INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2,3,12 COMMENT 10 QATAR | Page 12 ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-8 Building permits INTERNATIONAL 4-9,11 SPORTS 1-8 QRCS health issued in July DOW JONES QE NYMEX education see double-digit activities benefi t 27,930.57 9,767.18 42.26 monthly growth +190.84 -46.6 -0.56 thousands +0.69% -0.47% -1.31% Latest Figures

published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11648 August 22, 2020 Muharram 3, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

MoPH reports 113,216 Duhail crowned QNB Stars League champions total Covid-19 recoveries The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported yesterday 257 new Support hotline confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) and 292 recoveries from the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of people who have recovered so far in announced for Qatar to 113,216 cases. The MoPH said in a statement on Covid-19 developments in Qatar, that all new cases have been transferred schools blended into isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare. Page 2 Turkey announces big gas fi nd in Black Sea learning system Turkish President Recep Tayyip OSchools to inform parents through SMS Erdogan yesterday announced the discovery of major natural gas about in-school days of attendance reserves in the Black Sea, near the OBlended learning support hotline 155 Turkish coast. “Turkey has made the biggest natural gas discovery OSix sessions/day for distance learning in the Black Sea,” Erdogan said at Al Duhail players and off icials celebrate with the Falcon Shield after winning the QNB Stars League title at the Al O the historic Dolmabahce Palace Janoub Stadium yesterday. In their final game, Duhail beat Al Ahli 1-0 thanks to Edmilson’s free-kick in the 24th Students to attend school 1-3 times a week in Istanbul. The country’s drillship minute. Duhail finished with 52 points, one ahead of Al Rayyan, who defeated Al Wakrah 2-0 in their final match at the Fatih found some 320bn cu m Jassim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. Sport Page 1 chools will inform the parents ment schools in the country with the (11.3tn cu ft) of natural gas, said concerned through SMS about forms and guidelines to implement the Erdogan, announcing the “good Sthe in-school days of attendance blended learning system, local Arabic news” he had promised the public for each student, under the blended daily Arrayah reported yesterday. earlier this week. Turkey aims to learning system being implemented The guidelines, which the daily said have the natural gas ready for during the fi rst term of the school year that it had a copy of, point out that the public use in 2023, he said. 2020/21 across all the educational primary schools pupils shall attend Libya’s UN-backed govt, stages including government and pri- classes at the school building in rota- Russian doctors agree vate schools, higher education insti- tion. to Navalny evacuation tutes and kindergartens. The pupils of classes I and III will ac- The Ministry of Education and cordingly go to school on Sundays and Russian doctors treating opposition Higher Education also announced yes- Tuesdays, while the pupils of class- figure Alexei Navalny for suspected rival announce ceasefi re terday the availability of a technical es II and IV attend on Mondays and poisoning backed down yesterday support hotline, 155, for students and Wednesdays, and the pupils of classes and agreed he could be evacuated parents. V and VI shall attend only on Thurs- after his family and aides battled AFP The amendment of the back-to- days of each week. for him to be taken to Germany. Tripoli Qatar welcomes truce agreement school plan was released on Wednes- As for the preparatory school, stu- The doctors in the Siberian city day, after a co-ordination meeting dents of class VII shall attend on of Omsk, where Navalny was in a Qatar welcomed the agreement hope for this declaration to contrib- with the Ministry of Public Health Sundays and Mondays, students of coma in intensive care, changed ibya’s warring rival adminis- between the Presidential Council ute to supporting eff orts for a politi- (MoPH), regarding the precaution- class VIII on Tuesdays, and class IX tack after initially insisting he was trations announced in separate of the Government of National Ac- cal solution in Libya and rebuilding ary and preventive measures against on Wednesdays and Thursdays every too ill to be moved. The 44-year- Lstatements yesterday that they cord (GNA) and the Speaker of the the country in a way that preserves Covid-19, and mitigating the academic week. old lawyer and anti-corruption would cease all hostilities and or- Libyan House of Representatives on the rights of the Libyan people and consequences of school closures and Students of class X shall attend Sun- campaigner’s wife had appealed to ganise nationwide elections, a move an immediate ceasefire, the suspen- the rule of law. delaying the beginning of the new aca- days and Mondays, students of class XI President Vladimir Putin and staff widely welcomed by the UN and sev- sion of all combat operations across The statement renewed Qatar’s demic year. on Tuesdays and students of class XII had accused authorities of putting eral countries. Libya, and the activation of the support for the Skhirat Agreement, Blended learning combines online on Wednesdays and Thursdays of every his life at risk by delaying the The surprise announcement came political process. and called on all Libyan brothers learning and in-person teaching in the week. evacuation. Page 8 after multiple visits by top foreign In a statement yesterday, the Min- to uphold the national interest and classroom. Students will attend classes As part of distance learning, stu- diplomats to Libya in recent weeks, istry of Foreign Aff airs expressed adhere to dialogue without exclud- 1-3 times a week to do coursework, ex- dents will have daily assessment and Democrats endorse resulting in the fi rst deal between the Qatar’s hope that all Libyan parties ing any component of the Libyan periments and exams. From Septem- discussions with their teachers and Biden nomination rival authorities since a December would respond to the declaration of society, leading to a comprehensive ber 1-3, students are to be informed there will be a weekly assessment for 2015 UN-backed accord in Morocco a ceasefire, expedite the completion political settlement that preserves about the blended learning approach each subject. In addition, the ministry Former US Vice President Joe that led to an agreement on a unity of the political process, and lift the Libya’s sovereignty and territorial in schools. will provide a good number of record- Biden accepted off icially the 2020 government. blockade on the oil fields to resume integrity and fulfils the aspirations During the fi rst term, schools will ed lessons on its YouTube channel on Democratic presidential nomination The statements were signed by production and exports. of its people for security and stabil- receive only 30% of its students capac- weekly basis. Digital textbooks will be during a speech delivered for the Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the UN- The statement expressed Qatar’s ity. (QNA) ity to attend in-person classes on daily available in pdf format, besides other largely virtual 2020 Democratic recognised unity Government of basis. Each student should attend in- interactive textbooks. National Convention from the Chase National Accord (GNA), based in person, one to three classes a week, as The teaching staff will be given ad- Center in Wilmington, Delaware. “It is the capital Tripoli, and Aguila Saleh, elections next March”, and for the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said. assigned by the school. equate training on the remote learn- an America we can rebuild together,” speaker of the eastern-based parlia- “end of all combat operations”. The European Union’s diplomatic Distance learning will take place ing techniques and all the related ap- Biden said, pledging to make control ment, backed by military strongman Saleh also backed elections — chief Josep Borrell praised the agree- through six sessions a day. The record- plications. However, teachers are not of the coronavirus outbreak his Khalifa Haftar. though he did not specify a date — ment as “important and positive” and ed lessons will be of 15-20 minutes du- obliged to respond to the queries of first act if elected president. “We The two have been at war virtually and urged “all parties” to observe “an called on all factions in the North Af- ration. Students should access Qlearn- students outside the offi cial working will never get our economy back since the formation of Sarraj’s gov- immediate ceasefi re and the cessation rica state to keep their commitments. ing portal through a dedicated login hours, and schools cannot force them on track. We will never get our kids ernment in December 2015. of all fi ghting.” “Important and positive news with their user names and passwords, to do so. safely back in schools. Never have The UN’s top offi cial to Libya, Italy welcomed the move, as did coming from #Libya on a ceasefi re and have access to MS Teams App. The Educational Aff airs Sector rec- our lives back until we deal with this Stephanie Williams, called for “all Germany and the Arab League. and the resumption of a political Parents will provide computers for ommended that live streaming lessons virus,” Biden added. Page 5 parties to rise to this historic occasion “The announcement of the ceasefi re process,” Borrell tweeted. “Crucial their children, create a convenient en- should be avoided through MS Teams and shoulder their full responsibili- in Libya is an important step in the re- now that all parties stand by their vironment and off er them support and unless absolutely necessary. Teachers Magnitude 6.9 quake ties before the Libyan people”. launching of a political process that will statements. All Libyans deserve a po- guidance. are urged to respond to the related que- Sarraj called for the holding of promote the stability of the country litical solution and a return to stabil- The Educational Aff airs Sector at ries and questions of students on daily jolts Indonesia “presidential and parliamentary and the welfare of the people,” Italian ity and peace.” the ministry has supplied the govern- basis during the offi cial working hours. An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 struck off the coast of Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province early yesterday, the US Al Rayyan Stadium comes to life Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The earthquake occurred more WHO hopes end to pandemic than 600km deep and about 220km south of the town of Katabu on the island of Celebes, according in ‘less than two years’ to the USGS, which said the quake was felt hundreds of kilometres from the epicentre. The quake’s AFP think we can fi nish it in a shorter time epicentre was located 171km Geneva than the 1918 fl u.” northeast off Larantuka district in The Covid-19 pandemic has to date East Flores Regency. There was killed nearly 800,000 people and in- no tsunami warning issued and no he World Health Organisation fected close to 23mn worldwide, ac- immediate reports of casualties or said yesterday it hopes the plan- cording to a tally from offi cial sources major damage. Tet will be rid of the coronavirus compiled by AFP. pandemic in less than two years — fast- But the deadliest pandemic in mod- Sevilla down Inter for er than it took for the Spanish fl u. ern history, Spanish fl u, killed as many “We hope to fi nish this pandemic as 50mn victims and infected around Europa League crown before less than two years,” Tedros 500mn around the world between Feb- Sevilla won the Europa League Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters ruary 1918 and April 2020. for a record-extending sixth time from the WHO’s headquarters in Ge- Five times more people died of it thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s own neva, insisting that it should be possi- than did in World War I. goal earning a thrilling 3-2 win over ble to tame the novel coronavirus faster The fi rst victims were recorded in Inter Milan in Cologne. Lukaku than the deadly 1918 pandemic. the United States, before it spread to turned Diego Carlos’ overhead Compared to back then, the world to- Europe and then around the world. kick into his own net in the 74th day is at a disadvantage due to its “glo- That pandemic came in three waves, minute in what was a just about balisation, closeness, connectedness”, with the deadliest second wave begin- deserved triumph for coach Julen which has allowed the novel coronavi- ning in the latter half of 1918. Lopetegui’s side. Sevilla had led rus to spread around the world at light- “It took three waves for the disease With its glowing facade and brightly-coloured seats, Al Rayyan Stadium is slowly coming to life, Supreme Committee 2-1 in the first half from Luuk de ning speed, Tedros acknowledged. to infect most of the susceptible in- for Delivery & Legacy tweeted yesterday. Al Rayyan is known for its love of traditions and local culture, as well as Jong’s brace of headers after But the world also now has the ad- dividuals,” WHO emergencies chief its hugely popular football team, Al Rayyan Sports Club. The close-knit community here is deeply committed to the Lukaku opened the scoring with a vantage of far better technology, he said. Michael Ryan told journalists. team, whose new arena will host up to 40,000 fans at FIFA World Cup 2022 matches. Built on the site of Ahmed Bin fifth minute penalty. Inter defender By “utilising the available tools to After that, the fl u virus behind the pan- Ali Stadium, the new Al Rayyan Stadium will incorporate symbols of Qatari culture into its spectacular undulating Diego Godin equalised to cap a the maximum and hoping that we can demic evolved into a far less deadly sea- facade. The facilities surrounding the venue will also mirror the country, with sand dune-shaped structures recalling thrilling start to the final. have additional tools like vaccines, I sonal bug, which returned for decades. the beautifully wild lands to the west. Sport Page 1 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 22, 2020 QATAR Digital transformation accelerating in Qatar, says expert

By Joey Aguilar transformation is moving at a of the entire recruitment process. tance of adopting digitalisation and hiring managers do their jobs whether we do it or not it’s gonna everyone is recognising and see- Staff Reporter faster rate within specifi c coun- Citing Qatar as an example, Fares in various processes saying it more effi ciently: from sourcing move to being fully digitised”. ing this benefi t and moving to- tries in the region,” said Zein Al noted that a number of initiatives signifi cantly increases effi ciency, to onboarding candidates amid a Citing an example, he said the wards it,” Fares pointed out. Abedin Fares, international busi- on digital transformation in both saving more time and resources global public health crisis. percentage of the use of mobile MoTC is set to hold another he shift to a completely ness professional at Bayt.com, at public and private sectors are be- in a sustainable way. Bayt.com, he noted, also deals devices barely moved before the webinar on ‘Empowering Small digitised system in sev- a recently-held webinar themed ing adopted to better serve indi- According to Fares, the govern- with multiple government en- year 2000 but witnessed a surge and Medium Enterprises with Teral government transac- ‘Sourcing and Hiring Talent Re- viduals and businesses. ment itself (conventionally) en- tities and ministries across the in demand in the years after. Cloud’ on August 25, which will tions in the region, particularly motely’. The Qatar government has tails more paperwork than having region in helping them digitise “People they want to do the present the concept of cloud in Qatar, is accelerating due to A programme under Qatar’s been in the forefront of digital systems to digitise its processes. their recruitment processes. shift because it is easier for them, computing and the benefi ts it their keenness to become more Ministry of Transport and Com- transformation, making its trans- “We have to embrace it sooner or Fares expressed confi dence that it’s much convenient for them brings to organisations. In ad- effi cient and accessible amid the munications (MoTC), the Dig- actions and operations “more ef- later, but sooner is better than lat- recruitment processes in both and it’s even more cost-eff ective dition, SMEs will learn how to coronavirus (Covid-19) pandem- ital Transformation of Small and fi cient, eff ective, accessible and er,” said Fares, who also discussed public and private sectors will to do things in a digital system, overcome common business ic, an industry expert has said. Medium Business Enterprises customer-centric”. how the Internet helps human re- end up completely digitised in the you can reach to the whole world challenges by adopting cloud “We are seeing that (digital) webinar details the digitisation Fares underlined the impor- source professionals, recruiters, future “whether we like it or not, online and the benefi t is huge and services.

Ministry sets dates for student enrolments and MoPH reports 113,216 transfers

Sabah Al Ahmad The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced total Covid recoveries that student enrolment and transfer in public schools for the 2020/21 academic year will QNA reopen from August 23 through Doha October 7. Parents can complete Corridor set for the enrolments and transfers according to the following dates: he Ministry of Public For Qatari siblings, children of Health (MoPH) reported Qatari mothers, and children of Tyesterday 257 new con- GCC citizens – August 23-24. For fi rmed cases of coronavirus (Cov- Qatari students, children of Qatari id-19) and 292 recoveries from the mothers and children of GCC major opening virus in the last 24 hours, bringing citizens – August 25-31. For other the total number of people who nationalities – September 1 to have recovered so far in Qatar to October 7. 113,216 cases. Parents can complete the The MoPH said in a statement enrolment process online via on Covid-19 developments in Qa- the Public Service Portal. For tar, that all new cases have been applications to be complete, by month-end transferred into isolation and are it is important to attach all the receiving necessary healthcare. required documents, along By Shafeeq Alingal The health ministry said meas- with the medical assessment Staff Reporter ures to tackle Covid-19 in Qatar certificates for new students. have succeeded in fl attening the In a related context, medical curve and limiting the spread of examinations for new students he prestigious Sabah Al the virus and the number of new are still underway in a number Ahmad Corridor project, daily cases and hospital admis- health centres designated by the Tbeing implemented by the sions is continuing to decline each Ministry of Public Health. Public Works Authority (Ash- week. The medical certificates will ghal), will witness a major open- Qatar’s proactive and exten- off icially be approved and ing by the end of this month, a sive testing of suspected cases has linked directly to the education senior offi cial told Gulf Times. enabled the ministry to identify a ministry’s online enrolment Engineer Yousef al-Emadi, di- high number of positive cases in system. Accordingly, parents rector of Projects Aff airs, ex- the community. can proceed with the online plained that work on the project Qatar has one of the lowest enrolment once the student is is fast progressing on schedule. Covid-19 death rates in the world. found medically fit. In June, Ashghal announced This is due to: 70% completion of the project „Very high quality of care pro- and opened a new 900m bridge vided through the public health- Housing along Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor care sector for Covid-19 patients this happening in other countries medical conditions. inspection in the Bu Hamour area. “Open- An artist’s impression of Qatar’s first cable-stayed bridge on Sabah Al „Qatar’s young population around the world. „When spending time at ings will be carried out until Ahmad Corridor. „Proactive testing to identify Now more than ever, we must home with elderly family mem- campaign in the end of this year and several cases early be careful and protect the most bers or those with chronic dis- Al Khor parts will be available for traf- addition, Ashghal will enhance The total road „Expanding hospital capacity, vulnerable,” the health ministry eases, ensure you wash your fi c,” he said, adding that this year 12km of local and peripheral especially intensive care, to en- said. hands regularly, wear a mask will witness openings of several roads intersecting with the Cor- works of the sure all patients receive the medi- It said while Covid-19 restric- and maintain social and physical Al Khor and Al Thakhira projects by Ashghal. ridor. project are cal care they need tions are gradually being lifted in distancing. Municipality, represented by the Once completed, the corri- The total road works of the „Protecting the elderly and Qatar, it is important for everyone Anyone suff ering from Cov- Technical Control Department, dor will link the south and north project are approximately 37km. approximately those with chronic diseases. to play their role in controlling the id-19 symptoms should either has intensified inspection parts of Doha without the need to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor has 37km. Sabah Al The MoPH said even though virus by following precautionary contact 16000 helpline or go di- campaigns on workers’ pass through Doha Expressway the longest bridge, deepest and restrictions are being lifted, and measures: rectly to one of the designated accommodation in family and 22 February Street. Sabah Al longest bi-directional tunnel. Ahmad Corridor numbers are declining, this does „Adherence to physical dis- health centres to undergo the housing areas in Al Khor City. The Ahmad Corridor extends for ap- With a length of 1,200m, Qatar’s has the longest not mean that the Covid-19 pan- tancing necessary checks at Muaither, campaign is initiated in order to proximately 25km from Hamad fi rst cable-stayed bridge is on the demic is over in Qatar as people „Avoid close contact with oth- Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al implement the provisions of the International Airport to Umm corridor. bridge, deepest continue to be admitted with ers, crowded places and confi ned Gharafa. law regarding the prohibition Lekhba Interchange on Doha Ex- The unique structure extends and longest moderate to severe Covid-19 closed spaces where other people This is important as the earlier of housing workers in family pressway. from Mesaimeer Road to Al Bus- symptoms. congregate. the disease is detected the easier residential areas. Works as part of the corridor tan Street and crosses over Halul bi-directional “Unless we follow all precau- „Wearing a face mask. it will be to receive the right treat- The department also carried include upgrading E-Ring, F- Intersection on Mesaimeer Road tunnel tionary measures, we may ex- „Washing hands regularly. ment and recover from it. The out 125 inspections and these Ring, Mesaimeer, Al Bustan, Bu and Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection perience a second wave of the „Most importantly, it is vital MoPH has urged people to visit its resulted in issuing 26 warnings Erayyen and Lebday roads and on Salwa Road. The works will be virus and see numbers increas- that we continue to protect the website for regular updates and and 26 seizure reports regarding sections of Al Markhiya Street. In completed in 2021. ing. There are already signs of elderly and those with chronic new information. illegal building construction.

Food inspection drive in Al Sheehaniya Book by HEC faculty explores business challenges in Qatar

By Joseph Varghese The book Staff Reporter covers diff erent industries, wo HEC Paris in Qatar pro- fessors have compiled sev- organisations, Teral high profi le cases stud- ownership ies from Qatar in a new book titled Doing business in Qatar – case structures and studies for executive education. degrees of The work by Dr Wolfgang Amann and Dr Laoucine Ker- diversification bache explores business opportu- and consists of nities and challenges in Qatar. Dr Wolfgang Amann “Case studies have been used in cases used in the management education for over results as merely knowing a mod- programmes of 100 years and it is a trend that el would never suffi ce. continues in various forms even The ‘being level’ is about the the institution today. In fact, they have also had kind of leader and manager that a long tradition at HEC Paris in one aspires to be. And lastly, the that, cases about the training of Qatar and are an essential pillar in ‘becoming level’ is about learners Qatari investors and getting entry its high-impact learning frame- benefi ting from new insights as into the Qatari market have also work,” Dr Amann told Gulf Times. they ought to have an opportunity been talked about in the book. Such case studies allow for to clarify what stages come next in While the former addresses the unique learning experiences cov- their development,” he continued. dilemmas that arise when port- ering four essential levels. The book comprises high-pro- folio companies are merged, the He explained, “It takes the fi le cases that include big names latter is based on an analysis of learner through four key stages: like Al Shaqab, a world-class local players and customers in a clarifying why a topic matters; player in the equine industry; specifi c industry. illustrating how it works; practis- Qatari Diar Vinci Construction The book balances interna- ing holistic problem solving; and (QDVC), which is in charge of tional best and next practices discussing what gained insights carrying out highly complex con- case studies with local ones in the mean for individuals, their teams, struction projects in the country; short, custom, certifi cate and de- and organisations.” and Msheireb, that faced leader- gree programmes of HEC Paris in “The ‘knowing’ level discuss- ship challenges in building and Qatar. The book covers diff erent Al Sheehaniya Municipality, represented by the Health Control Department, carried out an inspection campaign on food establishments es facts, fi gures and conceptual operating the ‘new heart of Doha’. industries, organisations, owner- at Al Jamiliyah, Al Rayyis, Rawdat Rashid, Umm Al Zbar and Abu Nakhleh areas. During the campaign, awareness was given on health frameworks, and it is the easiest The transitional journey of ship structures and degrees of di- measures for the safety of food to food establishment owners and workers. Legal measures were taken against establishment which to tackle. The ‘doing level’ en- Qtel to Ooredoo has also been versifi cation and consists of cases violated Law No. 8 of 1990 regarding the regulation of human food control. sures that the learners hone their reviewed, in a case involving the used in the programmes of the practical skills towards achieving telecom sector. In addition to institution. Gulf Times Saturday, August 22, 2020 3

REGION/ARAB WORLD

This picture taken yesterday shows a view of artwork made from broken glass depicting a Lebanese flag alongside a Phoenix bird in the back yard of a building near the port (background) of the capital Beirut, in the aftermath of a monster explosion This picture taken yesterday shows an aerial view of a destroyed ship in the aftermath of the monster explosion at the port there that ravaged the city earlier in August. of Lebanon’s capital Beirut which ravaged the city earlier this month. After blast, Lebanese start virus lockdown

AFP do not aff ect the clean-up or aid virus cases recorded in the past damaged in the explosion. early August was scrapped in the Beirut eff ort in areas of the capital rav- 24 hours. “We are back at square one,” wake of the explosion. More arrest warrants issued in port blast probe aged by a massive explosion at On her apartment balcony, caretaker health minister Ha- The pandemic arrived on Beirut’s port on August 4 that Moukarzel said she supported the mad Hassan warned yesterday the heels of the country’s A Lebanese judge has issued Warehouse 12, where the blast till reeling from a deadly killed 181 people and wounded lockdown, especially after the after the rapid rise in infections, worst economic crisis in dec- more arrest warrants related occurred, the agency said. port blast that ravaged their thousands. explosion that laid waste to win- calling on all hospitals — pri- ades, which has since last year to the deadly August 4 Beirut Earlier this week, Judge Sawan SBeirut homes and busi- The airport is to operate nor- dows and doors across swathes of vate and public — to help fight trapped people’s savings in port explosion, the state-run issued an arrest warrant nesses, Lebanese wearily entered mally and ministries will be the capital. the virus. banks, sent food prices soaring National News Agency (NNA) against the port director, Hasan into a new coronavirus lockdown staff ed at half capacity. “Economically closing up the But on the near-empty sea- and caused tens of thousands to reported yesterday. Koraitem and the customs yesterday. Compliance with the meas- country is not good, as people front, runner Samer Harmoush lose their jobs or a large part of Judge Fadi Sawwan issued chief, Baderi Daher. “What now? On top of this ures varied across the country on want to sell, but let them lose out said he was not convinced shut- their income. arrest warrants against Beirut’s More than 19 people have disaster, a coronavirus catastro- the fi rst day, the National News a little instead of getting sick and tering non-essential businesses Even before the explosion of a customs authority director, been detained pending phe?” said 55-year-old Roxane Agency said, but the capital’s having to be carted off to hospi- would be eff ective. huge stockpile of ammonium ni- Hanna Fares, and Nayla al-Hajj, investigations into the Beirut Moukarzel, as she waved towards streets largely emptied of cars tal,” she said. “There’s no point in this lock- trate at the port sparked popular an engineer contracted to port blast, a judicial source the devastated port from the bal- after a 12-hour night-time cur- “There’s no more space in the down,” he said. “There’s no gen- rage against offi cial negligence, oversee maintenance work at said. cony of her gutted home. few came into force at 6pm (1500 hospitals. If people suddenly eral compliance. Some shops Lebanon’s crisis had doubled Lebanon closed down for two GMT). start burning up, where will they are complying completely, while poverty rates to more than half of weeks from yesterday morning An AFP correspondent said put them?” others aren’t at all.” the population, according to UN further lockdown was helpful af- ing to eat,” he said, determined to stem a string of record daily the devastated Beirut neighbour- Authorities fear Lebanon’s Lebanon imposed a months- estimates. ter months of slow business and to keep his business open to help infection rates that have brought hood of Gemmayzeh near the fragile health sector would strug- long lockdown from mid-March, Sitting inside his carpenter’s an explosion that blew away his people rebuild their homes. the number of Covid-19 cases to port looked like a ghost town, as gle to cope with a further spike in which it gradually lifted until the shop in a Beirut neighbourhood workshop’s shutter. “What’s coronavirus got to do 11,580, including 116 deaths. authorities announced yet an- Covid-19 cases, especially after airport reopened on July 1. inland from the port, Qassem “There’s no work. People have with it? We all get better and then The new lockdown measures other record of 628 new corona- some hospitals near the port were A new temporary lockdown in Jaber said he did not see how a no more money. They have noth- it’s fi ne,” the 75-year-old added.

Tunisia reimposes Israel bombs Gaza as curfew in hotspot rocket fi re intensifi es AFP registered a total of 2,543 cases Tunis and 63 fatalities since the start of the outbreak. AFP a house in Sderot, but did not Israel has also tightened its Trains from Tunis to the city of Gaza City cause any casualties, an AFP 13-year blockade of Gaza’s 2mn unisian authorities yes- Gabes, which services El Ham- photographer said. inhabitants. Palestinian demonstrators perform Friday prayers during a terday reinstated a curfew ma, have also been cancelled, the Israel has bombed Gaza al- It has banned Gaza fishermen protest against Jewish settlements, near Tulkarm in the Israeli- Tin El Hamma after a spike national rail company said. sraeli warplanes bombed the most every night since August from going to sea and closed its occupied West Bank yesterday. in novel coronavirus cases there, Ennajeh said the town’s hospi- Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip yes- 6 in retaliation for the launch of goods crossing with the ter- the mayor said, as rail links serv- tal was struggling to cope. Iterday, as Palestinians fi red balloons fitted with fire bombs, ritory, prompting the closure icing the town were suspended. The army set up a fi eld clinic rockets and launched fi re bombs or, less frequently, rocket fire, of Gaza’s sole power plant for El Hamma, home to some last week to help. into southern Israel, the army across the border. want of fuel. 100,000 people, has recorded Almost all coronavirus re- said. The number of rockets fi red According to a source close to 441 cases of infection and fi ve strictions were lifted in Tunisia Parts of southern Israel were from Gaza was the largest number Hamas, the movement wants the deaths from the Covid-19 illness, at the start of the summer. partially cordoned off by the in a day since the latest round of extension of an industrial zone mayor Nacef Ennajeh told AFP. But with the numbers of cases security forces. exchanges began two weeks ago. in the east of Gaza, and the con- He said a curfew had been im- growing since it opened its bor- Israeli planes launched raids Hamas “will not hesitate to struction of a new power line. posed from 5pm to 5am for one ders on June 27, the authorities against Gaza shortly after mid- fight a battle with the enemy if Hamas also wants the week in the town, located some announced this week that inter- night Thursday and then again the escalation continues, if the number of work permits is- 325km (200 miles) south of the national travellers must present later yesterday morning. bombardments and the block- sued to Gazans to be doubled capital Tunis. a negative coronavirus test on Witnesses in Gaza said rock- ade continue,” Hamas spokes- to 10,000 once anti-coronavi- The North African country has arrival. ets were launched towards the man Fawzi Barhum said in a rus restrictions are lifted, the town of Sderot, just across the statement. source said. border. “If the Israeli occupation Sources told AFP the twin is- A Palestinian demonstrator argues with a member of Israeli forces The rocket that was not in- continues its aggression it must sues were at the root of the lat- during a protest against Jewish settlements, in Haris near Salfit in tercepted damaged the roof of pay the price,” he added. est flare-up. the Israeli-occupied West Bank yesterday. Kuwait reports 502 Fuel shortage in Sanaa new Covid-19 cases Iran looks to UN to QNA Earlier, the Kuwaiti Health Kuwait Ministry announced the recov- block US ‘snapback’ ery of 622 people from the virus, bringing the tally to 71,264. uwait’s Ministry of Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Cabi- sanctions bid Health announced yes- net has decided to lift a coun- Kterday, 502 new coro- trywide partial curfew as of Au- navirus (Covid-19) cases, rais- gust 30, but some activities will AFP US bid to trigger the so-called ing the total to 79,269. Deaths remain restricted, Kuwait news Tehran “snapback” procedure, which is reached 511 with the addition of agency (KUNA) reported. opposed by its European allies on two fatalities. Kuwaiti government’s spokes- the 15-member council. Offi cial spokesperson of the man Tareq al-Mezrem an- ran has denounced Washing- “Snapback” aims to restore all Kuwaiti Ministry of Health Dr nounced that the restrictions ton’s activation of a contro- international sanctions against Abdullah al-Sanad said that t95 on celebrations and parties, Iversial mechanism aimed at Iran that were lifted as part of the patients were receiving treat- including weddings, gather- reimposing international sanc- 2015 accord. ment in intensive care. ings, banquets, receptions and tions on Tehran, saying it was “The US is no longer part The Kuwaiti health authorities funeral ceremonies would re- counting on the United Nations of the nuclear agreement and conducted 3,530 swab tests in the main unchanged in a bid to curb to thwart the move. Washington’s decision has no past 24 hours, raising the count the spread of the Covid-19, he “Iran expects the Secretary- foundation,” Zarif was further to 581,118, Dr al-Sanad added. stressed. General and member states of quoted as saying. the Security Council to fulfi l The US unilaterally withdrew their legal obligations, to coun- from the multilateral nuclear Protesters set fire to parliament off ice ter rogue behaviour by the US agreement in 2018 and reim- administration,” Iran’s top dip- posed its own crippling sanctions Protesters in the southern Iraqi petrol bombs. Activist Reham lomat Mohamed Javad Zarif told on Tehran. city of Basra set fire to parliament’s Yacoub, who had led several UN chief Antonio Guterres by In response, Tehran in May local off ice yesterday as security women’s marches in the past, was phone late Thursday, quoted on last year began to reduce its com- forces fired live rounds in the killed on Wednesday and three the foreign ministry’s website. mitments under the deal, and air to disperse them, a Reuters others wounded when gunmen, Secretary of State Mike Pom- demanded that the remaining witness and security sources said. brandishing assault rifles on the peo submitted a letter Thursday parties bypass the US sanctions. The protesters had gathered to back of a motorcycle, opened fire to the president of the UN Se- Iranian state TV yesterday demand that Iraq’s parliament sack on their car. It was the third incident curity Council accusing Iran of broadcast an interview with the the provincial governor after two this week in which gunmen “signifi cant” non-compliance country’s representative to the activists were killed and others targeted an anti-government with the terms of the 2015 nu- UN, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, who wounded in three separate attacks political activist, after one activist clear accord between Tehran and described the US legal arguments by unknown gunmen this week. was killed and four others had world powers. to the Security Council as “ab- Security forces opened fire their car fired upon in a separate Cars queue at a petrol station amid a fuel shortage in Sanaa, Yemen on Thursday. It marked the start of the surd”. while the protesters lobbed incident. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 22, 2020 AFRICA

Doctors strike in Envoys from West Africa Nairobi over pay, bloc due in Mali today equipment

AFP A junta offi cial told AFP that tainees late on Thursday. M’Bemba Moussa Keita, the A putsch in 2012 was followed slide in 2013, putting himself Reuters Bamako the envoys would be received A junta member said that the president of the National As- by an insurrection in the north forward as a unifying fi gure in a Nairobi “with pleasure ... it is important coup leaders had “authorised” sembly Moussa Timbine, as well of the country which developed fractured country, and was re- to talk to our brothers”. the visit and also released former as the heads of the army and air into a religious extremist insur- elected in 2018 for another fi ve- he West African bloc ECOWAS – the 15-nation economy minister Abdoulaye force. gency that now threatens neigh- year term. octors in most public ECOWAS will send en- Economic Community of West Daff e and Sabane Mahalmou- Their fate has been a focal bouring Niger and Burkina Faso. But he failed to make headway hospitals in Kenya’s capi- Tvoys to Mali today, the African States – on Thursday dou, Keita’s private secretary. point of international concern. Thousands of UN and French against a religious extremist re- Dtal went on strike yester- new junta said, after it gave the had announced that it would “Two prisoners have been re- The African Union, European troops, along with soldiers from volt that has left swathes of the day to protest delayed salaries UN access to the ousted presi- dispatch a high-level delegation leased. There are still 17 in Kati. Union, the United States and fi ve Sahel countries, have been country in the hand of armed and a lack of personal protective dent and released two other “to ensure the immediate return This is the proof that we respect UN Security Council have an- deployed to try to stem the Islamists and ignited ethnic vio- equipment (PPE) when handling leaders held in a dramatic coup. of constitutional order”. human rights,” the junta mem- grily condemned the coup and bloodshed. lence in the country’s volatile patients who may have Cov- Diplomatic momentum built Rebel soldiers seized presi- ber said. demanded the release of the de- The junta has named their centre. id-19. yesterday, the third day of the dent Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Keita and prime minister Bou- tainees. organisation the National Com- Thousands of people have The Covid-19 respiratory dis- troubled state’s latest crisis, and other leaders after staging bou Cisse are being held in a villa Kenyan President Uhuru mittee for the Salvation of the died and hundreds of thousands ease is caused by the coronavi- amid international pressure on a mutiny on Tuesday at Kati, a in Kati and are without a televi- Kenyatta has urged a “speedy, People, under the leadership of have fl ed their homes. rus. Mali’s new military leaders and military base about 15km (nine sion, radio or phone, while the peaceful and democratic” reso- a 37-year-old colonel named That devastation has also The strike began at midnight preparations for celebratory ral- miles) from Bamako. others are in a training centre, lution to the crisis while Demo- Assimi Goita, who commanded compounded damage to an al- yesterday, said Thuranira Kau- lies in the capital Bamako. ECOWAS on Thursday de- where they are sleeping on mat- cratic Republic of the Congo Mali’s special forces battalion. ready fragile economy in a coun- giria, secretary-general for the The delegation to Bamako will manded that Keita be restored tresses and have a TV, according (Dr Congo) President Felix Tsh- Its spokesman, Ismael Wague, try with large numbers of unem- Kenya Medical Practitioners, be led by former Nigerian presi- as president and bluntly warned to witnesses to the visit. isekedi described the coup as said on Thursday that “a tran- ployed young people. Pharmacists and Dentists Un- dent Goodluck Jonathan, an the junta that they bore “re- The 75-year-old ousted presi- “dangerous for democracy in sitional council, with a transi- Anger swelled after the dis- ion. ECOWAS source said yesterday, sponsibility for the safety and dent “looked tired but relaxed”, Africa”. tional president who is going to puted outcome of legislative He said that 320 doctors em- describing the trip as aiming “to security” of the detainees. they said, describing his condi- The coup – the second in be either military or civilian” elections in April, creating an ployed by the Nairobi County help the search for solutions”. The United Nation’s peace- tions as “acceptable”. eight years – deals a body blow would be appointed. anti-Keita protest coalition, the government were taking part in With him would be ECOWAS keeping mission in Mali an- Those detained, according to a country struggling with a The transition “will be the June 5 Movement, which sched- the strike because they had in- Commission chief Jean-Claude nounced that a human rights to various sources, include de- jihadist insurgency, moribund shortest possible”, he told France uled rallies yesterday to “cel- adequate health insurance, poor Kassi Brou and Niger Foreign team had gained access to the fence minister Ibrahima Dahi- economy and deep public re- 24 television. ebrate the victory of the Malian quality protective gear and too Minister Kalla Ankourao. ousted president and other de- rou Dembele, security minister sentment over its government. Keita won election in a land- people”. few isolation wards to treat Cov- id-19 patients. The strike will not aff ect pri- vate hospitals and public hos- pitals within Nairobi run by the national government. Ebola cases rise to Latest data show 31,441 con- fi rmed coronavirus cases in Kenya, 620 deaths and 13,536 recoveries out of 407,610 tests 100 in the Congo done so far. The majority of confi rmed cases have been in the capital. AFP ther complicated by a strike Kenyan doctors have been Kinshasa by health workers, which is posting pictures on Twitter of aff ecting activities including what they say is inadequate gear vaccination and safe burials,” supplied by the government, in- ne hundred cases of he said. cluding porous overalls meant to Ebola have been re- In early August, Ebola health protect against dust that would Ocorded in the Demo- workers went on strike to de- not prevent the spread of the vi- cratic Republic of the Congo mand payment of their sala- rus. (DR Congo)’s northwest in less ries. In a separate incident yester- than three months, the World “DRC has the best-trained day, police used tear gas against Health Organisation (WHO) workforce in the world for dozens of protesters who had said, as it warned the response Ebola. This situation needs to gathered at Freedom Corner to the epidemic is underfund- be resolved as quickly as pos- in Uhuru Park to demonstrate ed. sible,” he said. against allegations of corruption The outbreak was reported According to the WHO, the in the procurement of protective in Equateur province on June 1, DR Congo’s health ministry gear. just as the country was prepar- has presented a plan to donors The head of the government- ing to declare an end to a sepa- and partners requiring $40mn run Kenya Medical Supplies Au- rate Ebola epidemic in the east (€34mn) in the fi ght against thority has been suspended over that claimed over 2,000 lives. Ebola, and has committed allegations the agency procured The latest outbreak – the $4mn. low quality items and infl ated vast central African country’s The WHO said it has already prices of others. 11th since Ebola was identi- mobilised a total of $2.3mn to “We are tired of being bom- fi ed in 1976 – has since spread combat the epidemic. barded every single day with to 11 of the province’s 17 health “Covid-19 is not the only news of how much money we zones, and 43 people have died, emergency needing robust Members of Team Lioness, an all-female Kenyan ranger unit, meet community members to sensitise them against poaching. are losing that should be going according to the WHO. support. As we know from our to fi ght the coronavirus pan- The number of cases has recent history we ignore Ebola demic,” said Wanjeri Nderu, who doubled over the past fi ve at our peril,” Moeti warned, helped organise the protest. “We weeks, it said. referring to the respiratory dis- decided today to have a peaceful “With 100 Ebola cases in less ease caused by the coronavirus. Kenyan all-female conservation ranger march. We were teargassed more than 100 days, the outbreak in On June 25, DR Congo of- than 20 times ... some of my col- Equateur Province is evolv- fi cially declared an end to an leagues have been arrested.” ing in a concerning way,” said Ebola epidemic that broke out Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s in the east nearly two years unit patrols amid Covid-19 pandemic regional director for Africa. earlier, which Health Minis- Zimbabwe protest Aff ected communities are ter Eteni Longondo described organiser denied spread across 300km (185 as “the longest, most complex Reuters best day of her life. said as she brushed down her which helped form the unit in miles) in remote and densely and deadliest” in the country’s Nairobi “It’s rare for a woman in our boots in the dying rays of the 2017 to encourage more women bail at third time forested areas, presenting lo- history. community to be a ranger. With sun. to take part in conservation. gistical challenges, Moeti said. The two epidemics have no us being the fi rst women rangers The women, who patrol un- The fund says they managed A Zimbabwean court has denied “Without extra support the common viral strain, according urity Amleset Lakara has we are changing the taboo and armed, captured the two men to stop almost all poaching in bail for the third time to an teams on the ground will fi nd to the WHO. spent the year capturing men and our dads respect us. armed with bows and arrows the area last year. opposition politician who called it harder to get ahead of the vi- The virus is passed on by Parmed poachers, run- “We have fought for the rights and handed them over to rang- Sometimes the women are for anti-government protests last rus,” Moeti said. contact with the blood, body ning from an aggressive buff alo, of girls in our community,” the ers from the government-run accompanied by male rang- month, ruling that he could be a WHO Director-General Te- fl uids, secretions or organs and relaxing around a campfi re 20-year-old said. Kenya Wildlife Service. ers, and sometimes they go by danger to the public if released. dros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of an infected or recently de- reading A Day Before My Wed- When Kenya confi rmed its On another occasion, the pa- themselves. Jacob Ngarivhume has been voiced concern about delays ceased person. ding as she prepares for her own fi rst case of the new coronavirus trol was ambushed by a buff alo As the women patrol, their in detention for a month after between the onset of symp- The death rate is typically marriage this month. in March, the unit was already – whose sharp horns can cause bonds are clear – they chat and his arrest along with journalist toms and an alert for a sus- high, ranging up to 90% in The 24-year-old works as out on patrol in the bush, and deadly injuries – and scattered, joke on the long walks in be- Hopewell Chin’ono on charges of pected case of Ebola, which he some outbreaks, according to part of an elite all-female ranger chose to stay away from their with one Lioness forced to tween visits to residents, who inciting violence, after he called said was fi ve days. the WHO. unit named “The Lionesses”, families in the bush for four scramble up a tree. they ask whether predators are for protests on July 31 against “This is concerning, because In May 2018, another Ebola who patrol a conservation area months rather than risk com- The unit of eight women – bothering cattle or if any stran- corruption and the government’s the longer a patient goes with- epidemic in Equateur prov- near Kenya’s Amboseli National ing in and getting infected and one from each of the local clans gers are moving through the mishandling of the economy. out treatment, the lower their ince was contained in less than Park. leaving the animals vulnerable – patrols the Olgulului com- area. Critics accuse President chances of survival, and the three months, with 54 cases The recruits are drawn from to poaching. munity conservancy conserva- Cattle – the foundation of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s longer the virus can spread un- and 33 deaths recorded. the Maasai community who live The coronavirus causes the tion area, 150,000 acres of land Maasai cultural life – and wild- government of persecuting seen in communities,” he said DR Congo has also faced a around the park. Covid-19 respiratory disease. shared by wildlife and human life mingle freely here, with its opponents amid the worst at a press conference in Ge- major measles outbreak and Sharon Nankinyi, another “A few weeks ago during our beings. herds grazing not far from where economic crisis in more than a neva. recurring fl are-ups of cholera ranger, said that the day she was patrol we came across people It is funded by the Interna- a mother elephant and her baby decade, a charge the authorities “The situation has been fur- and malaria. chosen to enter the team was the slaughtering a giraff e,” Lakara tional Fund for Animal Welfare, lovingly intertwine their trunks. deny. Sierra Leoneans sue government over alleged failings at diamond mine

Reuters largest city in the diamond-rich specifi ed amount in damages for The Sierra Leone government use courts to pursue grievances Seven plaintiff s say police the violence, the complaint fi led Freetown Kono district, complained about “degradation or destruction of also rejects the complaints as un- against international mining opened fi re on demonstrators on Thursday said. water contamination and dam- land, destruction of homes and founded. fi rms. and bystanders, killing two peo- Koidu Limited has not ac- age to their houses from blasting loss of livelihoods and ... dump- “It’s our job to conduct regular In the new complaint, the resi- ple at each protest, court docu- knowledged making any pay- ierra Leoneans living next at the mine. ing of toxic mine waste”, among evaluations of [Octea’s] conduct dents demand the government ments show. ment. to the country’s largest dia- It also said the government had other allegations. in regards to the environment, address their concerns and pay Four of the plaintiff s say that Ibrahim Bokarie, a commu- Smond mine are taking their failed to ensure that the company On July 22, a judge ruled that and we have never found them compensation “for their emo- they were shot while fl eeing the nity activist and plaintiff who government to West Africa’s re- relocate hundreds of households case was “adjourned for judicial not to be compliant,” said Ibra- tional suff ering resulting from scene or while hiding from po- was shot in the foot during the gional court for failing to protect away from the blasting site, as recess” until the end of Septem- him Turay, regional representa- their degraded quality of life and lice. 2007 protest, said he received them from alleged environmental required by Octea’s 2003 mining ber. tive for the Environmental Pro- health, and the instability and A spokesman for Sierra Leo- 3,000,000 leones ($313) towards lapses by the company that runs licence agreement. Octea, a subsidiary of BSG Re- tection Agency in Kono District. uncertainty of their resettlement ne’s security services did not im- his medical bills but that it was it, a subsidiary of Octea Limited. “The State has violated (the sources, founded by Israeli bil- He added that it was mainly status”. mediately respond to requests for insuffi cient. The complaint, fi led to the plaintiff s’) right to a suitable en- lionaire Beny Steinmetz, did not residents who refused to go to the The complaint also alleges that comment. “Even with a new government Economic Community of West vironment,” it said. respond to e-mailed requests for resettlement area who were con- the Sierra Leone government Following the 2007 and 2012 in place, it’s the same old story,” African States (ECOWAS) court The complaint follows a law- comment on Thursday. tinuing to have problems. failed to protect its citizens when incidents, Octea subsidiary he told Reuters. “That’s why of justice on Thursday, alleges suit fi led by the residents against It has described the accusa- The cases highlight how com- security forces killed four people Koidu Limited made a goodwill we’re challenging the govern- that the government failed to Octea in Sierra Leone’s High tions in the March case as “base- munities in developing countries during protests against the mine payment to Sierra Leone’s mines ment in an international court. act when residents of Koidu, the Court in March seeking an un- less and without merit”. are becoming emboldened to in 2007 and 2012. ministry to disburse to victims of Enough is enough.” Gulf Times Saturday, August 22, 2020 5 AMERICAS

VERDICT LEGAL DECISION COMMENT CONTROVERSY ‘Golden State Killer’ Govt seeks to reinstate Canada extends Brazil’s Lula sorry for Mexico prosecutor urged jailed for life bomber’s death penalty pandemic emergency aid shielding Italy militant to probe new cash video

A former policeman dubbed the “Golden State The US justice department will ask the Supreme Canada has announced a four-week extension Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Killer” apologised to his victims yesterday as Court to overturn an appeals court’s recent of emergency aid for people who lost work Silva says he regrets protecting communist yesterday said the Mexican prosecutor’s off ice he was handed multiple life sentences for a decision to quash the death penalty for due to the pandemic, and an easing of rules on militant Cesare Battisti from extradition to his should investigate videos of his brother receiving brutal decade-long crime spree that terrorised Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, qualifying for unemployment benefits when native Italy, after the ex-fugitive confessed cash, but added the money was legitimately California. Joseph James DeAngelo Jr, 74, who off icials said. “Our hope is that this will result in that expires. Off icials estimated the cost of the to four murders. Lula, Brazil’s president from raised and used for 2015 regional elections. confessed to 13 murders and dozens of rapes reinstatement of the original sentence and avoid a measures at Can$37bn over one year. About 2003 to 2010, revealed in an interview he was Lopez Obrador said the money given to Pio in the 1970s and 1980s under a deal to avoid retrial of the death penalty phase,” Massachusetts 4.5mn Canadians, or 12% of the population, prepared to apologise over his decision to allow Lopez Obrador was “contributed” by supporters the death penalty, sat impassively behind a prosecutor Andrew Lelling said in a statement. are currently receiving $2,000 a month in Battisti to remain in Brazil. On the final day of his to fund elections and there was no corruption. face mask in the Sacramento courtroom as Tsarnaev, 27, was sentenced to death in 2015 for emergency support. That’s due to end this presidency, the left-wing leader denied Battisti’s “The aim (of this video) is to damage the image his sadistic crimes were listed. “I’ve listened planting two home-made bombs near the finish month. Canada’s unemployment rate hit a record extradition, enabling the militant to continue of the government but they will not achieve it,” to all of your statements. Each one of them. line of the race in 2013, killing three people and high of 13.7% in May before falling to 10.9% in dodging the Italian authorities until he was the president said. The videos were published at And I’m truly sorry to everyone I’ve hurt,” injuring 264 others. He has admitted carrying out July. The easing of a nationwide lockdown has captured last year in Bolivia after nearly four a time when Mexico is convulsed by a corruption said DeAngelo before judge Michael Bowman the attack as a 19-year-old with his older brother, seen most businesses reopen and millions back decades on the run. Now serving a life sentence trial of former head of Mexico’s state-oil company, began handing down the sentence of multiple, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who died four days after the on the job in recent months. But many are still in Italy, Battisti confessed to the 1970s murders Pemex, who has implicated former presidents and consecutive life terms. atrocity in a gunfight with police. stuck at home, without work. several weeks after his capture. senior political figures in corruption.

Election mail will Pence launches be handled securely: Republican postal chief counterattack as Reuters Washington

S Postmaster Louis DeJoy yesterday told lawmakers Trump savaged Uthat the Postal Service has not changed the way it han- dles election mail as he sought Reuters attack on the president of the Colin Powell and former Ohio to assure the public that ballots Washington United States.” governor John Kasich, who have would be handled “securely and The vice president outlined crossed party lines to support on time” in the November presi- what would be the main thrust Biden, 77, over Trump, 74, in the dential election. ice President Mike Pence of Republicans at their own na- November 3 election. In his fi rst public appearance yesterday launched the tional convention next week, Those Republicans turned before Congress, DeJoy sought VRepublican counterat- appropriating a line from Biden’s on Trump because he came to to tamp down Democratic tack to the scathing criticism that speech that character, decency, Washington promising to shake concerns that service delays President Donald Trump received science and democracy “are all up the establishment, Pence said. prompted by his cost-cutting at the Democrats’ nominating on the ballot.” Biden’s long tenure in politics, measures could result in mil- convention this week, countering “The economy is on the ballot. as a US senator and two terms lions of uncounted ballots in the that a Joe Biden presidency would Law and order is on the ballot, as Democratic president Barack November 3 election and help crush the US economy and allow and the American people know Obama’s vice president, will be Republican President Donald civil unrest in the streets. it,” Pence countered. used against him, Pence made Trump. “The Democrats are off er- Republicans will focus on clear. DeJoy, who has donated mil- ing a vision for this country that what Trump has done to rebuild “Joe Biden has been in Wash- lions of dollars to Trump and would crush our economy and the military, revive the economy, ington for 47 years and the other Republicans, said he has promote the kind of policies that appoint conservative justices speech he gave on Thursday not spoken with the Trump will result in more violence in and “standing for law and order.” night was just more of the same campaign or White House Staff our streets,” Pence told Fox News They will contrast that with the talk that we’ve heard from him Mark Meadows about postal in one of a series of morning tel- Democrats agenda of higher taxes, and other liberal Democrat poli- service operations. evision interviews following the government-funded healthcare, ticians for the decades,” he said. DeJoy said postal workers four-night Democratic event. immigration reform “and con- Biden’s vice presidential pick, will prioritise election mail as Biden accepted the Demo- tinued calls to cut, defund, disas- “California liberal” Kamala they have in the past, adding cratic Party nomination for the semble law enforcement, that’s Harris, whom Pence will debate that he would personally vote White House on Thursday, vow- driving violence in the streets of in the fall, confi rmed that the by mail. ing to heal a United States bat- our major cities,” Pence said on Democratic Party has been taken “As we head into the elec- tered by a deadly pandemic and Fox Business Network. over by “the radical left,” he said. tion season, I want to assure this divided by four years of Trump’s He dismissed the array of “I’m looking forward to that committee and the American presidency. high-profi le Republicans, in- debate more than I can tell you,” public that the Postal Service is Trailing Biden in many na- cluding former secretary of state Pence quipped. fully capable and committed to tional polls, Trump is under delivering the nation’s election pressure to convince Americans Biden vows to end ‘darkness’ of Trump era mail securely and on-time. This they should re-elect him amid sacred duty is my number one double-digit unemployment Joe Biden accepted the — was delivered inside a largely priority between now and Elec- and an economic downturn that Democratic Party nomination empty arena in his hometown tion Day,” said. Democrats blame on his failure for the White House on of Wilmington, Delaware, at But DeJoy said he would not to address the coronavirus pan- Thursday, vowing to heal a US the conclusion of a Democratic bring back mail-sorting ma- demic, which has killed more battered by a deadly pandemic convention held virtually chines that have been pulled than 170,000 Americans and divided by four years of because of the coronavirus from service in recent weeks, Democrats used their conven- Donald Trump’s presidency. pandemic that has killed more saying they were not needed. tion, held virtually because of “The current president has cloaked than 170,000 Americans. Under pressure from the the coronavirus, to highlight the America in darkness for much too Describing the current moment public and lawmakers, DeJoy broad coalition working to oust long. Too much anger. Too much as one of the most diff icult times on Tuesday suspended all mail Trump, stress the party’s diver- fear. Too much division,” Biden the country has ever faced, Biden service changes until after the sity and emphasise the integrity said. “Here and now, I give you my off ered himself as a uniter who election. and faith they say Trump lacks. word: if you entrust me with the would work “just as hard” for Critics feared they would in- Pence countered on Fox Busi- presidency, I’ll draw on the best of those who do not support him — terfere with mail-in balloting, ness Network that the Demo- us, not the worst.” drawing a stark contrast with the which is expected to be much crats painted a grim picture of Biden’s speech — the capstone Republican Trump, who has kept more widely used amid the Cov- US President Donald Trump looks at a pizza that he had just been handed at the take away counter of America and said most of the of nearly five decades in politics the focus on his base of voters. id-19 pandemic. the Arcaro and Genell Restaurant during the president’s campaign visit to Old Forge, Pennsylvania. convention was “an ad hominem Teachers declared essential 175,000 evacuated as workers during pandemic California fi res expand Reuters Francisco Bay Area with a com- Reuters for at least the fi rst month of the which make up the largest school Felton, Calif. plex of fi res east of Palo Alto and Washington new term. district in the US, are due to open another south of Sacramento Houston, San Antonio and September 10 for a blend of in- now the seventh and tenth larg- Austin, have also decided to be- person and remote learning. alifornia’s lightning- est in state history, respectively, he department of home- gin the academic year with on- “We are going to make sure sparked wildfi res broad- according to wildfi re authority land security has classi- line-only classes. these schools are safe and ready,” Cened into some of the CalFire. Tfi ed teachers as essential Texas governor Greg Abbott, a de Blasio said. “And if we don’t largest in state history yester- “We’re still understaff ed for a workers during the coronavirus Republican, has battled against think they’re safe and ready, they day, forcing tens of thousands of fi re of this size,” said Daniel Pot- pandemic as the Trump admin- local leaders in a city where the won’t reopen.” people to fl ee their homes. ter, a CalFire spokesman on an- istration presses schools nation- Democratic Party holds sway. Educators in Florida and Iowa At least six people have died, other blaze north of Santa Cruz wide to bring students back to Abbott last month issued an have fi led lawsuits challenging 43 fi refi ghters and civilians in- which has forced 64,000 peo- class. executive order giving local school plans to reopen schools in those jured and over 500 homes and ple to evacuate from vulnerable The move comes as a Reuters districts — and not local health states, while educators across other structures destroyed as towns where houses are built tally showed that new Covid-19 authorities — the power to deter- the country have held protests fi res burn across an area twice the amongst the trees. infections have fallen for four mine when and how schools open. and threatened to strike if they size of sprawling Los Angeles. One of those was Felton, a weeks in a row in Texas and Flor- However, the governor gave are forced to go back into class- With fi refi ghting forces deplet- community of 4,000, where ida. schools an eight-week maxi- rooms this autumn. ed from over 370 fi res in the past some stayed behind to defend The homeland security de- mum for the time they could of- Anthony Fauci, the country’s fi ve days, ground crews worked homes after fi re torched houses partment’s guidance on teachers fer online-only instruction, say- top infectious disease expert, 72-hour shifts to save communi- and California’s oldest state park marks the latest salvo in a politi- ing that if they went beyond that said this week that schools in ties where over 175,000 people to the north, a Reuters photogra- cal dispute over the best way to their state funding would be cut, parts of the country where the face mandatory evacuation. pher said. educate America’s schoolchil- though some exemptions might rate of those testing positive for The state has been hit by its Around 1,000 fi refi ghters in dren until a vaccine can be found be possible depending on the coronavirus exceeds 10% would worst dry-lightning storms the area fought multiple fi res for Covid-19. situation with the coronavirus. benefi t from easing into the in nearly two decades, over blown in shifting directions by The teachers’ unions have In New York City, mayor Bill new academic year with virtual 11,000 strikes sending fi re rac- erratic winds as propane tanks threatened to strike or sue if mem- de Blasio stood by his vow to re- classrooms. ing through grassland and forest and ammunition stores exploded bers are told to go back to class. open in-class learning beginning Recent research has found parched by record breaking heat. in homes, he said. In Texas, where many schools in September despite threats by that children can carry high “If you are in denial about cli- In the North Bay Area, four across the vast state began in- the teachers’ union to strike or amounts of the virus in their mate change, come to Califor- civilians died in a cluster of fi res person classes this week, a Dal- take legal action. airways and might be more con- nia,” governor Gavin Newsom that have destroyed over 480 las school district offi cial said The city’s positive test rate tagious spreaders, even though A modular airborne firefighting systems (MAFFS) equipped told the Democratic National homes and structures in coun- Thursday that all 155,000 stu- was 0.88% on Thursday. they typically have milder ill- C-130 aircraft drops retardant ahead of the LNU Lightning Convention on Thursday night. ties such as Napa, Solano and dents would be taught online New York City public schools, nesses than adults. Complex fire in Healdsburg, California. Most of the fi res are in the San Sonoma, Cal Fire reported. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 22, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Myanmar locks down Rakhine capital after outbreak of infectious virus strain

Reuters positive for the virus in the west- of Asia, and is thought to be more of thousands of people are living zenship and face strict curbs on tracing their presence in the re- leader in one camp, said govern- Bangkok ern region since Monday, health infectious. “So we would like to in displacement camps across freedom of movement and access gion back centuries, and have ment staff had visited on Friday offi cials said yesterday, the fi rst inform the people that this kind Rakhine due to fi ghting between to healthcare. been accused of bringing the but conditions there were too in- local transmission in Myanmar of virus has a faster rate of trans- government troops and ethnic The virus outbreak risks in- virus across the border. Rakhine adequate to follow advice on so- yanmar has locked in months, bringing its total mission,” the offi cial said. minority insurgents. Myanmar fl aming tension between the State parliament lawmaker Kyaw cial distancing and hygiene. down the capital of number of cases to 409. The vast majority of the recent has curbed internet access in majority Buddhist and minority Zaw Oo blamed Rohingya for the “It’s not OK to live here, in a Mconfl ict-torn Rakhine Myat Htut Nyunt, deputy di- cases have been in the town of swathes of the region, citing se- Rohingya population, who have outbreak in a Facebook post, say- small space with many people. State after an outbreak of a novel rector at Myanmar’s department Sittwe, where offi cials have is- curity grounds. been targeted with hate speech ing it was “almost 100 percent We have always had concerns in coronavirus strain that offi cials of medical research, said the type sued a stay-at-home order and Sittwe is also home to camps after the detection of cases in the certain” that they were to blame the camp, Covid-19 or other is- said was more infectious than of virus was the same as a muta- imposed a curfew. Domestic air- where about 100,000 Rohingya region. and urged segregation between sues. that previously seen in the coun- tion detected this week in Ma- lines have suspended services have been confi ned since an The minority are widely de- the two ethnic groups. Families live in 8 foot by 10 foot try. laysia, which has been found in between Sittwe and the com- outbreak of violence in 2012. rided as interlopers from neigh- He could not be reached for or 8 foot by 14 foot rooms. Things Nineteen people have tested Europe, North America and parts mercial capital of Yangon. Tens Rohingya are mostly denied citi- bouring Bangladesh, despite comment. Kyaw Hla, a Rohingya are not going to get better.”

Hong Kong off ers free Australia virus cases virus test to all residents

AFP government has set “no targets” Hong Kong for the scheme that will be con- ducted by Hong Kong subsidiar- ies of three mainland fi rms, in- ong Kong will off er a cluding Chinese genomics fi rm dive to fi ve-week low free coronavirus test to BGI Group. Hall 7.5mn residents next Many Hong Kongers remain Reuters The country’s month, the city’s leader said deeply suspicious of Beijing Sydney yesterday, but it was unclear as it stamps down on political most populous how many would take part in the freedoms, including imposing state, New South scheme run by companies based a sweeping new security law on ustralia headed for its in mainland China. the city last month. lowest daily increase in Wales, reported Initially a poster child of the Biometric surveillance, in- Acoronavirus infections just one new case pandemic, Hong Kong has seen cluding DNA, forms a core part in fi ve weeks yesterday as the a third wave of virus cases – of the authoritarian mainland’s hotspot state of Victoria neared as an emergency blamed on exemptions from vast surveillance state. the midway point of lockdown, cabinet of state quarantine rules for air and ship Hong Kong opposition fi g- prompting the prime minister to crews, and some business trav- ures have expressed fears that hail “a week of increased hope”. and federal ellers. virus testing by mainland offi - While the rest of Australia eas- leaders discussed Carrie Lam, the fi nance hub’s cials could help Beijing harvest es restrictions, the home state of leader, announced that volun- Hong Kongers’ DNA. The city’s a quarter of its population is in a the prospect of tary mass-testing would start government had dismissed six-week lockdown due to a sec- relaxing closures on September 1 and go on for those suggestions as unfounded ond wave of virus infections. two weeks. rumours. Victoria reported 179 new cas- of state borders “There is still quite a number More than 3,300 new Cov- es in the past 24 hours, from 240 that have been in of silent transmitters in the id-19 infections have been de- a day earlier and down from over community,” she said. “So the tected in Hong Kong since July – 700 a day two weeks ago. The place for months more that we could test... the more than 70% of the total since state reported nine deaths. earlier we could fi nd the re- the disease fi rst hit the city in The country’s most populous internal travel restrictions to al- maining outstanding cases,” she late January. The death toll has state, neighbouring New South leviate the blow to business and added, appealing to residents to risen to 75 from just seven at the Wales, reported just one new case the economy. take part. beginning of July. as an emergency cabinet of state Many states have closed their Health minister Sophia Chan The number of daily cases is and federal leaders discussed the borders to prevent the spread A delivery courier drives down an empty street as the state of New South Wales continues to report low had previously told a radio show now dwindling after distancing prospect of relaxing closures of of infection, and Queensland’s numbers for new daily cases of the coronavirus disease in Sydney. she hoped 5mn people would measures were reimposed, but state borders that have been in premier said earlier this week its participate. there are still several infections place for months. border won’t reopen to any states But Lam yesterday said the each day with no clear source. “Today’s meeting of nation- with cases of community trans- al cabinet came during what I mission. would describe as a week of in- However, Prime Minister Mor- Singapore to allow visitors creased hope,” Prime Minister rison said Queensland had now Scott Morrison told a televised agreed to relax a ban on interstate from Brunei, New Zealand news conference. “We’re doing travel for people seeking health better than most and many of services. Singapore will allow travellers from Brunei and New Zealand to visit the developed world in this situ- He said he would call for an starting in September, in a “small, cautious step” by the virus-hit ation.” agreed defi nition of a “hot spot” aviation hub to restart air travel, off icials said yesterday. The city- Victorian premier Daniel An- so the authorities and travellers state closed its borders in March to tourists and short-term visitors drews said new case numbers in could understand who was, or and later implemented a partial lockdown as coronavirus outbreaks his state had fallen faster than he was not, allowed to travel inter- swept through dormitories housing hundreds of thousands of migrant expected after the state imposed state. workers. a nightly curfew and shuttered Qantas Airways Ltd said this Arrivals from Brunei and New Zealand will be subject to a virus test in many businesses. “We are all week that state border closures lieu of a 14-day quarantine. pleased to see a ‘one’ in front of were severely hampering a re- Transport minister Ong Ye Kung said the move aims to strike a balance these additional case numbers,” covery in the domestic aviation between controlling the spread of the virus and reviving air travel, a Andrews said. “To be at this market, while retail group Wes- key driver of the trade-and tourism-reliant economy. “All in all, I think point shows that the strategy is farmers said the restrictions were this is a small cautious step to start to reopen aviation and resuscitate working.” causing “enormous hardship”. Changi Airport,” he told reporters yesterday. “Remember, as a small With cases in Victoria declin- Other than the Victoria out- open economy, to survive we’ve got to keep our borders open. To earn ing and low or zero levels of in- break, Australia has largely a living, (we) gotta have connections with the world and to thrive and to fections elsewhere – some states avoided the high casualty num- prosper, we must be an aviation hub.” had yet to report daily fi gures by bers of many other nations with Brunei and New Zealand were chosen as they are small countries and mid-afternoon – business lead- just under 24,500 infections and A worker disposes of waste outside a quarantine hotel where returning travellers are kept in isolation for have controlled the virus very well, Ong said, adding the move was ers have called for an easing of 472 deaths linked to the virus. a period to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease in Sydney. unilateral.

NZ court set to sentence killer in mosque massacre

A New Zealand court will begin guns, broadcasting the shooting the court before sentencing. The Church at centre of Covid-19 hearings on Monday on the live on Facebook. attack led to a ban on firearms sentencing of a suspected white Tarrant pleaded guilty to all in New Zealand and a campaign supremacist accused of killing charges in March, which include against hate content online led 51 Muslim worshippers in a 51 charges of murder, 40 charges by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, massacre that shocked the world of attempted murder and one a response that was hailed as a blame game in South Korea and prompted a global campaign charge of committing a terrorist model for other countries. to stamp out online hate. Brenton act. High Court judge Cameron “This will be the acceptance of Tarrant, an Australian national, Mander will hear statements from his guilt and acknowledgement Reuters „ More than 700 members of politically active attacked Muslims attending 66 survivors of the attack early of his punishment,” said Aliya Seoul Friday prayers in the South Island in the week and Tarrant is likely Danzeisen, a community leader church test positive city of Christchurch on March to be present in the courtroom. and member of the Islamic 15 last year with semi-automatic Tarrant will be allowed to speak to Women’s Council of New Zealand. outh Korea’s battle to con- „ Church says government is using virus to tain a new outbreak of persecute members Sthe coronavirus has been complicated by a political and „ Health authorities accuse church of flouting religious fi ght between President Up in arms in Thailand Moon Jae-in’s administration anti-virus efforts and some of his fi ercest critics. Sarang Jeil Church is the second affi liated with the church have would say there is a fabrication.” anti-virus measures, including religious group at the centre of tested positive, out of 3,415 test- One of the church’s pastors, Lee those conducting “all-out mis- a major coronavirus outbreak in ed, according to the Korea Cent- Hae-suk, said she was initially information campaigns”. South Korea. ers for Disease Control and Pre- told her test was negative, but the Vice health minister Kim The government accuses the vention (KCDC). next day she received a message Gang-lip said the government church of obstruction by not The health ministry said on saying she had tested positive. “I was simply trying to protect providing complete lists of its Sunday it had fi led a complaint can think of no other reason than public health. “Do not put cred- members and spreading fake against Jun for violating self-iso- that this is a plot to kill Sarang Jeil ibility in the false news and ru- news that is hindering anti-virus lation rules by participating in the Church by increasing the number mours that are spreading at a fast eff orts, while church members rally, and for obstructing a medical of confi rmed cases,” she said. rate,” he told a briefi ng. Kwon they are victims of a politically investigation into the outbreak. When asked who she thinks is Yon-gyong, dean of the Gradu- motivated witch hunt. Peter Ko, an attorney for Jun, behind the plot, she said: “Moon ate School of Christian Studies at When the fi rst infections were said the church followed social Jae-in.” Another theory advanced Seoul’s Soongsil University, said reported among church members distancing guidelines and Jun by some members is that the out- Sarang Jeil Church was closer to a on August 12, the government says was only at the rally for about 15 break is a “terror attack”, possibly political organisation than a reli- the group fl outed social distanc- minutes. Some Sarang Jeil mem- spread by tainted bottles of hand gious community. ing instructions, with the church’s bers say the government is fabri- sanitiser. “Rev Jun Kwang-hoon is a leader and others attending a mas- cating the test results as part of a Yang Dong-sook, another pas- political fi gure -- a far right po- sive anti-Moon rally in downtown plot to persecute them. tor, said at one point the church litical icon. He is a pastor, but Seoul on August 15. Ko said when a person identifi es received bottles of what looked has earned exposure through the Speaking at the rally, Rev Jun themselves as a church member to like hand sanitizer that smelled far-right political movement.” Kwang-hoon said Moon had clinic staff , their results are more more like chemicals. Another controversial religious “terrorised our church with the likely to come back positive. “We ignored it then, but now group, the Shincheonji Church Wuhan virus”. Jun, an outspo- “When we go get tested else- that I see so many infections, I of Jesus, was involved with South People in dinosaur costumes are seen as workers do a three-fingered salute at a rally to demand ken government critic, later where and do not mention that we think it could be true,” she said. Korea’s fi rst major outbreak, ac- the government to resign, to dissolve the parliament and to hold new elections under a revised tested positive for the virus. As are a member of the congregation, Moon on Friday called for legal counting for almost a third of the constitution, at the Automobile Labour Congress of Thailand, in Samut Prakan, Thailand. of Thursday, at least 739 people we’d test negative,” he said. “I penalties for anyone obstructing country’s total 16,670 cases. Gulf Times Saturday, August 22, 2020 7

BRITAIN/IRELAND Number of migrants crossing Channel in boats passes 5,000 It is understood the fi ve men Wednesday, when the super- commander, Dan O’Mahoney, the rise in crossings by the UK record, it is still lower than other were about 36,000 asylum ap- Guardian News and Media presented themselves as Suda- market-bought dinghy he was revealed late on Thursday that and French governments have European countries, and is like- plications made in the UK last London nese and Chadian nationals, and in was punctured by the shov- British and French authorities led to increased tensions be- ly to have resulted in a drop in year. were brought into Dover to be els being used as makeshift were talking about increas- tween the countries, with one crossings made by other means, This compares with 165,615 he number of migrants questioned by immigration of- oars. ing surveillance of the waters, Calais MP blaming the death of such as on lorries or ferries. asylum applications in Germa- who have crossed the fi cials. The government continues to including with aerial support Hamdallah on the UK’s policy of According to the UN refugee ny, 151,070 in France, 117,800 in TChannel in small boats Analysis by PA Media shows pursue a hardline approach to and more patrols in northern insisting asylum claims be made agency, there have been 16,942 Spain and 77,275 in Greece in the this year has passed 5,000, anal- the total number of migrant boat the crossings, focusing on mak- France. on British soil. sea arrivals in Italy so far in same period, according to Euro- ysis shows, as the government arrivals for 2020 exceeds 5,000, ing the route “unviable” despite The Royal Air Force has al- The Labour party has ac- 2020, as well as 10,875 in Spain stat. continues to pursue a “milita- more than double the 1,900 humanitarian experts saying the ready launched aircraft over the cused the government of lacking and 8,697 in Greece. In the year to March 2020, rised” response to the growing known to have made the 21-mile only way to reduce the cross- strait of Dover to help Border “compassion and competence” The number of arrivals across 20,339 people were offered numbers. trip last year. ings is to improve safe and le- Force offi cials spot people at- in its approach and attempting the Channel is dwarfed by protection by the UK in the A further fi ve people arrived The milestone was passed gal routes to the UK for asylum tempting the crossing, following to “militarise” the response to a overall immigration to the UK: form of being granted asylum, in England yesterday, risking after a Sudanese asylum seek- seekers. a request from the Home Offi ce humanitarian crisis. 677,000 people moved to the humanitarian protection or their lives in force 8 gales, rain er, Abdulfatah Hamdallah, The recently appointed for military assistance. While the latest tally of small- country in 2019. alternative forms of leave and showers and rough seas. drowned in the Channel on clandestine channel threat The diff erent approaches to boat arrivals in the UK is a Home Offi ce data shows there resettlement. Crossrail delayed again until 2022

Guardian News and Media ity and connectivity that the London Elizabeth line will bring and we are doing everything possible to deliver the railway as safely and rossrail, the mass-transit quickly as we can.” train line through Lon- While delivery of the Eliza- Cdon, has been further beth line was in its complex fi nal delayed until 2022 and gone an- stages, according to a Crossrail other £450mn over budget. statement, the project was be- Transport for London said ing completed at a time of great that the temporary pause in uncertainty because of the risk construction and ensuing slow- of more coronavirus outbreaks. down because of Covid-19 dis- Crossrail admitted that con- tancing requirements had only struction had been slow, with partially contributed to the “lower than planned productiv- latest delays, which mean the ity in the fi nal completion and Elizabeth Line will open more handover of the shafts and por- than three years late and cost al- tals” of the line. most £4bn more than originally It said it had also overesti- budgeted. mated the speed at which it could fi nish and hand over the Crossrail said it was new stations built in central A woman wearing a protective face mask walks through Trafalgar Square, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in London yesterday. working to fi nalise the London. cost estimates and the Covid-19 had exacerbated exact budget remains schedule pressures, it said, with unclear, with additional constraints on how many people Network Rail costs due to could work on site, currently re- be factored in ducing numbers by half to about 2,000 workers. The announcement follows a The business group London Crossrail board meeting, which First described the delay as Reprieve for renters as concluded that any 2021 open- “disappointing but unsurpris- ing date was an unrealistic tar- ing” and said it should “not dis- get, only a month after it ruled tract from the need for a fair and out opening next summer. sustainable long-term funding Crossrail said it was working solution for TfL”. to fi nalise the cost estimates and Crossrail hopes to start inten- the exact budget remains un- sive testing of train services, or eviction ban extended clear, with additional Network trial running, as soon as possible Rail costs due to be factored in, in 2021. Guardian News and Media they were being left “to foot the than three currently, until at will have been evicted for six government’s incompetence.” but that it was at least £450mn Bond Street station remains London bill for government failure”. least the end of March, unless months. The move was described by more than the estimated range incomplete and not ready to be Renters have been protected dur- the case involves a serious issue, “I am also increasing protec- the London Renters Union as in November 2019, which would part of the tests. ing the Covid-19 crisis by a tempo- such as antisocial behaviour or tions for renters: six-month “kicking the can down the road”. make the current expected Even when the central under- enters in England and rary government ban on landlords domestic violence. notice periods must be given to “We’ve had a series of short- budget up to £18.7bn. ground section fi nally opens, Wales facing eviction af- evicting tenants, announced in When cases do resume, courts tenants, supporting renters over term extensions, and that’s The giant infrastructure Crossrail has not squared when Rter falling behind on rent March and extended in June. will prioritise the most serious winter.” caused enormous misery and scheme had been planned to cost it can join up the three parts of during the coronavirus pandem- It was due to end tomorrow cases involving antisocial be- The Labour leader, Keir stress for renters like me,” said £14.8bn, with services across the line, with their diff erent sig- ic are to be given a one-month and courts would have restarted haviour and other crimes, and Starmer, said the “11th-hour U- Ghazal Haqani, an organiser the heart of London to start op- nalling systems. reprieve. eviction hearings from Monday. those where rent has gone un- turn” was necessary. with the union. “Because so erating in December 2018, but For an unspecifi ed period, The government has ordered The lord chancellor request- paid for more than a year and But he described the exten- many of us are in arrears, we the problems in its delivery were passengers wishing to travel on a rule change that means courts ed the extension of the ban on landlords would otherwise face sion as so brief it “will simply have been constantly worried for formally admitted only months the western end, from Read- will continue not to hear repos- Thursday and it was approved unmanageable debts. give renters a few more weeks to months that we are about to be- before the planned opening by ing and Heathrow, will have to session claims by landlords until by the civil procedure rule com- The Housing Secretary, Rob- pack their bags”. come totally defenceless against the Queen was due to take place. change at the Paddington main- September 20. mittee yesterday morning in ert Jenrick, said: “I know this “Boris Johnson has been landlords who want to kick us Crossrail’s chief executive, line station to join Elizabeth The move was welcomed by a meeting that noted the “ex- year has been challenging and all warned for months about the out of our homes. Mark Wild, said: “Our focus re- line services for central London some renters as “an enormous tremely unusual nature and tim- of us are still living with the ef- looming evictions crisis, but “It looks like that could hap- mains on opening the Elizabeth and passengers on the eastern relief” and by others as “kicking ing” of the government decision. fects of Covid-19. stuck his head in the sand,” pen all over again in September.” line as soon as possible. branch to Shenfi eld will have the can down the road”. Landlords in England will also “That is why I am announc- Starmer said. “People living in The terms under which the “Now more than ever Lon- to change trains at Liverpool But some landlords described be required to provide tenants ing a further four-week ban on rented accommodation should ban will eventually be lifted re- doners are relying on the capac- Street. it as “unacceptable” and said with six months’ notice, rather evictions, meaning no renters not be paying the price for this main unclear.

Accident site Irish politicians quit after Policeman’s killers’ jail terms to be reviewed golf dinner virus breach they believe are unfair. Guardian News and Media London It takes just one complaint for AFP ahead in the manner it did”. Buttimer said his attendance at the attorney general’s offi ce to Dublin The Irish Examiner newspaper the event was “an unintended but consider whether or not to refer reported that 82 people — includ- serious lapse of judgment”. he prison sentences hand- to the court of appeal. ing lawmakers and a supreme “I apologise unreservedly for ed down to the killers of Harper’s widow, Lissie Harp- wo senior Irish politicians court judge — gathered for the my actions this week,” he added Tpolice constable Andrew er, said: “This is great news and resigned yesterday after golf dinner. in his resignation letter. Harper are to be challenged in we thank the attorney general Tbreaching government Just 24 hours earlier, Martin Former minister Calleary wrote court under the unduly lenient for her swift decision. The sen- coronavirus guidelines to attend announced new restrictions in- on Twitter late on Thursday: “In sentence scheme, the attorney tences for Andrew’s killers did the parliamentary golf society’s cluding a ban on events at hotel light of the updated public health general’s offi ce has said. not match their heinous crime. It 50th anniversary dinner earlier restaurants and a stipulation that guidance this week I should not Henry Long, 19, was sentenced was not justice and it needs to be this week. no more than six people should be have attended the event.” to 16 years’ imprisonment, while addressed. Agriculture Minister Dara Cal- seated at a single table when din- Calleary is the second politi- Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, “Police offi cers need to be leary and deputy chair of par- ing. cian to serve as agriculture min- both 18, were sentenced to 13 properly protected by the judicial liament’s upper chamber Jerry The Examiner said attendees ister in Ireland’s new government years’ imprisonment for the system, and there must be ap- Buttimer quit after the event in a sat in groups of 10 and the room formed at the end of June. manslaughter of Harper. propriate punishments for those County Galway hotel on Wednes- was divided, to try to follow leg- His predecessor was sacked Harper, 28, sustained fatal who would kill police offi cers.” day gained public attention. islation limiting diners to no more after controversy over a drink- injuries when his ankles were Braverman said: “This was a EU trade commissioner Phil than 50. driving ban. caught in a strap trailing behind a horrifi c crime which resulted in Hogan was also facing growing Irish police said yesterday they In Britain, there has been public vehicle driven by Long on August the death of a much-respected calls to step down for attending were investigating the event for outrage that Prime Minister Boris 15 last year. police offi cer while he was on the event, which is now being “alleged breaches” of that legisla- Johnson’s most senior adviser, The attorney general, Suella duty, protecting his community. investigated by police for alleged tion. Dominic Cummings, kept his job Braverman, has referred all three “Having personally consid- breaches of coronavirus legisla- Martin said in a statement he despite fl outing coronavirus re- sentences to the court of appeal ered the details of this shocking tion banning gatherings of more accepted Calleary’s resignation strictions. under the unduly lenient sen- case, I have decided to refer the than 50. after just 37 days in the position, Housing Minister Robert Jen- tence (ULS) scheme. sentences of Harper’s killers to Hogan said on Twitter he had calling it “the right decision”. rick also escaped sanction for The scheme allows victims the court of appeal. been assured the event was “in “People all over the country breaking lockdown rules but of crime, their families, pros- “Attacks made against emer- compliance with the govern- have made very diffi cult, personal Scotland’s chief medical of- ecutors and the public to ask gency workers will not be tol- ment’s guidelines”, even as Prime sacrifi ces in their family lives and fi cer, Catherine Calderwood, Workers are seen at the site where a passenger train derailed law officers to review sen- erated and off enders should be Minister Micheal Martin said the in their businesses to comply with was forced to quit for doing the near Stonehaven, Scotland, yesterday. tences for certain crimes that punished with the greatest se- dinner “should not have gone Covid regulations,” he said. same. fall within the scheme that verity for such heinous crimes.” Gulf Times 8 Saturday, August 22, 2020 EUROPE

West Nile virus Spain sees most number of claims two lives new infections since May in Spain

„ France reports 4,586 new infections over past 24 hours Children over 12 should follow same mask rules as adults: WHO people in other hospital wards, AFP „ Italy reports 947 new virus cases, highest daily count since and 15,690 in home isolation. Madrid mid-May The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recom- teenagers “may play a more active role in transmis- Italy was the fi rst Western mended that children over 12 should wear masks in sion than younger children”. country to be hit with the pan- DPA/Reuters Nonetheless, Spain widely the same contexts as adults in the bid to rein in the The UN agencies said that children under five should demic, but, after a severe health n outbreak of West Nile Madrid/Paris/Rome has the pandemic under control, coronavirus pandemic. not wear a mask. emergency in March and April, it virus, which is spread by aside from in a small number of The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory “This is based on the safety and overall interest of the has for weeks been posting bet- Amosquitoes, has claimed areas, he said. disease. child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask ter virus data than other Euro- the lives of two people in south- pain is experiencing a The authorities also say num- The UN health agency, in co-operation with Unicef, with minimal assistance,” they said. pean countries. ern Spain and left 23 others in surge in the number of new bers are increasing as more tests published fresh guidance yesterday on when it is But they said that in certain circumstances it could be However, a recent spike in hospital, local health authorities Scases of the coronavirus, are being carried out. appropriate for children to wear masks to impede the advisable for children between the ages of six and 11 infections is fuelling worries said yesterday. recording a record 3,650 within Those aff ected are mostly spread of the coronavirus crisis. to wear a mask in places where there is widespread about the risk of new lockdown An 85-year-old woman died the last 24 hours, the highest people going to night clubs and The two UN agencies had convened a group of ex- transmission of the virus, or in settings where the measures and potential prob- yesterday from the disease at level seen since May, the health private parties, they say. perts to review the limited data available on children’s children were in contact with the elderly or others at lems for the planned reopening a Seville hospital, a day after a ministry said yesterday. The average age of those in- contribution to the spread of Covid-19, as well as on high risk of developing serious illness. of schools in September. 77-year-old man became the The coronavirus causes the fected is falling steadily and is the benefits of mask-wearing by children. For such young children, though, an adult should be “We all hope that the [corona- fi rst victim of the outbreak, a Covid-19 respiratory disease. currently 38. Based on those findings, as well as considerations sur- present to supervise that they are using the mask virus] numbers will improve. It spokeswoman for the health de- It was the third consecutive Most are asymptomatic. rounding children’s developmental needs, they said safely, and the potential impact on their learning and depends on people’s behaviour,” partment of the regional govern- day on which more than 3,000 The rising numbers are par- the advice varied in diff erent age groups. development should be taken into consideration. Education Minister Lucia Az- ment of Andalusia said. new cases had been recorded ticularly concerning in Madrid The WHO thus recommends that “children aged 12 According to the new guidance, for children of any zolina told La Repubblica news- Of the 23 other people who within a 24-hour period, a level and the surrounding regions as and over should wear a mask under the same condi- age with developmental disorders, disabilities or paper. are in hospital with the disease, last seen on May 1. well as in the Basque Country, tions as adults, in particular when they cannot guar- other specific health conditions that might interfere On Thursday, a weekly report seven are in intensive care units, The country managed to re- Navarre and Aragon. antee at least a 1m distance from others and there is with mask wearing, “the use of masks should not be from the National Health Insti- she added. duce the number of cases to be- Of the total cases reported widespread transmission in the area”. mandatory”. tute (ISS), for the August 10-16 West Nile virus can cause low 100 new infections thanks to yesterday, a third were in Ma- The document acknowledged that much remains It also recommends that children should not be asked period, pointed to a sharp rise symptoms similar to those of the a strict lockdown in June. drid. unknown about to what degree children contribute to to wear masks when playing sports or doing physical in coronavirus cases among the fl u, but in extreme cases, it can However case numbers have People living in the worst- the spread of the novel coronavirus. activities “so that it doesn’t compromise their breath- young. result in tremors, fever, comas been increasing constantly since aff ected areas of Usera, Cara- But it said that while there is some limited evidence ing”, but stresses the importance of keeping a proper The median age of those in- and a lethal swelling of the brain the beginning of July. banchel and Vallecas – all work- that young children may have lower susceptibility distance from others and limiting the number of fected has fallen to around 30, tissue known as encephalitis. The latest additions bring the ing class districts in southern to infection compared to adults, data indicated that children playing together. from more than 60 in March- It can also cause meningitis. total number of cases in Spain to Madrid – should stay home as April, the ISS reported, also say- First discovered in Uganda in some 386,000. much as possible, health au- ing that about 28% of new cases 1937, the virus is carried by birds Over the last week, 125 people thorities said. country had risen by 23 in the Meanwhile, Italy’s daily count 24 hours, bringing the overall were linked to people coming and spread to humans by mos- have died of the virus, bring- Yesterday the French health past 24 hours to 30,503. of new novel coronavirus cases national death toll attributed to from abroad. quitoes. ing the country’s death toll to ministry reported 4,586 new The number of patients in rose to 947 yesterday, a three- Covid-19 to 35,427. In an eff ort to contain the It is indigenous to Africa, Asia, 28,838. coronavirus infections over the intensive care units was down month high that reinforced con- Total infection numbers rose situation, the government has Europe and Australia. “Nobody should be under past 24 hours after the country by one to 379, the ministry also cerns about spiking infection to 257,065. banned dancing in bars and The Spanish outbreak has oc- any illusions. Things are not go- reached a post-lockdown record said. numbers. According to the health min- nightclubs and introduced man- curred in the towns of Coria del ing well,” said Fernando Simon, the previous day. Total confi rmed infection The Italian health ministry istry, Italy now has 16,678 ac- datory coronavirus testing for Rio and La Puebla del Rio, both head of the health emergency The ministry also said the to- cases has increased to 234,400 also reported nine Covid-19- tive novel coronavirus cases: people returning from Croatia, located next to the Guadalquivir services (CCAES). tal for coronavirus deaths in the in France. related fatalities in the previous 69 people in intensive care, 919 Greece, Malta and Spain. marshes.

Thunberg stages climate strike at Brandenburg Gate After initial resistance, Russian doctors allow Navalny evacuation Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg staged her latest AFP tion, said they were “able and fallen seriously ill or died in ap- climate strike in Berlin yesterday, Omsk, Russia willing” to fl y him to Berlin. parent poisonings. protesting with dozens of The turnaround followed a His wife had said she wanted other youngsters in front of letter from Navalny’s wife Yulia him treated “in an independ- the German capital’s famous ussian doctors treating with a direct appeal to Putin and ent hospital, whose doctors we Brandenburg Gate. opposition fi gure Alexei after aides asked the European trust”. The protesters were seen sitting RNavalny for suspected Court of Human Rights to inter- “It’s a shame that it took the on the concrete in front of the poisoning backed down yester- vene with the Russian govern- doctors so long to take this deci- city landmark, at a distance day and agreed that he could be ment. sion,” Navalny’s spokeswoman from each other in keeping with evacuated after his family and Navalny, who is among Pu- Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. coronavirus rules. aides battled for him to be taken tin’s fi ercest critics, lost con- “The plane has been waiting Thunberg was joined by German to Germany. sciousness while on a fl ight on since morning, the papers were campaigner Luisa Neubauer and The doctors in the Siberian Thursday and his plane made an also ready then.” Anuna de Wever and Adelaide city of Omsk, where Navalny emergency landing in Omsk. She had earlier claimed Rus- Charlier from Belgium, pictures was in a coma in intensive care, Navalny’s aides say that they sia’s refusal to evacuate Navalny shared on the Swedish activist’s changed tack after initially in- believe he was poisoned and that was a ploy to “play for time” and regional elections taking place social media showed. sisting that he was too ill to be something was put in his tea at make it impossible to trace poi- next month. The four young women were moved. an airport cafe, but doctors said son, posing a “critical threat to Yarmysh said he had seemed hosted by German Chancellor The 44-year-old lawyer and yesterday that “no trace” of any his life”. “absolutely fi ne” before board- Angela Merkel for talks on anti-corruption campaigner’s poison was found. Regional police said they ing the fl ight and had only con- Thursday, during which they wife had appealed to President “The diagnosis of poisoning found traces of an industrial sumed a cup of tea at the airport. urged her and other EU leaders Vladimir Putin and staff had ac- (of Navalny) was fi nally ruled chemical after swabbing Nav- She said that she was sure he to take bolder steps to mitigate cused authorities of putting his out,” Kalinichenko insisted. alny and his luggage, while sug- had suff ered from an “intention- climate change. life at risk by delaying the evacu- Russian doctors said their gesting it came from a dispos- al poisoning” and blamed Putin. People, including journalists and supporters, surround Yulia ation. preliminary diagnosis was a able cup. Navalny has made many en- Navalnaya, wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny “We ... took the decision that “metabolic disorder” caused by The air ambulance dispatched emies with his anti-corruption (pictured left) outside Omsk Emergency Hospital No. 1, where the Lego launches we do not oppose his transfer to a sudden drop in blood sugar to take Navalny to Berlin for investigations, which often re- opposition leader was admitted after he fell ill in what his another hospital, the one that levels. treatment landed in Omsk after veal the lavish lifestyles of Rus- spokeswoman said was a suspected poisoning. bricks with Braille his relatives indicate to us,” the Kalinichenko said the Rus- Chancellor Angela Merkel ex- sia’s elite and attract millions of deputy chief doctor of the Omsk sians had a consultation with the tended an off er of treatment. views online. numerous stretches in police in March two years ago. Danish toymaker Lego said on hospital, Anatoly Kalinichenko, German doctors and they exam- European Union leaders in- He has suff ered attacks in the cells for organising illegal pro- Former Russian security serv- Thursday that it was launching a told journalists. ined Navalny. cluding Merkel and French Pres- past, including a 2017 incident tests, while his Anti-Corruption ice agent Alexander Litvinenko new version of its iconic plastic He said that Navalny’s con- “They were fully satisfi ed ident Emmanuel Macron have where he endured chemical Foundation was regularly raided was fatally poisoned with radio- bricks featuring Braille for the dition had “stabilised” and his with all they saw, they agreed voiced concern for Navalny, who burns to his eye after green dye by police and investigators. active polonium in a cup of tea in blind or visually impaired in wife and brother “took the risks with our diagnosis,” he said. has faced repeated physical at- was splashed on his face. The latest incident follows London. seven countries. on themselves” for moving him. “They guaranteed they would tacks and prosecutions in more Last year Navalny said he sus- several infamous poisonings of Russia refused to extradite The bricks have the same shape “It won’t happen instantly, it get him to the destination, Ber- than a decade of opposition to pected poisoning when he suf- Kremlin critics in the past. chief suspect Andrei Lugovoi, as the regular ones, but the studs will happen today,” he said. lin as we understand,” he said, Russian authorities. fered rashes and his face became Britain named two Russian who became a nationalist MP on top are rearranged. German doctors who fl ew in adding that Russian doctors ini- Navalny lost consciousness swollen while serving a short jail spies as suspects after Rus- after the 2006 attack. Lego said it wanted to encourage on an air ambulance visited Na- tially thought that a transfer was shortly after his plane took off on term after calling for illegal pro- sian double agent Sergei Skri- Several other opposition fi g- blind and visually impaired valny earlier yesterday and the “premature”. Thursday from Tomsk in Siberia, tests. pal and his daughter Yulia were ures have suff ered severe illness- children to explore new ways of NGO that chartered the plane, Navalny is the latest in a long where he was working to support He has been the target of mul- poisoned with the nerve agent es in Russia that they blamed on learning to read and write. the Cinema for Peace founda- line of Kremlin critics who have opposition candidates ahead of tiple criminal probes and spent Novichok in the city of Salisbury poisoning. Belarus opposition council members summoned for questioning

Reuters Two leading members of the seem to have intimidated the Minsk/Moscow opposition Co-ordinating Coun- protesters and opposition has cil, Maksim Znak and Sarhey spread to include strikes at state Dyleuski, were accompanied factories long seen as bastions of wo leading members of a by dozens of supporters as they support for Lukashenko. newly formed opposition arrived for questioning at the Thousands turned out yester- Tcouncil in Belarus were headquarters of the Investiga- day, and much larger protests are questioned yesterday in a crimi- tive Committee in a criminal case expected over the weekend. nal case over what President Al- accusing the council of trying to “I couldn’t sit at home,” said exander Lukashenko calls an at- seize power. Tatyana, 45, a medic. “I am not tempt to seize power, after nearly Znak, a lawyer, said on enter- afraid. If you stay home, that two weeks of mass rallies against ing that he feared he might be ar- means you have to live your his 26-year rule. rested. whole life in fear.” More public fi gures, including But when he emerged later, Lukashenko’s main opponent, an Olympic athlete, came out in he said he had “productive dis- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, has opposition to Lukashenko, whose cussions” and would get back to fl ed to neighbouring Lithuania, political challengers say he rigged A woman attends a rally in Minsk in support of Belarusian President People attend an opposition demonstration in Minsk. The placard work. where she has released a steady an August 9 election. Lukashenko. reads ‘Women don’t surrender. And you?’ The council was launched this stream of video messages calling In the latest act of protest, week with the self-described on her followers to rise up peace- the streets of the capital Minsk the Kremlin, determined to Kremlin told Reuters that Presi- “This is my problem, which on Moscow, Lukashenko also aim of negotiating a transfer of fully. were paralysed yesterday by a keep its sway over its most loyal dent Vladimir Putin believes Lu- I should resolve, and we are re- confi rmed for the fi rst time that power. Yesterday she called for more motorists’ strike, with hundreds neighbour, and the West, which kashenko will probably cling to solving it,” he told workers at a journalists had been brought It includes an array of pub- workers to strike. of drivers honking horns and is sympathetic to a nascent pro- power for now, and is content to state food factory named after from Russia to staff state TV, lic fi gures, among them a No- At her fi rst public news con- abruptly abandoning cars in traf- democracy movement but wary let him sweat it out. the founder of the Soviet KGB. where workers abruptly quit last bel Prize-winning author and ference since going into exile, fi c. of provoking Russian interven- Lukashenko, who has repeat- “And believe me, in the coming week in protest against what they the ousted head of the country’s the 37-year-old political novice The loosening of Lukashenko’s tion. edly vowed to crush the unrest, days it will be resolved.” described as orders to broadcast main drama theatre. noted that Moscow had not made grip poses a challenge both for Two sources close to the said the crisis would end soon. In a sign of his dependence propaganda. A police crackdown does not contact. Gulf Times Saturday, August 22, 2020 9

INDIA

DECISION LAW AND ORDER FALLOUT CRIME OFFBEAT New visa curbs on people Kerala seeks CBI probe Ban on flowers from other Firm dupes hundreds Wife seeks divorce linked to China think-tanks into man’s well death states pricks Kerala florists of investors in Delhi from ‘perfect’ husband

Issuance of visa to people associated with After 24 days of protests by friends and family of Florists in Kerala are crying foul over A chit fund group has duped hundreds of In a bizarre incident, a woman has sought Chinese think-tanks will be scrutinised by the a man, who was found dead inside a well while he Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s directive people in southeast Delhi. Investors in the chit- divorce from her husband on the grounds that security establishments, the government has was in the custody of the Kerala forest department, to see that flowers from neighbouring fund group named Friends Lucky Draw staged he does not fight with her. The woman has decided. The decision was taken after some the Pinarayi Vijayan government yesterday sought states are not used for Onam a protest outside the Govindpuri police station approached a court for divorce just 18 months suspicious activities were noticed involving a CBI probe into the matter. State Forest Minister celebrations. The harvest festival spread after the members of the group absconded after her marriage. The woman claimed that certain individuals linked with Chinese think- K.Raju said the decision has been made and Chief over 10 days begins today and ends on with their deposits. They demanded immediate her husband’s love was ‘suffocating’ her. “He tanks. The security and intelligence agencies have Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would make the off icial September 2. “There are about 6,000 action by the police after they registered an does not shout at me and neither has he been asked to do a background check of people request seeking the central agency’s probe. Forty- florists in the state. It is a matter of our online complaint against the accused. The upset me on any issue. He even cooks for me who get sponsorships from various Chinese think- year-old Mathai, was the sole breadwinner of his livelihood, especially during Onam. We accused identified as Abdul Salam, a resident and also helps me in performing household tanks and advocacy groups before the issuances family. He was taken into custody on July 28 for are now told that there is a new directive. of Govindpuri lured people by promising them chores,” she told the court. She further said, of their visas. The agencies have prepared an allegedly damaging the forest department’s CCTV We wish to ask ‘if flowers are a problem, huge returns against the deposited fund for “Whenever I make a mistake, he always elaborate list of groups and individuals who are camera kept for surveillance in the forest area. is Kerala not relying on other states a period of 15 months. Several people were forgives me for that. I wanted to argue with under scanner. The government has shared the After a few hours, Mathai was found dead in the for fruits and vegetables?’ This is not lured with the promise of a hefty amount to the him. I do not need a life where the husband list with the ministry of external aff airs. well of his farmhouse. acceptable,” a group of florists griped. winner of a ‘Lucky Draw’. agrees to anything.”

Nine people Delhi teachers protest die in fi re at Telangana power station

IANS Telangana Energy Minister Hyderabad Jagadish Reddy and TS Genco and Transco chairman and man- aging director Prabhakar Rao ll nine people trapped rushed to the spot and oversaw after a huge fi re at an un- rescue eff orts. Aderground hydroelectric Reddy said that the accident power station in Telangana were occurred in the fi rst unit of the killed, offi cials said yesterday. power station and four panels All eff orts by rescue workers to were damaged. save the trapped employees at the He said that rescue personnel Telangana State Power Generation were unable to enter the tunnel Corporation (TS Genco) plant at due to thick smoke. Srisailam dam’s left bank in Na- “As soon as the fi re started, Teaching and non-teaching staff of 12 Delhi University colleges funded by the Delhi government hold placards as they protest against the financial crisis and diff iculties garkurnool district were futile. they tried to trip the units but in getting salaries for the last few months, in New Delhi yesterday. The rescue workers later re- that couldn’t happen. So we covered the bodies of fi ve vic- isolated the 400V input and all tims. units were tripped,” said Prab- They were identifi ed as as- hakar Rao. sistant engineers Mohan Kumar, Operations at the power sta- Uzma Fatima, and Sunder, di- tion was suspended following visional engineer Srinivas Goud the incident. and Mahesh, an employee of a The Srisailam dam is located battery company. across the Krishna river which BJP ‘chalks up plan’ to thwart Eff orts were on to trace the serves as the border between Te- bodies of the remaining victims. langana and Andhra Pradesh. Rescue personnel including Telangana Chief Minister K those from the Central Indus- Chandrashekhar Rao ordered a trial Security Force (CISF) and probe by the CID into the fi re. the National Disaster Response Following the direction, chief Tharoor Facebook summons Force (NDRF) battled thick secretary Somesh Kumar issued smoke to retrieve the bodies. an order appointing additional IANS Tharoor’s colleague in the com- ing power of the Speaker, Dubey rights and prevention of misuse bers in the committee, the BJP has Some rescue workers have also director general of police, CID, New Delhi mittee and increasingly the face of has cited instances of Tharoor’s of social/online news media plat- 12 and an ally member. Among reportedly become ill during the Govind Singh, as the inquiry of- the BJP’s opposition to Tharoor’s alleged misconduct that in- forms”. the 10 Rajya Sabha members, one operation. fi cer. move, Nishikant Dubey has set cludes him allegedly bypassing Rules allow any member to has died, leaving only nine. Out Earlier, NDRF personnel and Singh was asked to conduct ith Shashi Tharoor the ball in motion for Plan A, by the committee members, talk- question the move and seek vot- of these nine, the BJP has three experts from the Singareni Col- a comprehensive inquiry and moving a privilege mo- writing to Birla, where he urged ing through social media, his ing over it. members and hopes to get the vote lieries Company Ltd (SCCL) submit a report to the chief Wtion against a BJP leg- him to invoke Rule 283 of the reference to the British House of Among the 21 Lok Sabha mem- of a nominated member. joined the rescue operations. minister. islator for questioning his power Rules of Procedure and Conduct Commons among others to argue The fi re, which broke out late Rao expressed his shock over to unilaterally summon Facebook of Business in the Lok Sabha, to that Tharoor be sent on “leave”. Thursday, was brought under the fi re incident and termed it as representatives to a parliamentary block Tharoor’s bid. Even though many BJP members, More work needed to curb hate speech: Facebook control by the fi refi ghters. “very unfortunate”. According to standing committee, the BJP has The rule says, “The Speaker without being named, have ac- A short-circuit is believed to a statement from chief minister’s realised the Congress’ seriousness may from time to time issue such cepted that removing Tharoor is Social media giant Facebook its biggest market in terms of have caused the fi re at unit one offi ce, he voiced his sorrow over in the matter. directions to the chairperson not going to be an easy task for yesterday admitted it has to users since The Wall Street of the underground power house. the eff orts to rescue the trapped The saff ron party is also ready of a committee, as the Speaker even the Speaker, given the optics do better to curb hate speech Journal reported that an Of the 30 persons reported to people failing to yield results. with two plans to block Tharoor’s considers necessary, for regu- associated with the ongoing case, as it battled a storm over executive refused to remove be present at the spot, 15 escaped KCR, as the chief minister moves, with the fi rst already set in lating its procedure and the or- blocking Tharoor’s summon how it handled comments by the comments because it to safety through a tunnel while is popularly known, conveyed motion. ganisation of its work”. In simpler seems to be well within the ambit BJP lawmaker T Raja Singh would damage the company’s six were brought out by rescue his heartfelt condolences to the The BJP’s Plan A is to get Lok words, the Speaker can step in to of the laid down rule. against Muslims. “We’ve business interests. “Over the personnel. families of the deceased. Sabha Speaker Om Birla to censure stop Tharoor if he deems fi t. If Plan A doesn’t yield the de- made progress on tackling last few days, we have been They have been admitted to a He prayed for the early recov- Tharoor, who is also the chairman Dubey claimed, “The signing sired result, the BJP is likely to hate speech on our platform, accused of bias in the way we local hospital. ery of those injured in the inci- of the standing committee on in- authority for summoning anyone set the backup plan in motion on but we need to do more,” enforce our policies. We take One of the survivors said the dent and directed the offi cials formation technology, which has to the committee is the secretary September 1, when the standing Facebook India’s managing allegations of bias incredibly sparks were fi rst noticed on a to ensure the best treatment to summoned Facebook representa- general who in turn reports to committee on IT reconvenes. director Ajit Mohan said in a seriously, and want to make it panel. “This was followed by them. tives to the committee on Sep- the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Facebook representatives have statement that denied any bias. clear that we denounce hate series of explosions. There were He said the government would tember 2, to explain allegations Speaker does not report to any- been summoned the next day, be- Facebook has been caught and bigotry in any form,” said utter chaos and we all ran out for bear the entire cost of the treat- of favouritism for BJP lawmakers, one.” tween 4pm and 4.30pm “on the in a growing controversy in Mohan. safety,” he said. ment. against it. Stressing on this overarch- subject ‘Safeguarding citizens’

Rains lash Ahmedabad Vijayan ouster sought in Kerala looks to stall Life Mission project row airport transfer move IANS other political parties, including Thiruvananthapuram the CPI-M and the Congress have IANS fi cials knew everything,” Chen- V Jose, has now said there are no strongly opposed this deal. Thiruvananthapuram nithala claimed. minutes of the meeting that was Speaking out against the stand “If we now look into what hap- held to discuss this project. Eve- he Kerala government yes- of all the political parties in the pened in this project, the discus- rything is mysterious and hence a terday approached the high state, Union Minister of State for pposition leader Ramesh sion fi rst started when Vijayan CBI probe has to be announced,” Tcourt to stay the Centre’s External Aff airs V Muraleedharan Chennithala yesterday de- went to the UAE and held talks Chennithala demanded. move to lease out Thiruvanan- said it was strange that the Con- Omanded the resignation of with the Red Crescent offi cials Vijayan’s pet project Life Mis- thapuram international airport to gress party, which during their Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, there. Life Mission had informed sion is meant to build homes for Adani Enterprises. time had privatised major airports alleging that all that the latter said Red Crescent that they had the homeless and the landless. The plea was posted for hearing in the country, was now opposing about the Life Mission project has checked the project and proposal Vijayan has always praised his on Monday. it here. State BJP chief K Suren- been proven to be a lie. and Unitac was capable of doing government’s initiative, but it In its plea, the Kerala govern- dran slammed Kerala Tourism The Centre has also entered the this project. came under a cloud when Swapna ment has said the decision to lease Minister Kadakampally Surendran fray and asked the Kerala govern- “The MoU was signed here last Suresh, the prime accused in the out the airport under the PPP for making the allegations. ment to hand over all fi les pertain- year in the presence of Vijayan. gold smuggling case, was alleged model for 50 years comes at a time The minister on Thursday said, ing to the Life Mission project. The law department was given this to have received a huge commis- when a petition against it is pend- “This is one of the biggest scams Speaking to the media here, fi le a few hours before it was inked. sion for ensuring the participation ing in the Kerala High Court. to hand over the country’s fi rst in- Chennithala said whatever Vi- So everything is mysterious in this of the Red Crescent organisation On Thursday, an all-party ternational airport in Independent jayan said about the Life Mission project. What’s baffl ing is that and channelised it through the meeting called by Chief Minister India to a private party”. project is in the public domain. never in the history of any govern- UAE consulate in Kerala, where Pinarayi Vijayan decided to pre- “The minister is unhappy be- “Vijayan has said that the state ment in the state has a commission she was employed earlier. vent the transfer deal from going cause they did not get a chance to government has no role in the been paid for a housing project for The image of the Vijayan gov- through at any cost. indulge in corruption over this, Life Mission housing project, the poor,” added Chennithala. ernment took a beating when the Vijayan in the past two days has and hence are stating baseless conceived by the UAE-based Red “The fact that not Rs1mn but gold smuggling racket was un- written twice to Prime Minister things,” said the BJP chief. Crescent and executed by local Rs40mn was paid as commis- earthed after P S Sarith, a former Narendra Modi seeking cancella- In February 2019, the fi nancial company Unitac. sion in this housing project was employee of the UAE consulate tion of the deal. He has demanded bid for privatising fi ve airports in “Vijayan said all that the gov- revealed by John Britas, Vijayan’s here, was arrested by the cus- that the Kerala government, which the country was opened and it was ernment did was to hand over the media adviser. This was supported toms department on July 5 when runs two airports — Kochi and Kan- won by Adani Enterprises. land and it has no other role. by Finance Minister Thomas Issac he was facilitating smuggling of nur, be given the right to operate The other airports that the Ada- “This is a big lie and everything and also Law Minister A K Balan. 30kg of gold in the diplomatic A woman wades through a water-logged road during rains in Thiruvananthapuram airport also. ni fi rm got are situated in Man- which is in the public domain What’s even more baffl ing is baggage to Thiruvananthapuram Ahmedabad, India, yesterday. In Kerala, barring the BJP and galuru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and proves that Vijayan and his of- that the CEO of Life Mission, U from Dubai. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Jaipur. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, August 22, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan

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 More innovative testing strategies for virus vaccine Saving the Covid generation By Ban Ki-moon, Mary Robinson, 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. public health and economic recovery, agree to channel these resources toward According to the World Bank’s latest once again neglecting education. And, the countries that need them most. For If Covid-19 testing is to play a more game-changing Graça Machel, Helen Clark, and Gordon Brown estimate, the educational losses now third, the intensifying fi scal pressure its part, the World Bank should unlock role in combating the pandemic, health policy leaders and Edinburgh being infl icted on the Covid generation on developing-country governments more support for low-income countries administrators must face reality. could result in lifetime foregone will perversely lead to a reduction in through a supplementary International Current levels of coronavirus testing are nowhere near enough earnings totaling $10tn. international development aid for Development Association budget. And to help manage or control the outbreak. Americans are taking n top of everything else, Those who are in a position to prevent education, which has already been all advanced economies should follow losing out to other priorities in the the lead of Britain and the Netherlands, roughly 750,000 tests per day according to The Associated the Covid-19 pandemic has millions of young people from losing a triggered a global education fair chance in life must not stand idly allocation of bilateral and multilateral which together have pledged $600mn to Press, down slightly from a few weeks ago. The AP also reported emergency. With more than by. This is the time to redouble global aid. the new International Finance Facility the average number of positive tests running at around 60,000 O 1bn children out of school because of eff orts to ensure that all children receive In fact, the same multilateral donors for Education, which will leverage per day, down from 70,000 in late July, and that while some social-distancing and lockdown meas- a quality primary education. who already underinvest in education such donations to extend grants and states have plenty of testing centre capacity, residents aren’t ures, the crisis threatens to leave behind Even before the pandemic, there may now reallocate even more funds guarantees on a much larger scale. taking advantage due to the wait time for results in some cases. a “Covid generation” whose future were 260mn children out of school, away from schooling. Hence, the World All of these new sources of funding Tests are expensive to fabricate and time-consuming for labs prospects have been irreparably dam- including many of the 13mn child Bank estimates that over the next year, should be in addition to the funds for replenishing the Global Partnership for to process, and while supply chains are currently keeping up aged. According to one recent study, refugees and 40mn internally displaced overall education spending in low- and Pakistani children who were displaced children. Moreover, half of all children middle-income countries could fall by Education and Education Cannot Wait with demand in some areas of the country, they are by no means from school for just three months in in developing countries suff er from $100-150bn below what was planned. over the next two years. And, obviously keeping pace with actual transmission rates. The Centers for 2005 by an earthquake showed signs of “learning poverty,” demonstrating little This funding crisis will not resolve all governments must continue to Disease Control and Prevention said this summer that the actual having lost 1.5 years of education four to no basic literacy or numeracy even itself. It is thus imperative that the support Unesco, Unicef, and other case numbers in the US could be as much as 10 times higher than years later. at age 11. Around 800mn young people G20, the International Monetary Fund, United Nations agencies working to the number of people who test positive. Worse, the crisis is deepening pre- have left school with no labour-market the World Bank, regional development provide all children with an education. Researchers at several top universities, including Harvard and existing inequalities. Unlike the more qualifi cations whatsoever. banks, and all countries recognise the The challenges posed by Covid-19 are momentous, to be sure. But they also Stanford, have proposed a diff erent approach. fortunate children who have been able To have any chance of reversing these scale of the crisis and intervene to help to continue their educations online bleak trends, the millions of children displaced children catch up. represent an occasion to redouble our They advocate the and in alternative venues, the world’s who have already lost half a year of First, every country should pledge eff orts to achieve the fourth Sustainable development of faster poorest have been locked out entirely education will need to be aff orded to protect education spending and Development Goal: quality education Currently, there tests that could provide from learning, as well as from free assistance so that they can catch up. emphasise the needs of the most for all. The children of the Covid a positive or negative school meals. Without this critical Resources are urgently needed to disadvantaged children wherever generation deserve nothing less than are no tests indication within minutes. source of nutrition, 300mn boys and resume young people’s education and possible, including through conditional the chance to reach their full potential. Such tests would trade some girls are facing the threat of hunger. “build back better” with investments and unconditional cash transfers to – Project Syndicate with quick accuracy for expediency, Another immediate concern is the in online and personalised learning, promote school attendance. estimated 30mn children who may more trained teachers, conditional Second, the international community O Ban Ki-moon, Deputy Chair of The turnarounds that but scientists contend never return to school at all. These are cash transfers for poor families, safer must increase aid for education, Elders, is a former secretary-general of that production could among the world’s least-advantaged schools, and other outlays. particularly for the most vulnerable, the United Nations and South Korean can be scale into the millions and children, for whom education is To push for more funding in these including the poor, girls, children in foreign minister. Mary Robinson, former compensate for the lack often the only route out of poverty. areas, a coalition of global organisations confl ict zones, and the disabled. The president of Ireland, is Chair of The self-administered of precision with sheer For adolescent girls in this cohort, recently came together to launch the fastest way to free up resources for Elders. Graça Machel, founder of the quantity. school is the best defense against Save our Future initiative. The eff ort is education is through debt relief. With Graça Machel Trust, is Deputy Chair of It’s a compelling argument. This strategy could allow forced marriage; and for many poor a response to the fact that while extra the world’s 76 poorest countries on The Elders. Helen Clark, a former prime children, it is the last protection against resources are needed now more than track to incur $86bn in debt-servicing minister of New Zealand, is a former businesses and schools to reopen more safely and provide exploitative and dangerous labour. ever, education funding is facing a triple costs over the next two years, debt administrator of the United Nations a stronger safety net for the country’s most vulnerable Because education is a critical whammy. suspension is urgent so that this money Development Programme. Gordon populations: nursing homes. factor in almost every area of human First, the pandemic-induced can be reallocated to education and Brown, a former prime minister of the Currently, there are no tests with quick turnarounds that can development – from child survival recession will result in less revenue other high-priority investments for United Kingdom, is United Nations be self-administered. Federal regulators at the Food and Drug and maternal health to gender to fund public services, not least children. Special Envoy for Global Education and Administration require at least 80% accuracy for new Covid-19 equity, job creation, and inclusive education. Second, as governments Third, the IMF should issue $1.2tn Chair of the International Commission tests. Rapid tests could only be as accurate as 50% or lower, economic growth – today’s crisis has determine how to allocate scarce funds, in Special Drawing Rights (its global on Financing Global Education implications for the fate of the entire they inevitably will focus spending on reserve asset), and its members should Opportunity. depending on how much of the virus is present. The FDA’s coolness toward less-accurate tests has discouraged companies from attempting to develop them. But experts contend the widespread, repeated availability of rapid tests makes up for their lack of precision and that they are most sensitive to people with large viral loads. These are likely Cultural decoupling from China will hurt US the people at greatest risk of unknowingly spreading the virus. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology China since 1993, to terminate its long-term US strategic objectives constant harassment and surveillance are working with the company 3M to develop a rapid test. The By Minxin Pei Claremont, California programme in the country. And in July, by promoting American values and by the Chinese government – provide FDA’s caution is understandable, but it is impeding a potentially Trump suspended America’s Fulbright maintaining the moral high ground, the invaluable information about the valuable tool for combating the coronavirus. The administration programme in mainland China and Trump administration is playing into country. The loss of these channels will should work with researchers to authorise a scaled trial. Decoupling” is central to the Hong Kong as part of a package of US the hands of the Chinese government, undercut US policymakers’ ability to Even testing with only 50% accuracy is better than not testing geopolitical duel between sanctions in response to the Chinese which regards these ties as conduits track critical developments in China. at all. Detractors might argue that the risks of false negatives the United States and China. government’s security crackdown on for American ideological and cultural Finally, blocking Chinese graduate Conceived and promoted by the city. infi ltration. students from studying STEM subjects could be more damaging than continuing the current testing “ hawks in US President Donald Trump’s Likewise, in late May, two Republican Without government-sponsored in the US would deprive America of top strategy, but the point to rapid tests would be to check for administration, this strategy has now lawmakers proposed a bill to bar exchange programmes such as the talent in these fi elds and help China to infectious levels of the virus regularly, perhaps multiple times become America’s principal tool to Chinese nationals from coming to Peace Corps and Fulbright schemes, advance. Gifted Chinese students will per week, thus increasing their effi cacy. weaken Chinese power. the US to pursue graduate studies the US will have no direct channels instead go to other developed countries The FDA recently authorised a saliva-based test developed The fi rst act of decoupling – the in the so-called STEM subjects for engaging ordinary Chinese people, to study – and many of them will then by a team at Yale that uses inexpensive, easily sourced chemical Sino-American trade war that began (science, technology, engineering, especially the young. Through these return home, because STEM-related reagents. The test is thought to be as eff ective as nasal swab in 2018 – has substantially reduced and mathematics). And on August 13, programmes, Americans teach English, career opportunities outside the US are bilateral trade. A similar process is now the US State Department designated American history and literature, and less plentiful. testing and if scaled up would likely alleviate some of the in full swing in the technology sector, the Confucius Institute US Center, a Western social sciences, often in remote While China will benefi t from this pressure on supply chains for current testing. Still, it is not a with the US pursuing an unrelenting Chinese government-sponsored entity areas of China that have limited contact reverse brain drain, the US will miss rapid test and requires laboratory processing. campaign against Chinese tech giants that provides language programmes, as with the outside world. out on contributions from tens of Whenever a vaccine appears, the virus will not disappear such as Huawei and ByteDance (the a “foreign mission,” which will almost Such activities help Chinese people thousands of engineers and scientists. overnight. The coronavirus response must be one of managing owner of the popular video app TikTok). certainly result in the termination of its to gain a more accurate understanding Of the 31,052 PhDs awarded in all STEM risk, and a faster test provides another method of assessing that With the Trump administration activities in the US. of the US, and help to neutralise offi cial fi elds in the US between 2015 and 2017, risk. The FDA should explore approving faster, cheaper testing threatening to have Chinese fi rms Journalism has suff ered the fastest anti-American propaganda. Scrapping Chinese students received 16% of the delisted from US stock exchanges if decoupling. After the Wall Street these programs thus amounts to total, including 22% of engineering on a trial basis. – Tribune News Service they fail to give US auditors access to Journal published a commentary in unilateral ideological disarmament by PhDs and 25% of those in mathematics. their audit records in China, fi nancial early February with a headline that the US. Moreover, some 90% of Chinese science decoupling has begun as well. referred to China as “the real sick man Some US retaliation against Chinese and engineering students stay in the US To Advertise Although it remains to be seen of Asia,” the Chinese government bullying of American journalists for at least ten years after completing whether economic decoupling expelled three journalists working seems reasonable. But the Trump their doctorates – the highest rate of [email protected] will succeed in containing China, for the newspaper. The US retaliated administration’s disproportionate any nationality. Display the strategic logic at least sounds in early March by forcing 60 Chinese expulsion of 60 Chinese journalists gave US-China relations are on the brink compelling. Because China benefi ts citizens working for Chinese state- the Chinese government an excuse to of collapse. Economic decoupling is 44466621 44418811 from its economic ties with the US, owned media outlets in America to do something it had wanted to do for a already a reality, and US-led cultural severing them will inevitably weaken leave the country. China then expelled long time: throw out the best American separation – an unthinkable prospect Classified Chinese growth. all US citizens working for the New reporters. not so long ago – may soon be. That 44466609 44418811 Unfortunately, US China hawks York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The mass tit-for-tat expulsions of would be a tragedy, and America will be are not content to stop there, but also Washington Post, eff ectively crippling US and Chinese journalists will hurt the main loser. – Project Syndicate Subscription want to cut America’s cultural and these publications’ newsgathering America far more than China. Whereas educational ties with China – as their capabilities in the country. reporters at Chinese state-owned O Minxin Pei is Professor of [email protected] recent actions show. Earlier this year, Cutting cultural, educational, and news outlets in the US do little serious Government at Claremont McKenna pressure from Republican lawmakers journalistic ties between the US and independent reporting that could College and a non-resident senior fellow forced the Peace Corps, which has China is unwise and counterproductive educate the Chinese public, American at the German Marshall Fund of the © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved sent more than 1,300 Americans to for America. Instead of advancing journalists who cover China – despite United States. Gulf Times Saturday, August 22, 2020 11 PAKISTAN

Sindh told to evict illegal Court halts new housing tenants from govt schemes in Peshawar housing Internews ment Act 2013, which allowed The petitioners claim that the passed the KP Local Govern- He said that even prior to ap- deceiving of people in the name Peshawar private builders to register plot amendments to the law were ment (Second Amendment) Bill, plying for an NOC to launch a of market survey. applicants even prior to getting person-specifi c and were meant which introduced by the govern- housing scheme, a private devel- The lawyer wondered how Supreme Court gives the an NOC (no-objection certifi - to benefi t Bahria Town (Pvt) ment, on July 7, while the gover- oper could apply for permission the registration fee could be re- Sindh government two he Peshawar High Court cate) from the PDA and charge Limited and therefore, they nor gave assent to it on July 13. to undertake a local consumer ceived by developers from peo- months to take action against has issued a stay order membership fee from them. should be declared unconstitu- He pointed out that several survey within territorial limit of ple without getting an NOC for the illegal tenants Ttemporarily stopping the The bench adjourned next tional. controversial amendments were any tehsil. housing schemes. Peshawar Development Au- hearing until September 8, ask- The respondents in the peti- being made to the KPLGA (Local The lawyer said that under He said the law declared that Internews thority (PDA) from granting no ing the PDA director-general not tion are the Bahria Town (Pvt) Government Act) through the sub-section 12 of Section 23-A permission to undertake a mar- Islamabad objection certifi cates to the pri- to receive any application for an Limited through its chief execu- controversial Act and that a new of the Act, the private promoter ket survey should only be grant- vate land developers for housing NOC for housing projects until tive, Malik Riaz, the Khyber Pa- section 23-A was incorporated or developer could also receive ed to private promoter or devel- schemes. then. khtunkhwa government through in the parent law providing sev- any amount on account of mem- oper, who had shown experience he Supreme Court of Pa- A bench consisting of Chief Sirajul Haq Yousafzai and 12 its chief secretary, the secretar- eral benefi ts to private builders, bership or registration fee from of successfully establishing kistan has ordered the Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and other petitioners have chal- ies of local government and law especially Bahria Town. consumers to learn about their private housing schemes in any TSindh government to evict Justice Ikramullah Khan also lenged diff erent provisions of departments, the PDA director- The lawyer said that the sec- seriousness about the project. part of the country. all illegal tenants from govern- issued notices to the attorney the KP Local Government (Sec- general, the KP advocate-gener- tion in question empowered the He said that in case of a sur- The lawyer said that those law ment-owned residences within general of Pakistan and Khyber ond Amendment) Act 2020, al, and secretary of the provin- chairman of a tehsil council to vey, it was not mandatory for the amendments were only meant to two months. Pakhtunkhwa (KP) advocate- through which changes were cial assembly. receive an application from a land developer to possess land benefi t Bahria Town (Pvt) Limit- An apex court bench under general on a petition against made to the KP Local Govern- Mohamed Ayaz Khan, lawyer private promoter or developer in particular area for a private ed as without having possession Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar amendments to the Khyber Pa- ment Act 2013, by the provincial for the petitioners, contended for approval of any private hous- housing scheme and therefore, of any land, it could receive reg- Ahmed issued the order while khtunkhwa (KP) Local Govern- government in July. that the provincial assembly ing scheme. that provision could result in the istration fees from people. hearing a case pertaining to the illegal allotment of government- owned residences. During the hearing, the ad- ditional Sindh advocate-general Pushing forward told the court that 229 houses Punjab bans the use in the province are illegally oc- cupied. He said they were being vacat- of polythene bags ed, but the matter had been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Internews with respect to other major Meanwhile, a counsel for Is- Rawalpindi cities in the fi rst phase, (in- lamabad’s Capital Development cluding) Gujranwala, Sialkot, Authority (CDA) alleged that Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi and Islamabad police offi cers were he Punjab Environ- Multan,” he said. occupying 200 quarters owned ment Protection Agen- Baig said that the use of by the government and were un- Tcy (EPA-Punjab) has polythene bags thicker than 15 willing to leave despite talks on banned the use of polythene microns is permitted, and fi nes the matter. and oxo-biodegradable bags are imposed on the manufac- He revealed that one of the in shopping malls, department turing and sale of polythene houses, which was supposed to stores, bakeries and shops. bags less than 15 microns thick be allocated to the Islamabad Shop owners have been under the Environment Pro- inspector-general of police, was asked to remove all such bags tection Ordinance 2002. among the illegally allotted resi- by August 31. After the LHC’s decision, all dences. Deputy Director (Environ- kinds of polythene bags have To this, the additional attor- ment) Amin Baig said that the been banned and the court has ney-general explained that only implementation of the ban on directed for manufacturing to four offi cial residences in the polythene and oxo-biodegrad- be stopped in the EPA-Punjab’s federal capital were the subject able bags began on August 20 respective areas. of continuing legal disputes, on orders from the Lahore High “There are a few manufac- with all the others already repos- Court (LHC), which banned turing units established in sessed. the manufacture, sale and use Rawalpindi district to make After hearing the arguments, of polythene and plastic bags polythene bags and these units the chief justice said the court on March 20. have been sealed. will consider the matter regard- He said that the LHC had “The distributors have been ing Islamabad police in the next passed the order earlier, but warned and given two weeks to hearing. communicated it to the EPA- stop selling bags in the market,” The court subsequently or- Punjab’s Rawalpindi chapter, he said. dered the relevant authorities to which has enforced the ban and Baig said that an awareness cancel all illegal allotments and issued notices to all those con- campaign has also begun in the issue new allotment notifi ca- cerned. district promoting the use of tions. The authority did not take fabric and paper bags in mar- The Supreme Court also said action because of the lockdown kets. that a report should be submit- imposed to limit the spread of Teams have been formed to ted after two months pertaining the coronavirus, he added, but take action against violations to the status of illegally-occu- Women help to push a vehicle through a flooded street following heavy monsoon rains in Karachi yesterday. after receiving the orders no- with the help of local police, pied government residences. tices were issued immediately which will confi scate the prod- with a two-week deadline. ucts and impose fi nes. He said that some shopping He said that polythene bags centres, department stores, and styrofoam products cause malls, restaurants and so on, environmental problems be- are not complying with the cause they take thousands of court’s orders. years to decompose. “The EPA9 has been directed They damage sewerage sys- Fresh warrants issued for Sharif tems, spread epidemics, pol- to extend them two more weeks so that they are compliant. A lute soil, cause water pollution Internews dresses of the suspect. before the investigation team. to return from London. similar order is being passed and endanger aquatic life. Lahore The judge also extended judi- Sharif is in London for his A panel of lawyers fi led their cial remand of Mir Shakilur Reh- treatment following permission powers of attorney on behalf man till next date of hearing on granted by the courts. of Shehbaz Sharif and his niece n accountability court September 3. The other two suspects were Maryam Nawaz, vice-president has again issued bail- Rehman was not produced be- not arrested by the NAB, but in- of the Pakistan Muslim League Aable arrest warrants for fore the court by the jail authori- terrogated only. – Nawaz (PML-N), before a Pakistan committed former prime minister Nawaz ties due to coronavirus pandemic An accountability court has civil court hearing a suit accus- Sharif in a reference pertaining standard operating procedures meanwhile completed scrutiny ing them of illegally occupying to a 34-year-old land allotment (SOPs). of a money laundering-cum-il- 4,000 kanal of land in Jati Umra, to fi ght against terror transaction also involving Jang The National Accountability legal assets reference against the Raiwind. group editor-in-chief Mir Shak- Bureau (NAB) in its reference al- family of Opposition Leader in Civil Judge Fozia Saira allowed ilur Rehman. leged that Rehman illegally ob- the National Assembly Shehbaz the lawyers time to fi le replies on Internews Earlier, a police report fi led tained exemption of 54 plots, Sharif, fi led by the NAB. behalf of the defendants and ad- Islamabad with the court said that the sum- each measuring one kanal, situ- Presiding Judge Jawadul Has- journed the hearing till Septem- mons could not be served at the ated in Block-H, Johar Town. san was set to start formal hear- ber 12. Model Town residence of Sharif It alleged that the land was al- ing of the reference. Former prime minister Sharif: Dr Abdul Rauf, a professor oreign Minister Shah due to his unavailability. lotted in connivance with then- A total of 20 persons had been presently in London. of the Punjab University, fi led Mahmood Qureshi has Presiding Judge Asad Ali asked Punjab chief minister Nawaz nominated in the reference, in- the suit alleging that the land in Fexpressed Pakistan’s un- a police offi cial if the former pre- Sharif against the exemption cluding the four approvers – Ya- benamidars and business part- question was his inherited prop- wavering commitment to fi ght mier had only one residence in policy and the laws for monetary sir Mushtaq, Mohamed Mush- ners of the family, including erty which his forefathers pur- the “curse” of terrorism. Qureshi: Pakistan has suff ered Lahore. gains. taq, Shahid Rafi q, and Aftab Nisar Ahmad, Qasim Qayum, chased in 1911 from the British In a statement issued on the the most from terrorism. The offi cial said that there It said the suspects caused a Mahmood. Rashid Karamat, Masroor Anwar, government. occasion of International Day was another residence (of Sharif loss of Rs143.53mn to the nation- The main suspects are Shehbaz Fazal Dad Abbasi, and Shoaib He asked the court to get the of Remembrance and Tribute Indian-administered Kashmir. in the city) in Jati Umra, but the al exchequer through allotment Sharif’s wife Nusrat Shehbaz, his Qamar. property vacated from alleged to the Victims of Terrorism, The minister said that on its summons were not sent to that of the land in violation of exemp- sons, Leader of Opposition in the In this case, Shehbaz Sharif is illegal possession of the defend- he said that the resilient Paki- part, Pakistan is committed to address. tion policy. Punjab Assembly Hamza Sheh- on pre-arrest bail granted by the ants and hand it over to him. stani nation has shown that the show victims of terrorism that The judge issued fresh bailable In this case, the NAB had ar- baz and Suleman Shehbaz (ab- Lahore High Court, Hamza She- He also sought a direction for values of enlightenment, com- they are not alone and that arrest warrants for Sharif and or- rested Rehman, while Sharif had sconder), and his daughters Ra- hbaz is on judicial remand, while the defendants to pay him Rs- passion and empathy that bind the international community dered the police to ensure service been declared an absconder for bia Imran and Javeria Ali. Suleman Shehbaz has been de- 50bn as rent for the period they us together are much stronger stands in solidarity with them, of the summons at all known ad- his continuous non-appearance Other suspects are alleged clared an absconder as he failed kept the land in their possession. than the forces of intolerance, wherever they are. hatred and violence. Qureshi, who is presently in Qureshi said that Pakistan China, said that he is repre- has suff ered the most from senting Pakistan in the strate- terrorism as it lost more than gic dialogue with China. 70,000 lives and suff ered eco- In a statement, he said, that Funds released for 15,000 families in North Waziristan nomic losses of $120bn. besides discussions on co- He said thousands of soldiers operation in diff erent sectors and law enforcement person- including the China-Pakistan Internews adversely aff ected during the eas in North Waziristan would the PDMA was regularly provid- North Waziristan in June 2014. nel have laid down their lives in Economic Corridor (CPEC), he Peshawar Zarb-e-Azb military operation, receive the cash grant. ing, on a monthly basis, food ra- More than 90% families were defending the motherland. will meet with Chinese Foreign its spokesperson said. He said that distribution of the tions and other essential items to evacuated from their homes. The minister said that as the Minister Wang Yi. In a statement, the spokes- funds among the aff ected fami- families who had yet to return to The displaced families from nation commemorates the day, Qureshi said that Pakistan he Provincial Disaster person said that the amount was lies would be completed within their homes. North Waziristan have been set- everyone must remember the is grateful to China, whose Management Author- released for onward distribu- three days. More than 1mn families had tled in Bakkakhel camp near situation in the Indian-admin- support in the UN Security Tity (PDMA) has released tion among the aff ected families He said that the number of shifted to settled areas of Khy- Bannu. istered Kashmir. Council allowed discussions Rs180mn to assist 15,000 fami- through short messaging service. verifi ed displaced families was ber Pakhtunkhwa when security Many families from North Qureshi called upon the in- on the Kashmir dispute to be lies in Pakistan’s North Waziris- He said that the families who around 15,000. forces launched the Zarb-e-Azb Waziristan are also residing in ternational community to look held three times after a gap of tan tribal district, who were did not return to their native ar- The spokesperson said that operation against militants in Afghanistan. into what is going on in the 55 years. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, August 22, 2020 QATAR QU conducts virtual debate

The health activities by QRCS have benefited 6,059 persons. A QRCS health education session in progress. on health QRCS health education activities benefi t many

he Training and Develop- guages, to ensure easy commu- hands, wearing masks, physi- Zekreet Health Center, operated ment Centre of Qatar Red nication with the trainees with cal distancing, and other ways by QRCS under the supervision TCrescent Society (QRCS) various backgrounds. To raise to protect oneself and others of the Ministry of Public Health emergency has held activities to educate the awareness against Covid-19 against the pandemic. (MoPH). public on good health behaviours risks, QRCS’s health educators All the sessions were held dur- As part of the collaboration atar University’s (QU) and ways to prevent Covid-19 conducted 13 activities. These ing the evening time, in order to with the Ministry of Youth and Health Interprofessional infection. The health education included 19 outdoor sessions avoid exposure to hot weather Sports, QRCS organised three QEducation Committee in activities have benefi ted 6,059 for 5,507 quarantined persons at during the day. online training workshops on collaboration with the Interpro- persons, including inmates of the Mekaines, in addition to three Preventive measures were the topic of ‘Covid-19 Preventive fessional Education Students’ recently closed Mekaines quar- online sessions. taken to protect the trainers, Behaviours in the New Lifestyle’. Association in Qatar organised antine facility, workers, com- In the sessions, psychologi- health educators, and support- It was watched by 396 members its second virtual debate with munity leaders, and QRCS vol- cal and health support was given ing volunteers. Under the theme of sports clubs and youth cen- the motion: This house believes unteers. to the Covid-19 patients, in the of ‘Covid-19 Prevention Meas- tres, such as Al Gharafa SC, Al that, in public health emergen- The informative materials form of workouts, fun activities, ures and Tools’, nine workshops Arabi SC, and the Simaisma Girls cies, the necessity to protect the are introduced in multiple lan- advice, and practice of washing were held for 156 workers at the Forum. public should outweigh personal freedoms. The two-hour event, conduct- ed online through Qatar Univer- Katara Beach sity WebEx application, was at- tended by around 200 local and working hours international participants. Layan Sukik, vice-president of the IPE Some of the participants of the virtual debate. Katara – The Cultural Village student association and a senior announced yesterday the human nutrition student at the es included: Dr Deborah White, from the negative team said: working hours of Katara College of Health Sciences (CHS) UCQ dean; Dr Lily O’Hara, CHS “Having this virtual debate was a Beach No. (3-4-5): 3pm-10pm. in QU, gave the opening remarks, associate professor and IPEC brilliant idea and an amazing op- Swimming until sunset. which included an overview of lead; and Dr Ahmad Awaisu, CPH portunity, especially during these Fees: Adults-QR50, seven to the association’s vision, mission, associate professor and head of times, since it allowed us to in- 18 years-QR25, kids under and events. Clinical Pharmacy & Practice De- teract with students from diff er- 7 years-free. Beach chair Dr Mohamed Diab, dean, Col- partment. ent health professions and work available for QR5. Beach lege of Pharmacy (CPH) at QU, The negative team was the together on topics related to the umbrellas are currently welcomed attendees, followed winner. CPH dean Dr Diab com- current situation the world is liv- not available. For more an address by CPH assistant mented: “Qatar University has ing in. So not only it was a great information, phone: 55449862 dean for Student Aff airs and QU signifi cantly invested in develop- fun activity, it also allowed us to Health Chair of the Interprofes- ing Interprofessional education look for and discover new dimen- sional Education Committee Dr (IPE) locally and regionally and sions of the pandemic.” Alla El Awaisi. The debate was has moved a great way forward CMED student Menatallah moderated by the president of towards its advancement start- Said from the affi rmative team the IPE Student Association and ing with hosting the fi rst Mid- commented: “As responsible pharmacy MSc graduate Sawsan dle Eastern conference on IPE to individuals each one of us has AlMukdad. hosting the “All Together Better to pay the cost during a public Members of the affi rmative Health” international confer- health emergency to protect the side included the following stu- ence in 2021. IPE came to the core greatest interest even if it re- Abandoned vehicles removed in Umm Slal dents: Menatalla Said from QU of QU health vision and mission quires us to give up on some per- College of Medicine (CMED), Ja- of being recognised for excel- sonal freedoms, since prevention waher Matiullah from University lence in interprofessional health is better than cure.” As part of the eff orts of the of Calgary-Qatar (UCQ) and Hala education and interdisciplinary The vice-president of IPE, Ministry of Municipality Alkhatib from CPH. The negative health research. Through their Layan Sukik, said: “This debate and Environment (MME) to team included Aishat Akomolafe high-quality interdisciplinary gathered students from diff erent reduce the accumulation of from CMED, Yasmin Attia (CHS), programmes, member colleges health disciplines and helped the abandoned vehicles, the and Kaoutar Barakat (CPH). prepare competent graduates manifestation of their collabora- Umm Slal Municipality, The debate followed a format capable of shaping the future of tion. The way the teams present- represented by the General where each student was given healthcare in Qatar.” ed their evidence was in harmony Cleaning Section of the a 5-minute speech, a 2-minute As each side comprises an in- and their work was coherent. I Services Aff airs Department, caucus and a chance for a cross terprofessional team, the debate am very proud of the students’ removed 82 such vehicles examination from the opposing contest opened an opportunity commitment and dedication from July 5 to August 19. The team. The audience were allowed to see the perspectives of various in presenting their viewpoints, vehicles were removed from to ask questions directed to the healthcare students and allowed along with their persuasive and various locations under the teams after the debate and the the participants to increase their convincing manner. I am pleased municipality’s jurisdiction. judges provided their feedback knowledge on the diff erent issues to help unite students from vari- and asked question to both teams concerning the novel corona- ous health professions to work at the end. virus that is currently aff ecting together especially during this The winning team was deter- the lives of everyone around the time of a pandemic, which will mined after receiving the votes globe through reliable data and hopefully prepare them to work from both the audience (50%) evidence-based research. inter-professionally in their fu- and the judges (50%). The judg- CHS student Yasmin Attieh ture careers.”

Doha Metro, Lusail Tram gear up for return MoI tweets on wrong parking

As a high body temperature is an indicator of potential infections, thermal scanners have been installed to monitor the temperature of customers entering our stations, Doha Metro & Lusail Tram tweeted yesterday. Doha Metro and public bus services are expected to resume with restrictions on September 1, it had been announced earlier, in connection with the fourth phase of lifting Covid-19 restrictions in Qatar.

Italian critic hails role of Qatari women in the field of literature

QNA YouTube channel and moderated general. She called for translating for You from the Qatar National Doha by professor of literature and crit- Arabic texts that deserve atten- Library’, which it launched in ical studies at Qatar University Dr tion and not just narratives with co-operation with the library in Abdelhak Belabed. political dimensions, adding that the framework of its eff orts to talian critic from the Universi- The session hosted the Italian translating meaningful works strengthen relations with various ty of Torino Dr Yolanda Guardi critic to discuss short story writ- that convey civilisation and re- bodies working in the fi eld of cul- Ipraised the strong and dis- ten by women in Qatar. Guardi fl ect Arab culture is a shared re- ture to serve authors and intro- tinctive presence of Qatari wom- called for translating the Qatari sponsibility among translators, duce their literary works. en in the literary fi eld, saying that short stories into more than one who must improve the choice of The session shed light on Me- their presence is not limited to the language to introduce the history texts and present them to pub- houd and the (Female) Djinn by the short story fi eld, and that Qatari and culture of Qatar, noting that lishing houses for the purpose of novelist Dr Ahmed Abdul Malik. women writers have written most there is no interest in translating publishing, on the one hand, and Reem al-Sada, an information of the novels currently displayed Arab works in general and Qatari the concerned Arab cultural in- specialist at the Qatar National in Qatar libraries. works in particular into Italian stitutions, on the other hand, to Library, presented this novel as it This came during the weekly language due to the absence of introduce local literature to the was the latest novel by Dr Abdul session held by the Qatari Forum the role of institutions dedicated Italian markets. Malik and the winner of the 5th for Authors within ‘Read Me, I to supporting, promoting, plan- Meanwhile, the Qatari Forum Katara Prize for the Arabic Novel Wrong parking blocking someone’s driveway is a traff ic violation, the Ministry of Interior reminded am this book’ Initiative which ning and organising the transla- for Authors broadcast the second in the category of Qatari novel in in a tweet yesterday. Driving is an art and it reflects your behaviour, the tweet added. is broadcast on the Forum’s tion process in the Arab world in session of the initiative ‘I Choose 2019.