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SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 144 RABIA II - 1442 VOVOLUME 25 NUMBER 8456 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Recharge using the app and get health insurance as a gift! Qatar calls for restraint after Heya Exhibition focuses assassination of Iran scientist on homegrown talent Deputy Prime Minister and THE PENINSULA — DOHA Heya has grown over Minister of Foreign Affairs the years to become a makes phone call to Minister Held under the patronage of H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint leading exhibition of of Foreign Affairs of the Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the modest fashion, Islamic Republic of Iran. 17th Edition of Heya Arabian strengthening the Fashion Exhibition opened on country’s position as a Friday, at the Doha Exhibition Such steps will only contribute and Convention Center (DECC), hub of fashion innovation in the region and to pouring more fuel to the fire marking the first event of the beyond. at a time when the region and season hosted by Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC). The exhibition is being held with stringent the international community The exhibition is part of precautionary measures in line with the are looking for ways to reduce QNTC’s vibrant calendar of Ministry of Public Health’s hygiene and tensions. events and is organised this year by Qatar Business Events safety guidelines. Corporation (QBEC), a sub- QNA — DOHA sidiary of QNTC. It features a rich programme of events Secretary-General of QNTC spread over five days, including 10 talk Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Qatar Airways Group Chief shows, four fashion shows, one Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Executive H E Akbar Al Baker Al Thani yesterday made a phone call to Minister said: “As we host the first major introductory session, and two workshops. of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran exhibition of the season, I take H E Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif. this opportunity to The talk shows feature renowned During the call, they discussed bilateral coop- acknowledge our country’s suc- personalities from the world of fashion, eration relations and issues of common concern. only contribute to pouring more fuel to the fire cessful efforts during this chal- media and education. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of at a time when the region and the international lenging phase, which enabled Foreign Affairs expressed during the call the State community are looking for ways to reduce ten- us to be here today and to of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the bombing sions and return to the table of dialogue and resume the activities of the talent and local entrepreneurs of M7, and a talk show with that took place in Tehran and the assassination diplomacy. tourism sector.” making their mark in the world Amal Ameen of AMICI DI MODA of the scientist, Mohsen Fakhri zadeh, head of The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of “Heya has grown over the of modest fashion. Over 150 and media personalities Ola the Research and Innovation Organisation at the Foreign Affairs called for restraint and finding years to become a leading exhi- brands are being showcased, Alfares, Asma Al Hammadi, and Iranian Ministry of Defence, in an armed attack, fundamental solutions for the outstanding issues. bition of modest fashion, ranging from high-street AlFtoon Al Janahi. considering it a clear violation of human rights. For his part, Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif strengthening the country’s apparel, haute couture, and Heya is being organised He expressed the State of Qatar’s condolences valued the stance of the government and people position as a hub of fashion inno- luxury, to the latest modest under stringent precautionary to the government and people of the Islamic of the State of Qatar, stressing the strength of the vation in the region and beyond. evening gowns and abayas. The measures in line with the Min- Republic of Iran, stressing that such steps will relations between the two countries. QNTC is working with its exhibition opened with a daz- istry of Public Health’s (MoPH) partners across the public and zling ceremony attended by hygiene and safety guidelines, private sectors to create offerings dignitaries, exhibitors, and including limiting the visitor Ashghal develops tailored to the country’s domestic prominent personalities from capacity to 30 percent, man- QC praises QCB directive market and to reenergise its the world of fashion. datory use of masks, presenting 40km cycling tourism sector,” he added. The opening day featured the Ehteraz application on on bounced cheques The 17th edition of Heya an introductory session by entrance, and following social path along Doha highlights Qatar’s homegrown Maha Al Sulaiti, Acting Director distancing measures. `P2

Expressway THE PENINSULA — DOHA QCB’s instructions. Earlier this month, QCB had IRFAN BUKHARI Qatar Chamber’s Banking and issued instructions and controls THE PENINSULA Investment Committee held a to limit the issue of bounced meeting to discuss the newly cheque, allowing banks to Continuing its policy of issued instructions and controls inquire about their customers promoting healthy lifestyle by Qatar Central Bank (QCB) to and view history of their trans- among the residents, the Public limit the phenomenon of bounced actions, to enable banks to take Works Authority (Ashghal) has cheques, as well as the expected appropriate decisions before developed a 40km long cycling impacts of these instructions on issuing checkbooks. path on the Southern part of the economic activity. The new instructions also Doha Expressway. During the meeting, which oblige banks to list their cus- The cycling path has one was presided over by QC board tomers, who issued bounced bike bridge, 2,390 lighting member Nasser Sulaiman Al cheques, due to nil or insuffi- poles, 17 cycling parks, 1,930 Haidar, the committee cient balance, or any other trees, 24 tunnels, and 17 seats members welcomed these pro- reason that prevents dis- with shades, Ashghal shared cedures which aim to fight the bursement, such as the dif- information on its twitter phenomenon of bounced ference in the signature in the handle yesterday. cheques. report of the bounced cheques To provide residents with The meeting also discussed at the Qatar Credit Bureau. an opportunity to follow a preventing the issuance of new The QC meeting also healthy lifestyle, Ashghal in chequebooks for individuals touched on the effect of sus- August this year represented and companies that issued pending the company’s by the Supervisory Committee bounced cheques, as issuing accounts which issued bounced of Beautification of Roads and new chequebooks is related to cheques and the bank’s refusal Secretary-General of QNTC and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive H E Akbar Al Baker with other Public Places in Qatar, had also the payment of bounced to issue chequebooks until it officials during the opening of 7th Edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition on Friday, at the Doha signed a memorandum of cheques in accordance with settled these cheques. `P3 Exhibition and Convention Center. understanding (MoU) with the Qatar Cyclists Center of the Ministry of Culture and Sports regarding fast cycling track. HMC launches mental health awareness and screening training At that time, Ashghal official had said Ashghal seeks to create THE PENINSULA — DOHA to galvanise the delivery of Earlier this month, 200 Emergency infrastructure that contributes this program. Medicine staff completed the course as to enhance sport culture among Two of Hamad Medical Corporation’s “The importance of mental part of their wide-ranging staff skills all segments of society, through (HMC) divisions have collaborated to health as part of holistic care enhancement efforts. The Corporate goal provision of necessary require- deliver a tailored education and training The importance of has been evident more so this is to train all the approximately 1500 ments and Ashghal is all set to programme on mental health awareness year as the COVID-19 pan- EMS personnel by the end of the first provide a network of cycling and screening for healthcare profes- mental health as part demic has created a sense of quarter of 2021. and pedestrian paths of about sionals in Qatar. of holistic care has urgency to support skills The programme lead, AED Clinical 2,650km by the year 2022. The accredited one-day training pro- been evident more development, as well as Service Development, MHS HMC, Katja According to another recent gramme was developed by the Mental so this year as the support the wellbeing of those Warwick-Smith explained the training tweet by the Public Works Health Services (MHS) team with the working in health care settings. course structure placed importance on Authority, under the second and support of Hamad International Training COVID-19 pandemic Enhancing professional skills both academic learning and interactive third packages of Doha Central Center (HITC) who will include this in their has created a sense and capabilities among public engagement designed to support the par- Development and Beautification portfolio of public training offerings from of urgency to and private sector staff will ticipants own wellbeing. Projects, 58km pedestrian and January 2021 onwards. The course is tar- support skills have a positive impact on staff The outcome-oriented training is cycling paths and 41,000 square geted to all health care professionals and and on patient outcomes delivered online by experienced mental metre green area will be is designed to provide them with a solid development. across Qatar,” said Dr. health professionals. Up to 45 partici- developed in the area. understanding of common mental health Saifeldeen. pants can join each session to ensure suf- In September this year, disorders and how to screen for them. “HITC has a passion for ficient opportunity for constructive dia- Ashghal had made a new Director, Hamad International developing the skills and logue. The course has been approved to achievement breaking Training Centre (HITC), Senior Con- knowledge of all health care offer 5 Continuing Professional Devel- Guinness World Record title for sultant in Emergency Medicine, Dr. health expertise among healthcare pro- professionals and we are honoured to opment (CPD) Hours accredited by Qatar the Longest Continuous Cycle Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen said that fessionals has been around for some be part of this collaboration that is so Council for Healthcare Practitioners Path. `P3 while the commitment to develop mental time, the coronavirus pandemic helped important for the population.” (QCHP). `P2 02 HOME SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020

Films highlight green hospitality in Qatar OFFICIAL NEWS Amir congratulates QNA — DOHA struction and operation. Green Building Council initi- supporter of the Qatar Green The film, which was atives to support and accel- Building Council in promoting Albania President Qatar Green Building Council The films also highlight released on November 18, erate the achievement of sus- the trend towards adopting (QGBC) has participated with innovative models and focuses on hospitality and tainability goals in the green buildings in the DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim the World Green Building applications of best green hotel initiatives in country. country, and QGBC is proud bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Council and the British Broad- Qatar as part of preparations The film sheds light on to cooperate with it and with Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin casting Corporation (BBC) in practices in the to host the 2022 FIFA World green practices in three dis- the BBC in this innovative Hamad Al Thani sent cables of the production of a film in a construction sector in order Cup, and deals with the role tinct hotels, namely: Sheraton project. congratulations to President of the series of films entitled to increase awareness and of the QGBC in the rapid Grand Doha Resort & Con- QGBC provides a practical Republic of Albania H E Ilir Meta ‘Building a Better Future’, that drive change in the development of the hospi- vention Hotel, the W Doha model for implementing sus- on the anniversary of his country’s explores the impact of tality sector. and the Mandarin Oriental tainable best practices that Independence Day. Prime Minister buildings on the lifestyles of methods of building The film highlights the Doha, which apply green key can be applied at the local and and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh residents, and the role green design, construction and sustainable practices of hotels policies and strategies and global level. The council pro- Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al buildings play in confronting operation. certified by the ‘Green Key best green practices that are vides a model for the rest of Thani also sent a cable of con- the climate change crisis. Award’ in Qatar, especially observed in operations. the institutions and organisa- gratulations to Prime Minister and The series also highlight the Education City stadium QGBC Director, Meshal Al tions that demonstrates the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the innovative models and appli- to increase awareness and and other stadiums that will Shamari said that the World way hotels can achieve lead- Republic of Albania H E Edi Rama cations of best practices in the drive change in the methods host the 2022 World Cup, and Green Building Council is an ership in luxury and sustain- on the anniversary of his coun- construction sector in order of building design, con- the achievements of the Qatar important partner and ability standards. try’s Independence Day. -QNA

QRCS extends COVID-19 Qatar condemns control support to Sudan explosion in Somalia THE PENINSULA — DOHA attended by President of SRCS, Al Fadhel Aamer, officials from QNA — DOHA A high-profile delegation from both National Societies, and Qatar Red Crescent Society representatives of COR. The State of Qatar voiced strong (QRCS) is visiting the Republic They discussed the latest condemnation and denunci- of Sudan to enhance bilateral updates of the recent mass dis- ation of the explosion which relations with the Sudanese Red placement from Ethiopia to the targeted a restaurant in the Crescent Society (SRCS), inspect states of Al Qadarif and Kassala, Somali capital of Mogadishu, the ongoing field activities eastern Sudan. leaving dead and injured. carried out by QRCS’s represen- In coordination with SRCS, In a statement issued yes- tation mission there, and QRCS’s delegation held a terday, the Ministry of Foreign further pursue QRCS’s human- seminar at Faculty of Law, the Affairs reiterated the firm Secretary General of QRCS, Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi with other official during seminar at Al Neelain itarian diplomacy and renowned Al Neelain University position of the State of Qatar University in Khartoum. promotion of the International (NU) in Khartoum, under the on rejecting violence and ter- Humanitarian Law (IHL). title of ‘IHL and Contemporary rorism, regardless of motives QRCS’s delegation com- Challenges’. current humanitarian crises and seminar. institutional backing to SRCS,” and reasons. The statement prises Secretary General, Ali bin With a wide VIP attendance, conflicts. Aamer appreciated the he said. expressed Qatar’s condolences Hassan Al Hammadi and Head the event involved two parts: A Then, 9,000 masks donated efforts done by QRCS in Sudan. Meanwhile, Khartoum TV to the families of the victims, of International Relations and lecture by Al Hammadi on by QRCS were delivered as a gift “Many thanks to Al Hammadi honoured Al Hammadi in rec- and to the government and IHL Dr. Fawzi Oussedik. humanitarian diplomacy as an to the Al Neelain University, in for being here in Sudan to ognition of QRCS’s role in people of Somalia, wishing the At Sudan’s Commission of effective tool of IHL the presence of the university’s support the coronavirus helping the victims of the recent injured a speedy recovery. Refugees (COR), the delegation enforcement and a lecture by President, Dean of Faculty of (COVID-19) control efforts, flash floods as well as providing met with Head of Emergencies Dr. Oussedik on the contem- Law, President of SRCS, which contribute to the com- vital aid in the course of the Committee, Dr. Bilal Ahmed porary issues facing the appli- Director of the Peace Research munity recovery from the country’s fight against 227 new virus Musa. The meeting was cation of IHL provisions on the Institute, and participants in the impact of floods, and give COVID-19. cases, 281 40 winners of raffle draw to be allocated outlets in Umm Salal Central Fish Market recoveries: MoPH THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA said that the winners will be owners of the barns, communicated to inform them and shops for various The Ministry of Public Health The Permanent Committee for about rules and regulations for commercial activities (MoPH) yesterday announced Central Markets Management of the functioning of the market such as the trade of the registration of 227 new the Ministry of Commerce and and the signing of contracts. The dates and spices, and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Industry (MoCI) has conducted Committee had announced the other commercial Also, 281 people have a raffle draw to rent out stores offer of investment opportunities activities. recovered from the virus, of second phase in the Central to rent out stores in the second MoCI said that it has bringing the total number of Fish Market in Umm Salal. phase in the central fish market worked in coordination recovered cases in Qatar to The raffle draw has been in Umm Salal. with the Aswaq for 135,651. held in coordination with the The second phase of the Food Facilities Man- Aswaq for Food Facilities Man- central fish market in the Umm agement Company to agement Company, a Hassad Salal area includes 53 achieve great benefit HMC launches subsidiary, said MoCI in a investment opportunities, for tenants and statement on its website. including barns for display and consumers. mental health The winners of raffle draw sale of sheep, and stores for MoCI has set oper- A raffle draw by MoCI is in progress. accounted 40 investors for 13 selling vegetables and fruits, in ating standards and awareness and different types of commercial addition to the existing stores requirements for deter- screening training activities. A total of 114 applica- that practice the same mining the value of rents for Facilities Management the event of non-compliance, tions were submitted for raffle activities. commercial activities in the Company, the ability to provide the shop is referred to the first FROM PAGE 1 draw, of which 70 qualified, It also includes butcheries, market, for the lease period to products permanently. substitute winner, and if the while 44 applications were selling travel supplies, and be two years, renewable for a The Ministry specified the substitute does not respond or Chairman of Psychiatry excluded for not meeting the selling chilled poultry and their similar period, provide a guar- tenants’ obligations that the is delayed for a month from the and Medical Director of HMC’s required conditions. products, in addition to the anteed cheque for one month tenant begins practising the des- date of its notification, the shop Mental Health Service, Dr. The Permanent Committee availability of a veterinary clinic of the rent and 24 cheques in the ignated activity within a month is referred to the second alter- Majid Al Abdulla said that the for Central Markets Management and pharmacy to serve the name of Aswaq for Food from the allocation date, and in native winner. value of the programme in developing mental health knowledge capacity and capa- bility in the country. “This is a Heya Exhibition focuses on homegrown talent wonderful opportunity to promote mental health awareness and education to a FROM PAGE 1 creators is woven through the Business Incubation Center Alumni Graduation Show at This registration will be valid wider audience. We are It features a rich pro- programme to ensure Heya (QBIC), M7 and numerous 8pm and the Faculty Fashion for entry throughout the five delighted that the HITC will gramme of events spread over continues with its tradition of other organisations. Show at 8.30pm. days of the exhibition. Walk-in enable other healthcare pro- five days, including ten talk supporting aspiring designers Fashion Shows: The To better manage visitor guests without prior regis- fessionals from across Qatar shows, four fashion shows, and entrepreneurs. opening day featured fashion traffic, all guests are required tration may also register in the to access this training very one introductory session, and The talk shows brought out shows presenting winter col- to register at https://app.con- foyer area. soon and for only a small two workshops. renowned personalities from lections by BEENAS and Chic tactless.io/public/workspaces/ Heya will remain open till nominal fee to cover our Talk Shows: A series of ten the worlds of fashion, media Tag. On the third day of the qbec/events/heya/forms/vis 1 December from 10 am to 10 administration costs.” talk shows highlighting and education, including rep- exhibition (Sunday, 29 before the event. Upon con- pm, for women only; children The Mental Health Helpline fashion icons, designers, resentatives from Virginia November), Heya will host firming the registration, they below the age of 13 are not is accessible via the toll free leading figures from the edu- Commonwealth University in fashion shows by VCUArts will receive a QR code, which permitted to enter the number 16000 from 9am to cation sector and content Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), Qatar Qatar: the 2020 Fashion must be shown at the entrance. exhibition. 5pm, Saturday to Thursday. NAWIC Qatar holds its first anniversary celebration

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Yaqoub Al Sayed, and the shared their experience Member, said: Director of the Technical through the NAWIC Qatar “We are proud to The National Association of Office at Public Works Events. celebrate this Women in Construction Authority (Ashghal), Eng. Despite the circumstances occasion and to (NAWIC Qatar) has celebrated Ahmed Al Ansari. the world has been going witness the its first anniversary recently Speaking during the event, through since beginning of the growth of the under the slogan ‘67 years President of NAWIC Qatar, Eng year 2020, the association association since globally, one year in the State Billy Teshich, highlighted the committed itself to providing last year. Estab- of Qatar and the Middle East, achievements of the associ- virtual events and seminars in lishing the asso- and many more to come’. ation since it was launched in line with the association’s plan ciation is a The group celebrated the 2019 as the first association of for this year. A plan for the next journey we occasion at the Al-Wadi Doha its kind in the Middle East. year and NAWIC Qatar’s future started together Hotel in Msheireb Downtown, She reiterated the associ- aspirations were also presented and we’ll carry on in the presence of a number of ation’s commitment and ded- by founding member Carly- to achieve its dignitaries, executives and pro- ication to deliver its vision Jane Figgis. goals.Amna fessionals in the construction which is women's empow- The ceremony was con- Mabrouk, Events sector. erment, and supporting the cluded by recognising all the Manager of The ceremony was hon- women’s contribution to the association’s sponsors, sup- NAWIC Qatar, NAWIC officials with other dignitaries at an event in Doha recently. oured by the CEO of Qatar construction industry. porters and all the keynote added: “We are Stock Exchange, Rashid Ali Al She concluded expressing speakers from the public and proud that we moved on this “The construction industry specialities. It’s an opportunity Mansouri, President of the her gratitude to all the associ- private sectors. year steps ahead and we keep is a vital and broad sector that to highlight women 's achieve- Lean Construction Institute ation’s sponsors, supporters Dr. Ghada Darwish moving towards achieving accommodates women's capa- ments in construction though (LCI Qatar), Dr. Abdullah and keynote speakers who Karboon, a Board Foundation NAWIC goals. bilities under various NAWIC Qatar’s activities.” SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 HOME 03 QEERI awarded 3 ISO certifications for management system

THE PENINSULA — DOHA The certification covers QEERI’s provision of research, Qatar Environment and Energy development, and innovation services by each of its centres Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa and departments, including the Energy Centre, Water University, has been awarded Centre, Environment and Sustainability Centre, Corrosion the certification for its Inte- Centre, Natural and Environmental Hazards Observatory, grated Management System Earth Science Program, as well as its facilities, including the (IMS) under the ISO 9001:2015, core labs, outdoor test facility, and solar monitoring ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 standards. stations. The achievement follows an extensive auditing process done by Intertek, a Total They create a framework that services at QEERI. The Quality Assurance provider to helps organisations ensure that achievement fully underpins industries worldwide. the highest standards for QHSE our motivation to provide The certification covers and accountability are main- world-class technology and QEERI’s provision of research, tained across the various func- supporting services to our development, and innovation tions, through integrated and partners and stakeholders.” services by each of its centres standardised policies and Quality Management and departments, including the procedures. Director, QEERI, Dr. Energy Centre, Water Centre, Executive Director, QEERI, Muhammed Akmal Rana Representatives from Intertek and QEERI during ISO certifications presenting event. Environment and Sustainability Dr. Marc Vermeersch said, “The added, “This certification Centre, Corrosion Centre, ISO certification reiterates that showcases our commitment Natural and Environmental all of our processes and proce- to providing a healthy and safe National Vision 2030.” all the employees as well as the As a research institute with Hazards Observatory, Earth dures have been designed with working environment for our Representatives from leadership team. The organi- a national mandate, QEERI is Science Program, as well as its health, safety and quality as the employees and all visitors. We Intertek met with QEERI’s sation showed excellent overall supporting Qatar in tackling its facilities, including the core top priority. It highlights that are grateful to the team from teams and visited its facilities involvement throughout the grand challenges related to labs, outdoor test facility, and the work executed by QEERI is Intertek, and our staff at to ensure they were fully com- process, for instance, by energy, water, and the envi- solar monitoring stations. of the highest quality and that QEERI, for working towards pliant to the breadth of including all its staff members ronment in line with Qatar ISO 9001:2015, ISO customers, both internal and this goal in such an efficient requirements of the ISO cer- in QHSE awareness training National Vision 2020. 14001:2015, and ISO external, are safe, while envi- manner. The certification tification process. and showing a commitment to The ISO certification high- 45001:2018 are the most inter- ronmental aspects and asso- demonstrates that QEERI is Area Manager of Business offering quality services in line lights QEERI’s ability to con- nationally recognised ciated impacts are identified by committed to following the Assurance at Intertek Qatar, Dr. with global best practices. It sistently provide products and standards for Quality, Health, considering the lifecycle per- highest global standards for Sridhar Kasthuri, said, “QEERI was impressive to witness this services that exceed applicable Safety, and Environment spective and end-of-life QHSE, as well as strongly demonstrated a high com- kind of dedication to the cer- customer, statutory, and reg- (QHSE) management systems. treatment of products and aligning with the Qatar mitment across the board from tification process.” ulatory requirements. Sidra Medicine saves life of Kuwaiti boy with intractable epilepsy 34 referred to prosecution for THE PENINSULA — DOHA that Salem had suffered a stroke when he was a fetus. This explained how he not wearing Salem is a 10 year old boy from Kuwait started getting refractory epileptic sei- who suffered from at least 15 to 30 zures when he turned five, which had seizures a day. Each seizure could last progressively damaged the left side of face masks from a few seconds to up to four his brain,” continued Dr. Kayyali. minutes, increasing the danger to his After completing the evaluation of THE PENINSULA — DOHA physical health. Salem’s seizures, Dr. Kayyali and his He was transferred to Sidra Med- team consulted with Sidra Medicine’s The Ministry of Interior (MoI) icine in Qatar, after his family in Kuwait neurosurgeons, Dr. Ian Pople, Division yesterday referred 34 people sought a second expert opinion with the Chief Neurosurgery, and Dr. Khalid Al to the Public Prosecution for hospital’s renowned specialist treatment Kharazi, and it was decided that Salem not wearing face masks, program for children with intractable would benefit from a left hemisphe- which is mandatory as part epilepsy. rotomy; an advanced and innovative of COVID-19 precautionary Salem’s father, Dr. Abdulrahman technique that has proven to reduce the measures. Abdullah said: “Due to the nature of complication rates while maintaining “In line with the cabinet Salem’s epilepsy, we had to have good seizure control. decision based on Law No. 17 someone monitoring him all the time Salem underwent an MRI on the of 1990 regarding infectious as he would have an uncontrollable same day as his surgery. The MRI helped diseases, 34 people were seizure any minute, with the added risk the surgeons determine that the parts referred to the Public Prose- of hurting himself. And while he was on Salem and his father with Dr. Kayyali, Dr. Ian Pople and Dr. Khalid Al Kharazi. within the left side of his brain, which cution for non-compliance a good therapy program, including anti- out to our international office to save wider team from occupational health, were causing his seizures, are now with wearing masks in places epileptic medications in Kuwait, we had his son’s life. Intractable epilepsy can physical therapy, rehabilitative medicine disconnected. where they are mandator,” reached a stage where he was no longer be a heavy burden, especially on and ophthalmology to ensure a compre- Salem was then transferred to Sidra the Ministry said. responding to conventional treatment children as they need constant moni- hensive pre and post- operative care Medicine’s paediatric ICU ward and The Ministry also said that or medication. toring and care. Studies have shown that program. stayed there for three more weeks. He it has referred 15 people for “Our decision to bring my son to only 3-4 percent of patients with intrac- Sidra Medicine is one of very few underwent physical and occupational violating the limit allowed in Sidra Medicine was based on several table epilepsy respond to treatment with children’s hospitals in the Middle East therapy. During this time, the medical a vehicle, which is specified recommendations within the interna- antiepileptic medications. Cutting edge to have dedicated paediatric experts team was pleased to observe that Salem as four including the driver, tional and regional paediatric medical advanced therapies such as epilepsy overseeing the entire spectrum of care did not experience any epileptic sei- except for the members of the faculty. The specialist and advanced surgery might be the only answer in for children with complex diseases or zures. He will continue to receive cus- same family. therapies that Sidra Medicine offers such cases. After a thorough evaluation health challenges including epilepsy. tomised care back home in Kuwait, with The competent author- competes with centres of excellence of Salem’s case at Sidra Medicine, we “Salem’s treatment program at Sidra physicians at Sidra Medicine coordi- ities call on the public to that are in the US or Europe. My family decided to proceed with epilepsy Medicine started with a thorough nating his care with a team in Kuwait. adhere to the precautionary and I are extremely impressed with the surgery.” assessment and investigations at the Salem’s father, Dr. Abdullah said, and preventive measures care our son received here,” Salem’s Salem was cared for at Sidra Med- Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) with “As a physician myself, I was well aware decisions in force to protect father added. icine by a multidisciplinary team of Video-Electroencephalographic (EEG) of the complexities of my son’s case and them and others from the The Acting Division Chief of Neu- experts from neurology, neurophysi- monitoring and advanced neuroimaging I am impressed with care, profession- spread of the coronavirus in rology at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Husam ology, radiology, nuclear medicine, such as high-resolution Brain MRI alism and the team-based approach that society. Kayyali, said: “Salem’s case was brought neuro-psychology and neurosurgery. He imaging and (positron emission tom- Sidra Medicine applied in my son’s to our attention when his father reached was also extensively supported by a ography) PET scans. It was determined treatment.” QC praises Ashghal develops 40km QCB directive cycling path along Doha on bounced Expressway cheques FROM PAGE 1 designed to allow speeding up FROM PAGE 1 The Guinness World Record to 50 km per hour. holder Olympic Cycling Track, A 7km road linking Doha The committee stressed designed to be completely sep- Expressway and Southern Doha that the QCB’s decision is arate from road traffic, allows Expressway at the Mesaimeer sound and will serve the cyclists to speed up to 50 kil- Interchange opened to traffic in national economy, as well as ometers per hour where 29 July this year. The road ensures prevent any future problems underpasses and 5 bridges are free and direct traffic flow from between customers and provided for cyclist paths to Mesaieed, Al Wakra and Al businessmen. facilitate non-stop riding. Wukair towards Doha, 22 Feb- The committee urged The Olympic Cycling Track ruary Street and Al Shamal Road. businessmen to be careful extends on Al Khor Road with The route has 4-6 lanes in about signing cheques and 33 km of length and seven each direction to allow some not to issue any cheque until meters width, which can be 20,000 vehicles per hour in both Ras Abu Aboud and Al Thumama on G-Ring Road and Southern Mesaimeer Interchange along making sure that there is suf- used for international sports directions, saves around 70% of stadiums as it integrates with Doha Expressway, through Al with Doha Expressway, E-Ring ficient balance. competitions, especially since travel time. The road enables a other major arteries, running Wetiyyat Interchange on Sabah Road, Industrial Area Road and It emphasised the need the Olympic Cycling Track was direct link with the Al Janoub, from Umm Besher Interchange Al Ahmad Corridor, onto Rawdat Al Khail Street. for considering the future economic and social impacts of these procedures on the Ooredoo empowers QBC efficiency with smart fleet management solution business community. The meeting also dealt THE PENINSULA — DOHA Contracting, Production, and Qatar Building Company now using the Internet of Things can the solution. with the measures taken by Trading. automatically re-routes drivers drive innovation and save time Ooredoo fleet management banks to protect their cus- Ooredoo has announced that With Qatar Building Com- when needed to avoid delays, has and money. Our Ooredoo fleet is an end-to-end Internet of tomers in light of the Qatar Building Company had seen pany’s work ramping up amid the real-time visibility of vehicle management solution is ideal for Things solution that includes increase of electronic strong success in transforming its wide range of mega-projects resources at any time, and can a wide range of industries that hardware, software, and mobile payment, especially during vehicle operations with the boosted by Qatar National Vision even increase safety by avoiding need to keep track of vehicles – connectivity, along with 24/7 the current implications of Ooredoo fleet management 2030, Qatar Building Company situations such as sharp turns or from construction to transpor- support. Group Commercial the COVID-19 pandemic. solution powered by the Internet faced challenges in keeping track speeding. The company is saving tation, education, and government Manager, Qatar Building The committee noted that of Things with the rollout to 1,000 of its fleet of more than 1,000 costs both on diesel consumption, services.” Company Bader Mostafawi, said: banks have managed to take vehicles started last year. vehicles – costing the company much reduced, and maintenance. Qatar Building Company “Since Qatar Building Company all necessary precautions to Founded in 1971, Qatar time and money. It can now manage fleet opera- plans in the next phase to extend rolled out the Ooredoo fleet man- protect customers during Building Company is one of In response, over the past tions far more efficiently. the Ooredoo fleet management agement solution, we can now electronic payment proc- Qatar’s longest-standing and most year, Qatar Building Company has Chief Business Officer at solution to more vehicles in its easily manage our fleet, increase esses while increasing ease innovative construction com- rolled out the Ooredoo fleet man- Ooredoo Sheikh Nasser Al Thani construction fleet. Ooredoo pro- our productivity, and meet gov- of dealing and maintaining panies. Qatar Building Company agement solution across their dif- said, “Qatar Building Company is vides the optimal level of conven- ernment and international the confidentiality of cus- has three divisions, Civil ferent types of fleet vehicles. an industry leader showing how ience with the full installation of standards. tomer data. 04 HOME SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 QCDC spearheads initiatives to Arabise career guidance resources in Qatar

THE PENINSULA — DOHA edition of the glossary will be US-based world leader in dynamic and will change and career planning services, and Qatar Career Development grow as experts suggest improve- other government agencies, to Center (QCDC), a Qatar Foun- ments or additions. integrate customized tech- dation (QF) member, is striving Executive Director, APCDA, nology solutions into Qatar’s to address the gap in Arabic Gulnur Ismayil Isparova said, career guidance system. Dr. Lawrence Stanton speaking resources in the field of career “There are more than 300 The system’s components in the webinar guidance and professional members from over 20 coun- were tailored to fit Qatari socio- development. Most recently, it tries around the world under the cultural specificities, allowing supported the launch of the APCDA umbrella. Association is users to undergo a complete QBRI holds Arabization of the Asia Pacific a wide multicultural and multi- psychometric analysis. Under a Career Development Associ- lingual platform. It is important Memorandum of Understanding webinar on ation (APCDA) Glossary of for us to ensure the exchange of with the Ministry of Education Career Development Terms. ideas and best practices is com- and Higher Education, QCDC Pursuing Director, QCDC, Abdulla Al municated smoothly. The later rolled out the CAS across Director, QCDC, Abdulla Al Mansoori (right), with Executive Director, Mansoori, said, “Through this glossary gives us chance to public secondary schools in Careers in APCDA, Gulnur Ismayil Isparova. latest initiative, QCDC has made understand each other and Qatar to help students identify an important contribution to the effectively serve our clients in the most appropriate academic Biotech Industry promotion of the Arabic lan- training for professionals facilitate the exchange of various corners of our regional and career paths in line with the guage, offering a resource to engaged in facilitating career knowledge and expertise. coverage. We are thankful to country’s future needs. Arabic speakers and profes- development in the Asia Pacific QCDC has traditionally par- Qatar Career Development The training program, THE PENINSULA —DOHA sionals around the world for region and facilitates the ticipated in the annual APCDA Center for this valuable contri- which benefits academic creating impactful content and exchange expertise on profes- conference – an international bution and opening access to the advisors, human resources pro- Efforts to assist policymakers training programs. The sional projects. And in 2014, an forum for sharing career devel- APCDA glossary for Arabic fessionals, trainers, teachers, in accurately forecasting and achievement will empower APCDA team from several opment ideas and expertise in the speaking nationalities.” and parents, has seen more than responding to COVID-19 career development experts to English-speaking countries Asia Pacific region. In the context As part of its efforts to 150 participants graduate. pandemic, as well as better guide our youth – not including Australia, India, Sin- of its ongoing collaboration with promote resources in Arabic, QCDC will be offering the supporting the next generation only in Qatar but all across the gapore, and the US, began com- APCDA, QCDC has led the devel- QCDC also launched the online program in English from to pursue a career in biotech- Arab World – on their ambi- piling the glossary, aiming to opment of the Arabic edition of Career Advising System (CAS), November 22 to 26, while the nology, provided the context tious career journeys.” offer versions in all languages APCDA’s Glossary of Career the outcome of a strategic part- Arabic edition of the course will for two webinars recently US-based APCDA provides spoken by its members to Development Terms. The Arabic nership with Kuder. Inc., a run from December 6 to 10. organised by the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). As part of its QBRI Talks webinar series ‘Guide for Early-Career STEM Researchers Career Devel- opment’, QBRI held a webinar titled Pursuing Careers in the Biotech Industry, on November 18. During the webinar, Dr. Lawrence Stanton, Director of the Neu- rological Disorders Research Center at QBRI, shared his per- spective on careers in the bio- technology industry, particu- larly the transition from academia to industry and the key differences between these two research environments. Dr. Stanton also discussed the required skill set for pur- suing a career in the biotech industry, which has been playing a major role globally in developing diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines to fight the coronavirus. This session was moderated by Postdoc- toral Researcher at QBRI, Dr. Adviti Naik. Through the QBRI Talks webinar series, the institute features inspiring talks from pioneers who discuss their personal journey in a scien- tific career, with the aim of sparking conversation among young minds to actively pursue personal and profes- sional development. Running in parallel with the career development series, QBRI is also hosting another webinar series dedicated to highlighting various topics of current global significance. COVID-19 Outbreak Pre- diction and Assessment of Pre- vention Policies: A Data Science Approach, was held on November 9, and presented to the audience two COVID-19 prediction models. The first module used a deep learning approach to forecast the cumulative number of cases based on data from countries with similar demographic, socio- economic and health sector indicators. The model also takes as input adopted lockdown measures. By contrast, the second approach used a deep learning model for evaluating and predicting the impact of various lockdown policies on daily COVID-19 cases. This was achieved by grouping countries with similar lockdown policies, then training a prediction model based on the daily cases in each cluster along with the data describing their lockdown policies. Once the model is trained, it is used to evaluate scenarios associated with lockdown policies and investigate their impact on predicted COVID-19 cases. The prediction models were demonstrated by Asso- ciate Professor in the Com- puter Science and Engineering Department at Qatar Uni- versity, Dr. Abdelkarim Erradi whose research activities and interests focus on service-ori- ented computing, cloud services composition and mobile crowd sensing. SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 HOME 05 Galfar Al Misnad — Now Aiming For Gold

n 1995, Galfar Al Misnad began and maintenance of the World Cup sta- its operations through an Oil diums and various other sports venues & Gas project for Qatar for the Supreme Committee. Message from Executive Director Petroleum. The company’s Over the years, the company has nder the visionary leadership our journey, we would like to strong work ethics and com- further diversified into activities like Alu- of His Highness the Amir acknowledge the immense support mitment towards delivering minum Facade, Scaffolding, Painting, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al received from our distinguished cli- Iprojects of the highest quality ensured Fabrication, and has their own full- Thani, Qatar has emerged as entele, who have continuously the growth of this small construction fledged Mechanical Workshop. Galfar Al Ua global pioneer. In tandem, we have reposed their faith in us. We are also company into one of the leading con- Misnad started spreading its wings outside grown our business from strength to deeply grateful to our valued sup- tractors in Qatar today. of Qatar by investing in Galfar Kuwait and strength since day one. Galfar Al Misnad pliers and subcontractors, who have Through its five operating divisions: then with the acquisition of SAS Power is now a premier Qatari engineering ensured that our promise for safety, Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, E & I, Building in Ras Al Khaima. and contracting company in the sustainability, and reliability is always & MEP, and Facility Management; Galfar The key to Galfar’s success in Qatar’s country and provides comprehensive upheld. Our success is due to our tal- Al Misnad executes high value multi- competitive construction industry lies in solutions for all construction needs. ented and inspired employees, who disciplinary projects in key devel- its staunch commitment to safety, quality, As we wind up our Silver Jubilee have enabled this achievement through opment sectors of Qatar. and sustainability in all activities. This is Celebrations, Galfar Al Misnad now their hard work, dedication and Galfar Al Misnad’s Management exemplified in the long list of international looks towards the new era that dawns commitment. System is certified by Bureau Veritas and national accolades received by the in front of us with renewed enthusiasm I extend my sincere gratitude to all with ISO 9001: 2015; ISO 14001:2015 company over the years for the same. The and resurgence. We now aspire for building projects of the country our esteemed clients, associates, Board (Environment); ISO 45001: 2018 (Occu- company has built up its reputation as a even greater heights for Galfar Al including FIFA World Cup 2022 Members, and Team Galfar for the pational Health & Safety); and ISO TS reliable partner which has resulted in all Misnad; where sustainability, inno- related activities. Our innovation and wonderful journey to this Silver Jubilee, 29001:2010 (Oil & Gas). key clients reposing trust in Galfar again vation, and quality merge to create creativity added path breaking value and look forward to the continued Landmark projects executed by and again. engineering wonders for Qatar, with to the jobs handled by us. Our objec- support from all for our future Galfar Al Misnad in Qatar include the The company places a deep the active support of all our tives and processes align towards the endeavours. Katara Cultural Village, Flowline Project emphasis on the utilization of envi- stakeholders. fulfillment of the requirements of Satish G. Pillai in Dukhan, the construction of 05 tanks ronment friendly processes and It has been a great experience to Qatar National Vision 2030. Executive Director in Mesaieed, Khalifa Stadium Energy products in all activities. Additionally, be an integral part of various nation At this momentous milestone in Galfar Al Misnad Centre, Manateq’s Logistics Park in Al Galfar Al Misnad regularly conducts Wakrah, GWC’s Office Building and Warehouse in Ras Laffan, 8 Ashghal commemorates the contracting com- Schools in Doha, and Facility Man- pany’s 25 Years of Operations in Qatar. agement at Qatar University. This coin was presented to employees Galfar entered their first JV for the as a recognition of their contribution Doha South STP Project (Phase 2). Fol- towards making this sterling milestone lowing this, the construction company an actuality. became part of two major nation building JVs: As the lead partner in the JV assigned QHSE ACHIEVEMENTS by Aspire Zone Foundation for the con- Winner of International Safety struction of the Al Bayt Stadium; as well Award from British Safety Council for as the ISG JV which executed the Doha the years 2014 (Distinction), 2015, Metro Red Line North for Qatar Rail. 2017, 2018, 2019 (Merit), 2020 (Merit) Galfar Al Misnad has been an integral Winner of International Safety partner in the nation’s preparation for the Award 2020 with Distinction from FIFA World Cup 2022 on various levels British Safety Council for Al Wakrah right from the beginning. There is now Chilled Water Pumpset at Khalifa Logistics Park Project less than two years to go for the tour- Al Bayt Stadium - Al Khor City Stadium Energy Centre MEED Quality Award Oil and Gas nament, and the mega event is scheduled Project of the Year for Dukhan Flow to kick off at Galfar Al Misnad’s prized environmental awareness workshops who have impressed at the national and in Qatar. Galfar Toastmasters was insti- Line Project 2014 and 2017 project, Al Bayt Stadium. and tree planting events to train and international levels. tuted in 2009 to enhance the commu- MEED Quality Award 2016 for Doha Moreover, the company’s innovative educate their employees. Galfar’s HSE The Galfar Cricket Team is a leading nication skills and leadership capabil- South Sewerage Treatment Project approach towards the design and build team takes these awareness events to Premier Division team in Qatar and have ities of Galfar employees. Over the years, MEED Quality Award for 03 of the Energy Centre that provides air- schools and offices to further promote won many major tournaments in the the Club has churned out prize winning Projects in 2014 – Katara Cultural conditioning to the Khalifa International green living in Qatar. country. Nine members of the team also speakers and many members have taken Village, HV Network, Dukhan Stadium proved to be so successful, it Galfar Al Misnad has also made its currently play for the Qatar National on key leadership roles at the Area and Flowline has been adopted as the standard at all mark beyond the construction sites with Cricket Team, including as Captain and Division level of Toastmasters in Qatar. GSAS 3* Certification for Khalifa the Energy Centers being constructed its various employee engagement ini- Vice-Captain. Galfar is also the official Due to restrictions imposed by COVID Stadium Energy Centre and Office for the FIFA World Cup 2022 tiatives. In addition to its extensive sponsor of the Qatar National Team’s 19, the Silver Jubilee celebrations had to Building Project tournament. involvement in the engineering and jerseys. Galfar’s football team is an active be confined to virtual events, which GSAS 3* Certification for Ashghal Galfar was also subsequently construction activities for the FIFA participant in the annual Workers Cup included an online quiz and a speech Kindergartens Project entrusted with the design and build of World Cup 2022, the Galfar Al Misnad Tournament held by the SC. competition for employees. Chevron Phillips Contractor Safety the Al Bayt Stadium Energy Centre. Fur- team aligns itself wholeheartedly with Likewise, the Galfar Toastmasters Galfar Al Misnad concluded its Silver Excellence Award – 2017, 2018, 2019 thermore, Galfar Facility Management the nation’s vision for the promotion of Club has repeatedly been recognized as Jubilee Celebration with the release of Best HSE Contractor 2019 – Qatar now handles the facility management sports through its various sports teams the Best Corporate Toastmasters Club a specially designed silver coin that Steel 06 HOME SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 QU-CENG faculty member named as Highly Cited Researcher for 2020

THE PENINSULA - DOHA ivate Analytics. international recognition. He influential researchers in the defined as those ranked in the Recently, he was listed in has been a Highly Cited sciences and social sciences top 1% by citations for field and Qatar University’s Professor the 12th Edition of webo- Researcher in the Engineering worldwide. The 2020 list con- publication year. Bassim Hamid Hammadi from metrics as a Highly-Cited field for the last seven years tains 3,896 scientists in 21 Prof. Bassim successfully the Department of Chemical Researcher (h-index >100) (2014–2020). Besides, he was fields of the sciences and social supervised the works of five Engineering- College of Engi- according to Google Scholar listed as one of the Most Cited sciences, including 173 scien- postdoctoral fellows, 22 PhD. neering, has been named as a Citations public profile. With Researchers for Chemical tists in the Engineering field, and 26 MSc students, and more Highly-Cited Researcher for this achievement, he is among Engineering and Environ- of which Prof. Bassim is one of than 70 final-year research 2020 for significant influence the 4,167 Highly-Cited mental Science and Engi- them. The list also includes projects to completion. He in engineering through the Researchers of all disciplines neering Subjects of 2016 by the 2,493 Highly Cited Researchers achieved a milestone of 21 publication of multiple papers, as of 2020, based on fre- Shanghai Global Rankings of for cross-field performance. research grants as a lead prin- highly cited by his peers, over quencies in the Google Scholar Academic Subjects. The list focuses on contem- cipal investigator. the last decade that is ranked Citations database. The Highly Cited porary research achievement; To date, he published more the top 1% by citations in Web This is not the first time Researchers from Clarivate is only highly cited papers in than 300 articles in indexed of Science, according to Clar- Prof. Bassim received such an annual list recognizing science and social sciences journals. According to Google journals indexed in the Web Scholar, his total number of of Science Core Collection received citations are more during the 11-year period than 43,700, and he has an 2009 to 2019 were surveyed. author h-index of 104 and an Highly cited papers are i-10 index of 282. Prof. Bassim Hamid Hammadi Al Meera launches ‘Local Fruits and Vegetables’ initiative across branches

Locally grown fruits and vegetables showcased at a Al Meera outlet under the initiative.

THE PENINSULA — DOHA supported by the MME to gain Ministry of Municipality and marketing platform for their Environment are vital in As part of its longstanding produce at commercial outlets. strengthening local capabilities support for local farmers and Through its premium to produce high-quality, home- entrepreneurs, Al Meera platform, Al Meera gives pro- grown products and take a leap Consumer Goods Company ducers and start-ups in the food towards Qatar’s food security.” (QPSC) has launched the ‘Local industry the opportunity to As the country’s national Fruits and Vegetables’ initiative showcase their products to the retailer, Al Meera enjoys close in cooperation with the Ministry marketplace at prominent and ties with local farmers and has of Municipality and Envi- strategic shelf spaces at over 50 been instrumental in champi- ronment (MME) across all branches and benefit from Al oning national products at its branches - the largest grocery Meera’s wide consumer base that branches, especially since the retail network in the country. is present across the country. blockade in 2017. Al Meera fre- The initiative is in line with Al Meera said in a statement quently offers shelf and kiosk Al Meera’s continuous support on the initiative: “The ‘Local spaces and engages in collabo- for the local producers. The ini- Fruits and Vegetables’ initiative rations with key government tiative marks the beginning of aims to support the efforts of ministries to promote ‘Made in the season and features a wide Qatar Farms and Premium Qatar’ products through monthly variety of premium quality Qatari Vegetables by providing promotions, campaigns, and fruits and vegetables at com- a platform that is ideal for local raffles as part of its unwavering petitive prices, whilst also cel- farmers to exhibit their support for local producers and ebrating the achievements of produce, gain key visibility, and national products. local farms who have increased grow their presence within the In line with the Qatar their production significantly marketplace. Additionally, it National Vision 2030, Al Meera as compared to previous years allows engage in a flurry of new continues its commitment for due to the sustained efforts of opportunities for cooperation local Small and Medium-Sized the farm owners. and partnerships. As a country Enterprises (SME) in the food Over 150 farms are partic- that has been working towards industry on the path to food ipating in the initiative with a self-sufficiency, initiatives such security, self-sufficiency and variety of fresh farm vegetables as this supported by the economic diversity. MME educates its 500 workers about COVID-19 measures

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) represented by the Public Relations Department educated about 500 workers, drivers and technicians of Mechanical Equipment Department about COVID-19 measures. This came during phase 1 security and safety campaign which was launched by the MME in cooperation with Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS). The participants received information and practical training in English and Urdu languages at their work sites on how to prevent themselves and other from coronavirus. The participants in the campaign acquired a number of skills and concepts related to security and safety, consid- ering that safety and health is not just a commitment to instructions, but rather a behavior that an individual acquires, interacts and coexists with to address the pandemic. The specialists and trainers from the Qatar Red Crescent Society provided detailed explanation on how to to con- front such emergency disasters and rapid response to them. SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 HOME 07

QF Summit: COVID-19 has catalyzed a digital transformation worldwide

In a discussion titled and combating crisis.” ‘Smart City Pandemic Aseem Joshi, Global Smart Cities Leader, Honeywell, Readiness’, speakers spoke about events in the past The pandemic has driven a systemic shift across addressed how that have served as catalysts industries spanning every facet. Cities need to technology has played for changes in the way that respond and plan differently – not only to cope humans behave, act, and do with such a pandemic, and be ready to manage an important role in things. “After 9/11, we saw that throughout the crisis, but also to be resilient for happen with security,” he dealing with COVID-19 the future." explained. and how it can be used “An event happened, to mitigate the effects people reacted, and we Lana Khalaf, Country Manager, Microsoft Qatar of a pandemic and adjusted to the new normal. I Panelist Lana Khalaf, Country think, in many ways, the pan- demic is going to do the same future crises. Manager, Microsoft Qatar thing. We’ve learned from We have seen the these past nine months, and THE PENINSULA – DOHA re-imagine – from this pan- impact of how people we’ve already started seeing I believe that this pandemic will catalyze the demic and for the future – and and consumers engage changes happen, and we’re adoption of technology in smart cities, and it will The COVID-19 pandemic has has driven a systematic shift going to make those served as a catalyst for techno- across industries, including on online and different adjustments. not be limited just to the mega cities – this per- logical change, experts said smart cities.” digital channels with the “When you think about meates tier 2, tier 3, tier 4 cities, so that every during the Doha Smart Cities Intelligent cloud systems, rise of e-commerce. We what the priorities of a city are, citizen can feel a lot safer." Summit hosted by Qatar Foun- with data and AI at their heart, have seen the rise of you want to make sure that dation subsidiary Msheireb have been the key technology remote everything. people are safe, and the Aseem Joshi, Properties - with the digital drivers to empowering inno- economy can go on. To do this, Global Smart Cities Leader, Honeywell transformation being key to the vations, sustainability, and they need to do two things – future. resilience through smart cities, we have a collective responsi- they need to reduce the like- In a discussion titled ‘Smart Khalaf said, helping countries bility, rather than an oppor- lihood of a pandemic occurring, City Pandemic Readiness’, and cities to endure and adapt. tunity, to rebuild together,” she and at the same time, if a pan- in turn, reduces the possibility of situation that needs to be speakers addressed how tech- Digital tools like Microsoft said. “And technology will con- demic occurs, they want to getting infected. “We’re already controlled. nology has played an important Teams, have brought work- tinue have a profound role in make sure that they can seeing a lot of this,” he said. “The technology exists, but role in dealing with COVID-19 forces, teachers, students, and the journey beyond this respond better to such an “Buildings, public spaces, and we don’t actually do that today. and how it can be used to mit- health workers together, on pandemic. emergency.” people are adopting technology I think there is tremendous igate the effects of a pandemic one online platform, to work “Recent events have told us According to Joshi, there are where you can go touchless – you potential to implement things and future crises. and learn remotely. that transparency, decisive three ways technology can help see it in elevator buttons, you see like AI that can do such work Panelist Lana Khalaf, “As we move from a leadership, and the utilization to reduce pandemic likelihood – it in payments.” for us in the background.” Country Manager, Microsoft response phase, to a recovery of science and technology are the first of which includes The second includes man- Joshi went on to highlight Qatar – which is based at Qatar phase, to a re-imagined phase, crucial for success in managing reducing contact points, which, aging virus vectors, as Joshi three examples of how to Foundation’s Qatar Science & said: “Viruses are spread in respond better to an emergency, Technology Park – said, “We ways such as through air, water, including social distancing, have seen two years’ worth of and waste. I see large potential emergency responses, and digital transformation in just to invest in technology to operations centers, which are two months. improve the quality of air – essentially infrastructure that “We have seen the impact indoor and outdoor – to better enables situation awareness, of how people and consumers manage water, whether fresh allowing city administrators to engage on online and different or sewerage, and then more know exactly what is happening digital channels with the rise of generally manage sanitation in a city. e-commerce. We have seen the and waste a lot better.” “I believe that this pandemic rise of remote everything. Finally, he said, regular will catalyze the adoption of “The pandemic has driven a health monitoring of travelers technology in smart cities, and systemic shift across industries is here to stay. “At the same it will not be limited just to the spanning every facet. Cities need time, I think there is potential mega cities – this permeates tier to respond and plan differently for hospitals, for governments, 2, tier 3, tier 4 cities, so that – not only to cope with such a to share data – anonymously, every citizen can feel a lot pandemic, and be ready to of course,” he said. “But it safer,” Joshi concluded. manage throughout the crisis, but should be information that can Khalaf and Joshi were also to be resilient for the future. be analyzed to detect anom- joined by Dr. Saber Trabelsi, “Technology became a alies. So if you suddenly start Faculty, Texas A&M University critical key to navigate these seeing an increase in a certain at Qatar – a QF partner uni- unprecedented times, and to be type of symptom, that may flag versity – and Andrey Telenkov, able to respond, recover, and Speakers during the panel discussion on Smart City Pandemic Readiness. the possibility of a new CEO, NTechLab. Qatar Foundation subsidiary hosts Doha Smart Cities Summit

FAZEENA SALEEM governmental entities. Smart cities THE PENINSULA have proven their high capabilities to meet individual and companies’ needs Msheireb Properties, subsidiary of better than conventional cities during Qatar Foundation, organised the first- the Corona pandemic, in the fields of of-its-kind virtual summit in the region remote learning, work from home, - “Doha Smart Cities Summit,” recently. delivery servicesor unmanned The summit featured representa- equipment. “ tives of Msheireb Properties, the The summit featured “Msheireb Properties is adopting leading sustainable real estate devel- representatives of an “autonomous vehicle” concept, opment company in Qatar along with which can be used in many matters, global smart cities leaders, innovators, Msheireb Properties, especially in various delivery and experts locally, regionally and the leading sustainable services, without the need for a internationally. driver. Further tests are being con- The speakers discussed the vital real estate development ducted on this vehicle in our city role of smart cities for current and company in Qatar along Msheireb Downtown Doha, and once future generations and its high capa- with global smart cities they are completed, the vehicle will Msheireb tram bilities to tackle different challenges serve residents and tenants,” he during pandemic times, and its role in leaders, innovators, and stated. supporting sustainability and water experts locally, regionally The summit attendees also heard Leonie van den Beuken, Program transportation business model. The and energy efficiency. from, Reem Mohammed Al Mansoori, Director at Amsterdam Smart City, and third session was held under the title Engineer Ali Al Kuwari, Msheireb and internationally. Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Tan Puay Hong, Principle Engineer at of “Innovation and Sustainability From Properties Acting CEO, revealed that Society Development, Ministry of Land Transport Authority of Singapore, Lifestyle Shift to Climate Change.” Msheireb Properties is conducting tests Transport and Communications; shared the experience of the two cities The summit ended with a special for autonomous vehicles at Msheireb Downtown Doha, one of the smartest Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary- with the audience. closing panel session on a pandemic- Downtown Doha during the summit. and most sustainable cities in the General, Chairman, Supreme Com- The summit included a series of ready smart city model, outlining smart The new autonomous vehicles will be world.” mittee for Delivery & Legacy, FIFA panel discussions about a range of spe- cities’ readiness and preparedness in offering their services once the tests He added, “Smart cities are no World Cup Qatar 2022 and Sheikh cialist areas. The first panel discussed the stages of lockdown. are completed. longer a matter of choice but rather a Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, CEO, cybersecurity in smart cities and the Doha Smart Cities Summit is an Al Kuwari said, “Since its inception, global trend adopted by countries and Vodafone Qatar. importance of implementing digital important platform for experts, pro- Msheireb Properties has taken the corporates to cope with new societal The summit included representa- systems services. The second panel fessionals, and a broader audience to responsibility to build a fully sus- demands, whether by tives from global leading smart cities, focused on mobility and autonomous share, inspire, and shape the Smart City tainable smart city, which is Msheireb individuals,companies, or such as Amsterdam and Singapore. vehicles and the presentation of a new industry’s future. 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL A file picture of European Council President Donald Tusk meeting with US vice-president Joe Biden during his visit to Brussels on February 6, 2015. Qatar is the best bet EARLIER this year, Qatar threw its hat in the ring to Europe rushes to woo team Biden bid for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. It is an event - the continent’s biggest national team tournament - that Qatar won handsomely in Jan-Feb in 2019. A year or in hope of major trade rebalance so after emerging as the champions of the continent, Qatar made it official that it sought to host the AFC Asian Cup for the third time. Qatar hosted Asia’s RAYMOND COLITT, BIRGIT JENNEN, The European overtures similar demands on them as premier football tournament in 1988 and then again in WILLIAM HOROBIN — BLOOMBERG come after weeks of uncer- Trump did in terms of stepping January 2011, a few weeks after it successfully won tainty over the US transition up security and defense efforts, the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup at a his- France and Germany are leading that had many allies in a wait- the prospect of having more toric FIFA vote in Zurich. efforts in Europe to make early and-see mode. Le Maire had open ears in Washington is On Friday, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) contact with President-elect Joe been scheduled to speak with driving expectations. submitted the third part of the bid file to the Asian Biden’s team, with the aim of Biden’s team on Monday, but the “There is a lot of optimism Football Confederation (AFC) underlining the govern- accelerating talks to normalize meeting was postponed, on this side of the Atlantic,” ment’s pledge of guarantees that are compatible with trade relations between the US according to a French official, Greek Foreign Minister AFC’s ‘requirements for a successful bid’. The third and the European Union. who asked not to be identified Nikolaos Dendias said, adding part of the bid file reflects Qatar’s keen intent on uti- At the top of the agenda for because the plans are private. that his government had hopes lizing the time-tested experience it has attained over Paris is resolving an aircraft German officials expect to make the incoming administration the last two decades by hosting world-class sports dispute that has seen tariffs contact in the coming days, will have a more active events on a regular basis. In the latest pledge, Qatar imposed on more than $12bn Wadephul said. presence in the eastern said hosting the 24-team tournament - including 51 (¤10bn) of transatlantic goods, Germany, which relies Mediterranean. matches - will be completed with highest standards while Berlin is keen to revive heavily on export markets and Further encouraging signs the AFC and FIFA expects from any host country of At the top of free-trade talks, according to does $252 billion in bilateral have come from Biden’s cabinet the AFC Asian Cup. the agenda senior officials in both countries. trade with the US each year, is appointments, particularly that It is worth noting that in exactly two years’ time, for Paris is “We’re ready and in a particularly eager to de-escalate of Antony Blinken, “who knows Qatar will welcome the best teams in the globe for the position to hold talks immedi- tensions with the US, which has Germany and Europe well,” 2022 FIFA World Cup. The matches of FIFA’s premier resolving an ately,” said Johann Wadephul, a imposed tariffs on European according to Wadephul. football tournament will be played across eight state- aircraft dispute foreign policy expert and deputy exports in the name of shoring France is pushing for an of-the-start stadiums with cooling technology. Qatar caucus leader in parliament for up American industries. Pres- overhaul of global tax rules to has already completed three stadiums with another that has seen German Chancellor Angela Mer- ident Donald Trump has make multinational tech com- one set to be unveiled on December 18, 2020, when tariffs imposed kel’s Christian Democrats. threatened multiple times to hit panies pay their fair share, but the Amir Cup final be played at Al Rayyan Stadium. French Finance Minister Bruno the German auto sector with the talks at the Organization for The remaining stadiums will be completed before the on more than Le Maire, who had planned to levies. Economic Cooperation and end of 2021, one year ahead of schedule. $12bn of speak with the president-elect’s Indeed, pressure in Berlin Development have dragged on. Qatar is currently hosting the AFC Champions team earlier this week, said, “I has been mounting for the gov- In the meantime, the US is League, East Zone, matches at three 2022 FIFA World transatlantic really hope that this new Biden ernment to contact to the threatening tariffs against Cup venues by creating ‘bubble-to-bubble’ envi- goods, while administration will mean a new incoming US administration on countries -- including France -- ronment for visiting players, coaching staff and dele- Berlin is keen start in the relationship between free trade talks, particularly that go ahead with taxes on the gates for the month-long event. In Sept-Oct, Qatar Europe and the US” after China sealed another revenue of digital firms. hosted the AFC Champions League, West Zone, to revive free- Additional E.U. trade prior- large-scale trade deal in the “I will have a discussion matches in similar fashion drawing international praise trade talks, ities, which are shared by Asia-Pacific region. about the best way of from all those who visited Qatar for the matches. France and Germany, include “China is moving forward reducing inequalities in our In the third part of the bid file, Qatar has pledged according removing tariffs the Trump with an Asian free trade economic models and of to have ‘best possible facilities for players, fans and to senior administration put on European agreement, this is a wake-up course I will put on the table partners alike, in line with the values and global stature steel and aluminum exports; call for Europe,” said Matthias the question of trade and the of the AFC Asian Cup 2027’. For a country which is officials in both agreeing on new tax rules for Heider, the chief lawmaker in question of digital taxation,” set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the decision- countries. digital companies that do charge of economic affairs in Le Maire said in an interview, makers at AFC should have complete faith that Qatar business internationally; Merkel’s ruling CDU party. “This referring to talks with the will deliver a memorable edition of the 2027 Asian Cup. reaching a limited trade should be a top priority for the incoming administration. Qatar is the best bet for Asia’s top football event in agreement on industrial chancellor.” “Our goal remains to have an 2027. products; and reforming the While many politicians in OECD agreement by the first World Trade Organization. Europe expect Biden will make months of 2021.” The climate change president D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] THE WASHINGTON POST that climate change is a then-Louisiana Gov. Bobby environmental agencies; severe problem and favor a Jindal, R, termed “the stupid securing money to build out The day Joe Biden became carbon tax to address it, but party.” Many Republican sen- electricity transmission lines EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 president-elect, he listed Republicans have made ators still represent these sub- and public transit; advancing FAX: +974 4455 7758 climate change among his top denying scientific expertise, urban constituencies. They federal incentives for renew- priorities. Last week, he and the science on global should seek ways to show that ables. Mr. Biden could get some MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 named former secretary of warming in particular, a they are more thoughtful than of these passed early on, in a state John F. Kerry to be his matter of core identity. Still, the president the suburbs just covid-19 aid bill or a federal DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 climate czar. It is crucial Mr. there is room for hope. rejected. budget bill, and maintain Biden and Mr. Kerry follow Republicans have posi- They could do this by sup- pressure for larger climate leg- LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 through. The United States has tioned themselves not only on porting a bipartisan climate islation. But he should also squandered too much time. the wrong side of the merits plan that is neither the Green prepare for the possibility that BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 The world has almost none left but also on the wrong side of New Deal nor the do- nothing- the bigger bill never comes. to avoid extreme conse- public opinion. Exit polls ism that has so long prevailed. The Clean Air Act dele- SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 quences for generations living showed that two-thirds of A proposal backed by senior gates substantial authority and those only just being born. 2020 voters - including a Republican luminaries James to the president. The ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 The biggest looming massive chunk of Trump Baker and George Shultz, second he enters the Oval email: [email protected] problem is the likelihood that voters - think climate change along with a massive swath of Office, Mr. Biden should Mr. Biden will face Repub- is a serious problem. Many corporate America, would put reinstate and build on Pres- PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 lican resistance in Congress voters backed the president a steadily rising fee on carbon ident Barack Obama’s email: [email protected] and a conservative Supreme despite, not because of, his emissions and rebate the pro- legacy environmental regu- Court inclined to block exec- position on climate change. ceeds back to Americans. lations - rules on methane ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 utive branch initiatives. Two Meanwhile, educated sub- The path is narrow. If emissions, power plants FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] decades ago, many Repub- urban voters, once the key- Republicans retain the Senate and auto efficiency, to licans acknowledged the stone of the Republican coa- and it becomes clear that major name a few - and integrate CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 threat of warming, while the lition, recoiled from President legislation would go nowhere, climate considerations into email: [email protected] fossil fuel industry funded Donald Trump’s efforts to Mr. Biden would be left with the exercise of every other campaigns to deny it. Now, accelerate the GOP’s transfor- small-bore legislative options: executive authority he SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 even major oil companies say mation into what boosting funds for commands. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

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+974 6698 6188 SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 MIDDLE EAST 09 Khamenei vows revenge over slain scientist AP — TEHRAN old truck with explosives hidden under a load of wood blew up Iran’s supreme leader yesterday Supreme Leader near a sedan carrying Fakhri- called for the “definitive zadeh. As Fakhrizadeh’s sedan punishment” of those behind the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stopped, at least five gunmen killing of a scientist linked to called Fakhrizadeh the emerged and raked the car with Tehran’s disbanded military country’s prominent and rapid fire, the semiofficial Tasnim nuclear programme, a slaying the distinguished nuclear news agency said. Islamic Republic has blamed on and defensive scientist. Fakhrizadeh died at a hos- Israel. pital after doctors and para- Israel, long suspected of Khamenei said Iran’s first medics couldn’t revive him. killing Iranian scientists a decade priority after the killing Others wounded included ago amid tensions over Tehran’s was the definitive Fakhrizadeh’s bodyguards. nuclear programme, has yet to punishment of the Photos and video shared online comment on the killing yesterday perpetrators and those showed a Nissan sedan with of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. bullet holes in the windshield and However, the attack bore the who ordered it. blood pooled on the road. hallmarks of a carefully planned, Hours after the attack, the military-style ambush. Pentagon announced it had The slaying threatens to brought the USS Nimitz aircraft renew tensions between the US for the killing. Rouhani said that carrier back into the Middle East, and Iran in the waning days of Fakhrizadeh’s death would not an unusual move as the carrier President Donald Trump’s term, stop its nuclear programme, already spent months in the just as President-elect Joe Biden something Khamenei said as region. has suggested his administration well. Iran’s civilian nuclear pro- It cited the drawdown of US could return to Tehran’s nuclear gramme has continued its exper- forces in Afghanistan and Iraq as Protesters gather during a demonstration against the killing of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen deal with world powers from iments and now enriches the reason for the decision, saying Fakhrizadeh, in Tehran yesterday. which Trump earlier withdrew. uranium up to 4.5%, far below “it was prudent to have additional The Pentagon announced early weapons-grade levels of 90%. defensive capabilities in the AMAD programme that Israel enough low-enriched uranium tance in Iran’s theocracy. yesterday that it sent the USS But analysts have compared region to meet any and the West have alleged was to make at least two nuclear US sanctions lists name him Nimitz aircraft carrier back into Fakhrizadeh to being on a par contingency.” a military operation looking at weapons if it chose to pursue the as heading Iran’s Organisation for the Mideast. with Robert Oppenheimer, the The attack comes just days the feasibility of building a bomb. Meanwhile, an advanced Defensive Innovation and In a statement, Supreme scientist who led the US’ Man- before the 10-year anniversary nuclear weapon. The Interna- centrifuge assembly plant at Research. The State Department Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hattan Project in World War II of the killing of Iranian nuclear tional Atomic Energy Agency Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility described that organisation last called Fakhrizadeh “the coun- that created the atom bomb. scientist Majid Shahriari that says that “structured program” exploded in July in what Tehran year as working on “dual-use try’s prominent and distin- “We will respond to the Tehran also blamed on Israel. ended in 2003. now calls a sabotage attack. research and development activ- guished nuclear and defensive assassination of Martyr Fakhri- That and other targeted killings IAEA inspectors monitor Fakhrizadeh, born in 1958, ities, of which aspects are poten- scientist.” Khamenei said Iran’s zadeh in a proper time,” Rouhani happened at the time that the so- Iranian nuclear sites as part of the had been sanctioned by the UN tially useful for nuclear weapons first priority after the killing was said. called Stuxnet virus, believed to now-unravelling nuclear deal Security Council and the US for and nuclear weapons delivery the “definitive punishment of the He added: “The Iranian be an Israeli and American cre- with world powers, which saw his work on AMAD. Iran always systems.” perpetrators and those who nation is smarter than falling into ation, destroyed Iranian centri- Tehran limit its enrichment of described him as a university Iran’s mission to the UN ordered it.” He did not the trap of the Zionists. They are fuges. Those assaults occurred uranium in exchange for the physics professor. A member of described Fakhrizadeh’s recent elaborate. thinking to create chaos.” Friday’s at the height of Western fears lifting of economic sanctions. the Revolutionary Guard, Fakhri- work as “development of the first Speaking to a meeting of his attack happened in Absard, a over Iran’s nuclear programme. After Trump’s 2018 with- zadeh had been seen in pictures indigenous COVID-19 test kit” government’s coronavirus task village just east of the capital that Tehran long has insisted its drawal from the deal, Iran has in meetings attended by Iran’s and overseeing Tehran’s efforts force earlier yesterday, President is a retreat for the Iranian elite. program is peaceful. However, abandoned all those limits. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali at making a possible coronavirus Hassan Rouhani blamed Israel Iranian state television said an Fakhrizadeh led Iran’s so-called Experts now believe Iran has Khamenei, a sign of his impor- vaccine. France, UN to host new Lebanon aid conference next week Iran reports slowing of AP — PARIS is no government initiative to explosion forced the Lebanese former French protectorate detonated at Beirut’s port. It rebuild what has been government’s resignation, rebuild. But his initiative and also devastated several neigh- virus infections France and the UN will host a destroyed. leaders are still struggling to roadmap for a new gov- bourhoods, shattering thou- new conference next week French President Emmanuel form a new government amid ernment that would enact sands of residential, historic REUTERS — TEHRAN about aid to Beirut after its Macron and UN Secretary- ongoing political disagreements. urgent reforms has gone and other buildings. It is con- devastating port explosion in General Antonio Guterres will The Lebanese army has offered nowhere amid Lebanon’s sidered to be one of the largest Iran’s Health Ministry August, amid political deadlock co-preside over the video con- small assistance for rebuilding political paralysis, and billions non-nuclear explosions ever yesterday reported a and a worsening economic ference on December 2, which Beirut, but the country’s severe of dollars in international aid recorded. The cause of the slowdown in coronavirus crisis in Lebanon, the French will also include Lebanese non- economic crisis has further remain blocked. explosion still is not known, but infections, saying that 89 of presidency said on Friday. governmental groups and other deteriorated. The massive blast killed it is widely seen as the culmi- 160 cities were out of the Thousands of Lebanese are organizations seeking to help, Macron visited Beirut twice nearly 200 people and injured nation of decades of corruption designated high risk category. struggling to repair homes according to Macron’s office. in the aftermath of the blast more than 6,000 when 3,000 and mismanagement by Leb- “I thank our dear people damaged in the blast, and there Nearly four months after the and promised to help the tons of ammonium nitrate anon’s ruling class. for taking the appropriate pre- cautions and tolerating the restrictions,” deputy health minister Alireza Raisi said on Yarmuk residents plan state TV, adding that public adherence was 90 percent. return to war-torn Still, the government yes- terday announced the closure of most non-essential gov- Palestinian camp in Syria ernment offices in an effort to stem the spread of the virus. AFP — YARMUK 2018 from the Islamic State A health ministry spokes- group. But two years on, recon- woman reported 13,402 new When Syrian authorities said struction has been slow and the coronavirus cases yesterday, they would allow returns to the scars of war remain visible. pushing the national tally to war-ravaged Yarmuk camp for The walls of Loubani’s 935,799 in the Middle East’s Palestinian refugees in southern building are pockmarked with worst-hit country. Damascus, Issa Al Loubani bullet holes. Neighbouring Sima Sadat Lari told state rushed to sign up and quickly blocks have had their facades TV that the death toll had risen started repairing his home. blown off or seen their balconies by 391 in the past 24 hours to Hundreds of former resi- cave. 7,486. President Hassan dents have already requested Some structures have col- Rouhani said in televised permission to go back to the set- lapsed entirely following years remarks that he had instructed tlement, home to 160,000 Pal- of bombardment and heavy Issa Al Loubani, a 48-year-old Palestinian refugee, walks with his wife and daughter in a street in Iran’s Central Bank to provide estinian refugees and some fighting. the Palestinian Yarmuk camp, on the southern outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus. the funds needed to import Syrian families before the con- Loubani’s wife, Ilham, finds coronavirus vaccines. flict broke out in 2011. an old photo from their wedding already signed up, said Mahmoud Al Din Blidi returned to his home With no running water, he More than 400 families have in the rubble-strewn alley. Al Khaled, a Palestinian who — one of the few apartments in buys large bottles from outside returned in the last few months “That’s Umm Walid,” she heads a committee that clears Yarmuk largely spared by the Yarmuk and stores them at 13 dead in south because they cannot afford to says, pointing to one of the guests rubble in the camp. fighting. Its cosy living room home. But for camp residents rent homes elsewhere after in the picture. Founded in 1957 But the civil engineer who with bright paint and uphol- displaced to Idlib — the last Yemen clashes years of displacement, the with tents for Palestinians who grew up in Yarmuk said less than stered armchairs stands in stark major opposition bastion, in United Nations said in early fled or were ousted from their half of the buildings were cur- contrast with the wasteland northwestern Syria — returning AFP — DUBAI November. homes with the establishment of rently safe for reoccupation. outside. is nearly impossible. Loubani, who first left in Israel, Yarmuk grew into a bus- The 430 families that have “If we had waited for elec- “No one in the (opposition- Thirteen fighters were killed in 2012, is determined to join their tling neighbourhood. already returned despite difficult tricity, water and sewage to held) north can register to return an exchange of artillery fire ranks even if the windows of his In 2012, around 140,000 res- living conditions rely heavily on return, we would have perhaps” or even reach Yarmuk,” said between pro-government wrecked apartment are still idents fled as clashes raged. the UN agency for Palestinian had to wait for a year before Ahmad Khormandi, who left the forces and separatists in the covered with plastic sheeting. Those who stayed faced refugees (UNRWA). coming back, Blidi said. camp when IS entered in 2015. southern province of Abyan, “Our flat needs major work, severe shortages of food and Around 75 percent of With little outside help, he He and his family now live military sources said yesterday. but it’s better than paying rent,” medicine under a withering UNRWA’s 23 premises in said it was up to residents to fend in a displacement camp in Idlib The Southern Transitional said Loubani, who has been years-long government siege. Yarmuk, including 16 schools, for themselves. province near the border with Council lost eight men, including living in a Damascus apartment IS entered the area in 2015, need to be completely rebuilt, “Reconstruction requires Turkey. The 43-year-old Pales- two officers, and six others were with his wife and daughter. bringing further suffering to and all three of its health centres efforts from several countries,” tinian said in northwestern Syria wounded late on Friday in the “We still need electricity, remaining residents until mili- have been destroyed. Blidi said. that he fears arrest if he returns latest outbreak of violence running water, and to clear tants were forced out three years To compensate, the organi- “In the meantime, we have to Yarmuk. But even if he were between the nominal allies in rubble from the streets” before later. This month, the Damascus sation sends a mobile health to make do.” The 60-year-old allowed back, he said, returning Yemen’s civil war, an STC moving back in, the 48-year-old municipality said residents could clinic to the camp once a week has managed to secure some to live in his home would be source said. Palestinian refugee spoke from register to return to Yarmuk if and provides buses to transport electricity for his flat through a impossible. A military source on the Yarmuk. Syrian government and their homes were structurally children to schools in Damascus. long cable connected to a power “I don’t have the means to Yemeni government side said allied forces retook the camp in sound. Some 600 families have A month ago, Syrian Shehab source beyond the camp. fix my house,” he said. that five fighters from its ranks were among the dead. The STC is a separatist organisation that wants the Toll rises to 6 in clashes among rival protesters in Iraq south to secede from the rest of the country, even while it is AFP — NASIRIYAH anti-government protest place of Habboubi Square. Authorities sacked the city’s for the protest movement that allied with the central gov- movement and supporters of Clashes continued into the police chief, launched an inves- erupted in October 2019 against ernment in a fight against their The toll from clashes among rival Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, who night, with medics reporting a tigation into the events and a government seen by demon- common foe, the Iran-backed protesters in Iraq’s southern hot had called on his followers to hit total of six dead by yesterday imposed an overnight curfew in strators as corrupt, inept and Houthi rebels, in Yemen’s civil spot of Nasiriyah rose to six dead, the streets in a show of force. morning, five of them from bullet Nasiriyah. Other cities also intro- beholden to neighbouring Iran. war. The separatists announced medics said yesterday, as other In the southern city of wounds, and at least 60 duced security measures, with It was also the site of one of in August their withdrawal from cities imposed security measures. Nasiriyah, anti-government wounded. But yesterday Kut and Amara further north the bloodiest incidents of the talks on a power-sharing deal Violence erupted on Friday activists accused Sadrists of morning, anti-government pro- setting new movement uprising, when more than three with the Saudi-backed and between the dwindling members shooting at them and torching testers were already back in the restrictions. dozen died in protest-related vio- internationally-recognised of the October 2019 their tents in their main gathering square to rebuild their camp. Nasiriyah was a major hub lence on November 28 last year. government. 10 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 Ethiopian troops take ‘full control’ of Mekelle: Govt

REUTERS — ADDIS ABABA UN says Sudan needs $150m Ethiopian troops have taken “full control” of the Tigray to help Ethiopian refugees region’s capital Mekelle, the government said yesterday AFP — UM RAQUBA, SUDAN Grandi called on “donors evening, a major development to provide Sudan with these in a three-week-old war that is Sudan needs $150m in aid to resources as soon as they sending shockwaves through cope with the flood of Ethi- can”. the Horn of Africa. opian refugees crossing its Between 500 and 600 ref- “The federal government border from conflict-stricken ugees are still crossing the is now fully in control of the city Tigray, the UN refugee agency border each day. of Mekelle,” Prime Minister Abiy chief said yesterday during a Sudan has sought to Ahmed said in a statement visit to a camp. provide help to accomodate posted on his Twitter page. The Tigray conflict broke out the mass refugee influx as it He said police were on November 4 between Ethi- struggles with its own deep searching for the leaders of the opia’s federal forces and economic crisis. Tigray People’s Liberation Front leaders of the region’s ruling Some 65 percent of Ethiopian refugees who fled the Tigray conflict, build temporary huts at Um Raquba camp in Gedaref (TPLF), who have been fighting party. Sudan’s nearly 42 million province eastern Sudan, yesterday. federal forces in the northern Sudan has since hosted people live below the poverty region since November 4. more than 43,000 Ethiopian line, according to government “Federal police will now continue their task Tigray also borders the nation “Federal police will now refugees fleeing from the figures. of Eritrea and the conflict has continue their task of appre- intense fighting into one of its As the Tigray fighting of apprehending TPLF criminals and bring stirred concern about an esca- hending TPLF criminals and most impoverished regions. rages, Grandi also voiced them to the court of law,” said Prime Minister lation around the country of 115 bring them to the court of law,” “Sudan needs $150m for concern over the fate of tens million people, or in the region. said Abiy, who has called the six months to provide these of thousands of Eritrean ref- Abiy Ahmed, who has called the government Abiy accuses Tigrayan government offensive a law and refugees water, shelter and ugees living in Ethiopia for offensive a law and order operation. leaders of starting the war by order operation. health services,” said UN High decades. “We don’t have attacking federal troops at a There was no immediate Commissioner for Refugees access to them,” he said, base in Tigray. The TPLF says comment from the TPLF. (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi at Um urging the Ethiopian gov- official Facebook page. the TPLF an ultimatum that the attack was a pre-emptive Claims from all sides are Raquba camp, some 80km ernment to authorise visits by State television said that expired on Wednesday to lay strike. difficult to verify since phone from the border. the United Nations. federal forces were in full down arms or face an assault Abiy told African peace and internet links to the region control of the city by 7pm. on the city. envoys on Friday that his gov- have been down and access has care to protect civilians in in Tigray that was being held Earlier yesterday, a dip- Thousands of people are ernment will protect civilians been tightly controlled since Mekelle, a city of 500,000 hostage by the TPLF. lomat in direct contact with res- believed to have died during the in Tigray. fighting began on November 4. people. The army chief of staff, idents, and the leader of Tig- fighting this month and around The prime minister has said Authorities had said earlier Abiy said the army had Birhanu Jula, also announced rayan forces said federal forces 43,000 refugees have fled to that he regards the conflict as that government forces were in secured the release of thou- that government forces had had begun an offensive to neighbouring Sudan during the an internal matter and his gov- the final stages of an offensive sands of troops in the Northern taken control of Mekelle, in a capture Mekelle. conflict. ernment has so far rebuffed in the region and would take Command, a military unit based statement on the military’s The government had given The northern region of attempts at mediation. Concerns rise after Algeria President marks a month in hospital Iran not to recognise any AFP — ALGIERS that his health was “constantly stepped down in April 2019 article, a power vacuum was improving”. A week later it said weeks into mass protests viewed in two stages: “tem- Belgian verdict A month after Algerian Pres- he had finished treatment and against his bid for a fifth term porary impairment (of the pres- ident Abdelmadjid Tebboune was undergoing “post-protocol — had suffered a debilitating ident), for a maximum duration on diplomat (pictured) was hospitalised in medical tests”. stroke in early 2013 and stayed of 45 days, then resignation” Germany and tested positive for Since then, there has been in hospital abroad for nearly beyond that duration. AFP — TEHRAN coronavirus (COVID-19), uncer- deafening silence, except for a three months. Were that to occur, Salah tainty about his health is report last week by the official Tebboune’s “long absence Goudjil, the 89-year-old interim Iran has said it will not fuelling questions about the APS news agency saying that due to illness, combined with a senate president who fought in recognise any verdict by a country’s leadership. German Chancellor Angela ‘protocol’ of information Algeria’s 1954 to 1962 war of Belgian court against a Tebboune, who is 75 and a Merkel had sent Tebboune a double-speak, indicates that the independence against France, diplomat accused of plotting heavy smoker, was admitted to letter of good wishes. president really is sick,” would serve as acting president, to bomb an exiled opposition hospital in Germany on October The fragmented infor- Algerian political scientist pending the election of a new group’s rally. 28 to undergo “in-depth mation and lack of any photo- Mohamed Hennad said. head of state. Assadollah Assadi, a dip- medical examinations”, of statements on the president’s graphic evidence of Tebboune’s “Hennad said that “if his Tebboune’s illness meant he lomat formerly based in according to the presidency. health. state of health are fuelling spec- prolonged absence poses a was out of the country for a Vienna, faces 20 years in He was transferred from a A day before he was trans- ulation at a time when Algeria problem, it is not because of the November 1 referendum on a prison if convicted of plotting facility in the Algerian capital ferred abroad, the presidency is experiencing a resurge of its illness itself, but because the revised constitution seen as to target a rally for opposition days after going into self-iso- said Tebboune’s “state of health coronavirus outbreak. authorities... complicate things aiming to bury a mass protest groups based outside Iran, lation following reports of novel does not raise any concern” but For many Algerians, the unnecessarily.” movement and boost the pres- organised in Villepinte outside coronavirus cases among his a week later it announced that developments have recalled the Some are starting question ident, elected on a record low Paris for June 30, 2018. aides. he had contracted the COVID-19 power vacuum that followed whether Article 102 of Algeria’s turnout last December. The rally included the Peo- The last tweet from his per- illness. the hospitalisation of former basic law should be applied in Algeria has officially ple’s Mojahedin of Iran (MEK), sonal Twitter account dates to On November 8, it said Teb- president Abdelaziz order to avoid a constitutional recorded more than 80,000 which Tehran considers a “ter- October 24, and the Algerian boune was “in the process of Bouteflika. crisis. novel coronavirus cases and rorist group” and has banned presidency has issued a series completing his treatment” and The veteran leader — who Hennad said that under the more than 2,000 deaths. since 1981. “We have announced many times and from the beginning that this court is not qualified, Burkina Faso oppn leader and that the judicial process is not legitimate due to (Assadi’s) concedes defeat in election diplomatic immunity and fun- damental issues,” Iran’s foreign AFP — OUAGADOUGOU wrote on Twitter. ministry spokesman Saeed “I salute his approach which Khatibzadeh was quoted as Burkina Faso’s President Roch is in line with the republican saying by ISNA news agency. Marc Christian Kabore said on spirit of our political class,” he “And even it does lead to a Friday that he had received the added, accompanying his tweet verdict, we will not recognise congratulations of the leader with a photo of the two. it,” he added. “He is innocent of the opposition, a day after When the CENI announced and it is clear he has been con- official results showed he was Kabore’s landslide victory on spired against.” re-elected by a landslide. Thursday, the opposition had The 48-year-old refused Ahead of the election, inter- said it “reserved the right” to to appear as the trial began on national diplomatic efforts had challenge the results. Friday, claiming diplomatic stepped up to prevent any pos- Diabre’s Union for Progress immunity, but three co- sible flare-up in the country and and Change (UPC) said on its accused were all in court. which is struggling with a long- website before Kabore’s tweet Despite Assadi’s absence, running militant campaign. it wished to “point out the Belgian prosecutors say they Kabore won a large outright major shortcomings” which have the right to proceed. majority in the first round of had “marred” the ballot. The trial is to continue with the presidential election on However, “considering the lawyer Dimitri de Beco repre- Sunday, removing the need for difficult situation our country senting Assadi. a runoff ballot, the Independent is going through” it reaffirmed After Friday’s session, the National Electoral Commission its “renewed desire to always second part of the trial is (CENI) said. preserve peace, stability and scheduled to take place on “I have received on Friday security in Burkina Faso by Local elections in Nigeria Thursday. The court is then evening the congratulations of placing the interest of the expected to adjourn to con- A man casts his ballots for the local elections at a polling station at the Mafoni Internal Displaced the presidential candidate, nation above all other sider its verdict before ruling People camp near Maiduguri, in north-eastern Nigeria, yesterday. Zephirin Diabre,” Kabore, 63, considerations”. early next year. CAR neighbours condemn ‘crimes’ ahead of elections Bombing at ice cream shop

AFP — LIBREVILLE existence,” Gabonese Foreign violence that forced nearly a Libreville for the summit. The in Somalia leaves 7 dead Minister Pacome Moubelet quarter of its people to flee their five other countries were rep- Eleven countries in central Boubeya said. homes. resented by delegations. AP — MOGADISHU Africa on Friday called for an He urged CAR’s “leaders” to Under a February 2019 ECCAS, comprising 11 states end to “crimes” in the troubled “seize the historic opportunity peace accord between the gov- in central Africa ranging from A local official says a suicide bombing at an ice cream shop in Central African Republic (CAR), of the elections to set down the ernment and 14 armed groups Equatorial Guinea in the west Somalia’s capital has killed at least seven people, and the Al Qaeda- a month from key elections foundations for reconciliation that brought militia chiefs into to Burundi in the east, was linked Al Shabab extremist group has claimed responsibility. there. and reconstruction.” the government, violence has founded in October 1983 with The attack occurred just hours after acting US Secretary of Members of the Economic One of the world’s poorest receded in intensity but remains the goal of establishing a Defense Christopher Miller visited Mogadishu to meet the US Community of Central African and most volatile countries, the widespread. common market, a quest that ambassador and military personnel and to express appreciation States (ECCAS), meeting in CAR is staging presidential and Bozize, 74, and his elected remains elusive. for their work and to reiterate the US commitment to combatting Gabon, pointed to the armed legislative elections on successor, Faustin-Archange Gabon’s president, Ali extremist groups. groups who control two-thirds December 27. Touadera, 63, are among 21 Bongo Ondimba, on Friday Somalian government spokesman Salah Omar Hassan of the CAR’s territory. In 2013, the Seleka, a rebel declared candidates for next handed the revolving chair- announced the bombing’s toll to reporters. “The crimes committed coalition, toppled then-pres- month’s vote. manship of the group to his The government said at least eight people were wounded in threaten the unity of the Central ident Francois Bozize, plunging Touadera was among six Republic of Congo counterpart, the “heinous” attack. African Republic and its the landlocked state into presidents who were present in Denis Sassou-Nguesso. Al Shabab often targets the capital. SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 ASIA 11 Farmers continue protest in India despite talks offer AGENCIES — NEW DELHI “I appeal to the recently introduced farm laws. Shah said: "I appeal to the Thousands of farmers in and protesting farmers protesting farmers that the gov- around the Indian capital that the government ernment of India is ready to yesterday pressed on with their hold talks. Agriculture Minister protest against agricultural of India is ready to has invited farmers on legislation they said could hold talks. Agriculture December 3 to hold discussion. devastate crop prices, while the Government is ready to delib- government sought talks with Minister has invited erate on every problem and their leaders. farmers on December demand of the farmers." Some protesters burned an 3 to hold discussion. He added that at many effigy of Prime Minister Modi places — state highways and and shouted “Down with Modi,” Government is ready national highways — farmers as they rallied on New Delhi’s to deliberate on every are staying with their tractors border with Haryana state. and trolley and braving extreme The protesting farmers were problem and demand cold weather. "I appeal to all allowed to enter New Delhi late of the farmers,” the farmers that the Delhi Police is on Friday after a day of clashes ready to shift you to a big with police, who used tear gas, Home Minister said. ground, please go there. You water cannons and baton will get police permission to charges to push them back. hold your programme there," Television images showed The government says the added Shah. some of them moving into the legislation brings about much The Home Minister said capital while thousands still needed reform agriculture that health facilities, ambulances remained at the outskirts of the will allow farmers the freedom and drinking water have been city. The Press Trust of India to market their produce and made available along with ade- Farmers protest against the newly passed farm bills at Singhu border near New Delhi, yesterday. news agency said more pro- boost production through quate security arrangements at testers were heading for New private investment. the Nirankari ground in Burari Delhi from northern Punjab state. Agriculture Minister in Outer Delhi. Burari, the very next day the black laws,” said Majhinder economic clout diminish over Many farmers have camped Narendra Singh Tomar said he He insisted that if farmers Central government is ready to Singh Dhaliwal, one of the the last three decades. Once out on highways in Punjab and has invited representatives of hold protests peacefully and have talks with you," added the leaders. accounting for a third of India’s Haryana states for the last two the farmers for talks on democratically, it won't cause Home Minister. Opposition parties and gross domestic product, they months to protest the passing December 3. problems to either the farmers There was no immediate some Modi allies have called the now produce only 15 percent of of the legislation. They say the “We have talked before and or the public at large. Shah response from the farmers. The laws anti-farmer and gross domestic product, which laws could cause the gov- are still ready for talks,” Tomar added that if the farmer unions protesters said they would not pro-corporation. is valued at $2.9 trillion a year. ernment to stop buying grain at said late on Friday. want talks with the government return to their homes until their Farmers have long been Farmers often complain of guaranteed prices and result in Home Minister Amit Shah before December 3, they have demands were met. seen as the heart and soul of being ignored and hold frequent their exploitation by corpora- yesterday appealed to the to shift to the grounds at Burari “We are fighting for our India, where agriculture sup- protests to demand better crop tions that would buy their crops farmers saying that the gov- to hold their protest in a struc- rights. We won’t rest until we ports more than half of the prices, more loan waivers and cheaply. They want the laws ernment is ready to hold talks tured manner. reach the capital and force the country’s 1.3 billion people. But irrigation systems to guarantee scrapped. on every issue around the "As soon as you shift to government to abolish these farmers have also seen their water during dry spells. Malaysia will go to the polls only Serum Institute to apply for vaccine licence in ‘2 weeks’ BLOOMBERG — NEW DELHI with scientists and officials to within two weeks. He also said going to affect the emergency India remains a global after pandemic facilitate their vaccine efforts. Serum won’t be conducting any use licensure in the U.K. and hotspot for the virus, although India’s Prime Minister Narendra The Serum Institute, the new human tests for now after should not affect it in India at daily infections have been cut in ends, says PM Modi said his government was world’s largest producer of vac- questions over some results all.” half since a peak of more than working with local drug cines by volume, has partnered prompted Pascal Soriot, Astra- Poonawalla said the 97,000 in mid-September. AFP — KUALA LUMPUR companies to speedily develop with AstraZeneca Plc and Zeneca’s chief executive company is continuing to The significant drop, a COVID-19 vaccine, even as Oxford University and has officer, said on Thursday that produce and stockpile 50 to 60 though, has raised fresh ques- Malaysia will go to the polls questions mounted over human already produced millions of the company will probably million doses a month, which tions over the South Asian when the coronavirus trials conducted by AstraZeneca doses ahead of approval. conduct an additional global will be ramped up to 100 nation’s testing regime and pandemic is over, the prime Plc, which is expected to Bharat Biotech is developing trial to assess the vaccine’s million shots a month by whether it reflects the true state minister said yesterday, two produce the country’s front- a vaccine called Covaxin that efficacy. January or February. of its epidemic. days after winning lawmakers’ runner shot. could be licensed by the second “At the moment the trials Meanwhile, Cadila’s Nevertheless, India is rela- backing for his government’s Modi, who crisscrossed the quarter of 2021. are more than enough for the COVID-19 vaccine is likely to tively well positioned. Its neigh- 2021 budget. country to meet officials at At a briefing following efficacy,” Poonawalla said. “Of enter phase-III trials next bours will be looking to China Muhyiddin Yassin took Cadila Healthcare Ltd, Bharat Modi’s visit, Serum’s Chief course there was a bit of con- month and a launch is and a WHO-backed initiative power in March after pulling Biotech and the Serum Institute Executive Officer Adar Poon- fusion in the communication, expected by March if things go to score supplies. However, any his party from Anwar Ibra- of India Ltd, said his gov- awalla said they expect to which will be explained in the according to plan, local media wide rollout is still likely him’s ruling coalition to ally ernment was “actively working” apply for an emergency licence coming days, but that’s not reported. months, if not years, away. with the scandal-tainted United Malays National Organ- isation (UMNO) and others. Since then, his adminis- North Korea ‘shuts tration has been hobbled by constant infighting. In a speech at a virtual capital to ward annual general meeting of his Bersatu party yesterday, he expressed confidence that his off virus spread’ ruling alliance would win voters’ backing at the next election. AP — SEOUL information given by the NIS “God willing, if it is allowed to the lawmakers. Ha didn’t say by Allah, when the coronavirus North Korean leader Kim Jong whether the ban applied to all pandemic is over, we will hold Un has ordered at least two North Korean waters or the general elections,” he said, people executed, banned whether it was still in effect. adding that “we will seek the fishing at sea and locked down North Korea recently people’s mandate and let the capital, Pyongyang, as part placed Pyongyang and voters decide the government of frantic efforts to guard northern Jagang province of their choice”. against the coronavirus and its under lockdown over virus He did not elaborate. economic damage, South concerns. Earlier this month, it The prime minister -- who Korea’s spy agency told imposed lockdown measures maintains a razor-thin majority lawmakers on Friday. in other areas where officials -- also said he had a “heart-to- Kim’s government also found unauthorised goods and heart meeting” with UMNO ordered diplomats overseas to foreign currencies that were president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi refrain from any acts that brought in, Ha cited the NIS as to thrash out any differences could provoke the United saying. between the uneasy allies. Green drive States because it is worried North Korea also made about President-elect Joe an unsuccessful hacking Philippines in deal Students join environment activists in planting mangrove trees at a beach in Pekan Bada, Aceh Biden’s expected new attempt on at least one South province of Indonesia, yesterday. approach toward North Korea, Korean pharmaceutical with AstraZeneca lawmakers told reporters after company that was trying to attending a private briefing by develop a coronavirus for 2.6 million doses the National Intelligence vaccine, the NIS said. IS-linked militants kill four in Indonesia Service. The agency has a mixed REUTERS — MANILA One of the lawmakers, Ha record in confirming develop- AFP — PALU, INDONESIA pledged allegiance to IS. victims was stabbed while a Tae-keung, quoted the NIS as ments in North Korea, one of The Philippines will get 2.6 Indonesia, the world’s fourth was burned to death in saying Kim is displaying the world’s most secretive million shots of a potential Islamic State-linked extremists biggest Muslim majority nation, his home, he added. “Some res- “excessive anger” and taking nations. The NIS said it couldn’t COVID-19 vaccine developed killed four people in a remote has long wrestled with militancy idents managed to escape, but “irrational measures” over the immediately confirm the law- by AstraZeneca under the Christian community on the and terror attacks, while Central the victims didn’t make it,” Rifai pandemic and its economic makers’ accounts. country’s first supply deal for Indonesian island of Sulawesi, Sulawesi has seen intermittent said. impact. North Korea has main- a coronavirus vaccine, senior authorities said yesterday, with violence between Christians and Indonesia’s Christians have Ha said the NIS told law- tained that it hasn’t found a officials said on Friday. one victim beheaded and Muslims for decades. been targeted in the past, makers that North Korea exe- single coronavirus case on its This supply, to be paid for another burned to death. “We reached the conclusion including in 2018 when IS- cuted a high-profile money soil, a claim disputed by outside by the private sector, will inoc- The group of sword-and- that they (the attackers) were linked group Jamaah Ansharut changer in Pyongyang last experts, although it says it is ulate just over one million Fil- gun wielding attackers from MIT after showing pictures Daulah staged a wave of suicide month after holding the person making all-out efforts to ipinos as the British drug- ambushed Lembantongoa of its members to relatives of the bombings by families — responsible for a falling prevent the virus’s spread. maker’s vaccine requires two village in Central Sulawesi victims” who witnessed the including young children — at exchange rate. A major outbreak could doses, said Jose Concepcion, a province Friday morning, ambush, said Sigi Regency police churches in the country’s He quoted the NIS as saying have dire consequences government business adviser killing several residents and chief Yoga Priyahutama. second-biggest city Surabaya, that North Korea also executed because the North’s health care representing the private torching half a dozen homes, The makeshift church was killing a dozen congregants. a key official in August for vio- system remains crippled and sector. including one used for regular empty at the time of the early If confirmed to be the work lating government regulations suffers from a chronic lack of Carlito Galvez, a top coro- prayers and services, police morning attack by around eight of MIT, Friday’s killings would restricting goods brought from medical supplies. navirus task force official, said said. militants, he added. be its first significant attack since abroad. The two people weren’t The pandemic forced North authorities were also dis- No arrests had yet been “People were just in their the organisation’s leader was identified by name. Korea to seal its border with cussing with AstraZeneca a made and the motive for the homes when it happened,” Pri- killed four years ago by Indone- North Korea has also China, its biggest trading possible one million more attack was not immediately yahutama said. sia’s elite anti-terror squad, banned fishing and salt pro- partner and aid benefactor, in doses. clear. Lembantongoa village head according to Jakarta-based ter- duction at sea to prevent sea- January. Those agreed on Friday But authorities pointed the Rifai, who like many Indone- rorism expert Sidney Jones. water from being infected with The closure, along with a would cover about one percent finger at the Sulawesi-based sians goes by one name, said “Through the attack... they the virus, the NIS told series of natural disasters over of the Philippines’ 108 million East Indonesia Mujahideen one victim was beheaded and want to show that police efforts lawmakers. the summer, dealt a heavy blow population, two-third of which (MIT), one of dozens of radical another was nearly to arrest and kill members of There are few ways to inde- to the North’s economy, which the government hopes to groups across the Southeast decapitated. the group did not have any pendently confirm the reported has been under punishing inoculate. Asian archipelago that have One of the other all-male effect on” them, she said. fishing ban and other US-led sanctions. 12 ASIA SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 Virus infections in Pakistan above 3,000 for fourth day

INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD The highest number been informed about the noti- fication and ban on large-scale Coronavirus cases in Pakistan of infections were public gatherings, sources said. have risen by over 3,000 for reported in Sindh “There is a complete ban on four out of the last seven days with 1,423 people all types of large-gatherings as the second wave of infection and only outdoor gatherings spreads across the country. testing positive for the will be allowed with upper limit COVID-19 infections surged coronavirus. Punjab of 300 persons,” reads the noti- by at least 3,045 on Friday, fication dated November 19 according to statistics issued by is second with 738 issued by Punjab’s Secretary the National Command and new cases while 447 Primary and Secondary Operations Centre (NCOC), Healthcare Department Captain bringing the total tally to people tested positive (rtd) Muhammad Usman. 392,356. for COVID-19 in This order shall come into The highest number of force immediately and shall infections were reported in Islamabad. remain in force till January 31, Sindh with 1,423 people testing 2021, unless otherwise positive for the coronavirus. amended, the notification Pakistanis mourn Sharif's mother Punjab is second with 738 second highest single-day reads. new cases while 447 people recoveries were observed in Several activists of Pakistan Supporters of Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister of Pakistan, gather during the funeral ceremony tested positive for COVID-19 in Islamabad at 334 and third in Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), of Sharif’s mother Begum Shamim Akhtar, in Lahore, yesterday. Islamabad. Khyber KP with 277 people beating the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Pakhtunkhwa’s single-day tally virus. AJK recorded 103 recov- and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl was 323, Balochistan’s 38, Azad eries, Punjab 98, Balochistan (JUI-F) were arrested across Jammu and Kashmir 55, and 30, and 28 in GB. Punjab, it is learnt. Pakistan, Germany sign three Gilgit Baltistan 21. Meanwhile, several political Cases were being registered After two days of remaining activists from opposition parties against the arrested persons for at 7.2 per cent, the country’s were arrested in Multan after defying ban on public gath- coronavirus positivity rate Punjab government denied per- erings, sources said, adding that grant-in-aid agreements dropped to 6.3 per cent on mission to opposition’s anti- arrests could be extended to November 27. With 45 patients government alliance Pakistan other parts of the province, if INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD Development Bank-KfW vaccines and meet the costs for succumbing to the virus, the Democratic Movement (PDM) required. Pakistan. vaccination campaigns for imple- country’s death toll surged past for holding jalsa (public gath- A government official, The Government of Pakistan Under the “Women mentation of Pakistan’s National 7,900. ering) in Multan tomorrow and requesting anonymity, told and the Government of Employment in Private Health Polio Emergency Action Plan. NCOC stats show 15 deaths decided to register cases against Business Recorder that the gov- Germany signed three grant- Sector”, KfW will provide a grant Under the climate change/ were recorded in Punjab, 12 in the violators of the ban on ernment’s inaction with respect in-aid agreements with a of ¤12m exclusively for the energy component, a grant of Sindh, nine in KP, six in AJK, large-scale public gatherings. to November 23 Peshawar jalsa cumulative value of €18.5m. establishment of women’s health €1.5m is provided to Pakistan and one in GB. Balochistan In this connection, the pro- has mounted pressure on Under these agreements, the clinics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to implement accompanying reported no deaths in the past vincial administrative Punjab government to take Government of Germany will and Punjab to promote self- services for the Harpo Hydro- 24 hours. machinery, till the filing of this action against violators of provide support to the employment of women in the power Project in the Gilgit- There are at least 2,172 report, did not issue any specific public gathering ban in Punjab. Government of Pakistan for health sector, and training of Baltistan (GB) region. patients under critical care notification to ban PDM gath- “Ahead of Peshawar jalsa, health facilities and combating qualified women to run clinics. These accompanying while the number of active ering in Multan while gov- the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gov- polio in the country, along with For “polio eradication”, the measures will be carried out at cases stands at 46,861. NCOC ernment officials said that a noti- ernment announced that PDM services towards mitigating Government of Germany, the project site in support of the said 281 ventilators are fication issued last week is would not be allowed to hold energy issues. through KfW will provide an main Harpo Hydropower occupied across Pakistan out already in effect to ban the public the jalsa in the backdrop of The agreements were additional grant of Euro five Project to ensure the project of 1,760 vents allocated for gatherings in the backdrop of alarming spread of COVID-19 signed by Noor Ahmed, sec- million to augment the existing sustainability. The accompa- COVID-19. rapid spread of coronavirus in but the jalsa took place and the retary, Ministry of Economic support for polio eradication. nying services shall comprise In Sindh, 802 people Punjab and rest of the country. provincial government did Affairs and Sebastian Jacobi, This will help the Government assistance to strengthen the recovered from the virus. The The PDM leadership has nothing to stop it. country director, German of Pakistan to finance polio power utility. Khalid Khurshid nominated as PTI Anger grows at coronavirus restrictions in Hong Kong BLOOMBERG — HONG KONG stop-start restrictions. structured response systems in animation and unable to plan health-code app before candidate for GB “Hong Kong has place in regional neighbours long term. allowing patrons in. To add to As Hong Kong battles a new undoubtedly been lucky with like New Zealand, South Korea “At the moment, I’m waiting the confusion, schooling and CM’s post wave of coronavirus infections the pandemic so far. What has and Singapore in envy. to see if they’re closing more child care services for younger with yet another round of social been missing is a clear, public The former British colony’s classrooms,” said Stephanie kids were also shut down again INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD restrictions, a sense of fatigue road map as to how and when comparatively erratic response Holding, a mother of three sons earlier this month — but with the confusing and incon- restrictions will be imple- is deepening the crisis in an who runs her own business because of an outbreak of the Prime Minister Imran Khan has sistent nature of the city’s mented and when the rules will economy already on its knees from home. She would rather common cold and not nominated Khalid Khurshid as pandemic response is setting in be relaxed,” said Nicholas from months of restive street see a system that lets people COVID-19. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s among business-owners and Thomas, associate professor in protests followed by the pan- “know what’s affected and In other places with different candidate for the post of chief residents. health security at the City Uni- demic, they say. when,” she said. phases or alert levels that minister of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Though the Asian financial versity of Hong Kong. The sharp rise in new local Hong Kong says it takes a determine what restrictions are PTI chief organiser Saifullah center has thus far been rela- The coronavirus has been cases in the past week is linked flexible “suppress and lift” activated at what stage of Khan Nyazee made this tively unscathed — total an unpredictable and volatile to social dancing venues, yet approach to virus restrictions infection, “we know we’ve announcement through a COVID-19 cases amounting to foe, warranting nimble and officials have announced a based on the advice of medical reached this level and this is what tweet. just 81 cases per 100,000 quick-changing reaction from closure of karaoke rooms and advisers. But other “high risk” will take place next,” said Allan According to sources, people out of a densely packed governments. But as the pan- massage parlours. Like in pre- businesses like gyms and res- Zeman, an economic adviser to Nyazee and federal Minister for 7 million population — the city demic approaches its first anni- vious rounds, the restrictions taurants don’t know when Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit- has encountered more waves versary, Hong Kong’s residents are imposed for a week or two they’ll be asked to close, and Lam and Chairman of Lan Kwai Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur met than most other places and is and business-owners are at a time, leaving business- only some are required to Fong Group, a major landlord in Khan in Islamabad to finalise the entering its fourth round of increasingly looking to the owners in a state of suspended enforce a little-used the city’s business district. name of PTI candidate for the post of GB chief minister. Khurshid was elected member of the GB Legislative Thailand signs supply deal Assembly from GBLA-13 (Astore-1) constituency by for AstraZeneca vaccine defeating the PPP’s Abdul Hameed Khan by a margin of AP — BANGKOK COVID-19 patients, for 1,719 votes. example, doctors and nurses, The election for the GB Thailand on Friday signed a should be among the first chief minister’s slot, which was deal to procure 26 million doses people. But this needs further earlier scheduled for yes- of the trial coronavirus vaccine discussion,” he said. terday, will now be held developed by pharmaceutical Oxford and AstraZeneca tomorrow, according to a noti- firm AstraZeneca in collabo- reported on Monday that their fication issued by the GB ration with Oxford University. trial vaccine appeared to be 62 Assembly Secretariat. It is expected to be delivered in percent effective in people who Born on November 17, mid-2021. received two doses, and 90 1980 in the Rattu area of The doses would cover 13 percent effective when volun- Shounter tehsil in Astore, million people in a population teers were given a half dose fol- Khalid Khurshid did his matric of about 69 million. lowed by a full dose. from Public School and Thailand’s National Vaccine They did not mention at the College, Gilgit, and received a Institute signed a non- time, but later acknowledged, law degree from Queen Mary refundable advance market that a manufacturing issue had University of London. commitment contract worth resulted in “a half dose of the He contested election from 2.38bn baht ($79m) with Astra- vaccine being administered as GBLA-13, Astore, in 2009 as an Zeneca to reserve the supply of the first dose” to some partici- independent candidate but lost. the vaccine candidate. Another pants, a development that led He again lost in the 2015 election. 3.67bn baht ($121m) agreement to criticism that its test results Khurshid joined the PTI on Thai pro-democracy activists continue protest for the purchase of the trial were flawed. July 28, 2018, and was later vaccine, known as AZD1222, AstraZeneca has said it Pro-democracy protesters give the three-finger salute as they take part in an anti-government rally appointed president of the was signed by the Health Min- plans to conduct a new global in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. party’s Astore-Diamer division istry’s Disease Control clinical trial to make a fresh chapter. Department. assessment of the vaccine’s Khurshid belongs to a “We have followed the efficacy. well-known political family of vaccine manufacturers glo- The AstraZeneca trial Astore district. His father China powers up own nuclear reactor bally, but this group has vaccine is regarded as having Mohammad Khurshid Khan achieved very high progress,” several advantages over rival was a member of the GB AFP — BEIJING billion kilowatt-hours of elec- Nuclear plants supplied less Thai Prime Minister Prayuth vaccines being developed so far Advisory Council in the early tricity each year and cut carbon than five percent of China’s Chan-ocha said at the signing. for less-developed countries, 70s. China has powered up its first emissions by 8.16 million annual electricity needs in 2019, “They are likely to be able to including cheaper cost and the Meanwhile, Prime Minister domestically developed nuclear tonnes, according to China according to the National produce the vaccine early next ability to be stored at temper- Imran Khan is expected to visit reactor — the Hualong One — National Nuclear Corporation Energy Administration, but this year. Most importantly, we atures not as cold as the others. GB tomorrow to participate in a significant step in Beijing’s (CNNC). share is expected to grow as have to get ourselves ready for Under a separate deal in the oath-taking ceremony of attempts to become less “This marks China breaking Beijing attempts to become the domestic process including October, the Health Ministry, the new GB chief minister. dependent on Western allies for the monopoly of foreign carbon neutral by 2060. packaging and logistics.” Siam Bioscience Co and the Addressing PTI workers in energy security and critical nuclear power technology and Reducing its dependence on Government spokesperson SCG business conglomerate Gilgit, Khurshid thanked the technology. officially entering the technol- Western allies in critical high- Anucha Burapachaisri said offi- signed a letter of intent with prime minister for nominating The reactor, which was ogy’s first batch of advanced tech sectors such as power gen- cials are still considering how AstraZeneca on the manufac- him for the chief minister’s connected to the national grid countries,” CNNC said in a eration is a key goal in Beijing’s to prioritise vaccine recipients. turing and supply of the post. on Friday, can generate 10 statement. “Made in China 2025” plan. “Those who work closely with AZD1222 vaccine candidate. SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 EUROPE 13 Protesters, police clash in Paris over new security law

AFP — PARIS that the images — first pub- The draft law would lished by the Loopsider news Police and demonstrators site — may never have been clashed in Paris yesterday as criminalise the made public if the contentious tens of thousands took to the publication of images of Article 24 of the security legis- streets to protest against new on-duty police officers lation was made law. security legislation, a contro- with the intent of The article would crimi- versy intensified by the beating harming their 'physical nalise the publication of images and racial abuse of a black man of on-duty police officers with that shocked France. or psychological the intent of harming their The demonstrations against integrity. It is awaiting “physical or psychological the security law — which would Senate approval. integrity”. It was passed by the restrict the publication of police National Assembly although it officers’ faces — took place is awaiting Senate approval. nationwide with 46,000 as a car, newspaper kiosk and The controversy over the marching in Paris according to brasserie were set on fire close law and police violence is the government and several to Place de la Bastille, police developing into another crisis fires erupting after clashes. said. for the government as Macron Demonstrators clash with police during a protest against the ‘global security’ draft law, in Paris yesterday. President Emmanuel Some protesters threw confronts the pandemic, its eco- Macron said late Friday that the stones at the security forces nomic fallout and a host of images of the beating of black who responded by firing tear problems on the international For critics, the legislation is him and the Elysee. Three of the police involved music producer Michel Zecler gas, an AFP correspondent said. stage. further evidence of a slide to the The images of the beating in the beating of Zecler are by police officers in Paris last Police complained that pro- In a sign that the gov- right by Macron, who came to of Zecler emerged days after being probed for using racial weekend “shame us”. The testers were impeding fire ernment could be preparing to power in 2017 as a centrist the police were already under violence and all four are still incident had magnified con- services from putting out the backtrack, Prime Minister Jean promising liberal reform of fire over the forcible removal being held for questioning after cerns about alleged systemic blazes and said nine people had Castex announced on Friday France. of a migrant camp in central their detention Saturday was racism in the police force. been detained by the early that he would appoint a com- “The police violence has left Paris. extended for another 24 hours, “Police everywhere, justice evening. mission to redraft Article 24. Emmanuel Macron facing a A series of high-profile prosecutors said. nowhere” and “police state” and Thousands also took part in But he was forced into a political crisis,” said the Le cases against police officers In a letter seen by AFP, Paris “smile while you are beaten” other marches in France, U-turn even on this proposal Monde daily. over mistreatment of black or police chief Didier Lallement were among the slogans bran- including in Bordeaux, Lille, after parliament speaker The issue has also pressured Arab citizens has raised accu- wrote to officers warning them dished as protesters marched Montpellier and Nantes. Richard Ferrand — a close Macron’s high-flying right-wing sations of institutionalised they risked facing “anger and from Place de la Republique to An investigation has been Macron ally — accused the Interior Minister Gerald Dar- racism. The force has insisted fear” in the coming weeks but the nearby Place de la Bastille. opened against the four police premier of trying to usurp the manin with Le Monde saying violations are the fault of iso- insisted he could count on their There were tensions in Paris involved but commentators say role of parliament. tensions were growing between lated individuals. “sense of honour and ethics”. Far-right AfD Italy reports 686 holds congress Johnson appoints vaccine rollout minister new virus deaths REUTERS — LONDON the new measures will cause despite virus unnecessary economic harm to REUTERS — MILAN curbs in Germany England needs tough restric- local businesses. tions after its current lockdown There is also some public Italy reported 686 COVID-19- AFP – BERLIN ends if hospitals are not to opposition to the restrictions. related deaths yesterday, become overwhelmed, a senior Police in central London said against 827 the day before, and Around 600 delegates from minister said yesterday, as the they made over 60 arrests 26,323 new infections, down Germany’s far right AfD government prepares for a during anti-lockdown demon- from 28,352 on Friday, the gathered yesterday for a mass vaccine roll-out. strations on Saturday. health ministry said. There congress that the authorities Prime Minister Boris Gove said the level of were 225,940 swabs carried have warned could become a Johnson named Nadhim Zahawi infection across the country out in the past day, compared coronavirus hotspot, as the as a new health minister to remained “uncomfortably and with a previous 222,803. party increasingly aligns itself oversee the deployment of the threateningly high.” He noted Italy was the first Western with those protesting anti- vaccine as the Financial Times that the number of hospital country to be hit by the virus COVID-19 restrictions. reported that the UK is set to beds filled with infected and has seen 54,363 COVID-19 Alternative for Germany approve the Pfizer/BioNTech patients was not far from its fatalities since its outbreak co-leader Tino Chrupalla vaccine next week. peak earlier in the year. emerged in February, the opened the event by attacking But despite progress with From the current high base, second highest toll in Europe the “state of emergency” policy the vaccine, Cabinet Office min- the National Health Service after Britain. It has also regis- introduced by Chancellor ister Michael Gove said tough would be under severe threat tered 1.564 million cases. Police officers take position during an anti-lockdown demonstration Angela Merkel’s government measures were still necessary if infections started to rise While Italy’s daily death in London, Britain, yesterday. to tackle the health crisis. to fight the disease after the again and tougher measures tolls have been amongst the “Lives have been broken, current national lockdown ends were needed to manage the highest in Europe over recent there’s a wave of bank- on December 2. government plans in a vote next Johnson’s Conservative party virus, he said. “These new tiers, days, the rise in hospital ruptcies... lots of people have Writing in The Times, Gove week. More than 20 million have voiced opposition to the alongside the wider admissions and intensive care lost their jobs,” he told the con- warned that without further people across large swathes of tiered restrictions plan. deployment of mass testing, occupancy has slowed, sug- gress being held in a vast hall restrictions on most of Eng- England will be forced to live Some argue that the areas have the capacity to prevent gesting the latest wave of in a former nuclear plant in the land’s population hospitals under the toughest tier of cor- they represent have low our NHS being overwhelmed infections was receding. Anti- western city of Kalkar. would be overwhelmed. He navirus restrictions. A growing infection rates but face the until vaccines arrive,” said COVID-19 restrictions would To win approval for the urged lawmakers to back number of lawmakers in toughest rules, while others say Gove. be eased in five regions today. huge gathering at a time when Germans are asked to limit their contacts to just two households at a time, the AfD At least three dead in Sardinia floods 400,649 deaths from had to sign up to stringent rules including compulsory AFP — ROME evacuated some residents from Video images on the mask wearing and social low-lying areas, Italian media website of the Unione Sarda virus across Europe distancing. At least three people were killed reported. newspaper showed a river of Outside the venue — now in Sardinia yesterday, Italian Nuoro mayor Andrea Soddu water and mud tearing past AFP — PARIS Aurelie, a manager in the a hotel and leisure complex — media reported, after heavy wrote on Facebook that resi- homes in a town identified as L’Oreal section at Galeries about 500 people demon- rain caused flooding and rivers dents should take “maximum Bitti. The Repubblica news- Coronavirus deaths topped Lafayette. strated against the staging of of mud on the Mediterranean precautions” and stay inside paper reported that the victims 400,000 yesterday in Europe, Belgium will allow shops to the conference following a call island. until a red alert was called off. were an elderly couple and a the world’s second worst-hit reopen from December 1, but by the “Stand up to Racism” Two people were also Heavy rain and strong farmer trapped in his truck in region, as parts of the continent keep the current semi- coalition. missing in the north-central winds have battered the area a river of mud. In 2013, severe began to reopen shops for the lockdown in place possibly Kalkar’s mayor Britta town of Bitti, in the province of since Friday, cutting electricity flooding in the north of Sardinia holiday season. until mid-January. The move Schulz had said it was “irre- Nuoro, and the authorities and phone lines. killed 19 people. Europe crossed the grim mirrors similar easing in sponsible” to hold such a big barrier yesterday, registering Germany, Luxembourg and the event and warned it could 400,649 deaths according to Netherlands. “become a (virus) hotspot,” an AFP tally at 0800 GMT. Ireland has also announced but acknowledged that the Britain accounted for a staggered easing of restric- gathering could not be almost two-thirds of the fatal- tions to allow some businesses banned. ities with 57,551, followed by to reopen and for families to In contrast, Merkel’s Italy (53,677), France (51,914) gather ahead of Christmas. Christian Democratic Union and Spain (44,668). Germany, once a beacon of has twice postponed its con- Stores began lifting their hope in Europe’s coronavirus gress to elect a new leader shutters in France yesterday, nightmare, logged more than because of the risks of coro- while Poland’s shopping one million cases on Friday. navirus contagion. centres will also reopen. Although the virus spread The Green party last “I’d rather avoid the is slowing thanks to weeks of weekend held its meeting internet, I’m going to buy things tough restrictions, Europe online. in the shops. They need it,” said remains at the heart of the pan- Shrugging off possible Anne Dubois, one of the first demic, recording more cases risks, the AfD’s health policy customers applauded through than the United States in the spokesman Detlev Span- the doors by staff at Paris’ vast past week. genberg claimed: “The coro- Galeries Lafayette department Germany’s Robert Koch navirus is comparable to the store as it opened at 10:00 am. Institute recorded more than influenza in terms of the “Whether or not there’s 22,000 new daily cases on course taken by the illness as people here, at least we’ve got Friday, pushing the overall total well as in terms of its lethality. Cars seen submerged in debris after heavy rainfall flooded the town of Bitti, Italy, yesterday. our daily life getting back to in the country beyond the one- So the serious measures (taken normal,” said 36-year-old million mark. to fight it) are not proportionate.” Germany has recorded more than one million coro- UK, France agree on plan to curb Channel migrant crossings navirus infections and close to 16,000 people have died, AP — LONDON Home Secretary Priti Patel and It said the two countries had organized by smugglers during their children aged 6 and 9, died according to official data. French Interior Minister Gerald agreed to spend ¤31.4m ($41m) the coronavirus pandemic when their boat capsized in the The AfD has been the The British government said Darmanin had agreed on the on the measures. because virus restrictions have Channel. focus of repeated contro- yesterday that it had struck an measure as part of efforts to Migrants have long used reduced traffic between France Their 15-month-old son is versies since it began life as a agreement with France to make the route “unviable” for northern France as a launching and Britain. missing and presumed eurosceptic outfit seven years double the number of French people-smugglers. point to reach Britain — usually More than 8,000 people drowned. ago. police patrolling beaches in the The agreement also will in trucks or on ferries — and the have made the dangerous Aid and human rights AfD politicians are now country’s north in an attempt boost surveillance using issue has long strained relations journey so far this year, up from groups say the best way to stop also regularly marching to stop people crossing the “drones, radar equipment, between the two countries. about 1,800 in all of 2019. the journeys is to provide safe alongside demonstrators English Channel in small boats. optronic binoculars and fixed Many migrants appear to Last month, a family from routes for people to seek asylum against coronavirus curbs. Britain’s Home Office said cameras,” the UK said. have turned to small boats Iran, including two parents and in Britain. 14 EUROPE / AMERICAS SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 Make-or-break Brexit talks resume in London

AFP — LONDON imposition of a hard border Concern is particularly threatens the delicate peace European Union chief nego- secured by 1999’s Good Friday tiator Michel Barnier resumed acute on the border Agreement. make-or-break Brexit talks between EU member Johnson spoke with Irish with British counterpart David Ireland and the British Prime Minister Micheal Martin Frost in London yesterday with province of Northern late Friday and “underlined his the clock ticking for a deal on Ireland, where the commitment to reaching a deal future trading arrangements. that respects the sovereignty of It is the first time they have sudden imposition of a the UK”. But he also “reaffirmed met face-to-face since Barnier hard border threatens the need to prioritise the Good went into self-isolation after a the delicate peace Friday Agreement and avoid a member of his team caught secured by 1999’s Good hard border on the island of coronavirus. Friday Agreement. Ireland,” according to a A failure to reach an summary of the call released agreement would see Britain by London. and the EU trading on World later told ambassadors from Johnson earlier told Trade Organization terms, with member states, according to a reporters the “likelihood of a tariffs immediately imposed on European source familiar with deal is very much determined Protest against COVID-19 curbs goods travelling to and from the the closed-door meeting. Prime by our friends and partners in Coronavirus sceptics protest against restrictions imposed by the government near the Germany- continent. Minister Boris Johnson’s lead the EU”, adding there were “sub- Poland border in Slubice, Poland, yesterday. Britain has been largely negotiator Frost said that stantial and important differ- trading on the same terms with people were “asking me why ences to be bridged.” A key the EU since it officially left the we are still talking,” he tweeted. sticking point is the EU’s bloc in January as part of a tran- “My answer is that it’s my demand for a post-Brexit “level sition agreement that expires at job to do my utmost to see if the playing field”, with punishing Belgium eases some virus restrictions the end of the year. As it stands, conditions for a deal exist. It is trade penalties if either side it will leaves Europe’s trade and late but a deal is still possible, diverges from agreed standards AP — BRUSSELS week. Prime Minister Alex- to two people inside their customs area in five weeks with and I will continue to talk until or state aid regulations, but ander De Croo said that beyond home,” De Croo said. talks on a follow-on agreement it’s clear that it isn’t.” Britain does not want to be Belgium has relaxed some rules containing the virus, everyone It was only a tiny con- stalled over fishing rights and A no-deal scenario is widely bound by rules made in Brussels. imposed to contain the coro- had to make sure that lone- cession for the Christmas fair trade rules. expected to cause economic Britain’s fishing waters are navirus resurgence but is liness did not strike. break, compared to what some Both parties warned on chaos, with customs checks also a hot topic, with sources remaining strict on family gath- “We must also be sure that other European nations Friday that success was not required at borders. on Friday saying that Barnier erings over Christmas. during Christmas and New Year envisage. guaranteed, with Barnier Concern is particularly told envoys that London was Now that all the virus indi- people are not alone, so that is One of the hardest-hit tweeting that the “same signif- acute on the border between asking that European access to cators are declining, the gov- why on the evening of countries in Europe, Belgium icant divergences persist”. EU member Ireland and the them be cut by 80 percent, ernment said Friday that non- December 24 or 25 isolated has reported more than 16,000 “We are not far from the British province of Northern while the EU was willing to essential shops could open people, people living alone, will deaths linked to the take it or leave it moment,” he Ireland, where the sudden accept 15 to 18 percent. under restricted conditions next have the possibility to invite up coronavirus. Sweden seeks Cuban artists protest against govt over freedom of expression more information AFP — HAVANA obligation,” said activist Michel from Friday’s protesters to reopen 1994 Matos. “They are public officials included information on the About 200 Cuban artists of this country and this has whereabouts of Otero and ferry disaster case demonstrated outside the coun- become a political situation.” Ramos, the release of Solis and try’s culture ministry on Friday The San Isidro Movement an end to the “harassment” of AP — STOCKHOLM in a rare protest over freedom had been demanding the artists. of expression that received release of another member of “It is time for dialogue and Swedish authorities said on support from leading Cuban the group, rapper Denis Solis, I believe that you young people Friday they need more infor- cinema figures. arrested on November 9 and must be listened to,” well- mation before deciding The demonstration followed sentenced to eight months in known actor and director Jorge whether to reopen the case of the expulsion by authorities on prison for contempt. Perugorria, 55, told the a 1994 ferry sinking in the Thursday night of protesting After the raid on their protesters. Baltic that killed 852 people, members of an artists’ collective premises, the 14 members of the He was accompanied by in one of Europe’s deadliest from their premises in the his- group were given Covid-19 tests prominent filmmaker Fernando peacetime disasters at sea. toric centre of Havana. and returned to their homes, Perez, 76. A group of young intellectuals and artists demonstrate outside the A TV documentary aired Authorities said the eviction with the collective’s head- Amnesty International in a Ministry of Culture in Havana, Cuba, on Friday. September 28 on the M/S of the 14 members of the San quarters closed by the author- statement called for the release Estonia includes video images Isidro Movement was necessary ities, activists said on social of Otero and Ramos, calling from the wreck site showing due to COVID-19 protocols Demonstrators outside the in Cuba, where permission for media. them “prisoners of conscience, a hole in the hull measuring 4 since one had returned from culture ministry on Friday such protests is not often given. Two of them refused to go imprisoned solely because of meters (13 feet) on the star- Mexico via the United States demanded “dialogue” and rep- Security personnel and uni- home and were arrested again: their consciously held beliefs”. board side. In 1997, Sweden, and not properly quarantined. resentatives were waiting to formed police watched over the Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, US State Department official Estonia and Finland concluded They had been protesting meet with vice minister protest from a distance but 32, a plastics artist, and Michael Kozak said on Twitter in a report that the ferry sank for 10 days, with six of them on Fernando Rojas after having without intervening. Anamely Ramos, 35. that “the international com- after the bow door locks failed hunger strike, and their gathered there for much of the “On the one hand, we do not Some activists said on social munity is demanding the in a storm. The report flatly movement had gained signif- day. have much confidence, but on media that Ramos had been regime respect Cuban human rejected the theory of a hole, icant attention. The demonstration was rare the other we feel that it is an released. The list of demands rights.” which has long been the focus of speculation about a possible explosion on board, or col- lision with another vessel. Prosecutors probing “In order to be able to further assess the relevance of the new film material and death of Maradona compare it with the 1997 report from the Joint Com- AFP — BUENOS AIRES or if they relaxed,” the family mission of Inquiry, more doc- member told AFP. uments need to be collected Argentine prosecutors are “The nurse made a and further analyses carried investigating the circumstances statement when the prosecutor out,” the Swedish Accident surrounding the death of Diego appeared on the day of Diego’s Investigation Authority said on Maradona and whether it could death, then expanded her Friday. have involved medical negli- statement and finally went on The authority also said it gence, judicial sources said on television to say that what she needs surveys of the seabed Friday. “There are already said was forced on her, so there conditions at the site and to irregularities,” a close family is some contradiction in her make analyses of the ship’s member told AFP. statement,” the close relative hull structure and materials “to Maradona’s lawyer, Matias said. The prosecutor’s office is assess the appearance of the Morla, had earlier called for an awaiting the results of toxico- holes in the ship’s hull.” It investigation into claims that logical tests on Maradona’s added that investigators have ambulances took more than body. The three prosecutors been given the opportunity to half an hour to reach the working on the case have review the unedited raw film football star’s house in response requested the star’s medical material and have also to an emergency call on the day records, as well as recordings inspected the ferry’s bow visor of his death. from neighbourhood security in Sweden. Some 758 bodies Anti-govt protest in Chile A preliminary autopsy cameras. remain entombed on the car report established that Another nurse caring for A demonstrator prepares to throw a stone against a riot police vehicle during a protest against Chile’s ferry, which rests 80 meters Maradona died in his sleep at Maradona was likely the last government in Santiago, Chile, on Friday. underwater. noon on Wednesday of “acute person to see the star alive, at lung edema and chronic heart dawn on Wednesday, prose- failure.” The prosecutor’s office cutors said in a statement on in Buenos Aires has opened a Friday. “From his words, it Over 700 gang members arrested in Central America file entitled “Maradona, Diego. could be established that he Determination of the cause of was the last person to see REUTERS — MEXICO CITY associates engaged in tran- is a top priority for US Pres- arrested 40 individuals and death.” “The case was initiated (Maradona) alive at approxi- snational crimes,” said US ident Donald Trump. served 29 arrest warrants because he is a person who mately 6:30 in the morning,” El Salvador, Guatemala and Attorney General William Prosecutors in El Salvador against people already in died at home and no one signed as the night shift at the star’s Honduras have brought Barr, according to the this week filed criminal custody, all of whom are his death certificate. It does not house was ending, it said. criminal charges against more statement. charges against 1,152 members of the 18th Street mean there are suspicions or The nurse, interviewed by than 700 members of cross- The charges resulted from members of organized crime gang and MS-13, the DOJ said. irregularities,” a judicial source prosecutors on Thursday, border criminal organisa- a one-week coordinated law groups in the country, pri- Guatemalan authorities said, requesting to remain “referred to having found him tions, primarily the MS-13 and enforcement action under marily MS-13 and 18th Street seized drugs and a firearm, anonymous. resting in his bed, assuring that 18th Street gangs, in a Operation Regional Shield gangs, the statement said. and filed charges for The 60-year-old Argentine he was sleeping and breathing US-assisted effort, the US (ORS), a DOJ-led initiative to The national civil police extortion, illicit association, football legend was receiving normally.” Maradona’s nephew Department of Justice said on combat transnational captured 572 of the conspiracy to commit murder round-the-clock medical care Johnny Herrera was previously Friday. organized crime that brings defendants on charges and extortive obstruction. at a house in a gated com- believed to have been the last “The US Department of together authorities from El involving terrorism, murder, In Honduras, the one- munity in Tigre, north of person to see Maradona, at Justice and our law Salvador, Guatemala, Hon- extortion, kidnapping, money week joint operation resulted Buenos Aires, where he was 11:30pm on Tuesday. Investi- enforcement partners in duras, Mexico and the United laundering, human trafficking in the arrest of over 75 MS-13 recuperating from surgery to gators have also established that Central America are com- States. and human smuggling, among and 18th Street gang members remove a clot on his brain in Maradona’s personal doctor, mitted to continued collabo- Tackling transnational others. and five police officers and early November. Leopoldo Luque, had already ration in locating and human smuggling networks In Guatemala, authorities the execution of over 10 “You have to see if they did made a 911 call at 12:16 pm, arresting gang members and and gangs, including MS-13, executed 80 search warrants, search warrants. what they were supposed to do requesting an ambulance. SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 AMERICAS 15 US vaccine plans take shape; virus curbs stay

REUTERS — WASHINGTON Los Angeles household are prohibited, county announced except for faith based services US health authorities will hold and protests, which are consti- an emergency meeting next a temporary ban tutionally protected rights,” it week to recommend that a on gatherings of added. The county has suffered coronavirus vaccine awaiting people from different over 7,600 coronavirus deaths. approval be given first to California last week healthcare professionals and households under a imposed a night-time curfew people in long-term care new “safer-at-home across much of the state, while facilities. order” triggered by Los Angeles county on The meeting, announced on Wednesday barred dining at Friday by a US Centers for a spike in COVID-19 restaurants but allowed delivery Disease Control and Prevention cases, with religious to continue. All schools can (CDC) committee on immuni- remain open unless they record zations, suggests that the Food services and protests outbreaks. and Drug Administration (FDA) exempt. Washington DC Mayor may be close to authorizing dis- Muriel Bowser said her latest tribution of the long-awaited COVID-19 restrictions on gath- medication, at least to those vaccine would come as erings also applied to indoor considered most vulnerable. welcome news to Americans, religious services, reducing the United Airlines has begun who political leaders have maximum number of wor- moving shipments of the vaccine, clamped under increasingly shippers from 100 to 50 people. developed by Pfizer Inc, on aggressive measures to curtail Americans already weary charter flights to ensure it can be the spread of the virus. from eight months of lock- quickly distributed once it is Los Angeles county downs began the holiday season A sign on the entrance to a pharmacy reads “COVID-19 Vaccine Not Yet Available”, in Burbank, California, approved, according to a person announced a temporary ban on on Friday under pressure to stay in this November 23 picture. familiar with the matter. gatherings of people from dif- home, avoid gatherings and The CDC’s Advisory Com- ferent households under a new curtail festive shopping. mittee on Immunization Prac- “safer-at-home order” triggered Roughly 90,000 patients Michelle Lujan Grisham imposed Thursday but others chose to of any day since the start of the tices will vote on Tuesday to by a spike in COVID-19 cases, were being treated for a lockdown requiring all “non- travel, saying they were willing pandemic, according to the recommend that the FDA allow with religious services and pro- COVID-19 in hospitals, a essential” businesses to close and to risk illness to see family. Transportation Security Admin- healthcare professionals and tests exempt. number that has doubled in the residents to stay home. On the day before Thanks- istration. More than 4 million long-term care facilities to be The order will take effect last month to the highest since Some politicians and health giving, typically one of the travelled through airports from the first two groups to get initial today and last at least three the pandemic began. experts feared Americans trav- busiest travel days of the year Sunday to Thursday, compared vaccine supplies, a CDC spokes- weeks, until December 20. “All About 880 people were hos- elling for Thanksgiving could in the United States, more than with more than 11 million for the woman said. public and private gatherings pitalized with COVID-19 on spread the contagion. Many 1.07 million people transited same period last year, TSA data A green light for any with individuals not in your Friday in New Mexico. Governor heeded advice to stay home on through US airports — the most shows. Democrats eye young Guantanamo prisoners see hope in Biden win AP — WASHINGTON necessary. Now there’s hope extricating the US from a nearly 50 countries. Bush voters to win Georgia that will resume under Biden. detention center that costs announced his intention to close The oldest prisoner at the Guan- “I am more hopeful now more than $445m per year. it, though 242 were still held tanamo Bay detention center simply because we have an Biden’s precise intentions for there when his presidency ended. and the Senate went to his latest review board administration to look forward Guantanamo remain unclear. The Obama administration, hearing with a degree of hope, to that isn’t dead set on ignoring Transition spokesman Ned Price seeking to allay concerns that BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON something that has been scarce the existing review process,” said the President-elect supports some of those released had during his 16 years locked up Paracha’s attorney, Shelby Sul- closing it, but it would be inap- “returned to the fight,” set up a Democrats’ chances to win without charges at the US base livan-Bennis, said by phone propriate to discuss his plans in process to ensure those repat- Georgia’s two Senate seats — in Cuba. from the base on November 19 detail before he’s in office. riated or resettled in third coun- and control of the US Senate — Saifullah Paracha, a after the hearing. The detention center tries no longer posed a threat. could hinge on motivating 73-year-old Pakistani with dia- Guantanamo was once a opened in 2002. President It also planned to try some of voters under 30 to beat their betes and a heart condition, had source of global outrage and a George W Bush’s administration the men in federal court. record turnout in the general two things going for him that symbol of US excess in response transformed what had been a But his closure effort was election. he didn’t have at previous to terrorism. But it largely faded sleepy Navy outpost on Cuba’s thwarted when Congress barred While Republicans are hearings: A favourable legal from the headlines after Pres- southeastern tip into a place to the transfer of prisoners from more focused on overall development and the election ident Barack Obama failed to interrogate and imprison Guantanamo to the US, turnout in this usually conserv- of Joe Biden. close it, even as 40 men con- people suspected of links to Al including for prosecution or ative state, Democrats are sys- President Donald Trump tinue to be detained there. Qaeda and the Taliban after the medical care. Obama ended up tematically reaching out to had effectively ended the Those pushing for its September 11, 2001 attacks. releasing 197 prisoners, leaving young people who helped Joe Obama administration’s closure now see a window of At its peak in 2003 — the year 41 for Trump. Biden (pictured) flip Georgia practice of reviewing the cases opportunity, hoping Biden’s Paracha was captured in The Trump administration blue. This demographic, 56 of men held at Guantanamo and administration will find a way Thailand because of suspected approved a single release, a percent of which voted for releasing them if imprisonment to prosecute those who can be ties to Al Qaeda — Guantanamo Saudi who pleaded guilty before Biden, will be key to helping turned 18 in January, according was no longer deemed prosecuted and release the rest, held about 700 prisoners from a military commission. Democrats Jon Ossoff and to the Civics Center, an organ- Raphael Warnock beat Repub- ization focused on registering lican incumbent Senators David high schoolers to vote. Wisconsin Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Jacinda Jackson, who leads The US Senate would be the Young Democrats of recount sought split 50-50 if Democrats win DeKalb county, calls them “the the two January 5 runoffs, margin”. “What you will find is by Trump ups which would give Kamala that these young voters put you Harris, as vice-president, the right over the top to guarantee Biden’s margin tie-breaking vote to clinch the that win,” Jackson said. majority. The stakes are high for Biden beat Trump by less REUTERS — LOS ANGELES Biden’s agenda, since a Repub- than 13,000 votes in Georgia. lican-led Senate would be able None of the Senate candidates A recount in Wisconsin’s to bury legislation passed by the reached the 50 percent largest county demanded by Democratic-led House. threshold that would have Republican President Donald Yet getting young people to allowed them to avoid a runoff. Trump’s election campaign the polls is always challenging, Jackson called Biden’s win ended on Friday with Demo- and older people tend to be a “grassroots win”, thanks in cratic President-elect Joe more reliable voters than part to leaders like Stacey Biden gaining votes. young people — with 56 Abrams, who has spent the two After the recount in Mil- percent of voters 65 and older years since her gubernatorial waukee County, Biden had a net going for Republican Donald loss registering Georgians to gain of 132 votes, out of nearly Trump in Georgia. vote, especially young voters. 460,000 cast. Overall, Biden Add to that the fact that There is evidence that her gained 257 votes to Trump’s 125. voting tends to drop off heavily efforts paid off. Voters under Trump’s campaign had in special elections, and those 30 made up 20 percent of demanded recounts in two of are factors that tend to favour Georgia’s November electorate Wisconsin’s most populous and the Republican candidates. compared with 17 percent Democratic-leaning counties, Democrats remain opti- nationwide, according to mul- after losing Wisconsin to Biden mistic. There are 23,000 tiple exit polls. Even when Kamala Harris visits holiday market by over 20,000 votes. Georgia teenagers who were Trump won Georgia in 2016, The two recounts will cost US Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris greets fans in the Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, not eligible to vote in the voters under 30 overwhelm- the Trump campaign $3m. DC, yesterday. Harris made it point to shop at local shops for small business. general election but will have ingly voted for Hillary Clinton. Dane County is expected to finish its recount soon. After the recount ended, Milwaukee County Clerk George New rule could allow gas, firing squads for US executions Christenson said: “The recount demonstrates what we already AP — WASHINGTON will seek to use any methods an inmate by firing squad or death penalty now and in the rying out death sentences. know: That elections in Mil- other than lethal injection for electrocution unless the rel- future” and would work to end Alabama joined Oklahoma waukee County are fair, trans- The Justice Department is executions in the future. evant state has itself authorized its use. But he did not say and Mississippi in 2018 parent, accurate and secure.” quietly amending its execution The rule — which goes into that method of execution”. whether executions would be approving the use of nitrogen The state is due to certify its protocols, no longer requiring effect on December 24 — The official said two execu- paused immediately once Biden gas to execute prisoners, presidential result on Tuesday. federal death sentences to be comes as the Justice tions scheduled in December takes office. allowing the state to asphyxiate Meanwhile, Chris Krebs, carried out by lethal injection Department has scheduled five would be done by lethal Attorney-General William condemned inmates with the the top US cybersecurity and clearing the way to use executions during the lame- injection but didn’t provide Barr restarted federal execu- gas in some cases. official fired by Trump for other methods like firing squads duck period, including three information about three others tions this year after a 17-year In Florida, an inmate can saying the November 3 and poison gas. just days before President- scheduled in January. The hiatus. This year, the Justice specifically ask to be put to death election was the most secure The amended rule, pub- elect Joe Biden takes office. official spoke to The Associated Department has put to death by electrocution and in Wash- in American history said that lished on Friday in the Federal A Justice Department Press on condition of anonymity more people than during the ington state, inmates can ask to the voter fraud allegations Register, allows the US gov- official said the change was in order to discuss the internal previous half-century, despite be put to death by hanging. In made by Trump and his allies ernment to conduct executions made to account for the fact the department protocols. waning public support from Utah, prisoners sentenced before are “farcical”. by lethal injection or use “any Federal Death Penalty Act The change is likely to set both Democrats and Repub- May 2004 can choose to be killed Chris Krebs told the CBS other manner prescribed by the requires sentences be carried off intense criticism from Dem- licans for its use. by a firing squad. 60 Minutes program: “There’s law of the state in which the out in the “in the manner pre- ocrats and anti-death penalty All states that use the death Trump has spoken often no evidence that any machine sentence was imposed”. scribed by the law of the state advocates, as the Trump admin- penalty allow lethal injection — about capital punishment and that I’m aware of has been A number of states allow in which the sentence is istration tries to push through and that is the primary method his belief that executions serve manipulated by a foreign other methods of execution, imposed’’, and some of those a number of rule changes before in all states where other methods as an effective deterrent and an power,” Krebs said, calling including electrocution, inhaling states use methods other than Trump leaves office. are allowed. As lethal injection appropriate punishment for such allegations “farcical nitrogen gas or death by firing lethal injection. A spokesperson for Biden drugs become difficult to obtain, some crimes, including mass claims.” He added: “The squad. It remains unclear The official said the federal said earlier this month that the some states have begun looking shootings and the killings of American people should have whether the Justice Department government “will never execute President-elect “opposes the at alternative methods for car- police officers. 100% confidence in their vote.” SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 16

Museum to record Londoners’ dreams to document pandemic

PRAYER AFP — LONDON The project 'Guardians However, this can often disso- TIMINGS of Sleep' will collect ciate the dream from the PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING The Museum of London has dreamer,” she said. announced a project to collect the dreams in the “We will collect dreams as the dreams of Londoners during form of oral histories. first-person oral histories with FAJR 04.39 am the coronavirus pandemic as a the aim to provide a more emo- SUNRISE 06.01 am way to document the impact of tional and personal narrative the crisis. mind not just during waking of this time for future genera- DHUHR 11.22 am The lives of inhabitants of hours but also during sleep. tions,” she added. ASR 02.23 pm the British capital have changed The Museum of London is Sharon Sliwinski, creator of MAGHRIB 04.45 pm “not just in the day to day” launching the initiative in part- the Museum of Dreams, said the ISHA 06.15 pm because of the pandemic, but nership with the Museum of research with the Museum of also “in relation to how we Dreams based at Western Uni- London “aims to provide a rich sleep and dream”, the museum versity in Canada. resource for further under- said. Foteini Aravani, digital standing the significance of The project, dubbed curator at the Museum of dream-life as a mechanism for “Guardians of Sleep”, will look London, said the recording of working through social to collect the dreams in the dreams would allow it to “doc- conflict”. form of oral histories. ument a key shared experience The project will take place It will also explore what from the pandemic” but also to in February 2021 with the insight dreams might offer into stretch the definition of a public invited to speak about mental health and ways of “museum object”. their COVID-19 dreams with an WEATHER coping with external stresses, “Traditionally, when international team of trained TODAY especially in times of crisis. museums have collected experts. According to a King’s dreams it has been in the form The conversations will last Turning Torso skyscraper College London/Ipsos MORI of artistic impression, for approximately half an hour and The Turning Torso skyscraper in Malmo, Sweden, is surrounded survey in June, the global example, paintings or drawings will then be considered for by sea smoke on Friday. COVID-19 crisis can trouble the influenced by the events. acquisition. 23oC 27oC Ken Jennings to Minimum Maximum French travelling circus stranded in Belgian car park Moderate temperature daytime be first interim and partly cloudy with a chance of REUTERS — GEMBLOUX, BELGIUM scattered rain at places. ‘Jeopardy!’ host The exotic animals are confined to small W ALRUWAIS : 23o → 27o paddocks, the acrobats have been AP — NEW YORK W ALKHOR : 19o → 25o grounded, and the clowns aren’t able to W DUKHAN : 22o → 29o make an audience laugh anymore. “Jeopardy!” record-holder Ken W WAKRAH : 22o → 28o The coronavirus has brought the curtain Jennings will be the first in a down on the Zavatelli Circus, at least for series of interim hosts W MESAIEED : 22o → 28o the time being. replacing Alex Trebek when W ABUSAMRA : 16o → 22o Unable to travel or perform across the show resumes production Europe, the French family-run operation next Monday. HIGH TIDE is waiting out the pandemic in a car park Producers announced on 04:43 – 14:48 in the southern Belgium town of Gembloux Monday that Jennings, who — and quickly running out of funds to feed won 74 games in a row and LOW TIDE 11:26 – 22:29 its animals. claimed the show’s “Greatest “For us, the confinement is very difficult of All Time” title in a compe- because we are not working. We have no tition last year, will host epi- cash flow,” said circus director Kevin sodes that air in January. Dubois. The Zavatelli Circus typically A long-term host to replace Georgia pitches its 600-seater Big Top in 30 cities Trebek, who died of cancer on each year. But since March, when COVID-19 November 8, will be named Floye Dubois, a juggler at the Zavatelli Circus, practices in a parking lot where the circus Aquarium’s cases began rising in Europe, it has only later. has been maintained under lockdown for about a year, in Gembloux, Belgium, on Thursday. been able to perform with a reduced “By bringing in familiar largest female capacity, or not at all during Belgium’s guest hosts for the foreseeable spring and autumn lockdowns. Dubois said. The cost of food for the animals perform there either. Belgium, like France, future, our goal is to create a whale shark dies The show features jugglers and runs to about ¤500 ($600) per week. There is under its second lockdown since the sense of community and con- acrobats, a conjuror, clowns and a are also 23 circus staff to support. coronavirus epidemic hit Europe in Feb- tinuity for our viewers,” the AP — ATLANTA tightrope-walker, and a menagerie “We don’t know how to make ends ruary. Although shops are expected to show’s executive producer, including camels, llamas, buffaloes and meet,” he said. reopen soon, cultural operations such as Mike Richards, said. The largest female whale ponies. Now the staff are living in trailers The Zavatelli Circus is one of three circuses in Belgium must remain closed The show is in its 37th year shark at the Georgia Aquarium in the car park, stopping their skills from family operations that date back to 1800 until further notice. of syndication. It is still airing in Atlanta has died. going rusty with outdoor practice sessions and was once known as the Cirque de Paris. Dubois lamented the lack of state shows that Trebek filmed Trixie, who had been at the in the crisp Autumn air. The two others, Armanzo and financial support. before his death. Art Fleming aquarium since 2006, died The animals are kept in enclosures Anderland, owned by the same family, are “We have not received any financial hosted earlier editions of the Friday, the aquarium said in a under red-and white striped awnings, with also on the rented site in Gembloux, about assistance (from the authorities). A lot of game show, including the statement on its Facebook straw strewn over the car park’s ground. 50 km (30 miles) south of Brussels. people gave us bread, carrots, they bring original “Jeopardy!” that page. “Frankly, it is becoming an issue While the circus could return home to us seeds, hay. But in terms of money, we debuted in 1964 on NBC and “She was having difficulty because we have 60 animals to feed,” France, it would not be permitted to did not get anything,” Dubois said. aired for a decade. navigating the habitat earlier in the day and then her health rapidly declined,” the aquarium said. “Even after Mara and Dona: Argentine twins a living tribute to soccer great exhaustive veterinary and animal care efforts, she ulti- REUTERS — BUENOS AIRES crowding the streets around the status in Argentina, where his mately passed away.” capital as his body was taken to nickname “D10S” is a play of the Whale sharks, which are In the Rotundo household in be buried. Spanish word for his famed the largest fish in the world, Buenos Aires, the spirit of Diego The naming of the twins number 10 shirt. Mara and Dona have gray skin with white dots Maradona has a living tribute: was never in doubt, said their have their own Argentina shirts and live in tropical waters twin nine-year-old girls, Mara dad, Walter Rotundo, who has with the number and their across the globe, including and Dona, named after the a tattoo of Maradona on his names. Mexico and parts of Asia. soccer legend who died this back and proudly shows a pho- Mara, older than her sister They are considered week. tograph of the soccer star by a minute, said she loved her endangered, according to the The diminutive playmaker, holding a picture of the two girls name and the story behind it. International Union for Con- one of the world’s best ever who as infants. “It seems very beautiful to servation of Nature Red List of led Argentina to World Cup Walter said the decision me to have this name and what Threatened Species. glory, inspired avid support over the names went back to I like the most about this name According to the Georgia through his magic on the pitch the 1990 World Cup when he is knowing why he called me Aquarium website, their and his charisma off it, despite saw Maradona cry inconsolably that. I feel that this name is average length is between 18 a turbulent personal life dogged after losing the final 1-0 to West wonderful,” she said. and 32.8 feet (5.5 to 10 by addiction. Germany. He told his wife, Dona said Maradona’s death metres). Maradona died of heart Stella Maris Prez, the first time had come as a shock. Trixie and another female failure on Wednesday and was they met that they would one “I can’t believe that he died whale shark arrived at the laid to rest on Thursday amid day have two daughters - or why he died,” she said. “He Twin sisters Mara and Dona pose for photos at their house, in aquarium in 2006 after they huge fanfare and high emotion, named after the star. is a very good person, he did not Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday. were flown more than 8,000 with thousands of people Maradona has almost cult deserve that.” miles from Taipei, Taiwan, on a specially configured freighter. The aquarium cur- rently has three other whale Painting by Whiteley smashes Australian art auction record sharks. “She contributed enor- REUTERS — SYDNEY to paint over a matchbook in the so many other things that they would 20 people attended the Thursday mously to our understanding painting that suggested drug use. like to do.” The price also confirms auction in person, including Wilson, of whale sharks and their A painting by famed Australian artist The sale price, which beat a pre- the importance of Whiteley’s “Lav- but the only bids came over the care,” the aquarium said. “Loss Brett Whiteley has sold at auction for vious record of A$5.4m, reflects how ender Bay” period, when he was phone, ensuring the buyer, a private is inevitable, but that does not A$6.25m ($4.6m), setting a new record for those with money to spend, luxury starting his rise to fame and sought collector, went unidentified. The make it any less painful. We in the country and underscoring the goods are a safe place since travel refuge in a house where he could hammer went down in less than four are so proud to have been appeal of art investments amid the and socialising are largely out of perfect his craft on one subject, the minutes, Wilson said. stewards of her care for 15 uncertainties of the coronavirus bounds. harbour, rather than chasing new Evatt’s wife Elizabeth, who was years. We will miss you, pandemic. “Being at home, looking at your inspiration. selling the piece after her husband’s Trixie.” “Henri’s Armchair” is a chaotic four walls more than you’re used to, “There are not too many sure bets 2018 death, told the room her late The whale shark looks depiction of Sydney Harbour with an collecting art has come to the fore and in the world of art, but a Whiteley husband had been at the races when ominous but is actually gentle, elongated viewpoint through the we’ve seen a lot more bidding,” said painting from the mid-70s featuring Whiteley told him the gallery rejected eating plankton and small fish windows of Whiteley’s home in the Coralie Stow, Chief Executive Officer Lavender Bay comes pretty close,” his work. in the water and filtering it Lavender Bay area of Sydney. It was of Menzies Art Brands, which ran the said Ashleigh Wilson, author of She said Evatt paid Whiteley in through its tiny teeth and last sold by the artist to lawyer Clive sale. Whiteley biography Brett Whiteley: race winnings from the trunk of his quarter-size throat. The Evatt in the mid-1970s after Whiteley “It’s partly people wanting an Art, Life and the Other Thing. “That car, and when the gallery changed its spotted fish are considered refused a request from the state outlet that’s creative, that’s enhancing was a period when he really reached mind and requested the canvas, the sharks, not whales, despite gallery that commissioned the piece their life, when they’re restricted in the summit of his creativity.” About artist said, “It’s gone, mate”. their size.