INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2, 3, 12 COMMENT 10, 11 SPORT | Page 2 ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-8 Opec July oil INTERNATIONAL 3-9 SPORTS 1-8 GA’s partnership output surges as with Leeds Gulf voluntary DOW JONES QE NYMEX elevated by their promotion cuts end 26,428.32 9,368.17 40.42 +114.67 -3.58 +0.50 to EPL, says +0.44% -0.04% +1.25% al-Khori published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11627 August 1, 2020 Dhul-Hijjah 11, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir holds phone talk with Iraqi PM

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a Amir performs Eid al-Adha prayer telephone a conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, is Highness the Amir Sheikh HE Sheikh Dr Thaqeel Sayer al- during which they exchanged Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Shammari, judge of the Court of Cas- greetings on the occasion of the Hperformed Eid al-Adha prayer sation and Supreme Judiciary Council blessed Eid al-Adha. During the call, along with citizens at Al Wajbah pray- member, who led the prayer, delivered they reviewed bilateral relations ing area yesterday morning. the Eid sermon in which he highlighted between the two brotherly countries His Highness the Personal Repre- the merit of the Day of Sacrifi ce and and means of enhancing and sentative of the Amir, Sheikh Jassim bin doing the good deed to please Allah developing them in various fields, Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh the Almighty, noting the importance in addition to discussing the most Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE of showing kindness to people on this important developments in the region. Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani took day, even by saying kind words. They also reviewed eff orts of the two part in the prayer. He also urged worshippers to thank countries in combating the Covid-19 It was also attended by HE the Allah for the grace of Islam, for His pandemic, and in this regard, the Speaker of the Shura Council, Ahmed many blessings and for the security Iraqi prime minister thanked the Amir bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and stability of the country, noting for the medical assistance provided and a number of Sheikhs, ministers, that the religion of Islam is based on by Qatar to Iraq, and its position in members of the Shura Council and am- moderation and following clear evi- supporting the Iraqi people. bassadors in addition to citizens. dence.- QNA Page 12 Qatar reports 107,377 Covid-19 recoveries Qatar reported 235 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), and 242 recoveries in the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of people who recovered from the disease in Qatar to 107,377, the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement. The ministry also announced three new deaths. Page 2 Applications for entry permit from today Applications to get the ‘Exceptional Entry Permit’, a temporary service off ered to residents stuck abroad due to Covid-19, can be submitted from today on the Qatar Portal. The temporary service “allows employers, whether individuals or companies, government or private sectors, to apply for entry permits for residents and their family members holding QIDs under which they can return to Qatar”. In a related matter, the Ministry of Public Health has issued a set of guidelines for home quarantine for those returning to Qatar. Piety and precaution Besides people from Covid-19 low-risk countries, those arriving from places not on the list of low-risk countries can also undergo home quarantine provided they have obtained a Covid- mark Day 1 of Eid free certificate from an accredited testing centre no more than 48 hours By Ayman Adly ed in such a manner that people could due to the current travel restrictions. before travelling. Page 2 Staff Reporter head to the nearest place of worship to For others, the inability to spend the avoid any potential crowds. holidays outside the country provided Sports grounds open The Eid prayer took place at 5.15am, a good opportunity to spend the maxi- for 10 people at a time mid the unprecedented circum- during which proper physical distanc- mum possible time with their families stances brought about by the ing and other precautionary measures and share some quality moments. As part of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 People turned up in large numbers for the Eid al-Adha prayer yesterday. A total ACovid-19 pandemic, people in were followed around the country. The “It is certainly an Eid with a diff er- restrictions in the country, the Ministry of 401 mosques and prayer yards were allocated by the Ministry of Endowments Qatar welcomed Eid al-Adha yesterday sermon was limited to 10 minutes. ence, and we exercised due caution of Municipality and Environment (Awqaf) and Islamic Aff airs for this purpose around the country. The mosques in an atmosphere of joy and piety while As part of the measures, the doors while celebrating the occasion,” said (MME) has decided to open sports were selected in such a manner that people could head to the nearest place of observing the precautionary measures of the designated mosques and prayer an expatriate. grounds at public gardens and parks worship to avoid any potential crowds. All precautionary measures were followed put in place to prevent the spread of yards were opened to worshippers “This Eid is an opportunity to spend for a maximum of 10 people at a at these places, including the wearing of masks and maintaining of adequate Covid-19. only 30 minutes before the start of some quality moments with family time. Informing this on social media, physical distance. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and Shaji Kayamkulam Page 12 Both citizens and expatriates ex- the prayer and closed 10 minutes after members and mark the occasion with the MME stressed the importance of pressed joy that the Eid al-Adha holi- its conclusion. Volunteers engaged in piety and joy while following the pre- strictly compliance with the preventive days coincide with the phased lifting the proceedings stressed that the vast cautionary measures prescribed by the and precautionary measures, such of Covid-19 restrictions, which started majority of people were highly co-op- authorities,” added an offi cial. as showing the ‘green’ healthy code on June 15 and has gradually been ex- erative and showed great commitment Due to the lifting of many restric- on the Ehteraz app, following the panded to include the reopening of to abide by the preventive measures, tions and reopening of shops, many instructions of security personnel, more mosques, public recreation facil- which made their job hassle-free. families were able to buy new clothes, undergoing body temperature checks, ities such as parks and beaches, malls, Meanwhile, most areas around the toys and other gifts for the loved ones - physical distancing and maintaining souqs and restaurants, resumption of a country experienced light and smooth especially children. public hygiene. Visitors should also number of activities and the easing of traffi c movement early in the morning It was generally observed that people avoid touching the surfaces. rules on public gatherings. and almost no complaints of crowds or were aware of the Covid-19 risks and Phase of the gradual lifting of re- delays were reported. paid heed to the advice of the health Warning against travel strictions started on July 28. The hot and humid weather discour- authorities on how to spend a safe Eid. to three Spanish regions In particular, the faithful expressed aged many from going outdoors during Accordingly, visits by family and joy at the reopening of mosques where the daytime, as they preferred to spend friends and Eid home receptions were The German Foreign Off ice yesterday they were able to perform the Eid prayer the day at home exchanging messages fewer than normal and the usual prac- warned against all but essential travel yesterday. A total of 401 mosques and online with - or calling - their fam- tice of hugging and shaking hands was to three Spanish regions popular with prayer yards were allocated by the ily members, friends and acquaintances. avoided to a great extent. The message tourists, following a continued rise in Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and This particularly applied to expatriates was to keep a safe distance so that eve- the number of coronavirus infections. Islamic Aff airs for this purpose around who were not able to travel to their home ryone - and the society - emerge safe In a statement, the Foreign Off ice the country. The mosques were select- countries to celebrate the Eid holidays from this pandemic. warned Germans against travelling to Catalonia, home to Barcelona, one of Europe’s biggest tourist destinations, and the Costa Brava coastline, as well as the neighbouring north-eastern regions of Aragon and Navarra. Virus eff ects to last decades, WHO says six months on British fi lm director Alan Parker dies AFP members and 12 advisers, is meeting for status as a PHEIC - its highest level of Geneva the fourth time over the Covid-19 crisis. alarm - fi rst declared on January 30. British filmmaker “It’s sobering to think that six The WHO has been sharply criti- Alan Parker, director months ago, when you recommended cised for the length of time it took to of movies ranging he WHO said yesterday that I declare a public health emergency of declare an international emergency. from Bugsy Malone, coronavirus pandemic eff ects international concern (PHEIC), there The United States, which accused a gangster comedy Twould be felt for decades as its were less than 100 cases and no deaths the organisation of being too close to featuring children emergency committee assessed the outside China.” WHO chief Tedros Ad- China, offi cially began its withdrawal armed with cream- situation six months after sounding its hanom Ghebreyesus said as the meet- from the organisation in July. shooting guns, to tense prison drama top alarm over the outbreak. ing began. The agency has also been criticised Midnight Express, has died aged 76, The novel coronavirus has killed “The pandemic is a once-in-a-cen- for recommendations deemed late or British media reported yesterday. nearly 675,000 people and infected at tury health crisis, the eff ects of which contradictory, in particular on wearing Parker, who also directed Fame, Evita, least 17.3mn since it emerged in China will be felt for decades to come.” masks, or the modes of transmission of Mississippi Burning, The Commitments last December, according to a tally The committee can propose new rec- the virus. and other successful movies, died from offi cial sources. ommendations or amend existing ones. Students are seen in the Jefferson High School parking lot in Georgia, US, “Many scientifi c questions have yesterday after a lengthy illness, The World Health Organisation’s However, there is little doubt that yesterday. Jefferson City Schools - about an hour northeast of Atlanta - was been resolved; many remain to be an- according to the media reports. emergency committee, comprising 18 the WHO will maintain the pandemic’s the first district in Georgia to “reopen schools for face-to-face instruction.” swered,” Tedros said. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 1, 2020 QATAR

Qatar condemns explosion in NHRC starts Phase 2 of fi eld visits to assess precautionary measures Afghanistan

QNA hamed Saif al-Kuwari said that covenants during crises, and in equipment and the number of how to prevent the coronavirus tions included institutions con- Qatar has expressed its strong Doha this phase comes as a continua- light of these exceptional cir- checks conducted on detainees pandemic, noting that there is cerned with the right to health condemnation and denunciation tion of the fi rst phase undertak- cumstances that the world is and inmates, in addition to the a great focus on the psychologi- and work and quarantine centres of the explosion that took place en by the team, which included facing due to the spread of this plans prepared by the penal in- cal side and the health and living in Umm Salal and Mukaynis, and in Logar province south of the he monitoring and fi eld many relevant authorities to pandemic. stitutions to provide the neces- conditions of inmates. a number of quarantine hotels, Afghan capital Kabul, leaving visits team of the National follow up the precautionary Dr al-Kuwari added that the sary instructions, and adequate At the same time, Dr al-Ku- the industrial area, and workers’ a number of people dead and THuman Rights Commit- measures taken by the state to team examined the extent of awareness of the means of pro- wari confi rmed that the team housing. injured. In a statement yesterday, tee (NHRC) started the second confront the pandemic and limit the promotion and protection tection, Dr al-Kuwari said. was well received by the offi cials Dr al-Kuwari added that now the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs phase of the exceptional visits its spread, pointing out that the of human rights, especially for He pointed out that the fi eld of the correctional and penal in- the team is in the follow-up reiterated Qatar’s firm stance on to follow up on the precaution- follow-up visits are scheduled to detainees, and responding to re- visits team monitored the extent stitutions and said that the of- phase, during which all the par- rejecting violence and terrorism ary measures undertaken by the include all the bodies included ports in accordance with Article of adherence to the United Na- fi cials in the relevant authorities ties that were covered in the fi rst regardless of motives and State to limit the spread of the in the fi rst phase, adding that 3 paragraph 6 of Decree Law No tions model rules for the treat- co-operated in all phases of the phase will be visited, but it will causes. The statement expressed coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- there are new institutions that 17 of 2010 organising the Na- ment of prisoners and their visit and provided all the aids to not include quarantine centres Qatar’s condolences to the demic. will be covered by the second tional Human Rights Commit- living conditions, hygiene and accomplish the goals with the in Umm Salal and Mukaynis, due family of the victim as well as During the follow-up phase, phase related to the right to edu- tee, which provides for moni- sanitising procedures, wash- transparency and professional- to the discharge of the last batch the government and people of the team held meetings with the cation and the right to practise toring what may be raised about ing and ventilation, in addition ism required by fi eld visits. of its residents, which is super- Afghanistan, wishing the injured Penal and Correctional Institu- religious rites. human rights conditions in the to the psychological aspect, and NHRC formed a fi eld visits vised by Qatar Red Crescent in a speedy recovery. tions Department, the Capital With regard to the meetings country and to co-ordinate with the activities that are permitted team to determine the precau- co-operation with the Ministry Security Department, the Search with offi cials in the security au- the concerned authorities to an- to be practised from recreation- tionary measures taken by the of Public Health and the Emer- Qatar condemns and Follow up Department, and thorities and the Human Rights swer them. al, educational and sports. State to limit the spread of the gency Preparedness Committee the Human Rights Department Department at the Ministry of The meeting with security of- He further explained that a coronavirus, as the team started at Hamad Medical Corporation. explosion in Iraq of the Ministry of Interior. Interior, al-Kuwari said that fi cials discussed the measures questionnaire was conducted its meetings with the relevant Dr al-Kuwari added that this The Deputy Chairman of the visits team followed up the taken to protect the inmates on the inmates that included a authorities and quarantine cen- phase is witnessing the addition Qatar has expressed its strong NHRC and head of the visits and human rights standards stipu- from the coronavirus pan- set of questions related to the tres in the fi rst phase last April of new institutions specialised condemnation and denunciation monitoring committee Dr Mo- lated in international laws and demic, the available medical instructions they receive or and the fi eld visits and institu- in other basic human rights. of the explosion that occurred in Diyala governorate in northeastern Iraq, killing one person and injuring two others. Fuel prices up in August In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Qatar Petroleum (QP) litre of diesel at QR1.20 during month of July. Premium Petrol reiterated Qatar’s firm stance on announced yesterday the the month of August, compared (91) witnessed an increase as rejecting violence and terrorism diesel and petrol prices for to QR1.10 per litre during July, well, as Qatar Petroleum set regardless of motives and causes. the month of August 2020, and set the price of Super its price at QR1.20 per litre for The statement expressed Qatar’s showing an increase compared Petrol (95) at QR1.25 per litre for August, as compared to QR1.10 condolences to the family of the Qatar issues to the previous month. Qatar the month of August, compared per litre during the month of victim as well as the government Petroleum set the price of a to QR1.20 per litre during the July. and people of Iraq, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery. guidelines MoPH reports 107,377 total Covid-19 recoveries

QNA Covid-19 symptoms. Unless we Doha follow all precautionary meas- ures, we may experience a second wave of the virus and see num- he Ministry of Public bers increasing, there are already for home Health (MoPH) reported signs of this happening in other Tyesterday 235 new con- countries around the world. fi rmed cases of coronavirus Avoid close contact with oth- (Covid-19), and 242 recover- ers, crowded places and confi ned ies from the virus in the last 24 closed spaces where other people hours, bringing the total number congregate. Now more than ever, of people who recovered from the residents must be careful and disease in the state 107,377 cases. protect the most vulnerable. quarantine The MoPH also announced three What you can do new deaths. The MoPH issued a By Joseph Varghese use your own towels.” Those un- statement on Covid-19 develop- While the restrictions of Cov- Staff Reporter dergoing home quarantine must ments in Qatar, which said the id-19 are gradually being lifted in avoid preparing food for others following: Qatar, it is important for every- and avoid entering the kitchen. New cases/ recoveries one to play their role in control- he Ministry of Public They should eat food in their ling the virus by following pre- Health (MoPH) has is- room and avoid eating or drink- Q 235 new confi rmed cases of cautionary measures: Tsued a set of guidelines for ing with other people. Covid-19 were announced yes- QAdherence to physical dis- home quarantine for those re- “Be careful to wash the dish- terday. tancing. turning to Qatar. es separately, make sure to eat Q 242 people have recovered QAvoid close contact with oth- Besides people from Covid-19 healthy food that strengthens from the virus during the past 24 ers, crowded places and confi ned low-risk countries, those arriv- the immune system and drink hours, bringing the total number closed spaces where other people ing from places not on the list of enough water (8-12 glasses a of cases recovered in Qatar to congregate. low-risk countries can also un- day),” she advised. 1 07,37 7. Q Wearing a face mask dergo home quarantine provided Those who have chronic health Q In addition, the Ministry Q Washing hands regularly. they have obtained a Covid-free condition should ensure to have announces three new deaths, for Q Most importantly, it is vital certifi cate from an accredited adequate supply of medicines. people, aged 53, 58 and 64 -- all that we continue to protect the testing centre no more than 48 They may use simple ways to were receiving the necessary elderly and those with chronic hours before travelling. Dr Muna al-Maslamani explain the situation to children medical care. medical conditions. Others will have to quarantine and avoid any direct contact Q All new cases have been in- Q Anyone suff ering from at government-approved hotels use a sanitiser or wash their with them. They should also get troduced to isolation and are re- of suspected cases has enabled Q Expanding hospital capac- Covid-19 symptoms should ei- for a period of one week, after hands with water and soap fre- enough sleep and avoid contact ceiving necessary healthcare ac- the authorities to identify a high ity, especially intensive care, to ther contact 16000 helpline or which the end of the quarantine quently. with any pet in the house. Quar- cording to their health status. number of positive cases in the ensure all patients receive the go directly to one of the desig- period will depend on the result Everyone in the house should antined people also are advised Current status community. Qatar has one of the medical care they need. nated health centres to undergo of a Covid-19 test. wash their hands regularly and to keep with them enough face lowest Covid-19 death rates in Q Protecting the elderly and the necessary checks: Muaither, Qatar residents are allowed to avoid touching their face, mouth masks, gloves, a thermometer, Measures to tackle Covid-19 the world. This is a result of: those with chronic diseases. Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or return to the country from Au- or nose. They must cover their fever-reducing medicine such in Qatar have succeeded in fl at- Q Very high quality of care Even though restrictions are Al Gharafa health centres. This is gust, according to a recent state- mouth with a tissue while cough- as Paracetamol, hand soap, hand tening the curve and limiting provided thorough the public being lifted, and numbers are de- important as the earlier the dis- ment issued by the Government ing or sneezing and dispose of sanitiser, home cleaning items, the spread of the virus and the healthcare sector for Covid-19 clining, this does not mean that ease is detected the easier it will Communications Offi ce. “For the tissue in a trash bin and wash including toilet and kitchen de- number of new daily cases and patients. the Covid-19 pandemic is over be to receive the right treatment home quarantine, people have hands immediately. tergents, tissue paper, alcohol hospital admissions is continu- Q Qatar’s young population. in Qatar. Everyday between 50 and recover from it. Visit the to stay at home in a room with wipes and closed trash bins. ing to decline each week. Qatar’s Q Proactive testing to identify and 100 people are admitted to moph website for regular updates an attached bathroom separated People must make sure Those going on home quaran- proactive and extensive testing cases early. hospital with moderate to severe and new information. from other family members. to clean and disinfect tine must have suitable housing They should avoid any contact surfaces and used items at conditions with the availabil- with other family members and least once a day, including ity of their own room and linked don’t allow visitors. door handles, toilets, bathroom. They must use a phone to con- tables, TV remote controls They must sign an under- tact others and must not leave and mobile phones, taking (including all the family 226 Ghanaians repatriated from Qatar home and, in the event of a medi- among others members and household helpers) cal emergency, call 999,” said Dr to abide by the rules of home- Muna al-Maslamani, medical di- They should also avoid shar- based quarantine. They must By Joey Aguilar rector of the Communicable Dis- ing personal household items watch a video clip and review the Staff Reporter ease Center and assistant head of with other people in the house pamphlet on home quarantine, the Infectious Diseases Division and wash these items thoroughly and must apply preventive meas- – Medicine Department at Ha- with soap and warm water after ures at home to protect others, Dr hana’s embassy in Doha mad Medical Corporation. use. al-Maslamani stressed. yesterday repatriated the “Only one member of the fam- People must make sure to clean Those in hotel quarantine Gfi rst batch of stranded ily should be allowed to provide and disinfect surfaces and used should take a swab on Day 5 or 6 Ghanaians from Qatar onboard care to the quarantined person. items at least once a day, includ- of their arrival at the designated a chartered Ethiopian Airlines The caregiver should wear a face ing door handles, toilets, tables, Covid-19 quarantine centre and fl ight. mask and gloves while entering TV remote controls and mobile must answer phone calls from Ghanaian ambassador Em- the room and should dispose of phones, among others. “Sin- the public health team after be- manuel Enos, along with a the mask and gloves and wash gle-use gloves should be used ing discharged for home quaran- number of his staff and Ghanaian their hands immediately after when cleaning and these need tine. They must agree to receive Community chairman Stephen leaving the room. A distance of at to be disposed of properly, and a visit from the public health Adjei, were at Hamad Interna- least 1.5m shall be maintained at make sure to wash your clothes team every 2-3 days, inform the tional Airport (HIA) to ensure the all times,” she added. separately from other people’s public health team if any symp- smooth departure of their com- According to the guidelines, clothes,” she said. “Don’t share toms have developed and down- patriots. people on home quarantine must towels with other people and load the Ehteraz app. “With the advent of the coro- navirus (Covid-19) pandemic Ambassador Emmanuel Enos with Ghanaian community members. and its attendant economic and social challenges, many Ghana- a number of relevant government ian workers were left stranded in agencies. “Without a doubt, the Preventing heat stroke Qatar. The Government of Ghana, resounding success of the evacu- through its embassy in Doha, and ation exercise is a testament to The Ministry of Public Health activity outdoors while the sun hour before exposure to sunlight. executives of the Ghanaian Com- the existing cordial bilateral re- (MoPH) has provided tips is strong, and exercise indoors z Reduce consumption of munity organised an evacuation lations between the two friendly on how to prevent a heat during this time. caff einated drinks, including exercise for the stranded Ghana- countries,” Enos said. “The em- stroke and other heat-related z Avoid being outdoors under coff ee and tea, and avoid ians, numbering 226,” he said in a bassy of Ghana in Qatar is hopeful illnesses. direct sunlight. energy and soft drinks. press statement. that the existing bonds of friend- The advisory, which is available z Wear sunglasses and cover z Wear lightweight and light- The envoy noted that the repa- ship between Ghana and Qatar on social media, states the your head. coloured cotton clothing. triation arrangements have been would continue to be strength- following: z Use umbrellas to protect z Eat a healthy, balanced diet successful due to the close col- ened and deepened, even further, z Drink at least 8-12 cups of your head and body from and increase consumption of laboration between the embassy, in the coming years for the mutual water daily even if you do not direct sunlight, especially at the vegetables and fruits as they Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Af- benefi t of the two countries. Long feel thirsty. beach. are rich in vitamins, minerals fairs, through its Chief of Proto- live Ghana! Long live Qatar! Long z Avoid doing any physical z Use sunscreen at least half an and water. col ambassador Ibrahim Yousif live Ghana-Qatar relations!” he Abdullah Fakhro and his staff , and stressed. Ghanaians waiting to board their flight at HIA yesterday. Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Eid celebrations at public parks

People visited public gardens, parks, the Corniche and Aspire Park, among other places, to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holidays yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed

Darfur violence cuts Khamenei says sanctions healthcare, food aid to 14,000 children failed, no talks with US said around 10,000 people had AFP Khartoum fl ed towards the town of El- AFP said in a televised speech.”But bouring countries. “This has al power and give up the vital Geneina and another 1,000 had Tehran the smart Iranian has made the caused the country’s economy nuclear industry.” crossed the border into Chad. best use of this attack, this ani- to be naturally less reliant on “No logic dictates giving into wave of violence in Su- Confl ict struck Darfur in 2003 mosity and benefi ted...by using oil,” Khamenei said, casting the the aggressor’s demands,” he dan’s Darfur region has when ethnic minority rebels took ran will not open talks with sanctions as a means to increase development in a positive light. said. He also accused European Aforced Save the Children up arms against then-president the United States that will national self-reliance.” Khamenei condemned calls partners to the nuclear deal of to close facilities providing health Omar al-Bashir, citing margin- Ionly benefi t Donald Trump, Khamenei said Western for Iran to open new talks with “having done nothing” to pro- services and food for 14,000 chil- alisation. Khartoum responded Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali “think-tanks admit that the the United States, saying he vide Iran with the economic dren, the charity said yesterday. with a scorched-earth campaign Khamenei said yesterday, in- maximum pressure (policy) of would not agree to meetings benefi ts of the accord and said The move came after hun- that left 300,000 people dead sisting the US president’s sanc- sanctions and US force has not that were aimed only at boost- their barter system designed dreds of armed men attacked and displaced 2.5mn. tions policy had failed. succeeded”. The 2015 deal be- ing Trump’s re-election hopes. to bypass US sanctions was a Masteri, a town largely inhab- Violence in Darfur had eased Decades-old tensions be- tween Tehran and major powers The 81-year-old even called “useless plaything.” ited by farmers from minor- since Bashir’s ouster by the army tween Tehran and Washington promised relief from sanctions Trump an “old man.” “This old The system, called Instex, is ity groups, killing more than 60 amid mass protests against his have soared in the past year or in return for limits on Iran’s nu- man in charge, he apparently meant to function as a clear- people and wounding dozens. rule last year, and after an inter- so, with the nations twice ap- clear programme. made some propaganda use out ing house and allow European Save the Children, which said im deal between the transitional pearing to come to the brink After abandoning the accord, of his negotiations with North companies to deliver medical fi ve children were among the government and rebel groups. of war. The tensions have been the United States reimposed Korea. Now he wants to use supplies to Iran without being dead, announced the temporary But recent weeks had seen a building since 2018, when sanctions on Iran’s vital oil ex- (talks with Iran) for the (No- exposed to sanctions. closure of two health facilities and surge as long-displaced farmers Trump withdrew the United ports and its access to the inter- vember 3 US presidential) elec- European signatories said its fi eld offi ce in Masteri, cutting returned to their land. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah States from a landmark nuclear national banking system, and tion.” in March they had delivered off “more than 14,000 children On Sunday, Prime Minister Ali Khamenei is seen addressing accord and unilaterally reim- pressured allies and rivals alike Khamenei said that in return medical goods to Iran in the fi rst from life-saving health services”. Abdalla Hamdok said security the nation in a live television posed crippling sanctions. to fall in line. Iran has respond- for new talks, the US would de- transaction under Instex, more “The health facilities were the forces would be deployed to the speech on the occasion of Eid “There is no doubt that sanc- ed by trying to boost its non-oil mand: “Reduce your defensive than a year after the mechanism only two centres which provided arid western region to protect al-Adha in Tehran, yesterday. tions are a crime,” Khamenei exports, particularly to neigh- capability, destroy your region- was announced. health and nutrition services for residents and allow the farming children in the area,” it said. season to go ahead. Arshad Ma- The attack sparked panic in lik, Save the Children’s Sudan Masteri and nearby villages. director, called on Khartoum to The United Nations humani- investigate the killings and bring For hard-hit Lebanese, traditions are now just too costly tarian coordination offi ce OCHA those responsible to justice.

Reuters imploding, leaving many hun- merchant, had few customers Tripoli gry, and fuel shortages causing for this year’s holiday. daily blackouts, there is little to The price of a lamb has gone Troops injure dozens celebrate. up more than eightfold since n the streets of Tripoli, Soaring prices mean few can last year. “My farm is full of Lebanon’s second big- aff ord Eid traditions. sheep but there is no one buy- of Palestinians Ogest city and one of its Many butchers’ shops in ing. What good is that?” he poorest, there are no signs of Tripoli, once buzzing with cus- said. “Even my own family is festivities for Eid al-Adha this tomers, were closed this week. not eating meat.” QNA ber-coated bullets, sound and year, no decorations or twin- Meat prices are just too high For Iman al-Ali, whose blind Ramallah gas bombs towards Palestinian kling lights. for most people, forcing them to husband had to sell his vegeta- citizens as soon as the march be- There’s no electricity any- forgo the Eid custom of slaugh- ble cart, it was already tough to gan, Palestinian sources said. way. tering sheep or lambs to share get by before the crisis wiped he Israeli occupation The sources indicated that Only a large billboard wel- among family and donate to the out the daily manual labour forces fi red bullets and that the fi ring resulted in injury comes visitors at one of the needy as alms. Iman al-Ali sits with her family in a room in Tripoli, northern Lebanon. they relied on. They had to Ttear gas on Palestinians due to metal bullets to seven Pal- city’s entrances. “We’re broke,” “What Eid? Look around you, move with their eight children participating in the weekly Kafr estinian youths, and dozens of it says. does this look like a market at put food on the table. They will market over Eid,” said Ghazi Ar- into the tiny storage room of a Qaddum march in Qalqilya, in- cases of suff ocation due to in- The holiday usually spells Eid to you? Where are the peo- be lucky if they can buy a water- naout, whose family’s shoe shop building, and nowadays all she juring seven and causing dozens halation of tear gas. Participants large family gatherings replete ple?” said Um Tarek, a mother melon for Eid. “We’ve only had has been around for six decades. can do is hope they don’t starve. of cases of suff ocation. in the march chanted slogans with mutton cuts, sweets and of fi ve, at the central souk. it once this season,” she said. He plans to shut it down after “They keep asking me for The occupation forces rejecting the decisions of the oc- gifts. Her husband owns a sweet “It used to be that you had to the festival. new clothes,” she said. “But we stormed the village of Kafr Qad- cupation government to annex But with Lebanon’s economy shop but now barely manages to elbow your way in through this Hatem Abulashra, a livestock just can’t.” dum and fi red live, metal rub- lands from the West Bank.

HEALTH SA produces first ventilators to fight virus Kuwait confirms 428 new Covid-19 The first of thousands of South African-designed ventilators rolled off cases, two deaths a Cape Town assembly line yesterday, responding to requests from Zimbabwe author arrested hospitals needing them for severe Covid-19 cases but unable to get them The Kuwait Ministry of Health said on global markets, off icials said. Poorly resourced hospitals across Africa, yesterday 428 new coronavi- which is nearing a million cases of Covid-19 — more than half of them AFP home after police on Thursday with AK-47 rifl es and riot gear. rus (Covid-19) infections were in South Africa — have struggled to cope with a burgeoning case load Harare issued a ban and warned of a Shortly afterwards, she confirmed over the past 24 hours, amid a global scramble favouring richer nations in procuring ventilators tough response. tweeted: “Arrested! At Bor- taking the count of cases up to and protective gear. South Africa, which now has the world’s fifth highest “All security arms of gov- rowdale. Ope it will be OK”. 66,957, QNA reported from Kuwait. infection burden of around 482,169 confirmed cases, launched a 250mn olice in Zimbabwe yes- ernment are on full alert and She also tweeted a photo of The ministry also recorded two rand ($14.80mn) project in April to make them here. “Today the first batch terday arrested inter- will deal decisively with any herself and Barnes, sitting on fatalities due to the viral infection, of completed ventilators are coming off the assembly line, part of an ini- Pnationally-acclaimed individuals or groups foment- the fl oor at a police station. bringing the country’s death toll to tial order of 10,000 units,” Ebrahim Patel, the trade and industry minister, novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga as ing violence,” it warned. She had been carrying plac- 447 so far, the ministry’s spokes- said during a Covid-19 conference. they enforced a ban on protests There were more check- ards calling for reforms and the man Dr Abdullah al-Sanad said in a coinciding with the anniver- points and roadblocks than release of Hopewell Chin’ono, statement carried by Kuwait news sary of President Emmerson usual on roads leading to the a prominent journalist arrest- agency (Kuna). The latest infec- UNREST Mnangagwa’s election. Tsitsi Dangarembga centre of the capital, manned ed last week under a govern- tions include 296 Kuwaitis and 132 Soldier shoots dead 12 in drunken rampage Dangarembga, 61, was taken by police and soldiers. ment crackdown. non-Kuwaitis, he added. away in a police truck as she party called Transform Zim- In the central business dis- Minutes before her arrest, In addition, 8,578 virus patients A soldier shot dead 12 people and injured nine others during a drunken demonstrated in the upmarket babwe, had called for demon- trict, police carrying batons or she said: “It seems that there were still receiving necessary rampage in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday evening, Harare suburb of Borrowdale strations against alleged state riot shields were heavily de- has been a big reaction by the medical treatment, including 134 regional authorities said. Security services are conducting a search for the alongside another protester, an corruption and the country’s ployed, an AFP journalist saw. authorities to this protest. cases in intensive care units, Dr al- gunman in the city of Sange, 24km from the Burundian border, where the AFP photographer saw. slumping economy The pro- In the suburbs, only a hand- “They declared it illegal — Sanad pointed out. Medical teams shooting took place, the governor of South Kivu province, Theo Kasi, said in Streets in the centre of the tests were timed to coincide ful of people appeared to brave I’m not quite sure (why), apart carried out 2,920 Covid-19 tests a statement. President Felix Tshisekedi called the attack a heinous crime and city were largely deserted with the second anniversary the ban. from the fact that they don’t over the last 24 hours, bringing off ered his condolences to the victims’ families. Congo’s vast army is widely as police and soldiers set up of Mnangagwa’s election, An AFP photographer saw want it...Our constitution the total count of swab tests to seen as poorly trained and unprofessional, and its personnel are frequently checkpoints to prevent entry. which the opposition says was Dangarembga and a fellow gives Zimbabweans the right 505,088 since the outbreak of the accused of committing crimes against civilians. Senior generals are under Opposition politician Jacob a fraud. protester, Julie Barnes, hauled to demonstrate peacefully and virus in the country, he added. US and EU sanctions for alleged abuses. Ngarivhume, head of a small But most people stayed at into a truck full of police armed that’s what we are doing.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 1, 2020 AMERICAS

Castro loyalist who started US investigates Old Havana restoration dies

Reuters Havana

usebio Leal, a histo- rian and orator who be- seed mystery Efriended Fidel Castro and led the reconstruction of the Reuters “I’ve had people describe to es appear to have been falsifi ed. ordered watermelon, ivy and crumbling historic centre of Chicago me that the seeds are coated The packages have also been morning glory seeds from Ama- Havana, died yesterday morn- with something purple. reported in Canada, where On- zon.com Inc, so she assumed the ing from a “painful illness,” I haven’t had it in my hands tario’s Central Region Provin- two packages she received were Cuban offi cial media said. He he US Agriculture De- yet, but it sounds an awful lot cial Police posted a warning on just mislabelled. was 77. partment has identifi ed like a seed treatment,” she said. Facebook on Wednesday against “I put them in water and got Calling himself a “Fidelist” Tmore than a dozen plant Pruisner said she had received “foreign seeds in the mail from some sprouts,” said Crawford. rather than a Marxist, Leal was Cuban historian Eusebio Leal, who dedicated his life to the rescue species ranging from morn- 297 reports of seeds received as China or Taiwan.” “We were really curious what a member of the ruling Cuban of Havana’s heritage, died at 77. ing glories to mustard in bags of Thursday afternoon. In Britain, a spokesperson for they were.” Communist Party’s elite Cen- of unsolicited seeds arriving in The US Department of Ag- the Animal and Plant Health The plants have since died and tral Committee and came to be The United Nations Organi- rebuilding the historic centre. the mailboxes of thousands of riculture’s Animal and Plant Agency said the agency was in- Crawford reported the second seen as an elder statesman of sation for Education, Science “More than a Marxist, I was Americans, mostly postmarked Health Inspection Service vestigating packages of seeds package to the Massachusetts Cuba. Inside Cuba, he earned and Culture (Unesco) named Old a Fidelist,” Leal told a meeting from China. (APHIS) is instructing state marked as ‘ear studs.’ Department of Agricultural Re- recognition as an articulate Havana a World Heritage site. of artists and writers in April While most species identi- agencies to collect the seeds and The Florida Department of sources. historian, originally a self- With fi nancial help from Spain 2014. He added, referring to Fi- fi ed seem to be innocuous herbs, send them to it for analysis. Agriculture and Consumer Serv- Seed companies have seen taught student who through and under the direction of Leal, del Castro, “His thinking was fl owering plants, vegetables or The agency on Wednesday ices said it had received 1,209 re- global online and retail demand intellect and hard work passed Cuba rebuilt dozens of colonial- more inclusive and comprehen- grasses, plant experts warn that said it had identifi ed 14 diff erent ports about the seeds, with 300 boom during the pandemic as the university entrance exam era buildings, contrasting sharp- sive than the dogmatic canons or seeds from other parts of the species of seeds, but noted it was phone calls on Thursday alone. consumers with time on their without a formal education. ly with the many that continued doctrine.” world could be non-native va- still early in the process. State agriculture departments hands take up gardening. He would go on to earn a to crumble. “Fidel was the only one capa- rieties that harm commodity The Agriculture Department have also reported packages But Pruisner cautioned that doctorate in history and be- The campaign helped make ble of uniting this country after crops. has said the packages are most postmarked from Uzbekistan online international seed pur- come a member of Cuba’s Na- Old Havana a tourist attraction the revolution, in the face of so Another concern is what ap- likely part of a “brushing” scam, and Kyrgyzstan, though most chases could pose an ecological tional Assembly. that was an alternative to the many discordant ideas,” he said. pears to be an unknown coating, in which people receive unsolic- are reportedly from China. threat. Outside Cuba, he was best country’s popular beach resorts. Leal said he built his appreci- possibly insecticide or fungicide ited items from a seller who then Most states are asking peo- “The ah-ha moment I re- known as leader of the project to Leal was a close friend of ation for restoring old buildings on the seeds, said Robin Pruis- posts false positive customer re- ple to report the packages to the ally had here is how much seed rebuild Old Havana, the historic Castro as well as his younger on his early dedication to the Ro- ner, state seed control offi cial at views to boost sales. state agriculture department, people are buying from other centre built by Spanish colonists brother Raul Castro, who of- man Catholic Church, which fell the Department of Agriculture US Customs and Border Pro- which will then send inspectors countries,” she said. “I have been which had been deteriorating fi cially took over the leadership out of favour in the early days of and Land Stewardship in Iowa, tection is also investigating the to collect them. simply amazed, when I talk to from age, neglect and the dam- of the Cuban Communist Party the communist government but the top US corn growing state. origin of the seeds. Sadie Crawford, who works in people, how they say the other aging eff ects of seawater on the in 2011, though he shied away later regained stature with the Pruisner said unknown seed China’s foreign ministry marketing in Townsend, Mas- seed they’ve bought from China buildings along Havana’s famous from overtly political gestures, Castro brothers and other ageing treatments could damage crops. spokesman has said the packag- sachusetts, said she had just is fi ne.” boardwalk. concentrating on academia and revolutionaries.

POLICY Feeding time Call to end tracking journalists Top Trump immigration The head of the US Department of Homeland Security has ordered his agency to stop collecting information on American journalists cover- ing protests in Portland, Oregon, after a media report on the practice, a enforcer reveals retirement spokesman said. The Washington Post on Thursday reported that the department compiled “intelligence reports” on journalists using a govern- ment system meant to share information about suspected terrorists and Reuters Joe Biden, but Americans have violent actors. Upon learning of the practice, Department of Homeland Washington become increasingly con- Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf directed the agency’s Intel- cerned about the virus and the ligence & Analysis Directorate to stop collecting information involving struggling economy in recent members of the press, a DHS spokesman said. “In no way does the acting S President Donald months. secretary condone this practice and he has immediately ordered an Trump’s top immigra- Still, Trump has implement- enquiry into the matter,” the spokesman said in a statement. The intel- Ution enforcement offi cial ed a number of sweeping im- ligence unit shared intelligence reports on journalists from the New York yesterday announced he will re- migration measures during the Times and the blog Lawfare, noting they had published leaked unclassi- tire from the agency, a staffi ng pandemic, suspending the en- fied documents about DHS operations in Portland, the shakeup in a key policy area for try of certain foreign workers newspaper reported. Trump as he faces re-election in and green card applicants and November. allowing US authorities to rap- Matthew Albence, acting di- idly deport migrants encoun- DIPLOMACY rector of US Immigration and tered at the country’s borders Detained executives moved to house arrest Customs Enforcement (ICE), with Mexico and Canada. said in a statement that his plan ICE tactical police were part Two of the six former Citgo Petroleum Corp executives detained in Ven- to retire had been prolonged by of recent deployment of federal ezuela were moved to house arrest, veteran US diplomat Bill Richardson the coronavirus pandemic. officers sent to quell protests said, weeks after he visited the country to seek their release. The former The pandemic has created outside a courthouse in Port- New Mexico governor and US ambassador to the United Nations trav- challenges for ICE operations land, Oregon, an effort that elled to Caracas and met with socialist President Nicolas Maduro earlier both in the fi eld and in immigra- drew criticism from Democrat- this month as part of a private humanitarian mission on behalf of the tion detention centres, where ic officials in the state. families of American prisoners in Venezuela. The two prisoners moved nearly 4,000 immigrants have Oregon’s Democratic gov- to house arrest, Gustavo Cardenas and Jorge Toledo, were among the tested positive for the disease. ernor, Kate Brown, said on An ostrich is fed as part of its environmental enrichment training at Bioparque Wakata in six arrested in 2017 on embezzlement charges that the US government The Republican president Wednesday that federal forces Jaime Duque park, in Briceno municipality near Bogota, Colombia. The park closed due to and their lawyers say are baseless. Five of the executives of Citgo, the US has made immigration a ma- had agreed to withdraw from the novel coronavirus pandemic, creating virtual programmes to receive donations from refining unit of Venezuela’s state oil company, have American citizenship. jor theme of his first four-year Portland, though US officials the public to meet some economic demands and ensure the livelihood of the animals, “This is a positive and important first step,” Richardson wrote on Twitter. term in office and a central said they would stay until con- launching a call to the government to be able to reopen the sector with the necessary “We are grateful to President Nicolas Maduro and Vice President Jorge part of his 2020 campaign ditions improved after weeks of security protocols. Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Rodriguez for this gesture and for continuing to engage in the produc- against Democratic challenger clashes with protesters. tive dialogue on the American detainees...” Super-rich donate to Cuomo as he rejects tax hikes for billionaires

By Walker Bragman have seen their net worth increase than $1bn of assets, raising more & David Sirota by $77bn since coronavirus hit the than $5.5bn of new public revenue Guardian News & Media United States. from billionaires each year. Those billionaire gains in just New York City alone is home to three months are more than fi ve more billionaires than any other ew York governor Andrew times the size of the state’s entire metropolitan area on the planet. Cuomo has stood fi rm projected budget shortfall of $14bn. Cuomo, however, has steadfast- Nagainst intensifying pres- Cuomo’s offi ce asserted that mil- ly opposed such tax hikes on the sure to avert massive budget cuts by lions of dollars of campaign dona- wealthy throughout his political ca- raising taxes on the many billion- tions from billionaires had no bear- reer. aires who live in his state. ing on the governor’s decision to He has previously championed a As that campaign to tax billion- oppose Democratic legislation to plan to eliminate New York’s bank aires received a recent boost from Andrew Cuomo: defying pressure raise taxes on billionaires, calling the tax and he reduced the state’s cor- Congresswoman Alexandria Oca- idea “stupid and insulting.” porate tax rates to its lowest level in sio-Cortez and New York’s Demo- campaign. That includes large do- New York’s 118 billionaires have more than 50 years. cratic state legislative leaders, Cuo- nations from billionaires in the last seen their net worth increase by He also cut tax rates on purchas- mo has insisted that he fears that the few weeks as Cuomo has fought to $77bn since coronavirus hit the ers of luxury yachts and private jets tax initiative will prompt the super- stop tax hikes on billionaires. United States — and now he has worked to stymie rich to leave the state. Eleven of Cuomo’s billionaire “As the governor has routinely his party’s billionaire tax plan. On Wednesday, he doubled down, donors have delivered $100,000 said, anyone who can be infl uenced Instead, Cuomo has pushed for warning that if the state tried to bal- or more to his campaign and the by a dollar doesn’t deserve to be in big spending cuts. ance its budget through billionaire New York State Democratic party’s this business,” said Cuomo spokes- In April, the legislature approved tax hikes “you’d have no billionaires housekeeping fund. man Rich Azzopardi. “New York a plan to let Cumo’s budget director left”. But in defending billionaires, They include hedge fund titans currently has the most progressive make $10bn of spending cuts. Cuomo is protecting a group of his James Simons ($3.6mn), Stanley and second highest millionaires tax That plan also approved Cuomo’s most important fi nancial boosters. Druckenmiller ($1mn) and Daniel in the nation, and we’ve been very push to cut $2.5bn from Medicaid, More than a third of New York’s Loeb ($114,000); real estate mo- clear about the challenges facing us fl atline education spending and billionaires have funnelled cash to guls Alexander Rovt ($321,000) and in an era where high earners have impose tougher eligibility require- Cumo’s political machine, accord- Stephen Ross ($80,000) and inves- already moved away from the city ments on some long-term public ing to a Too Much Information re- tor Ronald Perelman ($197,000). and the state in the face of this pan- benefi ts. On Monday, the governor view of campaign fi nance data and Ross, Simons and Simons’ wife de- demic, and the federal government said that if his state does not secure the Forbes billionaire list. livered a total of $115,000 to Cuomo is supporting legislation that would fi nancial aid from Washington, New New York disclosure records show this month. change the law and allow them to Yorkers may see increased mass that 43 of New York’s 118 billion- With Cuomo blocking billionaire pay taxes where they telecommute transit fares and toll levies because aire families have donated money tax hikes, his 43 billionaire donors from — not the state or city where “the money needs to come from to Cuomo’s campaigns and the state have increased their net worth by their company is located.” somewhere.” Democratic party committee he $22bn during the pandemic, ac- New York Democratic lawmakers Local governments could also see controls. cording to Forbes data compiled by have been fl oating proposals to ad- big cuts. In all, those billionaires and their Americans for Tax Fairness, which dress the budget crisis with tax in- A Stanford University research- family members have delivered more pushes for higher taxes on the creases on the wealthy. ers’ 2016 study of IRS data found than $8m to Cuomo’s political ap- wealthy. One initiative would raise capital that so-called tax fl ight among the paratus since his fi rst gubernatorial In all, New York’s 118 billionaires gains tax rates on those with more wealthy is negligible. Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 5 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Duterte asks Filipinos to endure until Covid-19 vaccine available

DPA said. “You just have to endure The military and police forc- department added. Despite the health department earlier re- Manila some more. It’s almost here. I es will also be included in the spike in infections and deaths, futed as a joke. “I was not joking. told you I have been praying to priority list “because I need a the government maintained That is true,” he said. “If alcohol God for a guiding light so that strong backbone,” he added.” a relaxed general community is not available ... go to the pet- ilipinos need to hang on these guys can make the vac- The backbone of my adminis- quarantine protocol in the cap- rol station, that’s disinfectant,” longer and endure coro- cine.” tration is the uniformed person- ital and high-risk areas, while he said. “You can use petrol or Fnavirus restrictions until Duterte said China has already nel of government.” Yesterday, the rest of the country was un- kerosene to disinfect.” a vaccine is available, Philip- promised to prioritise providing the Department of Health re- der the less stringent modified The government imposed a pine President Rodrigo Duterte vaccine supply to the Philip- ported a record 4,063 additional general community quarantine lockdown on the country’s most said yesterday, as the country’s pines, noting that three Chinese coronavirus infections, pushing protocol. populous island, Luzon, includ- caseload surged to more than pharmaceutical companies were the country’s tally to more than Filipinos were reminded that ing Manila and other high-risk 93,000 and the death toll past leading the race in manufactur- 93,354. they are required to wear face areas, in mid-March in a bid to 2,000. ing the anti-Covid-19 inocula- The death toll from Covid-19 masks if they need to go out of contain the spread of the virus. In a televised address to the tion. also rose to 2,023, with 40 addi- their homes, and were encour- Since June 1, the government has public, Duterte said the govern- Finance Secretary Carlos tional deaths reported, it added. aged to also use face shields for been easing the restrictions, al- ment has already prepared a plan Dominguez said the government Of the additional cases, 1,705 “low ventilation settings,” such lowing malls, private offi ces and for free immunisations against plans to provide free vaccination are infections confirmed in the as public transportation. public transport to resume on a Covid-19 once the vaccine be- against Covid-19, to a minimum President Rodrigo Duterte past three days, while 2,358 Duterte said he was not jok- reduced capacity. comes available. of 20mn people, or about one- were confirmed previously but ing when he suggested Filipi- More establishments, such as “I promise you, by the grace fi fth of the country’s estimated Filipinos, and those who are in- tions, while those who can aff ord only later added to the tally nos who cannot aff ord to buy gyms, internet cafes and aes- of God, I hope by December, we population of 100mn. fected and at risk of dying will be it should just buy the vaccine, after data reconciliation with alcohol and other disinfectants thetic clinics, will be also al- would be back to normal,” he Poor- and middle-income prioritised for the free vaccina- Duterte said. local government units, the to instead use petrol, which the lowed to reopen starting today.

Nepal reopens Everest despite pandemic uncertainty

Vietnam Nepal has reopened its mountains - including Everest - for the autumn trekking and climbing season in a bid to boost the struggling tourism sector, off icials said yesterday, despite coronavirus uncertainty. The records fi rst Himalayan country shut its borders in March just ahead of the busy spring season when hundreds of mountaineers usually flock to the country, costing jobs and millions of dollars in revenue. virus death A nationwide lockdown was lifted last week, and Nepal is now open “for tourism activities, including mountaineering and trekking.” Mira Acharya of the tourism department told AFP. The government will permit as pandemic international flights to land in the country from August 17. The decision comes despite over Residents wait to be tested at a makeshift rapid testing centre as Vietnam records a rise in coronavirus 1,000 new coronavirus infections cases in Hanoi yesterday. Vietnam has recorded 45 new cases of Covid-19 — its highest single daily tally reported this week, with a total since the pandemic began — as an outbreak in the resort city of Danang erodes the country’s eff orts to of 19,547 cases. Off icials were stay virus-free. “working on” safety protocols rebounds Acharya added, including for how long visitors would have to AFP the pandemic began. “Elite The patients aged between 27 quarantine on arrival. Mingma Hanoi medical experts” have been mo- and 87 were all being treated at Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, bilised to help tamp down the or were employed at Danang’s one of the biggest Nepali outbreak in Danang, Doctor Tran hospitals, or were their relatives, expedition organisers, said that ietnam recorded its fi rst Nhu Duong, deputy head of the it added. clients were calling, but were coronavirus death yes- National Institute of Epidemiol- State media said a makeshift waiting to find out how long Vterday as the pandemic ogy, told state TV as news of the hospital was being set up at a arrivals will have to quarantine rebounds in a country that had fi rst death emerged. Danang sports centre in antici- for. “It would be a relief for previously been praised for They will join “around 1,000 pation of the outbreak worsen- mountaineering workers if we stubbing out the contagion. people including military men” ing. Flights in and out of Danang can run expeditions after an The patient, a 70-year-old heading to the the epicentre of and public transport within the empty spring season,” Sherpa man, died in the central city of the latest cluster, a city that had city have already been suspend- said. Tent cities grow at the foot Hoi An nearly three weeks after been bursting with domestic ed, and the majority of its 1.1mn of Everest and other peaks in the being admitted to hospital with tourists until authorities an- inhabitants have been advised to climbing seasons, with climbers serious underlying conditions, nounced the virus had made a remain at home. and support staff all living in according to state media. comeback. At least 21,000 people are un- close quarters. The communist nation was Before the weekend Viet- dergoing rapid-test swabs for Breathing is already diff icult applauded earlier this year for nam had not recorded a locally the virus in the capital Hanoi at higher altitude - adding controlling Covid-19 with strict transmitted infection for nearly after travelling to Danang. Simi- to medical risks if there is an restrictions on movement, ex- 100 days. But since then nearly lar tests were also conducted in outbreak of any kind among tensive quarantine measures 100 people who had travelled business hub Ho Chi Minh City climbers. Lukas Furtenbach of and a robust track-and-trace to Danang have tested posi- for returnees from Danang. Furtenbach Adventures said regime. tive across the country, leaving Bars have been closed in that they had cancelled all But an outbreak over the health authorities scrambling to nearby Hue, while tourism is A woman wears a protective mask as she drives past a banner promoting prevention against the expeditions. “I think running an weekend in the beach resort of snuff out the outbreak. suspended in historic Hoi An. coronavirus in Hanoi yesterday. expedition now would be trial and Danang, near Hoi An, has put The number of “infected peo- Vietnam has won praise for its error. Trial and error was never the country back on high alert. ple increased at a record fi gure” handling of the virus - report- despite sharing a long border ish pilot who spent more than patient medics have had to treat our strategy for expeditions, Health offi cials yesterday also with 45 new cases, said the Suc ing just 509 infections in total, with China. two months on life support in during the coronavirus outbreak where we are responsible for the announced the country’s high- Khoe Doi Song newspaper, a including those from the new Earlier this month state media Vietnam with the virus. Stephen and was given just a 10% chance lives of our staff and our clients,” est single daily caseload since health ministry mouthpiece. wave, and until Friday no deaths trumpeted the survival of a Brit- Cameron, 42, was the sickest of survival. he said.

Fiji records first Covid-19 death Australian city in virus ‘limbo’ as outbreak rages N Korea’s economy Fiji announced its first coronavirus death yesterday, but health off icials assured people AFP dent Colin Cowen told AFP he had grew for fi rst time in the Pacific island nation that Melbourne taken his mother out of Epping it was not the precursor to a Gardens days before the outbreak major outbreak. Health Minister but was still struggling to com- in 3 years: S Korea Ifereimi Waqainabete said opes that Australia may municate with staff about retriev- the victim was a 66-year-old have escaped the worst ing her possessions. “When one man who tested positive after Hravages of the coronavirus of these things happens it’s like Reuters returning from India, where he pandemic were fast fading yes- a code of silence or something, I Seoul had undergone surgery for a terday as a growing outbreak in its got no feedback from here at all,” long-standing heart condition. second-largest city has offi cials Cowen said. “Sadly, despite the best eff orts eyeing draconian measures to cur- Victoria state’s top health of- he economy of isolated North Korea grew for the fi rst time in of our health-care professionals, tail the spread. With hundreds of fi cial said any increase in restric- three years in 2019 as better weather conditions boosted crop this gentleman passed away new infections emerging every day tions would have “really signifi - Tyields, but sanctions imposed to stop its nuclear ambitions kept yesterday in the isolation ward despite people in Melbourne en- cant consequences” but admitted factory output weak, South Korea’s central bank said. Gross domestic at Lautoka hospital due to tering a fourth week of lockdown, tougher rules were now being product (GDP) in North Korea last year rose 0.4% in real terms from complications from Covid-19,” many on the streets told AFP they considered, including a strict the previous year when the economy suff ered the biggest contraction Waqainabete told reporters. He were saddened and anxious. lockdown and widespread busi- in 21 years, shrinking 4.1% due to a drought and sanctions, the Bank of said the man was one of nine The virus has forced millions ness closures that were success- Korea (BOK) said yesterday. active cases who had been held back indoors and behind masks Police on horseback patrol The Shrine of Remembrance enforcing fully used in New Zealand. North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its bal- in quarantine since they were weeks after the country thought the wearing of face masks in Melbourne yesterday. New Zealand has not recorded listic missile and nuclear programmes and the UN Security Council repatriated from India on July 1. the epidemic had been tamed. a locally transmitted case from has been toughening measures in recent years. “The sanctions have Before then, Fiji had enjoyed “People are starting to feel de- Andrews told media. almost impossible for us to see an unknown source in more than not become any tougher since 2017-end and weather conditions have a spell of four weeks virus- pressed because you can’t leave Without a drop in infections, it businesses recover and survive 90 days and only 22 deaths in a been more favourable which helped output from the agriculture sector free, after the 18 cases it the house,” Melbourne resident was an “absolute certainty” that unless and until we get these population of 5mn. Australia’s to- to improve,” a BOK offi cial said. had previously recorded all Stefan Paskoski said. any rollback of restrictions would numbers down,” he said. tal cases ticked towards 17,000 on “Even so, its too early to say (North Korea’s) economy is in a recov- recovered. Fiji and other Pacific “All you do is go to work, come see cases spiral out of control, he Friday’s 627 new cases in Vic- Friday, with 196 deaths in a popu- ery” as its trade volume in recent years is half the levels seen before island nations were initially home if you’re working - if you’re said. The resurgence of the virus toria were a drop from Thursday lation of 25mn. the international sanctions kicked in. North Korea’s economy grew seen as among the world’s unemployed, you rely on govern- has been largely blamed on se- when the state recorded the na- The outbreak comes as Mus- 3.9% in 2016, the fastest pace in 17 years, but sharply contracted in most vulnerable to the virus ment social security.” curity bungles at hotels used to tion’s highest daily toll to date lims around the country mark the following two years. Current leader Kim Jong-un vowed to switch because of under-resourced Victoria state Premier Daniel quarantine international travel- with 13 deaths and 723 cases. Eid al-Adha - with Andrews the focus from the development of nuclear arsenal to economic de- health infrastructure and high Andrews said the city of 5mn and lers that allowed Covid-19 to leak Many of the recent fatalities were admitting the religious holiday velopment in 2018 before he held an unprecedented summit with US rates of health conditions such surrounding areas would be stuck into the community. connected to aged care homes in would look very diff erent this President Donald Trump. as diabetes and heart disease. in “limbo” unless they could cut But Andrews also blamed the Melbourne where government year for Victorian worshippers. The two leaders have met three times, but failed to fi nd a compro- However, nations in the region infection rates. He announced continuing rise in cases on those disaster relief teams have been In Sydney, restrictions on num- mise over the North’s nuclear weapons programme. acted swiftly and made the more than 600 new cases yester- fl outing the rules -- including deployed to replace infected staff . bers allowed inside the Gallipoli Estimates for North Korean economic data by the BOK are consid- costly decision to seal borders, day and eight more deaths, nearly people with the virus leaving their Earlier this week an ambulance mosque caused large queues on ered the most authoritative as the isolated nation does not disclose shutting down the tourism trade all in Melbourne. “We’ve stopped homes instead of quarantining was seen taking away the body of Friday morning, with all worship- any statistics on its economy. Since 1991, the BOK has used fi gures that powered their economies it from getting completely out for 14 days. A quarter of those one deceased resident from Ep- pers wearing masks as Australia’s from intelligence agencies and the unifi cation ministry data on every- in order to protect their of control... but we haven’t been doorknocked by inspections staff ping Gardens, a facility that has biggest city also battles growing thing from size of rice paddy crops, water fl ows at dams to traffi c near populations. able to suppress it suffi ciently,” on Thursday were absent. “It’s seen 117 cases. Melbourne resi- clusters. the border to make estimates. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 1, 2020 BRITAIN Policeman’s teen killers jailed for a total of 42 years

Guardian News and Media being found guilty of manslaugh- not be proven they knew he was ue his criminal career. to apprehend the three teenagers, month before his death. The court heard that the teen- London ter. there. He said they killed “a talent- Harper’s widow Lissie Harper who were trying to steal a quad “We are lost and hurting; the agers, who admitted plotting the Each was told they would be eli- ed and brave young police offi cer told the court the couple’s future bike. pain endless. He was my fi rst- theft of the quad bike, had been gible for release after two-thirds of who was going above and beyond had been stolen from them.“They The Thames Valley police offi c- born child and he has been liter- determined to escape “at all costs”. elatives of constable An- their sentence at a hearing at the his duty in order to provide a pub- took more than one life away that er became entangled in a tow rope ally ripped from us,” she wrote in a Long pleaded guilty to manslaugh- drew Harper, who was Old Bailey in London. lic service”. day. They stole the person that I attached to their Seat Toledo and statement read to the court on her ter but each had denied knowing Rdragged to his death in Au- The judge, Justice Edis, told He told them they did so be- used to be, the happiness that we was dragged at “breakneck” speed behalf. Harper was there. gust 2019, have spoken of their them that, while they were not cause they “deliberately decided to shared and the beautiful plans we for more than a mile along coun- In it, she described the horror Their defence claimed the in- pain at his loss as his three killers guilty of murder, they were guilty expose any police offi cer that got had made together.” try lanes before he was dislodged, of receiving the news of her son’s cident was a “freak event” that were jailed yesterday. of as serious a case of manslaugh- in your way to a risk of death”. And She said: “Four weeks was all I having sustained horrifi c injuries. death in the early hours of the none of them could have planned Henry Long, the 19-year-old ter as it was possible. he rejected the suggestion they had had to call him my husband; four Harper’s mother, Deborah Ad- morning, of having to break it to or foreseen. ringleader, was sentenced to 16 They had committed an act of shown remorse. weeks to be called his wife … I will lam, said she has been unable to her other children and of sitting The prosecution said the de- years in prison, while Jessie Cole “wicked calculation” when they The judge told Long his evi- spend the every day for the rest of come to terms with the fact her son with her son’s covered body, un- fendants must have been aware and Albert Bowers, both 18, were sought to escape with Harper dence demonstrated he was a my life with a hollowness that will will never get to be a father himself, able even to see him because of the Harper, who was over 6ft and each sentenced to 13 years in a caught up in a tow rope. dangerous person who might kill never, ever be fi lled.” something she hoped was not far extent of his injuries.“I love and weighed 14 stone, was being young off ender’s institute after Edis accepted, however, it could again were he allowed to contin- Harper, 28, died as he attempted away when he got married about a miss him dearly.” dragged to his death. Hancock defends last-minute virus lockdown in north of England

Guardian News and Media area defi ned but obviously any two London households should follow the so- cial distancing rules.” Later on BBC Radio Manchester att Hancock has de- he suggested that visiting house- fended the imposition of holds outside the aff ected area was Mnew lockdown regula- “against the advice” but suggested tions on more than 4mn people in it would not be covered by law, northern England with only two saying there was a “distinction be- hours’ notice, amid criticism from tween the guidance and the law on Conservative MPs and confusion this issue”. However, this appears about the rules. to be against the offi cial advice The health secretary an- published yesterday morning. nounced on Twitter on Thursday The DHSC has been contacted night that from midnight peo- for clarity. ple from diff erent households Hancock appeared to strug- in Greater Manchester, parts of gle when pressed on the issue by East Lancashire, West Yorkshire BBC Radio Manchester presenter and Leicester would not be able Becky Want, saying: “I’ll make to meet each other indoors or in it absolutely clear, which is that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and chief medical off icer Chris Whitty attend a remote press conference to update the nation on the coronavirus pandemic inside 10 Downing their gardens. there’s a distinction between the Street in central London yesterday. The measures were introduced guidance and the law. I will ab- on the eve of Eid al-Adha cel- solutely get back to you with the ebrations, which would have been exact...” before his words became marked in many of the areas af- inaudible. fected, and their introduction Asked four times whether a was caused largely by people “not household in the aff ected area abiding to social distancing”, Han- could visit someone who was not, cock said. he then said: “No, because that is The measures drew immediate against the advice but the point I Government halts planned criticism from three Tory MPs, was making is about the specifi cs including Sir Graham Brady, the of the law, which is that this law chair of the backbench 1922 Com- applies to people who are in the af- mittee who represents a Greater fected area.” Manchester seat, who complained Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s that the blanket ban did not take shadow health and social care sec- easing of Covid-19 lockdown into account local factors. retary, said the party understood Hancock yesterday defended why additional measures had to be Reuters also not be allowed. to date in Britain’s path out of UK scientists are no longer pared for further rapid action to the move, insisting the new rules taken but the way the announce- London “We’re now seeing a warning lockdown. confi dent the reproduction prevent the infection from get- were “absolutely crystal clear” ment was made had caused light on the dashboard,” John- “I know that the steps we are number in England is below 1, ting out of control again.” and that there had been increases “widespread confusion, anxiety son told reporters at an online taking will be a real blow to many the government said yesterday, England’s chief medical offi c- in the number of cases “across and upset”. rime Minister Boris John- news conference from Downing people,” Johnson added. “I am meaning the epidemic could be er Chris Whitty, speaking along- the board in Greater Manchester”. The Labour leader, Sir Keir son yesterday postponed Street when asked about a sec- really, really sorry about that but growing again. side Johnson, said the govern- However, there was confusion fol- Starmer, said announcing the Pa planned easing of the ond surge. we simply cannot take the risk.” A separate survey also showed ment had probably reached the lowing Hancock’s morning inter- lockdown measures “late at night coronavirus lockdown in Eng- “Our assessment is that we As the world grapples with a infections were on the rise for limits of reopening. views about whether households on Twitter” was “a new low for the land after a rise in infections should now squeeze that brake possible second wave, Johnson the fi rst time since May. “We all know that what we in the aff ected areas would be al- government’s communications amplifi ed fears of a second dead- pedal in order to keep the virus said the virus was gathering pace “Evidence from Europe im- have to try and do is to get to lowed to visit people’s homes out- during this crisis”. ly surge in Covid-19 cases. under control.” in Asia and Latin America while plies that we should take the ap- the absolute edge of what we side the restricted zone. Jason McCartney, the Tory MP Just hours after the govern- Britain’s death toll from Cov- continental Europe was strug- parent increase seriously, as act- can do in terms of opening up The offi cial guidance suggests for Colne Valley in West Yorkshire, ment imposed tougher measures id-19 is over 55,000 when deaths gling to keep it under control. ing too late can make lockdowns society and the economy with- this would be illegal but Han- said he expressed “surprise and on swathes of northern England, from suspected cases are includ- The virus, which fi rst emerged longer and increase mortality,” out getting to the point where cock initially suggested it would disappointment” with the gov- Johnson announced that casi- ed, and it has the highest “excess in China, has already killed at said Daniel Lawson, lecturer in the virus starts to take off be allowed as long as people ad- ernment and Dido Harding, the nos, bowling alleys and skat- death” rate in Europe. least 670,000 people and bat- statistical science at the Univer- again,” he said. hered to social distancing, telling executive in charge of the NHS ing rinks, due to reopen today, The abrupt halt to the unwind tered the global economy. sity of Bristol. “We have probably reached BBC Breakfast: “Strictly, the law test-and-trace system, that his would remain shut for at least and the imposition of stricter Britain reported 846 new cas- “The UK is clearly close to the near the limits, or the limits, that we’re bringing in is that two constituency was included in the two more weeks. restrictions on more than 4mn es on Thursday, the highest daily tipping point in which the infec- of what we can do in terms of households cannot meet in the new restrictions. Wedding receptions would people were the biggest reversal number in over a month. tion grows... We should be pre- opening up society.”

Beaches packed despite Top court to rule if social distancing plea

Guardian News and Media es down or to to ask people to Begum can return leave. London One sun-seeker, 18-year- Guardian News and Media At a remote hearing yesterday, tance”, which was “perhaps the old Lizzie Jones from Port- London the court of appeal granted the central democratic issue of our ens of thousands of peo- smouth, who was on the beach Home Offi ce permission to ap- times”. He added: “This cannot ple descended on beach- with a dozen friends, said she peal against its ruling at the Su- be assumed to be unique or even, Tes on the south coast of felt perfectly safe and didn’t he UK’s highest court is to preme Court. given the number of people who England on the hottest day of feel she was putting anyone at consider whether Shami- The judge also granted per- have aligned in this way, to be a the year, prompting some lo- risk.“We’re out here in the fresh Tma Begum, who left Lon- mission for Begum’s lawyers to highly unusual case.” cal authorities to plead with air. People are a bit close but I don as a schoolgirl to join Islamic challenge the court of appeal’s Sir James said Begum was “in people to stay away so that so- don’t think there’s much of a State in 2015, should be allowed decision that the absence of a fair precisely the category that caus- cial distancing could be main- danger.” back into the UK to fi ght the and eff ective appeal did not mean es real concern”. He submitted tained. Some car parks were full, stripping of her British citizen- her British citizenship should be that, while there may be “some While the many parts of the prompting scores of people to ship. restored, subject to the Supreme potential for sympathy in light of north of England were facing abandon vehicles illegally. Begum, 20, fl ed to Syria as a Court accepting that part of the the age she was when she left the a fresh lockdown, stretches of A digital sign informed people child to assist Isis. She lived un- case. jurisdiction...she did leave the beaches at Bournemouth, Poole that the beach was “too busy”. der Isis rule for more than three Sir James Eadie QC, for the jurisdiction with the intention and Brighton were packed. A new app produced by the lo- years before she was found, nine Home Offi ce, earlier said there of, and then did align with vio- At Bournemouth, where a cal authority, Bournemouth, months pregnant, in a Syrian ref- was “a big issue at stake”, namely lent extremists in Syria”. major incident was declared last Christchurch and Poole coun- ugee camp in February last year. “what principles and approach Begum was one of three month because the beach was so cil, urged people to avoid long She had already lost two chil- should govern a case in which schoolgirls from Bethnal Green busy, the council asked people stretches of the beaches with dren and the third died shortly someone at present cannot have Academy who left their homes to steer clear of some areas be- the message: “Avoid, safe social after being born. a fair and eff ective hearing in and families to join Isis, shortly cause physical distancing was distancing not possible.” The then-home secretary, a deprivation appeal, but they after Sharmeena Begum trav- not possible. Tom, who was on the beach Sajid Javid, revoked her British cannot do so because they have elled to Syria in December Despite the warnings, groups with a group of school and col- citizenship on national security placed themselves, not as a result 2014. Kadiza Sultana and Amira of up to 50 teenagers, and men lege friends aged 17 and 18 who grounds later that month. of any of the secretary of state’s Abase, then 16 and 15 respec- and women in their early 20s had travelled to Bournemouth Earlier this month, the court actions, (but) where that is the tively, and Begum boarded a gathered. on the train from Southampton, of appeal ruled that the only way result of going abroad and align- fl ight from Gatwick Airport to Security guards removed said: “It feels safe to me. I don’t Begum could have a fair and ef- ing with terrorist groups”. Istanbul, Turkey, on February 17, some men who were drinking know anyone who has had coro- fective appeal was if she was per- Sir James said it was “an issue 2015, before making their way to People enjoy the sunny weather at the Bournemouth Beach under the pier but no attempts navirus. Until I do I don’t think mitted to come to the UK. of real pressing public impor- Raqqa in Syria. yesterday. were made to close the beach- it will feel real to me.” Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 7 EUROPE

Dutch court casts doubt Corona curbs on Polish judiciary in Kremlin demands drug smuggling case A Dutch court cast doubt on the independence of Poland’s legal system yesterday in a request release of Russians for a ruling from the top European Union tribunal over the possible extradition of a suspected Polish drug traff icker. Polish rule of law has become an increasing matter of held in Belarus dispute within the EU, as critics say the ruling nationalist government has undue influence over judicial appointments. The International AFP this incident will be explained by Chamber of Amsterdam’s District Court said it Moscow our Belarusian allies and that the did not believe Polish courts were independent citizens will be released,” Kremlin of government and it would not extradite the spokesman Dmitry Peskov told suspect until the EU Court of Justice told it he Kremlin yesterday asked reporters. to. In April, the EU executive opened a case ex-Soviet ally Belarus to He added that the “ground- against Poland’s government over muzzling Trelease 33 Russian men de- less detention of Russian citizens judges. That came after Poland had passed a tained in Minsk over an alleged does not quite fi t the parameters new law making it possible to punish judges plot to organise riots ahead of of allied relations”. Belarus inves- who criticise the system. These developments next month’s presidential elec- tigators said the men were work- harm the independence of the Polish judiciary tions. Belarusian security serv- ing with prominent opposition so much that it cannot operate independently ices on Wednesday arrested the critics Sergei Tikhanovsky and of the Polish government and parliament,” group of Russians, saying they Mikola Statkevich who were both the Dutch court said in a statement. Warsaw is were mercenaries on a mission jailed and barred from contesting seeking the extradition of a 32-year-old Polish to destabilise the country in the the ballot. man arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion run-up to the August 9 polls. Peskov yesterday confi rmed of smuggling 200kg of marijuana and other Belarus’s KGB security serv- the Russian men were “employ- drugs into Poland. The court did not release ice said the men were members ees of a private security compa- his name, following Dutch privacy law. Poland’s of the Wagner group, a notorious ny” who were staying temporarily government, led by the Law and Justice private military fi rm reportedly in Belarus before travelling on- (PiS) party, says that its reforms have been controlled by an ally of Russian wards to Istanbul. “They missed Tourists leave the train at Zandvoort station, in Zandvoort, The Netherlands, yesterday. The NS (Dutch Railways) has urged necessary to remove a residue of communist President Vladimir Putin. “We their plane,” he said. “They had people to stop taking the train to go to the beach in its bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. influence from the judicial system and to make hope that in the very near future tickets to Istanbul.” courts more eff icient and fair.

German minister Record economic slumps hit Europe promises support for towns hit by US Nation after nation across second quarter, with GDP the aff ected areas are banned Europe yesterday unveiled down 12.1% in the eurozone from meeting indoors. troop pull out the extent of historic and 11.9% across the Union They apply to some 4mn Spain dives into economic devastation as bloc. “It is a shocking drop, but people across Greater German Defence Minister resurgent coronavirus completely understandable Manchester and parts of the Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer cases forced agonising new as the economy was shut for a counties of Lancashire and yesterday promised support to trade-off s between lives and considerable period during the Yorkshire — areas which have towns aff ected by the planned financial health. Six months quarter,” said Bert Colijn, senior a sizeable Muslim population. withdrawal of close to 12,000 after the World Health economist at ING Bank. “We take this action with a US troops. “Regarding the Organisation (WHO) declared Airline conglomerate IAG, heavy heart, but we can see unfortunate withdrawal plans deep recession a global emergency, the novel the owner of British Airways, increasing rates of Covid of the US troops, I will invite the coronavirus has infected more yesterday posted a first-half across Europe and are state premiers of the aff ected Reuters „Coronavirus lockdown paralysed than 17mn people and wreaked net loss of €3.8bn ($4.5bn), determined to do whatever is states at the beginning of the Madrid global economic mayhem. UK bank NatWest slid into the necessary to keep people safe,” session after the summer to economy France’s economy contracted red while Dutch airline KLM British Health Secretary Matt discuss how the...(German „Tourism problems cast doubt on swift by a record 13.8% in the and truck makers Scania said Hancock said on Twitter. army) can support the aff ected he coronavirus crisis has second quarter, Spain went they were each shedding Sweden, whose controversial regions,” Kramp-Karrenbauer pulverised Spain’s econ- recovery into recession after its gross 5,000 jobs. Britain yesterday softer approach to curbing said. Kramp-Karrenbauer also Tomy, triggering its worst „“It’s a war economy,” one hotelier says domestic product slumped enforced new lockdown rules coronavirus has received stressed that she wanted to see recession since the civil war, 18.5%, Portugal’s economy in Manchester and nearby worldwide attention, said it Europe do more to ensure its with collapsed tourism numbers contracted 14.1%, and Italy’s parts of northern England in an would encourage people to own security. “The truth is that boding ill for hopes of a swift GDP plunged 12.4%. ill-timed announcement on the keep working from home into good life in Germany and Europe rebound. Hit by one of Europe’s Europe as a whole was eve of the Eid al-Adha festival. next year where possible, as increasingly depends on how we worst outbreaks and strictest hammered by its sharpest Under the measures, people the country passed 80,000 ensure our own safety. I want us lockdowns, the economy came recorded contraction in the from diff erent households in recorded cases. to finally move forward faster with to a virtual halt in March and re- European security and defence mained paralysed until the end of policy,” the minister said. Germany June. would use its current term at the It shrank 18.5% in the second helm of the European Union’s quarter, a drop so harsh it wiped rotating presidency to pursue this out all the recovery achieved aim, she added. The minister’s since the 2008 global fi nancial comments came as the US crisis, fi gures from the National Africa Command headquarters, Statistics Institute showed yes- based in the southern German terday. “It’s a war economy,” said city of Stuttgart, said it was now one Mallorca hotelier, Lluis Rul- embarking on eff orts to relocate lan, who has only reopened one from Germany. “The command of his two establishments and will look first at options elsewhere was limiting costs and staff to a in Europe, but also will consider minimum due to scant visitors. options in the United States,” the The government had counted command said in a statement, on tourists from northern Eu- adding that it would take several rope and further afi eld driving a months to consider new locations. third quarter recovery, but quar- “We will ensure we continue antines and travel advisories have to support our host nation and dashed hopes as Spain battles African partners and our families with new localised outbreaks of and forces throughout,” said the Covid-19 disease. Rullan, who General Stephen Townsend, operates in Soller in northwest commander of the US Africa Mallorca, had planned for 60% Command. The command was occupancy for August but now ex- established in 2008 and has pects barely 20% for what should been headquartered in Stuttgart be the high summer season. since its inception. “We are After Britain required travel- very grateful to Germany for lers to Spain to quarantine on their partnership and serving return, Germany dealt another as host to Headquarters US blow yesterday, putting three An employee takes the temperature of a passenger before boarding People wearing protective masks walk through San Miguel market, amid the coronavirus disease Africa Command. International Spanish regions – including a ferry at Ibiza’s harbour, yesterday. outbreak, in Madrid, Spain. co-operation remains important Catalonia, home to Barcelona – to addressing mutual security on its list of high-risk areas. “Not The government has forecast riencing a second wave of the reopening began in May, private civil war hit harder. strong demand for food. A stim- challenges, especially in Africa,” only has the Spanish economy contraction of 9.2% in 2020 as a coronavirus and recent increases spending and investment plum- The third quarter will now be ulus package and health meas- said Townsend. The planned been one of the worst hit in the whole, surpassing the fall dur- are still far from the peak. But meted in the second quarter, in- weaker than expected, said Ray- ures also helped boost public withdrawal of 11,900 US troops eurozone by the pandemic, it also ing Spain’s 2008-2013 fi nancial Alex Lazarowicz, a British artisan fl icting a much greater blow on mond Torres, chief economist spending. from three German bases, looks set to make a much weaker crisis, but expects 6.8% growth brewer in Barcelona, whose busi- Spain’s economy than European of thinktank Funcas, forecasting “Let’s be positive, fi ght and including Stuttgart, announced recovery than its neighbours,” in 2021. “I fear something worse ness has suff ered from the local counterparts including Germany, that Spain might manage to rake think that if everybody pushes, earlier this week will hit local said analysts at Capital Econom- because in the previous crisis we resurgence in cases, said things France and Italy, the data showed. in from tourist income for the we will get Spain out of this,” said economies hard. The costly ics. had health and now we don’t,” were not improving: “Everything The second-quarter contraction whole year what it usually gets retail shops owner Inigo Crespo, reorganisation by the Trump Spain normally received about said pensioner Amelia Martin, is empty. People no longer go in- came after a 5.2% drop in the fi rst in the third quarter alone. Some who had to close one shop after administration, the details 80mn visitors annually and has walking in Madrid with a mask side the bar.” three months, at that stage the sectors, though, recorded posi- the lockdown started and is un- of which have been awaited depended on tourism for about on. With the economy hibernat- worst quarter in modern records. tive data in the second quarter, sure if can keep his other busi- for weeks, has been met with 12% of economic output. Spain insists it is not expe- ing and most shops closed until Historians say only the 1936-39 such as agriculture, driven by nesses running. criticism in the US and Germany.

Health warnings as Western Europe swelters under heatwave

AFP Fourteen Italian cities were from around the world. It was the mask requirements in several cit- border, as temperatures in the Paris placed on high alert, while France latest of several that broke out in ies this week, with many making southern Netherlands jumped to issued warnings for around one- southern and central France this them mandatory outdoors as well 35C after a spell of cooler weath- third of the country’s 101 depart- week, kicking off the annual refi as in enclosed public spaces. er. Britain’s national weather wathes of Western Europe ments. Paris offi cials imposed season which offi cials warn could In the Netherlands, beachgo- service said it was the hottest day wilted under intense heat driving restrictions to limit be worsened by the drought and ers were told to avoid the coastal of the year so far, with thermom- Syesterday, with socially- ozone pollution as tens of thou- dry heat. “The heatwave requires resort of Zandvoort near Amster- eters climbing to 35 degrees at distanced crowds seeking relief sands of vacationers prepared to the state to be vigilant, and eve- dam, with public safety authori- London’s Heathrow Airport. in fountains and pools as au- fl ee to cooler climes, according to ryone to be cautious,” French ties saying it was too crowded to Many in the capital packed thorities warned of health and the nation’s traffi c surveillance Prime Minister Jean Castex said maintain coronavirus social dis- onto trains heading for Brighton wildfi re risks. From Britain to agency. while visiting fi refi ghters in tancing. on the southern coast, while the Italy, temperatures nearing 40C Earlier Friday, a dramatic Bourg-en-Bresse, southeastern “There are much quieter Met Offi ce said lower tempera- or more made face masks almost wildfi re fanned by high winds on France. beaches on our coast and on tures would return this weekend. unbearable for many, as more France’s southwestern Atlantic Offi cials also urged families other waters, I advise you to look Austria and Bulgaria also report- cities begin requiring them out- coast was brought under control and neighbours to check in on the for them,” the regional safety ed their hottest day yet this year, doors to prevent surges in Cov- after it destroyed nearly a dozen elderly, and retirement homes authority chairperson Marianne with Vienna topping 37 degrees Tourists cool off outside a restaurant in Rome, Italy. id-19 cases. homes and forced around 100 were on high alert since air-con- Schuurmans was quoted as say- before a summer storm brought “Even in this stifl ing heat, it’s people to evacuate. ditioners are being discouraged ing by Dutch media. some relief. Madrid reporting 38 degrees were in high demand despite face better to put up with 38 degrees The blaze erupted late Thurs- over fears they could foster coro- Long queues of cyclists also The Spanish weather serv- while several other cities in the mask requirements, while Span- than catch the coronavirus,” said day in the Chiberta forest park navirus contagions. An increase formed to take the ferry to Sch- ice said most of the country was interior saw 40 degrees or more. ish beaches could see smaller Daniela Iannelli, a 55-year-old at Anglet, whose beaches just in Covid-19 cases prompted iermonnikoog, one of the West scorching under an air mass As the traditional August holi- crowds as the coronavirus crisis municipal employee in Rome. north of Biarritz draw surfers French offi cials to tighten face Frisian islands near the German moving north from Africa, with days approach, swimming pools bites into tourism. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, August 1, 2020 INDIA

TRAGEDY PEOPLE LAW AND ORDER COMMENT OPINION Nine people die after Sonia showing ‘satisfactory Mehbooba Mufti’s detention Kerala passing through Govt curbs on TV import drinking hand-sanitiser improvement’, says hospital extended by three months worst crisis: minister ‘to boost local output’

Nine people died in a town in Andhra Pradesh Congress’ interim president Sonia Gandhi, who The Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said the state The government’s surprise move to restrict after drinking alcohol-based hand sanitiser, police was admitted to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in extended the detention of former chief minister is passing through the worst ever crisis period as far imports of TVs, announced on Thursday, will boost said yesterday. The group lost consciousness after New Delhi is showing “satisfactory improvement”, Mehbooba Mufti under the Public Safety Act as the finances are concerned. Issac said that in the local manufacturing, strengthening Prime Minister consuming a “high quantity” of hand sanitiser her health bulletin stated yesterday. “Sonia Gandhi (PSA) for another three months. An order issued past revenues falling by 10-20% in a budget year was Narendra Modi’s flagship ‘Make in India’ drive, mixed with water or soda, Siddharth Kaushal, police was admitted on Thursday evening at 7pm to the by principal secretary, home, Shaleen Kabra, natural. “The situation today is such that the revenues an industry body said. The trade ministry issued superintendent for Kurichedu town in Andhra Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Her investigations are said that in order to prevent her from acting estimated in the budget has fallen by as much as a notice late Thursday saying it would restrict Pradesh said. They were rushed to hospital but being carried out and she is showing satisfactory in any manner prejudicial to maintenance of 50% and hence the finances are precariously placed. inbound shipments of TVs by requiring importers declared dead on arrival, he said. The group turned improvement,” said Dr D S Rana, chairman of public order, the government directs that the People do not have any cash flow. We cannot cut to get a special licence. It gave few details but to hand sanitiser “as a substitute” for alcohol after the hospital’s board of management. Sonia was period of detention of Mehbooba Mufti under expenses in the health and basic infrastructure,” the regulation is expected to become eff ective supplies were cut off when authorities ordered a admitted to the hospital for “routine tests and the PSA be extended for a further period of three said Issac. The minister said he expects the Centre soon, creating barriers for companies such as lockdown of the town to combat the coronavirus, investigations”, Rana had said on Thursday, terming months and she may be lodged in subsidiary jail, to sanction the nearly Rs60bn which they ought South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and China’s he added. An investigation into the nine deaths has her condition “stable.” On Thursday, she had chaired Fairview, on Gupkar Road in Srinagar. Fairview, to give. “Even though the borrowing powers of the Xiaomi. Both companies import some high-end been launched, he said. Hundreds of poor people a meeting of the party Rajya Sabha MPs which which was Mehbooba Mufti’s off icial residence as state government has been increased, it has come models, although they make the bulk of their TVs die every year in India due to alcohol poisoning, went on for more than three hours as she heard chief minister, has been declared as a subsidiary with lots of conditions and we are in the process of for the Indian market locally through contract mostly from consuming cheap hooch. each participant on the current political issues. jail and she has been lodged there. fulfilling all those conditions,” added Issac. manufacturers. ED fi les money laundering charges in Sushant case

IANS Front India For World, in which New Delhi her brother Showik is a director, the source added. Sushant’s father fi led charges n a major development, the against Chakraborty in Patna, enforcement directorate (ED) accusing her of cheating and Ihas fi led a money launder- threatening his son. ing case over transactions worth Sushant and Chakraborty Rs150mn related to the alleged were in a relationship before the suicide of Bollywood actor Su- actor’s death. shant Singh Rajput. Sushant’s father has lev- A worker wearing protective gear checks the temperature of a traveller at Dadar railway station, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease in Mumbai, yesterday. An ED offi cial said it has reg- elled various allegations against istered a criminal case under the Chakraborty, including that she Prevention of Money Launder- took money from his son and ing Act (PMLA), 2002. also threatened to disclose his The development comes amid medical reports to the media. the complaint of K K Singh, fa- Sushant’s family has also ac- ther of Sushant Singh Rajput, to cused her of keeping him away the Bihar Police against actress from his family. International fl ights to stay Rhea Chakraborty. Sushant’s fi rst cousin and The ED has named former BJP MLA from Bihar’s Chakraborty and her family Chhatapur, Neeraj Kumar members in the case on the basis Singh, said the charges had of the Bihar Police charge-sheet. been fi led after the family over- The offi cial said in the coming came the shock of the untimely days the agency will summon a and sudden demise of the young suspended till August 31 number of people for question- actor, and after various facts ing in the case. emerged. IANS fl ights and other fl ights spe- stranded passengers while other Shivaji Maharaj International Earlier it was announced Earlier, a meeting was held Meanwhile, it was claimed New Delhi cially approved by the direc- charters have uplifted 4,86,811 Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai that the suspension of domes- at Bihar DGP Gupteshwat Pan- that the Bihar Police team in torate general of civil aviation stranded passengers during the facilitated the movement of 21 tic fl ight operations to Kolkata dey’s office in Patna on the in- Mumbai to investigate the case (DGCA). period from May 6 to July 30, fl ights between July 22 and July from six major cities has been vestigation being conducted by is not getting any support from he central government Passenger air services were 2020,” it added. 31 under the bilateral air bubble extended till August 15. the Bihar Police team in Mum- their Mumbai counterparts. yesterday extended the suspended on March 25 due to According to the statement, agreements with the US, Ger- Accordingly, fl ight services bai. Due to their limited resources, Tsuspension on scheduled the nationwide lockdown to to allow gradual movement of many and France. to West Bengal’s capital from A four-member team of the the Bihar police is searching for commercial international fl ight check the spread of Covid-19. passenger traffi c during the “CSMIA catered to a total of Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Bihar Police is in Mumbai in all the people linked to the case operations to and from India till Domestic fl ight services, Covid-19 situation, ‘transport 3,059 passengers which include Chennai, and Ahmedabad will connection with the case. and interrogating them on their August 31. however, resumed from May 25. bubble’ agreements have been 1,185 from US, 660 from France be suspended till this date. The ED yesterday sought de- own. “The government has de- “It may be noted that during signed with the US, France, and and 1,214 from Germany,” the These fl ights were earlier tails of the charge-sheet regis- According to a top source at cided to extend the suspension the suspension period due to Germany. airport said in a statement. suspended till July 31. tered against Chakraborty by the the police headquarters in Patna, on the scheduled international the Covid-19 situation in In- “Recently, a transport bubble “Under this arrangement, the In a letter to civil aviation Bihar Police and details of two the Bihar Police is awaiting a Su- commercial passenger services dia, more than 2,500 repatria- agreement was also signed with airport saw airlines such as Air secretary P S Kharola, West companies owned by Sushant preme Court decision in the case to or from India up to 23.59IST tion fl ights by foreign carriers to Kuwait to uplift stranded pas- India, Air France and Lufthansa Bengal’s additional chief sec- Singh Rajput and Chakraborty’s as Chakraborty has fi led a peti- of August 31. Specifi c notice to uplift stranded passengers to or senger both to and from India. operating on these routes. retary Alapan Bandyopadhyay family from the banks. tion in the top court to shift the airmen (NOTAM) has been is- from India have been approved,” More similar arrangements are The fi rst fl ight departed from said: “I am further directed to The ED has also sought details case fi led in Patna to Mumbai. sued accordingly,” an offi cial the statement said. likely to fructify and ease passen- Mumbai to Paris by Air France inform you that the suspension of the fi nancial transactions of Sources say the Bihar police statement said. “Under the ‘Vande Bharat ger movements from diff erent on July 22, while the fi rst fl ight of fl ights from the aforesaid cit- Vividrage Rhealityx, in which cannot take any action before The restriction, however, will Mission’, Air India and Air India countries,” the statement said. arrived from Frankfurt by Air ies to Kolkata will continue till Chakraborty is a director, and the Supreme Court order. not be applicable on all-cargo Express have uplifted 2,67,436 On its part, the Chhatrapati India on the July 23,” it added. August 15, 2020.”

Gehlot camp shifts Anniversary marked MLAs to Jaisalmer

IANS ly and mathematically the Ra- New Delhi jasthan Congress government is unbreakable and unshakable.” In the tussle within the party he Congress is going all and with the BJP the Rajasthan out to save its govern- chief minister has emerged as a Tment in Rajasthan. fi ghter. He is now being helped The legislators belonging by the central leadership. to the Gehlot camp have been The legal luminaries of the shifted to Jaisalmer to avoid party Abhishek Manu Singhvi any poaching attempts and to and Kapil Sibal have been at keep the fl ock together. the forefront of the legal fi ght But the reason why Chief in the Rajasthan high court and Minister Ashok Gehlot is able the Supreme Court. to hold the fort is the strong On the advice of the legal backing from the Congress team the Rajasthan Congress central leadership, with even chief whip moved the apex leaders like former Union min- court against the Rajasthan ister P Chidambaram pitch- high court directive. ing in to pacify sacked Deputy The party is also trying to Chief Minister Sachin Pilot. woo away many legislators in Responding to a question the Pilot camp and their family Chidambaram said that he did members are being persuaded speak to Pilot earlier but for to ask them to return to the the last two weeks he hasn’t party fold, said sources. Former spoken to him. law ministers in the UPA regime “The sole objective of the at the Centre has written to the central leadership is that the Rajasthan governor. Congress government strongly The letter signed by Kapil serves the people of Rajasthan for Sibal, Salman Khurshid and the next fi ve years” said Congress Ashwani Kumar said that “the spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill. delay in convening the spe- The challenge for the Con- cial session of the Rajasthan gress is to keep the pressure on Vidhan Sabha as decided and the Pilot camp till the assem- advised by the council of min- bly convenes and the Congress isters has resulted in an avoid- goes for the fl oor test. able constitutional impasse.” The Congress is wary of los- The Congress even attacked ing a second elected govern- the governor for delaying the People wash a statue of Sikh independence activist Shaheed Udam Singh ment after Madhya Pradesh assembly session and said the with milk during the 80th martyrdom anniversary in Amritsar yesterday. where the party’s complacency governor is behaving like the Singh on March 13, 1940, assassinated Sir Michael O’Dwyer, ex-lieutenant cost them the government. timekeeper of ‘Operation Lo- governor of Punjab, at a public meeting at Caxton Hall, London, and was Congress spokesperson tus’ rather than the gatekeeper sentenced to death after a brief two-day trial. Shergill said, “Legally, political- of the Constitution. Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 9

PAKISTAN Court to take up Jadhav lawyer appointment plea on August 3

Internews ing chief justice Athar Minallah The petition has cited the sec- March 3, 2016, an offi cer of the this week laid the ICJ (Review to the Indian government after tions of April 24, 1963. Islamabad and justice Miangul Hassan Au- retary of the ministry of defence Indian navy, commander Jadhav and Reconsideration) Ordinance commander Jadhav twice de- In the petition, the law minis- rangzeb, the bench would hear and the judge advocate general at illegally entered Pakistan and 2020 before the National Assem- clined to take advantage of the try said commander Jadhav has the petition at 1.30pm on Mon- the General Headquarters as re- was arrested during an intelli- bly aimed at allowing Jadhav to law, saying that sympathetic refused to engage a lawyer for he Islamabad High Court day. spondents. gence operation from Mashkel in have consular access in line with consideration should be given himself and to fi le a petition for (IHC) has fi xed the hear- The registrar’s offi ce has in- Balochistan. the ICJ verdict. to his mercy petition pending review and reconsideration of ing of a petition fi led by timated the ministry of law and He confessed to his associa- The ordinance had been prom- with Chief of the Army Staff Gen his sentence and conviction and T The ministry is seeking the government for seeking per- justice and the additional attor- tion with the Indian intelligence ulgated by the government in Qamar Javed Bajwa. he “does not have independent appointment of state May. Section 2 of the ordinance means nor does he possesses the mission to appoint counsel for ney general. counsel for Jadhav to agency, Research and Analysis Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav The ministry is seeking ap- implement the verdict of Wing, and involvement in espio- Under the ordinance, Pakistan empowers the high court to capability to engage and instruct on August 3, the fi rst working day pointment of state counsel for the International Court of nage and terror activities in dif- invited India to move a review review and reconsider any ICJ a lawyer in Pakistan without as- after Eid al-Adha holidays. Jadhav to implement the verdict Justice (ICJ) regarding his ferent parts of Balochistan and and reconsideration petition be- decision in relation to a foreign sistance from his own country According to the supplemen- of the International Court of Jus- conviction Sindh and was awarded death fore the IHC against the convic- national in respect of rights i.e. India which is avoiding the tary list of cases fi xed before the tice (ICJ) regarding his convic- sentence by a military court. tion of Jadhav by a military court. under Article 36 of the Vienna remedy made available by the IHC division bench compris- tion. According to the petition, on The Pakistani government The invitation was extended Convention of Consular Rela- federation under the ordinance”. Probe ordered Hand makeover into death of animals at Marghazar Zoo

Internews and considers it intolerable and Islamabad inhumane,” Saleem said. He added that the inquiry committee has been tasked with he adviser to the prime determining who is responsible minister on climate change, for the deaths of the animals and TMalik Amin Aslam, has proposing disciplinary action formed an inquiry committee to against them. investigate the deaths of animals In a statement, the World at the Marghazar Zoo. Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan A lioness died upon arrival at a condemned the mistreatment of lion breeding sanctuary two days the lions at the zoo and expressed ago, after which the lion, which “grave” concerns over videos was also seriously ill, too died, a circulating on social media. senior offi cial from the ministry “It is absolutely abhorrent and of climate change said. unacceptable to treat any animal The animals died on the way to this way. WWF-Pakistan has ex- the sanctuary in Kasur. pressed its disappointment to the A video shows handlers at the IWMB and hopes that those who A beautician (right) applies Henna on the hands of a customer at a beauty salon in Rawalpindi. Islamabad zoo poking the lion are responsible will be brought to with sticks to force it out of its justice for this repulsive act. In the enclosure, and when that failed wake of this incident, as a protest, the handlers lit fi res to smoke it WWF-Pakistan has also stepped out into special fabricated cages. down from the board of the IWMB, Ministry offi cials said it was of which it has been a member for ill-advised to move animals dur- several years,” the statement said. ing extreme weather conditions. It added that WWF-Pakistan They said the stress of the is aware that there are risks when journey was compounded by the moving a wild animal from one Khan rejects opposition off er extreme weather and suff ocation facility to another, but there from the fi re, killing both lions. “is absolutely no excuse for the Ostriches, a hog deer and treatment of an animal as seen in pheasants have also died while the videos.” being moved to sanctuaries. WWF-Pakistan has advo- on FATF legislation support “A high-level inquiry com- cated for many years that there mittee, to be chaired by the ad- is an immediate need for rules ditional secretary of the climate and regulations for zoos in Pa- Internews dles with every legislation but the of concession. “The opposition Javed wrote on Twitter. “This is minister on accountability and change ministry, Joudat Ayaz, kistan, whether these are private Islamabad government will not bow down to wants to bargain for personal in- the same NRO that Prime Minis- interior aff airs, Shahzad Akbar, will look into the cause of the or public, so that the well-being their blackmailing and will con- terests. It is not possible that they ter Imran Khan talks about and yet said when the opposition parties recent deaths of zoo animals, in- of animals is ensured and inci- tinue to give them a tough time. have us close the jails and facilitate they ask, which NRO? were asked to join negotiations cluding lions, ostriches and oth- dents like this are not repeated, rime Minister Imran Khan “The opposition will not be giv- them with NROs. After Eid, the “The opposition’s proposed on these laws, they agreed, saying er animals,” the ministry’s media it said, adding that although the has said that legislation re- en an NRO at any cost,” PM Imran opposition’s bubble will burst,” amendments to the NAB laws are they would talk about the FATF focal person and deputy director, WWF recognises the scientifi c Plated to fulfi lling require- said, directing lawmakers to give a the minister said. akin to having jails for the com- legislation only when there were Mohamed Saleem, said. and research benefi ts of keeping ments laid out by the Financial tough time to the opposition. Faraz said the focus of the PTI- mon person and freedom for amendments in the NAB’s rules, The Islamabad High Court has animals in captivity, it strongly Action Task Force (FATF) was The prime minister added led government was on the real them,” the PTI senator stressed, or the NAB Ordinance 1999. assigned the Islamabad Wildlife advocates in-situ conservation necessary in national interest and that the government would have problems of the people. He said referring to the draft legislation on “We acted on the demands of Management Board the respon- for the well-being of animals. no National Reconciliation Or- passed all the bills in a joint sitting the “rule of merit” is the hallmark Pakistan’s anti-graft watchdog, the opposition who had remained sibility of safely moving zoo ani- The statement added that dinance (NRO) — a term used to of the two houses of parliament of the incumbent government. the National Accountability Bu- in the government for 10 years,” he mals to wildlife sanctuaries. WWF-Pakistan has off ered sup- describe concessions from legal had the opposition not extended Earlier, PTI senator Faisal Javed reau (NAB). noted. “If they were unable to leg- “It has been brought to the port to improve the condition of prosecution — would be given in its co-operation in this regard. Khan said the opposition was only The Opposition “wants free- islate in 10 years, how can we do notice of the ministry that the zoos in the country and has lob- return for it. Federal Minister for Informa- using the legislation pertaining to dom to engage in corruption and the same in 10 hours?” deaths have occurred due to poor bied for zoo standards and legis- The prime minister’s remarks tion Shibli Faraz said the oppo- FATF as a bargaining chip to seek money-laundering”, he added. The foreign minister had added practices while shifting of ani- lation, promoting co-operation came during a meeting of the PTI sition parties wanted to “wheel relief from legal prosecution. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister that he was not painting any pic- mals and inadequate feeding ar- and capacity building for an parliamentary party. and deal” for their personal in- “There’s a deadline to legislate Shah Mehmood Qureshi while tures but that it was the opposi- rangements. The ministry is se- overall improved environment The premier alleged that the terests and the culprits, at any the FATF laws but the opposition addressing a press conference tion parties that were portraying riously concerned with the issue for the animals. opposition has tried to create hur- cost, would not be given any sort has demanded an NRO in return,” alongside the adviser to the prime the matter as something else.

Capturing the moment Half the country’s population Ban on polythene ‘to live in cities by 2025’ bags ordered

Internews lation than some other regional Vice Admiral (retd) Syed Ari- Internews that the government has been Karachi countries and said better urban fullah Husseini observed that Peshawar quite successful in curbing the development with an eye on the the Covid-19 pandemic has em- widespread spread of the Cov- future and inter-departmental phasised the necessity for urban id-19 through eff ective measures he convener of the central co-ordination amongst provincial planning even more and the need he Chief Minister of Khyber and public support, but added “we standing committee on and local governments can help to build smaller cities across the Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood cannot aff ord to be negligent in Turban development of the encourage smart planning and ef- country to ease the pressure on TKhan, has ordered a com- this regard.” Federation of Pakistan Cham- fi cient distribution of important existing infrastructure. This has plete ban on the use of polythene Mahmood Khan directed to re- bers of Commerce and Industry resources. It could also help pre- become necessary to guaran- bags across the province and strict opening of the revenue court to (FPCCI), Obaid Saleem Patel, has vent leakages and losses and help tee provision of basic facilities implementation of the order by all focus on public welfare activities pointed out that by 2025, half the build a conducive environment for like health and education to the district administrations. largely aff ected by the pandemic, country’s population is predicted cities and businesses to effi ciently populace. Besides the per sq feet He added that there is no room especially to address the issues to be living in cities. contribute to the national excheq- to number of persons living ratio for further relaxation or conces- facing the people related to fi nan- He said this steeply rising ur- uer thereby resulting in higher tax can thus be drastically improved sion in this regard. cial matters and ensuring strict banisation trend in Pakistan will revenues for the government. and large businesses can expand Khan issued these directives implementation on the govern- increase pressure on the already FPCCI vice president Sheikh outwards into smaller industrial while chairing a meeting of the ment issued SOPs. fragile state of aff airs of Pakistani Sultan Rehman acknowledged hubs and the country can be- provincial cabinet at the civil sec- The chief minister directed the cities, by compounding the ex- the importance of proper plan- come a regional economic hub retariat Peshawar. cabinet members to ensure their isting acute housing shortage of ning and systematic development and increase its GDP, Husseini Provincial ministers, advisers, participation in the session of the nearly 10mn units, further bur- of Pakistani cities for the business said. special assistants the chief secre- provincial assembly. dening basic utilities’ demand like community and expressed hope The committee laid emphasis tary and administrative secretaries Khan also ordered an independ- electricity, that the committee’s recommen- on the need for closer liaison with attended the meeting. ent and transparent inquiry into an water and gas, putting pressure dations are paid heed to by the relevant authorities to make use of The meeting discussed six incident at Ayub Teaching Hospi- on the need for a robust and sub- government. He extended FPCCI’s the current government’s vision agenda items and 12 additional tal, Abbottabad, where diabetic sidised public transport in cities support in the matter. of vertical growth in cities to cater agenda items and made decisions. patients lost their eyesight. The catering to larger number of com- Members attending the meet- to swelling urban population, en- The chief minister directed the government will provide relief to muters, aff ordable and easily ac- ing highlighted the need to apply couraging renewable energy policy offi cials to take concrete steps the aff ected people, he added. cessible healthcare, education etc. international standards in town and green initiatives so that the to control food prices and curb The meeting was informed that Speaking at the fi rst meeting of planning and zoning to develop suggestions of the business com- stockpiling in the province. the police had formulated a secu- the committee, he pointed out that Pakistani cities along modern lines munity regarding urban develop- He called upon the concerned rity plan, all arrangements have Pakistani cities were contributing to encourage foreign investment ment and economic growth could A woman takes a photograph of her family members among agencies to be active round-the- been made in the hospitals, and less to the GDP (55%) inspite of and tourism in the country, there- be deliberated upon for the future camels at a cattle market in Karachi. clock to inspect for cleanliness. the hospitals will remain open having a higher urbanised popu- by spurring economic growth. generations of urban Pakistan. The chief minister pointed out during the Eid al-Adha holidays. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, August 1, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Preventing a global Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan education disaster

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar By Kevin Watkins [email protected] London 44350478 (News), The beautiful thing about learn- 44466404 (Sport), ing,” the great blues guitarist BB 44466636 (Home delivery) King once wrote, “is that no one can take it away from you.” Born 44350474 “ and raised in poverty, King under- facebook.com/gulftimes stood the value of education as a force for change. If only political leaders twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar responding to the Covid-19 pandemic had an ounce of his insight. Covid-19 is now mutating into a global education emergency. Millions of children, especially the poorest and GULF TIMES young girls, stand to lose the learning opportunities that could transform their lives. Because education is so closely tied to future prosperity, job creation, and improved health, a To fi ght Covid-19, setback on this scale would undermine countries’ progress, reinforcing already extreme inequalities. Yet this the US needs a emergency has yet to register on the pandemic response agenda. Lockdowns have shut more than one billion children out of school. For an more detailed view estimated 500mn, that means receiving no education at all. A Save the Children survey in India found that two-thirds Americans have a good sense of how the Covid-19 pandemic is of children stopped all educational going in their country: very badly. Infections, hospitalisations and activity during lockdown. The danger deaths just keep rising. By Thursday, the case count was over 4mn, now is that a perfect storm of lost more than a quarter of the global total, and US deaths had climbed schooling, increased child poverty, Covid-19 is now mutating into a global education emergency. above 150,000. Per capita, the American death rate is the fourth and deep budget cuts will lead to highest in the world. unprecedented reversals in education. – and international aid – to health manoeuvre is now shrinking further source of fi nancing. The G20’s Debt Yet these statistics provide an imprecise picture. They suggest This is an emergency layered on a care and economic recovery. As a as recession bites and external-debt Service Suspension Initiative for things are bleak, but say almost nothing about how to make them pre-existing crisis. Even before the result, governments in low- and problems intensify. IDA members (the world’s 73 poorest pandemic, 258mn children were out of middle-income countries could end up Rich-country governments have countries) is a small step in the right better. For that, offi cials need to see where exactly outbreaks are school, and progress toward universal spending $77bn less than planned on responded to the Covid-19 crisis by direction. Unfortunately, private and occurring and whether the measures they’re taking to defeat education had stalled. Now, increased education over the next 18 months. tearing up their fi scal and monetary Chinese creditors, which account for Covid-19 – including mask-wearing, testing and treatment – are child poverty alone could result in So, what can be done to avert policy rulebooks and underwriting over half of these countries’ debt- working. The US needs to know more specifi cally which people are ten million children not returning to disaster? In its new global Save Our ambitious national recovery plans. service payments (about $25bn this being infected and where they’re picking up the coronavirus. school. Many of these children risk Education campaign, Save the Children They should be equally bold in year) have shown scant interest in The failure to collect such information can largely be blamed being forced into child labor or early has set out a three-part agenda for supporting education in developing participating. As a result, countries like on the Trump administration, which has demonstrated a marriage (in the case of adolescent recovery. countries. Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Ghana are reckless disregard for transparent recordkeeping, going so far girls). Meanwhile, already abysmal The fi rst priority is to keep learning More effective leveraging of currently spending two or three times as to undermine the role of the Centers for Disease Control and pre-pandemic learning levels, which alive during lockdowns. Governments multilateral development bank more on debt service than they do on left half of all children in developing should do all they can to reach children balance sheets is an obvious starting primary education. Prevention in gathering hospital data. From the start of the countries unable to read a simple through radio, TV, and remote- place. The Education Commission In effect, countries are meeting outbreak in the US, a well-functioning CDC would’ve gathered sentence by the end of primary school, learning initiatives. Countries such as has advocated establishing an short-term debt payments by eroding clear, uniform information about infections and the actions taken are set to worsen. Ethiopia, Uganda, and Burkina Faso International Finance Facility for long-term human capital. Allowing to address and prevent them. Pathbreaking research on the have developed ambitious national Education to provide loan guarantees, the claims of private creditors to Because this hasn’t impact of the 2005 earthquake in distance-learning programmes. They thus enabling the World Bank and rob children of their right to an happened, states have Kashmir, Pakistan captures the risk and others need more donor support to other institutions to borrow cheaply education is morally indefensible Hardly any concocted their own dissimilar to learning. Schools were closed for implement them at scale. on international markets and lend and economically ruinous. That is reporting systems, many of three months. When they reopened, Second, the pandemic creates an the funds to developing countries. why Save the Children has proposed states gather which are grossly inadequate. A attendance quickly recovered. opportunity to address the wider Every $1 of guarantees under this a mechanism through which debt learning crisis. Too many children scheme could unlock $4 of financing obligations can be converted into recent review found that many But four years later, children aged and publicise between three and 15 who lived are being taught at the wrong level, for education. This approach, which investments in children. states fail to promptly report closest to the fault line had lost the owing to schools’ rigid application would include rigorous debt- We can measure the health impact detailed daily statistics, and many equivalent of 1.5 years of learning. of poorly designed curricula. Every sustainability evaluations of recipient of Covid-19 on adults by tracking off er only raw case counts Imagining that outcome on a global child returning to school should countries, could mobilise resources infection rates and deaths, and we can statistics on without showing whether scale gives a sense of what is at stake. undergo a learning assessment aimed on a scale commensurate with the gauge its economic eff ects in terms rates of infection are rising Education empowers people, reduces at identifying those in need of support. crisis. Aid donors and the World Bank of lost GDP, higher unemployment, testing and or falling. Hardly any states poverty, and improves health, and Remedial teaching programs such as should support it. and rising public debt. The gather and publicise detailed the human capital that it generates those pioneered by organisations like To its credit, the Bank is front- education emergency is less visible to contact tracing statistics on testing and contact shapes the destiny of countries. Lost BRAC and Pratham can then prevent loading resources already allocated policymakers. But it will leave millions to the International Development of the world’s poorest children carrying tracing. Most do not show how education will erode that capital, these children from falling further eff ectively placing the 2030 Sustainable behind, thereby reducing the risk of Association, its concessional lending the scars of diminished opportunity many healthcare personnel are being infected. Not one reports Development Goals beyond reach. future dropout. arm. But an unprecedented crisis surely for the rest of their lives. We can – and test turnaround time – a growing problem in the US because of Governments should now be Third, increased international demands more than that. The Bank must – protect their future. - Project the overwhelming case counts – or how soon after a positive test investing to prevent that outcome. fi nancing is critical. Most of the world’s should establish a supplementary IDA Syndicate people are isolated. Unfortunately, education budgets poorest countries, especially in Africa, budget of at least $35bn and step up its Countries that report standard national data on the virus – are being hollowed out by recession entered the economic downturn with support for education. O Kevin Watkins is the CEO of Save including Germany and South Korea – have done a better job and the diversion of public spending limited fi scal space. That room for Debt relief is another potential the Children UK. of controlling the pandemic. And it’s no wonder: Public-health offi cials need to see where infections are occurring and what works to control them. Detailed data also helps them to see whether things that seem true really are – that outdoor gatherings are relatively safe, for example, or that most infections come from friends and family members. Pandemic policy must be climate policy That leaves the question of exactly what data states should be providing. One group of experts – Resolve to Save Lives, a nonprofi t that receives funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies By Renzo Guinto where social-distancing protocols pandemic “normal,” so will emissions. “new normal” be one that protects the – has compiled a useful list. It includes much data that states Calamba are virtually impossible to maintain. Sustaining lockdowns – which planet and all its people. could report almost immediately, including per-capita case rates Distancing rules have complicated the disproportionately hurt the poorest and Because both the pandemic and by date, the share of infections that can be traced to other cases, rescue of some 200,000 people who most vulnerable – is not the answer. climate change are global challenges, hile the world focuses are at risk from fl ooding or landslides. A pandemic paralyses economies, with no regard for political borders, rates of testing per capita, the share of tests coming up positive, on the Covid-19 crisis, The number of people in need of aid exacerbates inequality, and ends (or international co-operation is essential. hospitalisation rates, outbreaks in big facilities (such as nursing climate change continues – already signifi cant during lockdown upends) people’s lives. It must not The United Nations Climate Change homes, prisons and meatpacking plants), and death rates. Other to advance. The conse- – has increased substantially. And be viewed as a chance for the planet Conference (COP26) that was supposed data might take a bit longer to gather – including test turnaround W quences are devastating and becoming already resource-constrained hospitals to “breathe,” or an environmental to take place in Scotland this November time, the share of infected people who are interviewed for contact more so – and that includes for the are expected to be overwhelmed further blessing in disguise. It certainly isn’t was postponed to 2021. But this should tracing, and the percentage of people who wear masks on public pandemic response itself. by a surge of patients with infectious an automatic route to healthy and not be allowed to impede progress. transit and in stores or other indoor public places. There is no doubt that natural diseases that are likely to proliferate equitable decarbonisation. Instead, the delay should be regarded All such records should be broken down by age, sex, race and disasters are increasing in frequency as climate change progresses, such as But this does not mean that the as an opportunity for leaders to do their ethnicity. They should include numbers of patients who have and intensity as a result of climate dengue and leptospirosis. pandemic cannot spur progress. homework and lay the groundwork To be sure, Covid-19 has, to some Securing a healthier, more sustainable, for a conference that places health recovered. And they should be published in a standardised manner change. This year alone, Australia grappled with its most destructive extent, curbed humanity’s impact on and more equitable future – unmarred considerations at the center of climate that the public can readily understand. Finding measures to bushfi res on record. East African the environment. During the last three by ever-more health crises and negotiations. The 2015 Paris climate publicise recoveries could help fi ll out the picture, underscoring countries have been battling the worst months, private cars stayed parked, other disasters – can be achieved agreement mentioned the word that the pandemic is navigable. outbreak of desert locusts in decades. factories curtailed operations, and only with gradual, intentional, and “health” only once – in the preamble. Ideally, the CDC would collect these statistics and provide a The Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, power plants stopped burning coal. As planned decarbonisation and inclusive COP26 must give rise to an even more national dashboard of Covid-19 data, always up to date. Perhaps and Tonga were hit by a category 5 a result, carbon dioxide emissions have resilience-building. Here, the Covid-19 ambitious plan combining climate and that will be possible in 2021, if the CDC gets new leadership. In the tropical cyclone. Europe has blistered fallen dramatically – even returning recovery plans and economic- health imperatives. meantime, states that want to heal their economies by suppressing under a record-breaking heat wave. to 2010 levels. Urban air pollution has stimulus packages being proposed “Flatten the curve” was the mantra of Covid-19 should collect this essential information and make it My country, the Philippines, has faced dissipated, with many reveling in the by governments, businesses, and the early Covid-19 response. To avoid international organisations are a good overwhelming health-care systems public on their own. - Tribune News Service intense fl ooding, and typhoon season is return of blue skies over chronically far from over. smoggy megacities, and in reports of place to start. and buy time to increase their capacity, Such hazards, scientists warn, are wild animals wandering through empty The pandemic has revealed how populations needed to take action likely to intersect with the Covid-19 city streets. woefully unprepared our health systems to slow the spread of the virus. We To Advertise outbreak and the public-health Such developments have fed the are for shocks and stresses in all forms, should apply the same logic to climate response, including by compounding narrative that the pandemic is giving whether the short-term surge in action today, by fl attening the curve [email protected] stress on health-care systems, depleting Mother Earth a much-needed break. Covid-19 infections or the long-term of greenhouse-gas emissions and our emergency-response resources, But, even if true, the respite will be health consequences of climate change. broader ecological footprint, in order to Display and undermining people’s ability to brief, and do little to change our long- As governments invest in upgrading buy time to build sustainable systems. 44466621 44418811 adhere to social distancing. They will term climate trajectory. and strengthening health systems, they The diff erence, of course, is that, exacerbate and be exacerbated by both In fact, the same researchers who must incorporate climate-adaptation unlike healthcare, the planet’s Classified the unfolding economic crisis and long- reported that Covid-19 lockdowns had and mitigation objectives. thresholds cannot be changed. We 44466609 44418811 standing socioeconomic disparities, caused emissions to drop also reported The same goes for investments, are the ones who must adjust. The both within countries and across that, when lockdowns have been eased, both public and private, in boosting pandemic won’t save us, but it could Subscription regions. emissions immediately rose. They resilience. As global health authorities be the catalyst we needed to save The recent typhoon in the Philippines predict that the pandemic will reduce and environmental advocates have ourselves. - Project Syndicate [email protected] illustrates the challenges ahead. total emissions in 2020 by 13%, at most, argued, only when leaders and Strong winds and severe fl ooding and only if some restrictions remain decision-makers ensure that all aspects O Renzo Guinto is a senior fellow at forced many to break quarantine and in place worldwide until the end of of the Covid-19 recovery are “healthy the Aspen Institute and Chief Planetary © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved fl ee to cramped evacuation centres, the year. Once we return to the pre- and green” can the post-pandemic Doctor at PH Lab. Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 11 COMMENT Refugees essential to Covid response

By Aditi Hazra conditions that compound the risks distributed vaccine. To accelerate Cambridge of Covid-19. progress, countries should share vital Refugees may also struggle to access information, recognising that multiple testing, particularly in refugee camps eff orts may result in more precise ast month, for World Refu- and fragile states. But it is also true in protection (such as for the elderly). gee Day, the United Nations the US: although testing is ostensibly To ensure that the result is safe for all, Refugee Agency (UNHCR) free, refugees and people of colour pharmaceutical companies should Llaunched its Every Action are less likely to be referred for it. A design ethnically inclusive clinical Counts campaign, to emphasise that key reason is the new “public charge trials – already being carried out for all contributions to creating a more rule,” under which immigrants who 18 vaccine candidates – and collect just and inclusive world make a dif- have used (or seem likely to use) public and share data on race and ethnicity. ference. Everyone, including refugees, benefi ts have their visa applications And, to guarantee inclusive delivery, can have a powerful impact on society. rejected. countries should include refugees in But as we celebrate refugees’ courage There is no excuse to limit access vaccination programmes. and contributions – including in the to Covid-19 tests. They can be the There are promising developments fi ght for racial justice and on the front diff erence between life and death not on this front. Gavi, the Vaccine lines of the Covid-19 pandemic – we only for recipients, but also for anyone Alliance, together with funding for should also recognise the challenges with whom they come in contact. procurement from the Coalition for they face and off er them the protec- And tests need not even be expensive: Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, tions they deserve. The Mass General Brigham Centre has created the Covid-19 Vaccine Consider, for example, that for Covid-19 Innovation Direct-to- Global Access (COVAX) Facility, which the most effective interventions Consumer Working Group, with which will provide market-wide guarantees to protect against Covid-19 – I am volunteering, has positively in order to accelerate manufacture frequent hand washing, adherence evaluated low-cost, rapid Covid-19 and ensure equitable, need-based to social-distancing guidelines, tests. distribution. and wearing a mask – often are Covid-19 may disproportionately Furthermore, major companies like unavailable to refugees. Many of the aff ect the poor and marginalised, but Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca world’s 79.5mn forcibly displaced that does not mean that everyone else have affi rmed their commitment individuals – 1% of humanity – lack is safe. On the contrary, the only way to equitable vaccine access. Other access to clean water or soap, let to address the pandemic eff ectively is infl uential organisations – such as the alone healthcare. They often live to ensure that everyone – rich or poor, Advisory Committee on Immunisation in cramped tents in overcrowded refugee or local – is protected. The Practices, part of the US Centers for camps. An entire family may share a health of each depends on the health Disease Control and Prevention – single mask. of all. should do the same. This puts refugees at heightened That is why local and national To build a better world, every risk of contracting – and dying FILE PHOTO: Rohingya refugees walk on a road at the Balukhali camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. governments must incorporate action counts. When it comes to from – the virus. In one hotel in refugees into pandemic-response ending the Covid-19 pandemic, southern Greece, 148 asylum seekers plans, as the UNHCR and the those actions must include a broad tested positive for Covid-19. In Bangladesh (and eastern India) in Refugee workers are also critical to the physical distancing and even covering World Health Organisation have, by global commitment to ensuring that Singapore, 93% of Covid-19 cases May. functioning of America’s food supply up sneezes and coughs. guaranteeing access to masks, hand all people – including refugees – are occurred in dorms housing migrant Even outside such camps, refugees chain, with tens of thousands working Furthermore, these “essential” sanitiser, testing, tracing, treatment, protected. – Project Syndicate workers. In Bangladesh, where face a higher risk of infection. For in processing plants, grocery stores, and jobs are often low-paid and do and ultimately, a vaccine. Portugal has refugee camps are full of Rohingya starters, they are disproportionately restaurants. not include critical benefits, exemplifi ed adaptive leadership and O Aditi Hazra, an assistant – an estimated 730,000 have fled represented in the “essential” jobs that Many of these workers lack adequate such as healthcare and paid sick pioneered such an inclusive approach, professor of medicine at Harvard neighbouring Myanmar’s brutal have kept societies and economies protections while on the job. In the US, leave. Though refugees contribute temporarily giving all migrants Medical School and Brigham and military crackdown since 2017 – a functioning during the pandemic. meat processing facilities – already billions of dollars each year to the and asylum seekers with pending Women’s Hospital, is the founder single Covid-19 patient could lead According to the latest data from the dangerous places to work – have US economy, they are more likely applications access to the healthcare of PinkSari (for global breast cancer to 2,040-2,090 deaths. The risks are American Community Survey, more become Covid-19 hotspots, not least to experience poverty and hunger system. prevention), a former EMT, and student compounded by natural disasters than 15% of all refugees in the United because high output targets impede than locals, and to skip expensive But ending the Covid-19 crisis director of the H.O.M.E.S. Clinic for the like Cyclone Amphan, which struck States work in the healthcare sector. basic protective behaviours, like medications for preexisting requires a safe, eff ective, and widely homeless. Emerging economies should build back greener Three-day forecast

TODAY By Luis Alberto Moreno and Henry public services and infrastructure, should seize this moment to build of the huge sums allocated for fi scal and environmental degradation. next-generation public transport stimulus should be channelled toward Maximum Temperature : 400c M Paulson Minimum Temperature : 330c Washington, DC People were tired of long commutes on systems, such as electric buses, trains, sustainable infrastructure and related overcrowded buses in smog-choked or subways that reduce emissions initiatives. The tens of billions of SUNDAY cities. They were fed up with unsafe while enabling large numbers of dollars that were previously spent on Maximum Temperature : 400c hile lockdowns have tap water and unreliable electricity people to get to school or work safely. fuel subsidies could now help to fund Minimum Temperature : 330c supplies. And they were anxious Similar choices can be made with clean transportation. According to slowed the spread of the MONDAY coronavirus in many about their prospects in economies energy. Instead of extending their a recent University of Oxford study, Maximum Temperature : 420c Wcountries, their eco- buff eted by natural disasters and weak reliance on fossil fuels to generate “green recovery” projects deliver more Minimum Temperature : 330c nomic impact has been devastating. At leadership. electricity (which is especially jobs and higher returns on government the same time, with fewer commuters, The devastation of the pandemic tempting now, given the current spending compared to traditional Fisherman's forecast factories at a standstill, and limited has temporarily eclipsed such plunge in petroleum prices), fi scal stimulus measures. construction, the havoc that humans concerns. But, a year from now, if their governments should take advantage Emerging economies can also WARNING wreak on the environment has become lives feel like a replay of 2019, people of recent breakthroughs that have draw on external sources of income Inshore : Nil apparent. in these countries will be justifi ed in made renewable energy much less to fund such initiatives. Investors Offshore : Nil Around the world, people are asking why policymakers have not met expensive. are currently seeking opportunities WEATHER experiencing a revitalisation of their their demands with concerted action. Countries in or near the tropics are to invest in green bonds, which Inshore : Hot daytime with local natural surroundings, even as they Similarly, the threat from climate also disproportionately aff ected by attracted $255bn in private capital clouds and a chance of deal with the tragic human toll of change has not diminished. If the fl oods, droughts, and hurricanes last year. Moreover, billions of dollars rain to the west, Rela- associated with climate change, and by are potentially available from global tively humid by night. the Covid-19 pandemic. Many city unaddressed, future devastation is dwellers are seeing blue skies, hearing inevitable, threatening the economic the warming temperatures expected NGOs and foreign governments to WIND birdsong, and breathing clean air for security, political stability, and the to encourage more pandemics in the protect and restore natural habitats, Inshore : Northeasterly-South- the fi rst time in years. health of our planet and its citizens. future. Now is the time to protect and and holders of fi scally constrained easterly 05-15 KT This “return of nature” proves That is why the policy choices made restore wetlands and rebuild coastal countries’ debt may be willing to Offshore : Southeasterly-North- that even in lower-income countries, in the pandemic’s aftermath will be infrastructure, and to invest in low-cost forgive part of it to protect tropical easterly 03-12/15 KT decisive policies and collective action more critical than the virus itself in housing and water systems that can biodiversity. Visibility : 4-8 KM can transform lives in a matter of determining our future. withstand weather-related shocks. The pandemic has forced us to weeks. Governments should take Developing countries have a Investments to protect and restore stop and think about our impact on Offshore : 1-3/4 FT note of this as they craft policies for a historic opportunity to adapt their the rich biodiversity of fragile the planet, and to imagine the kind post-pandemic recovery. Near-term economic model in preparation for ecosystems primarily located in the of world we want. There is still time. measures will understandably be these challenges. They should start tropics would also yield high returns. By planning for a green recovery, Around the region aimed at alleviating the immediate by embracing a “green recovery” In addition to the critical role they governments can help ensure that the Weather Weather economic pain. But long-term based on sustainable infrastructure play in storing carbon, tropical forests coronavirus leaves a positive legacy for Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min success requires addressing the in transportation, energy, sanitation, are vitally important to the indigenous future generations. – Project Syndicate Baghdad Sunny 46/27 Sunny 46/28 structural problems that fuelled public logistics, and communications. people who inhabit them, as well as Kuwait City Sunny 43/34 Sunny 42/33 frustration long before the pandemic. For example, as a result of Covid-19, for eco-tourism, implying that the O Luis Alberto Moreno is President of Manama M Sunny 42/34 Sunny 42/34 Six months ago, major cities in governments everywhere are restoration of natural habitats could the Inter-American Development Bank Muscat Sunny 34/29 Sunny 35/30 Latin America and the Caribbean were rethinking transportation systems to create many jobs. and a member of the World Economic Tehran Sunny 34/24 Sunny 37/24 in turmoil. Many factors triggered accommodate social distancing. In We can pay for these eff orts through Forum’s Foundation Board. Henry M. the mass protests that engulfed the Europe, some cities are creating large a combination of smarter public Paulson, Jr., a former US Secretary of region, but recurring themes were rage “car-free” zones to facilitate walking spending and aggressive incentives for the Treasury, is Founder and Chair of over limited job opportunities, poor and cycling. Emerging economies private investment. A large proportion the Paulson Institute. Live issues Study solves mystery origin of Stonehenge’s iconic boulders Around the world AFP suggestion that one large sarsen, the in 1958 but which then went missing up to 30 tonnes a distance of 25km Weather Weather Washington Heel Stone, came from the immediate until resurfacing in 2018 and 2019, remains unknown – though the Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min vicinity of the site and was erected respectively. prevailing idea is they were dragged Athens Sunny 38/26 M Sunny 34/24 before the others. They performed a more along sleds. The site’s signifi cance also Beirut Sunny 31/26 Sunny 30/26 tonehenge, a Neolithic wonder The new paper appeared in the sophisticated analysis technique remains mysterious. Bangkok S T Storms 33/27 T Storm 31/26 in southern England, has vexed journal Science Advances. called mass spectrometry on these “I think you’re looking at a very Berlin M Sunny 29/18 S T Storms 26/15 historians and archaeologists for Lead author David Nash, a professor samples, which detects a bigger range organised society there,” added Nash. Cairo Sunny 37/23 Sunny 38/25 Scenturies with its many myster- of physical geography at the University of elements at a higher precision. As for why they picked West Woods, Cape Town Sunny 20/12 Sunny 22/12 ies: How was it built? What purpose of Brighton, told AFP the technology The resulting signature was then he said, it could have been a case of Colombo S T Storms 29/26 M Cloudy 29/26 did it serve? Where did its towering required to analyse the sarsens, that compared to 20 possible source sites pragmatism as it was one of the closest Dhaka S T Storms 34/28 M Cloudy 34/28 sandstone boulders come from? stand up to nine meters tall (30 feet) for these sedimentary rocks, with sites. But the area was also a hive of Hong Kong Rain 28/25 Rain 28/25 That last question may fi nally have and weigh as much as 30 metric West Woods, Wiltshire found to be the Early Neolithic activity, and is home to Istanbul Sunny 32/22 Sunny 29/21 an answer after a study published on tonnes, did not exist until recently. closest match. numerous ancient burial sites known Jakarta M Sunny 33/23 P Cloudy 34/25 Wednesday found that most of the He and his team fi rst used portable Previous work has found that as a barrows, a large circular earthwork Karachi P Cloudy 33/29 M Sunny 34/30 giant stones – known as sarsens – X-rays to analyse the chemical Stonehenge’s smaller “bluestones” and a polissoir – a rock used to London P Cloudy 26/13 P Cloudy 23/14 seem to share a common origin 25km composition of the rocks, which are came from Wales, about 200km to sharpen ancient stone axes. Manila T Storm 30/26 S T Storms 31/26 away in West Woods, an area that 99% silica but contain traces of several the west, and the new study says that Nash said that the method the Moscow S T Storms 20/13 S Showers 19/11 teemed with prehistoric activity. other elements. they and the sarsens were placed at the research team had devised could New Delhi S T Storms 32/27 P Cloudy 34/28 The fi nding boosts the theory “That showed us that most of the same time. help answer further archaeological New York P Cloudy 31/24 S T Storms 31/25 that the megaliths were brought to stones have a common chemistry, “So it must have been an enormous questions, such as the route used to Paris P Cloudy 31/16 P Cloudy 26/15 Stonehenge about the same time: which led us to identify that we’re endeavour going on at that time,” transport the boulders – which can Sao Paulo M Sunny 22/13 P Cloudy 22/11 around 2,500 BCE, the monument’s looking for one main source here,” said said Nash. “Stonehenge is like a be inferred if sarsen chippings are Seoul T Storm 27/23 T Storm 27/24 second phase of construction, which Nash. convergence of materials being discovered at waypoints. Singapore S T Storms 30/27 P Cloudy 31/27 in turn could be a sign its builders were Next, they examined two core brought in from diff erent places.” He and his team also hope to use the Sydney Sunny 18/06 P Cloudy 17/07 from a highly organised society. samples from one of the stones that Just how the early Britons were able techniques on other ancient sarsen Tokyo Cloudy 32/23 Cloudy 29/22 It also contradicts a previous were obtained during restoration work to transport the boulders weighing sites scattered around Britain. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, August 1, 2020 QATAR Amir joins citizens to perform Eid al-Adha prayer

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani performed Eid al-Adha prayer along with citizens at Al Wajbah praying area yesterday morning. His Highness the Personal Representative of the Amir, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani took part in the prayer. It was also attended by HE the Speaker of the Shura Council, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and a number of Sheikhs, ministers, members of the Shura Council and ambassadors.

Katara mural pays tribute to healthcare workers

n atmosphere of fun and enjoyment prevails at Ka- Atara – the Cultural Village as the Eid al-Adha celebrations there off er a variety of activities while coinciding with the start of Phase 3 of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti expressed great pleasure on the Dr Khalid bin Katara presented virtual fireworks on its website. fi rst day of the celebrations at Ibrahim al-Sulaiti the Cultural Village, as the in- from Katara to has allocated prizes for the fi rst novative and new activities seek the frontline warriors from the fi ve winners in each competi- People turned up in large numbers for the Eid al-Adha prayer yesterday. A total of 401 mosques and prayer yards were allocated by the to provide joy to — and put a the medical sector, who have been tion, such as for photo or video. Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Aff airs for this purpose around the country. The mosques were selected in such a manner smile on the faces of — children putting in great eff orts for the The visual materials (photo or that people could head to the nearest place of worship to avoid any potential crowds. All precautionary measures were followed at these during the festive days. This is in people’s safety and to stop the video) should be of high quality, places, including the wearing of masks and maintaining of adequate physical distance. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil, Shemeer Rasheed, line with the government’s plan spread of the virus, while pre- and Katara will have the copyright Shaji Kayamkulam, Ram Chand to gradually lift the restrictions senting “wonderful and inspir- to the winning materials and be put in place to curb the spread of ing humanitarian models world- entitled to use them for any pur- the virus. wide,” Katara said in a statement. pose, the statement added. Many He extended his congratula- Katara also presented virtual visitors expressed happiness at the tions to all Katara employees on fi reworks on its website in ad- Katara Eid al-Adha celebrations, Huge turnout for prayer at mosques the occasion of Eid al-Adha, ap- dition to the Eid competition, appreciating the eff orts of the preciating their eff orts to pro- which consists of selecting the Cultural Village to provide eve- vide the best services to visitors. most beautiful children’s cos- rything that contributes to bring The Katara theatre yesterday tume during the Eid days by joy and happiness to the hearts of presented a performance under sending a photograph or video children and family members dur- the direction of Nasser Abdul of the participating child. Katara ing the Eid days. Ridha and with the participation of Qatari artistes such as Faisal Rashid, Abdullah al-Assam, Khaled Khamis, Mohamed Adel and Ali al-Sharshani. Katara also inaugurated its new mural at the southern main entrance of the Cultural Village, under the title, ‘Katara expresses its gratitude to the medical staff ’. Twelve artists came together to convey a message of gratitude Children with gifts.

The mural at Katara.