www.thepeninsula.qa Friday 8 May 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8251 15 Ramadan - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 01 SPORT | 08

IMF approved $18bn Mbappé in 50 requests for wins top emergency scorer pandemic aid award

Get up to 2 GB bonus data with Hala from the safety of your home #Hadaya_Ooredoo *Terms and conditions apply Qatar has flattened COVID-19 curve: Health Minister Amir sends congratulations FAZEENA SALEEM the mathematical model to THE PENINSULA The country will soon pass the understand the capacity and to President and peak of the outbreak as the make required preparations. Qatar’s Minister of Public “Qatar has put a unique PM of Iraq Health, H E Dr. Hanan virus' reproduction rate has system in place to fight Mohammed Al Kuwari, said dropped significantly. COVID-19. Those who come from QNA — DOHA yesterday that the curve of countries that experience COVID-19 outbreak has been Qatar has a very high COVID-19 COVID-19 outbreak as well as the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin flattened and the country will recovery rate and the lowest persons who contacted them or Hamad Al Thani and Deputy soon be past the peak of the others with the disease are asked Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin coronavirus spread. mortality rate. to undergo quarantine at gov- Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday She said the government ernment facilities or at home,” cables of congratulations to has put in place a unique system Qatar has set up an army of she said. President of the brotherly to fight the pandemic. health workers to trace and “Persons with high risk are Republic of Iraq, H E Dr. “We have flattened the referred to government facilities. Barham Saleh, and Prime curve. We are not peaking that track the cases. Those with low risk are asked to Minister H E Mustafa Al aggressively, which means we be quarantined at home. Qatar Kadhimi on the occasion of have flattened the curve,” said Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari speaking to Al Jazeera about the has implemented a legal decree swearing in of new Iraqi the Minister in an interview COVID-19 situation, yesterday. to deal with quarantine vio- government, wishing them with Al Jazeera. “The country lators,” she added. and the government success will soon see the end of the in following the regulations” by curve. We continue to monitor. We emphasised that the recovery Speaking about mechanism and the brotherly Iraqi people peak. Qatar is implementing adhering to social distancing measure attack rate in the popu- rate of COVID-19 is high in the to trace and test people for further progress and pros- practices recommended by guidelines and other steps lation we have tested. The re-pro- country, and Qatar has the COVID-19, H E Dr. Al Kuwari perity. WHO to beat the virus.” announced by the authorities. duction rate of COVID-19 has lowest fatality rate, with only said, “Qatar has set up an army H E the Minister said that, “By putting social distancing dropped significantly,” she said. 12 deaths reported so far. of health workers to trace and Ramadan Timing the public has been “fantastic measures we have flattened the H E the Minister also She said Qatar is following track the cases.” `P2 Today's Iftar: Only 328 COVID-19 patients required 6:11pm intensive care; 208 have recovered Tomorrow's Imsak: SIDI MOHAMED that the number of infected it may continue to rise before it 03:19am THE PENINSULA people will increase in the stabilises and then gradually coming days before it stabilises decline again,” he said. Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Co-Chair and then begins to decline.” Dr. Al Khal further said that of the National Pandemic Speaking on the latest pre- during the past week Qatar has Preparedness Committee and cautionary measures taken by witnessed fluctuation, as some MoPH carries out Head of Infectious Diseases at Qatar to prevent the spread of days witnessed increase in the Hamad Medical Corporation the virus, he pointed out that: numbers, due to the cases that 2,500 random (HMC), has said that since start “53 percent of the patients in were checked. of the outbreak of the corona- intensive care do not need He also said that “Most of virus in Qatar, only 328 cases ventilators”. the infected cases in the last drive-through have been sent to intensive About the spread of virus, week are from the 29-34 age care, of which 208 have he said that among residents in group, followed by people aged COVID-19 tests Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal (right), Co-Chair of the National Pandemic recovered. Qatar it began to spread from from 35 to 44 years. Infected Preparedness Committee, and Dr. Ahmed Al Mohamed, Medical Addressing a joint press March 8. This means about 59 cases in the elderly are less and THE PENINSULA — DOHA Director of Hazm Mebaireek Hospial, addressing the press conference. conference at Qatar TV along days have passed since its this is a good thing because with Dr. Ahmed Al Mohamed, spread inside Qatar. complications more dangerous As part of the countrywide Medical Director of Hazm The pandemic began to for them. There is also an “About one percent of people enter intensive care efforts to manage the Mebaireek Hospial, Al Khal said, increase during the past three infection rate among children, infected cases enter intensive every day, most of them have COVID-19 outbreak, the “We entered the peak phase a weeks and entered its peak in but it is mild and often without care, and half of them require chronic diseases such as heart Ministry of Public Health few days ago, and it is expected the past week. “We expect that symptoms.” ventilator. Eight to 10 infected disease, and diabetes.” `P2 (MoPH) operated drive- through swabbing hubs at three health centres for two days, testing 2,500 randomly- Qatar reports 918 new virus selected persons for the coro- navirus infection. cases; over 2,200 recover The testing exercise was held in collaboration with the THE PENINSULA — DOHA infected with the virus as a Primary Health Care Corpo- result of contact with indi- ration (PHCC), Hamad Medical The Ministry of Public Health viduals who had been previ- Corporation (HMC)’s Ambu- (MoPH) yesterday announced ously infected, in addition to lance Service, Laboratories the registration of 918 new recording new cases from and Qatar University. confirmed cases of COVID-19, within groups of workers from The aim of this exercise and 216 new recoveries, various regions. These cases was to conduct a community bringing the total number of have been identified as a result survey and gain more insight recovered cases in Qatar to of investigations carried out by into community transmission 2,286. the Ministry. and asymptomatic cases, The total number of pos- The remainder of new which will in turn inform itive COVID-19 cases recorded cases infected with the virus policy decisions. in Qatar to date stands at have come from citizens and H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed 18,890. There are a total of residents who have contracted Al Kuwari, the Minster of 16,592 active cases currently the virus from members of Public Health, said: “We are under treatment. The Ministry their families, who in turn had constantly looking at new conducted 3,532 tests yes- contracted the virus through ways of identifying any unde- terday, taking the total tests their workplaces or other tected cases in the community done so far to 116,495. places where they had been so that we help to reduce the The Ministry in a statement exposed to infected people. spread of COVID-19 and Volunteers from the Ministry of Culture and Sports distributing Garangao gifts to children by has explained that most of the All the new cases have been provide the appropriate care driving around various residential areas in buses specially decorated for the occasion, in a Doha new cases are due to expatriate quarantined where they are and support to people who locality, yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA workers who have been receiving medical care. `P2 have the virus but are showing no symptoms. We have used Buses deliver gifts as children celebrate Garangao drive-through testing in the QATAR UPDATES past successfully and we invite SIDI MOHAMED The initiative was taken Aisha Al Mahmoud, C VID-19 ON 07 MAY 2020 you to join this latest drive- THE PENINSULA in collaboration with sports Director of Public Relations through initiative. I urge eve- clubs and entities affiliated and Communication at the ryone who receives an SMS to Children celebrating tradi- with the Ministry of Culture. Ministry, explained that the NEWNEW TOTALTOTAL NEWNEW CCASESASES ACTIVEACTIVE take part and get tested.” tional Garangao event were Garangao is a Qatari tra- initiative comes within the RECOVERIES RECOVERIES ANNOUNCEDANNOUNCED CASES The COVID-19 pandemic thrilled to see specially- ditional children’s party cel- framework of the Ministry’s is having a major impact decorated buses which ebrated after breaking the keenness to continue 216 2,286 918 16,592 across the globe. This survey delivered gifts to children at Ramadan fast on 14th night reviving the country’s her- will allow better under- their doorsteps last night. of the holy month, when itage, through events that standing of the flow of the Garangao buses were half of the fasting month is adhere to measures com- virus in the community and part of an initiative by the over. patible with the nature of the adapt responses to the scien- Ministry of Culture and Taking all the precau- current stage in light of the tific findings. In line with Sports within the framework tionary measure to limit coronavirus crisis. NEW C VID-19 GLOBALLY national guidance, the of the Ministry’s keenness to spread of the coronavirus, She also noted that DEATHS swabbing hubs tested 2,500 revive the heritage, and its the buses roamed a number Garangao initiative aims to 0 3,813,123 267,469 1,266,047 members of the public at Al campaign that seeks to of areas in the country and bring joy to children during TOTAL DEATHS Thumama, Al Waab and achieve social cohesion in distributed the sweets and the current health situation. TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL Leabaib health centres staffed light of the coronavirus crisis. nuts to children. `P2 12 POSITIVE DDEATHSEATHS RERECOVEREDCOVERED by PHCC, HMC and Qatar Uni- versity volunteers. `P2 02 HOME FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY

FAJR03.30 am SUNRISE 04.53 am o o Hot daytime with some clouds and slight dust, mild by 26 C 37 C night. ZUHR 11.30 am ASR 02.58 pm Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 04:11–17:41 LOW TIDE 00:00 – 11:54 MAGHRIB 06.11 pm ISHA 07.41 pm W ALRUWAIS: 26o↗30o W ALKHOR: 25o↗36o W DUKHAN: 27o↗32o W WAKRAH: 27o↗37o W MESAIEED 25o↗39o W ABUSAMRA 26o↗34o

Qatar has flattened COVID-19 Only 328 COVID-19 patients required curve: Health Minister FROM PAGE 1 intensive care; 208 have recovered “We started with 20 health workers, the team has now 300 health workers and volunteers. The team plays a key role in fighting COVID-19. Also we hope the Ehteraz application will help general FROM PAGE 1 Mohamed, Medical Director of public to identify whether they had been in contact with infected “There is a noticeable increase Hazm Mebaireek said that persons. Public can contact the hotline if they found themselves in recovery cases, we have about 14 additional hospitals having contact with infected persons,” she said. exceeded 2000 cases of are allocated in case that the H E the Minister also said that the high number of COVID-19 recovery and the number is five hospitals accommodate all cases in the country is the result of intensive testing measures. increasing and this indicator is the infected cases. “More than 40,000 people per million have been tested so far. very good,” he said. He said that Hamad Medical Infection rates are not high. Some 93 percent of the cases are mild Dr. Al Khal said that the Corporation hospitals are open and only one percent are in ICU,” H E said. H E the Minister also said “Remdesivir” drug is the first to the public and provide all that five hospitals have been dedicated to treat COVID-19 patients, drug to be approved in principle emergency services The with 700 ICU beds hospitals are well equipped and fully staffed. and used in urgent and severe number of beds in Hamad Hos- “When we see signs of deterioration, we start with all medicines cases. Qatar has contacted the pital has increased from 2,250 and if the signs still deteriorate then the patient is moved to ICU and drug maker and it will be pro- pre-pandemic to 5,000 beds we have a strong team in the ICU,” said H E the Minister. Regarding vided as soon as it is commer- during the pandemic and 40 easing of restrictions, H E the Minister emphasised that adequate cially available. He also said percent of the beds are eserved. safety measures will be taken when a decision is taken to ease travel that sanitary measures applied Also we have increased the restrictions and return to daily business. in the industrial area are con- medical and nursing staff and “Definitely there will be easing of the restrictions, but it is dif- tinuing even with the gradual increased the number of beds ficult to say when and how it will look like. Our priority as country lifting of restrictions. in the hospitals designated for is the safety. Mandatory quarantine will be introduced if flight COVID-19 testing at drive through swabbing hubs. For his part, Dr. Ahmed Al coronavirus. traveling is resumed. We will not open unless it is safe to do that. We will keep the highest risk sector to open last. If we open too quickly there might be a second attack and we don’t want that,” Qatar reports 918 said the Minister. Answering a question regarding the lockdown of Buses deliver gifts as children Industrial Area, H E the Minister said it was important to ensure the new virus cases health and safety of people and businesses of the area. H E the Min- FROM PAGE 1 ister also said that COVID-19 has created an opportunity for local celebrate Garangao market where masks and ventilators are produced. FROM PAGE 1 The Ministry has stated that children. It was organised in children on the occasion. the current period will see a MoPH carries out 2,500 random It will establish communi- cooperation with 10 sports To celebrate the festival, fluctuation in the number of cation and spread the spirit of clubs including Al Rayyan girls wear traditional gowns cases of infection due to several drive-through COVID-19 tests affection, familiarity and love Sports Club, Al Sadd Sports with embroidery and gold jew- reasons, including that the out- FROM PAGE 1 in the community. Club, Qatar Sports Club, Al ellery like earrings, necklaces, break of the virus is in the peak Also it aimed to make Khor Sports Club, and Al bangles. And boys wear tradi- stage, before the number of This service was not a drop-in service and only those who meet children aware of the customs Shamal Sports Club. tional Qatari dress ‘Thawb’, infections begins to descend the nationally agreed criteria for research and have been asked of their community. The gift bags The Director of the Theater jackets, and caps. gradually. to attend will be given the test. containing nuts and sweets were Affairs Center, Sallah Al Mulla As per the tradition, The Ministry has also recently Those referred to the drive through swabbing hubs arrived in sanitised, she added. said that the celebration was children sing ‘Garangao stepped up efforts to track the their own car and did not enter the building. They were registered For his part, Issa Al in an atmosphere full of joy, Garangao yatona atawna Allah transitional chains of the virus and asked a series of questions for research purposes, then pro- Haremi, Director of Sports without any gatherings. Yatimkuk, Bait Makka Yuwad- and expand the search for people ceeded to be swabbed by specially trained Health Worker. The Affairs at the Ministry of The festival brings dikum’ (Give us, Allah will give infected by conducting extensive swabbing process involved a cotton bud being inserted into the Culture and Sports, explained echoing memory of Qatari you and send you to Masjid Al and proactive investigations of nose, the sample was then securely stored and transported to that the celebration is a sym- culture and heritage which is Haram in Makkah Al Mukar- large numbers of contacts with HMC Laboratory for analysis. Once partipants were swabbed at bolic initiative because it aims narrated by forefathers to ramah) while visiting their people who have recently been one of the drive through hubs, they will receive results from the to spread joy in the hearts of their children and grand- neighbouring houses for gifts. confirmed with the disease. Ministry of Public Health as soon as possible by phone. Justice Ministry completes 8,228 real estate registrations, authentication transactions online

QNA — DOHA during this period included The Ministry of Justice has commitment to the goals of 2,888 real estate registration received, within its services to Qatar National Vision 2030, and The Ministry of Justice has transactions. Of these transac- support the public that it the plans and strategies of the completed more than 8,228 tions 2,655 transactions were launched since the beginning Qatar Digital Government transactions since the beginning completed electronically of last March, a number of calls 2020. of March through its electronic through Sak application, while amounting to more than 1,600 As many as 164 complete platforms and external service 5,340 transactions related to calls received by the Ministry electronic services are available centers, and more than 69,517 documentation transactions, via the hotline (137) from March through the various digital plat- subscribers have been regis- completed through the same 1, 2020 until now. forms of the Ministry, whether tered on Sak application. It is a application. The competent authorities through the electronic portal, part of the ministry’s efforts to Within the framework of in the Ministry of Justice have the comprehensive employee keep pace with the current the follow-up of Minister of previously created techno- system, or from smart devices conditions and provide its Justice and Minister of State for logical infrastructure to (tablets and mobile devices). services to the public without the Council of Ministers Affairs, restructure many electronic These services include all being affected by precautionary H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al services and launch new elec- documentation services, measures. Nuaimi, in the procedures for tronic services, which con- whether concerning agencies, The transactions submitted facilitating citizens’ access to tributes to facilitating access for certifications or inquiring about to the public were divided the ministry’s services, the Min- public to many of the services documents. Qatar was represented in the meeting by Major General Engineer between services related to real istry has completed the prepa- electronically. In addition to real estate Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ansari, the Director of the Department of estate registration and docu- ration of electronic forms for a This move came in registration services of various International Cooperation and Chairman of the National Counter- mentation services that wit- number of transactions, accordance with the digital kinds, such as real estate nessed the launch of a new including sales transactions of transformation plan adopted by services, property transfer Terrorism Committee. package that includes 15 trans- interest to all citizens, and it is the Ministry to bring services services, mortgage transactions, actions, most of which can be now available through sub- closer to citizens and facilitate sales, bond issuance, the total completed online. mitting and receiving applica- access to them, as well as within number of real estate services Qatar participates in The transactions submitted tions through Sak application. the framework of the Ministry’s is 70. Interpol regional meeting QNA — DOHA Al Ansari, the Director of the 3,288 tonnes of local vegetables sold in April Department of International The State of Qatar partici- Cooperation and Chairman of QNA — DOHA product program and about the marketing of Qatari vege- in consumer complexes pated in a meeting of heads the National Counter-Terrorism 2,784 tonnes of the Qatar tables and increase their throughout the year. of police agencies in the Committee. The total sales of Qatari vege- farms program, pointing out demand. Besides, they provide the MENA region, via video The meeting discussed the tables, through the local that these products are Also, the marketing pro- opportunity for the Qatari conferencing. The meeting challenges faced by law products marketing program, available in many major con- grams aim to reduce pro- farmers to display their local was organized by Interna- enforcement, exchange of reached 3,288 tonnes of various sumer complexes. duction losses to the minimum production of first-class vege- tional Criminal Police Organ- countries experiences in com- local vegetables in April. The marketing programs for and increase the income of tables in the consumer com- ization (Interpol) with the bating the novel coronavirus The Ministry of Municipality local products supervised by the Qatari farms, which in turn plexes in high quality and at participation of a number of (COVID-19), developing and Environment explained Ministry of Municipality and contributes to encouraging reasonable prices for the con- heads of police agencies. security plans and strategies to that more than 504 tonnes of Environment in cooperation increased investment in the sumer without an intermediary, Qatar was represented in address such a crisis and mech- total sales were marketed and with the Ministry of Commerce agricultural field, and the and without costing the farmer the meeting by Major General anisms of cooperation with the sold through the distinguished and Industry aim to improve availability of local vegetables any fees for that. Engineer Abdul Aziz Abdullah Interpol. Green Tent organises online seminar on psychological effects of home quarantine QNA — DOHA everyone should take steps to humanity did not witnessed consultant psychological from respond to the Coronavirus has decreased in the recent avoid being affected psycho- before, which pushed everyone the Sultanate of Oman, said pandemic, left a feeling among period and many have become The Green Tent of the “A logically by the current to home quarantine, and one of that the psychological effects many that their fate is more able to control their time. Flower Each Spring” program, situation. the lessons learned is that every of the coronavirus pandemic unknown. In the same context, a addressed the topic of home They pointed out that coun- ordeal, in addition to its painful, are many, including anxiety, Dr. Abdul Naser Fakhro, number of specialists partici- quarantine and its psycho- tries and institutions were keen sad and costly aspects, has other stress and negative effects from the College of Education, pating in the seminar reviewed logical, social and economic to support small and medium positive aspects. resulting from being exposed Qatar University, explained that a number of religious texts and effects, at an online seminar, companies during the pan- Al Hajari added that eve- to a large number of news despite the negative impact of the positions of the Prophet in which a number of demic, among them the State ryone must take advantage of related to the pandemic and its the coronavirus pandemic, it Muhammad (PBUH) and his specialists from Qatar, the of Qatar, whose role did not the crisis by putting himself in contradictions. also had positive effects, companions in dealing with Sultanate of Oman, Egypt, stop only inside the country, a position to withstand and He pointed out that the psy- including the impact that the epidemics and afflictions. Tunisia and Morocco took part. but also provided assistance to reduce the psychological, chological problems caused by home quarantine on everyone, Participants also dealt with Participants in the seminar countries that have suffered social, cultural and economic the pandemic are the result of as it has contributed to building the economic effects of the pointed out that the corona- greatly from the crisis. impacts. Quarantine is not new lack of self-confidence, and the new habits and skills, and led coronavirus pandemic on the virus pandemic has various The Head of “A Flower Each to Islamic history, and it is also feeling of weakness for many, to self-discovery, and gave world, as small and medium psychological, social and eco- Spring” program, Dr. Saif Al the best option to limit the noting that the inability of many persons the opportunity companies have been greatly nomic impacts on people Hajari said that mankind is spread of this pandemic. For many countries, especially to self-meditation. affected despite the support around the world, and that going through a great event that his part, Dr. Aziz Al Numan, a developed countries, to He concluded that pollution provided by governments. FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 HOME 03 TAMUQ graduates 105 engineers in virtual ceremony The historic virtual commencement ceremony, saw 105 Aggie engineers earn their bachelor and master degrees. They included 95 who graduated with bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering. Graduates represented 23 nationalities.

FAZEENA SALEEM Many guests joined to watch the Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) Class of 2020 students. THE PENINSULA live stream of the event. Dr César Octavio Malavé, Texas A&M University at Qatar dean of Texas A&M at Qatar university behind and head on Abdulkarim Mohamed, a about future plans said, “I had have helps that narrow down (TAMUQ), a Qatar Foundation presided over the ceremony. to your next adventures. With Class of 2020 petroleum engi- originally planned to purse a job and identify the field of study I partner university celebrated “This is not how we wanted challenge comes change, and neering graduate addressed his after graduation to get expe- want to continue in if I went on to academic achievements of its to celebrate this milestone,” each of you has shown your classmates and fellow grad- rience before I went to do do graduate school,” said Syeda, Class of 2020 in a virtual Malavé said, “but I can send you strength and resilience, and uates. To date, Texas A&M at graduate school. TAMUQ has also an undergraduate research commencement ceremony held into the world with the your commitment to being an Qatar has granted a total of 1,161 provided many amazing oppor- scholar. Fatima Al Janahi, electrical yesterday. knowledge that you have engineering leader in Qatar. degrees. tunities and facilities that helped engineering undergraduate and The historic virtual com- achieved something Remember that you are now Dr Dhabia Al Mohannadi, a me develop both technical and undergraduate research scholar, mencement ceremony, saw 105 remarkable: Not only have you among more than 500,000 Class of 2012 graduate of Texas soft skills. It has helped me said, “I chose to study engineering Aggie engineers earn their earned a degree from one of the graduates of Texas A&M Uni- A&M at Qatar and now an become an all rounded person. when I was in high school, then I bachelor and master degrees. top engineering programs in the versity around the world. Show assistant professor in the The careers services also played looked up for different universities. They included 95 who graduated world, but you have done so the world how Aggies live their Chemical Engineering Program an instrumental role in helping However, chose TAMUQ because with bachelor’s degrees in under difficult and unprece- core values — not just in the inducted the new graduates into me secure internships which it is one of the best engineering chemical engineering, electrical dented circumstances. So much workplace, but also into your The Association of Former Stu- introduced me to the industry. schools and will offer me a quality engineering, mechanical engi- has changed in such a short communities and your families. dents, Texas A&M’s alumni Those internships gave me expe- education in my country. neering and petroleum engi- time, and yet learning — and life We could not be more proud of organization that comprises the rience for the future. I had Speaking about her expe- neering. The branch campus also — goes on. You adapted to your you,” he said. 500,000 graduates of the uni- planned to remain in Qatar for rience at TAMUQ Fatima said, awarded 11 with master’s new normal, and you kept Texas A&M President versity and is known worldwide the start of my career. “It was a very rich experience, degrees in chemical engineering. yourselves on track. You per- Michael K. Young sent his video as the Aggie Network. “With the current situation, I learned a lot from the journey Of the total graduating class, 43 severed, and more than that, greetings to the graduates and Syeda Manahil Akhter, who there is an equal chance that I at TAMUQ. I had different percent are female and 42 you succeeded.” honored their parents, families was awarded as mechanical will pursue graduate studies. opportunities to improve myself percent are Qatari. Graduates “The proof is that you’re and mentors who encouraged engineering student of the year, The different research oppor- as a person and as a future represented 23 nationalities. here today, ready to leave them during their studies. speaking to The Peninsula tunities and the internships engineer.” QU-CPH student conducts multidisciplinary project

THE PENINSULA — DOHA and of significant value to the decision making in the Qatari practices, where Qatar University’s College of Pharmacy opportunities for cutting spending on (QU-CPH) MSc student in Clinical Pharmacy healthcare resources arises.” and Practice, Sawsan Al Mukdad defended About Sawsan, he added, “I supervised recently her MSc thesis entitled the many postgraduates over the years. Sawsan ‘Economic Evaluation of the CYP2C19 is one of the most successful and has put her Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy heart, mind and soul into even the smallest Compared to the Universal Use of Tica- detail in this project. In this case, we have a grelor or Clopidogrel in Qatar’. multidisciplinary project between pharma- The defense was conducted recently coeconomics and pharmacogenetics. Sawsan Officials with gift boxes. due to suspension of classes for students loved the areas of her research, which is very and precautionary measures to prevent important. Her resolution to succeed is novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Sawsan impressive and will surely take her places.” Sawsan AlMukdad, QU-CPH MSc student in evaluated the pharmaconomics of CYP2C19 Sawsan said, “This analysis is the first Clinical Pharmacy and Practice. General Directorate of genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy com- economic evaluation in Qatar and the pared to the universal use of antiplatelets region about CYP2C19 genetic-guided Sawsan’s was awarded the 5th Graduate Traffic celebrates Garangao after a percutaneous coronary intervention antiplatelet therapy versus universal use Sponsorship Research Award, QNRF, Qatar with the acute coronary syndrome. of Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor. Further, it Foundation. In addition, it has been eval- THE PENINSULA — DOHA As a direct response to a request by includes several methodological aspects uated competitively at different occasions, decision-makers at the Hamad Medical that make it unique among similar studies where she received the following in recog- To celebrate the Garangao night, the General Directorate of Traffic Corporation (HMC), Sawsan evaluated the in international settings.” nition of the quality of her MSc research distributed special gifts to children who are currently in the health cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19 genetic test In relation to her journey as a post- including the second place at the TAD quarantine. The Department aims to make children happy in light guided therapy compared to the general graduate student, Sawsan said: “The College Bootcamp Award from the Office of of the precautionary measures to limit the spread of coronavirus. use of Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel from the of Pharmacy, under the leadership of Dean, Graduate Studies at the Qatar University Garangao is a Ramadan tradition that is widely celebrated by hospital perspective of the main healthcare Dr. Mohammed Diab, has unlocked the Annual Research and best presentation children across Qatar and the Gulf region. On this night, children provider in Qatar, the HMC. Using decision- doors of success and a career that I love. I award at the College of Pharmacy 9th usually walk around their neighbourhoods singing traditional analytic simulation models, this research feel attached to this institution as I spent Annual Student Research Forum. songs that mark the occasion and receive gifts and bags of sweets demonstrated that CYP2C19 genetic-guided seven years living in its halls, starting with Sawsan had participated in several from their elders. therapy is between dominant (higher effect a BSc degree and finishing with MSc. Addi- international and national conferences The Department’s gifts included a light-reflecting bag con- with lower cost) and cost-effective com- tionally, my truly dedicated supervisors Dr. including the International Conference for taining traditional sweets and nuts that are presented on this pared to the general use of Clopidogrel and Daoud Al-Badriyeh and Dr. Hazem Elewa Healthcare and Medical Students in Ireland, occasion to children. universal Ticagrelor, over the short- and were always keen to provide me continuous the 9th International Pharmaceutical Care The General Directorate of Traffic is keen to participate with long-term follow up durations, against support, and extensive personal and pro- Conference in Oman, CUDOS Congress at community such important occasion, and also benefit from this clinical and quality-adjusted life years fessional guidance. My overall experience Sidra Medicine, the College of Pharmacy 9th occasion in strengthening the requirements traffic safety and outcomes. as a postgraduate student in the College of Annual Student Research Forum, and the 4th security measures. The research was conducted under the Pharmacy was exceptional as the sup- Qatar University Health Research Sym- The General Directorate also called on all citizens and resi- main supervision of CPH Associate Pro- portive research environment allowed me posium. As well as, the abstract of this study dents to celebrate the Garangao night in homes and adhere to the fessor Daoud Al Badriyeh, co-supervised to have the opportunity to learn a valuable was accepted in the 25th Annual International precautionary measures to limit the spread of coronavirus. by CPH Associate Professor Hazem Elewa. set of skills and knowledge. She added “I Meeting of the International Society of Phar- The Department has made an educational video through its Dr. Al Badriyeh said, “Sawsan’s findings of had a unique opportunity of being the pres- macoeconomics and Outcomes Research in accounts on social media that includes the participation of children the high likelihood of the CYP2C19 genetic- ident of the Interprofessional Education the USA and the British Cardiovascular in this festive home, where a large number of users of social media guided antiplatelet therapy to be cost- (IPE) Student Association that considerably Society Annual Conference in the United interacted with this idea. effective approach, therefore, an important enriched my personality”. Kingdom. QF celebrates Garangao with online cultural experience THE PENINSULA — DOHA children wear, the bags they carry, and the songs they sing at Garangao; The spirit of Ramadan has been cele- the preparations that people make for brated in virtual form by Qatar Foun- the occasion. dation through an online insight into “Ramadan is a time of sharing, and Garangao – the mid-point of the holy through this online event, we wanted month. to share knowledge about Garangao, Members of the community from and what it means to Qatar and the Qatar and beyond were invited to join region, with people of all nationalities a session organized by Qatar Founda- and cultures,” said Hend Al Mousawi, tion’s Community Engagement team Head of Culture and Heritage Pro- and cultural consultancy company gramming, Qatar Foundation. Embrace Doha that captured the “The impact of COVID-19 may essence of Garangao – from its have led to our lives changing, but our meaning and purpose, to its traditions traditions endure, and through virtual – with the usual events and activities events such as these during Ramadan, that surround it unable to be held due we are looking to bring people to COVID-19. together in a different way to cele- The session explained how brate this special time.” Garangao is an occasion to be cele- Embrace Doha’s founder Amal Al brated by people of all ages, with Shammari, who led the online session, children being recognised and said: rewarded for fasting during the first “This beautiful celebration weeks of Ramadan, and encouraged encourages social interaction to continue doing so for the remainder between children and provides them of the holy month. with a sense of place within their The online audience also learned community.“It also strengthens the members of the neighborhood through ones to their shared history. Finally, it throughout the Holy Month of about the traditional clothes that ties between children and adult the traditional songs which tie young celebrates the value of sharing Ramadan.” 04 MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020

Saudi forces Israel lawmakers back abandon security points in Yemen's Netanyahu-Gantz govt Socotra ANATOLIA — ADEN Parliament voted by 71 votes to 37 to back the December 2018, holding three coalition deal that will see rightwing veteran successive elections in which Saudi Arabian forces have Gantz’s centrist Blue and White withdrawn from security premier Netanyahu share power with Benny Gantz, and Netanyahu’s Likud were points in Socotra Island’s a centrist former military chief. The two men have near neck-and-neck. provincial center of Hadibu as said they will swear in their new administration on During that time Netanyahu part of a de-escalation has remained in power in a agreement signed with the May 13, with Netanyahu remaining leader for 18 caretaker capacity. He has also United Arab Emirates-backed months, before handing over to Gantz. been charged with accepting Southern Transition Council improper gifts and illegally (STC), a source said yesterday. trading favours in exchange for The decision to withdraw AFP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM lition deal break the law. positive media coverage. was made abruptly, according But the court ruled on He denies wrongdoing, but to the local authority, who Israeli lawmakers approved the Wednesday evening that there if the trial goes ahead as asked not to be named. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi taking the oath in front of formation of a unity was “no legal reason to prevent planned he will become the The takeover process the parliament during an overnight session in Baghdad. government between Prime the formation of a government” first serving Israeli leader to be began simultaneously with the Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led by Netanyahu. tried. After the third election withdrawal of armed militias and his erstwhile rival Benny It added that by approving in March, Gantz broke with of the STC and Yemeni gov- Iraq parliament approves Gantz yesterday, inching the coalition it was “not seeking large parts of his Blue and ernment forces from positions towards an end to more than a to diminish the severity of the White alliance and agreed to following clashes. PM-designate Kadhimi's govt year of deadlock. charges” against Netanyahu, form a unity government. Last week, the STC Parliament voted by 71 but concluded that those could He said it was necessary to declared self-governance and REUTERS — BAGHDAD November prevented two pre- votes to 37 to back the coalition be addressed in his trial, due to provide political stability as the a state of emergency in the vious nominees for prime min- deal that will see rightwing begin on May 24. country seeks to repair the eco- temporary capital of Aden and Iraqi lawmakers approved a ister from forming a Cabinet. veteran premier Netanyahu Netanyahu has been nomic damage wrought by a southern provinces, which new government on Kadhimi’s candidates for share power with Benny Gantz, written off by pundits and rivals coronavirus outbreak that has caused tensions in Socotra as Wednesday after six months Cabinet posts including a centrist former military chief. many times since taking power infected more than 16,000 well as other provinces in the without one as parties interior, defence, finance and The two men have said they in 2009, but the man some- people. Gantz’s critics, including south. The Yemeni gov- squabbled until the last minute electricity passed with votes will swear in their new admin- times dubbed “the magician” many former allies, accused him ernment and provinces of over Cabinet seats in backroom from a majority of lawmakers istration on May 13, with has invariably found ways to of betraying his voters after cam- Hadhramaut, Shabwa, al- deals. present. Netanyahu remaining leader remain in power. paigning for cleaner politics and Mahra, Abyan and the admin- Prime Minister Mustafa al- Voting on the oil and for 18 months, before handing As well as rebuilding an pledging not to serve under an istration of Socotra have Kadhimi, Iraq’s intelligence foreign ministries was delayed over to Gantz. The other will economy shaken by the corona- indicted prime minister. “Never rejected the STC’s move, which chief and a former journalist, as the parties failed to agree on serve as alternate PM, a new virus, the new government will also have so few cheated on so many has also drawn widespread will head the new government. candidates. They rejected the position in Israeli politics. decide on the possible annexation votes for such miserable international criticism. He will begin his term without incoming premier’s picks for The proposed government of large parts of the West Bank, a reasons,” former Gantz ally Yair Yemen has been devas- a full Cabinet, however, after justice, agriculture and trade. had been challenged in the high move from which successive gov- Lapid, poised to become oppo- tated by a conflict that esca- several ministerial candidates “The security, stability and court, with opponents arguing ernments have refrained since sition leader, tweeted. While lated in March 2015 after Iran- were rejected. blossoming of Iraq is our path,” Netanyahu was ineligible to Israel occupied the territory in the Israeli law bars ministers from backed Houthi rebels seized Former prime minister Kadhimi wrote on his Twitter rule due to corruption indict- Six-Day War of 1967. serving while under indictment, the capital Sana’a and forced Adel Abdul Mahdi, who has account after parliament voted ments. They also charge that Israel has been without a there is no such law for prime President Abdrabbuh Mansour been leading a caretaker gov- for his Cabinet. certain provisions in the coa- stable government since ministers. Hadi to flee the country. ernment, resigned last year as He said he would make anti-government protesters tackling the coronavirus pan- took to the streets in their demic, of which Iraq has suf- thousands, demanding jobs fered more than 2,000 cases Turkey slams Israel’s expansion of West Bank settlement and the departure of Iraq’s and more than 100 deaths, a ruling elite. priority and hold to account ANATOLIA — ANKARA It said the plan indicated located in the southern part of than ever at a time when the They accuse the political those who had killed protesters Israel’s drive to continue the occupied West Bank. entire global community was class that took over after the in previous months of anti-gov- Turkey yesterday strongly usurping the rights of Pales- The Foreign Ministry said battling the COVID-19 2003 US invasion that toppled ernment unrest. condemned Israel’s plans to tinians through blatant illegal Israel was eliminating any pos- pandemic. Saddam Hussein of corruption Iraqi officials say Kadhimi expand illegal settlements in the settlement activity. sibility of a two-state solution The ministry said Turkey that has driven the country into is acceptable to both the United occupied West Bank. In a Turkey’s criticism came a through the persistent expansion rejects all Israeli settlement dysfunction and economic ruin. States and Iran, whose battle statement, the Turkish Foreign day after Israeli Defense Min- of its illegal settlements in Pales- activity, which violates UN res- The battle over gov- for influence over Iraq has Ministry said the move was a ister Naftali Bennet approved tinian territories. olutions, and will always stand ernment portfolios since Abdul boiled into open confrontation “continuation of Israel’s policy the construction of 7,000 illegal It stressed that peace and by its Palestinian brothers and Mahdi’s resignation in in the past year. of occupation and oppression”. settlement units in Efrat, stability were needed more their cause.

Happy reunion A doctor kisses the hand of Palestinian boy Hamza Ali Mohammed, 2, who was treated for a congenital heart disease in a hospital in Israel and separated from his family for two months due to the coronavirus disease lockdown, as he is carried by his mother upon their reunion at a checkpoint near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, yesterday. Iran says virus outbreak ‘relatively stable’ as death toll nears 6,500

AFP & QNA — TEHRAN/KUWAIT as he announced that the latest 6,567. fatalities took the overall death The Ministry had pointed Iran said yesterday its corona- toll to 6,486. out yesterday that there has virus outbreak was “relatively Jahanpour said there were been two new deaths, bringing stable” as it announced another 1,485 new cases of infection, the tally of deaths of COVID-19 68 deaths as well as more than putting the country’s outbreak across the country to 44. 1,000 infections for a fourth total at 103,135. The Kuwaiti health author- straight day. “More than 986 of these ities had announced at an The Islamic republic has individuals had mild to mod- earlier time on Thursday that battled to contain the Middle erate symptoms, or they were there has been 162 new recov- East’s deadliest outbreak of the outpatients, or family members eries, bringing the total of COVID-19 illness since of infected patients,” he said. recoveries in the country to reporting its first cases in Of all those infected, he 2,381. The Minister said mid-February. added, 82,744 people had analyses and medical exami- On Saturday the govern- recovered from the illness and nations and tests proved that ment’s official tally of daily been discharged from hospital. these cases were cured of infections hit 802 — its lowest Doubts have been raised about COVID-19, and the recovered level since March 10. the tolls issued by Iran since it will be transferred to the hos- Iran’s count stayed below announced its first cases on pital recuperation ward, 1,000 again on Sunday, February 19— two deaths in the pending their discharge within however its caseload has Shiite holy city of Qom. the next few days. bounced back up above that Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti The Omani Ministry of mark on each day since then. Ministry of Health reported 278 Health reported 55 new cases Health ministry spokesman new cases of Coronavirus in the of Coronavirus, 15 of which Kianoush Jahanpour said the country during the last 24 were of Omanis and 40 were situation was “relatively stable” hours, bringing the total to of non-Omanis. FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 ISLAM 05 Pious predecessors in Ramadan

SHEIKH SALMAN AL OUDAH

he Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best of my Ummah Twould be those of the generation nearest to mine. Then come those nearest to them; then come those nearest to them” (Bukhari and Muslim). We should see the example of the Prophet (PBUH), his companions, and the earliest generation of Muslims if we want to get the maximum benefit from this blessed month of Ramadan. We will look at some of the things to which our pious predecessors used to pay extra attention during the month of Ramadan.

Reading the Quran Almighty Allah says: “The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed.” (2:185) For that reason, our pious predecessors used to increase their recitation of the Quran in Ramadan. Al Aswad ibn Yazid used to complete reading the entire Quran every two nights in Ramadan. He would sleep between Maghrib prayer and Isha prayer. Outside of Ramadan, he would complete reading the Quran every six nights. Said ibn Jubayr would also com- plete reading the Quran every two nights in Ramadan. It is also narrated that Al Walid used to normally com- plete reading the Quran every three nights, but on the whole, he would complete it 17 times in the month of Ramadan. Al Maziri, the most prominent Qatadah used to read the whole We should see the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), his Maliki jurist of all time, had the fol- Quran every seven days, but in companions, and the earliest generation of Muslims if we want to get lowing observation about this Hadith, Ramadan he would take three days to “It is possible that one is recommended do so. During the last 10 nights of the maximum benefit from this blessed month of Ramadan. to say, “I am fasting; I am fasting,” only Ramadan, he would read the entire to remind him or herself that he or she Quran every night. should refrain from getting engaged in Al Qasim ibn Ali described his rush to prepare food in fear of the than a beneficial breeze.” (Bukhari and before.During the month of Ramadan, the exchange of insults.” father, Ibn Asakir, author of The coming of Fajr.” (Al-Muwatta) Abdur- Muslim) Al Muhallab, a famous Maliki Ibn Shihab Az-Zuhri would engage in Umar ibn Al Khattab said: “In History of Damascus, as follows: “He Rahman ibn Hurmuz said, “The reciters scholar, explained this Hadith, saying, nothing besides reciting the Quran and Ramadan one does not abstain only used to always perform his prayers in (leading the prayers) would complete this shows the blessings of good works providing the poor with food. from eating and drinking but also from congregation, and he was consistent the reading of Surat Al Baqarah in eight and shows that engaging in some good Hammad ibn Abi Sulayman would lying, from uttering falsehood, from in reciting the Quran. rak’ahs (units of prayer). When the deeds opens the door to performing take it upon himself to provide 500 engaging in vain talk, and from He would always complete a reciters took 12 rak’ahs to complete it, others. Doing some good deeds assists people with food enough to break their swearing.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah) reading of the entire Quran by Friday. the people regarded it as if the reciters one in further good works. We can see fast, during the month of Ramadan. Ali ibn Abi Talib said: “Fasting is not to However, in Ramadan, he would do so were making things easy for them.” here that the blessings of fasting and Then, on the day of Eid Al Fitr, he leave off food and drink but rather to every day and retreat to the eastern (Musannaf Abdul Razzaq and Sunan of meeting Jibreel increased the would give each of those people 100 leave off lying, uttering falsehood, and minaret of the mosque. Describing Abu Al Bayhaqi) Nafi reported that Ibn Prophet’s generosity and charity, so pieces of silver. engaging in vain talk.” (Musannaf Ibn Barakat Hibatullah ibn Mahfuz, Adh- Umar used to pray in his house during much so that the Prophet became more Abi Shaybah) Abu Dhar Al Ghifari said: Dhahabi, the prominent scholar wrote, the month of Ramadan. When the generous than a beneficial breeze. Watching one’s tongue “When you fast, be on your guard as “He learned Islamic law and read the people departed from the mosque, he Al Zayn ibn Al Munir explained the Abu Hurairah reported that the much as possible.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Quran. He was known for his charity would go off to the Prophet’s Mosque description “beneficial breeze” as Prophet (PBUH) said: “For those who Shaybah) and his good deeds. with a flask of water. He would not follows: His charity and good treatment do not abandon false speech and false Jabir ibn Abullah said: “When you In the month of Ramadan, he leave the mosque again until after Fajr for those who are the poor and the acts, Allah has no need of their aban- fast, your hearing, your vision, and would read the Quran 30 times.” prayer (Sunan Al Bayhaqi) Imran ibn needy, as well as for those who are doning of food and drink.”(Bukhari) your tongue should also fast by Hudayr narrated that Abu Mijlaz would well-off and possess sufficient means, Al Muhallab made the following avoiding lies and sins. You should not Night vigil prayer lead the prayers in Ramadan for the are as general as the relief brought by observation about this Hadith: “This abuse your servant. Al Saib ibn Yazid said, “Umar ibn people in his neighborhood. He would a beneficial breeze. shows that fasting entails refraining from You should maintain your com- Al Khattab ordered Ubayy ibn Ka’ab recite the whole Quran in prayer in the After Maghrib prayer, Ibn Umar obscene and false speech, just as it entails posure and dignity on the day you fast. Do and Tamim Ad-Dari to lead the people course of seven days (Musannaf Ibn used to break his fast only in the refraining from food and drink. Those not make your fasting day the same as your in prayer in Ramadan. They would Abi Shaybah). company of the poor. Whenever who engage in false or obscene speech normal day.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah) each read hundreds of verses at a go, Ibn Abbas reported, “Allah’s Mes- someone came to him while he was detract from the value of their fast. They Abu Hurairah said: “When you fast, do not until we had to support ourselves with senger (PBUH) was the most generous eating and asked him for something, expose themselves to their Lord’s dis- act in an ignorant manner and do not canes because of the length of time we of all people in doing good, and he was he would take from his food what he pleasure and to the possibility of their insult people. If someone acts ignorantly had to stand. We would only finish at his most generosity during the deemed to be the beggar’s rightful fast to be unaccepted. toward you, say, ‘I am fasting’.” (Musannaf praying close to the time of Fajr month of Ramadan. Jibreel (Angel share. Then he would stand up and The Prophet said: “If someone of Abdul Razzaq) Mujahid said: “If you avoid prayer.” (Musannaf Abdul Razzaq and Gabriel) used to meet with him every leave the rest of the food for that you starts off the day fasting, they two things, then your fast will be all right. Sunan Al Bayhaqi) Abdullah ibn Abu year throughout the month of person. He would then take what was should avoid obscene speech and You must avoid backbiting and lying.” Abu Bakr narrated that he heard his father Ramadan, so that the Prophet could in his hand and give it to his family, so ignorant behaviour. If someone abuses Al Aaliyah added, “A fasting person is say, “By the time we finished our recite the Quran to him. that when he woke up in the next them or starts to fight with them, they engaged in worship as long as he or she prayers (i.e. night vigil prayer) in Whenever Jibreel met with him, he morning to resume his fast, he would should reply by saying, “I am fasting; does not backbite someone.” Ramadan, the servants would have to (the Prophet) became more generous not have eaten anything the night I am fasting.” (Muslim) (From islamtoday.com)

The prisoners were treated with kindness and Battle of Badr and its significance some became Muslims. In later days some of the ADNAN KHAN Mohammad (peace be upon prisoners said: “Blessed him) with nasr (victory) with the amadan is more than a establishment of the Islamic be the men of Madinah, month of ibadah with State in Madinah, at the heart they made us ride whilst Rhistory showing the first of the Arabian Peninsula. they walked, they gave us generation of Muslims achieved The Quraysh did not give up wheat and bread to eat great victories during this their pursuit of the Muslims and blessed month. the establishment of the Islamic when there was little of All civilizations have state in Madinah only infuriated it contenting themselves seminal events that echo them further. The Prophet with plain dates.” throughout the ages and are (peace be upon him) not content celebrated and remembered on with merely establishing Islam, anniversaries. The two World organised expeditions to and began to retreat. The Wars are remembered regularly strengthen the Islamic state, and bravery and skill of Muslim sol- in Europe, it is considered a key thus Islam. diers under the leadership of the part of Western history. Mean- These expeditions included Prophet Muhammad (peace be while, the fall of the Berlin Wall sending military expeditions; upon him) and the sight of so is seen as a key victory for signing treaties with warring many angels struck terror in the Capitalism. tribes; and securing key trade enemies’ hearts. Seventy-two Similarly the Ummah also routes all of which contributed Kuffar in total were killed has many events which all to strengthening Muslims and literature has been written on battle of Ain jiloot (650 Hijri). Walid came to challenge three including their leader Abu Jahl. Muslims are taught at a young keeping the Quraysh of Makkah Islamic conquests focusing on ‘Ansars’ from Madinah. The Fourteen Muslims were mar- age and have come to define the at bay. strategy many victories The Battle of Badr Quraysh refused to fight any of tyred. Seventy prisoners were Ummah. In the month of The Prophet (peace be upon occurred during Ramadan due Regarding the Battle of the ‘Ansars’, demanding their taken by the Muslims. Ramadan many of these key him) organised eight expedi- to the focus of the Ummah on Badr, Allah Almighty said in the ‘equals’ and so the Prophet The prisoners were treated events took place which shaped tions within a year of estab- Allah Almighty and this Quran: “Indeed Allah assisted (peace be upon him) sent with kindness and some the Ummah and have played a lishing the Islamic state in removed fear from the hearts you at Badr when you were Ubayda, Hamza and Ali (may became Muslims. In later days key role in shaping its psyche. Madinah. The last included a of the Muslims. This is why weak, so be careful (to your Allah be pleased with them). some of the prisoners said: While many are familiar key trade route which was used some of the greatest victories duty) to Allah so that you may The three Kuffar were killed “Blessed be the men of Madinah, with the events of the Battle of by the Quraysh to traverse the in Islam occurred during be of the thankful ones. When (Ubayda was hurt). The Quraysh they made us ride whilst they Badr, its wider political context desserts of Arabia to Al Sham Ramadan such as the conquest you said to the believers ‘Does got disturbed and began walked, they gave us wheat and and the values that drove the (Syria) in order to transport its of Makkah (8 Hijri), the con- it not suffice you that your Lord attacking en-masse. In the thick bread to eat when there was Ummah to achieve this first largest caravans, essential for quest of Rhodes (53 Hijri), the should assist you with three of the battle, the Prophet prayed little of it contenting themselves battle of the Muslims, against the economies at the time. It successful landing of Muslims thousand angels sent down.” to Allah. In Surat Al Anfal Allah with plain dates.” The rich pris- all odds, makes the victory of was the interception of this on the coast of Spain (91 Hijri), (Qur’an, 3:123) Almighty gave the answer: oners paid ransom and were set Badr a seminal event. caravan by the Muslims that the victory by Tarik Ibn Zayed The two armies met at Badr “When you asked for help from free. Others were asked to gain After 13 years of struggling turned into the now famous against the King of Spain (92 on 17th Ramadan, 2 AH. In the your Lord, He answered you. their freedom by teaching 10 in Makkah, following numerous battle of Badr. Hijri), the victory of Salahuddin beginning as per Arab custom, Indeed I will aid you with a Muslims to read and write. The meetings with various tribes This victory led the Ummah against invading crusaders (584 single combat (one to one) took thousand of the angels in rows Battle of Badr strengthened the and after much persecution and to make Ramadan the month of Hijri), and Mamluk’s victory place. The famous Quraysh behind rows.” (Quran, 8:9) faith of the Muslims. boycott, Allah blessed Prophet great change. While much versus invading Tatars in the warriors Utbah, Shayba and The enemies got frightened Courtesy: khilafah.com 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 Africa CDC rejects Tanzania’s claim that its virus tests faulty

REUTERS — ADDIS ABABA in charge of testing was sus- from the Jack Ma Foundation pended. The President did not that have been validated and The head of the Africa Centres say why the authorities had proven to be very, very for Disease Control (CDC) and been initially suspicious of the reliable,” Nkengasong said. Prevention yesterday rejected tests. Hassan Abbas, Tanzania’s an assertion by Tanzania’s pres- “The tests that Tanzania is chief government spokesman, ident that coronavirus tests it using, we know they are said the government had supplied are faulty. working very well,” John Nken- formed a team of experts to Tanzania’s government gasong told journalists. examine the lab that conducted spokesman said a team was The Africa CDC, along with the tests, and it would give the conducting investigations on the Jack Ma Foundation, a outcome of the results once the laboratory that conducted charity founded by the Chinese completed. the tests, and the outcome will billionaire, supplied the tests, “What the president said be made public once complete. Nkengasong said. was based on initial tests run by The World Health Organization Ma, founder of Alibaba using animals... to test the expressed confidence in the Group, has donated thousands veracity of the test results,” tests. of tests kits, masks and pro- Abbas said. On Sunday, Tanzanian Pres- tective gear to African nations “Our worry was based on South African soldiers climb into an armoured personnel carrier during a patrol to enforce level 4 ident John Magufuli said the and the equipment is being used empirical findings. Once the lockdown regulations to help curb the spread of COVID-19, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, yesterday. imported test kits were faulty across the continent. No other team finalises its work we will after they had returned positive countries have made public know the gravity of the lapses results on a goat and a pawpaw complaints about the tests. in the machines.” most recent day the gov- criticism from the country’s the media: “We are convinced — among several non-human “We are very instrumental Tanzania, where places of ernment released figures. opposition that the government that the tests that have been samples submitted for testing, in training, providing training worship remain open, has at Almost all other African is being secretive. provided... both through pro- with technicians left deliber- to nearly all countries and pro- least 480 confirmed cases and nations release daily reports on Asked about Tanzania’s curement through WHO and ately unaware of their origins. viding them with test kits. We’ve 18 deaths, the fourth highest the latest tallies on infections, questioning of the tests, WHO those that came through Jack The next day, the head of also in the last couple of weeks case load in Eastern Africa. But fatalities and recoveries. Tan- Africa head Matshidiso Moeti Ma donations, were not con- the national health laboratory and months distributed tests the data is from Sunday, the zania’s lag has prompted said on a teleconference with taminated with the virus.” 30 die in South Darfur tribal clashes Senegal court upholds ban on AFP — KHARTOUM killed at night and then 21 supporting the rebels . About people were killed in renewed 300,000 people have been repatriating virus Thirty people were killed in clashes on Wednesday killed and 2.5 million displaced tribal clashes that erupted in morning. The situation is in the conflict, the United dead Sudan’s South Darfur province, extremely on edge, but fighting Nations says. South Darfur’s Prime Minister Abdalla stopped as night fell,” said the governor Khaled Hashem told AFP — DAKAR Hamdok’s office said on source, who wanted to remain reporters on Wednesday that Wednesday in a brief statement. anonymous. military troops were being Senegal’s Supreme Court “South Darfur’s governor Tensions between Arab and deployed to the region to quell yesterday upheld a ban on presented a detailed report African tribes in Darfur date the outbreak of violence. repatriating the bodies of about the situation in the back to 2003, when ethnic The current transitional citizens living abroad who province which showed that minority rebels took up arms government has sought to turn have died of coronavirus, clashes erupting between tribal against the then Arab-domi- the page on Bashir’s three rejecting a plea from their elements saw 30 deaths,” it nated government of since- decades of iron-fisted rule, distraught relatives. said. ousted president Omar Al which ended when he was A group of families with A tribal source said the Bashir, accusing it of margin- overthrown in mass protests in dead relatives abroad had bloody fighting between the Al alising the region economically April last year. sought to overturn the ban on Raziqat (Arab) and Al Falata and politically. One way they want to do the grounds that it violated (African) tribes was sparked by Khartoum then applied this is by bringing an end to the their right to mourn and Yemen imposes virus curfew a dispute over stolen what rights groups say was a multiple ethnic conflicts that practise religion in the Security men wearing protective masks stand in a street during a livestock. scorched-earth policy against have dogged Sudan since inde- Muslim-majority West African 24-hour curfew over COVID-19, in Sana'a, Yemen, on Wednesday. “Nine people were initially ethnic groups suspected of pendence in 1956. country. Senegal’s government had ruled out bringing back the bodies to stem the spread of Monitor: IS Libyan official: 5 killed, dozens hurt in Tripoli shelling the virus. Family members have said attack kills 11 AP — CAIRO Libya has been in turmoil Haftar’s artillery on constitute crimes under the that around 80 Senegalese since 2011, when a civil war Wednesday hit two Tripoli Rome Statute that established have died from COVID-19 Syrian regime, Artillery shelling by Libya’s toppled long-time dictator neighbourhoods, Tajoura and the ICC, she said, adding that overseas, including 40 in eastern-based forces killed five Muammar Gaddafi, who was Abu Salim, according to Amin military commanders will be France alone. allied fighters civilians and wounded dozens later killed. The country has Al Hashemi, the Health Minis- held accountable for crimes Yesterday, their lawyers in the capital, Tripoli, an official since 2015 been split between try’s spokesman with the committed by their forces. said that the Supreme Court’s AFP — BEIRUT with the country’s rival administrations in the east Tripoli-based government. The fighting over Tripoli has decision had caused deep UN-supported government said and the west, each backed by Children and paramedics were intensified in recent weeks distress. An attack by the Islamic State yesterday. armed groups supported by an among the 46 civilians despite UN calls for a cease-fire They had argued during group in the Syrian desert It was the latest attack on array of foreign powers. wounded in the shelling, al to allow authorities to focus on the proceedings that the health yesterday killed 11 government Tripoli by the eastern forces’ Meanwhile, a report by UN Hashemi added. curbing the spread of the coro- risk of bringing back bodies and allied fighters, a moni- commander Khalifa Haftar, experts monitoring sanctions Earlier this week, the Inter- navirus. Libya has so far was “non-existent,” and that toring group said. who launched a push last year against Libya obtained earlier national Criminal Court’s pros- recorded 64 virus cases, the ban infringed religious The fighters died in an to capture the city. The fighting, this week said that a private ecutor Fatou Bensouda said her including three deaths. rights. attack on their vehicle which has killed hundreds of Russian security company has office is working on new arrest The pandemic could pos- Senegal has so far been between Al Sokhna and Al civilians and displaced tens of provided between 800 and warrants for possible war sibly devastate war-torn Libya, spared a coronavirus outbreak Shula in the area straddling thousands, has mostly stale- 1,200 mercenaries to support crimes committed in Libya. where conflict has created dire on a par with those in Europe Homs and Deir Ezzor prov- mated in recent months. Haftar’s offensive on the capital. Attacks on civilians may medical shortages. or the United States. inces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the UK-based moni- At least 65 killed in flooding, toring organisation, could not immediately provide further landslides in Rwanda details, but warned that the casualty toll could rise. AP — KIGALI, RWANDA people dead from last night’s There was no immediate heavy rains. We urge people to claim from IS, which disinte- At least 65 people are dead leave risk areas,” the ministry grated last year but has con- after flooding and landslides in tweeted. The flooding and tinued to conduct frequent Rwanda, officials said mudslides swept away bridges guerrilla-style attacks in yesterday after overnight heavy and left some roads eastern Syria. rains. Nearly 100 homes were inaccessible. At least 27 government and washed away. The landslides The floods have also allied fighters were killed in were still occurring in the affected the region. In Kenya, an attack by the group in the morning in Gakenke district in the government has recorded same desert area a month ago. the mountainous northwest, 194 deaths in the past few IS has also carried out resident Gilbert Mugabo said. weeks. Meteorologists in deadly attacks in Iraq in recent The East African nation has Rwanda predict that the heav- weeks. seen dozens of deaths caused ier-than-usual rains will con- Observers have warned by torrential rains in recent tinue and warn people to that border closures and mobi- weeks but Wednesday night’s relocate from risk-prone areas. lisation of security resources Gaza police graduation downpour was the worst in The capital, Kigali, and due to the coronavirus pan- months, the ministry of emer- northern Rwanda are particu- A Palestinian Hamas police cadet fires a weapon as he demonstrates his skills during a graduation demic could give rise to a gency management said. larly hilly and vulnerable to ceremony at Police Academy in Gaza City, yesterday. surge in IS attacks. “We have so far counted 65 landslides. The group, which once administered a proto-state the size of Great Britain, no longer has fixed positions, but it still Lesotho’s ruling party to form new govt to oust embattled PM has hundreds of fighters hun- kered down in desert hideouts. AFP — MASERU, LESOTHO Ruling party officials and After that parliament will relay as prime minister,” Thabane when she was gunned down Two members of the opposition groups have piled the information to the Council said in an address to the nation, outside her home in the capital Kurdish-led Syrian Demo- Lesotho’s ruling party yesterday pressure on Thabane to leave of State, which advises without setting a clear date. Maseru, just two days before her cratic Forces were also killed told parliament it was quitting office earlier over allegations Lesotho’s King Letsie III. “I have always been con- husband’s inauguration in June in a suspected IS attack in a coalition government and he had a hand in the 2017 The Council of State is then sistent that it is my wish to retire 2017. Police have since found Baghouz, near the border with forming a new one with an murder of his estranged wife -- legally obliged to ask the king from office by the 31st of July, Thabane’s mobile number in Iraq, the Observatory said. opposition party, a move likely a case that has gripped the tiny to appoint a new prime minister 2020, or earlier... if all the nec- communications records from Such attacks against the to lead to the ousting of southern African nation. — choosing a member of par- essary conditions for my the crime scene — prompting SDF have been frequent in the embattled Prime Minister “A letter informing the liament backed by the majority retirement are put in place,” he rivals within the ABC to demand Baghouz area. The Syrian gov- Thomas Thabane. speaker of the national of MPs. added. his immediate resignation. ernment has recorded 44 The All Basotho Convention assembly that we are no longer Earlier yesterday, the The Prime Minister said the Last week, the ABC rejected COVID-19 cases, including Party (ABC) joined hands with part of government was handed 80-year old Thabane repeated decision was “voluntary” as he a demand for immunity from three deaths in areas under its the Democratic Congress (DC) over to the speaker today,” ABC his intention to retire by the end was “no longer as energetic” prosecution after Thabane steps control, while the Kurdish party and started the process spokesman Montoeli Masoetsa of July this year on the grounds due to his age. down. The prime minister’s administration in northeastern shortly after Thabane reiterated said. of “old age”. Thabane and his previous current wife Maesaiah Thabane Syria has reported three cases, his intention to retire by the end “We expect him to read the “I wish to once again wife Lipolelo Thabane, 58, were is deemed a co-conspirator in including one death. of July. letter tomorrow,” he added. reaffirm my decision to retire going through a bitter divorce the murder case. FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 ASIA 07 South Korean findings suggest ‘reinfected’ virus cases are false positives

REUTERS — SEOUL The RT-PCR machine itself cannot distinguish an infectious viral particle versus a non- South Korean health authorities raised new concerns about the infectious virus particle, as the test simply novel coronavirus after detects any viral component: Seol Dai-Wu reporting last month that dozens of patients who had recovered from the illness later While officials examined “The RT-PCR machine itself tested positive again. several possible explanations, cannot distinguish an infectious The findings suggested that including reinfection of patients, viral particle versus a non- some people who survived or reactivation of the virus, an infectious virus particle, as the COVID-19 could become rein- expert panel convened by the test simply detects any viral fected with the virus that causes government concluded last component,” Seol said. it, potentially complicating week that the most likely expla- This so-called false positive efforts to lift quarantine restric- nation was that the tests are result is likely behind the cases tions and to produce a vaccine. returning “false positives”. of recovered patients testing The National Museum of Korea is re-opened to public with low coronavirus cases during the novel But after weeks of research, South Korea uses reverse positive again, the KCDC says. coronavirus pandemic in Seoul, yesterday. they now say that such test transcription polymerase chain Authorities are still gath- results appear to be “false pos- reaction (RT-PCR) tests, which ering evidence to support their itives” caused by lingering — but detect the coronavirus’s genetic theory that the particles are Patients who tested positive before reliable results become viruses (HIV), coronavirus does likely not infectious — bits of the material. from “dead” virus cells, KCDC for the new coronavirus after evident. not infiltrate into the host cell’s virus. The RT-PCR process can director Jeong Eun-Kyeong said. recovering from COVID-19 do All 29 completed culture nucleus. South Korea had reported quickly return results and is The patients were retested not appear to be infectious. tests as of Wednesday had come That means it does not more than 350 such cases as of considered the most accurate after they either exhibited new The KCDC has not found a back negative. At least 79 are cause chronic infection and Wednesday, according to the way to find out if a patient is respiratory symptoms, or were single case where such being processed. chances of it reactivating are Korea Centers for Disease infected with the coronavirus. selected for retesting by patients had passed the coro- “The virus in the relapse very low, he said at a briefing Control and Prevention (KCDC). But in some cases, the tests authorities. navirus to another person, cases have little to no infec- last week. As more and more South may detect old particles of the Less than half of those Jeong said. tiousness,” Jeong said. Authorities are also con- Koreans were released from virus, which may no longer pose retested by mid-April were When investigating people Oh Myoung-don, a doctor ducting tests to detect the treatment for COVID-19, a significant threat to the patient showing symptoms, according who appear to suffer a relapse at Seoul National University presence of any antibodies that authorities discovered a dis- or others, said Seol Dai-Wu, an to the KCDC, but authorities of symptoms after recovering Hospital who is leading the may have developed to fight the turbing trend. Some ostensibly expert in vaccine development now say it is unlikely that those from COVID-19, the KCDC takes panel of experts investigating virus, and are testing and mon- cured patients were later testing at Seoul’s Chung-Ang symptoms were being caused cultures of the virus, a process the cases, said unlike hepatitis itoring people who came into positive again. University. by the virus. that takes more than two weeks B or human immunodeficiency contact with the patients.

Carved stone turtle India launches massive operation to evacuate citizens unearthed from ANATOLIA — NEW DELHI flag-carrier Air India, said. shared. The rescue work will go the navy spokesperson tweeted. quarantine cost only after we Angkor reservoir site The first flight will arrive in on till May 15,” T Praveen This is the biggest evacu- reach India. Some people here India started to evacuate 14,800 India this afternoon from Bang- Keerthi, an Air India Com- ation after the 1990 evacuation have been barely surviving as AP — PHNOM PENH citizens stranded abroad ladesh’s capital Dhaka. mander, said. when Air India flew back 0.17 their money ran out, now we yesterday in one of the biggest Flights from India will go to Meanwhile, the Indian Navy million from Kuwait during the are being asked for this hidden Cambodian archaeologists operations of its kind. the US, the Philippines, Sin- has initiated Operation Gulf War. amount? This is troubling,” have unearthed a large Some 64 flights will bring gapore, Bangladesh, UAE, UK, Samudra Setu (Sea Bridge) to The cost of the journey home Vanita Iyer, a traveller currently centuries-old statue of a turtle home the people caught amid Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, evacuate Indian citizens in West will have to be borne by the pas- stranded in Manila, Philippines, in an excavation at the famous coronavirus restrictions in an Phillippines, Oman, Bahrain, Asia and the Maldives. sengers. Tickets for the flights said. Angkor temple complex in the operation dubbed Vande Bharat and Kuwait. “Indian Navy ship INS are higher than normal rates and The government has also country’s northwest. Mission by Indian government. “Medical screening of pas- Jalashwa reaches Male for the thus many, who are stranded, made it mandatory for eve- The 56-by-93 centimeter More than 0.3 million sengers would be done before evacuation of Indian nationals are now in a state of fix. ryone, taking the special flights, carved stone turtle believed to Indians have requested for a taking the flight. Only asymp- as part of the program. The ship Passengers also pointed out to install the Indian govern- date from the 10th century was flight to return. tomatic passengers would be will leave for Kochi (in Kerala) the hidden costs involved in the ment’s COVID-19 mobile appli- discovered on Wednesday “The first flight will take off allowed to travel,” according to tomorrow carrying around 700 evacuation as they are made to cation, Aarogya Setu. during the digging at what was for Singapore at 11pm on a press release issued by the Indians, High Commission of sign a document saying they are As per the Johns Hopkins the site of a small temple that Thursday, touching base at Ministry of Home Affairs. India in the Maldives is coordi- willing to bear the expense of University, India now has had been built on Srah Srang, 7.30am local time,” Sameek “The schedule for the evac- nating final arrangements for quarantine upon their return. 53,045 confirmed cases one of Angkor’s several Bhattacharya, a spokesman for uation has been prepared and emigration and local transport,” “We will get to know the including 1,787 deaths. reservoirs. Researchers pinpointed where the temple had been Indonesia summons Chinese envoy and workers drained water off to enable the dig, which began over burials at sea on fishing fleet on March 16, said Mao Sokny, head of the excavation team of the Apsara Authority, a gov- REUTERS — JAKARTA news conference that three ernment agency that oversees Indonesian crew members had the Angkor archaeological site. Indonesia has summoned died aboard Chinese-flagged The bottom half of the turtle China’s ambassador to clarify fishing vessels since December remained buried while prepa- the deaths of four Indonesian and had been buried at sea. rations were being made to lift crew from two Chinese-flagged “One crew member died it out without damaging it. vessels, Indonesia’s foreign and was buried at sea on March Angkor was strongly influ- ministry said yesterday, after 31. In December 2019, two enced by Hindu culture, and as rights groups alleged the crew other crew members...died and a result, when a temple or other were mistreated and exploited. were also buried at sea,” important structure was built, The ministry issued a Marsudi said, adding that sacred objects would often be statement after a video was cir- another crew member crew buried in the ground under- culated on social media, died onshore of pneumonia in neath as a gesture to ensure appearing to show a burial at a hospital in the South Korean safety and good fortune. In sea aboard a Chinese-flagged port of Busan. several Asian cultures, turtles ship. The footage showed a Marsudi said she had are seen as symbols of lon- group of men praying around asked Xiao Qian, Chiana’s gevity and prosperity. an orange body bag before it ambassador to Indonesia, for The dig also discovered was tossed into the ocean. clarification of whether the some other rare artifacts. A Chinese embassy official burials had been carried out The Angkor complex is in Jakarta did not immediately at sea in accordance with Cambodia’s biggest tourist respond to a request for International Labour Organ- attractions, as well as a Unesco comment after the ambassador ization (ILO) rules and World Heritage site and a Smokes rise from an LG Polymers plant following a gas leak incident in Visakhapatnam, yesterday. was summoned. whether “unsuitable” condi- symbol of national pride that Indonesian Foreign Min- tions on board the vessels is emblazoned on the Cam- Gas leak at Indian chemical plant kills 11 ister Retno Marsudi later told a contributed to the deaths. bodian flag.

AFP — VISAKHAPATNAM and panic. People were unable in the central Indian city of to breathe, they were gasping Bhopal in 1984. Turkey provides food to needy Bangladeshis Eleven people were killed and for air. Those who were trying Around 3,500 people, hundreds hospitalised after a to escape collapsed on the mainly in shanties around the ANATOLIA — DHAKA ambassador in Dhaka, while the deprived people in Bang- pre-dawn gas leak at a roads - kids, women and all,” plant operated by Union addressing the handover ladesh face, he added: “We chemical plant in eastern India local resident Kumar Reddy, 24, Carbide, died in the days that A Turkish relief association ceremony. know it is the poor and the yesterday that left unconscious told reporters. followed and thousands more donated yesterday food In total, 4,000 families have underprivileged who have been victims lying in the streets, Local police commissioner in the following years. People packages in Bangladesh for been supported in these dif- hit hardest by this health and authorities said. R K Meena, said that by yes- still suffer its after-effects now. 1,000 needy families. ficult times of pandemic, he economic crisis during the Fears that the death toll terday afternoon 11 people had “I pray for everyone’s safety The food items provided by added. COVID-19 pandemic.” from the incident on the out- been confirmed dead. and well-being in Visakhap- Yardimeli International On April 23, the Turkish The CGSD authorities skirts of the Visakhapatnam, an B K Naik, district hospitals atnam,” Prime Minister Humanitarian Aid Association Cooperation and Coordination expressed gratitude to the industrial port city in Andhra coordinator, said 1,000 had ini- Narendra Modi said on Twitter. were handed over to the Agency (TIKA), Disaster and Turkish government for their Pradesh state, might rise sig- tially been hospitalised but by the The plant, operated by LG authorities of a Bangladeshi Emergency Management Pres- continued assistance to Bangla- nificantly were not borne out afternoon around 600 remained Polymers, a subsidiary of LG educational institute Chittagong idency, Turkish Red Crescent deshi distressed people as well however. receiving treatment, with none Chem, is on the outskirts of Grammar School-Dhaka and Turkiye Diyanet Foun- as destitute worldwide during the The gas escaped out of in a critical condition. Visakhapatnam. (CGSD). dation donated food packages prevailing lethal pandemic. tanks at a complex owned by “This is a calamity,” Naik The city and the sur- The aid will be delivered to to 3,000 deprived families in “1,000 deprived families South Korea’s LG Chem that said. rounding area are home to the needy families whose kids Dhaka through Dhaka North will greatly benefit from these had suspended operations Pictures taken at the King around five million people. are attending the CGSD Com- City Corporation. basic food items — rice, cooking because of India’s coronavirus George Hospital in the city early LG Chem released a munity School in the capital On April 29, TIKA also oil, gram pulses, etc. — during lockdown. in the day had shown two or statement in South Korea that Dhaka and the southern port donated 5,000 personal care this period and we are grateful Footage on Indian tele- three patients on each bed, the “gas leak situation is now city of Chittagong. packages for the Rohingya ref- to the Turkish government for vision channels showed people, many of them children, and under control”. “This is the second time our ugees in Cox’s Bazar. the help,” Asia Alam Chow- including women and children, several unconscious. The plant had been left idle embassy is providing food to “Turkey will continue to dhury, head of CGSD, said. slumped motionless in the The incident had echoes of because of the coronavirus underprivileged families in stand by the government and The South Asian nation has streets after locals raised the one of the worst industrial dis- lockdown, according to Swaroop Bangladesh during the holy the people of Bangladesh as so far confirmed 12,425 infec- alarm in the early hours. asters in history when gas Rani, an assistant police commis- month of Ramadan,” said always,” Turan said. tions, with the death toll at 186. “There was utter confusion leaked from a pesticide plant sioner in Visakhapatnam. Mustafa Osman Turan, Turkey’s Underlining the hardships It has conducted 105,511 tests. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

EDITORIAL A health care worker controls temperatures of drivers and passengers in Antalya after the Turkish government lifted the coronavirus travel restrictions for 7 cities namely Antalya, Aydin, Erzurum, Hatay, Malatya, Mersin, and Mugla. Qatar’s success against COVID-19 Coronavirus and Family: A strong castle QATAR’S strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed over 260,000 people worldwide, has Today, it is no longer the concern of many This recent COVID-19 pandemic has been very effective. It’s mortality rate of 0.06 percent — people, particularly young people: simply, shown not only how a warm stable 12 deaths out of 18,890 confirmed cases to date — is it has no meaning in their lives because family is of vital importance and the lowest among the countries with major outbreaks. they believe that the family life imposes Experts have attributed this low mortality rate to Qatar’s restrictions on them and brings many becomes a safe haven, as well as a efficient and well-equipped healthcare system and the responsibilities and that it is too hard to center for psychological rehabilitation country’s timely action and well-coordinated response manage family life and children dues to the in the difficult times, but also how its

to the outbreak. PROF. ALI GUNES economic hardship, which negatively roles never become out of date. The healthcare network of Qatar, home to a large ANATOLIA influences the majority of people across the expatriate population, has also been lauded by the foreign world. Thus, today many young people are diplomats and the UN representatives for providing quality The world is grappling with the corona- not willing to marry at all or postpone their healthcare to all, and discriminating against no one. virus (COVID-19) pandemic that emerged marriage till the late age, and also, the The outbreak is currently passing through the peak in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December divorce rate is, unfortunately, getting phase in Qatar and the region, with thousands of new 2019. It has hit many countries across the higher and higher every day, further shat- cases reported in recent weeks. Health authorities in world and caused the death of thousands tering the basis of the family institute and some people have had to take unpaid Qatar have also expanded contacttracing and testing. and thousands of people without distin- undermining the basis of stable societies. leave, and the salaries of many others More than 116,495 people have so far been tested for guishing between the rich and the poor, the But this recent COVID-19 pandemic has have been reduced due to the lockdown COVID-19 in the country. old and the young, and so on. It is not only shown not only how a warm stable family of many businesses. Governments across The coronavirus testing is set to expand further as fair but also too dangerous. Since it started is of vital importance and becomes a safe the world, including the Turkish gov- the Ministry of Public Health has embarked on conducting five months ago, medical experts, health haven, as well as a center for psychological ernment, are doing their best to help hundreds of random tests in various areas to assess the experts, and many others have been trying rehabilitation in the difficult times, but also those people in need. However, it is not spread of the virus in the community. In the first phase, to develop vaccines throughout the world how its roles never become out of date. always easy to meet the rising demand the Ministry is conducting 2,500 random, drive-through to fight the deadly virus, and sometimes we During this pandemic, which has visibly and respond to everyone’s call so that the tests at three health centers. hear the good news that the vaccine is imprisoned almost all the people in their family institute plays an important role to People from different age, gender and ethnic groups hopefully on its way, in a couple of months. homes, well-established decent family life support in two ways those family are being tested under the initiative which will help inform On the other hand, administrators, rulers, may play the ensuing three roles as in the members who face difficulty. In the first policy decisions in the fight against COVID-19. This will politicians, in cooperation with their coun- past. place, family members support each also help detect asymptomatic cases. The authorities terparts in other countries, have taken on First, it appears that the family turns other financially; they share what they also opened a drive-through COVID-19 testing facility the responsibility for organizing health out to be a place for the uplifting emotional have until the pandemic is over so that last month. services, treating the infected people, and psychological spirit. For example, the the spirit of solidarity, sharing and pro- More than 2,200 people have already fully recovered managing economy, helping those who are virus spreads very fast, causing people to tecting each other, and belonging to a from the infection, while majority of the active cases are finally disadvantaged, those who have lost be locked at home. They are bored and feel stable castle enables them to stand on stable and in good condition. With increased testing and their jobs, after having to impose a curfew, that their free movements are limited. They their feet and survive in these tough stringent preventive measures adopted by the public applying quarantine and bringing limita- listen to the TV news all the time which times. In the second place, the families, and private sectors, health officials are confident to flatten tions to some actions of the daily life. constantly gives information about the living in different places, unite and start the curve of the coronavirus spread very soon. However, the virus not only kills people number of death all over the world, fright- living together as extended families. In As part of the national efforts against the pandemic, but it also affects people psychologically, ening them, giving them a sense that they this way, they reduce the cost of living authorities have put special emphasis on protection of who strive to survive, who stay home in the are not secure and they will be locked at and the cost of rent along with the cost of migrant workers in the country, both from the COVID-19 quarantine, who are economically home for a long time. Hence we hear the gas, electricity, and water whose prices infection and the negative economic effects of the global deprived of certain necessities of life and news of many psychological complaints in have dramatically gone up during the health crisis. who have lost their jobs. It seems that one Turkey and elsewhere. A warm, solid pandemic. As in the past, therefore, the Representatives of expat communities, international of the challenges that influence the people family life with good relations will help extended family structure relieves the labour leaders as well as labour attaches of a number of during the pandemic and will continue to lessen the gravity of the mental distur- burden of tension and pressure imposed countries have praised the efforts by the Qatari authorities do so in the post-pandemic period is the bance. Family members will help and not only on individuals in need but also on to safeguard the interests of migrant workers in the country. psychological problems caused by anxiety. support each other, they will talk and listen society that strives to do its best to protect Parts of the Industrial Area, where a large number of Numerous people will undergo this mental to each other, they will joke and laugh the life of the people during this hardship. workers live and work and where several streets had disorder so that the experts have already together, they will tell stories, eat together Finally, the roles above that a good been closed to prevent the spread of the virus, reopened started talking not only about the negative and spend time together, encouraging each family puts into practice link the distressed on Wednesday after weeks of sterilization campaign and psychic effect of the virus many already other not only to forget the anxious feeling people to the future during this hardship health checks, signifying the effectiveness of Qatar’s suffer but also about the possible ways of of the time but also to give them an insight not only by adding meaning and value to strategy against COVID-19. treatment. Of them, psychological coun- into the view that life continues and that life but also by having their spirits lifted. To seling comes first. But a warm uplifting these hard times will pass soon. illustrate, this pandemic descends all of us family life also equally plays an important Secondly, the family becomes a strong into a mood of pessimism, resulting in a role in curing the psychological sickness. source of financial and physical support bleak vision about the future. The family institution has undergone during the time of the pandemic. As we dramatic changes and has lost its impor- hear on the TVs and see around us, for The author is a professor of English Literature D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR tance since the industrial revolution. instance, many people have lost their jobs; at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. EMAIL: [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Inflation is the way to pay off coronavirus debt NOAH SMITH Americans owe to each other. to pay down debt before they’re deserve bailouts more than MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 BLOOMBERG But it does indicate that the able to start investing and others, and many will be modern economy is built on a expanding again. Debt will resentful at the eventual allo- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 The coronavirus pandemic and sort of just-in-time financial likewise hold companies back cation of government largesse. the depression that follows will supply chain, in which the sol- from changing their business Fighting over the spoils could LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 leave the US with a lot of vency of businesses and house- models to better fit the demands in turn make bailouts much unpayable debts. Consumers holds depends on the prompt of the post-pandemic economy. smaller than they ought to be; BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 who lose their jobs will have arrival of a vast number of Workers burdened by debt will this happened in 2009, when difficulty making payments on debt-service payments from have a harder time switching Tea Party anger steered the SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 credit cards, auto loans and other businesses and house- jobs or going back to school, government away from bailing student loans. Businesses that holds. Disrupt that delicate web making the labor market less out most homeowners. ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 lose sales will default on loans and much economic activity efficient at allocating talent to But there’s another way email: [email protected] and bonds. can grind to a halt. This is where it needs to go. that the government can shrink In a bygone era when the probably why asset bubbles Bailouts are one potential the mountain of debt weighing PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 economy was less dependent hurt the economy a lot more solution. By turning business down the US economy: email: [email protected] on a web of debt obligations, when they’re accompanied by and household debt into gov- inflation. Because most interest this might not have mattered as high levels of debt. Corona- ernment debt, the Treasury can payments are fixed in nominal ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 much. But the US economy has virus, of course, will be worse effectively consolidate the terms, inflation makes existing FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] loaded up on debt over the than any asset bubble. complex web of debt into a debt less important in real years: The damage to the web of simpler relationship. But terms. Raising the long-term CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 This doesn’t mean that the debt will hamper the US econ- bailouts will inevitably be polit- inflation target from the current email: [email protected] US is living beyond its means; omy’s recovery. Businesses that icized, as they were in the 2% to a still-modest 4% would the vast majority of this bor- survive with diminished aftermath of the 2008 crisis; substantially increase the rate at SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 rowing is money that revenue will struggle for years everyone will argue that they which debt effectively vanishes. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar Britain would advance with maximum /ThePeninsulaQatar caution and be guided by the science /Peninsula_Qatar and data when considering whether any of the strict social distancing /ThePeninsulaNewspaper measures could be eased.

+974 6698 6188 Boris Johnson, Britan's Prime Minister FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 ASIA 09 Japan approves Gilead’s remdesivir to treat COVID-19 cases

BLOOMBERG — TOKYO The Japanese approval of remdesivir is in While the virus has so far in the week that the panel until May 31, with Abe saying recognition of the urgent need to treat critically wreaked less health damage in charged with deciding on rem- the country’s coronavirus Japan yesterday approved the Japan than the US or some desivir’s approval was to meet measures need more time to anti-viral drug remdesivir for ill patients in Japan. It is a reflection of the European countries, the Thursday and that the process reduce infection rates. The state use against the novel corona- exceptional circumstances of this pandemic: economy has taken a severe hit. would be completed as soon as of emergency allows local gov- virus, three days after receiving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has possible. ernments to direct businesses an application from Gilead Merdad Parsey said treatments and vaccines Earlier this month, Japan’s to close and to urge residents to Sciences Inc, the company said are needed to help restore eco- Health Ministry said in a stay in their homes. in a statement. nomic and social activities. message to local governments Abe Extends Japan Emer- The rapid move by Japan’s world closer to easing lockdown that the drug didn’t show ben- Typically, for a drug to be that even if remdesivir is gency Through May in Bid to usually conservative authorities measures put in place to help efits in preventing death and approved in Japan, the gov- approved, supplies may be Slow Virus comes days after the US slow its spread. One early reducing virus load, but the ernment requires clinical trials limited and will be controlled Abe said on Monday that authorised the drug for emer- analysis showed that about Chinese trial was halted early to include Japanese patients, or by the central government. he’s aiming to have Avigan, an gency use on virus patients. The two-thirds of severe COVID-19 after researchers struggled to for a new trial to be done in More than 15,000 people antiviral drug developed by special approval process used cases improved when treated enroll patients. Japan, said Bloomberg Intelli- have been confirmed as Fujifilm Holdings Corp, in Japan is reserved for urgent with the drug, according to a “The Japanese approval of gence analyst Caroline Stewart, infected with the virus in Japan, approved for use as a COVID-19 situations, where there is no report published in April. remdesivir is in recognition of who covers the pharmaceutical and more than 500 have died, treatment by the end of this alternative, and the drug has Multiple trials of remdesivir the urgent need to treat criti- industry. While doubt remains although experts say the rela- month. He added in a live already been authorised for use are still underway. In April, the cally ill patients in Japan. It is a over its efficacy, “it’s better than tively small number of tests streamed internet interview late overseas. World Health Organization reflection of the exceptional cir- nothing,” she added. conducted means there are Wednesday that trials were also Finding a treatment for (WHO) prematurely published cumstances of this pandemic,” Abe had earlier flagged that probably more undetected beginning with an anti-parasite COVID-19, the respiratory results of a China trial by Gilead Chief Medical Officer the authorisation was expected cases. drug known as ivermectin, disease caused by the novel accident but retracted it soon Merdad Parsey said in the on Thursday. Health Minister Japan has extended its developed by Nobel prize-lau- coronavirus, could move the after. The WHO post indicated statement. Katsunobu Kato had said earlier nationwide state of emergency reate Satoshi Omura. S Korean airline to China slams US over Trump's resume flights on 19 international routes coronavirus ‘attack’ claim AFP — BEIJING but the enemy facing the US is ANATOLIA — ANKARA the novel coronavirus”. China accused the United States She said Washington South Korea’s national flag yesterday of trying to shift should “fight side-by-side” with carrier Korean Air will reopen blame over the coronavirus, Beijing instead of as “enemies”. 19 international routes from the after President Donald Trump Hua added that “lots of beginning of June, the company said the pandemic was a worse foreign countries, experts and announced yesterday. “attack” than Pearl Harbor or scientists have all made pos- In a statement, Korean Air 9/11. itive comments on China’s said the decision was taken as Tension between the effective virus prevention and demand grows following ease world’s two biggest economies control.” in coronavirus restrictions by has reached fever pitch in “But the US alone has made many countries, according to recent days as they have some very disharmonious, Yonhap news agency. exchanged barbed comments untruthful and insincere The routes included Wash- on each other’s handling of the remarks,” said Hua. ington, DC, Seattle, Vancouver, virus. China said for the first time Toronto, Frankfurt, Singapore, “We urge the US side to stop yesterday that researchers at Beijing and Kuala Lumpur. shifting the blame to China and the Wuhan Institute of Virology The airline had reduced its turn to facts,” said foreign min- were trained in the US and flights by almost 90 percent in istry spokeswoman Hua France, as it faces repeated US March due to COVID-19 Chunying at a press briefing. claims that the coronavirus Peolple wait for their turn at National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office for new pandemic. On Wednesday Trump pandemic originated there. registration and biometric identification under Ehsaas Emergency Cash program in Rawalpindi, yesterday. The Korean Air flights drew analogies with the virus, “Wuhan’s P4 lab is a collab- were down to 55 per week on which emerged in the Chinese orative project between the 13 international routes since city of Wuhan last year, and Chinese and French govern- the beginning of the outbreak Pakistan to start easing lockdown infamous military and terrorist ments,” Hua told a press in the country. The new oper- attacks on the United States. briefing. ations from next month will “This is really the worst The 300-million-yuan mean flights running on 32 amid sharp coronavirus spread attack we’ve ever had,” Trump ($42m) lab was formally international destinations with told reporters. “This is worse opened in 2018, with the 146 flights available. REUTERS — ISLAMABAD doing it at a time when our doctors who fear the outbreak than Pearl Harbor. This is founder of a French bio-indus- The airlines would operate curve is going up ... but it is not will gather pace among a pop- worse than the World Trade trial firm, Alain Merieux, acting 900 flights on 110 routes Pakistan will begin lifting its edging up as we were ulation of more than 200 Center.” as a consultant. before the pandemic. coronavirus lockdown on expecting.” million and overwhelm the The Japanese assault on the The lab’s French ties have The decision by Korean Air Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Impoverished Pakistanis country’s struggling health Pearl Harbor naval base in previously sparked concern in came a day after it was Khan said, hours after the cannot survive under lockdown system. Hawaii drew the United States France. The Institut Merieux, reported that Turkey’s national country announced its highest any longer, Khan said. “Since “It will definitely lead to an into World War II. Alain Merieux’s firm, has stren- flag carrier is mulling to daily increase in new cases. we started this lockdown, we increase in the number of cases, The September 11, 2001 IS uously denied taking part in the resume domestic and interna- Pakistan, where a poorly had this fear that these people the number of critical cases,” attacks killed about 3,000 lab’s design, construction and tional flights after a suspension enforced shutdown has been in who are daily wagers, who feed the secretary of Pakistan’s people and triggered two management. due to coronavirus from June. place since late March, has their kids on daily earnings, Young Doctors’ Association, decades of war. French President The Turkish Airlines has recorded 24,073 cases of what will happen to them?” Salman Kazmi, said. “We are Trump said the coronavirus Emmanuel Macron has also drafted a flight plan for June, COVID-19, with 564 deaths. Yes- He said the shutdown concerned about pressure that pandemic “should never have denied that there was any evi- July, and August. terday, authorities said there had would be lifted in phases and will come on the hospitals.” happened”. dence linking the Wuhan P4 lab According to the three- been 1,523 new cases and 38 warned people that the disease Khan said the restrictions “Could have been stopped to COVID-19. month flight plan starting in deaths in the preceding 24 hours. could get out of control if they could be restored if the outbreak at the source. Could have been The coronavirus, which June, Turkish Airlines will fly to “We’re deciding that we are didn’t take precautions. worsens, something his critics stopped in China,” he said. first emerged in central China 22 destinations in 19 countries, ending this lockdown now,” The government’s handling expect to happen due to what Hua responded: “They late last year, has now killed with a weekly frequency of 75 Khan said in a televised address of the virus has been strongly they describe as a confused might say the pandemic is com- more than 73,000 people in flights. yesterday. “We know that we’re criticised by scientists and policy response to the crisis. parable to Pearl Harbor or 9/11, the US. Philippine broadcaster Over 900 Taliban fighters freed so fights order to shut down far in Afghan REUTERS — MANILA conglomerate, said in it its prisoner swap petition that it employs 11,000 The Philippines’ biggest broad- people. AFP — KABUL caster asked the Supreme Court It also operates 21 radio and yesterday to quash an order by 38 television stations The Kabul administration has the telecoms regulator to shut nationwide and distributes released more than 900 down its operations, saying it online content. It went off air Taliban fighters since the mili- undermined freedom of speech on Tuesday to comply with the tants signed a landmark deal and the public right to infor- regulator’s order, to wide- with the United States to end mation. spread dismay from labour, the war in Afghanistan, an The regulator’s order for business and media groups and official said yesterday. ABS-CBN Corp to cease oper- opposition lawmakers. The release is part of a ations after its 25-year licence “To close ABS-CBN now prisoner-exchange pro- expired has prompted allega- when it is most needed would gramme included in the US- tions by critics of President certainly be detrimental to the Taliban deal agreed February Rodrigo Duterte that his allies public,” it said. “ABS-CBN 29, which has also seen the are trying to intimidate the cannot be closed without com- Taliban free dozens of Afghan The M/V Ruby Princess is pictured during a short aerial surveillance conducted at the Manila Bay media. promising the fundamental security personnel. Anchorage area, in Manila, yesterday. The president repeatedly guarantees of freedom of “So far 933 Taliban threatened to block the renewal speech and the press.” detainees have been released of ABS-CBN’s franchise after ABS-CBN said the National Cruise ship linked to Australia virus cluster reaches Manila from Afghan jails,” Javed Faisal, the channel angered him Telecommunications Com- spokesman for Afghanistan’s during the 2016 presidential mission (NTC) abused its dis- REUTERS — MANILA March 19 arrival in Sydney. there are 214 Filipinos aboard National Security Council, said. election by refusing to air his cretion when it ordered its The 114,000-tonne, 19-deck the Ruby Princess, one of at least In return, the Taliban have campaign commercial. closure even after it indicated in A cruise ship at the heart of ship reached Manila Bay yes- three ships owned by Carnival’s released 132 Kabul adminis- “The continued operation March the broadcasting Australia’s biggest coronavirus terday, joining a cluster of about cruise company that became tration prisoners, Taliban of ABS-CBN is a matter of company could remain on air cluster arrived off the Philip- a dozen other cruise ships that hotbeds of coronavirus spokesman Zabihullah public interest and transcen- pending its licence renewal. ABS- pines yesterday to repatriate will be subjected to on-board infections. Mujahid said. dental importance, it being CBN’s 25-year congressional more than 200 crew, leaving testing for COVID-19 before any A special commission of Zalmay Khalilzad, the US among the largest broadcasting franchise expired on May 4. behind weeks of outrage and Filipino crew members can inquiry in Australia has been special envoy to Afghanistan entities in terms of coverage “The NTC’s bad faith, acrimony over why sympto- disembark. hearing testimony this week who negotiated the US- and audience,” the company malice and underhandedness matic passengers were allowed Reduced flights and travel about events leading up to the Taliban deal, sees the prisoner said. are simply shocking and to disembark. bans due to the coronavirus, as unloading of about 2,700 pas- exchange as an “important ABS-CBN Corp also asked abhorrent,” ABS-CBN said. Just under a quarter of Aus- well as outbreaks on several sengers without health checks. step” toward reducing vio- the Supreme Court to hear its The NTC was not immedi- tralia’s 97 coronavirus deaths ships, have brought the cruise Included at the hearing lence in the war-torn country. petition quickly, saying the ately available for comment. can be traced back to Carnival industry to a virtual standstill. were details of medical logs a The deal stipulated the livelihood of thousands of its The regulator said on Corp’s Ruby Princess, which has Princess Cruises said on few days earlier that showed Afghan government would employees and their families Wednesday it stood by its been a flashpoint for anger in Wednesday its voyages would dozens of people aboard were release 5,000 Taliban pris- were at stake. decision and that ABS-CBN Australia and the focus of a remain suspended through to showing acute respiratory oners, while the insurgents The 66-year-old enter- could seek a temporary criminal investigation after a the end of summer. symptoms, with numbers rising would free 1,000 Afghan tainment and media restraining order from a court. spike in cases followed its According to the coastguard, each day. security force personnel. 10 EUROPE FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 Britain heading for a limited easing of lockdown next week REUTERS — LONDON Johnson is due to be a gradual move towards re- opening businesses. Ministers Prime Minister Boris Johnson announce the next say that those operating out- will announce a very limited steps in Britain’s doors might be able to find a easing of Britain’s coronavirus way to work in the summer lockdown next week, adopting battle to tackle the months but have warned that a cautious approach to try to novel coronavirus on it was too soon to re-open ensure there is no second peak Sunday following a schools. of infections that could further To try to shore up support hurt the economy. review by ministers of for his action plan, Johnson Johnson is due to announce the current measures briefed opposition leaders on the next steps in Britain’s battle the latest situation, with Labour to tackle the novel coronavirus that have all but shut leader Keir Starmer saying on Sunday following a review the economy and kept there needed to be a national French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe looks on as he presents the details for the end of the by ministers of the current millions at home. consensus on the next steps in country’s lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, at the Hotel Matignon measures that have all but shut tackling the virus. in Paris, yesterday. the economy and kept millions “He also reiterated the at home. seven principles that he wants His government has been very limited,” his spokesman the government to consider criticised for moving too slowly told reporters. when planning for the next France set to ease lockdown to tackle the outbreak which “We are at a critical phase, including safety at work has led to more than 30,000 moment in the fight against the and preventing a cliff-edge to deaths in Britain — a charge the virus and we will not do any- the job protection scheme,” a to relieve coronavirus pain government dismisses by thing which risks throwing spokesperson for Starmer said. saying it has taken the right away the efforts and sacrifices Johnson also wants to BLOOMBERG — PARIS “We are always looking for a March industrial production in decisions at the right time. of the British public.” Ministers pursue a strategy that unites the balance between the indispensable Germany and a 16.2 percent But with an increasing fear a swift easing could lead to four countries of the United France will start rolling back return to normal life and the indis- drop in France. The crippling number of anecdotal reports a second peak in infection rates, Kingdom: Scotland, Wales, lockdown measures, joining pensable respect of all measures impact on Europe’s two biggest that more people are flouting which might overwhelm hos- England and Northern Ireland, Germany, Italy and the Neth- that will prevent the epidemic economies from just half a the lockdown in anticipation of pitals and force a second with his spokesman saying the erlands in easing restrictions as from restarting,” Philippe said yes- month of factory closures sets Sunday’s announcement and a shutdown of businesses. four-nation approach was the Europe’s economic pain from terday, adding that restrictions up even grimmer figures for public holiday today, ministers Earlier, the Bank of England best way forward. the fallout of the coronavirus could be reimposed if infections April, when millions of people are under pressure to make any underlined how deeply the But Scotland’s First Minister intensifies. rise. “The target of all the French were all but confined to their new rules as clear as possible lockdown had hurt the Nicola Sturgeon said the only French Prime Minister people is that we can live with this homes across the continent. after being criticised for mixed economy, saying Britain could change to the lockdown which Edouard Philippe said the virus” until a cure is found. France’s end-of-lockdown messaging. be headed for its biggest eco- had been floated in the media country was ready for a Despite more than 140,000 plan will be progressive and dif- At a cabinet meeting of his nomic slump in over 300 years. that she might agree to in the nationwide plan to relax curbs deaths on the continent, ferentiated. Local situations will top ministers, Johnson said Johnson, who says he immediate future was the limit on public life, though strict con- European leaders are feeling be constantly monitored, with Britain would advance “with fought for his life after himself on people only exercising once trols will remain on public the heat to accelerate a return remote work remaining a pri- maximum caution” and be contracting COVID-19, has a day. transport in Paris, where to normality and are trying to ority. Some schools could guided by the science and data ploughed money into a support “I must make judgments infection rates are too high. walk a fine line between reac- remain closed until fall due to when considering whether any programme for businesses, but informed by the evidence that Looser restrictions on businesses tivating the economy and difficulties in implementing of the strict social distancing appears to be erring on the side are right and safe for Scotland,” and stores will start coming into avoiding a renewed outbreak. social distancing and sanitary measures could be eased. of caution of immediately firing Sturgeon, who will decide on effect on Monday in a gradual The economic damage is measures, and restaurants, bars “Any easement to the up the economy. whether to ease measures in process designed to avoid a becoming increasingly evident, and cafes will remain closed guidelines next week will be Officials suggest there will Scotland, told reporters. second wave of infections. with a 9.2 percent decline in until at least early June.

Rome hospital begins testing to Spain eyes normality, but Madrid and Barcelona may lag REUTERS — MADRID/BARCELONA a lockdown that has kept them complied with and the safety diagnosed cases rose to 221,447 on Monday after a preparatory check how many largely confined to their homes distances respected, I think it’s from 220,325 the previous day. Phase 0, saying there is a mod- Spain was weighing up further for eight weeks, Prime Minister fantastic. I think it was about The government’s phase- erate to high risk of a new wave. have had virus steps yesterday to bring life back Pedro Sanchez’s government is time,” said Charo Nunez, a out plan has several stages in Castille and Leon, one of the to normal as the coronavirus anxious to get the country up and pharmacy worker in Madrid. which restrictions are progres- largest but less populated AFP — ROME epidemic ebbed, but the capital running again without igniting a “We’re exiting the pandemic sively eased, such as the regions in central Spain, also Madrid and the city of Barcelona second wave of infections. I reckon, but we need to learn to opening of bars or stores. said it would wait until later. Blood tests have begun in the could remain under tight restric- Parliament voted on protect ourselves. And people Each region must apply to Attention is now focused on region around Rome to allow tions for the time being. Wednesday night to extend a needed to get out and work.” The enter a new phase if it considers Madrid, the epicentre of the authorities to gauge how many Both cities and their sur- state of emergency for two Health Ministry gave Spain’s it meets hospital capacity outbreak in Spain, which is still people have been exposed to roundings have registered the more weeks from Sunday. This coronavirus death toll for the past requirements, among other registering high numbers of the coronavirus since the highest number of coronavirus gives the government power to 24 hours as 213 yesterday, down conditions. new cases. epidemic struck Italy. deaths and infections in Spain, control people’s movements as from 244 the previous day and Catalonia’s regional gov- Madrid region said it had More data will help to map one of the countries worst hit it gradually relaxes the far below peaks of nearly 1,000 ernment proposed on submitted a request to the out how the virus has travelled by the global pandemic. lockdown which succeeded in in early April. Wednesday that the Barcelona Health Ministry on Wednesday through the population, as the But with the economy reeling curbing the outbreak. That brought total deaths to metropolitan area would not be night for it to move on to Phase country begins to emerge from and citizens chafing for an end to “If the security measures are 26,070. The number of included in Phase 1, which starts 1. the health crisis that has killed nearly 30,000 of its citizens. Over the following few days, the region of Lazio — of European coalition takes which Rome is the capital — will perform some 150,000 blood tests on health workers shape on coronavirus and police, those assumed to be most exposed to the virus. contact tracing Such tests have already begun in other regions, espe- REUTERS — BERLIN while running in the cially Lombardy in Italy’s background. north which has been hardest A European coalition is forming That means for such apps hit by the coronavirus. around an approach to using to work, they would need to be Sergio Bernardini, a pro- smartphone technology to trace open while the phone is fessor in biochemistry and coronavirus infections that, its unlocked — a pain for the user director of the lab at Rome’s Tor backers hope, could help to and a drain on the battery. Vergata hospital, said the large- reopen borders without Attempted workarounds have scale screening efforts will unleashing a second wave of proven to be unreliable. produce a closer estimate of the the pandemic. Supporters of the phone- number of people who have As countries rush to based approach from Austria, been infected with the virus. develop apps that would use Estonia, Finland, Germany, “In reality, they’re probably Bluetooth short-range wireless Italy, Portugal and Switzerland much more numerous, eight to to identify those who have this week backed a roadmap ten times more than the figures come into contact with people to enable national apps to ‘talk’ we have today,” Bernardini said. infected with the virus, contro- to each other and handle infec- The tests, which require versy has erupted over how tions when people travel just a finger prick of blood, Volunteers at London's People's Kitchen best to handle the personal data abroad. look for the presence of anti- they collect. “Everything about these bodies indicating that the Volunteers wearing protective face masks pack food boxes from Brixton People’s Kitchens emergency Britain and France argue projects has from Day One person has been exposed to food hub at the Black Prince Community Trust in Vauxhall, following the outbreak of the coronavirus people should trust their health been about how we can make the virus at some point. disease London, Britain, yesterday. authorities to hold such infor- it work on an international mation on a central computer level,” said Marcel Salathe, a server. A loose coalition of other digital epidemiologist at the nations, led by Switzerland and Swiss Federal Institute of Tech- Black, ethnic groups more at risk from COVID-19: UK including Germany and Italy, nology in Lausanne. believe data should be kept only The standards row has been REUTERS — LONDON people worldwide. “The risk of including poverty, education and times, according to the adjusted on handsets so that it would be compared by German Health Min- death involving the coronavirus health, Britain’s ONS found that model. impossible for governments to ister Jens Spahn to a “war of Black people and men of Bang- (COVID-19) among some ethnic black males were 4.2 times more But individuals from the spy on their citizens. religion”. It also has major rami- ladeshi and Pakistani origin are groups is significantly higher likely to succumb to a COVID- Chinese and mixed ethnic group Crucially for the coalition, fications for Europe, a patchwork nearly twice as likely to die than that of those of white eth- 19-related death and black have similar risks to those with its approach is compatible with of over 40 nations where lock- from the COVID-19 disease than nicity,” the government’s Office females were 4.3 times more white ethnicity, the ONS said. that of US technology giants downs have brought cross-border whites, even when adjusting for National Statistics (ONS) said likely than white counterparts. Politicians were appalled. Apple and Alphabet’s Google, travel to a near standstill. data for deprivation, a new in a new report. The adjusted model showed David Lammy, a lawmaker whose iOS and Android oper- It is also playing out in British report said yesterday. Scientists studying the novel that black people were 1.9 times for the opposition Labour Party, ating systems run 99 percent other parts of the world. The statistics chimed with coronavirus have noted striking more likely to die from called for an urgent of the world’s smartphones. Colombia has removed the reports in other Western differences in death rates based COVID-19 than the white ethnic investigation. Apple has, on privacy contact-tracing feature in its nations, from Finland to the on age, sex and ethnicity, and group. London mayor Sadiq Khan, grounds, erected a roadblock official app for informing res- United States, that non-white hope genetics may hold clues for Males of Bangladeshi and of Pakistani origin, said eth- to centralised apps by pre- idents about the coronavirus ethnic groups have been worse medicines or a vaccine. But there Pakistani ethnicity were 1.8 nicity should be recorded on venting the Bluetooth Low after experiencing glitches, but hit by the new coronavirus are still vast holes in knowledge. times more likely to die, and death certificates to shed more Energy function on its iPhones aims to rebuild using the Apple- which has killed nearly 263,000 Without adjusting for factors females from those groups 1.6 light. from monitoring other devices Google technology. FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 Moscow extends lockdown after record virus cases AFP — MOSCOW A government tally each other will increase,” he said separately in televised Moscow authorities extended showed 11,231 remarks. coronavirus lockdown infections over 24 President Vladimir Putin measures until the end of May said on Wednesday that yesterday as Russia reported hours, bringing the regional governors must another record increase in daily total to 177,160. develop plans to gradually lift coronavirus infections, with Russia now ranks lockdown restrictions but he more than 11,000 new cases. also cautioned against acting A government tally showed fourth in the number too hastily so as to avoid a new 11,231 infections over 24 hours, of reported cases in wave of infections. bringing the total to 177,160. The number of infections in Russia now ranks fourth in Europe and fifth in the Russia has been rising by more the number of reported cases world, according to a than 10,000 a day since Sunday, in Europe and fifth in the world, in contrast to countries in according to a tally. tally. western Europe that are taking Coronavirus cases have steps to ease lockdown been registered in all of Russia’s measures as their numbers fall. 85 regions, with Moscow the quarantine period is in place in Officials attribute the worst affected by far with Russia until May 11. increase to mass testing and 92,676. Residents of the capital are detecting asymptomatic cases Moscow Mayor Sergei Sob- only allowed to leave their not always counted in other yanin announced the lockdown homes for brief trips to a shop, countries. extension and also said Musco- to walk dogs or to travel to Health officials said yes- vites would now be required to essential jobs with a permit. terday they had carried out wear masks and gloves on Citing results of screening more than 4.8 million tests. public transport. “The self-iso- tests, Sobyanin said that some Russia’s mortality rate A couple wearing face masks, amid concerns of the COVID-19, walks in front of a huge banner for the lation regime of citizens will be 300,000 people in Moscow — however is low compared to upcoming 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War that is used extended until May 31,” Sob- or up to 2.5 percent of the city’s European countries hit badly by to cover a building under renovation in central Moscow, yesterday. yanin said on his blog. population — have in fact been the pandemic, with health offi- “It’s still too early to open infected. cials registering 88 new deaths death count is calculated. latest top official to test positive ordinary Russians in the face of restaurants, theatres, and sport He warned Muscovites they and a total of 1,625. According to official figures for coronavirus, after Prime what is likely to be a long eco- facilities.” Sobyanin reiterated needed to “get used to the idea” Russia cites a series of on Wednesday, Russia’s death Minister Mikhail Mishustin and nomic downturn. that companies in Moscow of having to use protective measures taken early in the pan- rate was just 0.9 percent, com- his construction minister were Since the start of the crisis, involved in industry and con- masks and gloves. demic for its low mortality rate, pared with Germany, which is hospitalised. Putin’s approval rating has struction would be allowed to “We understand that the including closing its borders and lauded for its virus response, The government has dropped to a historic low, resume work on May 12. number of people moving on ordering the elderly and those with a fatality rate of 4.2 announced a number of according to independent Moscow has been under transport will increase, one way at risk to self-isolate. percent. measures to buttress the pollster Levada, which said this lockdown since March 30 and or another, (and) the number of Some say however that the Culture Minister Olga Lyu- economy but has been accused week it hit 59 percent in April a non-working overall people communicating with discrepancy is due to how the bimova this week became the of not doing enough to support after 63 percent in March. EU court adviser rejects challenge to UK aid for N-plant Suspect claims Norway

REUTERS — BRUSSELS support for the Hinkley Point did not violate EU competition opposed the British govern- project. A lower EU court dis- rules. ment’s plan to support Hinkley mosque attack was The European Union’s top court missed the challenge in 2018, Vienna challenged the Point C through multibillion- should reject an attempt by prompting Austria to appeal. Commission’s approval, arguing pound state credit guarantees, Austria to block British state The lower court had been it contradicted EU policy of sup- and a fixed price for electricity ‘emergency justice’ support for a nuclear power “fully entitled” to dismiss Aus- porting renewable energy and that is higher than market plant in southwest England, a tria’s challenge, Hogan said on the plant’s environmental rates. AP — COPENHAGEN in the mosque at the time, court adviser said yesterday. Thursday. impact had not been properly Austria has no nuclear Muhammad Rafiq. Advocate General Gerard French utility EDF and assessed. power facilities and a long A Norwegian man suspected of During the scuffle, two more Hogan, of the EU Court of China General Nuclear Power State aid rules are designed history of opposing the fuel. killing his ethnic Chinese step- shots were fired but no one was Justice, said in a non-binding Corp aim to have the Hinkley to assess whether projects Luxembourg had backed Aus- sister and then storming an Oslo hit. Rafiq was slightly injured in opinion that the EU’s top court Point C nuclear power station violate EU competition regula- tria’s challenge. Alongside mosque and opening fire said the struggle. In his testimony, should dismiss the Austrian on line in 2025. Expected costs tions, but not “rules pertaining Britain, a handful of EU coun- yesterday on the first day of his Manshaus said he wanted to kill government’s appeal. Judges for the project have increased, to the environment”, Hogan tries with existing or planned trial that it was an act of “emer- Rafiq. “I did everything I could follow opinions in the majority with the last estimate at up to said. He added EU law gave nuclear plants, including gency justice” and that he to carry out the attack,” he told of cases, but are not bound to £22.5bn ($27.8bn). each member state the right to France, the Czech Republic and regretted not having caused court, adding he was exhausted do so. The European Commission choose its mix of energy Poland, supported the Commis- more damage. when police arrived. Austria launched a case in cleared British government aid sources. sion’s approval of the Hinkley Philip Manshaus appeared The prosecution says Man- 2015 to try to block state for the plant in 2014, saying it In particular, Austria aid. at a court west of Norway’s shaus acted “with the intention capital and denied charges of to kill as many Muslims as pos- murder and terror read to him sible.” The video recorde by his Minors deported by a prosecutor, the Norwegian helmet was played in court yes- news agency NTB said. Man- terday. NRK said it showed Man- from Mexico to shaus has acknowledged the shaus shooting at the mosque facts but denies the accusation, door before kicking it open. An Guatemala saying he opposes non- elderly man — Rafiq — is then Western immigration. seen walking toward him and positive for virus Broadcaster NRK said that Manshaus is heard yelling: ”You during his testimony Manshaus should never take over Norway.” AP — GUATEMALA CITY claimed the white race “will Minutes later, when the end up as a minority in their suspect has been overpowered Four unaccompanied Guate- own home countries” and crit- and is on the ground, Manshaus is malan minors tested positive for icised those who “blackmail heard moaning and begging to be the novel coronavirus after being national socialism.” In court, killed, saying: “I can’t do anything deported by Mexico this week, Manshaus, 22, described how more. I am faithful to my people.” their government said yesterday. he killed his 17-year-old step- The camera is facing the ceiling. The cases are the first that sister, Johanne Zhangjia Ihle- Some 30 witnesses, the government has acknowl- Hansen, by shooting her four including the men at the mosque edged for deportees arriving times — three in the head and and Manshaus’ father, are from Mexico. The three boys one in the chest — with a expected to give evidence. and one girl — all teenagers - hunting rifle at their home in If found guilty, Manshaus arrived by bus Monday, said the Oslo suburb of Baerum. could face up to 21 years in prison. Anaeli Torres, director of Ihle-Hansen was adopted from The prosecutor has said it would Special Protection and Non- China as a 2-year old. consider a sentence where he Residential Attention for Gua- Shortly after that, Manshaus would be sent to a secure mental temala’s social welfare agency. said he drove to a nearby facility for as long as he is con- All four arrived with mosque where three men were sidered a danger to others. paperwork from Mexico cer- preparing for Eid Al Adha cel- Norwegian media have tifying that they were asymp- ebrations. He wore a helmet reported that Manshaus was tomatic and Torres said they with a video camera attached inspired by shootings in March continue to be asymptomatic. and a bulletproof vest, Man- 2019 in New Zealand, where a But the government is testing Waiting for news about COVID-19-hit relatives shaus was armed with a gunman targeted two mosques, all minors when they arrive hunting rifle and a shotgun and killing 51 people, and in August before sending them back to Relatives wait for information about their loved ones outside the nursing house “Retirement House fired four shots with the rifle at 2019 in El Paso, Texas, where their families, she said. Luis Elizondo”, where people have been infected by the coronavirus disease according to local media, a glass door before he was an assailant targeted Hispanics “Since the cases were iden- in Guadalupe, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday. overpowered by one of the men and left at least 22 dead. tified, the adolescents have been moved to the appropriate health services,” Torres said. She also called on Guatemalans Detained American claims he plotted Maduro’s capture living near shelters where deported children are housed REUTERS — CARACAS Guaido advisor told CNN on wore a gray t-shirt, said his mission Goudreau, a US military veteran weapons and communication to not stigmatize them. Wednesday that he had signed was to secure the airport and who leads Silvercorp, to train equipment. Virus fears have led to A former US soldier captured in an exploratory agreement, but establish outer security. He did not 50 to 60 Venezuelans in Eight people involved in the aggressive rejection of deportees Venezuela said on Wednesday it had never been finalized and give details on how his group Colombia in January for the same operation were killed on in some communities. “They that he had been contracted by the opposition did not support planned to get Maduro on a plane. operation. Goudreau supplied Sunday in La Guaira state, near have the right to return to their a Florida security firm to seize the attempted incursion. It was unclear when or the group with equipment, Caracas, Maduro’s government country and a dignified family control of Caracas’ airport and US President Donald Trump where the video was made, and Denman said. said. reunification,” Torres said. bring in a plane to fly President has denied involvement. A senior where Denman and Berry are Goudreau confirmed his During a televised virtual Ten other children who Nicolas Maduro to the United Trump administration official being held. role as organizer of the oper- press conference on arrived with them from Mexico States. said Maduro’s accusations of a In March, the US Department ation in media interviews on Wednesday, Maduro originally were still awaiting their test Venezuelan authorities on US role “are not credible” and the of Justice charged Maduro and Sunday and told Reuters on said he would show videos of results, according to Torres. Monday arrested the man, Luke administration remained focused a dozen other current and Monday that Denman and Berry the two Americans, but did not The Guatemalan gov- Denman, along with fellow US on “achieving a peaceful, demo- former Venezuelan officials with were “my guys.” He could not end up showing a video of ernment has reported at least citizen Airan Berry and 11 cratic transition in Venezuela.” “narco-terrorism” and the be immediately reached for Berry. He said Venezuela would 100 deportees from the United others, in what Maduro has Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Trump administration offered a comment on Wednesday. seek Goudreau’s extradition. States who tested positive for called a failed plot coordinated said on Wednesday that the US reward of $15m for information Venezuelan authorities said “Donald Trump is the direct the virus after arriving in Gua- with Washington to oust him. government would use “every leading to his arrest. they arrested the group by the chief of this invasion,” Maduro temala. Those cases led the gov- During questioning tool” to secure the Americans’ “I was helping Venezuelans isolated coastal town of Chuao, added. ernment to twice suspend broadcast on state television, return, if they were being held in take back control of their about 60 kilometers (40 miles) Guaido’s team, in a deportation flights from the US Denman said the firm, Sil- Venezuela. country,” Denman, a former west of Caracas’ airport, after statement earlier this week, said until that government began vercorp USA, had signed a con- In the video, Denman, 34, special operations forces locals raised suspicions. Author- they had “no relationship with testing deportees and certifying tract with Venezuelan oppo- answered questions from a person member, said in the video. ities published photos of what any company in the security they were negative before sition leader Juan Guaido to off-camera speaking in English Denman said he and Berry they said was the group’s boat, and defense branch,” including putting them on planes. seek Maduro’s removal. A Denman, who looked calm and were contracted by Jordan loaded with ammunition, Silvercorp. 12 AMERICAS FRIDAY 8 MAY 2020 US scientists scramble to study fatal syndrome in kids linked to COVID-19

REUTERS — CHICAGO This emerging children tested positive for the coronavirus, but said it believes US scientists are working to syndrome, which the syndrome is potentially understand a rare, life-threat- can attack multiple associated with COVID-19. ening inflammatory syndrome organs, impair heart State public health officials in children associated with are asking hospitals to perform exposure to the new corona- function and weaken a nasal swab PCR test looking virus by quickly assembling heart arteries which for active infections, as well as clinical trials and patient regis- antibody tests that could detect tries. may occur days to prior exposure to the virus, Cases were first reported in weeks after a COVID- known as SARS-CoV-2. Britain, Italy and Spain, but now Dr. Steven Kernie, a pedi- doctors in the United States are 19 illness, reflects atric critical care expert at seeing clusters of kids with the the surprising ways NewYork-Presbyterian/ disorder, which can attack mul- Columbia University’s children’s tiple organs, impair heart that this entirely new hospital, said 15 to 20 children A nurse administers a COVID-19 test at a drive-through testing center at George Washington University function and weaken heart coronavirus infects have been treated for the con- in Washington, DC, yesterday. arteries. and sickens its human dition in the intensive care unit. This emerging syndrome, “It’s still a rare condition. for doctors to believe the con- fever and impaired function in the weekend organized by which may occur days to weeks hosts. But it’s rising,” Kernie said. ditions are linked. one or more organs. Boston Children’s drew some after a COVID-19 illness, reflects The US Centers for Disease For most children, Some children get sick very 2,000 participants. the surprising ways that this Control and Prevention said it COVID-19 disease is mild, and fast and need to be in a pedi- Researchers are focused on entirely new coronavirus infects dubbed a “Pediatric Multi- is working with the Council of children are far less likely to be atric intensive care unit, while testing to confirm a link with and sickens its human hosts. System Inflammatory Syn- State and Territorial Epidemi- hospitalized with COVID-19 others can be cared for in a COVID-19 and the collection of At least one child in Britain drome Potentially Associated ologists and other groups to than adults, according to the regular hospital ward, she said. blood or DNA to study whether has died. No children are with COVID-19.” “Every aca- gather data to better understand CDC. The syndrome was origi- some children are genetically believed to have died so far in demic center I know of is and characterize the syndrome, “Children seem to laugh off nally thought to be linked with predisposed to develop the the United States, “but that looking for these cases and according to an emailed COVID-19 most of the time,” Kawasaki disease, which in condition. could change,” said Dr. Sean trying to systematically track statement. said Dr. Jane Newburger, a severe cases causes inflam- Heart specialists are O’Leary, a pediatric infectious them,” he said. The aim is to develop a case pediatric cardiologist at Har- mation of the heart arteries. worried about the long-term disease expert at Children’s The New York Department definition that would allow the vard’s Boston Children’s Hos- “The children we’re seeing effects of the syndrome, espe- Hospital Colorado who serves of Health on Wednesday CDC to track the cases and pital. “But rarely, a child will are sicker than the typical child cially if heart arteries become on the American Academy of reported 64 cases of the new advise doctors on how to care develop this hyper-inflam- with Kawasaki,” Kernie said. weakened. Pediatrics committee on infec- syndrome as of May 5, and is for these patients. matory state.” “What we worry about is pri- “It’s a very scary illness,” tious disease. calling on hospitals to immedi- Not every child that has Newburger said there appears marily the development of cor- said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiol- O’Leary said efforts are ately report any cases to the developed the condition has to be a spectrum of illnesses, with onary artery aneurysm, which ogist and director of the Scripps getting underway to collect department. tested positive for the novel some children coming in “very can be life-threatening.” A con- Research Translational Institute information on the disorder, It did not say how many coronavirus, but enough have sick, even in shock.” Most have a ference call with experts over in La Jolla, California. White House: Americans outraged by shooting death of black man Trump tests AFP — WASHINGTON of a residential street and According to the police The father said he saw his “#ahmaudarbery was mur- approaching a white pickup report, McMichael Sr told police son shoot Arbery twice and dered by two white men, ON negative for Politicians, celebrities and truck that is stopped in the right he thought Arbery was a suspect Arbery fall to the ground. CAMERA, and dudes have not people speaking out on social lane with the driver’s side door in a series of burglaries in the After the video footage went been arrested. come on, media are angrily demanding open and a man standing in the area and on the day of the viral, a Georgia district attorney people,” actress Zoe Kravitz coronavirus the arrest of two white men in back. shooting, while standing in his said on Tuesday that a grand jury said in an Instagram post fea- the shooting death of an As Arbery tries to get around front yard, he had seen the would be formed to see if there are turing an expletive. It was REUTERS — WASHINGTON unarmed black jogger in the truck and crosses in front of young black man “hauling” grounds to charge the father and shared by such figures as Billie Georgia. it from the right, he is con- down the street. son. Neither has been arrested. Eilish and Kylie Jenner. US President Donald Trump Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was fronted by a second man McMichael said he went Around the country, political Some drew parallels between and Vice President Mike killed on February 23 as he ran holding a shotgun. An alter- inside, got his.357 Magnum figures and celebrities expressed this case and the shooting death Pence have tested negative on a sunny day in his residential cation ensues as Arbery and this while his son grabbed a indignation and called for the of another unarmed young black for the novel coronavirus neighborhood in the town man struggle, and the black shotgun, and they went out two men to be prosecuted. “The man, Trayvon Martin, by a neigh- after a member of the US Brunswick. But the case gained man is shot once, then once looking for Arbery. When they video is clear: Ahmaud Arbery borhood guard in Florida in 2012. military who works at the national notoriety this week more a few seconds later. finally caught up with him and was killed in cold blood. My “We’re literally hunted EVE- White House was found to with the release of a 28-second The two white men have McMichael Jr got out of the heart goes out to his family, who RYDAY/EVERYTIME we step have been infected, a White cell phone video that captured been identified by police as truck with the shotgun, Arbery deserve justice and deserve it foot outside the comfort of our House spokesman said the shooting. Travis McMichael, 34, and his began to “violently attack” him, now,” Democratic presidential homes!,” basketball great yesterday. In that footage, Arbery is father Gregory McMichael, 64, the father said, according to the hopeful Joe Biden tweeted LeBron James said on The military official was seen running down the middle who both live in Brunswick. police report. Wednesday night. Instagram. identified by CNN as a per- sonal valet to Trump. “We were recently notified by the White House White House shelved Medical Unit that a member of the United States Military, who works on the White House campus, has tested CDC guidance on positive for coronavirus. The President and the Vice-Pres- ident have since tested neg- easing of virus curbs ative for the virus and they remain in great health,” REUTERS — WASHINGTON “Issuing overly specific spokesman Hogan Gidley said instructions — that CDC lead- in a statement. The White House shelved a ership never cleared — for how Gidley declined to give step-by-step guide prepared by various types of businesses further details about the mil- US health officials to help states open up would be overly pre- itary member’s role at the safely reopen mass transit, scriptive and broad for the White House. restaurants, daycare centers various circumstances states Trump has now been and other public places closed are experiencing throughout tested at least twice for the by the coronavirus pandemic, the country,” the official said. coronavirus and both times an administration official said Trump has largely allowed tested negative. A test on April yesterday. states’ governors to determine 2 came out negative, the White The 17-page document pre- their own response to the out- House said. White House pared by the Centers for break but has encouraged them adviser Kellyanne Conway Disease Control and Prevention to start reopening, deeply con- said on Thursday the president (CDC) was put off to avoid cerned by the economic dev- was being tested routinely. giving “overly prescriptive” astation from the national On April 3, the White Soldiers distribute milk to needy Boston residents guidance, said the official, a shutdown. House said that anyone member of President Donald Another reminder of the US Army National Guard soldiers and volunteers distribute 8,600 gallons of milk to residents in expected to be near Trump or Trump’s White House task damage came yesterday, when need at a drive-thru event at Boston College High School in Boston, Massachusetts, yesterday. Pence will be given a rapid force, confirming a news report the Labor Department reported The event was made possible by the co-operation of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Vanguard COVID-19 test out of an abun- Renewables and HP Hood. by the Associated Press that the that 3.2 million Americans dance of caution. guidance was shelved. claimed unemployment ben- The CDC did not immedi- efits for the first time last week, ately respond to a request for bringing the total to about 33.5 comment. More than 74,000 million since March 21, roughly Hundreds evacuated as wildfires rage in Florida Americans have died from 22.1 percent of the working-age COVID-19, the respiratory population. AP — PENSACOLA home but had no place to go residents south of Interstate 10 directions from state and local disease caused by the virus, out Public health experts have were sent to South Walton to evacuate. officials,” said Florida Agri- of 1.2 million-plus known to be warned against reopening too Firefighters in the Florida High School. The agency did not make culture Commissioner Nikki infected, according to a tally. soon, saying it could fan hot Panhandle battled wildfires Another wildfire broke out clear how many people have Fried. Many states have begun spots of infection and a second through the night that have Monday afternoon in neigh- been evacuated from the area. Almost all of Florida has had easing restrictions on social spike in deaths. forced hundreds of people to boring Santa Rosa County as So far, about 20 percent of the less-than-usual rainfall this and business life, including On Tuesday, Trump said he evacuate from their homes, high winds and low humidity fire has been contained, author- year. National Weather Service Florida, Georgia and Texas, but had decided to wind down the authorities said. caused the blaze to expand 10 ities said. meteorologist Jack Cullen told have yet to meet White House task force as the country moves A more than 575-acre fire times in size, the Florida The evacuation order will The Times the dryness helped recommendations to hold off into a second phase focused on in Walton County prompted Forest Service said in a remain in effect until noon fuel the fires Wednesday. until the number of new the outbreak’s aftermath. But about 500 people to evacuate. statement. Thursday and then will be Cullen, who is based in Mobile, COVID-19 cases has declined the next day, he said he had Authorities there said multiple The fire started as a pre- reevaluated at that time, the Alabama, said the wind is the for two weeks. changed his mind and would structures were lost in the fire, scribed burn but quickly grew Florida Department of Agri- real culprit. The administration official keep the task force intact. which was 65 percent contained out of control, according to The culture and Consumer Services “What made this (fire) today said the CDC document was Trump, who is seeking a Thursday morning. Tampa Bay Times. said in a statement. was the wind, to go along with only discussed by task force second term in a November Walton County Sheriff The Forest Service said mul- “This is an extremely dan- the dry conditions and low members after news of its election, has staked his re- Michael Adkinson said tiple structures have been lost gerous and fast-moving wildfire humidity,” Cullen said of the fire existence leaked last month, election bid on the strength of during a late-night news in the 2,000-acre fire in the situation that is evolving near Pensacola. prompting them to seek revi- a US economy that cratered conference that those who Santa Rosa County and author- rapidly, so everyone in the There have been no reports sions to add greater nuance to with the onset of the virus as were asked to leave their ities are recommending affected area should follow of injuries or deaths. the guidance. Americans stayed at home.