www.thepeninsula.qa Wednesday 15 July 2020 Volume 25 | Number 8319 24 Dhul-Qa'da - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 14 PENMAG | 15 SPORT | 20

Profits hit as US Classifieds AFC shortlists banks set aside and Services Qatar coach billions for section Sanchez for top bad loans included award

Do it online now. Get a new SIM from the Online safety of your home! Qatar wins legal battle over air blockade

THE PENINSULA & AGENCIES

Qatar emerged victorious at top UN court as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled In the dispute under the Chicago yesterday that the country has the right to challenge airspace Convention, the ICJ ruled that: restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt before the UN’s aviation body With respect to the blockading states’ first ground of appeal, which — the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). alleged that the ICAO Council “failed to uphold fundamental principles Since June 2017, the block- of due process,” the ICJ unanimously found that “the procedures ading countries (Saudi Arabia, followed by the Council did not prejudice in any fundamental way the the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt) have pro- requirements of a just procedure.” hibited Qatar-registered aircraft from flying to or from their air- The ICJ also rejected the blockading states’ second ground of appeal, ports and overflying their We welcome the decision by the ICJ that which claimed that the “real issue” in dispute was not their violations national airspaces, in flagrant will see the blockading countries finally of the Chicago Convention and IASTA, but their blatantly false violation of international law. face justice for violating international avi- In two judgements released accusations that Qatar supports and finances terrorism. The ICJ once yesterday, the ICJ rejected all ation rules. We are confident that the again refused to give any credence to those falsehoods and three grounds of appeal raised ICAO will ultimately find these actions unanimously concluded that “the Council did not err when it rejected by the blockading states, finding unlawful. This is the latest in a series of that the ICAO has jurisdiction the first preliminary objection by the Appellants relating to its rulings that expose the blockading coun- to hear Qatar’s claims. The ICAO jurisdiction,” and that the claims brought before the Council were Council will now resume its tries’ continued disregard for interna- admissible. proceedings. tional law and due process. Step by step The president of the ICJ, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said their arguments are being dismantled, The blockading states’ third ground of appeal, which incredibly the Hague-based court unani- and Qatar’s position vindicated.” claimed that Qatar never made a “genuine attempt to initiate mously “rejects the appeal” by negotiations” prior to filing its claims under the Chicago Convention the rival states against a H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti and IASTA, was equally unanimously rejected. decision by the world civil avi- Minister of Transport and Communications ation body in favour of Qatar over sovereign airspace, AFP reported. several decisions of ICAO ICJ that will see the blockading Step by step their arguments are of international law. This rules by failing to take action The court also “holds that should be dismissed, reported states finally face justice for vio- being dismantled, and Qatar’s verdict is the latest in a series against, and instead actively the International Civil Aviation Reuters. lating international aviation position vindicated.” of international judgements promoting, broadcast pirate Organisation (ICAO) has juris- Qatar has welcomed the rules. We are confident that the The Government Commu- vindicating this position and beoutQ. diction” in the case, by 15 judges ruling that it can challenge air- ICAO will ultimately find these nications Office (GCO) in a finding in favour of the State of Qatar’s decision to bring to one, Yusuf said, according to space restrictions at the ICAO. actions unlawful. This is the statement said that since the Qatar. claims before the ICAO follows AFP. Minister of Transport and Com- latest in a series of rulings that start of the illegal blockade in It follows a ruling by the repeated attempts to negotiate The ICJ’s 16-judge panel munications, H E Jassim Saif expose the bockading countries’ June 2017, Qatar has maintained World Trade Organization in an amicable settlement, which ruled that appeals filed by Ahmed Al Sulaiti said: “We continued disregard for inter- that the blockading states have June that the Kingdom of Saudi have been consistently rejected Qatar’s neighbours against welcome today’s decision by the national law and due process. acted illegally and in violation Arabia breached global trade by the blockading states. `P2 ICJ ruling shows legal A historic victory for Qatar Third judicial victory since strength of Qatar’s position against blockading countries the beginning of siege

THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Hassan Rashid Al Derham (pictured), President The Chairman of Qatar Civil Aviation Dr Mohamed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi of Qatar University, has said that the International Authority (QCAA), Abdullah bin Nasser Turki (pictured), the agent of Qatar in the ICJ, Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in favour of Qatar dem- Al Subaie (pictured), has said that the Inter- has said that the International Court of onstrated the steadfast and civilized position of national Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling is a Justice (ICJ) ruling is in favour of Qatar and Qatar in dealing with controversial issues. historic victory for Qatar against the block- against the blockading countries. “The ICJ ruling clearly and without any doubt ading countries. “We congratulate the government and Al Subaie also said in a tweet, commenting people of the State on this third judicial victory

Qatar to continue carrying flag of truth and justice

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Commenting on ICJ verdict in favour of Qatar, Minister of State H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (pictured), has said that Qatar is steadfast and will continue carrying the flag of truth and shows that Qatar’s position was legal in its demand on the ICJ’s ruling which rejected the appeal since the beginning of the siege on June 5, 2017,” justice until the siege on it and its people ends. for the implementation of the law and giving the by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United he said while speaking to Al Jazeera channel “From the beginning, we were extremely con- right to its people,” he said. Arab Emirates against a decision by the ICAO, yesterday. fident of justice of our cause. An unjustifiable and Speaking to The Peninsula yesterday, Al that: “We have once again proved in a civilised Al Khulaifi said that the ICJ has rejected the unjustified siege was imposed on the State of Derham said: “It is not the first time that Qatar has way (blockading) countries’ breach of inter- appeals from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Qatar, which undermines the social ties between resorted to the international courts. It approached national agreements.” Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt regarding the the people of the region and violates the right of the International Court of Justice regarding the “Qatar has achieved a historic victory over jurisdiction of the International Civil Aviation neighborhood,” Minister of State and President dispute with Bahrain on some islands, which is an the siege countries in the International Court Organization (ICAO) in considering the Qatari of Qatar National Library H E Dr Hamad bin evidence of country’s legal and civilized approach of Justice, and with this ruling in our favor, we complaint. “As you know, the State of Qatar has Abdulaziz Al Kuwari told The Peninsula. in handling cases when it becomes difficult to solve will complete the procedures for Qatari com- submitted its complaint to ICAO concerned with He said that the blockade violated interna- disputes directly.” Qatar once again, Al Derham plaints in ICAO, and we will once again dem- deciding civil aviation issues since the beginning tional and humanitarian laws, which was clearly said, proved its peaceful approach towards onstrate the breach of these countries to inter- of the blockade, and the Council approved by beyond doubt, and for this reason they refused resolving issues between it and other countries national agreements in a civilized manner,” a majority votes to accept jurisdiction in mid- dialogue to resolve the crisis. `P2 through international law. `P2 he tweeted. `P2 2018,” he said. `P2 beIN MEDIA GROUP criticises Saudi for competition’s statement MADLSA to launch new online QNA — DOHA pronouncement by the Saudi of competition law.” promote competition is plainly platform for Qatarisation of jobs General Authority for Competition “The decision is nonsensical on absurd.” “We would also question - beIN MEDIA GROUP criticised the purporting to “permanently ter- every single level, banning beIN for as we have for 3 years how Saudi QNA — DOHA recent statement issued by the minate” beIN’s licence to broadcast packaging its rights in the standard citizens can watch Premier League General Authority for Competition in Saudi Arabia. This decision was way that sports and entertainment matches legally in Saudi Arabia with The Assistant Undersecretary of Administrative in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, arrived at through sham legal pro- broadcasters all around the world this “permanent” ban on the Premier Development Affairs at the Ministry of Administrative which purports to permanently ceedings that repeatedly violated do, and indeed as other broadcasters League’s licenced broadcaster. Or Development, Labor and Social Affairs (MADLSA), terminate the licence to broadcast beIN’s due process rights at every active in the Saudi market also do. indeed how Saudi citizens can legally Abdulah Musalam Al Dosari, revealed that a new beIN in Saudi Arabia. turn and the decision itself is not Moreover, the very idea that perma- watch most major international sport, online platform will soon be launched, allowing In a statement beIN MEDIA only contrary to international law nently banning a leading competitor and how this fits into Saudi Arabia’s Qataris who wish to find jobs to identify available GROUP said, “We note the latest but also the most basic principles from a market could in any way 2030 Vision,” it added. `P2 jobs. `P2 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER TODAY Very hot daytime with some clouds and slight dust to FAJR03.25 am SUNRISE 04.53 am o o blowing dust at some places at times. ZUHR 11.40 am ASR 03.04 pm 33 C 47 C Minimum Maximum HIGH TIDE 14:42 – 00:00 LOW TIDE 06:47– 19:32 MAGHRIB 06.29 pm ISHA 07.59 pm W ALRUWAIS: 33o↗40o W ALKHOR: 30o↗43o W DUKHAN: 31o↗41o W WAKRAH: 33o↗47o W MESAIEED 33o↗47o W ABUSAMRA 30o↗48o

Shura Council Speaker chairs GOPAC meeting OFFICIAL NEWS Amir congratulates QNA — DOHA The executive committee President of France took a number of decisions Speaker of the Shura Council HE Ahmed on National Day bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, who that aim to achieve the is also President of the Global Organisation organisation’s goals. DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim of Parliamentarians Against Corruption bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy (GOPAC), chaired yesterday via video Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin conference the meeting of the organiza- HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday tion’s executive committee to discuss and President of the organisation also cables of congratulations to the future activities of the organisation and stressed Qatar’s leading role in fighting President of the French Repub- examine the initiatives it plans to corruption, and praised the decision of lic H E Emmanuel Macron on the undertake to achieve its goals in coordi- Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al occasion of his country’s National nation with world parliaments and other Thani to establish the Sheikh Tamim Bin Day. Prime Minister and Minister international organisations focused on Hamad Al Thani Anti-Corruption Excel- of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin combatting corruption. lence Award, which coincides with Inter- Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani also His Excellency gave a speech at the national Anti-Corruption Day on sent a cable of congratulations to beginning of the meeting, stressing the big December 9 of every year. the Prime Minister of the French role the organisation has to play in pro- The executive committee then took a Republic H E Jean Castex on the tecting public money and in enhancing number of decisions that aim to achieve occasion of his country’s National transparency and the rule of law to serve the organisation’s goals and coordinate Shura Council Speaker H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud chairing a Day. -QNA sustainable development in countries all with the United Nations in combatting meeting of Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption through over the world. corruption. video conference, yesterday. Amir congratulates Dominican ICJ decision shows integrity Qatar National Library reopens today President-elect DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim of Qatar's position, says FAZEENA SALEEM 37.8 degrees Celsius when Library staff for pick-up. Items bin Hamad Al Thani held yester- THE PENINSULA tested; and have a face mask can be borrowed only through day a telephone a conversation or shield in place, will be self-checkout stations. with H E Luis Rodolfo Abinader, Prof. Mariam Al Madeed Qatar National Library will permitted to enter the Members should bring their during which His Highness con- reopen for visitors from today Library,” she added. membership card and have a gratulated him on his victory in THE PENINSULA — DOHA with measures in place to help The Library will be closed Library visit booking when the presidential elections of the reduce the risk of COVID-19. on weekends. Only 100 people they come to pick up the Dominican Republic and wished The new ICJ decision These precautions are in line will be allowed in the building books they requested,” said Al him success. During the call, they supporting the position of the with the recommendations during each time slot, with Naemi. reviewed bilateral relations and State of Qatar on the issue of from Qatar’s Ministry of Public formal and informal She also said that, only the means of developing them the air blockade imposed by the Health and the World Health gatherings restricted to five visitors aged 13 to 60 years in various fields, especially in the quartet in June 2017 without Organization. people. There are dedicated will be allowed access to the economic field. -QNA warning, indicates the integrity “Safety of our staff and members of staff who will Library. For now, children can of the Qatari position and the visitors is our top priority. monitor this throughout the reserve books through their Amir congratulates procedures taken by the block- Visits will be by appointment allotted times. parents and guardians. ading countries are illegal and only during one of two daily “Seating areas will be Any books received from Polish President undermine international law. slots (9am– 11am or 12pm– limited, as will workstations. the public will be kept under on his re-election Commenting on the ICJ 2pm), Sunday through Safety is our main priority at isolation for five days before verdict, Professor Mariam Ali Thursday. You can book your all times,” said Al Naemi. recirculating. The Library will DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Al Maadeed, Vice-President for visit only through the online Only books can be borrowed also be fully equipped with all Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir Research and Graduate Studies form you can find on the from the Library for the time the required equipment for H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad at Qatar University, told The homepage of our website,” being. No borrowing of the hygiene practices advised Al Thani sent yesterday cables of Peninsula that despite arbitrary Lolwa A Al Naemi, Manager of DVDs, CDs, iPads, by the government. congratulations to H E President measures taken by the block- Facilities at the Library told headphones, chargers, or any “For additional safety, Andrzej Duda on the occasion of Mariam Al Madeed, Vice- The Peninsula ading countries, the State of President for Research and , yesterday. other equipment is permitted book return stations inside the his re-election as President of the Republic of Poland. -QNA Qatar was able, with the grace Graduate Studies at QU. “Only those who have a for safety reasons. Library building will be closed, of Allah and wisdom of the confirmation of their slot “Members must submit a with bins provided at the leadership, to deal with the booking through the online request for books on their Library’s main entrance for dispute ideally. advancements opening new form; are between ages 13 and timeslot form at least two returning books. Patrons can ICJ ruling shows “Qatar continued its eco- horizons towards more inter- 60; have a green status on the working days before visiting also use the drive-thru book nomic growth with all its national cooperation,” Pro- Ehteraz app; have a the Library. Pre-packaged return station outside the legal strength of political and scientific fessor Al-Maadeed added. temperature of no more than books will be prepared by Library,” said Al Naemi. Qatar’s position Minister: Qatar to continue carrying flag of truth and justice FROM PAGE 1 “Therefore we are proud FROM PAGE 1 Civil Aviation Organization congratulate Amir H H Sheikh implementation of international came to reaffirm categorically a of this approach founded by Minister of State H E Dr (ICAO). Qatar’s team was able Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, law attempted to avoid the jurisdiction of ICOA thus consol- Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari to present their case there and trust on his wise leadership, and ruling by claiming that the ICAO idating its ruling. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said: “As an active member of the court issued its verdict by I congratulate the lawyers of had no jurisdiction. I do not “Unfortunately, the block- and followed by Amir HH the United Nations and for its asserting Qatar’s right to our country on this victory, as know who will be the com- ading countries do not respect the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al faith in international law, Qatar freedom to fly.” well as I extend my congratu- petent authority if it is not laws. And here Qatar and its Thani,” he said, adding, was clearly aware that pre- Thus, he said, Qatar dem- lation to the Ministry of ICAO?” H E Dr Hamad bin lawyers have achieved a bright “Qatar’s rights are protected venting flight to freely fly by onstrated the fairness of its Transport and Communica- Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said that victory in front of the world.” He and will be obtained by imposing a blockade on it was cause and that these (block- tions, and above all to steadfast when the matter was brought to said that Qatar is steadfast and international law.” contrary to international law ading) countries violated the people of Qatar,” he added. the International Court of Justice will continue carrying the flag of “Settling disputes and this is why Qatar organization’s decisions and “Blockade countries instead (ICJ) to rule on the subject matter truth and justice until the siege through dialogue, adherence approached the International international law. “We of recognizing justice and seek of jurisdiction, the court verdict on it and its people ends. to international law and seeking peaceful approaches is Qatar’s foreign policy prin- ciples, as Qatar believes that Qatar wins legal battle over air blockade Third judicial victory since there are no disputes over political issue that can not be FROM PAGE 1 organizations of the United International Court of Justice, the beginning of siege settled through dialogue and Nations, in which it presented recognizing that this interna- it has successfully conducted FROM PAGE 1 Qatar’s Civil Aviation in detail all the violations tional organization is not com- yesterday by the ICJ, he pointed experiences in mediation Authority (CAA) also welcomed committed by the four coun- petent to consider the Qatari Dr Al Khulaifi also said that out that the ICAO Council gave and conflicts resolution,” Al the judgement issued by the tries regarding the air complaints. the ruling came unanimously by the blockading countries a Derham added. International Court of Justice embargo, and demanded its Thus, the CAA will imme- the members of the court, certain period to respond to the in favour of Qatar. end, said CAA. diately initiate the complaints including the special judge who Qatari complaint and this period “In another landmark The blockade countries procedures submitted in 2017, was appointed by the block- will expire after seven days from MoPH: 517 new judgment, the court recognized have resumed the ICAO to prove to the world the vio- ading countries. He also added now. “The siege countries have the competence of the inter- decision to consider the lation of the four countries of that this is one of the rare cases seven days to respond in writing COVID-19 cases national organization to con- dispute between the State of the Chicago Convention 1944 in which a special judge on the complaint.” “The reason sider the Qatari complaints Qatar and the blockade coun- and the transit agreement appointed by a state votes for Qatar’s first resorting to against the four countries,” tries, against the backdrop of annexed thereto, in which against the countries that ICAO is that it is the competent THE PENINSULA — DOHA said CAA in a statement. the air embargo imposed by they claimed that the appointed him. organization to look into civil The State of Qatar sub- these countries on them since measures taken by the State In response to a question aviation disputes and it will only The Ministry of Public Health mitted complaints to ICAO, one 2017, in an attempt to obtain a of Qatar were invalid before related to the next legal step be resolved under the umbrella (MoPH) yesterday announced of the specialized judgment from the ICAO. related to the decision issued of this organization,” he said. the registration of 517 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Another 533 MADLSA to launch new online beIN criticises Saudi for competition’s statement people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total platform for Qatarisation of jobs FROM PAGE 1 number of recovered cases in League and others from taking legal action Qatar to 101,160. The Ministry FROM PAGE 1 The statement added, “We also note that nine times - in complete breach of WTO rules. has also reported one death yesterday, to clarify the Saudi Arabia’s state-sponsored pirate Saudi Arabia’s relentless failure to pay due to COVID-19. mechanisms of a draft decision channel, beoutQ, bundled rights and removed any heed to the rule of law or international The deceased aged 53 was The platform will also to raise the proportion of competition for nearly 3 years; yet the only norms is only harming sports fans in Saudi, receiving the necessary provide the possibility for Qataris to 60 percent in state- action the Saudi authorities have taken is to and sports organizations all around the medical care, said the Min- private companies to place owned companies, and other deliberately block FIFA, UEFA, the Premier world.” istry. All new cases have been vacant and required jobs, in the companies subject to introduced to isolation and context of implementing a draft retirement and pension law. are receiving necessary care. decision to raise the proportion Al Dosari explained that no A historic victory for Qatar against blockading countries The Ministry further said of Qataris to (60 percent) of external contract is approved that measures to tackle workers in state-owned in the ministry until a FROM PAGE 1 COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- companies or in which the state comprehensive study is blockading countries are the ones who made a ceeded in flattening the curve is contributing, and other conducted to identify a citizen Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, Al Subaie mistake in dealing with the State of Qatar by and limiting the spread of the entities subject to the who has qualifications allowing also said: “We will continue to present these preventing it from flying through their airspace,” virus. The number of daily retirement and pension law. him to work in state-owned complaints until we show the world that Qatar he added. new cases and hospital This came during a press companies and other is bound and respecting international agreements The Chairman said that the ruling is a victory admissions has gradually conference held at the companies subject to and wants only its rights.” for the State of Qatar. “A victory for civil aviation declined over the past few Ministry’s headquarters retirement and pension law. “Also, we want to prove to the world that the in the countries of the world,” he said. weeks. WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 HOME 03 Amir attaches great importance to health sector: Health Minister QNA — DOHA H E Dr. Al Kuwari said system in Qatar and its efficiency, effectiveness, and world-class Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. that all components of level enabled the expansion and Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari the health care system reuse of existing resources and affirmed that Amir H H Sheikh in Qatar have worked facilities quickly, so 3,500 hos- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani since the beginning of pital beds and 700 beds in attached great importance to the intensive care units were pro- healthcare sector, adding that the the pandemic. vided for COVID-19 patients. H wonderful results achieved in this E the Minister of Public Health sector today is a direct result of Qatar has achieved the second praised all the intensive care unit His Highness' wise vision of lowest death rate from the teams at HMC hospitals, espe- investing in healthcare. COVID-19 pandemic in the cially in Hazm Mebaireek H E the Minister of Public world, despite the high infection General Hospital, for their pro- Health made the statements rate of the disease. fessionalism, quality, and caring during her meeting with a group H E Dr. Al Kuwari said that healthcare services for COVID-19 of cadres of intensive care units all components of the health care patients. She pointed out that the affiliated with Hamad Medical system in the State of Qatar have death rate among COVID-19 Corporation (HMC). worked since the beginning of the patients at intensive care units in H E the Minister explained pandemic to ensure their ability Qatar was about 9 percent, while that the provision of sufficient to provide the best services, the death rate at intensive care clinical capacity at intensive care adding that work has been done units in most developed coun- units and high-quality treatment to facilitate access to healthcare tries was about 35 percent. services, that are provided to services and expand the capacity H E the Minister appreciated patients, are the essential ele- of intensive care units to provide the intensive care unit teams’ ments of the ability of the State the necessary treatment for every work and great efforts to ensure of Qatar to manage the corona- patient who needs it without the availability of the latest and virus (COVID-19) pandemic. delay. best medical treatments and pro- Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari with a group of cadres of intensive care She added that the State of She added that the healthcare tocols for patients. units affiliated with Hamad Medical Corporation, yesterday. Sustainability at heart of Qatar’s FIFA World Cup preparations THE PENINSULA — DOHA 2022’, included Engineer Hinnawi, Technical Specialist, World Cup sustainability example of timely planning, strategy as one of the most Bodour Al Meer, Sustainability Qatar Green Building Council strategy to be delivered jointly communication and responsible ambitious in the history of the Qatar’s commitment to hosting & Environment Senior (QGBC). The event was mod- by FIFA, the host country and decision-making from the tour- World Cup. She praised Qatar’s a carbon-neutral FIFA World Manager, Supreme Committee erated by Dr. Talar Sahsu- local organisers and outlines nament organisers. Through the dedication to sustainability, par- Cup and delivering environ- for Delivery & Legacy (SC), varoglu, Sustainability and five commitments, 22 objec- implementation of environ- ticularly the strong collaboration mentally-friendly tournament Madleen Noreisch, FIFA’s Environmental Subject Matter tives and more than 70 mental initiatives in the with key stakeholders. facilities was discussed during Senior Sustainability Manager, Expert at the SC. initiatives. strategy, we are protecting “At FIFA, we are committed a webinar hosted by the Josoor Dr Eiman Eliskandarani, At the heart of discussions “Environmental sustaina- Qatar’s delicate environment to doing our utmost to protect Institute. Director of Global Sustaina- was the Qatar 2022 Sustaina- bility is a key part of the SC’s and contributing towards Qatar the environment and were Speakers on the all-female bility Assessment System bility Strategy, which was pub- vision and commitment as the National Vision 2030 and the delighted to find a local partner panel, titled ‘Delivering Envi- (GSAS) Trust at the Gulf Organ- lished earlier this year by FIFA, next hosts of the FIFA World UN Sustainable Development in the SC that is equally com- ronmental Sustainability for isation for Research & Devel- the SC and the FIFA World Cup Cup. Our joint sustainability Goals,” Al Meer said. mitted to this cause,” said the FIFA World Cup Qatar opment (GORD), and Ruba Qatar 2022 LLC. It is the first strategy provides an excellent Noreisch described the Noreisch. Fereej Abdul Aziz Intersection on B-Ring Road converted to temporary roundabout

THE PENINSULA — DOHA this change will be imple- Ring Road from Al Doha Al mented tomorrow for a period Jadeeda Intersection to Fereej The Public Works Authority of six months to enable Abdelaziz Intersection, thus, for ‘Ashghal’ has announced the expansion and upgrading works road users coming from Al conversion of Fereej Abdul Aziz on Fereej Abdul Aziz Inter- Matar Street, they can use Salah Intersection known as Hafsa section and installation of new Al Deen Street then turn left Intersection on B Ring Road traffic lights, as part of the B towards Ibn Al Awwam Street into a temporary roundabout Ring Road Development then right towards B Ring Road while keeping two lanes open Project. to get to Fereej Abdelaziz tem- The state-of-the-art aircraft of Qatar Executive. in all directions. The Public Works Authority porary Roundabout and con- In coordination with the has previously announced a tinue to reach their destinations General Directorate of Traffic, temporary closure on the B as shown in the attached map. Qatar Executive introduces Diamond Agreement

THE PENINSULA — DOHA the Diamond Agreement pro- understand that as a result of the gramme unrivalled in terms of COVID-19 pandemic, clients are Qatar Executive announced its flexibility. Qatar Executive’s looking for versatile, high-quality yesterday the introduction of its customers are also offered guar- services from a reputable and new and exclusive Diamond anteed availability for reserva- financially secure operator. Agreement, which enables tions booked from just 72 hours “During these unprecedented customers to pre-purchase flight in advance. times, travel requirements often time at fixed-hourly rates on Qatar Airways Group Chief change and as such, our cus- state-of-the-art long-range and Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, tomers can rely on us for a ultra-long-range private jets. said: “As part of Qatar Airways bespoke service, with unused The Diamond Agreement is Group, Qatar Executive offers an hours being refundable at any precisely tailored to the indi- exceptional travel experience for time.” vidual customer’s needs and private jet customers. With the Qatar Executive currently requirements, offering a truly Diamond Agreement, we can operates a fleet of 18 state-of- unique flying experience. now offer even more flexible and the-art private jets and includes The Diamond Agreement bespoke travel options for Qatar Gulfstream G650ERs, Gulfstream guarantees unrivalled service Executive passengers, who can G500s, and Global 5000 aircraft. onboard Qatar Executive’s state- continue to expect our high levels It is the proud launch customer of-the-art fleet of private jets. To of service and safety onboard our for Gulfstream’s flagship jet, the join this programme, customers state-of-the-art aircraft.” Gulfstream G700. The new air- purchase a minimum of 50 hours Qatar Executive’s Acting craft brings an unprecedented flight time, without any asso- Executive Vice President, Mark combination of performance, ciated membership fees. The all- Hardman, said: “We are truly technology and cabin size to inclusive and fixed-hourly rates delighted to launch our bespoke Qatar Executive’s fleet. cover both flight hours and taxi Diamond Agreement, which is Over the past few months, time. Designed to simplify private tailored to suit the exact travel Qatar Executive has maintained jet travel, pre-purchased profile of both corporate and a robust and agile network Diamond Agreement hours have private clients. The programme despite the challenging opera- no minimum annual usage and offers the ultimate in flexibility tional environment, getting cus- no maximum carry-over, making at a fixed price. Furthermore, we tomer’s home safely. Qatari artists featured at Al Markhiya Gallery exhibition RAYNALD C RIVERA Titled “2030 (Part 1)”, the Naama, Hadeer Omar, Khalifa Al Marri, THE PENINSULA Lina Al Aali, Manar Al Muftah, Maryam show exhibits works of Al Mousa, Moza Al Kuwari, Mubarak Al A group exhibition featuring a diverse Abeer Al Kuwari, Ahmed Malik, Noor Qussini, Wurood Azzam and collection of artworks created by Qatari Zeina Abbara. artists opened yesterday at Al Markhiya Nouh, Mohammed Atiq, Other online exhibitions presented Gallery at the Doha Fire Station. Khalifa Al Thani, Hassan by Al Markhiya recently included Titled “2030 (Part 1)”, the show “Reformat” featuring works by Algerian showcases works of Abeer Al Kuwari, Manasrah, Yasser Al artist Hamza Bounoua, “Social Dis- Ahmed Nouh, Mohammed Atiq, Khalifa Mulla, Nassar Al Attiyah, tancing” which displayed works by Al Thani, Hassan Manasrah, Yasser Al Mohammed Al Hamadi, and Qatari artist Mubarak Al Thani, “Heroes Mulla, Nassar Al Attiyah, Mohammed Al of the Experiment” by Palestinian artist Hamadi, and Maryam Faraj Al Suwaidi. Maryam Faraj Al Suwaidi. Hayyan Monawar and “Quarantine “Devised to contribute to the devel- Diaries” by Qatari artist Sara Al Buainain. opment of a new visual movement in A pioneering private art gallery in Qatar, “2030” seeks to draw talented only eight people are allowed in the Doha, Al Markhiya Gallery continues its Qatari artists from multidisciplinary arts gallery at a time. mission of promoting, exhibiting and practices together, engaging them in cre- Art enthusiasts who wish to see the selling Qatari and Arab contemporary ative and intellectual encounters “2030” exhibition can visit the gallery art. Doha’s oldest privately owned art focusing on the future of Qatar,” said Al from Sunday to Thursday from 9am to gallery, Al Markhiya Gallery is known Markhiya Gallery in a Facebook post on 3pm. for its flagship event ’40 Minus’ which is the concept of the show. This show follows the gallery’s series an annual exhibition that seeks to This is the first gallery exhibition of of recent virtual exhibitions, one of which promote emerging artists under the age Al Markhiya since the start of phase 2 of was the first online edition of its signature of 40. the lifting of restrictions amid the 50 x 50 exhibition. In its seventh edition, Prior to the pandemic, Al Markhiya COVID-19 pandemic. The gallery the biannual show featured works by 14 Gallery has regularly presented exhibi- announced that in view of COVID-19 artists including Ahmed Al Haddad, tions in both of its galleries located in Some of the artworks on display at “2030” exhibition which opened yesterday at precautionary and preventive measures, Ahmed Sultan, Aisha Al-Sowaidi, Ali Al Katara Art Centre and Doha Fire Station. Al Markhiya Gallery at Doha Fire Station. PIC: AL MARKHIYA GALLERY’S FACEBOOK PAGE 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 QCS, HMC organise webinar on lung cancer guidelines

THE PENINSULA — DOHA Scientific Research Department at Qatar Cancer Society said, “This CPD Activity Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) jointly with is a Category 1 — Accredited Group Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Learning Activity as defined by the Qatar organised the first online continuous Council for Healthcare Practitioners — professional development webinar about Accreditation Department and is the Suspected Lung Cancer Referral approved for a maximum of 1.5 hours. Guidelines on a Qatari Digital Platform. “Based on the strategic partnership The event attracted 200 primary with the HMC and the ongoing support healthcare providers, nurses, and the provided by HMC to QCS, the communi- allied health practitioners from both the cation team at the HMC will promote the governmental and private health sector. activities of the continuous medical edu- Dr Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, cation of QCS in the digital platforms and Head of Professional Development and newsletters of HMC to increase the FROM LEFT: Dr Hadi Abu Rashid, Dr Mohammed Ussama Al Homsi and Dr Reyad Mohsen

opportunities for HMC’s medical staff commonly diagnosed cancer in Qatar work in partnership with QCS their to benefit from the QCS’ continuing in 2016 and is the first causing-death support enables us to ensure we reach medical education programmes,” he cancer. The survival rate from 2013 across the healthcare providers in added. till 2016 is 24.24 percent which Qatar in the interests of the whole Dr Abu Rasheed pointed to the means that 24.24 percent of lung population. This webinar supports charity’s constant eagerness to cancer patients stayed alive from the continuing path to providing organise nationally and internationally 2013 to 2016. He added. excellence in cancer care in the accredited professional development The Qatar National Cancer county”. and continuing medical education Program did a survey in May 2016 Dr Reyad Mohsen, Senior Con- programs for healthcare, health edu- showed that 68 percent of health sultant in Medical Oncology at The cation and communication, patient experts in Qatar recommended that National Center for Cancer Care and support, and health behavioural future investment should be placed Research —Chair of the Thoracic research workforce, prepare and dis- in capacity building in the area of Cancers National Clinical Advisory tribute cancer statistics updates, cancer for the primary healthcare Group — Ministry of Public Health — develop strategies to analyse and providers and the community health said, “This CPD lecture aim to provide evaluate the efficiency of Qatar Cancer workforce, explaining that the the participants with practical Society activities, coordinate con- National Cancer Program recom- knowledge about lung cancers, and ducting Cancer health behavioral mended that this could be supported the early signs and symptoms, in research in collaboration with health by existing programmes, such as order to determine when a patient and academic entities and distribute those run by the Qatar Cancer should be referred as a suspected case cancer updates for health Society of cancer, by doing the accurate workforce. Dr Mohammed Ussama Al Homsi referral and by following up the During the webinar, the latest — Senior Consultant in Medical pathways for the suspected lung lung cancer statistics globally and Oncology and Deputy Medical cancer cases; in some cases there may locally were presented. According to Director of Clinical Education, be a need to request for initial diag- Qatar National Cancer Registry Research, and Quality at The National nostic and management approaches (QNCR) - Ministry of Public Health – Center for Cancer Care and Research for the suspected lung cancer cases 2016, Lung cancer is the ninth most — said “We are always grateful to at the level of primary care.” CNA-Q announces first applied degrees in Qatar

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

College of the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q) has announced a first for Qatar – Applied Degrees. Beginning in the upcoming Academic year, the College will offer a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Maintenance Engi- neering Technology, a Bachelor of Applied Business Administration in Human Resource Management, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiography. “Today, the college is witness sing the launch of a new stage, during which it will be better able College of the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q) officials during an event. to supply the labor market with distin- was established in Qatar to meet the response to the growing industry need guished educational development needs of the state from for highly-skilled work-ready grad- outputs by qualified cadres in a scientific, prac- uates. This is an extremely important launching unique tical and technical manner, as the step in allowing students to continue applied Bachelor college keeps pace with the develop- their post-secondary education expe- programmes, which ments that have occurred in the state rience in Qatar.” will open the way and put its programs in quantity and Applied degrees provide a mix of for the college to quality in line with the requirements theory and analytical skills with expand in providing of the various sectors in the state.of career-oriented, practical education various and com- Qatar.”. Said Chairman of the Board and training. For example, a Bachelor prehensive pro- of Trustees of the College of the North of Applied Science Degree is designed grams that will con- Atlantic —Qatar H E Dr Mohammed to grow professional management tribute to the bin Saleh Al Sada. skills of the learner and meet the process of building “These programmes offered by the demand for leadership of highly tech- and developing the college today will be followed by other nical professionals in the workplace. economy of Qatar,” university programs in the coming “I know a lot of students have anx- said Undersecretary years, as we are now in advanced iously been waiting for this news,” said of the Ministry of stages of preparing to transform the Dr Salem.” “I invite them to check out Education and college into an applied university, as the details of the new degrees on our Higher Education, H the first of this kind in the State of website, and consider attending E Dr Ibrahim bin Qatar.” CNA-Q, or coming back to CNA-Q for Saleh Al Naemi. “I’m extremely pleased to make their studies. The plan to offer Degrees “The College this announcement today,” said aligns perfectly with the CNA-Q Stra- of the North CNA-Q Acting President Dr Salem Al tegic Plan, which lists Student Success Atlantic — Qatar Naemi. “Applied degrees are a as a priority.” Bayanat Engineering offers body temperature measurement solutions

THE PENINSULA — DOHA for human body temperature efficiency, user-friendly with monitoring without physical long-term support. Moreover, Since the spread of COVID-19 interference with the people. the record of details with sound across the world, more precau- First installation in Qatar was and visual notifications requires tions are being implemented in done in August 2017 and con- no dedicated person and as the order to ensure people’s safety. tinues in airports, oil and gas, result, it has no human error in The State of Qatar is not an government, Semi-Govern- handling and object pointing exception, and the government ments and private sectors. accuracy, as well as technical has made it compulsory for all Mandatory human body errors like battery shortage, residents to activate Ehteraz temperature has been imple- which provides the higher level application and measurement mented in various institutions, of accuracy with 99.5 percent. of body temperature. as the result, it is important to Furthermore, scanners have Bayanat Engineering, a make it convenient, efficient the possibility to integrate with company established in 1983, and accurate. Bayanat Engi- third-party health monitoring specialises in Air Traffic Man- neering has various solutions systems/software’s (for example agement, Airside and Terminal and brand options for Screening Ehteraz) which can be bene- systems, with the deployment Thermal Scanners with various ficial for the various sectors. and integration of a wide range options and measurement Imagine having an access to of complex solutions attending accuracy of ±0.1 to ±0.2ºC (±0.18 your temperate in seconds the needs of Airports, Oil and to ±0.36ºF), specially designed without no contact scanning Gas, Government and Private for mass screening (hundreds whenever you go? It is con- institutions. The Company’s of people per minute) of ele- venient, safe and advanced. background being ICT, it vated body temperatures in Taking into consideration all focuses on providing concrete medium to high traffic public above mentioned it is Bayanat solutions to every challenge. areas, which is efficient and Engineering goal to make Qatar One of the solutions that convenient and less time-con- a safer place for its residents, Bayanat implemented for suming in comparison to the as well as ease the process of Hamad International Airport handheld thermometers. human body temperature was during Swine flu and Ebola In addition to that, the scanning without compro- pandemic as the major con- advantages of the systems pro- mising the quality, efficiency tributor to provide the services vided by Bayanat are accuracy, and accuracy. WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 HOME 05 Fight against FETO inside and outside Turkey Jumbo Electronics constitutes one of main priorities: Diplomat partners with QNB THE PENINSULA — DOHA Mert Ozmert said Turkey and more than eight Life Rewards Program hundred educational institutes that Amir H H Sheikh THE PENINSULA — DOHA Mert Ozmert, Chargé d’Affaires worldwide.” and many others. In addition of Embassy of Turkey in Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al “This was the first step of an to being a redemption partner, has said in the past four years, Thani and the people infiltration campaign where QNB, the largest financial insti- QNB Life Rewards card holders the fight against FETÖ both kids and their parents were tution in the Middle East and can even earn bonus points at inside and outside Turkey has of Qatar supported recruited with the seemingly Africa, has announced a new any Jumbo Electronics, LG or constituted one of the main firmly Turkey’s innocent promise of a better partnership between its Life Harman House shops. priorities of Turkey. education and a good job. These Rewards Program and Jumbo “As one of the preferred “The support from friendly democratically kids were put through school Electronics a leading retailer in electronics stores in the countries helped us overcome elected government with academic and financial Qatar for electronics and appli- country, we would like our the trauma of this existential help and mainly a heavy hand ances. customers to use their pre- threat to our country,” Ozmert after the heinous in indoctrination.” QNB’s Life Rewards loyalty ferred loyalty program to be said in a statement issued on the coup attempt on He said that the organi- program rewards customers rewarded for their purchases fourth anniversary (today) of July 15, with phone zation also established media from the first time they open with us. In this case our cus- the foiled coup attempt of July Mert Ozmert, Chargé d’Affaires houses to shape the public their salary account, to main- tomers who are also QNB Life 15, 2016. calls, official visits, of Embassy of Turkey in Qatar opinion for and against any taining their average balance, Reward Customers can earn “We commemorate the statements and social person, group or idea. Many providing a good referral, and bonus points when they use fourth anniversary of the foiled organization called FETÖ that is people in Turkey who saw the every transaction they make their Life Rewards card at our coup attempt of July 15, 2016. media messages. unprecedented in terms of its organization for what it really with the QNB Life Rewards stores,” said CV Rappai, Four important years have global reach, ambitions and is got lynched through these credit cards. In addition, cus- Director & CEO, Jumbo passed since the July 15 coup methods. “To understand the media houses. tomers are eligible to earn Life Electronics. attempt carried out by the FETÖ social media messages. security threat posed by his Ozmert said that the Turkish Rewards points on their inter- Jumbo Electronics is a Total terrorist organization. These “The State of Qatar had crime network, one needs to Government took necessary national transactions using Solutions Provider in Qatar. It terrorists attempted a coup to expressed its strong denunci- look into the enormity of his legal actions against FETÖ. In their debit cards. is one of the leading business overthrow the democratically ation and condemnation of the actions, primarily the 15 July particular, the disclosure of Besides being simple to use, groups in Qatar offering a elected government and to military coup attempt. Turkey coup attempt, and the resulting their secret communication as well as boasting cutting- diverse range of products and abolish the parliament and the and the Turkish people will trauma that the Turkish nation systems (ByLock, Eagle, etc.) edge safety and security fea- services across its various constitution,” he added. always remember Qatar’s val- has experienced. His disciples and interceptions of FETÖ tures, cardholders are auto- business verticals in consumer He said that hundreds of uable and solid support. One within the armed forces did not instructions made our efforts matically rewarded each time electronics & durables civilians protesting the coup year after the coup attempt in shy away from using lethal mil- easier to identify their schemes they use their card locally or retailing, distribution, e-com- attempt in Ankara and Istanbul Turkey, (in 2017) our sister and itary force against innocent and to incriminate them. abroad at both Point of Sale merce, telecom services, B2B, were shot to death. “The FETÖ ally Qatar witnessed an unjust civilians, killing 251 and He said that the awareness machines and e-commerce MEP and after sales service. coup plotters targeted public and unlawful blockade from her wounding thousands,” he added. raised regarding FETÖ in third transactions. The points can The QNB Group’s presence and private communication neighbours. Turkey didn’t hes- Ozmert said that it all countries has also stimulated then be redeemed in hundreds through its subsidiaries and outlets, including TRT (state itate a moment to support her started under the guise of a closer monitoring and investi- of outlets in Qatar and associate companies extends broadcasting channel) and CNN brothers and sisters in Qatar.” charitable education effort back gation of the activities related to overseas. to more than 31 countries Türk.” He said that these two crises in the 1970s. “Fetullah Gülen these elements by the officials As the latest electronics and across three continents, pro- Ozmert said that Amir H H and supportive positions of and his followers disguised of some countries. “Unlawful appliances partner to QNB’s viding a comprehensive range Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Turkey and Qatar to each other, themselves as a benign edu- acts carried out by FETÖ-affil- Life Rewards Program, cus- of advanced products and Thani and the people of Qatar led both countries further cation movement, when they iated organizations have thus tomers get to redeem their Life services. The total number of supported firmly Turkey’s dem- strengthen their relations in all started the campaign of estab- been revealed in various coun- Rewards points on a choice of employees is more than ocratically elected government levels. lishing schools in Turkey and tries. The fight against FETÖ products from leading brands 29,000 operating through after the heinous coup attempt He said that Fetullah Gülen later around the world. At the structures in Turkey and abroad including LG, JBL, Harman 1,100 locations, with an ATM on July 15, with phone calls, is the ringleader of a clandestine, peak of their power, they con- remains among the top prior- Kardon, Indesit, Ariston, network of more than 4,300 official visits, statements and criminal and terrorist trolled thousands of schools in ities of our country.” Morphy Richards, Nutribullet machines. QF keeps skills of Qatar’s young debaters sharp amid COVID-19

QatarDebate team has won Helsinki Online the World Schools Debating Championship would have to be Open Debating Championship as part of delayed dawned. The Qatari the team’s preparations to compete in an debaters are glad that the online tournament will help bridge the international tournament. The Helsinki gap. “It’s a great way of coping tournament showed them that hard work with the pandemic in a debating sense,” said Moza. “I think it will pays off, as they went on to win the be a unique experience that will championship, with Alanoud Al Thani being have its positive sides, and also its difficulties to overcome. named the Best Novice Speaker as well as “I am really enthusiastic about it, and I can’t wait to the 8th Best Speaker Overall prize. FROM LEFT: Moza Al Hajri, Alanoud Al Thani and Reem Al Kubaisi. debate different topics with teams from all over the world.” THE PENINSULA — DOHA enabling them to prepare for showed them that hard work way since our first online glitches and solutions, this form Amid the new reality of the major championships. But due pays off, as they went on to win training on March 16, when the of debate training has become pandemic, the members of QatarDebate team has won to the pandemic, and the the championship, with group discussions were cen- part of the team’s new normal. Team Qatar say that as well as Helsinki Online Open Debating lockdown measures and travel Alanoud Al Thani being named tered on ‘how do I create a Team Qatar member and Al managing to continue their Championship as part of the restrictions it has led to, their the Best Novice Speaker as well Teams profile’, ‘can we access Bayan Secondary School for training, stay motivated, and team’s preparations to compete training this year is purely as the 8th Best Speaker Overall it using our personal email Girls student Moza Al Hajri, who sustain their work ethic, they in an international tournament. online, as they equip themselves prize. The championship con- accounts’, and ‘how do I upload is part of both the English and have also become closer as a Its 9:03am, and Reem Al both for the OWSDC and the sisted of 56 teams and featured my homework’ – as well as Arabic national debating teams, team supporting each other Kubaisi is frantically searching World Schools Debating Cham- some of the best university finding it cool that we were able has been training in both lan- through this unusual shared for her earphones. QatarDebate pionship in Mexico City, which debate teams from across to use different backgrounds!” guages online, and has not been experience – and embracing it. coach Mubarrat Wassey is a was due to be held this month Europe, including those from It has now been more than fazed with the shift to online “This has been quite an stickler for time, and training but has now been postponed the London School of Eco- 100 days since the team has preparation. “While I truly miss experience,” says team captain starts at 9am. until January. nomics, Imperial College seen each other in person. Team the atmosphere of pre- Alanoud Al Thani, who will also The reason for her search is Because of this delay, the London, Trinity College Dublin, Qatar training, like everything COVID-19 training, where join GU-Q in the new academic that Reem – together with her organizers of the World Schools University of Glasgow, and the else, was abruptly halted in debates were more heated and year following her graduation fellow debaters on Team Qatar, Debating Championship have University of Edinburgh, as well March because of the pandemic. everyone would interact more from QF’s Qatar Academy Doha. which will be representing the given their endorsement for the as universities in Berlin, Utrecht, QatarDebate subsequently passionately in discussions, “Having been a part of Team nation at the Online World OWSDC, to be held from July 17 Tallinn and Stockholm University. moved training online. meeting via Microsoft Teams is Qatar both last year and this Schools Debating Championship to August 2. Team Qatar’s “We feel like they are once again Having been selected in not so bad and we are still able year, I can see the differences (OWSDC) that starts this week intensive training has been re-learning how to use Microsoft January, the team trained bi- to have good and efficient and challenges involved in – are learning the art of ‘virtual’ taking part online, including Teams, which is the platform we weekly up to April, before – fol- training sessions,” she says. moving everything online. debating amid the COVID-19 sparring against other national are using for online debating,” says lowing Ramadan, Eid, and the “I am quite enjoying the “However, I feel we have pandemic. It means their prep- teams — such as those from Reem, who has been part of the exam period – intensive online trainings and look managed to rise above the chal- arations are a little different Bangladesh and Sri Lanka — QatarDebate community since training began in June, with forward to the online tourna- lenges, and with the support from this time last year. and getting acquainted with the 2017, has just graduated from the three sessions a week. This has ments, since they are giving me and guidance of our coach and Back then, the team were online tournament by taking International School of London, been stepped up in July, with something to do in my seem- QatarDebate, we have not only surrounded by papers, files, and part in the Helsinki Online Open and is about to join QF partner online sessions every day except ingly never-ending free time!” made the best of things given books in Qatar Foundation (QF) Debating Championship earlier university Georgetown University Fridays. And after over 120 As weeks of lockdown the circumstances, but have had member QatarDebate’s this month. in Qatar (GU-Q). hours of online preparation, turned into months, the reali- a fun learning experience along classroom, dedicated to The Helsinki tournament “But we have come a long wake-up calls, and technical zation that this year’s edition of the way.” GU-Q student orientation prepares class of 2024 for a return to campus at QF

THE PENINSULA — DOHA activities, and cocurricular and Orientation Advisors, which is research opportunities, putting twice as many as last year, to Georgetown University in Qatar together their course schedules, make sure we provide our (GU-Q) just launched a compre- and preparing for the exciting largest incoming class with the hensive New Student Orien- four years to come. best possible introduction to our tation that runs virtually In his welcome address to program and our community through August 20 for the the new students, the dean of and to make sure they have largest incoming cohort of first GU-Q, Dr. Ahmad Dallal, access to all the resources they year students in the school’s stressed the need for future need to succeed.” history, in the latest signal that leaders who would take on the Reflecting on this year’s QF-partner institutions are task of building a better future NSO theme, “Multiculturalism gearing up for a successful fall for humanity in light of ongoing in a Digital World,” Interna- semester despite the public global turbulence. “You were tional Politics major Malak health crisis. chosen to join GU-Q because Elmoh, one of the two students Through a combination of you demonstrated a number of helping to organize the program pre-recorded modules and excellent qualities. But the one as NSO Coordinators, said: “We online engagement with staff, that makes you truly a Hoya is are looking at accommodating faculty and current students, your willingness to work for and sustaining diversity to this year’s six week long virtual positive change in the world,” encourage healthy dialogue and NSO program aims to provide he said. discourse regardless of differ- 141 new students with the The NSO program is ences.” The Class of 2024 will resources, guidance, and strat- organized by Assistant Director be joining a diverse student Virtual orientation of new students. egies needed to thrive at GU-Q. for Student Programs Uday body at GU-Q of more than 40 Members of the Class of 2024 Rosario, who said, “This year 30 different nationalities. NSO Coordinator this year, pre- elements. “The transition to a pandemic, because there is so will be bonding with their class- GU-Q students will be men- Culture and Politics major dicts that future NSO’s will con- college life can be very stressful, much new information to take mates, learning about clubs, toring incoming students as Heba Mohamednor, the other tinue to include virtual even without the challenges of in. 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 Israel: No footage of shooting of autistic Palestinian Eyad Hallaq, who was 32, was fatally shot as he cowered next to a garbage “Representatives of the bin. internal investigations just inside Jerusalem’s Old City on May 30 At the time, Israeli police said department expressed their con- as he was on his way to the special-needs they believed he was carrying a dolences to the family and institution that he attended. Israel’s Justice “suspicious object” and said they requested to shake the hands of opened fire when he failed to the parents,” the ministry said. Ministry's admission marked a setback in the heed calls to stop. His teacher, The family’s lawyer, Jad Qad- investigation and raised suspicions from the who was with him, told an Israeli amani, said the claim that there TV station that she had repeatedly was no footage was man’s family about the integrity of the probe. called out to police that he was unacceptable. “disabled.” “We look with great suspicion The ministry said Hallaq, who on this matter and demand the AP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM Eyad Hallaq, who was 32, was unarmed, had been mis- immediate opening of an inves- was fatally shot just inside Jeru- takenly identified as an attacker tigation,” he said. Israel’s Justice Ministry salem’s Old City on May 30 as he and called the incident “tragic.” At the time, the shooting yesterday confirmed there is no was on his way to the special- It said that despite the lack of drew comparisons to the death footage of the shooting of an needs institution that he attended. footage, investigators had inter- of George Floyd in the U.S. and autistic Palestinian man who The Old City frequently experi- Eyad Hallaq's mother with his picture. viewed a number of witnesses, prompted a series of small dem- was killed by Israeli police, ences heightened tensions in addition to the officers onstrations against police vio- saying that security cameras in between local Palestinians and the cameras in the area after the were security cameras but those involved in the incident. It said lence. The uproar crossed Israeli- the area were not operating Israeli security forces, and the shooting. cameras were not connected at the investigation was in its final Palestinian lines and drew Jewish properly at the time. volatile area’s narrow streets are “At this stage of the investi- the relevant time and didn’t doc- stages. protesters as well, and Israeli The admission marked a lined with hundreds of security gation we can relay that the ument the shooting.” According The statement confirmed an leaders expressed regret over the setback in the investigation and cameras. shooting incident was not docu- to various accounts at the time, announcement by Hallaq’s family shooting. raised suspicions from the In a statement, the Justice mented on them,” it said. “Also in two members of Israel’s paramil- on Monday that police informed But since then, the family has man’s family about the integrity Ministry said internal affairs the garbage room where the itary Border Police force chased them there was no footage of the complained about the slow pace of the probe. investigators had checked all of deadly shooting took place, there Hallaq into a nook and shot him shooting. of the investigation. Sudanese demand UAE apology over recruitment for Haftar

ANATOLIA & AFP — BENGHAZI militia in Libya. A UN report in repelled Haftar’s 14-month October revealed that thou- siege of the capital and Hundreds of Sudanese staged sands of Sudanese fighters were launched a counteroffensive a rally outside the United Arab fighting alongside Haftar’s that is now stalled outside the Emirates (UAE) Embassy in forces in Libya. Other media coastal city of Sirte. Khartoum yesterday to protest reports, including a recent The Egyptian military said their recruitment to fight for report by the Guardian, also on Saturday it had carried out Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar’s accused the UAE of transporting exercises involving navy, air- militia. hundreds of mercenaries to force and special forces near its Protesters demanded fight in Libya and Yemen. border with Libya in response “apology and compensation” Meanwhile, the Libyan par- to the “severe and rapid from the UAE authorities for liament aligned with strongman changes” in the region. being deceived by Emirati Khalifa Haftar has passed a The pro-Haftar legislature company “Black Shield Security motion supporting an Egyptian based in Tobruk said in its res- Services” to fight for Haftar military intervention if needed olution it had authorised instead of employment. against what it termed a Turkish “Egyptian armed forces to “We demand an apology “occupation”. intervene to protect the national from the UAE to the Sudanese The assembly based in security of Libya and Egypt if people because we are not mer- Libya’s east agreed late on they see an imminent danger cenaries,” Abu Alma’ali Hamza Monday it would back an inter- to both our countries”. Somalia's army chief survives suicide bombing Taha, a protester, told Anadolu vention by its ally Egypt if it was Libya and Egypt should Somali security officers assessing the wreckage of a car destroyed at the scene of an explosion in Agency. deemed necessary to safeguard work together, it said, “to guar- Mogadishu, Somalia on Monday. Somalia's army chief, General Odowa Yusuf Rage, survived a suicide Ahmad Babakr, another the “national security” of both antee the occupier’s defeat and bomb attack that was claimed by the Al Shabaab group, military sources said. A civilian died and half protester, threatened to take the countries. Libya has been torn preserve our shared national a dozen other people were wounded in the attack on his motorcade in the capital. issue to the UN and human by violence since the 2011 security” in the face of “the rights groups “if the UAE ouster of long-time leader dangers posed by the Turkish Embassy failed to respond to Muammar Gaddafi in a Nato- occupation”. our demands”. backed uprising, and the con- The UAE on Tuesday also The Black Shield Security flict has since drawn in multiple issued an implicit warning to UN cargo plane crashes in Somalia Services has earlier denied foreign powers. GNA forces advancing eastward accusations of deceiving The Turkish-backed and on Sirte, the home city of the AP — NAIROBI town told The Associated Press The United Nations is yet to workers in regards to their con- UN-recognised Government of slain dictator Gaddafi. that the plane veered off the comment. tract terms or employment. National Accord (GNA) based in “The drums of the war A Somali official says a United runway and crashed onto its Ali Jeite Osman, the gov- The UAE has been accused Tripoli in the west has been bat- raging around Sirte in Libya Nations cargo plane carrying belly yesterday. ernor of Hiran region, told by the UN and several human tling Haftar’s forces, which are threaten serious developments humanitarian aid has crashed at The plane flying from Dji- reporters that a fire erupted in rights groups of breaking a UN supported by Egypt, the United and dangerous humanitarian an airport in central Somalia and bouti was delivering food aid the plane after the crash but arms embargo on Libya by Arab Emirates and Russia. and political consequences,” the three crew members survived. for people displaced by heavy they could not extinguish it as sending weapons and merce- The GNA, with stepped-up tweeted minister of state for Sabrie Ahmed with the local rains. There was no immediate the airport lacked firefighting naries to fight for Haftar’s Turkish support, in June foreign affairs. administration in Beledweyne word on what caused the crash. apparatus. Iran executes two over Lebanon seeks 2010 bomb attack fuel imports from Kuwait AFP — TEHRAN exploded in Mahabad, on Iran’s northwestern borders with Iraq REUTERS — KUWAIT Iran yesterday executed two and Turkey, in September 2010. people convicted of Most of the victims in the Lebanon wants to negotiate involvement in a 2010 bomb Kurdish-majority city were fuel imports with Kuwait to attack that killed a dozen women and children attending help Beirut cope with an people, the Islamic republic’s a military parade. economic and financial crisis, judiciary said. Iranian officials blamed the Lebanon’s internal security “The death penalty was attack on “counter-revolutionary chief said in remarks published carried out today for the two elements” in the region which yesterday. main perpetrators of the (2010) regularly witnesses armed Abbas Ibrahim told bombing in the city of clashes between Iranian forces Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai he Mahabad,” said a statement by and Kurdish militant groups. had discussed the matter with the judiciary authority of West Days after the attack, Iran Kuwaiti officials during a visit Azerbaijan province. said 30 “terrorists” including to the oil-exporting Gulf Arab It said the two were “the some “American mercenaries” state this week along with agents of terrorist groups involved in the attack were other “shared ideas” that linked to foreign intelligence killed in an operation by the could help alleviate Lebanon’s services”, according to the judi- Revolutionary Guards in Iraq. crisis. ciary’s Mizan Online website. Iran’s intelligence ministry “We want to purchase 100% It did not reveal the identity said in 2014 that three linked of our requirements from of the convicts nor the alleged to the attack were arrested, Kuwait without going through countries involved. adding that they had confessed agents or companies looking to Twelve people were killed to being part of the Kurdish make a profit... this is a purely Iranians, some wearing protective gear amid the COVID-19 pandemic, shop at the Tajrish Bazaar and 81 injured by the bomb that nationalist group Komala. commercial matter and I hope market in the capital Tehran, yesterday. there will be no obstacles to it,” Al Rai quoted Ibrahim as saying. Tunisia PM will reshuffle cabinet He said the request would be COVID-19: Iran reports 179 more deaths raised to Kuwait’s ruler. amid row with Islamists Ennahda Lebanon is suffering a dire ANATOLIA & QNA — TEHRAN Khorasan, West Azerbaijan, and three deaths have been regis- financial crisis and hard cur- Mazandaran provinces are in tered, bringing the total number rency liquidity crunch. The REUTERS — TUNIS Iran yesterday confirmed 179 the red zone with high risk of of deaths in Kuwait to 396, the Lebanese pound has lost some more fatalities from the novel coronavirus. The capital Kuwaiti Health Ministry’s 80% of its value since October. Tunisia’s Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said he will conduct a coronavirus, bringing the Tehran, Fars, Kerman, Alborz, spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al There was no immediate cabinet reshuffle in the coming days amid a row with the moderate nationwide death toll to 13,202. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Sanad said in a statement today. comment from Kuwaiti offi- Islamist Ennahda party, in what appears to be a step to remove A further 2,521 people Golestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, Al Sanad said that among cials on the request. Abbas, in Ennahda ministers in the government. tested positive for COVID-19, and East Azerbaijan provinces the new 666 COVID-19 cases the newspaper interview, Ennahda said on Monday that it wants a new government, raising the overall count to are among the high-risk were 421 Kuwaitis and 245 declined to elaborate on what adding that the current coalition had lost credibility due to alle- 262,173, Health Ministry spokes- regions. non-Kuwaitis, pointing out that other assistance Lebanon may gations of conflicts of interest involving Fakhfakh. woman Sima Sadat Lari said. She Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti there are 156 patients receiving have sought. Kuwait is seeking An independent member of parliament published docu- added that a total of 225,270 health ministry yesterday intensive care treatment. to bolster its own finances ments last month indicating that the prime minister owns shares people have so far recovered and announced 666 new Corona- Earlier yesterday, the Min- amid low oil prices and the in companies that had won deals worth 44m dinars ($15M) been discharged from hospitals, virus infections in the past 24 istry announced that 805 cases coronavirus pandemic, and from the state. adding that 3,389 patients hours, raising the total number have recovered from the has been rapidly depleting its Fakhfakh has denied he did anything improper or corrupt. remain in critical condition. of infections to 56,174 disease to bring the tally of General Reserves Fund to plug He has promised to step down if investigators find wrongdoing. Iran’s Khuzestan, Razavi During the same period, recoveries to 46,161. a budget deficit. WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 ASIA 07

Maldives former Australia tightens vice-president curbs as COVID-19 cleared of graft charges cases top 10,000 AFP — MALÉ, MALDIVES REUTERS — SYDNEY Australia’s death toll hit A Maldives court yesterday 110 yesterday after two people cleared former vice president Australian states yesterday in their 80s died from the virus Ahmed Adeeb of embezzling tightened restrictions on in Victoria. $128m to lease islets for movement as authorities “We haven’t turned the tourism development, offi- struggle to contain a fresh corner yet. I hope to see that cially ending the high-profile outbreak of COVID-19 in the this week, but there are no legal saga. country’s southeast that has guarantees,” Brett Sutton, Vic- The main criminal court pushed the national tally of toria’s Chief Medical Officer dismissed seven charges cases beyond 10,000. told reporters in Melbourne. including embezzlement, With growing fears of a Australia avoided the high money laundering and abuse second coronavirus wave COVID-19 casualty numbers of his position as tourism nationally, two states extended of other nations with swift and minister between 2014 and border restrictions and Aus- strict measures, but a spike in 2015. tralia’s most populous state community-transmitted cases “The court refused to imposed limits on the number in Victoria and a rise in new People wearing face masks are seen at the entrance of an aged care facility, where a cluster of accept a confession he of people allowed in large cases in New South Wales has coronavirus infections had been reported, in the Melbourne suburb of Essendon, yesterday. allegedly made about his role clubs. worried other states. in leasing nearly 60 islets to The changes come as South Australia cancelled Australia avoided the high COVID-19 casualty limited to no more than 300 private companies,” a court scores of new cases were plans to reopen its border to numbers of other nations with swift and people, responding to an out- official said. uncovered in Victoria, the New South Wales on July 20, break centred at a large hotel The transactions were country’s COVID-19 hotspot, while Queensland introduced strict measures, but a spike in community- in southwestern Sydney. carried out when the-now despite a return to lockdown a mandatory two-week quar- transmitted cases in Victoria and a rise in new Authorities believe 600 38-year-old was tourism last week for nearly 5 million antine for people who have people visited the Crossroads minister and before he people in state capital visited two areas in Sydney’s cases in New South Wales has worried other Hotel on July 3, when the out- became vice president under Melbourne. western suburbs. states. break is believed to have strongman ruler Abdulla Active cases in the state “Our primary responsi- begun. Yameen. rose to nearly 2,000 after bility in South Australia is to “Indoor activity, where Adeeb later fell out with another 270 infections were the health, safety and welfare Territory said it will decide on week. people aren’t seated is a huge Yameen, who accused him of detected in the past 24 hours, of all South Australians,” Wednesday whether to allow New South Wales, which health risk. It increases the trying to assassinate him fol- authorities said, taking Aus- Premier Steven Marshall told anyone from New South Wales has seen several dozen cases chance of transmission,” state lowing a September 2015 tralia’s total number of cases reporters in Adelaide. to enter when its domestic linked to the outbreak in Vic- Premier Gladys Berejiklian explosion aboard the presi- to about 10,000. Australia’s Northern borders reopen later this toria, said clubs will now be told reporters. dential yacht. Adeeb was jailed for 15 years before being released after the dramatic fall of Malaysia’s oppn gearing up for snap polls, says potential PM candidate Yameen during a 2018 re- election bid. REUTERS — KUALA LUMPUR told a group of reporters Mahathir Mohamad, has accused his home state of Sabah in East Malaysia on the island Yameen escaped the blast yesterday. Muhyiddin of grabbing power Malaysian Borneo, and became of Borneo contributes more than unscathed, but his wife and Malaysia’s opposition is “Elections are not far away, by shifting allegiances instead the state’s chief minister after the two-thirds of the country’s oil two others were slightly preparing for early elections it’s just around the corner,” he of earning it at the ballot box, 2018 polls. and gas reserves. It is made up of injured. after a crucial vote in the lower said, anticipating Malaysia and has vowed to oust him. Mohd Shafie said he was still Sabah and Sarawak — among the The US’ Federal Bureau house this week showed Prime would hold a national election However, the opposition has weighing whether to be a can- country’s poorest states — which of Investigation helped probe Minister Muhyiddin Yassin may well before it falls due in 2023. been fighting over who should didate, and has received mes- have long demanded more the blast and found no evi- lack a parliamentary majority, He said the tabling and par- be their prime ministerial can- sages of support from some law- autonomy and a greater share of dence it was caused by a said Mohd Shafie Apdal, a liamentary vote on the 2021 didate. Ninety-five-year-old makers in Anwar’s party. the energy revenues. bomb. potential rival for the budget in November would be Mahathir and his ally-turned- The opposition needs to work Sarawak’s ruling Gabungan Adeeb left the country premiership. another crucial test for the foe Anwar Ibrahim have both harder to show a united front and Parti Sarawak coalition is aligned illegally last August but was Muhyiddin yesterday suc- government. declared their intentions to be present clear economic policies with Muhyiddin’s administration, arrested in neighbouring ceeded in his bid to replace the Southeast Asia’s third-largest the bloc’s candidate, but to recover from the coronavirus and with 18 lawmakers is seen India and returned to the speaker of parliament’s lower economy has been grappling Mahathir later threw his support pandemic to win over voters in as a kingmaker. archipelago to face the cor- house by a margin of two votes. with political uncertainty since behind Mohd Shafie. any election, he said. The chief of Malaysian energy ruption charges. But he fell one vote short of a Muhyiddin was unexpectedly A long-time UMNO stalwart, Should he be named the giant Petronas quit last month Yameen, meanwhile, is in simple majority with only half made prime minister in March Shafie was suspended from the opposition’s candidate for prime after a disagreement with the jail facing money laundering of the 222 lawmakers in the by forging an alliance with the party in 2016 for questioning the minister, Mohd Shafie would be prime minister over giving more charges. house voting for his motion. graft-tainted UMNO party that then-prime minister Najib Razak the first from outside Peninsular oil money to Sarawak, sources During his five-year term “It is not even a simple was defeated in a 2018 election. over his handling of the 1MDB Malaysia, the traditional centre said. Critics have said Muhyiddin ending 2018, all his political majority. It is clear that it is a The opposition, which now scandal. He later quit the party of political power and economic was offering the state more oil rivals were either locked up hung parliament,” Mohd Shafie includes his predecessor to form his own party based in development. revenues to gain its support. or forced into exile. 77 dead in floods India’s tech hub, other and landslides in India’s cities back in lockdown Assam state AP — GAUHATI amid COVID-19 surge REUTERS — BENGALURU/MUMBAI government, worried about the Six more people have died in economy, ended a nationwide floods and mudslides in north- India’s high-tech hub of lockdown that had thrown mil- eastern India’s Assam state, offi- Bengaluru went back into a lions of people out of work. cials said yesterday, taking the coronavirus lockdown for a Bengaluru began seeing a death toll to 77 from more than week yesterday after a surge of surge in infections from late two weeks of heavy rains that infections, threatening to derail June as both testing and the caused one of Asia’s largest government efforts to revive a movement of people picked up, rivers to overflow. stuttering economy. Hephsiba Korlapati, a senior The Brahmaputra River con- Places of worship, public official in the city’s COVID-19 tinued to wreak havoc, dis- transport, government offices response team, said. placing more than 2 million and most shops closed again In all, India has 906,752 people, the officials said. Vast from the evening, and people cases of the novel coronavirus tracts were still underwater with were confined to their homes, with 28,498 new infections 26 of the state’s 33 districts badly only allowed out for essential reported yesterday, according affected. needs. to data from the federal health MS Mannivanan, head of the Schools, colleges and res- ministry, the third highest total State Disaster Management taurants will remain shut, in the world behind Brazil and Authority, said rescue and relief authorities said. the United States. A health worker wearing personal protective equipment collects a swab sample of a resident at operations were underway. Bengaluru, home to some of While cases in the main a free testing centre for the coronavirus, at a school in Secunderabad, Telangana state, yesterday. “We have 40 teams of the the world’s biggest IT firms such cities of Mumbai and Delhi State Disaster Response Force as Infosys, had only about 1,000 account for most of the tally, curbs on movements to contain Raina and several members of biggest brokerage and in the worst-hit areas and the coronavirus cases in mid-June infections are picking up in the virus. the BJP after a party worker was investment bank Nomura. army also is on standby,” Man- and was seen to have fared smaller cities, forcing author- Jitendra Singh, a junior killed last week by militants. “We also find growing evi- nivanan said. better than other parts of India ities to re-impose curbs. union minister in charge of the Twenty-four BJP workers dence that after the initial nor- The Brahmaputra River, in terms of testing and contact The western city of Pune, prime minister’s office, quar- also tested positive in Patna, malisation in activity, mobility which flows through Tibet, India tracing. which is also an industrial and antined himself yesterday after capital of the eastern state of trends have started to plateau and Bangladesh, burst its banks But infections had grown to tech hub, began a 10-day Ravinder Raina, the ruling Bihar, according to its chief and fall lately,” Nomura said in in Assam late last month, inun- nearly 20,000 by Monday, shutdown on Monday while Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) minister, who imposed a 16-day a note. dating large swathes of the state something health experts cities as far flung as Shillong in president in Jammu and strict lockdown in the state. “This implies that growth and triggering mudslides. blamed on the lifting of restric- the remote northeast to Sri- Kashmir, tested positive for The curbs raised questions could remain below pre-pan- In neighbouring Bangladesh, tions in June when Prime Min- nagar, the main city of Kashmir COVID. about prospects for India’s demic peaks for a prolonged over a million people are ister Narendra Modi’s in the far north, imposed new Singh visited the region with growth, according to Japan’s period of time.” marooned or have left their homes for higher ground along with their cattle and other belongings. Philippines to use police in house-to-house searches for COVID-19 cases “The situation is grim, REUTERS — MANILA The tough approach go house-to-house and we human rights groups battling of Filipinos are respected and although the Brahmaputra’s comes during a week where will bring the positive cases what they say is impunity for protected with this new waters have receded slightly Philippine authorities and the Philippines recorded to our COVID-19 isolation abusive police who have sys- approach?” said Phil Rob- today with the intensity of rains police will carry out house- Southeast Asia biggest daily facilities.” The strategy is a tematically targeted poor ertson, Human Rights Watch coming down a bit,” Manni- to-house searches for jump in coronavirus deaths departure from previous communities in a bloody war deputy Asia director. nanan said. Thousands of people COVID-19 patients to prevent and saw hospital occupancy advice for positive cases with on drugs, as noted in a recent “Given that Philippine law were taking shelter yesterday on wider transmission, a minister grow sharply, after a tripling mild symptoms to United Nations report. Police enforcers have some of the a raised river embankment after said yesterday, amid soaring of infections since a tough self-isolate. have rejected that. most checkered COVID being displaced from their sub- death and infection numbers lockdown was eased on June Justifying the searches, Ano Police are accused of responses in the world in terms merged homes in central and some areas returning to 1 to allow more movement cited a 2019 law on disease being heavy handed during of human rights, this certainly Assam’s Morigaon district. a stricter lockdown. and commerce. reporting and surveillance. the pandemic, including raises fears.” “Our villages and all nearby Interior Minister Eduardo “We don’t want positive Interior Undersecretary arrests for minor infringe- Police did not immediately villages have been under chest- Año urged the public to report patients to stay home in (self) Jonathan Malaya said tracking ments and reports by activists respond to a request for deep water for about a week cases in their neighbour- quarantine especially if their down positive cases was nec- of children killed while vio- comment. There have been now,” said Nilima Khatun, who hoods, warning that anyone homes don’t have the capacity,” essary because some had lating curfews. 57,545 Philippine coronavirus was clutching her 2-year-old infected who refused to coop- Ano told a news conference. absconded. “How is the government infections, of which 1,603 were child. erate faced imprisonment. “So what we will do... is to The plan will likely alarm going to ensure that the rights deaths. 08 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]

Administrative Control and Transparency Authority building in Doha EDITORIAL Corruption harms rule of law QA, a helping hand for humanity QNA — GENEVA tainable Development Goals. active and serious country in the QATAR Airways is expressing its commitment to the He added that the State of fight against corruption globally global community in this trying times again and again. The State of Qatar stressed that Qatar has taken advanced steps through joining the United The flag carrier of Qatar and the world’s largest cargo corruption harms the rule of law in the field of combating cor- Nations Convention against Cor- airline has announced ‘1 Million Kilos’ campaign to help and the ability of states to ruption at the national and inter- ruption and by allocating an alleviate the suffering of people struggling with the novel strengthen governance systems national levels, pointing out the annual award bearing the name coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in different parts of the that respect and comply with establishment of the Adminis- of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim world. In the first-of-its-kind initiative, the world’s best human rights standards. trative Control and Transparency bin Hamad Al-Thani, aimed at airline will carry one million kilos of humanitarian sup- This came in the speech of Authority in 2011 to focus on raising awareness on the impor- plies all over the world, free of charge. Qatar Airways Al Nuaimi said the State of Qatar, delivered by oversight, transparency and tance of addressing corruption, is donating one million kilos of freight to selected cus- that the State of the Deputy Permanent Repre- integrity of public office and encouraging the implementation tomers around the world to give to charities of their sentative of the State of Qatar to combat corruption in all its of decisive measures of the choice allowing the movement of medical equipment, Qatar agrees with the United Nations Office at forms. United Nations Convention humanitarian relief essential products to where they are what was stated Geneva Abdullah Hamad Al He also pointed out to the against Corruption and honoring most needed. in the report that Nuaimi, during the interactive State of Qatar providing all the the exceptional projects and Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar dialogue on the Special Rappor- requirement to support the work efforts aimed at fighting Airways said about the campaign: “This action was trig- corruption is teur’s report on the inde- in the Rule of Law and Anti-Cor- corruption. gered by the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic is a tragedy harmful to the rule pendence of judges and lawyers ruption Center in Doha, which He said that as a continuation for millions of people, and we looked for ways how we, of law and the under the third item on the was established in 2013 and is of these efforts and in implemen- as an airline, could help those in the greatest difficulty. agenda of the Human Rights promoting respect for the rule of tation of the Doha Declaration on This solution — shipping 1 million kilos of cargo free of ability of states Council. law and fighting corruption, in Integrating Crime Prevention charge – is a firm commitment for QR Cargo. More than to strengthen Al Nuaimi said that the State addition to providing various and Criminal Justice issued in just words, we wanted to act and to adopt a compre- of Qatar agrees with what was training programs, including 2015, the State of Qatar and the hensive approach based on actions for the future.” governance stated in the report that cor- programs for prosecutors and United Nations recently signed a The campaign is the first chapter in an ambitious systems that ruption is harmful to the rule of judges in many countries. Al declaration of intent regarding sustainability project called We Qare. We Qare is a series respect and law and the ability of states to Nuaimi continued by saying that the establishment of the United of concrete air cargo actions built on four fundamental strengthen governance systems the State of Qatar appreciates the Nations Judicial Integrity Center pillars – economy, environment, society and culture. comply with that respect and comply with great confidence the United for research and training in After the invasion of COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar human rights human rights standards, as well Nations has in the Qatari Doha, as a step complementary through its different entities, has been extending help standards. as its impact on the ability of Attorney General by choosing to efforts to create the global to several countries in the world to get out of the states to provide the resources him to occupy the position of UN network of judicial integrity that imbroglio. Qatar Airways, which has never stopped flying necessary to fulfill economic, Special Advocate for the Pre- aims to help judicial bodies throughout the pandemic times, has been at the fore- social and cultural rights, in vention of Corruption. enhance judicial integrity and front of these efforts with umpteen initiatives. The airline addition to it being a major Al Nuaimi said that the State prevent corruption in the judicial has flown millions of tonnes of medical supplies to every obstacle to achieving the Sus- of Qatar has emerged as an system. nook and corners of the globe. Qatar Airways has been instrumental in taking home thousands of people stranded in several countries, drawing applause from countries spread across all the continents continents. The era of free news for Facebook and Google may soon be over In May, Qatar Airways announced a groundbreaking campaign to honour and appreciate the tremendous combined market values in in turn, direct traffic back to Greenfield, an analyst at New efforts exerted by the health care professionals, the New York of about $1.7 trillion. the publishers’ websites. York-based research firm heroic front-line fighters, by offering 100,000 tickets “This would be a major The nature of this rela- LightShed Partners, said in an free to any destination in the world to which the airline shot across the bow from a tionship is central to the email. “I have no idea how flies. regulatory perspective,” said crackdown by Australia’s they will determine the value.” On May 19, 2020, Qatar Airways and UNHCR signed Dan Ives, an analyst at competition watchdog. Even Sims warns it will be an agreement under which the airline supported the Wedbush Securities in New “There’s no doubt the net “extremely hard,” but says delivery of crucial aid supplies to those most in need ANGUS WHITLEY York. “It could open up a Pan- value flow is to the platforms,” “there are always ways to put during this crucial time. The UNHCR was able to deliver BLOOMBERG dora’s box around moneti- said Sims. Facebook has called numbers around things.” And lifesaving support including water, medical care and zation and sharing of data.” such an assumption “funda- in recent months, publishers hygiene materials to keep refugees, internally displaced Facebook and Google have for In an interview, Australian mentally incorrect.” appear to have gained ground people and host community members safe around the years operated like shop Competition & Consumer In a 58-page submission to in the argument. world, with the help of Qatar’s national carrier. windows for news stories, Commission Chairman Rod the ACCC last month, In April, France’s antitrust plying their billions of visitors Sims said he knows of several Facebook described news as regulator ordered Google to with free snippets and infor- counterparts overseas who are “highly substitutable” content. pay media companies to mation from articles across the considering taking similar Even a complete purge of display snippets of articles. web. An antitrust tussle that’s steps. With traditional media stories in Australia, Facebook Then in June, Google said it coming to a head in Australia hemorrhaging jobs and facing said, would make little dif- would pay certain media D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR is set to change that. an assault from populist politi- ference. “News does not drive outlets it will feature in a yet- cians alleging fake news, the significant long-term com- to-be-released news service EMAIL: [email protected] Australia’s competition regulator will this month 69-year-old is swinging the mercial value for our in Germany, Australia and publish draft rules forcing the pendulum back in the pub- business,” it said. Brazil. Terms weren’t EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 two US tech giants to share lishers’ favor. To Sims, it’s Australian news organiza- disclosed. FAX: +974 4455 7758 revenue generated from news about more than simply tions, meanwhile, garnered 2.3 Perhaps most significantly, with the original publishers, forcing businesses on his beat billion clicks from Facebook’s Facebook late last year intro- MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 including Rupert Murdoch’s to play fair. news feed between January duced a separate news section, News Corp. A final version of “This one matters because and May 2020, Facebook said. paying the publishers whose DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 the code, the first of its kind in journalism matters,” he said. At Google, only a “very stories were featured. Some the world, is due to follow “The fourth estate is such a small” direct and indirect eco- 200 publishers were involved LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 soon after. fundamental part of what nomic value comes from news in the Facebook News service, Between them, Facebook makes our societies work.” in Google Search, Australia some of them receiving BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 and Google have a dominant Traditional media com- Managing Director Mel Silva between $1 million and $3 position in the online adver- panies have long complained said in a May blog post. Mean- million a year to put articles in SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 tising market and that has their content is being exploited while, Google Search the section. been under intensifying regu- by digital platforms without accounted for 3.44 billion The ACCC’s mandatory ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 latory and political assault in due compensation. But that’s visits to Australian news pub- code goes further: the watch- email: [email protected] the US and Europe, with Aus- only part of the picture. lishers for free in 2018, she dog’s concepts paper raised tralia now adding another While platforms and pub- wrote. the possibility of collective PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 front of attack. lishers all compete for web Amid the dispute, it’s not media boycotts of Facebook email: [email protected] Investors are sitting up, clicks and eyeballs that can be clear what the code will cost and Google in the absence of too. Should watchdogs in other turned into advertising the tech giants in Australia. “appropriate remuneration.” ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 markets follow Australia, it revenue, they’re also allies of That’s partly because in In a statement, Google said FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] would chip away at two of the sorts. News stories, or even between the baby pictures and it has “worked closely and most wildly successful just links to them, are part of community group posts on constructively with news CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 business models of the 21st the appeal of Facebook and Facebook, it’s almost impos- media businesses, the ACCC email: [email protected] century, built largely on Google, helping them keep sible to quantify the subjective and the government as part of content free-for-alls. visitors engaged and vacuum appeal of news. “I would say this process and will continue SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 Facebook and Alphabet have up more data. The tech giants, #goodluckregulators,” Rich to do so.” FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar Canadians have made tremendous sacrifices and we are seeing the fruits of our labor. We /Peninsula_Qatar have an average of about 300 cases per day. In /ThePeninsulaNewspaper the US they have about 60,000 cases per day. Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada’s Deputy Chief Public Health Officer +974 6698 6188 WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 ASIA 09 US rejects China’s claims in South China Sea

REUTERS — WASHINGTON The US has repeatedly at a regular briefing. sent large fleets of “The US has repeatedly sent The United States rejected large fleets of sophisticated mil- China’s claims to offshore sophisticated military itary planes and ships to the resources in most of the South planes and ships South China Sea ... The US is the China Sea, drawing criticism troublemaker and destroyer of from China which said the US to the South China regional peace and stability.” position raised tension in the Sea ... The US is the China claims 90 percent of region, highlighting an increas- troublemaker and the potentially energy-rich ingly testy relationship. South China Sea, but Brunei, China has offered no destroyer of regional Malaysia, the Philippines, coherent legal basis for its peace and stability: Taiwan and Vietnam also lay ambitions in the South China claim to parts of it. Sea and for years has been using Zhao Lijian About $3 trillion worth of intimidation against other trade passes through the Southeast Asian coastal states, “The world will not allow waterway each year. China has US Secretary of State Mike Beijing to treat the South China built bases atop atolls in the Pompeo said in a statement. Sea as its maritime empire,” region but says its intentions are “We are making clear: Bei- Pompeo said. peaceful. jing’s claims to offshore resources The US statement supports Analysts said it would be The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz receives fuel from the Henry J Kaiser-class fleet replenishment across most of the South China a ruling four years ago under important to see if other coun- oiler USNS Tippecanoe during an underway replenishment in the South China Sea, recently. Sea are completely unlawful, as the UN Convention on the Law tries adopted the US stance and is its campaign of bullying to of the Sea (UNCLOS) that inval- what, if anything, Washington The Philippines strongly Taiwan foreign ministry so-called nine-dash line on its control them,” said Pompeo, a idated most of China’s claims might do to reinforce its supported a rules-based order spokeswoman Joanne Ou told maps that encompasses about prominent China hawk within for maritime rights in the South position and prevent Beijing in the South China Sea and reporters. nine-tenths of the 3.5-million- Trump administration. China Sea. from creating “facts on the urged China to comply with the The relationship between square-kilometer waters. The United States has long Chinese foreign ministry water” to buttress its claims. four-year-old arbitration ruling, the United States and China has “This is basically the first opposed China’s expansive ter- spokesman Zhao Lijian con- “The Southeast Asian its defense minister, Delfin grown increasingly tense time we have called it illegit- ritorial claims on the South demned the US rejection of claimants, especially Vietnam, Lorenzana, said. recently over various issues imate,” Chris Johnson, an China Sea, sending warships China’s claim. will feel more confident in Taiwan welcomed the US including China’s handling of analyst with the Center for Stra- regularly through the strategic “It intentionally stirs up asserting their jurisdictional statement. the novel coronavirus and its tegic and International Studies, waterway to demonstrate controversy over maritime sov- rights under UNCLOS,” said Ian “Our country opposes any tightened grip on Hong Kong. said of Pompeo’s statement. freedom of navigation there. ereignty claims, destroys Storey, senior fellow at the attempt by a claimant state to China routinely outlines the “It’s fine to put out a Monday’s comments reflect a regional peace and stability and ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in use intimidation, coercion, or scope of its claims in the South statement, but what you going harsher tone. is an irresponsible act,” he said Singapore. force to resolve disputes,” China Sea with reference to a to do about it?” Armenia-Azerbaijan border fighting escalates, 14 dead Japan says virus adds to

AP — YEREVAN died from Armenian shelling serious spike in hostilities since that Azerbaijani drones launched security threat by China yesterday, Azerbaijan’s Foreign 2016 when scores were killed an attack on the Tuvush province Fighting between Armenian and Ministry said, bringing total cas- in four days of fighting. town of Berd, targeting civilian AP — TOKYO coronavirus (COVID-19). Azerbaijani forces escalated ualties from the fighting to 14. The latest incident began infrastructure. Defense Ministry “The COVID-19 pandemic yesterday, with Azerbaijan The two neighbours in the Sunday when Armenian and spokeswoman Shushan China is pushing harder to may expose and intensify stra- reporting seven more troops South Caucasus have been Azerbaijani troops exchanged fire Stepanyan said that one of make territorial claims in the tegic competition among coun- killed, including a general, and locked in conflict over in the northern section of their Azerbaijani drones was downed. regional seas and even using tries intending to create inter- Armenia saying it has lost two Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of border. Officials in both countries The Azerbaijani military the virus pandemic to expand national and regional orders servicemen. Azerbaijan that has been under blamed each other for starting denied losing a drone and in its influence and take strategic more preferable to themselves Skirmishes on the volatile the control of ethnic Armenian the fighting and said that spo- turn claimed that its forces shot superiority, posing a greater and to expand their influence,” border between the two South forces backed by Armenia since radic shelling has continued. down an Armenian drone and threat to Japan and the region, the report said. “We need to Caucasus nations began on a war there ended in 1994. Azerbaijan’s Defense Min- destroyed an Armenian artillery Japan’s government said. closely watch their move with Sunday. The new losses bring International efforts to settle the istry said two senior officers, system along with its crew. The report highlighting the serious concern affecting the the number of Azerbaijani conflict have stalled. Maj Gen Polad Hashimov and As hostilities continued, government’s defence prior- national security.” troops killed to 11. Armenia pre- Armenian and Azerbaijani Col. Ilgar Mirzayev, were killed Armenia also accused ities was adopted by Prime As evidence, a Japanese viously reported five of its forces have frequently engaged in fighting Tuesday along with Azerbaijan of launching cyber- Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet Defense Ministry official noted troops wounded. in clashes. The current skir- five other servicemen. attacks on Armenian gov- yesterday, after the Trump that a Chinese Foreign Ministry An Azerbaijani civilian also mishes appear to mark the most Armenian officials claimed ernment websites. administration rejected out- official had posted on Twitter right nearly all of Beijing’s in March an accusation that the maritime claims in the South US military had spread the Pakistan achieves China Sea in a statement coronavirus in Wuhan and that likely to deepen the US-China Chinese media have touted global climate rift. herbal medicine as effective The Abe government’s COVID-19 treatments. change target Defense White Paper 2020 The annual report said highlights what are potential China has “relentlessly” pushed ANATOLIA — KARACHI Chinese and North Korean to “change the status quo” in threats as Japan tries to further the Asian seas, including Pakistan has achieved the UN increase its defence capability. sending 3,000-tonne class gov- Sustainable Development Goal Under Abe, Japan has steadily ernment vessels into Japanese for protecting the environment increased its defence budget waters around Japan-con- and holding off climate change and capability and purchased trolled disputed East China Sea a decade before the deadline, costly American arsenals. islands called Senkaku in Jap- the UN Development Program Defense Minister Taro Kono anese. The Beijing also claim (UNDP) and Pakistan’s Climate recently scrapped the the islands and call them Change Ministry said. deployment of a pair of costly Diaoyu. “With technical support US land-based missile inter- China is also pursuing its from UNDP, Pakistan has cepting systems due to tech- unilateral attempt in the South achieved SDG13 well before nical issues, and Abe quickly China Sea even more aggres- the 2030 deadline,” the UN announced his intention to sively and even expanding its Development Program said on revise Japan’s defence guide- area of activity into more Twitter. “UNDP in Pakistan, lines, possibly allowing Japan distant seas, a concern shared and Ministry of Climate to go beyond its conventional by the international com- Change celebrate the defence-only role under the munity, the report said. The achievement of Earth globe Japan-US security alliance, South China Sea problem SDG13, and our longstanding including discussing a possi- “directly affects peace and strategic partnership.” bility of acquiring a preemptive stability in Indo-Pacific In a separate statement, strike capability. region.” the ministry said, “Pakistan Dining in the river The White Paper accused It also cited North Korea’s has achieved a crucial mile- China of using propaganda, continued development of its stone on the road to environ- Customers eating lunch at a restaurant with tables in a stream of a river in Kampung Kemensah on including spreading disinfor- nuclear and other weapons mental protection by meeting the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. mation, about the spread of the programmes. the overarching United Nations Sustainable Devel- opment Goal 13,” under the Civilian casualties in Afghanistan “clean-green” Pakistan vision Thailand changes entry rules after new of Prime Minister Imran Khan. near 3,000 in 6 months: Data In line with Khan’s “Billion COVID-19 cases spark second wave fear Tree Tsunami” and clean- green Pakistan programmes, ANATOLIA — KABUL percent of the civilian casu- REUTERS — BANGKOK I am really sorry that it did and it added, Pakistan has alties, Afghan government I want to apologise to the achieved this target, which The first half of this year saw forces 15.5 percent, and foreign The Thai government tightened public,” said Prime Minister proves its seriousness towards 2,957 civilian casualties in troops 2.3 percent. regulations for the entry of Prayuth Chan-ocha worldwide efforts to tackle the Afghanistan as the war enters Also yesterday, at least five foreigners yesterday, after two (pictured). climate change. its 19th year, the country’s people were killed in a new imported coronavirus Concern spread among Pakistan launched the rights commission said. landmine blast on the outskirts cases with possible exposure to Thais online that a second wave “Billion Tree Tsunami” in 2014 More than 1,200 civilians of Kabul as the US condemned the public raised concern about of infections and a new in the northwestern Khyber were killed and over 1,700 the Taliban for a suicide car a second wave of infections. lockdown could follow in a Pakhtunkhwa province in an injured in 880 incidents of vio- bombing a day earlier killing at Thailand has been 50 days country fast returning to nor- effort to restore the province’s lence, according to latest least 10 security forces and without confirmed local trans- malcy after restrictions were depleted forests and fight the figures by the Afghanistan injuring over 50 others. mission of the coronavirus, but eased. effects of global warming. Independent Human Rights In a series of tweets, two cases among foreigners this Two schools were closed in The reforestation project Commission. Zalmay Khalilzad, US special week has led to the self-iso- Bangkok yesterday and at least was extended to the rest of Addressing a news con- representative for Afghanistan lation of more than 400 people 10 shut in Rayong province, Pakistan after Khan’s Pakistan ference, Naeem Nazari, deputy reconciliation, said the US and and fears on social media of a where the Egyptian had arrived Tehreek-e-Insaf came into head of the commission, said Taliban have reached Day 135, new contagion. last Wednesday and spent time power in 2018. Under the pro- this figure indicates an 11 a ‘key milestone’ in implemen- Those isolated may have returnees. at a mall before leaving on gramme, the government percent decrease in civilian tation of the US-Taliban been exposed to a crewman of The government acknowl- Saturday. plans to plant 10 billion trees casualties in comparison to the Agreement. “The use of major an Egyptian military plane in edged that regulations for dip- Shopping areas and streets across Pakistan by 2023. year 2019. However, it indi- explosives to detonate a vehicle eastern Rayong province and a lomats and air crewmen, who were quiet in Rayong and Following decades of cates, an average of 16 people in a provincial capital is unac- 9-year-old girl and family were among a few categories according to media, about 90 cutting and natural calamities, were killed or injured every day ceptable and will strengthen member of a Sudanese dip- of foreigners allowed to enter percent of hotel bookings the country’s total forest cover during this period. those who oppose peace and lomat in Bangkok. since March with self-isolation canceled. ranges between 2 percent and He added that the figures play into the hands of spoilers. Both were exempt from the requirements, have been too Thailand’s coronavirus tally 5 percent, well below the 12 indicate the Taliban are All sides must reduce violence,” mandatory 14-day state-super- lax. since January is 3,227 infections percent recommended by UN. responsible for some 48.5 he said, condemning the attack. vised quarantine required for “This should not happened, and 58 deaths. 10 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 France celebrates virus heroes on redesigned Bastille Day

AP — PARIS country where more than The lengthy military 30,000 people have already lost parade was truncated Medics in white coats replaced their lives to the coronavirus. uniformed soldiers as stars of With tears in their eyes or into a smaller affair France’s Bastille Day cere- smiles on their faces, medical closed to the public monies yesterday, as the usual workers stood silently as grandiose military parade in lengthy applause in their to prevent new virus Paris was recalibrated to honour rang out over the Place infections. honour medics who died de la Concorde in central Paris fighting COVID-19, supermarket from Macron, the head of the cashiers, postal workers and World Health Organization and undertakers and others who other heroes of the pandemic. 2,000 other guests. A military kept France going during its Yet for thousands of partic- choir sang the Marseillaise strict nationwide lockdown. ipants in a protest across town, national anthem, and troops Families of medical workers the national homage wasn’t unfurled an enormous French who died with the virus also had nearly enough to make up for tricolour flag across the plaza. a place in the stands. missteps by the government The battle against the virus Medics in jeans or sandals before and during the corona- was the main focus, as Macron strolled onto the plaza for the virus pandemic. Riot police sought to highlight France’s climax of the ceremony, and the sprayed tear gas and unruly successes in combating its worst lengthy military parade was French President Emmanuel Macron arrives with Chief of the Defence Staff General Francois Lecointre demonstrators hurled smoke crisis since World War II. Mirage truncated into a smaller affair at the annual Bastille Day military ceremony on the Place de la Concorde in Paris, yesterday. bombs as the largely peaceful and Rafale fighter jets painted closed to the public to prevent demonstrators marched to the sky with blue-white-and- new virus infections. Bastille plaza, where the French red smoke, and were joined by In eastern Paris, meanwhile, slogans against police violence, anger, acknowledging “mis- investment and hiring plan Revolution was born on July 14, helicopters that had transported medical workers’ unions spoke out against racial takes” in managing the pan- signed this week for French 1789. COVID-19 patients in distress. marched to decry years of cost injustice, or against Macron pol- demic and in pushing through hospitals, but warned of The contrasting scenes The guests included nurses, cuts that left public hospitals ill- icies seen as favouring the business-friendly reforms. “massive” unemployment and marked a Bastille Day like any doctors, supermarket and prepared when the virus raced wealthy. In an interview with “Our country is afraid. There other economic problems still other, overshadowed by fears nursing home workers, mask across France. French television networks, is a crisis of trust,” he said. to come after months of virus of resurgent infections in a makers, lab technicians, Other protesters chanted Macron addressed the public He noted a new ¤8bn lockdown. UK, France move to extend rules on face coverings in public EU drops Serbia, Montenegro AP — LONDON France, President Emmanuel give people more confidence to health policies, and Scotland Bastille Day, France’s Macron Macron said he also wants to shop safely and enhance pro- already requires masks in said “the best prevention” from coronavirus Britain and France moved require masks inside all indoor tection for those who work in shops. Hancock stressed that against the virus is masks, social yesterday to make face public spaces by August 1. shops.” People in England wearing a face covering com- distancing and hand washing. safe list coverings compulsory in more Britain and France previ- already have to wear face cov- plements other accepted strat- “We have signs that (the places as both countries try to ously took a more relaxed erings on public transport and egies aimed at keeping a lid on virus) is picking up a bit,” REUTERS — BRUSSELS get their economies going while attitude to face coverings than in hospital settings. the pandemic, such as washing Macron said, noting that at the same time seeking to many other European nations, Anyone not wearing a face hands and abiding by social dis- France’s virus reproduction rate The European Union has prevent further coronavirus recommending masks but not covering in the additional envi- tancing rules. is inching past 1 again, meaning decided to drop Serbia and outbreaks. requiring them. Germany, ronments outlined by the gov- “We cannot let our progress each infected person is infecting Montenegro from its safe list Following days of procras- Spain, Italy and Greece already ernment could be fined £100 today lead to complacency at least one other. of countries from which non- tination and mixed messages, require masks to be worn in ($125) and shops can refuse tomorrow,” he said. London Mayor Sadiq Khan essential travel is allowed, and British Health Secretary Matt enclosed spaces. entry to anyone failing to British Prime Minister Boris told the BBC he believed that did not even discuss including Hancock said the wearing of Britain’s Hancock told law- comply. Children under 11 and Johnson, who in April spent a “Londoners by and large will the United States given its face coverings will be man- makers in the House of those with certain disabilities week in the hospital being follow the rules,” without too sharp rise in coronavirus datory in shops and super- Commons yesterday that face will be exempt. treated for COVID-19, began much need for the police. cases, EU officials said. markets in England from July covers can help workers and The new requirement only wearing a bright blue mask in “The problem is not the EU diplomats yesterday 24. shoppers alike. applies to England. The other public last week. The change in issue of enforcement, the approved a proposal from On the other side of the “In recent weeks, we have nations of the UK — Scotland, policy followed. problem is the mixed messages Germany, now holding the English Channel, amid signs of reopened retail and footfall is Wales and Northern Ireland — In an interview with French and the confused communica- rotating EU presidency, to a slight virus resurgence in rising,” he said. “We want to can determine their own public television networks marking tions,’’ Khan said. exclude non-EU Serbia and Montenegro because of spreading infections, officials Germany eyes local travel bans told Reuters. The updated list will be published in coming hours or to prevent second virus wave days. The listing is only a rec- ommendation; not all of the 27 AP —BERLIN course, not get careless in our EU member countries are measures and maintain our applying its provisions. Germany’s point person in the respect for the virus.” EU countries also dis- coronavirus pandemic said Germany has managed to cussed dropping Algeria and yesterday that the country is on flatten the curve of infections Morocco from the safe list due course to avoid a big second to three per 100,000 inhab- to a rise in COVID-19 cases but wave of infections but only if itants a week — a very low rate most opposed the move as people keep practicing social by international comparison. numbers there were still rel- distancing, wear masks and if The country of 83 million has atively low. The two North necessary, quarantine in areas reported just over 200,000 African countries are therefore that experience spikes in new confirmed cases of COVID-19 set to remain on the safe list cases. and 9,077 deaths since the start for the moment. The list is Helge Braun, who as Chan- of its outbreak. updated regularly. cellor Angela Merkel’s chief of Braun attributed Germany’s France, the main pro- staff is tasked with coordinating success to swift action during ponent of Algeria’s removal the government’s pandemic the early stages of the outbreak from the list, said at the dip- response, said Germany is con- that was focused on preventing lomats’ meeting it would adopt sidering local travel bans for the country’s health system national measures to block areas that see a sudden, unex- from becoming overwhelmed. arrivals from the North African plained surge in virus cases. This included rejecting the state, according to an EU “Our measures are appro- idea of allowing the virus to official who attended the Merkel visits Bavaria priate to preventing a a second sweep through the population meeting. big wave,” Braun told The Asso- quickly in order to get through After the exclusion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bavaria’s State Premier and leader of the Bavarian Christian ciated Press in an interview at the pandemic sooner and Serbia and Montenegro, 13 Social Union (CSU) Markus Soeder talk as they are shipped on a boat to the Herrenchiemsee island near the Chancellery in Berlin. “But potentially foster future countries remain on the EU Prien Am Chiemsee, Bavaria, yesterday. Merkel was also due to attend the Bavarian Cabinet meeting. this requires us to stay the immunity. list: Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Belgium reports zero Catalan leader demands investigation Thailand, Tunisia and coronavirus deaths for into Spanish spying claim Uruguay. Italy returns AP — MADRID The Spanish and British authorisation. According to the first time since March newspapers cited a US lawsuit two newspapers, WhatsApp stolen artwork The speaker of the Catalan involving the spyware, which, believes the attacks occurred REUTERS — BRUSSELS infections has flattened dra- regional parliament demanded they reported, exploited an in April and May last year. Over matically, with a total of 62,781, yesterday that the Spanish earlier vulnerability in a two-week period, the news- to France Belgium, which has reined in though the daily average of government launch an official WhatsApp and could potentially papers reported, 1,400 AP — ROME the coronavirus after becoming new cases in the last seven investigation into reports that provide access to everything on WhatsApp users were allegedly the worst-hit mid-sized days, at 95, was up 11% from his cellphone was the target of a person’s cell phone. The targeted by the ‘Pegasus’ Italy yesterday returned to country in the world, reported the previous week. espionage, allegedly by Spanish reports provided no evidence spyware, sold by an Israeli France a stolen artwork by zero new coronavirus-related Facing a potentially risky security services. that Torrent’s phone was company called NSO Group. British artist Banksy that was deaths in 24 hours yesterday summer with its citizens vaca- Roger Torrent, a leading hacked. Facebook, which owns painted as a tribute to the for the first time since March tioning abroad, Belgium intro- supporter of Catalonia’s efforts Two other well-known pro- WhatsApp, acknowledged victims of the 2015 Paris 10. As in many European coun- duced a traffic-light system to to break away from Spain and independence figures in Cata- attacks happened at the time attacks at the Bataclan music tries that were hard hit by the determine where travellers can become an independent lonia were also targeted, Torrent’s phone was allegedly hall. pandemic in March and April, go and who should quarantine country, said the reports “prove according to the reports. Cata- targeted, but gave no further The chief prosecutor in Belgium sharply reduced infec- upon return. what we already knew: that the lonia’s efforts to separate from details. The company is taking charge of the investigation, tions by imposing a lockdown, As of yesterday self-iso- Spanish state spies on its Spain have long been a thorn legal action against NSO in con- Michele Renzo, told the French which is now being lifted. lation and testing was man- political opponents.” in the side of Spanish nection with the attacks. ambassador that it was signif- The total number of deaths datory for people returning Demanding an investi- governments. The Republican Left of icant that the handover was reported by the national public from Sweden, Leicester in gation, he said in a televised Spain’s intelligence service, Catalonia, a political party that occurring on Bastille Day, health institute Sciensano England, and areas of Spain statement, “It’s important for known by its acronym CNI, wants Catalan independence given the need to continue remained at 9,787. In the and Portugal currently under the truth to come out.” A report declined to answer questions and which includes Torrent in fighting for all freedoms. country of 11.5 million people, a new lockdown. It is recom- published yesterday by El Pais about the allegations. its ranks, and the pro-inde- “This door brings our that works out to around 850 mended for Bulgaria, Croatia, and The Guardian said Torrent Prime Minister Pedro pendence coalition JxCat minds back to the memory of deaths per million, the worst in Luxembourg and Romania was warned last year that his Sánchez’s office said in a demanded yesterday that the tragic and distressing the world apart from the tiny among others. phone had been targeted by statement that the government Interior Minister Fernando event, and tells us that for city state of San Marino. The Belgium government is spyware that, according to its was not aware that the three Grande-Marlaska appear liberty, for our individual lib- peak daily death toll was 343 meeting today to discuss maker, is sold only to govern- phones might have been urgently before a parliamentary erties, we will always have to on April 12. further easing of lockdown ments and national security hacked. It added that any such committee to answer questions fight,” Renzo said at a cer- The curve of confirmed measures. services. step would require a judge’s about the reports. emony in the French Embassy. WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 Belarus bars main rivals of Lukashenko from polls AP — MINSK, BELARUS Analysts say that none of the remaining Election authorities in Belarus candidates pose a threat to the 65-year-old yesterday barred two main Alexander Lukashenko, who has run the nation rivals of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko from of 9.5 million people with an iron fist. running in this summer’s pres- idential election. a founder of a successful high- legitimacy both at home and The country’s central technology park, submitted abroad. election commission allowed 160,000 signatures on petitions “There is no more suspense five candidates on the ballot, to get on the ballot for the in the campaign, but for denying spots to Valery August 9 election, but the com- Lukashenko, the question of Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko mission said only 75,000 were legitimacy arises, and not just and removing any serious com- valid — less than the 100,000 domestically, but abroad too, petition for Lukashenko, who needed. Officials rejected Tsep- because Western countries State funeral for 'Hero of Ukraine' is seeking a sixth term after a kalo’s complaints condemning don’t recognise such elections,” quarter-century in power. the ruling as biased. independent Minsk-based Servicemen cover the coffin of Taras Matviyiv, 31, sublieutenant of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with Babariko, the former head The ballot, among others, political analyst Valery Karba- a national flag during a funeral ceremony at Kiev’s Independence Square, yesterday. Matviyiv, who of a Russia-owned bank, will feature Svetlana levich said. has been conferred the title of 'Hero of Ukraine', died during a shelling in an armed conflict with gathered more than 400,000 Tikhanovskaya, wife of jailed The presidential campaign Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine on July 10, 2020. signatures in support of his can- popular opposition blogger this year has sparked tensions didacy — four times more than Sergei Tikhanovsky. in Belarus amid the coronavirus the minimum needed — but Tikhanovsky has been jailed on outbreak and a weakening Russia's gold exports exceed gas revenue was jailed last month on the charges of attacking a police economy. The country’s author- money-laundering charges. officer, and his wife has sus- ities’ decision not to impose a ANATOLIA — MOSCOW holding a monopoly for delivery Starting from 2010, Russia Election officials yesterday pended her campaign out of lockdown during the pandemic of natural gas to foreign coun- has been annually raising gold cited inconsistencies in Baba- fear of a further crackdown. and crackdown on opposition Russia’s revenues from gold tries, earned $2.4bn over the production in accordance with riko’s financial disclosure Analysts say that none of candidates elicited outrage and exports for the first time same period. the state policy. statement and the involvement the remaining candidates pose prompted protests. exceeded the income from the The Russian Central Bank As of 2019, Russia ranks the of an unnamed foreign organ- a threat to the 65-year-old “Alternative leaders are in sales of gas, according to the marked that Gazprom gas sales third among the top 10 gold isation in his campaign as Lukashenko, who has run the jail, and we are being offered data of the country’s Federal profits dropped to the lowest exporting countries, its share in reasons for barring him from nation of 9.5 million people to go down the same road that Custom Service and the Central quarterly figures since 2002. the world production stands at the ballot. Babariko’s team said with an iron fist, relentlessly had already led us to total Bank. Russia has been mining gold 8.3% with an annual volume of they would contest the decision cracking down on political impoverishment and an uncon- In April and May, Russian since the 19th century, having mining amounting to 281.5 tons. in court. opposition and independent trollable epidemic,” said companies sold abroad 65.4 its peak from the early 1970s to The main buyer of the Tsepkalo, a former ambas- media. However, lack of com- Tatyana Reutskaya, a 38-year- tons of gold for $3.55bn while 1987 when it faced a sharp and Russian gold is the country’s sador to the United States and petition may undermine his old teacher. energy corporation Gazprom, longtime drop. government. Ukraine: Too early Hungary PM wins parliament’s backing in EU budget talks to blame human REUTERS — BUDAPEST post-pandemic recovery. The resolution last week saying globalist, pro-immigration, show of unity over Hungary’s EU is set to spend ¤750bn financial resources from the EU anti-family and anti-nation- stance. The resolution also said error for downing Hungarian Prime Minister ($850bn) on economic should not be tied to “political alist elite,” Parliamentary EU proceedings against Viktor Orban’s nationalist recovery in member states or ideological conditions — Speaker Laszlo Kover said. Hungary and Poland for flouting of plane in Iran government won parlia- hardest hit by the pandemic. under the label of rule of law.” Kover, an Orban ally, said democratic rules “must be REUTERS — KIEV mentary approval yesterday Some EU parties want the The resolution also said parliament “will never accept closed” before the EU budget to press the European Union disbursement of EU funds to citizens of poorer EU countries any political conditions for the and rescue plan are approved. Ukraine’s foreign minister said to distribute the bloc’s coro- be tied to conditions on the should receive less money recovery package.” Bence Tordai, a member of yesterday that it was soon to navirus economic rescue rule of law, and Orban’s ruling than those in richer states. Orban has reserved the the opposition Parbeszed party, blame human error for the package without conditions Fidesz party has been sus- “(EU leaders) want to tie the right to veto the deal as a last said Fidesz’s proposal shooting down of a Ukrainian attached on the rule of law. pended by the European Peo- disbursement of these monies resort. amounted to “blackmailing passenger airliner near Tehran EU leaders meet this week ple’s Party for disrespecting to a mandate of meeting the The government did not other EU member states” to let in January, challenging the to agree details of the bloc’s those principles. political expectations of the legally require parliament’s Fidesz do whatever it wants in findings of Iran’s Civil Aviation next budget and Fidesz submitted a EU’s increasingly aggressive support but Orban wanted a Hungary. Organisation (CAO). The CAO said in an interim report that the plane was acci- Croatia to wait 2 dentally downed, killing 176 Humanoid clerk helps to people on board, because of a more years before misalignment of a radar system and lack of communication adopting euro cut red tape in Russia between the air defence ANATOLIA — BELGRADE operator and his REUTERS — MOSCOW various legal transactions. commanders. Croatia announced on Monday The robot has been But Ukrainian Foreign Min- that it will need to wait at least A human-like robot designed designed to look like an ister Dmytro Kuleba told an two more years to participate to look and act like a female average Russian woman, the online briefing that many ques- in the European Exchange clerk has started providing company behind the project tions remained unanswered. “I Rate Mechanism (ERM II), a services to the public at a Promobot said. Its facial fea- want to clearly emphasise: it is step towards adopting the euro government office in Siberia. tures were generated by arti- early to say that the plane was currency. Prime Minister The humanoid is serving ficial intelligence based on ana- shot down as a result of human Andrej Plenkovic chaired the customers in Perm, a city 1,100 lysing the appearance of error, as the Iranian side 6th session of the National km east of Moscow. several thousand females. claims,” he said. “We have Council for the introduction of So far it only helps with The robot can ask and answer many questions, and we need the euro in the capital Zagreb. issuing certificates to testify generic questions and is con- a large number of authoritative, Finance Minister Zdravko that people have a clean nected to a scanner and a printer. unbiased, objective answers Maric said Croatia can only criminal record and no record It also has access to a document about what happened.” A female human-like robot assists a visitor at a multi-functional enter the ERM II after meeting of drug use, documents database and fully replaces a reg- Iran’s Revolutionary document processing centre in Perm, Russia. the nominal Maastricht cri- required in Russia to complete istry office employee. Guards shot down the Ukraine teria, which will take at least International Airlines flight two years. with a ground-to-air missile on Croatian National Bank January 8 shortly after the Governor Boris Vujcic said the Bolsonaro can't stand isolation, to take new virus test plane took off from Tehran. country’s central bank, Iran later called it a “disastrous together with the European AFP — BRASÍLIA was scheduled for later yes- “very well” and has no fever or 65-year-old, adding he hoped mistake” by forces who were Central Bank, will henceforth terday, “should be out in a few problems breathing. He also has to resume his activities within on high alert during a confron- supervise Croatian banks so Brazilian President Jair hours, and I will wait quite anx- not lost his sense of taste, one a week at most. tation with the US. Kuleba said that Croatia will enter the joint Bolsonaro, who has been in iously because I can’t stand this of the most common symptoms “Otherwise everything is an Iranian delegation was due bank resolution system at the quarantine nearly a week after routine of staying at home. It’s of COVID-19. fine. We are working by vide- to arrive in Kiev later this European level from the joint testing positive for the new horrible,” Bolsonaro said in a “Tomorrow, I don’t know if oconference all the time and we month to discuss compen- fund in Brussels. coronavirus, announced on telephone interview with CNN the new test will confirm (the are doing our best not to let sation. Ukrainian President “We have already become Monday that he plans to take Brazil, from his official resi- virus), but if everything is fine, things accumulate,” he said. Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a member of the banking another test as he “can’t stand” dence at the Alvorada Palace in I’ll go back to work. Of course, As of Monday, 72,833 people February Kiev was not satisfied union even before joining the being in isolation. Brasilia. During his interview, if it’s the other way around, I’ll had died out of 1.8 million con- with the size of compensation eurozone,” Vujicic said. The result of the test, which Bolsonaro said that he feels wait a few more days,” said the firmed cases in Brazil. Iran had offered. Mystery as Argentine sailors infected with virus after 35 days at sea

AFP — BUENOS AIRES days of mandatory quarantine in the crew to establish the at a hotel in the city of Ushuaia. chronology of contagion,” she Argentina is trying to solve a Prior to that, they had negative said. medical mystery after 57 sailors results, the ministry said in a The head of the infectious were infected with the corona- statement. diseases department at Ushuaia virus after 35 days at sea, Two of the other sailors Regional Hospital, Leandro Bal- despite the entire crew testing have tested negative, and two latore, said he believed this is a negative before leaving port. others are awaiting test results, “case that escapes all The Echizen Maru fishing the province’s emergency oper- description in publications, trawler returned to port after ations committee said. because an incubation period some of its crew began exhib- Two sailors were this long has not been described iting symptoms typical of hospitalized. anywhere.” COVID-19, the health ministry “It’s hard to establish how “We cannot yet explain how for the southern Tierra del this crew was infected, consid- the symptoms appeared,” said Fuego province said on ering that for 35 days, they had Ballatore. Monday. no contact with dry land and The crew was placed in iso- According to the ministry, that supplies were only brought lation on board the ship and Colombia soldiers enforce virus restrictions 57 sailors, out of 61 crew in from the port of Ushuaia,” returned to the port of Ushuaia. members, were diagnosed with said Alejandra Alfaro, the Argentina exceeded Colombian soldiers patrolling the streets after a strict quarantine was declared to stop the spread of the virus after undergoing a director of primary health care 100,000 total cases on Sunday, the coronavirus in Bogota. Some 3.5 million people have returned to strict confinement in Colombia, new test. in Tierra del Fuego. and the death toll rose to 1,859. in response to the “alarming” increase in COVID-19 infections. However, all of the crew A team was examining The majority of infections are members had undergone 14 “the chronology of symptoms in the Buenos Aires area. 12 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 Three US states report record rise in virus deaths REUTERS — WASHINGTON With more than the reopening of classrooms, enabling parents to get back to Alabama, Florida and North 135,000 deaths, the work, as a key to economic Carolina reported record daily United States ranks recovery and a boost to his re- increases in COVID-19 deaths election chances on November yesterday, a trio of grim mile- seventh in fatalities 3. The nation’s 98,000 K-12 stones that follows the first per capita among the public schools are a cornerstone nationwide increase in fatalities 20 countries with the of the economy, providing since mid-April as some US childcare for working parents, states rushed to reopen. most cases. employing 8 million workers The number of new cases prior to the pandemic and pre- reported daily began rising paring some 50 million students about six weeks ago, especially fatalities per capita among the to join the US workforce. Total in southern and western states 20 countries with the most expenditures for these schools such as Arizona, California, cases. were $721bn during the 2018 Florida and Texas, which have Florida yesterday reported fiscal year, according to US been quick to lift restrictions 133 new COVID-19 deaths, Census Bureau data, exceeding that caused massive job losses raising the state’s death toll to the US Defense Department’s but also helped control the more than 4,500. Its previous $671bn budget that year. spread of the virus. record increase was 120 on July New York state plans to New coronavirus cases rose 9. Alabama reported a record reopen its schools in areas in 46 of 50 US states last week increase of 40 deaths and North where the daily infection rate over the previous week, Carolina 35 deaths, bringing is below 5% of all COVID tests. according to a Reuters analysis each state’s total to over 1,100. School buses parked in a lot in San Francisco, yesterday, as schools remain closed due to the COVID- The state has averaged an of data from The COVID US Vice-President Mike 19 pandemic. The US has reported more than 3.3 million cases of the novel coronavirus so far. infection rate of about 1% for Tracking Project. So far in July, Pence was scheduled yesterday several weeks. 28 states have reported record to visit Louisiana, which Florida still plans for its daily increases in new cases. reported nearly 13,000 new school year begins in a few announcing plans to keep threatened to withhold federal schools to resume in-person With more than 3.3 million cases last week. weeks. teachers and students from the funds or remove tax-exempt learning in August. The state cases, the United States ranks The rising US cases and Schools from Milwaukee, close contact that classrooms status if they refuse to reopen recorded over 9,000 new first in the world in cases per deaths have left educators from Wisconsin, to Fort Bend County, demand. classrooms, even though most cases yesterday, down from capita along with Peru. With California to Wisconsin opting Texas, joined California’s two The decision puts the dis- schools are financed by state 12,000 on Monday and a more than 135,000 deaths, the for online learning rather than largest school districts, Los tricts at odds with US President and local taxes. record increase of 15,000 on United States ranks seventh in a return to classrooms when the Angeles and San Diego, in Donald Trump, who has Trump’s campaign views Sunday. Canada, US poised US carries out first federal execution in 17 years Judge rejects to extend border AFP — WASHINGTON said. “Today, Lee finally faced tentative $19m restrictions to the justice he deserved.” Lee — A former white supremacist who had since renounced his Weinstein deal August 21 convicted of the 1996 murders white supremacist beliefs, of a family of three was put to according to his lawyers — was with accusers AP — TORONTO death by lethal injection sentenced to death while Kehoe yesterday in the first federal received life in prison without AP — NEW YORK The US and Canada are poised execution in the United States the possibility of parole. to extend their agreement to in 17 years. Lee, who was originally A $19m settlement between keep their shared border Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, was from Oklahoma, proclaimed his Harvey Weinstein and some closed to non-essential travel pronounced dead at 8:07am innocence in his final statement, of his accusers was rejected by to August 21, but a final confir- (1207 GMT) at Terre Haute according to a local newspaper, a judge yesterday. mation has not been given, a prison in the Midwestern state the Indianapolis Star. US District Judge Alvin K. person familiar with the of Indiana, the Justice “You’re killing an innocent Heellerstein in Manhattan said matter said yesterday. Department said. man,” the paper quoted Lee as Weinstein’s accusers in the The agreement would Lee was the first of three saying. “I bear no responsibility proposed class-action set- likely extend the closure by federal inmates scheduled to for the deaths of the Mueller tlement were too varied to be Protesters hold signs near the Federal Correctional Complex, Terre another 30 days. The official die this week after President family.” Lee’s execution had grouped together. Haute, to show their opposition to the death penalty and resumption was not authorized to speak Donald Trump ordered a been scheduled for Monday but Lawyers for several publicly ahead of an resumption of capital pun- was temporarily halted by a of executions in Terre Haute, Indiana, US. women who had opposed the announcement this week, and ishment at the federal level. judge to allow for legal chal- deal praised what they spoke on condition of ano- Lee and another man, lenges to the drug that was to “It is shameful that the gov- other victims had filed a lawsuit described as Hellerstein’s swift nymity. The restrictions were Chevie Kehoe, were convicted be used to put the federal ernment saw fit to carry out this seeking to delay the execution, rejection of a one-sided announced on March 18 and in Arkansas in 1999 of the inmates to death. execution during a pandemic,” arguing that it was dangerous proposal. were extended in April, May murders of gun dealer William US District Judge Tanya Friedman said, and “when the for them to travel to Terre A spokesperson for New and June. Mueller, his wife, Nancy, and Chutkan said the single drug, judges in his case and even the Haute to witness the execution York Attorney-General Letitia Canadian Prime Minister her eight-year-old daughter, pentobarbital, may cause family of his victims urged because of the coronavirus James, who announced the Justin Trudeau said this week Sarah. “extreme pain and needless suf- against it. pandemic. tentative agreement on June that a decision on the border According to prosecutors, fering” — and violate a consti- “And it is beyond shameful An appeals court dismissed 30, said her office is reviewing would be announced later this the pair robbed Mueller to steal tutional ban on cruel and that the government, in the end, the suit on Sunday and it was the decision and determining week. “We’re going to con- cash and guns to finance the unusual punishment. carried out this execution in also rejected by the Supreme its next steps. “Our office has tinue to work hard to keep founding of a white supremacist The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 haste, in the middle of the night, Court. There have been just been fighting tirelessly to Canadians safe and to keep “Aryan Peoples Republic” in the ruling, lifted the lower court while the country was sleeping,” three federal executions since provide these brave women our economies flowing, and Pacific Northwest. order overnight, however, and she said. the death penalty was rein- with the justice they are owed we will have more to say “After robbing and shooting cleared the way for the federal Earlene Peterson, 81, whose stated on the federal level in and will continue to do so,” later,” Trudeau said. them with a stun gun, Lee duct- executions. daughter and granddaughter 1988. Trump, who faces a tough Morgan Rubin said in a written Mexican Foreign Affairs taped plastic bags around their According to Ruth were killed, had campaigned reelection battle in November, statement. The deal would Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said heads, weighed down each Friedman, one of Lee’s lawyers, against Lee’s death sentence, has called for stepped-up use have provided between $7,500 on Friday that an opening victim with rocks, and drowned he was strapped to a gurney for saying she wanted him to spend of capital punishment, espe- and $750,000 to some women between the US and Mexico the family in the Illinois bayou,” four hours while the final legal the rest of his life behind bars. cially for drug traffickers and who accused Weinstein of sex- “wouldn’t be prudent right Attorney General William Barr appeals were dealt with. Peterson and relatives of killers of police officers. ually abusing them. now,” given that coronavirus cases in “the states of the southern United States, Cali- fornia, New Mexico, Arizona Biden unveils $2 trillion climate plan Suriname elects new and Texas, are on the rise.” Most Canadians fear a reo- AP — WILMINGTON, DELAWARE president, ending rule of pening. The US has more con- firmed cases and deaths from Joe Biden yesterday released a COVID-19 than any country in $2 trillion plan aimed at ex-military strongman the world while Canada has combating climate change and flattened the epidemic curve. spurring economic growth in AFP — PARAMARIBO, SURINAME period in power, in 1982. “We’ve done a good job of part by overhauling America’s He was convicted of having flattening the curve. We have energy industry, with a Suriname elected former police 15 political opponents — an average of about 300 cases proposal to achieve entirely chief and opposition leader including lawyers, journalists per day. In the US they have carbon pollution-free power by Chan Santokhi as its new Pres- and businessmen — rounded about 60,000 cases per day,” 2035. ident on Monday, ending the up and executed. said Dr. Howard Njoo, Can- “These are the most critical rule of Desi Bouterse, who has Bouterse appealed his con- ada’s Deputy Chief Public investments we can make for weighed heavily on the South viction, and the case was post- Health Officer. the long-term health and American country’s politics for poned due to the coronavirus “Canadians have made tre- vitality of both the American decades. pandemic. mendous sacrifices and we are economy and the physical Santokhi, 61, was elected by Santohki’s Progressive seeing the fruits of our labor. health and safety of the the 51-member National Reform party won 20 seats in We don’t want to waste those American people,” Biden said Assembly to rule the tiny oil- May elections, enough to form Democratic presidential candidate and former vice-president efforts by reintroducing the during remarks to reporters and-gold exporting nation for a coalition government with Joe Biden speaking at the launch of his campaign’s clean energy virus in Canada,” he said. near his home in Wilmington, the next five years. the General Liberation and Njoo suggested the border Delaware. economic plan in Wilmington, Delaware, yesterday. He told the assembly he Development Party of Ronnie could reopen if Canada and the Biden acknowledged that was inheriting a country “on Brunswijk, who will be US had a similar situation in the economy is in “crisis” the sweeping proposal from in his climate plan during the the brink of financial collapse. vice-president. the number of cases and the because of the COVID-19 pan- progressives in Congress that primary. We are balancing on the edge Brunswijk is a former rebel ability to contact trace. “They demic, but said it offers “an calls for achieving net-zero The proposal doesn’t of an international default.” leader who fought a civil war don’t have a good handle or incredible opportunity, not just greenhouse gas emissions include specifics on how it After a divisive campaign against Bouterse in the late control,” he said. “It will take to build back to where we were across the economy by 2030. would be paid for. Senior cam- that saw his party win May’s 1980s. Santokhi is due to be some time... It’s more a matter before, but better, stronger, Biden’s plan does align with paign officials who spoke on general election, Santokhi sworn in as new president of several weeks and months, more resilient and more pre- a climate bill spearheaded by condition of anonymity to called for unity to tackle the tomorrow (Thursday). or a month or so as opposed pared for the challenges that lie House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in discuss strategy said it would country’s economic problems Suriname, on the north- to days.” Essential cross- ahead.” The plan marks his reducing emissions to zero by require a mix of tax increases “shoulder to shoulder.” His eastern shoulder of South border workers like healthcare latest effort to build out a leg- 2050, however. And it goes on corporations and the victory brings an end to the rule America, shares a border with professionals, airline crews islative agenda with measures farther than that bill on wealthy and deficit spending of former military strongman Guyana, Brazil and — through and truck drivers are still per- that could animate progressives achieving a carbon-neutral aimed at stimulating the Bouterse, who was first elected French Guiana — with France. mitted to cross. Truck drivers who may be skeptical of Biden, power sector. House Demo- economy. president in the former Dutch French President are critical as they move food who waged a more centrist crats’ proposal sets a 2040 Biden made no mention of colony in 2010 after initially Emmanuel Macron congratu- and medical goods in both campaign during the Demo- deadline for that goal, while banning dirtier-burning coal or seizing power in 1980 and lated Santokhi, saying their directions. Much of Canada’s cratic primary. Biden’s aim is to achieve it five prohibiting fracking, a method ruling for seven years. nations’ shared border made food supply comes from or via It reflects ideas embraced years faster. of extracting oil and gas that Bouterse, now 72, seized Suriname and France “natural the US. by some of Biden’s more pro- In the plan, Biden pledges triggered a natural gas boom in power briefly a second time in partners.” Macron added that Americans who are gressive allies during the to spend $2 trillion over four the United States over the last a bloodless coup in 1990. he hoped the two would work returning to the US and Cana- primary, like Jay Inslee, whose years to promote his energy decade. The issue is politically In November, he was sen- together to kickstart “cross- dians who are returning to campaign centered on the issue proposals, a significant accel- sensitive in some key battle- tenced to 20 years in prison by border cooperation,” stalled Canada are exempted from the of climate change. But it doesn’t eration of the $1.7 trillion over ground states such as a military court for ordering over a long-time dispute over border closure. go as far as the Green New Deal, 10 years he proposed spending Pennsylvania. executions during his first the common frontier.