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published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11755 December 7, 2020 Rabia II 22, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir holds phone talk Corniche all decked out to welcome National Day with Somali president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone conversation with Somali Use outdoor President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo yesterday evening. During the phone call which the Amir received from the president of Somalia, they reviewed the bilateral relations and ways to enhance and venues for promote them, in addition to the situation in Somalia and issues of mutual concern. Amir, Moroccan gatherings, king review ties His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone conversation with King Mohamed VI of Morocco yesterday Doha Corniche has been beautifully illuminated in connection with the upcoming Qatar National Day celebrations. Many says MoPH evening. During the phone call buildings across Qatar are decorated with the national flag and in national colours. A night view of the West Bay skyline which the Amir received from the yesterday with illuminated palm trees in the foreground. PICTURE: Thajudheen Page 3 King of Morocco, they reviewed the he Ministry of Public Health try to public places,” it states, adding fraternal relations between the two (MoPH) has advised people to that people should refrain from physi- brotherly countries and prospects Qatar to get vaccine Tuse outdoor venues when pos- cal contact, including handshakes, of strengthening them, as well as sible for social gatherings. hugging or kissing. “Use outdoor ven- issues of mutual concern. in a few weeks This comes as part of a series of ad- ues when possible,” it adds. Britain-EU talks ‘on a knife edge’ visories issued by the MoPH on social Regarding public transport, the Amir congratulates The Covid-19 vaccine is expected to media, through which it has reiterated MoPH has advised people to book their Cote d’Ivoire president ritain and the European Union ing spoken to some of the key princi- arrive in Qatar within a few weeks, a the precautionary measures that need tickets online in advance or use con- will make a last-ditch attempt pals here, is that it is a very challenging senior health off icial has said. Dr Soha to be followed by the public to curb the tactless payment modes. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Bto strike a post-Brexit trade deal issue to resolve, particularly around al-Bayat, head of the Vaccination Unit, spread of Covid-19. The Metro and buses are operating at Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a this week, with probably just days left the level playing fi eld ... Things are on Health Protection and Communicable The precautionary measures high- a maximum of 30% of their capacity, the telephone conversation with the for negotiators to avert a chaotic part- a knife edge here and it is serious,” he Disease Control Department at the lighted by the ministry through these ministry reminds. “Eating and drink- President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane ing of ways at the end of the year. told national broadcaster RTE. Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), told advisories pertain to social gatherings, ing are prohibited on public transport. Ouattara, yesterday evening. During Ireland’s prime minister, whose British Prime Minister Boris John- local Arabic daily Arrayah that Qatar public transport and shopping malls. Wearing a mask, having a green Ehteraz the phone call which the Amir country would face more economic son and European Commission Presi- is just weeks away from receiving All advisories have stressed the need status and a body temperature below received from the President of Cote pain than any of the other 26 EU dent Ursula von der Leyen spoke over the vaccine - which would arrive this for people to wear masks and maintain 38C are mandatory to allow entry.” d’Ivoire, they reviewed the bilateral member states in the case of a “no the weekend to get their teams back to month or at the beginning of 2021. a minimum safe distance of 1.5m from Further, the MoPH has advised peo- relations and ways to enhance deal”, cautioned against over-op- the negotiating table after talks stalled As reported earlier, Qatar has signed others at all times. ple to limit the time they spend in a them, in addition to a number of timism, putting the chances of an on three thorny issues. Since Britain agreements with with Pfizer-BioNTech Social gatherings are limited to 15 mall. Capacity in shopping malls is regional and international issues agreement at only 50-50. formally left the EU on Jan 31, negotia- and Moderna to procure Covid-19 people indoors and 30 people out- limited to 50%, while food courts are of mutual concern. The Amir “This is the fi nal throw of the dice,” tors have missed several deadlines for vaccine. She said the vaccine Qatar doors, one advisory points out. limited to 30% of their capacity, with congratulated the Cote d’Ivoire said a British source close to the talks. a deal with the world’s largest trading will get has shown promising results “Wearing a mask, having a green a maximum of fi ve people per table,” leader on his re-election for a third Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin bloc before a status quo transition pe- with an eff icacy level of over 90%, Ehteraz status and a body temperature the ministry explains, urging people to presidential term. struck a gloomy note. “My sense, hav- riod ends on Dec 31. Page 11 according to preliminary outcomes. below 38C are mandatory to allow en- sanitise their hands on a regular basis. Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 7, 2020 QATAR Amir sends written message to Mozambique president Al-Marri calls for decisive steps to mitigate eff ects of climate change

QNA Doha His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday a written message to Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, pertaining to bilateral relations and means to advance them. Acting Charge’ d’Affaires of the Qatari embassy in Maputo Ahmed bin Tajer al-Sada handed the message during a meeting E the Vice President and Sec- with Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation Veronica Nataniel Macamo Dlovo. retary-General of the Global HAlliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, has called for Amir sends greetings to Finland’s president taking decisive measures to mitigate the eff ects of climate change. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani his country’s Independence Day. HE the Prime Minister and He pointed out that climate change and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz is one of the biggest challenges fac- Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations al-Thani also sent a similar cable of congratulations to Prime ing the world, and said: “For many to Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto on the anniversary of Minister Sanna Marin. years, we, as a society, have neglected this planet in which we live, and today the seriousness and magnitude of this phenomenon (climate change) has be- HE Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri come evident.” Germany welcomes In a speech on the closing day of grate, and internally displaced persons cilitators and place climate change at the annual meetings of the GANHRI, (IDPs) and refugees are only a clear the top of national, regional and glo- Amir’s decision on which discussed “Climate Change: example of this,” he said, emphasising bal agendas, through the fulfi lment The Role of National Human Rights the necessity of examining the reasons of political, economic, social and en- Shura Council elections Institutions”, he said the phenomenon behind these patterns of displacement, vironmental conditions to reduce the of climate change aff ects human rights linking environmental migration with vulnerabilities created and fuelled by The Federal Foreign Off ice of Germany in various ways, as it has a direct im- climate change, and developing direct climate change.” welcomed His Highness the Amir Sheikh pact on people’s right to water, health and complementary protection meas- Dr al-Marri called on the United Na- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s announcement and life. ures. tions system, and partners in the Unit- to hold elections for the Shura Council in Dr al-Marri stressed that humanity He said national human rights in- ed Nations Development Programme, October next year. During his meeting with is mandated to enhance the global re- stitutions within their scope of com- the United Nations High Commission- Qatar’s ambassador to Germany Sheikh sponse to the threat of climate change. petence are not exempt from this er for Human Rights and the United Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Thani, State “The international conventions and obligation, and said: “We have a com- Nations Environment Programme, to Secretary of the Federal Foreign Off ice Miguel treaties related to the topic and the mitment to the whole world and the support the Global Alliance of Na- Berger described the decision as a positive 2030 Agenda give us a guide and speci- various forms of life in it, and we play tional Human Rights Institutions, step. Bilateral co-operation and issues of fi es the obligations of each national a major role in monitoring and report- National Human Rights Institutions mutual concern were reviewed during the human rights institution as well as lo- ing on the human rights situation and and regional networks so that they can meeting, QNA reported. cal and global actors. all forms of violations of international grow in strength.”We, as national hu- “Millions of people have been af- standards and providing advice to gov- man rights institutions, address the fected and will suff er in the future in ernments and parliaments.” impacts of human rights on climate their livelihoods and productive ac- He said: “National human rights change, both individually and collec- tivities, which would force them to mi- institutions can play the role of fa- tively,” he said.

Speaker of Afghanistan’s House of Elders welcomes move on Shura Council elections

QNA Kabul

he Speaker of the House of Elders of the National Assem- Tbly of Afghanistan Fazil Hadi Muslim has welcomed the announce- ment of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on hold- ing the Shura Council elections in Oct 2021. He said that this step indicates the keen attention to the opinion of the Qatari people and to their participa- tion in the prosperity of their coun- try and in securing the future of their state. He extended congratulations to the Qatari people on this matter and voiced optimism over the step, wish- ing Qatar a bright future and more success. Khayarin. During the meeting, they and for its efforts to bring about last- This came during the meeting of discussed bilateral co-operation and ing peace in Afghanistan and to end the Speaker of Afghanistan’s House matters of mutual interest. the war and violence in the country, of Elders with Qatar’s ambassador to Fazil Hadi Muslim thanked Qatar while reiterating appreciation for Afghanistan Saeed bin Mubarak al- for hosting the intra-Afghan talks, these efforts.

MoPH highlights necessity of seasonal fl u vaccine as winter approaches

he Ministry of Public Health very ill patients of five years (especially those under (MoPH) has stressed that as the may need a ven- two) are considered more vulnerable Twinter approaches, it is more tilator to serious complications due to sea- important than ever for people to get Both can sonal influenza, so this group must the fl u vaccine. be prevented be vaccinated against influenza in The seasonal infl uenza campaign by mask-wear- particular. Also, an expert with HMC was launched in mid-October. The ing, frequent recently stressed that the flu vaccine free fl u vaccine is available at all Pri- and thorough is safe for pregnant women and can mary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) hand washing, help protect both mothers and their clinics, Hamad Medical Corporation coughing into babies aged under six months from (HMC) outpatient clinics (for patients For representative the crook of the getting the flu. with existing appointments) and des- purpose only. elbow, staying “Flu can be very serious during ignated private, semi-private clinics home when sick pregnancy for both mothers-to-be and hospitals across Qatar. and limiting contact with people who and their babies and leaves wom- Through an advisory on social me- are infected. en at higher risk of complications dia yesterday, the MoPH highlighted “It’s more important than ever to and, in some cases, can develop into the similarities between the fl u and get your free seasonal fl u vaccine this pneumonia,” said Dr Huda Abdulla Covid-19. These are: year,” the advisory reiterated. al-Saleh, senior consultant, Obstet-  One can be infected with either One can go to www.fi ghtthefl u.qa rics and Gynaecology and executive the fl u or Covid-19 and not show any for more information. The PHCC re- director of Quality & Safety at the symptoms but still be contagious cently called on parents and guardians Women Wellness and Research Cent-  There is no treatment for Cov- to vaccinate their children against the er of HMC. id-19 or the fl u - both are treated by seasonal infl uenza as part of the na- “That is why we are encouraging all addressing the symptoms, such as re- tional campaign for free vaccination. pregnant women to have the vaccine as ducing fever Director of Health Protection (Pre- soon as possible, so they are protected  For both Covid-19 and fl u, severe ventive Health) at PHCC Dr Khalid from fl u viruses circulating this win- cases may require hospitalisation and al-Awad said children under the age ter,” she added. Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 3 QATAR

Preparations underway for Qatar National Day

Decorations, including illumination arrangements, are being increasingly seen across Qatar as the preparations for National Day, which falls on December 18, gathers momentum. Many buildings are decorated with the national flag and images of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Doha Corniche is also beautifully lit up with coloured lights. PICTURES: Thajudheen and Shaji Kayamkulam

Joaan Bin Jassim College hosts HMC Ambulance Service Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Joaan Bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College hosted HE the registers more than 1.2mn Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant- General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem, as part of the Defence electronic patient encounters Policy course. The Chief of Staff delivered a lecture on the role of the Qatar amad Medical Corpora- ceiving team while the patient Andaila, senior manager of vided with standardised data, Armed Forces in the tion (HMC) has said its is still being transported in the Communication Technologies at which can be viewed in many national security, followed HAmbulance Service has ambulance. HMC’s Ambulance Service. formats, including algorithms, by a discussion on the recorded more than 1.2mn pa- Then, on arrival at the hos- “The EPCR collects a wide a visual aids and clinical scoring. lecture, in the presence tient encounters via its electron- pital, the receiving nurse is able range of data, including patient This improves staff compliance of the participants in the ic patient clinical record (EPCR), to scan the barcode on the elec- demographic information, pa- with clinical practice guidelines, National Defence Course helping advance the quality of tronic patient clinical record and tient assessment information, HMC has said in a statement. No 1, senior employees of care the service provides to pa- the patient’s data is automati- care management details, hand- Demand on the Ambulance various state ministries, tients. cally added to the Clinical Infor- ing over information and case Service has increased steadily institutions, and the Launched in 2016, the EPCR mation System. details, including locations and in recent years, which means a security services. improves the way in which pa- “The introduction of the timings,” added Andaila. greater number of patients are tient information is communi- EPCR has enabled us to improve The EPCR also provides am- benefi ting from the new system. cated between clinical teams. the standard of care we deliver bulance crews with reminders In 2019, the Ambulance Service The system enables clinical to our patients. The end result about clinical practice guide- responded to more than 350,000 information about the patient’s of this new technology is a more lines as well as medicine for- calls, a 30% increase in activity condition to be sent through by effi cient and eff ective service mulary and standard operating since 2017. paramedics to the hospital re- for our patients,” said Rashid procedures. Staff are also pro- “The introduction of the Qatar pledges support for EPCR has played an important role in helping the Ambulance Service deliver high-quality emergency care to increasing refugee education in Malaysia numbers of patients. The system has helped improve effi ciency, safety and the overall quality of QNA care we provide,” said Ali Dar- Kuala Lumpur wish, assistant executive direc- tor of HMC’s Ambulance Serv- ice. atar has pledged to “Our ability to build a robust fund educational pro- research infrastructure, through Qgrammes for refugee the creation of high-quality students in Malaysia as a way of data, has also been boosted by helping them to overcome chal- the EPCR. This has resulted in lenges in access to education better interrogation and report- due to the Covid-19 pandemic. ing of statistics to identify areas A joint statement issued by for service improvement, train- Qatar and the United Nations Launched in 2016, the EPCR improves the way in which patient information is communicated between ing needs and patient outcomes,” High Commissioner for Refu- clinical teams. added Darwish. gees (UNHCR) affi rmed that Qatar’s funding will go towards investment in digital infra- structure to improve education for upper primary and second- ary students in refugee learn- Mexican expatriate receives prestigious honour ing centres under UNHCR. The funds will directly ben- efi t at least 1,500 refugee chil- added: “The Government of the tablets, will enable students to By Joey Aguilar into culture and arts, not only dren and youth of all ethnici- State of Qatar via Qatar Charity access online learning materi- Staff Reporter into business, politics and com- ties, as well as 200 teachers in is delighted to be able to facilitate als and enable teachers to ac- merce,” Cobos said. 69 refugee learning centres in access to education, in particular cess tools to provide lessons, Cobos’ award comes timely Malaysia. for refugee children. We wish to from home, Albrecht said. exican ambassador in the year as the embassy com- As part of the funds, 1,500 do our part and put in our best He added: “UN fi gures show Graciela Gomez Gar- memorates the 45th anniversary tablets and 200 pro tablets eff ort to help these highly vul- that 1.6mn learners across the Mcia has presented the of bilateral relations between with its accessories will be dis- nerable people in this meaning- world, including millions of “Mexicanos Distinguidos” (Dis- Mexico and Qatar, and during tributed to the learning centres ful and sustainable way.” refugees, have had their edu- tinguished Mexicans) award to the 16 days of world-wide activ- by UNHCR through its edu- In addition, the ambassa- cation disrupted as a result of Mexican expatriate Cristina Co- ism to end gender-based vio- cation NGO partner, Jaringan dor expressed deep gratitude Covid-19. While children in bos, for the fi rst time in Qatar. lence. Rohingya Education Centre to the government of Malaysia every country have struggled The award, which forms part A Spanish, Literature and (JREC), the statement said. for welcoming the initiatives of with the impact of Covid-19, of the Mexican government’s Culture teacher at GEMS Amer- “The Government of the Qatar, to assist refugee children refugee children have been vision of “Feminist Foreign ican Academy, Cobos is the co- State of Qatar via Qatar Char- and youth to overcome chal- particularly disadvantaged.” Policy” aimed at empowering founder, director and choreog- ity is committed to supporting lenges in access to education. “Despite the enormous chal- women, was given only to seven Mexican ambassador Graciela rapher of the Latin American much-needed and critical in- For his part, UNHCR Rep- lenges posed by the pandemic, Mexicans across the fi ve conti- Gomez Garcia. Cristina Cobos Folkloric Ballet in Qatar since tervention in the area of educa- resentative Thomas Albrecht with greater international sup- nents, according to the Mexican 2009. tion during the severe Covid-19 recognised the government of port to refugees and their host embassy in Doha. said Garcia, who bestowed the ment of Mexicans living abroad, The group, which performed pandemic. This will ensure that Qatar via Qatar Charity in this communities, we can expand The envoy underlined the sig- medal and certifi cate at the the award is given annually to at several occasions in various refugee students at UNHCR crucial eff ort of keeping refu- innovative ways to protect the nifi cant contribution of Mexi- event, which was attended by outstanding Mexicans who are venues in Doha, aims to share learning centres continue to gee children on track in edu- critical gains made in refugee cans like Cristina who “are the other embassy offi cials and leaders in their fi elds of work and Mexican traditions, culture and have access to education dur- cation, expressing UNHCR’s education over the past years,” actual ambassadors of Mexico guests. contribute to strengthening a roots to both Qatari and Mexican ing school closures,” said Qatar’s deepest gratitude to Qatar for he stated. since they reinforce our identity Created in 2018 as a proposal positive image of Mexico abroad. community in the country. ambassador to Malaysia Fahad its unwavering commitment Moreover, 165 tablets with through dance, language, cul- of the Institute of Mexicans “I am so touched, this is one of The Ballet also tries to be a bin Mohamed Kafoud during a towards refugee protection and accessories have also been ture.” Abroad to promote the valorisa- the most important days in my point of arrival and safe space ceremony to hand over some of assistance. funded to Kiblah Institute to “Cristina, you are a bridge tion of the migration phenom- life. I want to thank ambassador for compatriots who are adapt- the tablets (digital) to a refugee Providing connectivity and assist Malaysian students to builder and a stories weaver”, enon and the dignifi ed treat- Graciela Gomez, she is looking ing to Qatar. learning centre. The ambassador online learning tools such as access the educational system. Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 7, 2020 QATAR

MoPH reports 125 new Covid-19 cases, 137,276 total recoveries Community transmission cases drop below 100

QNA Doha

he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) re- ported yesterday 125 new confi rmed cases Tof coronavirus (Covid-19) during the last 24 hours, of which 93 are from community and 32 from travellers returning from abroad who are subject to quarantine. Sidra convenience stores on talabat now The MoPH also recorded 216 recoveries from the virus during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases recovered in Qatar to 137,276. All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare. The health ministry said measures to tackle Sidra stores on talabat app Covid-19 in Qatar have succeeded in fl attening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus and the number of new daily cases and hospital admissions egion’s leading talabat refreshments, snacks, bis- complex world, talabat is doing for when you are heading to a is continuing to decline each week. app has expanded deliv- cuits, water, confectioneries, continuous research on how to picnic, etc.” Qatar’s proactive and extensive testing of sus- Rery services by adding magazine, newspaper, toi- make life simpler. We recently Express grocery delivery pected cases has enabled the ministry to identify the 24-hour Sidra convenience letries - deodorants, various added grocery delivery to our will now be available in the a high number of positive cases in the community. stores, located at Woqod petrol accessories, gifts, personal services and then next to it is a majority parts of Qatar, as Qatar has one of the lowest Covid-19 death rates stations, according to a state- grooming, sunglasses and demand for round-the-clock far as where the Woqod sta- in the world. This is a result of: being lifted in Qatar, it is important for everyone to ment. floral supplies. delivery for necessities like tion is available. The talabat Very high quality of care provided thorough the play their role in controlling the virus by following Sidra convenience stores Francisco De Sousa, talabat’s phone chargers, sanitary pads app is on App Store or Goog- public healthcare sector for Covid-19 patients precautionary measures: sell essential items including managing director, said: “In a and other toiletries, juice drinks le Play. Qatar’s young population Adherence to physical distancing Proactive testing to identify cases early Avoid close contact with others, crowded plac- Expanding hospital capacity, especially inten- es and confi ned closed spaces where other people sive care, to ensure all patients receive the medical congregate Doha Municipality removes care they need Wearing a face mask Protecting the elderly and those with chronic Washing hands regularly abandoned vehicles diseases Most importantly, it is vital that we continue to QFFD, Qatar Even though restrictions are being lifted, and protect the elderly and those with chronic medical numbers are declining, this does not mean that conditions the Covid-19 pandemic is fi nished in Qatar people When spending time at home with elderly fam- continue to be admitted with moderate to severe ily members or those with chronic diseases, ensure Charity provide Covid-19 symptoms you wash your hands regularly, wear a mask and Unless we follow all precautionary measures, maintain social and physical distancing we may experience a second wave of the virus and Anyone suff ering from Covid-19 symptoms see numbers increasing there are already signs of should either contact 16000 helpline or go directly textbooks for this happening in other countries around the world to one of the designated health centres to undergo Avoid close contact with others, crowded plac- the necessary checks at Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, es and confi ned closed spaces where other people Umm Slal, or Al Gharrafa. This is important as the congregate earlier the disease is detected the easier it will be to Syrian children Now more than ever, we must be careful and receive the right treatment and recover from it. protect the most vulnerable The MoPH has urged people to visit its website While the restrictions of Covid-19 are gradually for regular updates and new information. QNA and create an appropriate envi- Doha Municipality’s General Control Section in Doha ronment to promote the return of Seven arrested for violating home quarantine conditions co-operation with the Mechanical Equipment children to schools. Department has carried out a campaign to remove With the completion of the Seven people were arrested in Salah Salem Saleh Hussein al- of Public Health to ensure their abandoned vehicles from the Industrial Area. As many atar Charity (QC), with the second phase of the project, Doha yesterday for violating Makri, Shafiq Khan Saber Khan safety and the safety of others. as 388 abandoned vehicles were removed. support of the Qatar Fund Qatar Charity has printed more the legal requirements of home Tadwi, Mesfer Ali Obaid Rashid They warned that anyone who Qfor Development (QFFD), than 9mn textbooks covering all quarantine. The arrests came in al-Sennari, Hamad Ali Mohamed violates these conditions will has printed textbooks for primary, basic subjects for all levels, ben- implementation of the precau- Hilal Mohamed, Rashid Saeed be subject to the penalties preparatory, and secondary school efi ting more than 1mn male and tionary measures in force in the Mohamed al-Khayareen al-Hajri, stipulated in accordance with the students in northern Syria. female students by the end of the country, approved by the Ministry Nasser Ahmed Hamad al-Obaidan provisions of Article 253 of the These textbooks were distrib- 2019-2020 academic year. of Public Health (MoPH), to en- and Abdulaziz Mohamed Nasser. Penal Code No 11 of 2004, and uted free of charge to all students In response to the growing de- sure public safety and to curb the The authorities concerned in the provisions of Law No 17 of in northern Syria, who are esti- mand for textbooks, Qatar Char- spread of the coronavirus. the state called on citizens and 1990 regarding the prevention of mated at nearly half a million. ity has printed and distributed The arrested persons being residents who are subject to infectious diseases, and Law No Due to this project, school 4,123,308 textbooks during the referred to the competent pros- quarantine to adhere to the 17 of 2002 on the protection of enrolment increased as well as 2020-2021 academic year. ecution are: requirements set by the Ministry society. (QNA) teachers’ academic perform- The distribution of the text- ance was improved. books took place last month in 67 referred to prosecution for not wearing masks The project comes within the Idlib Governorate and the western framework of the “Improving the Aleppo countryside in northwest- The designated authorities with the Cabinet decision, Decree navirus (Covid-19). The designat- Level of Education for More Than ern Syria. The textbooks will meet referred 67 people to the Public Law No 17 of 1990 on infectious ed authorities called on the public One Million Children” project 100 % of the general requirements Prosecution for not wearing diseases, and the precautionary to adhere to the precautionary launched by Qatar Charity in 2017, for the textbook in these areas, masks in places where they are measures in force in the country measures to ensure their safety aiming to improve the education which are going through a high mandatory. The measure is in line to contain the spread of the coro- and the safety of others. infrastructure in northern Syria, rate of displacement.

QPO concert on December 12

The Qatar Philharmonic is Mozart : Symphony No. 25 in back with a festive pro- G Minor, K.183 (173dB) - I. gramme of Beethoven and Allegro con brio; Giuseppe his friends on December 12 Verdi : La Traviata -Prelude to at 5pm and 8pm at Qatar Act I; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky National Convention Centre, : The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – No. Auditorium 3, it was an- 2 March; Johann Strauss, nounced yesterday. Jr.: On the Beautiful Blue The programme is as follows: Danube, Op. 314; Karl Jenkins Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: : Palladio; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaiko- Symphony No. 4 in A Major, vsky : The Nutcracker, Op. Op. 90 -I. Allegro vivace; 71 - Russian Dance (Trepak); Edvard Grieg : Peer Gynt and Ludwig van Beethoven Suite No. 1, Op. 46 -I. Morning :Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Mood; Wolfgang Amadeus Op. 67-I. Allegro con brio.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class models of 2017-2019 recalled The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co- operation with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, has recalled Mercedes-Benz S-Class models of 2017-2019 as the material of the closure plugs might fail as a result of high engine oil pressure and cause oil leakage. The recall campaign comes within the framework of the MoCI’s continuous eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. The MoCI said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will commu- nicate with customers to ensure that they carried out the necessary repairs. The MoCI urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- ment, which processes complaints, inquires and suggestions through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, MoCI mobile app for android and iOS: MOCIQATAR. Meeting reviews oil spill payout claims The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Department of Industrial Inspection and Pollution Control participated in the regular meeting of the International Oil Pollution Com- pensation Funds, which was held virtually. The three-day meeting discussed several topics, including financial reports, internal regulations, operational procedures, risk manage- ment and data review, in addition to reviewing reports on claims for oil spills that have been responded to. Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 5 QATAR MoI issues instructions for safe camping

he Ministry of Interior spread of the virus. when fi lling, to avoid fuel igni- wires and fi ttings may result in (MoI) has issued a number People should limit the tion,” the MoI says. congestion due to inhalation of Tof safety tips to ensure number of passengers to a maxi- 3. Electricity and heaters: Some leaking gas or carbon monoxide public safety during the winter mum of four in a vehicle, includ- people set up a fi re for heating or that emanates from the combus- camping season. ing the driver, except for mem- lighting purposes inside the tent. tion process”. The advisory, titled ‘Pleas- bers of the same family. This may cause fi re-related inci- Campers should also be cau- ant season and safe desert trip’, “Wear a face mask wherever dents if people do not exercise due tious as operating a heater us- includes a number of dos and it’s mandatory,” the MoI contin- caution, including suff ocation as a ing bad electrical connections or don’ts that people need to keep ues, noting that people should result of burning, the advisory ex- loading it beyond its capacity will in mind in order to have a safe have the green status on the plains. “In addition to this, avoid cause fi res. and enjoyable camping experi- Ehteraz app and maintain social putting heaters in a place close to “Do not place the heater in cor- ence. distancing. clothes or keeping the stove on fi re ridors, near fl ammable materials Noting that the desert is a fa- at bedtime inside the tent.” or within the easy reach of chil- vourite place of people in Qatar Traffi c safety during camp- The lamp used for illuminating dren. Likewise, don’t leave it work- to visit during the winter, the ing trip the tent should be kept away from ing when you go to sleep so that it advisory stresses the need for 1. Before and during the trip: clothes used in the tent. “Please doesn’t become a cause of fi re,” the everyone to be duly prepared for “Ensure the safety of the vehicle be keen to fi x it in a safe place,” MoI adds. such a trip well in advance. prepared to drive to the camp- the MoI points out, asking people Accordingly, the ministry site. Please be vigilant while to make sure to buy good-quality Tips for the safety of children has reminded the public of the driving, especially in abnormal heaters. The advisory stresses the im- guidelines to be followed in such weather conditions (fog, rain “Place the heater close to the portance of reminding children not situations, “for the sake of eve- and wind),” the MoI states. nearest socket that is adequate to play away from the camping site ryone’s safety”. People should also adhere to for the current of the said heat- and educating them to always keep safe driving rules, the advisory er. Do not connect it to a single the camping area neat and clean. Preventive measures says. They should follow the should not use the brakes sud- not allowing children to drive such troleum liquids, as well as from socket using an extension cable “Guide them to suitable playing The MoI has advised campers specifi ed speed (limit), keep suf- denly. bikes. winds. or power strips with another areas that are far from roads and to adhere to the Covid-19 pre- fi cient and safe distance between 2. Quad bikes: When riding The fuel used for the generator heater or any other device,” it streets and also from excavations ventive measures implemented two vehicles, fasten the seat belt quad bikes, people have been Fire safety should be placed in a safe and re- adds. and wells,” the MoI says. “Don’t in the State as per Decree Law and beware of wrong overtaking. urged to pay attention to the im- 1. Fire while cooking: Camp- mote location. People should be extra cau- leave children alone and unattend- No 17 of 1990 on infectious dis- For the safety of their vehi- portance of adhering to safety ers are advised to choose a proper 2. Smoking: “Avoid smoking tious when using a gas heater as ed, inside or outside the tent. Keep eases, issued by the Council of cle, people should avoid driving measures such as wearing a hel- place for the stove, which is away or using any heat source while it is “more dangerous”. This is the fi rst-aid box for emergency Ministers in order to prevent the in waterlogged areas and also met, not riding over greenery and from the tent, generator and pe- checking the generator fuel, or “because any defect in it or in its situations.” QRCS implements charitable initiative for expat workers

atar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has concluded a charitable initiative Qimplemented by volunteers in co- operation with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). The one-week initiative is part of QRCS’s social development activities conducted by its Volunteers Section through the year for the benefi t of diff erent segments of society, particularly expatriate workers, according to Under this initiative, cold water and juice bottles were distributed to more than 15,000 construction a press statement. workers at worksites. Muna Fadel al-Sulaiti, executive director of the Volunteers and Local Development Di- vision at QRCS, said: “Under this initiative, cold water and juice bottles were distributed to more than 15,000 construction workers at worksites. All preventive measures were strictly observed to ensure the safety of both the volunteers and benefi ciaries.” “It is aimed at promoting the social inclu- sion of workers and recognising their eff orts to build the country,” al-Sulaiti continued. “Our volunteers are dedicated to community service, utilising their time and eff orts in useful activi- from QRCS,” she added. “They liked the well- tective measures were followed to prevent the ties. The initiative was implemented in many organised system and the friendly spirit of risk of Covid-19. locations, such as Leabaib, Duhail, Al Kheesa, volunteers, which made them feel at home in “QRCS has major social development man- the Industrial Area, Umm Ebairiya, Corniche, this hospitable country.” dates in Qatar, in its capacity as an auxiliary Al Waab, The Pearl-Qatar and Al Wukair.” Hanadi Hassan al-Moualem, Humanitar- to the State of Qatar and a main contributor Mooza Mohamed al-Kuwari, head of Com- ian Services Fund programme co-ordinator, to the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. munity Development at QRCS, said the ini- highlighted the co-operation and support Through its social development programmes, tiative was commended by the workers, who from Ashghal and the contracting companies QRCS seeks to improve the standard of living thanked Qatar and QRCS for their “limitless contacted to plan for the event, which made it for poor segments of society, to be able to af- giving”. such a success. ford the costs of life and enjoy fi nancial sta- “They saw it as a kind but usual gesture According to her, safe distancing and pro- bility,” the statement adds. Citizens urge development of Al Aamriya sulphur well

l Aamriya sulphur well, lo- cated in the Ain al-Harjah Aarea, has the potential to be developed into a thermal resort if the water is found to be therapeuti- cally benefi cial, a number of Qataris suggested to local Arabic daily Ar- rayah. Muhammad al-Marri told Ar- rayah that the sulphur well in Al Aamriya area have proven success- ful in treating allergic skin diseases for many individuals who bathed in the water. Earlier, the well used to witness crowds of citizens and residents, recalled the citizen who called for rehabilitating the site, providing a paved road to reach it, as well as set- ting up a tourism project to attract tourists from home and abroad. Hamad al-Marri, another citi- zen, confi rmed that he took a shower with water from the sul- phur well, after advice from a doc- tor to treat an allergic skin disease. He stressed that it is the only well in the country that contains sul- phur water. Another citizen, Mohamed al- Khayarin urged the competent au- thorities to promote the sulphur well of Al Aamriya through social media after confi rming its healing proper- ties. The well is located in the Ain al- Harjah area on Sudanthil Road, 22km from the entrance to Al Aamriya area and 6km from the offi ces of the South Reserve. The access is via Al Aamriya Bridge on Abu Samra Road. Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 7, 2020 QATAR QNL has adapted to change and rose to challenges in ’20 QNL to hold webinar on he Covid-19 pandemic, which has aff ected the Tdaily lives of billions of funding for researchers people around the planet, forc- ing radical adaptations, also presented an extraordinary time n December 9, the Qatar National Library QNL has entered into many agreements with for all at Qatar National Library (QNL) will organise a webinar about its a group of major publishers, such as Elsevier, (QNL). Oprogramme to support free access, and Springer Nature, Wiley, Taylor & Francis and the “Due to the pandemic, QNL defi ne the extent to which researchers in Qatar Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, closed its doors to the public on benefi t from the funding provided to publish re- which supports researchers to have a quick and 11 March, although the online search papers in free access journals. easy way to fund the publication of their research. resources and services remained Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that QNL’s These options are available to university stu- available to users throughout. free access offi cer Sarah Abu Saada will give a dents, faculty, researchers, and employees from The library building was reo- brief overview of the concept of free access and any higher education institution or non-profi t pened to the public in a phased its importance for research in Qatar. research centre within Qatar. QNL has funded manner starting July 15, recalled QNL provides many options that enable re- nearly 1,000 research papers since 2017. Maryam al-Mutawa, QNL’s new searchers in Qatar to fi nance the publication of QNL’s free access programme contributes to head of Collection Access (Dis- their scientifi c papers. Through the Free Access supporting research carried out in Qatar by facil- tinctive Collections). Support Programme, publishing fees for research itating unrestricted access to them and providing Most of QNL’s services have papers and academic studies on behalf of re- permanent archives of these publications in the returned to pre-lockdown days, searchers are directly paid. library. though a few, most notably events, are still taking place online.

“We’re working with several other departments Trees planted in QNL on an exciting digital exhibition highlighting the art and history of Arabic cinema posters. Also, we are developing a remarkable exhibition to highlight the history of photography in Maryam al-Mutawa at QNL. the Middle East” provide researchers and readers “Personally, I’ve learned how lighting the art and history of Ar- For al-Mutawa, who started the references and materials they to manage my time and try to abic cinema posters. Also, we are working in QNL in 2014, virtu- need. Most of my day is spent keep the rhythm of my life, even developing a remarkable exhibi- ally all aspects of her working life working on the workfl ows and if my daily routines have totally tion to highlight the history of have changed over the course of procedures of Collection Access, changed.” photography in the Middle East.” this extraordinary year — but she which is how we provide and QNL recently participated in Looking at what the Library is taking each day as it comes and promote our collection through Europe’s fi rst-ever virtual Ara- has achieved so far in 2020 and remains determined to provide social media platforms and tem- bic book fair, and al-Mutawa what lies ahead in this important readers and researchers with the porary exhibitions. enjoyed taking part in the suc- decade for the country, al-Muta- best services the library can off er. “The challenging part dur- cessful event, at which she talked wa is both proud and upbeat. “My new role as head of Col- ing the pandemic was how we about the Qatar Digital Library to She said: “QNL made great lection Access for our Distinc- continue to provide our serv- international attendees. eff orts to continue our serv- tive Collections is to manage user ices. On the bright side, how- She said: “One of the pros of this ices during this pandemic. It is requests and ensure that we de- ever, this pandemic gave us the pandemic is narrowing spaces. We so important for us as a library velop our collection and make it chance to think about the digital have held many virtual events to to ensure intellectual access for more accessible to our users,” she transformation of our services, introduce our services and collec- people who are in isolation. The explained. “I am also responsible such as virtual events and tours, tions to new audiences.” most remarkable eff orts are the for the exhibitions and events or- along with the digitisation of Al-Mutawa singles out curat- digital solutions that ensure the ganised in our Heritage Library. our Distinctive Collection items. ing the Qatar National Day ex- continuity of our services to the “Almost every day, I have new The unexpected circumstances hibition in 2018 as her favourite public. In addition, the eff ort to tasks that need to be accom- gave us many lessons about how highlight of her six years at QNL. raise awareness about this virus plished. However, in general, I we always need to be prepared “We’re working with several by providing resources and refer- Al Sheehaniya Municipality’s Gardens Section planted a number of Sedr trees across Al start my day by checking the user for challenges and how life can other departments in QNL on an ences about the subject has been Kherayib Road as part of the one-million trees initiative. requests we have received and quickly change. exciting digital exhibition high- incredibly important.” Monday, December 7, 2020 7 QATAR QFFD, Qatar Charity provide textbooks for Syrian children atar Charity (QC), students in northern Syria, who Qatar Charity has printed more with the support are estimated at nearly half a than 9mn textbooks covering of the Qatar Fund million. all basic subjects for all levels, for Development benefiting more than 1mn male Q Due to this project, school (QFFD), has printed textbooks and female students by the end enrollment increased as well as for primary, preparatory, and of the 2019-2020 academic year. teachers’ academic performance secondary school students in was improved. In response to the growing northern Syria. demand for textbooks, Qatar The project comes within the This comes at a time when Charity has printed and framework of the “Improving the the education sector in Syria is distributed 4,123,308 textbooks

facing major challenges, most Level of Education for More Than during the 2020-2021 academic These textbooks include both parties, QFFD provided a affected by the conflict in notably the lack of textbooks One Million Children” project year. The distribution of the basic subjects such as Arabic, grant to Qatar Charity, which addition to enhancing social and in all schools of northwestern launched by Qatar Charity in textbooks took place last month English, mathematics (algebra is estimated at $ 3,890,752, to educational services, integrating Syria, which negatively 2017, aiming to improve the in Idlib Governorate and the and geometry), science, physics implement an action plan that Syrian refugees into Turkish affected the students learning education infrastructure in western Aleppo countryside in and chemistry for both arts and supports educational projects society, and rehabilitating 6 process. Besides, the absence northern Syria, and create an northwestern Syria. science students from Grade 1 to within Syria and Turkey. schools in southeastern Turkey. of a textbook also led to a lack appropriate environment to Grade 12. The textbooks will meet 100% The educational projects of compliance with a specific promote the return of children to of the general requirements for The project comes within include printing and distributing curriculum by teachers. schools. the textbook in these areas, which the framework of the ‘Quest textbooks in northwestern These textbooks were With the completion of the are going through a high rate of 2’ initiative. According to the Syria and offering specialized distributed free of charge to all second phase of the project, displacement. agreement concluded between protection services to children

Qatar Charity distributes foodstuffs to Asian expatriates

atar Charity (QC) the low-income families from the distributed foodstuffs Asian communities. to nearly 1,000 families “Qatar Charity has always stood belonging to various Q by them and supported them Asian expatriate communities continuously for years, especially living in Qatar. The distribution during Eid holidays and special took place in cooperation with seasons, as well as it helped those Asian community councils affected by the coronavirus crisis,” and committees, and with the said Mr. Jaafar Abdul Hamid, participation of many volunteers. representative of the Filipino The aid was distributed to community. the families belonging to the He also extended his sincere Pakistani, Filipino, Nepalese, thanks to the benevolent people Indonesian, Malaysian, in Qatar and Qatar Charity for Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, and their support to his community Indian communities. members, hoping for the Community heads were continued backing from them for delighted with the receiving of the community. the assistance from Qatar Charity Mr. Abdul-Jawad Muhammad for their community members Kamel, a volunteer from the Sri in light of the coronavirus Lankan community, said that the pandemic, thanking benefactors distribution of foodstuffs by Qatar in Qatar for extending support to Charity is a noble humanitarian action that contributed to Lankan community and Qatar Charity supporting many members of spans over more than ten years. his community, who were hit by Qatar Charity, as part of its the coronavirus pandemic. He humanitarian and social services offered added that they always enjoy generous support from Qatar within the State of Qatar, seeks to reach Charity, which implements numerous expatriate communities projects for them during the residing in the country, in cooperation holy month of Ramadan and with their embassies and the heads of Eid al Adha. their communities, especially in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. Kamel noted that Qatar Charity also organizes cultural The communities have benefited from and educational activities, as the aid Qatar Charity provided as part of well as competitions, which the preventive and awareness campaign are held under the supervision aimed at preventing the coronavirus. of the Qatar Charity Center The assistance included daily ready-to- for Community Development eat meals, food packages, hygiene kits for Asian expatriates, known for workers, in addition to distributing as the Friends Cultural Center awareness-raising leaflets and publishing (FCC). He indicated that the video in Arabic, English, Hindi and cooperation between the Sri Filipino. Gulf Times 8 Monday, December 7, 2020 QATAR

GU-Q students take part in fi rst outdoor event at Oxygen Park

ith strict adherence to Qatar Foundation (QF) partner Before the activity began, stu- national safety guide- university students to create a dents were reminded to follow all Wlines and the approval sense of community, despite the health and safety protocols. of all authorities, 10 students continued need to stay physically Wearing masks and head- from Georgetown University in apart. phones, the participants lis- Qatar (GU-Q) came together “This was the fi rst Georgetown tened to audio instructions that for the fi rst in-person extracur- event where I got to actually be focused their attention on their ricular student activity since the with my classmates,” explained surroundings as they walked, coronavirus pandemic disrupted Rejoice Onyenagubo, a fi rst-year allowing them to connect to the schools across Qatar. student at the GU-Q. sensory experiences off ered by The highly-contagious coro- With fi nal exams coming up, the 130,000sq m Oxygen Park, navirus causes the Covid-19 res- she added, the meditative expe- the “green lungs” of Education piratory disease. rience allowed for some much- City. The Awareness Walk, a well- needed relaxation. “I’ve been At the conclusion of the walk, The 10 GU-Q students during the wellness exercise. ness exercise that included a feeling a lot of pressure, and they sat in a widely-spaced circle meditative walk through Educa- there is never enough time to set- to share their experiences with that I need to notice the little in the present that will determine director for Student Develop- tivity was to heighten the stu- tion City’s Oxygen Park, followed tle down and breathe. each other. details in my day, the beautiful my future.” ment and programme organiser, dents’ awareness of themselves, by a group discussion to promote “But after this walk I feel more First-year student Somaia Ali- things, instead of just focusing Returning to the physical or sends an optimistic message to their awareness of Georgetown, personal awareness, gratitude, calm, focused, and ready to be sawi also found personal rewards on the future. in-person learning environment, all learners. awareness of the QF, and aware- and goal setting, allowed the more productive.” in the meditative walk. “I learned “After all, it’s what I am doing explained Afsha Kohli, associate “The intention of this ac- ness of the world around them.” QU-YSC wins six prizes at international event Submissions invited our projects from Qa- grammes participated in projects Banking Studies and Business Three of Excellence” category She also encouraged the stu- tar University (QU)’s that were developed at QU labs Administration school won the for a project titled Covid-19 pan- dents to participate in the inter- FYoung Scientists Centre using the latest equipment and gold medal for a project titled demic inspired at home innova- national competitions for their for global translation (QU-YSC) claimed six prizes at research methods. Hydrogel sensor for Agricultural tion: Through an unconventional benefi t in providing the neces- the International Invention, In- Sarah al-Obaidly, a student at Applications that aims to im- remote educational model exe- sary expertise to develop projects novation & Technology Exhibi- the College of Engineering, and prove soil properties and fertility. cuted by the QU-YSC. and inventions. conference in March tion in Malaysia (ITEX), organ- Maryam al-Kuwari, a student in Abdullah al-Janahi and Abdul- This project demonstrates the It is also a great opportunity ised in co-operation with the the College of Arts and Sciences lah al-Nasr, students from the novel and eff ective educational to represent Qatar globally and International Federation of In- at QU, affi liated with the “I am Qatar Science and Technology methods applied by the centre to highlight its scientifi c and re- he Translation and In- been immune to the upheavals ventors’ Associations and the In- a Researcher” programme, won school, won the gold medal for to face the challenges of distance search outcomes. terpreting Institute triggered by the pandemic.” stitute of Engineering and Tech- the gold medal and an award in a project entitled Intelligent and learning and to ensure students Dr al-Thani lauded the Ras T(TII), part of the Col- “The sector has been vital in nology. the “Top Three of Excellence” Robust Composite Nanofi bres for learn in a way that stimulates Laff an Industrial City Commu- lege of Humanities and Social the multilingual development There were 250 entries in the category, for a project titled the Autonomy of Electronic De- creativity and innovation. nity Outreach Programme for Sciences (CHSS) at Hamad Bin of social media, healthcare competition, held online this Functionalised polymer mem- vices. QU-YSC director Dr Noora supporting the QU-YSC. Khalifa University (HBKU), is communication, intercultural year, for school and univer- brane for wastewater treatment, As for the preparatory stage, al-Thani expressed pride in She also thanked the Unesco welcoming submissions for its mediation, accessibility, diver- sity students, according to a QU whose importance lies in purify- Ahmed Majed and Ahmed Sala- the students’ achievements in Doha Offi ce and the Qatar Na- 11th International Translation sity, and inclusion, as well as statement. ing water from impurities. ma from Al-Kaaban prepara- projects and research that are tional Commission for Educa- Conference taking place on societal advancement this past Four groups of students af- Tamim al-Rashed and Youssef tory school for boys won a bronze distinguished by their novelty tion, Culture and Science for March 24-25, 2021. year,” he said. fi liated with the QU centre’s pro- al-Mahmoud from the Qatar medal and an award in the “Top and quality. their support. Under the theme Covid-19 “In order to continue adapt- and Current Changes in Trans- ing and innovating to guide so- lation and Interpreting Stud- ciety through these and other ies, the online conference will pressing challenges, the 11th explore how the pandemic International Translation Con- is reshaping translation and ference is a platform for the Difi to organise online event Career seminars show interpreting, academically, academic community to con- professionally, and socio-eco- ceptualise new developments nomically. relate to translation studies,” oha International Family member of QF – in Qatar. students at WCM-Q The Covid-19 respiratory he added. Institute (Difi ), a member The sessions were moderated disease is caused by the coro- The TII welcomes submis- Dof Qatar Foundation (QF), by social scientists and experts. navirus. sions on the impact of the cur- will explore the fundamental Sessions focused on the eco- the way forward Among the themes to be rent pandemic, including the components of marital formation nomic and social factors aff ect- considered will be the ad- following sub-themes: T&I and stability in its International ing marriage, and the impact of vanced digitisation of trans- and Social Media; T&I Peda- Conference titled Marriage: For- technology and social media on xperienced healthcare multaneously remaining active lation and interpreting (T&I) gogical Trends and Traditions; mation and Constituents of Sta- marital relations. professionals shared in research. services, and the advantages T&I Professional Trends and bility, taking place from February Dr al-Emadi The fi ndings are to be present- Etheir insights into the The students also heard and challenges this presents for Praxis; T&I and Safety Proto- 23-25, 2021. ed the day before the conference, many paths open to Weill Cor- from Dr Nora al-Jefairi of Ha- the profession. cols in Healthcare; T&I in the The online conference shall and practice by providing an representing the region’s youth nell Medicine-Qatar (WCM- mad Medical Corporation Since its launch in 2010, Arab World After the Pandemic; convene policymakers, social open platform to discuss and in the conversation. Q)’s Foundation Programme (HMC), the fi rst native Qatari the International Translation T&I Digitised Work Places and scientists, researchers, and rep- debate the marriage institution, Difi will also explore various students in the latest Careers female cardiologist and elec- Conference has evolved into a Data Security; Audiovisual resentatives from civil society one of Difi ’s strategic priorities,” crucial conditions that aff ect Seminar Series. trophysiologist. fully-fl edged scholarly confer- Translation and Beyond; T&I, and non-governmental organi- she said. marital relations by organising Taking place entirely online She explained how she won a ence promoting the vision of Diversity and Accessibility; sations to examine marriage in As a global policy and advo- three online workshops that are for the fi rst time this semester, scholarship to study medicine the TII as a centre of education Changes in Teaching: Online the Arab world by looking at the cacy organisation, Difi acknowl- to take place before the confer- the series featured presenta- in Bahrain, and was subse- and research. delivery and Blended Learn- cultural, social, economic, and edges the importance of accom- ence convenes, to discuss top- tions by eight physicians, who quently sponsored by the HMC From 2021, the TII will or- ing in T&I; T&I, Cultural, political commonalities and dif- modating youth’s voice in policy ics such as Marital Relation- explained how they developed to study General Cardiology at ganise the conference as a bi- Linguistic, and Social Conse- ferences. conversations, given that today’s ships and Mental and Behavioral their careers after graduating Geneva University Hospital, ennial event, allowing more quences; Pandemic Pedagogy Difi executive director Dr decisions aff ect their future. Health Disorders and Pre-marital from medical school. Switzerland. time to pursue research agen- and Comparative Perspec- Sharifa Noman al-Emadi said: Carrying this conviction Education, held in partnership Each seminar was followed The series featured fi ve das that will further enhance tives; Selfl essness, Hospitality, “Creating communities that through its international confer- with the League of Arab States by a Q&A session. WCM-Q alumni as speakers: the depth of discussions. and Identity; and Memory and support and protect the integrity ence, Difi organised a series of and convened by the Behavioural The Fall series began in  Dr Nour Barakat, ophthal- Commenting on the focus of Commemoration. of marital relations is imperative youth group discussions in Mo- Health Care Centre and the Fam- August with a talk by Dr Mo- mologist and fellow in corneal the forthcoming conference, The deadline for the submis- for the growth and wellbeing of rocco, Jordan, and Qatar, in co- ily Consulting Centre. hamud Verjee, WCM-Q’s as- and refractive surgery at the Dr Hendrik Kockaert, director sion of abstracts is January 1, both the current and future gen- operation with regional partners, A workshop on Financial Re- sociate professor of Family HMC of the Translation and Inter- 2021, with notifi cation of ac- erations.” namely the National Institute of sponsibilities within Marriage Medicine in Clinical Medicine  Dr Shaikha al-Shokri, preting Studies Department at ceptance by January 30. “In this upcoming interna- Social Work in Morocco, the Na- will be conducted by the Qatar and assistant dean for Medical internal medicine specialist/ the TII, said: “As a university For more information, please tional conference, we will bridge tional Council for Family Aff airs Association of Certifi ed Public Student Aff airs, and concluded general medicine fellow at the and an institution, we have not visit www.tii.qa/11th. the gap between research, policy, in Jordan, and Qatar Debate – a Accountants. in mid-November with a pres- HMC entation by WCM-Q dean Dr  Dr Bothaina al-Mulla, at- Javaid Sheikh. tending OB-GYN at the HMC Dr Sheikh told the students:  Dr Abdulrahman al-Ab- “Choosing a career path can dulmalik, internal medicine seem like a daunting prospect, resident at the HMC QF’s Equine Veterinary Medical Centre to oversee research but I believe it should be ap-  Dr Abdulaziz al-Thani, proached as an inspiring and psychiatry resident at the exciting journey.” HMC. atar Foundation (QF)’s patients and guide personalised versity in Qatar (CMU-Q) stu- “As you progress through Dr al-Abdulmalik, Dr al- Equine Veterinary Medi- treatment options in the future.” dents are currently completing medical school, take note of Shokri, and Dr al-Thani com- Qcal Centre (EVMC) is Dr Richard O’Kennedy, vice- externships at the EVMC. which parts of the curriculum pleted the Foundation Pro- to begin overseeing the ethical president for research at the The QF-partner university fi re your imagination and pur- gramme at the WCM-Q. component of animal research HBKU and vice-president for students have been involved in sue them,” he said. “Be open- Dr Marco Ameduri, associ- conducted by Sidra Medicine and Research, Development and In- number of projects – including minded and allow yourself to ate professor of Physics and Hamad Bin Khalifa University novation at the QF, said: “Qatar animal research – exploring ar- follow a path that brings you senior associate dean for Pre- (HBKU). Foundation and the HBKU take eas such as genetics, neurology, satisfaction and joy and you Medical Education and Educa- The research is designed to the transparency of its initiatives and stem cell development, while will fi nd your calling.” tion City Collaborative Cur- help develop innovative medical and projects very seriously, par- receiving an insight into the ap- Dr Sheikh explained that ricular Aff airs, said: “We are treatments. ticularly when it comes to the use plication of precision medicine. his interest in psychiatry had extremely grateful to all of our “Using animals in research is a of animals in research.” The EVMC’s Dr Vinardell developed into a passion for speakers, and very proud to be privilege granted by society to the “Our faculty members and said: “Externships provide an understanding the psychology able to welcome back gradu- research community, and we are researchers must always work opportunity for students to de- of health advocacy, education, ates of the WCM-Q and the dedicated to upholding the high- within national and international velop their fundamental sci- and leadership, which in turn Foundation Programme to tell est standards,” said Dr Tatiana guidelines,” he said. “To assist, entifi c backgrounds and also to led him to pursue a career as a the inspiring and enlightening Vinardell, head of Research and The research is designed to help develop innovative medical we provide as much advice and benefi t from the clinical and healthcare executive while si- stories of their careers.” Education at the EVMC. treatments. support as possible to ensure that applied research environment “Animals are used in research care and compassion continue to present at the EVMC, widen- because of their similarity to hu- camels and horses to zebrafi sh – the EVMC is based around en- be hallmarks of all our research ing the views and approaches of mans, and such studies aim to in research at the QF entities are suring that rigorous ethical and activities.” related research and clinical cas- provide signifi cant knowledge, or conducted with critical thought, regulatory requirements are “We welcome the opportunity es.” lead to improvement in the well- judgment, and analysis. standardised for all animal re- to work with the IACUC to devel- The IACUC’s vision is to en- being, of humans and animals Dr Khalid Fakhro, acting chief search in Qatar,” he said. “By es- op and maintain the very highest sure that the highest standards of alike,” she added. research offi cer at Sidra Medi- tablishing a reliance agreement standards and best practices,” care and use of animals involved The Institutional Animal Use cine, said that his organisation with the EVMC’s IACUC, studies O’Kennedy added. in research are maintained and and Care Committee (IACUC) is proud to continue working conducted within Sidra Medi- As part of the EVMC’s dedi- conducted in compliance with at the EVMC will be responsible closely with the QF’s research in- cine’s Zebrafi sh research facility cation to promoting research to Ministry of Public Health guide- for ensuring that all activities in- stitutions. will lead to more precise diag- advance veterinary science, a lines and strictly follow interna- volving animals – ranging from “Our close collaboration with nosis of diseases aff ecting our number of Carnegie Mellon Uni- tionally recognised standards. A WCM-Q seminar in session. Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 9 REGION/AFRICA/ASIA African leaders track progress on bid for peace

AFP presidency, said in his opening While lauding small victo- Johannesburg remarks. “In some areas peace ries, Ramaphosa reminded peers has been achieved, but consider- that the grand continental trade able challenges still confront us. pact which kicks into action next frican leaders yester- There are shortcomings in im- month, would remain elusive as day held talks to review plementation that must be ad- long as the continent was not Aan ambitious plan for a dressed urgently,” he admitted. stable. confl ict-free Africa as violent Ramaphosa condemned acts On Saturday, the leaders of- unrest escalates in parts of the of terrorism and violent extrem- fi cially chose January 1 as the continent. ism ravaging the Sahel region date to begin implementing the The Africa Union (AU) adopt- and northern Mozambique. mammoth African Continental ed in 2013 a plan to silence guns The South African leader also Free Trade Area. on the continent by the year expressed concern about the Styled as the biggest free- 2020. situation in the Western Sa- trade accord in the world in Four years later the lead- hara where trouble fl ared up re- terms of population, it aims to ers signed off on a roadmap for cently between Morocco and the create a $3.4tn economic bloc for Kuwaiti candidate and former parliament speaker Marzouq al-Ghanem celebrates with his supporters following the announcement of his practical implementation of the Polisario rebels. 1.3bn people. victory in the parliamentary election in Kuwait City, yesterday. plan. But he was silent on the fi ght- It was supposed to take eff ect Yesterday, heads of states and ing in Ethiopia’s Tigray region on July 1, but the timeline slipped governments from across the which has claimed thousands of owing to complications caused continent met virtually to assess lives, according to the Interna- by the Covid-19 pandemic and progress. tional Crisis Group think tank, the slow pace of negotiations. “As we gather here, we all and displaced tens of thousands “Its success cannot be sepa- Kuwait opposition makes strong know that the guns are not yet from their homes, across the rated from a stable and condu- silent,” South African President border into Sudan. cive business environment that Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the Ethiopia is home to the AU’s is able to attract foreign direct gains in parliamentary elections current chair of the rotating AU headquarters. investment,” Ramaphosa said.

AFP al-Mulla, head of the Kuwaiti Kuwait City Kuwait Amir accepts cabinet resignation Women’s Cultural and Social Society, said she was hopeful Australia bushfi re threatens township The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh ing manner addressing urgent about the new younger mem- uwait’s opposition took Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber aff airs pending formation of a bers in parliament, but disap- nearly half of parlia- al-Sabah yesterday issued an new cabinet,” the Amiri Decree pointed by the lack of women’s on World Heritage-listed Fraser island Kment’s seats in weekend Amiri Decree, accepting the stated. Sheikh Nawaf had representation. polls amid calls for reforms over resignation of Prime Minister received Prime Minister Sheikh The country adopted a par- corruption and high debt, but Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad Sabah who tendered the resig- liamentary system in 1962. Reuters the sole female lawmaker lost al-Sabah along with that of his nation of his government. Many groups operate freely as Melbourne her seat. cabinet, QNA reported from The Amir of Kuwait had issued de facto parties. Twenty-four of the National Kuwait. an Amiri Decree, calling on The opposition coalition is Assembly’s 50 seats were won “The resignation of the prime the newly elected National As- made up of individuals, rather esidents of a coastal town- by candidates belonging to or minister and the ministers is sembly to hold the first regular than well-defi ned parties with ship on Australia’s World leaning towards the opposition, accepted and they are tasked session of the 16th legislative a distinct ideology. RHeritage-listed Fraser Is- up from 16 in the last parlia- with proceeding in a caretak- term on December 15. While parliament has the land were told to evacuate yes- ment, according to results an- power to vote the prime minis- terday as a bushfi re approached. nounced yesterday. ter and cabinet members out of Since it was sparked by an il- But while 29 women ran for of- each electoral district — were Constitutional Movement offi ce, the Kuwaiti political set- legal campfi re seven weeks ago, fi ce in Saturday’s race, none were specially fi tted out to allow citi- (ICM) won three seats, while up means change is not easy. the blaze has blackened half the elected — a blow to the status of zens infected with coronavirus candidates from the minority The Amir choosing the prime island off Australia’s north east- women who have fought hard to cast their votes. population won six. “There is a minister and 15 of the 16 cabinet ern coast, which is part of the Vegetation burns from a bushfire on Fraser Island (K’gari), Queensland, over recent years for more repre- The polls were the fi rst since big change in the composition posts. “Results have largely re- Great Barrier Reef and famed for Australia, in this aerial picture obtained from social media. sentation in the oil-rich emirate, the new Amir, Sheikh Nawaf al- of the new National Assembly,” fl ected my expectations: many its tropical rainforest on sand after winning the right to vote Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, took Kuwait analyst Ayed al-Manaa opposition voices — especially dunes, and inland lakes. “We will continue to have air- uate late yesterday afternoon. just 15 years ago. Nevertheless, offi ce in September following said. “This is an indication of of the more restive/conserva- Residents of Happy Valley craft on the fi re from fi rst light “Leaving immediately is the the election of 30 candidates the death of his half-brother, the voters’ anger over the per- tive constituencies...won at the had a small reprieve after the tomorrow to try and knock that safest option, as it will soon under the age of 45 sent out a Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al- formance of the previous par- expense of status quo, liberals blaze lessened in intensity yes- fi re down as best we can.” be too dangerous to drive,” the promising signal to youth hop- Jaber al-Sabah, at the age of liament and of their desire for and women,” tweeted Cinzia terday afternoon, Queensland Offi cials said that there were state’s Fire and Emergency Serv- ing for change and reform. The 91. The country has the Gulf’s change in economic, health, Bianco, a research fellow at the state emergency services com- more than 90 personnel, 38 ve- ices said on social media. “Any election, which takes place every oldest elected parliament, but education” and services, he European Council on Foreign missioner Greg Leach told the hicles and 17 aircraft working on persons in the vicinity of Happy four years, was overshadowed by under the constitution the emir said. Relations. “Uphill battle for Australian Broadcasting Corpo- Fraser Island, including a large Valley township should leave the Covid-19 and a consequent par- has extensive powers and can Offi cials in the country, the Kuwait government, expect ration. air tanker based in the state for area.” ing back of campaigns that in dissolve the legislature at the where foreigners make up 70% some instability,” she added. “We now don’t anticipate that the bushfi re season and another Baking temperatures across normal times draw thousands for recommendation of the gov- of the 4.8mn population, have As per protocol, the cabinet that fi re will run into the Happy tanker on the way from New Queensland last week caused lavish banquets and over-the- ernment. Thirty-one new faces already said they want to slash resigned yesterday and the fi rst Valley settlement today but we’ll South Wales state. peak bushfi re conditions, with top events. will enter the new parliament, that proportion to 30% of the parliamentary session is set to continue to work hard,” Leach Queensland’s emergency emergency services currently Five polling stations — one in results showed. The Islamic total population. Lulwa Saleh take place on December 15. said. services urged residents to evac- attending to 48 fi res, Leach said.

South Africa urges quarantine after Indonesia minister arrested Curbs ‘super-spreader’ student parties over pandemic aid corruption tightened

Reuters nouncing new restrictions in into a 10-days quarantine...We AFP operation on Saturday. — southeast Asia’s biggest — in Seoul as Cape Town the Eastern Cape but stopping also urge that Rage attendees Jakarta He turned himself in yes- has been hit hard by the pan- short of a wider crackdown. test for Covid-19.” Organis- terday at the anti-corruption demic, and the government Hosted annually, the Rage ers of the Rage parties did not agency’s headquarters, be- has rolled out aid programmes Covid-19 outh Africa yesterday parties are popular with thou- immediately respond to an e- ndonesia’s social aff airs coming the second minister in such as food packages to help urged school students who sands of school leavers eager mailed message for comment. minister was arrested yes- President Joko Widodo’s gov- those in need. Sattended a series of end- to let their hair down at events In media reports leading up Iterday for allegedly tak- ernment to be arrested over Batubara has been accused cases spike of-year “Rage” parties to enter that can last several days. to the events, organisers said ing $1.2mn in bribes linked to alleged graft in recent weeks. of involvement in a bribery 10 days of quarantine after iden- “We confirm that we have they were working to ensure food aid for those hit by the “That’s the people’s mon- scheme linked to one such aid tifying four such parties as Cov- now identified a number of safety, with fewer people than coronavirus pandemic. ey... it’s aid urgently needed project. Reuters id-19 “super-spreader events”. Covid-19 confirmed cases aris- normal expected to attend. Juliari Batubara was named to help during Covid-19 and Offi cials have alleged that Seoul South Africa is experienc- ing from these super-spreader South Africa has recorded as a suspect after Indonesian for the national economic he received more than $1mn ing a resurgence of new cases events,” Health Minister Zweli more than 800,000 coronavi- anti-corruption agents seized recovery,” Widodo said after from two contractors that in the Western Cape and East- Mkhize said in a statement. rus infections and more than suitcases, backpacks and en- Batubara’s arrest, vowing he were appointed to supply ba- outh Korea will impose ern Cape, with President Cyril “We now urge all the Rage 21,000 deaths related to Cov- velopes stuff ed with cash would not protect any corrupt sic food packages for people heightened social distanc- Ramaphosa on Thursday an- attendees to immediately go id-19, the most in Africa. equivalent to $1.2mn in a sting offi cials. Indonesia’s economy aff ected by the pandemic. Sing rules for the capital Seoul and surrounding areas, health offi cials said yesterday, as authorities struggle to con- tain the nation’s largest wave of coronavirus infection in nine Japan space agency hails return of asteroid dust on Earth months. The decision comes after the government implemented un- AFP formation of the universe. southern Australian desert, will face dust and pristine material precedented measures on Sat- Tokyo “After six years of space trav- now be in the hands of scien- from below the surface that was urday in a country that had seen el, the box of treasures was able tists performing initial analysis stirred up by fi ring an “impac- initial success through aggres- to land in Australia’s Woomera including checking for any gas tor” into the asteroid. sive contact tracing and other apan space agency offi cials this morning,” Databus-2 emissions. It will then be sent The material is believed to be steps. “We are in a very danger- yesterday hailed the arrival project manager Yuichi Tsuda to Japan. unchanged since the time the ous situation,” health ministry Jof rare asteroid samples on told a press conference. Megan Clark, chief of the universe was formed. offi cial Park Neung-hoo told a Earth after they were collected The capsule carrying sam- Australian Space Agency, con- Larger celestial bodies like briefi ng, saying localised clus- by space probe Hayabusa-2 ples entered the atmosphere gratulated the “wonderful Earth went through radical ters have the potential to become during an unprecedented mis- just before 2:30am Japan time achievement”. “2020 has been changes including heating and a national outbreak. sion. (1730 GMT Saturday), creating a a diffi cult year all around the solidifying, changing the com- The Korea Disease Control In a streak of light across the shooting-star-like fi reball as it world” but the Hayabusa-2 position of the materials on and Prevention Agency (KDCA) night sky, a capsule containing entered Earth’s atmosphere en helped “renew our faith in the their surface and below. reported 631 new cases as of the precious specimens taken route to the landing site Down In this handout image from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency world, and our trust (in) and ap- But “when it comes to midnight Saturday — the largest from a distant asteroid arrived Under. (JAXA), a member of JAXA collects Hayabusa2’s capsule carrying preciation” of the science of the smaller planets or smaller as- daily tally since a peak in Febru- on Earth after being dropped off A few hours later, the Japan the first extensive samples of an asteroid after it landed in the outer universe, she said. teroids, these substances were ary and early March — bring- by the probe. Aerospace Exploration Agency Woomera restricted area, Australia, yesterday. The samples were collected not melted, and therefore it is ing the country’s total to 37,546, Scientists hope the samples, (JAXA) confi rmed the sam- by Hayabusa-2, which launched believed that substances from with 545 deaths. Nearly a month which are expected to amount ples had been recovered, with Hayabusa-2 on Saturday, while fect form, and the probe is in 2014, from the asteroid Ry- 4.6bn years ago are still there,” of triple-digit daily infections to no more than 0.1 grams of help from beacons emitted by the fridge-sized probe was moving on to another mission,” ugu, about 300mn kilometres Hayabusa-2 mission manager has brought the number of active material, could help shed light the capsule as it plummeted about 220,000km away. Tsuda said. from Earth. Makoto Yoshikawa told report- cases in South Korea to a record on the origin of life and the to Earth after separating from “The capsule landed in per- The capsule, recovered in the The probe collected both sur- ers before the capsule arrived. 7,873, the KDCA said. Gulf Times 10 Monday, December 7, 2020 AMERICAS

POLITICS PEOPLE TRAGEDY PROTEST Maduro eyes victory as Ex-Uruguaya president Search ends for people Peru farmworkers block Venezuela goes to polls Tabare Vazquez dies trapped in mine collapse highway in pay dispute

Polls opened yesterday in legislative elections set Former Uruguayan president Tabaré Vázquez Authorities in Nicaragua called off the search for Striking Peruvian workers temporarily erected to tighten Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s died on Saturday in Montevideo at the age of 80 people trapped in the collapse of an unlicensed gold new blockades on the Pan-American Highway, a grip on power and weaken his US-backed rival, after suff ering from lung cancer, his son said in mine in the country’s south. Two bodies had already day after they had ended a five-day blockage fol- Juan Guaido, who is leading a boycott of the polls a tweet yesterday. The centre-left politician and been pulled from the debris, and up to 16 others had lowing the shelving of a controversial agricultural he calls a fraud. Victory will give Maduro’s ruling oncologist was president of Uruguay twice in reportedly been trapped after the accident in the La law. “We want to solve the salary issue,” said a Socialist Party control of an expanded 227-seat 2005-2010 and 2015-2020 and was diagnosed Esperanza region, more than 200kms southeast of worker manning a blockade near the city of Ica, National Assembly – the only institution not in with cancer last year towards the end of his sec- the capital Managua. The two victims, identified as 275kms south of the capital Lima. The workers, its hands. “The time has come to vote for peace, ond term. The Broad Front party he belonged to Israel Sequeira and Santos Herrera, were from the demanding that agro-exporting companies raise for the country, for the future!” Maduro said in ran the cattle-farming country of 3.4mn people for Rio San Juan department, local government off icial their salaries from $11 to $18 a day, used rocks, a message to supporters on the Telegram mes- 15 years up until elections last year. His son Alvaro Johnny Gutierrez told off icial website 19 Digital. “De- burning tyres and an overturned minivan to block Cilia Flores, candidate and wife of Venezuela’s saging application, shortly before voting began Vazquez said he died at home, in the presence spite the rescue work, no other fatalities have been the highway. The blockade near Ica began shortly President Nicolas Maduro, shows her ballot as she at 6.30am local time (1030 GMT). Initial turnout of family and friends. “On behalf of the family, found,” said the National System for the Prevention, before noon. Within minutes, buses carrying votes at a polling station during the parliamentary was low however, with many polling stations in we want to thank all Uruguayans for the love Mitigation and Attention of Disasters, via 19 Digital, some 200 police arrived and three hours later the election in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. Caracas either empty or with few voters. received by him over so many years,” he tweeted. announcing that the search was over. protesters dispersed. States impose lockdowns as Covid spreads

Reuters classes today after a citywide New York campus shutdown. An estimated 190,000 children in programmes geared for early childhood, el- ndividual US states yesterday ementary and special needs stu- scrambled to impose lock- dents will be eligible to return to Idowns to stem coronavirus classrooms, the city said. spikes amid a lack of national New York girds to reopen leadership on how to curb infec- schools while across the Hudson tions until vaccines are widely River neighbouring New Jersey available in the spring. over the weekend halted indoor Dr Deborah Birx, the White youth sports after at least 28 out- House Coronavirus Task Force breaks aff ected 170 people. co-ordinator, yesterday ex- Governor Phil Murphy’s ban pressed frustration over the targets sports like basketball, ice mixed messages coming from hockey and swimming, including the Trump administration that practice and games, until at least are refl ected in some Americans’ January 2. In the nation’s most perception about masks, social populous state, California today distancing and superspreader shut down bars, hair salons and events. barbershops, and allowed res- “Right now, across the Sun taurants to remain open only for Belt, we have governors and takeout and delivery service in mayors who have cases equiva- southern California and the San lent to what they had in the sum- Joaquin Valley. A person carries food donated by volunteers from the Baltimore Hunger Project outside of Padonia International Elementary school in Cockeysville, Maryland. More and more children mertime yet aren’t putting in the The San Francisco Bay Area is are going hungry in the US as it weathers the world’s worst coronavirus outbreak, which has killed around 280,000 people and caused a once-in-a-generation economic crisis. same policies and mitigations also go into lockdown starting that they put in the summer, that at 10pm, under a diff erent set of they know changed the course of orders. this pandemic across the South,” “We know that people are she said on NBC’s “Meet the tired of the stringent measures, Press.” but they are the only weapons we “So it is frustrating because have to combat the virus,” said Dr not only do we know what works, Maggie Park, public health offi c- governors and mayors used er in San Joaquin County, in the Biden set to meet virus those tools to stem the tide in state’s hard-hit farming region. the spring and the summer,” Birx More than 25,000 new cases of said. Only about half of the 50 US Covid-19 were diagnosed in Cal- states have enacted new restric- ifornia on Friday, offi cials said on tions in the last month as cases, Saturday, a record since the pan- deaths and hospitalisations hit demic began. record levels nationwide. The state also recorded 209 jab adviser this week Fourteen states do not man- deaths, bringing the total to date masks. 19,791, offi cials said. Reuters been really very appropriately surgence of the virus, with record receive the vaccine once the US talking about April or May,” he President-elect Joe Biden, a Overall, the US saw a record Washington planned,” Slaoui said in an in- infections and a daily death toll Food and Drug Administration said. Democrat who defeated Donald 228,407 new cases on Friday, and terview with CBS’ “Face the Na- that has exceeded 2,000 in re- approves it, which is expected in With the winter holiday sea- Trump in the November elec- 2,568 deaths, according to a Reu- tion.” cent days. the next week or two. son approaching, US health ex- tion, has said that upon taking ters tally. he chief adviser for US ef- Biden said on Friday his team More than 281,000 Americans The FDA’s outside advisers are perts have been pleading with offi ce on January 20 he will enact More than 100,900 people forts to develop a corona- had not seen a detailed outline have died from the Covid-19 scheduled to meet on Thursday Americans to not let up on their mask mandates where he has au- were hospitalised with the dis- Tvirus vaccine yesterday from the Trump administration disease, according to a Reuters to review Pfi zer’s emergency use coronavirus safety protocols — thority, such as federal buildings ease in the US as of Friday. said he planned to meet with to distribute a vaccine to various tally. application for its vaccine. wearing masks, social distancing and for interstate travel. That number grew by about President-elect Joe Biden this states, which he called an expen- President Donald Trump’s re- Slaoui has said the second and avoiding large gatherings. While many businesses are 22% over the past 14 days, the week to discuss the programme sive and diffi cult process. fusal to acknowledge his loss to tranche of people to get the vac- “That’s what’s gonna get us most shutting down, Dr Anthony Reuters tally showed, but the before the expected fi rst round of Slaoui said part of the confu- Biden in the November 3 presi- cine will likely include essential through this,” US Health Sec- Fauci, the nation’s leading infec- growth rate has slowed from an vaccinations in the country later sion may be that the govern- dential election caused a delay employees such as postal work- retary Alex Azar said on ABC’s tious disease expert, says schools increase of 47% over the previ- this month. ment’s plan relies on state health in the transition process that al- ers, and then the general popula- “This Week” programme. should reopen before bars do and ous 14 days. Moncef Slaoui, chief adviser to agencies to deliver the vaccine. lowed White House health advis- tion will follow. Dr Deborah Birx, who serves after health experts in Europe California’s statewide orders, the US government’s Operation “I think the plans are there and ers to communicate with the new Asked yesterday when Ameri- with Azar on the White House and Britain have found that chil- which kick in whenever a region Warp Speed initiative, said he I feel confi dent that once we will Biden health advisory team. cans would start seeing the im- coronavirus task force, told dren may have lower infectivity has less than 15% capacity avail- has not yet met with Biden, who explain it, everything in detail. I Biden was due to announce pact of the vaccine, Slaoui told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that than adults. able in its intensive care units, last week criticised the Trump hope the new transition team will members of his public health CBS that might happen for the public health offi cials have had In New York City, some pub- allow critical infrastructure to administration’s vaccine distri- understand that things are well team this week. most susceptible people in Janu- to battle incorrect messages from lic schools in the nation’s larg- stay open, including schools that bution plan. planned,” he told the CBS pro- First-responders, healthcare ary or February. “But on a popu- the Trump administration about est school district prepared have obtained waivers allowing “We really look forward to gramme. workers and nursing home resi- lation basis, for our life to start masks and other mitigation to reopen for daily in-person them to hold in-person classes. it because actually things have The US is struggling with a re- dents will be the fi rst groups to getting back to normal, we’re measures.

Trump secretary appears to Trump keeps up claims acknowledge Biden victory hite House press the vast majority of which he secretary Kayleigh has lost. In Georgia, the presi- WMcEnany yester- dent continues to demand that of widespread poll fraud day appeared to admit Donald Governor Brian Kemp call a Trump lost the presidential special session of the state leg- Reuters cede the race. “They cheated some 5mn ballots, turned up no election, a concession the islature, to overturn Biden’s Valdosta, Georgia and they rigged our presidential signifi cant irregularities. president refuses to make. victory. election but we will still win it,” The January runoff s pit two In an interview on Fox News, Kemp and Republican of- Trump said. “And they’re going Republican senators, David Per- McEnany discussed runoff fi cials including secretary of S President Donald to try and rig this election too,” due and Kelly Loeffl er, against elections in Georgia in Janu- state Brad Raff ensperger and Trump campaigned in Trump, a Republican, told the well-funded Democratic chal- ary which will decide control lieutenant governor Geoff UGeorgia for two Republi- crowd, who chanted “Four More lengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael of the senate. “If we lose these Duncan have refused to do so. can senators at a rally that some Years!” Warnock, seeking to capture a two senate seats,” she said, On Fox News, McEnany in his party feared could end The president repeated his at- state that has not elected a Dem- “guess whose casting the de- discussed Trump campaign up hurting, not helping, their tacks on Republicans who have ocratic senator in 20 years. ciding vote in this country for lawsuits in a number of states, chances by focusing on his ef- refused to back his claims, in- The races will determine our government? It will be including Georgia. But she fo- forts to reverse his own election cluding Georgia’s governor, Brian which party controls the senate. Kamala Harris.” Trump refuses cused on the senate runoff s in defeat. Kemp. Democrats, who already have to concede defeat by Joe Biden, the southern state. In his fi rst rally appearance Earlier, Trump phoned Kemp the majority in the House of Rep- despite losing the electoral If Democrats defeat sitting since he lost to Democrat Joe and pressured the governor on resentatives, need to win both college 306-232 and trailing Republicans Kelly Loeffl er and Biden in the November 3 presi- Twitter to take further steps to seats to control the senate. If Re- in the popular vote by more David Perdue on January 5, the dential contest, Trump urged help him overturn the election publicans win one seat, they will than 7mn. He is not alone: Senate will be split 50-50. the crowd to vote for Republican results. retain their majority and be able only 27 of 249 Republicans in A casting vote from Vice- candidates in the Georgia runoff Trump’s allegations of wide- to block much of Biden’s legisla- Congress have acknowledged President Harris will therefore election on January 5 despite his spread voter fraud have been tive agenda. Biden’s victory, according to give Democrats a tenuous hold unsubstantiated claims of signif- rejected by state and federal of- Biden said he would visit the Washington Post. But the on the chamber to add to con- icant electoral fraud in the state. fi cials across the country, and his Georgia to campaign for the Democrat will be inaugurated trol of the House of Represent- But he gave considerable time in campaign’s numerous legal chal- Democratic candidates but did in Washington on January 20 atives and the White House. his remarks to allegations, made lenges have almost all failed. not give a timetable for his trip. and Harris, a senator from “What is paramount is without evidence, of widespread Biden was the fi rst Democratic Governor Kemp did not attend California, will become vice- Georgia,” McEnany said. fraud in the nationwide election presidential candidate to win in the rally due to the death in a car president. Trump has fi led “Right here, right now, making that led to a Democrat reclaiming Georgia since 1992. crash of Harrison Deal, a close President Donald Trump gestures next to first lady Melania Trump lawsuits seeking to overturn sure that we hold this branch of the White House. Statewide recounts, including family friend of the governor and after speaking at a campaign event for Republican senators David results in a number of states, government.” Trump has declined to con- a painstaking review by hand of staff er for Loeffl er. Perdue and Kelly Loeff ler in Valdosta, Georgia, US. Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 11 BRITAIN Last-ditch eff ort to save Brexit trade talks from failure

AFP in EU headquarters in Brussels, negotiators haggled over the last day for a two-day summit planned we agreed that a further eff ort political sense and it certainly ship that split the nation down Brussels ending a two-day pause after remaining, but most contentious to tackle their own budget dispute, should be undertaken... to assess doesn’t make any economic or the middle and two months after a fruitless week of late-night issues. but which will now once again be whether they can be resolved,” social sense either”, he told RTE Johnson won an election touting wrangling in London. Meanwhile, Prime Minister clouded by Brexit worries. they said. news. “And for all those reasons, what he claimed was an “oven ritish and EU negotiators “We’re working very hard to try Boris Johnson will reportedly Johnson and von der Leyen is- Ireland would be the EU mem- I think that the negotiating teams ready” Brexit deal. yesterday embarked on to get a deal. We’ll see what hap- lobby European leaders, after a sued a downbeat joint statement ber worst hit by a failure to strike and senior politicians will fi nd a The UK is bound to the EU’s tar- Bprobably their fi nal two- pens in the negotiations today,” call with EU chief Ursula von der after their call, with divisions a deal and Foreign Minister Si- way of getting a deal here, but at iff -free single market until a post- day scramble to secure a post- Frost told reporters as he arrived at Leyen on Saturday ended with still wide over fi shing rights, fair mon Coveney insisted agreement the moment we’re in a diffi cult Brexit transition period expires at Brexit trade deal, after failing for the city’s Gare de Midi train station. the sides still wide apart. trade rules and an enforcement was crucial to avoid more dam- place as we try to close it out,” the end of the year – an immov- eight months to reach agreement. Talks were expected to go late The pair’s next call will be today mechanism to govern any deal. age to an economy already reel- he said. Britain formally left the able deadline by which time the David Frost and Michel Barnier on Sunday and into today, as a evening and then the 27 EU leaders “Whilst recognising the se- ing from the Covid-19 pandemic. EU in January, nearly four years two sides must try to agree on new took up from where they left off small team of the most senior will gather in Brussels on Thurs- riousness of these diff erences, Failure “doesn’t make any after a referendum on member- terms for their future relationship. Netfl ix ‘not to screen disclaimer before The Crown episode’

Daily Mail are still online despite the Daily London Mail alerting Netfl ix to them more than 24 hours ago. Most of the comments are S streaming platform unprintable, targeted not just Netfl ix has rejected a at Charles and Camilla, but also Ucall from Britain’s cul- the Queen and Prince Philip. ture minister to add disclaimers Critics have said The Crown’s at the start of episodes of its hit account of the breakdown of series The Crown to make clear Prince Charles’s marriage to that it is a work of fi ction, sev- Diana is “distorted and at times eral British media reported yes- downright inaccurate”. terday. A royal insider said: “It’s one Culture Secretary Oliver thing to make a drama that not Dowden is among several prom- even the writer claims is entirely inent fi gures in Britain who have factual, but for Netfl ix to use argued that the scripted series, its corporate social channels to in which actors play members create and post material that is of the royal family, risked giving one-sided at best feels like cor- viewers a wrong and damaging porate trolling – it’s pretty sin- impression of the royals. ister.” According to the reports, Now Conservative peer Lord Dowden and Netfl ix exchanged Forsyth of Drumlean has ac- Shoppers queue outside Debenhams on Oxford Street in London yesterday. Shoppers returned to England’s high streets this week as shops reopened following the end of a correspondence about the issue. cused the US streaming giant of four-week coronavirus lockdown. Netfl ix did not immediately “crossing a line”. respond to an e-mail from Reu- He said he would raise the is- ters requesting comment, and sue in the House of Lords and a spokeswoman for the culture with the prime minister di- ministry in London declined to rectly. comment. He has written to the broad- Netfl ix was quoted by me- casting watchdog Ofcom com- dia reports as saying that it was plaining of the “hurtful, false, confi dent its viewers knew the misleading and poisonous im- UK gets ready for roll-out series was loosely based on true pression of people in our public events. life who cannot fi ght back”. “We have always presented He called for Netfl ix to be The Crown as a drama – and regulated in the UK in line with we have every confi dence our other broadcasters. Lord For- members understand it’s a work syth said: “What they are do- of Covid jab this week of fi ction that’s broadly based on ing is absolutely shocking. It is historical events,” it said. mendacious and it is untrue. “As a result we have no plans And as every day goes by with- Reuters oped by Pfi zer and BioNTech and the European Union on a whether the Observer report hours to defrost each vaccine – and see no need – to add a dis- out any action on the issue, London last week – jumping ahead in post-Brexit trade agreement. was true, said: “It won’t disrupt and prepare it for use. claimer.” more and more people are see- the global race to begin the most A status quo transition period the vaccine”. NHS England has written to Netfl ix has also been accused ing this programme, and unfor- crucial mass inoculation pro- will end on December 31 and a “A huge amount of work has general practitioners, telling of trolling the royal family after tunately people believe this stuff ritain is preparing to be- gramme in history. no-deal scenario would lead to gone on to maintain the fl ow of them to get ready to start giving a ‘sinister’ post on its offi cial so- to be fact. come the fi rst country In total, Britain has ordered major disruptions in the move- goods at the border in the event vaccinations through local doc- cial media account prompted a “If Netfl ix are also using a Bto roll out the Pfi zer/Bi- 40mn doses. As each person re- ment of goods between Britain of there being a no-deal Brexit tors’ services from December 14. wave of online hate. corporate account in that way oNTech Covid-19 vaccine this quires two doses, that is enough and EU countries such as Bel- and we’ve also got contingency Rather than run clinics in in- Senior palace sources reacted (to deliberately publicise nega- week, initially making the shot to vaccinate 20mn people in the gium. plans in place, including a gov- dividual surgeries, groups of with anger to the tweet, which tive programmes about the royal available at hospitals before dis- country of 67mn. The Observer newspaper re- ernment-procured ferry that’s local doctors will operate more invited viewers to watch a doc- family) then the case for regula- tributing stocks to doctors’ clin- About 800,000 doses are ex- ported yesterday that, under UK on standby and of course the op- than 1,000 vaccination centres umentary on Princess Diana tion is even stronger.” ics, the government said yester- pected to be available within the government contingency plans, tion, should it be needed, to use across the country, the govern- which they claimed would pro- He added: “They (Netfl ix) day. fi rst week. tens of millions of vaccine doses air freight too.” ment said. vide ‘answers’ to criticism of its can’t continue to say, ‘This is The fi rst doses are set to be Initial doses that have ar- could be fl own to Britain by mil- The Pfi zer/BioNTech vaccine Boxes of the vaccine contain fl agship drama The Crown. drama, this is not our fault’. They administered tomorrow, with rived from Belgium are being itary aircraft to avoid delays at has onerous storage require- fi ve packs of 975 doses, but spe- It was accompanied by a vid- are clearly using a programme the National Health Service stored in secure locations across ports caused by Brexit. ments. It needs to be kept at cial regulatory approval is need- eo that paints the Duchess of which is sensationalist and (NHS) giving top priority to vac- the country, where they will be The government declined to -70C (-94F) and only lasts fi ve ed to split them up. Cornwall in a particularly un- mendacious to promote their cinating the over-80s, frontline quality checked, the health min- comment on the Observer re- days in a regular fridge. For that A senior medical offi cial has edifying light. commercial interests. The roy- healthcare workers and care istry said. port. Farming and Environment reason, the health ministry said said that while he was hopeful The post has attracted a string als do not have a right to reply. home staff and residents. The rollout coincides with a Minister George Eustice, asked the vaccine would fi rst be ad- it would be possible to split the of vile messages directed to- “This is damaging, nasty and Britain gave emergency use crucial and perilous moment in on Sky News about concerns of ministered in 50 hospitals. packs and deliver straight to care wards the royal family, which unpleasant stuff .” approval for the vaccine devel- negotiations between Britain Brexit-related disruption and It said it would take a few homes, it was not guaranteed. BBC golf broadcaster Singer sorry for breach of lockdown curbs

Guardian News and Media said on Saturday that she would Alliss dies aged 89 donate any profi t from the en- London gagement to charity. Guardian News and Media have been a remarkable six dec- Alliss soon became known In a statement, she said: London ades in the commentary booth. not only for forensically detailed ritish singer Rita Ora has “Upon my return to Britain from “His inimitable tone, humour knowledge of his sport but witty apologised after reports my travel overseas, I should have and command of the micro- moments. Bemerged that she should followed government advice and ributes have poured in phone will be sorely missed, his His live depiction of Jean Van have been self-isolating when isolated myself for the required from across the world of often legendary commentaries de Velde’s epic collapse at the she celebrated her birthday at a period. As you know, I didn’t fol- Tgolf and broadcasting af- will be long remembered,” read 72nd hole of the 1999 Open, for London restaurant last month. low government advice and … I ter the death of the celebrated the statement which confi rmed example, is the stuff of legend. The 30-year-old fl ew to Egypt apologise again, unreservedly. BBC commentator Peter Alliss at Alliss’s passing. “Peter was a Alliss entered golf’s hall of in a private jet on November 21 to “While I realise the apologetic the age of 89. devoted husband, father and fame in 2012. perform at an event, the Mail on words of a pop star might not Alliss, a former professional grandfather and his family ask Keith Pelley, chief executive Sunday reported. carry much weight, especially player who fi rst undertook broad- for privacy at this diffi cult time.” offi cer of the European Tour, She returned to England the one who has broken the rules like casting duties in 1961, became Having left school at 14 and led the tributes, saying: “We are next day and was required, as per I have, I do realise some might the lead man for the corporation’s following in the footsteps of his deeply saddened to hear of the government quarantine rules, to seek to follow my example. My golf coverage 17 years later. father, Percy, Alliss was a suc- passing of Peter Alliss, truly one self-isolate for 14 days. message to them is simple: please He was widely depicted as the cessful golfer in his own right. of golf’s greats. Peter made an Instead, Ora attended her own don’t. The guilt and shame I’ve ‘voice of golf’. He won more than 30 profes- indelible mark on everything he birthday party at the Casa Cruz carried this week for my mistake In a statement released yester- sional tournaments at home and did in our game, but especially as restaurant in Notting Hill, west aren’t worth it. day, Alliss’s family explained the abroad. Alliss missed the cut in a player and a broadcaster, and he London on November 28 – itself “Instead, continue to listen to father-of-six’s death was “unex- two Masters appearances but leaves a remarkable legacy.” a breach of coronavirus restric- the government advice and the pected but peaceful”. was a top 10 fi nisher in the Open Tim Davie, director general tions for which she has previ- voices of the heroes of the NHS and Alliss had delivered television Championship fi ve times. of the BBC, added: “No one told ously apologised. take the required precautions.” commentary for the BBC during Alliss represented GB&I eight the story of golf quite like Peter After news of the party She added she hoped “to one the Masters just last month, from times in Ryder Cups between Alliss. He captured golf’s drama emerged, the singer said she was day make it up to the public who his home in Surrey. 1953 and 1969. with insight, wisdom and hu- “deeply sorry” for her actions have given me so much support He had been expected to re- Long before that fi nal appear- manity. He was a legendary com- and off ered to pay a £10,000 fi ne over the years and, in particular, tire after next year’s Ryder Cup, ance, he had already combined mentator who brought the game for hosting the party. make it up to the heroes of the thereby completing what would playing with microphone duties. to life for millions of us.” Peter Alliss: celebrated BBC commentator In addition to her apology, Ora NHS”. Gulf Times 12 Monday, December 7, 2020 EUROPE Spain marks 42 years since return of democracy

By Sam Jones Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was under threat from Catalan Franco as the “irreplaceable one”. committed by “individuals who once belonged,” said Gen Miguel The deputy prime minister and Guardian News & Media said the 1978 constitution was separatists and bemoaning what Some of those in the chat additionally may have posed as Villarroya Vilalta. Podemos leader, Pablo Iglesias, “the greatest success of our col- they termed the “deterioration of group were among the 73 former members of the military on active Their thoughts, he added, played down the threat posed by lective history”, and hailed 42 democracy”. offi cers who wrote to King Felipe service duty without being so”. should instead be seen as those of the WhatsApp group and their pain has celebrated the years of “peace, co-existence and The letter came a few days af- last month to express their ha- The chat and the letter also private citizens. allies, and said that their nos- 42nd anniversary of the freedom”. ter it emerged that a group of re- tred of the coalition between the prompted the chief of the de- “As military personnel, we talgia for the dictatorship would Sconstitution that ushered A group of 271 former mili- tired air force offi cers who gradu- Spanish Socialist party and the fence staff to accuse those in- take an oath promising to defend prove counterproductive. the country back to democracy tary personnel, however, marked ated during the dictatorship had far-left Unidas Podemos party. volved of “damaging the image of the constitution, which guides all “What these already retired following the end of the Franco the anniversary by publishing a used a WhatsApp group to talk Defence Minister Margarita the armed forces”. our actions,” he said. “One of the gentlemen of a certain age say dictatorship, as some former manifesto attacking the Social- about fi ring on Catalan inde- Robles has sent details of the “The opinions of these people consequences of that commit- doesn’t represent a threat of any members of the armed forces ist-led coalition government, pendence supporters, “shooting WhatsApp group chat to pros- cannot be seen as representative ment is the political neutrality of kind,” he told Spanish TV on made infl ammatory declarations. complaining that Spain’s unity 26mn (people)”, and describing ecutors to see if a crime had been of the collective to which they our armed forces.” Thursday. Germany’s Bavaria sharpens Romanians curbs as coronavirus spreads

AFP apply in Bavaria after 9pm (2000 Sundays because of a lag in re- Berlin GMT) in so-called hotspots with porting new cases over the week- more than 200 new virus cases end. per 100,000 inhabitants per RKI head Lothar Wieler said ermany’s Bavaria region week. on Thursday that it is vital for announced tougher coro- Schools will be asked to switch new cases to start declining if the vote in shadow Gnavirus rules, including some lessons online for older age infection rate was to be brought local curfews and partial school groups, while those in hotspots under control. closures, yesterday as case num- will need to move all teaching “The situation remains very bers remained high across the online for older students. tense”, with numbers “not falling country despite fi ve weeks of na- MP and epidemiologist Karl noticeably”, he said. tional restrictions. Lauterbach welcomed the Ba- National measures agreed by The coronavirus causes the varian restrictions and called for Merkel and the state premiers Covid-19 respiratory disease. tighter curbs across the country. restrict public gatherings to fi ve of pandemic From Wednesday, Bavarians “The ‘wavebreaker’ shutdown people from two households, will be asked to stay home un- is nowhere near enough any- but envisage increasing the limit AFP/Reuters ernment of young people, which less they have a valid reason such more. It is unacceptable that we to 10 people over Christmas and Bucharest cares about the environment as grocery shopping or visiting have close to 500 deaths every New Year. and about Romanians’ welfare”. a doctor, state premier Markus day,” he told the Funke media Soeder said this relaxation “I came for my right to vote Soeder told a press conference. group. “We need a tough shut- would apply in Bavaria only road disillusion with Ro- ... but there is turmoil in my “The situation is unfortunate- down now to make a diff erence.” from December 23-26, with the mania’s political class thoughts, I have nobody to vote ly serious ... we must do more, we The number of new infec- tougher rules kicking back in for Balong with a harsh second for,” said 67-year-old pensioner must act,” he said, insisting that tions in Germany has plateaued New Year’s Eve. wave of the coronavirus pan- Viorica David. “We are leading a national partial shutdown in- in recent weeks, with October’s Some states, including Thur- demic kept voters away from a life of nightmare, especially troduced in early November was exponential growth brought to a ingia and the city-state of Berlin, parliamentary polls yesterday, us pensioners. I worked for 44 not enough. halt. have already introduced tougher but the ruling pro-European years and yet everybody sets us Under the so-called “lock- But the number of infections rules for the Christmas period. liberals were still expected to aside, absolutely everybody. down light”, cultural and sport- remains high, with total case But opposition to virus re- win despite criticism over their “I hope all of them get to re- ing facilities as well as restau- numbers passing the 1mn mark strictions is also growing in Ger- handling of the crisis. tire and get treated as we are rants and nightspots have been last week and new cases regularly many, with some protests turn- More than 18mn Romanians treated now, nobody has place shut, with public gatherings topping 20,000 a day. ing violent in recent weeks. are eligible to take part in the for us.” limited but schools and shops re- The number of Covid-19 pa- Several hundred protesters vote, carried out with the now The PNL have the advantage maining open. tients in intensive care nation- gathered in Duesseldorf yester- familiar virus safety measures of of being supported by Presi- Chancellor Angela Merkel wide has soared from just over day after a planned larger dem- social distancing, mask-wear- dent Klaus Iohannis, who has and the leaders of Germany’s 16 360 in early October to more onstration with up to 20,000 ing and hand disinfectant. brushed aside criticism that he states agreed this week to extend than 4,000 currently. people was banned at the last However, with only four hours is disrespecting his constitu- the partial shutdown until Janu- The Robert Koch Institute minute in Bremen on Saturday. of voting left, turnout seemed to tional role by campaigning for ary 10. (RKI) disease control centre re- At a rally of nearly 10,000 be heading for a record low by the liberals. But under Germany’s federal ported 17,767 new Covid-19 in- people in Berlin in November, late afternoon. The left-wing PSD, heir to the system, each state ultimately has fections within 24 hours yester- 77 police offi cers were injured as Only one-quarter of those el- former Communist Party, has the right to decide whether to day – a signifi cant increase on they used pepper spray and water igible had voted – fi ve percent- dominated Romanian politics impose the rules. last Sunday’s 14,611 new cases. cannon to disperse the crowds, age points down on the last such over the past 30 years. Soeder said a curfew will now Numbers are usually lower on making 365 arrests. election in 2016. A man in a wheelchair casts his ballot at a polling station in Sintesti It won by a landslide in the Expatriate Romanians village, southern Romania, during the parliamentary elections previous election in 2016, but Moscow aims seemed to be keener to vote, yesterday. its years in power were marked with 200,000 of them having by massive anti-corruption to vaccinate up cast a ballot by late afternoon, lished by the IMAS institute retired electrician Gheorghe protests and spats with Brus- to 7mn people according to the electoral au- showed his National Liberal Preda said he had “no hope” of sels over controversial judicial thority, double the 2016 fi gure. Party (PNL) garnering 28% of change. reforms. Moscow wants to vaccinate up Romania is one of the EU’s the vote, ahead of the main op- He said the two big parties The new head of the PSD, to 7mn people, its Mayor Sergei poorest countries, and 4mn of position Social Democratic Par- “have been taking turns in pow- Marcel Ciolacu, called on Ro- Sobyanin said, as Russia reported its citizens have left in recent ty (PSD) at 23%. er for 30 years and make lots of manians “to vote in the spirit yesterday yet another record years to seek better lives else- The recently formed cen- promises during the campaign, of the St Nicholas’ Day holiday high number of new coronavirus where, in particular in western tre-right alliance USR-Plus but forget them afterwards”. (yesterday), where those who’ve cases. EU member states. are forecast to win 18%, which But 104-year-old philoso- been good get treats whereas the The coronavirus causes the In a region where populists would bolster their growing in- pher Mihai Sora, who won the others get a smack”. Covid-19 respiratory disease. and nationalists have recently fl uence. admiration of many Romanians The PSD has expressed op- Moscow began distributing its gained ground, liberal Prime Turnout has been particularly for doggedly turning out for position to some of the current Sputnik V Covid-19 shot via 70 Minister Ludovic Orban has low in rural areas, which may hours during anti-corruption anti-coronavirus measures, al- clinics on Saturday to the most won support by pledging to harm the PSD’s chances, while protests in recent years, said though it has itself been criti- exposed groups, marking Russia’s modernise Romania and keep it a high turnout among emigrant that staying away from the polls cised for lack of clarity in its first large-scale vaccination on a “pro-European” path. Romanians should be good news is not an option. own plan to combat the virus. People dressed as Santa Claus race through the streets of against the disease. Orban said that he cast his for USR-Plus as those voters “I voted with trust and hope, Orban’s government has said Michendorf, near Berlin, during the Nikolaus Lauf (Saint Nicholas “In prospect, we have to vote “for a dynamic, modern tend to be younger and more re- in thinking of my country and it will not reinstitute a full lock- run). vaccinate 6-7mn people,” Romania, confi dent in its abili- ceptive to its pledge to clean up the future of its people,” he down like the one imposed in Sobyanin told state TV Rossiya-1 ties and respected on the inter- the political elite. wrote in a Facebook post. the spring, but experts fear an German Santas keeping annual race in an interview published national stage”. After casting his vote at a Mother of two Adina Ionescu, explosion of cases in the weeks yesterday. A recent opinion poll pub- Bucharest school, 63-year-old 42, said she is hoping for “a gov- to come. tradition alive despite pandemic rules Russia reported a record daily increase of 29,039 new cases, A small group of hardy Germans sought to keep alive an annual taking the national total to tradition yesterday despite coronavirus restrictions as they took part in 2,460,770 since the pandemic a run dressed in Santa robes and hats. began, while the off icial national “We think it is very sad that the run can’t take place normally this year,” death toll rose to 43,141. Thousands rally to said running club member Sebastian Stolle. Russia, which has the world’s Normally up to 1,200 people take part in the Santa Claus run in the fourth-highest number of eastern town of Michendorf, but this year participants were asked to coronavirus cases, puts high demand Moldova keep their distance and post photos of themselves while running. hopes on its vaccines but some “The number of runners is limited and there are diff erent schedules to scientists have raised concerns run. There is not a starting line and time for everyone. Everyone can just about the speed at which it gave govt’s resignation run at a diff erent time and that is really helpful,” said Grit Schmidt, one the regulatory go-ahead and of the few dozen running Santas. launched mass inoculations.

AFP lied on Thursday against the Chisinau move. Yesterday more than 50,000 protesters gathered in front of housands of protesters the parliament building, ac- Arrests at rallied in the Moldovan cording to organisers. Tcapital yesterday to de- AFP journalists at the scene mand the government’s resig- said that at least 20,000 pro- march in nation and snap parliamentary testers had turned out. elections. The opposition said many Supporters of Moldovan President-elect Maia Sandu attend a rally Last month Moldovans elect- more could not make it to the yesterday to demand that the government resign and hold early memory ed pro-European Maia Sandu rally, and accused police of hav- parliamentary elections, near the Government House in Chisinau. to the presidency, earning her ing blocked entry to Chisinau to a surprise victory over the those coming from outside, in- auguration of the president on election in 2019, Dodon’s party of slain pro-Russian incumbent Igor cluding farmers who had arrived December 24,” said opposition secured a third of the seats. Dodon. in tractors. lawmaker and deputy speaker of During his four years in pow- But Moldovan lawmakers this During the protest, demon- parliament Alexandru Slusari. er, he received strong backing teenager week passed a bill transferring strators chanted “Down with “Igor Dodon will plunder the from Moscow and supported A protester faces a police blockade in central Athens during a rally control of the country’s intel- Dodon!” and “We will not give whole country in these two or closer ties with Russia. yesterday to mark the 2008 police killing of 15-year-old Alexandros ligence agency from the presi- in!” Hundreds of police cor- three weeks.” Sandu promised during her AFP Grigoropoulos, which sparked a month of rioting across Greece that dent to parliament, and Sandu doned off the parliament build- Speaking at yesterday’s rally, campaign to battle corruption Athens year. called for her supporters to rally ing, but did not interfere with Sandu reiterated her call for the in the former Soviet country of against it. the rally. government to resign and for 3.5mn people, which is one of on the left defi ed a ban on gath- The annual march has fre- She and supporters say the Protesters also called for early parliamentary elections. the poorest in Europe. round 100 people were erings of more than four people quently been marred by violence legislation’s goal is to under- Sandu to be inaugurated on De- “Igor Dodon does not want Wedged between Ukraine and arrested yesterday in Ath- that had been imposed to curb in the past. mine the presidency before cember 10, the day the Consti- to admit defeat,” she told the Nato member Romania, with Aens at banned marches to the spread of the coronavirus. The offi cer who killed Grigo- Sandu takes offi ce and to boost tutional Court is expected to of- crowd. “He wants now to set fi re which it shares a common lan- mark the 12th anniversary of the They were paying tribute to ropoulos was convicted of homi- parliament, where Dodon’s fi cially confi rm her victory. to the country, provoke chaos, guage, Moldova has long been police killing of a teenager, Greek 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoro- cide and given a life sentence, but supporters outnumber the op- Her inauguration is currently drive Moldova into international divided over closer ties with the police said. poulos on the 12th anniversary of then released in 2019, a decision position. scheduled for two weeks later. isolation!” European Union or maintaining Scores of students, trades un- his death at the hands of police in that the dead teenager’s family More than 5,000 people ral- “We cannot wait for the in- At the last parliamentary traditional ties with Moscow. ionists and leading politicians Athens’s Exarchia district. are appealing in the courts. Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 13 INDIA

OUTBREAK CLARIFICATION CRIME CHALLENGE CLAIM Andhra town struck No discontent among Woman accused of duping AAP legislator dares Governor holding back by mysterious illness Tripura party cadres: BJP home buyers arrested Goa govt to arrest him reservation bill nod: PMK

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Amid reports of discontent among a section of A woman director of a company who has been de- Slamming the BJP-led coalition government in Goa Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S Ramadoss yester- Reddy will leave for Eluru today, where a mys- BJP leaders and legislators in Tripura, the party’s clared a proclaimed off ender in many cases of cheat- for arresting Aam Aadmi Party leaders, Delhi AAP day said governor Banwarilal Purohit was “unnec- tery illness has left over 200 people hospitalised. central observer Vinod Kumar Sonkar yesterday ing for selling “flats” to home buyers has been arrested legislator Raghav Chadha yesterday dared the Goa essarily” holding back nod to the 20% reservation He will visit the hospital where the people, who said that there was no diff erence of opinion within from Mumbai, the Delhi Police’s economic off ences government to arrest him when he arrives in the in government jobs for those who have studied were suddenly taken ill are undergoing treat- the party. Sonkar told that media that there has wing said. A number of complainants reported that state next to spearhead the party’s free electric- in Tamil-medium schools and colleges. In a state- ment. He will hold a meeting with the officials been no central observer for Tripura unit for a they had booked residential flats in the project, namely ity campaign. Addressing a press conference in ment issued in Chennai, Ramadoss said the state on the reasons and circumstances behind the long time and due to Covid-induced situations, Meadows Vista, Phase-I & II, in Raj Nagar Extension, Panaji yesterday, Chadha also said that the party had passed the Bill nine months ago but Purohit outbreak. Officials are carrying out tests to the state BJP leaders and other functionaries Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, launched by Value Infracon would aggressively pursue its campaign to provide was since delaying his nod which was against find out the reason behind the sudden illness. and MLAs had something or the other to say. India . Many people has invested their hard-earned free electricity for up to the first 200 units in Goa social justice. The PMK founder said the governor Though initial reports had attributed the illness However, all issued have been discussed with money in the project as the directors of the company, ahead of the 2022 assembly polls. Chadha was re- has no right to reject a Bill once passed by the to the supply of contaminated drinking water, them, Sonkar added. “There are issues like cabinet including the woman, projected a rosy picture of the ferring to the recent arrest of AAP leader Sandesh Assembly. “If he does not agree with the objective the health officials are unable to diagnose the expansion and organisational revamp. I have dis- project to home buyers. However, the firm never deliv- Telekar in Valpoi assembly constituency, where the of the proposed law, he can send it back to the disease afflicting the people, the chief minister cussed every matter with the ministers, legislators ered the flats to the home buyers in the promised time opposition party was organising a corner meeting government. If the government sends it back for disclosed. and party functionaries. and stopped the construction without any reason. advocating the free electricity campaign. governor’s assent, then he has to give his nod.” BJP’s ally in Dying craft form Haryana comes under pressure

IANS and I will appeal to the Centre to Chandigarh listen to the farmers and accept their demands through talks as thousands of farmers from Ra- rouble seems to be brew- jasthan, Punjab, Haryana and ing within the BJP’s main other states have been sitting on Tcoalition partner Jannayak the borders of Delhi.” Janta Party (JJP) in Haryana with In a post-electoral alliance, two more out of its 10 legislators the JJP had extended support to coming out openly to support the the BJP, which won 40 seats, six protesting farmers against new short of the majority mark. farm laws they say will destroy Political observers believe the livelihoods. political ‘wedge’ between the The legislators who posed a BJP and JJP is widening with the challenge to the just one-year- talks between the Centre and the old post-election alliance gov- protesting farmers remaining in- ernment are Ram Kumar Gau- conclusive despite fi ve rounds of tam, the JJP’s senior-most rebel, negotiations. and Amarjeet Dhanda. The latest issue of ‘irritant’ in Both have asked the Centre to the government led by BJP leader withdraw the newly introduced Manohar Lal Khattar is the reg- laws. They have joined their fel- istration of hundreds of cases low party legislator Jogiram Si- against the farmers for violence, hag who last month turned down breach of barricades and causing the government’s off er to be the disruption in discharge of duty housing board chairman till the by government employees. farm laws guarantee the MSP Deputy Chief Minister Chau- (minimum support price). tala has been maintaining stoic Enthusiasts release handmade sky lanterns from a terrace of a building to create awareness about this dying traditional craft form, in Kolkata yesterday. “The farmers are producing silence in public over the issue, foodgrains to feed the people and but his fi rebrand younger brother their children are protecting the Digvijay Chautala is taking the country’s borders. The political government to task almost daily. leaders who are making inap- Two days ago, Digvijay Chauta- propriate comments about the la demanded that the cases against farmers should be restrained,” farmers must be withdrawn. Gautam told the media. Without mincing words, he had He urged all political parties in added: “To protest peacefully is the state to unanimously adopt the fundamental right of the farm- a resolution, asking the central ers.” Digvijay, who heads the youth Pfi zer seeks emergency government to accept the de- wing of the JJP, had said senior mands of the farmers. party leaders have been waiting Gautam, 73, defeated BJP’s for the outcome of the meeting of sitting Finance Minister Captain farmers with the government. Abhimanyu from the Narnaud The JJP is primarily a rural Jat- constituency in Hisar district centric party with the farmers as with a margin of 12,029 votes. its core vote bank. nod for Covid vaccine His outburst against the JJP The Jat are dominant farming leadership is not new. community, comprises 28% of Reuters Pfi zer to seek emergency licen- tities soon. India is hoping fi ve Narendra Modi, seeking prior- low case load, there was higher Earlier, upset with function- state’s population. Coming out New Delhi sure in our country,” Paul told locally-tested vaccines, includ- ity allocation for the Covid-19 fatality rate due to the virus in ing of the government, Gautam openly for the fi rst time with the NDTV. ing one being developed by As- vaccine to the state, on account Punjab, which thus needs spe- said the alliance was sealed in a protesting farmers, JJP president India’s drugs regulator typi- traZeneca and Oxford Univer- of its higher mortality rate re- cial dispensation in the alloca- mall secretly, indirectly hinting and former MP, Ajay Singh Chau- fi zer has applied for emer- cally takes up to 90 days to de- sity, will help it to control the sulting from the population age tion of the vaccine. that except Deputy Chief Minister tala, who is out of Delhi’s Tihar gency use authorisation of cide on such applications but virus. profi le and high levels of co- Amarinder Singh also sought Dushyant Chautala, no legislator jail because of the coronavirus Pits coronavirus vaccine in a decision on Pfi zer’s vaccine The Pfi zer shot needs to be morbidities. clarity as to whether the Cov- was aware about the development. pandemic, said on December 2 India, a top government health could come much faster than stored at -70C (-94F) or be- Pointing out that the vaccines id-19 vaccination would be en- First-timer legislator Dhanda, the centre should give, in writing, adviser said in a TV interview that, Paul said. low, temperatures that industry currently under considera- tirely funded by the central gov- 36, won the Julana seat by de- an assurance on the MSP to the yesterday, the fi rst to do so in a “This will be decided, I hope, experts say many cold storage tion would not perhaps reduce ernment, including the cost of feating the ruling BJP’s sitting protesting farmers that largely country with the world’s sec- sooner than later,” he said. facilities in India will fi nd it dif- transmission so much as pre- vaccines and vaccination sup- legislator Parminder Singh Dhull comprises those from Punjab, ond-highest number of infec- The health ministry did not fi cult to maintain. vent serious disease, Amarinder plies. by a margin of 24,193 votes. “I Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. tions. respond to a request for com- India has reported more Singh said the best use of these He further asked for clar- am a son of a farmer and support “When Prime Minister Naren- The US company, whose vac- ment. Pfi zer’s offi cials in the 9.57mn Covid-19 cases, the vaccines would therefore be in ity on the principles based on their cause,” Dhanda told the dra Modi and the Union Agri- cine was recently approved in country could not immediately world’s second highest after preventing serious illness in the which the prioritised groups media. “We hope the (central) culture Minister are repeatedly Britain, approached Indian au- be reached for comment. the US, with nearly 140,000 most susceptible groups, in- are to be identified for sequen- government will accept the de- saying the MSP will continue, thorities on Saturday, V K Paul, Paul had said in November deaths. cluding elderly and persons with tial immunisation phases, and mands of the farmers as they are what is the harm in adding that who is advising the government vaccines developed by Pfi zer Meanwhile, Punjab Chief high morbidity. leave the preparation of the our ‘providers of food’,” he said, line,” Ajay Chautala had told the on Covid-19 matters, said. and rival Moderna may not be Minister Amarinder Singh In his letter, the chief min- list of prioritised groups to the adding “this is the winter season media. “We welcome interest from available in India in big quan- has written to Prime Minister ister said despite its relatively state. Farmers’ group distances Medicines’ shortage self from shutdown calls looms as supplies hit IANS out India,” the letter read. New Delhi AIOCD president J S Shinde IANS during protests, hoping nothing leader Deepender Singh Hooda said that most drug manufactur- New Delhi similar to that gets repeated. yesterday asked why it was not ing units are located in northern “Bhartiya Kisan Sangh has withdrawing the three farm laws mid the siege on the capi- states while the distribution of already demanded that these as demanded, noting it would tal by farmers protesting the medicines to other states he Bhartiya Kisan Sangh three bills should not be repealed entail no loss to the public ex- Aagainst the newly-formed takes place by road. He said that (BKS) has distanced it- but be implemented with some chequer. agrarian laws, the All India Or- a shortage of essential medicine Tself from the countrywide amendments. Therefore, we can- Noting that the farmers were ganisation of Chemists and throughout the country would shutdown called tomorrow by not support the protest against passing through a decisive period, Druggists (AIOCD) has expressed occur soon if the blockade on na- the farmer unions. repealing of these laws,” it said. Hooda said they are braving cold concerns about the possibility of tional highways continues. The BKS in its statement has Farmers from Punjab, Haryana weather to stage protests against a shortage of essential medicines “Most of the medicine manu- said “ the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh and western Uttar Pradesh are the laws in a peaceful manner, and as road transportation has been facturers have their production has decided to remain aloof from protesting along the borders of the government should not test hampered in north India. facilities located in Haryana, the shutdown call and appeal to national capital Delhi against re- their patience any longer. The organisation has written a Himachal Pradesh and their its members all over the country cently brought three agricultural The farmers’ protest has also letter to Prime Minister Naren- mother depots are at Ambala/ to be attentive and alert the fellow laws by the central government. been receiving support from oth- dra Modi urging him to take im- Zirakpur areas. Medicine sup- citizens so that any untoward in- Even as the fi fth round of er quarters across the country. mediate measures to resolve the plies to various states are made cident may be avoided. We hope talks could not bring any break- After Haryana and Punjab, impending crisis. “AIOCD, an by road transport and due to the that the nation and the farm- through, both the sides — farm- farmers from states such as Ut- association of medicines traders protest this has been heavily dis- ing fraternity will sincerely co- ers’ representatives and the gov- tar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya having pan India presence with rupted. If the situation contin- operate to with Bhartiya Kisan ernment, agreed to continue the Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, over 850,000 members, appeals ues, there would be shortages of Sangh”. The BKS, an RSS affi liate, dialogue on December 9. Jharkhand and Maharashtra are to you for your intervention, essential medicines throughout said: “It is evident that some anti The BKS said though the also joining the protest. which is required to maintain the the country,” he warned. social elements,external forces farmer leader agreed to continue Hooda said that government supply of medicines in northern The organisation also appealed and some political parties are the dialogue on December 9, they should not try to confuse the India. Due to the ongoing farm- to the leaders of the farmers’ agi- manoeuvring this demonstration also announced the shutdown farmers with half-baked assur- ers’ protest, road transportation tation to allow the transport of towards acrimony.” tomorrow. ances as they are not in a mood has been hampered in the north essential goods like medicines so The BKS “feared” for a Mand- Meanwhile, questioning the to strike any sort of compromise, Protesters gather outside the Indian High Commission in area. We fear, if the situation con- as to ensure availability of medi- saur-like incident in 2017 in Modi’s government handling of and are seeking withdrawal of the central London yesterday as global protests against the Indian tinues there would be shortages cines to the needy public without which six farmers were shot dead the farmers’ agitation, Congress three acts. government’s recent agricultural reforms continue. of essential medicines through- interruption. Gulf Times 14 Monday, December 7, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Senate diversity on the Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar line in Georgia runoff [email protected] 44350478 (News), By Francesca Chambers Development Secretary Ben Carson and a Georgia native, said that her issue 44466404 (Sport), with Warnock is that he is a progressive 44466636 (Home delivery) aphael Warnock would make Democrat. history in the January runoff “I don’t think he’s good for Georgia, 44350474 election if he became the fi rst whether he’s Black or white,” she said. “If facebook.com/gulftimes RBlack man to win a Senate seat people paint this election in racial stripe, from Georgia, which would also keep the then I feel like we are doing everyone a twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar total number of African American senators disservice. This is about are we going at a record three. to have someone who is dangerously The Democrat who is competing against progressive that does not speak for or Republican Senator Kelly Loeffl er is the represent Georgia.” last remaining African American candidate African American politicians have GULF TIMES running for the Senate during this election increasingly won congressional seats. The cycle. current Congress is the most racially and The January 5 Georgia runoff election ethnically diverse in history, according to could determine whether the number of a Pew Research Center analysis, and the Black senators stays the same after Senator number of Black lawmakers serving in the Plant experiment in Kamala Harris resigns her seat to become House of Representatives was almost at vice president. The number of Black parity with the percentage of Americans senators could also be aff ected by whether who identify as Black. But the Senate has the governor of California appoints an IN THE FRAY: Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff , left, and Raphael Warnock bump struggled to catch up. the ISS provides African American politician to fi ll the elbows on stage at a rally in Jonesboro, Georgia, last month. A total of 10 African Americans have Senate seat Harris will vacate. served in the Senate, with Scott and Booker Warnock said in an interview that aligning themselves with former Georgia Lawson, in a statement, renewed campaign joining in 2013 and Harris taking offi ce in the more perfect union promised in the gubernatorial candidate and Fair Fight criticisms, citing comments Warnock made 2017. food for thought Constitution can only be achieved through founder Stacey Abrams and the Democratic about racism in America. Originally appointed to his seat after diverse representation in government. Senatorial Campaign Committee. The “We’re hopeful that Reverend Warnock an incumbent Republican stepped down “I am deeply honoured to be running organisation has launched a text messaging will join us in focusing on the issues before the end of his term, Scott went on Whether up in the International Space Station (ISS) or onboard in this moment in which we are seeing programme on Friday to try and boost confronting our state rather than using fear to win a special election and later a full a ship or submarine, food for the crew is a prime concern. While a renewed focus on race in our country, Warnock and Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff , and division to try to divide us,” Lawson six-year term. Booker initially won a special the ISS gets food delivered once every three months, ships or on the progress we have made and how who is competing in a separate Senate said. election and has since won re-election submarines can stock up at the end of each mission. But it is ideal much more progress we have yet to make runoff against Republican Senator David Former acting Democratic National twice. to grow some food in the ISS and on the much-anticipated manned on this issue. And so it’s a moment where Perdue. Committee chair Donna Brazile said Scott introduced legislation in 2018 missions to Mars in the future, as a trip to the Red Planet and back, I am positioned to make history, but “The Senate is becoming less democratic Republicans are spreading disinformation with Harris and Booker to make lynching for instance, may take more than three years and requires the more importantly to make a diff erence,” and less accountable to people over time,” about Warnock. a federal crime. He was also the author of provision of thousands of kilograms of food. It is in this context Warnock, pastor of a prominent church in Simpson said. “Because there is this belief “I think it is part of the old Southern the GOP’s policing reform bill last summer. that the latest plant experiment in the ISS ought to be viewed. On Atlanta, said. and this expectation that once you’re playbook that is constantly used whenever Neither piece of legislation has become law. Five other Black candidates for Senate in that seat, it is yours and there is no a person of color runs for offi ce,” Brazile “I’m glad Tim took the mantle to work November 30, Nasa astronaut Kate Rubins harvested radish plants lost their general election bids this unseating you, because of the amount of said. “If this is the best that she can give on it, but this is something we needed all growing in the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) aboard the ISS. year. Only one, Senator Cory Booker of money and the amount of time it takes the people of Georgia, then I think they’re senators to be invested in,” Harrison said of She has collected and wrapped in foil each of the 20 radish plants, New Jersey, was elected. The sole Black to challenge someone for a seat. That’s going to reject it, because Georgia and police reform legislation. “It’s just not good placing them in cold storage for the return trip to Earth in 2021 on Republican running for Senate, John James why these special elections created great Georgians are better than this and they enough to have one senator to carry the SpaceX’s 22nd Commercial Resupply Services mission. of Michigan, lost his race. opportunity.” understand what’s at stake.” water on these types of issues.” The plant experiment, called Plant Habitat-02, is the fi rst time Black representation in the Senate falls Black candidates running as Democrats Jaime Harrison, a former aide to Clyburn Booker and Harris also introduced Nasa has grown radishes on the orbiting laboratory. Nasa selected far short of a 2019 US Census Bureau lost general elections for the Senate in and a former South Carolina Democratic policing reform legislation in June after radishes because they are well understood by scientists and reach estimate that African Americans make up the traditionally red states of Tennessee, Party chair, mounted an unsuccessful bid George Floyd, a Black man, died in police maturity in just 27 days. These model plants are also nutritious 13.4% of the national population. Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina for the Senate this year in his home state. custody. It passed in the Democratic-run and edible, and are genetically similar to Arabidopsis, a small Booker, Harris and Republican Senator this year. He has since raised more than $500,000 House but was not taken up in the GOP- fl owering plant related to cabbage that researchers frequently Tim Scott of South Carolina are currently But the Democratic Party is increasingly for Warnock’s campaign and has a goal of controlled Senate. study in microgravity. “Radishes are a diff erent kind of crop the only Black senators in the 100-member optimistic about Warnock’s chances after steering $1 million toward him. Referencing the legislative fi ght and chamber. They are also the largest group Joe Biden and running mate Harris won Harrison said he had encouraged the disproportionate eff ect of Covid-19 compared to leafy greens that astronauts previously grew on the of Black senators to serve together in US in Georgia, which in the past has been Warnock to stand strong against on communities of colour, Warnock said, space station, or dwarf wheat which was the fi rst crop grown in the history. considered a safe Republican stronghold for Republican attacks. “We fi nd ourselves in the midst of a once- APH,” said Nicole Dufour, “Racial inequality exists in this country, presidential races. Democratic optimism “These campaigns that are built to scare in-a-century pandemic that’s created an Nasa APH programme all across the board. It’s not just limited about Georgia is also based on Abrams’ close people, falling back on these old racial economic turndown the likes of which we With plans to manager at Kennedy to politics,” said Representative James race when she lost her bid for governor two tropes that were out there, particularly have not seen since the Great Depression Space Center. “Growing Clyburn, D- SC, who is a member of House years ago. around Black men, and that’s sad to see, but and a renewed conversation around explore the Moon a range of crops helps us Democratic leadership. The country was The threat of losing both of the state’s that’s the playbook that we see right now the American covenant and the ways in determine which plants built on inequality and it persists, he said. Senate seats has inspired fi erce Republican in this party,” said Harrison, who is under which racism and other forms of bigotry and someday thrive in microgravity “The success of the current attacks on Warnock over remarks that the consideration to run the DNC. undermine the strength of that covenant.” and off er the best variety administration tells you why it is that way. pastor — who for the past 15 years has led Alveda King, a niece of Martin Luther Democrats have meanwhile added Mars, Nasa knows and nutritional balance The country is still racially divided, and Martin Luther King Jr’s former fl ock — King Jr. who is close to President Donald Booker to their Senate leadership team as it’s going to be that way for a while. Many made in sermons, television interviews and Trump, said she backs multiethnic a vice chair of the Democratic Policy and for astronauts on long- astronauts will people are working on it, hopefully we’ll get speeches. representation in Congress but cannot Communications Committee. Harrison duration missions.” more success going forward,” Clyburn said He says his comments are being distorted, support Warnock because of his positions said he would like to see Booker further need to grow The structure of the in an interview with McClatchy. and the criticism is a “distraction” from on abortion rights and transgender rights. empowered and provided with resources experiment will allow Nasa For Yvette Simpson, the CEO of Republican eff orts to repeal the Aff ordable She said in an interview that while she to hold town halls in African American their own food to identify the optimum Democracy for America and the fi rst Care Act and Loeffl er’s opposition to does not speak for the King family, she is communities across the country. balance of care and feeding woman of colour to lead the progressive extending enhanced unemployment benefi ts “disturbed” that Warnock’s positions are Harris will leave the Senate midway to support long- needed to produce quality organisation, it is “somewhat heartbreaking in another Covid-19 relief package. being associated with the activism of her through her term after being elected vice plants. While growing and frustrating” that the Senate may soon “I’m glad that Kelly Loeffl er is listening to late father, AD King, and her late uncle, president. She is expected to be a leading duration missions inside the habitat, the be down to two Black members. my sermons and she should listen to more of because of the emphasis that Warnock has voice in the Biden administration on issues radishes required little Her organisation is one of several groups them,” he said. “This to me is a distraction, placed on being the pastor of Martin Luther of racial disparity. far from home maintenance from the that is pressing California Governor Gavin and she is engaged in it, because she cannot King Jr’s spiritual home. “Of course she leaves a big vacuum. Any crew. Unlike previous Newsom to appoint an African American defend her record.” Warnock told McClatchy that his core single individual of her calibre from such woman such as Representative Karen Bass Loeffl er was appointed to her seat and political beliefs are in line with those of a large state would leave a big hole in the experiments in Nasa’s APH and Vegetable Production System or Barbara Lee to the Senate seat that Harris would be the fi rst woman elected to the Martin Luther King Jr. Senate. But it once again shows us that we’ve (Veggie), which used porous clay material preloaded with a slow- is vacating. Senate from Georgia if she won. Loeffl er’s Deana Bass Williams, former deputy made a lot of progress, but we’re still not there release fertiliser, this trial relies on precisely defi ned quantities of DFA endorsed Warnock early in his race, communications director Stephen chief of staff to Housing and Urban yet,” Brazile said. — Tribune News Service provided minerals. Such precision allows for a better comparison of nutrients provided to and absorbed by the plants. The chamber also uses red, blue, green and broad-spectrum white LED lights to provide a variety of light to stimulate plant growth. Sophisticated control systems deliver water, while control cameras and more than 180 sensors in the chamber allow researchers at Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center to monitor the plant growth as well as regulate moisture levels, temperature, and carbon dioxide (CO2) China fulfi ls dream to end poverty concentration. The study’s principal investigator, Karl Hasenstein, a professor By Alice Su 98.99 million in 2012 to zero. State media a fl at blue hat. Ramshackle homes stood pretend to be sick or say they have no work, at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has conducted plant heralded this as a “great miracle in human abandoned around him. An empty birdcage because they know children who cry receive experiments with Nasa since 1995. From this project, Hasenstein history,” and has begun promoting China’s swung from a tree branch. A “double more milk.” hopes to learn how space conditions like weightlessness aff ect tanding near a mountaintop, poverty eradication approach to developing happiness” sticker was fading on a window Complaints come from all sides of the plant growth, and how well the light response and metabolism overlooking two empty villages countries. overlooking a cabbage patch overgrown anti-poverty project. Forced relocation resembles “Earth-grown” plants. “Radishes provide great research of mud and straw homes below, It is a stunning achievement that has with weeds. is a common grievance. But so is unfair possibilities by virtue of their sensitive bulb formation,” Hasenstein SCommunist Party secretary Cai improved many lives, especially through Four families were left in his village, said distribution of new homes and government said. “We can grow 20 plants in the APH, analyse CO2 eff ects, and Hongmin beamed: “We plucked out the new roads, water systems, and access Yang Qinglai, putting aside his ax. Some funds. Sometimes that is a matter of mineral acquisition and distribution.” people’s roots of poverty all at once.” to school and healthcare in remote wanted to keep farming their fi elds. Others perception: Villagers who are just above the The team has set up a control population of plants in the ground The villagers had been moved in 2018 communities. But like other policies in were unable to adjust to urban life. Yang’s poverty line but still struggling see their control plant habitat unit in the International Space Station to new homes an hour’s drive away, he China, the programme is a sweeping, top- wife Yuan Juxiu, 84, lay ill inside their home neighbours receiving new apartments and said, where they enjoyed running water, down eff ort that is vulnerable to corruption on a hard bed in a room with sheets of subsidies while they are left behind, and Environmental Simulator (ISSES) chamber inside Kennedy’s electricity, closer schools and better roads. and often more focused on meeting a target plastic covering the walls. accuse offi cials of playing favourites. Space Station Processing Facility. Radishes have been growing Many homes here in Lianghekou, a cluster and deadline than on the specifi c needs of Their son Yang Jiacun, 52, had returned Poverty — and perhaps a more pressing under nearly identical conditions in the ISSES since November of villages and vegetable patches perched those it is seeking to help. to the village after a few months working problem, inequality — will remain a 17, and researchers will harvest the control crop on December 15 amid the dry mountains of China’s Gansu Even in model areas like Lianghekou, as a migrant labourer in neighbouring challenge post-2020. As of 2018, 17% of for comparison with the radishes grown on station. With plans to province, would be demolished, others shown to a Los Angeles Times reporter on a Xinjiang, the Uighur Autonomous Region China’s population (237.2 million people) explore the Moon and someday Mars, Nasa knows astronauts will restored as part of a tourist attraction and government-organised trip, villagers were where many from Gansu worked in still lived under the World Bank’s poverty need to grow their own food to support long-duration missions mountaintop resort. frustrated about forced relocations. They construction for $15-$22 a day. That was line for upper-middle-income countries. far from home. As part of the Artemis programme, Nasa plans to The resettlement project is crucial struggled with fi nding new jobs to aff ord more than they could make at home. The Many of those lifted out of poverty in recent establish sustainable exploration on and around the Moon by the in meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s higher costs of living in their new homes. local government encouraged them to settle years are dependent on government help end of the decade. ambitious nationwide campaign to They worried that the land they vacated in Xinjiang, saying the land and resources and in danger of falling back below the line eradicate poverty. Despite the coronavirus would be repurposed to benefi t government there were abundant. after the campaign is declared a success. pandemic, Xi has ordered that every offi cials, private investors and developers Yang’s family had considered such a But this year, Xi’s deadline is what Chinese citizen earning no more than about more than the poor. move 10 years ago, when the resettlement matters. To Advertise $600 a year be lifted out of extreme poverty Lianghekou’s villagers had leased their policies fi rst began. They’d visited to see Cai, the Lianghekou party secretary, was before 2021. land to a hotel developer from Chongqing new land the government had promised intent on emptying the village to make way [email protected] The party has spent tens of billions that would share its dividends with them, for a subsidised price. They decided it was for a resort before 2021. Asked about the Display of dollars — $20.6 billion in 2020 alone, said Cai, the party secretary. The hotel too much of a change, but upon return, Yang family’s hukou problem, Cai said they topping an increase of $3 billion in anti- could then employ some of the villagers they found that all but two of the family’s were not his responsibility. “If they don’t 44466621 44418811 poverty spending each year over the last as janitors, construction workers or other hukous, the household registrations that have the hukou, they are not our people. fi ve years — and dispatched more than service staff . tie every Chinese citizen to a city or rural If they want to change their hukou, that’s Classified 775,000 offi cials to survey rural households “We are fulfi lling many dreams,” said area, had been transferred to Xinjiang another department’s job.” 44466609 44418811 that will be raised out of poverty before Cai, brimming with public relations jurisdiction. Back in the village, Jiacun stood with his next year’s 100th anniversary of the aplomb. “The China dream, the poverty Liu Zaiyi, a Longnan city poverty father in their courtyard. “My parents were Subscription Chinese Communist Party’s founding. alleviation dream, the dream of happiness alleviation offi cial, denied that relocations born and raised on this piece of earth. This The government announced last week for hotel guests, the villagers’ dream of are forced. “They all agreed and signed is our home,” he said. His family had one [email protected] that it had beaten its deadline by one multichannel incomes.” their names,” he said. Villagers were often wish, he said: “Don’t demolish this house. month. It is expected to soon declare that Halfway down the mountain, an dishonest and ungrateful, he said, making Let us continue living in it.” the number of people living below the 88-year-old man chopped wood in front of up stories to get more benefi ts. “These It is a wish unlikely to be fulfi lled. — © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved extreme poverty line has dropped from his home. He wore dusty white gloves and people are totally rotten,” he said. “They Tribune News Service Gulf Times Monday, December 7, 2020 15 PAKISTAN

Oxygen shortage leaves six Covid-19 Lahore’s Walton airport to be patients dead

At least six Covid-19 patients died after “criminal negligence” resulted in a delayed supply of oxygen to a hospital in northwest relocated over safety issues Pakistan, off icials said yesterday, as the country battles a second wave of the epidemic. Internews ity (LDA) would take the lead- fi nancial implications of reloca- lier NOC issued to the company. Northern Indian Flying Club. More than 200 patients – including nearly 100 with coronavirus – Lahore ing role in coordinating with tion, discuss timelines with land The Taavun Private Limited It had taken 157.87 acres of were left for hours with limited supplies of oxygen at a government- diff erent stakeholders to thrash swap options, and look at the is a joint venture of the Dhabi land initially from the forest run hospital in Peshawar. out various options for the es- required infrastructure, access Group and Punjab government department in Village Rakh Kot “The sad incident happened due to lack of central oxygen supply in he Punjab government has tablishment of an environment- road, airstrip, hangar, radar, etc. incorporated on February 12, Lakhpat and village Bhabara. the hospital,” provincial health minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra told a recommended the reloca- friendly economic hub at the The LDA vice-chairman in- 2006. Subsequently, the green air- press conference, confirming the deaths. Ttion of the Walton airport Walton airport site. formed the meeting that the During the same meeting, it fi eld was converted into a con- “We will hold an inquiry and get to the bottom of the incident,” he here to a suitable site due to po- A committee comprising current location of Walton air- was also decided that the CAA crete runway. The aerodrome added, promising action against those responsible “for this criminal tential safety issues following representatives from the Urban port poses a serious safety risk will revoke the previously can- was used in the Second World negligence”. the planned establishment of Unit, Infrastructure Develop- due to the densely populated celled no-objection certifi cate War by the army and for civilian Hospital spokesman Farhad Khan told AFP a disruption in oxygen a business hub at the site, local ment Authority Punjab (IDAP), residential and commercial areas (NOC) so that their business hub aircraft as well. supplies aff ected some 200 people, “including 96 Covid-19 patients”. media reported yesterday. Board of Revenue (BOR), Bank surrounding it. project could be revived on a fast At the time of partition, He blamed a private supplier, saying the Rawalpindi-based company The development was made of Punjab (BOP) CAA, member However, the LDA chair- track basis, offi cial documents Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali had “failed to meet the growing demand”. during a high-powered com- Colonies, and the Lahore com- man stated the Taavun project, said. Jinnah landed for the fi rst time Pakistan has reported more than 400,000 cases of coronavirus – in- mittee of the Punjab government missioner will be formed to sub- with its proposed height limit Walton airport has a long and in the new state of Pakistan at cluding over 8,000 deaths – since the virus arrived in late February. chaired by the Finance Minister mit proposals on the relocation of 500ft, falls within the funnel illustrious history. A group of this aerodrome in 1947. It re- Intensive care units in hospitals across the country are now almost Abdul Hafeez Shiekh. plan. area of the Walton airport due philanthropist aviators founded mained under operation as a full, with provincial governments struggling to deal with the soaring The meeting decided that the The committee will also iden- to which the Civil Aviation Au- the Punjab Flying Club in 1930, passenger airport until the early caseload. Lahore Development Author- tify alternate land, look at the thority (CAA) cancelled the ear- and later in 1932, named it the 1960s.

Sindhi Cultural Day celebrations Maryam on a whistle-stop tour to rally party folks for Lahore show

Internews the constituency of Khawaja Lahore Saad Rafi que on December 8. On December 9, a motor- cycle rally will be held from akistan Muslim League- Model Town to Data Darbar. Nawaz (PML-N) Vice On December 10, Maryam PPresident Maryam Na- plans to lead a rally on the Fer- waz is spearheading party ac- ozepur Road which will also tivities aimed at mobilising culminate at Data Darbar. the PML-N tiers and party Maryam will also address workers for a massive show on minorities and workers con- December 13 here. ventions, for which a schedule Maryam is holding meetings is being fi nalised. Meanwhile, with the PML-N legislators and the PML-N leaders are hold- heads of diff erent wings to mo- ing corner meetings at diff er- bilise them for the rally. ent constituencies of Lahore While addressing the PML- as a part of preparations for N legislators, she said those the rally. who did not work would not The PML-N has already get tickets in future. prepared masks in diff erent “Which is the ‘selfi e group’, colours and designs, depicting I know,” she said sarcastically. the image of the tiger — the The PML-N has prepared party symbol. The PML-N a plan in connection with the had earlier announced that 0.5 Pakistan Democratic Move- million masks would be dis- ment rally under which Mar- tributed among the people for yam will participate in dif- the December 13 rally. ferent public gatherings and Maryam has already de- events from December 7-10. manded that a commission As per schedule, Maryam should be set up to investi- will address a convention of gate the “judicial conspiracy” PML-N social media team and against former prime minister workers here at Khokhar Pal- Nawaz Sharif. ace to chalk out the plan for On the other hand, PML- December 13 rally. N Punjab President Rana She will also lead a rally in Sanaullah said the people will Women in traditional dresses celebrating the Sindhi Cultural Day in the port city of Karachi yesterday. Celebrated on the first Sunday of December every year, Sindhi Cultural Northern Lahore on December 7. express solidarity with PDM Day highlights the centuries-old rich culture of Sindh. The day is celebrated all over the southern province, and amongst the Sindhi diaspora around the world. (AFP) Maryam is scheduled to ad- at the ground of Minar-e-Pa- dress a workers’ convention in kistan on December 13 Need for 3,000 foot clinics with telehealth facilities

Internews in Pakistan according to Inter- Diabetes Educators of Pakistan care, timely intervention and Middle East and North Africa were saved as most of the peo- them aware of its complica- Karachi national Diabetes Federation (NADEP) in collaboration with treatment as well as education (Mena) region claimed that ple with diabetes die within tions, especially diabetic foot (IDF) and around one to two mil- Baqai Institute of Diabetology and awareness, thousands of 50% amputation due to dia- a few years after losing their ulcers. lion develop diabetic foot ulcers, and Endocrinology (BIDE), Ka- amputation can be prevented. betic foot ulcers were prevent- lower limbs”, Prof Abdul Basit “Due to Covid-19 restric- ational and international which is a serious complication rachi is being held for last several For last several years, we have ed at 150 foot clinics estab- said. tions, thousands of people experts say there is an of the type 2 diabetes. Thou- years in various cities of Pakistan trained hundreds of doctors, lished by them throughout the Dr Zahid Miyan, organising with diabetic foot ulcers could Nurgent need to estab- sands of amputations can be and it is addressed by leading general practitioners and nurs- country where podiatrists and secretary of the NADEP Dia- not visit the specialised foot lish around 3,000 diabetic foot prevented with establishment of diabetologists and endocrinolo- es to help people in preventing technicians trained by them betes Foot Con 2020, in his ad- clinics and this led to worsen- clinics with telehealth facilities specialised diabetic foot clinics gists who share their experienc- diabetic foot ulcers and saved are helping people with diabe- dress said that with the help of ing to their wounds. This issue throughout Pakistan, especial- in Pakistan”, said Prof Dr Abdul es in managing and treatment of hundreds of limbs,” Prof Ab- tes and added that now there is multidisciplinary care, train- can be resolved by using tech- ly at district, tehsil and taluka Basit, Secretary General of the diabetic foot ulcers and preven- dul Basit said in his talk titled a need to replicate this project ings and awareness, around nology”, he said. levels to prevent thousands of Diabetic Association of Pakistan tion of lower limb amputation. “Pragmatic Approach to Dia- in entire Pakistan. 50% amputations have been He further said they are con- amputation that are annually (DAP) while addressing the 8th “Every year, 300,000- betic Footcare”. “In Karachi, we have man- prevented as specialised foot ducting live workshops where performed due to diabetic foot NADEP Diabetes Foot Con 2020. 400,000 people lose their legs, The eminent diabetolo- aged to bring down amputa- clinics in Pakistan and called experts are training doctors ulcers in the country. The two-day international feet or parts of their lower gist who has also served as tion due to diabetic foot ul- for using the technology to throughout Pakistan on clean- “There are around 19.6 mil- foot conference, being organised limbs due to diabetic foot ul- the President of International cers from 27 to 3% only, which reach a maximum number ing, managing and treating lion people living with diabetes by the National Association of cers in Pakistan but with better Diabetes Federation (IDF) for means that hundreds of lives people with diabetes to make diabetic foot ulcers.

Senate to probe assets, degrees Pir Sohawa eyed as a tourist spot of NAB officials

Internews He issued instructions to vari- departments were also present. Deputy Chairman of Senate Islamabad ous directorates to establish more An offi cial of the CDA added Saleem Mandviwalla hotels and restaurants for tour- that Pir Sohawa is one of the most yesterday said the National ists in the area. He also directed beautiful areas of the federal capi- Accountability Bureau (NAB) he Capital Development them to pay special attention on tal and most of the dignitaries vis- had lost its credibility due to Authority (CDA) of Islam- the cleanliness of the area besides iting Islamabad were taken there. its abrupt actions. He added Tabad is considering con- increasing the number of sanita- Pir Sohawa is a rapidly developing the Senate will now hold the verting Pir Sohawa into a tourist tion staff and installing addition- resort located on top of Margalla bureau accountable and spot which would become an al- al bins. Hills. investigate the assets and ternative to Murree. The CDA chairman said it was According to offi cial website of degrees of NAB off icials. A number of restaurants and the responsibility of the civic the CDA, the Margallas are a series In a hard-hitting press hotels will be established to at- agency to take care of the greenery of hills located in the north of Is- conference, Mandviwalla tract tourists from within and and ensure cleanliness of the area. lamabad. These hills are an excel- expressed grievances against outside the country as Pir So- “This area has the status of a lent site for hiking. the NAB, saying several hawa is one of the most scenic tourist destination not only for The best season to hike here people have died in bureau’s and peaceful areas of the country. residents of the capital city but is the mild winter months when custody and it should be The decision was taken during also for the whole country and there is less rain and the days are investigated. a visit to the area by CDA Chair- abroad,” he said. Giving instruc- extremely pleasant. Interesting “We will approach all man Amer Ali Ahmed and Spe- tions to the Road Maintenance places here are Daman-i-Koh, Pir individuals being investigated cial Assistant to Prime Minister Department, he said work on re- Sohawa, Gokeena, Mount Happi- by NAB and will expose its on Overseas Pakistanis and Hu- pairing, carpeting and lane mark- ness and Loh-i-Dandi. atrocities,” he said. man Resource Development Syed ing in Daman-i-Koh should be The area is also home to a Mandviwalla maintained that Zulfi qar Abbas Bukhari. completed as soon as possible. number of wild animals such as NAB off icials used undue Ahmed termed Daman-i-Koh, Offi cers of Road Mainte- barking deer, Asiatic leopard, pressure tactics against Pir Sohawa and adjoining areas “a nance, Sanitation, Environ- chinkara, red fox, leopard and jack- individuals bringing a bad rare gift of God” for Islamabad. ment, Streetlights and other als. THEME FOR A DREAM: Pir Sohawa is one of the most scenic areas in the capital Islamabad. name to the bureau. Gulf Times 16 Monday, December 7, 2020 QATAR

The Unwasted Land – an exhibition and an artistic interpretation of the problem of waste. PICTURES: Joey Aguilar The hi-tech, app-enabled e-scooters are already in service at The Pearl-Qatar. Unwasted unveiled E-scooter service to spread awareness on the environment

By Joey Aguilar is rolled out at Staff Reporter ore than 20 local de- signers gathered yes- Mterday at M7, Msheireb Downtown Doha, to launch an environmental initiative, “Un- wasted”. “’Unwasted’ is a local re- The Pearl-Qatar sponse to the growing environ- mental crisis happening around Mowasalat (Karwa) ties up the region, with climate change, with Falcon Ride for the increase in temperature, the micro-mobility project, with eff ect on biodiversity, because support from UDC of waste,” content editor and operations lead Sara al-Mesnad owasalat (Karwa) has told reporters at the opening. Local designers transform their processes from traditional entered the micro- “What we want to do is bring manufacturing production and design to a sustainable way. Mmobility business with awareness and educate people, Falcon Ride, launching “safe, and start a conversation. This tutions and initiatives, such noted, is a retail off ering where sustainable, tech-enabled mi- is not the end, this is not a so- as Msheireb Properties, Doha designers have completely cro-mobility services” at The lution. We are at a start of the Film Institute, M7, and Qatar transformed their process and Pearl-Qatar, providing transport journey to mitigate the problem Reads, to magnify the sense of method of working with not services on the island through e- itself,” she said. urgency in addressing an issue only sustainable fabrics and scooters. She was joined by event cura- of national and global impor- eco-friendly production, but The new service is a co-op- tor, art director and host Aldana tance. also making sure that they do eration project with transport al-Mesnad, event manager and “Unwasted” also wants to not create more waste. services and solutions provider host Jawaher al-Ahmed, and support and raise awareness on Meanwhile, “Unwasted Mowasalat (Karwa), and the waste-led design and environ- local environmental initiatives Consciousness” provides edu- launch is supported by United mental adviser Reem al-Seh- and institutions, such as the cational resources, creative Development Company (UDC), lawi, all part of the Unwasted Dugong Research Project, Wa- workshops, and short-fi lm master developer of The Pearl- event team. hab, and The Arab Youth Cli- screenings aimed at educating Qatar and Gewan Island, accord- Sara al-Mesnad said that mate Movement. the public. ing to a press statement. the local designers have been Sara al-Mesnad said that the Under the “Unwasted Com- The hi-tech, app-enabled e- working hard to transform event is divided into four sec- missary”, Sara al-Mesnad said scooters were “enabled” for the their processes from traditional tions; the fi rst is the “Unwasted that they worked with the food public yesterday. manufacturing production and Land”, an exhibition and an and beverage sector, such as lo- “This launch refl ects our abil- design to a sustainable way, tar- artistic interpretation of the cal cafes, asking them to rethink ity to partner with major corpo- The e-scooter service was ‘enabled’ for the public yesterday. geting to eliminate waste com- problem of waste. their packaging and ensure that rations, and bring micro-mo- pletely. “As a country that is so small it is biodegradable, in addition bility solutions to destinations Khalid Kafoud, Media & Gov- The Pearl-Qatar’s lifestyle expe- world by providing safe, social She said that the designers geographically, we can’t aff ord to considering composting and that are committed to the use of ernment Relations manager of rience and to support innovative distance enabling alternatives”, did not only eliminate waste, to have landfi lls grow and take making sure that wastewater is high-end technology and to sus- Mowasalat (Karwa). and sustainable technologies, the the statement adds. but also used it from previ- over more space,” she pointed not literally wasted. tainability within communities,” He added: “We constantly statement notes. “This launch with Mowasalat ous collections to recreate all, out. “It is supposed to create a “We have also received the explained Hussain Abdulla, co- embrace more future-oriented The Pearl-Qatar, “with its (Karwa) demonstrates the viabil- which are now showcased at the reaction, because for us Sea- eco event level 2 award from founder and managing director solutions to make our services beautiful surroundings, is an ity of collaborating with property event. line and the sand dunes are one Qatar Green Building Council, at Falcon Ride. easily and safely available for all. ideal destination to introduce owners and the public sector to “Unwasted” also aims to of the most beautiful natural in a fi rst in the country,” she The e-scooter service ena- “In a nutshell – we are con- sustainable micro-mobility so- provide electronic micro-mobil- inspire a collective commu- landscapes that we have.” said. bles visitors and residents of The fi dent to soon make Mowasalat lutions, which will enable riders ity transportation,” Abdulla said. nity action by off ering easily- “What we are trying to do is “There are three levels. By Pearl-Qatar to obtain even more (Karwa) part of everyone’s eve- to enjoy the island’s stunning “We will look to engage with oth- adoptable solutions for visitors to make you reimagine these the end of the three weeks, we practical means of transport. ryday life.” views as well as its diverse retail er corporates to advance our aim and consumers to carry into dunes as landfi lls, because of are trying to reach level 3 … “We have partnered this great The UDC has demonstrated and leisure off erings”. to provide last-mile connectiv- their daily lives, according to all the trash we see around the the whole point of this award sustainable initiative as part of its willingness to back the Falcon With this launch, Falcon kicks ity solutions, which will support the organisers. country.” is to recognise initiatives that our strategy of connecting peo- Ride initiative with this e-scoot- off its “ambitious goal of chang- Qatar in achieving its 2022 FIFA The event was designed to “That’s the beginning,” Sara support environmentally-con- ple with convenient transport er pilot programme, as part of its ing the face of national public World Cup and Qatar National foster strategic partnerships al-Mesnad added. siderable, conscious thinking,” solutions throughout Qatar,” said continuous eff orts to enhance transport in a post-Covid-19 Vision 2030 goals.” with infl uential local insti- The “Unwasted Garb”, she Sara al-Mesnad added.

Strong winds expected Strong winds are expected in some places in the early hours today along with poor visibility at times, the Qatar Met department has said. Off shore areas are also likely to see windy conditions today along with high seas, according to the weather report. The wind speed may go up to 30 knots off shore and 25 knots inshore, with the sea level rising to 9’ at times. The detailed forecast says moderate daytime temperature is expected along with clouds and blowing dust in some places at times. Cloudy conditions are likely off shore and there is a chance of scattered rain in some areas. The temperature is expected to range from 20°-26° Celsius in Doha today. Windy and dusty conditions were experienced in Doha (in pictures) and some other places yesterday, too. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam