INDEX BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR 2-5, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 QATAR | Page 20 ARAB WORLD 6 BUSINESS 1-8 Qatar’s foreign INTERNATIONAL 7-17 SPORTS 1-6 Discover Qatar direct starts hotel investment DOW JONES QE NYMEX quarantine inward stock 26,289.98 9,160.50 38.17 bookings for exceeded $31bn +526.82 +26.48 +1.05 +2.04% +0.29% +2.83% Qatari nationals in 2019 Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11582 June 17, 2020 Shawwal 25, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir sends cable ‘Longest vessel’ at Hamad Port of condolences to Kuwait’s Amir WTO tells Saudi to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE obey rules in Qatar the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad broadcast dispute al-Jaber al-Sabah, on the death of Sheikha Haya Abdullah al-Ali al- Malik al-Sabah. zQatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry welcomes ruling Amir holds phone zThe panel also highlights Saudi rights violations against Qataris conversation with king of Morocco Agencies ity in relation to the proff ered Geneva essential security interests”. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Reacting to the panel report, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held HE the Minister of Commerce yesterday evening a telephone World Trade Organi- and Industry Ali bin Ahmed conversation with King Mohamed VI sation panel ordered al-Kuwari said in a statement of the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco, ASaudi Arabia yester- to Qatar News Agency: “Qatar, QTerminals welcomed Evergreen Line’s first vessel call, ‘MV Thalassa Axia 031W’ at Hamad Port on during which His Highness the Amir day to adhere to global intel- and international rights hold- Monday. ‘MV Thalassa Axia’ has a ‘length overall (LOA) of 368.47m and is the longest vessel ever to congratulated him on the successful lectual property rules after it ers, have scored a resounding call at Hamad Port, QTerminals tweeted yesterday. QTerminals is a terminal operating company jointly surgery he underwent, praying to was found that Riyadh actively ures into conformity with its victory today. We expect Saudi established by Mwani Qatar and Milaha to provide port services to Hamad Port. Almighty Allah to grant the king promoted and supported the obligations under the TRIPS Arabia, especially since it is good health and the well-being. beoutQ pirate TV operation Agreement,” it concluded, in hosting the upcoming G20, and has breached its obliga- reference to a global pact on to respect this decisive ruling Public-Pvt Partnership tions under international law intellectual property. and end the theft and piracy Conference on July 7 to protect intellectual prop- Qatar described the ruling as of IP rights at once. They can erty rights. a “resounding victory” and said start by heeding the WTO’s Qatar ranked 6th in world The first conference on ‘Developing In a landmark judgment, the that Saudi Arabia needed to re- ruling and conducting a fair, Partnership between Public and WTO ruled that Saudi gov- spect the rights of high profi le timely, and transparent legal Private Sectors’ will kick off on ernment offi cials and entities, sports and entertainment. proceeding against the per- economic performance list July 7, to bring companies and publicly promoted beoutQ, Qatar’s Ministry of Com- petrators in order to stop this businessmen together with including with “governmental merce and Industry welcomed abuse posthaste.” government departments to review tweets”. the WTO ruling. The ruling came after Qa- the prospects for partnership Doha fi led its complaint This is the fi rst time in the tar fi led a formal complaint zQatar placed private sector development that between the two sectors and benefit in 2018, saying Saudi Arabia 73-year history of the WTO against Saudi Arabia through will lead to economic and social from the most successful modern was blocking Qatari-owned and its predecessor (the GATT) the WTO’s Dispute Settlement 14th globally in growth, according to him. experiences in this field. This broadcaster beIN and refusing that a Panel has rejected a re- Body. competitiveness The results confi rm Qatar’s conference comes in light of Qatar’s to take eff ective action against spondent’s attempt to invoke In its report published yester- strong performance across adoption of the first law regulating alleged piracy of beIN’s con- the national security excep- day, the WTO Panel concluded various fi elds. The ranking was the partnership between the two tent by “beoutQ”, a sophisti- tion as a defence. that beoutQ has been pirat- By Santhosh V Perumal based on national statistics sectors, and within the eff orts aimed cated pirating operation. The WTO Panel found that ing copyrighted media content Business Reporter as well as opinions of sample at benefiting the private sector from The three-person panel Saudi Arabia’s failure to take of Qatari company beIN Me- businesses managers who pro- the law when it is implemented next ruled that Saudi Arabia’s fail- criminal action against beoutQ dia Group LLP (beIN) in Saudi vided their views of Qatar’s month. ure to act against beoutQ was was so disconnected from any Arabia and beyond, including atar has achieved sixth economy competitive climate, a breach of WTO rules. “... legitimate security interest that through the sale of beoutQ sub- rank among 63 mostly PSA said. Qatar reports 60,461 the Panel recommends that it could not meet even “a mini- scriptions and set-top decoder Qhigh-income coun- Qatar’s competitiveness as- Saudi Arabia bring its meas- mum requirement of plausibil- boxes at numerous retail outlets tries, in economic perform- sessment in IMD World Com- Covid-19 recoveries across Saudi Arabia. ance in 2020, which showed its HE Dr Saleh al-Nabit, PSA petitiveness Yearbook 2020 is The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) The report said that in ad- resilience. It is expected to be president. a collaborative eff ort between announced yesterday 1,201 new dition to pirating beIN’s pro- one of the fi rst to rebound from IMD and PSA. Qatar has con- confirmed cases of Covid-19, a total prietary and licensed sports the present crises, according or GDP; high percentage of tributed to the IMD Competi- of 1,780 new recoveries and four content, the beoutQ boxes to The World Competitiveness trade balance to GDP; and high tiveness Yearbook for the 12th deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing allow access to thousands of Yearbook 2020. overall productivity. time. the total number of recoveries in pirated movies, TV shows, and Overall, Qatar was ranked Other areas where Doha per- “Landing itself an impres- Qatar to 60,461. The MoPH said in TV channels from around the 14th globally in competitive- formed well, included govern- sive 14th place globally, Qatar a statement that during the last globe, and pirate broadcasts ness and its performance was ment effi ciency (rank 7) and has proven to be impressively 24 hours, 19 new cases have been have been transmitted via better than that of Luxem- business effi ciency (rank 11). resilient to crises,” Christos admitted to intensive care due to Saudi-based Arabsat satellite bourg (ranked 15), Austria (16), Moreover, Qatar maintained its Cabolis, chief economist, IMD health complications resulting from frequencies and a Saudi com- Germany (17), Australia (18), ranking at 40 for infrastructure. World Competitiveness Cent- Covid-19, bringing the total number pany, Saudi Selevision Com- the UK (19) and China (20). It is “These results confi rm the er, said, adding this is a sign of of cases currently in intensive care to pany LLC, has “allowed or as- one among the Gulf countries solid overall performance and a crisis resilient economy, es- 244. Page 2 sisted beoutQ to broadcast its to come at the top 20, said the that the results will certainly pecially in the face of a global pirated content on Arabsat”. report, which is published by help us to identify areas for downturn. 20 Indian soldiers die After considering evidence Switzerland-based Interna- further improvements,” HE “We expect Qatar to be one revealing the commercial pur- tional Institute for Manage- Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al- of the fi rst to rebound from the in clashes with China pose of beoutQ, such as the ment Development (IMD). Nabit, president of Planning current global situation,” he The death toll from a “violent sale of advertisements and ex- The Gulf country was ranked and Statistics Authority (PSA), said. face-off ” with Chinese troops on tensive marketing of the pirate fi rst in terms of low unemploy- said. Long-term indicators as the disputed Himalayan border service, the panel concluded ment rate; high proportion of Qatar’s second National De- health, education and business rose to 20, according to the Indian that the piracy has been con- gross fi xed capital formation, velopment Strategy 2018-22, fi nance continued to improve army, in one of the most serious A TV broadcast of Bundesliga highlights, pirated by beoutQ, is ducted on a “commercial capital investments, and sav- sets out clear goals in the areas in line with Qatar’s long-term clashes involving the nuclear-armed seen at a local cafe in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. scale”. To Page 5 ing to gross domestic product of economic infrastructure and trajectory, he added. neighbours in several decades. The Indian army had previously said that three soldiers, including an off icer, were killed in the clashes. It added that the troops had disengaged at the site of Monday night’s clash at Qatar 2022 will unite world post-Covid-19: al-Thawadi Galwan Valley in Ladakh, where the two sides have been in a stand-off for the past few weeks. More than zTwo more stadiums to incredible opportunity to unite the 43 Chinese soldiers have been world through our common passion killed or seriously injured, Indian be unveiled by the end of for football.” news agency ANI cited Indian the year He stressed that this World Cup is government sources as saying. zSC ahead of schedule already special - the fi rst in the Mid- Page 14 dle East and Arab world, and the sec- in delivering World Cup ond in Asia. Now, there is an extra layer ‘Breakthrough’ drug for infrastructure of expectation and an opportunity to serious Covid patients provide billions of people with an un- forgettable, feel-good moment. A cheap and widely-used steroid he announcement of the com- “We know that sport is unique in its called dexamethasone has become pletion of Education City Sta- power to unite and truly transcends the first drug shown to be able Tdium sends a message of hope borders. It’s one of the reasons we to save the lives of Covid-19 to the world in light of the spread of wanted to bring the World Cup to Qa- patients in what scientists said Covid-19, considering that the event tar. We want to showcase our love for is a “major breakthrough” in the will unite the world and bring people football while giving people the chance coronavirus pandemic. Trial results together after the crisis ends, Supreme to experience a new culture. It is some- announced yesterday showed Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) SC secretary-general Hassan al-Thawadi. A view of Education City Stadium. thing we hope can contribute to dis- dexamethasone, which is used secretary-general Hassan al-Thawadi mantling stereotypes and misconcep- to reduce inflammation in other has affi rmed. said: “We are very proud to have com- important due to recent events. Sport ers will love it. It’s a true football arena. tions about our country and region,” he diseases such as arthritis, reduced Marking yet another signifi cant pleted our latest stadium. Our plans - and particularly football - has the The seats are very close to the pitch, added. death rates by around a third milestone in the build-up towards the remain on track - despite the pandem- potential to bring people together in a so the atmosphere will be incredible. On Education City Stadium, the SC among the most severely ill Covid-19 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar had on ic. Education City Stadium is our third post-Covid-19 world. And, as the next I can’t wait for the stadium to host a secretary-general said: “It’s a beautiful patients admitted to hospital. The Monday announced the completion tournament venue, after Khalifa Inter- World Cup hosts, the completion of match with 40,000 fans present.” stadium, fi rst and foremost, and one preliminary results suggest the of the 40,000-capacity stadium – the national and Al Janoub, and we expect another stadium helps lift spirits and Al-Thawadi said the World Cup we call the ‘Diamond in the Desert’. The drug should immediately become third venue for the prestigious global to unveil two more stadiums by the end give us all something to look forward looks set to be one of the biggest glo- facade features diamond-like patterns, standard care in patients with severe sporting gala. of the year.” to. bal gatherings in the post-Covid-19 which change colour according to the cases of the pandemic disease. In an interview with the offi cial Qa- He continued, “In many ways, I be- “As for the stadium itself, it is an in- era. “That will no doubt bring chal- sun’s position - hence the nickname. Page 11 tar News Agency (QNA), al-Thawadi lieve Qatar 2022 has become even more credibly striking venue. Fans and play- lenges - but at the same time it is an To Page 5 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 QATAR

In brief Qatar Charity signs pacts Qatar calls for ending with global organisations racist rights violations by siege countries FM receives phone calls from Panama, QNA bear the brunt of these viola- Brazil counterparts to fi ght Covid-19 pandemic Geneva tions, which have left a severe psychological impact on them HE the Deputy Prime Minister and caused social diffi culties and Minister of Foreign atar has stressed the that are diffi cult to correct. Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin atar Charity (QC), since importance of the Hu- He pointed out that these Abdulrahman al-Thani received the start of the Covid-19 Qman Rights Council, violations aff ected other ba- yesterday a telephone call Qpandemic, has signed and its relevant mechanisms, sic rights, such as the right to from the Minister of Foreign various co-operation agree- taking the necessary measures education, ownership, health, Affairs of Panama Alejandro ments with several interna- to stop racist discriminatory freedom of opinion and ex- Ferrer. tional organisations, including human rights violations by pression, and the practice of During the call, they reviewed the United Nations Children’s blockading countries, hold- religious rites. bilateral relations and co- Fund (Unicef) and the United ing perpetrators accountable, At a time when the world ordinated eff orts to curb the Nations High Commissioner for compensating those aff ected, is undergoing many interna- spread of the coronavirus Refugees (UNHCR), to contrib- and ensuring that their recur- tional challenges, the latest (Covid-19), besides discussing ute to the global eff orts to limit rence is prevented. of which is the coronavirus issues of common interest. the spread of the virus in many This came in Qatar’s state- (Covid-19), and the need for HE the Deputy Prime Minister countries and provide emergen- ment, delivered by HE the co-operation and the preva- and Minister of Foreign cy assistance to those aff ected. Permanent Representative of lence of wisdom, racist and Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin This is aimed at reaching out to the State of Qatar to the Unit- discriminatory practices arise Abdulrahman al-Thani, also the largest number of benefi ciaries ed Nations in Geneva, ambas- to ravage human principles received a telephone call from and improving their living condi- sador Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri and the values of freedom, the State Minister of External tions, QC has said in a statement. during the general debate un- justice, and equality, he added. Relations of Brazil Ernesto z With UNHCR der the ninth item of the agen- HE al-Mansouri pointed Araujo. Qatar Charity, in co-opera- da of the 43rd session of the out that experience has dem- During the call, they reviewed tion with the UNHCR, began Human Rights Council under onstrated that racist and dis- bilateral relations and co- providing emergency assistance Syria and Jordan. the title racism, racial dis- criminatory practices that ordinated eff orts to curb the to Syrian refugees throughout A sum of $1mn was allocated crimination, xenophobia, and are the source of government spread of the coronavirus Lebanon in response to the hu- to provide water, sanitation and related intolerance, follow-up decisions represent the worst (Covid-19), besides discussing manitarian needs resulting from hygiene services for Syrian refu- to and implementation of the forms of racism because they issues of common concern. the spread of Covid-19, as part gees in Jordan and an additional Durban Declaration and Pro- become part of the policies of a $1.5mn agreement signed $1mn to support Unicef’s eff orts gramme of Action. implemented by offi cial agen- between the two parties. to improve Covid-19 prepared- HE al-Mansouri clarifi ed cies by the force of law, and RACA organises This co-operation enables QC ness and response in Syria. that this month marks three there is no way to resist them to provide support in various The two agreements “refl ect years since the racist discrimi- through national legal sys- workshop on forms for programmes focused on the commitment of Qatar Char- natory measures taken by the tems, which results in the ab- financial integrity improving the living conditions of ity and Unicef to teamwork and blockading countries against sence of accountability, the refugees during this diffi cult time. partnerships in the humanitar- Qatar and its citizens, the ef- promotion of a culture of im- The Regulatory Authority for zWith OCHA ian sector, which are more im- fects of which are still found punity from punishment, and Charitable Activities (RACA) Under the co-operation with portant than ever to protect the in numerous, systematic, and undermining the rule of law. organised a training workshop the United Nations Offi ce for the vulnerable”, the statement notes. continuous violations of hu- HE al-Mansouri added that on the important international Co-ordination of Humanitarian z Awareness eff orts man rights, as more than due to the absence of national standards in the field of Aff airs (OCHA), QC has started The co-operation between QC 4,000 complaints of gross accountability in the block- governance, transparency and to establish 14 community- and Unicef also included aware- violations of more than 12 ba- ading countries for the vio- financial integrity of non-profit based isolation units in northern ness-raising eff orts against the sic human rights have been re- lations that resulted from it, organisations. Syria to benefi t 2,800 people of risks of the novel coronavirus. ceived since the beginning of which contributed to wasting Entitled “Enhancing the camps at a total cost of $1.6mn. Qatar Charity, in co-operation the unjust blockade. the rights of victims to litigate obligations of governance, The initiative came as part of with Unicef, launched a social These violations and meas- and seek compensation, Qa- transparency and financial the urgent response to the Cov- media awareness campaign for ures target the aff ected people tar resorted to international integrity of non-profit id-19 outbreak, aiming to pro- children, their f amilies and based on their affi liation with fair mechanisms such as the organisations”, the workshop, tect internally displaced Syrians members of the society to Qatar, which is discrimina- Committee on the Elimina- which was held remotely, living in camps from the virus. enhance their protection tion based on nationality, na- tion of Racial Discrimination, introduced the national legal OCHA contributed to the against the novel coronavirus Some of the initiatives carried out by Qatar Charity in co-operation tional origin and a direct vio- which issued two decisions system in the field of governance, project a total of $830,000, while and reduce its spread. with international organisations. lation of the provisions of the accepting the jurisdiction to transparency, financial integrity Qatar Charity will equip these The campaign implemented International Convention on consider complaints submit- of non-profit organisations, medical and non-medical units under a slogan that literally preventive behaviours and pre- beginning of March, Qatar Char- the Elimination of All Forms ted by Qatar against Saudi as well as governance and its with $770,000. means ‘Heroes in the Face of cautionary measures. ity urgently scaled up relief eff orts of Racial Discrimination (IC- Arabia and the UAE, and the relationship to the goals of z With Unicef Corona’, includes publishing il- The agreements with interna- across 27 countries where it is sup- ERD), he said. International Court of Justice, sustainable development and QC and Unicef have signed lustrated awareness brochures tional organisations are in line with porting local governments’ eff orts HE al-Mansouri stated that which issued interim orders social responsibility. two grant agreements for a and pamphlets on Qatar Char- QC’s Coronavirus Prevention and by mitigating the socio-economic the joint families whose mem- that include a moratorium on The workshop called on non- total of $2mn to address the ity’s website and social media Response Plan to support and scale impacts of the measures taken by bers were separated due to the some human rights violations profit organisations to adhere humanitarian needs caused accounts to encourage children up vulnerable countries’ prepared- these countries to curb the spread violation of the right to freedom committed by the UAE in the to the controls and procedures by the spread of Covid-19 in and adolescents to adhere to ness and response eff orts. In the of the virus. of movement and residence, context of this crisis. stipulated in the integrity and transparency rules and instructions issued by the RACA in accordance with Article “32 bis” of the Charity Organisation Law. Envoy praises Qatar-Azerbaijan bilateral relations RACA is a governmental body that aims to develop, encourage, supervise and monitor charitable work within QNA all fi elds, especially in the eco- trying to diversify their econo- of the UN and the international He said that Qatar, as most of lower death rates compared to the framework of the state’s Baku nomic, commercial and invest- mies which largely based on the community,” the ambassador the countries of the world af- other countries of the world. general policy. ment sectors, noting the estab- oil and gas industry, and prices noted. fected by the Covid-19 pandem- Al-Hanzab pointed out that lishment of the Joint Economic, in this area cannot always be On the impact of the Covid-19 ic, has tightened precautionary Qatar has sent urgent medical he ambassador of Qatar to Trade and Technical Commis- controlled by the international pandemic, the ambassador said measures with the provision of assistance to many countries, Albania waives Azerbaijan Faisal bin Ab- sion between the governments situation,” al-Hanzab added. that it has had a great impact on high quality medical care. out of its international respon- entry visa for Tdullah al-Hanzab com- of Qatar and Azerbaijan to ex- “Diplomatic relations be- all countries of the world and as- He pointed out that the coun- sibility and in support of joint mended the deep-rooted and plore existing opportunities and tween the State of Qatar and pects of life as it has huge reper- try has adopted a strategic plan eff orts to counter the eff ects of Qatari citizens distinct bilateral relations be- hold regular meetings to achieve the Republic of Azerbaijan were cussions on the global economy, to contain the virus, focusing the Covid-19 pandemic, point- tween Doha and Baku. the set goals. established in 1994. These rela- and drained the resources of gov- on tracking contacts with pa- ing to the remarkable eff orts of An off icial source in the Consular In an interview with Eurasia “We believe that this desire tions are based on the friendly ernments in light of the decline in tients and isolating them, con- the government of Azerbaijan Aff airs Department at the Diary, the ambassador said that will end with the realisation of relations of both countries, economic growth and the decline ducting tests and providing the to support countries and inter- Ministry of Foreign Aff airs stated there is a great mutual desire common interests and the in- based on the principles and goals in oil prices due to the lack of de- necessary treatment within the national organisations and also that the authorities of Albania from the leadership of the two crease of trade and investment of strengthening international mand, therefore, its eff ects are process of breaking the chain provide humanitarian assistance have exempted citizens of Qatar countries to further develop and turnover between the countries. peace and stability and common prohibitive on most sectors, espe- of transmission of the disease, to more than 13 countries around from the entry visa from June 10 strengthen bilateral relations in In particular, both countries are interests as an active member cially aviation and tourism. which helped protect lives and the world. to November 30, 2020. Qatar reports 60,461 total Covid-19 recoveries

QNA patients aged 61, and two oth- of new hospital admissions. tions to reduce the risk of infec- The ministry warned that lift- Doha ers aged 43 and 53, respectively, The ministry also stated that tion and work to protect them ing the restrictions gradually and receiving medical care in in- Qatar has now started to over- from infection by refraining does not mean the disappear- tensive care units. The ministry come the peak phase of the from social visits, wearing the ance of Covid-19, pointing out he Ministry of Pub- off ered sincere condolences and Covid-19 outbreak thanks to mask and cleansing the hands that during the planning of the lic Health (MoPH) an- great sympathy to the families of the measures taken by the State, when near them. relaxation of restrictions, at- Tnounced yesterday 1,201 the deceased. along with the commitment The ministry said that Qa- tention was given to priorities new confi rmed cases of Cov- According to a tweet from of the community members to tar began on Monday lifting the to ensure avoiding the risks that id-19, a total of 1,780 new re- the MoPH, with a total of 5,161 the recommendations and pre- restrictions imposed to combat may arise as a result of lifting coveries and four deaths in the people tested for Covid-19 in ventive instructions, the most the epidemic gradually in four them. last 24 hours, bringing the total the last 24 hours, as many as important of which are social stages that will last until Sep- Each stage will be subject to number of recoveries in Qatar to 300,499 have been tested so far distancing and staying at home tember 1, based on the extensive evaluation and review based on 60,461. in Qatar. The total number of in- and not going out except for ne- data and studies conducted by the extent of the virus spread The MoPH said in a statement fected people in Qatar since the cessity as well as using medical the authorities concerned in the as the success of each stage de- that during the last 24 hours, 19 start of the Covid-19 outbreak is masks. country. pends on the commitment of new cases have been admitted 820,777. Anyone with symptoms of In this context, it is stressed everyone to implement the re- to intensive care due to health The total number of current Covid-19 should either quick- that the application of preven- quired precautions. complications resulting from active cases is 21,536. The total ly contact the 16000 helpline tive measures must continue in The MoPH also stressed that Covid-19, bringing the total number of people currently un- or go directly to one of the the stages of gradually lifting the the Covid-19 pandemic that number of cases currently in in- der acute hospital care is 1,147, designated health centres for imposed restrictions that were swept the world posed a great tensive care to 244. including 143 acute hospital testing, the ministry said em- applied in the country as a result challenge to all countries and af- The ministry said that the in- admissions in the last 24 hours. phasising that the earlier the of the spread of the Covid-19, fected each country in a diff erent dividuals infected contracted the The total number of Covid-19 disease is detected the easier as any failure to adhere to pre- way. Therefore, it is important to virus from other infected people, deaths so far in Qatar is 80. it will be to receive the right cautionary measures during the realise that all the precautionary adding that proactive testing The MoPH confi rmed that ef- treatment and recover. next stage will lead to a second measures are aimed at primarily contributes to early detection of forts to tackle the Covid-19 virus The main screening centres wave of infections. to protecting public health and cases. in Qatar have succeeded in fl at- include Muaither Health Centre, The MoPH stressed that the individuals from this virus, tak- The confi rmed cases were tening the curve and reducing Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre, gradual lifting of restrictions ing into account all other aspects admitted into quarantine in the the impact of the virus greatly Umm Slal Health Centre and Al came after a thorough study of of life, whether social or eco- various medical facilities in the thanks to the preventive meas- Gharafa Health Centre. the situation in Qatar and from nomic. country, where they receive the ures taken, and the awareness The MoPH reaffi rmed the ne- similar experiences in many The MoPH also recommend- necessary health care according and cooperation of all members cessity for the elderly or those countries that have succeeded ed visiting its website regularly to the health status of each case. of society. It added that there are suff ering from chronic diseases in limiting the spread of the vi- to view the latest information The MoPH said that the deaths relatively low average numbers and their family members to fol- rus after gradually lifting the re- and instructions related to recorded yesterday were of two in relation to the recorded cases low strict methods and precau- strictions. Covid-19. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 3 QATAR

Qatar had no time to waste in tackling Covid-19 outbreak: HMC offi cial

hen people’s health and orders and travel bans,” said Azad. new hospitals which are dedi- trained to support medical staff , Additionally, the government care systems.” “Other measures safety are the prior- According to Azad, “ the good cated Covid-19 treatment cen- raise public health awareness, and has released the Ehteraz app, de- we have taken include the use of Wity, the stakes are high, news is that we were - and we are tres. Meanwhile, a fi eld hospital provide logistical support, among signed to help track virus trans- drones and robots equipped with notes Faruk Mohamed Azad, as- - prepared.” in the Industrial Area was built the tasks they are performing,” he mission chains and give residents sophisticated algorithms to en- sistant executive director, Busi- “Our healthcare system is and opened, and is now receiving pointed out. the latest information on Cov- sure that social distancing guide- ness Development at Hamad strong, and we wasted no time patients, with a dedicated section He maintained that from the id-19,” he said. lines are adhered to. Medical Corporation and an in adding new tools to provide us for testing suspected Covid-19 outset, Qatar’s Supreme Com- To handle the sudden wave And the Ministry of Admin- alumnus of QF partner university with an even more robust defence cases,” continued the offi cial. mittee for Crisis Management of potential Covid-19 cases, we istrative Development, Labour Georgetown University in Qatar. against the virus. From the begin- Azad highlighted that the and the Ministry of Public Health also created an optimised and and Social Aff airs and Ministry of Azad noted that since three ning, testing has been available, Ministry of Public Health hosted have used the crisis as an oppor- universal app, called Kashif, for Transport and Communications, months, Qatar implemented a and those infected are receiving workshops for the national vol- tunity to adopt a digital strategy Covid-19 swab data. This is a in co-operation with Qatar Red series of measures to contain the holistic treatment. Government unteering campaign ‘For Qatar’ that uses the latest technologies. very important tool for the early Crescent Society, have provided outbreak of Covid-19. “The gov- and healthcare workers are work- which was launched to support “Government entities have detection, and therefore rapid over 1,000 computers to Mekai- ernment has raised public aware- ing around the clock to fi ght the Faruk Azad the eff orts in combating corona- come together to run social me- treatment, of positive cases. nes Quarantine Facility under the ness via numerous campaigns, pandemic, and Hamad Medical virus. “Over 30,000 volunteers dia campaigns that inform and The Kashif app uses scanning ‘Better Connections’ initiative, provided quarantine facilities, Corporation has repurposed ex- “We have increased capacity by are supporting the community educate the public, providing in- technology for error-free data en- which will help workers in quar- created extra fi eld hospitals, and isting resources and human capi- over 3,000 hospital beds and an and helping to ease the strain formation regarding the spread of try, immediate OTP verifi cation, antine to communicate with their controlled the spread via closing tal to expand its critical care and additional 700 new ICU beds, as on Qatar’s resources during the the virus, best hygiene practices, and real-time data verifi cation families and loved ones from their schools, issuing stay-at-home ICU capacity,” he explains. well as immediately opening two pandemic. These volunteers are and steps to take for prevention. and integration to various health- homes,” he added. Doha Bank unveils miles campaign for online spends Elegancia battles

oha Bank has kicked off the e-commerce Doha DBank Visa credit cards promotion in line with its end- less eff orts to serve the cli- Covid-19 through ents’ best interests, it was an- nounced yesterday. From June 1 to August 31, 2020, the promo off ers Doha Bank Visa credit cards customers to earn a max- imum of 10,000 Doha Miles per month on their online spends. disinfection drives The move comes in line with Qatar government’s precau- legancia Facilities Man- May, the Elegancia team has tionary measures taken against agement has invested successfully helped to keep in-person money exchange, chance to exchange the miles clients to stay safe and perform Ean additional QR2mn in more than 650,000 shoppers urging people to abstain from for points from other partner their necessary payments from disinfection technologies since safe. Well accustomed to work- dealing with banknotes and to rewarding programmes, such as the comfort of their homes for January 2020 to fight Covid-19, ing at scale, Elegancia is also resort to contactless payments Qatar Airways, British Airways, food delivery, groceries, online in line with the strict measures currently servicing 12 labour through electronic channels and Shukran. subscriptions, bill payments, implemented by the Ministry camps across Qatar as vital instead, in an eff ort to eliminate Braik Ali al-Marri, Chief and more. With every electron- of Public Health (MoPH) and work continues ahead of the the spread of Covid-19. In ad- Retail Banking offi cer at Doha ic payment performed using other governmental bodies in 2022 FIFA World Cup. dition, Doha Bank seeks to off er Bank, emphasised: “In Doha Doha Bank Visa credit cards, Qatar, it was announced yes- The experienced Elegancia alternative channels in order to Bank, we constantly pursue customers will add more Doha terday. teams routinely disinfect all address its customers’ needs. top-class promotions and serv- Miles to their account which Elegancia is equipped with accommodation areas and take With the exclusive promo- ices to ensure high levels of cus- they can redeem in exchange 23-tonne capacity disinfec- daily temperature checks for tion, customers will be entitled tomer satisfaction at all times. for cashback, e-vouchers, elec- tion trucks, electric disinfec- 50,000 workers. to accrue double Doha Miles, The off er at hand gives our Doha tronics and a lot more.” tion motorcycles, human and “Our team is well-equipped, one of Qatar’s leading reward- Bank Visa credit cards’ custom- To be eligible to earn a maxi- vehicle disinfection tunnels, well-trained, and we have ing programmes off ering a wide ers a great opportunity to do mum of 30,000 Doha Miles over cold foggers and other state- partnered with international range of benefi ts, such as com- their shopping online and get a three-month period, Doha of-the-art disinfection equip- and local specialists including plimentary fl ights at over 300 rewarded with Doha Miles on Bank Visa credit cards holders ment, delivering optimum dis- Ecolab, Betco and Diversey to partner airlines and free reser- their transactions. have to execute no less than fi ve infection performance in large support disinfection services vations at more than 300,000 “Given the current circum- online transactions for a mini- areas and difficult to access across the country,” said Ramez hotels worldwide, as well as the stances, we encourage our dear mum total of QR1,000 monthly. locations. Reflecting the sever- al-Khayyat, vice chairman and ity of the pandemic, hospitals, Group CEO of UCC Holding, residential towers, retail out- the mother company of Elegan- lets and commercial premises cia. are doubling their cleaning and “Our work is directly pro- Vodafone Qatar names disinfecting efforts. tecting people and providing Elegancia has agreed to a se- safe environment to work, shop ries of partnerships to support and live. We’re proud to be pre- business and communities dur- serving jobs in the community Elegancia has set up truck disinfection tunnels. winners of Sawa contest ing this challenging time. For which are essential for Qatar’s example, the company is work- well-being and business conti- fessional cleaners have access handwashing, represent the ing with long-time client Mall nuity,” he explained in a state- to personal protective equip- best line of defence, cleaning of Qatar (MOQ), the country’s ment. ment (PPE), including disin- and disinfecting high touch odafone Qatar has an- premiere shopping destination, The MoPH has listed rec- fectants, gloves, masks, hand surfaces regularly is an impor- nounced the prize win- providing thermal cameras and ommended products to guard sanitisers, and other required tant precaution to lower the Vners of its Sawa digital disinfection campaigns. against the Covid-19 virus and materials. While personal hy- spread of infection, the state- engagement competition dur- From March to the end of guidelines to ensure that pro- giene measures, like regular ment added. ing the holy month of Ram- adan. The mega winner of the QR25,000 grand cash prize was Abdul Shakoor, with the highest total points overall. The top three winners each week received cash prizes of QR5,000, QR3,000 and QR2,000 respectively: Week one: Abdelhamed Elsayed, ment and activities, trivia pecially congratulate our win- Noora Hisham and Reymond quizzes and games on the Vo- ners who made a tremendous Carlet Paye; Week two: Ayman dafone Sawa platform, which eff ort to be part of our giving to Mohamed, Rumesasulthana was launched at the beginning the three charity initiatives.” Shaik and Mohamed Sabir Ali; of Ramadan to encourage the The Sawa initiative was Week three: Ismail bin Salam, public to be part of its charita- organised by Vodafone Qa- Mohamed Naji Abdullah al- ble giving campaign. tar as part of its ongoing cor- Harazi and Waleed Shady. Congratulating the winners, porate social responsibil- Week four: Mahmoud Helmi Vodafone Qatar said: “We re- ity programme. Vodafone Azab Fahim, Naseer Moideen ceived a wonderful response Qatar made donations total- and Ahmed Hassaan Mohamed to our Sawa engagement cam- ling QR370,000, which ben- Seas al-Nasr. paign and we truly thank eve- efi ted Qatar Charity, Qatar Red More than 175,000 people ryone who participated in this Crescent Society and Educa- enjoyed a host of entertain- unique digital activity. We es- tion Above All. Elegancia carries out indoor and outdoor disinfection. Off ice disinfection is one of the services off ered by Elegancia. CRA conducts audit to ensure high-quality mobile services

he Communications Regu- Qatar, the CRA said. The measure- al-Mannai. He added: Since it was reliable and high-quality services.” latory Authority (CRA) pub- ment methodology of last year’s established in 2014, the CRA has CRA affi rmed after publishing Tlished on its website yester- network audit included testing been developing proper regulatory the summary results of the exten- day a summary results report of an samples that were collected from instruments to ensure the develop- sive QoS audit that the purpose of extensive audit of mobile networks diff erent areas in Qatar during the ment of highest standard mobile the audit was not to identify the in Qatar, conducted from Septem- peak hours of working days. and fi xed telecom networks and best network or do a comparison ber to December 2019. Measurements covered main infrastructures, which the same between the service providers in The CRA conducted the annual roads and highways, major pedes- contributes to fostering the devel- Qatar. The CRA emphasised that audit to ensure that the quality of trian areas, as well as several in- opment of the telecom sector and the audit’s fi ndings should not be mobile voice and data services are door locations. For that purpose, the provision of high-quality tel- used for any purpose that does consistent with the Key Perform- the CRA used its Quality of Service CRA president Mohamed Ali ecom services for all the consum- not serve the required value of the ance Indicators (KPI) required to be (QoS) systems, which are consid- al-Mannai. ers in Qatar. report, such as promoting the best provided to the consumers in Qa- ered as most advanced systems in “To this end, the CRA continu- service provider or taking a part tar by the telecom service provid- the region, in addition to the lat- tion of all data collected during the ously monitors service provid- or parts of the report to be used in ers Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone est versions of devices and smart- fi eld measurements, and after be- ers’ compliance with respect to a way that it may abuse another Qatar, and that quality of mobile phones, to obtain results that re- ing processed and extensively dis- the terms and conditions of their service provider, or to use the au- services are in line with the ap- fl ect the consumers’ experience in cussed with the service providers. licenses as well as with the ap- dit’s fi ndings in a way that may be plicable regulatory framework and the mobile services in Qatar. “Last year’s audit results in- plicable regulatory framework. I misleading or inaccurate consider- the terms and conditions of the li- “In continuation of CRA’s ef- dicate that the service providers would like to thank the telecom ing the scope of the audit. censes granted. forts to ensure that the consum- continue in maintaining the high service providers for their eff orts The summary of the results re- This kind of annual audit helps ers in Qatar have access to reliable standards of accessibility, retain- higher data throughputs from the especially during the previous in adopting new technologies and port of QoS audit 2019 is available in assessing the improvements of and high-quality services, the CRA ability and integrity of the services year before. As a result, we wit- period associated with the coro- constantly modernising their net- at www.cra.gov.qa/en/document/ the quality of mobile service levels published its annual report after off ered to its consumers and in im- nessed during this year a high-level navirus disease 2019 (Covid-19),” works, to ensure providing the cra-network-audit-2019-qos- off ered by the service providers in a series of analysis and verifi ca- proving their capability to provide performance of telecom networks, said CRA president Mohamed Ali consumers in Qatar with advanced, measurements. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 QATAR Barwa Bank announces QRCS backs renovation campaign draw winners project at Palestine for savings account

arwa Bank has an- nounced the names of Red Crescent hospital Bthe most recent round of draw winners for Thara’a, atar Red Crescent So- its Shariah-compliant savings ciety (QRCS) has said it account. Qis about to complete a Megahed Attia and Sufyan project to renovate and furnish Hamid each won a cash prize the department of operations of QR10,000. The winners of and sterilisation at Palestine Red the cash prize worth QR5,000 Crescent Society’s (PRCS) hos- are the following: Mohamed pital, Al-Quds branch. Dadosh, Nishamul Arakkal, With a total budget of Mohamed al-Dosari, Shawk $511,300 (around QR1,866,245), Shahbal, Mahmoud Abdel- the project was initiated in 2018 bary, Mohd Alyafei, Wasmiya and is now 85% complete, QRCS al-Haslan, Eleen Elbatneagy, has said in a statement. Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Taoufi k The project involves renovat- Jeddi, Suba Ebrahim, Saif al- ing the department of operations Sulaiti, Alaeddine Moumeni, and sterilisation, reconstructing Hassan al-Mutawa, Abdulla the power system, installing an al-Hamadi, Aiman Eltaweel, elevator connecting the opera- Salma Abdulaziz, Saifullah tions and sterilisation units, and Ali, Abdulla Mohamed, Wadha under the supervision of a winner of the grand prize of providing the operations unit The installed cladding sheets. The operations department furnished with equipment. al-Naimi, Sabeeka al-Kubaisi, representative of the qualita- QR1mn, rewarding 365 winners with medical equipment to be Emadelden Mahmoud, Ali tive license and market control in total with cash prizes up to used in surgeries. Al-Quds, the statement noted. It performance, meet the appli- two outpatient clinics, the am- Almarri, Ayman Chaabane, department at the Ministry of QR3.29. This includes the operating is aimed at improving the hospi- cable quality standards, allevi- bulance and emergency depart- Abdulrahman Alyafei, Nasred- Commerce and Industry. Coupled with cash prizes light, operating table, stretcher, tal’s capacity to provide essential ate the suff ering of Palestinian ment, and volunteers depart- dine Bouhani, Mohamed Sibai, On a monthly basis, there and a reward scheme, Thara’a patient bed, vital signs monitor, health services for the people of citizens, and reduce the need to ment. Fadi Hasan, Adeeba al-Su- are 42 winners per draw for the is a product full of value-added suction machine, reverse osmo- Al-Quds. travel to other countries for The hospital is holder of ISO laiti, Mohamed Ahel, Fatima cash prize of QR5,000 each, as benefi ts and services. Thara’a sis (RO) system for central ster- Once complete, the project healthcare. 9001:2008 and Joint Commis- Musa, Iman Abulawi, Diego well as two winners per draw off ers account holders access ile services department (CSSD), will help the hospital obtain li- Established in 1953, the PRCS sion International accredita- Gonzalez, Okba Alekesh, Amna for the cash prize of QR10,000. to Barwa Bank’s innovative anaesthesia trolley, CR Machine, censing, as the operations de- hospital in Al-Quds is a leading tion. With 250 staff members, al-Muhannadi, Abdullatif al- Additionally, quarterly there banking channels. fl uid warmer and Mayo table. partment had not been renovat- healthcare provider in the fi eld it has a preterm baby intensive Mahmoud, M Sabai, Shaima are two winners per draw for Customers may learn about With a total of 12,000 ben- ed since 1985. of obstetrics and gynaecology, care unit as well as the city’s only Alyafei, Chaymaa Afroukh, the cash prize of QR25,000 the many benefi ts of Thara’a efi ciaries per year, the project Both QRCS and PRCS are performing 1,000 surgeries per ambulance and emergency de- Hessa al-Abduljabar, Abdulla each, two winners per draw savings account at www. is a major one implemented by working together on the project, month and 3,500 deliveries per partment managed by a national al-Kobaisi, and Sara Almufar- for the cash prize of QR50,000 barwabank.com or by calling QRCS’ representation offi ce in in order to develop the hospital’s year. It has a capacity of 40 beds, society. fi sh. The draw was conducted each, and yearly there is one 800 8555. Daam extends support Qatar to observe ‘World Day to to Qatar Cancer Society to treat patients Combat Desertifi cation and Drought’

he Social and Sports Ac- for awareness of cancer, ways to atar, represented by the country at the genome bank, tivities Support Fund prevent it and early detection. Ministry of Municipal- which include endangered spe- T(Daam) has supported Sheikh Dr Khaled affi rmed Qity and Environment cies such ghaff trees and rare Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) to that QCS will continue the ef- (MME) is observing today (June types such as the wild Cordia meet the medical expenses of forts to achieve its vision to be 17), the World Day to Combat myxa plants. cancer patients who are unable the community platform for Desertifi cation and Drought. Besides, HE the Minister to cover their treatment costs. making Qatar a leader in cancer Falling on June 17 the day of Municipality and Environ- Daam and QCS had entered prevention and its burden con- aims to raise public awareness ment issued a ministerial deci- into an agreement in this regard. trol and will support, empower on the international eff orts to sion No 180 of 2019 extending The agreement aims to high- and advocate for individuals liv- fi ght desertifi cation and the the ban on camel grazing in light the importance of joint ing with cancer. need for stronger community the open lawns for two years, eff orts to serve the community “We are proud to contribute to participation to resolve the re- which has contributed con- and fi ght cancer, and in line with such a vital cause, carrying out lated environmental issues. siderably in reviving them and Qatar National Vision 2030 to our responsibility towards our some trees, shrubs and plants focus on the human factor and to community. This agreement is have started to grow and fl our- invest in human health. benefi cial to cancer patients in ish again. Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Jabor Qatar, who are in need for our The minister also issued al-Thani, chairman of QCS, orchestrated eff orts, specially ministerial decision No 381of thanked Daam for the kind ges- within the consequences of the 2018 to form a permanent work ture of supporting cancer pa- Covid-19 situation. We all have team to study the positive and tient treatment as well as cancer seen the eff orts exerted by the The theme of this year’s negative impacts of the deci- awareness. State in reaction to the situa- celebrations focuses on the sion to ban camel grazing in He noted that Daam had sup- tion, and we all should be there issues of Food, Fodder and the open on the plant cover and ported QCS earlier too, in several to help,” noted the chairman of Fibres, and the relations be- wildlife in the country as well activities including in its eff orts Daam. tween consumption and earth as camels. Further, a team was regarding changing the gen- formed according to ministe- eral trend towards the ways of rial decision No 373 of 2017 to Various models of Toyota RAV4 recalled production and excessive con- update the national strategy on sumption, which are consid- fi ghting desertifi cation. In the The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation with Abdullah Ab- ered the main reason behind meantime, 16 wild lawns have dulghani & Bros Co, announced the recall of Toyota RAV4 Petrol models of desertification. been fenced completely across 2019-2020, and RAV4 Hybrid model of 2019, due to a possible defect in the The MME has exerted great A restored green area in the Qatari desert. the country with some of them left and right front lower suspension arm. The ministry urges all customers to eff orts to fi ght desertifi cation closed entirely to protect the report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud in the country through vari- areas by planting the Qatari In 2019, the MME’s Environ- the sites of the infrastructure endangered and rare varieties Department, which processes complaints, inquiries and suggestions through ous programmes, initiatives, desert with various local plants, mental Aff airs Sector planted projects of the state in addition of plants while others were the following channels: Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: projects, projects and related shrubs and trees, in addition to 3,280 shrub seedlings to reha- to accumulating large amounts partially closed to enhance the @ MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, mobile app for Android and IOS: works to maintain the plant increasing the existing greenery bilitate the Qatari lawns and of plant seeds and enhancing planting process and rehabili- MOCIQATAR. cover and rehabilitated the wild across the the country. transferred 1,773 trees from the strategic seed stock of the tate them. Registration opens for GU-Q, HBKU executive course

eorgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) in partner- ship with the HBKU College of Public Policy, is off er- Ging an executive education certifi cate course to drive improvements around programme effi ciency and outcomes titled, “What Works? Programme Evaluation Techniques for Policy Managers.” Combining the expertise and resources of two leading QF-partner institutions, the four-day evaluation course will be delivered online and will run from June 29 through July 2 from 10am-12.30pm. It is aimed at managers who supervise staff engaged in Dr Adam Thomas Dr Anis Ben Brik programme evaluation activities, professionals who advise policymakers, and analysts at research organisations, gov- feedback for improvements and to guide the decision-mak- ernment agencies, and nonprofi ts who seek to develop a ing process,” says Rodolph Boughaba, the associate dean for more rigorous understanding of the programme evaluation executive education at GU-Q, adding that “a clear under- techniques. standing of how to evaluate that data is required to achieve Dr Leslie Pal, founding dean of the HBKU College of Pub- these benefi ts, and this is what our course will provide.” lic Policy, said, “Through our collaboration with Georgetown Now open for registration, the course will be taught by University in Qatar, we are pleased to announce a learning leading experts Dr Adam Thomas, who teaches courses in opportunity that aims to build capacity in Qatar through quantitative methods and microeconomics at Georgetown’s hands-on training that gives organisations and institutions McCourt School of Public Policy in Washington, DC, and Dr a better understanding of the role and purpose of programme Anis Ben Brik, associate professor at HBKU College of Public evaluations.” Policy. “Now more than ever, programme evaluations are crucial No prior experience in programme evaluation is required to to evaluate an organisation’s programmes in order to de- enrol in the course; instructors will be following a “ground- termine the eff ectiveness and impact of invested resources. up” approach, under the assumption that participants are This evaluation process is also a key opportunity to gather learning the material for the fi rst time. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 5 QATAR WTO tells Saudi to obey rules in Qatar broadcast dispute

From Page 1 against the infringement of their and the United Kingdom. This and visitors in Saudi territories” actions taken by Saudi Arabia, done to their own rights holders. on rules that 164 nations have IP rights, the report added. It is despite complaints by govern- with only two weeks’ notice - the United Arab Emirates, Bah- Brazil, Canada, the European agreed to apply. The WTO has The report pointed out that further said that the authorities ments around the world, as well for no reason other than that rain, and Egypt, since June 2017. Union, Japan, Russia, Singapore established that, since 2017, the there were deep-seated and fun- of the Saudi government have as by some of the highest-profi le they were Qatari - and imposed Qatar will continue to pursue and Ukraine insisted that Saudi Saudi government has played a damental fl aws in Saudi Arabia’s “engaged in the promotion of sports leagues and media com- restrictions preventing Qataris justice through these legal ac- Arabia’s invocation of the na- central role in enabling and pro- commitment to providing en- public gatherings with screen- panies around the globe. from travelling to, or transiting tions, while honouring its own tional security defence must not moting beoutQ’s theft of world forcement procedures consist- ings of beoutQ’s unauthorised Under this ruling, Saudi Ara- through, Saudi territory. international law obligations. pass without judicial scrutiny. sport and entertainment – the ent with the TRIPS Agreement, broadcasts”, including of the bia must now heed the WTO Moreover, the panel high- During the session, several The panel’s report is based on most widespread and damag- and Saudi Arabia has refused to 2018 World Cup. Panel’s call to stop its abuse of lighted that these discriminatory WTO members intervened be- extensive evidence submitted by ing piracy operations that the take any eff ective criminal ac- The panel’s analysis shows valuable IP rights, and “bring its measures were mandated by the fore the panel as third parties, Qatar over the course of multi- world has ever seen. Saudi Ara- tion against beoutQ despite be- how, by allowing beoutQ’s theft measures into conformity with Saudi government, fi nding “the supporting aspects of Qatar’s ple written submissions and two bia’s breach of international law ing fully aware of the “extensive and piracy to spread unchecked its obligations under the TRIPS existence of the general anti- position. oral proceedings, and despite is clearly established; the dam- evidentiary basis for concluding for several years, Saudi Arabia Agreement”. sympathy measures that directly In this context, the European Saudi Arabia’s intensive engage- age to the Premier League, other that beoutQ is operated by indi- has actively violated its obliga- While the dispute before or indirectly fostered a climate Union emphasised that, consist- ment in this process. rights-holders and broadcasters viduals or entities subject to the tions under the TRIPS Agree- the WTO Panel focused on IP- of anti-sympathy against Qatar ent with the WTO obligations, Reacting to the verdict, has been colossal and it has been criminal jurisdiction of Saudi ment to protect the IP rights of related violations, the panel’s and Qatari nationals”. “criminal procedures and penal- Stephen Nathan QC, Blackstone brought about by Saudi Arabia’s Arabia. Qatari nationals and of high- fi ndings also highlighted Saudi It is worth noting that Qatar ties should not be provided only Chambers, counsel for beIN promotion and support for the Saudi Arabia has also re- profi le sports and entertainment Arabia’s human rights violations has initiated several other legal on paper, but should be eff ective Media Group, said: “Today’s beoutQ piracy, coupled with stricted or otherwise frustrated rights holders from other trading directed at Qataris. proceedings before the WTO, and in practice”. WTO ruling is a historic vindi- its abstention from taking any the ability of beIN (and its li- partners, including the United The panel found that Saudi other international courts and Brazil and the European Un- cation of intellectual property meaningful steps to stamp it out censors) to pursue civil actions States, the European Union, Arabia “expelled Qatari residents tribunals, in respect of unlawful ion pointed to the damage being rights. The decision is founded as the WTO panel has held.”

Temporary closure of Al Luqta Street main road Indian repatriation flight

DFI Summer Youth Camp to be mentored by internationally renowned artists and filmmakers.

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) announced a temporary closure of Al Luqta Street main road from the Tilted Interchange to Gharrafat Al Rayyan Interchange, over two phases, during which the traff ic will be diverted to the service roads. DFI to launch The road from Doha to Dukhan will be closed from June 19 to One more repatriation flight took off from Doha’s Hamad July 3, and the road from Dukhan to Doha will be closed from International Airport yesterday as part of the ongoing Vande July 3 to 17. This closure in co-ordination with the General Bharat Mission. IX 1576 left for Thiruvananthapuram with 175 Directorate of Traff ic is to enable the asphalt works, as part of passengers and eight infants. This was the 34th flight from Doha Khalifa Avenue Project. under the Vande Bharat initiative, “bringing the total number Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the closure of repatriated passengers to 5,792 plus 170 infants”, the Indian series of virtual and requested all to follow them and abide by the existing embassy tweeted. speed limit to ensure safety. workshops Parks open 1,000kg of rotten fi sh destroyed

By Joey Aguilar produce their own short anima- and multidisciplinary artist Bay- Staff Reporter tion” through discussions, pres- an Dahdah. entation of animated fi lms and The third workshop, titled practical exercises. “Contribute to Your Own Film he Doha Film Institute Animator, writer and director Summer Camp”, takes partici- (DFI) is set to launch a se- Fadi Syriani will serve as mentor pants (aged 14-17) to “the excit- Tries of virtual workshops for this workshop, scheduled from ing world of documentary fi lm- aimed at developing the storytell- 3pm to 4pm every Monday, Tues- making.” ing skills of young and aspiring day, Thursday, and Saturday. “This thought-provoking fi lmmakers and enthusiasts in the Next is the “Photography and workshop is a well-rounded in- country, it was announced. Visual Arts Summer Camp” troduction to the essential tools Such initiative forms part of for aged intermediate (aged 11- of fi lmmaking. Through hands- DFI’s ‘Youth Summer Camp’, 13), which focuses on exploring on and enjoyable exercises par- People were seen running, walking and working out which consists of three classes visual storytelling and photog- ticipants will learn all the tech- at a park in Al Rayyan yesterday, a day after Phase 1 designed for 8-17 year old par- raphy. nical and practical techniques of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions began. A ticipants mentored by interna- “During this inspiring work- required to make a documentary number of public parks have been opened with restricted tionally renowned artists and shop, participants will learn all fi lm, starting with the basic ele- timings and amid the observance of precautionary and fi lmmakers. about the theoretical basis of ments of narrative development preventive measures. PICTURES: Jayaram “Each of our three workshops image composition and sketch- and visual storytelling - to the Al Wakra Municipality’s Health Control Section has destroyed are centred on the values of the ing visual stories to help them actual production of the story,” around 1,000kg of fish at Al Wakra Fish Market after being found Ajyal Film Festival and follow a gain a deeper insight into dif- DFI said. unfit for human consumption. The fish, when checked during the close curriculum and philosophy ferent types of cinematography,” “During the workshop, stu- daily auction at the market, were found to be rotten, prompting of active learning – leading up to DFI said. “Engaging in hands-on dents will work individually on the health inspector concerned to order its destruction. our ever-popular Ajyal Jury Pro- photography, each student will their stories and fi lm at home to gramme later this year,” said DFI. produce their own content for contribute to a fi nal collective Between June 28 and July 18, an e-book that members of the fi lm produced by the class as a DFI will conduct the “Animated class will collectively conceptu- whole,” DFI added. ‘Prior appointment necessary to Stories Summer Camp” for be- alise.” Classes will take place every ginners (aged 8-10) described Scheduled from July 5 to July Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and avail of consular service’ as “an exciting journey from the 30 between 4.30pm and 6pm, Saturday from June 28 to July 30 basics of storytelling to modern classes will take place every between 10am and 12noon under With eff ect from June 15, submission of applications for urgent animation.” Sunday, Monday, Wednes- the mentorship of Marcus Zaiser, consular services is taking place from 8.15am-11.15am, the Indian This class will teach partici- day, and Saturday. Mentors are who has been in fi lmmaking since embassy has said. “However, prior appointment is necessary to avail pants “how to develop an idea Jordanian-Texan photographer 1998 and took part in over 100 (of) any consular service,” it stressed. Appointments can be booked into a compelling narrative and Tanya Habjouqa (Noor Images) productions during this period. through the link, https://indianembassyqatar.gov.in/get-appointment. Qatar 2022 will unite world post-Covid-19: al-Thawadi

From Page 1 both in the lead-up to the World livered a speech to the voters sembled and reused - including We have actually completed a way to carry on preparing for sporting world on their chal- Cup and beyond.” asking when the right time was the seats in the modular upper 85% of construction across our this huge tournament. lenges as they try to plan for “I think it’s a stadium that Al-Thawadi stressed that Qa- for the World Cup to come to tier, which will be removed portfolio and are well on course “Our legacy programmes are similar-sized events, or work to football fans will love. It domi- tar Foundation is a key stake- the Middle East. Her Highness and donated to a country that to delivering everything well in just one example of business restart their leagues. We’re do- nates its location, which is right holder in the World Cup project, told them that the time was needs sporting infrastructure advance of the tournament. continuity. Generation Amaz- ing everything we can to gather next to Education City Golf adding: “QF is a valued stake- now. Her Highness’s speech after the tournament. “We are “We have had to adapt in re- ing - our football for develop- as much information as pos- Club. It really stands out on the holder and will play a key role was an iconic moment for our very proud of this innovation - cent months. Strict social dis- ment programme - has been sible and exchange knowledge horizon and, like I said earlier, I in helping us deliver the World bid. It’s fi tting that almost 10 which will be replicated across tancing measures have been broadcasting live sessions on on new protocols concerning think the atmosphere, when it’s Cup and - importantly - sup- years later, we are launching the several Qatar 2022 venues. It implemented at all our sites, in- social media, helping connect health and safety as football and full to capacity, will be some- port us in ensuring this tour- stadium located within QF - an will ensure no stadium be- cluding construction sites and its vast community and inspir- sport restarts, in order to be as thing really special. It will be a nament leaves a lasting legacy entity that has blossomed into a comes a ‘white elephant’ after our head offi ce in Doha. We took ing them with health and fi tness ready as possible for hosting the cauldron of noise and passion for years to come. QF will take global centre for education un- the tournament and ensure the measures to assess our sites and drills to do at home. Meanwhile, world in 2022.” during the World Cup.” ownership of Education City der the leadership of Her High- legacy of our tournament is felt ensure that any individuals at the Josoor Institute moved Al-Thawadi concluded by He added that the stadium’s Stadium after the tournament ness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.” far and wide.” a higher risk of contracting the quickly to deliver all its profes- saying: “We have faced chal- location is also signifi cant. It’s for the benefi t of its entire com- He said Education City Sta- After the tournament, Edu- virus were demobilised - with sional diploma programmes on- lenges since the day we won the situated in Education City - munity - which numbers many dium is the only Qatar 2022 cation City Stadium will be pay - until Covid-19-specifi c line - meaning their delegates right to host the World Cup - no which is home to schools and thousands of people. stadium so far to receive a fi ve- a sporting facility for the QF health and safety measures kept learning despite being doubt about that - but we’ve al- universities, along with a host “We have obviously worked star rating from the Global Sus- community, including students were in place. A large number stuck at home.” ways managed to rise to the oc- of research and development very closely together through- tainability Assessment System, and faculty from the various of employees have been work- He pointed out that the “SC casion. Innovation is embedded organisations, among other out this project - and will a FIFA-approved compliance universities based there, he ing from home since the middle also worked closely with our in everything we do - whether entities. “Education City is the continue to do so both in the scheme administered by the said. In addition to providing of March. The health and well- ambassadors, including the it’s in relation to cooling tech- home of Qatar Foundation (QF), lead-up to the tournament and Gulf Organisation for Research sporting facilities, some parts of being of our workers remains likes of Xavi Hernandez, Cafu, nology, modular stadiums or which is playing a huge role in beyond. We are very proud that and Development. the stadium will be turned into our number one priority.” Samuel Eto’o and Tim Cahill, to developing the perfect grade helping our country deliver its a World Cup stadium will sit in Al-Thawadi explained that lecture halls and event spaces On SC programmes during share key messages about social of grass for our stadiums and National Vision - namely to de- the heart of Education City.” a number of features helped it for QF schools and universities, this period, the secretary-gen- distancing and details on how to training sites. Innovation and velop a knowledge economy and He continued, “Those who receive this rating, including he added. eral said: “I’m proud of the way stay active, both mentally and hard work have led us through shift our reliance away from hy- followed the journey of our bid the fact that 85% of the materi- Meanwhile, al-Thawadi said: all our staff have adapted in re- physically, during this testing the previous months and we drocarbons. This stadium is the to host the FIFA World Cup will als were regionally sourced and “Despite Covid-19, we remain cent months. It’s been a testing time”. will forge ahead with that same next step in the story of Educa- remember the fi nal presenta- 29% were from recycled con- ahead of schedule when it comes time for everyone, but through He said, “We have spent sig- ethos and commitment as our tion City as it will provide fa- tion, in which Her Highness tent. In addition, 35.5% of the to delivering all the infrastruc- excellent collaboration and nifi cant time engaging with journey towards 2022 and be- cilities for this vast community Sheikha Moza bint Nasser de- building elements can be disas- ture required for the World Cup. communication, we have found counterparts from within the yond continues.” Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD Iran warns against nuclear watchdog resolution

AFP is disappointing and absolutely rectly relevant to Iran’s current arch-enemy Israel. Additional coronavirus pandemic the IAEA Vienna” and “ideas our Western years ago and went on to re-im- Vienna counterproductive,” said Kazem nuclear programme, the agency information provided by the board of governors’ meeting is friends are fl oating in New York”. pose swingeing economic sanc- Gharib Abadi, Iran’s UN ambas- says it needs to know if activities IAEA in support of its requests taking place in a virtual format. “We will be very fi rmly oppos- tions on Iran. sador in Vienna. going back almost two decades “were merely some commercial Russia has been particularly ing any attempts to use this situ- In retaliation Iran has been ran criticised yesterday a Diplomats say the resolution have been properly declared and satellite imageries that con- active in resisting the prospect ation in order to manipulate the slowly abandoning limits on its plan to put forward a resolu- will call on Iran to provide ac- all materials accounted for. tained no convincing underly- of remote voting and on Monday Security Council and to promote activities set out under the deal, Ition at a meeting of the UN’s cess to two locations where past But in yesterday’s statement, ing reason” to provide access, he it was decided that a physical an anti-Iranian agenda,” Lavrov including on the size and enrich- nuclear watchdog urging the nuclear activity may have oc- Gharib Abadi warned that if the added. meeting would be convened if a said. ment level of its uranium stock- country to allow access to two curred — sites to which the IAEA resolution was adopted, “Iran The IAEA’s board of governors vote needs to be held. Despite the row over the two pile. disputed sites. has been trying to gain access for would have no choice but to take has not passed a resolution criti- It is not clear how quickly such sites, the IAEA says it still has Iran has accused the European European states are expected months. appropriate measures, the con- cal of Iran since 2012. a meeting could be organised. the access it needs to Iran’s nu- parties to the deal — France, the to submit the resolution at the At the start of this week’s sequences of which would be While a new resolution would RUSSIAN SUPPORT clear facilities to monitor its UK and Germany — of not doing Vienna-based International meeting on Monday, IAEA Di- upon the sponsors of such polit- be largely symbolic in charac- Also yesterday Iranian Foreign current activities, as the agency enough to mitigate the impact of Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) rector General Rafael Grossi re- ical and destructive approaches”. ter, it could be a prelude for the Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif is mandated to do under the American sanctions. board of governors’ meeting this peated his appeal to Iran to “co- He did not specify what these dispute being referred to the UN visited Moscow where his Rus- landmark deal between Iran and In his statement, Gharib Aba- week. operate immediately and fully” measures would be. Security Council, the only UN sian opposite number Sergei La- world powers reached in 2015. di hinted that pressing ahead “Introduction of this reso- and grant access. Gharib Abadi argued that the body that can impose sanctions. vrov pledged to stand by Tehran, The deal has been unravel- with the resolution could cause lution aiming to call on Iran to Even though the sites in ques- IAEA’s access requests were However, there is the added while referring to “develop- ling since US President Donald “complication and diffi culties” co-operate with the Agency... tion are not thought to be di- based on allegations from Iran’s complication that due to the ments taking place right now in Trump withdrew from it two for the future of the 2015 accord.

Troops arrest UN rights experts condemn Palestinian

AFP Ramallah Israel’s annexation plan

he Israeli army raided Reuters has unveiled a peace plan that Ramallah in the occupied Geneva includes Israel keeping its TWest Bank yesterday, the settlements and the Palestin- fi rst such incursion since the ians establishing a state under Palestinian Authority cut secu- N human rights experts stringent conditions. rity co-ordination with Israel, a said yesterday that Israel’s Palestinians have rejected Palestinian offi cial said. Uplan to annex signifi cant the proposal and voiced out- “Israeli forces entered Ramal- parts of the occupied West Bank rage at Israel’s proposed an- lah before dawn,” interior min- would violate international law nexation. istry spokesman Ghassan Nimr banning the taking of territory by “We welcome the (UN ex- said, noting that “three houses force, and urged other countries perts’) statement as a remind- were searched” in the city but no to actively oppose it. er for the international com- arrests made. A joint statement, signed by munity of its responsibilities, The PA is headquartered in nearly 50 independent experts, of the gravity of the situation Ramallah and the city is nomi- also voiced dismay at US sup- and of the urgency to imple- nally under full Palestinian con- port for Prime Minister Ben- ment accountability measures trol, but the Israeli army has car- jamin Netanyahu’s “unlawful” to end the illegal colonial-set- ried out numerous raids there. plan to extend sovereignty, de tlement enterprise, including A security source said Israeli facto annexation of land that annexation, to save the pros- soldiers arrested a 20-year-old the Palestinians seek for a pects of peace and to support man in Al-Amari refugee camp state. a rules-based world order,” near the city. “The annexation of oc- Palestinian negotiator Saeb The incursion sparked clashes cupied territory is a serious Erekat said on Tuesday. between young residents and Is- violation of the Charter of the The UN experts said Israeli raeli soldiers, who responded to United Nations and the Geneva violations against Palestinians stone-throwing with tear gas, Conventions, and contrary to have included land confisca- the source added. the fundamental rule affirmed tion, settler violence, home The Israeli military confi rmed many times by the United Na- demolitions, excessive use an arrest was made in the refu- tions Security Council and of force and torture, restric- gee camp, but a spokeswoman General Assembly that the ac- tions on media and freedom said that the army “did not enter quisition of territory by war or of expression, and “a two-tier Ramallah overnight”. The raids force is inadmissible,” it said. A Palestinian shepherd leads his flock of sheep past a sign, which signals the start of Zone A which is under Palestinian Authority and system of disparate political, were the fi rst since the PA an- What would be left of the is forbidden for Israeli citizens, near the town of Bani Naim, east of the town of Hebron in the occupied West Bank and north of the legal, social, cultural and eco- nounced mid-May that it was West Bank after annexation settlement of Maale Hever, yesterday. nomic rights based on ethnic- ending security co-ordination of about 30% would amount ity and nationality”. with Israel, the interior ministry to a “Palestinian Bantustan”, “homelands”, where black Israel’s foreign ministry de- the date to begin advancing in the West Bank, hoping for a “These human rights viola- spokesman said. it said, in a reference to South people were confined during clined comment. his plan to annex Israel’s set- green light from Washington. tions would only intensify af- Palestinian President Mah- Africa’s poverty-stricken apartheid. Netanyahu has set July 1 as tlements and the Jordan Valley US President Donald Trump ter annexation,” they added. moud Abbas announced the step last month without further details, in a response to Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bodies of children and others found in Libyan town aft er LNA retreat: Red Crescent Bank. More than 450,000 Israelis Bodies of children were among those found in the Libyan town of conference that 29 of the bodies found in the hospital had been Oman reports 745 new live in West Bank settlements Tarhouna after eastern-based forces and their local allies withdrew identified and that they included women and children. deemed illegal under interna- this month, Red Crescent and Tripoli government off icials said Kamal al-Siwi, head of the GNA’s missing persons bureau, said tional law, alongside 2.7mn Pal- yesterday. about 10 bodies had been disinterred from one of the eight coronavirus cases estinians. The evidence of what rights groups have called possible war mass graves that had been found. Tarhouna had for years been The Israeli government has crimes came as Libya’s frontlines suddenly shifted, displacing controlled by the local Kani family and its armed group, popularly said it could begin the annexa- thousands of civilians and leaving a trail of landmines hidden in known as the Kaniyat, which had been loyal to diff erent sides man’s Ministry of Health new deaths were also reported. tion process from July 1, as part residential areas. The internationally recognised Government of during Libya’s chaotic civil war. The town served as an important yesterday reported 745 KUWAIT REVEALS of a peace plan proposed by the National Accord (GNA) retook Tarhouna, southeast of Tripoli, on stronghold for the LNA during its attack on Tripoli and the Kaniyat Onew cases of the Cov- 527 NEW INFECTIONS United States. June 5 as an off ensive by the eastern-based Libyan National Army fought alongside the LNA in the southern suburbs of the capital. id-19 coronavirus, QNA report- Meanwhile, the Kuwait Min- Palestinian Prime Minister (LNA) to capture the capital collapsed. GNA forces found 106 bod- A GNA justice ministry off icial, Nasser Ghaita, said it had issued 23 ed from Muscat. istry of Health announced that Mohamed Shtayyeh has warned ies in the hospital and local people discovered eight mass graves arrest warrants over the case and asked for UN technical help. Among the new cases, 377 527 new infections with Cov- of a “hot summer” if Israel around Tarhouna, prompting the United Nations to call for an The GNA said on Saturday that “entire families” had been killed. were Omanis and 368 were non- id-19 were registered during the presses ahead with annexation, urgent and open investigation. The LNA has denied its forces were responsible for any of the bod- Omanis. With this, a total of past 24 hours, bringing the total while the United Nations has Libyan Red Crescent representative Faisal Jalwal told a news ies found in the mass graves. 25,269 cases have been reported number of cases registered in the said it will likely lead to violence. along with 11,089 recoveries. Six country to 36,958.

UNREST Military claims Children among 13 killed US sanctions to cut rocket attack near Baghdad airport revenue for Syria govt Three rockets hit near Baghdad airport overnight without causing in air strikes in Yemen any damage, Iraq’s security forces said yesterday, marking the fourth Reuters ambassador Vassily Neben- New York zia said the United States had such attack in just over a week. confi rmed “that the purpose of A statement from the Iraqi military said the Katyusha-type projectiles AFP had fallen since an agreement these measures is to overthrow Dubai signed in March 2019. he United States will the legitimate authorities of were fired from the southwestern Both the coalition and the impose sanctions today Syria.” edges of Baghdad, where security rebels have been accused by Taimed at cutting off reve- Craft said the sanctions forces found more rockets set hirteen people, includ- the UN and rights groups of nue for Syrian President Bashar would be imposed under the up on wooden platforms. It fol- ing children, were killed committing violations in Yem- al-Assad’s government in a Caesar Syria Civilian Protec- lows a string of similar incidents, Tin air strikes in Yemen’s en that could amount to war bid to push it back into United tion Act — signed by President including a rocket attack on June northern province of Saada, the crimes. Nations-led negotiations and Donald Trump in December — 13 that hit an Iraqi base north of rebels and medical sources said “It’s a very sad irony that this broker an end to the country’s which aims to deter “bad ac- Baghdad where US-led coalition yesterday, as international aid attack happened on the day nearly decade-long war. tors who continue to aid and troops are based. On June 8, two groups condemned the raids. that the annual UN report on US ambassador to the UN fi nance the Assad regime’s rockets struck the grounds of the Houthi rebels and Yemen’s Children and Armed Confl ict is Kelly Craft told the Security atrocities against the Syrian Baghdad airport complex and an internationally-recognised coming out,” said Joubert. Council yesterday that Wash- people while simply enriching unguided rocket hit near the US government — supported by a Oxfam and other interna- ington would implement the themselves.” embassy in Iraq’s high-security military coalition — have been tional organisations, including measures to “prevent the As- Addressing a separate meet- Green Zone two days later. at war since 2014, creating the Norwegian Refugee Coun- sad regime from securing a ing of the Geneva-based UN Such attacks are rarely claimed, what the United Nations calls cil (NRC), also condemned the military victory.” Human Rights Council yes- but Washington has blamed fac- the world’s worst humanitarian raids. “Our aim is to deprive the As- terday, Syria’s UN ambassador tions in Iraq, primarily Kataeb Hez- crisis. Smoke billows following an air strike by the coalition in the Yemeni “We condemn all violence sad regime of the revenue and Bashar Ja’afari, accused Wash- bollah. Since late 2019, more than The Houthis’ Al-Masirah capital Sanaa, yesterday. by all parties to the confl ict,” the support it has used to com- ington of trying to impose US 30 rocket attacks have targeted TV said 13 people, including said Muhsin Siddiquey, Oxfam mit the large-scale atrocities law on the world and fl outing Iraqi installations hosting foreign four children, were killed late “We’re horrifi ed to learn of UN chief Antonio Guterres’s country director in Yemen. and human rights violations calls for it to end unilateral diplomats or troops. Monday in coalition air strikes the deaths of 13 civilians, in- decision to remove the coalition Mohamed Abdi, NRC’s that prevent a political resolu- sanctions. A crackdown by As- Tensions reached boiling point on their vehicle in the rebel cluding four children, today in from a list of groups violating country director, said “an in- tion and severely diminish the sad on pro-democracy pro- in January when the US killed stronghold of Saada. Yemen,” said the country di- children’s rights. vestigation must take place, prospects for peace,” Craft said. testers in 2011 led to civil war, Iranian general Qasem Soleimani Medical sources confi rmed rector for Save the Children, The UN’s newly-published and warring parties responsible Russia and China criticised the with Moscow backing Assad and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi to AFP that four children were Xavier Joubert. annual report on children in for their deaths must be held US plan to impose further uni- and Washington supporting al-Muhandis in a drone strike in among those killed. This comes on the heels of confl ict zones said the toll accountable”. lateral sanctions. Russia’s UN the opposition. Baghdad. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 7 AFRICA

MISHAP PROBE POLITICS FINANCE AID Dozens missing after boat Botswana seeks help after Mali president to hold talks Forex shortage shuts down World Bank okays $1bn for sinks in DR Congo lake mass elephant deaths on unity government Zimbabwe gold miner Congo health, education

Dozens of people were missing after a boat Authorities in Botswana have issued an Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Zimbabwe gold miner RioZim Limited yesterday The World Bank has approved $1bn in grants sank on Lake Kivu in the east of the Democratic emergency appeal for local and international yesterday announced that he would hold halted production after failing to meet operational and loans to promote free primary education Republic of Congo, government off icials and a assistance to work out why 162 elephants in the talks on establishing a new unity government, expenses because of foreign currency shortages and access to healthcare in Democratic civil society leader said yesterday. The accident northern Okavango Delta have died over the after weeks of criticism from the West African and delays in payments for bullion deliveries. The Republic of Congo. The bank’s board of occurred Monday around 20 minutes after past month. “We have ruled out poaching and state’s political opposition. In a speech in the southern African country’s top gold producer said executive directors approved $800mn to the boat departed from an island in the lake poisoning, because the carcasses we continue to capital Bamako, the president also promised to “severe challenges” arose from a fixed exchange rate help support free primary education in the bound for the regional capital Goma 30km discover are found with the tusks intact,” regional meet the demands of striking teachers’ unions, system and a limit on foreign currency introduced DRC’s poorest provinces, mainly in the east away, Norbert Rugusha, a government off icial wildlife co-ordinator Dimakatso Ntshebe told DPA. and suggested first steps towards reforming by Zimbabwe’s central bank. Gold exporters are and centre of the country and the capital in charge of the lake, said without elaborating. He appealed to international organisations and the constitutional court and the national entitled to access 70% of their bullion proceeds in Kinshasa. The schools funding “will help The boat had left the village of Kisheke on Idjwi individuals for resources to locate more elephant parliament. Earlier this month, a newly formed foreign exchange and 30% in Zimbabwe dollars at the the government roll out the reform on island in Lake Kivu, which divides Congo and carcasses. Specimens from the elephants have opposition coalition organised a mass rally in prevailing interbank rate of 25:1, while markets and free primary education by strengthening Rwanda, with up to 80 people aboard at around been sent to laboratories in the US, South Africa Bamako demanding that Keita resign over his suppliers are pricing goods at 80:1. RioZim estimated governance systems and the quality of midnight on Sunday. Fishermen who went to and Zimbabwe for analysis, but the process has perceived mismanagement of the poor Sahel it was getting less than 80% for its gold production instruction,” World Bank education specialist help with the rescue found 19 survivors. been delayed by coronavirus restrictions. country. compared with the international market price. Scherezad Joya Monami Latif said.

Mourned... African nations seek UN inquiry into US racism, ‘police brutality’

By Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters Minneapolis, which ignited protests States of America and other parts of Geneva worldwide. the world”. The inquiry would report The United States quit the Council back in a year. two years ago alleging bias against its “It is countries that hide the truth, frican countries are lobby- ally Israel. violently silence their critics, don’t An imam leads prayers during the funeral proceedings for coronavirus victims at a mosque in Cape Town. Most of South ing to set up a UN inquiry into A senior US diplomat in Geneva have democratic accountability, and Africa’s infections — around two-thirds — are found in the Western Cape province, a popular tourist destination home to A“systemic racism” and “po- defended its record, saying: “Our refuse even to recognise fundamen- the coastal city of Cape Town. lice brutality” in the United States transparency, commitment to a free tal freedoms that merit censure,” the and elsewhere, aiming to defend the press, and insistence on the right senior US diplomat said. rights of people of African descent, to justice allow the world to see our More than 600 activist groups, led a draft resolution seen by Reuters problems and openly engage on our by the American Civil Liberties Un- shows. eff orts at finding solutions.” ion, called last week for the Council The text, circulating among dip- “And when violations of people’s to launch an investigation into US lomats in Geneva, voices alarm at rights are committed we hold people abuses. Tanzania dissolves parliament ahead of vote “recent incidents of police brutality accountable through independent But Hillel Neuer of the Geneva- against peaceful demonstrators de- courts, and through an independent based UN Watch told the forum: “We fending the rights of Africans and of media,” he added. are concerned this session may be a AFP Uganda sets elections for next year, bans campaign rallies people of African descent”. The resolution, subject to change farce when some of the worst practi- Dar es Salaam It will be considered at an urgent after negotiation at the Council, calls tioners of police brutality and racism Uganda will hold a presi- have previously com- It began easing a 45-day debate today of the UN Human Rights for “an independent international will be the ones asked to be the judges.” dential election between plained about restricted lockdown, one of the Council. commission of inquiry...to establish The Council already has commis- anzanian President John Magu- January 10 and February access to broadcast strictest on the continent, The Council agreed to convene at facts and circumstances related to the sions of inquiry or fact-fi nding mis- fuli yesterday dissolved parlia- 8, 2021, authorities said media, especially in rural in mid-May. the request of Burkina Faso on behalf systemic racism, alleged violations of sions into human rights violations in Tment to allow for elections in yesterday, introducing areas where they say Incumbent President of African countries after the death international human rights law and hotspots including Syria, Burundi, October, pledging a “free and fair” vote restrictions it said were security agencies bar Yoweri Museveni had last month of George Floyd, an Af- abuses against Africans and of peo- Myanmar, South Sudan, Venezuela in a country where the opposition has aimed at slowing the them from appearing on said it would have been rican American, in police custody in ple of African descent in the United and Yemen. decried a climate of fear and violence. spread of the new coro- political shows. “madness” to hold the Magufuli, who took offi ce in 2015 navirus. The commission will elections if the coronavi- promising a crackdown on corruption Simon Byabakama set the exact date of the rus persisted. but whose strongman leadership style Mugenyi, the election election, also for parlia- In power since 1986, has drawn criticism, urged all parties to commission chairman, ment and local govern- former rebel fighter Mu- “avoid insults and violence” while cam- said the commission had ments, later this year, seveni has not confirmed Murders of women spark online campaigns paigning. banned campaign rallies Mugenyi said. whether he would run The constitution requires that the and urged candidates to Uganda’s health again, but the ruling 393-seat legislature be dissolved ahead use media instead to get ministry has reported National Resistance Move- By Kim Harrisberg, Reuters stant issue for women in South Africa women had gone up, not down. of the elections. their messages to voters. 823 confirmed cases of ment (NRM) party has Johannesburg who face high rates of domestic abuse. Other cases reported in local media The vote is due in October but the Opposition parties Covid-19 and no deaths. already asked him to stand. The rate at which women in South in recent weeks included an elderly precise date has not yet been set. Africa are murdered by intimate part- woman who was raped, two young “I want to assure everyone that the spate of murders of South Af- ners is fi ve times higher than the glo- women shot dead in KwaZulu-Natal elections will be free and fair, for all Lissu, who is also seeking to contest the that schools would reopen across Tan- rican women in recent weeks, bal average, according to the World province, and an Eastern Cape wom- political parties,” Magufuli, who is ex- presidency for the party, lives in exile in zania on June 29, saying the threat of Aincluding a heavily pregnant Health Organization. an who was believed to have been the pected to seek a second fi ve-year term, Belgium after being shot multiple times coronavirus had diminished across the woman stabbed and hanged from a tree, “Alcohol may be one of the condi- victim of a mob killing. said in an address to lawmakers. outside his home in 2017. country. highlighted the need for tougher po- tions for the spike (in violence against “In the last decade thousands of The dissolution comes just days after Chadema and other opposition par- Universities already reopened on lice action on violence against women, women) but it is certainly not the women made headlines for the way Tanzanian opposition leader Freeman ties including Alliance for Change and June 1, despite complaints from some women’s rights groups said yesterday. only one,” Given Sigauqwe, spokes- they died,” said Kalay Nair, editor at Mbowe, who has announced his inten- Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) have students that they might be at risk of Two weeks after South Africa end- man from the rights group Sonke Health-e News, a South African media tion to run against Magufuli, was alleg- called for an independent monitor to infection. ed a nine-week ban on alcohol sales, Gender Justice, told the Thomson and activism platform with a focus on edly beaten and hospitalised in what his oversee the elections, warning they will Tanzania is one of the few countries President Cyril Ramaphosa linked a Reuters Foundation. spotlighting violence against women. Chadema party said was a “politically- not be free otherwise. in Africa that has not taken extensive surge in rapes and killings of wom- “Any worthwhile gender-based vi- “These horrifi c headlines are rou- motivated” attack. “The current setup of the electoral measures against the virus. en to the end of the country’s strict olence intervention should be a mul- tinely followed by anger from politi- The European Union mission in the commission does not guarantee free Magufuli has played down the seri- coronavirus lockdown, calling it a tifaceted approach,” said Sigauqwe, cians and society, but the same sto- country lashed the assault on Mbowe polls, as it favours the ruling party. The ousness of the pandemic, and the coun- “dark and shameful week”. adding the criminal justice system ries continue,” said Nair, adding that as an “attack against democracy” while chairman and some other offi cials are try stopped providing updated infor- He named three murdered wom- needed to be strengthened. government and businesses should the US and British embassies also ex- appointed by the president, who is the mation about its cases in April. en who have become the subjects South Africa’s police minister contribute more funds to groups pressed concern. ruling party leader,” said ACT Wazal- In late May the government sum- of Twitter campaigns, includ- Bheki Cele said the ban on alcohol fi ghting this violence. Tanzanian police have cast doubt on endo chairman Seif Sharif Hamad. moned the top offi cial at the US embas- ing pregnant Tshegofatso Pule, 28, sales had helped lower overall crime Ramaphosa has called on com- the allegations. The ruling party won 99% of seats in sy to object to an advisory that warned found hanging from a tree, Naledi rates during the country’s coronavi- munities to report any gender-based Chadema says attacks against the local elections last November which the of “exponential growth” of Covid-19 Phangindawo who was stabbed, and rus lockdown. violence to police. “For public faith party and its supporters have risen opposition boycotted because of alleged cases. Sanele Mfaba who was dumped by a But campaigners stressed that the in the criminal justice system to be sharply under Magufuli, whose admin- violence and intimidation. The foreign ministry said the claim tree in a Soweto township. police force’s gender-based violence maintained, gender-based violence istration has been accused of eroding The October elections will also select was “not true and could cause panic Women’s rights campaigners wel- hotline received 2,300 calls in the needs to be treated with the urgency it democratic freedoms in a country once the president, lawmakers and council- among Tanzanians and foreigners”. comed the greater focus on violence fi rst fi ve days of lockdown — nearly deserves by our communities working seen as a beacon of stability in East Af- lors of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous Over the weekend Tanzania resumed against women but said this was not just three times the rate prior to lockdown together with our police,” Ramaphosa rica. archipelago in Tanzania. its national football league, which was due to the end of lockdown but a con- — showing that violence against said in a statement over the weekend. Chadema’s deputy chairman Tundu Magufuli yesterday also announced suspended in March because of the virus. South Africa’s fi rst black Miss Universe uses platform to fi ght racism

By Kim Harrisberg, Reuters Africa, but across the world,” she entering church beauty pageants It was a continuation of her about it ever since and I’m happy Johannesburg told the Thomson Reuters Foun- aged about 6 because her mother ambitions when she fi rst en- that it’s happening,” said Tunzi. dation in an interview from New thought it would help her make tered Miss South Africa in 2017 “But I do wish we can fi nally York, where she is spending her friends. in hopes of gaining a platform for get to a place where, if a black hen Zozibini Tunzi year as Miss Universe. She said she was never a huge her views and because she was woman arrives with natural hair, marched in the Black As one of only a handful of fan of the dresses and make-up, tired of not seeing women who people don’t ask why. Because it WLives Matter pro- black women to have won the but she did like being asked for looked like her represented in looks like this, it grows out of my tests in New York City, the latest title, Tunzi was intending to use her opinions on the world. fashion magazines. head, that’s why!” Miss Universe kept thinking how her infl uence to challenge rac- “Women don’t get too many She was a semi-fi nalist that Hair might seem a relatively young people in her native South ism, inequality and perceptions platforms to share their opinions year, and took home the crown trivial issue, but Tunzi recalled Africa died fi ghting for the same of beauty even before the Black and I thought: this is my oppor- last year. how in 2016, 13-year-old Zu- cause 44 years ago. Lives Matter protests erupted in tunity to speak up, to say impor- “I remember growing up... laikha Patel led protests against a “South African students were the United States. tant things,” Tunzi said. opening magazines and not rec- demand by her school that black marching against systemic rac- More than a quarter of a cen- The coronavirus pandemic has ognising myself and feeling like students cut their natural afro ism,” said Tunzi, 26, recalling tury after the end of apartheid limited what she can achieve, and I’m not represented so I was like, hairstyles. the 1976 Soweto Uprising when — a system of segregation and she said that at times she had felt I’m going to kill two birds with Her and her classmates’ pro- tens of thousands of students white minority rule — South Af- like her hands were tied. one stone,” she said. tests led to a change in school protested against apartheid laws rica is considered one of the most But she is using her own so- Tunzi has won support for do- policy. that segregated and controlled unequal countries in the world, cial media accounts — she has ing it wearing her natural hair “They weren’t just marching the black majority. according to the World Bank. 2.7mn Instagram followers — and not giving in to pressure to for hair,” said Tunzi. “They were A December 8, 2019, file photo of Zozibini Tunzi being crowned Miss “So many years later, that’s Tunzi grew up with four sisters and those of Miss Universe to wear a wig or weave. marching to dismantle the sys- Universe in Atlanta, United States. still happening, not only in South in rural South Africa and started speak out. “People have been talking tem they were put against.” Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 AMERICAS

TECH TALK PANDEMIC FUNNY MEAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATION Social media giants for US, Canada, Mexico to keep NYPD off icers fall sick after Four federal inmates get Justice Dept staff to testify election-security hearing borders shut until July 21 Shake Shack dinner execution dates on political meddling

Top off icials from Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc’s The United States has agreed to keep its New York’s police department said yesterday US Attorney General William Barr on Monday Two Justice Department employees will testify Google and Twitter Inc will appear tomorrow borders with Mexico and Canada closed until it found no criminal behaviour by staff of ordered the Federal Bureau of Prisons to to Congress next week about political influence before US lawmakers at a hearing on foreign July 21, off icials said yesterday, extending travel burger chain Shake Shack, after three off icers schedule the first executions of federal death- on law enforcement activity, including one who influence and election security, the House restrictions for a third time because of the complained of feeling ill and their union said their row inmates since 2003, the Justice Department worked on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s of Representatives Intelligence Committee coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Justin shakes may have been spiked with bleach. The said. Barr directed that execution dates for Russia probe, the Democratic-controlled panel announced yesterday. The remote hearing Trudeau announced the latest extension on off icers, who stopped at Shake Shack for dinner four federal inmates who were convicted of said yesterday. House of Representatives will discuss the technology industry’s actions the US-Canadian border, while Mexico’s foreign while assigned to work during an anti-racism murdering children be set for July and August, Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler since the 2016 US elections, state-sponsored ministry said its northern border also would demonstration overnight, complained of feeling the department said in a statement. The said the two career employees, John Elias disinformation eff orts, and other related issue. The remain closed. The three countries closed their unwell and were taken to a hospital, where they Trump administration’s plan to resume federal and Aaron Zelinsky, are both “prepared to witnesses include Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s borders to non-essential travel on March 21. “I were examined and released, the NYPD said in executions has been held up by court fights over describe the unprecedented politicisation head of security policy; Nick Pickles, director of can now confirm that Canada and the United a statement. “After a thorough investigation by the drugs used in lethal injections. The inmates of the Department under President Trump Global Public Policy Strategy and Development States have ... agreed to extend by 30 days the the NYPD’s Manhattan South investigators, it has scheduled for execution are Daniel Lee on July and Attorney General William Barr.” A Justice at Twitter, and Richard Salgado, director for Law current measures in place along our border,” been determined that there was no criminality by 13, Wesley Purkey on July 15, Dustin Honken on Department spokeswoman did not immediately Enforcement and Information Security at Google. Trudeau told a daily briefing. Shake Shack’s employees,” it said. July 17 and Keith Nelson on August 28. respond to a request for comment.

Hotspots fl are in Arizona, Florida; Trump signs order to Oregon church linked to spread

Reuters reduce police violence Washington By Sebastian Smith, AFP of Rayshard Brooks, another Afri- Washington can American whom police say was or a second week in a row, half a dozen US shot in the back as he ran away from states face a surge in new coronavirus cases arresting offi cers, having grabbed Fand rising hospitalisations, including an out- S President Donald Trump one of their tasers and aimed it at break linked to a church in rural Oregon. yesterday responded to na- them. Arizona, Florida and Oklahoma yesterday all re- Utionwide anger at racism Seeing public opinion shift less ported record increases in new cases after record- and deadly police violence with than fi ve months before Novem- ing all-time highs last week. measures aimed at reforming police ber’s presidential and congressional Nevada also reported its highest single-day tally forces, including a push to end dan- elections, Republicans are moving of new cases yesterday, up from a previous high on gerous choke holds during arrests. quickly not to be left behind on the May 23. In a Rose Garden ceremony at- highly emotional issue. At the Tucson Medical Center on Monday, just a tended by police and Republican According to a senior White single intensive care unit (ICU) bed designated for congressional allies, but no black House offi cial, who spoke on condi- Covid-19 patients was available, with the other 19 civil rights representatives or politi- tion of not being identifi ed, Trump’s beds fi lled, a hospital representative said, adding cal opponents, Trump said “we have executive order was meant to deliver they were working to increase capacity. to break old patterns of failure.” “the discussion that the country “ICU to be expanded, hopefully, in coming days,” The president has limited power needs to have... and hopefully bring Dr Steven Oscherwitz, an infectious disease expert over policing, which is run mostly at some unifi cation and some healing.” at the hospital, said in a tweet on Monday night. a state and local level. But Trump has struck a hardline “Not sure where people needing ICU care will However, Trump said that he tone throughout the tense period, be able to go, since most AZ (Arizona) hospitals are would use access to federal fund- sparking uproar even from his own pretty full now.” ing grants as leverage to persuade party with his warning that he could North Carolina reported record coronavirus hos- departments “to adopt the highest send federal troops to cities unable pitalisations yesterday with about 74% of its hospi- professional standards.” to control the crowds. tal and ICU beds fi lled, according to a state website. His executive order encourages The president clearly felt that the Health offi cials in many states attribute the spike de-escalation training, better re- tough approach played well with his to businesses reopening and Memorial Day gather- cruitment, sharing of data on police base, a passionately loyal minority ings in late May. who have bad records, and money to of the electorate that he hopes will Many states are also bracing for a possible in- support police in complicated du- power him to a win, however nar- crease in cases from tens of thousands of people ties related to people with mental or President Donald Trump is applauded by law enforcement leaders as he holds up an executive order on police row, in November. protesting in the streets to end racial injustice and drug issues. reform during an event in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington. The slogan “law and order” has police brutality for the past three weeks. A highlight of Trump’s proposals, become a new pillar of his reelection In Oregon, health offi cials are trying to contain which he said could be compliment- ingly white, male and focused on complishments. A fi rst wave of unrest began more campaign platform. an outbreak tied to the Lighthouse United Pente- ed by legislation being negotiated in law enforcement representatives Democrats and civil rights groups than three weeks ago, after the May Trump’s frequently lukewarm at- costal Church in Union County. the Republican-controlled Senate, reinforced his message that racism say that full-scale rethinking of po- 25 death of George Floyd, an Afri- tempts to express empathy for the The Oregonian newspaper reported that a video was ending choke holds “except if has nothing to do with police vio- lice culture, and even cuts in police can-American man, in Minneapolis. fear and powerlessness that many on the church’s Facebook page on May 24 showed an offi cer’s life is at risk,” he said. lence. funding, are needed to bring neces- Floyd stopped breathing when an black Americans say they feel on a hundreds of people standing close together singing. Trump began by announcing he’d “Americans know the truth: sary change. offi cer kneeled on his neck, having daily basis when encountering po- Large gatherings were not permitting under the just met in private with families of without police, there is chaos, with- “While the president has fi nally already handcuff ed him during ar- lice left a vacuum that his Demo- state’s reopening plan at that time. several black people killed in en- out law, there is anarchy and with- acknowledged the need for policing rest for a minor off ence. cratic opponent Joe Biden is seeking The video has since been deleted, it said. counters with the police. out safety, there is catastrophe,” reform, one modest executive order Amateur video of the incident to fi ll. Reuters was not immediately able to reach the “We are one nation. We grieve Trump said. will not make up for his years of in- sparked demonstrations nationwide “Systemic racism pervades every church for comment. together and we heal together,” he Only a “very tiny” number of po- fl ammatory rhetoric and policies and in some places looting and ar- part of our society, including law Across the United States, 17 states saw new cases said. lice commit wrongdoing, he said in designed to roll back the progress son. enforcement — and we have to do rise last week, led by Alabama, South Carolina and However, Trump’s choice to keep remarks that frequently veered into made in previous years,” said the top New tension erupted last week the hard work to root it out,” Biden Oklahoma, according to a Reuters analysis. the televised audience overwhelm- a campaign speech about his ac- Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer. after the death in Atlanta, Georgia, tweeted yesterday. In Oklahoma, where President Donald Trump plans to hold an indoor campaign rally on Saturday, new cases rose 68% to 1,081 in the second week of June, while the rate of people testing positive for the Trump niece to release unfl attering memoir virus increased to 4% from 2% the previous week. Trump rally eyeing other venues Off icials are considering other venues in Tulsa, AFP ‘Bolton will break the law if he publishes book’ traumas, destructive relationships, The book was fi rst revealed by the Oklahoma, for President Donald Trump’s first cam- New York and a tragic combination of neglect Daily Beast on Sunday. paign rally since the coronavirus shutdown, Vice President Donald Trump said on get Bolton to complete the clearance and abuse,” Simon & Schuster said The website reported that Mary President Mike Pence said yesterday, as virus cases Monday his former national security process and “make the necessary in a blurb about the book. Trump will reveal that she was the climb in Oklahoma and other states. onald Trump’s niece is set to adviser John Bolton will have broken deletions of classified information.” Mary Trump, a clinical psycholo- primary source for the New York A Trump campaign off icial, speaking on condi- publish a no-holds-barred the law and face criminal liability if a Trump fired Bolton in September gist, will say that the president, Times’ Pulitzer Prize-winning in- tion of anonymity, said later the rally would be held Dmemoir next month that book he has written about his time in after 519 days on the job amid sim- despite being his father’s favourite vestigation into Donald Trump’s fi - at the BOK Center arena in Tulsa as planned, “but “shines a bright light on the dark the White House is published. mering diff erences on a wide array of son, “dismissed and derided him” nances and taxes. the campaign is also considering other areas adja- history” of the US president’s fam- Trump told reporters that Bolton foreign policy issues. when he began to suff er from Alzhe- The investigation alleged that the cent to the arena to allow the president to address ily, her publisher says. knows he has classified information Bolton’s The Room Where It Hap- imer’s. president had received more than even more people.” Mary Trump will release Too in his book, and that he had not com- pened: A White House Memoir, is set In the book, she explains “how $400mn in today’s terms from his Pence acknowledged the health risks of bringing Much and Never Enough: How My pleted a clearing process required to be published on June 23. specifi c events and general family father’s real estate empire, much of so many people together — the campaign said it Family Created the World’s Most for any book written by former The publisher, Simon and Schuster, patterns created the damaged man it through fraudulent tax schemes. had received more than 1mn ticket requests — dur- Dangerous Man, on July 28, accord- government off icials who had access said in a news release last week the who currently occupies the Oval Of- A spokeswoman for The New York ing an interview with Fox News. ing to Simon & Schuster. to sensitive information. book provides an insider account of fi ce,” the publisher said. Times declined comment in the “It’s all a work in progress. We’ve had such an It marks the fi rst time that a “I will consider every conversation Trump’s “inconsistent, scattershot It will include “the strange and newspaper’s own article on the Dai- overwhelming response that we’re also looking at member of Trump’s family will with me as president highly classified. decision-making process.” harmful relationship between Fred ly Beast’s claim that Mary Trump another venue. We’re also looking at outside activi- publish unfl attering stories about So that would mean that if he wrote The book details Trump’s dealings Trump and his two oldest sons, Fred provided them with documents. ties, and I know the campaign team will keep the the former real estate tycoon and a book and if the book gets out, he’s with China, Russia, Ukraine, North Jr and Donald,” the blurb adds. Several Trump aides and journal- public informed as that goes forward,” Pence said. reality TV star. broken the law,” Trump said. Korea, Iran, Britain, France and Ger- Fred Trump died in 1999. ists have written books critical of “But it’s one of the reasons that we’re going to Mary Trump, 55, is the daughter of Attorney General William Barr, many, the publisher said. “This is the “She alone can recount this fasci- the president, but Mary Trump’s is do the temperature screening and we’re going Fred Trump Jr, the president’s older speaking at the same event, said the book Donald Trump doesn’t want you nating, unnerving saga, not just be- billed as the fi rst by a family insider. to provide hand sanitisers and provide masks for brother, who died in 1981 at age 42 due Justice Department was trying to to read,” Simon and Schuster said. cause of her insider’s perspective but The book is due out a few weeks people that are attending. One of the reasons we to complications from alcoholism. also because she is the only Trump before the Republican convention chose Oklahoma is because Oklahoma has done The 240-page book will detail willing to tell the truth about one of in August, when Trump will accept such a remarkable job in reopening their state,” events she witnessed as a child while house in New York’s Queens bor- siblings grew up. the world’s most powerful and dys- the party’s nomination for his re- Pence said. spending time at her grandparents’ ough, where her uncle and his four “She describes a nightmare of functional families,” it concludes. election bid in November. US agency violated science policy by backing Trump hurricane tweet

By David Brunnstrom, Reuters be among US states that would leased a statement on September policy with the statement. known as “Sharpiegate,” af- based on the premise that either The NOAA’s acting director of Washington “most likely be hit (much) harder 6 saying the Birmingham tweet In a memo posted along with ter Trump displayed a modifi ed Trump’s tweet, or that from the communications, Scott Smul- than anticipated” by Hurricane was “inconsistent with probabil- the report on the NOAA’s website, NOAA map to depict the storm Birmingham offi ce was right, and len, said it welcomed the NAPA Dorian, then one of the most pow- ities from the best forecast prod- Stephen Volz, the NOAA offi cial threatening Alabama. the NOAA was choosing between report and its recommendations, he head of the US agency erful Atlantic storms on record. ucts available at the time.” responsible for scientifi c integri- The New York Times reported the two, which was not the case. which “would strengthen the that warns of danger- Within minutes, the National A report conducted on NOAA’s ty, said the NAPA panel found the last year that Ross threatened to fi re “NAPA never questions or re- policy of consulting NOAA sci- Tous weather violated its Weather Service (NWS) offi ce in behalf by a panel set up by the pair did so “intentionally, know- top employees after the Birming- futes the scientifi c veracity of the entists in developing communi- policy on scientifi c integrity with Birmingham, Alabama, respond- non-partisan National Acad- ingly, or in reckless disregard” of ham offi ce contradicted Trump actual statement,” he said. cations materials involving their a statement last year backing a ed by saying that Alabama would emy of Public Administration the code of conduct. and that then-acting White House In a letter posted on the NOAA expertise.” forecast tweeted by President not see any impacts from Dorian. (NAPA), found the NOAA’s act- In his memo, Volz said Jacobs chief of staff Mick Mulvaney had site, Roberts said the panel had “Scientifi c integrity is at the Donald Trump about the path of After days of controversy, the ing administrator, Neil Jacobs, and Roberts did not believe it directed Ross to order the NOAA to failed to “provide the complete core of NOAA’s work and is es- a hurricane, according to a report National Oceanic and Atmos- and its former deputy chief of was a good idea to release a state- disavow the NWS tweet. picture of what occurred and the sential for maintaining the pub- released on Monday. pheric Administration (NOAA), staff and communications direc- ment, but “felt signifi cant exter- In a statement on the NOAA contextual factors that played a lic’s trust in the agency’s abil- Trump wrote on Twitter on part of the Commerce Depart- tor, Julie Kay Roberts, violated nal pressure to do so.” website responding to the NAPA role in the statement issued on ity to provide accurate, thorough September 1 that Alabama would ment headed by Wilbur Ross, re- the agency’s scientifi c integrity The controversy became report, Jacobs said its analysis was September 6.” and timely science,” he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 9 ASIA

Bangladesh resumes international flights

Bangladesh to deploy army Bangladesh resumed operation of international flights yesterday, nearly three months after it suspended them on almost all routes due to the global pandemic of the novel coronavirus, officials said. in coronavirus ‘red zones’ A Qatar Airways flight carrying 33 passengers landed at Dhaka’s IANS have tested positive for Cov- and ‘green’ zones, however, Hazrat Shahjalal International Dhaka id-19 in the last 24 hours. This would be able to operate on a Airport in the morning and its is also the highest number of in- limited scale. Public movement return flight transported 274 fections recorded in a day so far. would remain prohibited from passengers to Doha, the chief ith the highest The latest figures take the to- 8pm to 6am. No one would be of the Civil Aviation Authority of number of deaths tal number of infections in the allowed to leave their homes Bangladesh, Mafidur Rahman, said. Wdue to Covid-19 re- country to 94,481. unless there is an emergency, The airlines carried the corded in a day so far, the Bang- Some areas of the two city according to the notification. passengers only for transiting ladesh Army is set to patrol the corporations in Dhaka, Chat- Wearing masks outdoors through Doha, he added. red zone areas, the Inter Serv- togram, Narayanganj, Narsingdi also remains mandatory, it said In-bound passengers must show ices Public Relation Directo- and Gazipur have been marked and urged citizens to follow the a health certificate stating that rate (ISPR) said in a statement as red zones to contain the health guidelines before warn- they are negative for Covid-19, yesterday. spread of coronavirus. As many ing that legal actions would be the potentially fatal respiratory Bangladesh military patrols as 17 areas are under the capital taken against those not wearing illness caused by the virus, airport in red zone areas are being in- Dhaka North City Corporation masks in public. manager Towhidul Ahsan said. tensified to ensure compliance while 28 are under Dhaka South A general holiday will be ob- Otherwise, they will face a 14-day with government directives. City Corporation. served in the red and yellow institutional quarantine on arrival, The government has taken In addition, 11 areas are in zone areas. The capital’s East he added. initiatives to put the worst-hit the port city of Chattogram, Raja Bazar area is already ob- State-run Biman Bangladesh Covid-19 areas under lockdown the entire Gazipur district, and serving an experimental 14-day Airlines is scheduled to begin to stop further spread of the a few areas of Narayanganj and lockdown from June 9. its initial once-a-week Dhaka- virus. Narsingdi have also been iden- Earlier, the authorities cat- London-Dhaka flight on Sunday, As many as 53 people have tified as red zones. egorised 45 areas in capital the airline’s spokesperson Tahera died from coronavirus infection The areas marked as red Dhaka city as red zones over Khandaker said. in the last 24 hours in Bangla- zones by the authorities will coronavirus infections follow- The flight frequency will be desh, the Directorate General be placed under a 21-day lock- ing the recommendations of the increased gradually, she added. of Health Services (DGHS) said down. All offices and businesses national technical committee Bangladesh suspended connections yesterday. This is the highest in red zones are to remain shut, formed to tackle the spread of on all air routes but one in China on number of deaths due to Cov- said the government in a Covid-19. March 21 to stem the spread of the id-19 recorded in a day so far in statement. In red zones, almost all forms novel coronavirus, which killed more the country. The Directorate General of of transport will be suspended than 1,200 people in the South Asian The death toll now stands Health Services (DGHS) of and public transport, including country. at 1,262 with the death rate at Bangladesh has said the red trains and launches, won’t be Domestic flight operations were 1.34%, Dr Nasima Sultana, ad- zone status of those areas could allowed to stop to ferry people, resumed on a limited scale on ditional director general (ad- change as and when the according to the 13-point di- June 1 after the government ministration) of DGHS, said situation improves. rectives for red zones. Goods- relaxed some of the measures during a briefing. In a notification issued on laden water vessels and ships, taken in March to slow the spread The country had another bad Monday, the Bangladesh gov- however, can enter and exit ‘red Barbers wearing protective suits and face masks provide hair cut service to the customers inside a of the virus, which has infected so news: as many as 3,862 people ernment said offices in ‘yellow’ zone’ areas only at night. salon amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Dhaka yesterday. far a total of 94,481 people. (DPA) China pressed on Mekong dams after record low water levels

AFP lows – exposing rocks, killing sion (MRC) said in a statement China has built 11 dams on China, as well as in Laos, has in- Bangkok fish and threatening millions of yesterday. its section of the river while cited worry from the US, which livelihoods. It called for “all year-round downstream countries, in- vies with Beijing for geopolitical But the dams along the water- data for effective monitoring and cluding underdeveloped Laos, influence in South East Asia. way in China – where the river reporting on flood and drought,” have dozens of hydropower US Secretary of State Pom- hina was pressed yesterday is known as the Lancang – held in rare comments directed at the dams built or in planning – peo last year warned that Chi- to show more transparen- “above-average natural flow” at regional superpower. many funded by Chinese- na’s dam-building spree “con- Ccy over its dam operations the same time, according to sat- The Mekong is South East backed companies. centrates control” over the on the Mekong River, months ellite imagery published by US Asia’s longest river and acts as a Pianporn Deetes of Interna- Mekong’s downstream flow. after downstream water levels monitor Eyes on Earth in April. lifeline to 60mn people. tional Rivers said “sincere politi- Beijing has long denied re- hit record lows and threatened The extreme low flows showed The MRC acts as a dam con- cal will” was needed to mitigate sponsibility for the low water millions of livelihoods. the need for China to publish sultation body for Mekong na- existing environmental damage flows, and its foreign minister Russ Medlin (left), a US national wanted by the Federal Bureau of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia timely data from its dams so tions, but has been accused of between the Mekong nations. Wang Yi last year said that China Investigation (FBI) in connection with a $700mn cryptocurrency and Vietnam all battled se- its neighbours can forecast bad being toothless in stopping river “This includes changing the had released more water on the scam, is displayed at Jakarta police headquarters yesterday, during a vere drought last year as the conditions, the intergovern- projects sponsored by govern- ways the dams are operated.” request of Thailand, which was press conference following his arrest the day before. tide of the river fell to record mental Mekong River Commis- ments and big business. The dam-building spree in experiencing a drought.

Lanka police seize journalist’s US fraud laptop over Swiss kidnap claim Bangkok on track for more green

A Sri Lankan journalist working fugitive for The New York Times has said police raided her home and spaces with park on old train line seized her laptop over the alleged kidnapping of a Swiss embassy staffer last year. Thomson Reuters Foundation arrested in A diplomatic row erupted in Bangkok late November after the Swiss embassy said the woman was abducted and sexually assaulted new park in Thailand’s by unidentified attackers. capital – built on an Indonesia Her alleged kidnap came a day Aabandoned train track – after a Sri Lankan police inspector can be a model for turning the AFP Russ Albert Medlin investigating cases involving the city’s other unused spaces into Jakarta was listed as a Rajapaksa family – who returned much-needed green areas to “non-compliant” to power in November – sought boost well-being and mitigate tier-two offender asylum in Switzerland. climate-change impacts, urban n American fugitive – the second most Dharisha Bastians – a New experts said yesterday. wanted at home in con- serious – with a Las York Times correspondent and The Phra Pok Klao Sky Park Anection with a $700mn Vegas address former chief editor of the Sunday in Bangkok, which is scheduled cryptocurrency scam has Observer, a local newspaper – to open later this month, con- been arrested in Jakarta on sex In December, the US Justice said that police raided her home nects neighbourhoods on either charges, Indonesian authori- Department said three men in the capital Colombo last side of the Chao Phraya river ties said yesterday. had been arrested in an alleged Tuesday. and was built on an elevated rail Russ Medlin, who entered fraud that raised $722mn from “Five CID (Criminal Investigation line that lay unused for more the South East Asian nation investors lured by fake bitcoin Department) officials arrived at than three decades. on a tourist visa last year, was mining earnings. my residence in Colombo with a “It is an example of how to nabbed in the capital on Mon- Prosecutors in the United warrant to search the house... my repurpose an abandoned struc- day after three teenage girls States allege Medlin headed computer was found, seized and ture and increase green spaces A motorcycle taxi driver waits for customers at Khao San Road, empty of tourists due to the restrictions alleged he paid to have sex the “BitClub Network,” which sealed,” she tweeted on Monday. in Bangkok through cost-ef- on entry by foreigners into Thailand due to the Covid-19 novel coronavirus, in Bangkok yesterday. with them, police said. took money from investors in a Bastians said police earlier also fective design,” said Niramon If convicted under Indo- “high-tech Ponzi scheme”. obtained her mobile phone Serisakul, director of Urban cording to a study last year Asawin Kwanmuang, governor within 15 minutes of walking, nesia’s child protection laws, From April 2014 through call records and “exposed the Design and Development Cent- by the Barcelona Institute for of the Bangkok Metropolitan cycling or using mass transit, Medlin could face up to 15 December 2019 the group at- information”. er, a consultancy that led the Global Health. Administration, said at a cer- she said. years in prison, police said, tracted unsuspecting inves- “As a journalist, I was horrified at the project. Bangkok, built on the flood- emony to plant trees ahead of Across Asia’s space-starved adding that they confiscated tors using fraudulent earnings public exposure of my telephone “It may not be large, but it plains of the Chao Phraya River, the park’s opening. cities, developers and planners more than $20,000 in cash purported to come from the records, which could seriously has outsized importance as a is also forecast by climate ex- “Our goal is to increase green are increasingly turning to so- from the suspect. network’s mining pool, ac- endanger and compromise my catalyst for urban regeneration, perts to be an urban area that space in Bangkok from about called “dead land” underneath “After the arrest, we cording to prosecutors. sources and contacts, then, now and and can change the way people will be hardest hit by extreme 6sq m (65sq ft) per person to bridges, flyovers and viaducts. checked his identity,” Jakarta It was not immediately clear in the future.” look at public spaces,” she said. weather conditions in the 9sq m per person. At the same Bangkok’s new sky park can police spokesman Yusri Yu- if US authorities would seek Police had alleged Bastians was in The lack of green spaces in coming years. time, we want to reduce the be a model for swathes of un- nus told reporters yesterday, Medlin’s extradition in the contact with the embassy staffer, Bangkok and other crowded Flooding is already common number of cars and make the used land under the city’s ex- adding Medlin was sought cryptocurrrency case. who is on bail over government cities has come under scrutiny during the monsoon season, city more walkable,” he said. pressways, said landscape ar- by foreign law enforcement “We are still waiting for a allegations that she fabricated her as the coronavirus pandemic but nearly 40% of the city could The park, measuring 280m chitect Kotchakorn Voraakhom, agencies. request from the US embassy,” claims. forced lockdowns worldwide, become flooded each year by by 8m, makes it easier for resi- who was involved in the project. According to the Nevada State Jakarta police’s special inves- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa triggering a rush to parks 2030 due to more intense rain- dents to access nearby schools, Parks and rooftop gardens can sex offender public website, a tigation director Roma Huta- said in December her claims were for exercise and to improve fall, according to World Bank markets and places of worship, reduce air pollution and harmful Russ Albert Medlin was listed as julu said concocted to discredit his election well-being. estimates. said Niramon. emissions, and also limit flood- a “non-compliant” tier-two of- The US embassy did not im- victory the previous month. The health benefits are clear: “The effects of climate The goal is to replicate Paris’s ing, said Kotchakorn, who has fender – the second most serious mediately reply to requests for Bastians left the country after city dwellers tend to live longer change are being felt more, so “15-minute city”, where peo- designed a rooftop farm and park – with a Las Vegas address. comment. Rajapaksa came to power. (AFP) in leafy neighbourhoods, ac- we need more green spaces,” ple can reach their destination that can retain water. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Hong Kong leader says opponents of security law are ‘enemy of the people’

Reuters bases in the city for the fi rst time. smear the work to stop because saying advocates of independ- made up of many dots, with the paign for greater democracy and chanted pro-democracy slo- Hong Kong Critics see the law as the most by doing this they become the ence were “colluding with for- message: “Without a country, clashes with police intensifi ed. gans in a shopping mall. Later serious threat to a “one country, enemy of the Hong Kong peo- eign forces” and undermining there is no family” and “Uphold- This year, the coronavirus out- yesterday, Lam’s cabinet eased a two systems” formula, agreed ple,” Lam said before a cabinet security. ing national security, duty of break brought a lull in protests coronavirus curb on gatherings ong Kong leader Carrie when the former British colony meeting, referring to the legisla- “Hong Kong has become a every citizen”. but they have resumed since saying up to 50 people could now Lam yesterday urged op- returned to Chinese rule in 1997 tion. “The vast majority want to gaping hole in national security, Lam’ s latest defence of the law Beijing announced the plan for meet, from eight. Hponents of Beijing’s plan to protect its freedoms and role restore stability, and have safety, and our city’s prosperity and sta- came a year after Hong Kong’s the security law, which has been The restriction has angered to impose national security legis- as a global fi nancial centre. satisfaction and employment.” bility are at risk,” said Lam as she biggest ever demonstration, widely criticised within the dip- democracy activists, with police lation in the fi nancial hub to stop The Chinese government and The government has mounted stood fl anked by the Chinese and when about 2mn people, ac- lomatic, legal and business com- citing the coronavirus in reject- “smearing” the eff ort, saying Lam’s Beijing-backed city ad- a campaign to rally public sup- Hong Kong fl ags, the fi rst bigger cording to organisers, marched munities even though few details ing applications for rallies. The those who did were “the enemy ministration say the law will not port for the legislation, with bill- than the second. against another bill the city of it have been released. government says the restriction of the people”. curtail freedoms and will only boards, a booklet with questions Only a few protesters have wanted to introduce that would Riot police showed up near a has no political motive. Beijing last month announced target a small number of “trou- and answers and a video of Lam been calling for the city’s in- have allowed extraditions to downtown park yesterday and While borders remain almost a plan to introduce legislation in blemakers” and help bring sta- defending the law “in the pub- dependence, a suggestion that mainland China. deployed a water cannon truck. fully closed, life in Hong Kong Hong Kong to tackle secession, bility after a year of anti-govern- lic interest”. In the video, posted is anathema to China. Another Critics saw that bill as a threat Calls had been issued online for has largely returned to normal, subversion, terrorism and foreign ment protests. on the government’s website, government clip posted online to judicial independence and al- a rally there it did not material- with trains and buses often jam- interference. The law could see “I urge opponents who still use Lam decried a “terrorist threat” shows Hong Kong as a dot that though it was later withdrawn, ise. packed, workers back in offi ces Chinese security agencies set up the usual tactics to demonise and against a “traumatised” city, is part of greater China on a map protests broadened into a cam- Instead, dozens of people and drinkers back in pubs. N Korea blows apart S Korea liaison offi ce

Reuters „ Liaison office had acted as de facto embassy for both Seoul Koreas „ N Korea: Office destroyed in retaliation for defectors orth Korea blew up an of- fi ce set up to foster bet- sending propaganda Nter ties with South Korea „ S Korea: Will strongly respond if North keeps raising yesterday in a “terrifi c explosion” after threatening action if North tensions Korean defectors went ahead „Office was established in 2018 amid inter-Korean detente with a campaign to send propa- ganda leafl ets into the North. North Korea’s state news agen- cy KCNA said the liaison offi ce in the border town of Kaesong, which had been closed since Jan- uary due to the coronavirus, was “completely ruined”. Surveillance video released by South Korea’s defence ministry showed a large explosion that appeared to bring down the four- storey structure. It also appeared to cause a partial collapse of a neighbouring 15-storey high-rise that had served as a residential facility for South Korean offi cials who staff ed the liaison offi ce. The destruction of the building rep- resents a major setback to eff orts by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to coax North Korea into co-operation. It also appears to be a further blow to US President Donald Trump’s hopes of persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and open up to the out- Smoke rise from North Korea’s Kaesong Industrial Complex where an inter-korean liaison off ice was set up in side world. “We are aware that Members of South Korean marine corps patrol during sunset in Yeonpyeong island near the northern limited 2018, as seen from South Korea’s Taesungdong freedom village, in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the North Korea destroyed the liai- line, South Korea, yesterday. two Koreas, located within the border city of Paju yesterday. son offi ce in Kaesong and remain in close co-ordination with our fi cials have stressed the need for Reclusive North Korea and the KCNA said the offi ce was ing tensions between the two Ko- fourth fl oor. The third fl oor held would be seen,” she was reported Republic of Korea allies,” a senior Beijing to strictly enforce inter- democratic South are technically blown up to force “human scum reas. The building had originally conference rooms for meetings as saying. US administration offi cial said. national sanctions on North Ko- still at war because their 1950-53 and those, who have sheltered been used as offi ces for managing between the two sides. When Earlier yesterday, North Ko- The State Department did not rea. Russia said it was concerned confl ict ended in a truce, not a the scum, to pay dearly for their operations at the Kaesong In- the offi ce was closed in January, rean state media quoted the immediately comment, but an- about the situation on the Korean treaty. crimes”. dustrial Complex, a joint venture South Korea said it had 58 per- military as saying it had been nounced that Deputy Secretary peninsula and called for restraint Tensions have been rising over Several defector-led groups, between the two Koreas that was sonnel stationed there. studying an “action plan” to re- of State Stephen Biegun, the top from all sides. recent days with North Korea which North Korea refers to as suspended in 2016 amid disa- On Saturday, North Korean enter zones that had been de- US offi cial dealing with North South Korea’s national security threatening to cut ties and retali- “human scum”, have regularly greement over the North’s nu- state media reported that Kim militarized under the 2018 inter- Korea, would travel with Secre- council said South Korea would ate over the propaganda leafl ets, sent fl yers over the border, to- clear and missile programmes. Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean pact and “turn the front tary of State Mike Pompeo to Ha- sternly respond if North Korea which carry messages critical of gether with food, $1 bills, mini South Korea spent at least 9.78bn Korean leader and a senior offi - line into a fortress”. South Ko- waii. Sources said Pompeo will continued to raise tensions. The North Korean leader Kim Jong- radios and USB sticks containing won ($8.6mn) in 2018 to reno- cial of the ruling Workers’ Party, rea’s defence ministry called for hold talks with China’s top dip- destruction of the offi ce “broke un, including on human rights. South Korean dramas and news vate the building, which stood as had ordered the department in North Korea to abide by the 2018 lomat Yang Jiechi in Hawaii today the expectations of all people South Korean vice unifi cation into North Korea, usually by bal- a gleaming blue glass structure charge of inter-Korean aff airs to agreement, under which both on issues including North Korea. who hope for the development minister Suh Ho, who co-head- loon or in bottles by river. in the otherwise drab industrial “decisively carry out the next ac- sides vowed to cease “all hostile China is North Korea’s main of inter-Korean relations and ed the liaison offi ce, called the The fi rst diplomatic mission city. tion”. acts” and dismantled a number ally and neighbour and shares lasting peace on the peninsula”, demolition “unprecedented in of its kind, the liaison offi ce was When it was operating, South “Before long, a tragic scene of of structures along the heavily US concerns about Pyongyang’s deputy national security advisor inter-Korean relations” and a established in 2018 as part of a Koreans worked on the second the useless north-south joint li- fortifi ed Demilitarized Zone be- weapons programmes. US of- Kim You-geun told a briefi ng. “nonsensical act.” series of projects aimed at reduc- fl oor and North Koreans on the aison offi ce completely collapsed tween the countries.

Australia to play bigger role in NZ no longer free Beijing virus situation ‘extremely revamping global bodies of coronavirus as severe’ as 27 new cases reported Australia will take a more activist role in reshaping global bod- ies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) after the two test positive coronavirus pandemic dealt an AFP emerged in Wuhan late last year. tal. “I try not to go out as much Seven more residential estates Beijing “The epidemic situation in as possible,” she said, adding that were also locked down yesterday. unexpected blow to international the capital is extremely severe,” her home is near one of the closed “Beijing’s outbreak will prob- stability, its foreign minister said yesterday. Beijing city spokesman Xu Hejian markets. Yesterday, the capital’s ably be controlled quite quickly,” Reuters trumpeted its achievement last eijing’s coronavirus situa- warned at a press conference. transport commission banned said Wu Hulin, a 23-year-old The WHO’s decision-making Wellington week of becoming one of the fi rst tion is “extremely severe”, The World Health Organisation taxi- and ride-hailing services tech worker in Xicheng district body backed an independent countries in the world to elimi- Ba city offi cial warned yes- had already expressed concern from carrying passengers out of who got tested. “I think (China) review of the crisis last month, nate Covid-19 and return to pre- terday, as 27 new infections were about the cluster, pointing to Be- the city, Xinhua said. All indoor is doing a better job compared to after lobbying by Australia and t took just eight days for New pandemic normality, lifting all reported in the Chinese capital ijing’s size and connectivity. Of- sports and entertainment venues overseas.” the European Union. Zealand to lose its Covid-free social and economic restrictions from a cluster has sparked a huge fi cials in the city said they would in Beijing were ordered to shut Offi cials had warned that, US President Donald Trump Istatus when two women who except border controls. trace-and-test programme. test stall owners and managers on Monday, while some other since May 30, 200,000 peo- has accused the WHO of being had been given permission to The country requires all peo- The coronavirus resurgence at all of its food markets, restau- cities across China warned they ple had visited Xinfadi market, beholden to China and cut fund- leave quarantine early after ar- ple arriving from abroad to - believed to have started at the rants and government canteens. would quarantine arrivals from which supplies more than 70% ing to it. riving from abroad tested posi- quarantine for 14 days to avoid city’s sprawling Xinfadi whole- Zhao Honglei, manager of gro- the capital. The National Health of Beijing’s fruit and vegetables. The pandemic has drawn atten- tive for the coronavirus, authori- reintroducing the disease. The sale food market - has prompt- cery chain store Shuguoyan, told Commission also reported four More than 8,000 workers there tion to the strengths and weak- ties said yesterday. two women aged in their 30s and ed alarm as China had largely AFP his 13 staff members had all new domestic infections in He- had been tested and sent for nesses of the United Nations Prime Minister Jacinda Ard- 40s had travelled from Britain to brought its outbreak under con- tested negative. bei province, which surrounds quarantine. system, Australian Foreign Minis- ern, who has enjoyed enormous visit a dying parent in Wellington trol through mass testing and Customers seemed reassured the capital, and a case reported Until the new outbreak, most ter Marise Payne said in a major popularity for her success at rid- on June 7, the director general of draconian lockdowns imposed by the testing, he said, but on- in Sichuan province was linked to of China’s recent cases were na- policy speech, adding that no ding the country of coronavirus health said in a news conference. earlier in the year. line orders had increased tenfold the Beijing cluster. tionals returning as Covid-19 other body could do the health infection, said the government Both had gone into quarantine in The new cases took the in recent days. “People are con- Authorities were racing to spread globally. China’s Center security work the WHO does. would review what happened, Auckland after landing, but had number of confi rmed infections cerned that it might be crowded track people from Beijing who for Disease Control and Preven- “Australia wants to see a stronger but that it was clear checks were been given special permission to in Beijing over the past fi ve days at shops or they might get in- had travelled to other parts of tion said Monday the virus type WHO that is more independent not adequate in this case. leave on compassionate grounds, to 106, as authorities locked fected,” he said. Beijing’s testing China, and encouraging those found in the Beijing outbreak and transparent,” Payne said at “Vigorous testing is now tak- even though one had symptoms down almost 30 communities in capacity has been expanded to who visited the capital to get was a “major epidemic strain” in the National Security College of ing place across those who were which she attributed to a pre- the city and tested tens of thou- 90,000 a day, according to state tested. Europe. Wu Zunyou, the body’s Australian National University. in the quarantine facility at the existing condition. They tested sands of people. China had eased news agency Xinhua. Retiree Wu Beijing offi cials said they had chief epidemiologist, told state “We cannot let the vital and prac- same time, and those who may positive after they returned to much of its anti-coronavirus Yaling, 57, was in a long queue disinfected 276 agricultural mar- broadcaster CCTV the outbreak tical work that the WHO does on have had any, even the remot- quarantine. measures in recent months as of masked people waiting in the kets and 33,000 food and bever- “most likely” originated from the ground be overshadowed by est chance of contact (with the The new cases ended a 24-day the government all but declared scorching heat for tests at a park age businesses, closing 11 mar- outside China or other parts of questions about the approach of women),” Ardern said in a Face- streak of no new infections in the victory against the disease that opposite one city-centre hospi- kets. the country. its headquarters in Geneva.” book Live post. New Zealand had country. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 11 BRITAIN Steroid drug shown to reduce Covid-19 deaths

AFP Among those who could only alone, the team said. sive, on the shelf, and can be used matory response to the virus. sone to be ineff ective in treat- the data, but others have come to London breathe with the help of a ven- The trial, carried out by the RE- immediately to save lives world- For those receiving the new ing patients with milder forms of the same conclusion. tilator, dexamethasone reduced COVERY research group that is wide.” treatment, the mortality rate Covid-19, however. Remdesivir, an anti-viral that deaths by one third, and by one- searching for eff ective Covid-19 Health Secretary Matt Hancock dropped to less than 30%. A number of existing drugs have appears to reduce the length of he steroid dexamethasone fi fth in other patients receiving treatments, included a control said the country’s patients would “This is a major breakthrough: been trialled as a treatment against treatment in some patients, is al- was yesterday shown to be oxygen only, according to prelimi- group of 4,000 patients who did start to receive the drug immedi- dexamethasone is the fi rst and the novel coronavirus, with mixed ready being used in Britain, but one Tthe fi rst drug to signifi cantly nary results. not receive the drug. ately. Hancock said the govern- only drug that has made a signifi - results. Trials of treatment of the study in April showed it had “no reduce the risk of death among se- Normally used to treat a range “Dexamethasone is the fi rst ment had started stockpiling dex- cant diff erence to patient mortal- anti-arthritis drug hydroxychlo- signifi cant clinical benefi t”. The vere Covid-19 cases, in trial results of allergic reactions as well as drug to be shown to improve sur- amethasone back in March after ity for Covid-19,” said Nick Cam- roquine were halted in several fact that an existing, cheap and hailed as a “major breakthrough” rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, vival in Covid-19. This is an ex- preliminary trials showed “early mack, Covid-19 therapeutics countries after a major study in largely side-eff ect free medication in the fi ght against the disease. dexamethasone is an anti-infl am- tremely welcome result,” said Pe- signs” of the drug’s potential. accelerator lead at the Wellcome The Lancet medical journal sug- has been shown to be eff ective in Researchers led by a team from matory. ter Horby, professor of Emerging The trial results are particularly Trust health charity. gested it showed no benefi t among severe Covid-19 cases is “of tre- the University of Oxford adminis- Daily doses of the steroid could Infectious Diseases in the Nuffi eld promising as around 40% of Cov- “Potentially preventing one Covid-19 patients and even in- mendous importance”, according tered the widely available drug to prevent one-in-eight ventilated Department of Medicine, Univer- id-19 patients who require a venti- death in every eight ventilated pa- creased the risk of death. to Stephen Griffi n, associate pro- more than 2,000 severely ill Cov- patient deaths and save one out of sity of Oxford. lator end up dying, often because tients would be remarkable.” That study has since been re- fessor in the School of Medicine, id-19 patients. every 25 patients requiring oxygen “Dexamethasone is inexpen- of the body’s uncontrolled infl am- The trial showed dexametha- tracted due to inconsistencies in University of Leeds. 16,000 have died from virus in care homes, reveals data

Guardian News and Media European country with a death London toll that appears to be surpassed so far only by the US and Brazil. In March, Sir Patrick Vallance, ore than 16,000 people the government’s chief scientifi c have died from Cov- adviser, said keeping the death Mid-19 in UK care homes, toll within 20,000 would be a according to the latest offi cial “good result”. In continued evi- fi gures — almost a third of all fa- dence that Covid-19’s impact on talities. normal mortality is diminish- The grim milestone was ing in England and Wales, there reached with the deaths of 564 was only a small increase in the residents in England and Wales number of “excess deaths” above in the week to June 5, according the average for previous non- to Offi ce for National Statistics’s Covid years. analysis of death certifi cates. The death toll of 10,709 in the The rate of deaths in care homes week was only 732 higher than the is falling as infections diminish fi ve-year average. following the lockdown, and the Overall, excess deaths since the number of deaths above the fi ve- week ending March 27 across the year average in care homes fell to UK increased in that week by just Prince Charles greets Professor Mark Pietroni as he arrives with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to meet with workers who have responded to the coronavirus disease outbreak, at its lowest level since early April. 1.3% to 64,440. Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, in Gloucester, yesterday. But care homes remain hard hit But there are wide diff erences and operators are calling for fi - between regions, which are likely nancial help and fresh guarantees to increase pressure for targeted from ministers over testing and responses to the pandemic to pre- supplies of personal protective vent fl are-ups in particular areas. equipment to avert a similar im- Wales, the north-west and the pact in a widely expected second West Midlands recorded death peak of infection. rates more than 10% above the In Scotland a third of care fi ve-year average in the week to 600,000 lose work as homes still have outbreaks and June 5. staff and residents have had to By contrast, the east and south- cope with almost half of all deaths west regions of England were less caused by Covid-19 in that coun- than 5% above the average, and in try. London the death toll was 2.8% The deaths of a further 230 lower than the average. people were reported by care Councils said the fi gures virus hits job market homes to regulators last week showed “social care remains the in England and Wales, bringing frontline in the fi ght against coro- Reuters classed as unemployed as they bold package of support meas- since the ONS began measuring would help companies get back the known toll in care settings to navirus”. London were unable to seek work in lock- ures in place to help them before them in 2001, down 342,000 to up to speed. 16,443. “While we are now past the down. this second wave of unemploy- 476,000. Johnson and Finance Minister HC-One, the largest private peak of the virus in care homes, During the same period there ment arrives,” he said. The number of people claiming Rishi Sunak are also reportedly provider of care homes said on it is still seriously concerning he number of people on was a record slump in Britain’s Many companies, ranging Universal Credit welfare rose by a considering increasing a tax in- Monday, 999 of its residents had that nearly a third of all deaths British employers’ pay- overall economic output. from carmakers to airlines, have larger-than-expected 528,900 in centive for small fi rms to hire died with the virus, including from Covid-19 continues to hap- Trolls fell by more than Economists polled by Reuters announced permanent layoff s of May to 2.8mn, more than double workers, and suspending social 26 at Melbury Court, the Dur- pen in these settings,” said Ian 600,000 in April and May as the had mostly expected a jump in workers. the number in March. security payments by employers. ham care home with the highest Hudspeth, chairman of the Local coronavirus lockdown hit the the unemployment rate to 4.7%. Figures based on tax data The fi gure includes people The impact of the govern- known death toll in the UK. Government Association’s com- labour market, and vacancies “Unemployment will get showed the number of peo- who are in work but are entitled ment’s furlough scheme — which The addition of yesterday’s munity well-being board. plunged by the most on record, worse before it gets better,” Nye ple on employers’ payrolls fell to support due to a low income. now covers 9.1mn jobs — was ONS data to those of the statis- “Excess deaths in care homes data showed yesterday. Cominetti, an economist at the by 612,000 in April and May Prime Minister Boris John- clear in yesterday’s fi gures. tical agencies in Scotland and and private homes continue to be The jobless rate unexpect- Resolution Foundation think although the pace of decline son, trying to balance the need The number of hours dropped Northern Ireland means there higher than the fi ve-year average, edly held at 3.9% over the three tank, said, pointing to the sched- slowed last month. to revive the economy with the by the most on record and pay have now been 52,161 deaths compared to hospitals which have months to April, but that was uled expiry of the government’s That left the number of paid risk of a second wave of Cov- rose at its slowest pace in over across the whole of the UK in all seen a decline, leaving our older largely due to the government’s furlough scheme at the end of employees 2.1% lower than in id-19 infection, has ordered a fi ve years, refl ecting how workers settings by June 5, confi rming people and most vulnerable at huge job retention scheme and a October. March, the ONS said. review of England’s two-metre on the programme only receive Britain’s status as the hardest hit risk.” rise in the number of people not “The government will need a Vacancies fell by the most social distancing rule which 80% of their normal pay. Decision to scrap aid Govt introduces green department slammed plates for green cars Thomson Reuters Foundation nology, including developing London greener vehicles and improving existing car battery charging Thomson Reuters Foundation Oxfam said the change would mitment to “leave no one be- technology. London lead to more deaths from hunger hind” — a reference to its prom- he government will intro- Yesterday’s announcement and disease and set back eff orts ise under global development duce a distinctive number follows a public consultation in to tackle the coronavirus pan- goals agreed by world leaders in Tplate for electric cars later October as part of the govern- harities and former prime demic, which has deepened glo- 2015. this year to promote cleaner ve- ment’s £1.5bn ‘Road to Zero’ ministers condemned the bal poverty. Other aid agencies said the hicles, the transport secretary strategy to slash emissions from Cgovernment’s decision Charities said scrapping the government had made the move said yesterday, as the country road transport. yesterday to merge its diplomatic DFID risked money being di- without consultation. targets net-zero greenhouse gas Only zero-emission vehicles and aid departments, warning it verted to address foreign policy “Make no mistake, this deci- emissions by 2050. will be eligible to receive the new could not come at a worse time interests rather than alleviating sion will do nothing but hurt the The new plates, which will registration plates. and that “the world’s poorest will poverty which itself fuels migra- world’s poorest and most vul- carry a bright green stripe down Leading automotive services pay the price”. tion and insecurity. nerable people,” said Stephanie one side, will help authorities company RAC Ltd said the move Prime Minister Boris Johnson Transparency, eff ectiveness Draper, CEO of Bond, a UK um- identify electric vehicles, making alone was unlikely to spur real told parliament the new joint and accountability in aid spend- brella network for international it easier for their drivers to access change in consumer behaviour ministry — the Foreign, Com- ing would also be lost. development organisations. incentives such as cheaper park- and called for further fi nancial monwealth and Development “The abolition of DFID is Charities said the announce- ing and exemptions from emis- incentives to encourage drivers Offi ce — would “unite our aid shocking evidence of the UK ment could not have come at a sions charges. to make the switch. with our diplomacy”, pledging putting its own economic inter- worse time as the world tackles Transport Secretary Grant “We’d like to see more direct fi - to keep a commitment to spend ests above saving lives,” said Mark the biggest humanitarian crisis Shapps said the initiative would nancial incentives to bring the cost 0.7% of gross national income Sheard, CEO of World Vision UK. in a century. raise awareness of cleaner vehicles of EVs (electric vehicles) down, as on aid. “Aid...must not become a Draper said the merger put and show Britons “a greener trans- drivers tell us it’s the cost that’s Britain is the world’s second- weapon of foreign policy.” the international response to port future is within our grasp”. one of the biggest barriers to them largest donor to international de- Christian Aid described Covid-19 in jeopardy and risked “A green recovery is key to opting for an EV,” RAC spokesman velopment after the US spending DFID’s abolition as “an act of a resurgence of the disease. helping us achieve our net-zero Rod Dennis said. £15.2bn on offi cial development political vandalism” that would Save the Children said it was carbon commitments while also The Telegraph reported last assistance in 2019, of which al- hurt Britain’s ability to tackle a “baffl ing and deeply damaging promoting economic growth,” he week that Prime Minister Boris most three-quarters came from poverty and the impacts of the move” at a time when Covid-19 said in a statement. Johnson was considering giv- the budget of the department climate crisis and confl ict. was reversing hard-won gains in Additionally, the government ing drivers up to £6,000 to swap for international development Mercy Corps said the merger child and maternal health, edu- has allocated £12mn to fund re- their diesel and petrol cars for (DFID). would endanger Britain’s com- cation, and poverty. Grant Shapps: focus on promoting cleaner vehicles search into zero-emission tech- electric vehicles. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 EUROPE

INVESTIGATION CRIME POLITICS POLLUTION DEPLOYMENT Belgium revives hunt for Italy investigates suspects Armenia opposition MP Diesel spill threatens Submarine surfaces to let 1980s supermarket killers linked to stolen Banksy stripped of immunity indigenous peoples sailors take the plunge

Belgian police yesterday released an old photo Police looking into the case of the stolen Banksy Armenia’s parliament yesterday stripped the Russia’s massive diesel spill in the Arctic is It was an unusual sight: on a hot sunny day this of a man carrying a military assault weapon, artwork that last week resurfaced in a barn in central leader of the main opposition party of his expected to diminish fish populations in local weekend, it wasn’t a Norwegian navy submarine to try to solve the decades-old mystery of the Italy have homed in on several suspects. “We have parliamentary immunity, as police arrested more waterways, threatening the food supply of seen plunging into the North Sea, but rather its country’s bloodiest series of murders. Known as already identified people who have played a part than 100 people rallying in protest at the move indigenous peoples, a senior lawmaker said swimsuit-clad crew who were observed diving the “Crazy Brabant Killers”, the assailants killed in this theft and in the transport (of the work),” said against him. Lawmakers voted 87 to 0 to allow yesterday. “It is necessary to determine what in off the hull for a refreshing dip. With the men 28 shoppers and wounded hundreds more in General Roberto Riccardi, head of the art squad of prosecutors to launch a criminal investigation can substitute for this food,” Grigory Ledkov, in trunks and the women in bikinis, a couple of attacks on supermarket car parks between 1982 the Italian Carabinieri. The renowned British street against oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan for alleged who represents indigenous peoples’ interests dozen sailors were photographed diving off the and 1985. Photographed in a forest, the man is artist Banksy painted the image of a mournful financial crimes. Tsarukyan is the leader of the in Russia’s lower house of parliament, said in hull of their submarine, the KNM Uthaug, in a fjord wearing dark glasses and a military-style shirt woman on an emergency door of the Bataclan, a Prosperous Armenia party. The vote had been comments carried by the news agency Interfax. in Norway’s southwest. “Our soldiers also need and trousers and holds a semi-automatic combat Paris concert hall, to commemorate the 90 people boycotted by opposition parties. Earlier in the day, It will be impossible to completely clean up to cool off in the summer heat,” the Norwegian shotgun made by Italian brand Franchi. Federal killed there in a terrorist attack. The door was stolen Tsarukyan’s supporters used trucks and buses the spill, Ledkov, who is also the head of the defence ministry said, posting the photo to its investigators who took over the case more than on January 26, 2019, and recovered last week hidden to block several streets in Yerevan and staged a Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Facebook page. With a fleet of six submarines, two years ago are “committed to start from in the attic of a countryside building near Tortoreto, rally outside parliament. Police spokesman Ashot North, warned in a meeting with senior off icials, Norway is tasked with defending Nato’s northern scratch”, said spokesman Eric Van Duyse. a town in the central Italian region of Abruzzo. Aharonyan said 136 protesters were detained. including Environment Minister Dmitry Kobylkin. flank, opposite Russia’s mighty Northern Fleet. Berlin, Nato warn against US troop cuts in Germany By Bernard Osser and Dario any information about this,” he said, ference with Maas, Polish Foreign People take part in a demonstration as part of a nationwide day of protests to demand better working conditions for health Thuburn, AFP adding that any changes to Europe’s Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said his workers in Bordeaux. Warsaw security architecture “defi nitely need government had been in discussions to be talked about”. about boosting the number of US Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg also troops in Poland, but the two issues ermany and Nato yesterday said that US troops in Europe made were separate. underlined the importance both sides of the Atlantic safer. “I want to underline that these Police fi re tear gas at France healthcare protest Gof US troops in Germany for Defence ministers from the alli- talks (with the US) have no connec- security on both sides of the At- ance will discuss Trump’s plans dur- tion with the recent US declarations AFP Germany launches coronavirus tracing app lantic, a day after President Donald ing video talks today and tomorrow. and US-German relations concern- Paris Trump announced he would slash the Lithuanian President Gitanas ing the presence of, or reduction of, Germany yesterday appealed to the pub- later test positive for Covid-19. “This app number stationed there. Nauseda said in a statement to AFP US forces in Germany,” he said. lic to download a new smartphone app to isn’t a cure-all. It’s not a free pass. But it’s “We think that the US presence in that the US presence in Europe was “From our standpoint, US forces in rench police yesterday fi red tear help break the chain of coronavirus infec- an important additional tool for contain- Germany is important for the secu- “the foundation of Nato deterrence”. Germany also serve our security. We gas after being pelted with objects tions, one of several such apps that Euro- ing the pandemic,” Health Minister Jens rity not just of Germany but also for “We expect that some of the troops would want that presence in Germa- Fduring a Paris demonstration, led pean governments hope will revive travel Spahn told a launch event. the security of the United States and that the United States plans to relo- ny to be continued.” by healthcare workers demanding more and tourism safely. The Corona-Warn-App, Germany joins Italy, Poland and Latvia especially for the security of Europe,” cate from Germany will stay in Eu- A country of 38mn people on investment in the health system, AFP now available for Apple and Android de- in launching apps based on technology German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas rope,” he said, adding that Lithuania Nato’s eastern fl ank, Poland has long journalists reported. vices, uses Bluetooth short-range radio to from Apple and Alphabet’s Google that said during a visit to Poland. “would be glad to host US troops on a campaigned for a permanent US Doctors, nurses and administrative measure close contacts between people preserves privacy by logging Bluetooth Trump said he was reducing the regular basis”. troop presence on its soil to ward off staff marched without incident in the and issues a warning should one of them contacts securely on devices. numbers because Germany was “de- The move has been criticised as Russian adventurism. capital and other French cities to de- linquent” in contributions to Nato weakening America’s commitment to Trump has already upped his mand the government keep its promise and had treated the United States European defence as well as its ability country’s troop rotations in Poland to overhaul France’s hospital system in to a series of strikes over the past year to equipment. We were promised hirings “badly” on trade. to wield infl uence in the Middle East to 5,500 personnel as part of a wider response to the coronavirus crisis. demand funding increases. and funding but we haven’t seen any of Trump said there are 52,000 US and Africa. Nato response to concerns in the But when demonstrators arrived in The French healthcare system has it,” said a nurse, Latifa, who works at a soldiers stationed in Germany and US troops have been stationed in region triggered by Russia’s 2014 front of the Les Invalides complex in been under severe pressure due to the hospital in southern city Grenoble. he will bring this number down to the geopolitically vital country since annexation of territory from neigh- central Paris, protesters clad in black coronavirus epidemic, although offi - The 50-year-old earns 1,565 euros 25,000. the end of World War II, forming the bouring Ukraine. set fi re to a vehicle and pelted the police cials insist it has largely withstood the ($1,765) a month. But according to the Pentagon, bulk of Nato’s conventional defence Having spent decades under So- with projectiles, chanting “everybody challenge. “Every day I had a knot in my stom- there are only between 34,000 and against the Soviet Union during the viet rule before 1991, Baltic Nato ally hates the police.” In response police But many healthcare workers have ach from the fear of bringing the virus 35,000 US soldiers permanently sta- Cold War. Latvia also hailed the possibility of fi red tear gas and charged, in tense and insisted that the nightly rounds of ap- home,” said home carer Amelie Mem- tioned in Germany. Rotation of units The resurgence of Russia’s military fresh US deployments to the sensi- chaotic scenes. plause for caregivers treating Covid-19 banda, who has a three-year-old boy means the overall number can only ambitions under President Vladimir tive region bordering Russia. “Violent groups are trying to escalate patients would ring hollow if the gov- and also works in Grenoble. temporarily top 50,000. Putin has given the US presence new “We would welcome more Ameri- tensions at the peaceful demonstra- ernment did not back up the public rec- “We were there for our patients, even Maas said Germany had not been importance in the last two decades, can involvement in the safety of tion held by healthcare workers,” police ognition of their work with additional without masks, gloves or other protec- given any details on when and how with central and eastern European Baltics, including permanently sta- headquarters in Paris tweeted. resources. tive gear. For the elderly who no longer the redeployment might take place. states leading the way in pressuring tioned US troops here,” Latvia’s de- Healthcare workers have long com- “We were portrayed as superheroes had any visitors or had no family, we “Neither the State Department nor for stronger US defences. fence minister Artis Pabriks told AFP plained about low salaries and insuf- because we worked overtime and pro- were everything,” Membanda said, who the Pentagon has been able to provide Speaking at a joint press con- in Riga. fi cient staff at French hospitals, leading tected our patients without enough earns around 1,100 euros a month. In virus lockdown, Europe’s predators regain turf

By Phineas Rueckert, AFP tracking database run by the Max “The prey animals may not like He noted that the Covid-19 debating the EU’s 2030 Biodiver- Paris Planck Institute of Animal Be- us, but we give them lots of food confi nement has aff ected diff er- sity Strategy. haviour in southern Germany. and help keep the large carnivore ent animals in diff erent ways. “I think that during the con- “So far we are seeing lots of predators away,” she said. While some predators have fi nement, humans realised that he hunter-prey drama stories and photos,” she noted by “So when we’re off the land- taken advantage to hunt prey in they need nature,” said Pierre took place just outside email. scape, and the large carnivore new areas, others have been on Dubreuil, head of the French Of- Twildlife enthusiast Ennio “That might be something re- predators come back, the prey the receiving end of predation fi ce of Biodiversity. Ciccotti’s window, in the central ally exciting, or just the result of completely change their behav- due to a rise in poaching. “Now, the next step is to un- Italian town of Scanno. people spending more time gaz- iour.” Some argue that once confi ne- derstand how we are going to co- Four wolves, trailing a herd of ing out the window — or on Pho- Prey will sometimes use the ment ends, things will quickly habitate with it.” red deer, chased them down the toshop.” presence of humans as “shields,” return to the status quo ante. In some ways, the confi nement road bordering Ciccotti’s house, While the return-of-nature according to Antonio Di Croce, “Wildlife are very smart,” Di highlights trends already under and ran through town, passing narrative may be overblown, director of Italy’s Monte Genzana Croce said. “When people are way across Europe, according to across front lawns and shuttered there are scientifi c explanations wildlife reserve. coming out again, species that Frans Schepers, the cofounder of restaurant terraces. for why people are spotting more But with homo sapiens tem- are much more shy are going to Rewilding Europe, which pushes Eventually, the pack snagged wild animals in urban settings. porarily confi ned indoors, other go away again.” for the reintroduction of wild one of the deer as it attempted to Polar bear twins Anna and Elsa play at Bremerhaven zoo in Germany. For large predators in par- predators feel emboldened to However, without data, even animals. jump over a high fence. ticular, human confi nement has hunt in areas they didn’t dare en- the most plausible explanations Large carnivores were once There was no need to drag it Across Europe and around the foxes moved in just before probably been a blessing, accord- ter before and which prey animals remain speculation, experts cau- ubiquitous in Europe but had away, the feasting took place on the world, stay-at-home orders France’s confi nement period be- ing to Liana Zanette, a researcher once considered safe, he said. tion. nearly disappeared by the end of the spot. since early March have allowed gan but clearly took advantage of at Western University in Ontario, As human settlements, agri- To address that problem, re- World War II, he said. Camera traps had captured some animals to recolonise — the temporary ban on two-legged Canada. culture and industry encroach searchers at the International But thanks to concerted con- images of wolves hunting in sub- or at least revisit — urbanised creatures, according to Amand- Zanette looks at the impacts deeper into wild habitats, wolves Bio-Logging Society at Scot- servation eff orts, Europe’s four urban forests and fi elds outside spaces, in which their kind once ine Sanvisens, president of Paris of fear on animal behaviour and and other predators appear to be land’s University of St Andrews major large predators — brown Scanno, but seeing them stalk roamed free. Animaux Zoopolis. how the predator-prey relation- adapting to semi-urban environ- have collected animal-borne bears, lynx, wolverines and grey prey in the centre of town was South Africa’s Kruger National “They lived there two months ship infl uences entire ecosys- ments. sensor data from more than 60 wolves — have all seen a resur- new, said Ciccotti, a volunteer at Park posted videos on its social without seeing a single person,” tems, which biologists call the Whether these changes are countries. gence. the wildlife advocacy organisa- media accounts showing lions she said, adding that the ceme- ecology of fear. more perceived than real is a “I think that this is going to This is true even in unprotect- tion Salviamo l’Orso. and hyenas lounging on a golf tery’s reopening to visitors would Her recent research has shown matter of discussion among sci- stretch over a couple of years be- ed zones, according to a study led During Italy’s Covid-19 lock- course in the park’s Skukuza Rest likely lead the animals to resume that, while all animals shun hu- entists. cause we’ll probably see people by Swedish researcher Guillaume down, which began on March 9, Camp. nocturnal behaviour. mans, none do so more than large “As time goes by, we will be going in and out of confi nement,” Chapron, who counts more than Ciccotti logged at least three in- A wolverine was photographed While anecdotes abound, bi- carnivores, such as wolves, cou- able to develop a fuller picture Davidson, at Movebank, said. 17,000 bears and 12,000 wolves stances of wolves hunting deer on an empty beach in Wash- ologists are still unsure, however, gars and bears. of whether we are really seeing The lifting of “strict” confi ne- across the continent. within the town’s confi nes. ington State dining on marine whether human confi nement has “Just having us out there on big changes in animal behaviour, ment periods across Europe may The resurgence of large preda- “They just want to eat, so if animal leftovers, local media re- signifi cantly altered animal be- the landscape scares these ani- or whether we are just watching force predators and other large tors in Europe and elsewhere will they are not disturbed by cars, by ported. haviour and believe it could take mals,” she said. a bit more closely while we are mammals back into hiding. have a positive impact on biodi- people, by other human behav- And in Paris, a family of foxes months, or even years, to fi nd In a number of studies, when stuck at home wondering what’s But conservationists are opti- versity, rippling down the food iour, they just do what they have took up residence in Pere Lach- out. researchers played recordings of happening outside,” said Sam mistic that even a brief glimpse chain, Zanette noted. to do,” he said by phone. aise cemetery — where Oscar “Movement ecologists are human voices, large predators Williams, a South Africa-based of wildlife in our midst will spark “It shows you the incred- Stories like this have popped Wilde, Jim Morrison and Edith defi nitely talking about this right were more likely to go into hiding expert on carnivores and a re- interest in how best to conserve it ible resilience of nature — it just up in many locations in recent Piaf, among others, are buried. now,” said Sarah Davidson, a data than the smaller mammals they search fellow at Britain’s Durham in a warming world. bounces back if we allow it to,” months. Observed by caretakers, curator at Movebank, an animal hunt. University. European nations are currently Schepers said. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 13 INDIA Signals show economy bouncing back, says PM

IANS These are encouraging sig- spread of the virus. ity in discipline will weaken the to give further boost to eco- ala, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, The prime minister hailed the New Delhi nals, Modi said, with a clear He also highlighted how In- fight against the virus. nomic activities,” he said. Chhattisgarh, Tripura, role of the chief ministers and hint that the opening of the dia’s recovery rate has crossed While he talked about boost- He also talked about the Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, the centre-state co-operation economy is likely to continue, the 50% mark. ing the health infrastructure “hand holding” that is required Goa, Manipur, Nagaland, La- during these trying times. rime Minister Narendra however, with caution. However, while making a com- and increasing the testing ca- for smaller factories and timely dakh, Puducherry, Arunachal “When India’s fight against Modi said yesterday that Modi was speaking at the pelling case for opening up of the pacity in the country, Modi credit to MSMEs. Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Covid-19 will be analysed in Pwith the eff orts of the past sixth video interaction with economy, he warned, “We have stressed on the importance of The chief ministers spoke Andaman & Nicobar Islands, future, this time will be remem- few weeks, green shoots in the state chief ministers, where he to always keep in mind that the the economy to bounce back as about the awareness campaigns Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman bered for how we worked to- economy are visible, including a asserted that India fared better more we can stop the corona, the well as his call for “Aatmanir- being run by them, help being Diu, Sikkim and Lakshadweep gether and served as an exam- rise in power consumption which than many nations in handling more it will stop growing, the bhar Bharat” and invited all provided to the workers who were part of yesterday’s inter- ple of co-operative federalism,” was earlier falling, production of the Covid-19 pandemic. more our economy will open, our states to be a part of the mis- have returned home, use of the action. Modi said. two-wheelers increasing, dig- He claimed that India’s mor- offi ces will open, the markets will sion. Aarogya Setu app, and kick- The second leg of the meet- The prime minister had held ital payment in retail reaching tality rate has been quite low open, the means of transport will “Specific economic activity starting of economic activities ing will be held today when a detailed meeting with senior pre-lockdown levels, a rise in toll and the timely decisions taken open, and so will new employ- points in the states should work in their respective states. other states like Uttar Pradesh, ministers and officials on June collection in May, and bouncing to combat the pandemic have ment opportunities.” 24 hours a day and loading and Chief ministers or represent- Maharashtra and Bihar will par- 13 to review India’s response to back of exports. been effective in containing the He forewarned that any lax- unloading should be quickened atives of Punjab, Assam, Ker- ticipate. the Covid-19 pandemic. Overwhelmed health workers dread onset of monsoon

AFP stantly...we are overwhelmed,” bottles, Naringrekar told AFP Mumbai Thakur told AFP. many of them were afraid of And now with the monsoon contracting the virus. having arrived in Mumbai The risks will increase expo- ith hospitals already on its months-long journey nentially with the rains, with severely stretched, northwards, she is readying workers required to inspect Wcoronavirus-hit India for the usual rush of seasonal homes and offices in case of a is now bracing for the monsoon ailments. dengue outbreak. and its deadly annual onslaught A particular problem is that “We are obviously worried of mosquito-borne illnesses, many seasonal illnesses have but we have to do our job and with an overwhelmed army of symptoms that are virtually take as many precautions as we public health workers the only indistinguishable from corona- can,” he said, pointing to the Children are covered in smoke as a civic authority worker fumigates a slum area to kill disease-carrying mosquitoes in Mumbai ahead of the onset defence. virus, such as fever, breathing gloves and masks worn by the of monsoon season. Every year illnesses such as difficulties and loss of appetite. workers. dengue fever and malaria infect This means more testing, Their fears are shared by mil- more than half a million people more isolation beds and more lions living in slums across In- and kill hundreds in India as the protective equipment will be dia, who say their homes offer monsoon brings much-needed needed to ensure that patients little protection against coro- Covid-19 situation getting rain but also devastation and are diagnosed correctly and not navirus or other diseases. disease. exposed to coronavirus too. For Mumtaz Kanojia, who With more than three dec- “We will need to treat every- lives in a small one-room house ades of experience as a doc- one as if they were a Covid-19 with her son and daughter, the tor in India’s chronically patient,” said Thakur. memory of her bone-chilling worse by the day, says court underfunded public health- “Every precaution will have three-week-long bout with care system, Vidya Thakur to be taken.” malaria still haunts her 10 years - medical superintendent at Healthcare workers are not on. Mumbai’s Rajawadi Hospital the only ones battling exhaus- “My daughter and I were IANS seven-year jail term. gle-judge bench of the court by versity told the court that that - is used to managing “heavy tion. severely ill, we had fever, we New Delhi The order was issued as a which it had dismissed his plea Gupta did not fi le the petition in burdens”. A months-long lockdown couldn’t eat anything. She measure to decongest prisons. challenging the Delhi Univer- the prescribed format with nec- But now, she says, “Covid-19 to prevent the epidemic from even fainted at one point,” the In another legal issue, the sity’s decision to deduct one essary undertakings as a PIL. has left us helpless...and the spreading left Mumbai with 53-year-old told AFP. he Supreme Court yester- Delhi High Court dismissed a day’s salary for contributing to After hearing the submis- monsoon will make things even an acute shortage of sanitation Kanojia is already fearful day said the coronavirus petition filed by a Delhi Uni- the PM-CARES fund to combat sions of both the sides, the court more difficult”. workers. of contracting coronavirus, Tpandemic in India was versity professor challenging Covid-19. said, “We live in the Internet age Every bit of space at the 580- Thousands of public health and the onset of the monsoon getting worse. the deduction of salary by for The court also said that teach- wherein all people are active on bed state-run hospital where workers who fumigate neigh- prompts further dread - of A bench of Justices Rohinton contributing to the PM-CARES ers and staff of Delhi University social media. Prima facie, it is she works is already devoted to bourhoods to kill disease-car- flooding outside her front door, Nariman, Navin Sinha and B R fund to combat the Covid-19 are neither fi nancially weak nor diffi cult to believe that the appel- dealing with the pandemic. rying mosquitoes had to delay a leaking ceiling, contaminated Gavai made the remark while pandemic. suppressed to such an extent that lant (professor) who himself lives Beds crowd corridors, storage those crucial efforts for two drinking water and deadly dis- dealing with a case related to the The court remarked that only they cannot approach the court in the Delhi University campus rooms function as wards and months to focus on sanitation eases. parole of a businessman who is a “stone-hearted person” would directly. did not know either from his col- staff are overworked. instead. “The water gets everywhere accused in a drug case. challenge such a decision. “This court is of the opinion leagues or staff or university of- At Mumbai’s massive Lok- “Many of our men are do- and the mosquitoes follow,” The court said it did not make “Keeping in view the severity that the present writ petition is fi cials or on e-mail or telephone manya Tilak Municipal General ing double shifts, working 14 she said, adding that she and sense to send someone back to an and the spread of the pandemic, not a PIL as it has not been fi led or computer about the appeals Hospital, better known as Sion hours straight,” said Rajan Nar- her neighbours had little choice overcrowded jail, when he can be the deduction of one day’s salary in the prescribed format of a issued by the university.” hospital, undergraduates have ingrekar, the head of the city’s but to use tarpaulins as make- out on parole. of the appellant cannot be said PIL,” the court noted. While granting liberty to the been drafted into service, med- insecticide department. shift coverings despite the risk The top court granted parole to to be contrary to public interest During the course of hearing, petitioner to fi le a suit for recov- ical resident Shariva Ranadive With nearly 60,000 infec- they could become breeding Jagjit Singh Chahal till his appeal or harsh or inequitable. Only a Gupta’s lawyer said the univer- ery, the court noted that a writ told AFP. tions, Mumbai accounts for grounds. is heard by the Delhi High Court. ‘stone-hearted person’ will chal- sity did not give all its employees petition is not a statutory pro- Many experienced doctors around a fifth of India’s coro- “Without it, the roof leaks The Supreme Court on March lenge the decision to deduct one adequate notice of the decision ceeding and a court is not bound and nurses are staying on the navirus cases. every time there’s a heavy 23, had asked all states and union day’s salary for a pandemic,” said and deducted one day’s salary of to entertain and allow it if the sidelines because they are vul- As teams fumigated a slum downpour,” she said. territories to set up high-level the high court. even those employees who did cause espoused by the petitioner nerable to the virus due to their and cleared out stagnant water “Each time, we have to take committees to examine giving The court was hearing a peti- not want to make a contribution. is contrary to public interest and/ age or pre-existing conditions - a potent breeding ground for care of it ourselves. No one from parole or interim bail to prison- tion fi led by Shreekant Gupta However, Mohinder J S Rupal, or inequitable - as is the case in such as diabetes. mosquitoes - from sagging tar- the government ever comes to ers for off ences entailing up to a challenging the order of a sin- the lawyer appearing for the uni- the present matter. “Everyone is working con- paulin roofs, storage bins and help.” Rajasthan fl attens curve, Delhi minister tests but remains alert: offi cial negative for virus Agencies from Shah, all government, state New Delhi and private hospitals in Delhi are IANS with nearly 407 Covid-19 hos- 45,482, 100,755 N-95 masks and ensuring speedy cremation/burial Jaipur pitals and care centres,” he said. sanitisers with no district re- of bodies of Covid-19 patients, a The state government has kept porting shortage of equipment.” elhi Health Minister Saty- Home Ministry statement said. enough capacity of beds to treat All districts in the state are be- endar Jain yesterday tested Staff at the hospitals have per- he Rajasthan government thousands of patients at a stretch, ing regularly monitored and if re- Dnegative for the coronavi- formed the last rites of most Cov- yesterday expressed satis- if the need arises, he added. quired, the stock is sent on time rus. id-19 victims after the consent Tfaction at fl attening of the The total number of beds in keeping the supply, in an unusual He was earlier admitted to the of their families and relatives, the Covid-19 curve in the state. 407 hospitals and centres is scenario, intact. Rajiv Gandhi Superspeciality Hos- statement said. “It’s a matter of satisfaction that 43,704 out of which, 8,090 beds The Rajasthan government pital with high fever and breathing The disposal of the remaining 36 active cases in the state are below have attached oxygen facilities, has done over 600,000 tests and problem. bodies will be completed by today. 3,000 for the last 10 days, indicat- 1,672 are ICU beds and 882 are the doubling rate of the cases has Several senior offi cials from The ministry has issued strict ing a fl attening of the curve. with ventilators, Singh added. reached 26.57 days, compared to fi nance, foreign aff airs and law orders to hospitals that there However, we are extreme- “In Rajasthan, the focus has 19 a few days back. departments that are all based in should be no delays in cremation ly cautious as the situation been to save lives. Aggressive With recovery rate topping Delhi have tested positive over the and burial of bodies. evolves,” Additional Chief Sec- testing leading to early detection 75.26%, the #RajasthanSa- past few weeks. z A Bengaluru traffi c police- retary, Medical Health & Family of cases coupled with quality tarkHai campaign has shown Most have been working in offi c- man who died of cardiac arrest on Welfare, Rohit Kumar Singh said. healthcare is the hallmark of our positive results. es from the beginning of the crisis. Monday had tested positive for He said eff orts are continuing Covid management strategy. We Offi cials are conducting active Jain himself attended a meeting on Covid-19, an offi cial said. to ramp up facilities in the state closely monitor the availability surveillance and reaching out Sunday where federal Home Minis- Two more of his colleagues have on a war-footing. of health infrastructure in each to individuals door-to-door for ter Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Min- also tested positive, leading to the So far, the total number of district. Projections are estimat- screening. ister Arvind Kejriwal were present. sanitisation of their police station. positive cases in the state are ed based on rigorous and intel- Across the state, medical It was not immediately known Sources said the dead policeman over 13,096, out of which 9,794 ligent algorithms to plan for any staff has so far screened nearly if Shah, seen as the most powerful was to retire by July-end. He was have recovered. future eventuality,” said Singh. 33,41,647 people. member of the cabinet after Modi, suff ering from high blood pressure The number of people dis- Along with enough bed capac- More than 82,915 high-risk was going to test. for some months. charged has reached 9,567. ity, the Rajasthan government people have been contacted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gestures after visiting Surya Hotel Kejriwal had tested negative ear- On Monday, the 60-year-old “Rajasthan is ready with has also kept the supply of per- and made aware of the do’s and in New Delhi yesterday, following a Delhi’s High Court ruling allowing lier in the month. man was taken to a hospital after enough backup to treat patients sonal protective equipment kits - don’ts. linking the hotel to the Holy Family Hospital to treat Covid-19 patients. Meanwhile, following directions suff ering a cardiac arrest. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 INDIA

ELECTION ACCIDENT JUDICIARY CONTEMPT CASE TRAGEDY SC declines to stay BJP Kerala woman dies after UP Congress chief gets Stop making allegations, Children get locked in car, leader’s disqualification crashing into glass door bail in ‘forgery’ case court tells Gujarat lawyer two die of suff ocation

The Supreme Court yesterday declined to The Kerala police yesterday launched a probe The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High The Supreme Court yesterday declined to Two of four children who accidentally locked overturn the disqualification of Gujarat Bharatiya into the death of a 46-year-old woman after Court yesterday granted bail to Uttar Pradesh entertain a plea by Gujarat High Court Advocates’ themselves in a car died due to suffocation Janata Party legislator Pabubha Manek. The she slammed into a glass door of a bank near Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu who was Association (GHCAA) president Yatin Oza in a in Uttar Pradesh, police said yesterday. The Gujarat High Court had disqualified him last Kochi on Monday. The video of the incident arrested from Agra on May 20 on charges of contempt notice case and asked him not to make other two children have been hospitalised year. Manek challenged that verdict in the which has gone viral shows Beena Paul fraud and forgery in the list of 1,000 buses allegations that he was not getting justice. The in a critical condition. The incident took top court and sought a stay as he intended to rushing out from the bank after realising she submitted to the government for transporting court also asked Oza to approach the Gujarat place in Veerpur in Moradabad district. The contest the Rajya Sabha polls later this month. In had forgotten to take the key from her two- migrant labourers. The state government had High Court, which had taken note of his alleged children’s father had bought a car on Sunday April last year, the Supreme Court had ordered wheeler. As she rushes out, she hits the glass claimed that the list submitted by the Congress remarks against the court and its registry and and they managed to unlock the vehicle that the Dwarka assembly seat from where door. As she falls, the shattered glass pieces carried registration numbers of two-wheelers, issued a contempt notice. The court told Oza’s and get in on Monday afternoon. The car Manek had won the election not be declared pierce her abdomen. The woman was taken to auto-rickshaws and ambulances. The Congress lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi: “We are not got locked and the children could not come vacant. But,the top court did not stay the April a nearby hospital within five minutes where had launched a campaign across the state to actually inclined to hear it...we feel you should out. It was only when they did not return for 12 high court order, which set aside Manek’s she passed away. The woman and her husband demand his release. Congress general secretary go back to the High Court.” During the hearing, several hours that the family started looking election for submitting a defective nomination run an electrical shop nearby. The police will Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s personal secretary the court also remarked: “Don’t make allegations for them. Someone spotted them lying inside form and ordered a by-election for the seat. investigate whether the glass door was of Sandeep Singh is a co-accused in the case and that you are not getting justice.” The contempt the car. All of them were rushed to hospital Congress candidate Meramanbhai Goria had certified specification and determine that, it he has applied for anticipatory bail. Congress notice was issued for Oza’s alleged “irresponsible, where two children were declared dead on moved the High Court challenging Manek’s will be sent for scientific examination. The media co-ordinator Lalan Kumar said that Lallu sensational and intemperate allegations of arrival. “There is no foul play,” the police election victory in 2017. couple has three children. was likely to be released from jail today. corruption” against the High Court on Facebook. said.

Singh meets Jaishankar, 20 troops killed in border military offi cers over border issue clash with China: India IANS New Delhi By Michael Safi and Hannah Ellis-Petersen/ Guardian News and Media efence Minister Rajnath New Delhi Singh held a second Dmeeting with External Aff airs Minister S Jaishankar, wenty members of India’s Chief of Defence Staff , Gen armed forces have been Bipin Rawat and Indian Army Tkilled in a “violent face- chief, Gen M M Naravane at his off ” with Chinese soldiers on residence yesterday over pre- their disputed Himalayan bor- vailing volatile situation in east- der, raising tensions in the al- ern Ladakh. ready volatile region. On Monday night, 20 Indian The deaths are the fi rst loss of soldiers, including an offi cer, life in the border area in at least were killed during a violent face- 45 years, and come amid a re- off with Chinese People’s Liber- newed dispute between the two ation Army troops at patrolling countries in recent weeks. point number 14 at Galwan Val- Indian and Chinese soldiers, ley in eastern Ladakh region at who often do not carry weapons Line of the Actual Control. in the area to avoid escalating The Chinese side, too, suf- confl icts, have brawled, detained fered fatalities. each other and deployed forces Before the second round of and equipment in the western meetings, Singh briefed Prime Himalayas in recent weeks. Minister Narendra Modi about “During the de-escalation the prevailing situation in La- process under way in the Galwan dakh. Valley, a violent face-off took Earlier in the day, he held a place yesterday (Monday) night meeting with Jaishankar, Rawat with casualties on both sides,” and three service chiefs at his the Indian army said in a state- South Block offi ce to review the ment yesterday afternoon, ini- current situation. tially confi rming three deaths. These are the fi rst casual- It said in a later statement a ties faced by the Indian army in that further 17 troops “critically a clash with the Chinese troops injured in the line of duty at the Members of a non-governmental organisation hold placards and shout slogans as they protest against the killing of Indian soldiers by Chinese troops, in Ahmedabad yesterday. since 1975 when an Indian pa- stand-off location and exposed trol was ambushed by Chinese to sub-zero temperatures in high ior Indian and Chinese military Brahma Chellaney, Professor by China further into disputed ties that could have been avoid- ing dialogue to resolve disputes,” troops in Arunachal Pradesh. altitude terrain (had) succumbed commanders and a commitment of Strategic Studies at the New territory is believed to be in re- ed had the agreement at the high Zhang said. Singh had asked the service to their injuries.” to disengagement was made on Delhi-based Centre for Policy sponse to an Indian building level been scrupulously followed “This is extremely, extremely chiefs to explain the current sit- The army said “senior military both sides. Research described the fatal spree of new roads, airstrips by the Chinese side.” serious, this is going to vitiate uation at the Galwan Valley and offi cials of the two sides are cur- However, tensions remained escalation as a “watershed mo- and infrastructure in the border In contrast, Zhang Shuli, the whatever dialogue was going also what course of action can be rently meeting at the venue to high as Chinese troops had still ment,” adding: “On a political area, which will ease access and Chinese army’s commander on,” former Indian army com- taken hereafter. defuse the situation” and it was not withdrawn from certain ar- level, China-India relations will movement for the Indian mili- in the western theatre, said mander D S Hooda said. Gen Naravane was to visit “fi rmly committed to protect the eas of disputed territory, includ- not be the same again.” tary. in a statement that on Mon- “We are at an extremely wor- Kashmir yesterday morning but territorial integrity and sover- ing Galwan Valley. The two countries have Recently China has also been day evening Indian forces had risome juncture in the relation- following the Monday night de- eignty of the nation.” The fatal clashes late on Mon- been locked in a decades-long more aggressive in its contested crossed the “control line (and) ship,” former Indian ambassador velopments, his trip was can- Tensions between the two day night took place at Patrolling stalemate over their compet- frontiers such as the South Chi- deliberately launched provoca- to China and foreign secretary celled. sides had been escalating since Point 14 at the Galwan Valley, ing claims to long, uninhabited na Sea. tive attacks causing both sides Nirupama Menon Rao said. An army source said: “The late April, after China’s en- when an Indian commanding of- stretches of the mountain range. A statement by the Ministry to engage in intense physical “If not handled correctly this defence minister reviewed the croachment of thousands of fi cer had reportedly approached China claims more than of External Aff airs placed the confl ict that resulted in casual- can really escalate into something current operational situation troops into disputed territory Chinese troops, who had stood 90,000sq km in the eastern blame fi rmly on China, stat- ties”. much bigger than we had initially in eastern Ladakh, consequent along the Line Of Actual Control their ground. Himalayas disputed by Delhi ing that China had “departed He said the alleged incursion imagined,” Harsh Pant from the to Monday’s violent face-off on (LAC), who set up camps and A violent altercation broke and another 38,000sq km in the from the consensus to respect was in breach of agreements and Observer Research Foundation the Line of Actual Control, along brought over artillery and vehi- out between the two sides, with west. the Line of Actual Control in the understandings between the two think-tank said, calling China’s with the Chief of Defence Staff cles and caught India off -guard. stones and wooden rods used as The neighbours fought a full- Galwan valley” and that as a re- sides and “hurt the feelings of statement “worrying”. and the three service chiefs. The Chinese soldiers ignored re- weapons, though no shots were scale war in the area in 1962, and sult “on 15 June, 2020, a violent the people” in both countries. “China, with its better infra- external aff airs minister was also peated verbal warnings to leave, fi red. tensions have fl ared into armed face-off happened as a result of “We call on the Indian side to structure, with its better mili- present during the meeting.” triggering shouting matches, It has been reported, but not confrontations several times an attempt by the Chinese side restrict its frontline soldiers, im- tary capabilities, perhaps thinks An Indian army colonel, the stone-throwing and fi stfi ghts confi rmed by Chinese offi cials, since, including in 2013 and to unilaterally change the status mediately stop all infringement that this is the time to push In- Commanding Offi cer Santosh in key border areas, but on June that at least seven Chinese sol- again four years later. quo there. of rights and provocative actions dia, to see how far India will go,” Babu, was among the dead, said 6 there was a meeting of sen- diers were also killed. The recent encroachment “Both sides suff ered casual- against China and return to us- Pant said. the army. Govt remained mute spectator to transgression: Congress

IANS Narendra Modi and Defence trol in over four decades. a strong stand to deter the Chinese New Delhi Minister Rajnath Singh come “India stands united behind from any further intrusions and forward and tell the country our armed forces,” said Con- attacks on its territories and men. about the stand-off with China. gress leader and former minister Even after beating the army here could be no compro- “The two have repeatedly Anand Sharma. commanding offi cer and two mises on national security, maintained an intriguing silence Punjab Chief Minister and soldiers to death, Beijing was Tthe Congress said yester- on the occupation of Indian ter- senior Congress leader Amarind- feigning innocence and trying to day, and accused the government ritory by the Chinese since April- er Singh called for a strong re- put the blame on India, accus- of remaining a “mute spectator” May 2020. The Congress demands sponse to the repeated violations ing it of provoking the confl ict to the Chinese transgressions into that the PM now come forward to of the Indian territory by China. through ‘unilateral actions’, the Indian territory at three points in tell the nation as to how the gov- “Our soldiers are not fair game chief minister said. Ladakh since April-May. ernment proposes to meet this that every few days offi cers and Terming such reaction on the “There can be no compromis- challenging situation, which has men should be killed or injured part of China as typical of its du- es on India’s security and terri- serious ramifi cations for national defending borders,” Singh said. plicity, Singh said the escalation torial integrity. Reports of Chi- security and territorial integrity,” “It’s time now for India to of tensions in the Ladakh sector nese army moving thousands of the Congress added. stand up to these incursions that of the India-China border was troops in the Galwan Valley and “The Congress remains fi rm are blatant violation of our ter- the direct consequence of the Pangong Tso lake area (Ladakh) that the entire country stands as ritorial rights and put a stop to incursion by Chinese troops into has shocked the entire nation one to protect India’s national se- such attacks on our territorial Indian territory. as an audacious attempt on our curity and territorial integrity at integrity,” he said. The Chinese actions was in territorial integrity,” Congress all costs. Let the Modi government Every sign of weakness on the direction violation of all the spokesman Randeep Singh Sur- remember that in our parliamen- part of India would make the treaties signed between the two jewala said in a statement. tary democracy, secrecy or silence Chinese reaction more belliger- countries and a brazen assault The opposition party also are unacceptable on part of our ent, he added. on the Indian integrity, said questioned the government “si- government,” the party said. While it was important to de- Singh and urged the central gov- lence” on the issue and echoed The Congress said that not a fuse the border tension and India ernment to take suitable steps to party senior leader A K Antony, single battle casualty among In- was not in favour of a war, Singh send out a strong message that it Army trucks are parked at a makeshift transit camp before heading to Ladakh, yesterday. Indian and a former defence minister, to dian soldiers had occurred on the said the country couldn’t aff ord to would not take such attacks ly- Chinese troops have clashed at three points in Ladakh since April-May. demand that Prime Minister India-China Line of Actual Con- show weakness and needed to take ing down. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 15 LATIN AMERICA

Covid-19 breeds Brazil education minister fi ned for going maskless Brazil’s education minister has in the Brazilian capital since and condemned the “hysteria” demonstrators: “I’ve already up a protest camp by one been fined for failing to wear a April. around it, also regularly goes said my piece on what I’d do group of hardcore Bolsonaro face mask at a rally for President That got him a 2,000-real ($385) without a mask at weekend with those criminals.” supporters, the activists tried fear and calls Jair Bolsonaro, who has himself fine from the Brasilia district rallies by his supporters, though As coronavirus has surged to storm the Supreme Court repeatedly flouted Brasilia’s government for being “caught he has not been fined so far. in Brazil, which now has the building, then shot fireworks masks-in-public rule amid the in public without a protective Weintraub has repeatedly second-highest death toll at it. coronavirus pandemic. mask,” according to Brazilian been embroiled in controversy, worldwide after the US, tension On Monday, authorities arrested for change in Abraham Weintraub, one media, which ran photos of his making anti-Chinese has been mounting between six far-right activists for “anti- of the far-right president’s fine slip. comments that were widely Bolsonaro and both state democratic acts.” The arrests most controversial ministers, Weintraub said on Twitter he deemed racist, misspelling authorities and the legislative were ordered by Supreme Court appeared at a rally organised had not yet been notified of words in official documents and judicial branches of justice Alexandre de Moraes. by Bolsonaro supporters the fine but that it appeared and on Twitter, and recently government. Chief Justice Jose Antonio Brazil jails on Sunday. He shook hands authentic. “They’re trying to saying the Supreme Court’s The Brasilia government had Dias Toff oli called the fireworks and posed for pictures with shut me up at any price,” he justices are “criminals” and banned last weekend’s rallies on shot at the Supreme Court an demonstrators — many of whom said. should be “thrown in jail.” grounds of fighting the spread “attack” and said in a statement Thomson Reuters Foundation freed to help fi ght the spread of also went without masks, which Bolsonaro, who has likened the He alluded to that comment of coronavirus. he would not accept threats Rio de Janeiro the virus. have been mandatory in public new coronavirus to a “little flu” again on Sunday, telling On Saturday, after police broke against the court. “It’s very important that...we take measures to ease this over- arolina, a Brazilian crowding, for public health rea- mother, hasn’t heard sons,” Valdirene Daufemback, a Canything from her jailed former director at DEPEN, told son since March when authori- the Thomson Reuters Founda- ties banned prison visits due to tion. the coronavirus outbreak and DEPEN said it has taken steps she is scared. to improve sanitary conditions As Covid-19 deaths rise in in the country’s prisons — send- Brazil’s violent and overcrowd- ing in supplies of face masks, ed jails, activists have called for hand sanitisers and cleaning tens of thousands of prisoners materials for guards and in- to be released to stop the disease mates. taking a heavy toll on inmates, Activists, however, point out most of whom are young black that some states, instead of re- men like Carolina’s son. leasing inmates at high risk of About 64% of Brazil’s prison- becoming seriously ill, have ers identify as black or mixed built new cells to isolate those race compared with 55% of the suspected of having the virus. 210mn population, according “Instead of prioritising re- to a 2017 prison census, which lease measures to drastically experts attribute to an excessive reduce overcrowding, govern- focus on policing of communi- ments continue to expand the ties living in favelas. system...maintaining mass In Brazil, where the poor incarceration and criminalisa- struggle to make ends meet and tion of black youth,” said Maria adhere to social distancing dur- Clara D’Avila, an advocacy ad- ing the coronavirus outbreak, visor from Black Initiative for a thousands have taken to the New Drugs Policy, a non-profi t streets in recent weeks to join group. a wave of global protests de- Researchers said they were nouncing racism. concerned that the real number “It’s a desperate fear...it’s of Covid-19 deaths was being torture for us,” said Carolina, covered up, pointing to a lack who relies on scraps of informa- of testing and a spike in “excess tion from a WhatsApp group for deaths” in recent months. relatives of inmates at the Rio de In Rio de Janeiro state, which Janeiro jail where her 24-year- has the country’s second-larg- old son is serving 12 years for est prison population with more Demonstrators flee tear gas launched by riot police during a protest among a series of ongoing demonstrations calling for dignified life, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus, in armed robbery. than 54,000 inmates, 57 in- Bogota, Colombia. Brazil has the world’s second- mates died between March and highest Covid-19 death toll, May — more than double what with 43,332 fatalities so far. would be expected for the pe- Among its nearly 750,000 riod, Albergaria said. prisoners, 49 deaths have been “And that number is probably reported offi cially, with the na- higher, since deaths can take tional prison department (DE- weeks to make it into the sys- Colombia president’s approval PEN) saying last month that the tem,” she added. rate of coronavirus infection in Rio has offi cially reported 12 prisons was lower than in the deaths from coronavirus in the general population. state’s jails. But campaigners, including Without visits, prisoners’ Rafaela Albergaria, from Rio’s rating rises during pandemic relatives have to rely on hear- state mechanism for the preven- say from prison offi cers or from ends, Duque’s popularity will fall Duque has appeared on television and electoral system and trying to warned Sergio Guzman, an ana- tion and fi ght against torture, an medical staff if sick inmates are Reuters again under renewed pressure each night, allowing him to fl ex his push through unpopular pension lyst at Colombia Risk Analysis, independent state body track- hospitalised. Brazilian prisons Bogota from unions, students and op- independence and muting criti- and labour reforms. despite the fact Colombia has ing rights violations in prisons, seldom have pay phones. Many, position politicians in a country cism that he was a mere errand boy While pension changes look to fewer cases and deaths than believe the real fi gure could be like Carolina, are part of infor- he coronavirus pandemic where the pandemic has wors- carrying out orders of his political eliminate the highest retirement neighbouring countries like Bra- much higher. mal WhatsApp groups, sharing has battered the popularity ened existing social and economic mentor, ex-president Alvaro Uribe. subsidies, labour reform would zil, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. “Testing is only being done what little news they can gather Tof governments and leaders challenges. “He’s demonstrated that he allow companies to hire workers Left-wing opponents have on those who develop an aggra- with fellow relatives. around the world, yet Colombia’s Just days after Colombia re- is capable of governing without by the hour, a move opposed by vowed that they will not let the vated condition and happen to “They cry in WhatsApp Ivan Duque has actually received ported its fi rst case of Covid-19 needing his hand held,” said Ger- unions and a large section of con- pandemic bury the scandal in- be transferred to an emergency groups. They pray. They get an- an unexpected boost in public in early March, Duque declared a man Varon, a senator for centrist gress. volving allegations of vote-buy- room,” Albergaria said. gry and curse,” said Maria Ter- opinion. state of emergency, allowing him party Radical Change. Varon said Duque will not be ing by the rancher during Duque’s The coronavirus crisis has esa dos Santos, president of the With unprecedented media ex- to issue decrees without congres- The pandemic has changed able to maintain his current pop- presidential run in the second again highlighted the acute Association of Friends and Fam- posure during the pandemic, the sional approval. Duque’s agenda in Colombia’s ularity during an economic reces- round of the 2018 election. overcrowding and sometimes ily of People Deprived of Liberty president’s approval rating more The state of emergency and congress, Varon said, where the sion and rising unemployment. Recorded phone calls of ranch- squalid conditions in Brazilian in Minas Gerais. than doubled from 23% in Febru- subsequent quarantine declared government has allocated mil- “It won’t be easy. His popu- er Jose Guillermo Hernandez re- jails, which are over-capacity If anyone hears a prisoner has ary to 52% by the end of April. to control the spread of coronavi- lions of dollars in subsidies to larity and support are fragile and ferring to Duque as “my brother” by about 300,000 inmates, ac- died, they send a group mes- Fighting the outbreak has al- rus threw water on twin political poor people and to businesses to if the pandemic and its eff ects and hinting at resources to sup- cording to government data. sage. That is the news that lowed him to shift his govern- fi res of social unrest and a scan- mitigate the economic impact of aren’t properly managed, people port his campaign in Colombia’s Since the pandemic began, Carolina said she dreads receiv- ment’s focus from social unrest dal over alleged vote buying by a the quarantine. will feel endangered and those La Guajira province, as well as some 30,000 inmates have been ing every day. “The terror that and accusations of corruption. rancher accused of having links to Previously, Duque’s govern- gains will be lost,” Varon said. photos of Hernandez and Duque released, but experts want more we’re suff ering... is making us But politicians and analysts drug traffi ckers. ment was focused on bills to Rising cases of Covid-19 also together, landed Colombia’s lead- non-violent off enders to be sick,” she said. predicted that when the crisis Since the pandemic’s arrival, modernise the country’s justice could tarnish Duque’s image, er in hot water. US accuses Maduro of Mexico ready to sell seeking to rig elections gasoline to Venezuela Reuters could also send gasoline to Ven- Mexico City ezuela under the right circum- stances. Reuters Pompeo, in a statement, said give any details on the upcoming “If a request were made and Ccaracas Maduro was manipulating Ven- electoral process. exican President An- it was a matter of humanitarian ezuela’s constitution and the new The supreme court on Monday dres Manuel Lopez need, we would do it,” he told his council would fail to implement night issued a ruling that named MObrador said he would regular morning news confer- he US government has ac- the conditions required to hold new leaders to opposition party sell gasoline to Venezuela for ence. cused Venezuelan Presi- free and fair elections. Democratic Action, a move the “humanitarian” reasons if asked Saying that Mexico was an Tdent Nicolas Maduro of opposition denounced as an eff ort to, despite US sanctions on the independent country, he added: “illegally” installing a new na- US Secretary of State Mike to cripple Maduro’s adversaries in South American country and its “We make our own decisions and tional electoral council to oversee Pompeo, in a statement, the upcoming vote. state-run oil fi rm, PDVSA. do not mess with the policies of parliamentary elections due to said the new council would “This reveals the government’s Lopez Obrador said he had not other countries.” take place later this year. fail to implement the plan to appropriate the...symbols received such a request from the Andres Rozental, a former Venezuela’s Supreme Court, conditions required to hold and logos of the democratic forces Venezuelan government. Mexican deputy foreign minister, which is dominated by Maduro free and fair elections to legitimise their electoral show,” President Donald Trump’s said Lopez Obrador’s comments loyalists, named the council last Guaido’s press offi ce wrote via administration wants to choke would likely “raise eyebrows” in week. “Without following this proc- Twitter. Venezuelan oil exports to starve the US. Opposition leader Juan Guaido ess, elections that represent the The government’s move the government of socialist Pres- Still, it remained to be seen called the electoral body “false” will of the people are impossible,” prompted the opposition to with- ident Nicolas Maduro of its main whether the remarks were just and said the opposition would not Pompeo said. “This step by the re- draw from elections. source of revenue. rhetoric, he added. recognise it. gime and its Supreme Court takes Eleven opposition parties, In recent years, PDVSA has The US and dozens of other Venezuela’s constitution grants Venezuela even further away from including the four largest, an- exchanged Venezuelan crude for nations regard Maduro and his the power to appoint electoral a democratic transition.” nounced their withdrawal from imported fuel. government as illegitimate be- council members to the National In a statement, Guaido’s op- the polls in a statement. But those swaps have been de- cause of a 2018 election widely Assembly, which Guaido leads, position coalition said the condi- “The Venezuelan democratic clining since the Trump admin- seen as fraudulent. but the Supreme Court ruled that tions did not exist for elections to parties will neither validate nor istration imposed sanctions on Maduro has accused Wash- the legislature had failed to do so. take place guaranteeing transpar- recognise any electoral farce PDVSA in January 2019. ington of orchestrating a coup The US and most other West- ency, trust and public freedoms, staged by the government for its Iran sent a fl otilla of fi ve car- to remove him to gain control of ern countries recognise Guaido including a “trustworthy” elec- own interests,” it said. goes of gasoline and components the South American nation’s oil as Venezuela’s rightful leader, tion council. The opposition has long ac- The new rector of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Gladys to Venezuela through early June, reserves. though Maduro still controls the The new council held its fi rst cused the Supreme Court, which Maria Gutierrez, who was sworn-in on Friday, gestures at the press despite criticism from Washing- Lopez Obrador has said he state. session on Monday, state tel- appointed the electoral council, of upon arriving at the CNE’s headquarters in Caracas for the first ton. would not take sides in the dis- US Secretary of State Mike evision showed, though it did not being biased in favour of Maduro. session in which the new authorities take off ice. Lopez Obrador said Mexico pute. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 PAKISTAN

Naya Pakistan Housing project to help boost industrial sector: PM Pakistani Prime Minister Imran ‘Smart lockdown’ in key cities Khan has expressed the resolve that Naya Pakistan Housing project will help strengthen industrial sector in the country. He was addressing a meeting to review government measures to promote construction and as coronavirus cases surge ongoing work on houses for low- income people in the country, in Internews Pakistan has reported over 148,000 speed of infection which needs Larkana, Khairpur, DG Khan, that will experience a complete Islamabad. Islamabad restrictive measures for contain- Malakand and Mardan. lockdown include Shahdra, Shad The prime minister said that cases and more than 2,800 deaths so far ment,” a statement by the NCOC The NCOC shared that the Bagh, Mazang, Harbanspura, government accords top priorities from the novel coronavirus had said. TTQ strategy is aimed at iden- Old Lahore, Nishtar Ground, and to provide relief to downtrodden ertain areas of major cit- Pakistan has reported over tifying disease spread, focused cantonment. and marginalised segment of ies across Pakistan are 148,000 cases and more than clusters/hotspots to enable Meanwhile, some areas in society through concrete measures. Cunder a ‘smart lockdown’, divisions) identifi ed by the Khy- been imposed in Ahsrafi a Colo- 2,800 deaths so far from the targeted lockdowns and need- Gulberg would also be closed Imran Khan said the government after the National Command and ber Pakhtunkhwa Health De- ny, Channa Road, Danishabad novel coronavirus. driven resource optimisation at completely and some societies in will invest Rs30bn under Naya Operation Centre (NCOC) is- partment include UC Qambar, and Hayatabad in Phase In Islamabad, authorities all levels. Lahore’s Iqbal Town as well. Pakistan Housing project to provide sued a list of 20 cities identifi ed Saeedoshareef, Breekot Gharbi, 1/Sector E-1. have already sealed G-9/2 and Addressing reporters, pro- “Food stores and pharma- houses to the low-income people. as Covid-19 hotspots across the Quetta Sharki, Kozabandi and Police have been deployed in G-9/3 for having over 300 vincial Health Minister Yasmin cies will remain open in these The meeting reviewed the country. Madin. the areas with markets except cases. While I-8, I-10, Ghauri Rashid had announced that a areas,” clarifi ed the minister, proposals given by the think- Parts of Islamabad and Pesha- More than 489 people have for grocery stores and medical Town, Bharakhau, G6 and G7 complete lockdown would be adding that the areas will un- thank which was assigned task war have been sealed with major been infected in these areas, the stores. were being monitored, the imposed in some areas of Lahore dergo a complete lockdown for to give their inputs to strengthen areas of Lahore set to go under provincial health department Similarly, in Sindh’s Ghotki, NCOC had said. due to rising coronavirus cases at least two weeks. She added construction sector. lockdown. said. four areas have been sealed and The other cities identifi ed by being reported in the provincial that these areas will be reo- Naya Pakistan Housing project Moreover, areas identifi ed in In Peshawar, the four areas section 188 imposed after it was the NCOC are Karachi, Lahore, capital. pened after t the situation is chairman said that think-thank Swat include Bahrain, Matta, that have identifi ed as coro- identifi ed as one of the areas. Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, “Many areas of Lahore will assessed. has been constituted to promote Babuzai, Kabal, Barikot, Khariri, navirus hotspots were sealed “A total of 20 cities across Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, be shut down 12am onwards In Punjab, Lahore is the worst construction sector and complete Gwalerai and Odigram. with both outgoing and incom- Pakistan have been identifi ed as Gujranwala, Swat, Hyderabad, from tomorrow,” said the min- aff ected city and has reported the project under prevailing Other tehsils (administrative ing ways sealed. Lockdown has having likely increase in ratio/ Sukkar, Sialkot, Gujarat, Ghotki, ister. She added that the areas over 27,000 cases. Covid-19 situation. Court Stuck in gridlock Report holds orders removal private fi rms of local body chief responsible

Internews Islamabad for oil crisis

he Islamabad High Court Internews Last week, the has ordered the immediate Islamabad Tremoval of Prime Minister government fined Imran Khan’s special assistant six oil marketing Ali Nawaz as chairman of Local he preliminary report on Government Commission, de- the petrol crisis has held companies with claring his appointment as null Tprivate oil companies Rs40mn for their and void. responsible for black market- Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of ing and hoarding of petroleum non-compliance the IHC declared Nawaz’s appoint- products, recommending strict with storage ment as chairman of the commis- action against them. sion null and void during a hearing In its initial fi ndings, the joint requirements into the petition fi led by Islamabad investigation committee has Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz. recommended that strict action Three show-cause notices The high court ruled that Na- be taken against oil companies were also issued to OMCs, in- waz’s appointment as chair- for installing dangerous storage cluding Byco and BE Energy. man of the commission was held tanks for petroleum products Ogra said these OMCs were against the code of conduct, di- near private oil terminals. found involved in a violation recting relevant authorities to Commuters make their way through a traff ic jam in a commercial area in Karachi yesterday. The report states that in the of their licenses and directed to prepare the role of the chairman crisis on PSO’s oil terminals pay the penalty within a month. within six months. were operating 24 hours a day OMCs could fi le review peti- A tug of war between the local during the crisis, adding that its tion only after paying half of the government commission and the market shares before the short- penalty, the regulator said. Islamabad mayor has been going age in supply ranged between The authority warned OMCs on over the past few months after 32% and 36%. of further penalties if they could the mayor had been suspended Woman carries Pakistan’s However, the increase in sup- not improve the supplies at their by the interior ministry. ply of oil during the petroleum outlets. Nawaz had recommended the crisis enhanced its market share The Oil Companies Advisory Islamabad mayor be suspended to 54%. The report added that Council, an informal body rep- from service for a period of 90 the three private companies resenting the downstream oil in- days after a reference had been fl ag to earth’s deepest point against whom cases have been dustry, declined to comment on fi led against him. fi led had a large piece of the mar- the next line of action. The reference fi led against Aziz, ket share which declined during Ogra’s decision followed who is affi liated with opposition the petroleum crisis. show-cause notices issued on party PML-N, alleged that he was Internews became the fi rst woman to the highest peak of Karakoram She took a smaller Pakistan Last week, the government June 3 to the OMCs to explain abusing his powers, using staff for Islamabad reach earth’s highest and low- K-2 Pakistan in 2017, on her suc- fl ag down in the submersible fi ned six oil marketing compa- their position regarding the personal use, and operating offi - est points, a Guinness World cessful mission to “Challenger with her. nies (OMCs) with Rs40mn for availability of petroleum prod- cial vehicles that were reportedly Record, and one she shares with Deep”. In a joint statement yesterday, their non-compliance with stor- ucts at their retail outlets. beyond his entitlement. akistan’s Goodwill Am- Victor Vescovo, the submersible Zakaria said the government Durdana said, “I feel absolutely age requirements, bringing to an The petroleum division of the The reference was fi led by Hu- bassador Vanessa O’Brien pilot of her dive. and the people of Pakistan were honoured to be part of this expe- end a month-long blame game energy ministry also constituted mayun Akhtar, a member of the Ptook the country’s fl ag to The primary purpose of ex- “proud” of O’Brien’s achieve- dition, and proud to bear witness after an adverse shortage of pet- a committee to probe into the Capital Development Authority the deepest point in the ocean ploring the “Challenger Deep” is ment. to this historic event. I hope this rol and diesel amid the lockdown shortage of petrol and diesel. (CDA) and the acting Chief Met- named “Challenger Deep”, at to map the eastern seabed, col- The goodwill ambassador fl ag’s incredible journey to this in the country. “The team visited Keamari and ropolitan Offi cer (CMO). 10,925m, in the Mariana Trench, lect water and rock samples, and was presented a ceremonial fl ag extraordinary place brings good Shell Pakistan and Total Parco Port-Qasim port on June 9 and Ansar challenged his suspen- read a statement. to take scientifi c measurements. of Pakistan by OBE Hon. Cdr luck for Pakistan.” were each fi ned Rs10mn, while found more than 40mn litres of sion successfully as last month The point in the ocean is so High Commissioner of Pa- Royal Navy, Durdana Ansari, “It is an honour to carry the Attock Petroleum, Puma, Gas petrol at Keamari in the tanks the IHC set aside the Interior deep that if Mt Everest is put kistan to the UK, Nafees Za- on behalf of the High Commis- Pakistani fl ag on this journey. and Oil Pakistan and Hascol were which had not been moved by Has- Ministry’s orders for his suspen- there it will still be 2km under karia, congratulated O’Brien, sioner, which O’Brien displayed Oceans are cleansing, churning, imposed a penalty of Rs5mn each, col Petroleum and Gas and Oil Pa- sion for 90 days and directed him the water. who became the fi rst British or at her destination located about constantly renewing, and in- according to the Oil and Gas Reg- kistan Limited,” a spokesperson of to resume his duty. During this descent, she American woman to conquer 200 miles southwest of Guam. credibly strong,” she added. ulatory Authority (Ogra). the ministry had said last week. Karachi robbers return Sea dive valuables to delivery boy

Internews The number of and soon left the crime scene. to a police report comprising Karachi The delivery rider also sat on his data from March 20 to April 7, at street crimes in bike and departed from the scene least 379 mobile phones and 31 Karachi has risen after getting hold of his nearly- bikes were snatched, while 1,049 n a rare sight, robbers in Ka- snatched items. robberies took place. rachi decided not to rob their despite police and The video soon went viral on The 19-day period includes Itarget a delivery boy in what Rangers setting social media with police offi cials the 16-day lockdown as well. appeared to be a change of heart confi rming that the video was of During the lockdown period, regarding his valuables, accord- up checkpoints Karachi. However, they are yet to three cars were stolen and 28 ing to a recent CCTV footage identify in which police station’s robberies occurred, according making rounds on social media. took away his money, phone and jurisdiction the crime occurred. to offi cial information. However, In the video, the delivery boy other valuables. According to a report pub- CCTV footage of robberies at re- of a popular delivery app can As soon as his valuables were lished in April, the number of tail shops and stores in various be seen being mugged by two taken from him, the delivery boy street crimes in the port city has markets continued to surface. men on a bike in a street of the could be seen crying and say- risen despite police and Rangers On a positive note, bank rob- metropolis. ing something to the robbers. At setting up checkpoints for snap- beries and other serious crimes The footage showed the de- this, the robbers returned all the checking amid the coronavirus amounted to zero. Karachi police livery man returning to his bike valuables they had stolen from lockdown in Sindh. chief Ghulam Nabi Memon had after performing a successful the rider and hugged him. Dozens of Karachi citizens told that the authorities were re- delivery. However, when he ap- Both the robbers hugged the were mugged, losing their mo- sponding rapidly to all alerts and proached his bike he was held delivery boy and could be seen bile phones, cars, and motorcy- information pertaining to street Youths cool off in the Arabian Sea in Karachi yesterday. at gun point by the dacoits who consoling the food delivery rider cles since March 20. According crimes on their helpline 15. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES

Filipinos Government allows eateries should not blame to reopen to recoup job losses govt if they Reuters get sick: Manila

he Philippines is getting Duterte back to business after Tone of the world’s strict- est coronavirus lockdowns DPA spanning nearly three months, Manila allowing restaurants to reopen this week for dine-in custom- ers in an eff ort to keep people in hilippine President Rod- work. rigo Duterte said Filipi- Eateries in the capital Ma- Pnos should not blame the nila that can meet government government if they get sick from safety protocols were allowed the coronavirus if they refuse to to reopen from Monday at 30% follow restrictions, which have of their seating capacity, with been relaxed in a bid to boost the strict hygiene and social dis- economy. tancing measures a must. In a late-night televised ad- That won’t be a problem for dress on Monday, Duterte re- Lalaine Baja, even though her minded Filipinos to refrain from streetside Manila restaurant going on non-essential trips, to that serves Filipino favourites follow physical distancing and had only a trickle of diners yes- to wear face masks if they need terday. to go out. “We are thankful when even “We are gradually easing re- one or two customers eat at our strictions to make way for our restaurant,” she said. “Since economic viability as individu- customers now have the option als and as a nation... but it does to dine in, our sales have been not mean that we will forget our gradually picking up.” minimum health standards,” he The Philippines has so far said. reported 26,781 infections and Customers eat at a restaurant where plastic barriers are installed in-between tables as the government allows dining-in following months of restrictions due to the coronavirus “I cannot stop you all from go- 1,103 fatalities due to Covid-19, disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, yesterday. ing out. I can’t arrest everyone,” the disease caused by the new he added. coronavirus. said on Monday some restric- “If you bring your child when That’s the third-highest tions would remain in place in you go out, or you allow your death toll in East Asia after Chi- Manila for a further two weeks children to go out when the place na and Indonesia. because the threat of contagion is not yet ready for them to be Metro Manila has been un- remained. outside and they get sick, don’t der lockdown since March These include bans on gath- blame us.” 16, but restrictions have been erings and sports, partial curbs “Do not forget that we warned loosened since June 1 after on public transportation, and you about the grave conse- some grim forecasts for a nor- stay-at-home orders for the quences,” Duterte said. mally resilient economy and elderly. Stringent quarantine restric- record April unemployment of His trade minister, Ramon tions were implemented in the 17.7%. Televised video footage Lopez, said the only way to central city of Cebu from yester- showed happy staff at restau- get the economy going with- day to the end of the month af- rants cleaning tables and cut- out risking further outbreaks ter a spike in its Covid-19 cases, lery, with some wearing masks of the virus would be through presidential spokesperson Harry and face shields and others in modifi ed restaurants and the Roque said. full-length protective suits and restricted reopening of barber Relaxed restrictions in the latex gloves. shops, salons and malls. capital of Metro Manila were Customers will be required to “It is to our interest in gov- extended until the end of the sit diagonally, or with a trans- ernment to really fi nd that month to avoid projections parent plastic panel between healthy balance in bringing that cases would spike if the them. back jobs while ensuring health Diners wait for their orders at a food court where only one customer per table is allowed, as the government allows dining-in following protocols were further eased, President Rodrigo Duterte protocols are followed,” he said. months of restrictions, in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, yesterday. Roque said. Senator appeals to banks to help UN monitor says media libel borrowers survive pandemic verdict must be overturned By Javier J Ismael are the employed but the operation of their com- Manila Times panies or their employers are aff ected. Let’s not forget them,” he said. Go, chairman of the Senate Health and Demog- DPA guilty on Monday of cyberlibel s the economy gradually reopens after raphy committee, said Republic Act (RA) 11469, Geneva in relation to a 2012 article which three months of lockdown, Senator Chris- or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” gives the allegedly linked a businessman Atopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has reiterated president the authority to implement the provi- to human traffi cking and drug his appeal to banks and other fi nancial institu- sion on payment of loans. igher courts in the Phil- smuggling. A judge sentenced tions to provide restructuring programmes for Under RA 11469, President Rodrigo Duterte ippines should overturn Ressa, and her co-accused, corporate and individual borrowers amid uncer- can direct all banks, quasi-banks, fi nancing com- Hthis week’s libel verdict former researcher-writer Reynal- tainties because of the coronavirus pandemic. panies, lending companies and other fi nancial against critical journalist Maria do Santos Jr, to imprisonment for He urged banks to give borrowers leeway to institutions, including the Government Service Ressa to protect media in the up to six years, with a minimum manoeuvre as they slowly resume business and Insurance System, Social Security System and country, the UN monitor for term of six months and one day. work after some quarantine restrictions are being Pag-ibig Fund, to implement a minimum of 30 freedom of speech, David Kaye, Kaye said that Ressa had been relaxed by authorities. days as a grace period for the payment of loans said yesterday. targeted for years by the govern- “Let’s give them the opportunity to recover without incurring interests, penalties, fees and “The conviction marks a new ment, and her conviction should from this crisis and help them lessen their bur- other charges. low in the Philippines’ protection be seen in light of the attacks on den,” he said. The covered loans include salary, personal, of the freedom of expression and, her and on her media outlet Rap- The senator also reiterated his appeal to banks, housing and motor vehicle loans, as well as credit in particular, the ability of an in- pler.com. quasi-banks and other fi nancial institutions, card payments, falling due within the period of dependent media to function in “The higher courts now have an both public and private, to provide a grace period the enhanced community quarantine. the country,” Kaye said in a state- opportunity, if not a responsibil- and impose no increase in interest rates on con- Interests, penalties, fees or other charges can ment issued in Geneva. ity, to ensure her protection and sumer and corporate loans. be waived, and persons with multiple loans may Ressa, head of a news web- the promotion of independent “Many Filipinos are not included in the poorest also be given the minimum 30-day grace period site critical of Philippine Presi- media in the country,” the UN ex- of the poor. However, they also need help. They for every loan. dent Rodrigo Duterte, was found pert and US law scholar said. Maria Ressa: gaining support Opposition senator seeks Nearly 715 Filipinos repatriated bail after years in detention from Malaysia and Germany By Bernadette Tamayo fl ights and border closures due hope that “cruise operations Manila Times to the pandemic. would gradually be resumed by DPA De Lima has been detained “The Embassy has intensi- German maritime companies,” Manila since February 2017. She has fi ed its assistance to distressed the DFA said in a statement. denied the allegations and ac- he Department of For- Filipinos in Malaysia in light of Likewise, a total of 232 Fili- cused the Duterte administra- eign Aff airs (DFA) repat- the pandemic,” said Philippine pino crew from various mari- detained Philippine sena- tion of political persecution Triated 715 stranded Fili- smbassador to Malaysia Charles time and manning companies tor, who is a staunch critic for her criticism of the violent pinos in Malaysia and Germany Jose. The embassy lauded the departed from Hamburg, Ger- Aof President Rodrigo Du- crackdown on illegal drugs as most of whom lost their jobs Ministry of Foreign Aff airs of many on June 11 and arrived in terte and his war on drugs, has well as her opposition to key due to the coronavirus disease Malaysia and other concerned the Philippines on June 12. fi led a petition for bail more than government policies. 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Malaysian government agen- Before boarding, the Filipino three years after she was arrested International human rights A total of 180 Filipinos from cies for facilitating the arrange- crew were provided with infor- on illegal drug charges, her law- and democracy groups, togeth- Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah ments for the chartered fl ight. mation on how to avail of the yers said yesterday. er with foreign lawmakers, have were brought home on June 11. A total of 303 Filipino crew of social amelioration fund and The motion for temporary lib- called for De Lima’s release and They left Kuala Lumpur via Aida Cruises departed for the the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbu- erty for Senator Leila De Lima Leila De Lima: citing weak evidence for the Philippine government Kota Kinabalu on the same day. Philippines from Hamburg, Ger- hay Livelihood Assistance Pro- was fi led on Monday and cited to drop all charges against her. The repatriated Filipinos many on June 10. They arrived in gramme of the Overseas Work- weak evidence presented by the ed that the prosecution “mis- in detention. There was also Last year, two senators in the were composed of workers the Philippines on June 11. ers Welfare Administration prosecution to prove allegations erably failed to prove a veritale no evidence on alleged con- United States introduced a pro- and their dependents, tour- The seafarers had been await- (OWWA). Upon disembarking she received protection money link” between De Lima and spiracy to commit illegal drug vision in the national budget ists, as well as students, who ing repatriation after cruise at the Ninoy Aquino Interna- from jailed illegal drug lords a co-accused who allegedly trading between De Lima, the prohibiting entry to the US for approached the Philippine trips were suspended due to the tional Airport, they were sub- while she was head of the De- asked for money and vehicles co-accused and the suspected Philippine government offi cials embassy in Kuala Lumpur for pandemic starting in March, the jected to a mandatory Covid-19 partment of Justice. from a suspected drug lord in drug lord, the lawyers said in a involved in the alleged wrongful assistance after being strand- DFA said in a statement. test by the DoH-Bureau of In the petition, lawyers not- exchange for protection while statement. detention of De Lima. ed due to the cancellation of The repatriates expressed Quarantine (DoH-BOQ). Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES The long battle: Opec may gain edge over shale

For sure, these are quite clearly extraordinary times for global oil market, with an unprecedented demand collapse. But the market may be set for a surprising change once the coronavirus crisis fades away: Greater dependence on crude from Opec. As the Opec+ alliance agreed to record output cuts of nearly 10mn bpd through July, the group of 23 nations has supported a rally that’s seen Brent crude prices nearly double to about $38 since late April, paring its loss this year to 42%. America’s policemen must For the time being, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies are relinquishing their share of the market to prop up crude prices. Before this year’s price rout, market-watchers projected that demand for Opec’s crude would dwindle as its rivals stop attacking journalists kept on growing. In an annual outlook published in November, Opec itself By Courtney C. Radsch from Minneapolis on May 29, CNN committed against African-Americans Australian television journalist Amelia Washington, DC correspondent Omar Jimenez can be like Floyd. Brace was broadcasting live from predicted that such demand would sink 7% by 2023. The seen calmly telling police offi cers that Making matters worse, America now outside the White House when she and International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast that the volume he is a reporter, only to be arrested has a commander-in-chief who has long her cameraman were suddenly attacked required from Opec wouldn’t rebound to last year’s levels t is no surprise that journalists anyway. As the camera pans to the condoned violence against civilians. In by a phalanx of heavily armed police. would go out to the streets to cover ground, one catches a glimpse of his 2017, President Donald Trump urged Similarly, the German journalist Stefan until 2024. the largest and most widespread entire crew being taken into custody. police offi cers not to be “too nice” to Simons was shot at numerous times by Now the picture appears to be shifting. Iprotests the United States has Meanwhile, a block away, Jimenez’s suspected gang members when taking Minneapolis police despite repeatedly As the oil-price collapse chokes off investment in new experienced in more than 50 years. white colleague continued to report them into custody. And early in the shouting “I’m press.” What has been surprising is that from the scene unmolested. In another current protests, he invoked a racist trope, Australian and German diplomats supplies around the world, from the mega-projects of Big Oil journalists would meet with violence incident, Detroit police offi cers were warning demonstrators that, “when the have complained to their US to drilling by US shale wildcatters, some analysts see Opec and retaliation at the hands of the spotted demanding to see a black looting starts, the shooting starts.” counterparts about these incidents, and reviving its battered standing. police, just for doing their jobs. reporter’s credentials while leaving his Trump has attacked journalists foreign correspondents sent to cover the Goldman Sachs Since the start of the demonstrations white colleagues alone. consistently since the outset of his protests have been warned to prepare against systemic racism and police Although Minnesota Governor Tim presidency, singling out individual as if they were covering a warzone. New Brent crude has forecasts that the brutality that have swept the US in Walz has since apologised to Jimenez reporters and smearing the press York City, meet Egypt circa 2011. “call on Opec” may the wake of the death of George Floyd, and the CNN crew, the attacks on as purveyors of “fake news” and For our part at the CPJ, our board nearly doubled to climb roughly 17% there have been more than 380 reported journalists covering the protests in his “the enemy of the people.” In the sent a rare letter to local lawmakers incidents of anti-press violence. While state have continued. If anything, the toxic environment he has helped to indicating our intention “to pursue about $38 since late between 2019 and some have involved journalists being fact that Minneapolis police could arrest create, Greg Gianforte, a Republican justice for journalists who were attacked 2025, reaching 34mn caught in the melee of violent protests a CNN reporter in the fi rst place signals congressman from Montana, paid no or unjustly detained.” We will continue April, paring its loss bpd. Rystad Energy, and rioting, the vast majority – around to law enforcement everywhere that all political price for physically assaulting to investigate these anti-press incidents 80% – appear to have been perpetrated tactics are now on the table. According a reporter during his campaign. After for as long as necessary. The recent this year to 42% a consultant based in by law enforcement, according to the to the Committee to Protect Journalists years of being demonised by elected wave of assaults is clearly not just a case Oslo, and Citigroup US Press Freedom Tracker. (CPJ), there have since been at least 54 offi cials who are sworn to uphold the of a “few bad apples.” That hoary excuse have also turned projections for demand declines into These fl agrant violations of press more arrests of journalists, including law, it is little wonder that the press for a corrupt organisational culture freedom have been as widespread as several who also were broadcasting live. would now be deemed an acceptable cannot even withstand the proverb from estimates of growth. the protests themselves, with reports In these cases, the offi cers involved target by law enforcement. which it is derived: “One bad apple For sure, it’s too early to tell whether the latest predictions coming from 61 communities in 33 seemed to know they were being Moreover, this anti-press rhetoric spoils the whole bunch.” of a supply gap will prove unfounded. But initial indications states. The police behind these attacks recorded and did it anyway. follows a much longer trend toward Police attacks on journalists must do suggest that Opec could re-emerge from the current are failing to abide by the law and The fact that police offi cers are not police militarisation. Fuelled by the be met with swift and meaningful uphold the US Constitution. Journalists deterred by the presence of a camera transfer of heavy weaponry, supplies, accountability. That means rooting out round of cutbacks in a stronger position. who have clearly identifi ed themselves, should alarm all Americans. Just as tactics, and soldiers from the wars in the bad apples as well as the rot that has The oil price crash is upending the Trump administration’s presented press credentials, and Minneapolis police offi cer Derek Iraq and Afghanistan, the police have spread more widely across America’s ambitions of American “energy dominance.” US crude carried professional equipment have Chauvin can be seen looking directly increasingly come to behave more like police forces. As the protests have been assaulted, arrested, and shot at into the camera as he presses his knee commandos than like public servants shown, only when impunity ends can production plunged by 15% in the past two months, to anyway. Determining just how prevalent into Floyd’s neck, police who allow duty-bound to uphold freedom of justice begin. – Project Syndicate just over 11mn bpd, according to government data. With these targeted attacks have been will themselves to be fi lmed attacking expression, assembly, and the press. spending in the shale sector slashed in half, according to IEA be critical for addressing the broader journalists and other civilians clearly do This is not just a domestic US z Courtney C Radsch is Advocacy problem of police impunity. not fear consequences. After all, police problem. Several of the journalists who Director at the Committee to Protect estimates, worse may be yet to come. Some of the attacks against in the US enjoy “qualifi ed immunity,” have been attacked by police recently Journalists and author of Cyberactivism For Goldman Sachs Group, an even bigger issue is a 60% journalists appear to have been which is why they have long faced little are foreign correspondents working and Citizen Journalism in Egypt: Digital decline over the past fi ve years in annual investment in long- racially motivated. In a live broadcast or no accountability for grave injustices for overseas outlets. For example, Dissidence and Political Change. term projects – which particularly sustain output from Opec’s rivals – to about $37bn. This will fi nally be felt next year, bringing supply growth outside Opec to a halt, says the bank. This year’s economic slump is only tightening the squeeze, reducing overall oil and gas investment by almost $250bn, or about a third, according to the IEA. Oil majors such as BP and Exxon Mobil Corp have announced billions of dollars of cuts in capital expenditure. The risk remains that Opec’s current strategy of propping up oil prices with production cuts could throw rivals a lifeline. Brent crude has more than doubled since late April to about $40 a barrel, and there are signs that US shale drillers are seizing on the opportunity. Longer term, however, the war over market share could resume once the lockdowns ease out and people want oil again.

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FILE PHOTO: Reuters security adviser Rodney Seward is treated by a medic for a deep gash under his left eye after being struck by a rubber bullet during nationwide © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved unrest following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, on May 30. Gulf Times Wednesday, June 17, 2020 19 COMMENT Covid-19 and achieving herd immunity

disease is treated in time and contact immunity through exposure could be tracing is in place. multiples of that. Many countries have reached It is therefore clear that achieving a point of Reff < 1, meaning that herd immunity through exposure their respective disease burdens are is not a preventative measure and reducing. However, this does not mean should not be considered a suitable that they have acquired herd immunity. strategy for tackling Covid-19. But The requirement for herd immunity is that is not to say that herd immunity based on R0, and R0=3 projects that to could not be achieved through an achieve herd immunity, approximately effective vaccine. The mutation 70% of the world’s population would rate of Sars-CoV2 is much lower need to be immune to Covid-19. than that of seasonal influenza and So how can we achieve herd comparable to some of the other immunity to Covid-19? RNA viruses against which effective In the absence of an eff ective vaccines exist. Worldwide efforts to By Dr Borbala Mifsud vaccine, people would have to develop develop a vaccine will lead to success, Doha natural immunity through exposure. but this will take time. This means that approximately Until then, we need to keep Reff 5.5bn people would need to have had below 1 to avoid a second wave of hile many strategies have the infection, a target that would infections. Experts are nevertheless been adopted in the fi ght inevitably result in an enormous worried that the average contact against Covid-19, few number of deaths. If herd immunity rate will jump again as countries Whave generated as much were to be achieved through the slow reopen after lockdown. It is therefore controversy and criticism as herd spread of the virus, then calculating important to increase those measures immunity. Put simply, herd immunity with one of the most optimistic death that reduce transmissibility and is reached when a large enough part of rates for Covid-19 (0.35%) would duration of infectiousness: wear a population acquires immunity to an result in an estimated 19mn deaths. protective equipment, trace contacts infectious disease. This also requires adequate access and isolate infected individuals. If This can either be achieved via to healthcare systems that have not we all practice social distancing, this vaccination or natural immunity been overburdened by the virus. pandemic can be kept under control. due to previous encounters with the However, in locations where hospitals pathogen, meaning that new cases are have struggled to treat all Covid-19 zBorbala Mifsud is an assistant contained and do not lead to outbreaks. patients, death rates have been much professor at the College Health and The proportion of the population higher, thereby implying that the Life Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa required to achieve herd immunity A scientist at RNA medicines company Arcturus Therapeutics researches a vaccine for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) at total death toll required to reach herd University. largely depends on how contagious a laboratory in San Diego, California, US, in this March 17 photograph. There’s a consensus that the pandemic will only end the pathogen is (transmissibility), with the establishment of so-called herd immunity. That occurs when enough people in a community are protected from a how often an infected person meets a pathogen that it can’t take hold and dies out. About Hamad Bin Khalifa University susceptible individual (average contact rate), and the duration an individual is For instance, the transmissibility of each infected person would have gone population that is susceptible. Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow infectious. Covid-19 is higher in cultures where on to infect up to three more people. Countries aim to achieve an Reff of These values determine the basic greeting each other involves physical However, in New York and other less than 1 (Reff < 1), as that means that Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), pacity through an enriching academic reproduction number (R0), which is contact, while the average contact rate high-density areas the R0 number has the number of active cases decline. a member of Qatar Foundation for experience, innovative ecosystem, and the number of people each infected is higher in densely populated regions. reached 10 or more. There are public health measures that Education, Science, and Community unique partnerships. HBKU delivers person infects in a completely Pathogens are usually assigned a The reproduction number naturally can aff ect each contributing factor Development (QF), was founded in multidisciplinary undergraduate and susceptible population. range of R0 numbers. The average R0 decreases in a population as the and help to keep Reff < 1. For instance, 2010 as a research-intensive university graduate programmes through its The way this number is calculated for Sars-CoV2, the coronavirus which number of people who recover from transmissibility can be reduced by that acts as a catalyst for transforma- colleges, and provides opportunities is not exact and the number varies causes Covid-19, is around 3, a fi gure Covid-19 increases and consequently using protective equipment, such tive change in Qatar and the region for research and scholarship through across populations because certain consistent with the rate of infections there are fewer susceptible individuals. as masks. Contact rates can also be while having a global impact. Located its institutes and centres. For more population characteristics can initially observed in China and most This is captured in the eff ective minimised by quarantine and social in Education City, HBKU is committed information about HBKU, visit www. infl uence one or more of the above European countries. An R0 of 3 means reproduction number (Reff ) that takes distancing, while the duration of to building and cultivating human ca- hbku.edu.qa. values. that at the beginning of the outbreak into account the proportion of the infectiousness is lower when the

Sustaining conservation in a pandemic Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 470c By Matthew Brown Minimum Temperature : 370c Boulder, Colorado THURSDAY Maximum Temperature : 420c Minimum Temperature : 310c afari tourism has long been an economic boon to people FRIDAY living in Africa. But the Maximum Temperature : 420c Ssuspension of fl ights and Minimum Temperature : 290c safari visits because of the Covid-19 Fisherman's forecast pandemic has decimated this critical source of income – and devastated the WARNING wildlife conservation eff orts it funds. Inshore : Strong wind expected The repercussions for fl ora and fauna at some places daytime are far-reaching. Anything with a horn Offshore : Strong wind and high or tusk is at greater risk today than sea yesterday. WEATHER The economic value of Africa’s Inshore : Very Hot daytime with slight dust to blowing national parks, reserves, and dust at some places conservancies is obvious. In 2019, and relatively hot by travel to Africa accounted for 7.1% of night. WIND GDP, generating $168bn in revenue. Inshore : Northwesterly 13-23/33 Last year, Kenya, the continent’s KT fourth-largest tourism economy, had Offshore : Northwesterly 12-22/30 more than 2mn tourists. The sector KT now contributes 15% to Namibia’s GDP and 115,000 jobs, or 16% of total Visibility : 4-8/3 KM employment. The resulting revenue Offshore : 4-7/10 FT helps boost biodiversity. For example, in Tanzania, where tourism comprises Around the region 11% of the economy, 35.5% of land Weather Weather and 13.5% of marine areas are now today Max/min tomorrow Max/min protected, exceeding the goals set in Baghdad Sunny 41/28 Sunny 42/26 Aichi Target 11 of the United Nations Kuwait City Cloudy 44/32 Cloudy 43/31 Convention on Biological Diversity. Manama Cloudy 38/32 Cloudy 38/31 But few policymakers anticipated, Muscat Sunny 38/32 Sunny 36/31 much less prepared for, a dramatic Tehran Sunny 36/24 Sunny 38/26 and immediate drop of tourism revenue. Most African reserves rely on daily entry fees to fi nance rangers and help protect habitat and wildlife. None of them has adequate fi nancial reserves, endowments, or insurance to counteract a massive decline in FILE PHOTO: A young bull elephant is seen in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. tourism. In the best of times, African parks for elephant ivory, according to a 2019 no harm” and create space for nature Tanzania, Hadza hunter-gatherers – which off er visitors vast savannahs study in Nature Communications. But to fl ourish, a broad swath of private use the money to hire rangers to stop or deserts, herds of regal elephants, global lockdowns have led to canceled protected areas – such as forests that charcoal poachers, and to pay medical and the fl eeting glimpse of a big bookings, postponed tours, and a free are lightly, sustainably logged, and bills or school fees. cat – aren’t a hard sell. Protection of fall in jobs, forcing people to struggle marine protected areas that allow only There are other innovative these awe-inspiring natural areas is to meet basic needs. As a result of the for small-scale, sustainable fi shing – funding models. The government strongest when proceeds from park pandemic, the World Bank expects will also be needed. of Seychelles, in partnership with tourism are leveraged to boost local Kenya’s economic growth to drop to Such diversifi cation is necessary in The Nature Conservancy, pioneered Around the world economies and fi nance livelihood 1.5% this year, after forecasting 6% order to ensure fi scal and environmental debt-conversion deals for marine Weather Weather programmes for nearby communities. growth as recently as January. health. The current crisis is in danger of conservation. In the private sector, Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min But conservation isn’t easy. Sustaining Desperate times can lead to more setting back the conservation progress green bonds or blue bonds (to fi nance Athens M Sunny 30/19 Sunny 31/20 wildlife amid shifting economic criminal activity, which translates of recent decades. Governments, NGOs, maritime conservation eff orts), or Beirut Sunny 27/23 M Sunny 26/22 realities requires sophisticated into an increase in poaching for ivory and private wildlife conservancies must low-interest, green loans are helping Bangkok T Storms 30/26 S T Storms 30/26 monitoring technologies and adaptive and rhino horn. Despite enforcement fi nd ways to keep rangers employed to fund biodiversity-enhancing Berlin P Cloudy 28/17 S Showers 27/16 management approaches. crackdowns, the trade in animal parts and patrols on the ground to maintain initiatives. Another approach is Cairo Sunny 41/21 Sunny 34/21 The economics of wildlife reserves is the world’s fourth-largest illicit enforcement operations in protected to create and enforce regulations Cape Town Sunny 22/10 Sunny 22/15 are somewhat opaque, and few visitors industry, after the traffi cking of drugs, areas. that require industries to off set Colombo S T Storms 29/27 S T Storms 29/27 to the parks and reserves understand weapons, and humans. As household When the virus abates and tourism environmental degradation or harm Dhaka T Storms 30/26 T Storms 29/26 their signifi cance to their business incomes suff er, wildlife also faces the gradually recovers, we can’t be to ecosystems. We should rethink Hong Kong I T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 models. At least half their revenue threat of bushmeat poaching for local held hostage to inadequate revenue subsidies for fi shing and farming, too. Istanbul Sunny 28/19 S T Storms 26/19 – and in some cases all of it – comes consumption. streams. One option is carbon Despite its ubiquity, travel and Jakarta S T Storms 33/24 S T Storms 33/24 from tourism. The money is used to This was supposed to be a “super fi nancing. Some communities in hospitality has always been a fragile, Karachi P Cloudy 34/30 M Sunny 34/30 protect wildlife by paying operating year” for biodiversity. Instead, the northern Tanzania and Zambia – fi ckle sector. Political extremism, London S Showers 22/14 Showers 21/13 costs, employing rangers, and world is facing a shocking, real- which have millions of tons of carbon terrorism, a global pandemic, and Manila P Cloudy 34/27 S T Storms 33/27 maintaining security. These places are time need for action. That is why stored in forests, grasslands, or soil – volcanoes are just some of the Moscow P Cloudy 30/18 S T Storms 27/18 the economic lifeblood of the regions The Nature Conservancy and other calculate and verify their totals, then reasons that tourism is not always a New Delhi Sunny 41/31 Sunny 42/31 they serve. Many support local schools environmental NGOs are calling sell them on international markets as stable revenue stream. Still, there is New York P Cloudy 26/18 M Cloudy 25/19 and health clinics and employ local for 30% of the Earth’s surface to be carbon credits to businesses. no reason that we can’t deliver net Paris Cloudy 22/13 S T Storms 22/13 people – who might otherwise work protected by 2030, through the so- As long as the forests and grasslands gains for nature. The continent, its Sao Paulo P Cloudy 24/13 M Sunny 25/14 in charcoal production and bushmeat called 30x30 commitment. remain intact, the money will continue inhabitants, and the world depend on Seoul M Cloudy 29/19 M Cloudy 28/20 hunting – in nature-based jobs. But reaching a particular threshold to fl ow to the local communities. it. – Project Syndicate Singapore T Storms 31/26 T Storms 30/26 Before the Covid-19 pandemic, will mean little without long-term A project in the Luangwa Valley in Sydney Showers 16/12 P Cloudy 16/10 wildlife conservation was improving. enforcement and sustainable funding. Zambia is expected to feed $2.6mn z Matthew Brown is Africa Director Tokyo Clear 29/21 Cloudy 28/21 There was less poaching, particularly To build a world in which humans “do per year to communities. In northern at The Nature Conservancy. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 QATAR

Asphalt works finished at Wadi Al Sail intersection

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has finished asphalt reinstatement works at the Wadi Al Sail intersection in Al Bidaa, in addition to road-marking and kerb-painting on Majlis Al Taawon Street and Mohammed Bin Thani Street. In a post on Twitter, Ashghal said it had taken all the precautionary measures to ensure labourers’ health and safety during the works.

„ Non-Qatari QID holders ‘are asked not to book a quarantine Hotel quarantine booking package until approval to return to Qatar has been confirmed’ „Only Qatari starts for Qatari nationals nationals, and their approved iscover Qatar in partner- Qatar must go into government- booking process. For all permit- www.qatarclean.com ship with Qatar Airways approved hotels to quarantine ted arrivals, quarantine book- Regarding the precautions travelling DHolidays has announced for a 14-day period upon arrival ings can be made at Qatar Air- that are in place for hotel staff , companions, will that they are now able to provide into Qatar. The following is a ways Holidays in partnership they will also be under quaran- 14-day hotel quarantine packag- summary of who is currently with Discover Qatar. tine and follow MoPH guide- be permitted to es to Qatari nationals returning permitted to arrive into Qatar Bookings can be amended, up lines. to the country until September and what quarantine condi- to 24 hours prior to one’s arrival, Hotel staff “have been tested/ arrive into Qatar 15. The Discover Qatar website tions apply (subject to change, without any penalty. There is no are routinely tested for Cov- before August 1 also states that “non-Qatari QID so please check out the rules and refund for any unused quaran- id-19”. In case there is an out- holders are asked not to book conditions on regular basis): tine reservations or if one fails break in a hotel, one will be re- livered to the hotel, and there a quarantine package until ap- 1. For Qatari nationals return- to check in on the date of arrival. quired to follow the instructions will also be no provision for proval to return to Qatar has ing from June 15 to September 15: One would also be able to choose of MoPH staff in the hotel. outdoor exercise. On whether been confi rmed.” All travellers, including Qatari between the diff erent star-rat- Medical teams will be at the a person will have contact with “We are working to obtain nationals and their compan- ed hotels available, depending hotel 24/7, and testing for Cov- family members or friends who clarifi cation on some of the pro- ions, travelling from Qatar will upon his/her preferred hotel id-19 at any stage will be avail- are based in Qatar, at any time cedural requirements before we need to book and pay for one of category and budget. able. If a person tests positive for during quarantine, the website can launch hotel packages for the approved quarantine hotel Quarantine package rates and Covid-19 at any time of quaran- states: “No. Physical contact is you. We will provide an update packages for a period of 14 days, options are already available. If tine, s/he will be directed to fol- not allowed.” on this website once more infor- which must be booked before eligible, one can check availabil- low the instructions provided by Also, on whether a person will mation is available. We will also departure from Qatar. A view of HIA. ity for the chosen date at Qatar MoPH staff at the hotel. All ho- have contact with family mem- post updates to Facebook and Qatari nationals currently Airways Holidays in partnership tel reservations will be on full- bers or friends at any time dur- Instagram and we recommend outside Qatar will also need to and guidelines are confi rmed by is required at an approved and with Discover Qatar (https://bit. board basis. This will consist ing quarantine (where they are that you follow us on these so- book and pay for one of the ap- the relevant authorities. “Please designated quarantine hotel. ly/DQWelcomeHome). of breakfast, lunch and evening also in quarantine), the website cial media platforms to receive proved quarantine hotel pack- check back regularly to this page One has to check the rules and One cannot book directly meal as a minimum. Food will be says: “No, only unless you will further updates,” the website ages for a period of 14 days. for updates,” the website (ht- regulations on a regular basis for with a hotel. Bookings have to be left at the door of the room. be sharing a room.” adds. Check-in at Hamad Interna- tps://www.discoverqatar.qa/ future updates. made with Qatar Airways Holi- A room can be shared only If anyone on a travelling party The four-phase lifting of tional Airport (HIA) will not be welcome-home/) says. E. What if one’s Qatar ID days in partnership with Discov- with direct relatives. A maxi- has special needs, that should be Covid-19 restrictions in Qatar permitted without a confi rmed B. What if a person is plan- has expired? er Qatar for a stay at an approved mum of two adults and one communicated by making “Dis- began on June 15, while the sec- quarantine reservation, if ar- ning to return to Qatar after “If your QID has expired while quarantine hotel. child, six years or under, may cover Qatar aware of the spe- ond stage will start on July 1, the rival back into Qatar is before September 15? you have been outside of Qatar, The website stressed that share a room.” cial requirements at the time of third on August 1 and the fourth September 15. Bookings can be The website recommends that you may be permitted to re- “your safety and comfort are the Access to laundry facilities making your quarantine package and fi nal stage on September made at Qatar Airways Holidays the person waits until closer to enter Qatar to renew your QID, highest priority – upon arrival will be available, “but this might booking”. 1. While announcing this, the in partnership with Discover the planned date of arrival into after you have been approved to and at your hotel”. be at an additional cost”. This In case there is a large group Supreme Committee for Crisis Qatar. Qatar before confi rming his/her travel and successfully complet- Upon arrival at HIA, one will will be advised at the time of and/or specifi c requirements, Management had specifi ed that Only Qatari nationals, and return travel plans, in case any ed your 14-day quarantine,” the be directed to a transfer to take booking. “please call or e-mail Discover people entering Qatar will have their approved travelling com- of the quarantine requirements website explains. him/her to the hotel. A compul- Bed linen will be changed once Qatar with your request and we to undergo mandatory quaran- panions, will be permitted to ar- have changed. F. Can one fl y with an air- sory one-way transfer will be a week as minimum. will be happy to see if this can tine for a period of two weeks in rive into Qatar before August 1. C. Can all QID holders re- line other than Qatar Air- provided. Use of extended room services be accommodated”, the web- specially allocated hotels at their 2. QID holders returning from turn from August 1? ways? “Your hotel will be com- might be available, depending site states (e-mail: dqwelcome- own expense. August 1 to September 15: No, only QID holders from se- Yes, but the same entry con- pliant with the Qatar Clean upon the chosen hotel at an ad- [email protected]; The Discover Qatar website QID holders will not be able lected ‘low-risk’ countries will ditions will be present for Qatari programme. Qatar Clean is a ditional cost. telephone: 4423 7999). provides the details of who is to board a fl ight to Qatar with- be permitted to travel from Au- nationals and QID holders. collaborative eff ort by the Na- Outdoor facilities at the hotel Before making a booking, Qa- eligible to return and the proce- out fi rst receiving authorisation gust 1, and pre-authorisation to G. If one has already had tional Tourism Council, Minis- cannot be used as leaving the tari nationals have been urged to dures involved, as well as other to travel to Qatar, and then by enter Qatar will be required for a positive test for Covid-19, try of Public Health (MoPH), and room is prohibited. Also, there read all of the information men- key points. also providing confi rmation of all QID holders. Further details can s/he travel? the hospitality and tourism sec- are no specifi c facilities for chil- tioned above to ensure that they A: Who is eligible to re- a 14-day government-approved and a list of approved ‘low-risk’ “No, once you have recov- tors. The programme has been dren, and leaving the room is not understand the booking terms turn to/enter Qatar, on which quarantine package reservation. countries will be provided when ered and tested negative you can carefully designed to align with allowed for any reason. There and conditions. dates, and under what condi- QID holders are advised not available. travel, by adhering to the entry best practices and expert proto- will be no access to cooking fa- “If you need to book more tions. Who needs to go into to book a quarantine package D. Can one self-quarantine and quarantine requirements al- cols to ensure remarkable levels cilities, hotel facilities such as than three rooms, please call us quarantine upon arrival into until approval to return to Qa- at home? ready outlined.” of cleanliness, hygiene and safe- the gym, pool, restaurant, etc, or on +974 4423 7999 or e-mail Qatar, and can I self-isolate tar has been confi rmed. Details No, as of now, and as per the To enable a smooth return/ ty for our guests and frontline prayer room as leaving the room us at dqwelcomehome@qa- or book my own hotel? of the approval process will be Ministry of Public Health’s reg- entry to Qatar, Discover Qatar workers,” the website states. For is prohibited. tarairways.com.qa,” the website All permitted arrivals into published when the eligibility ulations, the 14-day quarantine outlines the offi cial approved more information, one can visit Food/shopping cannot be de- adds. A QF graduate’s quest for authentic artefacts

casual visit to Souq Wa- After further visits and con- Derouiche wanted to build a qif aroused the curiosity versations with local artists, sense of trust and understand- A of a student of a Qatar she realised that what she was ing between them. “I designed Foundation partner university exploring – the question of a card game which would even about the authenticity of arte- authenticity – was something out the participants and their facts and helped her come out that she would like to delve into roles,” she says. with a research project. Can a for her Master’s thesis. “As they played the game, handicraft or artefact be con- Derouiche began questioning which I named Silla - in Arabic, sidered authentic to a coun- shopkeepers and local and ex- the word means ‘connection’ try if it is not made using local patriate artisans on the subject – they would be encouraged to materials and manpower, she that had piqued her interest. collaborate with their partner, wondered. Derouiche stumbled on an- ensuring that both the arti- Asma Derouiche, a Master other aspect that expatriate sans and the faculty were equal of Fine Art in Design student artisans in Souq Waqif, due to contributors in the process of at Virginia Commonwealth their specific work demands, design and manufacture of ar- University of the Arts in Qatar did not have the sort of creative tefacts.” (VCUarts Qatar) was on one leeway that they had back in “When I started out, I had of her occasional trips to Souq their respective countries, and no idea that my plan would run Waqif in Doha a year ago. often felt stifled. She thought smoothly, and that I would en- A Tunisian who hailed from of a way to fix this. joy it so much. I held a work- a village renowned for its local Asma Derouiche’s conversations with Souq Waqif’s artisans and “In my conversations with shop for them, where we ex- artisans, she was at the little craftsmen were the inspiration for her project. Souq Waqif’s artisans, I sound- plored possibilities, and where shops that sold Qatari artwork ed out the idea of teaming they used the card game I de- and crafts. ture where the word ‘authentic’ volved were locally-sourced.” them up with designers from signed to generate further ideas “These are 100% authentic was used to describe an object Derouiche was so intrigued by VCUarts Qatar to create Qa- for authentic Qatari artefacts.” Qatari art and craft,” she was that was made by local artisans this contradiction that she de- tari artefacts,” explained, Der- “I joined VCUarts Qatar be- told by the shopkeeper. Im- using local resources, and in- cided to follow up on it. ouiche. cause I wanted to be authen- pressed, she enquired about spired by indigenous tradition At that point, as she made “Likewise, I approached fac- tic in every sense; I wanted to the resources that were used and culture,” says Derouiche. subsequent trips to Souq Wa- ulty in my university – who have my own style – my own to create it – only to learn that “What I saw in Souq Waqif qif to gather further informa- were designers themselves – approach to art and design. I the raw materials used were not puzzled me. I couldn’t under- tion and talk to more artisans and asked them if they would never thought that I would end sourced from Qatar, nor was the stand how a handicraft or ob- and what started out simply be willing to collaborate with up accepting that authentic artisan a Qatari. ject could be called authentic as an urge to quell her curios- these expatriate artisans. Much could mean embracing other “Growing up in Tunisia, I to a country, unless most of ity, turned out into a research to my delight, both parties cultures to preserve your own,” One of the artefacts in Souq Waqif bearing the label 100% Qatari was used to a homogenous cul- the material and manpower in- project. agreed.” she added. product.