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published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11647 August 21, 2020 Muharram 2, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Flames surround California lake In brief Ministries join

PM gets phone call from Lebanese leader hands to train HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani yesterday received a phone call from school offi cials Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Dr Hassan Diab. Diab expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the support against Covid extended by Qatar after Beirut port explosion, and Qatar’s position in standing with the Lebanese he Ministry of Education and mum of 15 per class, and there should people. The two leaders also Higher Education (MoEHE) and be 1.5m distance between each stu- reviewed relations between the Tthe Ministry of Public Health dent on all sides,” he said stressing two countries, the prospects for (MoPH) will jointly train members of that wearing masks will not be manda- strengthening them, and the latest the schools’ security and safety com- tory for elementary school students, developments in Lebanon. mittees to implement precautionary due to the diffi culty of using them in measures against the novel coronavirus the correct way. “But the Ministry of (Covid-19), it was announced yester- Public Health will have no objection Partial closure of day. if any parent chooses his child to wear Flames surround Lake Berryessa during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Napa, California on August 19. Thousands of people LuLu intersection “These committees are essential masks,” he said. have fled their homes in northern California as hundreds of fast-moving wildfires spread across the region, burning houses and The Public Works Authority in the coming stage, as we require a Students who are infected or have leading to the death of a helicopter pilot. (Ashghal) has announced a great degree of awareness in order to symptoms of Covid-19 ought to stay at six-month partial closure of control the pandemic,” stated Fawzia home. “If he interacts with an infected the junction known as LuLu al-Khater, assistant undersecretary person at home, the student must stay Intersection on D-Ring Road for Educational Aff airs, at a joint press in home quarantine for 14 days to avoid from August 23. The closure in conference with Dr Yousef al-Maslam- transmitting infection to other stu- co-ordination with the General ani, medical director at Hamad General dents and staff . If the student is in con- FM, Erakat QFA submits bid to host Directorate of Traff ic is to enable Hospital. tact with contacts of infected persons works on the key intersection as As part of co-ordinating eff orts to he must go for home quarantine,” Dr part of D-Ring Upgrade Project. prevent Covid-19 spread among school al-Maslamani said. discuss 2027 AFC Asian Cup Page 3 and university students, Hamad Medi- He added that there are guidelines cal Corporation (HMC) has issued for the administrative and teaching directions along with the MoEHE on staff to prevent students from mixing Palestine he Qatar Football Association SC, HBKU to off er course standards for maintaining safety in with each other and there will be a limit (QFA) yesterday announced on sustainability in sport classrooms. to mixing during the school opportu- Tthat it has offi cially submit- As part of its eff orts to continuously In press conference videos, pub- nity period. He pointed out that if any E the Deputy Prime Min- ted its bid to host the 2027 AFC Asian share knowledge gained from lished by HMC on its social media ac- student in the school has any symp- ister and Minister of For- Cup. Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 counts, Dr al-Maslamani, said HMC toms, there are instructions for the ad- Heign Aff airs Sheikh Mo- The QFA sent an integrated fi le to preparations, the Supreme has agreed with the MoEHE on imple- ministrative and teaching staff on how hamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani the AFC, detailing how Qatar fulfi ls Committee for Delivery & Legacy menting preventive measures. to deal with such cases. yesterday held a phone call with all the hosting requirements for the (SC) is partnering with the Hamad “HMC has set health guidelines that On the remote learning mecha- Secretary-General of the Execu- Cup, a fact supported by numerous Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) to off er the educational staff should adopt in nism, al-Khater explained, “the ap- tive Committee of the Palestine tournaments hosted by the country an online course. The ‘Sustainability the event that any school student has proved mechanism will continue as Liberation Organisation (PLO) Dr at the continental and global levels in and Major Sports Events’ course will symptoms of Covid-19. The number of it was in the previous academic year.” Saeb Erakat. the past, and also by the preparations be delivered in collaboration with students should be limited to a maxi- To Page 3 During the call, they discussed for the events to come in the future. QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin the Josoor Institute, launched with developments in Palestine as well QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani the purpose of building the capacity as regional and international de- Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani said: of sports and events industries in Qatar Airways resumes Gatwick flights velopments. “The submission of the bid fi le to host Asia, in line with Qatar’s National Qatar and the Mena region, and edX, In the context of the Palestin- the 2027 AFC Asian Cup undoubtedly Vision 2030. This will be in addition a non-profit online learning platform ian cause, HE the Deputy Prime shows our wise leadership’s desire for to the full completion of the other founded by Harvard University Minister and Minister of Foreign an optimal investment for the FIFA infrastructure projects and services and the Massachusetts Institute of Aff airs stressed Qatar’s fi rm posi- World Cup Qatar 2022. It’s not just related to the FIFA World Cup Qatar Technology. tion in supporting the rights of the about holding the tournament and 2022, such as road networks, trans- brotherly Palestinian people and achieving the expected success; this portation options and hotels at all adhering to international legiti- will be a great addition to the reputa- levels – all of which is included in the Qatar reports 112,924 macy and relevant Security Coun- tion Qatar enjoys when it comes to bid fi le.” Covid-19 recoveries cil resolutions and the Arab Peace organising major sports tournaments. The QFA president said “winning Qatar reported 268 new confirmed Initiative as a basis for achieving We must bear in mind that this is a the Asian Cup in its latest edition was cases of coronavirus, and 266 a just and sustainable peace that constant endeavour for us, to continue a great achievement for us, and the recoveries in the last 24 hours, guarantees the establishment of a organising such big events at all levels spirit of challenge that contributed bringing the total number of Palestinian state on the 1967 bor- like we have done before with great to that triumph will lead us to other people who have recovered from ders with Jerusalem as its capital. success, as witnessed by all.” successes, in terms of hosting and or- Covid-19 in the country to 112,924. In For his part, Erakat affi rmed the He said “Qatar will be ready to host ganising a tournament that Asia de- a statement, the Ministry of Public Palestinian side’s appreciation of the 19th edition of the Asian Cup, serves, and we will be proud to have it Health said all new cases have been Qatar’s position and the eff orts taking advantage of the country’s here in Qatar once again. At the same sent to isolation and are receiving Qatar Airways touched down at Gatwick Airport yesterday, the national airline said in underway to stop the attack on the modern sports facilities that will host time, we will not neglect the impor- the necessary treatment according a tweet. Qatar Airways now operates some 45 weekly flights to the UK, serving the Palestinian territories and inno- the FIFA World Cup 2022, which will tant role played by our cadres in Qa- to their health status. Page 2 key cities of Edinburgh, London and Manchester. cent civilians in Gaza. be a legacy for future generations of tar’s series of successes.” –QNA

Putin critic Navalny fi ghts for Former Trump-aide and Qatar-baiter life, aides suspect poisoning Steve Bannon arrested for fraud Agencies tance himself from Bannon and the al- Washington leged scheme at the centre of the case. Reuters “We assume that Alexei was poi- A company with close ties to Ban- Moscow soned with something mixed into his non was hired by the United Arab tea. It was the only thing that he drank teve Bannon, an architect of Emirates in 2017 to launch an anti- in the morning. Alexei is now uncon- Donald Trump’s 2016 election Qatar social media campaign. remlin critic Alexei Navalny was scious,” Yarmysh said. Svictory, has been charged with SCL Social Limited disclosed a fi ghting for his life in a Siberian Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defrauding Trump supporters in a $330,000 contract with the UAE for Khospital yesterday after drink- said that any poisoning would need to campaign to help build the president’s “a wide range of services specifi c to a ing tea that allies said they believe was be confi rmed by laboratory tests and signature wall along the US-Mexico global media campaign”, shortly af- laced with poison. that doctors were doing everything border, prosecutors said yesterday. Bannon: faces up to 40 years in prison ter Bannon resigned from the White If confi rmed, it would be the latest they could to help Navalny. He wished As a top adviser to Trump’s presi- House in August. in a long series of poisonings and sus- him a speedy recovery. dential campaign who later served as frauded hundreds of thousands of do- In October 2017, the former White pected poisonings of people who have Navalny, a 44-year-old lawyer and White House chief strategist, Ban- nors, capitalising on their interest in House chief strategist made a rare fallen out with the Kremlin, which anti-corruption activist, has served non helped articulate the right-wing funding a border wall to raise millions public appearance at the Hudson In- denies settling scores with its foes by many stints in jail for organising anti- populism and fi erce opposition to im- of dollars, under the false pretense stitute, a neoconservative Washington murdering them. Kremlin protests and has been attacked migration that have been hallmarks of that all of that money would be spent think tank and spoke against Qatar, Navalny, a fi erce critic of President A woman holding a placard with in the street by pro-government activ- Trump’s 3-1/2 years in offi ce. on construction,” acting US Attorney while praising the countries that have Vladimir Putin and his lieutenants, be- an image of Alexei Navalny in Saint ists. Trump fi red Bannon from his White Audrey Strauss said. imposed a blockade against it. gan feeling ill on a plane to Moscow on Petersburg, yesterday. He has published investigations into House post in August 2017. They each face up to 40 years in He is regarded as one of the archi- Thursday morning after drinking tea what he says are examples of offi cial Bannon, Brian Kolfage, Andrew prison. tects of the blockade against Qatar at an airport cafe in the Siberian city of Kira Yarmysh, his spokeswoman, corruption, with his videos garnering Badolato and Timothy Shea alleg- Prosecutors said Bannon received who colluded with the siege-quartet Tomsk. said he was in intensive care in a serious millions of views. edly defrauded donors of the online more than $1mn of the $25mn, through to plan the unjust move against Doha. His condition became so serious that but stable condition, and on an artifi - The incident coincides with a politi- crowdfunding campaign known as an unnamed nonprofi t organisation. Bannon represents the latest close the plane made an emergency landing at cial lung ventilator in a hospital in the cal crisis in Belarus, a close Russian ally, “We Build The Wall,” which raised Trump told reporters at the White Trump associate to face criminal the city of Omsk, en route to Moscow, city, about 2,200km east of the Russian and comes ahead of regional Russian more than $25mn. House that he feels “very badly” about charges, a list that also includes former where he was carried off on a stretcher. capital. elections next month. “As alleged, the defendants de- Bannon’s charges but sought to dis- campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 21, 2020 QATAR

QU ranks among Al-Mahmoud attends concluding session of world conference of parliament speakers

QNA in addressing the Covid-19 pan- of Speakers of Parliament, which top 700 global demic and its impact, provid- was attended by the Secretary- Doha ing greater support to develop- General of the United Nations ing countries and helping them Antonio Guterres, stressed he Fifth World Confer- build their capabilities to con- that addressing climate change ence of Speakers of Par- front the epidemic. should be an important part of Tliament concluded yes- It said that preventing the the future strategy. universities terday, with the participation world economy from falling fur- The conference also called of HE the Speaker of the Shura ther into recession is an immedi- for non-politicisation of hu- atar University (QU) has Universities are ranked by Council Ahmed bin Abdullah ate priority by enhancing inter- manitarian eff orts, commit- ranked 601-700 globally, several indicators of academic or bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. national macroeconomic policy ment to protecting human rights Qaccording to the Aca- research performance, including The conference, which was co-ordination and maintaining and fundamental freedoms, demic Ranking of World Uni- alumni and staff winning Nobel held via video conference, con- global fi nancial markets, while strengthening the role of young versities (ARWU) 2020 Ranking Prizes and Fields Medals, highly cluded with a declaration in stressing the need to deepen men and women in parliaments released by ShanghaiRanking cited researchers, papers pub- which it affi rmed belief in and HE the Speaker of the Shura the partnerships and strengthen and all state institutions, sup- Consultancy, QU announced lished in Nature and Science, support of the purposes and Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin the architecture that bring that porting the core values of de- yesterday. papers indexed in major cita- principles set out in the Charter Zaid al-Mahmoud. blueprint to fruition, and de- mocracy and enabling parlia- In 2017 QU ranked 601-700, in tion indices, and the per capita of the United Nations, and that veloping co-operation between ments to express the will of 2018 QU ranked 901-1000 and academic performance of an parliaments should lead by ex- around the United Nations. countries as a basic means of im- peoples. in 2020 QU ranked 601-700 ac- institution. For each indicator, ample in defending multilateral- The conference stressed that plementing the 2030 Agenda for It also stressed respect for in- cording to ARWU. the highest scoring institution ism and a rules-based interna- international co-operation and Sustainable Development and its ternational law as the bedrock of QU president Dr Hassan al- is assigned a score of 100, and tional order, fi rmly standing up multilateral action are needed goals. a world order based on solidarity Derham said: “The university’s other institutions are calculated for the international system built now more than ever, particularly The Fifth World Conference and co-operation. presence in this prestigious as a percentage of the top score. ranking is the result of dedicated Dr Hassan al-Derham The distribution of data for each work and concerted eff orts to indicator is examined for any improve the quality of education in the world are published. More signifi cant distorting eff ect; and scientifi c research.” than 40 universities entered into standard statistical techniques Back-to-school guidelines Since 2003, ARWU has been top 1,000 list for the fi rst time. are used to adjust the indicator if talabat launches presenting the world top univer- ShanghaiRanking Consultan- necessary. sities annually based on trans- cy is a fully independent organi- Indicators and Weights for parent methodology and objec- sation dedicating to research on ARWU include; Quality of Edu- tive third-party data. It has been higher education intelligence cation this weighs 10%, Quality medicine deliveries recognised as the precursor of and consultation. It has been of Faculty this weighs 40%, Re- global university rankings and the offi cial publisher of the Aca- search Output this weighs 40% the most trustworthy one. This demic Ranking of World Univer- and Per Capita Performance he region’s leading food to support all communities year, the best 1,000 universities sities since 2009. weighs 10%. and grocery delivery app through the services that we Ttalabat has become the deliver, and now, we are here fi rst platform in Qatar to provide for our customers who rely on pharmaceutical delivery servic- pharmacies for first aid and es, it was announced yesterday. home medication.’ In collaboration with the ‘We are currently in a period Ministry of Public Health, tala- where it’s encouraged for us MoPH reports 112,924 bat has acquired a Pharmacy and to stay home, especially when Drug control permit. we’re ill. At talabat, we’re here to Medicine deliveries will off er help you stay safe, and be there an added level of convenience for for you at all times.’ total Covid-19 recoveries talabat users, it was explained. All of talabat’s pharmaceutical Francisco de Sousa, manag- partners are accredited pharma- ing director of talabat Qatar, says ceutical retailers, including the QNA the spread of the virus and the those with chronic diseases. that the continued expansion of largest chains in Qatar; Kulud Doha number of new daily cases and It said even though restrictions talabat’s operations and services Pharmacy, Boots, Pharmacy and hospital admissions is continu- are being lifted, and numbers are is designed to enhance customer More, Al Dar Pharmacy, Scan- ing to decline each week. declining, this does not mean that experience while encouraging dia, Rayhan Medical Complex he Ministry of Public Qatar’s proactive and exten- the Covid-19 pandemic is over in safer practices in the commu- and more. Health (MoPH) reported sive testing of suspected cases Qatar. People continue to be ad- nity. Customers can access the Tyesterday 268 new con- has enabled the country to iden- mitted with moderate to severe ‘Expanding into pharma- Pharmacy section on the talabat fi rmed cases of coronavirus tify a high number of positive Covid-19 symptoms. cies is a natural step for talabat app, available on the App Store (Covid-19), and 266 recover- cases in the community. Unless people follow all pre- Qatar. Our key focus has been or Google Play. ies from the virus in the last 24 Qatar has one of the low- cautionary measures, the country hours, bringing the total number est Covid-19 death rates in the may experience a second wave of people who have recovered world. This is a result of: of the virus and see numbers in- from the disease in Qatar to zVery high quality of care creasing, as there are already signs 112,924. provided thorough the public of this happening in other coun- The MoPH issued a statement healthcare sector for Covid-19 tries around the world. on Covid-19 developments in patients Now more than ever, people Qatar, which said that all new zQatar’s young population must be careful and protect the cases have been introduced to zProactive testing to identify most vulnerable. isolation and are receiving nec- cases early While the restrictions of Cov- essary healthcare according to zExpanding hospital capac- id-19 are gradually being lifted in their health status. ity, especially intensive care, to Qatar, it is important for every- It said measures to tackle Cov- ensure all patients receive the one to play their role in control- id-19 in Qatar have succeeded in medical care they need ling the virus by following pre- fl attening the curve and limiting zProtecting the elderly and cautionary measures: zAdherence to physical dis- tancing. zAvoid close contact with Longtime Doha others, crowded places and con- Passengers to India told to carry fi ned closed spaces where other resident and people congregate. zWearing a face mask humanitarian dies zWashing hands regularly. printout of self reporting form zMost importantly, it is vi- tal that people continue to pro- ong- tect the elderly and those with ll passengers fl ying to not enough. A printout is a must. able from the New Delhi Airport time chronic medical conditions. India should carry with If any passenger has not fi lled website, it is applicable to inter- LQa- zWhen spending time at Athem a printout of the the online form before arriv- national passengers arriving at tar resi- home with elderly family mem- completed Air Suvidha Self Re- ing in India, he or she will have all airports across India. dent bers or those with chronic dis- porting Form, which they have to fi ll two self declaration forms On submission, the manda- Joseph eases, people must ensure that to fi ll online before boarding the upon arrival in India,” the source tory self-reporting application Coutinho they wash their hands regularly, fl ight, an informed source said. added. will be forwarded to the Airport (58) passed wear a mask and maintain social “Though they have fi lled the Air Suvidha is a contactless Health Organisation (APHO) away due and physical distancing. form online, many passengers solution by the Ministry of Civil under the Ministry of Health and to cardiac Anyone suff ering from Covid-19 are arriving in India without a Aviation for all international Family Welfare, Government of arrest in Joseph Coutinho symptoms should either contact printout of the completed form passengers coming to India. It is India. Passengers can then re- Doha on 16000 helpline or go directly to one and they end up fi lling a printout a Self Reporting and Exemption fer to their e-mail inbox for the Wednesday. He leaves behind of the following designated health of the form again before clearing Form Portal for international ar- updated application document. his wife, Sharon Coutinho, and centres to undergo the necessary immigration, causing some de- riving passengers. Passengers should show the their children Jonathan, Nikitha checks: Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, lays at the health screening area The link for registration is ht- printout of the completed form and Annika. The funeral will take Umm Slal, or Al Gharrafa. at the airports,” it was explained. tps://www.newdelhiairport. on arrival in India at the APHO place in Qatar. “Showing a digital copy of the in/airsuvidha/apho-registra- counter and proceed for immi- Coutinho was working as the completed form on the phone is tion. Though the form is avail- gration. CEO of Qatar Shipping Compa- ny, and has been at the forefront of several charity activities in the country. He was also very active Chewing tobacco seized in social activities and an ardent 18 more nurseries to reopen supporter of Indian Commu- nity Benevolent Fund (ICBF). Both Coutinho and his wife had s part of lifting the Cov- ures as directed by the ministry list of 19 nurseries initially, fol- extended all the support for the id-19 restrictions, the against Covid-19. lowed by the second list of 10 ICBF medical camps and several AMinistry of Administra- The 18 nurseries are: Acorn nurseries on August 16. other social activities in Qatar. tive Development, Labour and Nursery, My Care Nursery, Al The ministry has put in place ICBF had honoured him with Social Aff airs (MADLSA) yes- Fereej Nursery, Smart Start guidelines to ensure the safety of “ICBF Humanitarian Award” in terday published the names of Nursery, Leap Ahead Nurs- children in nurseries as they reo- 2018 in return for his silent contri- 18 more nurseries that have been ery, Al Khuloud Nursery, Kids pen following the closure neces- butions as well as for his selfl ess- allowed to be reopened. With the Garden Nursery, Barara Nurs- sitated by the Covid-19 restric- ness and humility. According to new approval, the total number ery Al Aziziya, Birds Nursery, tions. ICBF offi cials, his untimely death of nurseries to be reopened Rainbow Nursery, Educate Me The ministry prepared the has left a vacuum that will remain reached 47. Nursery, Snow White Nurs- guidelines for owners and man- unfi lled for a very long time. Through an offi cial tweet, ery, Happy Kids Nursery, agement of nurseries, workers, ICBF has conveyed the con- MADLSA informed that these Life Time Nursery, Kidzone teachers and parents, children dolences to his family and all nurseries have got approval for Nursery 3, Al Baraem Nursery, and those accompanying them. his near ones. “Coutinho was reopening as they have met the Grandma Nursery 3 and Al The complete list of approved always an active member in all requirements and taken precau- Joury Nursery. nurseries is available on MADL- the medical camps of ICBF. He tionary and preventive meas- The MADLSA issued the fi rst SA social media accounts. The General Authority of Customs (GAC) off icials have seized 2,152kg of ‘tambaku’ (a kind of chewing along with his wife, Sharon were tobacco) from a sugar shipment that arrived at the Hamad Port. According to a video tweeted in the forefront of several charity MADLSA notice on profession change, work permit services yesterday by the GAC, the banned substance was found stuff ed in 1,435 bags hidden inside the sugar activities and had helped fi nan- shipment. The GAC wing at Hamad Port is equipped with the latest devices and the off icers are cially a number of programmes The Ministry of Administrative Development, La- Service Complexes. trained to thwart smuggling attempts. Last month, the GAC foiled attempts to smuggle illicit drugs for the upliftment of needy peo- bour and Social Aff airs (MADLSA) will suspend from These services could be availed through the min- into Qatar. Four packs of crystal meth (Methamphetamine) weighing 734gm were seized at Cargo ple in the country. His untimely August 23 the services of processing profession istry’s website, https://www.adlsa.gov.qa/ar/ADLSA/ customs at Hamad International Airport. The Airport Customs off icials found the drugs concealed death is a big loss for ICBF and change and work permit through the Government services/e-services, according to a tweet yesterday. inside ladies bags and dresses. for the community,” said P N Baburajan, president of ICBF. Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

Six month partial closure of LuLu Intersection on D-Ring Road Partial traffi c closure on University Street

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a six month partial closure of the junction known as LuLu Intersection on D-Ring Road from August 23. The closure in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traff ic is to enable works on the key intersection as part of D-Ring Upgrade Project. The left turn at the LuLu Inter- section will be closed to traff ic from D-Ring Road towards Jaber Bin Hayyan Street. Road users are advised to make a U-turn at the next Nuaija (Mall) Intersection to reach their des- tinations. For the left turn at LuLu Intersection from Jaber Bin Hayyan Street towards D- Ring Road, road users should take the right exit at the signal onto D-Ring and then use the recently made U-turn nearby. Road users coming from Nuaija (Mall) Intersection wishing to make U-turn have to continue driving and then use the recently made U-turn after The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced a partial traff ic closure on University Street LuLu Intersection. Ashghal on the left lane in both directions for 1km from tomorrow (Saturday) for nine months. The closure will install road signs advising in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traff ic is to allow excavation works for the develop- motorists of the closure and ment of the sewage and rainwater drainage networks in the area. During the closure, two lanes on requested all to follow them University Street will remain open to traff ic in each direction. and abide by the speed limit to Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the closure and requested all to follow them and ensure safety. abide by the speed limit to ensure safety. ‘Journalists’ role vital in fi ghting disinformation’

By Joey Aguilar tion and in holding authorities “manipulative behaviours. Close dis-infodemic is deepening those Staff Reporter accountable regarding policies to 18mn scam e-mails about the fi ssures in societies and econ- developed to address the present coronavirus are being blocked by omy worldwide”, Unesco said. The speakers highlighted digital strategies and innovative solutions adopted in terms of competition pandemic”. Google on Gmail each day. And Unesco, on its website, said that policy and analysis in a digital apps environment. webinar held in Doha has According to Unesco, the onset this is just the tip of the iceberg,” it launched an initiative aimed highlighted the vital role of Covid-19 outbreak witnessed Unesco added. at bolstering journalists’ role in Aof journalists and a free journalists working round-the- Unesco Representative for the fi ghting disinformation through press in fi ghting disinformation clock to provide the public with GCC and Yemen, Anna Paolini, capacity-building projects in to help save millions of lives amid comprehensive and up-to-date echoed Chakchouk’s statement Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, the coronavirus (Covid-19) pan- reporting about the crisis and saying that journalists have Senegal, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Iraq and CRA participates in demic. its impact. Unesco stressed that been risking their lives in cover- The event, organised on “in times of crises, news media, ing the news since the beginning Haiti. Wednesday by the United Na- data journalism, fact-checkers of the crisis. “Protecting their The capacity-building we- tions Educational, Scientifi c and and investigative reporting are safety and equipping them with binar also saw the manager of Cultural Organisation (Unesco) pivotal to ensure a healthy fl ow of the necessary tools to counter Media Initiatives at AJMI talking the dis-infodemic during Cov- about the gap that the Covid-19 regional roundtable GCC and Yemen Offi ce in part- information”. nership with Qatar’s Ministry “Facts are a matter of life and id-19 outbreak is essential,” she epidemic revealed in the fi eld of of Foreign Aff airs and Al Jazeera death. We all depend on hard stressed. While the Covid-19 scientifi c journalism and infor- QNA er stakeholders from the Africa digital country, we have par- Media Institute (AJMI), forms science and reliable information outbreak is a global public health mation verifi cation. Doha and Arab regions. The meeting ticipated in the Regional Regu- part of the global eff orts to coun- cutting through the noise. And crisis, Unesco noted that its im- He pointed out that the webi- provided an analysis of the ICTs latory Roundtable Discussion, ter the ‘dis-infodemic’. yet, we’re bombarded with false pact however goes much beyond nar provides an opportunity for competition policy and regula- which enabled us to meet with In a statement, Unesco as- or inaccurate information and the health dimension. journalists to discuss ways on he Communications tion and the foundation for un- other regulatory authorities sistant director-general for questionable science about the “From the very beginning, UN how to develop skills and adapt Regulatory Authority derstanding the rules of compe- and stakeholders from the Af- Communication and Informa- virus,” Unesco said on its web- Secretary-General, Antonio Gu- to the new reality. T(CRA) participated yes- tition and the regulatory powers rica and Arab regions. tion Moez Chakchouk pointed site. terres, has denounced the ‘mas- The sessions, presented by terday in the Regional Regu- that apply to the telecom sector, In addition to exchanging out that journalists have at least “Facebook says close to 40mn sive infodemic’ of disinforma- experts on Media and Informa- latory Roundtable Discussion considering the wider competi- views and experiences related three roles to play in this crisis: posts related to Covid-19 had tion and misinformation swirling tion Literacy and professional during the 20th Global Sympo- tive landscape that now includes to regulating the telecom and “Journalists are vital for guar- to be fl agged for disinformation amidst the Covid-19 pandemic journalists, covered reporting in sium for Regulators (GSR-20), digital platforms. ICT, discussing ways of co-op- anteeing that citizens are well in March. Over the last month, as a driver of the crisis itself. times of information disorders, which is organised by the In- The speakers highlighted eration, and checking the cur- informed with verifi ed facts Twitter had challenged more The Covid-19 outbreak has ex- safety of journalists during the ternational Telecommunication digital strategies and innovative rent best practices followed in about the emergency, in fi ghting than 1.5mn users, on spreading posed fragilities in societies and Covid-19 pandemic, and scien- Union (ITU). solutions adopted in terms of the field,” said Technical Affairs disinformation and misinforma- false information and displaying economies across the globe. The tifi c journalism. The roundtable meeting was competition policy and analysis Department Manager, CRA Eng conducted in virtual format, in a digital apps environment. Abdulla Jassmi. under the title ‘Competition Besides, the meeting explored It is worth to mention that Iran unveils Policy and Analysis in a Digital the related challenges, oppor- since 2000 and on a yearly ba- Apps Environment for the Arab tunities and lessons learned in sis the GSR brings together the missiles with and Africa Regions’. addition to the developments in heads of national telecom and increased range The meeting was attended by regional related regulatory as- ICT regulatory authorities of Lebanon must reform for representatives of the telecom sociations. “In line with CRA’s ITU member states, to share and Information and Communi- keenness to ensure the devel- their views and experiences on Iran yesterday unveiled two cations Technology (ICT) regu- opment of ICT sector in Qatar the key related regulatory is- missiles it said had a bigger latory authorities, as well as oth- and transforming Qatar to a sues. range than before, naming long-term aid: US offi cial them after commanders killed in January by a US strike in Iraq. Ministries join “Regarding cruise missiles, today Reuters Western off icials have conveyed to hands to train we have gone from a range of Washington 300 to 1,000km in less than two Lebanese leaders that Western donors school off icials years,” said Iranian President would not bail out Lebanon without Hassan Rouhani, during a here is no more foreign against Covid televised ceremony in Tehran. money for a Lebanese fundamental reforms The revealing of the missiles Tleadership that enriches From Page 1 comes a day after Washington itself and spurns the popular will, out a long list of needed policy said Washington has in the past said it will activate a a top US offi cial said on Wednes- changes, including carrying out dealt with Lebanese governments “We are trying to increase the controversial mechanism aimed day, saying Lebanon had hit “rock fi scal and economic reforms, with a Hezbollah component in it strength of the online teaching at reimposing UN sanctions on bottom” with its August 4 port ending endemic corruption, im- and that it would examine the cir- platform in order to help more Iran, the so-called “snapback” explosion and must now enact proving transparency, addressing cumstances if that would again be students benefit and allay the procedure. “Snapback” aims profound reforms. an inadequate electrical system the case. concerns of parents,” she said to restore all international Undersecretary of State David and carrying out an audit of the “Reforms are contrary to the while insisting that parents sanctions against Iran that Hale made the comments a week central bank. interests of all the status quo should not attend online classes were lifted as part of the 2015 after visiting Lebanon following Western offi cials have con- leaders and that very much in- with their wards. “Students who accord with Tehran that sought the blast that killed more than veyed to Lebanese leaders that cludes Hezbollah, which today seek exemption from attending to prevent it from developing 172 people, injured 6,000, left Western donors would not bail is perceived as a big part of the classes must present a medical nuclear weapons. 300,000 homeless and destroyed out Lebanon without fundamen- problem,” he said. certificate. If the exemption is One of the new missiles, the “Haj swathes of Beirut. tal reforms but that message had Hezbollah has faced growing requested on the grounds of Qasem”, a ballistic missile, was “They (the Lebanese people) been largely met with disappoint- criticism for its perceived failure a first-degree relative having named in honour of top Iranian see rulers who use the system in ing responses, a UN offi cial said to deliver on promised reforms a chronic disease, his or her general Qasem Soleimani, killed order to enrich themselves and earlier this week. since winning a parliamentary medical certificate and national in January in an American strike to ignore popular demands,” Hale “What happened at the port majority with its allies in 2018. It address are required,” she said. in Baghdad. The other, a cruise said. “That era is over. There is no (is) bad enough, but in many ways is seen as protecting a corrupt po- As for the exams, al-Khater said, missile, was named in honour of more money for that. They are at it’s symptomatic of larger prob- litical class that has driven Leba- “the exams will be conducted on Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the Iraqi rock bottom and sooner or later, lems in Lebanon,” Hale said and non into the ground. the school premises, and parents lieutenant of Soleimani, who I believe, that the leadership will added: “We can’t fi x that from the The government — nominated must make an eff ort to follow was killed in the same Baghdad appreciate the fact that it is time outside. Lebanese leaders have to by Hezbollah and its allies after up their students.” The students strike. “I thank the Ministry to change.” demonstrate the political will and the previous administration led will sit mid-term and end-term of Defence for naming one of “And if not, I am convinced the commitment to do that and by Saad al-Hariri, son of the slain exams at schools itself. “From our The Ministry of Public Health has reiterated the need to wear face its most important missiles in that the public will increase the that was my main message.” PM, was toppled by a civic upris- earlier experience, we proved we masks properly. “Face masks are a proven way to help prevent the honour of General Soleimani,” pressure on them,” Hale added in Asked about Hezbollah’s role in ing last October — resigned over could conduct exams safely,” she spread of Covid-19,” the MoPH said in a tweet, explaining the steps to Rouhani said. a conference call in which he laid any potential government, Hale the August 4 blast. added. follow when wearing a mask through an infographic. Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 21, 2020 AMERICAS $600mn settlement reached in Flint water crisis

AFP who may have ingested lead- She called the suff ering and children have suff ered signifi - the city’s ageing pipe system. More than 8,000 children are quality, including reverting to Washington tainted drinking water after the delays in addressing the problem cantly; this settlement is the be- Authorities initially dismissed believed to have consumed lead- a cleaner water source and a city of Flint changed the source “unconscionable” and acknowl- ginning of the process for healing complaints from residents in the contaminated water, and a study project to replace Flint’s ageing for its water system in 2014 to cut edged the settlement “may not and supporting this important majority black city where many found that the proportion of in- pipe network. he US state of Michigan costs. completely provide all that Flint community,” said attorney Paul live below the poverty line. fants and children with high lead Last week the city said it would has agreed to pay some “What happened in Flint needs”. Napoli. They were eventually pushed levels doubled after the water complete the replacement of T$600mn to victims of the should have never happened, Napoli Shkolnick PLLC, the At least 12 people died after the to act following national atten- source switch. lead-tainted pipes by November Flint water crisis, a health scan- and fi nancial compensation with law fi rm representing victims in city switched its drinking water tion and Environmental Protec- The Washington Post report- 30, more than a year later than dal that became a symbol of so- this settlement is just one of the their lawsuit, said that the set- source to the polluted Flint River tion Agency pressure. ed that 80% of the settlement promised. cial injustice in America, offi cials many ways we can continue to tlement included the state, Flint to cut costs in 2014. Most of the money is ear- would go to residents who were Criminal charges fi led against said yesterday. show our support for the city of city, former state and city em- However, offi cials failed to add marked for children in the city of exposed when they were under 18 eight people accused of playing The settlement could see pay- Flint and its families,” Gover- ployees, and former governor Ri- corrosion controls to the new tap Flint, who were at greatest risk of years old. a role in the health debacle, in- ments to tens of thousands of nor Gretchen Whitmer said in a chard Snyder. water source, allowing lead and neurological and physical harm The city and state have since cluding high-ranking state offi - people, children and adults alike, statement. “The Flint community and other contaminants to leach from from lead-tainted tap water. taken steps to improve water cials, were dropped last year.

Trump must give Mexico his tax returns to scandal Two die fi ghting turns up prosecutor: judge heat on

Reuters still challenge the subpoena on New York other grounds. ex-leaders California fi res Marrero had ruled in Octo- ber that Vance, a Democrat, Reuters onald Trump cannot could enforce the subpoena. AFP Los Angeles block a prosecutor’s “This is a continuation of Mexico City Dsubpoena for eight the most disgusting witch hunt years of his tax returns, a fed- in the history of our country,” wo people were killed eral judge ruled yesterday, in Trump told reporters. “This corruption scandal shak- fi ghting lightning- the latest setback in the US is the ultimate fi shing expedi- ing Mexico’s political elite Tsparked California wild- president’s longstanding ef- tion.” Aintensifi ed yesterday as fi res, and tens of thousands have fort to keep his fi nances under A spokesman for Vance de- a leaked document containing a evacuated homes as the state wraps. clined to comment. raft of allegations raised pressure scrambles to fi nd more fi refi ght- US District Judge Victor Trump has long fought ef- on several former presidents and ers. Marrero in Manhattan rejected forts by lawmakers and prose- senior offi cials. The deaths on Wednesday of Trump’s claims that the grand cutors to obtain those records, With tensions mounting be- a utility worker and helicop- jury subpoena from Manhattan and by withholding his tax tween the country’s political ter pilot participating in the District Attorney Cyrus Vance returns has departed from the rivals, ex-leader Felipe Cal- fi re response came after nearly to the president’s accounting decades-long practice of his deron accused President Andres 11,000 lightning strikes hit the fi rm Mazars USA was “wildly predecessors. Manuel Lopez Obrador of “po- state over a 72-hour stretch this overbroad” and issued in bad The subpoena is related to litical persecution”. week, igniting 367 fi res. faith. Vance’s criminal probe into Lopez Obrador has called Authorities are warning all In a 103-page decision, Trump and his Trump Organi- for Calderon and former presi- 40mn state residents to be ready Marrero also said that letting sation. dent Enrique Pena Nieto to tes- to evacuate, if necessary. Trump block the subpoena, In a court fi ling this month, tify about the corruption claims At least nine fi res raced which was issued last August, Vance suggested that the sub- linked to scandal-tainted Brazil- through hills and mountains ad- would amount to an “undue poena was related to “possibly ian construction giant Odebre- jacent to Northern California’s expansion” of presidential im- extensive and protracted crim- cht. drought-parched wine country munity. inal conduct at the Trump Or- The allegations have emerged about 35 miles (56km) south- A burnt-out home in Vacaville, California. “Justice requires an end to ganisation”, including alleged during the trial of Emilio Loz- west of Sacramento. this controversy,” he wrote. insurance and bank fraud. oya, a former adviser to Pena Ni- With several joining up, evision station ABC7 News. some animals wandering loose. as resources ran thin. Trump quickly appealed the Marrero accepted Vance’s eto and ex-head of state oil giant they formed a 131,000 acre Wearing a singed nightgown, In central California a heli- “We are experiencing fi res the decision and fi led an emergen- argument that letting Trump PEMEX. (53,000-hectare) “megafi re” Diane Bustos said her husband copter was on a water-dropping like of which we haven’t seen in cy motion to delay turning over delay the subpoena’s enforce- In a statement to prosecu- nearly 10 times larger than New abandoned their car as it caught mission in Fresno County about many, many years,” he added. his tax returns, saying that en- ment would eff ectively give the tors leaked to the media late on York’s Manhattan island across fi re and then blew up on the 160 miles (260km) south of San Newsom declared a statewide forcing the subpoena would president “absolute temporary Wednesday, Lozoya said that he fi ve counties. west side of Vacaville early on Francisco when it crashed, kill- fi re emergency on Tuesday. cause him irreparable harm by immunity” from the probe was ordered by Pena Nieto and Collectively known as the Wednesday. ing pilot Mike Fournier, 52, a The last time California ex- disclosing his “private, confi - while in the White House. former fi nance minister Luis LNU Complex Fire, the fi res de- She lost both her shoes while contractor who was a former TV perienced dry lightning storms dential information”. Unless enforcing the sub- Videgaray to bribe lawmakers to stroyed at least 105 structures in she and her family ran for their news helicopter pilot and high of such devastating propor- The litigation and grand jury poena would aff ect his consti- approve key reforms. the Vacaville-Fairfi eld area. lives. school football coach, his fam- tions was in 2008, said CalFire secrecy rules make it unlikely tutional duties, “the president “Enrique Pena Nieto and Luis A PG&E utility worker died “I made it, God saved me,” ily said. spokesman Scott Maclean. Trump’s fi nancial records will is entitled to claim no greater Videgaray told me in February helping fi rst responders and at Bustos told local television sta- Another cluster of light- Fanned by “red-fl ag” high become public before Novem- shield from judicial process 2013 that it was necessary to least four civilians were injured, tion KPIX. ning-strike fi res burned across winds, the fi res are racing ber 3, when the president is than any other person”, Mar- deliver signifi cant amounts of according to a California De- There were social media ac- 40,000 acres of San Mateo and through vegetation parched by a seeking re-election. rero wrote. money to the opposition so that partment of Forestry and Fire counts of people trapped in the Santa Cruz counties around 13 record-breaking heatwave that Speaking to reporters at the Vance’s probe began after it would vote in favour of certain Protection (CalFire) spokes- blaze, but CalFire’s Powers said miles south of Palo Alto, injur- began last Friday. White House, Trump said the reports that Trump’s former structural reforms,” Lozoya said. woman. authorities had no reports of ing three fi rst responders, forc- Meteorologists have said case will likely head back to the lawyer Michael Cohen paid According to the document, “It was the scariest thing I’ve missing persons. ing 22,000 to evacuate and de- the extreme heat and lightning Supreme Court, which on July adult fi lm actress Stormy Dan- he accused two former senators ever seen, the heat, and it came A Reuters reporter saw doz- stroying 20 structures, CalFire storms were both linked to the 9 rejected his earlier argument iels $130,000 to buy her silence of the opposition National Ac- so fast,” Stacy Kline, a Fairfi eld ens of burned-out homesteads said. same atmospheric weather pat- that he was immune from state before the 2016 election about tion Party (PAN), who are now resident whose rural home was and houses in the Vacaville- California Governor Gavin tern – an enormous high-pres- criminal probes while in offi ce. claimed sexual encounters state governors, of receiving saved by her husband, friends Fairfi eld area, dead livestock Newsom has issued a request for sure area hovering over Ameri- The Supreme Court said the with Trump, which he has de- bribes. and fi refi ghters, told local tel- among torched properties and 375 fi re crews from out of state ca’s desert Southwest. Republican president could nied. Both denied the allegation. Lozoya also said Carlos Sali- nas, who was president from 1988 to 1994, lobbied for one of his sons to receive projects from PEMEX. Biden to pledge ‘a new path’ on his way to challenge Trump Among the other claims, he said that he gave just over 6mn pesos (about $300,000) to Reuters Biden’s vice-presidential “He recognises this isn’t about former PAN presidential can- Washington choice, Kamala Harris, the fi rst Donald Trump. It’s not about didate Ricardo Anaya, who also black woman and Asian Ameri- Joe Biden. It’s about us, and it’s rejected the accusation. can on a major presidential tick- about who’s going to move us Lozoya alleged that during oe Biden was due to reach into et, accepted her nomination on forward in a way that reminds us Calderon’s 2006-2012 term in America’s living rooms as he Wednesday and accused Trump of the best in America, not the offi ce, an Odebrecht subsidiary Jaccepts the Democratic nom- of failed leadership that had cost worst,” Coons said. was given favourable conditions ination to challenge President lives and livelihoods. Trump has campaigned across for the construction of a petro- Donald Trump in the November 3 Biden, 77, heads into the gen- the country to off er counter- chemical plant. US election and lays out his plan eral election campaign with a programming to the Democrats, Calderon hit back on Twitter, to unite a country battered by clear and steady lead in opinion a break with tradition in which accusing Lopez Obrador of using pandemic and economic misery. polls over Trump, 74, who will candidates limit their activities Lozoya “as an instrument of re- Biden’s speech on the fourth accept the Republican nomina- during their opponents’ conven- venge and political persecution”. and fi nal night of the Democratic tion for a second White House tions. Harris and Biden stand on stage, socially distanced, on Wednesday at the end of the third day of the Lopez Obrador came to power National Convention will be a term at his own convention next The president was to hold a Democratic National Convention, being held virtually amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, at the in 2018 vowing an anti-corrup- high point in a long political ca- week. campaign event near Biden’s Chase Centre in Wilmington, Delaware. tion drive. reer for the former US senator Democrats have worked to birthplace of Scranton in the bat- and vice-president, who fared expand Biden’s support during tleground state of Pennsylvania, poorly in two previous runs for the convention, particularly by where he is expected to slam his the White House in 1988 and showcasing prominent Republi- Democratic challenger’s decades 2008. can supporters such as former US of government service. It will conclude a nominating secretary of state Colin Powell Other scheduled convention Fauci recovering from throat surgery convention that was held virtu- and former Ohio governor John speakers include Biden’s 2020 ally because of the coronavirus Kasich, as well as Americans who primary rival, former South pandemic, with the party’s big- voted for Trump in 2016 but now Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Butti- AFP scientifi c straight-talk on the gest names, rising stars and even blame him for the economic and gieg, along with Atlanta Mayor Washington novel coronavirus pandemic, prominent Republicans lining up health toll of the pandemic. Keisha Lance Bottoms and US which puts him frequently at via video to support Biden and The acceptance speech will Senator Tammy Duckworth, odds with President Donald attest to the urgency of ending give Biden his biggest audience both of whom were on Biden’s op US government sci- Trump. what they called Trump’s chaotic since he was largely sidelined short list of possible running entist Anthony Fauci was The surgery removed a polyp presidency. from the campaign trail by the mates. Trecovering after surgery – a non-cancerous growth that The day brought new fod- pandemic in March. Biden, who became a US sena- yesterday to remove a growth often resembles a blister and can der for the Biden campaign to He will speak directly to cam- tor from Delaware in 1973 before from his vocal cords that was cause raspiness. highlight that chaos, when Steve era in a mostly empty event cen- becoming Obama’s vice-presi- giving him a gravelly voice. Fauci has previously said he Bannon, an architect of Trump’s tre in his hometown of Wilming- dent, captured the nomination Fauci, who leads the National got the polyp after experiencing 2016 election victory, was arrest- ton, Delaware, not in front of a by convincing Democratic pri- Institute of Allergy and Infec- winter fl u and then not giving ed on fraud charges, and a federal roaring crowd of convention del- mary voters that he was the best tious Diseases, was home and his vocal cords suffi cient time judge ruled that Trump cannot egates, adding to the unusual na- bet to beat Trump. resting, but expected to “back to rest. Two women are seen with face masks with the words ‘In Fauci We block a prosecutor’s subpoena ture of a convention conducted Despite questions about his online tomorrow” and at the of- He has lately been giving in- Trust’ as they wait in line at a testing site for the coronavirus, set for eight years of his tax returns remotely through live and pre- age and criticism of his moder- fi ce on Monday, the agency said terviews to the media, academia up for returning students, faculty and staff on the main New York (see report on this page). recorded video feeds. ate stances in a party that has in a statement to AFP. and think tanks almost every University (NYU) campus in Manhattan. “Donald Trump has run the US Senator Chris Coons of lurched leftward, he was able The 79-year-old doctor has day. most corrupt administration in Delaware, a close Biden ally, to quickly unite the Democrats’ led the country’s response to A widely-respected member and bobbleheads in his likeness. that he is part of a wider con- American history,” Kate Beding- said that he expected the speech sometimes fractious progressive every epidemic since the 1980s. of the White House coronavirus But he has also been assigned spiracy to exaggerate the health fi eld, Biden’s deputy campaign would be focused on unity, not and moderate wings with the His public profi le is currently taskforce, Fauci has amassed a bodyguards following death crisis for political and fi nancial manager, told reporters. Trump. goal of defeating Trump. bigger than ever thanks to his large fan base, who buy T-shirts threats from people who believe ends. Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 5 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Sri Lanka president vows to scrap reforms limiting his power

AFP parliamentary majority in the adding it would be “our fi rst was secretary to the ministry of that the brothers would try to in the killing of a political activist the SLPP, was escorted from Colombo August 5 poll so they could roll task”. He also repeated a previous defence. But they have also at- ensure they do not lose power in 2015. Jayasekara — who did not prison to attend Thursday’s par- back reforms brought in by the assertion, without giving further tracted criticism from the inter- again. Gotabaya’s remarks came appear in person for the fi rst par- liamentary session. He is await- previous administration. details, that he wanted an en- national community, with the as the new parliament opened liamentary session — is appeal- ing trial for allegedly killing a ri Lanka’s president vowed Their Sri Lanka Podujana tirely new constitution to replace security services they controlled its fi rst session yesterday with a ing against the verdict as well as legislator during a 2005 Christ- to abolish a controver- Party (SLPP) won 145 seats and the current one introduced in accused of war crimes commit- murderer and an accused killer the death sentence he was given. mas mass. Ssial constitutional provi- secured the support of six allies, 1978 when Sri Lanka changed to ted in the fi nal months of the among its ranks. He is the fi rst convicted murder- Brushes with the law are no sion restricting his powers as he one seat more than the minimum a presidential system. confl ict. One member of the new leg- er to serve as an MP in Sri Lanka, bar to a career in politics in South opened a new parliamentary ses- number needed to change the The Rajapaksa brothers are Mahinda was ousted from islature was convicted of murder where there is no provision under Asia. More than 40% of law- sion following his party’s sweep- constitution in the 225-seat leg- adored by the Sinhala-Buddhist the presidency after a decade in only after nominations closed the law to disqualify him until he makers in neighbouring India’s ing election victory. Gotabaya islature. majority for spearheading the power when he lost the 2015 elec- for the August 5 polls — allowing serves six months behind bars. parliament face criminal charges Rajapaksa and his elder brother, “The people have given us the defeat of Tamil separatist mili- tions. But with Gotabaya’s elec- him to run for a seat — while an- Sivanesathurai Chandrakan- — some as serious as murder and Prime Minister Mahinda Ra- mandate we wanted for a consti- tants in 2009 to end the bloody tion in the November 2019 presi- other is awaiting trial. Premalal than, in parliament for the fi rst rape — according to an electoral japaksa, campaigned for voters tutional amendment,” Rajapaksa 37-year civil war when Mahi- dential poll, and his appointment Jayasekara, a returning MP from time after winning a seat for a reform group, the Association of to give their party a two-thirds said in his address to parliament, nda was president and Gotabaya of Mahinda as PM, analysts warn the ruling SLPP, was found guilty minor party in an alliance with Democratic Reforms.

North Korean leader’s sister elevated in power structure

Thailand ups South Korea’s intelligence agency believes that Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is serving as his “de facto second-in-command” but has not necessarily been designated his successor, a pressure on South Korean lawmaker said on Thursday. Believed to be in her early 30s, Kim Yo-jong is the leader’s only close relative with a public role in politics, recently spearheading a new, tougher campaign to put pressure on protesters South Korea. Ha Tae-keung, an opposition party lawmaker on parliament’s intelligence committee, told reporters that Kim was helping to run the regime with mandated authority from her brother. “The bottom with arrests Rapper Dechathorn “Hockhacker” Bamrungmuang, 30, from the Rap Against Dictatorship group speaks line is that Kim Jong-un still to the media after being granted bail, outside the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand. holds absolute power, but has AFP turned over a bit more of his Bangkok authority compared to the past,” Ha said, following a closed-door briefing by the South’s National hai police yesterday ar- Intelligence Service. rested several more prom- “Kim Yo-jong is a de facto Tinent activists involved second-in-command,” Ha added in the kingdom’s young pro- in a transcript of remarks seen democracy movement, which is by Reuters. More authority on demanding an overhaul of the economic and military policy has government and breaking ta- also been delegated to several boos by calling for reforms to the other senior off icials, although at monarchy. a lower level, possibly to reduce The country has seen near- strain on Kim Jong-un as well daily rallies for over a month, as help him avoid blame for any with some 20,000 turning out at failures, Ha said. Kim Yo-jong won the weekend to vent their anger fame ahead of her brother’s 2019 at the military-aligned govern- summit with US President Donald ment and call for discussions A supporter of the recent anti-government protests is seen after Trump in Vietnam, when her about the royal family’s role. Anon Nampa and other leaders (not pictured) being granted bail, eff orts to ensure everything went Overnight, police detained outside the criminal court in Bangkok. well included holding an ashtray three key activists before taking for the North Korean leader at a fi ve more into custody yesterday All were later released on bail. power. But protesters say the vote train station on his journey. Her morning — including two out- Dechatorn Bamrungmuang from was stacked in his favour thanks prominence in the campaign spoken rap stars — taking the Rap Against Dictatorship (RAD) to a constitution scripted by the against South Korea this year total to 11 arrests. Four further and Thanayut Na Ayutthaya, military in 2017. They are de- Anon Nampa and other leaders of recent anti-government protests do a three-fingered salute after being highlighted a substantive policy arrest warrants had been issued, better known as rapper “Eleven- manding parliament be dissolved granted bail, outside the criminal court in Bangkok. role that goes beyond being police told reporters Thursday. fi nger”, both performed on stage and the constitution rewritten. merely Kim’s assistant, analysts Those detained had “all joined at the event. RAD’s track What Thursday’s detentions came of palace fi nances, and for a con- in 2016 he has made unprec- on backpacks in solidarity with say. the protest on 18 July,” said Ka- My Country’s Got? — an indict- after the re-arrest late Wednes- troversial royal defamation law edented changes to the institu- the cause. In July, she off ered personal roon Hosakul, an MP from the ment of military oppression — day of human rights lawyer Anon — which carries jail sentences of tion — including amassing direct So far no activists have been views on diplomacy with the opposition Pheu Thai party, re- has racked up more than 87mn Numpa for his part in another up to 15 years — to be scrapped. control of the palace’s fortune, charged under lese-majeste laws, United States in an unusual ferring to a demonstration in views since its release ahead of protest on August 3. King Maha Vajiralongkorn is which is estimated to be worth but their perceived aff ront to the statement in state media, saying Bangkok that kicked off the wave last year’s election. He was one of the fi rst activ- hugely powerful, supported by up to $60bn. Many of Thailand’s monarchy has triggered several her brother had given her special of rallies. The poll saw ex-army chief ists to openly discuss reforming the arch-royalist military and the high school students have taken smaller counter-demonstrations permission to watch recordings They face eight charges, in- and mastermind of the 2014 coup the monarchy. The movement is country’s billionaire clans. up the pro-democracy fi ght, ty- by royalists. of that country’s Independence cluding sedition, he confi rmed. Prayut Chan-O-Cha sweep to calling for greater transparency Since he ascended the throne ing white bows in their hair and Day celebrations.

Indonesia Rush hour in Sydney launches travel China faces questions over corridor with China ‘vaccinated’ workers in PNG Indonesia has established an essential travel corridor with China as it seeks to bolster AFP vaccinated with Sars-Cov-2 fl ight and undergo quarantine pharmaceutical co-operation for Port Moresby vaccine” before their return, it on arrival. a potential Covid-19 vaccine, its said. China has previously in- In a letter from Manning to foreign minister said yesterday. dicated that it would test vac- the Chinese ambassador, also “The essential business travel hina faced demands yes- cines on military personnel and seen by AFP, he demanded “im- corridor arrangement specifically terday to explain why staff at state-backed companies, mediate clarifi cation” and stat- facilitates safe, essential business Ca state-backed fi rm but it is not clear whether these ed that Papua New Guinea “does and urgent off icial travel,” Retno claimed it had vaccinated doz- tests were carried out on work- not currently acknowledge a Marsudi said from Sanya on ens of staff against the corona- ers heading overseas. “It takes vaccine” for coronavirus and China’s Hainan Island, where virus before sending them back around seven days to produce will not until national regulators she is to meet with her Chinese to work at a mine in Papua New antibodies in the vaccine recipi- and the World Health Organisa- counterpart, Wang Yi. Guinea. ent’s body after being vaccinat- tion have given their approval. This is the third travel corridor The China Metallurgical ed,” the statement reads. He also issued a decree banning that Indonesia has established, Group Corporation (MCC) – “If they need to be tested coronavirus testing, trials and after that first and second such which controls a major nickel again for Covid-19, it is suggest- unapproved vaccine treatments initiatives with the United Arab mine in the country – warned ed to be conducted at least seven in Papua New Guinea. Emirates and South Korea went local authorities that 48 staff days after the vaccination date.” Chinese ambassador Xue live on July 29 and August 17, who returned from China this Papua New Guinea’s pan- Bing told AFP: “We don’t have respectively. “We launched month may test positive for the demic tsar David Manning told any comments for the moment. this travel corridor with China virus because they had received AFP he wanted answers and had However, one thing is for sure, today and it goes into eff ect a vaccine. blocked the arrival of a fl ight China is not doing (coronavirus) People are seen on a train platform at Central Station as the state of New South Wales continues to immediately,” Marsudi said. In response, Papua New with around 150 Chinese work- tests here in PNG.” report low numbers for new daily cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Sydney, Australia. The two off icials also witnessed Guinea authorities called for ers on board due in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea – which the signing of two agreements “immediate clarifi cation” from on Thursday. “I am demanding has an already under-resourced between Indonesia’s state- Beijing and blocked a charter an explanation from the Chinese health sector – had largely owned vaccine manufacturer fl ight full of Chinese workers ambassador as to how this has dodged the worst of the virus Scientists urge more protection for platypus in Australian state Bio Farma and China’s Sinovac that was due to land yesterday. happened,” he said. outbreak until recent weeks. for Covid-19 vaccine supply and The pandemic has disrupted “I have written to the Chinese The country saw 12 new cases Australian scientists have called regions, localised extinctions which lasted from September last manufacturing. “The second operations at several lucrative government through the Chi- on Thursday taking its total to for the platypus to be listed as and the kind of things that are year until February, killed nearly agreement between Sinovac and mines in Papua New Guinea, one nese ambassador – to explain 359, with 159 active cases amid a vulnerable species in Victoria aff ecting the platypuses are going 3bn koalas, kangaroos and other Bio Farma is a commitment for of the Pacifi c’s poorest nations. how these 48 employees of this low rates of testing. At least state, after research found to increase in future,” Griff iths Australian animals and destroyed a bulk vaccine in 2021 in which While moving its staff into state company were vaccinated.” three people have died from the dwindling numbers of the semi- told Reuters. Land-clearing for a wilderness area the size of Sinovac would give priority to Bio place, MMC’s subsidiary fi rm There are growing concerns virus. Coronavirus clusters re- aquatic mammal because of loss agriculture, mining and forestry South Korea. A vulnerable tag is Farma for a vaccine supply after Ramu NiCo told Papua New that Ramu NiCo staff may have cently forced the closure of ma- of habitat and a warming climate. had been the biggest factor given to animals that face a high March until the rest of the year,” Guinea authorities that any circumvented arrival quarantine jor mines including the vast Ok Ecologist Joshua Griff iths, who in the destruction of habitat risk of extinction in the wild in Marsudi said. positive coronavirus test results procedures, that the vaccina- Tedi copper and gold mine. Chi- supervised the collection of data over several decades but last the medium-term, though are not Indonesia is undergoing the were “the normal reaction of the tions may have been adminis- na’s Ramu NiCo is no stranger that led to the recommendation summer’s bushfires have greatly considered critically endangered. third phase of a clinical trial of a vaccination and not due to in- tered unlawfully in Papua New to controversy and was tempo- by a scientific advisory panel, said compounded the impact. Once on the vulnerable list, the potential vaccine that Sinovac fection”, according to a Chinese Guinea, or that they were tested rarily shuttered in late 2019 af- the platypus population across “A lot of that area got burned government can deploy more has developed. The trial started and English-language state- on Papua New Guinea citizens. ter spewing slurry into the Bis- the state had likely fallen by about by the recent bushfires, so the resources to protect the animal’s on August 11 and is expected ment obtained by AFP. The 48 Anyone arriving in Papua New marck Sea and turning parts of 30% in the last 20 to 30 years. situation could actually be habitat. Each state in Australia to last until February next year, members of staff at its multi- Guinea must receive a corona- the surrounding coastline ochre “We have seen major declines in worse than what we think at the makes their own classifications of involving 1,620 volunteers in billion-dollar mine had “been virus test before boarding their red. population in Victoria’s western moment,” he said. The bushfires, vulnerable or endangered. Bandung, West Java. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 21, 2020 BRITAIN End of eviction ban could cause Covid surge: experts

Guardian News and Media College of Physicians and the Fac- their incomes fell as a result of fur- greater challenges in following households, the letter says. Daniel J Carter, an epidemiolo- quiry found that poor housing, London ulty of Public Health. lough, shielding, or job loss, it says. social distancing guidelines and The virus has thrived in areas gist and member of health cam- overcrowding and high rents in the “As public health organisations, “Now that these measures are may lack adequate access to basic where social deprivation is highest paigners Medact, said: “The gap London borough of Brent, one of we are deeply concerned that fail- being withdrawn, we are deeply hygiene measures shown to reduce and housing aff ordability is low- in government’s policy to protect the UK’s most deprived areas, had enior doctors and health ure to prevent an evictions and concerned that the government infection rates.” est, such as London, and has had a renters increases the public health helped turn it into a hotspot for offi cials have said an “ava- homelessness crisis could signifi - does not have an adequate plan to An estimated 227,000 adult disproportionate eff ect on migrant risk. If you cannot pay your rent, Covid-19 deaths. Slanche” of homelessness cantly contribute to an increase of address the growing rent debt cri- renters in England – around 3% of workers with no recourse to public you may fear eviction. If you fear Brent has the worst Covid death could drive up Covid-19 infection Covid-19 infections,” the letter sis and to prevent a catastrophic all private renters – have fallen into funds. eviction, you may continue to rate in England and Wales per rates if the government fails to ex- says. wave of evictions and homeless- arrears since the start of the pan- It adds: “Should the govern- travel and work. 100,000 population, with 490 tend the ban on housing evictions The moratorium on evictions in ness as we head towards autumn demic, putting them at risk of los- ment fail to adequately prevent an If you continue to travel and deaths to the end of July. introduced under lockdown. England and Wales – introduced and winter.” ing their homes when the evictions evictions and homelessness crisis, work, you may inadvertently ac- The doctors’ letter, puts fur- Signatories to a letter sent to the by ministers in March, and then It adds: “People forced into ban ends, according to research by it will be black, Asian, and minor- quire or spread Covid-19. ther pressure on the government, Communities Secretary, Robert extended in June until August 23 overcrowded temporary or emer- the housing charity Shelter. ity ethnic (BAME) people who will “And if enough people continue which has been heavily lobbied to Jenrick, include representatives of – has provided a breathing space gency accommodation by eviction Housing has been a key de- be most exposed to risk of home- to spread the virus, a second wave extend the ban in recent weeks by the British Medical Association, for tenants who have run up rent are at greatly increased risk of be- terminant in the unequal im- lessness and to the public health of the pandemic looks inevitable.” campaigners, MPs, and the mayor the Royal College of GPs, the Royal arrears during the pandemic after ing unable to isolate if needed, face pact of Covid-19 on BAME impacts.” Earlier this week a poverty in- of London. Govt accused of ignoring warnings over virus-hit exams

AFP/Guardian News and Media mally follow politics. London While Johnson’s Conserva- tives have led the main opposi- tion Labour party in opinion polls he government yesterday throughout the virus crisis, a new came under fresh pressure YouGov poll found this slipped Tover its botched policy for from nine points to two in the past grading exams cancelled during week. the coronavirus lockdown, as a Labour education spokeswom- new set of results showed a surge an Kate Green said the govern- in top marks. ment was “warned again and again Schools Minister Nick Gibb ad- about the problems with the grad- mitted he was warned weeks ago ing algorithm” but did nothing. about the risks of using an algo- “This endless pattern of incom- rithm to moderate assessments petence is no way to run a coun- made by teachers, which the gov- try,” she said. ernment abandoned this week af- Meanwhile, in Scotland the new ter an uproar. Tory leader, Douglas Ross, has He insisted the model, which increased the pressure on Gavin was intended to protect against Williamson to resign over the A- potential widespread grade infl a- levels fi asco. tion, was fair but said it was im- He said the education secre- Students react as they check their GCSE results at Ark Academy in London yesterday. plemented incorrectly. tary should refl ect on what had The government said it would happened to pupils in England, revert to teacher assessments after considering the fact Scotland had pupils took to the streets in protest been faced with a similar grades at last week’s A-level results, sat fi asco earlier in the month. by 17 and 18-year-olds. Ross is the most high-profi le The “standardisation” process Tory to speak out publicly on Wil- saw 40 % of results downgraded, liamson’s future since the grades Record-breaking GCSE results as with children in disadvantaged ar- debacle erupted. eas particularly aff ected. Asked whether he supported But a new set of results pub- Williamson staying on in his job, lished yesterday, for GCSE exams Ross told BBC Radio Scotland: sat by 16-year-olds, seemed to “That is a decision for Gavin Wil- teachers award more top grades confi rm fears that the unmoder- liamson. ated system would lead to grade It’s a decision for the prime Guardian News and Media The proportion of entries sory GCSE subject, the propor- above rose to 87.5% from 75.5%. Qualifi cations Wales said its re- infl ation. minister, if he continues to have London awarded the highest grade, 9, also tion gaining 7 and above rose from New fi gures released by Ofqual vised GCSE results were “substan- Gibb apologised to all students the trust of the prime minister. rose from 4.7% last year to 6.6% 20% to 24%, and those gaining 4 also showed that as many as one in tially higher” than in recent years. for the “pain and anxiety” they “I’m not here to say in your re- this year, according to Ofqual. and above rose from 71.5% to just four students would have missed Nearly 26% gained A* or A grades, have suff ered because of the chaos. port that I think Williamson has he proportion of the high- In all cases the proportion of over 77%. In most cases the results out on a C grade or better if the al- compared to 18% in 2019. However, he could not say when done a great job and he should est GCSE grades awarded higher grades awarded would have given to pupils yesterday were de- gorithm had been retained in place And 74.5% of students received another cohort of young people continue. Tin England this year has set new records had they been sat rived from assessments made by of A-levels assigned by schools. A*-C grades, compared with waiting for their Btec vocational I think he has to refl ect on what jumped by 26%, in the wake of the under exam conditions. their teachers and schools, known Students taking English, and 62.8% last year. qualifi cation would get them, after happened to so many pupils in government’s examinations U- Pupils achieving a 4 or above, as centre-assessed grades. design and technology, were Qualifi cations Wales also re- the results were delayed at the last England, students who were con- turn, according to fi gures released equivalent to a C or above under But in some cases pupils were downgraded more frequently than vealed higher A-level results, fol- minute. cerned for four days, because we by the regulator Ofqual. the previous measure, also rose awarded a higher grade if it had other candidates. lowing the decision by the Welsh Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s had the exact same up here in Following the government’s de- substantially from 70% to 79% in been given by the algorithm previ- In English, one in fi ve students government to also use school- government has been criticised for Scotland for a week.” cision to scrap calculated grades England. ously used by Ofqual. would have missed out on a C level assessments. many aspects of its response to the While there have been strong and replace them with school- In the key subjects, the propor- Ofqual also released the new, grade or better, based on the algo- “Our best estimate at this stage coronavirus outbreak, which has briefi ngs against Williamson be- assessed grades in most cases, the tion of 16-year-olds awarded 7 centre-assessed A-level grades rithm. of revised 2020 A-level results killed more than 41,000 people in hind the scenes from senior To- proportion awarded of grades 7, and above in English rose by six being awarded to sixth-formers One in six students taking his- in Wales at cumulative A* to A is Britain — the worst toll in Europe. ries, and he is now expected to be 8 and 9 – equivalent to the old A percentage points to 23%. The in England. The proportion of top tory and one in 16 taking maths 41.3%, compared to 29.9% when But the exams chaos risks be- reshuffl ed away from the educa- and A* grades – awarded to Year 11 proportion gaining 4 or above rose marks, A* and A, increased 13 per- were marked down below a C us- results were released on August 13, ing particularly damaging, af- tion brief this autumn, Ross is the pupils rose from 21.9% last year to from 70% to 80% this year. centage points to 38%, while the ing Ofqual’s model. and 27% in 2019,” a spokesperson fecting voters who do not nor- fi rst to refuse to publicly back him. 27.6% this year. In maths, the other compul- proportion gaining grade C and In Wales the exam regulator for Qualifi cation Wales said.

Minister accused of hiding Manchester bomber’s think-tank meetings Britain’s trade minister has organisations that discuss off icial reclassified recent meetings with business to be declared. a pro-hard Brexit think tank as “It makes no sense for Liz Truss brother jailed for life personal discussions, removing now to claim that meetings them from the public record and on those issues had nothing sparking opposition allegations to do with her ministerial AFP ed children and families”. palpable,” he added, paying tribute that she wants to conceal their role, and suggests instead London “Those who were taken from us to the “tremendous dignity and influence on public policy. that she has something to will never be forgotten, nor will the courage” of the victims and their The Institute of Economic Aff airs hide, whether in terms of spirit of the people of Manchester families. (IEA) is widely regarded as one who attended the meetings he brother of a suicide who came together to send a clear The judge said Abedi could not of Britain’s most influential right- or what specifically was bomber who killed 22 peo- message to the entire world that be given a whole-life term — en- leaning think tanks. discussed,” said a spokesman Tple at an Ariana Grande terrorists will never prevail,” he suring he would never be released It promotes free-markets and for Emily Thornberry, head of concert in Manchester was yes- added in a statement. — because he was aged under 21 at has argued strongly for a clean Labour’s trade policy brief. The terday jailed for life for playing an In court, judge Jeremy Baker the time of the off ences. break from the European department for international “integral part” in the attack. said Abedi would spend a mini- The almost three years that Union since the 2016 Brexit trade said the meetings were Hashem Abedi, 23, was convict- mum of 55 years in prison for play- Abedi has already spent in custody referendum. Two meetings with initially included due to an ed of murder, attempted murder ing an “integral part” in the prepa- would count towards the sentence Trade Minister Liz Truss and the administrative error, and they and conspiring to cause explosions ration of the pre-mediated attack. until he was eligible for parole. IEA had originally been included held no information about them. at a trial that ended in March, after The trial heard he was in Libya But he added: “He may never be in quarterly transparency data They declined to comment one of the worst terror attacks on when the attack took place on May released.” published on the government’s when asked how a meeting on British soil. 22, 2017, but helped his brother Family members of some of website and described as trade and investment could be The Islamic State group-in- plan it for several weeks, includ- the victims and survivors were in discussing trade. They were considered a personal meeting. spired bombing, carried out by his ing by obtaining chemicals for the court for the sentencing, while removed on Wednesday with The IEA said it regularly hosted 22-year-old brother Salman, det- homemade bomb. others followed proceedings via a note explaining they were events and meetings with onated among crowds of mostly “The defendant and his broth- videolink in Manchester, Leeds, personal meetings — the ministers and others, but did not young people leaving the concert er were equally culpable for the Newcastle and Glasgow. first such revision since the provide any further details of the at the Manchester Arena. deaths and injuries caused,” he Among them were Lisa Ruther- department was created in 2016. meetings with Truss. The youngest victim was aged said. ford, who said her “heart snapped” The opposition Labour Party “By definition, the private events just eight. Others included par- “The stark reality is that these when she heard that her 17-year- said Truss appeared to be we run do not involve the ents who had come to pick up their were atrocious crimes, large in old daughter Chloe had been killed evading rules designed to minuting or publication of the children. their scale, deadly in their intent, alongside her boyfriend, 19-year- ensure integrity, transparency full, frank and free exchange of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and appalling in their conse- old Liam Curry. Relatives of victims of the 2017 Manchester bombing walk away and honesty in public off ice. views which we try to ensure called the attack in northwestern quences. “As a family we need answers, after attending via videolink the sentencing of the bomber’s Government rules require takes place,” a spokeswoman England a “horrifying and cow- “The despair and desolation we are destroyed,” she told the brother Hashem Abedi in Manchester, northwest England, meetings with external said. ardly act of violence which target- of the bereaved families has been court in tears. yesterday. Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 7 EUROPE Greenland’s ice sheet saw record mass loss in 2019, study fi nds

Reuters fl owed northward from lower The study adds to evidence Environment, used data collected from a doctor: “It’s always de- That warming has also aff ected fl ooding that aff ects up to 30mn Copenhagen latitudes, the frozen island ex- that Greenland’s icy bulk is melt- by satellites to the gravitational pressing to see a new record.” the Arctic sea ice, which shrank more people each year by the perienced a record loss in its ice ing more quickly than anticipat- force of the ice mass, which sci- The studies off er insight into to its lowest extent this July in 40 end of the century, said Andrew mass, geoscientist and glaci- ed amid climate warming. entists can use to calculate how “where the problem is, and you years of record keeping. Shepherd, a polar scientist at reenland’s ice sheet lost ologist Ingo Sasgen of the Alfred Another study last week in- much snow and ice is locked also know to some extent what In terms of Greenland’s fate, University of Leeds who special- a record amount of mass Wegener Institute in Germany dicated the island was no longer within. the treatment is”, Sasgen added. “I would argue that we’ve been ises in ice sheet observation. Glast year, according to said. getting enough annual snowfall Other research has shown the “It is hard to tell if these in a new normal for the past cou- Shepherd was not involved in a study published yesterday, a That loss of 532 gigatonnes to replace ice lost to melting and melting is being helped by water (weather) patterns will be the ple decades of accelerating mass the new research. fi nding that could prompt scien- of ice – equivalent to about 66 calving at the glaciers’ edges. pooling atop the ice and at melt- new normal, and which pattern loss”, said Laura Andrews, a gla- The new fi ndings underline tists to redefi ne their worst-case tonnes of ice for each person on “We are likely on the path of water streaming between the ice will occur with which frequency,” ciologist at the Nasa Goddard that “we need to prepare for an scenario as they assess the eff ects Earth – was 15% more than the accelerated sea level rise,” Sasgen sheet and the bedrock beneath. he said. Space Flight Center not involved extra 10cm (4”) of global sea of climate change. previous record in 2012. told Reuters. “More melting of These studies are helping sci- The Arctic already has been in the new study. “Greenland is level rise by 2100 from Greenland The rate of ice loss had slowed Greenland’s ice melt is of par- the ice sheet is not compensated entists refi ne their projections of warming at least twice as quickly going to continue to lose mass.” alone,” Shepherd said. “We have for a two-year period amid cooler ticular concern, as the ancient ice by periods when we have extreme how climate change will impact as the rest of the world for the If the rate of ice loss experi- to invent a new worst-case cli- summers and higher snowfall in sheet holds enough water to raise snowfall.” the Arctic, and how quickly. past 30 years, as the amount of enced in 2019 were to continue, mate warming scenario, because western Greenland through 2018. sea levels by at least 20 feet (6m) The study, published in the Sasgen compared the sobering greenhouse gases accumulated in the annual impact on sea levels Greenland is already tracking the But last year, as warm air if it were to melt away entirely. journal Communications Earth & process to getting diffi cult news the atmosphere continues to rise. could cause increasing coastal current one.” Belarus opens criminal case Merkel greets climate activists Neubauer, Thunberg and other representatives of the ‘Fridays for Future’ movement before their talks at the Chancellery in Berlin. Thunberg meets Merkel in into ‘coup’ bid AFP fresh push for climate action Minsk

AFP ity but also a huge opportunity” they called for an immediate halt elarus has opened a crim- Berlin to help the European Union meet to fossil fuel investments. inal investigation into at- its commitments under the Paris They also decried two years Btempts by the opposition climate agreement. lost to “political inaction” de- to “seize power” as strongman wedish activist Greta Merkel said after the talks that spite lofty promises by European Alexander Lukashenko moved Thunberg has urged Ger- both sides agreed that “global governments. to assert his authority after days Sman Chancellor Angela warming is a global challenge Merkel herself, a former en- of protests over a disputed elec- Merkel to be “brave” in the fi ght which industrialised countries vironment minister, has repeat- tion. against global warming as she have a special responsibility to edly expressed admiration for The former Soviet country’s sought to breathe fresh life into tackle”, her spokesman Steff en the masses of young people who leader claimed a sixth term after a climate movement overshad- Seibert said in a statement. have taken to the streets for Fri- an August 9 ballot that sparked owed by the coronavirus pan- The landmark meeting came days for Future. historic protests and a punitive demic. as the Fridays for Future move- But despite Germany’s green police crackdown that was con- The 17-year-old travelled to ment is trying to mobilise young reputation, her country is strug- demned by European leaders. Berlin to meet Europe’s most people again after the coronavi- gling to meet its climate targets Allies of main opposi- powerful leader exactly two years rus, and eff orts to curb its spread, and remains heavily reliant on tion challenger Svetlana since she fi rst skipped school to forced them to scale back their coal because of its decision to Tikhanovskaya, who says the demand more climate action, street protests in recent months. phase out nuclear energy after vote was rigged and has de- kicking off what would become Speaking at the outdoor press the 2011 Fukushima disaster. manded Lukashenko step down, the global “Fridays for Future” conference, Neubauer said the Europe’s top economy was this week formed a Co-ordi- strikes. next global day of action would widely expected to miss its goal nation Council to oversee ef- Thunberg was joined by co- take place on September 25, both of reducing climate-heating forts for a peaceful transition of campaigners Luisa Neubauer online and in the real world de- greenhouse gas emissions by power. from Germany and Belgium’s pending on coronavirus condi- 40% this year compared with The group, whose members Opposition supporters protest yesterday on Minsk’s Independence Square against the disputed Anuna De Wever and Adelaide tions in diff erent countries. 1990 levels. include Nobel Prize-winning presidential elections results. Charlier, all of whom wore masks The aim is “to strike safely”, But a government report on author and outspoken Lukash- as they made their way to the she told reporters. Wednesday said the coronavirus enko critic Svetlana Alexievich, wrote on Telegram. with Russian President Vladimir bit longer. People need to sleep, chancellery from Berlin’s main The 24-year-old, Germany’s could unexpectedly help it meet called for a new election and The opposition said that a Putin, adding that the only way to rest.” train station. most prominent climate activist, the target after all, after the pan- talks with the authorities during member of the Council, lawyer to resolve the crisis was through The opposition has called for During 90 minutes of talks, said governments are not taking demic wrecked economic activ- its fi rst meeting on Wednesday. Maxim Znak, had been sum- talks. a major rally in Minsk on Sun- the young campaigners said they the climate emergency “nearly as ity and lowered demand for pol- Prosecutor-General Alexan- moned by investigators for “There is only one way for- day. urged Merkel to tackle carbon seriously” as the pandemic. luting coal. der Konyuk said in a video state- questioning this morning. ward: through political inclu- Protesters gathered yesterday emissions with the same urgency Belgian activist De Wever said Germany has promised to ment that the Council’s crea- Lukashenko, 65, has ordered sive dialogue and a peaceful and for a 12th day of demonstra- and drastic measures that lead- the pandemic should be seized abandon coal-generated power tion was unconstitutional and his security services to clamp democratic process,” he wrote tions outside the Janka Kupala ers have displayed in the battle as a chance “to do things diff er- by 2038, a date considered far too amounted to an attempt to top- down on further unrest and in- on Twitter. Theatre in the centre of Minsk against Covid-19. ently”. late by environmentalists. ple Lukashenko’s government. structed border authorities to The Kremlin has warned it to voice support for its direc- The Covid-19 respiratory dis- The European Union has The European Union as a “The creation and activities shore up defences against arms could intervene if needed and tor and former culture minister ease is caused by the coronavirus. pledged billions of euros in state whole aims to achieve carbon of such a council are aimed at and money entering the country Putin told Michel that it was Pavel Latushko. “We want leaders ... to be aid to cushion the economic blow neutrality – or net zero green- seizing power,” Konyuk said. from abroad. “counterproductive” to pres- He was forced from his post brave enough to think long- from the virus, she noted. house emissions – by 2050. He announced that investi- The European Union this sure the Belarusian leadership for calling for new elections and term,” Thunberg told an outdoor But they “are still investing it But Thunberg said the pledge gators are opening a probe into week said it did not recognise or interfere in Minsk’s political has joined the Co-ordination press conference after the meet- in an economy that inherently falls far short of what needs to “calls for actions aimed at un- Lukashenko’s re-election and processes. Council. ing. “We want leaders to step up fuels the climate crisis” instead be done and is “not consist- dermining national security”, a vowed to levy sanctions against Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year- British broadcaster and co- and take responsibility and treat of investing “in a sustainable fu- ent” with the 2015 Paris Climate charge that carries a maximum what it said was a substantial old trained English teacher who median Stephen Fry released a the climate crisis like a crisis.” ture”. Agreement, which calls for the penalty of fi ve years behind bars. number of people responsible contested the vote after her hus- video in support of Belarus’s ar- She said Merkel, as the current The four campaigners wrote an rise in temperatures to be capped Lukashenko, a former col- for rigging the presidential vote band was jailed and barred from tistic community and called on chair of the EU rotating presi- open letter to Merkel and other at 1.5° Celsius this century com- lective farm director, has been and cracking down on demon- running, fl ed to neighbouring Britain to impose tough sanc- dency, had a “huge responsibil- leaders on Wednesday in which pared with pre-industrial levels. in power for 26 years and de- strations. Lithuania after the election. tions on Lukashenko’s govern- fi ed calls to step down even Security services violently Her spokeswoman told AFP ment. after more than 100,000 peo- dispersed peaceful protesters in yesterday that the EU’s decision “I stand with Belarus and the ple fl ooded onto the streets of the days after the vote, arrest- to reject the election results and people’s desire for democratic Minsk calling for his resigna- ing nearly 7,000 demonstrators, impose sanctions was the “fi rst change,” he said, wearing a red tion. with detainees accusing police step ... towards recognising tie and white shirt to mirror the Polish foreign minister resigns Tikhanovskaya said she had of abuse and torture. Svetlana as the president-elect colours of Belarus’s opposition. asked Estonia’s Foreign Minister European leaders have urged of Belarus”. Belarus’s Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu to alert the UN Minsk’s powerful ally Russia to Yet she warned the process Vladimir Makei conceded yes- AFP Polish climate minister says he has coronavirus security council of the investi- push Lukashenko to engage in of removing Europe’s longest- terday that “change is needed” Warsaw gation during a phone call. talks with Belarus’s fl edgling serving leader from offi ce may in the country wedged between Polish Climate Minister Michal Kurtyka has tested positive for the coro- The international commu- opposition. take “months”. Europe and Russia. navirus, he said yesterday, while another minister is ill and in isolation nity must off er “protection from EU Council chief Charles “It’s hard to keep this heat up “No one is denying that, but oland’s foreign minister according to his assistant. potential threats and unlawful Michel said yesterday he had for a long time,” Anna Krasulina not at the cost of civil confron- Jacek Czaputowicz re- The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease. persecution”, Tikhanovskaya reiterated that message in a call said. “That is why it will take a tation or a revolution.” Psigned yesterday, the sec- “Unfortunately, my second coronavirus test was positive. I feel good. I am ond top member of the right- in isolation at home with my family,” Kurtyka wrote on Twitter. wing government to quit this Polish weekly Wprost said on its website on Wednesday, quoting un- week. named sources, that Piotr Naimski, the minister in charge of key energy The decision comes as Warsaw infrastructure, had been infected with Covid-19. is involved in European diploma- “The minister is sick and in isolation,” Naimski’s assistant said in an Spain’s back-to-school plans under fi re cy on the political crisis in neigh- e-mailed response to Reuters but declined to provide details, including bouring Belarus. whether he has coronavirus. On Wednesday, Czaputowicz Reuters new peaks in recent weeks. Spain’s regions are in charge vour of bringing children back received prominent Belarusian Madrid “Don’t be confused: things of regulating the return to to the classroom. opposition activists Valery and don’t think there’s ever a good lomat, Morawiecki named Zbig- are not going well,” health emer- school, though the central gov- Complaining of a lack of re- Veronika Tsepkalo. time”. niew Rau, a lawyer and lawmaker gency chief Fernando Simon ernment will present national sources and safety measures, The departure of Czaputo- “What if a minister had re- who heads the foreign committee ith coronavirus cases told reporters. guidelines next week. teachers’ unions in Madrid have wicz, who had been in the post signed two months ago, before in parliament. surging and less than Pablo Casado, leader of the In Madrid, where more than called a series of strikes for the since 2018, follows that of health the fi rst round of the (presiden- Morawiecki said that they Wtwo weeks of the conservative opposition Peo- 1,000 new cases were reported fi rst weeks of September. minister Lukasz Szumowski on tial) election?” he said yesterday. would take up their new duties school holidays left, parents, ple’s Party, accused Prime yesterday, regional authorities With more than 370,000 Tuesday. “Or four months ago, when the in the coming days, adding that teachers and opposition politi- Minister Pedro Sanchez’s left- did not rule out delaying face- cases, Spain has the most infec- Szumowski, a cardiologist, has coronavirus was gathering steam their predecessors had given cians in Spain are angry at the ist government of keeping the to-face classes, putting a strain tions in western Europe. been at the centre of the strug- and we had the European Union considerable notice before leav- government’s plans for reopen- country guessing on the reo- on working families. It has reimposed some re- gle against the novel coronavirus budget negotiations? There’s ing. ing classrooms. pening of schools. “We have to be a bit careful strictions since a strict lock- in Poland, where infection rates never a good time,” he told re- Czaputowicz’s offi ce gave Latest government data “Not a single Spanish family about the date of reopening the down ended in late June. have been relatively low com- porters. no precise reason for his resig- showed daily infections peaked knows what will happen to their schools,” deputy health chief Nearly 29,000 have died. pared to many countries in west- Morawiecki announced the nation, but told the PAP news at 7,609 last Friday – their high- children when the school year Antonio Zapatero told Reuters. The tally of about 20 daily ern Europe. new health minister would be agency that “the minister has in est since late March – before starts,” he said. “Perhaps, due to the level of deaths so far in August is well Asked about the timing of the Adam Niedzielski, an economist the past said the post-election dropping to 3,349 yesterday. “We cannot let a whole gen- positives, we will have to rethink below the more than 800 a day departures, Polish Prime Min- at the helm of the national health period was the right time for a However, the fall may not eration of children have their about if we open by ages.” in late March, but has risen since ister Mateusz Morawiecki said fund since 2019. change” in the post of foreign represent a trend as similar de- education held back because of Still, deputy regional leader the end of the lockdown when it “when it comes to politics, I As for Poland’s next top dip- minister. clines have been followed by a lack of planning.” Ignacio Aguado said he is in fa- was in low single digits. Gulf Times 8 Friday, August 21, 2020 INDIA

PEOPLE OPINION LAW AND ORDER LEGAL CRIME Minister hospitalised after Tharoor stand on Many injured in political Wadhawans get bail in Agra doctor’s testing positive for Covid airport plan attacked violence in Kozhikode Yes Bank fraud case killer confesses

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Congress MP Shashi Tharoor came under fire Kozhikode district collector V Sambasiva Rao In an embarrassment for the enforcement An Agra doctor who went missing has Shekhawat has tested positive for from state Minister of Tourism Kadakampally yesterday issued prohibitory orders in Ward 5 and directorate (ED), the Bombay High Court been found dead and her alleged killer Covid-19. According to sources, he will Surendran for his support to the Centre’s 12 of Permabara after workers of the Communist yesterday granted bail to DHFL promoters Kapil has confessed to his crime. Doctor Vivek undergo treatment at Medanta hospital in decision to lease out Thiruvananthapuram Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) and the Indian Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan in the Yes Tiwari was arrested from Uttar Pradesh’s Gurugram. Shekhawat had been feeling international airport to Adani Enterprises. Union Muslim League (IUML) clashed at a fish Bank fraud case after the probe agency failed to Jalaun in connection with the murder of unwell for some time following which he The state unit of the Congress party has also market. Around two dozen people were injured file its chargesheet within the mandatory 60-day Yogita Gautam, the doctor from Agra. In a had undergone a corona test. Shekhawat opposed the Centre’s decision. Tharoor’s support in the clash which occurred following tension period. Granting them ‘default’ bail, justice Bharati video message, Tiwari said he had come to has appealed to all people who came in to the PPP model comes at a time when Kerala between the two parties after a few workers of Dangre directed the Wadhawan brothers to meet Gautam from Jalaun. They had been contact with him to isolate themselves Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shot off a letter the IUML recently joined the CPI-M. The IUML surrender their passports and deposit Rs100,000 in a relationship for the past seven years. and get examined for Covid so that if to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that is the second biggest ally of the Congress-led each as surety. However, the Wadhawans – who According to Tiwari, an argument began in someone comes in contact with them, the state will not co-operate in this decision. United Democratic Front (UDF) and has a strong were nabbed from Mahabaleshwar hill station on his car and he strangulated her in a fit of the source of the virus could be detected. Tharoor took to Twitter and said, “My position hold in districts like Malappuram and Kozhikode. April 26 by the Central Bureau of Investigation rage. “I later realised she may still be alive, The minister’s staff will also undergo a on the airport has been consistent since before Rao ordered the closure of the fish market until and arrested nearly three weeks later by the ED so I hit on her head with a knife,” he added. test for coronavirus. Earlier, several other the elections. I am not a politician who says further orders and also directed the authorities to – will not be able to walk out of jail immediately Tiwari said that he then drove to a secluded Union ministers have also tested positive one thing to the voters and something else ensure that those involved in the clash are traced as they are booked separately by the CBI in the spot and dumped the body and covered it for Covid-19. afterwards for political convenience.” and put in quarantine. same case. with wooden sticks. Top court gives Mopping up after heavy rains Bhushan time to apologise in contempt case

IANS punish anyone for contempt. New Delhi “Please don’t make any statement till you consider what he has said in his reply,” the bench told the AG. he Supreme Court yester- Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, day gave lawyer Prashant representing Bhushan, said the TBhushan, convicted of con- criticism of retired judges does not tempt of court, time till August 24 amount to contempt, and there are to submit an unconditional apol- judgments to this eff ect. ogy and asked him to reconsider Justice Mishra then said: “We his defi ant statement declining to aren’t hearing a review. Our con- apologise for his derogatory tweets viction order is already here.” against the judiciary. Justice Gavai observed that “we A bench comprising justic- have said earlier as well there has es Arun Mishra, B R Gavai and to be a mutual respect between the Krishna Murari said: “Appeal bar and the bench”. fi led against the Registrar’s or- Justice Mishra said whatever der is dismissed. Arguments have has been done is done, and the been heard in the main matter, on court wants the person concerned sentencing. Order reserved. We to have a sense of remorse. “You A fire truck pumps out water from a flooded underpass after heavy rains in Gurugram yesterday. have given time to the contemnor may do hundreds of good things (Bhushan) to submit uncondition- but that doesn’t give you a licence al apology, if he so desires. to do 10 crimes,” he said. “Let it be fi led by August 24. The judge noted that if a person In case, apology is submitted, the wants to purge the contempt, one case to be posted for consideration should also know where to draw a on the same, on August 25.” line. The court order came even as He added that criminal con- the attorney general K K Venugopal tempt has far serious consequenc- told the apex court that convicting es, and the court can be very leni- Bhushan in a contempt case was ent when a person recognises his Letter leak ‘is proof of alright, but “do not punish him”. mistake and expresses regret. At this, the bench told him Bhushan, in a statement before that the tone, tenor, and content the top court, said: “My tweets of Bhushan’s statement makes it were nothing but a small attempt worse. to discharge what I considered to “Is it defence or aggravation, be my highest duty at this junc- you, as AG, consider it,” the court ture in the history of our repub- Facebook-BJP collusion’ said. lic. Venugopal clarifi ed that he was “I did not tweet in a fi t of ‘absent IANS ing of my letter to Facebook alleged while sharing a picture of asking the BJP leader to fi rst dis- prised” that Facebook had taken not speaking on behalf of the gov- mindedness’. It would be insincere New Delhi Senior Management sent — Au- the two along with his tweet. close who in Facebook gave him the “Amit Malviya route”. ernment but had responded to the and contemptuous on my part to gust 18, 2020, in the evening Tewari clarified that Dr the letter. The Facebook row has turned notice issued to the constitutional off er an apology for the tweets that by @amitmalviya (BJP’s IT cell Bharat Gopalaswamy, whom Noting that he wrote the letter into a full-fl edged war between offi ce of the attorney general of expressed what was and continues he ongoing battle between chief).” he mentioned in his letter, as MP from Sri Anandpur Sahib the BJP and the Congress. India. to be my bonafi de belief. the Congress and the BJP He sought to know who in was the director of South Asia and former Union minister of After privilege notices from “I make the request to your “Therefore, I can only humbly Tover the Facebook row Facebook shared his letter with Centre at the Atlantic Council information and broadcasting, both the sides, BJP MP Nishikant lordships not to punish him.” paraphrase what the father of the took a new turn yesterday with Malviya even before it was for- till last month. “He is an In- Tewari said that rather than re- Dubey yesterday sought the re- The top court said a person nation Mahatma Gandhi had said former Union minister Manish mally acknowledged. dian. He advises me pro bono sponding to “concrete questions moval of Shashi Tharoor as the should realise his mistake from the in his trial: ‘I do not ask for mercy. Tewari accusing the social media Malviya, earlier yesterday, had on policy issues,” he said in asked of Facebook”, it seems chairman of the parliamentary core of this heart. I do not appeal to magnanimity. I giant of leaking his letter to the tweeted about Tewari’s letter his tweet. Malviya has been deployed to standing committee on infor- In a statement, Bhushan in- am here, therefore, to cheerfully BJP IT cell chief and contend- to Facebook on the revelations “I am surprised that Malviya “defl ect from serious revela- mation technology. sisted that his tweets were an ex- submit to any penalty that can ing that this showed its collusion made by the Wall Street Journal. who comes from a party that tions made in the WSJ story with Dubey who is a member of pression of his beliefs and it was lawfully be infl icted upon me for with the ruling party. “Bharat Gopalaswamy, the tom-tom’s NRIs and organ- regard to the alleged bending of the committee in a letter to the grossly misunderstood. what the court has determined to In a series of tweets, Tewari man who Manish Tewari ap- ises massive events abroad like Facebook’s hate speech laws and speaker Om Birla requested “to Bhushan has been held guilty of be an off ence, and what appears said: “Nothing demonstrates al- pointed as his go to man to lobby Howdy Modi would like to paint alleged interference in Indian invoke Rule 283 with provisions contempt and can be sent to jail for to me to be the highest duty of a leged collusion between certain with Facebook in the US, and my taking advice from a gentle- democratic and electoral proc- in rules of procedures for re- six months. citizen’.” elements at Facebook and cer- Rahul Gandhi at a meet of the man of Indian origin pro bono as esses”. moving Tharoor as chairman of The bench said it would never tain elements at BJP than tweet- Atlantic Council,” Malviya had blasphemy,” he said in the tweet, Tewari said he was “sur- the IT panel”.

Pandit Jasraj’s funeral Kerala ministers slam Indore retains cleanest Vijayan’s former aide city tag for fourth year IANS to the gold smuggling racket. Thiruvananthapuram The prime accused in the gold smuggling case — Swapna IANS Mysuru city in Karnataka had proper segregation of waste at Suresh — was also involved in New Delhi won the award for the cleanest source, saying no to single use he CPM-led government this project as she is alleged to city of India in the fi rst edition of plastic and treating sanitation in Kerala, which is in the have received a huge commis- the survey in 2016, while Indore workers with respect and dignity, Tdock over the sensational sion for ensuring the partici- ndore, Ambikapur, Navi had retained the top position for among others. gold smuggling case and the Life pation of the UAE-based Red Mumbai, Surat, Rajkot and three consecutive years. The minister outlined the vi- Mission housing project, contin- Crescent group and had routed IMysuru have been rated Chhattisgarh won the pres- sion for the next phase of the mis- ued its criticism of M Sivasankar, it through the UAE consulate in as fi ve-star cities, 86 cities as tigious title of the cleanest state sion. He said, “I am also concerned the former principal secretary to Kerala, where she was a former three-star and 64 cities as one- in the more than 100 urban local about the safety of our sanitation Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. employee. star as per the ministry of hous- bodies category, while Jharkhand workers, our frontline warriors in Already two state ministers Vijayan lost his cool a number ing and urban aff airs’ rating pro- was adjudged the winner in the this eff ort. Therefore, provision of — Kadakampally Surendran and of times when this question was tocol for garbage-free cities. less than 100 urban local bodies adequate safety gear and mecha- G Sudhakaran — have targeted posed to him by the media as The announcement was made category. nised equipment to all sanitation Sivasankar and yesterday it was more and more revelations have during the Swachh Survekshan An additional 117 awards were workers will be paid maximum the turn of state Law Minister A come out including the manner awards declared by Union Minis- also handed over by the minister. attention in the next phase of the K Balan. in which Suresh got a huge sum ter Hardeep Singh Puri. Addressing the winners and mission.” “We were not able to deal with as commission. It is meant to monitor the per- citizens at large, the minister said, Meanwhile, in the category of Sivasankar properly and we re- The Congress and BJP have formance of Swachh Bharat Ab- “More than fi ve years ago, the less than 100,000 population, Ka- alised that very late. There are been demanding Vijayan’s resig- hiyan, launched in 2014. prime minister had seen a dream rad, Saswad and Lonavala cities in a few like him here. We do not nation alleging this was a fraud- The survey was conducted — the dream of a Swachh Bharat. Maharashtra emerged victorious. know if the Congress-led UDF ulent deal done with the knowl- in 4,242 cities, 62 cantonment Today, we feel immensely proud, Ahmedabad in Gujarat was had dealt with him, as he dur- edge of top offi cials. boards and 92 Ganga towns and as well as humbled, to see how ranked fi rst in the cleanest mega ing their tenure was engaged in Vijayan, who is presently was completed in 28 days. every citizen of urban India has city category, while Chhattisgarh’s Police personnel escort the draped coff in of classical vocalist a huge loss-making power pur- under self-isolation, has now Indore city in Madhya Pradesh come together to make that dream Ambikapur secured the cleanest Pandit Jasraj during his funeral in Mumbai yesterday. Music chase agreement,” said Balan. asked for all the fi les pertaining emerged as the cleanest city for a tangible reality.” smallest city tag. lovers in India have paid glowing tributes to the classical Vijayan’s pet project ‘Life Mis- to the Life Mission project to be the fourth time in a row, Surat The minister further exhorted Bengaluru won the best self- maestro Pandit Jasraj, who died at the age of 90. The vocalist sion’ is a scheme to build homes brought to his offi cial residence. and Navi Mumbai won the sec- everyone to play their part and sustainability award in the mega suff ered cardiac arrest early on August 17 in New Jersey, for the homeless and landless In a related development, the ond and third position respec- be a true Swachhata Warrior by city category and Tirupati in And- bringing an end to a pioneering musical career spanning and he has always praised his NIA will be asking the CEO of tively in the more than 100,000 inculcating habits of swachhata hra Pradesh won the award in the eight decades. government’s initiative, but it Life Mission — a senior IAS of- population category. (cleanliness) such as practising small city category. has come under a cloud similar fi cial — to appear before it. Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 9 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH The beginning of a new Islamic year regarding Satan’s delusion of Adam Khutbah by Shaykh Muhammad easily be detected and calculated by the [evil] in the sight of Allah. And fi tnah and Eve when they lived in Paradise Saalih al-’Uthaimeen sighting of the crescent-moon, which [polytheism and disbelief] is worse marks the end of the month and the than killing’. And they will continue and were permitted to eat all its fruits beginning of a new one. to fi ght you until they turn you back except the fruits of a certain tree, his week marks the beginning This is not the case with the from your religion if they are able. which translates as: “O Adam, dwell of a new Islamic year, which Gregorian Calendar, which does not And whoever of you reverts from his you and your wife in Paradise and eat was initiated after the Hijrah, rely on any logical or visible signs as religion [to disbelief] and dies while he from wherever you will but do not or emigration, of the Prophet, regards its calculation of months; is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds approach this tree, lest you be among T have become worthless in this world the wrongdoers.” (Al-A’raf: 19). sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and which rather, each month in this calendar marked the formation of the fi rst ranges between 28 and 31 days without and the Hereafter, and those are the But Satan tempted them by saying Muslim nation within an independent a single logical reason for such companions of the Fire; they will abide that which translates as: “But Satan Islamic territory under the rule of variation. therein eternally.” (Al-Baqarah: 217). whispered to them to make apparent Muslims. O Muslims! We are in the new Allah the Almighty says concerning to them that which was concealed The Muslims had no formal Hijri year. It is not from the Sunnah the Sacred Mosque in Makkah that from them of their private parts. He annual calendar until the caliphate to celebrate it or to congratulate which translates as: “Indeed, those said ‘Your Lord did not forbid you this of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, may Allah one another on its advent. For the who have disbelieved and avert tree except that you become angels or be pleased with him. In the third or Muslims, the passage of years does not [people] from the way of Allah and become of the immortal’. And he swore fourth year of his caliphate, ‘Umar constitute a real cause of happiness; from the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah], [by Allah] to them, ‘Indeed I am to you received a message from Abu Moosaa rather, what counts is the amount which We made for the people - equal from among the sincere advisers’. So al-Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with of time spent in obedience to Allah are the resident therein and one from he made them fall, through deception. him, who suggested that their future during these years. The years that have outside; and whoever intends [a deed] And when they tasted of the tree, their correspondence be confi rmed with the passed will be considered as successful therein of deviation [in religion] or private parts became apparent to them, appropriate date. if they were spent in obedience to Allah wrongdoing - We will make him taste and they began to fasten together over Therefore, ‘Umar gathered some and miserable if they were spent in of a painful punishment.” (Al-Hajj: 25). themselves the leaves of Paradise. And of the surviving companions of the disobedience of Allah. Therefore, the O people! Do not wrong yourselves their Lord called to them, ‘Did I not Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, most evil person is he who has lived a during the Sacred Months. Stay well forbid you from that tree and tell you and consulted them on this matter. long life and has committed evil deeds within the limits defi ned by Allah, fulfi l all that Satan is to you a clear enemy?’” Some of them suggested adopting the throughout. It is a must that we receive His obligations, shun all His prohibitions (Al-A’raaf: 20-22). Persian Calendar; others proposed our days, months and years while in and fulfi l the rights of the people. This means that Satan degraded adopting the Roman Calendar; others obedience to Allah. We must bring Be aware that Satan has taken it them and made them become relegated still proposed that the Muslims should ourselves to account, redeem ourselves upon himself to use all necessary from the superior ranks of obedience. form their own calendar and that from our bad deeds and duly perform means to seduce all of Allah’s servants, Another example of Satan’s deception it should start from the birth of the our responsibilities towards our wives, except those who are sincerely and subsequent abandonment is when Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam; children and relatives. devout to Allah. Satan is keen to he urged the Quraysh, which was the another group agreed but thought Servants of Allah! Fear Him and distract people from righteousness tribe of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi that the new Islamic Calendar should perform the responsibilities about and divert their attention away from wa sallam, to go to Badr, which is a start from the day on which the which you will be questioned on Allah’s religion and towards vice and place between Makkah and Madinah, Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, the Day of Resurrection. Allah the evil. If Satan notices that a person is and fi ght the believers – and then embarked upon his mission; another Almighty says that which translates inclined to righteousness, he will use turning his back on them. Allah group believed that this new Islamic as: “O you who have believed, protect all available means to discourage and says that which translates as: “And Calendar should begin from the yourselves and your families from a hinder that person from doing any [remember] when Satan made their emigration of the Prophet, sallallaahu Fire whose fuel is people and stones, good deed, if he fails in this, he will deeds pleasing to them and said, ‘No ‘alaihi wa sallam, while a fi nal group over which are (appointed) angels, soon devise another plot against this one can overcome you today from believed that should start from his harsh and severe, they do not disobey person and so forth. Satan starts with among the people, and indeed, I am death. Allah in what He commands them but attempting to seduce a person into your protector’. But when the two After a discussion they agreed do what they are commanded.” (At- committing the most destructive of forces sighted each other, he turned unanimously to adopt the position Tahreem: 6). sins. If he fails in this, he will try with on his heels and said: ‘Indeed I am of those who held that the Islamic Discharge responsibilities properly less dangerous sins and so on. Once disassociated from you. Indeed, I see Calendar should start from when the and know that your limbs will testify he succeeds in seducing a person into what you do not see; indeed I fear Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, against you on the Day of Resurrection. We must invest our time in obedience to Allah and make sin, he will delude them into delaying Allah. And Allah is severe in penalty.’” emigrated from Makkah to Madinah Allah says that which translates as: their repentance and belittling the (Al-Anfaal: 48). and that the fi rst month of this new “Until, when they reach it, their sure that our spiritual condition is improving from year to magnitude of their sins. Satan will Here is yet another example of Satan calendar be that of Al-Muharram. This hearing and their eyes and their skins year; for the more time runs away from us, the closer we are also fool people into believing that forsaking man after deluding him, is because Al-Muharram is a sacred will testify against them of what drawing to our graves someday, they will give up the sins that which translates as: month and because it follows Dhu’l- they used to do. And they will say to they are currently indulging in, while “... Like the example of Satan when Hijjah which is the month in which the their skins, ‘Why have you testifi ed Safety, tranquillity and welfare cannot favoured Makkah over all other places knowing very well that such a day may he says to man ‘Disbelieve.’ But when Muslims perform the Haj. against us?’ They will say, ‘We were be attained except by adopting the and chose Madinah, the abode of the never come. After underestimating he disbelieves, he says, ‘Indeed I am Al-Muharram also follows the made to speak by Allah, who has made methodology of the messengers of Prophet’s migration, next to Makkah the magnitude and grievousness of disassociated from you. Indeed I fear month in which the Ansaar (the everything speak; and He created Allah. Be very clear that if any of you in preference, after this, the next most sins, one is easily led by Satan to more Allah, Lord of the Worlds’. So the Madinan supporters of the Prophet, you the fi rst time, and to Him you are see welfare and pleasure accompanied virtuous place in the sight of Allah is destructive ones, until such a person outcome for both of them is that they sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) pledged returned. And you were not covering with sins and deviation, then this is Bayt Al-Maqdis, or Jerusalem, which may eventually leave the religion will be in the Fire, abiding eternally allegiance to the Prophet which was [i.e. protecting] yourselves [By fearing defi nitely a mere respite that has been was the abode of the majority of His altogether. therein. And that is the recompense of prior to his migration to Madinah. This Allah] lest your hearing testify against given by Allah ahead of a total ruin. prophets. Allah has also favoured Servants of Allah! Beware of the wrongdoers.” (Al-Hashr: 16-17). pledge of allegiance was one of the you or your sight or your skins, but Thus, we must all stand fi rm in the certain months, days and nights more the tricks and evil plans of Satan. “And Satan will say when the matter introductory acts of the emigration you assumed that Allah does not know obedience of Allah in order to protect than others. Know that he takes many diff erent has been concluded, ‘Indeed Allah had itself and therefore Al-Muharram much of what you do. And that was ourselves from His punishment. The number of months is twelve, approaches to seduce people; either promised you the promise of truth. was deemed the most suitable month your assumption which you assumed Allah the Almighty says that which as decreed by Allah when He created through sowing doubts in their And I promised you, but I betrayed to start the Islamic Calendar by the about your Lord. It has brought you to translates as: “...And turn to Allah in the heavens and the earth. Among souls concerning the unity of Allah; you. But I had no authority over you companions of the Prophet. ruin, and you have become among the repentance, all of you, O believers, that these twelve are four sacred months, diverting them from performing the except that I invited you, and you We have just ushered in the new losers.’” (Fussilat: 20- 23). you might succeed.” (An-Noor: 31). Dhu’l-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and prayer and belittling its importance; responded to me. So blame not me; but Hijri year. Allah said that which Servants of Allah! The advent of All praise is due to Allah. We praise Al-Muharram, which are successive inducing people to withhold zakah, or blame yourselves. I cannot be called to translates as: “Indeed, the number of every new year is marked by many Him, seek his assistance and repent and the month of Rajab that comes obligatory charity, or spend it in ways your aid, nor can you be called to my months with Allah is twelve [lunar] Muslims with sincere resolutions and to Him. We seek Allah’s protection between Jumada Al-Aakhirah and other than that demanded by Allah; aid. Indeed I deny your association of months in the register of Allah [from] plans to improve and become closer from the evil of our souls and Sha’baan. The best day which the sun tempting people into indulging in acts me [with Allah] before. Indeed, for the the day He created the heavens and the to their Lord, but the days and hours from the wickedness of our deeds. rises on is Friday and the night of Al- and sayings that render their fasting wrongdoers is a painful punishment.” earth; of these, four are sacred. That slip away while the people’s conditions Whoever Allah guides will never Qadr is more virtuous than a thousand null and void; hindering them from (Ibraheem: 22). is the correct religion [i.e. way], so do remain the same, the inevitable be misguided and whoever Allah months. Therefore, we must all esteem performing Haj by giving plentiful Servants of Allah! What you are not wrong yourselves during them...” result of such failures will be loss and misguides will never be guided. I that which Allah has magnifi ed. reasons for its delay; trapping them in feeling in terms of reluctance to (At-Tawbah: 36) disgrace in this world and the next. testify that there is nothing worthy The scholars of Islam maintain ungratefulness and maltreatment of perform good deeds and carelessness These are the months that Allah has Therefore, we must invest our time in of worship except Allah, with Whom that the rewards for good deeds are their parents and severing family ties; towards your bad deeds is only a result appointed for the whole of mankind. obedience to Allah and make sure that there is no associate. I also testify multiplied in times and places which luring them into deceit and dishonesty of the trickery of Satan. When you feel He has said that which translates our spiritual condition is improving that Muhammad is His Servant and are favoured by Allah and vice versa by committing betrayal and fraud; like this, you must seek the protection as: “They ask you [O Muhammad], from year to year; for the more time Messenger. May Allah bless him, for bad deeds. The proof of this is enticing them to blind materialism of Allah from Satan, as this is the only about the new moons. Say ‘They are runs away from us, the closer we are his family, his companions and all from Allah’s saying which translates through unlawful earnings such as way to achieve salvation. measurements of time for the people drawing to our graves. those who truly follow them until the as: “They ask you concerning the interest-based transactions, extortion, Allah the Almighty says that which and for Haj (pilgrimage].” (Al-Baqarah: O servants of Allah! I swear by Allah Resurrection Day. sacred month - about fi ghting therein. bribery etc.; and a countless number translates as: “And if an evil suggestion 189). that improvements in our worldly O people! Fear Allah; be aware Say, ‘Fighting therein is great [sin], of other avenues that will lead to a comes to you from Satan, then seek Therefore, we know that these lives do us absolutely no good if our of the ultimate wisdom of Allah in but averting [people] from the way person’s utter ruin. refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and months, based on the lunar calendar, spiritual lives are not improving at who He chooses as messengers from of Allah and disbelief in Him and After Satan has lead a person Knowing. Indeed those who fear Allah were appointed for all of mankind and the same time. I also swear that none angels and mankind. Be aware also [preventing access to] the Sacred astray, he abandons them, at the very – when an impulse touches them from not just for the Arabs. This is due to can attain honour and dignity without of the fact that He favours certain Mosque [in Makkah] and the expulsion time when they are most in need of a Satan, they remember [Him] and at once the fact that the lunar months can very submitting to the Lord of the Worlds. times and places over others. Allah of its people therefrom are greater supporter! Take heed of Allah’s saying they have insight.” (Al-A’raaf: 200-201). Why do our morals change across situations?

he morals of the believers nor a curser, nor is he obscene or Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, mercy upon him, said: “Scholars explained above, this was to ensure wa sallam, said: “Bashfulness is not are not supposed to come vulgar.” [Saheeh At-Tirmithi: 1977] said: “…and if a man verbally abuses said that euphemisms should that the addressee understands the to be found in anything but that it into play exclusively at times Ibn Battaal, may Allah have mercy you or shames you for something be used in such situations when intended meaning in these contexts, adorns it, and obscenity is not to be Tof ease and convenience. upon him, said that “obscene” means in you that he knows about, do not a person would feel ashamed to as it should be given priority over found in anything but that it mars it.” In fact, true morality self-manifests the one who is verbally abusive and shame him for something in him that use overt language. Accordingly, mere politeness.” [Al-Athkaar] [At-Tamheed: 9/257] during the moments of hardship, commits obscene actions. “Vulgar” you know about; let him bear the sexual intercourse should be The people who need adherence ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah adversity, and crisis. Some people means foul-mouthed (An-Nihaayah). evil consequences of it (his abuse), euphemistically referred to as to morality the most are the callers be pleased with him, said: “The most may seem well-mannered with a How could a person turn into one who and you receive the reward for it, so engaging in intimacy, consummation to Allah. It is unbecoming of them to wicked quality a believer may have polite attitude and bashful conduct fi ts such a bad description denounced do not curse.” [Saheeh At-Targheeb: of marriage, cohabitation, and act contrary to their moral principles, is obscenity.” It is the most wicked as long as they are calm and the by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa 2782] the like… Likewise, urinating and and their refi ned morality should of all bad morals because it makes a surrounding circumstances are sallam, in a single moment because of Al-Qaari, may Allah have mercy defecating should be euphemistically rather manifest in all situations, person unsafe (to be around) and his convenient and favourable. However, a situation or a word or a dispute! upon him, said: “Obscenity and referred to as answering the call of regardless of how intense those reactions would not be trusted. when they are subjected to anger or We used to think that foolish vulgarity are entirely blameworthy nature or relieving oneself instead of situations are and no matter how Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays, may Allah experience hardship, unfortunate people are those who are poorly- qualities that are unbecoming of using overt words like urine or stool. wicked their opponents may be. The have mercy upon him, said: “Shall I conditions, and the like of adverse educated, ill-mannered, and have the believers…” He added: “He who Similarly, euphemism should be used Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, tell you what the worst diseases are? circumstances, they turn into these sinful (evil) qualities. However, is guided by Allah should avoid it for the (physical) defects that people said: “Whoever believes in Allah and They are obscenity and bad moral completely diff erent people, far from we were shocked to fi nd many people (obscenity and vulgarity); accustom may be ashamed to express overtly, the Last Day, let him speak good or character.” According to this wise the well-mannered people you knew! whom we thought to be educated his tongue to good, polite language; such as leprosy, halitosis, body odour, remain silent.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhari: man, Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays, obscenity Sadly, a person (who was once fi tting the description as well! and follow the example of the and the like. 6475] These, then, are the distinct is among the most serious diseases well-mannered) would turn into Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have Prophets of Allah, for they are the “Beautiful euphemistic expressions manners of the believers. A believer to which people should assign care to a bad-tempered, fi erce, verbally mercy upon him, said: “A vulgar, most excellent role models.” [Mirqaat that convey the intended meaning should always speak good or remain treat it. abusive, harsh, intimidating, and foul-mouthed person is described Al-Mafaateeh] should be used in situations like the silent. Speaking good has many Al-Qaasimi, may Allah have mercy vulgar transgressor! We see this as foolish because vulgarity is only There are also people who use abovementioned ones and their like. manifestations, and silence could be upon him, said: “A person’s speech saddening transformation quite compatible with ignorance and foul, vulgar, and reprehensible Know that such euphemisms may be of great benefi t when no good could mirrors his virtues and soundness often, and the extent to which small-mindedness.” words under the pretext that they used as long as there is no need to use be spoken. of his mind. Therefore, you should someone’s character can change is Some people would argue that their were commonly used by the early overt language. If there is a need to Verily, bashfulness is at the very confi ne your speech to what is good, quite shocking. Is this how distant obscenity and vulgarity are justifi ed Arabs! Al-Maawardi, may Allah use it for the purpose of clarifi cation core of the believers’ morality and speak little, and beware of repugnant Islamic morality is from our hearts by the fact that they have been have mercy upon, him said: “What and education and it is feared that the central moral value of Islam. language as it alienates the honorable and souls, due to which it fails to angered, that the situation called falls into the category of vulgarity the addressee would not understand Whenever a person adheres to people from you and instead attracts change such qualities? for it, that other people triggered and foul language in terms of the metaphors or would understand bashfulness, he assumes control the wicked ones to you.” It was narrated on the authority of them by their misbehaviour, or obligation of avoiding it is all what something diff erent, then, in this of himself and (becomes able to) Article source: http://www. ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be that calmness in such situations seems disgraceful and reprehensible, case, one should use overt language change his bad morals. Therefore, islamweb.net/emainpage/ pleased with him, that the Messenger is harmful and passive! There is even if it may be considered good instead to ensure that the addressee we should be perfectly mindful of of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam no doubt that this is an erroneous and acceptable after search and understands the correct meaning, integrating it in educational curricula (may Allah exalt his mention), said: way of thinking that may incur deliberative contemplation.” and this is the rationale for using and practicing it in our lives. The “A believer is neither a slanderer evil consequences on people. The An-Nawawi, may Allah have overt language in some Ahadith. As Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi Gulf Times 10 Friday, August 21, 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 Mask up and stay distant to hasten the end of Covid-19

The litany of Covid-19’s curtailments is long. In- person schools and offi ces, the freedom to visit friends and family at will, and indoor gatherings of many types rank high, among many others. These share a tantalising commonality: If the virus ever subsides, people can get past them and resume a semblance of former lifestyles. In the US college conferences such as the Big Ten and PAC-12 added to the losses list by cancelling the season of football and other fall sports. The widely expected decision showed how farsighted planning must be to even contemplate a post-Covid-19 life: months, not Communicating public weeks. The pandemic and its costs have been needlessly prolonged in the US by several factors: the botched federal response, resistance to protective measures and casual departures in discipline. health and social justice Businesses that disregard state mask mandates and distancing share the blame. So do masses of fraternity members who congregate for maskless activities, and By Laura Wotton and Agnes self-triage tool, through which citizens shortages that aff ected those who harm those who follow it. This should Binagwaho concerned about potential symptoms needed it to treat their lupus and be true everywhere, with both leaders politicians who dismiss and undercut mask-wearing. Kigali can access advice, and distributed the rheumatoid arthritis. who off er such advice and the media It doesn’t have necessary resources – food, fi nancial Similarly, in April, Trump mused who amplify it having to answer to the to be this way. support, and healthcare – to enable at a White House press briefi ng justice system. If the virus ever s the Covid-19 pandemic vulnerable communities to comply that using household disinfectants But the issue extends beyond advice Rigorous, responsible has shown, communication with shelter-in-place orders. internally might be an eff ective that directly threatens lives, such as subsides, people and self-enforced is a double-edged sword. It All of these eff orts have bolstered Covid-19 treatment. Bleach sales – and inaccurate public-health information. protective eff orts Ais one of the most powerful trust in the government. Equally calls to poison centres – rose. Such The communication of information can resume a tools for changing behaviours. It can important, they have inspired claims threaten lives, yet there are few can also reinforce false assumptions by everyone could create awareness of – and compassion and empowered people to protect accountability mechanisms in place that contribute to social injustice. semblance of bring a semblance for – the plight of vulnerable groups, themselves and their communities. limiting the spread of dangerous or British media, for example, have of normal life back which suff er disproportionately dur- The results are compelling. As of misleading information. rightly been criticised for stories or former lifestyles within weeks. ing crises. When paired with a strong August 13, the UK, with 67mn people, To some extent, this is beginning to videos praising frontline health workers equity agenda and credible leadership, has recorded over 315,500 Covid-19 change. After years of criticism, social that feature only white people, even That’s science it can drive positive and inclusive ac- cases and 46,791 deaths. Rwanda, with media companies are starting to take though 44% of National Health Service talking, not just wishful thinking. tion. But when it is misused – dis- 13mn people, has had 2,189 cases and a some responsibility for the information workers come from BAME backgrounds. The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine torted by false assumptions, short- mere eight deaths. While many factors disseminated on their platforms. In many countries, media have published published a study on July 29 assessing the potential sightedness, and narrow self-interest may account for this disparity, people’s Twitter was the fi rst major platform China-centred conspiracy theories – communication can be a dangerous willingness and ability to follow to step up, fl agging several of Trump’s about the pandemic, hurting Chinese reopening of America’s elementary schools. weapon. public-health guidelines – shaped tweets for misinformation. – and, indeed, Asian – communities all Its examination of successful global eff orts pegged A comparison between the partly by government communication Even Facebook – whose chief over the world. signifi cant pandemic suppression to “less than two Covid-19 response in United and the trust it engendered – has executive, Mark Zuckerberg, has The way authority fi gures such Kingdom and Rwanda illustrates almost certainly played a role. vocally opposed fact-checking as media and political leaders months” of “stringent community control measures” this dichotomy. The UK’s response Confl icting information from political speech – has succumbed communicate with the public can save – that is, everyone in a mask and nonessential indoor suff ered from a lack of rapid coherent diff erent sources – including media, to pressure, including an advertiser or endanger lives, and it can challenge spaces shut down for a short, diffi cult period. political engagement and action, friends, and colleagues – can create boycott, to take action. It recently or reinforce injustice. Rwanda and all “If such measures were adopted now, transmission and its population was initially less and deepen divisions. This is especially removed from Trump’s offi cial account too few other countries, most notably responsive to public-health messages. true when fl awed, contradictory, or a post containing a video clip from New Zealand, have shown that in in many US states could probably be reduced to safe Communication failures played a incorrect information is coming from an interview in which Trump claims combating Covid-19, innovative, levels for mid-September or early-October school signifi cant role in this. the government – especially its top that children are “almost immune” to inclusive, and science-backed reopenings,” wrote the paper’s authors, researchers The government began leadership. Covid-19. communication is the most powerful undermining itself early on, when it The United States is a case in point. But social media platforms should tool we have. – Project Syndicate from Harvard University and the United Kingdom. vastly underestimated the Covid-19 During the pandemic, US President hardly bear all of the responsibility Weeks later “such measures” are not uniformly death toll. Leaders continued to Donald Trump has repeatedly made for protecting the public from z Laura Wotton is Communications, required. The medicine is hard to take. Masks aren’t provide contradictory information dubious and dangerous claims. misinformation. News outlets must Marketing, and Public Relations comfortable, and shuttered businesses don’t make and examples, causing widespread For example, in March, he publicly also serve as reliable bastions of Manager at the University of Global confusion about the guidelines and endorsed hydroxychloroquine as a credible information. Health Equity. money. But look around – the series of closures and undermining faith in government “game changer” in the fi ght against Personal or professional zAgnes Binagwaho, Rwanda’s former reclosures now extends months ahead. And as long as further. A recent survey showed that Covid-19, despite a lack of scientifi c responsibility may not be enough. In minister of health, is Professor and the infection rate stubbornly rises again after each dip, public confi dence in government research backing the claim. This Rwanda, it is illegal for any authority to Vice-Chancellor of the University of this ordeal will endure. Children will likely be home has yet to recover from the fl agrant caused a run on the drug, leading to provide advice that has the potential to Global Health Equity. violation of lockdown rules in May by from school for long months. Perhaps a vaccine will Dominic Cummings, Prime Minister be discovered. If so, testing, distribution and mass Boris Johnson’s chief adviser. inoculation will require still more time. UK leaders have also failed to acknowledge that the virus was Don’t wait. Help now and act responsibly and disproportionately aff ecting black, vigilantly. Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) “Where we see the transmissions occur are when communities. As a result, these groups we let our hair down and have a good time with our have not received the tailored health services and targeted information they friends,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee said. need to stay safe. To get normal life back, exercise extraordinary By contrast, Rwanda’s approach to discipline in the near term. Mask up, and stay socially communication can be described as distant. It hurts, but it’s the way. – Tribune News consistent, credible, inclusive, and timely. One month before Rwanda’s Service fi rst confi rmed case of Covid-19, the government was already issuing regular, science-backed updates charting testing progress and national preparedness. To ensure that everyone To Advertise received essential information, these [email protected] messages were disseminated digitally, by SMS, via local radio stations, Display and even with the help of drones. 44466621 44418811 Community health workers reinforced messages at the community and Classified household levels. Furthermore, Rwanda adopted a 44466609 44418811 participatory approach to decision- making, which engaged those Subscription responsible for implementing the [email protected] response and those most aff ected by the crisis, in order to understand their unique needs. The government © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved established a national helpline and A hi-tech robot checks the temperature of a health worker in Kigali. Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 11 PAKISTAN

PM Khan launches health card Pakistan at a key juncture, scheme to all families president tells parliament in KP Internews wasted to remind the people of understand this; but you and I, “It won’t be that the children Islamabad Pakistan of what they have learnt we are able to understand, right? of wealthy parents learn dif- and what they have achieved, “God only helps those who ferently,” he added, noting that Internews and how they are on the way to care for the common people and graduates of elite institutes, Islamabad/Peshawar resident Dr Arif Alvi re- becoming a great country. the poor and the ummah. such as the Aitchison College, counted the Pakistan “We all collectively fought “Our smart lockdown led to were a diff erent class than the PTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) terrorism. Pakistan is the only (fewer) deaths and reduced ex- common people. rime Minister Imran Khan government’s performance over nation that fought terrorism,” he posure [to the coronavirus] and “We provided 50,000 schol- has launched a programme the past two years in his address added, congratulating the poli- today, just before coming here, arships in one year. This is im- Pto provide the Sehat In- to a joint session of parliament, ticians and armed forces for the I read that in India, on Wednes- portant because in the past 17 saf Card (health card) to every praising Prime Minister Imran “win” for the country. day, 70,000 new cases were years, only 23,000 scholarships family of Khyber Pakhuntakhwa Khan for withstanding pressure “We also provided (refuge) identifi ed. were awarded,” he noted. (KP). over his coronavirus strategy. to the 3.5mn Afghan refugees, “And in Pakistan? Only 600. There was exemplary work KP is the fi rst province where The prime minister, who met we welcomed them with open “There must be something done in health and machines every family is being provided a National Assembly Speaker Asad hearts, and no politician or gov- we did, right? We’re genetically readied. health card. Qaiser shortly before the session ernment spoke ill of them,” he similar, we have same atmos- “It had been said earlier that The family with the health started, was also present in the added. phere and resources, but we did people would die on the roads, card will be able to access free House, as were former prime The president highlighted something good.” but we set up hospitals, and medical treatment worth Rs1mn minister Shahid Khaqan Ab- how “100 refugees were strand- The president stressed that none of the facilities there such at government and private hos- basi, Raza Rabbani, Mushahid- ed in the Mediterranean” after there was no moment in Paki- as ventilators were used more pitals. ullah Khan, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, “global powers that lectured us stan’s history as far as he could than 40-60%. Earlier, 40% of the population Maulana Asad Mehmood, and on refugees refused to let them remember when the world had “People could say we are a of the province had been ben- Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. in”. looked up to Pakistan to learn poor nation and our prepara- efi ting from the Sehat Insaf Card Top Opposition leaders She- “Pakistan set up an example, from it. tions cannot match but we programme. hbaz Sharif, former president Pakistan told the world how it There were two nations – Ja- ‘over-matched’,” he added. The prime minister said: “The Asif Ali Zardari, and Bilawal lectured us but showed how we pan and Philippines – that ad- However, Alvi said that some major reason for people living Bhutto-Zardari, however, were welcomed the [Afghan] refu- mitted it was possible to learn battles still remained for Pa- below the poverty line is illness. not present. gees,” he added. from Pakistan with respect to kistan, including tuberculosis He elaborated that due to a Neither was Baluchistan Na- Alvi also listed a third victory President Alvi: Nations are built based on strong and visionary the coronavirus pandemic. (TB), hepatitis – “9% of Pak single person’s illness in a fam- tional Party – Mengal (BNP- the battle against extremism. decisions, not just on science and data, but on basis of compassion. The president lauded the me- population suff ers from hepa- ily, the entire family’s budget is Mengal) leader Akhtar Mengal, “The importance of this one dia for encouraging and remind- titis” – as well as malnutrition aff ected. who has contracted the corona- is even more, considering what’s “[This leads to] depression the battle or not,” he said. ing people to follow the SOPs, as and stunted growth. Khan said that the govern- virus. going on in our east-side neigh- being created that a nation that “But [Tariq ibn Ziyad] burned well as the ulema, doctors, and “The prime minister’s experi- ment is trying to replicate and Members of the Opposition bouring country, where extrem- should be growing ends up los- his boats. I believe the vision and paramedical staff for their serv- ence in health helped the nation, enforce the model in Punjab. parties protested and chanted ism is rising,” he explained. ing motivation. priorities should be clear in the ices. he spoke of stunting, as well as He expressed hope that other slogans against the PTI govern- He underlined how, when the “This is a major injustice and mind of the nation and only then He also appreciated the Na- of population growth. provinces will follow KP’s lead ment while the Jamiat Ulema-e- incumbent government came I challenge you here that this is it becomes a true vision. tional Command and Operations “According to the Holy and introduce public health in- Islam – Fazlur (JUI-F) staged a into power, there was “a huge the time when you tell the nation “So what was the vision that Centre (NCOC), the National Qur’an, breastfeeding can help surance. walkout shortly after the session burden of debts, corruption was to rise up and stand up, instead we created? That we will not let Disaster Management Author- reduce malnutrition and stunt- “People in Sindh will also de- commenced. rife, and the economy was on a of telling it that it won’t be able the poor die of starvation. ity (NDMA), and Prime Minister ing, and instructions provided mand that they get health insur- In his speech, President Alvi downtrend”. to do so,” he said. “We made use of foresight. Khan for withstanding pressure in the Holy Qur’an can show the ance,” the prime minister said, congratulated the House for “The fi rst year, I, too, was “I give you the example of last What we did was completely and remaining steadfast. way ahead for people. adding that hospitals will also be completing two years, say- worried; people advised me to year when the coronavirus [pan- diff erent to all the pressure, all With regard to the Ehsaas “I appeal to ulema, media, and pressured to perform better due ing that he was honoured to be sign a deal with the IMF [Inter- demic] hit, and there was pres- the data, and whatever the rest Emergency Cash Programme, everyone, to speak about healthy to the health card. speaking there for the third time. national Monetary Fund] or ask sure for a total lockdown. of the world was doing. he said 16.9mn benefi ted from population, the gap [in preg- “It should be ensured that He also lauded the PTI gov- for assistance from friendly na- “Nations are built based on “With regard to the mosques, Rs12,000 per family, eff ectively nancy and childbirth], and the everyone has a health card so a ernment for its performance, tions. strong and visionary decisions, daily and taraweeh prayers translating into 80-90mn peo- recovery [of mothers],” he said. database can be formed. With saying that he would present its “But whatever we decided not just on science and data, but stopped in mosques in 57 Mus- ple assisted by the government Speaking of the special needs the database, the health expend- wins to the House. has led to positive eff ects on our on basis of compassion. lim countries, but through the of Pakistan. people, the president said that iture can be monitored.” “Pakistan is at that point economy,” he added. “Speaking of science and SOPs [standard operating pro- “This compassion is some- Pakistan should “not forget where it should be reviewed The president lamented how data, I’m reminded of [Muslim cedures], the ulema in collabora- thing that God probably liked them” and to bring them into the what has been done so far, what the situation at present was such military commander] Tariq ibn tion with the government took a and then He helped us in the mainstream. US envoy lauds should have been done, and that “good news is not promot- Ziyad. good step to allow people to con- coronavirus [pandemic],” he “The laws are present and what should be done in the fu- ed”. “Science and data and realism tinue praying in the mosques. noted. only implementation is needed. Pakistan’s role in ture,” he said. “Our nation is young. Instead dictated not to burn the boats, “There was a smart lockdown The president, while speak- I’m working on this in the uni- regional peace The nation has had three les- of giving it strength, there’s one is in a new country but one for coronavirus two or three ing about the Single National versities and eff orts are being sons in the past, he added, not- more talk in the media and else- should keep open the way back days ago, I met a few journalists Curriculum (SNC), said it would made in the commercial organi- Top US diplomat in Islamabad ing that no chance should be where of what it didn’t do. regardless of whether one wins who used to say they failed to help create one nation. sations,” he added. Paul Jones paid a farewell call on Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa. “Ambassador Paul W Jones, US Charge d’Aff airs to Pakistan, met General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), 16 killed, dozens injured as heavy rains lash central Pakistan on his farewell visit today,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, DPA/Internews In addition, a landslide oc- said yesterday. Islamabad/Lahore curred in a coal mine in Qasba Jones held temporary Bhal of Chakwal due to the rain, ambassadorial charge for two crushing three labourers and years. t least 16 people died injuring fi ve others. The US government has not and dozens were injured Two people died in Faisal- appointed a full-time ambassador Aas heavy rains inundat- abad and Zafarwal from elec- to Afghanistan either. ed several cities in the central trocution. “The COAS thanked the (Jones) province of Punjab, rescue of- Authorities have put rescue for his services and contributions fi cials said yesterday. agencies on alert in the south- in Pakistan,” the ISPR said. Most deaths occurred in the ern port city of Karachi, where (The) visiting dignitary eastern city of Lahore, which rainfall is predicted over the appreciated Pakistan’s positive has a population of around next three days. role for Afghan peace and 10mn, rescue offi cial Farooq The city has a population of reconciliation process, and Ahmad told DPA. 20mn. ensuring peace and stability in He said heavy rains overnight At least three dozen injured the region,” it added. fl ooded several neighbourhoods people were being treated at in the city and caused roofs to hospitals in various parts of the collapse and walls to cave in. province, rescue offi cial Deeba All resources used Another rescue spokesperson Shahnaz said. said that the roof of an old house Pakistan’s Meteorological to revive economy collapsed in Ibrahim Colony, lo- Department has predicted more in Baluchistan cated in Lahore’s Harbanspura heavy rains in most parts of the area, killing four people and in- country, spokesperson Mo- Baluchistan Governor Amanullah juring fi ve others. hamed Hanif said. Khan Yasinzai has said that all Following the incident, res- Hundreds of people die in available resources are being cue workers rushed to the spot Pakistan and other countries utilised for economic stability in and recovered the two bodies. across densely-populated the province. Meanwhile, the roof of a South Asia every year during He was speaking with a house on Muridke Road in monsoon season in July and Au- delegation of the Federation of Sheikhupura collapsed, killing gust. Pakistan Chamber of Commerce two people and injuring seven Apart from fl ooding caused and Industry, led by its vice- others. by rains in the Himalayas, cli- president Jumma Khan, which Moreover, fi ve people –a mate change has given rise to called on Yasinzai in Quetta, woman and four children – more complicated challenges The governor said that the were killed when the roof of like the inundation of cities and closure of Chaman and Taftan their house collapsed in Mandi glacial lake outbursts in recent borders due to coronavirus Commuters wade through a flooded street in Lahore following heavy monsoon rains. Bahauddin’s Phalia area. years. pandemic had badly aff ected all segments of life, especially trader community. He said that the government is aware of the problems, and is taking serious eff orts to revive Supreme Court gives govt four weeks to restructure railways trade activities in both border towns. Internews the deadline at the Planning British is still in good shape,” spect” the Indus as well dur- pleting the project sooner. train accidents taking place Islamabad Commission’s request. the judge said, adding that there ing the construction, because it Replying to the judge, Ka- across the country, the chief National Party At yesterday’s hearing, the was “not a single bridge on river “runs the country’s economy”. rachi Commissioner Iftikhar justice had remarked: “The way Supreme Court also ordered a Sindh that the nation could take In response, the railways sec- Shahwani said that a tender has railways is being run, this cannot chief Bizenjo dead he Supreme Court of progress report on the Karachi pride in”. retary said that state-of-the-art been issued for the fencing of go on.” Pakistan has given the Circular Railway project from He added that the Ayub bridges will be built, adding that railway stations in the city. The bench had added that an National Party president Mir Hasil Tgovernment a four-week the Sindh government and Paki- Bridge, built during former the recently-approved railway In the last hearing, the court overhaul of the railways is need- Khan Bizenjo died yesterday in deadline to restructure Pakistan stan Railways. president Ayub Khan’s era, was project’s package one will be had ordered the railways min- ed to improve the performance Karachi. Railways, and called on the au- Chief Justice of Pakistan Gul- the only bridge that could be completed within three years. istry to work on making travel- of the ministry. He had been admitted to Aga thorities to build better bridges zar Ahmed noted that the con- considered “beautiful”. “Three years is a lot [of time], ling by train safer, after a series The court also inquired about Khan Hospital in a critical for the ML-1 project. dition of the railways’ bridges is “Good bridges should be built the Chinese build railway lines of train accidents in the country the ML-1 railway project under condition in the morning. The apex court was holding not satisfactory, remarking that for ML-1,” the judge told the within months,” remarked the in the past two years prompted the China-Pakistan Economic The veteran politician had a hearing on the suo motu case the Karachi-Hyderabad bridge railway offi cials present at the chief justice, adding that if serious questions over the min- Corridor (CPEC), and ordered reportedly been battling lung regarding the railways’ losses, could collapse at any time. hearing. funds are available, then there istry’s performance. the Planning Division to submit cancer for the past few months. where the court agreed to give “The bridge in Kotri made by He also directed them to “re- should be no hindrance in com- Pointing towards the frequent a report. Gulf Times 12 Friday, August 21, 2020 QATAR Global sporting icons to grace WISH mental health webinar tars who shone on the ath- letics track, the football Sfi eld, and the cricket pitch will next week join an expert on sports psychology to discuss the impact that sport can have on mental health, in an online event hosted by the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), Qa- tar Foundation’s global health initiative. ‘Mental Health & Sport: The Eclectic II Demure in Gucci Challenge of Balancing Risk With Reward’ will feature a panel dis- cussion where participants will share fi rst-hand experiences Robbie Fowler Dame Kelly Holmes of the pressures that elite-level Unique virtual exhibition opens at Katara sport creates, and the toll it can prominent athletes raising pub- take amid the trophies, medals, lic awareness by speaking out and glory. about their own battles, both unique virtual exhibition three. ‘Femmes à la mode’, which women who are strong and in- for fashion, colours, patterns and It comes as the importance of while competing and after retir- at Katara – the Cultural will run until December 31, forms dependent, who know what prints. The thought of juxtapos- maintaining mental well-being ing,” said Sultana Afdhal, CEO of AVillage features 12 unique part of a series of virtual exhibi- they want and desire to defi ne ing it all to create art which had a is thrown into even sharper focus WISH. paintings, highlighting women’s tions organised by Katara aimed their own perspective and cre- fl amboyant vibe was my attempt by the strain that Covid-19 has “This virtual discussion pro- innate interest for fashion and at showcasing the works of local ate their own narrative through and thought process”, Surabhi placed on individuals and socie- vides the perfect opportunity to style. “Women have always been and international artists. their lifestyle: fashion forming said. ties worldwide. highlight key issues surrounding a focal point in my artwork. The artworks portray how an important component of this Apart from ‘femmes à la mode’, The panellists brought togeth- sport and mental health ahead of The idea of painting them in women pay attention on the kind narrative,” the artist said. The other exhibitions previously pre- er by the World Innovation Sum- WISH’s November summit.” fashionable outfi ts stems from of dress they wear – a powerful artist relied on colours and por- sented by Katara include the ‘The mit for Health (WISH) are double Fowler – whose 19-year foot- my own love for fashion. When a way of expressing identity and traits to display diff erent features Land of the Good Men’ by Ali Olympic gold medal-winning ball career included 128 goals in woman feels attractive and beau- communicating it to others – and of women but share the desire Dasmal al-Kuwari, the ‘The Re- athlete Dame Kelly Holmes, 266 games for Liverpool, and 26 tiful it exudes her mood,” said In- the impression it creates to oth- in life through the use of light sult’ by the fi ne-art artist Fatima former Liverpool FC and England caps for England – has spoken Sultana Afdhal, CEO of WISH. dian artist Surabhi, who started ers. colours. “The idea for these art- al-Nuaimi, and the ‘Trace’ by Ja- footballer Robbie Fowler, ex- about the challenges that fame her artistic career at the age of “The women I portray are works came purely from the love waher al-Mannai. Pakistan cricket captain Wasim poses for young footballers, and fulfi l their potential. Cricketing Akram, and Professor Claudia of the need for sports stars to legend turned commentator and Reardon, a psychiatrist special- be more open about discussing coach Akram, regarded as one of ising in sports at the University their mental health with team- the best bowlers of all time, took of Wisconsin and co-chair of mates. over 900 international wickets the International Olympic Com- “The mental health of sports- and, for six years, was captain of mittee’s working group on men- men and women is an issue that the Pakistan national side. tal health and elite athletes. The has rightly started to receive a The panel discussion will be one-hour event, which is free to lot more attention recently, so moderated by BBC Sport and view, starts at 5pm Doha time on I’m happy to be part of the WISH BBC News presenter Dan Walker, August 26. panel discussion and to hear who recently hosted a conversa- WISH 2020 – the latest edi- other people’s opinions on the tion on mental health and foot- tion of WISH’s biannual interna- topic.” ball with the Duke of Cambridge. tional health summit, which will Since an athletics career that It will be followed by a 30-minute take place virtually from Novem- featured 12 major championship question-and-answer session, ber 15-19 – will include a focus medals ended, Dame Kelly has with viewers having the chance on sport and health, as well as on opened up about her personal to pose their questions to the mental health. mental health struggles and es- speakers. “Sport has emerged as a fi eld tablished a charity that uses the To register for the event, please needing special focus in terms skills of world-class athletes to visit www.wish.org.qa/webi- of mental health, with many help hard-to-reach young people nars/

New shipping service

Royal Charm Eclectic I

Pest control drive

Doha Municipality’s General Cleanliness Department addressed 2,088 requests for QTerminals has announced that Far Shipping Lines has added Hamad Port in the rotation of their Far rodent and pest control in various areas of the municipality during July. In addition, Shipping Gulf Service 1 (FGS1) eff ective from August 18. The service rotation is as follows: Mundra- the municipality executed 383 requests for clearing and unblocking manholes in the Sohar-Jebel Ali-Dammam-Jubail-Hamad Port-Jebel Ali-Karachi-Mundra, QTerminals has said in a same period. A number of waste containers were placed at diff erent commercial and tweet. QTerminals is a terminal operating company jointly established by Mwani Qatar and Milaha to residential complexes. Further, around 15.4mn gallons of sewage water were drawn provide services to Hamad Port. from diff erent areas across the municipality.