari economy. This refl ects vations, whether by licensing such as study feasibility and these bodies on behalf of inno- Jabri said QU has off ered special taken for midterm exams the success in transforming the the innovation or establishing a business model plan”. vators, saving their time and ef- support to confront the pan- traditional university environ- startup, the offi cial said. Dr al-Jabri pointed out that fort. demic with a focus on technolo- The Ministry of Education and dents. Relevant decisions have ment into one of innovation that “The IIP Offi ce provides three QU has more than 1,600 pro- “The inventor will ultimately gies, and there are projects that Higher Education (MoEHE) has also been taken regarding the encourages creativity and inno- services to inventors, such as fessors, specialists, experts and be part of the company, and in- have reached advanced stages of identified a set of precaution- assessment of exams. vation and stimulates entrepre- including technical support re- researchers in various disci- ventors’ eff orts will be enhanced development. ary measures to ensure the Marks for grades 1, 2 and 3 will safety of students during the be awarded on the basis of upcoming examination period. continuous assessment tools The Semester 1 midterm ex- (5 marks) and the exams (15 ams for the 2020/21 academic marks). This will be based on year will be conducted with the specifications table and Zulal Wellness Resort off ers ‘cuisine the physical presence of stu- assessment tools released by dents at schools from October the relevant departments in the 18 (Sunday). Educational Aff airs Sector. for the mind, body and soul’ Students will have to be For grades 4 through 11, exams present in school in accord- of the subjects that feature ance with the exam schedules oral, practice and listening as- ulal Wellness Resort by released for grades 1 to 11. The sessments will be conducted in Chiva-Som has stressed number of students in each the written format only, and the Zthat it is “reinforcing its exam room must not exceed full (15) marks will be awarded philosophy of holistic well- 15 in classrooms and 60 in accordingly. ness with the introduction multipurpose/gymnasium halls. The midterm exams of the of wholesome cuisine for the Special examinations must be Visual Arts subject in all grades mind, body and soul”. dedicated for students with will be postponed until the end Underpinned by the knowl- chronic diseases, students with of Semester 1. Additionally, edge that nutrition is an inte- special needs and for isolation no exams will be held for the gral pillar of well-being, and purposes of suspected Covid-19 Physical Education and Life and diet is inextricably linked to cases, according to the guide- Research Skills subjects in all long-term health, the resort lines issued by the ministry. grades. Both subjects will not will “take guests on a gastro- Proper social distancing must be considered in the students’ Ashghal to open new route nomic journey, using food to also be ensured between stu- total score. allure the senses and enhance the body’s incredible natural at Mesaimeer Interchange healing process”, according to a press statement. A restaurant at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som. Michael Davies, executive he Public Works Author- a vital traffi c link between the chef at Zulal Wellness Resort, The resort will also be home to the world of medicinal ben- Customs foils drug ity will open a new route south, central and north of the said: “At Zulal Wellness Re- to a Lebanese-inspired restau- efi ts, using herbs, seasonings Tat Mesaimeer Inter- country. It links traffi c from the sort, we are looking to intrigue rant, a dedicated spa cafe, a tea and spices like cinnamon and change connecting traffi c from south through the southern part and excite guests by trans- house as well as a formal dining za’atar, which off er signifi cant smuggling attempt the Southern Part of Doha Ex- of Doha Expressway, main car- porting them on a journey of experience. health benefi ts, and turmeric pressway towards E-Ring Road. riageway of Doha Expressway culinary well-being. Through With the introduction of a known for its anti-infl amma- The route, according to a tweet and Al Shamal Road. fl avourful simplicity and the demo kitchen, chef Michael tory properties. Guests will he Air Cargo Customs Four by Ashghal, will be available for Mesaimeer Interchange also development of healthy eat- will lead guests through a range also enjoy signature no-bake foiled another attempt packs passengers from today. connects traffi c between Industri- ing habits, we can help facili- of culinary specialities, includ- dishes, making use of local Tto smuggle banned nar- of crys- The opening will be carried out al Area Road and the heart of Doha tate lasting lifestyle changes ing fermentation, dehydra- dates and apricots as alterna- cotic pills. tal meth in co-ordination with the General through a connection to Rawdat that lead to a lifetime of well- tion and no-bake desserts. The tive sweeteners. This was informed by the (metham- Directorate of Traffi c. The new Al Khail Street, which intersects being.” demo kitchen will also off er Through the use of locally General Authority of Customs phetamine) route will provide a direct connec- with D-Ring and C-Ring roads, The dining experience will one-on-one lunch and learn- sourced organic ingredients (GAC) through its social me- weighing tion for road users coming from Al and also between the busy areas of vary across the resort’s six ing experiences. and a focus on their medici- dia accounts. A total of 17 pills 734gm Wakra and Wukair towards Nuai- Nuaija, Al Thumama, Bu Hamour, dining outlets, bolstered with Chef Michael added, “Build- nal benefi ts, guests can expect were seized during the check. were seized ja, Al Thumama and Old Airport Al Maamoura and Mesaimeer, healthy cooking methods such ing a community through a unique health and wellness The pills were found to be at the as well as an alternative for Najma providing easy access to Al Wakra, as the use of raw elements and knowledge sharing is at the touch with a broad variety of secretly hidden inside a shoe Cargo cus- Street alleviating traffi c pressure Al Wukair and the Industrial Area. the exclusion of refi ned sug- heart of Zulal Wellness Re- balanced dishes and beverages in one of the personal parcels. toms at Hamad International in the area. Mesaimeer Inter- It integrates with Sabah Al ars. From a beachside dining sort’s culinary off ering. With inspired by the natural world. In September second week, Airport (HIA). change is the fi rst-of-its-kind in Ahmad Corridor through its experience that will introduce our demo kitchen, we will teach Zulal Wellness Resort by GAC seized banned Captagon Qatar connecting six main roads, connection to Al Wetiyyat In- a fresh take on ocean-inspired guests how to incorporate well- Chiva-Som is described as pills that were being smuggled namely Mesaimeer Interchange, terchange, which is a strategic cuisine, to a macro gastrono- ness cuisine into their daily “Qatar’s largest wellness des- to Qatar. The banned pills had Doha Expressway, southern part link between the southern part my experience led by chef Os- routines, while highlighting the tination and the Middle East’s a count of 34,990 and were of Doha Expressway, Sabah Al of Doha Expressway with Doha’s car Fernandez, Zulal Wellness ease with which they can in- fi rst full-immersion wellness found to be concealed inside a Ahmed Corridor, Industrial Area main highway, to provide free- Resort “promises to capture corporate easy techniques into resort off ering a new interpre- consignment of small tables. Road and Rawdat Al Khail Street. fl owing traffi c between the north guests’ hearts and win over their everyday lives.” tation of Traditional Arabic and In July, GAC foiled attempts to The interchange also provides and south of Doha. their palettes”. Zulal will introduce guests Islamic Medicine”. smuggle illicit drugs into Qatar. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 QATAR

QRCS provides QC project to help orphans, poor students in Indonesia

atar Charity (QC) has food baskets to completed a multi-serv- Qice project in Indonesia to benefi t more than 1,100 or- phans and students belonging to poor families. The project, valued at QR2mn, Albania families consists of a two-storey Holy Qur’an memorisation school with 12 classrooms, in addition to health facilities, a dormitory and a mosque, QC has said in a statement. hit by Covid-19 The project comes as part of Qatar Charity’s initiatives to he Qatar Red Crescent So- build educational centres in In- ciety (QRCS), in co-oper- donesia to provide educational Tation with the Albanian opportunities and achieve one Red Cross (ARC), has launched of the United Nations Millen- a humanitarian drive in Albania, nium Development Goals, the by extending help to 700 families statement notes. The project is aff ected by the Covid-19 worth aimed at providing various serv- $20,000. ices to students and residents in The multi-service project in Indonesia will benefit more than 1,100 orphans and students belonging to Five local branches of ARC the region. poor families. have started the distribution of The centre also aims to food parcels; the remaining food “contribute to the effective parcels are in the process of be- improvement in the educa- ing sent to other selected desti- tion sector by advancing the nations. educational level, enhancing The selected local branches community development and conducted an assessment of raising social awareness among needs, in co-operation with their students”. respective municipalities, and Dr Haji Omar Fawzi, presi- made the fi nal list of benefi ciar- dent of At-Taqwa Bekasi that ies. runs the project, commended Red Cross teams composed of Some 700 most vulnerable families benefit from the food package the role of Qatari philanthro- staff and at least fi ve volunteers distribution in Albania. pists and donors in supporting from each selected Red Cross charitable work. He also praised branch were trained to deliver existing vulnerabilities caused by budget of QR2,236,827. the eff orts of QC in implement- the food packages with respect earthquake. These countries are: Palestine, ing the project, as well as other and dignity. During door-to-door visits to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, important projects in Indonesia, The procurement of food items distribute the food packages, the Tajikistan, Mongolia, Laos, Van- especially in the sector of edu- has already been completed. The staff and volunteers are provided uatu, Ethiopia, Chad, Senegal, cation. process was carried out through with personal protective supplies Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Mali, Iskhein Omran, head of the a public tender managed by the such as face masks and gloves. Sierra Leone, Albania, Kosovo, Construction Department at ARC tender commission, follow- They follow very good hand hy- Montenegro, Venezuela, El Sal- Qatar Charity’s Indonesia offi ce, the centre has health facili- ing their administrative regula- giene practice and appropriate dis- vador, Peru and Panama. said the centre located in Bekasi ties for students and the sur- tions. tancing, based on the guidelines of The list of activities conduct- consists of a 756sq m two-storey rounding areas. In total, 700 most vulnerable the International Federation of the ed by QRCS in support of those school and 12 classrooms. Each Since 2006, Qatar Charity families (approximately 3,500 Red Cross and Red Crescent Soci- countries include the provision classroom accommodates 25 has built hundreds of schools people) aff ected by Covid-19 eties and the International Com- of equipment and supplies for students. and multi-service centres will receive food baskets. They mittee of the Red Cross, as well as health facilities, provision of He added that QC has in Indonesia. It has imple- were selected based on a set of the recommendations of World medicines and medical supplies, also constructed a 300sq m mented 11 large development criteria, including older persons Health Organisation. protection for medical profes- mosque in the school to ac- projects in Indonesia during (especially those living alone), This project is part of QRCS’s sionals and volunteers, provision commodate approximately 2017-2019, at a total cost of people with pre-existing illness, initiative to back the fellow Na- of food and shelter for families 300 students, in addition to about QR13mn, in the fields of vulnerable families with socio- tional Societies in 22 countries worst aff ected by loss of income, a dormitory consisting of five education, health and social economic struggles, families across six continents, aimed and provision of protective sup- rooms. Each room with six care, benefiting thousands whose household supporters lost at protecting 320,000 people plies (masks, gloves, and sanitis- bunk beds can accommodate of orphans and low-income their jobs, and people with pre- against the virus, with a total ers, among others). 12 students. He added that families, the statement adds.

HBKU webinar discusses Zakat fi nancing for achieving SDGs

he potential for Zakat fi - opment Programme (UNDP), in projects in underserved com- respond to observations made by Beik, director of Zakat Distribu- Dr Syed Nazim Ali, director novative and resourceful use of nancing to fi ll funding partnership with Qatar Financial munities. Consideration was the panellists. tion and Utilisation, BAZNAS. of CIS’ Research Division and Islamic social finance will be Tgaps for achieving the Centre (QFC) Authority. also given to how the BAZNAS Part one of the HBKU-UNDP Participants gained additional its Centre of Islamic Econom- crucial over the years ahead, Sustainable Development Goals The fi rst instalment of the Zakat Model for development Webinar Series was moderated insights from Dr Nasim Shirazi, ics and Finance, said: “The we- particularly when it comes to (SDGs) was the opening subject HBKU-UNDP Webinar Series: can be replicated and utilised by Dr Aamir Rehman, a senior professor of Islamic Finance and binar not only reflects HBKU’s sustainability issues. We’re of a three-part webinar series Islamic Social Finance and SDGs within and beyond the Islamic adviser to the UNDP and con- Economics at CIS; Dr Abdulfatah determination to help fulfil the confident that this and our co-organised by the College of on October 6 showcased Na- world. In keeping with all HBKU sultant to the World Bank. A Mohamed, visiting assistant pro- SDGs, but also CIS’ place at the other webinars will provide an Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad tional Zakat Board Indonesia’s events, proceedings concluded case study of Indonesia’s use fessor of Public Policy at CIS and forefront of global and intel- informed overview of what rel- Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) (BASNAZ) innovative applica- with opportunities for audience of Zakat funds at the local level Dr Mohamed Abbas, Khatkhatay, lectual debates on the applied evant types of Islamic social fi- and the United Nations Devel- tion of Zakat funds for local SDG members to pitch questions and was provided by Dr Irfan Syauqi founder of Mesco in India. nature of Islamic Studies. In- nancing look like.”

Participants at the webinar.

QatarDebate to launch Path Academy QatarDebate Center, a mem- skills, and raise the level of ber of the Qatar Foundation knowledge. for Education, Science and Head of Outreach Pro- Community Development, will grammes Department at launch the “Path Academy” QatarDebate Abdulrahman to train students from Qatar, al-Subaie said that Path Acad- Kuwait and Oman on debate. emy will be in three phases. The Path Academy follows The first phase will be of the methodology adopted four months starting from by the QatarDebate in the September to December and summer camp after it was concludes with a proposed met with positive response gathering in Kuwait. and feedback. This methodol- The second phase will start ogy succeeded in creating a in January until March with a stimulating educational envi- proposed hypothetical gather- ronment for the participants ing in Qatar. Finally, the third to continue to communicate phase will be for four months and deepen their desires to from April to July 2021, and learn more, develop their own the gathering will be in Oman.

540 tonnes of local veggies sold in Sept At least 540.883 tonnes of grammes are supervised by local vegetables were sold the MME in co-operation with through the premium prod- the Ministry of Commerce uct and Qatar Farms pro- and Industry with an aim to grammes during September, improve the marketing of locally the Ministry of Municipality produced vegetables, increasing and Environment (MME) said their demand within the country yesterday. and reducing the loss in produc- While 237.223 tonnes were tion to the minimum. marketed through the pre- Eventually, this would con- mium product programme, tribute towards increasing 303.660 were through the the income of Qatari farmers Qatar Farms programme. and encourage them to The two marketing pro- further invest. Gulf Times Tuesday, October 13, 2020 5 QATAR QGBC offi cial highlights need for healthy and safe workplace A view of the graduates and off icials at the ceremony. s employees begin return- overall comfort levels, as well as ing to offi ces after the helping with the overall effi cien- Agradual easing Covid-19 cy of operations.” regulations, creating a healthy, Youssef also suggested incor- safe working environment has porating plants to purify the air become a matter of paramount as well as help combat with what 31 complete crowd and traffi c importance to companies and is now being referred to as “Cov- organisations. id fatigue”. Hamoda Youssef, head of “The pandemic has been go- technical aff airs at Qatar Foun- ing on for many months now, control management course dation member Qatar Green and people are exhausted – they Building Council (QGBC), has need to have their spirits lifted,” highlighted areas for employers he said. total of 31 certifi ed train- welcoming back staff members “Plants can have calming ers graduated yesterday to consider in creating a health- benefi ts, which, in turn, help Aupon completion of the conscious workplace. improve general mental health. Traffi c Control Management “To start with, you need to en- Employers can also utilise the Course under the Ministry of sure good air quality,” he said. Hamoda Youssef concept of a ‘free address,’ said Interior (MoI). “Filters need to be properly Youssef. “Globally, we are now The graduates were given cer- cleaned, and the ventilation safer and more comfortable,” seeing offi ce spaces expand in tifi cates during a ceremony, held system double checked, making Youssef said. to what we call the free address, at the General Directorate of sure that there is enough clean, Another key consideration which means not being tied into Traffi c auditorium. Directors of fresh air being brought into the that will have an impact on the a specifi c physical workplace. several MoI departments were space, as just re-cooling existing health and well-being of em- So if you feel more comfortable present. air doesn’t remove contaminants ployees, according to Youssef, is working from a meeting room, The graduates underwent and pollutants.” access to natural daylight, which or from a cafeteria, or from a training for six months, within It’s also important to take ac- can help improve moods, reduce lounge, you have that freedom of the framework of crowd and count of the nature of the space depression and increase produc- movement.” traffi c control management, when looking to make it a healthy tivity. Another factor to consider is which is being implemented in one, Youssef said. He also said that “frictionless employing sustainable ways of preparation for the 2000 FIFA “A gymnasium, for exam- experiences” will help minimise cleaning. World Cup. ple, is diff erent to a meeting people touching shared surfaces. “Out of fear, people have The course was conducted in room, which is again diff erent “Automatic doors and faucets gone to extremes,” said Youssef. collaboration with several de- to an open-plan offi ce. Indeed, in washrooms are examples of “From the start of the pandemic, partments of the MoI, such as for each space there are design this,” he said. the recommendation has been to Traffi c, Rescue Police, Public standards specifi c to optimise “You can have frictionless use normal soap. We weren’t told Transport Security and Police comfort levels and ventilation elevators, too, and automatic to extensively use disinfectants, Training Institute in addition to levels.” hand sanitiser dispensers. They which unfortunately became the the Lekhwiya and international “Employers can also provide can also help in the sustainabil- case. partners from the International the tools to educate employees, ity of the space itself. Automatic “But being exposed to such Public Transport Association and Brig Mohamed Abdullah al-Shahwani presents certificate to a graduate. such as installing air quality sensors turn on light fi xtures harsh chemicals isn’t good for Lyceum International Training. monitors. In this way, people will and air-conditioning units only our skin, or our health. And as The participants received lec- addition to diff erent scenarios framework of a three-year train- Shahwani, director General of learn to understand how various when someone enters a room. things start to settle down, peo- tures on traffi c management, di- and practical applications. ing programme, which began in Traffi c, and Lt Col Ali Saud al- factors can change the quality of Also relying on natural daylight ple will start to look for more recting drivers, managing traffi c The course is aimed at train- 2019 and aims to train 1,276 Hanzab, director of the Police the air. And being able to check decreases energy consumption. eco-friendly and human-friend- congestion, crowd psychology, ing highly qualifi ed cadres to members from various depart- Training Institute, awarded the the air quality could also help Ultimately, these tools can im- ly products, and begin to have securing public transport and manage crowds during the 2022 ments of the MoI. certifi cates to the graduating of- reassure them, making them feel prove hygiene, cleanliness, and more trust in these alternatives.” directing crowds in vehicles, in FIFA World Cup. It comes in the Brig Mohamed Abdullah al- fi cers. NU-Q students launch podcast to highlight Qatar

new research project by unknown country, to one in a po- While the group’s initial plan common and often, only con- Future podcasts will feature a three students of North- sition of power in international was to create a documentary, re- ception of Qataris as wealthy Filipino couple who will discuss Awestern University in Qa- sports, education, and politics. strictions imposed by Covid-19 individuals who lead luxurious the opportunities that have been tar (NU-Q) has launched a pod- Despite it being a cosmopolitan made them revisit their original lifestyles,” Cortel said. provided to their family while cast to highlight what it means to and modern place to live, many strategy to bring their stories The project launched with a living in Qatar and an NU-Q alum live, work, study, and raise a fam- people remain unaware of what it to life. While working remotely podcast featuring a general man- who will off er a local perspective ily in Qatar. is actually like to live here – our from China, Singapore, and Qa- ager from Singapore who has as a Qatari national, explaining Decoding Qatar, a podcast goal is to give its residents con- tar, they decided the best plat- lived in Qatar for more than 10 her country’s hospitable culture series on Instagram records the trol of the narrative about life in form would be a podcast format years and considers it his home. and close-knit family relations. country’s history, culture, lan- Doha.” coupled with animated visual He discusses professional re- Along with the podcasts, the guage, tourist attractions, en- Earlier this year, students Mari- elements. lationships he has with Qatari students are using their Insta- tertainment, and employment elle Aguelo Cortel, Xiruo Chen, For the students, the project businessmen and the comfort- gram account to promote facts and investment opportunities and Rui Oh, supported by Quei- serves as an outlet to correct able life he has been able to pro- about Qatar through the use of through the voices of residents in roga, received a grant from North- fallacies and stereotypes of the vide his family by working in interactive quizzes, covering the country. western University’s Offi ce of Un- Qatari community and life as an Doha. topics that include the country’s “Qatar is a small country with dergraduate Research to develop a expatriate in the country. Their second guest is a jour- international investment port- a big ambition,” said Joao Quei- multimedia project on life in Qatar, “As our undergraduate years nalist from Greece who moved to folio, meanings behind major art roga, assistant professor and focusing on residents and nation- in Qatar have been illuminating Qatar in 2017 and explains how pieces and installations in Qa- adviser on the project. “Over als’ perceptions of the country’s and pleasant, we consider Qa- she feels safer living and working tar, and unique details about the the past two decades, it trans- new-found wealth and rapid urban tar as a second home and find in Doha than she did in Athens, country’s desert landscape and formed from a quiet, relatively and social development. Decoding Qatar Instagram post it pivotal to dispel foreigners’ especially as a woman. climate. Eight months partial traffic closures QU off ers courses on EU law

he Centre for Law and scholars, and practitioners in cus fi rstly on the introduction to strengthening local, regional, Development (CLD) at the EU issues. European Union’s legal history and international partnerships Tthe College of Law, Qa- Further, it seeks to foster the and institutions, and secondly in strategic areas and be a cata- tar University (QU), has been publication and dissemination on legal areas where the Euro- lyst development of Qatar. awarded the European Union of academic research in EU law, pean Union plays a leading role. It also seeks to enhance Qa- (EU) Jean Monnet Module fund- and to create interest in the EU The module aims to promote tar’s innovation in collabora- ing to deliver courses on EU law among students in Qatar. knowledge in the fi eld of inter- tion with Qatar’s government, to students and professionals in This will help Qatar-based national organisations and inte- industry, and funding organisa- Qatar. lawyers to develop skills and gration using the European Un- tions. The “Doha Courses on Euro- knowledge in EU law so that lo- ion as a model, environmental Dr Khalid al-Shamari, associ- pean Union Law” will be the fi rst cal businesses and organisations protection, and human rights, ate dean for academic aff airs of Jean Monnet Module in Qatar are better equipped to trade with which are key pillars of Qatar the College of Law, said: “This and the GCC, and the courses EU businesses and deal with EU National Vision 2030. will allow for better job place- will be delivered for three years. institutions. The focus on the protection ment of graduates and benefi ts In a funding competition, the The modules seek to foster the of the environment and human for the national workforce and CLD won a competitive grant and introduction of an EU law angle rights represents an important institutions, which will have a was one of 360 awarded applica- and deliver tailor-made courses contribution towards promot- very positive impact on Qatari tions out of the 1,447 eligible ap- on specifi c EU issues. Not only ing environmental and human companies and institutions, plications for funding in 2020. will this help develop student rights issues in the Qatari socie- thus contributing to the knowl- The module aims to create skills, it will also contribute to ty. Increasing education quality edge-based economy and the interest in the European Union the university’s research ranking on these issues will have impor- diversifi cation of growth.” The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced partial traff ic closures on University Street and to constitute the basis for and raise the level of interna- tant spillovers on Qatari educa- Dr Jon Truby, director of the and Abdul Aziz Bin Jassim Street from tomorrow for eight months. The closure in co-ordination future poles of European knowl- tional exposure, the university tion and society. CLD said: “We are immensely with the General Directorate of Traff ic is to allow excavation works for the development of sewage edge and research in Qatar. The said in a statement. Finally, there will be a research pleased to be awarded the Jean and stormwater drainage networks in the area. During the closure, left lanes will be temporarily module will allow the CLD to The module will deliver 40 seminar on conducting research Monnet Module. The Centre closed in both directions on University Street for a distance of 650m between Omar Al Mukhtar deliver tailor-made courses on teaching hours per academic on European Union Law. plans to apply in the future for a intersection to Al Khafji intersection and 200m between Lejbailat intersection to Omar Al specifi c European Union law is- year in European Union law, re- The Jean Monnet Module and Jean Monnet Chair – which will Mukhtar intersection. In addition, the left lanes will be temporarily closed for 400m from Lejbailat sues relevant for graduates in quiring the academic input of its components will contrib- be the fi rst chair of this kind in intersection to TV Intersection on Abdul Aziz Bin Jassim Street. The two lanes on the streets will their professional life. several professors and experts. ute to the strategic objectives a GCC member state. Following remain open to traff ic in each direction. Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the The module aims to promote This will produce local knowl- of promoting the role of Qatar this, we hope to apply to become closure and requested all to follow them and abide by the speed limit to ensure safety. research and teaching experi- edge and expertise in EU law. University as a source of exper- a Jean Monnet Centre of Excel- ence among young researchers, The module components fo- tise to serve the nation’s needs; lence.” Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 ARAB WORLD/AFRICA/ASIA

UNREST LEGAL ESPIONAGE ENVIRONMENT POLITICS Two more dead in protests Bangladesh approves death Spy case of Australian Hundreds battle to contain Lebanon’s Hariri to meet over Nigerian cops’ brutality penalty for rape amid protests writer reaches China court fire on slopes of Kilimanjaro parties over French plan

Thousands of people took to the streets yesterday Bangladesh’s cabinet yesterday approved the The espionage case against detained Austral- Tanzanian residents, students and firefighters were Lebanon’s Saad Hariri, a former prime minister in Nigeria as pressure mounted on the govern- death penalty for rapists amid nationwide pro- ian writer Yang Hengjun has reached a Beijing battling yesterday to contain a fire that broke out seeking a new term, said yesterday he would ment to follow through on a promise to disband a tests in the wake of a series of gang rapes and court, China’s foreign ministry spokesman said Sunday on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest meet all key parties to survey their commit- feared police unit, leaving two more demonstrators sexual assaults. Bangladesh has seen a surge yesterday, in a rare update on a man held incom- mountain, the National Parks service (Tanapa) said. ment to a French rescue plan. The country is dead. One person was killed by security forces on of sexual crimes in recent years, with nearly municado for months since his arrest last year. Hard winds on Sunday helped fan the fire, but the bankrupt, but the ruling elite has so far failed Saturday in Ogbomoso, in the southwestern Oyo 1,000 incidents reported between January and The relationship between China and Australia has winds have died down. So far, no injuries or deaths to respond to calls by French President Em- state, while another died yesterday during clashes September, more than a fifth of them gang rapes, been perforated by spy scandals and trade rows, have been reported and no property damaged. manuel Macron for the rapid formation of an between police and protesters in Surulere, in Lagos according to human rights group Ain-o-Salish with both sides accusing the other of harassing “The fire is still going on and firefighters from Ta- independent government. Hariri, himself one of state, the government said. “There is no excuse Kendra. Experts, however, said tougher penalties citizens as diplomatic leverage. Chinese-born napa, other government institutions and locals are Lebanon’s hereditary political barons, stepped for shooting anything (not to talk of live bullets) at would not be enough to tackle the problem and Yang Jun – who also goes by the pen name Yang continuing with the eff orts to contain it,” said Pascal down from the position of prime minister a year peaceful protesters. The Police must find the shooters authorities needed to immediately address sys- Hengjun – was taken into custody in January Shelutete, a Tanapa off icial. Kilimanjaro rises to ago under pressure from a massive protest and make them face justice in full,” special assistant to temic problems in rape trials and the extremely 2019 during a rare visit to China, prompting Aus- nearly 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) above sea level. movement calling for an end to the president, Tolu Ogunlesi, said on Twitter. low conviction rates. tralian government protests. Around 50,000 tourists climb it every year. sectarian-based politics. Selfie at sunset UN urges Libyans to prioritise national interest at talks

AFP Carthage

he UN’s Libya envoy yes- terday urged rival par- Tties to place the national interest before political ambi- tions when they meet for talks next month aimed at ending a decade of bloodshed. The North African country is dominated by armed groups, Palestinian women pose for a selfie at sunset in Gaza city amid strict restrictions due to the riven by local confl icts and di- Covid-19 pandemic, yesterday. vided between two bitterly op- posed administrations: a Unit- ed Nations-recognised unity government based in Tripoli and its eastern-based rival backed by Khalifa Haftar. Neighbouring Tunisia is set Palestinian hunger-striker to host talks in early Novem- ber including representatives of civil society, tribesmen, po- litical leaders, and members of Tunisian President Kais Saied meets with Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General close to death: rights group bodies representing both ad- for Political Aff airs in Libya Stephanie Williams in Carthage Palace in Tunis, yesterday. ministrations. “What we want to see in unity government chief Fayez Council, the prime minister’s tion to the crisis.” A previous AFP to support him. “Our people Israel’s top court deferred a terms of participation is people al-Sarraj would be present, she job and ministerial posts. agreement between rival Liby- Ramallah will not let Maher al-Akhras ruling on yesterday’s request, who are not there for their own said participants would be able The talks are intended to pre- an sides, signed in Morocco in down,” said Khader Adnan, one saying the case remained under political aspirations, but for to take part on the condition pare for national elections, she 2015, created a unity govern- of those taking part in the rally, review, according to a summary their country,” said UN envoy “that they remove themselves added. ment that was never recognised Palestinian man on hun- and who has himself carried of the hearing seen by AFP. Stephanie Williams yesterday, from consideration in high gov- Tunisia’s Foreign Minister by Haftar. In April 2019, he ger strike for nearly 80 out a several hunger strikes in AFP made repeated efforts after meeting Tunisian Presi- ernment positions.” Othman Jerandi called for “a launched an off ensive to seize Adays since his arrest by Israeli captivity. to contact his legal team yes- dent Kais Saied. She said this included mem- dialogue between Libyans that Tripoli, but was pushed back Israel in late July is “on the verge Adnan called on the interna- terday. Asked whether Haftar or bership of the key Presidential could lead to a political solu- after over a year of fi ghting. of death”, Israeli rights group tional community and Pales- Israel’s administrative de- B’Tselem said yesterday. tinian leaders to pressure Israel tention system, inherited from Maher al-Akhras, 49, was ar- over the case. the British mandate, allows rested near Nablus and placed “Do more over the coming the internment of prisoners for in administrative detention, a hours,” he said. “We are in the renewable periods of up to six Jordan retains finance minister in new cabinet policy that Israel uses to hold critical stage.” months each, without bringing suspected fighters without Palestinian prime minister charges. Jordan’s Finance Minister Mohamed al-Ississ was reappointed in a new expected to shrink by more than 5.5% this year, the sharpest contrac- charge. Mohamed Shtayyeh demanded Israel says the procedure al- cabinet sworn in yesterday, underlining the country’s commitment to tion in two decades. Before the pandemic struck, the IMF had estimated The married father of six Akhras’ “immediate release,” lows authorities to hold sus- ambitious economic reforms backed by the International Monetary economic growth of 2%. Unemployment hit a record 23% in the second launched his strike to protest according to a statement on the pects and prevent attacks while Fund, off icials said. quarter as layoff s and bankruptcies increased and poverty deepened the policy. official Wafa news agency. continuing to gather evidence, Harvard-educated Al Ississ, who has won IMF praise for his handling of in an aid-dependent country that was struggling before the pandemic. He has been arrested sev- Akhras was transferred in but critics and rights groups the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic, helped negotiate a four- Prime Minister Bisher al-Khaswneh said in a letter to the monarch eral times previously by Israel, early September to Kaplan say the system is abused. year IMF programme worth $1.3bn, approved in March, which signalled after the swearing in ceremony he was committed to the campaign to which accuses him of having Hospital, south of Tel Aviv. His Around 355 Palestinians confidence in Jordan’s reforms. The IMF deal will enable Jordan to recover the millions of dollars owed to the Jordanian government. ties to the Islamic Jihad group. lawyers have appealed on mul- were being held under admin- access more than $3bn in cheaper financing through concessionary The drive which has so far raised over $600mn in taxes owed by com- Yesterday, some 40 people tiple occasions to Israel’s Su- istrative detention orders as of loans and grants from its major Western donors that will help soften panies will help off set a steep decline in revenues in the first half of the held a rally in the occupied preme Court for his release, in- August, including two minors, the eff ects of Covid-19 on its economy, they said. Jordan’s economy is year, when the coronavirus pandemic halted much economic activity. West Bank city of Ramallah cluding at a hearing yesterday. according to B’Tselem. Building collapses in China’s Qingdao orders city-wide Nigeria, killing eight testing after new Covid-19 infections Reuters Shanghai/Beijing AFP Lagos he Chinese city of Qingdao said yester- mergency services were Tday it will test its entire clearing debris of a col- population of more than 9mn Elapsed building yesterday people for coronavirus, after in the densely populated city of discovering 12 new infections Lagos in Nigeria that left at least that appeared to be linked to eight people dead. a hospital treating imported The cause of the incident, infections. which happened on Sunday, re- Daily Covid-19 infections mains unknown but building in mainland China have fallen collapses are common in Africa’s drastically since early in the most populous country, where outbreak, which fi rst emerged millions live in dilapidated prop- in the city of Wuhan. erties and construction laws are China had reported no new routinely ignored. domestically transmitted cases A health worker checks the temperature of residents as they line up to be tested for the Covid-19 Dozens of people were help- since early August, but has re- coronavirus in Qingdao, in China’s eastern Shandong province, yesterday. ing with the clearing operation, mained on high alert. with many victims believed to be Qingdao reported a total of Qingdao Chest Hospital, hos- The new infections emerged paign is not China’s fi rst. trapped in the rubble. six new Covid-19 cases and pital staff , or their family mem- shortly after China completed Wuhan tested its entire pop- “When the building started six asymptomatic infections bers. One asymptomatic case its Golden Week holiday, during ulation, and mass schemes in- falling down, no one was able to on Sunday, all linked to the was a taxi driver whose wife which millions of people trav- volving several million samples fl ee. No one,” one witness, Femi Workers carry rubble in the Obalende district of Lagos, yesterday, Qingdao Chest Hospital, where worked at the hospital and was elled domestically. have also been conducted in Abalenawa, said. after a three-storey building that was under construction collapsed. infected travellers arriving from also infected. Disease control authorities in Beijing and Urumqi. “Emergency services didn’t overseas have been treated in an Qingdao said it has locked several cities including Beijing The National Health Com- arrive for a while, and so people verely injured and taken to hos- presently ongoing by Lasema isolated area. down the Qingdao Chest Hos- advised residents to avoid un- mission’s daily tally reported 21 in the neighbourhood came out pital, while 10 others were lightly and other responders towards The specifi c source of infec- pital as well as the emergency necessary trips to Qingdao. confi rmed Covid-19 cases, but to help,” he added. injured, the agency added. salvaging the situation,” the tion was still under investiga- department of its central hos- An investment and trade none in Qingdao were included. “Unfortunately, eight victims The incident happened at a city’s emergency services said. tion, the city government said pital, which the taxi driver vis- expo in Qingdao organised by The number of new nation- were recovered dead, six adult building under construction In March, 20 people died in on Sunday. ited. the Shanghai Co-operation Or- wide asymptomatic cases, males and two females,” the La- in Ikoyi-Obalende, a working- the collapse of a building hous- The testing would cover the Buildings housing infected ganisation and scheduled for which China counts separately gos State Emergency Manage- class area of Lagos. ing a nursery and primary school city in fi ve days, the city said. individuals have also been the weekend of Oct 16-18 was from confi rmed cases, rose to 32 ment Agency (Lasema) tweeted “The cause of collapse is yet in Lagos, which is Nigeria’s eco- The new cases were all of locked down as part of the city’s postponed, state TV reported. from 23 a day earlier, the NHC yesterday. Ten people were se- to be ascertained but eff orts are nomic hub. current or former patients in virus containment measures. Qingdao’s mass testing cam- said. Gulf Times Tuesday, October 13, 2020 7 AMERICAS/BRITAIN

US Senate hearing opens for Supreme Court justice pick Trump launches

Reuters gun rights, and upholding voting The hearing is a key step before Washington restrictions, among other issues. a full Senate vote by the end of However, it was the fate of the October on her confi rmation to a 2010 Aff ordable Care Act (ACA), lifetime job on the court. emocratic senators in- Democratic former president Republicans have a 53-47 Sen- cluding vice-presidential Barack Obama’s signature do- ate majority so Barrett’s confi r- Dnominee Kamala Har- mestic policy achievement that mation seems almost certain. swing state blitz ris painted President Donald has enabled millions of Ameri- A pivotal Obamacare provision Trump’s Supreme Court nomi- cans to obtain medical coverage, that would be thrown out if the AFP the post violated its rules about nee Amy Coney Barrett as a threat that was the focus of Harris and court strikes the law down bars Washington misleading and potentially to the Obamacare healthcare law her fellow Democrats. insurance companies from deny- harmful misinformation. during a deadly pandemic and Barrett has criticised a 2012 ing coverage to people with pre- Trump is to visit Florida, denounced the Republican drive Supreme Court ruling authored existing medical conditions. resident Donald Trump, Pennsylvania, Iowa and North to approve her before the No- by conservative Chief Jus- In the hearing room, Demo- trailing in the polls with Carolina this week as part of a vember 3 US election. tice John Roberts that upheld crats displayed posters of pa- Pthe election just three push to make up ground on Bi- As the Senate Judiciary Com- Obamacare. tients who could lose their weeks away, returned to the den, who has a double-digit lead mittee began its four-day con- Harris, the running mate of medical coverage if Obamacare campaign trail yesterday after in the national polls according fi rmation hearing for Barrett, Trump’s Democratic election is invalidated, with senators re- being hospitalised for Covid-19, to the RealClearPolitics website. Democrats voiced their strong opponent Joe Biden, called the counting their individual stories. embarking on a sprint through As Trump prepared to leave opposition to the nomination confi rmation process so near the Repeated Republican eff orts key swing states. the White House for the fi rst even though they have little hope election “illegitimate”. to repeal Obamacare in Congress As Trump heads for Florida time since returning on Octo- of derailing her nomination in “I do believe this hearing is a have fallen short, and Republi- – the fi rst of four battleground ber 5 after three nights at Walter the Republican-led Senate. clear attempt to jam through a cans have taken the eff ort to the states he plans to visit over the Reed Medical Centre, he fi red off Barrett, a conservative ap- Supreme Court nominee who courts. next four days – his Democratic a series of tweets. pellate court judge nominated will take away healthcare from Republican Senator Ted Cruz opponent Joe Biden will be tout- He began the day by laud- to replace the late liberal Justice millions of people during a dead- said the Democratic focus on ing his economic plans in the ing his Supreme Court nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg, sat at a ta- ly pandemic that has already healthcare and other policy is- mid-western state of Ohio. Amy Coney Barrett, whose con- ble facing the senators wearing killed more than 214,000 Ameri- sues showed they were not con- Trump, 74, who has declared fi rmation hearings in the Sen- a black face mask amid the pan- cans,” Harris said, speaking via a testing Barrett’s qualifi cations to himself “immune” after catch- ate Judiciary Committee began demic as senators made opening video link. serve as a justice. ing the coronavirus, planned yesterday. statements. “A clear majority of Americans Republican Senator Lindsey to hold an outdoor campaign The Republican-controlled Barrett removed the mask want whomever wins the election Graham, who chairs the com- rally at the airport in Sanford, Senate is expected to swiftly when she was sworn in and deliv- to fi ll this seat and my Republican mittee, opened the hearing by Florida. confi rm the 48-year-old judge, Trump: returning to the election campaign trail. ered her own opening statement. colleagues know that,” she said. saying that it would be “a long White House Press Secretary potentially shifting the nation’s “I believe Americans of all “Yet they are deliberately defying contentious week” but implored Kayleigh McEnany, who has highest court fi rmly to the right Trump repeated accusations cording to RealClearPolitics, but backgrounds deserve an inde- the will of the people in their at- senators to make the proceedings been in quarantine since testing for generations. that the November 3 election is leading by more substantial pendent Supreme Court that tempt to roll back the rights and respectful. positive for Covid-19, said rally Trump claimed that Demo- would be “rigged” against him margins in Florida and Pennsyl- interprets our Constitution and protections provided under the “Let’s remember, the world is attendees would be encouraged cratic-run California and New and said the Covid-19 pan- vania – 3.7 points and 7.1 points laws as they are written,” she Aff ordable Care Act.” watching,” Graham added. “This to wear masks and hand sani- York were “going to hell”, at- demic which has left nearly respectively. said, reading from prepared re- Barrett could be on the Su- is probably not about persuad- tiser would be made available. tacked the media, and dismissed 215,000 people dead in the Biden attacked Trump’s marks that had been made public preme Court in time to partici- ing each other, unless something “Ultimately, you have a the polls which show him trail- United States will eventually planned Florida visit, saying on Sunday, with her husband and pate in a case due to be argued really dramatic happens. All Re- right in this country to show ing the 77-year-old Biden. “run its course”. that he was “bringing nothing seven children sitting behind her. on November 10 in which Trump publicans will vote yes and all up and express your political “The Lamestream Media has “Vaccines and cures are com- but reckless behaviour, divisive Barrett’s confi rmation would and Republican-led states are Democrats will vote no.” viewpoint,” she said on FOX & gone absolutely insane because ing fast!” he said. rhetoric, and fear mongering” to give the court a 6-3 conserva- seeking to invalidate Obamacare. Democratic Senator Patrick Friends. they realise we are winning BIG Trump won Florida, Pennsyl- the Sunshine State. tive majority that could lead to Barrett will face marathon Leahy condemned the Repub- White House doctors gave in all of the polls that matter,” vania, Iowa and North Carolina “But, equally dangerous is rulings rolling back abortion questioning from senators today lican “mad rush” to fi ll the va- Trump the all-clear on Saturday Trump said. “They write or – the four states he is visiting what he fails to bring: no plan to rights, expanding religious and and tomorrow. cancy. to return to the campaign trail show one false story after an- this week – in 2016 against Hil- get this virus that has taken the “They see the ability to take after he was ruled no longer a other. They are truly sick peo- lary Clinton but he is trailing lives of more than 15,000 Flor- the courts from being independ- coronavirus transmission risk ple. VOTE!!!” former vice-president Biden in idians under control,” Biden said ent to making them instead an but his claim of immunity is un- He accused Democrats of all four this time around accord- in a statement. “I’ve helped this arm of the far-right and the Re- proven. wanting to turn the United States ing to an average of state polls by country recover before, and my publican Party, with the poten- Twitter on Sunday hid a tweet into a “Socialist Nation” and RealClearPolitics. commitment to all Floridians is tial to accomplish in courts what from Trump in which he said praised the performance of the Biden has razor-thin leads in to build this country back bet- they have failed to accomplish he was immune, saying that stock market under his watch. Iowa and North Carolina, ac- ter.” by votes in the halls of Congress. And at the top of the hit list is the Aff ordable Care Act,” Leahy said. Graham defended the Re- publican approach even while acknowledging that four years Louisiana evacuees return Fauci says earlier they had refused to act on Obama’s nominee to fi ll a Su- preme Court vacancy because it Trump was an election year, and that no home after Hurricane Delta Judge Barrett: I believe Americans of all backgrounds deserve an Supreme Court nominee had a independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and confi rmation process so close to campaign laws as they are written. an election. Reuters Lake Charles, Louisiana ad twists torm-weary coastal Louisiana residents who his words Peru’s UK premier sets out Sfl ed from the path of Hurricane Delta in recent days streamed back to their homes AFP/Reuters president three-tier system of to face clean-up and repairs Washington from the second hurricane to batter their state over the past denies new lockdown measures six weeks. op government scientist Many returned to fi nd that Anthony Fauci has said Delta, dissipating substantial- Tthat an ad aired by Donald graft claim Reuters gaming centres there will also ly as it drifted farther inland Trump’s re-election campaign Liverpool/London close, Johnson said. on Sunday, had ripped away This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies was edited to make him seem to “We must act to save lives,” temporary tarpaulin roofs in- shows damaged homes after Hurricane Delta passed through endorse the president’s handling Reuters he told parliament, adding that stalled over their homes in late the area in Cameron, Louisiana, on Saturday. of the coronavirus pandemic. Lima ritish Prime Minister he did not want another lock- August after Hurricane Laura, “In my nearly fi ve decades Boris Johnson imposed down and that he understood a more powerful storm, struck lated death from Delta, an to Houston last week, came of public service, I have never Ba tiered system of fur- the feelings of those chafi ng at with devastating force. 86-year-old man killed by a home on Sunday morning to publicly endorsed any political eruvian President Martin ther restrictions on parts of the “repressions of liberty”. Delta, the 10th named storm fi re that started from the refu- fi nd that Delta’s winds had candidate,” Fauci, the long-time Vizcarra has denied a new England yesterday to curb an “If we let the virus rip, then of the 2020 Atlantic hurri- elling of a generator. torn apart some sections of his director of the National Institute Pallegation of corruption acceleration in Covid-19 cas- the bleak mathematics dic- cane season to make US land- “If you are using a genera- roof that had been left intact of Allergies and Infectious Dis- against him almost a month after es, though anger was rising at tate that we would suff er not fall, churned ashore on Friday tor, please be safe,” he warned by Laura. eases, said in a statement. he escaped impeachment over a the cost of the curtailment of only an intolerable death toll evening near the southwest- on Twitter, noting that most Others braved the hurricane The 30-second campaign ad previous scandal. freedoms. from Covid, but we would put ern Louisiana town of Creole deaths from Hurricane Laura at home only to decide after cites Trump’s personal experi- The new accusation, revealed The Covid-19 disease is such a huge strain on our NHS as a Category 2 hurricane on stemmed from improper usage it passed that the sweltering ence with the virus – “President in a Sunday newspaper story caused by the coronavirus. (National Health Service) with the fi ve-step Saffi r-Simp- of such equipment. weather was too much to bear. Trump is recovering from the based on an anonymous witness Johnson announced a new an uncontrolled second spike son intensity scale, packing Delta knocked out power “I don’t see any electricity coronavirus, and so is America,” working with government pros- three-tiered system in an at- that our doctors and nurses maximum sustained winds of to more than 600,000 homes coming back anytime soon, so it says – before including a brief ecutors, is that Vizcarra accept- tempt to standardise a patch- would simply be unable to de- 100mph (160kph). and businesses, but electricity I’m going to give them about clip in which Fauci appears to ed $280,000 in pay-off s from a work of often complicated and vote themselves to other treat- By Sunday, the storm had had been restored by Sunday a week and then come back,” praise the president’s response construction company involved confusing restrictions im- ments.” been downgraded to a post- to about half those customers, said Sam Jones, 77, a Lake to the pandemic. in a public works project before posed across England. Health offi cials say that the tropical cyclone over the Edwards said. Charles resident who rode out “I can’t imagine that any- he became president. Lawmakers will vote on the freshest data showed infec- southern Appalachians, but The power outages appeared the hurricane at home and was body could be doing more,” he Yesterday Vizcarra rejected move today. tions were rising across the still posed a heavy rainfall to be a factor in the pace of heading to his son’s home in is shown as saying, creating the the accusations and suggested The lockdowns will include north of England and in some threat, the US National Hur- evacuees returning home. Fort Worth, Texas. clear impression that he is refer- that the complaints were a re- shutting nightspots in areas more southerly areas too, while ricane Centre (NHC) said. As of Sunday morning, A neighbour who did evacu- ring to Trump. prisal after he increased the pace placed in the “very high” alert the virus was creeping up age US energy workers headed more than 9,100 Louisianans ate came back on Saturday be- But a complete clip of Fauci’s of investigations of the “con- level from tomorrow. bands towards the elderly from back to off shore oil and gas were still in emergency shel- fore leaving again because she comments, made during an in- struction club” of engineering The other alert levels in the those aged 16-29 years. platforms in the northern Gulf ters or other temporary hous- was also without power. terview in March with Fox News, companies with links to govern- new system are “medium” and “This is not how we want of Mexico to restart produc- ing, most of them in hotels Insured losses from Delta shows him saying: “I have been ment infrastructure projects. “high”. to live our lives but this is the tion that was largely halted as or at a “mega” shelter set up were projected to run to $2bn, devoting almost full time on this. “Every time you try to de- So far, Merseyside in north- narrow path we have to tread Hurricane Delta barrelled into in the city of Alexandria, ac- while Laura’s losses were es- “I’m down at the White House feat that virus of corruption, it west England – which includes between the social and eco- the region, with 91% of crude cording to Catherine Heitman, timated at around $10bn, in- virtually every day with the task defends itself by attacking,” he the city of Liverpool – is the nomic trauma of a full lock- oil output remaining off -line spokeswoman for the Depart- cluding over $2bn to off shore force. It’s every single day. said. “When you hit powerful only area classifi ed at the “very down and massive human and on Sunday, according to fed- ment of Children and Family energy production facili- “So, I can’t imagine that un- interests, they don’t stay calm.” high” level. indeed economic cost of an eral regulators. Services. ties, said Steve Bennett, chief der any circumstances that any- The prosecutor’s offi ce, con- Gyms, leisure centres, ca- uncontained epidemic,” John- Governor John Bel Edwards Lake Charles resident Ger- product offi cer for the Demex body could be doing more.” tacted by Reuters, declined to sinos, betting shops and adult son said. reported the fi rst storm-re- ard Meschwitz, 62, who fl ed Group, a technology company. In his statement on Sunday, comment on the allegations Fauci said: “The comments at- published by the newspaper. tributed to me without my per- Last month, Peru’s Congress mission in the GOP (Republican voted against removing Vizcarra party) campaign ad were taken in an impeachment trial, tempo- out of context from a broad rarily quelling political tensions Irish court rejects extradition of Briton for 1996 murder statement I made months ago in a recession brought on by the about the eff orts of federal pub- coronavirus pandemic. lic health offi cials.” The country has reported Reuters his conviction in France for was found while she was on tradition to France. ter speaking to others about the Trump defended the clip, and 33,305 coronavirus-related Dublin murdering a French fi lm pro- holiday in the Irish village of In a written judgment yes- killing after it took place. his handling of pandemic, and deaths so far. ducer in Ireland 24 years ago. Schull in December 1996. terday, Judge Paul Burns found Toscan du Plantier’s husband rebutted the doctor’s criticism. The new charge, according Bailey was sentenced in ab- He has always denied the that Bailey had an “accrued Daniel Toscan du Plantier was “They are indeed Dr Fauci’s to the unnamed witness, is that n Irish court has rejected sentia to 25 years in jail by a crime and Irish authorities have right” not to be surrendered on a leading producer and worked own words. We have done a Vizcarra took the pay-off seven the extradition of British French court last year for the never prosecuted him for it. the basis of the previous Irish with renowned fi lm-makers ‘phenomenal’ job, according to years ago when he was a gover- Ajournalist Ian Bailey for murder of Sophie Toscan du Irish courts had on two pre- court decisions. including Federico Fellini and certain governors,” the president nor. a third time in connection with Plantier, whose battered body vious occasions blocked his ex- Bailey became a suspect af- Ingmar Bergman. wrote in a tweet.

Gulf Times Tuesday, October 13, 2020 9 INDIA

RESHUFFLE CONTROVERSY INVESTIGATION RACKET POLITICS Yediyurappa replaces Sack Anna University Delhi court extends 5 held for printing Kerala’s CPM withdraws state health minister vice chancellor: Stalin custody of journalist counterfeit notes from all TV news debates

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa Dravida Munnetra Kazghagam party president A Delhi court has extended the judicial custody Five members of a gang printing counterfeit Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) yesterday replaced the health minister amid M K Stalin yesterday demanded the immediate of freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma, arrested currency notes were arrested in Andhra party has withdrawn from all TV news debates a rise in the coronavirus cases. Medical dismissal of Anna University Vice Chancellor under the Off icial Secrets Act (OSA) for allegedly Pradesh’s East Godavari district and fake amid a political storm over investigations into Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar has been M K Surappa. His demand came after Surappa passing on secret information to the Chinese notes with a face value of Rs8.9mn seized the gold smuggling case and allegations of given the additional charge of the health wrote a letter to the central government stating intelligence, till October 25, his lawyer said from them, police said yesterday. According to corruption in the Life Mission housing project. ministry. B Sreeramulu who was the health and that the university can raise Rs15bn crore on its yesterday. The 61-year-old journalist was the police, Dangeti Srinivas Rao, a carpenter Anchors of prime time debates on various family welfare minister had faced numerous own over a five-year period and doesn’t need produced before the court on Sunday at the end in Rampachodavam, had lost money in channels on Sunday night said no leader of embarrassments ever since the Covid-19 the state government’s assistance. Stalin said of his 14-day judicial custody, following which some illegal businesses, and in a bid make CPM, which heads the ruling Left Democratic pandemic broke out in March. Since then, if Surappa has sent the letter without Chief it was extended. The Delhi Police’s Special Cell money illegally, hatched a plan to make fake Front, would be present. Their place was taken Sudhakar had always been in the forefront to Minister K Palaniswami’s consent, then the state arrested Sharma on September 14, for allegedly currency and mix them with genuine notes. He by party sympathisers, who found it hard to brief the media as well as the opposition over government must immediately recommend to working for Chinese intelligence. The police proposed the idea to his friends who agreed to counter the allegations by representatives of Covid-related issues. Sreeramulu has been Governor Banwarilal Purohit to dismiss Surappa. seized a laptop, some confidential documents print Rs10mn in fake money, and they took the the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. On given the the Social Welfare portfolio which The DMK chief said Surappa’s letter is against the related to Indian defence and incriminating help of Rao’s son Brahmaji, who runs a photo Sunday, Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the was with Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol reservation policy and the state government’s papers from his house, off icials said. Chinese studio. The gang printed some Rs2,000 and two cases, in her statement to the Enforcement who also holds the Public Works Development financial rights. He wondered how Surappa could woman Qing Shi and her Nepalese partner Sher Rs500 notes using a computer, printer and a Directorate, claimed that she had met Chief portfolio. Sudhakar said: “There is no need for write to the central government when a ministerial Singh alias Raj Bohra were also arrested as scanner in the studio. The suspects have been Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan at his off icial me or Sreeramulu to be happy or sad about this committee to study the issue of bifurcating Anna they were found supplying Sharma with huge charged under various sections of the Indian residence where he introduced her to senior IAS development. University is yet to release its report. amounts of money, the police added. Penal Code and sent to jail. off icial and his key aide M Sivasankar. Delhi no more to display names of Covid patients outside homes

Agencies Some residents in Delhi said New Delhi that such was the fear over the disease that people tried to dis- tance themselves from patients elhi authorities have even after they had recovered. stopped putting notices “Discrimination is wide- Doutside the homes of spread, putting posters adds people infected with coronavi- to the problem,” said Dr Jugal rus because this has amplifi ed Kishore who heads the commu- the social stigma associated with nity medicines department at the disease and in turn caused Delhi’s Safdarjang hospital. others to hide their illness, offi - Other states such as Uttar cials said yesterday. Pradesh, the most populous, Early on during the outbreak have also stopped publicising in the Indian capital, offi cials cases in the neighbourhood. would paste a poster on the But the practice remains prev- homes of people in quarantine alent in Mumbai, residents said. after they had tested positive for Health experts said yes- the virus to make sure everyone terday that people should avoid A man stands near a local train stranded due to a major outage after grid failure in Mumbai yesterday. in the neighbourhood was care- being paranoid and must take ful. proper pandemic-related pre- It also deterred people from cautions after a new study violating the quarantine. claimed that the coronavirus can But more than six months into survive longer on bank notes. the pandemic people were fully Researchers at the Common- aware of Covid-19, the respira- wealth Scientifi c and Industrial tory disease caused by the virus, Research Organisation (CSIRO), and there was less need to publi- Australia’s national science Mumbai gets power back cise the cases, city offi cials said. agency, claimed that that the vi- Instead it was important to rus can survive for up to 28 days instill confi dence in people to on common surfaces including come forward and test them- bank notes, glass such as that selves. found on mobile phone screens “There is a stigma with the and stainless steel. coronavirus disease and posters Stressing that there were after widespread outage outside the house amplify that. loopholes in the study, Dr Richa By doing away with this, we are Sareen of Fortis Hospital in Agencies transformer sparked similar which are treating Covid-19 sengers than usual. Still, social “There was some routine aiming at increased testing. We Delhi, said that the research was Mumbai power cuts in the city and its patients. media was splashed with pic- maintenance work underway want more people to get them- carried out in the dark, with sta- suburbs. Hospitals and other insti- tures of people stranded inside on Circuit 1 of MSETCL’s 400 selves tested without thinking ble temperature (20 degree) and Throughout yesterday’s tutions in India have over the lightless trains and in railway KV Kalwa-Padgha GIS cen- of stigmas,” said Delhi Environ- humidity. illions went without breakdown, Mumbai’s inter- years banked on emergency stations. tre. So the entire load was ment Minister Kailash Gehlot. “These are virus-friendly power in India’s fi nan- national airport and the coun- diesel power generators as a The Times of India said fi nal- shifted to Circuit 2. But be- India’s total coronavirus cases conditions and do not simulate Mcial capital Mumbai try’s two main stock exchanges backup due to frequent outages year online exams across Mum- cause of a sudden technical stood at 7.12mn yesterday, the the actual temperature and hu- and surrounding areas for hours located in the city, the National caused by demand outstripping bai colleges have been post- glitch, large parts of Mumbai federal Health Ministry data midity variations. Earlier studies yesterday, after a grid failure Stock Exchange and Bombay supply. poned due to the blackout. and Thane were affected,” showed, behind only the United had documented the presence triggered its fi rst major blackout Stock Exchange, operated nor- The situation has improved The power failure had other Raut said. States which is approaching the of virus on bank notes for up to in more than two years. mally, their spokespeople said. in the big cities but the coun- repercussions like hitting water The situation was compli- 8mn mark. two-three days and glass and The outage stranded thou- “Power supply to all essential tryside still has to live with fre- supply schedules, elevators in cated with multiple trippings The country recorded 66,732 steel for six-seven days, which sands of train passengers, dis- services in Mumbai, suburbs quent power cuts. some buildings, and traffi c sig- on the Kalwa-Padghe and new infections in the last 24 seems more acceptable,” Sareen rupted online college exams and have been restored. Non-essen- Mumbai’s trains, which are nals, leading to chaos on roads, Kharghar lines and the trans- hours, a decline from last said. aff ected mobile telephone serv- tial services will also be restored generally packed and move among others. formers that supply power to month’s highs, but still the Dr Suranjit Chatterjee of In- ices before power was restored shortly,” Raut said on Twitter. more than 7mn people a day to Chief Minister Uddhav Mumbai, resulting in total dis- world’s highest daily rise. draprastha Apollo Hospital said to most parts of the city of some The government-run Bri- their offi ces and factories, have Thackeray and Raut ordered a ruption of around 2,200 MW of Deaths from Covid-19 infec- that coronavirus is transmitted 20mn. hanmumbai Electric Supply resumed operations after more high-level investigation into power supply to the country’s tions rose by 816 to 109,150, the mostly through direct contact The grid failure was caused and Transport (BEST), Adani than two hours of inactivity due the outage, as power supply was commercial capital for several ministry said. with an infected person, espe- by “technical problems” during Power Ltd and Tata Power Co to the power failure. restored by 2pm. hours. Delhi makes up a little over cially the virus-laden parti- maintenance work, Maharash- Ltd – the three main suppli- Train services in the city Raut said some regular main- BEST said the power supply 4% of India’s total caseload, the cles they emit while coughing, tra Energy Minister Nitin Raut ers to Mumbai – had all been have been curtailed due to the tenance work was going on was “interrupted due to Tata’s second highest after Pune, and sneezing, speaking, singing and said. aff ected by the outage that ex- coronavirus pandemic and at the 400KV lines in Kalwa, incoming electric supply fail- ahead of Mumbai and Bengaluru. even breathing. In mid-2018, a fire at a tended to hospitals, many of they are carrying far fewer pas- Thane. ure” at around 10.15am. Govt unveils loan scheme Actress Khushboo quits in bid to boost spending Congress, joins BJP IANS New Delhi Agencies six months spend the money India has been easing a na- New Delhi on buying goods that will help tionwide coronavirus lockdown your family,” Sitharaman told since June but millions have lost outhern movie star Khush- a news conference. With the their jobs. boo Sundar, who was a illions of public loan scheme, the government The Congress criticised the SCongress spokesper- servants will be of- will spend Rs80bn ($1.1bn) to stimulus saying the decision will son until yesterday morning, Mfered loans of around give government employees a not help the economy and “to- changed sides by afternoon and Rs10,000 ($135) – to be repaid Rs10,000 salary advance to be re- day’s problems could become joined the Bharatiya Janata Party over 10 months – in a bid to paid over 10 months. tomorrow’s nightmares.” (BJP) in New Delhi and suggested boost spending and salvage the Sitharaman said the plan, Congress leaders Gaurav Bal- if the nation has to “move for- Khushboo Sundar coronavirus-ravaged economy, aimed at encouraging people labh and Praveen Chakraborty ward” it needs the leadership of the government said yesterday. to spend some of their savings, said that “the LTC (leave travel Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sonia Gandhi. Soon after joining The off er comes days after the would generate about $4.9bn for concession) is to boost the hos- Ahead of Tamil Nadu assem- the BJP, Khushboo said, she has World Bank said the economy the economy. pitality and tourism industry bly elections next year, Khush- “come to an understanding” that if would contract by nearly 10% The measures “would energise and now the government is ask- boo’s move is being seen as a BJP the nation has to “move forward” it this year, and coincides with growth over the remaining part ing to spend it on FMCG. (con- attempt to ramp up its organisa- needs the leadership of Modi. next month’s celebration of Di- of the year”, the Federation of sumer goods).” tion in the southern state where “I am whole-heartedly in the wali, one of the country’s most Indian Chambers of Commerce “There was no extra spend- it has a very weak presence. service of the Bharatiya Janata Par- important festivals. and Industry said following the ing to boost demand and the in- Once a successful actress who ty and I promise to do my best in Finance Minister Nirmala announcement. The govern- crease in states’ capital expendi- featured in more than 200 mov- whatever responsibilities given to Sitharaman said federal govern- ment has also set aside $1.6bn ture is paltry and untimely. This ies, Khushboo joined the saff ron me. I will make sure that my state ment employees would also be for 50-year loans to states to is yet another vindication that party in the presence of BJP gen- sees a BJP government,” she said. allowed to spend about $3.8bn spend on roads, defence and the government is at its wits’ end eral secretary C T Ravi. Earlier in the day, in her resig- worth of unused travel benefi ts other infrastructure by March. when it comes to managing the Later she met BJP president J P nation letter to Gandhi, Khush- - which are part of their salaries The stimulation measures economy.” said Ballabh. Nadda. The star-turned-politician boo alleged that individuals like - on goods and services. would not fuel infl ation or put This means that the govern- resigned from the Congress af- her were being “suppressed” by “Festivals are coming and we public debt “on an unsustainable ment is ignoring the tourism Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses a news ter six years, only after sending a “a few elements seated at higher want to tell you that in the next path”, Sitharaman said. sector and killing it, he added. conference in New Delhi yesterday. scathing letter to party president levels within the party”. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Don’t just count Djokovic out in GOAT race Little more than a month ago when Novak Djokovic strutted on to Arthur Ashe Stadium to play Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in the US Open fourth round, the smart money was on the Serbian one day topping the list of men’s Grand Slam title winners. With Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer – the two men above him in the GOAT (greatest of all time) race – absent in New York, the door seemed ajar for Djokovic to really start breathing down their necks. A month on, however, after being thrashed by a Fussing over mail ballot rampant Nadal in the French Open fi nal, the Serbian remains on 17 Grand Slam titles, three behind the duo. President Donald Trump according to the Pew Research Center. rely on a recent series of four fi rm investigations of DeJoy and Duncan Sunday’s defeat against a phenomenal Nadal will alleges, without proof, that Today postal workers like Bill but temporary federal court orders in for possibly violating Postal Service not hurt quite as much as what happened in New York are having their load signifi cantly response to lawsuits from almost half conduct and ethics breeches. During voting by mail is so fl awed when Djokovic was defaulted after hitting a female increased. The mail carrier’s legendary the states. such an inquiry, the two should be that it will steal the election creed – “Neither snow nor rain nor DeJoy’s days as postmaster general barred from casting any votes on the line judge in the throat with a ball knocked away in heat nor gloom of night stays these should be numbered. He has recently Board of Governors. frustration. from him couriers from the swift completion of become embroiled in defending himself The USPS says its governors are He was a huge favourite to win a fourth US Open title their appointed rounds” – is now more in light of evidence he pressured his “comparable to the board of directors and with doubts over Nadal’s post-Covid-19 shutdown By Tom Coleman diffi cult to fulfi l. company’s North Carolina employees of a publicly held corporation.” For 18 This year’s hotly contested to make political contributions to years now, boards of such businesses form, it was not diffi cult to imagine him drawing level presidential election is being conducted Republican candidates and then have been governed by a law setting with the Spaniard on 19 Grand Slams at the French hen I was a teenager during a pandemic sure to result in an reimbursed the workers. If true, it would standards of corporate governance. Open. enduring Kansas City’s unprecedented number of votes cast be a criminal violation of federal and The USPS, by embracing that statute, All that is now irrelevant summers, a highlight of through the mail. But that’s not all. The state campaign fi nance laws. He may has assumed accountability not to the day was when Bill, our post offi ce and its employees are under have also committed perjury by lying shareholders but to its principal and the question is whether W Despite a friendly mailman, arrived at the house. attack by President Donald Trump about it under oath to Congress. stakeholders – the American people. or not the 33-year-old has The attraction was not so much the few and his newly handpicked postmaster Then there’s Kentuckian Robert The postal board, therefore, has a defl ating few slipped too far behind. envelopes he might deliver – but rather general, Louis DeJoy. Duncan, who is chairman of the USPS fi duciary duty to the public and must While Federer’s prospects the opportunity to chat with him for a This duo, with an enabling assist from Board of Governors and also reportedly govern with loyalty to the mission of the weeks for few minutes over a glass of ice water. the USPS Board of Governors, is setting a director of Senate Majority Leader USPS. Its loyalty is not to the president of adding to his haul are I learned how he and his wife had the Postal Service up to fail for political Mitch McConnell’s so-called super PAC and certainly not to its own fi nancial or Djokovic, he diminishing with every adopted several children from diff erent reasons. Trump alleges, without proof, – a clear confl ict of interest. political self-interest. passing year, the 34-year-old ethnic backgrounds, providing them a that voting by mail is so fl awed that it Secretary Michael Elston is the Board members must follow the USPS will not be Nadal, on the evidence of the home and lots of love. He learned how will steal the election from him. board member responsible for carrying codes of conduct and ethical behaviour my baseball team was doing. Then he For his part, soon after arriving, out compliance with all statutory prescriptions – and, most importantly, about to give past fortnight, looks as good would be off to fi nish his rounds – the DeJoy made major changes in postal requirements and also the Postal be loyal to the Constitution they as ever. sort of dedicated public servant, with delivery capability that call into Service’s chief compliance offi cer, swore to uphold. Doing all that means up the chase Nadal was sanguine when the high ethical standards, we have question whether millions of ballots making him responsible for his immediately reversing the harmful asked about drawing level come to associate with the Postal will be returned in time to be counted. colleagues’ following the USPS code of decisions DeJoy has implemented, Service. He reportedly has removed 671 high- ethics. restoring the equipment necessary to with Federer for the fi rst time in his career. For me, those days of blistering heat speed machines capable of sorting “All employees are required to place handle the onslaught of mailed ballots “We keep playing. I don’t know what can happen in would soon be fi lled with minimum over 21 million pieces of mail an hour, loyalty to the Constitution, the laws and and paying those who will have to work the future. I am just excited and of course is something wage jobs to earn spending money for cancelled employee overtime and ethical principles above private gain,” overtime on election mail. that means a lot to me,” he told reporters. high school and college. I saw Bill only removed hundreds of local mailboxes. it says. “To ensure that every citizen Having accomplished this, they occasionally, although 20 years later we His changes have resulted in slowing can have complete confi dence in the will have done their part in assuring Despite a defl ating few weeks for Djokovic, he will did catch up one day when he dropped down the mail. integrity” or the government, it goes Americans will have a free and fair not be about to give up the chase. After all, in 2009, he by my offi ce on Capitol Hill. The actions by DeJoy and Trump on, “each postal employee must respect election, the basis of constitutional only had one major to his name while Nadal was on six My experience is not unique. Millions seem to be designed to create so and adhere to the principles of ethical democracy. – TNS and Federer owned 15. have had similar relationships with much confusion that voters will lose conduct.” their mail carriers. That would account confi dence in the eventual outcome of What’s been happening at the zTom Coleman was an assistant Since then he has been the most prolifi c collector of for why the United State Postal Service the election, or simply not vote. Postal Service reflects nothing less Missouri attorney general and Grand Slam titles and the nagging sense that he lacks (USPS) has the highest favourability With overwhelming approval from than an attempt to undermine US Republican congressman from 1976 to the adulation heaped on Nadal and Federer will fuel his rating of all government institutions: the public to be reckoned with, the Constitution and the free and fair 1993. Now retired as a lobbyist, he is an hunger to catch them. 91% (and the same share among USPS board would be wise to unwind elections it envisions. Therefore, adviser to Protect Democracy, an anti- Democrats and Republicans alike) these misguided eff orts – rather than Elston should immediately open authoritarian watchdog group. Seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander believes Djokovic, who could have trumped Nadal and Federer by becoming the fi rst man in the professional era to win each of the Grand Slams at least twice had he won on Sunday, can do it. But he makes Nadal the favourite. “Today, tells us that Rafa Nadal most probably has the best chance to go down as the greatest male tennis player of all-time,” the Swede said. Of course it will hurt Djokovic’s confi dence not having won at the US Open and then this defeat in Paris. But now he goes into training for the Australian Open where he becomes clear favourite – and he knows if he wins three majors next year, then he is up at 20. Djokovic’s superb fi tness means he can play on for a few more years. The question is whether he is as emotionally involved as he has been over the last two years. Maybe the answer to the question will come at the Australian Open.

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© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved SPOTLIGHT: An election worker places a mail-in ballot into an election box at a drive-through drop off location at the Registrar of Voters in San Diego, California. (File photo) Gulf Times Tuesday, October 13, 2020 11 PAKISTAN

Main suspect in Motorway gang-rape Covid-19 case arrested Bajwa quits as PM’s aide but After being on the run for 33 days, positivity the main suspect of the Lahore- Sialkot motorway gang-rape case, Abid Malhi, was arrested by police rate crosses yesterday, off icials confirmed. will stay on as CPEC chair Abid was arrested from Faisalabad and is being shifted 2% for the to Lahore, Hasnain Haider, a Internews dence provided by Bajwa about his The Pakistan Democratic Move- deputy superintendent (DSP) of Islamabad family’s assets. ment – a newly-formed alliance of the Crime Investigation Agency He had also directed him to con- opposition parties – passed a resolu- fi rst time in (CIA), said. tinue working as the SAPM on in- tion in September, saying that claims The news was confirmed in a etired Lt General Asim Saleem formation and broadcasting. made in the news report regarding tweet by prime minister’s special Bajwa yesterday announced In August, journalist Ahmed Bajwa’s assets and family business six weeks assistant Shahbaz Gill, who said Rhe was stepping down as Spe- Noorani broke the news on a web- should be probed. that the suspect will be punished cial Assistant to the Prime Minister site alleging that Bajwa had used his The forum said that he should be Internews according to law. (SAPM) on Information and Broad- offices in setting up off-shore busi- removed as the chairman of CPEC Islamabad Last month, two robbers on the casting — more than a month af- nesses of his wife, sons and broth- Authority until the investigation is Lahore-Sialkot motorway had ter he submitted his resignation to ers. completed. gang-raped a mother of two in Prime Minister Imran Khan. After almost a week of silence, According to the news report, Ba- ith the percentage of front of her children in an area “I requested the honourable Bajwa issued a statement, saying he jwa’s younger brothers opened their positive Covid-19 in- falling within the Gujjarpura prime minister to relinquish me possessed all the documents about fi rst Papa John’s pizza restaurant in Wfections crossing two police jurisdiction. from the additional portfolio of his family’s assets and was ready to 2002, the year he started working as a per cent for the first time in six The incident sparked a national SAPM on Info and broadcasting. He present them and the money trail lieutenant colonel on General Pervez weeks, Pakistan seems hope- outcry leading the prime minister very kindly approved my request,” before any judicial forum. Musharraf’s staff . ful of acquiring a vaccine in the to suggest severest punishment, he tweeted. Following the publication of the re- It says the Bajwa family’s compa- next six months. including the possibility of He will continue to work as chair- port, opposition parties had called for nies spent an estimated $52.2mn to An official of the Ministry of chemical castration. Abid and man of the China-Pakistan Eco- Bajwa to face the allegations against develop their businesses and $14.5mn National Health Services, re- Shafqat Ali alias Bagga – who is nomic Corridor (CPEC) Authority. him. Leading opposition politician to purchase properties in the US and questing not to be quoted, said on judicial remand – are the main Bajwa had submitted his resigna- Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former that his wife Farrukh Zeba was a the University of Health Sci- suspects in the case. tion from the post of special assist- prime minister Nawaz Sharif, had shareholder in all the foreign busi- ences (UHS) had been collabo- Abid is also wanted to police ant to the premier last month, in the said that the evidence against Ba- nesses and is associated with or a rating with Oxford University in at least 10 other criminal wake of allegations levelled regard- jwa was “huge” and called for him to shareholder in 85 companies includ- on a vaccine but the UK var- cases, including rape registered EXIT: Lt General (retired) Asim Saleem ing his family’s assets. However, the clarify his position before the nation. ing 82 foreign companies. sity sold the patent as well as at various police stations of Bajwa is embroiled in a controversy over premier had refused to accept his “If you have been appointed to a The estimated current net worth the research to an India-based Punjab. the health of his financial assets, but resignation at the time. government post on taxpayers’ mon- of businesses and properties of company. The arrest was welcomed by he denies any wrongdoing. Initially, the The official PTI Twitter account ey and allegations are made against these companies jointly owned by “India, on the other hand, President Arif Alvi, who termed prime minister had declined, but has now had quoted the premier as saying you and evidence is presented, you Zeba stands at $52.7mn, the report announced a policy under it “a matter of national relief”. accepted his resignation. that he was satisfied with the evi- should face them,” she said. concluded. which it will produce a vaccine “An eff icient trial of the accused for its one billion population and the ‘severest exemplary’ before selling it to any other punishment possible under the country,” the official said, add- law must be given to all those ing that “fortunately we made a found guilty,” the president said wise decision to cooperate with in a tweet. “Let everyone feel safe Major works on to embellish ‘Islamabad the Beautiful’ China on a vaccine and allowed in Pakistan, specially our women phase-III trials in Pakistan.” and children.” He said they were hopeful Internews CDA spokesperson Mazhar ers were in the field on Satur- the vaccine would be available Islamabad Hussain said the decision to day to monitor the progress in the next six months, add- Remittances take over the four directorates of road, market and street ing that it prepared antibodies was made in response to com- maintenance, park upkeep, against spike proteins. soar by 31% he Capital Development plaints from Islamabad resi- sanitation, streetlights and “At present, 15 vaccines were in September Authority (CDA) has dents. horticulture. in phase-III trial globally out of Tdeputed two offi cers at “Residents were facing a Sanitation staff contin- which 11 target the spike pro- the level of a director general to number of issues related to wa- ued a special cleanliness op- tein,” he said. Remittances from Pakistani workers address public complaints and ter, sanitation, environment, eration yesterday and special The official said the vaccine employed abroad increased to $2.3 restore ‘Islamabad the Beauti- roads, etc. The management of teams have been formed for might not be effective for life billion in September, a 31.2% rise ful’. the CDA has appointed Naveed this purpose, it added. The and an energy booster would be year-on-year and up 9% compared Both offi cials have been Tareen as the director general teams will clean markets, required every year. to the previous month, the country’s made answerable to the au- environment and he will be sectors and open spaces. Meanwhile, Minister for central bank said yesterday. thority’s members fi nance and responsible for addressing the Residents have been asked Planning, Development and Remittances remained above $2 engineering to ensure their issues of parks, horticulture, not to burn heaps of garbage Special Initiatives Asad Umar billion for a fourth consecutive decisions are implemented sanitation, etc and will report in green areas and open spac- said positive cases that had re- month, capping a higher than promptly. to Member Finance Rana Sha- es, and sanitation staff will mained below two per cent for expected inflow of finances in the CDA Chairman Amer Ali keel,” he said. work in shifts to remove gar- the last six weeks had now sur- first quarter of FY2020-21 for the Ahmed said Prime Minister Im- Member Engineering Ayaz bage dumps in open spaces passed it. South Asian nation, which has ran Khan had directed for the Khan has been directed to en- and other parts of the city. “That is why mini smart struggled with current account city to be restored in all its glory. sure the repair of streetlights On Saturday, the MPO con- lockdowns have been enforced deficits and a depreciating He said Rs54 billion recently and the carpeting of roads, he tinued carpeting Islamabad in Karachi, Islamabad and Azad currency. “The level of remittances generated by the CDA will be added. Expressway. The eastern side Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover in September was slightly higher spent on the city. Ahmed, the authority’s of the expressway is being re- district administrations have than SBP’s projections of $2 billion,” He added that two SUVs be- chairman, said that he pulled pairs in the first phase, after been directed to ensure pre- the State Bank of Pakistan said in a ing used by the Metropolitan staff out of their homes on which repairs will be carried cautionary measures,” he said, statement, adding that first quarter Corporation Islamabad (MCI) the weekend and remained out on the western side. adding that it was impossible figures were 31.1% higher year on management will now be turned on the roads himself to give a The environment wing, as- to control the virus without the year. into operational vehicles. clear message that everyone sisted by the Islamabad Capi- cooperation of people. Multiple factors contributed to Earlier this week, the CDA will have to give 100%. tal Territory, removed wild Talking to local media, Umar the increase, including Pakistan’s took over four MCI directo- “The fact is that noth- growth in F-9 Park, where said nationwide maximum crackdown on illegal channels, rates – its environment wings, ing has been done in the last work on lighting has also been positivity rate at the peak of the Samiullah Tariq, head of research including urban, regional and four years due to which it has taken up. Around 1,500 envi- pandemic was recorded at 23pc and development at Pakistan parks, the Directorate of Sani- been decided to do tendering ronment wing offi cials were while the minimum was 1.7pc. Kuwait Investment Company, tation and City Sewerage and of whole Islamabad to restore deputed to remove wild growth “Within three weeks, the told Reuters. “Remittances are the Directorate of Water, bulk ‘Islamabad the Beautiful’. and carry out other beautifi ca- positivity rate went from 6pc consistently increasing due to a water supply and water and We have generated Rs54 tion work around the city. to 23pc, therefore people need combination of factors including sewerage development, and billion, which will be spent on The road maintenance di- to understand that the virus limited physical mobility of expats the Directorate of Engineering, residents of the federal capi- rectorate carried out patch can spread rapidly. We had ob- to Pakistani due to Covid-19 including the Machinery Pool tal as there is a clear direction work and repair maintenance served that it was transmitting resulting in more transfers through Organisation (MPO), street- from Prime Minister Imran on Jinnah Avenue, Abbas from restaurants and wedding off icial channels,” Tariq said. lights and market roads and Khan to restore the city,” he Center, Rehman Plaza in Blue halls, which was why we de- “Covid-19 test requirement is still maintenance. said. Area and in F-10 Markaz, cided to revise the guidelines,” there for the Middle East, UK and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ahmed said tenders will while the installation and he said. US, major countries from where Anser Aziz resigned the fol- take 20 days, after which the painting of curb stones on The minister suggested that remittances come, so people are lowing day, saying that he had restoration of the city will be Daman-i-Koh Pir Sohawa the opposition use television travelling less,” Saad Hashemy, been pushed to a wall and it visible day by day. Road, Agha Khan Road, and for its protests rather than Executive Director BMA Capital was no longer possible to serve According to a statement, Super Market F-6 was also public meetings as they could Management, told Reuters. the residents of the capital. the chairman and other offic- taken up. SERENE: A picturesque view of the federal capital. (File photo) lead to the spread of the virus.

Catch of the day Court issues notice to PM for attending lawyers ceremony

The Supreme Court of Pakistan the premier had said the yesterday issued a notice to opposition parties’ real issue Prime Minister Imran Khan for with the military was that attending a ceremony of the — unlike other institutions — PTI-aff iliated Insaf Lawyers they were unable to “control” Forum (ILF) held in Islamabad the Inter-Services Intelligence last week. (ISI) after the agency “found “The prime minister is the out” about their alleged premier of the whole country, corruption. not of one particular group. He also touched upon tenures Why is he misusing the state’s of former prime minister resources?” Justice Qazi Faez Nawaz Sharif, saying the Isa remarked while hearing a PML-N supremo “fought with civil case against the Punjab every army chief” because he government. He added that wanted to turn the military into the matter was related to the Punjab police. Constitution and fundamental Nawaz in recent weeks has rights. levelled serious allegations of The apex court also issued political interference against notices to the attorney the armed forces. general, the Punjab advocate In his remarks, the SC judge “They (opposition parties) general and the in-charge said that the premier could control all the institutions of the Convention Centre not align himself with one whose job it is to keep checks where the ceremony was particular group. “The premier and balances, except one. They hosted. Justice Isa asked the supported a particular group know the ISI is aware of all Convention Centre’s in-charge by attending the ceremony,” their theft. They try to control to inform the court whether he said. it and that’s where the conflict the expenses for the ceremony Justice Isa referred the starts,” he had said. were paid for. matter to Chief Justice of The PM had said Sharif’s real Justice Isa added that the Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed for the cause was not democracy premier participated in the constitution of a bench. but protecting his financial A worker holds a bat after catching it while feeding at a persimmon orchard in Peshawar yesterday. AFP photo event in a personal capacity. Addressing the ILF last week, interests. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 QATAR

LuLu Hypermarket supports QCS Blossom Campaign

ulu Hypermarket has sup- ported the “Blossom Cam- Lpaign” launched by Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) on October 1, with a view to raise awareness about breast cancer throughout the month. LuLu has launched a campaign under title “Shop and Donate” by allocating part of the sales pro- ceeds of more than 700 products this month to support the QCS’s awareness programmes. “This donation is a part of LuLu Hypermarket’s Corpo- rate Social Responsibility and to US lawmakers support Qatar’s National Vision 2030,” according to a statement tour Ras issued by LuLu yesterday. October being Breast Cancer Abu Aboud Awareness Month and as part of their campaign, LuLu showroom Stadium staff have marked their partici- pation by wearing a pink ribbon, Supreme Committee for Delivery the worldwide symbol, to raise & Legacy (SC) secretary-general awareness among the custom- LuLu showroom staff are wearing pink ribbons to raise awareness among customers and staff about Hassan al-Thawadi and Technical ers and staff alike and encourage breast cancer. Delivery Off ice vice-chairman Yasir them to do early detection and al-Jamal with a delegation of US adopt healthy lifestyles to pre- achieving the QCS’s vision to be ing with cancer, and to engage dressing the needs of patients Congressmen at Ras Abu Aboud vent the disease. the community partnership plat- in the professional development who are unable to aff ord the ex- Stadium yesterday. They were Dr Dera al-Dosari, director of form, to make Qatar a leader in and scientifi c research in the fi eld penses of the treatment and re- accompanied by Sheikh Meshal bin the Resources Development De- cancer prevention and its burden of cancer”. duce their fi nancial burden. Hamad al-Thani, Qatar’s partment at the QCS, recalled control. Al-Dosari thanked the man- The co-operation includes the ambassador to the US, and that it is not the fi rst time LuLu “The QCS works with our agement and staff of LuLu Hy- participation of QCS volunteers ambassador Greta C Holtz, charge has supported the QCS. partners to educate the commu- permarket for their continued to inform LuLu shoppers about d’aff aires of the US embassy in “This initiative is a contribu- nity, and to support, empower eff orts to support the QCS in its the campaign and encourage Qatar, the SC tweeted. tion from LuLu Hypermarket in and advocate for individuals liv- awareness initiatives and in ad- them to go for early detection. Filipino creates winning NMoQ mascot design Off icials at the launch of the campaign. Sea mammal native to Qatar selected as museum’s mascot selected as the NMoQ’s mas- that share similar characteris- 9,300 abandoned vehicles for being uniquely symbolic of its sustainability and cot, based on its representation tics. environmental awareness ethos of the museum’s ethos of sus- “I also incorporated the rose tainability and environmental motif into its fi ns as the rose is he National Museum of In celebration of the muse- awareness, and also for its cul- a symbol that inspired the mu- removed since start of 2020 Qatar (NMoQ) has an- um’s fi rst anniversary, local and tural signifi cance as part of Qa- seum’s architecture. Tnounced that Gaylord international artists, designers tar’s local heritage. “I was surprised to fi nd out “Choy” Salonga, a graphic de- and creatives were invited to de- Dugongs have inhabited the that I had won the winning de- „ 5,300 abandoned vehicles signer from the Philippines, is sign a mascot that encapsulates surrounding waters of Qatar’s sign, as I knew many talented removed since launch of the the winner of its Dugong Mas- the dugong. peninsula for over 7,500 years. illustrators would enter (the latest rounds of campaigns cot Design competition. The shy marine mammal was After Australia, the Arabian competition). in July Gulf is home to the world’s sec- “This is a major competition „ Abandoned vehicles ond-largest population of dug- and it’s exciting to know that my removal campaign ongs. design will be used to represent launched in Al Sheehaniya Recently, the largest herds in the National Museum of Qatar,” Municipality yesterday the world, comprising of be- he said. tween 600 to 700 dugongs, have Commenting on the winning ome 9,300 abandoned ve- been recorded here in Qatar. mascot design, NMoQ director hicles have been removed Today, dugongs face the Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz Sacross all municipalities in threat of extinction due to fi sh- al-Thani said: “Our museum is the country since the beginning ing activities, vessel strikes, and the fi rst national museum to be of the year, an offi cial has said. environmental pollution. awarded LEED (Leadership in Marzouq Mubarak al-Misfri, In response to the design Energy and Environmental De- assistant director of the Min- competition, a total of 40 sub- sign) Gold certifi cation. istry of Municipality and Envi- An abandoned vehicle being removed. missions were received and re- “It was extremely important ronment (MME)’s mechanical viewed by a jury, who selected for the NMoQ’s mascot – the equipment department, said this the winning concept design museum’s living identity – to be at the launch of a campaign to based on its creativity and origi- representative of our fi rm com- remove abandoned vehicles in Al nality, aesthetics in relation to mitment to sustainability while Sheehaniya Municipality. the NMoQ brand, and aware- being uniquely symbolic of Qa- The campaign is being un- ness of the key themes of sus- tar. dertaken by the joint committee tainability and heritage. “We thank each of the par- for removing abandoned vehi- Choy was announced as the ticipants for their brilliant sub- cles, the mechanical equipment winner of the competition as missions in response to the open department, and the general his design successfully encom- call. cleanliness department in co- passed all of the selection cri- ”The high quality of submis- operation with the Al Sheehaniya teria. sions made it a tough process to Municipality. The Qatar resident said: “I select the ultimate winner, but Announcing this through a fi rst learned about the Dug- in the end, we felt that Choy’s press statement, the MME said ong Mascot Design open call design best encapsulated both that the initiative is part of the through my wife and a few the essence of these fascinat- eff orts made to curb the spread of friends, who encouraged me to ing sea mammals, and the mu- this unacceptable phenomenon enter because of my previous seum’s core commitment to se- and enforce Law No 18 of 2017 on illustration and mascot design curing a greener future. public hygiene. The campaign will continue for a week. experience. “We would like to extend Representatives of the entities “In designing the mascot, I congratulations to Choy for his involved in the joint committee Al-Kubaisi also called on the abandoned vehicles have been set out to distinguish the dug- winning design, and we look were present at the launch of the owners of such vehicles and removed around the country The winning design. ong from other sea mammals forward to unveiling our mascot campaign at the Ministry of In- equipment to remove them as since the launch of the latest se- in the coming months.” terior and Internal Security Force soon as possible to avoid the po- ries of campaigns in July. Ahead of its offi cial opening (Lekhwiya), along with a number tential legal liabilities. Also, around 9,300 abandoned in 2019, the NMoQ was the fi rst of offi cials from the authorities Al-Misfri, who is also a mem- vehicles have been removed national museum in the world to concerned. ber of the committee, said the across all municipalities in the receive a LEED Gold rating. Mohamed Faraj al-Kubaisi, campaign in Al Sheehaniya is country since the beginning of LEED is the most widely used assistant director of the MME’s part of the committee’s plans for the year. green building rating system in general cleanliness department this year. Ali Mohamed al-Hammadi, the world, and certifi cations are and member of the committee, After completing it, the com- the director of the municipal globally recognised symbols of said that the campaign would mittee will evaluate all related control department at Al Shee- sustainability achievements. continue for a week until all the campaigns carried out this year, haniya Municipality, said that The NMoQ, in collaboration targeted abandoned vehicles are and every possible solution will around 150 abandoned vehicles with ExxonMobil Research Qa- removed within the jurisdiction be considered for incorporation were detected by the committee tar, is set to open a special ex- of the municipality. in next year’s plan in co-opera- ahead of the campaign. hibition about dugongs in 2021. He said the committee would tion with the municipalities con- More than 50% of these were The exhibition will raise sus- further intensify its eff orts in cerned. removed by their owners in co- tainability and environmental the coming period to remove all Work on removing abandoned operation with the authorities awareness and enable the wider abandoned vehicles and equip- vehicles will not stop and is set concerned, and their status was community to learn more about ment across the country, in co- to continue until the end of the modifi ed accordingly, thanks this fascinating sea mammal operation with the entities con- year. to the initiatives undertaken to Choy’s design successfully encompassed all of the selection criteria. native to Qatar. cerned. He added that some 5,300 raise awareness of the issue.