NEW DELHI TIMES R.N.I. No 53449/91 DL-SW-1/4124/20-22 (Monday/Tuesday same week) (Published Every Monday) New Delhi Page 24 Rs. 7.00

27 April - 3 May 2020 Vol - 30 No. 13 Email : [email protected] Founder : Dr. Govind Narain Srivastava ISSN -2349-1221

Afghan Corona: Politics Love of more important than Palestinians vs. human life COVID-19 has affected everything in the respect for Israel world right from politics, to economics and The Israeli television series Fauda (chaos) trade. But the pandemic has failed to prevent has come back with season three and its main Afghan political forces from engaging in character, Doron, is once more opening our persistent political wrangling. The ongoing eyes to the tragedy that continues to afflict political stand-off continues with so much Palestinians and the Israeli Jews. intensity that the political powers are more concerned about their political future... A Netflix production, Fauda premiered... By Dr. Ankit Srivastava Page 3 By Tarek Fatah Page 2 Was Corona engineered in Wuhan to be used as a biological weapon?

By NDT Special Bureau Page 2

Feed the homeless animals Good conduct is vital for good Taiwan and the world powers during the COVID-19 crisis character evaluate the need for WHO

A few experiences of the millions I have had during the Good manners and ethics are what every individual seeks Of late, US President Trump has been hammering down first phase of COVID lockdown. On March 24th, when in every other individual. These values are the setting on the World Health Organization Director-General Tedros the lockdown was announced, I immediately... grounds for a good character that a society seeks... Adhanom Ghebreyesus. And by now the entire... By Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi Page 22 By Dr. Pramila Srivastava Page 21 By NDT Bureau Page 3

For critical insights One Year* Five Year* Subscribe Rs. 350 Rs. 1500 For more information Contact : +91-9999 337 800 To Subscribe E-Paper Whatsapp +91 9999 478 735 * Details on Page 21

1 twitter@NewDelhiTimes facebook.com/newdelhitimes www.NewDelhiTimes.com 2 27 April - 3 May 2020

Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES Was Corona engineered in Wuhan to be used as a biological weapon? for Virus Culture Collection, which preserves Various conspiracy theories have flourished research on bat coronaviruses could risk a ◆ By NDT Special Bureau more than 1,500 strains. The complex contains online but the institute declined to comment new SARS-like pandemic. The UN experts @NewDelhiTimes Asia’s first maximum security lab equipped as it had nothing to say in defence. It must inspect China’s Wuhan Lab and other to handle Class 4 pathogens (P4)-dangerous received samples of the then-unknown similar facilities. Something fishy happened [email protected] viruses that pose a high risk of person-to- virus on December 30, determined the viral in Wuhan out of carelessness and the world he China Centre for Virus Culture person transmission, such as Ebola. genome sequence on January 2 and submitted will never know. While working on bats T Collection-the largest virus bank in information to the WHO on January 11. China blood, it spilled over the suit of the virologist The P4 epidemiological laboratory was built Asia-is located in the far outskirts of Wuhan, blames others but itself promoted conspiracy and he left for home without disinfecting or in collaboration with French bio-industrial the capital of Hubei province. The US claims theory that the US army may have brought following Standard of Operating Procedures firm-Institut Merieux and the Chinese this high-security biosafety laboratory to be the virus to China. (SOP’s). The SARS-CoV-2, is a man-made Academy of Sciences and among a handful the cradle of the pandemic. virus, artificially mutated combining HIV+ of labs around the world cleared to handle Scientists allege that the virus originated in SARS. This biological warfare weapon was Initially, China’s scientists misguided the the P4. It houses a P3 laboratory too. bats before being passed to humans through engineered at Wuhan. Beijing says the WHO international community saying the virus an intermediary species like endangered has found no evidence that coronavirus was likely jumped from an animal to humans in American media voiced concern that the pangolin, whose scales are illegally man made and created in Wuhan lab. But trafficked in China for traditional medicine. China’s complicity with the WHO is now Chinese scientists’ January study revealed open. The WHO has lost the US funding. how the first COVID-19 patient had no What controversy? It’s the truth. The world connection to Wuhan’s infamous animal will never forgive China for this lackadaisical market, and neither did 13 of the first 41 approach. confirmed cases. Virus labs capture live video footage but China Shi Zhengli, China’s leading experts on bat is hiding it. All video footage and other records coronaviruses and the Deputy Director from November till date will reveal the truth. of the P4 lab, found in a study that SARS- Chinese investigation can’t be relied upon as CoV-2 genome sequence did not match any Chinese lie on the face with no guilt or fear of the bat coronaviruses her laboratory had as they do not believe in religion and have no previously collected and studied. “That could cultural morale. China must come clean and Photo Credit : Getty Images point to a potential lab accident from basic support investigation by a combined team of a wet market that sells wildlife in Wuhan. virus may have come-accidentally-from scientific research”, she said and warned international inspectors from the US, France, However, the very existence of the lab Wuhan facility. The US diplomatic cables almost a year back that the SARS-like the UK, Russia and Germany allowing full confirms that the germ spread not from the revealed inadequate safety standards over coronavirus outbreaks linked to bats could access to all labs and records. Wuhan lab must wet market but from the facility. The United researchers’ handling of the SARS-like happen in China. Truth can never be hidden. be shut down for the safety of the world. States has now mainstreamed its allegations. bat coronaviruses there. The pandemic’s It will come out soon uncovering more of The Secretary of State Pompeo has said the “patient zero” may have been infected by authoritarian China’s elaborate cover-up. China allowed the virus to spread all over the officials were doing a “full investigation” a strain of bat virus being studied at the The lab accident caused Corona pandemic world, while controlling it within the country. If into how the virus “got out into the world”. facility and gone into the population in and wet market is only a convenient ruse. China smelt the rat and isolated Wuhan from the Wuhan. Trump said “more and more, we’re In 2018, the US scientists visiting Wuhan rest of China, why it kept Wuhan connected to The Wuhan Institute of Virology-the epicentre hearing the story” and the United States was facility worried about inadequate safety and the whole world? China’s kids play endangered of Corona crisis-is home to the China Centre “doing a very thorough investigation”. management weaknesses and feared that the lives of people all over the world. Love of Palestinians vs. respect for Israel For me, a discussion about Muslim-Jewish ◆ By Tarek Fatah Author & Columnist, Canada relations or the Arab-Israeli dispute becomes a non-starter the moment the right of Israel @TarekFatah to exist as a Jewish state is challenged. [email protected] Having said that, I firmly believe Israel is in T he Israeli television series Fauda (chaos) violation of international law by continuing has come back with season three and its its occupation of the West Bank. I am against main character, Doron, is once more opening this occupation not because I am Muslim, our eyes to the tragedy that continues to but because I am against the occupation of afflict Palestinians and the Israeli Jews. any land by a foreign country.

A Netflix production, Fauda premiered in Whether it is Morocco’s continued occupation Feb. 2015, bringing the Israeli-Palestinian of Western Sahara, Pakistan’s occupation conflict right into our living rooms with its of Balochistan, Sudan’s occupation of raw violence that has become part of that Darfur, Indonesia’s now ended occupation region since the UN-sanctioned partition of East Timor or the refusal by four Muslim of British Palestine in 1948 into two — a countries — Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran — Jewish and an Arab state. to end the occupation of Kurdistan, for me, they all merit equal attention. It took me several decades before I understood the history of the region. Reading James For the Muslims of the world, the 1925 Michener’s The Source in the late 1960s invasion of the Kingdom of Hejaz by made me realize that far from being the Sultanate of Nejd and the continued European occupiers of Palestine, as we occupation of the holy cities of Mecca and Photo Credit : Getty Images were told, the Jews had been living around Medina by the Saudi royal family should be unless the fundamental myths that sustain did not occupy a thing … You must believe Jerusalem and the Levant for more than a our primary reason for anger, but it is not. In Judeophobia are challenged with courage. that we will fight, defeat, and annihilate millennium. In fact, it was the Arabs under fact, one would be hard-pressed to find any them, until not a single Jew remains on the Caliph Umar Al-Khattab who first occupied scholar or sheikh who would dare mention To understand this phenomenon, listen to face of the Earth. It is not me who says the lands of Palestine in the year 637CE by this sad part of contemporary Islamic history. the speech of Egyptian cleric Muhammad so. The Prophet said: ‘Judgment Day will dislodging the Byzantines. Hussein Ya’qoub that aired on Al-Rahma not come until you fight the Jews and kill For Jew-haters, the question of Palestine TV on January 17, 2009. them … As for you Jews – the curse of Thus, watching Fauda makes my heart is merely an excuse, not the reason. The Allah upon you. The curse of Allah upon bleed. How can two people who both have Islamist hatred of the Jew has little do with “If the Jews left Palestine to us, would we you, whose ancestors were apes and pigs. truth on their side be such mortal enemies? the state of Israel or a supposed love for start loving them? Of course not. We will You Jews have sown hatred in our hearts, The Israelis have a right to a Jewish State, Palestine. If tomorrow Hamas was able to never love them. Absolutely not … They are and we have bequeathed it to our children but my brothers, the Palestinians, also need fulfil its threat of wiping Israel from the face enemies not because they occupied Palestine. and grandchildren. You will not survive as a state of their own. of the map, hatred of the Jew would continue They would have been enemies even if they long as a single one of us remains.’” www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 3

Editorial NEW DELHI TIMES Afghan Corona: Politics more important than human life foreign forces but resorts to violence against and renew their commitment to a political feels cornered as the Taliban and Kabul continue ◆ By Dr. Ankit Srivastava the Afghan security forces for political up- solution to the conflict. The recent attack on targeting the IS to please the US. Chief Editor manship. Post-deal, Taliban carried out 2,162 a Sikh Gurudwara in Kabul by Islamic State @AnkitNDT attacks on Afghan government forces, group infuriated the Afghan government. Against President Ghani’s aggressive [email protected] reduced if from 70 to 15 per day on average Afghan intelligence arrested IS-K Commander move, Abdullah is adopting a reconciliatory during the peace week, but attacks trebled Aslam Farooqi. Afghan officials and media posture for political consolidation. After OVID-19 has affected everything in the after February 29 from 31 to 96 per day. The talked harshly against Pakistan. Afghanistan Ghani’s refusal to share the Chief Executive C world right from politics, to economics post Abdullah sought half-share in the and trade. But the pandemic has failed Cabinet, power to appoint Governors in to prevent Afghan political forces from provinces of his majority and considerable engaging in persistent political wrangling. role in the peace process. A position in the The ongoing political stand-off continues peace process will bring him closer to the with so much intensity that the political US, NATO, Pakistan and other regional powers are more concerned about their actors. Washington presses for reconciliation political future than the coronavirus health otherwise could withhold this year’s aid of emergency. $1 billion to Afghanistan.

Since the US-Taliban peace deal of February 29, The UN has warned that the spread of the there has been surprising political transition pandemic could cause a global humanitarian in Afghanistan. The Taliban has become disaster and advised global ceasefire in all flexible on the prisoners’ swap issue. conflict zones. Unfortunately, internal and Photo Credit : Getty Images Abdullah, the self-proclaimed ‘winner’ of external power stakeholders in Afghanistan the last election has mellowed down to seek Taliban are complaining to the US negotiation Vice President and former Intelligence Chief don’t listen. Pakistan never shuns politics reconciliation. President Ghani is pursuing team about the operational strikes against the accused Pakistan of supporting the IS-K, even during crisis situations. Support from aggressive demeanour towards political Taliban fighters in their homes in violation and viewed the capture of the IS-K leader as India, Russia and Iran could consolidate opponents. Unhappy with the deal, he is of the agreement. a ‘treasure of intelligence’ on Pakistan. Fully the deal. Pakistan fears flare up of Corona being assertive even with the US that risks exposed, Pakistan demanded handing over cases in Afghanistan. Since major area of reduced US financial aid to Afghanistan. Prisoners’ swap has caused release of a few of Farooqi, resident of its Orakzai district. Afghanistan is controlled by the Taliban, hundred Taliban detainees, and dozens of Farooqi reportedly was not arrested but sufferings could aggravate. Afghanistan’s health care facilities are primitive. Afghan security personnel. Kabul utilises surrendered to Afghan intelligence. Former US Ambassador Richard Olson the prisoners’ issue for better leverage over Afghanistan should strategize on global recently predicted that if the coronavirus the Taliban and to force a broader dialogue. Since Afghanistan’s victory against the pandemic rather than being obsessed with hit Afghanistan hard, it could accelerate The Taliban is testing America’s ability to IS last November, IS fighters, including its political future. Ghani has authority the exit of the US troops. That will increase fulfil promises. The US, to retain the deal, is those from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the over whole Afghanistan including both American dependence on the Taliban pushing Kabul and Pakistan hard to become Central Asian states, have been surrendering the Taliban and Afghan security forces. to reduce violence and prevent foreign part of the intra-Afghan reconciliation continuously and weakening significantly Currently, outside Afghanistan, only the terrorists from operating on Afghan soil. process and influence the Taliban to facilitate despite Pakistan’s support. The Taliban captured ‘deep state’ is most interested in Afghanistan Both commitments will test the Taliban, the US exit in 14 months. Recently, American IS areas of influence in Kunar province affairs because it stands to lose if the intra- which is still ideologically and politically envoy Khalilzad and Commander of the US recently, to prove their commitment to Afghan settlement is not favourable. aligned with groups like Al Qaeda. The and NATO forces in Afghanistan visited the US that foreign terrorist groups are COVID-19 is the least of Afghanistan’s Taliban has restrained itself from targeting Islamabad to talk with Army Chief Bajwa, prevented from using Afghan soil. Pakistan concern! Taiwan and the world powers evaluate the need for WHO ceased, at Wuhan-the mother of all infection going on for more than two-three months epidemic response; blaming the WHO is a ◆ By NDT Bureau hotspots. Such lackadaisical approach flared from Taiwan which didn’t disassociate itself. part of Trump’s re-election campaign. The @NewDelhiTimes up mortality eveywhere. China defended Ghebreyesus blaming others intensified anti-China ideology, targeting the of politicization, stigmatization, personal WHO and China together is intended to help [email protected] China boasts that Taiwan has not recognized attacks and racist words. the US to fan nationalism and boost Trump’s the key trends of the changing world, hence is re-election, China contends. f late, US President Trump has been closely allying with Washington. It criticises The West casts severe doubts on the WHO’s O hammering down on the World Taiwan of recklessness, and naively following credibility and professionalism. China The US Congress Republicans are also Health Organization Director-General Tedros the US for higher political benefits from the highlights the WHO’s guidance and its exposing the WHO. China explains that Adhanom Ghebreyesus. And by now the deepening US-China differences. Taiwan scientists’ suggestion of learning from the pandemic could hit underdeveloped entire world knows how much the WHO is Strait will turn into a flashpoint, and pose China’s experiences to fight COVID-19 countries which will rely more on the WHO. hands in gloves with China to shield latter’s real danger for the island severely impacting and downplayed the warnings sent from American opposition at this time could efforts to hide the outbreak and then spread the world order, Beijing threatens. the WHO during the early stages of the paralyze and weaken the WHO-is China’s infections to all corners of the globe. China takes solace that despite Washington Much to the chagrin of China, Taiwan blaming the WHO, no other government has followed America. China blames Taipei for followed Washington while the UN stood choreographing attacks on Ghebreyesus rock-solid with the WHO and Ghebreyesus. in tandem with Washington. Joseph Wu, China teases that Taiwan is the only one Foreign Minister of Taiwan addressed behind Washington to attack Ghebreyesus an online forum of a Washington-based and the island is not a country. conservative think tank, detailing how China blames that the US responded to the Taiwan’s “democratic model” had pandemic from a geopolitical perspective successfully and effectively prevented the to test major power relations and Taiwan spread of the epidemic and proved better shouldn’t turn the island into a powder than the mainland’s “authoritarian system”. keg in the China-US confrontation for Photo Credit : Getty Images Taiwan has been less impacted by the political interests. In case of the US-China pandemic. China portrays that the US and convenient excuse. China taunts at this pandemic than Japan and South Korea. Wu showdown, Taiwan will pay an unbearable the West could use Taiwan or other excuses isolated camp - the US plus the island of expressed Taiwan’s readiness to share its price. Even if there wasn’t a war, an all- to force professional scientists to leave the Taiwan - saying “an unjust cause finds scant anti-epidemic model with the rest of the around confrontation between the world’s WHO. support”. world. two biggest powers will have a catastrophic Trump announced suspension of funding Can the WHO skip its responsibility? If effect on Taiwan society, China threatens. As expected, China pounced upon Wu’s to the WHO over its “role in severely the WHO is not to be blamed, who is to remarks contending that Taiwan has more China also condemned Taiwan playing “as mismanaging and covering up the spread of be blamed for spread of Corona pandemic confirmed coronavirus cases than any of dirty as it could” by conniving the Internet the coronavirus” and launched a barrage of around the world? Pandemic has not risen the mainland provinces. Actually, China “water army” to spread racist remarks against attacks accusing the WHO of being “China naturally, there is something behind it and suppressed facts to preserve superiority the WHO head and playing as a “stick in the US’ centric”. China countered by fabricating a the WHO has to point out how it became which spread Coronavirus worldwide. hand to hit the WHO”. Ghebreyesus played theory that Trump is anxiously making the WHO a global killer. The WHO owes economies Beijing lied that the infections had ebbed, nay victim card that personal attacks have been a scapegoat to divert domestic criticisms for billions of dollars to cover their losses.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 4 27 April - 3 May 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES International Political Scenario of the Week agents across the country, extra-judicially ◆ By NDT Bureau killed more Nigerians than the dreaded @NewDelhiTimes Coronavirus. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) observed that out of [email protected] 105 complaints/incidents of human rights violation it received and documented within Colombia the initial lockdown period, Lagos State had the highest recorded cases with 28 incidents, Colombia’s government has announced that followed by the Federal Capital Territory- its lockdown will be extended for another Abuja which had 10 recorded cases. Further two weeks until May 11. However, many confrontations are likely across Lagos, with people are going hungry in the capital a high collateral risk of death and injury. Bogota. The Colombian capital, Bogota, was put on lockdown on March 20, while the rest with the Honduran government on food have planned protest in Jakarta and 20 Ukraine of the country followed suit on March 25. distribution, including making sure any provincial capitals on April 30, against the Since then, Colombians have been banned stocks left over in now-shuttered schools can government’s employment bill that they The Cabinet of Prime Minister Denys from leaving their homes, except to get be distributed to families and doesn’t go to claim will weaken the workers’ rights. The Shmygal announced on April 22 that it would food, go to the bank or for medical reasons. waste. However, protests have been taking so-called “omnibus” bills that the government extend quarantine measures until May 11. In what is a sign of growing crisis for place for food distribution. Protest groups wants Parliament to pass aim to replace The measures will include a ban on public Colombia, hungry Colombians have been used burning tyres as roadblocks, leading dozens of overlapping laws seen as obstacles gatherings of over two people, restrictions spilling into the streets and even attempting to non-lethal confrontations with security to investment, and to streamline businesses on public transportation and a requirement to to loot vehicles transporting food and other forces, which included the use of blunt permits and relax labour laws. There is a wear face masks in public at all times. essential goods. projectiles and tear gas. Demonstrations are possibility of violence between the anti-riot likely to continue over the next week. police and protesters. “According to the Ukrainian Academy Honduras of Sciences, we are expecting a peak (of Indonesia Nigeria infections) between May 3 and May 8,” There is a heightened risk of food insecurity said Shmygal. No easing of restrictions is during the COVID-19 pandemic in Honduras. Indonesia’s three main union confederations Many human rights bodies have alleged that possible at this time, he added. Thus, the The World Food Program (WFP) is working -the KSPI, the KSPSI, and the KSBSI- within the initial lockdown period, security cargo disruptions on border with continue.

(RAMED) cardholders and to people in Bolivia takes help of Morocco ‘s strategy precarious situations. RAMED is Morocco’s Defence Industry flagship social protection and health military in enforcing to combat the program. RAMED relies on a sophisticated Innovation Cluster lockdown during methodology to target poor and vulnerable COVID-19 crisis households, combining proxy means testing set up in South Korea and community targeting methods. health crisis ◆ By NDT Bureau ◆ By NDT Bureau The Moroccan State has also opened a ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes dedicated bank account where each citizen @NewDelhiTimes @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] can make an individual donation of the [email protected] amount of their choice, and a messaging [email protected] he Moroccan government has taken service via the number “1919”. Each SMS outh Korean city of Changwon and T represents a donation worth 10 Moroccan S he coronavirus pandemic was confirmed a series of measures to combat the the surrounding South Gyeongsang dirhams. T to have spread to Bolivia when its first COVID-19 crisis. As a first step, the Province will be the venues for the two cases were confirmed on March 10, 2020, government took immediate preventive steps On April 7, the Moroccan authorities purchased government’s first regional defence industry in the departments of Oruro and Santa Cruz. including barricading its borders, closing all available resources (about US$ 3 billion) innovation center aimed at promoting schools and universities, cafes, restaurants, under the Precautionary and Liquidity Line (PLL) development of home-grown parts and On March 12, Bolivia suspended all public- and non-essential shops, cancelling sporting, arrangement. The authorities will use funds revitalizing regional economies. school sessions until March 31, as well as cultural and artistic events and eventually purchased under the PLL to cope with the all commercial flights to and from Europe closing all mosques and places of worship. social and economic impact of COVID-19 indefinitely. They also prohibited large-scale A health emergency was declared on and to maintain strong external buffers in a public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. March 20, 2020. context of heightened uncertainties. These measures have been further made According to a media release by the stringent since the last couple of weeks. International Monetary Fund, despite a Only one person from each family can go range of measures taken by the authorities out to buy supplies during the morning to increase health spending and support hours. During the weekends, everyone has businesses and households, Morocco is to stay home. All borders have been closed. likely to experience a recession in 2020 due to sizable declines in exports, tourism To enforce the lockdown, the government and remittances and a temporary freeze in has also made use of military deployment economic activity. While the current account in many regions of the country. Government deficit will widen and capital inflows should officials are justifying the militarization by decline in 2020, Morocco is expected claiming that citizens are not complying to maintain an adequate level of official with the measures ordered to contain the reserves following the PLL purchases. spread of the virus. The most populous city Photo Credit : Getty Images in the country currently accounts for the However, the support for the government will According to reports, the government plans highest number of cases of people infected not be impacted. According to a recent survey to spend 45 billion won ($36.39 million) with the coronavirus. conducted by the Moroccan Institute for Photo Credit : Getty Images over the next five years to create the Policy Analysis (MIPA), citizens are largely “Defence Industry Innovation Cluster” in Video footage available on many news Then a solidarity fund was created to tackle satisfied in general with the measures taken the Changwon-Gyeongnam region to help streaming networks show that the soldiers, the crisis. The King ordered the creation of by the government in the past days to control develop advanced technologies for defence most of them equipped with face masks an emergency fund, raising more than 32.7 the Coronavirus. As per the data released items through close cooperation between are deployed throughout the city and billion Moroccan Dirhams ($3.2 billion). The on the MIPA website 77% of Moroccan defence firms, local governments and establishing checkpoints on the virtually fund released two billion DH for the purchase respondents expressed their satisfaction academies. empty streets. of health equipment, provided guarantees with the measures taken by the government for the extension of bank deadlines and to counter the novel Coronavirus, whereas “It is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs According to local media, departmental and said that it will pay the compensation of 18% said they were dissatisfied with the and lead to production worth 84.3 billion local authorities have agreed to arrest those employees who lost their jobs because of action of the government, and 4% said they won over the next five years,” Defense who violate the extended quarantine until the crisis (2,000 DH per month ) as well as were completely dissatisfied with the action Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) April 30. allocations to régime d’assistance médicale of the government. said, vowing to further expand the project. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 5

International NEW DELHI TIMES Thailand cuts COVID-19 crisis leads to hardening Militants group of Sino-Western relations challenge nomination 2020 Defence us all by China”. Sawers’ comments follow of Mustafa Al- ◆ By NDT Bureau anonymous leaks from MI6 and the UK @NewDelhiTimes Security Service (MI5) that suggested, “the Kadhimi, as new UK needs to reassess its relationship with Budget [email protected] China after the coronavirus”. China’s mask Iraqi PM-Designate diplomacy has also not struck a cord with ◆ By NDT Bureau elations between China and the West the EU. ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes R have witnessed a significant shift during the COVID-19 crisis. There seems to @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] be a deep sense of anger among the common [email protected] public in the West as regards China’s role n April 10, 2020, news reports came in spreading the COVID-19 crisis and at O out from Thailand that the armed forces ustafa Al-Kadhimi, a former Director of China’s initial denial, downplay and alleged have agreed to cut back on their defence M the Iraqi National Intelligence Service suppression of the voices that warned a budgets as the government diverts funds to is the current Prime Minister-Designate. On potential health crisis. tackle COVID-19. April 9, 2020, he was named by President Barham Salih as Prime Minister-Designate, US President Donald Trump has openly For instance, Navy Commander Admiral the third person tapped to lead the country called out China. US President Donald Trump Ruechai Ruddit was quoted saying that the in just 10 weeks as it struggled to replace a has threatened to terminate the trade deal Navy was ready to hand back some of the government that fell last year after months with China if Beijing did not honour its budget allocated to the force to state coffers. of deadly protests. provisions in the wake of the coronavirus He explained the money will be sliced from pandemic that originated in the country. “It several projects while other plans including Kadhimi was nominated by President could have been stopped in China before it construction work, which is not deemed Barham Salih, shortly after the previous started and it wasn’t, and the whole world is urgent, will be put on hold. Prime Minister-Designated, Adnan al-Zurfi, suffering because of it”. “If it was a mistake, announced he was withdrawing having Photo Credit : Getty Images a mistake is a mistake. But if they were failed to secure enough support to pass a knowingly responsible, yeah, I mean, then The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, government. “I will work tirelessly to to sure there should be consequences,” Trump Josep Borrell, called on Member States to present Iraqis with a program and cabinet said. He did not elaborate on what form that prepare for a ‘struggle for influence’ in a that will work to serve them, protect their might take. Trump also raised questions ‘global battle of narratives’. Borrell placed rights and take Iraq towards a prosperous about a Wuhan Virology Lab that had likely China’s medical aid to Europe in distinctly future,” Kadhimi wrote on Twitter after his developed the coronavirus as part of China’s geostrategic terms, and noting that, rather ascendancy as the PM-Designate. effort to demonstrate its capacity to identify than Europe helping China, the reverse was and combat viruses. Trump has said his now true. He said, “There is a global battle government is seeking to determine whether of narratives going on in which timing is a the virus emanated from a Chinese lab. crucial factor. China is aggressively pushing the message that, unlike the US, it is a In Europe, the leading nations too seem to responsible and reliable partner. In the battle be questioning the Chinese. In an interview, of narratives, we have also seen attempts to French President Emanuel Macron said discredit the EU as such and some instances that it would be naïve to suggest that China where Europeans have been stigmatised as handled the health crisis in an effective if all were carriers of the virus. The point for manner. The French President remarked: Europe is this: we can be sure that perceptions “Let’s not be so naive as to say it’s been much will change again as the outbreak and our better at handling this. There are clearly response to it evolves. But we must be aware things that have happened that we don’t there is a geopolitical component including know about”. John Sawers, former head of a struggle for influence through spinning the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), and the “politics of generosity”. Armed with Photo Credit : Getty Images noted that there was “deep anger in America facts, we need to defend Europe against its at what they see as having been inflicted on detractors.” Moreover, funds for training and overseas study tours will also be cancelled, Adm Ruechai said. Air force Chief ACM Commonwealth Heads of Maanat Wongwat said the force was also investigating where cuts could be made. Army Chief Apirat Kongsompong said he Government Meeting postponed was studying what procurement projects can be curtailed. amidst COVID-19 outbreak On April 23, 2020, Thailand’s Armed Forces ◆ By NDT Bureau have announced a $550m cut to defence expenditure as the country wrestles with the @NewDelhiTimes ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. [email protected] The cut takes Thailand’s 2020 defence However, his nomination has not put an end budget down to about THB213.7 billion, he Commonwealth Organisation has to the fuelling unrest and upheaval in Iraq. a reduction of nearly 8% compared to the T said that the Commonwealth Heads Fighting militancy and terrorism remains a planned military expenditure of THB231.7 of Government Meeting scheduled to take pressing challenge. billion, which was confirmed in budgetary place in the Rwandan capital Kigali in June documents earlier this year. Thailand’s has been postponed due to COVID-19. On April 10, Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah defence budget in 2019 was THB227 billion. (KH) militia released a statement opposing The Commonwealth Heads of Government the nomination of Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Royal Thai Army (RTA) Spokesman, Colonel Meeting takes place every two years and KH accuses Kadhimi for the assassination Winthai Suvaree confirmed the budget cut in the last meeting was held in the United of Qasim Solaimani and Abu Mahdi al- a press conference on April 22. Kingdom in 2018. The statement released by Muhandis and they claim “nominating the Commonwealth Organisation’s London- to all Commonwealth nations comprising 54 Kadhimi is announcing of war on Iraqis”. Thailand will also suspend some arms based Secretariat said that the new date for countries and 2.4 billion people. purchases, including orders for two Chinese the event would be announced in due course. Al-Kadhimi’s nomination was also rejected by submarines, as it cuts its military budget Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame said, Ashab al-Kahf (AK), a newly-formed Shiite to fund the fight against the coronavirus General-Secretary Patricia Scotland said, “We “We look forward to welcoming the armed group that claimed responsibility for pandemic. Other buys facing the axe are must be mindful of the risks large meetings Commonwealth family to Kigali for recent attacks on the U.S. forces in northern two South Korean jet trainers and military pose to all. The current circumstances require CHOGM once the pandemic has been Iraq. The group also vowed to work against hardware from China and the United States. historic decisions.” She has pledged support defeated.” the Prime Minister-Designate.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 6 27 April - 3 May 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Virus traps, sickens foreign laborers in Gulf Arab states ong a lifeline for families back home, Some 35 million laborers work in the six L migrant workers in oil-rich Gulf Arab Arab Gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, states now find themselves trapped by the Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as coronavirus pandemic, losing jobs, running in Jordan and Lebanon, according to U.N. out of money and desperate to return to their figures. Foreigners far outnumber locals in home countries as COVID-19 stalks their the Gulf states, accounting for over 80% of labor camps. the population in some countries.

Whether on the island of Bahrain, hidden Gulf states have increased coronavirus in the industrial neighbourhoods behind testing for residents and citizens alike. The Dubai’s skyscrapers or in landlocked cities UAE, for example, says 10,000 workers of Saudi Arabia, a growing number of are being screened daily in Abu Dhabi’s workers have contracted the virus or been industrial district. forced into mass quarantines. Many have been put on unpaid leave or fired. Many of the migrants hold low-paying construction jobs, labouring in scorching The United Arab Emirates is even threatening heat to transform the region’s deserts into the laborers’ home countries that won’t take cities teeming with highways, skyscrapers, Photo Credit : AP Photo them back with possible quotas on workers luxury hotels and marbled malls. Others who’ve been furloughed, though laborers came into effect. Dubai has since imposed a in the future — something that would work as cleaners, drivers, waiters and in have been vulnerable to abuse for decades. citywide 24-hour lockdown. endanger a crucial source of remittances for jobs traditionally shunned by locals. Women Countries also have promised free treatment South Asian countries. often find jobs as nannies or maids. for any confirmed case of the virus, Qatar, the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, regardless of citizenship. cordoned off parts of its Industrial Area to Workers like Hunzullah Khaliqnoor, an The virus represents a new danger, especially prevent the spread of the disease. That’s left IT manager from Peshawar, Pakistan, in their living quarters. Krishna Kumar, the Access to health care, however, remains an undisclosed number of laborers reliant on who shares a room in Dubai with his two head of the Abu Dhabi-based Kerala Social an issue. In Dubai’s industrial Al Quoz government-distributed food and essentials. brothers, just wants to escape. Center, named after the Indian state from neighborhood, an Associated Press journalist which many laborers come, said up to 10 recently saw more than 20 people who were Qatar’s government told the AP in a statement Khaliqnoor said he has been pleading daily workers share a room in some labor camps worried that they had the virus standing for that any of the workers quarantined or ill with the Pakistani Consulate to fly him and in the region. hours in the rain outside a private clinic, will continue to be paid in full. one of his brothers out. “Our job is gone and waiting to be seen. we need to move.” In Bahrain and Qatar, hundreds of migrant Across the Gulf, construction has been workers were quarantined after an unknown In a statement to the AP, clinic owner Aster deemed essential and continued in spite It’s a cruel fate for the millions of mostly number contracted COVID-19, the disease DM Healthcare said it hadn’t “observed of curfews and restrictions. Amnesty South Asian migrants who left their homes. caused by the coronavirus. Saudi Arabia any unprecedented queues at any of our International researcher May Romanos said They’ve missed priceless years and family also noted the danger of the virus spreading clinics” and followed “all measures of social it’s unclear if workers can practice social milestones for more lucrative wages in the in housing for laborers. It’s a crisis striking distancing.” distancing on buses, at construction sites and Gulf. Singapore as well. in their accommodations. In Dubai’s Naif neighborhood, home to Their work is essential for the region that Gulf countries have introduced amnesty the famed Gold Souq, a man who gave his “These governments have the responsibility hosts them and for their home countries. periods for workers whose visas and name as Bilal told the AP that he and his to make sure that workers are being Their remittances are a lifeline for nations residencies expire during the pandemic. colleagues had been stuck in their office protected,” she said. like Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Several have ordered firms to provide food building because police closed the area off the Philippines. and accommodation to migrant workers without warning as a weeks-long curfew Credit : Associated Press (AP) Lack of virus testing stokes fears in world’s refugee camps largest refugee camp, in Bangladesh, the U.N. estimates at over 70 million. aid workers are racing to build isolation facilities. In two sprawling camps in Kenya, Most people who become infected experience Somalis who survived decades of famine mild to moderate symptoms. But the virus and war fear the worst is yet to come. can cause severe illness and lead to death, particularly among older people and those “If it’s killing people daily in America, then with underlying health problems. It is highly what do you think will happen to us?” asked contagious and can be spread by those who Mariam Abdi, a vegetable vendor in Kenya’s appear healthy. Photo Credit : AP Photo Dadaab camp, where 217,000 people live in here are over 70 million people worldwide most of the countries in the (global) south endless rows of tents. “We will all perish.” A ‘MIRACLE’ THAT NO CASES HAVE T who have been driven from their for the people we try to help,” Jan Egeland, BEEN FOUND homes by war and unrest, up to 10 million the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Western countries, which by then may have are packed into refugee camps and informal told The Associated Press. contained their own outbreaks, will have to The coronavirus has already appeared in settlements, and almost none have been reckon with the fact that if the virus finds Syria, where the decade-long civil war has tested for the coronavirus. His group recently conducted a review of refuge among the world’s most vulnerable, displaced more than half of the population all 30 countries where it operates and found it could return anytime. of 23 million. While the relative isolation of many camps virtually no testing before people became may have slowed the virus’ spread, none is sick. Some refugee camps have been around so At least 350 health facilities have been hermetically sealed. Without testing, as the long they have apartment blocks and paved bombed, mostly by the government. More world has seen repeatedly, the virus can Refugees have already tested positive in roads. Others are little more than clusters than 900 medical staff have been killed and spread unchecked until people start showing Italy, Germany, Iran, Australia and Greece, of tents or abandoned buildings. In many, countless more have fled. symptoms. That could have catastrophic where authorities said that 150 people living cramped conditions and poor infrastructure results among the world’s refugees: There in a quarantined hotel for asylum-seekers can make it impossible to practice social No cases have been reported yet in Syria’s will be few if any intensive care beds or had contracted the coronavirus, and none distancing and frequent hand-washing. northwestern Idlib province, the last bastion ventilators for them. There might not even displayed symptoms of COVID-19. of opposition to President Bashar Assad and be gloves or masks. There are no official figures for the number where heavy fighting forced nearly a million In Syria’s war-ravaged Idlib province, only of refugees who live in camps, but Egeland people to flee their homes earlier this year. “Testing is in short supply even in New one tiny health facility is equipped to receive estimates they make up 10% to 15% of all York and Norway, but it is nonexistent in suspected coronavirus cases. In the world’s refugees and displaced people, a population Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 7

International NEW DELHI TIMES ‘We are in prison’: But the next cannot come soon enough. Wuhan by President Xi Jinping. “We are in prison,” Patricia said. Leaving Wuhan: Along the embankments and bridges, citizens waved flags, chanted “Wuhan, let’s France opens As the virus raced through Europe, the Getting into go!” and sang acapella renditions of China’s hardest-hit countries — Italy, Spain, Britain, national anthem. nursing homes, France — banned nursing home visits to protect the elderly, who are particularly virus-hit city was One recently freed resident told us, “I exposes pain vulnerable to the coronavirus. From haven’t been outside for more than 70 days. Belgium to Turkey, several other countries the easy part … Being indoors for so long drove me or her first authorized visit in more than did the same. etting into Wuhan was the easy part. crazy.” He seemed shell-shocked, yet happy. F six weeks with her 80-year-old mother, G Sabrina Deliry prepared a selection of their While the virus causes mild to moderate New virus infections had fallen to symptoms for many, it can trigger much favorite tunes, among them Edith Piaf’s “La almost zero and travel restrictions were The next day we went to Hankou Railway more severe illness in older people and those Vie en Rose.” easing. As a 76-day lockdown neared its Station and filmed the first train departing for with health problems. Nursing homes have end, journalists and others were allowed Beijing. In between government-arranged Later, at the Paris nursing home where the been hard hit around the world. In France, to enter the city in central China where the media trips over subsequent days, I donned mother has been agonizing in the solitude of more than one-third of the over 21,300 global pandemic started. a mask, laced up and ran to the river. The sky her room, feeling imprisoned and miserable deaths reported have occurred in care homes. without the sun on her cheeks, the breeze in Getting out was more challenging. Hundreds was icy blue, the air warm. A guard let me her hair or her daughter’s tender hugs, they The emotional toll of cutting off the homes of thousands of people were also trying to into a riverside park, but only after checking listened to the French songbird together. has been immense and largely untold leave after being stuck for months in the my phone for the green health code. “When he takes me in his arms,” Piaf wailed. because the suffering has been taking place metropolis of 11 million. The bureaucracy This code was generated through WeChat, had yet to finalize how they would safely China’s essential messaging app that includes organize their return. Three official e-payment for utility bills and donations to documents were needed: A green health charity. Tencent, the app’s owner, also added code, home neighborhood approval and a a function with algorithms that analyze a recent nucleic acid test. user’s geolocation data to produce color Wuhan has gained notoriety as the origin codes of coronavirus infection risk: safe of the disease but it has a long history as green, cautious yellow or dire red. a fulcrum of change in China, a nation Government workers stand outside a blue 1.4 billion and the world’s second largest tent used to coordinate transportation economy. of travelers from Wuhan to designated On Oct. 10, 1911, an “outbreak of serious quarantine sites in Beijing. (AP Photo/Sam revolutionary movement” erupted in McNeil, File) the port city spread on either side of the A green code is now required for most Yangtze, China’s mightiest river. As word public life in China — a reminder of the spread, Associated Press correspondent state’s constant data surveillance. People J.R. Kennedy left Tokyo for Shanghai, then thronged the riverbank, all wearing masks; Photo Credit : AP Photo traveled upriver to cover the uprising against parents with children finally free to run and With mother and daughter forced to sit 1 behind sealed-shut nursing home doors. For the Manchu empire. Another reporter shout, nurses, fishermen, amorous couples meter (3 feet) apart, unable to hug or hold residents’ families, the only news some have traveled with soldiers sent from Beijing to and other joggers passing as I took photos each other during their half-hour visit in the had from the inside has been in dribs and crush it. of the spring sunlight. Before returning to home’s fenced-off small garden, the words drabs, in written updates from care home rang like a cruel joke. directors. When might Sabrina get to take Patricia, her Now that visits are being allowed again, mother, in her arms again? No one can say a fuller picture of the agony is starting to for sure. Likely no time soon. emerge. Even before many businesses rumble back French President Emmanuel Macron has to life or schoolyards bustle again, France taken notice. He led the push in March to started to allow tightly regulated nursing seal off homes before the rest of the country, home visits this week, puncturing a strict no- pleading publicly for people to stop visiting visitors lockdown that still failed to prevent their elderly relatives before he ordered an ongoing tidal wave of coronavirus deaths France into a nationwide lockdown from among elderly nursing home residents. March 17. For some, seeing their parents again brought This week, Macron retweeted a painful-to- joy and relief. watch interview with a 96-year-old nursing Photo Credit : AP Photo “I know how important it is for her,” home resident, Jeanne Pault, complaining “The city was a scene of desolation,” read Beijing there was a ritual. The first stop was Christopher Cronenberger said after seeing tearfully about being stuck in her room, one AP report. “Corpses piled everywhere,” a local hospital where we stepped through his 87-year-old mother, Germaine, with a deprived of the daily visits she used to get said another. a box of grey decontaminant gas similar to broad table and red-and-white plastic tape in from her husband and family. Insurgencies soon broke out across China, an airlock. We then paid about $40 to spit between. “I’m locked in here all day. It’s not a life,” and the tumultuous decades that followed in a test tube that would return results in 48 “We do have the telephone and my mother is she said. “My neighbour hasn’t got the virus. saw occupation by Japan, civil war, and the hours. still lucid. We speak by telephone every day. Neither have I. We could see each other from victory of the Chinese Communist Party in Neighborhood permission was harder. Some I knew things were okay but visual contact time to time, chat a little.” 1949. is better,” he said. allowed home quarantine, others required In 2020, international journalists came back In his tweet, Macron wrote: “Madame, returnees to spend about $700 on a 14-day But for others, the visits are proving to see once again how events in Wuhan your pain overwhelms us all. For you, for quarantine in small hotel rooms. Catering is bittersweet: Better than nothing, but nowhere might shape the entire world. all of our elders in retirement homes or reportedly adequate. close to being enough. After all, how can a establishments, visits by loved ones are Few hotels were accepting foreigners and few minutes, sat across a table in face masks, now allowed. Always with one priority: to each neighborhood had different regulations. With a green health code and neighborhood make up for so many days apart? protect you.” Some forced multiple nucleic acid tests on permission, people could then apply to Sabrina and Patricia were on the phone to journalists and 48 hours of quarantine. Beijing’s city government for permission to each other minutes after they said goodbye But among families, fury is mounting return home. Success came in the form of a Ours did not, and as the final hours closed with blown air kisses and the mother with the death toll. Some are filing legal phone message with a secret purchasing link on Wuhan’s lockdown, AP video producer trundled back alone to her room in her complaints accusing care homes of neglect when a ticket became available. The link Olivia Zhang and I climbed atop the steel motorized wheelchair, giving a final wave. and endangering lives. expired in two hours. 1957 Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge to watch “Stopping us from seeing our children is a Sabrina is among those who believes that the countdown. Tickets bought, we packed up and prepared crime,” she said. “They wait for us to die nursing homes were sealed off not to protect to leave. I went one last time to the Yangtze Skyscrapers and bridges radiated animated before sending our children to us.” residents but to prevent families from before we packed up and headed to the train knowing what was happening inside. images of health workers aiding patients, station. The visit, she said, “makes me want to live along with one building displaying the again.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) words “heroic city,” a title bestowed on Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 8 27 April - 3 May 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES N Korea silence Dutch village on Kim’s health evacuated as raises succession precaution due to speculation wildfire smoke village of 4,000 people in the southern ith North Korea saying nothing so A Netherlands was evacuated as smoke W far about outside media reports that from a wildfire in a nearby national park leader Kim Jong Un may be unwell, there’s drifted over homes, authorities said. renewed worry about who’s next in line to run a nuclear-armed country that’s been Residents of Herkenbosch, a village close ruled by the same family for seven decades. to the German border and 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of Amsterdam, were Questions about Kim’s health flared after ordered out of their homes as a precaution he skipped an April 15 commemoration of due to concerns about high levels of carbon the 108th birthday of his grandfather, North monoxide in the smoke, Mayor Monique de Korea founder Kim Il Sung. It’s North Boer said. Korea’s most important event, and Kim, 36, Photo Credit : AP Photo hadn’t missed it since inheriting power from to inherit power, and I think that possibility to ones established after the deaths of other “In the times we’re living through — the his father in late 2011. is more than 90%,” said analyst Cheong Communist dictators. corona era — we don’t take the decision Seong-Chang at the private Sejong Institute North Korea’s state media said Kim sent lightly to move people from home to in South Korea. “North Korea is like a “North Korean politics and the three a message thanking Syria’s president for evacuation centers,” De Boer said. dynasty, and we can view the Paektu descent hereditary power transfers have been male- conveying greetings on his grandfather’s as royal blood so it’s unlikely for anyone centered. I wonder whether she can really birthday, but didn’t report any other to raise any issue over Kim Yo Jong taking overcome bloody socialist power struggles activities, while rival South Korea repeated power.” and exercise her power,” said Nam Sung- that no unusual developments had been wook, a professor at Korea University in detected in the North. Believed to be in her early 30s, Kim Yo Jong South Korea. is in charge of North Korea’s propaganda Kim has been out of the public eye for affairs, and earlier this month was made an A collective leadership would likely be extended periods in the past, and North alternate member of the powerful Politburo. headed by Choe Ryong Hae, North Korea’s Korea’s secretive nature allows few ceremonial head of state who officially outsiders to assert confidently whether he She has frequently appeared with her brother ranks No. 2 in the country’s current power might be unwell, let alone incapacitated. at public activities, standing out among hierarchy, Nam said. Still, questions about the North’s political elderly male officials. She accompanied Kim But Choe is still not a Kim family member, future are likely to grow if he fails to attend Jong Un on his high-stakes summits with and that could raise questions about his upcoming public events. President Donald Trump and other world legitimacy and put North Korea into deeper leaders. Her proximity to him during those political chaos, according to other observers. Kim is the third generation of his family to summits led many outsiders to believe she’s rule North Korea, and a strong personality essentially North Korea’s No. 2 official. cult has been built around him, his father Other Kim family members who might take over include Kim Pyong Il, the 65-year-old and grandfather. The family’s mythical “I think the basic assumption would be that half-brother of Kim Jong Il who reportedly “Paektu” bloodline, named after the highest maybe it would be someone in the family” to returned home in November after decades in peak on the Korean Peninsula, is said to give replace Kim Jong Un, U.S. national security Europe as a diplomat. only direct family members the right to rule adviser Robert O’Brien told reporters . the nation. “But again, it’s too early to talk about that Kim Pyong Il’s age “could make him because we just don’t know, you know, what a reasonable front man for collective That makes Kim’s younger sister, senior condition Chairman Kim is in and we’ll leadership by the State Affairs Commission ruling party official Kim Yo Jong, the most have to see how it plays out.” and regent for the preferred next generation Photo Credit : AP Photo likely candidate to step in if her brother is successor,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor gravely ill, incapacitated or dies. But some The fact that North Korea is an extremely at Ewha University in Seoul. “However, elite By early afternoon, villagers still had not experts say a collective leadership, which patriarchal society has led some to power dynamics and danger of instability been allowed back, as firefighters tackled the could end the family’s dynastic rule, could wonder if Kim Yo Jong would only serve might make this an unlikely option.” blaze. Police were patrolling the cordoned- also be possible. “Among the North’s power as a temporary figurehead and then be off center of the village. elite, Kim Yo Jong has the highest chance replaced by a collective leadership similar Credit : Associated Press (AP) Residents were allowed to leave in their WHO chief brushes own cars or in transport organized carefully by authorities who also were concerned off resignation calls, about people who might be infected with the coronavirus. appeals for US aid Those with confirmed infections were he World Health Organization chief directed to a “corona hotel” in the nearby T said that he hopes the United States town of Roermond, the local municipality will reconsider its freeze in funding for said. his agency and vowed to keep working on “saving lives” despite calls from some U.S. The fire was burning through trees and lawmakers for his resignation. grassland in the Meinweg National Park and it was not immediately clear when residents WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Photo Credit : AP Photo would be allowed to return home. Two Ghebreyesus said he hopes the U.S. believes new funding for the WHO, and was expected Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies army tanks were sent to the park to help the agency is “an important investment, not to continue for 60 to 90 days. chief, said the U.S. pause would impact core agency activities like child immunizations, firefighters cut containment lines. just to help others, but for the U.S. to stay A group of Republican lawmakers in efforts to eradicate polio, and “essential safe” amid the pandemic. the House of Representatives last week health services and trauma management in Several wildfires have broken out in recent suggested that Trump should condition any President Donald Trump last week some of the most vulnerable populations in days in the Netherlands in parks that have voluntary U.S. contributions to the WHO announced a temporary halt to U.S. funding the world.” been dried out by weeks of rainless, sunny this year on Tedros’ resignation. for the U.N. agency, alleging a WHO cover- weather. Earlier this week, a Dutch nursing up and missteps handling the outbreak. The Asked about whether he was considering “I very much hope that ... this is a 60-day home where several residents were infected U.S. is the Geneva-based agency’s biggest that, Tedros said: “I will continue to work stay on funding,” and no more, he said. with the coronavirus was evacuated due to donor, providing hundreds of millions of day and night because this is a blessed work, “That’s why you don’t see me complaining, another wildfire. dollars’ worth of support each year. In actually, and responsibility saving lives, and because we just need to get on with it.” Washington, officials said the halt involved I will focus on that.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 9

International NEW DELHI TIMES of the American embassies in Kenya and Brussels love bus gives UK slammed Spain arrests Tanzania. The father was convicted in New York and sentenced in 2015 to a 25-year loud shoutout during over testing amid ex-rapper as prison term. pandemic times In a 2013 post still viewable on what n pandemic times, Brussels has the warning over appeared to be his Facebook account, the I love bus. Islamic State younger Abdul Bary left a message for his social distancing fans: “I have left everything for the sake of Now that the streets in the Belgian capital Allah,” he wrote. One year later, in August are mostly devoid of grumbling engines and he British government came under fighter in Syria 2014, a photo of him holding a man’s honking horns, suddenly a simple piece of T sustained criticism for responding former London rapper who stopped severed head was posted on Twitter. emotional poetry splits the silence. slowly to the coronavirus pandemic as its A making music not long after his chief medical adviser warned that social father’s extradition to face terror charges British investigators initially suspected distancing measures may have to stay in in the bombings of two U.S. embassies was Abdel Bary as being “Jihadi John,” the IS place for the rest of this year and beyond. arrested in southern Spain on suspicion of militant who spoke with a British accent The government reported that 759 more joining Islamic State fighters in Syria. in the video showing the execution of hospital patients with the virus had died American journalist James Foley. Foley, one since the last update a day earlier, taking Two sources close to the investigation told of the Islamic State group’s early foreign the country’s total to 18,100. In Europe, the The Associated Press that police arrested victims, was decapitated. The real “Jihadi U.K. is behind only Italy, Spain and France Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary and two other men John” turned out to be Mohammed Emwazi, in virus-related deaths. The actual death at a rented apartment. Abdel Bary is the son who also grew up in London. toll is potentially thousands more since the of an Egyptian operative of al-Qaeda who British government does not include in its was convicted for events related to the 1998 Britain’s Foreign Office declined to daily updates the people who died in care bombings at U.S. embassies in Africa that comment on the arrests, referring queries homes or other settings outside hospitals. killed 224 people. to the Spanish police. Shiraz Maher, an Daily figures for reported deaths suggest the U.K. is going through the peak of its virus outbreak, a view that Health Secretary Matt Hancock supported. The nation hit its highest reported daily death toll in hospitals Photo Credit : AP Photo of 980 on April 10. “Wemiss you a lot. Big kisses,” a loudspeaker Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical from the bright red “Voices of Brussels” bus adviser, said the experience of countries blurts out in one street. “We are sending where infections surged earlier suggests you a big kiss,” is another personal message there will not be a sudden fall in the number cascading amid the brick houses. of daily deaths. Sometimes a dismissive face looks down Whitty also warned that social distancing from up high and curtains are quickly drawn measures may have to stay in place for — wrong target. Most of the time, it’s the at least the rest of 2020 as it’s unlikely a smile of the day — bullseye. vaccine or anti-viral drug treatment for the new virus will be discovered any time “It gives me pleasure,” said Asuncion soon. He said the probability of either Mendez, 82, after hearing a message from being available “in the next calendar year is her great-grandchildren. She said it broke the dreariness of another lockdown day incredibly small.” It will be up to ministers, Photo Credit : AP Photo he said, to decide upon the mix of measures indoors and momentarily eased her fear of A media release from Spain’s National expert on radicalization at London’s King’s the coronavirus. when the lockdown restrictions are eased. Police didn’t name Abdel Bary. It described College, described Abdel Bary as one of the “I think we should be realistic about that,” he him as an Egyptian national who left Europe better known among a cluster of Islamist “It was a beautiful surprise. It warms the said. “We’re going to have to rely on other to fight in Syria and Iraq. extremists that emerged in west London heart and makes people come together social measures, which, of course, are very in the early 2010s. He was also one of despite the lockdown,” said her daughter socially disruptive as everyone is finding at ADVERTISEMENT the earliest so-called “foreign fighters” to Carmen Diaz, who watched and listened the moment.” become disillusioned with ISIS. with her from a open window one floor The police statement also called him “one above street level. of the most sought terrorists in Europe, both “Disillusionment kicked in at different because of his criminal trajectory in the stages for different people. He was known Like any metropolitan bus system, it’s ranks of Daesh (Islamic State) and because to have been disillusioned for quite a while. something people in Brussels love to of the high danger that he represented.” And he then just disappeared off the radar,” complain about. Buses are either too late or Maher said, suggesting that Abdel Bary’s too full or often both. He and the two other men were arrested early departure doesn’t necessarily signal But it’s tough to complain about a message overnight at the apartment in Almería, a port that he was no longer a threat. city in southeastern Spain, the AP learned of love. from officials on the ground and interviews “He was a member of ISIS and clearly Since last week, Brussels’ public bus company with local residents. participated in all kinds of horrors the group STIB-MIVB has been calling on people to was involved in and should face punishment send in voice messages — and an address. Police said the operation was the result for those crimes,” Maher said. “But at this Then, the special bus goes out in the early of “international cooperation” between stage, he is more likely to be someone who evening in a big loop to spread all the Photo Credit : AP Photo agents specialized in fighting terrorism who was trying to save himself in Spain.” Earlier, Keir Starmer, the new leader of suspected that the Egyptian suspect might be messages and leave a trail of happiness. the main opposition Labour Party, told traveling through Spain as he tried to return Abdel Bary was no stranger to Spanish law Yes, with smartphones and video calls, lawmakers that a “pattern is emerging” in home from the Mideast. enforcement. In 2015, a Spanish woman there is already a plethora of ways to which the Conservative government has was arrested at an airport terminal in Madrid communicate. But a love bus with the voices been too slow in putting the country into Abdel Bary, who is believed to be 29, grew when she tried to travel to Turkey with a of children and dear ones? a virus lockdown, in testing people for the up in London to become a rapper known as fake passport in order to meet up with and Lyricist Jinn and L Jinny. Music videos still virus and in getting critical protective gear marry Abdel Bary. Lorena Sanchez, the daughter of Diaz and available online show him performing raps for medical workers. granddaughter of Mendez, says its a great with references to drug use, violence and At her trial, María de los Ángeles Cala He spoke in the first partially-online Prime idea. his family’s experience as asylum-seekers Márquez said she had fallen in love with Minister’s Questions session in the House in Britain. Abdel Bary after chatting with the former of Commons as lawmakers sought to “It can really have an impact on a lot of rapper online. In mid-2018 she was strike a balance between scrutinizing the people, especially the older ones who do not His radicalization reportedly took place sentenced to two years of imprisonment government and abiding by social distancing have access to technology,” said Sanchez. shortly after his father, Abdel Abdul Bary, with reprieve. “It brings something very special.” guidelines. was extradited in 2012 to the United States, Credit : Associated Press (AP) where he was tried for the twin bombings Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 10 27 April - 3 May 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Global health crisis pits economic against health concerns he global health crisis is taking a nasty T political turn with tensions worsening between governments locked down to keep the coronavirus at bay and people yearning to restart stalled economies and forestall fears of a depression. Protesters worrying about their livelihoods and bucking infringements on their freedom took to the streets in some places. A few countries were acting act to ease restrictions, but most of the world remains unified in Photo Credit : AP Photo insisting it’s much too early to take more has invoked their rallying cry, calling on have begun to ease in some places, including year. That’s a far bigger loss than 2009′s aggressive steps. several states with Democratic governors Germany, which is still enforcing social 0.1% after the global financial crisis. Still, to “LIBERATE.” Vice President Mike Pence distancing rules but intended to begin many governments are resisting pressures to In the United States, there was clear evidence sidestepped question about why Trump allowing some small stores, like those abruptly relax lockdowns. of the mounting pressure. The Trump seemed to be encouraging efforts to undermine selling furniture and baby goods, to reopen. “We must not let down our guard until the administration says parts of the country are preventive measures his own government last confirmed patient is recovered,” South ready to begin a gradual return to normalcy. has promoted. Inslee nonetheless likened Authorities in Spain, which had some of Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said Yet some state leaders say their response Trump’s response to “schizophrenia.” Europe’s strictest restrictions and a virus to the pandemic is hindered by a woefully Larry Hogan, the Republican governor of death toll only exceeded by the U.S. and In Britain, which reported 596 more coronavirus- inadequate federal response. Maryland, said it “just doesn’t make any Italy, said children will be allowed to leave related hospital deaths on 19 April; officials their homes beginning April 27. also said they’re not ready to ease efforts Washington state’s Democratic governor, sense.” to curb the virus’s spread. U.K. minister Jay Inslee, even accused President Donald The death toll in the U.S. climbed toward “We’re sending completely conflicting Michael Gove told the BBC that pubs and Trump of encouraging insubordination and 40,000 with more than 740,000 confirmed messages out to the governors and to the restaurants “will be among the last” to leave “illegal activity” by goading on protesters infections, while the global case count has people, as if we should ignore federal policy the lockdown, which is now in place until who flouted shelter-in-place rules. passed 2.3 million, according to a tally by and federal recommendations,” Hogan said May 7. on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Johns Hopkins University of national health “To have an American president to reports. The European Center for Disease France’s health agency urged the public encourage people to violate the law, I can’t Shutdowns that began in China in late Control said the continent now has more to stick to social distancing measures that remember any time during my time in January and spread globally have disrupted than 1 million confirmed cases and almost have been extended until at least May 11. America where we have seen such a thing,” economic, social, cultural and religious life 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus. France also said it will make an exception Inslee told ABC’s “This Week.″ He said and plunged the world into a deep economic to confinement measures to allow families it was ”dangerous because it can inspire slump unseen since the Great Depression. The actual extent of the pandemic is likely to to visit relatives in nursing homes. Paris people to ignore things that actually can Tens of millions of workers have lost their be significantly higher due to mild infections announced it was suspending part of the save their lives.” jobs and millions more fear they’ll be next. that are missed, limited testing, problems city’s water service after finding trace counting the dead and some nations’ desires amounts of the virus in water used for Trump supporters in several states ignored With the arc of infection different in every to underplay the extent of their outbreaks. social distancing and stay-at-home orders, nation and across U.S. states, proposals cleaning streets and watering public gardens, gathering to demand that governors lift have differed for coping with the virus that The International Monetary Fund expects though not drinking water. controls on public activity. The president has killed more than 163,000. Restrictions the global economy to contract 3% this Credit : Associated Press (AP)

than copyright law. Australian news platform rather than pay for Australia to make Google and content as it had done in Spain. Google and Facebook said they had been working to the ACCC November deadline to “Around 10% of search results are media Facebook pay for news content negotiate a voluntary code. stories. This will seriously affect the usefulness, for example, of Google Search, lobal digital platforms Google and “We’re disappointed by the government’s so I think we have to understand that there’s G Facebook will be forced to pay for announcement, especially as we’ve worked value both ways here and I think it will be news content in Australia, the government hard to meet their agreed deadline,” hard for Google and Facebook just to say said , as the coronavirus pandemic causes a Facebook Managing Director for Australia we won’t have any contact with news media collapse in advertising revenue. and New Zealand Will Easton said in a at all,” Sims told Australian Broadcasting statement. Corp. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission “COVID-19 has impacted every business Michael Miller, Executive Chairman would release in late July draft rules for the and industry across the country, including Australasia of News Corp. Australia, the platforms to pay fair compensation for the publishers, which is why we announced nation’s largest newspaper publisher, said, journalistic content siphoned from news a new, global investment to support news “We are looking for a fair payment and at media. organisations at a time when advertising the same time a substantial payment.” revenue is declining,” he added, referring Frydenberg said he believed that Australia to a $100 million investment in the news Frydenberg declined to estimate how much could succeed where other countries, industry announced in March. Google and Facebook would pay news including France and Spain, had failed in media, other than to say it would amount to making Google and Facebook pay. Google said said it had engaged with more millions of dollars. than 25 Australian publishers to get their “We won’t bow to their threats,” Frydenberg input on a voluntary code. Google was netting 47% of online told reporters. “We understand the challenge advertising spending excluding classified that we face. This is a big mountain to climb. “We have sought to work constructively ads in Australia, and Facebook was claiming These are big companies that we are dealing Photo Credit : AP Photo with industry, the ACCC and government 24%, he said. with, but there is also so much at stake, so But the parties couldn’t agree on “this key to develop a code of conduct, and we will we’re prepared for this fight.” issue of payment for content,” Frydenberg continue to do so in the revised process set Media companies have stopped printing said. out by the government today,” a Google dozens of newspaper mastheads across The ACCC had attempted to negotiate a statement said. Australia because the pandemic shutdown voluntary code by which the global giants Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said has caused advertisers to stop spending. would agree to pay traditional media for Australia would take a different approach to ACCC Chairman Rod Sims played down their content. Europe, relying on competition law rather the prospect of Google shutting down its Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 11

International NEW DELHI TIMES Germany: Syrian US to boost aid ex-secret police go on trial for war crime to Greenland in wo former members of Syria’s secret T police go on trial in Germany accused bid to counter of crimes against humanity for their role in a government-run detention center where Russia, China large numbers of opposition protesters were he Trump administration is poised tortured. T to announce an expanded diplomatic The trial of Anwar R. and Eyad A., whose presence in Greenland and a new assistance last names weren’t released because of package for the vast island aimed at German privacy rules, is the first time thwarting growing Chinese and Russian that two representatives of the Syrian influence in the Arctic. government face trial abroad for war crimes allegedly committed during the country’s The announcement, expected will come less Photo Credit : AP Photo years-long civil war. than a year after President Donald Trump Carsten Hoenge, an outspoken member of and Kremlin influence by supporting drew derision for expressing an interest in The men, who were arrested in Germany the left-leaning Socialist People’s Party that Greenlanders to build their capacity, buying Greenland. Already, suggestions of early last year, will face testimony from supports the Social Democratic minority resilience and self-reliance.” a greater U.S. presence in Greenland have several Syrian refugees who allege they government. He said Danish Prime Minister been met with criticism in Denmark, of were tortured at the detention center known Mette Frederiksen must ”take action” to Last August, Trump’s desire to buy Greenland, which the island is part. as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, near Damascus. clarify relations with United States. “We a semi-autonomous part of the Denmark, must draw a line in the ice cap,” Hoenge emerged in press reports in Washington. U.S. and European officials say the administration, told Altinget. Greenland Premier Kim Kielsen said then along with Greenland’s government, will that the island was not for sale, adding: announce the opening of a U.S. Agency for The U.S. Agency for International Development “Greenland is not Danish. Greenland is International Development office at the new office in Nuuk will initially oversee the Greenlandic. I persistently hope that this is American consulate in the capital, Nuuk, handling of at least $12.1 million in new U.S. not something that is seriously meant.” and at least $12 million in new aid projects. assistance for Greenland that is intended The American ambassador to Denmark, mainly to boost the energy and tourism Retreating ice could uncover potential oil Carla Sands, previewed the announcement sectors and blunt Chinese and Russian and mineral resources in Greenland which, when she wrote in an online publication influence, the officials said. They were not if successfully tapped, could dramatically this week that the United States could offer authorized to speak to the matter publicly change the island’s fortunes. But no oil has “a substantial package of economic aid” before the formal announcement and spoke yet been found in Greenlandic waters and to Greenland and would be “the preferred on condition of anonymity. 80% of the island is covered by an ice sheet partner in the Arctic.” that is up to 3 kilometers (2 miles) thick, When the State Department notified Congress which means exploration is only possible in in January that it intended to move ahead coastal regions. Photo Credit : AP Photo In the news outlet Altinget, Sands accused with both steps, the department said that Federal prosecutors allege 57-year-old Russia of “aggressive behavior and increased militarization in the Arctic” and China of Washington “considers Greenland to be Even there, conditions are far from ideal, Anwar R. was in charge of the site and strategically important, particularly as China due to the long winter with frozen ports, 24- thereby responsible for crimes against pursuing “predatory economic interests” in Greenland. and Russia become more engaged in the hour darkness and temperatures regularly humanity, rape and the murder of at least region.” dropping below minus 20 Fahrenheit (minus 58 people there. The indictment by German That sparked harsh reactions in Denmark. 30 Celsius) in the northern parts. prosecutors accuses him of complicity in The department told lawmakers at the time more than 4,000 cases of torture. “They have clearly crossed the line,” said that they would “help counter malign Chinese Credit : Associated Press (AP) Eyad A., 43, is accused of being part of a police squad that detained protesters and Video shows thief brought them back to Branch 251, where they were then mistreated. stole van Gogh At least nine torture victims are represented as co-plaintiffs in the case, as allowed under German law, while several more are painting with expected to be called as witnesses. They are supported by the European Center for sledgehammer Constitutional and Human Rights. past the museum. The 25-by-57-centimeter If convicted, Anwar R. could face life (10-by-22-inch) oil-on-paper painting shows Photo Credit : AP Photo imprisonment. Eyad A. could be sentenced a person standing in a garden surrounded by to up to 15 years in prison if convicted of A ll it took was a few sturdy swings with Police withheld other footage from inside trees with a church tower in the background. complicity in crimes against humanity. a sledgehammer and a prized painting the museum in Laren, a town east of by Vincent van Gogh was gone. Amsterdam, to protect their investigation. “It looks like they very deliberately targeted The defendants’ lawyers declined to They also did not air video from outside the this one Van Gogh painting,” police spokeswoman, A Dutch crime-busting television show comment ahead of the trial, which is museum of the thief leaving. Maren Wonder, told the Opsporing Verzocht has aired security camera footage showing scheduled to last several months. The men, show how an art thief smashed his way through who themselves left Syria for Germany Singer Laren managing director Evert van reinforced glass doors at a museum in the before their arrest in February 2019, remain Os stressed in a statement that the footage The artwork dates to a time when the artist early hours of March 30. He later hurried in prison. didn’t show all of the burglary and defended had moved back to his family in a rural area out through the museum gift shop with a security, which he said had been approved of the Netherlands and painted the life he The trial has been described as a pivotal Vincent van Gogh painting tucked under his by the museum’s insurance company. saw there, including his famous work “The moment in the effort to bring Syrian officials right arm and the sledgehammer in his left Potato Eaters,” in mostly somber tones. accused of crimes to justice. hand. “The burglar broke through a number of “With other avenues for justice blocked, Police hope that publicizing the images doors and several layers of security that Wonder said investigators want to hear from criminal prosecutions in Europe offer hope will help them track down the thief who had been approved by security experts,” any potential witnesses who saw the thief for victims of crimes in Syria who have stole Van Gogh’s “The Parsonage Garden Van Os said. “The footage released does not arrive outside the museum on a motorcycle. nowhere else to turn,” said Balkees Jarrah, at Nuenen in Spring 1884” from the Singer therefore allow any conclusions to be drawn associate international justice director at Laren Museum while it was shut down due as to the quality of security at Singer Laren.” She also wants museum visitors to share Human Rights Watch. “The trial in Koblenz to coronavirus containment measures. with police any photos or video they took Police said that 56 new tips streamed in shows that courts, even thousands of miles in the museum in the days before it closed Nobody has been arrested in the theft and the from the public as a result of the show. They away from where the atrocities occurred, can down, to see if anyone was casing the painting, which was on loan from another also said that it’s not clear if the thief acted play a critical role in combating impunity.” museum before the theft. Dutch museum, the Groninger Museum, alone. Police are also seeking information Credit : Associated Press (AP) when it was stolen, is still missing. about a white van shown on footage driving Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 12 27 April - 3 May 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Notorious Pandemic is coronavirus dealing European cruise ship leaves tourism Australian port ‘staggering’ blow cruise ship that is the subject of a criminal he European Union says its vaunted A investigation after it became Australia’s T tourist industry is facing “staggering” largest single source of coronavirus infections figures of decline because of the coronavirus set off from Australian shores a month after crisis and the bloc’s internal market it was ordered by police to leave. commissioner wants the sector to be first in The Ruby Princess has been linked to 19 line when it comes to recovery funds. deaths in Australia and two in the United Thierry Breton mentioned figures that the States. Australia has recorded 75 COVID-19 tourism economy could slump up to 70% deaths. A government inquiry is underway and will be among the last to recover as the into why 2,700 passengers and crew were 27-nation bloc is facing perhaps the toughest allowed to disembark in Sydney on March challenge since its inception. 19 before the results of swabs of sick passengers were known. Across Europe, desolation illustrates the tourism crisis, from empty squares like the Many passengers flew from Sydney Brussels Grand Place to deserted monuments overseas. Two died at home in the United like Rome’s Colosseum while idle gondolas States, including 64-year-old Los Angeles await non-existent tourists in Venice. Arrival resident Chung Chen, whose family is suing areas in airports stand empty and beaches, Princess Cruises for more than $1 million basking in the sunshine, are deserted. for failing to alert passengers to the risk. Princess Cruises is a subsidiary of Carnival ″Venice is on its knees,″ Mayor Luigi Corp., which is incorporated in Bermuda Brugnaro said. and headquartered in California. Photo Credit : AP Photo Europe is hardly alone in facing hardship surprised health authorities had allowed Several governments led by the U.S. have New South Wales state banned further cruise — what with the deserted waterfront under passengers to leave in Sydney before the test condemned the island-building in recent ship arrivals until new health protocols are Cape Town’s Table Mountain and the closed- results were known. years as dangerously provocative, but agreed with the federal government. off pyramids outside Cairo. But Breton said Beijing insists it has a right to build on what the European market accounts for half of Von Watzdorf gave evidence to the inquiry The Ruby Princess delayed its departure it claims as its territory since ancient times. world tourism. by video-link from the ship where she has from Port Kembla, south of Sydney, because been in quarantine. of sickness among crew members, several of A Philippine government official told whom have died in Sydney hospitals. The ship had returned to Sydney after an The Associated Press that a Chinese navy 11-day cruise to New Zealand, which was ship pointed its “fire control radar” at a It left the cargo port with a skeleton crew late regarded as a low-risk destination. Philippine navy ship off Commodore Reef in the afternoon nudged by two tug boats. in the Spratlys in mid-February. The radar Philippines protests China’s sea claim, A large banner strung across its stern said: locks weapons on a target prior to an actual weapon pointing “Thank You Illawarra,” referring to the attack, the official said. coastal region around the port. The Philippines has protested China’s declaration that a Manila-claimed region Another official said that although the Princess Cruises did not immediately in the disputed South China Sea is Chinese Chinese ship did not fire at the Philippine disclose where the ship was heading. territory, and its aiming of weapons control ship, its action was “very hostile” and Media have reported its destination is the radar at a Philippine navy ship, the country’s “unprovoked.” Philippines. top diplomat said. The two officials spoke on condition of 300 Filipino crew left the ship and were China’s recent assertive moves in the anonymity because they were not authorized taken to Sydney to catch a charter flight to disputed waterway as the world battles the to discuss the delicate incident publicly. Manila. They traveled from Port Kembla in coronavirus pandemic have been criticized There was no immediate comment from Photo Credit : AP Photo 40 buses necessitated by social distancing by rival Southeast Asian claimant nations Chinese officials. The unprecedented scenes since World War rules. and the United States. II are hitting anything from multinational One of the 550 crew members on board sent In addition to China and the Philippines, airlines to family-owned hotels. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro an email to Australian Broadcasting Corp. Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have Locsin Jr. said on Twitter that two diplomatic “Tourism was the first sector to be hit by saying she had no choice but remain with been locked in long-simmering territorial protests were received by the Chinese the coronavirus and I am sure that it will be the ship. disputes in the South China Sea. Embassy in Manila. the slowest to recover and come out of this phase,” Breton told a European Parliament “We have been given no option to leave we China has declared a section of Philippine- Two weeks ago, the Philippines expressed committee via videolink. have to stay on board. Myself and my family claimed territory to be part of its southernmost solidarity with Vietnam after Hanoi protested are worried and scared of what will happen province of Hainan, Locsin said, adding that what it said was the ramming and sinking Based on information from international next,” the email said. ABC did not identify a “radar gun” was pointed at a Philippine of a Vietnamese fishing boat carrying eight institutions and trade groups, Breton said the author. navy ship in Philippine waters. fishermen by a Chinese coast guard ship in that “we are looking at quite staggering disputed waters near the Paracels. Health authorities said everyone who The actions were “both violations of international figures,” adding that between 275 and 400 remained on board had been cleared of the billion euros ($300 to $435 billion) would law and Philippine sovereignty,” Locsin said. The Philippine foreign office recalled that virus. be lost for the tourism and travel industry China recently announced the establishment a Chinese vessel rammed and sank a because of the pandemic. State police are investigating whether Ruby of two districts to administer two disputed Philippine fishing boat last June, leaving 22 Princess’ management downplayed potential groups of islands and reefs in the South Filipino fishermen floating in the high seas. He said the estimate for international travel COVID-19 cases before passengers China Sea to fortify its claim to virtually They were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing was a decline of up to 30% this year while disembarked. the entire waterway, among the world’s vessel. tourism could be hit with a slump between busiest. One district reportedly covers the 45% and 70% in its economy. Police ordered all foreign cruise ships to Washington also expressed serious concern Paracel islands and the other has jurisdiction “The loss of earnings at European level we leave the state in late March, fearful that sick over the Vietnamese vessel’s sinking and over the Spratlys, the most hotly contested are looking at for hotels and restaurants is a crews could overwhelm Sydney hospitals. called on China to remain focused on territory in the strategic waters. magnitude of at least 50% in terms of annual supporting efforts to combat the pandemic Ruby Princess refused for fear of a COVID-19 income,” Breton said, saying it could rise to The Philippines has a presence on at least and “stop exploiting the distraction or emergency in the open ocean. 70% for tour operations and travel agencies nine islands and islets in the Spratlys, an vulnerability of other states to expand its and even more for some cruise and airline The ship’s doctor Ilse Von Watzdorf told the offshore region where China has turned unlawful claims in the South China Sea.” first day of a New South Wales government seven disputed reefs into military-fortified companies. inquiry into the debacle that she was islands, including three with runways. Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 13

International NEW DELHI TIMES Analysing Iranian Proxy War in Iraq assumed command. During this period, in ◆ By NDT Bureau a time of extreme instability in the Middle @NewDelhiTimes East, he oversaw the establishment and advance of IRGC paramilitary franchises [email protected] in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, and managed and developed Iran’s relationship with n 3 January 2020, on the road from other significant military, paramilitary, and O Baghdad International Airport to political forces, including the Ansar Allah downtown Baghdad, Major-General Qassem (Houthi) movement in Yemen, and the Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Photo Credit : Getty Images Hamas movements. Force, was killed when a US MQ-9 Reaper The assassinations therefore affect prospects of the pro-Iranian structures. Consequently, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched for pro-Iranian interests in Iraq, with the there are signs that pro-Iran elements in several missiles at his convoy. Nine other In addition, these movements are part of country emerging as the main arena for Iraq are not acting according to a single, people were also killed, including Jamal a broader Shia political context that is not evidence of the growing friction between unified strategy. These difficulties are not Jafar Muhammad Ali al-Ibrahim, known anti-Iranian, but within which are forces US and Iranian interests. necessarily insurmountable for the pro- as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, founder and and groups that are not dependent on or Iranian elements, and the new Quds Force commander of the Kataib Hizbullah militia naturally supportive of the Iranian regime. The assassinations of Qassem Soleimani and PMU commanders could succeed in in Iraq. These forces include the Sadrist movement and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis have had a stamping their authority on the disparate and and the various bodies associated with the significant negative effect on the pro-Iranian multifarious pro-Iran structures in Iraq. The deaths of Soleimani and Muhandis senior Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. structures in Iraq. This structure’s ability to act represent a serious setback for the regional Al-Muhandis’s close personal ties to many in a unified and effective way on the political However, this does not appear to have policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. senior militia leaders were of particular and military fronts has been demonstrably happened yet, and the period ahead could Soleimani, an IRGC member since 1979, importance within this environment, as set back, and the authority of Esmail Ghaani therefore represent an opportunity for anti- commanded the Quds Force from 1998, with was a general perception of him as being and Abu Fadak al-Mohammadawi has not Iran forces to further obstruct any increase some sources citing late 1997 as the date he effective militarily and not corrupt. been universally accepted by all elements in Iranian power. Far Right Group Iraq considering acquiring Reliance and France’s warns of using social Dassault Aviation media accounts Russian-made S-400 Triumf restart production ◆ By NDT Bureau ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] [email protected] ational Action is a far-right neo-Nazi D assault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) N terrorist organisation based in the has re-started operations at its Mihan United Kingdom. Founded in 2013, the special economic zone (SEZ) in Nagpur, group is secretive, and has rules to prevent in line with the India government’s plan to members from talking openly about the ease the nationwide lockdown restrictions organisation. in a phased manner, according to a company statement. It has been a proscribed organisation in the United Kingdom under the Terrorism Act 2000 since 16 December 2016,[4] the first far-right group to be proscribed since the Second World War. Benjamin Raymond, age 25 in June 2014, was found to be the leader of National Action.

Photo Credit : Getty Images and finalized by the new Iraqi coalition ◆ By NDT Bureau government that will be established at an @NewDelhiTimes early date. “The Committee will endorse the decision of the [future] Iraqi government in [email protected] this field. We will advise [the government] Photo Credit : Getty Images raq is planning to speed up the acquisition in a proper manner. We cannot operate DRAL said in a statement, “All precautionary I of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf (NATO only Western-made weapon systems as the measures have been taken to ensure a safe reporting name: SA-21 Growler) air defence country needs to diversify the sources of its working environment under the prevailing system (ADS), according to the Iraqi armament acquisitions,” said Adel Abdul circumstances. In the first phase, DRAL will newspaper Al Sabaah. Mahdi. operate at 25-30% of its current strength and gradually scale up operations in consultation “The issue [of the probable S-400 acquisition] The country had previously announced in with the district administration and Mihan Recently, the twitter handle of Raymond (@ has already been discussed with responsible January that it would be examining potential authorities.” Braymo89) has warned extreme-right-wing officials at the General Command of the offerings from China, Russia, and Ukraine. Dassault and Reliance announced their activists in the United Kingdom against [Iraqi] military. The [potential] deal is now joint venture and the creation of DRAL on using the encrypted messaging app Telegram waiting for approval to be made by Prime S-400 Triumf is one of the world’s most October 3, 2016, barely two weeks after over concerns that the app is not secure The Minister,” the chairperson of the Iraqi advanced air defence systems that can India signed a 7.878-billion-euro deal for 36 Raymond account) issued the warning on parliament’s Committee on Defense and simultaneously track numerous incoming Rafale jets in a flyaway condition. 19 April, in response to what it claimed Security Issues Adel Abdul Mahdi told ‘Al objects — all kinds of aircraft, missiles were attempts by UK police to set up fake Sabaah’ on April 18. and UAVs — in a radius of a few hundred The DRAL facility was inaugurated in extreme-right groups on Telegram to attract kilometres and launch appropriate missiles October 2017, in the presence of Dassault and arrest young extreme-right activists. According to him, the deal may be supported to neutralise them. CEO Eric Trappier and Anil Ambani.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 14 27 April - 3 May 2020

Delhi/NCR NEW DELHI TIMES

Nidhi Srivastava. During the launch of the Delhi gets its initiative, the DM said the facility would be able to cater to narrow lanes and dense areas that could increase the number of samples first COVID-19 collected in a day.

Testing-on Adding further, she said, “Both nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs will be collected Wheels van and sealed in double packing in an ice box before being transferred to a testing facility. ◆ By NDT Bureau It will not only save time but also people who are collecting samples.” @NewDelhiTimes

[email protected] The persons who will be assigned to collect the samples will be inside an enclosure and n a first, the National Capital, got hold would not require PPEs that are already I of COVID-19 Testing-on-wheels, a limited. vehicle specialised in getting samples from two people at a time. The vehicle will operate for eight hours The Central district of Delhi received its daily and will also spread awareness on first mobile COVID-19 testing van that was preventive measures to be taken to prevent launched by District Magistrate (Central) the deadly disease. Photo Credit : Getty Images Border between Delhi Government forms panel Restrictions on flight Delhi, Ghaziabad to audit COVID-19 deaths operations to be lifted sealed to contain once Coronavirus COVID-19 spread is controlled, says Government ◆ By NDT Bureau ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] [email protected] n a move to contain the spread of I the deadly Coronavirus, the border mid reports of some airlines doing opening between the National Capital and Ghaziabad A bookings, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep was sealed on April 21. Singh Puri, said that the restrictions on domestic and international flight operations Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar will be lifted, once the government is Pandey, in an order issued on April 20, said confident that the spread of the novel that the move comes after six people who Photo Credit : Getty Images Coronavirus has been controlled, posing no have been directed by the government to had come from Delhi tested positive for ◆ By NDT Bureau threat to Indians. Coronavirus. create a media cell and to monitor social @NewDelhiTimes media and news media to put forward a correct position before the public. [email protected]

committee has been set up by the The Delhi government has further decided A Aam Aadmi Party led government to include services of AYUSH (Ayurveda, in the National Capital for a daily audit of Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and every death caused due to Coronavirus or Homeopathy) doctors along with the COVID-19. modalities of the system to prevent the deadly pandemic and promote health during Also, the heads of all the state-run hospitals the current times. Half of Noida under Containment zone

Photo Credit : Getty Images The order further stated, “The report presented Photo Credit : Getty Images by the chief medical officer, Ghaziabad, Photo Credit : Getty Images “Since some airlines did not heed our around the areas having reported more clearly shows that people commuting ◆ By NDT Bureau advisory and opened bookings, and started between Delhi and Ghaziabad are at high than one case have also been added to collecting money from flyers, a directive risk of contracting the virus. @NewDelhiTimes the category. It is to be noted that the city was issued to them on 19th April restraining reported its 100th case on April 20. [email protected] them from doing so. They were also Therefore, in public interest, all public District Magistrate Suhas L.Y. said, “Restrictions informed that they will be given sufficient movement between Delhi and Ghaziabad ith rising Coronavirus cases, Noida will be in place up to 5 km from every notice and time to commence bookings,” the has been suspended till further orders.” W scaled up its containment plan on active cluster. Barricades will be up and Minister further added. However, only those engaged in providing April 20, following which half of Noida’s police pickets will be stationed to restrict essential services and those holding valid geographical area is now under containment movement.” The district administration All domestic and international flight operations, passes will be allowed to commute. zone. has decided that within the buffer zones, except those of cargo flights and special medicine stores, milk booths, grocery stores flights have been suspended for the Issued under the National Disaster Act 2005, Scaling up the containment plan to contain and fruits and vegetable shops will be lockdown period that is running in its second the order came in force immediately. the spread of the deadly virus, buffer zones allowed to be functional. phase after being extended till May 3. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 15

Delhi/NCR NEW DELHI TIMES In India Communities Join the Fight to Stave Off Hunger nside a kitchen in a housing complex I in Gurugram near the capital New Delhi, cooks mash potatoes, season vegetables and fry an Indian bread called “puri” to prepare about 100 meals every day for families whose money has run out. The rations are bought with contributions from residents for whom this kitchen usually makes food. Photo Credit : Getty Images came from villages over the last two decades that many will be left out of such safety nets day. “Our job in the restaurant industry is to Supervisor Rahul Rawat makes sure it is a to the business hub of Gurugram to work as simply because the scale of the problem is so feed people so this is what we do and it only satisfying meal. “We make spicy food so security guards, drivers domestic helpers huge -- there are some 120 million migrant makes sense, logical sense, for us to open that those who eat it find it tasty.” and other support staff for high earning workers in the country. Charities that run up our kitchens and our resources and our Just a few kilometers away a couple who corporate executives and businessmen. helplines for migrant workers say pleas for hearts,” he says. run a commercial kitchen that caters Asian food have been growing. food have spearheaded another community They lived in tiny shanty homes that sprouted Kalra is not the only one – several other initiative that has grown rapidly. in the shadow of glitzy office buildings and For Zorawar Kalra, who runs fine dining restaurants in the country have also pitched gated apartment complexes in the city. restaurants in several cities, the decision in. The Jan Sahas Social Development They began by preparing about 200 meals to use his facilities to prepare meals for society, a voluntary group, which initiated a day of rice and lentils in their kitchen But since India imposed the world’s largest the hungry came when he saw a stream of a helpline for stranded workers says the facilities but as word spread, friends and lockdown nearly a month ago to contain migrant labor trudging back to their villages biggest upside during the lockdown has others pitched in – some supplying dry the coronavirus pandemic, these migrant when he was out to buy medicines. been the huge numbers of the more affluent rations, others volunteering to help. That workers have been stranded without jobs that have stepped forward to help. marked the start of the “Janta Rasoi” or – a plight shared by millions across Indian Tens of thousands of workers fled cities worried “People’s kitchen” that now provides about cities. Their meager savings have quickly about how they would sustain themselves “In the last 20 years that we are working, 2,500 meals every day. depleted, raising the specter of hunger. without money – many had to walk home as this is the first time that we have been public transport was suspended. contacted by so many people who want to “We see a lot of men who would have been State authorities across India are running support stranded families,” according to working but they don’t have any means so kitchens and shelter homes for the poor “These people have no money to eat. They Ashif Shaikh of Jan Sahas. now they are standing there. We keep getting and the government has said it will give have no jobs. They have no way to feed their calls – urgent calls,” says Arjun Pandey, co additional food rations. But confined to children,” says Kalra, Managing Director of Just yesterday we got a call from a residents founder of Janta Rasoi. “Today we got a call their tiny homes in city slums, many people Massive Restaurants. “I don’t think it can be organization that had prepared ration kits for from 14 day wagers who were stuck and had cannot access such benefits or reach out for a worse off situation for a human being than 300 families in New Delhi and went with us not had food for two days.” help in a shuttered country. that scenario. That really touched the core.” to distribute it.” That is not surprising. Tens of thousands Social welfare organizations also point out His restaurants prepare about 5000 meals a Credit : Voice of America (VOA) Delhi Pollution levels PM Modi addresses members Evacuation of stranded fall significantly amid Indians abroad to begin of the Panchayati Raj, calls only after a change in lockdown period lockdown policy: Sources ◆ By NDT Bureau them “brave warriors” ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] [email protected] D espite a dust storm causing a spike in he Government sources on April 23, pollution levels in the national capital, T stated that the stranded Indians abroad the air quality is still meeting the prescribed will be evacuated only when there is a standards as pollution levels in the Capital change in lockdown policy after May 3. city have fallen significantly during the lockdown period, said a report by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Photo Credit : Getty Images

Photo Credit : Getty Images They said, “There is complete lockdown till In a letter to Rural Development Minister May 3. The well-being of stranded Indians Photo Credit : Getty Images ◆ By NDT Bureau There has been reported a 46 per cent Narendra Singh Tomar, PM Mr. Modi is being looked after by respective missions. reduction in PM2.5 levels while a 50 per @NewDelhiTimes lauded the efforts and the role of the We advise them to stay put. Evacuation can Panchayati Raj members across the begin once there is a change in the lockdown cent reduction has been reported in PM10 [email protected] levels during the period, the report further country in tackling the novel Coronavirus policy.” It must be noted that beginning stated. The study further stated, “Since 81% n the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day, crisis and said, “The members of the March 24, India is under lockdown that of Delhi’s NO2 comes from the transport O Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi Panchayati Raj system, who are fighting in was further extended till May 3 to contain sector (as per Teri Emission Inventory, interacted with Sarpanchs from all over the a committed manner against this challenge the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. Amid 2018), restrictions on vehicular activity country and launched e-GramSwaraj portal like brave warriors act as a source of the nationwide lockdown put in place, all led to a 56% reduction in NO2 levels and and mobile application. inspiration for the rest of us. airlines have suspended their domestic and over 37% reduction in CO levels during the international operations. lockdown, compared with pre-lockdown The Sarpanchs joined the interaction at a This combined force is our strength in this India, before the implementation of the period.” Also, there have been reports of Common Service Centre near them and fight. We will definitely defeat this pandemic lockdown, evacuated several of its nationals decreased benzene levels. shared their views with the Prime Minister. by staying strong through our unity.” stuck abroad.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 16 27 April - 3 May 2020

Neighbourhood NEW DELHI TIMES Sri Lanka World Bank to election set for lend $50M to June 20, ending help Myanmar fight coronavirus possible crisis he World Bank said it has approved ri Lanka’s Election Commission set T $50 million in emergency financing to S the country’s Parliament elections for help Myanmar improve its hospital system June 20, invoking a hitherto unused legal to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. provision to avoid a possible Constitutional crisis if the country failed to hold the vote The bank’s office in Myanmar said ina because of the coronavirus. statement that the credit would be used mostly to increase the capacity of intensive The Commission had to decide whether to Photo Credit : AP Photo care units at selected hospitals and to build open the polls, which could expose more crisis was ended by a Supreme Court President’s brother, said the Commission the skills of hospital staff and officials, people to the virus, or let the country plunge decision that restored the Prime Minister. could not ignore its legal duty to schedule in addition to promoting community into its second Constitutional crisis in less a new election because of “imaginary engagement. than two years. Last month, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa situations that may or may not come in the dissolved the opposition-controlled Parliament Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in Ratnajeevan Hoole, one of the three coming weeks or months”. six months early, hoping his party could win Asia and its public health infrastructure is Commission members told The Associated a majority in new elections. considered weak. Press after the meeting that the Commission The government also rejected suggestions decided to invoke a section in the He has complained that a 2015 Constitutional by the opposition that Presidential powers Parliamentary Elections Act that allows the change curtailed Presidential powers and wants be used to recall the dissolved Parliament. panel to issue necessary directions to manage a constitutional amendment to strengthen his any special or unforeseen circumstances. office, which would require the support of Opposition parties said an election during two-thirds of Parliament. the pandemic poses too much risk since Hoole said the date was set considering candidates typically rely upon large public an increasing coronavirus threat and the Rajapaksa had announced elections for April 25, rallies and door-to-door campaigning. inability to organize an election with a but the Election Commission postponed the limited number of staff allowed to work to vote indefinitely after the coronavirus spread Health authorities say they have managed to maintain social distancing. and the government declared an island-wide keep the spread of the virus under control, curfew. limiting its spread within the community The Commission could postpone the election through identification and isolation of further if needed, he said. The Constitution stipulates that a dissolved patients and their contacts. Parliament must be replaced within three The government lifted a daytime curfew Photo Credit : Getty Images months. The deadline had been June 2. in many areas of the country, except ones Anil Jasinghe, a top health official, said 12 of The World Bank said the project will cover identified as high risk, to restart the economy. Rajapaksa previously rejected the Election the country’s 25 districts have not reported eight central hospitals and 43 regional and commission’s suggestion that the Supreme any patients and the lockdown could be In 2018, Sri Lanka came to a standstill for state hospitals around the country, starting Court be asked to help find a solution. gradually eased. 52 days after then President Maithripala with those in areas considered most at risk, Sirisena sacked his Prime Minister. The Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Credit : Associated Press (AP) such as densely populated areas and places serving as travel hubs. Pakistan slips to three Nepal expresses gratitude to India The financing for the Myanmar project is the latest in series of fast-track measures places in 2020 World initiated by the bank earlier this month to Press Freedom Index for essential medical supplies deal with the pandemic. ◆ By NDT Bureau The first group of projects, totaling $1.9 billion, was to assist 25 countries in the @NewDelhiTimes developing world, while the bank prepared [email protected] packages for 40 more. In an April 2 announcement, the bank said akistan has slipped three places in it was “working worldwide to redeploy P the 2020 World Press Freedom Index resources in existing World Bank-financed released by the Reporters Without Borders projects worth up to $1.7 billion”. (Reporters Sans Frontieres or RSF) on April 21. Pakistan has been ranked 145 out of 180 “The World Bank Group is prepared to countries in the 2020 World Press Freedom deploy up to $160 billion over the next 15 Index. months to support COVID-19 measures that will help countries respond to immediate The RSF stated that Pakistani media, which Photo Credit : Getty Images health consequences of the pandemic has a long tradition of being very lively, has of essential medicines to Nepal, to fight By NDT Bureau and bolster economic recovery,” it said. become a priority target for the country’s ◆ COVID-19 Pandemic. The medicines were “The broader economic program will aim “deep state”. “The influence of establishment @NewDelhiTimes handed over to the Minister for Health and to shorten the time to recovery, create has increased dramatically since Imran Khan Population today by the Ambassador of [email protected] conditions for growth, support small and became Prime Minister in July 2018. India,” Oli tweeted on April 22. medium enterprises, and help protect the epal has thanked India for 23 tonnes There have been many cases of brazen The initiative was taken by India as a part poor and vulnerable.” N of essential medicines supplied to it censorship in which the military have used a of the ongoing bilateral cooperation to to help it fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) The statement said that funds for an ongoing number of methods for exercising pressure. combat coronavirus. India’s Ambassador pandemic. The country’s Prime Minister K.P. World Bank-financed Myanmar Essential Distribution of newspapers, especially the Vinay Mohan Kwatra handed over the Sharma Oli thanked Indian PM Narendra Health Services Access Project supporting leading daily Dawn, has been interrupted,” it consignment to Minister for Health and Modi for the generous support. 12,000 primary health care facilities across added. Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal, the Indian the country were also being directed to assist mission in Nepal said in a statement. Apart from traditional media, censorship The consignment, a gift from the people of capacity building and operational costs “to has also entered the arena of social media. intensify surveillance and testing activities in India to the people of Nepal, includes 8.25 “Indian and Nepali health professionals are Pakistani Journalists who go against the state all states and regions, establish a functioning lakh doses of essential medicines, including collaborating their efforts on the ground are at high risk, stated the report. information and reporting system for all 3.2 lakh doses of Paracetamol and 2.5 lakh to contain and stop this pandemic. India suspected cases” and facilitate the flow of Apart from Pakistan, other countries that fell doses of Hydroxychloroquine. is committed to prepare, act, and succeed information among health professionals and from its previous year position includes, Iran together in partnership with Nepal and other the public. that fell to 173 and Afghanistan that went “I thank Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi South Asian partner countries in this hour of down to the 122nd position. ji for India’s generous support of 23 tonnes challenge,” the Indian Embassy added. Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 17

North America NEW DELHI TIMES

government of Mexico.” “There isn’t the Canadian police Pandemic warms belittling of Mexicans like there had been Nicaragua sends before, there isn’t with the same intensity,” say gunman relationship he added. students back to between Trump, The Department of Homeland Security acted alone in reached agreement with Mexico and school despite Mexican President Canada to continue restricting nonessential killing 22 people travel at U.S. borders for another month. virus fears he COVID-19 pandemic could have Later, in a tweet, Trump said he was icaragua ordered its more than 1.8 gunman acted alone in waging a T been a fraught moment for U.S.- temporarily suspending immigration to the N million students back to class, in A weekend rampage that killed at least Mexico relations — two leaders from U.S. to curb the virus, though with all the spite of concerns about spreading the novel 22 people across northern and central Nova opposite ends of the political spectrum other immigration restrictions, it was not coronavirus that have led other countries in Scotia, Canadian police said as they faced facing the largest crisis ever confronted by immediately clear who would be affected. the region to try to keep education on track mounting criticism over not issuing a public either administration. through remote learning. emergency alert for the province. “It’s very clear that there’s a high degree Instead, presidents Donald Trump and of affinity, a surprising degree of affinity, Nicaragua also showed its unwillingness Andrés Manuel López Obrador are carrying between Trump and López Obrador,” who to heed health warnings by telling some on like old pals. is willing “to cater to Trump in order to 130,000 state workers to return to their jobs not only prevent Trump from dumping on The men appear so chummy that the Mexican following a two-week hiatus for religious Mexico, but also because López Obrador president, who has not traveled outside observations. his country since taking office nearly 18 recognizes that he can get help and support months ago, is talking about visiting his U.S. where he needs it,” said David Shirk, a Government education adviser Salvador counterpart. It’s almost enough to forget that political science professor at the University Vanegas told the government website El 19 less than a year ago Trump threatened to put of San Diego. that Health Ministry protocols about hand- washing hand been implemented. crippling tariffs on Mexican exports. Last year, Mexico signed a new regional free- As a candidate, Trump said Mexicans trade agreement with the U.S. and Canada, That was of little comfort to worried crossing the border brought drugs, crime and which had been a Trump priority. López families. Obrador, who rails against the neoliberal “tremendous infectious disease” to the U.S. “I fear for the health of my four grandchildren legacy of his predecessors — privatizing After taking office, he continued to promise who are going to class and can’t miss them state-owned businesses, weakening unions Photo Credit : AP Photo to build a border wall and make Mexico pay because they’ve been told if they don’t go — almost daily, went along with it. When Chief Supt. Chris Leather of the Royal for it. But this month Trump called López they’ll lose points,” said Gertrudis Palacio, Canadian Mounted Police said investigators a domestic worker from Las Esquinas, south were still trying to determine whether of the capital. anyone assisted the gunman leading up to Elsewhere in Central America governments the incident, but had determined he carried have taken extreme measures, closing out the attack himself while disguised as a borders and imposing curfews, but Nicaragua police officer in a vehicle marked to seem has encouraged people to go about their like a patrol car. lives, even to attend mass gatherings. Authorities said the suspect, identified as International organizations have expressed 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, was shot to concerns about the lack of social distancing death at a gas station and preparations even as many Nicaraguans Leather said that as the initial attack was try to take their own precautions. underway in the rural town of Portapique, Jonathan López, a member of the University police warned residents to lock their doors Coordinator for Democracy and Justice, and stay in their basements. The town, which is linked to the opposition, said like all of Canada, had been adhering to university officials have threatened to expel government advice to remain at home students who don’t attend class. because of the coronavirus pandemic, and Photo Credit : AP Photo Jorge Mendoza, director of the non- most of the victims were inside homes when the number of asylum seekers showing up Obrador “a very good friend” and praised governmental organization, Education and attacked. at the U.S.-Mexico border began last year his “tremendous intelligence.” His Mexican Human Development Forum, characterized to overwhelm the U.S. capacity to process But no wider warning was issued, and counterpart described their relationship as a the government’s decision as “blindness” them, Mexico averted Trump’s tariff threat questions emerged about why a public “friendship” and said Trump had spoken to and “a carelessness that is going to cost by deploying its newly minted National emergency alert was not sent province-wide him with a lot of “fondness.” dearly” as the students are potentially through a system recently used to advise Guard, which stopped mostly Central The two have consistently denied observers exposed to the virus and could spread it. people to maintain social distancing. Police American immigrants headed north. The any fireworks, and their common ground in provided Twitter updates, but no alert that Mexican government also let the U.S. the virus crisis appears to be an eagerness would have automatically popped up on expand a controversial program to make to reactivate their economies, which is cellphones. asylum seekers wait in Mexico while their sometimes at odds with warnings from cases were processed in the U.S. There are now 16 crime scenes in five health advisers. The result was that Mexico became the de different rural communities throughout The warmth between them recently yielded facto executor of U.S. immigration policy in northern and central Nova Scotia. Officials some benefit to Mexico. To complete an the region. have not given a motive for the killings. agreement among oil-producing nations to López Obrador “has shown an incredible Leather said it wasn’t until about about 8 reduce production, Trump offered to make penchant for appeasement” of Trump, a.m.on 19 April that authorities learned that a deeper cut to U.S. production, because said Tony Payan, director of the Center the shooter was wearing a police uniform López Obrador said Mexico could not afford for the United States and Mexico at Rice and driving a vehicle that looked like a to. University’s Baker Institute for Public patrol car. Leather said they are investigating Trump appeared to grant a favor to López Policy. “He’s up against a wall. He has no whether he pulled drivers over and executed Obrador. The Mexican president said Trump choice. Picking a fight with Washington them after his initial attack in his home called him and said that Mexico would get today would absolutely and completely community of Portapique where he set fires 1,000 ventilators by the end of the month poison the waters more than they’re already Photo Credit : AP Photo to homes and shot a number of people. with the option to buy more. poisoned. He’s got no other choice but to The government has not said how many people have been tested since its first Leather said Nova Scotia’s Emergency “It’s a new gesture of solidarity with cooperate with Mr. Trump. And I think Mr. confirmed case in mid-March. Management Office contacted the RCMP at Mexico,” López Obrador wrote on Twitter. Trump knows it.” 10:15 a.m. on 19 April to ask about sending “I proposed the possibility of meeting Under the health emergency, the U.S. When President Daniel Ortega reappeared an emergency message to cell phones and in June or July to personally express our government has completely closed its last week to give a televised speech after a televisions in the province. He said police appreciation.” southern border to asylum seekers and in 34-day public absence, he said Nicaraguans were crafting a message when the suspect many cases is quickly returning Mexicans “haven’t stopped working, because if this Earlier that day, López Obrador had said was killed almost two hours later. and Central Americans back to Mexico. country stops working, it dies.” at his daily news conference that Trump Credit : Associated Press (AP) “has been respectful of the people and Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 18 27 April - 3 May 2020

Africa NEW DELHI TIMES South Africa announces $26 billion to help struggling nation outh Africa’s president announced reports of officials diverting aid. S an “extraordinary budget” of $500 Local media reports have described in stark billion rand ($26 billion) to address the huge detail how families are trying to practice socioeconomic effects of the coronavirus social distancing in crowded shacks in pandemic, saying that “our country and informal settlements. Some communities the world we live in will never be the same have been in the dark for weeks or months, again.” unable to meet electricity payments, Clean President Cyril Ramaphosa in a national water often comes from shared community address said the “historic” amount is roughly taps, if at all. 10% of the GDP of sub-Saharan Africa’s Ramaphosa said other priorities for the new most developed country. The top priorities budget include the protection of companies are combating the virus and relieving and workers in a country where the “hunger and social distress” as millions of economy had been struggling even before South Africans struggle to survive under the pandemic. The lockdown has halted lockdown, he said. most economic activity, with only essential service workers in sectors like food and One-tenth of the new special budget will go Photo Credit : AP Photo toward the country’s most vulnerable people healthcare allowed to operate. South Africa has the most confirmed virus Namibia is offering emergency income over the next six months in one of the world’s A large part of the workforce is in the cases in Africa with 3,465. grants to workers who have lost their jobs, most unequal nations. The pandemic has low-income informal sector. Ramaphosa and Cape Verde has offered cash transfers “If we end the lockdown too soon or exacerbated inequalities, Ramaphosa said. announced special increases to the monthly and food assistance. too abruptly, we risk a massive and social grants upon which about 16 million “We are resolved not merely to return uncontrollable resurgence of the disease,” Egypt has reduced taxes for industries and of South Africa’s 57 million people rely for our economy to where it was before the the president said. The loosening of postponed taxes on agricultural land, while survival. coronavirus, but to forge a new economy in a the lockdown will take a “risk-adjusted Ghana has pledged to fully absorb the cost of new global reality,” he said, adding that “our The virus and measures to contain it approach,” he added. electricity bills for the “poorest of the poor” new economy must be founded on fairness, will continue to take a severe toll “in the and 50% of the cost for all other consumers empowerment, justice and equality.” weeks and months to come,” with many Other African countries are implementing for the next three months. people losing their jobs, the president said. relief and social welfare programs for their Through the African Union, the continent’s Poverty and food insecurity have deepened Unemployment already had been 29%. The citizens, although none on the scale of South leaders have appealed to the international dramatically since the lockdown began central bank now projects that GDP will fall Africa. community for at least $100 billion to help on March 27, Ramaphosa said, and he by up to 6.1% this year. Africa fight the virus. The International acknowledged that government food Nigeria’s government has announced it Monetary Fund this month approved $500 distribution has been unable to meet the South Africa’s lockdown is set to continue will expand its social welfare register from million of debt-relief funds for 19 of Africa’s “huge need.” Some 250,000 food parcels until May 1. While painful, it has been 2.6 million households to 3.6 million, in poorest nations. will be distributed over the next two weeks, “absolutely necessary” to save tens of addition to food distribution, cash transfers said the president, who strongly condemned thousands of lives, Ramaphosa said. and loan repayment waivers. Credit : Associated Press (AP) Cameroon’s President said he was pleased that Biya was for once acknowledging that troops have committed Report says Burkina Faso acknowledges army atrocities. massacre of civilians Laban called on Biya to apologize to the rights groups he accused of fabricating the forces killed 31 unarmed men ameroon’s President Paul Biya has urkina Faso’s security forces reportedly that all of the victims were ethnic Fulani. massacre to tarnish the military’s image. C acknowledged that the military B killed 31 unarmed men in the The Fulani have been increasingly targeted massacred innocent people, including “This declaration comes to confirm the country’s north earlier this month, according by the military and local defense militias for women and children, in a northwestern fact that the Cameroonian military is so to a report by Human Rights Watch. their alleged affiliation with Islamist groups. village in February after the government unprofessional. A military that is killing the The killings occurred on April 9, hours after Daouda Diallo, head of a Fulani rights group first denied it. people rather than protecting them,” he said. the men were detained during a government in Burkina Faso, said that attacks have “This comes to show us that human rights counterterrorism operation in the town of increased significantly, from 20 per month activists are doing a good job.” Djibo in the Sahel region, the report said. last year to 20 per week this year. In March, armed men murdered at least 43 people in On the night of Feb. 14, residents said, The West African nation continues to be two villages in Yatenga province known to soldiers raided their village and killed wracked by violence linked to Islamic be largely populated by Fulani. dozens of people. An international outcry by extremists and local defense militias, which civil society organizations and rights groups has displaced nearly 840,000 people within followed, but the government said the Burkina Faso. military was professional and did not commit atrocities. Biya later ordered independent The country’s ill-equipped military has investigations, and rights groups said he was been previously accused by rights groups bowing to international pressure. of committing human rights atrocities in an attempt to combat the violence. Since Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior researcher for 2017, Human Rights Watch has documented central Africa at Human Rights Watch, the killing of several hundred men by said Biya’s decision to punish the military government security forces for their alleged “The corpses of the three women and 10 members involved marks a step in the right support of extremist groups. children, whom the military killed and tried direction, although the group disagrees on “This is hardly an isolated incident. The to cover up their actions by also torching the number of people killed. Burkinabe security forces face a real and several houses and blaming separatist Photo Credit : AP Photo The United Nations has said 22 people were serious threat as armed Islamists murder In a statement , the Ministry of Defense fighters, will be exhumed for the state to killed in Ngarr-buh, 14 of them children, civilians and terrorize the population,” said that it doesn’t target its own people and conduct decent burials,” a statement from and at least 600 people fled. Human Rights Corinne Dufka, West Africa director for that now more than ever success in ending Biya’s office said. Watch said the death toll was 21. Human Rights Watch told the AP. the crisis depends on “the confidence and collaboration of local populations.” The president has asked for legal action, Allegrozzi said investigations should also be “But committing atrocities in the name it said. Three soldiers have already been opened into other alleged crimes committed of security is both unlawful and deeply The ministry said that if these allegations arrested. by the military while fighting Boko Haram counterproductive, for it only pushes more are true it will take action and noted that on Innocent Laban, a spokesman for the people extremists as well as separatists who seek and more people seeking revenge into the April 10 it already requested that the director of the English-speaking northwestern a state for English-speakers in the majority ranks of the armed Islamists.” of military justice open an investigation into French-speaking nation. village of Ngarr-buh who escaped fighting The report’s writers interviewed 17 people similar accusations against the army. between armed separatists and the military, Credit : Associated Press (AP) with knowledge of the killings and found Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 19

South America NEW DELHI TIMES

Germany, while a third never left the United Brazil’s government, States, Araújo said. Undeterred, the secretary Argentina doesn’t decided on a more unorthodox plan. With states fight for his Chinese contacts, Araújo orchestrated make payment, pandemic supplies a complex scheme to bring the valuable material in a commercial freighter via starting default ast month, Dr. Riane Azevedo pulled off Ethiopia. The operation, which mobilized L a master stroke. The superintendent some 30 people in Brazil and China for countdown of the largest public hospital in the poor nearly three weeks, avoided further delays rgentina said it didn’t make $500 Brazilian state of Ceara managed to procure by skipping customs in the large airport of A million in debt payments, starting a highly sought-after cache of ventilators Sao Paulo, only declaring the content of the a 30-day countdown to a possible default to treat the new coronavirus patients shipment in Maranhao’s airport. unless the government and bondholders can overwhelming her intensive care unit. In response, Brazil’s Federal Revenue reach a deal on restructuring its massive But just weeks before she was due to Service announced that it would pursue legal foreign debt. receive the ventilators, she got bad news. action, arguing the goods were imported The failure to pay came a week after the Her local supplier could no longer honor without due licensing from authorities. government of President Alberto Fernández the agreement. Instead, she was told, the presented a proposal to restructure roughly “The presidency should support this type of Photo Credit : AP Photo equipment was going to Brazil’s federal $70 billion in debt involving the suspension Argentina is under a mandatory quarantine operation, not the opposite,” Araújo said. government. of its debt obligations for three years and a due to COVID-19 and was in a recession with 62% reduction for interest payments. “The health ministry confiscated the ventilators This week, the Supreme Court’s Justice high inflation and 35.5% of its population in for our hospital,” said Azevedo from the Celso de Mello ruled the health ministry Argentina will use the period to seek creditor poverty even before the pandemic. Instituto Dr. José Frota hospital, where she cannot confiscate a separate order by acceptance of its proposal, which it has said The statement from Argentina’s government had planned to open up another 40 ICU Maranhao for 68 ventilators, and gave will remain in force until May 8 and aims at highlighted “its willingness to pay even beds in May. “It makes no sense … It’s like the local supplier 48 hours to deliver the “restoring the sustainability of public debt in in the most serious international context” working against yourself.” equipment. The disputes come as Bolsonaro, foreign currency.” and said it is looking for a debt profile If creditors do not accept the offer — and at “compatible with a path of sustainable least three groups of bondholders have said growth in the medium and long term, which they will not — Argentina will officially be improves future repayment capacity future in default by the end of May, the second and basic social indicators.” default in two decades. Credit : Associated Press (AP) Trump tells Chevron to “wind down” oil fields in Venezuela he Trump administration ordered Chevron the pace of its push to end his presidency T Corp. to “wind down” operations in and more than 20 years of socialist rule that Venezuela by Dec. 1, barring the California- critics blame for leading the once rich oil- based oil giant in the meantime from drilling producing nation to economic and political or exporting, as the U.S. increases pressure ruin. on President Nicolás Maduro to give up Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest power. oil reserves, yet its political upheaval and Photo Credit : AP Photo economic crunch have led 4.5 million people Amid a global pandemic, medical equipment who has likened COVID-19 to “a little flu,” in recent years to flee their native country, needed to treat patients with COVID-19 rages against governors who have passed where many lack basic services like running and protect health workers has become a stay-at-home measures to limit its spread water, electricity, gasoline and functioning hot commodity, with countries around the and recently fired his health minister who hospitals. world competing for crucial supplies. In encouraged the policies, which he says will Brazil, in a scenario also seen in the United wreak economic destruction. After levying a series of financial and States, the competition has become internal. economic sanctions on Maduro and his Some states are vying for material with the Experts and health executives on the ground allies, the Trump administration has waged government of President Jair Bolsonaro, fear the newly appointed health minister will a campaign of maximum pressure in recent who is already sharply at odds with many be influenced by Bolsonaro’s feuds with the weeks. U.S. federal prosecutors have indicted governors over coronavirus containment governors. Maduro as a narcotrafficker, putting a $15 measures. The Supreme Court has defended million bounty on his head, while sending Maranhao state’s purchase of ventilators. In a statement sent to the AP, Brazil’s warships and planes to intercept illegal drug ministry of health defended its overall shipments crossing the Caribbean bound for Experts fear such political rivalries could strategy. It said that as a regulator in the the United States. hurt efforts to fight the pandemic in Brazil, pandemic response, it needed to ensure that which has the highest number of confirmed “all states in the country are supplied with U.S. officials also unveiled plans for a cases and deaths in the region at 45,757 the equipment and supplies necessary to transitional government to hold a presidential and 2,906, respectively. The number of face the disease.” Since the beginning of the election years before Maduro’s current term infections is thought to be far higher because crisis, the ministry said it has delivered 253 ends. Maduro has rejected the demands of many people have not been tested. ventilators to nine different states and 71 the U.S. and dozens of other nations that million masks. he resign, saying Washington is conspiring “It seems that there is a lack of trust between against Venezuela’s socialist revolution so it the federal government and governors,” On the front lines, public sector medical staff, can steal its oil. said Walter Cintra Ferreira Jr, a professor in hospital executives and doctors’ unions are health management at the Fundacao Getulio angered by the shortages in ventilators and This comes at a tumultuous time for oil Vargas university in Sao Paulo. “What we the failure to provide protective equipment. producing nations with global energy prices expect from the health ministry is a quick They say the lack of masks and gloves is driven down in part due to a glut of oil in distribution of resources.” exposing doctors to the deadly virus, as well storage worldwide as drivers stay home as their families and hospital patients. Photo Credit : AP Photo under coronavirus quarantines rather than Chevron is the last major U.S. oil company In Maranhao, a northeastern state next gas up their cars or board planes. For most people, the new coronavirus causes to do business in crisis-wracked Venezuela, to Ceara, the local government has mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever investing in the South American nation’s oil Chevron had been arguing that any void in faced multiple setbacks in acquiring the and cough that clear up in two to three fields and machinery over the last century Venezuela created by its departure would equipment it needs. Maranhao’s Secretary of weeks. For some, especially older adults with an estimated value of $2.6 billion, likely be filled by companies from Russia Industry, Commerce and Energy, Simplício and people with existing health problems, which analysts say Maduro’s government and China, harming long-term strategic U.S. Araújo, said the state had a delivery of 150 it can cause more severe illness, including will likely take over. interests in the country, which is an OPEC ventilators from a Brazilian provider seized pneumonia and death. member. by the federal health ministry on March 19. It’s the latest in a series of steps the White A second shipment from China got stuck in Credit : Associated Press (AP) House has taken against Maduro, quickening Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 20 27 April - 3 May 2020

Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES Racial discrimination threatens China-Africa ties the online discord between China and of African continent that provokes China- disobeying. ◆ By NDT Bureau African netizens, the Ambassador said Africa relations. Some US media outlets have reported that @NewDelhiTimes practical actions of good work will speak Chinese people are “discriminating” against for themselves. Two batches of Chinese China clarifies that it is facing difficulty [email protected] Africans. This actually reflects the reality medical teams recently arrived in Ethiopia in preventing imported cases of Corona and China’s prevalent attitude towards and Burkina Faso to help local efforts virus. Among the foreign imported cases here have been reports that African Africans. The act is malicious. Gaps exist stop the spread of COVID-19. Namibian in Guangzhou, Nigerians and people from people in Guangzhou, capital of South between nations and races around the world T Ambassador to China refuted claims that some other African countries account for a China’s Guangdong Province have been but nowhere is it as deep as in China. mistreated during the local government’s campaign to curb COVID-19 spread. The pandemic has made ordinary people more vigilant to the high-risk groups. Many China blamed media of negative reporting, Wuhan citizens have been distanced in complaining that it is waiting for a chance various places throughout China and some to “drive a wedge and spoil” China-Africa were refused when checking into hotels. relations. Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to This is largely a natural response and has China said that China-Africa ties should nothing to do with discrimination. not be swayed by unverified reports and exaggerations. This was the effort by an Guangzhou has seen large number of African official, at China’s insistence, imported cases from Africa, so people to go public and dismiss allegations of are feeling a sense of vigilance. China discrimination toward Africans in a South blames that many Africans stay illegally China city. Earlier the Nigerian Foreign in Guangzhou exacerbating the difficulties Photo Credit : Getty Images Minister and Namibian Ambassador to for local prevention and control work but China had given similar statements to African nationals are being mistreated in large proportion. There have also been local unwilling to cooperate in China’s efforts on mollycoddle China. China, while Nigerian Foreign Minister said transmissions through those imported cases. social distancing. Their craving for personal that there is nothing wrong in Guangzhou privileges has greatly complicated the China’s Africa-baiting came to such a pass applying strict anti-epidemic policies based In the past, China formulated different prevention and control work. that China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Chen on the experience of Wuhan. China sent prevention and control standards like quarantine Xiaodong had to meet all African envoys supplies to Accra, Ghana with a banner and medical observation regulations for China says it would resolutely enforce all to reiterate that China treats all foreigners reading “China Aid”. The 37.3 tons of people from different countries. With the prevention and control measures regardless equally under China’s virus prevention rules. supplies are part of China’s aid to African tightening global pandemic, the regulation of the nationality and race of travellers It explained how strategies of lockdowns, countries to confront the COVID-19 is equal for all. In the past, some of those entering China. All inbound foreigners quarantines, and voluntary testing cause pandemic. entering China from African countries were understand this and do not seek any personal unintended discomforts and pains but have not included in the scope of centralized privileges. to be endured for the greater good of taming There has been friction between Guangzhou’s quarantine. Now, regulations have tightened. the pandemic. The African Ambassadors grassroots personnel and African people. China has colonised African continent noted the salience of cooperation and called Officials in Nigeria and other countries have Some foreigners feel “discriminated”, by in a big way. It rampantly exploits Dark for better China-Africa communication. expressed their concerns and dissatisfaction the strict prevention and control measures Continent’s natural resources with gay over the friction. The African Union had of local residents but they are being treated abandon. It harbours no connect with Zimbabwe celebrating its 40th Independence to respond as well. Both the US media at par with Chinese people. They need to African people. Beijing is naturally afflicted Day declared a nationwide lockdown to and government have exposed China’s adapt to the situation and strictly abide by with racial hatred for all. It does not respect prevent COVID-19 spread. Speaking of discriminatory behaviour against people the regulations, instead of complaining and Asians, what to speak of Africans? Pro-Democracy Protestors in Hong Kong arrested These arrests come after some provocative ◆ By NDT Bureau rhetoric mainland China’s representative @NewDelhiTimes offices in Hong Kong SAR, indicating stronger enforcement of security measures [email protected] ahead of Hong Kong’s September Legislative Council elections. The strongly- n April 18, 2020, Hong Kong Police worded statement by China’s liaison office O arrested 15 of the prominent pro- stated that it and the Hong Kong and democracy activists in the region. They Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO)-China’s were linked to the 2019 pro-democracy top bodies overseeing the city’s affairs-are protests that made global headlines and put “authorised by the central authorities to the human rights record of Chinese authority handle Hong Kong affairs”. The arrests were in Hong Kong under international scanner. defended by the Hong Kong government. “In Hong Kong, everyone is equal before the Police have charged the arrested protestors law ... No one has any special privileges,” with the 15 coordinated and joining of three remarked a bureau spokesman. unapproved protests: the first on August 18 -in which organizers estimated 1.7 million attended, the second on the October 1- The move has received condemnation from anniversary of the founding of modern-day prominent international leaders as human China and the third on October 20, 2019. rights bodies and activists. “The United States condemns the arrest of pro-democracy Those arrested included 81-year-old lawyer advocates in Hong Kong,” US Secretary Martin Lee, dubbed the “father” of Hong of State Mike Pompeo said. “Beijing Photo Credit : Getty Images Kong democracy; media tycoon and long- and its representatives in Hong Kong should avoid “actions that inflame tensions”. that legal systems continue to protect time critic of China’s Communist party continue to take actions inconsistent with “The authorities should focus on rebuilding citizens from any abuse of power which may Jimmy Lai; and leading social activist and commitments made under the Sino-British trust through a process of meaningful otherwise be unseen during the Covid-19 former legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, former Joint Declaration that include transparency, political dialogue”, the Foreign Office said. crisis in which the international community legislators Leung Kwok-hung and Au Nok- the rule of law, and guarantees that Hong is submerged,” the organisation said in a hin, and younger activists such as Figo Kong will continue to ‘enjoy a high One of the prominent international human statement. Chan, the vice-convener of the Civil Human degree of autonomy”. In Britain, a Foreign rights advocacy body, the International Bar Rights Front, which organised several mass Office representative said the government Association has condemned the arrests of The Hong Kong Progressive Lawyers has protests approved by police last year. expected any arrests and court procedures Lee and Ng, who have been active human said that a political spectacle has been staged to be “conducted in a fair and transparent rights and rule of law campaigners during by the authorities to punish pro-democracy The arrested are scheduled to appear in court manner”. The Foreign Office also said the their careers. “It is critical that authorities activists”. The group added that “hundreds on May 18. Hong Kong police have not right to peaceful protest was “fundamental do not use their powers to encroach on of thousands of people” took part in mass ruled out the possibility of further arrests. to Hong Kong’s way of life” and authorities fundamental human rights, and it is vital demonstrations but were not arrested. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 21

Think - Tanks NEW DELHI TIMES Good conduct is vital for good character It is through his acquiring of these ethics, ◆ By Dr. Pramila Srivastava morality and good manners that lubricate @PramilaBK our dealings with the society and make our behaviour pleasant and charming. It is through [email protected] these attributes that one promotes and paves way for social harmony, love and friendship ood manners and ethics are what with other fellow beings around us. G every individual seeks in every other individual. These values are the setting A good conduct forms the basis of ethics grounds for a good character that a society worn by an individual that helps us in seeks a person to be acquired and cultivated escaping many ugly, bitter and untoward with. Ethics, on boarding the concept of good situations. A right character, being a and bad conduct, is a branch of philosophy valuable possession, is needed at every point that deals with the issue of morality and of time and that comes in making with the the rules of behaviour. It becomes of great right conduct because our actions not only importance for us as human beings to set affect us but also those around us. Ethics, Photo Credit : Getty Images the principles of right conduct, commonly good conduct and the right behaviour, being of a lifespan when things either good or bad, to be brought into practice, abide by the rules used by the name ‘ethics’ in modern day as a societal concern, is of great importance to get actually cultivated and sustain for the of ethics and make every single deed count. these help to analyse the problems that come serve the society. entire life. Thus, sooner they are cultivated our way and also aid in doing away with with the values, the better it is because such When ethics are set as the deciding parameters, the odds by finding suitable solutions for Truthfulness, fairness, honesty and equity values cannot be bought or transferred. our actions need to be rational, free, dignified the problems. These are the basic principles are the concepts majorly associated with Every individual is different from another and the most respected because without or code of conduct that govern our moral ethics. Our truthfulness and honesty along in some ways or the other but teaching them, everything a person does is nothing transactions with the rest of the world. The with other virtues are the major constructs these values to our children is the very but aimless. Any flaw in our ethics can turn origin of ethics and good and bad conduct that make our conduct and us acceptable in responsibility of the parents who become the odds against us and reduce the ability to is not the new one but several religions and the society and help as a guide to moral daily the first teachers of their children and then it be successful. philosophers have made their contributions living. These set the parameters to help us comes as the responsibility of the teachers, over centuries. judge ourself whether our behaviour can be with whom the child spends most of the In this highly competitive world, no justified by the societal norms or not. hours of a day’s time. individual can afford to have flaws in his Man is the most beautiful creation of God. ethics. Ethics is certainly the most important We cannot live alone by bread. Good conduct While imbibing these moral values, ethics Ethics are truly found when in practice and aspects of humanity that further leads to and virtues occupy similar importance in and good conduct is not a task of a day or this makes sense. Just having them drafted advancement. Without it, the world would our lives. We are rational, intelligent and two, it is a lifelong process that is learnt and redrafted shall never serve the purpose have been a pool of chaotic and evil deeds civilised. But what makes us all of these at the very beginning and resides with us and this makes some more sense. Thus, for and participants. Thus, we should make good are the good conduct and the manners that forever. Children are the young minds that wanting the course of life to be fair, clean choices, right decisions and take on the road add new leaning and significance to his life. can be moulded as we want. It is this phase and beneficial to the society, this draft needs to a highly dignified life full of freedom. India ensures welfare of its citizens through National Policy on Skill Development implementation of various skill development individuals and entrepreneurship, in line Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) for ◆ By International Institute for Non - Aligned Studies programmes and policies in time before, got with the measures and ideas of citizens’ fostering and strengthening institutional approved its first integrated National Policy welfare, adhered by the Non-Aligned mechanisms at both state and national levels. @iinsNAM for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Movement. Some of the vital initiatives Another World Bank assisted project, namely, [email protected] in 2015. Superseding the policy of 2009, the put in line with the policy include, the Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value revised policy of 2015 visions to create an launch of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Enhancement (STRIVE) scheme, has been he welfare of the citizens of a country ecosystem of empowerment of the citizens Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) that aims to hand launched by the government to improve the is considered to be the core objective T of India by skilling them on a large scale over the youth, the short term skill training, relevance and efficiency of skills training of the governance of an economy because at speed with high standards and to promote along with notification of common norms provided through Industrial Training Institutes it is the citizens of the country that are the the culture of innovation in entrepreneurship to ensure uniformity and standardization in (ITIs) and apprenticeships. Kaushal/Rozgar drivers of growth and development of an so as to generate wealth and employment, implementation of various skill development Melas, Skills Career Counselling Scheme are economy. While promoting peace resides ensuring sustainable livelihoods for the schemes at the hands of various Departments some of the mobilisation or outreach activities as the principal agenda for the formation of citizens of India. The supplanted 2015 policy and Ministries. Also, the government has deployed by the government in making skilling the Non-Aligned Movement, the 120-nation also aims to provide a blanket framework for launched the Skill India Portal that aims to aspirational for individuals. With its strong led organisation thrives for the development all skilling activities carried out in the country, provide information about trainees, training commitment to the welfare and development of all with the concerted efforts of all the in order to line them up to common standards providers and trainers in just one click. It of its individuals, India has been backed by member states. India being a part of the and connecting skilling with demand centres. also has set up Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) the NAM. The ideologies empowered by the organisation has well understood the idea of With the core objective of empowering the as industry-led bodies for the development 120-nation organisation have always been a development of a nation with the welfare of individuals by enabling them to realise their of National Occupation Standards (NOSs). part of the initiatives enrolled by India. every citizen of the country and has initiated full potential with the means of lifelong Apart from these, the government of India several efforts to promote the culture of learning, various initiatives have been ensured has also been backed by the World Bank and (in arrangement with innovation-based development that in turn by the government of India to coordinate and has ensured the implementation of Skills News from Non-Aligned World) proves to be in favour of the very economy. strengthen various factors essential for giving Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for www.iins.org a boost to entrepreneurship across the country. In an economy where every individual in itself is a gem for the country and can From making vocational training aspirational prove to be useful for the nation in his own for both the youth and employers, to ways, it becomes the responsibility of the providing vertical and horizontal pathways government to identify the skill gaps and for further growth of the individuals through develop the existing skills to enable him a seamless integration of skill training, to to achieve his goals. The process is termed increasing training infrastructure in terms as skill development and it must be noted of quantity and quality, to leverage modern significantly that India, in line with this effort, technology for scale, access and outreach formulated its National Skill Development and promoting increased participation of Policy in 2009. But under the leadership of women in the workforce among others, a Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country, number of initiatives have been undertaken given the paradigm shift in skilling and by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country government in India to meet the objectives along with the experience gained from the of the policy and increase the standards of

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 22 27 April - 3 May 2020

Technology & Health NEW DELHI TIMES Feed the homeless animals during the COVID-19 crisis them immediately understood the need for Punjab were usually helpful, their people to giving passes. The person in charge gave ◆ By Smt. Maneka feeding animals during this time. Naveen on the ground, specially Ludhiana, were a passes to each applicant for two hours per Sanjay Gandhi Patnaik immediately announced that money nuisance. day, forcing them to come back daily, go for feeding animals would be given to each through police pickets, and increase the @ManekaGandhiBJP A special mention of Haryana where the Nagar Palika and municipality. Each Chief least harassment took place in any district. chances of spreading Corona. The local Secretary was mature, open to learning and veterinary hospital, the SPCA was also few experiences of the millions I have The Municipal Commissioner of Gurgaon understood what would happen if the street closed for no reason. Compare this stupidity A had during the first phase of COVID is a good, intelligent man and he found animals were not fed. All except one, that to the instant responses of the head of lockdown. solutions quickly. I would like to thank the is the Chief Secretary of Punjab gave me a CM of Haryana for showing the way with Mohali, Dayalan and the head of Panchkula, th On March 24 , when the lockdown was long, ill informed and pompous lecture on his practical approach. On the other hand, who not only involved local NGOs with announced, I immediately gave my phone how I should think of people first and to hell the street police have been a nuisance. Quick their own people, but also responded to number across the country for all animal animal sickness and accident cases with vets volunteers to use if they needed help. I who treated them on the spot. thought that perhaps a few organisations would get in touch. Not so. Thousands of A special mention of Tamil Nadu where I calls started coming in from people who had to intervene the least. Business people, needed passes for feeding, people who were hotels and animal groups, like the Blue Cross, being accosted by the street police while joined together to feed and care for animals. feeding and people who were suffering from Only the IIT-M in Chennai, headed by what the viciousness of RWAs. I am delighted by the films called a “Shyana” (oversmart) the coming of age of the volunteer animal head used his particular form of “scientific movement. Now that we have over one lakh knowledge” to be mean to students who had people whom I can identify across India, stayed behind specifically to feed campus animals. A very big thank you to the Jindal the next step is to organize them into legal Photo Credit : Getty Images University students who, en masse, revolted champions and policy makers in their states. with every other species. But even he pales to stop and hit, many were unnecessarily before the arrogance and bad temper of the against the administration’s viciousness Some people, to my delight, have become abusive-specially in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad until they had to cave in. 600 students joined Chief Secretary of Telegana who, till today, and Thane. Jharkhand typically thought of a leaders during this time: Kaveri Rana has banned passes for anyone, and has been the Animal Welfare Club. of Noida, Chetna Joshi, Gurgaon, Nirali make-money solution and stood on the road, the least helpful to any common citizen for often in plain clothes, threatening to arrest Which places stressed me the most: Pune, Koradia, Lata Parmar, Mumbai, Shivanand anything till now. Dambal, Bangalore, Nighat Lone of people who had passes unless they gave which has an excellent Collector but Kashmir, Rumpy Madaan of Jammu, In every state practically, all the police money. I spoke to the SP in one case and over 2000 really cantankerous feeders. Tejovanth Anopunjo in Guntur, Ajay Daga seniors, from SHOs and DCPs to the it, perhaps, stopped. In one case, an SHO Fortunately, Neha Panchamia of ResQ and of Kolkata, Shakuntala Majumdar of Thane, Commissioners of the city and DGPs of in Delhi went prowling every night to find Puneeta Khanna of PFA took most of my Norma Alvares of Goa, Gauri Maulekhi the states have been wonderful. They women feeders, and to take them back to his burden after a bit. Bangalore, where most and Meenakshee Awasthi, to name a few. were sensible, flexible and mature in their thana where he sat and chatted with them feeders spent a lot of time fighting with each Two people who stand out are Ishita Yadav responses and above all, compassionate. till 12 or so at night. I had to complain three other and Thane Mira Road where people and Kanika Dewan who handled my They came on the lines directly and were times, as this seemed to be a perversion rather who took their passes misused them. communications with the country – so that willing to listen to the smallest problems. Of than disciplinary action. He stopped. The them the three outstanding heads of police District Collectors were equally amazing There are two categories that have made me everyone knew the laws of different states really sad: the press and society associations immediately. have been the Commissioners of Delhi, except for the woman in Mangalore who Srivastava, Mumbai’s Paramvir Singh and used her “power” to be mean to the poor. which we call RWAs. I spoke to practically all the Chief Ministers Bangalore’s Bhaskar Rao. They helped All the others came forward to be as kind as To Read Full Article : https://www. and Chief Secretaries. Barring the Jharkhand feeders, changed timings to suit people possible. They did not insulate themselves, newdelhitimes.com/feed-the-homeless- CM, whom, I was told by his household instead of being rigid, and intervened to they solved problems and, for once, showed animals-during-the-COVID-19-crisis staff, refuses to speak to anyone and does solve problems. The DCPs of Mumbai and what bureaucracy, if headed by the gentle, To join the animal welfare movement not even carry a phone, and the Telengana Delhi have been equally intelligent and could do. Chandigarh, inspite of having a contact [email protected], CM who is a law unto himself, all of quick in their responses. While the SPs of good DC, had the least sense when it came www.peopleforanimalsindia.org

on that last shuttle mission and will be the NASA, SpaceX spacecraft commander for SpaceX’s Dragon pick May 27 to crew capsule. Launch day (27 May) will be a Wednesday, with a liftoff time of 4:32 p.m. EDT. It’s resume astronaut too soon to know whether the coronavirus launches in US pandemic will prompt crowd restrictions. ASA and SpaceX have picked May Only three countries have launched people N 27 for resuming astronaut launches into orbit since 1961: Russia, the U.S. and from the U.S. after nine years of complete China, in that order. SpaceX would be the Russian dependence. first company.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine SpaceX successfully conducted its first announced the launch date. Astronauts test flight of a Dragon crew capsule a year haven’t launched into orbit from the U.S. ago, sending the capsule-minus a crew- since NASA’s last space shuttle flight in to the space station. The returned capsule 2011. SpaceX aims to end the drought was accidentally destroyed during ground by sending two NASA astronauts to the testing at Cape Canaveral, further delaying International Space Station. the astronaut launch.

“On May 27, @NASA will once again With the space station crew now down Photo Credit : AP Photo launch American astronauts on American to three, Hurley and Behnken will spend SpaceX has been using Falcon 9 rockets test flight. Launching without anyone on rockets from American soil!” Bridenstine weeks, perhaps months, helping to maintain to launch cargo to the space station in the board, Boeing’s Starliner capsule failed to tweeted. the orbiting lab. The length of their mission company’s original Dragon capsules since reach the space station after ending up in the is still under review, according to NASA. 2012. NASA turned to private companies for wrong orbit and came close to destruction Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken deliveries once the shuttle program ended. twice because of software errors. will blast off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, NASA, meanwhile, is in the process of departing from the same Kennedy Space buying another seat on a Russian rocket. Boeing also is working to launch astronauts Boeing plans to repeat the test flight, again Center launch pad used by shuttle Atlantis in Russian Soyuz capsules have been the sole under NASA’s commercial crew program, without astronauts, this fall. July 2011, as well as the Apollo moonshots means of crew transportation to and from but the company’s effort suffered a serious a half-century ago. Hurley served as pilot the space station since 2011. setback following last December’s botched Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

27 April - 3 May 2020 23

Entertainment & Lifestyle NEW DELHI TIMES Babyface- Warner Bros. Teddy Riley delays many battle fizzles on releases including Instagram Live ‘The Batman’ W arner Bros. is delaying a batch of theatrical he much-hyped battle between Kenny releases including “The Batman” and T “Babyface” Edmonds and Teddy Riley “The Sopranos” prequel “The Many Saints was derailed by audio issues, forcing the of Newark”. R&B producers to postpone the Instagram Live event. The studio says that “The Sopranos” film will be pushed from September 2020 to a More than 400,000 tuned in to watch the March 2021 release, while “The Batman” livestream with Riley and Edmonds. But starring Robert Pattinson will be delayed sound and technical issues plagued the four months to October 2021. friendly competition. Riley appeared to prepare more for a concert, with a set-up that Photo Credit : Getty Images Many studios have shuffled release dates led to echoing and playback. “I think that it’s only right that we postpone ain’t meant to get what we want,” Adele due to both shuttered productions and the this thing until another time when there aren’t commented. closure of movie theaters to prevent the The battle had already been postponed from any technical difficulties, and everybody can spread of the coronavirus. April 12 after Edmonds was diagnosed hear the music the way it needs to be heard,” The digital battle was part of a series dubbed with COVID-19. The Grammy-winning said Edmonds. “Verzuz” organized by Swizz Beatz and singer and producer, said last week he and Timbaland. The Edmonds-Riley showdown his family-who also tested positive-were The technical struggles of two legendary was the most watched battle thus far, following recovering. producers with a stripped-down Instagram matchups between the-Dream and Sean performance spawned widespread mockery Garrett, Ne-Yo and Austin, Scott Storch and After about an hour of troubleshooting, the and disappointment on social media, Mannie Fresh, and T-Pain and Lil Jon. 61-year-old singer said they would try again including from other quarantined musicians another time. who had tuned in. “Come on it’s 2020 we Credit : Associated Press (AP) Salman Khan Akshay Kumar helps releases new song Mumbai’s Gaiety- Galaxy theatre on COVID-19 ◆ By NDT Bureau ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] [email protected] oing his bit to help people in need fter making headlines for his strong D through the Coronavirus lockdown, A message against those who attacked Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, after doctors and police personnel working amid making awareness videos and making Coronavirus lockdown, Bollywood actor donations to several charities, including Salman Khan has once again featured in Rs 25 crore to PM-Cares fund, has come headlines as he releases his new song on forward to help Mumbai cinema hall Gaiety- to provide financial assistance if the scenario COVID-19. The track titled, “Pyaar Karona” Galaxy owner to pay his staff. continues. It was kind of him to offer was released, in which Salman khan is urging help, but we should find a way to sustain people to maintain social distancing and take The reports said that the owner of the ourselves,” said Manoj Desai. precautions against the Coronavirus. Mumbai cinema hall, Manoj Desai took a bank loan to provide salaries to its It is to be noted that Akshay Kumar was the employees, knowing which Akshay Kumar first from the film fraternity to contribute to came forward and offered help. “He offered various charities. Photo Credit : AP Photo Taylor Swift has This year also lost the Will Smith drama “King Richard”, which has been moved cancelled all shows, back a year to November 2021, and a biographical drama about Black Panthers appearances for 2020 activist Fred Hampton set for August which performance that would have opened SoFi now has no release date. Stadium, the new home of the NFL’s Los Baz Luhrmann’s yet-to-be-titled Elvis film Co-written by Salman Khan and actor-writer Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams that Tom Hanks was shooting in Australia Hussain Dalal, the song is composed by franchises in Inglewood, California. Swift when he and Rita Wilson tested positive Sajid-Wajid. The actor can be seen singing Photo Credit : AP Photo would have become the first woman to open and rapping as well in some parts of the song for COVID-19 was delayed a month to aylor Swift is cancelling all of her an NFL stadium, organizers said. that also comprises a line from the patriotic November 2021. T performances and appearances for the song ‘Sare Jahan se Accha’, ready to give The statement said Swift’s U.S. and Brazil rest of the year because of the coronavirus you goosebumps. shows will take place next year, explaining The studio has not abandoned summer 2020 pandemic. that tickets for those shows “will transfer to entirely, however. Warner Bros. still has “As India fights COVID-19, let’s join our “With many events throughout the world a new show date without action on the part Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” dated for July forces of love and compassion to come out already cancelled, and upon direction from of ticket holders”. The dates for Swift’s 2021 17 and “Wonder Woman 1984”, which was stronger in these times. Here’s presenting health officials in an effort to keep fans safe shows will be announced this year. pushed back from June, for an August 14 Pyaar Karona, an anthem sung by yours truly and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, theatrical release. for the fight against the deadly Coronavirus sadly the decision has been made to Those seeking refunds for Swift’s “Lover pandemic. The song has been made using And one film even moved up on the calendar: cancel all Taylor Swift live appearances Fest” U.S. tour dates “will be available starting minimal resources available at my disposal. The DC superhero film “The Flash” is now and performances this year,” Swift’s May 1, subject to Ticketmaster terms,” the Listen to the inspiring number and spread expected in June 2022 instead of July. representative said in a statement. statement read. the message of love,” wrote he sharing the composition on the social media. Among the shows cancelled was a July Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 24 27 April - 3 May 2020

Sports NEW DELHI TIMES Football in Europe playing a frontline role in society’s response to COVID-19 facilities. In England, the Premier League ◆ By NDT Bureau players have launched the #PlayersTogether, @NewDelhiTimes a fundraising partnership with National Health Service Charities Together (NHSCT) [email protected] to support the UK’s National Health Service. Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, Manchester ontinuing with the series of articles on United’s Harry Maguire, Watford’s Troy C how sports sector is contributing to the Deeney and West Ham’s Mark Noble will fight against the COVID-19 health crisis, help administer the funds. With the skippers New Delhi Times looks at the initiatives of all 20 clubs acting as representatives for Photo Credit : Getty Images launched by national associations, clubs their squads, agreement has been reached for space is required to cope with the number national team’s first home match once and players of major European footballing contributions to be made to NHS Charities of COVID-19 patients. The club has also football is able to resume, with another nations. These off the field responses are Together. The aim is that donations from donated 30,000 face masks to the Health 1,000 tickets available for the women’s contributing effectively to counter the present players across the competition will quickly Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya national team’s return to action. health crisis. help health workers, volunteers and patients through the Barça Foundation. Real Madrid Italy has been one of the worst hit European affected by the coronavirus. and the High Council for Sport (CSD) have In Germany, Bundesliga’s UEFA Champions nation hit by the COVID-19 health crisis. worked together to create a medical supplies League participants-Borussia Dortmund, FC The Italian Football Association (FIGC) is Spain has also been hit hard by the centre at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Bayern München, RB Leipzig and Bayer 04 running #TheRulesOfTheGame, a campaign COVID-19 crisis. La Liga clubs have taken The Real Madrid Foundation is now running Leverkusen-have set up a solidarity fund capitalising on the power of football to the mantle of supporting local communities. a fundraising campaign-How you can do worth €20 million to help clubs in both increase public compliance, particularly The Atlético Madrid Foundation has made your bit in the fight against COVID-19. the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga who among the young, with 11 critical ‘rules’ a donation to Madrid’s health service, while are struggling to cope with the economic essential to containing the spread of the club is running a donation scheme for In France, the French Football Federation consequences of German football’s shutdown. COVID-19 and helping people through self- its members and player. FC Barcelona (FFF), together with the national team’s We Kick Corona is a campaign set up by isolation. The campaign also allows Italians have offered their facilities to the Catalan players and coaching staff, are making a Bayern Munich’s German players Leon to donate money to support national health government in the event that additional significant donation to France’s Assistance Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich. It has also Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) to received the support of fellow clubmate Robert support healthcare staff working on the Lewandowski, who donated one million euros front lines of the national response to the to the cause. As part of this campaign, 3.7 COVID-19 outbreak. The contribution million euros have been donated to charitable will go specifically towards improving the associations and social institutions from all daily lives of caregivers as well as funding areas of society ranging from food banks research in all French hospitals. The FFF to medical equipment in hospitals to local has also reserved 5,000 places at the Stade homeless help or blood donation services that de France for healthcare staff to watch the now need immediate help. Cricket Australia considers expanded 5-Test series vs India

Photo Credit : Getty Images he prospect of a five-test series between particular being affected, we have an issue of T Australia and India is gaining traction (losing revenue of) hundreds of millions of as cricket authorities contemplate ways of dollars on our hands,” Roberts said. making up for lost time when the peak of the coronavirus pandemic has passed. “We’ll be doing everything possible to launch and stage a season in 2020-21.” Cricket Australia Chief Executive Kevin Roberts says all options will be considered for Credit : Associated Press (AP) hosting India, the sport’s major income generator, Contact New Delhi Times in December and January. For Complaints & Suggestions That could include playing +91-9999331600 all games in one venue. & Australia is also pushing For Advertisements ahead with plans to stage +91-9999337800 the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup, which is A-2/59, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029 slated to run October 18 to November 15. “If you Visit us at : twitter@NewDelhiTimes contemplate the prospect of the international season in facebook.com/newdelhitimes

Printer and Publisher: Dr. (Mrs.) Pramila Srivastava, on behalf of Dr. Ankur Srivastava, Printed at Sudhir Printers, 151, Desh Bandhu Gupta Market, Karol Bagh, Delhi - 110005, Published at A-2/59 Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi-110029. Ph.: 26102520, 26105846 Fax: 26196294 Email: [email protected], Vol. 30, No. 13 Editor : Dr. Ankit Srivastava www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper