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UDC signs deal to manage, Qatar stadiums are operate Corinthia Doha in ‘spectacular’: former Gewan Island Man City manager

published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11475 March 2, 2020 Rajab 7, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir honours envoys of Turkey, Ecuador Amir meets Venezuelan vice-president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at his Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday with the outgoing ambassadors of Turkey and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met yesterday at his Amiri Diwan off ice with Ecuador Fikret Ozar and Ivonne Abdul Baki, respectively. The Amir granted the ambassadors the Decoration of Al Wajbah in recognition of their roles Venezuelan Vice-President Dr Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, and her accompanying delegation. Dr Delcy in enhancing relations between Qatar and their countries, wishing them success in their future tasks and further progress and development for the conveyed President Nicolas Maduro’s greetings and wishes of health and happiness to the Amir. The Amir relations. The ambassadors expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Amir and the off icials in the state for their co-operation which contributed also wished President Maduro health and happiness. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and ways to to the success of their tenure. Pages 2, 3 enhance them, besides issues of common interest. Page 3

Amir, French president hold telephone talk His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Plan to raise LNG bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a Qatar wins praise for its telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. During the phone call, which the Amir received output progressing from the French president, the two sides reviewed the close bilateral relations role in US-Taliban deal and means of promoting them in all well, says minister fields. They also reviewed the most important developments on the regional US secretary of state: Qatar has been an enormously important partner in peace talks and international arenas, especially QNA Turkish FM: The peace deal would have been impossible if it wasn’t for the role played by Qatar the situation in Libya, in addition to Doha the situation in Afghanistan. President Oman FM: Qatar’s eff orts ultimately led to the accord for bringing peace to Afghanistan Macron praised Qatar’s eff orts in Tajikistan FM: The deal reflects the success of Qatari diplomacy reaching US-Taliban peace agreement E the Minister of State for which was signed in Doha on Saturday. Energy Aff airs Saad bin Baradar: Thankful to the Amir and the Qatari off icials who supported the negotiations HSherida al-Kaabi confi rmed 2 more cases of Covid-19 yesterday that the pace of work in he historic peace accord signed Pompeo expressed his confi dence who supported these negotiations for confi rmed in Qatar implementing the project to in- by the US and the Taliban in that Qatar will continue to provide as- a long time and hosted the movement crease Qatar’s production of lique- TDoha on Saturday under the sistance and support to the eff orts of and facilitated its mission. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) fi ed gas from 77mn tonnes per year HE Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi auspices of Qatar has been lauded the US to bring peace, adding, “They Oman’s Minister Responsible for For- announced yesterday that following (tpy) to 126mn tpy by 2027 is going across the world. The agreement is ex- have been great partners in getting to eign Aff airs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah further testing, two additional cases of well, denying media reports that According to an earlier report pub- pected to end nearly two decades of war this point, and we’re counting on them praised Qatar’s eff orts in holding talks Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) have there has been a delay in the project lished by Gulf Times, HE al-Kaabi in Afghanistan. to continue their eff orts to deliver for that ultimately led to the agreement for been recorded in Qatar, taking the total for several months. had announced in November last Speaking prior to the signing, US the Afghan people this enormous op- bringing peace to Afghanistan. of confirmed cases to three. The two Regarding the eff ects of the year Qatar’s plan to raise its LNG Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ex- portunity that this moment brings.” “The agreement, signed between the Qatari individuals were evacuated from Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on production capacity to 126mn tpy by pressed his appreciation for Qatar’s Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirod- US and the Taliban in Doha, gives hope Iran on a government-chartered plane LNG shipments for Qatar Petrole- 2027, representing a huge increase of hosting of talks which led to an agree- jidin Muhriddin expressed apprecia- that the region’s issues could be resolved, on 27 February and have been under um customers and its subsidiaries, 64% on the current 77mn tpy. ment, and thanked His Highness the tion of Qatari mediation of US-Taliban and creates an opportunity to overcome full quarantine, the ministry said. the minister clarifi ed, in statements HE al-Kaabi, also the President Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- talks which led to the peace agreement. obstacles and use the agreement as a on the sidelines of the General As- and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, had Thani. Speaking to reporters on the side- model for resolving crises,” he said. Temporary entry bar on sembly of Industries Qatar Compa- said new studies have revealed that He praised the eff orts made by Qatar lines of the signing ceremony he said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut ny, that the coronavirus is a global the North Field’s productive lay- to bring peace to Afghanistan, and ef- the deal refl ects the success of Qatari Cavusoglu lauded the decisive role Qa- those coming from Egypt issue and what happens in the de- ers extended well into Qatari land forts to bring views of all sides together. diplomacy in helping the two sides tar played in ensuring the success of “As a public health measure, Qatar has livery of gas shipments globally oc- in Ras Laff an, paving the way for a “So the nation of Qatar has been an achieve peace. talks between the US and the Taliban, imposed a temporary entrance restriction curs with Qatar Petroleum as well. new LNG production project in the enormously important partner to get Head of the Political Offi ce of the congratulating the leadership, gov- to its territories on all those who are HE al-Kaabi also stressed that north of Qatar. us to this very moment. When we have Afghan Taliban Mullah Abdul Ghani ernment, and people of Qatar on the coming from Egypt through intermediate Qatar Petroleum co-operates with He had announced that the con- hit bumps in the road, they have helped Baradar described the signing of the achievement. points. The measure is temporary due to its customers in a manner that pro- fi rmed gas reserves of the North smooth them out. They have agreed to agreement for bringing peace to Af- He stressed that the achievement the spread of COVID-19,” the Government vides them with their needs and Field exceed 1,760tn cu ft, in addi- host a signifi cant piece of the conver- ghanistan, as a historic event. would have been impossible if it wasn’t Communications Off ice said in a statement provides them with support in all tion to more than 70bn barrels of sations that have taken place that have He expressed gratitude to His High- for the role played by Qatar and suc- yesterday. — QNA forms, which is something that Qa- condensates, and massive quanti- built out on the set of agreements. We ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- cessful mediation, which contributed tar always does. ties of LPG, ethane, and helium. appreciate that and we thank them.” mad al-Thani and the Qatari offi cials to the historic achievement. Pages 6, 7 17th edition of DJWE ‘biggest in history of event’

he Doha Jewellery & Watches ment from QNTC. The 18th edition of Designers – the largest representation This year’s exhibition covered Exhibition (DJWE) concluded on DJWE will return next year, taking place z Exhibition attracts more than 32,000 visitors since the initiative began four years ago – 33,000sq m, the largest yet, and featured TFebruary 29 with “record partic- from February 22-27. z 34% growth in number of visitors from 2019 illustrating the country’s steadily develop- spectacular pavilions from Qatar’s seven ipation” from both exhibitors and visi- HE Akbar al-Baker, secretary-general of ing pool of homegrown talent. New par- industry powerhouses: Alfardan Jewel- tors, the organisers have said. QNTC and Group chief executive of Qa- z Event hosts 129 exhibitors from 14 countries, ticipants included: H Jewellery, Kaltham’s lery, Ali Bin Ali Luxury, Al Majed Jew- Organised by Qatar National Tourism tar Airways, said: “This edition of DJWE showing 68% growth from previous edition Pavilion, Camelot Jewellery, Clair De Lune ellery, Amiri Gems, Fifty One East, Al Council (QNTC) at the Doha Exhibition boasted of the largest number of exhibitors Jewellery and Letters Passion Arts, while Muftah Jewellery and Blue Salon, as well and Convention Centre (DECC) under to date, representing a record number of z 18 Young Qatari Designers earn praise of the returning brands were Trifoglio, Ghada as two exclusive pavilions dedicated to the patronage of HE the Prime Minister countries. Such numbers demonstrate the jewellery connoisseurs Albuainain Jewellery, Nouf Jewellery, Indian and Turkish off erings. and Minister of Interior Sheikh Kha- infl uence of this prestigious event for both Ghand Jewellery, Leila Issam Fine Jewel- The Indian pavilion housed 28 lead- lid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, industry and consumers. event continues to grow each year.” was also present as the face of QNTC’s lery, Hairaat Fine Jewellery, Sarah’s & Co, ing brands showcasing the country’s DJWE 2020 hosted 129 exhibitors from “With more exhibition space than The opening ceremony was attended by promotional campaign titled ‘Journey AlGhla Jewellery, Hessa Jewels, Midad Jew- varied craftsmanship and styles, while 14 countries, showing a 68% growth ever before to accommodate a diverse a large number of dignitaries, led by QNB as into Wonder’. Aired in 16 regional and ellery and Thameen Jewellery. the Turkish pavilion featured 11 estab- from the previous edition. and growing array of brands, DJWE at- the offi cial sponsor, Qatar Airways as the international markets, the campaign The collections presented by these lished Turkish brands. In addition, De The event attracted more than tracts the biggest names in jewellery offi cial airline partner, JW Marriott Mar- has reached over 450mn people, fur- young designers incorporated pieces Beers and Le Portique Jewellery made 32,000 afi cionados of luxurious orna- and watchmaking. As we conclude yet quis City Center Doha as the offi cial hos- thering Qatar as a world-class destina- inspired from local elements such as a their fi rst appearance at DJWE, as ments and timepieces, demonstrating another successful event in 2020, we pitality partner, Alfardan Automotive and tion, the statement notes. desert rose or sadou weaving patterns. they prepare to launch stores in Qatar, a 34% growth in the number of visitors are already looking ahead to our 18th Sotheby’s International Realty Qatar. Among the highlights of this year’s event The locally sourced pearls drew the while Jawaher introduced its new brand from 2019, according to a press state- edition next year to ensure that the Bollywood celebrity Sonam Kapoor was the participation of 18 Young Qatari special attention of visitors. Lenore to the region. Page 8 Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 2, 2020 QATAR

Amir condoles with PM meets ambassadors of Turkey and Ecuador Pakistan leaders

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent cables of condolences to Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan on the victims of the train-bus collision in southern Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani also sent a similar cable of condolences to Prime Minister Imran Khan. Amir sends message to Mali

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent a written message to President of Mali Ibrahim Boubaker Keita, pertaining to bilateral relations and means of supporting and developing them. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani yesterday met the outgoing ambassadors of Turkey and Ecuador to Qatar, Fikret Ozar and Ivonne Abdul The message was handed over by Baki, respectively. The prime minister wished the ambassadors success in their future assignments, and the relations between Qatar and their countries further progress and development. Qatar’s ambassador to Mali Ahmed bin Abdulrahman al-Sunaidi. GCC chief urged to deal with blockade’s humanitarian crisis

QNA He also called on him to rectify to mittee and member of the Subcom- bers of the US House of Representa- and suff ering of the people of the re- Washington the complete failure of GCC and Arab mittee on Africa, Global Health, Global tives, HE Dr al-Marri presented an gion as a result of revenge decisions of mechanisms in redressing the victims Human Rights, and International Or- overview of the repercussions of the the blockading countries that are try- since the blockade was imposed on ganisations; Congressman Billy Long, blockade, warning of the grave conse- ing to cover up their failure by punish- E the Chairman of the Na- them in June 2017. He added that the the co-chair of the US-Qatar strate- quences resulting from the continued ing civilians who are not guilty of a po- tional Human Rights Commit- NHRC was ready to co-operate with gic relations assembly; Congressman human suff ering of thousands of citi- litical dispute between governments. Htee (NHRC), Dr Ali bin Smaikh the GCC secretary-general by present- Raja Krishnamoorthi, member of US zens and residents, not only in Qatar On the expected role of the House of al-Marri, has called on the GCC sec- ing a report on the impact of the block- House Permanent Select Commit- but in all the GCC countries. Representatives of the US Congress to retary-general, during a meeting with ade and systemic violations of the hu- tee on Intelligence; Congressman Jim Responding to questions from stop the suff ering of those aff ected by members of the US Congress, to as- man rights of citizens and residents of Langevin, member of the US House members of the US House of Repre- the embargo, HE Dr al-Marri said that sume his responsibilities in dealing Qatar and the Gulf. Armed Services Committee; Con- sentatives about the actions of NHRC, the representatives of parliaments in with the humanitarian crisis resulting He stressed that the blockade will gressman Rick Larsen, member of the HE Dr al-Marri provided an overview the world have a great responsibility to from the continued blockade imposed scar the history of the GCC forever, US House Armed Services Committee; of the eff orts being made in the judi- defend people who are subject to seri- on Qatar for 1,000 days. due to its negative humanitarian im- Congressman Eric Swalwell former cial and legal tracks, pointing out that ous violations of their rights. He ex- Al-Marri said that the NHRC was plications on the region’s society and presidential candidate and member of the NHRC is committed to its prom- plained that he visited the US repeat- more than ready to hand the new sec- citizens who were shocked at their of- the US House Subcommittee on Intel- ises to the victims not to renounce the edly to raise the alarm and talk about retary-general comprehensive reports fi cial institutions’ inability to resolve HE Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri ligence Modernisation and Readiness; prosecution and condemnation of the the continuation of these violations, on the impacts of the blockade and the crisis and end the injustice. Congressman Adam Smith, Chairman blockading states until the victims are calling on them to make more eff orts the human suff ering it has caused for He said that the GCC must recon- He pointed out that the congress- of the US House Armed Services Com- compensated and redressing the vic- to urge the US administration to take 1,000 days, expressing hope that they sider its rights system following the men expressed their dissatisfaction mittee. tims. eff ective measures and pressure the would end immediately regardless of failure regardless of the progress of ne- and rejection of the continuation of Also, HE Dr al-Marri also met with He added the people of Qatar have blockading countries to stop their vio- the eff orts to resolve the crisis politi- gotiations. punitive measures that aff ect civilians Congressman Alan Lowenthal, an lived through 1,000 days of violations lations that have lasted for 1,000 days. cally. HE Dr al-Marri emphasised that in Qatar and depriving them of their executive member of the Tom Lan- against the Gulf people, 1,000 days He concluded by saying that NHRC In a statement on the sidelines of a members of the US House of Repre- basic rights, under the pretext of a po- tos Human Rights Commission. He of intransigence in harming the citi- looks forward to a greater role for the work visit to US capital Washington, sentatives had addressed US Secretary litical dispute. thanked him for the commission’s zens and residents, and 1,000 days of world’s parliaments to put an end to al-Marri expressed the hope that the of State Mike Pompeo to urge him to As part of his series of offi cial meet- positions, calling on the Commission reprisals and collective punishments human rights violations, stressing new GCC secretary-general can play act and take eff ective and immediate ings in Washington, HE Dr al-Marri to take more moves and educating the that the blockade countries failed to complete confi dence that the legal a part in resolving the humanitarian measures to end the blockade imposed met several members of the US House American community about the im- fi nd a justifi cation for, except for the measures taken before international aspect of the crisis, in line with his re- on Qatar and put an end to the grave of Representatives. He met Congress- plications of the blockade imposed on pretext of revenge from Qatar under bodies will inevitably lead to interna- sponsibilities dictated by the GCC’s violations aff ecting citizens and resi- man Tim Burchett, the oldest member Qatar. the pretext of political diff erences. He tional condemnation and compensa- rules of procedures. dents of Qatar. of the US House Foreign Aff airs Com- During his meetings with the mem- added that it’s hard to count the harm tion to the victims. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 3 QATAR Vodafone connects Barwa FM meets vice-president of Venezuela Labour City with GigaNet

odafone has connected the Barwa Labour City with its Vstate-of-the-art GigaNet fi bre network that will give thousands of workers access to fi xed services, includ- ing high-speed Internet, in addition to powering many of the commercial enti- ties located there. The development, designed and de- veloped by Barwa Real Estate Group, comes as part of the eff orts to improve the housing standards of workers in Qatar and meet the needs of the local market in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar’s preparations for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Barwa Labour City plays a key role in education on a daily basis.” Residents The development is located on this. In 2016, we equipped the Al Khor of the Barwa Labour City will enjoy Vo- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has met the Salwa Road and covers an area of Workers’ Sports Complex with Wi-Fi dafone GigaHome - the latest in home Executive Vice-President of Venezuela Dr Delcy Rodriguez Gomez, who is currently visiting Qatar. During the meeting, 773,457sq m that comprises residen- to give workers access to the Internet Wi-Fi technology. they reviewed bilateral co-operation relations and regional issues, as well as several matters of common interest. tial houses, shops, mosques, a health for free. Businesses will also benefi t from the centre and a recreation zone. Voda- “Since 2017, as part of the MoTC Bet- wide range of services available with fone’s Business Unit director, Mahday ter Connections programme, we have GigaNet Fibre, including access to Vo- Saad al-Hebabi, said: “Vodafone Qatar provided Internet connectivity serv- dafone GigaBusiness plans, off ering has long championed the importance ices and hardware devices in 1,500 labs unlimited data with speeds up to 1Gbps, Farewell ceremony for outgoing envoys of including all members of society in across Qatar, supporting the labour high-speed corporate Internet, security the digital world and connecting the worker community’s digital needs and services and fi xed voice solutions.

Gambian president meets attorney-general President of The Gambia Adama Barrow met yesterday with HE the Attorney-General of Qatar Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri, who is currently visiting Banjul. During the meeting, they exchanged views on a number of topics related to legal issues, especially capacity-building in this field. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister of The Gambia Mamadou Tangara.

HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi held yesterday a farewell ceremony in honour of ambassador of Turkey Fikret Ozar and ambassador of Ecuador Yvonne Abdul Baki on the occasion of the end of their tenure in the country. The ceremony, which was held at the Diplomatic Club, was attended by a number of heads of diplomatic missions and off ices accredited to the state in addition to directors of departments of Safari Leap Year Birthday Celebration the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs.

afari, a leading hyper- Safari Mall, Abu Hamour, ecutive director of Safari event’s participants. As part market chain in Doha, on February 29 evening. Group, cut a cake on the of the celebration, Oore- Sorganised the Leap “Safari, which always occasion and joined the cel- doo Qatar gave 29GB of free Year Birthday Celebration maintains a special rela- ebrations along with chil- data, valid for 29 days, as “to create unforgettable tionship with its custom- dren and adults celebrating a gift to those celebrating memories for those who ers, celebrated the birthday their birthday on February their birthday. celebrate their birthday of customers whose date of 29. Besides families, singles once in four years”. birth is February 29,” the re- Safari off ered handmade also attended the celebra- The celebration took tailer said in a statement. gifts while Ooredoo Qatar tion, accompanied by their place in the Food Court of Shaheen Backer, ex- gave exclusive gifts to the friends.

The Leap Year Birthday Celebration organised by Safari.

QF forum highlights role of Arabic in preserving national identity

he role of education in preserv- ing and promoting Qatari val- Tues and the country’s national identity, in a way that combines both modernity and tradition, has been at the spotlight during a Qatar Founda- tion forum. The fi fth edition of the Educa- tion Forum on Heritage and Iden- tity, organised by the Education De- velopment Institute – part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University The Education Forum on Heritage and Identity, organised by Qatar Foundation’s Education – brought together edu- Education Development Institute, took place at Tariq Bin Ziad School. cators from Qatar`s government and private schools, as well as researchers, among young people. “Language is heritage and Islamic values for Qatari on a platform for dialogue on learning an essential element of the culture of society.” initiatives built around Qatari culture every country, and therefore preserv- Saad al-Rumaihi, chairman of the and heritage and the Arabic language. ing it and preventing it from disap- Board of Directors of the Qatar Press During the main session of the fo- pearing should be a priority,” she said. Centre, said that incorporating cul- rum at Tariq Bin Ziad School which “There is no doubt that learning the tural heritage in academic curricula in took place on the day of the school’s English language is very important, Qatar supports the country’s progress offi cial opening under QF, Dr Aisha and it must have a great focus in our and development, highlighting that al-Mannai, a member of Qatar’s Shu- schools and universities. But it can- the Arabic language is a key factor in ra Council and the Arab Parliament, not replace our mother tongue, which preserving the values and heritage of spoke about how national fundamen- must remain the primary language of Arab and Islamic countries. “Arabic is tals such as religion, language, herit- our children, whether within the fam- a beautiful and rich language, and we age and national identity are key to any ily or in schools and universities. must adhere to its use,” he said. country’s development and progress. “We are proud of the attention that “When our Arab youth speak in re- She emphasised the role of schools our leadership gives to the Arabic lan- gional and international forums in the in Qatar in promoting these values guage, whether through legislation, Arabic language, they infl uence their among the wider community, through initiatives, or centres that enhance the audience. Within our curricula in Qa- national programmes in fi elds such standing of this language. tar, we have employed the Arabic lan- as Islamic studies, cultural heritage, “All of our children must realise the guage in various subjects, such as en- and history and the importance of the importance of preserving our religion, gineering, mathematics, and science, Arabic language in promoting a sense language, and heritage, and contrib- as we graduate doctors, engineers, and of cultural and national belonging ute to preserving cultural intellectual researchers.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 2, 2020 QATAR 10/15/20/30 promo launched at LuLu uLu Group, after an interval of a “value and beauty to the main promo- ing promotion has been launched by couple of months, has re-launched tion”. LuLu Hypermarkets in co-ordination Lthe 10/15/20/30 promotion at all Meanwhile, the ‘better prices’ pro- with Nestle Qatar on Nescafe 3 in 1 LuLu outlets in the Qatar region. motion has been organised with Digi products. Those buying Nescafe 3 in 1 More than 1,000 products from all Tech off ers on electronics, IT products products worth QR25 will get a chance categories — grocery, fresh food, fruits, and cameras. to enter a raffle draw to win air tick- vegetables, household, textile, footwear, Also, LuLu has launched the ‘Half Pay ets for travelling back to their home cosmetics, sports goods, home decor, Back’ scheme on readymade garments, country. The promotion will have eight luggage, stationery, toys and electronics, sarees, churidars, footwear, ladies’ bags, winners and run until March 6 at all etc, are off ered for the above promotion. babies’ accessories and selected sun- LuLu outlets. The promotion will continue until glasses, wherein customers can instant- Meanwhile, leading confectionery March 7. ly get a QR100 gift voucher against their brand Master Food, in co-ordination The speciality of the promotion is that purchases worth QR200. with LuLu, has started an innovative the LuLu management has succeeded in The promotion features several in- promotion under the title, “Buy Any adding products that meet every utility ternational brands of menswear, la- Mars products for QR25 and get a free requirement of customers, according to dieswear, churidars, saris, children’s raffl e coupon to win LuLu gift vouchers a press statement. wear, footwear and ladies’ bags and up to QR50,000”. The promotion will Products of “good quality are avail- selected sunglasses, the management identify 32 winners in a mega raffl e draw, able at aff ordable prices and that makes stressed in the statement. The promo- which is scheduled to be held on March the promotion an outstanding one”, the tion continues until March 7. 31 at LuLu Hypermarket, D-Ring Road statement noted. Stocks of leading international brands branch. The Hot Food and Bakery sections such as Lee, Wrangler, Crocs, Sketch- According to the LuLu management, have come up with their own “tailor- ers, Reebok, Louis Philippe, Arrow, Van “we have always been striving hard to made, innovative value combo offers” Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England, Ox- extend a better shopping experience to encompassing various cuisines such as emberg, Sero, Tom Smith, Dickies, John its shoppers, and we will continue our Arabic, Western, Chinese, South In- Louise, Eten, Cortigiani, Debackers, etc, sustained eff orts in this regard with dian and North Indian, etc, along with are on display. highly innovative promotions in future The promotion runs until March 7. a wide range of bakery delights to add Simultaneously, an exclusive ongo- as well to keep our customers happier”. Kims Barwa conducts breast cancer awareness campaign

ims Qatar Medical Center (KQMC), Barwa City, Me- Ksaimeer, organised a free breast cancer awareness cam- paign yesterday, on the occasion of International Women’s health week, in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). Kims Barwa, the second branch of KQMC Wakra, has been provid- ing healthcare requirements to the population of Qatar since 2009, ac- cording to a statement. The campaign targeted all wom- en aged 45-69 with no breast can- cer symptoms and urged them to undergo screening. If the results of the examination are normal, then the participant is only required to repeat the screening after three years. If however, the results refl ect certain abnormality, the partici- pant will receive a call for a fol- low-up appointment with PHCC doctors. The doctor will then refer them to Hamad Medical Corpora- tion (HMC) for further tests. This campaign is aimed at cre- ating awareness about breast can- cer and providing them with free mammogram check-up and con- sultation with a gynaecologist. Early detection can lead to almost 100% survival rate in case of breast A mobile screening unit is parked in front of Kims Qatar Medical Center, Barwa City. cancer. It is important to note that abnormal results do not mean the tests; therefore they are referred to and is not cause for any alarming tions for the entire month of March person has cancer. HMC. This will help to determine situation. In addition, Kims is of- 2020 at both its centres at Wakra It means they require further whether the examination is normal fering discounts on all investiga- and Barwa City.

Qatar participated in the meeting with a delegation headed by HE the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi. Qatar takes part in Arab interior ministers’ meeting in Tunis

QNA and recommendations is- Tunis sued by conferences and meetings held within the scope of the General Sec- he 37th session of the retariat, the results of joint Arab Interior Minis- meetings with Arab and in- Tters Council started ternational bodies during yesterday at the headquar- the past year, and other se- ters of the council’s General curity issues on the agenda. Secretariat. The meeting will also dis- The State of Qatar par- cuss security eff orts at the ticipated in the meeting Arab level to combat terror- with a delegation headed by ism and organised crime in HE the Minister of Justice all its forms. and Minister of State for zHE Dr Issa Saad al-Ja- Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad fali al-Nuaimi yesterday met al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, and with the Lebanese Minister with the membership of HE of Interior and Municipali- the Undersecretary of the ties Mohamed Fahmi, on the Ministry of Interior Major sidelines of the meetings in General Abdulaziz bin Faisal Tunis. During the meeting, al-Thani, and a number of a number of issues related offi cials at the Ministry of to strengthening security Interior. The session will relations between the two discuss a number of reports countries were discussed. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 5 QATAR

HBKU college to Shirvan Métisse to open take part in Sidra health symposium

he College of Health and restaurant at The Pearl Life Sciences (CHLS) at THamad Bin Khalifa Uni- versity (HBKU) will participate in Sidra Medicine’s Maternal and UDC, Paris-based brand Child Health Symposium 2020 (MCH 2020) as an Event Educa- tional Partner. sign licence agreement Taking place from March 7 to 9 and led by event chairs Dr Sou- ospitality Development Development Company are keen haila al-Khodor and Dr Annalisa Company, a wholly- on collaborating with brilliant Terranegra, MCH 2020 brings Howned subsidiary of brands to create memorable ex- together researchers, clinicians, United Development Company periences that are unique to The nurses and other healthcare (UDC) signed a licence agreement Pearl-Qatar, which attracts large practitioners to explore the latest with upscale Paris-based Shirvan numbers of visitors. developments and innovations Métisse, to open Shirvan Métisse “In this spirit, we have chosen in maternal and child health re- Restaurant at The Pearl-Qatar. to partner with Shirvan Métisse, search. The agreement was signed by which introduces an entirely new A mix of discussions, exhib- Dr Edward Stuenkel. Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, UDC fusion concept and enriches the its and speeches will introduce president and chief executive of- portfolio of restaurants man- participants to advanced re- Sidra Medicine, CHLS is com- fi cer and member, Board of Direc- aged by Hospitality Development search projects and resources mitted to improving children’s tors, and Akrame Benallal, Shirvan Company.” available in the fields of pre- and women’s health at home Métisse chief executive offi cer. Métisse said, “I am very happy conception care, pregnancy and further afield. MCH 2020 UDC is a leading Qatari share- to be working in collaboration complications and post-natal also provides the perfect op- holding company and master de- with UDC and HDC to take the life. MCH 2020 also provides portunity to highlight our veloper of The Pearl-Qatar and Shirvan Métisse brand to a whole partners and exhibitors with an multidisciplinary approach to Gewan Island. new level as one of the world’s opportunity to showcase their research and discovery in the Through opening the new res- leading culinary experiences and respective capabilities to target area of health and life sciences. taurant inspired by oriental fl airs specifi cally at The Pearl-Qatar audiences. To this end, we’re looking for- from Azerbaijan and food cultures being one of the country’s most Dr Edward Stuenkel, found- ward to engaging and building along the old Silk Road, UDC and iconic sites. I am confi dent Shir- ing dean of CHLS, said, “We’re ties with what promises to be HDC aim to further investments van Métisse’s colourful journey naturally delighted to be par- an expert and knowledgeable in hospitality-related businesses, of fl avours inspired from the an- ticipating at MCH 2020. Like group of participants.” which show promising prospects cient Silk Road will appeal to the for tourism in Qatar in general and clientele with discerning taste.” The Pearl-Qatar more specifi cally, HDC currently operates sev- where HDC has pledged to intro- eral successful restaurants at The BMW M5 and M8 Coupe recalled duce innovative hospitality brands Pearl-Qatar including Alison The Ministry of Commerce and and repair works and will com- and concepts. Nelson’s Chocolate Bar, MEGU, Industry, in co-peration with Al- municate with customers to en- To this end, Shirvan Métisse Burj Al Hamam, Arabesque, Ur- fardan Automobiles, announced sure that the necessary repairs aims at shaking up preconceived ban Jazz Kitchen and Isla Mexi- the recall of BMW M5 and M8 are carried out. The Ministry ideas, mixing infl uences and can Kitchen. Coupe model of 2019, due to has urged customers to report styles by presenting innovative UDC’s mission is to identify and faulty transmission wiring layout. any violations to its Consumer culinary concoctions within an invest in long-term projects con- The recall campaign comes Protection and Anti-Commercial entertaining ambiance, a unique tributing to Qatar’s growth and within the framework of the Fraud Department, which proc- and comprehensive fi ne dining providing good shareholder value. Ministry’s efforts to protect con- esses complaints, inquiries and experience crafted by the very Its activities cover a multitude of sumers and ensure that vehicle suggestions through the follow- daring two-Michelin star Chef vital investment sectors including dealers follow up on defects and ing channels: Call Centre: 16001, Akrame Benallal. real estate development, property repairs. e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: On the opening of the new management, infrastructure and The Ministry has said that it will @ MOCIQATAR, Instagram: restaurant at The Pearl-Qatar, utilities, maritime and hospitality Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, UDC president, and Akrame Benallal, Shirvan Métisse chief executive off icer, co-ordinate with the dealer to MOCIQATAR, mobile app for al-Othman said, “We at United related businesses. shake hands after signing the agreement. follow up on the maintenance Android and IOS: MOCIQATAR. New Eclipse Cross focuses on ‘stylish SUV’ concept

he Qatar Automobiles Company (QAC), the authorised distribu- Ttor of Mitsubishi Motors Cor- poration and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation in Qatar, has pre- sented the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross at its showroom on Salwa Road. The Eclipse Cross’s beautiful, dy- namic form creates the same sense of excitement and inspiration as the dia- mond ring eff ect during a total eclipse, according to a statement. The new vehicle’s high-saturation red exterior colour evokes the brilliance of the sun’s halo fl aring from behind the moon. While stylish like a coupé, it’s un- questionably a Mitsubishi Motors SUV. The dynamic, sculpted form projects the explosive power of an athlete from sporty face to high-tech rear lamps. The fresh surprise of the body per- sists in the cabin where engineering passion culminates in sporty, dynamic refi nement. From distinctive horizon- tal instrument panel to shining silver The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: sense of excitement and inspiration. trim and monotone colour scheme, the cockpit off ers a bold new experi- tradition of building SUVs, could have the highest 5-star safety rating from ence with Display Audio and Head Up made. While perfection is impossible, the Australasian New Car Assessment Display. since people seek all sorts of diff erent Programme (ANCAP). The ANCAP re- The newly developed 1.5L petrol things from cars, the more you examine vealed that the Eclipse Cross achieved turbo engine provides a pleasing re- the details of the Eclipse Cross, touch a 97% rating for Adult Occupant Pro- sponse, high revolutions and strong its components and hear the stories tection. acceleration. from its makers, the more you come to The SUV Coupe’s ‘Forward Colli- Mitsubishi Motors also attached im- appreciate both its design and the ef- sion Mitigation’ system performed portance to the quality of the ride. Cars fort behind its development. well, with collisions avoided or miti- off ering a great ride tend to have highly While specifi cally focusing on a gated in all test scenarios and at all rigid bodies, but blindly adding rigidity “stylish SUV” concept, Mitsubishi test speeds. can easily increase vehicle weight. So Motors also aimed to satisfy as many Overall, the Eclipse Cross scored how does one construct a body that is users as possible by eliminating com- maximum points in many of the tests both lightweight and rigid? The devel- promise and meeting user demands. performed, helping the vehicle to se- opment team turned to adhesive tech- This is what drove Mitsubishi Motors cure the highest safety rating possi- nologies. to release a new SUV. ble. This 5-star ANCAP safety rating The Eclipse Cross is a crossover that In terms of safety, the all-new will apply to all variants of the Eclipse only Mitsubishi Motors, with its long Eclipse Cross SUV Coupe received Cross SUV, the statement added.

Call for rethinking plastic use

he Qatar National Library’s fo- by taking very simple steps in their cus on sustainability during daily lives. Instead of using normal TFebruary culminated in a strong plastic bags, opt for reusable cloth call to action at ‘Saving the Blue’ re- bags for shopping. Keep them in your cently. The talk featured the founders car so you won’t forget them at home,” of Green Mangroves, a locally-based said Lina Altarawneh, co-founder of programme of Qatar Foundation Inter- Green Mangroves, who spoke at the national that brings people together to event. “Usually coff ee cups are lined protect the country’s natural water and with plastic, so get your own reusable mangroves. QNL talk focused on rethinking plastic use. cups and take them with you to the The Green Mangroves activists cafes. Use bar soap at home instead of shared simple steps that anyone can ute to protecting the oceans. shampoo and soap from plastic pump take to reduce plastic use and contrib- “People can reduce their plastic use dispensers.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, March 2, 2020 QATAR

Lolwah: Qatar’s neutrality and credibility behind success of US-Taliban agreement

QNA ess between the United States and on Saturday, HE AlKhater said On the pivotal role Qatar that these endeavours are consid- She explained that this step Doha the Taliban movement are Qatar’s that the factors for success are played in building peace between ered a very important step on the between the US and the Taliban neutrality and credibility, which the patience of Qatar, as well as the US and the Taliban, while path to establishing sustainable and movement constitutes an impor- led to progress in negotiations the fi rm and steadfast approach other countries followed the comprehensive peace in Afghani- tant path in the peace process, E the Assistant Foreign after it was stopped, despite the of the country to committing to method of escalation and demo- stan, which contains all compo- while the other important path is Minister and Spokes- presence of attempts from several neutrality, honesty, and not hid- lition, HE AlKhater pointed out nents of the Afghan people. the Afghan-Afghan dialogue. Hperson for the Ministry countries that were not successful. ing any undeclared agendas. that the demolition process is She noted that the agreement HE AlKhater added that last of Foreign Aff airs Lolwah Rashid In a statement to reporters on She noted that the commit- always easier than building, and for bringing peace to Afghanistan year, Qatar organised an Afghan- AlKhater has underscored that the the sidelines of the ceremony for ment of Qatar to peace is what fuelling and igniting wars is eas- is a historic achievement for Qa- Afghan dialogue conference, and reasons that enabled Qatar and the conclusion of the agreement enabled it to achieve this his- ier than achieving the peace that tari diplomacy, adding that this is it was a successful conference, the rest of the parties to overcome for bringing peace to Afghani- toric agreement, confi rming that needs eff orts and determination. a great step forward. She thanked which contributed to the con- the obstacles that hindered the stan, signed between the US and Qatar will continue its eff orts to HE AlKhater affi rmed that Qatar all the parties that participated in vergence of views of the Afghan achievement of the peace proc- the Taliban movement in Doha HE Lolwah Rashid AlKhater bring peace to Afghanistan. sought to play a positive role, noting achieving this agreement. society, including women. ‘Qatar important Signing of peace accord is historic event: Taliban partner in Afghan z ‘Qatari role was critical in reaching agreement with US’

QNA Meanwhile, Taliban’s Politi- of the US administration’s com- Doha cal Offi ce Spokesman in Doha mitment. peace process’ Mohamed Suhail Shaheen, and On women’s rights, he said member of Taliban’s negotiating there was no need for alarm he Head of the Political team with the US, stressed the on that subject given that the Offi ce of the Afghan Tali- important role Qatar played in movement acknowledges wom- zPompeo praises eff orts made by Qatar Tban Mullah Abdul Ghani ensuring the talks lead to a peace en’s right to education and work. Baradar has described the sign- agreement. He said that all the movement ing of an agreement for bring- Speaking to journalists on only requests that Muslim wom- QNA plained, “Today, we are realistic. ing peace to Afghanistan as an the sidelines of the signing cer- en wear Hijab. Doha We are seizing the best opportu- historic event, saying that the emony of the agreement bring- A member of the Political Of- nity for peace,” adding, “We rec- Taliban and the United States ing peace to Afghanistan that fi ce of the Taliban movement ognise America shouldn’t fi ght had conducted successful ne- was signed in Doha on Saturday and member of the negotiations E the Secretary of State in perpetuity.” gotiations in the interest of the between the US and Taliban, he team between the US and the of the United States of Pompeo called on Afghan Afghan nation and the interna- The Head of the Political Off ice stressed that the Qatari role was Taliban movement, Mohamed HAmerica Mike Pompeo leaders to seize this opportunity tional community. of the Afghan Taliban Mullah critical to this agreement. He Nabi Omari, said that the fi rst has praised the eff orts made by to achieve peace. In a speech prior to signing of Abdul Ghani Baradar added that Qatar helped smooth phase of the Intra-Afghan ne- Qatar to bring peace to Afghani- The US Secretary of State the agreement for bringing peace the Afghan people suff ered a lot, out any diffi culties and chal- gotiations will start on March stan, and to bring the views of all added, “We now have commit- to Afghanistan, Mullah Baradar expressing hope that all foreign lenges facing the peace process. 10, by exchanging prisoners and sides together. ments from the Taliban to break expressed gratitude to His High- forces will withdraw from Af- He described the peace agree- detainees on both sides. Addressing a press conference with Al Qaeda. This is historic. ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin ghanistan and that the Afghan ment signed in Doha as an im- In a statement to report- held on Saturday after the cer- They need to live up to those Hamad al-Thani and the Qatari nation will be able to pursue a portant achievement, noting ers on the sidelines of the cer- emony for the conclusion of the commitments. They’ve made offi cials who supported these prosperous life after the agree- that it will be the foundation emony to conclude the peace agreement for bringing peace commitments to continue to negotiations for a long time and ment. He said that the Taliban for the withdrawal of all for- agreement, signed between the in Afghanistan, signed between HE the Secretary of State of the reduce the violence level,” add- hosted the movement and fa- wants unity and prosperity for eign forces from Afghanistan in United States and the Taliban the United States and the Tali- United States of America Mike ing: “When they do that, they cilitated its mission. He pointed Afghanistan, calling on all Af- 14 months. He added that the movement in Doha on Saturday, ban movement in Doha, Pompeo Pompeo at the press conference will find that there is oppor- out the Taliban movement has ghan parties to lay the founda- coming phase will be focused on Nabi Omari pointed out that this said, “So the nation of Qatar has in Doha yesterday. tunity in this place, that the reached an agreement with the tions of an established Islamic intra-Afghan talks that will fo- measure is among the conditions been an enormously important international community is de- United States of America and the system, urging those parties to cus on the future of the country of the reconciliation agreement partner to get us to this very mo- ago, America embarked on a manding that Afghanistan be a movement is committed to en- come to the negotiating table and how to form a government between the Taliban and the ment.” noble mission to mightily pur- peaceful place.” forcing this agreement. and promote Islamic values for peacefully. He added that talks United States of America. Pompeo added, “When we sue the terrorist perpetrators of He called on the Afghan peo- He said that the Taliban as Afghanistan. will begin after this agreement Nabi Omari appreciated the have hit bumps in the road, the September 11th attacks and ple to maintain peace, avoid a political force wants to build Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and will see the release of 5,000 important role of Qatari di- they have helped smooth them their evil supporters and to pre- violence and chaos, and pro- bridges with neighbouring thanked the countries he said Taliban prisoners in Kabul in plomacy, which led the talks out. They have agreed to host a vent such a heinous attack from mote dialogue and understand- countries and the international extended a helping hand and a bid to build trust, while the throughout its various stages signifi cant piece of the conver- ever happening again. We have ing between all ethnicities and community and seeks fraternal supported the Taliban move- Taliban will release 1,000 pris- with great patience, during sations that have taken place achieved great things. We have sects, stressing, “Factions will relations with all countries, add- ment, including Pakistan, Rus- oners it has from the Kabul ad- which it bore many obstacles. He that have built out on the set of ensured Afghanistan isn’t a ha- undoubtedly emerge that want ing that the Afghan nation has sia, Indonesia, and Norway, ministration. He stressed that added that Qatar was genuinely agreements that you see today. ven for terrorists who can attack to spoil our good work. We must suff ered for four decades. expressing hope that everyone the movement will fully respect bent on overcoming all the diffi - We appreciate that and we thank us.” call them out and reject their Head of the Political Offi ce of would contribute to the process Saturday’s agreement, express- culties through the negotiations them.” Pompeo said, “Today, political schemes for discord.” the Afghan Taliban added that of rebuilding Afghanistan. ing his optimism on the prospect to reach this historic moment. The US Secretary of State debate in Afghanistan is free and On guarantees of all parties’ expressed his confi dence that vigorous. Today, more than 9mn compliance with the terms of Qatar will continue to provide students are enrolled in school; the agreement, Secretary Pom- assistance and support to the 39% of them are girls. Today, peo explained, “So we’ve spent eff orts of the US to bring peace, more than 57% of Afghans have many months getting to where ‘Taliban committed to peace in Afghanistan’ adding, “They have been great access to basic healthcare, com- we are today, and there are a set partners in getting to this point, pared to just 9% in 2002. And Al of interlocking understandings, and we’re counting on them to Qaeda today is a shadow of its implementation agreements, ember of Taliban’s Po- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. forts. He said that the next phase He said that the headquarters of continue their eff orts to deliver former self. We have decimated that are clearly spelled out.” litical Office Khirullah He expressed the great ap- will involve intra-Afghan eff orts Taliban political offi ce will re- for the Afghan people this enor- its leadership and now have the He affi rmed the US commit- MKhairkhwa, who is also preciation all sides have for that will build towards compre- main in Doha during the upcom- mous opportunity that this mo- Taliban agreeing that Al Qaeda ment to withdrawal mecha- member of Taliban’s negotiat- His Highness the Father Amir hensive peace in Afghanistan. ing rounds of negotiations. ment brings.” must never again fi nd safe haven nisms, along with promises of ing team with the US, praised Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- He added that there were no He stressed that all parties in- Pompeo said: “Today is an in Afghanistan.” security obligations, and ex- Qatar’s efforts saying that it Thani, the Qatari government, issues in choosing the hosts of volved understood that war and historic day for the United States The US Secretary of State pected that the Taliban would succeeded in building peace and for the Qatari people. these talks due to the under- fi ghting will not lead to a resolu- of America and the American stated:”The United States faces fulfi l their pledges as well, in Afghanistan following long He told journalists on the standing between all countries tion, noting that the movement people. Today, we have taken a national security challenges that stressing that the United States and secretive talks that led to sidelines of the signing ceremo- that off ered to host whether Qa- will be fl exible when it comes to decisive step toward peace, real weren’t even imagined a few will not hesitate to defend the this important milestone. He ny that the Taliban is committed tar, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, or the Afghan government’s com- peace in Afghanistan. Just as years ago,” stressing, “A compre- interests of the Afghan people stressed that Qatari diploma- to all articles of the agreement, Norway. He said that all of them mitment to release 5,000 pris- any worthy journey begins, it is hensive, inclusive, durable peace in the event of the failure of the cy persevered all the different stressing that the movement is agree that the most important oners in terms of understanding a fi rst step”. could only be secured by the Af- Taliban movement to honour its stages, thanks to the directives keen on keeping what has been thing is Afghan reconciliation that the commitment must not He added: “Nearly 19 years ghan people themselves.” He ex- commitments. of His Highness the Amir Sheikh achieved thanks to Qatari ef- and the establishment of peace. undermine the rule of law. - QNA Turkish FM lauds ‘decisive role’ played by Qatar

QNA Middle Eastern and African Aff airs Doha Bureau and Japan’s Special Rep- resentative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Katsuhiko Takahashi ex- he Foreign Minister of pressed Japan’s delight at the sign- Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu ing of the agreement for bringing Thas praised the decisive peace to Afghanistan between both role Qatar played in ensuring the the US of America and the Taliban success of talks between the US movement in Doha, describing it as and the Taliban, congratulating a historical moment that brought the leadership, government, and together the two parties. people of Qatar on the achieve- In a statement to reporters on ment. the sidelines of the signing cere- He stressed that the achieve- mony of the agreement for bring- ment would have been impos- ing peace to Afghanistan in Doha sible if it wasn’t for the role on Saturday, he expressed Japan’s played by Qatar and successful appreciation for the Qatari eff orts mediation, which contributed and endeavours, and the role that to the historic achievement. Qatari mediation played in pre- The Turkish Minister of Foreign paring for this occasion and the Aff airs told reporters that the success of the negotiations. agreement is one of the historic Takahashi praised the eff orts moments in the journey towards of Qatar, stressing those eff orts Afghan peace, adding that it was and endeavours were crucial for thanks to the independent and Dignitaries at the signing ceremony of the agreement bringing peace to Afghanistan. the success of the negotiations. active Qatari diplomacy. He said that the eff orts of Qatar He praised the achievement Responsible for Foreign Aff airs obstacles and use the agreement Tajikistan Foreign Minister tari diplomacy in helping the two Afghan parties, praising the ef- are appreciated by all, express- despite the diffi culty it faced, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah as a model for resolving crises. Sirodjidin Muhriddin Saturday sides achieve peace. forts made to sign the agreement ing his country’s readiness to stressing his country’s support praised the eff orts of Qatar in Bin Alawi said that the agree- expressed appreciation of Qatari He stressed that the agree- after long talks in Doha. co-operate with the government to eff orts that will lead to peace holding talks that ultimately led ment hosted by Doha was a big step mediation of US-Taliban talks ment will help establish peace He added that the agreement of Qatar to achieve peace and in Afghanistan. to the agreement for bringing towards peace in Afghanistan, add- which led to a peace agreement. in Afghanistan, especially that was a success for Qatari diplo- stability in Afghanistan. Cavusoglu said that the agree- peace to Afghanistan. ing that the country which has long The Foreign Minister of there is an interest from all parts macy which aims to establish He explained that signing the ment sets the stage for intra-Af- He told reporters that the been home to terrorists will now Tajikistan was speaking to report- to reach that goal and end a 19- peace and stability, it also comes agreement today is a fi rst step ghan talks, expressing hope that agreement, signed between the become a land of peace thanks to ers on the sidelines of the sign- year war. as part of its commitment to towards the upcoming negotia- these talks start soon and lead to US and the Taliban in Doha, the agreement. He stressed that all ing ceremony of the agreement Tajikistan’s foreign minis- dialogue and constructive co- tions that will bring together the a sustainable and comprehen- gives hope that the region’s is- countries have a big and important bringing peace to Afghanistan ter said that the agreement will operation. Afghan parties, and expressed sive peace for the Afghan people. sues could be resolved, and cre- role in helping Afghanistan realise a that took place in Doha and said represent the beginning of an Meanwhile, the Director-Gen- hope that those negotiations will Meanwhile, Oman’s Minister ates an opportunity to overcome bright future. that it refl ects the success of Qa- expanded dialogue between all eral and Assistant Minister for the lead to peace in Afghanistan. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 7 QATAR

Al-Adeed 2020 tactical drill

The Amiri Land Force has started preparations to carry out the tactical drill ‘Al-Adeed 2020’ with the participation of all leaderships and branches of the Amiri Land Force, in addition to the Amiri Air Force, the Joint Special Forces and a number of various units from the Armed Forces. HE the Deputy Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan ... prayers for peace Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah inspected the preparations and checked all arrangements, in the presence of HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem. HE the Deputy Prime Imran welcomes US-Taliban peace accord Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs, accompanied by HE the Chief of Staff , also made an inspection tour on the combat readiness of the Amiri Land Force and their ability to carry out the The Prime Minister of Pakistan has welcomed ing of the Afghan people,” Imran Khan tweeted. its role in ensuring the agreement holds and military operations due to be implemented at the appropriate time and place. — QNA Afghanistan peace agreement, which was “I have always maintained that a pol succeeds in bringing peace to Afghanistan” signed between the United States and the solution, no matter how complex, is the only he tweeted. Taliban movement, urging all stakeholders to meaningful path to peace,” he added. The agreement for bringing peace to ensure that “spoilers are kept at bay”. “My prayers for peace for the Afghan Afghanistan was signed in Doha on Saturday “This is the start of a peace and reconcilia- people who have suff ered 4 decades of between the US and the Afghan Taliban move- tion process to end decades of war and suff er- bloodshed. Pakistan is committed to playing ment under the auspices of Qatar. - QNA Intra-Afghan dialogue

Ministry of Interior officials and officers from the General Directorate of Civil Defence and other is next natural step, dignitaries attend the World Civil Defence Day celebrations in Doha yesterday. says Pakistan FM MoI celebrates World Civil Defence Day QNA z Qatar’s role in US-Afghan Doha peace deal lauded he Ministry of Interior By Mudassir Raja yesterday marked World Staff Reporter TCivil Defence Day, which is celebrated worldwide on March 1 each year. he most natural step from this day This year’s celebration came onward is the initiation of the intra- under the theme of ‘Civil De- TAfghan dialogue, Pakistan’s For- fence and a fi rst aider in every eign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood home’ to emphasise the impor- Qureshi said after the US and the Taliban tance of raising awareness of takes into consideration the pri- The head of media and aware- signed a historic peace agreement in Doha safety and security measures in ority of safety of life, and then its ness section of the General Di- on Saturday. society, and training civilians on eff orts were regarding establish- rectorate of Civil Defence, Major “In my meeting with Mike Pompeo, US how to deal with disasters and ing a safety culture among the Jabir Mohamed al-Marri, said the Secretary of State, I focused on maintaining providing them with the neces- various segments of society. celebration was being held in con- the momentum that this signing [US-Taliban sary skills in this regard. Brigadier al-Duhaimi called junction with the International peace deal] ceremony has generated,” he said. Civil Defence Director-Gen- on all components of civil society Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) Interacting with the media Qureshi said: eral Brigadier Hamad Othman to co-operate with the eff orts of and aims to provide awareness and “It is important that an inclusive delega- al-Duhaimi, highlighted the the General Directorate of Civil education in the safety and secu- tion is put together as soon as possible. It is support provided by the MoI, Defence, in order to activate this rity procedures in every home. important that the intra-Afghan dialogue furnishing the directorate with year’s theme of ‘Civil Defence and He said that the mission of the starts early this month. That will keep the modern equipment and facili- a fi rst aider in every home’, in order General Directorate and its re- momentum and that will give people the Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi. ties, and qualifying its personnel, to preserve the safety of the peo- lated departments is to highlight confi dence that what has been agreed upon which represents the main pillar ple of the homeland by educating the potential risks in homes, is being implemented.” The Pakistan foreign minister also lauded reconcile? It is for Afghans to sit together for the directorate’s performance family members, and instilling procedures for securing homes The Pakistan foreign minister further the role played by Qatar in the peace deal. “I and decide among themselves that what of its noble humanitarian tasks. safety concepts in them, and af- through meetings, plans, and said: “I would recall that years back Prime would like to thank the foreign minister of Qa- kind of future they want. He stressed the directorate’s fi rmation of the presence of one awareness programs that work to Minister Imran Khan suggested that the tar for his perseverance, hosting the historic “Today’s Afghanistan is diff erent from keenness to enhance the fam- or more individuals, on knowledge activate this theme. only way forward is a politically negotiated event, and Qatar’s vision to permit the politi- what it was in 2001. Every player has to ily’s role in prevention and also of the most important measures to The General Directorate also settlement. Today, there was recognition. cal offi ce of Taliban in Doha. All the regional adjust according to the new realities. It in reducing the repercussions of achieve safety and security, and to honoured outstanding person- The Qatari Foreign Minister (HE Mohamed players, particularly neighbours of Afghani- depends on the political leadership in Af- disasters that may occur so that act in times of crises and disasters nel as well as collaborators and bin Abdulrahman al-Thani) in his opening stan, were excited to witness the peace deal.” ghanistan to decide whether they are in it everyone can help the civil de- in a scientifi c manner. supporters of the Directorate’s remarks said that there was and there is no In response to a question that if the peace (peace) for themselves or for Afghanistan. If fence and its eff orts to protect He announced the launching eff orts, in addition to the schools military solution to the Afghan confl ict. The deal fails, what would be the role of Paki- they are for Afghanistan, they will rise above lives and property. of a one-year training awareness participating in the celebration. road ahead is not going to be easy but one stan, Qureshi said: “Pakistan’s objective is their diff erences and look at the larger pic- He said that the General Di- program, targeting school stu- An awareness fi lm was also thing is clear that the world has resolved [to have] a peaceful neighbourhood. We will ture which is peace. I am of the view that the rectorate of Civil Defence, with dents, commercial complexes, screened on home safety proce- that diplomacy would be given preference get peaceful neighbourhood, where there is people of Afghanistan are ready for peace. its human cadres trained in fi re- and state ministries, aiming to dures, causes of fi res in homes over (military) might.” reconciliation within Afghanistan. Who will The question is if the leadership is ready.” fi ghting and rescue work, always achieve this year’s theme. and ways to prevent them.

Innovative driving instructor programme being designed for persons with ASD

owasalat’s Karwa Driving driving capabilities and safe driving will signifi cantly enhance the under- School is partnering with behaviours of novice drivers with ASD. standing of driver behaviour in spe- MQatar University (QU) to Information from this training will cifi c target groups such as people with conduct a study for ‘examining driv- also be made available for free by de- ASD. Finally, this project will initiate ing behaviour of adults with higher veloping an information folder, con- active collaboration between research functioning autism spectrum disor- taining a summary of the training. bodies and driving schools in order to ders to develop and evaluate an inno- Fahad Saad al-Qahtani, CEO of improve driver-training programmes vative driving instructor training pro- Mowasalat, said that Mowasalat’s in Qatar,” he said. gramme’. Karwa Driving School wishes to con- Dr Naji added that those with ASD Karwa Driving School will contrib- tribute funding for the research work usually experience signifi cant chal- ute to QU, which has been awarded for execution and implementation of lenges in adulthood and successfully this project by Qatar National Re- the project. overcoming typical milestones. search Fund (QNRF). “We are delighted to be part of this “Those with ASD may lack to estab- Shafallah Center, Qatar, will provide unique project for the fi rst time in Qa- lish social support networks. A sense of support in helping with sampling and tar, to develop training modules with failures can often impact one’s sense of survey with students, faculty and at- information to address people with self-esteem and can contribute to psy- tendants. ASD,” he said. chological eff ects that impair personal The study will focus on behaviour “We are happy partnering with QU, growth. They commonly wish to rely and intervention that improve quality with which we have more than ten- less on family support and to become of life and decrease risk -primary pri- year relationship partnering to pro- more independent. The proposed in- ority area and mobility and road safety. mote driving vehicle safety through vestigation also focuses on training The project is led by Dr Wael al- Fahad Saad al-Qahtani various campaigns, activities and Dr Khalid Naji individuals with ASD to improve their Dr Wael al-Hajyaseen Hajyaseen from Qatar Transportation initiatives addressing road traffi c and presence on the road. Gaining further and Traffi c Safety Centre (QTTSC) at logical characteristics of novice driv- driving safety. Through this project, lege of Engineering at QU, said that knowledge about the ASD population This will be based on the existing QU in collaboration with University of ers with Autism Spectrum Disorder Karwa Driving School will be devel- the project comes with an economic in Qatar which may help these indi- literature, questionnaires, and simu- Hasselt, Belgium. (ASD).For this, self-report measures, oping and distributing the proposed impact. viduals, their families, and to better lated driving scenarios. The co-funding contribution man- cognitive tasks and a driving simulator training modules and information “Firstly, if people with ASD become understand the issues they face in or- Information derived from the as- agement agreement has been signed will be used. folder which we expect will encour- able to obtain a driver’s license, more der to ultimately improve their quality sessment will be used in the develop- between QU and the co-founder The to-be-developed simulated age more people with ASD to obtain a will be able to pursue vocational goals. of life,” he said. ment of training modules for driver Karwa Driving School of Mowasalat. driving scenarios will serve as validat- driving license, enhancing their level Secondly, the driving instructors will The proposed project builds upon instructors. QU will execute and produce com- ed assessment tools in future research. of autonomy, confi dence and lifestyle be able to attract more learners who and further extends recent interna- Besides, driving simulation in a vir- prehensive research studies on the Furthermore, this project targets the as they become less dependent on experience diffi culties with learning tional research on the relation between tual environment can be modifi ed to fi t topic. development of innovative training relatives and friends to assist in trans- how to drive due to their ASD diagno- driving and ASD. the research purposes. The current project is aimed at modules for the driving instructors to portation requirements,” al-Qahtani sis. Thirdly, the utilisation of driving As little is known regarding ASD and This way, confounding factors can comprehensively investigating driving equip them with the knowledge, tools explained. simulators in traffi c safety and opera- driving in Qatar an initial problem as- be controlled for and one can control behaviours as well as related psycho- and techniques to eff ectively develop Dr Khalid Naji, the dean of the Col- tion studies in Qatar is quite novel and sessment will be made. the characteristics of the participants. Gulf Times 8 Monday, March 2, 2020 QATAR/REGION Qatar ‘a key market for high-end jewellery brands’ By Joey Aguilar z Expert Shelley Kabilu has said Qatar “is a different world, it is very special it is basically a The prestigious jewellery lot of these signed pieces.” Staff Reporter show in Doha, Kabilu stressed, Kabilu noted that she has seen pearl, it is like a jewel of the Middle East, very unique and so the people in every way” brings together the world’s most on auction or earlier, old his- important brands and the best torical pieces with natural pearls atar continues to be a collections of everything in jew- that have come from the Gulf special and important ellery whether high end, middle, signed by Cartier, by Napoleon, Qmarket for high-end and or daily wear. as well as various special pieces, fi ne jewellery brands, Shelley & “I am looking forward to re- at NMoQ. Co founder, Shelley Kabilu, has turn with our new collections for “Just to be able to collect all said. the DJWE 2021,” she added. of those pieces that they’ve put “The Qatar market is open and The exhibition hosted 129 ex- here in the museum, I am sure, people are well-educated about hibitors from 14 countries, re- has taken a long time and has the jewellery and high-end piec- cording 68% growth from the been done so well and so special es, their taste is sophisticated, previous edition, according to to show the rich heritage,” she and up with the latest trends, QNTC. It attracted more than said. passionate about luxury items 32,000 afi cionados of luxurious “It is so fi ne, it is so impec- and the story behind the inspira- ornaments and timepieces - a cable to showcase the history of tion about each piece,” she told 34% increase in the number of the natural pearls here and how Gulf Times. visitors compared to the previ- for centuries these pearls have “They are also happy to meet Shelley & Co showcased rare and colour diamonds at the ous edition. The 18th edition of been sold to Europe, to all the big the designer of the brand,” Ka- recently-concluded DJWE 2020. DJWE will take place from Feb- important jewellery houses and bilu observed. Shelley & Co was ruary 22-27, 2021. then nowadays a lot of things are among the hundreds of interna- a keen eye for detail and strong traditional clothing, and espe- Kabilu, who visited the Na- being purchased back to come tional brands which participated connections globally, plans to cially the jewellery, actually with tional Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) to the region here, which is very in the 17th edition of the Doha start working on a collection for everything. It is very unique to yesterday, said that the most special.” Jewellery and Watches Exhibi- the Qatar market, inspired by the the rest of the Middle East, it’s important pearls in history have During her stay in Doha, Ka- tion (DJWE), which concluded country’s rich history and herit- just completely diff erent. Qa- been natural pearls that come bilu said she enjoyed visiting dif- on Saturday at the Doha Exhibi- age, once she returns to New tar is a diff erent world, it is very from the Gulf and Qatar. ferent attractions in the country tion and Convention Centre. Shelley Kabilu at the DJWE 2020. York. “I’d like to make a collec- special it is basically a pearl, it is “The museum is impressive and had the chance to watch the DJWE, organised by the Qa- tion of daily wear for the younger like a jewel of the Middle East, on many levels. I am so im- event at Al Shaqab in Education tar National Tourism Council, why the Qatar market has wel- ury items, she said such kind of generation who want something very unique and so the people in pressed by the history in seeing City – “which was absolutely top is a leading platform for lovers comed and adores colour dia- clientele remain to be among the cool but not crazy, which will every way,” Kabilu stressed. how it’s been so infl uential for level.” of luxury and jewellery, bring- monds,” she said. leading trendsetters across the have natural colour diamonds. She also lauded the DJWE the economy here and before the “I was able to meet with the ing together the latest trends Kabilu noted that the taste of world. We have our very rare pieces that 2020 and its organisation, which oil and gas,” she said. best teams, best jumpers and and innovations in the industry, the people, both men and ladies, “I enjoy working with Qataris are one-of-kind and cannot be brought a lot of excitement and “That is really fascinating to riders in the world, as well as along with renowned interna- is refi ned and special with a Eu- and for them to actually choose found anywhere else,” she said. interest in her collections, par- me especially being in the jew- leaders from Uzbekistan and In- tional and Qatari brands, under ropean touch of the most mod- and love something from my “The history of Qatar is one with ticularly on the fancy colour dia- ellery industry and seeing the dia, and being able to see some one roof. ern, latest and limited edition collection make it even more a rich heritage that goes a long mond rings that have gone viral beautiful collections that they of the horses/stables, has been “Qataris love and appreciate pieces. special,” Kabilu stressed. way back with beautiful tradi- after Qatari infl uencers visited have here of natural pearls and very special,” she said. “Qatar is the rarity, investment value, and Impressed by Qatari women’s Shelley & Co founder, a jewel- tions.” her booth at the Al Majed pavil- antique pieces that the museum a leader in everything that they the beauty of jewellery, which is penchant for precious and lux- lery expert renowned for having “I fell in love with the people, ion. has curated to the top level and a do, they are so professional.” PHCC in new campaign for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

atar’s Primary Health Care Corpo- sadors take part in ‘Screen For Life’ activi- ration (PHCC) will organise a new ties, to help spread the message and encour- Qcampaign this month – ‘Be The Role age people to get screened throughout their Model’ – to encourage the public, both men channels. ‘Screen For Life’ advises residents and women aged between 50-74, to take up in the target age range to undergo bowel can- the bowel cancer screening opportunities cer screening every two years in line with in- off ered under Qatar’s National Breast and ternational quality assurance guidelines. Bowel Cancer Screening programme, ‘Screen “Screening should be undertaken by all For Life.’ in the 50-74 aged range whether or not they The campaign comes as ‘Screen For Life’ are displaying symptoms of the disease,” ex- research unearths three main reasons why plained Dr Shaikha. “We need to make them some people in the target group reject its call aware that by taking a very simple FIT (Fecal centre screening invitations even though Immunochemical Test) test, which can be early detection of the disease has been shown done in the privacy of their own homes, they to lead to a 90% survival rate. “The key rea- are pro-actively protecting their health.” sons are lack of time, fear of testing positive The FIT test involves providing a fecal Ashghal’s engineer Khalid Maher al-Qatami receiving the award during Oracle’s annual awards for the cancer and a misunderstanding of sample via a complementary kit available ceremony in Doha. faith beliefs when some people think faith at the PHCC screening suites at Al Wakra, means they don’t need to get screened,” PHCC launches new campaign for Bowel Leabaib and Rawdat Al Khail Health Centers. explained Dr Shaikha Shaikha, manager, Cancer Awareness Month. People are advised to schedule their appoint- Screening Programmes, PHCC. “We believe ments easily by calling the dedicated call if we can tackle these fundamental obsta- chor and Qur’an Kareem radio programme centre on 8001112. cles, we can improve our screening rates to producer, Aqeel Saleh al-Janahi; Qatar Mu- Last year some 14,293 people in Qatar un- Ashghal’s Doha South Project tackle the prevalence of bowel cancer which nicipal Council member and head of the derwent screening for bowel cancer. remains the second most diagnosed cancer in Legal Committee, Shaikha al-Jufairi and PHCC’s ‘Screen For Life’ programme Qatar and a leading cause of death among its well-known Qatari chef and etiquette ex- works closely with the Ministry of Public wins Oracle’s ‘Construction and residents.” pert, Aisha al-Tamimi. They are encouraging Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and the The campaign will be run to mark Interna- people to get screened and be role models to Qatar Cancer Society to synergise eff orts to tional Bowel Cancer Awareness month and others as well. reduce early deaths from cancer and other Engineering Excellence Award’ has drawn the support of three high profi le Throughout the month the ‘Be The Role chronic diseases by 25% by 2025 in line with ambassadors and supporters: Qatar TV an- Model’ campaign will see the new ambas- National Health Strategy 2018-2022 targets. n yet another international pleted the construction works sewer pumping stations located recognition for its eff orts of the Main Trunk Sewer (MTS) in the residential and commer- Ito develop Qatar, the Public as part of the Doha South Sew- cial areas in Doha South. Works Authority (Ashghal) has age Infrastructure Project. Several International Awards won one more award. The MTS is 16-km long and is It’s worth mentioning that Iran’s coronavirus death toll jumps to 54 Ashghal’s Doha South Sew- divided into three segments, the Doha South Sewage Infra- age Infrastructure Project has Eastern, Northern and West- structure Project has won sev- been awarded the Oracle’s ern. In addition to this, the eral prestigious international Reuters have reported infections among teams, starting tomorrow, to from Iran due to the ongoing “Construction and Engineer- construction of seven lateral awards in 2019. The project Dubai people who travelled to the Is- perform door-to-door corona- coronavirus (Covid-19) out- ing Excellence Award” for “En- sewer tunnels of approximately won the Engineering News lamic Republic. “There were 385 virus screening, Health Minister break. Essential staff needed to terprise-wide Standardisation 24km was completed using 170 Record (ENR)’s Global Best new cases of infected people in Saeed Namaki said on state TV continue critical work will re- in Public Infrastructure”. shafts at diff erent locations Project Award in the Wastewa- ran’s death toll from the new the last 24 hours, increasing the yesterday. Dependants and some main,” the advisory said. According to a statement by within Doha South. ter Category. The award came coronavirus has reached 54, total number to 978. staff are being evacuated from “In the event that the situ- Ashghal, the project was recog- The fl ows from these lat- in recognition to its design in- IHealth Ministry spokesman The death toll is 54,” spokes- the British embassy in Tehran ation deteriorates further, the nised for the use of digital en- eral sewers will be conveyed novation, outstanding health told state TV, adding that the man Kianush Jahanpur said, as of March 1 due to coronavirus ability of the British Embassy to gineering as a primary strategy to the three segments of the and safety performance, eff ec- number of people infected had calling on Iranians to avoid but essential staff will remain, provide assistance to British na- for process effi ciency, resource MTS, which will then convey tive risk management and im- reached 978. any unnecessary trips and stay Britain’s Foreign Offi ce said yes- tionals from within Iran may be utilisation, record manage- these fl ows to the existing Doha plementation of best construc- Iran has had the highest at home. Some neighbour- terday as part of a travel advisory limited.” Iran’s elite Revolution- ment, enhanced collaboration South Sewage Treatment Plant tion practices. number of deaths from the coro- ing countries have closed their for Iran posted online. ary Guards have allocated facili- and implementation of con- through a 40m long deep foul The project also achieved navirus outside of China, where borders with several countries “As of March 1, dependants ties across the country to help to struction best practices. sewerage pumping station. the Civil Engineering Environ- the outbreak originated, and stopping fl ights. Iran will put to- and some staff from the British eradicate the virus, a Guards com- The award was received by en- An important feature of the mental Quality Assessment and several countries in the region gether approximately 300,000 Embassy are being withdrawn manders said yesterday. gineer Khalid Maher al-Qatami, project is that the gravity MTS Award Scheme (CEEQUAL)’s head of Treatment Plants and will reduce the environmental “Design and Building Award” TSE Network Projects Section at impacts by fully controlling the with ‘Good Rating’ as well as Ashghal, during Oracle’s annual odours at the sewage treatment the “Exceptional Achievement awards ceremony held on Febru- works and conveying system Award” in the Water Environ- ary 26 in Doha. and reduce other environmen- ment and Resources Category Kuwait confi rms new coronavirus case The ceremony was also at- tal problems arising from sew- making it the fi rst and only tended by representatives from age overfl ow due to excess hy- project to obtain these awards Jacobs (previously CH2M), the draulic pressure on the existing in the Middle East at the time. Reuters one identifi ed in the past 24 hours, are either number to 47 cases, the state news agency project management consultant drainage network where sewage In 2019, for the second year Kuwait people who had travelled to Iran or been in said, citing a ministry statement. for Doha South Sewage Infra- fl ows exceed its absorptive ca- in a row, the project also won contact with people who were there, she said. The six cases are fi ve Bahraini citizens and structure Project. pacity. the Gold Award from the Royal Oman has suspended Italian tourism a Saudi national who arrived in Bahrain on Oracle is an international The project is designed to Society for the Prevention of uwait has confi rmed a new case of fl ights to its Salalah airport for a month to indirect fl ights from Iran. organisation that’s specialised accommodate the population Accidents (RoSPA) for its out- coronavirus infection, bringing the curb the spread of the coronavirus, the civil Saudi Arabia said yesterday it had pre- in providing technological so- growth expected in Doha South standing occupational health Ktotal number of people diagnosed aviation authority said. pared 25 hospitals to handle any coronavirus lutions to clients from diff er- and has the capacity to be and safety performance in ad- with the disease in the country to 46, a health Italy has reported 34 death from the coro- cases that might be detected in the kingdom, ent countries including the US, linked to future infrastructure dition to adopting the best risk ministry offi cial told a media conference yes- navirus, and almost 1,700 cases. part of precautionary measures which in- Europe and Asia. projects. Once completed, the management practices in all terday. Bahrain’s ministry of health confi rmed clude closing its borders to foreign “Umrah” Project Progress project will enable the decom- aspects of the project imple- The majority of the cases, including the six new coronavirus cases, raising the total pilgrims. In April 2019, Ashghal com- missioning of more than 20 foul mentation. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 9 ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Algeria protest Two Syria warplanes shot fi gure acquitted: lawyer down in escalating off ensive AFP Turkish media reported yes- Ankara terday that Erdogan and Russian AFP President Vladimir Putin would Algiers meet in Moscow on March 5. urkey shot down two Syr- They already spoke by tel- ian warplanes yesterday ephone last week when both ex- n Algerian court yes- Tin an escalating off ensive pressed “concern” over the esca- terday acquitted Fodil against the Damascus regime as lation. ABoumala, a key fi gure in Ankara pressured Europe over The Russian and Turkish for- a protest movement that has the confl ict by opening its bor- eign ministers also spoke by rocked the country for over a der for migrants to cross into the telephone yesterday, Moscow’s year, his lawyer said. continent. ministry said, to discuss prepara- “He has been acquitted. He Following weeks of violence tions for the meeting between the will go home today,” said Zou- in the northwestern Syrian two leaders, and the safety of the bida Assoul, a lawyer for the ac- province of Idlib, Turkey con- Sputnik journalists. cused. fi rmed a full military operation Kremlin spokesman Dmitri The prosecution had sought against Russian-backed Syrian Peskov said he “hoped” the a year in prison for the regime forces after dozens of Turkish meeting would be on Thursday opponent and former state TV soldiers were killed last week in or Friday. journalist. an air strike blamed on Damas- “It will undoubtedly be a dif- Held in detention since his ar- cus. fi cult meeting, but the leaders rest in mid-September, Boumala Tensions have intensifi ed confi rmed their wish to resolve was accused of “undermining between Russia and Turkey — the situation in Idlib. It’s impor- (national) territorial integrity”, who back opposing forces in the tant,” Peskov said yesterday. which is punishable by up to 10 Syria’s civil war — but Ankara Some 13,000 migrants have years in prison. has insisted it does not want to amassed at the Turkey-Greece He was also accused of dis- clash directly with Moscow. border, including families with tributing “publications that “One anti-aircraft sys- young children who spent the could undermine the national tem that shot down one of our night in the cold, the Interna- interest”, punishable by a year in armed drones and two other tional Organisation for Migration prison. anti-aircraft systems have been said. Boumala was highly active in destroyed, and two SU-24 re- An estimated additional 2,000 the “Hirak” protest movement, gime planes that were attacking migrants arrived at the Pazarkule an unprecedented popular ini- our aircraft have been downed,” border gate yesterday, including tiative which emerged in Febru- Turkey’s defence ministry said Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis, ac- ary last year to demand then in a statement. cording to an AFP reporter. president Abdelaziz Boutefl ika Syrian state media said Turk- Smoke billows over the village of Qaminas, about 6km southeast of Idlib city in northwestern Syria, following reported Russian air strikes, But as the crowds rushed to abandon a bid for a fi fth term in ish forces “targeted” two of its yesterday. enter Europe, Greek police and offi ce. planes over Idlib. soldiers blocked 9,972 “illegal The ailing Boutefl ika duly A rebel group and the Syrian has prompted worries over a announced “operation ‘Spring tional community to establish shot down. Earlier yesterday, entrances” from entering the stepped down in early April, due Observatory for Human Rights, wider confl ict and a migrant Shield’” for the fi rst time, add- a no-fl y zone over Idlib, where Istanbul police detained the northeastern Evros region in the to pressure from the enormous a Britain-based war monitor, crisis in Europe similar to 2015. ing it “successfully continues” fi ghters backed by Ankara pose editor-in-chief of the Turk- past 24 hours, a Greek govern- protests. both said the planes had been Migrant numbers have al- after the attack last week killed the biggest obstacle to Damas- ish version of Russia’s Sputnik ment source said. Another key protest fi gure, downed. ready surged along the rugged 34 Turkish troops. cus seizing back control over all website as its offi ces were being The UN refugee agency Karim Tabbou, faces his own The situation in rebel-held frontier after Turkey’s President Turkish forces hit Syrian re- of Syria. searched in Istanbul. spokesman Babar Baloch called verdict on March 4, according to Idlib was already volatile as the Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking gime positions after Erdogan SANA Syrian state media re- Three of its journalists were for “calm and easing of tensions Noureddine Benissad, a member regime supported by Russian air to pressure the EU over Syria, warned Damascus would “pay a ported the regime shot down a also taken to a courthouse in An- on the border,” as he urged coun- of his defence team. power pressed an assault on the said the country had “opened price” for the air strike. Turkish drone near the town of kara for questioning, likely relat- tries to “refrain from the use of He is likewise charged with region in a bid to retake the last the doors” to Europe. Under a 2018 deal with Rus- Saraqeb, publishing footage of ed to a Sputnik article in English excessive and disproportionate “undermining (national) ter- opposition enclave in a nine- Greece said yesterday it has sia meant to bring calm to Idlib, an aircraft tumbling from the claiming Turkey’s Hatay province force”. European Commission ritorial integrity”, but is also ac- year civil war. blocked nearly 10,000 migrants Turkey has 12 observation posts sky in fl ames. was “stolen” from Syria. chief Ursula von der Leyen on cused of “violent actions” that The confrontation between at its border with Turkey. As in Syria — but several have come Those images could not be Colonial power France ceded Saturday said the EU was watch- sought to “impede the move- the Russia-backed Syrian forc- migrant boats continued to under fi re from Syrian President immediately confi rmed. the southern region to Turkey in ing “with concern” and stood ment of military equipment”, es and Nato-member Turkey, land on Greek islands, Turkish Bashar al-Assad’s forces. But Turkish defence ministry 1938. The news website later said ready to deploy its Frontex border said Benissad. which supports Syrian rebels, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar Turkey wants the interna- confi rmed one of its drones was they had been released. guard agency.

Militants kill 10 in northeast Iraqi parliament adjourns Bissau interim president quits Nigerian village Militants have killed 10 people in AFP after he was appointed by the 53.55% of the votes in the sec- a raid on a village in northeast session over lack of quorum Bissau country’s historic ruling par- ond-round vote, according to Nigeria’s restive Borno State, ty, the PAIGC. “My life and the National Electoral Com- burning homes and looting food that of my family is in danger. mission. supplies, civilian militia sources Reuters have crippled Iraq’s eff orts to down. Lawmakers have until to- he man appointed in- I have no security,” he said, Domingos Simoes Pereira, said yesterday. Suspected Boko Baghdad recover from two US invasions, day to agree a cabinet or Presi- terim president of adding that soldiers had come 56, also from PAIGC, won Haram insurgents in trucks fitted sanctions and the war to defeat dent Barham Salih will need to TGuinea-Bissau by the for his bodyguards on Friday. 46.45%, but denounced the with machine guns stormed into Islamic State in 2017. designate a new candidate for side beaten in the Decem- But he said he would stay result as fraudulent. Rumirgo village in the Askira Uba raq’s parliament adjourned The country faces a mass pro- prime minister, according to the ber presidential election has on as leader of the National The Supreme Court, re- district at 1740 GMT on Saturday, again yesterday a session to test movement that broke out constitution. stepped down because of Assembly. The PAIGC has sponding to a petition by the shooting indiscriminately and Iapprove the cabinet proposed in October and brought down Security forces and powerful death threats, less than two dominated political life since PAIGC, ordered a check of the sending residents fleeing into the by Prime Minister-designate former Prime Minister Adel Ab- militia groups have shot dead days after being nominated. the former Portuguese colony vote tally sheets, but this has surrounding countryside. Mohamed Allawi because of a dul Mahdi two months later. hundreds of mostly unarmed “Given the death threats won independence in 1974, failed to resolve the dispute, “They killed 10 people in the lack of quorum, state TV said. His cabinet has stayed on in a demonstrators. against me and my body- and on Friday 54 of its depu- with a row breaking out be- indiscriminate shooting which Lawmakers had already on caretaker capacity. Around 500 people have been guards, I have decided to give ties, out of the 102 parliamen- tween the Supreme Court and made residents run into the Thursday failed to agree on a The protests, which fi rst killed in unrest since October, up the role of interim presi- tary seats, appointed Cas- the election panel. bush” civilian militia member new government, prolonging demanded jobs and services, most of them protesters, accord- dent for which I was nomi- sama interim president. On Thursday, Embalo con- Adamu Galadima said. deadlock and delaying attempts quickly turned into calls for the ing to a Reuters tally from medics nated, to avoid a bloodbath in Two rival contenders for ducted his own presidential The militants burnt a dozen to resolve unprecedented mass removal of Iraq’s entire ruling and police. Guinea-Bissau,” said Cipri- the presidency have been bat- swearing-in ceremony and homes, carted away food sup- unrest and has stalled the coun- elite. The number of protesters has ano Cassama. tling to assume power since moved himself into the presi- plies and two “trailers loaded with try’s recovery from years of war. Protesters oppose Allawi be- reduced somewhat, but dem- “I fear for my physical in- the December 29 run-off vote. dential palace, without wait- foodstuff s,” another militiaman, Political infi ghting and al- cause they view him as part of onstrations continue on a daily tegrity,” he said in a press Opposition leader Umaro ing for a fi nal ruling from the Peter Malgwui said. leged widespread corruption the system they want to bring basis. statement, less than 48 hours Sissoco Embalo 47, won Supreme Court. Police evict migrant squatters SA to airlift 151 from China within days

from Cape Town’s busy square AFP diately — (so) within seven to Johannesburg 10 days (the evacuation team) must have completed the task,” AFP and walked away. Some sang in restaurants and vendors selling Health Minister Zweli Mkhize Cape Town defi ance and shouted “where’s African goods to visitors. outh Africa will evacu- said. the rainbow nation?”, “we are Since the refugees moved in, ate 151 citizens from the The minister told a news not animals in a zoo” and “we around one-third of the busi- Scoronavirus-hit Chinese conference at the country’s outh African police yes- are not cockroaches like you call nesses in and around the square city of Wuhan within days, the main OR Tambo International terday forcibly removed us. God will punish you for gen- in the heart of the city’s busi- health minister said yesterday, airport that there were 201 Shundreds of migrants erations.” “People are stranded. ness district have shut down. as the death toll and number of South Africans in Wuhan —the who had been squatting for four We have nowhere to go,” said Migrants had initially staged infected worldwide mounted. epicentre of the virus, and that months on a busy Cape Town Oliver Majambu, a Congolese a sit-in protest at a building “151 have indicated they want square popular with tourists. refugee. hosting the United Nations The group will be kept to be repatriated”. The eviction ended months Many refugees expressed an- High Commissioner for Refu- in quarantine for 21 days The group will be kept in of tension between the city and ger and disappointment at the gees (UNHCR) in the city in at a site authorities have quarantine for 21 days at a site the migrants who had camped lack of alternative accommoda- October, demanding to be relo- refused to disclose authorities have refused to on the pavements of Green- tion for them. cated to another country. disclose. “The people we are market Square since last year “Cape Town is not insensi- They were evicted from that The virus has spread to more bringing in are South Africans following a spate of xenophobic tive to the plight of the refu- building and spent a few weeks than 60 countries around the who are healthy and as far as attacks. gees, but we can simply not at a church before camping at globe – killing nearly 3,000 we are concerned, are not in- Cape Town had sought an in- allow the situation to carry on the square. people and sickening 87,000 fected,” Mkhize said. junction after around 700 for- unchecked, as it has had a major South Africa, the continent’s – prompting the World Health The repatriation process will eign nationals, mainly from the A woman wails as law enforcement off icials move in to disperse impact on surrounding busi- most industrialised economy, Organisation to raise its risk be executed by the military. Democratic Republic of Congo a group of immigrants who had occupied a historic church and nesses,” said JP Smith, the city is a magnet for economic mi- assessment to its highest level. South Africa will be the lat- and Burundi occupied the a square demanding to be moved to another country as they offi cial in charge of security and grants. But they are sometimes The decision to airlift the est country to extricate its na- sidewalks. A court last month claimed to feel not safe because of xenophobic attacks, in central safety. “We are not in a position targeted by locals who blame trapped South Africans came tionals from Wuhan, where the granted the city the right to en- Cape Town, yesterday. to provide emergency shelter to them for the lack of jobs. after President Cyril Ram- deadly coronavirus outbreak force its bylaws which prohibit the group, given the great need Last year, a surge in mob aphosa on Thursday directed first emerged in December. sleeping, washing, defecating dreds of offi cers donning masks down makeshift structures that exists among South Afri- attacks against foreign work- the repatriation of those who Until Friday when a case was or cooking on the streets. and gloves peacefully removed where they had camped. cans.” ers hit Johannesburg and other have asked to return home. detected in Nigeria, sub-Saha- Yesterday, police vehicles the migrants. Emotions ran high as mi- Greenmarket Square is a areas, forcing migrants to fl ee “We were asked by the presi- ran Africa had largely escaped surrounded the area and hun- Trucks followed and tore grants grabbed their belongs tourist hotspot with hotels, shelters or return home. dent to start the process imme- the fast-spreading epidemic. Gulf Times 10 Monday, March 2, 2020 AMERICAS

Congress to hear air US ramps up mask production, to travellers complaints

Reuters screen travellers after virus death Washington

Reuters yesterday travelers from countries Washington at high risk of coronavirus would he airline industry could run into turbulence on Capi- be screened before boarding and tol Hill this week as a US Congressional panel tackles upon arrival, without specifying Tpassenger complaints about unpleasant airline experi- he United States will start which countries. ences, holding a hearing that will include budget airline Spirit screening travellers for Delta Air Lines Inc said yes- Airlines Inc and passenger advocates. Tcoronavirus and ramp up terday it is suspending until May The US House Transportation Committee’s aviation sub- production of masks and test kits fl ights to Milan in northern Italy committee said the hearing “will examine the US airline pas- as the government scrambles to where most coronavirus cases senger experience today, how airlines are working to improve reassure Americans as the disease have been reported. Flights will the air travel experience, and opportunities to invest in tech- spreads and world stock markets continue to Rome. nologies or innovations that could enhance the air travel ex- tumbled last week. American Airlines Group Inc perience.” The fi rst American died from had announced a similar move Consumer Reports, which will testify, launched a petition coronavirus, a man in his 50s with late on Saturday. this month asking major airlines to stop charging some fami- underlying conditions in Wash- The United States has 75,000 lies to sit together and said airlines have knowingly separated ington state, offi cials said on Sat- test kits for coronavirus and will children from their parents as young as two years old. urday. They still do not know how expand that number “radically” In 2018, Congress enacted some reforms and top airline he contracted the disease. in coming weeks, US Health and executives pledged to address customer service failures espe- The state has two other “pre- Human Services Secretary Alex cially over passenger frustrations with problems such as over- sumptive” cases at a long-term Azar told ABC’s This Week yes- booking. care facility where more than 50 terday. Since then, airlines have continued to hike baggage fees and residents and staff could show Vice President Mike Pence said introduce fares with fewer privileges, including tickets that do symptoms. the government had contracted not allow passengers to pick a seat, bring carry-on luggage or New cases were reported in the 3M Co to produce an extra 35mn use overhead compartments. Chicago area and Rhode Island. respiratory masks a month. Airlines have shrunk the average space between seats and The Trump administration is He urged Americans not to seat width over the last decade to pack more passengers on scrambling to respond to the fast- buy the masks, which he said planes. spreading virus that originated in were only needed by healthcare US airlines revenue from baggage and reservation change China through travel restrictions workers. Healthcare workers transport a patient on a stretcher into an ambulance at Life Care Center of Kirkland in fees increased from $5.7bn in 2010 to $7.6bn in 2018. and widespread messaging on Honeywell International Inc Kirkland, Washington. Dozens of staff and residents at Life Care Center of Kirkland are reportedly exhibiting Other fees are not reported to regulators. safety procedures, while working is the other major US mask pro- coronavirus-like symptoms, with two confirmed cases associated with the nursing facility reported so far. Airlines have lobbied against new rules limiting fees. to avert public panic. ducer. Also testifying will be Matt Klein, Sprit’s chief commercial About 70 cases have been re- Pence also told Fox News that downplaying the crisis and not tracted the disease would recover. limits on travelers who have visit- offi cer, along with Joe Leader, who heads the Airline Passenger ported in the United States. clinical trials of a coronavirus preparing for the disease to spread “Other than in areas where ed Iran and recommended against Experience Association and offi cials with Paralyzed Veterans Stock markets plunged last vaccine would start in six weeks in the United States. there are individuals that have travel to hard-hit areas of Italy of America, Consumer Reports and the US Government Ac- week, with an index of global but that a vaccine will likely not Pence, whom Trump appointed been infected with the corona- and South Korea. countability Offi ce. stocks setting its largest weekly be available this season. last week to run the White House’s virus, people need to understand Trump on Saturday said the Spirit’s lowest-cost fares require consumers to pay for car- fall since the 2008 fi nancial crisis, Democrats, who will chal- coronavirus response, told NBC’s that for the average American, United States was also consider- ry-on bags larger than a laptop bag or purse and cost signifi - and more than $5tn wiped off the lenge Trump for the presidency Meet the Press Americans should the risk does remain low. We’re ing shutting the country’s south- cantly more if consumers do not pay until arriving at the gate. value of stocks worldwide. in the November 3 election, have brace for more cases, but that the ready,” Pence said told NBC. ern border with Mexico to control Unlike other large airlines, Spirit also charges for bottled President Donald Trump said criticised the administration for “vast majority” of those who con- The United States has imposed the spread of the virus. water and soft drinks, but their base fares are often signifi - cantly cheaper than rivals. Congress in 2018 abandoned eff orts to mandate “reasonable and proportional” airline baggage and change fees, but required the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to set minimum di- Apache tribe marches to mensions for passenger seats — including leg room and width. Canada’s top court allows The FAA has conducted testing and told congressional staff it does not expect to act before June. protect sacred Arizona Congress in 2018 required airlines to allow passengers lawsuit over overseas abuses travelling with small children to check strollers, and required regulators to determine if it was deceptive for airlines to tell site from new copper mine passengers “that a fl ight is delayed or cancelled due to weather AFP But that was rejected by a majority of alone when other factors are involved.” Ottawa the justices on the top bench. Those modest reforms followed a series of incidents, in- Reuters just indigenous people, but for all peo- The Supreme Court also held that in- cluding the hauling of a seated passenger down the aisle of a New York ple,” said San Carlos Apache tribe mem- ternational human rights law — notably United Airlines fl ight in Chicago and death of a dog in an over- ber Vanessa Nosie, Wendsler’s daughter, anada’s Supreme Court last fundamental tenets called “peremptory head bin in another United fl ight. who organized the sixth annual march. week ruled that Vancouver- norms” that are so important they are undreds of Apache tribe mem- She said the march also served as a re- Cbased mining company Nevsun considered universal — may be applied bers and supporters marched for minder of the atrocities and injustices Na- Resources can be sued in this country to this case. Hfour days to a sacred campground tive Americans have endured for genera- for alleged human rights abuses over- “Violations of peremptory norms are in southeastern Arizona last month, hop- tions at the hands of the US government. seas that complainants say amounted to serious violations of rights that are im- NY becomes third ing to protect the land from copper min- “It’s trying to wake up the world...how slavery. portant to everyone, everywhere. They ing while bringing awareness to injustic- America is going to get better and heal The decision means three Eritreans need to be strongly discouraged,” the es against Native Americans. is to learn the fi rst chapter of what hap- who fi led a civil suit against Nevsun in court said in a statement. state to ban single The 80km march, from the San Carlos pened to indigenous people,” Nosie said. British Columbia can continue their case In 2017, the Supreme Court declined Apache Indian Reservation, ended on Feb- “This is a spiritual movement.” in a lower court. to hear a similar case involving a group use plastic bags ruary 23 on what is known as Oak Flat, a Resolution Copper Mining, owned It also creates new legal risks for Ca- of Guatemalans suing Vancouver-based 2,400 acre parcel of public land in the Ton- by Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, will use nadian fi rms operating abroad — nota- Tahoe Resources for alleged abuses at the to National Forest near Superior, Arizona. a method known as block caving to dig bly in the resources and clothing sectors company’s mine in Guatemala. A ban on single-use plastic bags took eff ect in the US state of 7,000ft into the earth and use chemicals The San Carlos Apache tribe, which — as companies previously could only The men sought redress for what New York yesterday, a move aimed at ending the annual use of has considered Oak Flat holy land for to extract copper ore. be held liable in foreign jurisdictions in they say were injuries suff ered during 23bn such bags that often clog landfills and litter streets, rivers centuries, says it is threatened by Reso- In late 2019, the US Forest Service which alleged abuses occurred. the violent suppression of their protest and oceans. lution Copper Mining, which plans to ex- released a draft environmental impact The plaintiffs claimed they and against the company’s Escobal silver New York’s waste reduction law forbids most businesses tract 1.9bn tonnes of copper beneath part statement showing the project meets more than 1,000 others had been from handing out the bags. and gold mine southeast of Guatemala of the hallowed ground from one of the all federal surface water and groundwa- conscripted through Eritrea’s mili- Shops are required to sell paper bags for five cents or off er City. largest untapped deposits in the world. ter requirements, the company said in a tary service into forced labour to reusable ones, and state authorities are due to impose fines for They argued in court fi lings — and a During the march, former reservation statement. construct Nevsun’s Bisha gold, cop- violations of the ban after a grace period. lower court agreed — that they were un- Chairman Wendsler Nosie likened the “We respect the history, beliefs, and per and zinc mine in the east African New York is the third US state to impose such a ban after land to Mount Sinai in Egypt. culture of our neighbours and local com- nation between 2008 and 2012, and likely to obtain justice in Guatemala, and California and Oregon. It’s the “same thing. I don’t know why munities,” Rio Tinto said, noting that on- subjected to violent, cruel and inhu- therefore brought the civil case to Cana- Residents of New York City, the nation’s most populous city, people think that God was only on the going dialogue between the Forest Service man treatment. da, where Tahoe has its headquarters. use more than 10bn single-use bags every year, which local other side of the world when we all agree and Native Americans will help shape the In court documents they alleged being The company, which was bought by off icials say amounts to 91,000 tonnes of plastic sent to landfills that this is all of his creation,” said Nosie, fi nal impact statement. “We continue to forced to work 12 hours a day, six days a Pan American Silver Corp, apologized and $12.5bn in annual disposal costs. who has recently moved from the reser- create relationships with Native American week, being beaten with sticks, and be- in July 2019 for the rights violations as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was handing out free, mul- vation to the Oak Flat. Tribes and work to identify mutually ben- ing bound and left to bake under the hot part an out-of-court settlement with ti-use bags last week in Manhattan as part of a public-education Marchers from various Native Ameri- efi cial partnership opportunities.” sun. demonstrators who had been shot and campaign to get shoppers to switch to reusable alternatives. can tribes were joined by non-native Nosie, however, disagrees. She said ul- The trio later escaped Eritrea and be- wounded while protesting. Some plastic bags are exempt from the law, including those people during the journey. They prayed timately, the mine will create a 3km crater came refugees. Canada is one of the world’s larg- used for take-away food, uncooked meat or fish, loose produce and took part in several blessings during destroying Oak Flat and pollute the water Nevsun argued that the case should est mining nations, with 50% of public and prescription drugs. the walk, which passed through Globe supply used by surrounding communi- be thrown out on the basis of the act of companies based in the country, accord- State lawmakers passed the legislation last year after being and Miami, two old mining towns. ties, likely causing an “environmental state doctrine, which precludes domes- ing to industry fi gures. stymied by plastics industry lobbying and concerns about a The march was “for the people, not catastrophe.” tic courts from assessing acts of foreign Nevsun was acquired by China’s Zijin ban’s impact on low-income residents. governments. Mining Group Co in 2018 for C$1.86bn.

After South Carolina win, Biden takes aim at Sanders before Super Tuesday contests

Reuters of “Bloody Sunday,” when civil search exit polls showed Biden other seven South Carolina del- nor of Virginia and former DNC Selma, Alabama rights marchers were stopped and with 61% of African-American egates yet to be allocated. chairman, and US Representative beaten by state troopers and local support to Sanders’ 17%. A candidate will need at least Bobby Scott, an infl uential Af- police while crossing a bridge. In a round of Sunday television 1,991 delegates to win the nomi- rican-American lawmaker from oe Biden, fresh off his rstfi Biden’s South Carolina win shows, Biden said he is confi dent nation outright at the party’s Virginia. victory in the race for the US resurrected his struggling cam- his campaign can build a win- convention in July. Biden must hope a fl urry of JDemocratic presidential nomi- paign in the state-by-state battle ning coalition across the country The Sanders campaign quickly media attention and his name nation, yesterday took aim at front- for the Democratic nomination. despite lagging Sanders in fund- tried to get back the momentum recognition will help him in Su- runner Bernie Sanders ahead of the The victory put the former vice raising and organisation. after South Carolina, announc- per Tuesday states, where Sand- Super Tuesday contests that could president in position to claim he “Super Tuesday’s not the end, ing it had raised $46.5mn from ers’ prolifi c fundraising has reshape the campaign to pick the is a viable moderate alternative it’s only the beginning,” Biden more than 2.2mn donations in the helped him build bigger organi- party’s 2020 nominee. to self-described democratic so- said on ABC’s This Week. month of February, a huge sum sations and broadcast far more Biden and four other Demo- cialist Sanders, an independent Sanders planned to campaign that dwarfed what any other Dem- advertisements. cratic contenders were to help US senator from Vermont. yesterday in heavily Democratic ocratic candidate had raised last Sanders leads opinion polls in mark the anniversary of a land- Sanders’ surging campaign California, the biggest prize on year in any three-month period. delegate-rich California, where mark civil rights march in Ala- and calls for a political revolution Super Tuesday. In contrast, Biden told CNN 3mn early votes have already bama yesterday, the day after have rattled a Democratic Party Biden reported raising $5mn in yesterday he raised about $18mn been cast. strong support among African- establishment worried that he is the past 24 hours and his cam- in February. Biden and the other Democrat- American voters powered him too far to the left to beat Trump. paign yesterday added to a grow- The biggest fundraising ic contenders also will face com- to a resounding victory in South His strong performances in the ing number of endorsements quarter last year was Sanders’ petition for the fi rst time on Super Carolina’s nominating contest. fi rst three contests in Iowa, New from establishment Democrats, $34.5mn in the last three months Tuesday from Bloomberg, the bil- Alabama is one of 14 states Hampshire and Nevada catapult- Former vice president Joe Biden speaks to supporters late on including US Representative of the year. lionaire former New York mayor holding contests on Tuesday in ed him to front-runner status. Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a The Sanders campaign also who has blanketed the country the race to pick a challenger to Biden said he believed Sanders, former Democratic National announced a new wave of tel- with half a billion dollars in ad- face Republican President Don- if he wins the nomination, would versial,” he told NBC’s Meet the the votes cast compared to 20% Committee chairwoman. evision advertisements in nine vertising. Bloomberg skipped the ald Trump on November 3. lead the Democratic Party to a big Press. for Sanders. Biden got another boost yes- states that will hold primary fi rst four state primaries. Biden, Michael Bloomberg, loss against Trump. Americans, Biden said, are After a third-place fi nish in terday with the endorsement of contests on March 10 and March At least fi ve states — Alabama, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth War- “I think Bernie Sanders’ posi- “not looking for a revolution, South Carolina, billionaire envi- Selma’s mayor, Darrio Melton. 17, after Super Tuesday. North Carolina, Tennessee, Ar- ren and Amy Klobuchar were tion on a number of the issues, they’re looking for results.” ronmentalist Tom Steyer pulled Sanders leads in the overall na- In the wake of his decisive kansas and Virginia — have big traveling to Selma to com- even in the Democratic Party, are Biden won overwhelmingly in out of the race. tional delegate count with 56 and victory, Biden was endorsed by blocs of African-American voters memorate the 55th anniversary going to be — are very contro- South Carolina, drawing 48% of In South Carolina, Edison Re- Biden is second with 51, with an- Terry McAuliff e, a former gover- that could help Biden. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Mainland China adds 573 coronavirus infections, eyes risks abroad

Reuters pared with 427 a day earlier, ac- three new cases outside Hubei impact of the epidemic, China plug loopholes in its laws and gence of the outbreak through tries where the virus has spread. Shanghai cording to the National Health province, of which Wuhan is has ordered districts to be clas- emergency response mecha- travellers from other countries. Beijing yesterday reported two Commission. the capital, the lowest since the sifi ed into “high-risk”, “medi- nisms, President Xi Jinping More than 50 countries have new cases: both are Chinese na- Some 565 of these were in commission began tracking dai- um-risk” and “low-risk”, with said in speeches published in reported cases with Mexico and tionals who recently returned ainland China reported Wuhan, where the outbreak ly cases on Jan 20. the latter expected to end traffi c the Communist Party’s theo- San Marino the latest additions. from Iran, where the coronavi- the biggest daily rise in emerged late last year. The of- A total of 2,870 people have curbs and let everyone resume retical journal, ‘Qiushi’ (Seeking In a bulletin issued Saturday, the rus cases have multiplied quick- Mcoronavirus cases since fi cial China News wire service died from the outbreak in main- work. Truth), yesterday. World Health Organisation said ly. China will take steps to bring Feb 22 yesterday as more infec- reported that 233 of the Wuhan land China and 79,824 have been On Saturday, Hubei said 11 of China must set up an emer- there were 6,009 cases outside back citizens from high-risk tions emerged among prison cases were reported from the infected by the virus. Chinese its 103 counties had reported no gency reserve and supply sys- China, an increase of 1,318 from countries if necessary, foreign inmates in the epicentre of the city’s prison system. offi cials have reiterated that ef- new cases for at least 14 days, tem to ensure vital materials are the previous day. ministry offi cial Cui Aimin told outbreak, but offi cials empha- The 35 new deaths reported on forts to curb the outbreak are meeting “low-risk” criteria. But deployed at critical times, he China has refrained from reporters. sised the overall situation con- Saturday were the second low- achieving positive results, with as many as 58 of its counties are added. blanket travel bans, but some He said Beijing has arranged tinues to improve. est daily total in February and the daily new cases being re- still deemed “high-risk”. As coronavirus cases spread local governments, such as in 10 fl ights to bring home 1,314 so A total of 573 news infections down from 47 the previous day, ported trending lower in recent China needs to take a long- overseas, Beijing is starting to Beijing, have ordered self-quar- far, but did not name any coun- were reported on Feb 29, com- however. There were also only weeks. To cushion the economic term view of the outbreak and raise its guard to avoid a resur- antine for travellers from coun- tries. South Korea virus tally passes 3,700 Reuters Churches hold online services in bid to limit Seoul gatherings; 586 new cases add to Saturday’s hurches were closed in biggest daily jump at 813; S Korea asks US South Korea yesterday, Cwith many holding online to avoid ‘excessive’ travel curbs services instead, as authorities fought to rein in public gather- religious services and political The numbers of cases was break our unity and hope,” he ings as 586 new coronavirus in- events and stay home this week- likely to continue growing in said. fections took the tally to 3,736 end. early March, he added, pledging Moon proposed joint eff orts cases. For the fi rst time in its 236- greater eff orts to rein in key in- with North Korea to prevent an That came a day after the big- year history, South Korea’s fection sources. outbreak in the neighbour and South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as part of preventive measures against gest daily jump of 813 cases in Catholic church decided to halt The church’s founder and improve healthcare. the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, at Dongdaegu railway station in Daegu. South Korea’s battle with the masses at more than 1,700 loca- chairman, Lee Man-hee, was North Korea has not confi rmed largest virus outbreak outside tions nationwide. Buddhist tem- tested for the virus on Saturday cases, but has ordered a month in China, the Korea Centers for ples also called off events, while and is awaiting results, the Yon- quarantine for those with symp- Disease Control and Prevention major Christian churches held hap news agency reported on toms, while state media said (KCDC) said. The death toll rose online services. Sunday, citing a church offi cial. leader Kim Jong-un held a meet- to 20, up from 17 the day before. Of the new cases, 333 were Calls by Reuters to the church’s ing on tougher measures. In Seoul, the capital, about a from the southeastern city of headquarters in Gwacheon, just The crisis spooked trade and dozen worshippers were turned Daegu, the location of a church south of Seoul, went answered. fi nancial markets, leading Sam- away from the Yoido Full Gos- at the centre of the outbreak, and But the church issued a state- sung Electronics, Hyundai Mo- pel Church, which put a ser- 26 from the nearby province of ment later on Sunday reiterating tor and LG Display to temporar- mon for its 560,000 followers North Gyeongsang, KCDC said. calls for an end to “stigmatisa- ily shut down a plant each and on YouTube, fi lmed with a small The agency said some church tion, hatred and slander” against prompting boy band BTS to can- choir instead of all 200 members members in January visited the its followers, saying it was co- cel a world tour set for April. and 60-strong orchestra. central Chinese city of Wuhan, operating with the government’s More neighbours suspended “I had heard there would be no where the disease emerged late eff orts to contain the outbreak. fl ights and banned visitors from service, but just came to check last year, adding it was investi- At a news conference in Seoul South Korea. In a statement, the as I live nearby, but yes, it is so gating to determine if the trip a group of doctors and chiefs of foreign ministry said Foreign empty,” said Song Young-koo, played a role in the outbreak. public hospitals urged the gov- Minister Kang Kyung-wha asked as he left South Korea’s biggest “We’re tracing back how many ernment to combat a shortage Washington to avoid “exces- church. “It’s a wise decision to do members had gone to China,” of beds by assigning them to the sive action that could needlessly it online, since the virus would its deputy director, Kwon Jun- critically ill, after two patients shrink exchanges between both easily spread at mass gatherings wook, told a briefi ng. died in self-quarantine at home. countries,” during a telephone and churches can be no excep- “Our top priority is to fi nd out President Moon Jae-in called call with US Deputy Secretary tion.” how the coronavirus has been for unity and vowed greater ef- of State Stephen Biegun yester- Authorities have warned of a transmitted so widely among the forts, including an extra budget, day. The request came after the “critical moment” in the battle Shincheonji followers,” he added, to fi ght the outbreak, in a speech. United States advised Americans against the virus, urging peo- in a reference to the church in- “The outbreak can threaten our not to travel to hard-hit regions, A family wearing masks to prevent contacting the coronavirus visits Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, ple to refrain from attending volved. lives temporarily, but it cannot such as Daegu. South Korea, yesterday.

Bhutan’s royal couple expecting second baby soon

The tiny Himalayan nation of Wangchuck, in the throne room and China. Jigme Khesar was Bhutan’s happiness quotient is of the Tashichhodzong fortress in crowned in 2008 after his father set to increase soon with a new Thimphu. “This is the first picture abdicated the throne to make New Malaysia PM sworn addition to its much loved royal of the queen released to the way for democracy, and installed family. King Jigme Khesar Nam- public since the king’s announce- his son as constitutional mon- gyal Wangchuck, 40, and Queen ment in December,” Chhetri said arch. Oxford-educated Jigme Jetsum Pema, 29, are expecting over telephone. “The queen is Khesar married Jetsun Pema, the their second child soon, possibly keeping well.” “Bhutan does not commoner daughter of an airline in as Mahathir battles on by the end of March or by April, follow the usual line of succes- pilot, in a fairytale wedding their media off ice spokeswomen sion. We have diff erent criteria ceremony in 2011. Bhutan has Dipika Chhetri said yesterday. so we cannot say for sure who largely remained isolated from AFP party without a strong support King Jigme Khesar announced will succeed the current king,” the world and is highly protective Kuala Lumpur base. during Bhutan’s National Day Chhetri said.”That is why the of its culture and environment He was a senior UMNO fi gure celebrations on December 17 young prince is simply called The and discourages mass tourism. for decades before being sacked that the couple were expecting Gyalse (prince) and not crown The country also measures staunch nationalist was from the party by Najib in 2015 their second child in spring. prince.” The Wangchuck dynasty its economic development by sworn in as Malaysia’s after criticising the handling of The Royal Media Off ice also re- has ruled Bhutan for more than Gross National Happiness that Apremier yesterday after a the 1MDB scandal, and then al- leased a photograph of Bhutan’s 100 years and is highly revered is a measure of the quality of life reformist government’s collapse, lied with Mahathir to oust them royal couple with their first child, by people across the Himalayan rather than the Gross Domestic but ex-leader Mahathir Moham- at the last elections. In a volte- four-year-old Jigme Namgyel country tucked between India Product (GDP). ed, 94, slammed the move as ille- face, he joined hands last week gal. The Southeast Asian nation with UMNO in his quest for the was plunged into turmoil after premiership — although he is not Thailand Mahathir’s “Pact of Hope” alli- a member. ance, which stormed to a historic In addition, he lacks “the do- records first victory in 2018, collapsed amid mestic legitimacy or the inter- 78-year-old is Australia’s bitter infi ghting. national legitimacy the previous coronavirus Mahathir, who was the world’s government had”, Bridget Welsh, death: official oldest leader, initially quit as pre- an analyst from the University of fi rst coronavirus fatality mier but then sought to return. Nottingham, told AFP. A 35-year-old Thai man who He lost in a power struggle how- Muhyiddin once controver- also had dengue fever has ever to little-known Muhyiddin sially described himself as “Ma- AFP a former miners’ camp near died from a coronavirus in- Yassin, who heads a coalition lay fi rst” and Malaysian second, Sydney the northern city of Darwin. fection, Thailand’s first death dominated by the multi-ethnic and there are concerns race and Andrew Robertson, Western from the Covid-19 disease, country’s Muslim majority and Muhyiddin Yassin signs a document during swearing-in ceremony. religious relations could worsen Australia’s chief medical of- Suwanchai Wattanayingcha- has faced criticism for contro- under his coalition. About 60% 78-year-old man evac- fi cer, said the couple initially roen, director-general of the versial remarks about race. The seek a parliament vote challeng- Meanwhile public anger is grow- of Malaysia’s population are uated from the coro- seemed to have only a mild Department of Disease Con- king’s decision Saturday to pick ing the new premier’s support – ing at the ejection of the reform- ethnic Malay Muslims and the Anavirus-stricken Dia- version of the illness, but that trol, said yesterday. Thailand Muhyiddin as premier was greet- signalling the political crisis is far ist alliance, with the hashtag country is also home to substan- mond Princess cruise liner in the man’s condition subse- has recorded 42 coronavirus ed with shock as Mahathir’s allies from over. “NotMyPM” trending on Twitter tial ethnic Chinese and ethnic Japan died at a Perth hospital quently deteriorated. cases since January, with 30 claimed to have enough support, “This is a very strange thing ... and more than 130,000 people Indian minorities. yesterday, becoming Austral- He insisted both had been of those recovering and 11 and it sparked widespread anger losers will form the government, signing a petition that said the The “Pact of Hope” alliance ia’s fi rst fatality from the dis- isolated early and that their still being treated in hospitals, that the democratically elected the winners will be in the opposi- move is a “betrayal” of voters’ had been riven by infi ghting be- ease, offi cials said. cases posed “no risk to the according to the department. government had been ejected. tion,” he said. “The rule of law no choice at the 2018 poll. tween factions over who should His 79-year-old wife was general community or (medi- Thai health off icials said the Muhyiddin’s coalition in- longer applies.” Mahathir — who served a fi rst succeed Mahathir, who had des- also infected with the disease cal) staff ”. Earlier yesterday, dead man had worked in cludes the United Malays Na- A candidate for prime minister stint as premier from 1981 to ignated Anwar Ibrahim as his during the cruise and remains health authorities in New the retail sector, where he tional Organisation (UMNO), must prove to the king, who ap- 2003 before staging a comeback successor. in a Perth hospital, a spokes- South Wales state confi rmed had come into contact with the party of disgraced ex-leader points the position, that he has two years ago — also raised con- The political crisis began a woman for the Western Aus- a 26th case of coronavirus in many tourists. “This was a Najib Razak, as well as a hard- the backing of at least 112 MPs. cerns that ongoing court cases week ago when a group of rul- tralian state health department Australia after a man in his 40s case of local transmission, line group that wants tougher Mahathir claims to have that against Najib related to the 1MDB ing coalition lawmakers joined told AFP. The couple were who had travelled from Iran and he was at risk because Islamic laws. UMNO was the number and believes Muhyiddin scandal could be aff ected by the forces with opposition parties in among about 160 Australians was diagnosed with the dis- he had exposure to Chinese corruption-riddled lynchpin of a does not. Mahathir’s alliance said change of government. Mahathir a bid to form a new government evacuated from the Diamond ease. tourists,” Suwanchai said. coalition thrown out at the 2018 parliament should be allowed came out of retirement aged 92 to and push out Anwar. In a week Princess last month and they He was the second Austral- The patient was first admit- elections as allegations swirled to re-convene on March 9, as it take on his one-time protege Na- of fast-moving twists and turns, tested positive for the corona- ian infected in Iran. All other ted to a private hospital for that Najib and his cronies looted is scheduled to do, as specula- jib over the controversy, and has Mahathir and Anwar – who virus during their fl ight home. cases of the disease in Austral- dengue fever on Jan 27. He billions of dollars from state fund tion grows the new government pledged to bring him to justice. have a long and stormy history – They were immediately ia other than the Perth couple was later diagnosed with the 1MDB. Najib is now on trial for might seek a delay. Analysts said Muhyiddin’s briefl y locked horns in a fi ght for transferred to isolation units involved people who had come coronavirus and transferred corruption. Muhyiddin’s inauguration government was in a weak posi- the leadership. They then joined in the Perth hospital on Feb- from China’s Hubei province, to the main treatment centre. Just before Muhyiddin’s inau- went ahead yesterday morning tion as it was not clear whether forces again in an 11th-hour bid ruary 21 while the rest of the where the virus was fi rst re- He died from multiple-organ guration, Mahathir accused him at the national palace, although he had a parliamentary majority, to stop Muhyiddin, but it proved evacuees were quarantined in ported. failure late on Saturday. of betrayal and said he would Mahathir’s alliance boycotted it. and he was a member of a tiny too little, too late. Gulf Times 12 Monday, March 2, 2020 BRITAIN/IRELAND Age for cashing in pension ‘to be raised to 57’

Daily Mail have been cashing in their retire- to rise to 66 for both men and The Association of British In- forms were introduced, said: get at 55. It is important for eve- tirement funds at an ‘unsustain- London ment funds too quickly. women this October, and to 67 surers warned earlier this week “The whole point of having a pri- ryone to be aware.” able rate’ with 1mn cashing in their Sweeping pension reforms by 2028 and 68 by 2039. that more than 350,000 savers vate pension is to allow people to Osborne’s 2015 overhaul gave entire pot. It said: “The earlier that were introduced in April 2015, The pledge, contained in a cashed in their entire pension retire if they need to. We need to savers more fl exibility over what someone can access their pension, illions of savers could allowing savers more freedom Treasury document in July 2014 pot last year, and claimed many maintain the principle of trust- to do with their pension pots, in- the greater the risk of exhausting be forced to wait an- over what to do with their own and signed off by Osborne, has are in danger of falling into ‘pov- ing people with their money and cluding the ability to cash them their pot, especially as the state Mother two years to dip money. But at same time George been shelved by successive min- erty’ in retirement. giving them freedom and choice.” in at the age of 55. pension age is increasing.” into their pensions under con- Osborne, then chancellor, made a isters. But the Treasury has told Experts, however, warned an Carla Morris, fi nancial plan- It proved hugely popular, But industry experts have said troversial plans drawn up by the little-noticed pledge to raise the the Daily Mail it intends to press increase in the pension age will ner at Brewin Dolphin, said: with savers withdrawing almost the warnings are overblown. Treasury. threshold from 55 to 57 by 2028. ahead with the reform. come as nasty shock to many “This will come as a surprise to £33bn since they were intro- They have pointed out that most Chancellor Rishi Sunak has This was designed to ensure With Sunak due to deliver his savers including carers and those many. If the new tax rules come duced. Previously people could savers have several pensions, come under pressure ahead of there is a 10-year gap between fi rst Budget on March 11, the big- in ill health, who had banked on into eff ect, people could have only draw a quarter of their while offi cial fi gures show 90% next month’s Budget to raise the the age at which savers can draw gest pensions fi rms are lobbying accessing their savings at 55. to get extra jobs or work longer funds as tax free cash at that age. of funds that are completely minimum pension age from 55 to their private pension and the the government to introduce Baroness Altmann, who was than expected to replace the in- The ABI recently warned that cashed in are smaller pots worth 57 amid fears many households state pension age, which is set legislation as swiftly as possible. pensions minister when the re- come they thought they would many were withdrawing their re- less than £30,000. Controversial US meat will be banned, say ministers

Daily Mail “To impose high standards on London our farmers, only to undercut them with low standard imports would be wrong on every level, hlorinated chicken will and there is no argument about not be imported into the that,” Lord Goldsmith said. CUK after Brexit, ministers But government sources cau- have said. Trade Secretary Liz tioned that ministers were not Truss is to publish a blueprint proposing a blanket ban on cheap for trade talks with the US today. American food. One pointed out Campaigners have warned that, while the Tory manifesto against allowing in American talked about “safeguarding high farm produce, which they say is standards of animal welfare” in Local people go door to door using a boat collecting belongings and helping residents in the rising floodwaters in East Cowick, northern England, yesterday. produced to lower standards. any deal, it was silent on issues Sources said ministers had such as genetically-modifi ed agreed there will be no relaxa- crops, which are produced on an tion of animal welfare standards industrial scale in the US. – eff ectively ruling out chlorin- US Trade Representative Rob- ated chicken, which has acquired ert Lighthizer is said to have totemic status in the row over a underlined the importance of trade deal with the US. removing barriers to its farm Storm disruption continues A senior minister told the Daily produce during talks with Truss Mail that the decision over chlo- earlier this week. A formal re- rinated chicken was partly because sponse to the UK’s proposals is of hostile public opinion but pri- not expected for a fortnight. marily due to the potential impact It comes as Boris Johnson’s on British farmers and the coun- chief Europe adviser David Frost after wettest Feb on record try’s animal welfare standards. prepares for the opening of trade “It’s not a health issue, it’s an talks with the EU today. animal welfare issue,” the source Frost and members of his Guardian News and Media the environment agency has council said levels would hope- stay indoors to avoid winds of while a section of the Conwy said. “We are not lowering stand- 40-strong Taskforce Europe London deployed another four pumps fully be at least a metre lower up to 70mph and were told that Valley line between Blaenau ards and that’s that.” The deci- team, will travel to Brussels for to the 18 pumps already in- than last week, while more local water levels could rise further. Ffestiniog and Llandudno, sion will cheer farmers who have four days of talks with the EU’s stalled to reduce flooding in businesses were reopening. A number of fl ights were di- is still closed due to damage warned that allowing in food Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. lood-hit areas have expe- the town. On Saturday, when many verted to Northern Ireland from caused by Storm Ciara. produced to lower standards will It emerged the two sides will rienced further disruption East Riding council has urged yellow Met Offi ce warnings for the Irish Republic because of Although the weather is ex- wreck British agriculture. divide into 11 working groups Fafter Storm Jorge battered residents living in aff ected areas rain remained in place, several high winds across the island, pected to clear in part during Campaigners claim that the US working in parallel in a bid to the UK with strong winds and to “remain vigilant” as the del- fl ooded roads were closed in while a lorry overturned as the fi rst week of March, the Met practice of giving chicken a chlo- speed up the process. But they heavy downpours. uge continues, although there Wiltshire and people were res- winds battered the N59 road in Offi ce said there was a chance of rinated wash to remove harmful remain far apart on key issues, The latest bout of extreme were no evacuations in the re- cued from cars stranded in both Galway. more persistent rain, hill snow bacteria can compensate for poor including legal oversight, fi shing weather comes after the coun- gion for the fi rst night since Devon and Somerset. Only one yellow weather and strong winds before Thurs- hygiene and welfare standards on and the EU’s demand that Brit- try experienced the wettest fl ooding started. The area surrounding the warning for snow was in place day. farms, allowing American pro- ain should continue to follow its February since records began. Overwhelmed fl ood barri- River Ouse, along which some across parts of Scotland yes- Storm Jorge is the third storm ducers to undercut their rivals. rules after the transition period Data from the Met Of- ers at Ironbridge in Shropshire, fl ood warnings remained in terday, while ice is expected to to hit the UK this month, while Minette Batters, from farm- expires at the end of this year. fi ce shows that an average of which also lead to an emergency place yesterday, was also tem- form in north-western England 15 rivers in the Midlands, York- ing union NFU, warned week And the agenda revealed they 202.1mm of rainfall fell last evacuation, were fi xed on Fri- porarily closed to high-sided and Scotland, bringing disrup- shire and Lancashire have re- that “opening our ports, shelves cannot even agree on terminolo- month, surpassing records for day, while a severe weather vehicles in Humberside as tion to commuters today morn- corded their highest levels on and fridges to food which would gy – with the EU demanding talks February 1990 when 193.4mm warning –meaning danger to winds reached up to 70mph. ing. record this winter. The depart- be illegal to produce here would on a ‘level playing fi eld’, while the fell. By lunchtime yesterday, life – was also downgraded. In south Wales, police de- National Rail said many serv- ment for environment food not only be morally bankrupt, it UK refers to ‘open and fair com- 84 fl ood warnings remained in However, the Environment clared a critical incident dur- ices were still disrupted because and rural aff airs said more than would be the work of the insane”. petition’. But it was agreed that place across England, including Agency yesterday reported that ing Britain’s fourth weekend of of damage caused by the storm. 3,300 properties in England Environment Minister Zac the talks will be conducted in many in east Yorkshire. water levels in the area were ris- downpours, with Pontypridd A bus replacement will be in were thought to have fl ooded Goldsmith said Batters was right English, with Brussels agreeing In Snaith, where residents ing again and were expected to and the Ely area of Cardiff place between Aberdare and as a result of Storm Ciara and about the principles but wrong to pay translation costs if Barnier were evacuated from their peak between 5.4 and 5.7m today among the worst aff ected areas. Pontypridd until Wednesday Storm Dennis, which hit the about the government’s policy. wishes to speak in French. homes earlier in the week, afternoon. Telford and Wrekin Residents were advised to after the line was damaged, country earlier in the month. Labour ‘must be ruthless Sinn Fein would win to win next election’ repeat polls: survey Reuters policy diff erences and Sinn Dublin Fein’s history as the political Guardian News and Media Long-Bailey said: “We were z A ban on political donations wing of the Irish Republican London nowhere near in this election from tax avoiders, tax evaders and Army, the militant group that campaign. They were targeting those not domiciled in the UK, in a he pro-Irish unity Sinn fought against British rule in demographics – your hobbies, move dubbed “no infl uence with- Fein party would easily Northern Ireland in a confl ict ebecca Long-Bailey has your income groups – and we out taxation”. Twin a repeat Irish elec- in which some 3,600 people said she would employ were just putting out nice memes z To end secrecy in party fund- tion if ongoing government were killed before a 1998 peace R“ruthless” campaign tac- and videos, and that’s not good ing by closing loopholes that al- talks fail, with an opinion poll deal. tics to lead the Labour party to enough. We have got to be ruth- low “shell” companies to funnel showing it has almost twice as Caught by surprise them- election victory against Boris less, forensic, and we have got to money into politics, and end the much support as its two near- selves, Sinn Fein ran too few Johnson and his special adviser fi ght back.” donor clubs that hide the names est rivals. candidates to emerge with the Dominic Cummings. Long-Bailey has published a of those gifting cash. The left wing party’s sup- most seats — a mistake it will At a Labour leadership hus- list of reforms designed to fl ush z To introduce a corporate lob- port jumped to 35%, ahead of not make next time around. tings in Brighton, the shadow out “vested interests” from UK bying register covering in-house Fianna Fail on 20% and acting It has already begun a series business secretary promised to politics and end the “gentleman’s lobbyists and think tanks. The Prime Minister Leo Varadkar’s of packed national rallies to “go toe to toe with the likes of club in Westminster”, accusing register would be extended to Fine Gael on 18% in a Sunday sure up its support. Dominic Cummings”. She said donors of attempting to infl uence meetings with all senior govern- Times/Behaviour & Attitudes Both Sinn Fein and Fianna this would involve establishing a government policy by giving large ment staff . poll that may infl uence early Fail have 37 seats in the frac- media rebuttal unit to fi ght back donations. z A “no delays” system where talks between the two centre- tured 160-seat parliament, against “smears” and placing It comes after it was revealed all large political donations ac- right rivals. with Fine Gael on 35, meaning greater emphasis on digital cam- the Conservative Party raised a cepted by political parties are Sinn Fein shocked the po- some sort of combination of paigning. £37mn war chest for the 2019 declared immediately, includ- litical establishment in an two of the three largest parties Cummings was the architect of general election – three times as ing during an election cam- election earlier this month by is required to form a govern- the Vote Leave campaign, whose much as Labour received, and paign. securing more votes than any ment. success was attributed in part to more than all other parties put z A ban on MPs taking paid other party for the fi rst time, Bruised by its election de- its use of micro-targeted online together. second jobs, with exceptions for almost doubling its vote to feat, Fine Gael will reluctantly and social media advertising. Her proposed reforms if she en- those working to keep a profes- 24.5%, ahead of Fianna Fail hold a “one-day policy ex- Johnson also credits Cum- ters Downing Street include shin- sional qualifi cation such as nurs- on 22.2% and Fine Gael on change” with Fianna Fail next mings with coming up with the ing a light on corporate lobbying ing. 20.9%. week as well as similar talks Get Brexit Done slogan used in the and banning MPs from taking z Tighter controls to prevent But it has been frozen out with the Green Party, whose Tories’ 2019 election campaign second jobs. former ministers lobbying gov- of government talks by its two 12 seats would be needed for in which they secured a landslide Long-Bailey’s proposals in- ernment for a minimum of fi ve rivals, who refuse to contem- the two historic rivals to reach victory. clude: years after leaving offi ce. Rebecca Long-Bailey: reforms plan unveiled plate sharing power due to a majority. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 13 BRITAIN UK steps up coronavirus planning amid jump in new cases

Reuters stepping up in attempts to tack- and whether encouraging people case with no relevant travel, to any further restrictions would The government is launching tablished protocols” in test- London le a virus that began in China, to work at home could delay its fi nd out how they caught the vi- be based on scientifi c evidence, a new public information cam- ing and diagnosing him with where authorities estimate it peak until summer when it can rus. and that for now people should paign this week, encouraging Covid-19. has killed almost 3,000 people be more easily dealt with. Before that announcement, go about their ordinary business. people to wash their hands for “The case is associated with ritain announced a jump in worldwide. Chief medical offi cer Chris Hancock said the outbreak was The issue will become a stand- at least 20 seconds, and to do so travel from an aff ected area in coronavirus cases yester- “We’ve got a clear strategy Whitty said that as of 0900GMT still in a containment phase ing item for all cabinet meetings more often than normal. northern Italy, rather than con- Bday, with 12 new infections for dealing with coronavirus — a there had been 12 new positive in Britain. The health depart- and there will be more media Earlier Ireland confi rmed its tact with another confi rmed taking the total to 35, as Health very, very signifi cant challenge,” tests in Britain, bringing the to- ment could not be immediately briefi ngs from health offi cials. fi rst case of coronavirus after case,” the department of health Minister Matt Hancock said the Hancock told Sky News. “We’re tal to 35. reached to confi rm if that sta- Johnson wrote in the Sun a man who had returned from said in a statement. government was preparing for also planning in case this gets Of those new positive tests, tus had changed following the newspaper that it was right to northern Italy tested positive, The authorities were working the global epidemic to get worse. worse, much worse.” three had been in close contact announcement of new positive be concerned about the possi- the government said. rapidly to identify any contacts Prime Minister Boris Johnson If the virus becomes more with an existing known case, six tests. ble spread of the virus, but said Health officials said the man, the patient may have had, “to will chair a meeting of the gov- widespread, the government had recently travelled from Italy, Hancock said he did not rule a visit to a hospital had left him from the east of Ireland, was provide them with information ernment’s emergency response will look at registering retired and two from Iran. out any measures to contain the “100% confi dent in the medical “receiving appropriate medical and advice to prevent further committee today, signalling a health workers to work again, They were investigating one spread of the virus but said that resilience” care” after they followed “es- spread,” it added.

Johnson to wed Man left in pregnant girlfriend deportation cell

Reuters London for days with rime Minister Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Sy- Pmonds announced they are expecting their fi rst child together and are engaged to be married. The couple have been living together in Downing Street since broken ankle Johnson became prime minister in July. “The prime minister and Guardian News and Media detainees to leave their cells for a A change.org petition has Symonds are very pleased to an- London room search. been launched to free Shaw from nounce their engagement and that “I slipped and it got my right detention and ensure he gets ap- they are expecting a baby in the foot. It happened right in front of propriate medical treatment. early summer,” the couple said in a man was left in a cell in the offi cers. They could see I was Maria Thomas, from Duncan statement. The 55-year-old John- “excruciating agony” for in very bad pain but they told me Lewis solicitors, who is repre- son took offi ce in July and led his Afour days with a broken my ankle wasn’t broken. I asked senting Shaw, expressed concern Conservative Party to a decisive ankle after Home Offi ce contrac- them to call an ambulance for me about his treatment. She said: election victory in December. tors involved in a deportation but they didn’t do it. “We are deeply concerned about The announcement means charter fl ight were too busy to “I was left in Harmondsworth the delay in transferring our client he will become the fi rst British take him to hospital, the Guard- in bed in my cell for four days. I to hospital in light of reports that prime minister to marry in offi ce ian has learned. couldn’t move, I couldn’t wash he sustained multiple fractures in for 250 years. Lionel Shaw, 33, is a partially or change my clothes because his ankle after a fall in the deten- The couple’s relationship was blind and partially deaf Jamaican the pain was so terrible. I had tion centre and was left in excru- the subject of scrutiny during his man who has lived in the UK for to rely on urine bottles and food ciating agony and unable to get bid to take over from Theresa May 18 years, arriving in Britain at the other detainees brought to my out of bed for nearly four days.” as prime minister last summer af- age of 15. cell. I couldn’t walk to go and Karen Doyle from Movement ter police were called to Symonds’ He was arrested and placed in press the bell to get assistance. For Justice, who has been sup- home by a neighbour who heard Harmondsworth immigration Now that they’ve fi nally brought porting Shaw said: “Like the an apparent row between them. removal centre near Heathrow me to hospital I have two guards Windrush scandal, Lionel’s case Symonds, 31, said in a message last month. The Home Offi ce by my bedside. proves that the Home Offi ce and posted on Instagram that she had planned to deport him to Ja- “The offi cers in Harmonds- their contractors prioritise char- kept news of her engagement se- maica for overstaying. He has no worth made me feel less than ter fl ights and deportation tar- cret until now. “I wouldn’t nor- criminal convictions. human. I was forced to wet my- gets over human lives.” mally post this kind of thing on On February 24, he slipped on self because I could not move A Home Offi ce spokesperson here but I wanted my friends to a wet fl oor and fell to the ground. from the bed,” he said. said: “The welfare of those in fi nd out from me,” she said. Medical notes from the deten- He said that on Thursday de- detention is of paramount im- “Many of you already know tion centre, seen by the Guard- tention centre staff said they portance and it is crucial that but for my friends that still don’t, ian, state after Shaw slipped and would take him to hospital by car detention is carried out with we got engaged at the end of last fell: “no injuries or bleeding ob- but he said he could not move his dignity and respect. The provi- year...and we’ve got a baby hatch- served”. Painkillers and ice were leg so would not be able to get sion of 24-hour, seven-days-a- ing early summer,” Symonds said, advised, along with rest, ankle into a car. week healthcare in all immigra- adding: “Feel incredibly blessed”. exercises and urine bottles be- “At that point I thought I tion removal centres ensures Johnson was congratulated by cause he was unable to walk to might die so I called the police that individuals held there have members of parliament, includ- the toilet. and asked them to get me an ready access to medical profes- ing his former fi nance minister, A later medical note on Feb- ambulance.” He said doctors at sionals and levels of primary Sajid Javid, who resigned after ruary 26 states: “I have tried Hillingdon hospital were due to care in line with individuals in losing a power struggle over who to arrange for the patient to go carry out surgery on his broken the community.” should control Britain’s economy. to the hospital for the X-ray as ankle today, which they estimate The Home Offi ce contractor “Wonderful news!,” Javid said requested by the GP. Unfortu- will take four hours. at Harmondsworth, Mitie, has on Twitter. nately the contractor is not able “The doctors have told me it secured a new three-year con- Johnson, known for his rum- to provide the necessary escort- might be a year or more before I tract to provide security services pled appearance and fl amboyant ing staff this afternoon due to a can walk properly again,” he said. to the Home Offi ce, beginning oratory, was previously married planned charter fl ight.” “When I fi nally arrived at the April 1. Mitie has declined to to Marina Wheeler, and they had Speaking from his hospital bed hospital on February 27 by am- comment. four children together. They an- at Hillingdon hospital, Shaw, 33, bulance the doctors asked them The NHS trust operating nounced in September 2018 that told the Guardian he slipped and why I had waited so long to come healthcare services at Har- they had separated and would di- Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection fell on a wet fl oor at the deten- to hospital. I told them it was not mondsworth has been ap- vorce after 25 years of marriage. Service in Colindale, north London, yesterday. tion centre after offi cers asked my decision.” proached for comment. New car buyers hit by Snow-covered Speeding motorist jailed for fatal crash

£150mn delivery ‘con’ Daily Mail Judge David Stockdale, QC, London told him: “You were in a hurry, you had been held up and you Daily Mail ment’ owed per customer will their involvement and agreed to were frustrated. You were driv- London vary based on how far the car may settle the cases, watchdogs said. girl of eight was killed ing at a grossly excessive speed. have travelled, including from the The shippers were caught out by by a speeding business- This was a piece of obviously Far East and the US. The maxi- a so-called ‘ratters’ charter’ which Aman who had just taken a dangerous driving in a residen- illions of motorists mum overpayment is £60 with an gives immunity to the fi rst mem- photo at the wheel to show that tial, built-up area that brought have been ripped off average of about £9 per car. But if ber of any cartel to blow the whistle he was stuck in traffi c. about the loss of a young life. It Min a £150mn delivery a family has bought or leased a on their partners. This gives guilty Emily Connor was crossing was entirely avoidable.” scheme to infl ate the price of number of new cars over the dec- fi rms an incentive to ‘rat’ fi rst on the road with her grandmother Emily, from Chesterfi eld, Der- new cars, it is claimed. ade the sums quickly add up, ac- the others to avoid hefty fi nes. when she was hit by Jon-Paul byshire, was visiting her grand- Eight in 10 new cars have seen cording to legal fi rm Scott+Scott Lawyers say car-makers are Caruana’s Vauxhall Corsa at al- parents for the weekend in No- price increases of up to £60 af- which is bringing the action. not the guilty parties, pointing most 50mph in a 30mph area. vember 2018. She and her gran, ter shipping fi rms conspired to The ‘class action’ – a group out that they too were outraged Moments earlier, the company Dorothy Simpson-Wheeler, fi x delivery costs, according to a legal suit under the Consumer by the rip-off . The vefi compa- director, 25, had taken a picture were on their way to catch a bus lawsuit. A total of 17mn cars are Rights Act 2015 – has been fi led nies are Japanese carriers MOL, at the wheel to show a friend and see the Christmas lights at said to have been aff ected over 10 in the Competition Appeal Tri- K Line, and NYK, Sweden’s why he was running late. Manchester’s Traff ord Centre. years. Now lawyers are to launch bunal on behalf of consumers WWL/EUKOR, and Chile’s He had also been dictating Gavin Howie, prosecuting, a US-style ‘class action’ against and businesses who purchased CSAV. Although not household business messages to his fi ancee, said: “She and Emily started to fi ve of the world’s biggest ship- or leased new cars and vans be- names, their role in moving cars a passenger in the car. She told cross the road. She heard a loud ping fi rms to try to win money tween 2006 and 2015. around the world is huge. one colleague they were “breaking car horn and suddenly Emily was back for consumers. In 2018, EU watchdogs found The case is being led by Mark speed barriers” to avoid being late. thrust out of her hand into the Customers aff ected include the fi ve shipping fi rms guilty of McLaren, formerly of consumers’ When Emily, described as a air. She didn’t see the car until those who bought from Ford, running an anti-competitive group Which? A pre-trial hearing happy and healthy girl who was she saw Emily lying in the road.” Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Peugeot, price-fi xing cartel – and fi ned is expected in the autumn. He said: her family’s ‘shining light’, died The court heard that Caruana, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, them £330mn. They ruled that “When UK consumers and busi- at the scene the distraught driver a call centre sales director, was Toyota, Citroen and Renault, the fi rms had co-ordinated ten- nesses purchased or leased a new cried out: “I have killed a kid.” late picking up a colleague be- between October 2006 and Sep- ders, allocated customers, con- car, they paid more for the deliv- Caruana admitted causing cause he had to go back home to tember 2015. At the heart of the spired on capacity reductions, and ery than they should have done... death by dangerous driving at pick up a forgotten security fob. case is a line near the end of eve- exchanged commercially sensitive I strongly believe that compensa- the Manchester Crown Court. He Witnesses saw him driving “very ry customer’s new-car bill which pricing information to maintain tion should be paid when consum- A person stands in the snow in Chiltern Hills, near was jailed for three years and four fast,” weaving around the wrong reads: ‘Plus delivery.’ or increase shipping prices. All ers are harmed by such deliberate, Stokenchurch, Britain. months and banned from driving side of a traffi c island and using The exact amount of ‘overpay- the companies had acknowledged unlawful conduct.” for four years and eight months. his phone in a traffi c queue. Gulf Times 14 Monday, March 2, 2020 EUROPE

Tajikistan votes in parliamentary elections Polls closed in Tajikistan yesterday in a parliamentary election that President Emomali Europe takes action amid Rakhmon’s ruling party is expected to sweep, with only one genuinely critical party taking part and the former main opposition banned. The elections are the first in the country’s post-Soviet history without the Islamic Renaissance reports of new infections Party of Tajikistan, a moderate faith-based party which was once DPA An estimated 600-700 resi- two new cases were diagnosed, the main opposition but was Brussels dents could participate normally a school-aged child and a re- outlawed in 2015 and has been in public life again, a district tired man who had been in close the target of a harsh crackdown spokesman said. contact with an infected woman ever since. he global spread of the However, another roughly 330 who had been in Italy. The country’s Central Election novel coronavirus has people would have to wait an- Neighbouring Sweden has to Commission said just over 75% Tshown no signs of slowing other week, he said. date registered 14 cases, while of the electorate had cast votes down, with new cases emerging About 1,600 employees of a Denmark has three cases. as of 1000 GMT, comfortably in the Czech Republic, Luxem- machine manufacturer in Ba- Norway said yesterday that beyond the 50% threshold bourg, Germany and Britain varia were informed that they two more employees at Oslo required for the commission to yesterday despite the authori- would have to stay home after University Hospital’s eye clinic validate an election. ties’ eff orts to stop it. a fellow worker was confi rmed have been diagnosed with the Rakhmon voted for “a worthy Health offi cials across Europe yesterday as one of the state’s coronavirus, raising the coun- candidate” at a polling station in have traced many cases to Italy, four new cases. try’s number of cases to 17. the capital Dushanbe yesterday where the number of cases has The number of cases in Brit- Five cases have so far been morning, the state agency surpassed 1,000. ain rose to 35 yesterday when linked to the eye clinic where a Khovar reported. The Italian government is the government’s chief medical physician was infected while on Many voters interviewed by planning a €3.6bn ($3.9bn) offi cer Chris Whitty reported 12 holiday in northern Italy. AFP stressed their desire to see aid package to help boost the new infections. Eff orts were ongoing to trace improvements in the republic’s economy in light of the corona- The new cases included three personnel and patients who have anaemic economy. virus outbreak, Economy Min- people who were infected in been in contact with the physi- While Rakhmon’s People’s ister Roberto Gualtieri said in Britain due to “close contacts of cian, and some were tested. Democratic Party of Tajikistan an interview with La Repubblica a known case”. The growing number of cas- is set for a big win, other parties newspaper published yesterday. Six of the new cases were peo- es comes despite authorities from the outgoing legislature – He said that Italy’s cabinet in- ple who had recently returned scrapping or postponing a slew including the Agrarian Party, the tends to adopt the measures by from Italy and two had visited of events across Europe, includ- Party of Economic Reform and the end of next week. Iran, Whitty said. ing the Geneva auto show, Ber- the Socialist Party – are all widely Gualtieri is confi dent the Eu- The 12th person “had no rel- lin’s ITB travel trade show, the seen as proxies that endorse his ropean Union would not chal- People line up at the Louvre Museum after the site was closed during a staff meeting about the evant travel and it is not yet clear Mobile World Congress in Bar- nearly three-decade rule. lenge the request, and said coronavirus outbreak. [how] they contracted it”. celona, and Milan’s huge annual Only one identifiable opposition that the approval of parliament All but four of Britain’s 35 cas- furniture fair. party is competing in yesterday’s would also be sought. turned to the country from Italy Czech Health Minister Adam tute nearly doubled its count of es were contracted elsewhere. The Louvre in Paris remained ballot – the Social Democratic As a fi rst step, Rome unveiled via the Belgian airport of Charl- Vojtech confi rmed yesterday detected infections nationwide In a quarantined hotel on the close yesterday after staff Party of Tajikistan, which has a €900mn aid package on Friday eroi earlier this week, Health that three people had tested yesterday morning, jumping vacation island of Tenerife, an- stopped working out of con- never entered parliament. for the 11 areas in northern Italy Minister Paulette Lenert said. positive for the virus: two Czech from 66 to 117. other guest has been confi rmed cerns about the outbreak. Preliminary results are expected being restricted. The man is said to be doing nationals who had been in Italy, In the western German dis- as having the virus, bringing the Despite discussions about today. Luxembourg became the lat- well. and an American who studied trict of Heinsberg, quarantine number of infected on the Ca- preventative measures, the mu- est European country to confi rm The Czech Republic also there. was lifted for several hundred nary Island to fi ve, said health seum was unable to open, its its fi rst case of novel coronavi- joined the list of at least 60 None of the cases have turned residents who had attended a authorities. press offi ce said. Kazakh president rus. countries where the coronavirus out to be serious. Carnival event with an infected Finland reported its fi fth More talks with the staff are The 40-year-old man re- has been detected. Germany’s Robert Koch Insti- person. coronavirus case yesterday, after scheduled for today. blames ethnic clashes on gangs Kazakhstan’s President Kassym- Jomart Tokayev has blamed “two criminal groups” fighting Turkey ‘allowed over contraband for inter-ethnic clashes that left at least eleven dead in the south of the country last month. 75,000 migrants During a visit to the Jambyl region that witnessed deadly violence between minority Dungans and ethnic Kazakhs to enter the EU’ in February, Tokayev said the clashes were caused by one group trying to take over another DPA 10,000 migrants from crossing group’s cross-border smuggling Istanbul the border river Evros. business. The country has also “In a word, because of control strengthened its units on the over sources of illegal income, a urkey has claimed that border. conflict arose between the two it has allowed more than Greek police used water can- criminal groups,” the presidential T75,000 migrants cross its nons and tear gas to prevent mi- press-service quoted him as border towards the European grants from crossing yesterday. saying. Union. According to media reports, The violence was unprecedented By morning yesterday around the migrants had previously in Kazakhstan. 10am (0700 GMT), 76,358 mi- thrown stones and other objects The February 7 rampage, saw grants had crossed the bor- at riot offi cers. hundreds of ethnic Kazakh der via the province of Edirne, Greece accused Turkey of assailants descend on the mostly Turkish Interior Minister Su- enticing migrants to travel to Dungan village of Masanchi, leyman Soylu wrote on Twitter. Greece – and therefore the Eu- targeting property and livestock. In the province of Edirne ropean Union – with incorrect Thousands of Dungans were there are border crossings to EU information. forced to seek temporary refuge members Greece and Bulgaria. “The Turkish authorities’ in Kazakhstan’s neighbour, However, initially neither So- disinformation campaign con- Kyrgyzstan. fi a nor Athens had reported the tinues. The reality: 10,000 peo- Meeting with residents who arrival of such large numbers of ple were prevented from enter- survived the violence, Tokayev migrants. ing Greek territory,” the Greek called on law enforcement to The Bulgarian government foreign ministry tweeted yes- punish perpetrators “regardless said yesterday that not a single terday. of their ethnicity”. migrant had crossed the border Greek Defence Minister Nikos Migrants are seen on an inflatable boat as local residents of Lesbos illegally. Panagiotopoulos also accused island prevent them from landing. Inset: A child cries as migrants “At this point, the situation Turkey of organising the infl ux on a dinghy with a damaged engine, which had crossed part of is calm,” according to Bulgarian of migrants on the shared bor- the Aegean Sea from Turkey, are prevented by local islanders from Defence Minister Krasimir Ka- der after a tour of the area where docking at the port of Thermi, on island of Lesbos. rakachanov. Greek troops are posted. Slovakia anti-graft party wins vote Bulgaria already strength- “We will continue to yesterday morning alone. people are on the Turkish side of ened its 259km-long land bor- strengthen the troops,” he said, The report added that a fur- the border. der with Turkey on Friday with according to Greek television. ther 58 people had arrived on They hope to enter the EU af- AFP members of the gendarmerie. According to the Greek gov- the island of Chios and another ter Turkey has made it clear that Bratislava Karakachanov also confi rmed ernment, patrols in the straits 30 on the island Samos. it is no longer stopping migrants that Bulgarian Prime Minis- between the Greek islands and Local reporters said that more from crossing the border. ter Boyko Borisov would meet Turkish Aegean coast have also boats with migrants were en According to the latest UN centre-right anti-graft Turkish President Recep Tayyip been strengthened. route from the Turkish Aegean fi gures, Turkey has taken in party is on course to form Erdogan today to discuss the As the stormy winds of the coast to Lesbos. around 3.6mn refugees from ASlovakia’s next govern- situation in Syria and the mi- past few days have subsided, the The Turkish coastguard is Syria, plus migrants from Af- ment after voters ousted the gov- gration problem. government in Athens now fears watching these boats without ghanistan and Iraq. erning leftists in polls marked by The minister did not say ex- a new infl ux of migrants, this stopping them from crossing to European Commission Vice- backlash over a journalist’s kill- actly where the meeting should time across the Aegean. Lesbos, the Athens TV channel President Margaritis Schinas, ing in the eurozone state. take place. The Greek semi-offi cial news Mega reported. the European Union’s top mi- Vowing to push through anti- According to Athens govern- agency ANA MPA, citing the According to the United Na- gration offi cial, has requested an corruption measures in the ju- ment sources, Greek police and coastguard, reported that 400 tions Organisation for Migra- emergency meeting of the bloc’s diciary and police, the leader of military have prevented around migrants had arrived on Lesbos tion (IOM), more than 13,000 interior ministers over Turkey the winning OLaNO party Igor opening its borders. Matovic managed to galvanise Greek islanders prevent migrant boat from landing Schinas, who is set to be in voter outrage over the murder Matovic is seen in Bratislava as he arrives for a televised debate Berlin today, said that he has of journalist Jan Kuciak and his following the results of the country’s parliamentary election. A group of local people on the Greek island of Lesbos A police off icer was slightly injured in the incident. reached out to Croatia, which fi ancée and the high-level graft stopped around 50 migrants, including children, from More than 19,000 are already staying at the camp, holds the rotating EU presiden- their deaths exposed. Slovakia a fair country where ousting as a “victory of right- landing their boat after several hours at sea, AFP which was built to hold fewer than 3,000. cy, “to request that EU Home The killings – allegedly a hit laws will apply to everyone,” Ma- wing conservative populism” photographers witnessed yesterday. Around 500 migrants landed yesterday morning in Aff airs Ministers meet urgently”. ordered by a businessman with tovic told reporters in a speech reminiscent of the rise of right- Shouting “Go back to Turkey”, furious locals at the around 10 vessels, according to an AFP tally, their Under a March 2016 deal connections to politicians – trig- overnight as the election results wing populist parties in neigh- port of Thermi blocked the boats. crossing made easier by the good weather condi- with the EU, Turkey agreed to gered the largest anti-govern- showed his party skyrocketing to bouring EU countries. After Turkey’s decision to open its borders into tions. prevent migrants from crossing ment protests since communist victory, more than quadrupling “In this respect, the situation Europe, migrants have been arriving in greater Another four vessels carrying 120 people landed on into neighbouring EU member times and led to the toppling of its seats in the process. in Slovakia resembles that of its numbers on the Greek islands in the Aegean, just off the neighbouring island of Chios, and two vessels states Greece and Bulgaria. the powerful head of the popu- “It was the death of Jan Kuciak neighbours, Hungary or Poland the Turkish coast. carrying 80 migrants landed on Samos, further to the In return, Brussels off ered list-left Smer-Social Democracy and Martina Kusnirova that woke or the Czech Republic,” he added, The locals also shouted insults at the local off icial of south, ANA reported. funding to support refugees in- (Smer-SD) Robert Fico as prime up Slovakia,” he said, vowing while characterising OLaNO as the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, and some also According to the Greek coastguard, around 180 side the country, among other minister in 2018. that his administration will have more a “heterogeneous, protest- attacked journalists and photographers at the scene, migrants arrived on Saturday on Lesbos and Samos, things. Fico’s party colleague Peter “zero tolerance for corruption”. type party” than other governing hitting them and throwing cameras into the water. making the crossing from Turkey despite strong The agreement also provides Pellegrini took over as premier, But according to Bratislava- right-wing parties in the region. On the road to the overcrowded Moira camp on the winds. that the EU can send back all but he conceded defeat over- based political analyst Juraj OLaNO took 25.02% of the island, another group of local people used chains Last week, hundreds of local people on Lesbos refugees and migrants who ille- night, congratulating Matovic Marusiak, the centre-right vote for 53 seats in the 150-mem- and rocks to try to block the route of a police bus protested against government plans to build a new gally enter the bloc from Turkey. on his stunning victory in Satur- OLaNO’s win should not be seen ber parliament, full election transporting migrants who had arrived yesterday, the migrant camp, clashing with riot police sent to the The EU had made it clear on day’s vote. as an outright rejection of popu- results showed, and is now ex- Greek news agency ANA reported. island to protect construction workers. Friday that it expected Turkey “People want us to clean up list politics. pected to seek coalition partners to comply with the agreement. Slovakia. They want us to make He characterised Smer-SD’s to clinch a majority of 78 seats. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 15 INDIA

CRIME APPOINTMENT CONTROVERSY PROMISE PUNISHMENT Ex-employee jailed for Thackeray wife named Congress slams govt No Mumbai mill worker Kerala priest convicted Rs2bn land forgery editor of Saamana over Chhattisgarh raids will be homeless: Thackeray of rape defrocked

A Bhopal court has sentenced to life a 62-year- Rashmi Thackeray, wife of Maharashtra Chief The Congress has launched an attack on the The Maharashtra government is committed to A 52-year-old Kerala Catholic clergyman, old former employee in the Bhopal district Minister Uddhav Thackeray, has been appointed the central government over income tax raids in providing homes to all mill workers in Mumbai who was sentenced to 20 years rigorous collector’s off ice for trying to sell government new editor of Saamana Group. The group, run by Chhattisgarh for the past four days and termed who have contributed in a big way to the imprisonment in three diff erent cases of rape land worth over Rs2bn through fake lease Prabodhan Prakashan, includes the flagship dailies it as “coercive and insecure centrism”. The party Samyukta Maharashtra movement, Chief Minister and abuse of minor girls, has been dismissed deeds. Special judge Sanjeev Pande on Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana, often referred said constitution has been trampled upon, Uddhav Thackeray said yesterday. Releasing the from priesthood by the Vatican, church off icials Saturday also imposed a fine of Rs400,000 to as Shiv Sena’s off icial publications, and founded federalism demolished and democracy attacked. lottery results to allot 3,894 flats constructed on said yesterday. Off icials of Manthavady dioceses on Babulal Sunahre and sentenced nine by the late Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray. The Congress alleged the raids were carried out erstwhile mill lands for the displaced mill workers, in Wayanad district said the Vatican, after going accomplices to diff erent terms. The Economic Amruta Fadnavis, banker and wife of former chief after the Bhupesh Baghel government launched the chief minister urged the workers not to further through the whole process, had decided to Off ences Wing (EOW) took up investigations minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated and an investigation into irregularities of the previous sell their rightful flats and leave Mumbai. “I have dismiss Robin Vadakkumchery from priesthood. on the orders of the High Court. The issue first off ered her best wishes to Rashmi Thackeray on Bharatiya Janata Party regime. “Is this a cover- come to interact with you as an elder member of The Pope’s decision was made on December 5 came up in the court of then Bhopal district her new appointment. “Our country needs more up corruption exercise by the government? Can the family. I am indebted to the mill workers for last year and the papers have been given to the judge Renu Sharma over allegations that women in top leadership positions to represent the government share the basis on which these their support. After you get possession of your now jailed priest. Vadakkumchery was serving as some papers about a land dispute presented the issues of women and society and also have a raids are being conducted,” party spokesman flats, live there happily and do invite me for a cup a parish vicar near Kannur and was the manager before the court had been replaced by forged platform to voice their opinions in matters of public Randeep Surjewala asked. The party also alleged of tea,” Thackeray said. Housing Minister Jitendra of a church-backed school, where one of the documents by the accused. The matter was importance,” said Amruta. However, the family’s that the government was using the elite CRPF Awhad said the government was bound to provide victims, a Class 11 student, was studying. The referred to the High Court which asked the EoW close confidante Sanjay Raut will continue to be the and deploying it with the income tax department, homes to the displaced workers after the mills in priest came under pressure after the girl gave to investigate the issue. group executive editor. without the knowledge of the state government. Mumbai shut down decades ago. birth to a child on February 7, 2017.

Delhi police were mute spectators to violence, say former top cops

IANS B S Bedi, 87, the former po- New Delhi lice chief of Jammu and Kash- mir, said, “A stitch in time saves nine. Had the police everal former police offi c- sorted out the Jafrabad con- ers endorse the common troversy in time (relating to Sview that Delhi police were protest against the citizenship mute spectators to the violence law), the situation would not which led to bloody commu- have slipped out of Patnaik’s nal riots in the national capi- control. It looks as if the police tal during US President Donald could not assess the scale of Trump’s maiden visit to India violence, and its intelligence last week. seems to have failed.” Former Delhi police com- Asked about political pressure missioner Ajai Raj Sharma said: and interference in police work, “Had I been the commissioner, Bedi said that it was a misnomer. I would not have allowed the ri- “In any given law and order oters to take the law into their situation, the boss is the com- hands, even if I was transferred missioner, not the minister. or terminated by the govern- Political bosses never interfere Students and social activists shout slogans during a protest against India’s new citizenship law and against the visit of federal Home Minister Amit Shah for a political rally ment.” in such grim situations,” he in Kolkata yesterday. On the Delhi police’s ut- said. ter failure to control the riots, Another former Delhi police former Border Security Force chief T R Kakkar said: “I would (BSF) chief Prakash Singh said: have taken the toughest ac- “The disgrace brought to the tion in the initial hours of the uniform by (Delhi Police Com- violence. Minimum use of force missioner) Amulya Patnaik is and inadequate deployment of unpardonable. I really feel pity jawans led to total chaos. The for him.” image of the police has taken a BJP will get majority in Regarding the alleged delayed beating in the eyes of the world, response time of the police in as all bad things happened in reaching the scenes of riots, the capital when the US presi- former Uttar Pradesh director dent was on a state visit. The general of police Vikram Singh weapons and petrol bombs re- said: “Delhi police acted like a covered from certain premises rainbow. It appeared after the reveal that the violence was W Bengal polls: Shah storm (riots) passed away.” planned. The commissioner On Patnaik’s leadership role and Lieutenant Governor re- IANS In the coming assembly polls the Left and the Congress all op- A controversy erupted earlier ing a hate speech and said strict which is under heavy criticism, acted late.” Kolkata also, the BJP will get an absolute posing it. after a video went viral showing action should be taken against Vikram Singh quipped, “When Asked if the prolonged pro- majority... a two-thirds majority One of the prime reasons for a group of people carrying BJP those involved in the violence Napoleon marched along with test at Shaheen Bagh for weeks and form the government,” the Shah’s rally was to give a boost to fl ags and going in a procession in in northeast Delhi that claimed his force, he always marched was one of the reasons behind ome Minister Amit senior BJP leader said at his fi rst his party’s campaign backing the central Kolkata raising the pro- over 40 lives. ahead of the infantry. Here Pat- the simmering communal ten- Shah said yesterday the public rally in West Bengal after controversial citizenship law. vocative “goli maro” (open fi re) When journalists asked him naik and his key offi cials were sion in the national capital, Ajai HBharatiya Janata Party last year’s general elections. “(Prime Minister Narendra) slogan. about the “shoot the traitors” missing (from the scene).” Raj Sharma said, “Had I been in would get “two-thirds majority” Shah said he has seen a lot of Modi has given citizenship to The infl ammatory slogan was chant, Thakur said: “You are ly- On failing to take tough ac- place of the present commis- in next year’s assembly elections political changes in his public lakhs of people,” he told the au- fi rst chanted at a public rally ad- ing.” tion against the rioters in the sioner, I would have shifted in West Bengal. career. dience. dressed by federal minister and “I think sometimes there is first 48 hours after the riots the protesters to the adjoin- He targeted West Bengal Chief “In 2014, the BJP got only 87 Taking on Banerjee for pro- BJP leader Anurag Thakur on lack of information in the me- broke out in northeast Delhi ing park. The loose rope given Minister Mamata Banerjee and lakh votes. In 2019, you show- moting ‘parivarvad’ (family rule) January 27 in New Delhi. Thakur dia too regarding the way some on February 24, former Delhi to the protesters by the cops her nephew Abhishek, and said a ered your love and aff ection and by ‘trying to anoint’ Abhishek had allegedly egged on his audi- things are projected,” he said. police commissioner Neeraj to block a busy road for such a son of the soil and no shahazada supported us. We got 2.30 crore - now a Trinamool MP and one ence to respond to the slogan. Asking the media to limit their Kumar told IANS, “Seeing all long period was a wrong deci- (prince) would become the state votes... I am confi dent that our its prominent leaders - as her Thakur was then barred from questionnaire to his department sorts of weapons used in the sion.” chief minister. march cannot be stopped.” successor, Shah said such things campaigning by the Election only, the BJP leader replied: “The violence, it appears to me that Prakash Singh and Vikram “Before the Lok Sabha polls, In his address, he referred to cannot be done in West Bengal. Commission for 72 hours in the matter is sub-judice. You should these riots were pre-planned. Singh also agreed that the police Mamata didi used to say our the Citizenship Amendment “No shehzada (prince) will be- run-up to the February 8 Delhi have full facts. Half-baked truth However, the police, despite did not take the road blockade in candidates will lose their depos- Act, an issue which has gener- come the next Bengal chief min- assembly polls. is dangerous - be it the propa- having a robust security appa- Shaheen Bagh seriously, which its. But for the fi rst time we won ated much political acrimony in ister. A son of the soil will be the However, Thakur, the junior ganda of media or somebody ratus, was not at all prepared to subsequently became an Achil- 18 of the 42 seats in the state. West Bengal, with the Banerjee- next chief minister,” said Shah, fi nance minister, yesterday de- else. I feel that you guys should take on the rioters.” les heel for the administration. Mamata didi can see the fi gures. led Trinamool Congress, as also without naming Abhishek. nied he was involved in deliver- have complete knowledge.” Security forces deployed Opposition to raise at anti-CAA protest site riots in parliament IANS dents anywhere in the coun- New Delhi try. IANS comes in the wake of a call by hundreds of thousands of people The Congress will also New Delhi a right-wing group, the Hindu onto the streets across India. raise the issue of income tax Sena, to clear the Shaheen Bagh Violent demonstrations have arliament reconvenes raids in Chhattisgarh, which road yesterday. The Sena has since rocked the country since Decem- today after a recess of it says happened without olice yesterday imposed pro- called off its proposed protest af- ber 12 after Prime Minister Naren- P19 days in the budget the knowledge of the state hibitory orders in Shaheen ter police intervened on Saturday. dra Modi’s government enacted session and is expected to be government and under the PBagh area in southeast Delhi Joint Commissioner of Police the Citizenship Amendment Act stormy with the opposition set CRPF protection. The Con- and deployed a large number of se- Devesh Chandra Srivastava said (CAA), which aims to grant citi- to corner the government on gress yesterday alleged the curity personnel. that police deployment and pro- zenship to six-non-Muslim mi- Delhi riots. government steps were “co- A senior police offi cer said these hibitory restrictions were precau- norities - Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Jain, The Congress is likely to ercive”. were precautionary measures. tionary measures. “Heavy police Christian and Buddhist - who move an adjournment motion The party will also raise Shaheen Bagh has been the deployment in Shaheen Bagh is a migrated to India on or before De- in the Lok Sabha and suspen- several economic issues such epicentre of anti-Citizenship precautionary measure. Our aim cember 31, 2014 from Bangladesh, sion of business under rule 267 as the falling GDP in the third Amendment Act protest, where is to maintain law and order and Pakistan and Afghanistan. in the Rajya Sabha. quarter. It has alleged that women and men have organised prevent any untoward incident.” In Hyderabad, Minister of Congress fl oor leader Adhir the government is not do- a sit-in on a road since Decem- The police move comes in the State for Home G Kishan Reddy Ranjan Chowdhury said the ing enough to control the ber 15 last year. backdrop of violence in north- said rumours unleashed by some party will press for the resig- economic decline. In a sar- Police said that Section 144 east Delhi that resulted in the political parties, a section of me- nation of Home Minister Amit castic way, the party alleged of the Criminal Procedure Code death of at least 42 people and dia and social media added fuel Shah. that the latest GDP numbers was imposed in Shaheen Bagh injuries to over 200. to the fi re in Delhi riots. A Congress delegation put reflected “karo-na” (don’t area near Jamia Millia Islamia. Hundreds of men and women, He also said the Modi gov- forward the demand for Shah’s do anything) virus that has Section 144 empowers an ex- many accompanied by children, ernment is determined to go to resignation when it met Presi- plagued the functioning of ecutive magistrate to issue or- have occupied a nearly 1km bottom of the truth to unveil the dent Ramnath Kovind. the government. ders in case nuisance or danger stretch of a six-lane highway conspiracy, if any, that triggered While Minister of State for “The economy is in a sham- to public peace is apprehended. passing through Shaheen Bagh the riots. He reiterated the CAA Parliamentary Affairs Arjun bles; stagfl ation is setting in Though its scope is wider, the to connect Delhi and neighbour- was not aimed at taking away Ram Meghwal has said that as every economic indicator Section is often used to prohibit ing Noida in Uttar Pradesh to citizenship of any Indian but the opposition has given no- is showing a downward trend. assembly of fi ve or more people protest against the new citizen- was enacted to give citizenship tices on the Delhi riots, he But the government continues when unrest is anticipated. ship law and a proposed citi- to minorities who suff ered per- said the discussion should to function as an ostrich,” said The heavy police deployment zens’ register that have brought secution on religious grounds. Residents walk along a street in a riot-aff ected area in New Delhi yesterday. focus on avoiding such inci- the party. Gulf Times 16 Monday, March 2, 2020 LATIN AMERICA

OUTBREAK DECISION LEGAL CRIME Brazil confirms second Brazil allows for automatic Guatemala court suspends Captain murdered on case of new coronavirus nod for new agrochemicals appointment of judges oil tanker off Venezuela

Brazil’s health ministry confirmed the country’s Brazil’s agriculture ministry will allow for agro- Guatemala’s Constitutional Court suspended the Armed assailants murdered the captain of an second case of the fast-spreading coronavirus, di- chemicals awaiting regulatory approval to receive appointment of judges to the Supreme Court oil tanker after boarding his ship while it was agnosed in a 32-year-old patient in Sao Paulo who licences automatically, potentially allowing new amid concerns over influence peddling. Prosecu- anchored off the coast of eastern Venezuela, had recently visited Italy and arrived on Thursday. pesticides to reach market faster. If the ministry tors obtained a court ruling halting the election according to a local union leader and a report The man returned to Sao Paulo accompanied fails to review applications for new chemicals process for 26 candidates to the Supreme Court from a Venezuelan port authority. Six armed by his wife and wore a mask during the flight to be licensed within 60 days, the products will and another 270 to appeals courts. Judges at individuals boarded the San Ramon tanker in from Milan, according to additional information automatically be approved, according to new the country’s top courts are elected for four-year Pozuelos Bay and shot the captain, Colombian released by the ministry after a brief statement rules. The rules go into eff ect on April 1, it said. terms by the Congress. The Constitutional Court national Jaime Herrera Orozco, a report from earlier. The man exhibited the first symptoms on Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias has said in a statement that its ruling “temporarily the Puerto La Cruz port authority said. A coast the day he arrived and sought medical attention complained that the licensing process for new suspends the act of election that would be carried guard sergeant guarding the ship was also on Friday, the statement said. He was in stable agrochemicals in Brazil is too slow, saying in some out by the Congress of the Republic of Guate- injured, the report added. Jose Bodas, an oil condition and was sent home to recover after cases it means older more dangerous chemicals mala.” Prosecutors cited meetings that several workers union leader in Puerto La Cruz, said A mannequin wearing a protective mask and Brazil’s receiving treatment at the same hospital that are used longer while newer safer products await candidate judges had with a businessman who is the tanker had been waiting to enter the Jose soccer jersey is seen in Guarulhos, Sao Paulo. handled Brazil’s first case of the new coronavirus. approval. being held on corruption charges. oil terminal to load with crude.

Emaciated lion Argentines prefer dollar to peso as form of savings

AFP “What can I do?” she asked, Buenos Aires pointing out that the peso lost almost 40% of its value in 2019, after losing more than 50% in o sooner does she receive 2018. her paycheck in Argen- Fernandez’s measures appear Ntine pesos than 43-year- to be working, as the peso has old lawyer Eugenia exchanges stabilised at 63 to the dollar. them for dollars and takes them The exchange rate was 18 to home to hide away. the dollar before the currency The fear of losing everything crash. in a burglary pales in compari- However, a black market ex- son with the mistrust she has change, with a rate of 83 to the for banks and her own country’s dollar, has seen a surge in trans- currency. actions due to the monthly limit “I don’t trust the peso; it’s not on purchasing dollars. just now, it’s always been that But experts say it’s unlikely way,” she said. Argentine faith in the peso will Bludgeoned by an eighth ma- grow. “In this country there’s a jor fi nancial crisis since 1950, systematic history of violating many Argentines prefer to seek the saver’s legal security,” said refuge in the US dollar as a form Rajnerman. Keeper Ana Julia Torres rests next to Jupiter, a weak 20-year-old lion, at Los Caimanes zoo in Monteria, Colombia. With thick skin tight to the ribs, a stray look and no strength to of savings they can hide “under “Private savings end up be- stand, Jupiter, was transferred from Buenavista in the Colombian department of Cordoba to Cali in an attempt to save him from death. the mattress.” Eugenia actually ing seized by the government or hides hers in the bathroom. exchanged into bonds. It hap- “I’d rather be robbed by a thief pened several times, it happened than a bank,” she said. There’s in 2001,” when Argentina suf- nothing new about this mistrust. fered its worst economic crisis in “Historically, things didn’t go modern times as it defaulted on a well for those who tried to save in $100bn debt. pesos,” said Matias Rajnerman, It was the year that then-pres- chief economist at consultants ident Fernando de la Rua limited Ecolatina. “Those who did so in Argentines to withdrawing 250 dollars, did well. It’s the conse- pesos (then worth $250) a week ‘No evidence of fraud’ quence of a broken fi nancial sys- from banks. tem.” De la Rua inherited a ticking For 18 months Argentina has time bomb from the government been in a recession provoked by of Carlos Menem (1989-1999) a currency collapse. The pov- who had linked pesos to the dol- erty rate in the country of 44mn lar. is over 40%, infl ation is around Since then, many Argentines in Morales poll victory 55% and unemployment has risen have hoarded their dollars out- over 10%. The economy shrunk by side the country. Guardian News and Media as part of a military coup. controversially assumed the in- it said, included the accusation that tina that the OAS “owed many 3.1% in 2019, and Argentine debt is However the government Washington “There is not any statistical ev- terim presidency, and installing a Bolivian offi cials maintained two explanations to the Bolivian peo- more than 90% of GDP. plans to increase taxes on per- idence of fraud that we can fi nd,” military-backed government that secret servers that could have al- ple and the whole world”. He has One of the country’s major sonal and foreign assets, while wrote John Curiel and Jack R Wil- vowed to jail Morales for life, accus- tered the vote results. previously described the organi- problems is its citizens’ mistrust also imposing tariff s on those row over the legitimacy of liams, both from MIT, adding that ing him of sedition and terrorism. The MIT researchers focused sation as a tool of the US. of the peso, which has deprived who take their savings out of Ar- Bolivia’s longest-serving the conclusions of an audit by the In a furious reaction to the on a central allegation in the OAS’s Carlos Cordero, a political sci- the government of much-needed gentina. Aleader, Evo Morales, has Organisation of American States Washington Post’s article, the preliminary audit – that the dif- entist at La Paz’s San Andres uni- dollars. According to the country’s been reignited after researchers “would appear deeply fl awed”. OAS witheringly described it as ference in results reported before versity, said the Post’s report was When the new government central bank, Argentines are in the US questioned allegations Morales, the country’s fi rst in- “neither honest, nor fact-based and after a 24-hour stoppage in seeking to make Morales seem like of centre-left Peronist Alberto holding $300bn of savings in that fraud was used to help the digenous president, resigned in nor comprehensive”. In a letter a quick count of the vote showed a “victim so the electorate sym- Fernandez came to power, it foreign accounts in the US and country’s leader of 14 years win November under pressure from the signed by Gonzalo Koncke, the evidence of fraud in favour of Mo- pathise with him and (his) Move- moved to combat currency fl ight Switzerland, among other plac- the last election. police and army, following weeks of chief of staff to the body’s secre- rales, who needed a 10% margin ment Toward Socialism” or MAS by slapping a 30% tariff on for- es. Writing in the Washington Post, violent protests over alleged voter tary general, Luis Almagro, the and more than 40% of the vote to party, ahead of elections in May. eign currency purchases and But economists say this dollar the researchers from the Massa- fraud and an OAS report that said OAS said it stood by its fi ndings win an outright victory. Morales is barred from run- maintaining the previous gov- fl ight causes a vicious cycle. chusetts Institute of Technology’s it had found “serious irregularities” and said the article contained While the OAS said such a ning but the MAS candidate, Luis ernment’s purchase cap of $200 “If we keep dollars under the election data and science lab have in the vote and “clear manipula- “countless falsehoods, inexacti- change was “statistically un- Arce, the former fi nance minister, per month. mattress or take them out of the entered what has become a fraught tions” of the voting system. tudes and omissions”. likely”, the researchers said it was is leading the polls. The interim Ahead of Fernandez’s assump- country, it reduces the fi nancial debate about Morales’s legacy In a series of quick-fi re devel- The letter also accused the au- “highly likely that Morales sur- president, Anez, has also decided tion of power, 52-year-old inte- system... and that makes it dif- and whether he was forced to step opments, Morales fl ed into exile in thors of ignoring the main allega- passed the 10-percentage-point to run, in a move which some crit- rior decorator Sofi a withdrew all fi cult to turn things around,” said down due to an attempt to manip- Mexico where he was granted asy- tions of “foul play” set out in the margin in the fi rst round”. ics have called unethical and un- her dollar savings. Rajnerman. ulate the vote or, rather, pushed out lum and a senator, Jeanette Anez, OAS’s 96-page fi nal report which, Morales tweeted from Argen- constitutional.

Chile protest Guatemala to crack Uruguay shifts to centre down on ‘ghost jobs’ as new president sworn in Corruption will be limited to gov- Reuters Guatemala City ernment offi cials, its head Oscar AFP by former army commander Gui- saw the legalisation of marijuana as Davila said. Montevideo do Manini Rios, who only took up well as a campaign against smoking. If private sector individuals or politics last year but still garnered Salaries and pensions rose, idespread government other citizens are implicated, the 11% in the fi rst round of October’s access to health care broadened, “ghost jobs” will likely commission will hand over the in- uis Lacalle Pou was sworn presidential vote. poverty fell and there were peri- Wbe among the fi rst tar- vestigation to public prosecutors. in as Uruguay president This party is the most “un- ods of record growth, increasing gets of Guatemala’s new anti- That contrasts with the UN- Lyesterday to herald a new predictable” in the ruling coali- the spending power of the most corruption tsar, the offi cial said, backed International Commission era in the South American coun- tion that includes the Partido disadvantaged sectors of society. although the commission he heads against Impunity in Guatemala try following 15 years of left- Nacional’s traditional political But over the last fi ve years, the has more limited scope than its (CICIG), which left the country wing rule that brought important rivals, the liberal Partido Colora- economy stagnated, the fi scal powerful UN-backed predecessor. last year after investigations which social reforms but left a stagnat- do, says political scientist Daniel defi cit rose to its highest rate in 30 The commission under Presi- touched some of the country’s ed economy and soaring crime. Chasquetti from the Republic years and unemployment crept up. dent Alejandro Giammattei will most powerful business families as The 46-year-old leader of the University. Most importantly, though, announce this week its fi rst ar- well as toppling a sitting president. centre-right Partido Nacional “The entire political system was soaring insecurity. eas of investigation, and no-show “The presidential commission was elected in November after will have to take stock because Murders increased by 46% or ghost jobs suspected to exist is totally diff erent from CICIG,” winning a run-off against the in- we had 15 years with a party that from 2014-19 and while presi- in government departments are Davila said, describing the new cumbent Broad Front’s candidate had a large majority” in parlia- dent Tabare Vazquez promised among the fi rst targets, the offi cial body as an internal aff airs unit of Daniel Martinez by just 37,000 ment, said Chasquetti. to decrease thefts by 30%, they said in an interview. the government. votes in the country of 3.4mn The Partido Nacional has not actually increased by 40%. Days after taking offi ce in Janu- However, he said the new com- people. been in power since the new And that, according to Chas- ary, Giammattei said the govern- mission could carry out raids on But in order to defeat the president’s father, Luis Alberto quetti, is the main reason for the ment had detected 37,000 posi- any offi ce under the executive Broad Front, Lacalle Pou had to Lacalle (1990-1995) governed. Broad Front’s election defeat. tions where nobody appeared to branch without warning, giving it rely on a “multi-coloured coali- He also succeeds a period of As well as tackling crime and re- show up for work. the power to act more swiftly than tion” of fi ve political parties from stability, in stark contrast to the energising the economy, Lacalle He said the ghost jobs were in other investigative units. the centre to the far right. rest of the region where social Pou has announced he will take the interior ministry, fi nance min- Critics of CICIG said it over- For many, it’s a fragile partner- unrest, economic meltdown or immediate action to reduce public istry, tax offi ce and a social-work reached its mandate, leading to a ship fraught with potential con- drastic political lurches have spending, facilitate immigration Demonstrators clash with security forces during a protest agency under the presidency. backlash from the government of fl icts, not least due to the presence been the recent order of the day. and implement radical changes in against Chile’s government in Concepcion, Chile. The probes launched by the former president Jimmy Morales of the radical Cabildo Abierto led Under the Broad Front, Uruguay Uruguay’s foreign policy. Presidential Commission Against and the country’s elites. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 17 PAKISTAN

Japan PM to open bridge Chaman crossing closed in Fort Munro to stem spread of virus Internews AFP/Internews ment of an isolation ward at been quarantined. Islamabad Islamabad/Quetta Parachinar District Hospital in Speaking about the two earlier the tribal areas of Khyber Pa- cases of coronavirus in Pakistan, khtunkhwa. Mirza said that there is no need apanese Prime Minister akistan is closing one of its Moreover, screening at the to panic as they were both get- Shinzo Abe will inaugurate two border crossings with Babe-e-Dosti border crossing in ting better. Jthe state-of-art steel bridge PAfghanistan for a week to Chaman is underway. “One of the patients will be in the mountainous area near prevent the spread of coronavi- Medical checkpoints have also discharged from the hospital Fort Munro in April, it was learnt rus, offi cials said yesterday. been set up at Torkham border quite soon,” he said. this week. The announcement comes a for those coming into the coun- Mirza said that the infection The bridge is the part of day after Pakistan detected two try from Afgahnistan’s Nan- only spread to Pakistan after 32.6km portion of the 450km new cases of the virus bringing garhar province. cases were fi rst reported in 47 N-70, starting from Bahawalpur the total number of infected pa- According to the provincial countries, explaining that this Chowk in Multan and conclud- tients to four. health department, more than is because the government had ing at Qila Saifullah in Balu- The move also comes after 10,000 people have undergone taken necessary precautions. chistan. Kabul confi rmed its fi rst case of screening in the last fi ve days at Pakistan is sandwiched be- The toughest portion of N-70 the coronavirus this week, with the Chaman border. tween China and Iran – which – from Rakhi Gaaj to Bewata – several others being tested for Isolation wards have also been are both fi ghting major out- has been constructed with fi - the diseases. set up at Pak-Afghan Friendship breaks – sparking fears about nancial aid from the Japan Inter- Ferozuddin Feroz, the Afghan Hospital, Landi Kotal, and hos- the country’s ability to cope national Co-operation Agency minister of public health, told pitals in Jamrud. with an epidemic of its own. (Jica). a press conference that one of Separately, Levies offi cials The country has suspended The total cost of the project is three suspected cases had been said yesterday that 510 pilgrims all fl ights to Iran and closed land Rs23.5bn, of which Jica’s grant is confi rmed in the Western prov- from Iran were under quarantine borders. Rs13.5bn. ince of Herat. at the Pakistan House. Pakistan and Afghanistan are “The bridge is 11.6km long Pakistani offi cials said the A day earlier, Baluchistan divided by the “Durand Line”, and is open for traffi c, however, Chaman/Spinboldak crossing health offi cials declared 252 pil- a 2,400km (1,500-mile) fron- a formal inauguration ceremony point in Baluchistan would close grims from Iran free from coro- tier with villages straddling the of the bridge and road will take from today, but a second point navirus after putting them un- Rescue personnel take part in drill in Peshawar to check the spread of Covid-19. border, and mosques and houses place in April, and Japanese at Torkhum in the northwest der quarantine for 15 days. having one door in Pakistan and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will would remain open. According to Levies offi cials, Zafar Mirza confi rmed that two in Sindh province, (the) other in partment confi rmed that a pa- another in Afghanistan. inaugurate it,” Teruki Hanazawa, In addition to the border the pilgrims were cleared after more cases of the novel corona- federal areas,” Mirza told a press tient who had returned from The virus has now killed more the fi rst secretary and deputy closure, strict precautionary they were screened by the health virus. conference. Iran was diagnosed with the in- than 2,900 people and infected head of the economic and devel- measures have also been put in offi cials. “We have received reports of The latest cases brought the fection in Karachi. over 83,000 worldwide, with an opment section at the embassy place in border areas to stop the On Saturday Special Adviser two more positive cases of coro- number in Pakistan to four. The patient and those who increasing number of new cases of Japan, said. spread, including the establish- to Prime Minister on Health Dr navirus, one has been reported Earlier, the Sindh health de- came into contact with him have being reported each day. He said that although the date of inauguration had yet to be de- cided, the arrangements are un- derway for a grand ceremony. N-70 is a main artery con- necting Punjab and Baluchistan, Ministry launches awareness website and the section near Fort Munro has steep slopes and curves. “Japan provided a conces- Internews sional loan (interest rate at 0.2% Islamabad with a repayment period of 40 years, with 10 years grace pe- riod) worth $142mn to improve he federal ministry of health services, in co-ordina- this section of N-70,” Hanazawa tion with the National Information Technology Board said. T(NITB), has launched a Web portal off ering the latest The construction started in information and updates regarding the novel coronavirus. 2016. “The NITB team has activated this portal for the general The Japanese embassy ar- public on behalf of the ministry of health, within the short- ranged a tour for reporters to two est possible time frame,” NITB chief executive Shabahat Ali of the projects – in Dera Ghazi Shah said at the launch over the weekend. “We are hoping Khan and Muzaff argarh – which that this tool will serve as an eff ective source of information have been completed with the for all.” fi nancial assistance from Japan. Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar An inauguration ceremony Mirza tweeted that an online coronavirus platform for Fre- of a school project was held in quently Asked Questions (FAQs) was also being launched. Chowk Godar in Muzaff argarh, “In addition to the 1169 COVID19 helpline, we are also which is being run by a non- launching an online coronavirus platform for Frequently governmental organisation. Asked Questions (FAQs) about the disease. “The construction of the “Please go to app.nhsrc.gov.pk for more info and spread school started in 2017 and the this among your friends, family and followers.” funds for the project were pro- The Web portal has been created in view of the rising vided by the Japan’s Assistance threat of Covid-19 in various countries. for Grassroots Human Secu- The portal contains details about the symptoms of Cov- rity Projects (GGP). The project id-19, its spread in humans, incubation period, protective cost is $88,355,” GGP consultant measures, as well as travel and medical advisories, among Naoka Kogure said. A screenshot of the Web portal. other information. Government slashes Pakistan Hindu Council condemns petrol, diesel prices violence against Indian Muslims Internews Indian Muslims and appealed to He added that those who were mar stated that all Hindus liv- Karachi the international community to not involved in violence against ing in Pakistan considered it Internews and 600,000 tonnes per month, widespread availability of LPG take notice of the turmoil in In- Muslims but did not support their motherland and that the Islamabad respectively. has almost replaced kerosene oil dia, while other PHC members them either were also being thought of giving up Pakistani However, consumption dur- in burners. akistan Hindu Council strongly condemned the use of “oppressive”. citizenship would not even oc- ing the month of March is lowest The reduction in fuel prices (PHC) Patron-in-Chief religious slogans by mobs in- According to Kumar, Modi’s cur to a patriotic Hindu. he government of Pakistan mainly due to seasonal factors as will also benefi t the aviation in- Pand member of the Na- volved in violent activities. government and extremist ele- He appealed to Hindus, who has reduced petroleum the use of fuel reduces signifi - dustry as well as the armed forces tional Assembly (MNA) Dr In this regard, Kumar said ments have put India’s security had migrated to India from Tprices by Rs5-7 per litre cantly on account of negligible because the rates of various jet Ramesh Kumar has condemned that the rioters perpetrating vi- at risk. Sindh, to understand the agenda for March. requirements for either heating fuels too have declined for the the “inhumane treatment” of olence while shouting “Jai Shri He said that PHC members behind the “aggressive stance A notifi cation issued by the or cooling systems. month of March. the Muslim minority in India, Ram” would do well to read the opposed in clear terms the In- of the Modi government” and ministry of fi nance said the Similarly, consumption is also Over the last few months, the under the rule of Prime Minister Ramayana fi rst. dian Citizenship Amendment return. prices of petrol and diesel have likely to remain muted due to government had increased pe- Narendra Modi. “When did Ramayana called Act that aims to fast-track citi- Participants of the meeting been cut by Rs5 each per litre to educational examinations and troleum levy rates to partially He likened Modi to one of the for subjecting innocent human zenship for persecuted Hindus, also appreciated those Indian Rs111.60 and Rs122.26 respec- coronavirus threats in the cur- recoup a major revenue shortfall most hated fi gures of the 20th beings to such horrifi c atroci- Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains Hindus, who, for the sake of hu- tively. rent scenario. faced by the FBR. century at a PHC meeting. ties?” he asked. and Christians who arrived in manity, protected Muslims from The Oil and Gas Regulatory Meanwhile, an oil marketing The levy remains in the fed- During the meeting, PHC He said, in fact, every religion India before December 31, 2014, “extremist rioters”, and ex- Authority (Ogra) had calculated company offi cial said that diesel eral kitty unlike general sales tax members expressed dismay over in the world taught humanity from Muslim-majority Afghan- pressed satisfaction over steps about Rs15 per litre reduction in consumption picks up heavily (GST) that goes to the divisible the alleged state-backed vio- and called for respecting other istan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. taken by Prime Minister Imran the price of high-speed diesel after the second half of April to pool of taxes and thus about 57% lence against Muslims in vari- religions. The PHC urged the Indian Khan to ensure the safety and (HSD) and petrol. end of June due to wheat har- share is grabbed by the prov- ous parts of India, particularly Holding Modi responsible for Supreme Court to repeal the bill, protection of the Hindu com- Three diff erent proposals were vesting and threshing season. inces. Delhi. the turmoil in India and slam- given the violence it sparked. munity in Pakistan. fl oated for price cuts as the Dubai In addition, the use of genera- The government already in- They also discussed videos ming him, Kumar maintained The once-secular constitu- The meeting was attended by Crude rate came down, from $62 tors also increases due to power creased the GST on all petroleum allegedly featuring atrocities that it is the state’s responsi- tion of India needed to be re- PHC president Gopal Khamani, per barrel on January 31 to $50 shortfall and local movement products to standard rate of 17% meted out to Indian Muslims, bility to protect minorities, but stored to its original shape, PHC secretary-general Parsho- a barrel on Friday, a decrease of rises manifold following holidays across the board to generate ad- many of which had gone viral, “Modi shed Muslims’ blood as or the country would fi nd it- tam Ramani, PHC joint secre- 19.35%. in educational sector. ditional revenues. which according to Kumar were the chief minister of Gujarat and self moving towards another tary Pamman Lal Rathi, PHC On the other hand, the bench- The notifi cation by the fi nance Until January last year, the “heartbreaking”. he has bloodied the entire coun- episode of division, the PHC fi nance secretary Bharat Kumar mark International Brent price ministry also said that per litre government was charging 0.5% He said he was deeply sad- try after becoming the prime warned. Manglani, and PHC adviser Raja had fallen from $60 a barrel to $51 prices of kerosene oil have also GST on LDO, 2% on kerosene, dened by the helplessness of minister”. Speaking on the issue, Ku- Asarmal Manglani. a barrel, down 18.33%. been reduced by Rs7 to Rs92.45, 8% on petrol, and 13% on HSD. However, the fi nance ministry whereas the light diesel oil (LDO) Besides the 17% GST, the gov- and the Federal Board of Revenue have also been reduced Rs7 per ernment had more than doubled Technology minister says social media companies must come under tax net (FBR) were trying their best to litre to Rs77.51. the rate of petroleum levy on pass on about half of the price Both kerosene and LDO are HSD in recent months to Rs18 Federal Minister for Science and Technology regulating the social media for the stoppage from using the technology, as hateful content reduction calculated by the Ogra dying fuels and their aver- per litre, instead of Rs8 per litre. Fawad Chaudhry, while talking about the of hateful and harmful content. and inappropriate material would not be to consumers and retain the re- age monthly consumption in The levy on petrol had also social media regulation, said that social He said national security and curbing of allowed to go online, the minister said. maining amount as windfall by the country is less than 10,000 been increased by 50% to Rs15 media websites must come under the hateful content is a government priority, and Replying to a question regarding former increasing tax rates. tonnes. per litre instead of Rs10 per litre. national tax net as Pakistan has paid hefty it would be up to the national co-ordinator, prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s prolonged Diesel and petrol are the most- The LDO is mainly used in cer- The petroleum levy on kero- amount to foreign companies. review committee and high court to decide health visit in London, Chaudhry said that consumed petroleum fuels in the tain kinds of old model engines sene oil and LDO remained un- Talking to a private news channel, he stated on the removal of content. Sharif had been found guilty of corruption, country, with an average con- operating mills and some tube changed at Rs6 and Rs3 per litre, that this was not a strange move as rest The people misusing these platforms for any and that should he not return within the sumption of around 700,000 wells in rural areas, whereas, the respectively. of the world had taken that initiative of objectionable content would be stopped stipulated time, action would be taken. Gulf Times 18 Monday, March 2, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Coronavirus forces cancellation of major world events

The impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) across the globe has been unprecedented. More and more events are getting cancelled, with one of the latest being Facebook’s developer conference, known as F8, scheduled for May. The company is instead opting for a series of local events, videos, and live-streamed content. Switzerland joined countries banning big events to try to curb the epidemic, forcing cancellation of this week’s Geneva international car show, one of the industry’s most important gatherings. The fi rst real jolt to the world about the wide reach of the It’s now or never for virus was when last month the World Mobile Congress, a major trade show in Barcelona, Spain that attracts 100,000 participants, was cancelled after exhibitors began pulling out. Facebook, Microsoft, and Sony have all pulled out of the Game Developers Conference, leaving that event without its main gaming platforms. national data strategies There are growing concerns about the economic impact of the global outbreak. users at low or even no cost. But, as economic welfare – of any specifi c data forms of digital governance such as data Stocks have tumbled for consecutive days. By Diane Coyle Cambridge with other public goods such as parks set is context specifi c. Yet, just as too trusts and data stewards. World share markets crashed again last Friday, winding up or roads, collecting, compiling, and much of the current policy debate treats In addition to fostering institutional their worst week since the 2008 global fi nancial crisis and formatting socially useful data may all data as a homogeneous good, so does reform, policymakers also will need bringing the global wipeout to $6tn. verybody seems to agree that require signifi cant upfront fi nancing. the preoccupation with “personal” data to make some tough choices. There Hopes that the epidemic that started in China late last year data will play a fundamen- That is why there are already so many and privacy – while an important issue – is a tradeoff between incentivising would be over in months, and that economic activity would tal role in the economy of restrictions on access to existing data; divert attention from the ways that data investment in high-quality data and quickly return to normal, have been shattered as the number of Ethe future, whether through those who have built the databases need could be put to good public and social use. granting wide access to it. Policymakers international cases spiralled. health discoveries, smart energy grids, to recoup their costs. How can we broaden the scope of the will need to strike a balance between There are Microsoft said it was autonomous vehicles, or other areas of The second key feature of data current debate? First, we must accept these concerns, perhaps by exploring unlikely to meet its fi scal innovation. The problem is that nobody concerns externalities: the value of that markets alone will not make the the use of time-limited and non- growing third-quarter guidance for knows precisely how the new forms of data to any one user is closely linked most of this new resource, owing to exclusive rights or a data equivalent to non-rivalry and various externalities. patent pools. its Windows and Surface economic value will be created, who will to actions taken by others. The erosion concerns about benefi t, or what the regulatory response of privacy is one oft-mentioned Because market forces will produce When it comes to funding public hardware business unit should be. In addition to enthusiasm negative externality associated with too much of some types of data and data, the fi nancial and licensing terms the economic because of hits to the about the power of big data, there are the collection and selling of personal too little of other types, governments of public-sector deals with private electronics supply chain, growing concerns about its potential to data. But an issue that has received will have to step in to ensure that the companies will need to be transparent, impact of the echoing similar statements be abused, including in the case of facial less attention is the potential for data benefi ts of public and private data are so that other parties can make a case from Apple Inc and HP. recognition and other applications that to yield positive externalities. Private being maximised. for more valuable uses of the same global outbreak Facebook said it was involve a signifi cant erosion of privacy. companies already derive valuable Specifi cally, that means maintaining data. On the pretext of commercial expecting the outbreak to In any case, the volume of data being commercial insights from combining fair competition in private, data- confi dentiality, the offi cial bodies that have some impact on production of its Oculus virtual reality generated annually has grown at a data about individual customers into intensive markets (as envisioned in are currently selling access to public headsets, which are produced in China. staggering pace, increasing fourfold in larger sets. But these benefi ts pale in the European Commission’s newly data are making it harder for themselves A Facebook spokesman told Reuters the company has just fi ve years, by some estimates. Given comparison to what could be gained proposed data strategy), and ensuring to get a good deal. They are eff ectively imposed temporary restrictions on business travel for its this pace of growth, ensuring that the if the relevant data sets were not that private and public service providers preventing competition, and thus data explosion serves society’s interests siloed in diff erent public and private can access and combine diff erent undermining their own legitimacy by employees to mainland China, South Korea and Italy, where a has gained new urgency. Yet too little is organisations. sources of data. Governments should sowing distrust among the citizens signifi cant number of cases have been reported. known about who holds what data, or Of course, the specifi c informational not be granting exclusive rights to whose data is being sold. Smaller companies are taking action too. about the potential value of some forms content of any given data set also public-sector data that could be used Figuring out how to get the best out of Santa Monica, California-based skin care products seller of data as opposed to others. aff ects its value. Is the data set for a by other third parties to deliver social data is still an inchoate eff ort. But as our Beautycounter last week cancelled a three-day leadership As an economic matter, data are population of users general or specifi c? benefi ts. In fact, policymakers should new report for the Nuffi eld Foundation development conference scheduled for San Francisco’s convention fundamentally diff erent from most Does it include geographic and temporal even consider mandating that certain shows, the issues and tradeoff s involved centre next week and will instead hold a one-day online gathering. other goods and services such as cars, characteristics, and is it accessible forms of private-sector data be made are becoming clearer all the time. Above Microsoft plans to hold a digital-only event from March 16-18 haircuts, and indeed oil. Two features of and interoperable across diff erent accessible to third parties, in order all, policymakers need to recognise the in place of the Game Developers Conference. data, in particular, make assessing their platforms? All of these considerations to ensure interoperability between urgency of the challenge at hand. Now Facebook earlier pulled out of the gaming conference and value diffi cult, while at the same time matter for determining use value. platforms. is the time to start developing data called off its 4,000-participant global marketing conference, underscoring the distinction between And while there is already a data To be sure, these proposals strategies, policies, and regulations. their potential value to society and their market, data are far from becoming a presuppose signifi cant institutional Otherwise, the gains of the data age also a San Francisco-based event. private-market value. standardised commodity whose value innovation. Governments will need to will be seized by a small number of big The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on The fi rst characteristic, in the can readily be established through support the institutions that will be companies, and much of the potential Wednesday reported a coronavirus case of unknown origin in economic jargon, is non-rivalry: trades. trusted with protecting, monitoring, benefi t to society will be squandered. - northern California, where some of the world’s biggest tech data can be used by many people Complicating matters further, the and controlling access to data. While Project Syndicate companies are based. simultaneously. Once data are created same data can have very diff erent value some of these institutions will need It is potentially the fi rst incident of the virus spreading within and catalogued in a useful format, to diff erent users. The economic value – to be created from scratch, there are z Diane Coyle is professor of Public US communities. they can be furnished to additional both commercial and in terms of wider already ongoing experiments with new Policy at the University of Cambridge. One of the next major events that developers are keeping an eye on is Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), usually held in June in San Jose, California, the same location as Facebook’s scrapped event. WWDC attracts developers from across the globe. Going by the way Covid-19 has spread, even the Tokyo Olympics slated for July this year has come under clouds of uncertainty, though the International Olympic Committee is encouraging athletes to continue training as normal. A Chinese offi cial called the epidemic the most diffi cult health crisis in the country’s modern history. Another said some recovered patients had been found to be infectious, suggesting the epidemic may be even harder to eradicate than previously thought. As World Health Organisation spokesman Christian Lindmeier said, the outbreak is getting bigger. Tough times indeed.

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© 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved A visitor views light installations as the illuminated trail opens at Kew Gardens in west London, Britain, on November 21, 2018. Gulf Times Monday, March 2, 2020 19 COMMENT Beyond Abenomics

By Akira Kawamoto rate from 5% to 8% in April 2014, in critical economic agenda, with the Tokyo line with a 2012 agreement with the exception of trade agreements such Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). But as the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership. His the unexpectedly sharp economic successor will have to make a much ince taking offi ce at the end of slowdown that followed led Abe stronger long-term commitment to 2012, Japanese Prime Minister to postpone the next planned hike pro-growth policies. Shinzo Abe has transformed (to 10%) from 2015 to 2017, despite The second challenge is to energise Sthe country’s macroeconomic objections by MOF offi cials. The 10% the government bureaucracy. In management. But the “Abenomics” rate eventually was introduced in sharp contrast to the United States, experiment may soon start drawing to October 2019. where institutions and experts a close. Although Abe’s term as head Japan’s exceptionally high level of compete to provide policymaking of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party public debt – nearly 150% of GDP in services, Japan’s bureaucracy is a de does not end until the autumn of 2021, 2018 – means that any government facto monopoly supplier. Following the succession debate has already must consider revenue-increasing institutional reforms aimed at exerting begun. It is therefore an appropriate measures, while recognising that eff ective political leadership over the time to assess the eff ectiveness of his they can be a severe impediment to silo-minded bureaucracy, a central policies, and what might come next. economic growth. Fine-tuning the personnel authority, controlled by The hallmark of Abenomics has size and timing of such measures is powerful politicians in the cabinet, been aggressive monetary easing under therefore critical, and it requires a now vets senior Japanese civil servants. Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko maestro’s touch to get it right. But many critics claim that this system Kuroda, whom Abe appointed in The Abe administration approached encourages offi cials to tell politicians March 2013. Kuroda, previously one last October’s consumption-tax hike only what they want to hear, and stifl es of the leading internationalists at the very cautiously, implementing it bottom-up initiatives. Ministry of Finance (MOF), has been alongside counterbalancing measures That is too bad, because Japan instrumental in rapidly expanding such as reduced rates on foodstuff s. urgently needs a new style of the BoJ’s balance sheet – to a degree But that was not enough to off set the policymaking in which well-informed, comparable to the BoJ’s American tax policy’s negative eff ects. Strained open-minded civil servants off er and European counterparts. This by the hike, as well as by the fallout expert options for decision-makers. represents a clear break from the from Typhoon Hagibis, Japan’s But returning to traditional seniority- policies of his predecessor, Masaaki economy shrank by an annualised rate based personnel practices within Shirakawa, who belonged to the BoJ’s of 6.3% from the previous quarter in ministerial bureaucracies is not an mainstream conservative bureaucracy. October-December 2019. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. option. Instead, Abe’s successor must Under Kuroda’s watch, Japan’s The longer-term eff ects of that try to overhaul the bureaucracy by average annual infl ation between contraction – which may be aggravated win one election after another. show that much of the contribution to protect its old-fashioned taxi establishing a transparent, merit- 2013 and 2019 was 1.1%, according by the Covid-19 outbreak – remain But now, although Japan’s avoidance came from expansion of the country’s industry from ride-sharing services, based evaluation and appointment to the International Monetary to be seen. Nonetheless, the Abe of defl ation in recent years was no workforce and capital stock, while the for example. Establishing a nurturing system. Fund. That represented a marked administration has prevailed over mean achievement, Abe’s successor contribution of productivity gains has environment for start-ups that Seven years of Abenomics have improvement from the previous fi ve Japan’s powerful policy establishment will face two big challenges. The actually declined under Abenomics. eventually can replace Japan’s old produced some notable results. years under Shirakawa, when infl ation at the MOF and BoJ, not least because fi rst is to boost economic growth, Moreover, Japan needs higher growth industrial behemoths is another But Japan’s next government must averaged -0.2%. In fact, as Columbia of the shift of political power to an area where Abenomics has to fi nance its mounting social-security challenge, requiring a new government focus squarely on the supply-side University’s Takatoshi Ito and Takeo the Kantei (the name of the prime underperformed. While monetary costs. If pro-growth policies remain agency devoted to innovation. and administrative reforms needed Hoshi of the University of Tokyo argue minister’s offi cial residence) and the and fi scal policies have strengthened unfocused, the fi scal burden ultimately Policymakers also must urgently to accelerate and sustain economic in their recent book The Japanese composition of Abe’s team: current Japan’s insuffi cient aggregate demand, will destroy the economy. upgrade the country’s education growth. – Project Syndicate Economy, the BoJ’s tight monetary and former government offi cials average annual 1.1% growth under Abe The top priority must be to create a system for the digital age. policy before Abe took offi ce worsened from outside the mainstream elite demonstrates that this alone is not vibrant job market and accelerate the These policies will require political z Akira Kawamoto, a former deputy Japan’s defl ation problems. bureaucracy. Moreover, Abe was suffi cient. economy’s shift to more productive courage to overcome strong vested director general in Japan’s Ministry of Regarding fi scal policy, the Abe greatly helped by the lack of eff ective In particular, Japan must implement sectors. The next imperative is bold interests, and the wisdom to embrace Economy, Trade, and Industry and a administration, under pressure from opposition in the Diet, as widespread supply-side policies that enhance regulatory reform to encourage new continuous policy improvement. It former OECD principal administrator, the mainstream fi scal hawks of the disappointment with the previous productivity. BoJ estimates of potential market entrants; Japan still maintains is a pity that Abe did not spend his is a professor at Keio University. MOF, raised the consumption-tax DPJ-led administration enabled him to growth rates between 2013 and 2019 strict, non-transparent regulations tremendous political capital on the

Three-day forecast

Coronavirus: who is TODAY Maximum Temperature : 250c Minimum Temperature : 190c

TUESDAY Maximum Temperature : 240c most at risk of dying? Minimum Temperature : 170c WEDNESDAY Maximum Temperature : 240c AFP But whether that was due to “But young children still live in The ratio of confi rmed cases to Minimum Temperature : 160c Paris behaviour — notably that most men in households where they can be infected deaths suggests a mortality rate China smoke, while few women do — by their parents,” Viboud noted. of 3.4%, but several studies have Fisherman's forecast or biological factors, such as hormonal A lower rate of infection among the concluded that up to two-thirds of WARNING s the number of confi rmed diff erences, is still unknown. youngest age groups was also seen infections in China and elsewhere have Inshore : Strong wind expected over most areas with coronavirus cases across 61 One striking fi nding from the China during the 2002-03 outbreak of Sars, gone undetected, which would make poor visibility at times countries hit 86,000 Satur- study is the near absence of cases but was less marked. the virus far less deadly. Offshore : Expected strong wind day with nearly 3,000 deaths among children. Sars, which is also a coronavirus, “At the moment, we don’t have and high sea by noon A WEATHER to date, the profi le of those most at risk The 10-19 age bracket comprised 1% broke out in Guangdong Province a good understanding of the real Inshore : Misty to foggy at of dying is coming into focus, experts of infections, and a single death. and killed 774 people out of 8,096 mortality rate,” Sharon Lewin, places at first becomes said. Children under 10 made up less than infected. director of the Doherty Institute moderate temperature for Infection and Immunity at daytime with blowing But the overall mortality rate 1%, with no deaths reported. The death of 34-year-old Wuhan dust to dusty at times, remains uncertain, they said. “We are still trying to wrap our doctor Li Wenliang in early February, the University of Melbourne told relatively cold by night The World Health Organisation heads around the defi cit of cases along with several more health workers Australian television. Offshore : Misty with sctd clouds raised its global risk assessment among those under 20,” Cecile in their twenties sparked speculation “It is estimated at about 2%.” at first, becomes slight dust later to its top level on Friday, with the Viboud, an epidemiologist at the US they had died because of repeated With Sars — which killed nearly one WIND global health crisis edging closer to a National Institute of Health’s Fogarty exposure, or even sheer exhaustion. in 10 patients — early mortality fi gures Inshore : Northwesterly-Norther- pandemic. International Centre, told AFP in an Li’s death sparked outrage in China turned out to be underestimates, in ly 12-22/30 KT Offshore : Northwesterly 13-23/30 Among those infected with the interview. because he had been muzzled by part because victims of the virus did KT virus, older adults with preexisting “Is it because young children are authorities for calling attention to the not die quickly. Visibility : 4-8/2 KM heart conditions or hypertension face less susceptible than adults, and thus virus. With the 2009 H1N1 infl uenza Offshore : 3-7/10 FT a sharply higher risk, according to simply don’t get infected? Or if they Cellphone video images on social pandemic, however, the opposite preliminary statistics, including from do, that they have less disease?” networks showed nurses and doctors, happened, said Viboud. Around the region a study covering more than 72,000 It is surprising infections of very unable to cope with the caseload, “Within a few weeks of the Weather Weather patients in China. young people are so low, she added, breaking down in hysterics. outbreak, the mortality estimate today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Among a subset of 44,700 because they tend to be among the “A more likely reason why young declined fi rst 10-fold, and then Baghdad Sunny 20/08 Sunny 22/09 infections confi rmed through lab hardest hit by almost all respiratory clinicians are getting infected is 100-fold, as we moved from severe Kuwait City Sunny 23/12 Sunny 24/12 tests as of mid-February, more than infections — whether viral or bacterial. because they were operating outside pneumonia to getting all fl u cases.” Manama Cloudy 23/18 Cloudy 22/17 80% were at least 60 years old, with David Fisman, an epidemiologist their level of expertise and training,” “Here, I think we are somewhere Muscat Sunny 27/22 Sunny 28/19 half over 70, said the study, that was at the University of Toronto, was also John Nichols, a professor in the in the middle,” she added, saying the Tehran S Showers 09/02 M Sunny 11/02 published in the offi cial China CDC mystifi ed. department of pathology at the current two % mortality estimate Weekly. “Where are the infected University of Hong Kong, said. could well decline. Initial reports from outside China children???,” he wrote in an e-mail. “It is noble that the junior doctors The seasonal fl u has an average are similar, with the fi rst 12 victims “This is critical — perhaps kids are not pony up valiantly to help, but they mortality rate of about 0.1% but is reported in Italy mostly in their 80s, being tested because they have mild most likely would not have had highly infectious, with up to 400,000 and none under 60. symptoms.” the necessary training in handling people worldwide dying from it each Several had known heart problems. Another possible explanation is that infectious patients.” year. Men in the China study were more children in China were out of school for The larger question of just The China CDC study showed that likely to die than women by a margin the lunar new year holiday when the how lethal Covid-19 is, remains Covid-19 was “mild” for more than of almost 3-to-2. virus began to spread widely in January. unanswered. 80% of confi rmed cases.

Around the world Weather Weather Live issues today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens P Cloudy 19/11 P Cloudy 19/13 Beirut P Cloudy 17/12 Sunny 18/14 Bangkok M Sunny 33/27 Sunny 33/27 Climate change lengthens Australian summers by 50% Berlin S Showers 09/03 Cloudy 08/00 Cairo Sunny 22/12 P Cloudy 25/11 Cape Town Cloudy 25/16 Sunny 27/15 Reuters and sub-tropical parts of the country. lengthy bushfi re season that burned seasons and severe weather events, Colombo P Cloudy 32/24 P Cloudy 32/25 Syeney Over the last two decades, summer nearly 12mn hectares of bushland, while shorter winters will reduce Dhaka P Cloudy 32/19 M Sunny 31/19 across most of Australia has been killing 33 people and an estimated 1bn the window for hazard reduction to Hong Kong P Cloudy 20/17 P Cloudy 20/17 on average one month longer than native animals. mitigate the impact of fi res. Istanbul M Sunny 16/10 P Cloudy 19/09 ustralian summers are now half a century ago, while winter has Dubbed a “black summer” by The Australia Institute report found Jakarta S T Storms 31/25 S T Storms 31/26 eff ectively twice as long as contracted by an average three weeks. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the that some regional areas, such as Port Karachi Sunny 31/19 Sunny 30/21 its winters as climate change Over the past fi ve years, the analysis unusually prolonged and intense Macquarie on the mid-north coast of London S Showers 08/02 M Cloudy 09/02 Ahas increased temperatures showed, Australian summers were on bushfi res have increased pressure on New South Wales state, experienced Manila P Cloudy 33/23 M Sunny 33/24 since the middle of the last century, average 50% longer than they were in the government to reduce greenhouse more pronounced shifts, with seven Moscow Rain& Snow 06/02 Rain& Snow 05/02 research released in the wake of the the mid-twentieth century based on gas emissions. additional weeks of summer. New Delhi Sunny 27/16 Sunny 27/16 nation’s unprecedented fi re season temperature readings. While the major fi res have been The Port Macquarie region was one New York P Cloudy 13/09 S Showers 15/08 showed yesterday. “Our fi ndings are not a projection contained or extinguished, more than of the hardest hit by wildfi res in recent Paris Rain 10/02 M Cloudy 09/04 The report by the Australia of what we may see in the future,” said a dozen were still burning at the end months. Sao Paulo T Storm 22/18 S T Storms 24/18 Institute, a Canberra-based think Richie Merzian, climate and energy of February, which traditionally marks “Extreme heat events are the most Seoul M Sunny 09/-2 P Cloudy 11/01 tank, compared data from the past programme director at the Australia the end of summer in Australia. fatal of all natural hazards and have Singapore P Cloudy 34/26 P Cloudy 33/26 two decades with mid-20th century Institute.”It’s happening right now.” Scientists have warned that been responsible for more deaths in Sydney Cloudy 33/19 S Showers 21/19 benchmarks of temperatures at the The report was released as Australia increased temperatures and heatwaves Australia than all other natural hazards Tokyo Rain 10/08 Clear 15/07 calendar start of seasons in temperate counts the cost of a devastating and will lead to more dangerous fi re put together,” Merzian said. Gulf Times 20 Monday, March 2, 2020 QATAR

The NMoQ gift shops off er an array of items. National Museum of Qatar’s gift A view of the potato crop being harvested from an open field at the farm. PICTURES: Ram Chand. shops win international awards

he National Museum riors, Dezeen Awards 2019 for by Koichi Takada Architects, of Qatar’s (NMoQ) gift Retail Interior, and the Frame refl ect his vision of bringing Tshops won four interna- Awards 2020 for the Multi- nature back into architecture, tional awards in various catego- Brand Store of The Year catego- establishing relationships that New crop of fi eld ries, including retail and inte- ry. Phil Lawrie, general manag- connect people and nature rior design in 2019. er, IN-Q Enterprises said: “The through design. In the United States, the gift National Museum of Qatar “The design for the gift shops shops were recognised as the opened just last year and con- represents a visually unique ex- Interior Design 2019 Best of tinues to set new standards of ample of architecture and retail Year Award winner for Mixed architectural excellence. Addi- design that is culturally rooted Retail and the winners of the tionally, our collaboration with and sympathetic to the local en- veggies thrives in Architecture MasterPrizeTM local artists and designers has vironment, human experience (AMP) Award for the Retail cat- contributed to creating a gift and place,” said Koichi Takada, egory. shop collection that is unique Principal of Koichi Takada Ar- In the United Kingdom, the and authentic. We are honoured chitects. gift shops won the 2019 World that these shops have received The main gift shop stocks Interiors News (WIN) Awards in recognition for multiple awards a large collection of well-de- the Independent Shops or Small and look forward to additional signed, exclusive gifts, many Qatar conditions Chains category. milestones in the future.” of which draw their inspiration The gift shops also received The Dahl Al Misfi r (Qatar’s from the history, heritage, and By Ayman Adly the Gold Winner title by the “Cave of Light”), located in culture of Qatar. Staff Reporter Driven x Design 2019 Sydney the heart of Qatar, is a beau- The children’s gift shop of- Design Awards in Australia for tiful underground sanctuary fers a diverse range of locally Interior Design – Retail, a cat- formed largely from fi brous designed souvenirs and gift new variety of potatoes egory that celebrates innovative gypsum crystals that give off a items, including educational and tomatoes, which can and creative building interiors. faint, moon-like, phosphores- toys, books, puzzles and games. A be planted in the open In addition to winning cent glow. This natural forma- Both gift shops are located on fi eld without any special prepa- awards, the gift shops were also tion inspired the design of the the fi rst fl oor of NMoQ and are ration and equipment, and prov- nominated for the 2019 INSIDE two gift shops at NMoQ. Their open to the public during mu- en highly successful in the tough Award for Annual Best Inte- organic architecture, designed seum operating hours. Qatari environment were high- lighted yesterday during a fi eld workshop. The event, held at Qatarat Ag- riculture Development Compa- ny’s (Qadco) Umm Qarn Farm in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environ- ment’s (MME) Agriculture Af- fairs Department, had the par- ticipation of representatives of number of other farms. Engineer Nezar M al-Ataw- neh, operation manager at Qa- tarat, said the new types of potatoes and tomatoes, which MME off icials and representatives of farms listen to a briefing by Qatarat off icial al-Atawneh during a tour can tolerate water scarcity, high of the Umm Qarn Farm. temperature and poor quality soil, will allow farmers to max- shelf life and extended storage solutions with modern scientifi c He said that the MME has imise their crops without the properties. It is also profi table methods to Qatari farmers, in off ered farmers in the coun- need for expensive equipment for farmers and could help im- addition to providing them with try great support and excellent and preparation. prove their income. agriculture inputs such as seeds, prices for their products. The The members of the sixth cycle of QU’s Faculty Senate. He described the potato crop Al-Atawneh pointed out that fertilisers, pesticides, and mod- participants at the workshop in particular as economically Qadco, a leading agriculture ern equipment and tools to en- were taken to the fi elds to see for strategic and a key component company in Qatar, works to pro- hance the productivity of farms themselves the methods of agri- for food security due to its long vide a wide range of agriculture to the highest possible level. culture. QU Faculty Senate concludes tenure

he Faculty Senate at Qa- towards Qatar University’s faculty. It aims to represent and tar University (QU) con- betterment is refl ected in its allow for the maximum and di- Tcluded the sixth cycle at progress.” rect contribution of QU faculty. the Senior Management Build- The ceremony was concluded It is one of the means through ing in the presence of QU presi- with award ceremony to the which information about QU dent Dr Hassan al-Derham. members of senate. The sev- policies and procedures is de- The ceremony was opened by enth cycle elections will be an- bated and disseminated. The Council chairman Dr Ali Abdel nounced by the end of March, senate encourages faculty to Hadi al-Shawi. He welcomed and the members will be chosen submit proposals which are af- and thanked 34 members of the by the end of the semester. The terwards discussed to come up senate, lauded its role and of- Faculty Senate has been de- with recommendations accord- fered congratulations on com- signed with the aim to achieve ingly. pletion of their tenure. the principles of transparency The senate acts as an advi- The senate vice chairman Dr and shared responsibility to re- sory entity to QU president. It Othman Mohamed al-Thawadi alise the vision of transforming studies and reviews proposed gave a presentation on the most QU into a model university that or existing policies and regula- prominent achievements dur- off ers high-quality learning- tions that govern the business ing the sixth cycle 2018-2020. centred education in a healthy of QU’s legislative and admin- During the ceremony, Dr al- and constructive learning and istrative authorities. Discussion Derham said: “The loyalty of teaching environment. outcomes and recommenda- the faculty members is always The Faculty Senate is an tions are reported to the presi- A view of tomatoes growing in an open field in the Umm Qarn Farm. appreciated. Every eff ort made elected body representing QU dent.

QCS celebrates World Cancer Day

Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) celebrated World Cancer Day recently by organising a public event to educate the community about cancer and the ways to prevent it. The event also emphasised the importance of early detection of the disease. The event, held at Aspire park, was attended by public figures and was presented by Noura al-Zawadi and Hamad al-Ammari. There were several awareness activities, most notably shows and competitions in healthy cooking. Dr Dera al-Dosari – director, Resources Development Department at QCS, said “We joined together to fight, talk about and break the stigma against cancer.”