LNG producer- Hamilton consumer warns he will collaboration keep racing crucial: until he turns Minister grey

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TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 26 SAFAR - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8409 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS

Watch Disney+ Streaming App Originals as a gift Terms & Conditions Apply Stock market surges 21% since March SACHIN KUMAR QR597bn yesterday, registering to support equity market. The THE PENINSULA a growth of 31 percent. low prices in March-April also The QE Index closed yes- created investment opportu- Shrugging off the impact of terday at 10,056, clocking a nities for investors. After real- COVID-19 outbreak, Qatar robust growth of 21 percent since ising the effect of COVID-19 on Stock Exchange (QE) Index has its closing on March 9. Qatar’s economy was less than antici- surged over 20 percent since stock market has surpassed other pated, the investors started March 9. The stock market has regional stock markets. Abu pouring money into shared outperformed other regional Dhabi’s General Index has reg- again,” Ahmed Akl, Doha based markets in terms of growth, istered 12 percent growth, as it financial analyst told The reflecting resilience of Qatar’s moved from 4039 on March 9 to Peninsula. stock market. 4532 points yesterday, while “During COVID-19, com- The QE Index had closed at Dubai Financial Market General panies’ performance was com- 8,310, its lowest closing level of Index has around 7.5 percent paratively better than corporate the year, on March 9, as during the same period. Oman’s in other countries. The corporate investors sentiments were hurt MSM 30 Index has registered a earnings in Qatar declined by rising COVID-19 cases and fall of around 4.9 percent during around 20 percent in the first falling oil prices. Helped by sup- the same period. half of the year, which is com- portive policies by the gov- “Shares had fallen to multi- paratively less than corporate ernment and other stake- year low in March and April due earnings in other countries. holders, the stock market has to COVID-19 outbreak and Qatar was also assigned stable grown stronger since March falling oil prices. Investors were ratings by global rating agencies, Global Education Monitoring Report launched and breached 10,000 level this taken aback by the pandemic even in these difficult times, Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi during month. QSE’s market capitali- but gradually their confidence which has increased investors’ `P3 sation has also risen from was restored after the gov- confidence in Qatari market and the launch of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report remotely yesterday. QR455bn on March 9 to ernment announced measures economy,” Akl added. The government had announced QR10bn support for Qatar’s capital market in March, Doha nominated at WTA for top business 21% 31% 8,310 which boosted the confidence Rise in Qatar Rise in market Points at of market. travel and sports tourism destination Stock Exchange capitalisation closing of “Going forward, the third since March 9 since March 9 QSE on March 9 quarter results will determine the RAYNALD C RIVERA Leading them is the coun- The St. Regis Doha has four course of action for stock market. THE PENINSULA try’s flag carrier Qatar Airways nominations including leading Technically speaking, 9950- which is nominated in various business and conference hotel, 10,056 QR597bn 10000 level is an important Doha has been nominated in categories including leading leading business hotel, leading Points at closing value of market capitalisation at the support level for the market, if it both leading business travel airline to the Middle East, conference hotel, leading is not breached then we can see destination and sports tourism leading airline to the Indian luxury business hotel, while W of QSE yesterday end of trading yesterday market moving up to 10200 destination categories at the Ocean, Leading cultural airline, Doha Hotel and Residences has -10400 range,” said Akl. prestigious World Travel leading airline in customer been nominated for leading Global rating agency Awards (WTA) 2020. experience, and leading excel- hotel residences and leading QR455bn Moody’s had affirmed Qatar’s A number of companies in lence inflight service. It is also lifestyle hotel. Value of market long-term issuer and foreign Qatar’s travel, tourism and hos- nominated in more award cat- La Cigale Hotel is nomi- capitalisation on currency senior unsecured pitality sectors have also been egories including first class, nated for leading hotel dining March 9 debt ratings at Aa3 and main- nominated in different cate- economy class, inflight enter- and entertainment experience tained stable outlook in Sep- gories of the awards which tainment, cabin crew, app, while Royal Villa at Sharq tember this year. The S&P cover a broad spectrum website and rewards Village and Spa is nominated Global Ratings had also including aviation, tourist programme. for leading hotel villa. affirmed its ‘AA-/a-1+’ long and attractions, hotels and resorts, Qatar National Convention Winners of various cate- short term foreign and local meetings and events, travel Centre is nominated for leading gories of the awards are deter- currency sovereign credit agencies, tour operators and meetings and conference centre mined though online voting by ratings on Qatar and main- travel technology, among while Aspire Academy for travel industry professionals and tained stable outlook. others. leading sports academy. consumers worldwide. `P5 Panel set up to address traffic accidents’ issue in Sealine area QU’s IIP Office facilitated

SIDI MOHAMED Traffic Section, and the focus has and hiding vehicle’s number “The security patrols will be THE PENINSULA been on Sealine, because it is plates among others that deployed to serve the campers, 39 patents, says official among the places where large endanger the lives of people provide assistance and punish QNA — DOHA companies soon. A special committee has been number of vehicles and people and the property of road users. those who violate the law,” he These successes reflect the constituted to address the are present during the camping Speaking to Qatar Radio said. Innovation & Intellectual QU’s keenness to translate and serious issue of traffic accidents season. As well reckless dune yesterday about ‘safety require- Colonel Odaiba also Property Office (IIP Office) at empower its affiliates’ ideas in the Sealine area. The bashing is practised in the area,” ments in the camping season’, reminded people that the Qatari Qatar University (QU) has facil- and provide the appropriate committee will start its work said Colonel Jaber Mohamed he referred to the efforts and law bans taking pictures of itated 39 patents for several climate to develop them into from the beginning of the Rashid Odaiba, Assistant preparations made by the accidents for a number of con- university employees. The IIP initiatives, products, and pio- winter camping season, said a Director of the Media and Traffic General Directorate of Traffic siderations, including taking is studying seven patents to neering projects that serve senior official at the Ministry of Awareness Department. to achieve traffic safety for the into account the people who convert them into startup national priorities and achieve Interior (MoI). According to the Depart- campers. were in the accident them- companies that serve the the maximum possible local The main cause of traffic ment’s statistics for 2018, the Odaiba said that some youth selves, as well as taking into national economy. and global benefit. accidents in Sealine area is Sealine area was at fifth place indulge in wrong behaviours account the feelings of their Established in 2017, the IIP The interest in innovation reckless dune bashing. “The new in the list of areas witnessing during the camping season, relatives. is responsible for managing and technology transfer is an committee is headed by Colonel traffic deaths. such as over-speeding, reckless “Any violator of the law will innovation files and technology accurate translation of Qatar Sheikh Mohamed bin Jassim Al Major traffic violations driving, and other activities that expose themselves to pun- transfer, encouraging inno- University’s Strategic Plan Thani, Director of the Southern include reckless driving, drifting disturb the campers. ishment, especially if the vators, supporting and facili- 2018-2022. The plan includes accident resulted in death or tating the registration of intel- six key goals and seven key serious injuries. We do not want lectual property rights in coop- strategies; Digital Transfor- such incidents to be seen by the eration with the concerned mation Strategy and an Entre- parents of deceased because it authorities such as the Ministry preneurship and Innovation causes great pain and some- of Commerce and Industry, Strategy in line with Qatar’s times even psychological Qatar Foundation, and others. keenness to achieve its national trauma for the families of these It also promotes awareness of vision of a knowledge-based people,” he added. ownership within the uni- economy. He also explained that the versity and the Qatari society Dr. Al Jabri said this Department will intensify traffic and building a database of all approach had received signif- patrols at the winter camping records related to intellectual icant attention from the Board sites, organising awareness and property in the university. of Trustees of Qatar University educational visits to the camps, In an interview with Qatar headed by Deputy Amir H H noting to the importance of News Agency (QNA), Director Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al awareness messages that are of IIP Office Dr. Hareb Al Jabri Thani. This was translated delivered to the campers. said that the number of patent through the formation of a Earlier, the General Direc- files currently managed by the higher committee at the uni- torate of Traffic has taken a office is 163. versity to manage issues of number of measures including The office has succeeded in innovation, entrepreneurship, conducting round-the-clock facilitating the registration and and digital transformation led traffic patrols and inspection granting of 39 patents for Qatar by the QU’s President and vice- drives on shops to make them University employees, seven of presidents, indicating the comply with safety which are being studied to extent of interest in this field, People enjoying the pleasant weather at Sealine beach. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA requirements. transfer them into startups he added. `P5 02 HOME TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020

Shura Council Speaker, IPU OFFICIAL NEWS Amir sends President launch book on congratulations union’s 130th anniversary to King of Spain QNA — DOHA years, and praised her role on com- DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin pleting the book marking the 130th Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir Speaker of the Shura Council, H E anniversary of the union, adding H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al that it was an important work doc- Al Thani sent yesterday cables of Mahmoud, and President of the umenting an important part of the congratulations to King of Spain Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), history of the union and its diplo- H M Felipe VI on the occasion of H E Gabriela Cuevas Barron, matic contributions. his country’s National Day. Prime launched yesterday a book marking He concluded his remarks by Minister and Minister of Interior the 130th anniversary of the IPU. expressing the Shura Council’s H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin The Speaker of the Shura appreciation of the distinguished Abdulaziz Al Thani also sent a Council gave a speech to mark the ties with the IPU. cable of congratulations to Prime occasion and said that the IPU, In her speech to mark the Minister of the Kingdom of Spain since its establishment in 1889, has occasion, President of the Inter- H E Pedro Sanchez on the occa- become an important and effective Parliamentary Union praised the sion of his country’s National Day. organisation. He noted that the ties with the Shura Council and the — QNA IPU's 140th General Assembly that success of the 140th General took place successfully in Qatar in Assembly held in Doha last year. Amir sends April 2019 reflects the appreciation She also praised efforts by the of leading parliamentarians for the Speaker of the Shura Council in condolences to State of Qatar under the wise lead- support of the IPU, and the role of Somalia President ership of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim the Shura Council in different IPU bin Hamad Al Thani. activities, something that made DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim The Speaker of Shura Council Doha the appropriate place to bin Hamad Al Thani and Dep- Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, during the praised the pivotal role played by launch the book celebrating the uty Amir H H Sheikh Abdulla bin ceremony to launch the book to mark 130th anniversary of the IPU. President of IPU in the past three 130th anniversary of the union. Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to Presi- dent of the Federal Republic of Somalia H E Mohamed Abdullahi 6th Katara Prize for Arabic Novel kicks off today Farmajo on the death of former Somali Prime Minister Ali Khalif RAYNALD C RIVERA in the unpublished novel cat- One of the richest literary prizes in the world, numbers with 986 participants, Galeyr. Prime Minister and Min- THE PENINSULA egory each receiving $30,000. followed by Maghreb countries ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid In the unpublished studies cat- Katara Prize for Arabic Novel has a total prize with 565 entries, then the bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani Activities for the sixth edition egory, five winners will be money of $635,000 for 21 winners. Levant and Iraq with 533 par- also sent a cable of condolences of the prestigious Katara Prize selected to receive $15,000 ticipation. Gulf countries regis- to Prime Minister of the Federal for Arabic Novel kick off each, while five winners will be tered 124 participants, while 12 Republic of Somalia H E Mohamed virtually today, the Cultural chosen in the unpublished has announced the five names Aisha Al Mansouri. entries came from non-Arab Hussein Roble on the death of Ali Village Foundation (Katara) has novels by young writers cat- of those who qualified for the This year’s edition of Katara countries. Khalif Galeyr. — QNA announced. The event will egory to be awarded $10,000 finals of the “Promising Nov- Prize for Arabic Novel is distin- Women’s participation in include a recorded speech of each. One Qatari novelist will elist” programme which was guished for achieving record the Prize this year reached 552 Katara General Manager, Dr. be selected to be the very first launched by the Katara Prize for participation with a total of while 1,668 entries were by Al Wasmi season Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, winner in this new category and Arabic Novel in cooperation 2,220 entries in various cate- men. This year saw the addition and the announcement of receive $60,000. with the Qatari Women’s Pen gories, a 20 percent increase of a new category, which is the set to begin in winners in the five categories Another highlight of the Forum in February last year. from last year. Qatari novel aimed at of the award. One of the richest event will be the conferment of The promising novelists will be The entries comprise 1,005 enhancing the presence of Qatar on Friday literary prizes in the world, the Al Dhad Shield award which honoured at the event and their unpublished novels, 930 pub- Qatari novels in local and Arab Katara Prize for Arabic Novel this year goes to Dr. Ali Ahmed novels will be published by lished novels all released last literary scene as well as encour- THE PENINSULA — DOHA has a total prize of $635,000 to Al Kubaisi, member of the Aca- Katara Publishing House. year, 195 unpublished novels by aging Qatari novelists to be be distributed to 21 winners. demic Council for the Doha His- The five most promising young writers, 75 unpublished more creative in this literary Qatar Meteorology The $300,000 prize will be torical Dictionary of Arabic novelists are Al Ghalia studies and 15 published Qatari genre, which has been wit- Department (QMD) stated that distributed equally to five Language and former Director Muhammad Al Mansouri, novels. In terms of geographical nessing great momentum on the Al Wasmi season is expected winners in the published novel General of the World Organi- Nujoud Abdel Qader Mustafa, distribution of participants, level of production where a to begin on October 16. QMD category, while $150,000 will zation for Renaissance of Arabic Noura Abdullah Al Zakiba, Egypt and Sudan came first in number of young Qatari nov- also stated that the season will be given away to five winners Language. Meanwhile, Katara Helana Aref Al Wardat, and the Arab countries in terms of elists have emerged. last for 52 days. In a statement on Twitter, QMD said: “This season is MoI trains named so because it coincides 9,300 abandoned cars with rainfall that helps certain local plants to grow such as officers on Helianthemum and removed since January Geranium.” crowd, traffic “During the Al Wasmi SANAULLAH ATAULLAH Mesaifiri said the campaign will season, the clouds move from management THE PENINSULA be relaunched next year with west to east and an indication new strategies after assessment of good rainfall is also QNA — DOHA The nationwide campaign to of 2020 campaigns. observed,” it added. remove abandoned vehicles Head of Monitoring Section Based on its climate The Ministry of Interior (MoI) which was launched in July this of Al Sheehaniya Municipality, records, the maximum tem- held the graduation year reached Al Sheehaniya Ali Mohamad Al Hammadi, said perature will gradually ceremony of the Crowd and Municipality yesterday, the that over 150 abandoned decrease in Doha and is set to Traffic Control Management campaign's final destination. vehicles had been marked to be reach less than 35 degrees course yesterday, in the Over 5,300 abandoned picked up from various places Celsius. On the other hand, the presence of several vehicles have been removed across the Municipality. minimum temperature will fall department directors and under the campaign, launched Deputy Director of the to about 20 degrees Celsius officers of the Ministry. by the Joint Committee for Cleanliness Department, and a with an overall mild temper- The training course, Removing Abandoned Vehicles member of the Joint Committee, ature during daytime and rel- which lasted for six months, of the Ministry of Municipality Mohamad Faraj Al Kubaisi, said An abandoned car being loaded onto a truck, in Al Sheehaniya atively cool temperature at PIC: ABDUL BASIT/ THE PENINSULA was attended by 31 certified and Environment (MME), since the campaign in Al Sheehaniya Municipality, yesterday. night, accompanied with trainers. July. Municipality will last a week. northwesterly winds. It comes within the However, over 9,300 aban- He said the committee has Monitoring Section at Doha vehicles round the year to curb During this inevitable framework of the crowd and doned vehicles have been intensified inspection efforts, Municipality, Hamad Sultan Al the phenomena of abandoned weather transitional period, traffic control management removed since January this urging owners to not abandon Shahwani, thanked the owners vehicles. QMD also warned against flu in preparation for 2022 FIFA year. The annual campaign will their vehicles at public places, who removed their abandoned The Joint Committee, since and other seasonal diseases World Cup. The course was conclude in Al Sheehaniya and residential and industrial vehicles during the given its establishment in 2013, has which commonly occur. conducted in collaboration Municipality . areas. Personnel from the period. Head of General Moni- removed over 81,000 aban- “Experts recommend with Traffic, Rescue Police, Speaking on the occasion Internal Security Force toring Section at Al Sheehaniya doned vehicles from all over the taking flu vaccinations, wash Public Transport Security and yesterday, Assistant Director of (Lekhwiya) are also taking part Municipality said the municipal country. About 44,000 vehicles hands regularly, and avoid Police Training Institute in MME's Mechanical Equipment in the campaign. inspectors will continue were disposed of during this direct contact with sick addition to the Lekhwiya Department, Marzouq Al Head of the General marking the abandoned period. people,” QMD added. Force and international partners from the Interna- tional Public Transport Asso- MoPH: 206 new ciation and Lyceum Interna- MoTC promotes use of information technology by SMEs tional Training. COVID-19 cases, Participants in the course IRFAN BUKHARI cloud services, the DTSME pro- modern workflows, the min- the MoTC said. received lectures on traffic THE PENINSULA gramme aims to connect enter- istry said in a post on its On October 20, “Test Your 198 recoveries management, directing prises to the right service pro- website. The registration for Cyber Resilience Against Next drivers, managing traffic To enhance the capacity of viders to begin their digital this and all sessions is open on Generation Threats” session will THE PENINSULA — DOHA congestion, crowd psy- small and medium scale enter- transformation journey. the MoTC website. be organised, during which the chology, securing public prises (SMEs) in the country on Delivery of the programme “How to Take Your Online participants will get a level of The Ministry of Public Health transport, and directing usage of information tech- is done through training and Business to the Next Level Using understanding about termi- (MoPH) yesterday announced crowds in vehicles, in nology, the Ministry of awareness sessions delivered SAAS” is the theme of another nology of cyber security testing the registration of 206 new addition to different sce- Transport and Communications by service providers based in session to be organised on technologies. confirmed cases of COVID-19. narios and practical (MoTC) is set to organise six Qatar and active in the October 18. It will be a focused Another session themed Among them, 29 were trav- applications. sessions in the coming days respective focus areas, with discussion on the use of “ERP For Small and Mid-Size ellers returning from abroad. The course aimed at under its Digital Transformation overall facilitation through the ‘Software as a Service’ for Companies” will be held on Also 198 people have training highly qualified of SMEs (DTSME) programme. DTSME programme and their online businesses and the ben- October 27. Integrating an ERP recovered from the virus, cadres to manage crowds “Digital Transformation is corporate partners, said the efits it gives them when imple- has become a must for every bringing the total number of during the 2022 FIFA World now a must for any business to Ministry. mented correctly. business today, no matter if it recovered cases in Qatar to Cup. remain competitive. Join the On October 15, a session will On October 19, “Enhanced is a manufacturing business, a 125,176. The course is part of a coming Digital Transformation be held on “Dynamics 365 Fraud Detection with Data Ana- textile industry, a trading All new cases have been three-year training pro- sessions for SMEs and meet Business Central on Microsoft lytics” session will be held. The business, a construction introduced to isolation and are gramme which began in 2019 with the right service providers Azure”. The session aims to objective of the session is to business, a healthcare centre, receiving necessary healthcare and aims to train 1,276 to empower and enhance your enable SMEs' digital transfor- raise awareness of the impact an educational institute, or an according to their health members from various business model,” the Ministry mation by adopting a modern of occupational fraud and strat- e-commerce business. status. departments of the Ministry said in a tweet yesterday. and cost-effective ERP egies for addressing the issue On October 29, “Automated The Ministry further said of Interior. The Digital Transformation platform. Dynamics 365 with data analytics. SMEs will Chatbots for Customer Service” that measures to tackle At the end of the cer- of SMEs programme (DTSME) Business Central is powered by be presented with various ways session will be held. DTEMS will COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- emony, the Director General is designed to encourage the Microsoft Azure which ensures in which frauds may occur and help participants increase their ceeded in flattening the curve of Traffic, Brigadier usage of information tech- users will get the best per- how data can be analysed to customer satisfaction and lead and limiting the spread of the Muhammad Abdullah Al nology in SMEs, and enhance formance out of their system identify instances of possible generation by providing a 24/7 virus. However, the Ministry Shahwani, and Director of awareness of the benefits of with the highest level of fraud. Auditors and fraud inves- always-available customer has advised the public to be the Police Training Institute, using modern technology in the security. The finance and supply tigators in SMEs will be able to service chatbot that enables careful and protect the most Lt. Col. Ali Saud Al Hanzab, business sector. chain modules will enable com- develop or enhance a fraud SMEs to create their own vulnerable, while COVID-19 awarded the certificates to With a focus on web panies to shift away from paper detection programme based on chatbot based on their busi- restrictions are being grad- the graduating officers. presence, e-commerce and based processes to digital and the learnings from this session, ness’s specific needs. ually lifted. TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 03 QNCECS celebrates launch of 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report QNA — DOHA

Qatar National Commission for H E Dr. Al Hammadi expressed pleasure for celebrating the launch Education, Culture and Science, in of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report, issued by the cooperation with Doha-based Unesco GCC and Yemen Office, cele- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, brated the launch of the 2020 Global which aims at highlighting the progress made in the achievement Education Monitoring Report, under of the Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, and all other the theme ‘Inclusion And Education’. Minister of Education and Higher goals, and providing information on the national and Education and President of Qatar international strategies related to education in order to help National Commission for Education, Culture and Science (QNCECS), H E everyone fulfil their obligations towards education. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi addressed the ceremony remotely. Development Goals. are not affected, such as switching to Speaking at the virtual event, Dr. The minister said that the report distance learning, providing all the Al Hammadi expressed pleasure for presents a set of recommendations and assistance needed to enable students celebrating the launch of the 2020 the best practices to face these chal- to easily access education during the Global Education Monitoring Report, lenges stressing that partnerships and pandemic, and taking all the necessary issued by the United Nations Educa- the exchange of experiences will be safety measures to gradually return to tional, Scientific and Cultural Organ- the most successful way to implement schools, in parallel with increasing the ization (Unesco), which aims at high- these recommendations. effectiveness of distance learning. lighting the progress made in the He said that the recommendations In her welcoming speech at the achievement of the Goal 4 of the Sus- include expanding the understanding ceremony, Director of the Unesco Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the League of Arab States, H tainable Development Goals, and all of inclusive education, exchanging Regional Office in Doha, Dr. Anna E Ambassador Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, with Director of the Treaties and other goals, and providing infor- experiences and resources, consulting Pollini stressed the importance of the International Law Department at the Arab League, H E Ambassador Ehab Makram. mation on the national and interna- with local communities and parents, timing of the launch of the 2020 tional strategies related to education activating partnership between Global Education Monitoring Report, in order to help everyone fulfil their various government departments, given the unprecedented and con- Qatar for setting up Arab Communication obligations towards education. sectors and levels, and empowering tinuing disruptions facing quality The minister underlined that and motivating the workforce in the education, which are felt by the and IT Organisation at Arab League Qatar has paid great attention to edu- field of education. whole world, especially those of the cation as the main tool for achieving The minister said that the launch most vulnerable learners. QNA — CAIRO Ambassador Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al development and prosperity, and has of the report comes while the world Pollini said that the 2020 Global Sahlawi, in the presence of Director of sought to overcome the obstacles is still facing the COVID-19 pan- Education Monitoring Report sheds The State of Qatar has deposited its the Treaties and International Law that hinder its progress to ensure the demic, which has changed the face light on all those who are not receiving instrument of accession to the agreement Department at the Arab League H E provision of comprehensive edu- of life in general and education in an education because of their affili- establishing the Arab Communication Ambassador Ehab Makram. cation in a good environment for all particular, noting that more than 90 ation and social background. and Information Technology Organi- The organisation aims to develop the citizens and residents of Qatar. percent of the world’s students have During this occasion, a panel dis- sation at the General Secretariat of the communication and information tech- He added that Qatar has har- been affected by the closure of cussion was held on the report to League of Arab States. nology sector and provide the necessary nessed all its material and human schools according to the report. discuss ways to ensure that every The document was deposited yes- mechanisms to support cooperation capabilities, and prepared the infra- In this context, he stressed that child who lives and learns in the Gulf terday at the headquarters of the General among the members of the organisation, structure, training, development and Qatar has addressed this pandemic in countries gets the education they Secretariat of the University by Per- and to develop joint policies and strat- everything needed in order to the field of education by developing deserve during and after the manent Representative of the State of egies for the development of the com- achieve the Goal 4 of the Sustainable many solutions to ensure that students COVID-19 pandemic. Qatar to the League of Arab States H E munication technology sector. JEM praises Qatari achievements in supporting Sudan’s stability QNA — DOHA Nahar Osman Nahar said peace and laying down the awaiting an appreciated role Nahar also pointed out that remove Sudan from the list of during a statement to Qatar foundations of dialogue and by donors and partners, the State of Qatar was a sponsor countries sponsoring terrorism The Justice and Equality News Agency (QNA) yesterday negotiation to solve problems foremost of which is the State of the Doha Document for Peace and its integration into the Movement (JEM), which signed that the Sudanese people and give priority to peaceful of Qatar, which realises the in Darfur, which enabled prom- international community, and the Doha Document for Peace, appreciate the role of the State solutions as the basis for any importance of peace well in ising chances of success, adding the honourable stances that praised the achievements of the of Qatar, H H the Amir, the stability and the effective prac- Sudan. that the current peace process followed towards the Sudanese State of Qatar in Sudan in terms government, the people and tical steps it is taking to Doha Document for Peace needs clear and sincere official people are in the plight of tor- of establishing comprehensive the charitable organizations support this trend. contributed to the estab- sponsorship with a firm desire rents and floods by operating peace and lasting stability in the for what they have been pro- On the final peace lishment of model villages and to enter the new phase to an air bridge to Sudan and country. viding in terms of humani- agreement that was signed in funds for development projects advance the peace process and launching popular initiatives The JEM said that the State tarian aid and support of the Juba between the Sudanese and the comprehensive renais- make its project matrix succeed. that greatly alleviated the suf- of Qatar remained present on Sudanese people in the face of government and a number of sance of Darfur, which rein- JEM’ Political Secretary fering of the Sudanese people, the Sudanese scene as an challenges in order to reach armed movements this forces the importance of the stated the steps taken by the which was well received by the expression of the strength of the safety, something the state of October, with high-level Qatari role in persuading the State of Qatar to support Sudanese people who know relations and a sign of commu- Qatar has contributed to in a Qatari presence and partici- peace process more than its Sudanese stability, foremost of well the reality of the state of nication between the people of highly positive and trans- pation, Nahar indicated that predecessors during the next which is the position of the Qatar’s benevolent intentions the two countries to support the parent manner based on its the agreement is a preliminary stage due to the urgent need for State of Qatar in support of the towards Sudan, especially in development of Sudan. regional and international step to complete the peace its expertise and experiences to peace process, as well as the light of the humanitarian con- JEM’ Political Secretary experiences in the areas of process in Sudan, and it is enrich this aspect. state of Qatar's demand to ditions it is going through. 90% of callers satisfied with Filipino designer wins NMoQ’s Dugong Mascot Design Competition THE PENINSULA — DOHA who encouraged me to enter call. The high quality of submis- Mental Health Helpline Service because of my previous illus- sions made it a tough process to The National Museum of Qatar tration and mascot design expe- select the ultimate winner, but FAZEENA SALEEM institutions. The team members (NMoQ) has announced Gaylord rience,” the Qatar resident said: in the end, we felt that Choy’s THE PENINSULA assess the situation and provide “Choy” Salonga, a graphic “In designing the mascot, I set design best encapsulated both support for callers of four major designer from the Philippines, as out to distinguish the dugong from the essence of these fascinating The Mental Health Helpline groups: children, adolescents the winner of its Dugong Mascot other sea mammals who share sea mammals, and the Service has managed 12,500 and their parents; adults; the Design Competition. similar characteristics. I also museum’s core commitment to calls since its launch for the elderly; and front-line health In celebration of the incorporated the rose motif into securing a greener future. We general public and frontline care workers. museum’s first anniversary, local its fins as the rose is a symbol that would like to extend congratu- staff. Some 90 % of callers have The MoPH also encourages and international artists, inspired the museum’s archi- lations to Choy for his winning expressed satisfaction over the people to talk more openly designers and creatives were tecture. I was surprised to find out design, and we look forward to service provided, the Ministry about their emotional well- invited to design a mascot that that I had won the winning design unveiling our mascot in the of Public Health (MoPH) said. being and launched a campaign encapsulates the dugong. as I knew many talented illus- coming months,” she added. According to a social media on Sunday, under the theme The shy marine mammal was trators would enter. This is a Ahead of its official opening post by the Ministry, 90% of ‘Are you OK?’ selected as NMoQ’s mascot based major competition and it’s exciting in 2019, NMoQ was the first callers have said that they Director of Public Health at on its representation of the The Dugong mascot designed to know that my design will be national museum in the world would recommend the service MoPH, Dr. Sheikh Mohammed museum’s ethos of sustainability by Choy Salonga. used to represent the National to receive a LEED (Leadership to a friend or relative and 85% bin Hamad Al Thani in a video and environmental awareness, Museum of Qatar,” said Salonga. in Energy and Environmental said that it was easy to access message said, “Most people and also for its cultural signifi- A total of 40 submissions Commenting on the winning Design) Gold rating. LEED is the the helpline. with mental health issues cance as part of Qatar’s local her- were received and reviewed by a mascot design, Sheikha Amna most widely used green building In collaboration with manage and solve simple life itage. Dugongs have inhabited jury, who selected the winning bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al rating system in the world and MoPH, Primary Health Care style changes, but some people the surrounding waters of Qatar’s concept design based on its cre- Thani, Director of NMoQ, said: certifications are globally rec- Corporation (PHCC) and Mental may need more support from peninsula for over 7,500 years. ativity and originality, aesthetics “Our museum is the first national ognised symbols of sustainability Health Service in Hamad experts.” After Australia, the Arabian Gulf in relation to the NMoQ brand, museum to be awarded LEED achievements. Medical Corporation (HMC) By encouraging people to is home to the world’s second and awareness of the key themes Gold certification. It was NMoQ, in collaboration with launched the helpline in April make a conversation about largest population of dugongs. of sustainability and heritage. extremely important for NMoQ’s Exxon Mobil Research Qatar, is 2020 to provide virtual coun- mental wellbeing, he said, “If Recently, the largest herds in the Salonga was announced as mascot — the museum’s living set to open a special exhibition selling service to support you notice that someone you world, comprising between 600 the winner of the competition as identity — to be representative about dugongs in 2021. The people suffering from stress or know is behaving differently, to 700 dugongs, have been his design successfully encom- of our firm commitment to sus- exhibition will raise sustaina- mental disorder as a result of it can be that the person is recorded in Qatar. Today, passed all of the selection tainability while being uniquely bility and environmental the outbreak of the struggling mental health dugongs face the threat of criteria. symbolic of Qatar. awareness and enable the wider COVID-19. problem.” extinction due to fishing activ- “I first learned about the “We thank each of the par- community to learn more about About 91 % users of the hel- Division Chief Women’s ities, vessel strikes and environ- Dugong Mascot Design open call ticipants for their brilliant sub- this fascinating sea mammal pline have said that video-con- Mental Health for Department mental pollution. through my wife and a few friends missions in response to the open native to Qatar. sultation technology is an of Psychiatry at Sidra Medicine, acceptable way to receive Dr. Felice Watt said that the health services in the future. To stigma around mental health is access the helpline, which is the main challenge for people PHCC, Droobi Health support people with chronic conditions available from 7am to 10pm with psychological distress. “It THE PENINSULA — DOHA Droobi’s diabetes management chronic conditions. programme will be utilised to every day, members of the is not something that we should programme. Initial results from This renewal of the part- further support this group of public can telephone the toll be ashamed of,” she said. Droobi Health has announced its this pilot showed improved nership is part of the continued patients through self-man- free number 16000. National Lead for Mental second partnership with Primary clinical outcomes such as efforts exerted by PHCC to agement, lifestyle change and To access services of the Health and Wellbeing and CEO Health Care Corporation (PHCC) lowered average blood sugar support the proactive man- access to health educators (expe- Mental Health Helpline Service of the Mental Health Service at to recruit 2,200 new members, levels and weight. agement of high-risk diabetic rienced in diabetes management) call 16000, press 2 for English, HMC, Iain Tulley, said that offering digital health The Droobi solution has patients during the COVID-19 and nutritionists. 3 for HMC Medical Services and people experience feelings of programmes for people with type proven to be a valuable asset pandemic via the Virtual Dia- “The Droobi Health appli- 1 for Medical Consultation. The stress, anxiety and sadness at 2 Diabetes Mellitus or at risk for during the ongoing COVID-19 betes Management Clinic. As a cation will strengthen PHCC’s helpline includes a team of some point in life and it is chronic conditions. crisis; helping to minimise the result of this initiative, 59 percent efforts to support and protect out experienced mental health pro- common. “Asking ‘Are You This partnership comes after impact on regular care delivery of PHCC’s high risk diabetic pop- most vulnerable populations,” fessionals including psychia- Okay’ in a particular way gives a pilot in 2019, with 500 patients and cope with backlogs, increased ulation have received a tele- said Senior Consultant of Family trists, psychologists, social an opportunity to start a convo- recruited at PHCC’s Rawdat Al waiting lists and lack of regular phone consultation with their Medicine and Executive Director researchers and nursing per- cation with someone struggling Khail and Leabaib Health in-person follow-ups; which pose family physician. of PHCC, Dr. Samya Ahmad Al sonnel from various with a mental distress,” he said. Centres, to trial of health risks to patients living with The Droobi Health Abdulla. 04 HOME TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 QatarDebate Center QF specialist highlights elements launches first phase of ‘Path Academy’ of creating healthy work space THE PENINSULA – DOHA comfort levels, as well as helping with the THE PENINSULA – DOHA overall efficiency of operations.” As employees have begun to return to offices Youssef also suggested incorporating The QatarDebate Center, a The academy is an following COVID-19-imposed remote plants into communal spaces, purifying the member of the Qatar Foun- opportunity for young working, and Qatar now in phase four of its air, and helping to combat what is now being dation will launch the ‘Path people to learn and lockdown regulations, creating a healthy, referred to as “COVID fatigue.” Academy’ with participation of safe working environment has become of “The pandemic has been going for many 22 students. Students represent acquire exceptional paramount importance to companies and months, and people are exhausted – they Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. knowledge and skills in organisations. need to have their spirits lifted. Plants can Communication would be various fields, and to Hamoda Youssef, Head of Technical have calming benefits, which, in turn, help established between students present them for Affairs at Qatar Foundation member Qatar improve general mental health,” he and organisers including Abdal discussion in civilized way Green Building Council (QGBC), has high- explained. Rahman AlKubaisi, Saad Al lighted areas for employers welcoming back Employers can also utilize the concept Assad, and Muhammad Khader with experts of the staff to consider creating a health-conscious of a “free address,” Youssef said. from Qatar, Fahad Al Subaie and center’s trainers and workplace. “Globally, we are now seeing office Bader Al Shatti from Oman, ambassadors. “To start with, you need to ensure good spaces expand into what we call the free Salem Al Shammakhi, Hawa Al air quality,” he noted. address, which means not being tied into a Jaradi and Hamza Al Sioufi from Abdulrahman Al Subaie, “Filters need to be properly cleaned, and specific physical workplace. So if you feel Georgetown University. the ventilation system double-checked, Hamoda Youssef, Head of Technical Affairs, more comfortable working from a meeting Due to COVID-19 restric- Head of Outreach Programs making sure that there is clean enough, fresh Qatar Green Building Council. room, or a cafeteria, or from a lounge, you tions, QatarDebate launches the Department at QatarDebate air being brought into space, as just re- have that freedom of movement.” ‘Path Academy’ to embrace its cooling existing air doesn’t remove contam- moods, reduce depression, and increase Another factor to consider is employing first batch of distance learning inants and pollutants.” productivity. sustainable ways of cleaning. over the course of an entire year and acquire exceptional It’s also essential to consider the nature He also explained that “frictionless expe- “From the start of the pandemic, the rec- with aim of training a distin- knowledge and skills in various of the space when looking to make it healthy. riences” will help to minimise people ommendation has been to use regular soap. guished batch of debaters who fields, and to present them for “Employers can also provide tools to touching shared surfaces. We weren’t told to use disinfectants, which participated in summer debate discussion in civilized way with educate employees, such as installing air “Automatic doors and faucets in wash- unfortunately became the case extensively. camp, which has been educa- experts of the center’s trainers quality monitors. In this way, people will rooms are examples of this,” he said. “You But being exposed to such harsh chemicals tional and recreational through and ambassadors. Moreover, it learn to understand how various factors can can have contactless elevators, too, and isn’t good for our skin or our health. And as interactive programmes. is a stage towards establishing change the air quality. And being able to automatic hand sanitizer dispensers. They things start to settle down, people will begin Head of Outreach Pro- university debates with check the air quality could also help reassure can help in the sustainability of the space to look for more eco-friendly and human- grammes Department at advanced scientific and profes- them, making them feel safer and more itself. Automatic sensors only turn on light friendly products and begin to have more QatarDebate, Abdulrahman Al sional foundations that achieve comfortable.” fixtures and air conditioning units when trust in these alternatives. Subaie said that ‘Path Academy’ the goals of the center, which Another critical consideration that will someone enters a room. Also, relying on “Essentially, it’s not just about going to will be held in three phases. strives to provide the best pro- impact the health and well-being of natural daylight decreases energy con- the office solely to deliver work, but also The first phase will be four grammes for youth debate,” Al employees, according to Youssef, is access sumption. Ultimately, these tools can about promoting overall well-being – months starting from Sep- Subaie said. to natural daylight, which can help improve improve hygiene, cleanliness, and overall whether social, mental, or physical.” tember to December and con- Through the ‘Path cludes with a proposed gath- Academy’, QatarDebate Center ering in Kuwait. The second aim to build a generation of phase will start in January and debaters aware of their reality, Lulu Hypermarket extends support to QCS continue until March with a pro- rooted in their identity, and con- posed hypothetical gathering in tribute to building their com- awareness among the customers and staff Qatar. Finally, the third phase munity responsibly. alike and encourage them to adopt healthy will be for a period of four Throughout an academic lifestyles to prevent cancers. months from April 2021 to July year that achieves integration Director of Resources Development and the gathering will be in between the art of debate, Department at QCS, Dr. Dera Al Dosari, said: Oman. general knowledge, life experi- “Wearing Lulu’s staff the pink ribbon to “The academy is an oppor- ences and the skills necessary support QCS’ efforts and to spread tunity for young people to learn to build the personality of high awareness epically is not the first time Lulu school students supports QCS. This initiative is considered in three a contribution from Lulu hypermarket in countries. achieving QCS’ vision to be the community The activities partnership platform to make Qatar a leader of the academy in cancer prevention and its burden control, are centered on and it’s mission.” five basic values, “We seek to prevent cancer and control respect, cooper- its burden in Qatar by working with our ation, responsi- partners to educate the community and to bility, love of support, empower, and advocate for indi- learning, and viduals living with cancer. We want to belonging. ‘Path engage in the professional development Academy’, in its and scientific research combating cancer,” first phase, is said Dr. Deara. Lulu staff wearing pink ribbon to support Qatar Cancer Society campaign. based on theo- He thanked the management and staff retical work- of Lulu Hypermarket for their continued shops on politics, THE PENINSULA – DOHA their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts in support of QCS in its cancer environment, and to support Qatar’s National Vision awareness initiatives and addressing the law, economics Lulu Hypermarket has supported ‘Blossom 2030, which aims to build an advanced needs of cancer patients who cannot afford and other various Campaign’ that was launched by Qatar society capable of sustaining its devel- the treatment. He advised all state insti- issues, in addition Cancer Society (QCS) on October 1, to raise opment and providing a high standard of tutions to support QCS, working in one of to practical awareness about breast cancer during the living for its people to achieve its long-term the most critical healthcare fields. workshops and a month. Lulu has launched a campaign under goals. “The cooperation also include the par- panel discussion the title ‘Shop and Donate’ by allocating part October is Breast Cancer Awareness ticipation of QCS’s volunteers to inform Lulu on Gulf history of the sales proceeds of more than 700 month, and as part of their campaign, Lulu shoppers about the campaign and and society and products during October to support QCS showroom staff have marked their partic- encourage them on the importance of early another on liter- awareness programmes. ipation by wearing a pink ribbon, the detection. Many thanks to Lulu hyper- ature and art. This donation is being given as part of worldwide symbol. The aim is to raise market for support,” he added. New Ooredoo ONE promotion launched THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Ooredoo announced yesterday a promotion for new customers signing up to its Ooredoo ONE plans, with a host of extra benefits making this the best deal yet. New customers signing up for an Ooredoo ONE plan will get a Smart Wi-Fi device for no extra charge and pay an installation charge of just QR100 instead of QR300. Total savings with the new promotion could add up to an impressive QR1,040, making the promotion great value for money. Ooredoo ONE is the telecom oper- ator’s all-in-one home service providing the fastest Internet speeds and the most extensive fibre internet coverage in Qatar, with smart Wi-Fi provided by Ooredoo’s smart Wi-Fi device. Included with Ooredoo ONE plans is access to some of the best entertainment around; the all-new OSN Streaming App, STARZ PLAY, beIN Complete or ELITE and/or Doosra depending on choice of plan. Director PR at Ooredoo, Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, said: “We’re delighted to offer this incredible new promotion which makes our already attractive Ooredoo ONE proposition even better value. " This promotion is valid until January 6, 2021 and is open to new customers. TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 HOME 05 Al-Ahli Hospital launches breast cancer awareness campaign

THE PENINSULA — DOHA breast cancer awareness month.” Al-Ahli Hospital has launched “We encourage women in Breast cancer awareness campaign comes in response a campaign to coincide with different ages to undergo early to the increasing number of the cancer in the world. breast cancer awareness month screening for breast cancer in October, to educate staff screening. We educate and Early detection and prevention of breast cancer is of about importance of early empower women of their breast great importance and this campaign intends to get this detection of the condition. health by knowing signs and message across to the community. A virtual lecture was held in symptoms of breast cancer, and collaboration with Qatar Cancer setting an annual mammog- Society to create more raphy screening appointment. Dr. Abdul Azim Abdul Wahab Hussain, awareness about prevention, We also encourage women to Chief of Medical Staff at Al-Ahli Hospital symptoms and diagnosing adopt a healthy lifestyles, breast cancer. Also an art com- because physically active petition was held among the women are less likely to have Al-Ahli Hospital staff. breast cancer,” he said. Hospital, we are truly keen on all presentations of the lecture Chief of Medical Staff at A lecture being delivered as part of Al-Ahli Hospital’s breast cancer He also stressed that even raising awareness about the will be audio recorded and will Al-Ahli Hospital, Dr. Abdul Azim awareness campaign. though not much is known about importance of health and be available for staff who were Abdul Wahab Hussain, said: the actual cause of breast cancer wellness, and how it affects the not able to attend the face to “Breast cancer awareness cam- campaign intends to get this healthy lifestyles are and how it could be prevented, lives of our community. face presentations due to paign comes in response to the message across to the com- encouraged. Early detection of there is hope for those get diag- “With this campaign, we are limited seating capacity of the increasing number of the cancer munity. Al-Ahli Hospital is keen this disease can save lives. So nosed early and seek treatment. hoping to bring positive change auditorium. The breast cancer in the world. Early detection on building a community that Al-Ahli Hospital urges all The Director of Nursing at to the community and honor awareness lecture shall provide and prevention of breast cancer believes that prevention is women in Qatar to be ‘breast Al-Ahli Hospital, Claudine El those who are fighting against Al-Ahli Hospital staff with a is of great importance and this better than cure, therefore, aware’ and take part in the Araybi, said: “At Al-Ahli it,” she added. She also said that, CPD credit under category 2. QU’s IIP Office facilitated NU-Q students launch podcast to highlight Qatar

THE PENINSULA — DOHA The project launched with a 39 patents, says official podcast featuring a general FROM PAGE 1 A new research project produced manager from Singapore who has funding, such as the Qatar by Northwestern University in lived in Qatar for more than 10 The office also considers Foundation, Science and Tech- Qatar (NU-Q) students hopes to years and considers it his home. converting any invention into nology Park, Qatar Devel- change the narrative on what it He discusses professional rela- a tangible product, IIP Office opment Bank, and the Ministry means to live, work, study, and tionships he has with Qatari busi- Director said, noting that some of Commerce and Industry. He raise a family in Qatar. nessmen and the comfortable life get a patent certificate without pointed out that IIP seeks to Decoding Qatar, a podcast he has been able to provide his taking a step forward to convert develop its relations in part- series on Instagram highlights the family by working in Doha. this invention into a com- nership with those who benefit country’s history, culture, lan- Their second guest is a jour- mercial product serving from the product in the civil, guage, tourist attractions, enter- nalist from Greece, who moved humanity. This is one of the military, oil and gas sectors, tainment, and employment and to Qatar in 2017 and explains tasks that the office undertakes. and the private sector investment opportunities how she feels safer living and It helps inventors develop, companies. through the voices of residents working in Doha than she did in design, and market their inno- Regarding COVID-19, Dr. Al in Qatar. Athens, especially as a woman. vations, whether by licensing Jabri said that QU had offered “Qatar is a small country with Future podcasts will feature the invention or establishing a outstanding support to confront a big ambition,” said Assistant a Filipino couple who will discuss startup, he added. the pandemic, focusing on Professor and advisor on the A post from Decoding Qatar Instagram page the opportunities that have been He stressed that the QU’s technologies and noted that project, João Queiroga. provided to their family while success in this approach is due projects had reached advanced “Over the past two decades, living in Qatar and a North- to the material and human development stages. it transformed from a quiet, rel- of Undergraduate Research to platform would be a podcast western Qatar alumnus who will capabilities employed in the He said one of the innova- atively unknown country, to one develop a multimedia project on format coupled with animated offer a local perspective as a service of the university’s strat- tions had reached the experi- in a position of power in inter- life in Qatar, focusing on resi- visual elements. Qatari national, explaining her egies. He explained that today’s mental stage, and its technical national sports, education, and dents and nationals’ perceptions For the students, the project country’s hospitable culture and university has more than 1,600 validity has been confirmed. It politics. Despite it being a cos- of the country’s new-found serves as an outlet to correct fal- close-knit family relations. professors, specialists, experts, is now in the process of intel- mopolitan and modern place to wealth and rapid urban and lacies and stereotypes of the Along with the podcasts, the and researchers in various dis- lectual property protection live, many people remain social development. Qatari community and life as an students are using their ciplines with specialised before becoming into a mar- unaware of what it is actually like While the group’s initial plan expatriate in the country. Instagram account to promote research centers and business ketable product. The filter, to live here – our goal is to give was to create a documentary, “As our undergraduate years facts about Qatar through the use incubators inside and outside developed by a researcher at its residents control of the nar- restrictions imposed by the in Qatar have been illuminating of interactive quizzes, covering the university to help QU can be placed in medical rative about life in Doha,” said COVID-19 pandemic meant they and pleasant, we consider Qatar topics that include the country’s innovators. facilities to purify the air and Queiroga. had to revisit their original as a second home and find it international investment port- Dr. Al Jabri emphasised that kill the virus. The, which is still Earlier this year, students strategy and find alternative pivotal to dispel foreigners’ folio, meanings behind major art the it has strong relations with in the development stage, will Marielle Aguelo Cortel, Xiruo mediums to bring their stories to common and often, only con- pieces and installations in Qatar, a specialised entities in ensure the doctor communi- Chen, and Rui Oh, supported by life. While working remotely ception of Qataris as wealthy and unique details about the research, development and cates with patients and delivers Queiroga, received a grant from from China, Singapore, and individuals who lead luxurious country’s desert landscape and technology transfer. Also food and medicine to them. Northwestern University’s Office Qatar, they decided the best lifestyles,” said Cortel. climate.

QU awarded EU funding to teach EU law A view of Qatar University. THE PENINSULA — DOHA interest in the European Union organizations better to trade with have essential spill-overs on and constitute the basis for future EU businesses and deal with EU Qatari education and community. The Center for Law and Devel- European knowledge and institutions. Finally, there will be a Research opment (CLD) at the College of research poles in Qatar. The Firstly, the Module compo- Seminar on Conducting Research Law (LAWC), Qatar University Module will allow the CLD to nents focus on introducing the on European Union Law. (QU), has been awarded the deliver tailor-made courses on European Union’s legal history The Jean Monnet Module and European Union (EU) Jean specific European Union law and institutions, and secondly, on its components will contribute to Monnet Module funding to issues relevant to graduates’ pro- legal areas where the European the strategic objectives of pro- deliver courses on EU law to fessional lives. Union plays a leading role. It aims moting the role of Qatar Uni- students and professionals in The Module will promote to promote international organ- versity as a source of expertise to Qatar. research and teaching experience isations’ knowledge and inte- serve the nation’s needs; The ‘Doha Courses on among young researchers, gration using the European Union strengthening local, regional, and European Union Law’ will be the scholars, and practitioners in the as a model, environmental pro- international partnerships in Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. fication of growth.” first Jean Monnet Module in Qatar EU issues. Further, it seeks to tection, and human rights, critical strategic areas and be a catalyst Khalid Al Shamari, commented: Several organizations in and the GCC, and the courses will foster the publication and dis- pillars of QNV2030. The focus on development of Qatar. It also “This will allow for better job Qatar have departments dealing be delivered annually for three semination of academic research protecting the environment and seeks to enhance Qatar’s inno- placement of graduates and ben- with European affairs. Teaching years. In a funding competition, in EU law and create interest in human rights represents an vation in collaboration with efits for the national workforce personnel in the Module activ- the CLD won a competitive grant the EU amongst Qatar students. essential contribution towards Qatar’s government, industry, and institutions. It will have a ities will improve capacities to and was one of 360 awarded This will help Qatar-based promoting environmental and and funding organizations. The very positive impact on Qatari develop and teach modern applications out of the 1447 eligible lawyers develop skills and human rights issues in the Qatari project will result in improved companies and institutions, thus European Union law courses that funding applications in 2020. knowledge in EU law to equip society. Increasing education competencies in law programs. contributing to the knowledge- exhibit state-of-the-art European The Module aims to create local businesses and quality on the above issues will QU College of Law Associate based economy and the diversi- standards. Road closure on University Street Doha nominated for THE PENINSULA — DOHA distance of 650m between top business travel, Omar Al Mukhtar intersection sports tourism Public Works Authority to Al Khafji intersection and (Ashghal) has announced 200m between Lejbailat inter- destination partial traffic closures on the section to Omar Al Mukhtar FROM PAGE 1 University Street, and Abdul intersection. Aziz Bin Jassim Street, starting Similarly, left lanes will be Voting is now open and tomorrow (October 14). temporarily closed for 400m runs until October 25. The The left lanes will be tem- from Lejbailat intersection to winners will be revealed on porarily closed in both direc- TV intersection on Abdul Aziz November 27. Votes can be tions on University Street for a Bin Jassim Street. cast via: https://www. worldtravelawards.com/nom- inees/2020/world In addition to the World awards, WTA also has awards for different countries as well as regional awards for Europe, Asia, Oceania, Middle East, South America, Central America, North America, Africa, Indian Ocean & Caribbean. Winners in the Middle East region will be announced on November 4. The World Travel Awards is a global initiative which recognises excellence in all key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality industries. It has also been considered as the “ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.” 06 MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 Iran: ‘Historic’ US defeat nears as arms embargo to be lifted

AFP — TEHRAN The embargo on the “cannibalise” themselves, as sale of arms to Iran is well as prompted other coun- Iran yesterday said the US was tries to find alternatives to the facing a “historic” defeat as an due to start expiring US dollar. arms embargo against Tehran progressively from The US claims that trans- is to be lifted within days actions involving humanitarian despite Washington’s bid to October 18, under goods such as food and med- have it extended. the terms of a UN icine are exempt and that sanc- Addressing the issue at a resolution that tions are “directed at the news conference, foreign min- regime”. istry spokesman Saeed Khati- blessed the 2015 Yet statements from experts bzadeh also lashed out at the nuclear deal between and rights groups indicate the “insanity” of the latest US sanc- sanctions have had dire tions against banks in the the Islamic republic humanitarian consequences Islamic republic. and world powers. and caused suffering for the On Sunday the “historic people of Iran. defeat of the United States will In a speech yesterday, Iran’s be realised, and that came to Council to indefinitely extend supreme leader Ayatollah Ali be despite its attempts, trickery the embargo. Khamenei pointed to the role and extrajudicial moves,” Khat- President Donald Trump of sanctions on Iran’s troubled ibzadeh said. unilaterally withdrew the economy and called them “a Solidarity with Palestinian prisoner “Iran again showed that United States from the nuclear crime in the true sense of the the United States is not as deal in 2018 before reimposing word.” Demonstrators holding pictures of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Maher Al Akhras, who is held all-powerful as it says,” he US sanctions on Iran. He emphasised that the by Israel, during a rally to show solidarity with Al Akhras, in Gaza City, yesterday. added. Since then, the US has “cure” for the economy “should The embargo on the sale of slapped additional sanctions on not be sought outside of the arms to Iran is due to start Iran as part of a campaign of country”, and called for the expiring progressively from “maximum pressure”, with the “focusing on production, pre- Israel approves building hundreds October 18, under the terms of latest on Thursday concerning venting the continuous deval- a UN resolution that blessed the 18 banks. uation of national currency” of settlement units in Bethlehem 2015 nuclear deal between the “We used to say they are and fighting smuggling and Islamic republic and world addicted to sanctions, but now corruption. QNA/AFP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM al-Tamara village, east of Beth- etary constraints. powers. they have reached insanity,” “We will continue resisting lehem, in order to include more Some groups in Israel, Washington suffered a Khatibzadeh said. so that, God willing, this The Israeli occupation author- of its land to the area settle- including members of the Ethi- setback in August when it The spokesman added that maximum pressure will turn to ities have approved the ments, as well as barring land- opian community, have failed to win support from the the excessive use of sanctions maximum disgrace and a cause construction of hundreds of owners and villagers from opposed immigration of the United Nations Security had caused the Americans to of regret for them,” he said. new housing units on expro- accessing their lands located Falash Mura, citing doubts over priated Palestinian lands to the near the settlements their claim to be Jewish. west of the occupied southern Israel’s government yes- Netanyahu told his cabinet Kuwait reports West Bank city of Bethlehem to terday approved immigration on Monday that it was time to Iran reports highest ever expand an illegal colonial plans for 2,000 Ethiopians bring “2,000 of our people, our 777 new virus settlement. whose desire to move to the brothers and sisters from daily coronavirus deaths Head of the Bethlehem Jewish state has stirred contro- Ethiopia.” cases, six deaths office of the Wall and Settle- versy and faced extended “We will also act to bring REUTERS — DUBAI ments Resistance Commission delays. all of the rest,” he said. QNA — KUWAIT Hasan Breijieh told Palestine’s The group are members of Integration Minister Pnina Iran registered a daily record 272 deaths from coronavirus in the news agency Wafa that based the Falash Mura, descendants Tamano-Shata, the first Ethi- past 24 hours, the health ministry said yesterday, taking total Kuwait Ministry of Health on Israeli reports, the occu- of Ethiopian Jews who con- opian Jewish woman elected to fatalities to 28,816 in the worst-hit country in the Middle East. reported 777 new COVID-19 pation authorities have verted to Christianity — many Israel’s parliament, praised the Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 4,206 cases over the last 24 hours, approved the construction of under duress — in the 18th and government’s “unanimous vote new cases were identified in the past 24 hours, with the total bringing the total number of 500 housing units in the illegal 19th centuries. They are not rec- to bring 2,000 people to Israel number of identified cases spiking to 504,281. infections in the country to Israeli settlement, which is ognised as Jews by Israel’s who are waiting in Ethiopia to Iranian health officials have warned about a third wave of the 111,893.The ministry’s built on lands belonging to Orthodox rabbinical authorities, be united with their families.” pandemic, while the government has blamed the spike in infec- spokesman said that 6 deaths Palestinians from Wadi Fukin but claim the right to immigrate The bulk of Ethiopia’s tions partly on a decline in public adherence to health protocols. have been recorded, bringing village. under family reunification rules. Jewish community was brought Mask-wearing became mandatory in public in the capital on Sat- the total number of deaths in He said that Israel is tar- The government approved to the country between 1984 urday and President Hassan Rouhani announced that violators would Kuwait to 664 cases so far. geting Bethlehem with plans to about 9,000 claimants in 2015 and 1991 under the Law of be fined. Authorities are planning to make mask-wearing man- The patients in intensive expand its illegal settlements, but then rescinded the decision Return, which guarantees datory in public in other large cities, Iranian media reported. care units have reached 139. the latest of which was rezoning the following year, citing budg- Israeli citizenship to all Jews. Erdogan-backed Jordan King swears in Tatar, Akinci to contest Turkish new govt to speed reforms Cypriot runoff REUTERS — TEHRAN Jordan’s H M King AFP — NICOSIA Abdullah yesterday swore in a new Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa government led by Akinci, a pro-reunification veteran diplomat moderate, and Ankara-backed Bisher Al Khaswaneh challenger Ersin Tatar are to that will seek to contest an October 18 runoff accelerate IMF- in breakaway northern Cyprus, backed reforms as the following an election on economy faces its Sunday. sharpest contraction Tatar won 32 percent of the in decades due to the vote, ahead of the incumbent, coronavirus crisis. Akinci, who netted almost British-educated 30 percent in a field of 11 Khasawneh, 51, was candidates, the election appointed on Jordan’s newly-appointed Prime Minister council said. With no can- Wednesday to replace Bisher Al Khaswaneh taking oath in Amman, didate winning a clear Omar Al Razzaz, at a yesterday. Enjoying the outdoors majority, Tatar and Akinci time of rising popular are to hold a second round discontent about People wearing protective face masks against the spread of COVID-19, sit on benches in the Kugulu next Sunday. worsening economic condi- uphill task to revive growth in Park in Ankara, yesterday. The incumbent president tions and curbs on public an economy that is expected to is tipped to overcome his freedoms under emergency shrink by around 6% this year as 60-year-old challenger with laws to contain the pandemic. it grapples with its worst eco- Lebanon names team for border talks with Israel the backing of Tufan The new premier, who nomic crisis in many years, with Erhurman, a fellow Social comes from a family that has unemployment and poverty AP — BEIRUT Sea as within their own exclusive economic Democrat and supporter of long held senior political posts, aggravated by the pandemic. zones. reunification in a federation has spent most of his public Jordan this month saw a Lebanon announced yesterday the names of its Aoun’s office said the four-member Lebanese with the Greek Cypriot south, career as a veteran diplomat and near-doubling of total infec- delegation that will hold indirect talks later this delegation will be headed by air force Brig. Gen. who won 21 percent in Sun- peace negotiator with Israel with tions since the first cases in week with Israel over the disputed maritime Bassam Yassin. The three other members are day’s vote. a last stint as palace adviser. early March, bringing warnings border between the two countries. navy Col. Mazen Basbous, Lebanese oil official “Akinci will probably win Foreign Minister Ayman of a collapse in health services The announcement by President Michel Wissam Chbat and border expert Najib Massihi. the second round with more Safadi and Finance Minister if it gets out of control. Aoun’s office comes two weeks after Lebanon Israel’s Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz will than 55 percent,” said Mine Mohamad Al Ississ, who oversees Khasawneh will oversee and Israel reached an agreement on a framework lead the Israeli delegation, according to Israeli Yucel, the head of Prologue the country’s reform program parliamentary elections due on for the US-mediated talks. The talks are officials. Lebanese officials have made sure to Consulting which specialises with the International Monetary Nov 10. The contest will take scheduled to begin tomorrow at the headquarters send a team of experts to show that this week’s in polling. Fund (IMF), kept their posts in a place under an electoral law of the UN peacekeeping force in the southern talks with Israel are purely technical and don’t The election council said 32-member cabinet dominated that marginalises the main Lebanese border town of Naqoura. mean any kind of normalization between the 58 percent of the almost by a mix of technocrats and con- Islamist opposition and inde- Israel and Lebanon have no diplomatic rela- two countries. Lebanon’s Hezbollah group said 199,000-electorate voted, servative politicians who held pendent political parties to tions and are technically in a state of war. They last week that the talks don’t mean reconcili- down from 62 percent in sway in previous governments. keep a majority of pro-gov- each claim about 860 sq km of the Mediterranean ation with Israel. 2015. The new government faces an ernment deputies. Former PM Hariri to meet Lebanon parties over French plan AFP — BEIRUT for the rapid formation of an blocs, to ensure that they are The roadmap Macron laid guarantees they would retain the collapse and rebuild Beirut,” independent government. still fully committed” to out for debt-ridden Lebanon the finance ministry. Hariri said, according to a Lebanon’s Saad Hariri, a former Hariri, himself one of Leb- Macron’s initiative, Hariri said, included a two-week deadline Hariri, who has already statement from his office. prime minister seeking a new anon’s hereditary political after meeting President Michel for the formation of a tighter served two terms as Lebanese Hariri last week said he was term, said yesterday he would barons, stepped down from the Aoun. and independent government premier and has close ties with a possible candidate to head a meet all key parties to survey position of prime minister a Macron visited Lebanon two of experts, that would only stay France, has since resurfaced as new government to stem the their commitment to a French year ago under pressure from days after the August 4 Beirut in office a few months. the most likely candidate to take country’s economic collapse. rescue plan. a massive protest movement port explosion that disfigured A new prime minister, Mus- over. His series of meetings The country is bankrupt, but calling for an end to sectarian- the city, and returned three tapha Adib, was designated — “I am convinced that Pres- comes ahead of parliamentary the ruling elite has so far failed based politics. weeks later to check on the but he threw in the towel after ident Macron’s initiative is the consultations to appoint a new to respond to calls by French “I will send a delegation to status of reforms he conditioned meeting resistance from the top only and last remaining oppor- premier which are scheduled President Emmanuel Macron talk with all the main political international support on. Shia parties that sought tunity for our country to stop to start on Thursday. TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 AFRICA 07 UN urges Libyans to prioritise national interest in November talks

AFP — CARTHAGE, TUNISIA administrations. Tunisia’s Foreign Minister “What we want to see in Othman Jerandi called for “a The UN’s Libya envoy yesterday terms of participation is people dialogue between Libyans that urged rival parties to place the who are not there for their own could lead to a political solution national interest before political political aspirations, but for to the crisis.” ambitions when they meet for their country,” said UN envoy A previous agreement talks next month aimed at Stephanie Williams yesterday, between rival Libyan sides, ending a decade of bloodshed. after meeting Tunisian Pres- signed in Morocco in 2015, The North African country ident Kais Saied. created a unity government is dominated by armed groups, Asked whether Haftar or that was never recognised by riven by local conflicts and unity government chief Fayez Haftar. divided between two bitterly Al Sarraj would be present, she In April 2019 he launched opposed adminstrations: a said participants would be able an offensive to seize Tripoli, but United Nations-recognised to take part on the condition was pushed back after over a unity government based in “that they remove themselves year of fighting. Tripoli and its eastern-based from consideration in high gov- Since his forces were driven rival backed by strongman ernment positions.” from western Libya, the rival Khalifa Haftar. She said this included mem- sides have resumed talks on Neighbouring Tunisia is set bership of the key Presidential specific themes: institutions, to host talks in early November Council, the prime minister’s job military and political affairs. including representatives of and ministerial posts. The Tunis talks will begin on civil society, tribesmen, The talks are intended to October 26 by videoconference, political leaders, and members prepare for national elections, before continuing face-to-face Tunisia President Kais Saied (right) meets with Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary- of bodies representing both she added. in early November. General for Political Affairs in Libya, Stephanie Williams, in Carthage Palace in Tunis, yesterday. Nigeria promises Libyan militia ‘holding 60 migrants hostage’ AP — CAIRO days after the abduction, and Doctors Without Borders, said anonymity for fear of reprisals. police reform; A Libyan armed group is holding later visited the warehouse that the remaining hostages are A spokesman for the Tripoli- hostage at least 60 migrants, where the migrants were held. being held by the militia at a based interior ministry did not including two dozen children, in “We found over 350 former military base. answer phone calls and mes- “appalling” conditions after women, children, and men Two Sabratha residents and sages seeking comment. protester killed abducting them almost two sleeping on the ground in one migrant said most of the The aid group said its weeks ago, an aid group said. appalling living conditions armed men belong to a militia medics were only allowed to REUTERS — ABUJA Police opened fire Masked militiamen without access to water, known as Al-Ammu, which the consult with women and children with live ammunition abducted the migrants on Sep- showers, or toilets,” said Guil- UN Panel of Experts on Libya among the captive migrants, and Nigerian President tember 28 from the town of Al laume Baret, MSF’s head of identified in 2017 as main facil- they were not allowed to treat Muhammadu Buhari promised yesterday against anti- Ajaylat, around 80km west of mission in Libya. itators of human trafficking. The men. A shooting reportedly broke yesterday that the government police demonstrators in the capital, Tripoli, according The militia stole valuable migrant said the militiamen are out following an attempted would bring police officers the Surulere district of to Medecins Sans Frontieres. items and identification docu- likely seeking ransom from fam- escape on October 2, and at least responsible for misconduct to The statement said that the ments from the migrants, ilies of the held migrants, or to three people were killed, it said. justice, after nearly a week of Lagos, marchers said. armed group initially took before taking them to a ware- sell them to other traffickers. “The situation at the warehouse sustained protests against Tolu Ogunlesi, an aide hostage around 350 migrants, house guarded by armed men Al Ammu and another was tense, with armed men firing police brutality that were met to Buhari, said at least mainly from West Africa, but in the nearby coastal city of militia, called the Brigade 48, shots into the air,” the group’s by a harsh response. that most of the migrants Sabratha, the biggest launching are headed by two brothers statement added. The migrants’ Police opened fire with live one person had been managed to escape while some point for the mainly African from the area’s large al-Dabashi abduction shows the perils that ammunition yesterday against killed by police gunfire. others were released. migrants who make the dan- family. Both militias are affil- refugees and migrants face in anti-police demonstrators in The aid group said that it gerous voyage across the Med- iated with the U.N.-supported war-torn Libya, with those the Surulere district of Lagos, had been notified by the Libyan iterranean Sea, the group said. government in Tripoli. trapped in the country unable marchers said. Tolu Ogunlesi, and wrongful conduct of the government’s agency for com- The Switzerland-based The residents and migrant to “escape violence or find an aide to Buhari, said at least men of the Nigerian Police batting illegal migration two organization, also known as spoke on condition of safety,” according to MSF. one person had been killed by Force.” police gunfire. “There is no But he also described police excuse for shooting anything misconduct as relegated to a Pandemic adds to war in (not to talk of live bullets) at “few bad eggs”. peaceful protesters,” he On Sunday, authorities keeping children out of school tweeted. The authorities “must announced they were dis- find the shooters and make banding the Special Anti- REUTERS — MISRATA, LIBYA the authorities have said. them face justice in full”. Robbery Squad police unit, “Students did not study any- Images of the dead pro- known as SARS, the target of Their young lives already thing. We did not teach any- tester were posted on the demonstrators who accuse it of disrupted by war, Libyan thing for the students to learn. internet. It was at least the beating up and killing Nige- schoolchildren face even bigger This is not a solution,” said second fatality among marchers rians, and extorting from them. obstacles to their education teacher Amal Qleiwan, who is since the demonstrations began Rights groups and pro- during the global pandemic also the mother of a 10-year last week. Police have testers say they are uncon- than young people elsewhere. old. “The decisions by the min- responded to demonstrations vinced by the promise to With the number of cases istry of education are random with live ammunition, water disband the unit, noting that surging unhindered across the and are not studied well.” cannon and tear gas. similar announcements had North African country schools University professor, A Lagos police spokesman been made in the past. have tried different tactics from Ahmed Falaq, is home schooling did not immediately respond “We are not falling for the opening outside to seeking his two children, aged 10 and 8, to phone calls and text mes- same lies. We need a timeline donations for extra disin- and his two nephews, aged 12 Students wearing protective face masks maintain social distancing sages seeking comment. when they will turn in their fectants and facemasks to allow and 10. “What will students do as they attend a class after some schools reopened amid the COVID- Buhari promised “extensive badges, their weapons and their teaching indoors. if there is a new wave of coro- police reforms”. In a statement uniforms,” said Akunna Nwaog- However, even those who navirus? They will miss two 19 crisis, in Misrata, Libya. yesterday he acknowledged wugwu, a sales executive, who have had no teaching for six years of their education. This is “genuine concerns and agita- was among a group of protesters months, or much prospect of it a big problem for parents and Libya now has more than officials admit there are probably tions by Nigerians about the y that blocked the path of mil- during the rest of this year, will the students. We will have a 41,000 cases of the coronavirus, many more going undetected. excessive use of force and in itary vans in the Lekki district of have to pass an exam in order generation of students with though with war-related chaos The United Nations has said it some cases extrajudicial killings Lagos. to progress to the next grade, weak education,” he explained. across much of the country is “spiralling out of control”. Tanzania intensifies Kenya partially reopens schools after six months repression REUTERS — NAIROBI the first COVID-19 case was face masks from a Kenyan bank. home. “No parent should be Kenya. Some 1.6 million confirmed in March, the clo- “Procurement processes are ashamed to bring their child to children rely on school meals ahead of polls Kenyan schoolchildren in grades sures have been among the not complete for masks,” said school,” he said. More than 17 that stopped in March, she four, eight and 12 returned to longest in Africa. the minister. “As we prepare to million Kenyan students have added. Many families do not AP — NAIROBI class yesterday, ending a months- The three levels going back open more schools, we are missed six months of school, the have the devices and internet long closure of all educational to school are all preparing for going to need more masks.” He United Nations children’s access that enable children to Tanzanian authorities have institutions in the country standardised exams that were asked companies to donate sup- agency said, leading to other take part in remote schooling. intensified repression to muzzle designed to slow the spread of postponed from November to plies instead of cash due to cor- social problems. Like much of Africa, Kenya’s the opposition, civil society and the novel coronavirus. March. The government will ruption in government “We are seeing large COVID-19 outbreak remains the news media ahead of elec- Many nations have grappled decide later whether all students procurement. numbers of reported violence relatively mild - 766 deaths and tions on October 28, where the with how to reopen schools can return, Education Minister The minister said children against children, child marriage, just over 41,500 cases. Although incumbent President John safely amid the pandemic, but George Magoha said at a Nairobi should return to school even if child pregnancy, and child testing is limited, hospitals have Magufuli is seeking a second in Kenya, where public and primary school, where he they fear they have fallen labour,” said Marilyn Hoar, not been overwhelmed. Masks term, an international human private schools were shut after accepted a donation of 1 million behind during the months at Unicef’s education chief in are mandatory in public. rights group said. In recent months the media has been the hardest hit with the government indefi- Eight killed in Nigeria nitely banning the Tanzania Daima newspaper, the coun- try’s second-largest news- building collapse paper, Amnesty International AFP — LAGOS “When the building started said in its report. falling down, no one was able The government’s June 23 Emergency services were to flee. No one,” one witness, banning order accused the clearing debris of a collapsed Femi Abalenawa, said. newspaper, which is owned building yesterday in the “Emergency services didn’t by opposition leader Freeman densely populated city of Lagos arrive for a while, and so people Mbowe, of breaching the law in Nigeria that left at least eight in the neighbourhood came out and professional ethics people dead. to help,” he added. without citing specific laws or The cause of the incident, “Unfortunately, eight stories that were allegedly which happened on Sunday, victims were recovered dead, illegal or objectionable. remains unknown but building six adult males and two In July, the Tanzanian collapses are common in females,” the Lagos State Emer- Communications Regulatory Africa’s most populous country, gency Management Agency Authority banned Kwanza TV where millions live in dilapi- (LASEMA) tweeted yesterday. for 11 months for airing a dated properties and con- Ten people were severely health alert on COVID-19 that struction laws are routinely injured and taken to hospital, was issued by the US embassy, ignored. while 10 others were lightly said Amnesty. Dozens of people were injured, the agency added. International media cov- helping with the clearing oper- The incident happened at a erage of Tanzania’s elections ation, with many victims building under construction in A damaged wheelbarrow and bags of cement buried under rubble are seen in the Obalende district has been limited by the believed to be trapped in the Ikoyi-Obalende, a working- of Lagos, after a three-storey building that was under construction collapsed yesterday. government. rubble. class area of Lagos. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020

Established in 1996 Rushing a COVID-19

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI vaccine is a terrible idea EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI SAM FAZELI — BLOOMBERG [email protected] The coronavirus pandemic ACTING MANAGING EDITOR has upended lives and MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED disrupted the global economy. [email protected] The sooner we can get a vaccine, the sooner we have a chance at returning to normal. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR That doesn’t mean we should MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI needlessly rush it. Vaccine [email protected] development and approval normally takes several years, but it has been squeezed into a period of less than year. In EDITORIAL Donald Trump’s America, that’s not soon enough -- but there is a way to speed things up even further. The Food and Proactive approach Drug Administration, as the gatekeeper for any new QATAR’S expansion of mental health services and medicine coming to market, improved access to care has enabled the healthcare can hasten the regulatory system to meet the increased demand for professional process in the event of an mental health support throughout the COVID-19 pan- urgent need and award demic. This year’s World Mental Health Day, marked approval before a trial is A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a “Vaccine COVID-19” sticker and a medical syringe. on October 10, has come at a time when daily lives of complete. Trump wants people have changed considerably due to COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine developers The pandemic has resulted in a deterioration in to take this path. adults are among the popula- before the full trial has com- data on long-term safety and mental health and wellbeing of many people. For stu- Companies from Astra- tions most vulnerable to pleted. Only 27% of patients in broad effectiveness - still pos- dents and adolescents, the challenges include adapting Zeneca Plc to Moderna Inc. COVID-19 and will receive its U.S. centers, which account sible even with the FDA’s to taking classes mostly from home, with little contact and Pfizer Inc. (working with many doses of any approved for the vast majority of its trial recently revealed guidance with teachers and friends, and anxious about their future. BioNTech SE) are all in hot vaccine. It’s not uncommon sites, are from diverse that requires a median of two COVID-19 has broken barriers and created more pursuit of a vaccine, with for vaccines to be less backgrounds. months of follow-up in a awareness on mental health. Pfizer among the likeliest to effective in old people Limited Resources: If the trial’s participants - may In this context, the Ministry of Public Health in col- file for early approval, because their immune protection from a vaccine hamper the development of laboration with Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary perhaps as soon as this systems don’t work as well. that’s approved early - other vaccines. Fewer people Health Care Corporation, Sidra Medicine, and Naufar month. The difference, Stopping a trial early means whether made by Pfizer or will want to enter a trial that launched a mental health and wellbeing awareness cam- though, between seeking there will likely be very anyone else - fades over time could give them a placebo if paign under the theme ‘Are you OK’ aimed at encour- approval based on interim limited data on whether a or proves to be less there’s an authorized shot. aging people to talk more openly about their emotional data and final analysis is only particularly crucial vaccine impressive than those that That’s particularly concerning wellbeing. a matter of a few weeks or at clears the bar in an essential follow, the end result would because several potentially Dr. Samya Ahmad Al Abdulla, Deputy National Lead most a couple of months. group. Only 43% of Pfizer’s be the depletion of valuable promising vaccines -- for Mental Health and Wellbeing and Executive Director With all that’s riding on the subjects are 56 or older. Far raw materials that could have including “ultramodern” vac- of Operations at PHCC, said: “COVID-19 has changed success of a vaccine, it’s worth fewer are likely to be over 70, been devoted to better cines such as those from Arc- many aspects the way we live our normal lives and has waiting for a full set of results. where the risks rise exponen- options. Approval is just one turus and Imperial College affected many people’s emotional health as well as their There are good scientific tially. The average age of step in getting a vaccine to London, as well as efforts physical health. So it is now more important than ever reasons for doing so and risks infection has fallen substan- people across the planet. Vast from Novavax Inc. and a part- that people feel comfortable talking openly about in not. Let’s take Pfizer’s case tially over the course of the resources, from human and nership between GlaxoSmith- feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness. By asking ‘Are as a way to show why: pandemic because older financial capital to glass vials Kline Plc and Sanofi that use you OK’, and asking in the right way, you can help to Vaccine Effectiveness: adults tend to be more and rubber stoppers, may be tried-and-true technology - start a conversation with someone who may be finding Pfizer’s trial, like most, can be careful, which could cut used up on a sub-optimal have yet to start late-stage it difficult to speak openly about their struggles.” hailed a success for early further into the amount of vaccine, hurting the rollout of trials. The launch of the mental health helpline in April 2020 approval if cough and fever information available. The more effective treatments and Like everyone else on the has proven to be immensely successful with people of are reduced in people on the same issue applies to the even crucial non-COVID vac- planet, I want to get back to all ages and nationalities looking for advice on coping vaccine compared with those about 10% of younger patients cination efforts. normal as soon as possible, with stress, anxiety and depression. Since its launch, on placebo; it doesn’t need to who develop more severe Public Trust: Skepticism and a vaccine will help get us the free and confidential national mental health helpline show that it can reduce severe disease. about vaccines already there. But I only want a has handled more than 12,500 calls. This is in addition disease. Pfizer would only get At-Risk Under represen- abounds among certain parts vaccine that has been through to the launch of mental health virtual consultations that kind of data over the full tation: A similar and even of the general public; others all the rigors of a full-sized across the healthcare system which enabled greater course of a trial. While it’s more acute issue are concerned that rushing trial. Yes, vaccine front- access to care. Many people prefer the helpline, espe- possible that if milder involves ethnic minorities and one for COVID-19 may end up runners like Pfizer have the cially individuals who are concerned about stigma. symptoms are reduced, more African Americans, which cutting corners or increasing right to file for early The mental health of a person is the foundation for severe ones would be as well, account for a higher per- risks. If a vaccine that was approval if they are eligible to physical health. When you provide hope, you help ending early means that regu- centage of severe cases of approved early turns out to be do so. But a little patience people to move forward. The need of the hour is to lators will have to take this on COVID-19. While Pfizer has sub-optimal, these attitudes would help deliver much maintain a positive attitude, practice self care, surround faith. It would be worthwhile expanded its trial to 44,000 could harden. At worst, a bad more information and give oneself with optimistic people and indulge in activities to see at least a few severe from 30,000 to increase the outcome could shake confi- other vaccine hopefuls a that help relieve stress. Getting enough sleep, main- cases emerge in the trial to number of participants from dence in vaccinations as a chance to prove their worth taining fitness and eating a healthy diet also promotes assess whether the vaccine these populations, it has only whole, putting the hard-won as well. We would all be good mental health. It is unquestionable that mental genuinely prevents more con- just done this. It is unlikely success of eradicating or better off for it. health is a human right and thus, now more than ever, cerning illness and to rule out that the drugmaker will have diminishing so many infec- Sam Fazeli is senior phar- it’s time for mental health for all. the possibility of a rare side enough data for its vaccine in tious diseases at risk. maceuticals analyst for effect. these populations if it decides Lost Opportunities: An Bloomberg Intelligence and A Crucial Cohort: Older to file for regulatory approval early approval without much director of research for EMEA. Facebook bars deceptive campaign from pro-Trump group D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR EMAIL: [email protected] AFP — SAN FRANCISCO Joe Biden and praise of Trump In 2018, some of the to coordinate pro-Trump and the Republican party, accounts posed as people posts across social media in a EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Facebook on Thursday said it according to Facebook. The with left-leaning views to secretive operation in a cam- FAX: +974 4455 7758 derailed a campaign using network appeared to have make comments about news paign organized by Turning fake accounts to praise US started its operations in 2018, articles or public figures. Point, a group led by vocal MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 President Donald Trump as having take aim previously at “Although the people Trump supporter Charlie Kirk. part of its latest crackdown on the midterm elections in the behind this network Nearly a million dollars DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 orchestrated deception. US, the social network said. attempted to conceal their was spent by Rally Forge on The social network has Facebook removed 200 identities and coordination, advertising, with not all of LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 banned US marketing firm accounts and 55 pages at the our investigation linked this those marketing messages Rally Forge, which coordi- social network and 76 activity to Rally Forge,” connected to the deception BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 nated the “inauthentic Instagram accounts it said Gleicher said. campaign, according to behavior” on behalf of the were part of the deception “Rally Forge is now Facebook. SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 pro-Trump youth group campaign and violated policy banned from Facebook. We While not formally linked Turning Point USA and against coordinated inau- are continuing to investigate to the Trump campaign, ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 Inclusive Conservation Group, thentic behaviour. About all linked networks, and will Turning Point -- which says it email: [email protected] according to head of cyberse- 373,000 accounts followed take action as appropriate if is active at more than 1,500 curity policy Nathaniel one or more of the campaign’s we determine they are universities across the PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 Gleicher. Activity at the bogus Facebook pages and around engaged in deceptive country -- has organized email: [email protected] accounts mostly involved 22,000 people followed one or behaviour.” events for the president. commenting on news articles more of the Instagram Facebook’s investigation As automated systems ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 rather than posting their own accounts, according to the into the network was trig- thwarted fake accounts, those FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] content, according to social network. gered by Washington Post behind the campaign shifted Facebook. “Many of these accounts reports about some elements to “less thinly veiled” methods CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 The campaign included used stock profile photos and of the campaign, according to such as variations on real email: [email protected] criticism of the Democratic posed as right-leaning indi- Gleicher. names to appear more party and its presidential can- viduals from across the US,” According to the report, authentic, according to SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 didate former vice president Facebook said. Rally Forge enlisted teenagers Gleicher. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar More than 180 countries have committed to participate in the World Health Organization's /Peninsula_Qatar effort to finance COVID-19 vaccines to be /ThePeninsulaNewspaper distributed fairly to both rich and poor countries. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO Chief Scientist +974 6698 6188 TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 OPINION 09 Ethnic studies can’t make up for whitewashed history in classrooms an internal battle on the left distinct experience. offer Black history courses. examine the historical roots of over history, triggered by Gov. The strategy worked. Two And in Philadelphia, where immigration restriction, Gavin Newsom’s veto of a years after a 1967 African the movement arguably Islamophobia and police bru- measure requiring an ethnic American student strike in began, it’s now a required tality. But the bill mandating studies course in California Philadelphia, nearly half the In the classroom, class. But in most parts of the ethnic studies in California schools. The veto unleashed an city’s middle and high schools country, Black history was - at schools foundered amid ten- avalanche of vitriol among offered electives on Black- likewise, Black least in theory - integrated sions between different ethnic JONATHAN ZIMMERMAN educators and politicians in themed courses. By 1970, Los history never got into the rest of American groups. Hindu, Armenian, THE WASHINGTON POST the heavily Democratic state, Angeles public schools offered history. Seeking to win con- Greek and Korean organiza- who worried that non-White courses in Black history, Black its due. In 2015, tracts from majority-Black tions all complained that a figures will continue to be literature, African studies and according to one urban districts, which multi- model curriculum gave them In 1968, James Baldwin neglected or ignored in its Swahili. And one high school in plied amid White flight to the short shrift; meanwhile, Jews testified before Congress in classrooms. “All of our stu- Berkeley, Calif., created eight study, less than 10 suburbs, publishers began to claimed that it neglected anti- support of a proposed National dents need to learn the real different “Black-oriented” percent of time in include more Black-related Semitism. Newsom, a Dem- Commission on Negro History history of America - and that courses, including African US history classes material in textbooks. But the ocrat, echoed these concerns and Culture. Baldwin heartily history includes the diverse dance and the history of jazz. books rarely used this infor- in vetoing the bill, expressing endorsed the commission’s experiences and perspectives But many of the classes was devoted to mation to question the gen- his generic support for ethnic goal of promoting more of people of color,” said the fizzled quickly, in part because Black-related erally sunny national story, studies but insisting that the knowledge and awareness of bill’s disappointed sponsor, students found them boring. which was embodied in the curriculum was “insufficiently Black history, especially in Democratic Assemblyman Jose Schools struggled to locate topics. When textbooks’ anodyne titles: balanced and inclusive.” public schools. But Baldwin Medina. qualified teachers for these special Black- “Quest for Liberty,” “Rise of No matter what it insisted that this study take He’s right, of course. But so subjects, which were rarely the American Nation” and so includes, however, a lone place as part of American too was Baldwin. No single addressed in their pre-service themed classes on. required course will not do history instruction, not in a class can teach students about training. And course materials petered out, in In the classroom, likewise, justice to the multicultural separate course. our country’s irreducible were hastily prepared, as dis- Black history never got its experience or compensate for “It is our common history,” diversity. It might even make tricts strained to meet the short, the regular due. In 2015, according to one the woeful neglect of non- Baldwin declared. “My history things worse, by letting the rest sudden demand. The classes curriculum didn’t study, less than 10 percent of White people in our class- is also yours.” If Black history of the curriculum off the hook. often devolved into a litany of pick up the slack. time in US history classes was rooms. Instead, like Black was segregated in a special The campaign for Black heroes and holidays, dutifully devoted to Black-related history, a mandatory ethnic class, Baldwin warned, history is instructive here. repeated each year. “Who’s topics. When special Black- studies class is more likely to “regular” history courses Starting in the mid-1960s, this Crispus Attucks that keeps provided schools with an themed classes petered out, in provide a pretext for would continue to ignore it. African American students getting killed off every excuse for “doing little or short, the regular curriculum neglecting that experience in Baldwin’s comments res- around the country boycotted semester?” Black students in nothing” to alter the regular didn’t pick up the slack. the rest of school. onate anew amid President classes and protested in front California quipped, referring curriculum. If anyone com- We should be wary of Queens College scholar Donald Trump’s elimination of of school boards to demand to the African American who plained that the schools still repeating this history today Judy Yu recently found that federally sponsored diversity instruction about their own was widely regarded as the neglected African American with regard to ethnic studies. most state and local school training and conservative culture and achievements. For first person to die in the history, officials had a handy The field dates to a five-month history curriculums ignore the demands for “patriotic” history too long, Black students said, American Revolution. reply. Sure, we teach Black student strike in 1968-1969 at Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, instruction in schools, focused school curriculums had Meanwhile, as one history! Look at our new San Francisco State College for example, which was the heavily on the heroic deeds of neglected or denigrated them. African American historian courses! (now University), which led to first and only major federal the country’s White founders. So they needed new classes warned at the time, the new Since then, a handful of the establishment of its College law to suspend immigration But last month also witnessed that focused directly on their Black-themed classes districts have continued to of Ethnic Studies. Ten years for a specific nationality. The later, more than 430 colleges only courses that addressed and universities were offering the act were - you guessed it - nearly 9,000 classes in ethnic in ethnic studies. Such classes studies. can complement the regular The campaign at San history curriculum, but they Francisco State actually began can’t make up for what it has with a demand by Black stu- failed to teach. dents for more admission According to a CBS inves- slots at the school. When offi- tigation this year, seven states cials pledged to admit 400 do not mention slavery in African Americans, Asian and their state history standards. Latino students demanded the Should we be surprised then same. They were told their that 44 percent of high school slots would have to come out students in a recent survey of the Black allotment, which did not know that slavery was led the three groups to unite legal in all of the colonies into a new organization, the before the American Revo- Third World Liberation Front. lution? Or that only 8 percent Ethnic studies examined all of of students can identify America’s minority groups - slavery as the cause of the not just African Americans - Civil War? That’s a central fact in constructing and changing of American history - not just our country. It grew steadily of “ethnic studies” - and every across higher education, gen- student should learn it. erating more than 700 pro- American history is ethnic grams and departments by studies. You simply can’t 1993. understand the United States The Trump administra- without addressing its com- tion’s policies have sparked ponent races, ethnicities and new demands for ethnic religions. Sadly, the recent studies at the K-12 level, as drive for ethnic studies dem- students and educators onstrates just how far we are A file photo of Carlos Galindo protesting outside the Arizona Department of Education in Phoenix. pushed to from that ideal. Pandemic spurs illegal gold rush in Zimbabwe mountains Wildlife Management spokesman Tinashe Farawo Chimanimani Mountains, on chemicals such as mercury and sometimes overridden to grant Authority (Zimparks) to said the authority was looking the border of Zimbabwe and cyanide to separate gold from mining rights to big companies, protect Chimanimani National into claims that the park’s Mozambique. the ore and the soil, leaving explained Simiso Mlevu, com- Park are involved in the illicit rangers had a hand in the That population, made up people and wildlife down- munications officer for the activity. illegal gold mining. of various indigenous com- stream with highly toxic water, Centre for Natural Resource “For the past couple of “We have heard such munities, is still recovering said Chief Raymond Saurombe, Governance, an advocacy years, we have been seeing reports. We are currently from last year’s Cyclone Idai, a leader of Chikukwa Village in group. illegal gold miners in the investigating the allegations,” which caused $622 million Chimanimani. More than 15 mining FARAI SHAWN MATIASHE REUTERS mountains, but suddenly he said in a phone interview. worth of damage, mainly in “For a chief to be licenses had been granted in during lockdown we started “We are calling upon (eve- Chimanimani and Chipinge respected, one should have national parks around the to see hundreds of them,” said ryone) to forward any evi- districts, according to gov- his or her dams, caves and country over the past decade, Known for their rugged Collen Sibanda, vice chairman dence that our officers are ernment officials. And now, springs,” he explained. Mlevu said via WhatsApp. ranges, grassy plains and of the Chimanimani Tourist involved. We want to ensure say locals, they also have to “Now that all these are Deputy Minister of Mines forest waterfalls, the Chiman- Association (CTA). we protect these forests for endure the ecological impacts being invaded by the miners, Polite Kambamura said that imani mountains in eastern “Zimparks is recruiting the benefit of the future gen- of illegal mining. We will be soon left with small-scale miners should Zimbabwe have long been a people. They are organising erations.” There is no official Pierini at BirdLife Zim- nothing. These sacred places register their mining activities popular destination for these syndicates.” Lenny data on the number of illegal babwe said the mountains are are what give us recognition to ensure they follow proper tourists - and gold miners Kwaramba told the Thomson gold miners in the Chiman- an important watershed area as chiefs.” In response to a mining standards and do not hoping to strike it rich. Reuters Foundation that he had imani Mountains, but author- with ecologically sensitive rise in illegal mining along harm the environment. Travel restrictions to slow been mining in the mountains ities note that around the wetlands that provide most of riverbeds all over the country, “It is a punishable offence the spread of COVID-19 have without a license since March. country their ranks have risen the water used by commu- Information Minister Monica for one to mine without regis- kept the tourists away, “I thought it was legal in recent years. nities in the valleys below. Mutsvangwa said in a cabinet tration. Besides poor mineral although some attractions because we were working As Zimbabwe experiences “With a changing climate, press briefing in September accountability and environ- reopened last month. with the rangers,” said its worst economic crisis in a on the back of Cyclone Idai that, apart from a few excep- mental damage, proper But illegal mining has Kwaramba, whose name has decade, with crippling hyper- last year and drought condi- tions, “all riverbed alluvial mining standards are not surged as miners take been changed to protect his inflation and unemployment, tions this year, mining in the and riverbed mining on rivers being followed in these advantage of the lack of vis- identity. young people are venturing Chimanimani Mountains rep- is banned with immediate areas,” he said on WhatsApp. itors, leaving a trail of envi- “We were given a target, into illegal gold mining in a resents an ecological catas- effect.” The Zimbabwean gov- Since law enforcement ronmental destruction in their we would sell about 40 grams bid to earn a living. trophe,” she said in emailed ernment has for the past few agents evicted the illegal wake, say researchers and of gold per day,” he con- Gold panning in Chiman- comments. years been trying to register miners from the Chimanimani activists. tinued, explaining that as the imani is mostly small-scale and “If not halted perma- all small-scale artisanal Mountains in August, the local “The waters are being pol- miners came back down the informal, according to a 2016 nently, (it) will no doubt pave miners, but critics say the lack communities have had some luted; the biodiversity poi- mountain, the rangers would research paper by the Royal the way for another humani- of implementation means the respite from the gold rush. But soned; endemic plants dug up take the gold and pay them in Botanic Gardens at Kew in tarian crisis,” she added. number of illegal miners con- as long as miners continue to (and) trampled; animals and US dollars. London. The paper estimated As they follow the gold tinues to grow. be drawn to the area, Chief birds poached; (and) litter That was until August, that the output from artisanal belt, the miners drain springs, As the cabinet works on Saurombe fears the moun- strewn all over the moun- when the military and police gold panning in the area from dig up riverbeds and cut into creating policies to make tains’ famed legends and mys- tains,” said Julia Pierini, head were deployed to help the 2007 to 2011 was between caves, Pierini said. mining in the country more teries are under threat. of BirdLife Zimbabwe, a rangers evict the miners. 600-to-900 kg per year, with Their activity fills the sustainable, Mutsvangwa said “We have our sacred non-profit. “I had to run for my life,” less than half of that amount water with silt, making it unli- it has resolved to also ban places that include dams with Activists, industry experts Kwaramba said. “They were being officially recorded. veable for marine life and licensed mining activities in mermaids and caves in the and some of the miners them- firing at us. Some (miners) The latest census data largely unusable by people, the country’s national parks. mountains. These sacred selves say rangers employed were injured and others are shows about 135,000 people she noted. National parks are protected places are important to us,” he by the Zimbabwe Parks and missing.” Zimparks live in the area around the The miners also use by law, but those protections are said. 10 ASIA TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 India, China hold talks on ending military standoff

AP — SRINAGAR situation created along our The negotiations come northern and eastern borders,” Senior Indian and Chinese as tens of thousands of Singh said. “First Pakistan, and military commanders were rival soldiers on both now also by China, as if a border holding fresh talks yesterday sides backed by artillery, dispute is being created under aimed at ending a monthslong a mission.” standoff along their disputed tanks and fighter jets The standoff began in May border in the remote Ladakh brace for a harsh winter and escalated in June to the dead- region. in the cold-desert region liest violence between the sides The talks were being held where temperatures can in decades — a clash between on the Indian side of the frontier fall to minus 50 degrees soldiers using clubs, stones and in the Chushul area. No details their fists. Twenty Indian soldiers were immediately available. Celsius. were killed and dozens of others The negotiations come as injured. China is believed to have tens of thousands of rival sol- also suffered casualties but has diers on both sides backed by engaged in nearly daily fighting not given any details. artillery, tanks and fighter jets along the de facto frontier with After that clash, the two coun- brace for a harsh winter in the Pakistan in Kashmir, the Hima- tries partially disengaged from the cold-desert region where tem- layan region dived between the site in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley Indian Army soldiers aim at a target as they take part in the battle obstacle assault course (BOAS) at peratures can fall to minus 50 two archrivals and claimed by and at least two other places, but 15 Corps Battle School in Khrew, about 25km from Srinagar, yesterday. degrees Celsius. both in its entirety. the crisis has continued in at least India and China have held Indian Defence Minister three other areas, including glacial Chinese-held and Indian-held rather than territorial claims. India unilaterally declared several rounds of talks by mil- Rajnath Singh said yesterday Pangong Lake. territories from Ladakh in the Relations between the two Ladakh a federal territory and itary, diplomatic and political that China and Pakistan were Last month, the world’s two west to India’s eastern state of countries have often been separated it from Kashmir in officials, including negotiations creating conditions that suggest most populous nations accused Arunachal Pradesh, which strained, partly due to their August 2019, ending its semi- between their foreign ministers “a border dispute is being each other of sending soldiers China claims in its entirety. It is undemarcated border. autonomous status. It also and defence ministers in created under a mission.” Singh into each other’s territory in the broken in parts where the They fought a border war in vowed to take back the Chinese- Moscow last month. Although made the remarks while vir- Pangong area and firing warning Himalayan nations of Nepal and 1962 that spilled into Ladakh controlled Aksai Chin plateau, the standoff has persisted, the tually inaugurating 44 bridges shots for the first time in 45 Bhutan border China. and ended in an uneasy truce. which New Delhi says is part of talks seem to have calmed the in areas bordering with China years, raising the spectre of a According to India, the Since then, troops have guarded Ladakh. China was among the situation along the border as no and Pakistan that officials say full-scale military conflict. control line is 3,488km long, the undefined border and occa- first countries to strongly new military aggression has will facilitate easier movement The fiercely contested de while China says it is consid- sionally brawled. condemn the move, raising it at been reported for a month. of the Indian troops. facto border, known as Line of erably shorter. The line divides They have agreed not to international forums including Indian soldiers also are “You are well aware of the Actual Control, separates the areas of physical control attack each other with firearms. the UN Security Council. Mumbai returns Philippine Congress in crisis over leadership dispute to normal AP — MANILA with the largest number of con- legislative chamber, which is passage of the national budget, not want to get dragged in the after massive firmed infections in Southeast dominated by Duterte’s allies. but it’s unclear how that will dispute but stressed the urgency A large faction of Philippine Asia. They mocked Velasco and his occur with two rival speakers for Congress to pass the budget. power outage legislators in the House of The dispute, however, took supporters for holding a session claiming the post. Duterte brokered a power- Representatives elected a new a turn for the worse when in a sports club outside Congress Representative Luis sharing deal last year in which REUTERS — MUMBAI leader yesterday, but the Velasco’s supporters gathered and said they used a fake mace, Raymund Villafuerte Jr, a close Cayetano would assume the incumbent speaker declared the in person and online yesterday a symbol of House authority. Cayetano ally, said if Velasco speakership for 15 months until Millions went without power vote a “travesty” in a tense in a sports club in Quezon City “They’re throwing away the can prove he has the support of this month, to be followed by in India’s financial capital political standoff between two in the capital region, declared constitution, they are asking for a a majority of the lawmakers, Velasco, who would serve as Mumbai and surrounding allies of the president. Cayetano’s position vacant and revolutionary government,” Cayetano’s camp will agree that speaker for the remaining 21 areas for hours yesterday, after President Rodrigo Duterte elected Velasco to replace him. Cayetano said. “What happened he get the speakership in a legal months. a grid failure triggered its first warned last week that he would The club was arranged to today is really a travesty.” House procedure after the Cayetano recently offered major blackout in more than intercede if the leadership row look like the House plenary hall, Cayetano’s camp says it has the budget is passed. to step down but his camp said two years. between House Speaker Alan with a giant Philippine flag dis- backing of 205 legislators. It asked “We’re lawmakers. We’re a majority of lawmakers voted The outage stranded thou- Peter Cayetano and Represent- played on an LED screen. Velasco Velasco to identify the 186 law- starting to become a laughing to reject his resignation. After sands of train passengers, dis- ative Lord Allan Velasco offered to meet Cayetano for an makers his camp claims voted stock because those who Cayetano steered the initial rupted online college exams threatens the passage of next orderly transition. him to the speakership, along with attended there are showing approval of the budget, his and affected mobile telephone year’s budget. The 4.5 trillion But Cayetano and his allies a new House secretary-general they’re law breakers. Let us not camp abruptly suspended con- services before power was peso ($90bn) budget is crucial declared in a news conference and sergeant-at-arms. destroy the institution,” Vil- gressional sessions, pre- restored to most parts of the in helping finance the govern- at the House that the vote for Duterte has called for a lafuerte told reporters. empting Velasco’s assumption city of some 20 million. ment’s response to the corona- Velasco violated the law and the special session of the House Presidential spokesman of the speakership under the The grid failure was caused virus pandemic in a country rules of the 300-member starting today to hasten the Harry Roque said Duterte does power-sharing deal. by “technical problems” during maintenance work, the energy minister of Mumbai’s home state of Maharashtra said. In Australian state premier, mid-2018, a fire at a trans- former sparked similar power cuts in the city and its suburbs. China-linked politician Throughout yesterday’s breakdown, Mumbai’s inter- ‘had secret relationship’ national airport and the coun- try’s two main stock exchanges REUTERS — SYDNEY uno”, but demanded Maguire’s located in the city, the National resignation after the 2018 ICAC Stock Exchange and BSE, The premier of Australia’s most revelations. operated normally, their populous state told a corruption She said she ceased contact spokespeople said. inquiry on Monday that she had with him in September 2020 “Power supply to all had a secret “close personal after being privately interviewed essential services in Mumbai, relationship” with a politician by corruption investigators. A suburbs... have been restored. under investigation for mone- new ICAC inquiry is investigating Non-essential services will tising his position through Maguire’s pursuit of business also be restored shortly,” business dealings with China. deals between 2012 and 2018 Maharashtra Energy Minister New South Wales (NSW) which commonly involved an Nitin Raut said on Twitter. Premier Gladys Berejiklian “association with China”. The government-run Bri- revealed the relationship to the ICAC telephone intercepts hanmumbai Electric Supply NSW Independent Commission played to the inquiry showed and Transport agency, Adani into Corruption (ICAC), prompting Maguire discussed his financial Power Ltd and Tata Power Co calls from the opposition Labor problems, including debts of Ltd — the three main suppliers party for her resignation. $1.5m, with Berejiklian, as well to Mumbai — had all been Addressing media after the as the potential for him to gain affected by the outage that Temperature check before entrance test in Colombo hearing, Berejiklian said she financially from an airport land extended to hospitals, many had “made a mistake in my deal. Maguire wanted to resolve A security worker takes the temperature of a student appearing for university entrance examination, of which are treating personal life” with a rela- his debts before resigning from which the government postponed twice due to the coronavirus disease, outside a school in Colombo, COVID-19 patients. tionship she did not even dis- politics at the 2019 election, the Hospitals and other insti- Sri Lanka, yesterday. close to her family or closest inquiry heard. tutions in India have over the friends, but would continue to If Maguire left politics, years banked on emergency serve as premier because she Berejiklian would have been diesel power generators as a had “not done anything wrong”. willing to make their rela- backup due to frequent Coronavirus can last 28 days on “People may have tried to tionship public, she recalled. outages caused by demand influence me... but they failed,” She told the inquiry she was outstripping supply. The situ- she said. “an independent woman with ation has improved in the big touchscreens, currency: Study Berejiklian had earlier told my own finances”, adding she cities but the countryside still the ICAC she was “beyond would “never turn a blind eye” has to live with frequent power REUTERS — MELBOURNE/SYDNEY phone screens. The study was plastic banknotes. shocked, disgusted” by evi- to inappropriate behaviour. cuts. published in Virology Journal. “So heading into summer dence put before the inquiry “I am very clear of my public Mumbai’s trains, which are The virus that causes COVID-19 By comparison, Influenza A that’s certainly going to be an that the former MP for the town responsibilities and the dis- generally packed and move can survive on banknotes, glass virus has been found to survive on important factor that the virus of Wagga Wagga, Daryl tinction between my private life more than seven million and stainless steel for up to 28 surfaces for 17 days. “It really rein- won’t last as long in the warmer Maguire, was allegedly and public responsibilities.” The people a day to their offices days, much longer than the flu forces the importance of washing temperatures,” Riddell said, involved in a “cash for visas inquiry was played a September and factories, have resumed virus, Australian researchers hands and sanitising where pos- referring to the upcoming scheme” for Chinese nationals 2017 telephone intercept where operations after more than said yesterday, highlighting the sible and certainly wiping down southern hemisphere summer. involving falsified employment. Maguire talks about concluding two hours of inactivity due to need for cleaning and hand- surfaces that may be in contact All the experiments were Maguire could not be a land deal, and Berejiklian the power failure. washing to combat the virus. with the virus,” said the study’s done in the dark to remove the reached for comment and will responds, “I don’t need to know Train services in the city Findings from the study lead researcher Shane Riddell. impact of ultraviolet light, as appear before the inquiry later about that bit”. have been curtailed due to the done by Australia’s national The study involved drying research has shown direct sun- in the week. Berejiklian said Maguire COVID-19 pandemic and they science agency, CSIRO, appear virus in an artificial mucus on a light can kill the virus. “So in the Maguire was forced to resign was “a big talker” and she are carrying far fewer pas- to show that in a very con- range of surfaces at concentra- real world results would likely from the NSW Parliament, and would often dismiss his talk of sengers than usual. Still, social trolled environment the virus tions similar to samples from be shorter than what we were his position as chairman of the deals as fanciful. media was splashed with pic- remained infectious for longer COVID-19 patients and then able to show,” Riddell said. NSW Parliament Asia Pacific Maguire boasted in one tel- tures of people stranded inside than other studies have found. recovering the virus over a month. Researchers said given that Friendship Group, after a 2018 ephone intercept that he had lightless trains and in railway CSIRO researchers found Experiments done at 20, 30 proteins and fats in body fluids investigation heard he had sought met Chinese President Xi stations. that at 20 degrees Celsius (68 and 40 degrees C showed the can also sharply increase virus to act for Chinese property devel- Jinping, an encounter which The Times of India said degrees Fahrenheit) the SARS- virus survived longer at cooler survival times, their study may opers in land deals. Berejiklian explained to the final-year online exams COV-2 virus remained infec- temperatures, longer on smooth help explain the apparent per- Berejiklian said she had inquiry was among a group of across Mumbai colleges have tious for 28 days on smooth sur- surfaces than on complex sur- sistence and spread of the virus been in a relationship with 15 NSW politicians who lined been postponed due to the faces such as plastic banknotes faces such as cotton, and longer in cool environments like meat- Maguire since 2015, and had up to greet Xi on his visit to blackout. and glass found on mobile on paper banknotes than on packing facilities. once called him her “numero Sydney in 2014. TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 ASIA 11 China claims busting ‘spies’ from Taiwan

TAIPEI BLOOMBERG — The Mainland Affairs Lee, who is also known as shared were later identified as words in others’ mouths and supported pro-democracy Council in Taipei Morrison Lee, was accused of containing Chinese state secrets. framing a case against movement in Asian financial Taiwan accused China of “spying into state secrets for an The Mainland Affairs Taiwanese.” centre. staging a “malicious political called the report overseas organisation and Council in Taipei called the There were widespread A national security officer stunt” after Chinese state media “groundless” and a endangering national security,” report “groundless” and a media reports in August 2019 from Guangdong interviewed said security agents had “malicious political CCTV said. “malicious political stunt” by the about a gathering of thousands for the programme said Lee did uncovered hundreds of spy The man had also shared Chinese Communist Party. of members of the People’s so to “achieve personal political cases in a mass dragnet. stunt” by the Chinese photos in a chat group with The council said yesterday Armed Police at the Shenzhen gains.” The “Thunder 2020” oper- Communist Party. several other Taiwanese people, that it had been in contact with Bay Sports Center. The programme ended by ation swept up Taiwanese spies the programme said. Lee’s family since he as Satellite images of the sending a warning to pro-inde- and destroyed an espionage The segment included detained in China last year and centre appeared to confirm the pendence Taiwan forces who network deployed by Taipei, videos and took dozens of visuals of conversations held on was providing assistance. presence of armed personnel, support Hong Kong protesters, broadcaster China Central Tel- photos of People’s Liberation messaging app Line between Lee Beijing “asked parties in this the Financial Times reported at saying they could be given evision said yesterday in a Army exercises at a stadium last and another Taiwanese man the case to be interviewed by its the time. prison terms ranging from three current affairs show. year in Shenzhen, at a time programme named as Chen official media and confess pub- Lee was also accused on the years to life if they are found The programme featured a when anxiety about Chinese Ya-lin. Lee had ignored “no licly, which is not in accordance programme of supporting Hong guilty of violating the sweeping Taiwanese businessman CCTV military intervention to quell photos” signs at the stadium, the with legal procedure,” the Kong’s protesters, preparing new national security law named as Lee Meng-chu con- unrest in neighboring Hong report said, adding that the council said via text message. and disseminating leaflets with Beijing imposed on Hong Kong fessing on-air that he shot 16 Kong was running high. visual materials he took and “The CCP must stop putting the message that Taiwan this summer. Afghanistan withdrawal still ‘conditions-based’: US general

AFP — WASHINGTON Afghanistan.” tweeted his pledge to have all Milley noted that US troop troops back by December 25. The US withdrawal of more levels had already dropped Trump’s pledge came in the troops from Afghanistan will from 12,000 in the wake of the context of his uphill battle for depend on a reduction in February pact, which required reelection on November 3, and violence and other conditions negotiations between the a full withdrawal in that short agreed in February with the Taliban and Kabul and a sharp amount of time is seen as logis- Taliban, the Pentagon’s top cut in violence. tically impractical and could general said in an interview “That’s always been the weaken Kabul in peace talks. broadcast yesterday. agreement. That was the decision One of the conditions in the Five days after President of the president on a conditions- US-Taliban agreement was for Donald Trump said he wants based withdrawal,” Milley said, the insurgents to halt attacks on US forces “home by Christmas,” adding that violence was well urban areas. Joint Chiefs Chairman General down from several years ago, but But over the weekend Mark Milley stressed to NPR the decline in the last four to five heavy fighting erupted on the radio that pulling out the final months is “not significant.” outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the 4,500 troops depends on the The Pentagon has envisaged capital of Helmand province, Taliban reducing attacks and holding the level at around and US forces launched air advancing peace talks with the 4,500, expected to be reached strikes on Taliban fighters. Kabul government. by November, into 2021 while Milley declined to talk about “The whole agreement and it sees how the negotiations in specific numbers, saying future all of the drawdown plans are Doha progress. But policy drawdowns “will be deter- conditions-based,” Milley said. signals from Washington have mined by the president.” “The key here is that we’re been confused. “We the military are giving An Afghan policeman stands guard in the courtyard of the police headquarters in Kabul, yetserday. trying to end a war responsibly, Last week, Trump’s national our best military advice on deliberately, and to do it on security adviser, Robert those conditions so that the terms that guarantee the safety O’Brien, said troops would be president can make an Afghan police ordered to shoot criminals of the US vital national security cut to 2,500 early next year. informed, deliberate, respon- interests that are at stake in But on Wednesday Trump sible decision,” he said. AFP — KABUL minister Massoud Andarabi late Aside from crime and a Sunday shifted to a shoot-to- booming drugs trade, Afghan Afghan authorities have for the kill order in a bid to control the police respond to frequent Australian writer first time instructed Kabul’s escalation, his spokesman said. attacks against government Pakistan Premier's aide police force to fatally shoot “(Andarabi) said criminals officials, peace activists and indicted for armed criminals on sight, a should not roam freely in Kabul academics. resigns amid scandal sharp escalation in tactics city, hit them and kill them,” Officials accuse Taliban- spying in Beijing aimed at stemming a surge in Tariq Arian said. linked groups of carrying out BLOOMBERG — ISLAMABAD Corridor, also known as CPEC kidnappings, murders and Even low-level criminals the assaults, even though the under China’s Belt and Road AGENCIES — BEIJING other violent crimes. and thieves in Kabul are often hardline group pledged not to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Initiative. Already stretched to armed with guns or knives. attack urban areas under a Feb- Khan’s special assistant on infor- The premier had turned Detained Australian writer breaking point after years of “Crime has really risen in ruary deal with the US. mation Asim Saleem Bajwa, a down his earlier request to Yang Hengjun is accused of Taliban and jihadist attacks, the Kabul these days. Our neigh- Washington has since retired lieutenant general, resign after a report in August espionage and his case is being capital’s police are now grap- bourhood was safe but now begun a rapid drawdown of resigned weeks after a report his by Ahmed Noorani, an investi- heard by a Beijing court, pling with a crime wave that is almost every day and night, troops, further exposing the family business grew in the US, gative journalist, that Bajwa’s China’s foreign ministry only expected to worsen as US people get robbed, killed and undertrained and underfunded while he was serving in the army. family owned many franchises spokesman said yesterday. and foreign forces pull out of kidnapped,” said Shafi, a shop- police service. Khan “approved my request” of Papa John’s International Inc. The 55-year-old blogger Afghanistan. keeper in Kabul. The government remains to relinquish the additional post, Khan had said he accepted was detained by Chinese Officers had until now only The Taliban, who are locked in peace talks with the Bajwa said in a Twitter post yes- Bajwa’s clarification that the authorities in January 2019 at been allowed to fire their believed to have cells in sym- Taliban, who continue to use terday. He will keep working as expansion of his family business Guangzhou Airport after weapons when in a direct clash pathetic neighbourhoods, also violence as leverage in the the head of more than $60bn was not linked to his rise in arriving from New York. He with criminals, but interior vowed to “step up patrols”. negotiations. China-Pakistan Economic military. has been held in a Beijing detention facility with no access to his family, while his wife remains in China. Kim Jong-Un tearfully thanks Speaking at a daily news briefing in Beijing, foreign troops, apologises for failures ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Yang had been that not a single North Korean indicted on charges of espi- had been infected with the onage on October 7, and that virus, a claim that US and South Chinese authorities were fully Korean officials have previ- protecting his rights. “The ously cast doubts on. Beijing Second Intermediate The impact of anti-corona- People’s Court has filed and virus measures, international accepted the case according sanctions, and several typhoons to law,” said Zhao. The first combined to prevent the gov- hearing of the case is ongoing, ernment from following he said. through on promises to Yang told his family in a improve citizens’ lives, Kim message last month that he said. was innocent and would “My efforts and sincerity “never confess to something I have not been sufficient enough haven’t done” to rid our people of the diffi- Australian Cheng Lei, an REUTERS — SEOUL culties in their life,” he said. anchor for China’s English- “Our people, however, have language state broadcaster, North Korean leader Kim always believed and absolutely has been held since at least Jong-Un (pictured) became trusted me, and supported my August 14 but Australian dip- visibly emotional during a choice and determination, lomats say Beijing has given speech at a military parade whatever it is.” no reason for her detention. over the weekend as he North Korea’s economy, His lawyer Shang Baojun thanked troops for their sacri- already severely restricted by said Yang’s case had entered An aerial view of the Imperial City of Hue, submerged in floodwaters caused by heavy downpours fices and apologised to citizens international sanctions the court of first instance — but in Hue, central Vietnam, yesterday. for failing to improve their imposed over its nuclear in China’s opaque legal system lives. weapons and ballistic missile it does not mean his trial has At a speech on Saturday programmes, took a further hit Vietnam flood toll rises as storm to dump more rain started. Yang is one of a string during celebrations to mark the as the country shut down of foreign nationals to have 75th anniversary of the nearly all border traffic in an REUTERS — HANOI waters, the national disaster province of Thua Thien Hue. been arrested in China on alle- founding of its ruling Workers’ effort to prevent a coronavirus management authority said, “We received a report gations of spying. Party, Kim thanked thousands outbreak. Vietnam’s flood death toll rose adding that local authorities saying that between 10 and 13 Two other Australian of gathered troops for The United Nations has said to at least 23 yesterday and had evacuated nearly 46,000 workers have been buried in a reporters Bill Birtles and responding to recent damaging that as much as 40 percent of authorities said the incoming people from the affected areas. landslide and we don’t know if Michael Smith fled China storms, and for helping to the population faces food storm Nangka would dump The floods have inundated they are still alive,” a disaster shortly after Cheng’s prevent a coronavirus outbreak shortages, which may have more heavy rain on the country more than 109,000 houses and management official in Thua detention, also fearing arrest. in the country. been exacerbated by severe in the coming days. 584 hectares of crops and Thien Hue province said. Australia has ramped up its In video footage edited and summer floods and typhoons. The floods have also left at damaged several roads and Soldiers have been rhetoric against China — its released by the state television In a scene common to many least 14 people missing in Viet- bridges, the agency added. deployed to the area to rescue biggest export market — in station, Kim appeared tearful such events in North Korean, nam’s central provinces, the Separately, a landslide yes- the workers, said the official, recent months, outraging and at one point seemed to most people in the audience government said in a statement. terday reportedly buried up to who asked not to be named as Beijing by leading global calls choke up. also had tears streaming down Most of the victims were 13 construction workers at a he was not authorised to speak for a probe into the origins of Kim said he was grateful their faces. washed away by the flood hydropower dam in the central to the media. the coronavirus. 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 UK unveils 3-tiered lockdown plan; Liverpool at highest risk AP — LONDON “shuttering our lives and our The “very high” risk tier will far enough. in March. He said three tem- society” through a new national face restrictions including, if “I am now deeply sceptical porary COVID-19 hospitals in The British government carved lockdown. There are currently more local authorities want, closing that the government has northern England that were England into three tiers of coro- But restaurants and other people hospitalised with venues such as gyms. Liverpool actually got a plan to get control mothballed when the outbreak navirus risk yesterday in a bid businesses are pushing back, the virus than there were was the only area put into the of this virus, to protect jobs or receded over the summer are to slow a resurgent outbreak, arguing that they are not to top category yesterday, but retain public trust,” he said. being readied to admit patients putting the northern city of blame for rising infections. when the country went Johnson said authorities were The UK has experienced once again in the coming weeks. Liverpool into the highest risk After falling during the into its national lockdown still talking with other local Europe’s deadliest outbreak, England’s deputy chief category and shutting its gyms summer, coronavirus cases are in March. leaders across the north of with an official death toll of medical officer, Jonathan Van- and betting shops. rising in the UK as winter England. 42,875. Health officials say Tam, said yesterday that while Prime Minister Boris approaches, with northwest and Stephen Powis Under the new measures, Britain is at a tipping point in northern England has the Johnson said the three-tier northeast England seeing the National Medical Director, gyms, leisure centres and the outbreak, with strong action highest infection rates, cases are national system was designed steepest increases. Liverpool betting shops in Liverpool will needed to prevent hospitals on the rise across the country. to “simplify and standardise” a has one of the country’s most NHS England close from tomorrow. being overwhelmed at a time “The epidemic this time has confusing patchwork of local severe outbreaks, with more Liverpool Mayor Steve of year when they are already clearly picked up pace in the rules over what residents can than 600 cases per 100,000 Rotheram said his city and at their busiest with flu and north of England earlier than it and cannot do. Johnson said people, even more than the Areas in the lowest tier will others will need financial other winter illnesses. did in the first wave. And that shops, schools and universities hard-hit European cities of follow existing national restric- support and must know exactly Stephen Powis, medical almost certainly relates to the would remain open in all areas. Madrid and Brussels. tions, including a 10pm curfew what the exit strategy would be director of the National Health fact the disease levels in the He told lawmakers in the Under the new measures, on restaurants and a ban on from the measures, which are Service in England, said there north, and certainly in the House of Commons that the areas in England are classified more than six people gathering. set to be reviewed after a are currently more people hos- northwest, never dropped as far goal was to save lives and at medium, high or very high In areas at high risk, members month. Keir Starmer, leader of pitalised with the virus than in the summer as they did in the prevent hospitals becoming risk, and placed under restric- of different households are the opposition Labour Party, there were when the country south,” Van-Tam told a news overwhelmed without tions of varying severity. barred from meeting indoors. said the measures might not go went into its national lockdown conference. French PM issues warning Italy set to ban parties among amid spike in virus cases new rules to AFP — PARIS that “it should be possible” to curb COVID-19 avoid a nationwide lockdown French authorities could be like the two-month one at the REUTERS — ROME forced to impose new lock- height of the COVID-19 out- downs in a bid to contain break in the spring. Italy is set to ban private another surge in coronavirus But he said too many people parties and limit the numbers cases that is putting a strain on were failing to appreciate that of guests at weddings and hospitals, Prime Minister Jean “the second wave is here,” funerals among new restric- Castex warned yesterday. noting that two more cities, tions aimed at curbing a surge “If over the next two weeks Toulouse and Montpellier, were in coronavirus infections, we see the epidemic indicators placed on maximum alert late according to a draft decree worsen, if intensive care beds Sunday because of a surge in seen by Reuters. Fairground workers drive their trucks with banners reading “Fairground workers are angry” during fill up even more than we new cases — bringing the total The decree, which could be a demonstration to protest against COVID-19 restrictions, Marseille, southeastern France, yesterday. expect, we will indeed take to nine. issued as early as yesterday, additional measures,” Castex In particular he pointed to prohibits people from hosting said in an interview with France Paris and its suburbs, where to hand out fines,” Castex said. that the government’s home- Britain and Germany, which more than 10 guests in their Info radio. agents carried out some 500 The national health agency grown StopCovid tracing app have 16 million and 18 million homes or in any other private Asked about the chances of checks over the weekend to reported a record of nearly had been ineffective, just weeks downloads respectively. premises. new stay-at-home orders and ensure establishments were 27,000 new daily virus cases on after he admitted that he But the government is It also states that no more business closures specifically, closed as ordered and restau- Saturday, and more than 16,000 himself had not downloaded it. working on a new version to be than 10 guests will be allowed he said “nothing can be ruled rants were ensuring social dis- on Sunday, with the overall Only 2.6 million downloads released on October 22, “and at weddings, and no more than out, given what we’re seeing in tancing measures. death toll now standing at have been carried out since this one I will download”, 15 people can be present at our hospitals.” Castex reiterated “In 95 cases, the agents had 32,730. Castex acknowledged June, far below the versions in Castex said. funerals. Italy on Friday topped 5,000 new COVID-19 cases in Up to 15,000 a single day for the first time Spain hit by anti-govt car protests called by far-right since March. Daily infections German soldiers remained above 5,000 on both AFP — MADRID pandemic in Spain, one of the Saturday and Sunday. to support battle worst hit European countries Deaths linked to COVID-19 Hundreds of cars and motor- that is facing a major second are far fewer, normally below against pandemic bikes paraded yesterday in wave of the deadly virus. 30, compared with peaks Madrid and other Spanish cities A government decision to above 900 per day around the REUTERS — BERLIN in protests called by the far- impose a state of emergency in end of March. Under the draft right to demand Prime Minister Madrid to enforce a partial decree, amateur contact sports Germany will deploy up to Pedro Sanchez and his lockdown in the face of rising involving more than 6 people, 15,000 soldiers to reinforce government resign. infections was a particular such as soccer, are to be sus- civilian authorities increas- Sporting red and yellow irritant. The state of emergency pended and more severe social ingly stretched in their battle national flags and banners, went into effect on Friday for distancing is to be imposed in against rising numbers of people gathered on Spain’s 15 days. It was imposed after a some workplaces. coronavirus infections that national day at the call of far- major row between the central The government also plans have reached the highest level right party Vox to protest the government and the right-wing to reduce to 10 days from 14 since April, the Defence left-wing government’s han- regional government of Madrid days the quarantine period Ministry said yesterday. dling of the coronavirus over divergent ideas as to how necessary for people who have The country has managed pandemic. to contain the virus in the come into contact with an People protest in their vehicles against the state of emergency in to suppress the pandemic In Madrid, hundreds of capital and surrounding areas. infected person, Health Min- a demonstration in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. more than many of its neigh- vehicles went down the large In decentralised Spain, the ister Roberto Speranza said on bours and keep the death toll Castellana avenue where a mil- regions manage their own Sunday. lower but the daily number of itary parade normally takes Seville and Malaga in the south, gathered on foot, all wearing public healthcare. Meanwhile, four Swiss new cases leapt above 4,000 place on October 12, cancelled according to images on social masks, often accompanied by Spain has reported some Guards have tested positive for last week, with cases surging this year due to the pandemic. media. their relatives. 850,000 cases and close to coronavirus and were showing in big cities like Berlin and Car protests also took place In Madrid’s central Colon They are critical of the gov- 33,000 deaths since the start of symptoms, the Vatican said Frankfurt. The government in Valencia in the east, and square, many protesters also ernment’s handling of the the pandemic. yesterday. has warned of the situation spiralling out of control as local staff charged with tracing the contacts of infected people Poland Navy defusing 5,400kg bomb EU nations to adopt common by phone are stretched thin by the growing number of cases. REUTERS — WARSAW explosive, the Navy said on its of the bomb, the middle part the travel rules amid pandemic About 1,300 soldiers were Facebook account. bomb was left, as planned, so already supporting the civilian Navy divers yesterday began a The bomb was found in the that the debris around it would AP — BRUSSELS glad that we found this solution administration, a Defence five-day operation to defuse the Piast Canal which connects the keep the bomb in a fixed place, together,” EU Commission Ministry spokesman said. The largest unexploded World War Baltic Sea with the Oder River, so that it would not move and European Union countries are President Ursula von der Leyen Bundeswehr was ready to Two bomb ever found in and was dropped by the RAF in the fuses would not be trig- getting ready to adopt a said. The key measure is a detach up to 15,000 soldiers Poland, forcing more than 750 1945 in an attack on the German gered,” Michal Jodloski from the common traffic light system to common map of infections for this job if they were people to evacuate their homes. cruiser Lutzow. The site is near 12th Minesweeper Squadron of coordinate travelling across the drawn up by the European needed, he added. The min- Dubbed the “earthquake” the town of Swinoujscie in the 8th Coastal Defense Flotilla 27-nation bloc, but a return to Centre for Disease Prevention istry had received 1,000 bomb, the Tallboy bomb was northwest Poland where a liq- told private broadcaster TVN a full freedom of movement in and Control. It will sort requests from local authorities used by Britain’s Royal Air uefied natural gas (LNG) ter- 24. On Monday 751 people had the midst of the COVID-19 European regions into green, for support. Force (RAF) and weighs nearly minal was opened in 2016. to be evacuated from the area, pandemic remains far from orange and red zones according 5,400 kg, including 2,400 kg of “We dug up the moving part local media reported. reach. to the severity of coronavirus In addition to causing the outbreaks, taking into account Opposition fails deaths of at least 151,000 EU new confirmed cases per citizens and plunging the EU’s 100,000 people and the per- to break Orban’s economy into recession, the centage of positive tests. coronavirus has also landed a Under the latest proposal, super-majority in blow to free movement of red zones should be areas people. When the virus struck where COVID-19 cases are Hungary in March, several EU countries more than 50 per 100,000 decided to close their borders people during a 14-day period AFP — BUDAPEST to non-citizens without talking and the percentage of positive to their neighbours, creating tests reaches at least 4%. Hungary’s opposition failed to huge traffic jams and slowing Regions with a lower positive end a parliamentary super- down the delivery of much- rate but where the total number majority enjoyed by the party needed medical equipment. of cases is more than 150 per of Prime Minister Vikor Orban The cacophony, which also 100,000 will also be classified on Sunday after losing a played havoc with millions of red. In light of the very high by-election in the east of the tourists caught off guard by the level of infections across the country. Success in the vote in virus, prompted the EU’s exec- continent, it means that most Borsod would have ended the utive arm to push for a more of the bloc should be classified ruling Fidesz party’s two- unified approach. as red or orange. Travellers thirds majority in parliament The EU commission last from green areas won’t face and would have been a major month came up with proposals limits on their journeys, but boost for the opposition. that have been discussed and national EU governments will But the Fidesz candidate amended before their continue to set their own Zsofia Koncz won 51 percent scheduled approval by EU restrictions such as quarantines of ballots versus 46 percent for nations today. or mandatory testing upon Poland Navy divers prepare the equipment to be used in the operation to defuse a WWII five-tonne opposition challenger Laszlo “This new system will make arrival for people coming from underwater bomb, in Piast, south of the city of Swinoujscie, Poland, yesterday. Biro, according to early results. things easier for citizens. I am orange or red zones. TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 EUROPE 13 Russia expels two Bulgarian diplomats in reciprocal move

AFP — MOSCOW The controversy cooperation”. The Bulgarian is likely to worsen public prosecutor alleged the Russia said yesterday it was Russians had been seeking out expelling two Bulgarian traditionally warm but classified information on mil- diplomats in a tit-for-tat move now fraying relations itary modernisation plans since after two Russians were 2016. ordered out of the EU country between the two The controversy is likely to on accusations of spying for the countries. worsen traditionally warm but military. now fraying relations between The foreign ministry said in the two countries after last year a statement that Bulgarian two representatives of Russia’s saw the ejection of three other ambassador Atanas Krystin was trade mission in Sofia,” the Russian diplomats over allega- summoned to be informed that ministry said. tions of obtaining classified the two Moscow-based dip- In September, Bulgaria said information. lomats had been declared “per- it had expelled the two Russians A former Warsaw Pact ally sonae non gratae”. on accusations of spying on the of Moscow, Bulgaria’s military “This step is a tit-for-tat military. retains military hardware ‘retaliatory’ response to an Moscow at the time said it dating from that era and is now Ukraine, Poland strengthen ties unwarranted decision of the viewed the decision as a “delib- modernising to conform with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (left) and Poland President Andrzej Duda bump fists as they Bulgarian authorities to expel erate attempt to harm con- NATO guidelines after joining meet in Kiev, Ukraine, yesterday. from the country in September structive Russia-Bulgaria the Western alliance in 2004. Navalny case: EU set to freeze assets of Russian officials Centre-left wins Vienna election, AP — BRUSSELS acceptance by all member Last week, tests conducted plausible explanation for Mr broken by using it on Russian states,” EU foreign policy chief at labs designated by the Organ- Navalny’s poisoning than a territory,” he said. no comeback European Union foreign Josep Borrell told reporters after ization for the Prohibition of Russian involvement and In parallel, the EU agreed ministers agreed yesterday to the talks. “Everybody was sup- Chemical Weapons confirmed responsibility.” Monday to extend until October for Strache impose sanctions on Russian porting this proposal.” Borrell that Navalny was the victim of They said they would push 16, 2021, the system allowing officials and organisations provided no details about who a Novichok nerve agent. for EU sanctions to “target indi- the 27-nation bloc to impose AP — BERLIN blamed for the poisoning of might face sanctions or when German Foreign Minister viduals deemed responsible for sanctions on people and organ- opposition leader Alexei the measures might come into Heiko Maas said that given the this crime and breach of inter- isations involved in the devel- Austria’s main centre-left Navalny with a Soviet-era nerve force, but said that technical OPCW’s findings, it is now national norms, based on their opment and use of chemical party has won a regional agent. work on preparing the action “objectively clear that this is a official function, as well as an weapons. election in Vienna that saw At a meeting in Luxem- will now proceed. breach of the Chemical entity involved in the Novichok Nine people are already on the far-right Freedom Party bourg, France and Germany Navalny, an anti-corruption Weapons Convention, one that program.” Finnish Foreign Min- this list — four accused of lose more than two-thirds of urged their EU partners to investigator and major political cannot remain without ister Pekka Haavisto said involvement in the Novichok its support and its former freeze the assets of those sus- opponent of Russian President consequences.” Monday that it’s important to attack in Salisbury, England, leader, Heinz-Christian pected of involvement and ban Vladimir Putin, fell ill on August In a statement on Friday, persuade Moscow to fully coop- two years ago and five linked Strache, apparently fail to them from travelling in Europe 20 during a domestic flight in France and Germany said that erate in any investigation of the to the Syrian regime’s use of make a political comeback. under sanctions to combat the Russia. He was flown to despite repeated calls Russia poisoning. chemical weapons. One organ- Preliminary final results use and spread of chemical Germany for treatment two has provided “no credible “The law has been broken isation — Syria’s Scientific from Sunday’s election, weapons. days later and is still recovering explanation” for what happened by producing a substance like Studies and Research Center - including an estimate of “It was a complete there. and that “there is no other Novichok and the law has been is also subject to sanctions. postal votes that have yet to be counted, showed the centre-left Social Democrats EU ministers winning more than 42% of Over 700 protesters detained in Belarus crackdown the vote, making slight gains ready to sanction and cementing Mayor AP — KIEV, UKRAINE Mass protests have rocked Michael Ludwig’s position, Lukashenko Belarus since August 9, when the Austria Press Agency Over 700 people were detained the results of the presidential reported. AFP — LUXEMBOURG in Belarus during mass protests election handed Lukashenko a The party is in opposition against reelection of the coun- victory with 80% of the vote nationally to a coalition of EU foreign ministers said try’s authoritarian leader, in the and his main challenger Svi- Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s yesterday they were ready to harshest crackdown in weeks atlana Tsikhanouskaya only conservative Austrian Peo- sanction Belarus leader Alex- on proteters. 10%. Tsikhanouskaya and her ple’s Party and the Greens, ander Lukashenko, as the bloc The Belarusian Interior supporters refused to recognise which both moved up, to seeks to step up pressure over Ministry reported yesterday that the results of the vote, saying it around 19% and over 13% his regime’s crackdown on a total of 713 people were was manipulated. The largest respectively. protesters. detained during rallies across rallies have been held on The Freedom Party, The EU has already the country a day before, and Sundays and have drawn up to Kurz’s former partner in a imposed travel bans and asset 570 of them remained in 200,000 people. national government that freezes on 40 Lukashenko custody waiting to face a court. In the first days of the pro- collapsed in a scandal last allies for rigging an election in The protests demanding the tests, Belarusian authorities year, saw its support collapse August that returned him to resignation of President Alex- cracked down brutally on pro- from just over 30% to around power and orchestrating a ander Lukashenko spanned testers, with police detaining 8%. crackdown on mass protests several cities on Sunday, with thousands and injuring scores In May 2019, a video that have rocked the country the largest crowds gathering in with truncheons, rubber bullets showing then-Freedom Party Belarusian law enforcement members use a water cannon to since the vote. the capital, Minsk. The Viasna and stun grenades. leader Strache offering disperse a crowd during an opposition rally in Minsk, on Sunday. The bloc had held back human rights centre estimated The government has since favours to a purported from penalising Lukashenko, that around 100,000 people scaled back on the violence but Russian investor prompted hoping to persuade him to took part in the Minsk rally. has maintained the pressure, Belarusian journalists face 15 Earlier this month Bela- Kurz to pull the plug on the engage in dialogue with oppo- Police quickly moved to dis- detaining hundreds of pro- days of administrative arrest for rusian authorities rescinded the national government. sition forces to resolve the perse the protest with water testers and prosecuting top disobeying police officers. Many accreditation of all journalists Strache, who denied any crisis. cannons, stun grenades and activists. Prominent members had their equipment seized. working for foreign news wrongdoing, was later kicked But a fresh crackdown in truncheons, preventing groups of the opposition’s Coordination “The authorities are trying outlets and said they must apply out of the Freedom Party. Minsk on Sunday prompted of people in different parts of Council, formed to push for a to prevent coverage of the pro- for new credentials, which Strache ran in the Vienna ministers to give political the city from merging into one transition of power, have been tests by beating up and some foreign outlets received election with a new party, approval to sanctioning the large gathering. arrested or forced to leave the detaining journalists, with- last week. In September, the Team HC Strache, but the strongman leader. Dozens of people sustained country. Over 40 journalists drawing their accreditation and authorities also suspended the preliminary results showed In their formal conclusions injuries in what human rights were detained over the creating catastrophic working media credentials of the most it polling 4% at most — falling on Belarus, the ministers said advocates said was the harshest weekend, 25 of them in Minsk, conditions,” Andrei Bastunets, popular Belarusian news site short of the 5% needed to win the list of sanctioned people dispersal of a Sunday demon- the Belarusian Association of head of the Belarusian Associ- that has been extensively cov- seats in the local and entities would be put stration since August. Journalists said. Fifteen ation of Journalists, told AP. ering the protests. legislature. “under constant review”. “The EU stands ready to take further restrictive measures, including against Opposition leads Lithuania election Gunman wounds policeman entities and high-ranking offi- cials, including A. AP — VILNIUS, LITHUANIA in Croatia before killing self Lukashenko,” the ministers said. As he arrived for the Lithuania’s opposition conserv- AP — ZAGREB, CROATIA police. He had four wounds, to meeting in Luxembourg, ative Homeland Union party his torso and one arm, but no German Foreign Minister claimed victory yesterday in the A gunman yesterday shot and vital organs were hit, doctors Heiko Maas had urged his first round of the country’s wounded a police officer said. counterparts to expand the general election, winning 23 outside the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej sanctions list to include the seats in 141-seat parliament as government headquarters in Plenkovic said an investigation strongman leader. the centre-right opposition the capital, Zagreb, before is underway to determine “The violence continues, appears on track to win the killing himself, police said. whether the shooting was an perpetrated by the vote, defeating the ruling four- The shooting happened “event of individual character.” Lukashenko regime — there party coalition. around 8 am at Trg Svetog “We do not know enough at this are still arrests of peaceful The Farmers and Greens Marka, or St. Mark’s Square, moment,” Plenkovic told demonstrators, so we have to Union, which forms the which hosts the Croatian par- reporters. He said the attacker consider how to proceed,” said backbone of the Baltic nation’s liament building and other walked to the square, which is Maas, whose country currently current ruling coalition, fin- important state institutions. open to the public despite Lithuania’s Homeland Union party's prime minister nominee Ingrida holds the EU’s rotating ished second with 16 seats out- Police said another officer hosting top state institutions. Simonyte (left) and party chairman Gabrielius Landsbergis speak presidency. right and many fewer candi- at the scene fired at the attacker “We have a culture of “I have suggested that we dates making it into the second to reporters, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Sunday. who fled after the shooting and openness,” said Plenkovic. establish a new package of round of voting being held on later committed suicide nearby. “This brings us to a new situ- sanctions. And Lukashenko October 25. former finance minister and from the Soviet Union in 1990. They said he was a 22-year-old ation and rethinking of should be among the people Two liberal parties — the one of the Homeland Union’s It has also played a major role Croatian citizen not previously security.” who will then be sanctioned.” Freedom Party and the Liberal leaders, Ingrida Simonyte, a as the protests in neighbouring known to the police. Interior Minister Davor The EU rejected the results of Movement — considered likely former candidate for president Belarus unfold against that Croatian media reported Bozinovic said the only way to the August 9 election and said allies in a future centre-right who oversaw drastic austerity nation’s authoritarian leader. the attacker posted a message fully secure the square is to it did not regard Lukashenko coalition, claimed a total of 14 cuts during the global financial The southernmost Baltic on Facebook after the shooting close it to the public. Bozinovic as the legitimate president. seats. The centre-left Labour crisis. She could likely be the country of less than 3 million saying there has been “enough said “that would mean no The ministers’ statement party won 9 seats and the Social country’s next prime minister. has seen a recent surge in fraud” and “trampling of freedom of movement.” on Monday condemned police Democrats got 8. Six parties will Under Lithuania’s election COVID-19 cases. So far human values”. Reports said he In a statement, Croatian violence against protesters and be represented in the Seimas system, the remaining 68 law- Lithuania has seen 5,500 con- was from the central town of President Zoran Milanovic demanded officials seek a parliament, according to initial makers will be elected in a pro- firmed coronavirus cases and Kutina and he was described urged better weapons control peaceful end to the crisis results. Three candidates in portional vote on October 25. just above 100 deaths. The coa- as “decent” by acquaintances. in Croatia. He said the gun used through dialogue with the single-member constituencies Lithuania has kept up lition government has faced The 31-year-old officer in the incident is a military one opposition, backing calls for claimed victory in the first strong democratic traditions strong criticism over soaring underwent surgery and his and should not be part of new elections. round of voting including the since regaining independence virus-related unemployment. condition is stable, said the “private collections”. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 US auction theory pioneers win Nobel Economics Prize

REUTERS — STOCKHOLM revealed that his own personal experience of auction partici- US academics Paul Milgrom and Auctions are everywhere pation was limited. Robert Wilson won the 2020 and affect our everyday “Myself, I have never Nobel Economics yesterday for lives. This year’s actively participated in an work on auctions hailed as auction,” the 83-year-old benefiting buyers and sellers Economic Sciences Wilson said. “My wife points out around the world of everything Laureates, Paul Milgrom that we bought skiboots on eBay from fishing quotas to aircraft and Robert Wilson, have — I guess that was an auction.” landing slots. improved auction theory Milgrom, 72, said that Wilson, Among the insights of the and invented new auction who lives across the street from two Stanford University econ- him in Stanford, California, omists is an explanation of how formats, benefiting came to knock on his door in bidders seek to avoid the so- sellers, buyers and the early morning hours to tell called “winner’s curse” of over- taxpayers around the him of their shared award as his paying, and what happens when world. phone had been on silent mode bidders gain a better under- to let him sleep. standing of their rivals’ sense of Asked if was anything in his value. Nobel Prize’s official research applicable to helping “Auctions are everywhere website said in a tweet bidders avoid the “winner’s and affect our everyday lives. curse”, he said: “(It) is mostly a This year’s Economic Sciences matter of being aware of it, Laureates, Paul Milgrom and knowing how to adjust...You Robert Wilson, have improved item is deemed to be the same better be sure there’s a reason auction theory and invented for everyone — for fear of paying that you assigned a higher value new auction formats, benefiting too much. than other bidders, so that it sellers, buyers and taxpayers Wilson showed that rational doesn’t just mean that you’ve Peter Fredriksson, Chairman of the Committee for Economic Sciences; Goran K Hansson, Permanent around the world,” the Nobel bidders tend to place bids below overestimated what the thing Secretary for the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; and Tommy Andersson, member in The Prize Prize’s official website tweeted. their own best estimate of what is worth.” Even with all the data Committee for the Alfred Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, announce this year’s winners of Milgrom and Wilson notably he called the “common value” - available today, bidders are the Nobel prize in economic sciences, Paul R Milgrom and Robert B Wilson, in Stockholm yesterday. came up with formats for selling that is, when the value of an item often paying for uncertainty, interrelated items simultane- is deemed to be the same for Milgrom said. you’re subject to the winner’s said in the statement. literature and peace were ously. In 1994, US authorities everyone - for fear of paying too “For example, if you were if curse.” Stanford University said The economics prize, won handed out last week. used one of their auction designs much. you were bidding for oil on Milgrom and Wilson’s auction by such luminaries as Paul The 10-million-Swedish- to sell radio frequencies to Milgrom complemented that some tract and you don’t know format was credited with Krugman and Milton Friedman crown ($1.14m) economics prize telecom operators, a move since with theories on “private how much oil is down there. helping shape the entire in the past, was the final of the is not one of the original five copied in other countries. values”, when the perceived The data isn’t going be available modern telecommunications six awards in 2020, a year in awards created in the 1895 will In a statement, Stanford, value of something differs from until you’ve drilled or if you’re industry. which the Nobels have been of industrialist and dynamite which with Milgrom and Wilson bidder to bidder. bidding for radio spectrum and “But their influence on what overshadowed by the COVID-19 inventor Alfred Nobel, but was now counts 19 living Nobel lau- He demonstrated that an you want to know the value of we do and how we think in pandemic. established by Sweden’s central reates, said their design had auction format will give the it, it depends on what future microeconomics, especially The traditional gala bank and first awarded in 1969. been used worldwide to allocate seller higher expected revenue demand is going to be or what’s applied to the study of man- winners’ dinner in December The Norwegian Nobel Com- over $100 billion of licences. when bidders learn more about going to happen with future agement, goes well beyond auc- has been cancelled and other mittee plans to go ahead with Wilson showed that rational each other’s estimated values technology,” he said. tions. Their impact on business parts of the celebrations are an award ceremony, albeit in a bidders tend to place bids below during the bidding process. “You have to make esti- schools and business school being held digitally to avoid the reduced format due to the coro- their own best estimate of what Speaking to reporters by tel- mates of that that are only curricula cannot be overesti- risk of spreading the infection. navirus pandemic, in Oslo on he called the “common value” ephone, Wilson welcomed the roughly guided by the data. If mated,” Stanford business The Nobel prizes for med- December 10, the anniversary — that is, when the value of an “happy news” of the award and your estimates are wrong, school economist David Kreps icine, physics, chemistry, of the death of Alfred Nobel. Judge upholds extended ballot counting in Minnesota Fauci says his remarks taken AP — MINNEAPOLIS for a preliminary injunction. they are postmarked by Election likely disenfranchise voters who Previously, ballots had to be Day. Tens of millions of Amer- are relying on instructions they out of context in Trump ad A federal judge has upheld a received by 8pm on Election Day icans are likely to vote by mail have already received about Minnesota state court agreement — but a consent decree in the this year because of concerns deadlines for returning ballots by REUTERS — WASHINGTON that allows counting of absentee state case allowed ballots post- about coronavirus exposure at mail. ballots received up to seven days marked on or before Election polling places. Brasel rejected a variety of Top US infectious diseases expert after Election Day. Day to be counted if they were The federal lawsuit in Min- claims from the plaintiffs in Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Republicans had asked US received within the following nesota was filed by Republican ruling against their request to Sunday he had not agreed to be District Judge Nancy Brasel to seven days. state Rep. Eric Lucero and GOP stop the extended counting, featured in an ad by President block the seven-day extension Brasel’s decision to keep the activist James Carson, who both including their assertion that it Donald Trump’s re-election that Democratic Secretary of extension intact comes just days would participate in the Electoral would dilute the value of their campaign and that his comments State Steve Simon agreed to in after a federal appeals court College if President Donald own votes by counting were taken out of context. state court after a citizens’ rights blocked a similar extension in Trump carries Minnesota. Their “unlawful” ballots after Election The ad, released last week, group cited concerns about voter Wisconsin — a win for Repub- lawsuit, backed by the conserv- Day. She also rejected their claim discusses Trump’s effort to safety due to the COVID-19 pan- licans who have fought attempts ative-leaning Honest Elections that the consent decree created recover from the coronavirus demic. Ballots still must be post- to expand voting across the Project, argued that the extension chaos and uncertainty, ruling that personally, as well as his admin- marked by Election Day to be country. The Minnesota plaintiffs violates federal law that estab- information about the new istration’s work to address the counted. But Brasel ruled late on had pointed to that ruling to lishes November 3 as the date of absentee process had been pandemic. The 30-second spot Dr. Anthony Fauci Sunday night that the plaintiffs bolster their case. the 2020 election. clearly communicated to voters. uses older remarks from Fauci in the case — a pair of Repub- A majority of states require Attorneys for the state said “In reality, the Electors are in in a way that suggests he was licans serving as electors in the mail-in ballots to be received by the extension should stay in danger of creating confusion praising the president. quickly, and saved lives,” Mur- presidential election - don’t have Election Day, while others accept place, arguing that blocking it rather (than) avoiding” it, Brasel “I can’t imagine that taugh’s statement added. standing and denied their motion them days or even weeks later if would create confusion and wrote. anybody could be doing more,” Trump himself echoed that the ad shows Fauci saying. sentiment in a tweet on Sunday, But those remarks are from saying: “They are indeed Dr. Black man who a March interview, where Fauci, Fauci’s own words. We have who has been director of the done a ‘phenomenal’ job, police led by National Institute of Allergy and according to certain governors.” Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Fauci and Trump have not rope sues Texas since 1984, was discussing the always agreed on how to handle broader effort, including by the the pandemic, which has city for $1m White House coronavirus task infected nearly 7.7 million force. people in the United States and AP — GALVESTON “In my nearly five decades killed more than 214,000. of public service, I have never Opinion polls show most voters A Black man who was led by publicly endorsed any political disapprove of the president’s a rope by two white officers candidate,” Fauci said in a handling of the crisis. on horseback has sued a statement. On Friday, Fauci described southeast Texas city and its “The comments attributed a September 26 White House police department for $1m, to me without my permission in event, after which several saying he suffered humiliation the GOP campaign ad were attendees including Trump, and fear during his arrest. taken out of context from a tested positive for the virus, as A lawsuit filed last week in broad statement I made months a “superspreader event.” ABC Galveston County district court ago about the efforts of federal News said on Sunday it had on behalf of Donald Neely, 44, public health officials,” his asked the White House to allow alleged the officers’ conduct statement added. Fauci to appear on “The Week,” was “extreme and outra- Trump campaign but the administration refused geous,” both physically spokesman Tim Murtaugh to make him or other members injuring Neely and causing him defended the ad in a statement of the task force available. emotional distress, news on Sunday, saying the words Alyssa Farah, the White outlets reported, citing the from Fauci “are accurate, and House communications court documents. Fire in aftermath of hurricane directly from Dr. Fauci’s mouth. director, said later on Twitter Photos of the August 2019 “As Dr. Fauci recently tes- that Fauci had made other encounter showed Neely being Firefighters respond to a house fire in the aftermath of Hurricane Delta in Lafayette, Louisiana, US, tified in the Senate, President media appearances earlier in led by the officers on a rope on Sunday. The fire was most likely caused by a damaged electrical line, firefighters said. Trump took the virus seriously the week, rebutting the charge linked to handcuffs - remi- from the beginning, acted he was “muzzled.” niscent of pictures showing slaves in chains. Neely, who was homeless at the time, was sleeping on a sidewalk when he was Canadian detained in China ‘relieved’ by virtual visit arrested for criminal trespass and led around the block to a AFP — MONTREAL After months of “extreme Canada’s ambassador to retaliation for the arrest in thanked the US president for mounted patrol staging area. isolation, Michael was greatly China Dominic Barton obtained Canada of Meng Wanzhou, chief Washington’s continued support In body-camera video, one One of the two Canadians that relieved to receive news from “virtual consular access” to financial officer of Chinese tel- of efforts to free the two Cana- officer could be heard twice Ottawa says are held arbitrarily the outside world” and of his Spavor on Friday and Kovrig on ecoms giant Huawei and dians. When announcing the saying that leading Neely by in China was “relieved” to get family, Kovrig’s wife Vina Nad- Saturday, the Canadian Foreign daughter of its founder. consular visit on Saturday, the rope down city streets would outside news via a virtual diplo- jibulla told the CBC. Affairs ministry said in a Meng was arrested on a US Canadian government reiterated look “bad.” The lawsuit matic visit and remains deter- “We are extremely proud statement. warrant in December 2018 its deep concern over the “arbi- accused the city and the mined to come home, his wife that despite his long con- Former diplomat Kovrig and during a stopover in Vancouver. trary detention” of the two men department of negligence, and said on Sunday. finement, Michael’s spirit, deter- consultant Spavor have been She is charged with bank fraud and called for their immediate stated that the officers should Canada announced on Sat- mination and even his sense of imprisoned in China since related to violations of US sanc- release. The purpose of consular have known Neely would con- urday its first contact since humor remain unbroken,” she December 10, 2018. They were tions against Iran, and has been visits is generally to assess the sider it offensive to be led on January with Michael Kovrig and said, adding that her husband charged with espionage last fighting extradition ever since. condition of a detainee, clarify the rope “as though he was a Michael Spavor, who have been was shocked to learn about the June. Prime Minister Justin the nature of his detention, slave.” “Neely felt as though he imprisoned in China for nearly scale of the coronavirus Their detention is seen by Trudeau said on Saturday he had provide advice and seek access was put on display as slaves two years. pandemic. Western governments as spoken with Donald Trump and to medical care if necessary. once were,” the lawsuit stated. TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 AMERICAS 15 Trump’s SC nominee Barrett in Senate hearing spotlight

REUTERS — WASHINGTON Barrett could be on The hearing is a key step the Supreme Court before a full Senate vote by the Democratic senators yesterday end of October on her confir- painted President Donald in time to participate mation to a lifetime job on the Trump’s Supreme Court in a case due to be court. Republicans have a 53-47 nominee Amy Coney Barrett as Senate majority so Barrett’s con- a threat to the Obamacare argued on November firmation seems almost certain. healthcare law and denounced 10 in which A key Obamacare provision the Republican drive to approve Trump and other that would be thrown out if the her before the November 3 US court strikes it down bars election as the Senate Judiciary Republicans are insurance companies from Committee began her four-day seeking to invalidate denying coverage to people with confirmation hearing. pre-existing medical conditions. While they have little hope Obamacare. In the hearing room, Democrats of derailing her nomination in displayed pictures of patients the Republican-led Senate, who could lose their healthcare Democrats pressed their oppo- children sat behind her, also if Obamacare is struck down, sition to Barrett, whose confir- wearing protective masks. with senators recounting their mation would give the court a “It’s beyond ironic that this individual stories. 6-3 conservative majority that administration, which has failed Repeated Republican efforts could lead to rulings rolling back to respond to this pandemic, is to repeal Obamacare in Con- US Democratic vice-presidential nominee and Senator from California, Kamala Harris, speaks by abortion rights, expanding reli- rushing through a judge they gress have fallen short, and video conference as Amy Coney Barrett looks on during her confirmation hearing before the Senate gious and gun rights, and believe will vote to strip away Republicans have taken the Judiciary Committee, to become a US Supreme Court judge, in Washington, DC, yesterday. upholding voting restrictions, health protections,” Democratic effort to the courts. among other issues. Senator Chris Coons said. Republican Senator Ted Cruz proceeding so close to the Supreme Court nominee had a pleas to delay the hearing after It was the fate of the 2010 Barrett could be on the said the Democratic focus on election, with Senator Patrick confirmation process so close to two Republican Judiciary Com- Affordable Care Act (ACA), Dem- Supreme Court in time to par- healthcare and other policy Leahy saying that the integrity an election. mittee members and Trump ocratic former President Barack ticipate in a case due to be issues showed they were not of the judiciary is at stake. Leahy “I feel that we are doing this himself tested positive for the Obama’s signature domestic argued on November 10 in contesting Barrett’s qualifica- condemned the Republican constitutionally,” Graham added. coronavirus in the days fol- policy achievement that has which Trump, running for re- tions to serve as a justice. “mad rush” to fill the vacancy. Due to health concerns amid lowing the Sept. 26 White House enabled millions of Americans election against Democratic Republican Senator Lindsey “They see the ability to take the pandemic, some senators event at which the president to obtain medical coverage, that challenger Joe Biden, and other Graham, who chairs the com- the courts from being inde- participated remotely. Repub- announced Barrett as the was the focus of the Democrats. Republicans are seeking to mittee, opened the hearing by pendent to making them instead lican Senator Mike Lee attended nominee. Barrett has criticized a 2012 invalidate Obamacare. saying it would be “a long con- an arm of the far right and the in person nine days after Barrett is a devout Catholic Supreme Court ruling authored “This well could mean that tentious week.” “Let’s make it Republican Party, with the revealing he head tested positive who has expressed opposition by conservative Chief Justice if Judge Barrett is confirmed, respectful. Let’s make it chal- potential to accomplish in courts for the coronavirus, arriving to abortion. Christian conserv- John Roberts that upheld Americans stand to lose the ben- lenging. Let’s remember, the what they have failed to accom- wearing a light-blue surgical ative activists long have hoped Obamacare. efits that the ACA provides,” said world is watching,” Graham plish by votes in the halls of Con- mask. He took off the mask for the court to overturn the Barrett, a conservative Senator Dianne Feinstein, the added. gress. And at the top of the hit when he gave his opening landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade appellate court judge picked by senior Democrat on the com- “This is probably not about list is the Affordable Care Act,” statement. ruling that legalised abortion Trump to replace the late liberal mittee. The hearing started with persuading each other, unless Leahy said. Democratic Senator Kamala nationwide. Republicans sought Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, sat senators making opening state- something really dramatic Graham acknowledged that Harris, Democratic presidential to portray the Democrats as at a table facing the senators ments. Barrett was to make her happens. All Republicans will Senate Republicans four years nominee Joe Biden’s vice pres- attacking Barrett on religious wearing a black face mask amid own opening statement later vote yes and all Democrats will earlier refused to act on Obama’s idential running mate, is among grounds, though the Democrats a coronavirus pandemic that has yesterday and will face ques- vote no,” Graham said. nominee to fill a Supreme Court those participating remotely. have steered clear of doing so killed roughly 215,000 Amer- tioning from senators today and Democrats criticised the vacancy because it was an The Senate’s Republican throughout confirmation icans. Her husband and seven tomorrow. confirmation process election year, and that no leaders rejected Democratic process.

Peru President White House asks Congress to approve arms sales to Taiwan denies fresh REUTERS — WASHINGTON reported that as many as seven launcher made by Lockheed sources said. A State Department Taiwan’s representative office in allegations of graft major weapons systems were Martin Corp called a High spokesman said: “As a matter of Washington, or from China’s The White House is moving making their way through the US Mobility Artillery Rocket System policy, the United States does not embassy. forward with three sales of export process as the Trump (HIMARS), long-range air-to- confirm or comment on proposed News that new arms sales REUTERS — LIMA advanced weaponry to Taiwan, administration ramps up ground missiles made by Boeing defense sales or transfers until were moving forward comes sending in recent days a notifi- pressure on China. called SLAM-ER, and external they are formally notified to after senior US officials last week Peruvian President Martin cation of the deals to Congress Leaders of the Senate Foreign sensor pods for F-16 jets that Congress.” repeated calls for Taiwan to Vizcarra yesterday denied a for approval, three sources Relations and House of Repre- allow the real-time transmission The US Senate Foreign Rela- spend more on its own defence fresh allegation of corruption familiar with the situation said sentatives Foreign Affairs com- of imagery and data from the air- tions and House of Representa- and to carry out military reforms made against him almost a yesterday. mittees were notified that three craft back to ground stations. tives Foreign Affairs committees to make clear to China the risks month after he escaped The move in the run-up to the of the planned weapons sales had Notifications for the sale of have had the right to review, and of attempting to invade. impeachment over a previous November 3 US election is likely been approved by the US State other weapons systems, including block, weapons sales under an It comes at a time when scandal. to anger China, which considers Department which oversees large, sophisticated aerial drones, informal review process before China has significantly stepped The new accusation, Taiwan a renegade province Foreign Military Sales, the land-based Harpoon anti-ship the State Department sends its up military activity near Taiwan revealed in a Sunday news- which it has vowed to reunite sources said, speaking on con- missiles and underwater mines, formal notification to the legis- and as US-China relations have paper story based on an anon- with the mainland, by force if dition of anonymity. to deter amphibious landings, lative branch. plunged to the lowest point in ymous witness working with necessary. The informal notifications have yet to reach Capitol Hill, but There was no immediate decades in the run-up to the US government prosecutors, is In September, Reuters were for a truck-based rocket these were expected soon, the comment from election. that Vizcarra accepted $280,000 in payoffs from a construction company involved in a public works Virus lockdown protest leader project before he became president. in Brooklyn held on riot charge Vizcarra rejected the accu- sations yesterday and sug- AP — NEW YORK Kornbluh, said he was struck gested that the complaints were and kicked during the incident. a reprisal after he increased the A leader of protests against new Tischler called his arrest a pace of investigations of the coronavirus restrictions in “political stunt” on Twitter. He “construction club” of engi- Brooklyn has been arrested on has said he believed his inter- neering companies with links charges of inciting people to riot actions with Kornbluh were to government infrastructure and unlawful imprisonment of protected by the First projects. a journalist who was chased and Amendment. “Every time you try to trapped by a crowd, police said. In another act of intimi- defeat that virus of corruption, Heshy Tischler, a City dation, several dozen men it defends itself by attacking,” Council candidate and activist gathered outside the reporter’s Vizcarra told reporters. in the Orthodox Jewish neigh- apartment late Sunday to “When you hit powerful bourhood of Borough Park, was protest Tischler’s arrest. interests, they don’t stay calm.” taken into custody on Sunday Large protests erupted in The prosecutor’s office evening in connection with his Borough Park last week after declined to comment on the actions during an October 7 Gov Andrew Cuomo announced allegations published by the street protest. new restrictions on schools, newspaper. Video shows a crowd of businesses and houses of Last month, Peru’s Con- men, egged on by Tischler, sur- worship in areas where coro- gress voted against removing rounding, jostling and taunting navirus infection rates have Vizcarra in an impeachment journalist Jacob Kornbluh, who increased. The majority of the trial, temporarily quelling has been reporting on resistance areas facing lockdowns are political tensions in a recession Protest by taxi drivers to social distancing in the neigh- home to large Orthodox Jewish brought on by the COVID-19 borhood. Tischler, who was not populations, and religious pandemic. The country has Taxi drivers hold a protest against taxi-hailing apps such as Uber, Cabify and Didi at Angel de la wearing a mask, can be seen leaders have complained of reported 33,305 coronavirus- Independencia monument, in Mexico City, Mexico, yesterday. screaming in Kornbluh’s face. being singled out. related deaths so far. Security guard held on suspicion of Democrat’s praise of strict gun law roils Kansas Senate race murder at Denver political rallies AP — TOPEKA from the same event that state, including gun rights. requirements for gun owners. included moments in which Both a 2 1/2-minute video Kansas law allows adults to REUTERS — DENVER to a close, Denver Police Republicans on Sunday circu- Bollier said she supports the clip provided to The Associated carry weapons openly, and it division chief Joe Montoya said. lated a video of the Democrats’ Second Amendment to the US Press by the Marshall campaign allows them to carry concealed A security guard hired to protect The suspected gunman, candidate for an open US Senate Constitution protecting gun and longer audio from Bollier’s firearms without a permit - a a Denver television news crew identified by police as Matthew seat in Kansas praising strict rights and recalled hunting with show that she noted that an policy Bollier opposed as a leg- covering opposing rallies of Dolloff, 30, was arrested just Australian gun laws that she said her father. adult daughter lives in Australia islator when it was enacted in right-wing and left-wing after the shooting, which “took them all away” to undercut The race appears to be close and praised a law there that in 2015. political activists is being held occurred in a courtyard outside her campaign as a political between Marshall, a two-term the 1990s forced owners of “Who thinks you can just go in custody on suspicion of first- an art museum, but he has not moderate in what’s been an congressman for western and 700,000 guns to sell them to the out and have a gun? Seriously,” degree murder in the fatal been formally charged, Montoya unexpectedly tough red-state central Kansas, and Bollier, a government as “this amazing Bollier said. “You can’t drive a shooting of a protester, police said. race for the GOP. Kansas City-area state senator thing.” car without training. You can’t said on Sunday. The man shot to death was Democrat Barbara Bollier’s who was a lifelong moderate “They have no guns. They basically do anything without The deadly gunfire erupted not immediately named by spokeswoman accused Repub- Republican before switching don’t allow them. They just took some kind of training. This is a on Saturday following a “verbal authorities, but the Denver Post lican Roger Marshall’s campaign parties late in 2018. them all away,” Bollier told her lethal weapon.” As the video clip altercation” between the identified him, according to the of being “duplicitous” in high- As the GOP fights to keep its audience. “ began circulating, Bollier suspect and victim just as a victim’s son, as Lee Keltner, 49, lighting the video from an 53-47 majority in the Senate, And you know what? It’s tweeted on Sunday afternoon: “Patriot Rally” and a counter- a Navy veteran who ran a hat- October 3 “lawn chair chat” at a Marshall and his supporters have pretty darn safe.” Bollier also “I do not support gun confis- demonstration dubbed a “BLM- making business in the Denver Kansas City-area park. Bollier’s attacked Bollier on issues that noted that Australia imposes cation. I never have. I never Antifa Soup Drive” was drawing area for many years. campaign released longer audio favor Republicans in much of the licensing and training will.” TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 16

Scientists return from Arctic with wealth

PRAYER TIMINGS of climate data PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMING AP — BERLIN plans, but that didn’t cause sig- nificant problems to the FAJR 04.14 am An icebreaker carrying scien- mission, he said. SUNRISE 05.21 am tists on a year-long interna- “We’re bringing back a tional effort to study the high trove of data, along with DHUHR 11.20 am Arctic has returned to its home countless samples of ice cores, ASR 02.40 pm port in Germany carrying a snow and water,” said Rex, an MAGHRIB 05.11 pm wealth of data that will help atmospheric scientist at Ger- ISHA 06.41 pm researchers better predict many’s Alfred Wegener climate change in the decades Institute for Polar and Ocean to come. Research that organized the The RV Polarstern arrived expedition. yesterday in the North Sea port More than 300 scientists of Bremerhaven, from where from 20 countries, including she set off more than a year ago the United States, Britain, prepared for bitter cold and France, Russia and China took polar bear encounters - but not part in the ¤150m ($177m) German icebreaker and research vessel “Polarstern” arrives at the harbour of nothern German for the pandemic lockdowns expedition to measure condi- town of Bremerhaven, yesterday, after a year-long mission, the biggest Arctic expedition in history, bringing home observations from scientists that sea ice is melting at a “dramatic rate” in the region. WEATHER that almost scuttled the mission tions in one of the most remote TODAY half-way through. and hostile parts of the planet “We basically achieved eve- over the course of a whole year. from wandering polar bears by exciting time to get into Arctic the North Pole. rything we set out to do,” the Much of the information alarms and scouts. science because of the changes “We are watching the Arctic expedition’s leader, Markus will be used to improve scien- “We went above and that are happening,” she said. sea ice die,” said Rex, adding Rex, said by satellite phone as tists’ models of global warming, beyond the data collection we “We need to get all the help we that he thinks it’s possible there it left the polar circle last week. particularly in the Arctic, where set out to do,” said Melinda can because it’s important to may be no summer sea ice in “We conducted measurements change has been happening at Webster, a sea ice expert at the understand what’s going on and the Arctic soon. This would o o for a whole year with just a a faster pace than elsewhere on University of Alaska, Fairbanks, the more people help out, the cause not just significant dis- 27 C 32 C short break.” The ship had to the planet. whose work is funded by Nasa. better.” Rex, the expedition ruption to indigenous societies Minimum Maximum break away from its position in As part of the expedition, Webster, who led a team of leader, noted that the ship in the region but also interfere Relatively hot daytime with the far north for three weeks in known by its acronym MOSAiC, 14 scientists during the fourth encountered unusually thin and with the planet’s cooling scattered clouds and chance of May to pick up supplies and the Polarstern anchored to a leg of the trip, said it will likely mushy conditions in the region system. rain at places may be thundery. rotate team members after large floe last fall and set up a take years, or even decades, to above northern Greenland this “We need to do everything coronavirus restrictions dis- camp on the ice, creating a sift through the data. summer that allowed them to to preserve it for future gener- W ALRUWAIS : 27o → 31o rupted carefully laid travel small scientific village protected “This is an extremely make an unplanned detour to ations,” he said. W ALKHOR : 25o → 34o W DUKHAN : 23o → 32o W WAKRAH : 21o → 34o W MESAIEED : 21o → 34o DC charters lead the way on in-school teaching experiment ABUSAMRA : 19o → 32o W AP — WASHINGTON classroom. said, ’We have nowhere for them to go at the Social Justice School, which has Mayor Muriel Bowser had fully during the day,’” Long said. never actually functioned under non- HIGH TIDE While most of the kids in Washington’s planned to start the 2020 school year Charter schools educate about 46% pandemic conditions. The school 01:06 – 13:54 public schools are dealing with computer offering a hybrid model combining dis- of Washington’s public school students. received its approval from the D.C. Public screens and Zoom rooms, a dozen tance learning with two days a week of Each charter is classified as an inde- Charter School Board over the summer LOW TIDE 06:29 – 21:45 students work diligently at their desks in-school instruction. But the city was pendent Local Education Agency, or LEA. and opened its doors for the first time at Meridian Charter School, many sepa- forced to abandon that plan at the last Some larger LEA’s run multiple schools this fall. rated by tall, three-sided partitions that minute amid strong safety objections in multiple buildings but most are self- Built around a specific ethos that were originally set up as protection from the teachers union. contained solo entities. DCPS is techni- emphasizes social and racial awareness against COVID-19. The city was surveying the charter cally classified as its own massive LEA. - staff refer to the students as “scholar- Scientists record Head of School Matt McCrea said experiments “to see what’s working, Each charter has been free to devise activists” - the school seeks to build a administrators later realised the enclo- what are best practices, what we can its own safety protocols, resulting in tight-knit community around its 50 stu- top speed of sound sures wouldn’t do much to prevent the learn from and what they can share with some distinct variations. At Meridian, dents and families. But it was nearly at 36km/second spread of the virus. Now the cardboard us,” Bowser said. “We think we can learn every student and visitor receives a tem- impossible for this new community to is optional, but more than half of the stu- from some of their experiences, but perature check upon arrival. But at Social meet over the summer. Now adminis- IANS — LONDON dents still use them as personalised DCPS will have to make decisions that Justice School, in addition to the tem- trators have started holding regular organisers — taping up calendars, dec- affect … 60 buildings, 50,000 kids and perature check, visiting journalists were outdoor gatherings around the city on The fastest possible speed of orations and schedules. over 4,000 employees.” The new DCPS required to don full medical gowns, sur- Wednesdays, when there are no classes, sound has been recorded for “It’s all a learning experience and it’s reopening plan, announced Monday, gical gloves and face shields just to enter just so students, parents and staff can the first time which is about all playing out in real time,” McCrea said. seems to draw heavily from the charter the building. safely meet each other. 36km per second. The result While the mainstream public school schools’ experiences. One option would The process has been marked by The school has also introduced a is around twice as fast as the system in the nation’s capital was forced offer direct in-class instruction to a select ongoing experimentation, fueled by a novel spin on its in-person teaching speed of sound in diamond, the to start the year with total distance group of students with special-education slowly developing understanding of how model: The students who are attending hardest known material in the learning for all its approximately 52,000 needs, those learning English, and stu- the virus works. in-person training are also on Zoom in world, said the researchers from students, about a dozen charter schools dents experiencing homelessness or oth- “There’s a tremendous amount of the same virtual learning environment Queen Mary University of have essentially chosen to become med- erwise deemed to be at-risk. trial and error,” said Shannon Hodge of as those at home. Everyone in the London, the University of ical-educational experiments, offering That’s essentially the same criteria the D.C. Charter School Alliance, a non- classroom is on a laptop wearing head- Cambridge and the Institute for in-person instruction for select groups that most D.C. charters used in selecting profit that advocates for the charter phones and the teachers in the room are High Pressure Physics in Troitsk, of students. their own student groups for in-building system. “There are real innovations instructing all students together. Moscow. Smaller and more nimble than the instruction. coming out of it.” Each of the three Long said the idea was partially born Sound waves can travel monolithic D.C. Public Schools system, “There were definitely groups of stu- student “cohorts” at the Social Justice out of staffing issues: there weren’t through different mediums, the charters have been able to adapt and dents who were not succeeding in a School are assigned a specific bathroom enough teachers at the small school to such as air or water, and move modify on the fly, trading information virtual environment,” McCrea said. “We to use. separately handle the in-person and dis- at different speeds depending and pushing the limits of pandemic-era have a good amount of data on which At both Meridian and Social Justice, tance students. But the communal on what they’re travelling education. students had a hard time with the dis- the hallway water fountains have been arrangement also fits into the school’s through. They move through “This is our attempt to redesign tance learning.” In some cases, spots shut down. Social Justice emphasizes the ethos of equality, he said. solids much faster than they school,” said Myron Long, executive were made available to the children of point with a sign near the disabled foun- “We wanted our students to have the would through liquids or gases, director of the Social Justice School, essential workers. Meridian was forced tains: “NOTICE: Do Not Use.” At Meridian, same learning experience-both in school which is why we are able to which is offering in-person instruction to turn away some parents who wanted students have their own water bottles and at home,” Long said. hear an approaching train much to about 15 of its 50 total students. ”Our to send their children, but Social Justice and can fill them at specialized water Bowser’s education administrators faster if you listen to the sound size is our best asset.” It’s a process that was able to accommodate every student dispensers. have been in regular contact to pick up propagating in the rail track D.C. Public Schools has watched closely whose parent expressed an interest. An automatically strange educational tips on how the whole experiment is rather than through the air. as it plans its own return to the “Some parents contacted us and just challenge has been made even stranger going. Irish locals show their colours in Joe Biden’s ancestral home

AFP — BALLINA, IRELAND on my heart”. “But Ireland will be reportedly been stoked by energetic written on my soul.” He is mining a rich briefing by the Irish embassy in Thousands of miles east of the White tradition of American statesmen Washington. House in Ireland, a pop-art portrait of touting Irish heritage. In the 20th “The connections between Ireland US presidential candidate Joe Biden century, John F. Kennedy was most and the US are incredibly strong,” said towers over his ancestral hometown closely tied to the “Emerald Isle”, and Ballina local councillor Mark Duffy. of Ballina, County Mayo. had to overcome anti-Irish, anti- “It is that soft power,” he added. In the town on Ireland’s rugged Catholic prejudice to win the White “Ireland does definitely punch above Atlantic coast, the Democrat’s distant House. its weight on the international stage.” relatives are thrilled to have one of But others including Richard Nixon, Thinking of their ancestral homelands, their own bidding for America’s highest Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama Irish-Americans may evoke a lush office. have all claimed ancestral links to green idyll of tight-knit communities. “Obviously we’re 100 percent Ireland. Ten percent of Americans But in the midst of a bitter US election behind Joe Biden,” Laurita Blewitt, the claim Irish heritage — a 31-million- campaign between Biden and Pres- former vice-president’s third cousin, strong bloc vastly larger than the five- ident Donald Trump, America’s own said. “We’ve got that family connection million population of Ireland itself. divisions have spilt over into the Irish and we’ve got that friendship and rela- Those links helped give Wash- countryside. tionship with him,” the 37-year-old ington an intermediary role in Biden’s third cousin Joe Blewitt — said. Biden’s family roots run deep in resolving the 30-year “Troubles” in a local plumber — decorated his van Ireland, with a heritage described as Northern Ireland, a sectarian conflict with a tongue-in-cheek reference to “roughly five-eighths Irish” by gene- that killed 3,500 in Ireland and the the campaign: “Joe Biden for the White A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past a giant painting of US Presidential alogist Megan Smolenyak. British province itself, before it largely House and Joe Blewitt for your house.” candidate Joe Biden, in his ancestral home of Ballina, northwest Ireland. She has traced his lineage to east- ended in 1998. Lately, Britain’s Brexit He received hate messages and one coast County Louth and Ballina — a withdrawal from the European Union harassing call from a private number town of 10,000 people, which is dotted The mural was raised by a band of Barack Obama’s deputy. In 2017 he has threatened the cohesion promised where an American voice told him: with brightly coloured shopfronts and locals last month, and Ballina is came back and turned the first sod for by Northern Ireland’s Good Friday “Trump is going to be president.” bisected by the River Moy. twinned with Scranton, Pennsylvania, a new regional hospice — a cause near Agreement. “There is an awful lot of hatred,” the In 1851, Biden’s great-great-great- where Biden was born in 1942. to his heart after his son Beau’s death US politicians have stepped in, 41-year-old mused. Laurita Blewitt grandfather Edward Blewitt joined the The 77-year-old politician has from cancer two years earlier. warning London that a post-Brexit travelled to Las Vegas to canvas for legions of Irish fleeing famine and visited twice —first in 2016 when Biden wrote that when he dies, UK-US trade pact could be at risk if the Biden during the Democratic primary poverty for a fresh start in New York. crowds turned out to see president “northeast Pennsylvania will be written peace is undermined. Their alarm has process in February.