www.thepeninsula.qa Saturday 11 July 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8315 20 Dhul-Qa'da - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 11 SPORT | 16

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Education Above All Foundation Do not leave children unattended at parking slots hosts high-level event at UN HLPF A child’s body temperature tends to rise five-fold of that of QNA — DOHA and sustainable solutions have an adult, particularly in hot The event was co-organised with the continued. The participants summer days. If exposed to The Education Above All Foun- welcomed the organization of dation hosted a virtual side- Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the the high-level virtual side-event excessive heat, a child might be event entitled ‘Education and UN, the Qatar Fund For Development, the ‘Education and the Trying subjected to an increased risk the Trying Times of COVID-19’ Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, and Times of COVID-19’. of dehydration, fever, convul- during the High-Level Political They shared their expe- sions, heat stroke, or even Forum 2020 (HLPF 2020). the Asian Development Bank. rience and appreciation of the The HLPF annual meeting is efforts EAA is leading on and death the core United Nations platform thanked EAA and the Qatar Check weather condition for follow-up and review of the Fund For Development for their before going to the beaches 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 1.07 billion commitment. They underlined Development Goals (SDGs) at the the importance of rebuilding an to avoid strong winds and global level. The event was co- The education of over 1.7 billion learners education system that allows high waves, that may cause organised with the Permanent has been negatively impacted by the for great innovation, sustaina- danger Mission of the State of Qatar to bility, equity, and inclusion to the UN, the Qatar Fund For COVID-19 pandemic leave no one behind. Development, the Islamic Soli- The participants stressed darity Fund for Development, the need to build back better, and the Asian Development Bank. Ambassador Sheikha Alya The education of over 1.7 as 70 million children and youth Ministries, partners, and Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani; H E billion learners has been neg- are at risk of not returning to experts from around the world Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister atively impacted by the school. They explained that the gathered virtually to discuss the of Foreign Affairs, International COVID-19 pandemic, com- COVID-19 has exposed global impact of COVID-19 on the edu- Cooperation & Gambians pounding the already chal- health fragility, and exacer- cation for the most margin- Abroad; Khalifa Jassim Al lenging work of the interna- bated existing inequalities alised and reflected on how Kuwari, Director General, Qatar tional education community in leaving many vulnerable. The they can further collaborate, Fund For Development; Ste- ensuring all children have numbers we see are troubling. exchange critical information, fania Giannini, Assistant access to a quality primary edu- Globally, we have surpassed 11 HMC advises to take safety to mitigate the impact of the Director-General for Education, cation. Whilst the world has million cases. They highlighted pandemic, and help address the UNESCO; Stewart Simonson, reeled at the number of children that digital learning goes measures as mercury surges financial deficiency to build Assistant Director-General, who have had their education beyond access to technology, back better education systems. WHO’s office at the United interrupted as a result of school stressing the importance of FAZEENA SALEEM taught how to swim in the The high-level, virtual side- Nations in New York; Dr. Jaime closures and the need to acting aggressively to expand THE PENINSULA swimming training centers and event, included participation Saavedra Chanduvi, Education increase the physical distance connectivity and make sure learn how to perform CPR (arti- from the Permanent Mission of Director, The World Bank; and between people to protect the teachers have the ability to use As summer temperature ficial respiration) technique to the State of Qatar to the UN, Brajesh Panth, Chief of Edu- health of populations, efforts on digital resources, available at continues to rise, Hamad save others. State of Qatar’s Permanent Rep- cation Sector Group, Asian ensuring immediate and the classroom level & integrated Medical Corporation (HMC) has Previously, Dr, Khalid resentative to the UN H E Development Bank. longer-term, resilient with the curriculum. `P2 stressed the importance of Abdulnoor, Senior Consultant community members taking Emergency Medicine and the necessary measures and Director of the Hamad Inter- precautions. national Training Centre at GAC releases 318,743 In a social media campaign, Hamad Medical Corporation, HMC has warned members of said that drowning is the third customs declarations in June the public about the dangers of most important cause of unin- leaving children alone in tentional injuries worldwide, SIDI MOHAMED imports and exports and vehicles. “Do not leave children as it stands behind 7% of those THE PENINSULA focusing on the tasks and roles unattended at parking slots,” it deaths. of inspection department at said. Thousands of deaths are The total number of customs Hamad Port, Fawaz Ibrahim “A child’s body temperature estimated to occur in drowning declarations released in June Alsaada, head of inspection tends to rise five-fold of that of worldwide, and children and 2020 stands at 318,743, department in Hamad Port said an adult, particularly in hot individuals with access to according to statistics of the that Hamad Port is one of the summer days. If exposed to water are the most vulnerable General Authority of Customs biggest ports in the Middle East excessive heat, a child might be groups. Child deaths increase on June 2020. and it is the main commercial subjected to an increased risk annually due to drowning, as The statistics released by port in Qatar as well as an of dehydration, fever, convul- it is considered one of the main the Authority on its website external commercial port. sions, heat stroke, or even causes of death and severe dis- showed that it has also com- He also said that “70% of death,” HMC has cautioned. ability among children in pleted 2,97,090 customs dec- Qatar’s imports pass through HMC has also emphasized Qatar. larations in air cargo customs, Hamad Port after the closure of on important measures to Dr. Abdulnoor noted that and 21,644 customs declara- the only land port due to impo- follow at beaches and 90% of the total cases of tions in maritime customs. sition of blockade on the State swimming pools, in order to drowning are among children For the number of customs of Qatar.” avoid risks of drowning. aged 10 years and under, while declarations transferred to Regarding modern tech- HMC has advised to check the percentage reaches 70% of government agencies, the nology being used at Hamad weather condition before going the total cases of drowning for number stands at 23,141 Port, Alsaada pointed out: to the beaches to avoid strong children under 4 years. according to statistics released “There is no doubt that Hamad winds and high waves, that may He had stressed the impor- by the General Authority of Port is marked by a large cause danger, follow safety tance of adopting precau- Customs. The data also indi- number of advanced and instructions while swimming tionary measures to prevent cated that the percentage of modern devices, where there in the beaches or swimming accidents of drowning, customs declarations released are 4 main and large inspection pools, always watch children including those related to in an hour was 99 percent. The devices dedicated for all con- while swimming and make sure swimming pools at home, top importing country was tainers when entering the that they swim only in desig- where safety standards must United States of America, while central area (customs campus), nated areas for swimming, be adhered to in terms of the top exporting country was and 2 high density devices (for wear a swimming jacket while building tight fences around the India. suspicious cases) which have “There is a direct con- current inspection platforms swimming or other safety pools, which in turn hinder Speaking about Hamad paths to be discovered in 2 or 3 nection with the radiology contain 96 containers parking equipment. children’s access to them in the Port’s role in the movement of minutes. office,” he said, adding that the divided into 3 platforms. Also children must be case of parents not attending.

QATAR UPDATES MoPH: 961 COVID-19 recoveries, 520 new cases C VID-19 ON 10 JULY 2020 THE PENINSULA — DOHA Qatar have succeeded in flat- protecting the elderly and those lifted in Qatar, it is important for tening the curve and limiting the with chronic diseases,” it added. everyone to play their role in NEW TOTAL NEW CASES NEW The Ministry of Public Health spread of the virus and the “Even though restrictions controlling the virus by fol- RECOVERIES RECOVERIES ANNOUNCED DEATHS (MoPH) yesterday announced number of new daily cases and are being lifted, and numbers lowing precautionary measures: the registration of 520 new hospital admissions is con- are declining, this does not mean adherence to physical dis- 961 98,232 520 4 confirmed cases of COVID-19 tinuing to decline each week. that the COVID-19 pandemic is tancing, wearing a face mask, TOTAL while 961 people recovered “Qatar’s proactive and finished in Qatar – every day washing hands regularly. DEATHS from the virus bringing the total extensive testing of suspected between 50 and 100 people are Most importantly, the Min- 146 number of cases recovered in cases has enabled us to identify admitted to hospital with mod- istry said, it is vital that we con- Qatar to 98,232. a high number of positive cases erate to severe COVID-19 tinue to protect the elderly and In addition, the Ministry in the community.” symptoms,” the Ministry said, those with chronic medical C VID-19 announced four new deaths, for The Ministry further said adding, “Unless we follow all conditions. GLOBALLY people aged 30, 57, 70 and 91 - that Qatar has one of the lowest precautionary measures, we Anyone suffering from all were receiving the necessary COVID-19 death rates in the may experience a second wave COVID-19 symptoms should medical care. All new cases have world. “This is a result of: Qatar’s of the virus and see numbers either contact 16000 helpline 12,538,709 560,036 7,300,909 been introduced to isolation and young population, proactive increasing – there are already or go directly to one of the des- TOTAL TOTALTOTAL TTOTALOTAL are receiving necessary testing to identify cases early, signs of this happening in other ignated health centers to healthcare according to their expanding hospital capacity, countries around the world.” undergo the necessary checks: POSITIVE DDEATHSEATHS RERECOVEREDCOVERED health status. especially intensive care, to The Ministry has further said Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, The Ministry said that the ensure all patients receive the that while the restrictions of Umm Slal, or Al Gharafa Health measures to tackle COVID-19 in medical care they need, COVID-19 are gradually being Centers. 02 HOME SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

03.23 am 04.51 am o o Hot daytime with slight dust and some clouds at times, FAJR SUNRISE 33 C 43 C relatively humid at places by night. ZUHR 11.39 am ASR 03.03 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 07:54 – 20:36 LOW TIDE 04:24– 14:00 MAGHRIB 06.30 pm ISHA 08.00 pm W ALRUWAIS: 33o↗39o W ALKHOR: 31o↗47o W DUKHAN: 30o↗38o W WAKRAH: 30o↗42o W MESAIEED 30o↗42o W ABUSAMRA 30o↗42o

HMC stresses glucose monitoring at home OFFICIAL NEWS Amir congratulates FAZEENA SALEEM particular in these days amid Manal Othman, Director of Diabetes Education self-care, following the nutrition Governor-General THE PENINSULA COVID-19,” she said in a video at HMC, has said that if diabetics effectively guidelines prescribed by their posted on HMC Facebook dietitian, getting regular exercise, of the Bahamas Hamad Medical Corporation account as part of an ongoing manage their blood glucose levels to stay ideally ten minutes in the (HMC) has stressed the impor- awareness campaign. within a healthy range, their risk of getting morning, ten minutes in the DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin tance of good blood sugar Manal has highlighted that afternoon, and ten minutes in the Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir control, glucose monitoring at blood sugar monitoring at home severely sick from COVID-19 is about the same evening, and getting sufficient H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al home for all individuals to provides useful information for as the general population. sleep. In response to the ongoing Thani sent yesterday cables of con- maintain a strong immune level. diabetes management. According COVID-19 situation, HMC has gratulations to Governor-General of Manal Othman, Director of to her, it can help monitor the extended the hours of operation the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Diabetes Education at HMC has effect of diabetes medications on Manal has said that more fre- amount of insulin you use,” she for its diabetes hotline (16099; H E Cornelius Alvin Smith on the said that if diabetics effectively blood sugar levels, identify blood quent monitoring of glucose said. select option 4). This phone- occasion of his country’s inde- manage their blood glucose levels sugar levels that are high or low, levels will ensure fluctuations can “Your doctor will let you based emergency service is now pendence day. Prime Minister and to stay within a healthy range, track your progress in reaching be detected early and quickly know how often to check your available seven days a week from Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Kha- their risk of getting severely sick your overall treatment goals, addressed. blood sugar levels. The frequency 7am to 10pm to provide indi- lid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani from COVID-19 is about the same learn how diet and exercise affect “If you take insulin to of testing usually depends on the viduals with all types of diabetes also sent a cable of congratulations to as the general population. blood sugar levels and under- manage type 2 diabetes, your type of diabetes you have and who are receiving care at HMC, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth “It is important to monitor stand how other factors, such as doctor may recommend blood your treatment plan,” she added. as well as their relatives or car- of the Bahamas H E Hubert Alexan- blood sugar levels at home and illness or stress, affect blood sugar testing several times a Manal has also said that dia- egivers, with medical advice der Minnis on the occasion of his help manage the disease, sugar levels. day, depending on the type and betics should also prioritise related to diabetes and COVID. country’s independence day. -QNA

ESC-QU monitors MES wins big at World hawksbill turtle Environment Day conservation in Qatar competitions THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA visitors from April to June which could have deterred nesting In the recently concluded World The Environmental Science activity. However, this year as Environment Day international Centre (ESC) at Qatar University public access has been restricted, competitions, which were (QU) is focused on monitoring turtles may have preferred jointly organised by CSIR- and protecting the hawksbill nesting on these sites. NEERI and NOS, VIBHA, the turtles that come to Qatar to nest For the first time since the MES Indian School, representing each year. project’s inception, a protected through Science India Forum The staff at the ESC have turtle nest hatchery has been A crucial part of marine turtle protection in Qatar is understanding where they go when they are Qatar (SIFQ) won the most of it been able to keep the monitoring erected in Ras Laffan Industrial not on the beach nesting. among all Indian schools partic- effort similar to previous years City. In recent years, nests on the ipating in Qatar. during the height of COVID-19 site have been subject to consid- There appears to be three main Environmental Sciences at Qatar a supporter of turtle projects, In the write-up / story/ lockdown precautions taken by erable pressure from fox pre- home ranges for hawksbills that University and head of the project scientific institutions and local poem writing contest, Reema the government. dation. As such, project partners nest in Qatar. said: “The Environmental Sci- researchers, and also through Sumesh secured the second ESC has noticed a change in that work on the site (Qatar Many of them either migrate ences Center at Qatar University the use of international position while Ishrat Fatima nesting behaviour this year Petroleum and the ESC) have back towards the waters off is a focal point for many environ- expertise, researchers are sec- and B Magdalene Sylvia among nesting turtles, possibly taken the step to relocate and Dubai, south off Mesaieed or west mental studies concerned with onded through turtle projects, received consolation prizes. due to the COVID-19 restrictions protect nests in a protected near the Hawar Islands of wild and marine wildlife in Qatar. and this has also led to the cen- Antony K K secured the second on beaches. The total number of hatchery on site. Bahrain. This year, for the first The centre has benefited tre’s researchers benefiting position in the photography turtles coming to Qatar to nest is So far, this has been time in the project history, ESC from its accumulated experi- from this international cooper- contest and Galeena Binoth roughly the same as previous extremely successful by elimi- staff deployed a satellite tracker ences, research and scientific ation In raising their levels and Lonen received a consolation years. But the big difference ESC nating fox predation as an issue on a nesting turtle from Ras reports in an attempt to assess scientific expertise,” he added. prize in the same contest. noticed is the beaches they are on the site. This measure taken Rakkan Island. and know the numbers of Dr. Jassim Al Khayyat, the In the short video contest, using to nest appears to have by project partners can also show This is the first time this has hawksbill turtles annually and project’s Executive Director, Bismi Joseph won the conso- changed slightly. to other projects around the been accomplished and will their places of spread around the stressed the need to preserve lation position. Uzma Danish Previously, Ras Laffan, Ras world that development and provide valuable information on Qatari peninsula and the waters the environment and reduce Dalvi, Miah Saheb AayeshaTa- Rakkan and Umm Tais have had effective conservation can exist the post nesting movements of of the Arabian Gulf through negative practices, stating: bassum and Keishna Ashok won the majority of nests, however, together. Hawksbills. So far, this turtle has tracking them with satellite “Despite the global interest in consolation prizes in their this year beaches like Al A crucial part of marine turtle been seen travelling North West, tracking devices.” turtles, some wrong practices respective poster/ drawing / Maroona, Al Ghariyah and protection in Qatar is under- which is not commonly seen “The centre also periodi- such as throwing waste, waste- sketching category. Fuwairit have seen huge standing where they go when from nesting turtles in Qatar. This cally continues to conduct water, oil pollution and other Overwhelming partici- increases in nesting activity. Al they’re not on the beach nesting. may identify to researchers new studies and research in various materials and pollutants, over- pation from students, teachers, Maroona and Al Ghariyah in par- To achieve this, the ESC deploys foraging grounds or areas fields related to this topic fishing and consumption such parents and the general public ticular have seen big gains in satellite trackers on post nesting important to turtles in Qatar and whether through own efforts as eating eggs, turtle and its was witnessed in the World nesting activity. These increases turtles each year. Many important the wider Arabian Gulf. and internal financing by Qatar flesh, led to many species of sea Environment Day 2020 contest. could be due to the fact that these areas have been identified off- Dr. Hamad Al Kuwari, University or through cooper- turtles in the world to the point A total of 10,393 participants sites normally receive many shore from the tracking data. Director of the Centre for ation with Qatar Petroleum as of extinction.” contested online in five different categories: Students (Junior: G 5-8), Students (Senior: G 9-12), Students (UG-PG), Teachers, Bestselling author Layla F Saad to speak on race, identity, at QF talk General Public. From Qatar THE PENINSULA — DOHA as the issue of racial prejudice offered for free in an Instagram Education City Speaker Series 1,326 participants from various dominates global conversations, challenge and in a self-published — which has continued amid the schools, colleges and institutions The author of a book that has sparking widespread protests digital workbook in 2018. COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting took part in the competitions. opened up new perspectives on and calls for action. Saad — who, In the space of six months, it QF’s belief that dialogue never In poster / drawing / white supremacy and topped as well as being an author, is a was downloaded by 100,000 stops — following two recent sketching, a total of 4,496 par- the New York Times bestseller teacher and influential voice on people, and has since become a events in collaboration with the ticipants with 624 entries from list will share her views on race, identity, leadership, per- USA Today, Amazon, Wall Street World Innovation Summit for Qatar contested. In the short racism and privilege — and how sonal transformation, and social Journal, Indie, and Pacific Health that opened up global video category of the contest, a everyone can play their part in change — will speak about what Northwest bestseller, in addition perspectives on COVID-19, and total of 677 participants with 82 undoing them — in the latest white supremacy really means, to the New York Times. Having focused on the pandemic’s entries from Qatar participated. edition of Qatar Foundation’s where its roots lie and how it is grown up in the West, Saad now impact on the mental health of 2,441 participants along with Education City Speaker Series reinforced, the importance of lives in Qatar, and identifies societies around the world. 306 entries from Qatar took next week. being a good ancestor, and why herself as “an East African, Arab, To register for the event part in photography contest. A Layla F. Saad — whose book people should recognise that the British, Black, Muslim woman”. through Microsoft Teams — total of 2,779 entries, of which Me and White Supremacy has power to change notions of Launched in 2018, the Edu- where Arabic, French, Spanish, 314 from Qatar, had been reg- gained an avid worldwide read- supremacy lies with them. Layla F Saad cation City Speaker Series is one and Italian subtitles will be istered in the write-up / story / ership — will reflect on her own Moderated by Dr. Amal of QF’s most popular platforms available — please visit www. poem writing competition. experiences of racism and soci- Mohammed Al Malki, Founding viewers from Qatar, the region, for dialogue, enabling its qf.org.qa/ecss, where more Manmmadhan Mambally, Chief ety’s shared responsibility to Dean of the College of Human- and around the world being audience to hear from and information about the Education Coordinator for the students’ identify, oppose, and defeat dis- ities and Social Sciences at invited to put their questions to interact with experts and City Speaker Series can also be activities coordinated the event crimination as the guest speaker Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Saad during a Q&A session fol- thought-leaders on the topics found. You can also watch this for the school. Principal, at the online event on a member of Qatar Foundation lowing the discussion. that shape and influence our edition of the Education City Hameeda Kadar felicitated the Wednesday. (QF), the Education City Speaker Described as an anti-racism world. Speaker Series on Qatar Foun- winners for their enthusiastic Titled Race and Identity in Series event will take place from education workbook, Me and Next week’s talk will be the dation’s Facebook and YouTube participation and remarkable the 21st Century, the talk comes 4-5.30pm on July 15, with White Supremacy was initially third online edition of the channels. achievements. Nestlé donates 140,000 food and Education Above All Foundation beverage servings to QRCS hosts high-level event at UN HLPF FROM PAGE 1 THE PENINSULA — DOHA includes dairy, soup, culinary Manager in Qatar. The local innovative, sustainable financial as we look to build stronger, products, coffee, rice, sugar, oil, efforts are part of Nestlé mobili- Even before COVID-19, tens partnerships to support edu- more sustainable education In an ongoing drive to tackle and lentils. sations in the Middle East and of millions of children at the cation access for out of school systems in the wake of evolving societal needs, Nestlé “Our priorities focus on three North Africa supporting more primary level were permanently children. Providing access to COVID-19, that we cannot, and has donated 140,000 food and main objectives: 1. Ensuring the than 30 entities in 17 countries, out of school, and there was education for children around will not aim to go back to beverage servings to Qatar Red safety and wellbeing of our where the company has so far already a funding gap. COVID-19 the world is not an easy task at ‘normal’. We must take the Crescent Society (QRCS), for employees, our collaborators, donated 10 million food and bev- is costing governments billions the best of times; the COVID-19 lessons of COVID-19, work inclusion in parcels reaching business partners, and the com- erage servings as part of an and educational needs are now pandemic increases pressure on together in partnership, use our 1,600 families in need and munities we are a part of; 2. ongoing donations campaign. competing harder with other already stretched systems, and expertise, resources, and inno- workers in quarantined indus- Ensuring continued production Besides, the company’s critical sectors. threatens to leave more children vation to reach more out of trial areas. and delivery of food and bev- various divisions are contrib- During the closing Education exposed to the direct and adverse school children, and overcome The donation, implemented erage products to help meet the uting in their different expertise. Above All stated that “We have impacts of life without access to the devastating effects of this in line with Nestlé’s global col- nutritional needs of individuals Nestlé Professional, for been working to develop dif- quality education”. pandemic. We will continue to laboration with the International and families; and 3. stepping up example, continues to offer ferent financing solutions to meet “The discussion and part- work to provide access to edu- Federation of the Red Cross and relief efforts to local commu- pragmatic support to its the education needs of the nership with QFFD devel- cation for the hardest to reach Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in nities,” said Zaher Abou Khamis, business partners in the hospi- world’s hardest to reach children. opment banks and INGO’s send and to achieve SDG4, primary its pandemic emergency efforts, Nestlé’s General Business tality industry. Our work has focused on a strong message to the world, education.” SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 HOME 03 DFI Short Film of the Week features acclaimed Qatari film RAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA In the film written and directed by A J Al Thani, frustration leads to a harmless The breathtakingly beautiful struggle between the two brothers, but their wind-sculpted limestone forma- tions of Zekreet serve as the carelessness brings about sudden disaster. Al perfect backdrop for the Thani shared in a behind the scenes interview acclaimed Qatari film Kashta which can now be viewed via the that she had always wanted to make the kind YouTube channel of Doha Film of film she watched while growing up such as Institute (DFI). Star Wars or any film set in the desert, thus The quiet Qatari desert land- scape with its unusual rock for- she was inspired to do her debut film Kashta. mations and rugged dirt roads makes an ideal setting of the recipient of DFI’s Qatari Film Narrative Short Film at the Made story of a man and his young sons Fund, Al Thani worked with the in Qatar section when it marked on a hunting trip gone horribly production company The Film its world premiere at the Ajyal wrong. In the film written and House. Film Festival in 2016 and had directed by AJ Al Thani, frus- “ When I got my grant for taken part in many film festivals tration leads to a harmless Kashta I knew that it was a huge internationally. struggle between the two milestone. It was the first time I “Kashta was a big stepping brothers, but their carelessness worked with a professional crew. stone that showed my family that brings about sudden disaster. I really went out of my comfort I was serious about filmmaking,” Kashta Al Thani shared in a behind zone, and I worked with a pro- said Al Thani. A still from the Qatari film by AJ Al Thani. the scenes interview that she had duction company,” she said. The film was uploaded on always wanted to make the kind “As I’ve grown and the bigger Thursday on DFI’s YouTube comfort of their own homes. short narrative “Al Johara” Middle by Mariam Al Dhubhani, of film she watched while knowledge I have of films, I channel as part of its Short Film The initiative aims at encour- helmed by Qatari filmmaker The Unlucky Hamster by growing up such as Star Wars or started to create my own voice. of the initiative. aging people to stay home amid Nora Al Subai. Other films which Abdulaziz Mohammed Khashabi, any film set in the desert, thus she What I wanted more than any- Launched in April, the ini- COVID-19 pandemic while had been featured were Amer: Gubgub by Nouf Al Sulaiti, Land was inspired to do her debut film thing is to have a strong message tiative brings the very best of lending support to Qatari films An Arabian Legend by Jassim Al of Pearls by Mohammed Al- Kashta. behind each film,” she stressed. DFI-supported films for film and Arab cinema. Rumaihi, Red by Kholood Al Ali, Ibrahim, and Smicha by Amal Al For the film, which was a The film won the Best enthusiasts to enjoy in the The series kicked off with the Elevate by Hamida Issa, In the Muftah. Qatar Reads highlights importance of QU’s GPC awarded creating positive reading habits in children QNRF Cluster grant THE PENINSULA — DOHA are picture books, according THE PENINSULA — DOHA to Azzam, as they allow Qatar Reads in collaboration children to understand the The Gas Processing Center with Qatar National Library story through images. And they (GPC) at the College of Engi- (QNL) hosted an interactive often include short text, which neering, Qatar University (QU), webinar highlighting the children can see, and parents in collaboration with Qatar benefits of reading to children can read aloud. Environment and Energy from a young age, and the Providing advice on how to Research Institute (QEERI) at importance of creating positive read to children, Azzam said: “It Hamad Bin Khalifa University, habits, as part of its unique is very important to go through College of Business and Mommy to Be program. the book on your own before you Economics at QU and Qatar The event addressed how read it to your child to decide if Green Building Council have reading can help promote the it’s suitable for their age. And received the prestigious QNRF development of language and remember to pick a book that National Priorities Research literacy skills, and encourage a matches your child’s interest.” Program — Cluster (NPRP-C) Prof Muftah El-Naas love of learning in children. Reading to children in an grant. With new mothers at the centre interactive process, according The cluster programme is of the discussion, it also to Azzam. “You can allow your dedicated to address pressing capture technologies using addressed topics such as how child to flip the pages of the and strategic challenges for innovative materials and the to build bridges between book to increase their partici- Qatar and produce tangible implementation of novel tech- parents and children, and ways pation in the reading process. societal and economic impact. nologies to convert carbon to promote a culture of reading Explain new terminology, ask It also supports multi-insti- dioxide (CO2) into high-value from an early age. questions, and help with the tutional and inter/multi-disci- chemicals. The cluster also “A parent is a child’s first answers. It is not necessary to plinary research to solve sig- examines process economics, teacher,” said Faten Azzam, read the whole story at once, nificant and complex problems life cycle assessment and envi- Senior Information Services Qatar Reads in collaboration with Qatar National Library launched but it is necessary to make in a holistic way that are ronmental impacts. Librarian, Qatar National the Mommy to Be program. reading a habit. resistant to conventional The GPC team, led by Prof Library, who led the discussion. “Reading time should approaches. The proposed Muftah El Naas, includes “And, importantly, children they do not directly interact Reading can also introduce become your child’s favourite cluster project, which focuses researchers from the College acquire language skills through with you, the process itself can children to writing and prepare time. You need to work on on the development of a highly of Engineering and the College listening to the conversation of develop a child’s linguistic them for school. “Reading and making it a fun experience that efficient and sustainable of Art and Science in addition those around them.” skills. writing are two compatible your child enjoys and loves. carbon management system for to researchers from Qatar Shell According to Azzam, one of “Infants are born with mil- skills. Through reading, Make your children treat their Qatar, has been granted $5m and the Flemish Institute for the most wonderful ways to talk lions of nerve cells, and reading children can be introduced to books like their favorite toys from QNRF, in addition to Technological Research (VITO). to children is to discuss a to them can help stimulate written texts, and they can look to play with,” she concluded. $1.4m as industrial co-funding The cluster also involves certain book. these cells. They can develop at the text and memorise the The Mommy to Be program for a period of five years. notable national and interna- “Use a language that they the ability to absorb language shape of printed words,” said is a joint programme between The cluster proposal offers tional entities including the can understand, talk to your and skills, and can connect an Azzam. Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Reads a holistic approach to carbon Ministry of Municipality and child, ask them questions, and image with a name, or an object The best types of books to initiative and Qatar National management, including the Environment, Kahramaa, allow them to answer. Even if with its use and sound.” use in the early learning stages Library. development of effective CO2 AGRICO, and Innovate Calgary. HEC Paris in QF alumni’s startup aims to ensure cashless future, leaves nobody behind Qatar announces THE PENINSULA — DOHA Money in the cWallet can then be used for contactless payments across a range early bird cWallet, a company founded by a group of retail services in Qatar, such as at cof- of HEC Paris in Qatar graduates, allows feeshops, grocery stores, food delivery discount on its low-income workers to access digital apps, or utility bills. The company already SBUM program financial services without needing a debit has a dozen retail partners in Qatar and is or credit card adding more regularly. THE PENINSULA — DOHA A cashless society that uses online cWallet began as a final-year thesis transactions instead of paper money is for Javier when he was pursuing a Mas- HEC Paris, ranked #2 something most countries have been ter’s in Strategic Business Unit Man- worldwide for Executive working towards for decades, and the agement from HEC Paris in Qatar, a QF Education in 2020 and #1 for COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated partner university. the International Executive the shift towards this aspiration. It later expanded into a startup after MBA (EMBA) in 2019 by the However, as more and more daily-life he collaborated with six of his classmates, Financial Times, has services are offered online, sometimes all of whom are Qatari, to establish it as a announced an early bird almost exclusively, they are becoming company. discount on its highly sought- inaccessible for many underprivileged “First it was just purely based on the after Specialised Master’s communities who do not earn enough to thesis, but then I said ‘let’s dig deeper, Degree in Strategic Business open a bank account, let alone possess a research, talk to people, and talk to Unit Management (SBUM) debit or credit card. embassies’,” said Javier. “And then I found programme in Qatar. A new digital startup called cWallet out that there is actually a problem and it This programme is plans to combat this issue by making should be tackled more often and bluntly.” The cWallet team members. designed for professionals and digital transactions possible for millions Javier learned that one affluent cus- entrepreneurs who want to of low-income, unbanked workers around tomer can give more returns to banks than enhance their leadership and the world through an easy-to-use mobile thousands of workers combined, a fact moving forward. And with establishments extra handling but has also become a management skills or are application. Established in 2019 by a group that discourages some banks from tar- like the DIC and QSTP, and all the other health and safety risk due to the COVID-19 looking at managing their own of seven Qatar Foundation (QF) alumni, geting low-income customers but pushed players that are trying to help us to grow, pandemic. business unit or company in the all graduates of HEC Paris in Qatar, cWallet Javier to believe in his project more. it was very helpful.” “We’re moving away from ‘dirty’ future. It also trains participants is already available for use in Qatar, pri- After struggling to juggle between his A key strength of cWallet is the amount money that transmits unknown diseases, to master the key transitions in marily targeting low-income customers full-time job, family commitments, and of effort that went into ensuring it is fea- and at the same time securing the money their professional lives and in the country, and plans to expand to working on cWallet on the side, Javier sible for its target audience and meets their of expats who don’t have bank accounts prepares them for more chal- other countries in future. decided to quit his job and dedicate his needs and expectations. To achieve this, because they might be putting it under a lenging times. “A cashless society is the future, as well time to making cWallet a reality. Javier did not only talk to workers in Qatar, pillow in shared accommodation,” said “Our specialised Master’s as an ambition of Qatar for the World Cup cWallet was incubated at the Digital but also travelled to India, the Philippines, Javier. just got even more attractive and the 2030 vision, but if you’re pro- Incubation Center (DIC), part of Qatar’s and other countries to understand how It is the first mobile app in Qatar to for prospective participants moting a cashless lifestyle, you need to Ministry of Transport and Communica- remittances are received and used back facilitate financial services via blockchain thanks to our early bird dis- promote financial inclusion and financial tions, and was a recipient of a devel- home. technology, allowing freelancers and count offer,” said Abdallah literacy too,” said Michael Javier, CEO and opment fund from Qatar Science & Tech- The app is available in nine languages owners of home-made businesses and Abdel-Daem, Director of Founder of cWallet. nology Park (QSTP), a member of QF. commonly spoken among workers in micro-enterprises to send and receive Business Development, Sales In addition to the usual debit or credit “I wasn’t born to be an entrepreneur Qatar, is free to use, and allows users money online without paying for and Admissions. card payment, cWallet allows users to and it took me 40 years to just decide to access e-commerce services that they expensive payment gateways. “We are looking forward to deposit money into their digital wallet by become an entrepreneur,” said Javier, might not be able to use otherwise. In future, cWallet will also allow expats welcoming the next intake of either purchasing scratch cards from adding that early days of being an entre- cWallet is currently partnering with to send remittances or pay for utilities like our SBUM programme, which stores or asking friends to transfer “peer- preneur were not easy. employers of food delivery staff, domestic school fees or electricity bills back in their will be in November 2020. It’s to-peer” money. The app also allows “There were lots of challenges and workers, salons, and freelancers so that home country directly through the app. one of our most well-received employers to deposit salary directly into sleepless nights, and days when you didn’t their employees don’t have to deal with The company is already in talks with programmes.” the wallet. know what to do, but I kept pushing and cash, something that not only requires affiliate partners in other countries. 04 MIDDLE EAST SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 Erdogan: Hagia Sophia to be reopened for Muslim worship

AFP — ISTANBUL unanimously cancelled a 1934 on his official Twitter account, Turkish President Recep Tayyip cabinet decision and said Hagia with a message: “Have a good Erdogan announced yesterday Sophia was registered as a Friday.” that the Hagia Sophia, one of the mosque in its property deeds, in Finance Minister Berat architectural wonders of the its detailed reasoning. Albayrak, Erdogan’s son-in-law, world, would be reopened for Hagia Sophia has been a tweeted that Hagia Sophia would Muslim worship, sparking fury museum since 1935 and open to be reopened to Muslim worship among Christian leaders and in believers of all faiths. “sooner or later”, referring to a neighbouring Greece. Transforming it from a quote from Turkish poet Necip His declaration came after a mosque was a key reform Fazil Kisakurek. top Turkish court revoked the under the new republic born The Council of State had on sixth-century Byzantine monu- out of the ashes of the Ottoman July 2 debated a case brought by ment’s status as a museum, Empire. a Turkish group— the Association clearing the way for it to be The landmark ruling will for the Protection of Historic turned back into a mosque. inflame tensions not just with the Monuments and the Envi- The Unesco World Heritage West and its historic foe Greece ronment, which demanded site in Istanbul, a magnet for but also Russia, with which Hagia Sophia be reopened for tourists worldwide, was con- Erdogan has forged an increas- Muslim prayers. verted into a mosque after the ingly close partnership in recent Since 2005, there have been Ottoman conquest of Constan- years. several attempts to change the tinople in 1453. Ahead of the court decision, building’s status. In 2018, the People celebrating outside the Hagia Sophia museum yesterday after a top Turkish court cleared The Council of State, Turkey’s Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul Constitutional Court rejected one the way for it to be turned back into a mosque. highest administrative court, shared a picture of Hagia Sophia application. France asks Israel to drop West Bank annexation plans AFP — PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel “emphasised that such a move would Macron asked Israel’s Prime contravene international law and jeopardise Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from annexing the possibility of a two-state solution as the Palestinian territory in the basis of a fair and lasting peace between West Bank and elsewhere during a telephone call Israelis and Palestinians”, his office said in a between the two leaders, the statement. French president’s office said yesterday. Macron “emphasised that is acting according to interna- remaining West Bank territory such a move would contravene tional law”. and in the Gaza Strip. international law and jeopardise “Israel is prepared to hold But the plan falls far short the possibility of a two-state peace negotiations on the basis of Palestinian aspirations, with solution as the basis of a fair and of President Trump’s plan,” it a state on reduced territory and The mother of 29-year-old Palestinian Ibrahim Abou Yacoub, who was martyred by Israeli forces, lasting peace between Israelis said, reiterating a claim that without east Jerusalem as its mourns during his funeral in the village of Kifl Hares, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, yesterday. and Palestinians”, his office said “it is the Palestinian refusal to capital. in a statement after the call on conduct negotiations based on The foreign ministries of Thursday. this plan and on the plans of France and Germany, along Hundreds gather for funeral of It was the latest move by the past that is preventing with those of Egypt and Jordan European leaders pressing progress”. — the only Arab states to have Netanyahu to drop plans to Israel’s government had set peace deals with Israel — Palestinian shot by Israeli troops annex Jewish settlements in the July 1 as the date when it could warned this week that any West Bank and the strategic begin taking over the Pales- annexation could have “conse- REUTERS — SALFIT, WEST BANK and another man started village of Salfit carried Pales- Jordan Valley. tinian areas, where the popu- quences” for relations. throwing fire bombs at a guard tinian flags and chanted “Allahu The controversial move was lation of Israeli settlers has But Macron told Netanyahu Hundreds of people gathered post near the town of Nablus. Akbar”, or God is greatest. endorsed in a Middle East plan grown since the 1967 Six-Day that France remained com- in the occupied West Bank Palestinian officials dis- Tensions have been high unveiled by US President War. mitted to Israel’s security and yesterday for the funeral of a missed the report and said the in the West Bank in recent Donald Trump in January. Under Trump’s plan, the “expressed his attachment to the Palestinian man shot by Israeli man had been walking with weeks as Israel weighs a plan But Netanyahu’s office said territory seizures would even- friendship and confidence that soldiers a day earlier. friends when he was shot to annex part of the territory yesterday that in the talks with tually allow the creation of a links France and Israel”, his Israel’s army said troops dead. that Palestinians seek for a Macron he “clarified that Israel Palestinian state on the office said. opened fire after the Palestinian People at the funeral in the future state. Blackouts darken misery of Lebanon’s economic collapse Lebanese PM sues American REUTERS — BEIRUT been spared: the main Beirut public hospital treating coro- University over Samira Hanna spends a lot of navirus cases had to close some time in the dark. Her old Beirut operating rooms and turn off exit package apartment gets less than two air conditioning in its hallways, hours of electricity a day, and local media reported. REUTERS — BEIRUT with Lebanon’s economy in And without energy for ruins, the grandmother can switchboards, mobile phone Lebanese Prime Minister barely afford candles, let alone coverage was cut in parts of the Hassan Diab is suing the a private generator. country. Lebanon’s power American University of Beirut “I sit outside on the stairs for sector, at the heart of the crisis, (AUB), where he worked for 35 some light,” she said. “We don’t bleeds up to $2bn from public years as an academic, a watch television. I wait for the funds every year while failing spokesman for Diab said, in a electricity to come so I can wash to supply enough electricity. dispute over his exit package clothes... And there’s nothing in The heavily indebted state has from the financially struggling the fridge, believe me.” long promised to fix it but has institution. AUB, which has Exacerbated by Lebanon’s not delivered on its pledge. been hit hard by Lebanon’s financial meltdown, fuel Hanna, in her 70s, said she economic meltdown, declined shortages have worsened never had it this bad. Daily to comment on the case. existing power cuts, piling outages have made her men- Lebanon is grappling with further hardship on Lebanese tally disabled daughter frantic. a crisis caused by decades of struggling with job losses, The blackouts have stoked state corruption and bad gov- soaring prices and hunger. resentment towards political ernance. A hard currency Parts of the capital Beirut leaders who publicly wrangle liquidity crunch has led to an now get just a few hours of elec- This July 3 picture shows a dark street during a power cut in Beirut, Lebanon. over how to repair the sector 80% weakening of the local tricity a day in the summer heat. while power cuts get worse. currency since October. Some residents said the against inflation. investigation into shipments daily power cuts of some kind. “It’s about time they have Diab presented his-long blackouts were worse than “Instead of buying gold, that were not up to Private generator suppliers, pity on us. But what do they planned resignation in January during the 1975-1990 civil war. people are buying diesel,” specification. who have long filled the supply care?” she said. “They have - the month he became prime The energy minister has Raymond Ghajar said recently. Ghajar said ships carrying gap left by patchy state pro- money and they can live, we minister. “... He asked for an cited stockpiling as one of Smuggling across the border fuel started arriving this week vision, have also been rationing can’t... They can see people are exit package in line with several reasons behind the to Syria is also a factor. and promised a gradual return fuel, and many homes can no suffering, but they can’t feel.” common practices and prece- shortages, with people buying Supply has also been inter- to normal - although across longer pay exorbitant fees. Badiaa, 75, goes without dents at AUB. This request was subsidised fuel as a hedge rupted by the fallout of a Lebanon, normal has meant Even hospitals have not electricity most of the day. denied...,” the spokesman said. Diab had “never made any special request for any pay- ments to be made either in Iran signs agreement to bolster Iran reports 142 COVID-19 deaths; foreign currency or into foreign bank accounts. All AUB pro- Syria’s air defence systems fessors have their pensions discourages travel to tourist areas paid in US dollars, from a AUB AP — TEHRAN foreign account”, the AFP — TEHRAN said. She told state television hospitalisation and infection spokesman said. “What the PM Iran’s military chief has signed an agreement with Syria’s pres- that 142 people had died of the are related to funerals and expressed was only what was ident to reinforce Syria’s air defence systems as part of a military Tehran yesterday urged COVID-19 illness yesterday, wedding celebrations,” she already stated in the AUB cooperation agreement, Iranian state TV reported yesterday. Iranians to avoid travelling to down from 221 on Thursday — added, citing official reports retirement plan regulations Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s armed two key tourist areas as it a single-day record for the provided to the ministry. and policies.” forces, met with Syria President Bashar Assad during his second announced a drop in daily coro- Islamic republic. For several weeks, the The private AUB, founded visit to Syria since 2019. Assad said the agreement signed by both navirus deaths after a record A further 2,262 new infec- novel coronavirus has gained in the 1860s, is alma mater of sides is the result of “years of cooperation for confronting terrorism” toll a day earlier. tions were also recorded yes- ground in Iran, which is battling some of the Arab world’s leading in Syria. Bagheri said it “will improve the determination of the two With the start of the terday, bringing the total the deadliest outbreak in the figures in politics, medicine, law, nations to confront US pressures.” He didn’t elaborate. summer holidays, the health number of cases in the country Middle East. science and art. Its president said US ally Israel has occasionally attacked Iranian forces in Syria ministry “strongly advised eve- to 252,720, including 12,447 The country’s daily death in May Lebanon’s catastrophic that Iran says are there to support Syria’s fight against rebel groups ryone to avoid travelling to the deaths. toll from the virus has topped collapse represented one of the as part of the country’s 9-year civil war. provinces of Khorasan Razavi The situation was worrying 100 since around mid-June, biggest challenges in the history Israel views Iranian entrenchment on its northern frontier as and Mazandaran”, two top in 19 of Iran’s 31 provinces prompting authorities to make of a university which has a red line, and it has repeatedly struck Iran-linked facilities and tourist regions in the north of where infections were on the wearing masks mandatory in weathered many crises, weapons convoys destined for Iran-backed militant group Hez- the country, health ministry rise, including Tehran, Lari said. enclosed public places, among including Lebanon’s 1975-1990 bollah in Lebanon. spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari “Most of the (new) cases of other measures. civil war. SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 05

Sudan’s main Mali protesters airport allows flights from 3 reject president’s countries concessions ANATOLIA — KHARTOUM Sudan’s air authority REUTERS — BAMAKO Thousands of announced that it has reopened Khartoum Interna- Protesters staged another protesters filled the tional Airport to flights from large demonstration in Mali’s city’s Independence three countries including capital Bamako yesterday Turkey. after a coalition opposed to Square, chanting Ibrahim Adlan, the general President Ibrahim Boubacar and waving banners director of Sudan’s Civil Avi- Keita rejected concessions ation Authority, said air traffic aimed at resolving a months- that said: “Enough has partially resumed as of long political stand-off. is Enough” and today for flights from Turkey, Thousands of protesters Egypt and the United Arab filled the city’s Independence “IBK, clear off”, Emirates (UAE) after being sus- Square, chanting and waving referring to the pended as part of measures to banners that said: “Enough is president. It was curb the spread of the novel Enough” and “IBK, clear off”, coronavirus. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari signing the revised 2020 budget in Abuja, Nigeria, yesterday. referring to the president. It the third mass Adlan said all passengers was the third mass protest in protest in recent arriving at Khartoum Airport recent weeks. will be tested for the corona- The impasse since a dis- weeks. Nigerian president suspends chief of virus as of July 14 if they do not puted legislative election in possess a certificate for being March is a growing concern for him. “This is because we COVID-19 free. Mali’s neighbours and outside think it (the resignation) will anti-corruption agency accused of graft Sudan suspended all flights powers, who worry it could cause more problems than it on March 16 due to the further destabilise the country will resolve,” Dicko said. AP — LAGOS Nigeria’s government set up Buhari noted that global coronavirus. and jeopardise a joint military “Mali’s problem is not about the EFCC in 2003 in response crude prices had tumbled from A total of 641 people in campaign against Islamist a government of national The head of Nigeria’s anti- to widespread official cor- a high of $72.20 per barrel in Sudan have died from the insurgents in the West African unity. It is a problem of corruption agency has been ruption in Africa’s most pop- January to below $20 per barrel coronavirus while the number Sahel region. governance.” suspended from office ulous country. Magu has been in April. They have since of cases stands at 10,158, with On Wednesday Keita, or However, some protesters following corruption allegations chairman since 2015. hovered around $40. recoveries totaling 5,074. IBK as he is known, said he at the Bamako rally were still against him. Nigerian President The revised budget is based was open to form a gov- calling for the president to step President Muhammadu Muhammadu Buhari yesterday on assumptions of $28 per Lebanon arrests 3 ernment of national unity and down. Buhari approved the sus- signed into law a budget with barrel as against $57 previously. renew members of Mali’s “I see he can’t lead this pension of Ibrahim Magu as record spending despite the risk Nigeria has also reduced its Sudanese trying to highest court, and if he could, country,” said 48-year-old chairman of the Economic and of a slump in oil revenue. crude output in line with cross into Israel dissolve the national assembly storekeeper Alassane Cisse, Financial Crimes Commission The 2020 budget of 10.81 Organization of Petroleum if it would not create a fresh who joined the protest despite “in order to allow for unhin- trillion naira ($28.38 billion) Exporting Countries (OPEC) ANATOLIA — BEIRUT crisis. once voting for Keita. dered inquiry by the Presi- was approved by parliament in efforts to strengthen the oil But his opponents said the The protest follows two in dential Investigation Panel,” June after Buhari called for a market. The Lebanese army said proposals were not enough. June, when thousands gathered according to a statement Friday raise to the original request of “Global trade has generally yesterday that it arrested Protesters also gathered to demand that Keita resign for by the spokesman for the 10.59 trillion naira. been disrupted as almost all three Sudanese nationals after yesterday in Paris, which has a failing to offer solutions to the Justice Ministry. In a ceremony in the capital economies were locked down a failed border-crossing large Malian community. country’s security and eco- Magu is being investigated Abuja, Buhari said the increase for protracted periods in the attempt to Israel. Influential Muslim cleric nomic crisis. following allegations made by of 216 billion naira was a wake of the COVID-19 Pan- According to a statement Imam Mahmoud Dicko, one Keita was re-elected in the Attorney-General of the “response to recent develop- demic,” Buhari said. by the Lebanese army, the of the leaders of the oppo- 2018 for a second five-year Federation and Minister of ments, in particular the But he added that the gov- three Sudanese were returned sition protest in Mali, told term, but his leadership has Justice, Abubakar Malami. COVID-19 pandemic.” ernment was well-positioned to Lebanon after being cap- France24 television that they faced mounting opposition They include the “alleged Nigeria, Africa’s biggest to safeguard the economy, tured by Israeli forces. had dropped the demand for amid a surge in militant sale of seized assets to cronies, crude producer, relies on oil thanks to the revised budget “The enemy forces the president to resign but violence and economic associates and friends.” Magu sales for 90 percent of foreign and a N2.3-trillion stimulus arrested the three persons want further gestures from crisis. denies the allegations. exchange earnings. programme. before being released and returned back to Lebanese territories,” the statement said. The Lebanese army Algeria medics sound alarm over virus response added that the three Sudanese were currently being held to be interrogated in the AFP — ALGIERS infected an entire family. doctor from second city Oran. dozens of people, sometimes entire situation can only get worse.” presence of a judicial “The epidemic started here, The doctor, signing with the families, arrive each day with The worst-affected country authority. Algerian doctors and nurses say and it’s getting out of hand. The initials M.A., tweeted about his COVID-19 symptoms. Around half in North Africa, Algeria has offi- Earlier yesterday, Avichay they have paid a heavy price in the hospital is full,” Yousfi said. pride for “my team, who were are declared positive. cially reported nearly 18,000 Adraee, the Israeli army country’s coronavirus response Some staff are so tired they giving it their all” but also anger “We’re heading for disaster. cases of COVID-19, including spokesperson, said in a and have warned of worse to have fainted or had car acci- “at all those ignorant people Cases keep increasing,” Yousfi about 1,000 deaths. statement that Israeli army come, urging respect and dents, he said. Doctors and who pay the price for their said. The Pasteur Institute of A month after easing its lookouts observed three sus- enforcement of hygiene rules. nurses have been particularly foolishness.” Algeria, which carries out the initial lockdown, the gov- pects trying to cross the “We’re working non-stop. at risk since the outbreak in Others bemoaned the lack tests, said it is overwhelmed, ernment in late June urged local fenced border with Lebanon. We’re totally exhausted. Some February. Local media report of ventilators and personal pro- more than quadrupling its officials to act tougher against Adraee added the suspects (medics) are dead, may they rest that 31 medical workers have tective equipment, demanding workload to more than 2,000 those breaking hygiene rules. had been questioned in the in peace, and several members died — including four since the more help from the state. tests per day. Algerians are required to field. In May, the Lebanese of my team have been infected,” start of the week. After peaking for a first time But Yousfi said many Alge- wear masks in public and gath- army also said it stopped five said Dr Mohamed Yousfi, head Professor Abdelkrim in April, coronavirus infections rians were not accepting the erings are banned. Yousfi called Sudanese in two different inci- of infectiology at the Boufarik Soukehal, a member of the were markedly down during the reality of the situation, with for “targeted lockdowns” of dents while trying to cross into hospital near Algiers. National Scientific Committee, Muslim fasting month of some continuing to deny the areas with new outbreaks of the Israel. Sudanese nationals have Boufarik was the first town said some 1,700 doctors, nurses Ramadan. But after it finished in virus exists. “As long as there virus — and more support for tried to leave Lebanon on mul- in the North African country to and other medical workers have late May, authorities began easing are citizens in denial, selfish and medical staff. “The day the tiple occasions in recent days to register cases of the COVID-19 been infected. strict lockdown measures — and unaware of the fact they’re front line doctors can’t do their Israel in search of work oppor- illness in February, after Alge- Some doctors have taken to the caseload surged again in hos- infecting people around them work because of exhaustion, tunities, as dire economic con- rians returned from France and social media to voice anger and pitals across the country. Yousfi — and of what the doctors are there will be no one left to care ditions plague the country amid attended a wedding and desperation, among them a said his hospital was full and that enduring because of them— the for the sick.” the coronavirus pandemic. Ethiopia: Suspects Ten million face acute food confessed to killing singer shortages in Yemen: UN AFP — GENEVA AFP — ADDIS ABABA were food insecure in Yemen, of which 13 million receive Ethiopia’s attorney general Nearly 10 million people are humanitarian food said yesterday that two men facing acute food shortages in assistance. had confessed to killing a Yemen and urgent action is Meanwhile two million popular singer from the needed to avert a famine, the children, plus a million Oromo ethnic group as part of UN’s World Food Programme pregnant or breastfeeding a plot to topple Prime Minister said yesterday. women, require treatment for Abiy Ahmed’s government. The WFP said it needed acute malnutrition. Hachala Hundessa became $737m to the end of the year Byrs said WFP distribu- a symbol of the Oromo to keep its aid programme tions were down to once struggle during years of anti- running in the war-torn every other month in the government protests that swept country, which is gripped by north of the country and the Abiy to power in 2018. His what the United Nations calls UN agency hoped it would not shooting death last week the world’s worst humani- have to do the same sparked days of protests and tarian crisis. elsewhere. ethnic violence that killed 239 “The humanitarian situ- Yemen’s war between people, according to police ation is deteriorating at an Iran-backed Houthi rebels figures. alarming rate, pushing people and pro-government troops “The assassination was to the edge,” WFP spokes- escalated in March 2015, intended to be a cover to take woman Elisabeth Byrs told a when a Saudi-led military power from the incumbent by Morocco city imposes total lockdown virtual briefing in Geneva. coalition intervened against force,” attorney general “We must act now. If we the rebels who control large Abebech Abbebe said in a A man walks past a Moroccan municipal worker as he disinfects a street in the southern port city of wait for famine to be parts of Yemen including the statement aired on state tele- Safi, yesterday, during a total lockdown ordered by the authorities following the discovery of several declared, it will already be capital Sana'a. vision, without providing details. new cases of COVID-19 coronavirus at a fish canning factory there. too late as people will already Tens of thousands have be dying.” been killed, an estimated four She said the famine million displaced and 80 warning signs were already percent of the country’s 29 Kenya to refund school fees over COVID-19 delay present. million people are dependent “Yemen is facing a crisis on aid for survival. ANATOLIA — NAIROBI payments will get advance for term school fees were already Kenyan authorities so far on multiple fronts. Imports The coronavirus pan- next year when classes spent”. have confirmed 8,975 have declined, food prices are demic is also raging Schools in Kenya have been resume,” The Star quoted Edu- On Tuesday, Magoha COVID-19 infections with 173 soaring, the riyal is in freefall, unchecked in the country. asked to refund fees to parents cation Cabinet Secretary George announced the postponement recorded deaths. and foreign currency reserves The UN raised only for 2020 as their reopening is Magoha as saying. of re-opening schools until The number of coronavirus are nearing total depletion,” around half the required delayed over COVID-19 fears, The decision, according to January 2021, as a preventive cases in Africa has exceeded said Byrs. $2.41bn in aid for Yemen at a local media reported. the report, applies to second measure against the COVID-19 510,000 while the death toll on The spokeswoman said June donor conference co- “Parents who had made the and third term fees, as “the first pandemic. the continent is nearing 12,000. more than 20 million people hosted by Saudi Arabia. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 Singaporeans vote in polls expected to return ruling party

AP — SINGAPORE The health crisis and oppressive laws and civil law- suits against dissidents. Wearing masks and plastic concerns over an Lee and his wife, Temasek gloves, Singaporeans voted economic recession Holdings CEO Ho Ching, lined yesterday in a general election will likely cause up outside a school around that is expected to return Prime noon to cast their ballots. He Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s voters to opt for said the safety protocols were long-governing party to power. stability under Lee’s practical, although they led to Senior citizens were the first longer-than-expected lines. to cast ballots at 1,100 polling People’s Action Party. “The officers are trying their stations across the city-state, It faces 10 small best and from what I know, the with strict safety measures in teething problems have been place for Southeast Asia’s first opposition parties that sorted out and it’s running national election since the coro- are contesting the 93 smoothly now,” Lee, 68, told Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre) casting his vote at Alexandra Primary School navirus pandemic began. reporters after voting. “I am during the general election in Singapore, yesterday. People being treated for parliamentary seats. going to chill out until tonight.” COVID-19 or under quarantine The Election Department later Retiree Dennis Phua said the so far so good,” said home- polls in Serbia and Mongolia last at home were not allowed to dropped the requirement of election shouldn’t have been maker Florence See. She month and in South Korea in vote. it a “blank check.” Voting is donning disposable gloves to rushed since the PAP’s five-year praised the government for April, when governing parties The health crisis and con- compulsory in Singapore. cut waiting time for voters. It mandate would last until April next putting in place strict measures in all three countries scored cerns over an economic The PAP has dominated pol- also extended voting by two year. He said he hopes for louder to protect voters. resounding victories. recession will likely cause voters itics since 1959, when Lee’s father, hours until 10pm (1400 GMT) opposition voices in parliament so Lee has faced opposition from The polls come just weeks to opt for stability under Lee’s Lee Kuan Yew, became Singa- to clear the queues. the PAP wont be “so arrogant.” his estranged younger brother, after the country emerged from People’s Action Party. It faces 10 pore’s first prime minister and The opposition Singapore “There are so many things Lee Hsien Yang, who said the PAP a two-month lockdown aimed small opposition parties that are built the resource-poor city-state Democratic Party said the we are not satisfied with. It’s a had turned into an elitist party. at controlling one of Asia’s contesting the 93 parliamentary into one of the world’s richest voting extension was unprece- good government, but the way The younger Lee joined an oppo- worst coronavirus outbreaks. seats mostly on a one-on-one nations during 31 years in office. dented and “highly irregular.” they do things can be better,” sition party last month but is not The tiny nation of 5.8 million basis against the PAP. In 2015, the party won 69.9 It said some of its polling agents Phua said as he waited outside running in the election. The prime people has reported more than The opposition has said it percent of the total vote and 93 would have to leave, causing a school to vote. minister has said the polls are 45,000 cases, most of them does not want to govern, but percent of parliamentary seats. some polling stations to be But not all agree. about ensuring a strong gov- foreign workers living in urged the 2.65 million voters to But it has also been criticized unattended when the boxes are “I hope that it will remain ernment to secure the country’s crowded dormitories that were reduce the PAP’s overwhelming for tight government control, sealed and this could cast doubt as the status quo. For so many future, not his family feud. overlooked in the early phase majority in parliament to deny media censorship and use of on the results. years, it has been the same and Singapore’s election follows of its crisis management. Nepal cable TV operators stop airing Indian news channels Philippine MPs refuse

AP — KATHMANDU the channels, adding that the assassinates the character of party meeting that India was decision was made after discus- any person, spreads hatred and attempting to oust him from to renew ABS-CBN Nepal’s cable and satellite tele- sions between cable and satellite disregards the respect and office with help from some of vision providers have stopped television providers. It was not honor of the individual con- the members of his own party. broadcast licence airing Indian news channels, decided for how long they planned cerned,” Nepal’s Information India had been a dominant with one operator saying to stop airing the channels. Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwad force in Nepal until recently, REUTERS — MANILA including journalists, bloggers, yesterday that the move was in Some of the Indian media said Thursday. when China’s involvement lawyers and civil society groups response to public complaints reports have suggested Oli is a Oli has been a target of both began to grow. Besides China’s Philippine lawmakers rejected seeking his international over coverage of Nepal’s prime puppet of the Chinese gov- Indian leadership and media investment in the building of the renewal of a 25-year indictment for thousands of minister. ernment. One recent report on since his government brought airports, highways and hydro- licence for country’s top broad- killings in his war on drugs. Sudeep Acharya, managing Indian channel Zee news sug- out a new map of the country power projects in Nepal, caster yesterday, outraging ABS-CBN has been on ten- director of satellite television pro- gested Oli had close ties with that includes territories claimed Chinese diplomats have worked activists who saw the move to terhooks since Duterte took vider Dish Home, said they the Chinese ambassador to by both India and Nepal. The to increase ties with Nepali keep ABS-CBN Corp off the air office in 2016 and started stopped airing the Indian news Nepal, who has been meeting new map has strained relations political leaders. as part of a political vendetta threatening to block its renewal channels Thursday night after several leaders of Oli’s Nepal between two South Asian This story has been cor- on behalf of President Rodrigo bid, in furious public outbursts they were flooded with com- Communist Party. nations with exchanges of rected to show that the gov- Duterte. stemming from the network’s plaints about news reports about Nepal’s government has strong statements. ernment condemned content A legislative committee failure to air some of his paid Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. condemned the reports. Kathmandu’s relations with that assassinates the “char- overwhelmingly agreed with a election campaign commer- Acharya said there was no “The government condemns New Delhi worsened after Oli acter” of any person, not the working group’s assessment cials. It has since apologised. government order to stop airing any media content that said last week in an internal “charter.” that ABS-CBN, which employs Under Duterte, the market 11,000 people and has an value of ABS-CBN has slumped audience of tens of millions of 69 percent to $257m. His Australia restricts Filipinos, was “undeserving of spokesman, Harry Roque, said the grant of legislative the president had always had returning citizen franchise”. “a neutral stance” on the fran- Aides to Duterte, 75, sought chise issue. numbers as to distance the president from the It was not immediately decision, as activists have accused clear what the next steps would virus surges him of using courts, Congress and be for ABS-CBN, which con- regulatory bodies to systemati- tinues to operate online, on REUTERS — SYDNEY/MELBOURNE cally stamp out opposition to his cable and on social media, popular autocracy. which are not impacted. Australia will halve the Phil Robertson, Human “This is a painful and sad number of citizens allowed to Rights Watch deputy Asia day,” said Regina Reyes, head return home from overseas director, called it “a black day of its news and current affairs. each week, Prime Minister for media freedom” and “an “You feel your entire life’s Scott Morrison said yesterday, astounding display of obse- work was disregarded,” she as authorities struggle to quious behaviour” by law- said, fighting back tears. contain a COVID-19 outbreak makers kowtowing to Duterte. ABS-CBN’s 21 radio and 38 in the country’s second most “This move solidifies the television stations are a staple of populous city. tyranny of President Rodrigo news and entertainment across The state of Victoria Duterte,” he said. the Philippines and to the Filipino reported 288 new cases on It comes a week after the Diaspora, generating big adver- Friday, a record daily increase passing of a controversial anti- tising revenues from brands keen for any part of the country and terror law that Duterte fast- to tap mass audiences drawn to sparking fears of a wave of tracked through the legislature, its talent shows, dramas and community transmission in a granting his security chiefs powers glamorous celebrities. country where most cases to arrest and detain without A caravan of cars carrying have involved returned Wading through the waters charge or judicial approval anyone ABS-CBN employees and stars travellers. they consider a “terrorist”. holding placards defending the “The news from Victoria Motorists make their way through a flooded street following heavy rains in Allahabad, Gujarat, India, Critics fear it will be used network and media freedom remains very concerning,” yesterday. as a weapon to target dissent, circled the house. Morrison told reporters in Canberra. Since March, Australia has allowed only citizens and per- Furore after Indian police India sees more local coronavirus manent residents to enter the country with some 357,000 shoot gangster dead having returned to date. lockdowns as cases near 800,000 Australia will now impose AFP — LUCKNOW case of extra-judicial killing. a cap of 4,175 people allowed Dubey was a gangster terrorist REUTERS — MUMBAI home to the financial capital of “Employees could not go to work to return each week and those Indian police shot dead one of who may have deserved to die. Mumbai, and the southern state today due to the curfew,” said returning will also have to pay the country’s most wanted But (Uttar Pradesh) police have India reported a record 26,506 of Tamil Nadu account for Thengade Bajirao, president of for a mandatory 14-day quar- gangsters yesterday just a day killed him to shut his mouth,” new coronavirus cases about 60 percent of its cases. the Bajaj Auto Workers’ Union. antine in a hotel, which until after his dramatic arrest, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant yesterday as authorities Prime Minister Narendra With an annual production now had been paid for by state sparking accusations of a Bhushan wrote on Twitter. re-imposed lockdowns in its Modi’s government, anxious to capacity of more than 3.3 governments. staged extrajudicial killing. “Will we allow police to kill most populous state and in an jump-start an economy crippled million motorbikes and other “The decision that we Officials said Vikas Dubey, anyone without a court trial?” industrial hub, home to auto- by the epidemic and put millions vehicles, the Waluj plant in took... was to ensure that we detained for the killing of eight Utsav Bains, another Supreme makers and drug factories. of people back to work, in early Aurangabad accounts for more could put our focus on the police officers, was shot as he Court lawyer, added. The new cases pushed June eased an initial lockdown than 50 percent of Bajaj’s man- resources needed to do the tried to escape a police vehicle Senior opposition Congress India’s tally to nearly 800,000 of the 1.3 billion population ufacturing volume in India. testing and tracing and not while being driven to his home party leader Priyanka Gandhi said cases, the world’s third-biggest imposed in March. ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen have to have resources city in the northern state of the people “protecting” Dubey outbreak, behind only the But rising new flare-ups of the India Pvt Ltd, small auto-part diverted to other tasks,” Mor- Uttar Pradesh. were still free and called for a United States and Brazil in con- virus has been forcing some major makers, pharmaceutical com- rison said. Within hours of TV stations judicial probe into the killing. firmed infections. industrial towns and states to panies such as Ajanta Pharma Neighbouring New carrying images of his blood- Dubey, aged about 50, was There have been more than impose localised restrictions. have production units in Zealand also introduced stained body lying in a hospital, accused of more than 60 21,000 deaths in India since the A nine-day curfew was Aurangabad. measures this week to limit the rights lawyers and activists alleged murders, attempted murders first case was detected there in imposed in Aurangabad, an Uttar Pradesh, will lock number of citizens returning that police had killed Dubey to and other crimes. He was said January, federal health ministry industrial town in Maharashtra, down for two days from late on home, seeking to reduce the prevent him revealing his connec- to have shot dead an Uttar data showed yesterday. to contain a spike in infections Friday as cases there surged burden on its overflowing tions with powerful people. Pradesh state minister inside a The capital, New Delhi, that has affected operations of past 32,000, the state gov- quarantine facilities. “This is the most blatant police station in 2001. along with Maharashtra state, automakers such as Bajaj Auto. ernment said in a statement. SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 ASIA 07 Hong Kong to suspend all schools due to spike in coronavirus cases REUTERS — HONG KONG Hong Kong reported 38 new coronavirus cases yesterday, edging down from Thursday’s 42 Hong Kong’s Education Bureau yesterday announced the but broadly in line with a sharp increase that suspension of all schools from the city registered over the past three days. Monday after a sharp rise in locally transmitted coronavirus Authorities said 32 of the new cases were cases fuelled fears of renewed locally transmitted after the city reported community spread. mostly imported cases for months. Schools in the Asian financial hub have been mostly shut since January, with many having cases were locally transmitted transmission cases in the past few switched to online learning and after the city reported mostly days,” said Mimi Tsang, mother lessons by conference call. Many imported cases for months. of 12-year-old student Melony. People wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Hong Kong, yesterday. international schools are already The total number of cases However the early sus- on summer break. since late January now stands at pension comes as the switch to Hong Kong reported 38 new 1,404. Seven people have died. online learning at home has frus- believe their children have diffi- students shows more than 70 comes just ahead of the summer coronavirus cases yesterday, Some of the recent cases trated teachers, parents and stu- culty learning at home, according percent don’t have computers holidays. edging down from Thursday’s 42 involved students and parents, dents and exacerbated the to a February survey by the Edu- and 28 percent have no “We just had one more week but broadly in line with a sharp said Education Secretary Kevin learning gap between the haves cation University of Hong Kong. broadband. The early closure of of classes to go, so I don’t think increase that the city registered Yeung. and havenots. A survey by The Society for schools would this time not have there is too much difference,” over the past three days. “Many parents are worried More than two thirds of Community Organisation (SoCO) much impact on teaching, stu- said 14-year-old student Ryan Authorities said 32 of the new about the sudden growth of local parents, regardless of income, of nearly 600 low-income dents and parents said, as it Chan. WHO advance team on way to China to set up probe into virus origin US bans REUTERS — GENEVA Wuhan late last year, since then in the air now, they are the not it jumped from species to a pandemic, Harris said, adding: closed, after jumping the advance party that is to work human and what species it “From now on it is completely Pakistan’s An advance team from the species barrier from the animal out the scope,” she said. jumped from,” Harris said. hands off”. World Health Organisation kingdom to infect humans. This would involve negoti- “We know it’s very, very US President Donald Trump (WHO) has left for China to The two WHO experts, spe- ations on issues including the similar to the virus in the bat, and Secretary of State Michael PIA over organise an investigation into cialists in animal health and composition of the fuller team but did it go through an inte- Pompeo have said it may have the origins of the novel corona- epidemiology, will work with and what skills were needed, mediate species? This is a originated in a laboratory in virus which sparked the global Chinese scientists to determine she added. question we all need answered,” Wuhan, although they have pilot licence pandemic, a spokeswoman said the scope and itinerary of the “One of the big issues that she said. presented no evidence for this yesterday. investigation, WHO spokes- everybody is interested in, and The WHO will have no role and China strongly denies it. scandal The virus is believed to have woman Margaret Harris told a of course that’s why we’re in an independent panel, Scientists and US intelligence emerged in a wholesale market UN briefing in Geneva. sending an animal health announced on Thursday, to agencies have said it emerged AFP — KARACHI in the central Chinese city of “They have gone, they are expert, is to look at whether or review the global handling of in nature. The United States has banned Pakistan International Airlines from operating chartered flights Pakistan: 2 provinces to the country after the carrier said nearly 150 of its pilots would be grounded over fake bearing brunt of or dubious licences. It follows a similar move by European Union aviation reg- ulators to bar the state-run COVID-19 pandemic carrier for six months. ANATOLIA — ISLAMABAD death toll - Punjab with 1,972 The US Department of recorded fatalities and Sindh Transportation announced the Pakistan’s two most populous with 1,677. They are followed ban after it was made aware provinces account for more than by the northwestern Khyber that “nearly one-third of Paki- 75 percent of the country’s Pakhtunkhwa province with stani pilots are not properly cer- COVID-19 cases and over 72 29,406 cases and 1,063 deaths, tificated in accordance with percent of its virus-related fatal- and southwestern Balochistan international standards,” it said ities, according to official data — the largest province in terms in a statement dated July 1 and released yesterday. of area — with 11,099 cases and released yesterday. The South Asian country’s 125 deaths. Pakistan’s aviation minister overall case count increased to The capital territory of revealed in June that a gov- 243,599, with 2,751 infections Islamabad is next with 13,829 ernment review had found recorded over the past 24 hours, cases and 146 fatalities, trailed around 260 of the country’s 860 while the death toll rose by 75 by Pakistani-administered active pilots hold fake licences to reach 5,058, the Health Min- Kashmir with 1,485 cases and or cheated on exams. istry reported. 41 deaths, and the northern A paramedic, wearing protective gloves, takes a nose-swab sample to be tested for the coronavirus PIA at the time said it would With 100,900 confirmed Gilgit-Baltistan region with disease, in Karachi, Pakistan. immediately ground about a infections, the southern Sindh 1,619 cases and 34 fatalities. third of its 434 pilots, just weeks province leads in the number In terms of recoveries, 2,375 patients remain in critical the government — enforced in Mukhtiar Zaman, a renowned after one of its planes crashed of cases, followed by north- Sindh — 57,627, and Punjab — condition. high-risk areas in 20 major pulmonologist, told Anadolu in Karachi killing 98 people — eastern Punjab, the most pop- 52,641 account for over 73 More than 1.51 million tests cities since last month. Agency. However, local media an accident blamed on pilot ulous province, with 85,261 percent of the 149,092 patients have been conducted so far in “We are seeing a visible reports suggest the decline in error. The airline confirmed in cases. who have recovered in Pakistan the country of over 220 million. decrease in new COVID-19 virus cases could be because of a statement that its approval Together they make up over so far. According to the Health Health experts believe the cases in Pakistan, but for any reduced testing, with daily test had been revoked due to “recent 76 percent of Pakistan’s Ministry’s data, the overall improving numbers are due to final conclusions, this declining numbers having fallen to events identified by the Pakistan nationwide case tally, as well recovery ratio in Pakistan is locality-based lockdowns — trend needs to continue for at around 24,000 from over Civil Aviation Authority that are as 72 percent of the country’s now over 61 percent, while termed “smart lockdowns” by least another 15 days,” Dr 32,000 in June. of serious concern to aviation safety”. So far 17 pilots have been fired in the first phase of its North Korean leader’s sister says Kim-Trump summit unlikely investigation, a PIA AP — SEOUL alive the nuclear diplomacy. Deputy Secretary of State sanctions relief in exchange for that it is not possible at this point spokesmansai. “That’s because a surprise Stephen Biegun is in Japan after a partial surrender of its nuclear of time,” she said. The airline had suspended The powerful sister of North thing may still happen, depending meeting South Korean officials capability. Some analysts believe North Korea for decades has its commercial operations to the Korean leader Kim Jong Un said upon the judgement and decision in Seoul, where he accused a North Korea, which is sensitive been pushing a concept of denu- US in 2017 after booking yesterday she doesn’t expect between the two top leaders,” senior North Korean nuclear about potential changes in US clearisation that bears no resem- financial losses on the route. her brother to meet President Kim Yo Jong said. She added that negotiator of being “locked in an leadership, will avoid serious blance to the American defi- But in April the US Donald Trump this year, saying if there is a need for summit talks, old way of thinking.” His remarks talks with the Americans for now nition, with Pyongyang vowing Department of Transport there’s no reason for the North it is a US need, while for North indicated Washington won’t before an eventual return to to pursue nuclear development granted it special permission to to gift Trump high-profile Korea, it is “unpractical and does likely make concessions to negotiations after the US presi- until the United States removes operate chartered flights for one meetings when it’s not being not serve us at all.” resume the talks despite the dential election in November. its troops and the nuclear year, largely to bring back substantially rewarded in Kim Yo Jong is seen as her North’s pressure. Kim Yo Jong said that the umbrella defending South Korea stranded Pakistanis during the return. brother’s closest confidant and Trump and Kim Jong Un have diplomacy could be salvaged and Japan. Experts say Kim Jong coronavirus lockdown. “But also, you never has been recently confirmed as met three times since embarking only by a reciprocal exchange of Un sees the diplomacy as an arms Until the 1970s, Pakistan’s know,” Kim Yo Jong said in a his top official for inter-Korean on high-stakes nuclear “irreversible simultaneous major reduction negotiation between largest airline was considered statement released through affairs. She is also the first vice diplomacy in 2018. But negotia- steps.” nuclear states rather than talks a top regional carrier but its rep- Pyongyang’s official Korean department director of the ruling tions have faltered since their “We would like to make it that would culminate in a full utation plummeted amid Central News Agency, where Workers’ Party’s Central Com- second summit in February 2019, clear that it does not necessarily surrender of the weapons he sees chronic mismanagement, fre- she called for major conces- mittee. She spoke as the US’s top when the Americans rejected mean the denuclearisation is not as his strongest guarantee of quent cancellations and sions from Washington to keep official on the Koreas is in Asia. North Korean demands for major possible. But what we mean is survival. financial struggles. Japan braces for more heavy Kazakhstan rejects Chinese claim over pneumonia outbreak ANATOLIA — MOSCOW conform to reality,” Kazakhstan’s year’s levels — from 1,780 deaths lockdown starting tomorrow to rain as death toll rises to 66 Health Ministry said in a in the first half of 2019 to 1,172 in contain the outbreak. The AP — TOKYO has spread beyond Kyushu into Kazakhstan’s health officials statement. It noted that the coun- the first half of this year. country so far has registered over central Japan’s scenic mountain yesterday dismissed a Chinese try’s statistics on pneumonia The energy-rich Central 53,000 cases, including 264 Parts of Japan still searching for villages known for hot springs claim that the Central Asian include patients who tested neg- Asian nation quickly introduced deaths. missing people and evacuating and hiking. country is facing an outbreak ative for the coronavirus but had regional lockdown and travel Asked to comment on Kaza- those stranded by deadly floods Search and rescue work con- of pneumonia more deadly than symptoms compatible with restrictions to stem the corona- khstan’s denial of the Chinese and mudslides were bracing for tinued in Kuma village, where the new coronavirus. COVID-19. According to official virus pandemic, but it has faced embassy’s claim, China’s Foreign more pounding rains through the nine people are missing and the The Kazakh denial follows a data, the number of pneumonia a rise in infections after it lifted Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian weekend. effort has been delayed by deep notice issued on Thursday by the cases has increased by 55 percent the restrictions in May. refrained from comment, saying The death toll has risen to 66 floodwater and the risk of more Chinese embassy’s that warned in the first half of the year com- In late June, Kazakh Pres- that Beijing hopes to receive as of yesterday morning, with 16 mudslides. People isolated by the its citizens about an outbreak of pared with the same period in ident Kassym-Jomart Tokayev more information. others still missing, the Fire and flooding are still being airlifted pneumonia in the ex-Soviet 2019 - from 63,436 to 98,546. fired the nation’s health minister, “China looks forward to con- Disaster Management Agency to safety. Nearly 2,000 people nation with a death rate higher However, Health Minister blaming him for flaws that helped tinuing cooperation with Kaza- said. Most of them are in prefec- were still stranded in 70 places, than that from coronavirus- Alexei Tsoi said at a briefing on trigger a second wave of con- khstan to jointly fight the epi- tures on Kyushu, Japan’s third- Chief Cabinet Secretary induced pneumonia. Thursday, mortality from pneu- tagion. Kazakh authorities have demic and safeguard public largest main island. The damage Yoshihide Suga said. “This information doesn’t monia this year fell from last imposed a two-week nationwide health in both countries,” he said. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020

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CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

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A woman wearing a face mask walks by a board bearing sanitary measures, in Brussels, amid the crisis linked with the COVID-19 EDITORIAL pandemic. Wearing a face mask will become mandatory in Belgian shops, cinemas, and other indoor spaces. Impressive pace Why the way we live now

THE ports of Qatar are growing with impressive pace, despite numerous challenges recently created by unprecedented public health challenge of coronavirus will mean more pandemics pandemic. Hamad Port – Qatar’s gateway to the world – in recent years has become a hub of regional mar- Where do new diseases operations such as logging of illnesses such as Lyme itime trade while other ports of the country are also come from? and mining put people in disease, hepatitis E, dengue growing at a fast speed. Novel pathogens that closer proximity to wild and West Nile virus. The performance of ports of Qatar reflects coun- sicken humans have been dis- animals. What’s being done about try’s maritime vision and in a short span of time they covered at an average rate of Q Consumption of live-animal markets? have achieved a distinct place in the international trade. more than three per year over wildlife. There’s been a There have been calls, Qatar’s main gateway to world trade ‘Hamad Port’ is the past four decades. About growing trade in wild including from US lawmakers, not just vital to Qatar’s infrastructure but also drives JASON GALE 75% come from animals and animals, especially for food. for China to close its so-called the region’s development and growth. BLOOMBERG are known as zoonoses. Bats In some live animal markets, wet markets. But such places, According to fresh statistics, during the first six are thought to be the source domestic and wild animals offering fresh meat and months of 2020, Hamad Port, Ruwais Port and Doha of the coronaviruses that are caged in close proximity produce more cheaply than Port have registered 102 percent increase in general The coronavirus crisis clearly cause COVID-19, severe acute and slaughtered under unhy- supermarkets, play a huge cargo handling compared to the same period in last caught most governments respiratory syndrome (SARS) gienic conditions. Live role in feeding people, sup- year. During the first six months, 1,509 ships docked unprepared, yet disease and Middle East respiratory markets in China were con- plying about 60% of fresh at Hamad Port, Doha Port and Ruwais Port, making specialists have been warning syndrome (MERS). They’ve nected to the emergence of food in the city of Guangzhou, it a busy period for Qatar’s maritime sector. The ports for decades that such a devas- also been linked to the Ebola SARS. It was initially but is no for example. In February, handled 727,716 tonnes of general cargo in the first tating outbreak was bound to virus, as well as the Hendra longer thought that the novel China did permanently ban six months of this year, compared to 360,644 tonnes happen. From bubonic plague and Nipah viruses responsible coronavirus jumped into the trade in non-aquatic wild in the same period in 2019. and smallpox to Spanish flu for deaths in Australia and people at such a market. animals, although it made an Meanwhile to tackle global coronavirus challenge, and HIV, history is rife with Southeast Asia. The threat Q Urbanization. About exception for their use in tra- Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar), in pandemics that have shaped from bats is partly a reflection 55% of the world’s people live ditional medicine. African coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and rel- the human story. While of their sheer numbers; they in urban areas, compared countries have also been evant authorities, has implemented a series of medical advances help are among the most populous with 34% in 1960. Expanding called upon to halt the trade measures to limit the spread of coronavirus in the ports. combat such scourges, other mammals. Bats roost together metropolitan areas provide in slaughtered wild animals, These measures include sanitisation of containers, aspects of modern life - by the thousands, creating an new homes for a variety of though it’s unlikely to happen installing thermal cameras, submission of COVID-19 including deforestation, environment rich for wildlife, including rats, because “bushmeat” provides disclosures and educating workforce at the port about urbanization and intensive swapping viruses, and they monkeys, birds and foxes - a much-needed source of ways to limit the spread of the virus. agriculture - contribute to the can transmit them to other animals that can live off the protein. Not only the Hamad Port has grown tremendously emergence of new contagions animals or humans through plentiful food humans What else could be done in terms of traffic and trade, Ruwais Port also wit- at an alarming rate. their blood, saliva, urine and discard. to prevent pandemics? nessed over 28 percent increase in export in 2019 Are we likely to see more feces. Q Intensive livestock A: Experts point to a need compared to the previous year (2018). The port has pandemics? What drives the emer- farming. Pathogens from wild to better monitor emerging cemented its position as an ideal gateway to stimulate The danger of a new gence of zoonoses? creatures sometimes make diseases and maintain public- regional trade. disease spreading globally has Researchers have iden- their way to humans via farm health systems that can Ruwais Port has become one of the most been elevated in the modern tified a number of factors animals. As with people, quickly respond to them. In important ports to meet the increasing demands by age by the leap in air travel increasing the potential for packing many cows, pigs or the most ambitious effort to the domestic market for foodstuff, meat and fresh and international trade. The so-called spillover events, chickens closely together catalog new pathogens, the and chilled produce. Supportive steps taken by the number of passenger trips by when a pathogen jumps increases the danger that a US-funded Predict project authorities concerned have played a key role in air more than doubled from species: disease can spread. Antibi- from 2009 to 2019 identified increasing the flow of trade from the port. In 2019, the turn of the century to an Q Encroachment into otics used to hasten the more than 1,000 viruses with Mwani Qatar introduced new free storage period at estimated 4.2 billion in 2018 - natural ecosystems. As the growth of animals can also spillover potential. Al Ruwais Port as a move to support the private before the pandemic wal- world’s population has promote pathogens that are Researchers aim next to sector, offering new incentives to customers as well loped travel and tourism. expanded, humans have resistant to treatment. assess the biggest disease as enhancing the role of the port. Especially worrisome are taken over wilderness areas Q Climate change. Rising risks lurking in the animal pathogens that transmit effec- at a rapid pace. Researchers temperatures have con- world in order to focus efforts tively via the respiratory tract, concluded in 2017 that in the tributed to the expansion of toward developing tests and such as coronaviruses like the prior two decades people had the range of disease- prototype vaccines. Those one causing the current crisis claimed another 10% of the spreading mosquitoes, ticks could provide early warning and new strains of flu, the Earth’s wild land, reducing to and biting midges. These systems for outbreaks and most common cause of 23% the area free of distur- species can persist for longer rapid responses to stop them pandemics. bance. New settlements and periods, increasing the spread from spreading. D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Migrant family separation, again?

MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 THE WASHINGTON POST at the rapid spread of the once have seemed detainees and employees novel coronavirus at family unthinkable in most such have tested positive. The con- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 Apparently undeterred by the detention centers run by U.S. cases, with the rare exception tagion at the Texas centers, uproar it triggered by sepa- Immigration and Customs of migrant parents who might where CDC- recommended LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 rating migrant children from Enforcement, gave the agency be criminals or abusive. In the precautions are enforced their families two years ago, until next Friday to release Trump administration, it is all spottily, prompted Judge Gee the Trump administration is scores of children held at the too thinkable - despite the to conclude that the facilities BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 considering whether to push facilities. The judge’s juris- trauma it imposes on children. “are ‘on fire’ and there is no for more of the same. Again, diction in the long-running Under cover of the pandemic, more time for SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 teens, tweens, toddlers and case does not cover detained the White House has choked half-measures.” babies may be removed from adults, which afforded an off legal and illegal immi- Despite her ruling, the ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 their parents, as a means of opening to the administration gration, and suspended the government now seeks to email: [email protected] deterring further illegal immi- to present migrant parents decades-long system of prolong those half-measures. gration. Again, the president’s with a perverse choice: give asylum under which perse- Administration lawyers argue PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 unbridled animus toward up their children to sponsors cuted individuals could apply that officials should be email: [email protected] mainly brown-skinned or remain with their children for refuge in the United States. required only to address migrants may result in an inside facilities where the Since the spring, more than health and safety violations at ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 episode of cruelty that would pandemic is tightening its 2,000 unaccompanied minors the facilities, not release FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] shock the civilized world. grip. In a separate lawsuit who crossed the border detainees. That’s a fair The administration’s latest brought by parents, the hoping for asylum have been argument in theory; in CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 threat to break up families administration says that if summarily expelled. practice, ICE has had months email: [email protected] arises from a federal court forced to release children, it The virus has already to comply with guidelines to order last month by U.S. Dis- may not free their parents gained a foothold in two protect staff and detainees SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 trict Judge Dolly Gee, in Los with them. family detention centers in from COVID-19 but has failed Angeles. Judge Gee, alarmed Splitting up families would Texas run by ICE, where to. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar The COVID-19 crisis presents Europe with a challenge of historic proportions. We are slowly /Peninsula_Qatar exiting the acute health crisis... the emphasis is now

/ThePeninsulaNewspaper shifting to mitigating the socio-economic damage. Charles Michel, European Council President +974 6698 6188 SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 EUROPE 09 France, Germany lead effort to fire up Serbia-Kosovo talks

AP — BRUSSELS Serbia has refused to under presidential policy, acknowledged that the talks are The leaders of Germany and recognise Kosovo as complex but said that no one France led a fresh effort a separate country, underestimates the challenges, yesterday to breathe life into and tensions have and all sides understand that long-stalled talks to normalize finding a solution is important ties between Serbia and Kosovo continued to simmer for regional security. more than 20 years after between them. The “We recognize Kosovo... Belgrade sent troops into its Serbia doesn’t. That’s the diffi- then-province to crush a sepa- United States and culty to resolve,” said the ratist uprising, but Serbia’s the European Union adviser, who added: “We should president said the Europeans not allow a vacuum to develop have unrealistic expectations. have been working in this region.” EU foreign policy French President to help normalise chief Josep Borrell, who was Emmanuel Macron and German also involved in the meeting, is Chancellor Angela Merkel held ties between the two due to host more video talks virtual preparatory talks with countries. with Hoti and Vucic on Sunday. Kosovo’s prime minister and EU officials hope the two will Serbia’s president aiming to come to Brussels in person next pave the way for the first face- expectations from our European Thursday. to-face meeting of the Balkan partners, Vucic said. “At the Serbia has refused to rec- countries’ leaders since same time we are faced with a ognize Kosovo as a separate November 2018 under a completely unrealistic approach country, and tensions have con- European Union-backed dia- from Kosovo Albanians who tinued to simmer between logue process. want it all, leaving Serbia them. The United States and the Speaking after the meeting, without anything,” he said. European Union have been French President Emmanuel Macron (right), speaks during a video conference with Kosovo Prime Serbian President Aleksandar Despite the longstanding working to help normalise ties Minister Avdullah Hoti, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Vucic said “we had really tough differences between the neigh- between the two countries. at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, yesterday. negotiations,” and that he told bouring countries, a French The EU-facilitated negoti- Macron and Merkel that if Kos- presidential adviser said “the ations, which the Europeans independence. Still, Sunday’s meeting Thaci, was indicted for alleged ovo’s independence “is what dialogue is picking up” and that say is the only forum that The EU and the US officially comes after a US effort to get war crimes. they want to talk about, then Vucic and Kosovo Prime Min- addresses their future aspira- have the same goal — resolving the sides talking, which was not European Commission these talks are completely ister Avdullah Hoti showed their tions, started in March 2011 and one of the last major standoffs coordinated with the Europeans spokesman Peter Stano said it meaningless.” goodwill simply by coming to have produced some 30 agree- in the volatile Balkans region and raised eyebrows in is important to focus on “We will not have an easy Paris for separate meetings ments, but most of them have after the 1998-1999 war and a Brussels. That effort appeared moving things forward and not time in the future. I think we earlier this week. not been observed. Some EU Nato intervention to stop a to founder when Hoti cancelled to get bogged down in the will be exposed to great, great, The adviser, who is not member states themselves bloody Serb crackdown against his trip to Washington after thorny issues involved in the let me not say pressure, but authorised to be publicly named have not recognised Kosovo’s Kosovo Albanian separatists. Kosovo’s president, Hashim talks.

Netherlands takes Russia to Europe UK won’t join EU vaccine programme in latest Brexit test BLOOMBERG — LONODN talks, citing government offi- this decision and seeking reas- Opponents say the dangers is leading international efforts. rights court over cials it didn’t identify. surance that this will not lead of the strategy have been The UK has a deal with Astra- The United Kingdom will not The coronavirus pandemic to any supply issues or delays exposed by Britain’s response Zeneca Plc to receive 30 million MH17 downing join the European Union’s coro- has put the U.K.’s attitude to col- for the UK population” said to the virus: the UK entered doses by September if the Oxford navirus vaccine programme, laborating with its nearest David Wrigley, deputy chair of lockdown later than many other vaccine is successful. AFP — THE HAGUE according to a person familiar neighbors under the spotlight. the British Medical Association. countries in Europe and now Oxford, AstraZeneca Begin with the matter, in the latest test The decision not to participate “It is vital we all work collabo- has the highest death toll in the Advanced Trials of Covid The Netherlands said yesterday of its independent approach in the EU’s programs to acquire ratively to beat this deadly region. Though ministers have Vaccine Britain is also planning it would take Russia to the after Brexit. ventilators and personal pro- virus.” repeatedly said the EU pro- to open its own vaccine pro- European Court of Human Boris Johnson’s government tective equipment — even as the Britain can handle its affairs grams for PPE and ventilators duction facility in the summer Rights for its role in bringing considered opting in to the UK faced shortages early in the better outside the 27-member yielded little benefit to of 2021, capable of manufac- down Malaysia Airlines flight program, through which the outbreak — triggered a row bloc is a key argument for the participants. turing 70 million doses within MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. bloc is spending more than over whether ministers were Brexit supporters who dominate In the case of vaccines, four to six months of starting. The relatives of at least 65 ¤2bn ($2.3bn) on research into putting Brexit ideology over Johnson’s government, and it’s medical experts including The Department for Dutch victims in 2018 filed a a vaccine. The Daily Telegraph saving lives. likely the decision not to take Anthony Fauci, director of the Business, Energy and Industrial complaint at the Strasbourg- reported ministers were con- “We will be seeking official part in the vaccine program will US National Institute of Allergy Strategy did not immediately based court, demanding that cerned about “costly delays” in clarification on the reasons why be seen as an extension of that and Infectious Diseases, have respond to a request for Russia take responsibility for the program due to distribution the government has come to approach. said an Oxford University project comment. incident, which killed eve- ryone on board. Both the Netherlands and Australia have said they hold UK police watchdog to assess Russia responsible for shooting down the plane, which was en racial bias among officers route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam. AFP — LONDON “Achieving justice for the 298 victims of the downing of The organisation which deals with police complaints in England flight MH17 is and will remain and Wales yesterday announced a review into whether forces the government’s highest pri- discriminate against ethnic minorities. ority,” Dutch Foreign Minister The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the Stef Blok said in a statement. probe, to begin in the coming months, will initially look into the “By taking this step today, use of stop and search powers and the use of force. bringing a case before the It comes amid growing scrutiny of police attitudes to black ECHR and thus supporting the and ethnic minority (BAME) communities in Britain following the applications by the next of kin Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the death in US police as much as we can, we are custody of an unarmed black man, George Floyd. moving closer to this goal.” The head of London’s Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, this The Netherlands would share week apologised to British sprinter Bianca Williams for the “dis- all “available and relevant tress” caused when she and her partner were stopped by police. information about the Nothing was found in the search. downing of flight MH17” with “Evidence of disproportionality in the use of police powers the court, Blok said. has long been a concern which impacts on confidence in policing, The latest move adds to particularly in the BAME communities,” said IOPC director general legal pressure on Moscow after Michael Lockwood. the Dutch criminal trial of four “But even with the numbers and the statistics, particularly from suspects opened just outside Cleaning up cinema hall stop and search data, we still need to better understand the causes Schiphol airport from where and what can and should be done to address this.” Race discrimi- the ill-fated flight took off. A staff member wearing a protective face mask cleans the cinema seats with a steam after a film nation will become a “thematic area of focus, to establish the trends show following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease at the “Showcase Cinema de Lux” in Coventry, and patterns which might help drive real change”, he said. Virus toll in Russia Britain, yesterday. Black people were more than eight times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people in 2016-17, according crosses 11,000 as to a 2018 study by drugs charity Release and the London School cases top 710,000 Russia sceptical about nuclear of Economics. Polish voters cast ballots in ANATOLIA — MOSCOW pact extension prospects Coronavirus-related fatalities tight second round elections in Russia have passed 11,000 and the number of cases is now AP — MOSCOW pact limits each country to no smaller nuclear arsenal. ANATOLIA — WARSAW above 710,000, authorities said more than 1,550 deployed Lavrov dismissed the US yesterday. The death toll rose Russia’s top diplomat said nuclear warheads and 700 suggestions that Russia help Polls in Poland are too close to call as two candidates, Duda and by 174 over the past 24 hours yesterday he’s not very opti- deployed missiles and bombers convince Beijing to join nuclear Trzaskowski, are said to have almost a fifty-fifty chance to win to reach 11,017, while 6,635 mistic about prospects for an and envisages sweeping on-site arms cuts, saying that Moscow ahead of the second round of the presidential election on July 12. more infections raised the extension of the last remaining inspections to verify respects the Chinese position In the first round on June 28, incumbent President Andrzej overall case count to 713,936, US-Russia arms control compliance. and considers it “undiplomatic” Duda took around 43.5 percent of the votes while his opponent the country’s emergency task agreement because of Wash- After both Moscow and to push it on the issue. He reaf- Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski was on 30.5 percent. force said in a daily report. ington’s focus on making China Washington withdrew from the firmed that Russia would Recent public opinion polls show Duda, aligned with the ruling Russia has registered sign up to the pact. 1987 Intermediate-range welcome other nuclear powers, Law and Justice (PiS) party, was on 50.9 percent, while Trza- 6,000-plus cases every day for Foreign Minister Sergey Nuclear Forces Treaty last year, including Britain, France and skowski, from the main opposition center-right Civic Platform more than two weeks now. A Lavrov warned that Russia only the New START is the only China to join nuclear arms cuts, party, on 49.1 percent. total of 7,752 patients recovered wants to keep the New START remaining nuclear arms control but emphasized that it should The ruling conservative PIS Party and current President Duda’s across the country over the past treaty as much as the US does deal between the two countries. be their own decision. decisions on law and media have sparked controversy within the 24 hours, bringing the total to and will protect its security It’s set to expire in February The minister noted that EU. Duda recently proposed changing the constitution to ban 489,068, the report said. regardless of the pact’s fate. 2021 unless the parties agree to American and Russian negoti- same-sex couples from adopting children. Meanwhile, clinical trials “We only need the extend it for another five years. ators last month held a round Duda and his supporter’s good relations with the US are con- of several COVID-19 vaccines extension as much as the Amer- Russia has offered its of nuclear arms control talks in sidered another factor that will affect the results. have entered their final stages, icans do,” Lavrov said during a extension without any condi- Vienna and are poised to con- Meanwhile, Russia is seen as a threat to the country’s national with a first group of volunteers conference call with foreign tions, while the Trump admin- tinue the discussions, but added security by both the ruling and opposition parties. In an interview, expected to finish one of the policy experts. “If they categor- istration has pushed for a new that the US insistence on having Hungarian journalist and foreign policy analyst Gabor Stier said trials on July 15. Russia con- ically refuse, we will not try to arms control agreement that China join the talks leaves little it is too hard to predict the results but added that Duda’s chance tinues widespread testing to persuade them.” The New would also include China. hope for their success. to win is a little more than that of Trzaskowski. identify new cases and detect START treaty was signed in Moscow has described that idea “I’m not particularly opti- People who live in villages and small cities are satisfied with how many people have 2010 by US President Barack as unfeasible, pointing at Bei- mistic about the New START in Duda and the ruling PiS party’s social and economic policies, he developed antibodies after Obama and then Russian Pres- jing’s refusal to negotiate any view of the course taken by US said, while Trzaskowski has more support from people in major being exposed to the virus. ident Dmitry Medvedev. The deal that would reduce its much negotiators,” he said. cities. 10 AMERICAS SATURDAY 11 JULY 2020 Trump heads to Florida despite surge in number of coronavirus cases

AFP — WASHINGTON Florida was among at the assumption that if there wasn’t such divisiveness, that US President Donald Trump least six states that we would have a more coordi- headed to coronavirus-stricken set single-day case nated approach,” said Fauci. Florida yesterday to attend a Trump, for his part, hit out campaign fundraiser, ignoring records on Thursday, at the respected scientist, telling health advice about the dangers alongside Texas, Fox News on Thursday: “Dr of large gatherings as he ramps Alabama, Idaho, Fauci is a nice man, but he’s up public appearances ahead made a lot of mistakes.” of the election. Missouri, Montana, “A lot of them said ‘don’t The virus has claimed more and Oregon. wear a mask, don’t wear a than 4,000 lives in the Sunshine mask,’” the president added. State, where Republican gov- “Now they are saying ‘wear a ernor Ron DeSantis down- in the jurisdiction of fewer than mask.’ A lot of mistakes were US President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in Washington, DC, yesterday, played the outbreak early on 900,000 people. made, a lot of mistakes.” before departing for Florida. but has since been forced to By way of comparison, Mel- Trump’s Florida visit comes pause reopening. bourne in Australia, a city of five as a new poll by ABC News and come at the expense of Florida who have increasingly warned attributing it entirely to higher The US is by far the hardest- million, reimposed a lockdown Ipsos found that 67 percent dis- families,” he said. of the dangers posed by the levels of testing. hit country in the world, with after 191 tested positive in a day. approved of his handling of the After Florida, where Trump virus in the air within crowded “We do testing like nobody’s more than 3.1 million confirmed “As a country, when you COVID-19 crisis, and an equal will also meet with anti-nar- and confined spaces. ever done testing. And when we infections and 133,000 dead. compare us to other countries, share disapproved of how he cotic officials and Venezuelan Unlike countries in Europe test, the more you test, the more Florida was among at least I don’t think you can say we’re has handled race relations. opposition leaders, he will hold and Asia, the US never emerged cases you find,” Trump told Fox six states that set single-day doing great,” Anthony Fauci, the Despite these numbers, a rally in New Hampshire in the from its first wave of the News. case records on Thursday, country’s top infectious disease Trump appears to be doubling northeast on Saturday. COVID-19 pandemic, and has Experts however say this alongside Texas, Alabama, official told political analysis down on his strategy of inten- The state was narrowly won since mid-June been experi- explanation is inadequate, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and website FiveThirtyEight on sifying public meetings in order by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 encing a fresh surge. because the number of people Oregon. Thursday. to stoke his base. election. This is because although the hospitalized and the percentage Florida and Texas also reg- He went on to partly blame Former vice president Joe Trump’s last rally, in Tulsa, virus receded from former of people testing positive is also istered their highest daily death the atmosphere of political divi- Biden, who is running against Oklahoma last month, was a hotspots like New York, it came rising in many states. counts — 98 and 120 siveness in the country — for Trump in November, blasted the flop and Republican officials back hard in regions where offi- Still, the death rate respectively. example the way in which president’s visit. will be looking to avoid a repeat cials eased their lockdowns too remains well below levels of “The tsunami is here,” said masks were initially shunned “With over 232,000 cases of a ticket prank by K-pop fans early or where citizens widely earlier peaks in late April and Richard Cortez, the chief exec- by right wing political leaders, in the state and over 4,000 that may have impacted ignored health advice. May, partly because the US utive of Hidalgo County in south many of whom have since deaths in Florida, it is clear that attendance. The administration has epidemic has grown younger Texas, after 1,274 cases were shifted on the issue. Trump’s response — ignore, Such large gatherings are downplayed the spike, with and there are better treat- confirmed in the past 24 hours “I think you’d have to make blame others, and distract — has anathema to epidemiologists, Trump repeatedly and falsely ments available. Bolivia’s interim Pompeo slams UN report on US drone strike on Iran General President Anez AP — GENEVA arbitrary executions who has was carried out “to deter Iran Callamard acknowledged in her non-state actors. contracts been commissioned by the from launching or supporting report that international “This is the primary reason US Secretary of State Mike council, called the January further attacks against the humanitarian and human rights the Soleimani strike is con- COVID-19 Pompeo has criticized an inde- strike in Iraq “the first known United States or US interests, law can provide “diverging sidered a watershed change in pendent UN human rights incident in which a state and to degrade the capabilities answers” on the legal validity the conduct of extra-territorially AFP — LA PAZ expert’s report insisting a invokes self-defense as justifi- of the Qods Force.” of some drone strikes, and the targeted strikes and killings,” she American drone strike that cation for an attack against a He said Callamard “gives one against Soleimani raised stated in the report. Bolivia’s interim president killed a top Iranian general in government official outside a more cause to distrust UN “genuine uncertainty as to how “It is hard to imagine that a Jeanine Anez announced January was a “watershed” declared armed conflict.” human rights mechanisms.” The to interpret its lawfulness. similar strike against a Western yesterday that she has tested event in the use of drones and Pompeo said in a statement Trump administration pulled the She said the United States military leader would not be positive for coronavirus. “I’ve amounted to a violation of late Thursday that the US United States out of the rights had not “engaged with” her as considered as an act of war, tested positive for COVID-19, international law. rejected her report and council two years ago, accusing she drafted the drone report. potentially leading to intense I’m fine, I will work from The report presented by “opinions.” “Ms. Callamard’s it of an anti-Israel bias and But based on the evidence the action, political, military and isolation,” she tweeted. Agnes Callamard to the UN- conclusions are spurious,” he alleging that it is too accepting US provided, “the targeting of otherwise, against the state The 53-year-old said in a backed Human Rights Council said. “The strike that killed Gen. of autocratic regimes that regu- Gen. Soleimani, and the deaths launching the strike,” she added. video on Twitter that she would on Thursday chronicled events Soleimani was in response to larly abuse human rights. of those accompanying him, Among other recommenda- remain in quarantine for 14 around the death of Iranian an escalating series of armed Callamard is perhaps best constitute an arbitrary killing tions, the report calls on the days before taking another test. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the attacks in preceding months by known for leading an investi- for which, under (international United Nations to examine the Anez becomes the second legal implications of his killing the Islamic Republic of Iran and gation into the killing of Wash- human rights law), the US is legal framework on the use of South American president in as part of a broader look on the militias it supports on US forces ington Post columnist Jamal responsible,” she said. drones and for the UN Security a matter of days to contract the use of drone strikes. and interests in the Middle East Khashoggi, a Saudi national, Callamard wrote that the Council — which Callamard coronavirus, after Brazil’s Jair Callamard, the special rap- region.” and issuing a scathing report on strike targeting Soleimani was called “missing in action” on the Bolsonaro announced his pos- porteur on extrajudicial, Pompeo said the strike on the actions of Saudi officials. “qualitatively different” from subject of drone strikes — to itive result on Tuesday. summary or Baghdad International Airport In her new report, other drone strikes that targeted take up the issues. Another high-ranking Latin American government official to contract the virus is Venezuela’s Constitutional Assembly Pres- Mexican-American man ident Diosdado Cabello, widely considered the second-most powerful person in the country charged with hate after President Nicolas Maduro. Four members of Anez’s cabinet had tested positive in crime in fatal crash recent days, while Senate Pres- ident Eva Copa went into self- AP — FOND DU LAC into the motorcycle. The ser- isolation on Wednesday as a geant asked Navarro if he heard precaution. “Given many of A Mexican American man from him correctly about the crash them tested positive over the Wisconsin is charged with being intentional and Navarro last week, I took the test and I homicide as a hate crime responded “yes, it was inten- was also positive,” said Anez. because prosecutors say he tional, sir,” the complaint said. A The interim leader’s illness intentionally crashed his deputy at the scene described comes with Bolivia gearing up pickup truck into a motorcy- Navarro as having a “thousand- for a general election in less clist and killed the man because yard stare.” than two months, despite he was white. During an interview later being in the middle of the Daniel Navarro, 27, of Fond at the sheriff’s office, Navarro coronavirus pandemic. du Lac, told investigators he had said he wanted to go to prison Anez initially opposed the been harassed by co-workers for the rest of his life so he September election, saying it and neighbors, and poisoned, could be free from his should be postponed “one or drugged and verbally attacked neighbors, who he could hear two months” due to the pan- by white people because of his making racist comments demic, but eventually relented. race, authorities said. through the walls of his house, The conservative politician The Associated Press left a according to the complaint. It assumed the interim presi- Obrador shown missing students' picture posters message yesterday seeking also stated that he said he dency in November after comment from Navarro’s lawyer. wanted to be free from people Mother of Christian Alfonso Rodriguez Telumbre, one of the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa socialist former leader Evo Phillip Thiessen, 55, was who drive by his house, rev Rural Teachers’ College, whose remains were found at the mountain town of Cocula, near Iguala Morales resigned and fled the killed July 3 in the town of their engines and squeal their in the southwestern state of Guerrero, holds a poster with her son’s picture as she arrives at the country following three weeks Taycheedah. He was a retired tires to make him angry. of unrest over his controversial National Palace to attend a meeting with Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico special agent with the Wis- Fond du Lac County Circuit re-election. City Mexico, yesterday. consin Department of Justice Court Judge Robert Wirtz set and a former police officer. bail at $1m during an initial Navarro apparently didn’t court appearance Thursday. know Thiessen, but targeted Fond du Lac County District US civil rights groups protest police commission him because he was white, said Attorney Eric Toney said Nav- Fond du Lac County Sheriff arro’s crime it not reflective of REUTERS — WASHINGTON of force against Black Amer- Reuters they only received invi- Floyd’s death began, the com- Ryan Waldschmidt. the entire community. icans set off by the May killing tations to testify after the mission held some hearings “Navarro said that if Pres- “One of the witnesses, rec- Prominent US civil rights groups of George Floyd. NAACP Legal Defense Fund about the excessive use of force ident Donald Trump and white ognizing that the victim was are refusing to appear before a Its mission statement did sued the commission in April, and community policing, but people are going to create the deceased, stayed with him until Justice Department law not mention racial disparities contending it was violating they were announced with little world we are living in, he has no first responders could arrive, enforcement commission set up in criminal justice or address federal open-meeting laws and advanced warning and were choice and that people are going and that I think speaks more to to recommend ways to increase excessive use of force by police, lacked diverse viewpoints. That closed to the public. President to have to die,” Waldschmidt said. the character of our community respect for police and reduce and unlike a similar Obama case is pending, and the Justice Donald Trump has struck a Navarro is charged with than the charges in the criminal crime, calling it out of touch administration commission, its Department has asked a federal strict “law-and-order” tone in first-degree intentional homicide complaint,” he said. with public anger over policing. members represent only judge to have it dismissed. his response to the protests. and first-degree recklessly The complaint also said a The Presidential Com- federal, state and local law “It is so completely out of A Justice Department endangering safety, both as hate detective reviewed law mission on Law Enforcement enforcement, with no civil touch with what is happening,” spokeswoman said the com- crimes. According to the criminal enforcement records and and the Administration of rights advocates, defense said Kanya Bennett, an attorney mission would be addressing complaint, a sheriff’s sergeant learned of a 2019 disorderly Justice was established in attorneys or even big-city with the American Civil Lib- the issues outlined in a police spoke with Navarro at the crash conduct domestic violence alle- January, before the latest wave police departments taking part. erties Union. reform executive order signed scene and Nararro stated that he gation involving Navarro in the of mass protests over police use Civil rights leaders told After the protests over by Trump in June. intentionally crashed head-on City of Fond du Lac.